2017-04 Sydney (1)

How migrants can achieve the great Australian dream

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editorial

Pakistan revolution can be to India's gain

BY PAWAN LUTH RA

T

he Karachi Srock Exchange ! ndex had an astonishing re�rn ln 2016. lus up more than :,2 percent over the past yeru: - and the World Bank has forecast a growth rate of 5.2 percent this year. There is no doubt about it: there is an econornic revolution taking place in Pakistan. A cotu1try ravaged with issues of terrorism and suicide bombers is now making headlines for other reasons.

Pakistan's middle class, which dominates over half its rota! population, has begun to exert pressure on the government to stimulate economic growth.

This, coupled wid1 relatively improved political stability in recent times, has encouraged multinational businesses such as Apple, Samsung, Unilever, Toyota and Coca Cola to invest more to capture rbe middle class economic strengdi ripped to reach over $1 trillion by 2030.

Multinationals are being increasingly attracted to Pakistan widi returns of over 25 percent being e.xpecred in this market.

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Post BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and Sonth Africa) and MINT (Me.xico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Tuckey), we now have the new acronym VARP (Vietnam, Argentina, Romania and Pakistan). Pakistan is about to join die well-respected "emerging market" index of the J'l,[SCI which includes the 24 countries that represent 10 percent of world capitalisation.

An economically strong Pakistan is well in lndia's interest. le is a neighbour which, with a poplllation of approxiniately 200 million people, is also the sbrth most populous country in the world. A nuclear power in itself, a peaceful Pakistan allows for both nations to focus on solving their own problems. Their problems, unsurprising])� are not dissimilar, these being investments in infrastructure, reliance on agriculture with the interlocking problems of water, wead1er and drought, increasing education standards, and finding solutions to d1e energy issues for their rapidly growing populations.

However, the problems in cross-border terrorism have stalled any meaningful discussions between die two counrrjes.

While the Pakistani government has denied any links to diese attacks, India has repeatedly proven the source of diese terrorism attacks to be from Pakistan.

These cross-border terror atta .cks need

to stop if economic cooperation is to develop between the t\vo countries.

To date, all requests and threats &om the Indian side have stalled and failed. Also adding to the tensions is the multibillion cloUar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, pare of China's "One Belt and One Road" or new Silk Road project - a series of roads, railways, pipelines, hydropower plants and other development projects, being built from d1e Xinjiang province in China to Gwadar in southwestern Pakistan. Passing through territory in Kashmir, which India claims as its own, this could create further tensions between d1e two countries.

But now, with the changes emerging within rbe economically ambitious middle class Pakistanis, this can change. An option for the Indian government could be co work through a strategy to reach out to d1is middle class. Soft diplomacy can work die charm offensive - whether through sporting interactions or arts and culmre, including films - to take advantage of the changing demographics and win the middle class Pakistani population over to allow fo.r more pressure on the political system.

There is a revolution on India's doorstep, and a fresh approach needs to be taken to perhaps find solutions to problems which have festered for far too long bet\veen neighbours.

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• Indian Link

LINKING INDIA WITH AUSTRALIA

SPECIAL FEATURES MAINSTREAM Father Tomy returns to his parish after racially-motivated attack

COMMUNITY Showcasing the subcontinent at Spicy Penrith

10

18

FIRST PERSON What it's like moving baclc to India from Oz

26

SPORT India's come-from-behind series victory against Australia

FOOD Easy recipes for Easter baking

34 41

LUKE FOLEY MP LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION, MEMBER FOR AUBURN

Greg Warren MP Member for Campbelltown

Jodi McKay MP Member for S!Tathfield

John Robertson MP Shaoquett Moselmane MLC Julia Finn MP Member for Blacktown Member of the Legislative Council Member for Granville

6 APRIL (1) 2017

Guy Zangari MP Member for Fairtield

Hugh McDermott MP Member for Prospect

Sophie Cotsis MP Member for Canterbt1ry

Daniel Mookhey MLC Member ot the Legislative Council

Michael Daley MP Member for Maroubra

Edmond Atalla MP Member for Mt Druitt

Courtney Houssos MLC Member of the Legislative Council

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APRIL (1) 2017 7

YOUR SAY

jJ 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

SECTION 18C: COMMUNITY SPEAKS OUT

PA WAN LUTHRA asked how the Coalition can disregard the flow-on effects within the 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

Jasvlnder Sidhu wrote: Well done 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'.

Michelle 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 said Pawan Luthra at Indian Link.

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

select whether to bowl or bat. Sledging should be penalised. The umpires hear what is going on.

Dr Ahad 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 and Dravid did with that memorable partnership), is admirable. Using one's skills with the bat and ball to tum 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 favourite NRI. 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. 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.

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

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

Angus Livingston @anguslivingston tweeted: Indian writer says Australia doesn't doctor pitches, visiting teams should choose whether to bat/bowl first. I think it would really be interesting and make Test 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, bu.t it provides balance against general home ground advantage.

INDIAN LINK CEO PAWAN LUTHRA ON Q&A EXTRA

ABC News Radio's TRACEY HOLMES continued the Q&A conversation on the 'Festival of the Arts' with studio guest Pawan Luthra, taking calls and answering questions.

Avl Chandlok 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.

Melanie Smith wrote: So many people don't seem to understand or

WOWING US WITH THEIR WORK

Not-for-profit Women Of Wyndham continues to support the Melbourne community. This time with their inaugural multicultural evening. PREETI DAGA reported

Rakesh Ralzada wrote: Thank you Indian Link for the coverage and support

8 APRIL (1) 2017

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 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 (admittedly few) India art galleries I was able to visit in Mumbai, Jaipur and Delhi recently. The work that was 'hung' was extremely interesting and vivid, but the galleries 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.

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WOMEN'S DAY, THE AIR INDIA WAY

India's national carrier flew an all-female crew to Melbourne in celebration of International Women's Day. PREETI JABBAL reported.

Rajnl Luthra wrote: It's amazing, I've never heard a woman pilot on Aussie

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

To Indian Link, My name is Li Max Joy from Hobart. I was assaulted and racially 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 and was 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 black Indian ****." I said, uSorry, 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 my jaw 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 attend.ing the emergency department at Royal Hobart Hospital. 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 the Tasmanian 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 investigate the case.

Yours faithfully, LI Max Joy

ENDING THE SILENCE

The death of Harjit Kaur sparked further conversation on the steps we can take toward ending the national crisis of domestic and family violence.

ANEETA MENON reported

Jagmohan Sharma wrote: Horrible, end domestic violence.

RI Ya wrote: It is just an illusion in mind of women because of the culture we have grown up that if we speak, things will get worse, but actually once we get that confidence and stand by what you have decided to tackle this issue, that fear will transfer very soon to the person who is torturing you. They know the reality and they know you are in Australia, so speak up and be confident.

It doesn't matter what the situation is and what other side-effects will be. All the effects will be definitely negative if you don't speak.

Vera Kallczlnsky wrote: Very true! By not speaking out you are protecting the individual and giving him permission to do what he wants.

Shlvanl Gopal wrote: Aneeta, I also applaud you for writing such an important piece. DFV is such a hush hush matter in our community and it's time we acknowledge its existence and support those that have been subjected to violence. It's so heartbreaking to see yet another life taken.

NATIONAL EDITION

flights, but they seem to be quite common when you fly domestically in India.

Dhanya Samuel wrote: That's wonderful... Air India has finally got something right.

Harlnder Sidhu @AusHClndia retweeted: Touchdown! Congrats to the @airindiain all women crew who arrived in Melbourne this morning Rajan Vayakkattll 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.

Neelam Vasudevan wrote: Fantastic! What a proud moment.

Shabblr Bootwala wrote: Great honour to the nation for their performance.

Chandra Klshore wrote: Congratulations, ladies.

Rajdeep Sardesal tweeted: The day the Indian male becomes a practising feminist, India will be a better place! Happy women's day! #womensday

KRISHNA'S IN ERSKINEVILLE - BUT DOES HE BELONG THERE?

A controversial new artwork had some Hindus incensed, but the piece

by Indian-Australian artist Leon Fernandes is a great talking point, argued ANEETA MENON

Leon Fernandes wrote: A standing

ovation for Indian Link ... "Modern Hinduism often finds itself in a struggle reconciling the old with the new as traditional conservatism often finds itself at odds with ancient Hindu trad.itions, which are indeed rife with mind-altering substances, as well as gender and sexual fluidity. Just this week, Hindus worldwide celebrated Holi, a festival which has historically associated with use of bhang, a natural intoxicant made from marijuana leaves and flowers."

Sunny Kalvelkau wrote: Keep doing what you're doing man - even a red dot (reference to the marriage dot on a Hindu woman's forehead unintended) on a blank canvas would offend someone. Karma is about more about the heart and its intentions. As someone whose roots lie somewhere in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, ironically Mathura - Krishna's apparent birthplace, I find those whose heads are full of religion dodgy, yet those whose hearts are free of religion better people to share a pipe with...

Shereena Sidhu wrote: Well touche Indian Link! Well done Leon. All this debate about identity and modern culture is wonderful! Had a chat with my mum about all the brouhaha and she was like, "I should buy it and hang it at home!" Keep it up!

Kay Bazley wrote: I love the way you (and others) are standing by your work Leon and this is a great article.

Laura Armesto wrote: So glad for the article, nice to have others publicly sharing your view point on such an important issue.

Ashlyn Pinto wrote: Refreshing to see a well-balanced piece, kudos.

APRIL (1) 2017 9

mainstream

Indian priest returns to his parish after racially-motivated attack Indian Link.

BY USHA RAMANUJAM ARVIND

earing no ill will towards bis attacker, Father Tomy Kalathoor Mathew, the Melbourne priest who was recently scabbed in an isolated but racially-motivated hate crime on 19 _March, has resumed duties at St Matthew's Catholic Church in Fawkner North, celebrating Sunday mass with parishioners.

