2012-03 Adelaide

Indian '(tu~tralian '(t1~oeiation of ~outh '(tu~tralia lne. proudt y pr{Z~{Znt1

Indian Cultural and food f {Utival

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EDITOR Rajni Anand Luthra ASSISTANT EDITOR Sheryl Dixit

Carr Canberra elevation

IS

CONTRIBUTORS

good news for India

If~:'BY PAWAN LUTHRA

The new Foreign Minister o f J\ustmlia, Bob Carr had this to say in hi s blog of 15 Feb. 2012

" The Federal Government has expanded uranium mining and opened exports

stinmlaring debates abom historical and contempora r y issues. Carr was always keen to unders tand more about lndia and who better man one of lndia's finest dip lomats to enlighten him on th is aspect.

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02 9279 2004

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ro India. South Australia boasts what

will become the world's largest uranium mi ne. The ban for NSW reflected the a n ti - nuclear sentiment of the 1980s a nd it is irrelevant today when to beat global warming we urgently need every available source of carbon- free energy."

His appointment would have pleased many in the lndian government, none more so th a n the form er Consul General of lndia (Sydney) M. Ganapathi Gana, as be was popularly known, is now Secretary (\Xlest) in the Ministry of External

die Indi an Consul General wer e seen enjoying a cup of coffee in a coffee shop at Sydne y's Bligh Street.

Both vocifero u s read ers, they enjoyed

Bob Carr has often expressed h is admiration for tl1e democratic traditio n s of lndia. ln a conversation, he expressed his amazement at the peacefulness of the 2004 elec tions in which over 670 million voted, the incumben t BJP lost and handed the keys of me country to tl1e Opposi tion Con gress parry without any bloodshed He marvelled at the maturity of tl1e system H.is admiration of tl1e local Indian etluc of hard work and desi re for higher learning was a mantra he often repeated at Indian community events It was during his tenure as premier mat me NSW Parliament was introduced co D iwali celebrations, now such a highl ight of our community's annual social calendar.

B ob Carr travelled to L1dia a few ti.mes, born before and after becoming Premier. He is known for his love of bus h walking and lists h is rime on me foothills of

the Himalayas as o n e of his fondest memories. H is wife Helen a also has her Ind ia n links, w ith an Ind ian fatl1er, Lourd es, and Ch inese moth er, Regina,

who both mer in Malaysia.

So how will India fearure in Australia's pages n ow t h at Carr is in charge of Foreign Affairs?

While PM Julia Gillard was able to p u sh through the sale of uranium

to lndia at me recent Labor party conference, it had evo ked a stro ng reaction from tl1e then Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd Whether it was a reactio n to the snub which was directed at him as the PM had not consul ted h im prior to mis change of Labor policy, or whe.tl1er he believed that India did not deserve to be so ld urani um, Rudd 's post conference comments indicated quite clearl y that tl1e actual journey of trans ition from policy tQ sale could be arduous for India. Due diligen ce and monitoring aspects with India will have to be agreed upo n, bur with Carr at the helm, tl1ere would be a balance in tl1is direction.

Foreign M inister Carr needs also to visi t lndia soone r railier than later T he mood towards Australia is quite friendly at tl1e moment after months of bad p ress. The students' issue has largely di ed down and uranium sales are on the way forward

It is rime to engage o n ce agai n and forge deeper friendships.

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23 - 25 March 2012

Darling Harbour , Sydney

Friday 23 March - I l am - 7pm

> Special secti on and events for children and young people, groups from schools

> Performances, seminars and cu ltural workshops about diversity and multicul turalism

Saturday 24 March 11am - 8pm

> Yoga, prayers, medi tation ac tivities

> Large stree t processi on fro m Hyde Park t o Tumbal ong Park, Darling Harbour

> Rath Yatra (hand pulled Char iot)

Sunday 25 March - 11am - 7pm

> Traditi onal anci ent prac tise of co lour throwi n g/ playing colours

> Dance, music grou ps and exh i b itions

> During all festival there w i ll be food and merchandise stalls

The power of colour f

A first-time film -maker makes it to the finals at this year's Tropfest

Kalias Prasarurnn has loved M&Ms since he was a kid. By habit however, he eatS them one co lour ac a cirne

ow you might think chis is eccen tric, but i t has opened up a w h ole n ew world fo r chis yo ung engineering student.

What if we could see only one co lour ac a cirne, the thought o ccuJ"Ced co him one day. He turned t hat though t into a film, wh ich was picked as a finalise in Australia's most pop ular s hort film fescival Tropfest.

Tropfest, 'the largest short film fescival in t he world' and one of Australia's many symb olic cultural. events, presents a unique p latform co aspiring filmmakers in the country What m akes Tropfest discinctive is that the films created are who lly for the festival and include a different Tropfest

Signature Item (TS]) every year

For instance, th e TSl for 2012 was 'Ligh t Bulb'. (For 2013 it is 'Ball oon'). 16 finalists are selected from an average of 700 e n tries

every year and one s uch finalist chis year was the extremely gifted and creacive Melbounre-based youtl1 Kailas P.rasannan for bis film RGB (Red, Blue &Gm11).

Having watc hed tl1e film, I can voud1 that it's a work o f ar t and is sure co transport you ro a completely different world.

This short film, just five minu tes i n duration, encompasses a very interesti n g concept in tl1at it is about a young man suffering from rotal colo ur- blindness who can see t hree colo urs - red, blue and green , but only one at a time. Who would have tl1ought a weird fondness for M&Ms would be the starting poin t fo r a criticallyac claimed s hort film!

Kai.las n otes, 'We take colo ur for granted we all mus t take a moment in our busy lives to pause and admire eve rything a.round

" us

Accordin g to Kailas, advancement in tech n ology was another decisive factor in making the film. He explains, "I srumbled upon softwa re tl1at could h ighlight just a single colour from an im age and I tl1en in corporated t h is in to a story of a person being able to see only one co lour at a time".

\'(/hat makes hi s srory even more intriguin g is that h e has

no backgro und in fi lm - making: hi s only technical knmvled ge came from editing home videos and picru.res in the past wh idi Ltl timately came in bandy He was driven purely by confide nce, passion and desire ro make RGB a reality

However, as a beginner, he's had hi s sh are of challenges dmi ng tl1e enc.ire film -making process and i s ve r y thankful to his tean1, Jason PaL11er (c inemarograp her) , Rob LaTe r ra (acto r) and Ab in Thomas (production ass istant) for standing by him through cough times - he admi ts he though t of abandoning the entire project, not once but twice.

RG/3 was m ade o n a shoestring budget of $600. Kailas purchased t he audio righ tS for the film for just $80 online and tl1e film was shot duri ng week ends in Melbourne. lt took four month s to comp lete. To explai n a n id ea in five minutes is no easy task as Kailas agrees, " Conveyi n g the story in a few minutes while trying to maintain a good pace was indeed a challenge and moreover, 1 foun d it ha rd to stay con s tantly moti vated".

The multi- calentecl Kai.las is a professional Fire & Safety E ngineer who hopes to comp lete hi s Masters degree in E ngineering by the e n d o f th.i s year bm doesn't

rule ou t the poss ibility of making the switch to show bus in ess "lf th e oppormnity does come along to be a filmmaker, I 'll definitely take it up I have a few ideas bur need to be smart co accomplis h diem one a t a rime. The ultimate goal would be being a pan of feature film productions".

Looki ng ahead, Kail as ha s seve ral upco ming vemures which a.re in their early stages at tl1e m o m e n t. I-le claims, "My next p roject would be a short film wi tl1 a much o f h orror. In regards tO Trop fes t 20 13, 1 have an id ea whi ch Rob i s cur re ntly helpi ng m e with and I hope to produce anotl1er shorr film t h is yea r. Tropfest bas boosted my confide n ce as a budding filmmaker and alchough we as a team lack technical expertise, we know char we can still achieve w hat we want. RGB 's success has mocivated us to attem pt mo.re short films".

1\fa ny congratulations to Kailas on his s cupendous run at Tropfest 2012. He is inspiration-personified as be bas shown us tha t we can ach ieve our goals if we work towards tl1em with ceaseless enthusiasm irrespec tive of where we are and what we d o. You can fo llow http://www facebook c o m /M anjadiEncerta.inrnenr for updates.

Oil bole UP, UP, UP!

A new ad for lUP- made right here in Sydney

A~a;~~:::\.u

Sharman Joshi dancing co it, and to cop it off, making a penguin shake a leg coo in a dance- off.

This is the latest 7UP commercial from PepsiCo. So, big deal, yo u say! Well, for me ir is, as I h arbour some fond memories arrached witb this commercial. The ad was filmed righr here in Sydney not so long ago, directed by renowned A ustra lian director Damien Toogood. No, 1 wasn'r o ne of those bystanders tryi ng ro catch a glimpse of rhe shoot I was actually a part of the shoor!

Here, 1 suggesr, you log on co YouTube and see the ad for yourselves.

That pretty young lady (oo ps! I seem to have shed off my modesty already!) in pink standing with her 'screen' fanuly, inquis itively scaring at tbe penguin, is 111011 And now having trumpeted my presence in the television commercial, I owe you a share of my wo nderful experience.

The Di/ Bole T Feel UP ad for 7UP was shot over a two- clay period in Sydney on the same location where the Channel Ten show The &11011ators was /i.Jmed. Apart from the brand ambassador (Sharman in this case), the casting required an Indian family ~1u sband, wife and son), a young coUege girl, a Japanese couple a nd yes, 'The Penguin'.

latest ad for 7UP

With the exception of the first and last characters, aU of us were a uditioned and once selected, we were asked to go in for the dress reh earsal a day before the shoot.

\'{,'bile d1e director approved aU the other costumes and looks at once, my character (the Indian mom) proved ro be a problem cluld. Beige, pink or lavender.

w h at k11rti should the Indian mom be wearing? Denims, capris or cotton pants what should be d1e bonoms? After some creative brainstorming, beige and denim were g iven the nod of approval. But a.las, ch.i s was not going to be so easy!

Day 1, call time 7 .30am

After a quick brekkie, the crew was busy setting up the equipment and looking into aU the necessary detailing chat a film shoot requires, while the case got caked up. I was already feeling Like a scar with aU the debate and creative exchanges revolving arotmd m y dress, yet again! '\\7hat 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, sasha;~ng to a.11 d1e possible permutations and combinations of various co lours and tops and bottoms Finally, finally - d1e pink kl1rti and beige trousers were the chosen ones!

This was not d1e only attention coming my way. I was the only Indian on set aware of the srams of BoUywood st,'U Sharman Joshi and his resume, and had plenty to keep myself busy as I courted a raUy of questions from my feUow cast members. How big a star i s he? What movies has he clone? Is he a good actor? Is he very famous

in India? Is be as big as Shah Ru k h Khan? (Idiots, I said co chem you know, 3 Idiots, the Aa.mir Khan movie - Sharman was the guy that jumped, to protect h is maces). For someone who's been literally Living off Bollywood for the past few years (a.s an entertainment journalist in India), I regurgitated all m y Bo.llyvv'ood gyaa11 and loaded them w:id1 facts and figures.

Bue the answer co one question remained even beyond m y understanding - is he Aying down from India only for a day to shoot this ad, that too indoors? I confess chat question had been on my mind as we ll. Bue now having seen the final vers ion on-air with the la te st in CGI (computer generated imagery) and motion capmre techno logy, who:~ complaining or rather questioning!

Soon our 'Bollywood star' arrived. Unassuming, calm and composed, Sharman acknowledged our presence w im a gen tl e smile and walked straight to the set; he meant business. Yes, he knew be had only a day and lots and lors of dancing to do. So here we sat watching Sharman perfect his dance moves. Have to g ive credit to om Bollywood training, it makes dancing a piece of cake for our desi accors Sharman was no different. With no 's tarry' breaks, me acto r was truly a treat to watcl1 as he a:iecl to perfect every move a.ad every expression Matching steps with the famo us HoU ywood choreographer Simon Lind of Happy Feel 2 fame ain't easy, but our desi boy Sharman did it with ease and elan.

So when finaUy it was d1e mrn of the rest of the cast to come inro me frame, we felt the excitement running through our veins. \Vlule

Shannan's dance- off wid1 d1e (imaginary) Penguin continued, we did bir of acting. Day 1 ended with the last shot in d1e ad, the 'claps' (deservedl y so for our st,'lr performer!)

Day 2, call time 7:30am

Hav ing had a su mp mous breakfast, Day 2 was sans Sharman as he bad done his b it and Aown back co India. So we continued shooting our parts to pe1·fection. le was a comparatively shorter day for u s as we wrapped up post-lunch. f-:lm,vever the crew was still \Vorking on tl1e CGI and all d1e technical derail ing What professionalism!

Just two days and we had already become like family, chatting, h aving fun and working hard too. So now d1ar 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 t hen, when I look back at d1e experience, all l can say is, "Dil Bole I Fa/ UP!"

Meanwhile, tbe 32-year-old Joshi said in a statement about the ad, "The ?UP philosophy of Di/ Bole I Feel UP reflects the mood of our country at the moment, and how \Ve always manage to stay positi,7e". Cheers to mat. 7UP anyone?

While the director approved a ll the other costumes and looks at once, my ch aracter (the Indian mom) proved to be a problem ch ild

Boflywood star Sharman Joshi in the

6lJ@Lrr[ij~{b ~@6"lu,>rr ~!JLDLILDrr@tb.

The annual festival of the Sydney Murugan Temple commences on the 27th of March 2012

Tuesday 27.03.2012

Wednesday 04.04.2012

Thursday 05.04 2012

Friday 06 .04.2012

HOISTING OF THE FLAG Gffi rr u, <8 LJJ !D !D Lb

CHARIOT FESTIVAL <8~rr ~®6lllwrr

WATER CUTTING CEREMONY ~rr~~LD

POONKAVANAM . . IJ,l1i.lffi rr 6lJ 601 w

Hair could hold the key

Unlocking cancer codes with human hair is the specialty area ofa young Macquarie Uni researcher

Alock of hair could quite literally bold tbe key! A significant discovery b y lndian origin researcher Dharmica M iser y 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, \,rich one in eleven at ri sk of developing the disease.

Currently doctors use what is known as the "tri ple test" to identify potential breast cancer patients Based on farnily history, it could typically include physical examination, mrunmogram , ultrasound or l'vIRI and biopsy.

In the fumre, Misery's exciting new findings could well provide a safe and viab le alternative to these painful tests - one time is sui table for women o f all ages.

The PhD student at Macquarie Univers ity's Australian School of Advanced Medicine has identified tl1at women wit!, breast cru1cer have higher levels of phospholipids (fat derivatives) in their bloodstrerun iliac cru1 be detected in tl1eir hair.

"The theory behind this biology," Dbarmica told Tndirm Li11k, "is chat the cancer secretes lipids into tl1e b loodstream which are taken up b y the hair fo.llicle ru1d incorporated into the patient's hair. Lipids are found in hair cell membranes as well as o n the exterior of the hair shaft (a result of sebum and hair produces) "

Acco rd ing to Misery, the particular li pids of interest are me internal ones. "Even though lipids are found in hair cells, what we are looking for is an increase in breast cancer-associated lip ids," she clarified.

Although the correlation between breast cancer and cha11ge in hair strucmre was first n oted by Veronica Ja mes in 1999, Mistry has fu1ally identified tl1e acmal molecules tliat cause tlus cha11ge.

"Initially we assumed it was a protein change i n the hair that is associated with breast cancer," she stated. "However in 2009, we discovered tliat it was acmally a lipid that was giving rise to the changed x- ray diffraction pattern " T lus discovery, in face, was quite

Dharmica Mistry

accidental. Naturally inquisitive, Mistry ru1alysed srunples of her own hair to find telltale rings quite siniilar to diseased ones, even though she is ca11cer-free.

"Ir all came to light from using my hair as a normal control for the x- ra)' diffraction studies. M)' hai r exh ibited the change we see in a cancer patient's hair, and I had been using olive oil as a conditio ner. Olive oil is a lipid, and when I stopped applying it co my hair, the pattern reverted to a normal one," she explained.

" This ttiggered furtl1er investigation and we were able to convincing!)' demonstrate that one or more lipids were responsib le for the breast ca11cer feature in the diffract.ion pattern," continued Misery.

Based on her hypothesis, a group of researchers have now developed a rest to identify altered cell structures in women witl1 breast cancer.

"To develop a screening test for breast ca11cer, we cm a sample of die patient's hair, close to die scalp, a11d extract the lipids from the hair. We then use a technique called mass spectrometry to analyse die samples," she explained.

Supervised b y Macquarie

ULuversity's Dr Peter French an d Professor l\.fark Connor, tl1e work

is being funded b y SBC Research Limited, a private compru1y sec up in 2010 to explore the use o f both x- ray diffraction and mass spectrometry of hair to evenmally develop the test for breast cru1cer.

Mistry, who has researching this speci fie area since 2008, believes tl1ar the technology could definitely be used as a su pp lement to manm1ography and has die potential to replace mammograph y, if ascertaining the specific lipids involved increased the accuracy.

SBC is currently in the midst of a cli1ucal 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 facilitie s of Metabolomics Australia in Melbourne," said Mistry.

Currently her team is a lso working o n finding tlie association between tl1e rumour stage and the level of lipid found in hair.

As yet, commercialisation is still a couple of years away, she admitted. "\Xie still need to conduct extensive studies to confirm the accmac y of using this reclu10logy to detect breast cancer. However, if we are s uccessful , rbe

potential is enormous".

The current standard screening system (mammography) is not ro utine ly available for women under the age o f 50 for a range of reasons. "However, once we have developed a sens itive, specific and non-invasive test using hair, it is possib le that this w ill become a muversal screening tesr for women of aU ages," she added hopefull y.

Hmnan b io logy and aU irs diverse aspects, particularly tl1e way d1e b rain functions, fascinate the young researcher. "lt is extremely compelling a11d constantly challenging," says the UK born M istry who has a degree in Microbiology. " In all honesty, ] wasn't sure what research was about until my fomth year at Sydney U n iversity," she admitted candidl y "S tudying strange bacteria that live in eucal ypt trees, 1 found they could infect humans too. I l earnt so much that year and found that real science is all about chinking o u tside the square and pushing the boundaries - and all t hat is possible in research".

A positive outcome of SBC's clinical tri als could provide a lughly sensitive and painless test for breast cancer, wi th t he potential to significantly reduce the p robability of dead,

Salvation of the cat s • ec1es

A ground-breaking discovery by an Indian researcher could mean saving the wildcat family from extinction

As rop predators, w ild ca ts may be at d1e pinnacle of the food chain; sadly they are Icings of the jungle no more Human monopoly, poaching and indiscriminate commerciali sation have invaded their territory, pushing the big cats co near extinction.

But Homo sapiens could well have a chance to atone for past mi srakes and re-establish a more sustainable planet, where aU creatures great and smaU co-exist 11aking a significant breakd1rough 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 conservatio n and regeneration.

32 yea r old Rajneesh Verma has successfully produced "embryonic stem-like ceUs" from the tissue of an adult snow Jeopard.

Ear tissue samples were coUected from a s110\\' leopard at New South Wales' Mogo Zoo and then manipulated to behave like embryonic ste m cells. These cells Gill now help scientiscs Lmde rscand the developmental bio logy of d1e creamre.

While d1is technique has been previous ly effective with m ice and white rhinos, this is the first time it is being employed for the cat fami ly.

Verma's findings are the culmination of a rum- year research project at i\fonash Institute of Medical Research (MlMR). The Indian PhD smdenc, who was superv ised by Dr Paul Verma, worked in conjunction with Associate Professor Peter Temple -Smid1 of Monash U niver sity's Department of Obstetrics and G ynaecology, as weU as Professor :Michael HoUand of the Uni versity of Queensland.

The pat:11- breaking results were recently published in Tberiogenolt!gy, an internationally acclaimed joumal for animal reproductive biologiscs

"Otherwise known as induced pluripotent stem ceUs (iPSC), tl1e technique can create any ceU in die body, including reproductive cells or gametes," an upbeat Verma tol d I11dia11 Liflk.

His breakthrough is particularly signi ficant due to the difficulty of obtaining gametes, even from animals in captivity. Previously, the only way to harves t ceUs was to tal{e embryonic stem ceUs from snow leopard embryos. For conservarionists, captive breeding and in vitcio- fertilisation are currently the only options; but besides being costly a nd painful.ly invasive, d1ey are plagued b y problems such as inbreeding and low fer tility.

"Once embryonic stem-like cells are created, tl1ey can be used as a donor celJ co increase the efficiency of cloning or can be mamred into eggs or sperm - making them essential building blocks for assisted reproductive technologies:' he further explained.

"The greatest advantage o f this technology is chat it is noninvasive. I know there is a lot of opposition to cloning and manipulating ilie environment. But if science can save some species from extinction, why not use it in a pos itive way," Verma added.

