2012-09 Melbourne

INDIAN LINK

PUBLISHER

Pawan Luthra

EDITOR

Rajni Anand Luthra

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Sheryl Dixit

MELBOURNE

Preeti Jabbal

CONTRIBUTORS

ADVERTISING MANAGER

Ashish Chawla 0468 389 272

ADVERTISING ASSISTANT

Nitika Sondhi 02 9279 2004

DESIGN

Danielle Cairis

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

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

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

Email: info@indianlink.com.au

www.indianlink.com.au

PAWAN LUTHRA

ASydney public school recently took the decision to ban handstands, cartwheels and somersaults in the playground during lunch and recess unless “under the supervision of a trained gymnastics teacher and with correct equipment”.

Should the move be accepted as current day reality, or does it mean the snatching away of childhood from our children?

On one hand the school feels that it does not have sufficient teachers to supervise lunchtime play, and is keen to avoid injury to the children who may indulge in these robust activities. The school maintains that these children are under their care during school hours, and simply want to ensure a safe play environment, just as parents in the community take extra care of their children’s friends when they come visiting.

On the other hand, parents are concerned that an important part of childhood fun is being taken away from their children and the school is bending excessively to a strict regime.

Childhood does seem to have veered in a different direction these days. Most

readers will recall their own childhood before the advent of the internet, iPods, iPads and even 24/7 television, when they found their entertainment in the great outdoors, coming home only when mum shouted out that dinner was ready. Growing up in India, we can all remember congregating in the streets after school to play cricket or other traditional games (gilli-danda, anyone?) or better still, making up our own games with battered tennis balls and even more battered cricket bats. Play/entertainment was all about inventing fun, rather than having it package-delivered to us. Rough and tumble was part of this fun, as we took physical risks in cycling without helmets or playing on hard surfaces or facing a fast bowler without a helmet. Sure, there were more than a few cuts and grazes and chipped teeth - even a broken arm or a leg - these were but a staple of childhood.

Even parents were more relaxed about these activities, oftentimes happily unaware of the risks their children were taking. What doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger - when was the last time you used these words as a parent?

We put padded surfaces on play areas in the park, keep slides short (plastic only please), and teach kids to use antibacterial hand soaps.

In sport, we give trophies to all participating kids.

Everyone’s a winner, baby.

At school, ‘F’ for fail is becoming increasingly uncommon. Some teachers don’t even put a cross against a wrong answer in maths because it is ‘too negative’ - choosing instead to mark it with a dot that is ‘less confronting’.

Is this an insane effort to overprotect our kids from physical and mental injuries that we all suffered growing up, and which taught us resilience? Are we making our kids think the world is more dangerous than it really is, thereby stifling independence and imagination and raising a generation of risk-avoiders rather than risk-takers?

While you might argue that the Sydney school - and perhaps parenting attitudes in general - have taken matters too far, a fact of modern life is that new dangers do exist which were less prevalent when we were growing up. Car seats and safety belts do help protect lives in our more streamlined cars that we drive on smoother roads and in faster traffic; coloured drinks do have more harmful food additives, and stranger-danger is a relevant menace.

In the modern era we need to learn, as responsible parents, what limits our children need and when to let them test their independence. Equally, responsible schools should provide students avenues for exciting physical (and mental) activities that teach them that well-managed risk is good for them.

George Thakur, Carl Buhariwala, S Perera, Amit Dutt, Chitra Sudarshan, Tim Blight, Petra O’Neill, Ritam Mitra, Farzana Shakir, Rani Jhala, Nancy Jade Althea, Deepa Gopinath

Hopper Night

Saturday, 22 September from 7pm to midnight at St Paul’s Apostle South Community Centre Hall, No 5, William Hovell Drive, Endeavour Hills 3802. Melway ref: 91D6, Entry through Matthew Flinders drive, side driveway.

Fundraising event organized by the Lions Club of Lyndhurst and District, in aid of Community projects. Music for the evening by the Destiny Band. Donation: $ 25 per ticket and BYO. Enjoy a great night out with family and friends, and support a good cause.

Life’s a cabaret

Saturday, 22 September, 6:30pm to midnight at Manningham Function Centre, 699 Donacaster Road, Donacaster, Vic 3188. VAS presents Life’s a Cabaret, the organisation’s annual dinner and dance event. Pre-dinner drinks and canapés on arrival, with a 3-course seated dinner.

Entertainment from DJ Sweetmix Roadshow and JDC Performing Arts. Tickets: VSA members - $80/ Non-members - $90/ children 4-12 - $45. For more details

What’s on

contact Sharon.l.dhillon@gmail. com

PCV Diwali celebrations

Monday, 5 November, 7pm at The Grand, 90 Cathies Lane, Wantirna South 3152. Vibrant Bollywood and cultural show with DJ music, surprises, door prizes, etc.

Tickets: Adults $75, children 3-12 $35, children 1-3 free. Contact Tej Panesar on 0421380700 or Inderjit Jasal on 0418872614

Sahitya Sandhya

Saturday, 15 September at 7.30

p.m. at Kew Library, Corner of Cotham Road and Civic Dr., Kew 3101. Attending will be Dr. Subhakanta Behera, Consul General of India, Melbourne to honour Shri Ratan Mulchandani, a long standing contributor to Sahitya Sandhya and many other community activities. Prof. Amitabh Mattoo will launch a book titled: 15 Pratinidhi

Kahaniya by Dr. Subhakanta Behera. This will be followed by poetry, poetic songs, jokes and literary discourse. All are welcome to present. Please email

nalinsharda@gmail.com the title and the type of your contribution, to facilitate planning. Free event with tea and snacks. RSVP to Nalin Sharda on 0402 108 512 or Harihar Jha on 9555 4924 or email hariharjha2007@gmail.com

Sharadeeya Navaratri

Saturday, 20 October

2pm – 6pm Mata ki chowki 6pm – 7pm HSV, children’s drama, prasad and maha prasad 7pm – 11pm Mata garba and dandiya dance

Music from professional DJ. Free entry but RSVP necessary by 15 October for catering.  For more details contact Dr Sunila Shrivastava –0427 274 462 or email sankatmochansamiti@gmail.com

Dussera celebrations

Sunday, 21 October, 3pm to 7pm at Kingston City Hall 985 Nepean Hwy, Moorabbin VIC 3189. Dasara 2012 and Shiridi Sai Baba Punyathithi celebrations by AUMSAI. For more details contact Hari Yellina, Secretary (AUMSAI) on 0439 32 32 32.

Intensely Soul Odissi performance

Saturday, 29 September, 7pm – 9pm at Monash Music Auditorium, Bldg 68, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton. Brother and sister exponents of Odissi, classical Indian dance and music artform perform together in their first tour of Australia. Nirmal Jena and Pratibha Jena Singh will perform transformational Odissi dance, reflecting 14 generations of a family’s arts practice. A workshop will also be conducted on Sunday, 30 September, 10:30am – 12:30pm at the Monash University Drama Theatre. Bookings essential for both events, contact 9905 1111 or email boxoffice@monash.edu

Religious discourses by Sri Velukkudi Swami

Wednesday, October 31 and Saturday, November 4. The renowned Sri Velukkudi Krishnan Swami will conduct a series of lectures in English on his

second visit to Australia. The programme has been organised by the Vedic Society of Victoria. Sri Velukkudi Swami comes from a long parampara (tradition) of religious scholars and is singularly equipped to give pravachans on all forms of Hindu scripture, due to his knowledge of various Hindu theological traditions. He has travelled widely, giving religious discourses and representing Hindu dharma in world forums and his lectures on the Bhagawad Gita are at once awe-inspiring and moving, lucid and erudite. Swami has written commentaries and books in Tamil, and is involved in several charitable works through the Trusts he has either set up or is involved with, such as supporting Pathshalas for Vedas, conducting yatras to holy places and renovating and rebuilding old temples in disrepair.

For more details, contact Kasturi on 0421616033; Gowri on 0411282797; Chitra on 0432 367 935.

Raju’s rib-tickling repertoire

This renowned comedian gives fathers and others a laughter treat at his genuinely hilarious show

Once in a while you go to an event with no expectations and hardly any hype, and it turns out to be an absolute delight. My cheeks are still hurting from laughing as much as I did at the Raju Srivastava Comedy show held recently at the iconic Melbourne Convention Centre. Quite surprisingly, it worked like instant therapy for me as Raju’s comical wit erased the fatigue of an overcommitted schedule. I went in feeling concerned that the event was being held on a Sunday evening and that too on Father’s Day; however in hindsight, that was probably the best gift one could have given to their father: the gift of laughter.

Raju Srivastava shot to fame on Indian television with the comedy talent show The Great Indian Laughter Challenge and later went on to participate in the reality show, Big Boss 3. Since becoming the unofficial ‘king of comedy’, he has done innumerable stage shows and supporting roles in Indian movies like Tezaab, Baazigar, Big Brother, Maine Pyaar Kiya, Main Prem Ki Diwani hoon, Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rapaiyya etc. Raju’s satiric humour has regaled audiences around the globe and his show in Melbourne was an interwoven tapestry of wit and brilliant comedy.

The highlight of the show was his rib-tickling take on fashion shows and models. As he executed the perfect catwalk and paused for some completely ‘over the top’ effect, the audience was in splits, wanting more. His famous character Gajodhar Bhaiya (inspired by his barber) surfaced occasionally much to the delight of those who were familiar with his work. The gags continued through the night, and not many of them fell flat. Raju strayed into topical territories from adventurous train rides in Mumbai to the economical Tata

Nano. The topics were not necessarily new and the jokes were not belly-shaking, but they were delivered with engaging authenticity.

Accompanying artists

Irfan Malik and Ali Hassan from Pakistan, also known as the ‘Thaka Thak Jodi’, provided the slapstick element to the show. Their material was wide and they occasionally crossed the borders of good taste, but the pair was energetic and likeable and their humour was lighthearted. Complementing the entertainment were performances from local artists Main Nachungi Dance Group and singer Nawal Moudgil. It was a debut show for the organisers Futuristic Events, and they could well have chosen a smaller venue or a better date; however their choice of artist was faultless as it was pure entertainment to watch Raju Srivastava’s observational stand up routine. Vinayak Kolape from Futuristic Event thanked the audience for attending the event and supporting their first venture.

packed with people, but was choc-a-bloc with laughs.

Preeti Jabbal

Photos: Ravinder Singh Jabbal

Voice and versatility

Of late in Melbourne, it has become a case of too many concerts and very little budget. However, I am glad I chose to attend Sukhwinder Singh’s Jai Ho concert held recently at the Melbourne Convention Centre. At least, I though so!

Those who are still to get over his atrocious choice of clothing may not agree with me, however despite his totally gag-worthy red and gold PVC outfit, the singer has great talent and it all shone through.

As a venue the Melbourne Convention Centre is a winner, and so is the versatile singer whose popular hit song ‘Jai Ho’ from Slumdog Millionaire won an academy award for Best Original Song and a Grammy award for Best Song written for a motion picture.

Sukhwinder’s vocal firepower was on display from early on in the concert as he belted all his popular songs like Haule Haule (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi), Marjaani (Billu Badshah), Fashion ka Jalwa (Fashion), Hudd Hudd Dabangg, (Dabangg), Lucky Kabootar (Daag the Fire), to name a few.

Accompanying him was the super-confident singer and model Jasleen Matharu, who added the sizzle quotient on stage with her sexy outfits and Sunidhi Chauhanlike voice. Sunny, the popstar with tight vocals but ill-fitting clothes tried his best to engage the audience. It was however, an out-and-out Sukhwinder Singh Show as his fans got to hear him for the bulk of the time, unlike other shows where the star singer performs only for the last hour. popular ‘

had the audience ready to break into a jig. He also sang the Tamil version of the song and recited the original poetry that led to the creation of the song. By the time he launched into superhit number ‘Beedi’ (Omkara), many from the audience were up and ready to dance much to the chagrin of the security guards present. Sukhwinder encouraged his audience to participate and was happy to interact with them, but his attempts to get closer to the audience and vice versa were thwarted by the burly security men.

With his song ‘Chak de India’ Sukhwinder invited children onstage to sing with him, and within minutes the stage was full of his young fans from as little as 3 years. Cameras and mobile phones came out by the hundreds as parents attempted to capture the special moment. There was never a dull moment through the whole evening, and that to me is a huge factor in liking or disliking a show. In that respect, he got most of my votes. When Sukhwinder ended the show with my favourite song ‘Nasha hi nasha hai’ from an earlier album he had me hook, line and sinker.

Later on when I got to chat with the singer in a post-show event, he came across as an interesting personality with a great passion for music. Sukhwinder chatted amicably and shared some of his experiences in the Indian film Industry. He spoke of his special regard for lyricists like Gulzar and his love for poetry. Talking to him it was hard to imagine that he is generally reclusive by nature. According to sources close to him,

Sukhwinder prefers to spend most of his time in his massive home in Mumbai, and has employed 18 people to look after him. I guess a voice as wonderful and warm as his may require major upkeep?

Melbourne-based group Folk Waves Entertainment Australia were instrumental in organizing the Jai Ho concert with the support of Sunshine College of Management, AGL and Della International College. Gagan Sandhu, Director at Folk Waves Entertainment said that they aim to bring quality artists from India to Australia and also promote local talent. Apparently this was Sukhwinder’s first show in Melbourne, and let’s hope he does not forget the city the next time he visits, even though a bigger, better crowd wasn’t at hand to witness the event.

PREETI JABBAL

Photos: Ravinder Singh

Jabbal

Sukhwinder blows the crowd away with a power-packed performance

Pillars of

PREETI JABBAL

India’s 65th Independence Day was celebrated with enthusiasm by the Indian community throughout Melbourne and most prominently by the Federation Of Indian Associations of Victoria (FIAV), supported by Australia India Institute, Consulate General of India in Melbourne, Mahindra Rise Automotive and the Melbourne City Council.

The three-day mega celebration commenced with a gala multicultural dinner held at North Melbourne Town Hall on August 17, and was attended by over 300 people who enjoyed the event. Rows of modestly decorated tables were occupied by an impressive list of dignitaries, the media and community members. Among the main guests were Biren Nanda (Indian High Commissioner); SK Behera (Indian Consul General); Mathew Guy (Minister for Planning); Maria Vamvikiono (Federal Member for Caldwell representing Prime Minister Julia Gillard); Scott Ryan (senator representing the opposition leader Tony Abbot), and Luke Donnelan, representing the Victorian opposition leader. Also present were councillors from various parts of Melbourne and consul representatives from various countries.

The dignitaries were offered an Indian welcome with beautiful garlands provided by Royal Events Melbourne.

The event was steered mainly by Vasan Srinivasan, President of FIAV. It was his initiative to seek partnership with others to organise the Indian Independence Day celebrations on a grand scale to showcase the country’s heritage and culture. A two-day Indian music and dance festival was

included in the Independence Day celebrations.

At the gala dinner, guests from various multicultural backgrounds enjoyed Indian hospitality and the catering by Tandoori Junction. The evening was dominated by speeches, given the long list of dignitaries, however most speeches were kept mercifully short. A common sentiment echoed was the need to strengthen ties between India and Australia and an appreciation of the enormous contribution from the Indian community to Australian society.

In his speech FIAV President Vasan Srinivasan sought support from the Victorian and Federal governments to establish an ethno-specific aged care facility for people of Indian origin. Among other concerns he also requested funding towards employing a social worker to assist people of Indian origin in Australia. He then went on to launch the FIAV demographic report on the Indian community in Victoria. The report included researched information and interviews that were collected by a dedicated team appointed by FIAV over a period of six months. It highlighted areas of business, arts, religion, immigration and a breakdown of the Indian population from each council in Victoria. A CD of the report was presented to all guests at the end of the event.

Ambrish Deshmukh performed the role of the Master of

Ceremonies. It was a Herculean task to thread together an event with myriad activities being conducted through the evening, but Ambrish seemed to manage it with aplomb.

Besides the entertaining Bollywood segments presented by the Shiamak Davar Dance School, the highlight of the evening was the presentation of 25 community awards to well-deserving members of the community. The awardees were shortlisted from hundreds of applications and chosen for their commendable service to the community.

Prof Suresh Bhargava (RMIT), Prof Amitabh Mattoo (AII) and Dr Shubhakanta Behera (Indian Consulate) received ‘high achiever’ awards for their services in strengthening and promoting the relationship between India and Australia. While it was wonderful to see so many recipients, the evening seemed to get weary from that point on till the last community member proudly accepted their award.

