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2 NOVEMBER 2016

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from

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editorial

INDIAN LINK PUBLISHER ,Pawan Luthra EDITOR Rajni Anilnd Luthra ASSISTANT EDITOR Kira Spucys-Tahar MELBOURNE COORDINATOR Preeti Jabbal

The challenge of supporting elderly parents

CONTRIBUTORS Rajni Madan. Sunila Vig, Aparna Ananthuni, Vish Chilumkurti, Frankey Ger;ird Fernandes, Usha Ramanujam Arvind.

Nancy Jade Althea, LP Ayer .. .·.·

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W

alkiog through large Diwali gatherings in our major cities in weeks past, one could see die diversity in die communiry and die age gaps amongst die various attendees.

Most notable was the youthful side of our migrant comrrmnit)� while there is excitement and exuberance amongsr them of settling in a new coumry, the latem angst is about concern for their families, especially the parents diey have left behind in India, and the thoughr of how they can get their parents to spend more rime widi them in Australia.

During me last Federal election, there was increasing pressure on both me major parties to allow for longer temporary migrant visas for parents. When a petition with this demand garnered over 30,000 si gnatures, die pressure was too much for bom sides to reject it, and both promised accion after the election. With the

Coalition now in charge, consultations on this topic have just been concluded and it is now widely accepted d1at a five-year temporary resident visa for parents will soon be available.

Currently, die contributory visa stream is the main way to bring parencs into Australia. The cosr, which was about $26,000 in 2003, is just under $50,000 now. And yet, over 30,000 applicants are in die pipeline wirh 2 -3 years' time frame to complete diis rype of migration. In the non-contributory category, where me cost is just $3,870, me wait can be up to 30 years, thar's how long the backlog is!

And so rhe temporary five-year visa for parents will be an in1portant gap for those who cannot afford the large sums to fast-track their parents' applications or diose \vho may find a 30-year wair unreasonable (perhaps rightly so).

This new type of visa may also work financially for the government, as the Produccivity Commission has escimated thar a parent on a permanent visa in 2015 can cost the government between $335,000 and $410,000 over the lifetime of the migrant parent. In 2015, rhere were 8,675 parent visas granted, and it is estimated that the government's liability for these visa holders over their lifetime

could he around $2.9 billion. The $50,000-odd contribmory payment per parent will be nowhere close to meeting d1ese costs.

Under the new proposals, temporary migrant parents will need to be sponsored by their children who will need to pass certain financial tests to make sure they can support meir parenrs; they will also need to rake up private i1isurance etc. co meet any unexpected medical needs. The government reduces their financial commitments while still facilitating migrant families to reunite.

The challenge, however, is how co balance the righrs of these remporary visirors, who will be living in the country with limited resomces and .limited knowledge of the local rules. There is an obligation which rhe government and community have in ensuring there is proper education of the eights of rhe aging parents coming here on long-term visas.

The long-term visas is a welcome solution - the devil ,vill be in die detail of how it is implemented co ensure fairness for all, most importantly for me vulnerable - tlie elderly temporary migrants.

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NOVEMBER 2016 3

YOUR SAY CHECK OUT THE INDIAN LINK YOUTUBE CHANNEL!

We have been receiving some great feedback about our video series 'An Aussie's Guide to Hindu Gods and Goddesses', and 'Aussies Who Belong in India.' Check them out at youtube.com/lndianLinkAustralia Verity wrote: I'm a newcomer to Indian Link and I want to say thank you for

your videos! I'm another Australian in love with India and I'm really, really enjoying them. More please! With thanks for what I leam from Indian Link Jodi McKay MP, Member for Strathfleld wrote: I proudly represent a culturally diverse community. That means I respect different religions and cultural practices. This month is one of my favourite Hindu festivals Deepawali, which celebrates the victory of light over darkness. In honour of Deepawali, here is a dummy's guide to Hindu Gods by Indian Link. If we are to truly defeat darkness, then we should start with tolerance and making an effort to understand each other.

Sammy Howes wrote: So much knowledge, very smart, Kira!

Australia lndla Youth Dialogue wrote: 'Bhasha is all about identity!'

Utterly delightful Indian Link series on 'Aussies who belong in India.' Also check out Lawson Tanner's rendition of 'Galliyaan' in the following clip!

Comrade Wom @DrWom tweeted: Well done on this Indian Link- really good!

Vljay Slmha wrote: How do these guys know Hindi?! It's really great to hear Hindi from you guys. Also, Lawson, awesome voice mate.

Rashl Dlxlt wrote: Loved it!

Devlndar Thethl wrote: Dr Peter Friedlander, a beautiful presentation of thoughts on language and culture.

Chandra Klshore wrote: Wah kya baat [Wow, what a great presentation] Sunltl Mishra wrote: Appointment fix ker le. I want to meet this gentleman

DEEPAVALI 2016 THEMED TRAIN

IND/AN LINK wrote: In Singapore, they've launched Diwali-themed trains!

Celebrating the Festival of Lights, they have decked out carriages

with colour and fun. Something for 2017, NSW Public Transport, Yarra Trams, SA Transport, Queensland Rail??

Chandu Nagamalll wrote: Only one man can make it possible, in fact by far and better, Arun Sharma and Celebrate India?

Vanl Sahdev wrote: Awesome!

Vamadevan Vlsvanathalingam wrote: Truly an Asian multiracial country in action Jalshree Yadav wrote: Enjoy Diwali is a foreign country is much better than having Diwali in India, where there is so much pollution Gurmender Grewal wrote: Looks great!

THE ART OF RANGOLI

In our YouTube series, Kokila and Anisha gave us a fresh look at the ancient Indian art of Rangoli

Sheela Shlvraman wrote: Very nice, Kokila. You should share some

patterns too for people who don't know how to do it. Brought back so many memories Blndu Arvlnd wrote: Wow amazing video! A lovely piece of culture to pass on to our next generation Poompa Arasu wrote: It's called kolam in South India and rangoli in north.

Connecting the dots to make a beautiful pattern, there's a lot of maths involved. During the months of December we wake up at 4am, splash water or drizzle it on the floor of the front entrance and then make dots to form patterns. then add colours. For two hours women of the community get together and create the patterns to welcome the goddess lakshmi Chltra Gounder wrote: Beautiful explanation Kokila and Anisha. Kudos!

Hema Pathlyli wrote: Awesome Kokila, well presented and Anisha spoke so well. Both of you did a great job!

Vandana Iyengar wrote: Awesome Kokila! What a lovely tradition to pass on to your daughter and you both did such a wonderful job!

Neetu Mishra wrote: It's so true! Back in the old days everything we did we tried to save nature (using Rangoli to deter the insects rather killing them).

Beautiful tradition!

Dorothy Decroos wrote: Loved watching the video! My grandmother taught me rangoli too ... and yes in the good old days everything we did was to preserve life and not kill! Mother and daughter duo - stunning!

Sumathl Narayanaswamy wrote: Very nice rangoli and very well presented.

I remember the rangoli contest in school and you always did lovely patterns.

Great to see you are still keeping up the tradition and passing it on to your daughter as well.

Glen Rego wrote: That was awesome! I understood so much about the significance of Rangoli...

Jyothl Shankar wrote: Very nice, Kokila and Anisha... I learned more about Rangoli today too which I didn't know.

4 NOVEMBER 2016

IFFM A FINALIST IN MELBOURNE AWARDS

We're excited to share that the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, hosted

by Mind Blowing Films, has been selected as a finalist for the Melbourne Awards by the City of Melbourne, under the category, 'Contribution to Multiculturalism by a Corporation.' This is their second nomination.

Mitu Bhowmick Lange, Director Mind Blowing Films, said, "A big big thank you to the City of Melbourne for recognising our humble efforts. We are delighted that IFFM's motto of promoting diversity has added a little drop to Melbourne's multicultural ocean."

Well done!

BETTER SUPPORT FOR OVERSEAS STUDENTS

KIRA SPUCYS-TAHAR reported on the recent MEA Conference on problems faced by international students abroad Yuva Australia wrote: Check out this fantastic report by Indian Link about the PBD Panel Discussion No 8 participation by Arpita Singh and Ani Bhowmik in New Delhi last month

A NEW INDIAN HC FOR OZ

lndlan Link @indian_link tweeted: Sad to learn @navdeepsuri will be

leaving; has made great strides in lndo-Aus relations. Good luck in new role as Indian Ambassador to UAE lndlan HC In Aus @navdeepsuri retweeted Indian Link: Thank you for your kind words. Also value your positive contribution to India Australia ties and to Indian community in Australia lndla In Zimbabwe @lndiainZimbabwe tweeted: @navdeepsuri @indian_link Congratulations sir on your new assignment.

Ash Raina @rainaashutosh tweeted: @navdeepsuri you have brought the zing back in diaspora and involved local biz for economic collaboration.

Wish you and #UAE the same theme.

www.indianlink.com.au

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:: iift ·� INTERVIEW WITH AIR INDIA CHAIRMAN AND MD ASHWANI LOHANI

PA WAN LUTHRA spoke with Mr Lohan/ during his recent visit to Australia, where he announced plans for 10 flights weekly between India and Australia

Correction In an interview with Ashwani Lohani printed in our last edition, a question was raised about the 51% government ownership of Qantas. As pointed out by Gopal Hegde, Qantas was privatised in 1993. We thank Mr Hegde for his correction and note that by law, Qantas must be at least 51% Australian-owned, and the level of foreign ownership is constantly monitored.

Preetl Purohlt wrote: Eagerly waiting for a direct flight between Sydney­ Mumbai!!!

Manlnder wrote: I don't know why Air India is confined to direct flights to Delhi only. They should also consider direct fl ights from Melb/Syd to other international airports in India like Chandigarh, Amritsar etc.

Ravi Manlan wrote: Will there be flights from Melbourne to other key capital cities in India?

CONVERTING FOR LOVE

PREETIJABBAL wrote about how a young Anglo Saxon woman became possibly the first official Hindu convert in Victoria through a rare ritual

Jayant Bapat wrote: I have been able to get my hands on the latest issue and read this article. Congratulations, Preeti. It is a sensitive issue and you have done very well in handling it.

Nakul Mahajan wrote: Just read the article on 'Converting for love'. It is stated that ua young Anglo Saxon woman becomes possibly the first official Hindu convert in Victoria through rare ritual".

Are you able to please advise on: why it is a rare ritual? How do you claim for it to be possibly the first conversion? ISKCON has been initiating Anglo Saxons into Hinduism in Victoria, Australia since the 197Os. Would these not also be considered as Hindu conversions? All the initiated disciples consider themselves to be Hindu.

Ganesh Dhullpatl@GDhulipati tweeted: @indian_link@HinduRajyam interesting but what does it mean to convert into a Hindu? What kind of ritual is there to it?

Guest wrote: When one gets rid of the uenvelopes of exclusiveness", one automatically becomes uHindu"

THE INDIAN AUSTRALIAN EXPERIENCE

lndlan Link@indian_link tweeted: Congrats to@roannagonsalves on the launch of your new book #ThePermanentResident, a collection of short stories about our community! #read Roanna Gonsalves@roannagonsalves tweeted: @indian_link thank you so much for support, I'm trying to create Australian literature charged with Indian characters Michelle Llnder@linierom retweeted Indian Link: Can't wait to read Roanna's book on the Indian Australian experience.

HALLELUJAH TO ALLAH HU

MIRTH AND MUSIC

We reviewed Raghu Dixit's concerts as part of Confluence Festival of India In Australia Raghu Dlxlt @Raghu_Dixit retweeted Indian Link: Thanks so much for the

kind words!

Damian Rabbitt @DamianRabbitt tweeted: Great night@perthconcerthal to see@Raghu_Dixit &@trdp can't wait for more #confluence Sharp Shooter@flankericeman tweeted: @DamianRabbitt Choti sf hai zindagi

Pawan Luthra@pawanlink tweeted: Dancing in the aisles @raghudixit Amit Kumar Mishra @akmgmail tweeted:@Raghu_Dixit and@trdp rocked!

Sanjoy K Roy @SanjoyRoyTWA tweeted:@Raghu_Dixit continues to blaze a path through Oz. Another rocking standing room only concert in Adelaide!

CHANGE IS THE ONLY CONSTANT

At the end of October, Indian Link celebrated Its 23rd anniversary! PAWAN LUTHRA reflected on the triumphs and tribulations

Chandra Klshore wrote: Congratulations, always enjoy reading Indian

Link!

INDIANLINK

JYOTI SHANKAR and PREETI JABBAL wrote about how through their music Sonam Kalra and The Sufi Gospel Project attempt to create a space where differences are removed and labels are blurred Sonam Kalra shared Indian Link's post: Sonam KaIra and the Sufi Gospel

Project showcase the oneness of humanity, love and the universal truth Rohlnl Parihar wrote: Super!

Amin Messlkh wrote: The best Kalra! lndla In Melbourne@cgimelboume tweeted: #inmelbcity Serenity everywhere with@sonamkalra performing at@MelbRecital Festival of lndla tweeted: Full House at the Sydney Opera House Sonam Kalra show, a message of peace & love through Confl uence Raul Bhaskar wrote: I've jammed with a few of them when I had a band in India. The guy with the flute is Rajesh Prasanna. Do go to their show.

They are world class musicians

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NOVEMBER 2016 5

cover story

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Tributes flow for Indian migrant Manmeet Alisher, fondly remembered as an integral part of the community.

KIRA SPUCYS-TAHAR, RAJNI ANAND LUTHRA (Sydney) and VISH CHILUMKURTI (Brisbane) report

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usttalia was only just recovering from the shock deaths of four holidaymalers at the DreamWorld theme park when Manmeet Alisher was killed in a sense.less attack, set ablaze by a passenger while driving a Translink bus in Brisbane's southern suburbs.

