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espite the hovering ghost of Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister Gillard used her first major sp eech in 2013 at the National Press Club to announce the date of the next electio n - September 14.

W ith 227 days to go, it is designed to be the longest election campaign in Australian history. Why the Prime :Minister made the announcement so much in advance has the pundits guessing, and has given rise to a number of conspiracy theories.

It wiU talte very poor poll numbers fo.r the Labor caucus to move against the Prime Minister and make changes at the top. Though ex-PM Rudd has maintained, after his failed attempt in 2012, that he will not challenge the leadership, it is doubtful he will refuse the top job which migh t be offered to him by those crying to m ake amends for the coup against him by the faceless men within the party. The sceptre of losing their own seats may

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well be a stronger m otivation for this.

Knowing that Rudd 's elevation might bring back voters, perhaps d1e necessary action is ro stop the further decline of Labor's popularity before d1e election. PM Gillard, who has never backed away from a scrap, is hoping that Labor's poll numbers rise to seem off any challenge by Rudd's supporters. Her strategy will be to draw out d1e Coali tion party and particularly Opposition Leader Tony Abbott o n bis plans for Australia, should he win. l f she can draw the voters' anention to any gap s in Abbott's policies, she bas a better chance o n the day of the final vote. PM Gillard is playing for the ultimate prize, the o ngo ing Prime Ministership of Australia, and will need much to go right for her.

In ilie meanwhile, PM Gilla.r d's announcement is seen as the start of a de facto election campaign.

The Indian commllluty in Ausu·alia holds a considerable vote bank w hich will be of interest to both the major political parties. As evidenced in the NSW and Victoria state elections, politicians are more than keen to captnre d1e goodwill of the Australian Indian community. We also seem to have suddenly found advocates of major

political parties, now willi ng to bridge the gap berween the conununity and the politicians.

With various Holi and Diwali melas, Republic and Independence Day functions and ocher events, do not be surprised to see high-level politician s pitching for your votes.

Already we can see many claimants to the positive decision by the Australian governmen t to sell u.ranimn to India.

That this happened so soon after US President Barack Obama spoke abour the US-Australia strategic parmersbip in Asia particularly to counterbalance the influence of China, is a convenien t fact which has been forgotten by a few, especially those o n d1e Labor side of politics who have opposed the sale for years. The federal election campaign will be a great opporruniry for our community leaders to seek better benefits for thei r members, such as assistance in aged care or for new migrants, or a consolidated identity for Indian Australians. It ,vill be interesting to see how our leaders in d1e community and at t he federal government level - approach the Indian Australian vote bank.

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MATTERS Of THE HEART For significant service to medicine in the field of cardiology 1971: the techni9ue involved the insertion of an electrode catheter

ssociate Professor Jitend.ra Kamilal Vobra was in lnclia celebrating with his family on January 26, when his name was

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officially declared amongst this year's Australia Day awardees in the prestigious Al\1 category.

The cardiologist and senior electrophysiologist at Royal Melbourne Hospital was honomed for significant ser-..rice to medicine in the field of cardiology.

He was the first physician to apply tbe 'His Bundle Electrogram' in Australia in

into the heart via the femoral vein in the groin.

Today Prof. Vohra is a leader in genetic testing for inherited disorders of cardiac rhythm. He is tbe founder and cmrent direccor of the Implantable Carclioverter Defibrillator (ICD) Cli11ic and was instrumental in the introduction of the fust automatic ICD in Australia in 1984. Since I 961, he has authored over 120 medical publications and book chapters nationally and internationally.

Originally from Gujarat in Inclia, Dr V9bra migrated co Australia in 1969 soon after the end of the 'white Australia' policy. He completed his l'vIBBS and MD from Mumbai and had gone to the UK to complete his post graduation training. There be met the director of the Royal Melbourne HospitaJ who asked him to consider migrating to Australia.

According to h im , moving co Melbourne was the ' best decision of his life'. " lf you are sick, there is no better place than Australia as die medical standards here are comparable to America and ELLrope," said Dr Vobra.

Commencing on the lnclian communi ty in Melbourne Dr

Vohra said, "When I migrated things were different; there were very few Indians here. However coday the community has grown in significant proportions due to migration. Australia has become richer from all the diversity.

Whilst there bas never been any overt cliscrimination , the mainstream community today is far more accepting of migrants".

Dr Vohra recently established the Cardiac Genetic Clinic in collaboration with the Royal Children's Hospital and was involved in establishing the Cardi.ac Genetic Registry forming part of cl1e National Genetic Heart Disease Registry. He also is a mentor and educator of trainee carcliologists, particularly in Ausr.ralia and the Asia-Pacific region. He co-autl1ored in 1989 a book titled Coro11111y Care Workbook, widely distributed coday throughout cardiac units in Australian hospitals.

"Genetic heart cliseases are my main area of imetest," claimed Dr Vohra as he explained his work in layman terms. "Genetic testing is a po ten tia.Uy life-saving screening for patients with cardiac conditions cbat may predispose them to sudden cardiac death and other genetic heart diseases. It is not commonly known that many young people die due to inherited

cardiac disorders. We screen families as a proactive m easure to identify and help d etermine if they have any heart disease predisposition. At Ri\llH we do a significant amount of testi11g in collaboration with the Murdoch lnstitute" .

Dr Vohra's CV outlines die numerous publications, as well as organisations, research and medical bealrh facilities that benefit from his expertise. ln the little spare time he has, he likes to read, play tennis, dabble with photography and travel. He has strong ties with India, travelling back every year during Christmas ro spend time with his family. According to him, people entering die meclical profession nowadays a1:e very bright, talented and hardworking, and rareJy ueed advice. However when asked, Dr Voh.ra's advice to young doctors would be to ensure that they bave the ability to get along with people and other doctors, co work well within a team and have empathy for tl1eir patients.

Receiving the Australia Day honour was a very rewarding experience for Dr Vohra. He is looking forward to tl1e official cer=onr later this year, when the awards will be handed to the recip ients.

A W,OMJ\N'S BEST FRIEND For service to medicine in the field ofurogynaecology BY i6,

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USHA RAMANUJAM ARVIND

bile bowels and bladders are often a no-go zone fo r many, Professor Ajay Rane, head of obstetrics and gynaecology at James Cook University's School of Medicine, has dedicated his career to improving the pelvic health of women.

TI1e gregarious UK-bom, Indiaraised and Bri.cish-crained Dr Rane moved co remote north Queensland

W 6 FEBRUARY 2013

co fow1d the deparm1enr of urogynaecology at the Townsville Hospital.

The Pelvic Healtli U nit, a comprehensive, multidisciplinary; one-of-its-kind service in regional Australia which Dr Rane heads, is 'at the forefront in research and treatment of debilitating bowel and b ladder conditions, offering compassionate and minimallr invasive therapies for their ailment,'.

Since 1997, Dr Rane bas brought clignity to tbe lives of numerous women. 1t is estimated that at least a 9uarter of ·women worldwide suffer silently because of the stigma associated with the issue.

Little wo nder cl1en cl1ar he is often affectionately referred to as the Saine of Townsville, and a woman's besr friend.

D r Rane was conferred the Medal of Order of Australia (OMI) on Australia D ay th is year, for services in the field of medicine.

"For someone who has spent only fifteen years in this cotm try, the recognition is a ht1mbling one," he confessed. "]tis more a recognition of women's suffering. l have been very blessed for the opportunity to serve in a community that has never been serviced before. \X'hether it is the haves or the have not, there is always so much

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SEEKING A SOLUTION TO ALZHEIMEKS DISEASE

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For distinguished service to medicine in the field ofpsychiatry through leadership in the research into Alzheimer's disease.

rofessor Ralph Martins, an Australian researcher of Indian origin was named in che Australia Day 2013 Honours List recencl)r. He was appointed an Officer .in the Order of Australia for h is research into Alzheimer'.5 disease and the development of early diagnosis and treatment programs. Professor Martins is the Foundation Chair in 1\geing and Alzheimer's disease and Director of rhe Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer's disease research and care at Perth. Heis an internationally recognised expert in the field of Alzheimer's research, and has published more than 200 research articles in peer-reviewed publications. He was named Citizen of the Year for Western Australia in 201 1 and Wesrern Australian of the Year .in 201 O. Speaking from Perth, Dr Martins said, "l am deeply honoured ar receiving this prestigious award and humbled that I have been lm:J...1· enough to be selected, because I know diar rhere are many outstanding Australians who have given so much more

of themselves ro odiers in our con11nunity.''

Dr Martins believes that 2013 is going to be an exciting year for prevention triJ!ls. "My key fumre goals are ro diagnose Alzheimer's disease early, weU before the symptoms are apparent and ro develop and undertake effective prevention programs in collaboration with colleagues in Australia, L1dia, lndones.ia and the USA, with die aim LO keep Alzheimer's disease at bay".

He also expressed gratitude to members of his ream, the research foundation, the University and generous donors who enabled the researd1 efforrs to progress.

For more than 25 years, Dt Martins bas been a dedicated .researd1er and world leader in Alzheimer's research, and a part of medical tean1s who have made a nun1ber of internationally recognised discoveries which have contributed nor only to d1e understanding of rhe disease, but aho to tts early detection. His other discoveries include genetic risk factors and lifestyle facrors whid1 contribute to the disease.

Through his leadership. commitment and renacity, Dr Martins has built and continues to grow; a body of substantial and worlc.1-class research. He also conticmes to develop the clinical capacity of Western Austtalia wid1 active links to his international

peers who are at the forefront of the battle against Alzheimer's disease.

Dr Martins has coUaborated with specialist colleagues in India at various levels, sharing breakthrough research and projects. One of these is the startup of colJaborative A lzheimer research centres in India in some of d1e major metro cities.

"India is on d1e verge of an Alzheimer's explosion of 100 million people affected by the disease i.n the near future, and there is not enough government funding or awareness of the problem," he said.

Born in 1957 in Bahrain to parents who hailed from Goa .in India, Dr Jvfarri.ns smdied his 'Senior Cambridge' secondary qualifications at a boarding school in Querta, in the Baluchistan region of Pakistan. Interestingly, ro facilitate his frequent visit.~ home, he was given a Pakistani passport (although he was never considered a -Pakistani citizen). ln]une 1974, aged only 16, Dr Martins came ro Perd1, and d1e rest of his family foUowed three months later. On arriving, they immediately felt completely at home. Dr Martins appreciates me choice, freedom and opportunities that Australia bas given him. He was interested in science and medicine, bur when he couldn't get imo medicine, he enrolled in biochemisrry ac the

U niversity of WA, where he mer bis Burmese-born zoologist/ microbiologist w.ife Georgia, who now also works wim the foundation. They married when he was 20.

Dr Martins went on to do research on. rhe action of insulin on diabetics, but it was Georgia's father's very different disease diar ultimately determined bis. direction. ''My failier-in-law had Alzheimer:~, so I changed to neuroscience and started work wiili Colin Nfasrers," be said.

He believes the most.in1portant trair for success is self-belief; when be started off with researcb inro 1\li:dieimer's, mail)Tin Melbourne - then rhe 'Mecca' of meclical research - cried to dissuade him, bm he was determined to go ahead. The success Dr Martins b11s achieved is a testimony ro his determination, self-belief and perseverance. A recognised leader of research in Alzheimer's disease, he conri.nues ro work ro develop an early diagnostic b lood test and feels that if me current rate of research is sustained, an early diagnostic rest is just five co six years away. \Vitb lifestyle a surprisingly large factor in the onset of Alzheimer's disease, Ralph suggests

some basic warning signs GPs can pick up in dieir patients to get them onto a preventative course of action. Alzheimer's risk facrors include many of the usual suspects: lad, of physical activity, obesity, high choleste.rol, vascularassociated diseases (particularly type-2 diabetes), high blood pressure, and poor diet.

He says, "What's good for the heart is good for the brain". He recommends physical activity of around 30 minutes a day which includes a mi.'l of cardio and weight ttaining. His research has shown fish, turmeric and green tea to be deterrents against Alzheimer's and is collaborating wirb an lnclian herbal product manufacturer to create an "anti.Alzheimer's" pill which can incorporate all of these ingredients in a form d1at's easy for the body to absorb.

Dr Martins is also actively involved in Sr. Vincent de Paul as president of the BenrJey branch, and spend~ several hours a week voltmteering and visiting d1e needy.

'1t is more instantly rewarding, the jor of people being bappy, just seeing dieir response, rather than doing research, wbicb is a long road;' he claimed.

more ro give," he said.

Over the past decade, Dr fume has helped generations of women overcome physical and psychosocial issues associated wirb incontinence. He has recencly copatented a mesh-based surgical kit (Perigee) to help sufferers. "ln rJ1e developing world, the burning issues we grapple wicl1 are bird1 and se,.."l.rnl trauma, fisrulas and genital muri.l:ition; while in the develo ped world we see prnl.apse, incontinence and now the scourge of females - genitJ!l cosmetic surgery," he admitted.

After starting up the department of urogynaecology, he developed awareness-rai$ing initiatives such as die 'Beat the

Bladder Blues' program in a bid to educate thousands o f wom en, particularly indigenous women in iso lated communities.

Loo king back at the challenges Dr Rane faced at the remote community hospital, he stated mat the main hurdle was the metrocentric approach previously adopted. ''Bue in my opinion, all hurdles are a great oppormnity to improve. Persistence, genuine passion, humility were tlie core building blocks of my team that totally changed the scenario. We soon learnt to leave behind our foreign egos and become one wid1 the community,'' he declared.

Despite ex tensive research and

teaching commim1enrs within Australia, Dr Rane bas also made it his m ission to share bis knowledge and e.'lpertise with developing nations where the s ub-speciality is still in a relatively nascent phase. With this aim, he founded the UroGynaecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgical Society o f lnd.ia in 2005.

Besides initiating a substantial research fellowship for o verseas docrors to train in Australia, he has also established a fistula ward at the renowned Kasmrba Gandhi (Gosha) Hospital in Chennai.

Named after his wife Paula, whom he aclmowledged as his pillar of strength, die ward lends support to di.sttaught

women, both r oung and old .

D r Rane bas also facilitated close bilateral cooperatio n between India and A ustralia, with local doctors rraveU.ing to India to research and address die issue.

Equally passionate about female infanticide and foeticide, Dr Rane bas championed the ttagic cause.

1n 20 10, be co-produced Ri/l){ryat, a BoUywood film exploring the issues around female foeticide and infanticide.

"The movie was d1e tesuJt of the combined passion of Sanjay Patole and myself. \Y/e read that 40 million girls bave been killed since 1984, a.nd believed we needed co do something via d1e mass media.

Our aim was to highlig ht die issue wiilio ut apportio ning b lame.

We got 14 international awards and met O mar Shari~ Richar d Gere and Juliet Binocl1e. Sadly, we flopped in India. I think our message wem roo close ro home.

Nobody in the governmem is interested in adopting die movie.

But we just wane to save one life.

If we did that was an effort well word, i t," he concluded.

As welJ, Dr Rane has managed to shake off the inertia and reticence rowards urogynaecological disorders. ·'Fifteen years and a liberal dose of humour later, people and the press are ponring into our forum~," he quipped.

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!=EBRUARV 2013 7

AUNTYJI OF THE COMMUNITY For service to the community through multicultural and aged welfare organisations

er phon.e has notsropped ringing and het inbox is flooded with emails ever since people have found out that Melbourne lndian community's favolllite ~\untyji' bas received the Order of Australia Medal (0AM) Lecently. Krishna Arora has been inundated with

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congtarulacions!

As a communii:y sralwarr, food enthusiast and former Principal of the Pusa lnscimte of Hotel Management, Mrs Arora's popularity within the community knows no geographical barriers.

"One of my former students from Muradabad (India) rang me recently to LeU me that my photograph had appeared in their

local news. Ali my srudenrs who have seeded in different parts of the world, some of whom I don't even remember, have found o ut about the award and are sending me good wishes," said the 85-year-old Mrs Arora with her characteriscic enthusiasm.

Enthusiasm is only one of the words synonymous with Krishna Aunty; others that come to mind are cireless, energetic, helpful, caring.. .. the list goes on.

With no intentions of hanging up ber boots yer, her daily schedule at 85 is busier than ever. At any given rime she is either off ro a seniors meeting, joining the Australia Day parade, helping someone in need, dancing witl1 Shiamak Davar's students, cooking up a delicious meal or lobbying for a cause with local po.licicians. "I do whatever 1 can as I enjoy helping people," said i\lls Arora, giving credit co her family who encourage and support her in all her endeavours.

Krishna Aunty migrated to Australia in 1992 to live with her daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren.

"I may not have been able to do

much if I did not have freedom of movement, but thanks to my family I am able to dedicate time and effort in working with the community," she said.

Born in Bangalore, Mrs Arora is the co-founder of the Indian Senior Citizen's Association (ISO\) and currently on the Executive Committee of PIAV (Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria) as a representative of the Sangan1 community organization.

She was the Founder and Principal of the Pusa Institute of Hotel Managemeot in Delhi befote retiring and migrating to Australia. Mrs Arora has authored several cook-books and conrributes a regular food column in a local publicauon based in Melbourne. She runs a hoili11e tele-service offeri11g cooking rips to people. Mrs Arora has also won several awatds and citations over the years. ln 2010, she was honoured with the Shilling Wall tribute for her outstanding comribution ro the community. Her name was engraved on tl1e Queen Victoria's Women Cenrre \WaU,

and she became o ne of the fuse women of Indian origi n to be awarded a Shilling Wall certificate b y tl1e Vicrorian Mulricultural Commission.

