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EDITORIAL INDIAN LINK

Passion, purpose, pride

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n over 20 years of observing the trends in Australia's Indian community, seldom has one seen the kind of passion that is on display at the moment. r o, this note is not just about the 'Modi mania' that's sweeping the community, but more specifically about the core group behind the upcoming Allphones Arena event that will probably go down as a landmark event in the annals of the Indian diaspora down under.

The Indian Australian Community Foundation (I.ACF) was set up to hatness the re.<;ources of the various Indian community groups in organising the reception for the Indian Prime :[\,[in ister.

It was fotmded by a core of people who are behind the Hindu Cow1ciJ of Australia's annual DiwaLi Mela, which has grown strongly since it scarred over a decade ago, while other comparable functions waxed and waned.

Ir is clear that a nwnber of factors are at play in the steady success of its activities, which have made this organisation one to emulate. These are, in

Now send money to India from

no particular order, a clear vision of what they want accomplished; a working team that operates cohesively and efficiently, and a .s trong belief in, and dedication to, their cause.

It is the ver y same passion that this team of people brings co tl1e Modi venture. In spite of initial chaUenges in getting access ro the PM's time, mey are now on tl1e verge of pulling off what will no doubt be the event of the year in me Indian community.

In a community mired i□ a plecbora of organisations demarcated by linguistic or regional differences, the egos o f the leaders have often caused divisions and factions. Splinter groups morph inro sub o rganisations and all too o ften the agenda is driven by petty policies rather man me common good. In contrast, the IACF has reached out ro every organisation with its inclusive nan1te. It has been impressive to watcll some 300 organisacio□s register witl1 chem, in a matter of days, offel'ing support.

The passion was fuelled by a purpose, and that was to create a platform for the scill new PM Modi to connect with the Indians in this country. Wbile the bar was set by the public forum at Madison Square Garden in New York not so long ago, the Sydney team knew chat their access to me PM. was on a Monday working day in the early evening, as compared to a weekend event

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in the U nited Stares. lndo Americans are estimated to be over 3,000,000 in numbers, Indian Australians battle to reach a si.xth of that number at 500,000.

Anotl1er international event in the community, tl1e regional Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas held at aro und the same time last year, could only manage muster the interest of 300 people, even wim montl1s of preparation. The challenge for me organisers this time around was to ignite the imagination of those thinking about attending. They have been able to do chis by keeping the message sirnple: it's a community reception for the Indian PM, aU are welcome, and iris free.

Indians in Australia feel a sense of pride in the country of their birth and .a ncestry.

There is a desire to connect with their heritage and continue to nurnire the bonds between their adopted and original bomelands._Sadly, previous governments had failed co reach om to mem and there was a gro,ving disenchantment with the politicians o f India. The recent change in government seems to have ignited the passion of the commtmity, and a desire has emerged to participate in the various moods sweeping across the country. This passion has been indeed been harnessed well by the IACP, as mey create a platform at which me chie f architect o f the new India, PM Modi, can share his vision directly.

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NOVEMBER 2014 3

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR What aspiring politicians can learn from Modi nce in a while someone comes along and does something that takes the world by storm. Inventors, scientists, doctors, engineers, crusaders, sportspersons and others in almost every walk of life frequently produce 'frea k accident: 'divine intervention; 'lucky break; 'odd chance'or'globe shattering'typ e developments.

Research labs, incubators and management schools have focussed on how such non-linear but desirable changes can be methodically precipitated by some kind of formula.

This has led to much intellect, energy and effort being directed at making it happen faster and seamlessly.

One predominant school of thought advocates creating the right climate and seeding it with the right resources, with reduced oversight but with more mentoring. This involves a higher yielding approach by building self-actualisation opportunities within the environment where collaborators can team up as and how they want.

Enter Narendra Modi. Here I want to alert all business schools, management doctrine developers, aspiring political leaders and wannabe promoters of any change anywhere, that the time to study this is now -

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how an unheard of political incubator that began in the tea-stall-yard of one small boy called Narendra Modi, is about to transform the concept of creating a widely supported political leadership that shows growth and popularity chart busts that any Silicon Valley start-up would kill for!

In a world that generally m istrusts politicians, to exceed and surpass all measures of success and popularity ever statistically recorded, is indeed a feat.

Modi's public meetings in India are quite a spectacle.

Before the Ivy League universities get interested in studying his nation revamp formula, I want to highlight ten reasons behind Modi's success: 1. He visibly separated his family ftom himself- crucial in a hugely corrupt developing economy where family and cronies get in the way of public welfare.

2. He works 18 hours a day, and there are results to show for it.

3. He constantly reminds all of his mission, ie, delivering on hopes and aspirations of the Janata (public), a perfect mission statement driven home by his team and the bureaucracy repeatedly.

4. Not put off by protocols, he calls unto anyone who can deliver, other political leaders, business tycoons, film stars, social do-gooders, media barons, soldiers, even

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the regular guy on the street.

5. He accepts anyone with a soft cajole except the enemies of the nation.

6. He has a positive schedule of work flow that hits the desks of everyone in his team.

7. He runs an open government forum where everyone can provide input/advice directly.

8. He has increased governance by direct public input to his government's policies and priority formation with auditability and transparency.

9. With his 'Make in India' mantra, he has become a favourite of businesses that love open dialogue and focussed help under one window sans bureaucracy.

10. He is the behemoth who supports people's agenda even before people know what it is.

Modi is also steered adversely by his opponents who think that people don't care, or are dumb and busy except on voting day and can be fooled and ignored till the next elections.

Dilip Jadeja, Cherrybrook NSW

Dialogue across

faiths needed was one of the 150 or more people who attended the recent Open Mosque Day (25 October) at the Virgin Mary Mosque at the Werribee Islamic Centre, broadcast live on 774

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ABC Melbourne. [It was one of several events held across Australia as part of the National Mosque Open Day organised by the Lebanese Muslim Association.]

As someone who was brought up Hindu but attended St Xavier's Catholic School in Chandigarh in India, I found the experience illuminating. I didn't just learn about beliefs and rituals and the logic behind them, but was able to talk freely and openly with Muslims from the 1 7 different ethnic groups from across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe who worship there.

Many of the attendees had never been in a mosque before and, like me, found it opened real d ialogue with our fellow Australian residents.

I urge other religions to hold Open Days. We could all benefit from visiting ea.ch other's churches and temples.

We might be surprised by how much we have in common. For me, this is reflected in Wyndham City Council's draft multicultural policy which looks at how we can build dialogue across faiths as a way of building an inclusive community.

This principle certainly works for festivals. The Indian Diwali Festival of Lights in Wyndham in October attracted 16-20,000 people, around half of whom weren't Indian.

Cr Gautam Gupta Councillor with Portfolio responsibility for cultural diversity Wyndham City Council, Melbourne

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SPECIALREPORT

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Naiker Associates originally began in 1990 as Maharose, and was established by a father and son team - managing di.tenor Madhukar Naiker and his father Urkatu Naiker who is the company director. ~fahrose began with several

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COMMUNITYSCENE

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Members ofQueensland's Indian community relish the opportunity to gather at Parliament House

ave you received an invite? It was a question that did the rounds of the Indian community io Brisbane for a few days. The Honourable Campbell Newman, Premier of Queensland, on behalf of the Queensland Government, invited selected guests, comprising both Indians and Australians, to a Reception in Honour of the Indian Community io Queensland.

On a warm Tuesday evening, at the Speaker's Green, Parliamentary Annexe, dressed in traditional Indian finery or

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business attire, and around 200 peop.le walked into the event ,vith eager faces.

Addressing tbe gathering, Premier Campbell Newman emphasised die improved connections between Queensland and I11dia. He also commended the Indian community's hard work in organising a highly successful Diwali function held at George Square, in d1e month of Occober.

The Premier also touched upon Bol.lywood's and Indian tourists' tryst wim the Gold Coast, and also discw,sed the upcoming G20 that w ill see over 4000 international delegates come to Brisbane. "l am especially delighted to welcome d1e Indian Prime Minister Narendta Modi to the Scace," Premier Newman said. And not forgetting cricket he said, ''Queenslanders are looking forward to the upcoming Australia-India test se.ries."

INDlANLINK

Above: Prof Prasad Yarlagadda(President FICQ); Dr Maha Sinnathamby (Patron, FICQ); Biren Nanda (High Commissioner oflndia to Australia); Queensland Premier Campbell Newman

Also speaking at the event was High Commissioner of India co Australia Biren anda, who said die event was symbolic of Australia's multiculturalism. "India coo is a diverse multiculmral society," he said, "Ir's incredible that people of Indian origin are making a significant conrribuci.on in Australia."

Biren Nanda also spoke about the recently elected Liclian Prime :tvf.inister Modi, and said mar th.is is tbe first decisive result for a political party. ''People believe aspirations can be met wid1 a democratic framework," he said.

President of the Federation

of Indian Communities of Queensland, Prasad Yarlagaclda reaffirmed the title of 'Honorary Indian of me Year' given to the Premier CampbeU Newmai1, for b.is strengthening and supporting of die India-Australia relationship.

After the speeches everyone tried to grab ilie attention of die Premier co get a picture and a c1uick introducLion, while appetisers like san1osas, paneer ti kkas .and drinks floated around the venue.

An evening which lasted for just over an hour fostered a new networking opportunity for quite a number of people

NOVEMBER 2014 7

COVERS TORY

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en, The Indian community in Australia is all set to welcome Prime Minister Modi

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BY RAJNI ANAND LUTHRA

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~!~:;::that when she saw the Maclison Square Garden reception for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Mocli live on the internet on 28 September, she felt goose bmnps.

A long- time l'vfocli fan and supporter, the 28-year-okl Adelaide-based MBA sn1dent decided almost immediately chat when l'vfocli came to Australia, she would go and beat him live.

"I was disappoii1ted to learn he would not be visiting mr city on his Austral.ia trip," she tel.ls Indian Unk, ''But I'm defini tely going to Sydney."

Brisbane's Sai Korrapati, a 31-year-old TT executive, is a recent Mocli convert. "l believe Narendra Modi represents Indian values best and is a great hope for the country," he says. "I will be in Sydney to show my suppon for him ."

M:ahesh Rohira, a 35-yearold chartered accountant in Melbourne, is looking forward to his train trip to Sydney on the much-talked about 'Modi Express'. He will join 220-odd like-minded Melbournians who are taking time off work to see lndia's Prime l\finister i.n Australia.

"I think Modi is a fantastic orator and it's great that we're getting an opporrunity to heat him speak here in Austral.ia."

Shah, Korrapati and Rohira are buc three of an expected 18,000 people who will be part of a mega reception for the Indian leader at Al.lpbones Arena at Sydney Olympic Park on Monday 17 November. lt will be the largest audience to hear an address by a foreign leader in A us tralia.

To say that there is an overwhelming interest in the Prime Minister's visit, wo.uJd be an understatement.

This is nothing short of Modi marua.

The reception is organised by the Indian Australian Community Foundation (IACF), a coal.ition

8 NOVEMBER 2014

of diverse Indian-Austral.ian organisations who have pooled their resources specifically for d1e Pi:ime J\,finister's visit.

The even t will take pL'lce on the sidelines of the G -20 summit to be held in Brisbane on 15 and 16 r ovem ber. Bur for the Indian community here, the IACF event is far, far more significant.

N ihal Agar, the chairman of IACF, tells Tndi,111 I.ink, " InclianAustralians have waited for 28 years to host an Indian Prime Mjnister here, so this is truly a momentous occasion."

Balesh Dhankhar, spokesman o f d1e IACF agrees, but adds that the euphoria is also for the man himself. "Modi reflects the common I ndian man, and his journey has been so inspiring."

hundreds of community, social, religious and linguistic organisations that represem the diversity and pluralism that defines India and the three hundred thousand Indian Austral.ians," ihal Agar says. "Our aim was always to be inclusive."

Community members registered via their o rganisations their interest to attend the address. \Xfhen registrations closed, some 21,000 people had signed up from across the country. (Anod1er 20,000 people are expected to register now that organisers have opened a number of seats for allocation by lottery).

No less than 400 people offered their services as volunteers.

Agar and Dhankhar both agree drnt other aims of d1e endeavour are to bring the Inclian community together on a single platform, which they seem co have done co mmendably so far, and to send the message out to the wider Australian cominunity d1ar they can be a formidable part of d1e socio-political fabric of the country.

An hour-long cultural show is being planned, with a special event intended to showcase the hundreds of years of links that have existed between India and Australia. Ir will highlight new historical, archaeological and linguistic evidence indicating human migration &om the Indian

Sneak peak behind the scenes Agar admjts that the idea can1e about after Madison Square Garden.

Modi's address to a capacity crowd at this New York venue bad hit world headlines and won him even more admirers at home.

"When we heard about Modi's Australia visit, we asked the Indian H igh Com1nission here if we could organise a community event in Sydney," he reveals. "The political and economic agendas are to be concluded ar the Brisbane, Canberra and Melbourne even ts, and so we thoughrwe could have a social engagement in Sydney."

T he High Commission's response was that the PM's itinerary was al.I finalised. ''We then approached the PMO i.n India directly, and were able to convince them of the significance the Sydney visit could ho ld for the Indian diaspora. Modiji agreed to take up our invite to add ress the Indian con., muniry here."

This set into motion a flurry of activity. The AUphones Arena was booked as the venue.

In characteristic style, Agar declared chat the event would be an inclusive effort, in which as man y cornlllLmity organisations as possible would bejnvited to take part. Tbe message went om via a newly launched website ,v,.vw.PMvisit.org.au. Within d1ree days, some 200 organisations had expressed interest to join, and d1ey were inducted as 'Reception Partners'.

