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editorial

INDIAN LINK

Growth, jobs and sandbagging

PUBLISHE:R Pawa�L�thra E:DITOR· Rajni Anand Luthra ASSISTANT E:DITOR Kira Spucys-Tahar ME:LBOURNE: COORDINATOR Preeti Jabbal CONTRIBUTORS Dhanya Samuel, Usha Ramanujam·Arvind, Tasneem Zavery, Nisha Joseph, Sandip Hor: Sanam Sharma, Mohan Dhall, LP Ayer

BY PAWAN LUTH RA

ADVERTISING , Natio�al Sales Vivek Triv�di 02 926217.66

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ADVE:RTISING ASSISTANT Preeta Nair 02 9279 2004

Indian Link is a monthly newspaper published in

English. No material, includi�g advertisemen.ts designed by Indian Link, may be reprodu�ed in· part or in whole without the written consent of the editor. Opinions carried in Indian Link are those of the writers and not necessarily endorsed by India,{ . Link... AII correspondence shou.ld be addressed to• Indian link Level 24/44 Market St, Sydney 2000 or GPO Box 108, Sydney 2001 Ph: 02 9279·2004 l=ax: 02 9279:' 2005 E:rnail: info@indianlink.corri.au,

his election may well be decided by one dichotomy: delayed vs instant gratification.

The Turnbull-led Coalition is chanting the mantra of 'jobs and growth' and promoting a concept which can be aligned to trickle-down economics. Bill Shorten and his Labor team are building on their credentials of finding solutions to the problems in education and health today rather than putting these on hold for a better tomorrow. A prime e.xarnple is the Coalition announcement in this month's budget to freeze the indexation of Medicare rebates until at least 2020, which doctors have warned will lead to less bulk billing, whereas the Labor Party bas declared that if elected, it will spend $12 billion to unwind this freeze. \X1'hi1e the Labor policy is populist, it will add to the current $150 billion annual health budget. Labor believes that a

large part of the funding can be sourced from shelving the budget proposal of lowering large business company tax to 25% from the cmrent 30%.

Lowering this tax rate will allow for the so-called trickle-down effect, the term whicl1, according to some pundits, originated with US President Reagan, In a nmshell, tax breaks at the top end (individuals and companies) can spur economic growth. Companies pay less tax and then invest the monies in productive activities, which can increase economic growth, creating jobs and oppormnities.

There will be a trickle-down effect to those in lower ta_x brackets. One can well see the logic in this, but the concept of lowering tax has been criticised by many who believe that it drains away the revenue from the Treasury to take care of the country's needs coday. US President Obama has been openly critical of this theory which was put in practice by Ronald Reagan to stimulate the economy.

But then believers in his theory advocate that this practice actually gave people an opportunity to earn more, as there was a large increase in production and emplo}ment.

However, it cakes time to filter

through the economy, and the question for Election 2016 is, i. s the electorate patient enough to give this theory a tty, or does it prefer instant grati.fication of daily needs? The challenge is that with today's lifestyle trends, we do want instant solutions to problems. Labor will no doubt build on this need as the next few weeks of campaigning progress.

According to the polls, as to which way will the vote go on 2 July, currently it looks close. The latest Newspoll has both parties neck to neck, with Labor having narrowed the gap with the Coa .lition. At d1is scage, it seems that the Coalition is keener to "sandbag" its current seats rather than go to war over those which it feels may take away its resources from the ones in hand. An example was the Prime 1.-finister's day in \Xlestem Sydney recently: he raced to the Coalition-held Lindsay seat of Fiona Scott and decided to then make his way to the Reid seat of Craig Lundy. That he drove through without stopping at the two Labor-held marginal seats of Parramatta and Greenway, was a clear sign of his strategy.

Growth and jobs is the mantra; sandbagging is the game plan.

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YOUR SAY

DEEPIKA AND RANBIR 4EVA

Results of our favourite celeb couple poll are in Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan 23% Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie 27% Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor 37% Beyonce and Jay-Z 13%

WRITING STORIES, RIGHTING HISTORY

Indian Link reported on the unique event Literary Commons! which brought together Dalit and tribal writers from India and Indigenous Australian authors to share and discuss stories of oppression, violence, injustice and lost identity

Dr Mrldula Nath Chakraborty, Convenor Literary Commons wrote: A HUGE thanks to Rajni and the entire team for this wonderful coverage of Literary Commons! It is so comprehensive and catches some of the most powerful and poignant moments of the gathering. I love the soundbites you have captured. Please convey my heartfelt gratitude to Chitra Sudarshan, Aparna Ananthuni and Dipanjali Rao. Aneeta Menon wrote: This was a great read with many new book recommendations. Thanks, guys!

Debayan Sarkhel @DSarkhel tweeted: Much more to learn from the Aborigines around the world

AN INTERNATIONAL APPEAL

A 35-year-old Indian-origin mother of one in the US, diagnosed with Lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system), is in urgent need of a bone marrow transplant to survive.

Who can donate? People of South Asian origin (18-44 Years of age) for the best possible match How would you do It? Read more at www.donateblood.com.au. Visit any branch of Red Cross in NSW to be tested. With your consent you can then be registered on the National Bone Marrow Registry.

Important to note: Once you go on the registry, you will be contacted if you are a match for anyone who may require bone marrow/stem cell transplant.

What If you are a match? You can donate through blood in the form of stem cells or through the marrow. Both are simple procedures at no cost to you. You could be 1 in 20,000 to save her life.

For more information please visit: http://www.abmdr.org.au/ If you do register please drop a line to hamsavenkat@gmail.com or jarcot@gmail.com

LOVING RAYS FROM BEYOND THE SUN

Rani Jhala wrote a heartwarming short story, based on real life events, on the power of a mother's love

Rani Jhala wrote: The article looks lovely and the double page spread makes it look so perfect. I think Arun must be smiling.

CORRECTION

In the article Anzac Day 2016 in our April issue, the image of Lt Col Jimmy Passan (Retd) was incorrectly captioned as Col Subroto Ghosh (retd).

The error occurred inadvertently and is regretted.

Lt Col Jimmy Passan (Retd) is President of the South Australian Defence Veterans Association Inc (SAIDVA), the body that organised the Indian veterans' participation at this year's Anzac Day parade and commemoration.

Ed.

4 JUNE 2016

BEYOND INFINITY

Usha Ramanujam Arvind wrote about academic Sydney Srinivas' fascination with the mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, the subject of a new movie starring Dev Patel

T.R Anantharamu wrote: A commendable job indeed.

Dlwakar Somathanahalll wrote: Quite a comprehensive review. Congratulations.

Samreen Fatima wrote: Great knowledge comes from the humblest of origins.

T. Valaljl wrote: Well written Usha Ramanujam Arvind. Your writing style makes our eyes run over the words easily and our minds comprehend what is said in your writing.

Anu Shlvaram wrote: A well-deserved recognition to the mathematical genius Srinivas and his namesake and equally talented Sydney Srinivas.

Your enthusiasm is infectious, Srinivas. May your tribe increase!

Dr Nagavenl wrote: Dr Srinivas, I just read the Link article. Congratulations on your excellent painstaking work regarding the great Ramanujan. It is not only inspirational but delightful and a pleasure to read. Your time and effort is very well spent. You have made a great contribution to information regarding the great man. The Link article is written in a flowing manner giving a glowing description of the great Ramanujan. It holds the reader's attention until the end. I remember reading something regarding him being supported by a scientist/mathematician in England in a police case. The book was either the bio of CV Raman or Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar.

Chakravartl Madhusudana wrote: A well-written, detailed article. I enjoyed reading it. I think Indian Link is wrong in calling you Ramanujan's namesake inasmuch as Srinivas was Ramanujan's father's name. Also the equations have not been printed out correctly. Congratulations once again on your considerable efforts to bring this movie for the benefit of the greater Sydney audience.

Shubha Chandra wrote: Srinivas, I wanted to write to thank you for all the trouble you took to organise the special screening of the movie. The thing that impressed me in the movie was not just Ramanujan's intelligence and the tragic life, but Prof. Hardy's character as well, the way he not only recognises Ramanujan's gift, but how he gets him to do it the logical way and show the 'proof' so that today there is something that has become useful for further studies. As tragic as Ramanujan's life was, there is the work that he has left behind which will be useful forever. By the way, the article in Indian Link has made quite a few people aware of the movie and they are planning to see it at their convenience. Well done.

A TALE OF TWO CITIES

Pawan Luthra wrote about making the choice between Melbourne and Sydney

Petra O'Nelll wrote: I have just returned from a few days in Melbourne prompted by the recent editorial on Melbourne vs Sydney. The food is a knock out in Melbourne - Brunetti's on Lygon Street for cakes - I feel the people are more relaxed and more patient. Bourke street mall had some great buskers, including Kate Ceberano who just decided to perform there with some of her band!

.f.

B

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JUNE 2016 5

festival

/SKCON celebrates the Chariot Festival

T

BY TASNEEM ZAVERY

he ratb (chariot) was bedecked with flowers, paper lanterns and garlands of fruit.

And of course, iniages of Lord Krishna.

A four-wheel wooden d1arior, nearly two storeys in height, it made its way slowly through the streers of Brisbane CBD on a Samrday morning in early May. Built to resemble a remple, with a colomful red and yellow pillar made of clod, topped by a golden coloured dome, it carried die idols of Lord Krishna and Sri Prabhupada, founder of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness.

Ir was hand-pulled by over three lnmdred ISKCO devotees, who used diick strong ropes widi much fan.fare. The catchy nmes of . Hare Rama and Hare K..tishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hrire filled the air.

Widi police escorr and roads in die Brisbane CBD cordoned off, this was d1e grand celebratory occasion of 'The Festival of Chariots'.

"The Festival of Chariots originated in Puri, Orissa over 2000 years ago and is now celebrated in every major city across the world," Nici Sheth, one of the festival coordinators, cold Indi,111 Link.

It was marked originally at the Jagaonandi Temple in Puri (from where the term 'juggernaut' comes) when the deities, to this day, are put in a massive chariot and taken for an annual tour of d1e city.

"This is one of the few times that we come our ro me streets to really share die love. It's all abour giving. Our tagline for

6 JUNE 2016

diis year is '.Joy of devotion".

Where did the charior come from?

"It has travelled all the way from ISKCON's farming community in Murwillumbah from northern NSW," Nici revealed. "We bring it up once a year for the festival. It also travels further south to Melbourne."

For Rad11a Dasi, the pulling of the chariot holds a special significance. "We are remembering the Lord of the Universe today," she said. "W/e a.re pulling diis Cha.riot, so that Lord Jaganath (Krishna) can come and live in our hearts and can remain in our hearts forever."

Winding through the streets of the CBD

for over an hour, onlookers were in awe, trying to get a selfie or two. The Cha.riot was finally brought to King George Square, where a number of festivities were lined up for the day.

There was free food from d1e 'Food for Life' tent, interactive games for children, sralls selling sweets and treats, he1rna and a card reading stall that imparted Vedic wisdom.

A free-for-all event, die henna stall seemed ro be quite popular with die Austrnlia.11s. eha Attal, henna artist, told Indian Link, "Henna comes from the leaves of a plane, La111so11ia .Enermis. The scientific reason behind applying it is, it reduces body

heat. It is catching up real quick in Australia and people thoroughly enjoy applying henna on their palms or a tattoo." ]ndirm Link also popped into the card reading tent to get an insight into a bit of Vedic wisdom. The card read by Ranganath Das said, 'Know that all beautiful, glorious and mighty creations, spring from, bur is a spark of, my splendour.' lt forms the basis of one of me songs Lord ·Krishna sang to Arjuna on the bloody battlefields of Kurukshetra, a religious war chat was fought to safeguard me principles of religion.

Crowds thronged King George Square to revel in d,e festivities. Smiles, greetings, and enjoying oneself were me order of the day!

www.indianlink.com.au

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australiawide

Food for thought Tamil Feasts is a unique opportunity to welcome asylum seekers while experiencing tasty Sri Lankan Tamil cuisine

E

BY DHANYA SAMUEL

very Monday and Tuesday evening, NLrmachan (Nirma) Murugamoorthy joins hands witb his friends S�, l igechan and Niro, along with a group of kind-hearted volunteers, at the Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies (CERES) Community Kitchen.

Together, they produce Tamil Feasts, a three-course traditional banquet showcasing the Aavours of Sri Lankau Tamil cooking.

Tamil Feasts is a social enterprise chat was set up ro support recently settled asylum seekers in Melbourne by sharing their food, heritage and culmre with the wider community. The project is supported by CERES Environment Park, a not-for-profit sustainability centre and urban farm located in tl1e heart of East Brunswick.

The idea for Tamil Feasrn was born when Nirma was released from detention. \'7hile spending time at the detention centre, Nirma and several ocher asylum seekers used to cook for themselves and for visitors. That's how he came to meet Dori Ellington, who used to visit irma and ochers in the centre.

Dori saw a real opportunity for tl1e men to showcase tl1eir talent and gain employment in the community. So, when

lNDlANLINK

Nirma was released, t11ey got rogether to explore if this might be a feasible venture and tl1e rest, as they say, is hisrory.

Receiving immense community support, the dinners always sold out in a matter of days which gave mem the confidence required to rake the project forward. Today, Tamil Feasts hosts two dinners a week (Monday and Tuesday) out of the CERES Community kitchen, with meals served at communal-style, long tables in an intimate setting, emphasising exchange of ideas and culture.

"Food is a powerful medium for social change and it's a proven means of bringing people together," Project Coordinator Molly cold lndit111 Link. "That's what Tamil Feasts is all about. Ir provides a real oppormnity for people to come together and to sbow support for those currently going through the difficul[ circumstances of seeki11g asylum - all the while enjoying three courses of taSC)' Tamil cuisine!"

Tamil Feasts is a self-funded project. The proceeds generated from ticket sales go coward keeping the feasts happening each week, covering costs, paying wages, and investing in any items needed to keep the enterprise running smoothly.

"Sri, Nirma, Nigethan, and Niro are really special individuals with a great sense of humom and playful personalities, it's not hard ro fall in love with chem!" Molly said. "They are the heart of Tamil Feasts, but without the support of the local commu.nity tl1e enterprise would not be possible. With so much negativity in tl1e

media surrounding tl1ose seeking safe[), here in Australia, Tamil Feasts has been a welcome, positive means of connecting and supporting people presently seeking asylum."

The food, o f course, is the highlight and the primary reason why tl:us enterprise is so successful. While l'vfonday nights offer both vegetarian and non-vegetarian option, Tuesdays are reserved for only vegetarian and vegan meals. The menu varies each week so you can keep experiencing this delicious feast without ever getting bored.

From a scrumptious salmon curry to devilled mussels, or tl1eir infamous lamb and chicken curry to chutneys, dahls, kormas and masalas, Tamil Feasts is

a culinary extravagance of spices and flavours. or to mention the delectable sweets and desserts prepared lovingly by the team.

Completing its first year this month, tl1is community initiative is not without its fair share of challenges. "\While we continue ro see great support from tl1e community, it's important that we attract new and different people to the feasts," Molly explained.

"Spreading the word about what these men are doing and encouraging more people to come along to a Tamil Feast is something that we are always looking for! We hope to grow and expand in the fun1re but dus will nor be possible without the continued and growing support of tl1e wonderful l'vfelbourne communiC)r."

Sri, Nirma, Nigetl1an and Niro are still in the process of seeking asylum. Ir's been seven years but the government still has not granted tl1em any legal recognition as refugees. But that does not deter them.

They continue to cook and share witl1 us a taste of their homeland with a big smile on their faces.

Tamil Feasts have a limited capadty and arepre-book only. You can book online at ceres.org.aultamil-feasts

JUNE 2016 7

cover story

ections

■ ■ ■

1n

Kira Spucys-Tahar and Rajni Anand Luthra speak with three candidates who have links to the Indian community

I

t's one of the longest election campaigns in 50 years, but the 2016 federal election looks to be a war of attrition and competing ideologies as parties attempt co woo swinging voters Lmder the constant scrutiny of the media. \X'itnesses to the entire hullabaloo are the Indian voters, many of them migrants with no particular affinity co any party or sentiment, falling in the category of swinging voters. They seek to cut through the rhetoric and analyse the underlying issues in order to make an informed decision.