The 29-year-old never stood a chance.

Maruneet had recemly begun his casual job as a bus driver and was looking forward co soon returning to [ndia co marry.

None of the people waiting at the bus stop that Friday morning had any inkling of what was about to happen when the bus scopped to pick up passengers.

According to witnesses, 48-year-old Moorooka man, Anthony Mark Edward O'Donohue, one of three people who boarded the bus, threw an "incendiary device" at Manmeet, sparking a fire that killed him and injured passengers on-board.

While Manmeet was trapped in the driver's seat, six passengers were also

6 NOVEMBER 2016

trapped inside the bus unable co escape the spreading fire.

Hearing their desperate cries for help, a passer-by, taxi driver Aguek Nyok, kicked the back.door of the bus open and helped the passengers out. But it was coo late for l\fanmeet.

"The fire was substantial," said Queensland Police Superintendent Jim Keogh. "He would have stood little chance."

Losing Manmeet

M _ anmeet Alisher, also known as Manmeet Sharma, was an integral part of the local Indian Austtalian community and also a junior member of Aam Admi Party, which has a wide following in his home state of Punjab.

He was from the village of Alisher and had adopted the name of his native village for his stage persona. He arrived in Austtalia about nine years ago on a scudent visa and was granted Australian citizenship six months ago.

He had joined the Brisbane City Council

as a bus driver two months ago, and before that he drove taxis around the city for about six or seven years.

The 29-year-old's brother, Amit, arrived in Brisbane on the Sunday mo_t:ning following the attack to cake his brother's body home.

"He was not only a driver, he is a shining scar, a good artist, a good hero, he had made movies, he was a good social worker, he did a lot of things for his community in Australia even in India also," longtime family friend Winnerjit Goldy, who accompanied Amit, told media.

In a spooky coincidence, a grateful Manmeet had presented a heart-felt tribute to his father only weeks before he passed.

In his Pw1jabi poem .Brljnt tere karh, km11aon joggi bogqya, he thanked his dad for all d1at he had done for him; he also promised his own share of dutiful care. ('You took me roLmd town on your bicycle; now I'll drive you round town in my Audi'; and, 'You put me in the shade and sat

in the scorching heat yourself, now I'll seat you in air-conditioned comfort').

Indeed, he was a typical youth from middle class Punjab who came here to eke our a Jiving and improve his quality of life through sheer determination and hard work.

Sadly, his father will now not be able ro reap the rewards of cool comfort his son wanted to afford the family. In face, the family has decided not to tell the parents that Manmeet is dead until his body is home, as "They are too old - my father is 70 - d1ey won't be able to take it," Amit Alisher told the Brisbane Times.

In a telephone call wid1 Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Indian Prime Minister arendra Modi conveyed a sense of concern being felt in India over the recent brutal killing of Manmeet. Prime J',,liniscer Turnbull expressed shock at d1e killing and conveyed that die matter is being investigated. Indian High Commissioner in Australia Navdeep Suri extended all help possible to the famil y.

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Farewell to a cheerful friend The city of Brisbane was shell-shocked as the news of Manmeet's death spread; he was a popular member of the Punjabi community.

Mamneet was a regular broadcaster of the Punjabi language program on Radio 4EB, a multicultural radio station. He was also an active theatre accor and was a regular member of lndoz Theatre Group founded

by Rashpal Singh Heyer.

"He was one of our senior members," Heyer cold Tndirm I.ink. "He was the lead in a play that I wrote and directed called Cbatum Cho,; he was simply brilliant in ic.

He was a poet, writer, actor and singer.

Together we did stage shows, radio shows and kavi da1·ban (poetry events), and even three short films. All he ever wanted co do was entertain."

But it is J\fanmeec's Erienclly nanU"e that Rashpal Heyer will remember the most.

"The ready smile on his face was his trademark feanue."

Rasbpal and Manmeet had been collaborating for five years and were about to embark on a new production, Di/a P"tti, for which rehearsals were due to begin in eai:ly November.

Indeed, Manmeec had also made a foray into the field o f movie production and had been a part of the production team for three movies in his native language.

His earthy style of singing, with which he entertained at many of the Indian community's events in Brisbane, clearly showed him off as a true 'p11tt Punjr,b dr,' (son of Punjab). Io his short films, he sent om the message of honest l iving and humanitarianism.

Safety for transport workers Manmeet Alisher's death has exposed the life threatening risks that are faced by workers in the public transport industry.

Rashpal Singh Heyer said that a delegation representing public transport workers has proposed to the Lord Mayor Graham Quirk to bring about changes in legislation to make such heinous crimes punishable more severely in order to be a deterrent in the funue. The Lord Mayor reassmed workers that special focus in the investigations will be laid on the occupational health and safety aspects of the incident, such as exit doors and safery information for passengers.

On the Monday following the attack, bus drivers across South Australia wore black armbands in memorial of Manmeet Alisher.

The Transport Workers Union also made counsellors available at bus depots across the Scace to provide support for drivers.

A recent survey of SA bus drivers carried out by the T\.VU showed over half of drivers faced aggressive passenger behaviour at least once a week while 80% felt threatened by the behaviour of

passengers on their bus. Following the release of the survey, SA's :tvlinister for Transport Stephen J\,fullighan introduced tougher penalties for people who attack public transport drivers or secttrity guards on bus and rail networks.

The community mourns Gatherings of mottrners have taken place across AustraLia in recent days in spontaneous gesmres of grief, dismay and loss at the horrific killing of Manmeec.

On the Samrday evening following the attack, the residents of Moorooka i n Brisbane organised a vigil in his memory.

Hundreds of people from various communities paid homage co the popular thespian and radio jockey. The Lions Club, Brisbane City Council workers, hundreds of taxi drivers and members of the Brisbane Sikh Temple, Logan Road, the venue of a later vigil, were present to mourn the much­ loved bus dt:iver. Members of the Sikh community have also setup the M=eet A.lisher Memorial Foundation Trust.

As Rashpal Singh Heyer said, "The wider Australian community has shown a very macttre response to the mishap and I expect that the Queensland Poli c e Service will ensure that justice will be carried out."

In Adelaide, more than 600 people gathered at Tandanyunga (formel"ly known as Victoria Square) surrmmded by the constant stream of trams and buses. A friend of Manmeet's, J\,fi.nm Brar read a personal message and then a short message of thanks from Manmeet's brother, Amit. Also in attendance was Manmeet's Adelaide-based cousin Himanshu Sharma.

Manmeec had performed at a local Adelaide Diwali rnela the previous Sunday.

Hundreds also gathered at Melbourne's Federation Square to hold a candlelight vigil in memory of Manmeec. Local community leaders used their speeches to demand justice for his family. ln Sydney, hundreds of members of the community gathered at Robyn Thomas Reserve in Parramatta. A slideshow about Manmeet's life and work was played, and vat:ious dignitat:ies and locals offered their condolences to the famil)'· Indeed, Manmeet Alisher's death has toud1ed the wider Australian community, with strangers reaching out on social media to pay their respects. Mona Razzal, wrote on Manmeet's Facebook profile, "I am so tinbelievably sorry this happened to you. I personally don't know you Manmeet, but my parents came here with a dream to make it in this country and I imagine you were the same. Rest in peace and my condolences to your f amily." Will Reid wrote, "I don't know you, but a smile personally tells me a lot about one's soul RIP champion." While Joy Kelly wrote, "I don't know

you, but you and your family are in my thoughts and I'm honestly so heartbroken.

I'm sorry tlus happened to you. I'm sorry you didn't get to make it home take off your shoes after a day's work, and be comfortable with your loved ones talking about your day over dinner. I'm sorry that your time was cue short before you got to accomplish all that you wanted, but know that you made an impact and inspired od1ers. Peace, love, and warmth."

Others reached out as the incident lut close to home. Dexter _Mejia wrote, "My partner and I send our condolences co your family. My partner is a bus driver as well and tlus scory has affected us gravely. I hope the government will do more co protect om transport workers."

The discussion turns to racism Despite Queensland Police ruling out racism or terrorism as a motive for the attack, many on social media vented anger and the conversation nrrned into a discussion about racist beh aviour in the community. Indeed, many in India suspect Manmeet's killing was a hate crime.

Gagandeep Luchra wrote, "I am sttre the attacker will escape his ct:ime without adequate punishment imposed on him. We lost a person from our community and I am sure tl1is was a pre-planned racist attack due to the face that some people can't digest tl1e fact that Indians work really hard day and 1ught to make chei.r lives better and help improve Australia's economy . . .wish the attacker was back in India... �1e] won't have been spared (sic)."

Tere wrote, "I hate Australia, it took away my friend" (translated from Hindi). Sunny Nandi wrote, "f . . . Aussies" and Siddharth Jha wrote, "Didn't know such kind of vile racism existed in Australian society. This is beyond horrifying. Such kind of inhumane acts are not expected in some dirt poor war­ torn African country, let alone Australia.

Really, even after 200 years, Australia is still filled with sick, depraved criminals. There were other passengers too, but he especially targeted the driver, so it's not a completely random attack and looks to me it was racialJy motivated."

Ma.nmeet's brod1er told the ABC tl1ac while his family undersrood Police did not believe the attack \Vas racially motivated, they feared it might be the case.

"W/e suspect that it may be (racially motivated)," he said. "W/e would like to see due process, we have faith in tbe Australian system."

After reports emerged d1at the alleged attacker suffers from mental illness, several

online posts slammed the suggestions.

Ku.lwinder Brar wrote, "It is just rubbish d1at he is mentally sick. No matter if he is physical or mentally ill, who cares about him?

He committed a crime. Should be hanged till death... We want justice for Manmeet and his family." Soman Hundal wrote, "He does not seem to be s.ick ...he must be bttrnt alive" and a Facebook page called 'RIP Manmeet Alisher' wrote, "It is a humble request and appeal to all tl1e Punjabis living in and out of Australia to demand for justice for i\fanmeet. Make sure that the murderer must be hanged till death or burnt alive. Don't let the Australian Govt leave him f ree by just declaring him mentally sick. . . " r\nthony Mark Edward O'Donohue appeared in court on Satttrday after d1e attack charged with murder, arson and 11 coums of attempted mttrder.

He was remanded in custody, with the case to be heard again lace next month.

Support for the future "The best way we can assist his family at chis time is not only through our words of condolence and sympad1y, but also in a practical way," said Lord Mayor of Brisbane City Graham Quirk as he announced the Council will donate $10,000 to Mann1eet's family through d1e Manmeec Sharma Trust _it has setup.

Depmy Mayor and pubLic transport chairman Adrian Sch_rinner was very emotional as he cold tl1e meeting, ". . . lc's an absolute tragedy and while w e can't change what happened, we can't change the events of last week, we can ensure drnt i\llanmeet's memory lives on in the people of Brisbane."

Greens councillor Jonathan Sri, who is of S_ri Lankan descent, said he could emphasise with Manrneet Sharma's family.

"They send them away witl1 the best of intentions and so much love in their hearts and i t's a great pain to send yom son or daughter to die other side of the world, not knowing when you'll see them again," he said. "And they have the pride that they have made ic, they've gone to the \Xlest, they've gone co Australia. "\Vh at a joy to talk to om friends in tl1e \Tillages and say how wonderful it is drnt he is over there, tliat she is over there, and for this to happen makes me so, so sad.

"I wish tl1ere was more I could say or do to ease your pain and there is nothing."

Cr Sci acknowledged there been no allegation of racial motivation behind the attack, "we can always do more". ''We don't always make it easy for our brothers and sisters who come here from other countries and, at times like tl1is, I think it's important that we recognise that."

With Frankey Gerard Fernandes (Adelaide)

' REST \H PEACE

$YONfYTIIBU'TElO

MANMEE'T A_USHf.l\ \SrHO\Ei

INDIANLINK

Sydney memorial (left) and in Brisbane (right) NOVEMBER 2016 7

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8 NOVEMBER 2016

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community

Adelaide mourns Manmeet

A

gathering of more than 600 people brought flowers and candles as a spontaneous gesture of grief, dismay and loss ar tl1e horrific killing of Manmeet ALisher. le took place .in d1e heart of Adelaide's central square, Tandanyunga (formerly known as Vicwria Square).

Surrom1ded by d1e constant stream of trams and buses, ir seemed fitting to honour Manmeet at the most prominent public place in Adelaide.

The gatl1ering was addressed by Transport · Minister Stephen Mulligan , Minster for Multicultural Affairs Zoe Bettison, and Federal lvfP Steve Georganas who expressed d1eir sorrow and support. Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young praised the Somh Sudanese-Australian man Aguek Nyok who heroically broke open tl1e bus tO save tl1e other passengers. The crowd then heard from South Australian .MLA Tung Ngo, d1e Lord Mayor of Adelaide Martin Haese, and Secretary of tl1e T\X'U Ian Smith. Local friend of Manmeet, Mintu Brar read a personal message and then a short message of thanks frorn Manmeet's brother, Amit Sharma.

Organisers tl1en invited the crowd co sir during a 30 minute kirtan program. Only then could the size of the crowd be seen.

It was very movtng to see such a huge gathering of people - Soum Asian, African, European and Asian Australians - seated in solidarity, in sorrow, and united in thought and intention, as Adelaide workers passed

by and jotned in. A Jong line of people continued to place bunch after bunch of flowers and Light hundreds of candles, continuing we!J after me last speakers, 111..A RusselJ Wortley, Manrneet's cousin from Adelaide, Himanshu Sharma, and a representative of a bus company. Channel 7 did a live cross from tl1e garnering and many other media outlets were also present.