"Receiving the Order of Ausa:alia medal is wonderful, b ut my real reward is the blessings, affectio n and respect that I have earned for helping people, especially newly arrh,ed migraocs," claimed Mrs Arora. There are cmmtless stories of how 1\ilrs Arora has helped chose in need, nor necessarily documented or recorded, as that was not h er intent.

"There are so many roung farnilies who need guidance and support from those who have lived here longer; there are people suffering from depression in their attempt to settle in a new country; there are elderly citizens who are not looked after well by their families. I try co help wherever l can in my personal capacity and recently tl1rougb the FIJ\V, and l will continue to do so," said the stalwart i\frs Arora.

Preeti Jabbal

CLIMATE CHANGE TRAILBIAZER For dedication to numerical weather modelling in the service of the Australian and global community

he Australia Day Achievemeor Medal.lions are awarded under the auspices of the Australia Day Council to promote good ciri2enship and achievement.

They acknowledge emploree comriburions on special projects that have made a significant contribution to the nation, or outstanding performance of core duties in the year prior to which the award is presented.

Di: Kamal Puri, Senior Principal Research Scientist with u1e Bureau of Meteorology, won an Australia Day Achievement Medallion for his work in weatl1er modelling.

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8 l=EBRUARV 2013

The Bureau Executive 011 the basis of nominations submitted by senior managers determines medallion recipients within d1e Bureau of .Meteorology.

Dr Kamal Puri is the Research Programme leader for Earth System .Modelling Programme and bas led the Bureau of Meteorology's Nmuerical Weather Prediction (N\W) modelling and re~e.'ltch si11ce l 980. He was a key figure in establishing the Australian Conmmniry Climate and Earth Sj•stem Simulator (ACCESS) that enabled the CSIR0 and Bureau of Meteorology co have the best possible scientific tools for c.limace impact and adaptation analysis, and

weather forecasting. According to tl1e citation, the I \\7P and climate projection models now rank in the top d1tee internationally, and d1e ACCESS system has generated the data char lies behind much of Australia's concriburion to tl1e fl)CC 5th Assessment Report. Dr Puri has also been a key advisor in a number of the Bureau's major supercomputer acquisitions and in die organisation of R&D coUaboradoos with supercomputer vendors.

Originally from Kenya, Dr Puri 1:nigrated to Australia in 1972 after completing his PhD from the University of Manchester in the UK Prior to that be completed his BSc (Hons) and Diploma in Advanced studies from the same university. He came to woi::k for CSIR0 Australia as a modeller with the intention of returning after d1ree years; however, he liked Australia and decided to migrate to Melbourne. "ln those days there were hardly

any Indians or East Africans here; however the ones tl1at were here formed a closely knit circle. I still maintain my friendship with those I met in my eacly days in Ausrralia," said Dr Puri. " 1 find that the community has changed tremendously since then with the inAux of migtancs from diverse backgrounds," he continued.

"Personally I di.ink those were better days when we were so closely knit; now the community is too large and widespread for that co be possible".

Dr Puri is highly respected internationally and has travelled extensively to UK, US and India as a visiting scientist. He is a member of key international panels on earth system modelling and has written over 50 publications.

Dr Puri's links with lndia continue professionally. I-le is a member of the lotemacional AdvL~ory Conuuictee that was set up by che Indian Government's

Ministry of Earth Sciences to advise the .Ministry on issues relating to weather and climate in India. The Panel meets in India annually and is hosted by tl1e MoES. "Receiving this medal.lion in a special ceremony held on January 25 was very satisfying and gratifying fot me. It is good to be recognised and respected by my coUeagues as they are the ones who nominated me for this honour," said Dr Puri.

"Australia is at par with the best in the world as far as weather prediccion and climate change analysis; however we do suffer from lack of sufficient funding and are behind in the acquisition of supercomputers clue torhe high cost," he claimed.

Speaking about the fumre, Dr Puri said he finds his job very sciniularing and intends to continue his focus on research and modelling.

Preeti Jabbal

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AUSTRALIADAY

A true Aussie ambassador

Sydney-based film-maker Anupam Sharma is named Australia Day Ambassador orking behjnd the scenes, dream mercham Anupam Sharma has over di e past two decades adop ted many different roles - cin=atographer, casting director, consultant, writer, facilitator and fiLn expert. ln the process he has forged strong links with individuals, companies and countries carving a niche for himself in the fickle world o f films. ms brainchi ld PiJms & Casting Ternple is an icon in the entertainment industry and crerured widi single-handedly bringing Inrua and Australia together, selling their individual brands like never before.

Nominated by r S\\7 Premier Barry O'Farrell, in 2013 Sharma has tal,en on yet another exciting role - that of Ausrra]ja Day Ambassador.

The Australia Day Ambassador program is a nationwide iruriative diat sees high achieving and proud Australians attend local Australia Day celebrations in towns and cities across the nation.

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"As an Inruan who made Australia home, it is humbling to receive diis honour nor only because it also happens to be

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] ndian Republic Day bur also because it indirecdy honours die ream of people with me who have been tirelessly wodcing for strong /iL,1 links bel:\veen India and Austra]ja", Sharma to ld Judi1111 Link.

Prom relatively humble origins in 1990, today there are around 400 ambassadors who volunteer dieir rime and energy to inspire pride and celebration in hundreds of local communities.

Anupam Shanna's place of choice was 3000 strong community of Coonabarabran in \Xla.rrumbungle Shire of northern I S\'.i7.

"Country Australia has al\vays been so appealing to me. The landscape and die scenery are qw re breadita.king. 1 have done location surveys in this region (thanks to Screen NS\XI), have filmed in Dubbo, as well as in many regio nal areas of Australia and NS\V, so I jumped at the opporttmity co visit such a friendly and beautiful region again," he e.xplai ned.

"To be an Australia Day Ambassador in Coonabarabran

,vhich has been ravaged by bush fires, and engage witb die locals, was even more poignant", he added.

"The whole experience was so ful filling. le was like a cherry on my cake. I was supposed to be an Ambassador but felt more like an apprentice learning from the community, their aniazing spirit of mateship, of volunteer work, and humanity which is fast eroding in d1e husde bustle of big cities but refreshingly alive i11 small tow ns," he acknowledged.

Ir was so touching that despite having faced so much hardship barely d1e week before, the whole community rallied around for Australia Day, he pointed. \YhiJe he was moved by camarad erie and hospita]jt)' of tl1e country region, one woman certainly made a lasting impression on the respected filmmaker. ·'The conductor of the local band was particulatl}' bubbly and enthusiastic, making sure I was well looked after. 1 saw her at die breakfast meeting and again at several functions throughout

the day. When l finall)' got talking much later, l found out, she had lost everything in the recen t fire.

Yet she was warm and welcoming.

This struck a deep chord. This is the true spirit of Australia," he remarked.

"Australia Day may have starred primarily to celebrate tlie arrival of the first fleet, bm over the years it has developed into a celebration of all dungs Australian s for all of us migrants," he added.

Sharma who was recently named as one of the 50 most powerful and infl uential film professionals in Ausu·a]ja by die prestigious Encore Magazine took part in a range of activities diroughout the day, including Rag hoisting and citizenship ceremorues.

Addressing d1e communitj1 gathering earlier, Sharma stated, "Ir is your resilience and Aussie spirit which makes the terrible fires of lasr week look like hlstory. It is your Aussie spirit w hich won."

Usha Ramanujam Arvind

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J:EBRUARY 2013 9

Colour, music and fancy Bol/ywood dancing made the Indian contingent distinctive at the Australia Day parade

uscralians and Indians have a reason co gee togethet and celebrate 011 January 26. It is a doubly special day for all Indians, being Republic Day and Australia Day, a time to celebrate two significant events.

This year, as Australians of all natio nalities were preparing for the parade, us of Indian o rigin were ready to put up our own spectacular show. As the day neared dusk and the sw1 showing no signs o f setting, people from all over Adelaide, of every nationali ty flocked on the streets of King William Road co watch the Australia Day parade and cheer for their respective communities. Some even started celebrating much earlier in the day, indulging in family picnics in the beautiful ambience of our famous Elder Park.

The parade started off with the flying past of an F IS Hornet, followed by a march past of all groups. The crowd was mesmerized by a huge number of culn1ral and ethnic groups, flamboyantly dressed in their traditional costumes and gaily decorated floats that proudly marched down the streets, accompanied by resounding and encouraging cheers of 1.he public.

But the o nes who received the most attention and applause were the Indian community as they

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went past in colourful sarees and traditional outfits, dancing and singing co the accompaniment of lo ud music. Making their way down the street, members o f the lndian Australian Association of South Australia (IAASA) dressed in traditional kurtas, proudly held aloft their banner. Following behind then1 were Gurjari SA commw1ity, driving in the.ir pompous van, waving and dancing to garba music. The Bengali community wasn't too far behind, beautifully dressed in sarees of every hue, singing enticing Bengali songs. Leading the Sikh co mmunity, wearing blue chola.r and turbans were little children Aauming traditional (yet harmless) weaponry, as adults waved their Sikh flag.

Even car enthusiasts weren't disappointed as almost a hundred vintage vehicles drove down the streets.

The procession tl1en merged on to Elder Park for the twilight Australia Day concert. The crowd enjoyed performances by Wies Carr, winner of Australian Idol 2008 and Pocbellez. The n ight can1e co an end witl1 a wonderful display o f fireworks.

Ausu·alia Day is celebrated annually on January 26 and commemorates me establishment in 1778 of the first European settlement at Port Jackson, now pare of Sydney. An official public holiday is observed in every state and territory of Australia with celebrations across the nation in the form of community festivals, concerts and citizenship ceremonies. An increasing number of people are taking up Australian citizenship, leading to .increased multiculturalism in tlus land.

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HBRUARV 2013 11

PEOPLE

Australia Asia Endeavour Award • takes writer to Ind 1a Enterprising and talented writer Roanna Gonsalves will research emerging English literature in India

Roanna Gonsalves (extreme right) with the PM, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations Chris Evans, and other winners of t he Prime Minister's Australia Asia Endeavour Award.

riter Roanna Gonsalves has been selected as one of 20 Ausa:alian postgraduate srudenrs co receive a 2013 Prime J',,[in.isrer's Austral.ia Asia Endeavour Award. The only wrirer among an impr essive list of scientists, lawyers, finance and medical experts, the scholarship will enable Roanna to spend nine months in India, researching and studying existing and emerging trends in writing in E nglish across

W

its urban land scape. The award was presented in earl y December at Canberra, by Prin1e Minister Julia G illard.

Roanna is undertaking a PhD in Creative \,'{/citing at the University o f New South Wales (UNS\'<7).

Her research examines the institutional arrangements, social networks and power relations that constitute the field of literary production, using E nglish language literary culmre in Lidia as a case smd y.

"In recent years there bas been a never-before-seen flowering of grassroots English language literary culture in India," said Roanna. ''As a writer and a researcher I am curious about this literary change in the social fabric

of urban India."

She will mainly concentrate on E nglish li teratme in the fiction genre, over short stories, novels and some poetry, across mediums like forums, writing groups and even online.

"Ir has been a long and difficult journey, wri ting thousands and tho usands of words, many words, many failures and a lo ng period of learning before I could make my mark as a writer in Australia," said Roanna emphatically. "That's why this award is so meaningful m me, because after a long and thorough application process that was reviewed in-depth, I was selected. l was very excited on hearing the news, I could barely believe it!"

And while the award means an upheaval of her life here in Australia to mm1e back to India with her family, Roanna is confidently upbeat about this latest adventure.

"J feel very blessed to receive this award," she said. "It's exciting and chaLienging to find how writers are created in lnd.ia. Since m y past two visits I've realized that there's a growing breed of talented wri ters telling their stories in a variety of genres, and tapping into th is pool, meeting them and studying their work is going to be a revelation".

And the award couldn't have come at a more appropriate time.

"The subject of my PbD is about globalized literary field writing using Indian writing in English as a case smdy," explain ed Roanna.

"This trip will help m e garner essential information for my thesis, that will provide a greater understanding of tl1e emerging India□ literary scene."

For the com fon of her young family, Roanna hopes co be based in Goa, but she will extensively travel arollnd India co attend literary festivals, forums, book fairs and launches. She will conduct in-deptl1 interviews at various location s across India, and participant observation at variou s li terary eveocs. She will spend the last rwo months of her trip in an internship at Sangam Hollse, a p restigious writers' residency near Bangalore.

And then it will be back to Australia to describe her experiences.

But tliat's not all tbis writer has on her plate. She is putting

finishing touches co a novel of short stories based on the experiences of Indian-Australians here, and is currently writing a play for Bell Shakespeare, based o n the Bard's Merchant of Ve11ice. ''As Indians living in Australia, it .is important for us to tell our stories, which ad d m the fabric of t his nmlticulmra.l .land. Writer s, artists, musicians - we are tl1e storytellers of our n u ru.re, and our chronicles are a record of our experiences," said Roanna, who won the Australian Writers Guild Award in 2011.

But the writer is most proud of her latest wor k, telling her story of tl1e experience of m oving and l iving in Australia through a chapter in the recently released book ]'!Y/11I Strai11.r.

Roanna describes the chapter as one of "fun, sadness, joy and challenges."

It's an honour for an IndianAustralian co win such a prestigious award, and as Roanna embarks on a n ew journey, we wish her all tl1e best.

The Prime Minister's Australia Asia Awards provide scholarships for tl1e best and brightest university students from Ausu·alia and Asia. Besides the 20 postgrad students of whom five are going to India, 20 rn1dergrad smcleocs are also travelling co variou s parts of Asia, and 20 students from Asian co untries w ill come into Australia, including two from lndia. The award s aim m develop internationally-aware, skilled fumre leaders and co establish enduring education and professional linJ..:ages between Australia and Asia.

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12 l=EBRUARV 2013

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1an o~ I

Dr Gurdip Aurora of the Australia India Society of Victoria (AISV) receives honour from the President of India .:

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BY

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Eleventh

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Pravasi Bharatiya Di~

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7-9 January, 2013, Kochi, erala [

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his New Year's Day, while people were still recovering from parties and making resolutions for betterment, an uae.xpected phone caJJ spurred a Aurry o f activity for Melbourne's Dr. Gurdip Aurora, President of the Australia India Society of Victoria. He was informed that the AISV had been nominated for the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award fo r community service.

The award is the highest honom conferred on overseas Indians as part of the annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention sponsored by the Ministry of Overseas lndian Affairs of the Government of India.

The pho ne call was to invite Dr. Aurora ro Kochi in Kerala, where the I I th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas convention was to be held between 7-9 January, 2013.

According to the citation, 'The Australia India Society of Victoria was recognL~ed for its role in protecting the rights of Indian migrants and establishing a network of welfare activities'.

"1t was a great ho nour ro receive the award, on behalf of AISV, from the President of lndia," Dr. Gurd.ip i\urora said as he shared his PBD e.xperience with foditm Link upon his rerum.

"I did not have a lot o f prior kn Q\vledge of this event and I certainly did not expect it to be as big as it turned om ro be. I was overwhelmed by the hospitali ty and impressed by the way everything was arranged for me including travel, accommodation, meals, transport and use o f a chauffeur driven vehicle in India," claimed Dr. Aurora.

All the awardees were booked into Hotel Le l'vferidien in Koch.i and the host spared no expense in making sure that their stay was comfortable, according co Dr. Aurora.

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The event The Pravas.i Bha.ratiya Divas is celebrated every year since the year 2003 on January 9. The day commemorates the arrival of Maham1a Gandhi in India from South Africa. The ludo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (fCCC) was the organising partner of the summit this year. The Govertunent of Kerala was the State partner of chis evem and the enchanting city of Koch.i with its natural beauty of backwaters and mo num en t~ of gods offered a warm welcome to the hundreds of delegates, media and dignitaries from various parts of the world.

Prime Minister Manmoh.an Singh formally inaugurated the three-day event o n January 8 and released a scamp commemorating the Gaclar Movement. In his address to the audience the Prime l\{in.ister said that safety and seclU'i ty of overseas Indian communities was uppermost in mind in the backdrop of turbulence in many parts of the world. Though die primary responsibility of safery and security of overseas Indian communities rests with the host nations, "\vhen needed, as was the case lase year in Libya, our government will provide prompt and n ecessary assist'lnce", the Prime Minister said.

President Pranah Mukherjee said India sees its vast diaspora as a valuable contributor to its growth and is keen to e.xpand the bonds further in building an inclusive and knowledge society.

He said last year's record remittance o f $67 billion from overseas I ndians was a testim ony to both the emotional attachment and the fulfilment in .investing in Lidia's strong econo my.

"I also wish co see the Indian diaspora as a stronger partner, not only in fndia's economic growth, buc also in building lnclia's knowledge society, while continuing co engage culturally and emotionally, and serving as the effective ambass adors d1at they have been for this cow1try," the president said.

The Indian diaspora makes up over 20 million people. There are at least five heads of state o r governmenr, and over 70 senior political leaders such as deputy beads of state, speakers, ministers in various countries, who can trace d1eir roots co India.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awa rds President Pranab Mukherjee presented the Pravasi Bharatiya S:unman awards at the valedictory session o n January 9. Mauritius

President Rajkeswur Purryag, whose ancestors belonged to the Indian vil!Jige of Wajidpur in Bihar's Patna district, was the chief guest. He also received die Pravasi Bharatiya D ivas Samman Award for public services.

The award was also given co: Prof G urusharan Singh Chacwal, Germany (Science); Dr. Sacendra K. Singh, New Zealand (Conum1n.ity service); Ismail E . Ebrahim, South Africa (Business); T.S. Ravindra Menon, Malaysia (Com muniLy service); Dr. Rasik V.Josbi, Mexico (Literature); G ilbert. C. Moutien, Reunion l sl:u1d (Business); Mohamm ed R. Karuvan thod.i, Saudi Arabia (Business); Bava Pandalingal, UAE (Community service); Dr. N.R.Kmnar, US (Health care); Subhash Razdan, US, (Public service) and Ashok S. Vaswan.i, Guinea (community service).