General elections are held every three years to elect 150 members of the House of Representatives which stand for an electoral division within a state or territory.

Candidates for the Senate stand for an entire State or territory. There are a total of 76 Senators: 12 for each state and two for each territory. When a Double Dissolution election is declared, all 76 positions are made vacant.

Indian Link spoke co candidates Dr Desmond Soares (NXT), Senator Lisa Singh (ALP) and Allan Thomas (???) to find out what they hope to achieve as representatives of the people.

Lisa Singh ALP - Tasmanian Senator Why did you join the party and become involved in politics?

1 joined the Labor Party nearly 20 years ago nm\c It was the party that I felt held the values most similar to mine, things like, compassion, equality of oppornmity, and respect for diversity. I was at university and had a strong focus on social justice. I was inspired by Paul Keating, particularly in terms of his stance on social policy, things like women, migrants and indigenous Australians. I was also influenced by the work of my grandfather. He was a politician in the 1960s and 1970s in the Fijian Parliament ,uid was really pushing for Fiji to become independent. I really admired his advocacy and 1 always knew I wanted co work in some form of advocacy role, so policies was a natural fit.

You come from an lndo-Fijian background. What impact has that had on your life in Australia? Did you experience racism growing up? Have you experienced racism in politics?

Growing up, Hobart was not the multiculnLral place it is today. At school, there were definitely more people of a more European background than an Asian background. I did feel a kind of subconscious pressure to need to fit in. l ne\7er experienced any explicit racism per se, but there were definitely instances of casual racism.

I've never personally experienced racism

8 JUNE 2016

in politics, but some very dear friends and colleagues, such as Nova Peris, definitely have borne the brunt of racism. I have been very vocal against all forms of racism in Australian society such as with the 'Racism, it stops with me' campaign.

And especially with attempts by the federal government to water down the Racial Discrinunation Act. I consider combatting those attempts a great vicrory as they were forced to back down and reconsider their position.

You worked in Tasmanian politics before being elected to the Senate in 2010. As the first person of South Asian descent to be elected to the Australian Parliament, did you feel a sense of responsibility, or a sense of burden on your shoulders, to represent South Asian and migrant issues?

It was certainly not a burden. I / actually didn't realise until I was elected that 1 was the first person of South Asian descent in Parliament. It was acnrnlly revealed to me in an interview with SBS Punjabi. That's not my background, but people often chink when they hear the surname 'Singh' that it must be. But it made me think that we have much .-nore work co do to make parliament more reRective of Australian society. I have become much more engaged with South Asian community groups and faicb-based groups and have come to recognise that they regard me as 'one of them' and that I'm an important factor for them. I have taken this role very seriously and I like to think of it like this; I may be the first, but I certainly don't want to be the last.

How can we better encourage new Australians to become involved in politics?

Role models play an important role, but 1 think it's also about a generational change.

For my parents, it was not as easy. They had every right, as citizens, to vote and be part of the process, but they regarded themselves as not fitting in. The next step is my generation, where we have lost that feeling of not belonging to th.is country.

I have spoken with Race Discrimination Commissioner Tim Soutphommasane about this many times, about the idea of the bamboo ceiling and why we don't see more people of different cultural backgrounds in leadership roles. I hope with the next generation more will happen, more will change and more people will become involved. Our Parliament will not be a truly strong, robust democratic institution without more mulricu.ltural members in Parliament.

ALLAN THOMAS

In your view, what are the three key issues facing Australians this election?

1 think in this election the three key issues are Medicare, education and jobs or access to employment. Those aren't just issues I've picked from d1e air, those are the issues drnc come up time and again in my discussions with people in the commLmity.

Health especiaUy .is the number one issue.

A lot of money has been taken away from hospitals, there is the proposal to freeze the Medicare rebate and bulk billing which will lead to a form of privatisation of the system - some people will no longer go to the doctor as a direct consequence of that.

Labor was che party co introduce !v[edicare and that's something we're very proud of, l do not want to see an Americanisation of our health system and tbese proposals are the thin end of the wedge.

In terms of education, Labor is pushing the need for Australia to focus on STEM and to implement the needs-based Gonski funding model. In this way, funding will be directed where it is needed most, and without STEM there will be no jobs in the future. With regard to higher education, we're anti-deregulation and see changes to funding models and student loan payback schemes as an attack on our education system as a whole.

You have been relegated to the sixth position on the Tasmanian Senate ticket, a spot that is widely considered 'unwinnable'. What do you think of your chances? Are you campaigning to win or is this more of a farewell?

1 am definitely campaigning - 1 am not going to go down without a fight.

Obviously I am disappointed with how things have nuned out. It would take something special, sometbing historic, for me to win. I have always wanted co give Tasmanians a choice about die sort of Labor voice they want in the Senate.

Whether on refugees, health, or the environment, I have always sought to speak with conviction. I am campaigning and hope to give Labor the best chance for as many spots as possible in the Senate.

You were pushed down the ticket in favour of John Short, state secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, a move blamed on factional deals. Do you regret not playing a great part in the Labor party's factions?

I am a part of the national left, which is more of a non-binding, largely discussion based factional environment. Factions exist; l am nor naive. l have not played a role in that and have instead focused on policy development. l think there should be more freedom for individuals to speak

www.indianlink.com.au

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, , There is still a lot I want to do as a Senator and it's disappointing there's a chance I may not get to do that , , Lisa Singh our on issues and support community views as they see fit. There is nothing wrong with factions, but when a few people, or powerbrokers, control how everyone else should vote, rather than give them the freedom to choose that is problematic.

Though those power and control issues e.'list across party lines.

I have always been a passionate listener, accessible and approachable. I have wanted to focus on what we could achieve rather than on factional machinations. There is still a lot I want to do as a Senator and it's disappointing there's a chance I may not get co do that.

You have signed the 'Pollution Free Politics Pledge' backing calls for the Labor party to wtch fossil fuel subsidies, which is against national Labor policy.

Why?

There are varying views in the party when ir comes to fossil fuels. Labor has a strong position on climate change and I am highlighting that if we want co meet our targets outlined in various international agreements, we need to ensure we're investing in renewable energy

and moving away from a reliance on fossil fuels. Of course we can continue to protect farmers but we should not be helping larger multi.national corporations. We need to end subsidies like the diesel fuel rebate that incencivise polluting behaviours.

In a pamphlet wstributed in TAS you said you will "remain a strong and independent Labor voice for more compassionate refugee policies" - do you agree with the Labor party's acceptance of boat turn-backs?

I agree with the Party's policy on refugees. l worked closely with (Labor immigration spokesman) Richard Marles to formulate our policy which includes increasing Australia's intake and greater oversight of detention centres. I was not a voting delegate at the Labor Parry Conference where the motion was put regarding boat rurnbacks. I have been outspoken in the fact that I do not support turnbacks. I hope with the Labor policy and regional framework we never have to use boat n1rnbacks.

What is your opinion on preference deals?

I am for anything that gives more power to rhe people. For the first time, at dus election, people will be able to direct their own preferences in the Senate. Reform of Senate vocing where people are able to have their own choice is a positive step.

Democracy is nor perfect and it can and should be reviewed from time to time.

I was in ]ndia in March to witness the exiled Tibetan government elections in Dharnmshala. There is a small, new democracy tbat

DES SOARES we can relate to our country and what can be improved. Democracy can't be sracic, it must be ope_n and transparent.

You had a strong connection to the republican movement prior co politics and have maintained this connection throughout your time as a Senator. Is that something you would like to pursue further?

I will always be a republican. I was very much inspired by Keatiog's stand on the issue. \'\Te can learn through what India we.m through - it i s a very proud country due to its independe.nce from Britain. It definitely holds us back in terms of policies in the Indo-Pacific region. I have nothing against the Queen, she's a lovely lady, but we need our own head of state, we need someone to stand strong and be led by one us.

Tell us about a highlight from your dealings with the Indian community and your travels

LISA SINGH

INDIANLINK

to lnwa It was an incredible honour to receive the Prnvasi Bharaciya Samman. In my time as a Senator I have taken pride in building friendly relationships between India and Australia, focusing on soft power. I went on a visit to India with our Shadow Minister for Foreign Affa irs and International Development (Deputy Opposition Leader) Tanya Plibersek which was a really meaningful experience. All my visits have been special; India and Australia have a lot in common, but our reJationship is still developing. There is a long history but we have furd1er to go to become sttonger parmers; that re.quires good leadership, commitment and understanding that our similarities go beyond cricket.

What do you enjoy most about politics?

The people you meet. Being in politics has opened doors I never could have imagined. One day you talk with pensions about how they're going to get through a cold winter. Then it was a privilege co meet with India's Prime lvlinister Narendra l\fodi in pacliament in Canberra and on stage in Sydney. I have seen the fuli gamut. I have always wanted to be advocating for people, representing them and the things that matter to d1em, in government.

What might people not know about you?

I am always running late! (Laughing) That fits with my cultural background . . . Also, I have a pet cat, Ben, he's a black shortbair, part Burmese. I ' m always sharing photos of him on my phone to people in the office!

Dr Desmond (Des) Soares NXT - Seat of Moreton What convinced you to join the party of your choice?

ick Xenophon strikes me as a genuine carer for the underdog, and for those who have no voice. I was particularly impressed by his work in the field of gambling reforms and support for dairy farmers.

The party called for expressions of interest from people keen to join. I applied - along with some 450 od1ers! All candidates were put through a vetting process that even involved psychological testing and presentations. Our wr:itcen applications were analysed, and background checks were carried our. Four candidates were finaUy picked for my state, Queensland, two each for Senate and House of Representatives.

I've always been interesced in politics, but never cook an active pare before this. flor the past five to ten years, I've been depressed by the politics in our country.

Labor and Liberals have both disappointed, and I've also been dismayed by the slogans and d1e bad behaviour. Rather than grumble, I dioughc I should pm my hand up, and see if I can contribute meaningfull)'.

JUNE 2016 9

cover story

with the Indian community in my electorate.

, , My passions are education, opportunity, As an overseas-born Australian - I moved equality and here from India as a 15-year-old with my mum - I th.ink I understand very well the fairness. I believe issues faced by families as they settle in. I also treat many overseas-born patients and in accessible have over the years come in close contact with many families at various stages of education integration. I remember very well having to learn a whole host of new skills, at school for a11 , , and outside of school, simply in order to What is your understanding of issues

concerned with the multicultural

community in Moreton and how are you best placed to address them?

Des Soares

What are the three key issues facing the people of Moreton?

We have 95,000 voters, with some 40 per cent born overseas. There's a high multiculmral elemem here. We have Indians, Chinese, Africans, we are very diverse. The age span is also large. In terms of small business, we are the fourth largest, with some 15,000 individual entities. Other industries, we are heavy on health care, and there is some manufacmring.

The key issues in our area are transportation, employment, health and education.

Why should the people vote for you?

I've never been a politician, so I hope to bring a fresh perspective. I've promised people I will answer their queries and deal with chem with bonesry and respect. I'm neither right nor left, but a sensible middle­ of-the-road. I ' m not built by ideology, but my own doctrines. I hope to be a voice for those who have none.

My passions are education., opporttuiity, equality and fairness. I believe in accessible education for all: we need to ensure that everyone has access to the same quality education regardless of wealth or backgrow1d. l want to help the people of Morecon to rediscover their voice. We need to become engaged and speak and be heard on the issues that matter co us. We need co define what type of community we want to live in and the services we expecr governmem to provide for us. We need to speak up and define how we want our local member co behave both in Parliament and in the community. We need to bring back respect in the way we deal with each other in our civic Life.

The campaign trail is a rough and challenging one, which certainly needs the benefit of strategy to reach out to as many voters as possible. How are you dealing with this?

I've domknocked at some 1000 homes already. You'll /ind me at railway stations and bus stops talking to people. I'm also active on social media, Pacebook and Twitter mostly. I like reaching out and talking co people at events and barbecues.

The Indian community I've met with extensively in the recent past, as well as the Fijian-Indian community here. We've recently had the new year celebrations in many Indian communities; 1 enjoyed meeting many people at the Kerala celebrations particularly! I have many ludian-origin patients in my practice, from across the diaspora, but particularly South Africa. So I'd say yes, I am well acquainted

10 JUNE 2016

fw1ction well. But we all work hard at out studies, and .in out professions, to give back co the society that welcomed us in. As an ortl1opaedic surgeon, I have paid back 400 times, in tax, over and above caring for those in need. Australia owed me nothing, but gave me everything, so I want co give bade

How can we better encourage new Australians to become involved in politics?

l n the Indian community, I would say we have .nor really stepped up, we are too busy earning a Living! But I di.ink the awareness is growing that if we don't participate, we will niiss om. Would you l.i.ke to simply complain when things are not satisfactory, or get up and try to help? Indians make up about 2-3 per cent - or is it 4 per cent? - of the population, and we should have representation to that number. \Xie contribute significantly to the economy, and as a community, we value education, family ties, aged care, all of which are vital to tl1e wider community. So we should stand up and make an effort.

What do you enjoy most about politics?

Meeting people. Talking co them, and equally, listening to them. I've just come off a discussion where I was told, yoLJ guys want to put a scop to all poker machines. I listened closely, and then replied that in fact we don't want to, we just want to find ways to minimise the harm they cause. l think the message got home!

What might people not know about you?

That 1 went to school in the northern suburbs of Sydney, and studied medicine at Sydney University. That after working in NS\'v' for a number of years, my wife and I moved co Nepal to work with an international charity that provided holistic medical care and rehabilitation to people and faniilies affected by leprosy.

That 1 worked in Kolkaca and Mumbai with Motl1er Teresa's organisation. That I continue to teach coday, for the Pacific Islands Orthopaedic Association in Honiara.

And you uiight not know this, but my mum tl1inks politics is a dirty business!

Allan Thomas JLN - NSW Senate What convinced you to join the party of yotu choice?

I was born in Fiji but I'm an Australian citizen. I have Uncles and Aw1ties who are of Indian origin and Hinduism has always been a part of our family setup. In the 1970s, I migrated to Australia with ll1)' parents. They saw oppormnities for us here.

I joined tl1e Jacqui Lambie Network OLN)

because I can see how her policies have a benefit w my family and our cow1try. We celebrate Piji Day and all the major f{indu festivals, I ' m all for multiculturalism, it's one of the biggest values in this country. Jacqui Lambie's policies ai·e about celebrating our differences but nor imposing on Australia.

Being an Australian citizen, I want to see jobs remain in Australia, I wane to stop the FfAs and impose heavier foreign taxes co reduce the deficit. l have no disputes regarding inrniigration, as long as people's values are genuine and they wane to be pare of the Australian way of life.

I spent 14 years in the Australian Defence Poree. Since I left the army I have helped provide resources to help those veterans receive adequate benefits. I have seen a lot of changes in legislation to the financial benefits of veterans. These soldiers put their lives forward to protect this great country and tl1ey should be significantly rewarded and not have to justify their benefits given tl1e rigours of defence force life. I have been lobbying at a Ministerial level to help lower and middle class people who are finding it hard to make ends meet.

There's no rewards for them, no trying to get ahead. lc's about helping people by keeping Australian jobs in Australia.

The campaign trail is a rough and challenging one, which certainly needs

\Xie need to back ourselves and protect the vulnerable. The pensioners, the unemployed need to be helped. Politicians are getting regular pay increases and we can't afford to help those who need it most and tliat needs to change.

What is your opinion on preference deals?

The current coalition has backed itself into a corner. They want more seats in the Senate, but the independents will get more seats in this election. The independents wiU have more of a chance to change tl1ings and make things right.

What is your understanding of issues concerned with the multicultural community in Australia?

1 don't think racism is actually a big thing in [his country. As someone of dark colour in the Ausrralian Defence Poree, I would have felt i[ up front, but the dynauiic of chis country means we provide assistance to people who need it most. \Yle need to embrace and accept people from other countries just as foreigners need [() accept they have a duty of care to abide by the constitution of Australia and have an understanding of English. Australians are a very embracing people and new niigrants are rewarded by people celebrating their cultures.

the benefit of strategy to reach out to as many voters as possible. How are you

How can we better encourage new

dealing with this?