Apologies were heard from Senator Pe1my Wong and Governor of South Australia Hieu Van Le. It was curious co nore there was no representation from the Liberal Party tmt il much later in the evening, and no speeches.

When questioned a spokesperson from tl1e organisers said, "This is no accident. \Vhen a community is reeling after what everyone feels is a hare crime, you can't stomach hearing from people who side with those who make hate speeches." Referring to me incident of Tony Abbott posing with One 1 ation Senator Paufu1e Hanson, and Minister for Women Micbaelia Cash hugging Hanson after her maiden speech in parliament, the organiser said, "These people are the ones who exacerbate division and paranoia, so no, sorry, we are not going to have members of the Liberal Party here saying they deplore bate crimes while posing with the haters. They (the Liberals) can't have it both ways. They have to work harder to bring people together and their treatment of migrants as cash cows is currently deplorable."

The tenor of the gathering was peaceful,

dignified and organised. People srayed on afterwards for some time; to weep, talk and support each other.

After everyone bad gone, d1e candles and flowers and photos and messages remained.

Some hours later, the candles stiU burnt

brightly in the cold night and passers-by stopped to reflect. A homeless man had set up his bed next to the warmth of the fire; or perhaps it was rhe warmtl1 of an outpouring of love in a harsh wo.rld.

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Community consultation forum asks, what shape should the new parental long-stay visa take?

BY USHA RAMANUJAM ARVIND

A

series of in-depth community consultations are underway i n major metros to drive the continuous five-year visa for parents of immigrants i n Australia and tailor a well-managed program. This follows the announcement of d1e new sponsored parent visa in September this year by Assistant Immigration Minister Alex Hawke, acknowledging the inefficiencies of the current system.

The visa, which is likely to come into effect in July 2017, will offer migrant f amilies a new way co reunite on the condition they contribute to the cost.

Only available on a case-by-case basis co applicants who have lodged a concurrent permanent parental visa application, visiting parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents are currently allowed a continuous stay of up to 12 monilis.

About 1,500 people migrate each year in d1e permanent parental visa category. The mrnaround time for a contributor visa, which costs $50,000, is two years while non­ contributor visa, at $7,000 cakes 18-30 years to process.

In Sydney, tbe fuse community fonun was held at Parramatra, with stakeholders from bod1 sides of politics, government and private sectors as well as core migrant groups holding formal discussions on broad policy settings and specific areas.

Alex Hawke, who has bad extensive consul tations with his Labor counterpart Shayne Neumann as well as Tanya Plibersek, Deputy Opposition Leader, clarified, "This new visa does not seek to fit a box other man to facilitate family reunion.

It is a problem that has emerged over some decades."

"The government is looking to work quickly and our intention is to make d1e visa more accessible, without tmduly burdening d1e system. But, we all have a stake in making this happen witl1in realistic settings," he added.

Delegates from the South Asian community, which has seen a significant spurt in migration, included Dr Yadu Singh (Indian Australian Association of NS\XI), Tara Chand Sharma (Hindu Council of Australia), Maheshwaran Th.iilai-Nadesan (Saiva Manram), Bivek Thapa (Nepalese Association), Mumu Ramachaothiran and Anagan Babu (Tamil Arts and Cultural Association). i\1ichael Burke, Assistant Secretary Planning Design and Penny Robinson, Director of Family Policy (Dept. of

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Immigration) were also present as were representatives from various aged care and edmic disability services.

Although community groups have lobbied the government for the parent visa, stepping up online campai gns ahead of federal elections, a big concern has been d1e pressure on Australia's ta..xation and healthcare system, wim predictions that significant additional places will need to be urgently created in aged care facilities to meer current demand alone.

Financial obligations and legal responsibilities of sponsors, bond and costs involved, work rights - particularly in family busi. ness settings, medical i nsurance and healthcare premiums, pre-existing illnesses, and transport concessions were some issues raised.

Other matters of consideration included a centralised application lodgement system, availability of onshore renewal, and methods of preventing rorting by mi gration consultants.

Age restrictions, C'\LD-specific support systems accessible to visa holders, social isolation and mental \Velfare, safeguards against physical abL1se, transfer of sponsorship in event of death, and curring red tape were some of the other planning issues raised during the discussion.

Contrar y to forecasts by the Productivity

Commission, the visa will have significant indirect benefits for Australia mac cannot be immediately quantified, noted Tara Sharma.

"The commission has tmfornmately looked at this issue from one prism only.

Besides encouraging grandparents m support families will childcare, it allows citizens to care for elderly parents, as i s custom in Hindu tradition," he said. "There is a lot co be gained in a financial, social and cultural context, both in short and long term," he added.

Highlighting the cost blowouts faced by f amilies, particularly in accessing specialist health care services, Dr Yadu Singh advocated a self-sustaining, not-for-profit Medicare-style insurance product, tailored specificaUy for d1e visa. A large number of visitors do not seek medical assistance because of the cost involved, which can put pressure on hospital system later, he lamented.

Jane Flanagan, senior research and policy officer with the National Ethnic Disabilities Alliance, highlighted the inequities in d1e current system and the bias towards people with disabilities that a cost-based vi sa structure will impose.

"Australia .isn't quite meeting its obligations around disability, particularly in the ed111ic framework," she noted.

Seeking clear defi.tution of role and

,, Matters of consideration for the visa implementation included financial obligations and legal responsibilities of sponsors, medical insurance and healthcare premiums, and ways of cutting red tape ,, responsibility of sponsors, community worker Bob Muller called for better supporc systems to be in place to culmrally engage long-term parent vi sa holders and prevent neglect, isolation and abuse.

Anagan Babu ra.ised the issue of onshore visa renewal options, as well as a centralised online application process to avoid bureaucracy and systemic abuse by migration agents overseas.

The deadline for public subnussions concluded on 31 October. The government is expected to announce outcome of consultations early next year.

NOVEMBER 2016 11

festival

A 0

nd l

SA Diwali

Indian Australian Association of SA celebrates the Indian festival of lights in Adelaide! n the banks of the River

Torrens, proudly stands Adelaide's iconic Hotel lmerconti11ental, which was the seat of this year's Diwali

celebrations hosted by Indian Australian Association of SA (IAASA).

The venue truly adds tO the enjoyment of any celebration, and it certainly proved eight for this event. The luxurious interior of the hotel received an Indian makeover which was an icing on the cake! The entrance of the hall was decorated aptly with rangoli patterns created with flowers, colourful eartl1en lamps (diyas), and lit candles all

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around, enhancing tl1e feel of Diwali. The presence of a colourful Gru1esha statue - a true symbol of lndian-ness, witl1 tall floor lamps and many small lighted floor candles turned the entrru1ce into a mini make-shift ternple lit with fragrance, colours and lights in the true spirit of Diwali.

The Ballroom, with a capacity of 320, was nearly full to its brim, and a corridor at the entrance provided a vibrant place for people to meet and greet each otl1er.

Many politicians from both sides joined

a red carpet while being showered with fragcru1t rose floral petals. This ruixing of Indian culnire and tradition witl1 the western created shades of a multiculniral welcome for the guests. Yotmg girls in traditional attire did a fabulous job of showering tl1e petals.

Tradition was also aptly represented tlirough classical dances such as the opening number of a prayer dance by the Young Stars. This was followed by a classical Bharatnatyam performru1ce danced with great aplomb by Dr Geetha Sadagopalan.

The chumping beat was provided, which the audience clearly enjoyed more, by many modern and fusion BoUywood style dance

groups such as Fusion Beats, a charming duet of semi-classical performance by

Jeswin and Dilrose, an energetic Bollywood number by the young boys of CWalk group, choreographed by Adelaide's renowned dancer Navin Dakshinamurtl1y, and a graceful mix of contemporary style dance set co the melodious, music of A.R. Rahmru1 by the girls from Mayuri group.

Some Bollywood music karaoke performed

the invited guests to celebrate the true multicultural event that Diwali has become here in Australia.

The "1v1inister for Multiculnrral Affairs Zoe Bertison represented the Premier of SAJay Wetherill, while the Leader of the Opposition Steven Marshall MP, President of the Legislative Council Russell Wortley, Shadow Education Minister David Pisoni, Tung Ngo tVILC, Dana Wortley MP, and = Chair of tl1e South Australian Multiculmral and Ethnic Affairs Commission (SAivlEAC) Grace Porcolesi were among many distinguished guests. Many of these non-Indian guests enthusiastically joined tl1e dru1ce floor to Bollywood dance

numbers with tl1e rest of the gathering.

Representatives of the Parliament from

both parties vied for stage rime to wish tl1e audience a happy Diwali. They were invited co light the floor lamps before being formally admitted in the hall by walking

12 NOVEMBER 2016

by Sabika Jasmine completed the evening, hitting the righ t notes. l e was a great

combination of quality performances which gave tl1e event its class and poise.

Rajni Madan was involved in creating the temple and taking up the job of being the MC of the event. The IAASA Diwali event was created by the enthusiasm of so many multicultmal souls coming together. The positive feedback recejved from the guests confirmed tint we need more shacing of culn1res and creating of common shared platforms; especially when racism and terrorism are crying to raise their ugly heads around the world.

Well done to IAASA President Adi Reddy Yara, the IA.ASA Executive Committee, and the local artists for an outstanding event tl1at not only entertained guests but also promoted cross-culn1ral awareness and sharing of values and beliefs.

We're waiting for next Diwali already!

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indian news A member of India's ethnic Marwari community helps his son to light a candle to express their gratitude to Indian army soldiers during an event as part of Diwali celebrations in Bangalore on Tuesday, 1 Nov, 2016. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a public campaign urging people to express their gratitude to soldiers guarding the borders by sending them personalised messages on the occasion of Diwali. Photo: AP

Winter of depression hits Kashmiri students as schools remain shut

A bleak fmure stares at hundreds of thousands of youth, with 27 schools sec ablaze in the Kashmir Valley in the past few weeks and all educational instirutions shut for fi,7e months, leaving them with few options - either leave the state, do home­ schooUng, or worse - join ranks of stone pelrers.

Four months of renewed unrest and violence that has resulted i n 92 deaths, the failure of effective governance in tbe state and the lack of any central government initiative to resolve the political imbroglio have left the common citizens of Kashmir in Limbo.

This has panicularly affected [(ashmiri youth, many of whom are said co have gone into depression with the onset of winter that seems to spread a cold blanket on cheir future hopes.

Those who could afford it have already moved their children to Jammu or Delhi and got them temporai:ily admitted i n schools o r private tui cion centres.

And chose who couldn't are Living in despair, suffering the mental trauma caused by the daily shutdown and violence.

Shazia Ashraf, a Class 12 science smdent, like hundreds of thousands of ocher Kashmiri srudents, has not attended school in the past nearly five months. This includes the inici.al two weeks of summer, the Eid vacations and then four months of tutmoil.

Sbazia was early this week hospitalised after a panic attack. Doctors, according to her family, have diagnosed bet: with depression.

Her pare.nts said she has been selfs cudying a t home all these months. Bue remaining confined inside che four walls of the house started taking a coll on her physical as well as mental health.

"She used to study for 3-4 hours daily initially. Bue with time, she lost concentration and finally got depressed," her mother, wbo did nor wish to be named, told I.ANS. "It is but natural for any student to feel depressed. The situation is such. We do not know whether sbe will ever be able to f ocus on smdies again."

According co official estimates, some

14 NOVEMBER2016

1.2 million boys and girls are currencly enrolled in classes up to che 12th standard.

The exam season in the valley traditionally begins in October for the new academic session co begin in late November.

So far, barring DPS in Budgam and Srinagar, no school in the Kashmir Valley has been able to conduce examinations. The issue of reopeni ng che scbools bas become political The government is accusing separatist leaders, who have been spearheading the unrest and daily protests, of risking tbe funue of Kashmir's children by not allowing schools and colleges co open. The separatist say informally that if they exempt schools from their protest calendar, cl1e governmenc will highlight it as a sign of political nor malcy in the valley.

Waheed Parra of the ruling Peoples Democratic Parry (PDP) said tbe issue needed ro be seen as one that is above politics.

"People think that re-opening schools would be against their agitation. This has to be told co those who ask cl1em co shut down that skipping education would only leave us (with a generation of) illiterates," Parra said.

He admitted that the government had failed ro reopen educational inscicuces.

"Definitely, the state has less role in facilitating the education chis time but all you have is buildings and no students.

Those who are against education are shutting the schools."

Shahnaz Bashir, an academician and author, SRid the burning of schools "is connected to a certain policies" direccly or indireccly.

"I believe that howsoever resistant and critical of cl1e scare, no well-meaning student can be so rnuve as co believe that it would be in any resistance movement's interest co burn academic institutions," Bashir said.

But the government cleacly blames the burning of schools on the separatists. State chief minister Mehbooba Mufti also blamed ch em for putting stones in the hands of .school-going ch.ildren rather than helping tbem get good education.

The Union Home i'vfinisrer Rajnarh Singh has asked the state co help the schools and the Jam mu and Kashmir High Court has ordered protection for them and for

unmasking the "mysterious enemies of education."

RS secretariat contradicts minister on status of Whistle Blowers Bill

A junior minister and tbe Rajya Sabha secreca.riat are at variance on the starus of an amendmenc to a bill to protect whistle blm.vers, a measure that many say dilutes the law and should thus be refer red co a select committee of the Rajya Sabha. fa reply to a question in Parliament on April 28, 2016, i\'1iniscer of State (Independent Charge) in the Plv[O, Jitendra Singh, stated that die Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill had been sent to a select committee.

However, in response ro an RTI application filed by social activist Anjali Bhardwaj, the Rajya Sabha Secretariat scared that che bill is not pending \vicl1 any parliamentary committee.

