2017-03 Melbourne

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The impact ofTrump onyourfamilyhome

BY PAWAN LUTHRA

Recendy,thethreeindices of thestrengthof theUS economy-theDowJones IndustrialAverage(which includesthescocksof the30largest andmostpowerfuJcompaniesinthe US),Standard&Poor's500 (which consistsof the500mostcommonly tradedstocks andrepresentsabout 80percentof thetotal value of USstockmarkets), andtheNasdaq StockMai:ket(whkhfeaturesmostly technology companies)-achieved recordhighs.

AccordingcoC N Money,itwas thetirsttimethethreeinclicesachieved concurrenthighrecordssinceJanuary 1992.

Asexpected,PresidentTrump took fullcreditforthissaying,"Thestock markethasbitrecordnumbers,asyou know.Andthere hasbeenatremendous surgeof optimisminthebusiness world."

Thisishalf true. Thepartwhich

istrueisthat,todate,otberthan his :xenophobicexecutiveorderonbanaing immigrationfromspecificcountries,he hasmade largelypro-businesspolicies, asexpectedof aRepublican President. Eventhoughthesehavebeenatthe costof cbeenvironmentandclimate changemanagement,therealityisthat tbebusinessworldhaswelcomedthese announcements.Trumphaspromised to slashthebusinesstaxratefrom35per centto 15percentandalsoslashred tapewhichhampersbusiness WhatTmmpis notacknowledging orgivingcreditco,andas apoliticianis notell.-pectedco,isd1athispredecessor setupthepolicieswhichhaveallowed theeconomy cogrowatthispace. DuringtheObamayears,theUS economyhadcorrectedby over50 percentand unemploymentrares had decreasedbyover30percent.

Forthoseof usinAustralia,we haveavoidedlarge scale recessionin d1erecentpastduetooarabilityto sellresourcestoChina.Therewasa slowdowninChinain thelastcouple of years,butAuscraliahasbeen able coweatherthescormwitha property, education and tourism boom. The propertyboom,tl1oughconcentrated inonlycertainpartsof Australia, has keptconsumerconfidencehigh and

this,coupledwithgenerallylowinterest races,hasensuredlow unemployment andsteadybusinessconfidence.Wages arelargelystagnant,butwitl1low inAation,thisstagnationhasreallynot impactedtheeconomy.

Oneof tl1etwo headwinds coming ourway couldbethe loweringof Australia'screclitrating. Ournational debtmanagementneedsstrongsurgery to makeitbettet,butwitl1aclivided Parliamentandshortsightedpoliticians, thiswill nothappen.Anychangeto ourcreclitratingmaywell.increase the costof borrowingforthebankswhich couldpushupinterestrates.

TheocherheadwindisthatTrun1p's policies,villputpressu.reontheUS FederalBanktotightentheirpurse stringsandincreasetheirinterestrates, whichwillbeanotherreason forthecost of borrowingforourbankstogoup.

If interestraresincreaseinAustralia, itcouldputapat1seon thestrong growthof property val.ues here.The robustincreasewhichpropertyowners andinvestorshaveseeninthelast4-5 yearsmaycome toagentlehale.This doesallownewtnigrantstocakescock and buysensibl)'rather thanin a panic. Thereniaywellbesomeopportunities forpropertybuyersind1elaterpartof thisyear.

Sai Baba Mandirin Camberwell, SHIRDI SAi SANSTHAN MELBOURNE, is on the lookoutforaRESPECTED HINDU PRIEST OFINDIAN ORIGIN.

• Required to perform daily Vedic rituals. ceremonies and other Priestly duties as approved by Management.

• Must have the capacityto communicate in English. Hindi and other major Indian languages. Multi-lingual ability is favoured

• Must havedemonstratedinterpersonal skills to work harmoniously with other Priests. Devotees. Temple Staff. Volunteers and Management.

This is a part-timeposition, with a view to a full-time position in the future. Please forward CV,with reference contactdetails,to info@shidisai.net.au. Applications close: 31 March 2017.

32 HalleyAvenue,CamberwellVIC3124 I (03)98892974

TEMPLEASSISTANTSUPERVISOR WANTED

Sai Baba Mandir in Camberwell, SHIRDI SAi SANSTHAN MELBOURNE, is on the lookoutfora TEMPLEASSISTANT SUPERVISOR.

• Experience and knowledge managing a public Temple.

• Must clean theTemple. coordinate Volunteers. have strong interpersonal skills. clear multi-lingual communication skills (English and Hindi as a minimum) and favour a team-oriented approach.

• Organisational skills and attention to detail are crucial.

• Cooking skills will be an advantage.

This is a part-time position, with a view to a full-time position in the future. PleaseforwardCV,withreferencecontactdetails,to info@shldisai.net.au. Applications close: 31 March 2017.

www.indianlink.com.au

MaggieTaaffe aALLa<HonsJGCAMLP PRINCIPAL Barrister&Solicitor(MARN08515"5> i::!li m.taaffe@australiaherewecorne.corn.au

CALLING RESPECTED AND EXPERIENCED PRIESTS

UNIBREAK

Alook at what some young members ofthe community got up toovertheir summer holidays

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

Vlnaya Ral wrote: Azaara Perakath, I see you!

YuvaAustralia wrote: Here is what someyoung Australians have been doing over the summer, including our YUVA Australians Anirban, Arpita and Anindya. Cheers to the volunteering spirits of the youth such as these! #youngindianaustralians #yuvaaustralians #youthinAus

THE CURSE OFTHE MILLENNIALS

Gen Y aren't lazy, they're disadvantaged by the system, wrote

SARGUN BHATIA

CulturalPerspectlves @CPerspectives tweeted: Agree-Millennials face societal stereotypes and over expectations in the work force today

WINE THAT LASTS THE DISTANCE

Fora turban wearing Sikh, breaking into Australia's wine scene has been a challenge, but Nazaaray Estate Wine,y now produces award-winning wines, wrote DHANYA SAMUEL

KabirDhallwal wrote: I always go for work towards Rosebud, I guess this place is a must visit seems to be good

Jasjlt Bala wrote: She is my first cousin and she and her husband make the most amazing wines must buy their pinot!

Rajnl Luthra wrote: Param's folly, Bees saal baad I love the way these two speak.

Slmran Sandhu wrote: Wow! How amazing! Love the story! How inspiring!!

TanblrSinghGrewal wrote: AWESOME!!!

Asmeet SinghGrewal wrote: Tanbir Singh Grewal, time to revisit old plans TanblrSinghGrewal wrote: You've got to try it out bro

DECOLONISINGOUR ARTS ANDMINDS

It's time the Indian community acknowledged First Peoples' ownership of the land, and decolonised our perspective on arts practice, wrote APARNA ANANTHUNI FootscrayArts @Footscrayarts tweeted: 'Decolonising our arts andminds' a ref ection on @Arts_Front held at FCAC last Nov

Arts Front @Arts_Front tweeted: It is time to envision a new future for the arts in Australia. A decolonised future @indian_link

STRENGTHINDIVERSITY

When it came to speaking up against a xenophobic US President, Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull let us down badly, wrote PAWAN LUTHRA

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. Notjust 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 forcefully spank everyone who equates refugees with terrorists, or we are all going to hell for inaction!

SAYIT AGAIN

RIPBHAVITA

BhavitaPatel, 33, has been named as the sixth victim of the Bourke Street incident. She died on 30Janua,y when her family decided to turn offher life support after she was injured in the 20January attack. Young mother and IT consultant Nethra Krishnamurthy is still recovering after the attack. SmltaSharma wrote: May your soul rest in peace. You are in a better place now.

Nandlta Bajaj wrote: Rest inPeace Bhavita, condolences to her family. AnllSingh wrote: Very tragic event, deep sorrow.

NallnlSingh wrote: Sad day for all Australians. RIP.

ComedygroupAIB

on PriyankaChopra's Oscarsgown

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

M. NightShyamalanon theOscarsBestPicture controversy

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

GENERAL PRACTICE ASWELL AS SOCIAL WORK

RAJNI ANAND LUTHRA spoke with Australia Day honouree Dr Purushottam Sawrikar OAM

Avlnash Kanetkar wrote: Well done!

SangeetaSharma wrote: Congratulations Dr Sawrikar Anita Playoust wrote: Congratulations!

Kasturl Kalmath wrote: Congratulations Dr Sawrikar! Well deserved Kalyan Ram wrote: Dear DrSawrikar, my personal congratulations to you on the honour you have received. I am equally impressed with the work you havebeen involved with in the socialsector for the community in general and our migrants in particular. I am keen to speakwith you about your interest in the area of agedcare.

RECONSIDERYOUR DECISION, MELTONCHRISTIANCOLLEGE

RAJN/ ANAND LUTHRA reported on a Sikh boy denied enrolment at a Melbourne school for wearing the turban

BastianGianino wrote:The school has the right to enforce its uniform policies. These rules are for everyone who attends thatschool, those are the uniform rules; the boys at this school are not allowedto have their hair long or deviate from the standard uniform, i.e. wear different coloured socks that are not in accordance with their dress code. This is a private Christian school and we too mustrespect their rules if we wish for our children to attendthat school.

I am sure that there are a lot of suitable schools in the area which do not have a strictdress code so that you wouldn't have to compromise your religiousbeliefs,but having said that if a Christian childwantedto attend a school of a different faith and didn't, or couldn't, comply with the dress code of that school due to faith I am sure the outcome would be the same. If you want people to respect your religious beliefs, you too have to respect theirs. Babu wrote: Come on, this isAustralia - a land of freedom of choices! A dominant section of our population that is of European origin appears to be feeling some kind of baseless insecurity and going through integration problems themselves in mingling with the other ethnic sections of our society such asSikhs or Muslims. Wearing a turban or veil is in no way appearing to impact the basic Christian nature of Melton Christian College or the belief of any other school.

Any decision from Melton Christian College about its uniform policy points to a discriminatory attitude and passive aggression by a handful in its management committee. Even the law makers in our nation are poorly represented by ethnicgroups - the numbers seem to be disproportionate with the percentage of the ethnic population. This is possibly leadingto double standards when it comes to Court outcomes. As a moderate ethnic citizen ofAustralia, I strongly support Arora's case and hope to see his son being allowed to wear a turban to school. I urge one and allAustralians (allskin colours) to come together, evolve and make this nation a truly multiracialto achieve the best.

Noel Lal, ExecutiveVP,GOPIOlntematlonal wrote to thePrlnclpal ofMeltonChristianCollege: The Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) is the largest organisation for the welfare of PIOs living outside India, and is a non-partisan, secular global organisation engaged in promoting their wellbeing and enhancing cooperation and communication between Indians living in different countries.

GOPIO is extremely saddened with your school's decision to refuse a tiveyear-old Sikh boy admissionjust because he wears a turban, and it does not align with your uniformpolicy.

Your attention is drawn to a landmark case of September 2008, where a Brisbane private school was forced to back down on a strict uniform policy that would have forced aSikh boy to cut his hair and remove his turban.

GOPIO is disappointed that in today's day and age, instead of uniting various communities, your institution is actually dividing them (even at the tender age of five).

GOPIO hopes that the school will reconsider its earlier decision and do the needful by admitting the five-year-old Sikh boy.

IT'S TIME

MOHAN DHALL wrote about the importance of teaching childrenabouttime management and goalsetting for a smoothyear ahead

Slrla wrote: Excellent article and very relevant in this day and age. Well written, Mohan Dhall.

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

BillionaireMukesh Ambani

"Catching the wrong train can sometimes get you to the right station."

Saroo Brierley promoting thefilm Lion in Kolkata

"Australian politicians treat black and brown people like Pokemon cards, trying to trade them to other countries."

L-FRESHThe LIONon Australia's asylum seeker policies

TRAVELLING HOMETO INDIA?

.DIDYOUKNOW...

-+ WITHOUT THE RIGHT TRAVEL INSURANCE YOUARE ENTIRELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEASMEDICALCOSTS?

-+ TODRIVE ININDIA, YOU MUSTHAVEAVALIDINDIANDRIVER'S

LICENSEORANINTERNATIONALDRIVING PERMIT TOGETHERWITH AN AUSTRALIAN DRIVING LICENCE?

� YOUR PASSPORTNEEDSTO HAVE 6 MONTHS' VALIDITY FROMTHE DATE OF RETURN TOAUSTRALIA?

SPENDLESSTIMESTRESSING ANDMORETIMEENJOYING · VISIT RAVELLER.GOV.AU/INDI FORFACTSYOU NEEDTOKNOWBEFORE TRAVELLINGHOME.

Check outSatbir's story in the newgovernment campaign on multiculturalism

Satbir Singh Kahlon feels a sense of pride every time he puts on his Acmy resen1e uniform. His curban carries his regiment's insignia.

BY PREETI JABBAL

As ayoungman growingup in Ambala Canrt in northern 1ndia, SatbirSingh Kahlon was drawn cowards tennis, as opposed co his mates who liked crid<et. Images from che Australian Open appealed to him so much chat when be decided to moveto Australia for higher smdies, he knew itwouldhave to be to Melbourne.

Today, Sacbir Singh Kahlon is an Officer Cadet in the Australian ArmyReserve based at Melbourne UniversityRegiment. He previouslyworked for the Australian Defense Force as a Multiculmral Ambassador.

You can learn more aboutSatbirin a newcampaign launched by d1e Victorian Government in which Victorians of various backgrounds talk about the lives rney have built for themselves in the stace.

The Victorian Government is sharing their stories, the media and the communityis finding out about their contributions, society has welcomed them, and they are getting a fair go.

They are Victorians. And proud of it.

An initiative launched as part of the Andrews' Labor Government's newly released multicultural policy, the 'Viccorians. And Proud of it' campaign was unveiled at the Maucice Rioli room, at Punt Road Oval, in Richmond, recently.

Be it Fijian mother Anita Robi or Indian• born Satbir Singh Kahlon, theidea behind thewell-constructed narrative in the advertisement, is co promote a shared sense of belonging, acceptance, inclusion and contribution.

"\\Then I got enJisted and first put my uniform on, it gave me a great sense of belonging," Kahlon revealed. "lt urges me co make sure that whatever l do, ic is positive for me community."

As a devout Sikh, Satbir's life is guided by values of contribution and self-improvement.

Since he arrived in Melbourne as a 17-year-old straight outof schoo� he has accomplished much. He finished a degree in IT, became a part of his local tennis dub, and joined the Army Reserve.

Today the 32-year-old is a proud Australian and Vicrorian.

''Victoria is very special;' he said. "There are different people from different faiths, from different cultures and different con1111tmities coming rogetber making Victoria a great place co live and well wotd1 belonging to."

As part of tbe new campaign, Victorians lil<e Sacbir are encouraged to read the stories of d1eir fellow citizens and share theirown. Vict0rians from all walks of life are encouraged to celebrate with real life examples of real people enjoying the benefits of a dynamicand diverse Victoria.

This will reiterate the importance of shared Victorian values including one law for all, freedom to be yourself, no discrimination, a fair go for all and importance of contributing to the commmlity.

The Premier Daniel Andrews put d1is idea in a nutshell when be declared, "Being a Victorian isn't just aboutwhere you li\1e. It's abom contribution and belonging."

Similarly, me :Minister forMulticultural Affairs Robin Scott said, ''\\7e all have something to contribute. To foster everyone's sense of belonging, so they feel pride in tl1eir homeand meirstate, is oneof the most

in1portant things Governments can do".

Deputy PremierJames Merlino and Victorian Police Commissioner Graham Ashton were also present at the launch along with community leaders and media representatives.

The 2017 policyincludes details of programs and services wid1 a vision to drive concrete improvements across Government, ro ensure mat everyVictorian can belong, contribute, achieve and succeed.

TI1epolicywas developed after extensive consultation with d1e community and retains some core principalswid1 focus on social cohesion and current challenges faced by the Victorian commtulity.

Accm:ding co Premier Andrews, "We are stronger for our diversity - but that

doesn'tmeanit's always easy. In me face of extremism and fear, we need to reaffirm what is most important to us."

Victoria's first ever Gender Equality Strategy is alsogeared to addressing issues facingwomen andgirls from CALD communities who can face additional barriers as a result of various factors including language, separation from familyand support network, insecure visa or job scams, gender stereotypes etc.

The expected outcome is for Victorians to be safe and secure, healthy and well, able to participate fully, connected ro culcure and comm.wlity and to have equal rights and oppommities.

IVithinp11tfrom Victorians. And proud of ir campaigt1 l?J, theGovern111entofVictmia

,, Being a Victorian isn't just about where you live. It's about contribution and belonging ,, Premier- DanielAndrews

sIn this Australian exclusive, we chat with the star ofthe Oscars 2017ceremonySunny Pawar, and the man who helped find him, Indian film professional Pravesh Sahni

BYRAJNI ANAND LUTHRA

fyoudon'cchinkSuru1yPawariscure, Lhenyoudon'tdeserveanyhappiness. ThoseareTwiner'swords,notours. Socialmedia(theworld?)wentcrazy atthisyear'sOscars,andnotjust for tb111serioussruff-upatd1eend.Thefrenzr wasalsofor:lllotherreason-apint-sized starfromIndiawithd1ecutestmxedoever, gorgeoushair,heart-meltingsmile,andall theconfidenceia theworld.

Eight-year-oldSunny Pawar,whoplays ayoungSarooBrierleyintheOscarnominatedti.ImUo,,,becameoneofthe mostmemorableOscarmomentsfrom 2017.

Hestoletheredcarpetfromunder d1escilettosofsomeoftheworld'smost beautifulandcxpcnsivelrdressedwomen, parcicipatedinanunforgettablecameowith d1ehostJimmyKimmel,wowede\erybody withhisrurnonthesilverscreenina critically-acclaimedmovie(whristhereno OscarcategoryforBestChild Actor?).and returnedhometoaLion'swelcome.

Oh,andhealsodidawholeImforhis alreadylikeableco-scarDevPatel.The Britishlndianactor'sdallianceswithlicdc Sunnrallthroughtheawardsseason- fixing hisbowtie,eyinghisshoe5-lacesorsimply hoistinghimup-ended upincreasingtheX factorforhin1,manytimesm·er.

"GeeyourselfaDe,•Patel!"Twinerurged.

Ok,granted,itwasDev'sgentlecareof hisglamorousmumtharmightalsohave addedtothis,butitwasSunnytoalarge extent.OneTwitteruserspokeformany youngpeoplewhentheysaid,"I'mgoing tomarrrDevPatel,haveabigfatlndian wedding(you'reallinvited)andthenwe're goingtoadoptSUJmyPawar."