The AISV from Victoria and the lnd.ian D octors Forum from Kuwait were the only two organisations to win d1e PBD S community service award chis year.

Since .its inception in 2003 only two Aust:rali:u1s have been conferred with this award: well known JCT industry leader Neville Roach AO and scientist Veena Sahajwalla (of UNS\Xl) who also appeared on the TV show The lnventon. Dr. Aurora felt delighted chat AISV were to join chis elite club.

"I do not know who nominated i\ISV for ch.is award ; however given the organisation's longstanding history of service to the community, it was befitting to receive this honour soon after our 50th anniversary" said Dr. Aurora as he proudly displayed the gold medal and certificate to fodian Link in his Scoresby clinic recently.

The Australia India Society of Victoria AISV Prof. Alexander Boyce Gibson, d1e head of the Department of Indian Studies at the University of Melbourne, established the Australia India Society of Victoria in 1963. AISV was initially created with. an objective co create interest in Indian history, arts :u1d culture.

All the past Presidents, and the present comrninee led bf Dr. Gurdip Aurora, have helped in shaping the organisation over die years by playing an active role in issues affecting the Indian community. According to Dr. Aurora AISV has sought co improve and strengthen the quality of relations between A ustralia and India through their interactions with t he Government, the media and d1e people who are directly affected by tl1ese issues.

The majo r achievements o f J\ISV, as listed in d1eir 50 years'

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Psychiatrist Dr Manju/a O'Connor, Vice-President AISV

Dr Gurdip Aurora with the Pravasi Bharatiya medal

celebration souvenir, include: • Establishment of the Victorian lndian Community Charitable Trust (VICC1) in 1986 for the provision of permanent housing and financial assistance for disadvantaged persons.

• Successfully lobbying the Victorian State Government in 1990 co exempt Sikhs from legislation introduced in Parliament to ban the carrying of knives. This legislation affected baptized Sikhs and prevented them from carrying a ki,pcm. Legislation stating compulsory wearing of helmets while riding a push bike was also adopted to accommodate turbaned Sikhs.

• Successfully lobbying the Indian Government in 1991 (for three years) to establish consular services for Indians in Melbomne.

• Introducing in 1992 'Mehfil'

INDIAN LINK

nights to showcase emerging and established artists in the field of music and arts. These continue to this day and provide the Indian community an opportunity co celebrate their culture and people.

• Applying pressure to bmh sides of Government over a three-year period for the introduction of a two-year waiting period for Spouse Visas in 1995. This resulted in a fairer Visa Process for overseas spouses from all countries and d1e AISV helped in establishing a fair immigration policy.

• Helping establish in 1999, in partnership with Australian Unity, a Travel InsLtraoce fLmd for overseas visitors to enable them co gain access to hospitals and medical care. This served to take the burden off the State Govermnent and in some cases the children of elderly parents who were

supporting d1eir parent's travel to Australia.

• Conducting a rwo-year research project in 2009 on the issue of me international srudents and putting forth 45 recommendations to the Federal and State Governments.

Ms. Priya Saratchandrau wrote the Paper and the recommendations were accepted and changes made to the status of international students accordingly.

• Creating a taskforce in 201 l against domestic violence in fodian and edmic commLmities co help the victims of such violence with the help of Dr. Manjula O'Connor.

This was in response co d1e increasing instances of domestic violence within me community and me need co offer cultural specific assistance.

Overseas Indian .Affairs Vayalar Ravi mged the delegates to air their issues openly at these sessions and exchange views and perspeccives.

Dr. Aurora who voluntarily attended these sessions said, "It was appalling to bear the stories of discrimination, lack of human rights and exploitation of people especially the plight of several illiterate 111.igrancs who ended up in prison due to an error in d1e paperwork filled in by their agents."

He continued, "During my stay I brief! y met Salman Klrn.rsllid, Cabinet wlinister of the Ministry of External Affairs; columnist and author Shashi Tharoor; Deputy Chief Mi11ister of Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal, and had a meeting with Parneet Kaur, Minister of State for External Affairs from Patiala. T also took the opportllnity to rem.ind the Prime Minister that his visit to Australia was long overdue" said Dr. Aurora.

Conventions like these provide a platform to d1e overseas Indian community to engage with the government for mutllally beneficial activities. They are also useful in networking among the overseas Indian community residing in various parts of the world and enable d1em to share their experiences in various fields. The PBD's main objective is co strengtl1en the diaspora's engagement with India. "In th.at sense the PBD met its objective," remarked Dr Aurora. "However l wish the general public had more access to the Prime iVfinister and ·President. They were both kept away from me public under very tight security and I couldn't help comparing d1is with Australia and the fact that we have relatively easier access to people in power here".

Future directions for

AISV Dr Aurora at PBD 2013 The theme of the 2013 Pravasi Bhartiya Divas was: Engaging Diaspora: The Ttidia11 Growth Sto,y. :Many seminars, workshops and events linked to the rneme were held including an exclusive session d1at gave a platform to people from Kerala in the Gulf to air theu: grievances. In his inaugmal address, Union .Minister for

Psychiatrist Dr Manjula O 'Connor, Vice Presiden t of AISV; and Chair of d1e Taskforce Against Domestic V iolence in Indian and Ethnic Communities, commented on the future direction of AISV ''ln 2010-20 l2 we worked on domescic violence with women of the Indian community. Tllis year we plan to work wid1 Indian men. This is a prevention strategy.

''

The Australia India Society of Victoria was recognised for its role in protecting the rights of Indian migrants and establishing a network of welfare activities

'' Prevention of domestic violence is considered now as a more useful and fruitful area co target. The Taskforce will recruit men from d1e general Indian con111rn11iry.

The project is an action researcl1 project, and will be conducted in partnership bet\veen AISV, the J\,felbourne University and the Australasian Centre for Hwnan Rights and Health (ACHRH) ," she said . "\V/e have been fortunate in forming partnerships with a taxi company (who recruit young Indian men) and d1e Sikh Women's Network from Western Victoria in this project. T llis project witb Indian men wiJJ consist of using community-based interaccive d1eatre to explore lnclian men's concept of DV; simultaneously raising awareness on the issue including legal and criminal implications. W'e have secured partial fimcling for this project from d1e Victoria Multicu.lmral Commission and partly from ACHRH". \\'.:'hen asked if achieving mis award would make any difference to how AISV wiJJ conduct itself in fmme, Dr. Gurdip .Aurora said, "\'(/e have worked bard for the last 50 years and we will continue to do so in futllre. T here will be no change to our normal routine and we will keep working wid1 d1e same dedication and keep contributing sigllificantly to d1e community," he said in conclusion.

l=EBRUARV 2013 15

SPECIALREPORT

Why the Mahatma matters even today Justice Michael Kirby delivers the annual Gandhi Oration at UNSW

e is well known as a skilled raconteur - and this time again, Justice ~t:ichael Kirby, lawyer, judge and social comment.'ltor, did not disappoint. Addressing a packed audience, the accomplished orator's trademark courage and intelligence shone through brilliantly as he tried co answer the question of wbat Gandhi would do today, and whether h is ideals are still relevanc. The occasion was the second Gandhj Oration to mark Martyrdom Day, the day tl1e revered ] ndian leader was assassinated, and was organised by tbe Austrilia India Institute atUNSW Mohandas Gandhi and Michael Kirby, both lawyers and advocates of human rights, do have a few things in common. Just as Gandhi won me hearts of his people as he led them to independence from tbe British, so 1V1ichael Kirby has won the Jove and admiration of his own countrymen as he urges mem to think compassionately on a range of salient social issues.

If one was tl1e Famer of the Nacion, the other is a National Living Treasure.

Kirby spoke on Gandhi's position on a list of issues tl1at hold special significance in h is own life: women's rights, climate change, animal rights and human sexuality.

The Delhi rape case of Decernber 2012 that brought the citizens of India out on tbe streets, was bound to feamre in tl1e address. Justice IGrby outlined a sitnilar case that took place in Sydney in 1886, reminding the audience not to get "too selfrighteous about Delhi: violence against women is endemic in tbe world". He went on to appreciate me marmer in which tl1e law has taken its course in me matter: tl1e setting up of two official enquiries, and the holding back of the recommendation of the death penalty, becaL1se "hanging does not deter or prevent such offences. It is che risk o f detection and speedy and proper determination of guilt mat does so". And mat, Kirby concluded, is what Gandhi would say about tl1e case: he would condemn tl1e brutality of tl1e act and the disrespect for women ic showcased, and then insist upon

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16 FEBRUARY 2013

ilie due process of Jaw. And yet, Kirby pointed o ut, for a man who espoused abimsa (nonviolence), Gandhi did not hesitate to recommend violence in case of sexual arracks, writing, "God bas given (woman) nails and teetl1 - she must use tbem ·witl1 all her strengtl1".

Reg arding clin1ate change, Kirby recognized Gandhi's doctrines of self-sufficiency and simplicity as tenets of an early environmentalism. (One famous Gandhi quote would bave gone down well here: ·'Tbe earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed"). And although IGrby dismissed as impractical Gandhi's "extreme solutions" in terms of spinning his own clom and grinding bis own grain, the message of ecological restraint, f-.:irby claimed, came chcougb loud and clear.

On animal welfare, another of Kirby's recent passions, there was much common ground to be found. Kirby himself mrned vegetarian a few years ago, and as patron of ilie animal welfare organisation Voiceless, be has been campaigning for better animal laws in Australia including legitimate farming and slaughtering metl,ods. He recounted, to some amusement, Gandhi's early attempts at eating meat (ostensibly co grow monger and fighr the British), and chastising himself for lying to his parents about ic. And altl1ough Gandhi's embrace o f vegetarianism was for purposes of spirimaJ upliftment, Kirby's support of it is co "protect the ocher sentient creatures that share the planet wiili us".

Much has been written on the topic of Gandhi's sexuali ty in recent years: bis vow of celibacy, his abhorrence of birth control, his inscn1ccion of sex co young men and women in his ashram, and his "experiments'' on sleeping arrangements involving young women - all of whid1 Kirby found "other-worldly and cliscon.nected with ... reility".

Yet it was his somewhat detailed description of me alleged bomoeroticism in Gandhi's life tl1at tbe audience will remember most from tl1e event. Of course, it was notl1ing new, taken as it was from the 2011 book Great S011/.· lvfahatma Gandhi and His Stmggle With fodia by Joseph Lilyveld. In tl1is controversial book banned in some parts of L1dia, Lilyveld chronicles the relationship between Gandhi

1111 l'\.\11 i\.l \\

and Hermann Kallenbach, a German Jewish body-builder and archirecc, revealed through letters. These letters, part of Kal!eobach's estate, are now held in the National Archives of India.

LiJyveld inferred from tl1e letters tbat tl1e two bad lived rogemer "after Gandlu terminated marital relations with his wife". The references to tl1eir "mumal love", co portraits in the bedroom, co vaseline and cotron wool, and to "Upper House" and " Lower House" nomenclanire led to such conclusions. A passionate gay rights campaigner hin1self having come our in 1999 - Kirby rook tl1e oppormnity to call for me Supreme Conn's repeal of Section 377 of tl1e Indian Penal Code drafted by Thomas Macaulay in 1837, wh ich outlaws homosexuility and stands vilid to mis day. The Delhi High Court - "a great, independent court" -

already invalidated tl1ar part of tl1e Code in 2009.

Inre.restiog!y, Lilyveld's work continues co be the onl)' source tl1at makes the clain1s on Gandhi's homoerocicism. Ocher works of Gandhi's sexu ilicy such as psychoanalyst Sudhir Ka.kar's Intimate Relations: Exp/ming Indian Sex11ali!)1 and ll'firn and tbe l'v[ahatma find no evidence of homosexuality or homoeroticism.

Other analys es of the letters suggest that the loaded terms could nor have been homoerotic for the time in which they were wticcen. Kirby himself concluded, "A century on, who can tell what Gandhi meant?"

There is also the fact that no mention of homoerocicism is to be found in Gandh i's own writings - which is replete with honest accounts of other 'indiscretions' and 'm.isdemeanours' such as indulging his passion s ,vich his

wife while his father lay dying i.n tl1e room next door, visiting prostitutes oo at least five different occasions (bur being saved by 'God' in the nick of time each time), and indulging in non-contact sexual activity such as bathing and nude massages and lying next to young women. ''My file is my message," he said famously. If he had the courage to write with such complete honest)', surely the homoerotic episodes would have found mention somewhere as well?

In t he encl though, it is Gandhi's great grandson Tusshar Gandhi tl1at has the lase word: "What does it matter if tbe Mahatma was straight, gay or bisexual? He would still be the man tl1ac Jed India to freedom." He helped change tl1e world for not only 400 million Indians in the 1940s, but also many m ore citizens of the world, even as the cenmry ticked over.

Neville Rnach, Parron of the Australia India lnstimte and organiser of ilie event, spoke glowingly about Michael Kirby's speech. ·'lt was a powerful piece of work, extensively researched and quire a balanced perspective on Gandhiji's positions on a vatie~' of issues," he said on Indian Link Rndio.

"Gandhiji himself embraced self-critical evaluation, as we all shouJd, and would have looked upon Michael's speech witl1 tolerance," he concluded.

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INDIAN NEWS

Kashmir's first girl teenage rock band Pragaash, or First Light, from Indian-administered Kashmir has decided t o quit after the region's top Muslim cleric declared their music to be "un-lslamic': according to their manager. Pragaash, a three-piece group whose members are still in high school, had been the target of an online hate campaign ever since winning a "Battle of the Bands" contest in Srinagar in December.

IAF eyes private vendors to replace Avro fleet For the fuse time in its service, the Indian Air Force (L'\F) will buy transport aircraft from private vendors to replace its ageing Avro fleet.

"We will release this month an RFP (request for proposal) to acquire 56 cargo aircraft from the private sector for replacing the indigenously-built Avros, which will be phased out," Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne said at an aerospace event.

Of the 56 aircraft, 16 will be procured offthe-shelf and the remaining 40 will be built in the coLmtry by a private consortium of overseas and domestic vendors.

Estimated to cost a total of about $3 billion (Rs.16,000 crore), the defence ministry's acquisition council has recently allowed tl1e air force to Aoat a global tender to purchase a twin-engine cargo aircraft in six-eight tonne class, with a cruise speed of 800 km per hour and a range of 2500-2800 km.

The vintage Hawker Siddeley 748M Avros, built by the state-run defence behemoth Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) during the 1960s, were inducted into the IAF transport fleet for ferrying its personnel as well as heavy equipment.

The Avros are also being used for rescue and relief missions. ''Acquisition from non- PSUs (pL1blic seccor undertakings) w ill encourage the Indian private sector to design and develop a modem transport aircraft for military operations," Browne said at die international seminar on ''Aerospace P roducts Challenges in Design to Development" , being held ahead of the nintl1 edition of me biennial Aero India trade event.

The programme will also enable tl1e vendors co service the aircraft besid es encouraging small and mediw11 enterprises to develop parts, sub-systems and accessories, as the first 16 aircraft will have 30 percent

18 FEBRUARY 20 13

indigenous component and 60-80 percent in the remaining 40 aircraft.

Airbus Military with its C295 and J\Jenia Aermacchi with its C-27J are likely to be in race for the multi-million dolliu: deal.

Obama awards science medal to Indian-American inventor President Barack Obama bas awarded Rangaswarny Srinivasan, an lndian-American co-inventor of LASIK eye surgery, with a national medal for science, technology and innovation along with 22 other researchers and inventors.

Srinivasan, 82, a.n inventor at IBM Thomas J. \Xlatson Research Centre, received die 20 I1 National J\,fedal of Technology and innovation with Samuel BlLm1and Jan1es \Xlynne.

They were awarded for "me pioneering discovery of excimer laser ablative photodecomposition of human and animal tissue, laying tl1e fo1U1dation for PRK and LASIK, laser refractive surgical cechni9ues that have revolutionized vision enhancement," according co the \,'(/hire House citation.

Lauding tl1e recipients for tl1eir hard work and contributions at a \Xlhite House ceremony, Obama joked that tl1ey represented "the greatest collection of brainpower we've had UJ1der tl1is roof in a long time."

The medals represent the highest honours tl, e US governmem can give to scientists, engineers, and inventors.

Speaking in the East Room of tl,e White House, Obama Aanked by Dr. Subra Suresh, Indian-American head of the National Science Fmm clation, ilianked the recipients for "die sacrifices they've made, the chances mey've taken, (and.I the gallons of coffee they've consumed."

The president also used the opportunity to make a pitch for increased focus on science and technology education, as well as

im migration reform. "l.n a global economy, where the best jobs follow talent, whethe.r in Calcutta or Cleveland, we need to do everything we can to encourage that same kind of passion" that has led co scientific breaktlu·oughs and innovation, he said.

Punjabi, Bengali, Gujarati among top 10 languages in Britain Punjabi, Urdu, Bengali and Gujarati ate among the cop 10 languages spoken in Britain, according to latest census figures.

BBC reported that tl,e nw11ber of people in England and \Xlales who could not speak any English was 138,000.

Accorcli.ng co the 2011 census, after English, the second most reported language \Vas Polish, witl1 546,000 speakers, followed

by Punjabi and Urdu.

Some four million people - or eight percent of che population - reported speaking a different language other than English or Welsh.

The top 10 reported languages were English, followed by Polish, Punjabi, Urdu, Bengali, Gujarati, Arabic, French, C hinese (excluding Mandarin and Can tonese) and Portuguese.