The 48-year-old cleric, who hails from Kerala, was stabbed in the shoulder by a disgruntled parishioner who cook exception to his Indian background. He was lucky to escape witl1 non-life threatening injuries.

"You are Indian, so you muse be Hindu or Muslim and are not qualified to deliver mass," the man stated before attacking tl1e priest with a lmife.

The incident took place in tl1e church foyer, as the priest was about to begin the 1 1 am Italian mass. The man has since been charged witl1 intencionalJy and recklessly causing injury and will face court in June.

Narrating the incident, Fr Mathew told Tnrlian Link that the parishioner, who was not a regular visitor, had accosted and racially abused him a week prior about bis ethnicity. He also later found om that tl1e attacker, who is of Italian descent, had enqLtired abom tl1e "Indian" priest while he was away for holidays in January.

"I was uneasy about bis anger towards me and my Indian heritage and notified the Parish Council, but I never expected th.is move from hllll," Fr i'vfathew told

10 APRIL (1) 2017

St Matthew's welcomes believers from many different linguistic and cultural backgrounds including those of Italian, Polish, lndian, Sri Lankan, Vietnamese, Iraqi as well as Anglo and lrish backgrounds, and has celebrated th.is diversity by emplO)'it,g min.iste_rs from different nationalities. "\We have a wonderful co=uniry here and naturally they were all shocked particularly the Italians, who were ashamed by their compatriot's ignorance," Fr Mathew said. "The attack was no doubt the work of a mentally sick person who needs our support and sympathy. \Ve should pray for such people so that they may not cause harm co others, and they may be able co get me light of truth."

"I am also truly grateful to God for having made th.is incident for promoting me virtue of forgiveness and God's ever loving care," he said.

Downplaying tl1e racial overcones, Fr Mathew emphasised that it was pure ign orance that fuelled the unfortunate incident. Indeed, there are nearly 20 mill.ion Catholics in India.

"Many people chink that India is a Hindu country. They do not realise that mere is a substantial Christian following chat daces back many cenmrie.s, as we.11 as many other religions. We nrnst be lovers of humani.ry iJ1 all its diversity, which is very significant in a nation like Australia where we are all from different origins."

Fr Mathew has nevertheless been overwhelmed by the gestures of support he has received from work colleagues, parishioners, police, health care providers as well as the Indian Consulate.

"The consular service offered to me was prompt, personal and well beyond the call of duty," he noted.

"They created me like chey would their own family member," he added with gratitude.

The priesc, who arrived in Australia five years ago, also has nothing but praise for d,e generosity of chis beautiful country.

"I am not concerned about such happenings in future," he said. "I have always believed Australia is not a racist country. It is truly welcoming and mulriculcural. Th.is was what I used to tel1 my friends and family back in India who ·were concerned about the racism in Australia. I would love co be.lieve the same even now."

Fr Mathew, who relocated to Melbourne in 2012, belongs to Kalathoor family of Kar.imbu in Anakkampoyil and became a priesc under die Tharnarassery diocese in 1994. He had previously served at churches in Adakkakundu, Vettilappara,

Kallurntci and Chundadrnmpoyil, and woi:ked as a teacher at Alphonsa School in Thamarassery.

Expressing shock at the appalling incident, the Catholic J\rchdiocese of Thamarassery was relieved to hear about miraculous escape.

"Due to God's grace and the special robes for tl1e mass the knife didn't go deep and just injured tl1e neck muscles," Abraham Kavi1purayidathi1, chancellor and spokesperson of Thamarassery diocese stated, adding mat Fr Mathew is determined to smy on and continue his good work.

"People should never be treated like th.is," said Shane Healy, a Catl10lic Archdiocese of Melbourne spokesman, condemning the attack. "Fr _Mathew is doing wonderful work for his parishioners and chis is really a blight on tl1e great work that many, many Catholic priests are doing."

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cover story ■

How Indian migrants are working to make the great Australian dream come true.

By KIRA SPUCYS-TAHAR and USHA RAMANUJAM ARV/ND

T

he great Australian dream of owning your own home is slipping further out of reach for many.

Property data group CoreLogic released new figures this week showing house prices increased by 19 percent in Sydney and 16 percent in Melbourne in the past year alone. Four of Australia's eight

capital cities are now showing an annual growth rate higher than 10 percent, and across all Australian capita.I cities the average price increase was nearly 13 percent, the fastest rate of growth in seven years.

There are many reasons people consider entering the real esrnce market and buying a property. For migrants in particular,

home ownership represents pride and accomplishment, a stable and safe environment for them co raise their family as a Jong-term, value-for-money investment. le also gives the sense of putting down roots and getting established in a new land.

But many migrants coming to Australia, predominantly settling in Sydney and

Melbourne, are 6nding cbemselves priced out of a market dominated by invescors.

Witl1 this in mind, Indian Link spoke with severa.l lndian Australian first home buyers about the planning, challenges, strategies, triumphs, compromises a. nd disappoina11ents they have faced breaking into the S)'dney property market.

1••························································································································ SAKSHI & ANKIT GOYAL

SAVING FOR THEIR FIRST HOME WITH HELP FROM THEIR PARENTS

• •••••••••••••• •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• An.kit Goya.I moved to Australia on a scudenc visa six years ago. The celecom engineer has since found work with TPG and has been with the telecommmiications compan)' for some time. His young wife Saksbi, who relocated to Sydney after bet marriage, recently completed her studies and currently works at UTS. The young couple rent in the inner city suburb of Glebe and are exploring their options in the overheated Sydney property market.

"Renting is nmhing but helping someone else pay off tl1ei.t mortgage, rather than your own," Ankit acknowledged. " arurally, I will look to add value to my own net worth by prudent property invesrmenc."

Alt11ough mey are looking to eventually buy, Ankit and Sakshi both feel they are not ready to take cbe plunge. "Hopefully, depending on out finances, 2018 is our target," tl1e Goya.ls told llldian Link.

While Ankit has paid off his student loan, Sakshi is still doing so. il.Jthougb born have stable incomes, saving a little more is

certainly a necessity. Ankic will also rely on his parencs to lend a help.ing hand by selling off property back in India.

"Naturally, the western suburbs is where we are scanning for stiitable property, given the exorbitant prices," said Anki.t.

A two-bedroom unit, reasonably close to public transport, and with good train connections, is oo tl1eir wish list. Ankit and Sakshi are also considering an of f-t he-plan purcbase to capitalise on the first horne buyer's incentive offered by the government.

While they have made cursory explorations, tl1ese have been mainly real estate advertisements online. They are currently adopting a wait and watch policy to see how the future will shape up.

As it is their first property, tl1e Goyals are choosing not to worry about the so-called property bubble.

"Bubble o.t not, we have to enter the market and we can only hope for tl1e best," Ankit Goya.I confessed. "Of course, those ·who bought prior to 2010, will stand to gain by the steep increase in value."

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land, so it seemed a very good idea to us too," Dabral explained.

Dabral and Agasti have not only saved hard buc also liguidated assets in Mumbai to facilitate me purchase. They were among me buyers who snapped up the first land release at the greenfield site being developed by Stockland. (A greenfield site is undeveloped land on the fringes of a city previously used for agriculture but rezoned for urban housing development.)

According to Rawson Homes General Manager Craig Moore, a home building company like Rawson Homes can help smooth the process of building a new home, witl1 options for single and double storey homes, house and land packages, as well as knockdown rebuild options.

"Rawson can build your dream borne, wirl1 gualit:y inclusions and your choice of specifications, at a real price wirl1 no hidden extras," he said. "We aim to develop a guality ne,v home according to rl1e needs and wanrs of your family, and deliver your new dream borne."

With median prices soaring in the Kellyville and Rouse Hill region, Scbofields •

is poised to become one of Sydney's most sought-after areas and is perfectly positioned for buyers wanting to move into rl1e nortlnvest corridor. The community being developed opposite Schofiekls train station is set to feature a wide range of housj ng includjng free standing houses, aparanent.�, terrace houses, retirement living and cownhouses.

Besides suiting their unigue aspirations, buying land in an emerging neighbourhood has allowed Agasti and Dabral time co stagger spending and plan tbeir finances better.

"Last year we did not have enough savings," explained Agasti. "It was logical to invest in tl1e land first. We had the option to strategise towards a common goal."

With land title settling shortly, Agasti and Dabral are not only shopping for architects but also mortgage options iliac they can tailor to suit rl1eir individual needs.

Dabral explained, "As land supply is .limited, both due to soaring immigration and stringent rules governing me process, we went for this option over a unit closer co the city."

• • • • • ♦ • • • • • • • ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ • ♦ ♦ • ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ • ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ • ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ I

ANUSHA & PAVAN BHURAVARJELA BOUGHT A 'RENOVATOR'S DELIGHT'

DEEPTI DABRAL & SAMBIT AGASTI

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PURCHASED LAND IN A 'GREENFIELD' PROJECT Media sales professional Deepti Dabtal and her credit analyst husband Sambit Agasti moved ro Sydney nearly two years ago from M.umbai in search of a better work/life balance. Like any other prudent young couple, buying a properr, was the next logical step. Currently renting a unit in Parramatta, the young couple have recently purchased land in Schofi.elds and will move in once their drean.1 home is built next year.

"The idea germinated about a year ago.

Both Deepti and I are reasonably well settled professionally and have saved up through hard work," said Agasti. "We

realised that we were ready to enter the property marker."

Having spent most of their lives in high­ density areas of Mumbai, Agasti and Dabral were naturally keen to embrace the ultimate Australian dream - a suburban home with a bad<yard. Proximity to the rail network was not only a top priority but a primary driver in tl1eir final choice. While Deepti is lucky co work from home, Sambit has the daily commute to the CBD to consider. Given budgetary constraints, Schofields became a sensible d1oice.