Wespeakwitl1littleSunny:ind his daJDiliponmephone,tl1eday aftertheyarrivebackinIndia fromLA. Itis5pmd,eirtime.Theyhave spclltthedaydoingtheroundsoftelevision interviewsandpressconferences,butSunnr amwer:sallottrquestion$likeheisanswering chemforthefirsttime.

"/311h111,urhoIago.B11h11t11,hrhtJtho,"hesays repeatedlr.I lovedirall. lewasnice.

\Xierealiseheis,afterall.bma!itdechild, andfeelabitsorrymbesubjectinghimro thisquestioning.Buthi5answers,although shoreanddirect,beliehisage;herevealsno &ignofexhaustion,andwemarvelathis cap:idrytoprocessitall.

Youlookedfantastic,wesay.Th:ink i•ou, hesays,wichahint ofAmericaninhis accenr.

Greatsuit. whodidyourhair?

'\'111i11kh11rlkfyo!"Diditmyself!

Atd1eshow,didherccoh'11isethebig srars?

"Pehcbau110,par11001111111bi11IJ/a/11111."Sort ofrecognised them,bmdidn'tknowroeir

for Sunny, forIndia

names.

\\'lashenervousat all?AttheLionKing scene,maybe?

''N11bi11.dar11abi11 lugp,balm/e,yl!)'k!J·11/" 1o,1lovedid

Take One, forus all, that the worldwas watching ,,

Dilipchimesin,",,llli11i.rkosll11jbffJa1h11, damekL,ktu!Jkl;?Bnat.b11ejabrboro/11/rh"r:ru,9w, imtdbpokd11. Donokhag(!Ja!"·•1explainedco himd1ere'llbenothingtobescaredabout. Whenthechocolatesshowereddown,he caughtlW<)packers-arethembothup!"

Accompanyingmerinydynamitear theOscars,wasPravcshSahni,whose Delhi-basedfilm companyLndiaTakeOne ProductionshandledtheLndiaaffairsfor themakersofLio11,Sydney-basedSec-Saw Films.Sahnigmcowalkwimhislinlt:ward ontheredcarpet.,scoredascatwithdie mainguests,andfoundhisownfifeen minutesoffan1easheappearedonscreen nLwytimes.

Lio11is thefourth filmSahnihasbeen involvedwith d1a1hasgoneto theOscars, d1eothersbeingSh1111dog,Millio1111ire,LiftofPi andZeroDarkTbirfy.Butthisonewillbethe mostmemorable.

"Oscars20I7hasbeenoneofthebest e.,pericucesofmylife;'herellslnrliauLi11k, on thephonefromLA."Notmany1.ndians havebeentotheOscarsasyouknow.aadit wasaspecialprivilegecobeinthemidscof itall."

Hewasscaredinrownw11ber3 ind1e middle,cigbcbehindDenzelWashington, wid1SunnyandtherestoftheI..Jo11ceam.

"Idiought lwouldbeup onthebalcony somewhere," he admitslaughing!)' "1twasfarmore

glamourousd1anL thought.J ha,·cseenitonTVbefore,but here1was,ju.steightfeetawayfromd1e stage!"

Healsoadmitstobeingquite overwhelmedbyitaU,despitehavingworked intheindustr)'for30yearsandcreatinga nicheforhimseJIb)'assistingforeignfilms rharhavebeensetin lndia.

"ljustkeptlookingru·ounddazed!"he rcveal5."1wasinaworld Ialw:iysdreamed of beingin. ldidn'tevendiinkoftaking myownphOLos,d1creweresomanypeople cakingpicruresnfus.Thereisafive-minute breakevery 15 minuresducingdieOscars ceremonr. Everybodyaroundus,all thebig actors,wantedaphotowid1Sunny.11,cyall kneltdown,intheirtlLxedosandbeautiful gowns,togetdosetohim!"

Ontheredcarpet,Praveshgottoactas translator.

'·Sunnywasaskedwhohewouldmostlike toshakehandswid1andhesaid,"f-lrid1ik Roshan".That'swhohelikes,Hrithik Roshan-hedoesn'tknowtheHollywood celebritiesyer."

0,Y/ck-arnedfromPravcshlarer rhar Hritbikhasbeenintouchroseekameeting withlittleSunny).

TheUo11teamwenttotheafter-party hostedbytheWeinsteinCompanr

"Wegottherejustaftertheawards ceremony,:ibom I0pm,''Praveshrecounts. "Therewasaredcarpet,andyou're supposedtoshowrourphotoID,because diesecuriryishandledbythepolice.Guess what.,inalltheexcitement,weforgotto beingourID.lgotconcernedbecausethe Pawarsdidn'tevenha\·etheirpassports ond1em. Burarepresentativefromdie companysaid,'EverybodyrecognisesSunny. HisfaceishisphotolD!'Oneofthepolice of6cerspickedSunnyupinhis armsand carriedhimin!"

TheI.Jo11familywasdisappointed,Pravcsh reveals,tahavebeennominated forsix awardsandnothavingwonevenone.

"Itwasjustbadluck,nott)urday.The spiritwas,atleastwewerenominated, sowe'dalreadywon99%ofrhebacdc." Unfortunate!)'d1eIndianreamhadtorush homeasSunnyw�isdriftingoff,havinghcen ondieredcarpetsiocc Ipm,andhehadto beattbcnextevent,AfterthtO.mm·at5am d1enextmorning.

(Oneoft.hehosrsond1eshow,Jerry O'ConncUsacSlmnyonhisshouldersand declared"1wanttowalkaround Hollywood Boulevardelikethiswiilimynewfriend!'')

"Thetheatrewasfullastheydiscussedthe previousnight.Then,inrhcafernoon we putSunnyand DilipontheirAightbad,to lndia."

PrnveshalsorevealschatSunnyhasbeen goingbackandformbetweenlndiaandthe USforthepastthreemond1snow.

Strangely,hewasinitiallyrefusedavisa. ..Hisdadhad:ibankb3lanceofonl)TRsI20.

SunnyPawarmetPresidentBarack ObamaattheWhite Houseinthe lastweekofObama'sPresidencyto raiseawarenessforthe#LionHeart campaign.

HewasinWashington,DCtohelp raiseawarenessfortheinitiative that rovidesfinancial supportand resourcestochildreninIndia.

TheWeinstei)1Compahy,See-Saw Films,and TheCharityNetwork launchedthe campaign in November 2016.Sincethen,theinitiative hasraisedover$100,000Inits missiontoassisttheover11million homelessyouthofIndia.

,, I loved shooting in Australia, the place was so beautiful. There were so nyplaces to roam and play ''

Thenrhefilm'sdiscribucorsThe\Xleinsrein Companygotinvolved,andgoLthePawars:l 10-rearvisa."

Pravc$hbelievesSunnyhaswhati1cakes tomakeitbig.

"Ihaveworkedwith,1lotofactors,nncl l cancellyou, heisast:tr:'hesayswith couviccioa.·'But his fatherandheneedto l1a,•eaproperplan.Andnotbetoogreedy. Youknow,coavoidwhat d1cycalld1e 'Oscarscurse'•whereyouincreaserour pricesoDJuchthatrouLakeyourselfoutof diemarket.Swmy'sagoodkid.He'snow beenpuLinschool Sec-SawFilmshave beenkindenoughcolookafterhim. He's goin�tolearn English.Willhebeableto workinEnglishmmi.es?Yes,it'spossible; butit'sgoingrocaketime."

PraveshbasalsoseenDe\'Pare!d1rough hiscareer.

"I haveworkedwid1DevPatelon live filmsthroughIndiaTakeOne.Wehave seenhimgrowfromSlt1111dngco/3e.rtExolit MarigoldHoltlaDdthenUo11andwejust finishedHoMl\111111b11iwithhim.Heisa greatactorandawonderfulperson. Hedid hisfirstlilmwithusat 17.imagine,you secanactorgofromthat.,andnowyou're sirringnexttohimattheOscarsandhe's nominatedforBestSupportingActor!"

\X-'hac,forPraveshSahni,is thestandom memoryfromhisrimeatdieOscars?

"\'\'henJimmyKimmelcameuprorecnacrthescenewich Sunnyfrom TbeUo11 Kiit"·ItwasspecialforLJ011, forSunny,for lndiaTakeOne,forusall,thattheworld waswatchingus.PerhapsSunnywouldhave scayedoutoffocusfortheentireOscarsif chisincidcnrhadn'thappened.BuewiLhthe entireauditoriumlookingatrou,asd1ehost talksto )'OUone-on-one,d1at'smemorable. \'ihenyouwinanOscaryougetone-minute foryourd1ankyouspeech.Sunnyhadmuch morethanthatontheO�carscreen.The nextda};thedriverwhopickeduJ<up,knew notonlySunny,butevenrecognisedme!"

Prmeshsaysithasbeenanhonour tobeinvolvedwith LJ011.

·'Thiswasaswrychattouched usallfromDayOne.Creditgoes codirectorGard1 Davis.Weneverhadthe Oscarsinmind•d1iswasncreativeproject.'' Theentireprocessfromscouting,ord1e recct.:,todieconclusionofshontingtook

abournyear.

"Ourjobiscomake the director's dreamspossible.Thiswasadifficultshoot. Workingwithaforeign<lirec[()rond1c streetsinlndia,everythingis rough!"

Toshootatthe:Howrah Bridge,for example,wasanightmare.

"Itisanam:iz.ingsceneind1c film, but thei<le11ofhavingSunny:t.loneon diebridge,bad1edinlighr,wasalmost impossible.ltwasthrough thecooperation oftheWest Bengalgovernment,alongwith theDireccorofPhotographyGreigFraser, 1hard1isbeautiful scenefinallycame10be inthelilm."

ThisisthethirdAusrralianfilm Pr:wesh has beeninvolvedwith.theod1ers being.fortY"o11rLegs!andHw/A1"111br1i (coincidentallyalsostarringDev Patel).

"1feelsolucky,:lftcrS/11111dogand finding thosekids,tohavefoundSunn)'- 1tis wonderfultofindlndiantalentaDddeliver itto 1heworld.''

Sunn)'wasonlyh\'eyearsoldwhenthe projectbegan.GarthDaviscouldn'tspeak any Hindi,andSunt1ycouldn'tspeakany English.

"Theydevelopedakindofsignlanguage. Thumbs upmeantthe scenewasgood, thumbsdownmeant they had toshootit again.\Y/ehad translatorsonset,asweU asSunny'sdad Dilip,butitwasnbouLthat personalconnectionwiththedireccor. Hehad,afcerall,picked himfrom 1200 children!"

Butonthe�ccs,Sunnywasaccorded regularLreaanem.

•· opamperingofanyson,nospecial treatmentinanymanner Afterall,hewas playinga\'cryemotionalroleandwas requiredLokeepthatdemeanour,'':isource fromthelilmrc.-vealed.

Sunny'sshootingschedulesspanned overthreemond1sinKolkataandMadhya PradeshinIndia,andMelbourneand TasmanfainAustralia.

Cricketcameinhandrtohelpothercas1 membersrelate10thediminutivestar.Some oithesecandidscenesevenmadeittofilm.

"\XieworkedinBhopalandKolkaca, bm1lovedshootinginAuscmJia,"Sunny saidinoneofhismanyinterviews.'"The placewassobcaudful.Thereweresomany placescoroamandplar,wewentthereafter shooting."

WhatwasNicole Kidmanlike, Sunnyhasbeenasked.

''l\f,llljoisilhi, ,heissaid rohavereplied.Shewaslike mum.

Theeight-year-old,starringasKidman's youngsoninthe lilm,saidheenjoreda real-lifebondwiththeOscar-winningacror.

''She'sveryaffectionateandverywarm," Sunnysays."NicolesaidchatI'manatural andI shouldalwaysbeanatural."

I-leplayedcricketwid1 herond1eset.Bm inhisstraight-forwardway,headdswith child-likehonesty,"I'mmuchbetterthan her."

Healsotriedtotenchthe49-year-oldstar 'lhodo1bodt1'Hindi.

ItisclearSu11nyalsoadoreshisolderco• starDevPatel.

"C1irktlkhellaIbo,h11d111ooshiklll1r,tho.'' Hewouldplaycricketandwouldgoof aroundon theset.ltwassomuchfun.

\X'astherealanguageproblem?

''No,therewasnolanguageproblem. DevspoketomeinEnglish,andI spoke backin Hindi."

Simple!

Together,DevandSunnrintroduced Uo/Jarthe74tbGoldenGlobe/\wards. Dressedin black nixedoes, the duowas welcomedonstagewithahugeapplause.

Devgaveasynopsisofchefilmonscage, andd1cnliftedSunnysohe could saytothe microphone,''Thisisourfilm,Lion."The auclienccemptedwithlove.

Thesamethinghappenedwith the89'h AcademyAwards.

''Myovariescan'thandlechis!" screamed onepopularwebsiteasitposted multiple cuce-faCLor-overloadphocosofSunny at theOscars.Andbreakfastshowhosts onTVm.ighrwellhavesaid"#ovaries'', millennialspeak foranexplosionof cluckiness,asd1eyendedtheirinterviews covetingSunnyincud<llcsandcaresses.

SunnyisaClass3smdentaLtheAir IndiaJ\loddSchoolandliveswirh hisparentsDilipPawar,aformer governmentofficesweeper,and home-makermotherVasu,inaslumin Kalinain thewesternsuburbsoiMumbai. Hehasayoungerbrotherandsister.

·'udkemih10r1chcb11ko11111kjp1,boht1r desh111e,b11111b11h11tkl.111shbah,,"DilipteUs

I11dir111I.J11k.Oursonha�donegoodwork, apprec.iared inaforeignland;thatmakes us happy.

"Zi11dflgi111ei11sabkaop111111aseehh,,i,par lllfhllalkfhi11r1kJJCh11t1hi11!tot,,.''\'recome LO 1hi�worldwid1 ourdestinywrittenout,bm reallr,norhinghappenswid1outbardwork.

HerevealshewiUconsidermoreoffers forSunny,wherevertheycomefrom. Lon So11i11,Sunny'ssecon<lfilm,fcaniringFrieda Pimoisrc.'lld)'forreleaselaterdusyear.

Sunny cellsus, '"E11glish11ahi11joo11/t1baipar jabsub,mghe.r11bhole,Crealll'ork.111ai11bolt1 lho/lkJM.''1don'tspeak Englishbut knew when everybodyin LA wascongratlating me.

DidSunnyenjoyhis timein LA?

"Bab111ochcht1lag,11. r!.:,i:dli11gIha."Loved it; itwasexciting.

Whatdid helike?

"Dis11tyla11darhrh"/(lgt1, Tr'i11tenim•s11chcba lag". W11YEt1cbthalog".''DisneylaDd,rbeTV interviews,meetingthe \'V\l('Eheroes.

Hisfavouritescenesfromchemovie?

"Train11111/d'.Sceneson the train.

Healso recalled therunning,when ·'DirectorSir"mid himroru.n.

\Xlhoarehis favouriteactors?

"Hriduk Roshan,AjayDevgn, Rajnikamh'".

Have unny'sfriendslike<lhiswork?

".,Ibhim1hi11 11,ilo to. Jv,Ischool;1111011g11. P,,ta 11abi111mho11epicturedekha_)'n1111hi11."I haven't met themyet. I'llgotoschoolcomorro,1sI don'tkno,,,ifthey'veseentbefilm.

Doeshe thinklifewiththemwillchange forhimnow?

·'Pehl,j11iratho,khe/1111kood11a,ll'aisahe raheg11."lr'IIbejustlikebefore.We'llplay justlikenormal.

W!ccan'thandlehowcureheis!

WithinpwsfromJANS

Lefttoright:Samuel LJackson getsaselfiewithSunny;AttheGolden GlobeswithDevPatel;WithNicole Kidman attheDirectorsGuildAwards; Pravesh Sahni ofIndiaTakeOne

,, Not many Indianshave been totheOscaT"S, itwas a special privilege to be in the midst of itall ,,

BYPREETIJABBAL

While theMelbourne SymphonyOrchestra proved,yetagain, whytheyareaworldrenownedorchestraby performingARRabman'sincrediblemusic, themaestro'sbrief appearanceleftthe audiencefeelingsomewhatdisappointed. ThefocusclearlywasonRahman's amazingrepertoire,nothim,ashemade onlytwoappearancesduringthethree-hour show.

Held attheSidneyMyerMusicBowl,The lVJHsic'!fARRahmanshowwaspresented byArtsCentreMelbourneinassociation withMelbourneSymphonyOrchestraand Charindaa(CharitiesthroughIndianArt inAustralia),fortheinauguralAsia-Pacific Triennialof PerformingArts Festival

(AsiaTOPA).

TheIndiancommunity,andnot just inMelbourne,wereallagogwhenthe ARRahmaneventwasannouncedlast year.Theeventwassoldasa'one-of-akind'concertinwhichthe'l\1elbonrne SymphonyOrchestrawouldperform The M11sicofARRah11Nm,wicb thesuperstar himself takingtod,estageasspecialguest'.

Thesuperstarcomposerhimself had statedcategoricallyinaninterviewwith fodia11Linkthatbisintentionswouldbeto sitbackandenjoytbemusictogetherwith theaudience.'1lookforwardcoclosingmy eyesandenjoying themusicplayedbysome of theworld'sbestmusicians,"behadsaid then.

Andthat'sexactlywhathedid,albeitto thedisappointmentof some.

TheMelbourneSymphonyOrchestra, ledbyBritishconductorand musicdirector MattDunkley;dippedincoRahman'scacbe of wQrkwitl1finesse.

In thefirsthalf of theconcert,Rahman cameintoplaythepianoforhisscorein Lasse HaUstri:im'sThe100Foot]011mqand leftthestageindicatingtotheaudience chat

hewouldbeback.

MS0'sselectioncomprisedof Rah.man's notablecompositionsfromLagaan,l\t!angal Ptmdq-ThcRising,S}llades Wtmio,:ro Heaven audEarthandmore.Thesynthesis of traditionalIndianmusicwithglobalsounds wasaccomplishedwellinthe orchestral arrangements.

The spotlightwasmaintained andwell earned byvisitingartistsS.NavinonHute andAsadKhanonsitar.Theapplausewas thunderousasS. avinbroughtthemelody of lovealivewithRoja,Rahman'sdebut TamilIi.Imsoundtrack.ThemusicforRoj(I fetched him[heNationalFilmAward for BestMusicDirection.

