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EDITORIAL INDIAN LINK

What a Modi win means for Australia

PUBLISHER ~a-Yan Luthra· EDITOR f?ajni An_arid Lu~bra ' ASSISTANT EDITOR L~~~ Peac~ck ·

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he decisive win of the Narendra Modi-led B~ in the 2014 general elections indicates the level of desperation witb which Indians wanted change. Modi's victory see.ms ro have energised a nation.

India was stagnating tmder the Congress Party. Lack of clear leadership, entrenched political interest, high levels of corruption and a seemingly impotenrgoverruneot, aU contributed to rhe failure in connecting with the people, especiaUy the business community. While much was made of lndia's economic poten tial, it failed ro live up to rhe expectations, moving at a snail's pace compared to strong growth in similar countries like China. rr was Modi who articulated a vision that resonated \\~th all Indians: an India of growth, jobs, low in.flacion and no corrnption. W hether he can achieve these goals remains co be seen.

As Chief Minister of Gujarat, Modi did play a major role in transforming the economy o f the state. Branding Gujarat as a stare with dynamic development,

T

economic growth and prosperity, his "Vibrant Gujarat" slogan touched a chord. The Modi model was described as being all about economic freedom, innovation and giving a sense of purpose ro people.

As P rin1e Minister, Modi has indicated his desire to have a 'minimalist' government witb a rela.."Xed rigidi ty of central schemes, while working with private businesses to aUow faster growth to rake place. It is known that he has been closely looking at the Chinese growth model of creating special zon es for growth.

J.ndia is Australia's fourth largest export market wi th exports roralling $13.1 billion. Australian inves011enc in Lidia covers a range o f sectors, incl uding rnanufacnu:ing, relecommunicacions, hotels, minerals processing, food processing, oil and gas, and the automotive sector as the new government breaks down barriers which were li.t1i.iting growth especiaUy in areas of natural resources, retail and education.

India witb its vast areas can learn from Australia how to optimise its distribution ill various secrors.

Australia over the past few years, under both the curren t Coalition government and the former Labor government, has stressed on the importance of engaging

with Asia, and India always featured high on its list. While ministerial delegations b oth at Federal and state levels were active in their desire to promote themselves to India, there was limited reciprocity from India. \Vhile there were sporadic visits by senior ministers, the growth in trade was largely driven by private businesses. Companies like Adani group found opporrunities in Australia while Indian IT companies such as Tecl1 Mahindra, HCL, \'ifIT)RO etc. consolidated their positions here as weU. Expect the Indian Prime l\,finiscer to visit Australia in November ro cake parr in the G -20 in Brisbane. The visir will be the lirsr one by an Indian Prime Minister co Australia in ovei- 25 years and rhe red carpet will be roUed out.

Prom a diplomatic point of view, Modi has made it clear that lndia will work towards irs relationship with its friends and allies from a position of su·ength rad1er than appeasement. Just as Australia h as kept its relationships wirb die US and Cli.ina at a fine balance, here's hoping tbat it will learn co bring in d1at very same balance in its relatio nships with China and lndia.

We are in for interesting yet positive times in the resurgence of acti,7ity - both political and economic - between India and Australia.

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Important update about Dental Care for children aged 2-17 years From January 1'\ 2014, the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (COBS) provides eligible children with up to $1000 in benefits for basic dental services, over a consecutive two year period. A child is eligible for the COBS if he or she is aged between 2 to 17 years for at least one day in the calendar year, and must be eligible for Medicare payments or is receiving a relevant Australian Government payment such as the Family Tax Benefit Part A. Services that are p rovided under the COBS include:

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WHA.T'SON SPIRITUAL Sydney Jain Mandal Sun mornings 9.30am-11.30am Sydney Jain Mandal now conducts its activities from new premises

7/15-17Tucks Road,Seven Hills.

Come along and do your own pooja, meditation and be part of th is centre.

Details: Abha Jain on 0432 248 791 or visit www.sydneyjainmandal.com Yoga classes From May 3 onwards Series of yoga classes for children, seniors and all others. Nominal charges apply for children; seniors classes are free. Across various locations in Sydney at Wentworthville, Quakers Hill, Pennant Hills, Auburn, Epping, Homebush and Ryde. Organised by the Spirit of India's commun ity development initiatives. Limited seats, admission on a first come, first served basis. Enrol by visiting www.spiritofindia.org or email spiritofindia2002@yahoo.com

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contactus@spiritofi nd ia.org Details: Suresh 0412 202 182, Raja 0402 789 109, Sudhir 0409 600 117.

MISC Sanskrit recitation competition Thurs June 5 8.30am-10am The competition is for Kindy to Year 5 students of John Colet School.

Held at 6 Wyatt Avenue, Belrose.

Details: Gilbert Mane on 9451 8395 or gmane@johncolet.nsw.edu.au Sydney Sakhi Sangam Sun 22 June 11 am onwards Annual women's event Sakhi Sangam will be held at the Croatian Club, Punchbowl.

Details: Nandini 0423 684 340, Sush ma 041 1 967 374 or Preeti 0402 034 959.

STAGE PRANA: The rhythm of the soul Sat May 24 6.30-9pm All proceeds go to North West Disability Services. Tickets: Adults $25, Seniors: $20, Children 5-12 years $20 and children under 5 are free (no seat). Held at Redgum

Centre, Lane Street, Wentworthville.

Vegetarian dinner pack included in ticket price. Alcohol free event.

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or Sri Dass on 0431 983 141 , email info@soorya.org.au or www.soorya.org.au Bookings: www.riversideparramatta.com.au or call 8839 3399.

Anubhuti: Bharatanatyam dance drama Fri May 30 7.15pm Soorya Festival of Dance & Music

brings this dance drama by Chithra Visweswaran at Riverside Theatres, Parramatta, corners of Church Street and Market Street.

Details: Sudhir Das on 0409 600 117

FESTIVAL Sydney Writers' Festival Mon-Sun 19-25 May various times Go along to hear Vikram Chandra, t he Curiosity Lecture Series: On What Gandhi Would Do and other events.

Details: www.swf.org.au

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MAY (2) 2014 9

SCIENCE

Pest control partnership A team effort between India and Oz is solving the problem of infestations in Indian grain

T

he development of a new project

by Indian and Australian scientists will hopefully save harvested grains from pest infestations, and improve the infrastructure of grain production in India.

Mr Rajagopal Aikkara, general manager of Food Corporation India, stated that India was the biggest exporter of rice and the third largest exporter of wheat in the world in 2013. "ln India, every year about 60 million tonnes of these grains go into bag storage," said Aikkara.

"Maintaining these stocks poses a big challenge".

In India and Australia grains are harvested before summer and are scored in bags during the warm weather. This invites pests and eventuaUy leads co spoil.age of these valuable resources.

The issue motivated the development of a strategic research alliance between Australian and lndian scientists, aimed at soh,ing this problem. ln 2012, they successfully bid for a competitive grant from the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund and received $3 million. The grant will fw1d a project led b y Associate Professor Gimme Walter of the University of Queensland and Professor Chandrasekaran Subramaniam of Tamil Nada Agriculmral University (TNAU).

A team from India who are working on the project recemly

(Left to rig ht) Mr Rajagopal Aikkara, Prof Subbarayalu Mohankumar, Prof Gimme Walter, Dr Pat Collins and Mr IC Chadda at the Grain Corp export terminal, Port of Brisbane

visited the U niversity of Queensland's Brisbane campus, where Indian J...,i11k spoke to them and their Australian colleagues about the project and their partnersbip. ''This project primarily focuses on the post harvest protection of grains by efficient handling and managing o f phosphine, a fumigant chemical used to treat pest infestations in grain," said Associate Professo r Walter.

According to Professor Subbarayalu Mobankumar of TNAU, in recent years insects have become resist,'lnt co phosphine, which is a fumigant that is too valuable to lose, as it leaves no residue, has no adverse effects on the environment, and is cheap.

"We are trying to understand the best method co deploy t:hi5 fumigant, which is accepted by

markets worldwide, to maintain its efficacy," remarked Mohankumar. ''Specifically, what methods should we use co destroy che insects without increasing their resistance levels".

"Grain handling in India also requires a boost in improving infrastrucmre from bag to bulk," added M r IC C hadda, general manager at the Central Warehousing Corporation. "All measures are being taken to ensure t hat cbe grains retain their quality as per global standards".

As co the progress of the project so far, Dr Pat Collins, deputy project manager, A ustralia, told Tndian Unk, "\Y/e have been looking at the insects' biology and ecology, smdying their resistance to phosphine and conducting practical trials at regular intervals. \Y/e have also been setting up relationships between industry

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and science, which explains the presence of Nfr Chadda and M r Rajagopal at our meeting in Brisbane. O ne major output from the project is the first meeting this year of an Indian National Grairr Protection Alliance".

Tbe Indian team is hopeful that collaboration between India and Australia will help improve the infrastructure of lndia's grain production.

In mrn, Australia receives Lhe benefit of India's experience in che area of phosphine resistance, as India has used phosphine as a fumigant for much longer than Australia.

"The alliance between al.I our institutions and the corporations also means that we have a larger team with broader experience who are able to work together to combat grain storage pests," said Associate P rofessor Walter.

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MAY (2) 2014 11

COVERSTORY

Fledgling organisation Overseas Friends ofBJP has a dramatic debut year

ome 200 people gathered at Burwood Club on May 16 to watcb the elections results from India come in. They broke out in cheers every so often as the lotus bloomed and the Congress ,vilted (some even chanting the Har H,ir JWahadev slogan), and passed the laddoos around.

They were assembled there at the behest of the fledgling organisation Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP), whicb organised similar events in Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.

The message wem out via the organisation's Facebook page days before, asking people co join in for a "Vijai D iwas" (victory day). \Vere they so sure of a victory?

"Yes, most definitely!" an exuberant Rahul Jetl1.i, convener of the OFBJP, cold I11dia11 Link. "I haJ been in India recently and had some assessment of the ground realities over tbere, and the general mood of the people".

Jethi was motivated by a social media campaign started in the US but aimed at the lnclian populace, urging them tO come out in droves vote in the 2014 elections.

Amongst the people who arteoded were rnembers of the Liberal Friends of lndia, NSW :tvlember for Granville Tony Issa, Councillor Gurdip Singh, and the Hindu Council of Australia's Nihal Agar and Sanjeev Bhakri.

Yet Jetbi reveals thac ocher than these handful of comrmmity stalwarts, more than half tbe attendees were not even known to him. "lt was transformational for us as an organisation coo, to see time we had reached out to so many regular folk," said Jetbi. "They \Vere people who believed tbat change is required in contemporary India, and who in some way, shape or form, support the. BJP ideology. Tbey came after

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12 MAY (2) 2014

work on the Friday nigbt, helped share the laddoo.r around, and afterwards, shook some boory!"

The OFBJlJ was formed in March last year.

"I've been a follower of the Bharatiya Jana ta Party since high school," Jetbi revealed, "and bave been particularly motivated b)' the groundswell taking place recently seeking a change. Party headquarters in India gave the nod last year, and we had a soft launch in September with the ope11.ing of three chapters in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane". \Vhen senior leader Venkiah Naidu was on a private visit here in December, they cook the opportunity to make a formal laund1.

But the group has been active since early last year, witb monthly events such as Google hangouts with Narendta Modi, Subrahmaniam Swamy and Sushma Swaraj, and Chai pe Charcha sessions.

After the elections results smnned the world, it's been nothing short of Modi ma11.i,1 for friends of BJP all over the world, as tl1ey rake to social media making much of incidents such as Mocli's blessings from bis aged mum, his crazy cavalcade tl1rough the streets of Delhi, h is tl1ank-you visit to Varanasi where he prayed at the banks of tl1e Ganges, and his bo\Ving down in obeisance at tl1e steps of Parliament House. The utterances of the prime minister-elect, such as "l am a prime worker of the people," ate being touted as pearls of wisdom. MeanwbiJe tbe smart one-liners abom the decimated Congress party (see box) continue on unabated.

Buoyed by tbe election results, the OFBJ P are seeing a major role for tl1emselves at the commu11.ity level here, as weUas in d1e mainstream.

Going forward, the organisation claims its

•

agenda is to play a consa·uctive role i□ enhancing tbe IndiaAustralia relationship. "\Vle are Australian citizens first, but ,vant to do our bit to increase people- to-people contact between ] ndia and Australia as well as trade and polity. To do this, we hope to be engaging with both sides of the political divide here in Australia".

Jethi laments char the community sentiment is not adequately represemed in the political arena.

"The existing organ.isati.ons stop shorr at being culmral organisations, wirh no political

agenda. Our organisation has very definitive political aims. We hope, for instance, ro take delegations to lndia to help achieve these aims". r o doubt a visit by Prime :!vfinister Modi will be a major bighligbt. Prime l'vfinister Abbott has invited his Indian counterpart for the G -20 summit io Brisbane later this year, and sbouJd Modi take it up, it wilJ be a momentous trip not only for OFBJP but the Indian community at large.

Por more 011 OFBJP, visit www.ofojp.org.au

MAY (2) 2014 13

COVERSTORY

•

•

rom rov1nc1a • to rime ministeria ::~ '' I

The journey ofIndia's PM elect reflects prosperity for India's future, reports SAROJ MOHANTY

~:1, ::~

l arendra Modi during the election campaign that catapulted the Gujarat chief minister co the very pinnacle of power as the next prime minister of India.

His words sounded prophetic in mid-May as the Bharatiya Jana ta Party won an absolute majority on its own, securing a record number of 282 seats in the Lok Sabha, and in the process reducing the Congress to its lowest number in the house.

Ir has been an extraordinary journey for the man, an outlier, who does nor belong ro any of the country's enduring political dynasties or to the socio-culmral elite. He has been bra.oded as a "Hindutva hardliner," and a "divish e, polarising figure," especially because of the 2002 riots under his own rule in his home scare. Modi has in a way taken sweet revenge as he savours the phenomenal poll results, his own glory and the finest-ever performance of the BJ P in 7

14 MAY (2) 2014

more than three decades of its existence.

At the height of a gruelling campaign, Modi had said in an interview that he sensed a very strong anti-incumbency wave against tbe lO-year Congress rule, marked by massive corruption and seemingly dysfm1ctional government.

As he travelled across this country of sub-continental size and bewildering diversity, he saw "an equally strong wave for the BJP and its NOA partners," a yearning for change, for a "stable," performing government in New Delhi.

To a large extent, his own carefully crafted image of a "strong and decisive" leader found resonance across the country and has no doubt played a role that is reflected in the poll results. In the 13 years he has been at the helm of affairs in Gujarat, Modi has built an image of a leader who delivers, someone who is interested in results.

