2017-02 Melbourne

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Strengthin diversity

Closing doors further divides US. Let's all find ways to connect people,notseparate them. Not allowing countries or refugees intoAmerica is notright,and we must stand wich those who are affected."

BY PAWAN LUTHRA

Airports and streets around theUnited States have been filled withprotestors showing theirangeragainst President Trump's executive order banningpeople from certain countries fromtravelling toAmerica.Utileashingchaos and outrage, this executive order bas been condemned forwhat it is - xenophobic, meanspiritedand racist.

Whiletheinternational community has expressed shock, there has been deafeningsilence, strangely, from the Australian government.More on that later.

\lv'hatis hearteningconote ishow the corporate worldhas reacted co the situation.\Xfhether driven byhumanitarian concernsor theneedfor openglobal boundaries,anumberof corporates have reachedouttocountertheexecutiveorder.

Starbucks has saidthathis company will hire I0,000refugees over the next fiveyears as their way co allow for best oppormnities for newmigrants.Airbnb said soonafter dieTrump announcement thatit will provide free housing to anyone leftstranded by the ban.Its co-fom1der andchief executiveBrianChesky said, "Open doors brings all of US together.

Other technology-centric companies whichhave a large number of migrant employees alsoweighedin.AppleCEO

Tim Cookseated thatApplewouldnot e.xiscwithoutimmigration.Jeff Bezos, Amazon's chief executive said,"We're anation of immigrants whose diverse backgrounds,ideas andpointsof view havehelped us buildandinventus as a nation for over240 years."

NetAix condemned thePresident's 'unAmerican' actions.

Google cofounderSergey Brin was at theSan Francisco airportprotest, "because I'm arefugee",while CEO Sw1derPichaijoined the ocher employees in their protest.

Goldman Sachs,21stCenmry Fox and JPMorgan also voiced d1eiropposition co this travelban.

Itis at times of crisis like these that trueleadershipisshown.Corporate Americais vociferouslyfightingback and addingits might behindprotestsaround the country.

What hasbeenshockingis the Australian government's complete silenceonthe issue.Prime Minister MalcolmTlllnbnll has refused to condemn or speakout against the injustice of dus racist order. Hiding behindthe guiseof notwantingto interferein another coLmtry's domestic

policies,MrTurnbull hasshown aside of himself whichis disappointing.

Otl1er world leaders such asBritish Primel\1iniscerTheresaMay,French President Francois Hollandeand German Chancellor AngelaMerkel have allspoken outagainstMrTrump's clampdown, whileCanadian PrimeMi1uster Justin Trudeau has said his country would welcome refugees.

Here was achanceto reassure Australia,a country of migrants,about the in1porcance of diversity. Wasn't it only days ago tliat ourPrimeMinster had waxedlyricalon tlus verytopic?

OnAustraliaDay,Turnbull hadsaid, "Our FirstAustralians have tl1e oldest continuoushuman culCllle on eartl1 and itenriches us all.As do theculturesof allourmigrants from every corner of the world.EachnewAustralian adds another thread to ournational tapestry, magnificent inits diversityand the most successful multiculmral society in d1e world. We come fromneady 200cotmtriesof allfaiths,cultures and bad:grounds.And yetin a world where conAictand intoleranceseem more intractable than ever, we live together in peace (Our) strong sense of justice springsfrom the solidarity, the mumal respect and mateslup thatbinds us coged1er in our diversity.Together we havebuilt aremarkable nation."

Greatspeech d1en,Mr Turnbnll, but when it came to speaking up against a xenophobic President, you let us down badly.

Nanditha Suresh, Dhanya Samuel, Dipanjali Rao, Nancy Jade Althea, LP Ayer Ravinder Si,ngh Jabba

• Importer and Distributor: Ostlndo International Pty Ltd Tel: 1300 970 357 Email: sales@ostlndo com.au Please visit our website: www ostlndo com.au

MANISH MALHOTRA LAUNCHES VIRTUALREALITYFASHION SHOW

Ace Indian fashion designer Manish Malhotra launched his virtual reality fashion show, filmed at last year's Lakme Fashion Week.

Maqsood Godll wrote: Manish Malhotrais oneof thebest designers of India andhas designed dresses for Bollywood celebrities. The idea of a virtual reality platform for the fashion week and show is to let everyone feel like they are there at the show. My hearty wishes for success and congrats to the planners and programmers and sponsors.

DEMONETISATION:WHATS IN ITFOR US, MR MODI?

PAWAN LUTHRA was in conversation with Indian television personality and current affairs commentator Abhigyan Prakash SanjeevAgarwallast wrote: Where isAbhigyan ? We would like to see him, we need such people to save our country! Pleasedo not quit!

Vlkas Saxena wrote: The interview does not give the right balance of view in my opinion, too many questions on a particular ind vidual and not on the topic at hand.

WHATTHE IPLCANLEARN FROM THE BBL

SANAM SHARMA on what the BCCI canlearnfrom Cricket Australia about nurturing, managing and promoting cricket

Manlsh Rao wrote: Money talks. The quality of cricket is best in the IPL due to international stars, notjust some retired players like in the BBL

25 YEARSAND COUNTING

PREETIJABBAL wrote about Telugu Association of AustraliaInc. celebrating its SilverJubilee

Surendra wrote: Rao, amazing work for the Indian community staying in Australia. Proud of you!

David wrote:TAAi,insteadof beingexclusive to the Khamma caste Telugu groups please diversify to all Telugu people. Time and time systematically suppressing other castes is no good.All your organisers and board members are Khamma.

NRI OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GOVERNMENTOF INDIA

With all they have to offer, the diaspora should be better engagedby the Indian government, wrote PAWAN LUTHRA

Jay Shah wrote: While the government is trying to engagemuch more that previous governments, why can't we start doing our bit proactively? There is much we can do without government intervention. In fact, the discourse should be how we can come together andmake a difference when so much change is happening already.

VCE LESSONS ABOUT MYSELF

Students fromthe community who completed Year 12 with outstanding results shared their insights into survivingthe final year of school

Varun Thakkar wrote: I wish, in myfinal year of school, I was aware of all the career options available inAustralia as well as overseasand also at what universities, theirfees, duration and how exactly would it be useful in life and also what prospects they hold!

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Hopeamidsttragedy

Australians show their true spirit in the face ofthe Bourke Street incident

BY PREETI JABBAL

Auscralians,especially those living inMelbourne, have been wiitedin shod<,grief and condemnation of theBourke Streettragedythat resulted in fivefatalitiesandinjuries tomultiple pedestrians who wereplougheddownbya motorise.BhavitaPatel,33,was namedasthe sixthvictim of theincident. Shedied on 30 Januaryafter her familydecided to mrn off herlifesupport.

"l have no idea what to sayabout what happenedexceptthat I missherand love her.so much and can't believethatI won't seeher anymore," her brother Miteshcold the Herald Sun.

Nechra Krishnamurthy, ayoungIndian mother, was amongtbeshoppers,tourists andworkers who fellvictim to this senseless acc.

In an incident chat shook theentire city,26-year-old Dirnicrious GargasouJas allegedlydrovehiscar into thebusyBourke Street Mall,deliberatelystrikingpedestrians after lunchtime on Friday20January.He was witnesseddoingdoughnuts with his vehicle outside the busyFlindersStreet Station prior to thecrash.

Victoria Policehave charged him with fivecounts of murder for killingMatthew Si (33),JessMudie(22) Thaila Hakio (10) andZacharyBryant (3months) as well as an unidentified25-year-oldman.A charge regardingBhavitaPatel isexpected. About 30 people wereinjured; many are

stillreceivingtreatment includingNethra Krishnamurthy.

Nethra isundergoingtreatment at theAlfredHospitalfor her injuries.She has multiple spinal and rib fractures, a puncmred lungand lacerations on her liver, kidney, intestineandscalp. She has been through many surgeries and her medical treatment will continue.Icis expected to be alongroad to recovery.

ethraisanIT consultant who migrated toAustralia from Mysore,Karnatal<a and moved toMelbomne in2012.Sheis married toMohan Kumar andtheyhaveaneightmonth-oldson, Hari.Shehad just finished feedingher child who was in a daycareand wasremrningto work whenthetragedy occurred. Her husband was withher, however he was unharmed in theincidem.

"l was luckyto miss thein1pact but unluckyenough to witness themassacre firsthand,"hesaidin hissocialmediapost informingpeopleabomhis wife's wellbeing. "l wouldhavedoneeverything I couldand leaveeverythingI have to prevemthis from happening toher," headdedashe thanked everyonefor their concern, care andsupport.

Accordingto updates ethra had her ventilator,lungandnasogascricmbes removed recentlyandisableto talk anddrink fluids.Sheisexpectedto undergo plastic surgeryfor thelacerations onher scalp. FriendsandMohan'smother,whoreached Melbourne soon after the cratunacicincident, are caring for herchild.

This unprecedentedtragedyhasimpacted manyfami.liesandthe outpouringof support from thecommmiityhasbeenenormous The floraltributes,messages of hope, condolences,lettersand fundsarepouring in.Vigils andmemorials wereheld to honour theinnocent victims of tberampage.

Saddenedand concerned, the Australian

communityhasdugdeep imo their pockets co donate to dievictims.At last count over $700,000 had beenraised.

Afundraisingcampaign was alsocreated for Nethra and her family. Exceedingits originalgoal in the first few da)'S withneatly 2000donations,so far, over 5.SKpeople have sharedthecampaign link andthere has beenan overwhelming response for theyoungfamilyduring this tragic time.To continue die support donations can bemade atmycause.com..au.

Besides the grief, thereis growinganger at d1eaccused,Diniitrious Gargasoulas, who wasreleasedbyabailjusticedaysbefore heallegedlycaused diisincident.There is anincreasingdemandfrom thecommunity toreviewthe bailsystem andmake amendments or overhaul currentstrucmres to protect peoplefrom violent offenders

Amidst diebacklash,the Victorian PremierDanielAndrews haspledgeda fulle:xan1ination of d1ebail system and establishment of an after-hours magistrates' court.The:,light court willconsiderbail applications for peoplecharged withviolent crimes when police oppose bail.Leader of Opposition Matthew Guyalso proposed a 'one strikeand you're out' policy and presumption of remandforthosecharged widiviolent offences.

As the stories of the victims unfold thereis much heartbreak; however,shining through ailthis is the indomitablespirit of d1e people of Melbourne. Kudos to d10se heroesand wonderfulpeople who reached out to helpthevictims on theday the tragedy occurred and chose who continue to work tirelesslyto care for them Humanityisalive and kicking.

Taking care of Bourke Street Families

TheVictorian Governmenthassetup a Bourke St Fund' forfamilies affected bythe tragic incident. Itwillworkin addition toexisting compensation being made available throughthe TransportAccident Commission (tAC) and WorkSafe Victoria For those who lostlovedonesfollowingthetragic events ofFriday, people physically injured and witnesses, theTAC can coverthe costof:

• Ambulance and hospital care

• Rehabilitation services, includingphysic and psychologists

• Counsellingfor individuals families and couples

• Additional medical services. includingsurgery, pathologyand GP visits

• Prescribed medication

• Travel expensesto and from medical appointments

• Lossofwages

• Funerals and lump sum payment to dependants

WorkSafewill providesimilarassistance for people whowereatwork, ontheir lunch breakandwereaffected bythe incident.

Anyone directlyimpacted by the incidentis encouraged to call theTAC as thefirst pointof contactduring business hours on 1300 654 329 to discusstheir needs. Anyone who wantsto make a donation can do so theVictorian Government's website, wwwvicgov.au/bourkestreeLhtml or bycalling1800 226 226

GENERAL PRACTICE AS WELL AS SOCIAL WORK

DrPurushottam Sawrikar, OAM Forservice to medicine, and to the Indian communityof Sydney

ow clid Dr Sawt:ikar feelwhen he heard thenewsthathe had won an Australia Dayhonour?

"Honoured,butmostly surprised and also motivated cocake on some more projects!"

PurushortamSawrikar,general practitioner, has been a social work enthusiast ever since he arrivedhere in 1972 from Hyderabad inIndia.

"Ilove interactingwithpeople.Social work is somethingthathasbeen a part of mylifesinceIwasa school kid.It continuedthroughmyuniversity days and as a young adult."Therewasmuch opportunityinIndia for thistO find outlet. As a doctor, preventive medicine became one of Dr Sawrikar'spassions andhe cook the message of improvingquahtyof life to the people throughthe media.

On radio,pt:int,TV and through audio CDs, Dr Sawrikar reached outtotbeIndian communityinSydneyon health-related issues.

On his Marathi radio showon 98.5 FM Akashvani Sydney, on the Kannada language Cbandananr and onChannel 31, he produced and directed showsabout participatingingovernment-initiated health and screening programs such asthose forbowelcancer, breast cancer and the Mother'sDay\'(lalk inParramatta.These showshelpedcreateawarenessan10ngst newlyarrived migrants on a varietyof topics.Some of his memorable sho\vs have been aboutwhat to dowhen a heartattack occurs, our predisposition to diabetes, bow ro stave off depression, and age-relatedeye disorders.

Manyof tl1ese programs were turned into resource materials for distributionat surgeries and atcommunityfunctions.

Arlarge-scale communityevents,Dr Sawrikar organised for free health clinics onBPand diabetes.

Asexecutive member and president of theAustralian Indian lv[edical Graduates AssociationAIMGA,Dr Sawrikar advocated on behalf of India-trained doctorswho found it hard toqualifyfor

registration.

"We liaisedwithministers andhelped organise clinical attachments ata time when the draconianregistrationprocess was causing some clistress."

Hewas also instrumental in organising overseas conferences and seminarsfor AIMGA,especiallya particularlysuccessful onewitb the GlobalAssociation of Physiciansof IndianOrigin(GAPIO) in 2014.

Another project,creatinga directoryof Indiandoctors inAustralia,alsometwith much success: twoeditionswere created, in 2003and in2013.

What does the future hold for Dr Sawrikar?

"I'm 71 now, and latelythe issue of aged carebas begunto interestme.I'dlike to explore further tl1e government initiatives that are in placesuch as MyAgedCare and help popluarise them inour community. Aswell,Iwould like to aid the creation of volunteer teamswithin the communitythat can take011some of the burden of caring for our seniors."

Given he is stillworking 12-hour days most days, wonder when thisnewproject willrake off.

RajniAnand Luthra

,, Asexecutive memberandpresident ofthe Australian IndianMedical GraduatesAssociation AIMGA, Dr Sawrikar advocated onbehalfof India-traineddoctors whofoundithardto makeregistration ,,

REMOVING DISPARITIES IN HEALTH CARE

DrRanjana Srivastava, OAM Forservice to medicine, particularly in the field ofdoctorpatient communication

As an oncologist and amedical writer,RanjanaSrivastava claims it was her experiences asapatient that influenced how her career ultimately shaped om.Her doctor's demeanour as he delivered badnews - his "unflinching truth"and histears - sparkeda lasting professional passion for doctor-patient communication.

Today theMelbourne-baseddoctor has wonacclaimnot onlyforher workin the field, butalso for her turni.nthe mediaas ptint columnist,radio presenter,television host andexpectcommentator,andof course asauthorof fourwell-received books.

Her OAMhonour this year topsan ever-growinglist of awards that includes academichonours,prizes inliterature, 'women of influence' mentions and distinguished unialumni awards.

"I'm very humbled, anda little thrilled," she cells TndianLink.

It is clear from Dr Srivastava's work that beinga good doctor,is allabout the patient."I want to demystifymedicine to the general public.Thar's what good medicine is about - havingahand in one's own health."

The "asymmetry inmedicine between doctor andpatient"is asource of concern forDr Srivastava.