"A lot of our friends were looking to buy

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APRIL (1) 2017 13

cover story Anusha and Pavan Bhuravarjela will move into their first home this Easter.

After searching for several months, the Bhuravarjelas settled on a three-bedroom property in St Marys, a western suburb 45kms from the Sydney CBD. Poised for phenomenal development in keeping with the growth tl1e western suburbs are currently experiencing, St Nfarys has already been on the radar of enthusiastic developers with an eye for value.

Located in the City of Penrith, the old house, in urgent need of renovation, met several of the Bhuravarjelas' criteria, the topmost being proximity tO public transport as both Anusha and Pavan depend on the rail network to get to work.

Set on a generous block of 650sgm, the three-bedroom house, built in the 1950s, is currently being renovated, with the new owners updating the bathroom, and adding a second, as well as restoring the Aoorboards and paintwork as part of makeover.

Tbe Bhuravarjelas have budgeted for aU of this. ''\Xie had been exploring options for a while and were constantly getting priced out," Pavan cold Tndia,1 Link. "We started with a budget of $500,000 as we did not want to burn our Limit and put undue pressure on our finances," he admitted, candidly.

The couple, who currently rent at Peoclle Hill, had been saving carefull)' for a deposit. However, tl1ey realised they were constantly falling short. As a result, they have opted to take mortgage insurance to make up the shortfall. Pavan believes that was a sound decision as the prices are only spiralling upwards.

"The salary growth is not proportionate to the growcli of the property market, particularly in Syd11ey," he lamented.

"Sydney is getting priced out. There has been such a phenomenal growth in this sector because of overseas investment."

Only recently, an investor from China bought an entire building off the plan, he pointed our.

The frustrated couple even considered investing in India instead. The young couple are nevertl1eless ecstatic to fu1ally own their own home.

SUKESH & MONICA THAPLIYAL

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PURCHASED OFF THE PLAN

Education industry professional Sukesb and his wife Monica migrated ro Australia in 2014 from Ahmedabad in India, along with their now 15-year-olcl son. They recently moved in to an aparnnent in Wemworthvil.le which they purchased off tl1e plan in December 2016 .

"We looked at the plans i. n October and tl1e devdopment was already UJ1der construction," Sukesh told Indian Link.

"W/e settled on tl1e apartment a few montl1s later when construction was complete."

The two-bedroom unit ticked all the boxes for the Thapliyals. "lnitiaUy, we looked at buying a house and explored aU our options," Sukesh said.

"But with our small family, we decided a Llllit better fitted our reguirements."

The Thapliyals own a house in India but are more than content with an apartment in Sydney, despite the fact it was probably more expensive, per sguare metre, than buying a house . "l bought my unit in \'<:re ntworthville for almost rhe same amount as my brother who purchased his house in this suburb in 2014," Sukesh explained. "\We like Living here. The are.a is good - it's safe and convenient. Tbere are Indian scores close by, good schools and access ro transport - we have the railway station close. by and we're well connected by being close to the M4 and other freeways. Ir's handy as we have many overseas visitors and it's easy to get to tlie airport. " "The biggest advantage for fu:st home buyers in purchasing off the plan is that you have minimal initial outlay," explained Thomas Perrnm, a sales executive at Conguest. "With a five or 10 percent deposit, tl1ere's a number of financial options. There's an opportunity to put down some money and tlien save some more before you need co get a mortgage, or to borrow some money from mum and dad, continue saving, and pay them back when you take possession of the propetty."

"Rather than having the benclunark and cost keep increasing, buying off the plan gives people an opportunity co jump in and grab a property before the market price changes," he continued. "The government rebates are guite attractive and also an incentive for many."

As first hoine buyers, Sukesh and Monica were fortunate ro receive the first home buyers grant from tl1e government and some rebate in stamp duty. "Though i t

wasn't very much because w e were close to the stamp duty tlireshold," Sukesh said.

Recognising tbe increasing costs of owning a home in Australia, tl1e Thapliyals hope to help their son in the future.

"Part of our reason for buying this apartment was to have a base investment so that later on we can help our son," Sukesh said. "Five or ten years down the Line, we'll have sometl'ling and hopefully be able to build up the number of properties."

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DHEERAJ & NEHA BHARDWAJ

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HAPPILY RENTING

OrigiL1al.ly from DeJhj, India, Dheeraj Bhardwaj moved to Australia 12 years ago for his work in die IT industry. Initially living with friends in Ashfield, a few years later, he and wife Neha moved to St Leonards on Sydne)"s N ortli Shore.

They moved to Artarmon last year for their six-year-old daughter's schooling.

The Bhardwajs are happily renting a two­ bedroom apartment. "l tried co buy in Sydney in 2013," Dheeraj said. "1Jiie had tlie money, we looked at our finances, but tlie only property we could afford was in tl1e western suburbs. W/e were looking at $400,000 apartments in \Vesrmead."

At that time, the couple didn't tl,ink of purchasing an invesunenr property and they didL1't want to live so far from the CBD. "I work in the city and my wife works in Chatswood," Dheeraj explained. "Time for us is precious and we want to spend it witli our young child. I prefer having a 15-n'linure commute."

After doing the sums, the high interest rates at that time meant die amount tlie Bhardwajs would pay in interest to the bank was egt'livalenr to their rent.

14 APRIL (1) 2017

"\Xi'hen the interest rates went clown, we thought greater affordability would be tliere," Dheeraj said. "But the prices just keep going up!"

"If I bought the same property I'm Living in now, I would be paying so much more. l t would be the principal cost, the fees and then the strata levies, which are guite high.

The property prices have gone up, but tl1ere's a slim chance you'll get tl1e same rates five years from now. The prices have to come down."

Instead of purchasing a property in Syru1ey, the Bhardwajs are happy renting, as Dheeraj said, '1 live where l want to live", but tlie yotmg fanJily is considering buying an investment property in Brisbane.

"I've done some research, and Brisbane is a top performing matket in terms of rental yield and investment," Dheeraj said.

"Australia is still growing, and Brisbane is next after Sydney and :lv[elbourne for development and infrastrucmre, and tl1ere's affordability."

Dheeraj continued, "As far as Sydney is concerned, within tlie next four or five years, buying property here doesn't make sense for us, 1inaocially."

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NATIONAL EDITION

APRIL (1) 2017 15

women's issues

Reshaping attitudes

Acclaimed Human Rights Watch researcher Jayshree Bajoria discusses barriers to justice for victims of gender-based violence in India

BY NAMITA GOHIL

I

n a recent semi.oar bosted by the U niversity of Sydney's South Asia Study .

Group, consultant for Human Rights Watch Jayshree Bajotia delivered an informative and poignant talk about the sociopolitical climate of sexual and gender based violence in India.

Much of Bajoria's talk concentrated on dissecting the responses of different insrinitions \Vithin the legal, health and social spheres towards rape victims i n India. Bajoria particularly illustrated how the 2012 Delbi gang rape case reshaped the collective attitudes of Indian society.

She articulated char a three- month process in reviewing laws and initiating changes was welcomed, and was a key turning point in the Indian legislative system.

Reforms included extending the definition of rape, adding new categories of sexual assault, providing free medical treatment for victims and having penalties fo r police and heald1 professionals who neglect to adequately respond.

However, Bajoria insinuated that many problems and barriers continue to exist for women and rape victims. "\Xie have a long way to go in fodia," Bajoria said. "The first step has to go from education in schools and gender training, but then the laws have to actually be enforced as well - otherwise there will be no deterrence for the perpetrators."

Bajoria cited issues such as a lack of victim protection laws (where female victims of lower castes who have accused a man of a higher caste are often forced to drop the case) and victim blaming, which have become a major encumbrance in the plight to achieve justice and to ensure the wellbeing of rape survivors.

Specifically, Bajoria conveyed dismay at the attitudes of the media and legislative authorities, who continue to question d1e character, clothing and demeanour of the

woman, as opposed to concemrating on the nature of the crime, in spite of conrinuou-s social awareness and government campaign s since the 2012 case.

Bajoria described d1e case of a woman from a scheduled caste in Rajasthan who bad accused a man of rape, who fo turn then accused the woman of theft. While the police neglected the rape charges, d1e woman was placed in jail for three months for d1eft and just barely managed co get her husband to bail her out. Ac present, the rape charges are pending.

According tc;i Jayshree Bajoria, these cases, which are far from isolated, demonstrate a dire need to continue improving the way in which sexual assault victims are created i.n India.

'We are nowhere close to where we need to be," she said.

Hussain adirn, coordinacor of the South Asia Study Group (SASG), recognised the

impo- rtance of invitingJayshree Bajoria, who is well-known in fadia for working on hrnnan and women's rights.

"The South Asia Study Group works extensively on gender rights in the region, and our purpose is to bring awareness i n Australia about issues related t o Soud1 Asia.

We were proud to invite Jaysbree to speak to snidents about such a pressing issue," Hussain said.

Hussain also acknowledged the valuable information that Jayshree Bajoria imparted.

"The talk was very insightful and the tal<e home message for me was that the South Asia region as a whole faces similar problems of violence and rape against women, and that the problems are as much legal, political, bureaucratic as they are cultural. The solution needs to be well d1oughr out and should cover all aspects of the issue."

Jayshree Bajoria also engaged students in a question and answer dialogue which

delved into specificities about the nature of sexual violence and rape, including me entrencl1ed cultural phenomenon of the prevalence of rape in fadia arising through the concept of 'eve teasing', and how can we use mediums such as technology to work for women's security. ''As someone interested in politics, gender and development, atrendin_g the event was a decision I made as soon as I heard about ic," said participant ishd1a Sharma.

"Discussions around gender-based violence can initiate change regardless of where in the world you live. Talking about the issue is always positive as it brings d1e issue our into the public."