According ro Verma, tlus exciting new researcl1 on what has been dubbed as "potential test rube cubs" could also be extended to othe r th reatened species. Verma is already working to replicate Lus success with other wild cacs including tl1e Bengal tiger, serval a nd 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 co the zoo and watching them, hoping co one day work with diem," he reminisced. And the fact d1at the ir numbers were rapidl y dwindling, spurred him co act

His only profess ional regret is the fact chat his research specimens are normaU y sedated. "l enjoy patting diem. U nfortunately, I can't p lay wid1 chem like one would with cats or dogs," he laments.

W h en his fan1ily migrated to Australia after !us HSC, Verma opted co pursue a degree in biotechnology In 2003, be joined ivfonash Univers ity working on bov ine cloning. Over the yea rs, he has diversified in aU d1e veterinary reproductive techniques, including IVF, stem cells and cloning

"To me, science is about always raking risks and entering Lmcharted territories wid1 the aim of finding answers and cutting edge technol ogies," said Verma

As a PhD student, Verma therefore was keen co sr.-irt research on die wildcat project even before the funding came through. ''For me, d1is project was au o pportunity to d o soruetlung for tl1e w ild cats, but something for India as weU, because tigets

are such an integral part of Indian ethos," he seated.

"Fortunately, wid1 the support of Professor Bryan Williams, Directo r of Monash lnstinite of 1fedical Research, l received an instin1te scho larship to conduct chis exciting work and things fell into p lace," he continued.

Pro mpted by his recent breakthrough, Verma is already in talks wit:11 Indian conservation experts and forestry department officials, and hopes co one day establish a research centre for tl1e conservation of India's national animal.

"My research holds great potential for the Bengal tiger, to save tl1e species from decli1ung in numbers. HopefuUy some fruitful c<;>Uaboration c ould work our soon," he added.

"By generating seem cells we've taken the first s tep in creating reproductive cells from adult tissues of an endangered animal. ln the future, we ain1 to harness the potential of the iPS cells and create offspring. Tb.is would help save species from extinction," be concluded

However, as Lhe double edged sword of funding and ernics hangs over the issue, Verma admitted drnt d1e dream of breeding endangered species in labs using artificia l embryonic stem cells c<;>uld still be )'ears away.

Rajneesh Verma

An Ind 1ansummer

The Taj Foundation pulls off a glamorous event for its maiden fund-raiser

was this ano d1er sampler of the gener al apad1y they showed on the field? Who knows!

Taj Foundation Ambassador

;' ,sHi(Aoo~A ' , ARJUN

The phi lamhropic dreams of four you ng members of our commruuty rook off in fantastic style as their maiden timd- raisiag event contributed a whopping $150,000 to charity last month , Bobby Singh, E lora Das,Junita Mushenko and Dann y Bhandari formally launched the Taj Foundation in lace February as a not- for- profit organisation ro ra ise funds for cha r itable endeavours.

Their debut event, which raised funds for Auss ie cr icketer Brett Lee's Mewsic Foundation in India and for the Steve Waugh Foundation in Australia, attracted bigwigs from the corporate world, politics and sport.

The guests were treated to the sounds and Savours of India on a g lowing swnmer's evening.

le was silk and sequins galore at the Sydney Convention Centre overlooking the glistening waterfront at Darling Harbour, at the specia l event titled An Indian S11t11111er. Rajputana furnislungs, tab la beats and mehendi artists created a feel of India.

The guests included cricket legends Steve Waugh, Brett Lee and Glen McG ratl1, as well as Gina Rinehart, Sanjay Reddy, J ack Cowin, SW Prenuer Barry O'Farrell and former NSW 10

Premier Kristina Keneally Consul General of India Amit Dasgpura, recent Miss Earth from India Nicole Faria, Peter Cummings and Dan Christian were also present.

But without a doubt, it was the celebrity cricke ters who were the main stars of the night.

Brett Lee came wearing hi s ' m usician' hat and brought along h is band White Shoe Theory He played the guitar and sang with the lead vocalist a new song Tn M] Shoes (A foot tapping number, it was an instant hit with tl,e audience). Recalling his first visit to India in 1994, he declared he was so moved by tl1e country chat he had decided ro give something back. His charitable foundation Mewsic ''aims to heal, educate and empower marginalised cJ1ildren in India through music merapy" It provides children a creative learning environment where their se lf-confidence can be nurtured. Six Mewsic centres have so far been launched, mree in Mumbai locations and one each in LL1cknow, Surat and Hyderabad.

Of course Brett also spoke about cricket (the foUowing day was the sc hedul ed India-Australia one daye r). " I r's an Indian summer ton ight, but hopefully won't be tomorrow ,'light," he quipped. (India beat Australia convincingly the next day, although the win did no thing for the team's campaign in tl1e series). He spoke of his regard for Steve Waugh, who he described as "revere d as a god in India", and his inspiration for chai:itable works.

He add ed, "1 think the Taj

NSW), Poul Brinsmead and Rikhob Join (Pearls Australasia), Barry O'Farrell (Premier ofNSW), Peter Madrers (Pearls Australasia) and Brett Lee

Foundation will s trengtl1en ties between South Asia and Australia, by forging relationships between second-generation South Asian-Australians ;i.nd the homel ands of d1eir parents. That can onl y benefit each country culturally, economically and most importantly plillanchropically'.

ln his address, Steve Waugh spoke about meeting with Mother Theresa - the in spiration for his own philanthropic activities and for the creation of the Steve Waugh Foundation. He also spoke abom what 11.is charity d oes in Australia in their work for children w it!, r are cliseases. Cricket feamred in his speech too: 11.is anecdotes w ith h is team - maces elicited much laughter, such as Brett Lee practicing a bowling tec h nique (s ans the ball of course!) at the Sistine C h apel on one of their trips there.

"Brett and I were part of some great sides on tl1e field and

it is fantastic ro team up with him again to suppo r t the Taj Foundatio n ," \~augh concluded.

Both cricketers manked Taj Foundation for the initiative and for brin ging peop le togetheL \Xlhen o ne speaker mistakenly referred to Steve Waugh as Shane \Xlarne, one couldn't help but think, why is Shane not here, given hi s India connections ?

Liz on bis arm, in a g lamorous sari, would have made headlines for sure!

Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar

Sangakkara sent a vi deo message wislung the Taj foundation well in its en d eavours. Why were d1ere no Indian cricl{eters present?

"The Indian cricket team were invited bur unfortunately due to touring commitm ents were unable to attend ," Taj Foundation director Junita Jvlusheuko revealed. No one from me lndian team sent a message eitl1er -

Dr Sam Prince presented an inspiring address as well. H e spoke about his journey as student ro becoming the owner of a chain of lvfexican restaurn.ncs in Australia and graduating from medicine much earlier d,an most at 22 He spoke about the most ambitious go al of .leading a team o f individuals to elinuna re scabies from Australia This happen s to be the first phase of h is philand1ropic efforts through a program called 'One D isease At A Time'. He received a resounding app lause by d1e audi ence who were moved b y his speech Barry O'Farrell, Prenuer of I SW detailed hi s recent visit to India and stressed tl1e need for fostering strong re.lationsl'lips with me Indian subco n tinent. He congratulated Taj Foundation and spoke in praise of charitable organisations such as Steve Waugh Foundation and Mewsic whidt work for the betterment of children ia A L1stralia ,Uld the Indian subcontinent.

Guests pledged d1eir support in a g rand auction and in donations.

Indira Naidoo was MC for the night, and entertainment was provided by Justice Crew, Platinum Dhols, tabla ar tis tes, Sirens Bolly\vood dance group and DJ Kis h

Speak.iogwitl1 llldi,111 Link later, director Junita Mushenko revealed how the idea for me night o r igin ated. "The think tank evo lved over the months, a s black tie ball, chari ty and cricket took centre stage as ke y concepts. Februnry 2012 was an opportw1ity d1at c o uld not be missed as t he Indian and Sri Lank.an cricket teams toured Australia [ovo lving the star power of Brett Lee and Steve Waugh was a narnral choice as they are so well regarded locaUy and abroad, not o nl y for their sporting achievement but also for meir plillantluopic programs".

Regarding future activities, Mushen.ko said, "The Taj Foundation hopes to increase i ts membersh ip base wid1 a view to providing community events which promote South Asian culture in aJJ its richness and complexity. L1 addition, opportunities will be provided for professional networking, linking ke y enterprises and individuals to strengthen eco nonuc relations between Australia and South As ia".

Brett Lee performs with his band 1

( From left) Dr Horry Horinoth (Cricket

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Mission to India - Lal

businesses i n sectors including ad v anc ed m an ufacmrin g, energy ge n eration and distr.ibutiort, utilities, build ing automation, and mining and natural resources.

Acade1nia and researchers will togeth e r d evelop solutions that tackle i ssues core co indus try, such as improving e nergy effic ie nc y, raisi ng productivity and addressing climate change.

ABB India CEO Bazmi Husain c o mmenced on the benefits of this aU.ian ce in ics ab ility co draw on the g lobal expertise o f a compan y that invests more than US$1 b illion a year in R&D globaUy - much of it directed at ABB's seven Corporate R esearch Centres.

Banking products

V icroria n compan y GRG

Internacional Lim ited (which supplies and distributes G RG

Banking ATMs and m anagement sofovare an d additional banking products and services) signed a lvloU with the M adhya Pradesh

Consultancy Organisatio n (MPCON) t o supply i\TMs and cash dispensers for eligible recipients co access payments using transac tion cards that will also be issued by GRG.

One of the key o utcomes will be a distribution system for payments made unde r India's l atio nal Rural E mployment Guarantee Ace (MGNREGA), which will su bstantially improve the efficiencies o f governm ent welfare

14 MARCI-I 2012

The agreem ent will create 50 new jobs in V ic roria a nd another $500 million in Victorian exports over the next 10 rears.

Subject to final cont.races G R G expects to deliver 5,000 ATMs, 25,000 point-of-sale terminals a nd four million cards, to be deployed over three years un de r a 10-year agreement.

Defence and aerospace

A m a jor Indo-V.icrorian joint venture in Bangalore was also launched cl.iring che premier's trip.

Vyoneesh Rosebank Technologies (VRT), wiU manufacture, maintain and provide product supp ort for components and equipme nt used by India's d efenc e and aerospac e industry

The Victo rian parcoer, Roseban k E ngineer ing, is a leading su pplier of defence, commercial aerospace and land systems prod uc ts and services, with cu stomers incl uding the defence forces of A L1scralia, USA and Malays ia.

Mr Baillieu unveiled a p laq u e to mark the start of construction o n a new fac il ity for VRT in Bangalore, tliat will operate stateof- the-art design , manu facturing and engineering tech n o logy.

" Rosebank Engin eering will be responsible for training V RT staff, and provide its grea t expertise and skills to h elp e n su re VRT beco m es an Indian leader in defence and aerospace services," l'v[r Baillieu said.

Th.is project will d e live r approximate ly 10 new jobs in Victoria in the near fomre

Clean technology vehicles

A nother MoU was sign ed with LJdian automotive pio neer

M:abi nclra Reva Electric Vehicles to su ppon a feasib il ity smdy exploring the potential for resea rch, supply chain development, and manufacturing of clean technology vehi cles in Victoria.

Mr Baillieu said V ic toria was a driver o f the Australian automotive industry and o ffered companies such as M ahindra Reva a comprehensive suite of capabilities, from in itia l c o nce p t a n d design r ight duough to manufacrure and assembly.

l\fabindra Reva is a pioneer of electric vehicle technologies and was one of d1e first companies to in troduce elec tric vehicles woddwide

Mr Baillien also welcomed n ew parmers hips between Mahindra Reva and t hree distinguished Victorian r esearcl1 institutions: d1e Victorian -based Auto m otive Cooperative Research Centre, Latrobe Universi ty, and Swinburne U nive rsity.

Mahi n dra Reva has entered inco an MoU with the i\utoCR C to estab lish an operational framework for an Applied Research Program. The two- year MoU will facilitate

d1e s haring of relevant confid ential in formation and enable the two parties to establis h speciiic pro jec t agreements u nd er tbe Applied R esearch Program

Th e compan y has also en ter ed in to a thr ee year MoU wid1 La T robe to facilitate coUaborntive research and d evelopment for new energy management technologies. Th e research program will develop new concepts and techniques for high -efficiency building d esign, electric vehi cles, and vehicle- to-grid technologies.

E netgy man agement systems fo r commercial buildings would encourage ernp loyees to use electcic vehicles, which could in turn serve as a so urce of energy for the workplace or help to stabilise renewable energy sources

Mr Checan Maini, "the m an b ehind Reva", v.rill become Swinburne Univers ity's 6rst

E ntreprene ur in R esidence, and w ill be engaged in t h e e..xcelleot work being w1dertaken b y d1e

Swinburne E lectric Vehicl e Group

Victoria 's automotive excel lence showcased

The Future T echnology Trends in d1e Automotive Sector Conference held durin g d1e

Victorian Government's trad e m ission co l n dia s howcased t he state's technological prowess in the auto m otive sector. 17 leadi ng

Victorian au to m otive companies and resea rch organi satio n s w id1 world - leading capabilities we re a

part of the delegation who met with leading Indian au to m otive opera ti ons to discuss new opportunities for industry and research partne r ships

Mr Richard Dalla-Rjva (Minister for Manu facm ring, Exports and T rade) said Victorian ideas, technologies and componeocs we re found in hundreds of automotive models worldwide.

"Ou.r home-grown innovations such as the uce and variable ratio rack an d pinion steeri ng have had a significant and lasting im p act on the industry a ro un d the world," h e said

" Our local automotive industry h as also been qu ick to participate in the global tre n d cowards low and no- emiss ions vehicles. It has developed unique skills to produce m ultiple model v ariants on a single production line and innovative products d1at are profitable at niche vol um es"

" Today Victoria is o n e of only 13 locations in the world with the capab ili ty to take a vehicle through the en tire productio n proc ess - from concept, des ign and engineering through to manufacmre and d elivery to the showroom floor.

"One of our recent successes in tbe global marker was the Ford Figo, India's own 201 1 International Car of d1e Year and the most awa rd ed car eve r - desig n ed and engineered in Victoria" Mr D aUa-Riva n oted

Urban design and clean technology

Premier Ted Baillieu bighlighted Victoria's skills and expertise in urban design and clean technology while speaking at the Building Sustainable and Liveab le Cities of the Fumre forum held in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry, the India Green Building Council and the V ic torian Government in New Delhi.

He stated that w ith its wealth of knowledge and experience in urban design and related technologies, V ic toria is wellp laced co assist India in meeting the cha.llenges of s ustainab le. urban development.

During the visit, Victoria's award -winning urban design business Li\B Architects announced that ir would be establis hing its fuse of6ce in India.

The ' Victorian Connection'

As part of a new Trade Engagement Program, the 'Victorian Connection' was launched as a new initiative to develop investment and trade oppor tunities in global markets. The program will help Victorian expatriates and peop le who have lived or sn1died in Vicmria and who now live and work overseas stay connected with each other and everything Victorian. Ir will support them in forming professional and personal

networks d1at provide market intelligence and id entify and develop new investment, ttade and joint ve nture opportunities between Victoria in their respective regions.

Members will be encouraged to become ambassadors for Victoria, helping to raise the State's pro61e and awareness of what it can offer in global markets

Following the launch in India, die Middle East and North Africa, The Victorian Connection wiU be launched in other markers identified by the Victorian Government as priority areas.

The program will also be extended through The Connection Business Ins ight Series, an a111mal event in key .international markers, with one event per year held in up to ten countries and will position Victoria at d1e forefront of innovation and curring- edge knowledge d11 ough exclusive ftmctions for Victorian alumni with leading thinkers from industry and/o r academia as speakers.

Fi l ms

A Bollywood biopic on one of one of India's greatest sporting heroes will have key scenes shot in Melbourne, announced Premier of Vic tori a and Minister for the Arts Teel Baillieu, during the trade mission ro India. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (R11n Milkha Rim) will teU the story of the legendar y Indian runner Milkha Singh, known as

the 'Flying Sikh', who won 77 of the international footraces our of the 80 that he entered Mil kha Singh first represented lndia at the 1956 Melbourne O lympics which introduced him to the world stage and launched hi s i nternational running career.

Bhaag Mi/kha Bhaag will be directed b y one of India's most celebrated filmmakers, Rakeysh Mehra, and will feature two of India's b iggest film st'lrs - the m ulti- talented Farhaan Akhtar and style icon Sonam Kapoor. The shoot in Melbourne will take between two and three weeks, and generate more than $ 1 million in local economic activity.

''As with other Indian films shot in Melbourne, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag will raise our profile in India and showcase Victoria as a great tourism destination," Mr Baillieu said. "Tourism Victoria will leverage the release of d1e movie through a marketing canipa.ign in India feanu:ing the key locations from the film."

Mr Baillieu said that as part of the Victorian Government's Trade Engage ment Prog ram - India, s creen in dustry ties were being strengdiened bet\veen Vicroria and India.

"We have committed $500,000 to deliver an lndian Film Festival in Melbourne in 2012, 2013 and 2014; we are establishing fellowships for yo mig Victorian directors and producers to travel to India, and we will appoint

a Indian Film Ambassador," ]\fr Baillieu said.

"We have signed a VictoriaIndia Co-production initiative which will see IO Victorians travel to India's FICCl Frames in Mumbai and support up ro three V ic rorian screen companies in joint ventur es wid, Indian prod u ction entities," he added.

Mr Baillieu said Milkba Singh's story was an inspirational one, and its strong ties tO Melbourne were an excellent opportuni ty to expand Victoria's relationship wid1 India in the realm of the arts

A lso present at the announcement were die film's director Rakeys h Om Prakash Mehra, Vikram Malhotra, COO - Viacom18 Motion Pictures, and l\'1itu Bhowmick, Director of Mind Blowing Films, the Victorian line producer.

And a bit of cricket

Mr Baillieu joined in an informal game of cricket with children on his tour, w ith cricket legends like former Indian captain r<apil Dev, V ictorian cricket star Dean Jones and Cricke t Victoria CEO Tony Dodemaicle also participating.

Afterwards he revealed, "In May this yea r, up to 20 Indian swdents wiJJ take part in an upcoming pilot program in Melbourne run b y Cricket V ictoria's ongoi n g Sports Business Program, where l am certain they will receive a warm welcome and gain valuable skills and experience".

The progran1 i s an initiative where participants develop skills in a range of sports-related fields, including administration and ttaining, marketing and major events management.

Mr Baillieu also announced on the occasion d1ar the V ictorian Govenm1enr will be working bard to secure die 20 15 ICC World Cup final for the Melbourne Cricket Grmmd (MC G ) He said that Melbourne is t he sporting and cultural capita.I o f t\usttalia and has been voted both the World's Most L iveable City and d1e U l timate Sports City on numerous occasions.

The ICC World Cup is d1e fourth - largest international sporti ng event, with 14 nations participating and an estimated te levision audience of 953 million people.

Fun and frolic for ICT students

More than 25 Imperial Colleges of Trades (JCT) smdents puc their best fooc forward ac the Mr and Ms. Imperial College of Trades pageant on February 26 in Adelaide. The contest saw studencs hie che catwalk in western a nd traditional Indian cloc h ing, impressing the judges with their talent Through che three- hour long contest, the judges and auilience were also entertained by dance performances in bhangra ( Punjabi fo lk dance), gymnastics and by various colourful groups of dancers

After an exciting afternoon of entertainment and the ilistribution of awards in a range of fun categories, Pw1eec Sharma and Utcamjit Kaur were crowned Mr. and Ms. Imperial College of Trades. Pushpinder Singh and Baljeet Kaur were awarded the Mr. Handsome and Ms. Gorgeous pri2es

The judging panel included Mark Cody, Execu tive Direccor, P rima ry lnd u scries Skills Council; Retd. Major General Vikram Madan, ex-Ptes.ident, Inilian Australian Association of Sou th Australia; Lt. Col. Recd. Bikkar Singh Brar, ex-CEO, Imperial College of Trades, among others.

avtej Singh Bal (CEO of ICT) and Koma! Bal put the entire event together 1t provided che young students wid1 an opportunity for some fun and frolic and d1ey en joyed every minute of it.

Imperial Colleges of Trades is distinguished by being the only College in South Allstralia that offers a Diploma of Horticulture co overseas sn1dents, and die on ly College in Auscralia diat delivers an Advanced Diploma of Horciculmre co overseas students.

Puneet Sharma, Uttamjit Kaur, Pushpinder Singh and BaljeetKaur

Vikram Madan, Navtej Bal, Mark Cody, Bikkar Brar

Mark Cody

Alexyz charms cricket fans

j . BY

1.

~ FRANKEY GERARD FERNANDES

Celebrity Indian cartoonist Alexyz

Fernandes treated cricket and arr fans from around South Australia 111st month, with his 'Sir Donald Bradman Crickeroons exhibition and fun shop', an event organi.scd by C lub India Imernational SA Inc (CIISAI).

Alexyz Fernandes, a renowned Goan caricaturist, was on a holiday Down Under and took time to showcase his work in l cw Zealand and Australia With a career spanning du:ee decades, Fernandes was brought by Club India International SA lnc. to Adelaide to present his collection of Sir Donald Bradman's caricatures to d1e community.

