2012-07 Sydney (2)

INDIAN LINK

PUBLISHER

Pawan Luthra

EDITOR

Rajni Anand Luthra

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Sheryl Dixit

MELBOURNE

Preeti Jabbal

CONTRIBUTORS

Asha Chand, Ritam Mitra,

Krishnan,

Leanne Woodward, Sudha Natarajan, Petra O’Neill, Sandip Hor, Noel G deSouza, Saroja Srinivasan, Farzana Shakir, Sowpernica

ADVERTISING MANAGER

Vivek Trivedi 02 9262 1766

ADVERTISING ASSISTANT

Nitika Sondhi 02 9279 2004

DESIGN

Danielle Cairis

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

Indian Link

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Ph: 02 9279-2004

Fax: 02 9279-2005

Email: info@indianlink.com.au

www.indianlink.com.au

Singh under fire

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Where one would expect the leader of one of the world’s emerging powers to be a symbol of dynamism, creating opportunities for the masses in the country on a global platform, Singh has been ridiculed in a number of foreign media in the recent months. Lately, the British daily The Independent, critiquing his tenure said under a disparaging headline “Manmohan Singh: India’s saviour or Sonia’s poodle?” This came a few weeks after Prime Minister Singh was featured on the cover of the prestigious Time magazine’s Asia edition, with the title “The Underachiever: India needs a reboot”.

The Economist referred to the 79-yearold Singh as a “lame duck” in a report on his meeting with Pakistani president Asif Zardari

Manmohan Singh has been hailed as the father of the Indian economic reforms of the 1990s. It was his foresight which saw the Indian economy break off the

shackles of the quota/raj system and embrace liberalism. The momentum created by a country of over a billion people - a vast ocean of educated Indians coupled with an ambitious middle class - to propel it towards economic and financial freedom, has all but stalled in the last few years. The latest economic reports of growth of 5.3% in the first quarter, are an indicator of a slowing economy. Even ratings agencies such as Standard & Poor and Fitch, have lowered the outlook for the Indian economy to ‘negative’ and threatened to downgrade the sovereign credit rating to ‘speculative’ from ‘investment’ grade on account of deteriorating growth prospects and the government’s inertia on the reforms front. While some of the comments on the Indian economy and PM Singh do warrant closer attention, there are others which are more political. US President Obama’s comments that the American business community claim it is “still too hard” to invest in India, have been dismissed by both the Congress party as well as the opposition in India. These comments were aimed at opening up the retail sector to foreign companies, and both the government and opposition are keen to approach this reform with caution.

It is clear that corruption scams, an unresponsive bureaucracy and bullying

allies are all earning the Prime Minister these unpleasant laurels. His political allegiance to Sonia Gandhi has also raised the issue of his true power.

A wry smile and a shake of the head are not uncommon when conversing with those actively involved in trade with India. “Great to work with the private sector, always a challenge to do anything with the government departments,” is a frequently-made observation.

India needs to change its way of doing business and perhaps it needs to start at the top. As Singh tackled the process of India’s reforms in 1991, it may be time to bring in a new face to lead the Congress party. Singh at 79 should not lead the party to the 2014 elections; rather the position should be taken by somebody preferably younger. Though Rahul Gandhi has often been seen as the heir apparent, Congress should dig deep and look for all possible options. Let the electorate make up their minds in 2014. If the Congress party is brought back into power, it should be clear who the Prime minister will be, unlike in the previous elections. If Congress is defeated, let the mantle pass on to the best person in the opposition then. The need of the hour is a good leader who can turn the corner successfully and take this country to greater heights.

Sujith

Usha Ramanujam Arvind,

PAWAN LUTHRA

SPIRITUAL

Chinmaya Mission events

Sat 21 – Sun 22 July Youth (CHYK)

mini camp “Love is…” with Br Gopal Chaitanya

Sat 28 July “Destiny: Who is Incharge?” Talks with Br Gopal Chaitanya, 7.00pm to 9.00pm.

Bikshu Geeta Adult Classes

Starting Fri 17 Aug 9.30am to 11.00am at Chinmaya Sannidhi Ashram, 38 Carrington Road, Castle Hill.

New program at Shishu Vihar: Bonding of Parent and Child

Starting Sun 29 July 5-week program for parents and children

aged 2 – 4 ½. Topic will be “Lord Krishna” and “Managing Stress/Art of Parenting”.

Sanskrit lessons

Chinmaya Mission Australia’s

Beginners’ Sanskrit Course is held weekly on Thursday nights, 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm. It involves Alphabet, Vocabulary, Basic Reading, Basic Grammar, Basic Conversation lessons.

Singing lessons with Pushpa

Jagadish

Starting Sun 8 July 10-week course, 4.00pm-4.45pm at Chinmaya Sannidhi Ashram, 38 Carrington Road, Castle Hill.

Krishna Janmashtami

celebrations

Fri 10 Aug 6.00pm at Baulkham

Hills Council Function Room

Details Br Gopal Chaitanya

What’s on

02 8850-7400 or 0416 482 149

Children’s classes at GOD

The Global Organisation for Divinity announces the start of Gopakuteeram, spiritual educational classes for children aged 4 - 12 years.4.00 pm - 5.30 pm at the Crestwood Community Centre, Cnr Crestwood Drive & Chapel Lane, Baulkham Hills.  Classes are free for all participating children. Parents can join in the devotional lecture by Sri Deepak Vinodji, kirtans and prayers in another room within the centre during the Gopakuteeram classes. Details Jayashree 02 9620 4676

MISC

Personal and Home Protection

Sun 22 July The NSW Police Force is presenting a Forum on Personal and Home Protection to be hosted by India Club, 2.00pm – 5.30pm, at the Hills Shire Council Function Room, 129 Showground Road Castle Hill, (Cnr. of Showground and Carrington Road). Details Shubha Kumar 02 9873-1207 / 0402 257 588.

Hindi studies for high school students

Hindi Language is offered by the Saturday School of Community

Languages – DET at Liverpool Girls High School, Hills Sports High School and Strathfield Girls High

School. This provides opportunities for high school students to study Hindi language to Higher School Certificate levels as it is not available at their day school. Board of Studies syllabus is followed. The classes are free of charge and are run on Saturdays from 8.30 am to 10.30 am for Years 7 – 10, and 8.30 – 11.45 am for Years 11-12. Enrolment forms can be accessed from the School Principal of the mainstream school of your child or can be downloaded from www. curriculumsupport.education.nsw. gov.au/secondary/languages/sscl/ Details 02 9886 7505 Saturdaycl-h. School@det.nsw.edu.au

Want to help someone with an intellectual disability?

Citizen Advocacy Western Sydney Inc is a not for profit organisation whose mission is to introduce people with intellectual disability to unpaid community members. Individuals are sought to take an on-going personal interest in a person with intellectual disability. Training and on-going support are provided by experienced professional staff. For further information contact Kaye on 02 9893 8210 or drop into the office at 46 Albion Street, Harris Park 2150.

Hindi Divas Australian Hindi Committee (AHC),

IABBV Hindi School and ILASA

(Indian Literary Arts Society of Australia) jointly celebrate Hindi Mela with two events: Sat 15 Sept Kavi Sammelan at Epping Leisure and Learning Centre, 1 Chambers Court, Epping, 4.30pm to 7.30pm

Sun 16 Sept Hindi School program at Thornleigh West PS, Giblet Avenue, Thornleigh, including display of students’ work and resources, children’s poetry recitation, light snacks, awards and skits, 10.00am to 3.00pm.

Details Mala Mehta 0412 283 677; Gunjan Tripathi 0413 886 527.

Blood Donation Camp

Sat 28 July Australia Tamil Association conducts its 12th Blood Donation Camp, 11.15am to 12.00pm. Please Donate your blood to save our Australians life.

Details Prathap Ramachandran 0432 016 639

FUNDRAISER

India Nite

Sat 28 July Federation of Australian Indian Associations (FAIA) invites all community members for a cultural event presented by Sydney Indian community’s best talents. 5.30pm at Redgum Function Centre, Wentworthville. The event is in aid of FAIA Community Benevolent

Fund. Details Neera Srivastava 0415 807 520.

Light for Life Trivia Night

Sat 18 Aug Come and enjoy a fun filled night of trivia, with singing and dancing too… 7:00pm for a 7:30pm start, at Don Moore Community Centre, North Rocks. Tickets: $20 each, includes dinner. The vent is a fundraiser for Lifehouse at RPA, a state-ofthe art cancer centre that will incorporate clinical care, research and education into a single organisation. Details Swati Jain 0412 439 596 or swati86@live.com.au

Sur Sandhya for Sunderbans

Sat 18 Aug Jadavpur University

Alumni Association NSW and the Bengali Association of NSW jointly host a musical evening Sur Sandhya at the Redgum Function Centre in Wentworthville. Funds collected will be donated to MUKTI - an NGO working in various areas of India and amongst the deprived communities and villages in the Sunderbans area of West Bengal. The concert will feature visiting sarode maestro from India Sri Anindya Bannerjee and well known Sydney based musicians Avijit Sarkar, Srijani Dan, Avijit Dan, Maharshi Rawal and Sadiq Rehmani. Details Surja Gupta 0413 209 655.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Aamir Khan’s TV documentary on unethical doctors

I read with interest the article When TV leads the charge in the July edition of Indian Link

As much as all the social evils unearthed by the visionary Aamir Khan are close to my heart and I would do anything to help them eradicate these, the following letter is my formal protest.

On behalf of Sydney-based Australian Indian Medical Graduates Association (AIMGA), I am submitting the following critical appraisal of the recently highly publicised documentary Satyamev Jayate uncovering the appalling exploitations of the health system in India by a significant minority of the medical community.

As expatriates with deep-rooted interest in India, we genuinely feel active participants of the progress India makes in the future.  There has been an outcry and protest not only within the nation but internationally against the poorly regulated medical work force as exposed by this documentary.

We are proud when India makes headlines in its list of accomplishments and are just as affected and tarnished when it ranks in the list of corrupt and dysfunctional societies.  Despite living for generations in another country the generalisation and stereotyping can not be erased unless there are genetic factors to minimise the façade.  Therefore there are two factors which personally arouse the strong emotions to any adverse report: one as an Indian

and other as a compassionate human.

On behalf of my organisation I would like to bring this to the attention of the Indian government, Medical Council of India and Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, demanding their urgent response to the misdemeanour of corrupt doctors who have irreversibly damaged the lives of vulnerable patients who put their trust and their assets in the hands of these incompetent and unethical healers.

In 2012 when transparency, equal rights and opportunities, protection of vulnerable groups and minimisation of unfair advantage is the essential part of growth and development, the Medical Council of India is still in its infancy, far from a powerful body like most of the developed countries where medical councils play the role of a stringent regulatory authority protecting the rights and safety of the patients.

I commend Mr Aamir Khan for the documentary he painfully made as a passionate Indian who wants his country to equally embrace its assets and liabilities. Corruption in India is beginning to intrude its grass roots which may inadvertently bias the perception of our future generations with altered or impaired baseline of human honesty.

AIMGA in its all sincerity would like to see that the medical profession in India remains a highly trusted, competent, skilled, honest and compassionate group, made up of practitioners who deliver care to all who need it within the rules of centuries-old Vedic philosophy and in its modern form of Hippocratic oath.

Shailja Chaturvedi

Australian Indian Medical Graduates Association

First ever dedicated Lord Ayyappa shrine inaugurated in Sydney

June 10 was a very special day for devotees of Lord Ayyappa, as the Sydney Sri Ayyappa Swami Centre was inaugurated at Guildford West with special ritualistic homams, abhishekhams, archana and poojas from dawn to dusk. In a solemn ritual that began at 5am with a homam to Lord Ganesha followed by homams for navagraha and Lord Rudran, the main deities of Lord Ayyappa and Lord Ganesha were installed in a specially built shrine on the ground floor of the centre’s premises. Abhisheka and aarti were performed in the presence of approximately 200 devotees who attended the auspicious occasion, which was presided over by twelve priests. This shrine is the only one of its kind dedicated to Lord Ayyappa in Australia, and has come to fruition after a long wait of twelve years.

“We began the process of collecting funds for the shrine and centre in 1999,” said Subra Iyer, who presides in the role of a priest in addition to his regular day job. “However, it was only in 2004 that we collected sufficient funds to begin the search for a suitable location. We moved into

the shrine’s premises in March 2012, and are proud that the inauguration of the shrine and centre took place in June,” he added.

For Subra and the team of volunteers who came together and worked tirelessly to create this centre, the concept of a temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa was an essential one. “A temple is a place where worship is conducted and managed in accordance with the set rules of the Vedas and Agamas. Hindu life closely revolves around temples, in education, entertainment through important festivals and feasts, and rituals,” claimed Subra.

“Temples also play an important role in organising social events encouraging free education, shelter, food and protection for the needy. With this inauguration, we hope to provide such services to devotees and those in need.”

Sri Ayyappa worship is based on the simplest bhakti path, where followers collectively sing the praises of God and surrender totally in the lotus feet of Lord Ayyappa. These are practised and followed by millions of Ayyappa devotees from all over the world,

ever increasing as it appeals to all irrespective of their religion, caste or language.

The Sri Ayyappa Swami Centre has two levels – the lower one houses the shrine and an area just outside the shrine for devotees to pray or attend various functions relating to the shrine. A large plasma screen positioned in the area outside allows a clear view of the ceremonies being performed within the shrine, which can seat about 30 people. On the top level is a function area with an attached kitchen which also comfortably accommodates about 30 people.

“We are looking forward to members of the community utilising these services to hold their events,” said Subra. “For those looking at performing a ceremony and following it with lunch/snacks, this venue is just ideal.” The inauguration function proved the effectiveness of the venue, as mahaprasadam was distributed to the devotees on the conclusion of the event.

Since the inauguration of the shrine, a mandala puja to Lord Vigneshwara has been conducted each day for 45 days following the inauguration, which will conclude

A sun sets

Spiritual leader Dr Vishwa Mitter Ji Maharaj attains Maha Nirvana

function attended by devotees from around India and other global centres. They united to give their guru a stately farewell amid pomp and ceremony, with the shobha yatra beginning from the Shree Ram Sharnam abode at Birla Ghat.

ceremony, the millions of sadhaks around the globe participated in special jaap (meditating on rosary beads reciting Ram naam) at the centres including Sydney; New York, New Jersey and Maryland in the US; Montreal in Canada; Fiji and different parts of India.

on July 25. This approximately two-hour long ceremony begins at 6:30pm each day with a presiding priest, and includes abhishekha, aarati, mahaprasadam and finally, annapradana. “We would be happy to see more devotees at this auspicious ceremony,” stated Subha.

On July 20, the Centre will conduct the ‘eye opening of Vigrahas’ ceremony, welcoming three additional deities, those of Nagaraja, Manjamatha and Karuppan Swami to replicate the Sabari Malai deities. The ceremony will continue on July 21 with the Nayanon Meelanam ritual and will finally conclude on July 22 with Prana Prithishtai, in which the deities gain their divine life and can henceforth only be touched by the priest.

The Sri Ayyappa Swami Centre Inc. came into being thanks to

the contributions of various devotees and volunteers, and is run by a committee consisting of twelve to fifteen members who generously donated their time and energy into finalising the events of the organisation. “From a single classroom in a school in Homebush to having our own special shrine and centre for Lord Ayyappa, we have come a long way,” said Subra proudly. “It is a very special achievement and we are happy to provide a place of worship for devotees in New South Wales and indeed, all of Australia,” he added.

The Sri Ayyappa Swami Centre is located at Unit 20, 116-18 McCredie Road, Guildford West, NSW 2161, and is open every day from 8pm-10am and 6.30pm8.30pm. For more information, visit sydneysriayyappa.com

fulfil another purpose in life – to liberate the souls of millions of people.

At just 24, Pujya Shree Dr Vishwa Mitter Ji had come to know Shree Prem Ji Maharaj in 1964, who was then leading the Shree Ram Sharnam centre. Blessed with “the ability to be a humble human being and to serve humanity,” Pujya Shree Dr Vishwa Mitter Ji renounced worldly pleasures and took refuge in Manali (a hill station) where he spent the next five years in search of God.

where sadhaks were given close encounters on the essence of life. Presenting himself as a servant of God and all, Pujya Shree Vishwa Mitter Ji Maharaj did not accept any offerings, monetary or otherwise, did not allow anyone to touch his feet or offer flowers at his feet. He always urged the sadhaks to bow before God, call out to him through meditation (jaap and dhyaan) and lead exemplary lives through hard work and honesty.

Shree Dr Vishwa Mitter Ji Maharaj, a renowned saint and pillar of Shree Ram Sharnam, an international spiritual organisation with headquarters in New Delhi, India, gave up his physical body on July 2. He attained nirvana while chanting Ram Naam at Neel Dhara, an abode of special significance, on the banks of the river Ganges in Haridwar, even as preparations were on for the celebration of Guru Purnima on July 3.

Shree Maharaj Ji’s body was immersed in the holy Ganges at Neel Dhara on July 3, with the

Vimla Rao, head of the Sydney centre who made it to Haridwar in the nick of time for the final rite of passage, said that the loss of Guru Maharaj Ji was felt by all present. Sadhaks (devotees) took part in dharshan (viewing) of Pujya Shree Maharaj Ji. “This yatra was painful and blissful ... he sat on his palki (especially made carriage, laden with garlands) like the Sun radiating energy and ever-lasting love,” said Mrs Rao, speaking from India.

The sadhaks all soldiered on bravely to pay their final respects to the guru who had, in his time, made major inroads in providing salvation to Hindus not only in India, but also those settled in western countries, mainly the US and Australia.

While those in Haridwar participated in a moving

On July 17, the Sydney centre and indeed all other centres will mark the 16th day of Pujya Shree Maharaj Ji’s passing away via a special event to celebrate his life.

The Sydney programme will begin at 9am with the recital of Shree Amritvani followed by akhand Geeta Ji ki paat and bhandara. All are welcome to join the celebrations at 23 Sheba Crescent, South Penrith.

Born on March 15, 1940 in Narowal district Sialkot (West Pakistan), Pujya Shree received his early education in Hissar, followed by a Masters and Doctorate from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. After 22 years of service as an ocular microbiologist at AIIMS, gaining international reputation especially in Asia for his work, he took voluntary retirement to

At the request of the trustees of the Shri Satyanand Ji Maharaj Dharmarth Trust, Pujya Shree Dr Vishwa Mitter Ji accepted the responsibility to become the spiritual successor to Prama Pujya Shree Prem Ji Maharaj. Many devotees refer to him as the trinity of the organisation, having radiated the teachings of both his successors, Shree Prem Ji Maharaj and Shree Swami Satyanand Ji Maharaj, in unique ways while using his scientific knowledge to make sense of the importance of spirituality.