It was no rest for the organisers as they launched straight into the preparation for the following day’s events. The two-day festival was held at the city square in Melbourne under the auspices of the Federation of Indian Music and Dance (FIMDV) and it attracted massive crowds over both days. It was a cultural feast: 52 community organisations offered a medley of traditional and modern Indian music and dance performances. The formality of the previous evening was replaced with the gaiety of the festival as the audience participated wholeheartedly, specially with the Bollywood dances. Eclectic, exotic, ecstatic –adjectives flew fast as people enjoyed the talent of local artists. The injection of Indian culture, art and

FIAV launches a demographic report on the Indian community in Victoria

Photos: Ravinder Singh Jabbal, AP Guruswamy

community

felicitated at I-Day celebrations

India’s Independence Day was celebrated with aplomb, through multiculturalism, music and dance

Community achievers honoured on Independence Day 2012

Below are the award winners who were felicitated by FIAV for their excellent service to the community.

Mr Vidya Mohan Bommena

Mr Sharma Pochincherla

Mr Srinath Nadador

Mr Tarun Bhattacharya

Dr Asim Kumar Das

Mr Harpreet Singh Marwaha

Mr & Mrs Nagasundaram

Mrs Geetha Devi Kommajosyula

Dr Dinesh Parekh

Mr Arun Sharma

Dr Virendra Kumar Berera

Mr Rakesh Raizada

Chodhury Samsher Singh

Dr Dinesh Srivastava

Mr Pravin Ghelani

Mr Upendra Shah

Mr Yogen Lakshman

Mr Rakesh Kawra

Mrs Usha Sharma

Mrs Madhu Dudeja

Mr Peter Vlahos

Mr Vernon Da Gama

Sant Nirankari Mission

Shiamak Davar Institute of Performing Arts

Mrs Jayashree Ramachandran

Prof Amitabh Mattoo

Prof Suresh K Bhargava

Dr Subhakanta K Behera

Song & dance

Scenes from Indian Music and Dance Festival

organised by the Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria as part of Indian Independence Day celebrations

about India

Photos: AP Guruswamy

Panel discusses drivers of positive change

A high-powered panel discusses how to face challenges and opportunities for India and Australia

The Consulate General of India in association with Australia India Institute (AII) and Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria (FIAV) recently organised a panel discussion on the topic India: Going Beyond Today The discussion featured speakers from business, politics and creative industries talking about the challenges and opportunities facing India and Indians in Australia in the coming decades. Prof Amitabh Mattoo, Director, AII; Mr Vasan Srinivasan, President, FIAV; Mr Ravi Bhatia, President, Australia India Business Council (AIBC); Mr Howard Ronaldson, Secretary, DBI; and Ms Tara Rajkumar OAM, eminent classical dancer were the panellists, with Dr SK Behera in the role of moderator.

As Consul General, Dr Behera has shown a keen interest in developing an empathetic, culturally aware understanding of India within Australia. By initiating this dialogue he sought a more nuanced understanding of what would work to create closer cooperation and multifaceted interaction between India and Australia. The panellists were

selected to provide an insight into the important drivers of change including growth, globalization, governance and culture.

According to Prof Amitabh Mattoo, the ‘4Ds’ (drivers) of change are demography, democracy, development and diversity (dialogue and reconciliation), and he elaborated on each, stating that they could be a source of great strength as well as potentially a source of great weakness. “India has the youngest population in any leading economy, which can bear great dividends if it is trained, educated and skilled, and given the right values,” said Prof Mattoo.

“In India democracy did not only survive, it succeeded,” added Prof Mattoo while addressing a rapt audience. “Contrary to predictions, democracy has thrived in India; however there are many pockets of deprivation and instances of corruption that have also eroded the nation,” he said. As for diversity, India needs to meet the challenge of reconciling diverse segments, be it the Maoist or the Separatists in Kashmir and North East. “With all the commonalities between India

and Australia the time has now come for them to work together in strategic partnership in all fields be it economy, energy security or to define the new security architecture in the Asia Pacific,” stated Prof Mattoo.

Mr Howard Ronaldson stressed the importance of a strategic partnership with India, saying that it is essential for the survival of Australian economy. “It is now mandatory for Australia to engage with Asia particularly with countries like China and India,” said Mr Ronaldson. He stated that the Victorian government needs to do something bigger and more significant in the education sector with India, to achieve results.

All the other speakers echoed similar sentiments and discussed their perception and vision of what is required to bring about changes. Mr Ravi Bhatia offered statistical data of exports between India and Australia, stating that the Indian IT industry provides resource augmentation to all major banks and contributes to the productivity of the Australian economy. He highlighted India’s requirement of resources from Australia and urged Indians to

continue making economical and technological contributions and investments here, specifying that there is a huge potential of bilateral economic relationship between the two nations.

Mr Vasan Srinivasan emphasized that community engagement is crucial in creating strong relationships, and he urged the Indian and Australian governments to strengthen ties between them through the community. Mrs Tara Rajkumar meandered her way through her own migrant experiences in the UK and Australia, ultimately concluding that the arts must flourish for the community to

feel empowered and connected. “We must bring culture very strongly into our lives if we are to inspire people to contribute more effectively to society,” she said. A Q& A session followed the discussion.

Since its economic liberalisation, India’s economy has grown rapidly and consistently, and its future is exciting. Fresh thinking, innovation and a deeper understanding of India’s unique culture and behaviour will lead to realising its potential. This discussion was a step in the right direction to help analyse, initiate and facilitate that change.

Preeti Jabbal

Panellists at the discussion

Independence Day, seniors style

KISCA gets a new president, while ISCA celebrates an Indian-only Multicultural Day

K(KISCA) held their Annual General Meeting in August, with Treasurer Vishnu Prasad chairing the meet. Members who arrived early arranged tables and chairs for the 35-odd participating members. As always, the meeting began with a bhajan: Hum ko man ki shakti dena, with Public Officer Mona Raju’s accompaniment on the harmonium. Members then stood up to sing India’s national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, to commemorate India’s Independence Day and we could see emotion welling up in a few faces. And when the patriotic Bollywood song was rendered: Ay mere pyare watan, ay mere bichhre chaman, tujh pe dil qurban, some amongst us were dabbing the eyes.

President Usha Sharma welcomed the attendees and promptly thanked the KISCA Committee and various other members – most by names and some by their portfolios, for their contribution to KISCA’s cause. Since her expression of gratitude lasted a bit longer than usual, some wondered if she had a bombshell to drop. Right enough, Usha informed us that while she enjoyed serving KISCA as president, she was withdrawing herself from the President’s position as she was now getting into full-time studies. Repeated ‘ahs’ of despair emanated. Those of us familiar with Usha know that she is a happy, positive-tempered leader of the community. Her words are motivational, and she is the one who goes out of her way to serve the needy in any manner asked of her.

KISCA’s immediate troubles effectively just commenced, for we did not have a nomination for the President’s position. Public Officer and ex-President Mona Raju was finally persuaded into taking over, but stipulated in no uncertain words, that she was only filling the gap and KISCA must find someone permanent as President. The Working Committee was then elected, though with fair amount of difficulty, for only half the members were present.

Members enjoyed tea/coffee, biscuits, pakoras, potato chips, nibbles, etc. The samosas, from a Fijian Indian shop, matched

in size and taste the samosas served at Bengali Market shops in New Delhi. President-elect Mona Raju asked members if they would like only tea/coffee with no eats at zero cost at future meets, which was readily passed. Mona also asked if members would support the moving of KISCA’s meeting venue to the FIAV hall in a more centrally located in Little India, a two minute walk from Dandenong railway station and five minutes from various bus terminals on Thomas Street. “This was deemed necessary because KISCA faced financial discomfort to pay for the hall at the present venue, while the FIAV hall would be free of cost,” explained Mona. She raised yet another valid point –that because the venue would be Dandenong, not Kingston, the caption ‘Kingston ISCA’ would become obsolete, and suggested a tentative caption: South-East Indians Association (SEIA). A final decision on both matters will be adopted in the September 2012 meet. KISCA meets every third Sunday at 2pm at the Marcus Road Hall in Dingley. For more information, please call President

Mona Raju on 9782 8973

August is when the Indian Senior Citizens Association (ISCA) celebrates multicultural day. As it was decided to sell only 130 tickets for various reasons, many truly Indian-at-heart members, as was quite anticipated, turned up and demanded tickets.

To begin the programme, Geoff Barlow, a senior music-lover who entertains other music-lovers with his songs on the guitar, synthesiser, violin and mouth organ, among other instruments, played his music for us.

President Prem Phakey welcomed members and attending dignitaries, and briefly talked about the grants ISCA received from various agencies such as HACC, Victorian Multicultural Commission, the City, and others. MC Jasbir Bedi invited Shrimati Bhatia, President, Rajasthan Kutumb, to speak on functions undertaken by her association. Next, young Bhumika Kapoor performed a strenuous dance to recorded music, followed by Dilprit Jaswal who introduced us to Avareet Sandhu, Sirat Hunjan and Tavreen Jaswal (a talented five year old, who learned her dance

in three days), who presented a dance performance to us. Kalpana and Vikran Jain, a husband and wife team, presented an intimate dance quite appropriately. 5-yearold Lado Kawar presented a dance which was greatly appreciated. Lado’s mother Irina, who comes from Jodhpur, ensures that she teaches Lado to keep in touch with the Indian culture, so that she does not lose contact with her heritage.

Dr Phakey then invited Mr Chin Tan, Chairman, Victorian Multicultural Commission, to address members. In four short minutes, Chairman Tan gave us an insight into his vision for VMC. Regarding the grant of $1000 presented to ISCA from his fund toward a Christmas function, Chairman Tan pointed out that the VMC was not Santa Claus. It had a committee that considers all grants, and that special grants from Chairman’s fund were rare. This particular grant from his fund was called for, he explained, because of the rarity of India (i.e. Hindus) celebrating Christmas.

“My vision of VMC is that Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christian and Jews celebrate each others’

festival in togetherness to create religious harmony and enrich our society,” he stated, adding that it was his pleasure to be here.

The tall, elegant and immaculately dressed ex-IBM executive Mr CS Srinivasan or ‘Srini’ is the newly appointed Commissioner for the community, who also gave us a brief talk, reiterating that he proposes to do his bit for the community. Anna Burke, Acting Speaker, Federal Parliament, as always was brief and to the point. She congratulated the Indian community for retaining our cultural obligations and keeping them alive even when outside India. Michael Gidley, local Victorian MP, also praised ISCA’s efforts for keeping the community well informed and entertained. Tandoori Junction catered the lunch, with Geoff Barlow’s music continuing to entertain us. However, members pointed out a minus in the day’s programme as it was deemed ‘multicultural’, but only had Indian performers. ISCA meets every second Saturday of the month at 11 am. For more information, please call President Prem Phakey on 9560 9607.

GEORGE THAKUR

ISCA seniors singing Indian and Australian national anthems.

New KISCA working committee

KISCA seniors enjoy their monthly sessions

Love, devotion and purity for Lord Krishna

Janmashtami celebrations at ISKCON in Melbourne prove to be an enlightening experience

BY CARL BUHARIWALA

Rain and cool breezes did not stop thousands of devotees from attended the Shri Krishna Janmashtami celebrations at Albert Park on August 10, organised by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Melbourne. Seeing the masses of children and adults waiting eagerly to glimpse Shri Lord Krishna to pray and celebrate His birthday was a spectacular sight, which could only be explained in two words: love and devotion.

Krishna Janmashtami is a celebration that occurs annually on Ashtami (eighth day) of the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadra (August–September). It is marked with Rasa Lila, dramatic enactments of the life of Krishna, including dancing, drama, singing of devotional songs and exchanging of gifts, followed by a midnight feast. Hindus celebrate by fasting and staying up until midnight to commemorate the birth of Shri Krishna.

At ISKCON in Melbourne, Janmashtami was celebrated with a wide range of activities, spiritual events and ceremonial processions, which commenced at 4:30am with the Mangala Arati Those fasting also began the ritual at this time. The act of fasting is seen as a way to surrender the body to Lord Krishna and allow Him to take care and provide strength. It is an act of sacrifice and austerity that prepares the body to become pure at the time of His birth. Similarly kirtana or the singing of devotional songs through continuous chanting is a form of offering to cleanse the mind of bad thoughts and bring peace, and well as allowing Shri Krishna to enter into the mind.

Kirtanas were sung through the night with fruit offered to Shri Krishna by the priest in the main temple room, where the procession took place. Outside the room, devotees did darshan (prayers) beside the deities with donations and arati offered to Shri Krishna. At midnight when the birthday celebrations began, the deities were dressed in specially tailored fresh, colourful, handmade clothes from India.

Above the main temple room in the Prasdam Hall, the Vedic cultural programme showcased different types of kirtanas, short dramas and dances that were performed by devotees of all ages,

telling epic tales of Shri Krishna. Seated on the floor, attendees included families who were very much a part of the festivities, all eyes riveted to the stage.

In another theatre, Shri Krishna was being bathed continuously for three hours in milk, ghee and honey. An urn filled with water showered down Him, passed through a sieve moved back and forth, a sight I have never seen before. This bathing was accompanied with devotional songs, adding to the resounding choruses of chanting: ‘Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare!’. This continuous chanting provided a spiritual energy that existed within every corner of the temple.

I was fortunate to meet with the temple’s president, Aniruddha Dasa in his office, well-ornamented with pictures and statues of Shri Krishna, and an artistic sketch of Swami Prabhupada. He revealed the history of how ISKCON Melbourne came into existence.

It all started with the vision of Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the ISKCON, to spread the teachings of Shri Krishna in what is famously known as the ‘Hare Krishna Movement’. In 1965, the Swami set sail from India with a few common household items and four dollars in loose change, to the USA to commence his movement. To call on followers, he chanted the ‘Hare Krsna Maha’ mantra and conducted classes on

the Bhagavad Gita in Tompkins Square Park, New York. Swami Prabhupada translated the Bhagavad Gita in its entirety to English, word for word, which explains how the Americans came to understand Sanskrit! His translation was completely accurate, and without his interpretations included. These teachings attracted the youth and the emerging hippie community, with followers drawn to Swami Prabhupada as he performed kirtana. He created relationships, serving his disciples well with food and friendship.

However, these disciples thought it was odd that their spiritual master was serving them, and they reciprocated in serving him and naming him ‘Srila Prabhupada’, meaning ‘one at whose feet the masters sit’. This marked the commencement of his movement. From then on, his disciples were instructed that their mission was to spread the teachings of Krishna. In just 11 years, Swami Prabhupada consecrated over 110 temples in six continents, enabling hundreds of thousands to learn about Shri Krishna and His teachings. “Swami Prabhupada’s primary aim was to keep the mission of Shri Krishna alive and authentic, and make it attractive to everyone across the world,” stated Aniruddha Dasa.

ISKCON in Melbourne was founded in 1970, and has grown to its current status thanks to

donations from devotees and volunteers who also help run the temple. The temple abides by strict rules of purity with only qualified priests who live according to strict Vedic standards of family and life allowed to practice. The temple maintains a high standard of worship, which is what triggered me to understand the recurring theme that existed throughout the temple and its history: the concept of purity. Purity exists in all forms at the temple and in Swami Prabhupada mission. He believed that each soul is a part of God and the only way to find true happiness is to be as pure as you were created, without indulging in the luxuries of life. He realised that there is a simpler, more natural way of life, and that dedicating one’s energy in the service of God and all living beings is the key to unlocking the door to contentment. From devotees who served prasadam to those responsible for ushering the crowd, every person participating in the Janmashtami served Krishna in one simple way:

through acts of love and devotion. This is the simplest and purest form of help.

Serving others and God is also the simplest act that can bring satisfaction, a concept upheld by the temple. A free Sunday feast is organised for those in need, first offered to Shri Krishna and blessed by Him, and then served to them.

The history and current operations of the ISKCON is what made my visit to the Janmashtami celebrations spectacular. Learning of the teachings of Shri Krishna and Swami Prabhupada’s view on austerity was rewarding. Do make a trip and witness the energy that exists by the grace of Shri Lord Krishna. Haribol!

Aniruddha Dasa and Carl Buhariwala

Experiencing true Australia

A group of travel operators from India enjoy the best Australia has to offer

More than 70 travel operators from India were invited by Tourism Australia for an India Mega Family and Workshop in Melbourne recently. Renowned cricketer Brett Lee was roped in as an ambassador for Australian Tourism in India and he began his role as a ‘Friend of Australia’, by taking the agents on a tour of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The travel agents were in Melbourne between September 1-6, to experience the best of tourism attractions in Australia and to form business relationships with Australian sellers.

