2017-03 Adelaide

Page 1

• IIBIT Internatonal Institute of Business & Information Technology • Small Class Sizes & Fun Learning Activities • Scholarships & Flexible Payment Options • Flexible Training With 25% Online Delivery • Morning and Evening Classes • Competitive Course Fees • Free Trial Class Available • • Free Academic Support Classes ENROL NOW Tel:0292696911 admlsslons@llblt.edu.au Importer and Distributor: Ostlndo International Pty Ltd Tel: 1300 970 357 Email: sales@ostlndo com.au Please visit our website: www ostlndo comau 2 MARC!-12017 www.indianlink.com.au

VivekTrivedi 02 92621766

Kohli'spubtest

aggressionand ambition,heisalso criticisedforthe very same.Thecritics wouldlikehimcohide cl1isbehinda morebalancedand perhapsdemure approach.Demure?Foraboyfrom Delhi,thiswouldbeachallengeatany an1e.

Indian Link is a monthly newspaper published in English. No material, includi�g advertisements designed by Indian Link, may be reprodu�ed in· partor in whole without the written consent of the editor. Opinions carried in Indian Linkare those of the writers and not necessarily endorsed by India,{ Link.. AII correspondence should be addressed to•

Aswegoto print,sporting newsheadlinesinAustralia andIndiaarebeingdominated bytheactionsof -andthe reactions to- IndiancricketcaptainVirat Kohliduringthehard-foughtsecond Tesrmarch betweentherwo countries inBangalore.Neveronewhowas backwardincomingforward,Kohli's naked aggression onand off thegr0tmd hasbeenatoncelaudedandcriticised.

So,howwillhisbehaviourpassthe pubtest?Well,toanextent,itwill dependonwherethepubislocated. Thereislittle doubtthatpuntersatpubs in IndiawillprobablyshoutKohlia beer(ortwo);inAustraliahemayget an oppornmiry toquenchhis thirstinafew pubs,atothershemayfinditdifficultto geta drink.

Kohlidoeshaveatendencyto divide people:heisadmired forhis unbridled

That Kohliisnotoneto backdown, waspretty clearwhenonthesecondday of theSydneyTestmatchin2012,Virat stuckhismiddlefingeromcoagroup of abusivespectatorsashefieldedat mid-off.Dubbed 'Fingergate' atthat time,cl1eactionwasapplauded by Indian legendAmitabhBachchanwhile duly criticisedbyallAustralian media. Kohli laterdefendedhimself onTwitter,"] agreecricketers don't have toretaliate, whatwhenthecrowdsaystheworst thingsaboutyourmotherandsister, theworst I'veheard (sic)".Whileother cricketersmayhavechosentoignore the crowd chants,Kohli threw itbackat chem.

Observershavelinked Kohlito modemIndia-young,brashand aggressive-someonewhowillnortake anythinglyingdown.Therewasahope mathewillmatureasa captainbutit seemsthatmaystillbe awhileaway.

AstheAustraliantourto Indiahasbuilt up,theAustralianteamdidwhatthey havedonewellinthepasr- meystarted playingthe man. Pick someonein the oppositeteamand starttheverbaland mediawaragainst theperson."l\faybe theyfelt cl1eycouldgetunderusif cl1ey reallycameoutand gotpersonalwith someof us,"Soutl1AfricangreatABDe Villierssaid priortotbe2014series.

Vi.rat Kohli was cl1etarget beforemis series,withcl1eAustraliansmakingit clearthatif they COLtld getunderhis skin,this could putpressureonIndia.

Theydid,buttheresultshavenot beenwhat they expected.Itdid bring me aggressive -and yes,theabusive •Kohli to cl1eforeandthelastfewdaysof cl1e secondtestmatch saw himathisvery best(orworst). Pei:hapsthereason tbe Australiansdon'tlike Kohli,isheisway toomuchLiketheirownteam.

1n2017,cricketisnotagentlemen's gameanymore. Itisahard-fought contestinwhichbothreamsare expectedrocompete.Andtherivalry betweenIndiaand Australiadoesmake forsome fascinatingviewing. There'sacoldoneinmyfridgefor Viraranytime.

editorial INDIAN LINK
Pawan Luthra E:DITOR RajniAnand
PUBLISHE:R
Luthra
E:DITOR KiraSpucys-Tahar CONTRIBUTORS
NationalSales
ASSISTANT
Avi Chandiok, Dhanya Samuei; Ashwini Saseedaran, Ga�r�v Masand, Nancy J_ade Althea ADVERTISING
ADVE:RTISING ASSISTANT Charuta Joshi 02 9279 2004 E:DITORIAL ASSISTANT Behesht� Wasseh
Indian link
24/44
or
108,
02 9279·2004 l=ax: 02 9279:2005 E:rnail: info@indianlink.corri.au·
Level
Market St, Sydney 2000
GPO Box
Sydney 2001 Ph:
'\'\'l'/11, '�\ 120 140 160 11// INDIANLIHK ,, 100 180 /., ,:2:-so 200� .... --- 60 220 ------ 40 240 -.......... ..... When the need is Speed �REMITIANCEs) New applicants registering with usin the monthof March 2017and citing the promo code "MAR17"at the topof their application form will be eligiblefora surprisegift from SBISydney (*Conditonsapply.)
k t India - Sydney State Ban ° www.sbisyd.com.au • Money Transfers to India • Competitive & Guaranteed Exchange Rates • Efficient & Secure online process • Convenient registration free of cost at all Australia Post Outlets • Trust & Confidence of State Bank of India State Bank of India - Sydney Level 31, 264 George Street (Australia Square), Sydney NSW 2000 Ph: 02 9241 5643 Email: remit@sbisyd.com.au Visit us@ www.sbisyd.com.au MARCM 2017 3

YOURSAY

UNI BREAK

A look at what someyoungmembers ofthe communitygot upto over their summer holidays

RanjanaDutt wrote: Vandana Rekhy, Jasmine Dara Ohri, congratulations for infusing your girls with warmth, empathy and good values-their work shows true family values. Well done Brinda and Simran -keep it up!

Vlnaya Ral wrote: Azaara Perakath, I see you!

YuvaAustralla wrote: Here is whatsome young Australians have been doingover the summer, including our YUVA Australians Anirban, Arpita and Anindya. Cheers to the volunteering spirits of the youth such as these! #youngindianaustralians #yuvaaustralians#youthinAus

ASK AUNTYJI:WEIRDCELEBRITY BABYNAMES

Auntyji gave her thoughts on Kareena and Saifcalling their baby boy Taimur KrlshNa wrote: My wonderful friend Taimur from Russia, originally of the Caucasus, approves your advice, Auntyji!

ChandraKlshore wrote: Who cares what they call their child!

STRENGTH INDIVERSITY

When it came to speaking up against axenophobic US President, Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull let us down badly, wrote PAWANLUTHRA

Krishna wrote: Turnbull is looking out for himself, wary of the Hansonites who have found a friendly voice in the world's most powerful office. Not just the extreme voices. I was surprised to see how many Indians made apologist noises supporting the travel ban ranging from the tame 'it's their right' to the outrageous 'India should do this too. See how Assam and Bengal are filled with refugees'. There is an urgent need to forcefullyspank everyone who equates refugees with terrorists, or we are all going to hell for inaction!

SAYIT AGAIN

INDIA HAS BEEN A POST-TRUTHSOCIETY FORYEARS (ANDMAYBETHEWEST HASTOO)

RANJIT GOSWAMI ofRK UNIVERSITYwrote about how India's post-truth landscape may be aharbinger ofwhat's to come for the US and the UK Krishna wrote: would say, India is really pre-truth, because there never wasa free f ow ofinformation. Truth wasnever givena chanceand is probably farther away fromseeing the light of the day. Even while an information revolution was taking place, a vast majority of India preferred to circulate 'cucumber juice cures cancer'and 'Taj Mahal was really a Hindutemple' tropes.

FEB21IS THEUNITEDNATIONS'(UN) INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGEDAY

lndlan Link tweeted: Happy International Mother Language Day! This worldwide promotes language as a powerful instrument of preserving heritage & culture

#IMLD

MlchelleRowland

@MRowlandMP Retweeted Indian Link: So many languages are spoken in homes right across Australia. This diversity is one of our nation's greatest strengths.

UNESCOStatistics

@UNESCOstat tweeted: Promote learning success by providing education in a child's mother language of instruction #IMLD

"When you are killing it in Hollywood but kaju katli is life" Comedy groupAIB

on Priyanka Chopra's Oscarsgown

:Kappy fotcn11nio11a( :MotherLar111ua11c©av

"I wrote the ending of the Academy Awards 2017. Jimmy Kimmel -we really got them!"

M. NightShyamalan on theOscarsBest Picture controversy

......,. >,k♦hr..41 u ,...,....,••
4 MARCI-I 2017
www.indianlink.com.au

GENERAL PRACTICE ASWELLASSOCIALWORK

RAJNI ANAND LUTHRA spoke with Australia Day honouree Dr Purushottam

Sawrikar OAM

AvlnashKanetkar wrote: Well done!

SangeetaSharma wrote: Congratulations Dr Sawrikar

AnitaPlayoust wrote: Congratulations!

Kasturl Kalmath wrote: Congratulations Dr Sawrikar! Well deserved KalyanRam wrote: Dear Dr Sawrikar, my personal congratulations to you on the honour you have received.I am equally impressed with the work you havebeen involved with in the social sector for the community in general and our migrants in particular. I am keen to speak with you about your interest in the area of aged care.

JLF CONVERSATIONS

JLFcame to Melbourne and brought its unique and frank discussions on context, culture and history, reported APARNA ANANTHUNI

Krlshwrote:Interesting read!I wonder if HarryPotter is considered "women's writing" by anyone. Or The Hunger Games for that matter. There's no doubt that each gender can contribute a different perspective to the same story, but in a transgendered, transnational world, do perspectives still need to be from what's experienced and not just felt?

-�--�-� ; ..

RIP VIMLA LUTHRA

Indian Link was overwhelmed with expressions ofsupport following the passing ofMRS VIMLA LUTHRA JI. The tribute by her grandchildren was a/so very well received. Here is a selection of your memories and thoughts. Anjall Passey wrote: Very saddened. I will always miss you. All prayers for the family and may your soul rest in peace and hope you keep showering your blessings from the heavenabove.A really a great tribute to Massi ji by her grandchildren! Loved reading each one of their feelings for her. A role model, a legend and a divine person. She will remain in our hearts always. PoonamLuthra wrote: Beautiful tribute. Her blessings are always with all of you.

RaghuKarnath wrote: Vimlaji, you havebeen an inspiration for all the anchors and the listeners of Indian Link Radio. RIP. Your presence will be missed.

PrlyankaTater wrote: The f rst time I hadVimlaji on-air on one of my shows, I had no clue that she was the "boss' mom". She rang in just like any other passionate listener and shared her thoughts with so much humility. And how can I forget her poetry the fact that she wrote some of those verses made me a fan of her literary skills. Your voice still remains fresh in my mind. You will be missed Vimlaji.

Shlvdev Kier wrote: Most respected Vimlaji -words cannot even begin to express our feelings. Someone so special cannot be forgotten. May Almighty put you in a very special place where you will be watching us, the people who loved and cherished your blessings. You will forever remain in our hearts. RIP.

Subhadra Maudgal wrote: Oh, cannot believe that Vimla ji is no more. She was a loving and very dignified person. May her soul rest in peace and give strength to the family to bear this loss.

Jaswlnder Dhlllon wrote: Vimla Ji was an inspiration to so many people. I listened to her poem about Jawani only last week, it's hard to believe she has left us. RIP.

ShallyRelan wrote: May your soul Rest in Peace. You will be missed in Indian Link family and heartfelt condolences to the entire family.

JasreenSingh wrote: Vimla ji you will be missed aap ki kavitayen

hamesha bahut madhurthi our respect and alvida to you

NavdeepKumarKalla wrote: We will miss you Vimla ji. aapki batein kavitaye aapk/ awaaj

Ruchlka Mangla wrote: RIP Vimla ji You will be terribly missed in the Indian Link family.

SandhyaSharma wrote: Vimla ji, you will be always in our hearts.

SubhashlnlChanna wrote: The programme dedicated to Mrs Luthra on Indian Link Radio was very well presented. It was very emotional to hear her narrate her own poems. A great tribute to a great personality. Kudos to you all.

zza

POLLRESULTS

We asked: Should Australia follow India's demonetisation moves and scrap the $100 note?

No (49%)

Yes (42%)

Unsure (9%)

"Is it over, guys?You've sorted things out? Shaken hands and moved on? So much hate, so much vitriol, so little talk about the cricket. We could be, if the first two matches are any guid.e, in the middle of aspecialTestseries

right now, yet we are allowing it to get sullied by nonsense.

Dean Bilton on ABC Grandstand

+JOIN THE CONVERSATION

> LOGonto your ownFacebook orTwitter account

>TYPE "Indian Link" intothesearchboxat the top ofthe screenand click on the link thatcomesup

>CLICK 'Like' tojoin theIndianLinkFacebookcommunity or 'Follow' @lndian Link onTwitter

"Indians are at the bleeding end of technology. Trump's move will lead to Indian information technology companies focusing on the domestic problems"

..f
[el
INDIANLINK
MARCM 2017 5

lIn this Australian exclusive, we chat with the star of the Oscars 2017 ceremony Sunny Pawar, and the man who helped find him, Indian film professional Pravesh Sahni

If youdon't thinkSunny Pawariscme, then youdon'tdeserveanyhappiness. ThoseareTwitter'swords,notours. Socialmedia(theworld?)wentcrazy atthisyear'sOscars,andnotjustfor thatserioussmff-upat theend.Thefrenzy wasalsoforanod1erreason-apint-sized starfromIndiawidithecutesttuxedoever, gorgeoushair,heart-meltingsmile,andall theconlidenceintbeworld.

Eight-year-oldSunny Pawar,whoplays ayoungSarooBrierleyintheOscarnominatedfilmLion,becameoneof the mostmemorable Oscarmomentsfrom 2017.

