2013-09 Sydney (2)

PUBLISHER

EDITOR

Lena Peacock

Sheryl Dixit

MELBOURNE COORDINATOR

Preeti Jabbal

CONTRIBUTORS

Importance of the Indian vote at the 2013 federal elections

ADVERTISING MANAGER

Vivek Trivedi 02 9262 1766

ADVERTISING ASSISTANT

Nitika Sondhi 02 9279 2004

DESIGN

Danielle Cairis

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Indian Link

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

Email: info@indianlink.com.au

www.indianlink.com.au

Indian Link has got it right yet again.

In a poll we conducted prior to the 2007 elections, the trend was clearly towards the Australian Labor Party and after 13 years in government, the Liberal Party led by John Howard was defeated. And so Kevin Rudd made true the ‘Kevin 07’ prediction.

In 2010, our community-based poll called the election a draw, and right enough, Australia saw in a hung parliament.

And in the 2013 elections, our online poll indicated a margin of 7% in favour of the Coalition Liberal National Party.

As the final results have come through, we see them finally polling 53 to 47 against the ALP on a two-party preferred basis. The local Indian community has now got it right three times in a row!

While there can be many answers, it is worth acknowledging that the contemporary Indian is a highly political animal (passionate political debates are a common occurrence at the friendly

neighbourhood chaiwallah’s), and this could certainly be true of the Indian populations here in Australia. With democratic principles as part of their DNA, Indian oriented voters are adept at cutting through the political talk and understanding the underlying issues. As a number of them are new migrants, they are not glued to a particular party or a sentiment; rather they fall in the category of swinging voters and are able to take informed decisions.

To date, there haven’t been any discernable attempts by any party to woo these voters, so they are politically agnostic. There is also a lack of local heroes in the form of strong Indian Australian candidates in a winning position, so they lack an affiliation to any party. It will be interesting to note if the dynamics actually change as the community grows from its current numbers of just over 400,000, to further north.

The two heroes of this Federal Election have doubtlessly been Labor members for Parramatta and Greenway, Julie Owens and Michelle Rowland respectively, who were set to lose their seats, according to all mainstream polls. Rowland won her seat via a slim margin of just 779 votes in the 2010 elections, and Owens was written off by the

punters. But these very same pundits did not take into account the work done by these two candidates within the Indian Australian community in their local areas. There was seldom an Indian function at which they were not seen.

In fact, one suspects that Julie Owens’ wardrobe has a substantial range of saris and salwar kameez sets. At the recent India Australia fair, Owens attended for most of the day, working the crowds. In fact, she made a brief appearance at the formal function, but as soon as it was clear that she would not be sitting on stage, she slipped away from the speeches and went back to work, harnessing local votes for herself.

Michelle Rowland’s appearances at the local Parklea Gurudwara endeared her to the local Sikh community in an area strong with Singhs, which would have made a large impact on her final vote. Congratulations to both of them and their local Indian advisers for working hard to win the hearts and minds of Western Sydney’s Indian community. One suspects that it is simply a matter of time before there is a greater presence by the powers that be at Indian community gatherings.

Pawan Luthra is the 2012 Parliament of NSW Multicultural Journalist of the Year.

Astha Singh, Malli Iyer, Ritam Mitra, Jyoti Shankar, Minnal Khona, Bala Subramaniam, Noel G De Souza, Rahul Singh, Darshak Mehta, Sandip Hor, Mythili Iyer

PAWAN LUTHRA

sPIRITUAL

Chinmaya Mission events

sat 28-sun 29 sept

Family camp Managing the manager at Bundilla Campsite, Reilleys Rd, Winston Hills.

Wed 13 Nov-sat 16 Nov

Swami Swaroopananda presents free public talks at Sydney Bahai Centre Silverwater.

Details: Br Gopalji 02 8850 7400 or visit www.chinmaya.com.au

gopakuteeam

4th sun of every month 4pm-5.30pm

The Global Organisation for Divinity runs free spiritual education classes for children ageds 4-12 years, at Crestwood Community Centre, Crestwood Drive, Baulkham Hills. Parents welcome to join in.

Details: Jayashree 02 9620 4676.

AWgP Balsanskar shala

BalSanskar Shala teaches children Vedic slokas, Vedic maths, games, personality development, knowledge of great Indian personalities, and other aspects of Vedic culture.

Details: Gayatri Pariwar parijan Parag/Niyati Wani 0421 403 852

Yagya

Want Yagya, Satnarayan Katha, various Sanskara (Vivah, Janma Divas, Namkaran,

What’s oN

Punsavan, Mundan, house warming, Bhumi poojan etc) at your home?

Details: Gayatri Pariwar parijan Parag/ Niyati Wani 0421 403 852

sri Vishnu sahasranama

Lakshaarchana

sat 21 sept 9am-1pm

Dundas Community Centre, 27 Sturt Street, Telopea.

Details: Anagan Babu 0402 229 517

FEsTIVAL

Navratri Raas garba

sat 5 Oct 6.30pm (sharp) - 1pm

Navratri Cultural Group (under the Auspices of Shri Shiva Mandir of Minto) announces action-packed Raas and Garba. Michael Wenden

Aquatic Leisure Centre,  62 Cabramatta Avenue, Miller (Near Liverpool).

Details: Kanti and Pratibha Gokani 02 9792 1422 (BH).

Navratri garba

Fri 11-sat 12 Oct

The Gujarati Samaj of NSW presents Navratri at Whitlam Leisure Centre, Liverpool. Details: www. gujaratisamajnsw.org.au

deepavali Martin Place

Thur 17 Oct 12 noon-2pm & 5pm-7pm

The Hindu Council of Australia presents

Deepavalai at Martin Place in Sydney’s CBD.

Details: www.hinducouncil.com.au

sENIORs

1st & 3rd Tues of every month

10am-2pm

Due to high demand Sri Om Foundation is starting an extra day of seniors’ care at Toongabbie Community Centre on first and third Tuesdays of the month. The sessions are for seniors over 65 years.  This is in addition to first and third Wednesdays already operating at the same place.

Details: Shweta Sharma 0405 367 238.

MIsC

Odd socks day sat 4 Oct

Pull on your odd socks to show your support to a national anti-stigma campaign leading to Mental Health Week. Odd Socks Day is a light-hearted approach to reminding people that anyone can have an odd day. Stigma is undoubtedly one of the biggest barriers

to people seeking help and recovery from mental illness.  So, how you treat someone with a mental illness really does make a difference to their lives and recovery.

Details: www.oddsocksday.org.au

Pravasi Bharatiya divas (Overseas Indian day) Convention Nov 10-12

The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (Government of India) and the High Commission of India, Canberra jointly organise the 2013 regional PBD at Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre. Session themes include Diaspora Issues and the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs; Sharing of Experiences; Trade and Investment Services; Manufacturing; Resources; Infrastructure; Skills and Education; Women in Business; Youth Education; Media and Indian Languages.

Details: www.pbdsydney2013.com.au

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Why is the Indian Consulate not in its own office?

An estimated $9 million property owned by the Indian government lies vacant while Sydney’s Indian Consulate pays rent. Who is responsible for this waste of thousands of dollars?

economy in size, by 2050 and will be hot on China’s trail. A land of contrasts, as grinding poverty exists in a country which boasts of 61 billionaires and almost 7,900 people with assets of over US $30 million.

Apart from the USA and Japan, India is the only country to have indigenously built a super computer and is among the handful of countries to have launched its own satellites and missiles. In fact, India makes missiles which are three times the

speed of USA Tomahawks and harpoons. Almost half the world’s outsourced IT services come from India, around $50 billion.

And, tell me, is the Indian Consulate in Sydney a mission that reflects the above?

In fact, the Consulate has had to move its offices thrice in the past three years. The Indian government appears to have spent almost $9 million in buying premises for the Sydney Consulate, in Castlereagh Street over two and a half years ago, but have still not been able to acquire possession. It needs to be forensically investigated and responsibility fixed urgently for this glaring anomaly.

Imagine paying millions in rent, foregoing over a million dollars in interest costs and then spending tens of thousands of dollars in moving premises not once, not twice but thrice and still not having an office that they can call their own, despite

having paid for it years ago.

It is hard to believe that an aspiring world super-power has a non-descript office in a non-descript building in one of the world’s great cities. Foreign Missions are supposed to inspire awe or at least convey a sense of professionalism as they are the first impressions a visitor forms. The mission’s office should also have a sense of permanence. Take London, where India House has been our headquarters in the UK for over 83 years.

The Indian Consulate in Sydney is also one of the oldest government of India offices abroad, established in 1941 when it started as the Trade Commission of India. Is it not strange that for 70 years, the government of India neither purchased an office building for the Consulate, or a residence for its Consul General?

But, there are stranger things in the property sagas of Sydney’s Indian Consulate. There is the

mystery of an empty house in Killara. This was reportedly purchased in the mid-80’s for a senior official (not the Consul General). The house was certainly not a smart buy back then because of difficult access, but despite that it is probably worth five times what the Indian government would have paid for it, thanks to the buoyant property market in Sydney. Currently, an average home in Killara would easily be worth well over a million dollars. To think that the government of India is the proud owner of a dilapidated, empty (at least for three years) bhoot bungla on Sydney’s prestigious North Shore is astonishing.

And things get curiouser, still. About three years ago, the Consulate bought another residence, this time for the Deputy Consul General, in North Ryde. One can safely guess there would not have been change from a million dollars for it.

So, we have the strange situation

of the Indian government owning two homes in Sydney and a multimillion dollar office. However, the office is still not occupied and one of the two homes is lying vacant too.

But, one can have some hope. The new Foreign Secretary of India was the previous High Commissioner to Australia, Smt Sujatha Singh. A clean, nononsense officer who is certainly one of India’s brightest and best. A review and a clean-up of Sydney’s Augean stables is required. Responsibility must be fixed for the mess and if there have been sins of omission, or commission, punitive action taken.

This column approached Mr Arun Goel, the current Consul General for comments on the above issues, but he politely declined to elaborate, but did point out that all of these decisions had occurred prior to his taking charge in May 2012.

the Rise Rise Of &

Nihal Gupta

A chat with the Sydney-based entrepreneur, turned ambassador for NSW’s Indian community

Carpe Diem (seize the day) seems to be the motto of Nihal Gupta’s life.

Over the past three years, Sydney-based entrepreneur Nihal Gupta has burst on to the local Indian community scene. His energetic presence at every major community event has not gone unnoticed, and not only because he is often up on a podium reading out a message from the premier, or making an address on his own behalf.

Regularly seen at all major multicultural functions, he is turning out to be quite the ambassador, not only for Sydney’s Indian community but also for New South Wales. He sits, currently, on over 11 government and other boards, working in a voluntary capacity, even as he expands his business interests on the international level.

“Nihal’s cultural ties to the Indian community have allowed the NSW Government to strengthen its own relationship with the Indian community, which plays an important role in fostering existing business relationships and improving job opportunities in our multicultural society,” says NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell.

“Nihal has done a terrific job in promoting trade and investment in NSW through his roles with the Multicultural Business Advisory Panel and NSW Export and Investment Advisory Board,” adds O’Farrell. “Nihal shares the NSW Government’s vision to grow the state economy and create jobs. He’s also played an important role in building ties with overseas investors through his tireless work”.

“I get on very well with Nihal,”

says Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello. “He is always thinking of new ideas about how we can leverage off our multicultural base to benefit the people of NSW and it is his engaging personality, excellent communication and people skills and capacity for hard work, which make him well-suited to chair the NSW Government’s Multicultural Business Advisory Panel”.

So who is this man, and what causes his star to continue to rise?

In an attempt to unravel the enigma known as Nihal Gupta, we request an interview for an Indian Link feature. The ‘brief chat’ extends to just over two hours, during which Nihal reveals his grasp on a wide range of topics, and a sharp probing mind; there is seldom an occasion when he is short of a word.

Pawan Luthra (PL): Let’s start off by trying to understand the extent of your various commitments, over and above your mainstream role as the managing director of Digital Electronics Corporation Australia Pty Ltd (DECA).

You are the chairman of the NSW Multicultural Business Advisory Panel; a trustee of the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust; a director of Parramasala; Member of the Export and Investment Advisory Board of NSW; director, Asia Society of Australia; Member of the Consultative Committee to represent the Indian community in NSW; a member of the National Executive Organising committee for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) in Sydney later this year, and recently a high profile appointment on the Judicial Commission of NSW. Whew, that’s quite a list!

Nihal Gupta (NG): Being given the opportunity to serve and to give, is a wonderful thing. I enjoy life and I enjoy my interaction with people. I only take up things

which I enjoy, so it makes it all a lot easier. Plus, I do schedule things and organise myself very well! But mostly, I love variety and diversity and am passionate about things, so that drives me, and so I have the energy to make things happen.

PL: What skills or experience do you bring to these diverse boards?

NG: All the boards are on appointment, so I am sure my skills have been recognised. As chair of the Multicultural Business Advisory Board, I have skills and experience to do business not only locally as someone born and bred here, but as a business professional who has experience of working with Asia. I have dealt with Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China and have a bit of awareness about etiquette and culture in these countries. For the Judicial Commission, it is a great honour to be on the board and I guess while I do not have a legal background, I represent the people of NSW and so I can be like the ‘pub test’ there; I am in a layman’s position there!

For Parramasala it is about the cultural engagement which NSW has with India, and I bring to the role my experience with the Trade Commission and the art and cultural work they do.

The Sydney Cricket Ground appointment is something which I am honoured by and I am sure I can contribute to, drawing on my experience as the director of the inaugural Sydney Sixes, the team that won the inaugural T20 World Championships. My appointment also represents the diversity which happens on the cricket field in Australia today.

The PBD board is again something exciting as that allows a better relationship between India and NSW. It is a wonderful regional congress which recognises the importance of Indian diaspora in this part of the world. Also, it is great to have the regional PBD supported so strongly by the local government. With the new federal government in Canberra and their

desire to strengthen the bond with India, the timing of the regional PBD is perfect and this will go a long way in taking the relationship to a new level.

PL: It is clear that NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell has a lot of respect for you: in fact there has not been a function within the Indian community which Barry has not attended with you. One remembers, just before the last state election, that you ensured that the then Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell was present at the flag hoisting function at Consul General Amit Dasgupta’s residence to meet and mingle with the Indian community on their national day. Since then when the Premier’s engagements keep him otherwise busy, you represent the Premier in his capacity at a variety of community events. What would you say makes Barry O’Farrell such an effective Premier?

NG: Barry is very committed, very real, down-to-earth and very efficient. He has a vision for which he designs a plan, and then puts his head down, executes and delivers. I have known him for a few years, having met him through the Liberal Party, of which I have been a supporter for over thirty years now.