Not all languages were spoken, with 22,000 people using sign language, BBC reported.

English or Welsh was tl1e main language for 92 percent • or 50 million • of residents aged three and over.

Of those witl1 a main language otl1er tl1an English, 1.7 million could speak English very well, while 138,000 conJd not speak English at all.

In London, 1.7 million residents used a main language other than English.

US- based linguist discovers a new dialect in Bihar A US based Indian linguist claims to lmve discovered a new dialect spoken by the

m inority Musilm community in some districts of Bil,ar iliac has no written record or name.

Mohammad Warsi, who teaches linguistics and lndian languages at the Washington University in St. Louis, said tl1e main language for communication in Darbhanga, Madhubani, Samastipur, Begnsarai and Muzaffarpur, is Maithili. But when Muslin1s speak among themselves, they speak a dialect that is different from Maitllili, Hindi, and Urdu. This dialect does not have its own script or literature, he said.

T his might be tl,e reason tliat d,is dialect went unnoticed to lingni5ts so far, said Warsi, who is a recipienr of J ames E. McLeod FacnJcy Recognition Award for 2012.

While doing a comparative study, Warsi said he found tlmt this new dialect is completely different from Hindi, Urdu, and Maithli and their verb conjugation and sentence structure, is quite different from each otl1er.

For example "\Y/e are going" ,vmtld be rendered "hum jaa ral1ai.n hain" in Hindi, "hll.111 jaay ral1al chhii" in Maithli and "hum jaa rahain hai.n" in Urdu sentence. Bnt in the new d ialect it would be: " ham jaa rahaliya hae". Also, there is no agentive marker " -ne" in Mithilanchal U rdu.

Only one second person pronoun " tu" is used in die new dialect instead of ''ru, tum and aap".

From tl1ese exan1ples, it is clear tl1at the verb conjugation in the new dialect is completely different from tl1ac of Hindi, Urdu, and Maitl,li, \Xlarsi said.

Warsi, a native of Darbhanga district in Bihar has given the nomenclature of 'Mithifanchal U rdu' to tl,is dialect.

"Language does not have any boundaries, nor is ic dependent on any boundary;" be said. " Dialects are the contact languages of particular regions, and tl1ey have a deep in1pacc on tl1eir cultural heritage," he said.

"Slowly witb time tl1ese d ialects begin to take shape o f languages."

T he convergence of a dialect into a language is a symbol and pride of t he people who speak it, Warsi said soggesting the inclusion of tl1e new dialect in a recently initiated nationwide linguistic survey.

Kashmir's all-girl rock band quits performing The teacher of tl1e all-girl rock band against whom a 'faLwa' was issued said mac me girls have stopped perfornling even as Chief Minister Omar Abdullal, promised police investigations into the threat.5.

Adnan Muhammad Mattoo, who trained the three Class 10 girls before they formed the valley's fuse girls' rock band said " Since the grand mufti, whom we treat as part of tbe government, says tl1ey must not play music, tl1e tluee girls have decided co 9uit" " l formed the val.ley's first rock band, Blood Rock, seven years ago. I now feel seven years of my life have been wasted. l have also decided to 9 uic and give up my pursuit of rock music," Marcoo said.

He added that tl,ere are nearly 40 rock bands in tl,e state. "Their future is also in doldrwns now," he said.

After receiving threats on the social media, tl,e family sources of the three girls who formed the Pragaash band said tl1ey had told their wards not to continue their pursuit.

Ba~hir-ud-din Ah med, head of d1e Muslim

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INDIAN NEWS clergy in Kashmir, issued a 'fatwa' (religious decree) asking the parents of the three girls ro impart religious education to their daughters and labelled [he girls' performance as "a shameful act".

Separatist leaders also disapproved of the girl's band and said: ''This (band) was against moral values and [bey (the girls) should refrain from singing. There is no place for such act~ in Islam."

Chief rvlinister Omar Abdullah had hoped on his micro-blogging Twitter site that the three talented girls would not give up under threats from "a handful of morons".

AbduUab also said he would have the threats against the gids investigated.

Mehbooba Mufti, president of opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP), said here Monday that Kashmiri women singers like Raj Begum, Kailash Mehra and Shamima Azad had been widely appreciated and encouraged. ''I don't know what religious reasons the grand mufti had to issue his decree, bur 1 feel it is being blmvn out of proportion," she said.

PDP spokesperson Naeem Akhtar cold media persons: "Music is part of our spiritual culture since decades. Kashmir bas produced many women singers and Kashmiris are still fond of their son!,>s."

RLiling National Conference leader Mustafa Kamal said: "The chief minister has said he would provide security to these girls if they want to pursue their passion. He bas also said he would not intervene if the girls decided to give up their pursuit of music."

Taking strong exception to the 'fatwa', state BJ1l chief spokesperson J itendra Singh said: ''These (fundamentalists) who are uncomfortable w ith the return of normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir want to keep the Kashmir pot boiling for their vested in reres ts."

He added: "These are elements which do nor want the youtb of Kashmir to be a part of the national mainstream in democratic lndia."

The band Pragaash (morning light) comprising three Class 10 girls, ir,ive their first live performance at Srinagar's music festival, Battle o f the Bands, Dec last year.

States w ill invite bids for power to meet demand States will invite bids for procuring electricity to bridge tlie ir,ip in demand and supply in tbe next six montl1s, die government said.

It is part of a package of measures power ministers of states and union territories resolved to ad opt to improve tl1e country's power simation after a meeting with union Power Minister Jyotiradicya Scindia.

A power ministry statement said die states will now invite bids for procurement of power to rneet the L1.11covered gap in demand and supply within tlie next six months through Case 1 bidding.

Case I is an open bid where the developer has to decide for fuel and location and compete against any other developer.

"State governments would prepare plans covering generation and transmission infrastrucmre for all time horizons and would procure about 90 percent power of their requirement wider long-term or medium-term agreements," the staten1ent said.

Briefing media persons on the progress of the financial restrucnu:ing programme (FRP) for dirn.ibution companies (discoms), Scindia

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Aishwarya Roi Bochchon and television actress Shweto Tiwari (2nd from left) perform for the Support My School telethon in Mumbai.

said 5 out of seven "focus" states had agreed co take part in the scheme.

"Five states are already on board (the FRP). Their total short-term liability is close to Rs.120,000 crore. We are speaking to the finance ministry for tbe approvals so that in die near furure, next week, we'll be able to take it forward," Scindia said.

Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are the states which have commited to the FRP. In September last year, the Cabinet approved the restrucnuing package for discoms' debt burden, which stood at a staggering Rs. 246,000 crore at encl of :March 2012.

Under the scheme, 50 percent of the short-term outstanding liabilities would be taken over by state govermnents. The balance 50 percent loans would be restructured by providing moratorium on principal and best possible terms for repayments.

The 6th conference of power ministers of states and UTs deliberated several issues regarding providing affordable and adequate power to consumers and making electricity accessible to all, particularly in those areas diat are not com1ected wid1 the grid. lt was also decided that tl1e state governments would ensure the accounts of die utilities, up to 20 1·1- 12, are audited and finalised by March 2013, and in future the accounts of a financial year are audited by September of the following financial year as per tl1e Companies Act States would ensure that discoms file multi-year tariff petition and that State Electricity Regu.larory Commissions (SERCs) announce multi-year ta.tiff as per the National Tariff Policy.

Wipro unveils aerospace facility in Bangalore SEZ IT major Wipro Ltd's global hydraulics business Lmveiled its aerospace facility in tl1e special economic zone (SEZ) at Devan.ahalli near the airport on the city's outskirts.

Set up with an upfront investment of Rs.650 million in a 7.2 acre campus, the country's first of its kind plant has an installed capacity ro manufacnire about 2,000 actuamrs annually for various aerospace applications.

An acmator is a device used to control

hydraulic flu.id or pneumatic pressure in a mechanical or electronic system and convert this energy inro motion.

"Om acmators will have various applications in aircraft, including landing gear, fl ight control systems, engines and utilities," Wipro lnfrastrucrure Engineering president Pratik Kumar said on the occasion.

The global actuator systems market is estimated robe around $3 billion.

"Our vision is to build a significant presence in the aerospace and defense market, leveraging on our experience and competence in precision engineering and mac.hi.rung space," Kumar said.

The company's engineering division tied up in May 2011 witli Spanish firm Compania Espanola de Sistemas Aeronauticos SA, a subsidiary of the European Aerospace and Defence Corporation, EADS, to manufacn1re precision engineering components.

"The pact involves technology transfer as well as mannfacturing aerospace acmators and related precision engineering components b y Wipro for CESA.," Kumar said.

The company plans to double the investment over the next six years to expand capacity to about 8,000 actuacors per annw11 and add new product lines in precision manufactured components. "\Y/e have big plans for this business and are in talks with several p layers to develop multiple product lines as tlie facility, with end-co-end capabilities from product development, manufacturing to testing, is well positioned to partner global QE,\1s/ tierIs, which are looking to extend their supply chains to cost-competitive cow1tries like India and to meet their offset obligations," said engineering business head SL1.11il Rajagopalan.

The facility will commence its serial production in April.

Wipro chairman Azim Premji, EADS/ Airbus vice-president Klaus Richter and Karnaraka's principal secretary (industry) M.N. Vidyashankar were present on the occasion.

Now Ramaya na in Polish language

available in Polish language, courtesy Janusz Krzyzowski, an Indologist in Poland who has translated the monumental work.

Though few episodes of Ramayana were translated into Polish in 1816, these were mere translation of ,vestern writers. In the 20th century, some attempts were made to translate a few more chapters. lt seems Krzyzowski collected the material from dozens of books and presented in a coherent maimer so that a reader could sustain his interest \Vh.ile going through d ifferent cl1apters. The original was penned by Maharishi Valm.iki in Sanskrit.

"My main purpose was to translate this epic i.nco many chapters in a story format so that laymen and particularly Polish children could enjoy the book as well as they should be aware of the great lndian mythological tradition.

"Ramayana and Mahabharata are two great epics which cannot (be) compared with other epics. Even Greek epics come our as pale shadows when we see the canvas of the lndian epics. They are almost unique in the history of mankind," Krzyzowski cold reporters.

The book's effect was visible when a group presented a two-hour show on the pattern of Ramlila. In May, the group ·will visit few cities in Poland to enact Ranilila for Polish schoolchildren with the help of the Embassy of India in Warsaw: "He has done great justice to promote lndia in his nation. He deserves all our praise and we feel proud that such a gem is ,vitl1 us in Poland," said the Indian ambassador Monika Mohra.

Krzyzowski has been a prolific writer on India since 15 years. His love for India has roots since his university days when he enrolled for a master degree in philosophy after a medical degree. This interest turned him into an automatic Indophile.

His books on Ashoka and Tan sen were well-received along with books of Urdu masters like Mir Taqi Mir, i\fuza Ghalib, Fi.rag Gorakbpuri, Paiz Ahmad Paiz that he translated with Surender Zah.id, an Urdu poet in Warsaw.

Krzyzowski is the president of IndiaPoland Cultural Conmlirtee since its inception in 2004.

Ramayana, the great Indian epic, is now

IANS

!=EBRUARV 2013 19

ARTS

The Kochi Muziri Biennale The Indian century begins now India launched its first Biennale for Contemporary Art in Kochi on 12/12/12 and according to art critics worldwide, it has been a huge success.

he Kochi Biennale story is one of integrity, hard work, sacrifice, leadership, determination and gurs by the Biennale Foundarion and a handful of political leaders who maintained a belief that India can again foster big picmre inspiration and that ir deserves nourisbmenr of the newest ideas.

1n 2010, the then Cultural Minister for Kerala Mr M A Baby and well-known KeraJa artists Bose Krishnamachari and Ryas Komu initiated the Indian Biennale idea and succeeded enormously in pulling it off. Ir was affirmed in the office of the Prime Minister, and the Kochi Muzi.ris BiennaJe Foundarion was formed with d1e date set at December 12, 2012

T

(12/12/12).

Bur for the visionary leadership of these few, Inrlia's first real contemporary art event almost would not have happened.

Ir was plagued by baseless allegations of corruption and beset by government enquiries.

When public funding was wid1drawn after a change of stare government, the Biennale Foundation forged on and attracted private sponsorship.

To their credit they produced a magnificent show, which die world of arr is talking about. Australia coo can be proud of backing a winner as out of 6 international project supporters, 3 are Australian: the Australia Council, Department of Foreign Affairs, and Trade and Asia Llnk.

Of the 80 artists, 6 were Australian and an adrlitional 10 Australians were involved in satellite shows, as well as Melbourne U niversity and the U niversity of Soudi Aus11·alia.

WhyKochi1 Kochi is not just interesting, but also the right choice for lnrlia's first Biennale and Keralires should be proud. This coastal city was a thriving cosmopolitan centre for hundreds of years before Europe even knew that the East existed! Kochi has the first mosque in India, die first church and

20 !=EBRUARY 2013

d1e first synagogue. It has held communities of Arabs, Chinese and Europeans alo ngside the dynamic Dravidians, and is rhe only place in India where duee different European nations ruled consecurively and continuously for over 400 years. Kochi had die second elected communise government in the world and is still die most literate stare in lndia.

A venue with character It seems d1at Kochi is d1e natural home for new ideas. The island of Fort Koch.i where the Biennale is centred, offers a contained yet spacious environment to exhibit and create work, acconm1odace visitors and artists, all with.in walking distance of venues. le has a multitude of abandoned spice warehouses, lanes, walls and forgotten gardens, pungent widi memory and character. The Biennale foundation has mrned many into world-class arr spaces.

The huge Aspin Wall House, an abandoned space and coconut f:ibre trade house on the sea waJl, is the main venue. \Vorks are displayed in small and vast rooms, previously kitchens and offices. ln pours an abundance of tropical light, and outside are immense cargo ships and wooden fishing boars so close you can touch diem. It is potentially tbe most picnrresque biennale venue in the world.

The venues, location, history combined with the sheer determination to make rhe event work with the raw ene1·gy of international and local artists working side by side in hear and humidity widi tradesmen and lahourers, all came together to create a fierce audienticiry d1at makes the KMB a very lndian and a very new and in1porranc art e.,petience for d1e world.

Daniel Connell at work at Kochi (and below) his finished pieces.

Ariel Hassan, HFV Project

Behind the scenes Some of the accusations hurled ar the organisers were of elirism and exclusivism, yet I wimessed both Artistic Directors Bose and Ryas, as well as high profile members of the organising committee, attend community event after community evenr when no one else was looking. On one day they were ,velcoming the world's mosc important artists ro lndia: Ai Wei Wei, die director of Tate Modern, Jobn Abraham o r Miss India; and the next day d1ey were

Rigo 23, Kochi Tower

Rigo 23, Kochi Tower, 2

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Ernesto Neto, Life is a River

at the Cochin Carnival community event with 25 local women in a small temple. t o entourage, no pretence; the office is open, bustling and focussed everyday.

An avid audtence Most importantly however, I wimessed the rare delight of ordinary people engaging with contemporary art for the first time, and loving it. The difficult videos of Pakistani artist Rashid Rana who uses tiny moving cut squares from pornographic videos, which are inoffensive, yet somehow seductive; tl1en there is a collage that depicts victims of a suicide bombing. In a terrible moment of recognition we are forced to link

Aspinwall House

seduction and violence, forced to acknowledge a horrific familiarity.

There was a policeman who spoke little English, b ut knew every sensitive video piece by Australian artist Angelica l\1[esti by heart, who showed me aro1md Moidu's house. I saw crowds of families reading tl1e heart-breaking books of Amar [(anwar's records of farmer suicides, page by page and watching open-mouthed die h idden protests against forced land accusation by villagers in Chhattisgarh. 1 saw auto drivers parking their 3-wheelers and coming in to see sculpmres by Subodh Gupta, videos by Chinese artists and installations by South African artists. I spoke to lawyers,

businessmen, srudenrs, children, housewives and unemployed labourers in exhibition halls who had favourite pieces. I saw a mum and ber two teenage daughters in full Islamic dress laughing like children as they discovered a sculpnire in Cabral Yard. I saw the slow drip feed of ideas seeping inro the local psyche: a worker temrned from Dubai who was motivated co enter one of his photos i.n a national competition and won; an engineer picking up his pen to write creatively after spending days in the free library of art and design in David Hall; a chai shop owner talking to the media about the value oi art after his portrait drawn on a wall became

the centre of a controversy.

There's taU, of a side exhibition of those inspired by the Biennale at its next event.

Art Ii berated!

Room after room of sensitive, intelligent, gutsy, humble artworks, and I could not progress without stopping to call a friend to share the delight. After years of seeing exhibitions of paintings in Delhi and Mumbai by artists desperate to sell tbeir work to survive, here comes this confident explosion of audacious tenacity. Arr liberated! I was deeply moved by the focussed humanity that had gone imo d1 is exhibition. This event represented every potential

goodness l knew existed in the new lndian psyche.

J\rt is about ideas, not products.

Art is a container for ideas, if you like. Ideas are the raw material for creativity. Creativity expands personal freedom and accelerates human progress, not necessarily in industry but also in relationships, w1derstanding, inventions, design, sensitivity, health and the underlying reasons for why we do what we do. An is an essential ingredient of a dynamic and heald1y society. Art gives us not only the tools, but also the permission to think.

So if you like ideas and you love India, get to Koch.i before March 13, and see India shining.