The l O year old Samson Fernand es welcomed d1e gathering 18 MARCM 2012

before the President o f CIISAl, MaJ,,.'Wel l Taylor welcomed Chief Guest Kirsten Al exander, Mayor of the City of Charles Sturr and cartoonist AleJ,,.'j'Z Fern andes to d1e event.

Mr Fernandes thanked Club Lidia for arranging the function and spoke about his fascination for the legendary batsman Sir Donald Brad.man, upon whom he has based some of his g reatest works. Some of these a re d isplayed in the Sir Donald Bradman Museum in Bowral, New Somh \Xlales.

"Cricket was originally d1e gan1e of gen tl emen," said Fernandes, " and this aspect was personifi ed b)1 Donald Bradman - in his game and in everyday life. His style was one that was not driven by the commercialism we witness today."

"It is a dream come true for me to be here, in Australia, the lan d Bradman c al led home," he added.

The Mayo r then addressed the communi ty and welcomed Mr Fernandes to the City of Adelaide. She was very happy to be invited,

and congratulated AJeJ,,.1 z on his creative work.

" ln C h arles Smrt, we take great pleasure in celebrating unique individuals, groups and organisations, people who bring our city alive w irh arr, music, dance and culture," d1e mayor said. " Like Club lndia, Charles Smrt strives to promote diversity of language and culmre, and shares d1e Club's belief in unity an d diversity".

l\'1s Alexander shared tli at Donald Bradrnan was indeed a fm7 ouri te of hers as a young child , when she was learning how to play cricket.

"Donald Bradman's integrity as a cricketer is insp irational What amazes me is tbar through :rv1r Fernandes' work, a. common fascination for an Australian cricketer has c rossed the boundaries of ti m e, distance and culture." Ms A l e.xander said.

The cartoonist also drew a caricature of the Mayor and presented die same to her later du.ring the evening.

As could be expected, diere was

a .large Indian community turn om, to welcome the artist and celebrate bis achievements.

Mr Fernandes was keen to teach children how to draw. He drew from a model who had volunteered and based his funshop activity o , a step-b y- step guide for children to follow. i\fr Fernandes e nc ouraged die children to use their own creativity as they drew tbe model. There were funky doodles and quirky

drawings, w ith some children exp loring art in a new light. The fun -shop prize went to 10-year old Marc Jose who used bold lines, with a kangaroo body - an original piece of arrwork!

The fun - shop was very successful. Both children and parents relaxed w h ile drawing sketches and h ad a b it of oldfashioned fun Sasha. Sequeira proposed the vote of thanks

Kirsten Alexander, M ayor of th e City of Charles St ur t with celebrity Indian cartoonist Alexyz Fernandes

Power to the people!

There's a reason why India is hailed as the world's greatest democracy, which is apparent in every aspect of the daily lives of its citizens

India's lively political scene has always appealed co my inner journalise. Say what you warn about Indian politics - the Indian people do not cake chcir democratic privileges for granted. L1 fucr, I often wonder if India's bureaucracy, regardless of its (many) fu.ulrs, constitutes a more democratic system than chat of many western nations.

Lee's not forget that democracy might be undermined, but is not abrogated by corruption; democracy is fundamentally 'the rule of the people' in all its manifestations, beautiful and ugly. The Indian people do , co a large degree, dictate the direction of their nation.

This makes for a clear contrast with Auscra.lia, where political apathy has become a national epidemic. The huge crowds drawn in by anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare's campaign are testan1ent co the Indian populace's political engagement. Even the media gets on board - all of this is a far cry from many Western democracies where a moral obligation would fail to garner such widespread support.

Take the American invasion oflraq; while many cook co the streets, it wasn't enough co sway governments who had che mainsueam media wrapped around their fingers. In many coun cries celebrities and activists, all potential spokespeople, were nowhere co be seen.

It's yet co be seen if people power can (or will ever) a.ire India ofir.s corruption problem, bur it certainly feds like a fight which the people wane. After all, modem India was founded on a public movement of civil disobedience and protest. The very face ofsocial activism is co be seen on every cen rupees I handle, regardless of how grubby the note is. Perhaps we will have co wait until the newer, more globally aware and more financially mobile generation comes of age until we see a significant cl1ange in [ndia's policies; it has always ba.ffied me that India's very yow1g population (according co some estimates, up co 50% are under 25 years of age) , are ruled by an ancient group of elir.e survivors.

One place where the power definitely isn't , however, is in Chennai's elecuicity grid. As the subcontinent hears up, the

regular power cuts, known as 'loadshedding', become ever more frequent. I don't have the pathological hatred of loadshedding that most Indians possess - I acrually find the unscheduled silence that graces the neighbourhood to be a rather calming experience. The frusuation felt by many Indians is understandable though, because the lack of elecrricity is indicative of a much deeper problem.As one Chennaiker so eloquently stated; " Why should we go without electricity every time Jayalalithaa ro lls over? There's no shortage of power lines lying around the shoddily constructed footpaths! "

This anger is palpable in many conversations. The answer, perhaps, is co be fow1d in che number of Indians who talk but don't act. In ocher words, how many people complain abom corruption but still pay bribes to evade uaffic fines?

If corruption is as rampant as we a.re led to believe, and the anticorruption movemenc enjoys as much support as we are co ld , then chere muse be some overlap.

Conversely, there is somedung to be said for the corrupt justice I recently saw meted out co a neighbourhood chief. My neighbour caught the pilferer and tightened a cha.in around his neck. I cl1ought he was going to lynch him, but cl1e cl1ain was used to restrain whil e an uncle threw punches and yelled obscenities. When police arrived cl1ey pulled him away from the thief, and rhen the policeman stepped forward and cook his turn at beating up cl1e criminal while the house owner watched on. Wrong, I agree - bur I wonder if many Indian victims of crime wou ld be satisfied with a more we.seem ized 'rehabilitation' process for criminals? I doubt it - so whether it's right or wrong, maybe Indian democracy really is more representative of the people's wi ll than we assume.

Ac the end of the day, the idea of 'India' always seems to prevail - tl1e idea clia.t everyone gees a say, chat the nation is somdiow, if not obviously, cohesive, and that cl1e Indian people are free. In cl1e battle of the rising superpowers it's easy co compare India's progress with that ofChina. "Look at how well they're progressing" I hear many Indians say. Suggest to cl1ese people however that they should be li mited to having one child, chat cl1ey should be highly taxed (or taxed at all, in many cases!), or char chey should be subject to rigorous

media contro l and a cry of protest arises. That cry is exactly why India can't be China - and nor should it cry co be.

A common stereotype oflndia.ns is that they calk too much - and as with most stereotypes, cl1ere is an demen t of m.1 th there. But chis is what makes India great - let's cackle corruption, but lee's not forget that many counuies gm to where they are by shutting peopl e up. I hope the Indian people never stop talking, because without dialogue what else cou ld hold l .2 billion Indians cogetl1er? I love that in India I can express my views in a public forum and protest ifl want, with cl1e distinct hope that I might just change something. I can even type whatever I like on the internet, and watch whatever I want on cl1e TV news. Except for when there's loadshedding, of course.

Gandhi's benevolent face adorns the bank notes

Power lines (belo w) and politics (above) are two facts of life in modem India

Modern - day activist Anna Hazare spearheaded the fight against corruption

Kumbabishekam ceremony draws hundreds of worshi ers

Ade laide may be known as the city of cbmches, but it wirnessed a different kind of spirimal spectacle in the fust week of February, when the city's sky reverberated to vedic chants at the Ganesha Temp le's k 11mhahisbeka111 ceremony.

K11mbahishek.a111, according to Hindu religious edicts, is a ceremony of consecration to be performed soon after scames are installed in temples to infuse divine power and make them idols worthy of worship. This ceremony is to be repeated every twelve years to re-inject fresh vibes into those idols after carrying om at1)' necessary repairs and renovation required to die temple's physical structures This practice is ge nerally prevalent in South India, particularly Tainil adu. However, nowadays th.is depends on the. depm of di e coffers of a particular temple, and die enthusiasm of its e..'(ecurive.s

Du.ring me renovation work d,e id ols are taken off dieir pedest:.'11s and temporarily housed in a different location, and as such are believed to have somewhat lesser divine power. The k11mhahishekmn ceremony mat beings d1em back d1cir original prowess, involves e laborate rituals including re.installation of me idols on their original pedestals after placing valuab le metals such as gold and silver pieces and performing havans in ho1T1t1 k1111d (s pecially constructed three-tiered brick structures to hold the fue) for four days The ceremony concludes with pouring of 'holy' water kept in special pots near die havans over d,e k111t1has (inverted conical metal or masonry structures) atop megopura1JJ (the pyramidical spire over the shrine) of me principal a11d oilier deities.

The five-day ceremony at Adelaide was conducted in aL1the.nric style as codified in the Hindu agrima sastro. Carton-loads of material required for several havcms and related rin.1als were brought from] ndia and had co p ass mrough srcict quarai1rine. Two str1pr1this (temple artisans) from the same. group that bui lt die temple twelve years ago were brought in again to carry out many works of renovation They worked seven days a week for two m ond, s co complete me job in rime for the ceremony. A dozen temple priests - local, interstate and

from overseas arrived co perform the sastric cimals Hundreds of devotees witnessed the preliminary day rituals conducted in speciall y erected marquees. On me final day over a t housan d people crammed into the temple and spilled omo di e. streets to have a darshan of me k11111hahisbekr1111 and then pa1·take of the prasad. According to traditional beli efs, witnessing one such ce remony in a lifetime brings peace at1d harmony, and me 1\de laide Hindu community feels truly blessed to have mis opporruni tr, The Ganesba Temple is at 3 / llba1!Y Cres, Oak/ands Park, SA 5046.

Ph: 08 8298 1278

Panic as 4.9 tremor shakes

Delhi, adjoining areas

A 4.9- magnitude tremor shoo k rhe Indian capital and i ts adjoini n g areas recently, startling people in offices and homes as the gro un d shook and windowpanes rattled. The guake, ce ntred near Bahadurgarh town close to the Har yana-Delhi bo rd er, did n ot lead to an y casualties.

The epicentre was just .33 km from New Delhi, the India Meteorological Department (lMD ) said.

" The Delhi and National Capi tal Region (NCR) fe lt slight in tensity tremors, which measured 4.9 on the Richter Scale. The ep ic e n tre was in the Haryana an d Delhi reg io n ," R. S Dattatryam, d irecro r, Seismology Division, India Meteorol ogical Department (IMD ) said, when contacted. According to the llvID, the tremor was felt at 1 11 p.m.

As the ground swayed, many residents and office-goers in D elh i, Gurgaon a nd Noida ran out of their btuldi ngs into the open.

Sources in R ohtak said the bo un dary wall of a school in Mayna village of Rohtak distr ic t collapsed. The distr ict autho r ities, however, could not confirm the inc ident

Some people working a nd Living in highrise buildings in Gmgao n , which has the offices of several MN Cs and leading Indian

companies located there, were asked co vacate the buildings as the tremors were fe lt for over IO seconds

"Sitting in an office on the 12th floor in Nehru Place, I felt it very strongly Like somebody shaking my chair. There was a general air o f panic. Luckily tl1ere was no repeat tremor," Mahj Singh, a MNC em p loyer said

"

I was in bed recovering from surgery when I was s haken awake by the guake. I tried to rush outside, limping," Ramkant M ahant from east Delhi said.

"Ail the small objects o n tables start ed s haking, I felt it fo r over five seconds, followed by a rumbling noise," said Rumu Banerjee of Chittaranjan Park in south Delhi.

Throughout the city, people called up relatives and friends, and as ked after their well-being.

The IMD official asked tl1e public n ot ro panic as it was a sligh t intens ity tremor.

" It is a sligh t intensity tremor, which was felt in the Delhi and I CR areas. No infrastrucmraJ damage is exp ected from the tremor of such low magnitud e. At most, there may be some plaster falling off in weak buildings," Dattacryam s aid.

"The possibility of aftershocks are very minimal for such a low intensity guake," be added.

However, the gua ke did not seem to have affected the concentration of students appea ring for their board exams. Many, however, comp lained they 'Nere not g iv en extra time to finish their papers disrupted by the 10- second tremo r.

"\Ve did not have the rime to react as the main co nc ern was finishing the Ph ys ics paper which was lengthy. W/e were l eft wondering what was th e noise, and realised it was a g uake," said Mrinalini Maha jan who was w riting her Physics paper in St 1vlar y's Sc hool in Dwarka area.

Smridhi Gupta was upset over not be ing allowed extra- rime to revise her ans,vers.

"

\'(/e all were taken aback w ith the tremor. The w indowpanes of the c lassroom were rattling. Though d1e tremor lasted onl y for ten second s, it took us almost t en minutes ro get back to writing. I wish we were given extra time," Gupta said

Another student who appeared for her board exam in Sh ri Ram School in said: "There was a bit of panic but we were done w ith the paper."

Tremors were also felt in Indonesia and Argentina.

"They were two separate guakes d1ac shook fodonesia and Argen tina at 12 25 p.m. and U 6 p.m , respectively. The y are not Linked," seated D atcatryam

"The epicen tre in Indonesia was

Nor tl1ern Sumatra, while it was Santiago Del Estero in Argentina," he added. The intensity of North ern Sumau-a quake an d Argentin a qu ake was 5.l and 6 on the Richter scale, respectively

SpiceJet foresees tough times

Budget carrier SpiceJet's chief e.xecurive Neil ]\fills feels th e aviation sector, marred by high fuel and interest cost in the coming fiscal, will continu e co face "tou gh operating conditions".

" l think the tough conditio ns wiU continue for a while in the coming fiscal. Our fuCLLres are pegged with oil prices and they are ver y high rig h t n ow," .Mills said in an interview.

"There are some decisions on new policy Like direct import o f fuel and fore ign direct investment. W/e are evaluating t hem and will do what is best for us."

Acco rd ing ro Mills, tl1e low cosr carrier (LCC) was in touch with fuel suppliers for logistical support to allow airlines to directly import jet fue l.

"\Ve are evaluating che impact of tl1e decis ion whenever it comes We are in touch w ith them (fuel su p pliers), but I cannot comment on how m uch savings wo uld emerge out of this. But it will be substantial.."

l-,,[ills' views come as tl1e governme nt had on Feb 22 n oti.fied direct import of jet fuel and called upon int erested car riers ro apply for lice n ces.

This came after t he Feb 7 decision by a group of ministers (GoM) h eaded b y Finance Minister Pranab i\fok herjee to roll out a plan to help domestic carrier s, allowi ng the m to directl y import aviation fuel.

The move will enable airlines to cue o perating costs by about 10- 15 percen t, saving on sales tax, which ranges between three percent and 35 percent and is levied by state gove rnments

Jet fuel now constitutes about 50 percent of the coral operating cost of airlines in India. D omestic airlines are estimated to have lose around Rs 3,000 crore in di e first si x montl1s of chis fi scal.

On the issue of for eign capital by foreign airlines in domestic passenger carriers, Mills said the airli n e was n ot looking for a foreign parmer but was evaluating the proposal.

:Mills' confidence is eviden t as the airline's pro m oter Kalanidhi Maran decided March 2 co infuse R s. l 00 crore into tbe carrier in lieu o f live percent eg ui ty or additional 42 9 m illion shares.

KNOW THYSELF AS SOUL

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NSW Premier Barry O'Farre/1 presents Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar with honorary life membership of the Sydney Cricket Ground - the first overseas player to receive much an honour.

''This decision shows the confidence of the promoters in the company and its viability. The board has taken this decis ion and will aUot 42.9 m illion preferential shares to the promoters," NW1s said

"This is the second time in eight months when the promote rs have infused equity.

Last September, we received Rs.130 crore and five pe rcent of the equity shares were allotted co t he promorers."

Fresh funds should come as a re lief co the airline, as the whole sector is facing tough operating conditions like high interest and fuel costs.

"This (fund) will go into the normal working capital and for general growth. Our debts are affordable, we are paying che o il companies, salaries and we are not behind any schedu le. We will get through these tough times," l\tills said.

The budget carrier had Feb 6 reported a net loss of Rs.39 26 crore for the quarter ended Dec 31 from a net profit of Rs.94.44 crore in the like period of 2010- 11.

The company's auditors in a review report said that accumulated losses have eroded the nee worth of the company.

"As of Dec, 31, 2011, the company's accumulated l osses of Rs.107,781 3 lakh has substantially eroded the net worth of dJe company, indicating the existence of a material u ncertain ty that may cast doubts about the company's ability to continue as a going concern," die auditors said.

Now, cabbies, maids can learn while they earn

A couple of rears down d1e line, Mumbai residents may be deali.ug with cabbies and auto-drivers who are fuil- Aedged graduates. Thanks to an open unive rsi1:y, depr ived sections of che city's huge workforce will get a chance co enhance their skills

The ashik -based Yeshwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) has designed special shore- term and longterm courses for working classes like cab and auto drivers, private drivers and even maids to enable them to compete better in dJe job and money markets.

The special preparatory and degree courses shali be inaugurated Tuesday in Mumbai's AU India Institute of Local Sel f Government at Andheri by eminent Bollrwood actor Kader Khan, according to a YCMOU official.

"Given our social objectives, ilie courses shall be extremely simple but equip ilie 'students' to handle them without disturbing their crucial work schedules as most are die sole bread-winners of their fa1nilies," said Shrinivas Belsare, YCMOU head of corporate communi cations

There are an esti.niated 400,000 cabb ies in the city. According to Belsar e, arou nd 200,000 cabbies from MWJ1bai , besides a poten rial 1.5 million elsewhere in Maharashtra, are e.xpected to benefit from the new course, enro lment for whidi starts in June 2012.

YCMOU's format for the experimental coutse woul d be unique, using CDs, FM radio programmes and a few books to enable rhe cabbies to learn wh ile on the go - driving

It is expected to similarly help housemaids, who number around 800,000 in die city.

Besides, me courses would not burn a bole in die pockets of die 'students', considering they are at the bottom rw1g

of die peop le contributing to the national economy, Belsare said

"The preparatory course wiJJ cost Rs.600, with a 50 percent discount for d1e target category of cabbies and it is equivalent of HSC. This will be followed by a diploma course, advanced diploma and a degree, each costing Rs.1,500, and recognized everywhere," Belsare exp lained

"Accordingly, if a person completes one year, that is, t\vo modules, be gets a diploma, after two years an advanced diploma and a full- Aedged, recognised degree after completing the full diree-year course. It means a win-win simation for al l, even those who drop out after a yea r or two," he added.

The new courses are expected ro be a boon for the next generation of cabbies as the state government plans to soon make HSC -level education compulsory before issuing new pe r mits for auros an d taxis.

Kader Khan, who himsel f p layed a cabby in several movies like Afl Ab Laut Chaim and Naseeb, was impressed wid1 YCMOU's new course and readily agreed to inaugurate it, Belsare said

A graduate, the 65- year-o ld Khan, after taking a break from his acti ng -writing career, is now engrossed in designing a new syUabus from nursery to post-graduation in Is lam ic studies for the benefit of studencs in thousands of 'madrassas' in India.

Given the large, semi-literate migrant population in i\fombai, YCMOU will offer its new course in Hindi, Marathi and English for the cabbies, w id1 the approval of d1e powerful Bombay Taximen's Union. lts existing BA degree course in Urdu have got over 2,000 students on dJe rolls and proved beneficial to m igrants, mostly school dropouts, coming here in search of employment opporrLu:i.ities.

YCM:OU has arow1d 400,000 students on its rolls in the state, including 50 percent women, who would odiet\vise have had no opportunity to educate t h emselves, he said.

The course modules are comprehensive and wide- ranging including soft skills, road safery, tour ism, hea.l d1, first aid, civic discipline, transport rules, ins urance, traffic scenario, networking with courier companies and basic banking

"This will enab le diem to ger a proper perspective of life and help them consider od1er lucrative professional options rad1er than spending their lives d riving cabs," Belsare pointed out.

The YCi\ifOll course is billed as the first of its kind among the 14 open un iversities around the coLmtry which have been silently spun·ing literacy leve ls among the most unfortunate sections of Indian soc iety

Playing with a splash of safety thi s Holi

.Amid the riot of powdered h ues and watery sp lashes that Holi brings, experts say peop le shm1ld not ignore safety issues as toxic chemical colours could bring on severe skin infections, eye injuries a nd od1er problems.

The festival of colours was celebrated on March 8 mis year.

"The use of synd1etic colours during Ho li can cause severe irritation, dermatitis, burning, redness and also in some cases blister formation. It can also lead ro irrevers ib le p igmentation," said Amit Bangia, consul tant dermato logist at the Asian Institute of Medical Sciences.

"Besides, many water colours have an

Oscar winning director Kathryn Bigelow, on the sets during the filming of her upcoming film about Osama bin Laden in Chandigarh, India, March 2, 2012

Right- winged Hindu nationalist group Vishwa Hindu Parishad have protested against the hoisting of Pakistani flags during the filming. Bigelow and cast are in India shooting at various locations over the next few weeks, local media reports. alkaline base capable of causing temporary blindness and severe injuries. Co lours in the form of pastes sometinies have toxic compounds mixed in a base of engine oil or od1et inferior quality oil," Bangia added.