"Taking the patient's perspective increases their own understanding of the situation.There is better compliance,and better participation in their own health care. It also aids them in leading a goodlife,and also havinga good death.It'simportant to define their role in the process, because ultimatelyheald1 is a shared responsibility."

Her commitment to dealing direcdy wid1 disparities in healthcarehasalso motivated Dr Srivastavato takeup a variety of other roles,such as helping mosethat need immediate help. Shehas volumeered at natural disaster zones,and works withthe Asylum SeekersCentre.

Mentoring younger doctors isanomer aspectalongthe same lines.

"l\,figrant doctors especiallyhave atough time," she observes."Those of us who

knowtheropes mustsupportthem in whatever waypossible.\Xie allhelp create a good doctor, and all of society benefits. I'm drawn to the experiences of migrant doctors because I identify withtbem."

Dr Srivastavahas spoken often about the role good mentors haveplayedinher own life asastudentand as amedical practitioner.

As well, she is notaverse to speakingup about racism - and sexism -in the medical fraternity

"AIJof this ties in with my passion for medical ethics,really," she concludes."That is why thereis something very special about beinga migrant and being recognised (on AustraliaDay), in terms of what we can give back to this country."

Her writing,with straightforward but captivatingtides(D)'i11gforaChat:The Co1111111111ict1tionBreakdownBet1veet1DoctoJJ andPt1tie11ts-,TellJvietheTmtb:Conversations withti{)'PatientsAho11tLifeandDeath;So It'sCm1ce1;NowlV"hat?andAfterCa11cer:A

GuidetoU11i11gWei� may have given her a

fan followingoutside d1e hospital scenario andin writers' festivals across d1e nation, but it is medicine chat is her first love.

"l'vfedicine is the fulfilling career;all else is icing on d1e cake," she reveals. '1 always dreamt of becominga doctor, even though l've been writing since l was five or six."

Dr Srivastava wasbornin Canberrabut grew upin India,UKandtheUSas she travelled withher academicparents.Ar l7, she returned toAustralia to study medicine atMonash University.

"I'm grateful to my parents who took me rotmdthe world,caught me resilience

and to cope with change by role modelling itforme," she recounts."They also taught me to keep in touch with my roots.My work has increasingly begun to rake me backtoIndia. I was there only recendy: as a visiting scholar at theUniversity of Chicago, I was speakingat theirDelhi centreabout medical ethics I thinkit is important to pay tribute to,vhere you come from and to your heritage. For instance,I'm married to an Ausrralian bur my kids speak Hindi.Best of both worlds, I'd say."

What advice would she have for young doctors scarring out?

"Firsdy,always remember that it is an incredible privilegeco do medicine. For every person d1at gets in, thereare 100-150 aspirants who have missed out. Second,don't underestimate thepower of compassion andintegrity.It's whatpatients most remember most about their doctor. For a good doctor,humility,compassion andintegrity never go our of fashion."

Rajni Anand Luthra

,, 'For a good doctor, humility, compassion and integrity never go out of fashion ,,

PROMOTING NUCLEAR MEDICINE

Prof. Vijay Kumar,AM

omeofLife'sextraordinary momentshappenwhenyou leastexpectthem.

Sydney-based radiopharmaceuticalscientist Dr.VijayKumarwastravellinginEurope whenhelearnedfromhiswifeShanthat hehadbeenpickedforanAMhonourthis AustraliaDay.

Itisanhonouronlyaselectfewfromthe coLmtryarebestowedwith. Theroadtothisglorrhasbeenalong andmemorableone.

Itwasin1974thatayoungVijayarrived inthiscountryasabright-eyedresearch scholarfromTamilladu.

"Icamehereonascholarshiptodomy PhDattheAustralianNationalUniversity inCanberra,"herecountscoIndianLlnk.

Today,hiscareerspanningmorethan 40yearshasgivenhimsolidexpertisein thefieldofnuclearmedicine.Dr.Vijay owesalotofhisprofessionalsuccessand exposureto\XlestmeadHospitalandThe Children'sHospital\Xlescrnead."Nuclear medicineisaverynichearea,whichuses radioactivemedicinestotreatspecific diseases.Itcanimprovethetreatmentand palliativecareofpatientssignificantlyand alsoreducethesideeffectsoftreatmentsin conditionslikecancer,"heinforms.

Inthisspecialisedfield,the67-yearold scientist'scontributionsareaplenty.

Overthepasttwodecades,Dr.Vijay hasplayedapivot.'Liroleinestablishing radiopharrnaceuticalproductionand researchfacilitiesinmanyinstitutions inthecoLmtry.Hiscontributionscohis fieldofexpertisearenotjustrecognised nationally;Dr.Vijaywasamonganelite groupofscientistschosencoconsult fortheInternacionalAcomicEnergy Agency(lAEA),theacomicarmof theUnitedNations.Thisprovideda uni9ueopportunityforDr.Vijaycooffer professionalguidancetoseveraldeveloping naaons.

Withalonglistofachievements, recognitionsandawardsthatDr.Vijayhas

tohiscredit,heagreesthattheOrderof Australia(AM)topsthelist."Ifeelvery honouredbyd1isrecognition.Whatmakes meparticularlyhappyisthefactthatthis willbringrecognitioncothedisciplineand hopefullyencourageaspiringscientiststo takeitupseriously."

Dr.Vijay'sdriveforcommunitywork isalsowell-knownAformermember ofrl1eUnitedIndianAssociationsand founderoftheSydneyTamilSangam, Dr.VijayhasgivenbacktotheIndian communityinthecountrybyhelping severalimmigrantIndianstofinda footinginAustralia.

Hehowevermissesgivingmoretimero hispassions."InthepastfewyearsIhave beencaughtupwithmyprofessionallife, andIwishIcoulddedicatealittlemore timeformyotherinterests,"hemuses.

Oneoftheseisperhapshistalentfor music.Dr.Vijayhasutilisedhispassionto

,, Nuclearmedicine is avery niche area whichuses radioactive medicines to treat specific diseases. It can improve tl'eatment and palliative cal'e ,, joinhandswithsomeIndiancommunity associations/groupstoraisefundsfor charity.

Dr.Vijaybelieveshissuccesssterns fromthefactd1athegetsthebestof bothworlds."Iamveryproudofmy Indianupbringing,whichhasnurturedthe importanceofdedication,hardworkand diligenceineverycaskthatIundertake," hereveals."Couplethatwirl1theexposure, professionalism,professionalfreedom

d1atIac9uiredfromAustralia,Iamvery fortunatetOhaveobminedthebestfrom bothcultures."

Healsogivescreditwhereit'sdue-to hisfamily.AccordingroDr.Vijay,his wife,aretiredhistoparl1ologyscientist, his87-year-oldmother,son,daughterand hisrl1reegranddaughtersarehisgreatest suengths.

"Mywifehavingbeenascientistherself, itwaseasytosharesharingprofessional successwithher,"hesays."Asupportive familywhilehavingademandingcareeris thegreatestgift.Allthissuccesswouldn't havematerialisedwithoutthem."

HehopestheirsupportwiUallowhim tocontinuedoingwhathehasbeendoing. "Iseegreatoppormniciestogivemore backtorl1ecommunityandrevolutionise treatmentandcareforpatientswith conditionslikecancer,"hesaysconfidently. NandithaSuresh

Forservice to medical research in the disciplines ofnuclear medicine and biology, to professional organisations, and to the community

PIONEERING IN NEURORADIOLOGY

Prof.Makhan SinghKhangure, Forsignificantservice to medicine in the field ofneuroradiology, to education, and to a range ofprofessional medical associations

ow do surgeons treat a rupntred brain aneurysm?\'{Tell, in the 'old' days, they would saw through the skull to get to the artery. Today,most likely,they would employ what is called endovascular coiling: they would go in throughan artery in the groin, insert a catheter that would travel up co the brain,andthen through it, push upsome platinum coils or acrylic glue to fill up the aneurysm,so thatblood flow to it is sropped.

The newer technique is much less invasive.

The'old' days, you might besurprised to learn, was not that longago. The coil technique was introduced in 1995, and went through sevenyearsof trials before it came into widespread use. InAustralia,Perd1based radiologist Prof Mark Khangure was oneof the earlypractitioners involved in thetrials.

ln this year'sAustralia Day honours, Prof Mark (i\fakhan Singh) Khangure has been felicitated for his work in neuroradiology, among other things

"I was delighted whenI heard d1e news," he tells Tndia11U11kin histrademark gencle manner.

ln a career chat spansalmosthalf a cennu-y, Prof. Khangurebas not only been practisingnenroradiology (a subspecialcy of radiology focusing on the diagnosis and characterization of abnormalities of thebrain,head,neck and spine),buthas also beeninvolvedin counselling, teaching, research and advocacy.

Hebasalso served on theboards of a number of medical organisations including AustralianandNew ZealandSociety of Neuroradiology, RoyalAustralianandNew Zealand Collegeof Radiologistsandthe AustralianMedicalAssociation.

i\,femoring other trainees and advocating for radiologists have been particular passions that continue to this day.

"I like co tell youngerpractitioners to be involved withtheir careers in a broader sense,over and above merelyearninga

living," he reveals."I want them co think about consumer concerns,government funding,equipment update, advocatefor private treatment, andgenerall)' to be honest and provide what patients expect."

Prof.Khangure was born in Indiabut grew upin theUK where bisfamily moved when he was nine. Hefinished university d1ere and worked briefly before moving to Perch in 1976. He worked with theRoyal Perch Hospital until2006 but for a brief stint in theUS for further training.It was atRoyalPerd1 that me clinical trials for endovascular coilingwere undertaken.

The professor's links wicl1me land of hisbirth continues in a professional sense."I've been teachingin Jvhunbai aboutprocedures for ruptured aneurysms

wid1omsurgery, inbothpublicand private hospitals.Traineeshavecome here too, to learn from us: ayoung Indian doctor worked with usfora year before setting upin India. Od1er thanIndia, we have been training radiologists in UK, Germany, Singapore and Malaysia."

Toda)' he continues to work actively,but for aprivate radiology group, and ismosrl)' involved in diagnosis.

"I'm like a high-end sportsperson who hasclimbed thepeak before falling back into theprecipice!"he laughs.

\X'hen not seeing patients,Prof. Khangureis into long distance walking, classical music,theatre, travelling,and spending time wid1 hisgrandchildren.

RajniAnand Luthra

,, Iliketotellyounger practitionersto be involvedwiththeir careers in abroader sense, overand above merely earningaliving. I wantthemtothink about consumerconcerns, governmentfunding, equipment update, advocateforprivate treatment, and generally to be honest andprovide whatpatients expect ,,

GETTING INVOLVED WITH THE WIDER COMMUNITY

Philomena Docherty, OAM Forservice to the communitythrough a range oforganisations

Thecongratulations are pouring infrom all directions as we speak with PhilomenaDocherty about her Australia Day honour. She claims sheisgrateful to aU the"littlefairies"chatworkedbehindthe scenes tomakeit happen,and although she is looking forward to d1einvestiture inApril,sheintends toremainthe Isame Philomenawid1 no change" after receiving her newtide.

The Melbourne-based Mrs Docherty was fel.icitatedforher commLtnity service wid1organisationssuch asrheRoyal FlyingDoctor Service, Lioness Club of Camberwell,Liberal Party of Victoria, MorhersAuxiliary Group DeLa Salle College, St Cecilia's Parish,Jambudvipa YouthAssociation forIndianArts and the Bharatam DanceCompany.

Philomena hails from Chennaiwhere she met her husband,Australian born and

raised, Bernard Docherty.Theywereborh involved with rheYoungChristian Workers (YCW)movementthat aims to create an interculmralsocietywheresolidarityand justiceprevail.Bernie was inIndia for three years as part of YC\Y/and he returned to Australiawith20-year-oldPhilomena as hiswife.They stayed in Moorabbin with Bernie's mother, initial1y, till they moved to live in Glen Iris,Melbourne.

According to Philomena Dochercy, Australians welcomed herwid1'open arms' when shearrived hereto livewithher husbandand his family.

"I came toAustralia in 1963when the WhiteAustraliapolicywas yet co be officially abolished," sherecounts. "I came wid1 trepidation but no hesitation to live with mymod1er-in-lawwho proved tobe marvellous.Sheguidedme andmadeit very easyforme tosettlein."

Talkingabout her early days,Philomena

rhose she met as "frienclly, sincereandeasygoing".

"I feelpeoplewhomigratetoAustralia should becomeinvolvedwid1 thelarger community rather than restricting themselves to groupswith similar race, religion or social background," she advises.

Tbe couplewentonto raise their three childrengiving them a deep understanding of bod1 Indian and Australian heritage, which enabled diem toentwined1e two cultures and embrace rhebest of borh.

Accordingto Philomena's daughter, Ambika,duringtheearly years of adapting to her adopted country, Philomena fullyrealisedrhatculturalexchangewas necessary. She becamea self-appointed ambassador for India, andwas invited to speak at many occasions on lndia and her life d1ere.Australiawas stil1 in its early stages of dismantlingtheWhiteAustralia Policy,and rherewereliterally only a handful of other Indian families livingin Melbourne.

Indian food was not easily available soPhilomena and Berniestarted an Indian catering service in 1970.In 1971, Philomenawas rhe manager of theIndian restaurant as part of Gini's restaurant in Toorak.Followingd1is,in 1972shewas appointed by theGovernment of India as1vfanager of rheIndianTeaCentrein Melbourne city.Aspart of their catering business, Philomena andBernie conducted Indian cooking classes and often took rhe students onguided wurs tO India.

Bernie's familywere alwaysgreat supporters of theLiberal Party and Philomena joined rheirwomen's section in 2000 as member, supporter and fundraiser. Shewas meco-founderand vice-chairrnan of their first mulciculmral branch in Victoria.

Philomena's accomplishments are diverse and over theyears she has garnered enormous responseand support for her chosen causes. A namral leader,she is both inspiredandinspiring,possessingagreat passion that drives her in everydung she does PreetiJabbal

'' TheWhite Australiapolicywas in itsearlystagesof beingdismantled, andPhilomena realisedthat cultural exchange was necessary ,, remembers

community Leadership, Sikhstyle

Activist andeducaror Ha.cinder Singh, from the USA,presented a thought provokingtalk on the Sikh leadershipmodel, with afocuson servant leader principles,at Swinburne University, recently. Several prominent members of the community, students, academics and otl1er representatives attended thefreeevent organised by the Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria (SIC\').

Witl1 irspotential to createapositive change in society,tl1eage-old concept of servantleadership continues togrow inits influenceandinspireleaders today.There isgrowinginterest in understandingthe philosophy behind thisholistic way of beingthat offers hopefor thecontemporary world.The learnedspeaker discussedbow tl1is transformationalconceptcould be applied bothin workand life to improve self and strengthen thecommunity.

Harinder Singh is theco-founder of the PanjabDigital Library (PDL), a non-profit, voluntary organisation thatprovides digital archiving services for Punjabi heritageand rexes.Launched in 2003 the PDL colJecrs, preserves, digitisesand offers accessibility to thebiggestresourceof digital material on Punjab.Singhis also theco-founder of tl1e Sikh Research Institute (SIKHRI), an organisation thataims to connect people with the teaching of Sikhs.

Accordingco Harinder Singh,historically, tl1eoriginandrelevanceof the servant leadershipmodel in the Sikh religiongoes

bad, to the times of the first Sikh Guru Sri NanakDev andtheprinciplesoutlined in the holyGramh.Clarity,consistency and currency is required to benefit from this belief system that incorporatesten core values of humility, submission,quality, service, self-sacrifice,justice,compassion, clarity,composureand courage.