Australians to become involved in

I have been getting out there and talking to people. have gone to the Australian Workers' Union members at Port Kembla (in NSW) to talk about tl1e South Ausrralian submarine announcement. \X7e have a manufacturing plant in New Soutl1 Wales making steel, so why aren't we using that in the production of Australia's submarines?

Why are we using foreign resources? I have been speaking with them about their issues.

Jobs wiU be lost. Money is going overseas and we're los.i.og our. I have also spoken with NSW l\faritime Engineers about emTironmental protection and their issues.

I have been using social media to reach out w people and attending rallies all around Australia for veterans' affairs.

I Jive in Ballina (in regional NSW). I am a member of a minority trying co get my name out there.

politics?

r

Why should people vote for you?

\Xie need co elect people witl1 good values who are not from tl1e major parties. The Senate is about individuals, especially those from regional areas, pusliing the concerns of their community.

What are the three key issues facing people this election?

Firstly, employment and how we go about solving chis problem. We need to back ourselves and impose heavier taxes on foreign companies. We have grear tradespeople in Australia and we need to invest in ups killing and put greater investment into our resources, for example, the food industry.

The second issue is use of our prime agricultural land. Over the decades we've seen the loss o f our land to foreign investors. \Ve need to put more money into researching how we can protect our prin1e agricultural land and develop our crops. \Y./e should be providing subsidies to farmers to help them through drought and to develop their crops imo resources to be used by Australians.

I would encourage people ro see how open parliament in Australia is. When working on veterans issues, I cook time to read parliamentary reports and the more I read of government reports and parts of Hai1sard, the greater w1derstanding I had of politics in Australia. I think you have a better understanding doing that than reading what (Rupert) Murdoch and his newspapers want the community to see. lt's also important for more multicultural members of the community to get involved.

Watch debates on television, get a better idea of what it is you're voting for.

What do you enjoy most about politics?

Being in the Australian Defence Force, I really e xperienced a sense of camaraderje that I have also foLmd in the JLN. Senacors are there to take your issues on, they're genuine people and having worked witl1 them in the past, being part of that group would pllt me in good stead.

What might people not know about you?

Speaking to me on tl1e phone, people wouldn't know I'm F'ijian. was born d1ere but was brought up in Australia. Looking at my name people wouldn't guess.

r

, , Jacqui Lambie's policies are about celebrating our differences but not imposing on Australia ,, Allan Thomas www.indianlink.com.au

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JUNE 2016 11

technology

Tree root sha ed anc ors In an engineering breakthrough, researchers discover tree root-like structures are stronger than traditional anchors

,, Anchors modelled on the fractal­ shaped roots of trees required much less material to build, making them more cost-effective compared to traditional shaped anchors ,,

BY USHA RAMANUJAM ARVIND

arure's skyscrapers have Jong intrigu ed geotechnique expert Dr Pierre Rognon, particularly the innate capacity of trees to stay anchored through varying weather patterns and i.n diverse soil systems.

Taking inspiration from the efficacy of its complex root system, Dr Rognon is leading a world-first Sydney University study on the pull our capacity of tree root-l ike anchors for applications in d1e field of civil engineering.

With an interest in soil srabiliry, structural dynamics and earthquake engineering, Indian researcher Shivakumar Atbani, who shares Dr Rognon's fascination for tree roots, has recently joined d1e study.

Preliminary investigations at the School of Civil Engineering's particles and grains laboratory reveal root-like strucrures could provide greater stability while also being more cost effective to produce.

The researchers have found d1at anchors modelled on the fractal-shaped roots of trees required much less material to build, making them more cost-effective compared to traditional shaped anchors.

Their findings will have far reaching implications for me construction industrr.

Transmission towers, offshore oil rigs, utility poles, submerged pipelines as well.

as tunnels, which are highly dependent on effective soil anchoring strategies could be made more stable with fractal-shaped root strucrures.

"The quality of anchoring is characterised by me pull-out capacity, FO, which is me maximum tensile force an anchor can sustain before moving upward," said Dr Rognon, whose research aims to predict conditions nnder which soil moves, including landslides or avalanches. "\'i/e are me first to produce d1e tree root design and hope to use our knowledge co convert me concept into engineering solutions. We have already worked out several models to predict the pull-out capaciry of shallow anchors in granular soils. The next step is to assess the effectiveness of different fractal geometries when used in various shallow depths in the soil," he told Tndia11 Link.

"Pull-our capacity is governed by the weight of me soil that would be mobilised

when tl1e anchor moves upward.

This is why even small trees planted in shallow soil can be very difficult to uproot wimout the proper equipment," Dr Rognon explained.

Like Rognon, Ad1ani developed a love for gardening as a schoolboy. His grandmother, a schoolteacher in Hattaragi, was a tower of inspiration.

"Nature has so many tlungs which we can explore," said Arna.tu, who has a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the Basaveshvara Engineering CoUege, Bagalkoc and a Master of Technology (Soil Mechat1.ics and Foundation Engineering) from me SV National Instirute of Technology Surat.

"Trees are a great example of adapting to adverse conditions like wind loading.

If you examine tree roots carefully, you will observe that those on a windward side develop deeply and profusely, offering natural resistance. Likewise, in sloping terrain, roots are stronger where soil is naturally weak. 'i,'.qhat fascinated me was, though the roots of small plants are not deep, sometimes it was very hard to pull

mem out and we needed the help of some tools ro uproot it complete.ly," he added.

According to the PhD student, part of me breakthrough in biomimicry comes with realising mat soil is not concrete.

"Roots are nor homogeneous like steel.

Sometimes soil can hold me trees very firmly and can offer enormous resistance for uplift," Athani said. lncorporating branching and tortuosity, the study is closely looking at ,vays ro improve anchor capacities by integrating novel strategies wim numerical modelling. "\'Yle also want to former explore design options and understand why some design shapes work bener to optimise our results," Dr Rognon clarified. Three-dimensional printing, currently unsustainable because of operational costs, is also in his sights.

Meanwhile, Dr Rognon's team is working with industry partner Anchoring Rope and Rigging Pty Ltd to develop unique anchors for georechnical applications.

"Research in mis area of construction is vital to providing innovative solutions and we are delighted to have commenced working wid1 d1e University of Sydney civil engineers," a spokesperson for the company said.

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work

Snatching life from the jaws of death

It's all in a day's work for emergency surgeon Dr Vineeta Singh Aradhana

T

BY NISHA JOSEPH

he newspapers called her 'a ,voman who died and came back to life'.

The Armadale woman was rushed to hospital by her husband after a freak accident while she was cooking.

She arrived at the Armadale Health Service in cardiac arrest, had no pulse and was not breathing. The docror in Emergency, Dr Ash Mukherjee, thought she was dead. But his colleague Dr Vineeta Singh joined him co literally snatch her back from the jaws of death.

"The lady was clinically dead for nearly 28 minutes after losing more than five Litres of blood in a freak kitchen accident that severed her femoral artery and veins in her right thigh," Dr Singh described to Indian Llnk.

The patient had completely bled out and the doctors had to fill her heart with blood again as the team worked on resuscitating her. Dr Singh was among the team of surgeons that performed a six-hour cutting edge surgery, successfully controlling her bleeding and saving her life.

After two days in intensive care, the patient began to show remarkable signs of recovery, with no brain damage. "It was very rewarding to witness such a positive outcome and this incident is truly a testimony to the skills of everyone involved in the team," Dr Singh remarked.

Thankful to be alive once again, the young lady truly considers this to be a medical miracle and is extremely grateful ro the doctors who ctid not give up on her.

She was discharged from the hospital after eight days.

For Dr Singh, there is nothing more enriching than seeing a patient leave hospital, all well again.

"Every day, we see individuals who can't lead a normal life for whatever reason, gee better and go on to lead a fulfilljng life," she said. "Ir's great to see people recover after surgery and gain independence from support systems."

Surely, every single case does not to lead to great results?

"Of course chat's the saddest part of my profession - there are poor outcomes at rimes," she said. "A number of patients don't do well even afrer the best possible treatment. Bue 1 see each failure as a learning lesson."

It is clear that for Dr Singh, surgery is not your regular 9-to-5 job. It is quite literally a way of life. Emergency surgery, where she can use her skills co turn around those couch-and-go situations, is what attracted ber to this field.

A general and oncoplastic breast surgeon in Australia for 10 years, Dr Singh

INDIANLINK

specialises in emergency surgery, general open and laparoscopic surgeries and breast cancer treatments. She practices at Royal Perth, Armadale and ]\fount Hospitals in Perth. She is also the Head of Department and Director of Surgery at Armadale Hospital.

Her daily schedule is choc-a-block with clinic, operating sessions, administrative meetings, teaching and mentoring (besides

being mrnu to a 13-year-old and wife to another surgeon). "Bue the best part of my profession is the gratification I receive when patients do well," she says. "I am indeed a patient advocate and when the ouccome is favourable, ic literally makes my day."

Dr Singh, who hails from Azamgarh in India, obtained her medical training in Uttar Pradesh and Mrnnbai in India and Minneapolis in the USA.

"With hard work and the blessings of your parents, anyone can chase their dreams," she remarked.

Physicians from India face hurdles like cultural differences, gap in philosophies and beliefs. \Vith her active role in the science and practice of medicine, Dr Vineeta Singh has shown bow these gaps can be minimised, so d1ac d1e larger issues in the profession are successfully addressed.

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JUNE 2016 15

business

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Sheba Nandkeolyar

Election time at AIBC What it's going to take to lead the premier business council between India and Australia

T

BY PAWAN LUTH RA

he federal election is just around the corner, but ic is also time for national elections at the Australia India Business Council (AIBC), an organisation fostering bi-lateral [rade bec:ween the cwo countries.

Having recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, AIBC has active chapters in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra. The organisation's national leadership rests witl1 me Chair and Vice Chair, who take responsibility for me direction of the Council while working with che state chapters to build a stronger relationship between the various srnces and tl1e Indian governme-nt and businesses.

This could well be a watershed moment for AIBC. While tl1ere are great opportunities emerging witl1 tl1e potential implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between India and Australia, the end of me mining boom and drop in coal prices could seriously scale back the economic activities in tl1e traditional areas of trade between d1e cwo countries.

Sheba Nandkeolyar and Jasbir Singh are contesting me position of AIBC National Chair, while Jim Varghese and Paul McKenzie are nmning for the position of Vice Chair. Indian Unk asked the four candidates their views on where AIBC is currently positioned and where me furure opportunities are.

How do you think AIBC has performed as the premier business council between India and Australia over the past 30 years?

Sheba Nandkeolyar (SN): I believe AIBC

has performed very well in recent years and has grown in stature from a loosely held organisation, to a limited company scrucmte with strong governance and accountability in place. As me National Vice Chair I worked closely with the Chair Dipen Rughani to organise a very successful business leaders' address by PM

16 JUNE 2016

Narendra l\fodi when he visited Australia in November 2014. AIBC also worked closely with All to organise me CEO forum for :!\fr Modi.

The AIBC Chair and l were invited by PM Abbott to join his CEO delegation when he visited India and we had the opportunity co brief him one-on-one prior co his business trip.

AIBC has presented several white papers on doing business wim India and has also been providing inputs to CECA discussions.

Last year, 2015 saw AIBC lead tl1e Vibrant Gujarat delegation, comprising over 45 AIBC members who were former joined by Australian Indian Business Week delegates, making up a delegation of over 100 plus.

A strong achievement for AIBC has been tl1is ongoing partnership wim Vibrant Gujarat for the past SL'( years, an initiative largely led by the current Chair of AIBC. More recentl)7, AIBC has been at the forefront on many national initiatives including organising the first ever national conference in conjunction with me Australian Financial Review which was a brilliant initiative. AIBC Chair Dipen Rughani and 1 worked very hard to make this happen. Ir was an inclusive conference wherein our objective was to dial up business interest in India and bring together diverse groups of stakeholders interested in working wich India.

The inaugural Australia India Trade and Investment Awards announced at the 30'" gala evening recognised me importance of this bilateral relationship. AIBC is the only business council that has extensive Australi a - wide presence and each of the state chapters has extremely capable management committees.

AIBC industry chapters have made great contributions to sectors including mining and resources, renewable energy, ICT, education, women in business and young professionals among others.

What could we do better? We could contribute wim greater policy inputs from AIBC, especially now tl1at CECA discussions are in progress. l would like to see AIBC invited to be a more active participant in CECA discussions and work very closely witl1 botl1 governments. I would like to see big businesses in Australia more engaged witl1 AIBC and SMEs to

come tO us with new initiatives and ideas.

Jasbir Singh GS): India is Auscralia's 12th

largest trading parmer and bilateral relations have been given significant imponance by born countries with very high level visits from Prime Minister of Australia to India and reciprocal visit from Indian Prime Minister to Australia. Australian trade minister Andrew Robb led tl,e largest e\7er Australian business leaders (about 450 delegates) to Australia Business Week in India in 2015. Similarly annual meeting between tl,e foreign ministers has taken centrestage for advancing ambitious bilateral agenda including defence, finance, water and culrural affairs, including Comprehensive Economic Co-operation Agreement (CECA) negotiations. There is a pri1-iciple commitment from born the governments to complete CECA negotiations at the earliest.

There are still major trade barriers, despite many complementary trade oppornmities. Two-way trade is about $1415 billion and investn1ent is also about $1 011 billion. Australian investment is sectors like manufacturing, telecommunications, hotels, mineral processing, food processing, oil and gas and automotive sector. Indian investment is mainly concentrated in the energy and resource sector.

AIBC, formally sec up in 1986, bas a key role to play in the rejuvenation of the bilateral trade relationship. During its thirty-year hisrory, AIBC has seen many troughs and highs. With India emerging as the fastest growing major economy in the world, AIBC is now ac me cnsp of a big oppornmity co establish itself as premier business advocacy body for its members to facilitate strong bilateral trade and invesm1ent. AIBC can also leverage me strong cultural and sports relationships for complementary business relationship. AIBC needs to strongly parmer with government bodie,5 like Austrade, Indian and Australian consulates and High Commissions, and federal aud state agencies for policy advocacy for its members.

Paul McKenzie (PM): Having been a veteran member of J\JBC for over 15 years, AIBC has for far too long struggled in performance, and now must move into che right direction, for the sake of members, stakeholders, and for Australia-India trade relations. lnvesm1ent is negligible.

However, discussions like tl1e recent Enaging wim India conference are a good start, but now must turn into "action", if AIBC is co grow in good profile and credibility after 30 years.

Failings from the past include too much talk on commonwealth, curry and crid<et for most of mose 30 years, and commerce is not a new word since PM Modi's Australian visit in November 2014.

As a proud member of the AIBC, I see us as a business organisation having too much bilateral discussions and not much action. We need to stop the critics labelling us the "Australia India Business Cocktails" association. \Xie need to grow witl1 unity, success, resulcs and pride, as me peak body in teamwork spearheading talks in Australia­ India business, trade and investmems. We must get the Australia-India Economic Agreement negotiated well and finalised, to cover "all bases", so that no industry, group or consideration are left out. I wane all AIBC members, tl1e AIBC indusu-y chapters and all stakeholders involved, to have a say and to cover all the bases, for tl1e Australia-India Agreement. The "koife and fork" approach inside me AIBC must stop.

Unity and tea1m.vork is needed for us to start wim action, to have good profile and credibility, to bring in results.

Achievements, to AIBC's credit, mey brought Prime Jvlinisters Modi and Abbott togemer in 2014, tl1e first ti.me two leaders got togemer on Australian soil in 28 years.

Prime Minister Modi at die Sydney event in ovember 2014, said 'Tm sorry it took 28 years for an Indian Pc:ime Minister to visic Australia, but I promise, ir won't be 28 years when I rerurn next."

Now the challenge is to make che Australia-India agreement into a realty witl1 pride and success, and to ensure it is not discussed for a further 28 years, waiting for an Indian Prime J\,fioister to renim to Australia.

1 have seen Australia-India trade relations grow from $3.3 billion in 2000 to over $15 billion in 2013. Now the challenge is to get tl1ese data updated and to impro\Te on mem into me future.

Jim Varghese (JV): I believe me AIBC has performed really well as the premier business council.

The 30�' anniversary Engaging wid1 India conference and dinner, run in collaboration

www.indianlink.com.au

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with AFR was an excellent success srory and a great exemplar of strategic positioning, engagernem, effective networking, high quality information and analyses.