Sharma found Bajoria's discussion on accessibility to legal and support services in rnral India to be very enlightening. "She took a multidimensional approach to the issue which helped bring the complex nature of the problem to light."

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APRIL (1) 2017 17

communit

The s 1c1n9 up of enr1th ■

■

A performance showcase shares subcontinental culture with the wider community community and gives a chance for dancers and performers to express their culture aud values, he said. Most importantly, it introduces the culture and food to those

BYSONDARYA KRISHNAN

W

who don't know much about it.

This year was the fourth 'Spicy' event.

From a small hall in St Mary's, it has moved to a professional stage hall in Penrit11 and

e all know che typical

the audience has grown from 300 to 700!

Indian style of dance,

The audience was a mix of Indian and

Bharacanat:yam in the

Australian fau1ilies and everyone agreed t11e

south and Bhangra in the . north, but how well do

sho,v was amazing because it was different.

J\,fembers of tl1e audience were

we know Sri Lankan, Nepalese or Bhucanese

impressed by tl1e effort and costuming.

dance? And how much do the local residents

One older Australian woman said, "If my

of Penrith know about subcontinental

legs weren't so wobbly, I would get up on stage and dauce too!"

culture, food and fashion? The recent Spicy Penrith evenc answered these questions with

Spicy was a unique event because it

creativity and flair.

brought together four communities,

Over 167 pei:formers gathered co

which have their own style and form,

showcase dances from India, Sri Lanka,

buc at tl1e end of tl1e day, worked

epal and Bhutan at the Joan Sutherland

together seamlessly.

Performing Ans Centre. There were close

Tbe event was organised by the Penrith

to 30 performances on the night which gave

City Council in conrunction with the

everyone a chance to release their inner desi

Sinhalese Culn1ral Fonm1, the Association

and have some toe-t.apping fun.

of Bhutanese in Australia (ABA) and the

The night began at 5:30pm, \virh stalls

Nepalese Community of Western Sydney

outside the theatre where guests could enjoy

(nCOWS). The main aim of these groups

a epalese meal of momos or butter chicken and rice. There were girls getting fresh henna,

is to educate youths on che significance

stalls where people could purchase fair trade

environment and being responsible citizens

products and Indian artefacts, and onlookers enjoyed the traditional drum performance.

There were also women clad in pink sarees,

of maintaining their culture in a new who contribute to tl1e community. Many of the dancers on the night were young people who took the initiative to be involved in a

representing the Pink Sari movement which

voluntary program.

rates in the subcontinental community. It

a\vareness of tl1e changing den1ographics in

involved in traditional Indian customs.

26 per cent of citizens were born overseas.

ain1s co improve breast cancer screening

was an amazing sight co see so many people Once we were seared in the hall, we were imroduced to the guest of honour, the Mayor of Penrith Jolm Thain.

He explained chat in recent years, the demographics of Penrith have changed and there are nm.v more South Asian members in the community than ever before. The Spicy Penrith evenc is therefore very significant because it is an opportunity co celebrate the local

Spicy Penrith was intended to raise the area. Penrith city is a community where According co data from me Australian

Bureau of Statistics, as of 30 June 2016, lndians make up the fourth most populous group in Australia. In recent years, people from India have also become tl1e fourth most populous group in the local Penrirn area. Celebrating diversity and harmony through chis event was not only enjoyable, but also significant in building stronger bonds among the local communities.

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a

youth

can rence

Youth leader Khushaal Vyas recognised with Premier's Multicultural Community Medal AUPbones Arena event, during his visit to Australia in 2014.

An AFL tragic, Khushaal continues to work across various sectors in the local community with events including the Cancer Council Relay for Life, Cabramatta Moon Festival and several youth conferences. \"Vhen asked what th.is award will mean to him in 20 years' time, Khushaal replies thoughtfully, ''Hopefully it will be something I look back on as the catalyst that amplified my ability and desi re co advocate for multicultural and just causes in th.is amazing cotmtry."

E

ach year, to celebrate the diverse and inclusive nacure of the people of NS\'7, the Premier's Harmony Dinner is held as part of the state's 'Multiculmral March' cel.ebrations.

Th.is year the event was hosted by the Minister for Multiculturalism Ray Williams, in the presence of the Premier of New South Wales Gladys Berejiklian. The Premier's Harmony Dinner is a gala event to recognise the significant contributions made to the comumniLy by multicultural leaders.

A special part of the evening is the presentation of the Premier's Multiculmral Community -Medals recognising ourstanding achievements in promoting community harmony.

This year, ymmg community leader (and Indian Link writer) Khushaal Vyas was conferred the Youth Medal and recognised for his work with the Fairfield Ciry Cmmcil Youth Advisory Committee along widi his fundraising and outreach work. ''\\,'inning the award was a lot of luck and a privilege only possible because of the support I've received," Khushaal tells l11dia11 Link. "I've stood on the sboulders of giants and without the support of so many different people and organisations behind the scenes, none of it would be possible. The award is for all of diem and what they've clone for me more than anything else."

Khusbaal's work with die Fairfield City Youth A dvisory Committee involved guiding the council on youth issues and establishing programs and events relevant to young people living in the area. It culminated in organising a major youd1 event, the Bring ic On Festival, and helping to lay the foundations for d1e building of a new multi-million dollar youth centre.

NATIONAL EDITION

"Tbe centre will provide incentives for young people in onr area to gee active, gee involved and also have access to important development programs," he shares.

As President of die UNSW Law Society, Khushaal has organised for students from the Law Society to volunceer in Dubbo, in regional NS\Xl, twice a year, working with and mentoring yotmg disadvamaged cbildren along witb Lidigenous Elders, solicitors and various community centres.

"It's been a project very close to my beart and has really changed my life," Khushaal says.

In the current political and social climate, many young people feel diat their vie,vs and concerns are being ign ored, with characteristic htunility, Kbushaal believes all youth have the ability to make a difference.

"I think tbe biggest message is diat it is in our hands to empower otm,elves," Khushaal says. "The types of change we want to see, whether it is something as major as government policy, or something in my case like advocating for a new youdi centre for young people in need in your local community, we've proven to ourselves time and time again chat, as cliche as it sounds, change, though often difficult to achieve, is always in our grasp."

As a young man of Indian background in h.is early twenties, Khushaal is well aware of the importance of promoting intercultural dialogue and co-operation. ''Multiculturalism at its core is about the feeling of being accepted and feeling your place in the community. In die bigger picture, multicultural issues and the strength of Australia's belief in multiculturalism will determine Ausu·alia's success as a whole.

The stronger our community is, the more

we can contribute together," he says.

But looking at the recent debate around 18C and the current political rhetoric, is die government doing enough to reach out and engage widi young people?

"This is difficult," Khushaal admits. "On the one hand, I've always been A ustralian first and felt as diough I fit right in from the outset. Perhaps that itself is an example of successful multicultural policy through lived experience."

"At the same time, if you switch on the news, or even social media for that matter, it's hard not to see anti-in1migration and racist rhetot:ic. It's easy to spot and feel afraid of a growing anti-multiculmral voice in Australia and around the globe."

What does he think the government should do to cbange these feelings of disengagemem and guelJ this risi ng in tolerance?

"I don't think there necessarily needs to be a yourh-centric approach in ordet for multicultural policies to reach young people. Simple events, e\7en diose diat are heavily promoted such as die Harmony Dinner, are jncredibly important symbols that demonstrate to people - yotmg and old - d1at multiculturalism is an important Australian value. It's simple gestures that allow everyone i1-1 our community to feel as one and feel that they have a place.

That's important, rather dian focusing on removing protections that predominantly look after ethnic communities."

The community remembers Khusbaal's stint as MC at Indian PM arendra Modi's

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THREE PEOPLE WHO INSPIRE ME MY GRANDMOTHER

At 87, she is still working as a professional gynaecologist and helping the most vulnerable and poor people in India. In her entire working life she has never stopped in her service to others and to say that she inspires me is an understatement.

MY AUNTY NANDINI OZA

She's spent her entire life advocating for the rights of vulnerable village communities across India. You've probably spotted a trend here, but my aunt and grandmother are two very special people who probably don't know how much they've shaped my life

TEELA REID

Teela started the Dubbo program with me and 1s a proud Wiradjun woman who has stared adversity in the face and achieved so much.

I've been so lucky to work with her and she's inspired me to do more than what I ever thought I could.

APRIL (1) 2017 19

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entrepreneur

When two childhood friends struggled to find shoes that would fit them correctly, their entrepreneurial venture with a social conscience, Soleful Shoes was born. FARZANA AHMAD reports

_f

P

radhirna Shyamsunder and Kuppal Palaniappan are women aftet your souls.

"Give us your souls," demanded Pradhima during our recent chat. Relax! She meant 'soles' and was referring to their shoe store and donation drive, Soleful Shoes. Nice play on words!

Together, Sri Lankan-born Pradhima and South Indian origin Kuppal own Soleful Shoes, an online store catering to women with large and small feet. Their passion for helping others has seen them link their product to charity by giving their customers an opportmtity to donate their old sho.es when they buy a new pair from their score.

Soleful Shoes is a product of the Sydney pair's personal frustration at not being able to fu1d lice shoes in their sizes. "'iX/e are exactly om brand," Pradhima explained, referring to her own short stan1re at 4ft l 1inch with petite size 5 feet, and Kuppal's towering height at 5ft 10inch with size 1 1 feet.