QuocingJohn C MaxwelJ, Singh said a leader is the one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way. Aleader becomesgreat not becauseof their power, but due to theirabilitytoempower others Loveinspired leadership createsa creative excitement tliat is directlyproportionate to levels of leadership.

Duringhis talk, Harinder Singh invoked history and referred to tl1e Guru Granth to explain leadership in the current context.

The Sikh Gurus model for involvemenr in tl1epublic domain isbased on foUowing thepracticeof Nam (deepintrospection), Dan (philanthropicspirit) andIsnan (relevant experience). According to him the Guru's word is active and relevant inspiritual,political,economic or social arenas.Oneneeds to norjust read irbut needs to connect with it.

Thepresemacion reAected on current leadership cultureand possibilities for the future.Aninteractive Q andAfollowed whereaclueyaudiencepuc Harinder Singh'svastknowledgeof Sikh.ism,diverse interests in current trends and experience in leadershiptraining, to the tesr. Heanswered wiili intelligenceandauthority.

YoungSikhactivist Sukhjeet Kaur Khalsa raised aquestion in an attempt to understand why all ilieSikhGurus were male in a religiontharespousesgender equality.In response Harinder Singh said chat Guru Nanak proclaimed tl1eequality of men and womenas amandate that was continued andencouraged by alJ ilieSikh Gurus that succeeded him, This occurred at a rime when the prevalent political and social condition did not offer women equal status.InSikhism, both men and women areconsidered capableof reachinghighest level of spirituality.

1-larinderSinghpointed out that even today,despite ilie suffragettes and other movements, we stilJ live in apatriarchal world."Theneed is to createa society where women in leadership is a mandate not just tokenism," he said.

Speakingafter theevent,Ha.cinder Singh said,"I lovedoing what I do in making people tbinkabout tl1e doctrines of Sikhism articulated in the Guru Grantl1Sahib.M)' aim isnot to makepeople talk likea Sikh or act likea Sikh but it is to makepeoplethink likeaSil,h."

Preeti Jabbal

DrArvindSinha winsan internationalleadership awardrecognisinghis distinguished careerin vertical flight technology

BY PREETI JABBAL

Combiningtechnology wid1 tactics, he has soared ro heights that have landed him many coveted international accolades throughout his career.?\lost recently,Melbourne's Lieutenant Colonel (Ret'd)Dr Arvind Sinhareceived the World's Outstanding Aerospace EngineerLeadershipAward from theAmericanHelicopterSociety (AHS)Internacional.AHS is the world'spremier professional inscirucion dedicated to vertical flight technology

and advancement.

Inaddition tothis award,Dr Sinha was bestowed the titleof HonoraryFellow inMay2016.According to theAHS,tbe title is granted tosocietymembers who have shown exceptional leadership, or made iru1ovative or otl1ermeritorious contributions, that have significanrJy advanced AHS Internationalandthe vertical Aightcommunity.

Duringhis distinguishedcareer, both in IndiaandAustralia,Dr Sinhahas received numerous awards, spanning military operations, design projectsandacademia, but this one,accordingtohim, is"the cremede lacreme". Nominations for the prestigiousAHSawardscome from "acrossthe globe"and it is the benchmark for leadership excellence in vertical flight technology.

According to Col.Samir Roychowdhury, Dr Sinha'sGuru while he was acadet in the early 1970sat tl1eNationalDefence AcademyinIndia, and coordinator of Vicrorian Indian Veterans, Dr Sinha ismostsoughtoutin the worldin his field of AerospaceEngineering. This international recognition isbefittingof hiscontributiontoaviationglobally,said Col. Roychowdhury. "He hasdone us most

proud wicl1 his achievements ina specialised, niche rotorcraft technology."

Dr Sinhais ntrrenclythe Directorof Engineering, Helicopter

SystemsDivision,CapabilityAcquisition andSustainment Group (CASG), at the Department of Defence,Australia.Working on AustralianArmyand Navyaviation platform_and systems technologies, he is an expert inTacticalAerospaceSystems, covering helicopters and rnm1anned Aircraft.

He is the fom1ding Presidentof the AHS Australian Chapter and is on the AHSInternational Board-of-Directors as Dicector of the Asia-Australia Region, and the lnternacional Helicopter SafetyTeam as theAustralian lead. He wasalsoa former Professor andDirector ofAerospaceand AviationResearch Centreat RMIT,andnow holds the titleof Professor ofAerospace Design at MonashUniversit:y.

Speaking to Dr Sinhaon his reruro from the Internacional award ceremonyheldin Virginia,USA,it is clear that he has anarray of high level competenciesas well asan impressive personality.From shero-sht!Jari (couplets andpoetry) toyesteryear music, his hobbies are eclecticand filled with joie de vivre.So is his customarypre-dinner drink. "I prefer to keepan ordinarypublic profile,as oneamongstyouall,however,I enjoy meeting people,provided one'sstature andpositionis kept atrest," saidDr Sinha.

In few words, in animprompru shayari/ poetic format he said, Milihai1myhek11chginesaanse, Jeetah1111111ainharsaamtll{yelekm: IJ7ho bhik;yajeenah11i, harrvaqtrotehue, i\!IaZfltho 111ein!etah11n,aasoonknhasi111ehadal ke.

Kabhi, meremakhaneke1/leh_ftl111eincwkartho dhekho, Hark-Lldamzi11dagika, thomtrhell".raamjeena kn, lviaZflahefe;;1ahai.

As an ActiveCombatant Paratrooper,Dr Sinha invests considerabletimeand energy in his fitness and health.

"I go coIndiaeveryyear in I ovember, topara jump and skydive with myArmy Officers - comradeshalf myagel" said Dr Sinha with a chuckle.

Prior to his earlyrecirement from the Indian Armed Forces, Dr SinJrn commandedelite unitsof Electronic Warfareand Airborne Special Forces. Asa youngMajorhe was posted to command an engineeringunit on the high-densityalcin1de SiachenGlacieras pare of Operation Meghdoot in 1984.TheGlacierregon is thehighestbattlegrotmdon Earth,at a height of over 6,000 metres (20,000fr)

''Anaverage stint there does notexceed 90days due to the harshconditions chat test hwnan endurance,"DrSinharecalled. "However,mytenure was specially extended to two years for operational reasons, and mycommand washonottred with a'Special Operations Order."'

Speaking of his movetoMelbourne,Dr Sinhashared that he wasthe fust person, and probablytl1elast,tomigrateoverseas in bisentire family.

"Ibelongtoaproud Kshatriya Rajpuc family with atradition of serving in the IndianArmed Forces.There was no thought of moving overseas.However, I wasselectedbased on myTITMasters \Vorkin Helicopter Design for aDoctoral Project-basedapplication research under anAustralian Government Sponsored Scholarship with RMIT University,"he said.

",\special approval was granted bytl1e IndianMinistryof Defenceenabling me toproceed overseasforover threeyears, despite beingan active dutyofficer."

After hisDoctorate he returned toIndia tobecome the Dean of the Faculty of Aviation in MilitaryCollegeof Electronics and Mechanical Engineering. He subsequently roseco the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In1999Rlv11T University offeredhim anopporrunity tocontinue his helicopter design work as aSenior Researcher and Manager AerospaceDesign and CommercialOfficeon aproject with AustralianDefenceScience and Technology Group.He was granted retirement from the IndianArmyand he moved tol.ive and work inMelbourne with his wife and daughter.

''Mycircumstancesare different coother migrants asI had nobreakin continuity of myprofession.I adaptedtobalancecl1e two (Indian andAustralian) professional styles, way-of-life, culmraJ outlook,and accepted tough challenges," Dr Sinha said. "Witl1 thesupportof both the lnclian and Australian Governments I achieved global success as anindividual and contributed to die people and nations at.largein the field of Aerospace.TodayI walk \vithpride and humilityandam extremelycontent with my profession and life."

WHAT'SON

COMMUNITY

WomenofWyndhamAnnual event, Sat 1.8 Feb 5pm-9pm

Women of Wyndham (WoW) in association with Ramon Helps Inc present the wowAnnual Event

-A Multicultural Evening This evening aims to recognise women's empowerment and multiculturalism in our communities This is a free event held at Suzanne Cory High School. 225 Hoppers Lane Werribee Come along with your family and enjoy the evening, which is lined up with multiple activities. Contact: Monica Sharma Ra1zada 0433 773 413 or visit womenofwyndham.org

HumeCityCouncilSummer

Sessions,Sat4Feb• Fri10Mar

Corne down andenjoy a free family night out each weekendof summer with an outdoor movie screening. food stalls and activities hosted at a different location in the Hume Council area. Visit l1ume vic.gov au

Chlldren'sServicesCentresOpen

Night,Thurs23 Feb,5.30pm

Parents will have the opportunity to take a free touraroundthe centres of Hume City Council, ask questions to the educators and choose the services that best meet theirneeds before registrations open for the 3-year-old Activity Program (2018) and 4-year-old Preschool (2019) Contact:Jen Lopez 9205 2564 or visit hume vic.gov au

lramooCommunityCentre Festival,Sat4Mar 10am-2pm

The Iramoo Community Centre would like to give back to tl1e community and show appreciation for all the support they receive. A highlight on this daywill include the Centre using the woodfire oven to cook pizzas forthe community! Thefree festival will include market stalls, children s activities, cooking demonstrations, performances and more Head to lramoo Community Centre. 84 HonourAvenue. Wyndham

Vale to enJoy the day with family and friends. Contact: 8742 3688

lndlanYoungWomen's Group

Fridays 12.30pm-2.30pm

The Indian Young Women's Group 1s organised free by Wyndham Community and Education Centre (Wyndham CEC) every Friday afternoon at the Wyndham Park Primary School. Community Hub Room, Kookaburra Avenue, Werribee Contact the Wyndham Community and Education Centre, 3 Princes Highway Werribee. wyndhamcec.org au or call 03 9742 4013

TheGurukul HindiClasses

Saturdays llam-12pm

Connections@Craigiebum 59 Craigieburn Road Craigieburn VIC 3064 These weekly classes are taught by Manisha Gard andBhupinder Kahlon. Contact: Narinder Garg 0431123 045 or infotllegurukul@gmail.com

Let'sTalk:Conversational English

Saturdays, 10am-11.30am

Practice and develop your English speaking skills in a relaxed small group thathas a wann and friendly atmosphere Meet every Saturday at

Wembee Church of Christ, 200 Tame1t Road. Werribee This is forpeople who want to gain confidence and practice their English.All are welcome to attend, morning tea s provided and it's free Contact: 9741 6051 or werribeechurchofcl1rist org

PronunciationWorkshop 1stSunday of the month 12pm-3pm

Are you learning English as a second language and interested in working on your pronunciation?Join Kaled - a friendly ESL (English as aSecond Language) expert who willhelp you work on your English language skills for free at the Library at TI1e Dock, Activities Room, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade Melbourne ESL speakers and learners of all levels are welcome

FUNDRAISER

Swachh Bharat

Help providefinancial support for Swachh Bharat mission through the Sulabh Social Service Organisation The ongoing campaign invites all persons of Indian origin to generously donate forSwachh Bharat. Donations can be made to Sulabh through Western Union Bank details arebelow

In favourof: Sulabh International Centre

ForActionSociology (SICAS)

Account No: 63012660749,

IFSC Code: SBIN0030262

MlCR: 110002347

Name of the Bank: State Bank of India

Branch Name: C 28 Community Centre, Janakpuri, New Delhi-58

Contact: bharatramvasudevan@gmail. com

PERFORMANCE

Krishna -MasterofWonders

ProductionAuditions,Sat4and

Sun5 Feb 1pm-5pm

Be a part of a dynamic and modern dance drama depiction of the enchanting tale of Shri Krishna! If you are successful, performers will be expected to attend bi-weekly rehearsals from March onwards as well as full weekend days starting July. Held at Chinmaya Mission Melbourne, 4 Pioneer Drive, Templestowe. Contact: 9846 8359

MeeAppu,Sun12 Feb, 6.30pm11pm

Western Victoria Sri Lankan Buddhist Association presents Kusumsiri and Yashodara's latest children's theatre production in aid of the Paramitha BuddhistVihara Building Fund. In association with Paramitha Buddhist Temple. Held at Gladstone Park Secondary College, 14-36TaylorDrive, Gladstone Park. Tickets: $20. Contact: Bandarananyaka, 0425 855 621

MUSIC

HaaduBaaKoglle

Melbourne's first ever Kannada musical event held every last Saturday of the month All welcome. Organised byAnkura Music School. Contact: 0432 192 424 orhaadubaakogile@ gmail.com

Thelndlan MusicCollective

Melbourne Sundays 4pm

The Indian Music Collective Melbourne (IMCM) provides space for practice/

jamming in a friendly environment for musicians to meet and practice

Anyone who plays a Hindustani classical music instrument (such as tabla, sitar, sarod, etc ) or can sing Hindustani classical music at any ability/level is warmly welcome at St John's Catholic Primary School, 77 Queens Parade, Clifton Hill. Listeners are also welcome Gold coin to contribute towards tea/coffee/snack costs Contact: Harjinder Bhogal at oldmanindia@gmail com

SPIRITUAL

Maha Shlvaratri•TheTranceof

MightyShiva,Fri24Feb 6pm-1am Immerse yourself in thejourney of the mystical dance of the eternal Shiva and celebrate the auspicious festival of Mahashivaratri. Tl1ere will be a yoga class. vegetarian dinner. sacred chanting, Tandava dance performance live music and more Held at a warehouse venue on Dawson Street In Brunswick Exact address on your ticket. Tickets: $30 Visit: indomyst1c. com.au

ARTS

SISFFA·FightAgainstDrugs,Sat 25 Feb 12pm-6pm Come and join thefirst ever Sikh International Short Film Festival Australia! This is a non-profit cultural organisation dedicated to creating awareness of and pride tn the diversity, culture and history of the Sikhs, as we11 as the contributions of Sikhs in Australian society This event will showcase short films based on the theme 'FlglltAgainst Drugs·. Held at Plenty RangesArts and Convention Centre, 35 Ferres Boulevard South Morang Contact: 0430 582 078 or visit sisffa.com

Architect BljoyJainat MPavllllan, daily 9am-10pm

Australia s MPavilion is an award wtnnlng annual architecture commission and design event. MPavil1on 2016 is designed by acclaimed Indian architect Bijoy Jain of Studio Mumbai. The temporary summer pavilion in Melbourne's historic Queen Victoria Gardens, St Kilda Rd, hosts a free fourmonth program of talks workshops, performances and installations Visit: mpavilion org

AsiaTOPA,tllApril2017

Asia-Pacific Triennial of Performing Arts will bridge diverse art forms Including performance, visual, screen and literary arts Vital, fresh and always unpredictable. the event offers a city-wide window Into the creative imaginations fuelling the many cultures of our region Highlights include the MelbourneSymphony Orchestra performing the music of AR Rahman Visit: asiatopa com au

SENIORS

The Gurukul Chopaal, Tuesdays 6.30pm-7.30pm

The Gurukul Chopaal is an Australian Indian seniorcitizens club which hosts cultural activities as well as laughing yoga, computer literacy lessons and games. Held at Connections@Craigieburn, 59 Craigieburn Road, Craigieburn. Contact: Narinder Garg 0431 123 045 or e-mail infothegurukul@gmail. com

SPORT

KFCBBLand Rebel WBBL

Held at EtihadStadium and the MCG, don't miss your favourite teams as the fun and excitement of the KFC T20 Big Bash League and Rebel Women's Big Bash League returns this summer Visit: cricket.com au

SinghSabhaAnnual Kabaddl Tournament,Sun 12 March

Singh Sabha is the proud host of Victoria's biggest Kabaddi Mela Held at Singh SabhaSports Club Melbourne, St Albans

MISC

Australla lndla InstituteEvents

Drop In Chai Every1st Fridayof the month, 2pm-3pm

Come chat to other South Asia enthusiasts over samosa and chai and catch up on what different people are doing in relation to India. The chai and conversation is free and open to all. Held at 147-149 Barry St -147149 Barry Street, Carlton.