Chemical colours have been in vogue for a long time, and die cost- effectiveness and easy avail ability make them more p refe r red than natural colours, say experts. But often people are not aware of their narrnful effects.

Bur o ne can prepare organic co lours at home.

"Turmeric can be L1secl for reUow colour. He1111a can act as a green colour and dried rose petals can be substin1ted for red," Bangia said.

The dangers lie not just in colours. Throwing water- filled balloons can also cause injury if targeted at the eyes or ears.

"The baUoons used by children dlLring Holi are mosr dangerous and can cause blum eye injury. An injury can lead to the loss of vision or loss of rhe eye. These are all eye emergencies and should be taken care of as eady as possib le," said r ikhil Sed1, consul tant optbalmologist at the Asian Institute of Medical Sc iences

"Eyes are extrem ely susceptible during Holi because of the ir strategic place in die body and also because t he use of harmful chemicals is known to cause eye irritation," added Seth.

While the best precaution remained use of namrnl colours, people were also advised to reduce rheir hours of playing Holi or

take breaks when playing it at a stretch.

"If it is played for six to seven hours at a stretdi, he/ she is vulnerable to acquiring irritants such as bums, b liste rs or contract allergy, mild discolouration (which is reversible) and acn e. lr's best advised to take a break in between," Bangia said.

Another set of precautions was ro use a protective barrier between skin and colour. A l ayer of sun screen could help prevent direct contact of chemicals \Vid1 the skin. After p laying with colours, use of l ukewarm water to dean your body was recommended.

"People must realise that the colours have been added to Holi to make d1e festival more joyous and enjoyable and not to cause inconvenience to others. So, the ne.xt ti.rne you p lay wid1 colours, use good quality or natw:al colours and p lay according to t h e conve1:i.ience of others," suggested Seth. Nordi Delhi resident Mori La l Gan ju, 45, said be has always played the festival with natural colours But with synthetic colours flooding d1e markets, it is best to make t he colours at home.

"These days, Holi colours are so ld loosely on the roadside by small traders who often do not know the source. Sometimes, the co loms come io boxes that specifically say 'For industria l u se only' ," Lal said

"We should make sm:e our family celebrates d1e festival with organic colours. Lee us nor allow bard co lours to spoil d1e charm of gujiyas and music," Lal quipped. IANS

Proteste

at a

in

Smithsonian to chronicle the story of Indian Americans

The Smithsonian lnstitution, the world 's largest musemn and research complex, is purring together an exhib ition chronicling the sto r y of immigrams f rom India and their descendants in America.

"HomeSpun: Smithsonian Indian American Heritage P roject", the first Smithsonian initiative focused on the Indian American experi ence, will convey the history, contributions an d chaUe nges of nearly three million lnd ia n Americaus and signal their p lace in America

The initia l goal is to raise $2 million dollars for the project so that the exhibition can open this year and travel within tl1e US for three yea rs

The S mi tl1sonian is looking for an additional endowment of at lease $1 million to generate interest needed to continue Smitlisonian pro jects focusing on Indian Americans in perpetuity.

Ac a presentation briefi ng on the project, tlie Indian ambass ador N irupama R ao highlighted the ' peop le centri c' dimension of tl1e India- U S parmership a nd how it has, over the years, particularly strengthened the 'rnuniall y beneficial ' character of cooperation bet ween India and the US

"India takes pride in achievements o f the tliree million strong India-origin corumunicy in the United States", she said.

Rao desc rib ed "HomeSpun" as a celebratio n of the accomplishments an d success of the I ndian - origin co m1mmity in the U S and expressed confidence that it would be an effective public demonstration of tl1e potential and capabilities of India n Americans in contributing to the American sociery and economy and also to the IndiaUS parmer ship

Curated b y D r. Pawan Dhingra, HomeSpu n sets out to answer questions like how did this community come to such p rominence yet in other respects rernains

Modi's GiUiarat Madi's 6uiara,

a community in formation, how does this story reveal America's unique h istory of immigration and how can learning abou t fodian Americans infor m tl1e experiences of other groups and d1e nati on (and India) overall.

HomeSpun will cons ist of exhibits, public programmes, a middle school curr iculum, and a cutting- edge website As such it wiU establish a permanent presence - tl1rough research, collections, and public programm es - within the Smitl1so nian complex

1-Iom eSpun also will be visible in key cities as the exhibition travels the country and public programmes are held in various venues in cooperadon with local communities

Obama campaign reaches out to Indian Americans

Preside n t Barack Obama, whose administration has by far the l argest number of Indian -A m ericans, has turned to three pro minent member s of this growing and inAuential community to help his re -election campaign reach out to some tl1 ree million fodian -origi n voters.

The tliree, actor Kalpen Modi (aka Kal Penn), California's fir st female Attorney Gener al, Kaniala Harris and Sai I ye r, who served as a White House intern in 2001, figure am ong 35 s rn te, local and commu nity leade r s named as n ational co-chairs, or " ambassadors" for the president, who will p lay a high - profile role in defending his reco rd and mobilising vote rs for [ ovember.

"The presi d ent's national co-chairs will be tremendous assets on the groun d as we build the biggest grassroots campaign in history," Obama's canipaign manager, J im Mess ina said in a statem ent.

"They each s hare the p resident's vision for a funtte where every American can bave a fair s hot at success, where hard work pays off and responsibility is rewarded ," Messina said.

The list includes current and former Democratic members of Congress, governors a n d mayors, as we ll as business and Jabor l eaders, members o f clergy and a few local campaign organizers, a nod to the value Obama places on his grassroots volunteers.

Kaniala Harris, daughter of a Tanul mother and a Jamaican American father and Sai Iyer, a student at the V i rginia Commonwealth Universiry and OFA (Obama For Ame rica) vol u n teer leader from Virginia will p lay key roles with former White House chiefs of staff Bill Daley and Rahm Emanuel.

Actor Kalpen Modi, who served as \ 'Vhite House Associate Director fo r me Office of Pub lic Engagem ent, is expected co .lead outreach co younger voters, wh ile actress Eva Longoria will spearhead efforts to reach women and His panics.

Although some Indian Americans like Obama's information technology chief, Aneesh Chopra, his tech guru V ivek Kundra, w h o streamlin ed tl1e federal government's massive IT infrastructure and Obama's export czar, Suresh Kuma r have left in recent days, h is administration stiU has more people of Indian origin than ever befo re

Among t hem U S.AID administrato r Rajiv Shah , b y far rbe highes t ranking IndianAmerican in an y presidential admi nistration, Obama appoin tee P reer Bharara, US attorney for New York, n iclrnam ed tl1e 's heriff of Wall Street, w h o recendy made it to d1e cover of d1e Time magazine and P r eeta D. Bansal, who serves on an ad,7 isory council promoting improvemems in government procedures.

Indian - origin British hotelie r sued by parents

Parents of a 60-year- old Indian- origin hotelier, repor tedl y one o f Britain's wealthiest me n , are suein g him for 100

million poun d s (armmd $157 million), clai m ing their son rook tl1e family business fo r himself.

Ja sminder Si ngh, chairman of d1e Radisson Edwardian Hotels, is accused of re nounc ing the Sikh tradition of sharing famil y wealth and barring his parents from their mul ti- million pound b L1siness, di e Dai!J E:xpress reported.

His 84- yea r-old father, Bal Moh inder Singh, stands to take a third of the family fo r m n e if he wins the h ig h court battle against his son.

The fauuly fortune is reportedly worth an estimated 4 15 million pounds

In a statem ent to the court in London, Bal Mohinder Sing h said he and hi s wife Satwant were "deeply ashamed that Jasmind er s h ould publicly ren ounce h is culmral. heritage".

The system of joint family own ership of all assets is based on religious reaching and widely practiced b y Sikh and H indu communities around the wodd, he said.

"For Jasminder co deny that and claim all the cred it an d ownership for himself wiU be shocking to wide sections of those communities. That is why hi s m od1er and I a re so ashamed," he said.

"The hotelier's name was on the family's assets purely because he was a c ha r te red accountan t and the Singhs' representative," the court heard.

Singh also accused his son of trying to fo rce h is parents om of the 10-rnillionpound house they share near Ascot racecourse in Berkshire.

Jasminder Sin g h denies ever having been tol d by his parents they were a " joint Hindu family" and that property acqui red by any of tl1em was "joint family property''. He al so denied having a particularl y re ligious upbringing.

rs

rally

front of the Gandhi s tatue in Union Square, New Yo rk on March 3 remember the victims of the 2002 a nti-Muslim Gujarat riots

On your marks...

Nosh Mistry continues his exploits at the velodrome

in the category Positioning in th e race , tactics and cl1e final sprint determine die winner Th.is is not a timed event eirner. However the average speed ove r the 10 km was about 55 kmp h, so it was still a 9uick race, he noted.

Indian Au stralian cycli ng ac e Nosh "Mistry has won a bronze medal at tbe2012 Cycling Australia Masters National C hamp ion ships

T he p restigious annual event was h eld at the Dunc Gray Velo d rom e in Banksrown recencly.

Representing the St George Cycling Club in cl1e Masters 2 age category (35-39 yrs), Jvlistry competed in the 3000m Individual Pursuit as weUas 10 km Scratc h Race, winning bronze for th e former

The CA Nation a ls are cl1e highlight of cl1e Masters raci ng calendar in Australia and will be followed up by Masters World Champio n ships at Manch ester in October.

" l t feels good to have reached a level where I am able to compete with peers of very high calibre in a very intensive sp ort", Mistry cold Indian Llllk. " It also feels good to be able to set an aioi and achieve

"Of course, I have go ne faster b efore, however g iven the conditions, it was m y best effort on d1at day," he ad d ed " You !earn from every race you ride and ad just certain things in training and testing w hich h opefully translate into bener and better times. In a sense you are al ways racing against yoursel f, rrying to g o better than the last time".

Acco rding to i\llistr y, di e 3000m pmsuit, which takes p lace with 2 ciders o n opposite ends of cl1e track, "looks decep cively simple, in diat aU it seems like is you get o n a b ike and pedal as h ard as you can for the specified disrance".

However, cl1e training, die p rep aration, me diet, the me n tal asp ects, me actual race , die lap tim in g spli ts, die aerodyn amics, cl1e bod y positioning, die bicycle, the attention co detail - all need to be dealt wid1. I t tes ts me co ntestant's m e n tal an d physical endurance

Usuall y cl1e results go ro me peop le who have put in me re9uired lim e to add ress aU me cri teria, he stated. In cootrast, the scratch or mass star t race involves 24 people, who ride at me one tin1e, wi di d1e fastest person over me line winning

These races are a b it of a lottery as it is not n ecessary that the strongest rid er wins, observed Mistry who finished overall fourth

The professional cyclist has a gruelin g training schedule, d ocking an average of 60-80 km daily Typically his training year is broke n d own inco specific phases of end urance, stre ngth and speed

b uilding

Li t he e nd urance phase his daily wee kday sessio ns generaUy include 2 - 2.5 hours of riding, while weekend races cover approximately 150 km, be indicated

The strengrh phase involves a similar sessio n o n hilly terrains to b uild up stamina. FinaUy, me speed p h ase, which is normally six weeks prior to an event focuses on target racing at a velod rome

l\1.istry's competition year is spli t into A, B and C category races with A of course being the most im po r tan t races where he strives to be at his peak.

TI1anks to a \veU-coo t dinated schedule from Cydiog I SW and Cycling .Australia, this is possible. And o f course alJ this needs to fir arow1d work and famil y comm.itmenrs a nd very .soon it become an exercise in time management, he quipped M isery's wife and daughter are n ot only very supportive o f hi s rigorous sd 1edule but also accomp a ny him to mo s c interstate an d overseas events, e njoying a working holiday in cl1e process.

i\s weU di e Sc George Club, of which he has been a member since his arrival i.u Australia over a d ecade ago, has been very su pportive.

The clu b h as been a great source of inspiratio n, particula rl y several members w h o are curreoc a nd past wo rld and Olymp ic champions, he acknowledged.

"Their candor and willingness to share what rney know and a genuine arcitude to h elp is not something yo u get access co everyday" he r evealed. " This h as helped me learn a lo t and apply it to my racing a nd training. Even cl10ugh I live far from th e d ub, l am still an active m em b er".

Nosh participa tes in around 75 races annnalJy, his flagship events being individual pursuit and the road time trial. These even ts, he explained, re9uire a s imilar physio logy and trai ning regin1en and are classed as end urance events. This includes weekly r aces at clie club, competing against Olymp ics level riders as well as

state and n acional championships.

The avid cyclist's rrysr w ith th e sport goes back cl1ree decades when Nosh got his fust bike from his uncl e as a p reschooler "He s ti ll fo llows m y career closely, offering pointers Since then, 1 have been attracted to high tech b ic ycles," l'vlistry confessed.

As an adolescent he took up competitive cycling, w inni ng his first national medal in India. l ronicaUy, th.is was five weeks after a bad training accid ent in volving a learn er driver, he remembers.

Having dabbled in a n umber of sports, cycling, Nosh discover ed, was a perfect fit. Swim ming and long distance running followed and os h went o n tO win st.a te champ io n shi p s in both He elms took up cl1e triathlon and was soon named the national champion. Th.is led to a job "~ch the Indian R ailways, representing mem in numerous national events, while purs uing h is }.,[BA.

"It was good to be paid to d o a spor t I loved an d also continue m y stud ies," he admitted. 1n t hat sense i t was both a passion and profession for a w hile.

His only regret about competitive cyc ling back home, .is the total lack of calendar management a nd informat ion coo rdination.

"ln l.n dia, 1 wouldn't know w hen state or nation al eve n ts are un til a fortnight before die rnce So there was n o cha.nee tO be at your peak. This u.nfornmatel y continues to cl1is day, p reventing Indian competitors to pe r form their best at global levels", he lameoced However, when you love doing so m ething, it is n or very hard to keep you rself go ing. When it brings resul ts, wh ich are recognised at a high level like the nationals, that is a bonus, he in dicated.

On a philosophical level though, it is just cl1e simplicity of cl1e activiry of cycling and being com pletely absorbed in me moment mat keeps him going. TI1is motto g ives Nosh a complete se n se of pmpose and involvement wim life in general.

So what drives clie keen spo r tsman to sustai n the momentum?

Pursuing any acti vity ro me highest levels reguires tremendous phrsicaJ and mental stamina There are days wh e n cl1ings will seem harder, however as with anyming, pe rsis tence i s me key If you have discovered you have a talent for somecl-1ing, never ever, ever give up, he emphasised.

Mistry is alread y setting his sight.~ on me n ext eve n t.

Nosh Mistry takes the bronze in the 3000m Individual Pursuit event in the 2012 Cycling Australia Masters National Championships. Adam Simonelli wins gold and Rob Carlisle, silver.

Af te r " two ea.sy weeks", he hopes to get back in to the e ndurancetraining ph ase and build up d1e vo lume of training a nd aim for a better outcome next time be competes in d1e same even t. An action packed spo r ting calendar

n o rwit hstan ding, l\1.is try also juggles a full time career in event photography

Meanwhile, if his perfo rmance t.'lxgers are on track, a shot at \\7oi:ld

M a sters in Manchester co uld weU be in th e offi n g.

UBARU .L 4 THEDRIVER

BY PRAKASH SUBBARAO

he majestic Himalayas have always attracted me with its range of snow-clad peaks, deep gorges, green valleys, and the fast and furious rivers carving om their course over varied terrain since d10usands of years. l have travelled to both, t he lndian a nd Nepal side of the Himalayas by mocorbike and car in the past, so I yielded easily to m y brod1er's invitation to join him and Vand ana on a trek to the Markha Valley. Anita worked out all my logistics, a nd Apoo r va volunteered to take care of herself, Casper a nd our home.

Soon I was watc hing the KuJlu valley zooming up quickly as we began our descent in the turbo prop p lane

\Ve went on an acclimatization trek to d1e Solang Valley, to get our legs and ltmgs into shape for the change in altitude. The climb was steep and we had a few hairrais ing moments crossing a raging stream over a log of wood which served as a foot-bridge.

We crnssed Rohtang by road and faced a b ig setback at the base

was dry with sparse vegetatio n in the valleys and highly prone to landslides and rockfalls. The days were hot and the n ights, windy and co ld. We followed the trail and camped at Rum bak, the base camp of GandaLa, Shingo base camp, Skyu, Sara, Ma.rkha, Thochuntse, N imaling and Chukmaro. On an average we trekked for about 4 - 5 hours eacl, day, and some clays were unbearably hot as the canyons turned in to heat radiators at noon. \'>,'e climbed rwo mountain passes at GanclaLa (5100 mts) and Go ngmaruLa (5300 mes)

Fortunatel y, acclimatization happened without any dramas.

"See that shirr hanging from the branch over there?" asked our knowledgeable gui de, G y an pointing. "It was from the p h otographer who was s hooting here when the Aoods swept him away l ast year " We quickly moved to higher grounds!

I felt claustrophobic ia the sleep ing bag and on some nights , 1 crept out of the tent to gaze at the sky with a million star s till the cold winds forced me back to the relative comfort of the tent. I came across mountain goats walking fearlessly and nimbl y over steep ledges where even the thought of being th at high made me feel faint. I came face - to- face with a chameleon who let me

In the heart

Trekking through these majestic mountains is an intensely fulfilling experience for the soul and senses

camp as it snowed heavily in d1e night, and the way to Chandrataal became Lrnpassable. So we moved to pla n B, and drove to Leh b y road, a dis tanc e of approximately 300 kms tluough treacherous mountain roads, crossing two passes at BaralachaLa and Tangl angLa, w hich is the seco nd highest motorable pass at 17,600 ft. We camped at Tsokar (4400 mts); sn owfall followed us here, and was the cause of a photographer's nightmared1ar of a b leak, whitewashed landscape

A few quick steps a nd fast movements caused m e breatbjng cJj fficuh:y, as l had not yet acclimatized to d1e change. It was a strange feeling ro breathe, bur not ger the 02. \Xie finally reached Le h and sta r ted off on the i\farkha va lley trek from Z ingc he n. \'(/e continuously followed riverbanks and climbed hills in tl1e high arid mo umai.ns of th e Himalayas. The land scape

crawl with in a foot to catch a nice portrait! Ocher wildlife included the Hima layan fox, wild ass, marmot, kin g vulture and man y colourful butterflies.

There were maa y spectacular moments each day, such as htmdreds of sheep tryi ng to cross a rickety foot- bridge in the evening light at N im aling. The last day of the trek came quite quickly, and we left the mmmrains with heavy hearts.

The next day we drov e to KhardungLa pass (18,380 ft)

\vhich is the highest mmorable road in the world. lt was a strange feeling, and soon a slow sn owfall began, fo rcing us jucloo rs for lemo n tea at the h igh est cafe in the wo rld.

I have returned tired and boneweary, bm with many cherished memories from the most magical mounrains in d1e world. And 1 will be b ack!

Holi Commu

Dis tinctions of class, caste, co lour and creed are aJJ russolved as participant~ indulge in goodhumoured play.

hile Australia

1s now preparing for the o n set of wtnter, in lnrua it is spring. In the north at lease, the weather is currently p leasant, with tl1e chili of the lase three montl1s gradually recerung i aturc adorns herself with brightly coloured fl ora, and the humans unabashedly imitate : it is Holi, the spring festi val of colours

In the m ost popular form of celebration of this nor tl1ern Inruan festival, revelers smear coloured powder on each othe r's faces, or throw them at each ocher in gay abandon. There's p lenty of laughs and loud merriment; and of course, food and drink abound, as in aJJ Hindu festivities.

Often the festivities get b o isterous, such as w hen people bring o u t water pistols, buckets of colou red \Vacer, or clunk each ocher in t he pool.

There are many legends and mytl1s behind the tradition of Holi, bur these are rarely remembered in co ntemporary times. Ask India's much -adver tised "youthfol" citizenry abour tl1e si,gnificance of tl1e festival, and they will probably say something vague tl1at includes the terms Holika, burning, Krishna, G opi kas aod if pressed fortl1er, will find refuge in Google or Wikiperua. But they will tell you Holi is a feelg ood festival - a mega party in which the main element is to have fon; and chat it is a celebration of equality, a celebra tion of life itself.

And of co urse tl1 ey will be right.

Typically, rules are lax, in this festival. An yth ing goes (\X!i chin

Ii.mies, of course) B1m1 na 1t1ano is a common Holi utterance.

Boys and girls, who trarutionally kee p their di stance, freely mingle Harmless, playful flirting is aliowed.

Eve n tl1e intoxicating bbm~g is permitted: made from the leaves and buds of the cannabis saliva (indica), this concoction is cons Lm1ed as a drink, or eaten in

sweets or pakoms. In shorr, at I-I o li, usuaU y ' unacceptable' be haviour becomes acceptable, if only for a clay Breaking the rules is sanctioned.