"IACF has partnered wid1

PREVIOUS PRIME MINISTERIAL VISITS

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

Sydney's Rekha Bhattacharjee remembers clearly the last visit of an Indian Prime Minister, way back in 1986. The community reception organised for Rajiv Gandhi then was consulate-led. M. Hamid Ansari, the current Vice-President of India, who was High Commissioner in Canberra then, organised an afternoon tea event at which Rajiv Gandhi met a small group of community members at Sydney's Intercontinental Hotel.

"Rajiv was charming and articulate,"Rekha recalls. "I particularly remember his comment about NRls. They may be called 'brain drain; he said, but I like to call them our 'brain bank"'.

At dinner later that night, hosted by NSW Premier Barrie Unsworth at the Wentworth Hotel, Rajiv had surprised everyone with his knowledge of some very early India-Australia links: from 1788 to 1836, the Roman Catholic Church in the colony of New South Wales was part of the Diocese of Calcutta.

Rekha also recalls the great rapport

that the young Indian leader shared with Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke; the Sikh protesters that had demonstrated outside the Wentworth, and Rajiv's interview with Laurie Oakes on Channel Nine where he had claimed famously that politics was his dharma.

Neville Roach, another community stalwart, can recall an even earlier Indian PM, Indira Gandhi, who visited in 1968. "I remember reports of her being received at the airport;' Roach told Indian Link. "There was no event or community function; it was all low-key:' Mrs Gandhi visited again in 1981, as part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government MeetatMelbournein 1981.

The 2002 edition of CHOGM at Coolum Queensland would have seen another prime ministerial visit, this time for Atal Behari Vajpayee. However, a certain incident at Godhra (which would go on to haunt the current incumbent in some measure) kept the Indian PM away then.

www.indianlink.com.au

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Opposite page - L: Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, with PM Bob Hawke, meets with community members at Sydney's Intercontinental Hotel R: Prime Minister Indira Gandhi with Australian Prime Minister John Gorton in 1968 Left: Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks to the crowd during the community reception at Madison Square Garden in New York

subcontinent ro Australia around 5,000 years ago.

The technical ream, whose job includes providing free celecasc and broadcasc m imeresced agencies, is 40 members strong.

N ibal Agar reveals that they did consult with the l'vladison Square Garden team, who advised on vario us issues as wel1 as alerted them on possible trouble spots.

A formight out from the even t, the IACF team are working round the clock co finalise al] arrangements. Many have rake□ a leave of absence from their regular jobs (for a whole month in one instance). Two vol U11teers that fodian Link spoke to revealed they had been working non-stop for the past 24 hours. One of them disclosed that the efforts and energy being expended far exceed those in the Mad ison Square Garden even t. As well, it was pointed out, the Chinese community's efforts for the visit o f their own President Xi Jinping (who like Modi will also address Federal Parliament), are not as extensive.

INDIANLINK

All aboard the Modi Express Some 1000 Melbournians will be travelling co Sydney to attend the Modi evenr.

For 220 of these, it will be via a specially chartered train that is being called the 'J\fodi Express'.

Shivesh Pandey of .Melbourne's Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) chapter reveals that the train will be flagged off from Melbourne's Southern Cross Station by a leading figure, but be won't divulge who - it could be the Premier of Victoria, or the Transport l'vlinister. Perhaps the Minis ter for Mulriculmral Affairs?

For Shivesh, it was exciting to see the numbers gradualJy build up froin his city. As the numbers touched the low hundreds, the idea of the train came up <luting a chat ,vitb friends. Ir was like a light bulb had gone off. ''The idea clicked because :t\fodi himself travelled by train, as a grasssroocs social and political worker," Shivesh says. "It is the common man's mode of transport

in India, after alJ." To hear the plans for tbe train journey would remind you of a pilgrimage in India for which trains are similarly chartered.

There's goin g ro be Modi banners, tricolour balJoons, and you guessed it, dhoklas and thepla.s and phephras galore!

O ne thing's for suJ:e, the train journey will hold some pretty special memories for a Im of people.

"Unfornmacely we could no r accommodate so many others who wanted to join us," laments Sbivesh.

Australian fan base The OFBJP had a dream debm in Australia as the BJP won the general elections months after the organisation was founded. ks numbers have burgeoned since then, in every major centre in Australia. And there are many more supporters of Modi out there who are nor even members.

As a Gujarati, Mudra Trivedi Shah is very closely aware o f the Modi style o f operation which

has worked wonders for her state.

"Even as PM, Modi's initiatives like MyGov, Make in India, Man Ki Baat radio prognun, even his social media call-out co tbe community here to share ideas on important issues, al] show h is sincere efforts to shake tbe country out of its complacency."

D eeksha Chopra of Sydney, 31, who missed out o n getting a seat at tbe Sydney even t, bur will watch the proceedings via giant TV screens o utside the venue says, ,cModi is a visionary and I believe that he wants India to truly shine.

His journey from 'an ordinary ch,ti111allah' as he calls himself, co the Prime Minister of rhe country is no ordinary journey. Who can forget his Madison Square speech ... be inspires me to be as passionate and driven as he is."

Dilip Jadeja of Sydney will also be an "outsider", having been too late co register, bu t is grateful for the opportunity. A die-hard Modi fan, he does not care about aligning himself to an association to show bis support.

Sai Korrapati is a recent convert. "I come from a Congress-inclined family, but lost faith in the lase two years. I became a Modi fan first, then a BJP supporter."

And there are mainstream admirers as well. Matt Kean, Member for Hornsby in the SW Parliament, is looking forward to the Allphones Arena event, and will also be in Canberra co bear the Indian lead er address the Australian Parliament. ''PM Modi is an inspiration for me as a young :t\•fP," he tells Tndia11 Link.

"His story provides p roof chat standing up to your beliefs and working hard, which he has done al] his life, wins you not only the respect of the people, but also success in politics. I also believe that Mr Modi's vision for India can transform the world."

Interestingly, amongst rl1e lACF cop brass, there's a mix of alJegiances. Shivesh Pandey clain1s unabashedly to have been a BJP supporter and voter for a Jong time. Nihal Agar will admit he has never been a BJP supporter, but has always been an admirer of Modi. And as for Balesh Dhankhar, he roLindly refoses to answer the question. "It is o f no relevance what my political leanings are, as regards my vol untary work with the ]J\CF."

Media interest There's been much interest in India at Modi's upcoming visit.

Tbe 24-hour news chaimels scurry co find their 'unusual angles' on the stor y, such as what the Paldstan Australia Business Council is doing as o ne of the participating organisations, and listing it, rather unnecessarily, next to al] rl1e "Hindu" associations that are participating.

A!Jpbones A.rena is typicalJy described as having "hosted concerts of musicians Picbull, Ricl<y Marrin, Rihanna and Mariah Carey in the past," and where "Kary Perry will perform a few days after Modi's v isit''. iVfove over, rock stars!

T here's also been mention of Gujarati film Bry Yaar (TIVo F,iend~ released here to coincide with Modi's visit. ews junkies may be forgiven if they believe the bv•yaan in the film are Modi and Abbott. . . o doubt the excitement i s high in India, to see another rahrah affair being o rganised in the diaspora for its Prime Minister.

"My friends from India are asking if I will go to the big community even t," Mudra Trivedi Shah reveals. "Even my dad has been emailing me news clips from various sources about his Oz visit."

In Australia, mainstream media have begun to take no tice of the community preparations for Modi's visit, no doubt caking the lead from tbe interest shown by the American media at Madison Square Garden. It will be interesting co note how they will cover the acmal event on 17 November. Is there a Jon Stewart or a John Oliver among them who will come up wich a report that will go viral on social m edia?

Are they waiting co see if Hugh Jackman will appear alongsid e the Indian PM again (and th is time correct him for a sci-fi gaffe?) \'(fill there be shrieking schoolgirls?

Or will they see him forwbat he wants to be seen as - someone who means business and someone who wan ts to steady India as it totters from its economic and political position on a global platform?

Of one thing we can be sure though: Madison Square may have started it, but Sydney's Allphones Arena will stamp Modi NRJ mania as a trend to be followed.

MODI INOZ ITINERARY 15 Nov: Arrive in Brisbane 15-16 Nov:G-20 summit 16 Nov Unveil Gandhi statue at Roma St, Parklands, Brisbane, followed by civic reception cum high tea at Town Hall 17 Nov: Address Australia's Indian community at Allphones Arena, Sydney event at 5.00pm, and then depart for Canberra 18 Nov: Hold bilateral talks with Tony Abbott; address joint session of Parliament, and depart for Melboume 18 Nov: Attend state banquet with Tony Ab bott at MCG after tour of stadi um 19 Nov: Depart for Fiji

NOVEMBER 2014 9

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10 NOVEMBER 2014

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SPORT

II II It was a simple statement that says so much about the man

achin Tendulkar, the god of cricket, revealed the utmost humility in being inducted as a Brndman Foundation Honouree ar rhe SCG in Sydney recen tly. It was an appropriate venue given the many runs made at the ground, that be described as his favourite, and the many fans be delighted in doing so.

To celebrate tbe man who has scored more runs than any cricketer on the planet, most Test 100s, most One Day Imernational lO0s and having the legendary Don Brad.man himself pay tribute to Tendulkar as the cricketer who 'plays most like me' is fitting, but what he did o n a cricket pitch is just the starting point. Off the field he is as committed, precise, spectacular and dominant as he ever was o n it.

The Bradman Gala D inner, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, truly found an honouree that exudes the five key values of Sir Don - courage, honour, buniility, integrity and determination. Sharing the award with Australia's most successful captain, Steve Waugh, does not diminish the accolade, it simply magnifies it.

Together on stage the single minded determination of botl1 men was sprinkled with the clear joy tbey exper ienced in playing the game they love. The belief that winning wasn't everything, i tis the only thing, was evident as both men d iscussed how they plotted and scl1emed to beat each other and all cbe while maintaining absolute respect for tbe other's talents.

Tendulkar cold the story of nervously preparing to meet a 90-year-old Sir Donald at his home in 1998.

"We were driving co his place, I was with \X'arnie."

The 1000 mostly men, all in black tie, filling the 1·00111 at rhe SCG broke into fits of laughter.

"I haven't cracked the joke yet."

More laughter as Sachin had the entire audience, not for tl1e first INDIANLINK

tin1e in his life, eating out of the palm of his hand.

"I told \Varnie, Warnie you being an Australiao hero, you should start tl1e conversation, I don't know what to talk to Sir D on. And what he said, you are a batsman, you would be able to understand him better."

'1 asked hin1 a question, 'what would you have ave.raged in c.ricke.t today?' He thought about

number of charitable organisations, including tl1eir own, in alleviating pover ty, in providing medical treatment, in helping those who slip tluough the cracks and would othecwise be forgotten.

Sharing tbe stage with Tendulkar, Steve Waugh spoke of the 'overloading

it and said 'maybe 70'. The natural reaction was 'wby only 70 and not 99?' He said, 'C'mon, that's not bad for a 90-year-old man'."

"It was heartening to know that he watched cricket so closely and he was aware of everything.

"To be described by Sir Donald as the man who p layed cricket most like him was probably the greatest compliment of my life."

Aud yec, if Sir Do.nald could speak now, there would be no doubt that it's the transition TenduJkar has made to life after cricket that is wortl1y of the highest praise. Both he and Steve Waugh are known for the incredible work they do for a

of the senses' while visiting India many times as a cricketer, and many ti.mes since. One couldn't help make the comparison to the sensory overload any spectator experienced in watcbfag these two men play the game craftsmen, exuding the uanosr finesse, mentally grasping each mo1nent and extracting the absolute most from ir.

They are lessons from tbe field that can be applied to all facets of life. Sir D o n would indeed be proud. They are lessons these two now retired national captains

apply in making the world a better place.

So, humility aside Sachin, it is we who must thank you.

Tracey Holmes is an ABC broadcaster, and 2014 host of the Bradmon Gala Dinner.

NOVEMBER 2014 11

PARRAMASALA

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u It's 'thinking' films from India, from within our

t was a bunch of interesting offerings, features as well as d ocumentaries, at this year's Parramasala Film Festival.

Keeping safely away from your typical Bollywood fare, the carefully picked films looked at issues that touch us as I odians, as Indian Australians and as Indians of d1e diaspora. A nd yet there's no denying that the themes engage us as humans in the modem world, as we cry to negotiate our daily lives widuo the vast plorlines o f our own h istories and allegiances.

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Films from India The Indian films stood out with d1eir stories as well as technical expertise. We had the endearing Ankhon Dekhi by Rajat Kapoor, arguably one o f the best Hindi films of 2013. The protagonist here is an advocate of the concept of 'seeing is belie,1ing' to such an extent that it borders on insanity.

Sanjay Mishra performs me role to perfection. The film is beautifully abstract and has deep philosophical undertones, touching upon family ties and relationships. l n sharp contrast, Ashish Avikumhak's mystical Rafi Chakmt>J111b, a critically acclaimed experimental film, is shot in one long single take. Characters speak about 111yrl10logy, politics, riots, violence, sex, desire, and the circle of life, in no particular order or context. T he film literally has no conventional beginning and end, with the discussion carried in an unemotional, almost stoic fashion. Although there are several characters, perhaps they really represent the many voic.es of o ne individual, more like an internal dialogue widiin o ne's own head.

The film manages co incite anger, sadness and even titillates.

It was interesting to watch I am Meghri on its own for the first time, as the film originally is interwoven with the other films in Onir Ban's I A m and1ology. Based on d1e conflict and un rest in the '90s in Kasluuir,Juhi Chawla and Manisha Koirala are the promgooisrs. The film touches upon relationships,

12 NOVEMBER 2014

especially frienclships d1at; chang in hostile condi tions. However, d1e film is not long enough to discuss the situation in its entlrety. To rlrnL extent it is oversimplified. The performances are powe~'fut and moving, bur one is left wan tin for more, and somewhat unsatisfied.