PubllcLecture:Corruption, Rule ofLawandGovernanceIn lndla, Mon13Feb 6.30pm-8pm

Held at the YHM Room, Level 1, Sidney MyerAsia Centre, 761 Swanston Street, The University of Melbourne. Asialink Business and the Australia India Institute are delighted to invite you to attend a Public Lecture with Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor, O.P. Jindal Global University, Director, International Institute for Higher Education Research & Capacity Building

Visit: aii.unimelb.edu.au

FESTIVAL

Sri DurgaTemple Holl Festlval, Sun12 Mar 11am-5pm

Come andjoin the fun as Sri Durga Temple celebrates the festival of colours! With a live DJ, dholi and cultural programs, children's games and rides, live performances from local artists and much more Holika Dahan at 4 30pm Free Entry Ample free car parking available Held at 705 Neale Road, Rockbank Contact: 9747 1628 or visit sridurgatemple.com

• All inclusive packages

• Indian banquet

• Large dance floor

• Convenient location (amplefree parking)

• Spectacular views

Weoffercatering

Wecaterfrom20to2000guestsandwesuityourbudget,taste

!Juiticmtliatw.oJt&!

Classes for ALL Primary & Secondary students (Prep to VCE)

Offers sh·uctured & challenging courses in English, Maths, General Science, Physics & Chemistry with emphasis on concepts understanding and foundation building

Provides weekly workbooks with excellent learning and revision materials plus practice exercises for aLI students enrolled in our classes

All classes conducted by experienced teachers

Scholarship/SEAL program / Selective Schools exam preparation classes with fuJI length practice tests also available for prospective students

PH: (03) 9898 9880

enquiry@northshorevce.com.au

WWW.NORTH-SHORE.COM.AU

Principal School: 50 Rutland Road, Box HillVIC 3128

Branch Schools: Berwck,Bundoora, Burwood,Cragieburn,Dandenong, Footscray,Hawthorn,PointCook, SouthMorang,Springvale,Taylors Lakes,Werribee

Indian diaspora seeksModi's helpoverdemonetised currency

The Global Organisation of People of fodian Origin (GOPIO) has pointed out to PrimeMinisterNarendraModi that diaspora Indians arebeingturned awayby theRBIfrom depositingor exchanging their demonetised currencyand appealed that they be allowed to do so.

The GOPIO,which brings together the fodian diaspora around the world, said in a statement that Indian diaspora withforeign citizenship and O0/PIO card holders arebeingturned awaybyReserveBank of lndia from depositingtheir demonetized currencies,despitethe extended deadline for NRisbeingtillJune30,2017.

The GOPIO,in an appeal coPrime MinisterNarendraModi, said that after standingoutside for several hours,Indians with foreign citizenship were beingtold by theRBIthat onlylRls with Indian passport cango inside and exchange the scrappedRs500andRs1,000notes.

The organisation requested thePrime Ministerthat DiasporaIndians with foreign citizenship, and Person of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card holders begiven the same opportunity fordepositingold currencynotes asgiven co NRis(IndianPassport holders),aUowtng them to deposit up to Rs 2,50,000 of Indian currency in the RBI instead of notified amount of Rs25,000.

The appealfurther states that Diaspora Indians (who are not ableto visit the country) should also bepermittedco deposit moneymtheir bank accow1cin Indiathrough anauthorised agent. (The an1ount certified bythe foreignbranches of State Bank of India or Indian Missionsin the countryof their residence orinRBI/ NROaccounts with various banks in India.)

GOPIO also saidthat sinceall Diaspora lndians with foreign citizenship,PIOand OCIcard holders maynot beable to,,isit Indiaprior toJLU1e 30, they should be aUowed todeposit old currencynotes at either the RBI/ ROaccounL� mamtained withvarious banks in India up to December 31.

The appeal addressedto the PMstates, "You have repeatedJyacknowledged the

role of NRls/PIOsand expatriates in the resurgence of India and their record annual remittances to India which is the highest compared to anycountryin the world.\Y/e urge}'OU to agreeto the requested concession for goodwiU of30 million NRis andPIOsand amend the notification # RBI/2016-17/2005/DC:M/(Plg) No 2170/10.27.00/2016-17 dated December 31,2016."

The Centre had e:,rtended for s_ix months the last date for applyingfor conversion of PIOcards to OCI cardstoJune30,2017 from December31,2016.

The PIO card was first implementedin 2002as abenefitto foreign nationals who couldestablish atleastathirdgeneration tie toIndianorigin.It was validfor travel, work, and residence in India for aperiod of 15 years.

The OCI card was implementedin2005, and carries more expansive benefits than the PIO card,and is valid for the holder's lifetime.

Sarosh ZaiwaUa,founder and senior partner at London-based law firm Zaiwalla& Co. Solicitors,said ina sL'ltement that the"Indian diaspora from various countrieshave expressed that the government should consider for deposits in Indian embassiesaround the world as a solution for ease of implementation of the currencyexchange across theglobe, as majority ofNRisreactedpositivelyto the demoneti-zation move. Tbe fact that the NRisdid not receive anyguidance after the shock announcement of the demonetisationevenuntil December 30 felt somewhat misplaced.However,just after thedeadline and fresh inro the New Year, firstcommunicationfrom thegovernment towards at theNRisemerged of the extension until 30thJune2017.If NRis are co travel to India within the window period to exchangetheir oldbank notes,itma}'be trickyunder thecurrent FEi'v1Aguidelmes consideringthe cap for bringingin Indian currencyfromabroad isset atINR25,000 per person, and It would be economicaUy unviable to spendnearlyINR50,000 (UK airfare) on air tickets just to convert it."

He went on, "Expectingnullions of Indian nationals to return to thecountry just to drop back deadnotes isincom,enienc

and ineffective. Therefore, a localised solution through anyof the Indian banks or embassiesabroad wouldbe a viable alternative."

Modi, Trump discuss South Asia security; will stand together tofightterror

PrimeMinister Narend.raModi and US President Donald Trump discussed the securitysimation in South and CentraJ Asia during their phone conversation on 24Jan and resolved that India and US will "stand shoulder to shouldd' to fight global terrorism, the White House said.

Strengtheningdefence partnership was among topics that came up during their talksabout furtheringcooperation between the cwo nations, according co the\'.{/hire House.

"Trumpemphasised that the United States considers India a true friend and partner in addressingchallengesaround the world," the White House said.

This was reflected in the fact that conversation between the leaders of the world's two greatest democracies came beforeTmmp had talked co leaders of important allies like Britain,Germany andJapan or major powers likeChina and Russiasmceformally caking office on 20 Jan.

During bis campaign, Trump praised Modi as a "great leader" and sought a kinship of ideas with him as a"pro-growth leader" when be attended a raUy organised byd1e Republican Hindu Coalition (RHC) in New Jersey in October. He added that after his election India would have true friend in the White House.

White House saidchatTrump invited Modi to visit hini later this }'ear.

President Pranab Jvfukherjee invitedTnm1pto visit India when he congratulated him on assumingthe presidency. The real estate investor-mrnedpolitician bas visited India severaJ ttmes for business.

Another topicTrump and Modi discussed was strengtheningthe parmership in the economy, but the statement didnot give any details of what theymight have discussed.

},fodi and Trump have parallel priorities

IndiantennisaceSaniaMirzaposes

of job creation, especially through manufacturing, and increasinginvestments which may appear headed for a collision.

Earlier in the day,Trump met wid1 auto industry leaders topromotehis programme of"Makein America" and on Monday, he met union and industry leaders and emphasised bis campaign mantra of "BuyAmerican,HireAmerican".

ShalabhKumar,the founder and head of the Republican Hindu Coalition who is close to both leaders,told IA S that trade need not be a zero sum game and both nations can mutuallybenefit from their respective ''MakeinIndia" and "tvfake in America" domestic manufacmring programmes.

As an example, he said that while theUS increases manufactured exports co India in defence,technologyand energysectors, India will have an opportunityrotake advantage ofTrump's move away from China and increase its own manufacmred exports in a balanced manner. This would help create jobsin both countries and enable both leaders to achieve d1eir priorities,he added.

Tnunp has also spoken aboutlimiting the use of temporaryprofessional visas known as H1-B, which he has repeatedJy said is abused and is used throw Americans out of jobs.

That is a matter of great concern for lndia as the visas are the l.ifeblood of technology sector exports to the US. 24Jan wasa special clay to hold their conversation.Nikki Haley became the first lndian American co get a cabinet-level appointment when the Senate approved on that dayTrump's nomination of her to be theUS ambassador to the United Nations.

Before the call with Modi, Trump had spoken only with the neighbours, CanadianPrin1e MinisterJustin Trudeau and MexicanPresident PenaNieto, with premier all)' Israeli Prin1eMinister Benjamin Netanyahu,and Egyptian President Abdel Fattahel-Sisi, who will have a major role in helpingTrump deal with the'MiddleEast and with terrorism.

All 5 Indian American lawmakers nominated to key Congressional panels

All five IndianAmerican lawmakers successful thiselectionhavebeen nominated to keyCongressionalpanels, the media here reported.

All five are Democrats, as are the bulk of Indian-Americans US CongresswomanPramilaJayapal, elected to the House of Representatives from Seattle, wtU serve on the House JudiciaryCommittee,helping to oversee the federal-court system and lawenforcernent agencies, said a report in die SeattfeTi111es.

Jayapal said she looks forward to working on in1.migration reform, criminaljustice reform, reproductive rights and votingrights.

"I'm proud co have led efforts for some of the most progressive immigration

in Melbourne.Photo:AP

Freezing! Elephantsata rescueand conservationcentreinAgraaresnug intheirjumbojacketsasthemercury dipsto10degreesCelsius.Rescued fromshockingcircumstancesofabuse, theyareweakandvulnerable,making themsusceptibletoailmentssuch as pneumonia. Photo: IANS policies in the nation,"Jayapal said in a sratemenr. "In the l1Srh Congress, l pledgeto fight forourprogressive values, and blockthe Trump administration's plans to deport vulnerable undocumented immigrants,create a Muslim registry and violate ourcivilrights and civil liberties."

Congressman Ro Khanna was appointed to twokey comlilirtees - Budget and Armed Services, reporteddailyMercury News. He represents the 17th District of California, which covers the SiliconValley communities of Cupertino, Fremont, Newark,Santa Clara,and Sunnyvale.

Raja Krisbnamoorthi, who was sworn in asa Memberof theUS Houseof Representatives earlier this month, would be servingon two influential committees.

ln addition tobeing tbe voice of Illinois' Eighth Congressional District, the Democrat will serveon rhe House Education and Workforce Committee, as well as die HouseDemocraticPolicy and Steering Committee, indiawest.com reporred.

"These committee assignments will give my constituents a voice ro make sure l can stand up for working families every dayby focusingon job creation and affordable highereducation," said Krishnamoorthi.

Congressman Ami Bera was renolilinated ro the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Science,Space and Technology Committee.He is the seniormostamongallIndianAmerican lawmakers in che House of Representatives and is alsoco-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, said a report.

Kamala Harris, first Indian American to serve in the US Senate, will serve on four influential committees - the HomelandSecurity and Governmental Affairs Committee; the SelectCommittee on Intelligence; the Committee on Enviroru11ent &Public Works; and the Commjttee on the Budget.

Harris said that her committee assignmentsi11 theUS Senate will be "key battlegrounds in the futureof our country", the LosA11gelesTimesreported.

"At a time whenso many Californians and Americansare uncertain about our future, 1 will aggressively fight forour familiesand the ideals of our nation," Harris said.

2016 was a bumper year forthe IndianAmerican community, wirba record haul of four in the Houseof Representatives, and their first seat in the Senate.

TrumpappointsAjit Pai to head communications agency

President Donald Trump has appointed Ajir Pai ro head the powerful US communications regulatory agency, becoming the third Indian American picked fotkey positions in his administration.

Pai, 44, will be the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the federal authority regulating

cellphone spectrum and services, radio, television, phone,internet and satellite and cable.

Pai annmmced hisappointmenton Twitter, saying it "is a deeply humblli1g honour".He added that he would work to bring the benefits of the digital age to all Americans.

The FCC also has a majorrolein controllingthe content of television and radio, a sensitiveissuegivenTrump's contentious relations with the media.

The agency sets andenforces certain norms on content Jjke obscenityin TV and conditionslikehaving a certain amount of local news content forstations to keep their licences.

Underscoring its importance, Representative Frank Pallone said: "By some measures, the FCC oversees approximatelyone sixth of the US economy."

ikki Haley, Trump's nominee forthe cabinet-level postof US ambassadorro the UN, was confirmed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for the job.

Another Trump nominee is Seema Verma, who isco head the Centers for Jvfedicare and Jv[edicaid Services, the agency for government healthinsurance programmes.

Already a memberof the FCC, Pai will succeedTom \'vheeler,a Democrat, who quitrecently.

A free enterprise advocate, Pai has been a critic of the functioning of the FCC and clashed witl1 itsDemocratic Parry leadership.Recently be rook issue with an FCC report rbat questioned the legality of offerings given free of charge forpeople ro access online music, videos and other content.

He has said he wants to end net neuu·ality,which prevents internet service providers from giving special preferences ro certain websites oraccept payment from a web service rogive it priority or better access.

Democrats expressed their concern about Pai's role in a letterrohim.

The senior Democrat on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce that deals witl1communications wrote to him saying his success would depend on being

responsive to membersof Congress from botl1 parties and working for consensus on major decisions.

Before his appoimment to the FCC in2012,Pai had worked as a lawyerfor the telephone and communications giant Verizon, tl1eSenatejudicial Committee and theJustice Department.

Pai'sparents,both doctors, immigrated from India.

Trump has alsoappointedanexperton strategiccommunications and political research,Raj Shah, as depucy assistant and research director onthe White House staff.

Another Indian American,Balaji Srinivasan, is underconsideration to head the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), according roSean Spicer,Trump's spokesperson. Srinivasan is a biotechnology entrepreneur who has been criticalof the connections between large pharmaceutical companies and FDA. He now heads a start-up that deals wirh bircoin, the internet-based currency.

Assam's rice wine qualifies forGI registration

The "Judima" traditionalrice wine, a popular alcoholic beverage of Assam's Dimasa tribe - and an integralpart of the community's social and cultural life- is a fit candidate for geographicalindication (GI) registration, a don at New Delhi's Indian Law lnstirute says ln a report published in the IndianJournal o IntellectualProper(} Rights,Assistant ProfessorJupi Gogoi has urged the judima producers ro form an association and file for GI registration toprotect rbe traditionalknowledge and promote the wine's trade for rbe community's economic development.

Under tl1e international agreement on Trade-RelatedAspectsof Intellecmal PropertyRights (TRIPS), the GI tag is assignedro aproduct that has a specific geographical origin and possesses qualities or a reputation chat are1mique to that place.The GIrecognition gives local producers exclusive brand protection.

Darjeeling tea became tl1e first GI tagged product in India in2004.Since then, 272products have been added ro the

list tl1at includes Dharwad Pedha,Tirupati Laddu, Muga Silk, Kangra Tea,Madhubani Paintings and Telangana's Pochampally lkat.

Besides protecting the cultural identity of a community, tl1e GI recognition prevents unautl1orised use of the tag by others and promotes economic prosperity of producers by enhancing the demandfor their goods in national and international markets,Gogoi says.