PL: Politics is clearly a bit of a hobby for you. What draws you to the Liberal Party?

NG: The Liberal Party gives you an opportunity to have an opinion and present an agenda and get things done, which I like. From my personal political involvement, I’ve seen that a lot of people want to do things or wish to get things done, but they do not or cannot do anything about it. Having some contact with politics gives you a chance to do things.

PL: The recent change of government at Canberra then must be cause for cheer, as you help work out the India-

Australia equation. Based on your experience of working with the NSW government, what should the federal government do to strengthen the relationship between India and Australia?

NG: Yes, there is a bit of a road map over there. I have been a bit concerned that the relationship between India and Australia has not been as strong as it could be with economies of this stature. We have been underdone a lot with India. I know Asia and China have loomed large in Australia’s focus, but there are a lot of opportunities with India. So I suggested to the Federal Liberal Party that maybe it will be a great idea that we look at setting up a Liberals Friends of India as I did not think there was a lot of connectivity between the Liberal Party and the Indian community. The Labor Party has done a lot here and part of their success is that they have been able to reach out to the Indian community and embraced other multicultural communities. So, as a background I have been encouraging the Liberal Party to connect with the Indian community. At a recent function for the Liberal Friends of India, the new Foreign Minister Julie Bishop committed to planning to go to India and to invite the Indian prime minister here. For over 26 years, an Indian PM has not visited Australia. On a foreign policy level, I am aware with my discussions with the new Tony Abbott government that they have India on the radar there is a strong willingness and desire to engage with India.

PL: So, what will you give as a four-point plan, based on your experience, to the Tony Abbott government to develop a relationship with India?

NG: (Laughing) I’m being put on the spot here, but I’ll soldier on. The most important thing about any connection with any country is to develop a meaningful relationship based on a partnership because if you treat

PAWAN LUTHRA

people as partners, it is a win-win for both. Then secondly, we need to recognise and leverage all the mutual similarities there which come from our heritage the three Cs; cricket, commonwealth and curry. Third, we can leverage a lot of assets we have here such as the huge diaspora with an enormous amount of talent, and even initiate different opportunities such as a reverse Colombo plan.

Then we need to have regular meaningful visits, not fly-in-flyout, but visits in which we can encourage academia, governments and businesses towards genuine, meaningful collaborations.

The danger is that because we are very familiar with each other, we can get a bit complacent. So, we need to drive things a bit harder to overcome the inertia of familiarity.

PL: What about your links with India today?

NG: I recall fondly the times my parents took me to India on Christmas holidays as I grew up in Sydney. I even met and wed my wife Monica over there! Nowadays, there are one or two visits a year but largely work related.

PL: What would you say ails the country currently: economic reports are that it has not lived up to global economic expectations.

NG: (Emphatically) I think India is a very dynamic country and has an achieved a lot. There are very few economies which have consistently achieved more than 6% GDP in a free, democratic system where there is so much population pressure. There is huge diversity in India in terms of language, religion, race, colour etc. and India still does so well. In fact it is amazing how well India has done.

PL: Let’s transport you back to your childhood, and look at how Australia has changed: what advice would you give to new migrants here?

NG: Australia has changed, and the biggest issue is that it has happened in a relatively short time. When my father came here in the mid 1950s, we still had the White Australia policy, so back in those days I could not imagine how it felt to know that there were some places where you could or could not go. But when I was growing up I found that the wonderful

Australian friendliness was there; Australia was open and welcoming. Australia was a great place to live. Back when I went to school, there were more European based immigrants. By the time I left school, there were many more Asian immigrants. Regarding my ethnicity, I can proudly say I have never felt, at any time, any different. What I see today on the whole is a very harmonious and successful multicultural society. There is no doubt that Australia is deeply richer and has benefitted from the multicultural immigration. Food and fashion in Australia have been enriched by multiculturalism. We are very fortunate in Australia. But remember it is a two-way street, you need to respect the local culture.

PL: Growing up, who were your role models and who are your role models now?

NG: Ahh, that is a tough one… I think it would be quite natural for someone who has come from a family of hard working business people, for your father to be someone you admire and aspire to be like. I have always admired and

had a fascination with politics. JFK was another great character. He was very prominent when I was growing up. Now, I think highly of Mahatma Gandhi. He was a true visionary and the older I get, the more I appreciate him. Like him, I admire people who have made a difference and stand to their principles, whether they are famous or not. I’ve had the opportunity to come across a lot of people through my life, who selflessly want to make a difference. I admire and respect them.

PL: But going back to changing societies, Sydney’s Indian community has changed a lot too. How would you describe the Sydney Indian community to a non-Indian?

NG: Well, the Indian community of Sydney today is as diverse and dynamic as India is. We have a lot of very highly regarded professionals. Worldwide India

“To be really successful you shouldn’t just expect the Indians to vote for you, nor should you expect to be voted in just because you are Indian. It’s about what you are prepared to do for your community”

Nihal Gupta

Representing the NSW Premier at Indian community events (BAPS Temple, main pic, and Independence Day, left)

cOVER s TORy

is respected for its doctors and engineers, leading IT corporations which are even very prevalent in Australia. A lot of the work of Australian companies is dependent on Indians. So the Indians are very well regarded, of which I am very proud. We are also very well represented by entrepreneurs. The explorer spirit, to get out of our comfort zone and to be entrepreneurial, has served us well. Also, we have a lot of upand-coming people in the student sector. The Indian community is vibrant, energetic, enthusiastic, and sometimes very exuberant. They are passionate and excited about things.

PL: But does the Indian community in Australia make the same impact as say the Chinese or the Jewish communities?

NG: There is no doubt that the Indian community at times can be a bit dysfunctional, and not as united as it should be. It’s the exuberance or inexperience, or high charged egos. Regretfully people sometimes don’t look at the big picture and just look at the small circle around themselves. Some communities have gone beyond this, as say the Chinese. They do seem to combine and

gel well. So I suppose one issue for our community to work on would be to be more cohesive amongst ourselves. This would do us a world of good. But I don’t see any great issues amongst our community and that excitement of spirit is a characteristic of India. We always have a new and exciting way of looking at things.

PL: What can the Indian community do to contribute better to their adopted home? Do you see them becoming actively involved in mainstream politics? A record number of Indians were in the fray this last general election – how could they have done better? What did they do wrong?

NG: Well, it has to be about giving and not only about taking. They can make things better by participating in all forms of politics, from local to federal. The willingness to give back to the community and the society they now call their home – engagement in the community beyond their own interests, gets you acceptance and understanding. This might be through community groups, or charitable things. As a community we need to be able to do something where you may not get recognition or fame, but lets you

learn a little bit more and enhance the relationship. The community could also be a little bit more tolerant within itself and more accommodating . There should be more (representatives), and I’m sure that there will be more. To be a successful politician, or member of parliament, it’s all about doing something for your community. To be really successful you shouldn’t just expect the Indians to vote for you, nor should you expect to be voted in just because you are Indian. It’s about what you are prepared to do for your community. In Australia, so long as you can demonstrate that you are a hard working person, irrespective or where you come from, you will be successful.

PL: Do we see a senator in you? How does ‘Hon. Nihal Gupta’ sound to you?

NG: (With a bit of discomfort) I’m very happy with what I do and I think there are people who are much better qualified than me. I like contributing to the mainstream and want to make a difference.

PL: How about making a difference from the inside out?

NG: Very flattering, but I have

been asked the question before, and I’m quite happy to do what I do. And I work very hard to make that difference. I prefer to be in the background, rather than on stage. I have a busy schedule which I enjoy. A lot of work has to be done. There are a lot better suited people for the role, but maybe that’s something I could tuck away into the future.

PL: And what if there is a call nominating you to the Upper House as a Senator?

NG: Let’s see if the call comes first.

PL: Finally, what drives you, Nihal Gupta?

NG: (After a pause) The love of life. I feel abundantly fortunate. We live in a wonderful country, I am blessed with a wonderful family, beautiful children who have done very well. My son Rahil and daughter Nimisha have made my wife Monica and me extremely proud, one is pursuing an MBA at Harvard, the other is working in a top advertising company in New York. I am healthy. I exercise regularly, do not drink and only eat healthy food as I believe that being healthy gives me the energy levels to do all the work I do.

“So I suppose one issue for our community to work on would be to be more cohesive amongst ourselves. This would do us a world of good”

Nihal Gupta

As a community we need to be able to do something where you may not get recognition or fame, but lets you learn a little bit more and enhance the relationship

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Travel talk on festivals of India

Australia India Travel & Tourism Council (AITTC) focuses on promoting and re-branding travel and tourism ties between Australia and India. Very recently, Managing Director of Tourism Australia Andrew McEvoy noted that, “The key to unlocking India’s long term potential is improved air access and capacity. Direct flights to Australia are critical to securing a share of the 50 million Indian nationals who are expected to travel overseas by 2020.” In relation to this, Madhu Dubey, Director, India Tourism was invited to present new perspectives via a colourful audiovisual presentation which focused on Festivals of India to a select audience on August 7 at the Grace Hotel in Sydney.

The event was attended by over 50 officials from NSW Travel Agents and Tour Operators and specially invited dignitaries. Also present was David Elliott, Member for Baulkham Hills; Arun Kumar Goel, Indian Consul General, Sydney; Prof Richard

Allen, Head of Transplant Australia; Ian Cameron, cochairman of AITTC; and officials from India Tourism Department.

Sandip Hor, chairman of AITTC kicked off the proceedings by emphasising the progress made by the organisation

and introduced the new Executive Committee comprised of travel and tourism professionals in Australia. AITTC has the advantage of reciprocity from important travel and tourism organisations from India. He pointed out that amongst the top 50 world-renowned festivals, seven or eight Indian festivals figure prominently.

“This is in addition to the widely known tourist attractions, such as the Taj Mahal, the snow clad peaks of Kashmir, the charms of forts and palaces in Rajasthan and the backwaters of Kerala,” he stated.

Hor highlighted a most significant development, the recommencement of Air India flights to Australia.

Hor then invited Elliott to address the audience. Elliott said that he felt privileged to be associated with the AITTC as he has a substantial population of Indian diaspora in his constituency. “I have experienced excellent Indian hospitality on my visits to India,” he said, emphasising that he continued to

encourage stronger links with India to his Liberal/ National party governing New South Wales.

Madhu Dubey held the audience spellbound by her presentation on festivals of India. The country celebrates over 1,000 festivals all round the year, which are categorised as national, religious, harvest related, social, tourism related and local festivals.

She spoke briefly about the importance of Independence Day, Republic Day, Diwali, Dussehra and Ganesh Chathurthi which are celebrated nationwide, and bring millions of people together.

Dubey underlined the role of various religions in the Indian secular environment and festivals such as Kumbh Mela, Durga Pooja, Eid, Buddha Poornima, Krishna Janmashtami, Gurupurab and Christmas that have a huge following.

India being predominantly agricultural, also celebrates harvest related festivals like Baisakhi, Lohri, Onam, Pongal and Bihu. She described the happy auguries provided by celebrating Holi,

Makar Sankranti, Raksha Bandhan, Bhai Dooj and Karva Chauth which serve to strengthen community, family and marital bonds. Dubey brought out the fanfare associated with the kite festival, the mango festival, the Suraj Kund festival, the Pushkar camel fair, the Jallikattu and boat races of Kerala. Her presentation raised repeated and enthusiastic applause.

Arun Kumar Goel then spoke about multinationals like Sony Corporation who are interested in sponsoring some Indian festivals. He also spoke of the importance of the Goa carnival and the bullock-cart races in Punjab which may be regional, but created considerable interest. He spoke of kabaddi as the sport which India introduced to the Asian and Commonwealth Games, and the unique role of India in introducing polo and chess to the world.

He concluded by looking forward to the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas conference to be held in Australia in November 2013. MALLI IYER

Sandip Hor

India in the air at Liverpool

The inaugeral Starry Sari Night turns out to be

Lsea of vibrant colour on August 31 as the local council launched its inaugural Indian festival, Starry Sari Night

More than 3,000 people enjoyed the free event which included Bollywood dancing workshops, music, food stalls, fashion stalls, a fashion showcase, and a screening of Shahrukh Khan’s Om Shanti Om

Liverpool local Anup Kumar was thrilled to be MC at the event.

“I was proud to be part of this event bringing my culture to the mainstream in such a major way,” Anup told Indian Link newspaper. “And to be hosting it in my local area, was surely the icing on the cake”.

Anup is a well-known voice on

gentle style of presentation and his well-researched stories and music from the diaspora have won him many fans over the last nine years. He has also endeared himself to his local community via his popular Ramayan mandali.

But it was mainstream Indian culture that Anup was talking about at Liverpool on August 31.

“Seeing the crowd enjoying the flavour of India with various food stalls, dance workshops, information stalls, and a catwalk with beautiful models, together with Miss India Australia 2013, made this event a huge success,” he said.

Liverpool City Mayor Ned Mannoun said the event was part

of Council’s strategy to make the Liverpool City Centre more active and vibrant, particularly during evenings and on weekends.

“Starry Sari Night certainly helped achieve that goal and we are considering holding similar events as this one proved to be popular,” he said.

(Above two photos) Anup with Anupam Sharma and with Zenia Starr

MC Anup Kumar chats with T-20

Big Bash League Sydney Thunder player Gurinder Sandhu

a huge hit!

A winning kick

Student from rural India is flown to Sydney in an attempt to score a goal for Canterbury Bulldogs

BY RITAM MITRA

shivanand Swami, a 29-yearold business networking student from rural India, was not who most spectators expected to see attempting to kick a goal during the last home game of the season for the Canterbury Bulldogs. But it was Swami who lined up for a shot at goal during half-time, attempting to win $1 million as his prize for winning a trading competition run by one of Canterbury’s corporate partners, Easy Forex. Although he missed out on the grand prize, Swami walked away with $20,000 and was certainly one of the highlights for the thousands of rugby league fans who were cheering him on at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

Swami hails from the Parbhani district in the Indian state of Maharashtra, where he lives with his parents, two brothers, two sisters and their families. Although he makes a living distributing Luminous-branded batteries while studying business networking, he has always had an interest in the foreign exchange and commodity markets. Swami won the competition by making forex trades based on daily market trends. By using guaranteed profit rates, he ensured that 100% of his trades were profitable. He beat thousands of other traders from around the world, including runners up from China and Australia.

Having lived in Parbhani his whole life, winning a luxury trip for two to Sydney was the first of many firsts for Swami when he heard that he won the competition. To begin with, although he would be kicking a rugby ball for the chance to win $1 million, there was a slight problem; he had never heard of rugby league before, let alone kicked a rugby ball. “When I found out that I won the competition, I was excited and was practiced and learnt the game, and felt proud that I was visiting Australia for the first time”. In addition, Swami is the first person in his family to ever visit Australia.