Similarly, the two joint AIBC/Ail National Energy and Resources Forums held in 2015 in Brisbane and 2016 in Perth were also successful strategic events that helped Australian and Indian companies explore serous business opportunities in this mega billion-dollar industry sector.

State branches have also run. very successful local events.

What will you do to improve the deficiencies and build on the strengths of AIBC? SN: Building on strengths and improving on deficiencies are interwoven. My first observation is that a brand is known by the involvement of its people. 1 would Like to see more passionate new members join AIBC and to build on a great legacy created by past AJBC leaders. T would Like tbe leaders to mentor younger members to positions of leadership for funire years.

This is important for building future sustainability.

1 would Like tO see AJBC being led in states and nationally by individuals who are passionately committed tO creating a difference. AIBC needs co steer clear of personal vendetta$ and politics.

Fortunately we have moved away from petty politics and have rolled over these recent years to a more transparent style of functioning. I would like to strengthen this even further.

Secondly, AIBC needs more funds,

grams or sponsorships to strengthen the ,5ecretariat services at the national and state level and 1 would very much like to work on this. This will lead to more benefits available to mernbers too.

Third, more policy-level inputs from AIBC would be welcome and a more national presence of its national team too.

In this context Jim Varghese who is based in Queensland if elected will provide for a truly national ream.

Finally I would like to work on a collaborative model wherein we work with diverse stakeholders from Government and industry, to ensure we aU work towards that one common goal of diaUing up this bi­ lateral trade relationship.

JS: AIBC can play a vital role and provide platform for its members for advocacy for federal and state policy making in both countries, networking for members, facilitate participation in bilateral trade missions and in general become an information hub for how to navigate the business challenges in both countries. As National Chair, I would like to provide a visible leadership in establishing corporate governance, strategic and operation excellence and expanding bilateral business relations in new horizons or environments for members. Building and managing businesses in cross cultural boundaries are some of my strengths on which AJBC members can leverage.

As Chair, my endeavour would be to promote Australia-India business ties with a focused approach for each business sector and more specific to members from SMEs. As a successful professional with

nearly 28 years of industry experience in Australia and India at senior level, I have worked with government agencies, non­ profit organisations and business partners in general.

PM: Well lrnown. to those inside AIBC, first of all, we need to address our membership, ie, membership retention and new members. \Y/e need co target ourselves towards 1,000 members, catering for those involved with Australia-Lidia relations in. business, trade and investmem, from individual business/professional people, to SMEs, corporations, organisations and right up to multi-nationals. Having a dormant base of 500 members for too long is not acceptable and also not acceptable, is for too long, many are not joining.

Secondly, AIBC needs to show action and leadership on the Australia-India economic agreement/ free trade agreement. Thirdly 1 want better AIBC/corporate relations, to improve sponsorship and support in business, trade and invesunent.

Improving deficiencies and building strengths is about what we like to see more of and less of.

1 would like to see more of the AIBC as a powerful national business council that significantly shapes and in Auences the economic and business relationship between Australia and India.

1 would like to see more of the AIBC as an effective advocate that encourages the Australian and Indian governments to engage with the private sector and business community to ensure that the imminent Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement drives future trade

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and investment. l would also like to see the AIBC recognised in any negotiations as partners, not passive observers - with a unique role to play in fostering closer economic relations in tbe context of trade barriers, impediments to investment or lad, of cultural knowledge In this context, it would be good to have your Chair and Vice Chai.r coming from different states but working as a complementary team harmoniously empowering state branches within the AJBC governance framework.

1 would like to see less of tl1e AIBC getting involved and mired in the politics of personality and ego, or providing a breeding ground to pursuing personal agendas.

The passion certainly runs deep. The responses indicate a desire to bring the government of the two countries closer but also the grassroots of AJBC to grow the membership with a better value-add for all. While of the four candidates, only Sheba has bad the experience of working at the national level through her past tenure as Vice Chair, the others bring to r\he table strong experience of working within AJBC and in their professions. Both Jasbir and Paul are open to working with any successful candidate, while Sheba and Jim have shown a strong interest in working more closely with each other as a tean1.

With elections open now, it is important for the members to elect a strong team, given that challenges as well as opportunities l.ie ahead for the AIBC.

Read more at indianlink.com.au

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indian news The monsoon brings welcome relief from the oppressive heat wave that saw temperatures across India reach 50 degrees celsius. Photo: AP

(UNIDO) left our the Pakistancontrolled Kashmir from India, wbi.le UN Development Programme's (U DP) India page shows all of Kashmir as a part of India on the page logo.

Canadian Sikhs want Komagata chapter in school curriculum

13 cities win fast-track Smart City competition

The Urban Development Ministry recently announced 13 winners of the fast-track Smart City competition, with Lucknow topping the list. These cities can now compete to be a "Smart City" in the next cycle of "India Smart Cities Challenge".

Announcing the list, Un.ion Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said Lucknow, which could not make it to the first list of 20 mission cities last year, had improved the quality of its Smart City plan. Twenty-three cities participated in tl1e fast-track competition.

The other cities that made it to the next round are Warangal (Telangana), Shim.la, (Himachal Pradesh), Chandigarh, Raipur (Chhattisgarh), New Town Kolkata (\'<Test Bengal), Bhagalpur (Bihar), Panaji (Goa), Port Blair (Andaman & Nicobar lslands), Imphal (Manipur), Ranchi Qharkhand), Agartala (Tripura) and Faridabad (Haryana).

The minister said these 13 cities were selected on the basis of marks scored by them in the fast-track competition and the benchmarks set by the top performers in the first cycle of the challenge.

Naidu said these l3 cities have substantially improved their Smart City plans by addressing the deficiencies .identified in the first round of tl1e competition. This ensured a better profiling of the cities in terms of infrastructure gaps and baseline service levels, which effected consistency between the citizens' aspirations and action plans, more feasible resource mobilisation plans, and coordinated and integrated picn1re of how individual projects will contribute to area-level changes.

Only 12 states and UTs were represented in d1e first list of 20 mission cities announced in the first cycle of "India Smart Cities Challenge" on January 28.

Other cities that participated in the Fast Track Competition were arnch.i in Sikkim (ranked 14); Aizawl in 1vlizoram (15); Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh (16); Dehradun in Uttarakhand (17); Kohima in Nagaland (18); Oulgaret in Puducherry (19); Sih7assa in Dadra & Nagar Haveli

18 JUNE 2016

(20); Kavararti in Lakshadweep (21); Diu in Daman & Diu (22); and Sh.iUong in Meghalaya (23).

These cities can submit their revised Smart City plans for evaluation in the second round of regular competition underway by the end of June.

The first 20 cities were selected from 98 mission cities. aidu said tl1e tie berween i\'1eerut and Rai Bareli, in Uttar Pradesh, and Jamrnu and Srinagar, in J&K, will be resolved by allowing them to participate in the Smart City competition and one city from earn of d1ese two states wiU be selected on d1e basis of the quality of their respective Smart City plans.

Other capital cities that are left out of the Smarr City Mission will also be allowed to participate in the competition.

These cities include Patna, a)'a Raipur, Itanagar, Amaravati, Bengaluru and Thiruvananthapuram.

Giving an account of tl1e gains of new initiatives and approaches, Naidu said that for the first time in the country, 98 Smart Cities and 497 Atal Mission cities accounting for over 7 0 percent of urban population - currently bave long-term five­ year action plans based on comprehensive analysis of infrastructure gaps.

On the occasion, Naidu released a publication titled 'Urban Renaissance May 20 14-May 2 0 16' giving a derailed account of paradigm shift in artimdes and approaches co urban planning and governance, and the major drivers of urban revival and transformation set in motion during d1e last two years.

Pakistan rakes u p Kashmir issue with maps bill protest

Bemoaning lack of .international support for its cause, Pakistan has tried to rake up tl1e Kashmir issue at the U by protesting against a draft Indian maps bill that seeks ro punish "wrong or false" depictions of India's boundaries.

1n a letter ro U N Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Security Council President Abdellarif Aboulatta of Egypt, Pakistan's Permanent Representative Maleeha

Lodhi wrote d1at India's draft Geospatial Information Regulation BiU was "contrary to Security Council resolutions" and asked for UN intervention.

"Sadly, the international community and the Un.ired ations have failed to rake notice of tllis action of India" in depicting all of Kashmir as Indian territory, she said in the letter released to the media by the

u

Earlier reacting to a Pakistani Foreign Office press release on tbe maps bill, India's External Affairs Ministry said the matter "is au entirely iurernal Jegislative matter of India, since the whole of the state of J&K is an integral part of India. Pakistan or any other parry has no locus standi in the matter." lndia "firmly rejects Pakistan's repeated and increasing attempts to impose on die international community matters that lndia has always been open to address bilaterally wid1 Pakistan," said tl1e statement.

The cl.raft of Geospatial Information Regulation Bill, which has not been introduced in Parliament bur only circu.lated for feedback, proposes fines and imprisonment for "any wrong or false topographic information of India iJ1clud.ing international boundaries".

Whi.le Lodhi asserted that Pakistan's position of showing Kashmir as disputed territory "is also reflected in the official maps of the United Nations", a random check by IANS showed that maps by the UN and international agencies are inconsistent in how the state is displayed.

A UN map of the physical fealllres of India tried to skirt controversy by framing .it without the top portion where Kashmir won.Id appear.

The United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) shows Jammu and Kashmir with the "Line of Control as promulgated in the 1972 Simla Agreement''.

One UNlCEF map showed all of Kashmir as a part of India, another displayed Kashmir separately, and yet another had the Pakistan-occupied portion outside India.

U Industrial Development Organisation

Even as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologised to d1e Sikh community in the House of Commons in Ottawa for tl1e 1914 Komagata incjdent, Canadian Sikhs have demanded that the episode should be made part of school curricula across the country.

The Komagata Marn was a Japanese ship that was hired by Malaysia-based rich Sikh Baba Gurdir Singh to bring 376 Indians, mostly Sikhs, to Canada to challenge the racist laws of the time in 1914.

Since both India and Canada were British dominions at that time, d1e Indians shou.ld have had the right to enter Canada. But tbe Canadian government of that rime put in place various clauses in laws to bar Indians from entering Canada.

The Komagata Marn, which entered Vancouver harbour on May 23, 1914, was forcibly sent back to India after ti.VO months. On reaching Budge Budge in Calcutta in September 1914, the passengers were subjected to firing by British Indian police in which 19 of them were killed.

In his apology in the House of Commons this month, Trudeau said, "Canada's government was, without question, responsible for the laws that prevented these passengers from in1migrating peacefully and securely. For that, and for every regrettable consequence that followed, we are sorry."

"Today - while knowing that no words can fully erase tl1e pain and suffering e.xperienced by the passengers - I offer a sincere apology on behalf of the government for d1e laws in force at the rime that allowed Canada to be indifferent to the plight of the passengers of the Komagata 1vfaru."

The Canadian prime minister said, "The Komagara Marn incident is a stain on Canada's past. Bur the history of our cmrntry is one in which we constantly challenge ourselves, and each other, to extend our personal definitions of who is a Canadian. We have learned, and will continue to learn, from rhe mistakes of our past. \'<Te must make sure to never repeat them."

Welcoming the apology, advocacy group Wodd Sikh Organisation demanded that a Komagata chapter be included in school curricula across Canada.

Its president Mukhbir Singh said, "Prime Minster Trudeau's apology in the House of Commons roday is a historic moment for Canadian Sikhs and recognises the dark chapter the Komagata Maru tragedy marks in Canada's history. While Canada is today a model of multiculturalism and inclusiviry, it is important for us to understand that it was nor always so."

"We believe it is essential that the Komagata Maru incident, as weU as the anti-immigrant sentiment tl1at fuelled this incident, be made a part of our provincial

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India's first indigenously made and reusable space launch vehicle lifts off from the launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, on 23 May, 2016. India successfully flight tested a model Re-usable Launch Vehicle Technology Demonstrator or RLV-TD in its bid to develop reusable spacecraft.

Photo: Indian Space Research Organisation via AP education curricula. It is important that we as Canadians teach our yow1gsters to confront issues such as racism and xenophobia and learning about the Komagata ·Maru incident is an excellent oppornmity co do so."

Meanwh.ile, India has appreciated Canadian Prime Nliniscer Justin Trudeau's gesture of apologising in the House of Commons in Ottawa for the infamous Komagaca Maru incident of 1914. "\V/e welcome and deeply appreciate the gesnire of Prime 11inister of Canada co deliver a formal apology in the Honse of Commons for the Komagata Mam incident," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarnp said in a statement.

"The Indian diaspora in Canada has contributed immensely co Canada's gro\vth and development and acts as a bond between our two nations. Prime Nlinister Trudeau's gesture constitutes an acknowledgm ent of the positive role of the Indian diaspora," he said.

77 percent Indian parents expect to live with sons in old age

Almost 77 percent of Indian parents expect to live with their sons in old age while seven percent want co Jive with their daughters, according to the India Human Development Survey (IHDS), conducted jointly by researchers from University of Maryland and National Counc.il of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), ew Delhi.

These are the findings from the IHDS-2 ( 2 0 1 1 - 12) data-sec, covering a representative sample of 41,554 households across 33 states and union cerricories in both rural and urban areas.

1n Haryana, the state with India's lowest child sex ratio (834 females per 1,000 males), 9 0 percent of respondents said they would prefer to .live with tl1eir sons in old age ratl1er than tl1eir daughters.

Maharashtra was next, with 85 percent of parents saying they expected support from sons.

Regarding tl1e sons vs daughters issue, many Indians want at least one daughter While 73 percent of the people surveyed said they should ideaUy have one daughter, 1 1 percent said tl1ey should ideally have two daughters.

While as many as 6 0 percent said they ideally wanted one son, 26 percent said they wanted two sons.

While more people (73 percent) wane at least one daughter, when asked preferences for an extra child, only si..x said they wanted daughters.

Tbe survey was based on indirect questions to rest people's attitudes. Some quest.ions asked: How many sons or daughters would they ideaUy prefer ro have?

If they were co have an extra ch.ild, what sex would they prefer?

Maharashtra has a low child sex ratio (894 females per 1,000 males) and a high preference for a son (39 percent) for an extra ch.ild.

The main reason Indian parents prefer sons is that Indians expect to depend on chem in tl1eir old age. More than three-

INDIANLINK

fourths (77 percent) of the respondents said they expect co live wiili their sons when old.

Only 16 percent Indians said they would consider Jiving witl1 their daughters.

States in the south see higher percentages tban cbe national average.

Tripura has tl1e highest percentage of parents (12 percent) preferring co live with daughters in their old age, foUowed by Tamil Nadu (17 percent).

The perception that parents can live witl1 daughters has improved over the last seven years. Asked if they would consider living with daughters, 14 percent said yes during a survey in 2004-05; 16 percent said yes in 2011-12.

As many as 74 percent of Indians expect sons to support them financiaUy during old age. Only 18 percent said they may consider taking money from daughters in old age.

Indian descent Con gressman's re-election in the US put at risk by father's illegal financing

The 83-year-old father of Ami Bera, tl1e only Indian descent Congressman, has pleaded guilty to illegally funding his son's election campaigns with at least $260,000 putting at risk his re-election in November.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell announced recently that Babula!

Bera admitted to making contributions to Ami Bern's two election campaigns fraudulently in the names of other people and over the legal limit.

Prosecutors have cleared Arni Bera of involvement in the campaign funding scam, bur it makes his re-election prospects harder as he is already facing opposition in his constituency from trade unions in his own Democratic Party. He was re-elected to a second term in 2 0 14 by less than 1 , 5 00 votes after a bruising campaign. The race was the costliest House of Representatives campaign that year with the two parties together running up a cab of $21 million.

Federal prosecutor Phillip A. Talbert cold reporters tlrnt there was "no indication" that the Democratic Representative or his '5taff were involved in the illegal election financing and chat they had cooperated witl1 the prosecutors.

Ami Bera, a medical doctor who represents tl1e from the 7tl1 California District in the state capital area, cold The Socmrm//to Bee newspaper that he had no idea that his fatl1er had illegally financed his campaign. He said that he has sent the money contributed by his father to the US government. l n 20 1 0 Ami Bera lost his first election campaign for tl1e House of Representative for which his father, a retired chemical engineer, contributed $240,000. The successful 2 0 12 campaign received $40,000 from his father.