A welcome event for the Indian travel Operators was organised by Tourism Australia at the iconic Melbourne Aquarium. Federal Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson; Victoria’s Tourism and major events minister Louise Asher; Regional General Manager, South/ South East Asia and Gulf, Maggie White; and Tourism Australia Managing Director Andrew McEvoy were present to address the 70 buyers from India and select sellers/operators from Australia.

India is Australia’s tenth largest tourism market. It is a market of strong future potential for

Australia. Arrivals from India have seen a compound annual growth rate of 11.9 per cent between 2001 and 2011. According to Andrew McEvoy, Tourism Australia aims to grow the Indian visitor market to Australia by up to 300,000 potential annual visitors by the end of this decade.

Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson reconfirmed Australia’s commitment to the Indian market by launching the India 2020 Strategy recently, which is aimed to capitalise on India’s growing affluence through new consumer research, and by identifying ways to work effectively in its tourism market. According to Minister Ferguson, “India is already one of the world’s fastest growing outbound travel markets and is predicted to grow to 50 million outbound travellers by 2020.” “Last year, India contributed A$867 million to the Australian economy and has the potential to contribute up to A$2.3 billion annually by the end of this decade if we successfully grow our market share,” he added.

The atmosphere was vibrant at the welcome event as guests

enjoyed some Australian hospitality at the aquarium. Agents were divided into teams named Kangaroo, Koalas and Platypus and they competed against each other for the coveted prize of the best photograph during their visit. There were some outstanding and creative contributions; however the Koalas took away the prize amidst a lot of noisy fun. The catering at the aquarium was tasteful and the entertainment provided by a band with flippers on their feet was

enjoyable in parts.

During their visit, the travel operators from India had the opportunity to experience Australian food, wine and shopping, and were able to meet some friendly Australians. Besides visiting the world’s most liveable city of Melbourne, some agents made a trip to Sydney and the Hunter Region in NSW, the Gold Coast in Queensland, and Perth and Fremantle in Western Australia. Several agents also visited

The Whitsundays, Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland and Adelaide, the Barossa Valley and Kangaroo Island in South Australia. Using its marketing and research expertise, Tourism Australia intends to target the Indian market where the greatest tourism growth opportunities exist. This familiarization programme was a small, yet significant step towards achieving that objective.

PREETI JABBAL

Cricketer Brett Lee takes the Indian tour operators on a tour of the MC

Showcasing your sangeet

A unique web-based initiative allows anyone to indulge in their passion for learning music and performing too

If you are a parent of young children, chances are that a bulk of your time is spent taking them to and from music lessons, making them practice their musical instrument, taking them to rehearsals and attending their concerts. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could foster their musical abilities and appreciation of music from the comfort of your own home? Wouldn’t it be great if you could choose what to learn, when to learn and how long to learn, without as much of the physical effort? Wouldn’t it be a dream come true if you could master and perform your favourite songs? According to Sam Bedi, founder of clickSANGEET, who has 20 years of music teaching and

performing experience, all this is definitely possible through his redefined patented music learning system called ‘clickSANGEET’.

Launched recently, ‘clickSANGEET’ brings together 3 years of analysis, research and development. According to Sam who was raised in Melbourne and is currently based in Singapore, ‘clickSANGEET’ came about to address the challenge and problem of why people give up learning music after a short period of time.

“From my own experience, and from the extensive research we conducted, it was identified that one of the reasons is that people find a lack of motivation when learning through the traditional approach to music,” claimed

Sam. “Specifically, issues with the traditional approach related to an emphasis on learning irrelevant songs or songs not part of our daily lives, a focus on theory above playing, the stress and anxiety of examinations, and a lack of opportunity to stage and perform what is learnt,” he continued. “clickSANGEET sought to address these issues by creating a system focused on learning and performing favourite songs from your preferred genre and generation, and the ability to perform immediately. In this way, people would feel an amazing sense of achievement and satisfaction from learning, and so have the motivation to continue further with their music,” explained Sam.

clickSANGEET’s redefined approach to learning music is based on a patented method incorporating technology through a combination of features including online animation, diagrams, illustrations, audio tracks, and examples, to guide and teach people through an entire song. It is a system that caters to all music-lovers as it assumes no music knowledge, and does not require any formal knowledge of notes or theory

before one can perform songs. clickSANGEET also provides an online audience, or ‘global stage’ as Sam called it, where the learner can showcase their performance and receive feedback from an online community all around the world comprising of expert teachers, experienced musicians, peers, family and friends. In doing so, the ‘global stage’ leads to another part of the redefined learning approach, ‘social learning.’ According to Sam, “The feedback replaces the nervewracking examinations conducted in a traditional approach thus reducing the stress and anxiety of performing.”

Since the communication of the launch of ‘clickSANGEET’ back in June this year, Sam specified that they have received overwhelming support from people in the community who have visited the clickSANGEETwebsite, and its Facebook and YouTube pages.

“We have also received funding support from the Singapore government to aid and accelerate our future development, recognizing both the importance and benefit which comes from music learning, and how e-learning can encourage so many more to learn music, as well as bring people together,” said Sam,

sharing his plans and progress. “In future we intend to work very closely with schools and wider associations to support music learning across ages. We will also be launching clickSANGEET in ‘Social Care,’ an initiative designed to let disadvantaged people in the community experience the happiness and satisfaction from performing music for free. It will also be available to those from disadvantaged homes lacking funding and resourcing to learn music due to their own personal situation,” he added.

With over 30 million Indians living around the world, from the USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, UAE, Asia Pacific, South Africa, etc., we all share a common love of music. Music often defines our identity as Indians, and what is associated with being Indian by people around the world.

According to Sam clickSANGEET seeks to make its redefined music learning approach available to everyone in the world keen to learn music. Starting with a collection of recent hits and classic favourites, the repertoire at the clickSANGEET library will grow by the minute and giving in to your passion for music will only be a click away.

communityscene

Famous women on display

A renowned photographer and philatelist showcases his collection of unique and rare stamps

By Sujith KriShnan

One of the most humble and admired personalities in the Indian community in Melbourne is AP Guruswamy, popularly known as ‘Uncle’ on the social circuit. While most of us are aware that Uncle has a penchant for photographs and photography, another facet of his personality has been unleashed – Uncle is a fervent collector of stamps or to be precise, he is a philatelist.

An exhibition was organized at the Indian Consulate recently as a tribute to his anthology. The normally reticent Uncle says, “This is my first initiative in Melbourne to generate awareness within the community and chronicle the evolution of Indian stamps.”

Photography developed as a hobby for Uncle at an early age, when he requested a few books on this creative expertise from Italy, through one of his acquaintances in the early 1960s. While he pursued this interest as a hobby in the years to follow, Uncle turned it into a profession in the 1980s when he worked as the official photographer for various governments in north and south India.

Thanks to his father who was employed in a post office in the 1950s, uncle was also lured to stamps when quite young. Now in his sixties, this soft-spoken gentleman is in possession of an

enviable compilation of an aweinspiring scale of stamps dating back to the twentieth century…. such is the passion for his hobby!

While a stamp is merely an accessory that aids correspondence for many of us, for Uncle, it is much more than just a small square fragment of paper with a visual. “Every nation’s stamps narrate a story of their own, related to culture, religion or a famous leader. I find this information very attractive in a stamp and this prompts me to study more about the nation’s history, geography and currency. Moreover, they are beautiful in design,” says Uncle.

Despite being the proud owner of an astounding multiplicity of stamps, Uncle’s much-loved compilation is what he calls ‘Famous Women’, which formed the theme at the recent exhibition. He says, “I put on display every single stamp I had of worldrenowned women celebrated in various domains such as politics, social reformers, doctors, writers and artistes. Moreover, the world’s first-ever stamp with Queen Victoria’s image created in 1840 was on display as well, right until the most recent Olympic Gold medallist Sally Pearson in 2012.”

Another prized possession he is proud to speak about is the 1948 Mahatma Gandhi service Rs.10 mint (unused) stamp sheet which was eventually sold by David Feldman, one of the world’s leading philatelic auction houses, for a staggering amount of USD 205, 000.

When asked if the current wave of digitalization would hinder the

record 50,000 stamps, Uncle has sound advice for aspiring stamp aficionados. “It’s not just about the numbers because stamps also help improve one’s knowledge about a nation’s history, and a beginner can start by collecting stamps from his/her own country first but eventually, it boils down to one’s interest and curiosity. My current focus is on stamps that

have come out as a mark of respect to wars and its heroes,” he says.

Uncle now intends to start an Indian Subcontinent Stamps Club (ISSC) in Melbourne as a platform for avid stamps enthusiasts from different regions in the subcontinent to come together and discuss, well, stamps! We wish him the very best.

Compelling debut by Senthuruka

Exuberant dancing intertwined with melodious Carnatic compositions, made for an enthralling performance at Senthuruka Balasundaram’s arangetram, which was enjoyed by an enthusiastic audience. Held at Monash University’s Alexander Theatre recently, Smt Ushanthini Sripathmanathan, founder of the Natyalayaa School of Indian Classical Dance, extended her lineage of graduates to exemplify and embody the spirit of the Kalakshetra style of Bharathanatyam.

Ushering in the night of dance was a Pushpanjali followed by the invocatory piece Ganesha Anjali, paying homage to the deity in sincere reverence. Dominating the repertoire, the Varnam saw

Senthuruka display an innate development of the narrative, progressively altering in smooth transitions between pure dance sequences and emotive mimicry. Lucid storytelling was made possible through Senthuruka’s ability to deliver expressive character portrayals through proficient dramatic interpretation in an aesthetically redeeming manner. Following the Varnam was a keerthanam portraying Lord Shiva’s splendour, as well as two pathams. Thillana concluded the performance, incorporating with it fluidity and verve to interchanging rhythmic syllables in a fitting culmination to the night.

An esteemed Carnatic ensemble comprising of vocalist Ahilan Sivanandan, mridangist Ravi

M. Ravichandhira, and violinist Shri Murali Kumar fervently complemented Senthuruka’s performance.

Chief guest, Smt. Sreelatha Vinod, an internationally recognised and highly acclaimed Bharatanatyam exponent, was in attendance alongside guest of honour, Kandiah Kumarasamy.

The inherent credo held amongst students under Smt. Ushanthini Sripathmanathan’s tutelage is to replicate, with minimal digression, the characteristics of the traditional temple dance under observed reverence. Bearing witness to Senthuruka’s arangetram, this very ideal was espoused in magnificent form.

S Perera

AP Guruswamy

demo on VFS services well received

aCommunity Familiarization programme, the first under this programme was recently held at the premises of VFS Global at 55 Swanston Street in Melbourne, Victoria.

This programme launched by VFS Global seeks to reach out to community stakeholders to provide an insight into how consular services are delivered through VFS Global, the service provider authorised by the High Commission of India in Australia to accept applications for specified services. These services include Visa, Passport, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI), Persons of India Origin (PIO), Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) and India Drivers Licence Verification (IDLV).

The Hon Consul General, Dr SK Behera presided over the function and shared his views on how VFS Global and the Consulate work together in sync to ensure on time processing of applications.

The audience was taken through a brief presentation based on the core objective of the programme and then taken on a tour of the Visa Application Centre demonstrating how stringent procedures are followed, and the emphasis on Physical and Information

indian Media Owners association plan to work together

Security. An important part of the programme was to also to inform key community stakeholders how they could assist with passing this information to other members of the community especially with reference to why certain procedures need to be followed (for example, completeness of an application, photo specifications and procedures for applications in an emergency, etc.)

The feedback was positive and community leaders were pleased that, they were now more aware than before of the role that VFS Global performed and how it played an important part although performing an administrative task.

VFS Global is the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for diplomatic missions worldwide with over 708 Visa Application Centres located in 83 countries across 5 continents as at 31 August 2012. VFS Global serves the interests of the diplomatic missions of 37 sovereign governments. VFS Global has successfully processed over 48 million applications since its inception in 2001.

VFS Global proudly serves the High Commission of India/Embassy of India in 19 countries worldwide.

the inaugural meeting of the Indian Media Owners Association of Australia (IMOAA) took place recently at the Indian Consulate to discuss various options by which the organisation could serve the community better. Attended by newspaper owners, the association had the Consul General Mr Behara in attendance.

All in attendance spoke about the challenges and opportunities for the Indian newspapers in Australia. Information was

exchanged in order to improve the quality of reporting mechanisms; the challenges of distribution, creating more awareness of IMOAA policies and programmes to the advertisers; as well as addressing other issues affecting the Indian media industry in Victoria and Australia.

The media representatives invited the Consul General of India to be the IMOAA’s Patron, a role that was accepted by Dr S K Behera. Monthly meetings of the organisation will facilitate a smooth flow of information.

People Parties Places

Harshaan’s parents and friends join him in celebrating his third birthday with a pirate party

of Melbourne’s Indian community to hoist the tricolour on India’s Independence Day

Jasmine, Vandana, Sujata and Chabita enjoy

Party time at Tandoori Junction Restauarant

GuestsatYatraFoundation2012Fundraiser

Kirti Singh and Jasoda Sharma at the opening of the new showroom, Bedazzled by Rani

Laksh Kolape

Pop star Sukhwinder Singh joins CG Subhakanta Behera and members

An Indian rocket recently successfully put into orbit two foreign satellites, marking Indian space agency ISRO’s 100th mission in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

“As ISRO’s 100th space mission, today’s launch is a milestone in our nation’s space capabilities,” the prime minister said in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh after the launch.

Exactly at 9.53 a.m., Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C21 (PSLV-C21), 44 metres tall and weighing around 230 tonne, with a one-way ticket, hurtled itself towards the skies ferrying the two satellites - SPOT 6, a 712-kg French earth observation satellite, and Proiteres, a 15-kg Japanese micro satellite.

The PSLV, costing around Rs.90 crore, blasted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, around 80 km from Chennai.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has now completed its 100th mission since the launch of its first satellite, Aryabhata, in 1975 by a Russian rocket. With a rich orange flame at its tail and plume of white smoke, PSLV-C21 ascended towards the sky amid cheers of ISRO scientists and media team assembled at the launch centre.

People perched atop nearby buildings too clapped as the rocket went up.

Scientists at ISRO’s new mission control room were glued to their computer screens watching the rocket escape the earth’s gravitational pull.

At around 18 minutes into the flight, PSLV-C21 delivered SPOT 6 and a few seconds later Proiteres into their intended polar orbits.

On the successful ejection of the satellites, scientists at mission control were visibly relieved and started clapping.

Manmohan Singh, who along with Minister in Prime Minister’s Office, V. Narayanasamy, witnessed the launch, congratulated ISRO scientists and engineers and EADS Astrium of France and Osaka Institute of Technology of Japan for the successful launch of their satellites.

“Questions are sometimes asked about whether a poor country like India can afford a space programme and whether the funds spent on space exploration, albeit

state of development is finally a product of its technological prowess,” the prime minister said.

The remote sensing satellites send back pictures and other data.

SPOT 6 is the heaviest foreign satellite to be carried by a PSLV since 1999 when ISRO started launching satellites of foreign agencies.

Proiteres will study powered flight of another satellite and observe Japan’s Kansai district with a high-resolution camera.

Speaking to reporters later, ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan said discussions were on with the French space agency to carry SPOT 7, a similar remote sensing satellite slated for launch soon.

He said there were 13 more satellites of similar class and some other satellites could go as co-passengers to the main cargo that ISRO/Antrix Corporation (ISRO’s commercial arm) would target.

Declining to reveal the carriage fee received from French and Japanese agencies for launching their satellites, Radhakrishnan said the mission revenue had recovered the rocket’s cost.

Agreeing that there was a two-minute delay in the rocket’s lift off (the scheduled time was 9.51 a.m.), Radhakrishnan said it was to avoid possible space debris impacts.

He said ISRO had decided to set up a Multi Object Tracking Radar (MOTR) to track space debris and time its rocket launches precisely.

ISRO was also planning to have a second vehicle (rocket) assembly building to increase launch frequency, he said.

ISRO would also build two more communication satellites - GSAT 15 and GSAT 16 - to augment its transponder (transmitters that receive and send signals) capacity, he added.

Till date, ISRO has successfully launched 27 foreign satellites and the Sunday mission took the tally to 29.

Pakistan visit fruitful: Krishna

Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna described as “fruitful” his three-day visit to Pakistan that he wrapped-up recently.

Talking to the media after arriving at Allama Iqbal International Airport for a day-long visit to Lahore, Krishna said he and his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani

promote bilateral ties.