Pujya Shree Vishwa Mitter Ji Maharaj’s unique blend of qualities and humility made his teachings applicable in modern lifestyles. He made major inroads, taking the principles of ‘sadhna’ (living a disciplined spiritual life) into countries like the US,

One of his practical approaches to the drudgery of living in a fast-paced, rat-race environment was to use one’s senses to recognise the value of life. He encouraged his sadhaks to sit in quiet meditation, away from clutter and clusters. He emphasised the importance of killing one’s own ego by focussing on them and thine, rather than I and mine. He promoted selfless service to humanity and spiritual enhancement while performing routine duties. Prayers, he said, rectify our aberrations through the maha mantra of Ram naam He attained maha nirvana doing what he did best – practicing what he preached. Pujya Shree Dr Vishwa Mitter Ji Maharaj raised both his hands and looked up to the sky, (Param Hans) facing the river Ganges at Neel Dhara as his spirit left his body.

Asha Chand

Elvis enthrals at GOA anniversary celebrations

One of the Indian community’s oldest and most enthusiastic associations celebrates 35 years in Sydney

BY SHERYL DIXIT

The Goan Overseas Association (GOA), recently celebrated a landmark 35 years in Australia. With nearly 400 members in New South Wales alone, GOA also has branches in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth across Australia, all striving to keep alive the vibrant traditions of this still-enchanting seaside state and its unique people.

The anniversary celebrations of GOA began in mid-2011 covering numerous events including golfing, picnics and whist drives, and concluded with the hosting of a Coral Anniversary Dinner Dance extravaganza on June 10. The Grand Royale Function Centre in Granville was the venue chosen to celebrate this significant milestone. Over 350 guests attended the event, with ladies appropriately attired in jade-coral coloured outfits, and the men sporting coral ties in keeping with the anniversary theme. Amongst the guests were Vanessa Afonso (President, GOA Victoria); Chris Da Costa (Vice President); Oscar Lobo, (President, GAA Victoria) and Tony Mendes representing Goans in Queensland. Five founding members and a record number of seven ex-Presidents of GOA also attended.

Guests were presented with a commemorative souvenir, and the event began with the viewing of a specially compiled Anniversary Celebrations DVD which highlighted the rich and varied history of GOA NSW, with its various past social events, cultural and sporting extravaganza and a brief history of its humble beginnings by founder member, Alvito Coutinho. Tony Colaco, President GOA NSW, welcomed guests in his speech, highlighting the achievements of the Association.

It was an evening of dancing and music, ably compered by veteran Master of Ceremonies, Cyprian Fernandes. Following a delicious Goa-themed dinner, awards were presented to young people who had excelled in academics with each prize winner awarded a cash prize and commemorative plaque to mark their achievements. A

commemorative glass vase was presented to Sandy Antao for her dedication and efforts in maintaining the photo album of the Golf Annual Days over the last 25 years.

The anniversary cake, a splendid 3 tiered cake tastefully decorated in the coral-jade theme was then cut by Tony Colaco, accompanied by visiting interstate GOA dignitaries and ex-presidents of the association. The formalities concluded, the evening’s entertainment began with renowned ‘Goan Elvis’ Jose Fernandes, making a dramatic entry in full Elvis gear much to the delight of the attendees.

Dessert brought back the flavour of Goa as the Anniversary fruitcake was followed by a round of delicious bebinca, a traditional sweet. Raffle tickets and novelty rounds added a touch of excitement with winners carrying away enticing prizes.

It was a memorable evening of dinner and dancing, interspersed with rousing Konkani mandos and Portuguese folk ballads, all of which brought back memories of swaying palms, sea breeze and the enviable laid-back lifestyle that epitomises Goa. The evening was reminiscent of nostalgic memories and reminded the guests of Goa’s rich heritage, as they reluctantly left the venue with happy hearts and tired feet.

While the Sydney branch of GOA was founded a mere 35 years ago, the actual organisation is among the oldest, if not the oldest, of Indian associations with a branch in almost every country of the world, numbering over 150 internationally. GOA in Nairobi, for instance, has been around for a whopping 115 years!

Since its inception in 1977, the organisation has played a pivotal role in actively promoting the rich Goan culture and tradition to build a unified community in Sydney. “Our current membership base amounts to approximately 250-300 people, but we stand firm by the edicts stated in the original GOA Constitution that membership to the association is open to anyone, not just those born or associated by birth, in Goa,” emphasised President Tony Colaco.

“Anyone who loves Goa or its people, regardless of nationality, religion, caste or creed is welcome into GOA. Among our most recent members are those from the Gujarati community, and

origin people have been inquiring about membership,” he added.

The reason for this could be simply because of positive associations with Goa and its people, with a feeling of enjoying the traditions of events that extend beyond the religious and ritual.

“Some people enjoy our dances, others come to our golfing, bingo and whist events, and nobody is turned away,” said Tony, with disarming conviction.

“We welcome members who enjoy the Goan way of life, and are accepting of anyone who wishes to enjoy and keep alive our culture and tradition. In fact, one of our founding members was Irish!” he added, enjoying this reporter’s surprise.

While Goa comprises of several villages and on meeting a fellow Goan, it is inevitable that one will be asked: “From which village are you?”, GOA members do not differentiate between various village events. Instead, they support individual village celebrations such as the feast days of saints, etc., while collectively celebrating events such as World Goa Day. And of course, the association helps out needy members of the community in Australia and India. A good example of their involvement in aiding the community comes from the period of unrest following the student attacks in 2008-09.

“In response to the Government of Goa’s concern regarding the safety of Goan students travelling to Australia, we reached an agreement that every student landing here should contact a member of the association, and they are given help in terms of advice, accommodation, and are even

supplied with numbers of people to contact if they encounter any trouble,” revealed Tony. This initiative is still in practice for students, and has even extended to individuals looking for a sense of belonging in an alien country.

Tony and his committee members are looking forward to a few exciting events in the coming few months. Prime among these is the celebration of World Goa Day on August 18, which marks the day when the Konkani language was officially included in the sixth schedule of the Indian Constitution. In true Goan style, the day-long celebrations will include Konkani theatre, mando singing and dancing, group musical performances, raffle draws, bingo, etc. The only hitch to the running of this event is

a seeming lack of good Goan catering. “As Goans we love our traditional food and while our volunteers have been generous with their time and efforts, we are on the hunt for good caterers for our various events, who will provide us with authentic Goan cuisine,” said Tony.

Other plans include the Mango Cup in September, a cricket competition currently involving the Manglorean, Anglo-Indian and Goan communities. “We would like to invite other Indian communities to also participate, making the event more broadbased and involved,” stated Tony. GOA’s vibrancy, involvement and proactivity are a great example of how an association should run, for its members and for the wider community.

London 2012 HoW WILL IndIA FARE?

The hopes of over a billion Indians rest on a handful of its athletes at the 2012 Olympic Games

BY RITAM MITRA

Excitement has been building up steadily for the 2012 Olympics, which will begin in London on July 27, making London the first city to officially host the modern Summer Olympics three times. There will be over 200 countries participating, featuring an estimated 10,500 athletes. Although India has been a perennial under-achiever at the Games, Beijing in 2008 was India’s best ever performance, and this year’s team, India’s largest-ever contingent with 85 athletes, have high expectations upon them.

The Opening Ceremony itself will have a small Indian element in it – and it isn’t because of the promise of a village cricket team which will form a part of a huge set of rural Britain, featuring chickens, sheep, as well, in a typically British self-deprecating style of humour, a real cloud which will actually rain. Although most Indians (and Australians for that matter) will relate to the rare presence, albeit superficially so, of cricket at the Olympics, they will be more excited to hear AR Rahman tracks in part of a medley showcasing Indian influence in the

UK. Danny Boyle who directed Slumdog Millionaire is the artistic director of the opening ceremony in London, and requested that Rahman compose pieces for the medley.

History of wins

India has so far, won 20 medals in total at the Summer Olympics, from 22 appearances. Unfortunately, this comes to almost 60 million heads per medal. As a rough comparison, Australia’s 432 medals in 26 appearances gives a ratio of 1 medal per 50,000.

For India, the golden years were between 1928-1956, when they won six successive gold medals in field hockey. Indeed, of the 20 medals India has won, 11 have come purely from field hockey. However, in Beijing 2008, for the first time in eight decades, India failed to qualify for the event.

Even so, in Beijing, for only the second time in its long history at the Games, India won more than one medal (the last time being Helsinki 1952), and for the first time ever, won more than two. India also found its firstever individual gold medallist in Abhinav Bindra, who won the 10m Air Rifle event.

The events

India will be led by chef-demission Ajit Pal Singh, the dual-bronze medallist field hockey player and triple

Olympian between 1968-1976, and will compete in 13 sports, encompassing 54 events. Perhaps the most likely medallists will come from the 11 shooters, the five wrestlers and eight boxers –however, the Badminton coach is confident of a strong showing, and India is sending a record eight tennis players, including bronze medallist from the 1996 singles event, Leander Paes.

Shooting

Abhinav Bindra will be looking to defend his gold medal, while Heena Sidhu and Annu Raj Singh will hope to continue their recent good form. Rifleman Gagan Narang and shotgun expert Ronjan Singh Sodhi are also hoping to be amongst the medals. Sodhi is the first Indian to have ever defended a world title, and although he failed to make the cut for Beijing, he has tasted plenty of success on the world stage. Having won two World Cups, he also won gold at the 2010 Asian Games and scored a silver at his home Commonwealth Games in the same year.

As a result of his achievements to date, Sodhi is naturally relaxed ahead of the Games. “I don’t want to give the Olympics too much of importance so that I stay focused. The competition is the same and the competitors are all those who have been participating in various international tournaments with me. We know one another

very well, so it is nothing new or anything I don’t know about,” says Sodhi. “If I win a medal, it will be great. Even if I don’t, I will still be happy as long as I give my best shot. I know if I do my best, I will get a medal”.

Wrestling

For one of India’s big wrestling hopes, Yogeshwar Dutt, however, pressure is definitely an issue. Dutt narrowly missed out on a medal in Beijing, and is in a period of intense training to make sure he is fit for the extremely physical bouts.

“I won’t say there is no pressure,” says Dutt. In fact, there is immense pressure on all the wrestlers, but then we can perform better when there is pressure. I feel the pressure acts more as inspiration. To be honest, when we step on the mat, pressure vanishes”.

Like Sodhi, Dutt has also been a big name on the world circuit, having claimed gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games as well as the 2012 Asian Championships.

Meanwhile, Sushil Kumar, the Beijing bronze medallist, feels that wrestling has evolved greatly in the last decade, and it has forced him, as well as his team, to make changes to their styles.

“Every wrestler has to change his style and technique regularly,” says Kumar. “It helps to keep the opponent guessing. Change was badly needed. My opponents

are watching my videos everyday and they can easily analyse my fighting technique. It is important to change style regularly. It was a tactical decision and I hope it will work at the Olympics”.

Tennis

India’s tennis team has been marred by serious controversy over their doubles pairings. Both Rohan Bopanna and Mahesh Bhupathi refused to partner Leander Paes, who was forced to unite instead with little-known youngster Vishnu Vardhan, and in a compromise, Paes was entered into Mixed Doubles with Sania Mirza.

The bitter row has resulted in a strain on relationships between all of the players, and is at best, an extremely poor showing by the senior men, who many youngsters look up to. Although the men’s attitudes leave much to be desired, perhaps India’s best hope at a medal here will be Mirza and Paes in the Mixed Doubles – Mirza won the French Open title with Mahesh Bhupathi, while Paes recently came off second-best in the Wimbledon final, in his partnership with Russian Elena Vesnina. Without Mirza putting a rational foot forward, it would not be surprising if the men embarrassed themselves even further. “The controversy did not do anything good to anybody. It created bad blood among us and that is very unfortunate. I am

happy that it is over and I can now concentrate on doing well at the Olympics with Leander and winning a medal,” says Mirza.

Boxing

In boxing, India have their third returning medallist from Beijing – along with Bindra and Kumar, Vijender Singh, the middleweight bronze medallist and subsequent world number one, joins 6 other men and two women in a quest for Olympic glory.

Vijender became the first Indian boxer to qualify for the Olympic Games for a third successive time after beating Chuluuntumur

Tumurkhuyag of Mongolia 27-17.

“It obviously feels good, but I just don’t want to be tagged as the one who played three Olympics, but as the one who got medals in two,” says Vijender, whose first Olympic medal changed the boxing scene in the country.

Vikas Krishan, Devendro Singh and 18-year-old Shiva Thapa are the expert picks for India’s best medal hopes, but perhaps the greatest fairytale story would be five-time world champion, and mother-oftwo, MC Mary Kom, hitting the podium, as women’s boxing is introduced into the Olympics for the first time.

Kom switched from light flyweight to flyweight purely to qualify for the Olympics, and has had a remarkable career so far –an Olympic medal for the 39-yearold would be icing on the cake.

Archery

India’s performance in archery at the Delhi Commonwealth Games surprised many, and has since unearthed some good talent, even a world number one in Deepika Kumari.

Though highly hopeful of winning an Olympic medal, Deepika says being at the top of the rankings does not guarantee a podium finish at the London Games.

“Being world number one is added pressure,” says Deepika.

“It does not guarantee a medal unless I and all the team members perform well. However, our preparation has been good and we hope to make the country proud”.

The women’s team has Deepika, Laishram Bombayla Devi and Chekrovolu Swuro and the men’s team Rahul Banerjee, Jayanta Talukdar and Tarundeep Rai.

Deepika exudes confidence of winning medals both in the individual and team event.

“Why expect a medal only from me,” she observes. “Our team is good enough to get medals. We have been practicing real hard and are quite satisfied with our preparations”.

Chekrovolu says that the camaraderie and teamwork between the three girls is the strength of the team.

“We understand each other well and help each other on the field,” says the 29-year-old from Nagaland. “We do not hesitate to

point out each other’s mistakes. The chemistry and understanding between the three is our strength”. With Bombayla Devi being the only one with Olympic experience, the team will bank on her.

“Though I was nervous in my first Olympic (Beijing 2008), this time I am confident. We are well prepared and confident both individually and as a team,” the 27-year-old from Manipur says.

Badminton

Five shuttlers will be carrying India’s hopes in London, and to everyone it is clear that the main challenge will be China’s dominance in the sport. However, India’s chief badminton coach, Pullela Gopichand, is more than optimistic about the team’s prospects in London.

“We have a fairly good chance of winning a medal in the women’s doubles,” says Gopichand. “Jwala (Gutta) and Ashwini (Ponnappa) are looking good. They are a formidable combination. I would say I am very optimistic that we have a medal in women’s doubles event and mixed doubles. In both these events we have strong representation and we expect to win a medal”.

Ashwini Ponnappa, a 24-yearold girl from Bangalore, has already experienced a similar atmosphere to the one which she will be exposed to at the end of the month. “We had the World

Championship in the same arena (Wembley) where we are going to have the Olympics badminton event. We got the bronze last time. I hope it will be a better medal this time,” she says.

This is Jwala Gutta’s first Olympics. “I don’t think I have anything to lose at the Olympics, everything to gain. I am going to go there and give it my best shot,” the spunky girl says.

The glamorous shuttler (she was on the cover of a fashion magazine sporting a short dress and sky-high heels recently), also realises the enormous responsibility she has on her shoulders, but at the same time she feels honoured to be taking part in two Olympic events. She will be playing the women’s doubles with Ashwini and mixed doubles with V. Diju.

But all eyes will be on the iconic badminton star Saina Nehwal.

Four years ago when she played at the Beijing Olympics she was but 18 - and she became the first Indian to enter the badminton quarterfinals at the Olympics. Now she is heading for London with confidence, experience and with several titles in the runup to boot. She has emerged a clear threat to the badminton superpowers.

Those who have followed the Hyderabadi’s badminton from close quarters insist the 22-year-old is India’s best bet for a medal in London. Coach Syed

Danny Boyle who directed Slumdog Millionaire is the artistic director of the opening ceremony in London, and requested that Rahman compose pieces for the medley.

Clockwise: Deepika Kumari, Archery

Ravi Kumar Katulu, Weightlifting

Yogeshwar Dutt, Wrestling

Saina Nehwal, Badminton

Annu Raj Singh and Heena Sidhu, Shooting

Jwala Gutta, Badminton

Abhinav Bindra, Shooting

Ashwini Ponappa, Badminton

With a few medal contenders in several sports, this could be the year India finally proves that cricket is not the nation’s only interest.

Saina have risen after her splendid showing on the circuit in recent months. After bagging the Thailand Open and Indonesia Super Series titles last month, the world number four stood up to the domination of the Chinese girls and proved they can be beaten.

Saina has defeated all top players of the world except current No.1 Wang Yihan, one of the three Chinese who will be in action in the women’s singles at the London Olympics. But the other player who has harassed her is third-ranked Li Xuerui. Should China prefer to field Asian champion and third-placed Li Xuerui ahead of the second ranked Wang Xin or fourthplaced Wang Shixian, it will add to Saina’s worries.

But it is the measured Saina who has the last word.

“I can only hope and try,” she says, “not predict!”

India will also be competing in athletics, table tennis, field hockey, swimming, rowing, judo and weightlifting – and there is every chance that we could well have our best haul yet. With a few medal contenders in several sports, this could be the year India finally proves that cricket is not the nation’s only interest. As Vishwanathan Anand did with chess earlier this year, who will step up for India and make themselves and their sport a household name?

B LAST FROM THE PAST Some of India’s top Olympic moments

Melbourne 1956 The last of India’s hockey sides in the famous 28year long stretch of India’s field hockey dominance at the Games, the 1956 side was said to be the greatest to have ever left India’s shores. India hammered Afghanistan 14-0, the United States 160, and Singapore 6-0. Having lost their captain Balbir Singh to a fractured finger in the opening game, India’s Udham Singh scored 7 goals against the US, two against Singapore, and the only goal in India’s stunning win over Germany in the semi-final. Randhir Singh Gentle scored the solitary goal in the final against none other than Pakistan, and India went home having not conceded a single goal in the entire tournament – which they had done in 1928 as well. Just as quietly, India had beaten the USA 24-1 in the 1932 final in Los Angeles.

Khashaba Jadhav, also known as the ‘Pocket Dynamo’, was independent India’s first individual Olympic medallist, and won the freestyle wrestling bronze medal in Helsinki. What made his journey even more remarkable was the fact that the principal of the local Kolhapur Rajaram College, Mr Khardekar, mortgaged his house to support Jadhav financially, while local shopkeepers provided him with groceries to help him meet ends. Jadhav’s medal was India’s only individual medal until Leander Paes won bronze in 1996.

Sydney 2000 Karnam Malleswari became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal, taking out the bronze in the clean and jerk weightlifting event. Prior to this, Malleswari had already received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, India’s highest sporting honour in 1995-96, as well as the Padma Shri in 1999. Malleswari’s medal saved India the blushes of going without a single medal at an Olympics for the fifth time in 6 Games.

While it’s great to remember the heroes of the past, India has also had its fair share of athletes who just missed out on immortalisation. Here are three heartbreaking moments that adorn the annals of India’s Olympics history.