According to the Federal Election Commission, the ma,"illnwn an1ount an individual can contribute to a candidate was $2,400 in 2 0 1 0 and $2,500 in 2 0 1 2 .

Babula! Bera was charged i n the federal court for the Eastern California in Sacramento before Judge Troy L. Nunley, wbo is co sentence him in August. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years on two

charges, but is unlikel)' get the harsh penalty given his age. The LosAuge/es Ti111CS reported that the prosecutors are recommending a prison term of up to 3 0 months.

Court papers said tl1at Babula! Bera asked about 90 friends and relatives ro send over 130 contributions to his son's campaign in tl1eir own names and then he reimbursed them so that he himself will not appear co have exceeded the legal funding limits.

He is the third person of Indian descent co run afoul of the election laws in ilie past two years. Conservative author Dinesh D'Souza was convicted in 2014 of illegally contributing $20,000 co the unsuccessful Republican Senate campaign of his college friend, Wendy Long. Although New York federal prosecutor Preer Bharara sought a ja.il term, ilie judge gave him a $30,000 6.ne and eight months of community confinement that aUowed him co continue working.

Sant Singh Chatwal, a hotelier, pleaded guilty in 2 0 1 4 to making illegal contributions of $188,000 to three candidates ru1d was fi.ned $500,000 and sentenced to 1,000 hours of community service. In an unusual move, the federal prosecutor in Brooklyn at that time, Loretta Lynch, did not disclose who received Chatwal's illegal contributions. Media reports, however, identified one of the recipients as Hillary Cl inton who received them when she ran for Senate. Lynch is

now tl1e US Attorney General.

The scandal casts a shadow on Ami Bera's re-election bid in November when he will face the Republicru1 Sacramenro County Sheriff Scott Jones. He is up against serious opposition wiiliin his own parry because of his support for President Barack Obama's Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement, which trade unions consider anti-labour.

Because of trade union opposition he was unable get the endorsement of his local party unit co run for re-election and he had co get the backing of tl1e state party convention.

Unions have held protests against him in his district ru1d vowed co defeat him as d1ey say 12-nation TPP will lead to loss of jobs and lower wages in the US because of the cheaper imports it will allo-\r.

Ami Bera's 2 0 14 victory was a nail-biter.

On election night he was about 3,000 votes behind Republican Doug Ose, but as postal and other baUots were tallied over a two­ week period he emerged the \vinner by just 1,432 votes.

According to media reports, Bera raised $3.7 million and outside organisations like the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spent $6.5 million promoting him in the 2014 election. Ose raised $3.2 million and the National Republican Congressional Committee and otl1ers contributed almost $7 million to campaign for him.

IANS

JUNE 2016 19

travel

T

BY SAN DIP HOR

They were elated co be, since then, the first

plantations and inhabited by visitor­

islands of the Samoan archipelago were

nation in the world to welcome a new year.

friendly, Aower-wreached people, attired

divided - the Germans talcing the islands

Visitors are thrilled ac the thought of

in colourful Aoral tops and dark ski.rt­

to the west and the Americans taking the

being in a land where each new day on

like bottoms with various tattoo designs

ones to the east. After WWI, New Zealand

earth begins, particularly at sunrise when

marking their bodies.

became the administrator of German

enjoying the glorious crack of dawn while the rest of the world is scill in bed.

Positioned in the heart of Polynesia,

The history of the place spans more

Samoa in a military occupation driven by

than 3000 years. According to legend,

Britain and held power until 1962 when

Samoans believe their ancestors descended

Samoa became the first Pacific nation to

he people of Samoa, a tiny

somewhere midway between Australia and

from the heaven and made their way

gain independence. The other part, called

nation in the South Pacific, are

Hawaii, Samoa comprises of ten islands,

across the Pacific in canoes thousands

American Samoa, is still under the US regime.

always happy. When in 201 l

which were formed many miJlenniums

of years ago. European and American

the nation jumped over the

ago as result of massive basaltic shield

whalers and traders began arriving on

Today Samoa is a destination where

international dateline, they lose

volcanoes rising from the seaAoor of the

irs shores soon after Dutchman Jacob

outsiders arrive co seize from welcoming

24 hours of their lives, but didn't lose any

glee. Rather they burst into celebrations at midnight on Thursday 29 December as the calendar bypassed Friday and Aipped over to Saturday due to their switchover from the US time zone to that of Australasia.

20 JUNE 2016

western Pacific Ocean. Upolu and Savai'i

Roggeveen discovered che islands in 1722.

locals some of their endless happiness and

are the two main islands where the majority

The Americans and European colonisers -

to dip into the "Samoan way" a lifestyle

of the nation's 194,000 people live.

Dutch, British and German - fought many

focused on acti,Tities that relax, unwind and

batdes among themselves co lay claim to

soothe urbanised souls.

Samoa's international in1age is chat of a tropical paradise, surrounded by turquoise blue water, filled with sprawling coconut

the cerricory.

In 1899, after years of civil war, the

Enchanting Upolu is the epicentre of Samoa, home to the nation's capital

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Clockwise from top left: Tropical Samoa; at the local markets; catching the ferry between islands; common hazards; man power; a mid­ morning nap; in their Sunday best Apia. Dotted on a natural harbmu:, chis coastal township is 40km away from Faleolo International Airport where annually around 1 2 0,000 visitors, mainly from Australia, New Zealand, US and neighbouring Pacific nations, arrive for a blissful vacation.

Apia, as expected, is nor a big place, its length and breadth can easily be e.,""<plored by foot, chough a journey in one of the colourful local buses can be fascinating.

Old world and new collide here with traditional Samoan houses standing side by side with colonial churches, buildings and some 2 1" century additions. The central clock rower is surrounded by shops, markets, bars, restaurants and nightclubs adding some urban touches to Samoa, it is a a good place to get acclimatised to the island's Aair. The best way to experience this introduction is at the lively local markets, abuzz with hordes of stalls selling almost everything from local produce to handicrafts.

Culture is undoubtedly central to Polynesian Ii.fe. Samoa's styles of music, dance, and visual art have gained renown throughout the Pacific islands and the world. A visit to the Samoa Cultural Village provides a worthy understanding of how Samoans lead their lives by celebrating and embracing traditional values, culture and environment. For history buffs a visit

INDIANLINK

co the Museum of Samoa is a must to gather knowledge about the land's heritage.

However, people rarely travel to a Pacific mopia to hang around in city sprawl; the appeal for visitors to Samoa is intimate engagement with namre and, in this respect, the rewards are endless.

Samoa is a place of great natural beaury hosting some of the South Pacific's most stunning landscapes from rainforest­ covered volcanic mountains, vast valleys, cascading waterfalls and steep cliffs to spectacular white-sand coastlines. The riot of colour in nature displayed by the Rowers, leaves and fruits bestow a feast for the eyes. An ideal holiday here involves a mixture of easy-going relaxation and activities catering to one's ad,1enturous appetite.

Being an island destination, oppormnities for surfing, fishing and sunbathing at a white sandy stretch are in abundance, alongside snorkelling and diving in one of the iridescent lagoons to discover spectacular underwater scenery.

When finished witb the water, many go inland for a walk through lush green rainforest, cry horseback rides, treat themselves to a jungle river kayaking safari, jump into a luscious waterfall for a cool dip or sir inside a chopper for a bird's eye view of the islands.

Many catcb the ferry to explore Savai'i fsland which has become physically bigger in size than Upolo after gushing lava from a volcanic explosion in the early 20th cenmry pushed the ocean away.

Villages dominate Samoa, its social governance and way of life. Most rural settlements are very clean and tidy and

dotted with rypical Samoan houses called "fi,ics". Every village has a church where experiencing mass and choir on a Sunday is invigorating. Villagers on Sundays are generally attired in white, perhaps reAecting their love for peace and purity of minds on the day of communion with divinity.

Fresh air, warm water, lush green surroundings and engulfing seren.iry make Samoa an ideal destination to live a healthy life.

This inspired farnous Scottish author Robert Louis's Stevenson to spend the final

years of his life in this paradise . His home in Apia is now a museum where the fusr edition copy of his epical Tret1s11re Ts/and can be seen. He wrote this with an imaginary island in mind, but after arriving in San1oa maybe he d10ughr this is the treasured land.

He lived there till his last breath and had his mortal remains rested in irs grounds The healing effect of the destination can be sensed in a short time by visitors as well.

When leaving Samoa, you feel energised with mind, body and soul soothed and filled with feelings of bliss.

Fiji Airways (www.fijiairways.com) offers full service flights to Apia via Nadi.

There are plenty of hotel and resort style accommodation options of varying standards, located in Upolo and Savai'i. Millenia, Saletoga Sands, Seabreeze, Savai'i Lagoon, Coconuts Beach Club, Tanoa Tusitala and Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey near the airport are a few from the long list.

Contact Sina World Travel (www.sinaworldtravel.com) for tailor made tours to Samoa Samoan Tala, 1 AUD = 1.90 Tala Australian passport holders don't require visa to enter Samoa Check out www.samoa.travel

JUNE 2016 21

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Aussie election rr'ravefs campaigns are missing the masala that ■

SevvCc,e; VIKRANT CHADHA

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This federal election season is lacklustre compared to India's colourful political campaigning

BY SANAM SHARMA

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he poLitical battlelines have been drawn; Australia goes ro the polls on 2 Ju1y 20'16. The country's major political parties have gone into election overdrive, furiously campaigning across the nation, as the people of Australia get ready to elect tl1e federal government for the next three years.

Talkback radio is going wild with political opinions and prime time TV has political Aavour to its programming across aU major channels. Australia is abuzz with election fever.

Yet, some of us who have had the

,, One must compliment the Australian Sex Party for lending some much-needed spice to the Aussie ballot paper ,, experience o f growing up in India may find this election season in Australia a bit dull. Compared to election campaigning in India, tile Australian version of this mega political event is rather bland.

Let's start witl1 the election slogans of the various political parties. Australia's current Prin1e Minister Malcolm Turnbull recently began the Liberal Party's election campaign under tl1e slogan "Our Plan for a Stronger Economy". That seems more Like a statement than a slogan. "Abki hoar, lviodi Sarkaal' is a slogan. A cleverly crafted, rhyming, social med.ia friendly, hashtagable, contemporary slogan.

Slogans aside, the emblems of Australian political parties also lack creative Aair.

Brooms, lotuses, palms, elephants, sickles,

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22 JUNE 2016

announcements is if you happen to be hiding in an underground bomb shelter.

Arguably, it's a far more effective way for a political cand.idate to reach our co people in tlleir constituency. Especially when you compare it with a lonely Australian political candidate braving the early morning cold while handing out election leaflets at a suburban train station, only to be mistaken by commuters as a volunteer for the Jehovah's Wia1esses.

Then, as 2 July draws closer, political rivals across tile major parties will face­ off in prime tin1e tele,7ision debates. The debates wiU be strictly moderated, with professional decorum maintained by the politicians, TV hosts, panels and studio audiences. People at home will tune in and listen imently with a view to deciding whicb way they are going to vote. How boring!

Picture the lively Indian alternative: A

prominent city street is dug up and turned into an electionp,wd,u,I to host an election rally for a political candidate. The adjoining streets and roads are blocked off while the rally is held and truckloads of people pour in to listen to their candidates. In a sea of top-notch security, Aoral garlands and rousing slogans people welcome the politicians to a lavishly decorated stage for rheir public address. As soon as they are finished ralk.ing, the politicians are briskly whisked away. Over the next few days after this mega event, life in that city slowly crawls back co normalcy - and then, anotller politician decides to hold a rally.

J\nd so it rolls on.

Billboards, roo, tell a different story between the Aussie and lndian election

,, In India, the only way you can miss hearing political announcements is if you happen to be hiding in an underground bomb shelter ,, weighing scales, bicycles, arrows, and many such innovative emblems adorn the ballot papers in a typical Indian election. Now, imagine voting on a mundane AustraLian ballot paper that merely lists the party name, completely devoid of a colourful coUection of election emblems. One must compliment the Australian Sex Party for lending some much-needed spice to the Aussie ballot paper.

In India, an election campaign is best delivered through a slender loudspeaker, mounted on top of a modest auto­ rickshaw tliat slowly crawls through tile city streets. The campaign slogans and policy man.ifestos, are deafeningly shouted across the entire city day and n.ight. The only way you can miss hearing tllese political

campaigns. Australian billboards are rnodest, sparsely placed tlirough cities, often featuring a photo of tl1e relevant candidate witl1 a succinct election message listed underneath. How banal.

Travel through an Jndian town during an election and witness tl1e entire city plastered with election billboards of all shapes and sizes. The billboards are colourful and busy, led by a smiling photo of the political candidate and a featuring a supporting cast as long as a comet's tail. The supporting ensemble comprises of the ,vell-wishers of the candidates - their neigbboms, children, friends, even pet dogs and cats!

East is East and West is West, as tl1ey say, and it seems federal elections are no exception.

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school ,, The mother turned to her daughter and said, "What do you want? You know I always want you to do what you want to do ,,

o care

Can teachers step in between students and their parents?

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BY MOHAN DHALL

he ran in the opening race.

She came first. She jumped, initially qualifying without apparently trying. She threw, the javelin travelling almost perfectly straight. She ran again. And again.

And again. The 1500 metres, 100m, 200m 4001 11 . . . threw again . . . hopping bet\veea events. Mum, she said, had made her run since she was t\VO years old.

The teacher watched as she ran the first race, noting her strength and poise. The teacher saw her come and go from the high jump, competing there between a packed schedule of events. They strucrured the high jump competition in order for her to change her shoes, mark her run up, jump,

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take a break to do another event, come back and continue . . . change shoes . . . jump . . . change shoes . . . run . . .

She said, "My legs hurt."

She said, "I have srun splints." "i\lfy back hurts and tl1e doctors tell me that I will need my vertebrae fused if I keep doing this."

Still she competed.

Her motlier hovered close, watching each event closely. Whispering words with hand gesrures. The gir.l nodded. Competed again. Stepped up to throw the javelin. Held it correctly, adjusting her hand just as she knew she should. She stepped forward and gave it her best. The javelin wobbled, lost the intended form and skimmed along tl1e surface.

Back co tl1e start line. A staggered stare.

The teacher saw tlie second lap of the 800 metre race as she swept past tl1e high jump venue. This ti.me though, she was touching her nose repeatedly. \Xliping her fingers on her shirt. The teacher knew she was in trouble. At the end of this race there was

blood on her hands and arms. It had dried m smears.

The teacher waJJ,ed over to her.

"My nose bleeds when I am under too much pressure," she said.

"Please, don't say anytl1ing to my mum as 1 ,vill cop it at home later."

Shortly afterwards her mother was asking how rugh her daughter would need to jump in or. der co come f:irst. The gid had missed most of the high jump rounds on account of all of the other events she had competed in. Nevertheless, the teacher had held her place open to finish the competition.

However, seeing the dried blood, the teacher said, "She probably needs a rest."

The mother's body stiffened for a fight and she said, '1t is only one jump. Tell me - how high? Can you just tell me what she needs to jump to win?"

The teacher replied, "Her nose has been bleeding and she is sore - I think she has had enough."

The motlier replied, ''It's her decision. l never pressure her."

As al,vays happens in these cases, the motlier then turned to her daughter and said, "\X/hat do you want? You know I always just want you to do what )'OU want to do."

The gir.l replied, in halting words, "I. . .

I. . . . want . . . wa.nt co . . . . jump."

The teacher looked on and said, "You don't have to do this."

The girl looked at her mother who was staring at her daughter. The mother said, "She said she wants to jump. Good girl. " The teacher looked around to the otl1er teachers i.n the area. They looked uncomfortable, and a couple of them turned and looked away. The teacher looked at the girl. Looked at tlie blood. Watched her limp to the high jump, sit on the ground to change her shoes.

The teacher thought about how scared children will act to protect their parents.

The teacher tl1ought about the mother. \Xlondered what her own life was like.

Recalled a conversation a day earlier with some od1er parents who kept talJ;:ing in front of their son about how important "next year's exam" is, despite it being 16 montlis away.

