PUBLISHE:R, .Pa�a"'!_Luthra
Ei:>iJ◊�; Rajni Anand Luthra
ASSISTANTE:DITOR; KiraSpucrs-Tahar, • CONTRIBUTORS
JyotiShankar, Usha Ramanu1amArvind,, Sandip 1-lor, Ritam Mitra,LPAy�i;'··· Gaurav Masand, Krishna Neelamraju; Avi Chandiok, l=arzana Ahmad Dhanya samuel
NationaiSales
Viv�k f�i�edi 0292621)66
ADVER'fiSING ASSISTANT
Cha��t-�J�shi o:z'9279200'..i
E:l)ITQ�JAL,AS?l_�TAl'IT
1'BeheshtaWasseh
Indian Link is a monthly newspaper published in English. No material, includi�g- ad'.-'.E!r�i�ernents_, designed by Indian Link, may be reproduced in part or in wholewithout the written consent ofthe2 editor. Opinions carried in IndianLinkare those of . the writers and not necessarily endorsed by lndiai{1 •Li!'lk. AU ce>r�espon,?enc:e !iho1fld ?e a��res!i�cl to: '
TheKarachi StockExchange Indexbad anastonishingretnrn in2016. leisupmorethan52 percentoverd1epastyear-and theWorldBankhasforecastagrowth rateof 5.2 percentthisyear.Thereis nodoubtaboutit:thereisaneconomic revolutiontakingplaceinPakistan. A cotllltr)'ravagedwithissuesof terrorism andsuicide bombersisnowmaking headlinesforotherreasons.
Pakistan'smiddleclass,which dominatesoverhalf itstotalpopulation, hasbegunto exertpres.sureonthe governmenttostimulateeconomic growth.
This,coupled withrelativelyimproved politicalstabilityinrecenttimes,has encouragedmulti.nationalbusinesses such asApple,Samsung,Unilever,Toyota and Coca Colato invest more tocapture themiddleclasseconomicstrength tipped to reach ovet$I trillionby2030. Multi.nationalsarebeing increasingly attractedcoPakistanwithreturns of over 25percentbeing expectedinthismarker.
PostBRICS(Brazil,Russia,Lidia, ChinaandSouthAfrica) and�ITNT (Me.xico,Indonesia,NigeriaandTurkey), we now havethenew acronymVARP (Vietnam,Argentina,Romaniaand Pakistan).Pakistanisabout to join the ,vell-respected"emergingmarket"index of theMSCIwhichincludesthe 24 countriesthatrepresent 10percentof worldcapitalisatio1
Aneconomically strongPakistaniswell inIndia'sinterest Itisaneighbour which, withapopulationof approximately 200 millionpeople,isalsothesixthmost populouscountryintheworld.Anuclear powerinitself,apeacefulPakistanallows forbothnati.onstofocusonsolving theirownproblems.Theirproblems, unsurprisingly,arenotdissimilar,these bei11ginvestmentsininfrastructure, relianceonagricukurewid1the interlockingproblemsof water,weather anddrought increasingeducation standards,andfindingsolutionstothe energy issuesfortheirrapidlygrowing populations. However,theproblemsin cross-border terrorismhavestalledanymeaningful discussionsbetweenthetwocountries. \'.\'hi.lethePakisra11igovernmenthas deniedanylinkstotheseattacks,India has.repeatedlyproventhe sourceof these terrorism attackscobefromPakistan. Thesecross-borderterrorattacksneed
coscopif economiccooperationisto develop between thetwoCOlllltries
Todate,allrequests andthreats fromtheIndiansidehavestalledand failed.Alsoaddingtothetensionsis themultibillion dollarChina-Pakistan Econon1icCorridor, partof China's "OneBeltandOneRoad"ornewSilk Road project•aseriesof roads,railways, pipelines,hydropowerplanesandother developmentprojects,beingbuiltfrom theXi.□jiangprovinceinCl1ina to Gwadar insouthwesternPakistan.Passingthrough territoryin Kashmir,whichIndiaclaims asitsown,thiscouldcreatefurther tensions beLweentberwocotllltries.
Butnow,withtbechangesemerging withintheeconon.1icallyambitiousmiddle classPakistanis,thiscanchange.An optionforthe lndiangovernmentcould be to workthroughastrategy to reach outtothismiddleclass.Softdiplomacy canworkthecharmoffensive-whether throughsportinginteractionsorarts and culture,includingfilms-totake advanrngeof thechanging demographics and winthen1iddleclassPakistani populationovercoallowformore pressureond1epoliticalsystem.
ThereisarevolutiononIndia's doorstep,and afresh approachneeds tobetakencoperhaps.findsolutionsto problemswhichhavefestered for farcoo .longbetween neighbours.
PAWAN LUTHRA askedhow theCoalition candisregard theflow-on effects withinthe multicultural vote bank, while KIRA SPUCYS-TAHAR revealed that according to an Indian Link survey, ethnic minorities will change their votes based on 18C reform
JasvlnderSidhu wrote: Welldone Indian Link andIndian Link Radio for running a community survey on proposed changes to Section 18c of Racial Discrimination Act.These changes simply mean racial discrimination becomes right of the offenderunder theargument of freedom of speech. Changes make it ok to offend, insult and humiliate anyone in Australia due to their race, colour or national or ethnic origin.
AlexBhathal shared the post and wrote: Indian Link I think you should amend question three of the survey to include a response for people who are voting for parties that do not support the 18C amendment. Something like: 'No.The issue is important to me, but I am already voting for politicians/ parties who do not support these amendments'.
MlchelleRowland MP wrote: "What a shame that a Prime Minister, who was well supported by the multicultural communities at the last election, has allowed himself to be held hostage by fringe elements in his party, advocating Trump-typepolicies."Well saidPawan Luthra at Indian Link.
JettKerrlngwrote: 18c is about people getting vexatious for stupidreasons; Like in Bill Leak's case, thehate part was in the eye of thebeholder.
A thoughtful DARSHAKMEHTA worries for the way in whichthe noble game of cricket is now being played John Greentree wrote: Great article! Lovedthe idea the visiting team can select whether to bowl or bat. Sledging should be penalised.The umpires hear what is going on.
DrAhad Khan wrote: Well said, Darshak. Competitiveness is admirable. Not giving up the game, no matter how impossible the situation looks, is admirable. Fighting 'tooth andnail' is admirable. Coming from behind against all odds (like Laxman and Dravid did with that memorable partnership), is admirable. Using one's skills with the bat and ball to turn a game inside out (like Ian Botham's single-handed effort to win) is admirable.The way the West Indies, with a 'never give up' attitude, created the frst tied Test Match, is admirable.
But, SLEDGING and ABUSING an opponent is not admirable - it is despicable. The phrase "It ain't cricket" is used to describe certain unpleasant behaviours. Such is this noble game of cricket.
I agree with Darshak - players who attempt to bring this noble game of cricket into disrepute must be removed from the game.
Dhanada Mishra wrote: We played sports to learn sportsmanship! Is our cricket teaching our youngsters the values that we need so badly in the real world? asks Darshak Mehta. Brilliant as usual - a must read.
PeterLalor wrote: Good article by my favouriteNRI. Better behaviour and pitches needed.
Peter Lalor added: He's not really an NRI. He is a great man. Born in Mumbai lives in Sydney. Tireless charity worker. LBW Trust chief of many years.
KhushrooDasturwrote: Good article, well said.
Shlshlr Hattangadl wrote:Valid issues, Darshak Mehta.
Ryan Carters wrote: Well said, Darshak. I agree.
David Peever wrote: Poignant article. Well done.
Clayton Murzello wrote: Splendid piece. Great perspective.
Pradeep Kasllwal wrote: Toss to be done away looks to me one of the best ways, but we have done it away by playing on neutral venues in domestic matches.
GeoffArmstrong@garmstrong61tweeted: If cricket has reachedthe point where the toss must be 'dispensedwith' to ensure a fair game, then cricket is done.
Vk22 @thirdaccountvk2 tweeted: Agree on theneed for better pitchesespecially Australian test pitches which are f at as roads.
AngusLivingston @anguslivingston tweeted: Indian writer says Australia doesn't doctor pitches, visiting teams should choose whether to bat/bowl first. I think it wouldreally be interesting and makeTest series more exciting.
Mathewlnkson @imathew tweeted: I've long wondered if visitors getting the choice would be good, not just because even pitches would be rolled, but it provides balance against general home ground advantage.
India's national carrier flew an all-female crew to Melbourne in celebration of International Women's Day. PREETIJABBAL reported.
Rajnl Luthra wrote: It's amazing, I've never heard a woman pilot on Aussie f ights, but they seem to be quite common when you fly domestically in India.
DhanyaSamuel wrote: That's wonderful... Air India has finally got something right.
HarlnderSidhu @AusHClndia retweeted: Touchdown! Congrats to the @airindiain all women crew who arrived in Melbourne this morning
RajanVayakkattll wrote: Congratulations for supercharging and motivating all Indians, especially women!
lndla6AM tweeted: congrats. Women are the foundation for our Indian culture. Happy to see their progress.
NeelamVasudevan wrote: Fantastic! What a proud moment.
Shabblr Bootwala wrote: Great honour to the nation for their performance.
Chandra Klshore wrote: Congratulations, ladies.
RajdeepSardesal tweeted: The day the Indian male becomes a practising feminist, India will be a better place! Happy women's day! #womensday
ABC News Radio's TRACEYHOLMES continued theQ&A conversation on the 'Festival of the Arts' withstudio guest Pawan Luthra, taking calls and answering questions.
AvlChandlok wrote: Listening to the radio last night I heard Pawan Luthra. Pretty impressive.
ManjltRalHanda wrote: Arts thrive only if patronised by the rich, not when paid for by the taxpayer.
MelanleSmith wrote: So many peopledon't seem to understand or appreciate what the arts bring to society as a whole. If kids develop reading habits early enough, they will becomelifelong readers and their lives and that of others will be immeasurably enhanced in many other ways as well. Put away the iPads!
DouglasMciver wrote: No public funding of the arts seems very much like the American model of the arts being supported by philanthropy etc. Let's not go down the American pathway!
Shauna Roche wrote: I was quite disappointed in the (admittedlyfew) India art galleries I was able to visit in Mumbai, Jaipur and Delhi recently.The work that was 'hung· was extremelyinterestingand vivid, but the galleries in such poor condition I was afraid for theculture. On the other hand, there seems to be a big 'art market'which is aimed at the hyper-wealthy.
SUNNY SIDEUP!
In an Australian exclusive, RAJNI ANAND LUTHRA spoke with little Lion star Sunny Pawar
AnnSharonvanBeemen-Prasad wrote: Heiscute, isn't he?
Maryanne Fonceca wrote:This fills my heart with sooo much joy!
David Hersant wrote: HelovesAustralia, he'd probably stand for the anthem
To Indian Link, Myname is Li Max Joy from Hobart. I was assaulted andracially abusedby 4 boys and a girl here in Hobart, Tasmania,Australia.
I am seeking help from associations registered under the Ministry ofIndian Affairs. I am trying to contact the Minister for Foreign AffairsSushma Swaraj to help me. I am attaching the details and forwarding the complaint given to Tasmanian police this morning.
ToTasmanian police, RespectedSir, I am an Australian Citizen of Indian descent holding an OCI card. I am a part time taxi driver in Hobart. Driving my taxi, between 4.30am and 5am on 25th March, 2017, three boys assaulted me in the McDonald's premises in Argyle Street, Hobart.
I went to thetoilet of the McDonald's andwas going backto my taxi vehicle to continuemy shift. I saw four boys and a girl insidethe Mc Donald's arguing with thestaff. I did not order any food astheywereharassing thestaff. Iheard thestaff telling them theywould be calling cops if they did not leave.
When they were coming out of the store they saw me. A boy wearing a black t-shirt called out, "Why you looking at us, you black Indian**** ." I said, "Sorry, I am not looking at you mate."
All of a sudden, with no provocation, a boy wearing a white t-shirt and the boy wearing a hat punchedme continuously in the face. I tried to block them and tried to get in thestore. They continuously hit me whilewearing metal rings on their fingers. My face started bleeding from the right upper eye area and my jaw was hit continuously by them.
I took their photos beforethey left McDonald's. While I was taking a photo they again came at me and hit me again and again.I called the policefor help as soon as possible and police officers attended.
I am attaching photos of my condition on attending the emergency department at Royal Hobart Hospital. A police officer asked me if I will stand against themenwho assaulted me. I said I will stand till my last breath to make sure they will bepunishedunder Australian law.
I hope the Tasmanian policewill help me and make sure thesemen are charged under the law. I am ready to come to court if necessary. Kindly do the needful to investigate the case.
Yours faithfully,
LI MaxJoyIndian citizens have to wake up to the fact that they funding the lifestyles of their politicians while themselves being made to lie in eternal wait for "achhe din" wrote SANAM SHARMA
Chandra Klshore wrote: The young peopleshould speak out and be part of the required change
Society'shidden racism thatcomes out when it's dark, is a real fear, but we can't allow fear to control us, wrote KRISHNA NEELAMRAJU
Ken Dorge wrote: A beautiful story from a beautiful human being
DHANYA SAMUEL wrote about the holistic approach to farming at Avani boutique winery
AustrallaIn lndla shared Indian Link's article: One of the best places to enjoy a glass ofAvaniwine in Victoria is at Tulsi restaurant, ownedby Shashi Singh and her husbandDevendra. Originally from Haryana, they both moved to Australia in1983 and today own the 15-acre Avani boutiquewinery in Red Hill South, Victoria.
AlanDavidsonwrote:After reading the excellent story of Shashi and Devendra Singh from Avani Winery, on the Mornington Peninsula, I wrote to them asking if they would do a story for my new local online publication The Peninsula Star. Your story, just published, is terrific and I wondered if there would be a chance thatI could reproduce it with credits? It could make a cover story with the right illustration.
+JOINTHECONVERSATION
> LOG onto your own Facebook orTwitter account
>TYPE "Indian Link"into thesearchboxatthe top ofthe screenandclickon the linkthatcomes up
> CLICK'Like'tojoin theIndian Link Facebookcommunity or 'Follow' @lndian _ Link onTwitter
Ruchir and Santana, who lived inAustralia for 22years, decided to return to Jaipur, India in 2016.
lndecidingtomovefromAustraliatoIndia, wechosetoskipdoinganyderailedresearch orplanningaboucwhatwewoulddoco 'setcledown'.Infact,ciis'go-with-the-flow' spiritwasprobablywhatrnadethedecision possible.Theimpetuswassimplythechance athavingafewqualityyearswithmyparents andsupportingthemastheygrew older.
Whileeventsincludingdisease,deathand discordrockedourfriendsandfamilies, omanchortoAustraliasuddenly feltnoras steadfastasbefore.LivinginIndiaseemed likeadefinitepossibility,buoyedbythe familiarityand thegeneral warmthand connectionwe experiencedfrompeople duringourfrequenttrips.
Webadconcernsaboutourabilitytoadapt tothechanges coourecosystemsandour dailyroutines(andhowourdogs,Nlisryand Elliewouldadapt).Thedarkersideof lndia usuallyremainscamouflagedduringholiday trips-asystemandcultureinwhichdayto-dayli£ecanbefullof hurdles,painfully strenuous,andunbearably'f-can't-believecliis'ridiculousattimes Anyway,armedwith myunfettered optiniisrn,(andSantana's morecautiousvariety),webidfarewelltoour
AussiefriendsandheadedtoIndia.
