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EDITORIAL INDIAN LINK

It's our nineteenth birthday!

PUBLISHER ~a-Yan Luthra· EDITOR f?ajni An_arid Lu~bra

' ASSISTANT EDITOR L~~~ Peac~ck · Sheryl DiJ<it

.MELBOURNE COORDINATOR · Preeti Jabbal CONTRIBUTORS ·.· Tasneem Zavery, Tracey Lennon, Vishma Mistry, Shraddha Argun, Malli Iyer, Mythili Iyer, N.c>~I G [)e So1J,za, Avi Chandiok, Mohan Dhall, Kalyani Wakhare, Nancy Jade Althea

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ADVERTISING MANAGER Vivek Trivedi ,02 9262 1766

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Indian Link is a monthly newspaper published in :English. No material, including advertisements : designed by Indian Link, may be reproduced in ''part or in whole without the written consent of the .,editor. Opinions carried in Indian Link are those of •:the writers and not necessarily endorsed by Indian ·. Liflk. Al( corresponderi!=e should ~~- ad_~ r~sse~.to Indian Link

Level 24/44 Market St, Sydney 2ooo': or GPO Box 108, Sydney.2001 Ph: 02 9279-2004 l=ax: 02 9279''.iooi; Em.iii: info@indi.inlink:com,au . .

n October 2013, lndia11 Li11k newspaper begins irs 20rb year. We srarted as a 24-page black-and-white monrbly publication wirh a prior run of jusr ltnder 1,500 copies. Today we are a fortnightly paper in Sydney (with combined monrbly pages in excess of 140), a monthly publication in Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Penh with a combined print run of over 40,000. lt has been a terrific journey! And this is in addition to our 1 1-year-old 24/7 radio station with live talk- back of over 8 hours a day, and a listenership of over 50,000.

Our social media footprint across newspaper and radio enjoys over 6,000 likes, and our website with irs regular news updates has over 17,000 impressions per moncl1.

Of course, none of chis would have been possible withour our supporters who have maintained their faith in lndian Lli1k, irs philosophy and ethics. These supporters have at times been wholesome in their praise, caustic in their comments when they did not agree with mu- views, and mature in tbeir

acceptance of w hy, at tin1es, we needed to differ.

Our snpporters range from a group of 70-odd writers who take rime our from their busy schedules to report on an event, be it an anmgetm111 or a conference on Gandhi; to radio anchors who fight traffic ro get to their listeners at 7am, including the brave ones who juggle motherhood and domestic life while entertaining listeners on air. Our supporters also include our advertisers who have valued their link with a quality prodnct that is consistent, reliable and ecl1ical.

Tndia11 U11k has also been fortunare ro have a srrong team in editorial, content, creative, design, and sales and marketing, who have not only sustained us, bur al.so LLnderstood our philosophy. Together cl1ey have worked long and hard to ensure innovative content and programming, which we have proudly taken to our own community and others in Australia. And the Indian Link mindset is very clear: to be able to provide excellent quality articles which inform and educate those who have made this country their new home. Our job has been to find all things Indian in Australia, to help us lndian Australians find a sense of achievement for each other, rather cl1an absorb ourselves in petty

politics and envy which can so easily consume a small vibrant community.

W/e have reported regularly on issues relating not only to the lndiaAuscralia equation, but also like every sect.ion of rbe Indian Ausrralian community, including students, professionals, seniors, children, home-makers and those of GBLTQ persuasion.

W/e have shared success stories of some terrific work being d one

by Indian Ausrralians, so rhat those coping with similar chal.lenges can be inspired and know chat aJJ is possible in Australia. \Y/e have reported o n community events with truthfulness, so thar constructi,7e feedback can be shared witl1 the organisers. Our job has bee□ to be truthful to our readers who arc rhe ones we uJtin1ately serve. lt is a privilege co serve the Indian Australian community and with their help we have built up a truly diverse media company, from humble beginnings to one which now has a national newspaper footprint, a radio station, ooline eclitions and a progressive social media platform. We look forward our journey together over cl1e corning years.

Pawan Luthra i s the 2012 Parliament of NSW Multicultural Journalist of the Year.

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INDIAN LINK

OCTOBER 2013 5

MEDIAAWARDS

in the bag!

.~.. .._. ,.·nu;n.

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M .A,i.1.11!!\

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

11dia11 Link has done it again] They added two new awards [O their growing portfolio of media honours at the recently held 2nd Multicultural Media Awards (MJvJA). They rook out the awards for Coverage of Community Affairs Abroad and Online Innovation in News Blog or News \'{Tebsite Design at the presentation dinner held ii, September. These awards have been added to their port.folio of accolades, inciL1ding ones from tl1e 2011 NSW Premier's Subcontinent Community Awards, 2012 Parliament of NS\X/ Multicultural i\'1edia Awards and 2013 NSW Premier's Mulciculmral Media Awards. It has certainly been a busy few years for the media grot1p. "lr is indeed heartening to see llldia11 Unk being appreciated not only withm the communi[y bm now in chc mainstream, aml so consistently:' Pawao Lutbra, CEO of Tndia11 Unk, said.

"Multicultural journalists bring communities [ogether and break down social and cultural barriers," said tbe Chair of J\.,fMA, Shaoquett Moselmaoei\lfLC, during his speech. ''They inform, iliey inspire and tl,ey involve and they mrn challenges inro opportunities. Echoic media is not just a mass communication medium; it is a personal, social, cultural and emotional cool as it combines the voices of many". l'vfoselmane pe1:sooally congratulated lndia11 Link on winning a stack of awards two years in a row, as he posed for photographs wjtl, the Tndiaii Link team.

"Of course these latest awards, like our previous awards, belong equally to all of our 70-odd contributors acrQss che couo try,"

6 OCTOBER 2013

said Rajni Anand Lurhra, Indian Li11k's Editor-in-Chief. "Their work for us is driven br 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 clay job and family responsibiliries. Pawan and 1 salute their efforts in helpingus reach this level".

Rajni also bad a special word for the core ream d1atworks within the o ffice at Indian Li.11k. "The marketing staff, Vtvek Trivedi, Nirika Sondhi Verma and Ashish Chawla; human resources manager Antoinette Mullins, assistant editor Lena Peacock, designer Danielle Ca.iris and contributing editors Sheryl Dix.it and Preeti Jabbal., together oversee the work of tl,e contributors on the paper as well -as tbe radio arm of the company, and make sure a qualiry product goes out every fortnight in print and da.i.ly on air,'' she said.

"There is -a su·ong commil..lJJem to excellence that I am very proud o~ and I congratulate each one of our team members". l or including tl,e ones that lndi,m U11k won, the categories included; l\fulticulrural Journalist of the Year, Coverage of Community Affw in Australia, Cultmal Photographer of d1e Year, Feature writing, , ews Reporting, Edirorial Reporting, Contribution co Social foclusion and Multiculturalism, Coverage of Indigenous Affairs, Investigative Reporting, Edirorial Carroon (a new category), and Online Coverage of Multiculrnral Commw1iry Affairs.

The 11asrer 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 i\linisters Tony Burke and Kate Lwidy, Indigenous Elder

Brian Butler AM from the National Congress of Australia's First people, Depu.ty opposition leader Linda Burney, Luke Foley, Amanda Fazio, Greg Donnelly, esteemed consular dignitaries, business and comrmmiry leaders. lt was an imeresting time for an event at Parliament House, due to it being held just days before die 2013 Federal Election.

"You have ru.med challenges into opportuoities, and at a tune when m,WJstream print media is struggling, you are not only surviving, but thriving," Moselmane said on tl,e night, addressing the multicultural media. "Today, you have made multicultural Australia a success by enriching ir with your talents, skill, hatd work and dedication".

Moselm.ane also revealed that until I955 "the foreigrr language press, as it was called, was viewed wiLh suspicion, and some thougbt it served as a hindrance to assimiL'ltion tatl,er tl,an help".

Restrictions were imposed by tlie gove.roment, and ar least 25% of the text had to be published in the English language. Today, however, thankfully things have chan!,,>ed and the multicultural media are celebrated with tbeir hard work by awards sucb as this.

Tmliflll Link has certainly grown from me small 24-page black ru1d white newspaper to having full co.lour monthly editions across Australia, as well as formightly Sydney editions, a 24-hour radio st.'ltioa, e-paper, e-newsletters, interactive website, and wide range of social media. J11dim1 Link is not just a media group, ic is -a forum for the commoo.ity; with a strong focus on quality and authenticity. Jc is most definitely s.een as a celebration of assimilation and tbe media group seems to be showing no signs of slQwing down.

n~y1,- ~

,,..11.,,,, ,,••

2013 MULTICULTURAL MEDIA AWARD WINNERS MULTICULTURAL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR Gerry Gerogatos, 1. The Stringer 2. The National

Indigenous Times COVERAGE OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS ABROAD Pawan and Rajni Anand Luthra, Indian Link COVERAGE OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS IN AUSTRALIA Linna Lee, TOP Media CULTURAL PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR Oi Ling Jojo Lee, Sing Tao Daily FEATURE WRITING Helen Velissaris, Neos Kosmos NEWS REPORTING Wing Yam Lee, Sing Tao Daily EDITORIAL REPORTING Patrick Zhu, Oursteps CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIAL INCLUSION AND MULTICULTURALISM Jan Smith, 3ZZZ Radio COVERAGE OF INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS GerryGeorgatos, The National Indigenous Times INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer EDITORIAL CARTOON Joel Magpayo, The Philippine Times ONLINE INNOVATION IN NEWS BLOG OR NEWS WEBSITE DESIGN Pawan and Rajni Anand Luthra, Indian Link ONLINE COVERAGE OF MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY AFFAIRS Steve Giannakouras, www.greekcity.com.au

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I

MULTICULTUR14L MEDIA AWAHDS

l11th,u1l.mk

( ov,·r~~~ oi Community

Shaoquett Mosselmane with Rajni Anand Luthra and Pawan Luthra

Aft.1i1-. Ab11,.-.,1d

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

INDIAN LINK: COVERAGE OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS ABROAD 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.

INDIAN LINK: ONLINE INNOVATION IN NEWS BLOG OR NEWS WEBSITE DESIGN The Indian Link Media Group has embraced technology since starting in 1994 and has remained one step ahead. They recently launched their newly designed websitewww.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 thee-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

OCTOBER 2013 7

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WHY HSC SCALING MATTERS

BY RICHARD CHUA, FOUNDER OF TALENT 100 AND EDUCATION THOUGHT LEADER In this article, Richard Chua explains how to targ et and achieve an ATAR. Richard g raduated from Sydney Grammar School with a UAI of 100 (ATAR equivalent 99.9S). He currently works as a Strategy Associate for Goog le in Mountain View.

Next week, HSC students will finally get their ATARs - four digits w hich could determine what career s and professions they mc1y be d oing for the next 20 year s. Your ATAR is your ticket to Universit y, so its Import ant to know exactly how t his Is calculated.

A t Talent 100, we've consistently had more than a quarter of our students achieving A TA Rs over 99. Last year, we had 7 students w ho achieved an ATAR of 99.95. This week I'm going to share w ith yo u the secrets to t heir success - how to break any ATA R down into smaller, more achievable goals in each of your subjects.

WHAT IS SCALING? Scaling Is t he process of standardising marks so that they can be compared across subjects. In scaling marks, the UAC will adjust the hig hest mark, median mark and standard deviation so t hat all subjects are directly comparable. The reason it is needed is that w ithout scaling, it would be impossible to compare a 95 in Economics with a 95 in Mathematics Extension 2.

ATARVSUAC The UAC basically converts the averaged HSC Assessment and HSC Examination Marks to their own UAC score through a process of scaling to a UAC score. Each unit is converted to a score of 50 and the best 10 units (including English) are used to calc ulate a score of 500. Most students are unaware that their ATAR is calculated from this base score of 500. The table below illustrate the relationship:

ATAR 99 .95 99.5

UAC Score 476 456 446 4 32 404 371 344

99 98 95 90 85

STUDY SMARTER, NOT HARDER You now know what ranks you need in each subject t o score any ATAR The next steps are to ensure that you ac hieve t hose ranks.

If you are in Year 9-12, Talent lOO's courses can help yo u do just that. We've consist ently had the best results in t he industr y since 2008. Our courses will help you develop the three skills and resources you need to ace any exam:

The graph below (fig 1) gives you a good indication of how subj ect scales. From the previous table, you should be able to see if you wanted to score an ATAR of, say 99, you would need to score -45/50.

Following those marks. you can see that you would need to score in the top 56% of Maths Ext 2, the top 23% of Maths Ext 1. but in the top 4% of Maths Advanced. For simplicity's sake, we've shown w hat It takes to score ATA Rs of 95, 97 and 99 respectively.

1. Understand the theory: We t each in small g ro ups of up to 13 to ensure you understand every syllabus dot point.

2 . Perfect exam technique: With regular t est s and homework set in examination style, we help you t rain your exam technique on a weekly basis.

What you now have are t he relative benchmarks for performance to score any ATAR. Hence, suppose you were aiming for an ATAR of 99.00: If you were in the top 20% for Maths Ext 2, but In the top 20% for English. t his g raph clearly indicates that your t ime w ill be better spent in English, because an improvement to the To p 10% in English is going to deliver much better gains than a similar improvement in Maths.

3 . Online learning system: Need extra help on a topic? Our classes are supported by t he most advanced o nline learning system ever c reated for HSC student s.

A t Ta lent 100, we·ve helped 1000s of st udents achieve their dreams, and we'd like to help you,

HOW DO THE DIFFERENT SUBJECTS SCALE? At Talent 100, we've examined the scaling of categories of subjects such as Mathematics, English, Science and the Humanities. W hen you examine the scaling graphs, some clear trends emerge:

For a THREE WEEK free trial, simply call us on 1300 999 100 or you're welcome to visit www.talent-100.com.au

Scaling Graph (fig 1) categones

Highest

Maths

3Uand4U

3U and 4U Maths are by far, the highest scaling subjects that are read!y accessible students. Because of their high scaling, you should take the highest level of mathematics that you are capable of. For instance, to be on target for an ATAR of 99•, you only need to be average in 4U Maths, whereas you would need to be In the top 4% of2U Maths.

English

Ad\lanced &Higher

Where possible you should take at least adv.inced English. The higher English as a group, scale well above Standard English. For instance, students who scored in the 25% of Advance receive scores higher than those students who score in the top 1% of standard.