"The Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015, as passed by Lok Sabha, is pending i n the Rajya Sabha. This bill is not pending with any patl iamentary committee at present," the reply said.

RTI activists have renewed calls for a strong law to protect whiscle blowers after rights campai gner Bhupendra Vira was shot dead in Mumbai. last mond1.

The Whistle Blowers Protection Ace, which was passed by Parliament, received presidential assent on May 9, 2014, but has not been operationalised till date.

The Ace provides a mechanism to investigate alleged corruption and misuse of power by public servants and also protect anyone who exposes alleged wrongdotng in government bodies, projects and offices.

"Instead of promulgating rules ro operationalise the law, the government has moved an amendment bi.U in Patliarnent which seeks to severely dilute cl1e Act," said Bhardwaj, "vho is part of the National Campaign for People's Right to Info rmation (NCPRI).

"The amendment was brought ro the Lok Sabha wicl1out any public debate on irs contents. RTI reguesrs seeking information on the nature of amendments were denied to citizens. The texr of the amendment was only made public on May 11, 2015, once i t was introduced in tl1e Lok Sabha," she

pointed out.

Despite demands from parliamentarians to refer the amendment bill co a standing committee, die Lok Sabha passed it on May 13, 2015.

"They are not only diluting but also dilly-dallying wid1 tl1e legislation, which is supposed co bri ng transparency in our system. We argued for more stringent measures. During the UP.A (United Progressive Alliance) regime, more stringent measures were inserted.

"When the bill was re-introduced, we found out that many of tl1ose measures that were proposed during the UPA regime were absent from the present bill. Thar is why we proposed that i t should be sent co a standing commiccee for scrutiny and discussion," said Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a Congress MP from \'(lest Bengal.

The bill was taken up for discussion in the Rajya Sabha on December 7, 2015.

Severa.I JvfPs moved arnendmencs and demanded that cl1e bill be refer red to a select committee. The discussion could nor be concluded due to paucity of time.

"The Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill ,vas nor referred co a select committee. In fact, we had suggested that it should be referred to the select committee. As of now it has not been sent," said Rajya Sabha member D. Raja of tl1e Communist Party of India.

According co RTI activists, Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015, dilutes the original Act by removing safeguards available to whiscle blowers from prosecution under the Official Secrets Act and also by introducing wide-ranging exemptions.

"The an1endment bill states diat no disclosures should contain information which would prejudicially affect d1e sovereignty, integri ty, securicy, strategic, scientific or economic interests of tbe state," said Bhardwaj.

Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) findings show that since the RTI Act came into being, at least 56 individuals have paid cbe prjce with their lives for demanding transparency and accountability in cbe government.

Maharashtra cops the Lise with 10 alleged murders and a t least two suicides (12 deaths) foUowed by Gujarat with eight alleged murders and one suicide (nine deaths), U tear Pradesh with six alleged murders and one suicide (seven deaths).

Maoists receive big blow in attempt to regain foothold

The killing of 30 Maoists in a series of alleged gun battles with police in the dense forests on the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha border lase week has dealt the biggest blow to the extremist movement in the region in recen t years.

The joint operation by Andhra's elire anti­ Maoist force Greyhounds and the Special

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A Kashmiri farmer picking saffron flowers from a field in Pampore, 25 kilometres south of Srinagar, the summer capital. Pampore is famous for its high quality saffron and Kashmir is the only place in India, and one of the few places in the world, where the world's most expensive spice grows.

The saffron growers claim that this year, the yield has been low due to less rainfall. Photo: AP

Operations Group of Odisha Police in Malkangiri district of Odisha eljminated top cadres, deal ing a huge blow to the efforts by the Communist Party of India- !vfaoist (CPI­ Maoist) co regain a foothold in its erstwhile stronghold Anclhra Pradesh.

The ]Vlaoist outfit lost many of its leaders, including state com.t11jttee members B. Venkatararnna a]jas Ganesh and Krishnaial1 alias Daya. Many of the top slain leaders were from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The killed Maoists also include l\fonna (23), son of Ramakrishna or RK, one of the top Maoist leaders and secretary of the state committee of CPI-Maoist.

Reeling under the loss of several top leaders over the last decade, the outfit had already retreated from its former strongholds in unclivided Andhra Pradesh.

In the residual state of Andhra Pradesh, they were more or less confined to the Andhra Pradesh-Odisba Border (AOB) area while jn the new state of Telangana, their presence was limited to areas bordering Chhartisgarh and Maharashtra.

AOB, with its cLifficulc terrain, was considered the safest zone for Maoists.

However, the Greyhounds and Oclisha Police not only entered the cut-off area but also dealt a huge blow to the Maoists.

By eliminating a large number of cadres, the Greyhounds, which is known for its expertise in fighting Maoists, has avenged the killing of its men in the same region.

Maoists had gunned down 38 Greyhounds after surroundjng them in Balimela reservoir i n 2008. I r was the single largest blow to the specially-trained force, raised in 1989.

Andhra Pradesh Poli c e officers say the presence of the Maoist top brass in Malkangiri for a meeting indicates they were planning a strategy to regroup in the region.

Civil liberties leaders, however, are not ready to buy the police theory that there was an exchange of fire when the Maoists refused ro surrender, forcing the police to retaliate. They claim that police surrounded the meeting venue, arrested the Maoists and gunned them down under a covert and planned operation.

"The killings in one-sided firing e."posed the fascist tendencies of the Chandrababu Naidu-led government in Andhra Pradesh," srud civil ljberties leader G. Haragopal.

The CPI-Maoist has also claimed chat a Greyhound commando died after accidentaUy falling into the water but police used it to cook up the story of an exchange of fire.

"If it's really an exchange of fire, why was no Maoist injured," asked Maoist sympathiser and revolutionary writer Varavara Rao, who bel ieves police picked up the Maoists and killed them one by one.

Police, however, have rubbished the claims. "These allegation s against police a.re not new. In fact, they have been levelfu1g such allegarions for the last several years,"

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srud a senior police officer in Andhra Pradesh.

The CPI-Maoist, which claims to be fighting against the exploitation of poor and landless farmers, i s trying to regain its foothold in north coastal Andhra Pradesh by exploiting the resentment among local cribals against a proposed bauxite mining project and the construction of the Polavaran1 multi-putpose irrigation project that would submerge several tribal viUages.

Analysts point out that the CPI-Maoist had lost ground i. n recent years as they were not getting fresh recrwts, especially in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Though many of the top leaders of tbe outfit hail frorn the two Telugu states, it has not been able to draw new recruits or gee new arms. The experts attribute this to people losing faith in the ideology of violence and benefits of the government schemes reachjng the masses.

The apprehensions in some quarters that the CPI-Maoist will resutface in Telangana also proved unfounded as the outfit had failed to regroup over the last two years The Maoist group was almost eliminated from former strongholds of north Telangana and Nallamalla forests in present Andhra Pradesh, following a series of successes by the police and Greyhounds in undjvided Andhra Pradesh.

The CPI-Maoist had emerged as the biggest and most powerful Maoist outfit in India in September 2004 foUowing the merger of then CPI-ML People's War Group (PWG) with the Maoist Com1mmist Centre (MCC).

Following the failure of talks between the Maoist.5 and then Andhra Pradesh government, the state was rocl{ed by a series of violent incidents foUowed by the killings of Maoists.

Evolve mechanism from within to curb triple talaq: Muslim scholars

There should be an internal mechanism to curb triple talaq, like naming and shaming the man who arbitrarily djyorces his wife, Muslim scholars have said, emphasising that the government must scay out of the community's personal laws.

They termed the government's rakjng up the issue at this time a s an election girruruck,

and pointed out that there were several 1nisconceptio11s about triple talaq, or talaq­ e-bidat.

Notwithstanding their dogmatic cLifferences, the Muslim scholars IA S spoke to - from Hanafis to Ahle Haclith and from Deobandis to Barelvis and even Shias - categorically decried any interference by the government in matters "whjcl, are purely religious", calling any such attempt "unconstimtional".

However, d1ey agreed that there must be a mechanism to protect women against the arbitrary behaviout of men who are prone to pro110LU1ce calaq "without valid reasons".

"Such men must be punished, and the commuruty should evolve a mechanism, including boycotting d1em socially. Nobody shoul d get his daughter married to that man ever again," N[au1'lna Abdul Hameed .

Naumani of the Jamiat Ulema Hind, said.

He said d1at although triple talaq, or pronouncing the equivalent of "I divorce thee" thrke in one sitti n g, is haraam (prohibited and sinful) d1e divorce is anyway effected.

AccorcLing to Muslim Personal Law, if a husband utters only two talaqs, his wife can continue to stay with him, but after the third talaq the cLivorce comes into effect immediately. The husband can neither stay wid1 his wife nor remarry her until the nikah-e-halala is done.

A njkah-e-halala is one where d1e woman i s required tO marry another man (as and when that happens) and if d1e second husband cLivorces her willingly (not LU1der coercion or as an understanding) after consummation of marriage, only then can the first husband remarry the woman.

"Thjs condition was set as a punishment for those men who would pronounce talaq arbitrarily," Naumani explained.

A Barelvi cleric, Maulana Ansar Raza, too, agreed d1ere should be some checks against men cLivorcing their wives wid1out legitimate reasons. "But triple calaq cannot be wished away. You cannot alter d1e law of Allah," he added.

Milli Council General Secretary Manzoor Alam, however, spoke in favour of triple talaq. "\Vhat if a man finds hjs wife in a compromising position with anod1er man, or gets evidence of her extramal"ital affair?

GeneraUy, a person would be enraged in

such a situation and may cake d1e extreme step. So, instead of kilJjng the woman or killing oneself, there is the easy way out of marriage through triple talaq," Alam argued.

Kamal Farooqui, a vocal Muslin1 and member of d1e All India Muslim Personal Law Board, said that he is not surprised at the arendra MocLi government trying to politicise the issue of talaq in the garb of social reform.

"It is part of their communal agenda.

They are trying tO create all sorts of misconceptions," Farooqui said, adding chat clivorce is a most unpleasant word for Allah.

He suggested that to curb triple calaq, concLit ions can be set in the nikah nama, or the contract of ni.kah. "ln Islam, marriage is a social contract. The woman and her guardians have every right and Liberty to set the conclition s of the nikal1 as per their convenience," he said.

Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe SacLiq echoed Farooqui's stand. "In Shia jurisprudence, there is no concept of triple talaq. But in sections of Musli m society where this practice is prevalent, the ulema should sit together and decide what they can do to curb it," Kalbe Sadiq said.

However, he added, there is "no scope for the government's interference" in the matter.

Ahle Haclith cleric Maulana Asghar Ali Salafi, coo, agreed wid1 Kalbe Sadiq.

"There i s no concept of triple talaq in our jurisprudence. But those practising it are doing so accorcLing to their belief system and their interpretation of the Islamic fiqh Gurisprudence). " obody, including the government, has any business interfering with it, most certainly not for votes," Salafi said.

Muslim scholars also rejected the contention that triple talaq be banned as it is in several Muslim countries.

"Suppose it is banned in 22 countries.

But there are 52 Muslim countries, which means .it i s still in practice in the rnajority of 11"usli m countries," said J\,fanzoor Alam. "\'ile live in Inclia, not in Saudi or Pakjstan. We are bound by Indian laws, not of any od1er country, and the Constitution of India guarantees us freedom to profess and practise our religion," Raza said.

IANS NOVEMBER 2016 15

art

At this year's MPavilion, Mumbai architect Bijoy Jain demonstrates how local lore can inform ethical and sustainable architecture

BYAPARNA ANANTHUNI

I

n conversation with Peter Maddison and Naomi JvWgrom, Bijoy Jain, leading exponent of sustainable and ethical architecture and design, and desi gner of Melbourne's third MPavilion, points our that a bundred years ago, the modem concept of 'architect' didn't exist.

In London, after he left the US, where in 1990 he had received his M.Arch from Washington University in St L ouis, USA, and worked for some time in Los Angdes on the Getty Centre, he thought more about this.

"I'd remember making this whole series of big, thick dockets of draw ings. And I remember being at the construction site . . . and where I was building, they were unable to read the drawings."

He now sees d1e capacity to make things as "quite visceral"; at his award-winning firm Studio l'vhunbai, which he founded in Mumbai in 1995, he has carpenters and masons that claim lineages of 10 or 20 generations. He cakes that "with a pinch of salt'', but reflects, "that's the sense of continuity that exists, so it's in their DNA or blood." Their knowledge is not so much technical as knowledge "embedded in

16 NOVEMBER 2016

stories, and observations that each of d1em specifical.ly experienced".

In India, he highlights, more drnn 50% of the built landscape is not created by architects.

"So there's a great sense of sdf-rdiance because there's an immediacy, and also d1e technology doesn't exist, and for that matter electricity."

In his work he uses local matet:ials, labour and expertise, and draws from traditional skills and building techniques.

Naomi Milgrom, f0tinder of JvfPavilion - a unique yearly architectural and design project d1at commissions a leading imernational architect to build a temporary pavilion in Queen Victoria Ga.rdens - found Jain's approach d1e right fit for d1e project.

"Particu.larly in d1e collaborative way that he does everything, l mink that re.-illy resonated wid1 what we are doing with the JvfPavilion."

She started lvJPa,1ilion ,vi m support from the City of Melbourne and the State Government after being inspired by the Serpentine Pavilion in Kensington Gardens, London and wanting to implement the idea in Mdbourne.

"We like to think of Melbourne as d1e cultural capital, me fashion capital, the sport capital ... so I thought there was a way to make Melbourne the design and architecture capital of Australia. Because every good ciry needs ro be differentiated."

