2014-12 Perth

With a perfect match of city style and natural beauty. Auckland really is the ideal backdrop for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. In fact, with four games including a Semi-Final, plus attractions, activities and stunning scenery so close to the heart of the city, you could say Auckland is the ultimate all-rounder.

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2 DECEMBtR 2014

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EDITORIAL INDIAN LINK PlJBLISl-lER Pawan Luthra .

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bout this time the supply and demand equation for fligh ts to India changes: demand far exceeds supply as most Indian Australians start their annual pilgrimage to India. While it will no doubt be an invaluable op portunity to catch up with friend s and family, here are a few observations of what to expect as you 'go back to w here you caine &om'.

On a people-to-people b asis, those who have elderly paren ts will experience a surge of guilt for abandoning them in India while they d1emselves live so far away. T hey will look at op tions to have them join them in Australia, and so, there will be much Googling to look at government rules and regulation.

Bm perhaps it will be worth lookin g at d1e reali ty of it all, and undersranding whether the mum s and dads are happy in d1eir current network o f friends and relatives and w ith d1eir in dependence,

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something which they may have to give up if they are encouraged to m igrate to a new country and set up b rand new social structures.

There will be much socialising with friends who, since I ndia opened up its eco no my in 1991, have now established themselves well in the financial fabric of d1e economy. While d1ese friends may be fairly well set, their children may ·well be getting educated in the UK or in the US, as the demand for good education far exceeds supply of quality institutions.

Then, there will be the health issues which one will invariably come across.

For middle class Ind ia, there is ready availability of alcohol and, wid1 money at ban d and lim ited en tertainm ent oppornmities, booze does ten d to figure large in the lives of con temporary urban Indians.

The traffic, o f course, will not only be differen t to what you experience in Australia, but also changed from t he last tim e you visited. The infrastrucn1re in I ndia still needs to catch up with t he explosion in various type of vehicles - be it the cars ot the two wheel scooters or the buses.

There will be robust debate about d1e new Modi government. O n t he o ne

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hand there wi!J be t hose who are worried about d1e emergence of a single religiondominated party and w hat it can do for other minorities of the country; there will be others who feel that it's time to have a different government in power who can take firm reins of t he country. T he passion of poli tics, fu elled by a couple of drinks, will definitely feature in the discussion s. And yes, there w ill be the inevitable discussion about the booming property prices and the scourge of black money and corruption.

Australia will fean1re strongly during your sojourn in India. Cricket will be in season, despite the loss of young cricketer Phillip H ughes, and as D honi, Kohli and the boys b attle it out with Clarke, \\'Tarner and John son, chances are you will see a fair bit of Australia in living rooms around India. And for sure, you will be asked why they like Modi so much in Oz .. .. \X1ell, d1at\ your curtain-raiser to your upcoming trip to I ndia! Regardless, t he beauty of a holiday to India is that it will always keep the connection alive with the home cou ntry.

For those o:,welling, travel safe and may this holiday be a memorable one for you and yours.

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DECEMBER 2014 3

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR PM Modi's inspires selfless charity n Monday 17 November, it was inspiring to listen to the honourable PM Modi on radio during the news. I am inspired to again attempt to convey a message to the PMO, Union Health Minister and Health Secretary.

India's public hospitals are 'sick'; poor designs, construction, maintenance, neglect of vital biomedical equipment, no preventative maintenance.

Hospital engineering and high-tech micro speciality in public health has been completely neglected. A lot can be learned from Australia.

I have offered honorary services to the Ministry of Health for implementing the following two expert reports, - Padma Vibhushan P.L Verma, expert committee and Padma Vibhushan R.N Gongoli committee.

The UPA Government was guilty of ignoring these recommendations and hence the health care infrastructure is suffering badly in India. Current structures \are the source of inefficiency and corruption. Innovative models have been recommended by the expert committees and applauded by the WHO.

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I request your order as an honorary advisor (hospital engineering) to MOH and Member of SEC of AIIMS and PGI. The need is to act and not waste more time in ruining the engineering system. I request again action. My mission is to die in the service of patients, hence claiming no salary.

Dr J.C. Mehta, Epping NSW

What PM Modi's visit means to Australia

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was privilege to be one of the attendees at PM Modi's address at All Phones Arena in Sydney. It was great to see an Indian PM finally realised the importance of connecting with the Indian diaspora in Australia after 28 years.

Indians residing abroad have a deep cultural and emotional bond with their motherland and the response from them was nothing short of extraordinary.

Why do Indians love Modi, both in abroad and lndia?The answer to this is fairly straightforward, expectations. PM Modi even acknowledged this in his address.

Indians ate an optimistic lot and this optimism has led to their phenomenal success all over the world. This hope and optimism has been reignited by the phenomenal mandate Modi and his party received in May this year after the dubious stint by the incumbent government.

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PM Modi has been very well received by world leaders and in particular PM Tony Abbott. Australia has realised the importance of rising India as an economic powerhouse, and they cannot let this opportunity go by when their own economy is in a bad shape - especially seeing Australia's dependence on China.

This is a not only a great diplomatic win for PM Modi but an even greater diplomatic win for PM Abbott. Economy and employment are right at the top of PM Abbott's agenda, and his party's future is hanging on an economic recovery.

Australia is one of the biggest exporters of mineral resources to the world and in particular China. The Australian economy is too heavily balanced on t he mining boom and with the slowdown in China, the demand for Australian iron ore and other resources has declined. There has been a 40 per cent drop in iron ore prices in the past six months alone.

PM Modi has a t rillion dollar infrastructure plan for India and Australia sees itself as a major beneficiary of that investment. It would be a win-win situation for both India and Australia to continue to cooperate with each other and be economic partners in the Asia Pacific region.

Australia is primarily an export-based economy and w ill continue to be so given its vast mineral resources. The Australian government will be expecting infrastructure stimulus in Asia, in particular India, which increases the demand for mineral resources.

Another key area of cooperation is the energy security of over a billion people in India. The Modi government is keen on renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and nuclear energy to satisfy the energy needs of India. Australia is a key partner due to the expected Civil Nuclear deal to export high grade uranium to India.

Another key area of cooperation is skill export to Australia as India's demographic and workforce can be used as human resources for the world. Australia needs to open up their immigration policies to selectively seek skills which they can get from India.

We as immigrants should continue to invest in India in the form ofremitta nces and be a part of t he growth story.

Global remittance is 430 billion dollars of which India receives over 70 billion dollars. This remittance can further be increased ifthe Modi government takes effective steps to reduce the per transaction remittance cost.

Australia and India are both stable regimes with a common set of values and democratic setup. The time is ripe for them to move this cooperation to the next level and remove the notion of any geop olitical compulsions.

We as the Indian community should continue to work as a link to support and enhance this relationship going forward.As they say, there is no better time than now!

Amit Bhatia

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DECEMBER 2014 5

COVERSTORY

Despite his success in the big smoke, Phillip Hughes never Jost his country kid charm

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BY DARSHAK MEHTA

have been trying to delve deep to find some reasons why the highly tragic and ridiculously premature death of Phillip Hughes has touched us all so much.

Frankly, I struggle co articulate the reasons. All I have is some theories and the anecd otal evidence o f conversations with friends in cricket and outside.

So, what sort of bloke was he?

1 met him when he was almost 18 and had come to the big smoke (Sydney), a few months prior, to work on his cricket. His mentor and coach, Neil D 'Costa wanted me to meet him and we spent a most pleasant three hours over di1111er at Abhi's in Strathfield, shooting the breeze.

Neil D'Cosca had been talking him up as the Next Big Thing, and given that eil had delivered Michael Clarke to this country, who could doubt him?

Phillip was respectful, a keen listener and politely cook in all the u nsolicited advice and "insights" I thought I was obliged to give him, given what Neil must have told him! I was impressed as he was a warm, cheerful country kid who, as per his coach, had a formidable work ethic combined wid1 an appetite for batting for long periods o f time.

When we get paid for something we would do for free, ic is never more d1an a hobby and I sensed chat cricket was merely a game for Phillip and he was surprised char he could make .a motza out of his magnificent obsession - batting.

Subsequently, I saw him around at the cricket and he always came up to bave a yarn or chin-wag (a quality few cricketers have!) He clid not have to do this. After all, he was in tbe middle of some serious cricket for bis country, and occasiona!Jy even bis place in the team was in jeopardy, but ic always seemed to be just a game to him and he was still very much the warm, joyous, unspoilt counu-y kid.

Ou Australia D ay in 2009, Phil generously came to the Reg

Phillip even sought out Sachin Tendulkar to seek his counsel on improving his game

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6 DECEMBER 2014

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Barcley Oval, Rushcutters Bay, at my request for an LB\Xf Trust charity fundraiser - a cricket match. He stayed for a couple o f hours, spoke to hundreds of supporters and refused to even let me get him a taxi back home.

Our Directors were all fran kly astonished to see a cricketer behave in such an. unassuming, modest and heart-warming manner.

Everyone knows about his rather unique and highly unortl10dox batting techniq ue.

However, despite this (or is it because of ic?) he was able to score a prodigious amount of runs in all forms of the game.

I chink he had worked it out chat cbough the critics, old timers, coaches, journalists and d1e public had an opinion on his technique, he would be most successful if he ignored their advice and continued to have faith in what had worked for him, rather than tinker with it and tempt fate.

Nevertheless, he put in the hard slog and made minor adjustments, working unsparingly with Neil D'Cosca.

He even sought our Sachin Tendull<at, by specia!Jy visi ting l ndia in the off-season, co seek his counsel on improving his game.

Sachin was absolutely touched.

Io September 201 0, when he was wan ting to travel to Inclia directly from London, he contacted me in a desperate rush to seek my help in obtaining his visa. Generally, every country requires visa applicants to lodge their applications in their country of residence. To the credit of Inclia's Foreign Service, they went out of their way and obliged Phil in a trice. To his g reat delight he was able to make ic for the start of the Australian cricket team's tour of Inclia, at very short notice.

My last memory of Phillip is bumping in to him in February 2013, at the team hotel, tl1e Taj Coromandel in l'vfadras. I was

going out to clinner and he was going back up to his room after having already eaten. We bad a nice chat near the elevator. The Australians had a rough day on the field, but that was not at alJ obvious when we were talking.

Typical of the bloke, I thought.

And now, here we are, mourning a gentle soul, so crue!Jy snatched from our midst, in the very prime of bis life. The only consolation is d1at he went whilst indulging in bis passion.

Phillip Hughes was a laconic, humble, generous, uncomplaining, unspoilt character who did not have tickets on himself. He was a. pleasure to be in the company of. He had a ioie de vivre about bim. He had a committnent to exceUence, and worked tirelessly to iron o ut d1e fla\VS in his game. These were all extremely endearing qualities that everyone could recognise and admired in him.

Australia, and I dare say, the

My last memory of Phillip is bumping into him in February 2013, at Taj Coromandel, the team hotel, in Madras. We had a nice chat near the elevator. The Australians had a rough day on t he field, but that was not at all obvious when we were talking.

Typica I of the bloke, I thought

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world, is a much poorer place for his absence.

He will. certainly be starring in the Elysian Fields.

RIP, Hughesy. You truly, madly, deeply touched us.

Dm·shak Mehta is Chaimian of 1he LBW Trust. 1he Learning fo1· a Bette,· World Trust (www. lbwtrust.com.au) is a cricketfocused charity which provides tertiary education to over 1000 students in 7 developing, cricket playing countries, including over 500 students in India alone.

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COVER STORY

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esa The passing of Phillip Hughes resonates at an unprecedented level t is manifestly unfair that r,vo young lives should be forever intertwined in sudi tragic circumstances. Phillip Joel HL1ghes was the 25-yearold country boy who scaled the heights of the cricketing world, broke several records along the way, and responded to the crushing lows of multiple demotions in the ooly way he knew how - by piling on the runs. Sean Anthony Abbott is the 22-year-old from Western Sydney who only recently made his rise to the cop and remains a significant figure in Australia's limitless pool of talented fast bowlers. It is heartbreaking that only one of them can continue his journey; and farther heartbreaking still, that significant obstacles now lie in his path.

When Hughes was struck with what would eventually be a fatal deliver,~ his mother and sister were watching on in tbe stand s at tlie Sydney Cricket Ground, the scene of several of his most treasured moments. As he paused and leaned on his knees for a few seconds, appearing winded and dazed at worst, it would not have been in their - or anyone's - wildest contemplation that events would then take such a devastating turn.

As he fell forward unrestrained, his head collicling witli his beloved and former home turf, the shockwaves would have been especially chilli.ng for his devoted family as they helplessly watched on. It was at tl1is point, as his former NSW teammates started fran tically calling for an ambulance, as hardened Baggy Green veterans David Warner and Brad Hadel.in grew increasingly disturbed and d.istraught, and as the desperately tiolucky Abbott cradled the head of the batsman whom he felled, that di e grnv.ity of the impact became clear.

Even as it stood then, cricket would never be the same. But d1e passing of Hughes just two days later has ramifications that will be more far-reaching dian previously imaginable, even though Hughes is not the first cricketer to die from injuries sustained on a cricket field. That list is significant, the most recognisable name being former lnd.ian test cricketer Raman Lamba, who d.ied after being struck by the ball whil.e _fielding at short leg.

Hughe~'s passing resonates

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at an unprecedented level for several reasons. He is the first Test batsman to d.ie from a blow sustained while barring - wi th or wid10ut a helmet.

In over 135 years of test cricket, there is no record of such an event. His passing also casts significan t doubt over the trust placed by today's batsmen .in their protective equipment; in die modern era, batsmen fea.rless.Iy attempt shots in full reliance o n the fact tliat if they get it wrong, they face bruising or, at worst, a fracture. I.n adclirion, given A bbott's youth and the fact that the .incident occurred in a domestic game, bowlers and batsmen across di e cmmtry at all levels will now have second thoughts about bowling and playing bouncers respectively.

There have been the inevitable

calls for bouncers to be oudawed.

But as described by die bead of trauma surgery at Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital where Hughes was treated, Hughes's injury, while "catastrophic", was "very rare and very freakish". So much so, that the injtrry Hughes .sustained- a vertebral artery dissection lead.ing to subarachnoid haemorcliage had never before been seen at the hospital, with only 100 cases ever reported worldwide.

It was an increclibly unlikely combination of so many factots: the pace of the pitch, the level of wear and tear on the ball, the .relative fatigue levels of bQ[h batsman and bowler, Hughes's search for quick runs and even die rain-free week leading up to the match. U nequivocally, it was noone's fault.

The bouncer has perennially been a part of die game, a vital weapon at die bowler's disposal.

It is not devised to hurt di e batsman: it pushes the batsman back, induces uncertain footwork and false strokes. Until the recent resurgence of fast bowling, there was even an unspoken code between fast bowlers not to bowl bouncers at lesser batsmen.

If any positive can come our

of such a tragic situation - as is often the case - .it is clialogue and humanity.

There are many areas to address. An inquiry into the adequacy of helmets that fail to add ress the most glaring deficiencies in the human shill is paramount. The incident reignites the debate regarding cricket's longtime disregard for a concussion rule. lmportandy, a review must be conducted .into absurdly dangerous television segments on programs such as the C,icket Sho)I) and the promotion of dangerous conduct on the cricket field.

In a now infamous television stunt, Brett Lee furiously hurled 150 km/h bowicers at English TV host Piers Morgan in January, clearly aiming co in;ure him, under the guise of (in Lee's own wotds) "educating'' t he public. Although Lee bas expressed u.nderstandable grjef at Hnghes's passing, Lee's, and Channel 9's, willingness m risk a man's life in a sadistic pursuit of viewership must be closely scrutinised.

However, it is the quintessentially human elements of die accident, rather than public debate and policy reform, that will shape how those closely

affected by it will emerge. The significant counselling offered to Sean Abbott and odier cricketers has been widely reported. Cricket Australia's determi nation to focus en tirely on Hughes's family and teammates is commendable, despite the insensitivity of the lnd.ian journalist who asked, during the first St Vincent's Ho.spiral press conference, whether the first Test against India would be going ahead.

And there is renewed recognition chat "trageclies" in sport - l\{ichael Clarke's torn hamstring, Bradman falling for a duck in his final innin gs, Tend u.li<ar failing to reach a century in his 200'h Test match - are so far removed from the concept of true tragedy, that diey are inconceivably irrelevant.

The incident may haunt Abbott forever, but it is widely acknowledged that Hughes would be die first to forgive him.

An imminent re,mrn is perhaps unlikely, but the public and Abbott's teammates will open him widi welcome and caring arms when he resumes his career.

Phillip J--lugbes was taken from us too soon. He will be missed.

RitamMitra

DECEMBER 2014 7

COVERSTORY

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A preview of the cricket season ahead

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BY

RITAMMITRA

cicket was changed forever last mo nth wirh the passing of one of its most universally beloved players, Phillip Hughes, rwo days after he was fatally struck by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match ar the Sydney Cricket Ground. Although the response ro his death bas been tmprecedented and heart-warming, with a widespread ourpouring o f grief and support, its full impact on the crfrket world and the game itself, for the moment, remains unclear.

There is no doubt, however, that each an d every match during the enormous international srnnrner that lies ahead for cricket fans will be dedicated to Hughes.