AlthoughnostrangerstoIndia,wehave hadtogobacktoschool,re-learningand re-calibratingourlife'sroutinecodifferent rules,protocols,norms,beliefs,ecliics, e:,..'"Pecrations,choicesandboundaries.India hasdelivereditspromiseof servingupa tasteof theentiregamutof emotions.It hasbeeninteresting,refresliing,indifferent, loving,embracing,surprising,puzzling, playful,astonishing,frustratingand bewildering,sometimesallin oneday.1vlany timeswehavehadagoodlaughatthe way things are,andat ochertimeswe'velostour patience.
We arelearningco recognisethe magnitudeof disruptionandtoacceptthe slowpateandmeanderingnatureof cl1e voyageof 'setcllngin'.Thehardestpart hasprobablybeenaboutwhatwealwa)'S knewhappenedhere,butwemisjudged oure:,..'"])ecrationsabouthowwe would reacttothesituationsathand.lnthepast few mouthswehave beenadjustingour e.xpecrations,'beingkindtoourselves'and regainingtheabilitytorespondingoodhumour.
Tbesnunblingblocks?Acclimatisation
They share their initial experiences and thoughts on this big move with JYOTI SHANKAR
-Mistywassic.kandEUieisstillscaredof thenightlyfireworks.Diwaliis overbutthe weddingsgoon.\XietoohavefaUensic.k multiplerimes.Waitingforcradiesandtheir lackof skills,toolsandprofessionalism hasbeenadampener.Wearegettingused tosensoryoverload,tonoise,rnbbish,and mayhem.Dogsarenotallowedinparksand hazardsliketraffic,garbage,andstraysmean thatourdailyrelaxingwalksarelessso.
Actl1eriskof generalising,we Indians wearourheartsandbeliefsonoursleeves. Welo\Teexpressingouropinionsandgiving advice,witl1aJotof emphasisonwhatyou 'should'or'muse'do.TI1ereisaclear and sharpdividebetween'right'and'wrong'. Logicisoftenconfoundedbytraditions andbyspecialcasesanddispensations. Conversationsareloud,dramatic,and ontop-of-each-otber,muchlikethetraffic.It certainlyt.'lkesgettingusedto!
And thehighlights?Warm connections withfamilyandfriends,old and new.Culture andfood-weloveallthehappeningsand eventsinJaipur. Irisfascinatinghowhistory andtraditionareeverywhere.Thoughwe're notfullythereyer,asasongfromarecent BoUywoodfilmgoes .'Loveyou,zindagi!'
"So haveyousettled in nicely?"This is the question 1 havebeen askedmost often in thepast few months and Istill struggle todeliver acoherentresponse!I leftOz armedwith aJifetimeof memories and dozens of love-fiUed fareweUs.Weanived inJaipur and realisedchat our aparanent renovationswere stillalong\vayaway fromcompletionbmwent aheadwitha housewarming anyway.We hadnodearth of peoplewillingcohelp ussettleinand giveustips on wherecogoforwhat,which was agreatsupport to have.
Indiaissurelyaland of extremesand in the spaceof a dayitdrives mecoboth ends of the happinessspectrum, multiple times!Itis so noisy, chaotic,dirty,dusty, hot, loving,caring, inventive, hilarious, maddening andiospi_ringalJ atonce.
Ar themaddeningendof thespectrum, I donot advise anyfaint-heartedindividual co undertakeanysort of renovationsin India.The conceptof straightJines,spirit levels, smootl1 surfaces andtimeliness are aU conspicuously absent here. Having been advised that the onlywaythe renovations wouldfinishwouldbe for us to move
in and evict tl1e tradies,it took weeks of cajoling,begging,dummy-spitting andhistrionics to getthework to 95°/c, complete and geerid of thetradies.95% completeis ho-w I-suspectit will stay.
AnotherquesdonI am often askedis "Doyou miss Australia?"Andthe answer isyes I do, butmostof chetime.icis not a conscious missingof this orthat.Itis morethe realisationthat you take somuch of your environment forgranted andwhen someof iliosethingsaremissing,you rend togetfrustrated or unpleasantlysurprised.
lndiahasneverbeenaneasyplaceto live, butAustraliareallyspoiltme. I am slowlybutsteadilyseeking the wonder in tl1e littlethingsthat havealways beenamazinghere-like thesense of community and tl1e time that everyone has for you;like the tinycups of teaand coffee you canget anywhere andeverywhere;like thewayanythingispossiblewhennotli.i.ng shouldbe;like theincredibletenacity of the dispossessed andthe horrifically poor;liketl1ereallyoldplaces and their magical histories, and last butnor theleast, rediscoveri.ngthefamiliarwaysof being andacceptingIndiain alJitsextremes,tl1e wayI was abletodo when J Jived here over 22years ago.
Manywisepeople tel1 methatit takes at .least ayearor moreco trulyfeel settledin anewplace,so askmeagainin afewmore months and J mayhave a more coherem answer!
A note from Misty and Ellie Thisplac.ehassomanywonderfulnew creatures-somanymore pigeonstohark atandshoo-off fromtl1ebalconies, and squirrelsi_osteadof possums,andratstoo!
,, India has never been an easy place to live, but Australia really spoiltme ,,
IndianLink.
BY USHA RAMANUJAM ARVINDearingnoillwill towards bis attacker,FatherTomyKalathoor Mathew,theMelbournepriest who wasrecentlyscabbedinan isolatedbutracially-motivated hatecrimeon 19_March,hasresumedduties at StMatthew's Catholic Churchin Fawkner North,celebratingSunday masswith parishioners.
The 48-year-old cleric, who hails from Kerala, was stabbedin theshoulder by a disgruntledparishioner who cook exception tohisIndianbackground.Hewas lucky to escapewitl1non-lifethreateninginjuries.
"Youare Indian,so youmusebeHindu orMuslim and are notqualified todeliver mass,"the manstatedbefore attackingtl1e priestwitha lmife.
Theincident took place in tl1e church foyer,asthepriestwas aboutto begin the 11am Italianmass.Themanhassincebeen charged witl1intencionalJyand recklessly causinginjuryandwill facecourtinJune.
Narratingtheincident,FrMathew told TnrlianLinkthattheparishioner,who was notaregularvisitor,hadaccostedand racially abusedhima weekprior aboutbis ethnicity.He alsolaterfound omthattl1e attacker,whoisof Italiandescent,had enqLtired abomtl1e "Indian"priest whilehe wasawayfor holidaysinJanuary.
"Iwas uneasy aboutbis anger towards me and my Indian heritage and notified the Parish Council, but I never expected th.ismove from hllll,"Fri'vfathew told
StMatthew's welcomesbelieversfrom manydifferentlinguistic and cultural backgroundsincluding those of Italian, Polish,lndian,Sri Lankan,Vietnamese,Iraqi aswellasAngloand lrishbackgrounds, and hascelebratedth.is diversity byemplO)'it,g min.iste_rs fromdifferent nationalities.
"\Wehavea wonderfulco=uniry hereandnaturallytheywere allshockedparticularly theItalians,who wereashamed bytheir compatriot's ignorance,"FrMathew said."Theattackwasnodoubtthework of a mentallysickperson whoneedsour supportandsympathy.\Veshouldprayfor suchpeoplesothatthey maynot cause harmco others,andthey maybeablecoget me lightof truth."
"Iam alsotrulygratefultoGod for havingmadeth.isincidentforpromotingme virtue of forgivenessandGod'severloving care,"hesaid.
Downplaying tl1eracial overcones,Fr Mathewemphasised thatitwas pure ignorancethatfuelledtheunfortunate incident.Indeed,there arenearly20mill.ion Catholicsin India.
"Manypeoplechink thatIndiais aHindu country.Theydo notrealisethatmereis a substantial Christian following chat daces back many cenmrie.s, aswe.11as manyother religions.Wenrnstbelovers of humani.ry iJ1 allitsdiversity, which isvery significantina nationlike Australiawherewe are allfrom different origins."
FrMathew hasneverthelessbeen overwhelmedbythe gestures of support hehasreceivedfrom workcolleagues, parishioners,police,healthcareproviders as well asthe Indian Consulate.
"The consularserviceofferedto mewas prompt personal and wellbeyondthecall of duty,"henoted.
"They createdmelikecheywould their ownfamilymember,"headdedwith gratitude.
The priesc, who arrivedin Australiafive years ago, also hasnothing but praise for d,egenerosityof chis beautifulcountry.
"Iamnot concerned aboutsuch happeningsin future,"hesaid."Ihave alwaysbelieved Australiaisnot aracist country.Itis trulywelcoming and mulriculcural.Th.iswaswhatIusedto tel1 my friendsandfamilybackinIndia who were concerned aboutthe racismin Australia.I wouldlovecobe.lievethesame evennow."
FrMathew, who relocated toMelbourne in2012,belongsto Kalathoorfamily of Karimbuin Anakkampoyil and became a priescunder dieTharnarasserydiocese in1994.He hadpreviouslyservedat churches in Adakkakundu,Vettilappara,
Kallurntci and Chundadrnmpoyil,and woi:ked asateacher at Alphonsa Schoolin Thamarassery.
Expressing shockat theappalling incident,theCatholicJ\rchdiocese of Thamarasserywasrelieved tohear about miraculousescape.
"DuetoGod'sgraceandthespecial robes for tl1e masstheknife didn'tgo deep and justinjuredtl1eneckmuscles," Abraham Kavi1purayidathi1,chancellor and spokespersonofThamarassery diocese stated,adding matFrMathew isdetermined tosmy on andcontinuehisgoodwork.
"Peopleshould neverbetreatedlike th.is," said ShaneHealy,a Catl10lic Archdiocese ofMelbournespokesman,condemningthe attack."Fr_Mathewisdoingwonderful work for hisparishionersand chisisreallyablight on tl1egreatwork thatmany,many Catholic priestsaredoing."
Instanttransferisavailablesubjecttocertainlimitsontheamountsentandalsoclearingmandatorycomplianceverificationprocesses.
"Estimatedinternationalwire-transferfeeforbanktranslersfromAustrall;itoIndia
Remit2ndia-MoneyRemittanceto1!1diaatanaffordabeprce.Remlt2IndiaisasecureonlinemoneytransferserviceforNRISLosendmoneytoIndiafromUnitedStates,UnitedKngdom,Australa,Singapore.Canada,U.A.E. HongKong.Germany,Spain&othe,EuroCountres. TheservceallowsNRlstosendmoneysafeyusingwiretransferandACH/DirectDebilThemoneycanberecevedinIndiathroughdirectaccountcredits.
Any visiror to Adelaidein the monthof March issute ro becaughtupinacultural cascadeasthecity reverberates rohundredsof showsin all sortsof artistic forms. Infactafestival atmospheredescendsfrommid-February onwardswiththestart of Fringewhere anyonewithsomehistrionicskillscanhave aplatformtoshowtheirtalentinmusic, dance,comedy or whatever.Thenthereis theforb1ight-longAdelrude Festivalforthe aficionados.WritersWeekatthebeginning of themonth attractshundreds of book loverstohear those authorswhose\vo.rks theyhavesavoured.Evenamidstthis clusterbombingof culturalevents,aloud roaremanatesfrommachineswith alot of horsepowerintheformof Clipsal VScar raceinthestreet.� of CBD.Thereisalso a racewithmud,.less butreal horsepower at the AdelaideCupwheretheanima.ls attract anadoringcrowd.Atthefar end of the monthistheIndiancommunity'smelathat hasgrown intoa wholedayaffair.
Tomethe four-day openairwocldmusic anddancefestival,WOl'vlADelaide,has
become amustinthepast few years.This year wasitssilverjubilee.Havingstarted in 1992 as abiennia.levent,WOtv!Delaide hasbecome an annualmusicalextravaganza withmusiciansof every genre- formthe divinesoul-soothingsouth Indianclassica.l cohip-hop,foot-tapping Afro,Spanishru1d WestIndian wild rhythms.Evenif some of thefareoffereddoesn'tcake yourfancy, hundreds of peopletwisting,tmning and twirling their corsos co those beats is aching ro watch.Itisjustamazing.
WO1'1ADelaide ismuchmore than a
nmsical bonanza.Besidesthefeastfor ears,it offersseriousthought-provoking sessionsintheform of PlanetTalkswhere renownedspeakersespouseenvironmental issues.Thereis also culinary feastwith food stalJs of everyethnickindand also arr and craft shops makingtheeventamegamulticultura.l mela.
Asinthepast,WOl'vlADelaidefeatured two eventswithIndian Aavour-The J\tf,111ga11bm·Classroo111fromRajasthan andSomhIndia's SudhaRagunathan.
TheMa11ganf1,1rC!assrooJJJ, according co WOMDelaideDirectorIanScobie"srole thehearts of all".Noone would have expecteda bunch of school children from a remote Rajasthan community coput up such acaptivatingshow.Theprogramme feamred35boysaged8 to 16,allinheritors of threatenedmusicala:aditionsrevived byKeralitedirectorRoyston Abel,battling hilariouslywiththeirdisciplinarianteacher's conformity of traditional classroom routines.TI1eyevennmllywon him over, having himjoin intheir singing,admitting
Caroacic musicprogrammestretchesa goodtwoanda half hours, shehad to tailorher programmewithintheallotted one hour.Yetshemanagedtosingfive songsincludingthemainpieceinraga 'Shanmugapriya' withalap,11imva!andthani avarthana111forthepercussionist.Shestarted withaVamaminVasantharagaandmoved on toDiksh.irar's'Vathabi Ganapathi' in Hamsadvani, thenPurandaraDasa's 'Narayana nine'in Suddhaadhanyasi and concludied theeveningwith'Bo Sambo, Siva Sambo'inragaRevathi.
thatevery humanbeinghas asenseof musicthatshouldbegivenroomfor expressionandnot suppression.Kudosco organisersfor unearthingthisgem from rura.lIndia,justliketheydidwiththe gymnasticMalaco!flba couple of years ago.
Thisbeinghersecond outing at WONLWelaide,itwouldhavebeen a strange butnor antmfamiliarexperiencefor SudhaRaguoathantosingfor anaudience sirringunderhugeMoretonBay figtrees onamoon-lit night.Whileatraditional
Inoneof thefivePlanetTalkssessions 'What'sGod got to dowithit'speakers includedmembers ofJewish,Islrunicand Clu:iscianfaiths.Thefirsttwospeal.::ers spokeinlengthbow their religionssrood forsavingtheplanet.1 ammystified why therewasno representationsfrom the Buddhist or Hindu faiths,each having over abillionfollowers,tospeak ontheir strong green credentials and respect for flora, faunaand allthingsinnature.Couldn'tthe organisersfind any authoritativee:-,.'()onents? Thisneeds tobeaddressedsothat a balancedviewpoint ispresented.
Thefour-dayeventattractedsome 90,000visitors,fewerthantheprevious year'srecord.But nothingshould take the credit away fororganising more than 400 artists from 30countries andpresenting programmes non-stop atsevendifferent stages forfourdays.
,, TheManganiyar kids battled musically - and hilariously - with their disciplinarian teacher's conformity of traditional classroom routines ,,
encouragingtoseeanumber of diplomats andpoliticianslendingtheirweightcothe event.