And chis brings us to Hollywood.

In Danci11g To The Tunes ef Bo/Jyrvood, film-maker Vikrant Kishore looks at ilie etymology of d1e word Bollywood, and the phenomenon of 'Bollywood dancing' that many are suddenly interested in leaniing and perforniing professionally.

Who coined the term? What does it mean to people in ilie western world and the professionals in the Indian film industry? ln this well researched docrn11entary which includes interviews of many industry bigwigs, d1e evolution o f 'Bollywood dancing' is e.xplo red.

From the first musicals ro the latest trends of 'item numbers' and 'item' gixls, the out-of-context song and dance sequences are seen through different perspectiv es.

Films from Australia's Indian community In The Arhok R fD' Story, Oonagh Sherrard o ffers a fitting homage to a musician of great stan1re and repertoire. The film captures the sarod artist Pt Ashok Roy's life and achievements in Australia, liis passion for music and musicians he has inspired. l t is a couching tribute to d1e legend, probably the last o ne in his league to have lived among us in Australia.

T he fean1re i\{J, Comersto11e

by Stanley Joseph was a great opporninity for local actors of Indian origin ro come together and showcase d1eir talent. The film is a sincere attempt at exploring the dichotomy of imniigraor Indian values. Yet, the characters that are relatable initially, turn into mere caricatures as the film rn1furls.

T be senior sector of d1e Indian community in Australia is one that is crying out for attention. ln Her Inner So11g, lndu Balachandran tells the story o f "grandma musicians", a bunch o f seniors who speak of their lifelong passion for Carnatic music. lo i ts retrospection, me movie explores the nature of tbis ormodox industry, perception of women in India since 1930, their survival through these times and their pme love for music.

Straddling our two world~ of

Ashish Avikunthak's mystical Rati Chakravyuh. R: Sanjay Mishra as the protagonist in Ankhon Dekhi India and Austr_alia was Sydneybased film-maker Sudarshan Narayana, whose award-winni ng Kannada film Thalla11a got yet another screening in Sydney.

Sudarshan uses me backdrop of me protagonist - a fearless domestic maid who fights against all odds to fu,d her niissing daughter - to make a comment on contemporary India. The hypocritical educated class, corrnpt cops, the spineless media, unscrupulous God men, the helpless wod.·ing class, all play an important part here. The characters are genuine, with no exaggerated "filmi" manne.risms, bringing in a rare realism.

Films from the diaspora And from d,e world beyond India and Australia, we had the short films that made up Gary Paramanathana's Diaspom Sto1ies.

This o ne is an absolute delight to watch] In the age of Twitter, where a thought needs to be expressed succinctly io 140 characters, they seem to fit righ t in. Bisanuii (f'A11toblls) from Mauritius is set in a bu s ride. Doubles 1JJith Slight Pepper from T rinidad and Tobago explores the lifestyle of an Indianorigin family. Three Lions jm,taposes me plight of impoverished Bangladeshi labourers in Dubai.

Masala Ma111a set in Singapore is a wond erful film that'll have you in splits: definitely one that will go viral on social media.

Films based on relationsliips amidst war are many, however very few measure the lengrl, and d1e depm of how love stories e.xist and evolve between a couple who belong to d1e opposing sides. Marryi11g the enemy can be cad1artic but extremely difficult especially if the worn1ds of the past are afresh in me niinds. This happens to me protagonists in Prassana Vitbanage's film I/Pith ½111, Witho11t Yo11. The b reatl1-taking film, the story o f a Sinhalese man and Tamil woman; is inspired by F'yodor D ostoyevsky's shore story The Nleek One. This controversial film was banned in India; one must be lucky to be able to see such a masterpiece here in Australia.

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an coun A new campaign promoting South Australia to Indian tourists is launched by former cricketer Ajay Jadeja

n a major effort co encourage visitors to Adelaide, South Australia during the Cricket World Cup, tbe South Australian Tourism Commission recently premiered a film in India's capital ew Delhi, the first of the three new films by tbe Tourism Commission.

The films are desig ned to encourage Indians to visit Soutb Australia next year when the Adelaide O val will host the opening game of the ICC Cricket World Cup - a blockbuster, limited overs cricket match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan on February 15.

The film shows South Australia through the eyes of former Indian cricketer turned television

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sports commentator Ajay Jadeja and his son on their recent visit to the State. It features key attractions including the Barossa Valley, Kangaroo Island and the Adelaide Hills.

Ajay Jadeja first visited Adelaide and South Australia in l 992 when he toured d1e country with the then Indian World Cup ream under captain Kapil Dev. " He is one of the players we all aspire to be and it was like a dream come true wben I walked our with him at tl1e World Cup," Jadeja said.

Sharing his experience working on the film, Jadeja said the shoot was a walk down memory lane.

"This week-long trip bas shown me tbe ocher side of d1e city," Jadeja explained, saying he had shared some great moments with his 12-year-old son Aipen.

"The .Adelaide Oval might have changed, but tbey have still retained the old score board and tbe Sir Donald Brndman stand, you still see d1e Cathedral at the back, and people who come co

watch a match bere will rnoroughly enjoy it - the service provided is the best in che world."

For tbe busy star, being in the picniresque wine capital of Australia was relaxing and fun. He could spend time w ith bis son, away from d1e chaos

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of big cities. "The uniqueness is the pace at which everything in Adelaide moves," Jadeja said.

On d1e best place in South A ustralia Jadeja said, " lt's a tough one, it's like asking Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar or Garry Sobers? Every place that I went was fabulous, but if I had to pick, I loved sandboarding the massive dunes of 'Little Sahara' with Aipen at Kangaroo Island."

The film was launched by South Australian Deputy Premier

John Rau on his recent visit to India for a trade mission.

"The India versus Pakistan game is a real draw card for Adelaide and will reach an anticipated global television audience of over one billion people," Rau said.

"The Cricket \i1ocld Cup provides a great tourism opportunity in the key market of India and the subcontinent.

The film aims to uncover me real South Australia. We wanted to caprnre the experiences of real people in a creative way."

Conceptualised and commissioned by the South Australian Tourism Commission as pare of its India Strategy 2020, the trilogy is directed by Indian film mal<er, Deepti Chawla

and produced by Daydreamer Pictmes.

Accompanied by a soulful, earthy track composed by renowned Bollywood musicians Siddhartb and Sangeec Haldipttr, the film aims to show content Indian visitors can identify with.

"There is huge potential to showcase our state through d1e o nline medium and d1ese films are designed to tap into that potential," Rau said.

The films will also be supported by a domestic media and communications strategy aimed at the VFR (Visiting Friends and Relatives) segment and Indians in other A ustralian stares as well as the Middle East, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand and the US.

NOVEMBER 2014 13

INDIAOZ

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•

/IT alumni help forge links between their alma mater and universities here

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"The education initiative is our first large-scale endeavour and we hope to continue with it in the next few years. We also have plans for an industry-related conference in the near future"

Samit Chandra Vice President, 1/TAA

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::,NI ANAND LUTHRA

id you know that 24 per cent of the scientists at NASA regard the Indian I.nstimtes of Technology (IITs) as their alma mater?

Th.is Statistic was mentioned by the Consul General of India (Sydney) Sunjay Sudbir, a former IITian himself, at a recent conference organised by the ITT Alumni Association of Australia (IITAA).

The conference, held in association with the education chapter of the Australia India Business Council, was aimed at forging pathways for IITs to connect with universities here.

Ir saw a number of visiting UT top brass interact with their counterparts at Australian universities in a bid to explore increased research partnerships.

The IIT visirors included one di rector (Prof. U.B. Desai of

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14 NOVEMBER 2014

IIT Hyderabad) and four d eans (Prof. Amar Samanta of llT Kharagpu1·, Prof. Sandeep Singh of IIT Roorkee, Prof. Dheeraj Sanghi of IIT Kanpur and Prof.

J\loke Ghosal o f IIT G uwahati).

Over the course of the conference at the MLC Centre, they made presentations about their own instimtes, their particular research strengths and their visions for the future.

They also heard from representatives of Australian universities such as Ptof. Judy Raper (Deputy Vice CbanceUor of the University of Wollongong), Prof. Barney Glover (Vice Chancellor of UWS), Prof. Jim Lee (Deputy Vice Chancellor of Macquarie University), Prof. Veena Sebjawala (Scientia professor a t UNSW and an IITian herself), Prof. Joseph Davis (from the University of Sydney's School of Information Technologies), James Keenan (Head of Partnerships at Macquarie U niversity) and Prof.

Mary O'Kane (Chief Scientist of l SW).

Two panel discussions held ar rhe event also threshed out the role of IITs in cutting edge research and bow Australian universities could harness them in partnership; Australian case studies and best

practices on research partners hips, and d1e possibility o f exchange of faculty and smclems between IITs and universities here. The discussions were organised by Muralidharao, chairman of AIBC education chapter.

Over rhe next three days, the visitors from India traveUed [0 universities here in SW as weU as in Victoria and in Canberra.

The research relationship between India and Australia bas grown by leaps and bounds in recen t years. Prime 1\1.inister Tony Abbot[ pledged on bis recent trip to India, $20 million for the Australia lndia Stra[egic Research Fund. In October, the Australia Lidia Council announced funding for 13 specific collaborative research projects d1at: will mutually benefit the two countries.

Indian Prime 1\1.in.ister arendra Modi's 'Make in India' campaign will have potential as well to see this relationship develop fnrd1er.

Prof. U.B. Desai, Direcror o f IIT Hyderabad was pleased with the outcomes of the visit He said , "We exchanged key opportunities (with our Australian counterparts) and had one on o ne meetings to pursue specific action items."

Prof. Mark Hoffman, Pro Vice Chancellor of UNSW said, "The

initiative helped to make UNSW more familiar with a number of the IITs and hopefully will lead ro more reciprocal and collaborative agreements."

Alumni can play a sign.incant role i n creating such links, says Samit Chandra, the Vice President of the IITAA. "Creating such opportunities is particularly satisfying for us," he told Indian Link. "\Ve are indebted both co our alma ma[er and co our new home here, and our efforts can bru1g about fruitful outcomes for both."

"The education initiative is our first large-scale endeavour and we hope to continue with it in die next few years," Chandra, an IIT Roorkee alumnus, revealed. "'il/e also have plans for an industryrelated conference in die near fumre."

As well, there are plans afoot for programs with PAN-IIT USA, a more global alumni organisation.

The IITAA was founded in 2003, but only became activem a professional sense five years ago, Chandra revealed , with momentum picking up two years ago as d1e numbers increased in Australia. The organisation recently pare sponsored an UT Roorkee race car project, in which

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a smdent team not only designed and fabricated a race car bur also competed in an international competition, the FSJ\E Australasia held in Melbourne. The Indian team was adjudged the best in the fuel efficiency category.

The IITs are India's most prestigious science .institutions.

"It may be d1e most important university you have never heard of," a recent 60 1\!Ii1111/es segment on India's premier techno logical university began famously.

It was in 1946 tl1at the id ea of tl1e IITs fust came up, as plans began to be drawn for the governance o f a soon-to-be independent India. The founding fathers of die nation, realising the imponance of tertiary technical institutions in the job of nation-building, suggested tl1e setting up of the instimres across the cotmtry. The first IIT was established in Kharagpur in 1950. Within the next decade, the .institutes at Delhi, Bombay, Madras and Kanpur came into being, and became highly regarded as educational .instimtions that trained young India's scientists.

Today there are 16 IJTs in India, and many more institutes are awaiting recognition to become fuU-lledged IITs.

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NOVEMBER 2014 15

FESTIVAL

Par iament House oes Diwa i

enator Concetta Fierravan ti-Wells (Parliarnen tary Secretary to tbe Minister for Social Services) and Senator Zed Seselja .recently helped usher in tbe Hindn New Year by co-hosting Diwali festivities at Parliament House The occasion saw leaders from across all political parties come togetl1er at a special gathering of prominent Indian Australians, at the event co-hosi:ed by the Hindu Council of A Ltsttalia.

Senaror Fierrannri-W1ells, who has special responsibility for M ulticul rural Affairs and Settlement Services, said Hindu and other communities had contributed to the richness and vitality of Australia. " W/e welcome and celebrate the valuable contrib u tion our many communities have m ade to Australia's social cohesion," said Senator F ierravanti-Wells.

"I congratulate the Hindu Council of Australia for its contribution over tbe past 16 years to supporting and fostering

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growth and integration and the work of its participating organ isations. The Council should also be commended for its active work in imerfaim meetings and nmlticultucal activi ties in Australia."

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ouse's

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n a historic move sure to strengthen bonds between India and New South \'.::1ales, the sails of the Sydney Opera House were illuminated recently to celebrate the Hindu festival of light, Deepavali.

From 8pm until midnight on Tuesday 21 October, tl1e Australian icon was awash in colour, featuring a series of images and projections related to the popular Hindi festival.

In spite of the rains., some 300 people gathered to see ilie historic even t, and many found vantage points along the harbour to get the best p hotogr_aphs.

A n image snapped b y Indian Llnk's Sachin Wakhare even made the front page of one of India's leading E nglish language dailies, Hi11dmta11 Times, alongside commen ts from Tndiat1 Link CEO Pawan Lutbra.

NSW Premier Mike Baird and i'vlinister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello hosted ilie event alongside M uJticulmral NSW Chair and

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prominent member of the Indian community, Dr Hari Harinatl1. The trio lit a d!Ja, a ceremonial lamp io Hindu culture that signifies d1e lifting of spiritual darkness and the renewal of life.