However, it was almost over before it began. Swami’s visa was cleared just five hours before

his flight was due to depart. To help prepare him for the kick, competition organisers Easy Forex arranged for Swami to have a special session with none other than rugby league legend, Hazem El Masri, who is 300 points clear of Andrew Johns as the leading point scorer in NRL history. There was, however, a catch; El Masri was not allowed to teach Swami to kick, but only demonstrate by kicking a few goals himself.

“It was interesting,” said El Masri. “I had to try and teach him something without actually telling him about it. I wish him the best of luck”. Asked for his assessment of Swami’s performance leading into the big kick, El Masri had a simple piece of advice. “Get angry! I needed him to get angry, but he’s just too nice”.

On the night, Swami was decked out in official Bulldogs gear, and looked every bit the professional player. “I was obviously nervous when I went for the kick,” he said.

“I am disappointed I missed the chance to be a millionaire, but I very much enjoyed the Australian tour. I like Australia very much and the Australian people are very good and cooperative people”.

Unfortunately, as it turned out, Swami’s kicking game let him down and he missed out on the grand prize, but the experience has opened up a world of opportunity for the passionate trader. With his $20,000 in prize money, he plans to open a food processing unit in India and

start a forex trading institute in order to teach beginners and advanced traders the best way to trade foreign currencies. The Chief Executive of the Bulldogs, Raelene Castle, was delighted that Swami still received a $20,000 prize. “It was a great spectacle to see Swami out there on the field at half-time, said Castle. “It was great to hear the crowd get behind him”.

Swami himself was still elated with the experience. “I’m so

happy I have won this money! I am very grateful to Easy Forex for giving me the opportunity to come to Australia for the first time and see the game of rugby league. This prize will help my family back home in India”.

Although he plans on helping others with the money and his impressive knowledge of the trading markets, there are exciting new things on the horizon for Swami himself. “I am looking to move overseas rather than live

“When I found out that I won the competition, I was excited and was practiced and learnt the game, and felt proud that I was visiting Australia for the first time”

With his $20,000 in prize money, he plans to open a food processing unit in India and start a forex trading institute in order to teach beginners and advanced traders the best way to trade foreign currencies

in India and I would like to pursue a career in forex and stock market trading”.

Swami does, however, have a score to settle with the rugby ball after missing out on the grand prize. “Mostly [rugby league] is not played in India, but I like the game and I will practice when I am home so I can play this game much better”.

Shivanand Swami

Aaya re aaya, bookwallah

The (writers) did not know each other at all at the start of the Indian leg of The Bookwallah journey, but it was evident that they had become the best of friends in the Australian leg of the journey

BY JYOTI sHANk AR

We have all heard about the local sabziwallah, istriwallah, doodhwallah, macchhiwallah, dhobiwallah, kulfiwallah – but a bookwallah? What’s that? And here in Sydney? I have yet to see any kind of wallahs here. Or does the fortnightly home-ice cream-wallah in his van count? My curiosity was piqued and this led me to the State Library of NSW to find out more. And it was such a delight! Four of the bookwallahs out of the original team who toured India were passing through Sydney. They were en route to Brisbane for the Writers Festival, where

they spoke on September 8, after having presented their wares at the Melbourne Book Festival in August.

The Bookwallah is a project organised by the Asialink Writing Program of the University of Melbourne. This roving international writers festival ran its tour of India in OctoberNovember 2012, starting at Mumbai and ending their journey at Pondicherry, travelling via Goa, Bangalore and Chennai.

Indian writers like poet Sudeep Sen, novelist and book critic Chandrahas Choudhury and journalist and fiction writer Annie Zaidi, were joined by Australian young-adult fiction author Kirsty Murray and non-fiction writer Benjamin Law, in the 2,000+ km journey. The unique part of this journey was that they travelled by train, lugging over 300 kgs of books across southern India.

The writers are now in Australia

doing the same thing, sharing stories and conversations as they traverse the states, in this case from Melbourne to Brisbane by train. Along the way they stop to discuss their books, and the books of their respective countries, meeting readers, sharing ideas with other writers, and whoever else they meet serendipitously on their journeys. Benjamin Law, a Brisbane-based writer is the author of The Family Law (2010) which was shortlisted for Book of the Year at the Australian Book Industry Awards. His first journey into India was when he was researching his second book, Gaysia: Adventures in the Queer East Benjamin travelled to India in 2011, not long after homosexuality was decriminalised in India. Annie Zaidi is the author of Known Turf, a collection of essays, and coauthor of The Bad Boy’s Guide to the Good Indian Girl. She also writes plays and is currently working on

All the writers rued that the global publishing world, dominated by US and UK companies, saw little of the literature of their countries available outside the local arena.

Kirsty Murray has nine novels and numerous works of nonfiction and junior fiction to her name. Her latest novel, The Lilliputians (released in Australia as India Dark), is based on the true story of a theatrical troupe of Australian children that toured India in 1910. The real children were members of Pollard’s Lilliputian Opera Company, a famous Australian theatre company. In the book they are

recreated as Perceval’s Lilliputian Opera Company, and research for this book took Kirsty to India where she followed the train route the children took. So she was delighted when invited to be part of the Bookwallahs

Chandrahas Choudhury is a novelist and literary critic based in Delhi and the author of the novel Arzee the Dwarf. He is also editor of an introduction to Indian fiction, India: A Traveller’s Literary Companion, and reviews books for The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. He spoke about the richness of the multilingual literature of India and which is in fact so rich, that no one has a sense of the whole. New discoveries are made from translations all the time. Being part of this travelling roadshow with The Bookwallahs gave him the opportunity to not only take his own work around, but also the traditions of hundreds of years

Four enterprising writers traverse Australia peddling treasures of Australian and Indian literature

bookwallah aaya!

of Indian literature. Chandrahas’ introduction to Australia was through cricket and he wrote regularly for the Wisden Bulletin on this subject.

Another important traveller, or rather travellers, on The Bookwallah journey in India were the six handcrafted suitcases filled with books which could be turned to a portable library, and vice versa, in a matter of fifteen minutes.

These ingenious cases were created by Georgia Hutchison and Rob Sowter and made of Australian hardwood, plyboard and vegetable-dyed kangaroo leather. The writers spoke of their adventures and misadventures lugging these beautifully crafted colourful cases around trains and hotels in India. Due to their size, the cases travelled in the rail luggage compartments, at times in the company of coffins, and were once soaked in drippings of water from frozen fish in the journey

from Mumbai to Goa. A good rubbing of eucalyptus oil later, they were ready for more travelling! At the various destinations, the travelling writers would empty these suitcases to set up the library filled with offerings from classic and contemporary Australian writers, using the cases as seats at times, and referring to the books to discuss aspects of Australian culture and literature.

The writers bonded well on their three-week journey through southern India, the proximity forced by travelling on Indian trains not withstanding! They did not know each other at all at the start of the Indian leg of The Bookwallah journey, but it was evident that they had become the best of friends in the Australian leg of the journey. Kirsty said that the trip had opened up a window to each other’s culture, and Benjamin said that it helped to eliminate the blind spots. Travelling through

Main photo: The Bookwallahs in Sydney

Clockwise, top to bottom: The Bookwallahs

Arriving in Pondicherry

During their speech

Chandrahas and Annie Annie and Kirsty

India they realised how few Australian books were available in Indian bookstores and libraries. They redeemed this by leaving collections for public use.

“Though electronic books are becoming very popular, it has not diminished the value of physical books in preserving the words and memories of people, especially in a country like India where millions have little access to books, let alone e-readers,” remarked Annie.

Benjamin rightly concluded saying, “A physical book has a tradition, a currency and a respect imbued in it that was hard to beat”.

And then, if there were no paper books, how would The Bookwallah leave memories, conversations, essays and stories for many others to access?

This project is the welldeserved winner of the Federal Government’s inaugural Australian Arts in Asia Award in the category of community engagement.

Shuddh Hindi romance

Community poets present their latest works

BY ASTHA SINGH

September 14 marks the date when we celebrate India’s national language Hindi, as Hindi Divas or Hindi Day. It was on this day in 1949 that the Constituent Assembly of India adopted Hindi as the official language of the country.

Lovers of Hindi in Sydney’s Indian community mark the event in their own way every year, but one event in particular has recently been gaining in popularity. The Indian Literary & Art Society of Australia Inc. (ILASA) organises a kavi sammelan (poets conference) that attracts many established, as well as budding poets in the community. Launched by Rekha Rajvanshi, herself a well-known writer, poet, playwright and teacher of Hindi, the event has gone on to become the hallmark of Hindi Divas celebrations here.

This year, ILASA put together a joint poetry and music evening, Kavi Ke Udgar, Sangeet Ki Jhankar, with a romance theme.

Held at the Epping Leisure and Learning Centre, it gave many the opportunity to express their opinions on various issues by way of poetry, while being regaled by some of the Hindi language’s best known songs from Bollywood. The 200-odd audience, set with cups of chai (the kavi’s favourite drink?), sat around, some in mehfil style, as each presenter took centrestage.

Gaurav Kapoor hit the ground running with his sensitive piece on women’s empowerment, safety and liberation, issues that have plagued

the nation in recent months and left us aghast.

Dr Nihar Agar then presented his poem Tum janmey meri dharti par, padh likh kar yogya baney ho tum about Mother India and her words of hope for us all Indians.

Lotey mein kuch neer bhara hai such were the words of Garima Trivedi who won hearts at the kavi sammelan with her immaculate command over shuddh Hindi.

Mera romance, a poem about India from before Independence to current times, was presented

by Jasbir Ahluwalia, followed by Chahat mein basa lo to inayat ho poetry by Gurpreet Bahl. Ritu Bhamra, Sukhpreet and Sonu Sarda’s (Pyar dekha hai) romantic poems were a great contribution to the event and were appreciated by the audience.

Senior poet Vimla Luthra with her lovely poetry about Hindi language added grace to the occasion and other peers were blessed by her words.

Pradeep Upadhyay’s comedic piece about a poet sending his verses to an editor that get rejected,

and resending the same verses on the name of a 16-year-old female was remarkable and made the audience burst with laughter. Although we’ve heard this one before at a previous ILASA kavi sammelan, it was fun to hear it again, even as it helped lighten the mood after some heavy pieces. Swati Tiwari’s humorous poems entertained just as much and were very welcome. Vijay Kumar Singh’s geet Jheena jheena uska anchal was beautiful.

Mention was made of festivals

close to the time, such as Ganesh Chaturthi and the birth anniversary of Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, and quotes and poetry of great poets Prasad, Pant, Gulzar were read in between the events. Community elder Sant Ram Bajaj’s Book Gustakhi Maaf was also acknowledged and showcased at this occasion.

Rekha Rajvanshi as MC introduced each poet with a few lines and in the words of one of the poets present in the audience, in a wonderful gesture of peerappreciation. Other MCs Iqtedar Abdi and Raj Rajpal Sandhu were innovative and carried off the evening with a good sense of humour and welcoming gestures to the poets.

The music came courtesy of Vinod Rajput and his team, Richa Srivastava, Lalit Mehra, Sunny Sharma, Arun Nanda, Reena Mehta, Lata Baraskar who entertained with classic and old Bollywood numbers with their fresh voices and live instrumental band.

Phool tumhe bheja hai khat mein, Jhooley pawan ke layi bahar, Masti bhara hai sama and Billo rani were amongst a few numbers presented that set for the audience just the right mood for the evening. Although the inclusion of Billo rani in the song-list was criticised by some as not being an appropriate number for this evening, the MCs clarified its literary origins coming from none other than the famous lyricist Javed Akhtar. Every piece of poetry deserves respect, it was pointed out, and can serve as entertainment.

Yet, it was the wonderful variety of poetry that won the day that day.

Here’s hoping that the kavi sammelan tradition continues to grow unabated.

Photo: Sid Photography

Karmic ceramic

Australian ceramic artist Sally Walk’s new works are inspired by India

Ilove India,” says Sally Walk, an Australian ceramic artist who recently exhibited in Hyderabad, India.

“Of all the countries I have visited, I have never connected with a country or a culture in the way I did with India. I love the food, the people are captivating, the colours and patterns mesmerising and I even loved the heat and the traffic!”

“There was so much beauty and so much inspiration that I know I will return again and again,” she adds. “Of course all of these feelings found their way into my work. Usually my work is quite monotone and I favour the use of black and white, but for the first time in a long time, I was inspired to use more colour. So you could say there is a little bit of India in (my recent) works”.

Sally Walk, a senior ceramic artist based in Warragul, Victoria has participated in several international exhibitions and workshops including a recent one in India. Her works are unique, highly creative and draw inspiration from human nature.

Naturally, Sally has many ceramic artist friends globally and she works and collaborates with international artists frequently. Her tryst with India began when, as a member of the International Ceramics Association (ICA) Forum, she attended its third Forum held at the Uttaryan Art Centre in Vadodara recently.

“What an amazing venue,” says Sally. “I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Rakesh Agrawal for the amazing opportunity to work at the art centre and for his outstanding hospitality”.

The pieces she displayed were unique, but the size of the work for this exhibition were on a smaller scale than her current work, due to the fact that she had to transport it to India.

“Some of the greatest friendships I have made are with artists from India. I met Indian ceramic artists Madhur Sen and Vineet Kacker in China, and Vinod Daroz recently in India and they have become wonderful friends,” she says.

In fact it was Daroz who invited her to take part in the ‘Fired Up’ exhibition in Hyderabad.

“I have a great respect for his work and I am in the process of trying to reciprocate the favour and have Daroz exhibit his work in Australia. I think it will be received well here,” she states. “That is the beauty of being able to work in partnership with other international artists, it is a chance to be presented with new opportunities, learn new skills and techniques and develop lifelong friendships”.

Sally’s interest in ceramic art began during frequent childhood visits to galleries and museums across Melbourne. At secondary school, she excelled in the arts thanks to a very enthusiastic ceramics teacher. She went on to complete her Bachelor of Arts in Ceramic Design from Monash University, and followed with a year’s residency at a ceramic art gallery.

“During this time I focused on Raku and Saggar firing and became quite adept at being able to predict and create surface flashing and patterning in my work using oxides, seaweed and sawdust,” says Sally.

The talented artist admits that there has been a decline in the appreciation of ceramics over the last 20 years. However, there has been a revival of late.

“Ceramic work is being selected amongst finalists in major sculpture competitions and more ceramic artists seem to be exhibiting,” says Sally. “In the beginning I sold my work for under $100 per piece, even large pots of about 50 cms; now my work is smaller and many are sold as a group, so the prices vary. I have one artwork in the Cheongju Biennale in Korea at the moment valued at $4,000.”