In the last few years, when the Manmohan Singh government was ridiculed for being caught in a "policy paralysis," l\focli seized the oppornmity and conveyed a vision of decisive government and development. And this he made the main p lank of his electoral campaign that tOliched a chord, an iustanr connection, especially with the young, first-time voters and the country's burgeoning middle class. "[Modi] functions like a modem day CEO laying emphasis on the outcome and often aLiegeclly putting the rules and normal norms in the backbumer," said one of his biographers Nirendra Dev.

This was facilitated by an aggressive use of technology and media, and well supported by the Sangh Parivar whose members pressed its cadres to canvass for theBJP. fo contrast, the can1paign of tl1e Congress led by its undeclared prime ministerial nominee, vice president R;ihuJ Gandhi, was uninspiring.

Opposition leaders and independent observers, however, say that though Modi talked about development, the parry indulged in some social engineering in scares like Uttar Pmdesh, and p layed the backward caste and conmrnnal cards.

But there are specific and deep social changes that seem to have helped the so-called Modi wave. focreased urbanisation, interregional migration and spread of commtulication have bridged the rural-urban divide in voting behaviour. In face, economic shifts and greater connectivity are creating a new kind of constituency, one

that is neither classically urban nor rural, but a hybrid "rurban".

According to demographer Sonalde Desai, though India has not become a non-agricultural country, farming has increasingly become a part-time job.

Recent surveys have shown greater divergence between scares than between villages and cities.

Modi has been tapping into what he calls a "neo-m idclle class" made up of newcomers co the urban economy. The country's travel from a state-run economy co one run more by private capiral has Jed co a situation where aspirations are rising a lot faster than improvements on the gwund.

A master strategist, Modi also saw to it that the Bharatiya Janata Parry, which traditionally appealed to the urban middle class, this time moved into rural and sem.i-urban areas, and tapped especially youth.

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NATIONAL EDITION

MAY (2) 2014 15

•

INDIAN ELECTIONS

Modi greets his party's newly elected lawmakers at Parliament House in Delhi

The mauling of the Congress BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendrn l\fodi's prediccion that Congress would not be able to open its account in several states came true, with rhe party failing to secure a single Lok Sabha seat from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu,Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand.

Congress leaders said that it was unprecedented for the party not to score seats across regions in a general eleccion. The party also could nor cross rouch double digit in any stare as it suffered heavy reverses in Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Jyfaharashrra, Assam and Uttar Pradesh.

TI1e Congress lost all seven sears in the nacional capital of Dellu ,vhich were wrested by the Bharatiira Janata Party.

It was 0-25 for Congress in Rajastha.n, 0-26 in Gujarat, 0-4 in T-Iimachal Pradesh, 0-5 in Uttarakhand and 0-39 in Tamil Nadu.

Except Tamil Nad u, the party lost all seats co the BJP in the other states.

Modi had said in his rally ar Valmiki agar in Bibar, May 7 that Congress wiU be reduced co zero in many states where the anger against UPA's "failure" to contain corrupcion was marked.

The parry could win only one seat in Haryana, four in Maharashtra, two in Andhra Pradesh and three seats in Assam.

TI1e Congress, lndia's oldest pany which had ruled the country for a decade since 2004, faced its worst humiliacion, raising 9uestion 1muks about the future of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty tbat has given India most of its prime ministers. Congress' de facto prime ministerial candidate Rahul Gandhi, whose father, grandmother and great-grandfather were all prime ministers, was bumbled by Modi in a way that the Congress plummeted to its lowest ever rwocligit tally in a nacional election.

16 MAY (2) 2014

lt was a graveyard for Congress stalwarts. ]\,f.inisrer after minister, leader after leader, lost at the hustings, with only a notable few winning through co d1e 16th Lok Sabha.

Ar least 23 ministers of Manmoha.n Singb's government lost, including Home Minister Sushi.lkumar Shinde, External Affairs l\,linisrer Salman Khurshid, Communicacions l\lliniscer Kapil Sibal, Health Minister Gbulam Nabi Azad, Corporate Affairs Minister Sa.chin Pilot and Sports .M inister J irendta Singh. Manmoha.n Singh, who had announced his retirement earlier this year, did not contest Outgoing finance minister P. Chidamabaram's son Karci Chidambaram lost from his fad1er's constiniency after the laner opted out of the comest And so did Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kmrn1r (Sasaram).

All BJP stalwarts won easily including L.K Advani (Gandhinagar), Rajnath Singh (Lucknow), Murli Manohar Joshi (Kanpur), Nitin Gadkari (1 agpur) and Sushma Swaraj (Vidisha).

The only BJP leader who lost was Arun Ja.itley, leader of tl1e party in the Rajya Sabha who was trounced b y former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh of the Congress in Amritsar. Jaitley was cipped to be the finance minister in a new Modi government

Questions about Rahul Gandhi's leadership Rahul Gandhi, 43, who led the Congress campaign, rnanaged to win his own seat of Amethi bur with a considernbly reduced margin compared to the 2009 elections.

He was up against dvals considered lightweight and could manage to salvage his sear, considered a family pocket borough, partly due co the efforts of his sister Pr:iyanka Gandhi Vadra who campaigned there vigorously especially

towards the fag end of tbe campaign.

But Congress leaders sought to litewall Ralml Gandhi, saying char they were collectively responsible for tbe results. They, however, said there would be introspection over the results as "too much was at stake".

RahuJ Gandhi started his national campaign late, almost four months after 1\fodi bad set into the role following his annointment as rhe Bharaciya Jaoata Party's prime ministerial candidate in September last year.

Modi tapped into people's discontent and anger over price rises, corrnption, unemployment and a sense among tl1e middle classes that India had wasted irs opporrunicies during 10 years of Congress-led United Progressive Alliance rule.

Though Rahul Gandhi sought to paint Modi as "divisive" and dictatorial and tall,ed endlessly of the UPA government's welJ:are i.niciatives, his strategy did not succeed.

He had little to show by way of achievement in governance as he had not taken a role in government despite repeated invitations.

Modi, on tl1e other hand, built his campaign around the Gujarat model of development, having led the state as chief minister from 2001.

He raised hopes of a bright, prom..ising future among d1e people, basing his promises on the work he had done in Gujarat.

The Congress made a strategic move nor to declare Rahul Gandhi as prime ministerial candidate but that did not prevent a "presidential type" contest between him and Modi in the age of television. Modi got much more television space than Ralml due to his oratory.

Unlike Modi, who used technology and social media to bolster his campaign, Rahul

Gandhi appeared not to have brought any innovation co his campaign. Tbe Congress scion is not on twitter, a social media popular among the youth.

Gandhi bas been slammed by bis critics for being a reluctant poliricia.n, a leader w ho goes into virtual hibernation after phases of policical accivism and does not follow tlu:ough on the issues he raises. His not being present at the farewell dinner his mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi hosted for outgoing prime minister Manmohan Singh was widely noticed in the media.

Rahul Gandhi addressed just over 160 rallies during the Lok Sabha campaign, a third of the nm11ber Modi addressed.

Congress promises structural changes but does not outline roadmap Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahn! Gandhi, have taken responsibility for the party's defeat Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vice president Rahul Gandhi offered to resign owning responsibility for tbe ctnshing defeat in tl1e Lok Sabha polls but tl1e parry rejected it while promising a tl10rough revamp and structural changes and admitting it was "unable to connect witb the electorate".

The Congress has promised a thorough organisacional revamp and strnctmal changes as measures co win back confidence o f people after die party's worst defeat in a Lok Sabha dection but did not spell om the way it will be accomplished.

Both tl1e resolucion adopted at the Congress Wo.rking Committee meeting in New Delhi and Congress president Sonia Gandhi's speech gave tl1e party's

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INDIAN ELECTIONS followed by major wodd powers, foreign

"too early to say;" adding "foreign policy is a complex issue, it needs to be run on a planned fran1ework and not on ilie basis of sentiment or emotion or jingoism".

The Bharatiya Janara Patty in irs election manifesto had pledged to "revise and update"

joined the BJP earlier diis year, said the overwhelming mandate "gives Mr. Modi the mandate required to repair the relationships

India's nuclear doctrine. le had observed that the strategic gains acquired by the party-led National Democratic Aliiance

in me neighbomhood and rework other

regime were " frittered away" by ilie Congress, and said its government would stress on "mending equations" and ties

critically important relationships like iliose with the US and China".

"Prime Minister Modi will have me f]e,,dbility and space to pursue India's interests and ensure that India can contribute to global peace and security in a maurier commensurate with India:5 size and potential," Puri, who served as India's Permanem Representative co the United Nations and is likely to play a foreign policy role in the new government, told

tlisconnect wi ch the voters as reasons that led to the party just winning 44 of 543

Lok Sabha sears.

Party sources said d1at there could be a reshuffle of All India Congress Committee office-bearers in the coming weeks. The party has little time for recovery as it has to face assembly elections later diis year in Maharashtra, Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir and possibly Delhi. \~e an admission of failures is likely co go down welJ wiili tlle workers, who wanted tlleleadership co do some plainspeaking, there is stilJ no clarity about the kind of change chat will be brought about in srrucnttes of d1e party, its scale and its tin1elinc.

Parry vice president Rahul Gandhi has been advocating direct elections to 6.11 various posts and opening Ltp the organisation and d1e resolution indicated the party could go in iliac direction as it talked about creating "opporturuties and structures tllar wiU pave tlle way of a tllorough revamp of the orgarusarion at aU levels".

Former minister Kamal Natl, has suggested that CWC members should also be elected and nor noniinated by tlle Congress president However, a section of ilie party is not satisfied wiili die outcome of Rahul Gandhi's moves to usher in internal democracy in Youth Congress saying d1at it had brought in a crop of leaders who were nor adept in agitational politics.

While tlle resolution and Soni,1. Gandhi's speech talked about the parry having failed to read the profound changes chat had taken place in d1e counu-y during die ten years of UP.A government, iliere was no indication from ilie party how these will be addressed in d,e coniing days.

NATIONAL EDITION

Sonia ('.,-and.hi said the party should ponder why ics support base has eroded and if the party was in tune with d1e aspirations of the youth and keeping pace with d1e change.

She also said ilie party needed " clearheaded and fresh d,inking that will help us correct our shoncomings" but did not elaborate.

According to Congress general secretary Janradan Dwivedi d1ough there has been a feeling among Congress workers d1at Rahul Gandhi had not been properly advised by key members in his team. There is also palpable discontent among ,vorkers against many Congress ministers for ·' not paying d1em due regard" while in office.

There was also expectation among party workers of general secretaries being held accountable for the party's poor performance in across states. The Congress could nor reach double digit mark in any state and failed to open its account in many.

Sources said tllar general secretaries offered to be held accountable at d1e meeting but tbe common refrain at tbe meeting was for "collective responsibility''.

RabuJ Gandhi led the party campaign that was heavily built around the UPA regime's achievements mough tllere was a sense of dejection among voters on issues of price rise and corruption - which Manmohan Singh, speaking at the meeting, termed die ones which the government failed to commuriicate widi the people.

SoLtrces said that most members harped upon lack of proper communication during the last few years.

Prime Minister Modi will rework, repair foreign ties As India makes way for a new BJP-led government, with the elections keenly

of the subcontinent."

Former envoy Pavan K. Varma said it is

policy e.'\-perts say d1e regime change is a signal to ilie world "that d1e world'.~ largest democracy is alive and kicking" and iliac d1e chumping majority gives Prime Minister Modi die mandate to rework and repair relatiom.

Former envoy Hardeep Singh Puri, who

1.ANS. According to former envoy G. Pa.rthasaratby, d1e poll result "sends a signal to die world iliac die world's largest democracy is alive and kicking".

He furd1ered, "The success or od1erwise of foreign policy will depend on bow our economy surges ahead ... AmomaticaUy, foreign policy will be in order when it becomes clear to the ,vorld that India is set to grow and welcomes foreign investment and coUaborarion".

The former envoy to Pakistan and Australia. said, "Most foreign investors have lost confidence (in lndia). Because of m isnianagement of die economy; defence spending has fallen to a record low; this has affected our national security adversely''.

He added mat India has problems in the neighbourhood which "have to be imaginatively addressed".

Parthasaralli)' s,iid despite me BJP winning a simple majority on its own, in a federal setup in dealing wid1 Sri Lanka tlle government will have to have consultations wiili Tamil Nadu. With Bangladesh, the views of West Bengal and Tripura will have to be tal,en into account.

Well-known strategic analyst C. Uday Bhaskar told ]:ANS diat "One area where tlle BJP will have more freedom is in relation co die immediate neighbourhood, where in me past some state governments and dominant regional parties hobbled tlle centre. Tamil adu in rdarion to Sri Lanka and West Bengal apropos Bangladesh are a case in point. With Pakistan, ilie Modi line is that he will not be a prisoner of me past but me terrorism issue \.viii have to be addressed".

Bhaskar, a distinguished fellow wid, die Society for Policy Studies, also noted, "t\s regards the otller elements of India's foreign policies - \Vhether China or d1e USA, a mucl1 more visible political coore.xt and content is on the cards. Bue as always, national economic resilience and the srrengrh of die Indian rupee wiU be die bedrock of die credibility of Delhi's external policies".

Prominent foreign policy expert C. Raja Mohan said Modi's emphasis on former prime nlin.ister Acal Bil1ari Vajpayee's foreign policy legacy is politicaUy significant. "le bas offered much-needed reassurance all arotrnd chat India \Vill not abandon its traditional nuclear restraint, continue co seek peace with neighboms and promote regional prosperity dirough economic integration

wid1 neighbours.

Every third newly-elected MP has a criminal case 171e number of parliamentarians witb criminal cases has risen in the l 6m Lok Sabha, ,vith every mird MP-elect facing criminal charges, an analysis of their election affidavits has shown.

An analysis of 541 of d1e 543 winning candidates by l arional E lection Watch (1'1£\',J) and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) showed diat 186 or 34 percent of me newly-elected members have disclosed crinunal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

In 2009, 30 percent of d1e Lok Sabha rneruber.- had criu1inal cases registered against them. This has now gone up by four percent. .According to a press release, of the 186 new members with declared criniinal cases, 112 (21 percem) declared "serious criminal cases," including those related to murder, attempt co mw-der, causing cmrnnw1al disbarmony, kidnapping, crimes against women etc.

Parry•wise, d1e largest 98 or 35 percent of the 281 winners from the BJP have in d1eir affidavits declared crinunal cases against themselves.

Eight of the 44 winners (18 percent) from die Congress, si_, of tlle 37 winners (16 percent) from the 1\.1.ADMK, 15 of the 18 winners (83 percent) from me Sb.iv Sena, and seven of the 34 winners (21 percent) of d1e Trinamool Congress also disclosed criminal cases against memselves.

The analysis also showed a rise in me nw11ber of crorepatis (mil.lionaires) in die Lok Sabha over die 2009 elecrion.

The release said that of the winners analysed, 442 (82 percent) were croreparis and the number was 300 (58 percent) in 2009.