Hestoletheredcarpetfromunder thestilettosof someof theworld'smost beautifulandexpensivelydressedwomen, participatedinanunforgettablecameowith thehostJimmyKimmel,wowedeverybody withhismrnonthesilverscreenina critically-acclaimedmovie (whyisthereno OscarcategoryforBestChildActor?),and remrnedhometoaLion'swelcome.

Oh,andhealsodidawholelotforhis already likeableco-starDev Patel.The BritishIndianactor'sdallianceswithlittle Sunnyallthroughtheawardsseason-fixing hishowtie,tyinghisshoes-lacesorsimply hoistinghimup-endedupincreasingd1eX factorforhim,manytin1esover.

"Getyourself aDev Patel!"Twitterurged. Ok,gtanced,itwas Dev'sgentlecareof hisglamorousmumthatmightalsohave addedtothis,butitwasSunnytoalarge extent.OneTwitteruserspokeformany youngpeoplewhentheysaid,'Tmgoing comarry DevPatel,haveabigfatfadian wedding(you'reallinvited)andd1en we're goingcoadoptSunny Pawar."

WespeakwithlittleSunnyandhis dadDiliponmephone,theday aftertheyarrivebackin India from LA.Itis5pmtheirtin1e.Theyhave spentthedaydoingmeroundsof television interviewsandpressconferences,butSunny answersallourquestionslikeheisanswering themforthe fusetime.

"Bah11tacchoIago.Bc1h11tachcha tha,"hesays repeatedly.Iloveditall.Itwasnice.

Werealiseheis,afterall,butalittlechild, andfeelabit sorry tobesubjectinghim to chisquestioning.Buthisanswers,although shortanddirect,beliehisage;herevealsno sign of e.xbaustion,andwemarvelathis capacitycoprocessitall.

Youlookedfantastic,wesay.Thankyou, hesays,withahintofAmericaninhis accent.

Greatsuit. whodidyourhair?

'�VIoi11khurlkj}'ol"Did icmyself! Acd1eshow,did herecognisethebig stars?

"Pehchoono,par11ao11111ahi11JJJ0!11!fl.'-Sore of recognised them,butdidn't know their

names.

Washenervousat all?At ilie LionKing scene,maybe?

"Nabin,rlarnahi11 kiga,bahuten)'!)'k.jyo!"

No, I lovedit!

Dilipchimesin,"NwiniskosaJJJjhayaIha, rlamek.£1k.£JqJ'k.o?Baarlmejahchocolate harsaa}'a, isnedopok.da.Dono khago)'a."''1eirplainedto himthere'llbenothingcobescaredabout. When thechocolatesshowereddown,he caughttwopackets-arethembothup!"

Accompanyingthetinydynamiteat theOscars,wasPraveshSahni,whose Delhi-basedfilmcompanyIndiaTakeOne Productions handledtheIndiaaffairsfor themakersof Lion,Sydney-basedSee-Saw Films.Sahnigotcowalkwithhislittleward onmeredcarpet,scoredaseatwid1d1e mainguests,andfoundhisownfifteen minucesof fameasheappearedonscreen manytimes.

Uonis mefourth filmSahnihasbeen involved withdiathasgone cotheOscars, theothersbeing SJ11111dogMillionaire,LifeofPi andZero Dark Thir(:y.Butthisonewillbethe mostmemorable.

"Oscars2017hasbeenone of tl1ebest experiencesof mylife,"hetells Tndiaf!Link, onmephonefromLA."NotmanyIndians havebeentotheOscarsasyouknow,andit wasaspecialprivilegecobein memidstof itall"

Hewasseatedinrownumber3inthe middle,rightbehindDenzelWashington, withSunnyandtherestof theLionteam.

"I mought Iwouldbeup onthe balcony somewhere,"he admitslaughingly. "Itwasfarmore

glamourous than I thought.IhaveseenitonTVbefore,but hereIwas,just eightfeet away fromtl1e stage!"

Healsoadmitstobeingquite overwhelmedbyitall,despitehavingworked intheindustry for30yearsandcreatinga nicl1eforhimself byassistingforeignfilms thathavebeensetinIndia.

'1justkeptlookingarounddazed!"he reveals.''IwasinaworldIalwaysdreamed of beingin.Ididn't evenmink of taking myo,vnphotos,d1ereweresomanypeople takingpicturesof us.Thereisa five-minute breakevery 15minutesduringthe Oscars ceremony.Everybodyaroundus,allthebig actors,wantedaphotowithSunny.Theyall kneltdown,intheirtuxedos andbeautiful gowns,togetclosetohim!"

Ontheredcarpet,Praveshgottoactas ttaoslator.

"Sunnywasaskedwhohewouldmostlike toshakehandswim andhesaid,"Hrithik Roshan".That'swhohelikes,H.rithik Roshan-hedoesn'tknowd1eHollywood celebrities yet."

(WelearnedfromPraveshlaterthat H.t:imikhasbeenintouch toseekameeting withlittleSmmy).

TheLio11teamwentcotheafter-party hostedby ilieWeinsteinCompany.

"Wegottherejustafterilieawards ceremony,about10pm,"Praveshrecouncs. "Therewasaredcarpet,andyou're supposedtoshowyourphotolD,because tl1esecurityishandledbyd1epolice.Guess what,inalltheexcitement,we forgotco bringourID.Igocconcernedbecausethe Pawarsdidn'tevenhavetheirpassports onthem.Butarepresentativefromtlie companysaid,'EverybodyrecognisesSmmy. Hisfaceishis photo ID!' Oneof diepolice officerspickedSunnyupinhisarmsand carriedhiminl"

Thelionfamilywasdisappointed,Pravesh reveals,cobavebeennominatedforsix awardsandnothavingwooevenone.

''Itwasjustbadluck,notourday.The spiritwas,atleastwewerenominated, sowe'dalreadywon 99°/4,of thebattle." Unfortunatelydie Indianteamhad corush homeasSunnywasdriftingoff,havingbeen ontheredcarpetsince1pm,and behadco beatthenextevent,AftertheO.rca1:ratSam thenextmorning.

(Oneof thehostsonmeshow;Jerry O'ConnellsatSLlllnyonhisshouldersand declared "lwantto walkaroundHollywood Boulevardelikechiswid1mynewfoendl'')

''Thetheatrewasfullastheydiscussedthe previous nighc.Then,intheafternoon,we pmSunnyandDilipontheirflightbackto India."

PraveshalsorevealsthatSunnyhasbeen going backand forthbetween India andthe USforthepastd1reemontlisnow.

Strangely,hewasinitiallyrefusedavisa. "Hisdadhadabankbalanceof only Rs.120.

cover story ■
6 MARC!-12017
for Sunny, for India Take One, for us all, that the worldwas watching,,
www.indianlink.com.au

unny Pawar met President Barack Obama at the WhiteHousein the last week of Obama's Presidency to raiseawareness for the #LionHeart campaign.

He was in Washington, DC to help raiseawareness for the initiative that provides financial support and resources to children inIndia.

The Weinstei,n Company,See-Saw Films, andThe Charity Network launched the campaign in November 2016. Since then, the initiative has raised over $100,000 in its mission to assist the over 11 million homeless youth ofIndia.

,, I loved shooting in Australia, the place was so beautiful.
"There were so many places to roam and play ''
. �.0 ,....

Thenthefilm'sdistributorsTI1eWeinstein Companygorinvolved,and gotchePawarsa 10-yearvisa."

PraveshbelievesSunnyhaswharittakes comakeitbig.

"Ihaveworked"\Vichalotofactors,and 1cantellyou,heisastar,"hesayswith conviction."Buthisfatherandheneedto haveaproperplan.Andnotbetoogreedy. Youknow,coavoidwhattheycallthe 'Oscarscurse' -whereyouincreaseyour pricesomuchchatyoutakeyoutselfoutof themarket.Sunny'sagoodkid.He'snow been putinschool-See-Saw Filmshave beenkindenough tolookafterhim.He's goingtolearnEnglish.Willhebeableto workinEnglishmovies?Yes,it'spossible; butit'sgoingtotaketime."

Pravesbhasalso seenDevPatelthrough hiscareer.

"Ibaveworked with Dev Patel onfive filmsthroughIndiaTakeOne.W/eha,1e seenhim grow fromS/1✓111dogtoBestExotic M.arigoldHoteland chenLionandwejust finishedHotelM.t1111baiwithhim.Heisa greatactorandawonderfulperson.Hedid hisfirst filmwithusat17.Imagine,you seeanactorgo fromchat,andnowyou're sittingnexttohimattheOscarsandhe's nominatedforBestSupportingActor!" What,forPraveshSahni,isthesrandouc memoryfromhistimeatcheOscars?

"WhenJimmyKimmel cameuptoreenactthescenewithSunny fromTheLion King Itwasspecialfor Liou,forSunny,for IndiaTakeOne,forusall,d1attheworld waswatchingus.PerhapsSunnywouldhave stayedoutoffocusfortheentireOscarsif chisincidenthadn'thappened.Butwithche entireauditoriumlookingatyou,asthehost talkstoyouone-on-one,d1at'smemorable. WhenyouwinanOscaryouget one-minute foryourthankyouspeech.Sunnyhadmuch mored1anchatonthe Oscar screen.The nextday,thedriverwhopickedusup,knew notonlySunny,butevenrecognisedme!"

Pravesh saysit hasbeen anhonour cobeinvolvedwithLJon.

"Thiswasa storythatcouched usall fromDayOne.Creditgoes todirectorGarthDavis.\Xieneverhadd1e Oscarsinmind-chiswasacreativeproject." Theentire processfrom scouting,orthe recce,to rheconclusionofshooting cook

aboutayear.

"Our jobiscomakethe director's dreamspossible.Th.iswasadifficultshoot. Workingwid1a foreign director ontbe streetsinIndia,everythingistough!"

To shootat the HowrahBridge,for example,wasanightmare.

"Itisanamazingsceneinthefilm, but theideaofhavingSunnyaloneon the bridge,bathedin light,wasalmost impossible.Itwasthroughthe cooperation ofthe\'v'est Bengalgovernment,alongwith theDirector ofPhocogrnphyGreigFraser, thatthisbeautifulscenefinallycametobe inthefilm."

ThisisthethirdAustralian filmPravesh hasbeeninvolvedwith,theothers beingSt1veYourLegs!and Hotel1vfut11ht1i (coincidentallyalso starringDev Patel).

"Ifeelsolucky,afterSl11111dogandfinding thosekids,cohavefoundSunny.It is wonderfulto findIndiantalentanddeliver ittotheworld."

Surmywasonly fiveyearsoldwhenthe projectbegan.GarthDaviscouldn't speak any Hindi,andSrnrnycouldn'tspeakany English.

"Theydevelopedakind of sign language. Thumbsupmeant the scene wasgood, thumbsdownmeanttheyhadtoshootit again.\'v'ehadtranslatorsonset,aswell asSunny'sdadDilip,butitwasaboutthat personalconnection withthe director. Hehad,afterall,pickedhim from1200 children!"

Butonthesets,Sunnywasaccorded regulartream,ent.

"Nopamperingofany sort,nospecial treatmentinanymanner.Afterall,hewas playingave1-yemotionalroleandwas requiredtokeepthatdemeanour,"asource fromthefilmrevealed.

Sunny'sshootingschedulesspanned overchreemonthsinKolkataandMadhya PradeshinIndia,and Melbourneand TasmaniainAustralia.

Cricketcameinhandytohelpother cast membersrelatetothediminutivestar.Some ofrhesecandidscenesevenmadeitco film.

'"\V/eworkedinBhopaland Kolkata, butIlovedshootinginAustralia,"Sunny saidinone ofhismanyinterviews."The pbcewassobeautiful.Thereweresomany placestoroamandpla)�we wentthereafter shooting."

What wasNicole Kidman like, Sunny hasbeen asked. '2\llaa)<Jis thi,"beissaid cohave replied.She waslike mum.

Theeight-year-old,starringasKidman's youngsoninthe film,saidheenjoyeda real-lifebondwiththe Oscar-winning actor.

"She'sveryaffectionateandverywarm," Sunnysays."Nicolesaid thatI'ma namral andIshouldalwaysbeanatural."

Heplayedcricketwichheron cheset.But inhisstraight-fo1wardway,be addswith child-likehonesty,"I'm muchbetter chan her."

He alsotriedtoteachthe49-year-oldstar 'thodathoda'Hindi.

ItisclearSunnyalsoadoreshisolder costar DevPatel.

"Cricketkhelt<1tha,hadmaasbika1tt1ih<1." He wouldplay cricketandwouldgoof aroundontheset.It\Vassomuch ftm.

Wastherealanguageproblem?

"No,therewasnolanguageproblem. Dev spoketomeinEnglish,andIspoke backin Hindi."

Simple!

Together,DevandSunnyintroduced Lio11atthe 74chGoldenGlobeAwards. Dressedinblacktuxedoes,the duo was welcomedonsragewichahugeapplause.

Dev gm7ea synopsisofthefilm on srnge, and d1enliftedSunny sohe could say to che microphone,"Thisisourfilm,Uo11."The audienceeruptedwithlove.

Thesamethinghappened with the 89'" AcademyAwards.

"Myovariescan'thand.le this!" screamed one popular website asit posted multiple cute-factor-overload photosofSunny attheOscars Andbreakfastshowhosts onTV mightwellhavesaid"#ovaries", millennialspeakforan explosionof cluckiness,astheyendedtheir interviews coveringSunnyincuddlesandcaresses.

Sunny isaClass3srndentatthe Air IndiaModelSchoolandliveswith hisparentsDi.lipPawar,aformer governn1entoffice sweeper,and home-makermod1erVasu,inashm1in Kalinain chewesternsuburbsofMumbai. Hehasayoungerbrocherand sister.

"LAdk.eneitt1a<Jcbcht1ka11111k!)a, haht1r desh111e,h!1t11ht1h11t khushhai11,"Diliptells

IndianLink.Our sonhasdonegoodwork, appreciatedina foreignland;that makesus happy.

"Zindagimeinsahkaapn"naseehhai,P<Jr mehnat kehinak11chnt1binhota.''We cometo thiswoi:ld wich our destiny written our,but really,nothinghappenswid1outhardwork.

Herevealshewill considermoreoffers forSunny,wherevertheycome from.Love Sonia,Stmny'ssecondfilm,feamringFrieda Pintoisreadyforreleaselaterthisyear.