The source of inspiration behind Sally’s artwork is varied, but revolves around the spectacular colours and textures of Australia.

“I grew up beside the beach, and spent my childhood exploring rock pools, digging for fossils and observing the beauty in my surroundings,” she says. “Over time my work has evolved, but primarily the concept is the same. I am fascinated by human behaviour. Currently I am exploring the idea of disguised eccentricities. I am interested in how we as a society require a certain outward appearance to ensure belonging. I find this behaviour interesting. My various roles of wife, mother, daughter, sister, niece, friend, artist and teacher, seem to authenticate my own belonging in society”. But there are, however, times when Sally desires to be a “recluse, selfish or eccentric”.

“The constraints of society’s rules enforce that I can’t have both, even on a temporary basis, without sacrifice. So really I am exploring the age-old notion of identity,” she reveals.

Sally’s current work is a combination of wheel-thrown forms and hand building. “I use stoneware and porcelain clays and slips. My style and taste in most things is minimalist, using block colours, but when I create art, I love extravagant texture and patterning. I think I find the repeated process of the adding of texture or appendages in a pattern formation quite mediative. It’s a very relaxing process. The time it takes to finish a single piece obviously depends on the size of the work. My work is quite detailed with fine appendages and these can take many hours to attach”.

“In addition to the throwing and trimming of parts of the sculpture, there is the drying time between each addition to consider,” she says. “One single piece may take three or four days just in the making stage, before drying, bisque

firing and glazing. Ceramics is quite a long process,” says Sally who works from her purpose-built studio at her home in Warragul. She admits that she never makes two works exactly the same, ever.

“For me the (creative) process usually begins with an idea in my head; I may have seen a form or texture that day and need to investigate immediately,” explains Sally. “I like to create the ideas

“Of all the countries I have visited I have never connected with a country or a culture in the way I did with India. I love the food, the people are captivating, the colours and patterns mesmerising and I even loved the heat and the traffic”

Sally Walk

in my head by physically making, using a trial and error process. This may seem wasteful, but in reality most of the ideas work the first time, or evolve during the making process to be a success. I enjoy the development of an idea; the making of something without a predetermined outcome. For this very reason, my art will always evolve”.

MINNAL KHONA

Bhakti through dance and song

Simple, yet powerful artistic classical performances evoke

BY DINISH R AMANAN

The Global Organisation for Divinity (GOD)

Australia, staged an evening of dance and music recently at the Dundas community centre, in connection with the Krishna Janmashtami celebrations. The Master of Ceremony mentioned in her introduction, the many facets of Lord Krishna’s personality and thanked the artists for coming forward to perform at the event. She observed that in order to learn the art with devotion, and to offer it back to the Lord is a great form of prayer in itself.

The initial part of the evening was an hour-long Bharathanatyam performance by Shruti Sharma. With great elegance and poise, Shruti brought out her phenomenal talent in this classical dance. Her swift and dexterous movements and fantastic facial expressions demonstrated perfectly that Bharathanatyam is indeed music in visual form.

Shruti expressed the meaning of the songs through hand gestures and eye movements, and the rhythm with her feet. One could clearly get a whiff of the essence of natya shastra, Yato hastha, thatho dhrushti, mana, bhava and rasa in that sequence. What better way to transport the audience to a state of mental devotion for an entire hour! The songs chosen by Shruti for the dance were very meaningful, simple to follow and perfect examples of simplicity that is Bhakthi. Starting with Sri Muralidhara Swamiji’s

composition Bhagyamae Bhagyam, it included Sri Ramachandra kripalu, Odi odi olivadhu, Ananda thandavam, Chaliye kunjanamo and the thillana All these songs brought out in an artistic way, the efficacy of singing the divine names of the Lord.

Shruti’s teacher Hamsa Venkat choreographed her dances and the rhythmic articulations bore the stamp of excellence for which Venkat is renowned.

The second part of the evening belonged entirely to Mrs Laksmi Abhishek and her group. Kranthi Kiran Mudigonda was on the violin, Sivakumar Sethupathy on mridangam and Hari Shankar on kanjira. For about 90 minutes, the artistes held the audience of 150-plus completely spellbound.

With Swagatham Krishna, Lakshmi made a glorious start invoking a sense of surrendering our ego to the Lord, with her melodious voice. This was followed by Sri Muralidhara Swamiji’s kirtan, Manobalam yenakku arulvai which was sung with a great depth of emotion. As the concert progressed, it quickly became a

great feast to the ears and minds rendered by such an excellent blend of sruti, swara, raga and tala The melody of the violin and the rhythm of the mridangam and kanjira were of the highest order. The songs Varadharajan upasmahae, Kanna, kaatharul, Pachai ma meni, Baro Krishnaiah and the finale Vittala were not only great musical treats sung with such melody, but they conveyed very deep thoughts and glorified bhakti in a very emotional way.

The secretary of GOD Australia felicitated the artistes for their enthusiastic participation, and expressed his heartfelt appreciation for their excellent performances. In organising the event, GOD Australia desired it to be not merely a cultural event, but aimed to convey the point that bhakti, especially through singing the divine names, is very relevant and important in modern times. The artists of the night brought out this point in such a simple, elegant and powerful way that the audience would never forget, ever!

the glory of the divine

wins the Judges’ Choice Award at her

school Book Parade as Cruella Deville

Look, it’s Aamir Khan! Satyadeep Ranyal catches up with Bollywood’s diminutive superstar in Sydney, Sept 3

at a Sri Krishna musical event organised on the occasion of Shree Krishna Janamasthmi, Granville Youth Centre

Sonal Chopra celebrating the start of spring at the Festival of the Winds, Bondi Beach

A watery end for the beloved elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha marks the conclusion of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations in Hyderabad, Sept. 14, 2013. The festival is celebrated to mark the birth of Ganesha, the Hindu god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune

In politics to make the poor dream big, says Rahul Accusing opposition parties like the BJP of pursuing pro-rich policies, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi recently said his mission in politics was to make the poor dream big.

Addressing a huge rally in Baran in Rajasthan after presiding over functions aimed at improving irrigation and power supply, Gandhi sought to identify the country’s oldest party with the poor.

“We want the poorest of poor to be able to realise their dreams. We want women should be able to realise their dreams. Otherwise, there is no interest in politics for us,” he said to applause. This was his second rally in Rajasthan in seven days.

In his about 20-minute speech, Gandhi took a veiled dig at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

He said people come and make tall claims but the Congress delivers.

Gandhi stressed that the poor and women were the power of the country.

“If the country moves forward, it will be on the basis of your dreams. If we do not allow you to see dreams, the country cannot go forward,” he said. “Our politics is politics of your dreams,” he said.

He repeatedly referred to welfare legislations passed by the UPA government including on food security, rural employment guarantee and land acquisition.

The opposition, he said, were creating hurdles in their passage.

He said the opposition agreed with the Congress on the need to build infrastructure, including roads, bridges, railway lines and power plants, but not on the party’s concern for the poor.

“They (opposition) say well-placed people should walk on these roads, should board planes while the common man goes hungry and keeps looking at swanky cars. We say the biggest dream should be seen by the poor,” he said.

The son of Congress president Sonia Gandhi contended that the reasons behind poverty was not unemployment but frequent health problems and diseases.

Noting that the Congress government in Rajasthan was giving free medicines to the poor, he said the scheme will be replicated in the entire country.

Gandhi said India was a country of young but most were poor.

“They have a lot of dreams. If they want to find employment, want to start a business, the government needs to hold their hand,” he said.

Gandhi did not directly refer to Modi, but Rajasthan Congress chief Chandrabhan called the Gujarat chief minister “a specialist in riots”.

Chandrabhan said there were no differences between Modi and BJP veteran L.K. Advani. Both, he said, were “communal”.

Gandhi earlier presided over functions to lay the foundation stone of the Parwan River Dam Project and Super Critical Power Plant in Chhabra and three units of the Chhabra Plant and a sub-critical unit at Kalisindh.

The Krishi Upaj Mandi ground, venue of Gandhi’s rally, was brimming with people who had come from different parts of Baran, Jhalawar, Kota and even from areas in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh.

Many wore caps bearing photographs of the Gandhis.

Gandhi was accompanied by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, former union minister C.P. Joshi, Corporate Affairs Minister Sachin Pilot and several other Congress leaders.

Mandate to improve India ties: Sharif

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that Pakistanis have given him the mandate to improve relations with India, a newspaper reported recently.

“I have always given high priority to good relations with India for the sake of durable peace in the region,” The Nation quoted Sharif as telling Turkish Radio and Television (TRT) network in Ankara

“We are keen to have a comprehensive dialogue with India for the resolution of all issues including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir,” said Sharif, who took office in June.

Sharif was in Turkey on a three-day official visit.

Sharif said he had started the peace process with India when then Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Lahore in 1999.

He said the two countries were then very

close to finding a settlement to the Kashmir dispute.

Sharif said his government wanted stable ties with all countries, especially the neighbouring ones.

“For the effective pursuit of our socioeconomic agenda, good relations with all our neighbours are essential and a priority for my government”.

“Combating terrorism and extremism is one of the top priorities of my government. Terrorism and extremism are now a global menace,” he added. “No country in the world is unaffected by it. Militancy and extremism pose a grave challenge to Pakistan’s progress and development”.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul Tuesday conferred his country’s highest civilian award Jumhuriyet Nishan on Sharif.

India hikes import duty on gold jewellery to 15%

India recently hiked the import duty on gold jewellery to 15% in a bid to protect domestic industry and curb the precious metal’s imports, a key reason for the country’s high trade and current account deficits.

“Import duty on gold imports is increased to 15% from the earlier rate of 10%,” the finance ministry said in a statement. The concerned department had issued the notification and the new rate became application with immediate effect.

“As part of measures to contain the current account deficit, the customs duty on gold has been revised upwards periodically in the past two years,” the finance ministry said.

The last revision was done August 13, when the duty was hiked to 10% from 8%. Prior to January 17, 2012, the import duty on standard gold (of 99.5 percent purity and above) was Rs.300 per 10 grams.

The duty was raised to two percent from January 17, 2012. Thereafter, it was raised to 4% in the Budget 2012-13. The duty was further raised to 6% from January 21, 2013 and to 8% from June 5, 2013.

Cash transfers boost women’s health, inclusion in Odisha

Mukta Mallick, a resident of Babada village in Boudh district, about 270 km from the state capital Bhubaneswar, continued to work as a daily wager after the birth of her

first child. It came therefore as a blessing when, before the birth of her second child, she received Rs.5,000 in four instalments. She not only gave birth to a healthy baby girl but also obtained the necessary health services for herself and the baby. “It was a great help. I also learnt how to operate a bank account,” a proud Mallick, 36, said.

A conditional cash transfer scheme launched in Odisha two years ago has promoted the financial inclusion of thousands of women, except those who have central or state government jobs, besides helping them improve their health and that of their children, officials and beneficiaries said.

“This scheme has been well received by the public and the beneficiaries. The awareness about this scheme is also quite high,” said S. Aswathy, a director at the state’s women and child development department which implements it.

The Odisha government rolled out its Mamata (literally motherly love) Scheme in September 2011 to provide monetary support every year to poor women, especially those who are forced to continue working during pregnancy and lactation. Some Rs.3.5 billion has so far been disbursed under this scheme, for which some one million women have registered.

97% of the beneficiaries, who are helped to open zero balance savings accounts in the nearby banks, belong to the rural and tribal areas. District level officials involved in the work said this was the first time that direct electronic transfer of funds to the accounts of the beneficiaries has been attempted on such a large scale in the state in any social sector programme.

Initially there was a challenge because of availability of banks and the women were not familiar with banking operations. Local officials facilitated their travel to banks and in some places bank officials conducted camps.

Woman aged above 19 are eligible for the benefit for the first two live births after opening a bank account, registering the pregnancy with local authorities, going for regular antenatal check-ups and regularly consuming medicines and vitamin supplements.

The last instalment is given after the immunisation schedules are over and the infant completes nine months.

Nearly half a million beneficiaries have successfully exited the scheme with all four tranches. Most of them, however, continue to operate their bank accounts, an official said.

Odisha is home to about 42 million people. Half of them are poor and mostly live in rural areas. The state once had the dubious distinction of having the country’s second highest infant mortality rate of 65 per 1,000 births after Madhya Pradesh’s 67 in 2009. This has now been brought down to 57. The maternal mortality rate per 100,000 live births is 237 against the national average of 212.

The state has yet to evaluate the impact of the scheme but many involved in its implementation feel it has helped combat infant and maternal mortality.

Three Indian-Americans among

America’s

400 richest Three Indian-Americans figure among America’s 400 richest people with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates retaining the top spot on the Forbes list for the twentieth

straight year, at $72 billion.

Up $6 billion from 2012, Gates is once again the world’s richest person, having passed Mexico’s Carlos Slim in May.

Topping the Indian-American list was Florida outsourcer Bharat Desai & family with a net worth of $2.2 billion in the 252nd position. He was followed California software manufacturer Romesh T Wadhwani with a net worth of 2.1 billion. California venture capitalist Vinod Khosla was ranked 352 with a net worth of $1.5 billion

Investor Warren Buffett, the second richest is the biggest dollar gainer this year at $58.5 billion, up $12.5 billion from last year.

Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison at number three, worth $41 billion, is the same as last year; he is the only one in the Top 10 who did not add to his fortune.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg was the second biggest gainer at $9.6 billion.

He returns to the Top 20 (number 20) at $19 billion after dropping to 36th position last year.

The combined wealth of the Forbes’ 2013 ranking of the richest people in America is $2 trillion, up from $1.7 trillion in 2012 and the highest ever, due in part to the strength of both the US stock and real estate markets.

The average net worth of a Forbes 400 member is a staggering $5 billion, the highest to date, up from $4.2 billion last year. Net worth increased for 314 members, and decreased for 30 members.

Racist tweets dog IndianAmerican Miss America

Moments after making history as the first Indian American to be crowned Miss America, the 24-year-old Miss New York Nina Davuluri faced a barrage of racist tweets on the internet.

“If you’re #Miss America, you should have to be American,” said one as cited by CNN.

“WHEN WILL A WHITE WOMAN WIN #MISSAMERICA? Ever??!!”

screamed another.

Davuluri is also the first beauty queen of Indian descent to serve as Miss New York.

But instead of focusing on how a New Yorker had won the beauty pageant for the second consecutive year, the tweets were about Davuluri’s heritage, CNN noted.

“Well, they just picked a Muslim for Miss America. That must’ve made Obama happy. Maybe he had a vote,” vented one person, cited by CNN who pointed out that Davuluri was not a Muslim and the president did not have a vote.