The30-strongPolyponicVoicesChoir, underthedirectionof MichaelFulcherand languagecoachShriramIyer,alsoproved theirvocalmettleincharmingrenditionsof someofRahman'ssongs.

Digitaldisplaysandprojeccorlightsintl,e background offered anaestheticambience, buttheoutdo()tvenuebadpeoplehuddling togethertowardofftl,eeveningchill.

Postintervaltherewasstillnosignof Rahmanandtheaudiencestartedgettinga

tadrestless.Theysatthr()ughamelodious tributetoIndiancomposersandbeautiful Indianactressesbeforecallingoutfor Rahmantocomebackonstage. Itwasnot tobe,as1ISOcontinuedtoplayscores from B011Jht!J,l(pchad(li!Jaa11andRobot.

As tl,eshowprogressed,Opera AustraliaSopranoJulieLeaGoodwin and TenorNicholasJonesreceivedaudience appreciationfot performing[bevocalstage versionof'Lothlorien'fromTheLordof TheRi,�s

Towardstheend,Rahmandidremrnto playthepianofortheconcert'sinevitable finaleonhissignamrepieceJaiHofrom Slumdog1vlillionai1'I?.The scoreforthis Ii.Im earnedRahman l:\voAcademy Awards forBestOriginalMusic andBestOriginal Song.Hewas joinedbytheoperaticduo wbo managed asuitablyup-tempoand rousingHindirendition oftheengaging anddynamicsong.

Attl1ecocktaileventheldin theMerlyn MyerRoom priortotheshow,Rahman's appearancewas also brief ashewaded chro1.1ghtheselfie-hungrycrowdto disappearintothesoundstudio.Mediaand

otherguestspounced onan opportunitytO takeaphotoor talk to rum;however,the publicity-shycomposerwashastilywhisked awayleavingtbeguestsco hobnobwitheach otberinstead.

Rahmanrecalledfondmemoriesof his lastconcertinMelbourne, heldattheRod LaverArenain2005. Chatting withIndian Link�betoldhowtheaudiencelittheir mobilephonestosendlittle halos of lightas tbeyswayedcohismusic.

"ItwasthefirsttimeIsawthishappenat myconcertandsincethenitisrepeatedin alJmysho,vs,"hereminisced.''Butthefirst timealwaysremainsfreshinmymind."

Melbournefanswillnotforgetchat amazingshow,andsadly,whattheywill remember fromth.is one,isthattherejust wasn'tenoughof Rahman.

,, Thefocus clearly was onRahman's amazing repertoire, not him, ashe made onlytwo appearances duringthe threehour show ,,

community Australia Day, Republic Day

ThehighprofileHindiNikeranInc. MelbournecelebratedAustralia DayandIndia'sRepublicDayon 29January.Despited1etiming of thiseventclashingwiththe Men'sFimtlfortheAustralianOpen,many familiesgad1eredtohavefuninthei.rlocal community.

Held atScoresbyPrimarySchool,the eventwas filledwithperformancesand activitiesforeveryonetoenjoy.Attractive prizeswereonofferandeveryonewas encouragedtoparticipate.Activitiessuch asarunningrnce,musicalchairs,bingoand quiz encouragedmembersto testtheirskills andtalentinvariousways.

DrRahulGupta,Presideocof Hindi Nikeran,welcomedattendees,encouraging everyone to "meet othersandmakenew friends". "Hindi iketancontinuestohose eventschatkeepsthecommunitytogether," headded.

Theeventopenedwitharespectful recitationof bothcow1tries'national anthems. Followingthis,participantscook tod1estagetosingtraditionalIndiansongs andrecitemeaningfulpoems.

EminentHindi/Sanskritscholar,Dr MridulKirtiwasthechief guestforthe event.DrKirtinarratedtheimportanceof Indiancultureandlanguage.Valuingour senseofidentityandbelonginginthisgreat countrywasemphasised.

Ald1oughDrKirtireminded theIndian con1111tuiitytonotforgettheirvaluesand constitution,sbecautionedthemtorespect Australiaandcherjshd1ecountry'sopenness

toall.

Amemberfromtheaudience supporcedd1is viewandnotedthat heappreciatesAustraliaforallowing him andhiswifetoliveinchis country.''Australiabashelpedusin manirwaysandisacountryd1acis safefrompolitical,social andracial tensions throughoutd1eworld,"he said.

CrNicoleSeymour,KnoxCity Council,observedthatsheenjoys attendingd1eseevents.Shenoted drntalmoughd1esinging,poemsand narration mrougboutdieeventwere notinEnglish,shecould havetrust inknowingd1atiliesecommunity gatherjngsarestrengtheningasense of belongingformigrantsandthose withoutfamilyinAustralia.

"KnoxCityCouncilcontinuesco supportHindi ikecanforitsrolein strengtheningtheIndiancommunity andcollaboratingwithother groups,"shereaffirmed.

Despitealowattendancefromthe non-Indiancommu1iicy,HindiNiketan continuestodeliverinsightfulprogramsand sourceassistancefrommemberswithinits communitytopresentatasteof Indiato Melbournians. l encouragecommunitygroupstorake theinitiativetohosttheseevents. Weareall yettolearnmote about other culuires.We shouldbeproud andareprivilegedtobe abletoattend events matexploreculture andtraditionsfromplacesaroundtheglobe.

Forthosewhocannotmakeatripoverseas, theseeventsarevitaltoa.idglobalthinking andanunderstandingof others.

I lookforwardrofutureHindiNiketan eventsandco111111endthevolunteers fororganisingtheprogramme.These organisationssttengd1entheconnectionsin thecommunityanditwouldbebeneficial toallforgroupstocometogetherandhost joincevents.

BotbAustraliaDayandIndia'sRepublic Daycelebrateatransition.Successaside, peoplehaveexperiences fromconsidering

ormakingatransition.Leeusshareour storieswith othersandlooktoplansuch eventswidimembers frombeyond our localorculturalcommunity. Imagine the possibilities!

Communityleadersinattendance includedKimWellsl\lfT>,representing MathewGuy,Leaderof dieOppositionin theVictori.'lnParliament; ickWakeling, Memberfor Fernrree Gully; Chidambaram Srinivasan,VMCCommissioner,andCr NicoleSeymour.

Carl Buhariwala

WOWing us with their work

WomenofWyndham (\'v'O\"lv'),anot-for-profit, grassroots organisation workingtowardswomen's empowermentand preventionoffamilyviolenceorganised itsinauguralaimualmulticultural evening recently.

Theeventwasunique asitbrought togetl1ersome400peoplefromdiverse cuJttu:albackgroundsandallagegroups. Twentyfourco=unlrychan1pions, extraordinarymenandwomenfrom differentwalksof life,wererecogiiisedon

d1enightfortheircontributionandservicein buildingandstrengthe1iingtbecommunity.

Theentertainmentactivitiesincluded MsTeen,Miss andl'lfrsWOWWalkfora CauseaodNotaPageantShow,MsLittle Sunshine,andmulticulturaldanceand singingacts. TheAfricanCongodanceand PunjabiBhangraperformancebyyoung kidswentdownparticularlywell.

TheeventwasattendedbytheSpeakerof theVictorianParliamentandMemberfor Derrirnuc,TelmoLanguiller;Memberfor Lalot,JoanneRyan;lramoowardCouncillor PeterMaynard;HarrisonwardCouncillor

andDeputyMayorKimMcAliney;former CouncillorBob Fairclough,andsocial workeraodpublic figureJasvinderSidhu amongstotl1ers.

ThePresidentof WOW,MonicaRaizada, awell-knowncommunityleaderandsocial activistwhohasdedicatedherlifetothe preventionof familyviolenceandhelping thoseaffected bydomesticviolence,said, "Wearedelightedtoseesucl1atremendous response toourinauguralevent. Itisall abomencouragingandempoweringwomen, recognisingthosedoinggreatserviceto theco11111rnnicy,raisingawareness onfamily

violence,increasingharmony,wellbeingand togethernessinthecommunity. Ibelieve wehavemadesoineprogresstowardsthat."

Afreeevenrwid1onlyagoldcoin donationrequestedatthedoor,allme fundscollectedfromthenightwillbeused towardshelpingfamilyviolencevictims.

Justoverayearsinceitsinception, \'//OW,undermeauspices of RamonHelps, comprisesof volw1tarymembers fromall overMelbourne.Andthroughtheirevents the organisationhasbeenmakinggreat stridesinachievingd1eir\7ision.

PreetiDaga

BYPREETIJABBAL

Bynotpushingyourmindbuc allowingittoexperiencethe silentdepthsof itsownnan1re, youcanmeditateeffortlessly, accordingtoSwamiSadyojathah fromtheAnof LivingFoundation(AOL).

AOL'sInternacionalAffairsDirector wasinAustraliarecentlyforthe 111/'�, ToHappimss ationalTour. Healso participatedininitialtalkstodiscussthe possibilityof holdingchenextAOLWorld CuJm.ral FestivalinAustralia.

SwamiSadyojathahistl1enamegivento himbyhisguruSriSciRaviShankar,the reveredfounderof AOL.

"Mynamemaysmmddifficult,butit has asimplemeaning.Itmeans'bornnow'," saidSwanujiwhenasked aboutthe origins of hisunusualname.

BornintoaroyalfanulyinKeralaas RaghuRajRajahequalifiedwitl1aB.Tech inMechanicalEngineeringand hada leaningtowardscommunismbeforehislifed1angingmeetingwitbSriSciRaviShankar in 1993. HebecameSriSri'sprimedisciple andisamajorspokesmanforAOL.

AscoordinatorofInternacionalAccivities forAOL,hetravelsextensivelyandteaches meditation andmindfulness,globally.Heis alsotheF0tmclingDireccorof theSriSri Collegeof AyurvedicScience andResearch. Speakingto.IndianLinkon thelastleg of bisAustraliantour,inMelbourne,he said,"ThewholemovementofSriSri's F0tmdatio11isbasedontheArtofLiving nor meArrof Leaving.Thereisabig difference betweenlivingandexisting. 'Unfortunatel)',alotof peopleintheworld simplyexistandweneedtohavethissluft fromexistingtoacmallyliving butwedo

notneedtoleaveanythinginordertoattain thathigherconsciousness."

Hewenton,"Theworddispassion (vairagya)hasbeenrepeatedlyused by spiritualleadersandthereisageneral feelingthatoneneedscorenounce everytluoginordertoattainspirituality.Bm therealmeaningisdifferen "According totl1e learnedyogi,"BeingiJ1andenjoying memomentwirhoutfeverishnessisthereal meaningof dispassion."

ThroughthephilosophyofArtof Living,SwanujiarticuJatedbowartisall aboutappreciation.Forexample,musicor dancebecomesartonJywhenitisenjoyed; similarly,onceyou learn toappreciate yourown.lifeitbecomesanart.Dailyand ongoingstresscanbeanimpediment, buttherearetechniquesthatcanhelp removetheseobstacles,oneof thembeing S11dtmhanKri)•a.

As amajorproponentof SttdarshauKrip he describedir,simply,asatechniquetl1at incorporatesrhythmsof thebreaththat harmonis.e thebody,minda□demotions. Itisbeneficialineliminatingaccumulated stressandflushing outtoxinswhilstleaving themindenergisedandrelaxed.

Swamijiwasquicktodispelthemyththat meditationisaboutconcentration.Onthe contrary,heclaimed,meditationisabout de-concentration.ltisbestconductedwhen oneisrelaxedandnotfocusedonreigning in theirthoughts.

''Assoonaswetryroachievea thoughtlessstate,ourmindisbombarded withthoughtsandwe startfighcingthose moughtsaswhateverweresistwillpersist."

Swamijimaintainedthatconcentration isnotrequiredtomeditate,instead concentrationisaresultof meditation andsomeonewhomeditatesreguJarlywill subsequentlygainfocusandconcentration.

"ivfeditati.onisnomorealuxury.Ithas becomeanecessityinlifebutitcanbedone effortlessly,"saidtl1eguruwhoimparts advancedtraining ontheSa/JtfiSamadhior effortlessmeditation.

Accordingrohim,arested mindismoredynamicand techniquesLikeS11darsba11Kr!Ja andSahtl.JSamadhiamong otl1ers,helpinattainingadeep sleeptbatcreatesafeelingof calmnessandalertnessthat cantransformlives.

Whenaskedhowyouthcan beengagedbetterin adigirnUy dependentworld,Swamiji reiteratedtheneedforyouth toalsomeditate.

"Depression,suicides, hormonalchanges,peer and societalpressure;tl1ere aremanychallengesthat youngstersfacenowadays," hesaid."Onecannotavoid technologyaltogetl1er, howeveracalm,centeredand balancedmindcanbeachieved bypraccicinganyof me variousbreathingtechniques consistently."

\'qithregardtomecurrentstateof thew·orld,Swarnijistressedtheneedfor toleranceandeducation.

SwamiSadyojath

"Duringtheshortcimewearehereon. tlusearth,hatred,animosityandkillingin tl1enameof religionisreallynotworth it.Wecan andshouldallliveinpeaceful coexistence,"hesaid."Thevoiceof nonviolenceshouldbebeardloudandclear. Therearemorethan7 billionpeoplein tbeworldwholivepeacefullyandonlya fewthousandwhobelieveinviolenceand terrorism.However,tl1eirvoicescomeacross louderthan thatof thevastmajority.This needsrochange.Thankstosocialmedia thereisadrnngehappeningandpeopleare nowabletovoicetheirprotestinanonviolentforum.Thereisalotmoretoachieve andeducacionwillhelpinensuringthatthe messageoftoleranceiswidespread."

Swamiji wasinstrumentalincoordinating amassiveWorldCuJniraJ FestivalinNew Delhi lastyearwherepeople from 156

countries,including3000dignitaries, 2500spiritualandreligiousleaders, andinternacionalandIndianartists camecogethercocelebrateAOL's35th anniversary.

AccordingtoSwamiji,the\XfocldCuJmral Festivalwasa celebration of diversity ofculmresfromacrosstl1eworldwhilst simultaneouslyhighlightingVas11dhaiva K11tt1111hakav1-theunityof mehuman family.

Swanujisaidthereisincreasinginterest inmakingtheWorldCulturalFestivalan annualeventrathertlianonceeveryfive years.Hesaidhehad heldinitial discussions ro.seeif thenexteventcouldbeheldin Australia.

HisguruSriSrjRaviShanka.ronce expressedhiswish'tosee asmileon everyone's face',saidSwamiji.

"TliismightsoundUtopian,however, one hastodreambig,makea scartand movetowardsthatdreamforanythingco happen."

How meditation and rhythmic breathing can help eliminate stress

,, Sudarshan Kriyais a technique that incorporates rhythms of thebreaththat harmonise the body, mind and emotions ,,

WHAT'SON

FESTIVAL

Sri Durga Temple Holl Festival,Sat 12 March, 11am-5pm

Celebrate Holiwith a live DJ, Dholi and cultural programs, live performances by local artists, kids' games and rides, food stalls, colours and Holika Dahan

This is a free event held at Sri Durga Temple, 705 Neale Road, Rockbank

Visit: sridurgatemple com or call 9747 1628

Victoria's Multlcultural Festival, Sat25 March, 12pm

Gather your family and friends for the most vibrant festival in town, held at Federation Square Melbourne

With a fun-filled program of music, dance, film and activities throughout the day, Victoria's Multicultural Festival 2017 is sure to entertain people of all ages The celebrations include the brand new Multicultural Film Festival from 5pm which will showcase multiculturalism through the lens of the next generation From 7pm, a music gig will bring some of the hottest headline multicultural acts to the stage A sumptuous array of international cuisine will also be available throughout the festival. Visit: culturaldiversityweek vic.gov au BroadmeadowsStreet Festival, Sun 9April

Tanderrum Way Broadmeadows will be lit up withmusic and dancing for Hume's Broadmeadows Street Festival. The vibrant and colourful event will be held to celebrate the cultural diversity of Hume City with food, dance, music, entertainment. kids' activities carnival rides and a car show The night is set to end with a spectacular firework display. Visit: hume vie gov au

COMMUNITY

Cultural Perceptions on Aging: Storytelling+ Panel discussion, Thurs9 March, 5 30pm-7 30pm "Aging" 1s a dirty word for many people, but 1n some cultures it can attract respect due to the wisdom of older people So how does culture

Informthe perception of aging?Are there cultural practices that "keep us young"? Beyond Story and LEADAA bring you an eve111ng of stones and panel discussionfrom four people from four different cultures to explore the topic of aging Prepare for a thought provoking night that cl1allenges your own perception on aging We look forwardto seeing you and enJoysome drinks and nibbles with us. Held at Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre, 251 Faraday St, Carlton this event is supported by the Victorian Multicultural Commission Costs: $10: Free for NFP organisations Contact: info@ beyondstory com au

Let's Talk: Conversatlonal English

Saturdays, 10am-11.30am

Practice and develop your English speaking skills in a relaxed small groupthat has a warm and friendly atmosphere. Meet everySaturday at Werribee Church of Christ. 200 Tameit Road Werribee This is for people who want to gain confidence and practice their English All are welcome

to attend, morning tea s provided and it's free Contact: 9741 6051 or werribeecl1urchofchrist org

HumeCity Council Summer Sessions, Fri 10 March Comedown andenjoy a free family night out each weekendof summer, with an outdoor movie screening. food stalls and activities hostedat a different location 111 the Hume Council area.Visit: 11ume vic govau

Indian YoungWomen's Group

Fridays 12.30pm-2.30pm

The Indian Young Women's Group 1s organised free by Wyndham Commurnty and Education Centre (Wyndham CEC) every Friday afternoon at the Wyndham Park Primary Scl100!, Community Hub Room, KookaburraAvenue, Werribee Contactthe Wyndham Community and Education Centre, 3 Princes Highway Wernbee. wyndhamcec.org au or call 03 9742 4013

TheGurukul Hindi Classes

Saturdays 11am-12pm

Connections@Craigieburn 59 Craigieburn Road. Craigieburn VIC 3064 These weekly classes are taught by Marnsha Gard and Bhupinder Kahlon Contact: Narinder Garg 0431 123 045 or infothegurukul@gmail.com

Pronunciation Workshop 1stSunday of the month 12pm-3pm

Are you learning English as a second language and imerested in working on your pronunciation?Join Kaled - a friendly ESL (English as aSecond Language)expertwho will help you work on your English language skills for free at the Library at TI1e Dock. Act1v1ties Room, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade Melbourne ESLspeakers and learners of all levels are welcome.