After tinkering with the idea of a business for several years, Pradhillla, a Finance Manager at Social Ventures Australia, and Kuppal, a consultant with Deloitte, approached Divya J Sechmarn of Plumtree Shoes. The Sydney shoe designer produces quality handmade shoes from her workshop in Bengaluru, India. ln collaboration with Sethuram, Soleful Shoes was launched in 2016. ''\Xlhen I started working 1 wore high heels all the time. It would take me ages to find shops chat stocked my size. Mostly,

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they ordered only a few in small sizes which were sold out by the time I got there. So, I ended up buying shoes that were too big and uncomfortable. I started binging on shoes during my trips overseas," Pradhima shared. "Kuppal, on the otl1er hand, could only fu1d shoes in her size in chain store.5 and sometimes resorted to shopping in the men's section. \'Q'e were spending too much money on footwear that didn't fit."

Both women yearned for a solution.

From the age of 18, Kuppal dreamed of starting a business selling shoes for women with larger feet, bm sat on the idea.

Meanwhile, Pradhima got her feet wet with Online shoe retailer Teacup Shoes at age 27.

That early venntre catering to tiny feet was short lived, as she got married and took up full-time employment. Still, Pradhima insists, it was an invaluable experience. ''l learned so much that I can now share with Kuppal."

The pair insist their business is about mote tban profits; it's about addressing rhe needs of people who .find themselves outside mainstream footwear options.

"We don't want Soulful Shoes to be for petite and large shoes only," Pradhima said.

"Our ultimate vision is to cater to anyone who is not a normal shoe size, like women with one foot smaller than me other, or those with disabilities affecting shoe choices. Our brand is all about inclusion.

We want to be known as spokespeople for inclusive footwear in Australia."

As part of tl1eir socia.l mission, Soleful Shoes bas partnered with non-profit organisation Dress for Success, encouraging

,, Our ultimate vision is to cater to anyone who is not a normal shoe size.

We want to be known as spokespeople for inclusive footwear in Australia ,, ,vomen co purchase a pair of shoes and donate a pair of lightly worn shoes to the charity partner.

"Dress for Success provides exceptional services to women looking for work," Pradhima said. " l t gives women professional clothes and shoes and prepares tbem with trailing and support to achieve economic independence. \Ve're proud to be associated with ic."

Just six months into operation, the public response to tl1e ventme encomaging.

"Customers love the styles and materials in our first coliection of handmade shoes," Pradhima said. "Divya's expertise is guiding us to explore creative sides we didn't even think existed! " With full time jobs and family commitments, the women agree it is challenging to run a business.

"But what's important is to keep i t sustainable," admitted Pradhima. "Instead of putting in too much and bmning ourselves out, we're taking it slow and supporting each other. We realise chat as me business grows we must make a call, but for nmv we are managing it with everything else."

Under the banner of Soleful Shoes, the women are organising a clothes and

shoe drive on 9 April. The 'Donate Your Soles' event is Aagged as a fun affair at Bicentenrtial Park, Sydney Olympic Park. The event wiU featme speeches, entertainment and food. Donations for all men's and women's clotl1es and shoes are welcomed.

The proceeds from tbe drive will go to Dress for Success and associated non­ profit orgartisation Dress for Work, which provides similar services to men looking for work. The organisation imparts job readiness training and support to job seekers, in addition to good quality suits, shoes and accessories, for interviews and formal occasions.

"This is such a tangi ble way for people co make a difference. In this lucky country, we all have stuff that we can spare," said Pradhima·. "So come along, donate some stuff, grab a bite and chat with us!"

Pradhima and Knppal would Like to see all women embrace tbeir tmiqneness and own who they are. ''If we didn't have our differences, we would all look the same and life would be so boring. Instead of feeling insecure and hiding om differences, we must celebrate them because chat is what makes us special. That's what Soleful Shoes stands for!"

APRIL (1) 2017 21

WHAT'S ON FUNDRAISER Swachh Bharat

Help provide financial support for Swachh Bharat mission through the Sulabh Social Service Organisation.

The ongoing campaign invites all persons of Indian origin to generously donate for Swachh Bharat.

Donations can be made to Sulabh through Western Union. Bank details are below In favour of: Sulabh International Centre For Action Sociology (SICAS) Account No: 63012660749, IFSC Code: SBIN0030262 M ICR: 110002347 Name of the Bank: State Bank of India, Branch Name: C 28 Community Centre, Janakpuri. New Delhi-58 Contact: bha ratramvas udevan@gma ii .com National Blood Donation Drive

by Sathya Sal International Organisation

Sathya Sai International Organisation of Australia & PNG is again having a blood donation drive and is encouraging all of its members who are able to contribute in this wonderful and much needed service. Giving blood is giving life.

What better way to 'Love all; Serve all' and honour Sathya Sai Baba. Contact: Mayavan 0404 059 093 ARTS Portraits In Pink Exhibit, until Sat 21 April 9am-5pm

Penrith City Library, 601 High St, Penrith, will host an exhibition featuring photographic portraits of breast cancer survivors from Indian and Sri Lankan backgrounds living in NSW. The professional photographers - also from Indian and Sri Lankan backgrounds - have volunteered their artistic services to address a �culture of silence" about breast cancer within their cultural communities. This free exhibition is an initiative of the Pink Sari Project and Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District.

MISC Free HSC Workshops with Achievers Academy, 8, 15, 22 April

Achievers Academy are holding free workshops every Saturday in the hopes of aiding students in maximising their ATAR ranking. Held at Skycity, 20A Lexington Dr, Bella Vista, topics of the workshops will vary every week. On 25 March, HSC Markers and teachers are going to conduct the workshop with "The Secret of HSC Writing Essays" as the main topic. They will also discuss AOS Discovery and other modules.

Seats are limited so parents and students are encouraged to reach out via www.achieversacademy.com. au/hscworkshops or phone 02 8882 9327 for booking Shakti Management Committee Member Volunteers

Shakti Migrant and Refugee Women's Support Group NSW is seeking people experienced in finance, fundraising and leadership to join their management committee. As a Committee Member you will have the capacity to set aside 6-15 hours a month to attend meetings and committees, and support various activities. Visit: shaktiaustralia. org.au. To apply, email: sydney@ shaktiaustralia.org.au.

22 APRIL (1) 2017

Hindi Classes Saturdays 2.30pm-

4.30pm Located at the Indian Cultural Centre, Level 1, 265 Castlereagh St, Sydney. Hindi classes are $5 per one hour class or $40 for ten classes. Registration is essential as there is a maximum of 20 people per class. Paid parking is available in the vicinity. To register email hindi@ indianconsulatesydney.org or contact 9223 2702.

SPIRfTUAL Free public talks by H H Swami Anubhavananda Saraswatl

Yo Veda Inc., Australia presents free spiritual discourses in Sydney. Join Swamij i as he takes you through a life learning experience in a funny relaxed fashion as only he can! All Events are free. Visit: swamiparamananda.net Email: swamiparmananda@yahoo.com Contact: 0410 698 650 Yoga Vashlsta - Direct Path to Self-Realisation, Mon 10 • Thurs 13 Apr, 7.30pm-9pm

An Instructive dialogue between Sage Vashishta & Shri Ram. Held at 22a Winbourne Street, West Ryde. Contact: Subhash, 0411 400 313; Mataji, 0423 205 210 Ashtavakra Geeta Cont'd, Tues 11 - Fri 14 Aprll, 6.15am- 7.15am

Held at Subhash & Suman residence, 62 Bombay St, Lidcombe, Contact: Subhash, 02 9702 7 022, 0411 400 313

Weekend Retreat • Contemplatlve Talks: lshavasya Upanishad, Fri 14 April, Sun 16 April

Held at Dr Steve & Robyn's Residence, 12 Glenroy Ave, Middle Cove. Contact: Robyn, 02 9417 7840, 0421 813 7 02.

Sunder Kaand Paath at Shrl Shiva Mandlr, Sat 15 Aprll, 5.30pm-

7.30pm Join a recitation of Sunder Kaand Paath from the Ramayana, depicting the adventures of Sri Hanuman, by Shri Ashwin Kumar Pathak (Guruji).

Bhoj (dinner) served on conclusion.

Held at Shri Shiva Mandir, 201 Eagleview Rd, Minto. For information and your contdbution, contact: Jagdish Trivedi, 0418 992 274; Jagdish Chawla, 0421 376 384.

Free yoga with Divine Life Society,

Tuesdays, 7pm Swami Uditramanandaji o f The Divine Life Society of Australia offers free yoga classes every Tuesday from 7-8.15pm at Strathfield Girls High School. All levels of fitness welcomed.

Entrance via Oxford Road. For further details, please contact Karo: 0413 535 157

Amma Satsang, 6.30pm-9.30pm, 3rd

Saturday each month Sri Mata Amritanandamayi, or Amma, also known as the hugging saint, is cherished as a humanitarian and spiritual teacher. Mata Amritanandamayi Centre Sydney hosts a monthly program to engage in spiritual practices such as meditation, as well as to conduct community­ oriented service projects. Held at Uniting Church Hail, 11 Carrington Ave, Strathfield. Suggested donation

is $20 for ashram fundraising.

Contact: Mohan 0418 462 687 or visit ammaaustralia.org.au Yoga: The way of life, Saturdays

8am; Wednesdays 7pm A retreat for body, mind and soul, join weekly yoga sessions at Glenwood Public School (Saturdays) or Moorebank Community Centre (Wednesdays). To secure a spot, contact: Meera 0433 125 708, or Ankita 0431 750 991 Shanti Mission Satsang, Sundays

9.30am Held at the Shanti Mission Abode of Peace Ashram (1 hour north of Sydney), 45 Kings Road, Cooranbong and also in Sydney at the Henley Community Centre, 2 Crown Street, Henley. Visit: www.shantimission.org.

Contact: 4977 3300 Flre Pooja

Devotees are invited to attend Vedic fire pooja held at the Shanti Mission Abode of Peace Ashram (1 hour north of Sydney), 45 Kings Road, Cooranbong.

Fire Pooja: Mon, Wed, Thur, Sat & Sun evenings, 6.30pm (time changes to 5.30pm when daylight savings ends).