Science

Physics& Chemistry

Physics and Chemistry are the highest scaling sciences, and scale significantly better than biology,

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You should use this g raph to target the UAC score out of 500 you need to achieve your desired ATAR. This way, you can be fairly certain w hat ATAR you are heading for well before you sit your exams, and adjust your st udy patterns accordingly. For Instance, if you wanted to score an ATAR of 99, you would need 449, or roughly 45/50 for every subject.

www.talent-lOO.com.au p/1300 999 100

n ,e most important thing to note is that not all subjects are created or scaled equally. Some subjects that are considered harder are obviously scaled higher, w hilst some subjects in which it is easy to score high marks will be scaled downwards.

g

Source: Report on the scaling or the 2011 HSC (UAC)

-''r TALENT100

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Maths Adv

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Economics is t he best scaling humanity, and scales Just as well as Physics and Oiemistry. Apart from Economics, the other humanities scale significant ly worse - you will need exceptional ranks to score an overall ATAR If you choose humanities.

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OCTOBER 2013 9

PEOPLE

Women in vardi(uniform) Indian origin women in policing discuss the highlights and challenges of the job

t is a m. ale dom.i nated. field, perceived as dangerous and violent; which is why not many Indian women opt for a career in rhe police force. To understand and delve more into the lives of women police officers, 1 caught up with two foclian origin women working within the Queens.land Police Service to get an insight into the profession through their eyes.

"After our house got burgled in the UK and seeing the efficient manner in which the police helped us through chis crisis, I made up my mind at the age of 12 that I would take on a career which involved helping people in times of distress. Joining the police service was my first option," says UK-born Constahle Mansi Price.

In 2003, Constable Price joined the London Police, attending to a diverse commmuty. Hailing from a Sikh-Punjabi background was an advantage, as the Indian community developed faith and trust in her, not the lease for her ability to commurucate in both, the Punjabi and Hindi dialects.

Constable Price is currently the General Duty Of6cer for Logan District in Queensland, having joined the Sourb Australian Police Service in 2007.

Shaliru Singh starred her career with the Queensland Police Service as a Volunteer in Policing (VIP), which eventually led her to apply for the position of Police Liaison Officer in 2009. She presently holds die position of a Senior Police Liaison Officer for Logan District in Queensland.

"The first response of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds is often to steer away when there are police officers around; this c.u1 be based on a very different view of police officers from their home countries," she says with a smile.

"My obligation as a liaison officer is co speak the language of the people, to hear them and guide them to the right people. So far the journey bas been good, people have been welcoming irrespective of their cnln1ral backgrounds," states PLO Singh.

I

All in a day's work "Everyday is a new day at '..vork, you don't know what you can gee. Members of the Queensland

10 OCTOBER 2013

Police Service are required to respond m a wide variety of incidents," admits Singh. Her role as a Police Liaison Officer is to mediate between culturally specific communities and the police, to foster cooperation and understanding. "As a Liaison Officer, I have the opporn1ruty to liaise with members of tbe diverse local community; in doing this I improve community access to policing services and can also assist by orgarusing referrals to necessary services," she explains.

Working erratic eight hour shifts as a General Duty Officer, Constable Price says, "I have been nervous about certain jobs; you see things you don't want to, sometimes a dead body or a suicide. We all have hearts and seeing all this makes us want co cry. Bur witl1 a good support net\vork and people aro=d you to make sure you are o kay, it is reassuring" . So can women in particular, opr out of a certain job if they are not comfortable doing ir? "There is no disparity among men and women, they are treated equally and are o n par," stares Constable Price.

And what preparations are made before going out on patrol? "\Xie always mal,e an assessment of what we are going into, what is the address, do we know the history of the person/locality," e.'-plains Constable Price. " However, at rhe end of the day, we don't cake things (work) home".

Inspector Owen Hortz from Logan D istrict responded positively when asked if Indian origin women officers were an asset to the Queensland Police Services. "},fo.lticulrural officers are immensely important co Australi.u1 society. Having moved to Australia from a different country they nor only speak the language of their commLmity, but can also interact in tl1e English language.

1n tl1e workplace these officers are approachable and easy-going and provide a valuable link to a culturally diverse community," he says.

PLO Shalini singh and Constable Mansi Price or problems with an Indian origin officer in comparison to an Australian officer. On the ocher hand sometimes they are overwhelmed witl, appreciation to have one of tl1ei.r own to discuss their issues personally.

Archana Singh, Honorary lndia Consul for Queensland lauds the work done by l ndianotigin women police officers.

"It is important for women of Indian origin to feel comfortable with sharing their concerns and theii: issues without feeling judged or scared," she says. "It is al,vays helpful if someone can understand your cultural beliefs and traditions without having to explairr things. The police are not only ensuring peace and security for society, they are ,i[so doing invaluable work with victims of domestic violence, crime and mental illness, among other issues," she adds.

What will the family think?

PLO Singh laughs when she recalls her parents reacting to her career choice. "l\fy fanilly said, 'can't you find another job, you'll be working and be surrounded by men.' They were proud that I was the fu:st o ne from the family (in tl1is profession) but were anxious for me at the same rime," she says.

"My parents were definitely happy and proud, but also forewarned me that ir was a dangerous job and I had co be cautious," says Constable Price.

Community communication

More than just a job

"The Indian community is definitely receptive when spoken to in their local dialect, but with other immigrant groups they are sometimes difficult co deal wit!,," says PLO Singh. She further explains how some people a.r e hesitant to discuss tl1eir issues

"I love and take a lot of pride in my uniform," says PLO Singh.

"This job is a constant learning curve, it is satisfying and gratifying and you are helping and assisting people through this profession".

Constable Price echoes sinill.a r tl1oughts. "The job is fan,

Archona Singh challenging, interesting, and spontaneous, you are constantly learning new and different things everyday," she says. "Thi5 is a well respected job and every day you are making a difference to sociecy,'.

Commending the work of t!1e Indian origin women officers, Archana Singh says, "Over the last few years I have been .i.o constant touch with the wonderful women police officers in Queensland.

Their sense of service, humility and the ir readiness to be of help has always impressed me. Their cultural understanding of the needs of a farruly tl1at had been recently bereaved due to die tragic loss of a family member, was truly commendable. I cougtarulate tl1em on the wonderful work tl1ey are doing. As the people of Indian origin grow in number, it would be great to see an increase in tl1e number of Indian-origin women. police officers".

www.ind ianlink.com.au

ll

COVERSTORY

• ChandrahasChoundhury travelled across Australia pedalling Indian literature to an appreciative audience

he Booh/){11/nh tour travelled along Ausa:alia's Ease coast from Melbourne to Brisbane recently.

Organised by the Asia link ar the University of Melbomne, Bookwallah was formed to make direct literary links between Australia and India. Cbandrahas Chow1dbury; o ne of the writers from the rour spoke about the lack of direct literary Jinks between the t\VO countries as much of [he Iiterature read in India comes via England and America. In 2012, three Iuclian and t\VO Australian writers journeyed via traiu tl1rougb

T

12 OCTOBER 2013

Indian cities and towns, conducting forums to promote Australian literature across 1ndia. The wri[ers included Benjamin Law, Kirscy Murray Chandrahas Choundhury, Sudeep Sen and Annie Zaidi.

"Travel by train added [0 the jdea of a connection between the works, us writers and the communities we visited," said Choundhury. "I believe Indian trains have a charm and things don't always go accorwng m plan".

The journey was doam1ented by Catriona Mitchell in her lovely film, The Book,/1(/llah. Travelling helped build the sense of connection with tl1e audiences and friendships between the wri [ers.

For ChOlmdhury it was a djscovery of "Australian books and writers that I hadn't read". Packed into designer suitcases, tl1e travelling writers carried 150-200 books witl1 them. When they spoke in schools

and community centres, the books were unpacked and wsplayed in a pop-up, purpose-bmlt exhibition.

Seeing so many books rogether helped students studying English realise mar tl1ere was a body of work from a dj fferent literary world, and that together they constitute a tradition. Many books were left behind as a legacy for the corrmmnities co borrow and read.

The idea of the Bookwallnh cour in Australia is to replicate the journey Lmderraken in India, in tl1e reverse. Zaidi and Cboundlrnry chose lnwan books as "a representation of the Indian canon tl1rough o ur eyes". The whistlescop tour started with a rural retreat in Victoria and included an exhibition at the State Library of Victoria while tl1e writers travelled on trains from Sydney to Brisbane.

It was Chorn1dhury's first time in Australia, bur he already had

a connection here. ''It's lovely to arrive in a cmmtry where the tour is orgarused and very welcomrng.

It's good to rewuce with tl1e Australian writers, Christie Murray and Benjamin Law and spend time togerner again," he stared.

Cboundhury has seen kangaroos in the wild, has read Christina Stead and is mterested in Australian literary journalism up close, in journals like Meanji11 and Kil!Yo!fr Dadings. ''I see Zaidi's and 111)' contribution ro the tour as talking about me works we have chosen and offering an insiders view of political, social and mlmral views of India," he stated. The [earn will give group talks and separate sessions.

So, were tl1e Indian writers chosen to represent their country because of d1e breadtl1 of their knowledge? Choundhury has

recently edited India: A Tmveller's l.iteroo• Co111pa11io11, a collection of 14 shore scories from some

of India's best writers. "Zaidi and myself were chosen because ,ve wrire across different literary scyJes," he explained modestly.

He is a novelist, literary critic and reviewer who also writes columns for Bloomberg, a US news service.

Zaidi is an essayist, poet, playwright and journalise.

"Indian literature, compared to mono-lingual literarnre like Australia, bas around two dozen different languages spoken across tl1e country. The works in rnose language.5 are often nor translated and to djscover rnem is a gigantic myscer,;" explaiuecl Choundhuary.

"Some of the works are a hrn1dred years old and haven't been available ro be read by Indians in oilier pares of the countrrIndian, like Australian writers, still

www.indianlink.com.au

ll

have a specific view of the world depending on their background, such as white and indigenous views," he explained.

A surprising inAuence on Choundhury's writing is Australian cricket writer Gideon Hay, whom he describes as, "a good writer and a good proponem of the gan1e. He is tn<;idel of erudition across 6elds". Choundhury read his daily reports and even copied out sentences because they were so well written. He says Hay was a formative influence on his work". He also met Tom Keneally, a venerable Australian w-citer, at the Jaipur Literature Festival and admired this powerful and inspiring writer. Choundhury has bad conversations with others about Keneally's influence o n Australian literature. "It is great being in Australia because you enter a culmre and access a lot of diffe_rent

INDIAN LINK

viewpoints. You also transmit one's own and p ick up irom others," he stated.

Chouodhury's first novel, Ar-{ee the D111t11f that was published in 2009 came from an idea born when working as a cricket writer.

He writes, ''He was good-lookingthere was no doubt about thac.

Bur what of it? Looks weren't just about shape and colour, but also about size. Even in his reflection there W'<l.S something irredeemably odd and stunted about him, like a thought that had come ou t all wrong in d1e speaking". Other elements in the story a_re resonant o f Mumbai, Noor cinema where Arzee works becomes like a second body co the protagonist. "Mumbai has a grear cinema culmre which is d ose to being shur down. There is little privacy in M=bai - millions of people all tr}ing to coexist, so the cinema is one of the few places

in which to lose sight of the world, and the illusion is so powerful d1at you forget your Iife. 1t's a novel where cha_racrers ofren do the unexpected and where turns and twists in d1eir behaviour endear them to d1e reader," explained Choundhury. The novel was written over three or four yea_rs and took shape over time; "You get co know your character very well," he added.

The Book1valk1h tour began in Melbourne on August 22 August and concluded at the Bdsbane Writer's Festival in September.

Choundhury describes the central idea of the tour as \vriters as '111al!ahs, ' merchants or helpers that belong to that profession.

"As a writer, you carry fotwru:d in d1e world and you belong to thar world. Wie carry and communicate boo ks and their meaning, we arrive under the sky of books," he stated.

OCTOBER 2013 13

MUSIC

•

•

a1

1-roc

Aussie band Electric Korma has created a new and enticing genre of Indian music

eople often complain that Hindi film music is inspired and influenced by the West. Musicians like RD Burman were so largely influenced by popular genres of music, that many of his compositions had traces of Mariachi, Bossa Nova, rock 'n' roll and jazz. We've also heard of disco and funk being adapted, and some would argue, even copied in the 80s, by many well-known Indian him rnus.ic composers, Sllch as Bappida. However, ic's very rare that the opposite ever happens.

Pose Bomb'!)' Dreams and Slt1f!ldog Millio11aire, perceptions about Hindi music in films has definitely changed. The Wesc has started caking a keen interest in Indian 1ilm music, particularly in. Bollywood songs.

Bollywood dancing is also getting quite popular, with several Bollywood dance troupes and teachers operating in Sydney. le is heartening to see an aspect of Indian culcure being accepted and appreciated outside of Jndia.

When 1 was first introduced to Electric Korma and their music, I was overjoyed. This team of chree talented musicians makes Lio..ique Bollywood-rock fusion music (or Hindi-rock music as they call it).

The band is comprised of singer and guitarist George Stanton, M ichael Manzini on bass and ik Russo on drums.

Here are excerpts from the recent Indian Link Radio interview with George Stanton, which was a fun experience for che team and our listeners.

P

Shradd.ha Arjun (SA): Good morning, George!

George Stanton (GS): Namaste, Indian Link Radio!

SA: Your band seems to understand and perform Bollywood songs so beautifully.

How did Electric Korma originate and what drew you to Indian film music?

GS: Well, l married an Indian girl Smriti, and she introduced me to her favourite Bollywood songs. l thought that Electric Korma could have a go at playing one. We were already playing original songs diar I had written and composed. One

14 OCTOBER 2013

day I was learning to count ' 1, 2,3' in H indi, and was struggling somewhat. Smriti showed me a video of Ek do teen co help me learn ... it was so catchy and so mucb fun.

Someone from the Indian community in Wollongong had seen us p lay and invited us to perform at an lndian function.

So I rhoughc as a gesrure co the Indian community, 1 would learn a few Hindi songs. So we learned Ek Do Tee11 and Mebbooba (Sholqy).

W'e're into the sound and era from the 60s and 70s, ic's what we like.

SA: Was it difficult to adapt and translate rhe ethos, words and context of Bollywood songs into your style of music?

GS: Wid1 some of tbe songs yes, ic can be extremely challenging.

But Ek Do Tem is a very Western kind of song. If it weren't sung in Hindi, it wouldn't sound uniquely Indian. Mehbooba has little instrumental sections between the verses, which is fairly exotic to western ears; that took a little bit co get our heads around. What really challenges us is when we try and play something by AR Rahman. We tried playing In la111hon k.e daa111a11 mcin from d1e f:ilm Jodha /lkbar. l t was extremely difficult. Just the first line took me an entire day. Working on how be 6.cs all those syLiables in took me an awfuUy long time to learn (hums a bic for our listeners).

SA: Wow, if I shut m y eyes and listen to you sing, I can't tell if you're even Indian or not!

GS: Someone told me d1ac at a

gig once! And at the very next gig someone else came LIP to me after my performance and said, "Congratulations, you've got ac least 30'1/,, of the song right!" I thanked him for being honesr!

it on to Michael, he watched ic three times in one clay. He's an absolute Bollywood nucl His mum is even worse, she's now a part of a Bollywood dance troupe, I th.ink!