And it is aJJ taken in a spiri t o f good o ld - fashio ned fun. Perhaps it is in this spirit tl1at we find the true significance of the festiva l. Caugh t up in t he drudgery of regimented daily lives, i t is therapeucic to ' 'let go" once in a while, kic k chose heel s up, have a g reat big beliy laugh. (Gen -Y readers, those ancient Indian sage- type dudes were o n to something )

Holi is not a unique concept. There are celebrations in o th er cultures tha t invo lve a similar "letting go". In tl1e Greek town of Galaxiru, for example, at the beginning of the Eastern Orthodox Lent, people celebrate by tl1rowing Aour at ead1 other, sometimes coloured flour. (Flour

is a symbol of life). They also paint their faces in charcoal, and dance o n the streets.

A pparently, in this churchsanctioned festiva l, people are a!Jowed to indulge, just ahead o f the festival of Lent which is marked by self-denial, ie fasting. Foods that can.not be eaten at Lene, sud1 as mea t, dairy and fat, are especially consumed.

The Bo livar province of Ec uad o r celebrates the annual Carnival festival, in which peop le gatl1er in the town square and spray each ocher with coloured d yes, water or flo ur. Children shoot water- filled balloo n s at each other (a favou rite H o li

occurrence). A nd just like Holi, this is al so a festival of joy, with food and drink and sin gi n g and dancing.

The Thai ew Year festival Song Kran is also marked w ith flour and water throwing - the festivities seem markedl y similar co our O\Vn Holi.

The Tibetan New Year is al so welcomed with the tl,rowing of fl ou r: flour is see n as a sy mb ol o f good luck

We h o pe you indulged a bit at Holi th is year, dear reader Hop e you lee go, and had so me fun!

EMPOWERING PEOPLE WITH SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

AUSTRALIAN VOCATIONAL LEARNING C TRE

ics reto I

India's great literary heritage extends itself to modern young readers through the efforts of three highly talented writers

India's two greatest epics, the Ra1mg'ant1 and t he l\lfahahharata have struck such deep roots in the country's moral and culrural consciousness that they infringe into every aspect of Indian culrure. For generations they were not only the favourite bedtime stories of lndian children, but they also capmred the attention of great philosophers and theologians who have written extensive commentaries on them .A few new translations of these timeless epics b y t\vo very talented women have brought these ta les to a yet newer audience. Arshia Sattar, a Sanskrit scholar, translated the Valm.iki Ra111tfYa11a inco English to much critical acclaim a few years ago ( l 996). This, and her abridged translations of the Sanskrit Kathasaritsagara had been published ea.rlier b y Penguin Books. Her new book Lost Loves: Expl01i11g Rat1Ja} /Jng11ish, is a series of essays on Rama's love for Si ca, als o published b y Penguin recently in 2011.

The otl1er is a rendering of the JV!ahahharata b y the very accomp lished writer and novelist, Nami ta Gokhale. Un like the Ra111qJ'ana, the i\t!ahahhamta is a rnore complex and mulcilayered epic, with narratives inside narratives inside narratives I have a few of the c lassic renditions on m y bookshelf, by R K arayan, C Rajagopalachari, CV l aras imhan, William Buck and many more. Gokhale's P11ffi11 Nlahabharata has been wr itten expressly for young people and is beautifully illusmued by tl1e well- k nown artist and animator Suddhasatt\va Basu. H is lusciously beautiful drawings are a visual treat for the young - as well as the not so young.

Gokhale has retold this great epic for young readers without reducing the complexities to a simp le cha.ice of black and white; she points out, for insta nc e, tha t Bhima's bullying of Duryodana and Dusshasana contributed, to some extent, to their animosity towards the Pandavas. Neither

does she ignore Y L1dhishtbi.ra's weakness for gambling that precipitated a disastrou s cha.in of events; nor does she skirt around unpleasant incidents such as the d.isrobing of Draupadi. The heavier philosophical sections of tl1e epic as s uch as the Bht;gavad Gita and the Shanti Pa111a are explained in a lucid style Arjuna and Karna e m erge as the heroes in th is autl,or's version.

Gokhale d.i scusses these - and several other moral dilemmas and ambiguities inherent in chis ep ic, wi tl1 disarming ease and simplicity. She begins witl1 the background, expla.ining the cycles of times and the various ways in wh ich the epic has been cold and retold, before delv ing into the story of King Shanta.nu and the r iver goddess Ganga, and the chain of events that lead co the g reat Kurukshetra war. Every yo ung reader musr have a cop y Arshia Sattar's translation of Valm.ik.i's !VJmqyana first published in 1996, was an abridged version which successfuU)' adapted this ancient classic and made it accessible to the presentday Engl.ish reader. An ad d ed attraction was her superb introduction wh.ich pl'ovided n ew insights and backgrou nd information for both the general reader and s cholar alike. In her translation, Sattar had taken care n or to u se tl1e archaic language preferred by the Sanskrit scholars of the 19'h century, but a very contemporary rendering which focuses on tl1e narrative, rather than on tbe text. For instanc e, the author points om how 'gait1 galllint (a phrase u sed to describe Sica) is better translated as 's he walked liked the swaying gait of an elephant' rather tl1an the literal 'she walked like an elephant', for few people today can imagine and understand the graceful ga.ir of an elep hant.

There have been several other English trans lations of tlus epic including the abridged versi on b y RK arayan, the concise one by C Rajagopalachari, and more recently, the multi-vol ume version by Ashok Banker as well as the brilliant transla tion of the Tami l Kalllha Ra111a)'a11a by Sundaram - to nam e a few; buc Sattar's translat.ion is informed

by her great sdwlacly grasp of Sanskrit. Her new Rama yana, Lost Loves is a lirtle different ru1d unusual for it attempts to explore the psychological mindset of Rama. As a Sanskrit scholar and trans lator who studied Rama in all tl1e different vers ions and rend.i tions, s he is si ngnlarly equ.ipped to undertal<e chis task. In chis collection of essays, Arshia's Rama is ridden witl1 angst and torn bet\veen love and duty, d ivinity and humanity. Wendy Doniger reminds us that this book makes us see how conflicted Rama really was, and therefore how he is such a good role model for us lowly mortals in the twen ty-first century

Sattar has a PhD in Souih Asian Languages and Civilisations from the Univer sity of Chicago Her areas of interest are I nd.ian ep ics, m ytho logy a nd the story tradit.ions of the subcontinent Her arrides appear in various n ational newspapers and magazines. Her book reviews and articles have appeared regularly in various newspapers and journals. She has also worked with documentary film and theatre, and caught Indian Stud.ies ar the l\fahindra United World College of India in Pune for five years She currentl y works as a freelance writer and researcher

Finally, a tribute to GK Anantharam who was tl1e b rains behind the creation of the Amar Chit1'0 lvltha (ACK) illustrated and dramatised p o pular books on Indian epics,p11m11as, biograph.ies and histories - wh.ich shaped and influenced a few generations of chil dren's reading in English in India. Although the pub lic equates tl1e ACK phenomenon with Ananm Pai and lus Jvlumba.i a·eation in 1967, it was reall y GK Anantl1aram who produced the first versi on in Kannada - not English - in 1965, in Bangalore. Moved by the idea that it was about time Indian children were e.xposed, in popular writings, to their own hiscory and m ythology, he began in a small office in the Bangalore office of the India Book House. He was also influenced by the stirrings of Kannada literary renaissance at tlrnt rime, and he wanted co see ch.ildren reading more books in

t he local language After repeated nagging of his IBH boss GL :iYli.rchandani, Anantharam was allowed to p ubli sh books in Kann ada. Finall y, he managed

10,000 for h.is new baby - wh.ich turned out, after some ups and downs, to be a popular comic series, named At1Jar Chitra Katha by Ananrhram himself. The rest is history co goad his boss to shell om Rs

In her tran slation, Sattar had taken care not to use the archaic language preferred by the Sanskrit scholars of the 19th century, but a very contemporary rendering which focuses on the narrative, rather than on the text ' '

Neither does (Gokhale) ignore Yudh ishthira's weakness for gambling that precipitated a disastrous chain of events; nor does she skirt around unpleasant incidents such as the disrobing of Draupadi. ' '

ARSHIA SATTAR

Arshia Sattar

Namita Gokhale

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Along rime ago India realised the value of games as aids for mental d evelopment. The Mahabharata story of Nala and Damayanci revolves around the casting of dice and the science of mathematics. Nala w ins a crucial comest only after mastering the s ci ence of numbers

The 1fahabharata refers co a ga m e called Cbamra nga whic h was then said to be played between cwo sets of rival cousins (the Pandavas and the Kauravas). Anga refers co the four wings of the army ln India this game (now known as chess) '\Vas played on a boa rd of eight- by-eight squ ares with frmr sets of pieces which are elephants, h orses (cavalry), chariots (chariotry) and foot soldie rs (infantry). These pieces are rep laced in the mr>dern versi o n by bishops, knights, rooks and pawns respective ly.

Sony's Playstation consoles are very powerful devi ces which become even mor e potent by being linked m the in terneL One can then play a game w ith someone who is far away. If anyone spends a lot of time in such a virtual \vorld, there exi sts the risk o f becomi ng isolated from ch e real world.

Computer based programming has gone far ahead of what t he designers have ach ieved in games of less t han a decade ago. A new virtual world has b een fashioned in which particip ants create their own fantasy wor ld. A good example is Second Life This very popular program has created a virrual world for iL~ "residents". It is no child's play. One needs a credit card to enrol. Once permitted to enter, one needs to learn the mies of this virtua l world. Whole manuals have been published (such as S econd Lifafor D11111111ies) about how to operate in the J econd Life world.

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O n e o f the most interesting Second Life ventures i s ro creat e an Chamranga quickly spread to the Middle East whe re it was first referred co in Persia as 'Chatrang' and l ater as 'Shatranj'. From thence it spread to E urope through the J\rab wo rl d Significan tly, the Spani sh named chess 'Ajed.rez' which is a tra ns lation of tbe Arab ic 'Al shatranj'. In recent rim es, chess has become

computerised an d it is now possible to p lay the gam e with a machine

''image of oneself, the term being used for such a fa n tas y is rightly called an a/Ja!ar. Sucb avatan can be enhanced or altered as time goes by. that revered sleuth are available, albeit of varying qua li ty; hopefully these can instil in young minds a love for the science of deduction

Numerous computer games based on

One of the favourite topics of computer games are n ewly concocted scories of Sherlock Holmes which fascinate the yorn1g, particularly young males. Numerous computer games based on that revered sleucl1 are available, albeit of varying quali ty; hopefully these can instil in young minds a love for the science of deduction. J\s the rime-r evered sleuth Sherlock Holmes would have said: "The games are truly afoot!"

Th e explo its of the r ighteous warrior is a favourite theme in comp uter games Hanuman was one such Indian m yth ical warrior Aurona Technologies (Hyderabad) developed Hamm1a11: Bqy Warrior for Sony's Playstaciou2 console. Based on Indian mythology, the scory co nc erns Hanuman freeing li feforms which have been turned into stone by the forces of evil. That gives the game a un iversal appeal. The game can also be played in its Hindi ver sion.

India has abundant talent for developing compucer games Sony has turned to Indian game developers co produce input for its prestigious Playstation consoles. This is an other exam p le of developed countries u si ng Indian outso m cing. But India's talent cannot be satisfied by mere ly becoming

This avatar concept is reminiscent of the last three st eps of the medicative process of Patanjali's Yoga s11fl'Os These include focusing on a desired creation through dhamna (meticulous building up of an image), df!JtllltJ (gerring absorbed in to that image) and sa111adhi (identifying with

''the created image) The process of creating the image can be h elpful for enhancing vis uali sation However, the stage of cotally identifying oneself with the created image could be fraught with difficu.Jcies because one might lose a realistic image of o n eself and o f o n e's real wo rld.

Comput er games are here co stay This multi- billion dollar industry n eeds both regulation and moderatio n Violem games can be banned just like violent m ovies and TV progran,s. Many justifiably believe that too man y vio lent programs slip past the censors and self-regulators A University of Missouri smdy found that chose who play v iol ent v id eo games gee desens itised to violence, and that they even experience an increase in aggressiven ess

Video games ar e a powerful mediLUJ-1. A stud)' conducted by East Carolina U nive rsity found tha t n on-violent v ideo games like Befeiveled, Peggie and Bookwon11 acmally reduce depression. The emphasis i s on no nviole n ce. O thers noce chat addictive playing w ith video games can create depression and irritab ili ty.

Computer games are too powerful to be left to self-re!,>ulation.

End Jan , we had our first joint drill Ic was such a massive effort. On the second practise at Parramatta my battery operated audio system ga ve up. I got my car in the car lot ta p lay the song. Practise wenr offsa tisfactarily, bur a.fi:erwards, we found my car battery Aat.

(Man deep Raje and Adirya Apce used their car to help jump start!)

5"' Feb, Sunday was the next big joim rehearsal.

Ankic offered his car park for practise. 0/'le hired a generator for the practise - no more Aat car batteries). 45 dancers now. Passers-by sropped a nd watched for ages. Sachin Saraf, gem of a guy, p layed ' nanny' , as everyone dumped their kids on him. Everyone was helping, in their own silent way.

The lase practise session summed up che rehearsals. C locks were synchronized, timings were set in srone, logistics were sorted out, the formation, meeting place al l was agreed on. Tue weather was the on ly unknown and unplanned aspect. It was agreed, rain or no rain, the show muse go on!

9,h Feb, Thursday, lase day con races were made co the Po]jce and City of Sydney Council. All good co go! Over 50 in che mob now, including four Aussies, one Japanese, two Chinese, and several Sri Lankans.

I Och Feb, Friday, K- Day, weather was downcast, bm not our spirits, especially as the appoinred time, 4.00pm, drew near. We had a ll been praying for the rain ta stop. And, guess what, it did, just a few minutes before show time!

I had left the compucer in hibernate mode. (Tue music was on it). As I opened it at 3 .55pm - it had switched offi I had co restart. It seemed co take ages ta respond , and r was stressed as crazy. F inally it worked, and I was relieved. The Aash mob started exactly 10 seconds after 4 :00pm right on cue as per our plan. (The peop le who spoke to me in those 4 minuces, must have thought I was a lunatic, or final ly become convinced tl1at I've always been one!)

We danced our hearts om - just watch the YouTube video and you' ll know we enjoyed every minute of it!

All done, we dispersed as quietly as we had ga thered.

4 .4 5pm, it was drizzling, and Pitt St Mall was deserted. Tue heavens bad opened up just for us , we were quite convinced

Looking ahead

For Rashmi at least, Kolaveri fever continued for a few more days , as she set about producing the video of fa all, recording t he past five weeks of our lives for all posterity. For the rest of us, it seemed like a void, really, not having Kolaveri in our ]jves, seeing it had dominated so much if it so recen dy. The cure? Anor.her flash mob, you say? Oh, alright. ! Want ta join us? End of March, Hali , in your best whites. Ir's going ta be a 'colourful' Aash mob, we can assure you!

Oversize is all the

Make a statement this season with bright, dramatic, bold jewellery

TALIA KAUR

This season, jewe.llery has been super-sized. Ir seems necklaces shou ld completely cover yo ur chest, headpieces should dazzle and empower, earrings should be the size of miniature chandeliers and chunky bracelets should be stacked up high. B igger is definitely better when it comes to this season's trend of oversized statement jewelle ry and as the name suggests, these bold, bling and beautiful pieces are designed co be attention-grabbers.

Statement jewellery first came into fashion couture as a strong trend in the spring/ summer of 2009, bur is making a comeb ack and was recently seen in C hanel's pre-aummn/winter 2012-13 ParisBombay collection. Ir featured countless lndian inspired statement ned<laces, bracelets and headpieces which were made of gems, studs, diamonds and pearls.

Despite lnclians • hmring worn tbis trend for cennu:ies, Chan el's modern interpretation has led the way for other des.igoers to experiment with jewe.ller y Buinga new piece of je\ve.llery is a simple and effective way of updating an old look or dressing up a casual look, and is a dever way of protecting your personal.icy and individual style. Also, when purchasing from stores like Lovisa, Colette, Sportsgirl, Witchery or PeepToe, ic doesn't put pressure on yo ur wallet. So how do you wear th.is over-the-top jewellery? And what kind of clothes d o they effectively team up with? We.11, I have a few suggestions. But remember, die key .is fi!:,•ucing out how to make statement pieces work for you, instead o f feeling overwhelmed by diem

1Starr by easing your way in. Choose one key piece: a necl<lace, earrings, bracelet or even

38 MARCI-I 2012

a headband. By wearing the one p iece, it becomes the focus of your outfit and won't have to compete with any other jewellery. Be sure to also keep tl1e rest of your styling, such as hair, makeup and clothes, relatively simple. If you don't feel your outfit is comp lete with only o ne item of jewellery, cry not to wear srarement pieces coo close to each other. For instance, avoid showy earrings with a dran1atic necklace. Instead, wear the earrings ,i~t!, a marcl1ing cuff bracelet, or wear the necl<lace with small and simple smds

2 When ir comes to elaborate pieces, cry tearning up with casual clothes. Th.is aces as a b lank b ackdrop for more complicated je\vellery. When teaming a multicoloured, chain or bib-s tyl e necklace witl1 a pair of your favo urite skinny jeans, t-shitt and boors, it keeps me o utfit casual and allows the necklace to really 'pop' Too casual fo r yo u? Try pairing it with a plain silk sh.ire and neutral tailored shorts or pants instead. Mal<e sure you pay aaention ro necklines on your outfit. Haire.rs and really high necklines c ompete wi ti, big neckfaces, so it's best to go for large earrings or an armful of bracelets instead.

3

If you feel confident wearing several bold pieces at o nce, try wearing different texmre s and sizes togetl1er on only one part of the bod y at a time. Pair thin bracelets \\~th chain styles, studs o r cuffs, and layer pearls, chains, or colourful beaded necl<laces togeilier. 111.is instantly creates an eye-catching and fashionable look. However, try not to mix too many colours in eitl1er the jewellery or clothes, and if you do break the rules a little and wear more than one statement piece, make sure they complement each ocher.

4

Lastly, it's important to realise char a single statement p iece of jewellery worn can emphasise or d e-emphasise parts of your body. For example, if you feel self-conscious about your bottom or mid-section, wear a striking necklace or an elaborate pair of earrings, and this will ensure chat all tl1e attention is focused up top. Wear a statement bracelet or anklet co draw attention co your waistline o r below. Just remember, whichever way you chose to wear your statement pieces this season, wear it with confidence and you'll look and feel like a million dollars!

Diva feather necklace $20

The white Foods

Foods white in colour can provide you with minerals, vitamins and all-round health benefits

WHITE BE

In previous issues we have discussed the health benefits of eating black and red col oured foods. Now let us discuss the important nutrients in white coloured foods, and how they help to improve or maintain our health.

White foods have earned a bad name and have been labelled as a culprit for obesity, as well as increasing our blood sugar levels and cholesterol, but does that m ean we should eliminate foods that are whi te in colour? Some white foods such as sugar or relined carbohydrates like whi te b read, pasta may not be as good fo r us as the high fibre wholegrain ones, but there are certain w h ite foods that are too h ealthy to be ignored.

NA

Bananas are rich in potassium, an esse n tial mineral for maintaining no rmal b lood pressure and heart function. In addition to these cardio\7ascular benefit\ the potassiLm1 found in bananas may also hel p to promote bone h ealth. Bananas contain pectin, a soluble fibre (c alled a hydrocolloid) that can help n ormalize m ovem enc through die digestive tract and ease constipation

'ii I

Most white fi sh such as co d , bass, sole, percl, and haddock are very low in fat. It is recommended to h ave fish at lea st 2-3 times a week Even though white fish is verr low in fat, di e calorie and fat content will increase if you decide to cook the fis h in an unhealthy way such as by deep- frying The second way to pile on the ca locies is by serving fish \vid1 a fattening sauce that contains butter or cream, for e,'(ample.

While oily fish contain higher qua ncities of vitamins A, D and E, they are also rich i n a number of B vitamins such as niacin (B3) needed to pro m ote health y cells and to help eliminate toxins ftotn tbe body, and pyridoxine (B6) which keep s the skin, nervo us syste m and red blood cells heald,y: \X'hite fish is also rich in several essential mineral~ such as iron, phosphorOQ'i, se lenium, and iodin e.

• ••••• le

\,\(/bite b ea n s also known as navy beans have many health benefirs These are low GI and loaded wit h trace miner al molybdenum. These are also a good source of magnesim11. Being low in GI, white beans avoid triggering high blood sugar levels and th u s h el p improve b lood sugar levels. White beans are said to prndL1ce alpha- amylase inhibitors which help regulate fat storage i n the body. Th e magnesium in me b eans helps yo u to handl e stress levels better and is also good for health y bones

CAULIFLOWER

CauliAower is a n o n - starchy cruciferous vegetable containing sulphur- rich compounds called glucosinolates, which activa te d1e body's detoxification system. These may p lay a role in preventing various types of cancers Cauliflower contains the second highest amount of glucosinolates, after broccoli. Caulifl owe r is also a good source o f vitamin C an d potassium.