FUNDRAISER

Swachh Bharat

Help provide financial support for Swachh Bharat mission t11rough the Sulabh Social Service Organisation The ongoingcampaign invites all persons of Indian origin to generously donate for Swachh Bharat. Donations can be made to Sulabhthrough Western Union Bank details are below In favour of: Sulabh International Centre ForActionSociology (SICAS)

Account No:63012660749, IFSC Code: SBIN0030262

MICR: 110002347

Name of the Bank:State Bank of India, Branch Name: C28 Community Centre, Janakpuri, New Delhi-58 Contact: bharatramvasudevan@gmail.com

SPIRITUAL

Many Problems, OneSolution: Discourses bySwami Swapooananda,Sat25• Wed 29 March 730pm-9pm Swami Swaroopanandaji the Head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide, will gently guide attendees through Bhagavad Gita chapter 2 part 1, 'Yoga of Self Enquiry This chapter contains the entire teachings ofthe Bhagavad Gita and the most powerful message of - know your Self and dissolve all your problems Held at Kel Watson Theatre, Forest Hill College, 178-180

Mahoneys Rd Forest Hill. Contact: Joyanto, 0412 291 318

ARTS

BombayTalkies Exhibit, 8 Feb • 2 July,2017

Presented byAustralian Centre for the Moving Image, located at Federation Square Flinders St, Melbourne. this free exhibition captures the excitement and glamour of early Indian cinema The exhibition showcases, for the very first time, the Dietze Family Trust archive. a Melbourne-based treasure trove of more than 3000 cultural artefacts once owned by H1mansu Rai The archive isthe most comprehensive collection of 1920s and 1930s Indian film studio ephemera In the world

Architect BljoyJain at MPavllllon, daily 9am-10pm

Australias MPavilion is an award winning annual architecture commission anddesign event. MPavilion 2016 is designed by acclaimed Indian architect Bijoy Jain of Studio Mumbai The temporary summer pavilion in Melbourne's historic Queen Victoria Gardens, St Kilda Rd, hosts a free fourmonth program of talks worksh0ps performances and installations Visit: mpavilion.org

Asia TOPA, tllAprll201.7

Asia-Pacific Triennial of Performing A1ts will bridge diverse art forms including performance, visual. screen and literary arts Vital, fresh and always unpredictable. the event offers a city-wide window into the creative imaginations fuellingthe many cultures of our region Visit: aslatopa com.au

SENIORS

TheGurukul Chopaal, Tuesdays 6.30pm-7.30pm

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

MUSIC

Haadu Baa Kogile

Melbourne'sfirst ever Kannada musical event held every last Saturday of the month. All welcome. Organised by Ankura Music School. Contact: 0432 192 424 or haadubaakogile@ gmail.com

The Indian Music Collective

Melboume Sundays 4pm

The Indian Music Collective Melbourne (IMCM) provides spacefor practice/ jamming in a friendly environment for musicians to meet and practice.

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

SPORT

Singh SabhaAnnual Kabaddl Tournament,Sun 12 March

Singh Sabha is the proud host of Victoria's biggest Kabaddi Mela. Held at Singh Sabha Sports Club Melbourne,StAlbans

MISC

Australia lndla Institute Events

Drop In Chai Every 1st Friday of the month,2pm•3pm

Come chat to other South Asia enthusiasts over samosa and chai and catch up on what different people are doing in relation to India. The chai and conversation is free and open to all. Held at 147-149 Barry Street, Carlton. Public Lecture:Corruption, Rule of Law and Govemance In lndla, Mon 13 Mar 6pm-7.30pm

Held at the YHM Room, Level 1, Sidney Myer Asia Centre, 761Swanston Street. Professor John Harriss ref ects on the various dimensions of power in modern India and considers the contending influences on public policy of different social classes, andthe question of why there is not more forceful resistance to their exclusion and oppression, on the part of the masses who have been left behind in the course of India's dramatic surge of economic growth.

BookLaunch and Seminar: lndlan Muslims: StrugglingforEqualityof Citizenship,Thurs16 Mar5.30pm7pm

Held atAustralia India Institute Seminar Room, 147-149 Barry Street, Carlton.

This book examines the struggle for equality of citizenship of Indian Muslims in light of the release of the Sachar Committee report of 2006, which sparked widespread awareness of socioeconomic disparity and exclusion of religious minorities in India, especially Muslims. The book launch will be followed by a Q&A session and light refreshments.

Keywordsforlndla: Money, Tues 21 Mar 6pm-7pm

Held at the YHM Room, Level 1, Sidney Myer Asia Centre, 761Swanston Street, The University of Melbourne. Professor Stuart Corbridge considers how and why Money has featured consistently as a political Keyword in India. He also examines how India has been written insistently into the history of money.

Visit: aii.unimelb.edu.au

Hindi may topple English onsocial media in India but ignorescritical issues

HindjissettotoppleEnglishasr:hemost popularlanguageonsocialmecliainI□cliaill 2017butchiscomeswithanegative,astudy ontheoccasion ofInternational:Mocher TongueDayhasrevealed.

Thenegativeis,thetrendalsosuggests thatcriticalissuesareovershadowedby nationalisticthemesinhighly-sharedHi□cli storiesonsocialmedja_

Hinclinewssroriesreceivedhighershares insocialmecLiacomparedtoEnglishnews inthelastsixmonths,accordingtoastudy conductedbyScorynomicx onthe"i\fost Shared5000NewsStoriesinIocliain2016".

Srorynomicx,aleaclingconsulting firm thatspecializesinbusinesssco.rytellingin tracLitionalandcligitalmeclia,analysedsocial sharingfor870,000newsstoriesby135 leadingIodianmecliaintenlang1.1agesEnglish,Hindi,Bengali,Gujarati,Ka1mada, Malayalam,Marathi,Punjabi,Tamil,Telugu.

Inclianmecliawitnessedmorethan2.25 billionsharesin2016onFacebook,1\vitcer andLinkedlnwithanaverageshareof 2,587 perstorythesmdyreveals.

However,theMostShared5000News Storiesidentifiedbythestudyattracteda significantlyhigheraverageshareof 71,494 perstorywithanaggregateof357million shares.Facebookaccountedformorethan 98%sharesacrosslanguages.

'"\'.v'etrackedcl1esocialtrajectoryof cl1e mostshared5000newsstoriestoLmderstand whatdrivesengagementforclifferent aucliences.ThoughEnglishretainedits leadershipin2016,Hindimaytoppleic in2017duecotheincreasedpenetration ofcl1einternetandastrongresurgencein nationaijs","AjaySharma,Founderand CEOof StorynomicxinformedIANS.

"Reidersillfoilianlanguagesarestarved forcontentontheweb.Wfrhtheexplosion insmarrphoneusageandmobileinternee, newsisvirmallytheonlyavenueforcontent forthem.Hence,a studyof thegrowing popularityof newsstoriesinHincliandocl1er Indianlanguagesisaninipommtbarometer tOgaugecl1echangingcomplexionof the lnternetuserbase",Sharmaadded.

Thesn1dyobserveda"clistinccdividein newspreferences"of HincliandEnglish

readers.Hinclireaders,accorcLingto the study,prefertosharestoriesonnationalistic, religiousandpoliticalthemeswhilestories onentertainment,humaninterestand consumer-focuseddominatesharing amongstEngLishreaders.

Thesmdybasfurtherobservedchar nationalistictopicsthatwitnessed highsocial sharingin2016,includenews-basedstories ontheIndianFlag,IationalAnthem,S,mre ]ohaanSeAccha,surgicalstrikebylnclian Army,terroriseattackinUri,boycottof ChineseproductsandbanonPakartists, amongothers.

Thesecopies,mestudysays,eventrumped overnewsoncriticalissueslikeGSTbiU, unrestinKashnur,drought,economkissues andevendemonetisacion.

Of themostshared5000stories,there wereonly32storiesonsignificantissuesand 372scoriesonDemonetizationwhilethere wereasmanyas693storiesonNationalistic themes.

otwicl1sranilingcl1elongqueuesatATMs and otherchallengesfacedbycitizens,social meiliapreferredtosharestoriesonthe likelyposiciveimpactof demonetisationon terrorism.,counter.fcitcurrencyandblack money.

Of thetotalof372storieson Demonetisationcl1arweresharedinlarge nwnbers,only71 storieswereonchaJ..lenges facedbypeopleorpolitical oppositionro demonetisation.

Guterresextends Khare's termasUN Under-Secretary General

SecretaryGeneralAntoruoGucerreshas extendedthetermofAtulK11are,the highestranking lncliancivilservantatthe UN,astheUnder-SecretaryGeneralfor FjeldSupport tillApril2018.

Khareplaysakeyroleintampingdown mesexualabuseandexploitationscandalin UN peace-keepingoperations.

"TheSecretaryGeneral hasdecided that memandateofseruor officialsworking inthe PeaceandSecuritypillarshould bemaintainedforanotheroneyear,"his spokespetsonFarhanHaqsaid.

thisalsorelatedcoGurertessettingupa reamtorevjewtheworki11gof theUN in ordertocarryouthispromiseof reformjng

theUN.

"Thisimportantworkwillrequireboth expertiseandexperiencefromprincipals andallstaff members,"Gurerressaidwhile annmmcingthereview:

KharewillalsoserveontheUN'sSeruor ManagementGroup,thehigh-levelbody chairedbytheSecretary-Generalthatdeals withpolicyandplarnungmattersacrossthe UN.

Ameclicaldoccorbytraining,Kharejoined tbeInmanForeign Servicein1984andhas sinceservedinseveralU positions,many relatingropeacekeeping.

Appoilltedill2015 byformerSecreta.ryGeneralasthe headof theDepartmentof FieldServices,Kharehas mecrucialrole of overseeingtheagencythatprovideslogistical, administrativeandhnrnanresourcessupport totheUNpeacekeepingandpolitical missionsaroundmeworld.

J\nudthescandalof sexualabuseand exploitationbyUN peace-keepers,he emergedasthepointpersonfordealingwith itbyenforcingazerotolerancepolicy.

Under-Secretary-GeneralforPeacekeeping OperationsHerveLadsous,underwhose leadershipcl1eUN peacekeepingsuffereda blowtoitsimageandreputationbecauseof thesexscandals,isleavingtheworldbody whenhistermendsinMarch.

Indian electronics marketto be $228 bn in 2020 Inclia'sboomingelectrorucs'marketis projectedcomorethan doubleto$228 billionin threemoreyearsfromover$100 billionin fisca.l2016-17,theindustry'strade bodyhassaid.

"India'sESDM(ElectronicsSystem, Design&Manufacnrring)sectorjspoisedto reach$228billionby2020from$100billion in2016-17,growingat 16-23percent annually,"saidajointreportoftheInclia ElectronicsandSemiconductorAssociation (IESA)andglobalservicesfirmErnst& Young(EY)atasum1nichere.

Thereport'sforecastsarebased oncl1e country'sGDP (GrossDomesticProduct) growth,currencymovement,inAation, tradepacts,consmnetsentiments,policies, investments,manufacturingentitiesand valueaddjtion.

"Themanufacturjngofelectrrnuc

UttarPradesh state Chief Minister AkhileshYadavandCongress party VicePresidentRahulGandhicheer thecrowdfromamovingavehicle duringtheirjointelection campaign in Allahabad,21Feb, 2017.FiveIndian statesgotothepolls in FebruaryMarch,akeymid-termtestfor Prime MinisterModi's Hindunationalist government. Photo: AP

productsisexpectedtoincreaseinfiveyears from17percencannualgrowth,whilethe electrorucmanufacturingservicessegment ispro;ecredcogrow42-68percentoverthe nextfiveyearsro$6-13.2billionfrom$1 billionin2015,"Association ChairmanK KrishnaMoorchytoldreporters.

Digitalrevolutionandthegovernment's thrustonusingtechnologytoimprove deliveryof itspublicserviceshaveopened uphugeoppornmitiestodevelopand manufactureinnovativeproductsand solutionsacrossthecountry.

"Asweseeourindustryscaleupinvalue addjtionandvalueproposition,weare focusingondesign andIP(Intellectual Property)ownershiptoboostandsuscain memanufacturingeco-sysrem,"asserted Moorthr

Highlightingthejnvolvement of state governmentsinthe12thedition of theIESA'sVisionSummit,Association PresidentM.N.Vidyashankarsaiddesigning wasakeycomponentforinnovationand developmentof electronicproduces.

"\Vearepromotinglocalmanufacturing and focusingondesign-ledgrowthofthe ESDMsector.WjchRs745-crorebudget0ry supportthroughschemeslikeM-SIPSand EDF,we believeIndiawill bethenext manufacturingpowerhouse,"asserted Vidyasbankar

TheAssociationhasprojectedRs 1,700-croreinvestmentsinthesectorunder thecentralgovernment'sM-STIJS(1\focli.fied SpecialIncentivePackageScheme)and EDF(ElecrrorucDevelopment Fw1d), whichareaimedatincreasingdomestic production of electroni.csunderthe'Make .inlnclia'initiacive.

TbeAssociation'sTechnovationSarabhai .Awardwasgiven tothestate-nmInclian SpaceResearchOrgarusation(ISRO) ChairmanA.S. KiranKumarforleacling thecountry'sspacemissions forvarious applicationsandexploration.

TheAssociationworks,viththecentral andstategovernmentinfranungpolicies andtakingmeasurestoscaleupiniligenous produccioncomeettherising demandfor electrorucs.

Workto introduce semi-high speed trainsontworoutesto begin soon

IoclianRailwayswillsoonstaresub-projects aimedatintroducingsemi-highspeedtrains oncl1eDelhi-H.owrnhandDelhi-Mumbai routes,aseruorrnirustryofficialsaidrecently.

"Thetwosub-projectsunder'M.ission Raftaar'areexpectedtobecompletedin threeyearswithatotaloutlayofRs 18,163 crote,"cl1eofficialsaid.

Aftercheupgrade,trainsontl1erouteswill run ataspeedof 160kmperhour.

The'j\,fission Raftaar'projectoftheIndian Railwaysenvisagestoraisecl1eaveragespeed of bothpassengerandfreighttrains.

Themissionjsbeingspearheadedbya crosscliscipli11arymobilitydfrectorateinthe RailwayBo0td.

Theofficial,whospokeonmeconclition of anonymity,sai.daDetailedProjectReport of theroutesisbeingprepared.

TheDelhj-Howrahsectionwillbe upgradedatacostof Rs6,974crore,andthe

AnexhibitbyartistAnilaQuayyum Aghaentitled'AlltheFlowersAreFor Me'attheIndiaArtFairinNewDelhi, 2 Feb,2017. Photo:

Delhi-MmnbaisectionatanestimatedRs 11,189crore.

Theofficialsaidtheworkinvolved replacinglocomotives-hauledtrainswith MainlineElectricMultipleUnitsandDiesel ElectricMultipleUnitstrains.

Bankof England meets Hindu Councilmembersoverbeef tallow in 5 pound note TheBankof Englandinvitedmembersof theHinduCouncilintheUKforameeting overconcernsthatthenew· 5 potU1dpolymer currencynotecontainstracesof beef tallow-anissuethathasledtoangeramong vegans,Hindus,Sikhsandothercommunities inBritain.

TheHinduCouncilUKrepresentatives, ChairmanUmeshC.SharmaJP,Directorof InterfaithRelations,AnilBhanotOBEand DirectorofHinduTempleEngagement, ArnnThakurwerepersonallyinvitedto ameetingwiththeChiefCashierofthe Bankof England-VictoriaClelandatits headquartersinThreadneedleStreeton February8.

InlateNovember2016,theBankof Englandannouncedthatitbadbeen informedthatsmall tracesofanimal-derived productswereusedbyasupplierinthe manufacnrreof thenewpolymerpound5 notes.Tallowisahard,fattysubstancemade fromrenderedanimalfat.Itiscommonly usedtomakesoapandcandle.Thenew polymernoteusesbeef tallowmadefrom suet,whichis hardfatfounda.roundthe animal'skidneys,stomachandotherorgans. Thenewpound5n0tes(andthepound I0 notes)containanimalfatintheformof tallow.Thisisunacceptabletomillionsof vegans,vegetarians,Hindus;Sikhs,Jainsand othersintheUK,theHinduCo.uncilUK saidinastatement.

AssoonasthisatU1ouncementwasmade, therlinduCouncilUKtogether,vitha numberof individualsandrepresentativesof certaincommunitiesandorganisationshad publicallyexpressedconcernsaboutthis.

Itsaidoverthelasecoupleofmonths, theHinduCouncilUKhasbeenin communicationv;,iththeBankof England andraisedtheconcernsoftheHindu communityintheUKovertheissue.Itsaid theBankof EngL'llldassuredthatthey,vere treatingthoseconcernswiththeum1ost seriousnessandwantedtounderstandbetter whatinipacttheuseofsmalltracesof animalderivedproductsinpolymerbanknotesmay havewithinthecommunitybeforemakingany furtherstatementontheissue.

"TheHinduCotU1cilUKispleasedthat theBank of Englandhavelistenedtoour concernsandhaltedthdssuingof thenew pound20notesuntilafullconsultationhas beendone.Inaddition,theBankof England hasassn.redusthattheyareworkingwith polymersupplierscoinvestigatealternatives (includingsomechatareplant-based) forche funtre,"itsaid.

TheBankofEnglandsaidthatirwiU notwithdrawthecurrentpound5polymer banknotes fromcirculationandwillgoahead withplanstowithdrawlegaltenderst,'ltus ofthepmU1d5paperbanknotesonMay 5,2017.TheBankwill alsocontinuewith theproposedlaunchofthenewpound10

polymerbanknotesinSeptember2017,us.ing cheexistingpolymerwbstrate.

Thenewpolymerfivepo1U1dnote,which featuresaportraitof WinstonChurchill,is thefirstof dieBartk.of England'snotesnot tobeprintedonpaper.Thenewflexible plasticnotesaredesignedtobecleaner,more secureandstronger.

Production ofthenewpound10notes beganinAugustlastyearandareplannedto bereleasedintocirculationinSeptemberthis year.Thenewpotmd10plasticnoteswill feanireauthorJaneAusten.