As his family and friends have made clear, Hughes wo uld have wan ted the show to go on , and for the n ext ball to be bowled; after all, cricket was everything to him. With the memory of Phillip Hughes in mind, we take a look at what you can expect from o ne o f the b iggest season s of cricket in memory.

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an ticipated and enthralling encounters, albeit frequently one-sided depending on the hemisphere in which they take place. This summer, a mun ber of interesting side-plots have emerged and they will p lay significant roles in the way India's tour un fold s.

To begin with, it's the first Indian tour down under withour at least o ne of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahn! D ravid, VVS Laxman or Sourav Ganguly along since 1991.

India's previously formidable batting line-up - which still failed to win a Test series in Australia in several attempts - has since been replaced wicl1 a tal.ented b ut unproven squad including Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, A jinkya Rahane and Snresh Raina. In fact, o nly Virat Kohli bas experienced a Test tonr of Australia as a regular in the playing Xl. It will be interesting to see how tbe fresh Indian batsmen - some o f whom have bistorjcaJly been susceptible to short-pitched bowling - respond to the nowknown threat of J',fitchell Johnson and company. England were ambushed by J ohnson: the lCC Cricketer of the Year with 37 wickets to him during the Ashes earlier this year. Unlike E ngland, ho,vever, India know what to expect.

Captaincy conundrum Border-Gavaskar Trophy Matches benveen I nd ia and Australia have grown to become some of the most highly

There is a good chance that bod1 captains will be ruled our of the first Test through in jury. While MS Dhoni has already been confirmed unavailable, Australia sweats on

the fitness of :Michae.1 Clarke - particularly given the n eed to pull together a group of players still .heartbroken at me passing of o ne o f their best m ates. The good news for Australia is that Clarke has a few precious extra days to prove his fitness, due to the rescheduling of the Test series co accommodate Phil Hughes's funeral in Macksvil.le o n 3 D ecember.

Ko hli has captained India to an U nder-19 World Cup as \Vell as nvin 5-0 OD1 series wins against Sd Lanka and Z imbabwe.

Captaining India in a Test match against Australia will be an altogether different monster mough. Ravi Shastri, India's team director, bas promised that Kohli wiU lead the team as would a veteran with 20 matches word1 of experience. However, India's Aedgling bowling attack, the need to manage the team's strategies

and emotion s in hostile foreign conditions, and I ndia's heavy reliance o n KoWi's batting will place an enorm ous am o tmt of pressure o n him.

Australia will turn to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin o r middle-order batsm an Steve Smith to take the reins. Given Australia's extraordinary depth of fast bowlers and the familiar home co nditions, .losing Dhoni will likely prove to be mo re sign ificant.

The Carlton Mid ODI Tri Series Tbe calm before the storm, me tournament between Australia, E ngland and India will be o ne last chance for the teams to fine-mne their preparations and finalise their squads ahead of the biggest event o n the cricket calendar, the ICC World Cup. Australia's series against South A frica lacked context, but this will be different: t he imminence of the World Cup, the motivation co send a warning to the other teams and the need to develop the "habit" of winning that elite sporrspeople revere, will all contribute co the intensity of cl1e battle.

A lthough India and Australia are the leading favourites for me World Cup, each with ~table sides, India's lo ng tour and Australia's massive summer may see some fringe players get a chance to break into the p la)~ng XI. E ngland, meanwhile, are likely to face further emb arrassment on the world stage unless they make full use o f the precious preparation ti.me they have been granted o n Australian soil.

The World Cup The hype for the ICC World Cup, to be held in Australia and New Zeal.and, hasn't taken off

8 DECEMBER 2014

yet - there is simply coo much cricket to be played before 13 February, when matches between New Zealan d and Sri Lanka, and Australia an d E ngland, will open the tournament. However, ticket sales have been quietly steady, wicl1 some m atches selling out several months in advance.

The 2015 edition of the tournament is one of t he most open in recent memory. Au stralia, with an explosive batting line up, a strong pace attack and home ad vantage, are title favourites, but team s such as Iodia, South Africa:, ew Zealand a nd the West Indies are all genuine contenders for the crown. .As always, a team's successful campaign may come down to the mental conditioning of the players and their ability to lift their intensity during the critical mom ents.

The 2014/15 srnmner of cricket promises co be a blockbuster affair. T he excitem ent will be palpable and we will plar host to patriotic revellers from around the world. Bur a tinge of sadness will ooderstandably underpin every moment of elation; Phil Hughes reminds us that there is more to it than just a game.

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DECEMBER 2014 9

MODI IN OZ

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1anme 1a oves The Indian students' crisis lies all but forgotten by the very people that started it all

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PAWAN LUTHRA

use ovet five years ago, the Indian media turned its blowtorch on Australia and in one broad brush, painted the country as racist and unsafe for Inclians. With little research or analysis, the attacks on Indian students \Vere loudly denounced as racist and headline after headline screamed that there was a;ihad against Indians in Australia. That most of tl1e racist claims were unfounded and the problems random was soon clear, but tl1e media bad moved on and Australia was another story of the past. ow six years down the track, tl1e Indian media descended on Australia to report not only on me G20, but also tl1e great .Modi mega evenc which now seems set to follow the new Indian Prime Minister whenever he goes overse.as. If there are over a 100 TV channels in India, .it seems more tl1an half were in Australia trying co find that special stor y about Australia and Australians chat could make good co\7erage.

Fortunately, the time difference was such tl1ac the stories filmed in Australia at midday could be televised li\7e during the next morning's peak viewing hours.

While some TV channels sent only one ere\,~ the anchor and the can1era man, a number sent two crews, one each for their Hindi and English platforms.

And so, for four days running, viewers in India saw the front of me Allphones Arena, with TV reporters pointing excitedly co the posters behind them of Kacy Perry who was slated to perform there only days after PM Modi spoke at the venue.

The TV-wallahs were busy scouting for ideas to fill in their time - and no doubt co justify co their bosses in India that their trip was money well spent. This of course allowed a number of Indian Australians to get theLr 15 minutes of fame on Indian television. \'\Thile the Modi event organisers had nm up a number of activi ties for them, such as a

10 DECEMBER 2014

visit to Sanskrit schools or a wal k down Little Inclia in Harris Park, the visitors down under wanted their own stories.

One crew spent a few hours on the harbour on tl1e Sydney Showboat filming the breathtaking cabaret show by the Moulin Rouge girls in their full dance costumes and feather headgear.

Weaving these shots through interviews of guests on what they expected from the Modi visit, would have made for great visuals no doubt, but we wond er what the staunch Hindu allies of the BJP thought of tl1is.

Anoth.e r crew got a g roup of local Indians together who recited poems about the Indian Prime Jvlinister.

Another spent a day filming at the local radio studio with talkback about the PM Modi visit.

And even as restaurants witl1 a Modi flavour menu were visited, the Australian garbage collection system (with cliiferent bins for refuse, recyclable bottles and paper) were explained to viewers in India as a supplement to 1vfodi's s1µatch bharat campaign. In fact, by hook or crook, the Modi- ficacion of Indian Australians, or of the Australian lifestyle, was grabbing prime time in India. ot a single TV crew though, decided co relook at the stud ents' issue with a fresh perspective: why did you not hunt clown Saurabh Sharma, the MeJbourne youth who was brutally attacked o n a train, and whose CCTV footage you aired all-day long on a loop, creating the diplomatic impasse between the two countries that has taken ye.ars to rebuild? If you had, you

would have found out that he is happy and health y, and trm elled by the same train at the same time of night each night, lo ng after the incident, and that a compassionate Australian dentist actually paid all of his medical costs. Now would that not have been a story?

And w hile all of this \Vas o n, experts were paraded on split screens in India as tl1ey spoke about mutual opportunities between the rwo countries. \"qhile the concept was good, it was painful to watch so-called experts who bad little idea about ground realities. According to one 'expert', there are over 700,000 Indians in Austr.alia currently, and numbers will be up to 1,000,000 in three or four years. Sure, inflate the initial number by 40 per cent and be out by over 10 years in your analysis, as long as tl1e facts do not get in the way of a good story! (Post the event, one 'expert' even claLmed chat arendra J\fodi had staged 7

the entire Allphones Arena event hin1self by flying planeloacls of peo ple from India co Australia.)

The anchors on India's many news channels threw to their reporters i n Australia frequently, but too often mouthed the \Vords "Indo-A merican relationship", perhaps by sheer force of habit, instead of "lndo-Australian", and nearly all of them referred to tl1e Anstralian PM as Tony 'Abort'.

Let's just hope this does not translate into -action as far as the renewed relationship bet-ween the two countries is concerned!

Meanwhile, for I ndian viewers themselves, the news segments were sometimes sketchy, and rna.ny people actually believe that the "Modi Express" is a regular train that now runs between Melbourne and Sydney, inaugurated to coincide with i\-focli's visit.

As for the local JndianAustralians, everyone claimed repeatedJy mat they were 'excited' about tl1e PM's visit, but failed

co s ay why or to elaborate any further.

But on '.Modi magic Monday', the TV-wallahs clid tbe.ir job well, taking up positions around Allphones Arena as hordes of Indian Australians found their way to the stadium. Local media also joined in with four channels - 7, 9, 10 and ABC - also having their teams at the venue. With plenty o f colour and w-ith the clashing of thegarba sticks and the drums and the exuberance of the people, there were some fantastic filming options.

And as the crowds moved into tl1e arena, the TV crews followed and a lot of Australia beamed its way into the living rooms of India. Friends and families seeing their loved ones from down under on their TV screens were busy calling up o r Wbats-apping.

Tbe media filled its role to inform and entertain and tl1e chest beating about racism and student violence were a thing of the past.

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MODI IN OZ

Shaping India's destiny Modi blew us all away. But then, we always knew he would

aving captured the imagination of millions back home with his radical ideas and visionary beliefs, lndia's charismatic new Prime Minister Narendra Modi aka NaMo, finally touched base with expatriates as Sydney roiled out the red carpet for ,a rock star reception, uniting the heterogeneous d iaspora in a show of strength.

It was a magical ·Monday chat will be etched in our memories forever. Even the Australian dignitaries gathered on the occasion watched o n in awe, lapping up the thunderous applause and freezing the moment with their mobile phones.

As I hopped off tbe train at Strathfield en route to Allphones Arena, an excited CityRaiJ attendant let me through the electronic gates. "You must be going to meet your Prime Minister," he quipped.

The h umble chaiwallah's rags-to-riches tale, scripted to perfection, like a BolJywood extravaganza, has cleatly struck a chord with more than just the de.rhis and videshis. There had been media frenzy all week botb o n tbe domestic and international front. Expectations ran high, the mood was electric and Modimania gripped Sydney O lympic Park as 20,000 Indian J\uscralian s congregated to finally meet the man himself. TI1e repercussions were felt far and wide. A-11d the show didn't disappoint.

The doomsday prophets were nowhere to be seen and naysayers were clearly in the tninority, drowned our by the overwhelming exuberance.

Tapping into their extensive resources, the Indian Australian Community Foundation wweiled an impressive performance. T he arrangem en ts were impeccable right from the free shuttle to ticket distribution, crowd management to culmral showcase. A Modi-lied vegetarian menu was up for g rabs too in honour of the ceetotalJer. A large network of volunteers ensured the b ig night om unfolded without a glitch.

Every ethnic minority was well represented including the T ibetans and Dawoodi Bohras, conspicuous in their traditional attire and proud to be a part of celebrn.cions. Religio us differences were put aside, despite attempts by some section s o f media co harp on about unsavoury incid ents of INDIANLINK

the past. India was in the limelight and nothing else matrered.

The euphoria was palpable, rising co a crescendo when Modi finally cook centre stage. And the global audience listened in rapt attention.

Much has been written about his firebrand rhetoric and consummate showmanship but what the Allphones Arena wimessed on the historic occasion was si.m plicicy of his vision and genuine desire to uplift India, quite along the lines of our freedom fighters. Hoping to emulate Mahatma Gan dhi and Swami V ivekananda, Modi's grand plan s are firmly centred on usmall" men.

"Many people hold dreams o f doing many great jobs. Good luck co chem, what I have co do is small jobs for smaller people . .. and [make] the small people big, That is what] want to work for," he reiterated.

His vision of India is founded on egalitarianism and meritocracy. "\Y/e weren't fortunate enough co light for the country's freedom, we didn't have the good luck to go to jail for India's independ ence. We couldn't die for the country, but at lease we can live for the country. If we fight, if we struggle, it should be for our country," he further stated passionate.Iy, whipping up the spirit of nationalism for the first time in post-colonial India.

While nuclear p ower, clean

energy and regional security, figure prominently on Mod i's agenda, his immediate priority is a clean India - an India tbat we can all be proud of. Bo.r rowing heavily from our ttadi tional belief that cleanliness is next co godliness, Swach Bhuarath Abhfyt1an is not only h is pet project, but one that dominated his Sydney address.

"After so many years of independence, not getting clean drin king water or electricity is something we are nor proud of," the Prime Minister admitted witb brutal honesty. "Basic sanitation and hygiene are pressing issues. If we can make the country clean , it will be the b iggest service for poor people," he continued. ''If you have any feeling to save your cotmtry, then you can clean up the image clue tbe wotld has of lndia."

Earlier, acknowledging the trad itional own ers of Australia, Modi spoke of shared values and common inheritances. O utlining the e.'ltensive contributions of Indian Australians to their 'k.ar11M bhoo,m', he complimented thern on their culmre of hard work and dedication.

The role of the A nglo-Indian legacy in shaping the history of Ausa:alia did n ot go unnoticed. ''Australia is a beautiful coun try with bountiful resources, but your biggest asset is your people," he added.

Bur what struck Modi m ost was the dignity of labour. '1 have

always admired this concept. Here, a research scientist also works as a cab driver. There is no shame in hard labour," he noted, saluting the egalitarian spirit.

Paying trib ute to the strength of democracy in the two countries, be firmly believes India would once again lead the world, as a yotmg and energetic nation with "2,500 million arms".

"Democracy is a wonderful concept. I am here because of Indian democraC)'· Even a common man can climb greater heigh ts in a real democracy like India."

Speaking personally to every member of the gathering, he stated "I know many of you took great interest in tbe Lok Sabha elections o f 2014. I know t bat for you, it was noc about who wins or loses, it was about wanting to know w hen India will become like the country that you are residing in."

Working closely with the diai,pora, .Modi hopes to deliver on cl1e herculean prom.ises he has Lmdercaken on comrnon's m an's behalf. To cl1is end, he has alread y begun disman tling bureaucratic red tape and gargantuan hierarchies that have sci fled economic progress. ''Please let us open the window and let some fresh air in. Let us b reathe and l.ive for the first time and savour the new found freedom," he added poignantly.

An astute leader, l\fodi is also

acucely aware o f tbe strength of youth power and is engaging with them as never before. ''We want to achieve new heights of development, my dear young friends, and India has decided to concentrate on the young people," he highlighted.

"On the confidence of their talent, on the confidence of their capacity, cl1ey would become competen t co help the whole world. l wish tbat cl1e whole world should come to India.

The manu facm.ting sectors, they should come in ... because l wish that the youth of India should get employment. I ha,7 e decided that 100 per cent foreign invecstment will be allowed in the railways. I'm inviting everyone - please come, please come and invest in India's future."

The emerging superpower is cleatly open for business, as l\fodi time and time again declared, and Australia will no longer be at the peripher y of its vision. Perhaps Indian Australians can play a greater role in shaping the destiny of their mathmhboomi.

DECEMBER 2014 11

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MODI IN OZ

On the road with Namo Trying to keep up with a man who barely sleeps is exhilarating as well as exhausting

'I ., BY •

-·

l PAWAN LUTHRA ever did I imagine that I would be in three cities in two days tracking the Indian Prime

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Minister.

I was there as he entered through the metal doors at a private reception for the Indian community, prior to his historic address to over 16,000 delirious fans at the rlliphones Arena in Sydney. I also bel.ieve that I was the only person who captured his final wave as he wallced away through the glas.s door at the side .a fter the state dinner hosted by PM Tony Abbott ar the MCG. My humble camera captures bodi these moments, albe.it badly.

Between these two moments, 1 followed d1e frenzied build-up to his visit co Australia as hordes of Indian media descended on Sydney, for an event expected to. surpass the Indian PM's American address at the Madison Square Gardens. The morning of 17 November dawned bright and clear, and I am sure the organisers could have filled out the 50,000 plus seats at the Sydney Cricket Ground with people wanting a glimpse of this man known for his winning oratory.

After finishing late at night at the Ailphones Arena in SycL1ey, 1 took an early morning Right to Canberra co witnes~ Prime Minister Modi receive the guard of honour from the Australian Federation Guard made up of members of the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force. The canons boomed in die front court of the Parliament H o use as Australia's finest honoured the Indian Prime Minister, v,;-lule hordes of Australian Indians cheered on from the sid es.

The public gallery at the Australian Pacliament Chamber

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was overflowing with invited guests who sat quietly waiting for the official p roceedings to begin at 10.05 am.

As P1,[ Modi entered, escorted by the Sergeant at Arms, d1e gallery could not restrain their applause.

Mr Modi spoke eloquently in his third language of English (after Gujarati and Hindi). While his address had ligh t-hearred moments, which had die Parliamentarians laughing politely, he also hardened his tone as he made clear that all countries, including China, have to Jive peacefully in the East Asia region. Ir bodes well for the Australia-India relationship that he got mobbed by the Australian MPs on his way out.

