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CHECKOUT THEINDIANLINKYOUTUBECHANNEL!

We have been receiving some greatfeedback about our videoseries '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 Indiaand I'm really, really enjoyingthem. More please! Withthanksfor what I leam from Indian Link

Jodi McKayMP,MemberforStrathfleld wrote: I proudly represent a culturally diverse community.That means I respectdifferent religions andcultural practices. This month is one of my favourite HindufestivalsDeepawali, which celebrates the victory of light over darkness. In honour of Deepawali, here is adummy's guide to Hindu Gods by Indian Link. If we are to trulydefeatdarkness, then we should start with tolerance and making an effort to understand each other.

SammyHowes wrote: So much knowledge, very smart, Kira!

AustralialndlaYouth Dialogue wrote: 'Bhasha is allabout identity!'

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

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

VljaySlmha wrote: How do these guys know Hindi?! It's reallygreatto hear Hindi from you guys. Also, Lawson, awesome voice mate.

RashlDlxlt wrote: Loved it!

DevlndarThethl wrote: Dr PeterFriedlander, a beautiful presentation of thoughts on language and culture.

ChandraKlshore wrote: Wah kya baat [Wow, what a great presentation]

SunltlMishra wrote: Appointmentfix ker le. I want to meet this gentleman

The Art Ofrangoli

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

SheelaShlvraman wrote: Very nice, Kokila. You should share some patterns too for people who don't know how to do it. Broughtbackso many memories

BlnduArvlnd wrote: Wow amazing video! A lovely piece of cultureto pass on to our next generation

PoompaArasu wrote: It's called kolam in South India and rangoli in north. Connecting thedots to makea beautifulpattern, there's a lot of maths involved. During the months of December we wake up at 4am, splash water or drizzle it on the f oor of the front entrance and then make dots to form patterns. then add colours. For two hours women of the communityget together and create the patterns to welcome the goddess lakshmi

ChltraGounderwrote: 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! Whata 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!

DorothyDecroos wrote: Loved watching the video! My grandmother taught me rangolitoo andyes 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.

GlenRego wrote: That was awesome! I understood so muchabout the significance of Rangoli.

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

Deepavali2016themed Train

IND/ANLINK wrote: InSingapore, 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 canmake it possible, in fact by far andbetter, Arun Sharma and Celebrate India?

VanlSahdev wrote: Awesome!

VamadevanVlsvanathalingam wrote: Truly an Asian multiracial country in action

JalshreeYadav wrote: Enjoy Diwali is a foreign country is much better than having Diwali in India, where there is so much pollution

GurmenderGrewal wrote: Looks great!

Iffma Finalist Inmelbourneawards

We're excited to share that the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, hosted by Mind Blowing Films, has been selectedas 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 delightedthat IFFM'smotto of promoting diversity has added a little drop to Melbourne'smulticultural ocean."

Well done!

Bettersupportfor Overseasstudents

KIRA SPUCYS-TAHAR reported on the recent MEA Conference on problems faced by international students abroad

YuvaAustralia 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: Sadto learn @navdeepsuri will be leaving;has made greatstrides in lndo-Aus relations. Good luck in new role as Indian Ambassador to UAE lndlan HC InAus @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 lndlaInZimbabwe @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.

Interview With Air India Chairman Andmd

ASHWANI LOHANI

PAWAN LUTHRA spoke with Mr Lohan/during his recent visit to Australia, where he announced plans for 10 flights weekly between Indiaand

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 andnote that by law, Qantas must be at least 51% Australian-owned, and the level of foreign ownership is constantly monitored.

PreetlPurohlt wrote: Eagerly waiting for a direct flight between SydneyMumbai!!!

Manlnder wrote: I don't know why Air Indiais confined to direct flights to Delhi only. They should also consider direct f 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 abouthow 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.

NakulMahajan wrote: Just read the article on 'Converting for love'. It is stated that ua young Anglo Saxon woman becomes possibly the f rst official Hindu convert in Victoriathrough 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 intoHinduism 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 Australianexperience

lndlanLink@indian_link tweeted: Congrats to@roannagonsalves on the launch of your new book #ThePermanentResident, a collection of short stories about our community! #read

RoannaGonsalves@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 Allahhu

JYOTISHANKAR and PREETIJABBAL wrote about how through theirmusic

Mirth Andmusic

We reviewedRaghu Dixit's concertsas part of ConfluenceFestival of India

In Australia

RaghuDlxlt@Raghu_Dixit retweeted Indian Link: Thanks so much for the kind words!

DamianRabbitt@DamianRabbitt tweeted: Great night@perthconcerthal to see@Raghu_Dixit &@trdp can'twait for more #confuence

SharpShooter@flankericeman tweeted:@DamianRabbitt Chotisfhai zindagi

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

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

Change Is Theonly Constant

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

ChandraKlshore wrote: Congratulations, always enjoy reading Indian Link!

Sonam Kalra and The Sufi Gospel Project attempt to create a space where differences are removed and labels are blurred

SonamKalra shared Indian Link's post: Sonam KaIra and the Suf Gospel Project showcase the oneness of humanity, love and the universal truth lndlaInMelbourne@cgimelboume tweeted:#inmelbcity Serenity everywhere with@sonamkalra performing at@MelbRecital

RohlnlPariharwrote: Super!

AminMesslkh wrote: The bestKalra!

Festivaloflndla tweeted: Full House at the Sydney Opera House Sonam Kalrashow, a message of peace & love through Conf uence

Raul Bhaskarwrote: I've jammed with a few of them when I had a band in India. The guy with the fute is Rajesh Prasanna. Do go to their show. They are world class musicians

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