Biennale in the makin ver the last decade much has been spoken of the 'boom'

the country. The Triennale of contemporary art spearheaded by

new international works on screens and rarely have a chance to

in Indian art, sparked by an increase in purchasing power

writer Mulk Raj Anand began in 1968 under the La lit Kala Akademi.

view them for real.

of the middle classes coupled with an international

This sadly folded and India was left in the dark.

curiosity on how Indian artists reflected the rapid changes India was experiencing.

The eternal problem for artists worldwide is the tyranny of

The recent boom/ bust renewed interest in the visual arts and

commercial galleries, that is, making what people want to buy.

soon the India Art Fair in Delhi originated. However, like art fairs

One antidote to this is what has become known as a 'Biennale',

This boom however, was short lived. Many galleries were

across the world, it is an art supermarket where the price tag is often

invented in Venice inl 895. This is a curated exhibition happening

exploiting a new market and it could also be argued that an

more important than the ideas within the work. Money always turns

every two years and is usually attached to a city. Biennales are

unsupported art infrastructure in India - museums, critics,

heads, but ideas are more difficult to sell; hence a Biennale, where

expected to be the apex of avant garde, where the most complex

publications, tertiary courses and events - meant that there was

nothing is bought nor sold but instead simply invites people to

ideas in art give a censorship-free snapshot of the current social,

not sufficient depth to sustain it

engage with ideas, was harder to get off the ground.

philosophical and political landscape from that city's perspective.

Supporters of the arts know that aeative societies are prosperous ones and that a sustainable arts sector cannot happen

Visual art has the reputation of being the most avant garde of

Indian artists have been well represented in international

all of the art genres; a little different from performing arts and

Biennales for decades, and their highly sophisticated ideas about

without public and private funding for experimental art and an

literature. It is non-conformist, but provides a richer space for ideas

India have been consumed by foreign audiences.

art-educated public. For this to happen, large public events for

and is often controversial.

Indian audiences and Indian artists came together in a serious

the visual arts are required. Over 150 cities worldwide now host

The lack of public or private funding for radical experimentation

space to discuss reviving an interest in contemporary art, and thus

Biennales. A Biennale for contemporary art is an event for which

or conceptual art in India has forced most practicing artists either

was born the concept of the Kochi Muzirls Biennale Foundation.

India has been crying out.

out of India or into commercia l applications, such as paintings for

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home decoration. It has also meant that local artists have to see

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The idea of an International Indian visual art event is not new to

INDIAN LINK

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l=EBRUARV 2013 21

OPINION

OPINION

Faith stifles free speech in India Is Gandhism extinct in India?

The Indian government has tended to yield ground to extremists, writes AMULYA GANGULI

B

oth Hindu and Muslim fanatics are kowtowing clid nor satisfy them is, however, evident from Rushdie's decision to scay up in arms against artistic and literary freedom in lndia. One of their targets is the away from the Jaipur Literature Festival old "sinner" Salman Rushdie. But there are last year because of the government's reluctance to guarantee llim protection. two others.

One of them is social scientist Ashis And this year too, he had to call off Nandy, who stirred a hornet's nest by a visit to Kolkata for the same reason saying at the Jaipur Literature Festival chat along with filmmaker Deepa Mehta in most of the corrupt people in the country connection with the release o f Midnight} happened co be from the lower castes Chilrlre11, a film based on llis Booker prize(he s,lid this in a certain context that was winning book of the same name. ignored). It is a slur which champions of The government did nor even allow the film to be shot in India for fear of these communities can hardly ignore if only because their entire political career offending fundamentalists. As a result, Mehta had to shoot the is based on promoting caste consciousness that fuels film in Sri Lanka. antipathy towards the Another film, which upper castes. is having to run die gauntler of the Muslim Foremost among them The government is Dalit czarina Mayawati, nillitanrs is Kamal Haasan's is reluctant to wbose slogan at one time Vish1JJaroopa111 even act against the was: "Tilak, tm-azu aur ta!1JJat; though it shows an Indian inko f!larojootry chm:" It Muslim intelligence officer trouble-makers in battling lslanlic fanatics in meant bear with shoes the case it is seen to be Afghrulistan and s hould be Brahmins (who wear ' tilak' directed against on their foreheads), Banias a matter of pride therefore the community as a (who weigh the goods in for "patriotic" Muslims, as whole.

Haasan said. their shops with 'tarazu' or pair of scales) and The standard explanation Kshatriyas (the warrior class given by the Muslim radicals for lambasting Rushdie who sport 'talwar' or sword and hold second p lace after Brahmins in or .Haasan is that they have hurt the conuimniry's religious sen timents. caste hierarchy).

Mayawati's demand was that Nandy be It is the same argument which compelled Galileo to deny in the arrested forthwith under an act wllich seeks to protect Dali ts and adivasis (tribals) from 17th century that the earth moved atrocities. round tl1e sun since his claim was What she did not care to consider was found hurtful to their beliefs by whether the Jaw, meant to safeguard these Christians at the tim e. Ir took the Catholic church three centuries to offer a formal communities from a continuation of the cenmries-old social denigration, could be apology for its denunciation of the applied to a scholarly thesis. It has to be astronomer.

Yet, this argument is offered time and noted that rhe person mentioned by Nandy again in 21st century India to satisfy rhe in this context was former JharkJ1and chief prejudices of the diehards. [n view of the nlinister Madhu Koda, a tribal, who is now in jail on charges of corruption. difficulties which his film faces, Haasan has even said that he ma)' have to seek refuge The point, however, is not about who is in a secular country just as painter M.F. right and who is wrong. It is about whether a renowned sociologist has die right co Husain had ro Aee from India and die in express an opinion based on his scudy of exile because of the threat posed by Hindu the social and political scene - or whether storm-troopers.

Regrettably, it is no secret that the he should be pm in jail for saying what he believes to be correct silent majority of Hindus and 1\.'Iuslims do Nandy is not the first academic, of nor subscribe to the irrationalism of the course, who has to confront the bigots. Nor fanatics.

Jong ago, die Oriental Research fostirute Yet, the government is reluctant to in Pune was vandalised because h istorian ace against the a·ouble-makers in case it is seen to be directed against the community James W. Laine had worked there while preparing a biography of Shivaji, which was as a whole. nor Liked by the present-day admirers of the Interestingly, the Marxists are no Maliarashtrian warrior. berrer despite their claim to be Arguably, if vandals and intemperate progressive, for it was when they were in power in West Bengal that politicians are having a free nm in the matter of intimidating those holding the controversial Bangladeshi audior, contrarian views in their opinion, the Taslima Nasreen, had to leave Kolkata reason is that the governments at both the because of the disturbances caused by a mi.nor Muslim outfit. centre and in the states have tended to yield ground co the extremists.

There is little doubt that the decline One notable instance of such a retreat of tl1e Congress and the growtli of was the banning of Rushdie's novel backward-looking parties based on The Satanic Verses, by die Rajiv Gandhi specific casres ru1d communities are responsible for the prevailing cultural government in 1988 under pressure from terrorism.

Muslin1 hardliners. The fact that the

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22 l=EBRUARV 2013

Mahatma Gandhi's unique ideals were adopted across the world, but their relevance seems to be paling in India today

}I

President Barack Oban1a openly professes his admiration for Gandhi. He told sn1dents at die Wakefield High School in Arlington in 2009 that Gandhi represent5 die power BY of chru1ge through erhics, and how to use NOEL G DE SOUZA morality ro foster change. Obama pointed out to the srudenrs that Gandhi made people realise that diey had power within tl1emselves al.i aana Gandlli, die Father of the and char that power needed to be used to Indian nation, was a comple.x person, like many other great people. However the help others, and not to oppress them.

Gandhian methods helped India gain its thing which stands out was that he was a peaceful man, even to the point of naivete. freedom from the British and the French There has been no other such person in which were democratic cow1tries, but India's history since its failed when it came to independence. tl1e Porn1guese under rhe dictatorial rule of Salazar.

There are those who Peaceful demonstrators consider J\fohandas Karamchand Gandhi (satqyagrd) marching into Goa During his famous ('mahatma' is a title meaning in 1955 were met by g1mfire speech, ' We have a 'great soul') to be a naive and mowed down. Several dream' on Capitol Hill, were killed. and impractical person.

Por exru11ple, Gandhiji (a In 1961, India ultimately Martin Luther King respectful address) believed seized control of tl1e and his supporters that passive resistru1ce by Pormguese possessions around him wore widli.n Lidia through Jews against the Nazis could white Gandhi caps military means. 1n 1975, help them to ultin1ately ·win their right~. History has the army overthrew the undemocratic successor to clearly proven otl1erwise.

Gandhiji hailed from the the late Salazar regime and state of Gujarat. When he soon after, democracy was moved from Britain to South Africa, he was re-established in Portugal. The country tl1en smartly dressed and sac in a carriage reserved signed a a·eaty recognising fodian sovereignry for whites. But d1ough he was fair-skinned, over its former possessions.

Today, the relationship between Porrugal he was thrown out of the carriage because a white person objected to his presence there. and India is a very friencUy one. There are thousands of fodians (both Christians and This scarred the Civil Rights movement i n South Africa.

Hindus) Living in Lisbon where significantly, After rerurning to India, for a time there are two scames of Gandhi in the ciry.

Gandhiji Li.v ed in Gujru·at which was known There was one m.1e foUower of Gandhi then for its Hindu-Muslim amiry. 1n who lived a selfless life. He was Acharya recent decades ironically, Gujarat has seen Vinoba Bhave, a freedom fighter who was communal riots in die city o f Godhra. In jailed for agitating against British colonial 2002, a railway carriage carrying activists rule in l 932. He was known in a Limited ren,rning from Ayodhya was set on fire, circle because of his writings in llis native reportedly by extremist Muslims (over 30 of Marathi. l twas Gandhiji himself who them were lacer convicted); fifry-nine persons introduced hin1 to Lidia in 1940. were killed including women and children.

Bhave ,vas a spirirually minded person who had deeply sn1died die major Hindu 1n retaliation, Hindu activists set tire to texts and commented on them, as weUas Muslim shops and homes, resulting in over a thousand deaths. The current prenlier of the some on Islam and Christianiry. He stated that his main purpose was rhe union of State has been blamed for the incident, but he denies ru1y involvement. hearts. Bhave dedicated himself to achieving Gandhiji's methods of peaceful and nonland distribution to the poor by persuading violent agitation secured India's freedom large landowners to donate land, in what from British rule. His methods worked became well known as die bhoodan (gift of admirably witlun tlie parruneters of a land) movement. democratic society. That is why Gandhian GMdhiji's utopia was an India composed ideas of 'passive resistance' (called '.ra!Jagraha' of self-su fficient villages. Since then, or action for truth, d1at is, for justice) have urbanisation has skyrocketed and what been successfully used in South Africa, tl1e were once smaU rowns are now growing USA and Zimbabwe. urbru1 centres. To protect rural jobs, the Gandhian mediods helped to secure rights government has allocated certain industries for Afro-Americans in the USA. Gandhi's to rural areas. It is essential tl1ar jobs having mass employment be protected. methods were emulated by Martin Luther King] nr in rbe Civil Rights movement in Thus a maclli.ne invented to mechanise tl1e production of a local cigarette-rype item the USA. During bis famous speech, 'We have a dream' on Capitol Hill, King and (bid,) was banned, as it would create mass his supporters around him wore white rural tmemployment.

Gandhi caps. People were reminded of char In India, Gandhism is still alive in tl1e rural speech during the Atlanta Olympic Games sector. However, growing intolerru1ce and when images of Gandhi were prominently vociferous activism is harming tlie country's displayed. political fabric.

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FEBRUARY 2013 23

VIEWPOINT

Golden and shiny or grimy and grey?

India Inc still hides mammoth social issues under its veneer of glitz and opulence

s it finally happening - are we witness ing the rise of the East? Is the ,vorld tilting, the powers shifting? Are we looking ar India rising and lndia shining?

Is lndia lnc all golden?

Or does it have some deep, dark greys?

This question hallllts me as I return to Sydney after a 2-momh holiday back ' home' in Mumbai.

The city of Mumbai, a city I've caUed home for 25 years, always did bear to its own drums. It's truly a city that never sleeps; it fiUs you with a manic energy, a crazy insatiable zest for something. I felr like an 'energizer bunny' buzzing around all day and all night, giddy, restless and unable to sleep.

It felt like l should be doing things, achieving sometl1ing, digging for gold!

The roads are packed. Traffic is a snarl bm tl1e cars are aU high end - from Audis to BMWs, Ferraris, Meres, Le,xus, Hondas, Toyotas, Skodas. The city is changing: there is huge amount of money being earned and spent - it's the middle and upper middle class spending on lifestyle!

Tbe roads maybe broken in pares, but along these are maUs and more maUs - b igger, brighter, more extravagant and boasting of brands from around the world: spas, salons, beer cafes, lounges, theatres, multiplexes, parlours, lifestyle and hobby s tores replacing the humble kim11t1 shops.

Fine dining restaurants with cuisines from around the world are peppered across tl1e city. An average meal cost per person at one of tl1e 'new age' cafes ranges from Rs 1200 to Rs1500 (average $25).

Tbe new residential complexes come built witl1 all the bells and whistles - ntbber paved p lay areas for kids, swimming pool, clubhouse, games court, spas, mini theatres and security systems.

Each home has a maid, cook, nanny and driver - along with the grandn1other supervising the daily chores and the granclchildren's activities!

Everything is ordered over the phone and delivered at home.

From medicines to milk, from daily needs to fancy needs - aU it takes is one phone caU. And it functions 24/7!

There are 300 channels on

24 !=EBRUARV 2013

W Mumbai, a hotel set to open in 2015

TV from which ro choose, and BoUywood has become big business. Films are crossing the Rs l 00 crore mark, and Mumbai is buzzing with MONEY! There is investment in infrastructure; the Sea Link which has been built over the sea connecting Bandra to South Mumbai (\Xlorli) is world class.

Travelling on tl1e bridge, as tl1e Mumbai skyline comes into view, you know you are in o ne of the major cities of tl1e world.

The Jl.1fetro construction is also underway.

Most of our friends who are employed by the corporate sector are now also venmring into being entrepreneurs. Besides their day jobs tl1ey are becoming restallrateurs, firm owners, etc.

High risk, high returns! Looks like the city of i\fambai is playing me high stakes game!

This is India lnc: shining brigh t and golden.

Or is it?

On the surface, it seemed W,e a□ easy answer. There was

p lenty of evidence to support tl1e hypothesis of Jndia's phenomenal progress, aU golden, proud and brave.

However, digging deeper and looking beyond tl1e gold, I found cracks which seemed very grey, very deep and unaddressed.

The first crack, which is personal to me and perhaps to many families in our situation, is tl1e service level and support provided to parents in tl1eir old age.

Lacklustre support services with little adherence to process, ethics or humaniLy! Mose services are de.Livered patl1eticaUy, and often for the elderly, it is a curse to get anything repaired or serviced.

I t could be the TV, washing machine, laptop, camera, microwave, it's always tl1e same Story.

A fter inm1merable calls, repeated requests and humble pleas, half-hearted anempts are made by technicians co solve the problem. Evenrnally it always leads co more repair costs, parts

that need to be changed or a complete re-haul! It's scary to see tl1e falling service levels and rising expense levels.

Let's look at tl1e services provided by the domestic staff.

'Maids in Mumbai' co me equipped with certain prerequisites about working hours, bonuses, holidays, perks, loans, advances etc. They all carry mobile phones, iPods, and a 'don't talk to me, I will do what I want' policy while working!

The cooks, or should I say 'chefs', behave like they are cooking for a 3-hat restaurant. oses in the air, they will only cook certain types o f food and of course, the ingredients have to be high-end. The domestic staff are holding to ransom hapless Indian families acc ustomed to tl1eir support.

One of the deepe.5t and most fundamental cracks in the system is the medical service, commercialised and full of contradictions.

Big shiny, beautiful hospitals, state-of-the-art equipment, doctors with advanced degrees - it's a.LI tl1erel Unformnately it's accompanied by expensive but shoddy services and practices which inspire Li ttle faitl1. Again, l heard many horror stories of wrong diagnosis and treatment, and expensive tests tha r were not needed.

It is distressing to see tl1e helplessness and pain our parents feel while trying to live and cope with their daily lives, encountering big issues with simple things, which defeat them.

So what can old people expect from 'India Shining' in their twiligh t years? Are rhere adequate social support systems, legal systems, and consumer forums to protect chem and make life easier for them?

Maybe we should discuss this in the new cafe down the Jane.

Anotl1er debatable topic is the education system in India roday.

There are new fancy schools with international boards bur questionable admission processes, donations, super h.iked fees, etc.

After various discussions and drinks witl1 farniJy and friends, there is only one conclusion I can safely reach: it remains a very complex and confusing issue. lodia shines today, bur hiding behind me glitter are some very deep-rooted issues.

There is plent)' of wealth being generated; however depending on where you sit in the equation, the spectrum shifts to gold or grey.

''

Eac.h hnme has

a ma id, cook, nanny and driver

-along with !hi: grandmother

~upErvising the daily ch1Jres iind the gramk hildren's activit ies!

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ThP. fil'st cra(k, which isper.sonal to me und perhaps to many.families in

our situation! is the

.service !€:ve! and supµol't µrovided to paren1s therP. in their old agE

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Historic religious edifices and lush greenery adorned the banks of the river on a leisurely cruise upstream from Kolkata to Farakka

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TRAVEL NOTEBOOK CRUISING THE HUGLI While the cruise ship I travelled on no longer operates, the highly recommended Assam Bengal Navigation's Sukapha does, an experience I find not dissimilar to travelli ng with friends. Assam Bengal Navigation operates cruises from Kolkatato Farakka on the HugIi, and from Farakka to Patna on the Ganges. The cruises may be taken separately or combined. TheSukapha is compact at 40 metres long and with a maximum of 24 guests; it maintains an onboard ambience convivial to relaxation.Cabins are spacious with a lounge, dining and observation deckfor viewing the pas~ng scenery. Contact: India: Assam Bengal Navigation Co. Tel:9192070 42330 E-mail: sales@assambengal.inWebsite:www.assambengalnavigation.com

GETTING THERE Singapore Airli nes flies from Australia to Singapore with connections to destinations across India including Kolkata.