Later, as T crisscrossed my way to Melbourne via Sydney (as all flights to l'v[elboume &om Canberra had been booked out), I could see Air India One (also referred to as Al-1 or AIC001) on the tarmac at Canberra airport. Thought abom asking for a lift (hey, fellow Indian to fellow I ndian, why not?), but decided against it as I saw the heavy Special Protective Group (SPG) out in full force.

My d1ird city in a day got me to Melbourne for a business leaders' meet and then a community meetand-greet at Government House.

The Grand Hall was overflowing again, and it seemed the Modi Express had travelled in reverse, bringing Sydneysiders south to Melbourne.

While PM Modi was being feted by the corporate gurus in a private session, other stalwarts such as those &om the field of sports got a chance to do so at d1e less formal community meet. The chants of "Modi! Modi!" were heard yet again from the crowds, even though d1is tinie rmmd, Modi appeared more subdued. \'v'as it a deliberate attempt to show less bravado and more restraint, to fit the occasion? Or was it a touch of exhaustion, given the hectic schedules of the past few days?

Perhaps in Sydney the ability to talk in H.indi gave him a natural flow, and the sheer occasion of Canberra brought o ut the orator in him. But the tank seemed a bit empty in Melbourne.

Yet at the hallowed grounds of the MCG, PM Modi cook some time to "examine" the pitch. I almost expected him to take d1e keys out of his pocket to rest the softness and dampness on the pitch to give the Indian cricket team a heads-up as what to expect when they play there on Boxing Day. But in the spirit of fair play, or perhaps in fear of being shirtfronred b y Tony Abbott on this unsporting gesture, he resolved instead to simply enjoy the n1C>ment.

At the reception that followed, one could hear the quiver in the voice of Prime 1'Iinister Abbott.

Wonder if the Indian TV stations played Dire Stea.its' 'Brothers in Arms' as Tony Abbott and arendra Modi gave each other a hug.

Modi's demeanour also cracked as he felt the genuine affection in the room.

The Private Members Dining area was anytb.ing but private as die State Banquet hosted by PM Tony Abbott brought out the corporate elite, the Indian Australian community, academics and business leaders. The evening went imo wind-down mode with entertainment from The String Divas and Circus Oz. To bonour tlie Indian Prime Minister the trio from The String Diva belted out the tmofficial national anthem of India, '.Jai Ho'.

And while be no doubt enjoyed this number, it was the ABBA

song 'i\famma Mia' which had his host Tony Abbott d o a jig 011 his seat. One almost expected him to ask Modi to join .in a b it of a dance, but tmfortuuacely there were no garba sticks available to create this ABBA-Falguni Pathak fusion.

Mr Modi had a quizzical loo k on his face as the medley of ABBA songs continued (yes, my camera did capture that) and he was thankful for tlie diversion by Estelle Parker from DFAT w ho got his attention. She had been in charge of raking care of Mr Modi when he visited in 2001 and wanted to say hello. Much to her delight, he remembered her and warmly rook both her hands in his as he introduced her to Mr Abbott.

Even as Mr Modi expressed his gracimde to a friend from 13 years ago, Australia's richest person and the. world's sixth richest woman, Gina Reinhardt stood patiently b y co talk ro the two Prime :Min isters.

While politics and business minds interacted, tlie two 'Can Do' Prime Ministers (perhaps Commonwealth Bank needs to trade mark ilieir slogan) aho posed for photos w:ith not only Gina Reinhardt but yours truly as well. Noc far from chem sat cricket legends from both sides such as Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, VVS Laxman, Steve Waugh, G lenn McGrath, Michael Kasprowicb, and business figures such as Ashok Jacob, Maw:ice Newman, Vishal Sikka and Manoj Nagpaul. And seemingly the full front bench of the Abbott go\Tetomenr.

And then it was time co go.

Showing amazing dexterity for

a 64-year-old man, and with a puffing PM Abbott struggling to keep up (note photo), Modi, with a wave of his hand, was gone.

And so it was veni, vidi, vici - Modi came, saw, conquered - tlie hearts and minds of people down under.

DECEMBER 2014 13

MODI IN OZ

Over 80,000 Indians in Brisbane showed great enthusiasm just to catch a glimpse of PM Modi

s soon as the news spread tbat India's newly elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi was visiting Brisbane to attend the G20 summit, there was a jostle to secure passes ro attend his events and the o ffice bearers of Indian organisations in Queensland had a tough rime pleasing their constituents!

Following Mocli's rock star performance at Madiso n Square Garden in l ew York, Indians in Australia couldn't wait to wimess a repeat performance bere and he sure didn't disappoint.

The Indian support for him in Brisbane was so overwhelming tbat some opposition leaders back home in India g rudgingly accused PM Modi of bringing in 'hired crowds'! Even the record temperantres in Brisbane during the weekend of the G20 summit couldn't keep tbe crowds away.

Apart from attending the G20 events, PM Modi's schedule in Brisbane included a visit to the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), unveiling Mahatma Gandhi's statue at tl1e Roma Street Parklands and a civic reception at the Town HaU. As soon as Prime J'vlinister Modi

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14 DECEMBER 20 14

arrived in Brisbane, he tweeted a picture of the beautiful Brisbane ciry skyline. During his visit to QUT, he was introduced to the various facilities and research programs, including a tour of 'The Cube', one of the world's largest interactive learning spaces.

PM Modi also inspected Q UT's Agro Robot, a machi.ne developed as part o f the university's program ro develop robotics technology in the agriculrnre sectot Asked to write a message on d1e Robot, Modi wrote a message in Gujurari, including: "Researcl1 is the mother of invention.

The developrnent journey of mankind is a continuous stream of research."

Meeting with high school students, J)M Modi made a point of acknowledging former L1clian Prime Minister Jawahatlal Nehru's birtl1 anniversary, and posed for a series of 'selfies'.

A minor controversy empted when some people noticed that Kashmir was conspicuously

absent from the map of India displayed at the event, bur organi5ers apologised for tile blunder the following day.

The television coverage of Ausu-a.lian Prime M:in.ister To ny Abbott entering the G20 inauguration accompanied by PM Modi '-Vas a clear indication of fadia's rising status among the wo.rld's most famous and powerful leaders.

At tbe unveiling of tl1e Gandhi statue, PM Modi was introduced as the 'hottest star of the hottest day', in reference to the soaring Brisbane hear.

While only a handful of passes were issued for the event, those Indians who couldn't get in had the chance ro see and hear him from a distance and cheered as he waved at tllem and acknowledged their presence.

I t transpired at the unveiling that the idea of a Gandhi memorial in Brisbane was moored

by Modi way back in 1999 when he visited Australia as a pri~rate citizen. He warmly acknowledged

tile Indian families who hosted him during his previous visits.

He congratulated the G20 organisers for hosting the mos t peaceful summit ever, keeping in tradition wirn Gandhi's ideology.

In bi s brief but memorable speed1 in Hindi, Prime Minister l\fodi highlighted how Gandhi's ideals are still relevant today, particularly in relation to me two most pressing challenges in tile world, namely, terrorism and climate change.

"I£ we had.n't exploited Mother Namre the way that we have do ne, and we bad only used ro d1e extent tllat Mallatma Gandhi had preached, then we would not be faced with these problems today," Modi said.

Ir was indeed a historic and memorable occasion on all counts and o ne tlrnt lnclians in Brisbane will remember for a Jong rime to con1e.

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ttheCivic Reception held in his honour at the Brisbane City Hall on the SLmday evening of the G20 weekend, a large crowd waited in anticipation for the arr ival of Prime Minister Modi.

1ncligenous Australian and Indian dancers set the scene fol.lowed by beautiful renditions o f the Indian and Australian national anthems.

Speaking in English, Modi

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began his speech with the words the people of Brisbane were desperate to hear. "\Vhat an OLltstanding job.

I know that you have often lived in the shadow of Melbourne and Sydney, but you have shown the world w hat a great c ity and host you are," P1v1 Modi said.

Joined by Campbel.I Newman, Premier of Queensland and Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, the Prime l\llinister expressed delight that his journey i.n Australia began in

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Brisbane.

The Reception was a strictly by invite-only event for both the Indian and Australian communities. Dressed in traditional attire, people made a point of being at the premises at the given time of 4pm to get their spot for the best view of the Indian Prime Minister.

Brisbane C ity Hall also seemed to welcome tl1e Indian community and the Prime i\1inister, with the ceiling lit in the colours of the Indian Aag. Lord Mayor Graham Quirk

welcomed the people and the Indian Prime i\tiinister Narendra Modi.

"T his is a proud land where the G20 was conducted, also where a peaceful assembly and rights of democracy have been exercised."

"Prime l'vti.n ister Narendra Modi, the people see you as a man on whom they rest their hope, destiny and aspirations.

You know you are carrying the responsibility of their unprecedented support."

The Lord i\fayor continued by saying that there is an unusual relationship between Brisbane and Hyderabad, and the cities have " recommitted co the relationship co ensure that India and Australia continue co grow in strength".

Premier of Queensland Campbel.I ewman acknowledged people of Indian descent and highlighted tbe similarities between India and Australia.

"It's an honour to be reaffirmed with the Honorary lndian of tl1e Year title by the Indian community here. \Ve share the same r ational Day,January 26, and then there is cricket."

Fans cheered as Indian Prime ·Minister Modi cook co the

podimn. "Queensland is in tl1e forefront of the relationship between Australia and India, and the credit o f this long partnership between Indian and Queensland goes to you, Premier Newman and Lord Mayor," PM Modi said.

"Queensland has emerged as an area of major growth in resournes to power Indian's development.

It is also a major destination of Indian investments - you have supported partnerships io education and skills."

"The friendship and understanding an1ong business and academic leaders from India d emonstrates a strong partnership witl1 Australia, e,specialJy Queensland," PM Modi continued.

"Brisbane has emerged as a centre of advanced technology, as H yderabad is also known as 'Cyberabad'. These two cities have a sister-city relationship and I truly welcome the engagement between states and cities. l am very keen w im7olve states in India with international engagement."

Talking about the new wave in India, Modi said, "This is an exciting moment in India, £illed with optimism, an era of change and progress and the prospect co achieve, cl.riven by the energy and

enterprise of o ur youth. This is the time to forge pl\.ftnerships i.n India."

An excited Fatema, who has been in Brisban e for only a few months, said, "l am extremely overjoyed to see our Indian Prime Mi.niscer Nareodra Modi. It was an inspiring speech and I was pleasantly surprised to hear him speak in English, I would have loved co hear more." "le is nice co get close and personal with an eminent political figure, and with the L1dian Prime Minister's v isit to Australia, it will definitely strengthen the alliances of both the colmtries," said Anuj Sodha.

For Shobha Rawal w ho has lived in Brisbane for 44 years, "Seeing l arendra J\fodi is a wish come true. I tl1oroughl y enjoyed his speech and it is good to see progress and relationship between both the countries."

J\tul Bhardwaj, wished the Indian Prime iviinister the very best, "''Y,/e as Indians have lots of hopes and aspirations rested on him," he said. "He wiU march our country into the funrre shoulder to shoulder with the big powers."

DECEMBER 2014 15

MODI IN OZ

IS

•

eran I

PM Modi's highly anticipated visit to Melbourne was a grand success for the business community

rawing attention to his economic agenda, Prime Minister Modi's one-day trip to Melbourne was set to cast a positive influence on the advancement of bilateral ties and promotion of mutual trust between i\ustralian and Indian businesses.

Dm·ing his visit the Indian Prime l\llinster met CEOs of Australia's top industry companies including BHP Billiton Linfox, Hancock Prospecting Group and Visy lndustries.

Accompanying PM i\fodi were CEOs from leading Indian industry organisations including Gautam Adani of the Aclani Group, Anand Mahindra of multinarfonal automobile manufacturers Mahindra & Mahindra, Vishal Sik.ka of Infosys Ltd and Shashi Ruia. chairman of Essar Group.

Victorian Governor A.lex Chernov hosted the round table conference at bis residence where the Indian PM chose to address the .leaders in Hindi whicb was translated into E nglish for everyone's benefit.

The forum comprised of business leaders, d elegates from India, journalists and members of the Australia. India Business Council (AIBC).

Arnirabb Mattoo, Director of the Australia India lnscimce, was the moderator of the round table event. The Victo rian Governor lacer described Australia India

number of Indian students have come to smdy in Australia and have belped co create a better understanding of India amongst the common man in Australia.

This people-to-people contact has generated confidence and as a result Australians are more willing to take cisks by investing in and trading witb India.

Prime i\fo1.ister Modi concluded his address by inviting Australians to explore the many possibilities in lnclia and renlinded them of his promise co implem ent, very soon, a visa on arrival service for all Australians - including people making business trips to India.

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16 DECEMBER 2014

Instin1te as the primary credible think-tank in this country on Australia India relationshi ps.

Du.ring the private event, Treasurer Joe Hockey commented briefly on how, along with mining, education and the financial sector, it is paramount to focus on smal.l and medium size emerprise.

According to i\fr Hockey the business-to-business oppomu.lities will play a key role in helping to further the trade relationship between lndia and Australia.

The business leaders unanimously acknowledged the extraordinary growtli tliac India is poised co e"-perience. This will create several opportunities for Australians to engage with India whilst forging a bond based on common strategic interests, trade and economic outlook.

Responding to tlie suggestions put forward to hin1, tlie Indian Prime Jvlinister said he was personally committed to looking at environmentally-friendly ways of furtliering development.

According to Modi, India requires a substantial amount of energy

to con tinue its growth. Wit.Ii tl1e push co make India a gasbased economy, any package that combined these t\vo sectors would be of interest to] ndia.

Praising the Vicrorian Government for its initiatives in promoting ed ucation, the lndian Pcime Ivlitlister shared his two main areas of focus in the education secto r. O ne was co encourage young people from India and Australia to collaborate and conduct better quality research, and the otlier was for selected schools from both countries co coordinate wit.Ii ea.ch otl1er, through student exchanges, co create quality education opportt1nities.

The PM also drew attention to the tourism sector and i ts tremendous possibilities.

According co Modi, India has a long coastline and the required clientele co sec up a successful business in cruises. He invited people to invest in developing tourism infrastructure in India and in finding new avenues to develop relarionsllips tbrough tourism.

According to the PM a large

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MODI IN OZ

on roun PM Modi outlines potential for Australian opportunity in India fter a full day of activities - addressing the Australian parliament, meeting witb business leaders - the popular Indian Prime Minister Narendra :Modi was whisked co the hallowed grounds of the iconic 161-yearold Melbourne Cricket Ground (tvfCG).

There he was joined by Australian Prime M inister Tony Abbott as well as cricketing legends from both India and Australia, including Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and V.V.S. Laxman, Steve Waugh, Glenn McGrath and Alan Border, for a tout of the turf.

Later, at the gala dinner hosted 11y PM Abbott, Prime i\liinister l\fodi sought Australia's assistance in accelerating lnclia's urbanisation process.

"A successful India will be a vast opportunity and a force o f good for the world. We look forward to closer parrnership with friends like Australia," Modi said at the dinner. "lndia is experiencing urbanisation at a rapid pace.

Studies suggest that by 2031, 11 per cent of the world's urban population might be in Indian

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achieve it with the support of the people of Inclia, and th rough tbe talent and energy o f 800 million yourh, below the age of 35 years," he said. " (It is) a generation that is eager for change and committed to work for it," the Prime i\liinister added.

Modi also stressed oo the importance of relationships between people.

"One thing we all agree on. The bonds between the countries are made strong by the joined hands of our people."

The Prime i\liinister also

areas too. "We have decided ro collaborate on a spo rts university in India," he revealed "Our exchanges in sports, tourism, education and culture are g reat sources of streng th for our relationship," he stated.

The Prime Minister thanked his Australian counterpart Tony Abbott for being " truly genero us with your hospitality and warmth".

PJvl Modi concluded, "My memorable visit ro Australia ends tonight, but a new journey of our relationship has begun."

cities."

He added that India already has more than SO cities with a po pL1lation of over one million. ''Urbanisation can be an enormous oppottunity," Prime i\liinister Modi said.

He spoke of his plans to build 100 smart cities, revive heritage cities, bu.i.ld modern solid waste management and waste water treaanent systems in 500 cities, and clean up the country's rivers.

"This is part of our larger visio n of a sustainable future for our country, and rransforming the quality of life of our people in cities and villages alike," the Prime i\liinister said.

He hoped tbat India could learn from A ustralia's experience and benefit from its expertise and noted that Melbourne is regarded as rhe best city i11 the world to live in.

Modi $aid he wanted to bu.i.ld a future in which every Indian can say tbat his life has improved and his environment has become better. ''1 am confident rhat we will

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spoke about the love for cricket that both India and Australia share. "No business is serious enough to keep an Australian and an Indian from discussing this great game," be said.

He recounted lndia's glorious cricket triumph at the MCG in the Champions Trophy in 1985 and said rhat the Ground would be a deserving venue for the final of tbe Cricket World Cup in 2015.

"I bope that om· t\vo teams will play that match," Mocli said.

The Prime Minister also said that India can learn from Australia's famous sporting skills in other

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DECEMBER 2014 17

MODI IN OZ

India's Narendra Modi charms Australia's Parliament as the two nations rebuild their relationship

arendra :M odi is officially tbe first Inclian Prime Minister to address the joint houses of .Australian Parliament. O n 18 November at approximately 10.20 am, Modi rose to share his views on a wide rnnge o f topics incl udiog the shared mi.Ji tary history, democratic systems in the rwo countries, and security in the region.