So they're very keen.

SA: I tweeted the link of your Ek Do Teen nmdition on YouTube to MadhuriDixit, who will perform in Sydney with Shah Ru.kb Khan. Will you attend l1er show? After all, she taught you how to count in Hindi ...

GS: I'm quite excited that she's visiting Sycfaey and performing here alongside SRK, but unfortunately I can't be there.

She's an exquisite dancer; her dancing in Ek Do Teen is equally snuiai.ng! I've never seen anything so precise.

SA: Have you ever been co India, and where did you go?

GS: I've been there twice; the first time co get married. I mec my wife here at the University of Wollongong and halfway duough my honors we decided char we had better pop over and get married.

We went to Nagpur, Delhi, Varanasi and Mcleod Guuj in the H imalayas. About a year lacer we visited India again witl1 our threemonch-old son Krishna.

SA: As a band, how do you find the time to learn Bollywood songs, despite a busy schedule?

GS: The band's contribution is massive, they are very diligent and hardworking boys. The editing for Ek Do fem was entirely done by l ik, and Mjcb.ael recorded the song. It usually rakes only about two rehearsals for each song, but this one was recorded on r!1e very first rehearsal. They are very professional and hardworking musicians.

SA: Do they understand and follow Indian music as well?

GS: As you could hear in che chorus of Ek Do Teen, d1ey know how to cotmt from 1 co 10 in mndi! The first Bollywood film I saw was Sho/9·. When I passed

SA: Have you been exposed co other Indian languages?

GS: We've had a go at singing Gujarati, acmally. We we.nc co a d,md!ya night ac Rosehill racecourse once. I had no idea what ic was abouc, but it was lovely, just amazing! Everyone was doing this swirling kind of dance and the music was like an extended instrumental psychedelic Pink Floyd jam. I couldn't believe chat it was actuaUy happening! It really did sound like very early Pink Floyd. 1 tho llght to myself, wow!

How can we be a part of it? And then, playing at the Indus Australia fair, Chintan Trivedi tbe organiser, asked Electric Korma to perform with Devang Patel at a Dandiya night. So we had our chancel SA: What's the Indian scene like for a musician here in Australia.

How would you measure success?

GS: I don't know, I'm u·ying co

find that out myself! So far d1e Indian comrmio..icy is extremely warm and welcoming, d1ey're eager to have us eacb time we play.

We're measuring our success by just how many people we can get L!p and dancing!

E lecu·ic Korma performed with Devang Pace! ac the Dandiya event a week Lacer, dressed in traditional Gujarati costumes. The band performed with panache and an unsuspecting crowd danced along.

Electric Karma have just begun their journey, and will continue to rock on! So lee's look forward to more Hindi-rock through their high energy and heartwarming music.

www.ind ianlink.com.au

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OCTOBER 2013 15

SPORT

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 d1e game, but also commercial.i sed within a sho.r t span.

BY MALLI IYER

Fast and furious

I

In che new millennium, further innovations have created a hybrid char lases only 20 overs for the competing sides, requires suprerne fitness of p layers and is supported b y latest technology with several different camera angles and a spider cam to boot, chat hovers above cricket ovals like a low level satellite. Technology has given new armoury to crkkec umpires in the form of snicko, hoc spot and cbe smrnp cam among others, that enables them to bear even sighs and whispers of those in the field of play. Action can be endlessly replayed instantly for lovers of tl1e gan1e, resulting in public scrutiny of every shoe. The game has been revolutionised to d1e point of bringing a lot of positives and negatives to tl1e repertoire, with tl1e objective of bringing in a full house of spectators and advertising revenues. ln global terms, Twemy20 has tl1e hype of a Superbowl in American football.

ricket 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 smprise that there were detractors who disliked the narrow limits drawn by the founding fathers of cricket.

C

Too testing!

In the early 20'" century, even George Bernard Shaw could no longer associate himself with th.is exclusive preserve of the rich and the famous, and decided to call it a sport played by "22 Aanne!Jed fools and watched by 22,000 fools with nothing better to do". Until then, a great number of cticket 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 tl1is endeared d1e game to the spectacors, who took refuge in saloon bars attached to cricket o,Tals.

In Europe and North America, cricl{et as a sport did not grow in popularity with Americans developing baseball, their ho megrown substitute with similar characteristics. Mose people in Europe saw cricket as a tired, dull and lazy pastime which was played over five days of action in slow mo tion. The British therefore looked to popularise the sport within the Commonwealtl1, an extension of tl1e Empire, and the game took rooc in South Africa, Australia and the Asian subcontinent.

Trite terminology Consider tl1e weird terminology associated with the game: fielding positions Ii ke siLiy mid-off or silly point, long leg, fine leg, square leg, gully, slips and cow corner, have a whiff of their colonial connectio n. There is little in tl1e above char suggests a competitive angle or an attacking posture. That

16 OCTOBER 2013

Dhoni's "helicopter" shot (above), and Dilshan's "di/scoop" (right) is, Lmtil Douglas Jardine, captain of England invented bodyline in tl1e l 930s, instructing his bowlers co attack tl1e Australian batsmen and aim at their bodies, rather than at the stumps as an intimidating tactic. Bodyline created m ltch more tl,an a storm in a teacup, leaving tl1e Australians aghast. Cricket administrators hastily created laws to prevent intimidating bowling.

Innovation to tradition

ODI emerges In tl1e 1970s, AL1stralian business tycoon Kerry Packer created a fast and furious rival to test cricket tl1at was short, sharp and guaranteed to produce a winner and a loser. Inevitably tl1e cricket establishment i n England was scandalised, and refused to admit tl1e 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 tl1e game a professional spore overnight. More importantly, ,vith just 50 overs for each side, tl1e game was over within a day or

night.

One-day cricket is now played in tl1e ,vee homs of the 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 hierarcl1y eventually joined the bandwagon.

Money power was well and truly

There ate new developments in the way the game is played mo.

Batsmen have added an array of ne,v shots, namely the reverse sweep, slog sweep, back cue, lace cut and upper cut, helicopter shor (attributed to the Indian captain MS Dhoui) and Dilscoop (credited to T Dilsban of Sri Lanka).

Australian David Warner invented tl1e switch hit, which can be played by anyone who is ambidextrou s. Bowlers, on tl1e other hand; have also shown tl1eir ability to adapt, tl1ey now have rhe carrom ball, arm ball, slow 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 tmn in their graves and wondering how much more mucil.ation the game will

''

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

'' invi te. It is fair to say tl1at cricket is now a rimer game, despite innovations tl1at are a far cry from its established traditions.

Beyond the bat Protective equipment such as helmets, sl'llll guards, abdomen guards, chest and elbow guards are already widely in use and make the players look robot-lil,e, but help prevent injuries. Umpires who adjudicate tl1e proceedings on the field have a rough time holding tl1eir own against technology tl1at obviates human error and guestions every judgement made by chem.

Witl1 money power comes the corruption potential. The game is at odds with march fixing, spot fixing, online betting and scandals involving players and official~ who are accused of aiding and abetting boo kmakers.

Cricket is not a sport dogged by drug cheats so far, although some banned substances have been used by players to enhance tl1eir performance. Sledging and playing mind games witl1 players is a strategy used by some cricketing nations, and racial vilification raises its ugly head from tin1e to rime.

The new su perpowers calling tl1e shots about the fumre of cricket come from the Soutl1 Asian subcontinent where tl1e game has a huge following.

Playing games with che game of cricket has added colour, pomp and circumst.·mce co this sport.

The popularity o f tl1e game is growing by leaps and bounds, and entertainment is tl1e key. Some of tl1e o ld bastions of the gan1e will fall, but it will be compensated by greater patronage the world over.

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INDIAN NEWS

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India, Canada n-agreement comes into force

►' -o

An Indian artist does the finishing touches to an idol ofthe Hindu Goddess Durga ahead ofthe Navratri festival in Bhopal. The annual nine-day festival of worship and dance begins on 5 October

Manmohan, Sharif break ice, but stick to their stands In a tentative opening of doors, Prime :M inister lvfanmohan Singh and his Pakistani cow1terpart, Nawaz Sharif held talks in New York recently co improve their relations. Bue India made it clear tba[ peace along the LoC was a muse for a full dialogue and bringing masterminds of 2008 Mumbai terror attack was vital.

Addressing media after tl1e ice-breaking "useful and friendly" talks i.n New York recently on me sidelines of the UN general assembly, Indian National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon said Manrnohan Singh told Sharif that it was vital to b ring to book those in Pakistan who masterminded the MLm1bai terror attack chat killed 166 people including many foreigners.

"Botl1 sides wisb co see a better JndiaPakistan relationship. Boch sides want a much better relationship," Menon told media.

"In o rder to get tl1ere, we need to address toda)7 tl1e issues we face," he added, whicl1 hes.aid included resroring "peace and tranquillity" along the LoC and addressing issues related to terrorism .

"It is very .importan t to address me terrorism issue," l\1Lenon underlined, making it clear that w hile there was no proof of India interfering in the iuremal affaits of Pakistan, me reverse was not true.

At a separate briefing for me media, Pakistan Foreign Secretar)' Jalil Abbas Jilani termed tl1e talks "positive and constructive," but took t11e line that a "peaceful sustained and urunterrupted dialob>ue" was the way co resolve issues between tl1em.

"There is no alternative co a peaceful sustained and uninterrupted dialogue.

W/e need to have an interaction on a regular basis to address all our outstanding issues," he said.

The two prin1e ministers tasked the Director Generals of Jviilitary Operations (DGMOs) of both coumrie.~ co come up wid1 "effective measures" to restore the 2003 ceasefire on the Jammu and Kashmir border, me Indian national security advisor told media.

"The decision was for DGMOs co come up with real plans to restore the ceasefire".

Menon said Sharif raised issues of concern co Pakistan including d1e disputed

18 OCTOBER 2013

Siachen glacier and Sir Creek.

"Our overall impression was that d1e meeting was useful, it provided an opporrunity ro discuss issues chat are troubling me relatiousbip," he added.

Sharif invited tl1e Indian Prime Minister to visit Pakist.an, and Manmohan Singh, who was born in what is now the Pakistani Punjab, reciprocated. No dates have been set for d1eir visits.

Menon acknowledged tl1at while me two Leaders desire a bertcr bilateral relationship, mey were "also conscious of tl1e difficulties standing in the way".

On the issue of terrorism, saying that it affected then1 both Jilani made no promises and instead harped o n Kashmir and spoke of "external interference" witl1out naming lndia.

"Terrorism was discussed. \Vle are aware of your concerns on terrorism, and I dunk our concerns are also known to tl1e lndiarr side," he said in response to a question from 1ndian media.

Asked about Manmohan Singh's description of Pakistan as the "epicentre of terrorism" J ilani said, "lt was not raised during me meeting. Terrorism was discussed but nor in the context chat you ate talking about".

"Prime Miruster Sharif also emphasised on external intederencein Balochiscan and otl1er parts of Pakistan," Jilani said.

Describing Kashmir as a "very irnportam issue" mat needs to be resolved, Jilaiu said, "\Y/e wimessed an equal willingness on me part of tl1e cwo leaderships to &;.cuss mings in an amicable manner".

Responding to questions on Mw11bai attacl~ mastermind Hafeez Saeed and his organisation Jamaac-ud-D awa (Ju.D), Jilani parried saying mere is ' 'willingness and comn'litment" o n tl1e part of botl1 sides to discuss me issue of terrorism.

T he schools and other educational. instimtions being nm by JuD have now been taken over by provincial government of Pakist.an at me direction of Islamabad in compliance with the UN Security Council resolution in chis regard.

J ilani also claimed tbar the monitoring teai11 of the UN w hich had recently visited me country in its report had found nothing about Pakistan violating the UN Security Council resolution in di.is regard.

Report says heart disease kills 17.3 million each year Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including heart disease and stroke, cause 17.3 million deaths each year worldwide, and by 2030 it is e..xpected chat 23 million people will die from CVDs annually, a report released recently in New D elli.i said.

September 29 was observed as World Heart Day. Every year since 2000, September 29 has been observed by me World Heart Federation as World Heart Day to spread awareness about the rising instance of heart disease.

"Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including heart disease and stroke, tal<e lives prematurely," said Ri shi Sed1i, associate professor, Department of Cardiology, King George's Medical U niversity, Lucknow. "1n fact, tl1ey cause 17.3 million deaths each year and the numbers ate rising. By 2030, it is expected chat 23 million people will die from CVDs annually".

The intervention cardiology data compiled

by Rishi Sethi revealed mat over 4,500 lifesaving angioplasty procedures ai1d almost 2,000 lifesaving pacemaker implantations have been performed in 2011-2012 in the state of U ttar Pradesh. The number of these procedures has increased by almost 30 percent over the last )'eat, be said.

"Children are vulnerable coo, the risk for CVDs can begin before birch, during foetal development, and increase further during childhood wid1 exposure to unhealtl1y diet, lack of exercise and sm oking," the doctor said.

The doctor also underlined how simple lifestyle changes like giving np tobacco could make a big difterence to cardio\1ascular healm.

"The tobacco industry interference in public heald1 policy has been recognised as tl1e biggest obstacle in enforcing tobacco control laws. Strengmening tobacco comrol is one of the evidence-based ways to reduce CVDs," said E hsaaJ1 Latif, direcmr, Tobacco Control , at the International Union against Tuberculosis and Ltmg Disease.

It is an international voluntary scientific orgaiusation working in low and middle income coLmt:ries to fight HIV/AIDS, 113, lung disease, tobacco-related morbidity and non-communicable diseases.

Canada has announced the coming into force of a Nuclear Cooperation Agreement with India.

This \Vas announced by Canada's Minister of Na rural Resources Joe Oliver and Lrnne Yelich, minister of state (Foreign Affairs and Consulat) in the Canadian capital. '"nus coming into force results from Canada's vigorous efforts to reach new markets for energr expons, creating opportunities for Canadian business. The Canadian nuclear industry currently supports 30,000 direct jobs across our country," said a statement issued by tl1e Canadian High Commission in New Delhi recently.

Oliver said, "This milestone represents a significant step in diversifying markets for our energy exports, tl1ereby creating jobs and solidifying Canada's long-term prosperity".

"The agreement with India will permit Canadian companies co reach an important new market for Canadian uraniLm1, nuclear technology, services and equipmeur," he said.

Oliver had met External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid September 23 in Octmva.

He visited India in O ctober 2012 co promote Canadian exports to India, the fourt11-largest energy consumer in the world. lndia is expected to more man triple its electricity supply within d1e ne..,t 25 years, the statement said.

Oliver had earlier announced chat the Appropriate Arrangemen t Agreement pursuant ro me Canada-Lidia Nuclear Cooperation Agreement had been signed hr both countries in Saskatoon April 8, 2013. " I ai11 very pleased d1at chis cnicial agreement is now i.n force," said Yelich. "It is importam for the province of Saskatchewan, one of die ,votld's largest producers of uranium, and can only solidify Canada's alteady strong relationship with India".