What also drew her to Jain's work was the emotional connectivity he brought to his ideas about the building, the landscape

,, A square-and-dome structure, Jain sees it as representing the earth and sky, and thus "something that's universal ,, around it, and d1e people using it.

"My first brief to an architect is 'please don't give me a building, give rne an emotion'; that has always been extremely important to me."

Jain's design for the MPavilion is based on the Hindu 111011dapa, a liminal structure that leads to d1e main temple. ''What it does is serve to contain something that is sacred . . . the structure is more a container and a shelter [that] enables people to come and visit and participate." lndeed, the idea behind JvfPavi lion is invitation. Each year, f rom October to Fehruary, it becomes a "cultural meeting place", a space embracing diverse events, performances and talks, al.I free to the public.

1n his design,Jain has also incorporated a tazia, a replica of the tomb of Hussein, carried in procession during the mond1 of Muharram (the first month of the Islamic calendar).

A square-and-dome structure, Jain sees it as representing the earth and sky, and thus "something that's universal." In his design it becomes a ceremonial gateway, an invitation.

Jain has also described the site of 1'1Pavilion as a "non-place", reAecting on

how it embodies the disconnect between d1e present and the past.

0 ' In time, what has occurred with dus particular piece of land, [is d1at) a displacement that takes place . . . economic growth, colonisation, gold rush . . . [al.I become) part of the park, but also in some sense isolated from the park. What if one connects back, just physically, to that origin?"

In keeping with d1e idea of origins and universality, the structure of Jain's j\.fPavi.lion - assembled in Mumbai - uses bamboo.

Rudimentary and tmiversal, affordable and ubiquicous, bamboo is used everywhere in India: in enclosures for festivals, for te.mporary movie theatres, and also by the indigenous people of the forest for their homes.

Jain compares the bamboo structure of me Pavilion r o rhe bones of me human body: "a skeleton or scaffolding on which you d1en enable other d1ings ro be activated."

Thisyear's MPavilionfeatm-es a 400-event program over the next 4 months, with up to 300participants. Entry and all programmed events atMPavilion aref,-ee.

Visit mpavilion.org

www.indianlink.com.au

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INDIANLINK

NOVEMBER 2016 17

accolades

Young journalist shows great promise A student placement at Indian L ink leads to a media award

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BY RAJNI ANAND LUTHRA

I

t1dian Link's Namita Gohil has won the Young Journalist of the Year Award a[ this year's Mulciculn1ral and Indigenous Media Awards. She impressed the judges with her body of work including a wide range of arcicles on communiry affairs and in-depth interviews.

The 21-year-old came [O Indian Link six months ago as a student intern. A newly qualified but experienced journalist, she graduated in August di.is rear with a Media and Corumunicacioos degree from UNSW. While there, she won a scholarsli.ip co attend the University of Pennsylvania in the US where she undertook journalism smdies.

At bod1 universicies, Namita published e."Xtensively and built up an impressive portfolio of work that showcases her obvious talent for wricing.

At Indian Link, I ani.ita has contributed significantly with a list of well-received arcicles. These include her thoroughly researched pieces on Australia's early Sikh heritage; environmental accivism; healthy earing trends in today's society; contemporary and postmodern art; youth activism and social entrepreneurship; and as a young woman of ni.igrant background, the assimilacion and integracion imo Australian society of od1ers of her age and gender.

"It is so rewarding to know that other people have valued the work wli.ich I have produced, especially on topics which are so unique and contrary to the stereotypical Bollywood or cricket material in Indian media," Namita told Tndia11 Li11k.

Namita's work clearly demonstrates an tmderstanding of the issues well beyond her yea.rs, as well as a skilful way wid1 words.

Nani.ita has impressed also with her knack for picking up leads and following th.rough stories which she understands will interest readers bod1 within the Indian community and in the wider mainstream.

For example, her piece on environmental activist Ramesh Aggarwal ('A shot at ending coal mining') brought her accolades not only from Indian followers of the man, but also Australian supporters, many of whom have funded his campaigns in lndia.

The piece received much feedback in print and was widely shared on social media; a request was also received for reprinciog by an industry magazine.

Nani.ita's 'Acknowledging the Sikh footprint in Australia' was an extensively examined piece on the li.isto .r y and legacy of early Sikh settlers in d1is country. It received wonderful feedback: one Australian hiscorian wrote in m acquaint us of her own work regarding the li.istory of turbaned Indians from the late 1800s.

As a young person filled wid1 aspirations herself, Narnita is parcicularl)' interested in scories that see people follow through

18 NOVEMBER 2016

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with their dreams and work ha.rd to achieve them. Her feamre on a Perth- based Indian­ origin actor and model, which becao1e the cover smry 'Bikinis as well as bindis', advocated strongly for women of colour in the field of entertainment.

Her maiden attempt at bei11g an art cricic also came off quite successfully as she incerpreted and analysed the meaning and quality of a visiting Indian artist's work at the Sydney Biennale 2016.

Her Australian upbringing notwithstanding, Namica is very much in contact with her Indian roots, seeking out stories that will help her coumry of origin. Her piece on ultra-marathon runner San1and1a Gash ('A stride for India's youth') helped raise funds for projects addressing educacional inequality. amita's personal passion for heald1y eating is also brought to play in her wricing, such as in her analysis of vege[arianism in the piece '\'Vhi.rled peas'.

These stories show o ff this young writer's zest for Iife just as much as her versatile wricing style.

Talking about her experience at Tndia11 Link, Namita said, "I learnt a great deal about how a newspaper is put toged1er deciding on which arcicles wiU go in and 011 what pages, how the adver cising is distributed across the pages and reconciled with the articles, and tbe depth of sub­ editing and final revisions made for all the written work. I also learnt how the material from print is then transferred to ooli.ne mediums (website and social media) and d1e variations d1at are required to be made for an online audience. It was an amazing experience! I thoroughly enjoyed working alongside Kira Spucys-Tahar and

od1ers as they always valued my opinions and suggestions. I also liked having die opportunity to do different d1ings as well as writing - watching the radio shows conducting interview and making gifs for the Facebook page.

Namita lists her piece oo Perth model Chandrika Ravi as one she parcicularly enjoyed. It became a cover feamre.

"I could sense the young woman's desire to succeed in a lucrative industry, especially as she has been caught amongst two conAiccing culmres. She was fun co interview, had a great, dynani.ic energy and di.is meant that I was able co get a lot of information and insight into her life and purpose," Namita revealed. "I d1ink what I enjoyed d1e most was wricing about a young woman which so many people who read me paper can relate to, including myself someone unique, different and determined to achieve somed1ing great. Chandrika is now on the path for success. It's inspiring. " Among journalist role models that inspire her, amita lists Caro Meldrum-Hanoa, Ma,"< Murch and Sarah Ferguson. "I have much respect for anyone that is willing to go om, take risks and uncover horrors which are often invisible in our world."

She devours news on a daily basis, especially from ABC, SBS, sometimes Al Jazeera, the Independent and The Economist.

"I also sometimes watch news segments on YouTube from sources like The Young Turks, wli.ich is supposedly non-partisan, but even then you can see a clear agenda so I try to make sure d1at I get my informacion from mulciple sources. I still read d1e weekly community newspapers io print."

Of course there is much about

mainstream media mat Namita finds disparaging. "] basically find fear mongering and populist political stories really annoying such as why immigracion, parcicularly Muslim immigration, should be banned since they provide no concrete justifications, just opinions. I am also really sick of how celebrity and PR stories are becoming more and more intertwined with real news stories."

What is she working on at d1e moment?

"I'm looking at an invescigative report on the difficulties faced by young diasporic lndian women io Australia, the U K and the US, especially in college. Things like alcoholism, drug use, and sexual exploration is somewhat shunned in the commwiity and not enough is being done to provide support to d1ese people."

Going forward, Namita is keen to use her award as a platform to take further opportunities in wricing and reporcing.

"I don't want to write about trivial issues in India. I want to write about important dungs and critique standardised practises, mentalicies and societal norms.

I want Indians to start recognising our soldiers, the accivists who work relentlessly to campaign for social justice issues, the hardships faced by many and the health problems Indians today face. I want to encourage more dialogue about mese dungs. I hope l can use d1e award to get some greater leverage and actually be recognised b y organisacions who have the resources to allow me to pursue more i.ovescigacive type work."

Go forth and make your mark, young arnita. At Indian Link we will be watch.i.og your career with great interest.

www.indianlink.com.au

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easone

accolades

A coveted honour for one of I ndian Link's most prolific contributors

BY RAJNI ANAND LUTHRA

U

sba Ra.manujam Arvind has won the MuJticulmral Journalist of the Year Award at the i\foJticLdtural and lncligenous Meclia Awards th.is year.

A journalist with 25 years of experience, Usha has been associated with Indian Link over the past 16 years, writing extensively for ou.r award-winning newspaper on a broad range of issues shaping the migrant population.

As one of llldian Link's senior most reporters, Usha has helped raise awareness on critical issues affecting the ethnic minority, and in the process, amassed an impressive portfolio of writing.

"I am deeply honoured by the recognition," Usha said at her honour. "It has been a privilege ro write for a quality publication that sets high benchmarks for itself while reaching out to such a wide audience across Australia. Over the course of this journey, I have met so many people, built such a rich network of contacts and learnt so many new th.ings. Jc has been a rewarding experience and one that has helped me find my feet in a new land."

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*An analysis of the place of Indian history in the SW history syUabus Science communication has grown to become one of Usba's specialities. In the last twelve months alone, she bas produced informative pieces on: *Australia's meclical cannabis trials *A novel drug delivery system in cancer prevention pioneered by an Australian company *A new cancer app that will aid information delivery and patient care management *A peanut allergy breakthrough by WA scientists *Tree-root shaped anchors being developed at Sydney Uni *A feature on a Sydney Uni academic much inAuenced by Inclian maths genius S Ramanujan, coincicling ,vith the release of the film Tbe Man IV'ho Kna111 Infinity *Profiles on J\.NU nanotechnologist Prof Chennupati Jagadisb AC; Sydney Uni marlmnatician Prof Nalini Joshi AO; UNSW material scientist Prof Veena Sahawailla OAM, and oncologist and writer Dr Ranjana Srivastava.

Social issues are quite a passion for Usha.

In 2015-16, her articles helped raise awareness about *Sustainably produced school uniforms manufacmred in Inclia *Senior women's well-being in minority communities *The needs of carers *Differently-abled youngsters

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MULTICULTURAL AND INDIGENOUS MEDIA AWAR

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,, As an experienced scribe, Usha has consistently generated ideas and followed leads to produce cover stories, special reports and analyses of events affecting the community ,,

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"Through her in-depth coverage and sensitive portrayal of core migrant issues, Usha has not only presented the evolving dynamics, but also won the trust and respect of community members, thereby helping create a strong and resilient society," Indian Link CEO Pawan Luthra said in his congramJarory note.

The seasoned writer has gained a reputation for her well-researched and analytical stories on contemporary issues.

Usha's most acclaiu1ed pieces in a prolific year this year, have included: *The growth of the 'mother rongue' movement Ln SW schools *Writing from the Subcontinent at tl1.is year's Sydney Writers Festival

INDIANLINK

*The particular needs of senior citizens of Inclian background As a dance critic, Usba's reports on the thriving classical Indian scene in Sydney maintain critical impartiality. Her particular emphasis is on youngsters who keep tl1eir heritage and traditions alive.

Passionate about encouraging youtl1 in various areas of endeavour, Usha wrote this year about a teenage motmtain climber, a 16-year-old cricketing prodigy, an 18-year­ old documentary film-maker, and young colleague at Indian Link Riram ivl..itra who recently won a Cricket Vicroria Award for media.

As an experienced scribe, Usha bas consistently generated ideas and follc>wed

leads to produce cover stories, special reports and analyses of events affecting tl1e community.

She bas interviewed visiting clignitaries, political leaders, industry heads and community represenratives.

Her tmique selling point is her ability to report on all aspects of the community.

Be it cutting edge technology or age-old rraclitions, business or Bollywood, cricket or the arts, Usha's inimitable writing style has always touched chords.

"Indians are respected for their integrity, work ethic and strong desire to enrich the environment tl1ey live in, distinguishing themselves across so man)' platforms in the process," Usha said. "l have reaJJy enjoyed reporting about these achievements, particularly women in STEM. They have tl1e power to change other people's Jives".

As a first generation migrant, her work has focused on the community but bas helped build strong ties with mainstream as

well, sparking a vibrant bilateral exchange.

About Indian community journalism in Australia, Usha has a dear understanding of our responsibilities and duties. "\Vhi.le Inclian newspapers have broughr the community together and raised its profile in tl1e mainstream by reporting about local achievements and feel-good stories, journalists have equal responsibility to turn the spotlight on unsavoury aspects.

For instance, tax evasion, vocational education scams, rorting loopholes in the system, domestic violence, and wage ine9ualities faced by casual rnigraor workers. It is our duty ro enlighten both our readership and authorities to prevent sysremic abuse that will only ruin our well­ earned reputation."

She added, "As tl1e profile of Inclians in Australia continues to change, I would like ro engage further witl1 the community across a range of issues I have not explored before."

Our heartiesr congraml.ations, Usha.

NOVEMBER 2016 19

accolades

hen foo transcen

arr1ers •

Dhanya Samuel's work with food - and social issues - earns her a media honour

BY RAJNI ANAND LUTHRA

I

11dia11 Unk's Dhanya Samuel has chis month won a Victorian honour in the field of multicultural media.

She won a Certi6cate of Merit at the Victorian Jv[u.lticulmral Commission's Multicultural Awards for Excellence, in the Media category. "lt is an awesome feeling when your hard work and passion get appreciated," Dhanya told Indian Link. "I feel on top of the world!