That it was a historic occasion was evident from the packed-totbe-rafters chamber and tbe pin drop silence as Mr Mocli spoke.

In a most refreshing way, the Indian Prime Minister commenced his address as he did in Sydney the day before, with a special acknowledgetnenr of Incligenons Australians. Very early on, he made sure be bad the attention of his auclience by cleverly incorporating a new term in political parlance, one coined by

18 DECEMBER 2014

Prime 1vlin.ister Tony Abbott only weeks ago. Modi had the House smiling when he acknowledged their endurance in hearing a third international leader speak in as many days: "Maybe this is Prime Nlinis rer Abbott's way of shirrfronting you," he suggested with a sm.ile.

Their interest capmred, PM ·Modi went on co speak about the common bond between the two countries which is etched deep into history. He spoke of the soldiers from both countries who d ied at Gallipoli; the architec t of Can berra, Walter Burley Gciffin, who lies buried in the old city o f Lucknow in India; and of Australian novelist and lawyer John Lang who fough t the legal battle for Indian freedom fighter, the Queen of Jhansi, Rani Laxmi B'<li against the British East India Compan y in India's fitst War of Independence 150 years ago, and who now lies buried in Mussorie.

Bnr what PM Modi highlighted was tbe princjple of democracy binding the two nations. ln a full frontal attack on China, whose Premier was still in Australia, Mocli said, "Today, as 1 stand in this cemple of democracy, 1

consider nations such as ours co. be blessed, because democracy offers tbe best opportunity fot the human spirit to flourish, because we have the freedom to choose, the right to speak and t he power co remove - and, for us in politics, witl1 no option but to leave with grace."

Warming to the theme, Modi spoke abour the need for Australia and Inclia to work rogether to maintain stability in the Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. \-X1elcom.ing Australia's role in the prosperity and security of this region, Modi further said, "\Ve should collaborate more o n maintain ing mar itime security. \Ve should work togetl1er on the seas and collaborate in internationa.l forums. And, we should work for a universal respect for international law and global norms." The message was clearly sent to China that tl1ey need to be aware of India's d esire for a pace with Australia and Japan co counter their growing naval strengtl1.

Witl1 the security issue on the table, Mr 1vlodi then bui.lt a case for greater economic engagement between the two countries.

Dangling the carrot of India's gro\ving economic middl e dass, 1viodi urged Australia to engage more with India. He said, "I see Australia as a major partner in every area of our national priority.

In prov.icling skills and education to our youth; a roof over every head and electricity in every household; the most affordable healthcare for the most difficult diseases; the next generation of infrastructure that does nor take a toll on our environment; energy tlrnt does not cause our glaciers to melt - clean coal and gas, renewable energy or fuel for nudear power; cities d1at are smart, susta.inab.le and liveable; villages d1at offer opportunities; agriculture thar yields more and farms that are better connected to markets; practices and technology time save water."

He also promised d1at "Australia will nor be at the periphery of our vision, but at the centre of our thought. So, we stand cogether at a moment of enormous opportunity and great responsibility. 1 see a great future of partnership between Inclia and Australia and, a shared co mm.itment to realise it."

Tbe message ,vas clear. Inclia seeks Australia's help to counter balance the growing influence of China in the region. At the same time, India is open for business, something which PM To ny Abbot has himself said about Australia.

It seems d1at both are singing from tbe saine hymn sheet.

The reference to cricket, but of course, found its way into Mr Modi's address to highlight t he shared passions as well as the sporting rivalry between the two nations.

As l\fr Mocli concluded with a simple "Thanks a lot", it was clear that a watershed moment in the history of the t\Vo countries had occurred.

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MODI IN OZ

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Amitabh Mattoo CEO ofAustralia India Institute at the University ofMelbounie No one had imagined that Australia's relations with India would almost transform after just one visit. PrimeMm.ister Modi took the Australian East Coast by storm, from Brisbane to Melbourne through Sydney and Canberra, and he struck a chord wherever he wen t. Prime Minister Modi wowed his audiences with his formal E nglish ,5peeches as well as his masterly Hindi oratory. But it was not symbolism alone, this was one of the most substantial visits ever undertaken by an Indian leader.

Clearly, there is today a clear convergence of values and interests between India and Australia in almost every sphere: economic and rrade; security and geo-strategy; and peopJeto-people. But it required the statesmanship of Modi and the bonding of Tony Abbott and Modi to translate a potential partnership imo a genuine friendship. This has happened.

I was given the honour of moderating the CEOs roundtable with Mr Modi at Government House in Melbourne on 18 November. Australian businesses have, in the past, been bearish and cautious about India and found .it difficult to work with India.

Not so on th is occasion. The creme de la creme of Australian b usinesses were there includ ing Andrew Macke.r12ie, CEO of the world's largest resource company, BHP Billito n; :tvf.ike Smith, CEO of ANZ Banking Group; Sam Walsh, CEO of Rio Tinto; Anthony Pratt, CEO of Visy; and G ina Rinehart, CEO of Hancock Prospecting Llmited. They were tremendously exc.ited by Mr Modi and bis vision for tbe Indian economy. :tvir Pratt announced the setting

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up of a bigb level Leadership Dialogue between Australian and Indian business, political, and c.ivil society Jeaders. 1he Australia India Institute will nm this dialogue.

Anthony Pratt will be tbe founder patron and Ross Fitzgerald of Visy and l will co-chair d1e dialogue. The Prime l'vim.ister blessed the d ialogue which will take place annually beginning wid1 Delhi next October.

All in all, we could not have expected more from a visit which bas, wid1out exaggeration, changed die course of Australia lndia relations, in every sense o f the word.

Alex Hawke FederalMember for Mitchell, Chair ofthe India-Australia Parliamentary Network

1 was extremely impressed with the enthusiasm and admiration of the crowd at All phones Arena who came tO see Prime Minister Modi speak. To bave so many people attend an event for a world leader is truly exceptional. You wouldn't get 30,000 Brits celebrating David Cameron if he visited Sydney, so this demonstrates the Indian collll11tlniry's respect for ivlr Modi as a man o f great stature.

I was privileged tO get to spend

Above left: Amitabh Mattoo with PM Modi after the CEOs Roundtable; Above right: Steve Waugh and cricket greats with PMs Tony Abbott and Narendra Modi

Gina Rinehart

a few moments in conversation with Prime Minis ter Modi. He i s a really good person - ordinary, down to earth and without hubris.

It was lovely to meet with him.

The most important facet of this visit for both the Indian and A ustralian governments is tbe d emonstrated commitment to accelerating d1e pace of our relationship. There has always been a fundamentally good relatio nship, with our shared language, history and strategic interests, but there's potential to go further. With two new governments, and two new Ptin1e M inisters wbo seem to like each other and get on well both personally and politically, it is time for an accelerated relationship.

Both governments are keen to sign a Free Trad e Agreement as soon as possible.

There is such a good Indian diaspora community here, especially where my electorate is in Western Sydney. The commtmity is d1riving. People are running great businesses, settling their families here, and the Indian migrant story is ovet\vbelmingly successful. It's a great story Indians are peaceful, commercially successful and have g reat family life here in Australia.

Steve Waugh

Chairwoman ofHancock

Fonner Australian cricket captain, 2004Australian ofthe Year, Officer ofthe Order ofAustralia

Prospecting Group

Prime :M inister Modi is very positive, basically saying 'India is open for business'. It's the fastest growing economy in tbe world and I think Australia would be mad not to d o business wid1 J ndia. We ba,7e a lot of similarities which are mentioned, a lot o f similar interests, and I d on't think we've done eno ugh in the past to build d10se bridges. Cricket, is one commonality, obviously, but there's a lot of business connections we should foster and Prime ?vlinis-ter Modi certainly encouraged that today.

I'm launching a business today called Waugh Global Realty and I'll be looking co sell real estate to Ris and also Indians in lnclia.

I'm partnering up with some top developers, so I'm starting a new business. Hur Prime Minister ·M odi also spoke about education, science, agriculture, infrastrucmre - there's a lot of skills in Australia we can export to India.

I th.ink it's a genuine warm th between Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Abbott. \'(le should strengthen ties, perhaps more than we have,. I d1ink Tony Abbott realises we have a lot in common, we can benefit a lot from the relationship witb India, India can benefit from a relationship with us, and it's just smart business that we're aligning ourselves more closely.

It is sucb an honour to have your Prime Minister visiting us bere in Australia. I am very taken with bis quo te, wid1 his whole attitude, 'from red tape to red carpet'.

We have a lot co learn from your Prime Minister and I hope our red Ci\rpet is out to him.

Already some o f the steps diat Prime M inister Modi has taken make a lot o f sense. He's gone out there and said be will be doing more for d1e 11-UJung industry tO see it develop more in India. I suspect tbat means it will happen.

I thin k our Treasurer today in the earlier meetings expressed very well that he'd like to see a lot more happening between small b usiness and medium business as well. We know about tbe big things, we know about LNP, we know about some of the commodities, but I th.ink om Treasurer expressed very well [hat we shnuld also see more happen between small to medium business in Australia and small to medium b usiness in India because there could be an enormous growth between the two.

Prime Minister Abbott and Prime Minister Modi seem very close. There is a lot of understanding, also, of course, sharing a democratic background.

T here is an increasing Indian p resence in Australia, d1ere is increasing trade between our two countries. I hope, although ir is already a war m relationship, that it will get deeper at every le,7el.

DECEMBER 2014 19

COVERSTORY

The international cricket community mourns as the baggy green cap 408 is no more

ributes poured in for Australian batsman Phillip Hughes who passed away on 27 November after a freak accident during a Sheffield Shield matcb at the SCG. Hughes, who would have mrned 26 on 30 November, passed away two days after being struck by a bouncer bowled by Sean Abbott.

Although he was hospitalised immediately, he never regained consciousness.

Sydney's Sanjiv Dubey remembers Phillip Hughes as a "little fellow who came to class with a massive kit bag". As a Year 12 smdem at Homebush Boys High School in 2006, the late cricketer was a studem in Dubey's PD HPE class.

"Of course Homebush Boys is famous for tl1at kind of thing.

On a regular day, you'll see some 30 to 40 of those kit bags. But Phi.I stood ouc because he'd come straight to the front of the class witl1 his! He also stood out because of o tl1er characteristics, mostly his attitude in class. He would listen and learn, and was keen to make an effort," Dubey said. "The omer sportsmen in my class would sit at the back, and yes sometimes nod off too, but not Phil. There's a handful of kids over the years that I've picked as ones who woul.d go on and make

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20 DECEMBER 2014

a mark, and Phil was one o f them."

Canberra's Jay Poria first met Phillip Hughes in the mid-2000s when they bo1:h played Sydney Grade Cricket.

Jay played for UTS Balmaiu (now known as Sydney Cricket Club) while Phillip played for Western Suburbs D istrict Cricket Club.

Both were picked for t he NSW Under-19 side in the Australian Championships in 2006. T he team took the trophy for the fomtb time that year.

"I remember that tour to Adelaide very well," Jay Poria to.Id lndit1n Link. '1Jhil was always upbeat, and could be pretty naughty too!"

Jay ad.nuts to feeling distraught when he heard of the freak accident at tl1e SCG, but remembers his time witl1 Phil fondly.

"If l had co pick one quality in tl,e man, it would have to be lus strong determination. Even when his tecbnique was questioned while trialling, and later when he was dropped because of it, he was very determined to get back up, and come back stronger.

And when he got back into me Under-19 terun, he came back with a cenmry, and a big one at that."

People across the world

paid tribute to tllc Australian cricketer by putting out tl1eir bats and posting photos to social media with tl1e hashcag #putoucyourbats, a movement begu11 by the user @Sq11izabil!y.

The man behind the account PauI Taylor tweeted, " #pncoutyo1.1rbats isn't about me. lc's just a way for all cricketers to show their respects to Phillip Hughes. We've all played cricket in one way or another. Backyard or beach cricket, no matter what level, we've all grown up with a bat and ball. This is our way co connect and show our sadness.

Thoughts also must go to Sean Abbott."

The currently touring Indian team released a statement that said: "We cherisb the memories of playing along wicb him and deeply respect his contribution to the game of cricket."

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DECEMBER 2014 21

OPINION

rtune ~ wo rl dtravel~ The coal gamble With India's clean-energy industry booming, does India need coal exports from Australia?

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who will suffer. ln 2011, [(arnataka state's Lokayukta, the anti-corruption ombud sman, investigated com plaints of profiteering through illegal exports o f iron Ore. It found that "officials of Port Department, C11stoms, Police, K'>PCB, CRZ, 1\1i11cs, Localpoliticians and others are involved in receiving the bribe JJJ01U!)'fro111 M/ s. Adrmi ndian_g!ant Adani Group's plans_for the Enterprises'~ and Adani and other mining $16 billion Carm1chael Coal Proiect, the largest in Australia, has stirred companies were ''fam1d to he active!J involved in large scale illegal expmts". up environmental groups in India and Australia.

Adani began construction of the port ac Founder of India's Conservation Action Mundra in the lace 1990s, with commercial Trust, Debi Goenka recently travelled to operations commencing in 2001. The Indian Queensland to file legal government asked the Centre of Science and objections to the approval of this coal mine on Environment (CSE) to investigate complaints of behal f of the Indian environmental degtadation community. T his is the in Mw1dra, and a 2013 frrst rime that a case has Instead of report found destruction been filed by an ovetseas of mangroves, blocking of party objecting to a coal supporting India creeks and tlisregard for mine in Australia. in building its local pollution, among ocher The Adani Group's renewable energy foray into Australia environmental concerns. began in 2010 with Organisations such as capacity, Australia the purchase of the and GetUp Greenpeace is trying to be its bave been campaigning Carmichael Coal Niine friend by palming hard co bring such in the Galilee Basin of off dirty fuel reports from India to cl1e Central Queensland and knowledge o f the public the port of Abbot Point in North Queensland. and financial institutions in Australia. They have Theit aim was to operate proved successful to on a vertically integrated model - the coal from the some extent. Q uite a few financial institutions have shied away from Carmichael l\fioe would be transported by the project. rail to Abbot Point, and then exported co India and other offshore markets.

D ebi Goenka has been working with Australian federal and state governments GetUp in raising awareness of these issues.

He is sceptical about the financial viability have both approved the GaWee Basin of the project and says that it may well be a project. At capacity, this mine will produce non-starter. The Queensland government has 60 million connes of steaming coal every approved the project, albeit with 190 myriad year, with a predicted lifespan of 60 to 90 years. Mose of this coal is destined for India. environmental conditions, as it is relying on it to help rurn aroL111d its Instead of supporting economy.

India in building its Goenka rues that renewable energy capacity, Australia is trying to be destruction o f cl1e its friend by palming off environment has not been rurty fuel. factored into chis economic A 2013 Centre ''The livelihood s and decision malcing. "Do they realise that many of health of fishermen, salt of Science and pan ners and small farmers the jobs will actually go Environment report co imported labour from in cl1e port of Mundra, found destruction India? Thac ground water Gujarat, where the Adani and rivers in the area coal is headed for, will of mangroves, will be destroyed? Have be ruined," says Goenka blocking of creeks they considered ,vhat will witb regard to why be bad and disregard for happen to cl1e wild life to ta ke the legal route co local pollution stem the inAtL'l of coal dependent on water? Or into India. what will happen to the among other Great Barrier Reef? Or Adani claims the h igh environmental quality in1ported coal how their approval will concerns at the affect the poo r in Gujarat?" will be.Ip to light the lives Adani port in Tbe legal case of 100 million Inruans. lodged pro bono by Studies, however, show Mundra E nvironmental Justice the contrary.

Australia on behalf of According co the Goenka, is expected to be Insticute for Energy heard early next year. The Economics and Financial Carmichael project is also Analysis i n Australia, India will not be able to slated to begin nexr year. afford the price o f imported coal and it While on the one hand India is would in fact double the price of electricity. clamouri ng for coaJ to meet its increasing Other consequences would be inAation, energy needs, Goenka is convinced that India's energy need s could best be current account deficits and implications for served through renewable energy sources.

Inrua's energy security. It is ironic that wbile "Anybody chinking of investing in coal coal may meet the energy needs o f the rich, power is living in cl1e past," he concludes. it will be the poor, residing around the port,

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MODI IN OZ

G20 endorses India's concerns on black money he G20 Summit concluded with its leaders endorsing India's concerns over blacl< money, while promising a new global transparency standard tbat will mod ernise international tax rules and allow automatic eJ(change o f related information between governments to curb the illicit outflow of money estimated at over one trillion dollars annually.

India, being represented at the summit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, immediately called this development an unprecedented success, and said the next step will be d1e delivery of an action plan, along with the Organisation of E conomic Cooperation and

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Development (OECD). The two forums represent 44 countries and 90 per cem of tbe world economy.

"We are taking actions to ensure the fairness of the international cax system and to secure countries' revenue bases. Profits should he taxed where economic activities deriving the profits are performed and where value is created," the G20 leaders said in a jo int comrnuni9 ue at the end of tbe eighth summit, promising to finalise w0rk by the end of 2015.

This was precisely what Prime l\llinister Narendra Modi had specifically said and sought during a session on "Delivering Global Economic Resilience" on the second day of the summit, while also wanting systems tbat wtU help countries in getting back the il.1-gotten monies stashed away abroad.