The BJP has the highest number of crorepatis, die release said.

Of d1e candidates analysed, the average assets per winner was Rs.14.61 crore, whereas the average asset for each candidate was Rs.3.16 crore.

The release also said one of the newly elected members had declared himself to be illiterate.

A total of 125 (23 percent) winners declared that they have an educational qualification till Class 12 or below while 405 (15 percent) declared having an educational qualification of a graduate or above.

202 (37 percent) of the \vinning ?-.1Ps declared ilieir age to be between 25 ro 50 years, 298 (55 percent) declared their age to be between 51 and 70 and 41 (eight percent) declared d1ei.r age to be above 71.

61 (11 percent) of the newly elected members are women.

!ANS

MAY (2) 2014 17

COVERSTORY

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or1a 1s sea The excitement and the jubilation notwithstanding, some aspects ofModi's win could be cause for concern

f you are a l arendra Modi snpporrer o r fan, d1en it would be best if you do yourself a favour and skip this column Alrernatively, please take some blood pressure medication before proceeding further.

P rime Minister-elect Natendra Modi comes to power with the sort of expectations Indians had of Sachin Tendulkar whenever he came in co bat.

But Sachin had, even ar the early srages of his cricket career, a track record and class stamped aU over him. Not to mention, lots of innare decency.

Mr Modi is badly tai nted by the murderous Gujarat riots of 2002 and his aUeged culpability but ironically (and, tragically!) that seems to be his enduring appeal and chat liability has been skilfully and wilfully converted to become his greatest asset.

Tbe e lectorate had been waiting for tlie Congress party with basebaU bats and has given it the most fearful lynchi ng. le was eminently well d eserved, too. Corruption was endemic; the Prime 1fiuister was lame duck, ineffectual and wielded no independent power, and there was never a coherent vision articulated. The country was on auto-pilot whilst the plane was losing height precipitously.

Critics jL1stifiably christened h i.m Man Mt11m Singh. In his decade long Prime Nuniscership, just 3 Press Conferences were held.

Even President Obama who was criticised for not giving many Press Conferences, fronted up 79 times in his fi rst 4 years, alone!

I

The Modi Record To anyone who wants to cite Mr Modi's credentials as a great reformer and having an impressive record of governance, probity and developmen t in Gujarat, 1 have this ro say: it is a furphy.

The track record does not match the hype at all. In the Modi years, the Gross Stace P roduce (GSP) of orher states has grown faster. Even the per capita GSP of Gujarat trails Goa, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and others. l or is Gujarat the leader (or even in d1e first three) in unemployment rates.

Ia Foreign Direct Investment (a pet project of Mocli's),

18 MAY (2) 2014

Ahmeclabad comfortably trails 1vlum bai, D elhi, Chennai and Bangalore. I n income inequality (both rural and urban) Gujarat trails over 15 o mer states.

Even by other measures viz. quality of life, human development index etc., Gujarat is a sluggish performer, certainly not the class leader. D on't rake m y word, go to http:// qz.com/171409 / gujarar-by-thenwnbers/ Why has Mr Modi not had the courage to abolish prohibition, even after 67 years o f Independence? Not only is it a joke internationaU)~ but widely lampooned and Soured in Gujarat itself. Never again should Indians sneer at policies of hard.line Islamist GL1lf states, whilst a ridiculous prohibition law exists in one o f the most pro minent states of an otherwise liberal democracy.

Can someone also enlighten me as to why, despite this hypocritical law, alcohol is so easily available in Gujarat and consLtmed with minimal fuss, by tens of thousands of people, everyday?

If Mr Modi was such an efficient adminis trator, how come the enforcement of this idiotic lm,v was (and continues to be) so lax and corruptio n-ridden?

Why clid rbe BJP field over a

hundred canclidates with criminal records? O ut of the 281 seats won, 98 have been won by people who have the slur of criminality.

That is over 35 %, no less! If we were to make a three-egg omelette and have just one rotten egg in it, what would the encl result be?

Why clid the B? align with an overtly communal party (Shiv Sena) which has a cynical disregard for rule of the law?

D id you know char around 85°/4, of the cancliclates it fielded are/ were facing criminal charges o r have been convicted of them?

15 out of their 18 elected MPs have criminal cases pending. lt is dismaying, no less, to see them aU waved into parliament en thusiastically by electors in Bombay, in particular.

Modi's Muslim problem lndia is a country of 1.25 billion in which one in seven people (or 14 °;., ie 175 million) are o f the Muslim fai d1, the third largest Muslin1 population in rhe world.

How ca□ such a country prospe1' unless there is societal harmony, opporrnnities and equality for everyone, regardless of their faith? lnsteacl of spending money on sops co appease Muslims (but, which hardly reached tl1em!) past Governmen ts should have clone

much more to address issues of glaring inequity. Despite what many Hindus think, .Muslims are a highly discriminated (not pampered!) minority in India.

And, they need to be treated with respect - not told forever to "go to Pakistan". By most education and employmenr yardsticks, it should be a concern for all thinking lndians that the Muslims have now fallen behind even the D alits.

I hope the Modi Government not only withdraws d1e Haj subsid y (which is a sort of religious interference) but also inlposes a pilgrim tax for organising religious events such as die Kumbh Mela or various pilgrimages to Amarnath, Kailash Mansarovar ere. The Jnclian State should have no role in the religious beliefs or practices of its citizens and it should subsiclise no one overtly or covertly.

Education is certainly the panacea and should be a rop priority for the Modi Government: education of the sort one gets in schools and universities and nor in fl!adrassas.

The website of the lviinistry o f Hu.man Resources talks about 111adrassas modernisation in the name o f Muslims. In Urtar Pradesh, under both Mayawati and Mulayam Singh Yadav, the government failed to construct more schools and colleges. lnstead, it was providing for tnadmssas a□d modernisation of 111adrassas. This is wrong because 111admssas are religious institutions and the government should not play any role in diem.

Religious schools like t11adrassas create segregation - which is terrible both for Mllslims and for India.

Job oppormnities is another bugbear. It should not be as difficult for a Muslim to get a job in India as it is for a new Indian migrant in A L1stralia. Of course, there is discrimination - in both places. UsuaUy latent, often blatant.

Muslims also face naked and ugly bigotry whilst buying or renting property. The ver y people who are discri minating against them in this way, then have the gall to complain that they live in ghettoes - after vi.r tuaUy driving them in there.

Mr Mocli .is capable o f tackling aU the above issues pertaining to India's most populous and restive minoriry. But, it is to be seen if ideoloi,,>ical considerations q ueer his pitch. He ran a campaign that promised d evelopment

''

The electorate had been waiting for the Congress with baseball bats

'' ''

It should not be forgotten that more than twothird of Indians did not vote for the BJP/ Modi and notwithstanding that (with just 31 % of the vote they won 282 seats), the BJP needs to govern for every Indian

''

and good governance, and avoided religiously divisive themes. Secularism is ensh.rined in d1e lndian constitution and that is what distinguishes India from Pakistan and unites our amazingly diverse 111r,tt'llbhoo111i. He would do well ro concentrate on developing India's creaking infrastructure and creating jobs for the million odd who join the workforce, each month, and avoid the state's foray in to religion - be it 111a11dif' or 111asjid.

T he incivility routinely demonstrated by Modi supporters on social media forums that 1 have recently seen is unbelievable.

T here is not just a hope for a better Bharat and a 111aha11 Bharat, but sadly there is an ugly elemen t of triwnpbalism and scorn for any cliffering opinion.

Above all, it should nor be forgotten mat more chru1 t\vo-third of Indians did 11ot vote for the BJP / Modi and notwithsranding that (wid1 just 31'1/o of the vote they won 282 seats), the BJP needs to govern for CINI)' Indian.

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NATIONAL EDITION

MAY (2) 2014 19

SPECIALREPORT

Transparency and accountability are the big issues in the A/BC elections

l

·t BY PAWAN LUTHRA

n August 2011, former Incliru.1 High Comm.issioner Sujatha Singh took direct aim at the Australia India Business Council. (AIBC) in her address on the occasion of the 2S'h anniversary of the council.

1n an exa:aordinary attack, she expressed her frustration that the AIBC had not fulfilled its potentiaJ in "exponentially e:Kpanding the economic relationship" between loclia and Australia. She publidy asked for it " to transform itself to become a truly effective body'' and play a more important and representative role. She alluded to the fact drntitseemed obsessed with process rather dian focusing "on issues of substance''.

Singh conceded mac on its own, the NSW chapter was functioning well, so ir was apparent that her swipe was at the organisation's operations at the oationaJ level wh.ich are yet to be at par "with the most professional Business Councils in Australia and India". lndian d ip lomats rarely speak out in obfuscatory language and the audience certainly grasped (if not, gasped at!) die disappointment of the f-Iigh Commissioner and the timing, venue and importance of her message delivered right becween the eyes, at the organisation's AnnuaJ Dinner in the presence of an array of senior politicians and business folk.

If me former H igh Commissioner, now Foreign Secretary and a well-respected diplomat, had co make chis speech again, do you think she would bave something different co say?

This was the question whidi ,vas asked co d1e major contenders for die posts of NationaJ Chair and Vice Chair for me AIBC National Election 2014. lncumbent National Chair Dipen RLtghani, who has been wid1 the AIBC for over four and a half years and irs National Cbair for two years, did not respond directly co this query, stressing instead on tbe achievemems of AlBC in the last 24 months. Rughani highlighted the achievements in forging doser relationships with partners in India such as me Pederation of Indian Chamber of

1

20 MAY (2) 2014

David Trench

Dipen Rughani

Sheba Nandkeolyar

Gautam Gupta

Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).

Contesting against Dipen Rughani for National Chair, is David Trench. David, based in Western Australia is Executive General Manager in charge of Market Development at Griffin Coal. He chose not co comment on the issue as he was not present at the function at which Sujatha Singh spoke, bur was keen to talk about how co set AIBC up for a stronger future.

Where born the contenders show a point of difference, is Dipen Rughani's insistence in having d1e right internal structures in place. "As we transitioned from the old unincorporated structure to the new company AIBC Ltd when J took over as the Chairman, the Board of Directors were keen

to get our new o rganisational governance, processes and systems in place," he told fodian Link.

David on the other hand is keen co ger diings moving more quickly.

"Organisations that work in,varclly or spend more effort working it1 die organisation rather than 011 die organisation are limited in their ability to see the larger image mey portray. Spending large amounts of time on process in attaining accountability and transparency without considering tbe reasons and benefits of why, often leads co me organisation becoming "bogged" down and losing their nimble ability of meeting their core objectives. le is one thing to state you are open for business, available fot· engagement, when you stand behind a closed door witli the lights off! Representative bodies are tl1ere to represent diei.r

members, cbe viewpoints and die common agenda; to achieve this they need to engage their membership, communicate, and be ultimately mindful that d1e more engaged the membership the more tl1e agenda can evolve, so the organisation becomes sustainable".

Aspiring for the position of National Vice Chair is current AIBC NSW President Sheba Naodkeolyar. NandkeoLyar is a successful business owner in her own right and wanes co carry this over to AIBC to die natiooaJ level. She is keen for AIBC ational Direccors to demonstrate accountability, integrity, transparency, inclusion, teamwork and passion for the AustraliaIndia business relationship. "J\li Direccors need to reflect the above and while the members have declined rapidly in one particular

state, the rest of the stares have ooc had any such issues," she said. "The membership will grow rapidly if d1e above values are foUowed". ''A IBC I SW has been ac the forefront in terms of transparency, policy engagement and member i1:i.itiatives, and I am truly pleased with the AIBC NSW Chapter," andkeolyar added. "If I were to cairn on a national role, I would strive to ensure diac all state chapters operate like the AIBC NSW, in a transparent and inclusive manner. The AIBC website wh.ich is meant to have aU information listed publidy about die state chapters, will demonstrate chis".

Wanting co enter d1e team at d1e national level as Vice Chair is Gautan1 Gupta from Viccocia.

A coLmcillor at one of the fastest growing local cOLmcils, Wyndham in Viccoria, Gupta is scathing in his comments about d1e current \\'orkings of die i\JBC. He feels that it has failed, and his experience is that both membership and revenue for AIBC have declined. In 2012, d1ere were 541 eligible voters and th.is has dropped to 491 in 2014, he claims. "Instead of AIBC growing, we are going backwards" , he observed.

Gupta also alleges that monies are being spenr witbouc correct procedures and he is keen co bring in ethical standards chat will transform me way AIBC conducts business by connecting business, goverrunent and communities. ''ln doing so I will use Australian etl1ical standards," Gupta noted.

Gupta's allegations of financial irregularities are strongly denied by cu.rrent National Chair Dipen Rughani.

"The AIBC board fully documents our meeting minutes and decisions of the board," stated Rugbani. ''The approved minutes are on our members-only section for all financial members co view. We have also uploaded our audited financials for 2011 and 2012 for our members to view. i\s far as the board is concerned, tl1ere are no financiaJ. irregularities, n:i.ismanagement or infighting. T he members after recommendations from the board ac the 2013 AGM have allocated a very reputable firm in Mann Judd to audit our accounts. \Ve are looking forward ro their report for 2013, which will be made available to our members as soon as it iR approved".

Not willing co let this go, Gupta

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claims that for the year ending December 2013, AIBC's audited annual returns are still not available even though we are already into May 2014. "Even the 2012 returns were provided only recently after many emru.ls," he added.

He bas his own vision of what needs tO be done on creating g reater transparencies and accow1tability in AIBC. "Ir is important that a membership-based organisation treats all its members with respect," Gupta noted. ''That means, making sure all 111.UJuces are made available. There needs to be registers i:naincained co explain bow we spend close co half a million dollars on admin and travel. It is nor good enough cl1at the financials are nor audited in time and hence not available for scrutiny. If any executive is, or bas the potential to use JUBC links for personal gain, then there must be a system to question, and if possible,

co sack chem. This happens ar all levels of government in Australia and I see no reason why it should not be a standard we should aspire co. Furthermore, it is important co separate personal offices from AIBC offices. There are a few .incidences where AIBC is operating out of personal/private businesses of office holders, where payments have been made to office bearers to render services without any render process. This must stop. Business oppornm.iries muse be shared with all members and they should be encouraged to participate in the process without favour of fear".

Regarding Singh's comments, he said, "I am nor sure of what information she will have roday, now char she is not in the country to observe the situation ac hand. However if she was disappoinced then, she should be terrified now. The need for transformation has never been

gre.'lter. We are almost at the end of our bandwidth where inaction wiUonly serve to b ring disrepute to our industry and businesses.

Tin1e for ethical transforruation is nmv. ft also highlights an issue to nor have half of the National Executive from a single state. This will come at a cost to its national idenriry".