BYAVI CHANDIOK
With fond memories of my recent treksinNepal, l certainlycouldnot resist visitingtheNepalese Festivalheldinthe very heart of Adelaide.The unusual flaginthe shapeof adoublepennantflyinghigh, beautifulcostumes,theliltingmusic,and momos at the foodstallsallbroughtback images of theNepal Ihadseenandhadthe pleasuretosavour.
This wasthesecond[epal Festival organisedbytheNon-ResidentNepalese Association,South Australia.Secretaryof theAssociationNabinPantexplained,"The. mainthemesof theprogramme(are)to promoteour tradition,ourcultureandfood, andthetourismthatNepalisfamousfor."
Communityeventsneed support soitwas
Thedaywasalsotheperfectopportunity forthegrowingmunberof Nepalese residentsof Adelaidetomeetnewmigrants and renewbondswithfriendsnotseen forsometime.YoungcoupleSandeepand UchitabavebeeninAustraliajustamomh, contrastingwithKumarGurungaveteran of 40yea.rs'residencyhere. WhileUchitais commencingstudies at Flindet'sUniversity, KumarisPresidentof theapdynamed Adelaide KhukriFootballClub.Looking attheclusterof youngmen wanting co sign upitwascommendablecowitnessthe contributionbeis makingtOthecommunity. Andd1en themusicstarted withthe KutnrnbaInstrumentalBandfromNepal. Itonlytookthefirstcoupleof notesof a songcobeplayedandthecrowdrecognised d1enme,happilyjoininginwithsinging.The menstartedthedancing first.Dancinginthe t.taditionalfolk-dancestyle,individuallyyet inagroup,withgendemovements.Ladies joiningin brought colourtothedancefloor. Therewas aspontaneityaboutitall,nothing
forcedor tostrictform.Justenjoyment and lettinggo.Itwasaudienceparticipationatits best,andforthosesittingout itwaseasyto geeafeelof thefunandpleasurewhirlingco the music.
epalimusic, alwaysjoyous,hasits particular soundsd1atevoke diespirit of thepeople.Theuseof Ameisemblematic of Nepalimusicwhiletheuniquesound of the!/ladedor drumis thebackboneof traditionallokmusic.Withthesesounds embeddedinto the · epalisoul andthe bandblastingommuchlovedfavourites, itwasimpossiblenot tobe drawnintothe euphoriaandgroupsinging.
Allalong,groups of litdechildren performedtheir dances asonlychildren do, watched by doting pa.rents and acheering crowd.Later, ShantiPariya.rcameoutto singtoeveryone's delight,followedby Narayan Rayamajhi.Bod1 are noted singers fromNepal,clearlywell-knowntothe audience.
There was agood crowdwith many youngfamilies.Ihadthepleasure of meetingGanga.BahadurGurung,an exIndian Armygurkha,withhiswife,while
hisfamilywereservingmasalateasto the thirsty.Ribsand skewersof meatswere turnedon the charcoalgrillsendingup deliciousaromasdrawing customersback formore.Thechefscould barelykeep upwiththedemandfortheeverpopular momos asplate afterplatewentoutfaster man theycould be served. Avarietyof chaatswere thereto satisfyevery taste. Andcocopitall,pa,111madeindividuallyby Pratik was adelightful wayto end thefood extravaganza.
Cloudshadkeptd1eheat awayandthe evening was aspleasant asit could be in the leafy,green setting. An advantageof being inthecentreof Adelaidewas chatpassersbyandshoppers wereattractedrotheevent. Surelythatisoneof thepoints of having sucha festival-coshareone's culture with others;promotinglmderstandingby increasingfamiliarity.Musicanddance area universal language asis sharingthedelights of one'sfood.
Forme,anicetouchwas tl1e sweet littlesnow-makingmachine.Surely,it's unimaginable not to have snow at aNepa. Festival,evenin Adelaide.
Dalai Lama in Arunachal: India tells China notto interfere in its matters India-China diplomatic tensionsrose afresh over theDalalLama'svisitto Aruuachal Pradesh,with[ew Delhiassertingthis month thatnopoliticalmotiveshouldbe attributedtothevisitand askedBeijingnot tointerfereinitsinternalaffairs.
Beijingin a freshsalvoslammedthe DalaiLamaasan"anti-Chinaseparatist" andattackedNew Dell1iindirectly for its support cotheTibetanleader.
Union1Ylinisrer of Statefor Home Kiren Rijiju,who isfrom ArunachaJ Pradesh,said that nopoliticalmotiveshould be am·ibuced toDalaiLama'strip."Indiahas always beennon-interferinginthe neighbours' internal affairsinourapproach,"Rijiju toldreportersinNew Delhi.''ln thesame manner, weexpectthesamefromour neighbours."
TheDalaiLama'stripwaspurely religious,he added.
RijijusaidIndiahasneverquestioned China'ssovereignty and"hasrespecrfuUy adhered cotheone-Chinapolicy".
"So weexpect thatChina alsoshouldnot interfereinourinternalmatters,"hestated.
TheDalaiLamahas visited thestatesix timesearlier andno "additional colour" should begiven to hisvisitstartingfrom April5.
Reactingtothe visit,the ChineseForeign MinistrytoldEfe news: "The 14thDalai Lamais ananti-Chinaseparatist who has longlivedin exile followingafailed armed rebellionbythereactionarygroup of highrankingfeudal serf ownersinTibetin March1959."
"TheChinese government isresolutely opposedto anycountry's support and facilitationforthe 14thDalaigroup's anti-China separatist activities,"read the statementwithoutalludingdirectlyto India.
Meanwhile,theDalai Lama arrivedby roadinBomdila, ArUJ1acbalPradesh,after inclementweather forced himto call off the scheduledvisitby helicopter.
InBomdila,theDalaiLamawasreceived by Arunachal PtadeshChiefiVlinisterPema Khandu,andmembers of theTibetan community.Khanduwas accompaniedby BJP leaderSudhanshuMittal.
FromBomdilahe wouldvisitDi.rang, Lumla andTawangduringhisoversevendaytripco ArunachalPradesh.
ArunachalPradesh holds aspecial significancefortheTibetanleader, asit was thefustterrirory-tl1en called theNorth EastFrontier Region -in Indiaheentered whlefleeingChinesetroopsin1959before movingcoDharamsala, wherehenow resides.
Assertingthat ArunachalPradeshisnot adisputedterrirory,Rijijusaid, "We have certainissues with regard todellneationof theboundary on thespots,ontheground alongMcMahonLinebecause itisnot beingdemarcatedonthegrow1d.Thar iswl�ythere is atalkbetweenthespecial representativesofIndia and China andthe peopleof Arunacbal Pradeshhopethat anamicablesolutioncanbereachedinthe foreseeable future time."
ChinainMarch saidties with Indiawmtld be hitif NewDelhi aJJowed theDalaiLama to visit Arunachal Pradesh,which isclaimed byBeijing aspart of SouthTibet.China's Foreign·MinistryspokespersonGeng ShuangsaidChina wasstrictlyopposed co the visit.
GengsaidIndia knew thesensitivityof theborderissuebet\veenbothcountriesand allowingtheDalaiLamato visit Arunachal Pradesh woulddamageitstieswithChina.
The Indian ITindustrylJodyNasscomhas said the clarifyingguidance by theUSCTS on eligibility for computerprogrammers undertheH-1Bvisanormswillhave little impactonitsmembers,astheclarification hasbeenthe adjudicatory practice for years.
"TheMarch31 USCIS memorandum reinforces anexistingpracticeby adjudicators andclarifiesrequirements for certaincomputer professionals,"saidthe National Associationof SoftwareServices andCompanies(Nasscom)in astatementin Bengaluru.
TheUSCitizenshipandImmigration Services(USCIS) OnMarch31 issueda clarification thatcomputerprogrammers,to be eligible under theH-1B visa norms,must prove chattheirsisaspecialcyoccupation.
Merelyobtaining acompucerdegreemay notbe enough.
Comingjust ahead of startof thenew season forH-lBvisasforskilled workers,it waslargelyseen asthetighteningof norms bytheUS autl1oritiesforhiringcomputer programmers,thusputting asqueeze on IndianITcompanies.
USembassiestheworldoverstarted acceptingnextyear's H-1Bvisapetitions from April3. Indian techieshm7e been the biggestbeneficiariesof theH-1Bvisasobtainingabout70percentof such visas -wicb companies postingthousandsof employeestotheUS.
Thisvisa allowswork in the particular areaforsixyears,extendableafterchat.Itis alsotherouteco aUSpermanentresidency or aUSGreenCard.
Notingthat severalofits members haveapplied forvisasforhigherlevel professionalsthis year,the apexbodysaid theevidenceshowedtl1atthejobs were complexand requiredprofessional degrees.
"Our member companiesprovideskilled talent andsolutionstoUSfirms.The H-lB visasystemexisrsspecifically because of thepersistentshortageof highly-skilled domesticIT talentin theUS,"thestatement pointed out.
IndianITcompanieswouldcontinueco provideskilledtalentandsolutionstofill that gap andkeepUSfirms competitive globally,itadded.
Initspolicy memorandum,theUSCIS mentioned,"Based onthecurrent versionoftheHandbook,thefactthata personmay be employed asa computer programmer and may useinformation technologyskillsandknowledgetohelp an enterpriseachieveitsgoalsin thecourseof hisor herjob isnotsufficientto establish theposition as aspecialtyoccupation."
Thememorandumsaid,"Apetitioner may notrely solely ontheHandbook co meet its burden when seeking co sponsor a beneficiary for a computer programmer position.Instead, apetitioner must provideother evidencetoestablishthat theparticularpositionisonein aspecialty occupation "
TheUS Congress hasset acap of 65,000 H-1Bvisasperfiscalyear.AdditionaJJy, 20,000suchvisasaregiventochose with
Amantakesaphotographata memorialformusicianKishoriAmonkar inMumbai,India,4April2017.
Amonkar,renownedforherinnovative interpretationofclassical Indian music, died this monthaged84. Photo: AP Master's or higherdegrees from theUS. Atthesan1etime,theimmigrarion services havemovedtodetectH-1B visa frauds in theUSby taking a"motetargeted approach" onsitevisitsacrossthecountry aimed atfindingourif employers were evadingtheirobligationsto make agood faitheffortto recruitUS workers.
''Toomany Americanworkers,whoare asqualified,willingand deservingto work iathesefieldshave beenignored or unfairly disadvantaged," says apressreleaseissued bytheUSCIS, adding that "protecting American workers by combatingfraud inouremployment-basedimmigration programsis apriorityof USCIS".
TheImmigrationServiceswarned employers chattheywouldnorbe allowed co "abuse theH-lBprogramme",whichitsaid affectsUSworkersnegatively,decreasing wages andjob opportunities- aposition thatUSPresident DonaldTrump hasofren endorsed.
Combatingprejudiceagainst Africans: Indiahasa lotto lose India has agreatdeal to lose by mistreating andbeatingup Africanswhocometostudy orlivein thecountry.Thelatestattacks on March 27, 2017 on Nigerian srudent.�living inGreaterI oidaborderingNewDelhi and partoftl1eNationalCapital Region have made breakingnews onallTVnews channelsandfront-pageheadlinesinleading newspapers.
While playingup ad nauseLunthe sensationalnewsstory issupposed to increasethe viewership of TV channels and boost dwindlingnewspaper readership, itiaAicts massive harm toIndia-Africa bilateral relations, Indianinvestmentin Africa, andIndian diasporain Africa.The medium and longtermrepercussions andmassive damage tolndia's goodwill internationally islostontl1e angry,racist and violent Indian goons who assault and injure Africans.
Thetragedyis that dtisis not anisolated incidentresultingininjuriesto Africans LnA.ictedbyboorishlocals.Suchincidents havebeenhappeningin major metros for years,especially in and aroundDelhi.Sure, they arereportedinthemediabutnolasting remedial actionisdevisedor implemented. After somehueandcry,thepolicebold some meetings increasepatrollingandit thenfades away untild1enextAare-up .Africanenvoys makestrongprotests tothe lndian governmentand the responseisworded in diplomaticjargon. Butnosustained campaign islaunched in the media,onthestreetsorin bigher educational institutions toinform,educate andsensitize localIndians aboutracial disc1:imination and lndia-Africacooperation onmany frontsandlevels.The media hardly ever reports on Africanaffairs, leave alone Africansuccessstories.The newspapersreportonlywhen an Indian companysecuresamajorcontract,startsan investmentprojectorexpandsitsoperations LUAfrica.
Thewoesof Africanslivingin India arecompoundedby frequent newsitems whenthey are apprehended at airports with
Indianworkerscultivatecalendula flowersinafieldontheoutskirtsof Amritsarcity,India,04April2017. Besidesuse in decorationsand in religiousoffering,thecalendula flowerisalsomarketedforitsmedicinal properties. Photo: AP
drugs Thus,a sustainedimageof almost allAfricansasdrugcatriershas frozenin themindsof l.ndians.Ortheythinkthat African womenmakemoneybysellingtheir bodies.Africans-from54courn:ries -are viewedanddealtwithonthebasisof these mediastereotypes.
It's high cirnethatchisstereotyped image was smashed forall timeand thefact that tbousandsof Africansmdents are obtaining highereducationin India and hundreds of African patients arecomingtoIndiafor specialisedmedical treatmentisboosted. If thesesmdentsaretreatedwithconcern andunderstandingwhentheyare away frorntheir home inacomplicatedsociety, tbeywill goback asthemost effective ambassadorsof India.Similarly,if the patientsandtheirrelativesaretreatedwith careandsympathyinlndia,theywillgo backasthetoppromotersforIndia.
But no!lntheir racistand brutal reaction toanysimation withAfricans,allthis never comes to mind.No thought for tbe massive Indianinvestments inAfrica, hundreds of jointventures,andespecially thethreemillionlndiandiasporainAfrica.
Morethan 1.2 millionIndiansUvein South Africa; another200,000live in EastAfrica andsmallernumbersin thousandsin many countries.TheseIndians canbeattacked andinjuredin revenge,theirshops and factoriescanbedamaged ordestroyed and theirgoodwillwashedaway.
At thenational level,the Indian governmentismakingspecialefforts to wooAfricaand obtain the cooperation of the54African countriesformumalbenefit andasablock forvotesin theinternational foraliketheUnited ations.Indiahas beenholdingIndia-AfricaSummit withall Africancountriessince2008topromote bilateralrelationsinmanyspheres.The mostrecentsuchmeetinginDelhiin2015 wasattendedbyalmostallheadsof African statesand PrimeMinister arendraModi madespecialeffortsto,velcomeandmeet eachoneof them.Cooperationinmany fields was proposedandagreedupon. lnvesanentand export creditsweretop fearmes.Betweensummit meetings,like rhe conclaveinNewDelhiearlierthismonth, carriestheeconomic agendafurther.Indian hasmountedadiplomaticoutreach to Africa with visitsbyitspresident,vicepresident,the primeministerand ministers toAfrican states.
However, repeatedboorishbehaviour andviolentassaultswipeoutallthese goodwillgesn1reswhileseriouslydamaging Indiareputationandthefateof the Indian diasporacontributingtothedevelopment of Africa. So whatcanbedoneto retrieve this pathetic sirnation?
First,thepolicemust crackdown onall accusedof racialinsultsandviolenceto Africans Athoroughinvestigation,afoolproof prosecutionandtoughpunishment istheprimaryresponsebytheauthorities. Andthat's nor enough;thepunishment mustbereportedbythe mediaasa deterrenttoallothers.