The teacher recalled a 14-year-old boy he had met years earlier. The boy had come back to school after nine days away. The student had said about his bruised eye, "My father tlirew a tennis ball to me - but I can.not catch." His father bad in fact punched tliis boy's eye, fractncing his eye socket, in a drunken rage. The teacher recal.led another teacher at the time saying, "What did you do to make him angry?"

The teacher thought about the student getting 20% in 3-unit matliematics because tl1e parents said, ''Maths matters" and pressure leads to success. The sn1dent's an_·•dety and self-harm did not look W,e pressme leading to success.

The teacher considered the issue of negligence and tlie duty of care. What role was tl1e teacher to play? An active one or a passive one?

How far should the teacher's observations be used to initiate action and caJJ the parents co account? What was the role of onlookers? Of teachers who turned away?

Of doctors who might fuse disks - when rest and recuperation could help?

How should it manifest - mis duty to care?

JUNE 2016 23

india-oz

Business awards recognise Australia-India collaborations Inaugural A/BC Awards set to become a regular event fostering greater trade ties

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usinesses and individuals who have made significant contributions to progress trade and investment between Australia and India were recognised with the inaugural Australia India Business Council Trade and Investment Awards recently.

The Awards were pare of the Engaging with lndia Forum, held by the Australia lndia Business Council and the Australian Financial Review in Sydney over 16- 17 May. The Forum took stock of the state of affairs in the Australia-L1dia business sphere. The message came out loud and clear: Australian business needs a nudge along in its engagement with India.

Bue formnacely, interest remains high.

Attendees heard from a variety of high-profile speakers such as Indian High Commissioner to Australia avdeep Suri, Consul General of lndia in Sydney B. Vanlalvawna, Australian Trade Minister Steve Ciobo, Australian Special Envoy for Trade Andrew Robb, former Premier of Victoria Ted BaiJJJieu and S\Xf Minister for Trade Stuart J\yres.

Business leaders including Ashok Jacob, Lindsay Fox, Neville Roach, Pawan Luthra, Michael Kasprowicz, Di.lip Chenoy and many more also gave presentations and offered their insights.

Top honours at the awards evening were given to Infosys and Deakin University for their outstanding contributions in each

24 JUNE 2016

country.

Deakin University, which received the Outstanding Contribution by an Australian Organisation in lndia, was the first international university to open an office in India in 1996. Since then, it has invested $ 10million dollars, produced thousands of job-ready graduates and established numerous partnerships between academia and industry.

Technology consulting firm lnfosys, which cook out the award for Outstanding Contribution by an Indian Organisation in Australia, established its Australian presence in 1999 and draws 4 0 per cent of its 3100 strong workforce from the local community.

Dipen Rughani, AIBC National Chair, was pleased to inaugurate these special awards created to acknowledge the exceptional contributions of companies in advancing the Australia lodia relationship.

Neville Roach AO recei\Ted the Lifetime Achievement Award. Over an illustrious career spanning many decades, eville has been honoured by both the Australian and Indian governments for his dedication and commitment to fostering bilateral relations.

Penelope Street, founder of Narrowcaster, received the Women in Business Award. Narrowcaster produces multilingual self-guided audio tours for fores, palaces and temples in India, helping visitors experience the country's rich culcuraJ heritage. Sheba Nandkeolyar, AIBC National Vice-Chair & Chair of Women in

Business, was proud to spearhead the first award acknowledging the contribution of successful business women in the Australia­ India business environment.

Cricket Australia received the Special Recognition Awar d for contribution to Australia L1dia Relations for collaboration with its Indian connterparts in bringing the competition to millions of Indian fans.

Businesses were also recognised in categories including excellence in goods, services and invesonent sectors.

Cochlear won the Excellence in Goods Export for an Australian Company to India Award. The company has invested more than $US lOmillion in India since beginning its operations and through innovation has made hearing implants more affordable and accessible to a greater number of people in India.

Tata Global Beverages (fGB) won the Excellence in Goods Export for an Indian Organisation co Australia. TGB has been bringing unique Indian tea to Australian consumers since 1963 nnder the well­ known Tetley brand.

SMEC was awarded Excellence in the Services Sector for an Australian company in India. SJvfEC has delivered projects to clients in India within transport, hydropower and energy, water and e.iwironment and urban and social sectors since 1975.

Excellence in the Services Seccor for an Indian Organisation in India was awarded

to SP Jain School of Global Managemenr which uses innovative practices to delivers .its education services across campuses in Sydney, Dubai, Mumbai and Singapore.

Logistics company Linfox was awarded Excellence in Invesanem by an Australian Organisation in lndia. The company provides modern supply chain logistics in India and employs 2500 people.

High-tech aircraft manufacn1rer Mahindra Aerospace was awarded Excellence in lnvesm1ent by an lndian Organisation in Australia. The company has bee.11 operating in Australia since 2010 and serves customers from 30 countries around tl1e world from its Australian base.

The George lnstinue for Global Health won the award for Excellence in Research and Development between Australia and India for its research and advocacy work to develop affordable and scalable solutions to empower people to improve thei.r health and has been operating in India since 2007.

The independent judging panel for the Awards included highly respected business leaders Kumar Parakala, Di.lip Chenoy, ik Senapati and was chaired by Grame Barty of Austrade. le was a wonderful evening of celebration spearheaded by AIBC's National Chair Dipen Rughani and Vice Chair Sheba I andkeolyar. In AIBC's 30' " year, these awards demonstrate the progress which Australian and lndian businesses have made in contributing to bilateral relations.

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Austrai Busines.·

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l e n n a h c r u o o t e b 1 · r c s b u s JUNE 2016 27

india-oz

Leveraging the Indian diaspora for business PA WAN LUTHRA 's address at the 'Engaging with India ' conference organised by the A/BC and AFR

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onsider, for a moment, your own self - where you came from, where you live now, che kind of work you do, how you define yourself.

You're quite a "mixed up" person really, aren't you.

1 know. Because I am just as "m.ixed up" as you are.

That is the crux of my presentation today, celebrating our "mixed up" nature and seeing how we can put it to some use.

Transnational ism

When I look around this room, I don't see Indians and Australians, or fodian­ Australians, or any other kind of hyphenated Australians.

By virtue of our origin and our work, we are all really "transnationals". \Y/e transcend the national space as the reference point for our activities, and indeed, our identities. \'(/e are connected to several places at once. Our multi-sited lives involve interactions across borders. These exchanges may be physical and/or economic, but could also be ideas, values and practices.

The many new modes of communication, rapid transport, and easy-ro-acce.ss trade.­ and-information networks, have all strengthened otu: connections to two or more places, at any given time.

It's a wonderfully enriching frame of reference, in which we are contributing

28 JUNE 2016

(hopefully significantly!) to two or more different ethnosystems. ' either here nor chere" is a phrase chat once typified us as migrants, but not anymore (Hindi speakers may know this as "11a gbt11· k" na gb,1t kd'). And no one really uses tl1e term ''ABCD" anymore: "Arnetica­ born Confused Desi" or "Australia-born confused desi", ,vhere "desi" is the Indian word for "Indian". l f anything, the term should now be ABCD, "America/Australia-born connected desi"I To my mind at least, the idea of such rransnationalism is now even overtaking that of multiculturalism.

Only recently, we all became acquainted with a brand new world figure, a Pak.israni­ born UK-resident, who looks set to be in che news over the next few years. London Mayor Sadiq Khan is the new face of a "mixed up world" - let me now rephrase chat as a "transformed" world - tl1at is setting a whole new agenda.

Last month, high ranking Australian diplomat Harinder Sidhu officially took up her new position, High Commissioner in New Delhi. She becomes the second Indian-origin person in th.is office, after Peter Varghese not so long ago. Ms Sidhu counts as her contemporaries, an Indian­ origin US Ambassador co India (Richard Verma) and an Ind.ian-origin Canadian High Commissioner Nadir Patel.

Their respective governments have,

amongst otl1er qualities, leveraged their Ind.ian background to help oil the wheels of diplomacy. In fact, Nadir Patel has said that he enjoys talking in Gujarati with Prime Minister Mod.i, adm.itting that being of Indian background does give him an edge.

As I interviewed Harinder Sidhu on Ind.ian Link Radio recently, she agreed. "There is a genuine advantage in coming co ch.is posting with a ready­ made understanding of cross-cultural relationships," she rold me.

As transnationals, diasporic communities come not only with such "ready-made Lmderstanding" of two culmres, bur a host of other strengths that can help nudge along the bilateral equation in multiple ways.

Global Indians

The Indian diaspora is the largest in the world. There's a staggering 30 million of us, spread across 2 15 countries.

Think of the "dias-power" of ir!

Narendra Modi cert.'Uilly does.

The astute Prime 1tinister of India (pictured right) has played to the strength of the Indian diaspora like none of his predecessors ever has. He reaches out to them in high-voltage, massive-arena, theatre-style, sold-out events.

His message to the "NRis" as they are called in India, is that they are a "bra.in gain, not a bra.in drain".

He praises them as part of Ind.ia's "soft power", and it is clear that for him, they

are a consolidated and viable vote-bank, and as The Hi11du sa.id, "a redeemable, interest-bearing, asset that is merely parked offshore."

Back in India, your poster-boy diasporans may well be Sat:ya Nadella, or Russell Peters, or Salman Rushdie. Outside of India, the quintessential Indian is the IT employee, the taxi driver, the cornershop owner, the motel operator or the petrol pump owner.

Of course, both categories of "Indians" are making their mark in their own way.

The Indian commun.icy in the US is the most influential of all the diasporic communities.

There are more fodian CEOs than any other nationality after Americans, in the S&P 500 compao.ies, finds a study by Egon Zehnder.

Time magazine once termed CEOs as India's leading 'export', claiming that the subcontinent could well be 'the ideal training ground for global bosses'.

Tndia-born CEOs Satya Nadella . (i\ficrosoft), Indira Nooyi (PepsiCo), Sundar Picha.i (Google, right), and Anshu Jain (Deutsche Bank), are some of the personal.ities inspiring a whole generation of MBA and IT sn1dents in Ind.ia.

On the other extreme from these high­ end executives, you also have smaller-scale success stories such as the Patel commmuty wlucb dominates the budget motel market.

There have been successful forays in state and national level politics as well (Bobby

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Jindal, Nikki Haley).

Across the globe, there are many other names from the Indian diaspora [hat have spurred young people in [he homeland into new careers, in the sciences, space exploration, creative writing, film-making, contemporarr art, and in many ocher fields.

In Auscralia, Indian settlement began in the 1800s.

The first Indians arrived with the British who had been living in India. From the 1860s, Sikhs and 'Afghans' were recruired as workers in outback Australia (pictured below). Many 'Afghans' actually came from lndia (as well as Iran, Egypt and Turkey).

They worked as cameleers to operate camel trains as 'pioneers of the inland'.

It was business migration char brought the second lot of Indians over. They travelled the rowns selling food and other wares out of cares.

The 1881 census records 998 people who were born in India, but this bad grown co over 1700 by 189 1 .

Today there are over 450,000 people of Indian origrn here, spread across various industries. While there was a wave of medical professionals who migra[ed here in tl1e I 970s and '80s, tl1ere are now Indians in almost every field of endeavour, from cornershop owners ro wiiversity academics, from IT professionals m lawyers, even film makers and Booker Prize winners.

A special skill set

Now what is it about che migrant experience chat propels people to get ahead (mind you, this is the desire for getting ahead which businesses need ro tap into for tl1eir own growth).

As migrants, we are used to change - perhaps even drawn m it. We are risk takers, which is what brought many of us to Australia, giving up the comfort of our solid support scructures. We are flexible, innovative and constantly seeking to reinvent ourselves, and ro find new ways in everything we do.

This set of personality craits, coupled witl1 corporate success in many instances, can see us become development partners witl1 the home country in significant ways, in areas such as business creation, trade Links, investments, remittances, skills circulation, exchange of ea'l::periences and even impacts on social and cultural roles of men and women in the home society.

So where to from here?

The Indian diaspora will do well m learn from the two ocher major diasporas - the Jewish and the Chinese, in tl1eir attempts at engagmg with their respective homelands.

The Jewish diaspora is considered the most "classical, archetypal and mobilised diaspora" wim a great sense of solidarity tliat has sustained over the years, and which bas exerted much cultural, social, economic

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and political influence.

The Chinese diaspora is more Like the Indian, much more diverse within itself, the powerful attachment m the home country overriding regional differences. It is also just as widespread as ours, with students making up a large proportion of rneir numbers roo. As the Chinese government Rexes its economic muscles, it has sought quite successfully to establish closer economic and cultural ties.

China and India have pursued radically different development strategies, wim India perhaps paying an economic price for its democracy, bur it has been said, "There would have been no Chinese economic niiracle wimout tl1e help of the overseas Chinese." ln an interesting trend we are seeing in rhe diaspora of born China and India, STEM (science technology engineering and mar.hs) seems to be the way ro go. Both governments have made huge efforts m incentivize a return-to-home by scientists.

In China, the remrn of scientists, in for example rbeir "Thousand Talent" program, has been coupled with an outpouring of uwestmenr by botl1 government and private industry. In India, collaborative research projects with universities abroad have flourished; Australia has also participated extensively.

As transnationals, how can the diaspora help?

While the diaspora can be leveraged for business, tl1eir power can also help in oilier areas: 1. Influencing governments \\("le've talked of 1vfodi reaching om to the diaspora, bur tl1e engagement wirn che diaspora really began witl1 Rajiv Gandhi, tl1e first prime minister ro recognise the growing clout of the diaspora. His economic Liberalisation in me 1990s opened India like never before. But the credit for ucilising che diaspora most effectively might actually sit with Manmohan Singh, when the US-India nuclear deal came through in 2008. After he and George W Bush first agreed on tl1e deal in 2005, America's India□ community, one of the most educated and afAuent ethnic groups there, lobbied hard for Congress to pass the bill. Before this, the 1974 Pokhran nuclear tests, me 1998 nuclear tests and the Kargil conflict were otl1er occasions during which diasporan communities - even ro a small e::-..'1:ent here in Auscralia - were ab.le to lobby witl1 their goverruuents.

2. Crisis response In me economic crisis

of tl1e 1990s (at a time when India was facing irs worst balance of payments crisis, its foreign reserves were dwindlrng and ir was about to default on its

international payment obligations), the Indian diaspora pulled its resources to help me country through bonds such as Resurgent India.

3. Bringing in new business \'{lhen

economic liberalisation in 1991 opened new business opportunities, diaspora members in high tech development began co outsource to India, often at low cost, providing technical and managerial knowledge.

4. Importing best practices Diasporans rake best practices of me rest of me world back home. Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose and Vallabh Bhai Patel were also diasporans at one point and returned home armed witl1 tl1e specialised experience mar helped lndia win Independence from British occupation. Manmohan Singh was at tbe Londo□ School of Economics prior to becoming the Finance i'vlinister of India and opening up the economy.

Personalities like Sam Pitroda and Sabeer Bhatia contributed greatly in the launch of IT as major industry. Many business school academics from outside India continue ro tl1is day co advise me Indian government on various issues.

Which specific platforms lend themselves easily to bein g leveraged by the diaspora?

The diaspora can play a significant role because tl1ey know • \"Where the cusmmers are • How to deal witl1 the local culture • And in terms they both understand

Tourism, health care, financial and education services can be good platforms.

Health Care: The diaspora has helped establish some of India's leading hospitals such as Escorts, Apollo, Prasad Eye Care. aresh Trehan for example, was a L ucknow lad who moved to New York, worked tl1ere for a number of years as a cardiac surgeon, and returned to lndia u1 the late '80s to launch Escorts Hospitals.

Today, India's secondary and tertiary healm care services not oaly provide care, bur also add to healm tourism. \Xiith che Australian healtl1 care system struggling to keep up with tl1e demands of an aging population, this can be an interesting opportunity.

Science and technology: Juse as Taiwan

and Israel have leveraged their diaspora to take advantage of highly trained experts and scientists u1 fields such as IT, biotechnology and nanotechnogy, Indian-origin scientists can help develop India as an R & D cenn·e.

Over tl1e past few years, the Indian community i.n Australia have begun to make me mark in tbe sciences.