Looking at how Business Councils of narions such as China and Israel work in Australia, J\IBC is way behind and little seems tO have been done co take advice of tl1e former High Commissioner. _Membership of AIBC bas stagnated, sponsorships are down, state-based differences are limiring cl1e growth, and where the lndiaAustral.ia telarionship is growing, it seems co be more organic rather than through the AIBC's substanrial promotion.

Witl1 Dipen Rughani, David Trench, Raja Jara and Sarabjeet Singh contesting the post of

National Cbair, and Sheba Nandkeolyar, Gautam Gupta, RajaJata and David Trench contesting for the position of National Vice Chair, ballot papers of the 490-odd members of AIBC need ro be in by 2June.

There seems co be no dearth of passion by the contestants; the challenge will be for the victors co maintain the rage in a positive way as 2014 is shaping up to be a crucial year for the Australia-India business relationship. A change in government in India and the inclination by the Abbott govemmenc to build on tl1e Labor government's initiatives witb lnd.ia can provide a po·werful momentum to consolidate AIBC's position as a premier Business Council in Australia. If they fail to do so, tl1e damage will be severe.

''

In an extraordinary attack, the former Indian High Commissioner to Australia Sujatha Singh expressed her frustration that the AIBC had not fulfilled its potential in "exponentially expanding the economic relationship" between India and Australia

''

www.longmanstudios.com.au

NATIONAL EDITION

MAY (2) 2014 21

STAGE

Impressive debutante Sydney dancer Minakshi Srinivasan presents her Arangetram she is portraying ensures that those who are watching can't help but believe she is the Goddess Aodal he best performances are those in which the audience is fully absorbed, far too caught up with what the artiste is going to do next to play with the smart-phone or char to their neighbour. Earlier this month, Ivlinakshi Srinivasan performed her Bharathaoatyam arangetram co pin drop si.lence and undivided attention from an enrapu1red audience. A studen t of Sydney guru Ni.khila Kiran and her dance academy Natyanivedan, Mina performed her debut solo performance at Sydney Bahai Centre. .Arangetram in Tamil means 'to ascend the stage'. Ascend she certainly did, taking her audience witb her as she to ld stories punctuated by crisp jatbis and with beautifully clean lines. In the past two decades in Sydney, an araogerram has moved away from what it once was, a first time stepping-stone by a young, inexperienced dancer, to dance recitals from dancers who have the maturity aod confidence to deliver close to professional performances. Minaksbi's was one such arangetran1, her poise, unwavering confidence and ability co connect deeply with the audience making it difficult to differentiate her performance from tl1at of many professional dancers.

Mina's ability to immerse herself wholly into the character

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preparing for her wedding, or Lord Shiva caught up in bis cosmic dance, or the ardent devotee of Lord Ganesha. A stand-out piece was one that strayed from the classical theme of gods and goddesses. It was a social pamdy of sorts, a light exploration of marriage in the bygone era, when girls were married off as children before mey had the maturity to handle such a concept. 1vlina, as the playful, excitable, sulky girl who can barely sit still long enough to take in her mmher's advice on how to i.nreract with her husband-to-be, had the audience at once laughing and tearing up.

The piece de resistance of any Bharathanacyam recital js the Varnam, an extensive arrangement of jatbis (abstract dance) and expressive enactments. An important story is always told, and more often than not a god or goddess is showcased. Mina's Varnam explored the relationship between Lord Sl1iva and his beloved Goddess Parvathi, as well as the adoration of tl1eir devotees.

The piece was a spectacular combination of tl1oughtful choreography by Mrs Kiran and ski.lful execution by me dancer.

Another captivati.ogly e.xpressive piece was Bbo Sbambbo, a tribute to Lord Shiva. Tr is quite a

challenge to both choreograph and perform this piece.

The music

the complex choreography, crisp footwork, and incredible agility, all the while smiling charmingly.

Music is a main element in dance, and ~[i.na's performance was accompanied by a delightfully young and talented set of musicians. Anand Sadasivam Dixit lent his dulcet voice, while tl1e seasoned Balaji Jagan.nadhan played die violin.

The 1111ida11ga111, a prominent instrument in Bha.rathanacyam, was played skilfully by Jaoal.;:an Raj, and young Venkatesh Sritharan p rovided the melodious flute accompaniment.

Natruvangum was delivered by the guru Nikhila Kiran.

The 1fC role was performed by die well-spoken C:barishma Kaliyanda and 1'v1ina's brother Krishna Srinivasan.

Nlinakshi's performance made it dear tl1at she is an artiste to watch on the dance scene. Her precise, energetic execution of abstract dance as well as her ability to convince and draw in tl1e audience with her artful expressiveness ate sure signs tliat she will conti.nue to excel in chis beautiful, challenging art form that is Bharathanatyam.

is so hauntingly beautiful tl1ar only a strong dance performance will hold its own, and :Mina's certainly did. ] t was a remarkably atl1letic, yet graceful portrayal of tl1e d ynamic Lord, with excellent choreography at its foundation . lf the Varnam is the centrepiece of a repertoire, the Thillana is its crowning glory. A final display of the by-then exhausted dancer's technical finesse, it requires the artiste to somehow conjure up tl1ar last bit of energy after presenting the rest of tl1e repertoire. Minakshi performed tlus piece as if it were the first of the eveni.og, with precise, energetic execution of

Rama Navami at Sydney Music Circle

A

s I listened to

irupama Raman singing Chesinide/la Marechidizoo in raga Thodi, 1 couldn't help tliinking, "What a fantastic Rama Navami indeed". Sud1 neat diction. Such a well-knit Nemval and Swara Prasthara. Very retniniscenr o f the great MLV, she gave us a typical concert feel of Chennai, or perhaps Bangalore, where Rama Navami is particularly significant; plenty of Caroatik music concerts are organised l

22 MAY (2) 2014

around this rime. irupama was performing ar the monthly concert organised by the Sydney i\t[usic Circle (SMC).

T he afternoon at tl1e Dm1das Com mu.oity Hall started with Ankitha Ananda w ho, gifted with a sweet voice, presented an impressive varna in Kam bod.hi, Ga11auaihena in Arab hi, T/ande Vas11deva111 in Sbree, an elaborate Shankara Bharana (a Devi kritlii by Swatbi T hir nnal), &:1ma11al/lat11e i.n D esh and a thi.llaoa in a rare raga

Shudda Sala.vi. Di.lip Ramaswamy accompanied Ankitha o n Violin.

Nirupama started with varna io Kethara G aula and continued with Chesinidel/,1, Atmpallltl G1111n111h11dhi in A rana, Kapa!i in Mohana and a Thi.Ilana. in Sindhu B hairavi. J\ first rime performer at the Sydney Music Circle, she established that she has good control over the artform, s howing confidence and skill. lv;pa!i was indeed a treat to the audience. Sanjay Ramawamy gave a very pleasing violin acco mpaniment and ,vas in

command of his craft througho ut.

The th ird item Sri Rama Jqya,11 was next to follow and was conceptualised a nd presented

by Hamsa Ven kat, the wellknown Bharatha Nacyam exponent in Sydney. I r was a magni.£icem musical gar.land of compositions on Rama by sages Valroiki, Thulasidas, Mira B ai and composers such as Thyagaraja, Mumn Swamy D i.ks bita, Arunachala Kavi, Aonamacharya, Purandara Dasa, K aliclasa, swathi Thirunal and

others. Included were as many as seventeen com posers. T hese were presen ted in atrractive ragas such as Natta, Hindola, YadhuJ...""U!a karubodhi, Ananda Bhairavi and others. l e was a feast of all ti.me compositions such as Yaro lvararo, )\1.a111ava Pattabbi Rama, Yetimbana11m1, ]agadanamlakaraka, Pa11anaja st11thi patra and o thers. 14 vocalists and instrumentalists delivered me items. These included Abhinav R.1-jkuma.r, D evika Kcishna Murthy, Lakshmi iyer, Namram Pulapaka, Siddh atb Murali, Si.ndh u Sharma,

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STAGE

When the planets align T

he monkeys play, leaping over each otber on stage, and the audience laughs.

One monkey is lifted up by the others in his quest to capnire the sun and the audience giggles as he ropples off his friend's shoulders. .Alas, the sun is nor to be caught, and an almighty thunderbolt strikes the l'vfonkeyGod Anjanaya down.

The monkeys were the j1m.io r dancers of Rasika Dance Academy, and an integral element o f The Sacred Gmhas. The show was a□ exploration in dance of the planets am! their relationship with each o cher in Hindu mythology.

Presented in early Mai7 at University of New South Wales' (UNS\'{,') Science Theatre, it was a show that raised funds for OZINDCAR E, a local charity that provides for the needy in India.

The performance's success is attribmable to the b.igh calibre of Rasika Dance Acadamy's dancers, as well as the creative choreography of their guru Manjula Vishwanath. Over the coLLrse of a few hours, the audience were taken through the stories char surround che planets ('grahal) in Hinduism, many of these tales being the origins of frequently praccised Hindu rituals. ln Chandm11, Lord Ganesh was portrayed comically crying co r ide his protesting mouse mhcma (vehicle). 'rbe moon, Cha11dmn, was watching and unable to coma.in his mirth, laughed out lo ud.

Indeed, the audience was laughing w ith him, so d elightful was tl1e portrayal. Ganesh was insulted and declared tl1at no-one shall look upon tl1e moon on Ganesh-C haturtb.i day.

There were well-known stories such as the one when Vishnu as Vamana asked Mahabali whether

he could take three steps; he then proceeded to place a foot on Eartl1, tl1en heaven and finally on Mahabali's head.

The much loved tale of Princess Dan1ayanci and her beloved King Nala was depicted in Sa11i.

Then, tl1ere were lesser known tales such as when Mutlmswami Dikshid,ar taught Thambiappan to relieve himself of his stomach pa.in through prayer, portrayed in C11m.

Each planer was described through intricate, innovative choreography by i\frs V ishwanatl1 and the matme, captivating performance by her students o f all ages. The youngest in tl1e group stole the audience's hearts, while meir seniors displayed an expressiveness and tech11ical finesse that was uniformly excellent across tl1e group. Special mention must be made of Anja.na Chandran who managed to draw and hold the audience's attention with her graceful, charming performance.

To scand out in a group of such a high standard is no easy cask, and it really seems as if Anjana was born to dance.

Interestingly, each segment of the program was introduced by a small skit, in w h.id1 a marriage is being arranged and the f-lindu priest is explaining tl1e planetary arrangement to the young couple.

Like the dance performance itself, these skies were a Luiique and well tl1ought-out addition.

Rasika Dance Academy's The Sacred Grabas was a wellchoreographed, beautifully performed dance recital b)7 a group of Bbarathanaryam dancers that are one of the best in Sydney. The fact tl1ar it raised fi.mds for a cause as good as those represented by OZ1NDCARE added co its appeal, and made it truly meaningful in every way.

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Srit Balaji, Sudars ha Ravi, Vasudha Narayan, Kranrh.i Kiran Mudigonda, Nagaraj iyer, irmal Ayyar and Ram esh Haricharan. Many of the item s came out wi th packed feelings. J t was a delight to watch the youngsters, most of who are born and brough t up in Australia, perform in sud1 a pleasing m anner. ?\/Iahan Ayyar provided the powerpoint presen tation chat went with th e item.

Ir was particularly impressive to note tbat young Nirm al Ayyar provided m ridanga suppo rt for all tl1e mree items of tl1e afternoon. K udos to the S1-lC for acranging sucb an event.

Sydney Srinivas

NATIONAL EDITION

Hamsa Venkat with her troupe

Anlcitha Ananda

Nirupama Raman MAY (2) 2014 23

MAINSTREAM

in action Forum presents new ideas for promoting community harmony

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BY ASTHASINGH

he annual forum of the Australian Partnership of Religious Organisations (APRO) was held at the 1 SW Parliament House in early l\fay.

Co-hosted by d1e Co=mmity Relations Commissions of me NSW Government, me all-day event consisted of eminent members of religious o rganisations from all over Australia along witb academic researchers and media personnel.

Over 90 people attended the forum, which turned out to be a great platform for rhe amalgamation of inter and intra religious beliefs and learnings in conjunction wid1 the Australian way of life.

Current realities are drnr religion is playing an impacr.ful role in the way our sociely functions.

Keynote speaker in one of tbree panel discussions, Barney Zwart, formerly the religion editor of The Age, noted mar the unfortunate 9 / 11 event has targeted Muslims and they have been gaining more media attention lately.

Barney mentioned however mar Hindus and Sikhs as religious groups have not come to the media's attentio n untiJ now. He stressed chat interfaid1 events are socially important and could be a parameter of Australia's social progress. Faith communities should also talk about bow religion and science lit together.

\'(Then asked what the govermnent is doing for more engagement with minority faiths, he replied that participation has increased by the minority faid1s like Buddhists and that tl1ey are gradually becoming more vocal.

Dr Stepan Kerkyasharian, president, Anti-discrimination Board of NS\'v; brough t up the T-.1.i.ndu community in Sydney in hi., talk on freedom to express one's religious beliefs. He gave an ~xample of how mosques and temples were not allowed to be built by certain councils, reiterating the story of the building of the Ivlimo temple, and affirmed the peaceful and quiet response from the Hindu community. Dr Kerk-yasharian mentioned that the council raised man>' objections m the construction of the tem ple, which is one of the main reasons why it was built underground.

At d1e san1e forum, the Emanuel Synagogue's Jacqueline N inio, spoke o f the surprise that

she is usually greeted with as a female rabbi. However people are gradually accepting the change of religious equality of gender-based leadership, she noted.

Another informal dialogue amongst the representatives of the Hindu community of t SW was notable. Pandit Rami Sivan and Panel.it Ramchandra Ath reiya from Hindu Clergy of NSW and Meenakshi Stivivasan from Sanskrit Scnool participated.

The discussion heated up when I asked about the role of women in today's Hindu society. The ro le bas changed gradual.ly from tbe Vedic times, explained the exper ts, at.lding chat tbe scriptures have repeatedly been misunderstood and misrepresented. Pandit Rami Sivan strongly reiterated the fact that Stepan stated before, d1at the Hindu communic:y is very ignorant of its own philosophy and heritage and needs a strong representation and voice in Australia.

Elucidating on the Hindu

philosophy in another session, Mata Pravrajika Gayatriprana, President, Ramakishna Sarada Vedanta Society o f NSW beautifully explained the w;iy life is shaped by women: as mothers, they have the greatest role in shaping d1e child and indirectly the society. \'{/omen i11Auence the power of thought and mind and if the though ts are liberating, the cornnmnity's ethics will definitely be strong.

Many participants from the Hindu commw1ity such as Prof Nihal Agar (Chairman Hindu Council), Dr Vijai Singha! and Mr Bhag-var Chauhan were also present, making it the maxi.rnw11 number of Hindus present in the forum for the first time.

