YOURSAY

SECTION 18C: COMMUNITYSPEAKS OUT

PAWAN LUTHRA asked how the Coalition can disregard theflow-on effects within the multicultural vote bank, whileKIRA SPUCYS-TAHAR revealed that according to an Indian Link survey, ethnic minorities will change their votes based on 1BC reform

Jasvlnder Sidhu wrote: Welldone Indian Link and Indian 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 offender under the argument 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.

Alex Bhathal 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'.

Mlchelle Rowland 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-type policies." Well saidPawanLuthra at Indian Link.

Jett Kerrlng wrote: 18c is about people getting vexatious for stupidreasons; Like in Bill Leak's case, the hate part was in the eye of the beholder.

Atrocious Behaviour Mars Exhilarating Series

A thoughtful DARSHAK MEHTA worries for the way in which the noble game of cricket is now being played

John Greentree wrote: Great article! Loved the 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 and nail' is admirable.

Coming from behind against all odds (like Laxman andDravid 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 first 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.

Peter Lalor 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.

Khushroo Dastur wrote: Good article, well said.

Shlshlr Hattangadl wrote: Valid issues, Darshak Mehta.

Ryan Carters wrote: Well said, Darshak. I agree.

David Peever wrote: Poignant article. Welldone.

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@garmstrong61 tweeted: If cricket has reached the point where the toss must be 'dispensedwith' to ensure a fair game,then cricket is done.

Vk22 @thirdaccountvk2 tweeted: Agree on the need for better pitchesespecially Australian test pitches which are flat as roads.

Angus Livingston @anguslivingston tweeted: Indian writer says Australia doesn't doctor pitches, visiting teams should choosewhether to bat/bowl first. I think it would really be interesting andmakeTest series more exciting.

Mathew lnkson @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'S DAY,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 qu te common when you fly domestically in India.

DhanyaSamuel wrote: That's wonderful... Air India has f nally got something right.

HarlnderSidhu @AusHClndia retweeted: Touchdown! Congrats to the @airindiain allwomencrew who arrived in Melbourne this morning lndla6AM tweeted: congrats. Women are thefoundation for our Indian culture. Happy to see their progress.

Rajan Vayakkattll 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' with studio guest Pawan Luthra, taking calls and answeringquestions.

AvlChandlok wrote: Listening to the radio last night I heard Pawan Luthra. Pretty impressive.

Manjlt Ral Handa wrote: Arts thrive only if patronised by the rich, not when paid for by the taxpayer.

Melanle Smith wrote: So many people don't seem to understand or appreciate what the arts bring to society as a whole. If kids develop reading habits early enough, they will become lifelong readers and their lives and that of others will be immeasurably enhanced in many other ways as well. Put away the iPads!

Douglas Mciver wrote: No public funding of the arts seems very much like the Americanmodel 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 (admittedly few) India art galleries I was able to visit in Mumbai, Jaipur andDelhi recently.The work thatwas 'hung' was extremely interesting and vivid, but thegalleries in such poor condition I was afraid for the culture. On the other hand, there seems to be a big 'art market'which is aimed at the hyper-wealthy.

SUNNYSIDEUP!

In an Australian exclusive, RAJNI ANAND LUTHRA spoke with little Lion star Sunny Pawar

AnnSharon van Beemen-Prasad wrote: He is cute, isn't he?

Maryanne Fonceca wrote: This fills my heart with sooo muchjoy!

DavidHersantwrote:He lovesAustralia, he'd probably stand for the anthem

Letter To Theeditor

To Indian Link,

My name is Li Max Joy from Hobart. I was assaulted andracially abused by 4 boys and a girl here in Hobart, Tasmania,Australia.

I am seeking help from associations registered under the Ministry of Indian Affairs. I am trying to contact the Minister for Foreign Affairs Sushma Swaraj to help me. I am attaching the details and forwarding the complaint given to Tasmanian police this morning.

To Tasmanian police, Respected Sir, 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 the toilet of the McDonald's andwas going back to my taxi vehicle to continue my shift. I saw four boys and a girl inside the Mc Donald's arguing with the staff. I did not order any food as they were harassing the staff. I heard the staff telling them they would 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 blackIndian**** ." 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 punched me continuously in the face. I tried to block them and tried to get in the store. They continuously hit me while wearing metal rings on their fingers. My face started bleeding from the right upper eye area and myjaw was hit continuously by them.

I took their photos before they left McDonald's. While I was taking a photo they again came at me and hit me again and again.I called the police for help as soon as possible and police officers attended.

I am attaching photos of my condition on attending the emergency department at Royal Hobart Hosp tal. A police officer asked me if I will stand against the men who assaulted me. I said I will stand till my last breath to make sure they will be punished under Australian law.

I hope theTasmanian police will help me and make sure these men are charged under the law. I am ready to come to court if necessary. Kindly do the needful to investigatethe case.

Yours faithfully, LI MaxJoy

Indians Muststopfunding Poor Governance

Indian citizens have to wake up to the fact that theyfunding the lifestyles of their politicians while themselves being made to lie in eternal wait for "achhe din" wrote SANAM SHARMA

ChandraKlshore wrote: The youngpeopleshould speak out and be part of the required change

What A Racist Attackinmoscow Taughtme

Societys hidden racism that comes out when it's dark, is a real fear, but we can't allowfear 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 atAvani boutique winery

Australla Inlndlashared Indian Link's article: One of the best places to enjoy a glass of Avani wine in Victoria is at Tulsi restaurant, ownedby Shashi Singh and her husbandDevendra.Originally from Haryana, they both moved to Australia in 1983and today own the 15-acre Avani boutique winery in Red Hill South, Victoria.

Alan Davidsonwrote: 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 that I could reproduce it with credits?

It could make a cover story with the right illustration.