1n India, there are many communities (such as 1'ocba.rupally) rhat were economically benefited by GI recognition ro rheir traditional products, he says.

"If Judima is registered as a GI, it can go a long way in maintaining the cultural identityof Din1asas as well as bringing economicprosperity rotl1e rribe."

To produceJudima, the Din1asa tribe uses a glutinousrice cal.led Bora chat is indigenous totl1e region and thebark of a plant called Thembra (Acaciapem1clf{I) collected from forests surrounding the region.The powdered bark is mixed with rice flour and some water and madeinto a dough that, on fermentation, yields the beverage. The uniqueness of this product lies in the use of Thembra.

"The tasteofJudima is a result of theplant Thembra and variousocher ingredientsused in a particular mannet known exclusively torbe Dimasa community," saysGogoi. "So, without a doubt,Judima is a traditional knowledge of the Dimasa community and is a strong case forgetting Gl registration."

Juclima, according to Gogoi, can seek GI protectionin .similarlines to Goa's Feni - a drink made from cashew apples or coconut sap - which goc the GI rag in 2009.He says existingdocumentary evidence and the rolethatJudima plays in the lives of the people of the Dimasa community should beregarded as adequate proof of irsorigin for getting the Gl tag.

According to Gogoi, stuclies have inclicated thatJuditna may have tremendous health benefits."Therefore, more scienti.fic research may be undertaken ro highlight thenutraceuticaland therapeuticproperties ofJudima which can give a huge boostroits trade."

IANS

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LeanderPaes(IND)

IDlvlj Sharan (IND)

SaniaMirza (IND)

Celebratin India's 68t Republic Day

$) ,i-i GI ti ..................

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ThreeAustralian polio survivors are travellingto India to help the WHO's polio eradication initiative

BY PREETI JABBAL

April2017 will mark 62years sincelhe developmentand approval of thefust polio vaccine byJonasSalk, which became an important 1nilesrone forhumanity.April this year will also see three Geelongpolio survivors seeking ro'payitforward' by travelling to India ro helpRotaryInternational and the World Heallb Organisation's global polio eradicationinitiative.

Gary ewwn,Jennifer Merrettand Jan McDonald each contracted polio as children during the 1950s. They understand the gravity of the disease thatstill remains endemic in parts of the world.They are committed to a self-funded trip to Delhi and Visakhapatnam to help create awareness and encourage vaccination of children undertheage of five.

TheWHO officiaUy declared India 'polio free' in2014 aftera massive drive ro eradicate the disease reached fruition.The focus isnow onremaining\7igilanragainst importations from neighbouringcountries and maintaining high immunisation coverage.

According tothe WHO, endemic transmission of polio is continuing onlyin Afghanistan,Nigeria and Pakistan.Failure to stop polioin these lastremainingareas could result tn as many as200,000new caseseveryyear, within 10years,all over the world.So longas a single child anywhere remainsinfected, allchildren who are not immunised are at risk.

Reportsstate thatIndia stillfaces the threatof polio.Ithasthe highest number of unvaccinated childrenin the world, with 8.9 million children who don't receive all vaccines and 1.7 million who receive none at all.More than half the deaths of children under five in India are due to vaccinepreventable andtreatableinfections.The WHO,Rotary and its partners areaiming to immunise 90 percent of the26 n1ill.ion childrenborninIndiaeachyear.

For Gary Newron,Bay FM radio presenter andVolunteerCommunications Coordinaror for PolioAustralia,the journey and fight against this debilitating disease is deeply personal.

Born in 1952 as a normal, healthy child, Newron contracted polio 15months later. The disease affected his motorneurons learungto muscle weakness andparalysis.

Gary,Jan andJennifer, who are now in their 60s and 70s,have lived with the physical and emotional conseguences of tbe cripplingdisease. They have also

experienced d1e later effectsof polio resultingin decreased endurance and diminished function.

WhenJenny Horton, a nurseand Rotarian, invited the three polio survivors, along wid1 their carers, to travel to India and create awareness and vaccinate children they enrhusiasticaUy agreed.

'We do not wishtohave thisdisease raise its ugly head again anywhere in the world," said Gary Newron a.s he spoke tolndia11Link.

During their first ever visittoIndia, the d1ree planto helpadministerd1e poliovaccine to children in areas of last refusal as part of India's national immunisation clays.They wiUalso visit the polio ward atSt Stephens Hospital,Delhi to provide encouragementand supporttopatients and staff. InVisakhapatnarn,they wiU talk about post-polio syndrome or PPS.

"People think tha-rdisability is the end of life.However,by sharingourstories we wish to help inspire them to draw on their emotional resilience andseek the support

of d1eir families,"Gary said. "We wiU also honourourparents who gave so muchof d1emselves ford1eirpolio-stricken kids.We will acknowledge and thank all parents of sick children as a tribute to theirbmmdless, unswervingdevotion."

Expressing his indignation at d1e anti-

to

administer

polio vaccine to

in areas of

refusal as part of India's national immunisation days

vaccination movement,Gary said,"Ifeel people wbo choose not to vaccinate or immunise their child haveno idea.They should comeand spend aday withme and d1ey will realise howthis disease can impact lives."

Gary and his team have ashared commitmentto seeing this disease become a rlll11g of the past. They are currently working to galvanise financial support to fund their trip and polio eradication efforts.

"I hope the Australian and Indian community will see the value and stand behind us,"said Gary.

Campaign organiser Peter Poclbury has set up afundrnising page at: gofundrne. com/garyspolioproject

You can also view tl1e Facebook page, Gary'spolioProjectto India tofollow the group'sjourney: facebook.com/ garyspolioproject

,, During their first evervisit

India, they plan to help

the

children

last

,,

Do you have a photo for this page?

Emall It to lnfo@lndlanllnk.com.au

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GAYATRIMATHAASTROLOGICALCENTE

Forthis Victorian Sikh family, wine makingis more than a passing folly

BY DHANYA SAMUEL

Apanoramic expanse of lush greenery, with rowsand rows of beautifulgrape vines,greets youat NazaarayEstate, siruated on tbe"tv[omington Peninsula. Nazaarayproduces award-winning artisan wines and has repmed restaurants likethe VueDe Monde (fwoHat) and Simone's (Two Hat) onits customer list.

Nazaarayis the family-owned venrnre of Paramdeepand NirmalGhumman.

Paramdeep is the winemaker responsible for the award-winningpinotnoirs andpinot gris, while irmal is themarketeer and incharge of the cellar doorevents. They are ablyassisted bytheir viticulrnristand assistant wine maker Ranjit Gill.

OriginallyanIT specialist,Pararndeep arrived inMelbourne with his family on a freezingcold, gloomy winter dayin 1981. Theythought theyhad madea huge mistake migratingtoAustralia.

Havingbeen bought up in the foothills of the Himalayas, Nirmalyearned for wide, openspaces.Most weekendsthe family would makedaytrips om ofMelbourne. This sowed theseedsof wanting to own anAustralianbushblock.Tirntdream came true tenyearslater.

It rook another sixyearsbefore Paramdeepmade the decision to do somethingmore challenging with theland. He joinedNMIT (MelbournePolytechnic instirute) for a course on viticulmreand wine making.

"Wehad no an.,iety or apprebensions about buyingNazaaray," said Nirmal."For usthis was what wecl_id to unwind andget awayfrom our busyprofessional lives.We spent the weekends in a cosyroom which was part ofan oldcattleshed andall day our in the sunshine lookingafter ourpiece ofheaven."

The Ghummans planted their veryfirst block in 1996, which irmal verycheekily named, 'Param's Folly'.

''For thefirst sevenyears we didn't have anyelectriciryand it was great bondingtime for ouryoung family.Maoyboard games wereplayedand everyevening was spent around a campfire lit in an old washing machine tub.We shared the shed withhay

bales,whld1 often had snakes, and we often played hide and seek with them as we went about our business,"shesharecl

There wasa lot of trial and error in the earlieryears But ci1e hobby was soon rnrninginto a business. For arnrban wearing Sikh, breaking into the wine sceoe was a bit challenging.

"le isimportant to getover theinitial reservationsand letpeoplesee who you really are; that helps breaks down barriers," said Paramdeep."Aussiesare agreat bunch."

azaarayproduces someexcellentpinot noirsand Paramdeepattributes it totheir terroir - thesoil and weather conditions of thePeninsula.

"It is a reasonablytoughenvironment; winters are wet windycold and summers are

dry- theday cracks because of the strong ocean winds."

Nazaarayalsoproduces small batchesof chardonnay,sauvignoo blancandsyrah.It isoftendifficult forartisan wines to havea strong retailpresence,said Paran1deep, but their wines arestocked at Porters in NSW and a few outlets inVictoria.

Most of their sellingisdoneat ci1e cellar door aod online. Their regular customers find ita veryconvenient way to havequality assured drinking wine at a reasonable price delivered to their door.

'Tiffin Time' is anexperiencethat's uniqueto Nazaaray. Ir is abuffet lunch at $45 per head that isheld about six times ayear.You can relax in beautiful private picnicspotsamonggnarled old boobialla treesoverlookingthe vineyard. Sipyour winealong with hot lniliao food whilst enjoying theviev;i On other weekendsyou can bring along your own picnic and use barbeCL1e spots which areprovided.Wine hascobebought atthecellar door.

\When asked if he hasany words of advice for those who arecontemplatingthe wine making journeyParamdeep replied, '1t will be the story of .Beessaalhaad(20)'ears later)- Doyou havetheendurance to last thedistance?"

,, 'For a turban wearing Sikh, breaking into the wine scene was challenging ,,

LOOKING AFTER OUR ELDERS

Simran Rekhy 19 BachelorofCommerceand Science, Monash University

During the summer break, I volunteered at an aged care home. My visits consisted of organising activities and games forthe residents, engaging in conversation with them as wellas creating an atmosphere that would be visually inspirational and motivational. I had the opportunity to plan their birthday celebrations w thin the premises, which included decorating the lounge and organising food and drinks. It gave me immense pleasure to bring joy into the lives of the residents and see them celebrating with happiness. Some of my most memorable moments included playing scrabble with one senior, taking them out to the garden to pick flowers and actively listening to them talk about their past.

I strongly believe in the importance of giving back to the community, which is what inspired me to volunteerat an aged care home. My grandmother has been volunteering at an aged care home forthe past couple of years. Seeing how

. PUTTING E-WASTE TO GOOD USE

Anirban Ghose 24 GraduatedinRobotics, SydneyUniversity

This summer I began building a microfactory. I had theimmense privilege of working at the University of New South Wales SMaRT Centre to develop

• innovative solutions forrecycling electronic waste (e-waste). We can all appreciate the challenge of the quantum of electronic waste that we are producing- all the old phones, televisions, microwaves, basically anything with a cord we throw out, making it the fastest growing waste stream globally. These devices are complex waste products, comprised of over 1000 different materials, some

• of which are toxic such as lead, others

•

passionate she is about this, as well as thejoy and pleasure she received from this role, made me extremely proud of her, wanting to follow in her footsteps. Volunteering an aged care home was an experience that I will cherish forever.

DISCOVERING MYSELF IN DANCE

Vishakha Iyer, 10 YearSix, KingsLangleyPublicSchool

I have always told my mum, "I wish I could dance 24 hours of the day and do nothing else."

This wish has been coming true overthe past two years as I go to India during the summer break to train in Bharatanatyam with Abhinaya exponent Bragha Bessel. Learning from Bragha Aunty is very special. When we enact everyday situations in dance she presents the ideas in such a refreshing way that we start to discover the same common things from different angles. The best thing about training under Bragha Aunty is that even when she makes corrections and is critical, she does it with such humour that I neverforget what she has said.As she was teaching me on how motherYashodha was caressing Krishna's face, looking at the way I was holding my hands, she said, "You are holding baby Krishna's face, Vishakha, not a Halloween pumpkin!" Every time I practice, comments like these will not only helpme never make those m stakes again but will also bring a smile to my face. I am very lucky to have teachers who train me with love and patience like Chidambaram R Suresh inSydney and BraghaBessel in India.

• which are immensely valuable, such as copper. So, the SMaRTcentrehas been researching solutions to this global challenge which has now culminated in the design of a micro-factory. We are designing a containerised factory to disassemble, sort and process in furnaces to convert our waste into high-value materials based on our

patented micro-recycling technology. I have been working on the automated vision systems, drones and robotic arms to augment the material processing techniques being developed by the centre.

So you think millennials are over-privileged, lazy, narcissistic, entitled and out-of-touch? Have a look at what some of them have been doingover theirsummer holidays

BACK IN THE HOME COUNTRY

Anindya Bhowmik 27

Graduated in Mechanical Engineering from University ofTechnology, Sydney

I volunteered forYuva Australia and the Consulate General of India in Sydney lastyear and in January this year, representing Australian Indian youth atthe Pravasi Bharatiya Divas organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. It was a pleasureparticipating in a Panel Discussion on youth NRI issues atYouth PBD 2017 withthe Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, and meeting the Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a lunch event. Youth PBD 2017 was a huge success, particularly the Q&A session with an audience of 700 PBD attendees. The three-day main affair from 7-9January, 2017 in Bengaluru, entailed an inaugural session on the "Role of DiasporaYouth in theTransformation of India", two plenary sessions and discussions about various aspects of NRI and studen1/youth issues.

SEEING HOWTHE OTHERHALF LIVES

Nishtha Chadha 19

BachelorofGlobalStudies & International Relations, Sydney University

I am currently on a scholarship program in SoutheastAsia for about three months. The program has two phases; thefirst is working with various charities in Cambodia and Vietnam that my college currently sponsors and assessing their impact and budgeting our donations that we raised throughouttheyear. The second phase is an internship, for which I am currently working attheSAELAO project - an ecologically friendly community developmentproject in rural Laos. The project provides surrounding communities with education support, employment opportunities and promotes ecological awareness and sustainable practices across the surrounding villages. Both phases have INDIANLINK

REACHING OUTTO UNDERPRIVILEGED KIDS

Brinda Ohri 23 DoctorofMedicine, Griffith University

During my gap year I volunteeredteaching English to disadvantaged children in Argentina. It was both an eyeopening and rewarding experience and I was able to immerse myself in their community, culture and way of life. I had always been interested in travelling to South America, and I whilst I was researching, I came across an NGO in Argentina, which was very passionate in helping their underprivileged population. I made contact with them and was lucky tojoin their incredible work.

•

A SONG FORYOU

•

•

: Mahek Anand 17

: Year12, Cranbourne Secondary

• College, Melbourne

•

•

•

Duringthe summer break I was a part

• • of the DavidJaanzSchool of Singing

• showcase. I gottheopportunityto

•

• perform in front of a large audience.

• In thepastyear I have started doing

: gigs as a singer and since then have

• performed at various venues around

• Melbourne. I am passionate about RnB,

• soul and pop music but I liketo keep my

•

• doors open toother genres as well.

• I have been singing for a few years

: now and aspireto gain more experience

• in live performances. I have always been

• fascinated with music, even in different

•

been incredibly eye-opening and pushed me very far out of my comfort zone, but I've learnt and seen morethan I ever could've imagined.

• languages - whether Latin, French or

• Bollywood - and would loveto explore

: more in the future. Something I enjoy

• thoroughly with music is being able to

• be versatile.

: Preparing for this showcase and

• having been given the opportunity to be

•

a part of it has definitely been one of the best moments of 2016 for me.