Second,inadditiontopacifying diplomatic statementsbytheExternal AffairsMinistry,other ministries and
organisations mustbe ropedi.ntolauncha ,5trongandaggressivepubliccampaign to promote racialharmony.
Third,thePublic Diplomacydivision of d1eMBAshouldlauncha campaign to informand educateIndiansn1dentsin high schools,universitiesandhigherinstitutesof learningaboutAfricaanditsimportance to India.Africaisstillundiscoveredbyalmost allIndians.AlltheyknowaboutA£ricaare thecricketteamsfromSouthAfricaand Zimbabwe!
Fom,inaddition toofferinghigher education andmedicaltreatmentfor Africans,Indiashouldurgentlyestablish branches of itsuniversitiesandspecialist hospitals,atJeastin ease,west,central and SouthAfrica.Theseprojects have languishedfor longinthepreliminarystages andnow d1etime has cometoimplement them urgentlyto reducetheflow of African studentsandpatientsto India.
Theprejudiceandviolenceagainst AfricansinIndiaisnotgoing awaysome time soon. Strong,drasticandsustained action is overdue.
Indiasnubs US offerto de-escalatetensions with Pakistan
IndiahassnubbedtheUS' offerto help de-escalatetensionswithPakistan, saying thatitsposition onbilateralredressalof all issuesbetweenthetwoneighbonrshasnor changed.
lt alsosaidtl1artheinternational communityneedstoaddress tl1eissueof terrorismemanatingfromPakistan.
"Government's position forbilateral redtessal of all India-Pal<lsranissuesin an environmentfreeof terror andviolence hasn'tchanged,"Ministryof External AffairsspokespersonGopalBaglaysaid.
"\Ve of course,expecttheinternational communityandorganisationstoenforce internationalmechanismsand mandates concerning terrorism emanatingfrom Pakistan,which continues tobethesingle biggest threatto peaceandstabilityinom regionandbeyond,"he said.
ThereactioncameafterNikki Haley, theUS PermanentRepresentativeto die UN,saidthattheUSwasconcerned about thestateof India-Pakistanrelationsand
Presidenc DonaldTrump himself mightget involvedinapeaceprocessbetweend1etwo South Asianantagonists.
"This administrationis concerned abouc dierelationshipbetweenIndiaandPakist.'ln and verymuchwantsto see bow wedeescalateanysort of conflictgoingforward," Indian-American Haley,who holdsacabinet rankin theTrump administration,said.
"Iwould expectthattheadministration isgoingtobein talksandtryandfind itsplacetobepartof chatprocess,"the fonnerGovernorof South Carolinasaid, adding, "And also wouldn'tbesurprisedif thePresidentparticipatesaswell."
New liberalised visa regime being implemented: Minister Commerceand IndustryMinister irmala Sicharaman hasseatedthat d1egovernment hasstartedtoimplementthenew liberalised visaregimefrom April 1,2017.
TheUnionCabinetheadedbyPrime MinisterNarendraModihadonNovember 30, 2016,approved various measnres for liberalisationof the visaregime.
"Multipleentrytouristandbusiness visas foraperiodof fiveyearswillnow beavailabletonationalsof mostof d1e countries," Sitharan1an saidinaseriesof tweets.
Thenew regimehadsub-dividede-Visa intothreecategories-e-touristvisa, e-business visaand e-medicalvisa-for nationalsof 161countriestoenterIndia through24airports.
"E-visafacilityextended toCochin,Goa andMangalore sea-ports(tobenefitcruise tourism)soonalsoatMumbaiand Chennai sea-ports,"Sitharaman tweeted.
"Uponurgentrequests,businessvisaand medicalvisawillbegrantedwithin48 hours of application."
The ministerpointedom,"Separate immigrationcountersandfacilitationdesks to assist medicaltouristat Delhi,Mumbai, Kolkata,Chennai,BengluruandHyderbad."
Thegovernmenthas alsointroduceda new categoryof visa forfilmproduction in India-(F)Visa-whichhasa maximrnn dmation of oneyearwithmultipleentry facility.
"AnothernewVisatitled Intern (I) Visarolled ourw.e.f 1stMarch,2017,to
foreigners for imernshipin companies, educational Institutionsand nongovernment organisations(NGOs),"d1e minister added.
Tatato launch SUV by yearend TataMotorswill belaunchingtheNexon compactSUV bytheyear-end aspartof its strategytoimproveitssharein passenger vehiclessegment,acoinpanyofficialsaid.
With fivepercentmarketshare,Tata Motorsis currentlyatfourthplaceinthe domesticmarketandhassetthegoalof reachingtl1irdpositionby2019.
PrarapBose,Head of Design,Tata Motors, said they didn't haveapresence in 60percent of the market.
"\Vedon'thave presence in some segn1entsand compactSUV isoneof them,"Bosetoldreportersonthe sidelines of tlielaunchof TataTigor,itslatest product,in Hyderabadmarket.
The scarring ex-showroompriceof Tigor inHyderabadisRs4.85lakbfor Revotton 1.2L (petrol) variantand Rs5.77lal<h for Revocorq l.5L(diesel).
He claimedtl1at manycarswerein design and engineering phases.Hesaid these were partof the company'sstrategyfor asustainedgrowth inpassenger vehicles segment.
TataMotor'smarketshareinpassenger vehiclessegmentgrewby0.64percentlase year The companysold1.53lalcb unitsin 2016-17against125 lakhin theprevious fiscal.
lnl\.forch2017,the companyrecorded sales of 15,433vehicles, agrowth of 84per centoverMarch 2016.
Tigor isTataMotor'sthirdproductin oneyear,havinglaunchedTiago andHexa earlier
Bose said tl1atinTigor tl1eybrought togetherthebestof thefeatures of large hatchbacks and.smallsedan.Hesaid tl1ey cried to fillthe gapin boththe categoriesin terms of spaceandstyle.
Tigoristhethird product fromTata i\ifototsbased on impactdesign technology. Heclaimed d1atTiago received ahuge response with 80,000bookings.Over 50,000Tiago werealreadyonroads.
IANS
IassumeMessilovesBarcelonawhile Ronaldopuncheshisweightbehind Madrid,theirfondnessobvious!)' arisi11gfromtheirrespective associationwiththetwocelebrated Spanishfootballclubs,BarcelonaFCand Reali\fadrid.
However,wheninSpainit'snot difficulttospototherpointsofrivalry betweenthenation'stwomostvisited destinations.Foremostisperhapsthecry fromBarcelonansforseparationoftheir state,Catalonia,fromSpain.Thecapital Madridhatesthisideaandasaresult someideologicaldifferentiationhasbeen explodingbetweenthetwocities.For example,there'snomorebullfightingin Barcelonabecauseit'snowthoughttobe brutal,butinMadriditcontinuesinfi.tlJ
swingasapartofage-oldSpanishtradition Eachofthetwocitiesclaimtobethe 'bestdestination'inSpain.However,asa firsttimevisitor,Istayneutrala11dstamp bothasequallyappealing,eachhaving theirownurbancharacterandhistorical, architecturalandcontemporarycharmsto dutchvisitorsintheirgrips.
TuckedbetweentheCollserolaHillsand ?vfediterraneanSea,Barcelonarepresents apatchworkofcharacteristicdistricts, narratingthestoryofitsevolutionfrom amedievalmaritimehubtothe19'h centuryextensionsandtoday'shighenecgy
boroughsetup.
Beingahistoryenthusiast,Istartmy BarcelonaodysseyatBarriGotic,orthe GothicQuarter,whichisthemedieval nucleusofBarcelona.Thisareainsidethe OldTownisalabyrinthofpavedsquares andtwistedstreetslinedwithseveral pivotalbuildings,themostsignificant beingthemightyBarcelonaCathedral, ablendofGothicandRomanesque designItsconstructionbeganin1298 onthefoundationsofaRomantemple andl'Yfoorishmosqueremindingmodern generationsthattheRomansandthe Muslimsearliermarkedtheirfootstepsin Barcelona.
SotoodidtheJews,whowerealso occupyingpartsoftheOldTown,Antiga Sinagogabeingtheirmostnotableliving landmark.EdgingtheGothkQuarter isLaRa.mbla,thecity'srnostillustrious tl1oroughfare.Denselypackedwith restaurants,cafesandbars,thiskilometrelong,tree-linedavenueisadawn-to-dusk frenzyofhwnanactivity.
BarcelonaclaimstohaveEurope's greatestcollectionofArtNouveau buildingsdatingfromtheearlyI9'hcentury. Manyofthemweredesignedbyprodigious Cat.'lia.narchitectAntoniGaudiwhose distinctivestyleisbrandedbyfreedomof shape,riotofcolourandtexture.Acluster ofhiscreationsinBarcelonaareWorld Heritagelisted,mostvisitedamongthem beingPalauGi.ie.11,CasaMila,CasaBatU6 andLaSagradaFamilia,amonumental dmrchwhoseconstructioncontinuesto thisdaysinceitwascommencedin1883.
Ifthereistimetoseejustonething inBarcelona,ithastobetl1istowering building,deemedGaudi'smostfabled
concept,based on the traditionsof Gothicand Byzantine carbedrals.His design callsfor atotal of 18 spires,some of which are stillunderconstruction. Theyare supposedcorepresentJesus, theVirgin Mary,Four Evangelists and theTwelveAposrles.Whencompletein 2026, thisbandof spires will represent aunique addition totbe skylinevistaof Barcelona. The cathedral's interior,whjch is almostcomplete, reAectsinnovative use of light tobequeaththe architecture with eloquenceandgrandeur.Gandidiedof atragic accidentin 1926 andhisbodyis buriedinsidethecrypt,sothathe remains fortime eternal withhisdistinguished formation.
If LaSagradaFamiliaranks atthetop of anyBarcelonaitinerary, then Museo Nacionalde!Pradoaptlyqualifiesfor a similar rankinginMadrid. Accordingto artgums,itfits inthesamebracketas the Louvrein ParisandtheUffiziGalleryin Florence,allof chem beingatreasuretrove of extraordinaryart andsculpture.Housed in avastneoclassicaledifice,thePrado embraces artfromthe 12'1,co2Q•hcenturies andexhibitstheworld's largestcollection of Spanishworks.Its distinctfeatureis thedisplayof thecollectionsof former Spanishmonarchswhichreflectthe taste
andpoliticalalliancesof theroyaltyduring 15,1 to17'"century.i\fanyvisithere tosee theworksof FranciscodeGoya,themost eminentSpanishcourtpainter,whosebest creationswerecompleted as apartof his officialduties.Severalof hismasterpieces, liketheNakedMajaandthe Clothed Maja, are housedinthis museum.\X-'hi.le thePradopresents Spanish art,thereare museumsinBarcelona,suchastheMuseu Nacionald'ArtdeCatalunya,thatshowcase mosrlyCatalanarr.
TheSparushcapitalsince1619,Madrid is engraved withmanyimperialemhlems, withrl1e 18•hcenturyRoyal Palace being thebiggestcrowdpuller .Manyof its3000 rooms areopento thepublic towitness rl1eopulentlifestyleof monarchslil,eKing CharlesII&IV andKingAlfonsoXIV.
LikeLa Ran1blainBarcelona,the medievalquarterof Puertade] Sol is rl1ewherethe heartof Madridhasbeen racingforcenturies.The areaisfilledwith churches, monasteries and government buildings,recentadrutionsbeinghordesof restaurants,cafes,bars, boutique shops and othetoutletsvisirors lookfor,likemoney changers andmobilephonesuppliers. It'sclosetotheexpansivePlazai\fayor,a paved square which began lifein rl1e 15" centuryas amacketplaceand then a venue
forbullfights,carruvalsandimportant ceremoniesof imperial Madrid. Astatueof 17'1 centurymonarchPhillip lII standsat itscentre.Thesquaretodayis animportant hubof social garl1erings andis surrounded bysomeof Madrid's bestrestaurants;Los Galayos,serving authentic Sparushcuisine since 1894,beingoneof them.
ThebiggestsimilarityberweenBarcelona andMadridis rl1eirpassionfor football. Though tapas,paellaandflamencoare othercontributorstoharmony,noneare possiblyasstrongas rbe worldgame. BothCan1pNouand SantiagoBernabeu Stadiums,thehomesof BarcelonaFC
Clockwisefrom topleft:Barcelona square; Gaudi building,Barcelona; Madrid bullfightarena;Gaudi's ParkGuell,Barcelona;Sacred BlackMadonnainsideMontserrat Monastery;RegalentrytoMadrid; RoyalPalace,Madrid
andRealMadrid, arepilgrimage sites for footballfansirrespectiveof theircityof origin. If theirclubsarenotplaying,these fans have nohesitationinunitingtostand behind rl1e Spanish nationalteamduring anyinternationalgame.
QatarAirways (www.qatarairways.com) have regularflights fromSydney, Melbourne, Adelaideand Perthtoboth Barcelona and Madrid,with a highspeedtrain connectionbetweenthetwocities.
Hotel GataloniaBarcelonaPlaza(en.cataloniabcnplaza. com) andHotelNH Madrid Eurobuilding(www.nh-hotels.com)areconveniently located and wellserviced.
•
Tuckedatamountainous location40km awayfrom Barcelona, Montserratisabasilicaand monasterywherepilgrims stormtoseetheBlackVirgin.
•
Dotted72kmfromMadridistheformer imperial cityofToledo.still deemedthe nation·sregaland cultural epicentre.
TablaoVilla Rosa(www.tablaoflamencovillarosa.com)in Madrid presentsanexcellent dinnerandflamencoshowpackqge.
SpanishTourism Board (www.spain.info)
,, Like La Rambla in Barcelona, the medieval quarter of Puerta del Sol is the where the heart of Madrid has been racing for centuries ,,
BY RITAM MITRA
0ntheeveoftheconclusion of oneof themostenduringly captivatingsportingcontests inthepastdecade-a seriesof Testcricketwhichcaptured the attention of cricketfansaroundthe world -theonlineeditionof oneof Australia's leading newspapers featured asitstop swry apiece with the headline: 'Thril/ingfinaltest marredfo1allegationso chet1ti11g".
''Allegations of cheating"isinitself a misnomer,arisingonlyfromalip-readof an inadvertentand,originally,privatetwo-word outburstbyAustralian captainSteve Smith. Soirrelevamwastheincident in thecontext of the series,thatthebeadJinewas changed afterlessthanan hour,andtheincident since forgotten.Buritwas arevealinglapse; theseriesthatTestcricket hadbeencrying Out for,alikelyseminalbattlebetween the world's rop-two ranked nations,was asitsroot,merelyanopportunityforthe Australian sports mediatoscratch out anothercringe-worthychapterin itslongrunningwar against positivity.
It basJongbeenacknowledgedthatthe Australiancricket medialovestocreate monsters-inrecent times,thinkStuart Broad,F'af duPlessis,Vi.ratKohli.The commonelementundedyingthethree istheircombative nature;theyarenot afraidtogiveback aswellastheytake,and againstAustralia,theycertainlytake.Yet
theAustralianmedia- and the journalists, producersandcriticsof whichitis comprised-knowshowtoappealtod1e baseinstincts of sports fans bycreating controversyandincitinghatred.Recently, rniscolumnist had arevealingconversation withd1eindividualsbehind apopular Australiancricketwebsiteandsocialmedia hub.Lamentingtheclickbaitnatureof the articles andtheincentionaJlyincendiary narnreof the posts,the administrators of dle siregrinned sbeepish.ly. "\V/ehateittoo," rneysaid.''Butit works".