Rome 1960 Milkha Singh clocked up a world record 45.8 seconds at the preliminary races in France – yet, thanks to a photo finish, fell just out of medal contention at the Games in Rome. Singh was so devastated, he cried for weeks and stated that it was his worst ever memory – second only to his parents’ death.

Los Angeles 1984 PT Usha, the Kerala-born hurdler, came first in the 400m semi final and she looked set to make history for India on the track. In the final, Usha started confidently and quickly, only for a restart to be called. On the second run of the race, Usha missed out on the bronze medal by literally one-hundredth of a second, in another photo finish.

London 1948 Henry Rebello, a triple-jumper, was only 19 years old when he stunned the field, surging through to the final of the event and seemed certain of at least a medal. However, his youthfulness proved to be a double-edged sword – Rebello, who refused to warm up prior to jumping, did his hamstring on the second part of the jump – the ‘skip’, and was carried off the field in a stretcher, in yet another case of ‘so close yet so far’.

S USHIL K UMAR NAMED FLAG - BEARER

Sushil Kumar, bronze winning wrestler from the Beijing Olympics, will be India’s flag-bearer at the London Games’ opening ceremony July 27.

Leander Paes (tennis), Abhinav Bindra (shooting) and Vijender Singh (boxing), were also in the reckoning for the flagbearer’s role.

“Paes has already been given the honour, while Bindra and Vijender have their competition in the early days of the Olympics,” Indian Olympic Association (IOA) acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra said.

Atlanta bronze medallist Paes was the flag-bearer at the Sydney Games in 2000. Trap shooter Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore carried the national flag in the Beijing edition four years ago.

Clockwise: Left to right Ronjan Sodhi, Shooting Jayanta Talukdar, Archery Mary Kom, Boxing

Queen’s Birthday honour for distinguished academic

Prof Sridhar is an Officer (AO) in the general division of the Order of Australia, reports SUJITH KRISHNAN

It’s not every day that we come across an inspirational luminary such as Prof Tam Sridhar who has surpassed expectations in the field of chemical engineering. Prof Sridhar has won accolades from all quarters ever since he made his foray in this challenging, yet dynamic field of engineering, which he has studded with achievements beyond compare. His exemplary academic journey is not just astonishing, but is also an indication of his brilliance and determination to strive for excellence.

Adding to this impressive list of accolades is the Order of Australia (AO), instituted by Her Majesty the Queen in 1975 as “an honour for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or meritorious service”. Prof Sridhar was awarded the medal for his contribution to society and science in chemical engineering. With becoming modesty, he acknowledges the award, saying,

“I feel privileged to receive this honour”.

With a rich background in chemical engineering, Prof Sridhar arrived in Australia in 1974 to take up his PhD programme at the Monash University on a fellowship, on completion of which he took up a senior teaching fellowship position at the same university for two years. Despite moving away from Australia for a short period to work as Assistant Professor at the State University of New York in Buffalo, USA, Prof Sridhar was requested to return in 1982 to be employed as a senior lecturer in Monash University.

After a successful period of five years in this position, he was then promoted to the elite rank of Reader. In 1992, he was appointed to the Chair of Chemical Engineering and remained Head for the next 11 years. In 2003, he was appointed as the Dean of Engineering, a position he currently holds.

Apart from academic

excellence, Prof Sridhar has also garnered global recognition in the realm of polymers. Currently, he is a Fellow of Engineers Australia, the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences & Engineering, the Australian Academy of Science and the Institution of Chemical Engineers (UK). He was conferred as an Honorary Fellow and awarded the GP Kane Award by the Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers. He was also awarded the Australian Centenary Medal for service to Australian society and science, and the ESSO Energy Award for his outstanding contribution to chemical engineering.

In 2003, Prof Sridhar was recognized as one of four Sir John Monash Distinguished Professors and in 2011, he was appointed to the concurrent role of Vice President (China and India initiatives). Moreover, he has an outstanding record of research with over 140 publications and has worked on nearly 50 competitive

research grants, having also supervised more than 20 PhD candidates.

With a strong desire to enhance his contribution in academia, Prof Sridhar played a pivotal role in the establishment of the IITB-Monash Research Academy in Mumbai, a non-profit joint venture between IIT Mumbai and Monash University in 2006. Students from this academy are entitled to spend a year in Australia and are also eligible to receive dual PhD degrees from the two reputed institutions. The

academy carries out research in disciplines such as Engineering, Medicine, and Physical and Biological Sciences. More recently, he was also the leading light in the establishment of the Joint Graduate School for Monash University in China.

A family man to the core, Prof Sridhar enjoys being in the company of his near and dear ones the most, and says all his professional achievements pale in comparison with the happiness he acquires by just being with them. Truly an inspirational gentleman!

Sustainable roads into the future

Vijay

(OAM)

for the use of recycled materials in the construction industry

construction industry”, thereby drastically cutting bottom-lines and saving precious resources.

Currently employed with civil and transport infrastructure company Fulton Hogan, Dr Joshi was instrumental in the development and popularisation of slag-based road construction materials.

Steel Mill Services, he conducted extended studies on the plentifully available by-product, which resulted in savings of more than 10 million tonnes of natural material.

Japan, USA, Thailand and more recently, India.

As global consumption spirals out of control putting an enormous strain on existing resources, sustainability and ecological footprints have become the keywords of this century. Over the past decades, innovators have been constantly striving to make more with less.

Prominent Marathi radio personality and community leader Dr Vijay Joshi is among them. The civil engineer has been conferred the Medal of Order of Australia (OAM) in 2012 Queen’s Birthday Honours for his significant contribution to the steel mill industry.

Joshi, who only migrated to Australia in the nineties, has been recognised “for the use of recycled materials in the

A by-product in the manufacture of iron and steel, slag has latent hydraulic properties which enhances durability when combined with concrete or cement, particularly in aggressive environments. Once steel is manufactured, the slag is channelled through a furnace and quickly cooled with water to start the granulation process. It is then filtered in its slurry form through an agitation tank to resemble coarse beach sand.

“I am thrilled and humbled to receive an award for science and technology,” Dr Joshi, who has a PhD on the subject, told Indian Link. “Back in the nineties, nobody thought of using slag for road construction. It was an eye-opener for the RTA as well as numerous local councils”.

As an employee of Australian

“We had over 250,000 tonnes of waste. Thinking outside the box, this particular use of the metallurgical by-product was discovered when I reviewed the specifications of road-making techniques,” he explained.

“More importantly, we also had to prove the material was a quality product and could be used extensively in construction,” added Dr Joshi.

Convincing industry groups was certainly not hard, given the huge cost and resource benefits. Dr Joshi’s biggest breakthrough came in 1994, when slag was used to pave the third runway at Sydney airport.

Since then it has been used on arterial projects including the Kiama bypass and Princess Highway to name a couple. Besides catching on all across Australia, the technology became popular worldwide. Dr Joshi was soon invited to collaborate with a number of countries including

Dr Joshi received a hero’s welcome in his hometown Thane in Maharashtra state recently, where a huge felicitation ceremony was organised.

While he has already been working closely with Indian officials to share the knowhow, particularly in steel heartlands of Jamshedpur and Jharkhand, more technocrats are taking him seriously this time round. India, Dr Joshi feels is a huge market waiting to be tapped. With steel production in excess of 200 million tonnes, there is tremendous scope.

“For the past five years, I have been advising various Indian institutions on the use of slag,” he stated. Following an interview on a major Indian TV channel in 2006, Dr Joshi was sought out by Tata Steel.

“While the project has not materialised yet, the process has already been set in motion,” revealed Dr Joshi.

The civil engineer diversified into petrochemicals during a stint in the Middle East, and later into roads and infrastructure while

living in New Zealand, while working for the National Roads Board.

The Wattle Grove resident has been extremely active in the community as well, founding popular radio show Akashwani Sydney along with Dr Sawrikar nearly fifteen years ago. As a show host, he has been promoting greater community participation in mainstream lifestyle events such as City to Surf.

“I always make it a point to walk with participants, motivating those who are new to the event and I am delighted to say that each year at least 50-60 listeners take part,” he added.

He has also been the backbone of the community’s cultural efforts, painstakingly coordinating the behind-the-scenes efforts of many programmes.

Dr Joshi is very active in the Hindu circle as well, spearheading many projects at SVT Helensburgh. As his personal gesture of thanks to the community, the roads within the sprawling complex were paved at minimal cost using his own slag technology.

Usha Ramanujam Arvind

Dr

Joshi

has been recognised

Feast of kindness revealed

In the heart of Melbourne, just a hop and skip from Melbourne Central Station is the RMIT Gallery, which has the honour of exhibiting a collection of 117 different artists and writers from India and Australia. The gallery setting for the Kindness/Udarta exhibition is compact, but the small space is undeniably jampacked, much like India. Each artist involved has provided a snapshot of their work, a small insight into a bigger picture. Each artwork in a way describes just one ingredient of the many that go to make up India, or Australia, or both. Looking closer into any of these works can reveal the larger story behind the artist’s creation, and reveal tales of experiences they wish to share. The stories behind the works are absorbing and inspiring, and are available in a hardcover publication produced in conjunction with the exhibition.

I left the exhibition with a smile, because many of the works reminded me of the daily things often taken for granted in Australian and Indian lives. These things are those that give our world character, and are what we love and miss most about a place when we leave it.

The Kindness/Udarta exhibition is a celebration of 20 years of work, and marks the 20th Anniversary of the AustraliaIndia Council, (AIC). The artists and writers participating in the

exhibition are only some of many who have been recipients of an AIC-funded grant. These grants have been awarded to persons or groups to help with projects that reflect the values of the AIC. The exhibition is thus, in a sense, a semi-historical account of 20 years of meaningful work that has been supported by the AIC.

The AIC was formed in May 1992, thanks to the then Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, who identified a need for such a group. The organisation’s primary intention has been to promote Australian and Indian relations, collaboration and connections, understanding and respect, and knowledge, skill and cultural exchange. It participates, encourages and promotes related activities, and supports many of these each year through the provision of AIC grant funds awarded in India and Australia for projects in fine arts, literature, film, sport, education, science, technology, environment, and public health. In addition, grant recipients are also likely to have had personal experience in both India and Australia, and are conscious of elements of both cultures. Through supporting these projects, the AIC is actively working toward maintaining and improving Australia-India connections and where possible, building long term and ongoing connections.

The Kindness/Udarta exhibition is on show until August 25 in Melbourne, with a special cultural event of music and dialogue from participating artists (and more) on August 2. Prior to being presented in Melbourne, this collection of

works was presented at the Visual Arts Gallery, at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, where it received great reviews. Likewise, the response was also good in our National Capital, Canberra.

Over 117 visual artists and writers from Australia and India have participated in the exhibition, from which many are notably accomplished in their field, and very well known in creative circles. These include Australian Thomas Keneally, a novelist and playwright who is renowned for his book Schindlers Ark which was later adapted into the film Schindlers

List

Alexis Wright is an Indigenous Australian writer of both nonfiction and fiction, who has notably been a recipient of the Miles Franklin literary award in 2006 for her novel Carpentaria

Les Murray is a multi-award winning poet, well known for writing about rural life in Australia, with down-to-earth characters. He is regarded an Australian Living Treasure, a designation bestowed by the Australian National Trust.

Robyn Beeche is a photographer of fashion and culture, based in northern India since 1985, capturing images of Indian festivals and daily life through her camera. Finally, Callum Morton is an installation artist, also showcasing his work at the exhibition.

The Indian artists contributing include Haku Shah, an artist specialising in rural and tribal arts, and an anthropologist of traditions and folklore. He is renowned for his art, and for establishing a tribal museum at Gujarat Vidyapith, in Ahmedabad

Prasad is a Rajasthani potter, well known for creating double-fired pots in colours of the sunset, in grey blues and in charcoal black. Giriraj learned pottery at the age of 8, and still practices and teaches his family trade almost 60 years later. He assisted with the installation of Indian style furnaces into the Australian Art Schools, for the benefit of sharing his art. Giriraj received the National Award for Excellence in Terracotta Pottery in India in 1987.

Nalini Malani is a multimedia artist living in Mumbai, with her works incorporating colourful drawings, paintings, performance, animation and film. Themes of her work are often based on unheard and forgotten stories of ostracized and overlooked people.

Bharti Kher is a contemporary artist born to Indian parents in the UK, but who now lives in India. Her works are often large, colourful, and immensely detailed. They include large sculpture, paintings and installations. Themes of her art relate to Indian customs contrasted with western values, repression of women in India, and contemplation of the value of traditional roles and rituals in India.

Shilpa Gupta likewise, is also an interdisciplinary artist. She works with video, photography and performance and often involves audience participation to enhance the meaning of her work. She challenges the audience to think about the themes of her work. Her themes largely relate to consumer culture, militarism and human rights.

There are so many more accomplished artists and writers on show at this event, all of whom have engaging and interesting works of art, with thought-provoking stories behind them on display.

I will conclude with an excerpt from a passage on display at the exhibition, taken from a work by Barbara Brooks’ Verandas,

putting your head under water and listening. Being in India is like driving in the dark. The headlights illuminate only part of the landscape at a time, and then you are swallowed by the unknown. I rattle along, never sure where I’m going, and people talk to me out of kindness. I ask questions, listen, then go away with more questions.’

The artists and writers participating in the exhibition are only some of many who have been recipients of an AIC-funded grant\

LEANNE WOODWARD

A unique exhibition of artists and writers displays the profoundness of their feelings for India, Australia or both

Clockwise from far left: The skin speaks a language not it's own by Bharti Kher (2006)

Ganesha and Kangaroo by Pushpa Kumari (2011)

The Carpet Seller by Alison Lester and Zoe Veda, 2011

Of home and food

educator, Subhankar Banerjee.

BY RITAM MITRA

The 18th Biennale of Sydney takes place between June 27 to September 16 this year, the length and quality of the exhibition making it Australia’s largest and most exciting contemporary arts event. Artist talks, performances, forums, film screenings, family events and guided tours make up the programme of this free exhibition. Naturally, artists featured in the festival will have come from a variety of backgrounds and led colourful lives – but few will have come through a journey quite as unique as artist, activist and

Subhankar’s work focuses on eco-cultural issues such as resource wars, climate change and Indigenous rights. He has delivered over 100 lectures, taken iconic photographs, and a book of his featuring Arctic photography, initially part of a display in the Smithsonian Institute, has been the topic of contentious debate in the US Senate. However, Subhankar’s philosophy is a simple one.

“Things that I do may come across as variety, but for me it is simply talking about two issues – home and food that the land provides to humans, and other species with whom we share this earth,” he says. “Everything before us – look around at the rate and speed of environmental destruction – that is challenging to me and everyone else who is working on these issues”.

It was a big surprise then, when Subhankar, already recipient of countless awards and honours including being named an Arctic Hero by Alaska Wilderness League, reveals that he was born in the small West Bengal town of Berhampore, and studied electrical engineering in India before receiving two Masters degrees in Physics and Computer Science in the United States.

Subhankar grew up revelling in the work of Satyajit Ray and Mrinal Sen, and was introduced to the work of Mahasweta Devi, a renowned activist and writer, by his parents at a young age. He was taught how to paint by his great uncle Bimal Mookerjee, and although he had a passion for arts, as a member of a middle-income family, he chose the more practical path of science.

Subhankar’s transition from

being offered exciting research positions in advanced mathematics to developing a full-fledged career in socio-cultural activism was a long one. Indeed, his initial love for physics was a result of a passion for thinking, and a sense that, in this field, he was closer to poetry and philosophy. Subhankar fell in love with the wide, open spaces of the desert during trips across the American southwest. Armed with an SLR Minolta camera, and in the company of fellow members of the environmental organisation Sierra Club, Subhankar made the decision to leave his position at Boeing to become a full-time artist, educator and activist. His journey since 2000 has been inspirational, to say the least. After leaving Boeing, Subhankar spent 14 months in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and published his first book – Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Seasons of Life and Land. With the help of a grant from the Lannan Foundation, Subhankar’s book was distributed to indigenous communities, libraries, students and policy makers in the US, yet met with controversy when the George W. Bush administration censored the book’s accompanying exhibition in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

“When the Smithsonian political controversy about my Arctic photography happened in 2003 in Washington DC, I didn’t consider myself a political activist or my art as political art, even though I had given my photographs to conservation groups to raise awareness,” he reveals. “But that experience, more than anything else, prompted me to become an activist. I don’t do art for art’s sake; my work is about engaging with the world we inhabit, and politics is an integral part of that process.”

Subhankar’s photography is globally recognised, and having spent the last two years editing the anthology Arctic Voices – Resistance at the Tipping Point, which was published earlier this month, Subhankar’s writing is fundamental in his quest for change. “You

can say that my photographs are quiet, in the sense that they might encourage an emotional response, whereas my writing is rather loud, that might encourage action,” he says.

“The environmental destruction that is taking place is massive, and the inaction on part of the US government prompted me to found ClimateStoryTellers.org, not only to share my own writing, but also by many others from around the world including, Alaska, Australia and India”.

In today’s global community where the world has become a smaller place, climate change has become an issue of increasing importance. Human rights, however, has been a fundamental keystone of activism throughout history. It is Subhankar’s unique willingness to link these two traditionally separate issues that makes his work relevant to everyone, everywhere in the world.

Often, we find ourselves pigeonholed into a corner of society, and this is not necessarily a bad thing. But we form just a tiny part of the larger machine that is this planet, and we need to lend ourselves to it to ensure that the rest of the machine is actually working properly.

Subhankar’s journey is a testament to the fact that whether you are an engineer, doctor, musician, or builder, the planet belongs to everyone, and there is really no excuse for not caring. Check out Subhankar Banerjee’s work at the Biennale of Sydney at the Art Gallery of NSW, until 16 Sept

Left: Caribou Migration I (2002) by Subhankar Banerjee, from the Oil and Caribou series, digital chromogenic print face-mounted to plexiglas, 218.44 x 172.72 cm

Subhankar Banerjee uses his artistic and photographic talent to raise awareness of environmental issues

I don’t do art for art’s sake; my work is about engaging with the world we inhabit, and politics is an integral part of that process

Subhankar Banerjee

RAIN seniors enjoy spiritual awakening project

BY SUDHA NATARAJAN

RAIN seniors have had a fantastic year with a ‘Peace and Harmony’ project that has provided them with an inward journey towards realising themselves, the indwelling spirit and also opening up their minds to their fellow human beings.

This Project was funded by Hurstville City Council and Kogarah City Council for the 2011-2012 financial year, and though the project has come to a successful completion, the seniors are proceeding with their spiritual journey in varied dimensions.

So what is this ‘Peace and Harmony’ project about?

The project was started with the aim of gaining spiritual enhancement using three pathways.