Dhanvantre Healing Fire Pooja: Mondays & Wednesdays, 9am Sri Maha Narayani Yagam: Every New and Full moon.

Shanti Mission also holds special poojas for feast days. Devotees may sponsor poojas. Visit: www. shantimission.org. Contact: 4977 3300 Lakshmi Fire Pooja, Sat 29 Aprll,

6.30pm Devotees are invited to attend Vedic fire pooja. Held at the Shanti Mission Harmony Centre, 50 New Farm Road, West Pennant Hills. Visit: www. shantimission.org. Contact: 497 7 3300 Pain Heallng Cllnlc, Sun 23 Aprll

12pm Ener gy healing, talk and demonstration to help the physical body.

Held at Shanti Mission, Henley Community Centre, 2 Crown Street, Henley. Visit: www.shantimission.org.

Contact 4977 3300 Sri Hanuman Pooja, Tuesdays

7.30pm-8pm Devotees who wish to seek the blessings of Shri Hanuman should join the community at Shri Shiva Mandir, 201 Eagleview Road, Minto, on Tuesday evenings for the reciting of Hanuman Chalisa, reciting Hanuman Kasht Nivaran, Hanuman Aarti and Prasad. Contact: Jagdish Chawla, 0421 376 384 or Priest Arul Muthulkumar, 9820 1094 Volunteers needed to teach Vedic/Hindu Dhanna In schools

Indian children living in Australia need to study their heritage in an

instructive and deliberate way. Vishva Hindu Parishad of Australia has taken up the task of teaching Vedic/ Hindu Dharma heritage teaching in mainstream schools as part of Special Religious Education. We are looking for more youths, seniors, young parents, grandparents to come forward to volunteer. Contact: Akita, 0450 1 17 372 or visit: vhp.org.au Spirit of lndla Yoga, Saturdays and Sundays

Yoga classes are held in Ryde, Wentworthville, Quakers Hill and Epping. All levels incl. beginners, senior citizens, children's. To enrol in this 15 week course e•mail spiritofi ndia2002@yahoo.com, visit www.spiritofindia.org or contact Suresh 0412 202 182

Sant Nlrankarl Mission Sydney, Sundays 5.30- 7.30pm

Congregation helps us strengthen our devotion . Weekly congregations held every Sunday at Sant Nirankari Bhawan, 1fi6 Glendenning Road, Glendenning followed by community meals. Contact: Devinder, 0403 216 084 Heartfullness Relaxation and Meditation

Saturdays 4.30pm-5.30 pm; Sundays 11.30am-12.30pm All are welcome to experience Heartfullness. There are no fees to join the group at Seva Yoga Studio, 3c/8, Cowper St. Parramatta. Contact: 02 8004 6547 or sydney@heartfulness. org Srlmad Bhagavad Gita c lasses, every second Saturday

Learn the proper chanting of each shloka and its meaning in English.

Students also learn Sanskrit as they progress and no prior knowledge of Sanskrit is required. Participate either through physical attendance at 20 Station St, Pymble or online attendance through ZOOM: zoom. us/j/6140211522. Contact: Babu 0402 115 223 or devbab@gmail.com

SVT Classes • Vedic Chanting, Sundays 10am

The classes take place in Sri Venkateswara Temple, Temple Rd, Helensburgh. This course will cover pronunciation and then practise with Sanskrit before moving to Vedic chanting. To register and attend, email enqui ry@svtsydney.org Hindi Dada Bhagwan Satsang, Every second Sunday 5pm - 8pm

Held at Wentworth Community Centre.

Hindi Satsang Time: 5.00pm-6.30pm Aarti Time: 6.30pm-7.00pm Preeti Bhojan Time: 7.00pm-8.00pm Kids Gujarati Language Classes: 5.00pm6.00pm The venue is Kurajong Room underneath Redgum Function Centre.

Contact 0421 127 947 for further information

For full calendar of WHAT'S ON listings (nation-wide) check out: www.indianlink.com.au You can also submit your listing on line

www.indianlink.com.au

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� Come and meet Julie at her Mobile Off ices � L -- - - - - -- - - - - - - -- - - - -- - - - - - ----- - ------- -- - - -

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MONDAY 10 APRIL ► Toongabbie Train Station 6.30 - 8.30am TUESDAY 11 APRIL ► Pendle Hill Train Station 6.30 - 8:30am ► Oatlands Shops Belmore Street 3 - Spm

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WEDNESDAY 12 APRIL Wentworthville Train Station 6.30 - 8.30am ► Parramatta Centenary Square 3.30 - 5.30pm ►

WEDNESDAY 19 APRIL

► Granville Train Station

6.30 - 8.30am

THURSDAY 20 APRIL ► Parramatta Train Station 6.30 - 8.30am

THURSDAY 13 APRIL ► Westmead Train Station 6.30 - 8.30am

► Carlingford

TUESDAY 18 APRIL ► Harris Park Train Station 6.30 - 8.30am ► Rydalmere Corner of Park Road & Vi ctori a Road 3 - Spm

FRIDAY 21 APRIL

Corner of Pennant Hills & Carlingford Road 3 - Spm

► Telopea Train Station

6.30 - 8.30am

SATURDAY 22 APRIL ► Merrylands Shopping

Centre Near McFarlane Street Car-park 1 1 am - 1 pm

Electorate Office: 1/25 Smith Street, Parramatta Phone: 9689 1455 Fax: 9689 3813 D JulieOwensMP B @JulieOwensMP www.j ulieowens.com.au Authorised by Juli e Owens MP. 1/25 Smith Street, Parramatta NSW 21 50.

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APRIL (1) 2017 23

indian news A man takes a photograph at a memorial for musician Kishori Amonkar in Mumbai, India, 4 April 2017.

Amonkar, renowned for her innovative interpretation of classical Indian music, died this month aged 84. Photo: AP

Dalai Lama in Arunachal : India tells China not to interfere in its matters

India-China diplomatic tensions rose afresh over the Dalal Lama's visit to Aruuachal Pradesh, with [ ew Delhi asserting this month that no political motive should be attributed to the visit and asked Beijing not to interfere in its internal affairs.

Beijing in a fresh salvo slammed the Dalai Lama a. s an "anti-China separatist" and attacked New Dell1i indirectly for its support co the Tibetan leader.

Union 1Ylinisrer of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, who is from ArunachaJ Pradesh, said that no political motive should be am·ibuced to Dalai Lama's trip. "India has always been non-interfering in the neighbours' internal affairs in our approach," Rijiju told reporters in New Delhi. ''ln the same manner, we expect the same from our neighbours."

The Dalai Lama's trip was purely religious, he added.

Rijiju said India has never questioned China's sovereign ty and "has respecrfuUy adhered co the one-China policy".

"So we expect that China also should not interfere in our internal matters," he stated.

The Dalai Lama has visited the state six times earlier and no "additional colour" should be given to his visit starting from April 5 .

Reacting t o the visit, the Chinese Foreign Ministry told Efe news: "The 14th Dalai Lama is an anti-China separatist who has long lived in exile following a failed armed rebellion by the reactionary group of high­ ranking feudal serf owners in Tibet in March 1959."

"The Chinese government is resolutely opposed to any country's support and facilitation for the 14th Dalai group's anti-China separatist activities," read the statement without alluding directly to India.

Meanwhile, the Dalai Lama arrived by road in Bomdila, ArUJ1acbal Pradesh, after inclement weather forced him to call off the scheduled visit by helicopter.

In Bomdila, the Dalai Lama was received

by Arunachal Ptadesh Chief iVlinister Pema Khandu, and members of the Tibetan community. Khandu was accompanied by BJP leader Sudhanshu Mittal.

24 APRIL (1) 2017

From Bomdila he would visit Di.rang, Lumla and Tawang during his over seven­ day trip co Arunachal Pradesh.

Arunachal Pradesh holds a special significance for the Tibetan leader, as it was the fust terrirory - tl1en called the North East Frontier Region - in India he entered whi le fleeing Chinese troops in 1959 before moving co Dharamsala, where he now resides.

Asserting that Arunachal Pradesh is not a disputed terrirory, Rijiju said, "We have certain issues with regard to dellneation of the boundary on the spots, on the ground along McMahon Line because it is not being demarcated on the grow1d. Thar is wl�y there is a talk between the special representatives of India and China and the people of Arunacbal Pradesh hope that an amicable solution can be reached in the foreseeable future time."

China in March said ties with India wmtld be hit if New Delhi aJJowed the Dalai Lama to visit Arunachal Pradesh, which is claimed

by Beijing as part of South Tibet. China's Foreign ·Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said China was strictly opposed co the visit.

Geng said India knew the sensitivity of the border issue bet\veen both countries and allowing the Dalai Lama to visit Arunachal Pradesh would damage its ties with China.

Changed H-18 visa norms don't mean much for India: Nasscom

The Indian IT industry lJody Nasscom has said the clarifying guidance by the USCTS on eligibility for computer programmers under the H-1B visa norms will have little impact on its members, as the clarification has been the adjudicatory practice for years.

"The March 31 USCIS memorandum reinforces an existing practice by adjudicators and clarifies requirements for certain computer professionals," said the National Association of Software Services and Companies (Nasscom) in a statement in Bengaluru.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) On March 31 issued a clarification that computer programmers, to be eligible under the H-1B visa norms, must prove chat theirs is a specialcy occupation.

Merely obtaining a compucer degree may not be enough.

Coming just ahead of start of the new season for H-l B visas for skilled workers, it was largely seen as the tightening of norms by the US autl1orities for hiring computer programmers, thus putting a squeeze on Indian IT companies.

US embassies the world over started accepting next year's H-1B visa petitions from April 3. Indian techies hm7e been the biggest beneficiaries of the H-1 B visas obtaining about 70 per cent of such visas - wicb companies posting thousands of employees to the US. This visa allows work in the particular area for six years, extendable after chat. It is also the route co a US permanent residency or a US Green Card.