The NSW Parliament House in Sydney also lit up simultaneously and will remain lit each night umil \1(7ednesday 5 November in support of ilie Deepavali festival, io a tradition mat began ten years ago.

NOVEMBER 2014 17

INDIANNEWS

Top athletes question timing of national championships urrenr and former athletes have criticised the timing of the 54tl1 National Open Atl1letics Championships that were beld from 2-5 ovember in New Delhi, saying chat holding such a meet at the very end of the season serves little purpose and could in face be detrimemal co the players' interests, defeating the very reason behind the championships.

Tbe event was at the end of a gruelling season. India's top crack and field athletes participated in two major evems - the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.

The Championships saw a depleted scare as several top athletes withdrew due to injuries and fatigue.

Asian Games silver medallist Manju Bala Singh opted o ut of the women's bammer throw event. National record holder race walker KT. Irfan also pulled out citing a swollen ankle.

But tl1e most shocking was Asian Games silver medallist, Khusbbir Kaur who quit during the 20km race walk. Khusbbir had completed nearly half the race when her coach Alexander Artsybas hev forced her ro stop, concerned that she may gee injured.

Most top atllletes, working with public sector companies, made themselves available only for the salte o f their employers. Several performed considetably below their best and admitted tl1at they were not much concerned about their performance as it "meant little" in meir scheme of dungs.

"After the Asian Games I did not gee much time to train. The schedule was really pnnishing. I trained for only two-three days for this competicion. But I was confident of winning despite the lack of training," said M. Poovamma, who won the Women's 400m Gold.

The Asian bronze medallist said chat it is difficult to find motivation after two back-toback mega events and revealed mac she did not give it her best to prevent picking up an injury.

"Taking risk isn't wise in tl1ese circumstances. Compared co other tracks, tl1is track is not well maintained. And I am also not happy with the facilicies provided," added Poovamma.

"I turned up for my employers ONGC. Running ell.is event doesn't matter to me.

I am not concerned with whatever tin1e I register here. This was the last meet of a long season and 1 am glad that it's over."

Her 4x400m relay team mates J\fandeep Kaur and Priya.nka Panwar, who claimed the Asiad gold, also .skipped tbe event.

Legendary athlete, PT. Usha also echoed Poovamma's sentiments. "This event should have been held before tl1e two mega events.

Ir would have proved co be a great warmup evem and given the amleces a lor of confidence. But hoscing it now serves no purpose."

"Athletes are rnnuing chis event for the sake of their employers. What is the point o f running well in tbese championships, after die season has ended? If your mind is willing to run and perform, tl1en only you nm fast and win," added me P'!ffoli Express, also infuriated by the poor infrastructure for the event "After hitting peak form, a certain amount of laxity d oes arise in the atliletes. Then it

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becomes difficult for mem co perform at their opcimum. Usually an exrended gap helps the athletes to recover from big events.

But this year chat hasn't been the case," said ilie cwo-cime Asian Games silver medallist, Soma Biswas.

Kiss of Love in Kolkata After Kerala, West Bengal will now hose Kiss of Love, when youngsters in me state capital Kolkata will indulge in public displays of affeccion as a mack of protest against moral policing.

In solidarity wim tl1ose who courted police accion during tl1e Kiss of Love in Kocbi earlier, srudents of India's prestigious Jadavpur U1i.iversicy are o rganising a similar event in South Kolkata. "\V/e are procescing against the organised instances of moral policing. lnterested cicizens are welcome to join us," said university student Nabotcama Pal. "From Kochi to Kolkata, instances of moral policing are not rare. A saffron wm7 e is slowly but surely engulfing the country - be it tl1rough accusations of conduccing Love Jihad for loving a person from a different religion or attack on young people displaying affeccion."

Students will form a human chain and walk from tlle university premises to finally engaging in kissing, hugging, showering affeccion to each other through wh ichever way they feel comfortable, witb mucual consent, in the Jadavpur police stacion area.

They will also move o n to the SB bus stand opposite the rni.iversicy campus to publicly discuss tl1eir stand against moral policing and why they mink it is wrong. A similar event will be followed by Presidency University students as well.

"We will also raise our vo.ice against cl1e recent incident where me autl1oricies of a cinema hall allegedly harassed a girl on the grounds that she was wearing a kneelengtl1 skirt, which according co them was indecent," quipped Nabottama.

Kiss of Love .is a protest against me recent attack on a cafe in Kozhikode after a TV

channel showed yorn1g men and women hug and kiss during tlieir visits to the outlet for snacks.

30 Indian-Americans vying for office in the US poll i\ record 30 Indian-Americans are contesting the US elections mat will determine the course of power politics in die last two years of President Barack Obama's term in office.

Nearly three million people of Indian descent, with an ever growing number of officials in high places, are better educated, earn more tl1an ocher Americans, bur haven't had much of an impact on national policies though mey have two state governors and a lawmaker in the House.

No Indian-American is running for any of the 36 seats, including three special eleccions, up for ballot in the 100 member Senate where Oba.ma's Democracic Parry is facing the prospect of losing its 53-45 majority with two Independents in me mix. But four of tliem are vying for a two-year term in me House where all 435 seats are up for eleccion.

In a divided US Congress, Opposition Republicans currently control the House with a 233-199 lead. Poll pw1dits expect the Republicans co keep their lead if not increase it.

Prominent among desi contestants to the House are D emocrat Amerisb '.Ami' Bera, who cwo years ago became only the third Indian- American lawmaker in US history, after Dalip Singh Saund and Bobby Jindal, and a former Obama adni.inistracion official Rohit 'Ro' Khanna.

Bera, whose parents emigrated from Rajkot, Gujarat, received a big boost in his tight re-eleccion race against Republican businessman Doug Ose in Califotnia's 7th district wich former President Bill Clinton corning to stumps for him recently.

In the battle for Silicon Valley, Khanna, former depmy assistant secretary in Commerce department, is giving a run for his money to veteran fellow Democrat Mike Honda, who has held the seat for the past 14 years.

Khanna, who has won the backing of Yahoo's Marissa Mayer and Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg in tbis home of tech cicans, called it "the best pick up oppornmity for an lndian American in the country" .

In Pennsylvania, Democrat Iraq war veteran physician Manan Trivedi is making his third cry to enter me House, wli.ile.

Arvin Vobra of the Libertarian Party is running from Maryland.

In the Stares, Republican r ikki Haley, seeking a second four-year tetm as South Carolina Governor, was considered a virtual shoo in even before her Democratic opponent Vincent Sheheen called ber a " whore" at a campaign rally and became "a headache" for his party. inirata Nikki Randhawa, tbe daughter of Sikh immigrant parents, has also received me backing of Louisiana governor, Piyush 'Bobby' Jindal, who llimself is considering a presidencial mo in 2016.

But in Californi.a governor's race, fel.low Republican i eel Kashkari, also known as me '700 billion dollar man' for running me bailout program after the 2007-2008 financial crisis, faces an uphill task against Democratic Governor, Jerry Brown.

If he wins again as expected, Brown, 76, will become me only California governor elected to four terms.

In the race for California's top law officer, Kamala Harris, me state's first female Indian-American and AfricanAmerican Attorney General, is sitting pretty against Republican Ronald Gold.

The daughter of an Indian motlier from Cben nai and a Jamaican father, whom Obama last year called "by far tl1e bestlooking Attorney General", which caused a bit of a stir, is also said co be on me President's short list to succeed Attorney General Eric Holder.

A score of oilier Indian-Americans nine Republicans, 10 Democrats and one Independent, are eyeing legislative seats in 15 states in a h id w win a rightful place in me policical arena for tbe community.

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NOVEMBER 2014 19

DESTINATION

•

1ca

ore

It is the fabled Indian 'city of palaces; but tourists love it also for its temples, wildlife and much more

he young man dispensed a fragrant dollop o n to my wrist from the perfume bottle he was holding: "I r's the same as Cah in Klein's Eternity," he said. I was in Devaraja Market, Mysore, a city famed for jcs silk, sandalwood, incense and perfume.

The scenic journey co M ysore from Bengaluru travels pa-st silkworm farms and green countryside of wheat and sugarcane fields, lakes, irrigation canals and rivers. Sheep and goats graze amid eucalyptus trees inttoduced from Australia, and jutting from the land are gigantic rock formations.

Mysore gets its name from the demon Icing of Hindu mythology and was tuled successively by the Ganga, Chola, Hoysala ru1d Vijayanagara kjngs until 1399 when the \Xi'odeyars ruled almost continuously for six centuries, interrupted only during a bcief period when Hyder Ali ru1d his son Tipu Sultan ruled in the mid 18'" century, Redolent of royal excess, Mysore is a city of palaces, the most sumptuous being the scmmingly beautiful Mysore Palace, completed in 1912 just as the suo was setting on the extravagant way of life it enshrined. It was here that the Maharajah rode in his Rolls-Royce and enjoyed elephant parades.

The architectural style o f the palace is known as Indo-Saracenk, blending Hindu, Muslim and Gothic styles of architecture built of grey grruute and deep pink marble, with interiors that are a monumental kaleidoscope of brightly coloured srained glass, gilt mirrors, iron filigree and ornate jvory inlaid dooxs. 111e Marriage Pavilion soars upwards to an octagonal painted glass ceiling featuring peacock motifs and a bronze chandelier supported by colonnaded turquoise pillars.

The vast public Durbar Hall, or ceremoLual hall of the royal court, contains a priceless collection of paintings and opens onto an expansive balcony supported by massive pillars. The private Durbar Hall is exqwsite; richly decorated with stained glass ceilings and chandeliers. And while I marvelled at the palace's interiors, I returned 7

20 NOVEMBER 2014

that Sunday evetung when the palace was illuminated as thousands of people converged together and a brass band played with considerable gusto.

Opposite the Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery in Jaganmohan Palace treasures are displayed in glass cabinets in a somewhat haphazard fasruon, while the climb up a steep flight of stairs was rewarded by a richly decorated timber colonnaded hall.

Mysore is a friendly, easygoing city of low shuttered bungalows shaded by firecracker red Poinciana, the streets lined with shady ttees, tares as lndia's second cleanest city and is compact enough for exploring on foot. The main shopping street is Sayaji Rao Road where you'll find bookstores, restaurants and the colourful Devaraja Market that stretches for several blocks. Cauvery Arts and Crafts Emporium is where you'll find gifts and there are many impressive churches including St Philomena Cathedral, one of the largest churches in Inrua.

Mysore also makes an ideal base for viewing the many temples, palaces and forests chat are located

nearby. Just o utside the city are palaces built by the maharajahs to accommodate foreign guests, including the huge Lalitha 1\.fahal Palace and the Royal Orchid Brindavru1 Garden with expansive views of the Krishnarajasagar Dam, one of India's largest.

Brindavan Gardens is busrung witl1 picnickers enjoying the cascading waterfalls, founr,1-ins, lawns and flowering plants.

For those who enjoy hilcing, the dinib up to ChamuncLi Hill is rewarded by a giant Nandi carved out of solid rock that dates back to 1659 and at five metres high is one of the largest in India. At the summit, the seven story Sri Chamundeswari Temple is a huge structure with a large gopuram 40 metres high.

You can also visit the extensive ruins of the former capital, the fortress city of Srirangapatna bw.lc

by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan on an island and the beautiful temple of Somnathpur.

As the sandalwood and incense capital of India, you can see aod smell the process of making incense sticks, not only from sandalwood, but from jasmine,

rose and musk. You can also visit tl1e Government Sandalwood Oil Factory where sandalwood oil is distilled. agarhole and Banrupur are major wildlife sanctuaries known for bison, deer, tigers, leopards and elephants and wblle I only drove through Bru1dipur, I spotted deer and wild boar.

Back in May 1991 I was bound for Chem1ai to begin a journey that would take me to Mysore. It was not co be. The assassination of Rajiv Gandru and tl1e civil tLlll'.esc that followed cut short my trip if not my resolve to go there.

After all these years, l still have the letter ro confirm my reservation from the Hotel Metropole o riginally built co serve as tl1e residence of the Maharaja's guests.

The charming hotel remains nmch as I would have fotmd it then, ,vith a lawn, shutters, historic portraits and antiques. With the fragrance of several sticks of sru1dalwood incense l'd bought wafting in m y swte, I retrieved the letter from my sw tease, and watched the sunset from the wide open verandah, glad that I had come this far.

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GETTING THEQ [ Several airlines fly fromAustra lia to Bengaluru.Beacon Holidayscan suggest the best options Tel: 1800667 791 orwww.beaconholidays.com.au r [TT I Nr \ROU f\ D You can arrangea bus transfer from BengaluruairRortto Mysoll' or from Bengaluru hop on a bus or the Shatabdi Express. Mysore isa compact city ideally suited ~r exploring on foot. Auto-rickshaws go by the meter with rides aero~ the city costing around Rs.30.

VI-< ERE TO ST, The Royal Orchid Metropole (5Jhansilakshmi Bili Road, Mysore) isa historicboutique hotel with spacious roomsand an exceptional restaurant. Its sister property, the Royal Orchid Brindavan Garden, offers superb views of the gardens below -www.royalorchidhotels.com.

The Siddhartha and Dasaprakash are good budget choices.

.::; t10 PP 11\i G There are several good bookstores in Mysore. Ashoksand Geetha are recommended. The vast Cauvery Karnataka State Arts and Crafts Emporium offers an array of sandalwood, soap, incense, perfume and other locally produced items. The Government sandalwood Oil Factoryand Silk Factoryare close by. ~ URT f-< ER 11\ ~ 0 RIv" AT IO I\ Contact India Tourism Level 5, Glasshouse Shopping Complex; 135 King Street,Sydney 02 9221-9555 www.incredibleindia.org

INDIANLINK

NOVEMBER 2014 21

OPINION

rtune

~

worldtravel§ A beacon of hope for India

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International Seat Salef

PM Narendra Modi relies on progressive mantras to build a transformed India be it plastics or cars, satellites or agricultural produces" with "zero defect and zero effect (on the environmen t)".