Spiritual enhancement

RAIN’s spiritual enhancement through cultural expression, brings the untold and undertold folklore of Indian subcontinent communities forward, through performance art. It is a community-focused vision

The aim has been to read from ISC scriptures and legend-based folklore, and to explain their meaning, and add strength to their positive feelings through spiritual enhancement. This has been carried out with the help of our Sanskrit tutor Dr Meenakshi Karthikeyan. Starting with Bajagovindam by Aadhi Sankara, this contains a wealth of wisdom which needs to be practiced in old age when our physical frame experiences health issues and associated complaints.

Dr Meenakshi guided discussions to develop strategies for increasing individual selfworth and acceptance. Every session has been skilfully structured into repeating the verses in Sanskrit, followed by listening to the excellent and interesting explanations with anecdotes from various scripts such as Bhagawat Geetha and Ramayana. RAIN seniors have had a journey within themselves and have emerged spiritually richer.

Interaction with other faiths

Working with St George Women’s Interfaith Network (WIN), dialogue sessions with speakers of other faiths have been conducted.

During our Christmas celebration, Mrs Lurline Simpson and Mrs Lorraine Watson of the WIN group talked about Christmas and Santa Clause. Several eager questions were put forth and our seniors also ventured forth to sing Christmas carols that they learnt from their grandchildren.

Mrs Mariette Leong talked about the Baha’i faith with a Powerpoint presentation. Once again, the

group showed great interest in learning about the concepts and also discussed the similarities and differences in religions.

A month later, Mrs Laila Baidun spoke about the Islamic faith and the community service concept inherent in it. RAIN seniors listened to Laila with an interest in learning about these concepts and asked several questions. This was a truly interesting dialogue session. Mrs Asha Ramzan spoke on the seva (service) aspect of Buddhism. We also visited the Helensburg Hindu and Nan Tien Buddhist temples, and the Baha’i temple during the year.

The outcomes of these interactive sessions have been:

* the fostering of cooperative and positive interaction and friendship between people of different religious and spiritual beliefs; and

* the bringing together of people from different faiths, so they can promote the concept

of understanding, respect and harmony.

Our friend, Mrs Lorraine Watson of St George WIN invited a group of RAIN seniors to her home garden in an effort to promote peace and harmony, and also to raise funds for RAIN.

Cultural expression to spiritual enhancement

Many ancient cultures believed that music was an earthly manifestation of spiritual or primal vibration, also known as cosmic vibration. Primal vibration purports that there is an energy source, and music is believed to be an earthly manifestation of this energy. This pathway encouraged the seniors to practice folk and spiritual songs led by talented seniors, and two RAIN Gitanjali choir groups have emerged - in St George and Sutherland. Mrs Usha Chawla led the Hurstville team, while Mrs Kumud Pawar led the Sutherland team. The

groups have successfully performed during the Hurstville Discovery festival, Diwali, Seniors Week and Rockdale Peace and Harmony festivals. The seniors have ventured forth to bring in uniformity in their green-and-gold sarees, and they continue to enjoy a positive and active life. Inspired by the ladies, the men in the group also have joined to perform.

A grand celebration titled Golden Memories – Sunheiri Yadein is being planned in which several wellknown artists will be participating. The impressive list includes Ankita Sachdev, Dr Lalita Venkatraman, Vinodkumar Rajput and his group of musicians, Aashis Shrestha, Sahiyar Garba group led by Sonal Bhatt, Vijanthi Dance group and South Indian Veena recital. The event will be held on September at the Marana Auditorium in Hurstville. This will help RAIN in fundraising for the benefit of ethno-specific Senior Care for the Indian community.

Sanskrit tutor Dr Meenakshi Karthikeyan

Baha’i temple visit

India-Pakistan break the ice on cricketing ties

The Indian cricket board recently invited Pakistan to play three One-dayers and two Twenty20 Internationals in DecemberJanuary, a move that would see the arch-rivals clashing in a bilateral series after a fiveyear gap.

The matches will be played in between England’s November-January series in India when the tourists return home for 15 days for the Christmas break, according to an agreement between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Briefing the media after the Board’s working committee meeting in New Delhi recently, BCCI spokesman Rajiv Shukla said New Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai are the venues for the ODIs and Bangalore and Ahmedabad will host the T20 matches.

“PCB have repeatedly asked us for the resumption of ties and we have agreed to it. The public wants to see the two countries playing against each other,” Shukla told reporters.

The foreign secretaries of the two countries had discussed the revival of cricketing ties at their meeting here earlier in July.

Asked about the Indian government’s approval of the Pakistan tour, Shukla said he had already spoken to the concerned ministry officials on the matter.

“Home Minister P. Chidambaram has no objections, and neither does the ministry of external affairs. Even after the Kargil War, and the 1965 and 1971 wars, Pakistani cricket teams toured India,” he said reacting to opposition from some political parties including the Shiv Sena, who said Pakistan should not be allowed to play India as long as the Mumbai terror attack perpetrators were not brought to justice.

The series will be played when England go back home for the Christmas break after playing four Tests and two T20 matches in November-December and before they return for the five-match one-day series in January.

The two neighbouring countries last played in 2007-08 when Pakistan toured India. India was to play in Pakistan in 2009 but the tour was cancelled in the wake of the Mumbai terror attack in 2008. No international team has toured Pakistan after the attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009.

Reacting to the BCCI’s announcement, PCB chief Zaka Ashraf told the Pakistani media that it was a welcome step.

“I am glad this has come through,” Ashraf said. “Negotiations were on for quite some time and both the boards worked hard to make it happen. I had a fruitful chat with BCCI president N. Srinivasan and as we both come from a corporate background, we clearly understand the commercial aspects of an Indo-Pak series”.

Ashraf said the first step towards resuming the ties was inviting Pakistan T20 Champions Sialkot Stallions for the Champions League.

“Stallions were invited. That was the first step. Now this is a further development,” said the PCB chief.

Talking about the money matters, Shukla made it clear that the host board BCCI won’t be sharing the series’ revenue with PCB.

The announcement drew contrasting reactions from the cricket fraternity of India and Pakistan. While Pakistan’s Zaheer Abbas and Aamir Sohail expressed happiness at the news, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar questioned the timing of the series.

“My first reaction is that the free time players would have had between the England series, it is not going to be there anymore,” Gavaskar told NDTV.

“They are playing a strong side like England in November-December and now they are not going to get a breather between the Test and one-day matches. Players need the time to look after their injuries and get better,” he added.

India questions Obama views on economic reforms

The Indian government recently questioned US President Barack Obama’s perception of India’s economic reality and asserted that policy making is a “sovereign” right of the country.

“There is always a difference between perception and reality. India remains one of the most attractive destinations for foreign investors,” Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma told reporters in New Delhi. “We have adopted a calibrated approach in liberalisation.”

Sharma said India’s foreign direct investment (FDI) policy regime is investorfriendly and the country had taken an array of steps to liberalise the economy and ease norms related to foreign investments.

Quoting a study conducted by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Sharma said in terms of attracting foreign investments, India was among the top three countries in the world.

The minister was reacting to Obama’s interview to a news agency in which he expressed concern over the deteriorating investment climate in India and called for pushing up the reform process, especially allowing overseas investments in retail.

He urged the US to “demonstrate leadership” in bringing down trade barriers and encouraging capital flows.

“The US should be taking forward the stalled Doha Development Round of the WTO to a meaningful conclusion.”

Corporate Affairs Minister Veerappa Moily said fundamentals of the economy were strong and the corporate lobbies led by the companies like Vodafone were spreading negative view of India.

“Certain international lobbies like Vodafone are spreading this kind of a story and Obama was not properly informed about the things that are happening in India,” Moily said.

Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia,

however, said many countries had voiced such concerns and the government would take these factors into account while formulating policies.

“Many countries have been expressing concern over the investment climate. We should take these factors into account,” Ahluwalia said, but there is no particular reform that would change these perceptions.

“We need to strengthen the investment climate. I don’t believe that the agenda of reform is ever coming to an end,” Ahluwalia said.

Political parties also reacted sharply and asked the government not to succumb to US pressure while taking decisions on economic reforms.

Former finance minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Yashwant Sinha said India should open up the retail sector for overseas investments as and when required and it may not be done under pressure from the US.

“If Obama wants FDI in retail and India does not want, then it won’t come just because he is demanding it,” Sinha said.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) objected to the remarks by Obama that India open the doors to Wal-Mart for retail trade and other American investments in India.

“The statement is a brazen attempt to pressurize the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government to adopt such steps as opening multi-brand retail to FDI.

“The Manmohan Singh government should not succumb to this pressure,” the party said in a statement.

‘Education City’ emerges in Chhattisgarh’s Maoist zone

It lies at the heart of the Maoist badlands in Chhattisgarh but is now set to acquire the tag of Education City with the creation of a 150-acre campus housing 15 schools and colleges that will cater to some 5,000 students from poor and tribal families. Even more remarkably, the campus at Dantewada will be run on solar power.

“Like other innovations, Education City is also a child of a need - the need for educated, skilled, trained and dedicated pool of citizenry which can not only understand the area’s needs but also fill the gap between supply and availability of skilled workforce,” said Omprakash Choudhary, the district magistrate of Dantewada who conceived the project, speaking from Raipur. Dantewada, a forested region located in the southern tip of the state, has been hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons, most notably in April 2010 when 75 paramilitary troopers were killed in a Maoist ambush.

‘Education City’ is expected to be fully operational in 18 months. Some institutes have already opened.

What then will Education City encompass? There will be an Industrial Training Institute for 100 students, a residential school for girls with a hostel for 500, Kasturba Ashram with a hostel for 100 and Astha Gurukul with a hostel for 800. There will also be a tribal ashram and a school for 50, a residential school for boys, a model school and a security guard training institute, each with hostels for 500m a scouts and guides training Institute, a research institute for tribal children, a playground and a helipad.

Money for the project is coming from

A gay rights activist participates in the Rainbow Pride rally in Kolkata on July 15, 2012. More than 500 people from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities and supporters came together in the annual event to show solidarity and to create awareness about their basic rights.

various government schemes such as the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and CSR (corporate social responsibility) funds of the National Mineral Development Corporation, Essar and other companies.

Not for nothing is Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh upbeat about the project.

“Education City will not only cater to the educational needs of the vast tribal populace inhabiting Bastar, worst-hit by left-wing extremism, but also usher in an era of peace and prosperity,” Raman Singh said. Dantewada is one of the least literate districts (30.1 per cent) of the country.

Since Dantewada is a power deficit area, each block in the Education City will be separately powered with solar photo voltaic cell. The individual break-ups have not been given but as per officials of CREDA, which sells solar power equipment, each block will have Rs.60 lakh solar power set up.

The total cost of Education City is pegged at Rs. 100 crore, to be funded under various schemes of the state government and CSR funds of NMDC and Essar. It would be spread across 150 acres and will comprise 14-15 institutes. Each institute will have a separate solar system, academic building, playground, garden, hostel and other infrastructure facilities.

It is said that it will be completed in 18 months but insiders say it will take much more time and the cost will also increase.

However, the very fact that it is coming up is quite remarkable.

Indian scientists help save 131 trees in Cambodian temple

Indian scientists have been successful in conserving 131 trees at the 800-year-old Ta Prohm temple in Cambodia, better known as ‘Temple Tree’.

Experts from the Dehradun-based Forest Research Institute (FRI) along with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have been working on the Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple (Cambodia) Project under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC) of the external affairs ministry.

The team, which has been working there since 2007, has started seeing some good results with improvement in the health of trees which were in a bad shape, threatening the monument built in the late 12th century by Jayavarman VII of the Khmer empire in memory of his mother. The temple is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Several movies, including the Hollywood blockbuster Tomb Raider, were shot there.

Different species of matured and young trees, some standing on the ground and some on the walls and roofs of various structures, are seen in the temple premises.

The most common tree species is Tetrameles nudiflora, locally known as ‘Speung’.

N.S.K. Harsh, head of Forest Pathology at the Forest Research Institute (FRI), said that before starting the project, they conducted a survey and found that of the 131 trees in the premises, 36 needed immediate attention.

“The trees were found under stress at the site due to heavy tourist pressure, soil compaction, injuries to exposed roots and stems, cavities in trees and exposed buttresses and basal rotting. Besides, a few trees were dangerously leaning and causing

the walls and other structures to collapse under their weight,” said Harsh.

The tree height here ranges from 40 to 80 metres with huge trunks while the girth exceeds more than three metres in some cases and buttresses span up to 13 metres at the base.

The buttresses and roots are spreading all over the structures and ground, making them magnificent visual objects.

The institute’s team carried out periodic treatment of the decayed portion of trunks, stems and roots of the trees by using eco-friendly material (an oleoresin tapped from a tree) followed by cavity filling with polyurethane foam and wax.

The exposed roots of trees were covered with soil in different sections. Periodic surface treatment with anti-fungal material on etched surfaces was prescribed.

A prop was provided to support a dangerously leaning tree and was designed to withstand its swaying and weight. A metallic support was designed and erected below a wall collapsing under the weight of the tree.

“I would say timely intervention by FRI has halted further deterioration of tree health. The trees are now in a better health and their life span has increased,” Harsh said.

FRI has also carried out training classes for capacity building of local stakeholders so that they can continue the conservation work on their own post-2014 when the institute’s contract ends.

Regular monitoring of tree health is being done to check the level of decay, insect attacks, phenological behaviour and emerging tree growth pattern.

This is not the first time that India is helping Cambodia in restoration of a heritage site. Indian archaeologists had successfully restored the world famous Angkor Vat temple in the country.

In India, the FRI has conserved the famous Bodhi tree (‘pipal’) in Bodhgaya, a direct descendant of the original tree under which the Buddha meditated. It has also conserved a neem tree in the Sai Baba temple in Shirdi in Maharshtra.

Sotheby’s to celebrate 25 years of designers

Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla

Indian contemporary fashion will be talk of London in Sep 3-5 with Sotheby’s opening an exhibition of designer wear and interior decor by celebrated designer duo Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla.

The exhibition, “India Fantastique” will coincide with the launch of two volumes of books about the clothes created by the designers and the history of the Jani-Khosla label. The couturiers celebrate their 25th anniversary this year, Sotheby’s said recently in a statement.

Known both for their fashion creations for men and women and for interior designs, Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla’s reputation extends far beyond India, the statement said. Many international celebrities wear Jani-Khosla creations, among them Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Sophie Marceau and Sarah Brown.

They are stocked internationally in Harrods and Harvey Nichols in London and Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus in New York.

Together, the duo have built a 25-year-old partnership that has included designing for leading actors and actresses, working with directors on costumes for epic Bollywood films and building a brand that exudes luxury, artistry and Indian tradition.

“Abu and I thought long and hard about how we wanted to celebrate our milestone, and also about how we would

use this celebration to set the vision for our creativity and ourselves in the next 25 years. It soon became clear that a book, or rather two as it turned out to be, was the ideal vehicle,” Khosla said.

The first volume of India Fantastique displays dozens of the duo’s designs while the second volume focuses on their extensive work in interior design. Their hallmark maximalism runs riot in privately commissioned interiors, which incorporate art, artifacts, antiques and vintage textiles.

Paramount in both books is the duo’s rediscovery and revivification of once moribund traditional crafts including chikan (whitework) and zardozi (gold thread embroidery), and the ways in which they make use of local artisans and reinvent their heritage by redeploying Indian antiques, the statement said.

The 600-page volumes are collectors’ items with specially commissioned photographs, Sotheby’s said.

Khosla and Jani met by chance in 1986.

Abu was born in Mumbai and started out as a costume designer in the film industry and Sandeep was born in Kapurthala (Punjab) and started out in the family leather business. The decision to work together was taken instantly and their first collection, “Mata Hari”, arrived just four months later.

Neither possessed any formal qualifications, neither had money to invest. What they did have in abundance was raw talent and an unswerving belief in their own creativity, Sotheby’s said.

“We are unabashedly Indian in our aesthetics. And passionately in love with the rich cultural, historic and design legacy of our land. Design is our way of paying homage to that beauty. By taking it into the 21st century,” Jani said.

IANS

India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, right, is congratulated by Italy’s Francesco Molinari after winning the Scottish Open at the Castle Stuart Golf Links, Inverness, Scotland, Sunday July 15, 2012.

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Bliss in the

Pine, thought to have been extinct for millions of years. The few surviving pines are located in remote gorges.

BY PETRA O’NEILL

Many more steps?”

I asked the hiker heading towards me.

“Why, thousands!” replied Hal, a spritely looking 74-year-old who had walked for 5 hours from the Three Sisters down to the valley floor, and was now completing the ascent to Leura Cascades. Somewhat more ambitious than my 2-hour hike along the Prince Henry cliff walk, one of many hiking trails.

The Blue Mountains is an area of breathtaking views, waterfalls, sheer cliffs, deep valleys and one of Australia’s most spectacular wilderness areas, within easy reach of Sydney.

World Heritage Site listed, it consists of 10,000 square kilometres of mostly pristine forest that forms part of the Great Dividing Range. A plateau runs from east to west on which the rail line and highway were built, as well as the many towns and villages. With an altitude of 975 metres above sea level at Leura, 1017 metres at Katoomba and 1300 metres at its highest point, during winter temperatures drop and a sudden snowfall is not uncommon.

More than 100 species of eucalypts are found here as well as one of the world’s rarest species, the recently discovered Wollemi

Blue Mountains

More than 400 different kinds of animals live here including spotted-tailed quolls, koalas, yellow-bellied gliders, long-nosed potoroos, wallabies and possums. There are also many birds to be seen including parrots, rosellas, cockatoos and kookaburras. The area is renowned for sightseeing, bushwalking and rock climbing.

The area is also historically significant. In 1788, the Blue Mountains were named ‘Carmarthen Hills’ by Australia’s first Governor, Arthur Phillip; however the distinctive blue haze caused by oil produced by eucalyptus trees saw the name changed to the Blue Mountains.

The rugged terrain was seen as an impassable barrier but on May 11, 1813, Gregory Blaxland, William Charles Wentworth and Lieutenant Lawson, along with four servants, four horses and five dogs, set off across the Blue Mountains. Eighteen days later they reached the gentle slopes to the west.

In 1814, William Cox assembled thirty convicts, eight guards and two aboriginal trackers and built a road across the Blue Mountains in just six months, covering a distance of 101 miles. A series of military posts were then built to protect travellers from being attacked by aboriginals, and the settlements of Wentworth Falls, Springwood and Blackheath were established.

The renowned scientist Charles Darwin visited here in 1836 and during the 1850s, gold was discovered near Bathurst. The

BLUE MOUNTAINS GETAWAY

GETTING THERE

railway line opened in 1867. Katoomba was where in 1879, JB North opened the Katoomba Coal Mine. Coal was brought up using a cable car that continued in operation until 1900. The Scenic Railway operates in the original cutting and has an incline that is not for the faint hearted.

Australian aborigines inhabited the area for thousands of years.