He arrived in this capital of the Punjab province on the final leg of his visit that began on September 7. Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal was present.

Krishna said the dialogue between the Indian and Pakistani leadership would be fruitful as Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the people of India wanted peaceful relations with Pakistan.

He said the peaceful ties between between the neighbouring countries would be helpful for the prosperity of the region.

Krishna met Punjab province Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif as well as Punjab Governor Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa.

Shahbaz Sharif said India and Pakistan should discuss all outstanding issues.

While in Lahore, the Indian external affairs minister visited Data Durbar shrine of a sufi saint and the Minar-e-Pakistan, a tall monumental minaret.

The minister arrived in Lahore from Islamabad where he met his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar. An agreement on a liberalised visa regime was signed by him and Interior Minister Rehman Malik.

Mukherjee asks youth diaspora to learn about India

President Pranab Mukherjee recently asked the youth of the Indian diaspora to learn about India, its traditions and thought process and to use the knowledge for the betterment of the global community at large.

Speaking to a group of Indian youth diaspora attending the ‘Know India Programme’ (KIP) of the ministry of overseas Indian affairs (MOIA) in New Delhi, Mukherjee said they were fortunate to learn from their Indian ancestors the principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The world is a family).

Answering questions from participants at Rastrapati Bhavan, the president emphasized the importance of values for the youth and said: “We are fortunate to have learnt from our ancestors the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.”

Naming Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi as contemporary exponents of the ancient

philosophy, Mukherjee said the same is enshrined in the Indian constitution, which has been described as a ‘Magna Carta’ for the socio-economic transformation of a large majority of the human race.

Describing the Indian constitution as a living document, which is operationalised every day through statecraft, he pointed out how India has been empowering people through legislations such as the Right to Information, Right to Education and Right to Food, which entrusted a tremendous amount of responsibility on the government.

The president asked the youth attending the 21st edition of KIP to “always keep in mind India’s unity amidst extraordinary diversity, economic goal of inclusive growth and the fact that the key to attaining inclusive growth is spread of knowledge”.

“The story of India is not a few paragraphs in a text book of history, but the story of a vast multitude of human beings trying to find their rightful place in the comity of nations,” he said and noted that this story is enacted everyday in India’s villages, agricultural fields, offices, factories, laboratories and classrooms.

Expressing confidence that each of the participants would take home a little part of India in their hearts, he encouraged them to continue learning about India based on their first hand experiences acquired through the KIP.

Commenting on the influence of the western world on India, Mukherjee said India has always been an open society with a continuous flow of cultural influences to and from outside.

India, he said, assimilated the foreign influences and redesigned them to suit its own, unique identity.

“English education and parliamentary system are some of the contributions of the West to India. India added its own traditions of Sabha and Samiti (local bodies of governance) to the democratic system.

The president said every modern nation is a product of assimilation and India has led in civilizational interaction with other parts of the world.

The 21st edition of three-week KIP has participants of Indian origin from 11 countries such as New Zealand, Surinam, Malaysia, Fiji, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Iran, Slovak Republic and Israel. All are in the 18-26 age group.

KIP’s objective is to introduce India to the youth of Indian origin living abroad and to link the youth diaspora with their country of origin.

Under the present edition, the participants will visit Tamil Nadu to see and experience historical, cultural, industrial and administrative institutions. They will also interact with the Indian media, visit NGOs and women’s movements.

The first leg of this edition of KIP began on Aug 29 and ended with the participants’ interaction with Mukherjee.

The visitors will visit their host state and will also return to the national capital to share their experiences with the MOIA officials.

Need joint efforts to save Himalayas: Eco-activists

Concerned over the threat to natural resources in the Himalayas, environmentalists recently said in New Delhi that there was an urgent need to preserve its

India’s Grisha Hosanagara Nagarajegowda takes the silver in the Men’s High Jump F42 event at the London 2012 Paralympic Games on September 3, 2012.

ecology and the country’s states benefitting by the mountain’s resources like water should step up effort to protect them.

Observing the ‘Himalaya Day’ for the third year consecutively, the environment activists urged the central government to urge the states which reap benefits from its natural resources like water to join hands to conserve it.

“Responsibility to conserve the richness and resourcefulness of the Himalayas needs to be shouldered by every citizen of the country,” said eminent environmentalist Anil Joshi.

“The call by us (activists) is to develop strong collateral relations between mountain and non-mountain regions to negate the threats posed to natural resources, water and oxygen, as Himalayas is not a concern for the Himalayan communities alone; it rather is a question of the security of livelihood which involves all the parts of the country that reap multiple benefits from it,” he said.

A group of environmentalist gathered in national capital to celebrate Sep 9 as Himalaya Day.

The day was chosen by activists in 2010 to bring awareness to save the lofty ranges of Himalayas which are under ecological threat due to increased human interference.

“Unfortunately, Himalayas are seen as a commodity. Everybody just enjoys the resources but no one is ready to address the crisis of this region,” he said, adding that 65 percent of the water from the Himalayas is being used by other states while those in the Himalayan region use only 3.8 percent of it.

He also said Himalayas are dying as the snowfall patterns are drastically altered and glaciers are melting in the region. Landslides, cloudburst are the results of mistreating the nature.

“If we don’t get our acts together... we will have to bear the brunt, which would be devastating. Changing climate pattern means more frequent droughts and floods not only in the region but also those living in downstream,” he added.

Various environment activists participating in the Himalayan Day celebration demanded a separate board to be formed to tackle environment issues in the Himalayan region.

“To safeguard Himalayas a separate board comprising representatives from various states should be formed so that they could focus on the issues pertaining to it,” an activist participating in the event added.

Faster development when India fully literate: Ansari

Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari recently said India’s development would be fast-tracked from the day the country

Devotees attend evening prayers at the Golden Temple, the holiest of Sikh shrines, illuminated on the occasion of 408th anniversary of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the holy book of Sikh religion in Amritsar, September 1, 2012.

attained complete literacy.

Speaking at the Sakshar Bharat prize distribution ceremony of the National Literacy Mission Authority at the Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University in Lucknow, Ansari said that if the number of literates increases in the country, India would become a centre of knowledge.

In his address, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav noted that his Samajwadi Party (SP) government had taken a host of decisions aimed at increasing literacy, specially amongst the women.

Citing some of the measures, he said

that the government would provide for a free tablet for students passing class 10 and taking admission in class 11 and a laptop to all students who pass class 12 and take admission in degree colleges.

By doing so, the state government, other than benefitting the students, was also aiming at getting parents and guardians to get connected to internet and improve their living standards by increasing their income, Akhilesh Yadav said.

He also said that his government had approved the centrally-aided national optical fibre network through which all the

panchayats would get broadband access and the countryside would benefit immensely by the use of internet.

He also said that his government was working towards increasing the literacy of girls over 15 with the Kanya Vidya Dhan Yojna.

Through this scheme girls would be encouraged to go in for higher studies and be given Rs. 30,000 as encouragement. Girls from the minority community passing class 10 would also be given Rs.30,000 in financial aid, he said.

Funny Daddy

Funny Daddy

That’s not funny,

‘Daaad, you’re embarrassing me!’ is a familiar refrain now, and isn’t just confined to teens. Familiarity with fathers has now reached new heights with kids saying what they feel, and dads taking their comments in their stride – and even going out of their way to further embarrass their children. It’s an easy, open, cheerful bonding that is a delight to experience.

We love them to bits, but dads can sometimes make us want to cringe. Like when yours says, “Comb your hair!” when it’s taken 20 minutes and a whole jar of gel to achieve a cool ‘tousled’ look. And you’re 30! Or he pretends to bump into you and your girlfriends in the mall, when you know that he’s been stalking you for the past hour, hoping to catch you’ll talking to boys!

FunnyDaddy

When I was your age…” is all it takes to get the familiar ‘rolling eyes’ look. What is it about kids these days, in our day we were never so disrespectful to our fathers! But of course, we never got down to an impromptu wrestling match interspersed with shrieks of laughter. Kids may be quirky and annoying, but they can also be lovable and caring. Why else would they take their dad shopping for bikinis, or try besting him on the XBox. So what if their dad uses green Vaseline to gel his hair, it’s their job to embarrass their kids. Even Bob Geldof admitted that his kids don’t think he’s cool. “They think I’m a total tiresome loser. They say ‘daaaaad, you’re so embarrassing’ and ‘dad, why is your shirt unbuttoned?!” he said in an interview. But guess what, when they get to dad’s age, his kids will think he’s cool. And it’ll be worth the wait!

Funny Daddy

Funny Daddy Funny Daddy funny, Dad!

Daddy

Funny Daddy

Things my dad does that embarrass me

He shouts, “Run, girls!” at the top of his voice in his Indian accent at my cricket matches.

He tries to act cool in front of my teen friends, and has even said, “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your homies?”

He’s really quite cool and I love him very much, but not when he’s singing I’ve Got the Moves Like Jagger.

He’s the worst dancer ever, but he thinks he’s great and always grooves right in the middle of the dance floor at parties!

When we’re at the shops and if I move out of his line of vision, he always calls my name out loudly, as if I’m 4 instead of 14!

My dad has a favourite story, that he used to bully Shahrukh Khan at school: he tells it all the time and I feel so emabarrassed!

He says he’s going to get an earring on his 50th birthday.

He wore lime green pants with a wide white belt and a pink shirt tucked in, to a party recently.

He drives around with loud Bollywood music blaring out of his car – it’s so embarrassing!

He brought out my baby photos at my birthday party. Yes, even the one of me in nappies. My friends put that one on a t-shirt!

He wants to adopt my fashion sense, wear skinny jeans and spike up his hair with gel.

He naps on the lounge and snores really, really loudly – just when my friends are over on Sunday afternoon!

He tried on a pair of really low cut hipster jeans, and then asked the teenage shop assistant whether they had ‘trendy’ wide-banded designer underwear to match.

He’s constantly substituting lyrics in songs, or singing silly English versions of Hindi songs.

He told off my maths teacher at school once – I was so embarrassed to go back!

He asks me to recite a poem, sing a song, or ‘show latest dance steps’ whenever we have company. I’m 16!

He tries to sing One Direction songs, but is convinced that the name of the band is ‘Inside Edition’.

He begins telling a funny story and is so overwhelmed by the punch-line that he’s in hysterics before telling it. So everyone’s looking bemused and waiting to hear it, while he’s laughing himself silly.

He’ll ask what movie is going on, about three times in the same hour.

He tells all my girlfriends I fancy Zac from One Direction just because he’s part South Asian like me… But that’s so not true, because I like them all… oops, does that sound bad?

When a Bollywood love song is on (eg You are my Sonia), he’ll start singing along and acting like Hrithik Roshan, and then grab mum and pretend she’s Kareena Kapoor. Thankfully she rolls her eyes most times and pushes him off.

He says, ‘What? Whaat? What did you say?’ He’s not hard of hearing, but he can’t understand my accent. It’s ‘Ab-(o)ri-gin-al’ not ‘Abor-i-ginal’, dad. And he says, ‘Po-ta-to, Po-tat-o, same difference!’

Funny Daddy Funny Daddy

He sometimes belches loudly after a big meal and then looks around the table and says, ‘Who was that?’ It’s gross, but you gotta smile!

He likes to recount episodes of my babyhood, but when he gets to the terms I used to use for bodily functions, I have to hide.

He thinks Salman Khan movies are entertaining – ‘nuff said!

He makes one line jokes while in the midst of a serious discussion before a gathering.

He organises kids’ games at parties and tells them to dance around to warm up before starting the game. But he’s the only one dancing….

He puts up baby photos of me on Facebook and then tags me!

He sings in an opera voice just to make me laugh – it’s hilarious and embarrassing!

When we’re at the airport, he always tries to get an upgrade at the check-in.

FunnyDaddy Funny Daddy

Photo: Istock

Jeannette D’Souza, Sajini Gupta, Devna Luthra, Anushe Uzair, Nehchal Anand, Katarina Ahmed, Mischa Sahgal, Sid & Nik Dixit, Manan Luthra, Kris Fernandes, Sachin Gupta

Life in Facebook world

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By aMit dutt

legendary singer Mohammed Rafi

sang Ankhon hi ankhon mein ishara ho gaya, baithe baithe jeene ka sahara ho gaya. Had Rafi saab been singing today, the lyrics would have been like this, Facebook hi Facebook mein ishara ho gaya, like, share aur comment ka sahara ho gaya

According to a recent survey, Facebook, with almost 900 million users, is the third largest country in the world after India and China, and a country that size will certainly have its own language too. Diehard Facebook converts know the language, talk, share and promote their feelings in a language only the ardent FB follower will understand.

For example, one of my FB as well as real-life friends (as most people have a FB and a real life, it’s only natural to have two set of friends), unhappy over some of my actions recently, kicked me out of his FB. No words were exchanged, no swords drawn, no one was killed; but like a smooth criminal, my identity was chopped off from the third largest country in the world. And I noticed and understood the language, and the accent too. It was simple, effortless and accomplished with only a little click!

through SMS was the ‘in’ thing. But again, the world is moving fast. Even SMS is a personal one-to-one contact. You send, and one other person responds. But on FB, you can do the most personal of things without being personal at all. And what’s more, the whole country knows it and there’s no recourse either!

While on a positive note, FB has helped in catching up with friends from the distant past and lands, whom we would never have imagined seeing again. It cannot be blamed for how it is being used, but it has also served as a tool to become faceless. Faceless, when you want to.

No words were exchanged, no swords drawn, no one was killed; but like a smooth criminal, my identity was chopped off from the third largest country in the world

To people you know, those you have been friends with and shared your time with, and people who deserve better. As a matter of fact, there are websites dedicated to the issue of handling your emotions when dumped by your partner or friends on FB, and the most efficient ways to dump people too, in case you decide to use the same method.

On the whole, social media like Facebook has made us more densely networked than ever.

In this fast-moving world, a phrase used since the 1980s as the world hasn’t slowed since then, any appreciation, any growl, any feeling can be expressed through FB without saying a word. Relationship statuses first change on FB and then in real life. A co-worker recently realised that his fiancée had dumped him after he got a call from a mutual friend saying her status was changed from engaged to single. That was it. The ultimate blow, the extreme hit with no recourse! Poor guy became like Bahadur Shah Zafar during his last days in Rangoon: Kitna badnaseeb hai zafar dafan ke liye...do gaz zameen bhi na milli kuyen yaar mein. Could not even find do gaz zameen close to his fiancée to discuss their relationship, or what was left of it.

Till a few years ago, expression of emotions

Yet for all this connectivity, new research suggests that we have never been lonelier, and it’s getting worse. We live in moments of super-connected loneliness. While we connect to people on FB, we are shying away from them in real life. We find chatting on FB acceptable and easy, but find it difficult to discuss issues with the same friends face-to-face. We click the toughest pictures, research the rarest of quotes to put on FB, yet we want the easy way out when it comes to dealing with the same people in real time.

While a large part of Facebook’s appeal stems from its fusion of distance with intimacy, or the illusion it, it drives us away from the reality we live in.

While a large part of Facebook’s appeal stems from its fusion of distance with intimacy, or the illusion it, it drives us away from the reality we live in. It’s taught us the difference between connection and bonding, especially in the light of the “connected world” today. It has created local online communities which have become the drivers of our self-image. And to top it all, our self-image has become restless, eager to show these online communities our social achievements. And just like FB, our self-image refuses to take a break from FB.

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Being a citizen of the world’s largest cyber country can lead to quiet assassinations and even intense isolation

Sweat soaked saris: Dance disclosures

A daring book reveals the unacknowledged influence of Indian classical dance into America’s modern genre

By Chitra SudarShan

in her ground-breaking work, Sweating Saris: Indian Dance as Transnational Labor (December 30, 2011) Priya Srinivasan examines dancers not just as aesthetic bodies, but as transnational migrant workers and wage earners who negotiate citizenship and gender issues.