REPORTING FROM THE DIASPORA

Arpita Singh 23 GraduatedinIT, CharlesSturtUniversity

As the secretary of YuvaAustralia, I was invited by the Indian High Commission and the MEA to be a panellist at PBD 2016-17 on the topic of "Problems faced by Indian international students inAustralia". I travelled to New Delhi late last year and had the honour of participating in the 8th PBD Panel Discussion chaired by the External Affairs Minister SushmaSwaraj.The issues we raised and the solutions we proposed were thoughtfully consideredby the MEA and significant implementation strategies and solutions were announced at the annualYouth PBD 2017 held in January.

RELINKING WITH ARTS HERITAGE

Keerthana Parthiban 22 BachelorofScience in IT, UniversityofTechnology, Sydney

Over the past year I've been part of a team of students working hard to reestablish the UTSTamilSociety and its annualevent Kathambamalai. First established in 1999, the society has a long and rich history of organising cultural events to fundraise for communities in Sri Lanka and India. We have now brought back its annual Kathambamalai event, reinvigorated for a new and diverse audience. These past months of summer, we've passionately been working on script writing, dramaturgy, dance and acting rehearsals with a great cast and crew to bring to stage a thrilling dance drama titled Kaya/ Vizhi. We're proud to have provided a platform for upcoming youth talent and to have used this opportunity to establish ties with our Tamil community in the form of donations toVanni Rehabilition and Palmera Projects. Being able to bring this production to life has truly shown

• NOT-FOR-PROFIT LEGAL SERVICE

Azaara Perakath 21 BachelorofLawandCommerce, UniversityofAdelaide

•

• Havingjust completed my third year

• of my law and commerce (corporate

•

• finance)doubledegree, and armed

• with a lot of enthusiasm, I decided that

: this summer, much as I would miss the

• opportunity to sleepin, I would immerse

• myself in the opportunities available

: to me. The first step was applying to

• be a volunteer at JusticeNet, a not for

• proft legal service that provides free

: legal help for peoplewho cannot afford

• a lawyer or who are low-incomeand

• disadvantaged members of society.

•

thepotentialof young people when we come together. Overall, it has provided us with an avenueto tap into our creativecultural roots in a university and community setting.

• This has so far provided me with

• invaluable practical experience in a

: variety of areas of law and increased my

• passion forjustice. I was also fortunate

• enough to secure a summer position

•

• at theAustralian FinancialSecurity

• Authority, a Commonwealth Government

• Department,doing corporate related

•

• work as part of a project team.Andjust

• to ensure I really did not have even a

moment to be boredtheseholidays,

I have also been doing research and oral advocacy as part of the University ofAdelaide'sJessup International Law MootTeam.We will be representing the University at thenational round of the competition in Canberra in a few days. All in all, a busy but fulfilling summer and one that I am sure will shape my future!

ACCOUNTING: GETTING A LOOK IN Tom Smith 18 BachelorofCommerce, Melbourne University

Since finishing high school in November I have begun developing the necessary accounting expertise to transition into the corporate world, by working at the accounting firm Murdoch Partners. I have learnt the basic skills such as filing and archiving before undertaking a graduate accounting course in the CBD.

I hope that theseexperiences will prepare me for theBachelor of Commerce and beyond.

domestic violence

wererecruicedfrom withinthe writing group and me community, with sisters Brienna and Brivinitheyoungestperformers,and81-yearoldPercy Mason the oldest.

BY DIPANJALI RAO

edarkscreenlightens andreveals

thesombreface of a very young girl with big,soulfuleyes.She slowly looks downwards.The camera moves to focus onthe string of pearls around her neck and the frilly edges of thetop thatgently hangs over her shoulder.Youhear a dull,aching, rustling, likelonelywavescrashing onadistantshore. Youbearhervoice,slow,st.ark and deliberate, as she looksstraightac thecameraand says:

Peoplewillte!IJOtt,'Youshouldt14/11st' Tht!)'71m11tte1·011tlo11d'P11ItheJa111i!JJint' BecattseIlla/!)'IJ)illjudgea11dmany11Jillbla111e

Tbeonei11threewithasto-rylike111e.

Ttsonei11three.

Ttsoneinthree.

Twelve-year-oldErienna Fernando performsthesemovinglines from a poem about domestic violence titled 'Onein Three'.

Wrictenby22womenfromJv[elbourne's northern suburbs,'OneinThree' isa produceof PoehyComers,a print and digital art projectdesigned anddevelopedby social activist NayanaBhandari and fil.11.1maker Emma Macey-Storch.Passionate about thepower of art to bring aboutsocial change,they broughtwomen fromdiverse backgrounds cogetl1er co wricepoetry.The poetry isshowcasedin a multi-lingual book titled Onei11Three,andmepoem was filmed to bea digital art installation.Performers

The choice of performers of varyingages was a deliberate one.

"I wantedco shifttl1estereotypes,"says EmmaMacey-Stord1,founder of Some Kind of Squirrel productions,a not-forprofitfilmmakingcompany, whose work with underprivileged children in theUK won her23 international awards.

"I wanted a 10-year-old girlto tellthestory of a60-yea.r-oldwoman, and a 81-year-old man co tell thestory of a 20-year-oldwoman tochallengeperceptions of meissue," Macey-Storchsays."When you hear an 81-year-old mansaying'Onmy weddingday', or 'The pressure of patriarchy', the resuks aremind-blowing."

The chosenart form coo, was deliberate.

Nayana Bhandari, fom1der of theOorja Foundation, started writing poetry at theage of 16.

"Khoohladilllardrmi, JJJohtoh.fhansi1Palinmi thi," shesaysjoyously when asked what inspired her,quoting the iconicpoem by Subhadra Kuma.riChauhan.

After performingat herfirstspokenword eventin1vl"elbourne, she feltempowered and realised thatpoetrycould bea powerfultool incommmlityengagementand preventing violence.Sheapproached Emma andPoetry Corners wasborn.

Fundedbythe Victorian Government's Community CrimePrevention Program in association witl1 theNorthernCommunity LegalCentreand PrimeScar,Poetry

Cornersbrought women from Indian, Pakisr.ani,SriLankan,Somali,Anglo and otherbackgrounds together forthreedays

of poetry workshops.Theprocess was transformational for some.

"Meredekhneat1rsochneka11azariya/Jada/ gqyahai,"(It haschanged my viewsand perspectiveon domesticviolence)says Gurpreet Kaur.

Othersenjoyedtl1e cross-culmral engagement.DebbieAnscombe fom1d the process of engaging with women from different cuJmres,someof whom she didn'tevensba.reacommon language._,.,ich, "fantastic".

FauziaElalli, another writer and performer edloed similar sentiments. ''Oh God," she exclaimsexuberantly,describingwhen she heard a woman with a Somali background talkingabout her experiencesatPoetry Corners. "Shehasseendifferentplaces, smellsdifferent Rowers and eats different food, buther eirperiencesa.rethe san1eas mine. It mademe feelunitedinour diversity. It isempowering."

Forthefilming,theperformerswere coachedby professionals.

"I havebeen soinspired,moved and

touched by thesecourageous women and tl1eirstories,"saidperformer Kattimoni Beames."It'smademerealisehow important it is tl1at webring theseissuesomof the dark."

Spoken wordandperformanceartist Su.khjit Kaur Khalsa wasamazed.

"Getting22womentogernertocreate something so real, authentic andpowerful... that's why I fell in love with thisproject and that'swhy Ibelieve in it."

Emmasharestl1arsense of amazement. "\'v'hat blew meawayishow simplytl1e addition of acreativeactivity sparks just the mostraw, tl1e most personal and intimate typeof reaction,"shesays

NayanahopesthatPoetryComers will createa rippleeffect."Ead1 participantis anambassador. When they seethemselves inthevideo,andseetl1eir work in thebook, tl1ey will beinspiredrocreatechange."

Reading thepoem,that dlangemayhave already begun.

Letschallengewhats111rong

Let'sI/lakeoursistersst/'Ong

Letschrdlenge011rbrothers

Andmakethe11111ndersla11d

If111e1va11ttochangethe,to,y

Thryhavetotakeastand

ForellCIJ'wo111a11andchild

Intheirco1111111miry

Becauseit'soneinthree

It'sonei11three

Andthisepidemicofviolence

Haslomdwithme

OneinThreenmsfi·om9Februa1y-2

April,2017atGeeLee-WikDoleen Gallery,HumeGlobalLeamingCentre, 75-95CentralParkAvenue,Craigi.ebum. 1'1ebookwillbelaunchedon8March, InternationalWomensDay

A unique art initiative, Poetry Corners brings togetherwomen from diverse backgrounds to write poetryabout

,, Each participant is an ambassador. Whenthey see themselves inthe video, and see theirworkinthe book, theywill be inspired to create change ,,

esivoution

A photographic tribute to Melbourne's Indian food culture

Phocographyhas always been a silent passion for Sonia, but an important one being in the field of design and ard1itecture.

explains."I would describe tl1is new wave asyoung,healtb-focused, experimencal and passionate about what chey do."

BY DHANYA SAMUEL

Sonia Sarangi is an architect by profession, butsbe is also an avid foodie and photographer. Herrecentlyconcluded phocogrnphye.xhibition, Desivolution, presented in association witb MulticulturalArtsVictoria,is testimonyto this, capturing tbe heanand soul of the lndi an food culrure inMelbourne.

"Restaurants have become powerful billboards for culture and diversityin Melbourne,"Sarangi says."It is in this space that maoyof us are willing to share different aspects of desiculture that ochers are unaware of."

She continues,"The exhibition focuses on the design and food of tl1ese 'new wave' Indian establishments,I hesitateto call tliem restaurants as manydo not fit tliat description,from food trucks to specialist market stalls; from healthy streetfood to contemporaryfinedining,tucked away in tlie laneways of Melbourne.Ultimately,I belie,,etlrnt food is a fantastic window into our culture."

"It began witl1 me'borrowing' mydad's film camerabefore 1 headedto university and tl1en forgetting to ever return it," Sarangisays."I don't have formal training, butI think chat beingself-taughtis a route chatmanycreative peopletake.It's taken mequite a long time to find myvoice in photographyand to find the perfect platform coshare it."

Michael Silver (who runs l'vfagnet Galleries where tbe exhibition was held) showed Sonia somebeautifularchival paperson which herphotographs could be printed.The minute Khadi was mentioned, sheknew tl1is would be the most befitting surface for her photographs.The paper comes from a handmadepapermill outside tl1e village of Tarihalnear Hubli, in Karnataka.K.hadipapers are made from 100percenccottonrag, which is known for its exceptional strength and durability,and have longer fibres thanli.nterswbich are generally used inpapermaking.

Ali of tl,e food outletsinvolved in the project "instantly grasped the conceptand embraced it".Sarangi is full of praises for the restaurants, cafesand pop-ups who agreed tObe apart oftl1eproject."They were generous witb their time and let us inco their verybusy working routines," she

Featured in Desh7olution areBabuji (4-6GreySt, ScKilda), Delhi Streets (22 Katherine Place),Dilli 6(290Old Geelong Rd, HoppersCrossing),Original Chai Co (Queen St, Opp.Shed H,QueenVic l\farket), Overdosa (pop up stalls across 1klbonrne),Tadka Boom (22Goldsbrough Lane) and Tonka (20 Duckboard Pl).

"Even in a citylikeMelbourne, which marches onitsstomach,it is a very competitive and brutal scene witl1i11 tl,e hospitalityindustry,"Sarangi says."They each rook a risk in presentinga facet of Indian food or culture that manyof the locals do not understand.Ai1d in doingso tl1eyeach inadvertentlytook ontl1e role of being constant cultural ambassadors."

J\native ofOrissa,born and brought up in Dubai,completingherhighersrudies in Singapore and tlieomovingtoAustraliain 2006,Soniacalls herself a global citizen. This nomadic journeyhas alsobroadened her horizons about whatIndian culrurereally means and how food alwa)'S plays an intricate part,especially whenyou live outsideIndia.

Soniasays that the extensive support of Mu.lticulcuralAnsVictoria and Magnet Galleries has enabled her to bring these stories to life through her photographsthat arequitedifferent to what is oftenseen in

"Instagram,I fear, has desensitised everyone topicture-postcard photos," Sarangi says "Myadvice would be to tal-::eyour time to discover anautl1entic story orcopic tliatyou arepassionate about.Photographs don't simplycapture a moment, tbeyare also a powerful story telling medium.And tbe best stories are tl1osechat come from within."

,, The exhibition focuses onthe design and food of Melbourne's 'newwave' Indian establishments as powerful billboards for culture and diversity ,, mainstream media.

Packinga healthy school lunchbox will help your children to learn and grow

Every parent knows the challenge of finding fun, healthy recipes to cure kids' lunchbox boredom.A good diet is essential for growth and development in children, but also for simplygiving them the energy to bekids!

A key change at the start of the school year is the transition from holiday play to sitting and concentrating back at school. Fuelling your kids with the right balance of nutrients will play a part in keeping them energised and focused throughout

the day.

So how do you get the right balance of nutrients? "Keep it simple by remembering to include something from each of the five core foods groups: plenty of veggies, fruit, meat or meat alternatives, dairy and wholegrains,"

saysAmanda Menegazzo from The Dairy

Kichen.

If you're after some inspiration

for fabulous back to school, healthy

lunchbox combinations, try these recipes

from The Dairy Kitchen.

Cauliflower and

Cheddar Fritters with

Kiwi Salsa

Serves4 Preparation Time: 20 min

CookingTime: 30 min

Ingredients caulif ower until it resembles cous cous

Fritters: You will need 2 cups cauliflower crumbs

1 cup tri-colour quinoa

Cheesy Broccoli Gems

Mai<es30 Preparation Time: 20 min

Ingredients

1 medium head broccoli, cut into florets

2 springonions, f nely chopped

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

½ cup dried breadcrumbs

2 tbsps chopped fresh basil or parsley

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 egg lightly beaten

Method

Blanch the broccoli in boiling water for

CookingTime: 20 min

1 minute then refresh in iced water. Drain well. Place all the ingredients except for the egg in a food processor and 'pulse' until finely chopped and combined. Add the egg and pulse to combine.

Shape approximately 2-3 teaspoons of the mixture, into nugget shapes and place on a baking paper lined tray. Spray the gems with oil and bake at 200°C for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with sour cream or thick

Cheese & Egg Muffins

Makes 6 Preparation Time: 20 min

Ingredients

6 small (50g) eggs

1 cup self-raising flour

1 spring onion,finely sliced

1/3 cup grated cheddar cheese

½cup milk

¼ cup (50g) melted butter

1 large (59g) egg, lightly beaten, extra

1tsp English-style mustard

good pinch of salt

1/3 cupgrated cheddar cheese, extra

Method

Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan

CookingTime: 20 min

forced). Line the bases of 6 x 1/3 cup muffin pans with muffin paper cases or baking paper that overhang at the topat least 2cm. Place eggs in a small saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring the water to the boil and then simmer for 3 minutes. Run under cold water until almost cold. Peel,discardshells and reserve boiled eggs. Combine flour, spring onion and cheese in a medium mixing bowl and make a well in the centre. Combine milk, butter, extra egg, mustard and salt in

Remove from the processor

½ medium cauliflower, cut into forets Process rolledoats in the food

½ cup rolled oats processor untilfine.Add quinoa, 4 eggs, lightly beaten cauliflower crumbs, eggs, onions, 6 spring onions, sliced cheese and lemon to the food processor

1 ½ cups grated cheddar cheese and pulse untiljust combined. Season Finely grated rind of one lemon to taste and set mixture aside Oil, for shallow frying Makesalsa by tossing togetherall

KiwiSalsa: 250g punnet red and yellow cherry tomatoes, quartered 1 kiwi fruit, peeled and diced

1 tbsp olive oil

Method

Rinse the quinoa and place in a medium saucepan with 2 cups water Bring to a boil then immediately reduce heat to a simmer, add a pinch of salt and cover and cook for 15 minutes

Turn off the heat, f uff with a fork and set the lid ajar to rest.