Noting that several of its members have applied for visas for higher level professionals this year, the apex b o dy said the evidence showed tl1at the jobs were complex and required professional degrees.

"Our member companies provide skilled talent and solutions to US firms. The H-lB visa system exisrs specifically because of the persistent shortage of highly-skilled domestic IT talent in the US," the statement pointed out.

Indian IT companies would continue co provide skilled talent and solutions to fill that gap and keep US firms competitive globally, it added.

In its policy memorandum, the USCIS mentioned, "Based on the current version of the Handbook, the fact that a person may be employed as a computer programmer and may use information technology skills and knowledge to help an enterprise achieve its goals in the course of his or her job is not sufficient to establish the position as a specialty occupation."

The memorandum said, "A petitioner may not rely solely on the Handbook co meet its burden when seeking co sponsor a beneficiary for a computer programmer position. Instead, a petitioner must provide other evidence to establish that the particular position is one in a specialty occupation ..."

The US Congress has set a cap of 65,000 H-1 B visas per fiscal year. AdditionaJJy, 20,000 such visas are given to chose with

Master's or higher degrees from the US. At the san1e time, the immigrarion services have moved to detect H-1 B visa frauds in the US by taking a "mote targeted approach" on site visits across the country aimed at finding our if employers were evading their obligations to make a good fait h effort to recruit US workers. ''Too many American workers, who are as qualified, willing and deserving to work ia these fields have been ign ored or unfairly disadvantaged," says a press release issued by the USCIS, adding that "protecting American workers by combating fraud in our employment-based immigration programs is a priority of USCIS".

The Immigration Services warned employers chat they would nor be allowed co "abuse the H-lB programme", which it said affects US workers negatively, decreasing wages and job opportunities - a position that US President Donald Trump has ofren endorsed.

Combating prejudice against Africans: India has a lot to lose

India has a great deal to lose by mistreating and beating up Africans who come to study or live in the country. The latest attacks on March 27, 2017 on Nigerian srudent.� living in Greater I oida bordering New Delhi and part of tl1e N a tional Capital Region have made breaking news on all TV news channels and front-page headlines in leading newspapers.

While playing up ad nauseLun the sensational news story is supposed to increase the viewership of TV channels and boost dwindling newspaper readership, it iaAicts massive harm to India-Africa bilateral relations, Indian investment in Africa, and Indian diaspora in Africa. The medium and long term repercussions and massive damage to lndia's goodwill internationally is lost on tl1e angry, racist and violent Indian goons who assault and injure Africans.

The tragedy is that dtis i s not an isolated incident resulting in injuries to Africans LnA.icted by boorish locals. Such incidents have been happening in major metros for years, especially in and around Delhi. Sure, they are reported in the media but no lasting remedial action is devised or implemented.

After some hue and cry, the police bold some meetings, increase patrolling and it then fades away until d1e next Aare-up . .African envoys make strong protests to the lndian government and the response is worded in diplomatic jargon.

But no sustained campaign is launched in the media, on the streets or in bigher educational institutions to inform, educate and sensitize. local Indians about racial disc1:imination and l ndia-Africa cooperation on many fronts and levels. The media hardly ever reports on African affairs, leave alone African success stories. The newspapers report only when an Indian company secures a major contract, starts an investment project or expands its operations LU Africa.

The woes of Africans living in India are compounded by frequent news items when they are apprehended at airports with

www.indianlink.com.au

Indian workers cultivate calendula flowers in a field on the outskirts of Amritsar city, India, 04 April 2017.

Besides use in decorations and in religious offering, the calendula flower is also marketed for its medicinal properties. Photo: AP

drugs. Thus, a sustained image of almost all Africans as drug catriers has frozen in the minds of l.ndians. Or they think that African women make money by selling their bodies. Africans - from 54 courn:ries - are viewed and dealt with on the basis of these media stereotypes.

It's high cirne that chis stereotyped image was smashed for all time and the fact that tbousands of African smdents are obtaining higher education in India and hundreds of African patients are coming to India for specialised medical treatment is boosted.

If these smdents are treated with concern and understanding when they are away frorn their home in a complicated society, tbey will go back as the most effective ambassadors of India. Similarly, if the patients and their relatives are treated with care and sympathy in lndia, they will go back as the top promoters for India.

But no! ln their racist and brutal reaction to any simation with Africans, all this never comes to mind. No thought for tbe massive Indian investments in Africa, hundreds of joint ventures, and especially the three million lndian diaspora in Africa.

More than 1.2 million Indians Uve in South Africa; another 200,000 live in East Africa and smaller numbers in thousands in many countries. These Indians can be attacked and injured in revenge, their shops and factories can be damaged or destroyed and their goodwill washed away.

At the national level, the Indian government is making special efforts to woo Africa and obtain the cooperation of the 54 African countries for mumal benefit and as a block for votes in the international fora like the United ations. India has been holding India-Africa Summit with all African countries since 2008 to promote bilateral relations in many spheres. The most recent such meeting in Delhi in 2015 was attended by almost all heads of African states and Prime Minister arendra Modi made special efforts to ,velcome and meet each one of them. Cooperation in many fields was proposed and agreed upon. lnvesanent and export credits were top fearmes. Between summit meetings, like rhe conclave in New Delhi earlier this month, carries the economic agenda further. Indian has mounted a diplomatic outreach to Africa with visits by its president, vice­ president, the prime minister and ministers to African states.

However, repeated boorish behaviour and violent assaults wipe out all these goodwill gesn1res while seriously damaging India reputation and the fate of the Indian diaspora contributing to the development of Africa. So what can be done to retrieve this pathetic sirnation?

First, the police must crack down on all accused of racial insults and violence to Africans. A thorough investigation, a fool­ proof prosecution and tough punishment is the primary response by the authorities.

And that's nor enough; the punishment must be reported by the media as a deterrent to all others.

Second, in addition to pacifying diplomatic statements by the External Affairs Ministry, other ministries and

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organisations must be roped i.n to launch a 5, trong and aggressive public campaign to promote racial harmony.

Third, the Public Diplomacy division of d1e MBA should launch a campaign to inform and educate Indian sn1dents in high schools, universities and higher institutes of learning about Africa and its importance to India. Africa is still undiscovered by almost all Indians. All they know about A£rica are the cricket teams from South Africa and Zimbabwe!

Fom, in addition to offering higher education and medical treatment for Africans, India should urgently establish branches of its universities and specialist hospitals, at Jeast in ease, west, central and South Africa. These projects have languished for long in the preliminary stages and now d1e time has come to implement them urgently to reduce the flow of African students and patients to India.

The prejudice and violence against Africans in India is not going away some time soon. Strong, drastic and sustained action i. s overdue.

India snubs US offer to de-escalate tensions with Pakistan

India has snubbed the US' offer to help de-escalate tensions with Pakistan, saying that its position on bilateral redressal of all issues between the two neighbonrs has nor changed. l t also said tl1ar the international community needs to address tl1e issue of terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

"Government's position for bilateral redtessal of all India-Pal<lsran issues in an environment free of terror and violence hasn't changed," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Gopal Baglay said. "\Ve, of course, expect the international community and organisations to enforce international mechanisms and mandates concerning terrorism emanating from Pakistan, which continues to be the single biggest threat to peace and stability in om region and beyond," he said.

The reaction came after Nikki Haley, the US Permanent Representative to die UN, said that the US was concerned about the state of India-Pakistan relations and

Presidenc Donald Trump himself might get involved in a peace process between d1e two South Asian antagonists.

"This administration is concerned abouc die relationship between India and Pakist.'ln and very much wants to see bow we de­ escalate any sort of conflict going forward," Indian-Ameri can Haley, who holds a cabinet rank in the Trump administration, said.

"I would expect that the administration is going to be in talks and try and find its place to be part of chat process," the fonner Governor of South Carolina said, adding, "And also wouldn't be surprised if the President participates as well."

New liberalised visa regime being implemented: Minister

Commerce and Industry Minister irmala Sicharaman has seated that d1e government has started to implement the new liberalised visa regime from April 1, 2017.

The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on November 30, 2016, approved various measnres for liberalisation of the visa regime.

"Multiple entry tourist and business visas for a period of five years will now be available to nationals of most of d1e countries," Sitharan1an said in a series of tweets.

The new regime had sub-divided e-Visa into three categories - e-tourist visa, e-business visa and e-medical visa - for nationals of 1 6 1 countries to enter India through 24 airports.

"E-visa facility extended to Cochin, Goa and Mangalore sea-ports (to benefit cruise tourism) soon also at Mumbai and Chennai sea-ports," Sitharaman tweeted.

"Upon urgent requests, business visa and medical visa will be granted within 48 hours of application."

The minister pointed om, "Separate immigration counters and facilitation desks to assist medical tourist at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengluru and Hyderbad."

The government has also introduced a new category of visa for film production in India - (F) Visa - which has a maximrnn dmation of one year with multiple entry facility.

"Another new Visa titled Intern (I) Visa rolled our w.e.f 1st March, 2017, to

foreigners for imernship in companies, educational Institutions and non­ government organisations (NGOs)," d1e minister added.

Tata to launch SUV by year­ end

Tata Motors will be launching the Nexon compact SUV by the year-end as part of its strategy to improve its share in passenger vehicles segment, a coinpany official said.

With five per cent market share, Tata Motors is currently at fourth place in the domestic market and has set the goal of reaching tl1ird position by 2019.

Prarap Bose, Head of Design, Tata Motors, said they didn't have a presence in 60 per cent of the market. "\Ve don't have presence in some segn1ents and compact SUV is one of them," Bose told reporters on the sidelines of tlie launch of Tata Tigor, its latest product, in Hyderabad market.

