The more things change, the more they remain the same

PAWAN LUTHRA

As we head into the final month for 2012, it is perhaps a good time to take stock of the year about to pass.

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For the Indian community in Australia, this time last year there was a buzz in the air with the much awaited arrival of the Indian cricket team. Team Blue did arrive down under but rather than the tigers of world of cricket, they were more like lamb who were slaughtered by a mechanical and professional Australian cricket team. Their pathetic display on the field - and arrogance off it - made it all a sad episode indeed for cricket lovers from the sub continent. As we go to print, the Indian cricket team has just been thrashed in India by England by 10 wickets. The problem it seems, dear friends, is not in our stars but in ourselves that we are underlings, to paraphrase a well known saying. Aging stars, lack of vision by decision makers and impotent attitudes by people who matter, are all part of the decay. And yes, this can be carried across to the politics of India. It has been a year when the common man has become shriller in his demands for the Indian politicians to clean up their act. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh featured on the cover of the influential Time magazine as a leader without a vision. While the Indian media reacted in its predictable way by featuring US President Barack Obama on its cover as a useless leader, the point still is that India with all its promises has consistently failed to reach the heights which it has the potential for. With GDP growth declining, and inflation high, the only money being made is by the politicians. In spite of top rating television shows on social issues by well-respected film maker Aamir Khan, it seems that there is no desire by the powers-that-be to create any effective change. It is over two years since the sagas of Commonwealth Games corruption scandals surfaced; there is still to be any punishment meted out to the guilty parties who brought so much shame on the nation.

In Australia, the strength of the Indian community is being noted and politicians are falling over each other to be present at India-centric functions. From the Federal side, both Prime Minister Gillard and Opposition leader Abbott are playing tag with each other. As soon as one confirms their attendance for a function, the other also finds time to be available for the function. State Premiers in the two big states of Victoria and New South Wales also attend community functions regularly, and trade missions to India are the flavour of the year as they work hard to draw out Indian investment to their state. The Indian community, while enjoying the photographic opportunities with the leaders, has not been able to get access to their wallets to obtain funding for projects which can help the local community. Perhaps with the elections due in 2013, the Indian local leaders can lay the right groundwork with the political leaders to make grand announcements at their functions.

For the Australian Indian community, 2012 was a year in which we continued our growth as a community. While numbers of students were down and businesses catering to them suffered, there was an influx of professionals on 457 visas as the government worked hard to fill in the skills gaps. We continued with our massive Holi and Diwali celebrations; overseas singers and stars came to entertain us; talk fests with visiting intellectuals took place; local music and dance performances kept the entertainment levels high. Community groups mutated and new associations were formed, presidents and leaders in some changed, in others they clung to their positions to continue with their claim to fame.

Yes, the more things change, the more they remain the same.

SPIRITUAL

Ramakrishna Sarada

Vedanta Society of NSW activities

Sun 15 Dec 5.30-7.30pm Avijit Sarkar & Friends. Free early evening concert of devotional songs. Complimentary tea/ coffee, sweets & savouries provided. Venue: Vedanta Hall, 15 Liverpool Road, Croydon. Details 02 9745 4320 or email: admin. saradavedanta@bigpond. com

Website: www. saradavedanta.org

VHP Australia

VHP Australia is seeking volunteer teachers to teach Hindu Dharma in Public Schools (approved by the Dept of Education).

Training and materials will be provided. Details Akila Ramarathinam 02 8814 7016.

Sydney Veda Patasala is open for children and adults. It involves Vedic chanting and Sanskrit language. Classes are held at on Sundays Baulkham Hills, Carlingford, Moorebank and

Westmead. Details Sri Subbuji 0425 284 501.

Bala Samskara Kendra (Sanskrit Language, Indian Culture and Heritage School for children) operates out of Toongabbie, Moorebank, Hornsby and Flemington. Students learn Sanskrit language (writing, reading, speaking and reciting poems). Details

Rohini Srinivasan 02 9863 3067.

Chinmaya Mission events

Tapovan Jayanthi and Geeta

Jayanthi

Sun 23 Dec 8.00am to 11.30am, Chinmaya Sannidhi Ashram, 38 Carrington Road, Castle Hill

Chinmaya Annual Cricket

Match

Sun 30 Dec 8.00am – 12 noon, Charles MacLaughlin Reserve, Cnr Chapel Lane & Crestwood Drive, Baulkham Hills

‘Mahabharata Day’ Retreat

Mon 31 Dec 9.00am – 2.00pm

Chinmaya Sannidhi Ashram, 38

Carrington Road, Castle Hill

New Year’s Eve Program

Mon 31 Dec Hanuman Chalisa chanting, bhajans, arati.

11.30pm to midnight. Chinmaya

Sannidhi Ashram, 38 Carrington

Road, Castle Hill

New Year event

Tue 1 Jan Chanting of the Vishnu Sahasranama and Pooja 9.00am - 11.30am followed by lunch prasad. Chinmaya Sannidhi Ashram, 38 Carrington Road, Castle Hill

Details 02 8850 7400 or 0416 482 149.

Misc

International Day of People with Disability

Sat 15 Dec Vishva Hindu Parishad of Australia (Social Services Foundation) is celebrating International Day of People with Disability by organizing a free workshop and fun afternoon with dinner for people with disability of all ethnic backgrounds, their carers, frail and elderly. Pennant Hills Community Centre Hall, Library building (at the junction of Yarrara Road and Ramsay Road, Pennant Hills, few metres from Pennant Hills Station). 3.00 pm onwards. The event includes presentation and inspiring speeches by special people, mild yoga, music, dance, games etc. Details Akila 02 8814 7016.

Chanukah @ The Bay 2012

Tue 11 Dec The Chanukah at the Bay Celebration is an annual event which facilitates community participation amongst a diverse sector of the multicultural community. The event, one of the largest on the Jewish calendar in NSW, welcomes multiple faiths and celebrates diversity through the universal symbolism of Chanukah; that is, the celebration that all people can add light to the world around them, and that light triumphs over darkness. This family oriented event is at Steyne Park, William Street, Double Bay, 4.00pm to 9.00pm, and includes love band, shows, clowns, amusement park rides, pony rides, bungee jumping, BBQ, finishing with a spectacular Fireworks display

Republic Day/Australia Day

Sat 19 Jan 2013 Federation of Australian Indian Associations (FAIA) invites all community members and their families to celebrate Indian Republic at Bowman Hall, Campbell Street, Blacktown, 6.00 pm onwards. Admission is free. For sponsorship, souvenir advertisements and cultural participation contact: Neera Srivastava on 0415 807 520 or Uma Swamy on 0468 341 907.

Going to the Mahakumbh next year?

Australian independent documentary film-maker Mark Gould is searching for Hindu Australians who intend to go to the upcoming Maha Kumbh Mela at Allahabad (Prayag) in Feb 2013.

ABC TV’s religious program Compass (6.30pm Sundays) is keen to tell the story of this sacred journey and what it means to the devotees. The subjects of the film would need to be prepared to share their stories, their bhakti and relationship to their faith on camera in a documentary focussed on this special pilgrimage - why they are making it and what they hope to gain from this great event. The ideal subjects would be devout Australian Hindusindividuals or a family who are articulate about their faith and keen to reconnect with their Hindu traditions. Details Mark Gould 0419 635 614 or email mark@BondiRocksMedia.tv