Modi has already attracted several billions of dollars in promised invesunenr from countries such as Japan, China and the USA, as well as businesses such as Boeing, IBM, General Electric, Pepsico, ne of the potentially most Amazon and Facebook. The creation of a significant developments in lndia in new federal ministry for entrepreneurship recent rimes bas been the election and skill development augurs well to fol@ of arencL:a 11focli's government with the ambitious target of a thumping majority, skilling/ ups killing 500 clearing the way from million people in India by the crippling Limi cations 2022. of coalition politics that Modi also surprised had plagued the Indian everybody by inviting tbe government in recent political heads of India's times. Mocli comes to Modi has launched neighbouring countries power with arguably wella campaign of to his inauguration. He established credentials, o n 'Make in India' followed this by visiting the back of his success as with the aim to Bhutan and Nepal in the premier of the state the first few months of Gujarat. make India the of assuming power, With his election, the manufacturing clearly underscoring the political discourse in hub of the world importance his goveramenr India has shifted from has placed on developin g routine blame-games relations in the region. between parties to focus He also announced a slew on the 'development of economic assistance agenda'. There is now packages co these countries a renewed emphasis on in an apparent effort to dispel concerns governance standards, including qualicy regarding India's hegemon ic tendencies and speed of decision making enabled by .in irs neighbo urhood, and also as a e-government ini riatives. counter-weight to China's His mantra of increasing involvement in 'maximum governance South Asia. and minimum governm ent' has already With the successful attracted attention in accomplishment of India's global business and Mars O rbiter Missio n The vision and political circles. (]\if OM), Modi urged the In bis meetings visibility of the Indian Space Research with business leaders Prime Minister O rganisation (ISRO) to during his recent visit d evelop a SAARC satellite of a country is co the U nited Scares, as a gift to rhe neighbours. key to how the PM Modi highlighted He alms ro enlarge India's how 65 per cem of world perceives satellite-based navigation the Indian population that country. system footprin t ro is below the age of 35 In that respect, (with 50 per cent below cover all of South Asia, the age of 25), yielding there is no doubt and m share t he fruits rich 'demographic of its technological that Modi has dividends' and "vith the advancements wi th the charisma and potential to become the developing and the transformational the world's leading neighbouring nations supplier of manpower. leadership which don't en joy the With declining and capabilities, same. ageing populations and backed by the The visio n and visibility growing skill gaps in of the Prime Nlinister of overwhelming Science, Engineering and a country is key to how Technology (SET) secmrs public mandate in western countries, this the world perceives that in the recent may indeed become a country. ln that respect, parliamentary and reality. there is no doubt that It goes without saying state elections Modi has the charisma and that th.is dividend can transformational leadership quickly turn into a huge capabilities, backed by liability if enough job the overwhelming public opportunities are nor mandate in rhe recent created. Thar is why Modi parliamentar y and has launched a campaign state elections. of ']'.fake in India' with the aim to make While it is still very early to judge the India the manufacturing hub of the world.

In his Independence Day speecl1, he success or otherwise of PM Modi and his invited the world to "come make in India, gover nment, the signs are encouraging.

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eace ~

~ Uluru : ST AftT 1'7.0c~ol,.,..

1

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Let's run to create a more peaceful world, writes GRAHAK CUNNINGHAM riday 17 October saw the start of the Australian 2014 Sri Chi.nrnoy OnenessHome Peace Run. The tun began from Uluru, the emblematic heart of Australia, and then progressed south before reaching the Flinders Ranges, moving through to Adelaide, then following the length of the mighty Murray River from its mouth ro its source before it will conclude in Canberra on 24 November.

Pounded by Sri Chinrnoy in 1987, the Peace Run has traversed over I00 nations and touched the lives of millions of people. The Peace Runners carry a flaming torch, symbolic of bmnanity's aspiration for peace. Sri Chinmoy said , ''Peace does not mean the absence of war. Peace means a Rood of love in the world family."

The run does not seek to raise money or highlight any political cause, but simply strives ro create goodwill among people of all nations with the ideal that we can

all contribute to a more

peaceful world.

Perth runner Prabuddha Nicol who bas participated in Peace Runs in America, Malaysia and China is currently the team leader which consists of runners from Ukraine, :Mongolia, Canada, New Zealand, lceland and Great Britain.

"I am doing the section from Uluru to Adelaide," icol said. '' We meet so many people along the way. early everyone wants world peace and the Peace Run allows people to express tl1at yearning."

The torch has been held by many dignitaries and humanitarians including Nelson :tvfandela, Mo hammed Ali and Morber Teresa but it really aims to touch the lives of everyday people who hope for a more peaceful world, by passing the torch from one person to the next, from hand to hand, heart to heart.

It offers people from differem

backgrounds, faiths and communities rhe opportunity to express their hope5 and dreams for a better, brighter future; it unites them together in a common aspiration ro offer something positive ro the world.

The Sri Chinmoy OnenessHome Peace Run is organised by an .imeroational network of volunteers. Co-ordinators in each country partner locally with

Runners Prana va a nd Dhiraja from Iceland and NZ

schools, community groups, sporting organisations, city and state government departments to bring the run to the community encouraging international

GS

friendship and understanding.

Numerous people are participating in the Peace Run in their city to hold the to.rch and show support for peace.

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INDIANLINK

NOVEMBER 2014 23

BEAUTY

eau An easily available ingredient in your kitchen offers numerous beauty solutions Hair

ccording to the dailymail.co.uk, the drop dead gorgeous actress Jvfegan Fox cleanses and d etoxes her system with a combination o f Apple Cid er Vinegar and water. J'vlost of us have used Apple Cider Vinegar as a salad dressing, b ut reading a little more about it showed up a whole list of solutions to everyday skin and hair problems.

Recently, I changed the brand o f hair colour I use and clum ps o f hai.r started to fall our! I didn't know what to attribute it to - the l ncLia.n m o nsoons, the hard water, just die hair colour, or a side effect to m y recent viral infection.

Stressed about my tresses, I thoug ht of crying A.CV (Apple Cider Vinegar). While there has been only a slight reduction in hair loss in the past two weeks tl1at l have used it, l muse say, the last rinse with ACV mixed with water left m y hair softer and way more manageable.

Ideally, the raw and organic ACV would be your best bet, but if you can't get chat, you can pick up one which preferably bas no additives o r preservatives.

ACV has high levels o f potassium, and the acetic acid, the main ingredient of v inegar, strips hair of any product buildup, leaving the hair soft and shiny. This ingredient bas many benefits to offer.

A

To treat dandruff, dry scalp or hair loss, mix ¼ cup of ACV with 'I• cup of water and apply to your scalp. Leave for 20 minutes dien wash off This will cake care o f dandruff aud al~o give you soft and shiny hair. ACV ha.s anti-fungal and anti-bacterial qualities that fight infection. You cau also use the same solution as die lase rinse after you have washed off die conditioner.

This works for coloured hair as well.

5km ACV also helps with skin related issues. It can be used co treat age spot\ sunburns, feet/ toe fungal or skin infections, wares and acne as well. Apply it co warts and leave it on overnight. Over a few weeks, the warts \.Vill come off.

If you have oily skin, apply a mix of one tablespoon ACV witb two tablespoons of wacer on your face. ACV is an effective toner and balances die pH levels of your skin.

Mi." equal amounts of ACV wim Fullers Earth and one t.ablespoon of honey, it makes an effective. face mask to deep cleanse and decox the skin on your face and neck. Leave it on till it dries aud rinse off.

Health Gargle a diluted solution of ACV in the moming to get rid of bad breath, to gee whiter teeth, and it can even unblock your sinuses if you have a cold.

Pour a cup of ACV into your bathrub as it fills up and c.'lke a long soak. The ACV will act as a detoxifying agent and help you relax after a hard day's work.

So quit the expensive salon treatments d1at unleash a slew of chemicals on your skin and hair, and cry chis great, all narural ingredient

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24 NOVEMBER 2014

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MAINSTREAM

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•

Sneh Roy provides nutritious, uncomplicated recipes that anyone can replicate at home

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BY DEEPA GOPINATH

s a child, Sneh Roy was a self-confessed ' nosy parker' in [he kitchen.

"1 was always in mnm's way asking a gazillion questions and basically doing everything I was not asked to do," says Roy of her childhood kitchen advenmres. ''My earliest memories of kneading a very squishy watery dough go back to when I "vas six. I learned m cook by trial a.nd error, and ha\Ting an often foolhardy sense of advenmre whete cooking was concerned!"

The curiosity has paid off for Mumbai-born Roy, who earlier this year released her first cookbook Tasty Express. The book is described as a collection of "super quick, super easy a.nd super tasty recipes for a healthier lifestyle" that was eagerly anticipated by the massi\Te fan base of Roy's highly successful blog, Cook Republic.

Based in Sydney since 2005, Soeh Roy's journey into the world o f culinary publishing began with the birth of Cook Republic the following year. The past year or so has seen Cook Republic receive significant accolades including winner of the Best Australian Blog 2013 in a competition run by The Australian \'v'riters' Centre, as well as being chosen i.n the Top F ive Voices of Australia in the Food a.nd \Xlellbeing category. The blog is a feast of sorrs, as Roy combines her talent for creating simple, delicious recipes with her skills as a writer, photographer a.nd designer. It is indeed ''visual stor ytelling of a nourishing life".

Memories and personal smries form one of the foundation stones of both Cook Republic and Tas!y Express.

"1 would like to think that Cook Republic is an honest recom1t of my daily life and everything that affects me," Roy says. "Tbe philosophy behind the blog is to share real food and real life, to pro\Tide inspiration so people can see the joy in little tilings a.nd reconnect with rituals and traditions that we seem to be losing everyday because of the pace of life and technology."

Roy is inspired by the CL1isine of many different cultures, and as a working mother of two young children, she aims to create nutritious, uncomplicated recipes

A

INDIANLINK

tliat anyone can replicate at home.

"1 \Vanted to simplify cooking delicious yet wholesome recipes not only for me bm for others who read m y blog," she says.

"In Tasry Express, I explore nutritionally rich, honest and adventurous recipes that can go from breakfast to lunchbox to dinner in minutes. Fresh, real food you could take to work, school, college or share witl1 fani.ily and frie nds over the weekend. Food as we eat now is a melting pot of flavours from all cultures," Roy says of her cooking style.

The new book is a collection of 110 recipes, of ,vhich the majority a.re vegetarian and a good number

gluren-free. There is a strong Indian Aavour to the book and the blog alike, both in terms of recipes and the srories that are shared.

They say we eat with our eyes, and it is Roy's evocative food photography that first draws the reader to Cook Republic, urging them to click on link after link of smnoing, creatively-styled images of the food she makes for her

family. Her talent .in t his Field is something to be shared, especially given the current eiiplosion i.n numbers of food p hotography hobbyists.

If the blog, cookbook, a brief stint as a columnist in Elle magazine, and a recently completed course in graphic design weren't enough to keep this computer engineer busy, Sneb Roy has another project in the works.

The new venmre is a food styling and phomgraphy workshop that is in its developmental stage..'>, something which will undoubtecliy be well received by those who a.re followers of Roy's work and budding food photographers themselves.

Taking Tasty Express from concept ro publication was 110 simple feat. ''1 had 40 days ro test all 110 recipes - several tin1es, write the book, cook the dishes, style and photograph chem and art direct tbe design," Roy reveals.

"I found it extremely challenging to go from cook to photographer to designer a.nd back to recipetester all in the space of a few hours. As v.ritl1 everydi.ing else I do, l overcame th.is by obsessing conscantly and sleeping very little!"

Tasa• E:,pm.r holds all of the warmth that is found on Cook Republic, which Roy refers to as her tl1ird cli.ild. A browse through the website can very easily become hours spe11t reading through persona.I anecdotes of Roy's family life a.nd her childhood. In o ne post, the reader gets an i11sighc into sweet memories of the early days of Roy's romance with her husband, a.nd she then unveils a recipe for the sin1ple pleasure that is a Bombay sandwich. In another post from last year, a. recipe for Malai Peda is preceded by a taste of the joys of celebrating Diwali in Inclia. "Today i s Diwali," she writes, "The Indian Festival of Lights. There are no firecrackers or lanterns, but caste is a very powerful sense. One nibble and l ca11 smell the smoky air, feel the heat of a sparkler on my arm a11d hear t he gentle hum of a hym11 being sung as people offer their prayers amidst the ding ding ding of temple beUs". It is imagery that you can't help but be drawn to.

Suddenl)' tl1ere is the faint smell of incense, the recollection of your ow11 childhood Diwali joys and an inexplicable craving for Malai PedrJ.

Ta.sty Express is published by Random House Australia and is availab/.e in bookstores and online.

NOVEMBER 2014 25

BOOKS

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I

Exploring the history ofMalaysia through war novels is a study in human emotions, writes VIKAS DATTA mong historical events that have left an enduring influence, the Second World Wat is certainly one d1ac lives up to its nam e. Its European, African and A merican components are adequately depicted, buc die Asian e.-xpetience, while not entirely absen t, is quite under-represented.

A nd this is despite the early 20d1 century being a tumulnious era for d1e region - older con fliers (the China-Japan War) segueing into d1e World \Xi'ar, which in its wake, sparked a spate of decolonisation and freedom struggles, some of them violent.