Davuluri herself brushed aside the negative comments saying, “I have to rise above that”.

“I always viewed myself as first and foremost American,” she said.

New website to track Delhi’s missing children

The Zonal Integrated Police Network (ZIPNET) would be closed soon, as a new website to track Delhi’s missing children has been launched, an official from the department of Women and Child Development (WCD) said recently.

“ZIPNET will now be closed and the national website to track children (www. trackthemissingchild.gov.in) has been launched and will work in a full-fledged manner, so that there is integrated detail to track missing children,” said Premoday

Khakha, assistant director, Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS).

He was speaking at the public hearing and consultation event organised by nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) between the parents of missing children and stakeholders.

“The figures of missing children collected through the Right to Information (RTI), ZIPNET and National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) are different, which shows lack of convergence between child protection agencies, which is a matter of serious concern for the implementation of child rights in the state,” said Soha Moitra, regional director, Child Rights and You (CRY).

Parents of missing children from across Delhi presented their case before the panel, comprising National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Integrated Child Protection Scheme, Delhi, and officials from Delhi Police, who promised strict action.

“As soon as the child goes missing, all relevant child protection stakeholders should be alerted for fast-tracking the case,” Nina Nayak, member, NCPCR, said, underlining the need for convergence between different authorities in the state.

As per figures corroborated by CRY and Alliance for People’s Rights, between January 2012 and December 31, 2012, around 4,364 children went missing in Delhi.

Measuring earth’s circumference using Qutub Minar’s shadow

An organisation working for the development of science and astronomy will conduct a project to measure the circumference of earth, using the Qutub Minar’s shadow on the autumnal equinox recently.

Under this project, SPACE (Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators) will help volunteers take actual measurements of the Qutub Minar’s shadows made by the sun to measure the circumference of earth.

Autumn equinox is when the night and day are of same length and the sun crosses over the earth’s equator, marking the beginning of autumn.

SPACE has been conducting this project previously at various historical sites like Jantar Mantar and using the giant sundial constructed at Barapullah during the Commonwealth Games.

“With the help of this project, SPACE has highlighted that such Indian monuments can be used as tools to demonstrate and get the common man interested in science. It is a showcase for proving that science can be best learnt by doing,” said SPACE president C.B. Devgun.

“In this experiment, students have been able to calculate the circumference of earth to an accuracy of 99%,” he added.

Japan extends Rs.4,553 crore loan for Mumbai Metro-3

The stage is set for constructing the 33.5km long, fully underground Mumbai Metro-3 line with Japanese finance, the first instalment which is to the tune of 71,000 million yen (Rs.4,553 crore), an official said recently in Mumbai.

An agreement was signed between Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Indian government in New Delhi,

where JICA has pledged the first tranche of the 1.40 percent, 30-year loan for the mega-infrastructure project, according to an official of Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

The Mumbai Metro-3, one of the biggest in the entire planned network, will be the city’s first fully underground stretch, from south Mumbai’s tip Colaba to Bandra to Santacruz Airport to SEEPZ in Andheri east.

The JICA agreement follows a commitment by Japan vide Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development for the first loan instalment signed March 25 this year.

The Japanese loan, which would comprise 57.2% of the total estimated project cost of Rs.23,136 crore, would be spent on constructing the line, along with tunnels running below the sea creeks, railway stations and allied facilities, rolling stock, system component and consulting services. With this agreement, the executive agency, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation will now be a joint venture company of the state and central government.

As per present plans, the project will commence this year itself and will be completed in 2020, the MMRDA official said.

The other finance will come from the central and state equity of 10.4% each, sub-debt by the central government (4.4%), sub-debt by the state (7%), property development and impact fee (4.3%), stakeholder contribution from the Mumbai International Airport Ltd. (3.4%) and

MMRDA grant/aside funding (2.9%).

The project will give a boost to the public transport network in the country’s financial capital where the existing roads and railway networks are severely congested owing to lack of space for expansion.

“This is a very crucial project and has got the required impetus. It will afford Mumbai the required mobility and bring back the aura it has almost lost in recent times,” MMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner U.P.S. Madan said on the occasion.

“The JICA loan to this project will go a long way in in addressing the major problem of urban congestion in Mumbai where people spent endless hours on roads and local trains are overloaded. On completion, it will considerably help improve the quality of life of the common Mumbaikar,” said JICA chief representative Shinya Ejima.

The Mumbai Metro-3 will have 26 underground stations starting from Cuffe Parade and passing through Worli, Bandra, the domestic and international airports and finally terminating at SEEPZ near Jogeshwari.

It will also provide passenger interchange facilities with Central Railway at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and Western Railway at Churchgate, Mumbai Central and Mahalaxmi, and the upcoming Metro-1 at Marol Naka, Metro-2 at Bandra-Kurla Complex and Monorail at Mahalaxmi, the intention being to provide seamless travel across the city. IANS

Indian-origin Nina Davuluri remains dignified and graceful in the face of criticism for being an Indian-origin winner of the Miss America beauty pageant, Sept. 15, 2013, in Atlantic City, N.J

in the bag!

Indian Link brings home more honours in this month’s Multicultural Media Awards

BY LENA PEACOCK

Indian Link has done it again! They added two new awards to their growing portfolio of media honours at the recently held 2nd Multicultural Media Awards (MMA). They took out the awards for Coverage of Community Affairs Abroad and Online Innovation in News Blog or News Website Design at the presentation dinner held on Monday September 2, at NSW Parliament House. These awards have been added to their portfolio of accolades, including ones from the 2011 NSW Premier’s Subcontinent Community Awards, 2012 Parliament of NSW Multicultural Media Awards and 2013 NSW Premier’s Multicultural Media Awards. It has certainly been a busy few years for the media group.

“It is indeed heartening to see Indian Link being appreciated not only within the community but now in the mainstream, and so consistently,” Pawan Luthra, CEO of Indian Link, said.

“Multicultural journalists bring communities together and break down social and cultural barriers,” said the Chair of MMA, Shaoquett Moselmane MLC, during his speech. “They inform, they inspire and they involve and they turn challenges into opportunities. Ethnic media is not just a mass communication medium; it is a personal, social, cultural and emotional tool as it combines the voices of many”. Moselmane personally congratulated Indian Link on winning a stack of awards two years in a row, as he posed for photographs with the Indian Link team.

“Of course these latest awards, like our previous awards, belong equally to all of our 70-odd

contributors across the country,” said Rajni Anand Luthra, Indian Link’s Editor-in-Chief. “Their work for us is driven by nothing more than a passion for telling the people’s stories, in a fair and objective manner, and is often undertaken over and above their own day job and family responsibilities. Pawan and I salute their efforts in helping us reach this level”.

Rajni also had a special word for the core team that works within the office at Indian Link. “The marketing staff, Vivek Trivedi, Nitika Sondhi Verma and Ashish Chawla; human resources manager Antoinette Mullins, assistant editor Lena Peacock, graphic designer Daniella Cairis and contributing editors Sheryl Dixit and Preeti Jabbal, together oversee the work of the contributors on the paper as well as the radio arm of the company, and make sure a quality product goes out every fortnight in print and daily on air,” she said.

“There is a strong commitment to excellence that I am very proud of, and I congratulate each one of our team members”.

Not including the ones that Indian Link won, the categories included; Multicultural Journalist of the Year, Coverage of Community Affairs in Australia, Cultural Photographer of the Year, Feature writing, News Reporting, Editorial Reporting, Contribution to Social Inclusion and Multiculturalism, Coverage of Indigenous Affairs, Investigative Reporting, Editorial Cartoon (a new category), and Online Coverage of Multicultural Community Affairs.

The Master of Ceremonies of the evening was Yalda Hakim (ex-SBS presenter, and current presenter for BBC London), and the special guests for the evening were Ministers Tony Burke and

Kate Lundy, Indigenous Elder Brian Butler AM from the National Congress of Australia’s First people, Deputy opposition leader Linda Burney, Luke Foley, Amanda Fazio, Greg Donnelly, esteemed consular dignitaries, business and community leaders. It was an interesting time for an event at Parliament House, due to it being held just days before the 2013 Federal Election.

“You have turned challenges into opportunities, and at a time when mainstream print media is struggling, you are not only surviving, but thriving,” Moselmane said on the night, addressing the multicultural media. “Today, you have made multicultural Australia a success by enriching it with your talents, skill, hard work and dedication”.

Moselmane also revealed that until 1955 “the foreign language press, as it was called, was viewed with suspicion, and some thought it served as a hindrance to assimilation rather than help”. Restrictions were imposed by the government, and at least 25% of the text had to be published in the English language. Today, however, thankfully things have changed and the multicultural media are celebrated with their hard work by awards such as this.

Indian Link has certainly grown from the small 24-page black and white newspaper to having full colour monthly editions across Australia, as well as fortnightly Sydney editions, a 24-hour radio station, e-paper, e-newsletters, interactive website, and wide range of social media. Indian Link is not just a media group, it is a forum for the community, with a strong focus on quality and authenticity. It is most definitely seen as a celebration of assimilation and the media group seems to be showing no signs of slowing down.

2013 Mu LTIC u LT u RAL M EDIA AwARD wINNERS

Mu LTIC u LT u RAL J O u RNALIST OF THE YEAR

Gerry Gerogatos, 1. The Stringer 2. The National Indigenous Times

COVERAGE OF COMM u NITY A FFAIRS A BROAD

Pawan and Rajni Anand Luthra, Indian Link

COVERAGE OF COMM u NITY A FFAIRS IN Au STRALIA

Linna Lee, TOP Media

Cu LT u RAL P HOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

Oi Ling Jojo Lee, Sing Tao Daily

F EAT u RE w RITING

Helen Velissaris, Neos Kosmos

N E wS R EPORTING

Wing Yam Lee, Sing Tao Daily

E DITORIAL R EPORTING

Patrick Zhu, Oursteps

CONTRIB u TION TO S OCIAL I NCLu SION AND Mu LTIC u LT u RALISM

Jan Smith, 3ZZZ Radio

COVERAGE OF I NDIGENO u S A FFAIRS

Gerry Georgatos, The National Indigenous Times

I NVESTIGATIVE R EPORTING

Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer

E DITORIAL C ARTOON

Joel Magpayo, The Philippine Times

ONLINE INNOVATION IN NE wS BLOG OR NE wS w EBSITE DESIGN

Pawan and Rajni Anand Luthra, Indian Link

O NLINE COVERAGE OF Mu LTIC u LT u RAL COMM u NITY A FFAIRS

Steve Giannakouras, www.greekcity.com.au

I NDIAN L INK : COVERAGE OF COMM u NITY A FFAIRS A BROAD

Although the main thrust of reportage in Indian Link is on issues that connect India and Australia, substantial effort is also devoted to coverage of major issues in India. Every edition of Indian Link features news from India, as well as pieces on India’s literature and cinema. These regular columns keep the Indian community in Australia abreast of movements in India in all areas of endeavour.

With the Indian Link Sydney edition being the only English language paper for the Indian community being printed fortnightly in Australia, the regularity of these features are an important source of information for many Indians living here.

I NDIAN L INK : O NLINE I NNOVATION IN N E w S B LOG OR N E w S wEBSITE D ESIGN

The Indian Link Media Group has embraced technology since starting in 1994 and has remained one step ahead. They recently launched their newly designed website www.indianlink.com.au, and have increased their online and social media presence. With enhanced functionality and a stylish, contemporary design, the website uses innovative technology. With full social media integration, Indian Link is able to interact with their readers like never before. The website is now available across all platforms, including smart phones, tablets and other devices, for information on the go. It links the newspaper (through the e-paper), 24/7 radio (which can be listened to online or through an app) and online content (linking in to social media and e-newsletters).

Indian Link team (from left) Pawan Luthra, Rajni Anand Luthra, Nitika Sondhi, Lena Peacock, Antoinette Mullins, Danielle Cairis and Vivek Trivedi

Shaoquett Mosselmane with Rajni Anand Luthra and Pawan Luthra

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People power leads

but effective way of getting one’s message across. Strangely, the Labor Party did not

In Australia, for a government to wield close to absolute power, it has to control governments did not control party in power. When a party talk about reforming the senate. That is a virtual fantasy because that would need a referendum, and Australia is notorious for balance of power in the Senate

and they will lose that control after mid-2014, because their numbers might be reduced by two senators.

then, they are foreigners. Nevertheless, the Greens keep control of the Senate till the middle of 2014. So till then all controversial legislation such as changing or abolishing

The motley collection of parties and individuals includes Palmer’s United, Katter, Pauline Hanson, Motor Car Party played the Australia card. He joyfully sang to his followers

foreign influence and having our own symbolism. Palmer’s Party extended its reach even into Tasmania by unexpectedly In the UK, there are limits House (or the House of Lords) in rejecting bills. Financial bills are approved even though the Upper House may not be happy with the proposed measures. In Australia, like in the USA, full approval by

The Australian people have changed the government, but burdened it with a non-

placards behind them. That was a simple

to the mayhem that characterised Middle Eastern politics at the same time.

Five steps India must take to restore global confidence

RAHUL SINGH suggests some macro-level actions to reverse the depressing escalation

The recent Global Competitiveness Report 2013-14, ranking India at No. 60, leaves no doubt that these are exceptionally dire times for the Indian economy. This World Economic Forum report of September 4 puts India 31 places below its emerging market peer China and barely ahead of Russia; it is India’s lowest rank in this survey.

Concerns on India’s lack of transport, information and communications technology (ICT) and energy infrastructure are “Largely insufficient and illadapted to the needs of the economy”. This is truly a reflection on India’s lack of commitment to economic development.

The report highlights serious concerns voiced by Tata Sons Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata last month, when he said: “We have lost the confidence of the world. We have been slow to recognise that in the government”.

the situation, to arrest the fall and to reverse the depressing escalation:

• First, policies and institutions for restoring global business confidence in India and ensuring ease of operations for business are a must. While it is good to have the attention of the opposition on issues of corruption, social security, and inclusion, it is equally obligatory on its part to extend cooperation to create a dynamic economic eco-system that can speed up growth.

The government in an ostrich-like approach refuses to address serious threats, terming these as a momentary phase that shall pass soon.

Economists and business groups call it a policy paralysis and leaderless politics

The current economic scenario is no less grave than the 1991 crisis. The government is in a state of policy paralysis. A trust deficit irks foreign companies in India. Economic growth tests a new low every month. Independent studies talk of rampant corruption.

The government in an ostrich-like approach refuses to address serious threats, terming these as a momentary phase that shall pass soon. Economists and business groups call it a policy paralysis and leaderless politics.