Sunnytellsus, "English11t1hi11jat111tahaipar jt1bsab,m!fhest1bhole, G,·eat 11101k, mt1i11bola tht111kyou."Idon't speakEnglishbutknew when everybody inLAwascongramlacing me.

DidSunnyenjoyhistimeinLA?

"Bt1!111tachchalaga.Excitingth,1."Lovedit; it wasexciting.

\Xlhatdidhelike?

"Disnqla11dachcha!t1ga, TVi11ten1ie111sachcha lt1ga. II7JJ7Et1cbchr1lt,ga."Disneyland,theTV interviews,meeting theW\VE heroes. F-lisfavourite scenesfromthe movie?

"Tmin 111t1fd'.Sceneson d1etrain. Healsorecalled therunning,when "DirectorSir"toldhim torun.

\1(/J10arehisfavourite actors?

"Hritbi.kRosh.an,AjayDevgn, Rajoikanth".

HaveSLmny'sfriendslikedhiswork?

"Abbitl(Jhinmi/a to. Kaischoo!jt1ao11ga. Patti nt1hinm1honepicturedekhaya11t1bi11."Ihaven't metthemyet.I'llgotoschool tomorrow.I don'tknow if chey'veseenthe film. Doeshethinklifewith themwillchange forhim now?

"Pehlejt1iSt1 tha,kheln<Ikood11a,Jl'ai.rt1he mhcga."It'llbejustlikebefore.\1(/e'IIplay justlike normal.

Wecan'thandlehowcuteheisl

coverstory
8 MARC!-12017
Lefttoright:SamuelLJackson getsaselfiewithSunny;AttheGolden GlobeswithDevPatel;With Nicole KidmanattheDirectorsGuildAwards; PraveshSahniofIndiaTakeOne
,, Not many Indians have been tothe Oscars, it was a special privilege to be inthe midst of it all ,,
Withinputsfrom!ANS www.indianlink.com.au

n's

r aw

India's national carrier flies its all-female crew in to Melbourne

BYPREETIJABBAL

Theconversationin the cockpit sure wasdifferentthistime, asthe all-femalecrew from Air India flew intoMelbourne airport,aspartof aninitiative byAirIndia cocommemorate International Women'sDay.

LedbyCaptainLaxmi Nagrath,the Dreamlinet leftDelhiat1.15pmon 8 MarchandlandedinMelbourne justbefore 7amon 9l'viarch,coveringaround 10,215 kilometers,with237 passengers and nine infantsonboard.

Asthe wearytravellersmadetheir wayouttoArrivals,there wasa stirof excitement,and the four AirIndia cockpit crewmembersemergedintheircrisp uniforms,allofthemwomen.Theychatted easilyabomtheirexperiencesandwerevery proud cobepartofthisinitiative tomark InternationalWomen'sDay.

Thiswasn'tthe firsttime anall-female crew flew into Melbourne,accordingto CaptainSangeeta Nirmal,whoclaimedthat AirIndiahadconsciouslyencouragedand promotedseveralsuch flightsinthe past. Interestingly,bothherdaughtersarealso pilotsandshe stronglybelievesthataviation

isagreatcareerforwomen.

Captain Nagrathsaidshehadcome acrossnogenderdisparityintermsofpay oropportunitiesduringher30-yearflying career.''Infact Iwaslookedafterbetter thanthemenandmybatchmatestook extracareinlookingoutformewhenI was training,"shesharedwitha smile.

Thiswasnot their first visittoMelbourne and judgingby theirconversation,plans seemed tobeinplace to checkout Melbourne'ssightswithMelbourneZoo andSt Kildabeach on copof theirto do list.The popularThousandSeepswalking trailandbike ridesco thebeachwere also highonthe agenda

The cabincrewdisplayedno signof weariness,despite thelonghaul,asthey happilyposedfor photos,smartand smiling in their uniform.Theirmood seemed to matchthe colourofIndian spring (mustard) chatwasdominantin theirsaris.

The passengerswere equally upbeat and delightedtofindomchattheywerepartof a specialevent.

"Itwasperfect!The plane couldn't differentiatebetweenamaleandfemale pilot!" Sunila Forsythlaughing!)'cold Tndian Link. "Jokesaside,Ifeltverygoodknowing chatAirIndiadeployedanallwomen flight. It'sveryempoweringandencouraging, especiallyfor Indianwomenaroundthe

world.Allthefemale passengersweregiven rosesbeforeboarding -I wasgiven rwo!" AirIndiaisseekinga Gu.ii.messWorld recordfor itsall-female fughtsaroundthe world.Other airlineshavealsorecently laLmchedsimilarflightsintheirguestcojoin the bandwagon,howeverAirIndiaclaimsit isthe firstonetoscripthistoryby flyingan all-woman crew flightaround theworld.

Al's all-women crew operates 'around the world' flight acionalpassenger carrierA.i.rIndiarecently operatedan'aroundthe world' flightwith an all-femalecrew,on itsNew Delhi-San Francisco-New Delhi route.

Flight AI173rookofffromIndira GandhiInternationalAirport in Delhi on 27FebruarytoSan Francisco,covereda distanceof around 15,300kmin15anda halfhoursoverthePacificroute,andon thereturnjourneyfromSan Franciscoover theAtlantic.

"Theentire flightwasoperated bythe women staffofeight deparm1ents,"an airlinerelease said."These departments indudedcockpitcrew,cabin crew,checkinstaff,doctor,customercare staff, ATC (air traffic control)and the entire ground hand.lingfromoperator totechnician, engineerand flightdispatcherandtrimmer."

The lineoperationsafetyauditwasdone by HarpreetADeSingh,ED(executive director)Flight Safety,AirIndia.Thisis the first timethatthisaudit,vasdonebya femaleofficerforan around-the-worldtrip.

women's day
■ ■
INDIANLINK
MARC!-12017 9

An 80th birthday present

Much admiredAdelaide writer brings out second anthology

owdoyoucelebrate amilestone birthday-21st,60thorSOth?

That islefttoindividuals, theirfamilies,friendsand well-wishers Oneadvantage weL1dianshaveisthatwehaveachance to celebrateevery birthdaytwice-cbe dateof birthaccordingtotheEnglish calendarandalsoon thedayofomscar sign.If you choose the former,itismore ofasocialoccasionwith scope forlotof spiritsco flow;ifitisalatter case,thenitis spiritualitywrappedaroundrin1als

Ourcontributor LakshmiPathi,who writes underthepseudonym ofLP Ayer butisotherwiseknownasLa.ks,chosethe latter modewhenherecently turned80

Thetruthis,icwashisfamilythatmadeche choice forhim-to celebrateattheGanesha

Templeinan authenticmanner.

''\Xlhenyoureachthat stageinlife,you eiiliergiveinoraregiventhetitleGoM (grumpyoldman),"saysLakshaving grudgingly agreed cogoalongwiththe gang.

However,hedecidedto addhisownRair to ilieoccasion-toproducehisown book, asapresenttoallthosepresentattheevent Near anddearones,somefrominterstate andoverseas,munberingaround eighty,turned up.

Thetemplepriest,afterperforming the 'havan'rituals,askedallthe familymembers andfriendstopourpitcherafterpitcherof

'holy'wateronthebirthdayboy andJaya, his partnerof 46years,akind ofkindly dunking Thatwasfollowedby brieflyreenactingsomeaspectsoftheirwedding includingare-affirmingofthose sacred vowstakenateveryHindumarriage Jaya proudlytoldtl1ewomenfolktl1at shewas wearingthe same Kanjivaramredsilksaree shewore atherweddingfourdecadesago. Lakswasabitmodest,sa1�ngthathewas marryingtl1esamewomanhedidsolong ago.

Lakswantedtokeepbisbook (Kai/idaito Adelaide-2') projectasecret,soheworked onitwhenbiswifewasatwork,rakinga wholeweekto select,re-editandemailto anoverseasprinter some fortyarticlesfrom amongthehundredorsohehaswritten for lndia11Li11koverthe pastsixyears

HisprinterinChennai promisedtofinish andfreight the finalproductin aweek's time,justashehad donewithhisfirstbook KallidaitoAdelaidein2014.(Kallidaiisthe nan1eofLaks' birthplaceinsouthernIndia) Lakswasexpectingtoreceivethebook parceltheday beforethebirthdaybash so hecouldplaceonecopyineach thalllboola111 (bonbonniere)bagcobegiven to theguests afterthe ceremony

Alas,iliebestlaidplansofmenandmice cangowrong The consignmentarrived aweeklaterbecauseoftheintervening Christmasholidays

''Justifiably,JesusChrist'sbirthday cakes

Auzworld

precedenceoverchatofmere mortalslike mine,"Lakslaments

So aspeciallaunch,vasheldatthe temple,thankstoitspresidentSelva,on ilie temple anniversarydayinthe first week of Febrnary,amonth afterthebook was supposedtohave madeitspresence. Adelaide'swe.LI-knownENT specialistDr Suren Krishnan,releasingthe book,made generousmentionofthePathifamily's contributionco thelocal Indiancommunity

QUICK SERVICES ATAN AFFORDABLE PRICE

-Lakshavingservedaspresidentofthe Indian-AustralianAssociationof SA twice, secretaryof the HinduSocietyforsix yearsandalsoasanactivepromoterof SomhIndianclassicalmusicgroupShruthi forover20yearsand,of course,Jaya continuingherGP practice for44ye.a.rs KallidaitoAde/aide-2canbeco!Jecredfrom the autl10r foranominal donationthatgoes rothetempleaswasthecasewithLaks'first book two yearsago.

community
Urmila
MigrationPtyLtd
SINCE 2006
SumeetKumar Manmohan Makkar SumeetVinod Kumar
(MARN.0641554J(MIA.3392) (MARN:1388274)(Q£AC:E560) (MARN: 1576149)
PERMANENT RESIDENCE STUDENT VISA BUSINESS VISA ✓ FREE -ExpressionofInterest ✓ FREE -Studentservices ✓ EmployerNomination Scheme ✓ Skilled Migration (PR) ✓ Change ofCourse/College/Uni ✓ RSMS Permanent Residence ✓TemporaryVisa{485) ✓ OffshoreStudentVisa ✓ 457 (WorkVisa) ✓ State/Regional sponsorship ✓ StudentVisa Extension ✓ ShortTermWorkVisa ✓ RelativeSponsorship Visa ✓ StudentDependentVisa ✓ Business InvestmentVisa ✓ All SkillAssessments ✓RefusedCases ✓ BusinessSetup ✓ Specialise in CDR /RPL ✓ GTE Explanations ✓ Job PlacementAssistance Specialised in Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) Refused Cases SPIER MA ,,,..,,.................,. ......oi -- ...,__ FAMILY VISA ✓ VstorVisa .. . e.w._:. .. ✓ LongStayVisaforParents ✓ Spouse/De-factoVisa ✓ SameSex PartnerVisa ✓ ParentsVisa ✓ ChildVisa ✓ Remaining RelativeVisa Visa Cancellations Checkyoureligibilityforallavailable PR options. Weareregistered MigrationAgents and specialise in allAustralian Migration related matters Opening Hours Mon - Fri 10:30am-6:00 pm Sat-byappointmentsonly 10 MARCI-I2017 Suite37, level 1, DaherCentre, 163-171 Hawkesbury Road. Westmead, NSW 2145 (Entry1svia Queens Road) Email admtn@auzworld com au Website W\Yw.auzworldm1grat1on.com au ForAppointments +61 296354744 +61 424300 001 www.indianlink.com.au
IAASA INDIANAUSTRALIANASSOCIATION DFSOUTH AUSTRAUA -f! ROUDL Y PR E,SENTS I . . . R-IElON.ADELAIDESH0W WOODROAD.WAYVILLESA0AM ONWARDS IYll'IES • MUSIC• DANCE • F ._ EN S • DUIZ • RAFFLE P.RIZES ---� ·���ii{� - �� '-< � . -s·s1 1E-----L ss• Kr - ----·�. ���5� \ ECOUNTER .,..."',r,--,lil'JC �,/ ,,,. _... -. ' FOR TICKETS & MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT ADIREDDYYARA0401233829•TRIMANNGILL040320,3172•SAMDAHM0412297336•GAGANSHMMA0437237765 AMAR.JITGREWAL0431,8,14625• NtlOOSHJOSHI0412.483083·•ALOKARORA0423593750•RAJNIMAOAN0402846497 DESIGN BY MAMBO INDIANLINK MARCI-I2017 11

Melbourne's

Peter Dietze shares a family legacy thatgoes back to Indian cinema's pioneeringdays

advancedIndianstudioofitstime.

BombayTalkies,nottobe confusedwiththeIndian anthologyfilmofthesame name,isacomprehensive collectionofIndianfilm ephemerafromd1e1920sand1930s.The rareexhibitioniscurrentlydisplayed,for tl1efirsttime,attheAustralianCentrefor theMovingImageinMelbourne(ACMI) until2July.

Boththefilmandartcollection commonlycelebratemeemotionof Indiancinemaintwosignificantways:one tl1-roughinnovating,andanotherthrough curating.\Xlhilememoviehadakeeneye onthesociopoliticalclimateofitstime, mecollectionunearmsrarearchivesof tremendousinterest,bothmanagetodoso engagingly.

Anyonewhohasaninterestinfihns willenjoythehistoricalfeelandthestory matsurroundsBombayTalkies,oneof India'spopularmoviestudiosofthe1930s. BombayTalkieswasthefirstcorporate studio,inIndia,tobelistedontheBombay StockExchange.

Foundedin1934,BombayTalkieswascoownedbyHimanshuRaiandDevikaRani. Thestudioproduced40filmsover20years andwasconsideredasthemosttechnically

Besidesexploringtl1ehistoryofthe influentialBombayTalkies,FionaTrigg fromACWhascuratedanexhaustive Indianfilmarchive,incollaborationwith localDietzefamilywhoareownersofthe memorabilia.

AustralianPeterDietzeisthecustodian ofilieenormouscollectionmadeupof photographs,letters,telegrams,posters, evenbillstlrntharkbacktothetimeofhis grandfatherHimanshuRaiandhisbeautiful wifeIndianactressDevikaRani.