"At this Summit, G20 Leaders have endorsed a new global transparency standard tbat will Leave no place for ta." cheats to

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hide. More than 90 jurisdictions will begin amomatic exchange of ta.x foforrnat:ion, nsing a common reporting standard by 201 7 or 2018," said Australian P rime Minister Tony Abbott India has no official estin1ates of illegal money stashed away overseas, but the unofficial ones range from $466 billion to $1.4 trillion.

In fact, according to Indian negotiators, such strong words on illicit money and Ltnposition of curbs in me communique would not have been possible without India's intervention, since the original draft did not contain a language chat ,vas satisfactory for India.

They said the Prime 11inister and his official team, led by his Sherpa, Railway M inister Suresh Prabhu, got strong endorsements for New Dell1.i's stand, notably from Brazil and South Africa, to make this happen.

"India scores at G20," the external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akba.rnddin

tweeted. He and 11.inister Prabhu even termed tbe omcome " unpreceden ted success".

"The GO communique add ressed concerns going beyond G20, developmental issues - employment, India's prime concern, was a central issues of discussion," Prabhu cold reporters at a post-summit briefing.

The tax and related black money issue aside, several o ther .issues which New Delhi pursued vigorously in Brisbane fotrnd support at the G20 Summit; reducing the cost of remittances from abroad, of whim lndia is the Largest beneficiary at S70 billion annually, collaborations on energy, infrastructure financing, inclusive g rowth, job creation and energy security.

The communique also specifically welcomed the breakthrough between India and the United States at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and saw iliis as paving the way for a pact that will help ease tbe

processes involvedin global conm1erce, and move forward in addressing the concerns of developing countries o.n food security.

The G20 promised strong, practical measures to reduce the global average cost o f transferring remittances to 5 pet cent, which goes up sometimes as high as 10 percent.

The communique also promised to raise globa.l growth co deliver better living standards and 9uality jobs for people across the world to ensure financial inclusion. It specifically sec a target of raising the output of G20 members by around 2.1 percent by 2018 and the necessari7 steps towards achieving this.

Prime Minister Modi also made a strong pitch for energy security and finding alternative solutions. "Our P rime Minister mentioned that we shou.ld create a global centre for dealing witb renewable energy co find solutions

and everydung. It was very widely welcomed including by chose who are not part of ilie G20, like Jeffrey Sachs and others w ho have been saying that this is an excellent idea that we have done," Prabhu said.

Indian interlocutors said another issue that has l)ecome a central theme for the G20, ilianks to India, is employment. There was also some movement forward in raising the target of 2.5 percent jobs for women.

Similarly on infras tcncture, the G20 decided to establish a Global Infrastructure Hub within four years to emerge as a platform for sharing of knowledge, also for networking between governments, the private sector and funding institutions.

Akbaruddin summing up India's gains at the G20, said: ''If you go back to our initial briefing and see from iliere where we are today, we have achieved substantially or overwhelmingly a.ll our goa.ls."

DECEMBER 2014 23

MODI IN OZ

A powerful partnership India and Australia agree on a new security cooperation framework nclia and Australia marked a new synergy in bilateral relations as they agteed on a framework for security cooperation to boost defence, civil nuclear and economic ties even as pj\,f N arendra 1fodi ended his hectic five-day, four-city visit of Australia.

The cwo countries .signed five agreements, including one on exchange of sentenced prisoners, while Modi also addressed die Australian parlian1enc, me first lndian prime minister to do so.

After talks w im Prime :M inister Abbott in Canberra, both countries agreed to seek early closure on their civil nuclear agreement and co speed up negotiations on a bilateral trade pace. lnclia and Australia also agreed on a framework for .securiry cooperation to reaffirm me bilateral strategic partnership. le calls

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international forays like the East Asia Summit, me G20 and me lnclian Ocean association.

Abbott said after the bilateral talks that Australia "will export uranium to India under suitable safegnards, of course".

In a take-off on their

close sporting links, Abbott referred to die BJP goverru1iem's strong niajority in parliament, "Modi has the runs on die board for getting the bureaucracy working (to get any job done)."

In Melbourne, Mocli addressed business honchos, including mining magnate Gina Rinehart, saying mat bis

government was nnderra.lcing reforms to enhance die ease of doing business in l nclia.

J\ joint statement said that the existing Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism would be renamed to

cover other transnational crimes, including ongoing cooperation on illegal rnigra tion.

Both prime ministers directed that an equitable, balanced, mutually beneficial and high quality Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement be brought to an early conclusion.

It said the Framework for Security Cooperation showed ''the unshakeable resolve of the two countries in combating and defeating terrorism, inducting threats posed by foreign fighters joining extremist groups".

The Australian government will also. relax visa restrictions for skilled migrants, in an effort to make die country more competitive.

A temporary work visa, the 457 visa allows skilled workers to come to Australia and work for au approved business for up to four years.

Prime Nlinister Tony Abbort, a.long wid1 Trade :t:,,[inister Andrew Robb, and Immigration and Border Protection Minister, Scott Morrison, announced several measmes which will make it easier for Australian businesses to employ skilled migrants.

"The 457 program must be a means of filling genuine skills gaps in die local labour market

while not placing unnecessary ad ministrative burdens on business," the statement said.

In a separate development, d1e gover nment will introduce a new Premium Investor Visa (PlV), which offers a faster 12-month pathway co Permanent Australian residency than the existing Significant Investor Visa.

for annual prime minisceria.l meetings, regular defence ministers' meetings and annual defence policy talks, and regular bilateral maritime exercises.

Both sides will cooperate to counter-terrorism. Australia will support Indian membership of d1e export control regin1es.

Ir also calls for " early operationalisation of civil nuclear energy cooperation and Australia's support for strengthening India's energy security by supply of uraninn1 for India's safeguarded nuclear reactors".

Mocli said the t\.vo counu·ies had agreed to speed up negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Paru1ership Agreement.

He sought easier access for lnclian business to the Australian market and quicker investment approvals.

Modi said both sides need to strengthen their security cooperation to combat terrorism and cooperate closely in

24 DECEMBER 2014

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MODI IN OZ

Social media savvy seems to come naturally to PM Modi

hile certain mentions had been made of Indian Prime Minister Narendr.a Modi and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott's burgeoning 'bromance', it was an autographed selfie the pair cook at the MCG chat indicated the true closeness of their friendship.

PM Modi has shown a particular understanding of how to work social m edia from the beginning. Throughout his election campaign, Modi and his team at the Bharatiya Janata Party worked his profile on his biogs, Google H angom s, Facebook and Twitter accounts. His victory message in May was the most re.tweeted post in Indian history.

After a tour of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, PM Modi tweeted the sel6e along with the words, "With my friend @ TonyAbbottMHR at the MCG." The PM also t\veeced, " People asked me isn't it too soon to visi t Australia after @ TonyAbbottMHR just visited. I said I can't say no to my friend Tony."

The Modi mania experience was not restricted co crourds of adoring fans lining the streets of the scare capitals. His Australian visit dominated Twitter, with the hashtag #Modi[ni\us toppin g the trends for several days.

Since embarking on his landmark tours of the US and Australia, r are ndra :Modi's global popularity has exploded. To give some perspective, in April Modi had over 12 million fans. This swelled to over 18 million by July and 21.8 million in September. In just two months, these nwnbers have ballooned to 25.1 million Pace.book followers. A recent picture of Modi meeting Obama and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott at the G20 summit garnered more than 450,000 lik.e s.

Meanw hile, on Twitter, in Sep tember Prime Minister Modi's official @ narendr.amodi account

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had 6.62 million followers, but as of his F iji visic this surpassed 8.06 million Twitter followers. So far the Prime Jvliniscer's Office account of @ PMOindia has 3.43 million followers.

The tech-savvy prime minister bas also been active on oth et social media sites including Pinterest, Turnblr and Linkedin.

He and officials from the 1Vliniscry o f External Affairs have also been busy sharing photos on Flickr.

D uring the 25th ASEA Summit recently, Prime i\1linister Modi made bis lnstagram d ebut.

After sharing his first post, he received a staggering 30,000 likes and currently has more than 136,000 followers. A:11 chis despite not following a single other account!

Since coming to power in May, Modi bas continued to use

media to showcase his direct channels of communication with the public, enhancing his image as a commo n 'man of die people'.

P rime Minister Modi launched the 'Talk ro Me' initiative and the Digital India program as other tools for listening to the wants and needs of his constituents. He has been making use of social

government's initiatives including S1JJacbh Bhamt: Connections to the internet have spread across India, and according to estimates from the Tncernet and Mobile Association of India, d1ere are more than 80 million current users. Though this is on:ly a smal:I petcentage of the country's population, a large portion of d1ese users are the youth PM

Modi is targeting with a number of his policies.

This was evid ent iu yet ano ther selfie the Prime Nlinister took with high school students during his tour of the University of Queensland.

Prime. Minister Modi has the seco nd largest number of Pace.book followers in the world after US Preisdenc Barack Obama, and is the third-most followed world leader on Twitter after President Obama an d Pope Francis.

As cyber expert Pawan D uggal told DNA India, "This single fact tells you how significant India has become, b ut more signi.Ecan dy it's also a salute and salutation to the eccentric understanding o f this d istinguished statesman who understands, li,,es and breathes social media and the in cernec.

DEC EMBER 2014 25

LIFESTYLE

Nurturing indoor plants makes your life not only more beautiful but healthy too

he mons ter on the wall greets me every rime I seep into my house. Tc's a Nlonstera to be exact, commonly known as the Swiss Cheese plant Its leaves seem to stretch out cheerfully, hand s raised in warm greeting, every time I return borne. It lends an ornan1ental ambience to the interior, for it is indeed a handsome p lant, if somewhat expansive, with an elegantly Rowing outline.

This green giant came to me four years ago in a very bad shape I c looked rather pathetic at fo·st sight, nor at all imposing as irs name suggested, as it had only four drooping leaves all tinged with brown at the edges. It stood in its por on rhe pavement at the local community shopping centre, silently begging for care and

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26 DECEMBER 2014

attention.

Even at tbe throwaway price of ten dollars, there seemed co be no takers. I decided to rescue it and rook it home. lt acguired a new pot in no time and was given pride of place in our dining room. Since then my green foundling has dug i.n well i.n its homely surrmrndings. It has grown phenomenally, also on me. Though the rate of i ts natural growth is rather slow - it adds one leaf every five months, l have observed this single-leaf foliation process with great fascination every time.

The deUcate organic aposuophe slowly detaches itself from the seem of its nearest kin, and uncurls gradually from dayto-day until it proudly presents itself as a glossy and stately fanshaped leaf.

Today my Monstera plant has a majestic presence that lends grace to our dining room. It compels admiration from discerning visitors and commands m y unwavering devotion. Surely you have heard o f Prince Charles talking to bis plants as a carer

or mace - the underlying feeU.ng is the same! Plams can be wonderful companions living with you indoors, wo.rkiog well beyond their merely decorative aspect. These silent and motio nless entities seem to influence o ur emotions subtly, as researchers have found.

They impart a sense of cheerfulness and vitaUty to enclosed spaces such as i.n offices and homes. They make a person feel relaxed and happy. Indeed, .if you happen co be feeling an emptiness in your nest, and are unable to keep a pet, baving indoor plants may be a good way of filling the gap.

As we all know, the most important reason for nurturing ind oor planes is the face that tl1ey offer tremendous health benefits.

Indoor air 9ualiry is an increasing health concern in developed countries where people may be spending most o f tl1ei.r time indoors due to work or li festyle.

"The air insid e i.s always more stale. We use a whole lot of materials derived from fossil fuels that contribute to pollution, like

furniture, paint and computers.

There's also more carbon dioxide as we all breathe cogetl1er," says P.rofessor Jvfargaret Burchett, a researcher on the subject at the U niversity of Technology, Sydney. Indoor plants help reduce air pollution by absorbing carbon dioxide and other harmful gases and releasing oxygen.

Smdies have found th at indoor plants provide other health benefits as well, notably reduction in stress and increase in mental concentration. They cairn and soothe, indeed tl1ey impart a sense o f peacefulness.

Plants in a working enviroument help increase efficiency and creativity. Moreover the foliage helps to balance air humidity Jevels, w hich is helpful against the common cold, sore throat and some fungal infections.

As a person witl1 reasonable passion, bur no outstanding aptimde in horticulture, I always root for common and hardy plants. Apart from the ubiguitous Epiprm11111t11 Sci11dapsm A 11re11111 that is so familiar to us as the Money Plane, there is a wide

selection of plants to choose from, that grow well indoors and do not need strenuous care.

There are plenty of guideli nes to be found on all aspects of the subject o n the internet. The M.onstera plane is an obviously atuactive option. Some of the other plams that have fom1d permanent residency and prospered under my roof include the Schefflera Acti11opfo,//11 or U mbrella/Octo pus plane, Chlorop/!)1h1m cotJ1os11111 or Spider Lily plane, Yucca Elepha11tipes or Spineless Yucca/False Palm, Fims Betyami1111 or \Veeping Fig, and Hedera or Common. Ivy. These a.re all good looking and easy to maintain, even for o bUging neighbours who step in to take care while we are on hoLidays.

Having an extensive garden attached to tl1e house does not necessarily preclude the option of keeping indoor planes. Most of us spend the maximum part of our day inside the house and not out in the garden. It makes sense to bring some of the green indoors too. It's a matter o f health and heart after all.

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SPECIALREPORT

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reatest I A new campaign encourages Australians of all backgrounds to enlist as organ donors t any one time, more than 1500 Australians are on official transplam ,vai ting lists, hoping they'll be one of the lucky ones to receive an organ transplant before i e's coo late.

Dr Gopal Taoci, an intensive care specialist originally from Maharashtra but practising in A ustralia for the past ten years and currently working for the Monash Health Network, is a passionate advocate for organ d onation.

"I see both sides of the scory," Dr Taori says. "I see tl1ose with organ failure who are on a long waiting list, patients dying while waiting. On the other hand, I see families who are going through a difficult time, with a potenti,1cl Nihal Agar and Pandit Ji Samir with OTA CEO Yael Cass and their signed Statements of Support lack of knowledge about organ for organ donation. Right: Dr Gopal Taori is a passionate advocate for organ donation donation. I feel it is important to help facilitate organ and tissue excuse, with organ donation the President of d1e Hindu Council decision is made with donation, to help people better last thing on their minds. But each of Australia N ihal Agar confirms the knowledge and understand the process." person who d onates their o rgans organ and tissue donation is agreement of the can save up co ten lives.

Dr Taori says the most compatible wid1 religion. "The donor."

Hindus believe that the phrsical common questions about organ Hindu texts do not provide CEO of d1e Organ and donation come from grief-stricken body is mortal and perishable, specific guidance or direction 011 T issue Authority (OTA) Yael Cass while the soul is immortal and family members who want co this matter, " he says. ''There is said the authority recognises faith imperishable. Dr Taori, a follower ensure their loved ones are not no moral or ethical dilemma for is an important aspect o f how harmed and do not experience any of Hinduism, does not see any Hindus wishing to donate their people live their lives and make conAict between religion and suffering. "T he organ donation organs." important life decisions. "The organ donation. process usually takes place after a "Support for organ donation is OTA understands the significant "There is a culture of fear and catastrophic event or accident, and inferred in many of di e texts and roles chat faitb can play for many everything occurs in a short time. misunderstanding around the in Hindu mythology where there people," she said. "In reaching People need co know we are crying organ donation process," he says. is support for organ donation for out co the major religious leaders "When it is explained ro people, to keep the patient alive as our the beuefi t of otl1ers," Professor through d1e Doflate Life. . .the either in a hospital environment first priority, but after death, their Agar continued. "We can say greatest gift campaign, we have or the community, people are organs can help someone else." then, from a Hindu perspective, gained a mutual understanding exceptionally receptive ro the Dr Taori says families in a state organ donation is a spiritually about organ and tissue donation information." of shock often use religion as an advantageous deed provided the and forged clo_se partnerships."

INDIANLINK

Dr Taori encourages everyone to talk more openly with their family members and friends about organ donation.

"There are concerns, especially froin members o f tbe Indian co mmunity, about die process.

People want to make sme there isn't some 'black market', tha t their lm7 ed one's organs go co the right person," he

says. "They're used to the Indian healthcare system, often a corrupted process, so they have misgivings, bur here in Australia organ and tissue donation is highly regulated."

When asked if he has had tl1e conversation with his own family, Dr Taori replies, "My whole family are listed as organ donors.

I wouldn't get into chis if I didn't believe in it myself."

Kira Spucys-Tahar

DECEMBER 2014 27

HEALTH

With alarmingly high rates of depression, it's important to explore how society can provide avenues and support for men to better express their emotions .

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MOHAN DH ALL

am sitting with a group of men and women.

We are talidng about various things, including relationships, when I ask a question that leads co silence: " Does anybody here know a man who is depressed or has been depressed?"

A young man eventuaUy speaks up. He says, "Darren* tried to commit suicide". I knew Darren.

He was my son's friend. They went to university together, but Darren wanted to escape his father.

For over a year he stayed in his room on campus, playing on.line games and drinking himself to a stupor most nights. His father was not quite me role mode.I he sought, and in finding himself, he lost himself.