Andhereinliesthecruxof dleissue: mediais amulti-billiondollarbusiness, and if postsonsocialmedia garner attention, advertiserswillflock.Unformnately,social mediaisalsothehomeof sensationalism: "traction"is critical, andina fast-paced onlineworld, thereis no rimero vet real-time information. Instead,content producersrelyonyeUowjournalism:
eye-catchingheadlineswithlittleorno legitimate,well-researchednews.Irisa bid to pit fans againsteach other-a.nd one suspects,dleplayers,too.Some popularinternational cricketsocial media pageshavebecomeacesspoolof tacisin, vilificationandonlinebullying-propagated byfansfrombothsidesof the fence.Itis farbeyond traditionalsports banter, and difficultto imagine that such adescent wouldhave occurred if reportingwas not so unabatinglyinflammatory.Evidencelies indlerelativelysanguinecommentsbyfans onpostsbyESPNCricinfo, forinstance, which has maintaineditsjournalistic integrityandsteeredclearof posting attention-grabbingheadlines withlittleto nosubstance underpinningthem. Ornermediaoutletswerenotso measured.Onthe websiteof aleading Australiansportsbroadcaster,oneparticular journalistdealtexclusivelyin vitriol,singling outtheIndiancaptainKohliandtheBCCI forcriticism wirnno refrain. Thewriter's lackof awareness of the intricacies of Test cricket-thestories which deservecobetold intheuniquemilieuof thefivedayswhich make upaTestmarch- was matchedonly byhis aversionto factualinformation. Instead,hismodusoperandiwasthe regurgitation of over-usedandunfounded conspiracytheories-forinstance, suggestingthatrneICCisunableco sanctionIndiancricketersduecorneBCCI's influenceonthegaine.Ahead of thethird
Testin Ranchi,thejournalistwent onto stated1at"thereputationandintegrityof Indian cricketis onthebrinkof complete embarrassment"basedonhisill-informed assessmentof theRanchi pitcb.Hindsight willshowthatd1epitchprovedtobefine. There wasnoretraction.
At onepoint,thisjournalisteven wentas farastocompareVicat KohliwithDonald Trump,notingwithnosenseof ironythat "JustlikePresidentTrump,Kohlidecided toblamethe media asa means of tryingro bidetheegg smearedright acrosshis face." Ironic,because bythe endof it, hismedia outlet hadgiven up onreportingfacts altogerner,itsFacebookpage declaringthat
Steve SmithwastheManof theSeries (he \vasn't).Again,d1erewasno retraction.
Biasinsportsmediaisalmost universal. TheIndian mediacontingentisjustas guiltyof inherentbias asitsAusu·alian and English counterparts.Sensationalism, too,isa conceptwithwhichIndia's raving 24/7newschannelsa.re-allcoo familiar. Burperpet1alb: negativesensationalismisa craftin which rneAustralian sports media is unparalleled.Whether againstirsown playersorthe opposition, me preferenceis todivertrnegazefromachievements, act as aflamefortheignorant motl1,andwave ared flagin frontof ragingonlinebulls.It wouldbe aninconsequential approach,if rnemediadid notplay atangiblerolein the relationshipbetween i\ustraLianandIndian nationals.Bur itdoes.
Theetaof greatAustraliancricket columnistsis allbutatanend-since the saddemiseof theeruditePeterRoebuck and d1e winding-down of dleeloquentMike Coward,therehasbeenanoticeabledearth inreasonedscribes.
Thisisnotto sayrnetalentisnotthered1eanalysesof GregBaum,Malcolm Knox andPeterLalora.rethoughtful,measured, andweU-resea.rched-and importantly,they areaboutdieg(l111e.Buttheya.refewandfar between.
Intheageof clickbait,sensationalism and instantgratification-Australian spores media'sintegrityis certainlyat its lowest ebb.
,, The era of great Australian cricket columnists is allbut at an end - since the sad demise ofthe erudite Peter Roebuck and the windingdown ofthe eloquent Mike Coward, there has been a noticeable dearth inreasoned scribes ,,
A look back on India's come-from-behind 2-1 series victory overAustralia in the Border Gavaskar Trophy
operandiforthesurrm1er:\\�norlosethe toss,butbesuretopileontherunsinthe firstinnings.
far,cameroaringbackwid16-41,leaving Australiatolickitswoundsafterbeingwithin agonisinglyclosesightofafamousfinish line.
accuratebowling.Pujara's202off525balls wasthelongest-everirmingsbyanIndian intermsofballsfaced,and,despitehis dismissal,abrutalhalf-centurybymanofthe seriesRavindraJadejasawIndiatakeafirst inningsleadof152runs.
At4-63onthefinalday,andwid1 talismaniccaptainSteveSmithbackin thedressingroom,itseemedasthough anIndianvictorywasallbutaformality, butShaunMarshandPeterHandscomb allayedAustralianfears,keepingthetourists intheserieswithadiligem,matd1-saving partnershiplastingmorethan60overs.
Dharamsala decider
Themostpicmresquegroundinworld cricket,Dharamsala'sTestdebutwas magnificent.Foreachofthefourdaysit wasabread1takingsight:d1eplayersintheir off-whites,rmrningalongthelushgreen grasswithsnow-cappedpeaksrisingabove therusticredTibetangrandstandbehind them.Tbecricketwasexcellent,andthe matchwasplayedinthebestofspirits. Arguablymough,d1epitchmaded1ebiggest contributiontothedecider;wid1paceand bouncetosurpassanyoficsAustralian counterparts,andenoughturnandconsistent bouncetosatisfytbefussiestofspinnersand batsmen.Indeed,theevennessofd1edeckis evidentinthefacttbatIndiawonthematch despitelosingthetoss.
AsABCRadiocommentatorPrakash W1akankarnoted,theHimalayanpeakswere nottheonlyimmovableforcedeckedourin whiteind1edecider,asanothercenturyby captainSteveSmithinAustralia'sfirstinnings sawhimbecomeonlythesecondcaptain (afterAlastairCookin2012)copeeloff3 centuriesinaTestseriesinIndia.Having been1-144,however,Australiawasshotout for300,leavingmedooropenforanIndia fightback.
AtG-221inreplyondaythree,Indiawere yetagainlookinglikeconcedingafirstinningsdeficit.Bueacrucialpartnership betweenRaviJadejaandWriddhimanSaha broughtIndiabackfromthebrink,sealinga vit.'1132-runleadwd1anattimesexplosive 96runpartnership.
BY RITAM MITRA
Afteramonth-longarmwrestle involvingamyriadofon-field theatrics,severalcombativepress conferences,andconsistently heart-stoppingcricket,leading intochefinalTestinDharamsala,there remainednothingtoseparateAustraliaand Indiainthe2017editionoftheBorder
C',avaskarTrophy.Aseriessokeenly contesteddeservedathrillingfinale-and againstthestunningbackdropofmajestic Himalayanpeal<s,thetwosidesdelivered afittingcrescendo.Ultimately,itwasIndia whoprevailedby8wickets,sealinga2-1 seriesvictorythatwillgodownasoneofits sweetestever.
Poor in Pune
TbefirstofthethreenewTestvenuesind1e series,Punewillconsideritselfluckytohost anotherTestmarch.Labelled'poor'bythe ICC,thePunepitchproveddiabolicalfor bothsides,bucstunningly,itwasIndiawho blinkedfirst.
ReducingAustraliato9-205inicsfirst innings,Indiawasintheascendancy;but asmnni.ngripostebyMice.hellScareled Australiaco261.Inreply,despitesuffering earlysetbacks,at3-94andwithtwoset batsmenatthecrease,Indiaappearedto beinprimepositiontocontinueitsmodus
BueonDayTwoofthePuneTest,the moststunninghourofTestcricketsawL1clia onitsknees,�thSteveO'Keefe,d1esteady left-armspinner,caking6-5inoneofthe greatestspellsbyaforeignspinneronIndian soil.Indiacapintlatedforjust105,handing Australiaa155-rnnadvantage.Nottobe outdonebyO'Keefe'sheroics,inAustralia's secondinnings,SteveSmitbplundereda calmcenturyinnear-impossibleconditions, scoring109oucofAusa·alia's285.Another 6wicketstoSteveO'KeefeinIndia'ssecond inningssawAustraliawinby333runs,taking a1-0seriesleadinaseriesinwhichicwas predictedtolose0-4.
Biting back in Bengaluru
TnBengaluru,Indiaonceagainfounditself indeficittoAustraliainthefirstinnings, givingupanadvantageof87rnns.At4-120 inthesecondinnings,Indiawerestaring downthebattelofascarcelybelievable sicuation:ifAustraliawonthematch, AustraliawouldretaintheBorderGavaskar trophy.
EnterAjinkyaRahane,andIndia's answertoSteveSmith,CheteshwarPujara. A118runpartnership•iliefirstcentury partnershipofilieseries•seemedcohave putthemarchbeyonddoubt,untilIndialost itslasr6Mcketsfor36runs,settingAustralia atargetof188onadeterioratingwicket.
WithAustralia4-98,d1emarchwasscill ind1ebalance.Thethen-worldmm1ber onebowler,RaviAsh�n,whohadbeen conspicuouslymissingfromtheseriesso
Stalemate in Ranchi
ForthesecondconsecutiveTestmatch, Australiaseemedtohaveonehandonthe trophycourtesyofitshugefirstinnings of451,,vbichfeaturedanunbeaten178* bySteveSmithandarnaidentestcentury forGlennMa}.'Well.Butasithaddoneall summer,Jncliafoundawaytocanceloutthe firstinningsafterlosingthetoss.Coming toged1erat6-328,WriddhimanSahaand ChetesbwarPujaraputonarecord199runs in63.2overs,gruellingagainstin1pressively
Thencametheactualfireworl,s,inthe mosthostilespelloffastbowlingever producedbyanIndianattack,asUmesh YadavandBhuvneshwarKumarranrampant withd1ene,vball,pickingup3\\�cket.�•and onesuspects,inflictingmanymorebruises• beforeAustraliahaderasedthedeficit.
Fromthere,itwassmoothsailingforthe hosts,whowreckedtheAustralianmiddle orderandchaseddowntheeventualtarget of106wid1cin1eandwicketstospare.
Thenextchapter: IndiainAustmlia,2018-19.
The Australian IndianMedical GraduatesAs . sociation(AIMGA) hascondemnedtbeactionsof an Indian-origin man,vhowas caughtmasquerading asa doctor inNS\\7.
Theassociationsaidinarelease,"W/eat AllVfGA are disturbed and concerned about the recent news of a personwho wirb an allegedly stolenidentity managed to enter J\ustral.iaand withfalsedocumentation acquired medicalregistrationand wenton towork fraudulentlyasaJuniorMedical Doctorinthehospitalsystemint SW over aperiodof 11 years."
AThfGAPresidentDrSunilVyas told IndianLinktheactionsof tbe manindirectly taints Indiandoctorsaswell as rl1e Indian community.
"Posingas adoctor is onething, but activelypractisingas oneandperforming invasiveprocedurescouldwellbephysical assault,"hesaid."Thispersonprovided
opinionthatpatientsreliedupon,andthus putthematrisk."
However DrVyas admittedthecase was notcommon.
"What'sreassuringischatJ\PHRA (AustralianHealthPractitioner Regulation Agency) is verystringentinassessing and grantingof registrationstanisboth tolocallyand overseastrainedmedical practitioners."
"\'(/ehavenoinformationof whether this manbadmedicalbackgroundof anysort," DrVyassaid."lewas onlyinthelastthree years apparently rbarhis actions became suspicious."
TheconartistShyam Acharya, whostole the identityof UK-based rbeumatologist Dr SarangChi.tale,has since been located in lndiaand faces a$30,000hneuponhis return.ThelSW HealthMinisterBrad Hazz.ardhasannounced aninquiry andsaid he wantstoseizeAcharya's $1.5 million North Ryde home.
Cardiologist DrYaduSingh, acommentator onIndian community affairsinhisrole asPresidenr of theFederarionof Indian Associationsof NSW (FIAN), said the punishment should be more stringent. "Nor justfines, ajail termshouldalsobe giventofake doctors,"hedeclaredina media release.
"Ir is notfor ustodecide puoishmenr," DrVyas said. "Itis uptorhe legal system todothat.Burwestronglysupportthe MinisterforHealthandtheregulatory authoritiesatbothstateand national levels in their effortsroinvestigaterl1ismatterso thatsuch incidentsdonotoccur infuture andtomaximisetheir effortsiobringingrl1e alleged miscreanttofacejustice."
He added.,'1nd.ianoriginmedical
practitionershavealongbisroryof honourableand ethical servicenotjustin Australiaburalsow0rldwide."
Doctors must surely be one of India's largestexports, adoctorat arecentAIMGA eventdeclared.("Nocityis complete without aChinatown and Indian doctors," hejoked.)
"Itisinterestiogtonorerbesecond case thaternerged recentlyof afakedoctor inMelbournepractising unregistered ata cosmetic clinic," DrVyas observed."The clinic willbeliablethere,butthis man faked his documentsto getregistration andso his crimeisalot more significant."
RajniAnand Luthra
When you can gotothe United Nationsto hear atalk about meditation, you knowsomething haschanged in the world.
0nFriday,March10,2017,Dr.
KunwarjitSingh Duggal,guest of meUn.iredNations SaluS Well-beingNetwork,spoketoapacked audienceinthe SecretariatConf.Room 8on "Cultivating InnerPeacefor Outer Peace."He began:"My mainmessagehere istotalk aboutpeace.How doweachieve peace? Inorderrotakepeace rothe nextlevel,wehave rofindpeacewirbin ourselvesfirstbeforewe cangoonhelping rl1erestof society."Byhisownadmission, Dr.Duggal isquitepassionateabottt mediratiouasauinterventionformany of life'schallenges,whetherworldlyor personal-auniversalparadigm.
HistopiconFriday,particularly timelytoday,detailedthelatestscientific research ontbe proven benefitsof meditation. Notingrl1emanydifferent typesof meditation,hetalked about severalsignificantsnidies,mostfocused onpeace,stressandanxiety.Hequoted onerandomizedcontrolledsmdyin whichpeoplewereaskedtomeditate eachmorningfor 21 daysstraightfora shortdurationof time.Theresearchers measuredcortisol(diestresshormone)
levelsbeforeandafter21daysand found a significant decrease inevery participant.Notablesmdiesalsofou.od thatforpatients undergoingorrl1opedic rehabilitationrbose whomeditated beoefirted twice as muchasthosewho werecreatedonlywiththerapeutic exercise
Onetellingexamplewasanexperiment doneinatroubledSanFrancisco schooldistrictinwhichtwo15-minute periodsof quietrimewereinstimced forsmdeuts.Theresultswere.improved testscores,attendance,psychological stateand enhanced concentration.These snidentsalsoreportedincreasedcalmness anddecreasedanger.Byincreasing thecalmness inthesestudents,their corresponding troubled geographical regionsooreddecreased crimeratesand improved safety.
Dr.Duggalthenpresented me meditationtechniquepracticedinScience of Spiriniality,Jyotimeditation,afterwhich everyonehad achancetomeditatefor a shortperiod.
Theafternoonconcludedwith alively questionandanswersession.
Dr.Duggal wasatrl1eUnitedNations
Dr.