ACCOMMODATION in Kolkata lo experience exemplary service ingracious surrounds, the Oberoi Grand is a hotel that harks back to a bygone era. Contact Tel: 9133 2249 2323 email reservations@oberoi-cal.comorwww.oberoihotels.com I

~---------------------------------------------------------· FEBRUARY 2013 27

WELLNESS

•

This comedian thought it was a simple case of 'humourroids; but it turned out to be a close brush with colon cancer

Descending 5%

ccording to organisations like Bowel Cancer Australia and The Cancer Council Australia, bowel cancer is the second largest cause of cancer deaths in Australia. Not necessarily restricted w an age group, bowel cancer is more prevalent in older people and we are encouraged nationwide to partake in voluntary bowel cancer screening testS once we've hit the fifty mark. (Ask your GP about symptoms and testing regardless of yom age).

When my body's 50,000 miles service came up, J had a few symproms but found many very plausible reasons for my symptoms nor to be bowel cancer so I d idn't bother getting tested. 1 arc quite well and exercised somewhat, l wasn't overweight and my general health was good except for the onset of trawna arthritis from a prior close encounter in the dcrriere of nl)' wee car by an idiot in his humungous 4WD. Perhaps the 4WD was still in situ, up my derrierc. Thar's another whole story about getting it up the clacker by the idiot and then getting it up the Khyber by the idiot's insurance company.

I also felt being born in New Delhi, India has given me an advantage in char my gut's well travelled without many incidents of Delhi belly. JJowever, one of d1e major stresses on my gur and its surrounds is purely <lue to my preperformance nerves prior to doing a srnnd-up appearance,

''

I now have a degree.·

in Colonosopliy

making_n1ea

·Colonosophel'~with .inside info why tt1e S igmoid 25%

Colon cancer sites especially a high-stress gig.

It was spooky getting DeJhj belly each rime I had tO get in m y Indian character for a show. I'd spend at least five hours prior to an evening gig playing a frenzied version of musical chairs with the d unny bowl.

I was probably a kilo or two lighter by the time 1 got on stage and as soon as my name was anJ10 Lu1ced, T'd need m do a poo - now that's authentic comic relief right there!

Once I was on stage and got my first laugh, the fi reworks in my gut would settle down but it would take me days to recover after a show - m y gut WOLud feel funny but] wasn't h1ughing. lt was time to give my gut a break for a bit. 1 had to adjust a few things in my gastrointestinal life and unfortunately doing stand-up had tO be the first tO go, for a while at least.

Several gig-free months later, 1 realised my gut was performing like a B-grade mini-series regardless of the absence of m y stand-up pressures. Bur even now, I cmud write o ff these episodes as a

collaboration with 'Peri-menopause, the musical', which was now in full swing.

My GP suggested l do some blood rests to check m y hormone levels and other vitals. As I was about to have many samples of m y various bodily ALtids extracted, I figured 1 might as well do the bowel cancer screening rest and get that our of the way too. Turns out m y rest was positive, i.e. there were traces of blood present - as a comedian on sabbatical, it was probably just a simple case of humou.rroids.

The next step was a colonoscopy ASAP. The good news is, most get the all clear. Unfortunately I didn't, but vital early detection and a second endoscopy with the help of a brilliant colorcctal sLLtgcon (who vowed he wouldn't look), means I'm free of the dreaded 'c' word cancer!

A colonoscopy doesn't have to end io a bum rap - the old adage, there's light at the end of the tunnel, comes to mind. l'm now in the dirocs of writing

m)' next stand-up show but can't decide between Po(yp, the lllUSim/ or l\!!J' Beo11tijitl Co/011.

Even though a colonoscopy conjures up all lcinds of unwanted images of your back end being invaded by folk you hardly know wielding vario us accoutrements of d1cir trade including a camera and a wide screen to view your innards, it's not as bad as it soun ds. 1 LlJJderwcot two proccdmes in as many weeks, a colonoscop)' and a Aexible sigmoidoscopy (a shorter scope is used in the latter), and at no point did I fee.I chat anything or anyone had been up my proverbial The worse pare of the process is downing 2 litres o f hospital grade 'bowel blaster' to prepare for these procedures.

So if you're reading chis, consider it a friendly reminder if you haven't addressed th is issue and you know rou should - there's more d1an one ring of confidence to be had. Go ahead, get anally retentive... your life depends on it!

exit needs as much attention as the entrar,ce

'' ''

I'm now in the throes of writing .m.Y next

si:and-up .show

but .can't decide

bet11Veen Polyp, the •musical.or My Elerwtiful Calm,

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Australia Day isn't just about celebrating our beautiful b each es and wide-open spaces. It's not just about celebrating our rich diversity of cu ltures, or th e fact we take o u r sport more seriou sly than w e take ourselves. And w e're not just celebrating because we have a day off to share with o u r family and friends. Whe rever our personal stories begin, we're celebrating on January 26, because tomorrow w e get to live it all over again. To find out about celebrations near you, visit A USTRA LIADAY.O RG.AU

~) Australia~Day Celebrate what's great!

28 l=EBRUARV 2013

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FOOD

Purple and precious, this vegetable is healthy, nutritious and versatile in cuisine if you have a sweet tooth; it is definitely a healthier type of chocolate cake!

• • •••••••••••••• Roast Beetroot eetroor as garnish. l'd never seen that before. As l sat looking at my plate of tok,i chaat at Chandigarh's most popular eatery GopaJ's, the beetroot took my breath away. Long thin shreds of the vegetable brought the plate alive with colour, especially as its juices spread like tiny rivulets of maroon-and-purple over that furn! yogurt topping. Its beautifully earthy flavour was a perfect precursor to the e:-.-plosioo of taste that was to foUow. The beetroot garnish has since been adding a much of glamour to my own salads, a bright reminder of my recent India hoLiday that already seems eons ago.

Wasn't so crash hot about beetroot juice, though - a regular horel breakfast item during my tenday tour of Kerala. Nonetheless, there's been a fair bit of beetroot ever since I got back.

Beetroot is filled with amioxidants and minerals such as sodium, potassium and magnesium, and V itamin C. lts bright colour comes from antioxidants called beracyanios which are fantastic for cardiovascular health, protecting blood vessels and preventing blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

Golden beetroots, available from select grocers, are sweeter: they do nor bleed or stain, as their colour is not dominating. Roasting bdogs our a sweet caramelized flavour.

Beetroot leaves are edible as well.

Beetroot lends itself to a variety of easy preparations such as soups and salads, as \veU as raitas, chutneys and hahvas. This last one will probably nullify any benefits of die beetroot towards cardiovascular heald1, but you could try beetroot chocolate cake

B

INDIAN LINK

6-8 medium beetroot 2 tsp fresh thyme 2 tsp balsamic vinegar 2 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp honey Sale and pepper to taste Heat oven to 200 degrees. Scrub beetroot and u·itn. Cur into wedges and arrange o n a lined oven tray. Mix together vinegar, olive oil, rhyme and hooey and pour over d1e beeti·oor. Sprinkle salt and pepper over and toss together well - use hands to ensure the beetroot is th~1roughl)' coated. Roast for 25 minnres until the beetroot wedges are cooked through.

• • •••••• •• ••••••••••• Roast Beetroot Salad 6-8 medium beetroot 200g walnuts 2 tsp honey 150g Danish feta ¾ cup pomegranate seeds 3 tsp light o li\Te oil 3 tbsp balsamic vit1egar I 1/2 tbsp brown sugar Salt and pepper Rocker leaves Preheat oven to 200 degrees.

Scrub beetroot and trim. Wrap in foil and cook in oven for about an how- or until tender when reseed with skewer. Remove from oven and unfurl carefully. Stand for 10 minutes and then peel - wear d isposable gloves to save hands from staining. Cut into large neat portions.

Put walnuts into small frying pan and add hooey. Cook, stirring, till outs are well-coated and heated through. Cool.

Make dressing by combining oLive oil, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, salt and pepper.

To put salad together, throw in rocket leaves in deep bowl and add beetroot, pomegranate, honeyed walnuts and Danish feta (cubed or crumbled). Dciz7Je dressing over and toss.

Beetroot Raita 1 tbsp oLive oil 1 tsp mustard seeds I dry red chilli 1 tsp sesame seeds 1 sprig curry leaves Ptnch asa foetid a 1 cup (200g) thick Greek-style yoghurt 2 small beerroots, cooked, peeled chopped into 5mm cubes Heat oil in a small frying pan.

Add the mustard seeds and dry red chilli. Cook till chilli is blackened: this gets rid o f its heat and increases its Aavour. Throw in sesame seeds, curry leaves and asafoetida, and cook till sizzling.

Meanwhile, combine the yoghurt and beetroot in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.

Pour tempering over straight from

the frying pan and mix, and watch the yoghurt turn inro a beautiful pink.

• • ••••••• • ••••••••••• Beetroot Chutney I large beetroot, grated ¼ tsp tamarind concentrate 3 numbers eschallots (scallions) 4 tbsp fresh grated coconut 1 tbsp chopped garLic 1-2 dry red chillies 1 tsp chana dal 1 esp coriander seeds I tsp urad dal Salt to taste 3 cloves ½ inch cinnamon stick ¼ tsp fenugreek seeds For fe11ljming: 1 tbsp o il 1 tsp mustard seed~ Pinch asafoetida 1 sprig curry leaves Heat oil in a pan and add garlic, fenugreek seeds, dal s, cloves, cinnamon and red chillies and cook until sizzling. J\dd grated beetroot, coconut and rarnarind.

Stir to combine. Cook till the raw

smell disappears. Cool.

Process in a blender with a little water, to make a smooth paste.

Add salt to taste and mix well.

To temper, heat oil in a small frying pan and add mustard seeds, asafoetida and curry leaves. When it comes ro a sizzle, pour over beetroot chutney.

• • •••••••••••••••• • •• Beetroot Dip 1 kg beetroot 1 /3 cup orange juice (preferably freshly squeezed) 3 tsp dry roasted and ground cumin seeds 2 esp dry roasted and ground coriander seeds Sale and pepper to taste 1 cup yoghurt

Roast the beetroot as explained under Roast Beetroot Salad. Cool and chop flesh up.

Process together witl1 orange juice, cumin powder and coriander powder.

Add yoghurt, salt and pepper and m.ix well.

Refrigerate until needed.

FEBRUARY 2013 29

BOOKS

Lazy reads and foodie treats Storybook Raj, Bollywood culinary secrets and drama are some of the books doing the literary circuit • • ••••••••••••••••••••• • ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• • ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

T

he Raj 011 the Move: The Story ofthe Dak Bungalow by Rajika

Bhandari traces a fascinating tale on these iconic dwellings.

E stablished in the 1840s by the peripatetic British, 'dak bungalows' forever changed the way officers of die empire and their families travelled across the subcontinent and got to know the real India. \Xfidi most of die British Raj perpetually on the move, whether on tour or during die summer migration to the hills, dak bungalow travel inspired a brodiei:hood of sorts for generations of British and Indian officers, who could recount tales of horrid dak bungalow food, a crazed 'khansama', and die time their only companion at die bungalow was a tiger on the loose.

Today, too, P\XTD-run circuit houses and dak bungalows continue to occupy an important place in die lives and imagination o f India's civil servams. Audior Rajika Bhandari weaves togedier history, architecture, and travel to take us on a fascinating journey of India's British-era dak bun6>-alows and circuit houses from the original colonial outpost of Madras in die south to the deep interiors of Madhya Pradesh, the heart of British India.

Evoking the scories of Rudyard Kipling and Ruskin Bond, and filled with fascinating titbits and amusing anecdotes, the book unearths local foU<lore abom these remote and mys terious buildings, from crotchety kJJansa111as co dieir delectable chicken dishes.

The Mirror ofWonders nnd Other Tales written by Said Rafiq Husain and translated by Salim Kidwai covers a surprising range of scories.

The plight of a hungry tigress and her cubs, a dog's undying love for her foend, a domesticated r epali lost in the woods, die wide ambit of a cow's maternity and the pangs of separation felt by a monkey's mother and her child - die anthology o f short stories explores the range of human emotions in this unusual anthology of short stories peopled by animals.

Originally written in U rdu by a lictle known early 20th century writer, the stories in die genre of Orwell's Animal Farm satire the plight of hLm1ans from die v antage point of animals. The writer combines animal behaviour and their empathy widi humans to bring die wildlife of die Tehri region alive.

Amrita Sher-Gil: A Life by Yashodbara Daln:ua js a biography of die beauti.ful and brilliant Amri ta Sher-Gil who lived life on her

3 0 !=EBRUARY 2013

A lascinatinq journcij recounUnq amusinq m1ecdotcs and local folklore about rm1sterious Raj-ero dah bunqolows.

''

Spanning the murky underbelly of the country's metropolises and the international human trafficking mafia, Blood Red Sari is a pulsepounding action thriller with a feminist punch

,;

''

THE RAJC ON THE MOVE

STORY or THE DAK BUNGALOW-=~-. .

Rajfka Bhandari

ROU BO OKS

''

Raj ika Bhandari weaves together history, architecture, and travel to take us on a fascinating journey of India's British-era dak bungalows and circuit houses from the original colonial outpost of Madras in the south to the deep interiors of Madhya Pradesh '

'

. ............................................ own terms, scandalizing the staid society of her rimes with her love affairs and unconventional ways. lo th.is fasdnating biography, art historian Yashodhara Dalmia paints a compelling portrait of the artist who, when she died in 1941 at the age of cwency-eight, left behind a body of work diat estabEshes her as one of the foremost artists of die century and an eloquent symbol of the fusion between the E ast and West. A biography that blends elem enrs of fiction with a gripping narrative.

Calcutta by Amit Chaudhuri chronicles the audior's experience on returning to die city. ln 1999, Am.it Chaudhuri returned witli his fanu.ly to Calcu tta. He did so tentativdy. Calcutta was where his parents had moved after retirement; it was die city he bad loved in his youth and in whose lanes he had spent tranquil childhood holidays; one he had made his name writing about.

Bur diat Calcutta had receded and anoth er had taken its place.

Calc111ta is Chaudhuri's account of two years (2009-1 1) in the great metropolis. Using die idea of return and die historical dections of 2011 as his fulcrum, he travels between the 19tli century, when the city burst \\,jth a new vitality to the twenty-first centu.ry; when, utterly changed, it seems to be on the verge of anotlier turn. Along die way Chaudh uri evokes all tliat is most particular and extraordinary about die city. He painrs, coo, an acute, o ften iron ic, and occasionally terribly funny p icture of life in die city today - of its malls and restaurants, irs fitful attemprs to embrace globalisation, it~ middle class who leave and tl1en return reluctantly, its bygone aristocracy, and its homeless. Calcutta opens on his canvas in all its warring colours.

Blood Red Sari by Ashok Banker is an actio n di riller wi tli a feminine couch. M issing social activist Lalima has picked diree women to carry out die task she was unable to finish - Sheila, the owner o f an all-women's gym in

. ............................................

Kolkata; Nachikera, an attorney in Delhi who is suing her in-laws for the violent abuse tliat left her whedchair-bound for E.fe; and Malayali private invesrigator Anita, w hose own brothers are out to get her. Lalima's adversaries use influence and hired kiUers to track down all tliose who have been sent incriminating evidence against them, forcing Sheila, Nachiketa and Anita to battle for survival even as they race against time to tmdersrand die import of die documents tl1ey have received.

Spanning the m urky underbelly of die country's metro polises and the international human trafficking mafia, Blood fud S01i is a pulsepounding action diriller with a feminist ptmch.

1he Vegan Kitchen: Bollywood

Style by i\nuradha Sawhney is one o f the first books for die g rowing vegan po pulation of India that brings together recipes from no less than 50 leaclin g names from tl1e world of Bollywood, fashion and music.

Anupam Kher, Dilip Kuniar, Gulshan Grover, Hema Malini, John Abraliam, Mahesh Bhatt, Om Puri, R. l\1adhavan, Rahul

Khanna, Saira Banu and Vidya Balan - diese are just a few who have co ntributed tlieir recipes, show ing how it is possible to incorporate a delicious healtliy vegan diet with no cholesterol, in other words, one with no animal products, including dairy into one's life, and keep the celebrity status intact.

Cold Feet by Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan j5 the scory o f five women and their encounters witli love.

Am.isha has found her prefect man and is going to marry him, but suddenly feels threatened to push tl1e boundaries o f tl1eir relationship. Akshara is in love with her best friend, bm w lu.le he will give her benefits, he will not gjve her love. Ladli has her heart broken. So she runs away, only to find him waiting for her o n the otlier side. Shayna knows what she wants in a man, but die man she wams is nothing like that. And finally, the girl who wants Shayna, actuaUy, just meets a friend . The book is die story of the strangely entwined lives of five women who live in Mumbai and deal djfferentlr witli die same thing - Jove.

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l=EBRUARV 2013 31

Race to crorepati

club It was anticipated to be a winner, and looks like Race 2 is rapi dly making it to t h e finishing line of the Rs 100 crore club.

At the time of going to press, the Abbas-Mustan action thriller had raked in Rs 79.6 crore, in its first week in the domestic market. In the international market too, the movie is doing surprisingly well, grossing over $4.25 million in its opening week. Made at Rs 60 crore, the film features an ensemble cast of Saif Ali Khan, John Abraham, Deepika Padukone, Jacqueline Fernandez, Anil Kapoor and Ameesha Patel. So will Race 2 be a winner? Let's wait and see!