Bur over and above all tbe discussion, much came out in the event about d1e possibilities of tbe interfaith phil.o sophy in action.

Dr Kerkyasharian's observations that religion could be an important counteract to antisocial

activities special.ly d1ose involving the younger generation, went down par ticularly well: they were based on a US research study which fow1d that people who are religious a.re more law abiding than those who are not.

Tn another keynote address, Dr Phil Lambert, General Manager, Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting aud1ocity (ACARA), elucidated o n the Australian school curriculum and the inclusion of inrerculmral, religious and ethical tmderstandi.ng o f school kids. The importance of inter-religious literacy for Australian children was clearly brought out.

Ajmer Singh, President, Sikh Council of Australia, re.i reraced the need for religious gi:oups to be more in teractive. "\Y/e sbould have neighbourhood sessions in every suburb," he suggested, adding, "We need co understand each other and agree with ilie differences that exist amongst us".

"Our first priority is co provide an Unforgettable e;xperiance to anyone who Chooses Duri,a Auditorium"

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24 MAY (2) 2014

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STAGE

Neeraj Shridhar reaches out to his Sydney fans in his inimitable east-meets-west style

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KALYANI BY WAKHARE

eeraj Shridhar looked every bit the rock star as he walked on to the stage. Black leather wristbands with studs, metal chains, dog collar, unusual style of facial hair .. . and of course wildly cheering fans.

He looked like he was all set to rock the house, and that is exactly what he ended up doing.

His particular style of music, which effortlessly blends rbe contemporary with the more traditional, has won him many fans. The stylised modem tream1ent that he has accorded to age-~1ld prayer-songs T11m hi ho ba11dh11 and Rc;gh11pati R(lghriv are but two examples of his innovative techniques that have won him so much acclaim. Neeraj, also known as Bombay Viking, is one of the ne.,v breed of musicians who have successfully reached our tO those on the subcontinent who want the best of botl1 worlds.

Some 1,000 Sydney fans, of all ages, came om this rime co sing and dance along with him as he entertained with his very best.

The top five Neeraj Shridhar favourites on any one's list, were al] there: Loi1e mcra hit hit, H'ty Bal!)\ Prem ki 11ajy a, and several others. Some of bis lesser known numbers like Aa raha hoo111t1ain and Tera 11;era PJ'aar sana!lt were unusually refreshing and got a great response roo.

Shridhar also had the audience eating out of his hands as be narrated many imeresring incidents and shared anecdotes relating co almost each munber.

H is stories themselves were enough for us co understand what a genuine artiste he is, and how down-co•earth as a human being.

He engaged bcilliantly witl1 the audience, even getting off stage and sitting amongst the crowd, passing the microphone along to some thrilled people and even shaking a leg with some.

Surely his bamer with the audience that night will be remembered just as much as h is music.

N

NATIONAL EDITION

Like a true emertainer, Shridhar saved the best for the last; hits like Jhak JJ1arke, Ti11ist1 Chor bazaa,i and T1111J wile.

He seemed co have a huge collection with him and was eager co perform more.

Due to rime restrictions however, towards the end it was a rush-rush siruarion and tmfornmately his best nwnbers like T11111hi ho handhu and Ragl.mpati Ragha/J could not be enjoyed co their full potential. He seemed co be in the mood to go on and on, but sadly bad co be cm short.

In the end though he seemed to run out of energy a bit and even con fessed how difficult it was for him to pull through some of tl1e high energy numbers! That's ok, Shridhar; even ageing rock-stars are cool these days!

Luckily, eeraj had the confident Gorisha supporting him very ably.

Earlier in the evening, when. Gorisha came on stage accompanied by all tl1e band

members, she had lit up the atmosphere with her strong voice, melodious notes and perfect choice of songs. Her rendition of Senorita was so magical that people were already clapping and tapping tl1eir feet. With each successive number she had tl1e crowd eager co shake a leg! Aud sure enough, soon the aisles were full of people dancing and partying away. f c was a fabulously fun-6JJed evening, and the fact that this was at one of the most spectacular venues of Sydney, the Sydney Town Hall, made it even more so.

Earlier on, the warm-up aces managed co entertain, even as the

show staned fashionably late like most Indian shows. T he local artistes were a mixed bag with fresh faces and raw talent and some hit number performance up their sleeves. Along with the MCs, tl1ey had set the bacl(drop well for Bombay Viking.

The organisers Swrg Events Pty. Ltd. cotLld easily take pride in the face that their debut venrure was indeed well received. If people's joy could be a measure of the success of t he evening,

then indeed it was a hit! The atmosphere was no short of a grand parry with good music at a fantastic venue.

In many ways, eeraj Shridhar is a symbol of what comemporary India stands for: eager to modernise, while still beLng firmly rooted in its own culture. And if you looked around at the crmvd that gathered at the Town Hall that night, that is exactly how tl1ey themselves would have come across to you.

MAY (2) 2014 2 5

THISMONrl"H

Pc.up..J.e. Pa.h..i:1..c..A. Pl.a.c.c..s.,

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Cheers to your 9

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Email it to info@indianlink.com.au

d Mondhir Randhawa!

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. anniversary. olden we dd rn 9

I d from Jeft)

f run sonol C c1assic un . at the Mother's DaY at The Domain

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Happy Mother's Day, Mum: Veenu Sharma of Quakers Hill (extreme left) and family, take Mum and Dad, visiting from India, on a sightseeing trip to Helensburgh Temple and Nan Tien Temple

Happy 30th Birthday Janu ( second from right)

earties.t Cengrat111lation from aU Australian-Indians to

St1~ i ,arerldra J~ odi £1r the Pheno.menal VictEUy in General Election 1014

Let's all work together for Bharat Nirman & Great Australja-lndia Relations ...

Join us at... www.OFBJP.org.au COIWttlllt: 1Wt11~J,tthi 0402883225 Sydney Pururaj Rathore Ankur Pa1BI

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NATIONAL EDITION

MAY (2) 2014 27

ARTS

Aboriginal art takes on new forms with some Kashmiri influence The cross-cultural collaboration

n Aboriginal pattern in vibrant colours beckons to me from a loaded table. A long-time lover of the sin1ple but deeply alluring Aboriginal designs, I am instantly drawn into die swanky gift shop.

It turns out to be a cushion cover with an embroidered Aboriginal design, something l've never seen before. There are also pillow covers, throw rugs and carry bags, in the most captivating desert patterns which I've seen before only on L'l!ge wall paintings, usually with extravagant prices. But these are simply stunning.

The embroidery on chem is distinctly lndian, I cell m)'self. l look closely; and sure enough, it's Kashrniri chain stitch, hand embroidered.

On die next cable I see more Kashmiri-ware - papier mache jewellery boxes. But tl1e painting on them is not Kashmiri - it is Aboriginal!

Is chis Kaslmiiri stuff on sale, or is it usable Aboriginal art?

Suddenly l realise why I am transfixed: this is a wonderful fusion of Kashmiri crafts and Aboriginal folk art And the result is breath-caking.

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The m1dularing patterns of the desert art of rhe first Australians, lend d1emselves beautifully to rhe elegant Kashmiri chain stitch. Just as die Aboriginal an must cover the entire canvas, the Kashmiri chain stitch ceclmi9ue is traditionally worked across tl1e entire canvas, so that the base fabric is not vis.ible ar all.

Ir made perfect sense to South Australian artist Carolyn Wilson when she first encotu1tered Kashmir's beautiful stitch craft heritage, and she was quick to identify the potential for combining tlie two art forms.

While botli forms are so distinctly different, they a.re aL~o similar in many ways, not least that they have smvived centuries, handed down to artists and artisans from generation to generation. The techniques used are unique to both their regions, and bmh are legacies of their culture.

Ir is chis commonality that Wilson seeks om in her work wirh die arts and when she interacts witl1 people from di fferenr cultures - believing passionately that the arts can be used to create a better world. 1n fact, she even calls her organisation Better World Arts (BWA).

And thus ar BWA, a collaboration was born using the cultural craft heritage of the Kashm.ir region, and tl1e traditional art of tl1e J\.gangu Pitjamjatjara Yankw1yt:jatjara (APY)

Lands of Central , \ustralia. "ln effect, it is Australian Aboriginal art expressed via Indian Kashmiri handicrafr," says Carolyn, who first came up with the idea in 1996.

The Anangu arr forms are senr to India, whe1:e they take shape into handmade rugs and cushiom.

"Much of the work over the past l 5 years has been carried out by Sicli9 & Sons, who inherited d1e fanii1ir business from their grandfather, a Kashmiti woodcrafter of high renown in his times," Carolyn reveals. "I send them meticulous information through images, about size, finishing, colour-dye accuracy, wool ... but Better \Vorld J\rts would not have come so far if not for the skilled and dedicated craftsmen on the other side. The finesse and subtlety of every stitch that goes into the rugs and cushions, amply reflects dieir fine skills. Tbe face that they have lived on tl1e Silk Route for centuries is so very evident from dieir world" And Carolyn's own fondness for everything Kashmiri is just as evident from her descriptions of the "serene and beautiful" landscapes and people she has mel there.

The work is produced in limited editions and every product comes widi a certificate of authenticity, which ensures tliat consumers draw pride in the uniqueness of the artwork and enjoy their possession.

TI1e products are then sold

wholesale to celebrated Australian art galleries, and proErs ate shared between BWA, tl1e Australia□ art centres and the Indian artisan groups.

Empowering communities B\VA is not just about arcs: it's also about crearing a better world for disadvantaged communities, and as such, it has evolved into a social enterprise over the years. for the Anangu people, BWA provides an opportllllity to move away from predictable commercialised Aboriginal images wirh these new products. Equally, for the Kasluniri artisans, BWA has opened up a□ entirely new marker.

"Australian Aboriginals do not have a manufacturing culture; and intellectual property is nor a known concept in Indian handicrafts," explains Ca.rolyn.

The motive is co provide culturaliy appropriate and sustainable employment for everyone involved in the projects, while still ensuring that culture and skills are retained from where they originated.

Some 50 Aboriginal artists are part of the enterprise, and more than 60 Kashmiti artisans are involved in producing the rugs and 25 working with the papjer mache. Thanks to B\'\IA, they are invo lved in sustainable, culturally enl1ancing work, and helping

Handmade cushion cover designed by Karen Kulyuru

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Rama Sampson

and colleagues at work at Adelaide

Handmade Kashmiri stitch pillow cover designed by Mulykuya Ken

28 MAY (2) 2014

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Abdul Guli and colleagues at work at Srinagar

preserve centuries' old tradition.

The Anangn artists are given royalties from the products. And [he role of BWA does nor end by simply sharing out the monies. The challenging task is to engage artists within the modern community and ensure that their social needs are met A share of the profits is put towards commtlllit-y projects as well.

For people who come from Central Australian lands where cbere is no specific word for art apart from 'walko', which loosely translates as "meaningful marks," the rest of the country often emerges as foreign rerrirory. They need help in every aspcC[ of life like housekeepin g, formal education, banking, health, communication etc., and access to these basic services often needs a translator. Though the government provides a lot of support to Aboriginals, many need assistance in effectively utilising services from indigenous community centres. This is where BWA steps in and fills the gap. The staff of BWA go beyo nd the

expanded to retails outlets in Adelaide,

call o f duty to assist the artists in every way to the best of their ability.

Ngura Wiru Winkiku Indigenous Corporation d1at translates approximately as 'Better \'«o rld' Qiterally 'lovely conn tr}" al together') is the result o f persistent work

by BWA in setting up a location in Adelaide to serve as an exclusive space for Anangu and other aboriginal artists. It is financed from die combined profits of BWA and the Australian artist commwi.itics without any aid from d,c government. Located in the same premises as the retail outlet of BWA ou die Commercial Road, P ort Adelaide, di.is is one place Anangu can call and identify as their own.

Recognition BWA has crafted many product lines from abstract a.re, and its art pieces are showcased across the conntry. The business has

Alice Springs, Canben-a, D arwin, Frerna.ndc, Hobart, Perth and Sydney. In 2008 B\'\!A was a finalist at the Telstra Business Awards in d,e Social Responsibility Category. Vogm Living magazine did a major feature and BWA has found its products listed in mauy "desirable gifts" lists.

The cross-cultural collaboration model has now been ~'\:tended to Nepal, Tibet an d Peru, and the products have diversified into lacquerware boxes, jewellery and handbags.

And how do the A boriginal artists d1ink of their collaboration wid, Kashmi.ti artisans?

"They reciprocate with song and dance when they see thefr abstract art take shape as tangible products! To them, song, dance and art arc all integrated in a oneness, reflecting an aspect of their life that cannot be separated. So there's a story associated with each and every product," says Carolyn.

Carolyn Wilson with artists atSrinage r

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MAY (2) 2014 29

SCHOOL

-

vice Parents must acknowledge that some children have learning difficulties and need support, rather than being labelled lazy

''I

just wane to push my son," she said to me.

Her flailing hope was palpable.

Three months earlier 1 had received a tentative phone call at the tutoring institme I run, from a mother who was concerned about the lack of effectiveness of the combination of in-class support and also p rivate tutoring. Her son, she said, was not W,e his older brother.

The older brother was in Year 11 and doing so well in tbe selective school. Surely the younger boy should be the same?

After one session of tutoring, my special needs tutor reported that the ymmg boy had learning difficulties. The mother refused tO believe it and , in rears, said tbat this could not be true. She needed her son to be bright because that would mean he could go to a good school and not the local school.

The mother refused to have the special needs turor help her son and asked if I could give a second opinion. l obtained copies of aU of the past six years of APLAN papers and started on the reading rest in order to gauge comprehension.

Ir was evident as he read aloud that the boy's reading was very poor with obvious prommciation errors such as substituting 'f' for 'th' and reading 'tbree' as 'free', 'the' as 'duJi' and 'although' as 'aJdough'. Apart from this erro r, and a failure to stop at full stops, the reading was quire slow and disjoin ted.

When answering cbe most basic of the questions on the first three pieces of stimulus, the boy did reasonably well. However, as the reading became more abstract, there were a higher proportion of incorrect responses. This could be contrasted with the boy's ~pelling. His answers on the language conventions tests were mostly correct and he displayed outstanding spelling. The boy clearly had a very disparate set of abilities.

I recommended tliat the mother have rhe boy psychomet.cically

30 MAY (2) 2014

assessed so that any rutocing and also any teaching t!JJ:<mgh school could be properly informed. She was reluctant Surely her son just needed to 'work hard'. The cost of the resting was waived so that any issue of cost was not a factor.

The psychometric test revealed that tbe boy was well below average (bottom 3%) in terms of reading comprehension.

However his speUing was in die 99'" percentile. Moreover, be had a very short working m emory.

This type of psychometric profile clea.rly indicated learning difficulties.

At this point the mother seemed to accept rhar her so □ needed ro be Lmderstood and she needed to make decisions about him that matched his ability. However, this was only temporary.