The political will is at its lowest in the last few decades, operational efficiency of the government is analogous to the pre-liberalisation era and there is visible negotiation for development between inclusive growth and economic growth. However, they ought to go parallel. Since India cannot remain impervious in this globalised and integrated economic eco-system, it has no option but to change and be dynamic in its performance.

A Business Advisory Council comprising business leaders, management experts and economists is needed urgently to work on policy issues only along the lines of National Advisory Council.

• Second, reforms for doing business and sustaining business are needed on a continuous basis to balance foreign investments. A focussed annual reform plan needs to be introduced. This will help in introducing reforms and managing the developments in the domain. Infrastructure, manufacturing and the supply chain should have an annual execution plan to create a great eco-system. A piecemeal approach does not work and builds no resilience.

• Third, India needs to get started on the path of economic diplomacy besides focussing on the diplomacy of terrorism and security. The fact is developed markets have influence today, but emerging markets will influence tomorrow; so we need to better our relationship with emerging markets. The US diplomatic corps in India is bigger than the Indian diplomatic corps globally. India’s diplomatic capability is disproportionate to its responsibility.

India needs to get started on the path of economic diplomacy besides focussing on the diplomacy of terrorism and security

The government cannot function on a low performance index for long; it has to be accountable to deliver and be responsible for inaction. The extremely poor balanced score card of Indian government performance demands drastic change before India loses to lowest, if it is still in offering amongst emerging markets.

Here are a few macro-level actions to fix

• Fourth, the government should give bigger responsibility to chambers of commerce and the chambers need to share their research and opinions with the government as a bridge between the government and industry. They also have to take up larger responsibility in marketing the nation on behalf of the government and building Brand India.

• Fifth, India needs to introduce single window entry solution policy like few other countries.

Countries with a growth risk are looking towards a 25-year plan while India is not even looking at the next five years. India needs to change this and move forward if it wishes to be a significant player in the economic history of the 21st Century.

Colonial and contemporary

cafes and bars, more ultramodern fashion outlets, an expanded underground rail system and abundance of 21st century attributes in every direction, testify to his statement.

After a gap of 25 years, I stepped into Hong Kong expecting lots of changes particularly with the island nation becoming part of China in 1997, ending its century old British colonial rule.

“The political shuffle hasn’t changed much of region’s character and you will see it yourself,” said Sam, a Hong Kong businessman sitting next to me in the plane. “Hong Kong still brings the best of East with West, and after the changeover it still presents a westernized face, but of an ancient civilisation”.

As I began the rediscovery of Hong Kong and its sister Kowloon, it didn’t take much time to realise what Sam’s message had been. Yes, the Union Jack has been replaced with China’s Red Flag, but its British heritage hasn’t been totally lost. That’s why the eminent statue of Queen Victoria still graces Victoria Park, the former British Governor’s House has become home of the current head of state, and the names of many roads and sites like Robinson Road and Admiralty have remained unchanged, a reminder of the colonial legacy. Similarly on another front, ducks hanging by their necks in restaurant windows. Fortune tellers touting within temple premises, laundry hanging from apartment balconies and old fashioned wooden boats floating in the harbour haven’t disappeared from the scene at all.

So as Sam claimed, the city’s character hasn’t been tainted much, but this doesn’t mean that there haven’t been any changes. According to a taxi driver, the transformation has been very aggressive in the last two decades, but more towards scaling up the city’s contemporary lifestyle elements and infrastructure. More towering skyscrapers, more hotels,

“But the city’s inner soul is still the same,” he stated while dropping me at my hotel, the Kowloon Shangrila Hotel, which continues to be a long-time sanctuary of luxury alongside its big brother, Island Shangri- La Hotel on the Hong Kong side.

Hong Kong welcomes over 40 million visitors annually. Some of them are business travellers, but a majority are leisure-oriented who are drawn to this vibrant city for its endless shopping, adventurous eating and finally, to immerse themselves in a lively atmosphere. That routine hasn’t changed at all; rather it has become more energised with an increase in people and technological upswings.

Glittering malls and local street bazaars dominate the shopping arena, both heavily crowded with locals and visitors carrying bags with merchandise ranging from voguish apparel, trendy leather goods, fashionable jewelleries and the latest electronic goods, to cheap and counterfeit, but still dazzling products from China.

The old and famous Harbour City mall at the waterfront in Kowloon with its 450 shops still remains a haven for buyers. The old Sogo Departmental Store and a new setup at Time Square at Causeway on the Hong Kong side, has blossomed into the ultimate shopping landmark.

I always prefer the open-air markets for hands-on encounters with locals. Hong Kong and Kowloon have several, some themed such as the Flower Market, Jade Market, Gold Fish Market and the Birds Market, while the Ladies Market open to all is great for buying good quality clothing, and the Temple Street Night Market is open till midnight to pick up last minute bargains. They all exist and assaulted my senses the same way as they did 25 years ago.

The city’s food panorama

Hong Kong is a growing commercial capital, but traditional heritage and cuisine are existing links to its past

SANDIP HOR

hasn’t changed either; rather, it has become a bit more stylish. The city boasts of over 10,000 restaurants, flagging the fact that nobody eats at home. Right from the early hours of the morning till late at night, street stalls are packed with people eating congee, rice noodles or rice served with generous helpings of meat, seafood or vegetables. The style of the cooking is mainly Cantonese, and the quality of the food is extraordinarily good.

This time I commenced my culinary experience at the highend with meals at the Michelin two-star Shang Palace at Kowloon Shangri- La Hotel and Lobster Bar and Grill at the Island Shangri- La Hotel, both of which evoke in me the grandness of gastronomy. I took this mouth-watering feeling to some of the city’s other food outlets along Nathan Road in Kowloon. And in the Central District, Causeway Bay and Wan Chi on the Hong Kong side and

once again affirmed why this ‘neon-city’ is often called the culinary capital of the world.

Though retail therapy and food sampling are ranked high in order, make sure you don’t totally ignore savouring some of the city’s other appeals that can be equally fascinating. Hiking up to the top of Victoria Peak for a spectacular island view, rediscovering Hong Kong through the windows of a double-deck tramcar and cruising the grand Victoria Harbour are the few considered as must do.

On my last visit I enjoyed trundling along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront promenade, where the historic Clock Tower has been keeping an eye on everyone since 1915. I went back there again and saw the new addition, the Avenue of Stars, modelled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. With commemorative plaques, celebrity handprints, descriptive milestones, movie memorabilia, a life-size statue of kung fu action hero Bruce Lee and a bronze rendering of popular cartoon character McDull, the Avenue of Stars fittingly sets the glamour of Hong Kong’s film industry against the captivating dazzle of Victoria Harbour.

While watching the afternoon buzz at the Star Ferry terminal at the end of the promenade that operates the Hong KongKowloon services, I confirmed that despite changes, this gem of a destination still retains its irresistible charms.

Images: (Clockwise from top left)

Wayside eatery

City Road

Bruce Lee at the Avenue of Stars

Statue of Queen Victoria inside Victoria Park

New identity

The Peak Tram

Sky line of Hong Kong

Selling birds

Flower market

Travel noTebook

HONG KONG

GETTING THERE

One option is to fly Cathay Pacific (www.cathaypacific.com/au) to Hong Kong

ACCOMMODATION

Stay at the Shangri-La Hotels (www.shangri-la.com). They have two properties –Kowloon Shangri-La in Kowloon and Island Shangri- La in Hong Kong Island. Reasonably priced, both are the epitome of luxury, conveniently located close to iconic attractions, shopping and public transportation. The services offered are par excellence and dining options are a landmark feature.

GETTING AROUND

Metered taxis are cheap and easily available, however using the efficient underground rail system (MRT) is the best option for fast and comfortable journey between destinations. The stations are well sign posted for visitor convenience.

SHOPPING

Beachside boutiques are geared to tourists. There are many tailors. Try Sree Murukan, Royal Stitching Shop at Mulloor.

MORE INFORMATION

www.discoverhongkong.com

Playing games with the game

Cricket has morphed from a prolonged gentleman’s game to a fast-paced, finance-friendly and techno-savvy sport

made available to the game, but also commercialised within a short span.

BY MALLI IYER

Cricket as a game is more than 200 years old and was originally played by British aristocrats who christened it the ‘gentleman’s game’. It presumably never intended to acquire a global following or participation. But the best-laid plans go awry and it comes as no surprise that there were detractors who disliked the narrow limits drawn by the founding fathers of cricket.

Too testing!

In the early 20th century, even George Bernard Shaw could no longer associate himself with this exclusive preserve of the rich and the famous, and decided to call it a sport played by “22 flannelled fools and watched by 22,000 fools with nothing better to do”. Until then, a great number of cricket games ended in a stalemate called a draw, with no winners or losers. Most critics of the game asked what the purpose of the sport was, if a test match ended in a draw after five arduous days of competing. Thanks to the well-known vagaries of the English weather, the game would be frequently suspended because of rain or poor light. None of this endeared the game to the spectators, who took refuge in saloon bars attached to cricket ovals.

In Europe and North America, cricket as a sport did not grow in popularity with Americans developing baseball, their homegrown substitute with similar characteristics. Most people in Europe saw cricket as a tired, dull and lazy pastime which was played over five days of action in slow motion. The British therefore looked to popularise the sport within the Commonwealth, an extension of the Empire, and the game took root in South Africa, Australia and the Asian subcontinent.

Trite terminology

Consider the weird terminology associated with the game: fielding positions like silly mid-off or silly point, long leg, fine leg, square leg, gully, slips and cow corner, have a whiff of their colonial connection. There is little in the above that suggests a competitive angle or an attacking posture. That

Fast and furious

In the new millennium, further innovations have created a hybrid that lasts only 20 overs for the competing sides, requires supreme fitness of players and is supported by latest technology with several different camera angles and a spider cam to boot, that hovers above cricket ovals like a low level satellite. Technology has given new armoury to cricket umpires in the form of snicko, hot spot and the stump cam among others, that enables them to hear even sighs and whispers of those in the field

is, until Douglas Jardine, captain of England invented bodyline in the 1930s, instructing his bowlers to attack the Australian batsmen and aim at their bodies, rather than at the stumps as an intimidating tactic. Bodyline created much more than a storm in a teacup, leaving the Australians aghast. Cricket administrators hastily created laws to prevent intimidating bowling.

ODI emerges

In the 1970s, Australian business tycoon Kerry Packer created a fast and furious rival to test cricket that was short, sharp and guaranteed to produce a winner and a loser. Inevitably the cricket establishment in England was scandalised, and refused to admit the renegade rival any official status. They dubbed Packer’s one-day carnival of cricket as a pyjama game since most of the players and officials were attired in coloured clothing which endorsed commercial sponsors. Packer however, by enlisting leading cricketers, made the game a professional sport overnight. More importantly, with just 50 overs for each side, the game was over within a day or

evening in a floodlit stadium. It has also become very watchable and ensured good gate money for the benefit of players, officials and cricket administrators. The top levels in cricket hierarchy eventually joined the bandwagon. Money power was well and truly

bouncer, low full toss, the reverse swingers, yorker and doosra, all of which make it hard to decipher for the batsmen. Cricket legends like Don Bradman and Ranjit Singhji would surely turn in their graves and wondering how much more mutilation the game will

invite. It is fair to say that cricket is now a richer game, despite innovations that are a far cry from its established traditions.

Beyond the bat

Protective equipment such as helmets, shin guards, abdomen guards, chest and elbow guards are already widely in use and make the players look robot-like, but help prevent injuries. Umpires who adjudicate the proceedings on the field have a tough time holding their own against technology that obviates human error and questions every judgement made by them.

With money power comes the corruption potential. The game is at odds with match fixing, spot fixing, online betting and scandals involving players and officials who are accused of aiding and abetting bookmakers.

Cricket is not a sport dogged by drug cheats so far, although some banned substances have been used by players to enhance their performance. Sledging and playing mind games with players is a strategy used by some cricketing nations, and racial vilification raises its ugly head from time to time.

The new superpowers calling the shots about the future of cricket come from the South Asian subcontinent where the game has a huge following. Playing games with the game of cricket has added colour, pomp and circumstance to this sport. The popularity of the game is growing by leaps and bounds, and entertainment is the key. Some of the old bastions of the game will fall, but it will be compensated by greater patronage the world over.

Bowlers have also shown their ability to adapt; they now have the carrom ball, arm ball, slow bouncer, low full toss, the reverse swingers, yorker and doosra

Dhoni’s (above), and “dilscoop” (right)

Here comes the sun

Get your face, body and hair ready for the onslaught of warm weather as summer approaches

ummer is on its way, with heat seeping into the cooler days of spring. While the sun feels great after winter, it brings on its own set of problems, from sunburn to oily hair. Here are a few tips for preventing summertime blues from affecting your looks.

Australians love the sun and hitting the beaches and pools are high on the to-do list for most of us. But being in the sun, or being exposed to hot weather for a long time can cause a lot of problems. If you know what can happen, it is easy to prevent it. However, if you still end up with sunburn or a rash despite your best efforts, there are ways to minimise the damage.

Firstly, because the rays of the sun are harsher during summer and since Australia is close to the hole in the ozone layer, it can make skin and hair more sensitive. Increased bacteria in the atmosphere, sweat and heat are all factors that contribute towards these problems.

Knowing what to do is half the solution. Diligently maintaining a routine is the other half. But, if you still end up with one of the following problems, they can still be dealt with effectively.

Tan

If you are fair skinned, there are chances that your skin will go pink in the sun in minutes. Others, usually Indians and Asians tend to tan gradually, with their skin starting to go darker over days. Typical Indian brown skin comes from prolonged exposure to the sun.

While wearing sunscreen is a given and an essential part of one’s daily routine, regardless of the weather, there are ways to avoid and diminish a tan.

Wearing a hat and carrying an umbrella to shade you from the sun will minimise the chances of getting a tan. But if you are unable to do that, try face packs according to your skin type. Use milk or dairy whitener mixed with honey or yoghurt for dry skin, mash the pulp of a papaya for sensitive skin, make a mask with lemon and Fuller’s earth, or apply gram flour mixed with turmeric

and water for oily skin. Even rubbing the flesh of a tomato on the skin will reduce the tan.

Sunburn

This is something which we are all vulnerable to, especially if you plan to spend the day at the beach. One doesn’t realise it, but the harsh rays of the sun can scorch the epidermis of the skin over a few hours and, once completely dried and shrunken, the skin will start peeling off. It’s a very painful condition and even if it is just the skin of the nose, it can hurt like crazy!

The best way to prevent sunburn is to slather all exposed parts of your skin with sunscreen and some light moisturiser. If you are wearing long lasting sunscreen whose effect doesn’t wear off even if you are in the water, every time you step out, dab on a little moisturiser and keep drinking

water through the day. Citrus fruit and vitamin C also help to prevent sunburn.