PeterDietze,whowasborninAustralia andhasGermanancestry,wassurprisedto discovertlrnthisgra.nd.fatl1erwasIndian ai1doneoftl1emostprominentluminaries ofIndiancinemainthe1920s.Hismother NilimawasmedaughterofMaryHain.Lin, aGermandancerwhowasoncemarriedto HimanshuRai.

ItwasMarywhointroducedHimanshu tOtheGermanfilmindustry,influencing hiscareerintheans.(Himanshuwas acruallyalawyerandwassrudyingforme BarinLondon).Himanshulaterwent ontomarryDevikaRani,grandniece ofRabindranathTagoreandthemost legendaryofIndia'sactresses.

"FindingmephotosoftlusIndian man,wholookedlikeme,openedawhole Pandora'sbox,"Peterrevealed tolndicm Unk in2010,withtheideafortl1ecurrent exhibitionalreadyinhismind."Ibecame tot.a.Uyimmersedinhislifeandworksand contributiontoIndiancinema,aswell ashisattemptstotellmewesternworld lndiai1tales."

Ashok Kumar's home ,, PeterDietze

PeterandhisbrothersPaulandWalter spenttimeandeffortindiscoveringmore abouttheirfamily'sIndianbackground andintheprocessacquirediliecollection ofover3000items.Someofthema.re showcased,preservedwithgreatcare,atme BombayTalkiesexhibitionatAC�ll.

Thedisplaysoffermanyfascinatinglinks toearlyIndiancinemaincludingfootage ofsilentfilmslikeATlmm,ofDice,Lightof AsiaandShiraz.Mostprominentisd1elifesize,ratherimpressiveimageofsuperstar AshokKumartl1atadornsthewallnotfar fromasimilaroneofDevikaRani.

AshokKumarwasalabtech.n.iciai1in BombayTalkiesbutHimanshuRaielevated himtoilieroleofaleadmanwhenhis wifeDevikaRaniwassaidtohaveeloped witl1ajmulHasan,whowascoplayme originallead.

"WhenIwenttoIndiaIsawabustof mygrandfatl1erinacrorAshokKumar's home,"revealedPeterduringtheofficial launchofmeexhibitionrecently.

Alsointriguing,isthefamilytreetl1at mapslinksbetweentl1efamiliesofRai,

Rani,Roerich(DevikaRanimarriedpainter SvetoslavRoerichin1945)andtl1eDietzes. Imagesa.nditemsrelatingtoDevikaRani formasubstancialpartofmeexhibit. Audiovisualswithremasteredorarchival footageaddroilieambienceandmystery. Theinterestingcontentoftl1earchival lettershelpinconstructinganimageof prevalentissues,joysandchallengesfaced byRaiandRaniinrunningd1esmdio.The documentstracethefriendshipscreated duringtheirstintinGermanymatproved beneficialforiliemasmastertechnicians likeJosefWirshcinganddirectorFranz Ostenworkedincollaborationwimtl1em a1Jdbroughtinternationalprofessional standardstoIndia.

Atleasttwoofthetrilogyoffilmsthat Raiproduced,andwhicharebelievedtobe thepioneeringfilmsofIndia11cinema,have beenseenbyAustralianaudiencesinrecent years.Theyhavebeendigitallyrestoredby d1eBritishFilmInstitute,inwhosearchives theyhadbeenlyingsince1945.Today,iliey arefamouslyplayedtotheaccompaniment oflivesymphonyorchestras.British-Asian composeritinSawhneywrotemescore forAThro//JofDice(Pn,panchaPash).The 1929filmislooselybasedonthegambling episodefromtl1eepicMalrnbharata.Of theothertwofilmsinthetri.logy,the 1925P,-cmSaf!JrlS(hcLightoAsia)is basedonthelifeoftheBuddha,andthe 1928Shiraz(Sircy)onthelifeofMughal emperorShahjahan.

Peterhopestotaketheexhibitionto othercountriesbeforefindingtheright placeforitinlndia"whereitbelongs".

film
12 MARCM 2017
,, When I went to India I saw a bust of mygrandfather in actor
www.indianlink.com.au

THE BOMBflY T11ltilES lT _ D

INDIANLINK
MARCI-I 2017 13
PeterDietze(right)withhis brothersWalterandPaulatthe openingoftheBombayTalkies exhibition

India testfiresendoatmosphericinterceptor missile

On1MarchIndiasuccessfullytest-firedthe AdvancedAirDefence (AAD)Missile,the secondleveloftwo-tierinterceptormissile systemthatcandestroyhostileballistic missiles.

The missilewaslaunched around10.15 a.m.attheAbdul KalamislandoffOdisha coast,officialssaid.

''Theendo-atmosphericmissile,capableof interceptingincomingtargetsatanaltitude of 15to25km,successfullydestroyedthe inco1uingmissile.Allthemissionobjectives weresuccessfullymet,"anofficialstatement said.

Theweaponsystem radarstrackedthe targetandprovidedtheinitialguidancet0 theintercepwr,whichcould preciselyhome inonthetargetanddestroyeditinendoatmosphericlayer.

Thecompleteevent,includingthe engagementanddestruction,wastrackedby anumberofelectro-optical crackingsystems usinginfraredimagery.Radarsandtelemetry stationscrackedthetargetandtheinterceptor tillthedestructionof thetarget.

"ThelaunchhasprovedtheBallistic l\llissileDefence(BMD)prowessofthe country,"the statementsaid.

Defencel\llinister ManoharParrikar andDefenceResearchandDevelopment Organisation (DRDO)ChairmanS. ChristophercongratulatedtheDRDOon successfullaunch ofd,emissile.

G. SatheeshReddy,theScientific Advisor toDefenceMinisterandDRDODirector General (Missiles&StrategicSystems), monitoredthelaunchoperationalongwith otherofficials.

The.AADispartofthetwo-layered Ballisticl\1issileDefencesystemdeveloped bythe DRDO,dieresearchanddevelopment wingoftheDefence Ministry,with the Hyderabad-basedResearchCentreImaarat (RCI).

Thelatesttestcomeslessthanamonth afterIndiasuccessfullytested thePcithvi DefenceVehicle(PDV)intercepcormissile on11February.

The PDVcandestroyahostilebalistic missileinspace,beforeenteringtheeard1's atmosphere.

The7.5mecre-longAADisasingle stage solidrocket-propelled guidedmissile,witha navigationsystem.

Thesecondlevelofthesystemisthe endo-atmosphere.AADmissiletestedon 1 March.

Amid expandingconcrete jungle, Delhi'swildlifeshows sign of revival

Althougha concrete junglethathaslost severalanimalspeciesovertime,theforests ofcbenationalcapitalstillpossessatleast sixdifferentkindsofwildanimalsthatbave managestosurvive-and theirbreeding popufationgiveshopethatDelhi'swildlife maysoonrevive.

Accordingtotherecentimagesobtained bythecameracrapsatYamunaBiodiversity Pack(YBP) andocherforests,thereisa healthybreedingpopulationofmammals likeporcupines,wildpigs,junglecats,civets, Indianhare,hyenasand jackals.

Oneof d1erareandleastknown man1mals,thepangolinewaslastspotted inDelluin2011,thoughexpertsspeculate about itspresence.Thenationalcapitalis alsohometo13speciesof snakesaswell as monitorlizards.

The recentlyspottedbarkingdeer,the firstsuchsightingofthepresentcenrury,is furtherindicationthatthecapital'sforestsare reviving.

IsDelluready forabreedingpopulation ofleopardstoreturn?Notadistant dream, expertssay.

Prof C.R.Babu,,vhoseecological restorationat dieYBP -hisbrainchild-is bringinglifebacktoDelhi'sjungles,believes fixingsomeoftl1egreencorridorshere couldhelpspeedupthewildlifere,Tival.

"Over yearsof efforts,Delhi'sforests nowhaveenoughprey ithasabreeding populationof nilgaiQ)luebull),wild pigs, hareandotherprey animals Oncethe greencorridorsarerescored,theleopards will surely bebackin Delhiand,whoknows, maybeeven tigers,"BabutoldlANS.

Delhihas20.22percentofitstotalarea undergreencover,of which 188.77square kmisforestcover.

Meanwhile,thepresenceofaleopardwith cubsisbeingspeculatedattheAsolaWildlife Sancmary here,two monthsafteraleopard

roamedintl1eYBP for 21days,seenby consenTationistsasasignof revival.

FaiyazA.Khudsar,thescientistin-charge of the YBP,saidtliatat leastfourspeciesof animals,includingalizard,asnakeandtwo speciesof birds,havebeeJ1re-discovered withinthelastoneyear

''TheblackeaglehasbeenfoLtnclinDellli after100years,diesea-boldiesmood1water snakewasspottedafter70years,theIndian pitta(bird)wasspottedafterabout60years andthefan-throatedlizardwassportedhere after22years,"KhudsartoldIANS.

Hepointed cowardsAocksofmigratory birds,includingnorthern shovelers,tufted clucks,darters(snakebirds),northernpintails, red-crestedpoachardsandgreatcormorants -activeover sevenacresofrevivedwetland atYBP.Khudsarexplainedhowtherevival of suchwaterbodiesisbringingtl1ese EuropeanandRussianguestsbacktotl1e nationalcapital.

"TI1esebirdsbadscoppedcomingto Dellli somespeciesstillstayaway but slowly,witl,conservation andrestorationof bio-diversityparksinDell,�theywillvisit again,"Khudsarsaid.

Khuclsarbelievestlrnt tl1e300acresof the secondphaseof theYBP,whichissciJIunder restoration,couldhelpbringbackmoreof Delhi'sgloriouswildlifepast.

However,thelistofwbatDelhihaslost overaperiod oftimeislongerandtheloss isgrave.

Accordingcotherecordsfrom tl1e Gazetteer,Delh�whichby tl1eearly20d1 century washome coAsiaticlions,hasbeen strippedof sixspeciesofvultures,two speciesofdeer,fourspeciesofantelopes, abreedingpopulationofleopards,caracals, tigers,smootl1-coatedotters,Indianfoxes andwolves.

Duetotl1edegradationoftl1eYamuna river,Dell,ihaslostthenub-nosedormarsh crocodileQastseenin1976)andtl1elongsnoutedcrocodile (last seenin1978).

Fortbepastrwodecades,Delhi has alsomissedd1eSiberiancranesandthe Demoisellecranes

Delhihasnine speciesofbats,including tl1egreaterfalsevampire,butduetohabitat lossonlyalimitedpopulation oftl1ese pollinatingmammalssurvives.

Expertsbelieved1atexpansionofinvasive

AirIndia'scaptainKshamtaBajpai (centre) duringacelebrationceremony onthe eveofinternationalwomen's day,inNewDelhi,March7,2017.She commandedarecentflightwhichseta worldrecordbyflyingaroundtheworld withanall-femalecrew. Theflightflew overthePacificOceanfromNewDelhi toSanFranciscoonaMonday,andthen flewbacktoNewDelhiovertheAtlantic ontheFriday. Photo:AP

plantspecieslikeprosopisJulifloraisone ofthemajorreasonsbehindthecapital's vanishingwildlife.

"Invasiveplantsandshrubs,whichnow dominatemorethan7,000hectaresof the Delhiridge,havekilledthenativespeciesdue cowhichthepopulationofdieherbivores likechowsinghas,chinkaras,sambarand blackbuckdropped,whichinturnsawadip inthepopularionofcarnivoresandbirds," Khudsarexplained.

Accordingtoarecentreportbythe InternationalUnionforConservationof acme(IUCN),invasivealienspeciesare on tl1eriseworldwide and showno sign of slo,\�ngdown.

New batch of in-residence scholarsat Rashtrapati Bhavan

Anewbatchof innovators,artistsand writersbegan theirfortnightlonginresidence progran1inRashcrapatiBhavan thismond1,a.release fromthe President's Secretariatrelease said.

"Theywill bein residence till18March," itadded.

Theteninnovacorsselectedforthe programmeincludeSurjeetSinghof Haryanawhodevelopedllighyieldingand salt-tolerantpaddyvariety;teenagerAkash Manoj ofTamil Naduwhodevelopeda non-invasiveself diagnosisof silentheart attackandGirishBadragondof Karnataka, innovatorof lowcostbore-well scanners. AshokKun1arChavda,recipientof SahityaAkademiYuva Puraskarand Prabal KumarBasu,recipientofGouri BhattacharjeeMemorialAwardforhisfirst bookof poem Tmneei Pratha111willjoin artists RahulShailendraKokaste,winnerof 50d1 MaharashtraStateAward,alongwitl1the winnerof Lalir KalaAcademy award,2016, Dheeraj Yadav.Comemporary artist Subodb GuptaandBhartiKherhavealsobeenin residenceearlierdi.ismonth.Bod,theartists havebeenawardedtheChevalierclans !'Ord.redesArtsetdesLetters,an1ongthe Frenchgovernment'shighesthonours,for their contributiontoartworld.

TheIn-Residenceprogramwas launchedby President Pranab:tvlukherjee onDecember11,2013withtheaimof providingwritersandartistsanopporm1lity cobeapartofthelifeofRashtrapati Bhavan.Itseekstoprovide anenvironment, whichwillinspirecreativedunkingand rejuvenateartisticimpulses

"Itisintendedcohonourand recognise eminent,establishedartistsandwritersas weUasencourageyoungupcomingtalent fromdifferentpartsof thecountry,"tl1e communiqueadded.

ChefVikas Khanna presents 16kgtometo Queen Elizabeth II

"i\fajesticworkofartthatcelebratesthe beautyoflndia,"Britain'sQueenElizabeth IlissaidtOhaveremarkedwhenChef VikasKhannapresentedtoheracopyof hislimited-edition16-kgtome Utsavthat celebratestl1escoryof Indiancuisine.

"Utsavwaskeptonapedestalandthe Queenspentalmost15minutesgoing through d,ebook.Shewasmostinterested in

indian news
14 MARCI-I 2017
www.indianlink.com.au

MigratoryNorthernPintailducksswim inthe Pobitorawildlifesanctuaryeast ofGauhatiinIndia'sAssamstate, late February. Photo: AP

themulticulnu:aldiversityof Indiaandhow Utsovrepresentstherichheritageandbeauty of Indiathrough thelensof the common man.SheinstantlyinstructedherteamtO have UtstJvplacedinher private library at Windsor,"astatementsaid.