In a food processor, pulse the raw

ingredients.Setaside

Thinly cover the base of a large frying pan with oil and heat over medium-high heat. Drop ¼ cups of mixture into the pan and fry, in batches, for 3-5 minutes on each side, turning carefully with an egg f ip. Cool slightly before serving with salsa.

Tip:

Tri-colourquinoa is a blendof white, red and black quinoa. Substitute any coloured quinoa if unavailable. If you don't have a food processor try grating the caulif ower, use quick oats and toss everything together in a bowl.

a separatejug and pour into the well. Gently stir mixture with a large metal spoon untiljust combined. Do not over mix. Place 1 tablespoon of muffn mixture into thebaseof each muffin case. Top with a boiled egg. Top with remaining mixture to cover. Sprinkle with extra cheddar cheese. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until cooked through and cheese is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack and serve warm or cool.These muffins are best eaten on the day they're made.

MATRIMONIALS

SEEKING BRIDES

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ARIES March 21 - April 19

This month you will feel in a motivated and energetic mood.Youhave a list of things to do and you are determined to get things done. You will find ways of making extra money but you need to make sure you do not overspend. Romantically, you will be feeling content and happy. Make sure that you are getting enough sleep as you seem to be burning yourself out.Take some time out to sort out matters at home.

TAURUS April 20 - May 20

This month you will be concentrating on your business and implementing new ideas with regard to bringing in new clients. If you are working for someone, you will be looking at new job opportunities as you may be a little restless. Relationships are a little unsettled and you may decideto let things roll as they are for now. You are advised to take care of your health as you seem to have a lower back issue that has been troubling you lately.

GEMINI May 21 - June 20

You will be feeling like you are not sure if you are coming or going this month. There is a lot of energy around you that is making you feel restless and impatient. There will be some friends or relatives visiting from abroad.Take some time to look at your diet and exercise regime as you are feeling a little low on energy. Your partner may be a bit moody and troublesome, but you know how to handle them.

CANCER June 21 - July 20

You have been trying to move on with life and you are now ready to take that final plunge. This month you will be thinking about moving to another house, or maybeeven another state. You will also be looking at your career as you are now ready for a change. Lovely energy of movement and motivation surrounds you. There will be someone you are interested in romantically who may also be living where you are planning to move.

LEO July 21 - Aug 22

�-��yr.1 This month you will begoing through some testing times, but you will get through with ease and patience.Youhave a tendency to want everything to be completed immediately. There will be some matters relating to property that need your attention.A family member may not be feeling too well, but they will soon bounce back. Finances and career seem to be going well, but get excited as you are in line for a promotion and more money.

VIRGO Aug 23 - Sep 22

You have your hands full with family matters and your home this month.You will be feeling slightly over tired and need to pace yourself. There will be some exciting news with regard to your partner's work which would mean moremoney coming in.There will also be somestress around your children, as they will be confused ·,. with regard to learning or what they want to study. Property matters and matters relating to your vehicle willneed your attention.

PREDICTIONS FOR FEB 2017

BY NANCY JADE ALTHEA

LIBRA Sept 23 - Oct 22

This month you willbe wanting to travel and get some matters of finance sorted out.You are trying to get your financial affairs and will in order. There will be some complications regarding taxation that you will need to deal with and pay. Do not let these matters go unattended. Romantically, you will be feeling a little less enthusiastic with your partner as you are just feeling quite tired and worn out. Take some time for yourself and recharge.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21

You will want to make some movement with regard to matters of the heart this month. You are feeling as though there are things that need to be discussed and dealt. Valentine's Day stirs your emotions. Financially, you are looking at your investments and wanting to make some changes with regard to your property. Children will need your attention this month and you will need to pay some outstanding bills. You will be thinking of booking a holiday.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 21

This month you will be travelling with work and dealing with some difficult clients.You can handlethem with your charm and diplomacy.There will be some extra work on your shoulders as there seem to be a number of colleagues leaving your workplace. Try to maintain your routine.Your partner will be in the mood to travel and start planning your summer holidays. Financially you are saving, but allow yourself to splurge a little when it comes to relaxation.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 19

You will need to make sure you get proper rest and relaxation this month as you will be working long hours. There is a lot going on. You will be thinking of buying another property, as you are now looking at an extra income.You will also be looking at possible renovations. Travel plans and meeting old friends will be on your agenda. Romance is not on the cards as of now, but this may change in the near future.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18

This month you will be busy.You willneed to find afinebalance as you do not have enough time for yourself. Home life will be happy and cordial.You are planning to meet a relative you have not seen for a while and this will be quite nerve racking for you. There may be some matters relating to property that you will be helping your parents with.A sibling is also going to be needing your help.

PISCES Feb 19 - March 20

You will have a calendar full of activities this month, in line with your desire to achievea lot more this year.You have set out some goals and you will be making plans to buy yourself a new car. There will besomenews relating to a possiblejob opportunity.You will be feeling quite energetic, taking on tasks and getting things done. Make sure you get those tests done, you will be fine and are panicking for no reason.

KAABIL

STARRING: Hrithik Roshan,Yami Gautam, Suresh Menon, NarendraJha, Ronit Roy, Rohit Roy

DIRECTOR: Sanjay Gupta +rlc;, ' '�

Loosely inspired from the 2013 Korean film Broken, which was based on a novel written by the Japanese writer

I Keigo Higashino, Kaabil is a morality I tale wrappedin a fascinating revenge I drama.

Rohit Bhatnagar (Hrithik Roshan) is a blind dubbing artist, whose newly-wed wife, Supriya (Yami Gautam) a pianist, who is also blind, is raped byAmit Shellar (Rohit Roy), the youngerbrother of local MLA Madhav Rao Shellar (Ronit Roy) and his friend Wasim, the son of a

butcher.

When the couple approach police to file a complaint, they are rebuked and turned away. Disappointed, they return home only to realise that the perpetrators of the crime, are emboldened to repeat thecrime. Soon, Supriya takes the drastic step of ending her life.

With no hope left forjustice, Rohit considers vengeance as his only recourse, and so he throws an open challenge to InspectorAmol Chaube (Narendra Jha) andhis assistant that he would take revenge for his wife's death by executing the perpetrators. He tells them that his ingeniously planned execution would neither be detected nor solved. In other words, he would commit a perfect crime. How he goesabout keeping his word, forms the crux of the narrative.

A three-way game of cat and mouse chase ensues between Rohit, as he hunts the culprits, and the police hunting him. The drama and action that blurs the linebetween the victim and the perpetrators of crime, is exciting. But the script lacks thechutzpah of an engrossing, nail-biting thriller.

With a blend of romance and thrill designed to suit the Indian audience, the story adapted by Vijay Kumar Mishra, is engrossing.But unfortunately, the pace of the story telling is its undoing. Also, the tell-and-show technique used for the plot progression, robs the audienceof its thrill factor.

On the directorial front, the f rst hour

focuses on the romance in a perfunctory manner andmakes theinciting moment seem forced. From the very word go you are compelled to anticipate trouble from Amit and his friend Wasim.Also most of the hero's journey is dealt superficially. The complex issues are smoothened with cinematic liberties.

The second hour can't sustain the initial energy, as the story focus becomes diffused and an excessive flashbacks andtimejumps cause some narrative confusion.

On the performance front, whileYami and Hrithik are charming, their portrayal of a blind couple, with unblinking eyes and robotic movements is far from natural, making thecharacters seem unconvincing.

Ronit Roy in his introductory scene tries to emulate Nana Patekar as the Marathi-speaking MLA, but he soon runs out of steam. Rohit Roy playing his brash younger brother is effortless.

Narendra Jha as Inspector Chaube and his assistant have their moments to shine.

The music is nothing extraordinary and the item number 'Haseeno Ka Deewana', a remix of the yesteryear song from the 1981 film Yaarana, is just run-of-the-mill.

The action sequences are wellchoreographed.

Overall, the film does not offer any tension nor a gripping portrait of a grieving husband. It is a mediocre fare at its best.

TroyRibeiro

used to thinkthat all mortgage brokers are the same.... until I met Swati" -Koma/

AllEX(IlENTERlMMNTIWl¢1111 nmWt:l!l'RMISMmlfMl:3Er.WBlAl(JID,R110o11J1W1Wl!l'llUt(IWIAN11:VM1181BrRNll.!Hl.Al(i,,,IW«f"�A.'tD!\MtCtllAJSIJI.A mronnBYRllESHSiOOWf\NI.Gf\IBlKHANtFARHANAl<JflM�18>BY!WU.tm.AKJ/\

25THJAN.

�N /\/\ rrLMS H ...r,oNWIDE T R!lfASt

RAEES

STARRING:Shah Rukh Khan, NawazuddinSiddiqui and Mahira Khan

DIRECTOR: Rahul Dholakia

*tt-\ r�r

It's the same old wine - hooch wine - in a not-so-new battle, and I do mean battle.

Prohibition in Gujarat is the playground for this pulsating saga of twisted morality.As the good policeman Majmudar (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) wages

I an all-out war against hooch seller Raees Khan (Shah Rukh Khan). What emerges from the smoke, fire and ashes is a kitschy 1980s-style potboiler that tells the story of a gangster's protege who grows into a Robin Hoodlum, the do-gooder whose Ammi (Sheeba Chadha, so brilliant and yet such a fugitive figure in the screenplay) teaches him that no job is too small or petty. Taking that maternal advice a bit too seriously(probably uttered by the short-lived Ammi-jaan in an unguarded

moment after she may have heard it being said by Alok Nath), Raees spends the next 40 years of his life and two hours of ours, selling illicit liquor and killing opponents with an impunity that defines death by Dawoodian ideology.

A hai-haifor a hai and bomb for a bomb.

There is plenty of gratuitous action, rapid fire movement and swift reflexive responses to violent impulses. But Raees neversucceeds in getting its act all together. It's all too hazy, scattered andsketchy, except when Nawazuddin walks in as the ·good cop' who vows he willget Raees by hook or crook.

Nawaz's Majmudar is funny without trying to be. Habituated to being transferred on hisjob, he insists on his seniors giving their orders in writing, and when he realises that the sweets he is savouring have come from his arch-enemy, he continues to nibble on them while reiterating his vow to get the bootlegger. This is a man who probably laughs twice a year and that too because his wife expects him to.

While Nawazuddin makes sure his character is coherently defined, Shah Rukh's Raees remains surprisingly hazy, and we are not talking about his moral values alone. It's the way he plays Raees, as though he doesn't really like the man for his immoral acts. But what to do? He must do thejob to the best of his ability.

At many points in the plot, Shah Rukh's Raees falters as he attempts to come to terms with the rapid changes in his fortunes. Failing to fnd a feasible centre to his character's doddering ethics,Shah Rukh plays Raees with an arrogant indifference.

In his defence, the material provided by the writers (Rahul Dholakia, Harit

CORRUPT . ION HURTS EVERYONE.

Mehta,Ashish Vashi, Neeraj Shukla) is at best derivative. We have seen the same story about the rise and fall of the 'Gangster With The Bloodied Gun' in scores of films by Ram GopalVarma and Anurag Kashyap.

There is nothing even remotely novel in the shootouts and the other shindigs (the latter includes a sudden sunny swing of Sunny Leone's 'Laila' kind into an item song). Even the tender relationship that Raees shares with his coy wife Asiya (Mahira Khan, assuming the Mere mehboob persona all pert, pouty and silky) has been done so much more effectively by ManojBajpayee and ShefaliShah in Ram Gopal Vanna s Satya.

Such considerations are perhaps unwarranted in Raees. Director Rahul Dholakia attempts to assemble an inherently messy saga of gangsterism set in the 1980s, told in the way films were narratedin that era. There is even an action sequence in a drive-in theatre where anAmitabh Bachchan film plays while Raees intimidates a builder.

Deliberately stagey and selfconsciously 'retro', Raees gathers its strength from the voluptuous resources of drama in the protagonist's life and the power of the narrative to make cliches come alive by their defiant reiteration. The director knows his material is weather-beaten and he doesn't pretend it is any other way. The shoot-outs filled with bombast and bravado, arefrom an era when such violence was consideredmacho.

At theend, when Raees's world falls apart with a close encounter of the 'thud' kind, there is no surprise left in the plot. It isn t only Raees who has nowhere to run to.

SubhashK.Jha

UP-TO-DATENEWSONWHAT'SHOTANDHAPPENING IN BOLLYWOOD

A TRAIN RIDE WITH SRK

Shah Rukh Khan had one mission in mind when he got onto a train to promote his film Raees -to get closer to his fans. But hedidn't anticipatethat his stardom would spell trouble for his admirers, inside as well as outsidethe train.

For many, it would have been a dream-come-true to know that their favourite star wasjust a couple of carriages away from them. But itsoonturned into a nightmare, with bulky bodyguards cordoning off an entire carriage for the star, the frenzy around his presence in the train, and the inability of passengers to get on or off.

Trains have been an intrinsic part ofShah Rukh's movies (Chaiyya chaiyya, Di/wale Dulhania LeJayenge, Chennai Express). Perhaps that was the reason he decided to takea train from Mumbai to Delhi to promote hisnewfilm.After starting off on the right note, the train ridegot engulfed into controversy due to the death of a fan on Vadodara station, and injuries suffered by others.

As the fans went berserk and got out of control, actorSunny Leone who was on board, rightly described the train as 'a tightly packedsardine can'.That it truly was.

For me, thejourneybeganmuch before the 5:40 pm start.To many, the ideaof taking a Delhi-Mumbaiflight, only to take a train back, may seem senseless,but it made totalsense with Shah Rukh for company.

I channelled Kajolfrom Di/wale DulhaniaLeJayenge, running against time to make it on the train. Only,Shah Rukh was not waiting at the gateand I was instead wading through a maddening crowd.

The euphoric tunes of Udiudijaye, the garba track from Raees, added to the jubilant mood. Luckily, the actor, who is infamous for being lateat events,was on time this time.

His planinvolved waving to the crowd at ninestops,Vapi,Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Ratlam, Kota and Mathura.

Everywhere it was the same fan frenzy - peoplejumpingon to tracks, climbing on the topof the train,bangingon windows - without thinking of their own safety. Other people huddled together on stairs, and upsome poles as well. The craze was there for all to see, with people's shoes loitered all around the platform as they ran amok looking for SRK.

It left us pondering on theextent to which fans can go for the screen idol.

Inside the train, we hoped and prayed that no one would be hurt. Sunny, peeping out of the window with curiosity, was heard muttering: "I don't want anybody to get hurt. Oh, there's a guy with a stick Please don't hit anybody. I will start to cry."

Alas, everyone's fear came true with the news of one fan- a relative off a female journalist travelling in the train - dying at the station. There are conf icting theories about the death: some claim he had a cardiac arrest, others that he was suffocated to death due to the stampede-like situation.

The fun of the train ride soon faded away, casting a pall of gloom.

SRK has beenblamed for themayhem, but we saw him on his toes trying to pacify his team. He appeared shaken as hestepped in for a chat with scribes very late at night. There was no stardom to be seen as he spoke to us straight from the heart.

Consoling thejournalist who hadjust lost a lovedone,Shah Rukh organisedfor members of his security team to accompany her andher mother back to Vadodara. Could this major publicity event havebeen plannedbetter? Probably.

Is SRK to blame?Probably not.

SugandhaRawal

HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO AS ACTOR: NAWAZUDDIN

Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui may be basking in the appreciation coming his way for his performance in Shah Rukh Khan starrer Raees, yet he believes his journey as an actor hasjust begun.