If you still end up getting sunburnt, the best remedy is cold milk. Just soak a handkerchief or a napkin in a bowl of cold milk and apply to the sunburnt skin. It will soothe the skin instantly. Once it dries, repeat the process and after doing this a few times, shower in lukewarm water. Apply a rich moisturiser after the shower for relief and continue the milk application till the sunburnt skin stops hurting.

Prickly heat rash and other rashes

While it is usually kids who end up with prickly heat rashes, sometimes adults can get them too, especially on our backs. Other rashes also occur due to heat and sweat. The more severe ones will need

medical treatment, but if it is an outbreak of a rash that feels prickly, a sprinkling of talcum powder works well. A calamine solution, or a liquid moisturiser can also help. Changing clothes often can help prevent the build-up of sweat, which can lead to bacterial infections. If the infection or rash you get is diagnosed as a fungal infection, seek medical help.

Sweating and bacterial infections

Half the skin infections during summer are caused due to excessive sweating. This applies to the scalp as well, and it can cause dandruff. Sweating also leads to oily and greasy skin and hair. The best way to prevent skin infections is to shower at least twice a day and wash your hair every alternate day. That keeps the skin and hair reasonably clean and

prevents bacteria from thriving. To control or prevent dandruff that can occur from a sweaty scalp, use a mild anti-dandruff shampoo. If you oil your hair, make sure you leave it on for only about an hour before washing it off.

Dry hair and discolouration

Since the water in pools is chlorinated, it can cause havoc on coloured hair. These days, with just about everyone colouring their hair and not just to prevent greys, it is imperative to protect the hair while in the pool. Also, salt water and chlorine can make hair dry and brittle, as can harsh sunlight.

A handy tip to keep in mind before you go for a swim is to wet your hair. Make sure it is wet to the scalp before entering the pool. Alternatively, use a deep, nourishing, colour protecting conditioner every time you step out of the pool.

A good protection for the hair is to tie a scarf around your head. A leave-in conditioning serum can also help prevent loss of moisture from hair.

Overall, maintain a healthy diet with a lot of fibre content, juices, salads and drink lots of water to replenish moisture loss in summer. If you respect the weather and alter your lifestyle to suit it, heat or cold can do little to mar your good looks.

A handy tip to keep in mind before you go for a swim is to wet your hair

MINNAL KHONA

Quick and quirky quinoa

Heralded as a superfood, the seed can be easily adapted to a range of dishes, writes Myt

Quinoa, pronounced as ‘keen-wah,’ is actually a seed but can be prepared like rice or barley, and can be incorporated in different ways in our daily meals. It takes less time to cook compared to the other grains like rice, barley or lentils. There is a red variety of quinoa as well, which takes a slightly longer time to cook.

Totally organic, quinoa provides the highest protein and it is totally gluten free and cholesterol free. It is also generally low in calories and fat, but is considered as the best supplementary grain because of its high protein content.

Quinoa was a staple food in South America as one of the few crops they cultivated at high altitudes. It is great for those suffering from migraines as it contains magnesium, which relaxes the blood vessels. The seed is usually available in grocery stores, health food shops or can be ordered online.

Because of its versatility, many meals can be prepared using quinoa. Try out some of these healthy recipes using this natural, healthy seed.

Quinoa and veg upma

A nutritious and quick fix snack

1 small packet sago

1 cup quinoa flakes

1 packet salted groundnuts/ peanuts, powdered

4-5 medium potatoes, boiled, peeled, sliced

1 large onion, sliced

1-2 green chillies, sliced (optional)

1tsp tamarind paste or south

Indian vathalkuzhambu mix

1tsp chilli powder

1tsp asafoetida

1½ cup mixed veggies

2-3tbsp oil

2-3tsp salt, as per taste

2-3tsp chopped fresh coriander

Soak sago for about 2 hours, then rinse and filter, leaving to drain for 10 minutes, to prevent it from becoming mushy. Fry half the sliced onions in a thick bottomed frying pan, add the sliced boiled potatoes and shallow fry. Keep aside. Add some more oil to the pan, add the rest of the onions and sliced green chillies, and fry them till the onion turn golden brown. Add the mixed veggies and cook till soft, taking care not to overcook. Add the quinoa flakes and roast along with the other ingredients for about 5 minutes,

then add the sago, salt and chilli powder. Add the tamarind paste or south Indian vathalkuzhambu mix and stir through gently, mixing well. Cook on low fire for about 5 minutes, covering the pan. Finally, add the powdered salted peanuts and finely chopped coriander as the topping. Mix again and serve hot with green chutney or coconut chutney.

Quinoa frittata

A low GI healthy snack, made more filling with quinoa

2 cups quinoa flakes (red variety is more healthy)

3 medium zucchini

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 eggs

½ cup Mozzarella cheese

¼ cup sundried tomatoes, soaked in warm water

¼ cup basil, finely chopped

½ cup wholemeal flour

2 tsp salt

Cook quinoa according to the instructions on the package. In a bowl, beat the eggs till fluffy and frothy. In an oven proof pan, grate the zucchini and cook it till

it browned. Add garlic, sundried tomatoes sliced into small pieces and cook the mix for about 3 minutes. Add the precooked quinoa, wholemeal flour, salt and finally pour in the beaten egg, cheese and chopped basil. Mix well and semi-cook on fire. Shape into rectangular shaped patties and finally bake in the oven at 120 degree Celsius for about 8 to 10 minutes till it gets brown coating from top of the patties. Serve when crispy and hot as a wholesome breakfast along with a bowl of mixed fruit for a balanced meal to start the day.

Quinoa patties

Makes 25 delicious crispy patties

2 cups quinoa flakes

2 large potatoes, boiled

5 finely chopped green chillies

1tsp garlic paste

2 red onions, finely chopped

1 cup besan (chana flour)

2tsp red chilli powder

1tsp asafoetida powder

1 small bunch fresh coriander leaves, finely chopped

2tsp salt

Breadcrumbs to roll the patties

Oil for frying

In a large bowl, mash the boiled potatoes and add all the other ingredients, except the breadcrumbs. Knead until well mixed and make small balls, approx. the size of a medium lemon. Roll them into the breadcrumbs, and press gently to make a flat shape. In a non-stick frying pan, shallow fry the patties, and drain them on a paper towel to remove excess oil. Serve hot and crisp with spicy and tangy green chutney or chilli sauce.

If you prefer to add more veggies, chop them finely and semi-cook in the microwave. Add to the mix when making the patties. They will also add a touch of colour to the dish.

m A t r imoni A ls

SeekIng grOOmS

Seeking suitable match for fair and young looking Hindu lady, 5’ 2”, 55, divorced, vegetarian, Australian citizen. He must be a non-smoker, ideally aged between 50 and 60. Please contact: 0449 623 316 or email: alpine_rhapsody@hotmail.com

Hindu/ Arora parents settled in Sydney invite proposals for their beautiful daughter, 35-year-old, 5’6” who is divorced with no issues. She is a food scientist in the USA, planning to move to Australia, visiting in October. Seeking alliance from a welleducated and well to do Punjabi job settled in Australia. Please contact (m) 0426 718 962, or email: gnapril13@gmail.com

Seeking a suitable match. Currently pharmacist in UK, (but would prefer to settle down in Australia).

Born May 1979 (UK citizen), and is also an Australian permanent resident. 5’ 7”, slim, vegetarian, Hindu Punjabi khatri. Father - retired, mother - retired, one brother (all in UK) and one sister (married and settled in Australia). Contact: redvanilla101@hotmail.com

Seeking suitable match for 36-year-old, who works for a multinational company in a senior position (chartered accountant), and values both Indian and western culture. Seeking Hindu professional man, preferably from a well settled family background. Please contact: ganesh2011v@gmail.com

SeekIng BrIDeS

Seeking bride for 37-year-old, 5’11’’ tall Melbourne based Hindu Agarwal boy. Working in IT. Caste no bar. Contact with bio data and pic at: desidownunder01@gmail.com or call/ text: 0416 164 651.

Fiji Indian male Hindu Australian Citizen in mid-forties invites correspondence from single or divorced Indian females (no kids) for marriage, and to settle in Melbourne. If interested please contact on: 0478 083 457 for further info.

59-year-old, Sikh professional. 5’4” Canadian citizen, and permanent resident in Australia. Divorced 25 years ago, and looking for a lady to share life with. Contact: 0410 428 791.

Seeking a suitable match, currently test analyst in UK, (but would prefer to settle down in Australia). Born May 1975 UK (citizen). Australia (permanent resident), 6ft. Hindu Punjabi khatri. Father - retired, mother - retired, two sisters (younger in UK) and older sister (married and settled in Australia).

Contact: redvanilla101@hotmail.com

cINE TALK

TAuT, TENSE, TAcTILE AND TERRI

J OHN DAY

STArrIng: Naseeruddin Shah, Randeep Hooda, Shernaz Patel, Elena Kazan DIrec TOr: Ahishor Solomon

HHHHH

Viewing John Day has the thrill of discovering an unexpected little gem. It doesn’t matter where writer-director Ahishor Solomon got the raw material for this gripping cat-andmouse tale. What counts is the quotient of curiosity and suspense simulated by the script. And there, John Day ranks very high.

Not for a while have we seen a film so swathed in anxiety, so audaciously draped in despair, and yet it engages our senses without miring the plot in morbidity.

The story is not for the squeamish. The two main characters are constantly haunted by their irrevocably tragic parts.

Naseeruddin Shah and Randeep Hooda, real-life guru and pupil, play people who know no happiness. Incidents from their

past continue to shadow and chase their present. There is scarcely a moment in the plot when John (Shah) and Gautam (Hooda) are happy except when they are with their beloved ‘other’.

But Shernaz Patel, who plays Naseer’s wife and the very beautiful foreigner Elena Kazan who plays Randeep girl, are troubled by their own ghosts.

John Day is a restless edgy drama of the doomed and the damned. Randeep has played a fugitive shadowed by his own past before. But this is certainly his most layered character, which he performs with the kind of gravelly gusto that allows us to get only as close to the sullen character as he wants us. Towards the end-game when the momentum gets frenzied beyond recuperation, Randeep’s character’s softer side emerges.

He has a brilliantly written monologue with a comatose character where we get to know how much this brutal man loves his woman. Yet he can die for money and for love. It’s a dichotomous character torn between self-abnegation and vendetta.

In a way Randeep character plays a

mirror-image of Naseer’s banker gone amok. India’s most vaunted actor now plays a wizened common man pushed to a corner by the monstrous corruption in out socio-political system.

In John Day the terror that Naseer’s character battles is far more personal, moving and compelling.

It is very difficult to speak out openly about the characters and their motivations without giving away the plot. With John Day you become one with the character’s battles, without getting judgemental over their actions.

Some of the things that the characters do are unmistakably brutal in a cold world with no comic relief, at least none where you laugh out loud at the ironies of life.

John Day brings the indomitable Naseeruddin and the intriguing Randeep together in a taut cat-and-mouse chase that stays a step ahead of the audience until the shattering end-game.

But other actors are equally at home in this inky kingdom of greed and gluttony.

Vipin Sharma and Makrand Despande are

STILTED PERfORMANcES IN fORgETTABLE fLIcK

S H u DDH D ESI ROMANCE

STArrIng: Rishi Kapoor, Parineeti Chopra, Sushant Singh Rajput, Vaani Kapoor

DIrec TOr: Maneesh Sharma

H HHH

While watching light-hearted love stories also known as ‘rom-coms’, two reactions come to mind: ‘What next?’ and ‘Who cares?’

This annoying film, masquerading as a modern-day parable on ‘What Young People Want’, definitely falls into the ‘Who cares?’ category.

The three main characters are so confused about life, sex, love and commitment (in that order) that you wonder why a film was scripted about them and their annoying lives in the first place. The ‘hero’, if he can be called that, is not only commitment-phobic but impervious to any kind of gravity in life. Don’t misunderstand. He takes himself very seriously. But it’s hard to take him seriously as he vacillates between two women, both equally absurd in their libertines’ apparel borrowed straight out of some stale Julia Roberts-Susan

Sarandon film which probably got shelved because the hero ran away with the cameraman.

Shuddh Desi Romance is so contaminated with candour, it doesn’t realise the difference between being sincerely searching and artificially scandalous.

Jaideep Sahni has written some remarkable films in the past, but sadly this ranks as his worst-written endeavour to date. The film has only three main characters, one of who is employed solely in slipping in and out of the two women’s lives.

Shuddh Desi Romance is not the kind of film that obtains or even seeks a decent resolution. The plot is happy to let the protagonist Raghu stew in his own orgasmic juices.

And he is plainly horny all the time. The over-zealous Sushant Singh Rajput as the hero doesn’t even try to hide his hard-on, wearing his libido like a badge of honour and flaunting his carnality in front of the two ladies. They, for reasons best known to them, seem to enjoy his company after an initial bout of demurral.

It is baffling how a protagonist as low-life and sleazy as Raghu can attract two attractive, feisty, free-willed women. Or why they would encourage his

advances when they know he thinks only with his... well, to use a term Rishi Kapoor uses with such endearing picturesqueness... pappu in the pants.

Pappu in the pants has rollicking time. Curiously the hero and his horniness are like two different entities in the film which simply celebrates, for want of a better term, low-life libidinousness. Raghu, as played by Sushant, comes across as a wimpy womaniser and nothing more than an irksome skirt-chaser.

The two women are more interesting, as always. Especially Parineeti Chopra whose dumbly defiant, smoking, swearing, character Gayatri acquires some stability through her fearless embrace of the camera space. No matter how frustratingly ill-conceived Gayatri’s rebellious attitude may be, Parineeti owns up to the character’s weaknesses like a man.

Debutant Vaani Kapoor plays her very awkwardly-written character with a mysterious smile that suggests it knows something that we don’t. Not that we care.

very engaging in their supporting parts. But the film’s third hero is Sandeep Chowta’s background score, creating a world of emotions beyond spoken words for Naseer and Randeep.

This is a world where there is no escape from sorrow and grief. Enemies are clobbered and butchered mercilessly, simply because life is as randomly brutal as we make it for ourselves. And cinema such as this reminds us that moral values of good, evil, justice and comeuppance mean nothing to those who have nothing to lose.

For a film about losers, John Day is a paradoxically profitable movieviewing experience.

SuBHASH K. JHA

Most of the principal actors barring Rishi Kapoor give overrehearsed performances, projected as laboured casualness.