MeditationCenterinChicago.He lectures extensively onmeditationas aneffective interventionfor physical andemotional medicaldisorders.
Ouggalspeaking atthe United Nations, March 10, 2017, On 'Cultivating InnerPeaceforOuter Peace,' asaguestofUnited Nations SaluS Well-beingNetwork representingtheScienceof Spirituality, (NGO),a worldwide, spiritualorganization dedicatedto transfotmingLivesrl1rough meditation.Hisfather,SantRajinderSingh Jij\faharaj,head of Scienceof Spirituality, spokeattheUN lastMayon"Meditation asMedication fortheSoul."
Dr.DuggalisaBoard-CertifiedPhysical T\'1edicineandRehabilitation Specialistand Assist.'UltProfessoratRushUniversity
FormoreinformationaboutScienceof Spirituality:
www.sos.org
www.sos.orgt'aus/australia
ScienceofSpirituality,4S 175Naperville RoadNaperville, IL60563
SeekingGujaratiunmarriedmatchforAug'78borngirl,5'2",B.E(Instrumentation), Vaishnav Vanik,workinginSydney(PR).FromMumbai.ReadytosettleinJvfumbaior Australia.E-mail: raksba2602@gmail.com or call:+610469875159/+610470253729
Seekingmatchfora33-year-oldHinduPunjabiBrahmin,5'6'',attractivegirlwithcharming personality.Professionallyqualifiedwithcorporatejob.Melbourne-based,never married, AusCitizen.Caste nobar.Pleasesend derails withphoto co madhumarch05@gmail.com
Wellsettled familyinJ\uscraliaseeksprofessionalmatch for29 year old,5'7",beautiful, PunjabiHindugirl,vithtraditionalIndianvalues,working in aseniorgovernment position. Prefer boyhavingAustralianCitizenshiporPRstatus.Sendbiodaca and photographs to aus.i.ngh60@gmail.com
Seeking professional matchfor Hindu SaraswatBrahmingirlin Sydney.Doctor,31 years old,5'1", wich traditional lndianvalues.Farnil)'well settledin Sydney, Australia.Preferboy havingAustralianCitizenship orPR status.Pleaseemail:sydneygsb@gmail.com
Suitable matchfor Australiancitizen, Sydney-based,Sikhgirl,1991born,170cm,qualified chartered acconntanc,workingforAustralia'sleadLngbank.Parentshighlyeducated andwell settledinSydney.Pleaserespondtohs522l6a@gmail.com
Seekingprofessionallyqualified,settled match forSydney-based, nevermarried,Auscitizen, Hindu, PunjabiKl1acri,44,5'3",slim,fair,attractivegirl.Girlispostgraduateandis working in agood positioningovernment organisation.Pleasesenddetailswitl1 photoindsyd2016@ gmail.com
Seekingwelleducated, AustralianCitizen/PR for averyfair,slin1,Khatrigirl,31 yearsold, 5'3".WillingtomovetoAustralia.ComingtoMelbournein Aprilonvisit9rvisa.Brother settledinMelbomne.Whatsapp: +91-9915154747oremailbiodata andpicturesco khanak3171S@gmail.com
SEEKING BRIDES
Seeking abeautiful,educated,family-orientedgirlforaPunjabiKhatri,handsomeboy, 34 years old,5'7",NRI,AustralianCitizen, Accountant,ownhouse,well settled family. Divorced.Casteno bar.Contact: matrimonialsydney@outlook.com; +61 411 342849
Seekingsuitable brideforJatSikh,41,divorced,wellsettledinAustralia.Caste/religion/age nobar.Pleaseemailwithphoto andbiodata to mailpoint247@gmail.com
SALISBURY DOWNS
3/111-117 Kings Road
MustBe Sold - InspectToday
Enjoythislowmaintenance lifestylewith open plan living and 3 double sizebedrooms. Private courtyard and auto lock-up garage. An opportunity notto be missed.
PriceGuide$285,000-$315,000
Please phone agent for open time Rosemary0418656386 LJHookerWestLakes
melded and fosedimo oneanother even moreso witheverymovement and pirouette.
BYAVICHANDIOKTo excel,we have to work very hard,"tirupama andRajendra say during an interview priorto theirfirst performanceatthe Adelaide Fringe 2017."There are noshortcutsco success.Especiallyin dance,whichisverytransparent. Ourdance has tobe a veryhonestexpression and forthatwe haveto keep ourselves healthy outside and healthyinside, youknow,which issoimportant.lechallenges us,itis cough inthat,butbecausewelove whatwe do,it isnot aburden.Weliterallylive andbreathe danceso (eventhough)itisphysically strenuous,wedon'tfeelthestrain we loveit!"
Heady wordsindeed. A philosophy not justfor dancebutforlife, orshould Isay morecorrectly,for asuccessfullife.
Three dancers Nirupama andRajendra, founders of theBangalorebased Abhinava Dance Company,and Rohini performed Katl1ak andBharatanatyamwith amodern twist in tl1eirshowcalled Rang(Colour). Andcolour ittrulywas,withstunningly elegantcostumes where the colours
ThefirstdanceTara/Jghadthebenefit of energeticmusicwhichperfectlyledand accompaniedthe Kathakdanceperformed byNirupa.maandRajendra.Theirpolished, engagingstylewasjust lovely to watch asthey played with theaudiencewith movementand expressions,andimpressed withtherhythmsandpatrernsof smmd createdby tl1eghzmgntsontl1eir feet.
Mostly Indiandance performancesare givenonlybyfemaledancers. InRang Rajendrawas an equalpartnerinthe performance.Thisgavegreater synergy, andgavethedance more compelling patternsastheycouldrespondcoeach other'ssequences,tochallenge each oilier or dance inharmony. And who could resist theoccasional teasingintimacyof glances betweenthem.
Thenextpiece VarshawasW,enothingI badseenbefore.Monsoonsare revered in Indiabecausetheyprovidetl1esustenance co life. The dancegavethestory of tl1e expectationof rain,tOthe first drops and then thejoyof playing in tl1edownfall asthecloudsbreak.Quivering lingers on lowering arms depictedfallingrain.Claps of thundermadethefemaledancerjump withfright.Playful splashingof eachotl1er addedcothefun.Itwas alovely piece withcostumesin shades of peacockblue
in.keepingwiththemonsoon season.As Nirupama reminded us,wth ahintof a smile,icwasthetimewhenpeacocksdanced andalsotl1etime whenladiesfeltromance intheair.
The AbhioavaDanceCompany is amajor organisationindieartsinIndia.lirupama explained,''Wehaveacostumedepartment (in wb.ich) wehave1000costumes.We haveour ownsoundrecordingstudio and a performing company withover350 students." lewasalso interestingtonote thatthedancerscome from ajoiJ1tfamily of 72steepedintheartswith discussions of Sanskrit,philosophy,anandmusic all around them.WithvisitorssuchasRavi Shankar,BriuMaharaj, Arnjad ALi Khan, BhimsenJoshi,tl1ere wouldhavebeen no shortageof inspiration.
Soitwasnosurprisechatthe performancewas of suchahighstandard. Our dancersa.reholders of thehighest artist"N' cop grade on IndianTV andhave performedto wildlyenthusiastic audiences worldwidenorto mention tl1eirhuge social mediafollowing.Theyhavealsobeen the recipientsof Indian and international awards fortheircontribution co dance.
Rohin.i,theyoungestmember of the group,performedPtmchvatidancing thestory of Sitaintheforestassheis captivatedbythegoldendeerthat entices her away.Images of deerand ocher animals were teasedout with gestures. This was
acharming,playful piece choreographed to musiccomposedbyPtRaviShankar andPhilipGlass.loabeautifulcostume of green and deepred, Rohioidanced the romance of Ram andSita.There was a modern elementto thedanceas thestory unfolded. Had weseenaflltlltestarin the makinghere?
There was areasonwhy R.ti!(gwasso satisfyjng. AsRajeodra explained, "It's likeamovieproduction. Differentaspects come together. It'snotjustthe dance; of course wegivealotof importance ro that,but apartfrom_that,thecostuming, tbelightiog,thestagetechniques,allthose thingsare.involvedin this.It's acomplete production soit immediately connectswid1 tl1eaudience."
Andthesmallstagesettingdrew the audienceineven closer as we shared d1eir joy andloveof dance.
Intheintroductionto thefinalpiece Tash11,Nirupamatalked abouttheinfluence of gypsies,whomigratedtoEurope,onthe SpanishFlan1enco styleof dancing.This dancewasKathakwithawesterntwist.The plain purplecostumestook somegetting usedto astheeyeshadearlierbeenfeasting on sparklingcolonrandglitz.
Danceishardwork,Isaid.Nirupama replied"lthasgivenussomuchjoy,lifeis suchbliss " lehadbeena magical evening,lovedby the audience and onenotcobe missed.
BY DHANYA SAMUEL
Tasmania the island state of breathtaking landscapes,unigue
wildernessandexquisiteproduce is alsohometoDomaineSimha, where artisanalfinewinesare crafted based on ancientknowledgeand intuition.
Fotu1dedbyhusband andwifeduo,Nav Singh andLousieRadman,Dornaine Simba hastransformedthefinewinelandscape and fostered anewoutlook onwhat Tasmaniahas tooffer.Justa fewyears after their firstvintage,theexceptionalwines of Domaine Simhaare highlysoughtby collectors,sommeliersand connoisseurs across Australasia.
Speaking coJudianU11k,NaYSinghsays tliatatDomaine Simha, tlie philosophy of winemakingcentresonterroir(how a particularregion'sclimate,soilsandterrain affectthetaste of tliewine).Thewines are shaped'aunature!'coreflectepicsingle vineyards Livingwinesare produced here relyingonancientwisdom asmucl1as science.
"Ourwinecomesstraightfromthe
earth,"says Singh.''\Vestrivefor subtlety anddetailtliatcanonlybeachieved naturallyinvery few places.\.'i(/eparethings back torevealthepurest essenceof terroir andtliecharacter of theseason."
AtDomaineSimha,tl1eir devotion co qualityisevidentineverystagefrom the vine tothe glass. Craftedbyhand in micro batches,just 2-3barrelsof eachwine are made. Anavant-garde approachembraces naturalmethods;harvestingbylunarcycle onfmitand Aowerdays,wholebunch wild fermentationwitlitraditional footpigeage, maturationincustomlargeformatoak barrelsand clayamphorae,basketpressing andbottliogunE.ned and unfilteredwines with perfectnaturalbalance.
According toSingh,Tasmaniaistlie ttltimatefinewineterroit!
"Tasmaniais Australia'sfinalfrontier andthenatural advantageswe haveare unparalleled.Making winehereislike standingontliebrinkof anew worldwhere everytliingis possible,"hesays.
Bornandbought upin Dell1i,Nav Singh movedto Australia topursuehigher educationii1 1996.Whilecompletingstudies ineconomics, Singhfound he had apalate fordifferent flavours and developedan interestin wine.A stimworkingat Sydney's Park Hyattfuelled bis passionand he decidedtoundergo formal winemaking trainingat AdelaideUniversity.
:rvfasteringhis crafr,Singhhoned hisskills
atsomeof tlie world's mostprestigious wineestares,inclL1dingDomainede L'ArlocinBurgundyand Cbateau LePin inBordeaux,France aswellasworkingin Australia witliChandonandMountadam andheadingup operationsinMargaret River and ClareValley.
1n2012,Singh along with his wifeLouise Radn1an (who bas ahostof impressive wine credentialsof her own),relocatedto Tasmania toestablishDoma.ineS.imba.
A veryuniqueandinterestingname, DomaineSimhapayshomageto!av'srich Indian heritage.Thename Singhoriginates fromthe Sanskritword Simha,whiclimeans lion.Thelogo featurestheIndiaGate RankedbyC\VO lions, andmanyof thewines taketheirnamesfromhistoric royaltitles likeRani,Rana andRaja.
Someof thecollectionsunder the Domainelabel include Amphoraeand Sanskrit.Makingwineinthetraditional amphorais anage-oldmethod datingback tliousands of years.Craftedinwhiteclay vessels,DomaineSin1ha Amphoraewines areenergetic witliexpressivecharacter.The clayallowsthewinetobreathe andevolve, whilecirculationof naturalconvection currentsenergisestl1ewineand maintains a stable cemperanu:e.Thebeautifully patterned,golden Amphoraelabels referencetheexquisite architectural beauty of jaliscreens foundthroughoutIndia.
TheSanskritrangeisa reflectionof
thepoetic languageof love andbeauty; tliewinesshinealightonlesserknown grapevarieties and styles suchasgamay and cabernet franc. The Sanskrit pinot gris andschonburger areskin fermented white wines.Essentially,chis involves making an oxidative-stylewine maturedbyleaving on thegrapeskins asyou wouldnormally do forredwines.Tbe resultisatextured, 'orange'styleof winewitl1 characterful gingerspiceandeartliyflavours.
DomaineSimbawinescanbefound onlineandin specialistwineretailers.Their produceshavealsobeen embracedbysome of Australia'stoprescauramslike Aria, Quay,Rockpool,TheFatDL1ck/Dinnerby Heston, Aloft,Smolcand more. Whenasked if hehaseverhadtoface anychallenges dueto hiscountry of origin, Nav Singh repliestl1at his cttltural heritage isonetobeembracedasitgives him a uniqueadvantage."lbelievemyIndian backgroundgives us aninterestingsto.ryto complementour wine. Agoodmeasure of self-belief has always helped."
And toall chose who aretakingsteps into tlie wine makingbusiness, Singh has this advice,"Find a mentor and gain as much practical experience as possible aroundtheworld. Always keep anopen mind and positive attitude while tasting wines. Build good networks wid1in the winecommunity andbe readyco work hard and long hours."
From traditional European treats to an Aussie classic, celebrate Easter in style, writes GAURAV
ForChristians,Good Friday marks the end of 40days of Lent, whi.leEasterSunday,marking the resurrection,isthe rimeto
celebrate!Butno matterif youcelebrate Easter ornot,herearesomelip-smacking recipes perfectfor parties andfamily reumoas.
.
Impressive and rich, Black Forest cake is always a crowd favourite; this family recipe will never let you down.
Ingredients
For cake (Double layer)
1 ½ cup condensed milk
1 cup self-raising plain f our
1 cupwholemeal self-raising flour
½ cup cocoa powder
¼ tsp baking soda
½cup/ 100g butter
2 tsp vanilla essence
¼ cup brown sugar
½cup milk
For filling
2 cups heavy cream
2 tbsp caster sugar
½cup morello cherries, chopped
10-12 maraschino cherries for garnish
Dark chocolate
Bowl for whipping cream and electric mixer attachments, kept for 1 hour in
freezer
Method
Melt the butter and beat it with sugar until mixed.
Add condensed milk, vanilla essence. Beat together until you get a smooth mixture. Add the dry ingredients with milk and mixwith electric mixer.
Grease two pans evenly with butter. Divide and pour the mixture equally in two pans and bake in a pre-heated oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Using an electric mixer set on high speed, whip the creamwith sugar, until medium to stiff peaks form, for about 1 minute. Do not overbeat.
Spread 1/3cream mix on one cake and top with chopped cherries.
Add thesecondlayer of cake and spread 1/3 of whipped cream evenly on the cake.
Grate a dark chocolate block with mandolin slicer.
Spread the chocolate on the sides and top of the cake.