"Even though I havebeenin the industry since 2000, my acting career kind of took off in 2012 and it has been a very satisfying journey so far. But it hasjust begun and I have a long way to go," Nawazuddin said recently.

With Rahul Dholakia-directed Raees, he has worked with all the three Khans. He starred with Aamir Khan in Sarfarosh and Talaash, and with Salman Khan in Kick.

Looking back at the experience of working with the three leading actors, he said: "It's from them I learnt how to sustain one's position for long, with a variety of roles.The learning has beenimmense because of their vast experience.They are all great entertainers and that's proof to their popularity."

Nawazuddin's performance was much talkedaboutin Raees, with most critics highlighting that he overshadowed King Khan.

Prod the Raman Raghav starabout this opinion, and pat comes the reply: "I beleve my performance was enhanced due to Shah Rukh's presence. Acting is a process of give and take. Had he not given me the scope and platform to perform, I wouldn't have done so well. He understood and respected my character, thus allowing my role to hog the limelight."

Not willing to take any credit for film's success, he said, "As actors, wecomplemented each other very well. Our theatre background helped us discovernewfacets.The love-hate relationship we share in the film didn't reflect on paper, but we made it work because we understood each other."

" t's unfair to single out a performance. Peopleare enjoying the film and not just my performance. All of us involved in the film deserveequal credit," he added.

With an interesting line-up offilms in his kitty this year, Nawazuddin is kicked about playing Urdu writer Sadat Hassan Manto in Nandita Das's upcoming biopic.

"I'm working very hard to get a grip over the character Manto as a writer was way aheadof his time andhis writings have strong contemporary relevance," he said.

He will be seen playing an astronaut in Chanda Mama Door Ke, which goes on thefoors in June this year.

"This project will be very big in terms of scale. I will have to undergo special training in zero grav ty room and also under water," he said.

SOHA ALI KHAN: MODERATELY FAMOUS

Bollywood is getting into books. We've just had Karan Johar and Rishi Kapoor release their books in recent weeks, and actorTwinkle Khanna is becoming better known for her writing than she ever was for herfilms. The atest toJoin the publishing bandwagonisSohaAli Khan.

Her soon-to-be published book is tit ed The Perils of Being Moderately Famous. It is described as a collection of humorous, and sometimes bizarre, stories on her life as an erstwhile royal princess and a "moderately famous" celebrity.

Penguin India hasacquired the debut writer's novel.

Soha, however, warns readers, "Ifyou are hoping I will reveal the secret behind Kareena's glowing complexion or how bhai(Saif Ali Khan) trains for an action film, then I am afraid you are barking up the wrong book."

BHANSALI INCIDENT IN JAIPUR BIG BLOW TO RAJASTHAN'S TOURISM: NIHALANI

Condemning the recent attack on the filmmaker inJaipur, CBFCChairperson Pahlaj Nihalanisays the incident is a big blow to Rajasthan's tourism.

ActivistsofShree Rajput KarniSena misbehaved with the crew ofBhansali's upcomingfilm Padmavati and vandal sed the set in Jaipur last week.

Describing it asa shamefulact of violence against the finest living filmmaker in the country, Nihalani said, "Sanjay Bhansali has taken our cinema toevery corner ofthe world. He is celebrated as a genius all over the world.And look at how much he has done for tourism in India. H s Khamoshi: The Musical and Guzaarish were shot in Goa and promoted the beauty ofthecoastal paradise. Hum Di/De Chuke Sanam and Goliyon KiRaasleela Ram-Leela promoted Gujaraticulture. Bajirao Mastanitook the Maratha warrior's story all over the world. And now, Padmavatiis all set to open anew chapter ofour rich heritage andculture in Rajasthan. But will the lumpen elements allow Bhansali to shoot in Rajasthan? Will he ever go back

there?This is a big blowto Rajasthan's tourism.Once the state government had agreed to letBhansali shoot in Jaipur, it was their responsibility to providehim protection."

Nihalani questioned why must filmmakers face danger while shooting outdoors in India.

;'Fiji, Mauritius andSouthAfrica provide every safety and subsidy for Indian film shoots. In India, forget subsidies, even the well-being of your crew and equipment is not ensured," he said.

Bhansali, a NationalAward-winning director, was accused of "distorting" history in thefilm about the medievalera Delhi ruler Alauddin Khilji, who fell in love with Rajput queen Padmavati.

AjitAndhare, of Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, the producers ofPadmavati, said the incident is a "huge low in the relations between politics and creativity".

"We are celebrating the glory ofthe queen. We are dismayed atthe ugly turn ofevents," headded.

Veteran actor ShabanaAzmialso condemned the "reprehensible attack on Bhansali".

;'Is it a mere coincidence that the attack on the film Water many years ago was also in a BharatiyaJanata Party-ruled state?The guilty must be punished and the film industry should standfirmly together and do whatever it takes to ensure that such an incidentis never repeated.Thishas reached flash

point," she added.

Lyricist, screenwriter and ad guru PrasoonJoshi called Bhansalia "stalwart and a gentle soul". "Violence can never be the solution.The ideaof democracy is notto feed the animal in us butto nurture human values."

FilmmakerSudhir Mishraaskedthe film industry to stand up together and demand forjustice "Whenyou slap Sanjay, you slap all of us and we should nottake it lying down."

I LOVEDAUSTRALIA: SUNNY PAWAR

Child actorSunny Pawar who made his debut in acclaimed Hollywood film Lion said that he enjoyedfilming inAustralian citiesand developeda greatbonding with his co-actorDev Patel.

"Although we shot in Bhopal and Kolkata I loved shooting inAustralia. The place was so beautiful. There were so many places to roam and play, we went there aftershooting and I loved the place," the young actor told !ANS.

Sunny, a Year 3 student at Air India Modern School, Kalina, lives in a slum withhis parents and two young siblings in Mumbai. He went through an audition to bag the role.

"I went to the audition where they gave me some lines and asked me to saythem looking into the camera. I did that, and then I gotto knowthat I am

WHO WORE IT BETTER?

PRIYANKA CHOPRA or KENDALL JENNER in OLCAY GULSEN?

+ Shareyourviews with us on our Facebook page /lndianLinkAustralia

selected for the role," Sunny said.

Recalling thefirst day of the shooting, he said, "Director sirjust asked meto run, and I ran! No, I did notfeel any pressure of facing camera or shooting firsttime."

While thefilm received six Oscar nominations for the 89thAcademy Awards, little Sunny has already has bagged Grand Jury Prize (Special Mention) at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards and he is very thrilled about the fact thathe walkedthe red carpet wearing ablack suitlike his "new friend" Dev Patel at theGolden Globes in Los Angeles.

Asthe shooting went on for more than a year, though he found it little tough to manage study and acting both, Sunny enjoyedthe process throughout.

Sunny said, "After the shooting Dev and I wou d play cricket and would goof around on the set. It was so much fun."

Was there a language problem?

"No, there was no language problem. Dev spoke to me in English, and I spoke back in Hindi."

The youngAjay Devganfan wou d liketo continue in films. "My teachers congratulate me and they encourage meto study. I want to act, but I like my studies too. Mathematics is myfavourite subject."

WHATTWEETY BIRD TOLD US THIS WEEK

Can you match the tweets tothe stars who tweeted them? Priyanka Chopra, Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Hrithik Roshan,AmitabhBachchan

Proud moment for all of us. PINK now available on @TheFilmPink #Pink #PinkOnNetfix

Just a little shout of love for all the praise for my#KaabilETareef team!

Thank you !!!

Beyond thrilled & overwhelmed with the amazing response & reactions to #Se renaUnger!#xXx:ReturnOfXanderCage

Thank You for all the LOVE!

Be warned, Summer brings Victoria Leeds. #BeBaywatch @baywatchmovie

On train & listening to the new song from Raees. Dhandhe Ka #Dhingana

What's the chitchat between DEEPIKA PADUKONE and ELLEN?

Send in your responsesto win@indianlink.com.au and win asurprise prize

What's the chitchat between LION stars DEV PATEL and SUNNY PAWAR here?

Dev: Slumdogstreet stars are a lucky omen for me. Bringthe Oscars on, 2017!!

SUMANA RAO Ashfield NSW

Sumana wins a ticket to new Hindi release Raees

Awar sallaroun

Prominentpeople who deserved an award this Australia Day/Republic Day

BY LP AYER

January26is not oaJyaspecialday of nationalimportancetoIndiaand Australia.This daymeans much more toa select groupof citizens inboth these countriesas theyaregiven awardsfor theirexemplaryservicein various walks of life.Honouring theirdistinguished citizens ispare of thesocialfabric of most countriesintheworld,and each countryhas its own method of selecting suchpersons and nomenclanirefor thoseawards.

InIndia it ranges from BharatRamaco PadmaSri whereas theAustralianhonours havecategories likeAO(Officer of the Order of Austtalia),AM (Member of the Order of Australia)andOA.tvf (Medal of the Order of Austtalia).

I have no due of thelndian selection processexceptperhapsto guessitis ona \,vhoyou know' basis.Thankfully,Down Underitisalotmoreopen.Anyone can nominateafellowAustralian citizen considered cohave madean outstanding achievemem.TheAustralian Honours Secretariat,anindependent body, considers all the nominations and make its recommendations totheGovernorGeneral. ot beingprivyto the selectionprocess,I took the liberr:y of comingup witha listof prominentpersons whoare worthyof some award,basedon whatI havereadin the media of their feats.

KevinRudd; Citizenq( the U7orld ever one cobe cowed downbyobstacles, and not content with his claimsto have saved Australia from the GFCbyemprying a warchest of some$32bi.Ilion squirreled awaybythe previousCoalition government, heUNearthedbisambition tosave the world to become theUN SecretaryGeneral. UNdauncedbyAustralia's veto co his approach to endorse him for d1e job,he got UNdisclosed support fromanUNknown African country,Botswana.Turnbullnirned down his'endorseme orelse' messageand, alas, the worldhaslost agreatopporUlnity.

lkZ.016 1?� OSCARS,,,

So meaboveawardissome consolation.

NickKyrgios:Sp01ts111a11efthe)'ear Nick off,he said to his fans.Who in the sports world would daresaysucha d1ing?He has more gutsmanhis racquet.Histennis talentmaybe matchlessbut histemperament is notd1atgrand;it is the one diatstands in thewayof hisnettinganygrandslam.Since eleven timegrandslam winnerRodLaver has vouchedthatcrankyKyrgi"couldbethe best tennis pL-iyer in the world", who amI co ace d1e Australian legend's comment?

Derryn Hinch: GoldenlV'agonlf7hcel

Having fallen off the wagon,d1eAustralian wine industry's top award goesto this guy for giving aboost to meirboozebusiness, clain.1.ingdrinking won'tharm hisborrowed liver. ·atasha, the latest ex of this five-time married,tweeted matheAogs hisnewJiver withaAagon.Hewatereddown her claim sayinghedrinks d1e'oddglassof wine,one third wine,two-thirds water'. Doesan odd glassmakeshim so tipsyascochangehis mind threetimes on theBackpackersTax

Anti-corruption campaign extended to non-English groups

Asuccessfulanti-rnrruptioncampaigntoraise awarenessaboutcorruptioninVictoriaand encouragereporting,hasbeenextendedto includelanguagesotherthanEnglish.

CEOoftheIndependentBroadbandAntiCorruption Commission(IBAC),Victoria'santi-corruptionbody, MrAlistairMacleansaid,"Thecampaign,launchedin Decemberlastyearisnowbeingextendedtoreach moreVictorians,indudingthosefromculturallyand linguisticallydiversecommunities."

"Fromtoday,messagesinseveralcommunity languageswillappearinVictoria'smajornonEnglishnewspapersandonline,toreachmore Victorians,particularlythosewhospeaklanguages otherthanEnglish,"MrMadeansaid.

Thecampaignfocusesoncorruptioninthe Victorianpublicsector,indudingbothstateand

localgovernmentagencies.

Thecampaignadvertisementswillbeadvertised inArabic,Cantonese,Mandarin,Greek,Indianand Italiannewspapers,andSBSOnDemand.

Tosupporttheaccessibilityofinformationto peoplefromculturallyandlinguisticallydiverse groups,IBAChasalsotranslatedtoofactssheets thatprovidedetailedinformationaboutcorruption andhowtoreportitinto20communitylanguages. Thesecanbefoundatwww.ibac.vic.gov.au

"IBACisresponsibleforinvestigatingand exposingcorruption,andinformingVictoriansabout corruptionandhowtopreventit.Thisinitiativewill helptobuildunderstandingofwhatcorruptionis andwillencouragemoreVictorianstoreportpublic servicecorruption,inconfidencetoIBAC,"Mr Macleansaid.

bill,back-tracking his ownproposal?This formerpresenter of A CurrentAffair(some of mem cooked-up), after alife-saving liver transplant,vowednot to touch anotherdrop. Nowquotingthatbis surgeonhascleared his drinking, he seems to havea golden endorsement andtheawardtoo.

Narendra Modi:AladdinM"gicLn11;pAivard

Trying to 'sell' new moneyfor old,Narendra /Jabihas leta genie out of the bottle in his battleto curbcorruption bybringing black moneyoutin the open.But d1e long queues of ordinaryfolks outside thebanks toswap theirnotesmaybelengtheninghisodds of winning publicacclaim from .500/1 to 2000/1,atleastin theshort run.

Salman Khan: HoudiniEsmpel.JJop

It wasafourteen-yearsagaof the hit-andrun courtcaseover charges of causingdeath tOa guysleeping onaMumbaifootpad1 while drivingafter heavydrinking.Atlast, oneSessionsCourtjudgeDeshpande found him guilryof manslaughter and he was expected to spend time inside.However,

later d1eBombayHigh Court turned down me lower court's verdict observing"strong publicsuspicionof guilt cannotbeused to hold apersonguilty".Inanearliercase too, whe.nhe was charged witl1 killing adeer, sacred to d1e local Bishnoi people,he got away. NoIndian could be diat silly to expect our hero Sallu to belocked up He bears Houdini anydayhands down.

Donald Trump: 1Wultiplet1IJJt11rls

Everyprofessionalassociation is competing to conferitshighest honour on him. AmericanHairDressersInc.givesitstop 'Golden Comb' awardforhis inimitable hairdo. TheUSConsortium of Construction Industriesconfersitsprestigious'Master Builder of America' (nottobeconfusedwith d1e commonplaceMBA)forhisproposal cobuilda wallalongtheMexican border d1at willboosttheirbusinessandpromote employment.China,of course,isnotchuffed since d1is will rival itsGrearWallasthe oaJyman-made feanireseen from space. Unfornmately,space here limitsmein listing manyomerawardsforilietriumphantTnunp!

Kenyan ofSouthAsian background?

_ esearc stu v see s pa ticipants

AreyoufromKenya,EastAfrica? Didyou arriveonaskilledworkervisaorother category? Wouldyou bewillingtoshareyourexperiencesinAustralia? Ifyouhave answeredyes tothethreequestions,thenyou are invitedtoparticipatein aresearch studythatexplores your careerexperiencesasaskilledmigrantandhowyoupursued yourcareergoals inAustralia.

Participation is voluntaryandinvolvesfacetofaceortelephone interviews. The interviewprocesswillbetotallyconfidentialandyouwillnot beidentifiedin any way in thefinaldocument. Ifyou dodecideto volunteerandshareyourexperiences, pleasecontacttheprincipalresearcherKhalida Malik,PhDcandidatefromWestern Sydney University, onthe email9161730!@student.westemsydney.edu.au forfurther i.nfonuation.

I'hisstudyhasbeen approvedby1he WesternSydney U11iversiry. Theapproval1111111beri., HI1832.