"The Nuclear Cooperation Agreement ai1d the supporting Appropriate J\rrangemenr will allow Canadian companies to export nuclear items for peaceful uses, in accordance wim Canada's nuclear nonproliferation policy. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Canada's independent nuclear regulator, will be responsible for implementation, ensuring that Canadian exports only go to facilities in lndia under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards," me statement said.

"Wid1 the coui.ing into force of this Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, the Canadian government reaffirms its conrn1 itment co support and grow Canada's nuclear industry, wluch generates about $5 billion in electricity ammally ai1d approximately $1 billion a year in uranium exports:' the statement said.

India and Canada had signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreemen t in 2010.

Indian-American becomes top US judge, creates history With Ii.is hand on tl1e Gita and watched by family friend Gursharan Kaur, Indian Prime iYlinister Manmo han Singh's wife, Chandigarh-born legal luminary Sri Srinivasan made li.istory as he becan1e the first Indian American to be sworn in as a judge of what is often called me second most powerful court in the US. Srinivasan, 46, was sworn in an overAowing court room by retired Supreme Court judge Sandra D ay O'Connor, in tl1e presence of legal lumin aries, friends and families as his mother Saroja Srinivasan held me Gita, tl1e

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INDIAN NEWS sacred book of Hinduism., before him.

Gursharan Kaur literally rushed from the airport witb just a shore halt at tbe hotel to watch the investinrre o f Sr.inivasan on the bench of the US Courts of Appeal for the D istrict of Colrnnbia Circuit.

O'Connor, for whom Srinivasan once de1:ked, called hin1 ·' fair, faultless and fabulous".

Confirmed by the US Senate iu ]':,,fay by a 97 to Ovore, Srit1ivasao was earlier prit1cipal deputy solicitor general of the US to which job be succeeded another Indian American, Neal Kumar Katya!, in August last year.

Srinivasan came to the US with his parents in the l 970s at the age of four. HL~ family seeded in Lm.vrence, Kansas, ,vhere his faci1er was a mathematics professor at the University of Kansas, and his motlier taught at the Kansas City Art Institute.

He received his BA with honours and disti nction i11 1989 from Stanford Uruversity and his JD with distinction in 1995 from Stanford Law School, where he was elected to Order of the Coif and served as an editor of the Stanford Law Review.

Yamuna's plight highlighted on World Rivers Day Green activists recently walked along the Yaomna to the Taj Corridor to highlight the plight of the river burdened by hrn11an waste and industrial pollur.ants.

The '\Valk for Yamuna' was undertaken on World Rivers Day, co draw attention to rivers facing severe and increasing di reats associated with dimate change, pollution and industrial development.

The Yamuna in Agra is now seen posing a major threat to the h.isrorical monuments along i rs banks ind uding the 17ch cen nrry Taj Mahal, whose fow1dation needs constant moisture.

"But in the past t\vo decades, all kinds of pollutants and toxics are freely Aowing into the river," said an organiser of the walk, Shravan KLU11ar Singh. These could corrode ilie stmcmre below tbe main platform of the Taj, he said.

Jugal Kishore Shrotriya, a temple priest and a young green activist, said that dJe Yamm1a, for all practical purposes, was dead in Agra.

"Only garbage, carcasses and sewer Bow," he said. "The aquatic life has been decimated.

So many plans and sdiemes co save d1e 1·iver have gone down che drain".

Activists said die free flow of me river has been obstructed by a serie., of barrages upstream that bold up all the water. \."'v11at reaches Agra is jusr waste and sewage.

"Tiie Yamuna Action Plans have made no discernible improvements in water quality. The Aow is inadequate. The sewage treatment plants either do n or work or are short of resources," said Surendi-a Sharma of Heritage Society.

Pre-conception sex selection rising; Lawyer Sex selection of a baby at di e pre-conception stage is on the rise, and now a Rs.15 crore business, a lawyer said in New Delhi recently; while addressing a symposium on the challenges in the .implementation of the law on the issue.

"The sex determination of a foetus preconception in che laboratory is on me rise in our countr); and has emerged as a lucrative Rs.1 5 crore business," said advocate Varsha Deshpande, speaking at a symposium in the national capital that deliberated on die implementation of d1e Pre-Conception and

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Indian supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wear masks of Gujarat state Chief Minister and the BJP's prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, as they travel in a bus towards the airport to receive him in Mumbai on September 30

Pre-Natal D iagonistic Technique Ace (PC PND1), 1994.

"Sex deterrnination before the preconception stage d1rough selection of chromosome., is nor strictly prohibited under tl1e PC PNDT Act," Deshpande explained, adding iliat procedures exist by which parents opting for in-v irro fertilization procedures might select the sex of the w1born baby without breaking dielaw of 1994.

The PC PNDT Act prohibits sex selection, before or after conception and provides for regulatiou of prenatal diagnostic techruques for me purpose of cletecti.tlg disorders and the prevention of meir misuse for sex determination, leading to female foeticide.

Asha Menon, member-secretary, National .Legal Services J\mhority (NALSA) said, " [t is important to check now, as the i.n-via:o fertilisation unit bas resulted in the highest nun1ber of male birtl1s".

As per tbe 201 1 census, Delhi recorded a low chi.Id sex ratio of 866 girls to 1,000 boys.

The act of 1994 was inrroduced after ula:asouncl techniques began to be used in tl1e 1990s to determine tl1e sex of tl1e foetus.

The □umber of female foeticides rose as a result of tl1e technique, and the sex ratio (number of girls for every 1,000 boys) showed sharp decline.

"The siniation is becoming e.xtremely serious, wim some sections of the media reporting a chi.Id selt ratio of 789 girls per 1,000 boys in the last quarter. Hence there is an urgent need for a consolidated effort from tl1e law enforcemem agencies and civil society orgarusations to address this issue ar the earliest," Ranjana Kumati, director, Centre for Social Research, said .

Vipassana pioneer S.N. Goenka dead Spiritualist and pioneer of tl1e V ipassana meditation in India, S.N. Goenka, 90, died on the night of September 29 at his re.5ide11ce in l\1[umbai due co old age, said aide Gautam Gaikwad in Mumbai.

He is survived by his \\~ fe )Vfata Elaichiclevi and six sons.

The funeral was held in Jogeshwari electric cremacorium.

Goenka started teaching Vipassana

meditation in 1969 and followed it up with a meditation centre in lgatpuri, near Nashik, in 1976.

Last year, Goenka was confer.red the Padma Bhushan, India's tlurd highest civilian award.

Born and raised in Burma, Goenka was a successful businessman when he came in comact wim die late Sayagyi (J Ba Kh.in, who taughl him the Vipassana techniques.

After 14 years trairung under Sayagyi, Goenka decided co sertle in India and started teadiing Vipassana meditation in 1969.

He established die V.ipassaoa lnternational Academy, a meditation centre in Igatpuri in 1976.

Lacer, 172 more sud1 cena:es blossomed worldwide, i.nduding 75 in India.

In 1982, be became a uipassanacbmyo and starred training teachers worldwide and established the Vipassana Research lnstimte in Igatpuri in 1985.

Goenka's technique represemed a tradition that can be traced back to Lord Gautam Buddha who caught 'Dhanm1a' as me nonsectarian way to liberation.

Goenka's approadi was also rotally non-sectarian and found universal appeal, including an1ong jail inmates in India and US. In 2000, Goenka addressed tbe J\,[illennium World Peace Summit at tl1e UN headquarters in l ewYork.

Following his passion, he laid die fow1dation of the Global Vipassana Pagoda at Gorai Beach, in nortb-west Mumbai.

Standing at 325 feet (or the height of a 30-storeyecl building), it encompasses the world's largest pillar-less stone dome, twice as big as the Basilica of Sc. Peter at the Vatican City. ln che cena:e is a circular medication hall, 280 feet in dian1eter with a seating capacity of 8,000, and relics o f Buddha are kept in tbe pagoda.

Goenka believed that tbe m o nument would bridge different communities, sects, races and cotUJtries to make die world a more harmonious and peaceful place.

Yuvraj returns for Australia series

rounder Yuvraj Singh was recently recalled in tl1e lnd.ian teani for the first three One-clay Internationals of a seven-match series and a one-off Twen ty20 against the routing Australia.

The selection committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) annowiced the 15-man squad for the series in Chennai, making four changes in the squad tl1at won die Champions Troph)' in June.

Yuv:raj, Arnbati Rayudu, Mohan1med Shami and Jayclev Unadkat have been picked in place of Murali V.ijay, Dioesh Karch.ik, lt:fan Pathan aod Umesh Yadav.

Other seniors like Virender Sehwag, C',aucam Gambhir and Harbhajan Singh will have to wait for dieir rerurn to tl1e national fold.

Yuvraj comes to the side after scores of 84, 52, 61, 40 and 123 in the series against West Indies A and Challenger Trophy. His lastimemational match was an ODI against England in Dharamsala in January.

Fast bowlers Shami and Unadkat have been rewarded for their in1pressive show in me live-match series in Zimbabwe.

The axe for speedster Yaclav is surprising tl1ough he proved expensive in d1e Challenger Trophy. Wicket-keeper Kartb.ik was overlooked against Rayudu, who averaged more man 50 runs in Zin1babwe. Opener Vijay could not retain his place while lrfan Pathan is injured.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin replaces Parvez Rasool, who misses om after t he Zimbabwe stint alongside Chetesbwar Pujara, Mob.i t Kun1ar and Ajinkya Rahane.

India ,vill play a TIO and seven ODis against Australia but selectors decided to pick the squad only for tl1e initial three games.

The TIO will be played in Rajkoc, October 10. The lirsc three ODis will be hosted in Pune (Occober 13),Jaipur (October 16), and Mohali (October 19).

India squad: :t\fabendta Singh Dhow (capmin), ShikharDhawan., Rohic Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Vinay Kumar, Amit Mishra, Ambati Rayudu, i\fohammed Sharni,J aydev Um1dkac.

Rewarded for his recent good form, all-

IANS

OCTOBER 2013 19

CELEBRATIONS

How one family brought a little bit ofextra excitement to this auspicious day

any of us like co celebrate our birthdays in special ways, whether it is b,7 th rowing an extravagant party or by planning a simple day with the family. Birthdays tend to be very special and we make every effort to make sure it goes without a glitch. l know I most certainly do.

And just like birthdays, Janmasbtami brings witb it tbe same heart racing excitement and zeal for celebration. Only tbis time, i t is exa·a special!

Janmashcami marks the birth of Lord Krishna (the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu). Krishna was the eighth son of D evki and Vasude\7, and according to scriptures and astrological calculacions, the date of Krishna's birth is July 19, 3228 BC The festival is celebrated on the eighth day in tbe month of shraa11a11 in the Hindu calendar.

Janmashtami is celebrated with great dhoom dham, nor only across India but across the world with mos lee/a to celebrate Kris hna's youthful, flirtatious nature and the Dahi-Handi in w hich teams of young men form a sky-high human tower by climbing on to each other's shoulders to reach a pot of butter which is hanging high up and break it.

Families also celebrate this auspicious day at home by holding hht!fa11s and decorating the temple. \'v'hen I was back borne in England, I remember how my father used to wake up early and clean the temple and my mother would make l\lfaalp11m, which we used to take co the temple in the evening as Pmstltl. The function used to start off with bb'!Ja11s and at midnight (according co the time in India) and a speciaUy chosen baby, dressed as Krishna, would be bought in, carried in a woven basket as everyone chanted haathi gom paalki,jai kanha!Jra la/ ki; re-enacting the scene of when Vasudev carried Krishna in the basket and crossed the river Yamuna. \Xie would then all line up eagerly to rock the cradle and seek blessings. The highlight of Janmasbtami, however, were the little babies and toddlers dressed up as baby Krishna looking

M

20 OCTOBER 2013

absolutely adorable!

Halfway across the world, here in Brisbane, Janmashtarni is celebrated with the same enthusiasm and fervour. This year one family celebrated it iu an extra special way.

Saokalp Khanna's in-laws visited from India this year, and for his father in-law this was the first time he was spending Janmasbtami away from home in 73 years. Sankalp's in-laws both hail from Chandametta, a small mining row□ on the border of

Madhya Pradesh a□d l\.faharashtra.

Janmasht.·uni bas traclitionally been their biggest celebration of the year and his wife Awanika's dad bas been an integral pare of the preparation and celebration si□cc his childhood. So to make the celebrations special, Sankalp, his wife Awani ka, a□d their two daughters, decided to recreate the celebrations at home in Brisbane.

They used everyday materials to create an animated display, much like the wind ow displays you see at the :Myer, to recreate a scene

from the story of Lo.rd Krishna.

Converting the garage into a p1tja room, a stage was erected using filing cabinets, the sides of a single bed, and cardboard packing boxes. The sreel columns from a trampoline were used to build the walls. A variety of drawings, stencils and craft paper were L1se to paint the scene. Statues of Radha Krishna and the Gopis were created using Ken and Barbie dolls, but they d idn't stop there.

Io o rder to bring their creation to life, they used electronic

circuits and hobby motors used for helicopter wings, to make Krishna raise his band as if co throw a stone, then bring his band back down (without throwing the scone). Radba also rurned ber head to look at hin1. ''What surprised my father in-law the most, was how all our friends came together to make things happen," Sankalp said.

"Every weekend , friends would come over and spend time to help build the clisplay. Some would cake work home co finish it. The circuit was acmally built with the help from a colleague of o ne o f my friends. The flowers for the decoration and everyday puja were donated by another friend who owns a flower farm".

As the festi\riries commenced in the Khanna household, friends and family joined tbem for Arri and Prashad over five days. That

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night they held a dinner, including a performance by their nine-yearo ld daughter Khushi, which was attended by 50 people. "\'l(lbac Awanika's parents, our friends and 1 will cherish the most from this celebration is the experience we were able co provide for the kids," Sankalp said. "They were able to be a part of how it is rraclicionally celebrated in India. They stayed up with us at night for the Aarti.

We even varied some Aarti times to suit their school times. My elder daughter, Kbushi, also did a presentation to her school friends describing the significance of the festival and cook Prasad for all her friends".

As the festivities came to an end for this year, the Khanna family gained some very special memories, which will stay with d1ern forever.

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OCTOBER 2013 21

OPINION

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Do we really need an Upper

House?

A power imbalance within the Australian Senate is proving to be a stumbling block in the legislative reform process of Commons is taken for granted; rhe Prime lvlinister of Britain by traditiorr comes from d1e House of Commons. However, the BY House of Lords, which is considered as a house of review, can delay and modify bills NOEL G DE SOUZA sent from the House of Commons. But it cannot reject money supply bills.