Addthe remaining whipped cream to a piping bag and decorate the cake. Refrigerate for 4-5 hours.
Garnish with maraschino cherries and serve.
"Hot cross buns, Hot cross buns, one a penny, two a penny, hot cross buns." This old English nursery rhyme, associated with theend of Lent, is a favourite childhood memory. These buns are a crowd favourite and usually eaten on Good Friday
Ingredients
2 cups plain f our
1 cupwholemeal flour
¼ cup currants
3 ½ tsp dry yeast
30g melted butter
½ cup water for dry yeast
1 ½ cup lukewarm water and milk mixture
2 tspspice mix (cinnamon, nutmeg)
Ginger, small piece
2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp salt
¼ cupself-raising f our (for the cross)
Method
Preheat the oven to 225 degrees. Add sugar to lukewarm water, mix until it dissolves.To activate the yeast, add to sugarwater mixture.This will make
the mix frothy and yeastwill activate within 15 minutes.
Add this yeast, water and milk mixture, along with currants, to the four. Knead the dough, this will be sticky at the start. Add melted butter and remaining ingredients. Keep dough aside for 30 minutes to rise
Once it has doubled in size, punch it down and knead it again.
Divide the f our into 9 equal portions, give them a roundshapeand arrange them on a baking tray with some space in between the buns.
Let them rest for 30 minutes. You will see thedough rise and thesides might touch each other.
Mix self-raising flour with 1 tablespoon of water to form a paste, and add it to a piping bag. Mark a cross on the buns with the paste.
Bake the buns for 10 minutes at 225 degrees and a further 6-7 minutes at 200 degrees.
Check the readiness by inserting a toothpick. If it doesn't stick to the dough, the buns are ready.
Serve fresh with butter or fruit preserve.
• •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
• •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Australia is blessed to have a bounty of sweet plums at this time of year. Enjoytheseasonal producewith this delicious cake recipe
Ingredients
¾ cup condensed milk
1 cup self-raising plain f our
¼ cup wholemeal self-raising f our (can replace with 1/3 cup plain self-raising flour)
¼ cup/ 50 grams butter
2 tsp vanilla essence
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp milk
¼ cup brown sugar (for glaze)
350gm Satsuma plums (or any variety of plumswith red flesh)
Method
Cut 4-5 plums in thin slices, and the rest into small pieces.
Heat thesugar with an equal quantity of water. Let it cook until it forms a thick and brown glaze.
Line a spring form cake tin with baking sheet, including the sides. Spread plum slices in concentric circles, glazing them with sugar. Melt the butter; beat together with sugar until mixed.
Combine with condensed milk and vanilla essence.
Beat till you get a smooth mixture. Add thedry ingredientsand themilk. Mix with an electric mixer.
Pour the mixture evenly into the cake tin and bake in a pre-heated oven for 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean
Let it cool for 15 minutes
Place cake on a plate upside down Garnish with fresh plum slices Best served with ice-cream.
POORNA
STARRING: Rahul Bose, Aditi lnaamdar, Dhritiman Chatte1ee and Heeba Shah
DIRECTOR: Rahul Bose
At one crucial point in the telling of this I simple and heart-warming tale of a tribal girl's climb from the pits of poverty I to Himalayan heights, Rahul Bose, I playing an upright bureaucrat, asks the little Andhra girl what is her purpose for I climbing Everest. I
I "I haveno purpose_ I just want to do
it," she tells her mentor honestly. I Thesimple confessional articulation
exemplifies this film's mood. So rich in its message, so far-flung in its intentions and purpose and yet so intimate in treatment and execution, Rahul Bose wins you over with his honesty of purpose_
There areno duplicitous bones in the structure of this film.
Sure, thereare passages in this motivational tale that follow the rags-
to-riches trajectory with textbook-ish precision. But the heart is in the right place, bringing to the narrative a kind of non-negotiable integrity that is at once compelling andwinsome.
Authenticity is thekey to the cogency of Bose's vision. He chooses actors and locations as true to the original milieu as cinematically possible. The restjust follows.
Thenarrativesweeps us into an emotional realism that is at once sparse and dramatic, pumping up the saga of resilience and humanism with vignettes and frames that form a panoramic arc over the film's rugged landscape.
Poorna's saga begins in an impoverished village of Andhra Pradesh and ends on the world's highest summit - Everest. It is an ambitious arc, navigated and tempered with a lavish affection for the downtrodden and an absence of patronisingpride in depicting the rise of a young underprivileged girl to heights of glory.
Little lshaan in TaareZameen Par had his Ram Shankar Nikumbh to steer him into the light Poorna has Praveen Kumar, a bureaucrat who belongs to that rare breed of civil servants who still believeshetook on thejob with the purposeof improving lives of the underprivileged. I've readsome very strange comments on how Rahul Bose has cast himself in a self-glorifying role.
Wait is that against thelaw? To play noble characters? Has that been declared a cognisable offence by a social order that thinks cynicism is cool?
It is easy to get cynical about a character whose heart bleedsfor those who are not given onesquare meal a day. There is an emotionally surcharged moment in the narrative where the conscientious bureaucrat eats a midday meal with schoolgirls to get a feel of the awful food that is served up by
government-funded canteens. Rahul's Praveen Kumar doesn't flinch as he swallows morsels of the garbage Uunk food at its purest?)
But we do.
Throughout the telling of this inspiring tale of a girl who won't buckle under the pressure of poverty and cynicism, Rahul gives us the portrait of a bleak landscape lit up by a distant hope. He is the artiste who won't judge a value system that condemns the downtrodden to doom. But he won't condone it either. He can laugh with Poorna at her poverty - don't miss the sequencewhere the girls at the boarding school giggle and compareeach other s poverty - but he won't laugh at her condition.
Poorna is a littlegem with a big heart. It hasmany virtues. Aditi lnaamdar who plays Poorna is a prized find. So is young S. Mariya as Poorna's spunky but tragically vanquished cousin_ The scenes showing the two girls bonding are so heart-warming as to make us overlook the film's obvious faws of overstatement.
However, some of the other actors in incidental rolesseem to have come on board just to feel good about themselves for helping anoblecause.
Thefilm is shot with minimum fuss and optimum feelings. Whenlittle Poorna stood at the peak of Everest,I feltI was standing up there with her. Gloriously triumphant and hoping that what Majrooh Sultanpuri wrote 45 years ago for a just social order would come true soon: Kitne din aankhen tarsengVKitne din yun di/ tarsenge/Ek din tohbaadal barsenge/Ae mere pyaase diVaajnahin toh ka/ mehkegi khwabon ki mehfil.
Take a bow, Rahul Bose. Poorna is not just a tale of the triumph of thehuman spirit. We all have a Pooma inside us waiting to conquer our own Everest.
Subhash KJha
from unwanted elementsbeginningwith a globalarms kingpin, forms thecrux of this two-hour plus flm.
This is a film which exudes an aura of intrigueandbeing much-anticipated, onegoes in with a lot of expectations. But alas, the first half which starts with a fair amount of promise and an emotional quotient, degenerates into a mindless action film which fails to grip you and drags. Theweak and far-fetched plot meanders aimlessly, hinged on a weak motive both of the protagonist, Shabana as well as the intelligence group she works for.
The action scenes are expectedly well-choreographed and executed, but lack freshness as these offer nothing new. The foreign locales too don't help in elevating the film. The characters, perhaps with theexception of Shabana, whose back story is sharedto make her look complete, are all one-dimensional and appear out of nowhere. The dialogues are trite and lack punch.
STARRING: Manoj Bajpayee, Taapsee Pannu, Akshay Kumar, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Danny Denzongpa, Anupam Kher,Taher Shabbir
DIRECTOR: AShivam Nair
1rlc-\- -\
Naam Shabana, a spin-off from the 2015 popular film Baby, is purported
STARRING: Swara Bhaskar, Sanjai Mshra, Pankaj Tripathi, lshteyak Khan
DIRECTOR: Avinash Das
Nothing in this unexpectedstorm-trooper of a film has prepared you for its hig� velocity energy and ferventstatement on femalesexuality. Without exaggeration, AnaarkaliOfAarah(AOA)is thesurprise of the season.
It is stunning in thought, spellbinding in plot and utterly gripping in theway thestory of a small-town dancer-singer's adventures in lecher-land unfolds. AOA is many things at thesame time. It is a shimmeringsun-soaked mirror of small-town values wherein everysneeze or fart is noted and evaluated across the communities. And yetthestory of Anaarkali (Swara Bhaskar, spectacular) is also thestory of everywoman, urban or rural.
Lady,you may belong to Aarah or Arizona, therewill always be men who feel they'vethe birthright to own your body as and whentheywish.
So, here's thesimmering provocative scenario.Anaarkali,thesmall-town hottie who makes every guy in town horny, is on stage giving robust voiceandbody to her raunchy songs - yes, she does dirty dancing for a livingandenjoysherjob as much asSwara enjoysactingand I enjoy writing - whenthetown's prime educational institution'sViceChancellor (Sanjai Mishra) decides to take the 'Vice' too seriously.
He jumps on stage to molest the
to be an action thriller whereShabana Khan (Taapsee Pannu)is a middle-class girl who lives with her mother and has a devoted boyfriend, college mate Jai (Taher Shabbir).
An incident onenight convinces her to put her martial arts training to use andshechooses to follow an uncharted path thereon. How she joins an intelligence group to save her country
dancer, as her performing partner (playedwith poignant panache by Pankaj Tripathi) watches in muted horror. All hell breaks loose thereafter. While the lechersof Aarah seethe in anti-climactic rage, Anaarkali gives them a long rope to hang themselves with.
In onesequence,Swara strides, lookingcrushed,into thevice-ridden Chancellor's den only to make him look ridiculous at theendof it.And at the end her dance of defiance and exposureshe is so volatile and so deliciously over-thetopI foundmyselfjumping out of my seat to congratulateSwara.
No walkover, ourAnaarkali takes on the academic lout with such vigour andstrength that you will find yourself cheering and clapping for this femalehero of these times ofsexual ambivalencewhen menin positions of power misuse theirstrength to subjugate women in workplaces.
This is a sublime flm about the dignity of labour narrated with a raunchy rigour that is often appealing at times exasperating.
Swara Bhaskar hits all the right notes in the shrillest of scenes, bringing out the feisty Bihari woman's inner strength and an extremely appealing moral grounding evenwhen confronted by the demons of her disreputable profession. There are scenes where Swara is required to push aside all her inhibitions, even her innate feminine grace, to appear predatory in her aggression. To her credit Swara sidesteps sleaziness even whensheis required tosingandshakeher booty to
The film isTaapsee's canvas all the way and one must laud her martial arts prowess and hard work which shines in the action sequences. Her feisty persona and agility are praiseworthy. But that is where it ends. She fails to make an impact when she emotes and thescene during her childhood, when shewitnesses her parents f ght, is particularly tacky and unconvincing. lyrics that would make Yo Yo HoneySingh blush.
But there is a certain grace and dignity to the double meaning thrown out of the erotic dancer's pelvis thrusts,likefire leaping into thesky. Swara dances to these ribald lyrics with such familiarity and trust, you won't notice the sexuality in her thrust.You willsee the thirst and dare I say, the innocence, the determinationto remain an artiste evenwhen pushed so much against thewall that her body is stiffened and stymied by social order wheremen have the right to 'own' womens physicality.
Inthisnimbly-written ode to feminine grace, a cheesy dancer who probably moonlights as prostitutetellsthe predatory manwhere to get off. It kicks where it hurts the most andits doesso without the flourish of schisms. It is a terrific premisefor a post-feminist film. Writer-Director Avinash Das doesn't focus on remaining fashionable about women's empowerment.
Thesmell, the feel, the favour and the emotions of thestif ingly patriarchal small-town is so palpable, you areswept into the vortex of the film's vibrant vista. Fullmarksto thefilm's cinematographer Arvind Kannabiran for making Aarah andAnarkali seem wedded to one another, and of course Rohit Kumar's authentic folk songs they add so much
Prithviraj Sukumaran as the arms dealer Mikhail aka Tony, has a strong screen presence and portrays his character with conviction.
A melee of good actors appear for no real reason at all and naturally fail to impress owing to the poor script and characterisation. Anupam Kher and DannyDenzongpa in a miniscule role, arewasted.
EvenAkshay Kumar's presence as fellow agent. Ajay seems forced and uncalledfor. Manoj Bajpayee, as the mysterious 'Sir' with no name, who tracks and appoints Shabana has nothing much to offer by way of histrionics and neither does he appear comfortable in the skin of his character, merely mouthing patriotic lines.
Taher Shabbir as Jai, Shabana's boyfriend, is earnest and endearing. The actor playing her mother too is competent.
The music too is nothing to boast about and in fact the backgroundscore creates an unnecessary din, drowning everything else. "Rozana" by Shreya Ghoshal, is however, pleasant.
Overall, Naam Shabana tries hard to be an action-packed woman-centric film and while it lets Shabana deliver the last punch in the predominantly male bastion in which she supposedly shines, it fails to convince.
TroyRibeirovalue to the proceedings! A dizzying, combative explosive expose of smalltown hooliganism anda spunky girl's determination to survive all odds, AnaarkaliOfAarah has a memorable gallery of actors giving the goings-on a sterlingpush and a bracing vigour with their performances.
But above all there is Swara Bhaskar giving what history wiII record as one of the bravest and most important performances by a femaleactor in postmodernist Bollywood.
Don't eventhink about seeing any other film. With this towering achievement around the others don't stand a 'ghost' of a chance.
Gimme thespunk queen ofAarah any day rather than the bhoot of Phillauri.
Subhash KJha
You probably know ofhim fromhissmall roles in 3 Idiots, Fukrey and Happy Bhag Jayegi. But ourAli Fazal is now going places.
He got a small role in Furious 7 andfound himself thrust in anew world of great opportunities. The Lucknow lad acquitted himselfwell enough there to getnoticed, and before long, had bagged the title role in the Judi Dench starrer Victoria and Abdul.
TheStephen Frears-directed film should opennew doors for young Ali, and hasprobably already doneso, now that talent management firmJulian Belfrage Associates has signed him on. This company looks into the work of the big names such as Dench as well as Jude Law and Daniel Day Lewis.
Victoria and Abdul tells thestory of Queen Victoria's close relationship with a tall and handsomeIndian Muslim called Abdul Karim. It is based on a book by the same name by London writer Sharbani Basu.
Abdul Karim was just 24when hewas sent to England from Agra to wait at tables during QueenVictoria's golden jubilee in 1887. Hewas given to her as a "gift from India". The queen took such a liking to him that she soon elevated him in rank and he became a close confidante. He introduced her to the food and culture of India - she soon took to eating curry regularly andevenlearnt to read and write Hindi and Urdu.
The film releases on 22 September.
Meanwhile,news is that Ali Fazal has bagged a role in an upcoming Hollywood production opposite Paris Jackson, Michael Jackson's daughter. Richa Chadda is also said to be part of thisfilm, a musical comedy along Bollywood lines.
As well, there's a project with EddieIzard in the off ng, who Ali worked alongside in Victoria and Abdul.
Bhagyashree's son?She has a grown up son?
Weall remember her as the Pretty Young Thing that Salman Khan - and thewhole of India - fell in lovewith, in that super-duper hit Maine Pyar Kiya (1989). Sheleft the industry soonafter, neverhaving doneanother Hindi film, to wed thelove of herlife,agedonly 19. Today, 28 years on, her son Abhimanyu Dassani is all set to make his Bollywood debut.