An essential stop is the Three Sisters lookout. According to an aboriginal legend three sisters, Meehni, Wimlah and Gunnedoo lived in the valley with their father Tyawan. A bunyip, or mythical monster, inhabited a waterhole nearby. Whenever Tyawan searched for food, he would leave the sisters safely on a cliff ledge. But one day the sandstone split and they were stranded. The bunyip approached to rescue them, but their father fearing the bunyip, used a magic bone to turn them into stone and himself into a Lyre Bird. The three sisters stand silently overlooking the valley.

While Leura and Katoomba are must-sees, Blackheath, Wentworth Falls and the many other towns and villages also offer outstanding hiking trails, delightful gardens, cafes and antique shops. Blackheath’s most famous view is from Govetts Leap Lookout with its striking panorama of the Grose Valley.

While returning on the train back to Sydney, I reflected on the many times I had spent in the Blue Mountains with my twin daughters bushwalking, feeding rosellas, and collecting twigs for the log fire. It is a place where happy memories are made.

If travelling by train, I’d recommend arriving in Katoomba and departing from Leura if you plan to access the main sights either on foot or by joining the hop on, hop off bus or trolley car. Trains depart from Central Station hourly Website: www.131500.com.au Tel: 131-500. Hop on Hop off bus Tel: 1300 300 915. Trolley Car Tel: 02 4782 7999. Many tour operators offer guided day tours to the Blue Mountains. If travelling by car, head for the Great Western Highway with fast access via the M2, M7 and M4 motorways, and consider returning along the Bells Line of Road.

INSIDER’S TIP

Tourist coaches visiting the Blue Mountains head for Echo Point first, Scenic Railway second. Visibility is best though between 11-2 when you’ll avoid the crowds. The Scenic Railway is the world’s steepest, best avoided if you have a fear of heights. Most find the experience exhilarating. Visit www.scenicworld.com.au. For bushwalking, wear sturdy waterproof footwear and warm clothing. Bring a rain jacket, water bottle and food. Signage on paths is often lacking.

WHERE TO STAY

Perched on the edge of cliffs with spectacular views, the Accor Hotel group has totally revamped the Fairmont Hotel at Leura. The decor is impressively stylish and contemporary with spacious gardens, activities including golf and a range of rooms to suit couples, families, even your pet. High Tea is offered on weekends. Check for promotions www. fairmontresort.com.au Lilianfels has a more subdued ambience, with plush, clubby interiors and cosy open fires. www.lilianfels.com.au Echoes offers breathtaking views. www. echoeshotel.com.au There are many B&Bs and self contained cottages. Blue Mountains Tourism has an accommodation link at www.visitbluemountains.com.au or try sites such as www.stayz.com.au The YHA provides great budget accommodation located on Katoomba’s main street. Visit www.yha.com.au

WHERE TO EAT

The Mall, Leura is lined with cafes and restaurants. Katoomba, Blackheath and Wentworth Falls also have many eateries, as do the many other villages. Don’t leave without visiting the Leura Lolly Shop.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The National Parks and Wildlife Service offer guided walks, many suitable for children. Visit www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au; tel: 02 9253-0888. Blue Mountains tourism website: www.visitbluemountains.com.au

The perfect getaway during winter months, with crisp daytime bushwalking and cosy log fires to relax by in the evenings

Tree Ferns

View towards Leura taken the bush track. Leura Mall

Mountains

The Blue Mountains is an area of breathtaking views, waterfalls, sheer cliffs, deep valleys and one of Australia’s most spectacular wilderness areas, within easy reach of Sydney.

Main pic: 3 Sisters

Clockwise: (group of four) bush track, Lilianfels, hikers bushwalking, waterfall

Above, Clockwise: Leura Cottage, bush track, Paragon Cafe Katoomba

taken on

The flame still burns

Memories of Sydney’s Olympic Games twelve years ago come to life again on the eve of the 2012 Games

Chelsea Clinton is arriving soon, Sandip, please drop everything and rush to meet and greet her,” said Jessica, my director.

I know it’s hard to conjure an image that an ordinary being like me would be told to personally shake hands and welcome the daughter of Bill and Hillary Clinton, but it’s true.

It all happened during the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000 when, as a Protocol Supervisor for the International Olympics Committee (IOC), I was running around the VIP enclosures of the main stadium in Homebush attending to IOC members, Olympic officials and dignitaries from various countries, with Miss Clinton representing the US President, being one of them.

The time spent with her is one of many treasured experiences that often ignite my Sydney 2000 memories, but more so when the flame is soon lit again at London.

After IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch announced the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, as a Sydneysider I immediately thought of getting involved in some way with the world’s greatest sporting event. So when volunteers were being recruited, I threw my hat in the ring and after a challenging selection process, I managed to secure a Protocol Supervisor role at the Main Stadium, the epicentre of the Games.

The role in essence meant assisting IOC members and their guests with their accredited seating, hospitality, games information, medal ceremonies, security, transport and any other support they required while at the VIP section of the venue. As the date approached my excitement knew no bounds, particularly after receiving my uniform which included an official Olympic blazer, a priceless item which many can only dream of wearing.

The glamour and atmosphere on the opening night was absolutely mind-blowing! It was an obviously busy time for me and my colleagues, and also the first test to see whether we could stand on our feet for almost 12 hours. And we did! We were so busy and excited that we forgot to

be tired. We were surrounded by celebrities and stars that included Royals, Heads of State, sporting legends and rock stars. I had the opportunity to mingle with many of them: Princess Anne, Prince Albert of Monaco, King Constantine of Greece, Henry Kissinger, Geoff Norman and the legendary Muhammad Ali are a few that I still remember coming across that evening. A great moment was the arrival of Juan Antonio Samaranch, with whom I had dealt with on protocol issues many times during the course of the Games.

Many other Royals and Head of States must have gone past me. I shook some hands without even knowing who they were. I had always perceived Kings and Queens in imperial robes with their crowns and jewellery, so I had difficulty recognising them as they looked and dressed like ordinary people. Because of that I couldn’t recognise the King and Queen from Sweden when I was waiting at the entrance to greet and usher them in. They arrived in a big group and I welcomed all of them, not knowing exactly who the royal couple was. Similar was my experience with the Crown Princes from Denmark, Spain and Nepal.

I remember moments with Crown Prince Deependra from Nepal, who would talk to me about life in Australia, India and Nepal. In 2001 he killed himself after shooting other members of his family. When I heard the news of that tragic incident, it was hard for me to believe what that young man had in his destiny. I often saw Prince Frederik from Denmark arriving with an Aussie girl Mary Donaldson, who in 2004 became the Royal Princess. Maybe the Games also planted seeds of a life-long relationship for many others that I don’t know of.

There was lot of drama during the football final between Spain and Cameroon. The VIP enclosure was divided into twothe European nations lead by the Spanish Prince supporting Spain; while their African counterparts cheered Cameroon, fronted by Roger Milla, a Cameroon star of 1990 Mexico World Cup. There were several heated moments on and off the field. A marching out order for a Spanish player got the Prince extremely agitated, and he didn’t hesitate to show his frustrations. Likewise when a Cameroon goal was not allowed by the referee, all the Africans started yelling, “It’s cheating, it’s cheating!” while being booed by

the opponents. And as excitement peaked during the penalty shootout to decide the gold medal winner, it was no less rousing than watching the climax of a crime thriller.

Coordination of the medal ceremony was one of our key tasks, and I was lucky enough to be rostered for the women’s 400m race which was won by our own Cathy Freeman. After receiving the medal she handed over her prized possession to me. As expected, I was thrilled to have an Olympic medal in my hands. When I told this story to a journalist from India, he reported the incident in his popular daily, highlighting that though India couldn’t bag any gold medal in Sydney, at least one Indian

had the opportunity to touch it!

Over the last 12 years, a lot of water has flown through the rivers, but nothing has impacted the sacred spirit of the Olympic Games. On July 27 when the Games will be declared open in London, I will be in Berlin where the event was earlier held in 1936. While watching the live telecast, my memories of Sydney 2000 will bloom again. I will hear the roars and the cheers; I will visualise myself in the Olympic blazer ushering perhaps the Prince of Swaziland or an IOC member from Ireland, or getting some information for Chelsea Clinton.

“Aussie, Aussie, Aussie –oi, oi, oi!” will ceaselessly sound in my ears!

I often saw Prince Frederik from Denmark arriving with an Aussie girl Mary Donaldson, who in 2004 became the Royal Princess.

And as excitement peaked during the penalty shoot out to decide the gold medal winner, it was no less rousing than watching the climax of a crime thriller.

SANDIP HOR

The message behind the numbers

BY NOEL G DE SOUZA

The demographic change in Australia is a visible phenomenon, but one had to await the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) release of the 2011 census results, to discern the extent of the change. The ABS does not gather information only at the five yearly censuses. Rather, it continuously gathers information from a variety of sources. That is why when looking for results from the 2011 census, one encounters summaries collated in earlier years.

The statistics of the 2011 census confirm that Australia’s demography has radically changed. Its pluralism stems not just from language as in the case of European migration, but also from race/colour and religion. Particularly, Chinese and Indians coming from several countries now people this vast land which continues to be mostly empty, but is full to the brim in its major cities.

According to the ABS, Indians are reported to now total over half-a-million people; however, taken in the context that Australia’s total population is just over 21 million, the figure might not appear that significant. But this change has manifested within a short timeframe and indicates a new demographic trend.

The figure given for Indians could mean those born in India (which it apparently does) or it could signify those who are ethnically Indians. There are many more ethnic Indians than half-a-million, which includes persons of Indian origin coming from Indian settlements such as Fiji and Mauritius. Then there are children born to Indians in Australia.

Australia’s residents by country of birth are (in order) Australia, England, New Zealand, China, India*. India and China are the new migrants and are younger to those from England and from Italy. Australia is indeed a land of migrants as a quarter of its residents were born abroad*.

The census figures tell us that the South Asian community in NSW originated from over seventeen countries. The bulk of South Asians live in the Sydney metropolitan area.

SEVA International is engaged in a project to profile the South Asian community in NSW. The project is based on the premise that the South Asian community is characterised by “an underlying thread of social unity through shared experiences; common heritage, food, language and cultural traditions.”

The project postulates that the South Asian community is an asset for Australia because it possesses “a spectacular source of diverse

professional skills and technical capabilities with English language proficiencies and so a huge reserve pool of human resource pool for business, industry and the economy –coupled with entrepreneurial skills.”

In this writer’s experience when talking to South Asians, they frequently speak about enshrined memories of what their parents or grandparents would have said or done about matters pertaining to religion, food or marriage. Often repeated quotes include “Grandfather would have been shocked if he had heard that his grandson was going about with a white girl”, or “I have told my children that in our family we have a tradition of only marrying within our caste”, are amongst a long list of similar quotes.

Many ethnic groups in Australia besides South Asians, rather than focusing on helping their members to adapt and integrate with Australians, get more concerned with preserving the cultures they have come from. Often the cultures back home have changed. Older settlers such as the Italians find that Italy itself has culturally changed, whilst some aged Italian Australians think nostalgically about “the good old times in Italy”.

If Australians of Anglo-Saxon and Irish descent would have chosen to follow the attitudes of their parents and grandparents, we would not have had the great demographic change which we are now witnessing. Anglo-Celtic Australians have encouraged migration from Asia and have thus abandoned the discredited White Australia policy.

A widely reported finding is that the number of Hindus, coming from several countries, has doubled (the figure is 275,535*) since the last census. It is not known how those belonging to the Hare Krishna and Sai Baba movements have recorded themselves.

An astounding 4,796,787 recorded themselves as having ‘No religion’ at all, and this category has come second. They cannot be said to be ‘atheists’, but rather as not wanting to adhere to any formal religion. This does not necessarily mean that they are not spiritually inclined.

India dominates with regard to student visas, with India (35%) and China (20%)* together representing over half of the total. Nepal had 8.6% and Sri Lanka a mere 2%.

Total student visas were 33% for NSW, 35% for Victoria and 15% for Queensland*. India also dominated in the higher education category whilst in contrast, Thailand has been sending large numbers of students to Australia to learn basic English.

The clear message emerging from the statistics is that Australia’s demography is changing because Australian attitude towards Asians has radically altered.

*Source: ABS

As vital demographic information from the 2011 census emerges, it is clear that Australia needs to promote multiculturalism and assimilation

Anglo-Celtic Australians have encouraged migration from Asia and have thus abandoned the discredited White Australia policy

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On altruism

Involuntary

BY SAROJA SRINIVASAN

Atruism is the capacity to project oneself in to a situation and act in a considerate way to alleviate another’s distress. It requires one to be unselfish, caring and helpful, and think deeply about the situation at hand. Two Sanskrit terms come to mind here: daya and dana Daya refers to compassion at a high level, and dana translates as sincere giving of even something which one holds precious. The most beautiful example of the two concepts together comes from an Upanishad story in which the young boy Nachiketa suggests to his father to give him as an offering, rather than the sick and frail cattle that his father was about to. A true test for the king.

We often see acts of kindness when we go about our daily life –a young woman helping an older one climb up the stairs struggling with heavy shopping bags, or a stroller being lifted up or off a difficult place. Is often good enough? How many times have you seen such a scene and offered to help?

These days more often than not most people hold back rather than get ‘involved’. We hear of an unconnected bystander getting hurt trying to help an innocent victim in a skirmish. This then becomes the excuse for ‘not to get involved when it is not our business’. Does this fear of being hurt stop people from taking the risk, or do we make the excuse that we don’t want to get involved?

If, just for a moment, we put ourselves in the position of the person in the incident, wouldn’t we expect or at least like others to help, to get involved? Of course we would. Why then do we not reciprocate and show the same concern?

Recently I read a survey of why people do not offer help and choose to be bystanders. Interestingly, many answered that if there were others nearby they felt ‘someone else will help, and so didn’t feel the need to do so themselves’; but some responded that they would help if they were the only one there.

This reminds me of a story many of us have heard. A king in ancient India wanted to test his peoples’ sense of fairness and sincerity in anonymous alms-giving. He requested his subjects to pour half a litre of milk into a large cauldron left at the front gates of the palace at night when no-one was watching. In the morning what he found was the huge cauldron full of water – each of his subjects had thought, ‘Someone else will pour the milk, and so I don’t need to…’ So much for alms-giving without recognition!

Perhaps we do not need a serious incident to show our thoughtfulness. It is the common

everyday thoughtful acts that convey our care for fellow living beings. Modern society prides itself on the concern it shows across species. The love and care bestowed on pets and the great lengths we go to protect endangered species is really commendable. Yet, how often do we show the same sentiments towards our fellow humans? We allay our guilt by donating to charities as a gesture of goodwill. Most people seem to assume that a poor or destitute person is so by choice, hence one does need to feel obliged to show any kindness. More often than not it is the contrary – no one chooses to be poor. Perhaps in affluent countries many are homeless due to past misadventures. Certainly in developing countries it is not by choice. Factors such as economics, lack of opportunities and in many instances, circumstances of birth have dictated their lot in life. Surely none of us had a choice as to where and how and when we would be born – how then can we

hold it against those who are less privileged?

Compassion and altruism have to be cultivated from a young age. We need to teach our youngsters to be altruistic within the family to start with, to educate them about the hardships many face, and how one needs to show in our behaviour that we care and want to be of help.

On one of my trips to India

I was particularly impressed by a young extended family member who celebrated his 21st birthday by accompanying his mother to serve lunch to students in an underprivileged school in the city. How often do we perform such acts of altruism and compassion? My admiration doubled when I realised he was a student of medicine - what a fantastic vocation he had chosen. I could just see him turn down offers to ‘go overseas’ and choose instead to stay in India and work in a rural setting trying to do what he could with the health initiatives.

acts of kindness, helpfulness and compassion are the hallmarks of a truly good human being

The other Salman Khan Education for all

The Khan Academy has pioneered a whole new concept in learning through technology that could signify learning for all

With this in mind, we want to share our content with whoever may find it useful.”

BY RITAM MITRA

Skipping lectures is by far the most tempting guilty pleasure all university students have had the misfortune to enjoy at one stage. At least, it has traditionally been a guilty one. With the amount of technology that educational institutions embrace today however, the need for students and teachers to be physically together in a classroom has been greatly diminished. Salman Khan, the Bangladeshi-IndianAmerican creator of the nonprofit educational organisation Khan Academy, has translated this concept into a massive phenomenon – and it will be the future of education.

A cursory glance out the window on a rainy morning once used to lead to thoughts of the long commute to university, wet socks, broken umbrellas or delayed trains. To the majority of this generation of students, though, it is simply an opportunity to sleep in and watch the lecture online. Whether or not the student watches the lecture is another matter altogether.

The multi-million dollar concept for Khan Academy could not have had humbler beginnings. Khan, whose mother is from Kolkata and whose father is from Barisal in Bangladesh, is a graduate of MIT and Harvard Business School. He began tutoring his younger cousins in New Orleans remotely through Yahoo’s ‘Doodle’ notepad in 2004, and soon began supplementing their lessons with short YouTube clips, as a simple “refresher” to their learning experiences.

At the time, Khan was working as a hedge fund analyst. The videos gained a massive following and by 2009, having seen the rapid rise in demand and the popularity of his videos, Khan quit his position at Connective Capital Management to focus strictly on his tutorials. His vision for education is based on a simple, fundamental philosophy described typically succinctly on the Khan Academy YouTube page: “It is our mission to provide a world-class education to anyone, anywhere.

And Khan Academy is indeed reaching the world. With videos dubbed in 16 languages and subtitled in many more, Khan’s ideas have transformed his organisation into more than just a depository of tutorials.

A quick visit to the Khan Academy website and two things struck me immediately – there are no advertisements and the database is ridiculously large! There are no advertisements because Khan started turning down advertising revenue in 2010, even though the project was earning $2000/month simply through its own website – which would be a far greater figure now that YouTube videos can be monetised. Khan’s videos are not, but he has received large grants from Google, Bill Gates (who calls Khan his favourite teacher) and the O’Sullivan Foundation, among a huge number of other good-wishers.

It took me less than fifteen seconds to sign in with my Facebook account (it also offers users the option to log in with their Google accounts, or create their own Khan Academy account), and within a minute I was revisiting the fundamental skills of addition, subtraction and telling time, in the website’s ‘Practice’ function – a mindmap of mathematics topics and problems, from which I can select and complete exercises at will.

Even now as an adult, I was still excited and nervous as my streak of ‘correct problems’ grew, and when I stumbled across longforgotten mathematics problems which I had absolutely no hope of ever completing again, I simply clicked the ‘Show Hint’ button, and for anything from complex numbers to vectors, I was given a step-by-step solution to each problem.

The website features a staggering 3200 videos. Lessons are wide-ranging, and cover any number of subjects. The most recently uploaded video is titled, “Why Europe is worried about Greece”, and features Khan (albeit, like every other video, just his voice and his tablet-drawings) speaking in layman’s terms about the Eurozone debt crisis.