To illustrate the need fo:r upper houses he blocking ability of the Australian let us mke a hypothetical case. Consider if Senate was made clear in 1975 when the then Prime }.,f inister Gough there are only Parliaments based on H ouse Whitlan1 was unable to get of Representative members. Then bills passed by that chamber. .imagine iJ there is one group of That gave tl1e tl1en Governorpeople which form a majority community say 6fty-five per cent, General Sir John Kerr, the it would be possible for tl1at group excuse to have him dismissed Australia did not in an unprecedented fashion. to get aU tbe sears in Parliament choose the British Simultaneously; Sir John Kerr and no seats for any other group, model of the appointed Malcolm Fraser emnic or otherwise. This is what House of Lords as tbe Prime 11inister. The h appened in Na:;,j Germany where as the country ,vottods that the Labor Party all minority groups were tyrannised. is supposedly suffered at tl1e time are still So, in some countries there could egalitarian in raw. arise the situation that minorities Today, the Australian nature, and has no never get representation in a Senate is again seen as a Parliament. aristocracy smmbling block in the Let us take an example of a legislative reform process by minority group seeking to find a the new Liberal gQ\1ernment voice in tbe Senate. In the very unlikely event mat Indians in an headed by Tony Abbott.

Clive Palmer, whose Palmer Australian stare decide to field a U nited Party is expected to gain the balance candidate, they would first have to think of of power in the Senate, has said that he a stare which has a substantial number of would block the legislative process unless the Indians, such as New South Wales. If almost Government agrees to reform the manner in all Indians in that State do vote, then such a whicl1 elections are conducted. possibility exists.

There ate two countries where Upper Irr a democracy there will always be groups Houses or Senates are currently causing of cil±zens who form minorities..Minorities problems for elected governments: Ausrralia can be groups o f people who are members and the USA. This sirnilarity should cause no of edmicities, workers, d1e poor, me surprise as the J\usrralian Senate was based disadvantaged, the political right and on the American model. Australia did not the political left. Several such groups put choose the British model of the House of up candidates for election to d1e new senate Lords as d1e country is supposedly egalitarian and some, co d1e surprise of many, actually in nature, and bas no aristocracy: win seats.

In Britain, d1e narnes of the two The current focus on the Senate is how clmmbers reveal tl1eir nature: the House of its elections are conducted. This has been Lords is a relic from the past when Lords promoted quite forcibly by Clive Palmer of Palmers U nited Party who will have me (predominantly male) ran me country. As a result, there still exist some memberships in balance in that house. Some of his demands that chamber which could should be practically feasible, such be considered as archaic; as marking ballot papers with ink this includes the 26 Lords and nor pencil, as is currently done.

Spiritual who belong to the The next is that booths should hierarci1y of the Protestant be manned by a wide selection Anglican Church. of people and not by just military Some of (Palmer's) Then d1ere are Lords officers as Palmer says happened in demands should be Temporal whici1 includes Fairfa.'l where he is s randing for d1e practically feasible, H ouse of Representatives. hereditary Lords and others such as marking who have been given life Senator N ick Xenophon ballot papers with suggests that voters mark ballot peerages and have been ink and not pencil, papers below me line so that all nominated as barons and as is currently don barorresses. The current preferences are marked. Currently, Speaker in the British House marking above the line transfers t he of Lords is Baroness Prances power of distributing preferences Gertrude Claire D'Souza, a to the party marked above the line.

Therefore d1e Labor and Liberal scientist wbo was nominated co tl1e House. She is of parties who got the largesr number Indian origin. Anod1er well-known Indianof votes have had a disproportionate number of preference distributions. They can thus origin Bacon is Lord 13haji.

The House of Commons is, in contrast, distribute preferences to parties which the an elected body made up of commoners. voter had never intended.

In Britain mere have been, over me last few The above suggesc:ions can be in1plemented without going to a referendum. Referenda centuries, battles bel:\veen the l:\VO houses for dominance by either one or me other have been notorious for their rejection by rbe house. Today the supremacy of d1e House Australian people.

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22 OCTOBER 2013

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LITERATURE

•

on-v10 ence rom • I The Mahatma's concept of satyag raha was influenced by two powerful works that shaped his thought and reasoning

n October 2 we celebrated the anniversary of the birdi of Gandhiji, our revered Mahaaua who is renowned for his use of non-violence in the struggle for Indian independence. The question arises, how did he come br diis idea of non-violence?

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi went to En~land in 1888 at the relatively young age of 19, m srudy la\" As one might expect, at first he was quite bewildered at die d ifferent world into which he had stepped. Apart from tbe problem of satisfying his vegetarian dietary needs, he soon took to the Brfosh lifes tyle, buying smart clodies including a top hat. He joined die London Vegetarian Society and absorbed various influences of this great city, even tO die extent o f learning ballroom dancing and buying a Bible.

Gandhi read the Bible and Matthew 5.2, die 'Sermon on die Mount,' went straight to his heart.

Making a particular impact were die sections diat read "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for diei.rs is d1e kingdom of heaven" and "Blessed are they who are persecmed for righteousness' sake; for d1eirs is the kingdom of heaven".

We have all heard the saying, 'An eye for an eye, and a tood1 for a too di'. Bm Jesus in the Sermon goes on to say, "whosoever shall smite d1ee on d1y righr cheek, turn to him d1e other also".

With hindsight, one can begin to undersrand how these and oilier sayings of the Bible resonated witl1 Gandhi, but diey were still to be processed in his mind.

Leo Tolstoy, sou of Count Nicolai Tolstoy was 60 when Gandhi arrived in London. Tolstoy had alread y written arguably two of d1e greatest novels ever, Anna Karenina and IV'ar tmd Pet1ce, but also would go o n co write an argument of his philosophies in a work entitled The T011gdo111 of God is IVithi11 Yon in 1894. He was a

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24 OCTOBER 20 13

Christian, but could not reconcile what he saw as tbe perversion of Christ's teachings by d1e Church. ln his reading of the Bible, he too had been enormously affected by die 'Sermon on the Mount' which he believed to be the true gospel of Jesus Christ In addition, bis thoughts and writing were influenced strongly by the teachings of die Quakers, and also by die struggle for die emancipation of slaves in die United States. Tolstoy acknowledges d1at as far back as 200 years before his time, the Quakers bad been championing die notion of non-violence.

A feel for tl1e book The Kingdom of God is Withill Yo11 can be gleaned by die title of die very first chapter of the book, "The Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force has been Professed by a M..i.norit:y of Men from the Very F'oL1ndation of Christianity''. Gandhi read diis book in 1896, and was profoundly affected by it It's nor surprising because die book is a cry from d1e depths of the heart and soul of Tolstoy. He argues and pleads to explain bow relevant and robust tl1e teachings of the Bible ace to mankind.

Gandhi's philosophy on die use of non-violence was now formed. The teachings from d1ese two works had already provided the basis for die selfless support for die poor and downtrodden, that was m be Gandhi's hallmark throughout bis l.ife. It is tliese two pillars that would provide him witl1 strength and guidance in all the battles chat were co come.

1n 1908, Tolstoy wrote A Letter to a T-Ii11doo, which was published in the Free Hindustan in India. The letter outlines the notion d1at only by using love as a weapon through passive-resistance, could native Indian people overthrow the colonial British empire. Gandhi read d1e letter and wrote to Tolstoy, afterg which the two kept up a regular correspondence. This was to last another two years witl1 Tolsmy's last letter before his dead1 in 1910 being written co his friend Gandhi.

In 1910 C'ra.ndhi scarred a cooperative village in South Africa, and called it Tolstoy Farm. Tliere were also certain era.its common to bodi Tolstoy and Gandhi.

Even though Tolstoy hailed from nobility, he would dress as

a peasant, and we have Gandhi rejecting all l1umry, dressing as a peasant and living a spartan life. Tolstoy came ro believe in tl1e beneficial properties of vegetarianism, whereas Gandhi had always been a vegetatian.

Interestingly, b o th Tolstoy and Gandhi came ro value chastity and sexual abstinence, but possibly nor for the same reason. Tolstoy had many children witli his wife and it is well-known, some widi workers on his estate. However, Gandhi believed abstinence helped retain energy and concentrate die mind. In bis autobiography, Gandhi acknowledged Tolstoy as "die greatest apostle of nonviolence that die present age has produced".

From the snowfields of Russia, dirough to the veldt of South Africa, across d1e heat and dust of the p lains of India, d1e tide of non-violence has drifted across con tinents. lt is a notion diat is simple in the extreme, yet as full of power as a live electric wire. Many have embraced the idea as Gandhi did. le has changed societies and altered die course of nations, none more so chan India.

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OCTOBER 2013 25

SCHOOL

Accreditation for tutors in Australia will ensure better standards of educational accountability

ne of the most common inquiries to the Australian Tutoring Association (ATA) is what the requirements are for becoming a mmr. It L~ heartening that many prospective mtors are keen to know what, if an); standards apply in regards to entry into the industry.

The nature of tutoring is such that it straddles two seemingly opposing areas of human endeavour. On the one hand, iris commercial in nature, and therefore commercial rules apply.

In the alternative, tutoring is about education and educational accmmtability. These rwo; the commercial and the educational, overlap in tutoring in a ,vay that muses a unique set of issues.

Consider the issue of plagiarism, for example.

Plagiarism, in an educational sense, is defined as the passing off of another's work as one's own, wirl1out authorisation to do so. The educational definition focuses on the namre of the creator of me work and their relationship to d1ar i.ncellecmal property. lt seeks to ensme that the owner is rewarded for their endeavours, and d1ar personal effort is valued. A commercial view of plagiarism, as it relates to tutoring, would look at the nature of dependency. If a tucor does tbe work of a student, the smdent becomes more dependent. In

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26 OCTOBER 2013

mis context, plagiarism generates income and entrenches weakness in d1e student The tutor is the 'paid help' actually weakening, ramer than strengthening me recipient. Therefore, if the issue of dependence was included in d1e definition of plagiarism, any problem arising from how commerce affects nuoring could be addressed effectively.

In this example, it can be seen mat ruroring creates a particular set of dynamics d1at present problems for commercial regulators and also educarion,'11 administrators.

However, experience around the world has sbowu that reguL'lting me private niroring market Gill be fraught wid1 difficulties. For example, an outright ban on private mcoring in Egypt failed when me black market for private rutors Aourished. Similarly, a proposed ban by me Turkish government has been modified in the light of huge opposition from families and educational advocates.

How men can the growing

d.ornestic and global market for private tutoring be best managed?

The current arrangement lo A ustralia is a model of selfregulation. Self-regulation requires an industry co demonstrate maturity in that the industry itself is prepared to benchmark best practise and to hold practitioners accounr.able to such standards.

There are five important features of successful selfregulation • The presence of a peak representative body • TI1e creation of a code of ethics or code of conduct by the peal{ body and applicable co the membership particularly and the industry more broadly. The code should also have a regime for sanctions or penalties than can be imposed on providers who breach it • The creation of a vehicle for d1e settlement of disputes arising between practitioners and clients and practitioners d1emselves

• A form of accrecLi.cation mat acts as an entry mechanism and a means by whicl1 standards can be sec and in1proved over time • Recognition by government of the peak body and its standards To dare, d1e missing piece in Australia, and one which is essential for responsible selfregulation, is that of a viable and rigorous accreditation for tutors. How embarrassing when prospective rutors are told thar, "at present in Australia there is no entry criteria orl1er man an operacor abide by me relevant commercial and child protection laws".

Self-regulation demands that each of the 6ve feamres be present. 1n Australia four are met, but accreditation is nm. So it is time co test d1e tutors. Disclosure is an essential element of me test That is, a tutor should be honest and upfront about the exact and specific nanu:e of meir skills, experience and qualifications. The

term qualified rutor is meaningless wimout such a disclosure requirement.

It is time for Australian mrors to embrace an industry-based accredi.tation. Globally, only two nations have a form of accreditation for tutors: the USA and Germany. The model in the USA is cumbersome and at present a very small proportion of tutors (estimated at less man 0.5°1<,), have become accrecLited. In Germany d1e model is based on 1SO9000 and is so rigorous and expensive that it has not been embraced by d1e industry. Only 30 businesses out of 4,000 comply (or 0.75%).

Tl1e characteristics of relevant accreditation for Australian tutors should be that content and skills reAect local experience and match die aspirations of a best practice code. Included in such an accreditation should be compulsory national police background checks.

This would overcome d1e present ad hoc situation of a lack of uni form national la,vs in regards ro child protection.

With regards to knowledge, skills and abilities, teachers who nitor should be recognised for their prior knowledge and experience.

Finally, an accreditation should have both core and optional units ro ensure minimum levels of qualification, as well as a capacity co specialise. Such a model allows for continuing professional development (CPD).

Tutors need to be put to the test and national standards raised. In thi.s way, children and rnei.r families are better respected, and outcomes for tutoring are raise.cl. The industry needs to demonstrate diis responsibility and mamrity.

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HEALTH

Research grant supports duel against diabetes Information, detection and prevention of diabetes is essential for people of Indian and subcontinent origin Some of the risk factors for diabetes Genes

For Type 1 diabetu (on average)

eopleof Indian descent are six times mo.re likely to contract type 2 diabetes than the general population," says Dr Kuowarjit Sangla, Director of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Townsville Hospital and Health Service.

"The chances of developing diabetes may depend on a mix of genetic factors, lifestyle (diet and exercise) and environmental factors. Complications from Diabetes including blindness, amputations, heart attacks and kidney failuce arc common among Indians," he adds.

Waichal is now 63, and was diagnosed with diabetes at just 33. She never had a sweet tooth, but was genetically pre-disposed to this disease, having lost her mother co d iabetes. Waichal's diabetes slowly and gradually increased with time and stress, and she now has to follow a strictly disciplined diet along with insulin injections four times a day.

Akbar (66) was diagnosed with Type 2 D iabetes in 2009.

Although she did restrict fatty and sugary food groups from her diet, she too inherited this disease. She too, lost her mother to diabetes and by following a strict daily diet, Akbar has not needed insulin injections.

P

So what is diabetes?

"There a.re principally two types of Diabetes - Type 1 and Type 2. The risk factors are different for both of them," explains Dr Sangla. "A third variety is secondary diabetes where the pancreas has become completely dysfunctional due to disease or illness, or may have been surgically removed. There is a genetically inherited type of diabetes in children. AU types can occur at any age".

Type l diabetes develops when the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas have been destroyed.

No one knows for certain why these cells have been damaged. Lt

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Dr Sang/a is rare in lndians. Type 2 diabetes usually appears in middle-aged or older p eople, although more frequently it is being diagnosed in younger overweight people (especially Indian children). Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is not making enough insulin., or the insulin it is making is not being used properly. The risk of developing Type 2 diabetes can be reduced by changes in lifestyle.