I

••••••••••••••••• 1 am dri~,iog w ith my girlfriend who lives in a country rown. She says as we drive," .. . and very sadly here is where a young man died.

His car hit that tree." We are silent for a moment. SmaU towns have a habit of bringing sad news ro too many people who internalise i:heir pain.

"I do nor chink he lost control.

He may have driven i nto the tree on purpose," 1 reply. We drive on.

A week later I send her Aowers bur they do not arrive on ti.me. In the evening, r get a call saying chat i:he delay was on account of i:he Aower deliverer supporting her son. His best friend was i:he young man who died. le was, she told my girlfriend, a suicide.

•• •• • • • • • • • •• • •• • This is the 'lucky country'. The land of plenty. The second highest on i:he Human Development l1.1dex as measured by the Un ited Nations.

But this is also where more young men per head of population commit suicide than anywhere else.

I wonder why we have a culture of self-destruction as evidenced in part by binge drinking and l reflect on what men talk about when they are together. ft coJJJes again, i//advefient and 1111cxpected. Iike a fag whisperi11g

28 DECEMBER 2014

cold, )'Otl feel t1 smse of distancefro111 )'Oursc!f. F urther)'OU fall, behind_)'Our 91es, knoJl)i11g hen)'Ottr 011fyjriend is vttl11erahili!J. Your voice becomes q11iete1; the Jl)or/d 1-ecede,; evrrythi11g "' this ti1Ne 1:011 hmtyo11. Yott feel lik.eyott are dro11mi11g.

1"1!11 became ettgu!Jed in a 1vave of dmkness and)'(}// noticeJ'Ollr limbs are hea1!J and it is hard to /1/alk. If;1/hen )'OIi do w"lk it MkBs effort. You walk closer to the buildings, (!)'CS dou111cast, seeing e11e1ything and everyo11e fro111 the knees do]/)11. In this state)'Ott see111 1111reachahle. Unk110111able.

It is sometimesJitnt!) to )'OIi that in this space people becor11e kinde1; 11101-e gentle. Yo11 k1101v thl!)' do 11ot k1101vJ'Otl and ca11110t sense the depth of the water pressing down onyou.

You kno/11 thq do not k110/JI how to reachJ'OII, _)'ei somehou1 thq co111e p f?ysical!J slight()' closer.

You //l(tit in this spacefor /llben )'Oft have heen berf before)'011 kno/11 it willp"ss - it '"'!Y be half " dqy, aJew dtfy s or longer. You do 110/ k11ow 111bat makes it l[ft, hut lik.e the sun on afaggy moming, the thickness ef the dmk11ess lightens. You s11dden!J ruili.reJ'OII can 1/lafk ,1101·e stt10oth!Y. Tt i,r like)'Otl 1/lere trying to m11 in the surf, b11t 011/y f/O}II the 111ater is be/01vy o11r waist do )'OU feel fi-eer. Yo11 do not tlvoid /{I/king andyour 91es can see faces. The relief is palpable.

The shore is 11cm: )"1)11 celebrateyour rise fro111 darkness 1vith too much enthusiasm - not q11ite a ma11ic high, hutfar 1nore mc,-gy a11d h11111011r than )'Oft had on!J "fe111 botrrs ago.

Yo11 look hack 011 the lost d'!Js. [V'o11de,- whe,-e)'OIi 1vmt. 117011der 1vben the darkness willpress down ony o11 again, slowing_J'Otlr breathing cmd d11/li11gJ'OUr smses. 1-f.1/"onder wl!)\ and al.ro wo11de1ing where it is)'Off go, and wbetheryo11 can be in a place 1vbereyo11r inner self is uot. ..

I am talking with a father. He is crying. His marriage has failed and he is confused and lost Unable ro acknowledge either, he is angry. Despite the myths, men feel intensely - but they are not parented to have the words to e11.-press their feeli ngs.

Indeed, men are, in the words of many women, meant to 'man up'.

Vuln erability, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed or afraid - where do these things Jit in? This fad1er tells me that he does nor know what to expect. For a taU, strong man he looks very wounded, Jost and weak. The antid1esis of the

O lympic medal he won.

I bate not he1i1g ma11b1. I kno111 that mostfy f Ctltl cope, h11t SOtlletimes f jllSt 111a11t to he held and to hmvi "!J' ryes out because Tfeel so alone. Thave been so respo11sihle far so long, avd all J want to do is letgo ...

••••• •• •••• ••• •• • Arthur* has his arm over bis head as be leans on rhe table. He looks like he is in a lot of pain. He told me that he has clinical depression_ - an unusual admission. 1 notice that when he finaUy straightens up he is trying to catch his breath and he has placed h is right a.rm protectively across his chest.

1 know that he feels open and vul nerable and wishes be could manage. 1 am unsure of my role, but also know that it has to be a safe enough environment for him not to feel judged.

Arthur has been th.rough a lot recen tly - unable to get work despite his talenr, a relationship breakup, a sick mother. He teUs me some things that mrn out not to be true. lr does not matter.

He is m y friend and l will not judge him. His lies, however, are unbuckling his friendships. His vulnerability, .it seems, Clfren stems from jealousy. He gets angry when anyone says anything favourable about another male - he feels Like he is not good enough.

If a female friend of his says another man is 'nice' he panics and either suggesL5 she intends to sleep with him, or finds a weakness in the man he feels threatened b y. His friends say it is hard to support him because they do nor want to agree with him,

but at the same time, i:he threats feel real to him.

In dus way, his behaviour and his depression coalesce and even his friends say he brings it on himself. I am not so sure. .. l\l[y brother c"lls me, still de/11sio11al.

He tells 111e he is BodhisatvtJ co111e to save the 1vorld. He tells 1ne he does 110!

Jl)ear leather hecr1t1se the cmi111"fs feel pain too. I ask hi111 b01v be is. H e sqys be hates to sleep because th91are co111i11g to get him and he 111ust he vigilat1t. He St!JS his {/flkles bm-t since bej1111ped fro111 the bnage. Tj onb• be 'ti died thv 1 Jl)Ollld have felt sony for not k110111i1~g biflJ. He sq)'s the drngs help to ease the pain at1d J1Jl!J is everyone out to get him?

He asks 111e when I will see him next because the hospital 111il/ let hi111 out and 111e can get a coffee the11. IV'e can have more than om coffee in 11110 hours.

•• •• •• • • • •• • ••• • • I am with die lads - our annual meal ro celebrate the year. I know that we will discuss the football, the season gone. I also know tl1at Albert* will talk about his recent trip away and the 'beautiful bird' he met. Later he will talk about his wife and children and hmv much he loves her.

A.noi:her in the group will no t talk about his wife because they are estranged and he feels isolated in his own hom e. Of course, men do not articuL·ne the language of isolation o r estrangement. So he will simply say, "Yep - it's aU good." And then go on to discuss everything except his personal life.

After llf)I 111aniage hroke up I called

the helpline. l 1vas despemle and tl!o11e.

I sought co11,fort. It was a very bard decision to 111akB to call the 1111111/m: A man mwvered the pho11e. J said J felt isol,tled and alone. The comm/for asked 1vi?J,. l told hi111 ahout the distance henveev me and Ill)' chi/d,w. How Ill)' jimmr 1J1ife had movedfftttber aJIJtl)' and hon, Tt11i.rsed hei11g.f11l!J involved in the lives of ll!)' sons. The counsellor stmted to give adi·ice. A ll I bad W{lllted was e111patl!J'· In total exa.speralio11 I realised that I 11"1.r better able to co11mef myself than the 'trai11ed' co1111selior. 'IIVhat hope is thereJo,· t11e11with depnssion 111ho can11ot identijj, theirfeelings,' l thought as T b1111g up.

He's back, this mate. Down from the country. It will be a huge weekend. He and two od1ers will start the day with beer and progress tl1rough two packets of cigarettes as we laugh our way through the past six months discussing work, relationships,

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investment, and observations of die world.

It will be fun and the muuber of empties will suggest a wild time '.Vith many people. I will join from time co time, unable to keep up with the drinking o r to get invo lved in the smoking, but able to contribute to the conversation.

After a couple o f days, he will go back co the rnral area where he lives. Left behind are impressions of a man still running away fro m himself. A man at risk and who, when questioned, talks about feeling like nothing fits. He sounds em pty and lost. A man who will drink to the point of sickness every weekend, but who will not seek professional help.

Mateship does not make a difference here. Indeed, if anything it exacerbates the issues because his mates drink with him and do not talk about feelings that che)' cannot name. His mates laugh about where he passed our or bow sick he was.

I don't kno/lf ho111 Tfelt. l 1JJanted to proJJide eve,ythi11gfor fl(J fa111i!)1 so I famsed 011 "D' /lfork. IIYhen l feel th1y INDIANLINK

h,111e 1vht1t they f!eed then l k110111 "!Y sense of duty is //Jell placed. Rut "D' /011g hours have my wife stmggling with the children. She i.r distant a!ld distmstf11L 117hen l go h0111e I fac'lfs on the kids. Our lives are centred Ofl them, /m t looking t1head l do not kno//1 /lfhat will happrm when thiy leave 11s. 117ho will we be together? We are a!t-eatf)• being alone togethe,: I wonder what hope there is for our sons when men are raised to distance tbeiuselves from feelings.

Society's messages are confused.

• •• •• ••• •• •• •• •• • I ask some women what the word 'sook' means.

One smiles and says it is used as a term of endearmen t to denote a man who is open with h is feelings.

Another gees aHgi-y and says that men should not be open with how they feel because strength is evidenced by silence and stoicism.

A third says she wishes her husband was a 'sook' - a capacity

to .read feelings for her is 'the ideal man'.

A fourth says that her partner will cry watching movies but is never so expressive with her or their sons. And she notices chat tbe boys will wrestle or bit each other - but never hug.

Jarryd Hayne cried when the I SW Blues beat Queensland for tl1e first time in eight years. le is common for men to justify or talk away their feelings at such times, and to later apologise, as if tl1e expression of emotions is w rong. l\,Ceo have been heard ro say 'it was an emotional ti.me'.

The term 'emotional' does not acruaUy unpack their true feelings. Depression begins when me n become estranged from themselves and when there are mixed messages about who tl1ey should be.

When men bravely face the reality of deatl1, without hiding behind tinted lenses, their openness sets a b rave example for mhers. Jvlicbael Clarke's

recent fronti.og of the media co openly disclose bow devastated he was at the loss of his mace Phil Hughes was a courageous example of such openness.

Big boys don't cry, man up, toughen up, be strong, don't be a girl, don't be a wuss.

The term 'bromance' has been coined to describe a loving close brotherly relationship between men. lt is heartening that some men .a re starring to become more open with tl1eir feelings.

The group Men's Shed has been created to provide men with an avenue to connect with one another so that they do not feel isolated.

During major transitions, such as marital break-up, grief o r loss of a job, men can feel like their idea of self has become disrupted and, not having tl1e skills to cope, may find life overwhelming and feel isolated and alone.

For men with few close friends or whose identity is vested

in family, the sense of isolation, loneliness and depression d1at accompan y life changes can be extremely confronting and can lead to despair and a feeling of sinking far beneath the surface.

1 dreaded emry Ja1111a1y 1\1} mate.r were a111t1)\ work 1uas closed down, 111)' hqy.r were iuith their 11111111. The streets we,·e qitiet, the dq;•s hot a11d long. A ll l didfar hmm //las seek oldfiimds on the internet a11d try a11d cope l})ifb the isolation It is very impor tant that men and women learn to identify feelings and support die expression of feelings such as anxiety, isolation, depression, lost, unknown, unreachable, drowning, and the like. Whilst these types of feelings are challenging, the loss of six men each day through suicide is far more confronting.

* oc their real names

••••••••••••••• •• IMPORTANT CONTACTS FOR MEN WHO NEED SUPPORT MenslineAustralia is a professional telephone and online support and information service for Australian men: 1300 78 99 78 Lifeline 24hr crisis telephone line: 13 1114 Men's Shed

www.mensshed.org/home/.aspx Black Dog Institute

www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/ Dads in Distress Support Services

www.dadsindistress.asn.au/ DECEMBER 2014 29

FASHION

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Diwali events may have wrapped up, but the party season is still in full swing

ey there, party animals! Here's some good news for you.

Even jf your Diwali parties are over for the year, the party season is still going. Spring R,,lCing, wedding parties, Christmas, New Year's Eve, the list goes on till the end of the year!

Even if you are not a party person, or stress about dressing up because you don't feel confident about what co wear, worry not.

Here are some party styling tips and tricks that will not only ensure yo u look stunning but also are waUet friendly!

H

Dresses Thinking abom a party outfit inev itably conjures images of pretty dresses and bling. LBD lovers, you are in luck! The little black dress continues to stay trendy and all you need to stand our is a quirky accessory or two.

This season update your wardrobe with a black dress that has a fabulous cut and fit with decadent textures, like lace or jacquard. A b lack and white block dress will be a fabLtlous and trendy choice too.

Check out Cue or Sussan for some wonderful, affordable choices.

Bohemian and tribal prints are tota11y in and I suggest you check tbem out and take a tiny risk by flaunting one of these co your next event instead of a predictable block, jewel-tone dress. The risk will pay off, I can teU you! ASOS, Bohemian Traders and Leona Edmiston are just some of my suggestions.

Separates Coordinated separates are a big deal right now. They are honestly value for money pieces because you can work the illusion of one piece when worn cogether or pair them with other tops and bottoms to get more outfits from just two pieces. The rule is to keep tl1e accessories really sin1ple and neutral to avoid too much of a clash.

Accessories Accessories truly make or break an outfit! If you are looking for waller- friendly choices, and already have a few fabulous dresses in your wardrobe, then by all means just invest in some accessories to refresh that little black dress.

Try mixed metals like silver and

30 DECEMBER 2014

rose gold cuffs witb a black and white dress or add a tribal-inspired statement necklace with your LBD. Dainty pendants with chains or pretty crystal ones can be perfect to wear with prints so your look stays balanced and not OTI! You can even add some quitk by carrying a floral or printed clutch with a plain dress. C heck out the Myer ouline party themes for some fun ideas.

The 'details' Okay, you've worked out the fabulous omfir and accessories perfectly and are looking forward to being tl1e 'queen of tl1e party scene', but here's an important point not to be missed - have you thought abour what's g oing underneath? This is where I must emphasise the importance of shapewear.

When you are fabulously dressed, the last thing you want is odd ltm1ps and bumps showing through and making you go al1 awkward. ]\fake sure you pick some great quality shapewear and trial it before you purchase to be doubly sure!

Makeup This one's a nn btainer! Tf you need a quick fix, follow my five minute makeup routine. All you will need is some concealer, iHuminator/ BB or CC cream, some mineral powder, eyeliner, mascara and a touch of gloss. AIi set to go!

One important hint - overdoing makeup can acmally make yo u look older so go easy on the base, eye shadow and bold lippie.

If you are going to the races ot have an office celebration, by all means grab a fancy fascinator. You will get brownie points for staying within the dress code, but adding a touch of individual style!

Shoes Another element of your outfit that must no t be compromised for cosr!

A fabulous pair of heels that not just look good, but feel equally wonderful to trot in all day, are hjghly recommended.

Your feet will thank you after the party is finished, chat's for sure.

If you pick a great neutral or metallic pair, they're sure to stay in style for a long ti.me and you will get mo re wear out of tl1em.

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FOOD

•

a1

as!

BLUE CHEESE WITH SALTED FLORENTINE BARK

is the season to be indulgent!

Christmas is all about spending ti.me with friends and family, enjoying food cogetber, and taking a break from work and school. These legen-dairy recipes "\Vill wow the coughest critics and should ensure you'll spend more rime with those you love and less rime working in the kitchen this festive season.

Com bining versacile Australian dairy products and seasonal produce, these reci pes have taken the deliciousness o f trad itional C hrism1as fare and added a fresh Aussie t wist co celebratory favourites.

T

BASIL RICOTTA TARTLETS WITH SMOKED TROUT Makes 16 Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 10-12 minutes

Ingredients 1 sheet butter puff pastry, semi-thawed 1 60g fresh ricotta 1 tbsp shredded fresh basil, p lus extra small leaves to serve 1 tsp finely grated lemon rind 1-2 tbsps milk 160g mixed coloured cherry tomatoes, t hinly sliced 2 tbsp olive oil ¼ cup baby capers, drained (optional) ½ whole smoked trout, skin and bones discarded, flesh flaked

Serves 10 Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes+ cooling time

Ingredients 40g Australian butter 2 tsp brown sugar 2tsp honey 40g plain flour 2 tbsp pine nuts ¼ cup chopped walnuts ¼ cup flaked almonds 2 tbsp pepitas 2 tbsp raisins, roughly chopped 2 sprigs thyme, leaves picked 1 tsp sea salt flakes, for sprinkling 300g wedge of blue cheese, for serving

Method Bring butter, sugar and honey to the boil in

a small saucepan. Boil for 2 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir flour into the butter mixture followed by nuts, pepitas, raisins and thyme.

Line an oven tray with baking paper ensuring it extends up and over both sides on the tray. Dollop scant tablespoonfuls of the mixture onto the t ray about 5cm apart.

Bake at 180°C for 7-10 minutes or until spread, bubbling and deep golden in colour. Remove and sprinkle with salt. Note that the mixture w ill have formed one large thin sheet and w ill harden upon cooling.