NARMADA AHUJA

still not very familiar with the film's script,

Major moments in

Midnight'sChildren

IT'S PAYBACK TIME! ctress Kajol, who with husband Ajay Devgn has been actively involved in social work, says getting associated with causes is part of social responsibility and it is their way of giving back to society.

The 38-year-old, along with her actor husband, is supporting Coca Cola-NDTV's Support My School campaign and has donated Rs.10 lakh.

"I believe it is part of our social responsibility. Especially after having kids, Ajay and I feel the need to give back and in a different way, not in regular cinematic way;' Kajol says. " We feel passionate about causes like save the girl child, education and literacy. We believe, these are the things that will make a difference and

A

32 FEBRUARY 2013

make our country grow".

An endeavour to get better facilities in schools in rural and semi-urban towns, the Support My School campaign has impacted as many as 100 schools by providing them with improved amenities like access to clean water, proper sanitation, and sports facilities among others.

Last seen in the 2010 film We Are Family, Kajol feels that celebs can make a huge difference to charitable causes.

"Their association brings more focus on the whole issue. It brings a different kind of publicity and also spreads awareness;' she said.

Currently busy with her home and children - daughter Nysa and son Yug - Kajol hopes to get back to work next year.

Recently released and much anticipated Midnight's Children is a big-screen adaptation of Salman Rushdie's Booker Prize winning novel of the same name.

Directed by Deepa Mehta, the movie is yet to create an impact on cinema-goers. But for the actors, the experience of working on Midnight's Children has been unique.

And Darsheel Safary, who has portrayed the lead role ofjunior Saleem Sinai says he feels lucky for being a part of such a big movie.

Talking about his experience while working with Mehta, Darsheel said, "I was almost like an assistant on the sets helping her set up things."

"I have come a long way from Taare Zameen Par and it was like a stepping stone in my life. I feel so lucky that finally there is some big movie that I have done;' said the 16-year-old at the premiere of Midnight's Children. Darsheel admits he is

... . . . ... ... . . . .. . .. . .

. WI-IO WORE IT BETTER?

and that is why he was very"curious"to watch the movie. "Whatever she wanted, I used to help her and she also used to help me. Even in my studies she was very supportive. It was fun working with her and I am looking forward to working with her again;'he added.

Actress Shahana Goswami who plays Amina Sinai, mother to lead character Saleem Sinai, says the filmmaker is quite a taskmaster on the sets, but a great one to work with.

"Deepa is a task master but in the best possible way. I find her to be really good and hardworking with her actors and in every other aspect which she looks into before coming on the sets;' said Shahana.

For the actress, it was a learning experience to work with Mehta. "I won't say she is a taskmaster in making you cry or giving you a bad time. She is very involved in her actors. So for an actor, she is a brilliant director to have;' Shahana explained. "She really pushes you to bring out a deeper emotional connect with the character and that's real ly a great thing for an actor's growth''.

Midnight's Children also features Rajat Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, Anupam Kher, Ronit Roy, Satya Bhabha, Seema Biswas, Siddharth, Anita Majumdar, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Soha Ali Khan and Shriya Saran.

Narmada for Nihalani

• •

/wsleactress Grad• Otto at S)<lney's AACTA Awards and Bollywood actressBip•ha Basu atMumbai'sStardust Awardsin the same Gucci dress

. . . ........... .... .. ..

•

Film producer Pahlaj Nihalani plans to give actor Govinda's daughter Narmada Ahuja a "perfect launch" in Bollywood.

"One thing is for sure... I am definitely going to launch Narmada. She is like family and I would like to give her a proper launch. I am scripting something special for her and I assure it will be the perfect launch for her;' Nihalani said recently.

Narmada has been waiting on the sidelines for the right break to make her

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M/

.,____j

VIVEK OBEROI

Prateik gets pumped up

DARSHEEL. sAf ARY

debut into filmdom, but the wait has been long.

So fans of dad Govinda can hope to see shades of the actor in Narmada. A mildly scary thought!

Asked what the film will be about, Nihalani said, "It is too early to talk about it, (but) I shall disclose it soon:' But Nihalani has earlier produced films like Sho/a Aur Shabnam, Andaz and Aankhen, so Narmada shouldn't be too worried.

In fact, Aankhen was one of Govinda's biggest hits and after two decades.

Nihalani will bring out a sequel to the super hit comedy. The buzz is that the actor may do a cameo in it. The producer is already working with Govinda in his next film Avatar, and the duo seem to work well together. Now Nihalani wants to cast some youngsters in the sequel of Aankhen which goes on the floors in August, so can we assume that Narmada stands a chance to kickstart her acting career? Dad in cameo and daughter in debut! An interesting thought!

Vivek's two-in-one Jayantabhai Ki Luv Story is going to be an interesting movie for actor Vivek Oberoi who says he got to relive two of his past characters - Chan du of Company and Aditya of Saathiya, in one single character.

"Filmmaker Kumar Tauraniji called me and said, 'There is a perfect script for you'. Vinnil Markan narrated the story.

What I liked the most in Jayantabhai Ki... was that there is a goon similar to Company and a loverboy similar to (the one I played in) Saathiya;"the 36-year-old actor explained. "I found it very exciting that I will get to play both shades and (so) I said yes''.

Vivek also spotted one similarity

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PRATEIK BABBAR

between his real life and his character Jayantabhai. "I am a simple boy in real life. But one thing is similar between the character and me - when (my wife) Priyanka tells me to do something, I can never say no to her. She also knows that I will never say no to her. It is the same is in the film - when Simran asks for something, Jayanta cannot say no," Vivek said. Jayantabhai Ki Luv Story also features Neha Sharma opposite Vivek.

Good luck with the film, Vivek!

Warming to Vishwaroop The controversy surrounding veteran actor Kamal Haasan's film Vishwaroopam (Vishwaroop in Hindi), seems to be drawing to a less than dramatic end. The actor/director/producer has agreed to edit the movie and cut some scenes, following talks with Muslim groups recently.

"I've arrived at a consensus with my Muslim brothers. We've agreed to cut some scenes from the film which they found to be objectionable;' Kamal Haasan, who produced the film and acted in it, told reporters. The film, a Rs 95 crore espionage thriller, ran into hot water following protests from Muslim groups over certain scenes in the movie, which seem derogatory to their community.

The controversy reached the extent at which the actor warned that he would "seriously leave" India if similar protests again envelop his films. So fortunately for Indian cinema, Kamal Haasan will be around to entertain us some more - with or without controversy!

Smita Patil and Raj Babbar's son Prateik is taking a long introspective sabbatical from the public eye until his next release lsaaq, a North Indian take on Shakespeare's Romeo AndJuliet, which would be the actor's do-or-die bid to consolidate his precarious position as an eclipsed star son.

The decision, one hears, has been taken by the producers Viacom 18 who saw /saaq and immediately decided to buy its worldwide distribution rights, apparently on condition that Prateik undertake an immediate crash course in career and image reinvention.

Another step in Prateik's career recuperation is his voice. A Hindi voicecoach Sushi! Bouthiyal with a solid background as a theatre artiste at the National School Of Drama has been employed to modulate his voice-quality.

On a more personal level, his overhyped relationship with his EkkDeewana Tha co-star Amy Jackson has been thrown out of the window. Apparently, Prateik has been "strictly advised"to stay away from romantic involvements and focus on his career.

Commenting upon the developments, /saaq director Manish Tiwary said, "I'd really not like to comment on whatever happened in Prateik's life and career. It's all in the past. And he is looking at a new career for himself. Hopefully, lsaaq will mark the rebirth of Prateik as an actor.

He is working hard on himself, his voice, image, attitude - everything:' Apparently Prakash Jha, in whose Aarakslwn Prateik's performance was patently panned, saw rushes of lsaaq and was jolted by the difference.

Tiwary, who made Oil Dosti Etc in 2007, said: "Maybe Prakashji wasn't able to focus as much on Prateik's performance as I have.Aarakshan had a huge cast. In my film, Prateik is the solo hero. I had to work on him from scratch:' Set in the backdrop of Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh, lsaaq is an action drama.

Let's hope it helps revive Prateik and his flagging career!

FEBRUARY 2013 33

STVLISI-I AND SUBSTANTIAL, AND NO SENTIMENTS I-IURT VISHWAROOP STARRING: Kamal Haasan, Pooja Kumar, Rahul Bose, Andrea Jeremiah, Shekhar Kapur and Jaideep Ahlawat DIRECTED BY: Kamal Haasan

***** irst things first. Kamal Haasan's enormously controversial film doesn't hurt Muslim sentiments. In fact, it doesn't hurt the sentiments of any section of the people except those partypoopers who think having a ball at the movies went out of style with Sholay and Chachi420.

Leave aside its sobering take on global warfare, Vishwaroop, the Hindi version of the Tamil, Telugu Vishwaroopam, is one helluva entertainer. If you've forgotten what edge-of-the-seat entertainment

3 4 l=EBRUARV 2013

meant, then it is time to rediscover that pleasure. Stylish and substantial, the narrative weaves and winds its way into coherent and compulsive threads that bring together the theme of international espionage with the more sensitive issue of the Islamic and the personal identity of a man, whose heroic stature grows out of a sense of commitment to the country and to world peace.

Personal interests, we are told, are easy to put aside if you can define heroism from a context far greater than your own good.

The deeper thrusts of Kamal Haasan and Atul Tiwari's devious screenplay leap out of this compact epic drama, which takes off into the Taliban terror outfit in Afghanistan and hence to the New York suburbia where domestic normalcy is replaced by a violence - a kind of ceaselessly renewable violence that has gripped working- class

lives ever since the 26/11 attack on the US made it dear that international terrorism is here to stay. Deal with it.

Just about the only desirable thing that emerges from the horrific folds of global militancy are some great adventure sagas. And Vishwaroop is as gripping as it gets. The narrative moves steadily and sharply to an inevitable nemesis.

Maverick director Kamal Haasan (and this is his best directorial attempt since the grossly underrated Hey Ram in 2000) is in no hurry to tell his tale. Not that he wastes time. The mood for adventure is built quickly, and the payoff is enormously satisfying.

With some remarkably austere and sharp editing by Mahesh Narayan and camera work by Sanu John Verghese that captures scenes of violence with as much rugged candour as the sharply-drawn

scenes from the hero's personal life, Kamal Haasan's tale of terror during the times of love, witticism, philosophizing and, yes, dancing, comes alive in a huge adrenaline rush ofadventure, action, drama and other related artistic tools which never come in the way of the actor-director's primary concern.

Kamal Haasan means business. He is here to narrate an edge-of-the-seat story of international terrorism. The rigorous research that has gone into the p lot never weighs down the narration. Whether infiltrating the Al Qaeda (scarily real in the detailing and eerily cinematic in its visual sweep) or focusing on the hijinks of our hero, the creative crossovers in the narrative are achieved with the fluency of chapters in a deftly-written novel.

And yet Kamal Haasan avoids getting overly breathless in his narration. Shall we just say Vishwaroop moves at the pace that it is meant to? Neither measured nor hurried, the director negotiates the socio-political and cultural spaces in the plot with an elegant erudition.

Gone is the heavily cerebral over-studied atmosphere of his earlier directorial epic Dasavatharam. Also gone is the overindulgent footage-occupancy of this actor's recent screen outings.

Yes, Kamal Haasan dominates the show wit h three different avatars whose destinies intertwine in ways that one can't reveal without giving away the plot. But that's the way the plot unfolds. That is the way it is meant to be. The narrative in this case just can't get enough of Kamal Haasan. Who but this actor can pull off heart-in-the-mouth never-seen stunts (action director Lee Whittaker and his associates have done a remarkable job) in the same range of vision as an elegantly performed Kathak number?

Pooja Kumar as Kamal Haasan's beloved is charming. She has a pleasant screen presence and yes, she isn't in awe of her awesome co-star. However, if anyone leaves a lasting impression after Mr.Haasan, it is Rahul Bose, who as an Al Qaeda chap swathes his persona in menace and terror without getting into the gritting-teeth mould.

Bose had last played a villain in Govind Nihalani's Thakshak in 1999. It is no coincidence that he returns to the colour black in a film that in many ways owes allegiance to the dark sinister angry anti-establishment tales of Nihalani. But Kamal Haasan adds a dash of warmth and humour to the intrinsically ominous saga. He is in terror-land with his tongue firmly in cheek.

The sharply-drawn characters, the terrifying insight into the psyche of terrorism and the sumptuous mounting and packaging add up to a movie that is quite easily one ofthe finest adventure sagas in recent times. The action sequences are, at last, on a par w ith Hollywood.

Insult to any community? Hah! It would be an insult to the filmmaking community to m iss Vishwaroop. Miss this big screen adventure your own risk.

SUBHASH K.JHA

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RICI-I, RESTLESS AND COMPLETELY CLUELESS RACE2 STARRING: Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, John Abraham, Jacqueline Fernandez, Anil Kapoor, Ameesha Patel DIRECTED BY: Abbas-Mustan

**~

veryone is busy deceiving everyone else in this paper caper, which probably looked tempting in the writing but comes across on screen as a masquerade of hedonistic hi-jinx filmed at exotic locales where men and women play for high stakes, live dangerously and die foolishly.

Abbas-Mustan's love for depicting the high life is by now well-known. Everyone in an Abbas-Mustan caper takes his or her life at the race course seriously when in fact the characters are all an extended joke. They are comicbook cut-outs pasted on to the big w ide screen with all their exaggerations blown out of proportion.

It's hard to pinpoint where the leakage

in this latest Abbas-Mustan adventurecaper begins to seep septically into the plot. But you know there is something serious amiss in the plot when one protagonist, Saif Ali Khan deadpans: "Revenge is best served cold:' Really? If that were indeed the case t hen the volumes of vendetta served up by disgruntled men and women in Race 2 should have made our adrenaline...er... race really hard.

Alas, the proceedings are as exciting as graffiti on a newly-painted toilet wall. The uni-expression macho man John Abraham loves the leggy Deepika Padukone who loves the scowling Saif Ali Khan who loves Jacqueline Fernandes. In the end, these self-serving hedonists seem to love none but themselves.

Boring in their self -absorption and utterly oblivious to the world around t hem where pain and suffering are to be obtained once t he fun and games end, these characters are busy striking

artificial poses in carefully-toned bodies draped in the best dresses and suits created for the rich and the restless.

These are the nowhere people searching for thrills in a plot that revels in restlessness and seeks succour in making suckers out of all the characters. The only mlldly interesting characters are the brassy detective played by Anil Kapoor and his air-head secretary Ameesha Patel: she flutters her eyelashes at his incessant phallic jokes feigning complete ignorance.

Sadly, the holiday mood that prevails t hrough the film grips the film's architects.

They seem to be on leave as the action director takes over the proceedings.

To be fai r a couple of chase sequences specially one through the crowded streets of Istanbul where Saif hunts down his beloved's killer, are killers. But the climax on board a fake luxury aircraft is a howl.

Amateur adventurers getting a kick out of their big-boy antics, John and Saif are to be taken as seriously as Superman and

Batman cut-outs in a multiplex displaying forthcoming attractions.

The girls Deepika and Jacqueline try hard to pump up the steam by raising the mean quotient in their characters. They hardly look provocative enough to be convincing as femme fatales. Saif plays a somewhat smirkier avat ar of Agent Vinod.

John alternates the scowl with the smirk sometimes interchanging the two expressions without warning. Can't blame him, poor chap. He must be as confused about the plot as we are.

Does anyone associated with this poshlooking but vacuous caper have any clue as to what they are doing? Drowned in a cacophony of one off-key song after another, wallowing in t heir one-note wickedness and getting high on their endless bouts of drinking, partying and masquerading, the characters in Race 2 are a laugh. But shhhh. Don't tell them.

SUBHASH KJHA

STRIKING EPIC DESPITE ITS l=LAWS MIDNIGHT'S CHILDREN STARRING: Rajat Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, Anupam Kher, Ronit Roy, Satya Bhabha, Seema Biswas, Shahana Goswami, Siddharth, Anita Majumdar, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Darsheel Safary, Soha Ali Khan and Shriya Saran DIRECTED BY: Deepa Mehta

**~

eepa Meh ta's Midnight} Chi/d,-m is not a well-crafted film of Salman Rushdie's Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name. Yer it captures the essence of the novel to the core.

Told through the lives of the children born at the stroke of midnight of Aug 15, 1947, especially SaJin1, Shiva and Parvati, it is a multi-layered tale of d estinies.

Ir is a story of rhe rich, the poor and the m isguid ed. Ir is lier.ion and fantasy delightfully wrapped within the folds of the p oliticaJ scenario of the three countries, l ndia, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

What precedes the bi rth of Salim is a comple.x i:,-,Je chat is narrated in the fus e 45 minutes of the film. Lispired by her rebel husband's communise slogan, ,cLec the rich be poor and rhe poor, rich", the misguided peadiatric nurse, Mary, de liberately switches the iden tity tags of the two babies as a

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gesture of solidarity and thereby swaps their destinies.

Moving ahead , in childhood, Salim discovers that thanks to a sneeze and the sniffles, he can hear and see all of the ocher 581 surviving children around the country born at the same historic day and time as he. Dubbing them as Midnight's Children, he has the power to call "conferences" in his bedroom I.a te at night, bringing their presen ce together from aJJ parts to p lan the fate of the nation, including the hot-headed Shiva and pretty and mysticaJ P arvat.i, the spellweaving witch.