But diere are promising voices appearing, such as Malaysian lawyer-turned-author Tan Twan Eng widi his first two intricacelycraftecl, evocative novels of the war and its effects in his ethnically-diverse homeland.

The war is the main component, but Tan's canvas stretches much wider in bod1 his debut Tbc Gift qf Rain (2007) and follow up The Garden of Evening l\!1i.sts, co encompass the d1emes o f loyalty and betrayal, sacrifice, survival and guilt, d1e persistence of memory, conilicting demands of collaboration and resistance, complications of a mixed-race heritage, and varied paths to redemption. All these are overlaid by a refined Eastern sensibility, a credible supernacu.rnJ motif and the aesthetics and lay out of a Japanese garden.

Set in the north-western coastal state of Penang in peninsular Malaysia before, during and after the war, Tbe Gift of Rdi11 is narrated in flashback by AngloChinese business magnate, Philip Hutton, who i s the sole survivor of a prominent E nglish family running a trading firm in colonial era Malaysia. His memories are triggered when he has an unexpected visitor, connected to someone from his past.

Before the war, Hutton, who has a cordial but difficulc relationship with his paternal and maternal relatives (especially his maternal grandfadier), befriends the Japanese consul, Hayato E ndo. \'{Th.j]e E ndo becomes h is preceptor in the new martial arc of aikido and ics philosoph)~ Hutton serves as the diplomat's guide to die area, but realises, as die Japanese invade, that E ndo was sent to reconno.itre

26 NOVEMBER 2014

is crafting "Yugiri" or die garden of die eveQlng mists, lives. She asks him co build a garden in her sister's memory. He refuses, but instead takes her on as an apprentice and teaches her die art even as die Communist insurgency erupts in :Malaysia and serves as che backdrop of the second story arc.

Bringing bodi arcs cogerner is the present when Japanese historian (and failed Kamikaze pilot) Yoshikawa Tacsuji visits

die area - and Hutton unknowingly aided him.

Under the occupation, both find themselves grappling to reconcile their friendship and loyalty to each other and co their countries (and in Hutton's case, his family).

Traversing a perilous path, Philip agrees to assist die Japanese and Endo in a b id to keep his family safe. Ac the same time, he passes intelligence co the guerrilla fighters, including die famous Poree 136, which include his best friend Kon, die son o f a local Ch inese triad boss. But there are tensions with d1e Communist partisans, hard line Japanese administrators and many unpleasant decisions and actions for Hutton, w ho does not emerge unscad1ed from me war.

Even afterwards, there is a furdier unpleasant but inevitable decision in respect to E ndo, with whom Hutton turns out to have a centuries-long association (revealed in the supernatural component). Ir is die pose-war visit from a Japanese widow, once a love interest of E ndo, who serves as the catalyst for the memories to emerge.

Tan's second novel Tbe Gardm of Bvming Mists, begins with the evocati\Te line: "On a mountain above the clouds once lived a man who had been the gardener of the Emperor of Japan". The book is narrated by newly retired Malaysian Supreme Court )udge Yun Ling Teoh and cakes place over diree different time periods.

Also wr:itten in flashback, it begins in the 1980s wim me judge suddenly resigning and moving co the Can1eron Highlands, where she had lived after the war. There she seeks to make sense of her life and experiences before the aphasia she has been diagnosed with cripples her speech and memory.

The World War is a backdrop for me first story arc, when Yun and her elder sister Yun Hong, of a prominent Straits Chinese family, are taken co an internment camp when the Japanese invade.

The only survivor, Yun develops a fervent hate for the Japanese and energetirnlly participates in die war crime trials. She also visits the highlands w here the taciturn Nakamura Aticomo, the aforementioned gardener, who

Yun and seeks information about Aritomo and h is garden - die only surviving one. The flashback leads Yun co re-examine her memories and the morally ambiguous actiom of both her and Aritom o in wartime, and later her "survivor guile".

Despite a languid pace, especially as far as die pre-war era is depicted and aesdietical details are mentioned, born of Tan's works are epic in scope.

The novels incorporate and deal with a range of hmnan emotions, motivations and clilemmas to offer an intense, invaluable and engrossing experience of \\7\V rI and its lingering effects in Soudi E ast Asia.

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FOOD

•

Pork burger, Ind 1an s Nothing says summer like barbecue. Here's to a smoking hot grilling season!

he barbecue cul mre is one of the first things chat all Indian expats adapt to their Aussie lifestyle. It is deep-rooted in our community to gather with friends and family, celebrating with d electable food.

And that's what a barbecue parry is all about - good food, good friends, good times!

It is also an extension of our love for tandoori (grilled). Though the Aussie barbecues are far from the ta11doori style of preparation, there are several similarities coo.

Like in most Indian households where the ta11rlo01· (clay oven) is usually manned by the men, the barbecue pit is also a male bastion.

The second, and the more important reason, is our love for grilled food. The lanrloo,is and tikkas feanire among the best loved Indian foods and there are am ple recipes, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian.

Now, let's twist things up a bit. Instead of grilling Oz style burgers this sum mer, let's try our hand at this hearty, indulgent pork hurger wi th an Indian twist.

Pork and pineapple is a classic combination, a match made in heaven! And just to spice things up, let's incorporate some familiar Indian flavours to the dish.

The secret to a delicious, succulent, juicy b urger lies mainly in the quality of meat. Instead of going for a store-bought mi nce, it is best to get good cuts of meat from your loca] butcher and ask him to mince it up for you. This way you get to choose how much fat goes into the mince. For this recipe, choose the pork sho ulder and the ratio of fat to meat in the mince is 1:4.

Minced onion, aromatics and a freshly roasted and ground spice mix is add ed to the pork mince to infuse the classic Indian flavours.

The caramelised pineapple add s a hint of sweetness and brings the spices to life.

The best thing about homemade burgers is that these are healthy, as you are i.n control of all the ingredien ts that go in and is a great way co get your faniily to eat veggies too.

Tliis is an extremely versari.le burger recipe; if you do not eat pork, use any meat that you want or even try out a vegetarian version making the mince using niixed vegetables and potacoes.

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Makes about 8-1 0 patties (these freeze well so you can make batches and stock away for later use; another idea is to make meatb alls and use it the next time you make spaghetti).

For the burger: 1 kg pork mince (use any meat that you want) 1 large red onion, finely chopped 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 inch ginger, finely chopped 1 large green chilli, finely chopped Indian spice blend: 2 tsp coriander seeds 2 tsp dry chili flakes 1 tsp cumin seeds Salt, to season 1 egg For the final sandwich: Burger buns 1 pineapple, cut into thick slices Cos lettuce, shredded 1 tomato, sliced ½ red onion, sliced finely A few sprigs of fresh coriander leaves Barbecue sauce

To prepare the spice blend, dry roast the coriander and cumin seeds. Cool, add the

chilli flakes and grind to a fine powder. I used the entire blend as I was wanted a good kick of the spices but you can add just enough to suit your taste preferences.

If you are using a food processor, throw in all the ingredients for the burger including t he spice blend; or finely chop the onion and aromatics and then mix all ingredients together for the burger patties.

Form the mince into circular patties and keep aside. Again, the thickness of the patty is entirely upto your preferences; I make thick ones and for a kilo of min ce, I got 10 patties.

Heat a grill pan, brush with oil and grill the patties till done;flip around after giving a couple of minutes to each side to get those char grilled marks. Leave them to rest for at least two minutes before preparing the burger.

Grill the pineapple slices (make sure the grill is smoking hot to instantly caramelize t he sugars which keeps the crunch intact and seals the juices inside; on low heat, the pineapple slices go limp and soggy).

Cut the burger buns into half an d grill for that extra crunch.

To assemble the sandwich, place shredded lettuce on t he bottom half of the bun and layer up in the order of patty, barbecue sauce, pineapple slice, tomato, onions and coriander leaves.

Gorge and get transported to burger heaven!

NOVEMBER 20 14 29

n our quest to find the oldest living life forms on this planet we made some fascinating discoveries. At the risk of taking out the spoiler award, let's just say there are some ultra-centenarians, some immortal species and some millions of years old, pre-human living entities st ill sharing oxygen with us!

I

10. Oldest planted tree The oldest surviving fruit tree planted by man with an ident ified planting date is a fig tree in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. The Jaya Sri Maha Bod hi is the sacred t ree grown from a sapling of the Bod hi Tree under which Lord Buddha received enlightenment. Planted in 288 BC, this ancient tree is well protected by authorities and is revered by Buddhists all over the world.

in oceans all over the world in swarms.

1. Oldest tree A Great Basin bristlecone pine named Methuselah, growing in the White Mountains of lnvo County, California is said to be 4846 years old. It was reputed to be the world's oldest known living non-clonal organism until 2013 when the t itle was clinched by another 5056 years old bristlecone pine discovered in the same area. Methuselah, however, continues to fascinate scientists and the public, and in order to prot ect it the Forest Services keep its exact location a well-guarded secret.

9. Oldest living woman Born on 5 March 1898, Japanese super centenarian, Misao Okawa, is the world's oldest living woman. At 116 years old, Misao is verified as t he oldest ever Japanese person, the oldest person born in Asia and the sixth oldest person ever. Although Misao now resides in a nursing home, she was able to do leg squats until the age of 102 and walk unaided until 110. She currently uses a wheelchair but is still able to propel herself.

8. Oldest shrimp The horseshoe shrimp holds t he title of t he oldest living species on earth that has existed unchanged for 200 million years. Pre-historic fossils of an animal exactly like it confi rm that the little creature has been unmarred by evolution. During dry spells, when the water in pools where they live dries up, the adult shrimps die, but their eggs have the ability to survive in the sand for up to twenty years. This survival technique could be the key to the unevolved longevity of this species.

7. Oldest tortoise Born in 1832, Jonathan, the Seychelles giant tortoise is the oldest living reptile in the world. Jonathan belongs to the government of Saint Helena and resides in the grounds of the Governor's House. He was brought to the island in 1882 along with three other tortoises at the age of 50. At 182, Jonathan is still going strong and could possibly break the record set by Adwaita, the giant tortoise from Kolkata, India who, at 255 years, was among the longest living animals on the planet until his death in 2006.

6. Oldest bacteria Over 250 million years old and still alive! That's Bacillus 2-9-3, a bacteria that was found trapped in suspended animation inside pre-historic salt crystals buried almost 2000 feet below ground in a cavern in New Mexico. The American scientists who managed to revive them claim they are the world's oldest living things.

Bacteria are equipped with the ability to combat harsh conditions and exist in suspended animation for long periods of time by forming resistant structures called spores.

5. Oldest bird Wisdom, a Laysan albatross turned 63 this year, making her the oldest known wild bird in the world. Studies show that Laysan albatrosses don't usually live beyond their 30th birthday which is why Wisdom, who gave birth to a chick recently on Midway Islands, has been perplexing scientists with her unusual age and the ability to give birth so late in life. She was tagged in 1956 and has since flown more than three million miles.

4. Oldest living man Super centenarian, Sakari Momoi of Japan has been verified by Guinness World Records as the oldest man living. Born in 1903, Momoi turned 111 this year. He was born a day after Alexander lmich who, also 111, held the title of the oldest living man until his death earlier this year. Momoi told reporters last year that he wished to live for two more years.

3. Living fossils Living things continually evolve through the ages and how most of them look like today is very different from what they started out. This makes the horseshoecrab a unique creature as it has remained virtually unchanged for over 445 million years. They are considered 'living fossils' and one of the oldest living animals on the planet. Thought to be from the Ordovician period, the crabs live near shallow ocean waters where their population is now being threatened by human activity.

2. Immortal jellyfish Turritopsis dohrnii, a tiny jellyfish discovered in the Mediterranean Sea in 1883, can age backward from a mature stage to a baby, qualifying as being immortal.

Normally the dohrnii reproduces and dies like other mortals, but if faced with life threatening conditions like starvation, instead of dying it can transform into a baby, time and time again! It turns into a cyst which develops into a polyp, the first stage in jellyfish life. Then, through asexual reproduction, it can produce hundreds of clones of its adult self. This unique ability is helping the Turritopsis dohrnii spread

30 NOVEMBER 2014

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MATRIMONIALS SEEKING BRIDES Well settled family in Australia invites alliance for 31 year old, 5"10, Sood Punjabi boy, B.Software E ngineer (honors), employed as a senior lT Consultant for Australian govt on high income. Seeking Indian girl, caste no bar. Send bio data & recent photo of girl to rajmaust@gma.il.com.

Seeking suitable match for Roman Catholic, Australian Citizen, Indian born, Separated, 46 years, Height 6'. Graduate, working permanent full time for the Government in the Health Industry. Please email particulars with pho tographs to chrisnorbert@outlook.com or shacletl 968@gma.il.com Suitable match required for Jain boy w ho w as born in Australia. He is handsome, has never married, a non smoker and is very social . Height 5' 9",40 years old, ,velJ educated and working full time in a Stab.le permanent job.

All fami.ly members are welJ educated and settled in Australia. Contact us with details at jaininaus@gmail.com Seeking suitable match for the re-marriage of 1978 Born Punjabi Brahmin Boy Height 5' 9", I ssueless, WelJ Settled Australian Citizen. Working as p rofessional for a Corporate based in Sydney. Caste no bar. Please email particulars with photographs to account8888@gmaiJ.com or Contact 0401954390

SEEKING GROOMS Well-settled Brahmin family in Australia invites alliance for 26 year old, 5"5, daughter. B Commerce/Graphic D esign, working fulltime. Seeking vegetarian, non-smoker & drinker preferably well-educated and settled in Australia. Please email interest to rkvm87@gma.il.com or call father on 0424251395

Parents looking for a Hindu boy for our d aughter in Melbou rne. She is 25 years old, 5feet 4inches tall, slim, fair, professional in medical field

and Australian citizen. The boy p referred 26 to 31 years old, should have a professional job and should be Australian citizen. Please respond with photo and derails to matchgroom@h o rmail.com Well settled P unjabi family in Sydney looking for professionally tJuahfied , very well settled boy for our daughtei:. Slim, beautiful, 5.4" 1985.