University departments such as Material Sciences and Nanotechnology have strong representation from our community, Dr Veena Sal1ajwalla from U SW having become the poster girl for women in STEM in chis councry.

Tndian Link newspaper has recently been carrying a spate of articles reporting on scientific advances made by Indian-origin scientists in cancer research, dairy, crops, pest control, wildlife conservation and tl1e like.

Education; An interesting example of how

a world class education institution was set up leveraging tl1e Indian diaspora, is me Indian School of Business in Hyderabad.

Launched in 1996 by Rajat Gupta and Anil Kumar (botl1 senior executives at McKinsey) in collaboration ,\�th international business schools \X/harton and Kellogg, roday it ranks 33rd in the ,vorld in rhe 2015 Financial Times Global fl.IBA Rankings.

The diaspora was used tO facilitate academic exchanges, collaboration and twinning arrangements between Indian and foreign instimtions.

There are other more basic ways in which diaspora can help in facilitating business in their home counn-y: Remittances; The remittances from the Indian diaspora are estimated at $70 billion, the highest u1 the world. Remittances are such a huge industry that we have large­ scale companies vying for the business - such as MoneyGram. (And creating, in the process, other rnteresting forms of cross-national references such as putting Bollywood badshah Shah Rukh Khan on the backs of Sydney buses!)

Tourism: Tourism is the 4tl1 largest

induscry in the world. When diaspora "return" home, connections are built with the local economy.

Diasporans also help bring rn tourism.

Plenty of us cake om friends back home for weddings or just showing tl1em ar0tmd. I've acted as murisr guide myself many times and have also devised elaborate itineraries for my Aussie friends.

While the big players will involve themselves with major industry, the service sector in lndia is poised for strong growth which will have furtl1er opportunities witl1 the follow through of CECA. Lee's nor forger that ir was the return home of one diaspo.ra personality chat crea[ed an independent business environment in India.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi leveraged his knowledge from overseas tO get India its independence.

Fast forward 69 odd years, here we are, discussing how ro leverage the Indian diaspora for business success\

JUNE 2016 29

comedy

Laughing at ourselves

It's comedic gold and cultural commentary as All India Bakchod take the stage in Sydney

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BY RAJNI ANAND LUTHRA

omedian Tanmay Bhat was hilarious as he ripped into Indian journalists' behaviour towards celebrities as compared to their western counterparts.

"Journos on a Hollywood red carpet are like, 'Hi Brad, Hi Angelina, you look lovely . . . who are you wearing . . . ?' Indian journos on a Bollywood red carpet on the other hand, lose every inch of their dignity (c1ct.r like he's tc1kiug off his clothes), AISHWARYA PHOTO!! AISHWARYA BYTE!! AISHW1\RYA PHOTO!!

AISHWARYA BYTE!!"

Of course he was trying to be funny, bm it was almost as i f he was recounting a recent real life Sydney event at which Indian journos descended wildly ou a bewildered Aishwarya as she arrived co Jauncb her signature watch at Longines.

Bue that is exactly what Tanmay and his partners-in-crime in All India Bakchod (AIB) do - lampoon contemporary Indian society and show it off for how ridiculous it can be.

And as his imaginary lushwarya walked off the stage, Taumay was still in character, shouting after her, "Bachcha kiska hm?" o, we are not going to translate that for non-

30 JUNE 2016

Hindi readers, it is that rude.

Rude, that's tl1e other thing tl1at AIB do. And tliey do it so well tliat rude would actually be a polite word. Indeed, they themselves would 9ualify "rude" with an adjective beginning with f.

AIB was at tlieir rudest best as tbey took co tlie stage in Sydney recently.

Tan.may Bhat, Gursimran Khamba, Rohan Joshi and Ashish Shakya rose co fame in Inclia in 2 0 1 3 as YouTube

in their 20s and 30s they were seeking entertainment not tradicionally offered by community providers and lapping up every minute of it..

AIB took tbe mickey om of anybody and everybody • politicians, Bollywood scars, cricketers, journalises, homophobes, die youth, the b11Z!"l!/, their own parents, themselves, Indians, Aussies, Americans, Koreans, the French, even Pakistanis, and admittedly only omside of India, the Sh.iv Sena!

,, India's best known comedy act, AIB are courageous in their attempt to lampoon the desh in times when all kinds of unnecessary boundaries are being drawn ,, comedians buc hit tl1e national headlines with their infamous Roast which the Sanskaris took umbrage against. Ulcimately, the protestors ate humble pie as AIB's popularity went tbrougb tbe roof. Today, they are India's best known comedy ace, courageous in their attempt to lampoon the desh in times when all kinds of unnecessary boundaries are being drawn.

On the Sydney stage, AIB were joined by Abish Matthew, another emerging scar in Indian comedy.

The sell-out audience at the Enmore Theatre was also a revelation. Largely

Rohan took on his people the Gujjus;

.Lot.r ef Gujaratis i11 the audience? Oh, so 1JJe are giving 011! co111pli111entc11y tickels.

And Indians are the 011!ypeople 011 thep!at1ef 111ho travel tho11.rand.s ef miles to be 1vith other Tttdi,ms.

Kha.mba did the same for Sikhs: Ar a Sikh I have to St£)' Man111oha11 Singh has real!)• brought o,n- com111tmi!J' d01vn . . . especial!)' after ct!/ the good 111ork Mika Singh has been doing.

Ashish Shakya channel.led his own and all parents in their never-ending reminiscences about their impoverished childhood, despite their currently comfortable lives, and yet

proclaiming: F-l1111J Phir Bhi Kh11sh The (But 111e ll'Cre hcippy and content). Yeah, righcl Abish i'vfactliew was brillianc with his take on toilet habits i.n public and what the nonverbal behaviour of cricketers really means.

1n an .interview on Indian Liol< Radio in the lead up to their Australia tom, Ashish Shakya unabashedly admitted Russell Peters was cl1eir major inspiration. (Russell must feel ciclded pink to have become the Salman Rushdie of the stand-up world in India, inspiring a generation of comics in a new career just .like Rushdie spurred on young writers).

Their mentor though would probably give them a few more lessons on audience interaction as tliey picked on those front seaters somewhat less successfully, but, hey, we're just nit-picking here - in a show mat otherwise wenc off superbly. And while we're nit-picking, AIB, we expected a bit more Aussie content. So you had the mandatory convict joke, vegemite, Masterchef and Sydney/Melborune rivalry but perhaps tliere's more material out tliere -Jobnny Depp and tbe dogs, tl1e Aussie cricketers well known in India that shoot off at the mouth . . .

As comedians, tliey were no doubt playing for a laugh. But as social commentators, which is ultimately what they are - whether they admit it or not, tliey were reaUy holding up a mirror ro modern­ day India.

#WeAreLike1hatOn!JJ

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art

A 'next wave' Indian­ origin YouTuber Shyamali Sinha 's popular YouTube channel Foodie's Hut chosen for the 'One Million Views ' project, as part of the Next Wave Festival

N

BY DHANYA SAMUEL

ext \'<lave is an experimental arts festival that has been running bi-annually in Melbourne for the past 30 years. Established in 1984, the rnain ideology of the festival has been to provide career development and presentation opportunities to artists, particularly emerging artists. The festival va.lues .ideas chat are risk-taking, and also emphasises on the inclusion of artists from diverse genders, sexual orientations and cultural backgrounds.

'One l'vlill.ion Views' is the debut

collaborative project of Xanthe Dobbie and Tiyan Baker, award winning digital artists who share a common love for video portraimre, popular culture, new technology and the internee.

According to socialmedianews.com.au, Australians love YouTube, with 14 miUion unique visits in March 2 0 1 6 alone. Baker says that Auscral.ia's YouTube consumption habits onl.ine reflect a love of celebrities and personalities that play intimate roles in their private lives, and yet are almost wholly unacknowledged beyond the internee.

"Through One Mill.ion Views, we wanted co investigate this culm.ral bl.ind spot by using portraiture to ask who are YouTubers, why do they make chis content, who watches this content and why?"

Tiyan and Xanche believe that YouTubers are an amazing lot of people and it takes a ton of creativity, bard work and courage to start and keep a channel going. So One Mill.ion Views is also about legitimising this face and celebrating these YouTubers as true creators. "One of our other major goals with One 1v[illion Views' was co integrate two major audiences: art audiences and YouTube audiences. As

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,, Home cooked food is not just about feeding you1' hunge1', it is also about feeding and nourishing you1' soul, igniting memories of family and home which can be a rather sb'ong

emotion when

you a1'e living in a different country ,,

artists who love YouTube, we wanted to see what happens when d1ese two worlds get mixed together."

And that's where Poodie's Hue comes in, created by a Melbourne-based Bengali chef celebrating her Jove and passion for Indian/ Bengali food in her adopted country.

Sbyamali Sinha was born and brought up in Kolkata and moved to Melbourne in 2011 with her husband. She has always had a passion for food, wanting co learn and experience all kinds of tastes, which make her a bit of a travel aficionado coo.

But what really drives her is her passion for Bengali and Indian food, wanting to cake it to a global audience and showing the world that Indian cuisine is more than just curry and butter chicken masala. And this was the main motivation behind her YouTube channel, Foodie's Hut. The move to Melbourne made Sinha homesick for all d10se comforting Ravours and tastes from back home, and she actively began co think of doing somethjng about it. Sbe also noticed d1ere were very few YouTube channels focusing on the cuisine of Bengal. Coupled with her husband's motivation (also her technical expert), she

launched Pooclie's Hut on Bengali New Year's Day in 2012.

She cook a brief hiatus co have a beautiful little girl and rem.med to Melbourne and Pooclie's Hut. Speaking to Indian Iiuk, Sinha said, "Home cooked food is not just about feecling your hunger, it is also about feecling and nourishing your soul, igniting memories of family and home which can be a rather strong emotion when you are Living in a differenc country. You not only want co cook familiar tastes but also learn traditional recipes and re-create these in your own kitchen, eventually passing on diat knowledge co the next generation."

Apart from Bengali delicacies, Poodie's Hut is also about simple Indian and international recipes that are suited for chose who are rnshed for time, and also chose who are just starting co learn cooking.

Shyamali is excited about being a pare of the One Million Views project. She says

it is a huge recognition for her passion and hard work, being featured alongside other creative YouTubers. It also provides Poodie's Hue with a global audience and a bigger platform co showcase her passion for food.

To newbies or wannabe YouTubers, d1e only thing she has to say is that the journey is a long one, and only hard work, passion and dedication for your craft will help you be successful.

One l'viillion Views presented six diptych portraits of the YouTubers in shop front windows along Errol Street in North Melbourne, from 5 to 22 May. Also included was a walking tour of the exhibition locations with the artists themselves, and a How to Go Viral YouTuber workshop on Sunday 8 May at Arts House.

There is also an online portal with essays, videos and interviews thar will be released soon at onemillionvie,vs.com.au

JUNE 2016 31

MATRIMONIALS SEEKING GROOMS Brother seeks suitable match for 1978 Mumbai born, 5'4", medium built, never married, Gujarati girl. Well cultured, Bachelor of Commerce and working for MNC Dubai shipping company. In Sydney from mid-May. Hindu grooms please contact on 0412 346 590 Seeking suitable match for Sydney-based Hindu, Punjabi girl with strong family values, born 1986 and working as a school teacher. Height is 5'0"; slim and attractive. Family well-settled in Sydney. Enquiries from families of groom with permanent residency or Australian citizenship only. Professional match preferred. Please send photo and details to sydcity15@gmail.com Looking for a suitable match for Sydney-based Sikh girl, 30, 5'7", slim, fair, very beautiful. Currently working as dentist in dental clinic in Sydney. Family very well settled in Sydney. Boy should be qualified and smart. Please email details with photo to inder7763@gmail.com Seeking professionally qualified, settled match for Sydney-based Australian Citizen, Hindu, Punjabi Khatri, 43, 5'3" slim, fair and attractive girl. Girl is postgraduate and is working in a good position in government organisation. Please send details with photo to lndsyd2016@gmail.com.

Looking for a suitable match for Sydney-based Hindu, Telugu Devanga girl, 28, 5'1", slim, from a well cultured family. Currently working for NSW government in Sydney. Seeking a qualified groom, non-smoker, working in Australia aged between 29 and 32, never married/divorced. Please send photo and details to tramesh@y7mail.com

Lo oking for a smart, professionally qualified attractive girl for Hindu, Punjabi Khatri boy, 42 year old, 6' tall. Boy is Sydney based Australian Citizen and is an engineer working in a good position. Please send details and photo to lndsyd2016@gmail.com.

Looking for a suitable match for 32 year old Brahmin boy, well settled in Australia. Involved in family business. Fair complexion, height 5 foot 8 inches, caste no bar. Email at sham.kumar@bigpond.com Seeking never married decent Hindu bride, citizen or PR, 28 to 32 years old, for an Australian citizen, 1981 born boy, 5'11'', chartered accountant. We are Kannada Madhwa Brahmins from Bangalore. Please contact on 0420 793 738 or anitaraoblr@yahoo.co.in.

Seeking alliance for 29 year old, 5'9" tall, very fair boy. Working as Systems Engineer in Delhi, well-travelled, speaks Hindi, English and German. Boy hails from political/bureaucrat family and has written a novel, 'My Neighbour's Daughter'. Vegetarian, teetotaller and non-smoker. Girl should be upper caste only, very pretty and well educated. Contact sudhirchowdhary@y7mail.com or arun60kumar@gmail.com Seeking match for very fair beautiful 5'5, very cultured, educated and working Australian citizen Ghumar Sikh girl, 1984 born. All family settled in Australia.

Looking for an educated, professionally employed, Sikh match, never married / divorced, preferably from Australia/Canada contact 0421775525 Email ab09hii@hotmail.com

Suitable match required for Australian citizen, Sydney based, Sikh girl. 1991 born, 170cm, qualified chartered accountant, working for Australia's leading bank. Parents highly educated and well settled in Sydney. Please respond to hs52216a@gmail.com

SEEKING BRIDES Qualified professional match for Bengali boy, Australian citizen, 31, 5'10", Master in Quantitative Finance, FRM, and Manager in a leading Australian Bank. Girl should be Hindu, 23 - 28 years old, slim, professionally qualifi ed, Australian Citizen or PR. Please send details to vidhu7612@gmail.com

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entertainment

■

------------------------------------demands them to do so.

Akshay Kumar exhibits his physical prowess with his over-energetic performance of a dual personality and a crippled bound to a wheelchair, he is dynamic and is aptly supported by equally talented co-stars; Riteish Deshmukh whose tongue often slips and Abhishek Bachchan who often breaks into a crass rap. The trio have excellent onscreen

HOUSEFULL 3

STARRING: Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Jacqueline Fernandes, Lisa Haydon, Nargis Fakhri, Boman Irani, Jackie Shroff and Chunky Pandey DIRECTOR: Sajid and Farhad Samji

tt-;c,·

I� � '

A classy film for people with crass taste, Houseful/ 3 seriously blows your sensibilities away.

The film is without a doubt creatively designed with quirky character traits, good locales, glamorous images and incredible gags that hit the zero denominator much too often.

The narrative starts off as an afterthought, with a confusing and inexplicable heist that takes place in central London, which occurred six

years earlier.

We are then transported to present­ day London where we are introduced to Bhatook Patel (Boman Irani) and his three daughters Ganga aka Gracy (Jacqueline Fernandes), Jamuna aka I Jenny (Lisa Haydon) and Saraswati I aka Sarah (Nargis Fakhri). At a party, Bhatook vehemently declares: "I'll never get my daughters married." And he has his reasons.

Bhatook finds excuses to prevent his daughters from getting married and how three guys - Sandy aka Sundy (Akshay I Kumar) a footballer, Teddy (Riteish Deshmukh) a car racer and Bunty I (Abhishek Bachchan) a rapper - corner him into accepting them, forms the crux of the tale.

There are other minor digressions too, which complicate our prospective trio's

chances.

The directors - who have also written the story, script and dialogues of the film - have whipped up all the tropes of the comedy genre to give us a mish­ mash of palatable entertainment.

With dialogues like, "Will you be my tawaif ... Err wife", or "Suck the ants from my pants" with metre and rhyme, there is poetry in the dialogues as well as the lyrics, too. Also, transliterated dialogues like; "Hum/og bachche nahin bana rahen hain... ", which means, "We are not kidding", prompts a chuckle. But too many of such transliterated jokes over-eggs the humour.