Presidential Election:Joshi, World Bank CEO commutes second class in Mumbai local train

WoddBankCEOKristalioaGeorgieva boughtaticketandWtveUedbyaWestern Railwaysuburbanlocal traintoinspect Mumbai's lifelinefirst hand,officialssaid. AccompaniedbyMumbaiRailVikas Corporation(MRVC) otherrailwayofficials, Georgieva travelledina secondclass women'scompartmentfromChmchgate toDadar,thebusiestterminus onthe suburbannetwork.

Earlier,artheMRVCheadquarters, Georgievawasgivenabrief presentation onthescarusandprogressof variousWorld Bank-fundedrailwayinfrastructureprojects, includingMRVC 1,2and3,forMumbai anditssurrounding areas.

Shetooka shorttourofthe iconic Chmchgate stationand WRheadquarters andaround 11 a.m., boardedthetrainalong withateamof 20others,gettingoffat Dadar.

Enroute,shechattedwithexcitedwomen commuters onvariousaspectspertainingto thecity'ssubnrbanserviceswhichferryover eightmillioncommuters daily-orneady equivalentof chepopulationof Switzerland - ontheWR,CentralRailwayandHarbou.r Lines.

"TomeettheaspirationsofMumbaikars, some of whomImettoday,thecityw:ill havetomakemassiveinvestments in transportinfrastructure.Theseinvestrnents willenablecommuterstoaccessmore comfortable,saferandefficientservices," Georgievaremarkedonherexperience.

Sheassuredthatthe\VBiscommitted

tosupportthegovernment'seffortsinthis area-throughinvesnnents thatstrengthen thegovernment'scapacitytoleverage additionalfunds,includingchosefromdie privatesector.

Georgievatravelledbythecongested subnrbanrailsystemtogetasense of tbe volumeof passengerswho usethetrains dail)�andthe challengesbefored1erailways tomakethesystemsafer,fasterandmore efficient.

Since2002onwards,.severalWB-supported projects -MUTPandi\HJTP 2A-have helpedintroducenewtrainswithhigher speeds,bettersuspensionsystems,improved interiors,abetter ventilationsys[em,with newtrainsreducingenergyconsumptionby 30percent.

Sushma amongprobables

Whowillbefodia'snextPresident?Initial discussionsintheBJPhavecatapulted veteran partyleader1forliManobarJoshi andExternalAffairsJ'vfinisterSushma Swarajastopfavourites.

h1formedsources,however,saythe namesofcwootherwomenpoliticiansare alsodoing therounds-LokSabhaSpeaker SumitraJvfahajanandJharkbandGovetnor DraupadiMumm.

Interestingly,L.K.Advan.i,onceastaunch backerof diemanwhoistodayPrime Minister,isnorbeingconsideredforthe postof head ofstate thatwillfall vacantin July.

Althoughthesenameshaveemergedin d1ediscussionsbetween theBJPandthe RashtriyaSwayamsewakSangh(RSS),the finalpicrurewill becomeclearoncethe resultsof assemblyelectionsinfivesrntes becomeknown.

Joshi,83,associatedwiththeRSSsince 1944whenhe wasjust 10yearsold,became d1eBJPPresidentin 1991 amidd1eg.row-ing campaign for aRamtempleatAyodhya. He wasamemberof aU d1reeunion governmentsheadedbyd1enowailingAtal Bil1arVajpayee-in 1996, 1998and1999.

JoshiplayedanactiveroleintheAyodhya mqvementand wasa.rrestedaftertheBahri mosquewasrazedin December l992. Hewasalsojailedfor19monthswhen IndiraGandhiclampedEmergencyrulein June 1975.

SusbrnaSwaraj,65,isalsobeing consideredforthetoppostformored1an onereason. Not onlyhassheemergedas "agoodminister"inthe1\1odigovernment, herelevationwillalsohelptheRSSshrug awaychargesthatitisanti-women.

SushmaSwarajis alsoknowntoenjoy good relationswithleaders ofmany politicalparries,somethingthatwillhelpthe BJPtocobblethenumbers neededtoelect anewPresident.

Bueherhealthremainsamatterof concern.Butsomesourcessaythiscould wellbethereasonwhyshemaybesuitable forthejobbecausesbewill,asonesomce said,"getsomewell-deservedrest".

Anotherprobable isSumitraMahajan,74 andaneight-rimel'vfP fr<.>m Indore,whom Modi pickedastheSpeaker.Shealsohas goodequationswitbdieRSS.

JharkhandGovetnorMurmu, 59,may emergeasasurprise picktoo. Atribal womanfrom Odisha,shehashadan impressivepoliticalandsocialcareer spanningalmosttwodecades.Notribal hasbeenelectedthe President.MLLrmu's politicalcareerscarredin 1997 when she waselectedasacouncillorandthentodie Odishaassembly,whichoncehailedher asthebe.�tl'vfLAofcheyear.Murmuhas activelypursuedsocialcausesandplayeda pivotalroleincommunityupliftinOdisha.

Theelectoralcollegewhichelectsthe Presidentismadeupof 4,896legislators776LokSabhaand RajyaSabhamembers and 4,120J'v[LAs. AllMPs haveanequal vote value of 708 whilethatof J'v[LAs dependsonthepopulationofthestate. Of the 1.098millionvotesintheelectoral collegenow,diemajoritywouldbe549,001.

TheBJPhas282LokSabhaand 56 Rajya Sabhamembersaswellas 1,126J\.1:LAs acrossthecorn1try.Althoughitrules I0 states onits own,itis outof powerin populousstateslikeUttarPradesh,Bihar andWestBengal.

TheBJP-ledNationalDemocratic Alliance wouldrequirearound75,000more votesthanitnowhastoensurethatits noinineewinsthepresidentialposte.

In2012,Congress-backedUPA nominee PranabMukherjee defeatedBJPno1ninee P.A.Sangmabyaround40percentvotes.

IANS

AP

Melbourne's

Peter Dietze

BY PREETI JABBAL

BombayTalkies,nottobe confusedwiththeIndian anthologyfilmofthesame name,isacomprehensive collectionofIndianfilm ephemerafromthe1920sand1930s.The rareexhibitioniscurrentlydisplayed,for thefirsttime,attbeAustralianCentrefor theMovingImageinMelbourne(ACMI) until2July.

Boththefilmandartcollection commonlycelebratetheemotionof Indiancinemainc:wosignificantways:one throughinnovating,andanod1erthrough curating.Whilethemoviehadakeeneye onthesociopoliticalclimateofitstime, thecollectionunearthsrarearchivesof tremendousinterest,bothmanagetodoso engagingly.

Anyonewhobasanlnterestinfilms willenjoythehistoricalfeelandthestory thatsurroUJ1dsBombayTalkies,oneof India'spopularmoviestudiosofthe1930s. BombayTalkieswasthefirstcorporate studio,inIndia,tobelistedontheBombay StockExchange.

Foundedinl934,BombayTalkieswascoo,,medbyHimanshuRaiandDevikaRani. Thestudioproduced40filmsover20years and'\vasconsideredasthemosttechnically

a family legacy thatgoes back to Indian cinema's pioneering days

advancedIndianstudioofitsrime.

Besidesexploringtl1ehistoryofthe inRuentialBombayTalkies,FionaTrigg fromACWhascuratedanexhaustive IndianElmarchive,incollaborationwith localDietzefamilywhoareownersofthe memorabilia.

AustralianPeterDietzeisthecustodian oftheenormouscollectionmadeupof photographs,letters,telegrams,posters, evenbillstliatharkbacktothetimeofhis grandfatherHimanshuRaiandhisbeautiful wifeIndianacu:essDevikaRani.

PeterDietze,whowasborninAustralia andhasGermanancestry,wassurprisedto discoverdiathisgrandfatherwasIndian andoneoftl1emostprominentluminaries ofIndiancinemainthe1920s.Hismother NilimawasthedaughterofMaryHainlin, aGermandancerwhowasoncemarriedto HimanshuRai.

ItwasMarywhointroducedHin,ansbu cotheGermanfilmindustry,influencing hiscareerinthearts.(Himanshuwas acmallyalawyerandwasstudyingforthe BarinLondon).Himanshulaterwent ontomarryDevikaRani,grandniece ofRabindranathTagoreandthemost legendaryofIndia'sactresses.

"FindingthephotosofthisIndian man,wholookedlikeme,openeda·whole Pandora'sbox,"PererrevealedtoIndian Linkin2010,withtheideafortl1ecurrent exhibitionalreadyinhismind."Ibecame tot.allyimmersedinhislifeandworksand contributiontoIndiancinema,aswell ashisattemptstotellthewesternworld Indiantales."

Peterandhisbrotl1ersPaulandWalrer spenttimeandeffortlodiscoveringmore abouttheirfamily'sIndianbackground andintheprocessacquiredthecollection ofover3000items.Someoftl1emare showcased,preservedwithgreatcare,atthe BombayTalkiesexhibitionatAC:MI.

Thedisplaysoffermanyfascinatinglinks toearlyIndiancinemaincludingfootage ofsilentElmslikeATimm.,ofDice,Lightof AsiaandShiraz.Mostpromi.nenristl1elifesize,ratherimpressiveimageofsuperstar AshokKumarthatadornstl1ewallnotfar fromasimilaroneofDevikaRani.

AshokKumarwasalabtechnicianin BornbayTalkiesbutHimanshuRaielevated himtothe.toleofaleadmanwhenhis wifeDevikaRaniwassaidtohaveeloped witl1ajmulHasan,whowastoplaythe originallead.

'"\XlhenIwenttoIndiaIsawabustof mygrandfatherinaccorAshokKumar's home,"revealedPetetduringtheofficial launchoftheexbibitionrecently.

Alsointriguing,isthefamilytreethat mapslinksbetweenthefamiliesofRai,

Rani,Roerich(DevikaRanimarriedpainter SvetoslavRoerichin1945)andtl1eDietzes. Imagesanditemsrelating to DevikaRani formasubstantialpartoftheexhibit. Audiovisualswithremasteredorarchival footageaddcotheambienceandmystery. Theinterestingcontentofthearchival lettershelpinconstructinganimageof prevalentissues,joysandchallengesfaced byRaiandRaniinrunningthestudio.The documentstracethefriendshipscreated duringtheirstintinGermanyt11atproved beneficialforthemasmastertechnicians likeJosefWirshcinganddirectorFranz Ostenworkedincollaborationwithtl1em andbroughtinternationalprofessional standards to India.

Atleasttwoofthetrilogyofhlmsthat Raiproduced,andwhicharebelievedtobe thepioneeringElmsofIndiancinema,have beenseenbyAustralianaudiencesi.nrecent years.Theyhavebeendigitallyrestoredby tl1eBritishFilmInstitute,inwhosearchives theyhadbeenlyingslnce1945.Today,they arefamouslyplayedtotheaccompaniment oflivesymphonyorchestras.British-Asian composeritinSawhneywrotethescore forAThroJ/1efDice(PmpanchaPash).The 1929filmislooselybasedonthegambling episodefromtl1eepicMalrnbharata.Of tl1eothertwofilmsinthetri.logy,the 1925Pt"cmSaf!JrlS(heLightof/lsia)is basedonthelifeoftheBuddha,andthe 1928Shiraz(Sircy)onthelifeofMughal emperorShahjahan.

Peterhopes to taketheexhibitionto othercolmtriesbeforefindingtheright placeforitin1ndia"whereitbelongs".

shares

,, When I went to India I saw a bust of my grandfather in actor Ashok Kumar's home ,, PeterDietze

THE BOMBflY T11ltilES lT _ D

Peter Dietze (right)with his brott11ersWalter and Paul at the openingof the Bombay Talkies exhibition

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Ihavehadenough! AmajorchunkofIndiahasbeeninthe throesofsignificantpoliticalactivityover thepastfewmonths.Seateelectionshave recentlyconcludedinPunjab;Goatoo isiJ1 thesameboat.UttarPradeshhasremained anongomgheadline(courtesyof themuch publicisedfamilyfeudamongstthewarring Yadavclan)muchpriortotheelection processthatiscurrentlyunderwaythere. TravelsouthwardsandTamilNaduhasbeen embroiledinapowerstruggleofitsown posechepassingaway ofJayalalichaa. AUof thesepoliticalhotspotshavebeen amajordistractionEromgovernanceand leadershipintherestofthecotmtry.AUthe politicalbig-wigs(bothatnationalandstatelevel)havebeenleasedout(almostonafulltimebasis)tothesepoliticalbattlegrounds withasingularmotiveof6tl1ergetting electedintopower,orfindingawayto remaiJ1inpower.Themajorityof theirtime

Nomajormediaoutletshavespokenup againstmispoliticalcorruptionofmammom proportions.Infact.themorerenowned journalisesofIndiahavebeenbusy onyatms and'road-shows' of ilieirowninmename ofbringingusthestotiesfromthestreetsof thesepoliticalbattlefields.Theydonotrealise thatbychoosingtobeapartof thecircus theyendupbeingclownscoo.Theyare entrusted withtl1edutyof mform.ingcitizens ofIndiaaboutthestateofcbenation.

The currentstateofthenationistl1attl1e politicalpartiesarerobbingIndiancitizensof governance,leadership,welfare,andtaxpayer fundsbyfocusingonlyonfightingelectoral battles.

Somehow,everyIndiancitizenhastObe empoweredtoseekaccoLmtabilityforevery singlepennyof thetaxthatmeypaytomeit government.Theyneedcobeempowered tochaUengetl1esepoliticalthugswhostage processionsandralliesjusttobenefittheir politicalambitions.·Monthsandmonms ofgovernanceandleadershipthatshould beusedbythegovernmentinsteeringthe

andeffortisb6ngspentinILtcinggullible votersintovotingfortheirparries.

Seeminglyunendingpoliticalcampaigns, massrallies,_}'atms,sloganeering,jingoism, andpoliticalmudslinginghavetaken centre.5tageoverthepastfewmonths.And, thetrendseemstobecontinuing,atleastinto tl1eimmediate,foreseeablefuture.

TheIndianpublicisbeingtakenfora ride-andworse,they'refLmdingtluspolitical merry-go-roundattheirownperil

Thepeopleof Indiaelectgovernments usiJ1gdemocraticprocessesmorder toappointtl1emostsuit'lblepeopleto leadtheirwelfarebyprovidingadequate healthcare,education,andoveralJsocialand economicupliftment.Governmentsare fundedbytaxpayersandthereforeremain accountabletoiliem,paye.rsforeverysingle pennythattheyspend. However,thereis ablatantdisregardforanyaccountability cowardsIndiantaxpayersandcitizensby tl1esewarringIndianpoliticalpa.rties(and tl1eirrespectivearmiesof sycophantsand loyalist5).

Oilthecontrary,alJthepoliticalpattiesof todayareshamelesslythrowingawaytaxpayer moneytowagerl1eirownpoliticalbattles acrosstl1enationin desperatebidstoclingtO power.

Onedoesnothavetobearocketscientist toworkoutthatallthesehighstakespolitical campaignsandcheassociatedelection

upliftmentofanentirecotmtrycannot(and musenoi:)besacrificedtowardsfightingand ,vinningelectionswhileanentirecountry merelywatcheson.

Theprin1eresponsibilityofalJIndian politiciansistorepresentmepeopleof theirrespectiveelectoratestothebestof th6rabilities,nottousestatemachinery andresourcescowardscampaignsofgettiJ1g themselveselected.Governanceisnotabout abatteryof state-sponsoredvehicleswith redlightsbeamingovertl1em.Governanceis makiJ1gsurechatthepoorestandtheneediest inyourcommunitiesarebeingtakencareof andarebeingliftedoutof m6rnusery.

Indian citizenshavetowakeuptotl1efact thattheyaremeonesfundingthelifestyles oftheirpoliticianswhiletheyarethemselves being maderolieinetetnal waitfor"achhe din".Indiansmustseekmoreresponsible journalismtoo,aimedatslammiJ1gpolitical thuggeryandpoliticaloppommism.Merely bringingour"stories"aboutmassralliesand )'t1trasisafailureonmepareofjournalists andm6rmediaorganisationsalike.

So.ruenextrinleanAkhileshYadavwants t0fighthisfatherandhisfamily,leehiJndo soIDhisownrinle,usmghisownmoney. Let'snotfundthewholefiestaforhimand otherslikehim.Everyminuteofhispolitical timemustbespentcowardstl1ebetterment oflusstare.Andtl1esameappliestotherest ofthepoliticiansacrossIndia.

,, The prime responsibility of all politicians is to representthe people of their respective electorates, not to use state machinery and resources towards getting themselves (re)elected ,,

�

30th EyeCamp bySawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission, Delhi, INDIA, February2017

February2017markedthe 30th EyeCamp organizedbySawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission (SKRM).This medical camp, held twice ayear, provides free cataractsurgeriestopatientswho would otherwise notbe abletoaffordthe expensesofsuchan operation. Expert eyesurgeonsfromthe UnitedStates typicallyvolunteertheirpremierhigh qualitytechnicalskillsandtimetoprovide surgeriestohelp makethe camp a success. Theeye campsareconductedas partofboththe International Human Unity Conference (held in Februaryeachyear) andtheGlobal Conferenceon Mysticism (held inSeptembereachyear) organized bySKRM atSantDarshanSinghJi

Dham, Burari. Morethantenthousand individualshavebenefitedfromfree cataractsurgeriessincethe launch of SKRM'seyecamp in February2002.

Patients attendingtheeyecampsare firstscreened bya medicalteam.Selected patients, based on medical eligibility, arethentransportedto !CARE11ospital, Naida, wheretheyundergosurgerywith the help ofstate-of-the-artequipment, to removethe cataracts.All patients benefit fromfollowupvisitsand areprescribed eyedropsforseveralweeksfollowingthe operation, sotheycan receive maximum benefitfromthesurgery.Thisvoluntary servicetothe community hashad a significantimpacttothevision andquality

ofpatients' lives.The USclinicalteam workedin collaborationwith doctorsat !CAREhospital, oneofIndia'stopeye hospitals. All serviceswererenderedfree ofcharge and in aspiritofselflessservice tohumanity.

Sawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission (Science ofSpirituality)isaninternationalnonprofit spiritual organizationdedicated totransforminglivesthrough meditation underguidanceofSantRajinderSinghJi Maharaj.

