YOURSAY

SECTION 18C: COMMUNITY SPEAKSOUT

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.

Atrocious Behaviour Mars Exhilaratingseries

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.

INDIANLINKCEO PAWAN LUTHRA ON Q&A EXTRA

WOMEN'SDAY, THE AIRINDIA WAY

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 lndla6AM tweeted: congrats. Women are the foundation for our Indian culture. Happy to see their progress.

RajanVayakkattll wrote: Congratulations for supercharging and motivating all Indians, especially women!

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

Lettertotheeditor

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 MaxJoy

Indiansmuststopfunding Poorgovernance

Indian 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

Whata Racist Attackinmoscow Taughtme

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

Saltoftheearth

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.

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