Ir is also an inspiration to do better work in the future."

Dhanya's keen interest in local social and community issues, coupled with her insatiable love for writing, has made her one of tl1e most read journalists in the Australian lndian community.

Her particular cake on these issues in Australian society, and their impact on the large multiculm.ral community tlrnt resides in this country, continues to increase awareness and understanding of multicultural affairs across Victoria, and indeed nationally. "l have always chosen to write about topics and issues that are a reAection of my ideologies and hence have enjoyed writing every single feature so far. But if I were to pick my favourites from lase year, it would have to be Breaking Bread Together and Tamil Feasts.

Both the stories were cenm:d around how sharing food togetl1er is perhaps the best way to celebrate your heritage yet break down barriers and differences that exist in our society."

Her story 'Breaking Bread Together' was particularly well-received; it profiled a documentary series that captures tbe heart and soul of multicultural Australia, showcasing food as possessing an extremely powerful ability to bridge intercult:ural differences.

Showing sensitive understanding of social issues, her piece 'Food for Thought' promoted the work of a local enterprise Tamil Feasts, a unique kitchen project in East Brunswick set up to support recently settled asylum seekers. The piece had a constructive impact on the work of the CERES Environment Park who were Aooded witl1 bookings.

"There ace so many stories waiting to

20 NOVEMBER 2016

be cold and so much of work mac each of us can do to bring the society together," Dhanya observed. "Attending the awards ceremony also gave me a chance co interact with and learn about the work of others, which was truly an eye-opener."

A great beli.ever in the power diat youth and social media holds to leading Australia forward, Dhanya is also interested in stories of young Australians following their dreams, working hard to make them come true. Through her writing, she has raised awareness of local artists and docw11entary makers from diverse cultural, linguistic and religious backgrounds.

Dhanya is also a prolific food writer and runs popular food blog, 'The Spice Adventuress'. A unique creative voice, her blog was nominated amongst tl1e Top 30 Australian f ood blogs of 20 I 5. Her work was also published in Bank of Melbourne's crowdsourced cookbook which celebrated me food diversity of Victoria.

The philosophy behind her food-based writing is to show how food can be used as

'' The philosophy behind her food-based writing is to show how food can be used as a medium to bridge geographical, cultural, social and religious differences ,, a medium to bridge geographical, cultural, social and religious differences.

Dhanya's food columns have graced many of Indian Link's issues, seeking to dispel me myths surroundi ng Indian f ood, encouraging our readers co use local .Australian ingredients in traditional Indian dishes, and putting an Indian spin on several Oz favourites like the Vegemite chicken or curried kangaroo!

Where does her love of food - and food writing - come from?

"My mother is an excellent cook and it was as her little assistant tlrnt I began to

explore different flavours. Spices intri gue me and I love to use them liberally in my cooking; cherishing the ancient Aavours and techniques but embracing new ones too. But my blog, 'The Spice Adventuress' was a result of my love for writing as well as storytelling. Every dish has a story and an inherent abiliry co bring back memories and make us happy from within. I love co discover these stories and share them with the world. It helps us understand other cultures and religions which in cum makes us more accepting of the differences."

Dhanya continued, "The blog is also a space to showcase regional Indian cooking co the global palate. India has such a strong

culinary heritage and I believe that most of it stiJJ remains a mystery to the world.

And I love to combine tbis knowledge witl1 tl1e amazing produce that Australia has to offer, coming up with my signature Indo Australian recipes. The best of botl1 worlds!"

Dhanya is also a keen participant in her local council activities in Dandenong and uses her skills in writing to promote the council's work. Her community-mindedness also finds expression in her voluntary work with new migrants, guiding them through the settlement process in tl1eir new home and helping tl1em feel welcome.

Keep up the good work, Dhanya.

www.indianlink.com.au

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confluence

An ode to Raghu Dixit

V

oice fragrant with the earth, rumbling W<e rivers in spate, soft as flowers, loud as thunder singing of people, villages, cities of India, highs and lows, of the ordinary and the exalted, a voice like none other. \Xfhen I first heard the earthy, powerful voice of Raghu Dixit, I was in delighted shock. This happens tO me when I come across rare phenomena like RD, which is what I will call him the rest of the way for ease. Another such voice is Kailash Kher.

But more on that some other time.

Raghupati Dwarakanath Dixit, was born on 11 November, 1974. His music is a mix of ethnic Indian folk and styles from aU over the world. The main artist of die Raghu Dixie Project, he is married co Mayuri Upadbya, artistic direcror of a contemporary dance group, ritarutya.

I have heard his music for the past six years or so w i th an almost desperate dream co somehow watch him perform live along with his troupe. I tried to do this more than a couple of times in Bangalore, which is where he performs quite often. l e wasn't to be.

Finally, thanks to the Confluence Festival of India in Australia, I witnessed it all, jumping and singing along with the crowd, and my little daughter next to me, at the large open-air stage at Elder Park.

'Lokada Kalaji' had everyone memorising tl1e chorus at the behest of

RD, while 'Jag Changa' bad most of us getting wobbly-kneed from all the jumping up and down. 'Anuna' tugged at the heart strings while 'Para Shivana', 'Mysore se aayi' and others had everyone asking for more.

Clad in ethnic shirrs of thin handloom cotton, lungis and dancing bells, in the case of RD, the band appeals to every sense. \Y/e got pies and bought CDs and even now our daily music fi x in the car is his.

The neJ(t day saw me back at the Ukiyo Tent to watch and cover the Piya Behrupia Hindi play, a translation of Shakespeare's T1JJelftb Night, again a part of the Confluence festival.

I tl1ought I saw RD sitting and looking at his mobile phone, and before I was sure, he looked straight at me and beckoned, asking me to sit next to him, with his whole troupe.

With a slightly raised heartbeat, I went and sat with them!

This took the e."Xperience higher by many norcbes, since I could see how impressed be was with the music, hilarious dialogue and the whole play itself.

As bonus, I got to char with him in the breaks. I came to learn he is working on the music of six Indian films, two of them for Bollywood.

His journey to music was different from most. He was a sciemist in Belgium and at the behest of friends, and, for sure,

an inner calling, he made his way back to India. He rook some time to get his first break in Mumbai. Just when he began to think he had made a big mistake, following his passion for music, he hit the big time.

There has been no looking back after the release of his fine album by Vishal­ Shekhar in 2010, which reached number

one on the iTunes world music charts in the UK. The Raghu Dixit Project travels incessantly and along with Raghu Dixit's foray into the film worlds of various stares of India, his band now plays regularly, rouring India and the globe.

Sunila Vig

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NOVEMBER 2016 21

MATRIMONIALS SEEKING GROOMS

Seeking a suitable Hindu groom, for 39 year old Hindu girl, never married, qualified chartered accountant employed. She has been brought up in Sydney, with blend of Indian and Australian cultural values. Please email details to pkm2691@gmail.com Seeking match for a Hindu girl, 25 years old, 5'3", fair, slim, beautiful and currently working as doctor in Melbourne. Highly motivated, caring and with strong family values. Looking for a doctor with similar background and values. Details to agg_1234@optusnet.com.au Suitable match 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 Uncle based in Sydney seeks suitable match for their Mumbai born 1989, 5'2" niece. Well cultured, well educated, Masters in Bio-technology, working in a well reputed firm in Mumbai. Please send your interest with all the relevant details and pictures at kacharya45@gmail.com Caste no bar.

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Alliance invited for 31-year-old, beautiful, slim, fair, graduated from SRCC, Delhi Uni, issueless divorcee (mutual) girl, currently in Sydney. Brother Australian Citizen, well settled, married. Family from Gurgaon, India. Seeking match up to 34 years age, handsome, well-educated, well-settled. Send details to hkdutta@gmail.com or call 0402 163 676 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 indsyd2016@gmail.com Seeking alliance for our daughter, Sikh Brahmin, 26 years old, 5'0 feet. Bachelor of Business and Commerce in human resources and industrial relations. Currently working in finance as a finance consultant, Sydney-based, Australian citizen.

Seeking a qualified boy, well educated, working, well settled non-smoker, non­ drinker and an Australian citizen. Please contact 0412 308 816

SEEKING BRIDES

Professional match for Punjabi boy, 31, 5'11", fair, B.Com/BBA, Chartered Accountant, completing CFA, Australian citizen and working with a global investment bank in Sydney. Family settled in Sydney for 24 years. Girl should be Hindu, 24 to 30, slim, professionally qualified, Australian citizen or PR, and Sydney based or willing to relocate to Sydney. Please send photo & details to: sanjdeep6@gmail.com

Sajid and Riteish are auditioning Bollywoocl BFFs. Be prepared to LOL. ROFL and LMAO.

22 NOVEMBER 2016

ZEETV

www.indianlink.com.au

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at's our ecision?

special report

The organ and tissue donation process is about making informed choices and discussing them with your family

E

BY KIRA SPUCYS-TAHAR

veryone has their own reasons regarding wh ether to become an organ and tissue donor. Dr Arvind Rajamani, an Intensive Care Specialist at Nepean Hospital, has been working in d1e field of organ and tissue do.nation for d1e past seven years. After completing most of his medical. training in India, Dr Rajamani has been in Australia since 2004. In bod1 Australia and India he has seen high incidences of people who have m e desire to donate, but are confronted by me many myths and misconceptions surrounding the organ and tissue donation process.

Dr Rajamani sat down wim Tntlia11 Link to tell us about the importance of broaching chis sensitive subject wid1 your family.

What is the most rewarding thing about working in organ and tissue donation?

The fact mat you can help people and see me good coming out of a bad situation. I can see the donation taking place and d1e difference it makes to the donor family. I don't see the recipients, but l still get to see some benefit coming out of a tragedy.

The donor family finds it rewarding and life-changing themselves. There is a transformation of the situation. Even though d1ey're grieving, there is someone who can benefit from their loss, whose life can be changed for the better.

Why is organ and tissue donation important to all Australians?

Organ and tissue donation is important not just for Australians, buc for everyone in me world. There are lots of people dying from organ failure, suffering wim organ failure.

The current statistics show there are around 1500 people in need of a transplant, and

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more man l 0,000 Australians on dialysis. Often, people die waiting for a transplant. When a transplant happens, d1eir lives are transformed.

Rather than confine healthy organs to burial or cremation, d1ere is a need to transform chat organ for a new use.

People can become fathers and mod1ers again to their children, contribute to society by working again ... it's something you can't put into words. Jc goes to d1e altruism of tbe donor and their family.

What faith and cultural groups i.n Australia support organ and tissue donation?

As far as I understand, almost everyone supports organ and tissue donation. Most major religions are supportive and so are most cultural groups. This is a l1Lm1an thing. Most of die time people wane to donate, but might be concerned. \Vithom the facts, grieving families sometimes make decisions diat are not in line with their loved ones desires, so we need to dispel d1e misconceptions.

Is someone more likely to receive a transplant from another person who has a similar ethnic background?

Officially, transplants are not screened or matched according to race or ethnicity, but the medical criteria doctors use means someone who has a similar ethnic background will probably be a good match.

The best match is usuall)1 a sibling or family member, but there is also a greater likelihood of a good match wid'lin the same broader ethnic community. Every race should act on d1e issue of organ and tissue donation.

Why is it important to register on the Australian Organ Donor Register?

Ir is important for an individual to consider and make up their own mind about donation. Then, it is about how they

,, There are 3 steps to becoming an organ donor Discover, Decide, Discuss ,, communicate d10se wishes to d1eir family.

Previously, people could mark themselves as organ donors on their driver's license, but \Ve found there were too many problems with d1at system, so it is no longer an option.

How do you register to become and organ and tissue donor?

There are three steps we ask people to undertake in becoming an organ and tissue donor: Discover - learn the facts about organ donation, Decide - make your own, personal decision, Discuss - communicate wid1 your loved ones.

There is a way to register online, which is an incredibly easy process, or you can put your wishes formally in writing mrough printed forms available from Medicare.

Do you need to tell your family what your donation decisions are?

It is vital to teU your fauuly about your decision. Even if you decide to donate, at die time it will happen you will be unconscious and unable to communicate your wishes. It is your family who will ultimately mal,e the decision, and they can overturn the wishes of an individual.

But d1e statistics show wh en it donation is discussed with the family while the patient was alive, they almost never overturn their loved one's wishes. Tt is the most important thing to tallt about it with your family.

DonateLife Thank You Day is Sunday 20 November 2016. 1his isAustralia's national day to acknowl.edge Huing and deceased organ and tissue donors and thefrfamilies. For more information visit donatelife.gov.au

NOVEMBER 2016 23

spirituality

ove 1s ■

■■■

A weekend with Sathya Sai at Normanville

A

fter driving with friends for more than an hour, through green and rolling hills and meadows, dotted with cows and sheep, we arrived at the sprawling Dzintari Latvian Camp at NorrnanviUe. \Y/e were there for a weekend camp organised by the Sathya Sai Organisation, South Australian Chapter, themed 'Love is . . . ' My daughter and I had looked forward to this with excitement.

Normanville is about 84km south of Adelaide. Situated next to the mouth of the Bungala River it is the largest regional centre on the western side of the Fleurieu peninsula.

The camp site itself had quite a few dormitories with bunk-sryle beds, a large kitchen cum conference haU, vast surrounding paddocks and the view of the ocean. This mok the cake, and whenever I stepped out, I found mysdf staring open-mouthed. Appearing like a vast bowl because of the hills at the two ends, the changeling water was at times molten silver and clear blue, greeny-gold, or sunset pink­ hued at others.