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When literature celebrates our hyphenated selves

Somethingintense happened onthe 12th of Februaty.IsawMelbourneshapeshiftbeforemyveryeyes,andif youmid me1wasstuckinsomesortofHarry Porceresqueworld,Ijustmight'vebelieved you. lewasanordinarySunday,where Melbourne'sweathergodswereduelling eachother:winter unexpectedly challenged summer,whichwithlittleresistance, concededdefeat.Iwas intherather ordinary atriumof FederationSquare,but somethingextraordinary wasunfoldingin frontof me.AnAussieaccentsounded outEnglishwords.Butmeldingwiththe wordswerethesweet,familiarstrainsof aBmeplayingaCarnaticraaga111Revachi. Astheseelementsfusedtogether,another joinedthem.Ca.rnacicvocalsrangout,a.ad shapedd1ewordsbeingspoken.Adancer inagreensarijoinedthepoet"vhowas readingandswayedgracefully,hermoves enhancingthespoken words.

IwasatMelbourne's.firsteverJaipm LiteratureFestivalQLF),acollaboration betweentheIndianfestivalandMelbourne Writer'sFestival (MWF) aspartof AsiaTOPA,theAsiaPacificTriennial of PerformingArcs. BringingJaipur to Melbournewasthefirstthought for MelbourneWriter'sfestivalDirectorLisa Dempster,whenaskedtoprogram an eventaspartofAsiaTOPA.Dempster, withproducerJasmeecSa.hiandtheMWF team,curatedafestivalwithadiverse rangeof topicsfromurbanitycopolitics, travelwritingcotransrights,andidentity tointerpretiveart,steeringclearof tired stereotypesoflnclia,andpresenting refreshinglyvariedcontent.

JLFMelbou.rne brought together a diversegroupof writersfromlndia, Australiaandthe1ndiandiaspora inAustraliatoparticipateinpanels,

performancesandreadings. The performanceImentionedwasapartof aseriesofreadingpanelschatranallday toexposetheworkoffestival guests to theaudience.Thisnon-traditionalreading was called 'PerformingPoetry:Body astext',whereIndian-Australianpoet MichelleCahill'spoetrywasinterpretedby academic anddancerDr PriyaSrinivasan, supportedbymusiciansUthraVijay andSridharChari.Bybringingtogether poetryinthe spoken word formand fusingic withmusicanddance,Srinivasan removedarchaicandsometimesdifficultto-Lmderstandpoetrythataccompanies thetraclitionalpractice ofIndiandance, butenhancedcontemporaryEnglish poetry withlayersoftext,ormeaning: instrumentation,vocals,gesmresandthe performer'sown body.

Moretraditionalreadingswerevariedin content.Historianand writerRakshanda JalilreadsomeofherUrdupoetry, colutm1istandessayistSudeepChakravarti gaveaharrowingaccountofturmoil andbloodshedaftertheBahriMasjid demolition,andRoannaGonsalveshad theaudienceinsplitswhilereadingfrom herbook ThePmna11mtResident. Academic andjournalistJohnZubrzyckitalked about Inclia'srichheritageinperformingmagic, followedbya.magicshowthatdrewalarge audience.

Earlier,iliefestivalstartedoff witha rn1iquelyInclianandindigenouswelcometo corn1try,'Pranaam'. Thiswas followed atalk byeconomistandu.rbanplannerSanjeev Sanyalandareadingbypoet,novelist andwriterSampurnaChattarji.Rapper andactivistSofiaAshraf,famous forher brilliantrapsongagainstmultinational corruptionandabuseofhumanrightsin l<odaikanalcalled'Koda.ikanalwon't'also performed,addressing,amongstother things theexpectationthat artists'art

comes forfree.

JLF Melbourne notonlyshowcased existingwork of writersandartists,but alsohadworkconunissionedspecifically forthefestival.'\'{!ricingourMelbourne', adigitalstory-tellingprojectdeveloped bytheMelbonrneUNESCOCityof Literatureoffice,broughttogetherthree writers towrite aboutMelbourne.These storiesbecamepartofaninteractiveapp thatpeoplecoulduseco explorepartsof Melbourne. EdicorMeeleeSoorkiahosteda Q andAandreadingsbythethreeauthors, Chetna Prakash,RashmiPatelandAparna Ananthunj whotalkedaboutidentity, inAuencesontheirwritingandtheir migrantexperiencesofMelbourne.

Anditisthismigrantexperiencethat resonatedsodeeplywithmewhenI watchedthedancerinthegreensarisway coCarnacicvocals,interpretingAustralian poetry. AsanIndianwhohaslivedin Australiaforelevenyears,Ihavecome coform twoidentities:anAu.stra.lian identity coaddcomyIndianidentity. Thesesitverycomfortablywithme,but onthedayIrealisedhowmuchof agap thereisinmylivedexperienceofthose identities.\XlhilewatchingSrinivasanand Ca.hill'spei:formance,elementsIhad alwaysexperiencedinsilos-d1eAussie accent,Ca.rnacicmusic,classicaldance, Englishpoetry-camewgethera.ndfelt intimatelyfamiliar.Ifeltstrangelysatisfied, simultru1eouslyrealisingthat1hadathirstl didnotevenknowexisted,andchatitwas being sated. Forme,iliefestivalgenerally andSrinivasan'sperformancespecifically, broughttogetherrwoworldsthatseemed previouslyincongruousinafascinating andsurprisingunion, oneiliacreflected notabinaryIndianandAustralianidentity, bmthesingularidentityof anlndianAustralian.

Dipanjali Rao

JLFConversations: On women, gender, travel, history and poetry

Inthepanel'WeavingWomen's Narratives',academic,writer andeditorDr Nata.lie Kon-Yuchairedacliscussionon women'swriting-its framingas'women's writing',itshistoricalsignificance,its currentrelevance.ItfeaturedGoan .Anglo-Indianwriter MichelleCahill, founderandco directorof ZEEJaipur LiteratureFestivalandnovelist an1ita Gokhale,a.ndwriter,criticand.literary historianRakhshandaJalil.Allofthem agreed chat writingisnot,asCahillsaid, "itself agenderedprocess",but,while theycliscussedtheproblematicnature of callingwritingbywomen'women's writing'(wedonot callwritingbymen 'men'swriting'!),theyalso eachengaged inveryspecificwayswithwomen who writeandhavewritten. Gokhaledeclared that"agoodstoryisagood scory", but alsothat"somewhere,womenwriters havetoremainwomen writers". l\l[ost vividly,RakhshandaJalilpointedtothe significanceof women'swritingof thepast as"openingawindow"011theirlives,and of theclevernessandboldnessof women whowroteof mattersof,say,thebody, thatwouldn't otherwisebeknowncoday.

In'PresentTense:Wayof the\World', differentunderstru1clings,his(stories] and counter-[his]storiesof colonisationand migrationwerediscussedbyJohnCurtin DistinguishedProfessorSuvendriniPerera, authorandjournalistGeorgeMegeloge11is, eco110111isc,authorand urbantheorist SanjeevSanyala.ndwriterandsociologist SupriyaSingh,facilitatedby774ABC Radio's'Drive'hostRafaelEpstein.From Epstein'sopeningquestion-which,I hadtoagreewithSanyalwasasomewhat absurd110-brainer-of whetherthe colonisationof Indiawas onbalancegood

orbad,tothemorenuancedquestionsof overlookedbis/stories,falsefreedomsand forgottennarratives,eachpanelistbrought theirownexperiencesandpreoccupations toshapingtheiranswers.

SupriyaSingh'sargumentthat Tndianmigrationcodayisnolonger aboutassimilation,butan'agency' and transnationalismthatal.lowsmigrantsto be'globalcitizens'broughtonSuvendrini Perera'spowerfulandtimelyren.undertous allnotto forgetthe"hardeningof borders" thatmarkstoday'sworldofcitizenshipand migration,andthe 1500peopleimprisoned onNauruandManusIsland.

Ihadthepleasureof beingableto introducemyself tonovelistandtravel writerMishiSaranduringtheJLF launch, andofbeingabletopounceonherto autographherbook,Chas-i11gThe1"\llonk's 5had0111:A)011m�yintheFootstepso Xua11za11g. I'msorrytoteUyou,however,thatIarrived toolate, breathless;fromtheDeakinEdge

atriumtolistentothepanelshewason, 'TheUntrodPath:WritingTravel',with NamitaGokbale,BritishwriterandRoyal GeographicalSocietyfellowCatherine Anderson,chairedbySun.iiBadami.(Asan aside,thepreviousnight,atthe launch,I wasintroducedtoMishiasbeing'shy'-and sheimmediatelyrespondedwith,'Tman introvert."Oh,foranintrovert'scorner,we sighedtogether.)

Icaughtthetantalisingt,w-endof the panel'GenderandtheSpacesBetween', theconversationongenderdiversityand transrightsbetweenexecutivedirector of TransgenderVictoriaSallyGoldner, multidisciplinaryartistRainaPeterson, andtransgenderrightsactivist,actressand dancerLaxmi Narayan Tripatbi,facilitated byBenjanunLaw:Petersonwasspeaking of thedance formMohiniyattam,and howtheseductivefigureof rv[ohini(the godVishnuaswoman),theinspirationfor thedanceform, couldwellbepositedasa

transgendercharacter. Tripatludecisively rook0\7ertoaffirm.thisandgobeyondit. ''l\folun.iwasthecis-Lord,Narayanwho becameMohini andshe.is trans,you know. Thatisbeautiful.Youcan betrans andyoucandoanythingintheworld." Th.ispanelencapsulatedJLF's famedabiliry forbringingusuniqueconversations-a performingartistwhoherself bridges differentculmralcontextsinherwork,and t:ransgenderactivistsfromtwodifferent culturesandgenderhistories.

Thepanel'TheVoiceandtheWord' broughtrogetberJl,falaysian-Australian rapper,poetandnovelistOmarMusa,poet, novelistandtranslacorSampurnaChatterji, andTamilrapperandsingerSofiaAshraf, chairedbywr1tet,editorandbroadcaster JessicaAlice.Afterperformingtheirwork (Chatterjirightlypointedouttl,atpoetryhas alwaysbeen'spokenword' inIndia),they engaged n ar0tindeddiscussionaround poetryandtl1epersonal,poetryandthe

political,poetryandbeauty,thatmademe wishartistsweren'talwayssoconEnedto 'literary'panels.

TheEnaJpanelofthedaywas'From the MarginstotheMainland',aconversation betweennovelistTonyBirch,writersSudeep ChakravartiandRoannaGonsalves,and screenwriterandjournalistBenjaminLaw, chaired bywriter and presenterJamilaRizvi. \'>?hatemergedwasa loose,frank,flexible, breatl1ingdiscussionaroundthatperennially clenched-fisttopic ofwritingidentiry.To someextent,Chakravartiseemedalittle superfluoustomehere-itwasGonsalves, LawandBirchthatpulledmein,probably becauseaswritersof non-Western.heritage livingandworkingin.Australia,theydove .intoquestionsofdiversil:)�writing'your' culture,andtl1erightto presentyourself as howeveryouchoosenomatterwhatyour heritage,allthingsIstrugglewithmyself as awriter.

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She was a prolificpoet and well respected memberofthe community, but she was also simply 'Dadi'. Here, Vim/a Luthra's grandchildren paytribute to their belovedgrandmother

Following a spiritual path KARAN LlJTHRA

Ihavelearntalocaboutreligionand spirimalicyfrommyDadi.Shewasaveq spiritualperson;shehadreadtexts from allchefaichs,notfromjuscherown.Ieven wentandresearchedotherscripturesand woulddiscusswhatIbadlearnedwichber togetherviewonaparticularsituation.

Herviewwasveryimportantcome becauseshewastheonechatsecmeupon thispathfromwhen1wasverysmall,telling scories aboutShravanKumar,GuruGovind Singh,Ashokaandmanyothers.Shewasa greatstoryteller.

Even20,30yearslateritwasnodifferent.

Dadiusedtocallmeherneighbour becauseherroomwastightnextcornine. BecauseIwasalatesleeper,manytimesin theeadyhoursof themorning,whenshe hadtroublesleeping,wewouldsitand talk.

TheolderIgotrhemorequestionsI had andshealwayshadtheanswers.Iwas solucky.

TbeessencethatisVimlaLmhracan neverdie. We have all takensomething specialfromher.Weallhad aspecial connectionwithherandthroughus,she willliveon.

Iknowherblessingswillalwaysbewith me.

Howto be a lifelong leamer IV'"AN f• LHTHR/\ Dadi'slifehastaughtmerhevalueof makinglearningabestfriendforlife.As

auauto-didact,Dacliwascommittedto expandingbermind,andtbewocldwasher classroom.A petperual hungerdroveher toconstantlycultivatehermind•itiswhat madeheraself-starter.Italsomadeher interestingandcharismatic.Anditkepther brainhealthyevenwhenherbodybeganto failher.

Theimportanceof continuing educationcannorbeunderestimated.It couldbeformalorinformaleducation, orahobbycourse,or.readingalot,or watchingtheHistoryChannel.Arthe mosthasiclevel,wemust trytotakeaway, somethingvaluable,even fromourdaily interactions.

\VhatIlearnedfromDadiis:don'tbe afraidtoaskquestions,whetheryou are twentyoreighty.Whenyoustoplearning, that'swhenyoubecomeold.

Never forgetwhere you came from NEH, LJITHRA Growingup,andevenasanadulc,Dadi fondlysharedstoriesaboutherlife.

She would alwarstell usabouttheplace whereshewasborn,inSargoda. Whenshe heardchildrenplayinghopscotchorsaw meskippinginchebackyardwhileIwas exercising,shewouldsmilea.ndexcitedly tellmeabonrthetimesshewouldgetlostin games andsongswithherfriends.

Shewasastrongandambitiouswoman who managedrogetahighereducation duringatimewhengirlsleftschoolafter

cheirprimaryyears.

Herabilitycoputwords together inro beautifulpoetrywasnotaneasrtask,and I feltproudtellingmyfriendsthatmyDadi hadpublishedherownbooks.

Dadi wasafamilyorientatedindividual who,eventhroughthetoughtimes,raised threeamazingchildrenwhoareatrue reAectionof herand herideals.

Shealwayspushedmetokeepstrong familyties,eveniftl1erewasagreatdistance betweenus.It'salessonshebascaughtme andallofusovertheyea.rs:beproudof who youare,andwhat yourstoryis.

Shehassetahighstandardformeco uphold.Iknowsheiswatchingdownon meandIhopeImakeyouproudDacli.

Howto be cool

rEVNl' LUTl-'R IlearntfromobservingmyDaditl1atbeing coolmeanstoembraceyourindividualicyfromtheclothesyouwear, ro theattitude

witl1which younavigatetheworld.Being coolalsomeans,toaccepttl1atothers canbedifferent,andtoembracetheir differences-fromtheclotl1estl1eywear, totheattitudewithwhichtl1eynavigate thewocld.Beingcool,isrobeintellectually stimulated,well-readandaware.Tobepolite andwell-mannered.Toberespectful,andto rememberthat others areyourequals, not betterofforworseoff. Andtobeable to laugh atyourselfandembraceyourAaws, andloveyourself.

Beingcoolcouldalsomeansknowing how ro dab.

Onlythreeweeksago,Dadiwatchedas the fourofuslaughedandteasedaround thedinnertable.

f.Fi'ha!arcyoudoi11.g,sheasked.

IV'eared11/Jbi11g,Dadi.

Whatisdahhin.g?

Um,it'sakindecelehmting. Ok,ayteachme. \Vledid,andshedabbed.

It's a holistic approach to farmingatAvani boutique winery

restaurant,TulsiatSomerville.

BYDHANYASAMUEL

Theterm'Avani'isSanskritfor 'Mocher Earth'.

Asyouwalkintotheboutique wineryAvani,itisthissoulupliftingonenesswithnaturethat youexperienceimmediately.

ShashiSinghisthechiefwinemakerat this 15-acreboutiquewinerylocated at RedHillSomh,Victoria. Alongwithher husbandDevendra,sheownsthisbeautiful stretchof landinMorn.ingtonwhere theyhavesetupboththeirhomeandthe vineyard.

OriginallyfromRohrakinHaryana, India,ShashimovedtoAustraliaafterher marriagein 1983.Fromtheveryoutset, shewas.involvedinthehospitalityindustry withDevendra,atrainedchef,owningand operatingresrauranrsindifferentpartsof MelbournebeforemovingtoMornington andsettingupthem.vardwinningIndian

$hash.i'sinterestinwinescame aboutasa resultofherinvolvementintherestaurant businessandalsothefactthatsheboldsa Master'sdegreeinchemistry.Shewasalways fascinatedwithdifferenttypes of wines, andhowtheypairedwithspicesandIndian cuisine.Indeed,shehasgrowntobecome quirethe expertinth.isregard.

TheSi.ughspurchasedtheirvineyard in 1998andwiththechildrengrownup, Shashidecidedtotakeherinterestinwines alittlemoreserious]y.

IrwasbackrocollegeforShashiand shecompletedadoubledegree,Bachelor ofAppliedScience(\'vlinescience)and Bachelorof AppliedScience(Viticulture) fromCharlesSmartUniversity. Andin2000, theycollaboratedwith PhillipJones ofBass Phillip Winestostartmakingtheirown vintage (rhenundertheWildcroftbanner).

In2004,Shashistarted herwine-making apprenticeshipartheBass Phil.lipWinery, alsoworking thereatthesamerime.

She tellslt1dia11Linkchatthese yearswere extremelyhelpfuland formative, asshe gainedmuch knowledgeandexperience aboutwinemakingandtheindustry."Phillip hasbeenagreatsourceof guidanceand

Thefirstvintagewasin2009wbicb Shashicompletedherself attheLeongatha wineryunderPhillip'swatchfuleye.She soon established herownwineryonthe vineyardatRedHillandboughtomthe inauguralvintage onthepropertyin2012.

Shashiisa firmbelieverinbiodynamic agriculturepractices."Iam forsimple naturallivingandsustainability,that'swhere biodynamicsmakessomuchsensetome. Ir'saholisticapproachtofarming-raking

care of yoursoi.ls,buildingyourunique Roraandfaunawhichareinharmonywith eacli otherandthecosmos.Togrow healthy plantsyouneedhea.ltbylivingsoils.We wanttomakewinecharprovidesatrue expression ofthesite. lntl1isregard,we haveadaptedbiodynamicpracticesinrhe vineyardandminimalinterventioninwine making,thusproducingwineswhichreflect theplace theycomefrom."

Currently,Avaniproduceswinesunder twolabels-AvaniSyrahfromthefruit whichisgrownandproducedontheestate, andAmritwhichincludesPinotGris, ChardonnayandPinotIoirusingfruit rhatcomesfrom various vineyards onthe MorningtonPeninsula.