Rishi Kapoor as the wedding caterer is the exception, sinking his teeth into his role. The selfdefeating numbing verbosity of the three main characters in this lust-triangle do nothing but speak about their pathetic self-limiting world. Soon we feel like reluctant eavesdroppers in an ill-managed ménage a trois

Flat and phoney, the self-conscious realism of small-time genderequations in Shuddh Desi Romance leaves us untouched, unamused and cold. Live-in relationships never felt less inviting.

SuBHASH K. JHA

THE BuZZ

Standing ovation, well-deserved!

The Frontier Gandhi: Badshah Khan, a Torch for Peace, a documentary about Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, the founder of a pacifist movement among Pashtuns, had its first screening at the recently concluded Ladakh International Film Festival (LIFF) in India, and got a standing ovation.

The movie is a result of 22 years of hard work and research from producer-director Teri C. McLuhan. The Frontier Gandhi screened to a packed house at the Sindhu Sanskriti Kendra in Leh and among the audience were Afghanistan Ambassador to India Shaida Muhammad Abdali, Jammu and Kashmir Urban Development Minister Rigzin Jora and film personalities like Madhur Bhandarkar, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and Aparna Sen.

In the 1920s, Ghaffar Khan emerged as a social reformer with the aim to work for the betterment of his fellow Pashtuns. Gaffar Khan is referred to as Frontier Gandhi for the similarity in his non-violent methods of opposing British rule. The viewers at the screening were so overwhelmed by the Pashtun leader’s nonviolent movement for freedom saga that they gave it a standing ovation“. What a fabulous film!” said Bhandarkar praising it.

Teri McLuhan will now hold a special screening of the film for President Pranab Mukherjee in the capital. All parliamentarians, Congress members and close friends would be invited to attend. Let’s hope filmgoers around India also give it the accolades it deserves.

AvENgINg AvATAR fOR KANgNA

From a gangster’s girlfriend to schizophrenic, to spunky small town girl, actress Kangna Ranaut has portrayed a variety of characters on the screen in the past seven years, but she says her role in Revolver Rani is her toughest so far.

“My role in Revolver Rani is very difficult to portray,” said the actress.

“It’s a very unusual film, in which my looks are very different. I have to look unattractive in the film and for the first time I have to take care to not look beautiful,” added the actress who apparently took training to use the revolver to make her role believable.

Reportedly, Tabu was approached for the role before Kangna. Directed by Sai Kabir, the film is being co-produced by Tigmanshu Dhulia and Rahul Mittra.

The actress, who was seen in Shootout at Wadala, is happy with the kind of films she is doing.

“It’s going to be an exciting year for me. I am doing some different roles in each film,” she said, also revealing that her next film will be Krrish 3. “I am extremely happy with the kind of scripts I am getting these days”.

A gun-wielding queen is indeed an unusual role for Kangna. Can’t wait to see her in an avenging avatar!

At the conclusion of the 3-day festival, Abhinav Shiv Tiwari’s OASS, a movie on human trafficking, was named the best film, also winning best screenplay, and Divya Chhetri was awarded the best actress for the same movie. Sewan Sing Yein won the best actor for KO:Yad, for which Manju Patra Borah clinched the best director award. A host of awards were given out for cinematography, short film and documentary film. Ladakh’s filmmakers were honoured under a special category of awards. The event also saw folk dance and song performances from local artists. A tribute was paid to late filmmakers Rituparno Ghosh and Yash Chopra, as well as actor Pran.

For lovers of good cinema, a viewing of these well-made, but commercially nonstarting movies will be tribute enough!

gulshan grover’s double role debut

Gulshan Grover is a respected veteran in Bollywood and has acted in more than 350 films so far. But for the first time in his illustrious career, the actor will be seen in a double role in Baat Bann Gayi. And naturally, Gulshan is very excited about the project. The movie is co-produced by Sayed Asif Jah and Megha Agarwal, and is directed by Shuja Ali.

Gulshan portrays the roles of two

diametrically different characters, the studious Professor Lakshmi Niwas and a choreographer Debu Daruwala, in the film that will be released in mid-October.

“It was very interesting because when you normally play a double role, one is a good guy and the other is bad,” said the 57-year-old. “Here, Prof Lakshmi Niwas is a very nice man, and Debu is nicer, and has an artistic way of life, a different kind of happiness. It was challenging not just because of the characters, but also because of the dates and budget constraints as I had to play both characters almost simultaneously and that was not easy,” he added.

The film also features Ali Fazal, Anisa, Amrita Raichand, Razzak Khan and Akshay Singh.

Wonder if Gulshan’s being paid twice the price for the double role!

Will Shahid become a hero again?

Well, producer Ramesh Taurani seems to think so. After launching his protégé Shahid Kapoor in Ishq Vishq in 2003, Taurani is confident that his film Phata Poster Nikla Hero will be the biggest film of the actor’s life.

Shahid’s last two releases Mausam and Teri Meri Kahaani turned out to be boxoffice duds, so it’s great that the actor has someone keeping the faith!

“If the actor has performed in a good film then he is definitely loved by the audience,” said Taurani recently. “I can say it will the biggest film of Shahid’s life”.

Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, Phata Poster Nikla Hero will release soon, and also features Ileana D’Cruz and Padmini Kolhapure in pivotal roles. For Padmini, her comeback to films means that she’s ready to explore all kinds of genres now.

Padmini KohlaPure

“I have done comedy films, but after marriage, I took a backseat which I don’t regret,” Padmini said, explaining her decision to return to Bollywood. “But I was bored while sitting at home and when I got this offer I liked the script. Also, it was a complete family entertainer. Now I want to explore all kind of genres”.

Padmini will play Shahid’s mother in the film who wants her son to be a police officer, but her son wants to be an actor. It’s a full-fledged comedy film. The 47-yearold was recently seen in the film Mai which also featured Asha Bhosle in a prominent role.

Ileana will play Shahid’s love interest in Phata Poster Nikla Hero, and she calls it a crazy film. “It’s a crazy, mad film,” she said. “I have never done such a film before.

Besides, Rajkumar Santoshi’s comic timing is amazing. Nobody can match him”.

Well, after a drought, let’s hope Shahid emerges as a hero at the box office!

Masti-mazaa time for Vivek

Vivek Oberoi is in the mood for mastimazaa, as his latest release Grand Masti,

an adult comedy replete with double entendres, earned Rs.26 crore in two days. Made at Rs.35 crore, it has been written by Milap Zaveri and has earned brickbats from critics for innuendos and suggestive leery double-meaning dialogues.

Grand Masti is director Indra Kumar’s homage to hefty horniness, and has opened to a massive thundering ovation with youngsters thronging theatres in droves to watch the certifiable sex comedy. This celebration of sex, sleaze and bust seems to have caught the nation’s fancy.

Trade analysts are also surprised at the movie’s success. “Seeing the bumper opening of Grand Masti, it looks like a winner,” says Amod Mehra. “The repeated success of dumb brain-dead films proves we have a huge audience for such films. Sleazy sex comedies with double-meaning dialogues were and would continue to be in demand”.

But Vivek, whose movies like Prince and Mission Istaanbul bombed at the box office, is undeterred by the criticism and wants to enjoy the success that has come to him after a long while. And that’s exactly

wHO wORE IT BETTER?

why Vivek was having a party, after a long while! Directed by Indra Kumar, Grand Masti also features Riteish Deshmukh, Aftab Shivdasani, Sonalee Kulkarni, Kainaat Arora, Maryam Zakaria, Manjari Phadnis, Karishma Tanna and Bruna Abdullah.

In fact, thanks to the success of the film, Vivek is now keen to have Hollywood action star Jean-Claude Van Damme in Grand Masti 3, because it would be great fun seeing him do a ‘helicopter kick’ in the movie. The actor has always been a big fan of the Hollywood action star, and wow, watching Van Damme in action would be worth it!

Ayushmann awed by Sonam VJ-turned-actor Ayushmann Khurrana, who will be seen sharing screen space with Sonam Kapoor in Yash Raj Films next, says that the actress is a very simple girl in real life. Sonam is known for her ‘smart’ style sense at red carpet events and during movie promotions.

“It’s been a great experience working with her. People get disillusioned by the fashionista that they see at media events. But in reality she is a very simple girl,” the 29-year-old actor said recently in an interview. “She has seen the journey in her career right from being an AD (assistant director) to now as one of the biggest stars,” he added, obviously awed by his stunning co-star.

Ayushmann, who made a successful debut in Bollywood with John Abraham’s debut production venture Vicky Donor, was later seen in Rohan Sippy-directed Nautanki Saala!

Apart from showing his acting capabilities, he also crooned in both his films, although he never expected to do so. “I never aspired to be a singer. I always wanted to be an actor. I thought I am more of an actor than singer. Moreover, a singer actor lends more credibility to his work as he can lend his voice to his own character,” he said.

“Having said that, I cannot sing all my songs. My voice has a certain texture and I am not a versatile singer. I can sing songs of a particular genre,” he added.

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What’s the chitchat here between Rekha and Rani?

Rekha: I present to you the Rekha CopyCat award for this year, Rani. Rani (to herself): Eat your heart out, Vidya Balan.

Priya Nadkarni Upper Mt Gravatt, QlD

Priya wins a ticket to new Hindi release Phata Poster Nikla Hero

Sonam Kapoor or Dita Von Teese in Elie Saab?

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Well, you certainly did a good job, Ayushmann, what’s next? A duet by Sonam and you?

Shahid KaPoor

ViVeK oberoi Sonam KaPoor

Auntyji says

Compromise or quit?

Recently, I received two letters from two sahelis, both with similar themes. I was most saddened by their plight, which highlighted the situation of so many women around the world. These brave and tenacious women have agreed to have their stories told, which is but the tip of the iceberg with their situations.

Let’s call the first lady Damini. She arrived in Australia, very young and newly married. Educated, ambitious, driven and optimistic, Damini had married an NRI with all the hopes and desires of a young Indian girl. Her future husband seemed to be a nice young man with a degree from a global university, and she liked the image he presented. Damini had asked him if she could work after marriage, and he assured her she could. Damini established a home with her husband in Sydney, with no family or friends. Some time later, when she tried to find work, he did not want her to get a job. Very quickly he became neglectful, and instead of spending time with his young bride, he would spend all his time watching films. He was not even interested in engaging in conversation. He became very controlling and would tell Damini what to wear and to whom to speak, whenever they went out. Her modest clothing, even a sleeveless salwaar or t-shirts, became fodder for his controlling behaviour, and he insisted that she was trying to attract glances from others. Although young and attractive, he failed to show Damini physical affection, and even went so far as telling her that she could find other partners. Lately her husband has slowly been becoming verbally and emotionally abusive toward Damini, saying that she could leave anytime. Damini’s mother wants her to stay in the relationship because her younger sister is unmarried. What could she do?

And there is Asha. She came to Australia in 2005 as a skilled migrant, with post graduate teaching qualifications. Asha married in 1991, and her children are now ready to step out into the world on their own. Asha’s marriage was an arranged one in which her husband was fairly controlling and was prone to aggression if his way was not accepted. When her parents recently died, it appeared that Asha’s husband’s intentions, thoughts and feelings towards her died also. He became verbally abusive and intimidating. He would behave atrociously, telling her in front of their children how he was forced to marry her, and he didn’t really like her or want her anyway. Naturally, she was concerned about how this affected their children, who hated to see their beloved mother being treated like this. Furthermore, she was financially independent and taking on all the household expenses, while her husband was stingy with his money, saving to spend on himself. What could she do?

Both Damini and Asha wrote to me to ask for my sage advice, and here is my response.

What do you want from your marriage?

I am most saddened to hear such stories. But here is a solution to both problems. In the first instance, please work out what you want. Do you want to stay in the marriage and make it work? Do you want to try and salvage the relationship? If so, then you must have a plan about communicating this with your husband. Damini, perhaps your husband is stressed at work and has failed to understand how lonely you are. Try to see what you can do about focusing on his needs. Give yourself a timeframe of 3 to six months and make an attempt to make your marriage work. Plan some time with your husband and share your thoughts with him. You are a new bride, so spend some time focusing on him, learn to understand him and make him happy before you focus on what you want. It takes a while for two newly married people to settle into a pattern and if both parties are only focusing on themselves, it’s not going to help anyone. So

Damini, I suggest that you spend time to learn what troubles your husband, and try to help him with his concerns. Make it your priority to make him happy, and put your own needs and wants to one side – but only for the moment. You need to give him a chance and as long as he is not abusive, you should try to make the relationship work.  Now, once you have given it your best shot to try to make your husband happy and if after your deadline, you find that he is not responsive and nothing has changed, then you need to consider whether you want to be in this relationship at all. But first, focus on your husband, give it your best shot, and tell me how it goes, and we can reassess the situation.

Asha, I have the same advice for you. What do you want out of this marriage? Do you love your husband and want to make it work? If so, then you need to spend time with your husband and tell him how his behaviour is affecting you. You need to set clear boundaries and tell your husband that while you love him and want to make the marriage work, you are not interested in being verbally abused. Particularly in front of your children. Then tell him what you want changed. This is your life – and you shouldn’t have to be anyone’s doormat. But if you feel that your husband is not going to change, and that you are married to someone who is not interested in being married to you, then here is my advice to you. You have raised two great children. You worked hard and are educated, and financially, you do not depend on any man. You are still young, so why should you live your life with someone who does not want to be with you and is controlling and aggressive? Tell me this, if your daughter was married to a man like that, what advice would you give her? Would you want her to remain unhappy and in a relationship which is not respectful? So why should you accept that for yourself? I suggest you make plans to develop a life for yourself and your kids, without your husband. You have the freedom do this. You are not bound by any rules that say you must remain unhappy. You have put enough into this marriage, and you’re not getting back the anything in return. It’s time to start the next chapter of your life, Asha.

A final word

Damini followed my advice, but unfortunately despite trying hard, one day her husband became particularly vicious to her, so she packed her bags and friends gave her the money for a ticket back to India. I am glad she did this, because she should not be in a relationship that was not worthy of a bright, driven and lovely young woman as herself. Today, Damini is back in India trying to mend the pieces of her heart, and being strong and smart, she will be back on her feet in no time. My message to all young Indian women who want to marry a NRI husband is this: there is a distinct difference between young men who were born and raised here, and those who arrived as late teenagers or young adults. The former will have been influenced by the culture they live in – which is predominantly Australian. Granted, they may still have Indian views, but not to the same extent as those who were raised in India. However, one cannot apply generalisations and stereotypes to individuals. All potential spouses must be considered on their own merits. You need to spend time corresponding with your future husband to determine if this is the person with whom you want to spend the rest of your life. If you want a modern husband with contemporary views who sees you as an equal, rather than an imported version of a preferred desi type, then you need to look harder. Just because he is an NRI means absolutely nothing. Of course, all this presupposes that what you want is the same thing as what your spouse will want.