Only12copiesof thebookhavebeen madeandthiswastl1e11tl1copy.ltwas speciallyhandcrafted,goldgildedand presentedinarawpinkAhimsaSilk.

Thepresentationtookplaceaspartof the "IndoUK70Yearsof Culture"celebrations.

Chef Khannahadaprivateaudiencewith theQueenandPrincePhilipandlaterwith PrinceWilliamandDuchessofCambridge Kate Midclletonaswell.

Mumbai NGO celebrates OscarforThe White Helmets Asthewoddtunedintothe89thAcademy Awardsceremony thisyear,mini-celebrations eruptedoutsidetheofficesof Harmony Foundation,inasmalllaneinSantacruz suburb.

TheHarmonyFoundationandits volunteersrejoiced,cheeredandcelebrated astheOsc.u:forBestDocumentaryin theShortFilmCategorywasannounced toa40-minuce film, The WhiteHe!111ets, symbolisingmeSyriaCivilDefence.

For,longbeforetl1eOscars,the Harmony Foundationhad recognisedtheexemplary workdoneby''The\'{/biteHelmets"in savingcivilianstrappedinwar-cornSyriaand conferreditwimtheprestigious "St.Mother TeresaMemorial Award forSocialJustice 2016".

''Throughouraward,we acknowledged theexemplaryworkof organisationslike SyriaCivilDefence,workingunderextremely challenginganddifficultsimations,witl1great risktotheirlives.We arepassingthrough turbulenttimesandthesociety badlyneeds peace," Harmony FoLmdationFounderPresidentAbraham Matl1ai coldIANS.

Congramlating"TheWhiteHelmets"for theirinspiringworkwhichhasbaggedthem thecovetedOscar,Matl1ai.saiditwouldgo alongway towardsensuringequality,social justiceandinclusivenessinsociety,andpave tbewayforpeaceinSyria.

Formedin2014,TheSyriaCivilDefence isagroupof around3,000localvolunteers servinginrebel-controlledSyriaduringthe ongoingsix-yearlongcivilwar.

Mostlyordinaryfolks withcommon backgro1mdslikestudents,tailors,carpenters ortechnicians,theyhavededicated themselvestosavingtl1elivesof over 82,000 people injuredin attacksby fighterjet5, choppers,barrelbombs,clusterexplosives, phosphorusbombsandchlorineshellson civilianlocalitiesandhealthcarecentres.

TheHarmonyFoLtndation'saward, institutedin2005in tl1ememoryof MoilierTeresa,istl1eonlyoneinthewodd recognisedbytl1einstitutionshe fmmded, theMissionariesof Charity,Kolkata.

MotherTeresawascanonisedtoSainthood onSeptember4lastyearbyPope Francisat

The Vatican.

Someof thepastrecipientshavebeen MedecinsSansFrontieres,theDalaiLama, MalalaYousafzai,Dr.MahatlurMohammad, BaronessCarolineCoxandotherglobal personalitiesororganisations,Mathaisaid.

Assam hamletaspiresto be India'scleanest h'samovementthatbeganduringChristmas in2012withacompetitiontoselectthe "cleanest"familyintlusvillage.Thefestivalspecificcontestinthevillage,locatedabout 80kmfromAssam'slargestcity Guwal1ati, hasnowmorphedinto theambitiontowin tl1e"CleanestVillageinAsia"titleonceheld byMawlynnonginneighbouringMeghalaya.

"Sincethen,we havediscussedtheissue.If Mawlynnongcanbecomethecleanestvillage inAsia,why notus?Wehaveeverything -avillagebiggerthanMawlynnongwith abundanceof nanu:e,beautifullandscapeand verygenerousandhospitablepeople,"Elvin Phangso,alocalteacher,coldI.ANS.

Tothisend,theresidentsof Shikdamakha villageinnature-richKarbiAnglongdisrrict areleavingnostoneuntmnedcogoonestep aheadof Mawlynnong.

Thevillagershere,right from tl1eyoung one to tl1eoldest,areconsciousabout cleanlinessandhygieneandnoonelitters tl1eroadinthevilbge,notcotalkof their individualhouses

Useof plasticisasrrictno-no.The villagersusebamboo-madebasketsfor storinggarbageinfrontof eachof me 89householdsandineverycornerof ilie village,andtl1eaccumulatedgarbageis disposedof atregularintervals

Theresidentsalsoundertakecommrnur:y $weepingof thestreetseveryweektoensme tliat cleanlinessandaproperdrainagesystem areinplace.Allhouseholdsof Sh.ikdamakha alsohavesanitary toiletstoensurehygiene andcleanliness.

"\Vehavemadeacommitteecoensure tl1ateveryoneismadeawareof cleanliness andhygiene,"saidHolvisMaslai,theGaolia Gaonburah(kindof villageheadman)of Shikdamakha.

AsforMawlynnong,locatedabom90 kmfromtheMeghalayacapitalShillong,it isasmallhamletinhabitedbymainlyKhasi tribepeople.Here,tl1ewasteiscollected inthedustbinsmadeof bamboo,directed toapitandthenusedasmanure.Itwasa communityinitiativestartedlongbackin me villagetlrnt finallyhelpedMawlynnongearn tl1estatusofCleanestVillageinAsiain2003, asratedbyDiscoverIndiamagazine.

After theinitialsuccessof thecommunity

initiatives,nowl'vfawlynnonghasbanned useof plasticcompletelyand villagersoften goforrainwaterharvesting.Accordingto Meghalayagovernmentstatistics,closeto 250tOLLristsvisitilievillagealmostregulad)� whichfetchesgood revenuetothelocals.

l'vfansingRongpi,theMLAfrom Baithalangsoconstituency,underwhich Shikdamakhafalls,saidthevillagehas achieved first positionamongthevillagesin Assamasfarascleanlinessisconcerned.

"i\fawlynonginNleghalayahasearned thestatusofCleanestVillageinAsia.We candothishereaswell.Todayit'sjustthe start. Ihopethepeopleof Shikdamakhawill continuetlusjourneyof cleanlinessandfrom nowon,7vfawlynnong'sscamsof cleanest villagewillnotgounchallenged,"Rongpisaid.

The MLAsaidthatatpresent iliereisnot muchinfrastructuretowelcome courists butassuredthatbe,alongwitl1the local community,is tryingto promote homeSta)'S.

lndeed,villages like and Shikdanrnkha and1fawlyngnongprove mattl1evisionof acleanIndiaisnotlimitedtojust tl1eurban space.

Trump'smerit-based immi�ration proposal could benefit Indians

USPresidentDonaldTrump'sproposalfor amerit-basedimmigrationsystemhas the potential cobenefitIndians,alargenumber of whomhavehighlevelsof educationand skills.

Buttluswillultimatelydependontl1efiner detailsof how meproposalisimplemented.

Tnunpdidnotspellouthowthemeritbasedsystemwouldwork.

Onthefaceof it,Indianswouldmakea goodfitforamerit-basedsystemgoingby thecommunity'scurrentprofile.

AccordingtoareportbymePewResearch Center,70percentof IndiansintheUSare collegegraduates

The USCensusBureaureportedthatin 2013,themedianhouseholdincomefor Indianfamilieswasover$100,000.

But there areoilierfaccorssuchas whetherthecurrentnationalquocasorlimits onpeoplefromanycountrywhocould beadnuttedinayearareretai.nedcould ultimatelydeter.minehowitplaysoutfor Indians.

Theproposal willhavetoclearmany hurdles.

Firstof all,itwillnmintoopposition tnai.nJyfrorntheDemocraticPartywhich wouldarguethatitwouldnothelptl1epoor and theLmskilledim.nugracetothe USand discriminateagainstimmigrantsfromLarin Americancountrieswhomthepartycounts asakeypartof itsbase.

Awayout forTrun1pmightbetobarter memerit-basedreform forallowingsome illegalimmigrantstostayoninthecountry. InCanada,applicantsforimmigrationare givenpoints fordifferentqualificationslike education,skill levels,employability,language and familyties. They wouldhavetomeetaminimum scoretobeallowedtoimrnigrate.

Currently,tl1eUSmunigrationsystem restrictsthenumberof peoplewhocan immigratefromeachcoLmtrytoseven percentof therotalnumberallowedin exceptforimmediaterelativesof citizens. Thishasledtoseveralyears' waitfor Indianstogettl1eir greencards.

Thereisalsoanannual limitof 140,000on employment-basedgreen cards.

Becauseof thelimits,mostprofessionals from Indiahave cowaitaslongas12years for agreencardandthosewith "exceptional qualifications"nineyears,accordingtothe SeateDepartment visaavailabilitydatafor March.

Amerit-basedsystemhas thepotentialto cuedown thewait.

Howthereformwouldultimatelyaffect Indianscoulddependonhowcountrylimits and tl1ecaponthemunberof employment visasareretainedorhandledandalsoon theretentionof theimnugrationprivileges forbrothersandsistersof citizensandtheir fa.mi.lies.

Thereformmayalso affect theabilityof brothersandsistersandelderly parentsof citizensto immigrateif tl1eyaresubjectedto apointssystem.

Trumpdidnotmakeanymentionof those workingintheUS ontemporaryprofessional workvisasknownasH-1B.lnearlier speeches,hehadsaid thathewouldrooc oucabusesinthat visacategoryandrestrict them if meyweretothrowAmericansout of work.

IIANS

INDIANLINK
MARCI-I2017 15

Sikh-inginspiration

Adelaide artist Daniel Connell's work on Sikh portraiture continues to amaze

BYAVICHANDIOK

Achanceencounter,perhapsa rapport,mutualrespect,anda wholenew vista wasopened up for DanielConnellinhis career asan artist.

\'{lh.ileridingin ataxiinAdelaide,Daniel saw something specialinhis Sikh driver Laklwir Singh andaskedif he couldpaint his portrait.

That firstportraitbecame thefirstof many,andtoday,Daniel has cemented areputationfor his for hisformidable portraitureof Sikh figures. Hepresentshis workagainat chis year'sAdelaideFringe 2017.

WithdegreesinSpanishandL atin AmericanStudies,a Grad.Dip.in Education,Masters in VisualArts,working towardhis PhD,andlearningHindi asweU, Danielis certainlynoslouchacademicaU)'· Nineyearsworkingasaschoolteacher teachingSpanishgothiminvolved in social andcommunityorganisations. But

with his love of painting,hehas been afreelance artist since 2007.Andnow, recognised worldwide,hehas presented inGlasgow,Sheffield,Frankfurt,London andthe US andhis works were shown in theprestigious Kochi-Muziris Biennalein India.

WhileDanielhasbeen paintingforas longas be can remember,hisinterestin Indiawasarousedwhilebarelyateenager whichled to his interestin the writings of Gandhi andTagore.Onhis first visitto India in2008,herecalls feeling"utterly at home,in a crazy sort ofway".

Helivedin Rajasthanforthreeyears and whiletherepainted aportraitofGreg Chappel1,who was coach of the Rajasthan Royalsat d1attime.This paintingwas selected fortheprestigiousDougMoran Portrait Prize.

Workingwith transport workersin Australia,andfromtheSikhs inthenord1 tothelabomers ind1esoud1 in lndia, Daniel's paintingstrytocapturethe dignity of workers whoroilwid1dieswearof theirbrow. Being "adeeplyreligious and spiritual man"hiswork seemstohonour theessential teachingofGuru Nanak -that workis centraltoan expressionof faith. Heseesinthetaxidrivershard-working youngmen,proud of whothey a.re and in

theirbeliefs,proudto wearaturban and putthemselvesoutthere to bejudged.It isthissenseofbraverythatdrivesDaniel tocontinuewithhis portraitswhichhe seesasamessage,standingupforthe immigrants.He uses A4 sheetsof paper stucktogether with cape comake alarge canvas forhisworks.Thisisdeliberate asir canbeseenasa metaphor ofthefragility ofnew immigrants inanewland.

DanielConneUsaidatthestartofour meetingdiat"theexhibitionisdedicatedto ManmeetAlisher,the taxi-driver brutally murderedrecentlyinBrisbane".Onclisplay arehuge charcoal portraits,someoils and othersmallerportraits.Anovelpartis Daniel ach1ally paintingonthespot.The workbeingpaintedduringmy visit wasof GurinderjitSingh,afairlyrecentmigrant who isalsoat.'lxidriver.

Gurinderjirwasfullof praisefor Daniel saying,"Heisaverygoodperson motivatedto w1derstandmyreligion.We aretryingtohelpthehomeless peoplein the cityandareworkingonthat."

In Februarythis year, RajpaJSingh Sidhu,anod1ertaxi driver,was robbedat knife-pointattheendof longshiftoutside hishome.He toowill beoneof tbe subjectstohavehis portraitpaintedduring the course oftheexhibitionwhich runs

until2 Apr:il.

When asked about the future Danielsaid thatheexpectstocontinuetomake ' bigger picturesand portraits'. "Artisaninvestigationthatnever stops,"hesays. "Indiataughtmethat."

Over thelast twoyears,bis work has moved from just making picturestoactual representationroauthoritiesand advocacy on behalfof new migrants coveringawide spectrumof theirneeds.It'snowonder that hehasendearedhimself rothe Sikh community.Theyareindeedfortunate tohavesomeonesoengagingandgifted sympathetictotheircause.

art
16 MARCI-I2017
,, On his first visit to India in 2008, Connell recalls feeling "utterly at home, in a crazy sort ofway'' ,,
www.indianlink.com.au
.. INDIANLINK ...- !!!. .. MARCI-I 2017 17
,, Connell sees inthetaxi drivers hard-working young men, proud ofwho they are and in their beliefs, pToudto wear aturban and put themselves out there to be judged ,,
Matinee Hit 18 MARCI-I2017 ZEETV This March. Zee TVbrings you a crass-border laugh riot. 25th March. Saturday 3:88pm (AEST) www.indianlink.com.au

The calming crash of waves against shores of speckled sand guietly engulfs the hum of local traffic and beachgoers as laughter drifts with the cool breeze, and conversations pause at an impressive sculpture.