After losing her nani (grandmother) to lliabetes and her mother affected by tl-1is disease, fifth generation Fijianborn Heena Akbar realised there was not enough information and awareness provided on diabetes among communities. Currently a PhD student at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) 42-year-old Heena was recently provided with funding from Diabetes Queensland and QUT to study 'the management of diabetes by women from Fiji who are now in Brisbane regardless of their ethnicity/ race. lndians, Fijian, Chinese, Polynesians and other groups all have a high incidence of Type 2 diabetes.'

"Diabetes is the world's sixth megatrend! Over the years our lifestyle has become sedentary, we have less time and no physical activity," says lleena.

"We a.re moving into an era of modernisation and because of our change in habits, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are common causes of death. l t is a fact that Jnclians and Asians are prone to Type 2 diabetes due to pre-history of diabetes in the family," claims Heena, who comes from an Indian-Afghan and Nepali background.

Commenting on the research

Heena grant given, Michelle Trute, CEO Diabetes Queensland says, "Type 2 diabetes is the world's fastest growing chronic disease and the situation in Queensland is no differen t. The aim of the research grants is to help inform sufferers about the clirection of Queensland's health system which includes having the right structures and S}'Stems in place to manage the complications related to all types of diabetes, so that they are tailored to the need s of individual communities".

"This is the reason we were extremely pleased to be able to provide Heena Akbar with $30,000 funding through Diabetes Queensland's annual PhD scholarship to study the impact of Type 2 diabetes on Fijian women living in Australia," she adds.

Echoing similar thoughts on research on diabetes, Dr Sangla says, "Research in diabetes, obesity and chronic disease within culturally and linguistically diverse communities is very important.

These high risk communities of various ethnicities will benefit from research which identifies key issues relevant to their physical, mental and social wellbeing. Hopefully this will then

help identify solutions which are culturally and traditionally appropriate to their living".

"The objective of the PhD research is to gain a better understanding of migrant women from Fiji of all ethnic backgrounds living Ln Brisbane, in managing Type 2 diabetes," explains Heena. "T his will be done through communication whi.d1 will include talking to elders/leaders o f the community, conducting interviews aod focus groups with health providers and women with family who have diabetes. Through my research l will be able to draw .an analysis, develop interventions and programs tailored specifically to fill gaps and address .issues thus .in helping and assisting people affected by diabetes," she adds.

So who is at risk?

"Obese children are at high risk of diabetes, hypertension, heart attacks and hypercholestcrolemia," Dr Saogla explains. "Get them screened when young. These are no longer illnesses only of the elderly".

If you have a family history of diabetes or are overweight, get screened. If the initial screening is normal, it doesn't mean you are safe forever and can't get diabetes.

Get screened regularly, especially if the risk factors a.re unchanged and as you get older.

If overweight, get screened for diabetes prior to pregnancy.

If you have diabetes, control your sugars, cholesterol and blood pressure. Controlling sugars is oot enough. Ask your doctor to give you targets levels you need to achieve.

lf the mother has the condition, the risk of developing it is about 2'1/o If the father has the conllition, the risk of developing i.t is about 6o/o If both parents have the condition, the risk of developing it is up to 30% lf a b rother or sister develops the condition, the risk of developing it is 10% (rising to 15% for a non-identical twin and 40% for an identical twin).

For Type 2 diabetes (on average) lf either parent has the condition, the risk of developing it is 15% lf both parents have the condition, the risk of developing it is 75% If a non-identical twin has the condition, the risk of developing it is 10% lf an identical twin has the condition, the risk of developing it is 90%

Ethnicity T)-pe 2 diabetes is up to si;,: times more common in people of lndi.an descent.

According to the Health Survey for England 2004, doctordiagnosed diabetes is almost three times as prevalent in Indian men compared with men io the general population.

Among women, diabetes is twoand-a-half times as .likely in Indian women, compared with women in the general population.

Or Sangla suggests preventive measures against diabetes El).erci.se regularly. Burn the cal.ories It's not all about weight (rugby players weigh a lot but are not fat) . lt's about having a slim waistline Eat to live but don't live to eat.

See a dietician for culturally and traditionally appropriate cliet plan Understand that just because a food is not sweet doesn't mean it will not have sugar in it Restricting sugary foods is not enough. Calorics come from proteins, carbohydrates and fatty food

OCTOBER 2013 27

ARTS

anes a ur ce e rations TASNEEM ZAVERY attends Brisbane Maharashtra Mandal's Ganesh Chaturthi on September 14 at Holland Park State High School

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Ganesh Chaturthi held on September 7 at Cavendish State High School. Photos by TASNEEM ZAVERY

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• • • 28 OCTOBER 2013

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OCTOBER 2013 29

FASHION

ve

What to wear for Navratri, Puja and Diwali parties to make a statement! toes over closed heels, as they are more flattering with a suit or .raree. Even shiny wedge heel sandals, or snidded flats can do the trick (making you look glamorous that is). he year's in its final quarter and that marks the arrival of the festive season. \Vhen festivities are in the air and Navracri, Puja and Diwali parties are lined up, the focus is namrally on what to wear, how to accessorise and how to add the perfect finishing touches?

So, is it time to reinvent your wardrobe, or simply acquire some new pieces? Why not a bit of both. Aud another good reason to shop? Diwali presents of course! If you have a trip to India planned then of naturallr you're in for a fantastic ethnic wardrobe shopping treat. Bur even if you're not, fret not, and read on.

T

Indian outfits (online shopping) With a myriad of possibilities for online shopping, there's bound to be an outfit for every caste, budget and s1:yle. Online shopping is fun, yet tricky because you run the risk of sizes not working for you, or things looking quite differem in reality. J\Jso, yon have to cake into consideration the delivery time if you are ordering something to wear for a special occasion. But, if you are a confident and infor med 011.line shopper you can get yourself chat spanking new saree or anarkali suit at your convenience and flaunt it at your uexr big festive event.

If you crave Indian designer wear you probably already know about Pernia's pop-up shop and the sensational range of Indian wear you can find at this online store. It's hard to resist that fabulous Manish Mall10cra lebenga, quirky Masaba saree or magical Arruapali accessory?

Metal lie footwear How could you not associate all things bling and shiny with festive wear? Of course, you don't have to think C\vice when you pair DP those gold or silver sandals with your rich sm·ee on Diwali night.

If you don't own any, 1 say go ahead and pick a pair this season, with all of those mid-season sales happening. Heels are a must because tbey are aesthetically oh so right. Pick a lower kitten bed if you prefer comfort, or peep

30 OCTOBER 2013

Boxed and jew I encrusted cit t The variety o f clutches available in the m alls, markets and online are just\ o numerous that it has me more c .nfused than when I started off looking. Bue I managed to work out the best choices for an Indian ensemble and also how ro pick a classy one over the cheap and tacky looking ones!

Boxed clutches A lthough impractical looking, they actually work well with festive Indian attire. You couldn't go wrong in satin finished ones in deep red, dull gold or fuchsia, as these colours work perfectly with most Indian bright outfits. P ick a smallish one with a pretty clasp. l 'd suggest a modestly priced piece as it doesn't have the same cost per wear as other pieces, unless you're a parry animal!

You don't really have to be an adept online shopper for ordering accessories 011.line, because one size really does fit all) India also has some brilliant brocade fabric boxed clutches time speak timeless elegance, so ind ulge in one of these.

Jewel e nc rusted clutches Pretty, yet tricky to shop for, as they can end up looking cheap or over the top i f you don't find a stylish, tasteful piece. My theory in this case. is 'Jess is more' and pick subtle over loud. So my pick would be a black clutch with b igger diamances on it, or a brighter colour with smaller uniform ,5tones ensuring ro keep in style.

Indian inspired statement jewellery I'm sure you'll all agree that there is absolutely no dearth of lndia inspired jewellery, regardless of whether you shop at D iva, Proucls, Myer or Kmart. There are numerous ways to mix and match silver, dull gold, faux diamonds or even pearls. The good thing about some jewellery is that it is far more versatile than we imagine.

Like large flashy earrin!,>S working with your chiffon saree, just as well as with a LBD (li ttle black dress).

As long as you allow the outfit

to take centre stage and work its magic, using the jewellery co play the perfect accompaniment.

Closet remix ideas

ones, tl1en here's a like to call it a 'closet Combine a plain satin dress with yom gorgeous s rl11patta and a ch11rirlm· to make a completely new outfit. Just stick t the same tone while putting items togetl1er. l sometimes even pair linen tmucs with r1 banrlbani d11patta and Sr1!i/Jrlr for a more casual day time festive event.

Be inspired to reinvent your wardrobe, or shop for something exclusive to flaunr this festive season!

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FOOD

•

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Quickand qUlr

qu1noa

Heralded as a superfood, the seed can be easily adapted to a range of dishes, writes MYTH/LI /YER •

Q

uinoa,

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 guinoa as well, which rakes a slightly longer time to cook.

Totally organic, guinoa provides tl1e highest protein and it is totally gluten free and cholesterol free. It is also generally low in calories and fat, b ut is considered as the best supp lementary grain because o f its high protein content Quinoa was a staple food in South America as one of the few crops they cultivated at high alticudes. lt is great for chose suffering from migraines as it contains magnesium, which relaxes the blood vessels. The seed is usually available in groce1y smres, health food shops or can be ordered on.line.

Because of its versatility, many meals can be prepared using guinoa. Try our some of these healthy recipes using th.is natural, healthy seed.

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.•• ..••• ...• ..•• .. .•• ..• ..•• .. . .................... .•• .

Quinoa and veg upma .

••• ... ..•• .. ~ A nua·itious and guick fix snack

l small packet sago I mp guinoa Aakes I packet salted groundnuts/ peaoucs, powdered 4- 5 medium poracoes, boiled, peeled, sliced 1 large onion, sliced 1-2 green chillies, sliced (optional) ltsp tamarind paste or south Indian vathn/kJ1zjJa111b11 mi."

I esp chilli po\,1der I tsp asafoetida 1 ½ cup mi'i:ed veggies 2-3tbsp oil 2-3tsp salt, as per taste 2-3tsp chopped fresh coriander

Soak sago for about 2 hours, tben rinse and filter, leaving to dtain for 10 minutes, to p revent it from becoming mushy. Fry half tl1e sliced onions in a tl1ick botmmed frying pan, add tl1e sliced boiled potatoes and shallow fl")~ Keep aside. Add some more oil to me pan, add the rest of me onions and sliced green chillies, and fry them till me onion turn golden brown.

Add the mixed veggies and cook till soft, taking care not co overcook. Add the guiooa flakes and roast along with the other ingredients for about 5 minutes,

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• • • • • • •

•

---·••f: i_:..,;_it;.

•• •

. ... ..•• ..

••• ..•

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.

• it browned. 1\dd garlic, sundried

: tomatoes sliced jnto s1nal1 pjeces : and cook the nU.x for about 3 : minutes. Add the precooked

: quinoa, ,vh0Jen1eal Aour, salt and : finally pour in the beaten egg, : cheese and chopped basil. :tv1ix

• : : : : : •

: \veil and semi-cook on fire. Shape

In a large bowl, mash

: into rectangular shaped patties : and finally bake in the oven at : 120 degree Celsius for about 8 to 10 minutes till it gets b rown : coating fron1 top of the patties.

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

•

:• then add the sago, salt and chilli • powder. Add the tamarind paste •• or somh fodian uathalk11z.jJamb11 :• mi..x and stir tl1rough 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 rapping. Mix again and serve • hot with green chumey or •• coconut chumey.

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..•• . .................... : Qu inoa frittata •• A low GI healthy snack, made •• more filling with gu.inoa

2tsp red chilli powder 1tsp asafoetitla powder 1 small bunch fresh coriander leaves, finely chopped 2tsp salt Breadcrumbs to roll the patties Oil for fryinp

• 2 cups qui.ooa Aakes (red variety is : more healthy) • 3 medium zucchini : 3 garlic doves, minced : 2 eggs : ½ cup M.ozzarella cheese : ¼ cup sundried tomatoes, soaked : rn warm water : ¼ cup basil, finely chopped : ½ cup wholemeal flour : 2 tsp salt : Cook quinoa according to the : instructions o n rhe package. In a

: bowl, beat the eggs till fluffy and : frotl1y. In an oven proof pan, : grate the zucchini and cook it till

: Serve \vhen crispy and hot as a

: wholeso1ne breakfast along \Vith a • : bowl of rnixed fruit for a balanced : meal to start the day.

.•• . ................... . : Quinoa patties : lv[akes 25 delicious crispy patties

• •

: 2 cups quinoa Aakes : 2 Jarge potatoes, boiled : 5 finely chopped green chillies : 1tsp garlic paste

: 2 red onions, finely chopped : 1 cup besa11 (r/Jant1 flour)

: : : : : : :

me boiled potatoes and add all the otl1et ingredients, except the breadcrumbs. Knead until well mixed and make small balls, approx. tl1e size of a medium lemon. Roll mem into ilie breadcrumbs, and press gently to make a Aar shape. In a non-stick frying pan, shallow fry the pa cries, and drain them on a paper towel to remove excess oil. Serve hoc and crisp wid1 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 ·wben n1aki.ng the patties. They will al~o add a toucb of colour to the dish.

OCTOBER 2013 31

· ······ ··· MATRIMONIALS · · · · · · ···· fi.IlID~mRl:3

SEEKING GROOMS

~~

~~

CHENNAI KATHMANDU BANGALORE COLOMBO COCHIN MUMBAI DHAKA

$875 $885 $890 Decembe,· $895 Spei..·i"I 'il $899 $1549 $915 $930 Special fares from $935 India to Australia 30k8 $1115 Starting $999* Luggage {conditions apply!

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 SO and 60.

Please contact: 0449 623 316 or email alpine_rhapsody@hotmail.com

settled family background. Please contact: ganesh2011v@gmail.com Suitable match is sought for remarriage of a professionally qualified, fair and beautiful Khatri girl, 33, 5'2"from well-educated and cultured Hindu Punjabi family. Girl has been a lecturer at a university in Jalandhar for the past four years.

She is sweet naturedand brought up with good family values. Boy should be well settled in service/ business and be a permanent resident/ citizen of Australia. Email: Jk.khanna5@gmail.com

42-year-old Fiji Indian Hindu divorcee with no children. Teacher in Fiji with sober, pleasing personality. Father is retired principal, mother is domestic living in Fiji. Would like to seek groom 40-50 and settle down in Australia after marriage.

Contact uncle/ aunt in Sydney: SEEKING BRIDES pushpalal007@optusnet.com.au Fiji Indian male, Hindu, Australian Citizen, mid-forties invites correspondence from 35-year-old Fiji Indian Hindu single with BA single or divorced Indian females (no kids) Economics working in university in Fiji, with for marriage or long term relationship and simple, sober personality, would like a groom to settle in Melbourne. If interested please aged 35 to 40. Parents are retired teachers contact: 0478 083 457 for further info. living in Fiji. Would like to settle in Australia after marriage. Contact: uncle/ aunt in Sydney: Seeking a well-educated good looking girl pushpalal007@optusnet.com.au for a handsome Hindu Khatri boy, 29-years-old, 5'1 O", Australian national settled in Melbourne.