T he three are intertwined again as ad ults in the fi lm's last acr when Shiva, now a ruthless military commander, and Salim, following six years of amnesia, become in volved with the beautiful adult witch, Parvati against the b ackground of Indira Gandhi's brutal emergency m easures.

Rushclie's rich charac ters are brought to life by a strong ensemble of esteemed actors whose performan ces were well extracted by director Deepa Meh ta.

D ebutant Satya B hab ha delivers a confident per formance as tbe g rown up Salim and Siddb.arth is the perfect foil for him as d1e embittered Sh iva. D arsheel Safary as the young SaJim is undoubtedly brilliant.

T he com petent Seema Biswas is charming as the misguided, guilt-ridden

nurse an d the cataJyst for the unfolding sequence of even ts. Shahana Goswami smoothly conveys d1e poignanr mrmoil of d1e mother .inadvertently caugh t in the cross-fire, while Remit Roy is exactin g as the fmstrared businessm an. Anita Majumdar also makes ru1 impression as tl1e hard-hearted, ambitious Emerald, alongside Rahul Bose as her military powerbroker husban d, ZuJfikar.

Rajat K apoor as D r.Aziz, Salim's putative grand.father is runusiug.

Shabana Azmi as Ra jar Kapoor's wi fe, Sr.iya Sharan as Parvati, Soha Ali K han as Salim's sister an d Kulbhushan Kl1arbanda as Picture Singh are wasted.

V isuaUy, d1e film encompasses scenes of war, liberation, celebratio n, corr uption, romance and mourning - all beautifully captured. by cinematographer G iles urrgens. T he visuals are brilliantly layered wid1 Nit.in Sawhney's ethereal score, making it a perfect backdr op wid1 the mystical quality of the magic realism scenes; it is like watchin g a stunning canvas g radually come to life.

Even with Salman Rushdie's narration and screenplay, what probably did nor work for Midnight} Children are the abrupt scenes. Each scene is b rilliant, but in silos, cliscoru1ecced with the next, making it difficult to capture and bring co life the essence of t he book that combines a type of unexplained practicality.

Yer di.is is a striking, well-prod uced and though tfully designed epic.

Even with aU its flaws, Mid11ight's Childrm is wor th a watch. If nothing else, go and watch Midnight's Childm, to satiate your curiosity about tl1is much-talked about novel.

TROY RIBEIRO

FEBRUARY 20 13 35

PSYCHE

•

•

IOUS r1

In a fast-changing world is there still a need for religion and rituals of worship?

n the last 50 years or so, institutionalised religions have been relegated as non-essentials in daily life.

Many, in particular the urban intellectuals, have argued that they have no pJace in a rational world any more. Tben comes Alain de Botton, atheist and author of bestselling books on a variery of topics ranging from love, travel, arr and architecture, and more recently a book citied Ri!li,gion )or Atheistr.

De Borton, 43, a young philosopher, validates a lot of the sentiments beld by many who see themselves not as parriculacly religious, but not atl1eist either.

Tbese are the people who have considered religious teachings with a critical mind and found some valid statements. They prefer

I

•

nor co 'throw the baby om wim the bath water'. De Botton has steered the religio n ver sus atheism argument away from not being entirely true or entirely false.

Coming from a non-believer, for he confesses co be one, de Botton weaves an argument tbat we need to see religions and what tl1ey have co offer in a di ffere□t perspective to what we have become accustomed. Marrying the need to be emorionally in touch witl1 whatever we do, a la our EQs, he develops die idea of looking in to religions and meir rimals as a minefield of ideas on a variety of topics ranging from conducting efficient governru1ce and business, co appreciaring arr in everyday life.

For many Indians wbo Lry co follow the principles of sa11ata11a dham10, more commonly referred to as Hinduism, many of de Botton's sentiments do not come as an alien concept.

The holistic view of life and the universe, and living as

• • • • • • •

a responsible member of a communiry, has been reiterated over and over again in the history, myths, arc and architecture of what we see as Hinduism now.

The interdependence of human existence with narure and its many manifestations is repeated in prayer, philosopby, arc, architecture, poetry and in te!Jectual discourse, and through the many everyday rituals.

From mandalas that decorate the entrance of a home reflecting pattern and connectedness of the infinite, and elegant geometrical d esigns o f nan1re that are ever presem all arow1d us, co monolitl1s of stone carvings.

In sa1111tana dhar111a as in mru1y ancient wisdom traditions, a common place of worship held a v.ital role in preserving harmony and peace within groups. The spirinial traditions created mis common place as a serendipitous sanctuary for people. A set of rules and codes o f conduct were then developed for use in such

MATRIMONIALS

SEEKING GROOMS

Seeking suitable match (from Australia,

Seeking suitable match, a non smoker,

ideally aged between 50 and 60. For fair, young looking Hindu lady, 5'2'; 54, divorced, veg, Australian citizen. Caste no bar. Please contact 0449 623 316 or email alpine_rhapsody@hotmail.com

never married) for Hindu g irl, 35 years, Chartered Accountant, non-veg, living in Australia over 25 years, with eastern and western family values. Please email with all details on ganesh2011 v@gmail.com

Suitable well-settled / professional

Well settled/ professional alliance

match for Punjabi Arora, beautiful, never

invited from Australia / India for 41/ 165, unmarried, charming Punjabi Khatri girl, family oriented and responsible, IT professional, working in Sydney. Australian citizen. Early marriage. Can relocate. Serious proposals only.

Email profile with recent photo: sydgirl09@ gmail.com

married, 39 / 166, qualified IT professional.

GSOH with good family values. Brought up in India. Working in MNC Sydney. Australian citizen. Early marriage. Serious enquiries only. Email details with photo: ausgirll 01@gmail.com Seeking match for tall, good looking,

Respectable Sikh Family of New Delhi

slim, fair, educated, working Hindu Khatri girl, 25, brought up in Sydney.

Well educated and settled family. Boy with similar background preferred. Email: 1169ab@gmail.com

seeks alliance for their smart good looking sweet natured family oriented daughter 24/165cms, B.Com Graduate, Primary Teacher, looking for a well educated boy from a cult ured family well settled in Business/ Industry/Profession. Girl and Pa rents in Sydney from end December until mid Janua ry.

Call 0431 337 881

Seeking genuine, compatible, well educated, employed / business match from

respectable family, broad minded /mature outlook, independent, Indian background, age SO+ for caring, honest, Ind ian Christian divorcee, Australian citizen, well settled in Perth, 50 years, 5'3"tall, younger looking, attractive graduate nurse, employed. Caste no bar. Please send profile with photo to email emily.lotus@hotmail.com

36 l=EBRUARV 2013

p lace.s. Beliefs in a power greater than buman were gen erally accepted, and the place and means by which such powers could be evoked, became rituals of worship. Suc.h acts have evolved and illllended over miJJennia.

The validatio n of tbese practices was never d etailed in words, for experience could never be adequately verbalised. They were accepted unquestioned until m any of these began to be referred to as ' blind faith'. Looking at what, if any, benefits may be gained by worsh ip, it could at best be described as a strategy to reflect and gain some equanimi ty when beset by turbulence in the mind.

Set procedures, allotted times and places help to increase compliance and thus allow for a beneficial experiences to occur.

In the minds of the billion or so people from Lidia that have evolved over millennia through myths, stories, histories interwoven with rituals and intellectual dissertarions o n

37 yrs old Brahmin never married graduate

argument that we need to see religions and what they have to offer in a different perspective to what we have become accustomed

'' philosophy, we have a vibrant intricate tapestry with each minme strand conveying a critical part of the big picture of lite.

• • • • • ••

SEEKING BRIDES

Seeking suitable match for a boy, 6'tall,

Seeking suitable match for 37 years,

good looking Gujarati Brahmin boy, 5'7" Australian citizen caste no bar. Born and brought up in Mumbai, India and moved to Sydney 5 years ago. Please email with details on ravi_pl 00@hotmail.com

31 yrs, never married, Australian Citizen, Athletic, Punjabi Khatri, reputed corporate professional. Please email your particulars with recent photo( Compulsory) on win.rocky@gmail.com or call 0430 179 273.

Match required for a 48-yo, slim, clean

Compatible match for 197 5 born,

shaven, Jat Sikh Aust PR living in Melb, working for a Bank, own house. I have no child ren but I don't mind if she has children.

Genuine enquiries only email: jat_sikh@ hotmail.com

handsome clean-shaven Sikh Khatri boy, 5' 9'; two Post-Graduate degrees from India and recently finished Master in I.T from Australia . Currently on temporary resident visa and working full-time in Customer Service role. Looking for well-educated, Permanent resident/ Citizen girt from Sikh family background. Early marriage.

Phone: 0422 102 242 or Email: ghai07@yahoo.com

girl currently visiting Australia. Looking for

Australian citizen preferably unmarried. Whole family settled here. Belongs to status business family. Applied for permanent residency earlier.

Contact with photo and details urgently at npkhanna@ymail.com

•

''

De Botton weaves an

Single tall man, often travels with work,

desires to meet attractive good character single or widow lady over 40 with a view to marriage. Apply PP GPO Box 2336 Adela ide, South Aust ralia 5000.

www.indianlink.com.au

ij

n TA K

Q TPREDICTIONS FOR

By NANCY JADE ALTIIEA l'fnrm.;qJ'j,j'F.Tiiriit~iliril

ARIES March 2 ~ - A13ril 19 This month the cards show that your ca reer and work life will be at an all time peak. The month will start off with a lot of enthusiasm, interest and good fortune. There is an increase m finances too, so make sure that you keep yourself in check with you r spending. Your love life will take a new turn, as you will be looking at making a commitment to the one you have loved for a while now.

TAURUS Ap1 ii 20 - May 20

LIBRA Sep ?3 Oct 2 2 r I,e cards Indicate a time that you will spend recovering from small muscle pulls. There will be new work and an 1nterest in stocks and shares. Take good care of the way you l ommunicate with people, as there is an indication that you may be a bit blunt and hurt some people's feelings. You will .....,.._ _ just be your old self, but there are sensitive people around you right now. The initial 'M' is very significant.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21

The cards show that this month you will be on a real high and feeling very positive. There is travel indicated for you. You will be looking to improve your career and lifestyle both, and at bringing in more stability. There will be an idea to make some investments, but take care that you look into everything, be cautious and do not be too hasty. There will be some good news relating to a property.

GEMINI May 2 1 - June 20

It is a time to reassess your affairs. There is a little difficulty with finances this month, but you will sort things out. You will not be feeling that great about your love life. Be careful about beirg too temperamental. You may not know what to do about a certain situation which concerns matters ohhe heart. ~ou will not be feeling like doing much on Valentine's Day, then again to you, it is all commercial!

SAGITTARIUS Nov 2 ? - Dec 21 The cards indicate a time of restlessness and you will be upset about certain family members. You will be looking at new opportunities, as work seems to be a little mundane. Look for a new way to relax as you are not getting enough rest, and have problems sleeping, with real nightrndrE>s that will cause you to feel very shaky. Make peace with a friend who you have not seen for a while due to a misunderstdnding.

This month you will be feeling that you need someone close to you to love and hold. The cards are indicating that there may be a surprlse on Valentine's Day. Take care of your health and money. The month of love is making you feel very sensual and ready to mingle, if single. If married you will be thinking of tc1king your partner on d spec.ial date for V Day. However, there will be some stress around the home.

CANCER June 11 - July 20

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 19

The cards art:' indicating a time when you have to be careful of not being too hasty. Your life may take on a completely different dire(tion. Health will be fine, apart from some stress.

Love 1s also in the air, even a commitment is possible. There 1s a new exciting month ahead for you, you wil I feel very energetic and have many ideas. Make sure you take things slow and th ink everything through in detail.

LEO July 21 - Awg ?2 You will be making some tough decisions if in business. The latter part of the month will be quite a social time for you. Be careful not to get involved in any legal issues. There is stress relating to a relative, you may not be seeing eye-to-eye lately.

Take some time out, and take things through. There is an indication a new car, and red is the colour you may be thinking of buying.

VIRGO Aug 23 - Sep 2 2 This is a time when you may be feeling low, but your close fril:>nds and family will lift your spirits. You will do well financidlly. but there will be concerns around work or business.

You will need to put in some extra t ime and hou rs to make things come together. You have some contracts that need to be sealed. If in work, go for that promotion. Health will be good.

Make sure to de-stress.

Unexpected fin,incial gains are on the cards. Work is your top priority, and :you may join someone in a new business. There 1s a strong chance you may be romantically linked, but make sure they are single! Look at plans to travel more extensively, mdking your base in another country. There will be additional :,tress caused by people who don't support you r projects-and ideas at work. If self-employed, decide on where to go next.

AQUARIUS Jar ?O - ~eb 18 J

Be careful of your health and minor problems. There is a chance you will be looking at buying a property or i nvesting in a new purchase. Workwise, make sure you complete everything on time. You are slowly losing interest in work, so decide what you want to do, as there are some major decisions to make. Your love life is going smoothly. If sing le, try and decide what you really want out of ltfe.

PISCES f=eb 19 - tvlarc-h 20 The cards indicate a time'to be careful with finances and not be too hasty with purchases. Take some time out away from your city and chill out with family. Look after a younger member of t he family who needs TLC. You rnc1y have a problem with one of your legs. A deep tissue JTiassage is needed and steam treatment. Eollow thdt gym re9im(' Good news relating to a birth of a child is coming

BACKCHAT

On fiscal cliffs and gold-plated glitz From fiscal cliffs to Mayan myths, a look at popular jargon in the media recently

hew! Our world became doubly safe and secLLre in January after averting two disasters in a matter of ten days. T he much-feared Mayan meltdown myth did not materialise on December 21.

Perhaps the Mayan gods did not want ro ruin my birthday: a kindred gesnue towards a fellow Indian o n this side of the globe?

With d1e physical planet now safe, die fiscal world was JJLLlled back from ilie edge, inches before it went over. The eleventh-hour drama played out at the White House was redolent of a climax scene in a Hollywood blockbuster.

'Fiscal Cliff'. The powerful phrase has been repeated a million times over in every form of media! Who coined ilie jargon - a clever coprwri ter in an ad agency? If onlr he had followed Shah Rukh Khan's lead and trademarked bis creation, he could have made millions. Mumbai's multi-millionaire movie mogul has written to die Government's Registry to trademark his initi.als 'SRJ(', to stop others using the m to promote their products and make money. If he succeeds, will he run into strife with anod1er o f filmdom's SRJ< - Siddarth Roy Kaput, husband of vivacious Vidya Balan? Poor Vidya may e nd up ,,,idi two SRK partners - the screen version and ilie home brand.

If the trademark trend catches on, another 'SR' celebrity (Sachin Ramesh) Tendulkar may pile a few more tons of moolab beside his marquee of fast cars in his foursrorey Bandra mansion. Sensing SR seems to stand for 'Super

P

Rich', ,vill expectant parents surf baby name portals for words with such ini rials? Yes sir, I bet!

Even as the Fiscal Cliff cast jitters on the world markets, it was all glitter down under as the jargon jangling the airwaves was 'gold p lated'. Our Prime :Minister used this pet mantra to tarnish the grid operarors' greed to push up power prices. Wonder if d1e power coming down die 'goldplated' lines shines brighter ilian iliose sent down d1rough black cables. If you want to see what gold placing really means, a visit to Thailand will do the crick. Every single Buddha statue - sitting, standing, smiling, sleeping - .is coated in gold paint. The great religio us teacher who renounced nis worldly possessions has been transformed from the simple Siddharilia to the golden Gautama! It seems appropriate, iliough, since visitors enter the country at Bangkok's Swarna Bhoomi (golden land) Airport.

During die '90s, d1e high-fl)~ng buzz word in Oz was 'Clayton this' or 'Clayton that'. It was a phrase used to satirise something rhar seemed ro exist, but in reality did not. Like a phantom pregnancy.

In the current climate, Wayne Swan's budget surplus ,vill qualify to wear drnt badge. His mining tiDc mat hasn't generated a single red cent, can best be described as a 'Clayton rax'. I am inrrigued as ro why the Opposition hasn't dug up this fossilised phrase to taunt rhe Treasurer. \XThile 'Clayton' was ruling the airwaves here, Clinton and Gore were glorifying ilie 'information super highway' as the sign post to E l Dorado in their election can1paign. After exiting the Wnite House, Gore mrned green, became an environmental evangelise and produced a hugely successful documentary. He t hen managed to flog his poorly rating

No, Ibey were

TV channel (was green the only colour on it?) promoting climate issues, for a cool 150 million greenbacks. Nor an ' inconvenient' treastue trove!

One specific jargon that continues co baffle me is 'brand ambassador'. It amuses and amazes me at rhe same time. It is now used to peddle goods from headgear to footwear, and everything in between. The role of an ambassador as we know it is to smoothen ruffled feathers and snuff o ut spot fires between nations. But brand ambassadors like Jennifer H a,vkins, Laura Bingle and [(jm Kardashian are content to strut their gear on catwalks and smff d1eir wallets with big che9ues. Bingo, Laura could even flush down the drain a diamond ring worth a couple of

Indian grocery store for sale.

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big grands! Our own MS Dho ni was o nce a brand ambassador for 48 different companies, including Karnaraka Soap and Detergents Ltd. Tbe role of a brand ambassador is to 'embody the corporate image in appearance, demeanour, values and ethics'.

To present that many images is a big rask that will stump anybody.

With successive series losses, sponsors have now nm out of tbe door. Alas, ambassadorial assignments aren't for ever.

By the way, how many fans buy mose soaps and detergents spruiked by sports stars and Bollywood babes?

D oes anyone care for these ambassadors - except iliose who craft jargon like Fiscal Cliff that fall off our 'Clayton' memory before long.

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