G RL

Garlic has always been considered good for healrn, but in r ece n t years it has become a food for study for researchers. Garlic contains d,e p owerful anti- oxidant allicin that also gives garli c its aroma and Aavour. It is rich in sulp hur-containing m olecules called p olysulphides that help i n improving b lood pressure. Garlic still helps to protect again s t heart disease by reducing t he ri sk of abnormal p la telet clumping that can lead to a heart attack

It aL~o has anti- b acte rial and anti-viral effects, which may help to ward off colds and other mi. nor in fections.

There i.s al ways co ntroversy abom whic h is me health ier meat: white meat like rabbit and chicken, or red m eat like mutton and beef, wh ich co me from t he Aesh o f big mammal s. Lean red m eat is an excellent source of iron and protein, but we have to be careful w ith the portion sizes since it is high in fat too, whereas white m eat is l ower in fat. Th e botto m Line is that no marter which meat yo u eat, you can gu ard yourself against health pro blems if you eat in m o deration.

Turnips are usually white in colour from me bottom until halfway up and become light purple, red, or green according co the s unlight that ha s fallen on them, until me top. Turnips are a good source of C and B v i ta mins They also contain manganese which helps m etaboli ze fat and carbohydrates and keeps your brain functioning properly.

WHITE ONION

W h ite onions have sulp lmr compounds d1at give chem not on ly d1eir strong odour, but some excellent health benefits as well. Su lphur compounds h e lp to reduce abnor m al blood clotting and also help to r educe b lood cholesterol and blood pressute. Wbite onions contain flavonoid quercetin, kn own for its anti - infl am matory properties and cardiovascular health benefits. These are good for the digestive tract and also have anti - inflammarory and anti -oxidan t effects.

?vlushrooms are loaded with nutri ents They have high levels of anti-oxidants and are low

i n calo ri es, fat and sodiw11, yet p rovide importam nutrient~ like selenium, p otassium, riboflavin, niacin, v itam in D and more. A ntioxidan ts like selenium protect body cells from d amage that might lead to chro nic diseases and also help to strengthen t he inu11une system. Mushrooms a lso provide ergochi o nei ne, a n aru.rall y occurting anti-oxidanc that may help protect body cells Mushrooms are also a good source o f vitamin D. Antioxidants like selenium , p rotect body cells from damage d1at might lead to chro nic di seases. Tbey help to strengthen the immune system, as well.

Ask Auntyji

C~ttk vtt lY\vtttl ??

Auntyji says

D ea r Au nty ji

What the hell is going on with the Indian cricket team? All of my fami l y 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 stat u s of India so much, the one time they need your support an d you turn Hansie Cronje on them? Besharam! Nalayak! Do you re call the depth of happiness you felt when Dhon i hit the six into the su ltry Mum bai night to win t h e Wor l d Cup fina l last year? And do you reca ll the exq u isite p leasure when Dravid and Laxman had their 300- run partnerships against Australia in Calcutta in 2001 and Adel aide in 2003? You are indeed a fair weather friend and the Indian cricket team d oes not need a fan like you I suggest you join the Aussie fan cl ub immediately because at l east they wi ll all tell you where to go if you bel ittle the team. I suggest you sta r t supporting your team and write them l etters of encouragement- instead of sitting there raining crap on them Disappointed, I am, i n you Poor Sachin bhai. He deserves better than this, you haraami. Don't you dare say another word against my beloved Indian cricket team

Dea r Auntyji

I have just met my son's 23- year-old girlfriend and she i s 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 rea ll y l ike her, and he i s an intelligent hardworking young man, and I don't want the girl taking advantage of him Do you think I should say something?

*Auntyji says

Oh, us mothers always worry about our ch il dren and are always think i ng that someone or the other is about to dupe our children out of their hea lt h, wealth and happiness I'm pleased you have not said anything, because it is too earl y to be making any such allegation. If your son is as intell i gent as you say he is, then I am sure he is quite aware of the visa situation. L et them be - sooner or later you wi ll get to know this girl better and will be ab l e to work out her moti ves Keep in mind that not everyone gets together with someone just for their v i sa Your son does not need your disapproving all egations - 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 suspic i ons to yourself and try not to l et your jasoosi find evidence with each interaction you have w ith the girl. Open your heart and your mind - th is girl cou ld be the mother of you r grandchi l dren one day - the last thing you want to do is start on the wrong foot. And, if you continue to h ave suspicions, just think of Rahu l Gandhi. His Italian mother raised him to be a good Hindustani. What more endorsement cou ld you want?

Send

Name Change Notice

I, Seetharaman Duraiswamy Srinivasan R/ O of 35 Bowman Crescent , Enfield Adelaide 5085 SA, Australia have changed m y name from

Given Name: Seetharaman

Surname: Duraiswamy Srinivasan

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• to: Given Name: Seetha

Surname: Raman

• General Skilled Migration (onshore & offshore)

• State Sponsored Visas

• Employer Nominated Visas

• Partner & Family Migration

• Business Migration

• Student Visas

• Advice on various pathways for permanent residency to onshore graduates

• Advice & Assistance with Professional Year Program.

• MAT App lication for Review

• Advice & fac ilitate procedures for Student Visas

• Guidance and assistance in selecting appropriate professional courses based on education and background.

• Change of Course, University and Education Provider

• Assistance with credit transfers

• Immigration & Visa Advice

• St udent Visa and Appeal

Matt ers

• Admission and Visa Ass i stance for other coun t ries includ i ng Canada and New Zealand.

Ou r Ass oc iates : Robert (Bob) Fenwick - IVisalaw New Zealand

Katerina Knize - Law offices of Katerina Kn ize, Montreal Canada

The right facial

When you're in the mood to de-stress and enjoy a bit of personal pampering, spoil yourself with a relaxing facial

Which one is right?

Afacial is not just a beauty treatment; it is a time for women to get away from the ir busy, multi- tasking Jives and indulge in some ' m e' time. These d ays men coo a.re getting facials done, but we wilJ discuss their options another time

Let's examine the r ight kind of facial for different skin types.

Jc is the era of specialization so with every aspect of our lifestyle having multipl e choices, why should beaury treatments be any differen t? Think abonr the cho ices in mo isturizers or shampoos and conditionersyo u can easily spend half a day choosing the product that is right for you. So rake you r time in choosing the r ight treatment.

Fil:stly, if you have the patie n ce for a full -fledged beauty treatment every month, then b y a.ll mea.ns go for it. But i f you are short on time and have fewer options, go in for a facial. A facial, if do ne well, can be a d estress mechanism and can ma.ke the skin glow.

Why have a facial?

No matter how much we do the c leansing- coning- mo isturising routi n e, getting tl1e same thing done by a profess ional with products that are so metimes more concentrated than the o n es available off the shelf, can produce better resu lts Besides, the gir ls at the salons are profess ionally trained and they k now the right way co massage and tone the ski n , and tbc muscles of the face, n eck a.nd shoulder relax \Vith the bris k rub they get.

A facia l improves skin tone, ge ts rid of dead skin, blackheads a11d whiteheads, leaving the skin feeling fresh and rejuvenated. lt al so improves blood c ircu lation a.nd the skin's e lasticity.

A few salons will inc lude au acupressure-like treatment as pa.ct of the facial where they app ly pressure to certain points on ilie face. This can he lp Rush out toxins and detox the ski n.

And it goes without saying that a facial ca.n be a.n effective anti- ageing cool to keep li nes and wrinkles at bay.

1 ow that we ha ve established the imporrnnce of a regula r fac ial , how does one know which one to go for? There are several fac ials on offer using all kinds of ingredients. Fruit, vegetables, aloe vcra, ge m stones, go ld , AHAs, flowers - they a.cc all pa.ct of facials on offe r at various s alons The trick is to know w hich one works for you and s tick w i th chat. If you wish to experiment, 1 would sugges t you go w ich products that are na mral and hypoa.lle rgenic so you d on't brca.k out into a rash or have unnecessar y chemicals absorbed b y your skin

A c lassic or regular fac ia l offered at most sal ons will include cleansing, toning a.nd mo isturizi ng, and a mask. The cleansing process incl udes exposing the skin ro steam to open up the pores and remove b l ackheads. An ice pack is then used to close the pores. The facia l massage is done in clo ckwise or anti -clockwise directions and an y product app lication extends ro the neck area, as well as all over the face. The mas k i s usuaJJy mea.nt ro provide rh e skin some extra n ou rishment or righten the s kin. Most salons w ill also ex t end the moisturising treatment t o the back of the neck and the shoulders m relax the musc les.

Facial for dry skin

If you have dry skin, ensure that the facial yo u get uses cream s and moisnirizers that will nourish the ski n wi th extra moisture. Tf yo u have a choice, go for a deep n ouris h ment face pack for a mask. Some face packs that use clay or F ull er's earth (m11/ta11i mith) can leave the skin feeling drier than before. Always, a lways, ask for moisturising ones

The exfoliation process usua1Jy involves using a scrub of some sort bur opt for a mild o ne o r one that bas a semi-liquid base so yo ur skin doesn 't fee l coo dr y

The serum that is used after t h e face pack is ta ken off shoul d also be o ne that provides moi stur e to the deepest levels of your skin.

Facial for oily skin

Most salons will use generic products for aJJ kinds of skin at rhe cxfoliatio n and toning s tages. But when it comes to m o isturis ing, o ne ha s robe careful as o ily skin does not need

much massagi ng or mo istur e- rich creams If massage is involved, make sure they use products suited to oily skin and keep rhe duration of the massage co a minimum

O il y skins can opt for face masks that tighte n the skin, shrink the pores and reduce excess oil on the skin's surface. If you have pimples, get r id of them first with effective anti - acne treatments and then going in for a facial.

Facial for normal skin

Peo p le wid1 this skin type are lucky as they need everyiliing in the right proportions. The y d on't need to have ex t ra moisturising or extra an ythi ng, for that matter. The balanced pH leve ls of their skin means tl1cy need to maintain and pro t ect thei r ski n. What people wid1 normal skin need to keep in mind is that their facial shou ld exfoliare and nourish , more than anyth in g else.

Facia l for combination skin

This is a tricky one as people with combination skin have oily skin - usuall y o n their forehead s and chin, and dry skin along the checks or vice versa After cleansing, the dr y parts of the s kin need co be massaged with a mo isturising cream and the oily pa.res n eed coni n g. Opt for a face mask t h at nou.rishes the s kin, rather wan one that provides moisture or tones the sk in The same goes for the serum that is applied after the face pack comes off. Opt for a safe, nouri s hment or anti- wrinkle serum to reduce any after effects of the facial.

Facts about facia ls

• You don't really need a facial if yo u are unde r 25. While in yo u r late 20s you ca.n sea.rt having a facial done, bur not even o nce eve ry month Once in three months is just fine.

• If you are over 30, it is advisabl e to have a facial done every month If you don't have the time, opt for a clean-up at d1e very least.

• A good facial shoul d last for at least au hour. If you r beautician tinis h es your facia l in half an honr to 45 minute s, it i s a rush job. Ir takes time for the face mask to dry and during the massage, the skin absorbs creams or k)tions only for a certain amou n t of time Most beauticians a re aware of these

facts and give a facia.l accordingl y, a.nd it usually adds up to an hour or so

• The neck area too shou ld be given the same treatments as the face, from exfoliation to se r um stages

• Some women opt for b leach treatmenrs along with a facial in the hope that it will lig hten the ir skin tone. A b l each is the worst chemica.l yo u can appl y o n yonr face. lt usually leads to pigmentation when you step out in the sun after a tream1ent. Combining bleach with a facial exposes )'O llf newl y exfo liated skin to a harsher dose of chemicals which can d amage the skin instead of repairing it.

• Jf the beautician is pulling at your skin a bit too ha rd, feel free to insist s he s hould be gentle because a ll that nigging and pulli11g during the mas sage is meant to be gentle. It shoul d n ot stress the skin.

• If any product applied causes a burning or tingling sensation, let the beautician know immediately lt could be that you are aUergic to some ingredient in the product.

• Avoid strong smelling or very fragrant products and let your beautician know char you would prefer milcU y fragranced or fragrance - free products that are h)lJoallcrgenic.

So, if you ha ve the time and arc in tl1c m ood for some TLC, go get a facia l. It i s a g reat way ro relax and have some quiet time

THOMAS EKING

Encompassing the great cultural diversity, historic differences and scenic variety of Asia in a just a few words is not an easy cask Even for someone like me who has spent much of his l ife tiptoeing across mountain highs and waltzing along valley lows, it's still a mind-daunting unde r taking. After much deliberation I ca n only say that Asia is truly a p lace of infinite m ystique where visitors can indulge all of their senses. Just as difficult as defining Asia, i s illustrating m y fascination for the continem. These few snippets with Indian links, however, may provide intriguing d u es.

Pokhara Picture s

It's early morning in the Pokhara Valley, 200 km west o f Kathmandu. Even though the first rays of the sun are yet to leap over the hills, Hindu pilgrim s are preparing for puja at the most sacred temple i n tl1e serene vale. Set on a wooded islet in t he middle of a picture perfect lake, the Barahi Temple also provides an unobstructed vantage point for an incredible vista of wate r and mountam.

The m ighty Himalayan Mountains span so me 2560 km from nor thern Pakista n and India into China. The 8854-metre hig h l\ift Everest can't be seen from Pokhara but eight colossal peaks are often visibl e from se lected locations in and around I epal's larges t second largest city. Stretching from east ro west, the 140 km lo ng panorama of

the A n napurna Range seen in Pokhara includes Annapurna I ro IV and Annapurna Soutl1

Though it's not the tallest, the sharp trian gular peak of Machhapuchhre stands out di stinctl y from the pack of mountains. Some of the other peaks are h igher, but being farther away t hey a re dwarfed by i ts fishtailed pinnacle.

The magnificent massif of Machhapuchhre has not been conquered. Co nsequently, the pyramidal fa<;:ade of tlus 6993-merre mountain marvel can only be admired, and that's w har tens o f thousands of domestic a nd foreign visitors d o each yea r.

Lt's doubtful that there is any p lace other than Pokhara where so man )' great Himalayan peaks can be s een fro m such a close position. Annapurna I is just 50 km away, while Machhapuchhre is 30 km down tl1e road. A sense of awe swept over me as I stood at me lakeside vamage point 900 metres above sea level gaz ing at an icy summit nearl y 7 km high.

I t was 11.ud March and the rhodo dendrons were i n full b loom, adding splashes of red to the w h ite of mountain snow and the blue of tl1e sky. March and April are ideal times to visit Pokhara as the winter chill has gone. The only disadva ntage is tlrnt afternoons can be cloud y wid1 o ccasio nal thunderstorms.

Though colder, midOctober to December is tl1e other optimum period.

A utumn is the seaso n when Nature wields a colourful brush of transi tio n over the landscape. O ranges, reel s and yellows and patches of pure go ld en liven d1e scene.

I've visi ted Po khara in both seasons and prefer sp ring as it's warm and stmny. It's comfortable to sit and leisurely gaze at mountains rcAectecl in the glassy waters of Phewa Lake, a 2½ km long body of pure

There is a charm and serenity about Asia that enchants the mind and soul of a traveller

Himalayan water that has its origins in not so distant ice fields.

Sensations of Sabah

A stark mountain- top thrust above the lush tropical greenery of Sabah is the sole destination for many tourists who v isit tlJis activity- packed state of East Malays ia. Kota Ki.uabalu, the state capital, is the entry point fo r Malays ia's most far flung realm and as I disco,Tered, the best starting point fo r a thrill packed journey to a mount,'lin called Kinabalu.

Park headquarters for tlJe sanctuary that encircles tl1e fabled mountain are 88 km from the city. A wide higb,vay put5 the abLmdant flora and less vi sib l e faw1a of tl1e 754 sq km Kinaba lu National Park within an hour's drive. Many day trippers from 'KK' as it's commonly called, come for tl1ese attractions with the added inducement of being able to spend a few ca lm hours strolling in cool mountain air.

Wild orchids, lovely b luebells, daffodi ls, rhododendron and tl1e giant RafAesia witl1 a flower measuring up to a metre across are found along walking tracks. I r's not very likely you'll spot wildlife, though sightings of flying squirreJ, barking deer, bearded pig and even orang-utan have been recorded. A few

hours of relaxation among 1200 odd varieties of orchi ds and 325 varieties of birds may be enough for some, b ut others won't settle for anything less tl1an tl1e buzz of scaling the usually cloud obscured mount.

The first recorded ascent of the highest peak between the Himal ayas and r ew Guine a was made in 1851 by Sir Hugh Lo\\-; a British government officer Assaults on the l O miJlion year old, 4095 metre h igh granite massif don't make heacllines t hese days because thousands of vis itors annually make tl1e climb. No special mountaineering experience is required if the main route to the g lacier scarred smrunit is followed, but the climb is very tiring and tourists must be in good shape to complete the two to three day rrip Several huts with bas ic cooking and accommodation facilities strategically located along the way have been established to make the journey more comfortable

The driest and sunniest part of the year is from Februa ry to May but even then stout shoes, a warm hat, gloves and warm clothes are needed plus food for the entire journey. A sleeping bag can be rented at the hurs. Climbers must utilise the services of an auth orised guide and porters can be hired

Visitors who simply want to slow clown for a few days and not test their endurance w ill enjoy the serenity of the area and tl1e variety of pl easant options availab le My wife and l, for instance, traipsed a.long the path winding through the park's extens ive botanical garden, went golfing at a picmresque course located on the mountain slope, and spent hours at our heritage resort sitting oppos ite an amazingly cloudless peak and watching the last rays of the day cast a pink hue over this geologic wonder.

Hue : No hurry

Located roughly midway between the unbridled frenzy of Ho C h i l\ilinh City - more commonly called Saigon - to the south and me more conservative Hanoi, the

capital of the 86 million -strong Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the north, the provincial capital of Hue (pronou nc ed Hway) has long been one of the nation's main religious and educational centres.

l gained a valuab le incrocluction into its culrural attributes and saw a variety of its historical landmarks during a pleasant excursion on the Huong (Perfume) River in a boar 'guard ed' by rwin dragons. "They symbolise double power," said Ngoc, my gen ial and ever- smiling guide who provided detailed commentary on 400,000-strong Hue. We chatted while tl1e aluminium craft cur through the water and then coasted ro a rustic riverbank jetty where scores of oilier dragon boats were temporarily m oored.

Rising beyond several brilliant Flame of the Forest trees lining the river bank, was an octagonal tower. Hue is a metropolis of pagodas w ith more tl1an 300 sacred Buddhist buildings gracing the city. Built in 1844, the seven tiered Thap Phuoc Duyen Tower was constructed on the grow1ds of the o lder Thien Mu (Heave nly Lady) Pagoda.

Budd11ism ca.me from India and then sp read throughout V iecnam Today 90 per cent of the population profess the gentle faitl1. Severa.I dozen adherents currently live at the monastery beyond the towe r. It's a place of peaceful contemplation once tourist hordes leave. The sweeping scene of river boats and the purple hue of the Troung Son Mmmta.in Range beyond w as enticing, bur another major point of interest was only a few kilometres upstream.

Also set above tl1e r iver, tl1e Tomb of Minh Mang is the most typical and best preserved of all the royal mausoleums in Hue. Said to be modelled after the M ing Tombs in Beijing, tl1e 18 ha. complex is filled with statues, temples, terraces and stone bridges. In tl1e middle of i[ all is a

large hill of eartl1 where the emperor rests, shaded by p ines. The exact location of the tomb is unknown because, Ngoc explained, much gold and silver was in terred with tl1e revered royal ruler.

Jl,,linh Mang was the second emperor in the Nguye n Dynasty, a line of hereditary rulers whim lasted for 143 years. All 13 Nguyen emperors Lived in a massive fortified expanse spread over tl1e northern bank of the Perfume River. In 1802, afte r nearly 40 years of conflict, Vjetna.rn was united for the first time by a Saigon lord, Nguyen Phuc Anh. He proclaimed himse lf Emperor Gia Long as the first Nguyen ruler, and began rebuilding the Phu Xuan Citadel into an impregnab le stronghold, the first fortified city in Asia modelled on European military design.

'Fortified' is the operative word because tl1e 1 0 km in circumference Ci tadel has an 8 metre high, 21 metre thick ourer wal l. Inside tl1is 520 ha stronghold where subjects Li ved, wor ked and tended fields was another moatenclosed space, the Inner Ci ty or Dai Noi Access ible tl1rough four en trances, access through the Ngo Mon Gate was once reserved solel)' for d1e emperor.

l walked Lmhindered mrnugh this passageway, across the stonebuilt Golden Water Bridge which spans a fish- filled loms pond, and into a still sp lendid palace where emperors would confer with advisors, meet otl1er nobles and issue royal decrees. The elevated red and gold throne where this occurred takes centre stage in the Thai Hoa (Supreme Peace) Palace, a spacious hall \vith an ornate roof supported by 80 carved, gold inlaid and lacquered columns. l briefly paused before this grand spectacle sensing that what lay beyond would also be a feast for the senses.

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.