Cool on t ray for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining m ixture.

Break cooled sheets into shards and serve with blue cheese.

Tip: Bark can be stored in an airtight container for a few days with baking paper between each layer.

Method Cut puff pastry into 16 squares before itthaws fully, transfer squares to a baking paper lined oven tray.

Combine ricotta, basil and lemon zest until smooth and season with salt and pepper. Add milk if the mixture seems a little dry and crumbly.

Spread ricotta mixture over pastry pieces, leaving a narrow border. Top each with 2 slices tomato.

Bake at 220°C for 10-12 minutes or until puffed and golden.

Meanwhile, pat capers dry with paper towel. Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, add capers and fry for 3-4 minutes until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towel.

Top tartlets with flaked trout, capers and extra basil. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Tip: Swap the trout with smoked salmon or leave the trout off altogether, for a vegetarian option.

LAYERED CHOCOLATE DREAM PAVLOVA Serves 12 Preparation time: 50 m inutes+ cooling time Cooking time: 1 hour

prepared trays and spread evenly to the edges of the cirdes. Sprinkle with almonds.

Bake at 120°c for 50-60 minutes, rotating the trays every 2 0 minutes, or until firm to touch. Turn off oven.

Leave meringues in the oven, with t h e door ajar, to cool completely.

Ingredients

---

6 egg whites 1 ½ cups caster sugar 2 tsps white vinegar 1 tbsp cornflour 2 tsps vanilla extract ¾ cup flaked almonds 100g dark chocolate, finely chopped 300ml thickened cream 1 tbsp Italian marsala wine (optional) 2 tsps instant espresso coffee powder 200ml creme fraiche 500g fresh mixed berries

Method

To make meringue Draw a 20cm circle on 3 pieces baking paper and line 3 baking trays. Preheat oven to 120°c.

Use an electric mixer to beat egg whites in a dean, dry bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beating well between additions until the sugar dissolves and t he mixture is t hick and glossy.

Beat in the vinegar, cornflour and vanilla until combined. Divide the meringue between the

INDIANLINK

To make chocolate cream Bring 100ml of the cream, marsala and coffee powder just to the boil in a small saucepan over low heat.

Remove from heat and add chocolate, stirring until melted and smooth. Transfer to a bowl and cool to room temperature.

Beat the creme fraiche and the remaining cream together with an electric mixer until firm peaks just form. Do not over-beat. Add the cooled chocolate mixture and fold together until combined. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until thickened slightly, if necessary.

Place one meringue disk on a serving plate and spread with half the chocolate cream. Repeat with remaining meringue and chocolate cream, finishing with the last meringue. Scatter with berries and serve. llp: Use a few dollops of meringue to stick the baking paper to the oven trays to help stop the paper slipping when you spread the meringue.

The chocolate cream can be made several hours ahead and refrigerated. Assemble the cake close to serving time and if berries are abundant, add a few between the layers as well.

DECEMBER 2014 31

MATRIMONIALS SEEKING BRIDES Qualified professional match for smart Lobana Sikh. Clean s haven, '84 born, 5'1 1, MBA, Australian cirizen. Wocking in MNC in Sydney: Family sertled in Sydney. Seeking Indian/Australian girl. Caste no bar. Respo nd with photograph at - sampalia2@gmail.com Suitable match required for J ain boy who was born in Australia. He is handsome, has Cle ver married, a non-smoker and is very social . Heig ht 5' 9",40 years o ld, welJ-educated and working hill time in a stable per manent job. All fam ily members are well edttcated and settled in Australia. Contact us with details at jaininaus@gmail.com Seeking suitable matc h for the re-marriage of 1978 Born Punjabi Brahmin Boy Height 5' 9", I ssueless, \Veil Settled A ustralian Citizen working as professional for a Corporare based iC1 Sydney. Caste no bar. Please email particulars with photographs to account8888@gmail.com or Contact 0401954390

SEEKING GROOMS Suitable match for extremely beautiful, tall, slim Jat Sikh girl, never married, 20 years, 5' 7" currencly pursuing B.Tech in Computer Science Engineering.

Mother ACP Police, brother Ln .Australia, only daugh ter, well-serried repu ted family from Amritsar. Australian Citizen/Permanen t Resident Jat Sikh Bachelor boy with professional qualification ONLY. Apply with fu!J resume and photos at randhawa_ramanjot@ho rmai.l.com Well-settled Brahmin family in Aus tralia invites alliance for 26 year old, 5"5, daughter. B Commerce/Graphic D esign, wor ki ng fulltime. Seeking vegetarian, non-smoker & drinker preferably well-educated and settled in Australia. Please email interest co rkvm87@gmail.com or ca!J father on 042425 1395

Parents looking for a Hindu boy for our daughter in Melbourne. She is 25 years old, 5 feet 4inches tall, slim, fair, professional in medical f:ield and Australian citizen. The boy preferred tO 26 to 31 years o ld, should have a professional job and should be Australian citizen. P lease respond with photo and d etails to matchgroom@ ho unail.com Seeking suitable match for 37-year-old Hindu girl, charted account, never married, with Indian family values and welJ-tuned to western values. Please email with particulars: rkn 1263@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. We have been setclecl 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 culnue. Please email details witl1 phoco: ozindian 11@gmail.com

AUST settled, professionally qualified matches _required for our L'\VO d aughters, 24 (Pharmacist) and 22 (Podia trist), born and educated in Melbottrne.

Punjabi/Hindu family respects traditional & modern values. Please communicate initially via Email: kspooni@hotmail.com H indu lady, Aust citizen, 56, young looking with fair complexion, divorced & vegetarian invites alliance from ideal match. He should be a no n-smoker and

preferably aged between 52 - 60. Please feel free to call 0449623316 anytime or email radiance88@live.com.

Well settled Punjabi family in Sydney looking for professionally qualified, very well settled boy for daughter slim, beautiful 5.4" 1985 born citizen, Governmen t employee. D one a Master's in Teaching. P lease send recen t phoco and b to d ata to schanderchopra@red iffmail.com or pho ne 0411320014

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FORETELL

ARIES tv1arch 21 - April 19 As the year comes to an end, you will be making decisions about a trip and peaceful getaway with your partner. You need to spend some quality time together. There will be some news with regard to your job with hard work and planning finally paying off. Financially you will be feeling more settled. You need to keep yourself physically fit and mentally strong. Any matters that have been upsetting will be released with positive thoughts for the year ahead.

TAURUS April 20 - tv1ay 20 You will be feeling very relaxed and happy with the way your relationship is going. Things are more settled and balanced. There will be some excellent news with regard to finances. The cards are indicating a time need for rest and relaxation, as you have been overdoing things lately. Take time out with your family and loved ones. As the year draws to a close, you need to make some solid plans for next year. Make sure you eat healthily.

GEMINI tv1ay 21 - June 20 The year has been quite exhausting for you in many ways. There will be a lot of plans and thoughts of new ventures and moving home.

You will have a new love interest, whom you have either just met or will be meeting very soon. Make sure you keep your health in tip top condition, as you may be feeling a little run down and your immunity could be low. The cards are indicating a peaceful time ahead.

CANCER June 21 - July 20 This month you will be concentrating on your relationship. You will be feeling very romantic and in the mood to spoil your partner.

The cards are indicating a fantastic time with regard to work progress and career. You will be feeling appreciated and all your efforts from the past will be rewarded. You will be feeling very secure and happy financially. Be careful you do not overspend during the festive season. A good end to the year.

LEO July 21 - Aug 22 A fantastic end to the year! You will be feeling confident, happy and at peace. There is also a side to you where you will be feeling sexy and ready to mingle. Someone is keeping a close eye on you, so be careful who your friends are. You will be in peak form and your fitness levels will be high. Avoid the tendency to over indulge or give in to temptation. The cards are showing your magnetic personality shining through.

VIRGO Aug 23 - Sep 22 This month you will be feeling as though you would like to retreat on your own somewhere and hide. There will be a feeling for the need to spend some 'me time'. There will be pressures from family commitments and you may have some difficult times with a male child. The cards are indicating a time when you will be looking at increasing your income. The year is ending on a note of positivity and plans. Don't lose faith.

INDIANLINK

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 You will be feeling in a very positive and happy mood this month.

Your spirits seem to have lifted somewhat. The cards are indicating a time of romance and feelings of contentment. You have plans to travel this month, meeting with lots of different friends and family.

Your social calendar will be packed for the festive season and you will be on a natural high.The cards are indicating a time of fun, excitement, socialising, relaxing and making plans.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 Your life is running the way you want, and there is success in work and love. You have been working hard to bring someone dose to you, and now you are both want to take things to the next level.

This month you will be feeling blessed and happy. The cards are indicating a time of financial stability and abundance. There may be some upset around the health ofa member of your family. Tests and examinations are needed.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 21 You are bursting with sex appeal and making time for that special person in your life. If you are single, you will be in the mood to flirt and make your intentions clear to that special one. Work will be stressful and there will be extra jobs put on your shoulders.

Nothing you cannot handle. Take care of your health, you have been under a lot of mental stress lately. You will be looking at buying a new car.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 19 You will be assessing the year that has passed and be feeling quite nostalgic. There are plans to travel next year, and you will be looking at dealing with property matters. You may be relocating or moving home. The cards are indicating a time when you will be putting a lot of energy into the future of your career and forging ahead with plans that have been on your mind for a while. Take time out to relax and meditate.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - r=eb 18 This month you will be planning to spend more time with your family and spouse. If single you will be thinking of someone who has caught your attention. The cards are indicating a time of great promise and adventure. There will be new work coming your way, but you must take time out to focus on what is important. You have a tendency to take on more than you can handle to please everyone. Your fitness levels will be good..

PISCES ~eb 19 - tv1arch 20 You will be feeling very energetic and looking forward to meeting up with family this season. You will be planning some surprise meetings with loved ones whom you have not seen for some time. There is a strong feeling of love and powerful influences of contentment. Work will take a back seat as you take sometime out. There are some personal goals that you have firmly placed in your mind to achieve in the coming year.

DECEMBER 2014 33

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SMART AND SASSY HAPPY ENDING STARRING: Saif Ali Khan, Ileana D'Cruz, Govinda, Kalki Koechlin, Ranveer Shorey DIRECTOR: Raj Nidimoru/Krishna D.K.

****';{

0

kay, so in how many ways do we get to seethe Modern Indian Bollywood Hero (MIBH) play the commitment-phobic Casanova? See that guy out there. We've seen him many times before, and played by Saif Ali Khan many times.

Somehow for all its sins of redundancy, Happy Ending still manages to keep the narrative in a ceaseless state of sparkle.

Saif is that kind of an actor. He brings a shuffling nervous energy to each frame.

He never does the same thing in exactly the same way twice. This is what keeps him going as the king of the ram-com.

Think Hum Tum . Think Oil Chahta Hai. Think Cocktail. Think Salaam Namaste...

There are no big crises in the script to sort out. As Saiftells Kareena Kapoor (trying hard to look involved) in the film's prologue, "There is no depth in me. What you see is what you get".

Saif again plays the jerk with a roving eye with a goofy panache that is cartoonish in its directness. He strips his hero of all vanity and lets hiin roam naked in the wilderness.

His Yudi is a selfish, horny, unethical bastard. And we don't see him make much of an effort to hide it.

For a large part of the narration, we see Saif's character move across acres of self-seeking pleasure-hood, revelling in a kind of masturbatory courtship where the other partner's feelings are ruthless decimated.

There is this smartly-written sequence in a hotel room where Yudi and Aanchal - the one-book wonder and the pulpy

authoress on the rise- share a platonic bed that soon turns into an occasion for subtle mating games.

Happy Ending is a film that strives to wear its aura of urbane cool by making the actors so familiar with their characters that the line dividing the performers and the performances seems redundant.

Shot in San Francisco and Los Angeles, the film is very good-looking. The three cinematographers Chase Bowman, Yaron Levy and Mahesh Limaye, shoot the characters against backdrops that would have served as postcards if the plot didn't invite the locales to be characters.

Kalki Koechlin as the blissfully devoted girlfriend brings such a remarkable charm to her character's annoying devotion to her man that you wonder ifYudi wouldn't be doing the right thing in simply settling down with this utterly and hopelessly devoted lovergirl.

But restless Yudi, whose only bestseller has been off the shelf for five years, has other plans. He takes off on a road trip with the writer-on-therise.

The mid-portions where the couple gets close while travelling together is almost inert in mood. Very little actually happens in the film. And there lies the beauty of the beast called urban relationships.

A lot ofthe drama that we see in our relationships comes from imagined inferences and illusory innuendos. This is where the co-directors bring in Yudi's alter ego (Saif in a double role).

The look and the personality of the alter-ego seems inspired by music composer Pritam. Maybe there is a subliminal message here: mediocre music and aimless relationships are equally self-defeating.

Govinda plays a tacky Bollywood superstar in pursuit of a script that would take him from the single-screens to the multiplexes. You could say he aspires to be in the kind of film that Happy Ending aims to be.

Govinda and Saifplay against one another with gleeful gusto. Co-directors Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K. (both make an appearance, one as cabbie, the other as a film director) keep the proceedings free of imposed drama.

At times, Happy Ending is a savagely wicked, sinfully irreverent, smart and sassy ram-com.

At other times, it just doesn't move.

And because the co-directors know how

to hold our attention even when his protagonist is stricken by ennui, we can safely assume that some sharp writing skills are at work here even when there isn't much happening on the surface.

While Saif brings a variation to his stereotypical role, Ranveer Shorey as his best friend does the same with his habitual flair for flirting with the familiar.

The two actors get hand of the film's basic mood: same-same but different.

SUBHASH K. JHA

Indian Link A much awarded media group 2014 NSW PREMIER 'S MULTICULTURAL MEDIA AWARDS Finalist in 8 of the Best Print Report of the Year 1 3 categories Best Use of Online & Digital Media Young Journalist of the Year: Ritam Mitra

2013 PARLIAMENT OF NSW MULTICULTURAL MEDIA AWARDS Coverage of Community Affairs Abroad Online Innovation in News Blog or News Website Design

34 DECEMBER 2014

2013 NSW PREMIER'S MULTICULTURAL MEDIA AWARDS Best News Report Finalist in 7 of the Best Online Publication of the Year 10 categories Best Image of the Year 2012 PARLIAMENT OF NSW MULTICULTURAL MEDIA AWARDS Multicultural Journalist of the Year: Pawan Luthra Editorial / News Reporting Online Innovation in News Blog or News Website Design 2011 NSW PREMIER'S SUBCONTINENT COMMUNITY AWARDS Harmony Award

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WAGGING TME FINGER UNGLI STARRING: Sanjay Dutt, Emraan Hashmi, Randeeo Hooda, Kangna Ranaut, Neel Bhoopalam, Angad Bedi, Neha Dhupia DIRECTOR: Rensil d'Silva

1rlf'-:.r).(--~ ow this one is what one would call a late bloomer. Don't get me wrong. It doesn't take long to get to the point. In fact the film's vigilante intentions are unmasked immediately after the film opens. No beating around the bush. No introductory songs.

No nonsense?

Well, not quite that. An utterly unnecessary and badly-choreographed item song by Shradha Kapoor shows up like a bad omen. Before I finished shaking my head in dismay and disbelief, the corruption in this anti-corruption film got worse. Emraan Hashmi was forced into doing what he knows best. The smooch is stuck into the script like a tail pinned to a donkey. And according to the script, Emraan is a cop.

Four youngsters out to cleanse our country of corruption make a total ass of the law. Masked but alas not menacing Randeep Hooda, Neela Bhoopalam, Angad Bedi and Kangna Ranaut go for the jugular like four high school students playing out an Enid Slyton adventure.

While the twinkle-eyed approach

N

prevents the plot from tripping over with self-importance, it also undermines the gravity of the situation where the rich and the privileged are shown to get away with much more than murder.

Significantly Rensil's film is able to show the murder of values without mauling the characters' innate sense of joie de vivre. This is where Ung Ii parts ways with Rang De Basanti, the other more important film on youthful vigilantism that Rensil d'Silva wrote. In the earlier film the youngsters took to the gun after being personally pushed to the wall.

For a film that wastes no time in preambles, the narration is strangely sapless in the beginning, with episodes reading like scenes from a television serial.

Ironically it's Sanjay Dutt's entry that livens up the proceedings considerably.

He plays a jaded cop with refreshing candour and he precipitates the film's climax.

The rest of the cast too is above average even at the lowest level. Barring Kangna who has a what-am-I-doinghere look whenever she appears, the smallest of characters are played with conviction. Randeep Hood a as a Clark Kent-Superman kind of newshound leading a dual life while wooing his Louis Lane (Neha Dhupia, capable as always) is unusually blithe in his grim part. I wish

there was more of Neil Bhoopalam and Angad Bedi on screen.

Whatever they do, they do with feeling and passion.

Emraan Hashmi's role seems inspired

by Matt Damon in Martin Scorcsese's The Departed. Except that Damon wouldn't go around kissing just because he is expected to.

The angst never reaches any pinnacle, though t he cinematographer Hemant Chaturvedi struggles to give the characters a life beyond the limitations imposed on the script by the absence of a vitality in the execution.

Maybe the director wanted to keep the sloganeering against corruption quiet.

Ominously Ungli seldom rises above expectations. But it does manage to keep afloat, touching raw nerves in the audience by addressing corruption on the streets.