Sweating Saris seeks to understand dance – and more specifically, Bharatanatyam – as gendered bodily labour, and through it, highlights racism and a certain cultural bias inherent in the idea of American citizenship. The author argues that by examining the Indian-American dancing woman as a labourer, one can see her negotiating the terms of US citizenship. The dancers’ sweat-soaked sari is the symbol of that unrecognized labour – and hence the title of the book. Srinivasan introduces and deals with several complex ideas in the book – including the idea of Bharatanatyam dancers as upholders of cultural nationalism

of South Asian communities in the US, and their location within the US multicultural discourse. In the course of her inquiry, she examines and demonstrates the debt owed by Ruth St Denis to Indian dance which has never been recognised or acknowledged. Following the work of Edward Said’s Orientalism, the author places this squarely in the lap of US colonialism and imperialism of the early twentieth century. Srinivasan points out that Ruth St Denis’s ‘modernist’ project of American dance reproduced ‘nachwalis dance’ of India without acknowledging it; the contribution made to her career by Indian male performers was erased from public discourse; St Denis benefitted from Indian dancers and teachers without honouring them. The nachwalis labour was effectively effaced through the process of absorption of their dance practices without acknowledging their contribution. Ruth St Denis never admitted the contribution of Indian bodies to her dancing, yet she is touted as this great innovator of ‘modern dance’ – the guru of the legendary Martha Graham. Invoking the French philosopher Foucault’s ideas, Priya Srinivasan describes Indian

dancers as the subalterns: male and female Indian labour in the context of race-charged US citizenship debates.

The author argues that they highlight the racist overtones and underpinnings previously sidelined in North American Orientalist discourse. Modern dance attempted to establish itself as new and original, while denying its Oriental origins. This is part of the construction of the larger myth that US citizenship is a purely a white endeavour.

The author, while demonstrating this, nevertheless resists the temptation of going to the other extreme: of clinging to the idea that Bharatanatyam – and Indian classical dance – in its twentieth century form as somehow ‘authentically traditional’. She locates those ideas too in India’s independence movement and its drive to establish a national identity.

In Chapter 6, Srinivasan argues that while resisting the dominant American culture represented by White American nationalism in the early twentieth century, Indian dance too, presented its own problems of cultural nationalism. Nevertheless it offered and offers an alternative to the dominant

mainstream US citizenship, and allows young Indian dancers to access possible alternatives to assimilation – however temporary.

Srinivasan merges ethnography, history, critical race theory, performance and post-colonial studies among other disciplines to investigate the embodied experience of Indian dance. She is the ‘unruly spectator’; the dance ethnographer who frames the whole field of Indian dance within the larger question of race, gender, class and politics. This book is not for everyone. It is written very much

in academic language and apart from academics, few readers will be able to read the book from cover to cover and be able to glean the thrust of the author’s argument. That does not take away from it the fact that it is an important book that needed to be written; an argument that had to be made. Srinivasan makes it forcefully, clearly, honestly, fearlessly, and with a great degree of sophistication.

Priya Srinivasan is Associate Professor in Critical Dance Studies at the Department of Dance, University of California, Riverside. In 2008, she received the Gertrude Lippincott Award given by the Society of Dance History Scholars for the best English-language article published in dance studies.

The author argues that by examining the Indian-American dancing woman as a labourer, one can see her negotiating the terms of US citizenship

Priya Srinivasan

An Aussie Boy in cH enn

The rising storm

Fundamentalism by ultranationalists is seeping through the core of India today, with damaging effects

acolleague once told me that he loved travelling in Asia for all its hilarious contradictions.

Such as the metro trains in Tokyo, where talking on mobile phones is banned to avoid disturbing other people. Arriving at each station, however, passengers are earbashed by an organ player, announcing the name of the stop along with a ditty on the keyboard at full volume. Absurd? Absolutely! Living in India, I see similar contradictions; however the paradoxes here are often much more profound and unsettling. Each evening now a huge bank of clouds builds over Chennai belying the heat of the day, an ominous warning of the approaching monsoon. A not dissimilar sensation may also occur to anyone who has monitored the media in recent months and years. The question of national identity has been a hot topic in Asian countries for many years, and India is no exception. Since as long as people can remember Indians have struggled, and for the most part, balanced who they are: nationality, language, religion, job – but not necessarily in that order. Occasionally the balance would be thrown and would explode into violence. However in the late-2000s many held their breath that maybe economic progress would outstrip the days of communal unrest. Today, those people find themselves in between ultranationalists, religious fundamentalists and hardline secularists, all of whom have a vision of what India should be. This debate is an old one, but is rising in intensity and scope thanks to social and traditional media sources. It is particularly fraught in India, where morality and politics has been confused by years of foreign invasion and rule.

The 2009 overturning of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code is a case in point. The law which famously criminalized sexual activity ‘against the order of nature’ was introduced during British rule. That considered, opposition to overturning the law came from an unlikely source – ultranationalists. Of course religious figures also

campaigned against the move, but for different reasons to those given by the nationalists. It served to highlight the contradictions in the ideology of the far right – that some of the (allegedly) proudest Indians would seek to uphold a relic of the British era. Is India not the home of the Kamasutra?

Isn’t the world’s finest example of theological erotic art in Khajuraho?

The point here is not that we must all engage in the acts sculpted out of those stone walls. We don’t even have to condone them –blush if you will! The point is that India has an indigenous tradition of sex independent of Britain and its scandal-ridden ‘passions of the flesh’ paranoia. The contradictions in modern India are rife. Conservative Muslims receive uninvited promotional text messages advertising: “The secrets of love – just Rs. 5, push yes to know more!” Young girls are tut-tutted by old men for the clothes they wear enroute to a nightclub. Don’t be fooled, this is not a struggle between tradition and modernity – it’s a battle between two different visions for the nation. And although this isn’t unique to India, what is most concerning is the often vitriolic form it is taking. In 2010, journalist Sagarika Ghose coined the term ‘Internet Hindu’ to describe those who had attacked her online for her “pseudo-secularism” (cue outraged gasps). Many have objected to the term ‘Internet Hindu’ as Hinduism preaches peace, while so-called ‘Internet Hindus’ are characterized by their aggression. And therein lies the biggest contradiction of the ultranationalist movement.

If Hinduism is a religion of peace, it is difficult to comprehend how it can be reconciled with some of the acerbic rhetoric emerging nowadays. Equally, the marriage of rabid ultranationalism and modern India is troublesome, given the foundations laid by the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi. He spoke of his vision for a pluralistic, harmonious society, and I can’t imagine the current tide of ultranationalism being condoned by the ‘great soul’, were he still alive. Moreover, the consequences of an overly aggressive India could be catastrophic for the nation. Gujarat’s reputation is still recovering from the riots of 2002, and the local tourism market has felt the pinch. Tourism is just one area that would be affected by a

paradigm shift in Indian society. India has had front-row seats to the effects of extremism in Pakistan in the past decade, not to mention the implications if India was drawn into a war with its neighbour. Uber-patriots claim that the Indian military could conquer any adversary – they fail to address what would be the cost to the nation’s credentials and society. The storms that breaks over

Chennai every night brings with them tumult and turbulence but come morning, the clouds are gone. India, on the other hand, can’t sleep during the growing storm over its future. The idea that India is a peaceful nation is problematic, given its long history of internal conflict. Nevertheless it’s an idea that must be aspired to – the stakes are too high for it to be otherwise.

If Hinduism is a religion of peace, it is difficult to comprehend how it can be reconciled with some of the acerbic rhetoric emerging nowadays.

Storms brew over Chennai... and over the government in Delhi.

The Gay Rights movement is only just beginning in the land of the Kama Sutra

Ultranationalists, religious fundamentalists and hardline secularists, all have a vision of what India should be.

y M Blight

adventure Borneo

Travel noTebook

K u C hing , B O rn EO

GETTING T h E r E

Kuching is 1.30 hours by air from Singapore (Silk Air) or 1.40 hours from Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia Airlines or Air Asia).

G ETTING A rou ND

Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive. Buses are cheap, efficient and modern. The Visitors Information Centre has timetable and fare information. Sampans cross the river for around 15 cents per person. The Sarawak River Cruise’s sunset cruise is recommended. For Bako, catch Bus No 1 to Kampung Bako and from there charter a boat. Local tour operators also offer trips to Bako. Purchase a map of the 16 walking trails on arrival.

W h E r E To STAy

The newly refurbished Hilton Kuching is the place to stay, a landmark in its own right, on the Waterfront Esplanade in the centre of town. Rooms are newly refurbished, well appointed and with great views. Phone: + 60 82 248 200 Email: kuching@hilton.com / website: www.hilton.com

The modern and quirky Batik Boutique Hotel will suit those wanting an upbeat experience, www.batikboutiquehotel.com, while Berambih Lodge www.berambihlodge.com and the Tune Hotel www.tunehotels.com are good budget choices. Four hours by road and a short boat ride away, the Batang Ai Longhouse Resort, managed by Hilton is set in a pristine rainforest setting. www.hilton.com

Bako National Park offers overnight accommodation.

W h E r E To EAT

Magna Carta, Main Bazaar for cafe food at Sydney prices; Food Courts and Hawker Centres for authentic no-frills dining. Recommended are spicy coconut milk-based Laksa, popiah, satay or any of the many noodle dishes. The Hilton is where Kuching’s movers and shakers meet, with a menu that ranges from authentic Malaysian cuisine to great club sandwiches.

Mor E INF or MATI o N

Borneo Adventure, 55 Main Bazaar, Kuching. Website: www.borneoadventure.com organizes highly regarded ecologically sustainable tours.

Sarawak Forestry has information on National Parks: www.sarawakforestry.com

Sarawak Tourism Website: www.sarawaktourism.com

Tourism Malaysia Website: www.tourism.gov.my

With its laidback attitude and plethora of tribal wares, Borneo’s Kuching is a city worth exploring for its old world charm

By PEtra O’nEill

Afort with turrets is not what you might expect to see as you cruise gently downstream by sampan on the Sarawak River, but Fort Margherita built in 1879 by Charles Brooke the second White Rajah, is just one of the many charms you will find here.

At the beginning of the 19th century, Sarawak was under the control of the Sultan of Brunei. After the appointment of an unpopular governor, the locals revolted. In 1839 James Brooke arrived in Kuching, put down the rebellion and became Rajah. His nephew Charles, though not quite the adventurer he was, was an excellent administrator expanding his rule to encompass all of Sarawak. After the Japanese occupation during World War II, Sarawak came under British colonial rule until 1963 when independence was granted and it formed part of Malaysia.

Kuching is the capital city of Sarawak on the island of

Borneo, the third largest island in the world and one of the most delightful cities in South-East Asia. Kuching offers a glimpse of what other Asian cities were once like. Laidback, gracious and friendly with a population of 600,000, a walk along the streets will reveal dragon-festooned Chinese temples and shop houses, a 19th-century South Indian mosque and historic colonial architecture, the most atmospheric streets being Jalan Gambier, India and Carpenter. Restaurants and open-air hawker stalls sell a variety of Asian cuisines, including the multilayered rainbow-coloured egg sponge cakes known as kek lapis. There are many museums including the splendid Sarawak Museum with an exceptional ethnographic collection, the Textile Museum with hand-woven fabric made of gold or silver thread, an Islamic Museum and a cat museum; after all ‘Kuching’ means cat in Malay.

The road that runs along the

river has long been known as the Main Bazaar. This is the best place to shop for traditional tribal handicrafts including blowpipes. A shopping highlight is the chaotic Sunday Market at Jalan Satok with open-air stalls, many run by tribespeople, selling an exotic array of fresh produce including okra, ginger, red chillies, jungle herbs, spices and bananas of all sizes and colours from yellow to dark red.

The appeal of Kuching however, lies outside the city according to Dr Philip Ting, Australian Honorary Consul in Kuching.

While half the population of Sarawak is Chinese or Malay, the

other half are tribal including Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau and Orang Ulu with rich cultural traditions, handicrafts, handwoven textiles, beadwork and wood carvings. Many still live in longhouses, a communal habitation for an entire community who share an open plan living area. I visited Annah Rais home to Bidayuh that welcomes visitors.

You can go in search of the world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia at Gunung Gading National Park when they’re in bloom, or visit the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre established to rescue orangutans from captivity, though

Kuching is the capital city of Sarawak on the island of Borneo, the third largest island in the world and one of the most delightful cities in South-East Asia.

Main Picture: Promenade, Sarawak River.

Clockwise: Longhouse Cat, Bako boat ride, Cakes, Astana, Annah Rais Longhouse, Roadside fruit stall, Sampan.

given the centre’s vast size of 653 hectares, sightings are not

I went in search of the endangered proboscis monkey at Bako National Park. Getting there is quite an adventure. After a 37km bus ride, I experienced an exhilarating boat ride. Bako National Park is 27 sq kms of seven complete ecosystems including beach and cliff vegetation, heath, mangrove, peat, forests and grasslands, representing the types of vegetation found in Borneo. Mangroves fringe the coastline and rocky headlands lead to secluded beaches. I trekked all day along trails trying, but failing to do all 16 walks, or sight a proboscis monkey, the male having a huge pendulous nose and a large pot-belly. I was sorry not to have stayed overnight as most visitors do.

In the 20 years since my first visit, many changes are evident. Kuching has evolved into a very pleasant city, well deserving of several days stay. On one of my strolls, I stopped for a shampoo and haircut at the Superior Unisex Salon. My stylist Lynn was Orang Ulu. I asked if she knew anything of the plants found in the rainforest that for over 2,000 years have been used by tribes-people for therapeutic and curative purposes. She shrugged her shoulders. Her children had a bright future she said, made possible by efficient transport, good education and healthcare. And the prime growth rainforests that filled me with such awe have long gone. To encounter the Borneo that is still untamed, you need to venture deep into the forest.

Proboscis Monkey

Rafflesia Flower

SEEKING GROOMS

m A tRimoni AL s SEEKING BRIDES

49-year-old, 5’3” lady seeks Srilankan origin Christian never married (no encumbrances) working professional groom 40s to early 50s N/S, teetotaller with a view to marriage. Email selc99@hotmail.com

Seeking suitable match (from Australia, never married) for hindu girl 34 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

gujarati Patel (native Sunav), ‘87 born, 5’6”, dentist, good looking, unmarried girl (presently in Mumbai) looking for a smart and highly educated Gujarati boy. Send biodata and kundli to kaushikpatel2602@gmail.com

Parents seeking match for Australian-born (1975) good looking Punjabi girl, medical professional working in SA. Prefer Australian citizen or long-settled residents with good profession. Serious proposal only contact mandy_sing@hotmail.com

Well educated Punjabi family seeks professionally qualified well settled match for their Australian citizen daughter, 27 years, 5’ 4”, fair, slim, traditional Indian/ Western values, highly educated, Master of Teaching and MBA from Australian universities. Working as project officer in well reputed company. Please email particulars with recent picture to schanderchopra@hotmail.com or call 02 9760 1832 / 0431 289 442.

29 years, 5’9’’, Punjabi, Khatri boy, born and brought up in Delhi, India and settled in Australia since 2006, seeks a traditional, god loving, family oriented girl.

Email: am121982@gmail.com

Shaadi.com: Sh74368540

35-year-old, hindu, australian qualified specialist doctor, working in major sydney hospital, never married, 6 feet, handsome, athletic, good habits and sociable in nature. Seeking hindu girl, age 27 to 34 years, height above 5’3”, similar family values and genuine nature, well educated. Please respond with photograph to sydney2407@gmail.com

Seeking graduate hindu girl for well established 5’10”, very fair 21/11/1968 born Australian citizen. Never married. BE(Electrical) self employed. Vegetarian non-smoker teetotaller. Please email profile with photo to anandrao68@gmail.com

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 from Sikh background. Early marriage; serious proposals only please. Phone 0422 102 242 or email jas_ghai01@gmail.com

By ritaM Mitra

It was still winter down under, but in late August India won the Under-19 Cricket World Cup, beating Australia in a tense final in Townsville, Queensland. The match was underlined by a stunning century by the Indian skipper, Unmukt Chand, and certainly exposed some exciting talents to the international cricket community.

U-19 tourney gaining glory

The ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup has taken place every two years since 1998, having initially been staged as a one-off event that year. While it does not carry with it the prestige of the senior version, the pedigree of the players that take part in it makes up much of the attraction –players such as Saqlain Mushtaq, Brian Lara and Sanath Jayasuriya

A rising

featured in the earliest edition; the 2008 tournament included James Pattinson, Darren Bravo and India’s Virat Kohli, who led the side to the trophy, and currently sits as the second-best ODI batsman in the game. The hype that has surrounded the tournament in recent years, then, is not without reason – it really has become a breeding ground for future champions.

Mental preparation is key

While the senior Indian team was at the same time busy thrashing a hapless New Zealand outfit by an innings and 115 runs at home in Hyderabad, the U-19 side proved just how much more mental preparation goes into young Indian players today. The side lost their very first match against a talented West Indian outfit, but comprehensively thrashed minnows Zimbabwe and Papua New Guinea. They then scraped through a ridiculously tense quarter-final against Pakistan, winning by just one wicket – and then backed the performance up with another narrow win in the

semi-final by just 9 runs against New Zealand.