I :.l ...._, ___J RAJNI ANAND IJ_!, A JII LUTHRA

Roasted o n charcoal and rubbed w itb lemon juice, sale and chilli powder - tliat i s probably how most Indians best like tl1eir fresh corn. The closest yo u can get to tl1at

Corn Korma

2 cups corn kernels

3-4 tbsp tomato puree

1 medium- sized o ni o n , finely chopped

1 tsp crushed garlic

¼ tsp turme ric powder

l t sp chilli powder

½ cup coconut milk

1/2 tsp sugar

1 t sp garam masala

Salt to taste

2 tbsp oil

Coriander leaves for ga rnish

Heat oil in a pan and fr y tbe on.io n s and garlic. When lightl y browned, add tomato puree. Stir well a nd fry for awhile Then, add me corn, tl1e dry masala, salt and sugar. Ad d o n e cup of water and allow to boil.

Finally add the c oconut milk, stir weU and serve garnished wim coriander.

Corn Cutlets

I cup corn kernels

2 m edium-sized potatoes

1 medium-sized onion

1 esp grated ginger

1 tsp crushed garlic

1 tsp coriander powder

l t sp cnmin po,vder

1 tsp red chilli powder (or to taste)

Salt for taste

C h opp ed fresh coriander leaves

Oil for deep -frying

Boil and mash tl1e potatoes Give the corn a gentle whirl in tlie food p roc essor. Dice tl1e onion fine.

Mi..'X potatoes, corn, onion, ginger and garlic, and coriander, cumin and chilli powders. i\dd the salt and coriander leaves.

1fake sma U round balls of the mixmre.

Heat tl1e o il iu tl1e fr ying pan or wok

Pu t the small balls of the mi..'<ture into die hot oil one by one Deep fry u n til go lden Drain o n absorbent paper.

Serve hot wi th tomato sauce or m intcoriander chutney.

here i n Australia is boiled corn dis hed out b y vendors at street fairs and beach-sides. Equally good, you might say!

I like sweet corn best the way m y kids eat it - simply was hed in water and cooked in the mic rowave for three minutes on high, no dressing.

Yet many differe nt way s of serving corn can be found in cuisine. Sample the following.

Corn Raita

1/2 - ¾ cup corn kernels

250 gros yoglmrt

Salt to taste

1 tsp pepper powder

½ esp red chil1i powder

1 tsp cumin seeds

I tbsp grated coconut

Green coriander for garnish ing

Beat yog h urt weU, add salt, pepper, chilli powde r, grated coconut and corn, and mix weU Dr y roast cumin seeds and powder. Add this to raita. Garnish widi coriander.

Corn Masala Rice

l cup basmati rice

l cup corn kernels

I cup green peas

10-12 cas h ews halved

1 tsp chilli powder

1 tsp sambha r masala

1 / 2 esp garam m asa la

1 tsp sugar

¼ tsp mrmeric

Salt ro taste

Ju.ice of 1 le m on

2 tbsp o il or g h ee

½ esp each cumin and mustard seeds.

Heat ghee in a h eav y- bo ttomed saucep an Add die cashews and fry till lig ht brown. Remove.

To tl1e same oil, add cumin and mustard seeds to splutter. Add the corn , peas, rice and all dry masalas and 5 cups wa t er. Cover and cook till almost done.

Add lemon juice, suga r, coriander and cashews. Cover and cook till rice is done and no wate r is left.

Serve hot with yoghurt. .

Corn Bhel

1 cup corn k ernels

½ cup grated carrot

I m edium onion diced fine

1 m edium tomato chopped fine

½ cup coriander chopped fine

1 large boiled potato

½ cup plain yoghurt

½ cup seII (fine)

1 tsp chat masala

1 tsp limejuice

I finely cliopped green chiUi

½ t sp powdered suga r

½ esp cmnin seeds powdered

Keep as ide scv and half the coriander.

Chop potato finely ML'X all tlie ingredients well in a large mixing bowl. (Best do thi s just before se rving).

Transfer to indiv idual bow ls Garnish wim se1, and coriander.

Peas and Corn Cutlets

1 cup peas

1 cup corn kernels

6 spring onions, t hi nly sliced

2/ 3 cup fi n e polenta

2/3 cup self- rais ing flour

l ½ tsp coriander powder

2 eggs

½ cup plain yoghurt

Oil for frying

Salt and pepper ro taste.

Mix togetl1e r peas, corn, s pring onio n s, salt and pepper.

A d d sifted flour and coriander powder.

Ml'X }'Olks from bodi eggs in ½ cup yo g hurt and add to peas and corn mL"Xrure.

Beat egg whites we.11 Fold one- third into peas and corn mi.."Xture and mix well. Gently fold in remaining egg whites

Heat oil in a frying pan. Ove r meclium heat, spoon smaU quantities of rnix mte into oil and Aatte n slig htly. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side or until go lden and cooked mrough.

Drain on absorbent paper

Serve hot wi tl1 tomato sauce or minrchutney.

Corn

and Cheese

Sandwich Mix

1 cup corn kernels

1 cup shredded tasty cheese

½ bunch of fresh dill lea ves, fine ly cut

1 tbsp mayonnaise

1 tbsp cream

Salt to taste

¾ t sp su gar.

l\,Cix all the ingredients well in a bowl.

U se as san dwich spread

Gujarati- style Corn

2 cups corn ke rn els

1 ½ c ups milk

½ tsp grated gi n ger

1 green chilli, finel y chopped

½ tsp sugar

Salt ro taste

Red chilli powder to taste

2 tbsp desiccated coconut (or grated fresh)

1 tbsp oil

'/,, esp cumin seed s

F res h coriander for garnish

Combine milk and corn kernels in a pan and bring ro a boil. Keep on a simmer, stirring occasionally, till most of tl1e milk is evaporated Re m o v e from the hear. In a n orl1er pan, heat oil a nd add cumin s eeds. \i::rhen tl1ey begin to pop, add ginge r and green chilli and stir Theo add die corn, salt, sugar and red chilli powder. Stir. Then add die coconut and fresh coriander Mix weU.

Chicken Corn-wallah

8 chicken drumsticks

¼ cup plain flour

1 chicken stock cube

2 tsp c rushed garlic

2 large onio n s, chopped

2 tbsp oil

2 cups corn kernels

2 cups peas

4 large tomatoes, cho pped (use tinned tomatoes if preferred)

1 tbsp tomato paste

¼ cup brand y (optio n al)

½ cup mango chutney

Red chilli powder to taste

'/~ tsp turmeric powder

1 cup water

Mix Aour wiLh crumbed stock cube and toss drumsticks in. Shake awa y excess flour

Heat oil i n a pan and cook drumsticks

u n til lightl y brow ned. Remove drumsticks from o il. ln me sam e oil, add onions and garlic and co o k until soft. Add nu:meric, tomatoes, tomato paste, co rn , peas, and brand y Stir weU, rl1en add the drumsticks, pepper and water and simmer, covered until chicken is cooked t hrough.

• •• • •••••••••••••••

• • ••••••

Corn Paneer

250 gms paneer, diced

I cup corn kernels

2 large tomatoes diced

1 esp cmnin seeds

1 tsp c oriander powder

½ tsp tur m eric powde r

Reel chilli powder to taste

2 ts p 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 brieAy. lntroduce diced tomatoes. Cook, stirring a nd mashing well until combined with [he masala powders and oil begins to separate. Reduce bea[ and put in the com pas[e and salt Stir briefly until well-combined. Add in paneer and mix gently. Cook, covered, on medium heat. Serve garnished with fresh coriand er .leaves.

• • •••••••••••••••••••••••••

Kadhai Babycorn

2 cups chopped baby corn (either canned or fresh)

2 large caps icums (one green and o ne red) , deseeded and chopped fine ly

1 large onion cut into dun strips

I tsp crushed garlic

I tsp grated ginger

5-6 [Sp tomato sauce

1- 2 rsp kas11ri methi (drjed fenugreek leaves)

l tsp coriander seeds

1 tsp cumin seeds

2 tsp chilli powder

1 tsp sugar

Salt [O taste

3-4 tsp oil

Fres h coriander leaves for garnish

Dry grind the kas111i methi, coriande r seeds and cnnun 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. \Xlhen the onions turn translucent, add the chopped capsicums and srir well Now add tl1e tomato sauce and the dry powder. Mix well and add cbe cut babycorn. Add water if needed, cover and simmer rill almost done (abour 1015 ruins). 111e11 add the sugar, salt, chilli powder and the fresh coriander. Simmer for a further five minutes.

• • •••••••••••••••••••••••••

Malai Corn

I cup corn kernels

2 bunches fresh 111cthi (fenugreek) leaves

1 cup cream l medium onion chopped

2 tsp crushed garlic

Red chilli powder to taste

½ tsp garam masala

Salt to taste

2 esp oil.

Heat oil in a heavy- bottomed pan and sauce onions

rill colourless. Then add fenugreek leaves and cook gentl y rill the leaves let off t heir aroma. Then add gar lic, red chilli powder and about a cup of water. Cook brieAy. Then introduce the corn and cook until a chick consistency is obtained. Finall y add cream, sa lt and gararn masala and stir rill combined well.

ARIES M a r c h 21 -A pril 19

This month the car ds indi cate a ti me for co mmunicat ions with everyone, so you will be busy and also very popular. The re are many different plans to travel and t his month you are going to be really busy There is a combination of card s showing that you need to be careful with family members and misunderstandi ngs, as you have been feeling ..,_,_,,,..=- r ""' very unhap py wit h certain family members la tely You may be looking at starting somet hing new an d prospects are looking goo d

TAURUS April 2 0 - May 2 0

The ca rds show he r e that your financial situation is getting better, and th ere is no s h or t age of money Aow l-lowever, you have t o be careful abo ut being too generous with your money, as you have a problem an d cannot say no Roma n tically you will be fee li ng good and also thinking about a particular person with whom you want to make things per manent. Be careful of spilling the beans with secre t s you may be hol d ing about someone - hold your tongue.

GEMINI Ma y 21 - June 2 0

The card s show that your sex appeal is oozing and you will be like a magnet att r acti ng the opposite sex, bu t without any problems. You also have some thoughts about changing your car You are cur re ntly putting a lot of effo rt int o work and will also be gaining recognition an d rewards t his month You will be thinking of t aking on a new healt h r egime There is an indication t ha t you need t o look at your diet. Take an allergy test

CANCER June 2 1 - June 2 0

You have been working quite hard lat ely and t h e cards indicate a need to take it easy Take so me ti me out and just relax Be ca r eful and d on't keep ta king what yo u r boss may b e expecting from you You need to learn to s t and up for yo u rself, othe r wise you will be working 24 hours a d ay. The r e may be a romantic liaison at work, so watch out as it could end in upsets. Also, be careful of a rg uments with people

LEO July 23 - A ug 22

The cards indicate that you have some jealousy aro u nd you in regards to your love life or its p r ogress. Be pat ient, as you a r e feeling the pressu re in work and life Be clear in your mind as t o what you would like to do, as you are being urged t o make some fi rm choices. There a r e some work issues that need to be a ddressed. You should t ake t ime to eat well and do no t indulge in alcohol or nico t in e

VIRGO Aug 23 - Sep22

The cards indicate that you will be concentrating on your career. You wi ll be praised a lo t at wor k bu t you need t o deci d e what you want t o do, as y ou have itc hy feet to change jobs. You will be thinking of going to anot her city or stat e You have some paperwork to deal with, things you have been putting off for so me time You will be making some investments and looking at ways to make your money go further

LIBRA Se p 23 - O c t 2 2

The ca r ds indicate that you will be looking at choosing a holiday destination this month. You have plans t o travel and h ave some 'me' time Things are looking goo d , if you are wai t ing for news of a promoti on Your love life needs a spring clean and to make things inte resting, you nee d t o start communicating more wi th each o t her There may be a m inor opera t ion for one of your friends or a partner t his month, b ut all will be well.

SCORPIO Oc t 23 - No v 21

You are like a ball of ene rgy with lots of plans and thoughts this month You are worried a b out a lo ve d one w h o has b een showing signs of being dis t an t and not very open with you You are feeling left out and need to ta lk to each other There may be awaite d news, abo u t a job in anothe r city You are looking at a way to start a new life This month is going t o be full of many changes

SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 2 1

The cards show that this mont h your relationship will go th r ough u p s and downs. Both of you seem to have some mino r misund erstandings: you need to look at what is causing this You might have to re-evaluate you r behaviour t o keep thi ngs flowing smoothly If you a re st rong you will keep things together; if not you will brea k up Money is c o ming in but you ha ve so me expenses to deal with l-lea lth is okay, but take ca re of your back

CAPRICORN De c 22 - Ja n 19

The cards in d icat e ne w opportunities around work with new plans and more challenges knocking on you r door You need to be able to communicat e what you want t o your superiors. A long-te rm relationship is in trouble, and you nee d pat ience and a clear mind to work through these problems. There will be some majo r revelations afte r th e 24th The health of an older me m be r of the family will also be a concern l-lowever, try to keep your stress levels down

AQUARIUS Ja n 2 0 - !=eb 18

The ca r ds indicate that your love life will be going through a ' whirlwin d t his month. Sit down wit h you r lover and ask some serio us questions about what they wanl The r e see ms to be a feeling of instabili t y a round work, as you are not getting what you deserve. There are plans to take up a h obby, you are looking for some excitement and fun , but need to relax Ti me to st art mee t ing up with frien d s an d getting your social life active again.

PISCES !=eb 19 - March 20

The cards indicate a ti me for refurbishing your house or flat You will b e thin king of ho me impr ovement projects. Your job needs attention as you are not in the m ood to work lately, and you could have major problems with your boss an d colleagues You have lost interest in you r current r ole. Take time out to decide where you want to be Life is no t great wi th your lover as you are getting mixe d signals. Talk an d clear the air.

The 'over' never ends

With a new debut begins a new understanding and the promise of a better future, once again

you in tl1e stand." Her first words bad tl1e same effect as a bucket of iced water.

The fence creaked as he leaned forward and put his weight on it. He was a spectator now, having Jong retired frorn the game.

He had a seat in the members' stand, but a group of friends had come to watch and he had chosen to si t with the m. TI1e excitement grew in the stands. The ross had decided which country would bat first, and his son was going to make his 'debut' as an international cricketer. His son, not yet nineteen, was already showing the signs of becoming a world champion. Yes, it was a p roud moment - a father seeing his son stepping into his foocsteps and already doing a better job

He rurned cowards the pavilion as a movement caught his eye. His son had just stepped o oco the ground. He knew how his son would be feeling. The hear t would be racing. The anticipation would be at it~ highest, and the hope of success would be all perv ading. The walk to the pitch was a walk towards personal victories and it was always welcomed. le was the walk back that everyone dreaded , for it brought \\~th it the ending to that day's dream.

Suddenly his son stopped and looked directly at him; then he raised his bat in the air and lowered it in front of his dad. Misty-eyed, he renu: ned the salute. \'v'hacever happened, as far as he was concerned, his son had already won!

The opposition was already strategically p laced around the ground. His son moved ro stand i.n front of the wicket. It was a sign that the game would shor tly begin. He moved back and cook a seat. It was tl1en that he saw her. Standing behind a column with her back ro him, she stood looking towards me pitch. No, not the ground! She was watching his son. He saw red. How dare she come to ruin the most import.111t day iu his son's life! Did she not realise the damage she had already done?

He got up and began a slow walk cowards me lady. As each step brought him closer to the woman, he began to debate about the wisdom of a meeting but ju st as he was about to rurn back, the lady seemed to sense his presence and looked at hiu1. Botl1 stilled Ten years seemed ro Ay away. The hurt and me ache seemed to bury itself. All he now felt was the pain of watching his wife in tears.

"Go back Jay, he will look for

Listead of complying with her request, Jay moved closer. "For the next over, his eyes will be on tl1e ball and l only need tlrnt much time to ask you a question."

"\X'here have l beenJ Is that what you wish to have answered?" she asked.

"No. I jusc want to know why you have rerurned;' he said.

"l never left, Jay," she answered.

" Never left? Ten years ago, you wall{ed away. You left yo ur home, your husband and yom child. You gave no reasons and you left no contact numbers. Is that not leaving?" he cm in The over had ended and tl1e wicket keeper was changing ends. Jay looked toward me crease just as his wife hid herself behind the column. He would ha,;,e to wait until his son faced tl1e other way before he could continue the con versation.

"So why did you?" he asked.

"Because anotl1er, had become more important," she replied

"No woman has ever been more important tl1an you. You and m y son were everything to me," he barked.

"Yes, tl1ere was us, and tl1en tl1ere was your cricket."

"CRICKET! You left because of my game?" he questioned her i.n disbelief.

' Jay, maybe the fault was mine ro have un derestimated yo ur commitment to the game or to have expected more tl1an what you were willing ro give. \Xfhen we marriec~ I saw only me glamour and fame that came with your success," s he said, adding, " I even enjoyed it. Bur no wife should be expected to give up so much of herself to make her husband whole.

I watched you take part in ' tl1ose bonding sessions' when you and the tean1 would lock yourselves away before each gan1e I silently waited at home while you spent montl1s away on tours. I held our baby night after night as he burned with temperature, o nl y to see your phoro splashed across the morning paper wim a woman's arm around your neck. 1 saw your name linked time after rin1e, wicb woman after woman. I cried lonely tears while you boasted to the press, of your love for cricket 1 took calls from strangers wbo spoke of familiarity. l shared yo ur worry at selection time and I hurt when success walked away at intervals. 1 heard you moan when the game went badly. l rejoiced when your team won. And 1 did ir all for love but nm once did "

"A love mat did not make it past tl1e fi.rst inning," he cut in binerly

"My love survived many games Jay, it was just not able ro survive the doosra," she responded.

'''iXTh)' did you not speak up earlier? I tl1ought tllis was what we both wanted," he now spoke in a gentler tone.

"\'v'ould you have give n u p cricket?" she questioned.

"Have I played since you left?" he gueried in ren1rn an d men watched as his wife broke down and cried. His arms autornaticall)7 reached out to comfort her, surprising even him.

"Six!" someone shouted. Jay and his wife looked up to see their son lift his bar in acknowledgement to che cheering.

''\'(! hat now?" be asked fearfully.

"Now? It is tin1e for me to give in to this sport," she smiled back.

"l have always loved you," he whispered.

"But l have always loved you more;' she replied.

"How can you say tliat?" he asked in surprise, for wasn't ir she who had left birn? Hirn and their child!

" I left you your son., and I silently watcl1ed as you made him into a cricketer."

MARTIMONIALS SEEKING GROOMS

Well -settled professional alliance invited from Austra li a/ Indi a for40/165 unmarried charming Punjabi Khatri girl, family oriented and responsible, IT professional, working in Sydney. Australian citizen. Early marriage. Can re lo cate. Serious proposals only. Email profile with recent photo: sydgirl09@gmail.com

Seeking s uitable match fro m Australia preferably PR/ citizen, student can be considered as well, for Hindu / Punjabi Khatri girl pharmacist, B.SC medical, S'S", 84 born, slim and fair, livin g and working in India (Punjab). Brother we ll -sett led in Mel bourne. Parents in India. Contact Abhishek Seth on 0433 322 666 or email seth.abhishek@yahoo.com

Well-settled Hindu family in Sydney seeks a mature, well settled, goo d natured, professional boy from a cu ltured family for our charming daughter, '79 born, 5'2~ IT professional (Masters IT). Caste no bar. Please respond w ith photo and particulars to sssvjp @hotmail.com

Seeking qualified Gujarati match for sister, 5'1 28 years, vegetarian, B.E. (Electronics & Communication), working with Tata Consu ltancy Services (TCS) at Vadodara, Gujarat. Email profile w ith recent photos on kunalshah@y7mai1.com or call 0433 255 228. Serious proposals only. We ll cultured and well to do family

Seeking well-qualified match for very fair, young looking Hindu lady, 54, veg, divorced, daughter living with her. He must be aged 49-55, non smoker with strong moral values. Contact lifepartner@hotmai l com.au or call 0404 043 904.

Suitable well-settled, professional match for Punjabi Arora girl, beautifu l never married 38/165, quali fied IT professional. GSOH w ith good family values Brought up in India. Working in MNC Sydney. Austral ian citizen. Early marriage. Serious enquiries only. Email details with photo: ausgirl101@gmail.com

Seeking su itable Punjab i Brahm in match for 1972 born (looks younger), divorced, issueless registered n u rse currently in India. Groom preferably between the age of 35--40, Hindu vegetar ian, non smoker, non drinker Only seri ous persons contact on nitishsharma_18@ya hoo.com

SEEKING BRIDES

Seeking Hindu girl, preferably Gujarati, good fam i ly values, for my son, dob: 7/8/75, d ivorced, no chi ldren, fair, 5'8~ vegetarian, down to earth, genuine, wel~built, non-smoker, light drinker Australian citizen tax consult ant, lives with parents. Contact 0423 328 800 or sydau714@hotmail.com

Co mpat ible matc h for 1975 born, clean sh aven Si kh Khatri boy, 5'9: two Post-Graduate degrees from India and recent ly finished Masters in IT from Australia Currentl y on temporary resid ent visa (with f ull work rights) and doing 3 months Internship at Optus Sydney. Living wit h elder brother (Australian citizen) and parents, who are on a 1-year visitor visa. Girl should be tall, well educated with pleasing personality and must be from Sikh background.