Oneofthebestplacestoenjoyaglass of AvaniwineisatTulsi,whereDevendra a.longwitl1histeamof chefsshowcases Indiancuisineatitsbest.Winesaremarched tosuiteachcourseaccordingtothespices andflavourprofileof tl,edishesserved.

Avaniwinesarealsosoldattl1ei.r celbi.rdoor(winetastingsavailable on appointment),selectretailstoresandat variousrestaurantsacrossMelbourne (Vue DeMonde,Tonka,BuildersArmsHotel) andSydney.

'' The Singhs adoptbiodynamic practices to care for their soil, building their unique flora and fauna which are inharmonywith each other and the cosmos ,,

inspiration. HeismymentorandIhave lovedworkingthere."

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ChefAnshul Chandna talks about his passion forsensorygastronomy, Indian flavours and workingat Michelin-starred restaurants

MarchewEvans (Gourmet Farmer)Adam Liaw,andJusciueSchofield (Masterchef), Oneof mymostmemorableexperiences wasworkingwichJamesVilesandcooking liveliquidnitrogendesserts(called\\7inter Mum'sRoses)whichtmned outtobea hugehitwitl1ourdiners."

BYDHANYASAMUEL

Tl1epastdecadehasrevolutionised thewayweapproachfood. Insteadof beingseenasjust fuelforthebl1dy,todayfoodisa multisensorygastronomicaffair. And therearechefslikeAnshulChandna pushingtheboundaries,keentounderstand moreabouttherelationshipswehavewith food.

Chandnaiscurrentlyhoninghisculinary skillsatAzurmendiGasrronomiquein Larrabetzu,Spain.WiththreeMichelinstars andthetitlesof Europe'sNo. I Restaurant and16'hBestRestaurantintheWorldfor 2016,Chandnasaysthis opportunityis indeedadreamcome true.

TheroleatAzurmendiisahighJyexciting andchallengingonechatcameaboutafter Chanda'sparticipationin'BrainyTongue'. Ledbysome of theworld's mostrenowned chefs,includingAndoniLuisAduciz (Mugaricz;WorldNo.7Restaurant),Eneko Acxa(Azurmencli)andHesconBlumendial (FatDuck),theBrainyTongueproject.is ameans ofexploringthefieldof sensory awarenessthroughscienceandcooking. ThefuseactivitypromotedbyBrainy TonguewastheworkshopTheSensory

Logicof the Gastronomic Brain,held from24to 26October, intheBasque CulinaryCenter.Chandnawasduilledto exploretheconcepmalknowledgeand understandingof foodperception,through interactiveseminarsandexperimentsbefore takinguptbeincredibleopportunityinthe Azmmendikitchen.

''J'vfyrolehereistermedasChef wichoutanyhierarchaltag,"Chandna says."Itissolelyforgaininginsightinto everyoperationalaspectof oneof che bestrestaurantsintheworld. CurrentlyI amexploringEmremetierproduction." (TheEntremetiercookisresponsible forpreparinghotappetisers,soups,and vegetablesdishes.)

Anative of .MeerntinUttatPradesh, India,Chandna'sfirststepstowardsa culinarycareerbeganwitl1TajHotels in2002aftercompletingaDiplomain Hospitality&omthelnstiniteof Hotel Management(Bhopal).

Beingarestlesscreativesoul,Ansbul wasconstantlylooking foropportunitiesco broadenhisskillsetandknowledgeabout theculinaryworld.HemovedtotheUK, whereheworkedatrestaurantslikeche ThistleHotelinSt.AlbansandtheMarriott HotelinEssex,beforetakingupajobasa JuniorSousChef attheWestinResortin California,USA.

In2007,ChandnamovedtoSydneyin aninter-companytransferwhichsawhim becometl1eSousChef atthe\VestinSydney HotelinMartinPlace.

''Afterfouryea.rs of somehighend workthere,ImovedtoCanberrainlate 2010asHeadChefartheNationalGallery ofAustralia,whereIopenedanew functioncentre(GandelHall)thatserved degustationsandhighendmenusco350 dinerseachday,"Chandnasays."There1 servedmanyvisitingHeadsofState,aswell asAustralian parliamentarians. Thiswastl1e biggestconfidenceboosterinmycareer andenabledmetobuildastrongnetwork amongstleadingindustryprofessionals, celebratedchefsandfoodcritics."

Chandnathenmovedtotherole of ExecutiveChef atAustralia.nNational Universityin Canberra, wherehestayed untilOctober,2016beforehisstintat Azurmendistarted.

"Ihadthe opportunitytocollaborate witl1manyeminentculinaryprofessionalsin anefforttocreategoodwillforJ\r U'sfood and beverage operations,"hesays."Istarted aseriesdubbed'MeettheChef'which wasimmenselysuccessful.Duringmytime tl1erei.vecatered events withJamesViles (Biota),StephanieAlexander,SilviaColloca, PaulWest(RiverCottage),AnnabelCrabb,

Chandnasayschathehasalwaysbeen interestedintl1eculinaryarts.Thoughhis traininghasbeeninclassicalFrenchand Italiancuisines,hehasdabbled witl1many ocherslikeMexicanandModernAustralian. Hissignatllrestylewouldbemodernfusion especiallywichtheinfluences of hislndian heritage.

AfterhistimeatAzurmendi finishes at cheendof the2017 season,Chanclnahopes toreturntoCanberraandpla.nsonstarting hisownvennLtewhichheisratherexcited about.

"Theprojectwillfocus onextraordinary foode.-xperiencesfordinerswherethe senseswillcreatealonglastingmemory," Chandnaexplains."Itwill bebasedon fusion of myknowledgeofmolecular gastronomy,Indiancuisineandmyinsights intoEuropeanandnfediterraneancuisines gainedthroughwhatguestshavelikedinmy 10years of cookinginAustralia."

ChandnaagreesthatIndian cuisine is stillatanascentstageinAustraliaandhe hopestochangethatperceptionthrough hiscu.fu1aryjomneywhichwill showcasetl1e multiculrmalvastnessofIndiancuisine.A bigloverof Asian foodingeneral(which of courseincludesIndian),hisfavouriteis his ownsignaturedish-alentilconsomme witl1shreddedPekingduckandscallions.

Chandnaattributeshissuccessco"my beautifulwife,Shweta,withoutwhose relentlesssupport,noneof itwouldhave happened".

Andtotheyounggunsenteringthe hospitalityindusu-y,AnshulChandnahas justonepiece of advke,"Knowyourself andwhatdrivesyouthemost;aca.reer mustbebornoutof passionandnot compromise."

Alla Bhatt

Alia Bhatt looks like a vision in blue. The black strappy stilettos add spunk to the dress which could have easily looked matronly if not for the heels. The dress is from Indian design label Lovebirds. Hair tied back in a ponytail adds to the cute vibe!

Deeplka Padukone

In a Dionne CampbellYoung dress, Deepika nailed the denimdress look which is the next hottesttrendafter the cold-shoulder and off shoulder tops! The bellsleeve is on trend and the waist belt accentuates her figure. The only gripe, a loose high bun or a side braid would have worked wonders.

Miranda Kerr

Leather pants are tricky. Teamed with a crop top and theygettrickier. Miranda gets it right by downplaying the bold leather with a casual denimjacket. Black stilettos add the right amount of 'offduty-yet-sophisticated' look!

PrlyankaChopra

The new toast of Tinseltown, Priyanka Chopra made an elegant appearance at the Oscars. Wearing a Ralph & Russo white geometrical print gown, Chopra kept her hair sleek and straight to let the gown do allthe talking. It was a safe choice andthe actress pulled it offwell.

Prlyanka Bose

The actress who played the role of Saru's mother in the movie Lion went colourful andbreezy in her Vivienne Westwood gown at the Oscars. Love the peacock shades on her, but we seriously feelthe hair could have done with a bit more styling. However, the silhouette was very fattering on the actress.

Kangana Ranaut

An unusual suspect here. Mostly known forher brilliant fashion choices, Kangana got it all wrong withthis Fendijacket and skirt. The bell sleeves are on point but the pinstripe meets kitchen apron doesn't work at all. In saying that, we have to give it to Kangana for being the only one to stilllook decent.

Swara Bhaskar

At a wedding in Mumbai, actressSwara Bhaskar picked the right colour but not the right silhouette. The double-layered floor gazing lehenga/kurta makes her look bulky.

RanveerSingh

A hot bod doesn't mean you can wear a spider web to a party. Oh wait, it is a ghost stuck in a spider web! Oh no it's actually a sadhu in a spider web, a ghost sadhu! Anyway, this was Ranveer Singh at Shahid Kapoor's birthday bash. Make whatever you wanna make of it!

SushmltaSen

We get that she was walking the ramp for a designer but, even then, neither the choice of colour nor silhouette works forSushmita. The dress is very prom-ish for her age and lavender isn't her colour.

ZoeSaldana

When your shoe laces climb up your sleeves you know it isn't going to look good. Zoe got the colour right but the detailing looks odd. Also a fitted a-line silhouette at the end would have lifted the dress heaps!

The past few weeks have seen many celebs flaunt theirstyle sense - or the lack ofit. EMILY /TEE DEWAN plays fashion cop.

MATRIMONIALS

SEEKING GROOMS

SeekingsuitablematchforHinduPunjabigirl,Australiancitizen,32,5'4",slim,veryfair, charming,beautiful.Professionallyqualified,workinginmarketingfield.Boyshouldbe professionallyqualified,sertledinAustralia,fromwellrodofamily.Pleasesendderails withphototokhubsurat2017@gmail.com.

LookingsuitablematchinAustraliaforJarSikh,smart,slimandsinceregirlbornin1992, 5'6",M.Scnursing(psychiatry).LivinginIndia,belongstowellsettledfamily,lookingfor wellsettledandprofessionaleducatedmatch.Pleasecontacrmansahiajaggi@yahoo.com.

HighlyeducatedIndianfamily,wellsettledinSydneyfor25years,lookingforamatchfor 30-year-olddaughter-goodlooking,mildcerebralpalsy,welleducatedandworkingfull timeforlastsixyears.E-mailkcas121O@gmail.comorcall0423941636.

Lookingforasuitablematchfor37-year-old,welleducated,Brahmingirl.Wellsettledin permanentgovernmentjobinBrisbane.Height5'3",slimandfaircomplexion.Please replytokumar.sham@bigpo.nd.com.

Seekingprofessionallyqualified,settledmatchforSydney-based,nevermarried, AusCitizen,Hindu,PunjabiKhatri,43,5'3",slim,fair,attractivegirl.Girlispostgraduate andisworkinginagoodpositioningovernmemorganisation.Pleasesenddetailswith phototoindsyd2016@gmail.com.

Seekingagroomformydaughter,broughtupinAustralia,fromKayasthafamily,livingi.n Sydneyforpast24years.Sheis25yearsold,5'2",BachelorofCommercewithBachelor ofLawfromUNS\�aqualifiedlawyerworkingwitl1reputedinternationalfirmin Sydney.Sheissmart,caring,basgreatregardforfamilyvalues.Lookingforaqualified, smartboy,preferablysettledinAustralia.CastenobarSenddetailstopbab93@gmail. comorcall+61412487801.

Seekingagroomforwell-qualified,Tank-KhatriSikhgirl.Age24,height163cm,slim, hotelmanagement,currentlyworking,businessfamily,basedinCalcutta,India.Looking forhandsomeSikhboy,well-educatedandworking,fromculnuedfamilybasedanywhere inAustralia,permanentresidentorcitizen.UncleslivinginSydneyforpast30years. Respondwithphotoandprofilerosaggu.aman@yaboo.comorcaJJ+61404187115for furtherinformation.

Seekingsuitablematchfor.Jart-Sikhgirl,Australiancitizen,33,S'S",slim,fair,responsible, compassionateyoungladywithacharmingpersonality.Professiona.llyqualified,workingin governmentorganisation.Boyshouldbeprofessionallyqualified,settledinAustralia.Caste nobar.Pleasesenddetailswitl1phototokaur.nonie@gmail.comorca.ll+61422409881.

SeekingwelleducatedAustralianCitizen/PRforaveryfair,slim,Khatrigirlwillingto movetoAustralia.31yearsold, 5'3",comingtoMelbourneinMarch.Familysettledin Jalandhar,brotherinMelbourne.Call/\.'v11acsapp:+919915154747oremailbioclataand picturestokhanak317l5@gmail.com.

WellsettledfamilyinAustraliaseeksprofessionalmatchfor29yearold,5'7'',beautiul, Punjabi,Hindugirlwitl1traditionalIndianvalues,workinginaseniorgovernment position.PreferboyhavingAustralianCitizenshiporPRstatus.Sendbiodataand photographscoausingh60@gmail.com.

SEEKING BRIDES

Suitablematch(vegetarianornon-vegetarian)forAustralian-born,vegetarian,Punjabi doctorboy,31yearsold,5'7"tail,faircomplexion.FamilysettledinAustralia.Please emaildesiny3239@gmail.com.

Lookingforasuitablematchfor33-year-oldBrahminboy,wellsettledinAustralia.Involved infamilybusiness.Faircomplexion,height5'8".Emailk"Uma.r.sharn@bigpond.com.

ARIES March 21 - April 19

The month starts off with a lot of intention and motivation. You will be thinkingabout ways to improve your relationshiparea and communicate yourfeelings effectively. It seems there are some issuesfromthe pastthatare unresolved and need your attention. The cards are showing some contact fromfriends you have not seen or heardfromfora while. Financially you will be planningto getsome 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 of positivity 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 waysto save more money. The cards are indicatinga timeto take more exercise.

GEMINI May 21 - June 20

This month will see you feeling a little worn out and frustrated with your plans. There seems to be a feeling of not achieving much but working hard. The cards indicate that you needto take a look at your most importanttasks and prioritise. You will be feeling a little restless about yourfamily life, butthere 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, butthings will settle down eventually in the month. There will be some financial aspectsto deal with and paperworkto sort out. The need ofthe hour isto keep calm and relaxed.

LEO July 21 - Aug 22

This month you willbe concentratingon the physical: you will be looking atjoininga gym or taking in more physical activity, and probably have done so already. There willbe an important event coming up for which you will wantto look the part. You are a little unsure how to deal with relationships this month and you may end up takinga breakfrom it all. The cards 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 thatthrough. You are atthe stage ofdeciding whatto 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 visitfrom a friend or relative you have not seen fora while.

PREDICTIONS FOR MARCH 2017

BYNANCYJADEALTHEA

LIBRA Sept 23 - Oct 22

This month you will be lookingat yourfinances, andhowto invest and where. There will be many decisions to take and you will be doinga lot ofthinkingand panningthis month. Family will offer advice and help. Seems to be a lot ofactivity this month and as you pan your property matters and personalaffairs. The cards are indicating a 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 issuesthat are bothering you and making you feelverytiredand 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 willbe planning a surprise party for someone. 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 another state. There will be matters relatingto your partner's workthat will be stressful and they may need your support and advce. There may be another addition dueto the family which will be a source ofjoy. The cards are indicatinga happy month, overall. En oy.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 19

The focus this month is finances and making sure you are saving enough forthose rainy days. There will be an emphasis on careerthis month andthere is an indication ofimprovement and abundance. You may decideto connect with an old flame or a pastlove. The cards are indicating atime when you may also be looking at a new venture or decide to work with someone else. Take time outtotake in more fresh air.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18

This month you will be busy. You willneed to find afine balance as you do not have enoughtime foryourself. Home life will be happy and cordial. You are planningto 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 propertythat you will be helping your parents with. A sibling isalsogoingto be needingyourhelp.

PISCES Feb 19 - March 20

This month will be an interestingandpowerful month when you will be puttingtogether plans and ideas tofocus on yourself and your future. You have been wantingto make changes fora 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 be careful with your spending. Emotonally you mightfeel like you needto take a break.

RANGOON

STARRING: Shahid Kapoor, Kangana

Ranaut, SaifAli Khan

DIRECTOR:Vishal Bhardwaj

�\\(

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, and so driven down to destruction by their own demoniacal desires, that you fear they will collapse under the weight of their own ambitions and longings.

This is true as much of the characters as the director himself. Bhardwaj's latest arguably his most ambitiousfilm 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 peltsdown on those who are its victims.

Rangoon is a simple 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 afraidto wear her heart on her sleeves. And when you have Kangana Ranaut to play 'Fearless Julia' it 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 allthe learned elements in Indian cinema, knows that the Indian audience needs to be educated. He has visited the library, you see.

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 sounded so glib) but soon begins to behave like the Gora villains in Manoj Kumar's f<.ranti 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 hardto pull ourselves out even when Shahid 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 massive suffocating doses of academia into his narrative with scholarly arrogance, sacrificing narrative evenness for interludes where time comes to a standstill as we see characters enacting scenes from the Freedom Movement on stage.

The skits-o-phrenia is distracting. Many of the characters appear to be wasted in the long-legged libretto on nationalism that Bhardwaj insists on playing out while we are meant to watch his paean to patriotic pride in submissive silence. Bhardwaj plays and sings variations of the national anthem so many times during the film that the audience in the theatre (all 25 of them) was confused as to whether they should just continue standing in reverent attention.

After all this is notjust theJana Gana

CORRUPT . ION HURTS EVERYONE.

Mana. It is Bhardwaj playing theJana Gana Mana.

A pity, he sacrifices the opportunity to tell a beautifuland tender love story about three wounded fracturedbroken characters for the sake of a baggy ode to desh bhakti replete with a climax on top of a precariously compromised. wooden bridgethat David Lean would have used as a dress rehearsal for The BridgeOn The Riverf<.wai.

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

Peel away the layers of self-referential nationalism, and we are left with a luminous lovestory, adishy desi version of David Lean's Ryan's Daughterand VijayAnand's Guide about a capricious seductress in a committedrelationship who strays into a passionate liaison with a near-stranger who is way out of her socialleague. Indeed, the most masterly portions of the narrative are those where Kangana andShahid are shown slogging through stretches of slush and marsh land accompanied by aJapanese POW.

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

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

Exactly our feelings.

SubhashKJha

Tofind outmore about IBAC or how to reportyour concerns in complete confidence, goto www.ibac.vic.gov.au/everyone

When something's not right, report it. independent broad-based

U0lLY

cheats a young lady, Hina, seekingjustice for her husband Iqbal, in a case of mistaken identity Dejected withthe tum of events, Hinatakes a drastic stepthatjolts Jolly Ridden with guilt and to undo what he did, he files a Public Interest Litigation How he gains redemption and prominence, formsthe crux of the tale.