The actors, except for Jackie Shroff, indulge in buffoonery to the hilt. They all are loud, over-the-top characters who go overboard with their exhibition and that's because their characters

"buddy" chemistry. with perfect comic timing.

Though the actresses have nothing much to offer in terms of histrionics, they are equally charming.

Chunky Pandey as the restaurateur Akhri Pasta with his recycled line, "I am joooking" is staid and stereotyped.

Jackie Shroff as the Don of Mumbai, Urja Nagri urf Urja Bhai, lacks energy.

And, Boman Irani, though a talented actor, fails to leave an impact as Bhatook Patel.

With songs like "Nachenge sari sari raat, tang uthaake", "Pyar ki ma ki... puja" and a rap number like, "Teri maa behen... teri maa behen", the music

and background score is loud and elementary which does not help the narrative.

Overall, Houseful/ 3, with few seriously funny moments which are few and far between, is a huge let-down.

Troy Ribeiro

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\VE AR_E MO\/ING OF'FICES AUSSIE MIGRATION & VISA CONSULTANTS & AUSIE MlGRATION & VISA CONSULTANTS have moved to our new office premises • UNIT 1, 138 CLARENCE ROAD, INDOOROPILLY, QLD · 4068 You are welcome to visit us at our new office. Kindly update our agent contact and any database you maintain to reflect such changes Jamil Shah & Ushass Panicker would like to express our sincere thanks to all our clients for having trust and faith in our services and for all your support for the last 13 years ofour practice in Melbourne.

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JUNE 2016 35

entertainment

----------------------------U P-TO-DATE NEWS ON WHAT'S HOT AND HAPPENING IN BOLLYWOOD

TROLLS HAVE FIELD DAY OVER TANMAY BHAT VIDEO

SO N U N I GAM : ROA DS I D E USTAAD

T

he latest hit newsmaker is definitely Sonu Nigam, Bollywood's golden-voiced boy, who sang his songs on Mumbai streets completely unrecognised.

It was only months ago we read about Richard Gere going unrecognised by the crowds in New York one morning. No one gave a second glance as he sat around like a homeless person, all scruffy, at Astor Place.

This time around, in Bollywood's version, the high-profile personality did manage to get attention, but only for the sheer talent he was displaying. No one recognised him for who he really was.

Sonu sang for more than three hours on the side of some of Mumbai's busiest streets. He was in disguise, dressed as an old man and in shoddy clothes, but with a pair of dark glasses protecting his eyes as he played on an old harmonium.

Passers-by stopped to enjoy his music, even if briefl y, some even walking up to have a quick chat or to tell him he had a beautiful voice.

The experience was caught on video, a six-minute film going viral, collecting 3.3 million views on YouTube in less than a week. Along with sending a message across of finding happiness with the present, the video is also a marketing feature for Sonu's new single 'Crazy Di/', launched this month.

About people's reactions, Sonu said later, "People didn't recognise my voice.

They liked my voice, and it was good that I could actually attract them simply through my singing."

He admitted though that he dreaded being caught out, as he didn't have his usual entourage of bodyguards and managers beside him.

Karl Katgara, creative director at Culture Machine's Being Indian platform which launched the video, said of the intent behind the exercise: "The idea was to inspire people to take a moment out of their busy lives and appreciate the beauty of music. To do this, who better than Sonu Nigam, one of the most sought after singers in the country, and the most recognisable voice."

Sonu, for his part, said, "We had no idea that people would like it so much and make it so huge. What learning can we give others, we ourselves learned a lot."

Continue to inspire us, Sonu!

36 JUNE 2016

And so stand-up comic Tanmay Bhat continues to be in the news.

At first he raised ire with his spoof of Sachin Tendulkar and Lata Mangeshkar.

The controversial Snapchat video used the app's face-swap feature to liberally ridicule the two icons.

And now a report by The New York Times on the entire episode has the trolls breathing fire yet again.

The report describes Indian icon Lata Mangeshkar as a "so-called playback singer", and seems to have garnered the ire of Twitter users, who perhaps misconstrued the meaning of "so­ called".

A description of the video in The New York Times report reads: "Playback singers record vocals for song-andda nce numbers, to which actors and actresses lip sync."

Despite the explanation, the "so-called playback singer" phrase didn't go down too well with some people, who took to Twitter to slam the newspaper as they took it as an insult to the 86-year-old, who started her career in 1943 at the age of 13 and has been regaling music lovers with her mellifl uous voice over the decades.

In reaction to the trolling, Ellen Barry, South Asia bureau chief for The New York Times, explained in a tweet: "A note on 'so-called': Used here for non­ Indian readers unfamiliar with the term 'playback singer'. In no way a commentary."

Even the article's co-writer Suhasini Raj clarified quoting the dictionary: "'So­ called: used to introduce a new word or phrase that is not yet known by many people'."

Meanwhile, we leave it to the cerebral film-maker Hansal Mehat top have the last word on the Bhat video: AIB is usually funny, sharp and clever. The #TanmayBhat video is none of those.

Question is, does a bad joke deserve punishment and/or abuse?

FARHAN, SHAHID TO RETU RN AS RAJU AUR PAPPU AT IIFA STAGE

Actors Shahid Kapoor and Farhan Akhtar will return as the hosts for 17th edition of the NEXA International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards in Madrid, Spain. They will be in their 'Raju and Pappu' avatar on stage.

IIFA Weekend and Awards will take place June 23-26.

Farhan says he can't wait to share the stage with Shahid, with whom he shares a great rapport and has hosted the 13th as well as 15th IIFAAwards in Singapore and Tampa Bay respectively.

Shahid had previously admitted that he had the most fun hosting the 13th edition of IIFA Awards in 2012 with the Wazirstar.

BOLLYWOOD FUNNY-MAN RAZAK KHAN NO MORE

Razak Khan, who played comic roles in around a 100 movies in the past 25 years, passed away following a heart attack.

Tall, thin and lanky, with a hippie style haircut, Razak Khan was first seen in Roop Ki Rani, Charon Ka Raja in 1993, and later appeared in comic roles in many movies.

More than his real name, his screen character names - Lucky Chikna, Keshav, Manikchand, Fainku, Babu Bisleri, Popatwala - became his trademark as he enacted memorable comic scenes besides some of the biggest actors.

Among his notable roles were in movies like Kyaa Kool Hain Hum series, don Kabira's sidekick in Baadshah,

Raja Hindustani, Hello Brother, Hera Pheri, Phir Hera Pheri, Bhagam Bhaag, Ankhiyon S e Gali Mare, Pyaar Kiya To Dama Kya, Loha and lshq

LOOKING FORWARD TO...

National Award winning filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj's upcoming period drama Rangoon will release in February next year. The film, which stars Shahid Kapoor, Kangana Ranaut and Saif Ali Khan, is set in the 1940s amidst the turmoil of India's independence struggle and will feature some epic historic references.

Shraddha Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur's OK Jaanu (directed by Shaad Ali and produced by Karan Johar) revolves around the lives of two young lovers and depicts the issue of live-in relationships.

This remake of the Tamil super hit OK Kanmani (helmed by Mani Ratnam, and featuring Dulquer Salmaan and Nithya Menon in the lead) is slated to release on 13 January next year. The on-again off-again lead pair are expected to revive their Ashiqui 2 magic.

After his 2002 film Everybody Says I'm Fine!, actor Rahul Bose has returned to direction with Poorna, a biopic about Malavath Pooma, a tribal girl from Telangana. Pooma created history on 25 May 2014, by becoming the youngest girl in the world to scale Mount Everest. Aditi lnamdar, a girl hailing from Telangana, was chosen to play the role of female lead after Rahul auditioned

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TANMAY BHAT

109 girls. Rahul plays the role of her father.

Swara Bhaskar will be seen in a never­ before avatar in her upcoming film Anaarkali Aaraah-waali. The gentle actor will transform herself into a foul­ mouthed, feisty and fiery orchestra party singer from the volatile town of Aaraah in Bihar. The film speaks of her travails as an artist in an openly masculine and feudal world.

AND ANOTHER KAPOOR SON

Harshvardhan Kapoor, Anil Kapoor's son, makes his Bollywood debut with Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Mirzya in October this year. Inspired by the legend of Mirza-Sahiban, the film is pegged to be an epic action-romance that plays out in contemporary times. It will have heightened drama and action-packed sequences in the visually rich terrain of Rajasthan, juxtaposed with fl ashes of the fantastical universe of the folklore set in the bleakness of Ladakh. The film also introduces Saiyami Kher along with Anuj Chaudhary.

Actor-producer Anil Kapoor is all set to see his little boy on the big screen.

"It is an extremely special year for me as my son is making his debutt he said recently. "There is a lot that I have from my own experiences to share with him."

He also shared that his son is a quick learner. "It is surprising that he already has such a deep understanding of things. He is a quick learner who is

enthusiastically waiting to explore this world. I hope that my advice comes handy to him in his journey."

SAFETY MEASURES FOR OUR STUNTMEN

We all know Akshay Kumar spends a fair bit of his time working on charitable ventures and on fringe issues related to the industry. This time round, the action star has taken up the cause of safety for stuntmen.

"Safety is not great here in Bollywood," he said. "We've finally got ambulances and medical personnel on set now, not only for stuntmen but also for all cast and crew. However, it's surprising that there is no insurance in place for stuntman yet in our industry. It's something we've got to act on."

Someone had to do it. Akshay, we hope you see this through.

A BOLLYWOOD THEME PARK IN DUBAI

Bollywood Parks Dubai, a first-of-its­ kind theme park showcasing the true blue Bollywood experience laced with drama, action, music and dance, is poised to give tourism in Dubai a big boost when it opens its doors in October this year.

It will host of a melange of cinematic rides inspired by Hindi movies like Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Don,

WHO WORE IT BETTER? NAOMIE HARRIS or KANGANA RANAUT in BURBERRY PRORSUM?

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thrilling attractions and live Broadway­ style shows.

Located half an hour away from downtown Dubai, just before the Dubai­ Abu Dhabi border in the United Arab Emirates, Bollywood Parks, spread over 1.7 million sq ft, is a part of the mega $2.7 billion Dubai Parks and Resorts project, an attempt to add to the tourism portfolio of the city.

The theme park's area is spread across five zones: Bollywood Boulevard, which houses Rock On!, a restaurant with a live band; Mumbai Chowk, which will have a 3D immersive tunnel ride called Don The Chase inspired by Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Don: The Chase Begins; and Rustic Ravines, featuring entertainment options around Lagaan, Sholay and Dabangg.

There is also a "Bollywood Film Studios featuring Hall of Heroes", where visitors can get a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes of a Hindi movie production. This will also house Ra.One Unleased, a virtual 4D multi-sensory ride; as well as Krrish Hero's Flight, a fl ying theatre experience recreated from the movie Krrish.

A key attraction of Bollywood Parks is its majestic Royal Plaza, which the team describes as the "Disney castle of our theme park". This houses an 850-seater Rajmahal Theatre that will be home to a Broadway-style Bollywood-themed musical.

The October launch may see a plethora of Hindi cine stars, but no names can be confirmed yet, officials said.

WHAT TWEETY BIRD TOLD US THIS WEEK

Match the stars to the following tweets Amitabh Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor, Salman Khan, Tanmay Bhat

Dekhna Jaroor. #SultanTrailerOnSONY Dear @thetanmay, being your friend I know what you say and do is never to offend, but to make people laugh...

Please pay me @Snapchat Meeting the Press the entire day almost .. and admired their questioning .. on cinema and TE3N

What's

JAYA BACHCHAN thinking here? ?

Send in your responses to

win@indianlink.com.au and win a surprise prize

What's the chitchat here between newlyweds BIPASHA BASU and KARAN SINGH GROVER? Cuddle for the cameras ....??

S unita Singh Sharma Strathfield North, NSW

Sunita wins a ticket to the film Sarbjit

JUNE 2016 37

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hen Trump plays his hand

A humorous look at what life would be like in America under Donald Trump

BY LP AYER

I

t is late January 2017. The farnous house at 1600 on Pennsylvania Avenue wears a totally different look. J\ new . shiny brass shingle at the front gate loudly Trumpets to the world who the flamboyant new resident is. Just past the main gate on either side of the front lawn are two la.rge cages, holding captive the restlessly pacing Siberian white tigers Cruzy and Bushy.

It is rw11oured that tl1e rare cats are gifts to the new resident from a certain Moscow machismo. A show of grudging admiration

by one tough guy for anotl1er.

Outside the gates a large group of Americans, mostly whites, are waving placards reading 'Tr ump triumphs.' 111ey have their hair coloured and coiffured just like the new Oval Office occupant. Ou01rn11bering chem is a larger mishmash of ethnic groups waving banners 'Trump tragedy,' mirroring the clear divide of tl1e co1mtry caused by tl1e election of Donald Tnm1p, foi:mer developer and casino mogul. Oops, sorry, he doesn' t like that word anymore. onetheless, the entire exterior of the White House is now fitted witl1 streams of flashing coloured lights; the dome is illuminated with mega strobe lights .rivalling the big casinos of Las Vegas. Yes, this is now the world's most famous casino. At the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance, tl1e beefy security guards have now been replaced witl1

cheer squad chicks in skimpy skirts waving pompoms to welcome the Chinese high roUers. If the arriving gambler is a billionaire, a fireball is fired just like the one that follows a sixer in a T20 game.

Besides making millions as a developer in New York, Trump's early ambition was to own casinos outstripping Vegas on the ease coast. And so he built Trump Tower and Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. Now \\�th tl1eir gloss gone, \Xlash.ington is where the Donald will roll the dice to decide d1e future of America, even me world.

On the southern side of tl1e White House, tl1e lush green lawns, where visiting world leaders would address members of the press in bygone days, are now marked wim white Lines and pegged for sub-division to house prestigious mansions. Donald's developer DNA is now on full display.

After a gab presidential inauguration chat resembled a global glam-fesr, mings seem to be moving according to plan. Buc not for long. Reports from secretaries of key departments like Finance, Defence, lnland Security etc. list unexpected problems arising from his three core promises - ban the Muslims, block the Hispanics and banish tl1e Indians - parroted during the campaign.

Arrival lounges in many large airports that were once crammed, now look desolate.

Flights from the l\1iddle East have ceased altogether foUowing Donald's decision to deny entry to people from tl1at region.

Etihad and Emirates don't like to fly empty planes, even as spend tlu-ift sheikhs stay put due to shrinking oil wealth.

On tlie otl1er hand, departure lounges are packed, witnessing a mass e.xodus.

Dejected with the President's office turned into a prestige poker machine palace, pious ·Muslims, averse to gambling, are leaving in droves. Special prayer rooms bui.lt at many airports, having not much use now, are converted to mini casinos expecting big time gamblers from South-East Asia.

Smart Indian computer graduates who once saw America as the software mecca are heading home witl1 many of d1em denied HB visas and no green cards in sight in this once greener pasnu:e. Trump has decbred the IT field as tl1e preferred domain for only tl1ose guys who are as American as cherry pie.

Lengthening the exit lines of leavers include people from Mexico and countries fi.u:ther south as Hispanics don't command mucli respect from tbe new Commander-in­ Chief. Since they don't possess proper travel documents, they trudge mrough the secret n=els they once used to come in.

A crisis meeting is held in tl1e Situarion Room as major banl,s and financial institutions are grinding to a halt, witl1 many of their specialist software staff having left the co1mtry. Same story at NASA, where Indians form a large part of the sea.ff, wirn space shuttles stuck on the launch pads. The President issues an urgent order to stop the flight of Indians. Backflip one . . .

The loudest promise made at Trump's campaign rallies - building a waU along witl1 Me.xico to stop the Hispanics - has come to a standstill because of shortage of labour, most of whom are iliose amigos from d1e adjoining hnd who, raking low wages, helped to build tl1e economy. Another presidential edict 'block the nmnels' goes our. Second card turns up dud. "\'(/ill you allow London's new mayor to come in?' asks a journalist. Donald ducks for cover.

'He is trtm1ped, oh my God!' I shouc.

"Calling OLtt God; had a bad dream?" my wife wakes me up. I feel sheepish. The American election is still several montlis away.

I N D IAN LI N K

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