After such an emotional rollercoaster, the side, which featured players as young as 17, might have been forgiven for an average display in the final. Instead, India got off to a great start, picking up four early wickets against an Australian batting line up that had not yet failed to deliver. Led by a steady unbeaten 87* by captain William Bosisto (who was dismissed only once in 6 innings – and that too, run-out), the Aussies recovered and posted an impressive 225/8 off their 50 overs.

Ian Chappell, the former Australian captain, had remarked about this tournament that it was notable how much more advanced the fast bowlers were in their development than the batsmen – and this explains the low-scoring affairs throughout the competition. The top team score in the semi-finals was 209; in the quarter-finals, 244. For India, chasing 225 in a final, with cloud cover and a strong home bowling attack, was not an easy task.

A determined win

While Australia were 4/38 early in their innings, India had moved steadily to 1/75, largely due to the sparkling strokeplay of Baba Aparajith – who is definitely one to watch out for in the shorter format of the game. Australia’s Gurinder Sandhu, however, who spoke to Indian Link ahead of the tournament, broke the ChandAparajith partnership, and a flurry of wickets followed.

At 4/97, with vice-captain

Akshdeep Nath woefully out of form, India moved their enterprising and confident wicketkeeper, Smit Patel, up the order. By now, Australia were rampant – runs were extremely difficult to come by, and the pressure on Chand was immense.

Joel Paris, the Australian leftarmer, was regularly clocking up speeds above 140km/h. The parttimers were stifling and the fields intuitive. The Aussies had their tails up, and they let the Indians know it, too. It was no place for the faint-hearted.

Some unbelievably beautiful batting then turned the match on its head.

Chand began hitting pure cricket strokes – drives over extra cover, lofted straight drives down the ground – to not only reach the boundary, but to clear it comfortably. Chand, who was especially brutal on Sandhu, hit 7 fours and 6 sixes in all, including a perfectly-timed drive over the cover region which both brought up his century and all but sealed the trophy. It was Chand’s 5th century at the U-19 level, but more tellingly, his third in tournament finals – Bosisto, the Australian captain, later remarked that that it was “not the first time he has terrorised us”.

Patel’s contribution, too, was crucial; his 62* in a partnership of 130 – the highest in any U-19 World Cup final – was enterprising, and similarly risky. But it paid off.

Pick the talent

There were also notable performances by seamer Sandeep Sharma – who finished with 12 wickets at 15.75, including 4-54 in the final, as well as tweaker Harmeet Singh, who Ian Chappell has stated categorically as the best

Baba Aparajith, left, celebrates with teammates the dismissal of Australia’s Kurtis Patterson, the 2012 ICC under-19 Cricket World Cup final Sunday, Aug. 26, 2012, in Townsville, Australia.

force

left-arm spinner in the world, and the second-best overall behind Graeme Swann. But you can only compare apples with apples – and it’s plaudits like these which can often send young athletes down the wrong road.

Greats such as Tendulkar and Ponting never played in an Under-19 World Cup. India’s Rohit Sharma and Australia’s Moises Henriques both shone in the 2006 edition, yet both have found international cricket thoroughly miserable. Lara, Jayasuriya, Kohli – none of these names were the top run-scorers in their respective tournaments. There was some brilliant cricket played in Townsville, and no doubt there was an abundance of talent on display – but part of the fascination of the U-19 World Cup is seeing how they develop from here. There’s still one more step to go – who will put their

CaptainUnmuktChand

triumphantly carried home the World Cup. Winning against Australia has become almost as prestigious as a win against hereditary arch-rivals Pakistan, and cricket-loving Indians were quick to shower appreciation on these young stars.

The triumphant U-19 Indian cricket team arrived home to a euphoric reception in Mumbai.

As Delhi boy and skipper Unmukt Chand came out of the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport terminal holding the trophy, celebrations broke out.

Mumbaiite Harmeet Singh’s relatives and friends also turned up in large numbers and carried a huge cutout of the spinner.

“I am very happy. We played well in Australia and won it. It’s a proud feeling,” said Chand, who is the third captain after Mohammed

Kaif and Virat Kohli to lead the country to the under-19 World Cup title.

In Kolkata, a host of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) officials and a large number of East Bengal fan club members waited at the NSC Bose International Airport here to greet Ravikant Singh and Sandipan Das, the two cricketers from Bengal who were in the winning squad. With 12 wickets, Ravikant finished as the most successful Indian bowler in the tournament played in Australia.

In the melee of fans eager to greet the young cricketers, their families were pushed to the sidelines and security personnel had to intervene, getting the cricketers into their cars in a hurry, thus cutting the celebrations short.

However, the glory of the win was overwhelming, as Ravikant stated. “We were over the moon. Never in my life was I so happy,” he said adding, “I owe a lot to captain Unmukt (Chand). I came into the team as a replacement but he showed faith in me and gave me confidence. Unmukt is a batsman, but he is a bowlers’ captain.”

Unmukt is now richer not just in experience, but also financially as the state of Uttarakhand announced a cash reward of Rs.11 lakh for the young cricketing star who hit a match-winning unbeaten century in the final.

Although Unmukt plays for Delhi in domestic cricket, he hails from Khudku Bhalya village in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district. Officials said the state was also considering felicitating the entire

U-19 cricket team.

And while accolades have been pouring in, the International Cricket Council (ICC) president Alan Isaac also congratulated the Indian team for winning the U-19 World Cup for the third time. “It has been an incredible performance by India. The way the team bounced back after losing the tournament opener reflects the talent and self-confidence of the side. And with captain Unmukt Chand leading the side from the front with a century in the final, it just sums up three great weeks for them in Townsville,” said Issac.

Ironic loss over win

And in what can only be termed as a bizarrely typical situation, Unmukt Chand was disallowed by St Stephen’s College in Delhi

to sit for his annual exam because his class attendance was poor. Unmukt was forced to approach the Delhi High Court petitioning that he was unable to attend classes because of cricket matches, including the Indian Premier League. He requested the High Court to ask his college to allow him to sit for the annual exam. Fortunately, the Association of Old Stephanians are backing up the talented cricketer, and have appealed to St Stephen’s College and Delhi University “to take necessary steps to ensure that promising sportspersons are encouraged to perform better and bring laurels to the country”. It’s the old familiar argument between academics and sports. So who will be the winner?

The Indian U-19 team returns home with the Cricket World Cup trophy to many accolades… and one brickbat!

India’s Under-19 boys take home the trophy

a person’s home is their retirement!

home ownership has long been the Australian dream. however for 4.8 million individuals retiring during the next 20 years, the home has become more than just a man’s castle. It’s also a solution to funding retirement years.

A recent MLC survey found more than a third of the respondent’s clients will downsize their home, about one-third will sell their investment property, and about one-third will sell an existing business during the next five years to shore up their retirements savings. This supports studies conducted during the mid 2000s, which found a third of baby boomers would be willing or would expect to downsize or sell their family home once they stop work. Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) also highlight this heavy reliance on bricks and mortar (Property) as their primary nest egg.

The family home, however, represents 47 per cent of net wealth. Investment properties represent another 15 per cent, while an individual’s own business makes up 9 per cent. other investments such as shares form the remainder of total net wealth. It’s clear to see that the retirement of baby boomers will be funded by consuming the capital represented by non-super assets, such as property, rather than merely drawing down their super balance and spending income from non-super assets such as dividends, interest and rent.

It’s surprising that investment properties are highly represented in this breakdown. They are the asset of choice for the majority of Australians, courtesy of the capital appreciation and the many tax deductions. however, they’ve been a particular favourite of baby boomers. Statistics from the reserve Bank of Australia (rBA) show that 27 per cent of boomers have multiple investment properties, while this same demographic owns one half of Australia’s total number of investment properties. Property has been a great investment, particularly during the past 40 years.

An ANZ report found that the highest returns over the past 40 years came from owning your own home. The report suggested that on average owning a home generated an annual return of 12 per cent, even with costs and taxes factored in. homes trumped both investment properties at 9.6 per cent and shares at 8.9 per cent.

What has fuelled housing prices over the last 20 plus years is a halving of interest rates – from around 14 per cent to 6 per cent. So while the cost of debt was falling, the bankers’ enthusiasm to lend increased.

home ownership was the catalyst for Baby Boomers who have been the big winners; they successfully elbowed young first homebuyers out of the way at auctions, using the equity in their homes to purchase investment properties like an ATM machine.

MBIC’s advise to first home buyers is to look at what the baby boomers have achieved and to emulate them, we do not have to reinvent the wheel property is one of the safest investment vehicle with theleast risk in any volatile market, you only have to look at the options available to us to work that out. The Australian economy has been powered by the baby boomers, whose entry into the workforce enmasse in the 1980s saw Australia’s dependency ratio fall to all time lows. During this period, Australia’s economy benefited enormously from the boomer’s productive capacity, consumption spending, and taxation receipts which peaked after the 1990s as they reached their peak earning/spending age (45 to 55 years of age). Asset values, too, were pushed-up by the baby boomers as they accumulated vast amounts of housing and financial assets with the aim of funding their retirements.

From 2011 onwards, however, Australia’s economy will face significant demographic headwinds as the baby boomers gradually: enter retirement; cut back on spending; draw-down on assets; cease paying tax; and receive increasing levels of health care and social security, funded by increasing taxes on the younger generations. Confirming the importance of investing in Property!

MBIC’s advice to you; Take control of your financial affairs NoW!

If you are serious of creating a retirement opportunity for yourself and your family, come to MBIC’s final information evening for the year 17th october 2012 at 7pm, please contact me by phone or email for your reservation as seats are limited.

We promise not to disappoint you.

Ensure that you are taking control of your Destiny NoT others.

diSCOVEr hOW tO uSE yOur SuPErannuatiOn aS a dEPOSit tO Buy PrOPErty.

Should you have any question, or would like to seek any further assistance in property investment options, please feel free to call me on: Mobile: 0417 483 355 E-mail: carlo@mbic.com.au

Carlo g ruscitti Founder - OiEC

Melbourne Business & investment Corporation Pty ltd (MBiC) 40-42 high Street, glen iris, ViC 3146

DISCLAIMER: MBIC has used their best endeavors’ to ensure that the information contained in this article is correct. However, neither MBIC nor its, licensors or suppliers (nor their respective directors, affiliates or employees), accept any liability (direct or indirect) for any injury, loss, claim, damage or any incidental or consequential damages, including but not limited to lost profits or savings, arising out of or in any way connected with the use of any information, contained in this article, or any error, omission or defect in the information Therefore, the information contained in this article should not be relied upon and purchasers should make their own enquiries and seek legal and financial advice in respect to any property or investment, before committing to purchase.

Down the danube

Still aboard the majestic Brilliant, sights and sounds of regional Europe delight the traveller’s senses

ihave never seen a country

The Netherlands. As we departed freezing Amsterdam, a sea of orange waived us adieu from either bend of the Rhine river. The weather improved dramatically as we progressed towards the interior of Europe. Departing around lunchtime gave us the opportunity to view the river system created by an industrious Europe, juxtaposed to facilitate the optimum use of water for transportation and irrigation. Every fifty miles or so, we saw massive pipes from one bend of the river to another, to block wasteful free-flowing water, maintaining a certain level of water to use it to its maximum. From Amsterdam to Buda Pest accordingly, our boat, like hundreds of other boats and barges, stagnated in huge concrete and iron ‘locks’; sixty-eight in total, where the level of water would be lowered so our boat matched the level of water beyond these pipes. Curiously, Austria and beyond as we hit the river Danube, these locks, instead of dropping to lower levels, actually elevated the boats to match the higher level of the Danube – the highest elevation reaching thirty metres. This is an engineering marvel and cameras went berserk shooting the phenomenon.

Lunchtime and beyond since sailing, we watched German vineyards, cities and ancient citadels smile past us. But at 6pm as always, we gathered in the Panorama for cocktails and to hear our charming Nevena articulate the programme for the morrow. Würzburg was still distant, and after dinner we were entertained with songs beautiful Nora sang equally beautifully, with Karol’s piano in concert. Some of us compulsively hung on until late, enjoying the bar and late supper served with sauces that were a rare treat to the tastebuds, or simply photographing the wellilluminated villages and statues that floated past.

At breakfast the following morning, the Brilliant made a majestic entry into picturesque Würzburg. Promptly after breakfast, luxury coaches

transported us to the city centre where traders and locals alike eagerly brushed up their English by conversing with us, as we tried out our German with them! The German language I studied in 1964-65 surprisingly returned with full force. Most fascinating about this town, however, was ‘Prince’ Bishop’s residence which, in all probability, was designed by angels for God Himself to live in. Standing by the Fortress Marienberg, a 1000 BC Celtic fortification, the palace boasts rich murals, paintings on ceilings, frescoes – with limbs protruding out of imagined figures over every spare space even in the corners of rooms, expansive yards and manicured gardens… a treat for the soul! ‘Do Not Touch’ signs minus the ‘Please’ any and everywhere gave us the creeps, as guards with a Nazi-type attitude

watched our every move. One room in particular we were told, was the ‘Prince’ Bishop’s living room, and had so much gilding all around which only a princely Bishop could afford. Bishops, incidentally, were more powerful that kings in that era. Our guide pointed to a corner where ‘Prince’ Bishop would indulge in his bath. I asked if the yarn that European royalty bathed once a month was truthful, and the guide actually showed us a corner in the gilded room where the ceremony of ‘Prince’ Bishop’s ‘annual’ bath would take place! Würzburg repeatedly revolted against successive ‘Prince’ Bishops, whose extravagant lifestyle was incompatible to theirs, and finally defeated them in 1400. The original church on the site of the present Würzburg cathedral was built in 788 and in the

Romanesque style. The University of Würzburg nearby was founded in 1404, and re-founded in 1582. While some of us enjoyed an optional tour of Rothenburg, the rest of us returned for lunch at the Brilliant, following which we roamed freely along the riverside, making small talk with the locals. At 5pm, the Brilliant set sail toward Bamberg. After cocktails in the Panorama, Nevena detailed the next day’s programme and post-dinner, a Mr & Mrs Perfect contest was held. The husbands of the four participating couples, which naturally including Rose and myself, were handed printed questionnaires. The Perfect Couple would be the ones whose answers matched. Ultra-friendly Bob and Jan of Brisbane won the contest, while we languished at second place.

Our travels continue…

From Amsterdam to Buda Pest accordingly, our boat, like hundreds of other boats and barges, stagnated in huge concrete and iron ‘locks’; sixty-eight in total

Most fascinating about (Würzburg) however, was ‘Prince’ Bishop’s residence which, in all probability, was designed by angels for God Himself to live in.

Clockwise from Top: The rear of the palace Wurzburg cathedral and the marketplace

The palace’s manicured gardens

What makes a good dad

Men are realizing the importance of getting to know their kids from an early age

as we celebrate Father’s Day, it seems appropriate to reinforce the importance of a dad’s involvement in the upbringing of children. A father has the great responsibility of nurturing his children by ensuring his constant presence in their lives, and being a positive role model to help them develop into confident and balanced individuals.

Parenting can be compared to a bicycle ride where the child is the rider and the mother and father are the two wheels supporting and helping the child through the journey of life to reach his or her goals. Both wheels are equally important, otherwise the bike will lose balance and the rider will fall. And it is impractical to assume that one wheel will suffice to keep the bike moving. There are many things that a mother does for a child which the father cannot; likewise a mother cannot replicate the paternal role model every child needs. Today in most families, fathers are getting involved with parenting more and more. From assisting their partners with the housework to helping raise the kids at all levels, getting involved in their life, checking report cards, soccer, band, religion, helping with the homework, attending school meets, parenting classes and even volunteering for sports events.

Men are realizing the importance of getting to know their kids from an early age.

But then there are those who believe that by putting a roof over their family’s head and food on

the table, their job as a parent is pretty much done. They leave the bulk of parenting to be done by their partners, and whinge when the kids don’t do well and grow up to be stressed and emotionally imbalanced. These are the same fathers who have a gripe about their kids neglecting them in their old age.

Well, you do reap only what you sow! So sit up and take note. Here are some of the things a man must do to be considered a good father. Find out if you or your dad has got it right and if not, the time to start working on it is now!

The gift of time

The best thing you can give your children is the gift of your time. Get to know them and build a bond from a young age. You’ll be surprised at how many times a child would pick going to the park with his father over a treat or a toy. Children need the reassurance, guidance and approval of a father at every step of the way. Make them feel secure by involving yourself in their lives, discussing issues that might be bothering them and helping them find solutions. Let them know you’re there for them, no matter what. If you establish that trusting relationship, there is very little chance that your children will feel derailed and confused in their teen years and beyond.