A quick look down the page reveals other surprises. After I scrolled past the 500+ algebra

videos, I saw a collection of hundreds of videos on Art History, ranging from Ancient to Baroque to Post-Colonial. A click on any of them takes me to a virtual analysis and history of an unimaginably large number of paintings and sculptures. Going further down, I even happened upon some tutorials on investment valuation and venture capital, a pleasant surprise in the context of my upcoming finance exams.

Although the organisation relies entirely on donations, the site features only a very subtle, nondescript, small-font ‘Donate’ button in the top right hand corner. The big, bold buttons that most sites would use to encourage donations instead say, ‘Watch a Video’ and ‘Take a Challenge’.

Khan hopes that schools all over the world will embrace the site, in what he sees as a path to a virtual reversal in learning –students will learn the syllabus at home and go to school to resolve any problems they are facing with it. Teachers will have access to a wide range of statistics outlining which students are having difficulties with exactly which types of problems – if a student

has made 9 attempts at factorising a particular expression, the teacher will know exactly which one it was, and at which step they were asking for hints.

Khan’s tutorials have been a huge success largely because of their simplicity. Khan never appears in the videos themselves, and mainly uses fluorescent coloured ‘pens’ on a black background. Although he is certainly a technological pioneer, it is the complete absence of ‘hightech’ in his tutorials that makes them so appealing. It is, simply, pure education.

Skipping lectures has been common practice for a long time now, but it’s only the current generation that has had the luxury of recorded lectures and supplementary materials to catch up to the pack. Now, Khan Academy has once again revolutionised the way education is perceived. The benefits to remote and disadvantaged communities are already immense. On an even larger global train of thought, though – what a wonderful thing it would be if every single person had the opportunity of an education.

Teachers will have access to a wide range of statistics outlining which students are having difficulties with exactly which types of problems – if a student has made 9 attempts at factorising a particular expression, the teacher will know exactly which one it was, and at which step they were asking for hints.

With videos dubbed in 16 languages and subtitled in many more, Khan’s ideas have transformed his organisation into more than just a depository of tutorials.

United in fasting

With the approach of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world are gearing up for fasting. This requires abstaining from food, drink and many worldly pleasures from dawn to dusk. Fasting not only cleanses the body of accumulated toxins, but also provides spiritual nourishment. It encourages us to feel compassion for those less fortunate.

Fasting has been practised for centuries by adherents of most religions. Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Taoists, Jains, Confucians, Buddhists and followers of many other religions observe fasts.

It was practised in ancient times as a means of atonement, to avert disasters, induce fertility and as penance for sins. There is evidence that Native Americans and Incas observed penitential fasts to appease their gods, while the Assyrians and Babylonians practised it as penance for sins.

Fasting is done at different times and for varying reasons in different religions; but there is no denying that the one who fasts always comes out feeling cleansed and oozing with positive energy. Here’s a look at how different people fast.

Baha’i

The Baha’i fast takes place during Ala, the 19th month of the Baha’i calendar from March 2-20, when adherents abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. The

aim is to focus on the love of God and spiritual matters.

Buddhism

Practised usually on full moon days and other holidays, the Buddhist fast recommends abstaining from solid food with some liquids permitted. Fasting is considered a means of purification and freeing of the mind. Some Tibetan monks fast to aid yogic feats and generate inner heat.

Christianity

Catholics fast and abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Two small meals and one regular meal are allowed on these fast days, and meat is forbidden. They also abstain from meat on all Fridays in Lent. For Eastern Orthodox there are several fasting periods including Lent, Apostles’ Fast, Dormition

Fast and the Nativity Fast, in addition to several one-day fasts. Wednesdays and Fridays are also considered fasting days, except those in the fast free weeks.

Meat, eggs and dairy products are prohibited. Fish is allowed in some fasts. Fasting in Christianity is practised as a means to resist gluttony, teach control of fleshly desires, and nourish and prepare the soul by practising austerity. Fasting is not a major part of Protestant faith, but it is observed at the discretion of individual churches where the observer abstains from food or drink, or drinks only water or juice, skips

certain meals or abstains from temptation.

Hinduism

Hindus commonly fast on New Moon days and during festivals such as Saraswati Puja, Shivaratri and Durga Puja. Karva Chauth fast is observed by women of northern India. How the fast is observed depends on the individual. Some may abstain from food and drink completely for 24 hours, but elimination of solid food with an occasional drink of milk or water is more common. Fasting is considered a means to enhance concentration in meditation and prayer, to purify the body and soul, and is sometimes performed as a sacrifice.

Islam

The ninth month of the Muslim calendar which is Ramadan, is a mandatory fasting period. It commemorates the period when the Quran was revealed to the Prophet. Other fasting days are observed by Muslims throughout the year, in addition to Ramadan. During the fast observers abstain from food, drink, profane language and some other bodily pleasures from dawn to dusk. Fasting is considered as a means to cleanse the body and soul, and in seeking closeness to God.

Jainism

Fasting is common in Jainism. Though the followers may fast at

any time, most Jains will fast at festivals and holy days. Fasting is practiced more often by women than by men. There are several type of fasting including complete fasting (giving up food and water completely for a period), partial fasting (eating less than you need), Vruti Sanshepa (limiting the number of food items eaten) and Rasa Parityaga (giving up favourite foods). Jains fast as penance and to purify the body and mind.

Judaism

Apart from Yom Kippur which is the Day of Atonement fast, the Jews observe six other fasting days including Tisha B’Av, the day the destruction of the Jewish Temple took place. Eating and drinking is forbidden for a 25-hour period from sundown to sundown on Yom Kippur and Tisha B’Av, while abstinence from food and

drink on other fasting days is from sunrise to sundown. Jews observe fasts as atonement for sins and as means to make special requests to God.

Mormon

The first Sunday of each month is a fasting day for Mormons though many observe additional fasts during the year by abstaining from food and drink for two consecutive meals and giving charity to the needy. The aim is to gain closeness to God.

Pagan

Pagans fast in preparation for Ostara (the Spring Equinox), but there are no organised fasting days. Some fast by abstaining from food altogether, while others limit the amount they eat. Fasting is observed by Pagans to raise vibration levels in preparation for magical works.

All major religions practice abstinence for myriad reasons, from cleansing to sacrifice to spirituality, notes FARZANA SHAKIR

A hot date

Rotorua is a touristy town steaming with culture and geothermal features

The moment we enter the quiet and scenic townscape, the smell of sulphur fills the air, with sounds of intense hissing and bubbling, and the sight of rising steam – all of which challenge our olfactory, auditory and visual senses. “Kia Ora!” (Welcome!), says a young indigenous girl. The place looks like nowhere else, but we know its Rotorua, the planet’s geothermal wonderland and heartland of the Maoris, the first settlers of New Zealand.

Edged on the shores of a lake of the same name, Rotorua is one of New Zealand’s most tourist-haunted hideouts. Home to a population of 70,000, it is a relatively small quarter, picturesquely dotted with cobbled streets, historic buildings, manicured gardens and parks. It also shares space with myriad hotels, restaurants, cafes and nightclubs, endorsing the region’s contemporary lifestyle.

Just over third of the town’s population are of the Te Arawa clan of Maoris. Their ancestors circa 700 years ago canoed from Polynesia and laid claim to the land. Today their lifestyle, art and culture are a major drawcard of the destination, which is packed with heaps of other attractions - adventurous, thrilling and funfilled, to engage holiday makers of all kinds from culture-vultures, nature aficionados, adrenaline rushers, to families with kids.

Geothermal wonderland

However, experiencing the world’s most incredible earth forces is something that ranks at the top of everyone’s itinerary. Geography fans know that New Zealand and particularly Rotorua, is dotted on the Pacific Ring of Fire, stretched along which are some of the world’s most vivacious volcanoes, turbulent forces which release huge amounts of energy from inner-earth into the surface.

Geothermal activities can be seen in the form of skyrocketing geysers, hot springs and continually bubbling and plopping mud pools that looks like brown soup boiling in a large pot. Lazy drifts of steam escape from cracks and crevices in thermal parks, among well-laid gardens and even via gratings in residential streets throughout the city. About 1200 of them feature in and around Roturua, making the sanctuary the world’s geothermal Mecca.

Most of the Rotorua thermal features are sectionalised in five main areas. Whakarewarewa is the biggest, Hells Gate claims to be the sternest, Waiotapu seem to be the most colourful, Waimangu is the youngest, while Orakei Korako, as proclaimed by Lonely Planet, is the finest in the world. It is thrilling to meander through them and wonder at the amazing sights of steaming cliff faces, crater lakes of boiling water, hot waterfalls and rich mineral deposits which tint the landscape to a multicoloured palette of white, pink yellow, orange, red and green in a setting of lush bushland.

As it is not possible to see all of them during a short stay, we target Waimangu and Hells Gate volcanic parks for a ‘hot date’ with nature’s epic. Waimangu

valley, created in 1886 by the Mt Tarawera volcanic burst, boasts to be the only hydrothermal system in the world wholly formed within written historic times. Surrounded by emitting steam from numerous outlets, the two most fascinating features of the valley are the 38,000 square metre Frying Pan Lake said to be the world’s largest of its kind, and the pale blue steaming water and delicate silica clay terracing of the Inferno Crater.

Before the eruption this domain housed the spectacular pink and white silica terraces, which were venerated as the eighth wonder of the world. We spotted photographs in the Rotorua Museum and later, standing in front of the wiped-out site we realised that nature, while giving something, also takes away much.

Hells Gate is another reserve where the raw powers of the earth’s volcanic forces can be

with nature

experienced most intimately. Named by writer George Bernard Shaw after looking at the 50 acre hell-like landscape of rumbling and steaming features, this sanctuary is often is referred to as the Beast of Geothermal Parks. Its pools of boiling mud and gushing fumaroles are violent enough to be unnerving, though the special mud and sulphurous waters have been used for ages, for traditional healing and revitalisation.

Rejuvenating soaks

“Cripples throw away their crutches and the gouty man regains his health,” proclaimed a 1903 New Zealand government report when referring to Rotorua’s abundance of hot and mineral rich water, which has made it the ‘Sauna and Spa’ capital of the world.

As expected, the townscape is sprinkled with spa resorts like Polynesia Spa, Waiora Resort and Waikite Valley, to name a few

where hot calcite-laden natural mineral water and a multitude of spa therapies almost guarantee relaxation of the body and soul. Many hotels have utilised the sprouting steam and water to build in-house sauna and spa facilities for their guests as well.

The early Europeans used the heated pools to build luxury bathhouses, like the Romans did in their part of the world. The 20th century Tudor style building which houses the Rotorua

SANDIP HOR

nature

Whakarewarewa is the biggest thermal feature, Hells Gate claims to be the sternest, Waiotapu seem to be the most colourful, Waimangu is the youngest, while Orakei Korako, as proclaimed by Lonely Planet, is the finest in the world.

Museum today was originally opened as bathhouse in 1908, but ceased operations in 1969, making way for the display of art and history. However next to it, the 1930s built Blue Bath still exists and its Hollywood-inspired, two geothermal heated swimming pools invite locals and visitors for rejuvenating dips.

Maori culture

Geothermal assets were a key attraction for Maoris to settle in

Rotorua. Many of them still use the thermal water for bathing, cooking, healing and heating. Their past and present lifestyle, century old beliefs, traditions and practices are well recorded in the Rotorua Museum where an ensemble of multimedia exhibitions unfold amazing accounts of a human race. The museum is located in front of the well laid out Government Garden, the beauty of which justifies a stroll in its own right.

However, the best place for a direct encounter with traditional Maori life is Te Puia, the nation’s premier cultural centre where their artistic skills and talents are brought alive by amazing crafting, carving and weaving demonstrations, and sensational music and dance performances. However what stands out is the storytelling by friendly guides, deeply engaging to feel you are one of them. Located inside the

Whakarewarewa reserve, Te Puia is crowded by gushing waters, steaming vents, boiling mud pools and spectacular geysers, most famous being the Pohotu geyser that erupts almost every hour, spectacularly hurling water up to 30m in the air. It’s a grand spectacle to watch at night, when the precinct is brightly illuminated.

Clockwise:

Geothermal wonderland

Maori dancers

Alike hell

Rotorua Museum

Dancing Maori Government Gardens

A fuming crater

Travel noTebook R OTOR uA

getting there

Air New Zealand (www.airnewzealand.com.au) has direct flights from Sydney to Rotorua twice a week; or Qantas (www.qantas.com.au) and Air New Zealand have flights from major Australian cities to Auckland from where Rotorua is 3 hours by road.

stay

There is no shortage of accommodation to suit one’s budget; however the 250 room Sudima Hotel (www.sudimarotorua.co.nz) overlooking Lake Rotorua is good choice because of its scenic setting and closeness most of the attractions.

food

Every type of cuisine that you may fancy is available, however if mouthwatering Indian is your preference, drop in at Indian Star (www.indianstar.co.nz) or Tandoori Place (www.tandooripalace.co.nz ) for delicious meals.

M ore infor Mation

Rotorua Tourism (www.rotoruanz.com)

King Roger returns spo

ranked No. 1 tennis player in the world

Federer’s fans belief once more. Showing no signs of the struggles he had against Malisse, Federer brushed aside the 26th seed in straight sets, prompting the Russian to helplessly ask a certain Andre Agassi, who was sitting in the royal box, for some muchneeded advice.

Federer’s semi-final against Djokovic was billed as a final – it was said that the winner of this would not be at all concerned about the progress in the other half of the draw, where Nadal’s early exit opened up the tournament for several players. His Spanish compatriot, David Ferrer, caused Andy Murray massive problems in their quarter-final match, while Tsonga fought to the end in his second consecutive Wimbledon semifinal appearance against the home favourite.

After falling to the ground with teary eyes, the familiar Wimbledon champion then watched Murray break down in tears, before giving a heartbreaking speech to the crowd.

The whispers had been going around for some time, and in the last year or so they had grown ever louder. “Roger Federer’s time is up,” they said. “No more Grand Slams left in him,” they predicted. Slowly but surely the wider tennis community was coming to terms with what were certainly the twilight years of the most talented man to ever lay hand on a racquet, and one of the greatest athletes of all time.

In a devastating display of aggression and finesse, the 30-year old Swiss genius proved why he is still the most dangerous player in the game, beating Scottish world number 4 Andy Murray in four tightly-fought sets at the All England Lawn Tennis Club earlier this month.

It is unfair to label Federer’s critics as having been completely out of line in their comments on Federer. For it is true, that by his own impeccable standards, Federer’s performances have been underwhelming in the last two years. First, his consecutive Grand Slam semi-final streak of 23, which by Federer’s own admission is his fondest record, was broken by Swede heavy-hitter, Robin Soderling, at the French Open in 2010. During this almost six-year long period, Federer only lost to four different players – Juan Martin Del Potro, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Marat Safin.

Each of them went on to win the tournament.

The last two years have been marred by Federer’s inability to close out matches. Usually a fearsome frontrunner, Federer twice lost semi-finals against Djokovic at the US Open after having held match points on each occasion, and twice lost quarterfinals at Wimbledon, with the 2011 edition featuring his first ever loss after leading 2 sets to 0, against Jo-Wilfred Tsonga. His uncertainty in the big moments, coupled with the end of his formidable streak of consecutive semi-final appearances at 23 (the next highest being 10 shared by Rod Laver and Ivan Lendl), seemed to spell the end for the Swiss maestro.

But facts are facts, and there is nothing to be gained from twisting them one way or the other. Federer was, in 2010 and 2011, a point away from reaching two more US Open finals – and his career record is 5-1 in US Open finals. He also built a record streak of 33 consecutive Grand Slam quarter-finals, the next highest being 27 set by Jimmy Connors.

If it was any one else’s standards to which Federer was being held, there would be no question of either his ability or his desire. It is useful to note that, even in this difficult period, Federer twice won the ATP World Tour Finals, which included a win

against Nadal in the 2010 final, as well as sweet revenge against his Wimbledon conqueror, Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, in the 2011 edition.

Wimbledon 2012 was always going to be one of Federer’s best chances to re-join the winning circuit. Having been beaten by Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the first two majors of this year, nothing would have been more appealing for Federer than to return to his favourite surface, having won more titles than anyone else on tour this year.

Federer started the tournament in supremely royal fashion, delighting Prince Charles and Camilla Bowles, Duchess of Cornwall along the way, as he made quick progress through what was a relatively easy draw. The shockwaves that rippled across Wimbledon, however, when Rafael Nadal was sensationally knocked out in the 2nd round, seemed set to claim another victim; on five separate occasions, Federer found himself two points away from losing to Frenchman Julien Benneteau in the 3rd round, which would have been Federer’s worst performance in a major since 2004. Federer rallied from a twoset deficit to claim the match, and then overcame serious back problems against Belgian Xavier Malisse in the 4th round, to set up a potentially tricky quarter-final with Mikhail Youzhny. It was a breathless display against Youzhny that gave

As it so happened, Federer brushed aside Djokovic in a slightly anti-climactic manner, playing ruthless tennis without needing as much as an ounce of the genius that he displayed against Youzhny. Djokovic may have been well below par, but Federer’s serve was phenomenal, as were his 31 winners against just 10 unforced errors.

Due to Nadal’s early exit and Djokovic failing to defend his title, a win for Federer in the final against Murray would mean much more than just a record-equalling 7th Wimbledon title. Federer would once more return to the top of men’s tennis, equalling Sampras’ record of 286 weeks at the number 1 position.

Meanwhile, Britain was searching for its first Wimbledon champion since Fred Perry in 1936, and Murray, having failed to win a set in each of his three previous final appearances, was already the first British finalist since Bunny Austin in 1938. Hopes were high, but there was no hiding the fact that two of those finals drubbings came at the hands of the very same opponent he would face on a rain-affected encounter on Centre Court.

Although Murray managed to record his set in a major final, taking the first set 6-4 through some brilliant baseline rallies, Federer was never far away. The 30-year-old father of twins took out the second set, and after a delay while the roof was closed for the first time at a Wimbledon men’s final, Federer unleashed a barrage of audacious and pinpoint strokes. For once, Federer was not the crowd favourite, but the

crowd could only appreciate some of the shots he played. Murray played a great match, and there is no doubting that he would have beaten any other finalist on the day – but Roger Federer in this kind of form is an altogether different proposition.

After falling to the ground with teary eyes, the familiar Wimbledon champion then watched Murray break down in tears, before giving a heartbreaking speech to the crowd. His voice constantly wavered as the emotions of a manic two weeks for the 25-yearold came to a climax. Federer assured him that there would definitely be a Grand Slam trophy in his cabinet one day, and later revised it to “a few”.

Murray will have won millions of fans with his performance in his first Wimbledon final. Although he has now become only the second player to lose his first four major finals, it is a funny twist of fate that Ivan Lendl, his coach, was the other player. For Murray, it is only a matter of time before he breaks through - Lendl sits on 8 Grand Slam wins.

Federer, meanwhile, can take a well-earned, albeit short break before the Olympics. For two years now every match of his, let alone every Grand Slam venture, has been a chance for critics to proclaim ‘Fifteen reasons why Federer should retire’.