Seeking suitable match for 36--years-old who He is a finance professional working in a works for a multinational company in a senior managerial capacity with a reputable firm. position (chartered accountant), who values Contact: melgroom20l3@gmail.com both Indian and western culture. Seeking Hindu professional man, preferably from a well

50 EAR MASTERTON www.masterton.com.au CJr 1300 44 66 37

32 OCTOBER 2013

Jwwwouldn't have it any other way

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n TA K

Q TPR~DICTIONS !=OR

By NANCY JADE ALTMEA "'":-::;~:r~:r;;i!'~:un

ARIES March 21 - April 19 This month the cards are indicating a time of stress over love and relationships. You seem to be feeling rather disappointed with a certain situation. There will be some fabulous changes with your working pattern and a much awaited promotion or increase in finances. Take care of your health as you seem to be stressing yourself out. You feel that you want change your life drastically.

TAURUS April 20 - May 20

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22

·,

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21

You will have a tendency to be a little blunt this month, so it would be a great idea to try and take a deep breath before you deal with people at work and/or officials. The cards are advising you to have a dental check up and also look after your stress levels. Meditation and deep breathing exercises are recommended. Relationships will need your tender love and attention this month.

GEMINI May 21 - June 20

You seem to be feeling exhausted and tired this month. You need to relax and take more time out for your own healing.

Take proper rest. Matters will be sorted out and you will be back to feeling good again. You may be asked to speak at a meeting or conference, and you will do exceptionally well so do not get stressed.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 21 This month will be full of high expectations and you will be buzzing around with ideas to take forward. Your partner may not be as supportive as you will be spending more time away from home. You will be feeling enthusiastic and very fired up. Sit down and put your plans on paper and think them through. There are some amazing results if you just focus on what you want to achieve.

This is a month for you to look at your work and health area. You need to decide on what you want to do as you seem to be bored with your normal routine. You have been thinking of moving on, but your actions are not in focus. Look at doing some yoga for your body, as you also seem to be suffering from aches and pains. There is a feeling of wanting to travel more, so book a short journey to explore nature and walk more.

CANCER June 21 - July 20

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 19 The cards are showing that you will be trying to get all your matters sorted out. You will be moving in to a new home or office where the energy will be very positive. There is a definite feeling of new beginnings. Love will be a lot more balanced as you will be more appreciated and feeling good about yourself. Financially things will be improving too.

This month the cards are showing that you will be looking at investments. Look at every detail and take your time. The second part of October looks packed with several trips and associations with people who will be instrumental in your future growth.

There may be some talk about moving this month, as you need a change. Take time out to spend time with your close friends and family.

LEO July 21 - Aug 22 The cards are indicating a time when you will be finding your married life stressful and difficult to handle. You need to sort things out with each other as there seems to be distance between you. Look at your working hours. A short break away will help the situation. The health of elderly members of the family may be a concern. If you have children, there will be some good news with exams and awards.

VIRGO Aug 23 - Sep 22 This month is filled with celebrations and parties. Take some time out as you have really been overdoing the social scene. A new member of the family, either by marriage or birth, may be a bit challenging. The cards are showing a time of making new contacts and friends. This is a time for a lot of new energy to flow through your life.

You will be travelling around a few countries, visiting relatives and friends. Older Librans may be thinking of retiring in another country. There will be some news about a new baby or marriage which you will be attending. There will be an interested party who would like to buy your property. Look after your eyes.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - f=eb 18 J

,

You will be extremely busy with work and matters relating to paperwork. You need to make sure that everything is filed on time and that nothing is left undone at work. There is time for leisure as you will be either returning from a break or planning one. You will be very interested in planting new flowers and shrubs in your garden. Being with nature is very important for you this month.

PISCES f=eb 19 - March 20 You will be feeling a bit stressed out this month and are advised to take deep breaths and relax. One of your family members will be feeling unwell, but it is nothing serious. It's time to take up some new sporting activities to get yourself out in the fresh air and move your body. You wil I be looking at changing your diet too.

DESOLATION, LONELINESS...

PERFECTION! THELUNCHBOX STARRING: lrrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur, Nawazuddin Siddiqui WRITER/DIRECTOR: Ritesh Bat ra

*****

n Mrinal Sen's Khandhar, desolation was defined and epitomized as much by Shabana Azmi's face and physicality as it was by the architectural ruins where Sen shot his dirge-like tale.

In The Lunchbox, debutant director Ritest Batra, is this really his first feature film?! does not seek easy escape routes for his characters' destiny of drudgery.

The film is set in the heart of Mumbai where everyone is busy making a living... or just trying to live. Right away, this extraordinary film catches your attention with the way the sounds and the relentless rhythm of that City That Never Sleeps are captured and put on screen.

While remaining purely cinematic, there is something completely 'noncinematic'about The Lunchbox.

It is stripped-down of all affectations.

The secrets of lonely hearts are not laid bare through conventional cinematic devices - the use of background is so sparing that you often end up listening to the music inherent in everyday routine: the way the trains move in the sweltering afternoons, the sound of auto-rickshaws bustling through by-lanes, the sizzle of onions frying in a suburban kitchen, the sound of the television p laying as a nuclear family of three lonely people dine in deathly silence.

Not just Ila (Nim rat Kaur), the cooking, cleaning suffering housewife, even her preoccupied husband (Nakul Vaid) seems so lost in the act of existence. Even their little daughter looks so forlorn with her rag-doll, as though she neec;ls a good cry but is not sure if Mama will be there to console her.

And to scare you there are whispers of a woman jumping to her death with her daughter. Ila won't... never! Right?

Holding back the rituals of grief is a well-worn suburban ritual that Batra's screenplay understands only too well.

Every individual in Batra's universe is disconnected from an inner tranquillity and distanced from the people around him or her.

It is no coincidence that Ila, our forlorn

34 OCTOBER 2013

-heroine who thinks of suicide but holds herself back, connects the best with an unseen aunty living with her comatose husband in the floor above. Aunty (Bharati Achrekar giving a vigorously expressive performance through her voice alone) never turns off the ceiling fan that whirrs above her inert husband, fearing that if it stops, so would his breath.

These little life-asserting pretences we indulge ourselves into believing that we lead meaningful lives, is the crux of The Lunchbox. Hence Ila strikes up an i llusory bond of empathy with the almost-retired office-goer Fernandes (lrrfan Khan).

It starts off with a wrongly-delivered dabba to a lonely widower in a typical non-government office.

The initial delight of two strangers communicating facelessly soon turns into an intriguing relationship of empathy. The tragedy oftwo lonely people, one married in a loveless partnership and the other still wedded to his dead wife's memory and bonding over burp-inducing tiffins filmed with gourmet dishes, is punctuated by the omni-presence of an annoying intruder, played by the very wonderful Nawazuddin, who keeps barging into Fernandes' meditative melancholic interactions with his faceless culinary benefactor.

Among the three protagonists, Nawazuddin as the deceptively shallow Sheikh has the toughest role. He must seem frivolously jovial and insensitive to Fernandes' lonely existence, though he is anything but these things. Further, he has a happy life. And that should and does fill him with a guilt he cannot express.

In many ways the bond that grows between Fernandes and Sheikh is far more tenable and real than the one Fernandes discovers in the aroma of the

freshly-packed tiffin that lands every day on his table.

Fernandes' loneliness is not of the same breed as Violent Stonheim in 36 Chowringhee Lane. He is alone, trapped in memories of happiness but also surrounded by noises and smells of a normal life. That little contact he makes with a family in the building opposite his own, through his window, is emblematic of his empathetic solitude.

Yes, this man has hope.

Food, which contours the tragic love story of Batra's film, is used almost as a reminder of life in the face of death.

When Ila's mother (Lilette Dubey nailing her character's abject desolat ion in just two deftly-written sequences) finally loses her husband, she talks of hunger rather than loss.

Bereavement and loss affect individuals in very strange ways. What The Lunchbox says in a language that exudes the scent and comfort of the familiar is that we can strive to fill the emptiness inside us by cooking, feeding, remaining busy with motivating acts of daily gratification. But we are finally left with nothing to hold on to. This frightening thesis of existence is laid bare in TheLunchboxwith compassion and warmth.

This is a sad film. But it isn't depressing.

As the two protagonists whose souls collide and then come apart, lrrfan and Nimrat give exceptionally sorted-out performances even as their characters grapple with the chaos and complexities offeelings that alas, do not fit into compartments as comfortably as the food in a tiffin carrier. lrrfan's bearing suggests age that won't accept defeat. He is a portrait of stoicism in the face of solitude. Does this actor ever disappoint?

Michael Simmonds' camera doesn't

miss a thing. It seems to capture every moment of the characters' inner and outer lives merging the two levels of existence and yet keeping them apart.

I came away from this profoundly moving tale with two of the most unforgettable lines of wisdom I've heard in a film.

One of them comes from Nawazuddin who says: "Sometimes the wrong train can take you to the right destination". And then there is Nimrat, so noble and restrained in her suffering within a pitiable marriage, who opines:"Very often we forget our memories because we have no one to share them with".

The memory of food, friendship and forlornness associated wit h The Lunchbox would stay with me for a very long time.

Some films scream for attention.

This one gets it without trying. What a gentle, tender, soft and sincere love story! He demonstrates an astonishing mastery over the craft. And yet The Lunchbox is all heart.

Nawazuddin, lrrfan and Nimrat are so much in character that you wonder if these people were born before the script.

The film celebrates the extraordinary ordinariness of their lives with a stark sincerity that takes away every morsel of artifice inherent in the act of filming made-up lives.

If this is not the best directorial debut since Satyajit Ray in Pather Panchali, then I am probably missing something vital.

And that's what this film is about.

SUBHASH K.JHA

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DARK, SINISTER, DEVASTATING PRAGUE STARRING: Chandan Roy Sanyal, Elena Kazan, Kumar Mayank, Arfi Lamba DIRECTOR: Ashish R Shukla

--lrl,clr.,'r;r here are the dark unexplored regions of the psyche that experimental cinema reifies, even for an audience that doesn't want to think while watching a fil m.

Prague engages in the unexplored, taking us into a world of despair and anxiety. Shot with splendid serenity, the movie has plenty of visual beauty to savour of the Czech Republic.

But secreted in the splendour are the murky secrets of human foibles which come rushing to the surface in unguarded moments of desperate anxiety.

Standing at the vortex of this psychologically disconcerting treatise on a mind that doesn't follow what the heart says, is the enormously gifted Chandan Roy Sanyal playing an architect whose romance with structural precision mocks the crookedness of his inner world.

The more Chandan seeks symmetry in his life the more it eludes him, until there comes a time when the real and the illusory worlds come together in a stifling embrace.

Prague opens in India where the dynamics of Chandan's inner world are manifested in his relationship with an undependable Indian girl named Shubangi and his two closest friends Gulshan (Kumar Mayank) and Arfi (Arfi Lamba) one of whom, we soon realise, is dead.

This is when we begin to realise that Chandan is losing his mind. As he and his two best friends move to Prague, the stage is sturdily set for Chandan's descent into hell.

Each step of the character's decline into a world of hefty hallucination is chronicled with compelling crispness.

The editor uses components from the real world and the 'reality' according to Chandan in a play of hide and seek.

Then there are the songs, so well used.

RD Burma n's Meri bheegi bheegi si in the Hindi and Bengali versions, and some achingly haunting Czech songs that recur in lovelorn loops of longing.

There are passages in the storytelling where the world ofthe imagination blends into the real world. The collision point where the two worlds meet is well controlled by the director, although at times you fear the narrative lapses into self-indulgence.

There is plenty in Prague where the motivation is questionable. Why does Chandan act the way he does? He

clearly embraces all the confusion, complexities, insecurities and insanity of his character.

The casting of Chandan's two friends is also of the utmost importance. The cocky self-centred Gulshan played by Kumar Mayank, is the most fatally charismatic character in this intricate jigsaw of light and death.

And the wimpy, whiny, overpossessive Arfi.

Elena Kazan, last seen in John Day, is forced to join her lover in his journey into hell, bringing a whole lot of tragic charm to the proceedings.

Not all of the events in the film make sense when judged against conventional populist elements. The very powerful Chandan plays an artiste on the brink.

As he topples over, we get a vivid view into the abyss that separates man from madness.

Though not an easy breezy journey, Prague takes us into the heart of darkness.

What we see is a world manned by

betrayal. As Chandan's world falls apart, the film gathers its strength from the rubble that he collects around himself.

Sometimes seeing dead people is about attempting to remain sane in a world that is defined by eccentricity and death.

Prague is a tough film to digest.

But who said life in the movies is only about the unbearable lightness of being stupid?

SUBHASH K. JHA

TAKE Tl-IE WARNING...

STAY AWAY! WARNING STARRING: Santosh Barmola, Suzana Rodrigues, Varun Sharma, Manjari Phadnis, Jitin Gulati, Sumit Suri and Madhurima Tulii DIRECTOR: Gurmmeet Singh

--lrlr,)l--;r):{ ater waste of time! Slasher movies work best on terrafirma where girls in a state of disrobed desperation make a dash for safety. Alas, here the characters have nowhere to run to. Neither do we.

In Warning, the entire slasher genre is shifted to the aqua splendour of the Fijian water where true to its genre, characters start getting killed/ wounded/ slashed/maimed.

The ladies of this uproariously funny slasher movie get to wear swimwear most of the time. No censor objection since they are in the water. And surely you can't swim in a burqa!

But yes, you can get killed in the azure acres of silence. Water runs deep when it

W

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is marred by killer fish. Koi shark?!

The 30 format is used here in a strangely eccentric and miserly way.

When you expect the water to surge towards you, there is just a flat silence on the screen. You are left wondering why those silly glasses were required in the first place.

Sigh, Life of Pi in the high seas, was so much more eloquent. Here, the water just seems to invite violence and not of a very convincing kind. The young actors seem to be in it for the all-expenses paid Fijian holiday with a bit of amateur shooting thrown in to legitimise the vacationing costs.

Everyone connected with the film does a lazy, if not altogether a lousy job. I do like to encourage new talent. And I'd like to give these newcomers the benefit of the doubt. There is very little plot only a whole lot of deep water to sink one's teeth and other body parts in. The intended tension gets suffocating after 20 minutes.

And 3D be damned!

How much and how many times can

you watch the actors jump into the deep end without losing their bearings? Some of the intended terror is plainly bland. And worse when you are supposed to be trembling in fear, you actually find yourself shaking with laughter.

Very honestly there are seeds of a killer thriller somewhere in this watery mess. But while leaving for their Fij ian holiday, the crew forgot to take along the script.

Be warned. Undersea thrillers don't work. Anthony D'Souza's mega-disastrous Blue should've been warning enough. The last and only really successful water scare-fest was Steven Spielberg's Jaws.

This one comes too late and with

too little, in fact, almost nothing to offer.