Government employee mba, master of teaching, citizen. Please send recent photo and bio data to schanderchopra@rediffmaiJ .com phone 0411320014 Seeking suitable match for 37-year-old Hindu girl, charted account, never married, with lndian family values and well-tllned to western values.

Please email with particulars: rkn1263@gmail.com Looking for a Punjabi boy for our daughter who is 29 years, 5'7", slim, very beautiful and working in finance sector in CBD. \Y./e have been settled in Sydney for past 40 years. E lder daughter is happily married in Sydney.

Looking for a professional Sydney-based boy for our younger daughter who is close to Indian culture. Please email details with photo: ozindian1 l @gmail. com AUST settled, professionally qualified matches required for our M O daughters, 24 (Ph armacist) and 22 (Podiatrist), born and educated in Melbourne. Punjabi/ Hindu family respects traditional & modern values.

Please communicate initially via Email: kspooni@hotmail.com Seeking suitable match for 43 year old Hindu Vaishnav Vanik girl, height 5 6", Computer Soft Ware Eng., divorcee, with Indian family values and well-tuned to western values. Please email with particulars: monidesail 972@gmail.com Hindu lady, Aust citizen, 56, young looking w ith fair complexion, divorced & vegetarian invites alliance from ideal match. He should be a non-smoker and preferably aged between 52 - 60. Please feel free co call 0449623316 anytime or email radiance88@live.com.

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(=QR NOVEMBER~----

By NANCY JADE ALTHEA

ARIES March 21 - April 19 This month you may have some misunderstandings with your partner. These will be easily resolved, as the cards are Indicating a short trip to get away and spend time together. You will be feeling very motivated with your work. You will be pushing yourself to gain recognition and rewards. Finances are looking good, but you need to be careful of over spending. Take time out to get exercise and keep active and fit. Good news about a test you took.

TAURUS April 20 - fv1ay 20 The cards are indicating a time when you will be craving attention from your partner. If single you will be looking to date that special person. This is a fantastic time for your career and finances. Success is indicated. You may consider moving to another country for a work opportunity. You may decide to Invest in shares. Take advice and make some wise decisions. You may be asked to help a relative with some paperwork.

GEMINI fv1ay 21 - June 20 This month is a good month for you, as you will be entering a new relationship. You will be feeling at peace and happy. Your work will be stressful and demanding. There will be many challenges and the cards are indicating you need to be careful of people at work who may be trying to cause trouble for you with your superiors. The cards are indicating a time to take care of your health. Make sure you have plenty of fresh air and keep your immune system boosted.

CANCER June 21 - July 20 You wi!I be devoting time to love, relationships and stability this month. There is an indication here that you may bump into an old flame, and you may rekindle some unfinished business. There will be a lot of stress around you and you must release this from your body. A good workout and walking must be considered. The cards are indicating a time of sorting out financial matters. Work will be busy. You are looking at buying a new car.

LEO July 21 - Aug 22 This month you will betaking time out to relax and spend time with your family. You may be planning a holiday and this is a great time to catch up with everyone you have not seen for a while. The cards are indicating good news is in the air, either a pregnancy or you may advertise plans to get engaged. Take care of your back this month and take it easy. You may get a sudden injury or suffer with an old one.

VIRGO Aug 23 - Sep 22 You will be planning to do some courses and looking to do some coaching this month. There will be a lot of changes around your work, and you will be looking at expanding your client base. There will be a friend who needs your help and support right now. The cards are Indicating a time when you need to keep your finances In check. Your relationship will be a little strained as you will not always see eye to eye.

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 ,

This month you will be spending a bit of time doing some much needed DIY. There will be some difficult situations at work, so keep calm and try and keep your head down. The cards are indicating a time of changes in your relationship. You will be feeling a little bored and you will need to spice things up. Keep an eye on your stomach as you may have some sensitivity to certain foods. An old school friend will make contact with you, which will make you very happy.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 This month will be full of different aspects in your relationship and work areas. You will be feeling a little stressed out with your partner, as they will be a bit needy and demanding of your time. Work will be busy and there will be deadlines to deal with. lfin business, there will be some difficult situations. Finances will be an important subject this month, you will be looking at investing in property. An older member of your family may suddenly be taken Ill.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 21 Your partner may be feeling under the weather this month, so it may be a time of taking care of them. There will be some important financial issues attached to important paperwork to deal with.

Keep things up to date. You will need to watch your diet and keep off junk food and smoking. There will be some new opportunities coming your way and you may need to take some important decisions. This is a time of stability and forward planning.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 19 This month you will be making some plans to invest in property and make some changes and alterations to an existing property.

The cards ate indicating a time of self-employed success, and an indication that you may give up work to start up something for yourself. There will be stress relating to a child and you will be unsure how to deal with them. Try not to rush around as you may get injured. Drive with care and diligence..

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - !=eb 18 This is a time of movement in most areas of your life. You will be looking at moving from your current property or accommodation.

As the year comes to a dose you will be making mental lists of what you have achieved. You will be keen to put your relationship on a different level and bring harmony to the situation. If single there is a strong chance of meeting a suitable partner. There will be new colleagues at work, who may not be supportive.

PISCES (=eb 19 - fv1arch 20 You will be thinking of taking a holiday. You will need some warmth in your bones. You may be suffering with knee problems. There is a new friendship forming and you will be keen to take things to the next level. Work wlll be slow and you will be looking at other opportunities. Keep an eye on your purse, as you have the tendency to get a bit carried away with the Christmas shopping. The cards are showing a time when you will be feeling at peace.

SRK, ALL TME WAY HAPPY NEW YEAR STARRING: hah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Boman Irani, Vivaan Shah, Jackie Shroff DIRECTOR: Farah Khan

*ti:t--u hat is it about Shah Rukh Khan that brings out the comic accent in Deepika Padukone?

She did a very funny, broad, South Indian accent in Mr Khan's inspired company in the maddeningly mundane Chennai Express. She repeats the farcical feat, this time doing a bravura Maharashtrian accent, a bar dancer grooving to Kaanta laga in her own free time.

Deepika dreams of running her own dance school where little girls will learn to dance not for drooling men, but just for the love of it.

And she's nailed it! That's what this film is all about! It's been made with no loftier intention than to provide low-brow entertainment.

Happy New Year (HNY) is the cinematic equivalent of freshly-plucked guavas from a roadside tree. Juicy, tempting but of indeterminate origin. Eat and enjoy at your own risk.

Some of the stuff passing off as humour in this tall of tale of a bunch of losers who dance their way into a billionrupee heist, is pretty....ummm....ugh.

Abhishek Bachchan, who plays another interesting character.just vomits on unsuspecting victims to get his way.

HNY is the kind of film that doesn't allow us to dwell on the crimes of excesses, of which there is plenty in this stretchedout plot. The carnival-like presentation is not quite the aesthetic experience that one expects from a film with such a classy l ine-up of actors and technicians.

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34 NOVEMBER 2014

Instead what we get in abundance are in-house jokes where Shah Rukh Khan does dialogue take-offs with his co-stars from his own famous films.

Speaking of take-offs, there is an excess of shirtless scenes featuring the King Khan and Sonu Sood who seem to enjoy dropping their shirts for no other reason but to become instant eye-candy for the ladies in the audience.

For most of the playing time the main actors play graceless dancers masquerading as wannabe winners at an international dance contest whose owner Jackie Shroff (scowling constantly) has a strange version to all things Indian.

Of course that gives our five heroes (and I am including Deepika in the list) a chance to dance with the Indian flag being waved defiantly at all the unpatriotic spoilsports.

The formula is fearsomely in-yourface. You can't miss the broadness of the humour and the patriotic spirit. Every emotion is like a message written on a t -shirt. Every actor seems to have been given the brief to be as loud as possible.

No wonder Sonu Sood plays a partially deaf character. It offsets the plot's ditsy celebration of dumbness.

Deepika is one ofthe more interesting characters in Farah's new 3-hour danceheist marathon. She sparkles in the dance and the talkie portions. Abhishek Bachchan's tapori act is written with overthe-top intentions. He manages to play

the character with a certain in-built cool that perhaps was not there in plot. But then, who knows what was and wasn't there? Even Farah would be flummoxed if asked.

Sonu Sood , Boman Irani and young Vivaan Shah suffer because of sketchily written parts but still succeed in making their presence felt, specially Sood who as per character sketch plays a 'bad' dancer which he is not by any stretch of imagination.

But it's the King Khan's show all the way. The director misses no chance to make Shah Rukh's 'loser' character Charlie emerge as a winner. Shah Rukh even has a long rooftop fight sequence with Korean dancers which has no bearing on anything but the hero's 8-pack midriff.

Somewhere in the scramble to engage

our attention, the plot comes up with fi lmmaker Anurag Kashyap and musician Vishal Dadlani playing closet-gay reality-show judges who are blackmailed by Charlie into eligib ility.

Heroes, in case we forget, can do no wrong; even when they are caught doing wrong. For all its sins of excesses HNY is a full-on paisa-vasoo/ movie. It is a rollicking, rumbustious ode to the spirit of whopping, howling, shrieking and bantering camaraderie. Filled with tongue-in-cheek episodes of hipswaying audacity, the all-pervasive madness is infectious.

SUBHASH K. JHA

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SINCERE, WELL-CRAFTED CINEMA FIREFLIES STARRING: Rahul Khanna, Arjun Mathur, Monica Dogra, Shivani Ghai, Aadya S-edi WRITER/DIRECTOR: Sabal Singh Shekhawat

***"-r~

hings fall apart, the centre cannot hold, and a tear-dimmed tide is unleashed on the characters of this intimate character-study.

Fireflies is a well-intentioned lndie film with a clear-cut target audience.

Admittedly there is an inherent pretentiousness attached to an Indian film where the characters, no matter how urbane, speak only in English. Even the songs in Fireflies are in English. That's like a sonata in Sonepur me/a.

Nonetheless there is a fascinating undercurrent of sensuality to the proceedings -crimson-red wine clinking in crystal glasses, diamonds rustling against silken saris, the rain splattering against high-rise windowpanes to accentuate the pain, all of this compounded by a very good-looking cast that seems to intuitively grasp the nature of the goings-on.

Fireflies is like chapters out of a dreamilywritten half-finished novel about incomplete lives.

It's the story of two incompatible brothers Shiv and Rana whose lives seem to run on parallel tracks. As played by

T

Rahul Khanna and Arjun Mathur these two brothers could be long-distance cousins of Shashi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan in Deewaar. Except that the script here lacks the commercia l expanse of the masala epic on sibling fights.

Fireflies is an elegantly-cut nugget about sibling bonding and an unspeakable family tragedy. Rahul and Arjun are fluently in friction, frequently intense and constantly in character.

Wonder what stops Arjun from gaining greater glory in our cinema!

Oh yes, this is a fetching film with some strikingly interesting female actors playing troubled characters who remind us that sexual relationships fall apart, but family stays.

The characters are mostly shot in dark hues suggesting the deep, suppressed longing that they are unable to express adequately in words. The stilted dialogues could be rationalised to that extent.

Rahul's disintegrating relationship with his upper-class wife (theatre actress Aadya Bedi, very effective) is weighed againstArjun's growing bonding with the mysterious Michelle (Monica Dogra, sensuous and self-assured).

While Rahul gets into a doomed extra-marital relationship with a former sweetheart Aila (Shivani Ghai, quite a find), his brother's relationship too heads fast to a dead end.

Cinematographer Shankar Raman shoots the Arjun-Monica relationship

in the nonjudgemental bustle of Bangkok creating in the alien environment a feeling of emotional panic barely concealed because... well, strangers are looking.

It all comes together at the end not too satisfactorily. In spite of a very weak endgame, the plot of Fireflies induces enough intrigue and mystery to keep us watching the film. It may not be the greatest of drama on the conundrum of human relationships, but debutant director Sabal Singh Shekhawat gets the mood, tempo and characterisations right most of the time.

Fireflies is an imperfect film about flawed characters who disguise their

spiritual ennui in tailored postures of sophistication. It's not a great film. But it's sincere and a largely well-crafted piece of cinema about fractured lives frozen in compromised relationships.

SUBHASH K. JHA

NATIONAL GEOGRAPMIC MEETS FEAR FACTOR ROAR - TIGERS OF THESUNDARBANS STARRING: Abhinav Shukla, Achint Kaur, Nora Fatehi, Ali Quli Mirza, Subrat Dutta DIRECTOR: Kamal Sadanah

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I

f you're looking for a rewarding cinematic experience with a coherent plot and well-rounded characters, then Roar may just prove a bore that you'd probably abhor.

But if you're the sort (like me) who grants leeway to movies for stretching their neck out beyond the domain of the conventional, then Roar has quite some visual swagger and splendour to it.

It's shot entirely in the dense Sundarban forests. Now the dilemma that debutant director Kamal Sadanah must have faced is, should he make a documentary about the tigers of Sunderbans (which would get no audience) or a fictional story set in the tiger sanctuary (which hopefully would attract an audience).

Regrettably, Roar suffers from an overwritten, excessively punctuated plot that groans and heaves forward wheezing with baggage fatigue.

The narrative, underlined by an insistent background score (fortunately no songs),

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strains so hard for effect that you fear for its life-force. Moreover, the editing is abysmal. Scenes written to highlight the irreconcilable differences between Man and Nature meander to an incomplete full-stop.