Overlooking the never-ending beaury of the Indian Ocean and stretches of sand aticonic Cottesloe Beach, Perth, an intriguing sculprure has been delicately and thoughtfully installed.

Featured among 78 otherworks ar the annual Sculpnu:e by the Sea exhibition, Column of Sound is a thought provoking and conversation starting sculpmre.

Announced winner of tl1e $50,000 Rio Tinto Sculpture Award, multidisciplinary artist Harsha Va.rdhan Durugadda has rightfully earned his place as a rising virmoso in the artistic community.

Column of Sound stands as a unigue form, sculpted specifically using audio from the site's location. Aftera painstaking process of recording audio from the plaoes of land surrounding the sculpture's site, the arcist conceives a physical representacion of the sounds. He constructs his artand adjusts the sculpture based on the rhythms and movements heard. The final product stands as a profound transformation between audio and visual realms.

Having received the Andrea Streeton Memorial Invitation at Sculpnu:e by the Sea, Bondi 2016, Durugadda's explorations in the perceptions of audio and visual certainly question the normative approach by imploring critical and imaginative tl1inking.

Sensory concepts are commonly interpreted singularly, as smell is correlated to the nose, sound is parallel to ears and touch is mutually exclusive to feel. Durugadda has instead achieved the almost unthinkable in his feat by purposely disrupting common perceptions and inviting onlookers to be a part of this sensory breakthrough as be forges binaries bet\veen otl1erwise opposing senses and notions.

''\Ve are used to whatever is already in Physics books. People are not ready to touch or feel sound. I'm working to change perceptions and disrurb people's thinking of life. When they touch the sculpnu:e, they touch the sound of tl1e site," explains Durugadda.

"It is never the same sculpture in visual, the slices of marble pieces are different each time. The sculpmre changes according to space."

Appropriately situated at the forefront of an oceanic landscape where tlie worlds of nature and artificial construction collide, Column of Sound is a deep expression of nature inspired art coupled with anthropomorphic ideologies.

Born in Andhra Pradesh, India and now based in New Delhi, Durugadda completed his Masters in Visual Arts and began practisingwith a number of different mediums. Experimenting with performance art, video, prints and sculptures, he then ventured out of the nation successfully holding exhibitions and publishingwork in London and here in Australia.

In its 13"' year, Sculpture by the Sea has become a household name as perhaps the world's largest annual outdoor sculpmre exhibition. Each year the beautifully captivating shores of popular Cottesloe beach become home to a ternporary sculpturepark with local, national and international artists showcasing their visionary arr.

Attracting hundreds of thousands co

its shores, tl1e free outdoor exhibition has people pouring in all times of day and night, from residents in Perth to tourists and even local AFL football stars.

The eventinvites the public to appreciate and participate in contemporary art in a physical and inreractive manner as all are welcomed to view tl1e pieces at their own pace and create their own imaginative perspectives.

"[Sculpture by the Sea] is a great oppornmity and a greatway to judge different works. It is a great benchmark for other organisations and especially for yom1ger artists working alongside more experienced, senior artists," says Durugadda. "[fhe win] is such an overwhel1ni.ngwelcome, 1 was so surprised. This is a great step for my career and such a confidence booster. I have received the highest reception for my work herein Australia."

Apart from being the major prize winner, Column of Sound will soon be insrnlled in

the town of Busselton through the efforts of Rio Tinto.

''As an emerging artist, I was hiring most things before. Now I want to build up my studio and invest in tools thatwill allow me to continue doing my work," reveals Durugadda. "1 will be applying to be exhibited in Bondi next year, as well as applying for exhibitions elsewhere in the world."

Follo\ving his success in Australia, Durugadda encourages aspiringartists of Indian oi:igin to venmre further than pursuing the pattern of being doctors or engineers.

'1 was more welcomed here than at home in India," says Durugadda. "Usually in Asian counrries they go for senior artists and onlythey end up receivingawards. [Australia] is open for everybody to engage with."

SculpturebytheSea, Cottesloe1%7,4, will beopentothepublicuntil20March2017

INDIAN LINK
art
,, I'mworkingtochangeperceptionsand disturbpeople'sthinkingoflife.Whentheytouch thesculpture,theytouchthesoundofthesite ,,
MARCI-I 2017 19 "O � ro u 'Bi Q) -, .r:. CL
20 MARCI-I2017 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • INDIAN LINK RADIO Download the App Now www.indianlink.com.au
HUGE SAVINGS ON PREMIUM TILES italiaceramics TH.I: 1:1.EAl�ANl:I: ST(Jl�I: 22 MARCI-I 2017 ENROL IN UNDERGRADUATE & POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMS • BUSINESS • MANAGEMENT • INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY • BUSINESSADMINISTRATION • COMMERCE (PROFESSIONALACCOUNTING) •• AFEDERATIONUNIVERSITYPARTNERPROVIDERINSTTUTIO� IN ASSOCIATION WIfH Federation•:• UNIVERSITY AUSTRALIA ·•lnrotec.h Professfona e PlyUd Tradng aslnl£1rnat:ionallnstituleorsu�nes:saod Information Technoogy CRCOS Pcovider Code 019178 FederatLon UmversltyAus ralia CRCOS Provder No. 00103D RA MIGRATION SERVICES IMMIGRATION ADVICE AND SERVICES PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AT AFFORDABLE PRICE Visit: www.auramigrationservices.com.au Call 0433 986 780 MIGRATION SERVICES • General Skilled Migration • Employer Nomination ENS/RSMSVisa MA Memberof Mign,UonAllllnce • 4S7WorkVisa (SkilledWork) • StudentVisa & Extension • Familyand PartnerVisas • BusinessVisas , 1f/1i// '\lli100i,/if,,� MgralonAgents Regstrauon Number • AATAppealsofvisa refusal orcancellations 'INN/'1,a�ag:to/.IJ GET RPL QUALIFICATIONS AT AFFORDABLE PRICES OpeningHours Mon-Fri9amto5pm Afterhoursappointments available Weekendpriorappointments onlyCall0433986780 Sonal Agrawal MARN-1169617 level-2Suitel,48MacquarieSt P□rramatta,NSW-2150 info@auramgratonservices.com.au Email: sonal@auramigrationservices.com.au www.indianlink.com.au

eear

It's a holistic approach to farmingatAvani boutique winery

restaurant,Tu.lsiatSomerville.

Theterm 'Avani'isSanskrit for '1-lfother Earth'.

Asyouwalkintotheboutique wineryAvani,ic isthissoulupliftingonenesswithnarnrethat youe.xperienceimmediately.

ShashiSingh isthechief winemaker ac this15-acreboutique winerylocatedac Red HillSouth,Victoria. Alongwithher husband Devendra,sheowns thisbeautiful stretchoflandinMorningtonwhere theyhavesecupboththeirborneand the vineyard.

Originallyfrom Rohtakin Haryana, India,Shashimovedto Australia afterher marriagein1983.Fromtheveryoutset, shewasinvolvedinthehospitalityindustry withDevendra,atrainedchef,owningand operatingrestaurantsindifferentpartsof MelbournebeforemovingcoMorningron and settinguptheaward winningIndian

Shashi'sinterestinwinescameaboutasa resultof her involvementin d1e restaurant businessandalsothefacethatsheholdsa Master'sdegreein chemistry.She wasalways fascinatedwitbdifferenttypesofwines, andhowd1eypairedwitbspicesandIndian cuisine.Indeed,shehasgrowntobecome quitetheexpertinmisregard.

The Singhspurchased their vineyard in1998andwiththe childrengrownup, Shashi decidedtotakeherinterestinwines a littlemore seriously.

Itwasbacktocollege forShashiand shecompletedadoubledegree,Bachelor of AppliedScience (\Vine science)and Bachelorof AppliedScience(Viticulrnre) from CharlesSruart University.Andin2000, tbeycollaboratedwithPhillipJonesof Bass PhillipWinesto startmakingtheirown vintage(thenunder me\'{lildcroftbanner).

In2004,Shashi startedherwine-making apprenticeshipacdieBassPhillipWinery, alsoworkingmereatthesametime.

ShetellsT!tdia11L.inkthattheseyearswere extremelyhelpful andformative,asshe gainedmuchknowledgeandexperience aboucwinemakingandtheindustry."Phillip hasbeenagreat sourceofguidance and

The first vintage wasin2009which Shashi completedherselfattheLeongatha winery underPhillip'swatchfuleye.She soonestablishedherownwineryonthe vineyardatRedHillandboughtoutthe inaugural vintageonthe property in 2012.

Shashiisafirmbelieverinbiodynamic agriculnu-e practices.'1amforsimple nanuallivingand sustainability,d1at'swhere biodynamicsmal,essomuch sense come. It'saholisticapproachcofarming-taking

careofyour soils,buildingyourunique floraand fatmawhicharein harmony with eachotherand diecosmos.Togrowheald1y plantsyouneedhealthylivingsoils.We want co makewinethatprovidesatrue expressionof diesite.lnthisregard,we haveadapted biodynamic practicesin me vineyardand minimalintervention inwine making,musproducingwineswhichreflect the place they come from."

Currently,Avaniproduceswinesunder twolabels-AvaniSyrah from the fruit whichisgrownandproducedon d1eestate, andAmrit whichincludesPinot Gris, ChardonnayandPinot Noir usingfruit diatcomesfromvarionsvineyardsonthe MorningtonPeninsula.

Oneof d1ebestplacescoenjoyaglass ofAvaniwineisatTulsi,whereDevendra alongwidihisteamof chefsshowcases Indiancuisineatitsbest.Winesarematched tosuiteachcourseaccordingtod1e spices and flavourprofile ofthedishes served.

Avaniwinesarealsosoldattheir cellardoor (wine tastingsavailableon appointment),selectretail storesandat variousrestaurantsacrossMelbourne (Vue De Monde,Tonka,BuildersArmsHotel) and Sydney.

special feature
INDIANLINK
'' The Singhs adopt biodynamic practices to care for their soil, building their unique flora and faunawhich are in harmony with each other and the cosmos ,,
inspiration. Heismy mentorandIhave lovedworking d1ere."
MARCI-I2017 23

MATRIMONIALS

SEEKING GROOMS

Lookingsuitable matchinAustralia forJaeSikh,smart,slimandsinceregirlbornin 1992, 5'6",M.Scnursing(psychiatry). LivinginIndia,belongs cowellsettledfamily,lookingfor wellsettledandprofessionaleducatedmatch. Please contact mansahiajaggi@yahoo.com.

Highlyeducated Indian family,well settledin Sydney for25years,looki11g foramatch for 30-year-olddaughter -goodlooking,mildcerebral palsy,welleducatedand working full time forlasesixyears.E-mailkcas1210@gmail.comorcall0423941 636.

Lookingforasuitablematch for 37-year-old,welleducated,Brahm.ingirl.Well settledin permanentgovernmentjobinBrisbane.Height 5'3",slimand faircomplexion. Please replytokumar.sham@bigpond.com.

Seekingprofessionally qualified,settledmatchforSydney-based,nevermarried, AusCitizen,Hindu,Punjabi Khatri,43,5'3",slim,fair,attractivegirl.Girlispostgraduate andisworkingin agood positioningovernmemorganisation.Pleasesend detailswith photoroindsyd20l6@grnail.com.

Seekingagroomformydaughter,brought upinAusu-alia,fromKayastlrnfam.ily,livingin Sydney forpast24years.Sheis25yearsold,5'2",Bachelorof CommercewithBachelor ofLaw fromU S\'Q,aqualifiedlawyerworkingwithreputedinternationalfirmin Sydney. Sheissmart,caring,hasgreatregardfor familyvalues.Lookingforaqualified, smart boy,preferablysettledin Australia.Castenobar. Senddetailstopbab93@grnail. comor call+61 412 487801.

Seekingagroomforwell-qualified,Tank-KhatriSikhgirl.Age24,height 163cm,slim, hotel management,currentlyworking, business family,based inCalcutta,India.Looking for handsome Sikh boy,well-educatedandworking,fromculturedfamily basedanywhere inAustralia,permanent residentorcitizen.Uncleslivingin Sydney forpast 30years. Respondwithphotoandprofilecosaggu.aman@yahoo.comorcall +61404187115for furtherinformation.

SeekingsuitablemarchforJatt-Sikhgirl,Australiancitizen,33,5'5",slim,fair,responsible, compassionateyoungbdywitl1acharmingpersonality.Professionallyqualified,workingin governmemorganisation.Boyshouldbeprofessionallyqualified,settled .inAustralia.Caste nobar.Pleasesendderailswitl1phototokaur.nonie@gmail.comorcall+61422409881.

SeekingwelleducatedAustralianCitizen/PR foraveryfair,slim,Khatri girlwillingto moveto Australia.31yearsold,5'3",com.iJ1gcoMelbournejnMarch.Familysettledin Jalandbar,brotherinMelbourne.Call/Whatsapp:+91 99151 54747oremailbiodataand picmrestokhanak31715@gmail.com.

\\'lellsettled familyinAustraliaseeksprofessional march for29year old,5'7",beautiful, Punjabi,HindugirlwithtraditionalIndianvalues,workingi.naseniorgovernment position.PreferboyhavingAustralianCitizenshiporPRstatus.Send biodataand photographs roausingh60@gmail.com.

SEEKING BRIDES

Suitablemarch (vegetarian ornon-vegetarian)for Australian-born,vegetarian,Punjabi doctorboy,31 yearsold,5'7"tall,faircomplexion.FamilysettledinAustralia. Please emaildesiny3239@gmail.com.

Lookingforasuitablemarchfor33-year-oJd Brabminboy,wellsettledinAustralia.Involved infamilybusiness.Faircomplexion,heightS'S".Emailkumar.sham@bigpond.com.

bySawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission, Delhi, INDIA, February2017

30th EyeCamp

February 2017 marked the 30'" Eye Camp organizedby Sawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission (SKRM). This medical camp, held twice a year, provides freecataractsurgeriesto patientswho would otherwisenotbeableto afford the expenses ofsuch an operation. Expert eyesurgeonsfromthe United States typicallyvolunteertheir premier high qualitytechnical skills and timetoprovide surgeriesto help makethe camp a success.The eye camps are conductedas part ofboth the International Human Unity Conference (held in February each year) andthe Global Conference on Mysticism (held in September eachyear) organized bySKRM atSantDarshan SinghJi

Dham, Burari.Morethantenthousand individualshave benefitedfromfree cataractsurgeriessincethelaunch of SKRM'seyecampinFebruary2002.