By the encl of the week she had her son do several more reading tasks and purchased copies of books for preparation for the selective schools exam.

1 suggested that she have him read aloud for 20 minutes a day tO improve his literacy and we commenced free weekly one and

a half hour sessions of reading comprehension. lt was during the holidays in one of these sessions that I asked the boy how he would spend the rest of his day. The boy replied, "At my rnuder work". \Vhen l later inquired about th is with the mother sbe said rbar every day of the holidays h e had spent all day at work with her and that he spent the d ay learning. He had not seen any of his friends, did not see any movies and did not play computer games at all in the two weeks.

A week later when we had a session together, rhe boy gor just over half of die 50 items correct. \Xlhen his mother was being shown die work he would smile when she saw the correct responses, but would closely read her face when she saw his incorrect responses. I commented that the boy appeared co be eying his self -esteem co her approval and disapproval around the success of his answers. He nodded when I said rhis and she looked down.

J\ day later I received a phone call from die mother. Li it she

stated tliar she would no longer be btinging her son to tutoring as her 'shift times had changed'.

I suggested times outside of her altered shift times. She then said, ''I still want co push him. All he has co do is stop being lazy".

At this point 1 was reminded of a parent who came to me a few years ago seeking help with his son. I suggested he sr.art to understand his son by listening, ratlier than telling him what co do.

A year later the father returned for ' more wisdom'. He bad booked an hour. A quick inquiry as to what he sought 'wisdom' about was met ,vich, "!vf)' son is lazy and he never listens, though I tell him a million ci1nes".

I turned to him saying, "Last year we spent time together and you seated then that yo u would listen ro your son. I nstead, all you have done is what you have always done and the outcomes are the same ... So, my so-called wisdom is the same as last year, hence 'ditto"'.

The mother in this case was doing exactly as this father did.

Ignoring their child for the sake of some pre-cast view o f what

a child should be. Her son was stressed tO the poior of scratching himself ro bleeding when studying with his mother at home. Away from her he could concentrate and smile during tutoring. He displa)'ed resilience desp ite getting many test items incorrecL If she ever brings her son back I will continue ro help him without charge. However, sometimes people turn away. I hope t hat the boy holds on to the memory of my belief in him time he is a good boy, who is trying bi s best and w hoever he is, is plenty good enough.

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MAY (2) 2014 31

SPORT

ualities and values esJ Young cricketer Amit Balgi from Wollongong is named 2014 Bradman Scholar

W

:~::!:::nd dentistry student Am.it Balgi was recently announced as the Brad.man Scholar for 2014, beating 60 other applicants around the COlllltry.

The scholarship gives Amir an allowance of $5,000 a year for three years to ass ist witl1 his tertiary stud)7 expenses. He is undertaking a Bachelor of Dental Science degree at Charles Sturt U niversity.

However, for A.tnit, the scholarship means much more than a doUar figure.

The Bradman Scholarship, first awarded by the Bradman Foundation in 1990, rewards exceUence in spore, education and community involvement.

For legendary Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar With Sir Vii,:· --.___ just being mentioned in the ' 011 Richards same breath as Sir Donald Bradman is a privilege. Bur even and off the field. I thought he cannot lay clain1 ro being a that applying for this scholarship Bradman Scholar. would firstly be an honour J\.mit was chosen as the 18'.. and secondly a cha.nee for me winner of the scholarship by a to reflect o n the person I've panel of highl)r-distinguisbed become". names, including Bradman Late last month Amit received a call from tl1e Bradman Foundation Chairman Dr Maurice Fmmdation ·while he was in class Newman AC and former Prime practicing root canals. :tvlinisrer John Howard OM AC. "That's when I was told that 1 "He (Amit] certainly embodies had been awarded tbe scholarship. the leadership qualities and values espoused by Sir Donald Bradman I honestly couldn't believe it, and such as dignity, iocegril:)~ ambition, I had to sit down while Ms Hore determination and modesty," said from the Foundation detailed Brad.man FoLmdation Executive what d1e next step would be," Director, Ms Rina Hore. he said.

Amit applied for the scholarship As a young teenager, Amit after seeing an advertisement invested countless hours into improving his fitness, skills and in his cricket club's weekly newsletter. technique on tbe cricket field.

"After reacling what the Over an 18-year career, Amit scholarship entailed, that is, being has represented llla\\-'lttra Cricket, likened to Sir Donald Bradman, Emerging SW Blues, Cmmcry Cricket, NSW Schoo.ls Country the greatest cricketer or even sportsman of aU rime, l just had and played in first grade teams in I llawarra and Orange. to apply," claimed Amit. "] admire the great man, in a.LI "le is as much mental as it is aspects of his career, bot11 on physical," Amit said, "It can be

32 MAY (2) 2014

both a team and an individual game".

For Amit, a career high.light so far is being selected Lwice to play io tl1e Smmping Serious Diseases Charity match, where he found himself playing alongsid e Adam Gilchrist, Viv Richards and Brian Lara.

Amit speaks passionately about bis love for the game saying he enjoys tl1e certain calmness of crkket as weU as tbe sudden thrill and intensity. He claimed thar cricket has improved all aspects of his life and has helped him de\ elop in teamwork, communication, determination and humility.

"I love the game, and I owe the game for everrth.ing. The people I've met, the experiences I've had, and for tl1e person 1 have become.

I would not have been awarded dus scholarship if ir were nor for the game of cricket".

Amit has also been involved with community organisations 7

and charities, including St John's Ambulance, Vision Australia, Lifeline and the Indian Australian Culm.ral Association. He also visited India co help tbe less fortunate.

"I've met a.mazing people tl1rough these experiences and have learnt a great deal about people roday, inequalities in society, and the difficulties people with disabilities face," be said.

Of his trip to India, Amit claimed it was an eye-opening experience that contributed co Lus ambition co work i.o a health profession.

"J\t tl1is moment, f'm tl)'ing ro learn more about rural health and inequalities in he.a.Ith access within Australia, and I'm hoping d1at I can continue to study and work in a rural environn1em long after mr graduation," he said.

Upon reflecting on this g1:eat honour, Amit is d1rilled and overwhelmed. "lt means everything to me to be the Brad.man Scl10lar this year.

To even be mentioned in the same sentence as d1e great man, is an honour and a privilege".

According to Amit, being awarded the scholarship has taught hinl what it means to be a good person, and what it means ro be a contributing member of

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Joused by Don Bradman

With Brian Lara society - much like how Sir Don was. "lt has also made me believe that anything is possible, and that people believe in me ru1d my attributes as a person," he added.

But what would Amit ask Sir Donald Bradman if he could meet him roday? " How did you get so extraordinary?" he proclaimed. " l would love to know wha t his thoughts are on the game of cricket today and the way it is being played presently. I rliink he would have some interesting things to say".

Amit mentions the importru1t inAuences in his life that help him achieve his goals. "l believe God has blessed me with this life and I'm so grateful for it. I must thank my parents for everything that they have done for me. My dad, Satish and my mum, Meena have supported me in everything

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l've done, and I know that this would nor be possible without them;' he said.

He also credits his girlfriend, Nisha Fernandez, as being a great support in helping him through many chaUenges. "] just want to thank these people".

Amit advises young athletes and srndenrs who are struggling to manage theii- time, to use srndy and sport against each orl1er.

"That is, when you study, you study you study hard and when you play- you play hard. I used cricket as an outlet co m y studies, a way of getting out frustration in some cases and even a way to relax. As hard as it may seem a t some stages, finding a balance between spore and smdies will benefit both in tl1e long nm," he claimed. " [ believe 1 am a perfect example of being able to do this we.U," he stated. And indeed he is.

MAY (2) 2014 33

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MAY (2) 2014 35

BOOKS

Crimes and intrigues

in the Raj 1920s India is an unlikely setting for modern mysteries, but British writer Barbara Cleverly has been quite successful with her Joe Sandi/ands series, writes VIKAS DATTA

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

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

Barbara Cleverly

rom Rudyard .Kipling, E.M. Forster, John Masters, M.i\1.

Kaye, Jules Verne, Arthur Conan Doyle, to Bapsi Sidhwa, Manohar Malgaonkar, G ita Mehta, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, and R.K Narayan, the British Raj has been a fertile setting for the works of some very well-known authors • in differing styles of narration.

The colonial viewpoim yielded to cti tical post-colonialist narratives focussing on the subject, and then ro a certain syn thesis offering more nuanced views of both the ruler and d1e ruled.

The last can be seen in Sangeeta Bhargava's The 1/?orld Bv1ond • a poignant inter-racial romance set in princely Lucknow before and after the 1857 revolt; Thalassa Ali's Prm1dife trilogy dealing witb a similar issue in the Pun jab o f the 1840s, and lndu Sundaresan's The Spimt!om· ef Silence, with the same plot device during \i'orld Warn.

Romance is, however, not the only genre on offer. Imperial intrigues and sensational crimes can be seen_ in Timed . Murari's The T111pe1ia/ Age11t and The Lust r-'icto1y, which cake up the adult career of Kimball O' Hara (better known as Kipling's Kim), or in Vi thal Rajan, who chronicles the (hitherto) unknown exploits of The Great Detective in British India in Hoh11es of /be Riv", Unfriendly neighbours,

F

36 MAY (2) 2014

antagonisms between diverse ethnicities and religions, and ferment in d1e wake of strengthening nationalism make post-\'<lorld War I lndia an apt setting for whodunits and thrillers, but not many have e..xploiced this setting.

Barbara Cleverly has • with her war hero-turned-policeman Joe Sandilands.

A Commander in Scotland Yard (not a typical police rank but one he holds for his work of discretely solving ccimes, including murder, in the political sphere or i n high social echelons), Sanclilands is iu India in 1922 to reach modern police methods but, on the verge of remrning home, is persuaded to deal with some murders, which could be "highly inconvenient" for the Raj. The settings are uniquely Raj • a cantonment town, Simla; a fortified post on the Northwest Frontier nea.r Wazirisran, and, finally, a princely state, somehow simultaneously straddling locales reminiscent of d1e Himalayan foothills and Rajasd1an.

The adventutes begin wid1 The Last Kn.rhmi,i Rose (2001). Acting governor of Bengal Sir George Jardine, on the w-ging of his niece and the district collector's wife, prevails on Sanclilands to go to Panikhat, 80 kn1 from Calcutta, where wives of officers in a cavalry regiment have been dying in violent bm apparent

accidents every March. A bunch of small red roses is then found on their graves on their death an111versanes.

Aided by a smart Indian havildar, Sanclilands tries to U11cover the links whi.le grappling with rhe ramifications, particularly

d1e killer's identity - Indian or European? Both could have disrurbing consequences, and, yes, March is still not over.

Ragtime in Si,Jlla (2002) sees Sanclilands coming to the hill town as Jardine's guest and getting dragged into another mystery when his travelling companion, a Russian opera singer, is shot dead at his side on the road up to the town. Jnvestigaring chis and an identical killing a year before, Sandilands unearths a dark underside to d1e glittering life of the Raj's summer capital and someone prepared to kill to safeguard a secret.

TbeDrJJ11asce11ed Blade (2003) is set on the ltnforgiving frontier wjth Afghanistan. Holidaying wid1 an old army friend, Sandilands is dragged into becoming bodyguard to an American heiress visici.ng the fort among an ill-assorted group - \vhich includes a RAF officer and a bureaucrat ,vid1 varj~ng perceptions of border policy. The trouble starts when an Afghan nobleman, who has come to escort one of d1ese guests to Kabul, is found murdered and his aide slips om with hostages.

Sandilands and his friend have seven days ro identify, arrest and punish d1e killer before the frontier erupts into war.

The Palace Tiger (2004) sees him visit the princely state of Raniput.

The old maharajah, a British ally, is dying, and the succession is unclear with rhe first son dead in suspicious circumstances while the second dies drarnatically right before Sandilands' eyes. I-le bas co ensure survival of the last heir, a 12-year-old, while seeking to identify the killers from an array of powerful, manipulative characters at the court. Then a tiger hunt goes very wrong.

Cleverly's stories appear interesting, with their exotic settings and complex characters, both British and Lldian, all with their own agendas and aUegiances, and unable to be easily categorised as good or bad.

A modern, fresh approach is also ensured with d1e author not skirting issues that older writers would never address, least of all

directly - homosexuality, infertility, surrogate parenthood and so on. i\nd Sandilands is far from d1e virtuous, restrained British hero of yore, not averse to liaisons wid, pretty women, single or married.

The rest of SandiJands' adventures - seven, with die latest one due this year • are set back home in Britain as well as France and are wonderful portrayals of d1e dark side of the glittering 1920s. But his Inclian cases have a special re.s onance, offering a rare peek imo a bygone era: catch them.

''

Cleverly's stories appear interesting, with their exotic settings and complex characters, both British and Indian

'' ''

Cleverly's settings are uniquely Raj - a cantonment town, Simla; a fortified post on the Northwest Frontier near Waziristan, and, finally, a princely state, somehow simultaneously straddling locales reminiscent of the Himalayan foothills and Rajasthan

''

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FICTION

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Harsher laws and stricter punishments are needed for crimes against women

udge Jagdisb Sinha found dead'. Every newspaper in tbe country carried tbi~ news in bo.ld print o o its front page on :Monday morning.

The five-word headline shocked the nation to its core. Only three days earlier, he had been hailed as a nationa.l hero in all chose newspapers aftet he deLivered his judgement oo the infamous gang rape case that not only rocked India bur reverberated around the world. He was on every one's lips, on TV chat shows and editorial columns - all heaping praise on him. \Xlomen's groups in capital cities marched along roads tO the local high courts bailing Sioha's judgement and demanding stern action against perpetrators of violence against women.

Politicians of all hues, with an eye on the female franchise in the forthcoming election, were profuse in their praise for the judge.

U ntil a couple of months ago, no one outside Pama's lega.l circles had heard of Judge Sinha, bm his name became a byword the moment he was named co hear the Pabu rape case. The national media wem inco overdrive in ana.lysing every case he bad heard in his judicial caree_r, dissected every judgement he had delivered.

They built up a profile of him as a softie who would prefer a reformist roure to a hard-line verdict since he beli.e ved that even tbe worst hrnrnm will have a soft spot and that should be given a chance to sprout. So it came as a l1uge surprise when he delivered, at the end of his 180page judgement, a death sentence for two of the three accused.

Legal pundits and the public were, at best, predicting a life sentence.

The crudity of the crime, the ca11ousness of the crimina.ls, bad publicity wodd-wide a1Jd the wrath of women groups forced the court system to fast-track the case in a country where even a prime minister's killing took a decade co come up for bearing.

No womier tbe national rage

'J

38 MAY (2) 2014

turned into a rave on hearing the sentence from Sinha ' the softie'.

But within three days the celebratory mood mrned sombre.