The programme had the morning wake­ up song or S1tpmbbata111 to Swami, as Sathya Sai Baba is lovingly called, f oUowed by lead

and follow style devotional singing. I theJ1 lead a short yoga and Pranayama session, which was followed by breakfast.

There were at least 100 people, young and old, some having come for the entire weekend and others as day visitors. Five­ monch-old baby Ojas and 75 years young Amma, as she is known to aU of us, formed the two ends of the delightful spectrum.

Children as young as five, along with older girls and boys, \voke early, ate heartily and played non-stop, be it basketball, soccer, mini-golf or board games. They attended just a couple of sessions in die conference hall and led the Bhajans one evening.

We adults had the pleasure of attending riveting talks of a former student, Amitabh Duttagupta, from the Sad1ya Sai Educational Institutions, based in Puttapard1i, India. He rook us up and down an emotional roller-coaster ride as he shared snippets frorn his life in Purtapard1i blessed

by Sai Baba's constant physical presence.

Laughter and moist eyes alternated listening to his memories as be unfolded his heart before us.

There were od1er speakers too who were interesting and engaging, all working around the central theme.

The small group of ladies who cooked aU d1rough the weekend were inspirational,

HUGE SAVINGS ON PREMIUM TILES

cooking and serving in time w.ith happy smiles and banter.

Any sdf-respecting camp shoul d have a bonfire and so we did, and by gol ly, what a huge bonfire d1at was! MarshrnaUows and hot chocolate vied with dancing around the fire m songs both devotional and general.

We were fully satisfied by the boo.fire, my music loving litde one and me.

The Rames, the glow of die fire, the people, the food . . . at the heart of each event we felt the theme 'Love is' shining mrough us, and we are longing for tbe next camp already.

Sunila Vig

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foretell PREDICTIONS FOR NOV 2016

BY NANCY JADE ALTHEA

------------------------------------ARIES March 21 - Apri l 19 An interesting and busy month for you, as you will be fully involved in organising work, family and your relationship. You seem to be on a mission to get things sorted out, as we come to the end of the year.

You will be feeling relaxed and happy about your relationship. The cards are indicating that your finances are improving. There may be some concerns about health and it is advised you make sure you go for a check-up.

TAURUS April 20 - May 20 This month shows you being very dedicated to your partner and making sure that you are getting things right in your relationship.

Work will be hectic and there will be extra work coming your way.

There may be an opportunity for an increase in salary, and some travel is indicated too. Finances should be getting better and you will be looking at savings plans. Take some time out to relax and spend time with the family.

GEMINI May 21 - J u ne 20 This month you will be feeling full of energy and looking forward to a move. The cards are indicating movement - either a house or an office move. Relationships will be much happier and peaceful. There may be some upset in the family, but there will be a lot of strength between you. Finances will be healthy and you will need to keep saving. A trip will be planned for early next year and you will need the time off.

CANCER J u ne 21 - J u ly 20 This month you will be feeling a little frustrated with your love life; there may be a lack of understanding or togetherness with your partner. You will need to make sure you are able to communicate with the one you love. Financially you will be planning to make some new investments and making larger purchases. New recruits at work will look to you for advice and help. A busy time at work ahead.

LEO J u ly 21 - Aug 22 �-��yr.1 This month you will need to be careful with your spending and also make sure you are not over doing it. There will be some bills that you will need to pay, including some money on your car. You will need to take care of paperwork and make sure everything is in order. Take care of your health too and make sure you do not over do things, beware of careless accidents. Take the plunge with the one you love.

VIRGO Aug 23 - Sep 22 This month you will be spending time with the family and relishing the time together. There will be some business plans to put in place and financial gains to be made this month. Work will be stressful and demanding, so you will take some time off. There may be some finances coming to you that have been owed for a while. Family will .., visit this month and you will be feeling happy and relaxed in their company. A happy time.

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LIBRA Sept 23 - Oct 22 This month will be an exciting and fulfilling month for you with your partner. You will be feeling very connected and in love, and wanting to experiment and spend time together. The cards indicate a time when you may be looking at changing your job and opportunities will be very tempting. You may be looking at starting a new exercise and eating regime. You may also start meditating. It will be time to make those long overdue changes in lifestyle.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - N ov 21 This month you will be feeling a little upset as your love life seems a bit unhappy and tense. The cards suggest that you need to give yourself a break and decide what you want to do and how you want to go about it. Life will be very busy and you will be financially stable.

There will be a lot of social gatherings that you will be invited to, and you will have a chance to meet old friends.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 21 This month you will be planning some new adventures and holidays with your family. It seems like you have been very busy working and now need to take some time off. Your partner may be feeling a little unwell due to over stress in their job, so look after them. There will be some happy news from within the family about a new addition. Some projects you have been contemplating may come to fruition this month.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 19 This month is going to be a very busy and productive month for you. You are on a mission to increase your finances and work hard. There will be some interesting developments with projects.

You will be speaking to someone very interesting who may end up working with you - it will all be productive. Relationships will sizzle with enthusiasm and you will be happy and content. You may be planning to travel. Exciting times ahead.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 This month will be a very busy month for you. It will see you doing a lot more of your personal work, and you will also be busy in your regular job. You might plan a holiday with the family and take time out for relaxing. Financially you will be planning another purchase of a property or other large purchase. You may be thinking of changing your furniture and redecorating your home. Life will be hectic but fun.

PISCES Feb 19 - March 20 This month you will be planning to meet some old friends you have not seen for some time. You may be feeling low on energy so you will need to take care of your diet. At work you may be asked to do extra hours as it will be very busy. You may be looking at purchasing a new car. Take some time out to rest and relax as you have been working very hard lately with very few breaks.

NOVEMBER 2016 25

entertainment ■

- - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - with Rohit Shetty. But they just can't seem to find a meeting-ground. Not in this Ajay Devgn-directed lopsided melange of mayhem and melodrama.

At one point in this tedious homage to mountain climbing and cross-cultural copulation, debutante Sayyeshaa (she could do better, I'm sure) tells us that she wanted to help Ajay because "superheroes comic books ke baahar nahin milte".

SHIVAAY

STARRING: Ajay Devgn, Erika Kaar, Abigail Eames and Sayyeshaa DIRECTOR: Ajay Devgn

status, we have the noisy background

I score where star-stuck choruses chant

in unison about Shiva, the Destroyer, I blah blah blah.

I Shivaay is so steeped in self1rk r- ,,.. importance, so awed by its own intended grandeur, it seems the makers "Tum mein Shivajaisa kya hai," the lady forget there is a story to tell. The story asks Devgan lustfully. is there to tell, but the plot is propelled I held my breath wondering what he forward in stuttering staccato waves of will show her. Relax. It's just the tattoos melodrama and action. It's like Shekhar which make our hero so loftily heroic.

Kapur desperately tries to shake hands Just to drive home the hero's anointed

: · �,

Precisely the problem in Shivaay.

It wants to make Ajay a larger-thanlife superhero, the kind that may look appealing in a comic book but appears amply askew in a real-life situation.

And I use "real life" with much reservation.

Shivaay is as real as 300 or Baahubali, minus the comfort of escape into fantasy. Devgn plays a whole lot of super­ heroic roles all in the course of one film.

He is a mountain climber (a la Sylvester Stallone in the disastrous Cliffhanger), and an unabashed explorer of uncharted territory. That includes a Bulgarian woman Olga (Erika Kaar, listless and clueless). The two are soon shown getting intimate and passionate, while the censor board looks the other way. This is after all, Ajay's first stab at on screen passion, and we all must step back reverentially for the grand occasion.

The fruits of the passionate liaison is a little girl Gaura (Abigail Eames), who alas is vocally impaired. Gaura, I suspect, has been written as a mute character to accommodate the young foreigner actress' inability to converse in Hindi. I really can't be blamed for being paranoid about the scriptural contrivances.

Shivaay is cluttered with them.

The plot moves from trying to be a Masoom in reverse (illicit liaison and the complications that ensue when the child gets insistently precocious) to being a clamorous wannabe cluttered and

confused adaptation of Pierre Morrel's Taken where Liam Neeson rescued his teenaged daughter from flesh traders.

Some such catastrophic eventuality crops up in the narrative, like an uninvited viral fever, when our superhero Shivaay's half-Bulgarian speechless daughter insists on meeting her mother who has by then, upped and left.

Recently, we saw the calamitous incidents that awaited the father and daughter when they took off to meet the girl's mother in the Korean film Train To Busan. But in oiling his triple tattoos, catering to his demanding daughter and saving the world, I doubt Shivaay has time to watch Korean films.

He does seem to have watched Taken closely. The action scenes are shot with the uni-focused singularity of a screen hero who wants to give the audience enough thrills to forget the Hollywood super-hero films.

Alas, it's a losing battle. Shivaay is a cumbersome over-blown action drama.

While the stunts are quite engaging at times, the drama is unbearable and unintentionally funny. It is hard to even bear the characters, let alone devote nearly three hours of time to them. The performances are partially to blame.

Ajay's strong-and-silent act had been done to death. Mercifully, he doesn't try comedy here as he did in Action Jackson.

Sad to see talented actors like Vir Das and Saurabh Shukla wasted in sketchily written parts.

Aseem Bajaj's cinematography captures the bleak foreboding mood of the plot much better than any of the actors. Shivaay is not the light, fun, crackerjack Diwali film you'd like to sit through this festive season. It is laden with an overbearing darkness which eclipses all of the film's efforts to pull us into its embrace. The proceedings get so edgy that they finally topple over.

Subhash K. Jha

I N D IAN LI N K

RAD IO APP

26 NOVEMBER 2016

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·---------

AE DIL HAI MUSHKIL

STARRING: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Fawad Khan DIRECTOR: Karan Johar

1rlrl� ·. '.(

Let's get this straight. Karan Johar loves his films to look beautiful. He works towards gleaming, pol ishing and grooming his locations and actors as though he were building a Taj Mahal for Gen-Y to rest its reposeful romanticism.

Ae Di/ Hai Mushkil (ADHM) is one good-looking film with actors who epitomise human beauty. True, they strive helplessly towards reaching the inner core of their being to obtain a spiritual centre to match that abundance of physical beauty.

That synchronised connectivity between inner and outer beauty escapes the filmmaker, as well as his characters who are heard mouthing some beautiful poetry that seems ordered online.

It's all very designer-designer in

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ADHM. You know, like kitchen interior and living room walls in a home decoration magazine. But nonetheless pretty to look at and enormously gratifying for the high level of visual aesthetics that Karan invests into his frames. Full marks to cinematographer Anil Mehta for shooting Karan's locations and actors with an intensity that frequently betrays their shallow interests in life.

Though there are four pivotal characters in the capricious quadrangle, the focus is entirely on Ranbir and Anuskha who seem determined to make a tamasha out of their togetherness.

And I do mean that literally. If lmtiaz Ali's Tamasha had paired Anushka with Ranbir, this would have been what Tamasha would have looked like. Thank the casting director, Deepika Padukone.

Ranbir and Anushka, in no-brainer mode, whoop it up like two kids at a theme birthday party blowing up condoms in the mistaken belief that they are balloons. Not that Karan's vision would allow even a nip of non-

vegetarianism. ADHM is an exceedingly pure take on love, of the unreciprocated kind.

Ranbir's Ayaan loves Anushka's Alize.

They have a lot of fun together and are constantly exploring the wild juvenile side to their personality. But she finds him to be just friendship material. Now what was that Deepika film where lmran Khan faced the same crisis of credibility. Ah yes, Break Ke Baad.

You will spot a likeness to many recent romcoms including Karan Johar's own Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna in this mish-mash of maudlin emotions and mushy poetry. By the time Fawad Khan saunters in as Anushka's object of adoration, we are physically exhausted by the juvenile antics of the Ranbir­ Anushka pair.

While Ranbir behaves like the guy from Barfi! fused with the dude from Tamasha, both cloned into the angst­ ridden singer in Rockstar, Anushka's chirpy high-octave act is doomed into self-destruction but salvaged by her spontaneity. Surely, she can do better

than get typecast as the new avatar of Preity Zinta.

Fawad's entry is welcome and his exit baffl ing. Why does he reject Anushka's love? If you are a Fawad fan, his meagre presence and sketchy role will infuriate you. There is also a paucity of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the plot. She looks svelte and extremely fetching. And her character spouts poetry with arresting allure. But her presence in Ranbir's Ayaan's life is never ratified beyond a scratch-level attraction.

It is not that these characters are not capable of deep-level breathing. It's only the director who keeps them afl oat on the surface of a very blue, very tranquil, very scenic ocean. The scenic invariably overpowers the cynic in Karan Johar's cinema. He loves the good things in life and dislikes the thought of the make-up being washed by tears of desolation.

Consequently, we see the characters in ADHM not as individuals but an amalgamation of the surface beauty that Karan accumulates in his vision and invests on the screen in the hope that the audience finds a centre to the placid conflicts.

That is not to be.

By the time ADHM gets into a full-on Devdas mode, we are in no mood for tragedy. But what to do? Karan Johar won't let his characters enjoy their self­ infl icted pain without a pay-off. These people love the good life and must pay a price for it.

Ranbir is adept at exhibiting designer­ angst. But his feelings for the 'heartless' woman never rises beyond youthful desire. At heart, he remains a philistine who thinks Mohammed Rafi cried rather than sang. "Ae di/ hai mushkil jeena

yahan..."

Subhash K. Jha

NOVEMBER 2016 27

entertainment

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

AMITABH BACHCHAN'S DIWALI PARTY BRINGS B-TOWN TOGETHER

KJO J UST CAN 'T CATCH A B R EAK F

rom the moment the trailer of Ae Oil Hain Mushki/ was released, this movie has faced nothing but controversy, from the intimate scenes between Ranbir Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, to Pakistani actor Fawad Khan's involvement in the film. And yet again, Karan Johar has found himself in trouble with the mention of legendary singer Mohammad Rafi in the film.