Patients attendingtheeye camps are firstscreened by a medical team.Selected patients,based on medical eligibility, arethentransportedto !CAREhospital, Naida, wheretheyundergosurgerywith the help ofstate--of-the-art equipment,to removethecataracts.All patients benefit from follow up visits and are prescribed eye dropsforseveral weeksfollowingthe operation, sotheycan receive maximum benefitfrom thesurgery.Thisvoluntary servicetothe community has had a significantimpacttothe vision and quality

ofpatients' lives.The US clinicalteam worked in collaborationwithdoctorsat ICARE hospital, one ofIndia'stop eye hospitals.All services were rendered free of charge and in a spirit of selfless service to humanity.

Sawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission (Science ofSpirituality) is an international nonprofit spiritual organization dedicated totransforming livesthroughmeditation underguidance ofSantRajinderSingh Ji Maharaj.

www.sos.o,g www.sos.org/aus/austra/ia

Phone:Australia +61431 718888 India +91 11 7223333

-..;
24 MARCI-I2017
www.indianlink.com.au

ARIES March 21 - April 19

The month starts off with a lot of intention and motivation. You will be thinkingabout ways to improve your relationship area and communicate yourfeelings effectively. It seems there are some issuesfrom the past that are unresolved and need your attention. Thecards are showingsome contact fromfriends you have not seen or heard fromfor a while. Financially you will be planning to get some new work started and establish old contacts.

TAURUS April 20 - May 20

This month you will feel confident and energetic. There will be an air ofpositivity and determination surrounding you. Work will be hectic but manageable. There will be a largerworkload around you and you will be working extremely hard. Home lfe seems a little unsettled; this will be due to your work life demands. Financially you are looking at ways to save moremoney. The cards are indicatinga time to take more exercise.

GEMINI May 21 - June 20

This month will see you feeling a little worn out and frustrated with your plans. Thereseems to be a feeling of not achieving much but working hard.Thecards indicate that you need to take a look at your most important tasks and prioritise. You will befeeling a little restless about yourfami y life, but there will be changes on the horizon. Financially you will be spending a little more then you need to. Take care of your health.

CANCER June 21 - July 20

This month you willbefeelingthe pressure with both work and family. There will be a lot of demands made of you from both angles. You willfeel the stress mountingas your work load seems to be increased. Family will be causing some worry, but things will settle down eventually in the month. There will be some financial aspects to deal with and paperwork to sort out. The need ofthe hour is to keep calm and relaxed.

LEO July 21 - Aug 22

This month you willbeconcentratingon the physical: you will be lookingat joininga gym or taking in more physical activity, and probably have done so already. There willbean important event coming up for which you will want to look the part. You are a little unsure how to deal with relationships this month and you may end up takinga break from it all. Thecards are indicating some travel and catching up with oldfriends.

VIRGO Aug 23 - Sep 22

This month you willbe thinking of your work life and how to improve things. There will be some thoughts of a business venture, and plans to see that through. You are at the stage ofdeciding what to do for the best right now. The cards are indicating a time when you will be feeling a little exhausted with family matters and children. There will .,. be a surprise visit from afriend or relative you have not seen fora while.

PREDICTIONS FOR MARCH 2017

LIBRA Sept 23 - Oct 22

This month you will be lookingat yourfinances, andhow to invest and where. There will be many decisions to take and you will be doinga lot of thinkingand panning this month. Family will offer advice and help. Seems to be a lot of activity this month and as you pan your property matters and personal affairs. The cards are indicatinga time when you will also be looking at a trip and time away to relax.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21

This month you may not be feeling your usual energet c self. There will be some niggling health issues that are bothering you and making you feel very tired and low. Business matters and finances will need your attention too and you will be looking at how to grow your existing business. The cards are indicatinga time when you may be lookingat purchasinganother property. You will be planning a surprise party forsomeone. Buck up and get going!

SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 21

There will be a lot happening around you this month. Work will be busy and hectic, but you will also be planning on lookingfor other opportunities and perhaps working in anotherstate. There will be matters relating to your partner's work that will be stressful and they may need yoursupport and advce. There may beanother add tion due to the family which willbea sourceofjoy. The cards are indicatinga happy month, overall. En oy.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 19

The focus this month is finances and makingsure you are saving enough for those rainy days. There will be an emphasis on career this month and there is an indication ofimprovement and abundance. You may dec de to connect w th an old flame or a past love.Thecards are indicating a time when you may also be looking at a new venture or decide to work with someone else. Take time out to take in morefresh air.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18

This month you willbe busy. You will need to find afine balance 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 siblingisalsogoingto be needingyourhelp.

PISCES Feb 19 - March 20

This month will be an interestingand powerful month when you will be puttingtogether plans and ideas to focus on yourself and your future. You have been wanting to make changes for a while and you are now feeling ready to forge ahead. The cards are indicating a time when you will be feeling positive and brght. Financially you will becareful with your spending. Emot onally you mightfeel like you need to take a break.

foretell
-------------------------------------
INDIANLINK
MARCI-I 2017 25

RANGOON

STARRING: Shahid Kapoor, Kangana Ranaut, SaifAli Khan

DIRECTOR:Vishal Bhardwaj

�\'1 (

In art, as in life,consistency is not a quality that is easily obtainable. In the life that is created in VishalBhardwaj's art, the characters are so flawed and fractured, andso driven down to destruction by theirown demoniacal desires, that you fear they will collapse under the weight of theirown ambitions and longings.

This is true as much of the characters as the director himself. Bhardwaj's latest arguably his most ambitious film to date could have ended up being the Bombay Velvet/Mohenjo Daro of 2017. It is rescued, no, redeemed by an excruciatingly exquisite perception of

the wounds and lashes that love pelts down on those who are its victims.

Rangoon is asimple tale, unnecessarily complicated by its characters' prevarications. It is a story pinned down to a bobbing blueprint of passion and betrayaI by a fey feisty whimsical woman, a popular action actress of the 1940s, who is not, repeat not, Fearless Nadia she is Fearless Julia not afraid to wear her heart I on hersleeves.And when you have

I Kangana Ranaut to play 'Fearless Julia' t is easy to show the woman complete stripped of vanity in her lunge towards love.

Set in the 1940s for a large part of its narrative, Rangoon reads like an overintellectualised literary excursion replete with educated, well-informed arrogant and pompous references to the role of Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army in bringing down the British Raj.

The references to the politics of India's Freedom Movement are drawn out of the commodious plot with a groaning wheezing gravity, as though Bhardwaj, of all the learned elements in Indian cinema, knows that theIndian 1 audience needs to be educated. He has visited the library, you see.

I Tragically, the characters from both

the British army and the INA come across as caricatures cloaked in a gravitas that the screenplay is unable to pull out of the circle of intrigue and deceit that the screenwriters create to cheat on destiny. The British Major General Harding (Richard McCabe) sprouts Urdu poetry with an endearing lisp (Ghalib never soundedso glib) but soon begins to behave like the Gora villains in ManojKumar's Kranti and Manmohan Desai's Mard.

McCabe is Tom Altered.

The erudition that Bhardwaj and his writing team slap on to the long-winded screenplay go a long way in slackening the story's pace almost to a near-inert place from where it is hard to pull ourselves out even whenShahid Kapoor and Kangana Ranaut's compelling chemistry is an inviting incentive.

By the time the plot reaches its third and final act, Bhardwajgets totally carried away by his librarian's lyricism. He injects massivesuffocating doses of academia into his narrative with scholarly arrogance, sacrificing narrative evenness for interludes where time comes to astandstill as we see characters enacting scenes from the Freedom Movement on stage.

Theskits-o-phrenia is distracting. Many of the characters appearto be wasted in the long-legged libretto on nationalism that Bhardwajinsists on playing out while we are meant to watch his paean to patriotic pride in submissivesilence. Bhardwaj plays and sings variations of the national anthem so many times during the film that the audience in the theatre (all25 of them) was confused as to whetherthey should just continue standing in reverent attention.

After all this is not just the Jana Gana

Mana.It is Bhardwaj playing the Jana Gana Mana.

A pity, he sacrifices theopportunity to tella beautifuland tenderlove story about three wounded fractured broken characters for thesake of a baggy ode to desh bhakti replete with a climax on top of a precariously compromised. wooden bridgethat David Lean would have usedas adress rehearsal for The Bridge On The RiverKwai.

Aerial shots of WW2 war planes swooping down on the natives areso clumsily done they are proof of how far FX-drivenIndian cinema lags behind its Hollywood counterparts, and why.

Peel away the layers of self-referential nationalism, and we are left with a luminous lovestory, adishydesiversion of David Lean's Ryan's Daughterand Vijay Anand's Guide about a capricious seductress in acommitted relationship who strays into a passionate liaison with a near-stranger who is way out of her social league. Indeed, the most masterly portions of the narrative are those where Kangana andShahid areshown slogging through stretches of slush and marsh land accompanied by aJapanesePOW.

Kangana and Shahid are extraordinarily at-home in expressing the eruption of unpremeditated passion. Their scenes together are magically shot by cinematographer Pankaj Kumar and are elevated furtherto a level of liberating lyricism by Vishal Bhardwaj's serene background score.

A pity Shahid and Kangana's time togetheris rationed. It ends with the Japanesesoldier (played with gratifying earnestness by Soturo Kawaguchi) begging to be freed to go home to his mother.

Exactly our feelings.

entertainment ■ --------------------------------------
NEWSAGENCY FOR SALE MT ANNAN AREA URGENT SALE PH: 4648 5461 26 MARCl-l 2017
DONUT KING KIOSK FOR SALE * Penrith area * New 5 Year lease/busy centre * Refurbished store-September 2016 * Low rent * Genuine buyers only Phone Suzi 0490 118521 www.indianlink.com.au

TRAVELLING HOMETO INDIA?

DIDYOUKNOW...

-+ WITHOUTTHE RIGHTTRAVEL INSURANCEYOUARE ENTIRELY RESPONSIBLE FOROVERSEASMEDICALCOSTS?

_., TODRIVE IN INDIA,YOU MUSTHAVEAVALIDINDIAN DRIVER'S LICENSEORAN INTERNATIONALDRIVING PERMITTOGETHERWITHAN AUSTRALIAN DRIVING LICENCE?

-+ YOUR PASSPORT NEEDSTO HAVE6 MONTHS'VALIDITY FROMTHE DATE

OF RETURNTOAUSTRALIA?

SPENDLESSTIMESTRESSINGANDMORETIMEENJOYING VISIT" ARTRAVELLER.GOV.AU/INDIAFORFACTSYOUNEEDTOKNOWBEFORE TRAVELLINGHOME.

Advertisement #:-:-. �------...a�--- � / i:liiiiiiii1/,/
.. •
INDIANLINK
1&<�.; AustralianGovernment Authorised by the AustralianGovernment, CapitalHill,Canberra r 7 BEINFORMED. BEPREPARED. L _J smartrave11er.gov.au MARCI-I2017 27

UP-TO-DATE NEWSON WHAT'S HOTAND HAPPENING IN BOLLYWOOD

PEECEE AT OSCARS 2017

So shehad lots of fun at the Oscars, no doubt giving many Bollywoodwallahs #Oscars #GOALS.

Although she did not score a presenting gig like last year, our girl squeezed herself into a tight gown (Ralph & Russo), wore US $5 million worth of jewellery (LorraineSchwartz) and strapped on the highest heels you have ever seen (no goss on which brand, sorry). She cosied up to her Baywatch co-star Dwayne Johnson on the red carpet, chatted up Dev Patel, and pretended to interview Jennifer Aniston backstage for Kelly Ripa's chat show.

Then she got changed into a black sequinned Michael Kors number and went off to the after-party. And because she hadn't eaten a morsel all day, she tucked into a massive juicy burger. (She posted a video of it).

Next day,shesaw her name listed on various Best Dressed as well as Worst Dress lists. (Wow, thesheer talent to be able to pull that off).

You've all probably seen by now the Twitter comparisons about her dress: kaju katli (thanks, AIB for that one); a vase, a blanket ashimmering quilt, a DIY project

Also this one: Who ate the sides of the dress?!

But theIndian actress has stopped fretting over fashion police as everyone is entitled to their own opinion Shesaid in an interview with IANS before theshow, "I used to (get bothered about fashion policing) but not anymore. Now, I wear what I like and what I'm comfortable in and if someone doesn't like that, they don't They are entitled to their own opinion."

Oh, er, sadly, Priyanka made no comment at all about the most memorable moment of the night that came at the end

ANUSHKA

SHARMA, GHOST

Anushka Sharma's Phillauri is gearing up for its March 24 release. The beautifulstar not only features here, but has also produced, for her banner Clean Slate Films.

So which role does she enjoy - acting or producing?

"Both, (even though) they are different I have realised that when I havemany responsibilities onme,I perform better WhenI am acting I just do my job; and whenI am producing a filmI haveto collaborate with ALL, right from the inception of a film. Both are going well for me."

The Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi actor ventured into production with 2015 thriller NH-10.

In Phillauri, thestory revolves around a young man who has come to Punjab to get married, but a local priestsays he willhaveto get married to a treefirst in order to combat the bad setting of his stars. The tree happens to be the home of aspirit Shashi, played by Anushka. The poor bloke ends up marrying the spirit Thespirit also has a f ashback, and we get a love story between Shashi and her fiance.

While we can't wait to see the stunning Anushka onscreen again, what's with this dakiyanoosi subject matter ?

Directed by Anshai Lal, the film also features Diljit Dosanjh.

VIDYA BALAN, BROTHEL

OWNER

A hookah and rife in tow, actress Vidya Balan is intimidating as a brothel owner in the first look of NationalAward winner Srijit Mukherji's BegumJaan. Set against the backdrop of Partition, the high-voltage drama, a Hindi adaptation of Mukherji's stellar Bengali offering Rajkahini, is astory of survivors who defy nations to save their homes.