If you like horror films please watch ground level slasher films. If you dig girls in bikinis please watch Baywatch.

But if you like to torture yourself with mid-ocean inertia, you know where to go!

SUBHASH K. JHA

OCTOBER 2013 35

Lata Mangeshkar is 84!

STAR-STUDDED TRIBUTE TOYASI-IJI ash Chopra, the late doyen of the Hindi film industry would have been impressed by the turnout for the tribute marking what would have been his 81 st birthday. At an event organised by the respected filmmaker's wife Pamela Chopra, n ine actresses and his protege Shah Rukh Khan took to the stage to showcase his contribution to Bollywood.

Rekha, Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit, Juhi Chawla, Rani Mukherjee, Preity Zinta, Katrina Kaif, Anushka Sharma and Parineeti Chopra, along with superstar SRK, to make the event a reminiscent and memorable one.

The event kick started off with Anushka Sharma walking the ramp as she paid tribute to late Nargis Dutt. Anushka donned a black sari with red bindi, while Parineeti Chopra, dressed in a heavy red ghagra choli, paid tribute to Madhubala.

Evergreen beauty Rekha came next draped in an elegant sari, while Sridevi, who is always remembered as the Chandni girl, donned a white semi ghagra sari with silver work all over and heavy jewellery.

Juhi Chawla wore a white and red semi chiffon ghagra, while Madhuri wore a transparent black sari with sleeveless blouse. The outfits were an eclectic blend of vibrant colours, sequenced handwork, dhakai arts, Kashmiri work among others.

Rani was resplendent in a pink ghagra choli with golden nathni (nose ring) minus other jewelry, while Preity wore a white lehenga choli with typical Kashmiri jewellery. The last actress to walk the ramp was Katrina who looked stunning in a brownish and cream ghagra choli. Shah Rukh, the only actor amidst this bevy of beauties, wore a black suit. Each participant remembered Yash Chopra through a small speech at the end of the show.

Rani Mukerjee was moved to tears as she recalled her association with the veteran film-maker. "Yash uncle I miss you a lot... please forgive me for not making cake for you last year as I was busy with my commitments... I miss you and we all love you;' she said.

However, veteran actress Rekha took to the stage with aplomb, grooving and delivering a dialogue from her film Silsila. Rekha, who is usually known as a very private person, displayed a different persona as she danced to the tune of Yeh Kaha Aa Gaye Hum from Silsila. Making the most of the moment, she also rendered the famous dialogue "Main aur meri tan ha ii aksar yeh bateen karte hai," as she walked the ramp.

It was a tribute worthy of the filmmaker, Yash Chopra would have been proud!

RIP!

Y

36 OCTOBER 2013

India's very own singing nightingale who has dominated Bollywood's music scene for decades turned 84 recently. Known as the 'Nightingale of India: Lata Mangeshkar started her singing career aged 13 in 1942. In a career spanning over seven decades, the singer has sung several numbers in Hindi as well as in regional languages.

Celebrities across Bollywood wished the singing sensation congratulations on her landmark birthday. "I think there would not be even a single person across the world who would not want to wish Lataji;' said Megastar Amitabh Bachchan. "I wish her a long life.

I wish she always lives among us. There have come moments in my life when I have been inspired by her''.

"Many wishes to Lataji on her birthday. I wish she continues to sing more and more. I am really blessed that I got to perform on her songs. I am glad that I have performed on her beautiful songs;' said veteran actress Hema Malini.

In addition to Vidya Balan and Mika Singh, even West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Bannerjee wished Lataji birthday wishes on her Facebook page saying, "I join her countless fans across the country captivated by her golden voice to wish her the very best on this auspicious occasion''.

However, the iconic singer is currently in mourning and in no mood to celebrate the day. The death of her close family members has cast a gloomy spell on the singer.

Happy Birthday, Lataji, may the coming year be a good one for you!

R Madhavan rues Indian actors lack of international exposure R Madhavan has taken a step into Hollywood with Night OfThe Living Dead: Origins. He joins the league of Bellwood's select who have made it to international screens.

Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor and lrrfan have tasted the Hollywood flavour, but they're clearly a few and far between.

Madhavan says this is because Indian actors lack the capacity to establish themselves in an international set-up.

"We have a long way to go before actors in India can establish themselves (internationally) in a big way," said Madhavan, who has delivered noteworthy performances in Hindi films like Rang De Basanti, 3 Idiots and Tanu Weds Manu. The multilingual star will be seen as a US marine officer in Simon West's Hollywood film Night of the Living Dead: Origins.

Of Hollywood, the actor said:"Their

sRIDEVI

market and technology is completely different from ours. I don't think Indian stars have the bandwidth to go struggle and give screen tests there, leaving everything behind here''.

Nevertheless, there's something about Hollywood actors that makes Maddy jealous! "I think the only thing which I am jealous about is that if I was an actor in Hollywood, with all the hit films which I have, I won't have to work for another day in my life. Even if an actor has two hits in his life in Hollywood, he will never be poor," he said.

"Technology-wise we are almost there. But the budgets over there are high (higher). It is very tough for us to make those kinds of films in our kind of economy. But even now we do make international level films;' said the 43-yearold actor.

He has just finished shooting Night of the Living Dead: Origins, a zombie film.

"It has been a huge learning experience and it was very exciting. I was very nervous as I had never shot like that before;' he said.

Madhavan is glad that the Indian film industry and the public have "been very nice with me". "I am just keeping my fingers crossed for the future;' he said.

"For actors like me, nothing is enough.

I want a lot more than what I get," he admits.

Well, let's hope Hollywood recognises your talent and offers you whatever you expect. Good luck, Madhavan!

John's for wildlife News around hunky actor John Abraham is always interesting, and he certainly has been enjoying his share of Bollywood's buzz. The latest on John is that he has been chosen as the face of National

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AR RAHMAN

R MADHAVAN LATA MANGESHKAR Geographic Channel, and somewhat pred ictably, the actor says he is keen to make a film on wildlife.

"Wildlife is something that we have not attempted before. I would like to explore it... I would like to make a film on wildlife, but we have to work a lot on it. If we get a responsible producer who can produce such films then why not;' John said recently. The actor, who is also passionate about his bikes, says he is developing a script based on motorcycling.

"We are developing a script on motorcycling. It will take a year to complete it. It's a very intense and serious film on motorcycling, for motor cycling fans. It will be a commercial film;' said John, who has produced films like Vicky Donor and Madras Cafe, which did surprisingly well at the box office.

But the actor says that he is not interested in being a part of any television show yet, as small screen formats don't excite him. "I would not want to be a part of the small screen today. Look at the formatting on the

small screen ... it doesn't excite me at all:' John said.

However, he is in complete support of Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor's endeavour to bring about a change on TV through his desi adaptation of American thriller series 24. "The small screen is growing and I must compliment Anil Kapoor on changing the quality of programming on the small screen. I must say he is trying to make a difference. The quality of programming should change with '24;" he said.

Who knows, perhaps one day John may grace the small screen with as much charm as he c;loes on the large screen.

Let's wait and see what comes his way!

Make the most of technology, says Rahman Twin Grammy and Academy Awards winner A.R. Rahman is a firm believer in the amalgamation of technology and talent. The maestro asserted that the Indian music industry is reaping the

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benefits of digitisation, contrary to the notion that technology has negative effects.

Rahman, who was in Kolkata, the first city on his month-long Rahmanishq tour, claimed that he was in favour of digitisation sweeping the music industry.

He stated that it has not only made music of all forms accessible to listeners, but has also simplified the process of making music for composers.

"Hordes of music purists love to spend endless hours going on and on about how the age of digital music has completely ruined the art form, and that real music only exists in small, underground scenes," Rahman stated.

"However, the reality stands that thanks to these technological breakthroughs, for both the music fan and the music maker, the creative process and the act of listening to music are now easier, less constrained and more accessible than ever before;· Rahman noted.

"We are living in a society that is dominatec;I by the digital age. So it is a natural progression that almost every element beautifully syncs together. We need to move beyond album covers;' he observed. On his tour that will also cover Visakhapatnam, Jaipur and Ahmedabad, Rahman hopes to give fans a chance to experience his music at its best, musically and technologically. "The concert capitalises on innovative neverseen-before technology, so that t he audience can be overwhelmed with such knowhow at every stage of the concert;' said Rahman.

Rahman reckons film music"is going to be one of the biggest industries in the world. In India, we have a pool of talent which requires professional channelisation to make this industry as colossal and independent as the film industry. While India has singers in every street, many of them performing Carnatic, or classical Indian music variety, the future lies in Indian cinema;' he claimed. Loved by audiences for juxtaposing different musical styles, Rahman, who became the first Indian to win the Golden Globe Award in 2009 for best original musical score in Danny Boyle's movie Slumdog Millionaire.

OCTOBER 2013 37

BACKCHAT

a er e Discovering a new technique of avoiding conversations from call centre operators has been a delightful experience

'"I P

BY SHERYL DIXIT

bone calls from call centre operators have been the bane of my existence for some time now: They ring on my landline at the most inapprop.riate o f times, like just before the school drop off or pick up, and invariabl)' at mealtimes, interrnpting my daily yell to get the TV mrned off and hands washed.

A ringing phone is something that's hard to resist and being ted1110-challenged, I can't quite find the 'ringer off' butto n on my phone. If I do, it's likely chat I won't remember bow to rnrn it back on again. So to keep life simple, I just don't This warped philosophy allows persistent call centre operators to try and talk to me about everything from soL'll panelling, new phone plans, cheap calls co India, sorting out n1y computer problems, and of course, invitations co free dinners and senunars.

I've tried everything from blocking my mm1ber co pretending I can't bear them, ro just nor answering the phone after 5pm, bm I sometimes have to bow to the inevitable and endure a frustrating conversation trying co convince chem that what they're offering is of no value, or interest to me whatsoever.

But recently, 1 inadvertently came across a new weapon. The phone rang as usual at 5:1Spm qn a l'vfonday; while I was busy getting dinner organised downstairs. As the hands-free was upstairs, 1 asked my older son to answer it.

"Hello!" be bellowed into the phone, probably creating a sizeable crack in cbe caller's eardrnm. The phone was on its speaker, so I could hear tl1e conversation. "ls your mum l'i ome?" asked a male voice, somewhat testily. "\XThac?"

err

"1s - your - mum - home?"

"Vhott?" Even louder.

"Your MlJl\11. Is your mrnn home?" asked the voice, practically yelling chis tio1e.

"Hnh? Wbaat?"

"YOUR MUM!" "My mum? 1\{y mum?" As if he had any otl1erl "Yes, yes, your mum!" ''J can't hear you, did you say my mwn?''

38 OCTOBER 2013

"Never mind, I'll call later," was followed by the engaged tone.

I had to hold onto the k.itdien counter co stop myself falling over laughing.

1 ow my sons know cbe intricacies of how to download apps and operate my mobile phone way better than myself, bur when it comes to acmally conducting a conversation over the landline telephone, they are sadly ladting in phone etiquette. l was so delighted by the unexpected outcome of cbat call, I bad co experiment again.

Once more a few days later the phone rang, this time around 3:30pm in the midst of their afternoon tea.

"Hello!" bellowed my son, once agam. ''Please can I speak to your motl1er, .Mrs Dixit?''

"What? Ob sorry, I beg your pardon!" said my son. Now d'lis polite repartee was a result of being told off by his dad, who had inadvertently called the landline one day and bad been created co a few vociferous '\Vbat's'. He bad tal,en pains to e.'1.--plain d1e fundamentals of politeness, especially when communicating with unknown people over the phone, some of whom mum works wid1. Apparently some of that bad indeed, made sense. ''Please can I speak co your

mother," said d1e mild female voice witl1 a distinct Filipino accent, a little louder dus time.

"Okay! ·Mum, d1ere's someone on the phone speaking Inclian," he said, walking over co me, holding out the phone.

"Indian? \):rhat do you mean, Indian?" I asked indignantly. "I've told you a hundred times, there's no such language as 1ndian'. India has over 1,500 languages that have developed over thousands of years ... "

"Yeah, yeal1., but she soLmds like she's talking Indian, li.ke Punjabi or Hindi, or something," be said dismissively, handing me tl1e phone.

The lady had hw1g up.

Getting my boy co answer the phone was turning out to being quite an advenrnre. The next time be answered ic, the result was nnexpecred.

"Hello!" went die now- familiar bellmv.

"How are you?" asked a suave voice.

"I'm oka)~ how are you?" asked my SQU, polite for once. ''\'❖'bat's your uame?"

"I'm Sid, what's yours?"

Now this is still a hotly debated subject. D id d1ey say 'J:vlatc' or 'Bert'? Whatever it was, my son burst out laugl'ling hysterically, "Buer, Butt, his name is Butt!" be yelled joyously and his younger

brother joined in the merriment They hung up.

My editor is probabl)' tl1e only person who is impressed wid1 tl1e boy's phone tecbnique. Possibly because she answers his yell by saying, " Hello, Sid!" That's when the wax mysteriously melts from lus ears and be can hear, hallelujah!

When I got on the lin e after she'd had a conversation with hin1, she seemed just as impressed as 1 was surprised. I thought there might be sornecbiog wrong ,vitb my hearing when she mentioned cbat he was 'articulate and polite'.

Bue now, like most kids of tl'lis precocious generation, his nearly nine-year-old brain has figured out d1at he's being asked to do a chore, i.e. answer the phone. Requests of money for doing the cask being rejected, he bas now started ignoring the rings, or he picks up the receiver when the person has hLmg up out of frustration.

I'm now chinking of enlisting the younger o ne to the task, particularly because be has h is own charming brand of eccentricity cbar lies only within cbe comprehension o f close famil}c He has 'opposite' days and 'repeat' days, among otl1er strange and hilarious traits Like wishing people 'Happy Birtl1da/ when it's d1e New Year, and vice versa. I can just iniagine the conversations.

"Hello!"

"Goodbye," he would say ''\Xlhat?"

"Goodbye! See you later!"

"Bur. .. but... can .l speak co yonr n1w11?''

"No!" and he would hand me cbe phone.

By which time, the poor confosed caller would have hwig up.

Another conversation would go like dus: "Hello, how a.re you?"

"Hello, bow are;•011?"

'Tm fine tl1ank you, how are you?" the confidenr voice would respond, happy to come across a polite child.

'Tm fine thank you, bow are

_you?"

"Errm, can I speak co your n1w11?''

"Errm, can I speak tO)'0lll' n1wi1?"

"No, no, YOUR mum!" ''Yes, yes, YOUR mum!" be would say, reverting to his 'opposite' avatar.

Ac d'lis point I would take the phone from l'lim, and if d1e caller is still on tl1e line doubting their sanity, I would take at lease a couple of minutes to acntally listen co tl1eir selling spiel. They would need convincing that the \vorld is, as they know it, a normal place. So d1.ar tl1ey could hang up and confidently move to the next caller. .. you, I hope!

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