Lead by example

Children need firm and persistent guidance and a demonstrated differentiation between right and wrong. It’s a father’s responsibility

to lead them on the right path by example. Just like a child who swears in public and displays bad behaviour is a reflection of what his parents must be like; so it is with a child who is kind, considerate, honest and polite. Remember, whatever traits you exhibit yourself will be mirrored in your children.

Do not be overly critical

Love your children for who they are and not what you expect them to be. Refrain from comparing them to other people’s children. An overbearing and overly critical father quickly loses the respect of his child, which can result in defiance and rebellious behaviour. Set realistic and reasonable expectations on your children and help them recognise their strengths and weaknesses. Encourage them to do their best to realize their full potential, but avoid being too pushy. Your children are individuals, not an extension of you, so don’t try reliving your life through them by expecting them to achieve what you did or hoped to have accomplished.

Let them know it’s okay to make mistakes

Involving kids in making decisions gives them confidence to face problems in life, so make decisions in front of them and explain the reasons for coming to those conclusions. Teach them that it’s okay to make mistakes, everybody makes mistakes, the important thing is to learn from them and avoid making the

same blunders again. Excessively reprimanding children for making mistakes can eat away at their confidence and leave them shy of making their own judgements for fear of repercussions.

Make your child feel loved

It is important to show affection towards your offspring and let them know that they are valued. A man should be able to communicate to his children that he enjoys being their father and that he feels blessed. This is a great way of teaching kids to be affectionate toward others and to be open about their feelings. Fathers who are elusive in displaying affection are merely teaching their children to keep their feelings bottled up, which can be damaging for their emotional health in the long run.

Respect the mother of your child

Always show respect to your children’s mother, whether you’re still in a relationship with her or not. Children emulate their parents where relationships are concerned. Argue in private when you have to, if you don’t want your children to have shouting and abusing matches in front of your grandchildren. Agree on ways to discipline them and stick by these, presenting a unified front to the children.

Being a father is hard and never-ending work, but at the same time it is lots of fun and very rewarding. Kudos to those who do it right!

Happy Father’s Day!

An overbearing and overly critical father quickly loses the respect of his child, which can result in defiance and rebellious behaviour.

A father plays an integral role in the life of a child, but it’s not an easy job, writes FARZANA SHAKIR

Parramatta Station

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Mmm.... mandarins

This sweet, seedless quick fix fruit can add colour as well as flavour to your salads

Mandarin and Fennel

Salad

6 small mandarins

Salt and pepper to taste

y ajni anand luthra

Buy some more mandarins, my kids have said to me lately, even when there are some still sitting in the fruit basket on the kitchen bench.

We’ve OD-ed on them this season – and why not, they’ve been particularly good this time round.

I bought a box full not so long ago from a door-knocking farmer who said he had driven in from the country to sell direct. My neighbours and I wondered if he was fair dinkum, but we all enjoyed his mandarins immensely.

In my home, we’ve used them for school lunches, after-school snacks eaten on the drive back home, and as an after-dinner TV snack. But for the first time, I’ve tried them in salads.

Essentially, you pick some salad greens, nuts of your choice, maybe one other ingredient, and dress to your taste. Try different greens and different nuts (which you can candy or keep plain).

Mandarins are loaded with vitamin C and offer dietary fibre, too. Plus they provide substantial amounts of vitamin A and folic acid (a B-complex vitamin).

To buy, look for mandarins that have shiny skin and feel heavy when handled.

1 fennel bulb

A good squeeze lemon juice

1 ½ tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 ½ tbsp white balsamic vinegar

1/3 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped

1/3 cup fresh continental parsley, chopped Salt and pepper to taste

Trim fennel and cut into thin strips. Add some lemon juice to a bowl of ice-cold water and immerse fennel strips briefly. Peel mandarins and segment; remove white pith, membrane and seeds.

Whisk the oil and vinegar in a small bowl until well combined. Drain fennel and place in a serving dish. Add the mandarin and herbs. Pour dressing over. Season with salt and pepper and then toss gently to combine.

Mandarin and Spinach

Salad

6 small mandarins

1 packet baby spinach

½ small Spanish onion

½ cup walnut pieces

Shaved parmesan, as much or as little as you like

For dressing:

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp Dijon mustard

2 tsp honey

Juice and zest of one orange

Peel and segment mandarins. Cut onions into very thin slices. Toast walnut in a moderate oven lightly until aromatic. Wash spinach leaves and remove long stalks if any. Place leaves in a deep bowl and throw in mandarin segments, walnuts, onion and parmesan cheese. Toss gently.

Prepare dressing by shaking ingredients together in a small jar. Pour over salad and toss again to coat. Serve decorated with more shaved parmesan.

Mandarin Salad with Avocado

1 packet leafy salad mix

6 small mandarins

1 very ripe avocado

½ cup crushed walnuts or almond slivers

1-2 tbsp orange juice

Salt and pepper to taste.

Cut avocado in half, discard stone and scoop flesh into a deep bowl. Mash till very smooth. Add salad greens in now. Tale care to add a few leaves at a time and mix well each time, so that all leaves are coated with avocado. Then introduce the mandarin

segments and nuts. Season with salt and pepper, and then pour orange juice over for some moisture. Toss gently to combine.

Mandarin and Chicken Salad

500g chicken breast fillets

6 small mandarins

1 red capsicum

Handful snow pea sprouts

½ cup coriander leaves

3 green onions

5cm piece ginger

Juice of one lemon

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tbsp peanut oil

1/2 cup salted roasted cashew nuts, chopped

Poach chicken in large frying

pan, covered with enough water. When cooked (say ten minutes after boiling), remove from heat and cool.

Meanwhile, peel and segment mandarins. Seed and thinly slice capsicum. Cut snowpeas in half. Trim green onions and finely chop. Peel ginger and cut into matchsticks.

When chicken is cool, shred finely.

Combine the chicken, mandarin, capsicum, sprouts, coriander, onions and ginger in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Toss gently. Prepare dressing by mixing lemon juice and oil in a jug. Drizzle over salad. Decorate with cashews.

TAROT

aRiES March 21 - April 19

This month you may want time out to clear your head and decide what you want to do next. The cards are indicating a great time for space and thinking. You are determined to get projects and plans underway and will not allow anything to get in your way. Do not allow others to influence your decisions. There is going to be some interesting developments this month with family members. Stress and tension will ease and you will feel better.

TauRuS April 20 - May 20

This month sees you being very outspoken and standing up for what you believe in. There are decisions you need to take with regard to career and personal life. You have been stuck in a certain relationship for some time now and cannot seem to make a move on or out. Make up your mind this month and make changes. Take time out for a health check up too. You may hear from an old friend who may need your help.

GEMini May 21 - June 20

predictions for SEPTEMBER 2012

By nancy JaDE aLTHEa www.nancysood.com

LiBRa sep 23 - oct 22

This month you may have some outstanding dues to pay off. Make sure you pay bills on time; do not neglect your bills and look into finances carefully. There will be some news of a wedding, which may leave you feeling upset to be losing a good friend, who may decide to leave his hometown. You will still keep in touch. Your focus will be on making chances in your career and personal life. Try getting away for a break.

ScoRPio

oct 23 - nov 21

This month you will be at your best ever, with work, love and finances ticking over as you desire. You have worked very hard this year, and you are constantly trying to make improvements in your life. As the year is coming to a close, you will be looking at new ideas for work and at doing something for yourself. There is an indication of you looking for a new place to live. Look for a place near water and greenery.

SaGiTTaRiuS nov 22 - dec 21

This month sees you trying to make moves and changes, but something holds you back at the last point. There are family members who seem to be putting pressure on you and you are not able to discuss anything with them. Stress and tension is affecting your health, so take it easy; make sure you relax and take time out for yourself. Your car may give you problems so make sure that you check out the oil brakes and water.

cancER June 21 - July 20

This month the cards are indicating a time for making that commitment. You are dancing around an idea of being with that one person. Your heart is being guided by your head. There is some news from an overseas contact that will send your whole system into confusion. You may be looking at the possibility of working away from home. An older member of your family may be feeling a little under the weather. Nothing serious is indicated here.

LEo July 23 - Aug 22

This month sees you being a very popular person, with people flocking towards you from all over. Your charm and sense of humour will keep your social calendar packed out. You may be thinking of buying a new car or treating yourself to a new wardrobe. Make sure you do not over do things this month and overspend. Control your urges as you will need to keep an eye on your finances. Look at your diet this month and start exercising.

ViRGo Aug 23 - sep 22

This month the cards indicate that you will want to travel and stay carefree and relaxed. You are looking into the possibility of a new concept getting off the ground. Efforts from the past will pay off and your work will start from mid next month. There are also friends around you who may be a bit argumentative. Steer clear and keep calm. You may be feeling a little restless and not able to sleep too well. Try deep breathing.

This month will be a time when you need to keep a control over your tongue and not upset anyone with your truths. Some people will take offence, even though what you are saying is not wrong. There are also plans to buy a pet, but choose carefully. There will be concern over a younger member of your family. Tests need to be done. There will be some stress over their condition but things will improve so do not worry.

caPRicoRn dec 22 - Jan 19

This month you are oozing sexual power and your appetite will be just as large. There will be many encounters with people of the opposite sex, who may catch your eye. You will also be thinking about making a commitment or propose to a significant other. Decisions will force you to make some drastic changes in your love life. Work will be another area where you will focus much energy. Take things easy and make some intelligent choices.

aquaRiuS Jan 20 - feb 18

This month sees you being the leader of the pack. At work you seem to be getting on well with your co workers and there is an indication of more money around you. End-of-year travel plans will be made. Yet loved ones seem to be putting pressure on you to drop a certain habit. You know what that is and you do need to exert control there. Life will be a little stressful but relax your mind and spirit.

PiScES feb 19 - March 20

This month sees a change in your appearance and outlook. You have been wanting to change your hair for a while now. Time to go for it and look at buying some new clothes. You have been neglecting yourself a bit. Time to take some bold steps into the future and allow yourself to be that confident, bold person you see yourself as. Do not hold back. A colleague or a significant other could help you in making that change.

the Buzz

Remembering AK Hangal

he is remembered in many avatars across the fickle screen on Indian cinema. From loving father to concerned uncle to dogooder neighbour, AK hangal played each role with aplomb. his was a face that automatically lent itself to these roles, with kindliness and a belief in humanity etched on his features since he faced the cameras at the comparatively young age of 50.

Born in Sialkot now in Pakistan, hangal spent most of his childhood in Peshawar. he grew up to be a tailor but quenched his thirst for acting through theatre. Postpartition, he is said to have moved to Mumbai in 1949, and got his first breaks in Bollywood around 1966-67. hangal’s initial films included Teesri Kasam and Shagird

Being 50, he had few options in terms of the variety in his roles but he gladly and responsibly played uncle, father and grandfather to heroes and heroines starting from the 1970s.

This talented character artist is best remembered for playing rahim Chacha in Sholay, but some of his other memorable movies include Namak Haraam, Bawarchi, Chupa Rustam, Abhimaan, Shaukeen, Guddi, Lagaan and Paheli

It’s Aamir Khan’s Time!

There’s something special about Aamir Khan. And it’s not just his versatility as a hugely successful actor, director and producer, it’s possibly because he comes across as being an honest, sincere and down-to-earth individual. Add this to his repertoire of movies with a message and you have the man in his element. But Aamir is now becoming much more than this. he’s now becoming the face of Brand India. The actor’s hugely successful TV show Satyamev Jayate focusing on burning issues facing India and ways of tackling them, has landed him on the cover of the prestigious Time magazine as India’s “first superstar-activist.”

‘he’s breaking the Bollywood mould by tackling India’s social evils. Can one actor change a nation?’ asks the blurb on the cover of the Asia edition of the September 10 issue of the uS magazine, which features a close-up of the actor looking intensely into the camera.

Tracing the rise of Aamir Khan with the 1988 blockbuster hit Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Time’s Bobby Ghosh noted over the past decade the 47-year-old actor has acted in, directed and produced a string of “movies that artfully straddle the demands of popular cinema and that desire for grace.”

“Now, with his groundbreaking TV show Satyamev Jayate (Truth Alone Prevails), he has dispensed with commercial considerations to indulge his conscience,” writes Ghosh. “With it, Khan has taken on the mantle of the country’s first superstar-activist.”

There’s no doubt that the show brings some of India’s worst social problems to the fore, but Aamir had the nerve to carry it through.

“It’s a ballsy move, and potentially jeopardizes his status as the beloved idol of millions,” writes Ghosh, since the subjects his show tackles “are precisely the sorts of harsh realities from which many of Khan’s fans seek escape in his movies.”

As Khan assesses the impact of his first series, Time suggests, “Whatever Khan chooses to do next in his quest for grace, there’s a good chance it will lift India a little closer to what he - and fellow Indians - would wish their country and society to be.”

Aamir Khan is the third Indian actor to be featured on the cover of Time magazine. Aishwarya rai made it to the cover in 2003 and Parveen Babi was featured in 1976.

And when the issue hits the stands, it’s likely that Aamir’s fan base would have swelled across Asia, and perhaps other populists will seek answers to the endemic problems in their own countries. Kudos Aamir, you’ve made us proud!

Most of his films were with rajesh Khanna, India’s first ‘superstar’ who passed away on July 18. They shared screen space in Aap Ki Kasam, Amar Deep, Phir Wohi Raat and Sautela Bhai

But life wasn’t easy for the actor as he grew older. After featuring in over 200 films in a career that easily spanned over four decades, hangal was living a life of penury - a fact which came to light in 2011.

GUESS WHO ?

he had no income and his only son Vijay, who is 70-plus and with whom the veteran actor lived, had to give up his job due to a severe back ailment. The result was their inability to afford mounting medical bills. But even then hangal didn’t give up or seek financial aid. Such was his spirit - and pride. hangal and Vijay were said to have had medical expenses of rs. 15,000 per month, and had to choose between spending on food and medication. But once the news broke, the film fraternity immediately came to his aid.

Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan funded a chunk of his medical expenditure, with Aamir Khan, Salman Khan and Priyanka Chopra contributing too. his seniority and respectability in the industry also moved the Maharashtra government and the Cine and TV Artistes Association to lend a helping hand. The humble hangal was overwhelmed.

At 96, he was already recharged enough to ‘walk’ the ramp in a wheelchair for designer riyaz Ganji. At 97, he lent his voice-over for an animated film and did a TV show. Age was clearly never a bar for AK hangal. he lived with an undying passion for his craft almost till his last breath, epitomising the phrase, once an actor, always an actor.

A man with a never-say-no attitude, hangal maintained his enthusiasm to wear greasepaint when he entered the sets of TV serial Madhubala in May 2012.

“I believe there is no age limit to work,” hangal said, on agreeing to the cameo role. he was ill by then, but he wasn’t willing to give up.

he reached the sets, looked around, and just as he must have done in his prime, he called out: “Make up man!” rIP, AK hangal!

Confident Kareena doesn’t go over the top

Kareena Kapoor may be one of Bollywood’s best known and loved belles, but she’s still grounded when it comes to her work. The actress recently admitted that she was “confident, but not over-confident” of her soon to be released movie, Heroine.

“I am not over-confident, but quite confident and excited about the film,” said Kareena recently of Heroine, which revolves around the ups and downs in a journey of an actress. however, she was quick to point out that although her role was the lead one, in real life she is nothing like the actress in the film.

She loves the limelight, this one…

(Find the answer under Caption Contest)

“People think there are similarities, but I am not like that in real life. She is bold, manipulative, dark and edgy. I am not at all like that,” she said.

her favourite looks are in the title song of the film, which is yet to release.

Answering general questions, Kareena

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

came up with general, and sometimes predictable answers. Asked of whom she is jealous in life, she said, “I am jealous of people who get to go on holidays, even though I go on many on my own. I love travelling. I am also jealous of people who get to eat whatever they want.”

But the actress still maintains that the film closest to her heart will be Refugee - her first film, despite acting in blockbusters like Ra.One, Bodyguard 3 Idiots. “The first film is always special. That innocence never comes back,” she said.

But back to Heroine Arjun rampal and has been directed by Madhur Bhandarakar.

So it’s up, up, up for Kareena. Another reel life portrayal, even if it isn’t quite like her real life!

What fazes Big B?

Now he may be India’s megastar and reasonably comfortable in front of the camera, but Amitabh Bachchan finds it hard to perform when his wife Jaya is on the sets with him. The actor, who will be seen with Jaya in Bhojpuri film Ganga Devi says there is lot of restriction when his wife is on the sets and he gets conscious in her presence.