Speculation was so rife that ever)'one bad a theory for Sioha's sudden death.

"He had a weak heart chat couldn't stand such a harsh trial".

"One culprit's father, a local political strongman, organised this".

Jagdish Sinha was living on his ow.n in a modest bungalow after losing his wife to cancer some years ago. His cook cum domestic assistaoc Ganga Ram, found his body when be turned up for work on Sunday. Sinha, after an illustrious career, was onl)' a few months from his recirement and the g ruesome rape case was one of bis last.

*** G1uesome was an understatement to describe the tragedy that struck on tbat fateful February evening in a passenger train on its war co ics 6nal destination Patna. With most of the passengers having alighted at previous stacions, the onlr two persons .left in that coach were Shanta, a pretty junior nurse returning home from work at conununicy health centres in distant villages, and an elderly ma.n Ram Kishan Laxman, wearing thick glasses. As the train pulled out of the last station before Patna, three young men jumped on and sat next to Shanta. She knew one of them, Manohar, casually. He Ji\7 ed a few streets from her bumble cottage. He was known by Shanta co make unwelcome advances, but she

ignored him. As be and his friends sat o n either side of her she felt apprehensive but did not want to show it. But within minutes they set about executing their carefully sketched plan.

The o ld man beard the commocion and easily guessed what was happening. He shouted, "A.rre chqkras, k;)1a karthe ho". The youngest of the three, Suresh, rushed and stood io front of Laxman with a pen knife. In one swift move Manohar ripped Shanta's blo use and stuffed her mouth and went about fol6.lling his fiendish nrge as his buddy Salman held her down. N~-.,:t Manohar and Salman swapped their roles. Then Salman called Suresh to have his turn taking his place in front of the old man. As Suresh was of slim build, Shanta thought she could throw him off balance and wriggled vigorously.

Manobar tightened h is grip on her chest, so bard diac she choked and within seconds breathed her last.

He panicked at this unexpected turn; as the train was only some ten minutes away frorn Pabia, he dragged ber body and pushed it ouc die door hoping it would fall in the river below and never be found. Poor Laxman coc1ldo't see any of this in the winter darkness.

On arriving at Pabia, the boys jtmiped out and disappeared in the crowd. Laxman, as he slowly walked towards the exit gate, saw a girl briskly wal.k ing ahead and assumed she was the girl subjected co sexual assault and was running away from the wicked boys. On reaching home he told his daughter of the incident and decided to go to the police next morning.

Shanta's mother, in her sixties,

wondered why her daughter hadn't come home. She consoled herself chat she had probably missed tbe train and decided to sray at the community health centre as she had done once before.

Next day the driver of a passing train noticed a body on the track.side and called the station mascer who informed die police.

In the post-mortem, it was found the girl had been repeatedly raped and choked. The news spread .li ke wildfire sparking mass demonstrations in every major city demanding stern punishment for the culprits. \'(Tith overseas media giving saturated coverage the State Government felt d1e heat and pressured the police co find the culprits. Learning the sad end of che girl, Laxman gave the police a good description o f the two boys who stood in front of him. The police were hesitant co take him seriously as they thought with his thick glasses he would have had difficulty with his sight, rbat too in the winter dusk. Then Laxman drew pictures of d1e two boys exactly as he described earlier. The police swung into action as the younger one was a known pick-pocket.

Under rigorous questioning Suresh gave a full account of rbe sordid incident. The police soon found the ocher two and arrested d1em.

The case was fast-tracked.

Manohar's fad1er, .Mu.ralidar Rawal, a much-feared local political identity of the ruling party was confiden t of getting his son om by bribing, brow-beating or burying the judge. He hired cop crimina.l lawyer Jerbram Malani, who was equally cocky of blowing the accoum of rbe prosecution's main witness, an o ld man who did

not acma!Jir see the incident but could describe the accused in fine detail, and a pick-pocket who the police would have forced co admit d1e offence.

After grilling od1er prosecucion witnesses, Malani asked the star witness, Laxman, his trump questio n as co how he could describe in such great detail the boys seen in dim .light on a ,vinter evening.

"Sir, 1 worked for 40 years as a cartoonist io Patna's leading daily The .'ierm;h/igbt. Ir is a cartoonist's trait, m be able to p ick the feamres of someone even without seeing them in person.

These two boys stood in front of me for some time and it was more than enough for me. Here is a caricature of you, sir," RK Laxman concluded, producing a piece of paper.

Jaws dropped all around. The face was sealed for the accused.

Sinha debated within himself for over a week and decided on a fiveyear jail for term for Suresh dL1e to his being be.low age and bis cooperation wicb the police, giving hope for reform.

'1 recommend the dearb sencence for the two older boys since violence against women has gone beyond shame in a Land thatgained its freedom without a sing.le act of violence.

Regrettably someone bas to be set as an example," bis judgemem concluded.

*** But not conclusive was the judge's au topsy reporr. There was no indication of murder.

Possibly it was death caused by several medicatio ns he was raking for his heart condition after a triple-by-pass six months ago, or, shock caused by his own verdict against his strong faith in human goodness.

*** A fortnight after performing d1e last rites for his father, Sachin Sinha, remrned ro bis IT job in Silicon Valley. There was a letter waiting for him.

''i\1.y dear S arhi11, For the first time I have todtfJ given death sentence to //vo bo_ys for their cri,11c; 110! 11111rde1; but rape causing the girl} death. IWhm T1vas in IT!)' thi1ties, T did a si1J1i!ar shm111f11/ acl q11 a)'Otmg 111111,arried maid who killed herself upon jallingpregnant. T wa.r the ca11sefor her death. [ give ll!)'Se/f no1v a sil!lilar pmtish111mt. T haJ1e left 11n trace. Tt is the on!y ho11011mhle md T can think ef.

T loveJ'O!I ".

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MAV(2) 2014 39

SRI DURGA MATA ASTROLOGER CENTRE Indian Famous Astrologer Pandit Laxmi Narayana

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BEAUTY

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Howto I e

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impossible to be 20-something our entire lives, with a few liLtle tips and the proper cosmetics, we can retain youthful skin and look yotU1ger for longer.

The other day l met a woman in her fifties, although she looked much younger. When l asked her secret to her youthful skin, she said she does what she can ro remain calm and happy. However, while it is trne chat happiness is che best cosmetic, we can't be calm and happy all the time.

So, while maintaining a skin care routine is a must, hete are some tips co keep in mind so chat no matter what your age, you look younger and graceful.

all

Go easy on the cake If you are using make up, keep it as subtle as possible. Use a water based moistu.riser and foundation so that they blend into the skin.

Using a cream based foundation can give your skin a caked-up look and instead of hiding tl1e fine lines, highlights them. Always use a shade closest to yolll' skin rooe and blend it evenly so that it doesn't show. Remember, tl1e a.in, of a foundation is to give your skin aa even look no matter what your age.

Keep brows thick Keeping your eyebrows thin and with a high arch is going to make you look much older. So let them grow out a bit, and keep your eyebrows thicker. In other words,

42 MAY (2) 2014

no thin pencil line like eyebrows. If you have a seamy growth of hair on your brows, use a filler pencil co give them shape and a thicker look. This will also keep attention away from crow's feet, bags or lines m1der che eyes.

Use subtle colours While choosing colours for lipstick, blush or eyeshadow, keep it as muced as possible. Unless it is a very formal occasion, go for grace and dignity over bling and bright colours. Not only will you carry off your outfit well, you won't come across as someone trying to compete witl1 her daughter in the glamour quotient.

Besides, when you are older, less is more, a look that heJps you come across as someone younger. If you wear too much bright coloured makeup, you will look like you are trying coo hard to retain your youth and that actually works against you.

Avoid dark lips Even if the outfit you are wearing is a dark colour, go with shades of nude, browns and peach for lip colour. You can use an underlying dark colour to give a dash of colour, but as far as possible, use shades that are very understated. If you must h ighlight anything about yolll' look, make sure it is your outfit. A classy gown, a modern saree chat drapes well or a sah11,1r kameez in a colour that suits you can do all the talking for you.

orange which will only make you look overly done up.

If you are really tall, wear outfits that enhance yonr height. If you happen to be short, stay away from the Anarkali k111'ttzs and tent shaped tunic tops, which will only make }' OU look shorter. \Vear something that makes you look taller as it will also make you look younger. If your makeup is muted, your Jack of height is the last thing anyone will notice abour yo u.

At any age, it is important to remember that being comfortable is what works best. And if you can If your eyes are your best fearnre, combine style wich comfort, you've use eyeliner and mascara [not hit the jackpot. Just bear in mind that too many coats) to give them tl1e overtly trying to hide your age only makes matters ,vorse. It is best to attendon they deserve. Keep the eyeshadow subtle and muted. If you keep the look classic and und erstated have classic high cheekbones, use at all times, especially wich makeup blush to enhance their shape and and the colours you choose, for both not horizontal blotches of pink or your wardrobe and yo ur face.

Highlight your best feature

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MAY (2) 2014 43

FOOD

•••

orange Use papaw or papaya for a tropical burst of a juicy sweet, yet subtle flavour in your next meal

!though they're often mistaken for each other, papaw and papaya both look and caste quite different. YeUow papaw is tbe larger one and is not as sweet as it:5 smaller, red-orange fleshed counterpart with its yellow-orange ski.n. But both are juicy in texn-tre, and have a subtle, yet sweet Aavour. Great news for recipes that would be overpowered by sickly sweet fruits.

These two tropical fruits are thankfully available all year round in Australia, and are both a great source of vitamin C and betacarotene; which is good for your skin and immune system.

"I love to marry tl1e fruits with

A

both light meats such as prawns, and rich meats like pork, and 1 also add it to my saL~as for a fruity kick," Alvin Quah, lvlasterChef Series Two contestant says. They're. also great in a chiUed smoothie or /1;ssi or dessert.

Two pointers to make things easier when selecting the fruit; make sure it only has black seeds (white seeds = won't ripen) and it's at lease 50% yeUow or orange (with limited green skin).

• • ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 250m1s iced water A dash of rosewater ¼ cup fresh mim leaves

Red papaya Jassi Sm1e.r 2 1 medium red papaya ½ cup natural yoghurt

1 teaspoon honey, if needed.

Peel and deseed red papaya.

Cm into chunks.

Place fruit and all other ingredients in a blend er or food processor, blend until well combined and frothy.

Taste to determine i£ honey is required for extra sweetening. Add if needed and re-blend.

Pour into glasses and serve.

. ···············~···

2 tbsp lime juice To Serue: 8 - 12 medium corn or flour tortillas

Red papaya & mixed berry parfaits Sm,es4 400g Red Papaya 500g (2 cups) namraJ Greek o r vanilla yoghurt 200g (2 cups) toasted muesli o r granola 250g (2 cups) frozen mixed berries l tbsp water ln a saucepan over medium hear, simmer berries and water foe four to live minutes, until jusr warm aJ1d syrupy.

Mash slightly with a fork and set aside ro cool while you peel, de-seed and dice papaya. Spoon 2 tablespoons g ranola into the base of fom glasses. Layer each glass with ¼ cup yoghurt, 2 tablespoons berry co mpote, 1/, cup diced papaya and 2 cablespo0ns granola. Repeat la)rers and serve immediately.

•• ••••••••••••••••

Prawn & yellow papaw tacos Serves 4 24 medium Australian Prawns (approx. 650g) ½ tsp sea salt For the salsa: 500g Yellow Papaw 1 /., red onion, finely diced ½ cup fresh coriander leaves

Peel, de-seed and dice papaw, combine wim remaining salsa ingredients and stir to combine.

Peel and rough ly chop prawns, season witl1 salt.

Heat a skillet co mediumhigh and cook prawns for two minutes until opaque.

If ce.9uired, add a splash of olive oil.

Layer tortillas with prawns and salsa just before serving.

Tip: Worm tortillas in a bot skiOc/1 then wrap i11 a dean tea to1JJel 11ntil 11eedetf.

A/1 recipes ttnd photos: u11u111.1L11strali1111pap11yE1. a>m. Elll

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

Yellow papaw & prosciutto pizzas

120g fresb ricotta 2 handfuls rocket

Sm1es 2 - 4 2 large Lebanese Aatbread wraps, or pre-baked pizza bases 2 esp ofore oil 1 garlic clove 250g Yellow Papaw 100g prosciutto, thinly shaved

44 MAY (2) 2014

Preheat oven to 200°C. Slice garlic clove in half and rub Aatbread s with cut sid e. Brush breads with olive oil.

Crumble ricotta over bases.

Peel, de-seed and thinly slice papa\V, then layer over ricorra.

Cut prosciutto slices into large ribbons and arrange over other ingrecli ems.

Bake on a pan or pizza stone for si.., minutes, until prosciutto is sizzling and bases are just crisp. Top with rocker and drizzle with a bir of extra oil, slice into wedges and serve warm.

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ATLAST,AN INTELLIGENT BOLLYWOOD WMODUNIT THE XPOSE STARRING: Himesh Reshammiya, Yo Yo Honey Singh, Zoya Afroz, Sonali Raut, Ana nth Mahadevan DIRECTOR: Akhilesh Jaiswal

***-lr';r

hen was the last time we saw an intelligent and entertaining whodunit? Normally, all they do is line up a slew of stiff cardboard suspects trying to look guiltily into the camera, and pick one of the gallery of eccentrics as the one whodunit and impute a silly motive on him.

Director Ananth Mahadevan goes at the whodunit with a relish here that communicates itself to the audience.

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W

allure of the entertainment industry with his tongue lodged firmly in his cheek. You can't miss the broad references to the gossip, scandal and rivalry of the film industry.

Playing a southern superstar with an arrogant self-regard that rivals the legendary haughtiness of1aani'Raaj Kumar, Himesh Reshammiya is reborn as an actor. His piercing icy-cold eyes give away nothing, and everything.

He is a man in love... with himself, then with a woman who he can't bear to see go astray.

Every actor, from Nakul Vaid as a matinee idol grappling with suspicion, to newcomer Zoya Afroz as a star on the rise struggling to remain virtuous in a world built on artifice, and Sonali Raut as the slutty ambitious star on the rise who sleeps around for a price, is cast well and given a chance to effectuate his or her playing-time with punctuation marks

that may not be written in the plot.

Yo Yo Honey Singh makes his Bollywood acting debut. Playing a spoilt, pampered, deceitful music director who marries into money and undeserved inheritance, Yo Yo imparts a certain innocence to his character's duplicity and greed. He isn't the villain but a victim of his unquenchable appetites.

Himesh plays a superstar who falls in love with his latest heroine but is unable to confess all to the girl. The theme of unexpressed love provides a tantalising subtext to the sizzling, boiling, simmering plot filled with characters who can't tell the difference between life in the studios and outside.