There is a sequence where Reema Lagoo (long time no see) is snubbed by a series of autorickshawallahs as she huffs for a ride home.

This is a moment when you want to murder the perpetrator of callousness.

In moments such as these, Rensil d'Silva kills it.

SUBHASH K. JHA

WAM REKMA, CINA-MA ZINDABAD! SUPER NANI STARRING: Rekha, Sharman Joshi, Randhir Kapoor, Anupam Kher DIRECTOR: Indra Kumar ~ )r,.'"{',,_'y here is something to be said about star power. At a time when the biggest of stars sell themselves to the highest bidder on any medium, Rekha preserves an aura of unattainable beauty. And yet she plays the gharelu roles now in this Indra Kumar drama with as much panache as she did in Sansar 28 years ago.

In that film too Rekha was the unerring householder willing to sublimate her ego for the sake of her family. In her new avatar as the home maker who won't flinch even when husband, son, daughter-in-law and daughter treat her like trash, Rekha brings an innate grace to her character's indignities.

I dare any other actress to revel in the broad melodramatic milieu of Indra Kumar's film. Stretches of the narrative are designed like ongoing sitcoms with repeated gags and unstoppable skits masquerading as comic relief. Shot on sets that belong to the costume dramas ofthe 1960s, Super Nani transports us to

T

INDIANLINK

a world of embarrassingly over-stressed patriarchy.

The men in the matriarch Bharati's life are so oblivious to their own vanity that they don't know how obnoxious they soun d when they order the homemaker around. The bullies get their comeuppance when Bharati transforms into...well, Rekha. A diva, albeit of the domestic-ad world.

Rekha stands unflinching at the vortex of the nautanki, indestructible in her grace, unflinching in her determination to carry the idiocies on the narration away from prying eyes. She plays the girl from Patna with smothered dreams that merge into her current role of the 'Mother India' of the melodramatic age, filled with an implosive yearning to break out of her shell.

It is easy for urban India to laugh at Bharati's predicament as a matriarch b ullied by all the men and the women of her family. For a lot of older women who live outside Modern India, oppression is still a way of life in one form or another.

This is audience that Indra Kumar aims at, and shoots.

Many parts of the film in the secondhalf when Rekha's character achieves self-actualization through the good offices of her grandson Mann (Sharman

Joshi) and a school friend (Anupam Kher), are brutally crude and impervious to the refined requirements of metropolitan audiences who live in nuclear families and have probably never bothered to know what it feels like to have an extra-participative (read meddlesome) matriarch in the house.

And I do believe that the India which lives in the smaller towns and villages would warm up to the message of the film: learn to respect you w ife, or your children would also disrespect her.

Super Nani marks the return of Rekha.

In a role designed for the diva, she sparkles like a Diwali phooljharithat just refuses to burn out even when the festivities are over. As the beleaguered Nani's makeover artiste, Sharman Joshi again shows himself an underrated actor.

While the rest of the supporting cast

hams happily, Sharman remains restrained to the end.

That takes some doing here.

But then Sh arman is in inspiring company.

There is no one quite as filled with quiet grace as Rekha.

SUBHASH K. JHA

DEC EMBER 2014 3 5

RI P, Deven Verma Deven Verma, Bollywood's veteran comedian known for spreading laughter with his endearing performances in films likeAngoor and Khatta Meetha, died on 2 Dec following a heart attack and kidney failure. He was 77.

He is survived by his wife Rupa Ganguly, the younger daughter of the legendary actor Ashok Kumar.

"Incredible actor, comic excellence second to none. Thank you for making my childhood so memorable;' actor Riteish Deshmukh tweeted.

Apart from a string of actors and filmmakers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled his death, sayi ng he was "admired by film lovers''.

"RIP Deven Verma. How much I love his scene in Andaz Apna Apna: Main betiyon

soNAM KAPOOR

ko chudiyaan pehnaoonga,.. Aap ma ko.~

WE TI-IINK SI-IE'S GAUI-IAR-GEOUS ndia is predictably livid at the recent Gauhar Khan slap-gate incident.

Emotions ran high not only at the assault directed at the model and actor, but equally at the supposed rationale behind it.

The accused, Mohammad Akil Malik admonishing Gauhar for wearing skimpy outfits and dancing to 'cheap' songs despite being a Muslim, hit out at her at the filming of a TV show recently.

"No religion or culture gives you the permission of being violent," Gauhar Khan, who regained composure admirably, said afterwards. "This is also a (kind of) terror and it has nothing to do with any belief. This loser does not represent my beautiful faith, which in itself means peace:' Members of the film fraternity as well as others, shocked and outraged, took to social media to lash out at the perpetrator.

"Shocked to hear that Gauhar Khan got slapped for alleged indecency.

Absurdity just touched a new level. Disgusting and highly condemnable;' tweeted director Director Madhur Bhandarkar.

"Dearest natural selection, please help us out-evolve morons like the one who slapped Gauhar Khan. Sincerely;'tweeted the Bhaag Milkha Bhaag star, Farhan Akhtar.

Actor Rohit Roy was left"speechless': sharing a shot of the story, he captioned it: "Headlines of today! I mean, seriously?? Have I moved to Taliban country?! #speechless''.

Adaa Khan from the TV show Amrit Manthan asked if the man knows that Islam does not give him permission to touch a lady, forget about slapping her, while actor Mohammad Nazim reiterated the common-sense point that your religion has nothing to do with what you are wearing. Meghna Malik or Ammaji of Na Aana Is Des Laado, a show focusing on female infanticide and other atrocities against women, also said that it's less a question of security and more about'a termite-ridden mindset'.

However, Gauhar is not the only celebrity who has been manhandled and harassed.

In November 2013, a stalker of actress Shruti Haasan allegedly tried to strangle her at her Mumbai residence. She somehow managed to close the door on him.

The sultry actress Bipasha Basu during the promotions of Raaz 3 in 2012 in Ahmedabad, was harassed when a fan tried to pull Bipasha's skirt. She hurt her right hand trying to escape from the chaos.

The Dhoom star John Abraham was'bitten' by a female fan during the inauguration of a jewellery store in 2012 in Mangalore. She is said to have grabbed his hand and bitten his fingers. And Hrithik Roshan was recently attacked by a fan outside a cinema hall in Juhu, Mumbai. The fan is said to have jumped at him and grabbed his neck.

Gauhar Khan blamed the lack of security for the incident.

I

36 DECEMBER 2014

Anushka Sharma tweeted. "#RIP DevenVerma. Your straight-faced impeccable comic timing still doesn't have a successor;'filmmaker Karan Johar noted.

Filmmaker B.R. Chopra's discovery, Deven made a transition from theatre to films with the 1961 partition drama Dharmputra. However, the actor known for his light-hearted roles started his stint with comedy with Gumraah, a fi lm that starred Ashok Kumar in the lead role.

After that the actor bagged roles in fi lms like Anupama and Khamoshi, but it was his performance in Chari Mera Kaam that won him his first Filmfare Award. The actor, known for his jolly nature and rib tickling gigs, won three Filmfare Awards in the best comedian category, one of them for Angoor.

In the latter part of his life, Deven turned to character roles with films like Judaai, Oil To Paagal Hai and Kora Kagaz.

He last featured in Calcutta Mail in 2003.

In his long career, the actor also produced and directed movies such as Besharam and Dana Paani.

He tried his hands in television too with shows such as Gubbare, Zabaan Sambhal Ke and Mam/a Gadbad Hai.

Sonam turns Santa for a cause Bollywood's style icon Sonam Kapoor has collaborated with Pernia Qureshi's Pop-Up Shop to retail garments from her personal wardrobe on the website.

All proceeds from the sale will go towards Smile Foundation, an NGO that focuses on helping underprivileged children and youth.

This partnership will bring pieces from Sonam's uber chic closet along with ensembles from an assortment of high street brands, Indian designers as well as international fashion labels like Roberto Cavalli, Marc Cain, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Halston Heritage, Anita Dongre, Pernia Qureshi, Nishka Lulla, Atsu, Masaba, Disney and more.

"I love the outfits that Pernia and I selected from my wardrobe. I have worn these once, most probably and not more than that. It's as good as new and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the charity. So you're shopping and you don't need to feel guilty about it;' said the Khoobsurat actress.

Oz director Paul Cox loves Bollywood flicks Frowning on Hollywood production s as "manipulative': legendary Australian filmmaker Paul Cox asserts he would watch "silly" and "innocent" Bollywood flicks rather than those made in "manipulative" Hollywood.

Described as a humanist filmmaker, Melbourne based Cox, is a "huge admirer " of India's repertoire of independent movies but laments the absence of powerful storytelling and thought-provoking content that were the highpoints of cinema during the days of masters like Satyajit Ray and Mrinal Sen. His most recent venture on organ donation, Force of Destiny (an offshoot of his own experience with liver cancer and the subsequent life-saving transplant}, shot in parts of Kerala, was screened at the 20th Kolkata International Film Festival. Cox's memoir, Tales from the Cancer Ward, detailing h is fight with cancer, is t he basis of the film.

The fi lmmaker's love for India is pretty well reflected in the film which stars Lord of the Rings fame actor David Wenham, Bollywood actress Shahana Goswami and National award winner Seema Biswas, as it incorporates Indian classical music and other cultural influences.

Shakti Kapoor for Guinness World Record?

Silver screen baddie Shakti Kapoor, tagged as a real-life villain ever since the casting- couch- controversy sting operation, is now being nominated by daughter Shraddha Kapoor for a certificate from Guinness World Records.

The Ashiqui 2 actress feels baddie daddy has done over 700 films, which in itself is "unusual" and "worthy" of being lauded.

When in the Bigg Boss house, item gal Shradha Sharma openly made eyes at him and flirted outrageously with Shakti, he said, "Frankly, I was embarrassed! Woh meri cost pe footage kha rahi thi. But, I will still pray t hat her dreams in life come true!"

Crime Master Gago seems to be turning over a new leaf, huh!!

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SHRA DDHA KAPOOR SALMAN KHAN Sal man's Kat fight Salman Khan who is known for pulling the leg of his co-stars on the sets of films, stretched it a little too far this time.

During l'il sister Arpita's wedding, Salman, who was constantly on stage singing or dancing referred to Katrina Kaif as Katrina Kapoor and commented cheekily on how she had missed the opportunity to be Katrina Khan.

"Katrina tum hara gaana bajj raha hai (Chikni chame/i). Please come on stage.

Mai kya karoon ... I gave you a chance to become'Katrina Khan: but you chose to be'Katrina Kapoor'!"

Katrina had made it to the wedding despite the fact that her alleged beau Ranbir Kapoor wasn't invited. And though she sportingly went up to the stage and shook a leg with those present, she was seemingly upset with the entire incident.

Things reportedly worsened when the video of Salman taking digs at Katrina went viral.

However, Sallu has reportedly visited Katrina at her residence to apologise

and the demure diva accepted the apology with a smile. Sallu, you do love controversies, don't you?

Varun Dhawan turns dad The Saturday Saturday hero, known for his rom-coms, will be playing a father for the first time in his next.

The first look of Sriram Raghavan's Badlapur set the internet abuzz last week as Varun Dhawan, the poster boy of rom-com, slipped into an almost unrecognizable avatar.

The actor revealed that many of his peers warned him against doing the thriller, some even said, "You'll be finished''.

Then came words of wisdom from Aamir Khan, "The best decisions, as far as films are concerned, are taken with the heart''. This gave him the impetus to take a drastic pay cut for the project too.

The film took Varun away from the mustard fields and coffee shops to a morgue, a prison which housed serial-

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VARUN DHAWAN

killers, and an ICU w hich wasn't a fi lm set.

"It drained me. I had slipped into depression as after a point it no longer felt like I was acting in a film. The experience was that terrifying. Sri ram really made me suffer. Even when the camera was off, he was shooting me. It was a reality check of a different kind because till then I had been leading a rather insulated life, both in real life and reel;'Varun admits.

The friends he hung out with, on Saturday nights at fancy clubs, were in for a rude shock. The film had made Varun quiet and angry and h e was in no mood to party.

Varun sought inspiration from American TV shows like Breaking Bad and Dexter.

And next forVarun is a mixed bag of versatile roles with Remo D'Souza's ABCD 2, the Hindi remake of The Fault in Our Stars with Deepika Padukone, and also brother Rohit's patriotic film Dhlshoom.

Emraan Hashmi to play Azhar Serial kisser Emraan Hashmi has been doing some serious roles since the Murder franchise and will play Mohammed Azharuddin in the biopic of the former Indian cricket captain.

The actor revealed that the fi lm may have sport as the theme, but it focuses more on the cricketer's life, which is difficult to capture.

Talking about the biopic, Emraan said, "The research encompasses speaking to Azhar bhai on anecdotes and moments from his life. He has probably led the most exciting life that any sportsperson could have:' Emraan, who has gone through ups and downs, says his current slate of films will give a push to his career.

"There is no road map here. You do films with honesty and integrity. I don't believe that the box office is the only benchmark for success. I am not the guy who will go down the same path which everybody is taking. When you do something different, there are chances that your films may flop;' he said.

"My current slate offilms will reinvent me as an actor;' added the Raja Natwarla/ actor. Though Ung/I went for a toss, the Azhar-biopic might bring Emraan back to the limelight.

DECEMBER 2014 37

BACKCHAT

anta tot e rescue It's a weird and wonderful wish list from India

J

7 ~

, BY LP.AVER

F

ather Christmas is poring over Google Maps on his laptop. He is worried the options for Aight paths to take his annual gift giving jaWlt to the southern hemisphere are narrowing down. Ukrainian airspace is not safe. Putin backers may nm take pot shots at his sled, with Russians mrning to Christianity now unlike the Soviet Union commies, bur what if one of those rebels mistakes Rudolph for a wild antelope and aims at him?!

The Middle East is muddled up with no one knowing who is shooting at who. PAK seems to stand for Pain and Killing. Even Lidia is a cause for concern.

With Maneka Gandhi now in some ministerial saddle, animal activists may protest against his rei11deers being used to lug heavy load s of gifts around the globe non-srop. But those avowed cow worshiping Indians hardly look after the beasts, allowing them to choke and die eating plastic bags that farer every lane. There are so many plastic bags strewn all over the land diat one day it may look like the snow-covered Arctic.

Anyhow, with a few more days to sort th is om, Santa consoles himself. Opening his foternet browser, he is surprised co see on his Pacebook someone with a face closely resembling his - with grey hair and beard - plump, but not pm-bellied.

His email reads: "f',laJ\!Ioste

38 DECEMBER 2014

Samabahi, I have just returned home after my spectacular visit to Australia.

You may have heard the loud roar from .Allphones Arena welcoming .ine. On Indian Link's website you can see their colourful 30-page coverage of my events. Wherever I wen t I was treated like a rock star.

But on arriving home, I am shocked to see local stitmps like Shiv Sena's Uday demanding a lot more power than diey deserve. They think they can tweak di.is chaiwallah! A month ago 1 started a 'S1J1achh Bharat campaign co clean up the country and now I want co use d1e sai11e technique to sweep some of these 'chokras' our of the political landscape as well. Please send me the most powerful broom with the longest handle so diat I can do this work from right here in South Bloc.

Ap ke seva 111ei11, Narenbhai".

The straiigest request, Santa smiles to himself. He opens the next one. Also from an Indian pollie, Salman Khurshid. " You may not know I was India's Foreign Minister in the last government.

Nor many Indians knew that eidier.

Our party bosses Sonia and Ralml are not pulling crowds any longer.

1 told out newsmen iliac all d1ose huge crowds for Modi in rv[yanmar and Australia were because diey were sent from here beforehand.

Of course no one questioned me on how that was possible. Too many TV channels here in India and tbey use anything to fill their bulletins. By the way, can you send some huge planes, preferably invisible, to use this technique for ensuring crowds for R.'lhul next ti.me."

Very weird indeed. 'What more is in score?' wonders Santa as Sonia's wish list shows up on the screen. Saddened by her request last year for the PM's chair for her son not being fulfilled, she asks for die best legal brains co fight allegations against her and Rabul for impropedy grabbing Rs.1600cr worth o f National Herald buildings for die paltry sum of Rs.SO lakb. Alternatively, she wants a Bofors gun, the type diat b rought Rajiv down from power, to aim at her adversaries making such allegations.

Ha,7 ing barely succeeded in her p lea co appeal co the Sup.r erne Court against the judgement of the Bengaluru special court, Jayalali tha, in her note to the jolly old fellow, sounds unusually modest. Setting aside her conceited pride over

her proficiency in English, she politely asks for some super silks (QCs) co get her case adjourned for the next 18 years as she did before until the Bengaluru court hrought her down co earth.

Proud as a peacock, Subramanian Swamy, cod.1• over his success in bringing die much-adored Amma co justice, makes the same request - brilliant barristers co bring to books Sonia and Rahul in order to fuliil his lifelong ambition to end the ehru-Gandhi dynasty.

Plenty of scope for legal eagles co swoop down, feels the m an in the reel suit.

There is no prize for guessing what Dhoni's appeal will be - a replay of the lase World Cup, even if it means a wait until March co lay his gloved hands on the silverware.

Middle of che road Indians

unanimously wish for a 'jhadoo' (broom) not only to clean the mounting rubbish on the roadsides, but also co sweep away d1e chronic corruption. If it happens, it will truly be a be Christmas Jadh11' (miracle).

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