Early marriage and serious proposals please.

Contact 02 9476 4570

ema i i: as_ghai01 @hotmail.com

Seeking a s uitable match with Indian values for 27-year-old, 5'6'; Punjabi Khatri boy, Permanent Resid ent, permanent job, parents in Austra li a for visit. Please email suna in a_aqua1@yahoo.com or cal l 0421 959 861.

Seeking Hindu/ Buddhist girl from Ball, Fij i India, Nepal ,Sri Lanka or anywhere e se for 29-year-old, 6 ft., handsome Hindu boy, working in Health Services. Looking for educated working girl, with strong family and cult ural values. Teacher health service worker preferable but not necessary. Serious proposals only with a view t o marriage and building a family. Please send photos and correspondence to P.O.CP Box 343, Condell Park, NSW, 2200.

Marriage and movie don't mix!

Bollywood's newlyweds Riteish

Deshmukh and Genelia D'Souza are going blue in the face denying that the success of their film Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya had anything to do with their marriage.

Lately the grapevine has been sizzling with stories that the film was a success built on the buzz created by their recent marriage. However, the couple ins ist that it's the team's hard work, not strategic timing that's responsible for the film's success

"We have done two films together: Tujhe Meri Kasam which initially did not do well but is still being shown in many towns, and Masti which was a commercial success. So, our marriage has no connection to the success of our recent film;· said Riteish, somewhat confusingly.

"I would love to give the credit to the makers of the film, the director of the film and the film itself for being nice and hence appreciated;'he added.

Riteish and Genelia tied the knot on February 3, ahead of the film's release on February 24. Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya set the box office cash registers ringing, and received a thumbs-up from the critics as well.

"This film is special because maybe both of us have grown as actors;' said Riteish, also emphasising that the couple shared good chemistry on screen.

Well, whatever the formula for success, the happy couple couldn't have received a better wedding gift! Good luck to them

Anupam's Marathi debut a tribute to the blind

Anupam Kher is an actor with a vast and inte nsely interesting repertoire of roles, but his role of playing a visually challenged person in his Marathi debut Chhodo Kai Ki Baatein wasn't easy for the veteran actor.

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ABHILASHA SENGUPTA bri ngs us up-t o-dat e on wha t's hot and happening in Bollywood

It was, literally, with hazaron khwaishein that this Smita Patil lookalike made her screen debut (And the answer under Caption Contest)

"When you play the role of a physically disabled or differently-ab led person, you discover how brilliantly people who are differently-abled live their lives;' the 56-year- old said about the fi lm

"We see how people who cannot see, fit themselves so well in the scenario So, this is a tribute to all the blind My role is dedicated to al I these people;' he added.

The actor, who has featured in around 400 films in his threedecade -long career, has no qualms in admitting that he faced hardships durin g the film's shooting.

"Most of the scenes were very difficult. There were scenes where I had to climb mountains as a blind man, and we have done an entire song that we have shot on a mountain and rivers. It was a little difficult;' said Anupam whose recent role in Desi Boyz was vastly different to Chhodo Kai Ki Baatein, which will release in early April.

Anupam will soon be seen in Chaar Din Ki Chandni, and he is also working on Deepa Mehta's Midnights' Children and on the remake of Chashme Buddoor. Anupam's plate may be full, but it's nice to know that the actor still finds some roles truly challenging.

Shekhar Suman's still shaking

Actor Shekhar Suman is quite upbeat these days, as he looks forward to donnin g the director's hat for Helpless, a medical thriller featuring his son Adhyayan in the lead

"I am looking at starting the shooting in May this year. The film has Adhyayan with Giselli Monteiro It's a medical thriller;' said Shekhar excitedly.

"Helpless talks about anaesthesia awareness there are times when a patient is unconscious but can still feel the pain. It is about a guy who undergoes heart transplant, and even under anaesthesia, he can hear everything - a conspiracy - but he can't do anything because his body is paralysed for that moment;' revealed Shekhar unexpectedly giving away most of the plot. How that conspiracy and his helplessness change his life forever is what the story is about''.

But the actor's small screen cult show Movers & Shakers is now back on the small screen, taking humourous digs at topical issues and people Social activist Anna Hazare is the special guest on the premiere episode of the show, which should be interesting And the still-youthful looking SO-something actor hopes to give a "red carpet welcome" to all those in news for "engineering scams".

"I think all these people who have recently been involved in scams will be especially welcome on the show, so that we can ask them how did they ever think of such scams it's amazing how they could think of the ideas So as a common man, I'd be curious to know;' said Shekhar, typically tongue - in- cheek.

But if there's one th in g Shekhar is adamant about, it's the end of his unsuccessful tryst with politics He recently resigned from the Congress party, and had

famously lost to fellow actor Shatrugan Sinha of the BJP in 2009.

" No, never again;'was Shekhar's response when asked about his political plans.

Let's hope Shekhar sticks to what he's best at - satire!

John gives it his all!

John Abraham may look and behave like the Bollywood hunk he is, but when it comes to portraying a character realistically, the actor gives the role his all, and more. Take for instance his recent role in Shootout At Wada/a, in which John plays Manya Surve, the notorious gangster who was shot dead by the Mumbai police in 1982. The movie was inspired by the real life incident, and John said, "I can honestly say that I have put in every kind of effort to study this character, to work on the way he supposedly behaved. In fact, me and Sanjay (Gupta) went and met the people who knew him to find out how Manya Surve behaved and the way he spoke. There was even talk about the 39-yearold actor learning Marathi, but the idea was to understand the colloquial nature of the language and how Manya Surve the gangster was in everyday life, so John didn't have to stretch authenticity to quite that level. "As an actor I have rea lly given all my effort and worked really hard to do maximum research towards this film;' said John who plays the central character in the film which also features Anil Kapoor, Kangna Ranaut, Sanjay Dutt, Tusshar Kapoor, Sonu Sood, Mahesh Manjrekar, Ronit Roy and Manoj Bajpai. John was last seen in Desi Boyz, so will he come out tops in Shootout At Wada/a?

Let's wait and see

RGV smitten by Nathalia

Ram Gopal Varma can't seem to get in enough praise for Nathalia

Kaur, the Brazilian model of Indian descent, who recently featured i n an item song for his movie, Department. RGV admits he initially approached Indian Canadian porn star Sunny Leone for the same item song, but things didn't work out and the song went to Nathalia instead. The filmmaker is in awe of the Brazilian model of Indian descent.

"I never ever hid the fact that I am a devotee of a woman's beauty. But not only in my entire career, but never even ever since I have consciously come of a mental and a physical age to perceive and admire the beauty of a woman, have I seen a woman more beautiful than Nathalia;'he said "Her beauty is truly electrifying and it just sparks out from every nook and curve of both her face and her body. Her face looks so classically beautiful and her body literally looks like the perfect embodiment of an ultimate female figure;' RGV raved fanatically, raising quite a few well -shaped eyebrows in Bollywood.

So it's hardly surprising that after being smitten by Nathalia's performance in the item number, he's now offered her a role in a romantic action thr iller, also featuring Rana Daggubati.

"Only because I saw first hand how good Nathalia is in dancing and in her

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ability to emote in the item song, did I see her potential as an actress;• he stated on Twitter.

From dancing to Dan dan in Department to starring opposite Rana Daggubati, it hasn't been that big a step for Nathalia A penny for porn star Sunny Leone's thoughts

Fl LM: Jodi Breakers

CAST: R Mad h a van, Bip as ha Basu , Dipannati S h arma, Milind Soman, Helen

DIRECTOR: Ash win i Cho wdha ry

Palpable but unders tated chemistry

S?me love stories are

Just so sweet, more so, when real life couples roma nee on reel. Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya is one of those. No extraordinary story, no unique formula, no major histrionics, yet, this romantic-comedy entertains and touches your heart.

Mini (Genelia D'Souza) is an educated, fun-loving daughter of businessman, Bhatti (Tinnu Anand), who wants to marry her off to a richjaat, Sunny, who in turn wants the permit Mini ho lds as his entry into " Caneda" aka Canada.

But the feisty Mini, who loves life and adventure, will have none of that.

Viren (Riteish Deshmukh), who drives Bhatti's rickshaw, is a simpleton with dreams of starting a travel agency with a fleet of cars for which he is painstakingly saving money Bhatti sells off all his rickshaws one day w ith Viren's savings of Rs.60,000 in it. Egged on by his friends to drown his sorrows, Viren guzzles a few drinks and in a drunken stupor lands up at Bhatti's doorstep demanding his money back, while Mini's engagement is in progress. An argument ensues and Viren lays his hands on a pistol. In the commotion, Mini seizes the opportunity and forces Viren to kidnap her and makes him drive them off in the waiting vehicle.

The spunky Mini makes a deal with Viren that he w i ll follow her instructions and will demand a ransom of Rs.10 lakh from her father. He can then have his Rs.60,000 and she will keep the rest as she does not want to go back home and marry.

While the ransom letter goes to Mini's father, the couple enter into someone's home and try t o make ends meet. In the process,

they fall in love and are happy being with each other.

The story takes a twist when Mini s fiance al ong with her father comes to pay the ransom amount but actually fools them and starts firing, hoping to take Mini back.

Suddenly, Mini and Viren are kidnapped by another person and taken away to the Chowdhary 's haveli.

Chowdhary (Om Puri) is a notorious kidnapping kingpin, who makes a l iving out of demanding ransom. Just when you think Puri is a villain of sorts and some never-ending torture d rama a la 1980s Hindi films, will unfold, we discover that Viren alias "Chotu" is Om Puri and Smita Jayakar's son.

Disapproving of his father 's ways, Viren has left home six years ago to work in Patiala as a rickshaw driver

Foll ow your heart and not your head when you watch this comedy directed by debutant Mandeep Kuma r

The sincere effort to make a light hearted, fun, love story shines through.

Genelia as the spirited Mini is adorable and delivers an energetic performance. She looks fresh, gorgeous and does full justice to Mini's insanities and pranks. Riteish plays Viren to the hilt. He is earnest, restrained, but you have seen him do this before.

The duo li ghts up the screen with their palpable, but understated chemistry. Tinnu Anand and Om Puri expected ly deliver good performances.

Sachin Jigar's music compliments the film. Main vaari j anwa tugs at your heart strings. The title song Tere naal also brings out the flavour of the film.

However, Veena Malik's item number- Fan ban gayi-fails to elicit whistles or fans.

Cinematographer Chirantan Das impresses by beautifully capturing wonderful locales in rural Punjab and scenic Himachal Pradesh.

Enjoy watching a sweet love story with the now Mr and Mrs Deshmukh as t he lead pair. Trust me, it is entertaining enough.

Troy Ribeiro

some films are meant to run that extra mile to go beyond being a mere cinematic experience. As we see names of real-life athletes who died unsung flash across the screen at the end of Paan Singh Tamar we realize what we've just witnessed in the past 190 minutes of taut playing-time is not just film. It's a treatise on what destiny has in store for people who do not conform to socially..,, acceptable definitions of success.

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cinema with the editing (Aarti Bajaj) and background score (Sandeep Chowta) adding a dimension beyond the drama of the driven athlete.

The film is shot by cinematographer

Indeed lrrfan Khan as Paan Singh Tamar typifies that criminal neglect of all athletes in rur country barring cricketers who, as we all know by now, are grossly overrated Toma r was a steeplechase runner. Not that it made any difference to his destiny. In the army for the long innings Tamar, we are told, took voluntary retirement to l look after his family and land in his native village.

This is where Dhulia's riveting screenp lay, where not a moment is squandered in self-indulgent editing, gets truly astounding. Abandoning the manageable hurdles of the steeplechase Tamar took to the gun to avenge the wrong done to his family.

i,a. There ar~ hurdles, and hurdles - some impossi~e to overcome.

The two lives of Paan Singh Tamar, in the army as a celebrated sportsperson and e~ outlaw on the run in the Chambal valley are brought together in a stirring '" bind ofthe brilliant and the haunting.

While Dhulia's earlier works suffered for the lack of a suitable budget Paan Singh Tomar is technically a polished piece of

Aseem Mishra with an intriguing blend of a bleeding authenticity and a poetic resplendence. Indeed, Tigmanshu Dhulia's training as a racounteur of a tale of social injustice and damnifying outlawry, harks back to the director's association with Shekhar Kapoor's Bandit Queen.

In portraying Paan Singh's l eap from celebrated athlete to wanted bandit, Dhulia avoids the ostentatious brutality of the circumstances that made Phoolan Devi a social outcast. Paan Singh Tamar has very little on-screen violence. It's the heart that bleeds profusely and invisibly in al most every frame.

The unspoken question, why do we treat our athletes so shabbily, trails the narrative, as does the other larger question of social inequality and the subversion of law.

Unlike other films with a strong social message Paan Singh Tamar never stops being a truly liberating cinematic experience. Of course much of the credit for the film's sledgehammer effect goes to lrrfan Khan's central performance. As Paan Singh lrrfan is in one word, flaw less. There is not a single shot in the film that he gets wrong. He follows his character's destiny with an intuitive alertness that leaves no room 'for ambiguity in the i11'1:erpretation of the character's complex lifi. And (t's not just about getting the character'~spoi;

Khans of our cinema kindly watch lrrfan's performance?

The beauty of watching lrrfan transform into Tamar is the seamless

leap the actor takes into the character. lrrfan is blessed with first-rate supporting actors, many of whom we haven't seen much on screen

before. They add to the film's high level of authenticity by just not looking like and speaking their lines like actors.

The scenes showing lrrfan r unning with other actors are beautifully captured as moments of metaphorical significance.

Somewhere down the line the scenes showing Tamar jumping over hurdles on the race track merge into the larger picture to tel l us, life on field and life outside the race track have one thing in common. You have to keep running, no matter what the odds

Paan Singh Tamar is a terrific edge--ofthe-seat entertainer. The synthessis of two

genres - the sports film and the dacoit drama - is done with such confident ingenuity that we hardly realize when one ends, the other

"No one gave a damn about me

country. Today when I'm a baaghi (rebel) everyone wants to know about Paan SinghTomar;'lrrrfan says "

caustically.

Hopefully after this film we'd learn to care for our unsung heroes a bit more.

Oh yes, a word on the stunning soundtrack From snatches of old Lata Mangeshkar melodies to radio announcements on Nargis Dutt's demise, time passages are achieved through incidental snatches of voices caught in mid-air.

Life's life that. You never know what you will experience in that raga we call existenee until a snatch of a lin~ hits you from a distance.

Subhash K.Jha

Fuel Frenzy

Female emergency situations are dauntingly different when you step into a predominantly male domain, UZMA BEG discovers

on't know if it's a subcontinental thing or the case with women everywhere or just an Uzma thing bm d1ere are some things we gi rls can do and oiliers that just don't seem to come naturaUy Jvfen seem to be naruraUy wired to do certain things, ,v hil e wo m en do o thers to perfection. l o offence to any of d1e sexes but there seems to be a bit of "bis" and "hers" goi ng o n in daily life. The who le hunter/gatherer mumbo - jumbo makes a lot of • I sense sometimes.

I have a million and a half such " his" and " her'' moments in m y life which, if no dting else, provide some com ic relief later when d1e frustrating part is over!

Coming from a reasonab ly weUto -d o family in Pakistan, l had led a very sheltered life. \'v'hen I anived here 1 had never seen the face of a bill and wouldn't have known what to do if one hir me in the face I had never cooked or cleaned, never parked m y own car or filled fuel in it (what are drivers for?), never washed a dish or used a dishwasher I was a blissfully ignorant laundr y an d fuel- filling virgin!

The laundry pare sorted itself our soon after my arrival, bur despite my h usband teaching me how to, 1 had never tilled fuel in d1e car weU , nor until recentl y a n yway.

Ir was a regular morning, the usual mad dash to school, breaking my neck ro get my daughter there on time! I drove off in a frenzy, breadting only when I sropped ar the first traffic light. I looked down and saw d1e fuel gauge light blinking frantically ar m e. I looked again could it reaUy be? There was no fuel in die ca r? And then it aJ1 came rushing back ro me like a bad allergy - m y hubby bad said mat there was no fuel in the car me day before when we were driv ing around wi ili d1e fue l gauge light on all da y. He'd said he'd fiU it up, could he reaUy have forgoaen? A feeling of panic engulfed me and I had to find our whar was going on. I called him as soo n as I hit the second traffic light. I was so hysteri cal he d1ought I'd run someone over!

Complete hysreria took over when I found out diat he'd actually forgotten to put fuel in the car the night before. My daughter's school is about a 30-minute drive

from m y house, I wasn't even halfway to there and we'd alread y been dri ving around on an empty tank for a whole day - which meant there was probabl y nothing .left in ilie reserve tank either!

I drove the en tire way s itting at die edge of m y sear waiting for me car to stop at any m inute. Throughout me 1niserab le journey 1 kept trying to figure our m y " plan B" in case me car stopped. There was n 't a minute to spare; I was alread y going to bear the school beU b y the skin of my teeth and there was no way 1 could cake a diversio n to get fuel. "Get fueL..oh Lord, who's going to get fuel fo r me ?!" was aJ1 I kept thinking as I flew us to schoo l. I managed to get my daughter there o n time and made another hysterical "How could you do th is to me" call ro my husband.

I arrived ar the fuel pump looking like a ghost! Hell, i n Pakistan even d1e men don 't fiU up their own cars, d1e fue l pump atte n dants do! I remembered my hubby mentioning in pass ing once that our car takes diesel only - so l went to the pump thar had diesel. I stopped the car and stumbled out clumsily, feeling completel y out o f place and very conscious mar normal peop le might be staring at me.

I went around to where me nozzle is and realized that I had parked too far ahead of the pump, and me nozz le wouldn't stretcl1 to the car. So I unlocked the car, gor back into it and reve r sed. Got out to find I had reversed too much and the nozzle still wouldn't reach he car! So back in I went and drove it forward ju st a wee b i t. l gor our a third time and discovered m y hard work had paid off. My car was finally in pla ce!

I tried to yank the nozzle om o f the pump but ir seemed robe stuck, so I yan.1,ed and ya nked till ir finaJ.ly came free. \X/ith t he nozzle in one hand I tried to open the fuel tank inlet, b ut it had no lever wid1 whi ch ro pull it open. l pus hed it, tapped ir, even tried knocki ng ro see i f it would r espond but nodling! I d1en proceeded ro return the n ozzle co the pump and went back into the car to investigate how to open the fuel rank! l felt around for a good 15 1ninu tes! ! looked under the steering wheel, around d1e gear b ox, near d1e drivers seat, w1der the driver's seat,

on the s teering whee l, near the dashboard, but for the life of me I couldn't find anyth ing that would open d1e fuel t,'lnk. l opened a few othe r things in d1e process, but definitely not the fuel tank. l was actually at my wits' end when I spotted a small lever o n the car door I pulled it in desperation and heard a popping sound! I rushed outside and ro m y utter joy, I saw the little fuel tank window open! I quickly locked d1e car for me fourth ti.me and went back to my business

The n ozzle seemed ro be stuck again because I yanked for ages bur it wou.ldn't come our o f the pump. l finally d1ought that it had been " locked" by the "fuel pump people" so I went inside ro as k why mey bad locked the pump's nozzl e and how o n earth was I s upposed to fill diese l in my car witho u t a nozz le? A very pretty faclian .looking lady informed me mat she didn't know what rh e hell l was talking about! I ran back to d1e car in frustration and yanked again and again and again and after what seemed like the huncl.redtl1 yank, the nozzle finaU y dislodged and fue l sprouted o ut of i r, flying aJ1 over m y car, m yself amd bas icaUy everywhere bur inside the fuel tank. I felr like M r. Bean!

Once 1'd got the nozzle in me rank l fi.Ued away very confused as to how much I needed to fill

and how I wou ld know when ro stop, all the while cursing my poor hubby for purring me in t his ridiculous situation.

\"Xlhen i t was all over I asked d1e guy be h ind me ,vh~) was tearing his eyes om in frustration to take a photograph of me so that I could capn1re m y triumph to prove to aU and sundry d1at "I did it"! I think mat might have been me o nl y time

I smi led in the enti re hour chat J was mere for tl1e photo. I may have e nd ed up with permanent frown lines from this gruelling process ! I hope no o ne lit a march around that area after I left because there was a lot of fuel everywhe re, not to mention m yself as f arrived home a n hour later, stinking of cliesel. l found a parking spot right outside my house an d bumped right inro m y neighbour's car. \Xfhen I heard the thud I pulled out of rhar spot and parked somewhere else. Shaking and sic k of my adventure s l checked m y neighbour's car to make sure 1 hadn't damaged it relief swept over me w hen I saw iliac it was fine!

I rang the doorbell co my house and almost exploded when m y husband s aid, "Where have you been and why did you cake so long?"

My respon se to th at is too d eli cate for the eyes of our refi n ed readers!