By all means, Federer can happily retire in 2012. But the reasons are now vastly a lot different to what they were before Wimbledon. The King is back on his throne – and he might well stay on top as long as he wants to.

Despite the naysayers, Roger Federer has proven just why he’s

Making a statement

MANAN LUTHRA wears his heart out on his t-shirt

Ilove my Justin Bieber t-shirt. Yes, that’s right – my Justin Bieber t-shirt. When I wear it, my sister warns me to be wary of girls, because she thinks they might attack me.

You see, the t-shirt speaks of my dislike for the guy.

Please don’t get me wrong.

Justin Bieber has many fans (mostly girls), and an equal number of non-fans (mostly boys). I am a proud non-fan.

I picked up my Justin t-shirt (see picture) in California. When I wore it to the Universal Studios in LA, a security guard pulled me aside. A big, beefy dude, he was offended that my simple t-shirt classified the (non)-singer as a terrorist. I had been warned by my sister that girls would throw things at me, but I never thought my new favourite t-shirt would get me pulled over by a guard!

Apart from that one incident, everyone seems to like my t-shirt. Even passers-by smile to themselves as they walk past me. Friends greet me warmly and say they like my t-shirt. It is a great conversation starter.

I love statement t-shirts. They advertise my thoughts and opinions. They ‘speak’ for me.

My first encounter with statement t-shirts was a Homer Simpson t-shirt which I bought in Rome. We were in a touristy shop which was filled with stuff made by the Italian master painters. My

dad picked up a t-shirt of Leonardo da Vinci’s painting Proportions of Man (which I recognised from the movie The Da Vinci Code). Next to it, I saw kids’ t-shirts with the same theme, except the naked man was replaced by Homer Simpson: in his hands he held the classic Homerian favourites, a beer, a TV remote, a hot dog and cookies. I made my parents buy it for me.

It brought smiles everywhere I wore it. Once, in a restaurant, the waitress laughed so hard, she asked if she could take me inside to show the kitchen staff. I felt like a star.

It was my favourite t-shirt for a long time. Another time, my friend’s mum asked if I ever washed it, because I always wore it to their house.

I still have my Homer masterpiece. Maybe I will frame it and put it up on my wall, next to my giant poster of all Simpsons characters.

My sister has some cool statement t-shirts too (though please don’t tell her I said that). Her favourite one says Nerds are hot. Besides being a nerd, she is also a Glee fan, so she wears a t-shirt with the Glee logo and the words I’m a Gleek She showed me one the other day, which actually said, I HATE

statement t-shirts! She thinks she is so funny.

But, back to me. My third favourite t-shirt has a design based on another of my passions, Angry Birds. It says simply, Piggies, why you no die? It offends the elders I meet, but kids my age usually love it. Hey, if someone doesn’t like my t-shirts, I will just turn up next time with my “If I’ve offended anyone” t-shirt. It says, If I’ve offended anyone, my efforts have been rewarded. Ha!

SeeKInG GROOMS

Well settled Sikh family in australia seeks good natured, educated, professional match from a cultured family for their good looking, slim, fair daughter. Completed medicine (M.B.B.s), currently doing internship. Please contact singh195950@yahoo.com

Seeking suitable Hindu/Jain match for our daughter, 5’1”, 22 years. Born and brought up in sydney with indian family values. degree in it. Working as a software Consultant in sydney. Caste no bar. Contact father in australia on email: rlagrawal55@gmail.com

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@hotmail.com.au or call 0404 043 904.

Seeking suitable match (from australia, never married) for hindu girl, 35 years, Chartered accountant (non-veg), living in australia over 25 years, with eastern and western family values. Please email with all details on ganesh2011v@gmail.com

Well-educated Jat Sikh family seeks professionally qualified well-settled match for their australian citizen daughter, aug ‘78 born, 5’ 4”, well-cultured, family oriented and highly educated with 2 Master degrees (it & is). Working as an administration Manager in a leading MnC sydney. Please email particulars with picture to smatrimony2011@gmail.com

SeeKInG BRIDeS

Seeking graduate Hindu girl for well established 5’10”, very fair 21/11/1968 born australian citizen. never married.

Be(electrical) self employed. Vegetarian nonsmoker teetotaller. Please email profile with photo to anandrao68@gmail.com

Decent Mangalorean /Goan gentleman 47 years, seeks marriage alliance from sincere attractive south indian /sri Lankan/ Pakistani/Bangladeshi bride aged 30 – 52. Caste/religion barrier open. Please contact advertiser by writing or phone 5/47 first ave seven hills 2147. Ph 02 9676-2512 Mob 0458 153 193. Proper address / phone contact and photograph requested.

Seeking suitable match for clean-shaven Jat sikh gill boy, 29 years, 5’9”. Msc. Bed (india). diploma in hospitality (australia). applied Pr in 2009. Belonging to a noble and respected family with moral values. sister married and settled in sydney. email australiagill@yahoo. com, mobile 0470 574 071, 0423 238 228.

Matrimonial alliance is required for my nephew, 31 years, 5’10”, fair complexion, engineering graduate, working in real estate, from respectable hindu Punjabi family. no dowry please. simple girl, decent education with any job in sydney or a professional from india. Contact 02 9613-3057; 0423 084 030.

Compatible match for 1975 born, handsome, clean-shaven sikh Khatri boy, 5’9”, two post grad degrees from india and recently finished Masters in it from australia. applied for temporary resident visa (currently with full work rights) and working as Vehicle service agent for hertz multinational car rental company, earning $4000 per month. girl should be tall, well-educated with pleasing personality, and must be form sikh background. early marriage; serious proposals only please. Phone 0422 102 242 or email jas_ghai01@gmail.com

m AT Rimoni AL s

Luscious lips

Some simple solutions could remedy the problem of dried and chapped lips, writes FARZAnA SHAKIR

Whilst a good part of the world is soaking up summer heat, in the southern hemisphere we are bundling up in jumpers and pulling those overcoats a little bit tighter around us to brace against the winter chill. The season for shorter days, winter warmers, hot soups and long nights in electric blankets is well and truly upon us, as are various problems that accompany it. Topping the list are colds, flus, allergies, frizzy and unmanageable hair, perpetually dehydrated skin, and lips that are cracked, chapped and sport a painful, unsightly red halo. Now most of these problems have a quick fix in over-the-counter medicines, cosmetics and products that can give an instant relief, but not for your lips. That’s why you have got to do your homework, remain consistent and follow a right regime to keep that pout in pouting form.

Cracking under pressure

Apart from cold wind that dries out the lips, there are a host of other reasons which can contribute to dry, chapped and ailing lips. Unlike the rest of the skin, lips are devoid of sebaceous glands which produce sebum. In the absence of this natural oil, lips are much more susceptible to drying out than any other part of the body. Some of the most common causes could be loss of moisture and dehydration, a deficiency of vitamins like A, B and E, lack of iron or essential fatty acids, smoking, allergy to some cosmetics, lipsticks or other chemicals, loss of natural oils due to sun exposure, climatic change and the habit of excessive lip licking. Cracked, split lips if left

unattended, could progress to a more painful stage where peeling and bleeding may occur, causing infection to develop in the cracks.

Road to recovery

There are however, some simple measures that can be put into place to avoid problems arising from dryness of the lips. Remember to always apply sunscreen on your lips before stepping out. Avoid licking, biting or picking on dry skin on the lips. Gently buff the lips occasionally, using a soft toothbrush to get rid of dead skin. Eat lots of carrots, tomatoes and green leafy vegetables rich in vitamins, and always apply a balm or conditioner before going to bed. Some very effective remedies and lip conditioners can be made using ingredients in your pantry. Here’s what you can do to keep a glossy smile on your dial this winter.

Drink plenty of water

It is essential to hydrate your body from inside during winter. Dehydration is the major cause of lip dryness, so to keep them looking fresh and moisturized, it is important to drink plenty of water during cold weather. You can also combat winter dryness by using a humidifier indoors.

Honey

Honey is one of nature’s miracle products brimming with healing properties. Apply undiluted honey on chapped lips to moisturize and heal instantly. A good conditioner can be made by mixing together honey and Vaseline into a paste. Rub this on the lips and leave it on for ten minutes before removing with a ball of cotton dipped in warm water. Honey is also antibacterial, so applying it on cracked and bleeding lips stops them from becoming infected.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is highly effective in treating chapped lips. Dab a small amount of oil on the lips several times a day and massage using a circular motion, with your index finger.

Rose water and glycerine

To regain lost moisture and bring out a rosy tint to your mouth, try a rose water and glycerine conditioner. Add a few drop of glycerine to rose water or better still, use some crushed rose petals. Apply this concoction to the lips every night before going to bed.

Castor oil

For glossy, smooth and pink lips, massage them with castor oil. Blend one teaspoon each of castor oil, glycerine and lemon juice together to make an excellent lip balm. Apply at night and wipe off in the morning with a cotton ball dipped in warm water.

Thickened cream

One of my personal favourites is the humble thickened cream. Dab a few drops on the lips and work it in to make your lips soft and healthy.

Aloe vera

The amazing healing agents

Lips are devoid of sebaceous glands which produce sebum. In the absence of this natural oil, lips are much more susceptible to drying out than any other part of the body.

in aloe vera make it ideal as a soothing lip balm. Apply a small amount of gel directly to the lips to heal chapped and rough lips.

Cucumber

Cut a slice of cucumber and glide it across the lips to relieve the discomfort of chapped lips and aid the healing process.

Shea butter

Shea butter is a very effective moisturizer for lips as it contains so many fatty acids that are needed to retain moisture and elasticity in the skin. Use pure, unrefined shea butter for best results.

Quick fix snacks

Some easy ways to make use of all those leftovers sitting in your fridge

¼ tsp turmeric powder

½ tsp mustard seeds

½ tsp cumin seeds

SOWPeRNICA

All of us know the feeling of looking in the fridge and seeing containers filled with leftovers from meals gone past. Extra dal, rice, dosa or idli batter – which we would hate to throw away. So what do we do with this rich array of leftovers? We conjure up a whole lot of interesting snacks that would delight the family, especially on these cold winter evenings when something nice and hot is sure to warm them up. Here are some easy to make snacks, including a sweet that can be prepared in a jiffy and with the minimum of effort. So get rid of those leftovers by transforming them into yummy snacks that are sure to impress your family.

Masala Idli

A quick fix snack made with leftover idlis (rice cakes)

6 leftover rice idlis

1 onion

Cut each idli into small cubes.

Heat oil in a non-stick kadhai, add mustard and cumin seeds, allow them to splutter. Add curry leaves, onions, salt and turmeric powder. Sauté for 3 minutes.

Coarsely grind the peanuts. Add cut idli cubes, chutney powder, coarsely ground peanuts and mix well. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.

Krispy Mini Rice Balls

The best way to utilise leftover rice and idli batter

3 cups leftover idli batter

1½ cups leftover cooked rice

½ tsp salt (idli batter usually contains salt)

1 small sized onion (finely chopped)

1 tsp pepper (coarsely ground)

1 green chilli (finely chopped) Oil for deep frying

Grind the idli batter and rice together in a food processor. Add finely chopped onions, crushed pepper, finely chopped green chillies and salt to this mixture, ensuring that the contents are all well mixed. Heat oil in a deep pan. Drop small portions of the mix into the hot oil and fry till golden brown. Makes a great evening snack on cold days.

Below: Masala idli

Instant Dahi Vada

A healthy snack which can be prepared instantly

2 sandwich bread slices (makes 2 vadas)

1 tbsp store-bought boondi

1 tsp coriander leaves (finely chopped)

1 cup thick yogurt

½ tsp salt

1 green chilli

Pinch of boondi masala powder

Add salt to the yogurt and mix well. Cut the edges off the bread slices. Dip each cut slice of bread in a bowl of water for a second. Remove immediately and squeeze between your hands, gently moulding to make a ball. Press down the ball to flatten slightly. Follow the same procedure for the second slice. Place both bread balls in a plate. Grind the green chilli and add it to the yogurt. Pour this mix over the bread balls, garnish with coriander leaves, boondi and a pinch of boondi masala powder.

3-minute Mysore Pak

Sweet and delicious to tickle your tastebuds

½ cup besan (chickpea flour)

1 cup powdered sugar

½ cup ghee

2 tsp milk

Melt ghee in the microwave for one minute on high. Mix all the ingredients with the melted ghee. Microwave the mixture for two to three minutes, stopping halfway through cooking to mix well. Once bubbles form on the mixture,

remove and mix again thoroughly, and pour over a greased plate. Let the mix stand for 5-10 minutes to cool, then cut into smaller pieces. Serve after the mix has completely cooled. Note: take care to not overcook the mixture.

Instant dahi vada

3-minute mysore pak

Krispy mini rice balls

the Buzz

Champ with heart of gold

Bollywood farewelled dara singh, the ‘iron Man’ of its cinema with due respect and reverence for his invaluable contribution to the industry. dara singh passed away in Mumbai on July 12, after a brief illness. for his countless fans across the country, he has been forever immortalised as a ‘champ’ and a ‘hero’. at his ‘grand old age’ of 84, dara singh “used to stride down Juhu beach, body erect, smile on his face, at a pace faster than 20-year-olds,” recalled filmmaker shekhar Kapur.

dara singh is survived by his wife and six children - three sons and three daughters. one of his sons, Vindu dara singh, is a known name in showbiz. “angel now gone to shine like a star up above,” said a tearful Vindu, speaking of his late father, who was known as Bollywood’s first macho man.

Celebrities including Manoj Kumar, abhishek Bachchan, tabu, rajpal yadav and anu Malik visited dara singh’s residence to pay condolences to the family.

Freida’s tryst with Trishna

Actress Freida Pinto’s star continues to ascend, and seems to shine even more brightly with her new film Trishna. This month she was in n ew York, for the red carpet premiere of the film at the IFC Centre in Manhattan.

She describes it as a “beautiful yet tragic” tale of a village girl torn between her traditional upbringing and the dreams of a girl from modern India. Based on Thomas Hardy’s classic Tess of the d’Urbervilles, British filmmaker Michael Winterbottom’s newest film is set in rural Rajasthan. It has Pinto playing the title role of Trishna, an auto-rickshaw driver’s daughter who falls for a rich boy.

“Trishna goes from being really innocent to being in a situation of almost desperation and finally to redemption. It’s quite an intense journey for one girl to go through”.

Freida felt Trishna was a tough role to play “because it’s so different from what I am in real life,” yet she claimed she would love to do something like this again.”

To prepare for her role, Freida spent some time in Rajasthan’s Osian village in a family setting and interviewed a number of girls who worked at hotels and one who worked as ground staff in an airline.

“It was very interesting that all the stories were different from the other, but the bottom line came down to ‘whatever dad thinks is probably right and we’ll just follow that or whatever our future husband thinks is right is going to be our life from then on,’” she said.

“And that for me was the startling reality that I had to just come to terms with to understand my character better,” said Freida.

n aturally, she considers Danny Boyle with whom she made her debut in Slumdog Millionaire, and Winterbottom as “absolutely amazing filmmakers,” with definitely different working styles.

For one thing they are “very completely different films”, explained Freida. “Slumdog is a love story that has a beautiful message of hope at the end of it. And the other one is a tragic love story which can be very sad.”

Freida is also full of praise for her co-star Anurag Kashyap, who has made a mark for himself in Indian cinema as a brilliant director, and is a “really good” actor too. She hopes some day she’ll get a chance to work with Kashyap “because he is such an eclectic filmmaker, who is not afraid to take challenges upon himself, and is so brave”.

Asked if she feared being typed as an ‘exotic Indian beauty’ by Hollywood, Freida said, “I am not afraid of that any more because I have made sure people don’t look at me like that.”

And what about working with Bollywood?

“Well, when people use the term ‘Bollywood’, I hope they are including Anurag Kashyap, Dibakar Banerjee and all these wonderful filmmakers as well, because definitely, I would love to work with them,” said Freida adding, “Why not?”

Although she lives in Los Angeles these days for convenience’s sake, Mumbai will always be number one for Freida because “it has made me the person I am today - very outspoken. There is no comparison. Mumbai is Mumbai!”

Spoken like a true Mumbaikar…

“dara was a gem of a man, earthy and robust, with a heart of gold. i pray for his soul and for the family to bear the loss with fortitude,” tweeted dilip Kumar. amitabh remembered dara singh as “one of the finest humans” and anupam Kher said he was “ the strongest and the humblest. a hero all the way.”

in his over five-decade long acting journey, dara singh featured in over 140 films, among the most memorable were Anand and Mera Naam Joker the pehelwan, who had won the title of ‘Rustam-e-Hind’ for his wrestling prowess, appeared in t V serials too.

Best known for his portrayal of hanuman in ramanand sagar’s Ramayan and in Br Chopra’s Mahabharat, for fans across the country dara singh was the face of Lord hanuman.

an overwhelming number of people attended his funeral, eager for a final glimpse of their hero. dara singh’s last journey was a celebration of the great and genuine man that he was - his body was taken to the funeral spot in a mini truck decked up with colourful flowers. actors like raza Murad, rishi Kapoor, fardeen Khan and dolly Bindra attended his last rites.

top national leaders, including Vice President hamid ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan singh expressed deep grief over the death of the former rajya sabha member.

several Bollywood stars, including veteran actors amitabh Bachchan and dilip Kumar, took to micro-blogging site twitter to pay tribute to the actor, who first tasted success as a wrestling hero before moving into showbiz.

“ the warmth in his eyes when he smiled as hanumanji connected me to him the very first time as someone good hearted,” tweeted divya dutta. he was last seen in the 2007 release Jab We Met, in the role of an affable grandfather - an image that will perhaps stay as a happy memory in the hearts of fans, who adored this man of steel. indian cinema will miss this strong stalwart with a heart of gold. rest in peace, dara singh!

Different strokes for Jayasuriya

sanath Jayasuriya can wield a mean bat, but when it comes to shaking is booty in front of dhak dhak queen Madhuri dixit, he can be forgiven for getting cold feet. the sri Lankan master blaster was recently eliminated from reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5, but the experience has left him thrilled. Jayasuriya has gone back with happy memories, but says he was especially overwhelmed with the great actress’ warmth and the whole experience, which was “amazing” though “tough”. “ the show is completely different from what i do in life but i enjoyed it thoroughly. the contestants are talented and hard working. the three wonderful judges (Madhuri, Karan Johar and remo d’souza) were really warm towards me, especially Madhuri”.

Madhuri was generous in giving points to Jayasuriya, matching steps with him and teaching him the right moves of indian classical dance.

the 43-year-old surprised his friends, family and fans with his decision to participate in the celebrity dance show, but he took up the challenge, working hard to learn legwork on a different pitch. he even managed Bollywood’s popular snake dance step.

so if you see Jayasuriya working on some funky moves when next on the pitch, don’t be too surprised. he’s probably putting all his dance practice to good use!

en GUPta brings us up-to-date on what’s hot and happening in Bollywood

no worries Vivek

Vivek oberoi has been in Bollywood for over a decade now, and he hasn’t made much of an impact within the industry. But the actor claims that he has no regrets about the highs and lows in his career. and he finds encouragement from his wife Priyanka alva, whom he married in 2011.”no regrets, my wife still feels that i am the best,” said Vivek with admirable optimism.