“When your wife is on the sets with you, then your behaviour also changes, there are lots of restrictions, there is always a discipline on the sets or else when you go back home, the situation goes out of control,” a laughing Amitabh told reporters recently, during the music launch of the film.

“I hope the audience likes the film,” he added.

Amitabh played a key role in his makeup man-turnedproducer Deepak Sawant’s film, which is about reservation for women in elected bodies. he acted earlier in Bhojpuri movie Gangotri, which did well at the box office.

Amitabh says Sawant is like a family member.

“I am glad to be part of this film. Deepak is like family and when he approached me for this film, I did it without any hesitation. I know him now for 30 to 35 years,” stated the actor.

“he is my makeup man,

he takes care of my face and it was my duty to give him something in return. The best part of working with (the Bhojpuri crew) is that they finish shooting for 30 to 35 scenes in a day, so that I don’t have any problem,” added the megastar.

Produced by Sawant and directed by Abhishek Chaddha, Ganga Devi also features Dineshlal yadav ‘Nirahua’, Pakhi egde, Girish Sharma, Awadhesh Mishra and Vinay Bihari. The music director is Madhukar Anand.

CAPTION

for both projects, which are most likely to mint at least rs.100 crore, according to trade pundits, as no other films are releasing a week before and after them.

The Shah rukhstarrer marks the return of veteran filmmaker Chopra to direction after a hiatus of eight years. he is currently shooting for the romantic drama in the scenic locales of the Kashmir Valley. his movie also stars Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma and is said to feature King Khan in his true-blue romantic avatar, making it one of the most awaited releases of

Son Of Sardaar, a romantic comedy directed by Ashwini Dhir, features Ajay and Sanjay Dutt in key roles, with Sonakshi Sinha and Juhi Chawla essaying the female leads. The movie’s teasers have received a positive response.

A budget of at least rs.60 crore each is said to have been utilised in the making of the two films, according to the buzz around Bollywood. owever, punters opine that

Pooja: Thanks Dad, you’ve showed me how to rake in the moolah…. Mahesh: Just sit tight and keep doing as I tell you.

Srinivas Reddy Chermside West, QLD Srinivas wins one ticket to new hindi film English Vinglish

yash Chopra’s film may have the edge over the other and will benefit more. But both the films have the potential to survive, and should collect around rs.100 crore each.

yash raj Films ( yrF) is lately riding high on the success of blockbuster Ek Tha Tiger, starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif which has already amassed over rs.170 crore and is on its way to creating more records.

To make sure the film got one of the best openings ever, yrF released Ek Tha Tiger in over 3,000 screens on Independence Day.

Now, yrF is reportedly planning to go bigger with its mega Diwali release, pre-booked maximum screens for the new film which also marks the coming together yet again of the award-winning duo of music maestro Ar rahman and poet and lyricist Gulzar. Son of Sardaar will need to have strong content to match up against the yrF camp.

So the gloves are on, let’s see who emerges the winner!

?hoW

AMIT-JAYA

SHAHRUKH KHAN

KAREENA KAPOOR

Cine Talk

Gripping espionage romp, with unique star chemistry

there is something about the SalmanKatrina pairing that goes deeper than real-life affection. Even deeper than that crackling pitchperfect chemistry that we see among endearing starpairs, like raj-Nargis, rajesh -Mumtaz, Shah rukh-Kajol... you name it!

here in Ek Tha Tiger, we see a look of genuine protectiveness in Salman’s eyes every time he looks at Katrina Kaif. That look suits the film’s purposes fine.

Ek Tha Tiger is the love story of two spies from different sides of the border who during the course of their volatile sinister cloak-and-dagger work, fall head over heels in love.

As the lovers flee their enemies, they are pursued by do mulk ke dushman. Which is nine mulk less than where Shah rukh’s Don was wanted.

Salman’s spy-hero codenamed Tiger cuts through the chase, brings the secret agent’s role down to an amiably human level, drawing secret alcoves of childlike vulnerability and, yes, humour from his character’s secret life, making the spy’s double life look doubly redeemable.

Every time Salman looks at Katrina his eyes melt. Kabir Khan taps the actor’s potential to fill up the screen to great advantage. Even while flexing his biceps through four continents in some of the best staged action sequences in some never-seen rugged exotic spots of the earth (full marks to action director Conrad Palamisano) Salman gets lots of very quiet contemplative moments with his beautiful co-star.

For once the superstar looks neither bored nor distracted. And he isn’t impatient to move on.

ruminative reflective rich in self-mocking resonances, Salman’s spy in Ek Tha Tiger is a remarkably restrained and expressive character. he

handles both the action and the romantic sequences with seamless empathy.

Katrina gets better with every film. As a woman who had a genuinely happy childhood that has been snatched away by the nature of her profession, her eyes convey infinite pain. She conveys pain and love with as much elan as she kicks ass when the need arises. yup, this lady rocks.

Kabir Khan whose earlier Katrina starrer New York defined Islamic isolation during times of terrorism with gripping gusto, this time, decides to have fun with the espionage genre without trivialising it. The blend of action and romance is achieved with a fluency that we’ve seldom seen in the action-romance genre.

The storytelling is laced with loads of humour.

Aseem Mishra’s camera-work punctuates the pungent drama of lovers on the run, capturing the bustle and the festivity of Ireland, Cuba and Istanbul with much warmth and affection and a detached fascination that is the opposite of touristic curiosity.

Kabir Khan has an eye for everyday details. Though his frames are arranged to convey aesthetics, the beauty of the moments shared by lovers is never defined by their surroundings.

It’s a very commonplace attraction seen in umpteen hindi films of every hue and variety. What makes director Kabir Khan’s telling of this routine love story come alive, is the presentation and

packaging, both unique but never over-punctuated.

Epic in design, the film has a surprisingly low number of main characters.

Kabir works on building the love story through the intelligently-written interaction between the two protagonists rather than their exotic environment or the incidental characters. Still, Girish Karnad as Tiger’s boss and ranvir Shorey as Salman’s buddy-in-arms are first-rate, never letting the script down.

It’s not easy to make an intelligent film on intelligence without tripping over the barbed wires of politics and espionage jargon. Kabir Khan strips the love stories to its bare necessities without diminishing the density of the drama.

Ek Tha Tiger is more a

passionate love story than an actioner. Brilliantly scripted and deftly directed, it’s Salman Khan’s best film in ages. As for his chemistry with Katrina Kaif, it is the stuff legendary love stories are made of.

Very few films make you sit at the edge of your seat when the hero fights and then makes you recline in sighing submission when he romances his sweetheart, in equal measures.

Ek Tha Tiger gets it right.

Subhash K. jha

FILM: Ek Tha Tiger

CAST: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif

DIRECTOR: Kabir Khan

Farah shines in Parsi romance

When two Parsis fall in love, there’s bound to be friction. They are such a talkative community. At least that’s what we get to know from the eccentric bustle that our movies tend to create when dealing with the community.

While watching Bela Sehgal’s sweet tender story of Shrin and Farhad - past the age of marriage, determined to find love and companionship in each other’s unexciting company, one immediately thought of Basu Chatterjee’s Khatta Meetha and Vijaya Mehta’s Pestonjee. In the first, a widow and a widower from the Parsi community overcome their children’s opposition for an autumnal marriage.

The second was a remarkably accurate portrayal of the benign quirks of the Parsi community.

Though not a Parsi herself, Bela Sehgal plunges into the centre of the dwindling community’s eccentricities without trying to give the characters any kind of a novel existence beyond what they are stereotypically known for.

The love story of Shirin (Farah Khan in a remarkably poised debut) and Farhad (Boman Irani, as natural as ever) holds no surprises. They meet, they smirk, they walk hand-in-hand,

he mistakes her invitation for coffee in her home for suggestion for sex. While she makes him coffee, he waits for her undressed. And you know the rest.

The portrayal of Farhad’s mother (Daisy Irani) and grandmother (Shammi) reveals the film’s writer Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s penchant for loud extroverted singing, dancing, chortling ageing woman characters, e.g h in Bhansali’s Khamoshi: The Musical and Kirron Kher in Devdas Beneath all the feminine giggles (bras and panties, hee hee) and male guffaws (tera rocket kab phutega?) that surround the theme of courtship between a middleaged couple for whom life is neither a picnic nor a funeral, Sehgal seeks out silent passages of undulating sensitivity.

Listen carefully. The film makes terrific use of silent moments that are becoming progressively rare in our cinema. Farah Khan is specially

reticent, a mysterious smile hovering in her eyes constantly as though she knows that life, and life in the movies, is a secret joke. In her scenes with her comatose screen-dad, Farah’s eyes melt with affection. yup, she handles the emotional moments better than the comic.

Boman seems to be reinedin. It’s like a new singer, say Shailendra Singh, when he had to sing duets with Lata Mangeshkar in raj Kapoor’s Bobby. She had to hold back. Boman does that quite well to

Avillage of wackos

imagine if Shah rukh Khan left his posh job at NASA in Swades and returned to a village filled with escapees from a lunatic asylum - you have the basic plot structure of Shirish Kunder’s Joker, a film as crazy in intent as its characters make the proceedings appear to be.

The film is fun to watch when it isn’t trying to be too clever for words, or when it isn’t tripping over with its tongue-in-cheek smart-ass humour. The characters are uniformly self-deprecating. Some of the material connected to an outsider helping set a scrambled village in order through mirthful masquerade echoes Farah Khan’s Tees Maar Khan, though this time Akshay Kumar plays a far more ‘serious’ character. he doesn’t even have a romantic duet with his co-star Sonakshi!

I wonder why Akshay Kumar chose to distance himself from this film! he has done much worse comedies in his career. Crass, loud, inane, repetitive and unfunny ones. Joker is none of these. The humour is never below-the-belt.

Its big uSP is its audacious originality. A village named Pagalpur that has been wiped off the Indian map during the British raj, a scientist-hero who is trying to make contact with aliens, a heroine who has nothing to do except stand attentively listening to her live-in partner’s crazy schemes to bring aliens down to earth, and a village filled with crazy maladjusted anachronistic oddballs for whom the clock stopped ticking 50 years agothese populate Kunder’s kookie kingdom.

Welcome to blunderland!

There is an arresting sense of frozen farce in the proceedings. The characters are so silly they end up being distant avatars of the zonked-out villagers in Farah Khan’s Tees Maar Khan

The spoofy ambience is painted in believable shades. The film is shot in interesting shades of iodized sepia which creates a sense of fading flamboyance in a location where the characters have lost their sense of time.

Beneath the veneer of joviality the film has a serious message on the malnourished state of rural India.

Politicians are shown to be so conniving and caricatural, they seem real! Likewise the ‘aliens’, actually villagers dressed in pumpkins and other fruits to attract outside attention, are so clumsy they look more aliens than real aliens.

Peepli Live gone berserk, Joker is funnier and less vulgar than a lot of the over-the-top situational comedies that rely on double meanings, cleavages and gay-bashing to tease titters out of a comatose script. Not everything in Joker works. Some of the material echoes the calibrated linear movements of a televidio serial with our hero Agastya aka Sattoo moving from one place to another with the villagers in tow. yet setting aside the aimlessness, the film gradually builds to a moderate momentum where we don’t need to feel cheated by a story that splits the comedy genre wide open without fracturing the farce. The jokes hold up.

in a rom-com about two overthe-hill Parsis, one of whom sells lingerie and meets the woman of his dreams when she comes to buy a brassiere.

amok with an antique gun threatening to kill anyone who comes in his way. he doesn’t make much sense in the scheme of the plot. But then, what makes sense in life other than the senselessness that we see all around us?

Sehgal doesn’t try to make sense of the chaos. She flows with the chaos seeking laughter in the eccentricity. hence when an old Parsi gentleman constantly writes love notes to Indira Gandhi, you know he has lost it. And you smile, because eccentricity is a pre-condition

Laughter designed on innerwear can never fail. Luckily, the film goes beyond innerwear and seeks a place in one’s heart. The director emerges with some truly heartwarming moments between Boman and Farah. The debutante director has carved an endearing relationship between the unlikely couple. The romance is embellished with charming little incidents that add beautifully to the pacy perky pastiche of Parsi proceedings. And if Boman is confidently in character as a 45-year-old who surprises himself by finding love, Farah is no less confident. Is this really her first film?

Subhash K. jha

FILM: Shirin Farhad Ki

Toh Nikal Padi

CAST: Boman Irani, Farah Khan

DIRECTOR: Bela Bhansali Sehgal

And so do some of the performances. Shreyas Talpade as a gibberish-mouthing villager who gets all weak kneed in front of journalist Minissha Lamba, steals every scene from Akshay Kumay whenever they are together.

Could this be the real reason why our rowdy Kumar decided to distance himself from this film? Like it or not Joker is a masterpiece compared with Akshay Kumar’s Blue or Thank You

Flawed? yes. Seriously so, specially in its failure to pin the aliens’ theme down to a manageable streamlined

structure. That apart, Joker is an utterly original parable on rural development, done with lots of colour, vibrancy, attitude, gusto and giggles.

Subhash K.jha

FILM: Joker

CAST: Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha

DIRECTOR: Shirish Kunder

My kitchen rules!

Being a creative mind in the kitchen with the motivation to cook up a feast is tough, specially when it comes to choosing the right recipe

ilove to cook. Different cuisines, traditional dishes, modern dishes, traditional dishes with a modern twist. Entrees, mains, desserts….even cocktails! Cooking, in particular baking, is for me not only a release when I’m stressed, but also an excellent procrastination tool when what I really should be doing is proofreading a paper that was due yesterday or cleaning the bathroom. I own a shelf full of cookbooks which are strategically positioned close to the kitchen for convenience. From your basic $5 pasta bible bought at the discount table in a shopping centre to spectacular hardbacks written by celebrity chefs with photography that is almost as delicious as the recipes themselves. From Madhur Jaffery to Masterchef, it’s all there on that shelf, in pristine condition and waiting to be used.

One thing that strikes me about these recipes is the names of the dishes: Spiced Lamb Rack with Herbed Couscous and Pomegranate Dressing; Soy and Sake Scallops with Fuji Apple and Taro Chips; Lemon and Garlic Chicken with Green Beans. My question is, why do the authors feel it’s necessary to include all the main ingredients in the title? I mean, we don’t do this in Indian cooking! I have never, ever gone to my parents’ place and been greeted by my

mum saying, “Hello! I have made rasam with tender tomatoes, lentils and coriander!” Nor have I made korma and greeted my husband with, “Today I have made Mixed vegetable curry in a ground cashew base with spices and chapattis”. I guess if us Indians tried to incorporate all the ingredients that go into our intricate dishes in the title of our recipes, our cookbooks would take up more than just the shelf by the kitchen! But I digress……..

Somewhere in a parallel universe, there is a me who has the time to attack this collection of recipes with vigour. That highly organised, efficient me has a 9-5 job that allows her to try a new elaborate recipe every night, master the processes that accompany the more complex recipes, and maybe even cook a fabulous three-course meal for her husband twice a week. Sadly, like many other enthusiastic but time-poor home cooks who are happy enough to put together a wholesome albeit unadventurous meal every night, that me is a pipedream. So I satisfy myself with the occasional burst of experimentation on an infrequent and precious free evening. I generally start by flipping through at least 4 of my favourite cookbooks as well as back issues of food magazines. I look through each book from cover to cover, drooling over the pictures and imagining the flavours in my mind. I linger on my personal favourite, the desserts sections, knowing full well that I have no intention of cooking dessert that day. I run through each recipe in

my mind, rejecting many for being too difficult, timeconsuming or requiring ingredients that are hard to find.

I do a thorough stock-take of the pantry, and inevitably by then I am quite peckish and hence get distracted by the things I come across. Eventually I make a short list of 3-4 recipes that are not only do-able but satisfy whatever food craving I happen to have at the

time, as well being sure to delight my husband. Usually by this time, the sun has set, as if even it can no longer bear to watch me procrastinate.

On these nights, the hubby comes home, fishes me out from the piles of cookbooks on the couch, and stifling his laughter asks, “Takeaway?”

And I, sheepish but always grateful, say, “Okay!”

I guess if us Indians tried to incorporate all the ingredients that go into our intricate dishes in the title of our recipes, our cookbooks would take up more than just the shelf by the kitchen!

Eventually I make a short list of 3-4 recipes that are not only do-able but satisfy whatever food craving I happen to have at the time, as well being sure to delight my husband.

EEPa gOPinath