JOLLY LLB 2

STARRING: Akshay Kumar, Huma

Qureshi, Saurabh Shukla, Annu Kapoor, Kumud Mishra, Manav Kaul, Sayani Gupta,Avijit Dutta

DIRECTOR: Subhash Kapoore •••'r,

Apart from being a courtroom drama and Saurabh Shukla playingJudge Tripathi, there is nothing common

THE GHAZI ATTACK

STARRING: Rana Daggubati, Kay Kay Menon Atul Kulkarni and Taapsee Pannu

DIRECTOR: Sankalp Reddy -ktt {;_(

A bigger mystery than the sinking of the submarine during the 1971 India and Pakistan war that thisfilm so bravely recreates, is Rana Daggubati's one single immovable expression that he has been holding steadfast on his impressive face ever since he graced the large screen with his imposing physical presence.

It's an expression of scowling machismo, a ratification of masculinity and a rejection of all humbug, and that includes changing the expression accordingto the emotional need of the moment.

Rana plays Lieutenant Commander Arjun Varma. And if you think-this is as a filmy as a hero's name can get waittill you see the torrent of patrioticjingoism that hits you straight in the face (though alas, not in the guts). The national anthem (which had already played beforethe film begins, as per the new rules) played in the film before the end when all the characters first sang Saare jahaan seachcha and thenjustto drive in the point,Janagana mana.

Confused, a few members of the audience gotto its feet while the others remained seated. Even before the confusion could be sorted, the national anthem played again.thistime as part of the background score, and then the film ended in a furry with the tricolour

betweenJollyLLB2 and its predecessor theArshad Warsi-starrerJollyLLB. And the only reference, if any, is a faint line when Saurabh Shukla, says: "Your name seems familiar, heard it in Delhi."

Astutely mounted on a larger scale and set in Lucknow,JollyLLB2 is a redemption story The film trails Jagdishwar Mishra akaJolly, an assistantto a renowned lawyer, who desires to set up his own practice,

The script meanders with some off-beat scenes and songs. The first half toils on establishing the characters and the Holi song in particular is incongruous to the plot. This feel-goodsatire seems to have lost itslustre. Not thatthis is a badfilm, butit does tread on a predictable terrain with a plethora of poignant moments, some powerful ones. Some ofthe scenes seem forced with comedy, some ofthe parts are laugh-out-loud funny, but beneaththe humour isthe subtle criticism ofthe corrupt system which can be easily manipulated. The courtroom drama is indeed interesting albeit weary and it lacksthe soul of its previous edition.

But, Akshay Kumar asJagdishwar Mishra isthe raison d'etre of this film. Though he istoo old to play a novice and a bit unconvincing while indulging in buffoonery, he nevertheless carriesthe film squarely on his shoulders exuding star charisma.

Huma Qureshi as his whisky-drinking and Gucci-wearing wife Pushpa Pandey is competent. But her character is an appendage to the plot which offers nothing but a wholesome appeal to Jolly's character.

In supporting roles - brilliantly essayed- are Saurabh Shukla asJustice Sunderlal Tripathi, Annu Kapoor as the defendantlawyer Pramod Mathur, Sayani Gupta as Hina Siddiqui -the pregnant lady seeking justice, Kumud Mishra asthe sly and ambitious Inspector Suryaveer Singh andAvijit Duttas Police CommissionerS.S. Paul. Unfortunately, Manav Kaul in a miniscule role as Hina's husband Iqbal Qassimis wasted.

With excellentproduction values and good cinematography,the film is a typical Hindi blockbuster with an easy going demeanour. Nevertheless, the film is an entertainer.

TroyRibeiro

KARANJOIIARANDAAFILMS,,m,1

held high.

All ofthis is crammed into the last 15 minutes of this commendable but underwhelming tale of war-time valour. The film editor - the brilliantSreekar Prasad - cuts tothe chase. There is little room for diversion as the men on board the submarine attend to the task of fobbing offthe enemy's advances. The marginal characters barely getin a word edgewise and beforethatscared lieutenant gets thefirstbite of a banana into his trembling mouth, the siren goes off.

A sense of urgency is preserved throughout, with the actors pitching in their mostsincere efforts to makethe proceedings look authentic.

Butit'slosing a battle. In a manner of speaking.

Nevertheless, debutant director Sankalp Reddy must be lauded for his vast research on the subject. He lays outthe blueprint of the underwater and so far underground, battle between India and Pakistan, with diligence and sincerity Butthe director's epic vision is constantlydefeated by the lack of financial sources.

Budgetary constraints show up in embarrassing spurts inthis soggy and damp underwater adventure. It's in the way the actors are huddled on one set depicting the interior of a submarine, or in the way the sea and the exchange of torpedos between the enemy countries plays itself out thatthe film exposes its crippling limitations.

Whilethe Indian side ofthe battleline comes off with a fair amount of fair thanksto accomplished actors like Atul

Kulkarni, Kay Kay Menon and some unknown faces that play fringe soldiers who are never at sea (no pun intended.), the Pakistani soldiers helmed by Rahul Singh (who snarls and snaps like an Alsatian denied itsdaily meat) are pure caricature.

The Pakistani soldiers are bathed in the colour green (in case we miss their cultural complexion). They refer to one another as Janaab (in case we don'tgetthe point even after the proceedings go green).

Once we ignore the glaring generalizations and the broadly sketched definitions of valour and patriotism, The GhaziAttack comes across as a film that means well. The director has afirm command over the underwater escapades, more so than the power-tussle in whichthe commanding officers are shown to be embroiled.

By the time Rana gives his big speech on sacrificesthat soldiers make so

that we civilians can sleep peacefully, the narrative has exhaustedits ability to hold our attention The adventures of The GhaziAttack are intriguing, and even excitingto begin with. But after a while, repeated shots of torpedoes being fired from both sides gets repetitive.

War, as we all know, is an exercise in futility This should not be the case with films about war. And God knows Chetan Anand and J.P. Dutta have shown us how spellbinding war cinema can be, given the required resources.

SubhashKJha

UP-TO-DATENEWSONWHAT'SHOTANDHAPPENING IN BOLLYWOOD

PEECEE AT OSCARS 2017

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

Although she didnot score a presenting gig like last year, our girl squeezed herself into a tight gown (Ralph & Russo), wore US$5 million worth ofjewellery (Lorraine Schwartz) 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, andpretendedto interview JenniferAniston backstage for Kelly Ripa's chat show.

Then she gotchangedinto a blacksequinned Michael Kors number and went off to the after-party. And because she hadn't eaten a morselallday, she tucked into a massive juicy burger. (She posted a video of it).

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

You've allprobablyseen by nowthe Twitter comparisons about her dress: kaju katli (thanks, AIB, for that one); a vase, a blanket, ashimmeringquilt, a DIY project

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

But the Indian actress has stopped fretting over fashion police as everyone is entitledto their own opinion. She said in an interview with IANS before the show, "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 nightthat came at the end.

LOOKINGTOTHE

MOUNTAINS: RAHUL BOSE

Rahul Bose is back in a directorial role after a 16-year break. His new film Poorna is based on Pooma Malvath, the youngest girl in history to climb Mount Everest. She was 13 when she accomplished this feat two years ago.

Rahul claims he was first approached with the project as an actor. But when the project got shelved, he took it on as his own. Of course he still acts in the film, in the role that was first intended for him: Poorna's coach and mentor.

The actor-director claims he was drawn to the film solely because of young Pooma. She comes from a disadvantaged background, but is "astonishingly single-minded and determined''. She hails not from a mountainous region but from fat lands, which make the activity alien to her. But she put her mind to this seemingly impossible task, and went all out to achieve it.

A young Telangana girl Aditi lnamdar plays the main lead.

"It was very difficult to get the right Poorna," Rahul reveals. "When people see the flm, they will realise she carries the film. I was very clear: between casting an actor and casting a climber, I would always opt forthe former. We looked at over 500 girls in Telangana and shortlisted 109. Some of them were decently talented but none with the mix of sensitivity, intuition, resilience under pressure and high emotional intelligence that I was looking for. By then my casting director, Mayank, and his assistant were totally burnt out. We found that in the 110th girl we saw."

Rahul also promises some stunning footage from the summit of the Everest.

Rahul'sfirst film as director was way back in 2001, afilm called Everybody Says I'm Fine. In the interim, the 'thinking woman's actor' Rahul has been a regular on the speaking circuit {having spoken on cinema atYale, secularism at the Oxford, and on gender equality at Harvard) andhas impressed in offbeat films such as Di/ Dhadakne Do.

JIjust happen to be a Himalayan boy," he said. "We've had a house in Kasauli since 1947, so I grew up in the Himalayas. I've trekked till 17000 ft, done Uttarkashi, Sikkim, the hills around Kasauli, so for me this film was a win-win-win: mountains, sport, the girl child and a cinematically phenomenal story."

Poorna is set to release this month.

INSPIRED BYZOHRA SEHGAL: TANNISHTHA CHATTERJEE

Tannishtha Chatterjee, known for her performances infilmslike Rough Book, Angry Indian Goddesses andParched, says she wants to be like the late veteran actressZohra Sehgal.

"I remember the day when I met ZohraSehgal for the f rst time," she recalled recently. "She was 90 and I was 19. Even at her age, I was astonished by seeing her diligent. discipline and commitment to her work.That is a true taste of an artiste. My aspiration is to be that sort of an artiste."

The acclaimed actor, often called 'princess of parallel cinema', added, "I think for an artist, there is no scope of being satisfied. The day you are satisfied with your work, you are stopping yourself from exploring another avenue. It hasn't stopped for me and it is a continuous journey. I am learning andgrowing, andthis process shouldcontinue."

Yes, Zohrawould have agreed!

Tannishtha's latest film is Garth Davis'sLion, whichreceived six Oscar nominations butdidn't register any win. In her new project, the actress willbe seen portraying a historicfigure Doctor Rukhmabai, saidto be India'sfirst practising lady doctor.

APARSHAKTI: GOING FROM STRENGTHTO STRENGTH

Things are looking up for new kid on the block Aparshakti Khurrana, who has a decent role in the upcoming Badrinath Ki Dulhania starring Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan.

"I had a lot offun while on Badri," Aparshakti said recently. "Alia, Varun, Davidji and Karan Johar, are alla happy bunch of people. There was always a fun aspect on the set. Badri is very close to my heart."

The younger brother ofAyushmann Khurana,Aparshakti hasjust come off a grandsuccess with Dangal, where he played an adorable cousin to the Phogat sisters. He nailed it with his physical fitness and Haryanvi accent.

"I never expected my character in Dangalwould be admiredso much,''

liii#iMSi■Ulfy'-

he revealed. "I thoughtpeople would be excited for Aamir Khan, the two girls, andtheirjourney of becoming wrestlers. However, my characterOmkar was appreciated as much as the other characters."

He added, "People have started taking me seriously."

Aparshakti started his career in stage, and worked as a radiojockey andTV anchor.

Badrinath KiDulhania, a romantic comedy, is directed by Shashank Khaitan andslatedto release on 11 March.

SAYANIGUPTA: SCALING HEIGHTS

She claims she is scared of heights. But wejustsawSayani Guptajump off a 40-foot building in her latest flickJohnny LLB2!

It wasn't easy, butthe young actor managedto pull it off.

She credits it allto co-star Akshay Kumar who we allknow is quite theTom Cruise when it comes to doing his own stunts.

"When I saw the stunt person do thejump, I got very nervous.It was not pretty at all. But I stillwantedto do it. The action director Parvez Shaikh was trying to keep me calm and I was like 'I don't wantto bescared,butdo I really have a choice!?"

That's when Akshay, ever the mentor and guide, offered help.

"He gave me some simple tips which made it much easier. I amgratefulto him for being helpful, calm andsuch a master ofstunts.Thanksto him, I could jump with perfect calm!"

Now that's not as bad as it sounds Sayani has begun to make an impression ever since Margarita With a Straw. Herstintsin Fan, Parched and Baar Baar Dekho have not gone noticed, and we await her appearance inJagga Jasoos now.

KHAYYAM LAUNCHES JUKEBOXAT90

Padma Bhushan awardee and veteran composer MohammedZahur Khayyam, who recently turned 90, has launched hisjukeboxtitled Soothing Melodies of Khayyam on YouTube.

Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd. paid tributeto the veteran music composer by launching hisjukebox which features 20 original song videos from hisfilms like Bazaar, Shagoon, Footpath and Lorie among others. It is available on YouTube channel Filmi Gaane.

The NationalAward winner, who celebrated his birthday on 18 February, has composed forfilmslike Kabhi Kabhie, Trishul, Noorie, UmraoJaan and Razia Sultan.

On his birthday, Khayyam also announced the formation ofa charity trust called Khayyam Jagjeet Kaur

WHO WORE IT BETTER?

KENDALJENNER orALIA BHATin BALMAIN?

+Shareyourviews with us on our Facebookpage /lndianLinkAustralia

KPG Charitable Trust andalso shared the newsthat he is donating his entire wealth valuedaround Rs 10 crore to his own trust, which will help needy artists andtechnicians ofthe film industry.

ITTEFAQ: NO COINCIDENCE

Yash Chopra's 1969film lttefaq (starring Rajesh Khanna and Nanda) is set for a remake, starringSidharth Malhotra andSonakshi Sinha. The 1969 film was itself a remake of 1965 British film Signpost to Murder starringJoanne Woodward.

It is unusual for Bollywood to make a murdermystery, and that too one without any songs in it, and the new version hopes also to be much shorter than usual, at about two hours in length. Red Chillies Entertainment, Dharma Production and BR Films willjointly produce.

Sidharth Malhotra has revealed that the plot will undergo slight changes, as everyone knows what the original film was about, and the same storyline wouldnotleave any mysteryto be unfolded.

The film will release in late 2017.

WHATTWEETYBIRDTOLD US THIS WEEK

Match the following stars to the tweets below Shah Rukh Khan, Farhan Akhtar, Amitabh Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, Amitabh Bachchan again, Alia Bhatt

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

41 years of "Kabhi Kabhie" !!

Heregoes the trailer !! #BKDTrailer

My fav films by Yashji #lttefaq is being recreated byAbhay. Thx @S1dharthM @sonakshisinha Akshaye. Also BR & Dharma Films tie up with RCE

Today on Feb 15th 1969 I officially joined the flm industry signed my 1st film 'Saat Hindustani'.

Full respect to the producer of La La Land who announced Moonlight asthe winner. Pure grace.

What's the chitchat between VARUN DHAWAN and ALIA BHATT?

Send in yourresponsesto win@indianlink.com.au andwin a movie pass

What's KAREENA KAPOOR KHAN thinkinghere?

So glad Saifsaid he would lookafter baby while I came here...

PRAJWAL SHRESHTHA KATOOMBA, NSW

Prajwal winsaticket to Hindifilm RunningShaadi

SAYANI GUPTA

DIV guru

DEAR AUNTYJI

I am really hoping for your advice because I find myself in a weird situation. We have the best neighbours - they arefriendly, helpful, fun and never intrusive. We have known them fortwo years now. Dave is a stay-athome dad and loves doing DIY stuff, and he is really, really good at it.

So, we wentto Darwin for two weeks, and when we returned, we noticed that all the DIY around the house had been done! Dave had used his keys to get inside the house -with our previous permission - and had resealed the grout in the bathroom, fixed cracks in the ceiling, cleaned out the plumbing and left the house pristine Now Auntyji, I was absolutely delighted by this turn of events, but my poor husband felt emasculated. He said itshould have been his role to do thesejobs, but the reality is that Mohit has not done any ofthese necessary tasks since we moved in! When we spoke to Dave, I was most appreciative of it, but Mohit says it was weird for Dave to come into our houseand fixstuff while we were away Because I really like Dave and Tina I have no issues. But what do you think Auntyji, is this odd? And what should Mohit do about this - even though I don t want him to do anything. Thoughts please?

AUNTYJI SAYS

Can I have the name ofthis wonderful neighbour so that I can move next to him please? Dave sounds like an ideal mate - he lets himself in, fixes up stuff and leaves the house in pristine condition. Now I understand that poor Mohit feels like a bekaroo, but he brought this on himself. If he had completed these jobs, Dave wouldn't have needed to do this in the first place. So I suggestyou have a chat with your bekaroopatidev, and tell him that this is the result of his laziness. Tell him he should be grateful to have a padosi like Dave.

Also, I think you might need to ponder why Mohit feels this way. Perhaps he is not as concerned about the work done as he is about the fact that there is another man happy and willing to step in where his own deficiencies take shape. So, tell him to either lift his game, or accept the fact thatthere is another man willing to do what he won't. As long as Dave does not try on your lingerie while you are at work, I suggest you let this go. Moh it will get over it. But, keep in mind that everything starts off innocent. Who knows what Dave gets up to while he is home alone. Nothing that a motion-activated recorder won't capture

Can't keep calm, he's turning 40

DEAR AUNTYJI

My husband is shortly turning 40 Now, he says he loves his life, but he hates his job, hasn't given up bad habits like smoking and drinking and is often lazy He has been trying to change jobs for a while, but nothing has happened. He has tried to give up cigarettes, but that is an ongoing saga. All in all, he is not happy to be turning 40. His bestfriend Akash, on the other hand, is not married, but has the best career and a good life Akash is also turning 40 in the same month, and has decided to have a party. My husband thinks it's a good idea to have a party together As I see it, there is nothing to celebrate: hubby is getting older, fatter, unhealthier, with fewer options to change his career What's there to celebrate? Why the party? Fortunately, I have not said anything to hubby, but these are my thoughts. I love my husband dearly, but why all the celebration, Auntyji? Why waste all this good money on a party when he does not have his life in order Do you think I am being a little harsh? I would love to hear your thoughts

AUNTYJI SAYS

Wow. You are a hard wife. Your bechara, budda husband is not looking forward to turning cha/is, and the only thing that he has to help him get over the misery of entering his 50th decade is this party, and you want to deny him this. If you say you love him, let him have his party-sharty nah, tumhara kyajaata hai? Granted, you didn't win the lottery of life by ending up with a lazy smoker alcoholic with no career prospects, but abkya karenge, bahut der ho chukinah. I say you let him have his party and be happy for him. Turning 40 is a major milestone and you should be grateful he made it this far. Who's to know what will happen by his 50th? You should totally organise this party and make it the best party ever, ya?

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