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DEMONETISATION: HOWTO LOSE FRIENDS ANDDISILLUSION PEOPLE

After his recent trip to India, THE MUMBAI MUMBLER was unimpressed with Modi's demonetisation

Vlkas Kesarwanl wrote: I think a decision of such a big magnitude requires time to make its effects known, and it is too early to make final decision for or against it. There will be troubled times expected with such decisions at large. This decision itself willnot increase corruption as hasbeen mentioned in the article.

What is foremostimportant is that the people who are opposing the issue the most in the media are the people who are not the big chunk of direct tax payers. They are the businessmen who transact a lot in cash, that too in millions of rupees (even the writer of the article is a businessman as it appears). Or they are the bunch of politicians who would be happier if this was a big blunder on the part of the government,but are the ones who have gone to the High Court and Supreme Court to get the ordinance back, which is a testimonial that they are badly effected to their roots and appear to be lost completely.

We have seen that the Indian media has tried hard to get people to speak bad words about the government's decision but failed. The opposition's tried to call for an allIndia bandh, but they failed. This shows the mood of the public who is largely incorrupt and wants India to change at any cost. At least it now appears that India is alive andthere are discussions of curbing corruption and people aresupportive in what so ever way. Let's wait and watch fingers crossed.

Uday Mitra wrote: I have read your article on the demonetisation issue. I entirely agree with the author on the points made.I was in India during 8 Nov to 20 Nov, and experienced firsthand the havoc it caused. The money I withdrew from the airportATM upon arrivalon 8 Nov proved to be valueless as soon as I stepped outside. The motive was noble, but the execution was poor having no regard for the plight of the ordinary Indians andsmall businesses. This does not even count the loss GDP for the country as a whole during the process. I couldnot believe that a highly intelligent, sophisticated country with its intelligent public service could prepare so poorly for such a significant step.

H.S.Subbaramalah wrote: Good review on demonetisation by The Mumbai Mumbler. Whether the purpose of the demonetisation of 86% of Indian currency achieves the target of our Prime Minister or not, one thing is definite, there will be a greater loss to the Indian national exchequer in the shape of lost man hours by bank employees andextremely co-operative citizens of India. They had/haveshown the utmost faith in the ability of our Prime Minister by standing for hours, undergoingallthe inconveniences mentioned above article. There is also the cost of printing the devastated currency as well as the new currency being printed with transportation and other overheads.

Apart from that, over100 people have died while standing in the queue, about 53 bank staff risked theirjobs, the income tax officials are on their heelsto catch the bulk depositors, an police are on watch to seize bulk money transporters. With all this, the city corporations and municipal councils got back longstanding arrears, along with some banks.A few money laundering persons made news on TV channels which are totallybusy in showing the hardship of the honest citizens of India struggling to restore their faith in an individual of their devotion.

KalaRaghunath wrote: Well, discomfort was a part of the deal but is not the entire story. I was there in India when this happened and my father was just out of hospital. I too found it very difficult, but the truth is most of us Indians do not really believe in following rules and they need to pushed down upon us by certain force to be implemented. The idea is brilliant but yes the implementation could have been better, but remember they had to keep this whole thing a secret so people suffering was always expected.

KlrltlMortha wrote: Here's more ammunition to counter people with 'Modiblinders' on!

WELCOMETOOZ!

We welcome the new High Commissioner of India to Australia HE. Dr. A.M. Gondane [pictured here presenting his credentials to the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable SirPeter CosgroveAK MC (Retd)]

AWINFORIFFM

PREETI JABBAL spoke with Mitu Bhowmick Lange, Festival Director of IFFM, after they won the 2016 MelbourneAward for Contribution to Multiculturalism by a Corporation lndlan FIim Festlval of Melbourne wrote: A big big big shout out to Indian Link and Preeti Jabbal for this article. It has been days since we won and we still pinch ourselves sometimes to check if it wasn't a dream.

Mltumlndblowlng @mitublange retweetedIndian Link: Thank you for this wonderful write up @LordMayorMelb @MartinFoleyMP @IFFMelb #Melbawards2016 #Magicofmovies #diversityRocks

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WhyIgnoranceIs moredangerous than MusllmImmigration

This piece from RITAM MITRA sparked much debate on the dangerous ignorance and intolerance displayed by Sonia Kruger's comments

Aashath Kaamll wrote: Well written article. Full credit to the author Ritam Mitra.

Bikinis aswell as blndls

Perth beautyChandrikaRavispokewith our MIMAYoung Journalist of the Year NAM/TA GOHIL about her path to stardom

Chandrlka Ravi wrote: What a fun interview this was! Definitely one of my best of 2016's!

Trevor Pritchard wrote: So awesome!You're beautiful and a role model for others, Chandrika

Chura llya...l

She's still got it! RAKA SARKHEL on how Asha Bhosle rocked her Melbourne and Sydney concerts

Mahesh Berwal wrote: One of the best concerts I have beento.LoveAsha

WhattheIPLcan learn from the BBL SANAM SHARMA on what BCCI can learn from Cricket Australia about nurturing, managing, and promoting cricket

Aussie Phll wrote: I feel for you Sanam. It must be frustrating to see cricket bastardised as it is now in the IPL and at the same time see how it can be run if only the BCCI could come out of their bunker andsniff the air. I bet they are very well paid but is it value for moneyspent? Hang in there though, with shrinking viewers thesestick-in-muds may have to shape up or ship out. Time will tell.

High School,Check!

Year 12 finishers from 2015 shared their experiences with RADHIKA BHATIA Rusequlthe wrote: Thanks forsharing these inspiringexperiences of learning, Radhika. I was so impressed how you showed some individual experience for each person whojust graduated on from their course.

Spectacular f reworks lit up the Sydney sky

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Blpasha Basu

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The government of India has launched a 24x7 toll free tourist helpline in 12 international languages to provide information relating to travel and tourism in India for domestic and international tourists. The helpline will also be able to advise callers during times of distress, if any, while travelling in India and alert the concerned authorities, if required.

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Truth is Om Puri and Naseerudin Shah were truly the greatest actors of their generation and we never gave them that recognition.

Prltlsh Nandy lndlan PM Narendra Modi

Glad to see new energy, keen desire andstrong drive among our diaspora to connect more extensively with India's socio-economic transformation.