Stunning shots ofthe natural beauty of the Sunderbans cannot compensate for the lack of consistency and logic in the plot about a bunch of adventurers' revenge on a white tiger, which finally lurches to a whimper rather than a roar.

The characters are all written for the sake of creating a shock effect as one by one, the plot's populace pops off the face of a majestic map.

Time after time, the editing exposes the lack of coherence in the plot. Characters jump into the danger zone and then wait for the script to decide their future. The film was obviously written as the shooting progressed, thereby providing a rationale for the vast expanse of incidents that are crammed into this jungle-adventure story.

The killings In the sinister marshland are well-staged. In fact, the film's cinematography by Michael Watson is so brilliant that it makes you want to shove the characters and their inane prattle out of the way to just savour the magnificence of Sunderbans.

The acting is uniformly amateurish with the two female actors Himarsha and

Nora Fatehi joining together to create a wildlife cleavage club-they look and speak out of place in the jungles.

Attempts to add glamour to the grisly goings-on are downright clumsy. You can almost smell the director's unease and awkwardness in trying to infuse acceptable commercial trappings into the sun-kissed rugged picturesque locales.

What we get to know finally from this film about the relationship between Man and Nature is, it is one helluva screwed-up alliance.

This could have a brutal avatar of Born Free. If only it didn't conceal the exuberant

computer-graphics in streams of tribal folklore dressed up in swanky clothes. Images from National Geographic meet Fear Factor in this adventure saga.

The film claims to have not hurt any animals. But what about the poor audience? There ought to be a parallel SPCA- Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Audience.

SUBHASH K. JHA

NOVEMBER 2014 35

Bollywood mourns the loss of one of its finest villains "We will remember Sadashiv Amrapurkar as a versatile actor, popular across generations. RIP. My deepest condolences to his family," read a post on PM Mod i's Twitter handle @narendramodi.

The PM and many other veteran actors and film makers like Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Pooja Bhatt, Madhur Bhandarkar, Kuna!

Kohli, Riteish Deshmukh, offered condolences at the death of versatile actor, Sadashiv Amrapurkar, 64.

He was hospitalised at the Kokilabein Dhirubai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai with lung infection.

His Maharani act in Sadak and his genuine personality are trademarks that t he late actor Sadashiv Amrapurkar will always be remembered for, said celebrities from the Hindi film industry.

AMITABH BACHCHAN

Baba Sehgal plays himself in

Bank-Chor

KING KI--IAN'S BIRTI--IDAY DI--IOOM t was wishes galore for birthday boy Shah Rukh Khan who turned 49 on 2 November. The who's who of India's glitterati including West Bengal CM, Mamata Banerji, sports stars and several Bollywood stars, wished the King of Romance on the occasion.

The superstar said to the media that he doesn't count his years as he always feels energised and is actually looking forward to his SOth birthday.

It was a double dhamaka for SRK this year as his just released Happy New Year also made the quickest Rs.100 crore on the box office (it has now touched the Rs 200 crore mark).

On his birthday SRK came out to greet his eager fans waiting to wish him, and later tweeted, "So many beautiful people outside Mannat. Thank you all for celebrating my birthday with such ownership and love. Very humbling:' A special gift from Dharma Productions was Best Moments with SRK- a bouquet of memorable moments from their films with SRK for his fans to enjoy.

The best of scenes were picked from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Kai Ho Naa Ho and Kabhi Avida NaaKehna.

As well, DOU (Di/wale Du/haniya Le Jayenge) is set to complete 1,000 weeks next month. "Aditya Chopra is planning to have us all watch the film together with some unedited footage. There is a lot of affection attached to the film;' said SRK on the occasion of his birthday bash.

The actor, who has played negative roles in the past, also said he would love to do Dhoom 4 if approached. So far John Abraham, Hrithik Roshan and Aamir Khan have played the main villain in the Dhoom franchise. When asked if he would like to do a negative role in Dhoom 4, SRK said, "I am doing a film with Yash Raj currently, Fan. If I get an opportunity, I would love to do Dhoom 4'.'

I

36 NOVEMBER 2014

Baba Sehgal, popular as the king of desi rap, will be seen as himself in Y-Films's Bank-Chor. His cameo was especially written for the movie.

The singer, best remembered for songs like Thanda thanda paani and Oil dhadke, will be seen as one of the hostages stuck inside the bank during the heist in t he film. His character · will drive everyone - the robbers, the bank employees, customers and other hostages - crazy with his rapping.

"The part was specially written in a later draft as both Bumpy (the director) and I are huge fan boys of the man;' producer Ashish Patil, producer says.

"He's also been entertaining the crew with his batty raps that he makes up on the spot about everything from the oily medu wada to the spot boy serving chai.

What a mad film this is shaping out to be;• Patil added.

Bank-Chor is a comic-caper that tells the story of three morons trying to rob a bank who pick the worst day possible when everything that can go wrong, goes wrong and how they're inadvertently caught in the crossfire of p olicemen, industrialists and corrupt politicians.

The film stars Riteish Deshmukh, Vivek Oberoi and Rhea Chakraborty in lead roles.

Hariharan, Javed Akhtar team up for National Games theme song Lyricist Javed Akhtar and composersinger Hariharan are working together to bring out the theme song of India's 35th National Games, starting Jan 31.

Akhtar has penned the lyrics for the three-minute signature song in Hindi, while Hariharan has composed the music for it.

The song highlights the sportsman spirit. Apart from the song, jingles will also be used as fillers and would be released across the country on FM Radios.

A promo film on the event is being worked out as well

Yesudas, Shreya Ghosal, Salim Merchant, Shruthi Haasan and Hariharan have lent their voice on the project.

Big B, big paunch Big Bis currently in Kolkata, but you already know that because you follow him on social media!

He was seen cycling his way through the city's nerve centre BBD Bagh that houses numerous heritage structures as well as the Writers Buildings - the regular seat of the West Bengal government.

No, it wasn't a spot of exercise for the 71-year-old superstar; he was filmin g for his upcoming film Piku.

"Kolkata shall always hold a special place," Amitabh tweeted. "It's a 'city of joy'that energises you with intellect and passion:' He also claimed that the city made him nostalgic and brought back "too many memories."

Amitabh had migrated to the eastern metropolis in search of a future and a job in the early 1960s. He made do with a salary of just Rs.500, working for a private company. Later, he moved to Mumbai to make it big on the silver screen.

Piku is directed by Shoojit Sarkar of Vicky Donor fame. The mega star plays the role of father to starlet Deepika Padukone. In an era where Bollywood actors obsess about six pack abs, Amitabh Bachchan went on a binge diet to sport a paunch for this particular role.

The film also stars l rrfan Khan an d Moushumi Chatterjee. So we were wrong to think Shoojit's Piku has something to do with Satyajit Ray's 1980s Bengali film Pikoo.

Meanwhile, Big B might pop in to see his own wax statue at the city's new wax museum that is set to open on 10 Nov. Statues of 19 celebrities including Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar and Presid ent Pranab Mukherjee will dot the museum christened 'Mother's Wax Museum' after Mother Teresa.

Big B's upcoming films are Shamitabh which releases in Feb 2015 and Wazir, set for April 201 5.

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AISHWARYA RAI BACHAN

LISA HAYDON

HRITHIK ROSHAN

Lisa Haydon is shaukeen uQueen was equally satisfying in its

Actress Lisa Haydon says she's a fan of Rati Agnihotri's performance in the 1982 film Shaukeen, which has inspired the forthcoming film The Shaukeens.

Shaukeen, a cult film by Basu Chatterjee, starred Ashok Kumar, Utpal Dutt. A.K. Hangal and Rati in key roles.

The new age film The Shaukeens, which releases this week, features Anupam Kher, Annu Kapoor and Piyush Mishra.

But Lisa also clarified that her character Ahana in The Shaukeens is very different from Rati's original role.

"I am enjoying the fact that the humour in this comedy is very self-deprecating.

Every actor has made a great effort to laugh at himself," she said.

The experience of working on The Shaukeens has been wonderful for Lisa, who has been noticed for her work in Aisha and Queen in the past.

own way, even though it was a small film. The Shaukeens has given me an opportunity to work with amazing actors. I don't think I have seen a comedy like this in Indian cinema before," she said.

The film is directed by Abhishek Sharma and also stars Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, Annu Kapoor and Piyush Mishra.

Lisa's role was earlier offered to Nargis Fakhri. But no, she isn't complaining.

"I don't complain about my blessings;' said the dusky beauty.

How to do a good divorce The one good thing that the HrithikSusanne divorce has done, is to show how to be friends after the marriage is officially over.

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

WI-IO WORE IT BETTER? • •

Hrithik Rosh an and his estranged wife Susanne Khan were granted divorce by a Sandra court recently. They continue to be friends and meet regularly, especially at events to do with their kids Hrehaan and Hridhaan.They have joint custody of the kids.

Hrithik 's lawyer Deepesh Mehta says, "Here is an example of how a couple should part ways in an elegant and classy way. Their divorce was finalised in a unique way, with n o alimony and not a single document drawn up between them. It's all on the basis of trust, respect and faith:' It was earlier reported that a Rs.100 crore alimony was involved in their divorce but Sussanne had officially denied it.

Hrithik announced Sussanne's decision to end their 17-year-old relationship via an official statement Dec 13, 2013. Both dated for four years before finally tying the knot 20 December, 2000.

VIC

Aish: A Jazbaa of a birthday surprise The stunning actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who celebrated her 41 st birthday on 1 November, was surprised by her director Sanjay Gupta with an early teaser trailer of her comeback film Jazbaa.

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Deepika Padukone or Victoria Beckham in Victoria Beckham?

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"It was an idea that came to me very late;' Gupta revealed. "Why not put together a three-minute teaser of our film and present it to her. I made sure she didn't get to know about it as I slogged for 18 hours a day to get it ready in time:' Anything for your leading lady, eh, Sanjay?

Shabana Azmi and l rrfan Khan also star in the film .

"I have also given a go-ahead to a few more scripts," Aishwarya told reporters on her birthday. "I thought of making an announcement today, but I thought with due respect to the director and producer, it would be right for them to make the announcement:' Ummm, okay then ....

NOVEMBER 2014 37

BACKCHAT

A clean sweep of PM Modi's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

Rls like myself are often very critical of lnctia. Thjs is not out of malice, but out of concern for the land of our birth.

If, like me, you want to write hurnoLLr columns for your local cornmunicy newspaper, no place on earth offers as m uch scope as Inctia. Indeed it is a veritable mine.. . perhaps a minefield roo.

When I landed in Inctia in early October after nearly 10 years away, tbe story that was sweeping every media outlet was, yes, 'sweeping'.

Not by orctinary municipal meruals, but by mirusters and mandarins. The mectia was awash witl1 pictures of the top brass wearing suits and crisp saris wielding tl1e derijhad11. That, for those of you who don't know, is a reed broom attached co a long pole. So long in some instances, that the tool was hard to handle!

Bue never mind, it was only for photo opporturuties following the launch of 'S111achh Bharat Abh!Ja11' (Clean Inctia Campaign) by out newly appointed Prime Miruster, Narendra Modi. 1 wish these

N

department di111i111s would show sinular eotlmsiasm in deaning the cobwebs on files with triplicate copies collecting dust on their desks.

Being a inan of action like our own Tony Abbott, Mocti - after launchi ng the movement at Gandhi's spotless Rajghat samctdhi did a spot of cleaning himself at a hasti of sanfration workers near Rajpath. And whatever he

starts, MocL does in mega style, so he named a panel to propagate his program, rune prominent personalities that includ ed the likes of Anil Ambani, Sachin Tendulirnr, Priyanka Chopra,

---

Salman Khan, Kamal Hassan, Shashi Tharoor and others.

Now AruJ knows how to bwld a huge pile of cash but not trash; and Priyanka can sway her hips and sing at the same time while sweepLng m dodge the drudgery.

Sachin can sweep anything to fine leg tl1at is spun in front of him, but what Salman and Kamal can do is not clear to me. Even to perform their snmt acts, tl1ey ask for dupes. They leave a trail of trash .in their fight scenes. A h, Salman once waned to clean some Rajasthan forest of some animal 'deer' to his heart.

Even before the S1JJachh movement started, the Kerala urut of the Congress Parry moved to sweep its star member, Sasru Tharoor, out for agreeing to be part of a clean campaign, an undiplomatic act by the once

38 NOVEMBER 2014

lugh profile U ruplomat.

Mocti has stated that his goal is to get tl,e en tire nation clean by 2 Ocrober, 2019.

But my humb.le opiruon is that Modi, being an astute politician, may be thinking of a clean sweep of the Congress and a few o ther regional parties by the time the next general election comes around, coincidenta!Jy in 2019.

Ever since Mocli announced his well-intentioned move, 1 have been paying extra attention to tl1e amount of rubbish lying at every street corner, and notice tliat every pile is growing by a few inches with each passing day.

If only a time maclune were to be set, like the one tl1ei1 had before the dawn of the millenruum or the reaching of the seven billion global popuJarjon mark, it may show how many more tom1es of trash have been added since the campaign started.

If alJ the rubbish from the entire nation o f India could somehow be piled up in o ne place, 1 suspect it may challenge tl,e height of Everest. o r wishing to discrectit Nfodi's noble vision, I dare to say that jt may take more than five years, or

Hritik Roshan

more than even 50 years, before we will see a modified 'Clean

forua'. 1 hardly notice any change in people's attitud e in nonchalantly dumping rubbish ouc in the open.

Surely tl1is needs a bottom-up and nor top-down approach.

Now with picmres of their broom- handling bash archived in albums, Salman and Kamal have gone back to their fight scenes co leave che next trail of trasb.

Such j5 Bharat (co paraphrase a well-known Australian)!

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