Vivek made his debut with Varma’s 2002 film Company role won him critical acclaim. earned cheers for his work in but films like Kyun Ho Gaya Na, Fool N Final, Kaal, Mission Istanbul, Kisna and Prince were pretty much nonstarters.

the 35-year-old is now gearing for the release of his new film Jayantabhai Ki Luv Story, which is about two completely opposite people and also stars neha sharma.

“Jayanta is a very different character. the film is about two people from different world. is chemistry, there is attraction but they are as though from two different planets,” Vivek said.

“ the girl is educated and polished, while Jayanta is someone who is streetwise. he does not even know how to talk to a girl and that is the fun of it,” he added about the film which is slated for an october release.

so let’s hope that the film takes off and puts Vivek in the position of frontrunner again. good luck to him!

Sunny times for Shekhar Suman

indo-Canadian porn star sunny Leone is making quite an impact in Bollywood. her career took off on the small screen with reality show Bigg Boss 5, but skyrocketed into the big screen with Pooja Bhatt’s Jism 2 and now actor shekhar suman is seeking sunny’s talents as the leading lady in his directorial venture Heartless, a medical thriller which also features his son adhyayan.

While sunny showcased her obvious oomph factor to the hilt in Jism

2, shekhar says that this is not the reason why he wants to cast her. “ the role demands her, hence i want to cast her. the role that i have envisaged, requires a girl like her. she is very pretty looking girl,” said the actor, confiding that he will begin directing the film this year. that’s a cryptic statement as its still quite uncertain exactly what shekhar’s looking for – a reality t V star, a porn star or simply a pretty face.

When Farah danced to Geeta’s tune

Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi will be a film of many firsts. i t marks sanjay Leela Bhansali’s sister Bela sehgal’s directorial debut, as well as choreographer-director farah Khan’s foray into acting. also, for

the fist time geeta Kapoor has directed her mentor farah in an item number for the romantic comedy.

“ yes, geeta is choreographing the promotional song for Boman irani and farah Khan. feel geeta is a very good choreographer besides she has worked with farah so she is very comfortable with her,” ehgal said recently. t’s a superb song. the lyrics will be aggressive. i t’s a surprise.”

s for Boman, when asked if he is finding it difficult to match steps with farah, he quipped, think i am better than her in dancing!”

nd how does farah feel about her new role? he bad thing about turning actress is that i have to start my day with something i detest! Makeup and hair! and end it with worse - removing it all,” arah tweeted. he romantic-comedy is slated for an aug 24 release.

And now, a biopic on Divya Bharti irector Vikram andhu denies that his movie Dream is a biopic on divya Bharti, but admits he is scouting for a look-alike of the late actress to play the lead role in his project.

ivya Bharti shot to fame at a very young age with films like Shola Aur Shabnam and Deewana. she died at a tender age of 19 in 1993, and the cause of her death remains a mystery. er story has a connect andhu’s film, but he don’t want to say whether it’s a biopic can say is that it is the story of a young girl who becomes a star at a very young age and also dies at a very young age,” andhu replied when asked. “i have never said that the film is a biopic. he media has been saying so”.

et he admitted, divya Bharti has been my alltime favourite actress,” he added.

Currently he is busy casting for his film.

am just back in india after auditioning for the leading lady for my film. i have been to London, i taly and

St

What’s Salman saying that’s making Katrina laugh here?

Send in your responses to info@indianlink.com.au and win a surprise prize

Last issue Caption Contest winning entry

on-screen pair.

Farhan: Perfect reason for us to do a film together!

Vidya: That’s what I was hinting at…

Anindita Ranjan

Surry Hills NSW

Anindita wins tickets to the new Hindi film Cocktail

greece to get the perfect actress for my film,” he said.

asked if he is searching for a look-alike of divya Bharti, he said: “ yes, sort of. We want someone who looks like her.”

nswera to essUg ?hoW

rbaaza Khan

DIVYA BHARATI

DARA SInGH

VIVeK OBeROI

FARHA KHAn

Cine Talk A modern day Golmaal

he actually believes the on-screen Abhishek Bachchan’s cock-andbull story about how his parents named him as such because they were big fans of Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan. Right….

Devgn’s character, a not-sogentle mix of a pehelwaan and Anil Kapoor in Virasat is as far removed from its origins, namely Utpal Dutt in Golmaal, as Archana Puransingh is from Dina Pathak. The former steps into the latter’s role with the kind of defiant toss of her head and bosom that makes the transition more of a humorous takeoff than a

Indeed, some of the funniest scenes in this fair comic romp into Hrishida’s backyard feature the excellent Ms Puransingh. The tongue-in-cheek tribute to the original film is quite often so cocky it makes you wince. Rohit Shetty has stripped away the gentle amiable wit of Hrishikesh Mukherjee and replaced it with a raw and ripe humour that takes swipes at anything that comes in the way of the satire.

Yes, the original featuring Amol Palekar and Utpal Dutt plays on television in a sequence. And there’s a play being staged in Rohit Shetty’s imaginary village where two actors impersonating Dutt and Palekar enact the original film. That is as close as we get to Hrishikesh Mukherjee in this punk-parody of the original comedy.

Valiantly, the dramatic tension in the comedy is based on a communal divide. The hero Abbas has to invent a Hindu phantom-double to avoid a religious backlash. Unusually for a comedy, the film keeps making

sharp stinging remarks on the communal issue without causing offence. In one specially audacious sequence, the film’s writer targets two minority communities, the Muslims and gays, in the same range of vision without tripping over.

Now, that’s no mean achievement.

The cute Prachi Desai playing Devgn’s kid-sister remarks that some of our biggest names like Abdul Kalaam and Shah Rukh Khan are “like that”. Devgn has the other minority community in mind.

Bol Bachchan dares to carry its sense of fun to an extreme of playfulness without toppling over into crassness. It takes on the scared cows without putting its feet in the cow poo. The elderly are often a brunt of ridicule in the plot. But again, no offence meant. Asrani’s rapport with his screenson is truly funny.

However what doesn’t work is the enforced action sequences where just to simulate a climax in the trademark Rohit Shetty style, cars leap into the air, buses crash into windows - Shetty’s stunts are becoming predictable in their execution. A change is needed there.

What works are the performances. Ajay Devgn as the endearing bully is in top form. His mongrelized use of the English language is the cheekiest subversion of the original film’s content. In Hrishida’s Golmaal Utpal Dutt spoke only the purest form of Hindi. Abhishek Bachchan pulls off the double role with the right blend of the subtle and the saucy. This is the second film after Dostana where he has to impersonate homosexuality. He is dead-on.

A special word for Abhishek Krushna and Archana Puransingh who provide plenty of chuckles with their comic timing. Hrishida may not approve. But this is Golmaal without the innocence of those times. And that’s the way we like it.

Subhash K Jha

rolicking time is infectious. The comic confusions are put forward with a giggly gusto. You can see the team had a great time shooting this subverted version of a 1979 comic classic.

Hrishikesh Mukherjee would be unable to recognize this version of

And there are the two Bachchans in the film - Abhishek Bachchan and his likeable comic partner Krushna Abhishek. No, make that 3. At the very start the seniormost Bachchan, the Big B himself, makes a gracious song-and-dance appearance where the director

Abbas and his doppelganger double Abhishek Bachchan.

Yes, that’s the name given to Abhishek’s character when he comes face-to-face with the village head-honcho Ajay Devgn, a kind of benign mukhia who is goofy and rather dumb, so dumb that

FiLm: Bol Bachchan

CaSt: Ajay Devgn, Abhishek Bachchan, Asin, Prachi Desai, Krushna Abhishek, Archana Puransingh

DireCtOr: Rohit Shetty

A heady brew about young adults trying to find themselves

Out of the three protagonists in this wacky menage a trois, two people are not as beautiful inside as they are from the outside.

gautam and Veronica are deeply flawed characters. he, a certifiable jerk who thinks of women, good times and partying, in that order, all the time. she, Veronica quite like her namesake in the archies comics, is a sexy, naughty, loud siren. But what happens when the party ends? What happens when the constant search for that elusive state of being known as ‘good times’ bores you to death?

Veronica soon finds out. in painful revelations of the darkness under the neon.

i t’s a dream role for any actress. and deepika Padukone, facing the biggest challenge of her career, sinks her beautiful teeth into the role with the hunger of a tamed tigress who has been let loose in a jungle for just one romp. she gets out of her comfort zone and lets the mascara run down her distraught face with a couldn’tcare-less gusto that glamour girls don’t generally adopt. i t’s a performance to be admired.

in truth, deepika would have been far more comfortable playing the butter-won’t-meltin-the-mouth Meera (a hugely impressive debutante diane Penty). deepika has apparently chosen to play the fun-loving bitch who somewhere down the line, realises she wants all the things that he had so far scoffed at.

not surprisingly, the film is written by imtiaz ali in whose Socha Na Tha and Love Aaj Kal we met the commitment-phobic hero. in fact, there is really no

difference between saif ali Khan in Love Aaj Kal and in Cocktail except that the womanizer in the new avatar makes a lot more faces. experience makes for expressiveness. they both shun true love when it stares them in the face. and then of course, the rest that follows is predictable.

Cocktail is not high on surprises. the two main characters are prematurely jaded, bored out of their wits by an excess of hedonism. into their lives arrives the timid golden-hearted jilted bride who needs a home and a place to call her own. the film is really about three unmoored characters finding their bearings. that it has been shot in London is a happy circumstance for the characters.

Cinematographer anil Mehta makes them look ravishing in their rain-washed lives with glimmers of sunshine peeping out in tantalizing scoops.

Unfortunately saif silhouetted against London’s quaint bustle is a bit of a cliché. he brings nothing new to his role, and he isn’t entirely to be blamed for it. saif’s is a thankless part. he moves in with the vixen Veronica where Meera is already ensconced after being deserted by her caddish nri husband (randeep hooda, struggling to impart substance to his waferthin role).

By the time the triangle concludes everyone is in love with Meera. audience included. diana as the angelic girl from delhi who is left bereft on foreign shores (many shades from aishwarya rai’s Aa Ab Laut Chalen) is the discovery of the year. she stops her ‘good girl’ role from becoming sickeningly

sugary. and that’s no small achievement for a newcomer. Cocktail is not quite as intoxicating as it sounds. But it’s a heady brew about beautiful people trying to find themselves in places where life is an endless party. the music is effective in conveying the pseudo-euphoria of people who drown their solitude in noise. saif is likeable when he doesn’t try too hard to be the roving-eyed rogue. his performance in drag to Sheila ki jawaani is brave. the performance on the whole is more smug than brave.

Boman irani and dimple Kapadia playing siblings are brilliant, specially the former who seems incapable of giving an under-done or over-done performance. Like deepika, dimple is remarkable for getting out of her comfort zone and doing a role that would traditionally go to Kirron Kher.

deepika and diane are gorgeous in their respective spaces. Cocktail is a very goodlooking film about people who constantly seek a good time and then realise what they thought was fun was a farce. the emotional transitions are achieved with a fair degree of smoothness. you kind of grow to like all three protagonists, blemishes and all. director homi adjania who made the eccentric Being Cyrus shows a casual familiarity with the realm of the rom-com. he

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takes the basic ingredients of the genre and plays around with the components, to emerge with a concoction that is quite appealing in its self-deprecating humour and a rather unusual appetite for partying.

Subhash K. Jha

FiLm: Cocktail

CaSt: Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Diane Penty DireCtOr: Homi Adajania

Ask Auntyji

Dear Auntyji

Pending break-up

i am a 47-year-old fiji indian woman. My husband died tragically in a swimming accident 10 years ago. i came to australia 2 years later. i met this man, also from my country, where i was working. he was separated from his wife and we had an affair. 2 years ago he filed for divorce and promised me a life with him. When time came for him to pay his wife the divorce settlements, he realised he wouldn’t be able to afford the extra debt on his home mortgage.

so he began to prepare me for a break up, just in case he gets bankrupt. We are still together and very much in love. though i never lived with him, i used to see him every weekend for eight years. now, his friends have introduced him to a much younger woman, 30 years old and a registered nurse in Melbourne. they email each other but haven’t met yet. he says to me she is ready to help him out, so i ask him, what about me? he said he doesn’t have a choice but to dump me. i’m heart broken, auntyji. first i lost my husband, now i’m going to lose him. i have three grown up kids who knew about us and approved of him. now what do i tell them? at my age i can’t keep on getting in and out of affairs, please tell me what is my fault and what should i do? he doesn’t want me to go yet, but what happens when she comes over to see him? he says to me if it didn’t work out between them, he will come back to me. i’m very confused and depressed, have lost my sleep and appetite and cry every night. auntyji, please help me. i want to move on but can’t. do you think he really has a financial problem or is it because she is a younger woman? i feel like i’m so old and worthless, though my family and friends tell me constantly i look much younger than my age.

Auntyji says

oh my poor gulabo, my jalebi, my little besan ki burfi not to worry, i have a solution for you. But first, thank you so much for writing to me and telling me about your situation. i am bahut sad aap ki dhuk bari kahaani sun ke. But, not to worry.  i will try to help you. But first, let me give you a little history lesson. you are from fiji. from what i know about the history of your people, no doubt your own nani, dadi, par dadi  par dada etc, these people were influenced, potentially even tricked into coming to fiji. once they landed there, they were forced to work in the blazing hot sun from dawn till dusk. they were paid a pittance, and worse, the men and women were abused by overseers. these ancestors called this time of their lives “narak” and they vowed that they would not let their own children go through the hell that they did. Consequently, the descendents of these girmitiyas got an education and are today living a much better life. now, the point i am trying to make is this. you are the descendent of a hardworking, sturdy stock of people who dealt with their problems and made a better life for themselves. they stood proud and strong and did not let their dukh break their himmat you are the product of people who triumphed against the odds. so, all the issues that you have faced, and are facing today, you will overcome. Himmat badhao aur aghe chalo first, you are 47 years old. To kya? age is not that important – don’t use this as an excuse for what is happening to you. you have raised three children mostly on your own so you are a strong, wise, himmatwali aurat and you must have lots of other good attributes, otherwise, why else is this admi so interested in you.  it’s true that you have suffered from pain in your life – but these were things outside your control.

But, today, you need to take back control of your life. here is what i have understood from your email. you have a man who is stringing you along. he has issues – financial and otherwise. he seems to want to have his jalebi and eat it too. he is liaising with another much younger woman and has said that he will come back to you if it does not work out for him and her? Kaunchi? Yeh kaisa behuda, kitna ghatiya, baat hai? you need to listen to that song that sharmila tagore sang in Daag: Jab bhi jee chahe nayi duniya basa le te hain log. you too will empathise with her dard, and then samajh me aajaye ga ki koi koi admi ekdum bekhar hote hai. so, this man is not good for you. i t seems as though he is keeping you on standby – while he sees what better opportunities are for him around the corner. you have more dignity than that. at the moment, you think this man loves you and you want only him and there is rona dhona going on each night in your takiya you must absolutely put a stop to this. What gives this man the right to treat you like that? Would you like a man to treat your daughter like that? if the answer is no, then why should you allow yourself to be treated like this? he is not the only man in puri duniya i suggest to you, himmat badhao, aur socho – why should you put up with this tamasha? you need to be strong and say you deserve better than this. then, aapne dil pe pathar rakh ke bolo ki hum nai mangtha ye musibat so tukhurao the man. Let him go back to his chikni 30-year-old chameli and we will see what happens to him when she makes pudina ki chutney out of him. in the meantime, if you learn to respect yourself, sooner or later, a nice, decent achcha admi will come into your life. someone who loves and respects you. someone who will have your best interests at heart. But please bahen, you must put a stop to all the duhk in your life. you don’t deserve to be unhappy. i t is better to be alone than to have an abusive man in your life – and yes, he is abusing you. Can you please write to me and tell me what you do?  then maybe, we can go together to naseem baheni’s house for eid.

Dear Auntyji

namaste, auntyji. i’m 16 and mujhe pyaar hogya hai..... well, it’s probably just a teenage crush. he and i are good friends. i have tried everything to woo him, but it didn’t work and i’m really too scared to tell him directly. What do you think i should do, auntyji?

Auntyji says

you are indeed a wise young lady to write to me, because as everyone knows, auntyji is totally fair in love and war, and auntyji has been around the block so many times that she fully stands behind whatever advice she doles out!  now, i can see, you have a crush and this romeo of yours is dishy and has the best hair and is just so dashing when he smiles like that, na? yet he is so ignorant of how you feel. not to worry, pehle pehle pyaar me aisa hi hota hai now, the question to ask yourself is this: aap kya chahti hain? do you like doing darshan to your Majnu from afar, or do you actually want reciprocation? there is nothing wrong with one-way infatuation, as long as you’re happy with this innocent state of affairs. this way, your romeo can be your dream boy and does not have to have bad breath or garlicky Bo or an irritating way of calling you babydoll. however, if you want to make this real, then, himmat badhao and aage chalo go and tell your romeo how you feel. Life is short, and you may as well take a chance. if he totally disrespects you or tells you that he has a little shania on the side that he has been seeing, then what the hell, at least now you know. o f course, he could be totally gobsmacked that a saucy little minx like you has shown interest in him, and he will be all delighted in which case, i fully expect an invitation to your wedding and the naming rights to your firstborn. Wait, i’m getting ahead of myself. you are after all, 16, and your parents will probably want to declare a fatwa on me because i am leading their little chandramukhi astray. ok, here is my message to you. you must take your parents’ guidance on this – because their values must also be your values. if they are on the strict side and do not want you to have a boyfriend, then adore your romeo, but don’t tell him anything. o therwise, you know what will happen, na? you will tell him your feelings, then he will reciprocate, you two will sing a few songs and dance around trees and then your parents will cause a major tamasha and before you know it, you will have a genuine filmi love story from the ‘60s, ‘70, ‘80s and ‘90s on your hands. Like Love Story or Teri Kasam and while your parents may have thought these movies were great, they certainly didn’t intend to have their daughter live the story decades later. yes, it was alright when it was Poonam dhillon and Kumar gaurav, but not ok when it’s their ladli. you get my message, na? however, if your parents are liberal and you have verifiable evidence that they are ok with you having a boyfriend (such as your sister being allowed to have one, or they ask you pointed questions about boys, but be wary, this could be a trap) then by all means, rejoice in all the freedoms that you have that all your Bangladeshi and Pakistani sisters wish they did, and tell romeo how you feel. Besides, how else will you learn to cope with life’s lessons unless you take chances. remember all that i have said, think deeply, take guidance from mummy aur daddy, then like vatan ke rakhwalon, badhe chalo. Hamaare ashirvaad aap ke saath hain.

Solvah saal hai…