In Ae Oil, actress Anushka Sharma says, "Mohammed Rafi gaate nahi, rote the (Mohammed. Raft used to cry, not sing)."

Rafi's son Shahid, criticised the film's director KJo for including a dialogue in the film that he found insulting to his father.

"This is so insulting. I am ashamed of Karan Johar. I didn't expect this from him at all. My dad has sung songs for Karan's father (Yash Johar) and this is what he has done now," Shahid said. "I haven't seen the film yet. Whoever has written this dialogue is an idiot. He doesn't know who Rafi saab was. He was the most versatile singer. How can he write such crap about a legendary singer?"

Shahid is expecting an apology from Karan.

He said: "The damage has been done. So many people have watched the film. I don't think he is even going to edit that part. All I expect from Karan is an apology letter from him."

Mohammed Raft, who delivered innumerable hit songs like Kya hua tera wada, Baharon phool barsao, Likhe jo khat tujhe and Chura liya hai tumne jo di/ ko, died in 1980.

Talking about his father's fans, Shahid said: "It's been 36 years and still his fan following is only increasing day by day. People tend to forget singers in just a few days but look at my father's body of work and his fan followers. I have received close to 9,000 messages on my Facebook account from my father's fans who are ready to protest against this. His fans will protest."

28 NOVEMBER 2016

Diwali would be incomplete without a big Bollywood Diwali bash. The Bachchans of Bollywood turned hosts for a star-studded Diwali party which saw several movie celebrities - all dressed in ethnic wear to live up the festive fervour - in attendance.

The Bachchan family looked more or less colour co-ordinated for the festival, which was celebrated on 30 October.

While Jaya Bachchan decided to break the monotony by donning a shimmery, green and red salwar-kurta, Amitabh, Aishwarya and Abhishek took the limelight away, clad in off-white and white Indian outfits.

Big B dedicated the festival of lights to Indian soldiers. "A light for them that sacrifi ce their lives for us," he posted on Twitter, with photographs which featured his house glistening with lights, in the background as he lit up a phoo/jhadi (sparkler).

The grand party was attended by guests like Shah Rukh Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Ranbir Kapoor, Kabir Khan, Vidya Ba Ian, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Katrina Kaif, Mika Singh, Mukesh and Neeta Ambani. Jackie and Tiger Shroff were seen in photographs captured. and posted on social media by Bipasha and Karan Singh Grover.

Others present were Sonu Sood, Shraddha Kapoor, Farhan Akhtar, Amrita Arora, Aditi Rao Hydari, Rajkumar Santoshi, Aftab Shivdasani, Bhavana and Chunkey Pandey, Kirron Kher with son Sikander, Dia Mirza, Prasoon Joshi, Konkona Sen Sharma, JP Dutta with family, Neha Dhupia and Remo D'souza.

Karan posted images on lnstagram, where he was seen posing with Sanjay, Bi pasha, designer Rocky Star, and party hosts Abhishek and Aishwarya.

"Thank you so much Abhishek, Ash, Mr Bachchan and Jaya Ji for being such awesome hosts! We had a blast," Karan wrote, captioning the image.

Fashion designer Manish Malhotra also shared a photograph with Aishwarya and captioned it as: "With the very beautiful Aishwarya Rai in M Malhotra world. Fun, Diwali, celebrations."

RANBIR IS THE BEST ACTOR: AAMIR

Superstar Aamir Khan is overwhelmed with actor Ranbir Kapoor's performance in Ae Oil Hai Mushkil and calls him a great artist.

Aamir took to Twitter to laud filmmaker Karan Johar's directorial venture.

"Just saw 'Ae Oil.. .'. What a fi lm! I

just loved it! Karan has hit the ball out of the stadium. Ranbir, Aishwarya and Anushka have just killed it. Ranbir is the best actor! Period! A must see!"

Aamir posted.

RISHI WANTS 'INCH PINCH' ON RANBIR

After Ranbir Kapoor copied a scene from his father Rishi's Chandni in Ae Oil Hai Mushkil, the veteran actor is now f keen to do a "take of " on his son.

A Twitter user shared a video of a sequence in the film with Ranbir and Anushka Sharma in it, terming it the "best thing about Ae Oil Hai Mushki/".

Responding to that, Rishi posted: «Well that's my son's take off on me in ADHM. Soon I shall do a take off on him. Inch pinch."

Filmmaker Karan Johar's Ae Oil Hai Mushkil released ahead of the festive occasion of Diwali. It minted Rs 35.60 crore in its opening weekend.

CELEBS WISH HAPPY BIRTH DAY TO KING KHAN

Shah Rukh Khan, whose career of 28 years has seen him charm the audience, first as an anti-hero and then as the undisputed King of Romance, celebrated his 51st birthday on 2 November.

The actor has been working non­ stop for the past few months shooting Raees, Dear Zindagl and lmtiaz Ali's next fi lm, and he rang in his birthday with his family in Alibaug.

Unlike last year, Shah Rukh did not hold any press conference, but he returned to his house 'Mannat' the day after his birthday celebrations and waved for his fans who were waiting outside the bungalow to get a glimpse of the superstar.

His low-key festivities also didn't stop celebs from wishing him a Happy Birthday on social media.

Director, and SRK's close friend, Farah Khan wrote, "A million memories, a 1000 shared dreams n 100s of inside jokes!! friendships r made of these! happy birthday @iamsrk may the force b with u!!".

Reel-life Dhoni, Sushant Singh Rajput also tweeted: "Real Magic is when u can't understand the craft & u don't

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even want to, U just want to look at it in Wonder..#HBDWorldsBiggestStar@ iamsrk."

Shah Rukh tweeted in reply, "Thank you everyone who came from all over the world to wish me. U make me feel so special & loved. Really this is the best moment for me."

He further tweeted, "If I could, I would jump amidst you. So that you could take me home. Thank you all for coming and making my birthday so special. Love you!"

ANUSHKA SHARES A SPECIAL EQUATION WITH SRK

Actress Anushka Sharma says she shares a very special equation with Shah Rukh Khan as the superstar was her first hero.

After making her debut in Bollywood in 2008 with Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi opposite SRK, she went on to star with him in Jab Tak Hai Jaan. And soon, they will recreate the magic on the big screen with lmtiaz Ali's The Ring.

"It's our third film together I share a very special equation with him because he was my first actor. I am very comfortable with Shah Rukh. lmtiaz is someone whom I've always wanted to work with. Jab We Met is the reason why I have become an actress. To work with the same director, is a great feeling. It's been a good experience and

it's a love story," Anushka said.

The actress is also producing her second film Phillaur/. She says it's a big risk to invest money in a film.

"It's difficult. It's a big risk. You know it's not a money generating thing for you, especially when you are a new producer. So, for me and my brother it's just to put the project together. If you are an actor yourself, you are not a liability on it. You are not taking too much money. You have to find means to save money so that the project doesn't get affected."

ALIA BHATT: I ADMIRE SHAH RUKH KHAN AS A WORKER

Actress Alia Bhatt is beaming with joy upon working with superstar Shah Rukh Khan - who she admires for his professionalism - in Dear Zindagi.

"It was absolutely amazing. It was such a beautiful experience to work with him. He is so professional," Alia gushed.

Since her debut project Student of the Year in 2012, Alia has delivered laudable performances in films like

Highway, 2 States, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, Kapoor & Sons and Udta Punjab. Gauri Shinde's Dear Zindagi

marks the first time that she will appear in a film with Shah Rukh. And she is

WHO WORE IT BETTER? KAREENA KAPOOR or PARIS HILTON in PHILLIPP PLEIN?

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ecstatic about the project.

"I admire him as a worker so much because he is so good to work with and be around on the sets," said Alia, who is the daughter of filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and yesteryear actress Soni Razdan.

What's the chitchat between AISH and RANBIR in this throwback snap?

Send in your responses to win@indianlink.com.au and win a surprise prize

THERE ARE GREY SHADES TO SRK'S CHARACTER IN RAAES

Director Rahul Dholakia says the audience will be surprised to see Shah Rukh Khan in a role with grey shades in his upcoming film Raaes.

"There are a lot of grey shades to his (Shah Rukh's) character. He is playing an interesting character. He has done a great job. He is brilliant in the film ... people will be amazed to see him like this," Rahul said in an interview.

"It's a big film for me. One needs to do his best and I have given my best," he said.

SHAH ID KAPOOR WILL ADD IMMENSE VALUE TO PADMAVATI: RANVEER SINGH

For a few weeks now, several rumours about Ranveer Singh's demands with regard to his upcoming movie, Padmavati, have been doing the rounds.

"At the beginning of the year, Mr (Sanjay Leela) Bhansali (film-maker) spoke to me about it, saying that he wants to make a film called Padmavati with me. I thought it was going to be a beauty versus the beast or the heroine versus an anti-hero kind of a story. I was very excited and committed to it," Ranveer told the Hindustan Times.

"Then, I went to shoot Befikre, while the scripting (for Padmavati) was on. When I came back and read the script, there was a prominent third part. I told him what I thought about the script."

As a policy, I never get into the casting decisions of a film, unless my opinion or suggestion is asked for.

We had that discussion and I clearly, told him that, "We should get the best possible actor to play this part." And I am very excited about Shahid coming on board. I think he's a brilliant actor and an amazing inclusion to our team.

He will add immense value to the film."

What's the chitchat between FAWAD KHAN and KARAN JOHAR? Ae Di/ Hai Mushkil Jeena Yahan, Zara Hat Ke, Zara Bach Ke Yeh Hai India Meri Jaan JASPREET KAUR, Springfield, QLD wins a ticket to Ae Di/ Hai Mushkil

NOVEMBER 2016 29

backchat

Matured to perfection Tell-tale signs don't lie about your real age

I

BY LP AYER

am heading cowards a chronological milestone before cbe end of this year.

My family wants to celebrate this event and announce co the whole world my age that I have zealously guarded as my very personal darn. I an, not overly enthusiastic ab out their plan, but, ac the same time, do nor want co be a party pooper.

1Yf), reticence to disclose my age has been bequeathed to me by my father. one of bis four children ever succeeded in finding our their exact dare of birth. There was no birth certificate officially issued in his era.

1 have no official birch cert ificate either, having been born in pre-Independence days in a small village. The cuscom there was to inform the village 'vmnsif of one's child's birch, for him co record in a dog-eared register. So it was not difficult co follow my father's tradition in dodging my children's queries co find om my DoB. Mose Indians have two birthdays every year - an actual DoB according to English calendar, and their 'star' birthday. Since the latter is a rnoving target occurring on a different date each year, my children have never been able to work our my DoB. And now the whole world will know soon. In fact, half the world already knows as I have to declare this co faceless persons at the other end of cl1e phone every time I make any enquiry of a financial nature. lndeed, you disclose much else as well, like your dog's name and other identifiers. So much for privacy!

However much one may try not co reveal one's age, some cell-tale si gns silently and stealthily creep up on you with advancing years. Any amount of standing in front of a mirror rnuttering "Oh, not bad" won't minimise the ravages that age has wreaked upon you. I t is just an exercise in delusion like my youngish looking picture on this page.

As the years advance, grey hair aces as a dark reminder cliat your colourful youth is a distant memory. Critical senses like

I'1t1 not gaffing older. ..

rJust collect wrin/de$/

hearing and seeing fade away. But counter-measures are available. Gl asses not only help to regain sight, they can also be used as a fashion statement. But sticking hearing aids in your ears scilJ has a stigma. The 'never stoop to conquer' attitude of younger days may continue co prevail, but a stoop seamlessly conquers the spinal cord.

Jf only a pharma company coudl develop a Viagra for vertebra, what a boon it would be for my bowing backbone!

Our fridge too serves as a cool reminder of my growing old... gracefully?

Fridge magnets from various eateries cl1at once adorned its door are now replaced wicl1 ones from medical specialists. In fact, they hold the door in place.

The bedside cabinet is bursting with capsules of various colours. The kitchen pantry too has changed its look wicl1 new fad healcl1 foods replacing my once favourite cake mix and cream bikk.ies.

Memory is another fa cul ry fallen victim to the vagaries of advancing years.

As a born AMP (absent­ minded person), I used co spend hours searching for my keys and wallet Now added to the list is the mobile phone, modern miracle time-saver.

But 1 spend more time looking for it than using i t . It is more mobile than myself, left easily anywhere in the house, car or garden.

Friends christened my previous phone not Black Berry bur black brick, because of its size and weight. Now I have a smart phone, maybe to make up the loss of my smarmess with slipping with years. It is a BP (budget­ priced) item. I have no burning ambition co buy a new Samsung or an iPhone that will burn a hole in my pocket. My new

phone is stealing hours of my shortening life span due to its slim size rendering it harder ro find. Wish someone would invent a microchip to be embedded in one's arm co function as a phone so cl,at it is never misplaced. Don't see that happening in my lifetime, though...

Meanwhile let me nor forget co nun up at the event my family is planning to celebrate my life journey of having sighted a thousand full moons.

It is a privilege to have travelled this far.

,, Any amount of standing in front of a mirror muttering "Oh, not bad" won't minimise the ravages that age has wreaked upon you ,,

Know Thyself as So I

You are a soul of a permanent unchangeable nature, and if you would live as a soul, you would never be affected or changed by outer changes.

-Sant Baljit Singh Nurture your spiritual life through meditation on the inner Light Uyoti) and Sound (Naad) and realise your true self. All events are free.

for further information 1800 462 193

www.knowthyself.org

30 NOVEMBER 2016

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