The murder happens in the second overture during a grand after-party

where two rival actresses come to blows. The eventful colourful film never fails to take swipes at the world of make-believe. Intrigue, envy, jealousy, rivalry, suspense and murder... this is the masalaland ofthe 1960s as seen through the winking, glinting eyes of a director who understands the machinations ofthe entertainment industry.

Normally films set in the entertainment industry end up taking themselves too seriously. The Xpose careens between a mood of gratuitous satire and earnest regret for a world where sham is the name ofthe scam.

Yup, there is no business like show business.

SUBHASH K. JHA

WISTFUL LOOK AT A PORN-WRITER'S LIFE MASTRAM STARRING: Rahul Bagga, Tara Alisha DIRECTOR: Akhilesh Jaiswal

***:;r;r

nzip those inhibitions, will ya?

If in Mas tram, you expect a Boogie Nights kind of allencompassing panoramic peek-a-boo at the porn industry, then you are in for an anti-climax. Mastram chronicling the life-story of a man who would be kink(y), is a sad, glum, wistful look at the life of a litterateur who was persuaded to give porn a chance, just to make ends meet.

Director Akhilesh Jaiswal lets the porn writer Raja ram, aka Mastram, played

by Rahul Bagga, grow within the space where sex is a synonym for survival. He must write dirty books to make a living.

In Guru Dutt's Pyaasa, the poet Vijay faced the same dilemma. Write pulp, or perish, he was told. Vijay preferred to perish.

Rajaram is a product of consumerist culture. With creditors knocking down

U

NATIONAL EDITION

his door, he chooses a life without debt.

For those expecting to see the rise and fall of a generation fed on porn, Mastram is not your cup of tea. It never goes into the author's libidinous craft. It stays in his mind, probes and punctuates the protagonist's perverse practice dispassionately.

There is a pronounced absence of frenzied excitement in the narrative.

We feel the pain beneath the porn.

Director Jaiswal tears at the layers of titillation and touches upon the pain and loneliness of an artiste compelled to sell sex when all he wants is to write literary works.

Rahul Bagga plays Mastram with an air of boyish curiosity and impassive mystery. We never know what he is thinking, maybe because he isn't thinking much. Could this man be faking his enthusiasm for erotica? We never touch the man's soul but feel its presence in his life and specially in his bond with his wife, played with understated grace

by Tara Alisha.

SUBHASH KJHA

MAY (2) 2014 49

Deepika Padukone to attend Cham pions League final We know she is the sporty kind, coming from a badminton family, so the latest about Deepu does not really surprise us. Bollywood's reigning queen Deepika Padukone will add a dash of glamour to the UEFA Champions League to be held in Lisbon, Spain on Saturday, 24 May. The final match will be played between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. "lam honoured to be UEFA's guest for the Champions League final in Lisbon. Looking forward to a competitive game of football with two of Europe's best teams," Deepika said.

Wonder if Ranveer will be joining her there?

Aish bonds with fellow ambassadors at Cannes It seems that Aishwarya Rai has taken the opportunity of attending the 67th Cannes International Film Festival to make some new friends.

The Bollywood actress connected with fellow Indian beauty Freida Pinto as well as Natasha Poly, on their first meeting.

Slumdog Millionaire's Freida Pinto is based in Hollywood and Natasha Poly is a Russian model.

Both L'Oreal Paris ambassadors, Aishwarya and Freida met at a special shoot for their mutua I brand at Cannes and both were very excited.

"I met Freida for the first time in person," Aish said later. "I also met Natasha for the first time and she is a new mother, so we connected that way. All of us L'Oreal Paris spokespeople are so different, but each one of us is worth it".

So L'Oreal. . ..

Did Aish connect with Sonam too while over there? And Malaika Sherawat?

Probably not "worth it''.

Aish to do her own stunts inJazbaa

INDIA'S GOLDEN GIRL AT CANNES ishwarya Rai Bachchan finally got to walk down the red carpet at Cannes this year, after missing her first two appearances there thanks to a flight delay.

She looked every bit the stunner in shimmering gold, as she worked the cameras like a pro, smouldering away in a tightly corseted off-the-shoulder golden fish-tail Roberto Cavalli gown. No doubt her slim look gave the press in India something different to talk about after those troubled-marriage whispers.

And perhaps those"fat"jokes will now slow down somewhat ("Aish is starring in the remake of Haathi Mere Saathi, playing the role of. . ." No, no, how dare you?!)

Aish walked the red carpet for the premiere ofthe film Deux Jours, Une Nuit by Jean Pierre and Luc Dardenne. She was thereto represent global cosmetics brand L'Oreal Paris at the event, sporting looks inspired by their L'Or Lumiere theme.

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50 M AY (2) 2014

With daughter Aaradhya now in preschool, superstar mum Aishwarya Rai is making her grand comeback with director Sanjay Gupta's Jazbaa. This is the actress' first full-fledged action film.

Also produced by Gupta, Jazbaa will mark Aishwarya's first return to the silver screen after her daughter's birth in November 2011. The film will start rolling early next year.

'We start Jazbaa in January 2015 and will be showcasing it at the Cannes film festival in 2015;' confirmed Gupta.

The filmmaker also clarified that it is not a women-oriented drama.

"Just because Aishwarya is in Jazbaa we should not label the film female-centric.

To me, she's the hero of the fi lm;' he said.

Aish had done some action scenes in Dhoom 2, however not on the same level as co-star Hrithik Roshan.

In Gupta's film, she will do all the stunts

without the help of a body-double and has already started training for the role.

"There is no gender-specificity in what she does in the narrative. I've cast her in a role like any of the heroes in my films.

She could be John Abraham in Shootout At Wada/a or Sanjay Dutt in Zinda. It's that kind of a role where her gender plays no role in the proceedings;• emphasised Gupta.

Two sure-to-be prominent male actors are yet to be cast alongside Aishwarya.

Gupta is also working with Aishwarya's husband and actor Abhishek Bachchan in Khottey Sikkay, which he will make immediately after Jazbaa.

ThoughJazbaa will star Aishwarya, it will not use her ultra-glamorous personality to light up the frames.

"She will glow from within," Gupta ensured.

Umm, okay, we believe you.

Entertainment goes to the dogs Actor Sonu Sood, who we mainly know from action films, will soon be seen in the comedy It's Entertainment.

No, it's not the Vidya Ba Ian-Silk Smitha kind of"entertainment, entertainment, entertainment''. It's about a dog called, er, Entertainment.

Sonu found the whole thing quite challenging.

"I have not delved into this genre much;' he said recently.

The 41-year-old has been known for his action thrillers like Dabangg, Shootout at Wada/a and R...Rajkummar.

It's Entertainment is directed by duo Sajid-Farhad. Besides, Sonu Sood, it also features Akshay Kumar, Krushna Abhishek, Johnny Lever, Tamannaah Bhatia, Mithun Chakraborty and Prakash Raj. It's Entertainment will be released on 8 August.

Bol lywood wins at the hustings It's been a good time for Bollywoodwallahs who contested the general elections this time round. For starters, Kirron Kher won a Lok Sabha seat as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Chandigarh. She won with over 42

www.indianlink.com.au

ll

RANBIR KAPOOR

KIRRON KHER

Ranbir toughens up percent votes, defeating the Congress biggie and ex Railways Minister Pa wan Kumar Bansal and her B-town colleague Gui Panag of the AAP. Now Gui, if you remember, once dated Kirron's son Sikander. But that did not stop the two glamour gals from taking hotshots at each other during campaigning. . ..

Meanwhile, dreamgirl Hema Malini had her dreams come true a second time round as she was returned from the Mathura constituency, also on a BJPticket.

Moon Moon Sen who was elected from Bankura, impressed with her grace and dignity.

Vinod Khanna retained Punjab's Gurdaspur seat while Shatrughan Sinha was re-elected from Patna Sahib and Paresh Rawal tasted victory on his maiden electoral fo ray, winning from Gujarat's Ahmedabad East.

Bhojpuri actor Manoj Tiwari, also a BJP candidate, won from Delhi North East constituency while Bollywood singer Babu! Supriyo won from West Bengal's Asansol. Music director Bappi Lahiri, though, was not as lucky in Sreerampore where he ended up third.

It 's almost as if it is mandatory for Bollywood boys to do that one role for which they have to beef up after months of training. Strange, isn't it, given they all start their careers off playing the chocolate hero in romantic movies. This time round it's Ranbir Kapoor.

He's been working out hard to show off t hose abs in Anurag Kashyap's upcoming Bombay Velvet. If a source is to be believed, a trainer from Kenya had come down to train the talented actor.

"Ran bir trained for almost four months;' a source close to the film's production team revealed. "He will be sporting a lean, muscular built in Bombay Velvet. He plays a character who is into street fighting''.

The fi lm also stars Anushka Sharma.

your dear wife's international endeavours, no doubt, Abhishek?

No, he'll probably tell you, all affronted.

Pink is a colour associated closely with Jaipur, and kabaddi p layers are like panthers, right?

Oh well, whatever.... Nice to see this ancient sport being revived with so much enthusiasm. Even sport needs Bollywood, in India.

Jlo in Shane and Falguni at Billboard gala

Abhishek's into Kabaddi And while his better half pouts for the international cameras, Abhishek Bachchan gets into... kabaddi.

Junior Bachchan has revealed that his Jaipur franchise of Pro Kabaddi, a professional kabaddi league, is called Jaipur Pink Panthers.

The name comes from another one of

WJ-10 WORE IT BETTER? •

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Priyanka Chopra or Katy Perry in Jovani Share your views with us on our Facebook page /lndianUnkAustralia

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NATIONAL EDITION

SONU SOOD

JLO Indian designers Shane and Falguni Peacock are over the moon with their latest outing, displayed on none other than singer-actress Jennifer Lopez. JLo performed at the recent Billboard 2014 Music Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada, in a sheer black net body suit with elaborat e metallic gold and crystal work. The geometric and baroque detailing gave her an edgy punk-meets-classic old world appeal as she sang We Are One (Ole Ola) along with Cuban-American rapper Pitbull and Brazilian pop singer Claudia Leitte.

The designer duo, who have dressed the international icon several times in the past, says that they love to work with the style icon.

"We always love working with JLo and her team. Ever since we dressed her for the first time for American Idol, she has loved our creations and trusts us to create something that matches her design sensibility. We understand her style and are always looking to create something fierce and sexy for her," Shane and Falguni said.

The designer duo's outfits have also been worn by Lady Gaga, Madonna, Katy Perry, Fergie, Nicole Scherzinger, Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears, Paris Hilt on and British actress Emily Blunt.

MAY (2) 2014 51

BACKCHAT

••

I

Dear Auntyji My husband works in advertising. Two weeks ago he found out that one of his staff members who reports directly to him, who was only working three days a week but now has gone full time, has had her salary prorated and consequently earns $20k more than him. My husband was shocked and upset. and is unsure about how to handle the situation. The company is not doing as well as it could, so he is doubly concerned about asking for any salary increases. What do you think he should do in this situation Auntyji, bechara pareshan hai?

Auntyji says Oh my dear, this is not a great situation to be in. I too would be mighty irked if I were your husband, but then, what do you expect from working in advertising - nothing good can come from this. Ever. So, here is what your husband must do. He must act swiftly; the longer this continues, the more it becomes an acceptable situation, until the point where your husband will think that it's not even worth worrying about. But of course, if your husband is a chuha, then none of this applies, but if your husband wants to be a sher, then he needs to redress this situation. So, your husband-the-fearless must go to HR or his manager and explain clearly that having a subordinate earning more than him does not make sense. If your husband has more accountability and responsibility then he should be paid accordingly. lfthe company is not doing so well, then he can stay on the same salary, but work four days a week for instance. He could go and play golf and pick up the kids. When the company turns around, then the salary balancing can occur. Of course, your husband should state clearly that he is unhappy with the status quo and make this HR's problem to solve. Now, you must also understand that your husband probably thinks that the company is not doing so well so he shouldn't even bother asking forth is. The point your husband should ponder is that if the organisation is not doing so well, how is it managing to pay a person with fewer responsibilities $20k more. The question is one of fairness. Further, your husband should not have to solve this issue. Let HR and your husband's boss sort this out. Further, you must also be prepared to acknowledge and accept that if your husband isn't interested in going down this road, you can't use this as a stick to beat him with. But the fact that you are writing to me asking this question makes me think that perhaps this is exactly what you will be doing. Stop and think about it. No one likes a shrill wife who emasculates her husband by belittling him and telling him what to do. Show him your support - even a chuha deserves support.

Do you have a question for Auntyji?

Email info@indianlink.com.au

5 2 MAY (2) 2014

\.\,

----------------

Dear Auntyji

! have decided that I did not want to be with my girlfriend of two years because she was not as supportive as I would have .f_e,~V8 liked, and I found that I was happier when VV\,8 ~LOV'-8 I was by myself or with others than when 1was with her. So I broke up with her and dealt with my sadness and all that and have moved on. However, all my friends and family are expecting me to be a-sighing and a-sobbing and carrying on. I have had phone calls and posts on Facebook and texts from everyone want ing to know how I am. Why is everyone so interested in my feelings? What do I do to tell everyone to stop worrying about my feelings? Can you please shed light on this, Auntyji?

*

~lre,~d,0~

Auntyji says Arre, my chikna, my sonu monu, what a funny little jalebi you are. So this is what happened. Your life was all go/ mo/, going around swimmingly and everything was hunky dory. You and your girlfriend looked like the ideal couple and everyone was probably expecting the usual tamasha of engagement, shaadi, bachche etc. t hen you decided that shaadiwas barbadi and you put a full stop to this love story.

Of course everyone was upset by this sudden ending, by this anti-climax, by this film-mein-intermission-cum-ending. You should be happy ki people are caring, but you're not! You should be khush ki log jaanna cha hate hai ki are you ok. At least you have people worried about you. You have two options when people ask you what you are feeling. You can give them a pained look, look away, put a hand on your heart, shake your head sadly while gazing at the ground for precisely five seconds, then change the topic. Everyone will get the meaning w ithout your saying a word.

Your second option is to look blankly at the person and say, what do you mean how am I - why, what happened to me? And if they say, well, you broke up with Shania, are you ok? And then you say Shania? Ye Shania kaun hai? Kaun Shania?Then change the topic. Or, you could start elaborating on why you broke up and make the story so dull and painful, that people will be begging you to stop after two minutes and they will never ask you how you are again. See, you have many options available to you. But at least be happy, nah, ki people care. If you were related to me and you broke up with Shania, Tania or even Chameli, you wouldn't even get a slightest bit of interest from me. I would not even bother asking you how you are o n a normal day, let alone after you broke up with an unsupportive girlfriend.

But perhaps I might care if you write back and tell me what you meant when you said she was unsupportive. I hope you don't mean she was unsupportive of your smoking or hanging out in the pub. If this is what you meant, then you haraami, you budtameez, stop wasting my t ime.

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