"My body, my house, my country and my rules," a brazen-faced Vidya reinforces the essence of her character in the maiden poster The film also features a whole list of actors from the world of alternate cinema including Naseeruddin Shah IlaArun, Gauahar Khan, PallaviSharda Rajit Kapoor,AshishVidyarthi, Vivek Mushran, Chunky Pandey, Poonam Singh Rajput, RidheemaTiwari, FloraSaini, PriyankaSetia, Mishti Chakraborty, Sumit Nijhawan, Pitobash and RajeshSharma in pivotal roles. It is slated to release onApril 14.

SONAKSHI SINHA,JOURNALIST

Sonakshi Sinha, who featured in the primary role in Akira and is now the central character in Noor - both movies without astrong male lead- says carrying a film solely on her shoulders isn't difficult, but rather liberating for her

"It's liberating to be promoting thefilm on my own," Sonakshisaid at the trailer launch of her upcoming film Noor.I felt

this also whenI was promotingAkira. I don't have to depend on anybody to carry this film. I haveasolid team to support me, and other than this, I don't need anybody else,"

"I feel like I am independent,strong and moving ahead with my team.This is the best feeling that I can carry a film on my own shoulders," she added In Noor,Sonakshi plays the role of a goofyjournalist who wants to cover a real life incident, but is forced to go for a celebrity's interview.

Thefilm is based onPakistani author Saba lmtiaz's novel Karachi, You're Killing Me!and follows aPakistani journalist-writer Noor's misadventures and lovelifeasshe navigates her way through Mumbai. The flm, directed by SunhilSippy, isscheduled for a worldwide release on 21April 2017.

VARUN DHAWAN, DULHA?

Currently working hard promoting his new project Badrinath Ki Dulhania (Badrinath's bride), the cutesyVarun Dhawan was stumped when a reporter asked him a question about "Varun ki dulhania".

The question came amid speculations about his rumoured love Natasha Dalal The two havenever confirmed their relationship.

Of course thesuave actor dodged the question deftly. "Varun ki dulhan ko kaafitime hai (there is plenty of time for that)," hesaid, gathering himself quickly. "Let people now meet Badrinathki Dulhania."

Thefilm, thesecondfilm in the Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania franchise and is produced by Karan Johar, releases on 10 March.

KARAN JOHAR, DAD!

As Bollywood's celebratedfilmmaker Karan Johar takes thesurrogacy route for fatherhood, B-Town rejoices. The daughter has been named Roohi - a rearrangement of Karan's mother's name Hiroo, and thesonhas been christenedYash - after Karan's late father Karan, 44, said, "I am ecstatic to share with you all the two most wonderful additions to my life, my children and lifelines: Roohi and Yash. I feel enormously blessed to be a parent to these pieces of my heart who were

entertainment
-----------------------------
28 MARCl-l 2017
www.indianlink.com.au

welcomed into this world with thehelp of themarvels of medicalscience."

Best known for directing films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Karan is stillsingle. Hesays parenthood is "an emotional yet well thought out decision" he hastakenafter considering all the responsibilities andduties that come with being one.

"In order to arrive at thisdecision, Ihavepreparedmyself mentally, physically, emotionally and logistically to ensure that my children get allthe unconditional love, care and attention from me andmine.I havesubmitted to the fact that my children are my world and priority."

In his book An Unsuitable Boy released recently, Karan notjust opened up about his sexuality - albeit in a veiled manner -but also expressed a desire to adopt a child or opt for surrogacy.

The filmmaker, who keeps travelling around the world and is known for his knack of making romantic dramas, understands that having children would mean that "work, travels and social commitments would have to take a back seat".

Karan also extendedgratefulness to the surrogate who fulfilled his "lifelong dream and provided a warm, loving and nurturing environment to my children before bringing them into this world. She willalways remain in my prayers."

Roohi and Yash were born thanks to celebratedIVF specialist Jatin Shah,

whowasalso instrumental in the successful birth ofAbRam Khan (son of Shah Rukh and Gauri) and Azad Rao Khan (son of Aamir and Kiran), both through surrogacy.

Karan's new family havecomein for a fair bit of media attention. While one line of questioning has been intrusive (why could he not havehadkids the normal way, or adopted?), others havebeen more congratulatory, such as Amul's cute new ad: Kabhi Beti Kabhi SonJohar se cheer karo!

There was hardly any hullabaloo when actor Tusshar Kapoor announced last year the birth of hisson Laksshya Kapoor, through surrogacy.

calls him Chintu, these days ).

His earlier profile read, "Son of a famous Father-Father of afamousSon.I am the hyphen in between them."

GUNEET MONGA, IRRITATED

Film maker Guneet Monga has produced a new short film entitled Shut Up.The film is based on how freedom of speech of common people is being questioned in the country.

"It'stime we get out there andspeak," Mongasaid in astatement. "Our voices need to be heard and as film makers, it's our responsibility. We do live in a strange time where options are being manufactured. Hoping each one of us can be the change we wish to see."

What's the chitchat between KARAN JOHAR and ALIA BHATT?

Send in your responsesto win@indianlink.com.au and win a movie pass

RISHI KAPOOR, ANGRY

OLD MAN

He usedto be the 'chocolate hero' with the cherubic face who sang Khu/lam khulla and launchedhis generation's mohabbat karne ka ishtyle.Today, he is a grumpy old man, who abuses Twitter trolls, khullam khulla, f words galore.

"Released new warning bio for future trolls, abusers and idiots! Refer profile. Please ignore,sensiblefriends. Let's live in a fun world," hetweeted recently.

The actor also changedhis prof le picture, to asnapshot of him brandishing a gun, from his film Aurangzeb.

Rein it in, @chintskap!(That's Chintu Kapoor, for the uninitiated,a name by which heisalso known. Wonder who

Directed by Ashutosh Pathak, the film is based on a common person who finds himself participating in a silent protest only to find revolutionin the most unlikely place.

Pathak says that Indians seem to have forgotten how to debate over these things constructively.

"From the well of the parliament to our dinner tables, we are like a bunch of monkeys shouting off with your head every time anyone disagrees with us.It's funny andscary at thesametime, and that's the feeling I wanted to highlight with this film. Are we really free to speak our minds, or just getting fearful, and learning how to shut up," he said.

WHAT TWEETY BIRD TOLD US THIS WEEK

Match the followingstars to the tweets below Twinkle Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra,Amitabh Bachchan again, Vidya Balan

This was too much fun. @chrissyteigen @KellyRipa #JenniferAniston #backstageshenanigans

41 years of "Kabhi Kabhie" !!

Just asI was about to begin sprouting 50shades of grey,I am rather gladI am sporting 50 shades of L'Oreal instead :) #lorealproindia

When I die, the assets that I shall leave behind shall be shared equally between my daughter and my son! #GenderEquality #WeAreEquaI.

Aa rahi hoon main! #BegumJaanFirstlook.

What'sthe chitchat between VARUN DHAWAN and ALIA BHATT?

VARUN: Sochtihai zyada, kam wo samajhti hai Di/ kuch kahta kai, kuchh aurhikarti hai Ladki kyon, najaane kyon, ladkon sinahin hoti.

ALIA: Jeene ka tumko dhangsikhlate hain Tumheinjaanvarse insan banate hain... lsliye ladkiyan ladkon si nahin hoti.

ARSHIA LAGHARI

Cranbrook QLD Arshia winsa ticketto Badrinath Ki Dulhania

IHDIAHLIHK
WHO
PADMA LAKSHMI or LEA MICHELE in CUSHNIE ET OCHS +Shareyourviews with us on our Facebookpage /lndianLinkAustra/ia
WORE IT BETTER?
MARCI-I 2017 29

Youhurtmyfeelings,now makemeamillionaire

Get rich quick with an out-of-the-box lawsuit

Emotionalclistressis when you makeasarcastic commenton Facebook and every single friend th.inksthat's what you realJy think, andwhenyoulater pointour thatyoudon't acmally advocateeatingthe unemployedorwhatever,theyth.inkyouare beingsarcastic.

Sothenyou'rei.nabad moodand switch coyouremail andfindthis:"Dear Mr Columnist,howmucharemyemotions worthinmajor currenciesatroday's rates in various countriesaroundtheworld?"

Themessagefromreader AgnesP.K. Tingbaffledme-untilI clickedherlink co alate February news report:Policeinthe US justpaid$885,000toa pet-owner"for emotionaldistress"aftertheyshothis pet dog.A secondlinkledtoaJanuaryreport ofastudentwhowasaskedcollcinateina bucketinastoreroomandreceivedS1.25 million,also "foremotionalclistress".

"\�hydoweworktoearnmoneyinstead ofjustwaitinguntilsomeonehurtsour feelingsandthenclaimcompensationfor emotionaldistress?"Agnesasked.

Goodquestion.Ithoughttheanswer mightbe thatthesethingsonlyhappen i.ntheUnitedStates,acountrywhich undoubtedlyhasaconstimtional amendmentsayingsomethinglike:"The Right of The AmericanPeopleto Fileand WinRidiculousLawsuitsShall Neverbe Jnfringed."

ButI checked withalawyerwhotoldme that peoplemakeemotionaldistressclaims al1overtheworld.

Atead1er intheUKdemanded compensationfor being stressedoutby kidsandacourtgavehim 101,000 pounds ($125,000),beforeahigher court snatched itback arguingthat ''apersonstressedout bykids"wasprettymudithedefinitionof

teacher.

AguyinIndiawatched areallybad

Bollywoodmoviecalled Rockstarin2014 anddemandedRs.50,000,whichisabout $750,"onaccount ofmentalharassment andagonysuffered".Giventhat Bollywood moviessometimesrunthree-and-a-half hours,hemayhaveunderpricedthe damage.

In China,amantriedtosueactress Zhao\'qeibecause berintensescareatthe cameraduringaparticularTVshowcaused him"spirirualdamage".I canseehowd1e atcractiveMsZhaocouldcauseanymale

viewer cohavesignificantnon-spiritual thoughts.The courtsevenmalJydeclined cobear thecase,althoughif theyhadany brainstheywouldhavetakenaweekoffto inspectMs Zhao'svideosaspart of d1eir "duediligence"process.

Still,Icanseewhy courtsinAsiarefuse copaycompensation co viewers aggrieved byshockinglybadtelevision.TVcompanies wouldbasically be payingcash toevery viewereverydayforeveryshow. And however much d1eypaid,itwouldn't be enough.

Yetdespitetl1erashofemotional distress

lawsuits,let'sremember thatmanyclaims fail.Acolleague forwarded meareport aboutawomanwhofoundherimagewas usedwid1out permissioninaChipode restaurantpromotionandaskedfor $2 billion.Thecourtsrecentlyruledagainst her,butI thinkitwasword1crying,justin case the judgehadhadanice lunch and gave hera token$100millioncosaysorry forthe thumbsdown.

Meanwhile,ifany judgesarereading this,bowmuchcanIget fortheemotional distress of having asarcasticcomment misunderstood?:tvfillions,right?

backchat
30 MARCI-I 2017
www.indianlink.com.au

Seven Good Reasons to Fly Air India

5 ConnectionsfromAdelaide, Brisbane, Canberra and othercitiesinAustralia andNewZealand

Attractive Interline Fares with Qantas, VirginAustralia andAirNew Zealand.

6 India and Europe combined atfaresstartingfrom $1066* Fly onwardsto London, Birmingham, Paris, Frankfurt, Rome, Milan, Vienna and Madrid.

7 FreeAccommodation (STPC) atThe Holiday Inn Express NewDelhiAirportTransitHotel

FreeAccommodation provided for passengers travailingfromAustralia to Europeprovided there is no stopover, the transittime at Delhi is between 8-24 hours and a single ticket is issued fortheentirejourney. FreeAccommodation is only on theAustralia to Europe leg and not on the return.

"Termsandconditions: Offerendson31stMarch2017unlesssold outpror.Advertisedfareof$ 1205 IsallInclusivefortravelontherouteAdeaide-Bengaluru-Adelaide(viaSydney/MelbourneandDehi),pricedason27thofFebruary,2017foroutboundand nboundtravelon specificdateswith8kgcarry-onluggageand30kgcheck-inbaggage.Oulboundtravelispermttedfrom20thFebruaryto21stJuneor06thJuylo13thSeptemberor28thSeptemberlo10thNovember.Trave mustbecompletedwithin3monthsfrom thedateofdeparture, Pricesarecorrectason27thofFebruary 2017andsmallvarialionsinpricesmayoccurasaresultofchangesinairporttaxesorcurrencyfluctuations. Offerssubjecttoava abiltyandfaresarevalidonArIndaoperatedflights ony. rocketisnon-refundableandfeesapplyforanychange/no-show. Forfulltermsandconditons,peasevistwww.arinda.com orcontactyourlocaltravelagentorcallAirIndiaon(03)90218720/(02)92833370.

Nobody Covers India Like We Do
Fares Starting from 1205*
Return
1 Non-Stop Flights Between Sydney / Melbourne and Delhi. 2 LuxuryDreamliner Boeing 787 Dreamliner non stop from Australia to India and onward to Europe. 3 FreeOnward Connections To 11 domestic destinations. 4 Low-Priced DomesticAdd-Ons Fly from $50 one-way and $100 return.
��,,i!lnl.!!11 .lallaIIW..l.la CALL1800i1Jt�&1A www.airindia.in SYDNEY: (02)9283 3370 I Emailtosyd.reservation@airindia.in MELBOURNE:(03)9021 8720 I Emailto mel.reservation@airindia.in A
ALLIANCE MEMBER vt>"'
STAR
INDIANLINK MARCI-I2017 31
moneygram.com.au 11 /moneygram $MoneyGram. moneytransfer � ••TRAVEL t[I •;MONEY/H® SoorJCoa,M v� And anywhereyou seethe MoneyGram sign. '$3.50feeappliestosendsupto$100forcash pickup.Ahigherconsumerfeewillbechargedforsendamountswhichexceed $100. Inadditiontothefee, acurrencyexchangerate mayalsoappy. MoneyGramalsomakesmoneyfromcurrencyexchange. MoneyGramandtheGlobearemarksofMoneyGram.Allothermarksarethepropertyoftheirrespectveowners.©2017 MoneyGram, 32 MARCI-I 2017 www.indianlink.com.au

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.