He hasjust been announced as the lead in a quirky action comedy called Mard Ko Oard Nahi Hota. Thefilm, which will alsolaunch Radhika Madan, is directed by Vasan Bala, who wrote and directed the 2012 crime-thriller Peddlers.
The film is to be produced by Anurag Kashyap, whoselong-timeassistant Vasan has beensince the heady days of DevD.
"Vasan has written a superbly funny and kickass martial arts film, the likes of whichI have neither read nor seen. It's solocal andso new thatyoucan't help but marvel at it," Anurag Kashyap said.
Thefilm also featuresTamil star Vijay Sethupati in a key role.
India's very own Meryl Streep,Shabana Azmi feels the film industry has definitely beenage-centric, but that this is grad.ually changing.
"If you look in my owncareer graph in thelast 10 years, I haveprobably had themost challenging roles of my life," she remarked recently. "I have five films lined up for release.Two ofthem are American productions - one is called Signature Move andthe other is The Black Prince."
"ThenI have Premchand's ldgah, Sonata andThe Wishing Tree. All these roles are as different as you can possibly imagine."
Shabana says it's a rich variety of roles that is comingher way at 66, and it makesher happy.
Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP)supporters protestedoutsidefilm producerT.P. Aggarwal's office claiming that his forthcoming release LaaIi Ki Shaadi Mein Laaddoo Deewana includes a scenewhich can hurt the Hindu community's sentiments.
They demanded the deletion of a scenewherein a pregnantwomenis seen being married.
However, Aggarwal stood firm against theprotestand said hewon't make any edits in the film as it has been passed by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
"It is not a crime for a pregnant
woman to marry," the film producer, who is also President of the Indian Motion Picture ProducersAssociation, told the protesters.
He also asked them to show where in the scriptures it is mentioned that this is taboo.
Directedby Manish Harishankar, the film, slated to release on XXXX, features Naseeruddin Shah's son Vivaan and Kamal Haasan's daughter Akshara. It is based on thethemeof teenage pregnancy, a rising concern inIndia's metropolitan cities.
It's good to learn thatthefilm industry is growing by looking at various modes of consumption. The term 'webseries' isnow being bandied about with increasing frequency.
Shilpa Shetty'sbabysister Shamita
Shetty will soon bejoining actor Aparshakti Khurrana for aweb series.
The series, in works for Viacom18's Over-The-Top(OTT)platform - VOOT, will mark Shamita's digital debut. The storyline of theseries and all the other related information is being kept under wraps.
Shamita had recently teasedher social media family with a post that read: "Doingwhat I love best! Work mode, shoot life,new beginnings, happy me."
According to an official statement from VOOT, the series will also feature Gaurav Pandey -last seen in Badrinath Ki Dulhania - and Ridhima Pandit.
The title of theseries will be revealed soon.
Bollywood star Rani Mukerji returned to face the camera this month for her comeback film Hichki.
The announcement was made via a video posted onthesocial media platforms of productionbannerYash Raj Films.
After her power-packed performance as a policewoman in Mardaani, the actor took time off for motherhoodwhen she had daughterAdira with husband and film producerAditya Chopra.
Then shewanted to return to do what
sheloves doing themost.
Coming out undertheYash Raj Films banner, Hlchki isbeing directed by Siddharth P. Malhotra andproduced by Maneesh Sharma.
The film will feature Rani in a positive and inspiring story about awomanwho turnsherbiggest weakness into her biggeststrength.
In an earlierstatement,Rani hadsaid shewas on thelookout fora script that would challenge and exc te her.
The fact that Hichki camewith a positive premise, urgedthe actress to take it up.
Meanwhile, Rani's first cousin and equally loved actor Kajol, hasjust finishedwork on hercomebackto Tamil cinema.The Soundarya-directed VIP2 hasjust wrapped up.
Lastseen in1997 Tamilfilm Mlnsara Kanavu, Kajol has returnedto Tamil filmdom afternearly two decades.
VIP2, a sequel to the 2014Tamil blockbuster Ve/aIlla Pattathari stars Dhanush in the lead role while Kajol plays a suave businesswoman in a pivotal role.
"The role is something I am really very happy about.I really can't reveal much about the film, asI have got strict orders from my directornot to talk about the film," theDilwale actorsaid. Apart from theTamil flm, Kajol is also working with herhusbandAjay Devgn for
theirhome production.
"It is too early to talk about my home production film. We will most probably start shooting in the coming two or three months," shesaid.
Speaking of comebacks, Sridevi is all set to bewitch yet again, this time as Mom. Directed by Ravi Udyawar, Mom, a woman-centric film, is produced by Sri's husband Boney Kapoor.It will release in Hindi, Tamil andTelugu onJuly14.
Andwhat has RaveenaTandon been doing, while her contemporaries have beenworking away on their comebacks? She's beenjudging a children's talent show on TV called Sabse BadaKalakar.
"Judging a kids' reality show is very easy," ravishing Raveena said recently. "Kidsare very uncomplicated. For them, life is very simple- either it is black orit is white, with no hidden agenda.It has been a great andwonderful journey filming this show with them."
Really Raveena? Simple?? Well then, this next story below, is aimed at you.
There are awe inspiringstories of unknowntalent discovered onTV reality showswho go on to strike it big in the world of entertainment. But what about
the equally good talent that does not make it to the top? How aretheyleft to pick up the pieces after they have 'failed'?
This is the unusual themeof upcoming flick Blue Mountains, directed by Suman Ganguli and produced by Rajesh Jain. It stars young talent Yatharth Rutnam, reallifewinnerof a children's talent show onIndianTV, even though hetakeson therole of someonewho didnot win. Gracy Singh (of Lagaan fame) playshis mum, failed classical singerwho urgeshim on in a bid to realise herowndreams vicariously through him.
Thefilm has already taken out various awards in the international film festival circuit.
Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar's upcoming project lndu Sarkarwill release on July 21.
The movie is reportedly basedon the infamous Emergency era, a 21-month periodfrom1975 to 1977,when Prime MinisterIndira Gandhi declared a state of emergency across thecountry. It featuresAnupam Kher, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Kirti Kulhari and Bengali actor Tota Roy Chowdhury.
A recipient of the Padma Shri, Bhandarkar is known forhis socially relevantfilms like Traffic Signal, Chandni Bar, Fashion and Page 3. He feels youth will be eagerto watch lnduSarkar.
Match thestars to the following tweets: KaranJohar, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Madhur Bhandarkar
Thank u forthe love the passion and just sticking by ur team. KKR fans u make us!
It's an Emergency! Your datewith an important chapterfrom post independence history of India, 'lndu Sarkar' releases on July 21 2017
My baby nursery designedby @gaurikhanwithso much loveand care it's my paradise! Loveyou gauri.
Nice. @SohailKhan inaugurates @bebeinghuman 53rd store at Seawoods Mall, Navi Mumbai
What's the chitchat between DEEPIKA PADUKONE and NEETU KAPOOR?
Send in your responsesto win@indianlink.com.au and win a movie pass
What's the chitchat between PRIYANKA CHOPRA and JIMMY FALLON?
SMEAR CAMPAIGN!!!
SUNEETA ROSARIO St. Agnes,SA
Suneeta wins a ticket to Hindi film Phillauri
Migratingto anewcountry is probablychehardest thing you'lleverdo. If your life were-amobilephone,this islike pressingthe'factory reset' button. AUthe apps yougotused to? Yeah,they'regone. I'm afraidyou haveto installthem again.
Iwrote oncebefore:.Migmntsp,,ckalo!of worriesintheirsligbt/y011en1Jeightcabinbaggage. Understandingthelocal accentis probablythe least of yourworries Bigger battleswillbefoughtwhenyou'rejob huntingandconvincingrealestateagents thatyourcurry doesn'tsmell chatstrong. Having spem almost twoyearsin Australiaandnotrun awayyet,I'vedecided tocomp.ile some inside secrets that will help newdesiimmigrams survive.Readyforit? Here goes:
Fire Alarms
The very firsc crisis you w.illfacein theWest is chebleeping fire alarm.Everytimethe littlebuggersgooff,thestressw.illmake you will lose twodays of yourbalance life.Theyseemmintuitivelyknow hmvto harass you.Just when youthink you've got the hang of makingthatbmcer roti,chefire alarm disagrees and putsyouin your place.
Oneof my deepescfears,Iconfessed tomywifeonce,istl1atour son's precious childhoodmemories willbe filied wichhis immigramfacher fanning thefumesaway fromthefire alarm.He'll probably write ascand-up routine aroundit, a laRussell Peters.DidIhearyou saysomethingabout removingbatteries?Yonsly dog!
Tip:IfJOflwanttohingeongbeesmeared cbapathis,h11msome{[[loriesbeforehand. Standdi,·ect(yhelo}/JtheJirnalarm,holdalarge super111"rketcatalogue111ithboth,117maho11eyom· headandja11an1qyJi1rio11.r61,It'salsogoodexercise for'o!lrlatissivmsdrmimuscles
Shopping centres
There's sometl1ing misleading aboutthese big,air-conditionedboxesthatlookthe same everywhere.1f you walkinlace,after
all the shinylightsaretmned off, you'dthink thatdesisare half the Australianpopulation.It'saType 1samplingerror.Whilethe restof thecounty is either at anall-nightbeach-parcy or already inbed,thedesifamily strapsitssnony kidtoche backof ametal trolleyandhatrntsthe aislesof adiscount megastoreor asupermarketinthelocal shoppingcentre.Smdy:ingtheprices of unsaltedbutterbrandsat9pm onweekends hasnever beenso popular inthehiscory of hmnanicy.
Myfam.ily'sweekends have beenmore productiveeversinceIshiftedtogrocery shoppingaloneon weekdays, onmy way homefromwork.
Tip:Ihawaone-111ordtipjoT]OIII'fVRT111"/lsi11 general:AvoirL
Indian TV Box
It is anessentialaccessory to everydesi household.Likethe tintedfilmforyour carwindows,itprocectsyonfromthe harmfuleffects of overexposuretolocal emercainmenr.Acleastforfirstgeneration immigrants,theTV boxisthe only connectionto d1emothershipwhennoton aSkypecall.That,andthepiratedDVDs yougetforfreewitha $100 grocerybillac the Indian store. Getoneif yonmust buc don'tbecome too attached to it.The TV box,Imean.
Tip:Reshictthelndia!ITVhoxto50%ofJ'om· idiothoxtime.Patroniselocaltalenttoo.If)'OIi mn't,111/;(lt'sthepointofevtigroting,really?
'These People'
Righcfrom day one,I have been getting genetousadvice abouthowtodealwid1
'these people'. leis d1eproduceof decades of collectiveimmigrantwisdom,crunched imobite-sizedstereotypesaboutthe host country.
'Thesepeople' don'tworkatall.All theytalkaboutislawnmowingandhome renovations.
·r ever trust'tl1esepeople'.Theywillturn againstyouany rime.
'Thesepeople' earn tillThursday and spenditallonboozein d1enextthreedays.
Iconfess,I've alsobeen guilry of generalisingabout'thesepeople' -thoughin my defence,mystereotypesonly increased myadmirationfor'thesepeople'.
'Thesepeople,no? Theyarelikethis only!'
Tip:Tfrokaytoindttlgein abito'thesepeople'once in,11JJhile.'Thesepeople' doittoo.]11.rtdontoverdo
Pressure Cookers
So wepressured onr landlady aboutche leakingtapsuntilshesent ahai1dyman tofix them.There he was,inthe shower, grapplingwiththe complex problems of water drips whenheheard anearthshatteringsound of somedlingblowing upoutside.Suspectingmortalclanger,he rushed outtosavehimselfandalertlaw enforcement.
it.
Nodoubchewasembarrassed to run into mytoddJer coolly buildingwooden traincracks,obliviousmthehullabaloo.My braveson,unlikecheburly handyman,grew upcothesoundsofchepressurecooker blowingwhistlesfourtimeseverymealI amsuredesikidscould eve□handle anoil rigblowing upinthe ne.xtroom andnot 8inchamuscle.
Adesifriend's Aussie auntonceplayfully mockedthesuburb welivein.'Every cwo seeps,yo1.1hear apressure cooker gooff. Ir's almost like India!' Says ic all,doesn'tit?
Tip:The111orldh(lsmovedontofnsta11tPots, b11lifyo11w,mttos11rvi11etheftrstfa111)'Cars ofit11migrotio11,makesure)'Ol/1'40kgbaggage allowancebasa10kgsublimitforiHductionfrimd!y press11recookers
A favourite pastime of olderpeopleis to complain aboutho\vthings were 'sogood' beforeand'notatallgood'now.Keeping upwith thetradition,a desiformercolleague oncetoldmethattl1equalityofnewdesi immigrantsis reallyfalling.She should knO\V. She emigraced to Australia atthe samerimeas cbeDandekars.Iwas about three months oldinthecouna-ywhenshe gave herqualityassessment,soI assumed shewasmikingabom cheones who came after me.
Tip:Thei'eis110/hing111oredesithanbeing discti111i11atedagainstbyafallowdesi.Tflkein lihemldosesofgoodolddesimohhe1y1J1heneve/')'Ot1 ca11.1t's"IJ)01ide,j11/mreforhomesickness.
Adjusting to thenew environmemcakes time.'iXfhacmakesiteasyiswhenyou know insidesecrecslikethese.Withmeonyour side, you'renevershort of excellentinside info.
Fin"/Tip:Takeit(l/1111ithapinchosalt.Ifitis stillunp(lf(lf{l/;/e,sp1i11k/esomechat11uuala011the top.Th(lt011ghtadoit!
5 Connections from Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra and other cities in Australia and NewZealand AttractiveInterlineFareswithQantas,VirginAustraliaandAirNewZealand.
6 India and Europe combined at fares starting from Fly onwardstoLondon, Birmingham, Paris, Frankfurt, Rome, Milan,Vienna andMadrid.
7 FreeAccommodation (STPC) atThe Holiday Inn Express New Delhi Airport Transit Hotel
FreeAccommodationprovidedforpassengerstravailingfromAustraliato Europeprovidedthere isnostopover,thetransittimeatDelhiisbetween 8-24 hoursandasingleticketisissuedfortheentirejourney. FreeAccommodation isonlyontheAustraliatoEuropelegand notonthereturn.
A STAR ALLIANCE MEMBER v�>"'
•Termsandconditions:Offerendson31st May2017 unlesssold outprior.Advertised tareof $ 1197 isall Inclusivefortravel ontherouteAdelaide-Bengaluru-Adelaide(via Sydney/Melbourne and Delhi), pricedason30thof March.2017·toroutboundandinboundtravelonspecficdateswith8kgcarry-onluggageand 30kgcheck-inbaggage.Outboundtravel ispermittedfrom06th February17to21stJune 17or06thJuly17 to10thNovember17.Travel mustbecompletedwithin3 monthsfromthedateof departure. Prcesarecorrectason 30thof March, 2017andsmallvariationsIn pricesmayoccurasa resultofchangesinairporttaxesorcurrencyfluctuations. OfferissubjecttoavailabilityandfaresarevalidonAirIndiaoperatedflightsonly. Ticketisnon-refundableandfeesapplyforanychange/no-show. Forfulltermsandconditions,pleasevlstwww.arindia.com orcontactyour ocaltravelagentorcallAirIndiaon(03)90218720/(02)92833370.