The scarring ex-showroom price of Tigor in Hyderabad is Rs 4.85 lakb for Revotton 1.2L (petrol) variant and Rs 5. 77 lal<h for Revocorq l .5L (diesel).

He claimed tl1at many cars were in design and engineering phases. He said these were part of the company's strategy for a sustained growth in passenger vehicles segment.

Tata Motor's market share in passenger vehicles segment grew by 0.64 per cent lase year. The company sold 1.53 lalcb units in 2016-17 against 1 2 . 5 lakh in the previous fiscal. ln l\.forch 2017, the company recorded sales of 15,433 vehicles, a growth of 84 per cent over March 2016.

Tigor is Tata Motor's third product in one year, having launched Tiago and Hexa earlier.

Bose said tl1at in Tigor tl1ey brought together the best of the features of large hatchbacks and .small sedan. He said tl1ey cried to fill the gap in both the categories in terms of space and style.

Tigor is the third product from Tata i\ifotots based on impact design technology.

He claimed d1at Tiago received a huge response with 80,000 bookings. Over 50,000 Tiago were already on roads.

IANS

APRIL (1) 2017 25

first person

eav1n ■

e.

■ ■

Ruchir and Santana, who lived in Australia for 22 years, decided to return to Jaipur, India in 2016.

RUCHIR

l n deciding to move from Australia to India, we chose m skip doing any derailed research or planning about what we would do co 'settle down'. In fact, tl1is 'go-wim-the-flow' spirit was probably what made me decision possible. The impetus was simply tl1e chance at having a few quality years wim my parents and supporting mem as they grew older.

While events including disease, death and discord rocked our friends and families, our anchor to Australia suddenly felt not as steadfast as before. Living in India seemed like a definite possibility, buoyed by the familiarity and the genera.I warmth and connection we experienced from people eluting our frequent trips.

We bad concerns about our ability to adapt to the changes to our ecosystems and our daily routines (and how our dogs, Misty and Ellie would adapt). The darker side of India usually remains camouflaged during holiday trips - a system and culture in which day­ to-day life can be full of hurdles, painfully strenuous, and unbearably 'I-can't-believe­ mis' ridiculous at times. Anyway, armed with my uruettered optimism, (and Santana's more cautious variety), we bid farewell to our

26 APRIL (1) 2017

Aussie friends and headed to lndia.

AJtbongh no strangers to India, we have had to go back ro school, re-learning and re-calibrating our life's routine co different r. ules, protocols, norms, beliefs, emics, expectations, choices and boundaries. India has delivered its promise of serving up a taste of the entire gamur of emotions. It has been interesting, refreshing, indifferent, loving, embracing, surprising, puzzling, playful, astonishing, frustrating and bewildering, sometimes all in one day. Many times we have had a good laugh at the way things are, and at other times we've lost out patience.

We are learning to recognise the mab>nin1de of disruption and to accept the slow pace and meandering nature of the voyage of 'settling in'. The hardest part has probably been about what we always knew happened here, bur we misjudged our expectations about how we would .react to the simations at hand. In the past few months we have been adjusting our e.'l'.pectations, 'being kind to ourselves' and regaining the ability to respond in good­ humou.r.

The smmbling blocks? Acclimatisation

Ruchir, Santana, Misty and Ellie at home in Jaipur

www.indianlink.com.au

They share their initial experiences and thoughts on this big move with JYOTI SHANKAR

- Misty was sick and EUie is still scared of the nightly fireworks. Diwali is over but the weddings go on. We too have fallen sick multiple times. Waiting for tradies and their lack of skills, tools and professionalism has been a dampener. \Xie are getting used to sensory overload, to noise, rubbish, and mayhem. Dogs are not aUowed in parks and hazards like traffic, garbage, and strays mean that our daily relaxing waU,s are less so.

At the risk of generalising, we Indians wear our hearts and beliefs on our sleeves.

We love expressing our opinions and giving advice, witl1 a lot of emphasis on what you 'should' or 'must' do. There is a clear and sharp divide between 'right' and 'wrong'.

Logic is often confounded by traditions and by special cases and dispensations.

Conversations are loud, dramatic, and on­ top-of-eac;h-other, much like the traffic. It certainly takes getting used to!

And the highlights? Warm connections witb family and friends, old and new. Culture and food - we love aU the happenings and events in Jaipur. It is fascinating ho,v history and tradition are everywhere. Though we're not fully there yet, as a song from a recent BoU)'\voocl film goes...'Love you, zindagi!'

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SANTANA

"So haye you settled in nicely?" This is the question I have been asked most often in the past few months and I still struggle to deliver a coherent response! I left Oz auned witl1 a lifetime of memories and dozens of love-fil.led farewells. We an:ived in Jaipur and realised that our apartment renovations were still a long way away from completion but went ahead with a housewarming anyway. We had no deartl1 of people willing co help us settle in and giYe us tips on where tO go for what, which was a great support to have.

India is surely a land of extremes and in the space of a day it drives me to both ends of the happiness spectrum, multiple times! It is so noisy, chaotic, dirty, dusty, hot, loving, caring, inventive, hilarious, maddening and inspi.ring all at once.

Ar me maddening encl of the spectrum, I do not advise any fa.i.t.1t-hearted individual to undertake any sort of renovations in India. The concept of sa·aight lines, spirit levels, smootl1 surfaces and timeliness are all conspicuously absent here. Having been advised mar the only way the renovations would finish would be for us to move

,, India has never been an easy place to live, but Australia really spoilt me , , i n and evict the tradies, it took weeks of cajoling, begging, dummy-spitting and histrionics to get the work to 95% complete and get rid of the tradies. 95% complete is how I suspect it will stay.

Another que.srio.n I am often asked is "Do you miss Australia?" And tl1e answer is yes I do, but most of cbe time it is not a conscious missing of chis or that. Ir is more the realisation that you take so much of your environment for granted and when some of those thi11gs are missing, you tend ro get frustrated or unpleasantly surprised.

India has never been an easy place to live, but Austral.ia really spoilt m e . I am slowly but steadily seeking the wonder in tl1e little iliings mat have always been amazing here - like me sense of community and the time tl1at everyone bas for you; like the tiny cups of tea and coffee you can get anywhere and everywhere; lil,e the way anything is possible when nothing should be; like ilie incredible tenacity of the dispossessed and the horrifically poor; like me really old places and tl1eir magical histories, and l,ast but nor the least, recliscovering the familiar ways of being and accepting India in aU its extremes, die way I was able to do when I lived here over 22 years ago.

Many wise people tell me tl1at it takes at least a year or more to truly feel settled i n a new place, s o ask me again i n a few more months and I may have a more coherent answer!

A note from Misty and Ellie This place has so many wonderful new creatures - so many more pigeons to bark at and shoo-off from the balconies, and squirrels instead of possums, and rats too!

APRIL (1) 2017 27

viewpoint

Clickbait dominates cricket media

The Australian sports media revelled in negative sensationa Iism throughout the India Australia Test series

0

BY RITAM MITRA

n the eve of the conclusion of one of the most enduringly captivating sporting contests in the past decade - a series of Test cricket which captured the attention of cricket fans around the world - the online edition of one of Australia's leading newspapers featured as its top swry a piece with the headline: 'Thril/ingfinal test f marred fo1 allegations chet1ti11g ". ''Allegations of cheating" is i n itself a misnomer, arising only from a lip-read of an inadvertent and, originally, private two-word outburst by Australian captain Steve Smith.

So irrelevam was the incident in the context of the series, that the beadJine was changed after less than an hour, and the incident since forgotten. Bur it was a revealing lapse; the series that Test cricket had been crying Out for, a likely seminal battle between the world's rop-two ranked nations, was as its root, merely an opportunity for the Australian sports media to scratch out another cringe-worthy chapter in its long­ running war against positivity.

It bas Jong been acknowledged that the Australian cricket media loves to create monsters - in recent times, think Stuart Broad, F'af du Plessis, Vi.rat Kohli. The common element undedying the three is their combative nature; they are not afraid to give back as well as they take, and against Australia, they certainly take. Yet the Australian media - and the journalists, producers and critics of which it is comprised - knows how to appeal to d1e base instincts of sports fans by creating controversy and inciting hatred. Recently, rnis columnist had a revealing conversation with d1e individuals behind a popular Australian cricket website and social media hub. Lamenting the clickbait nature of the articles and the incentionaJly incendiary narnre of the posts, the administrators of dle sire grinned sbeepish.ly. "\V/e hate it too," rney said. ''But it works".

And herein lies the crux of dle issue: media is a multi-billion dollar business, and if posts on social media garner attention, advertisers will flock. Unformnately, social media is also the home of sensationalism: "traction" is critical, and in a fast-paced online world, there is no rime ro vet real-time information. Instead, content producers rely on yeUow journalism:

o

28 APRIL (1) 2017

eye-catching headlines with little or no legitimate, well-researched news. Ir is a bid to pit fans against each other - a.nd one suspects, dle players, too. Some popular international cricket social media pages have become a cesspool of tacisin, vilification and online bullying - propagated by fans from both sides of the fence. It is far beyond traditional sports banter, and difficult to imagine that such a descent would have occurred if reporting was not so unabatingly inflammatory. Evidence lies in dle relatively sanguine comments by fans on posts by ESPNCricinfo, for instance, which has maintained its journalistic integrity and steered clear of posting attention-grabbing headlines with little to no substance underpinning them.

Orner media outlets were not so measured. On the website of a leading Australian sports broadcaster, one particular journalist dealt exclusively i n vitr.iol, singling out the Indian captain Kohli and the BCCI for criticism wirn no refrain. The writer's lack of awareness of the intricacies of Test cricket - the stories which deserve co be told in the unique milieu of the five days which make up a Test march - was matched only by his aversion to factual information.

Instead, his modus operandi was the regurgitation of over-used and unfounded conspiracy theories - for instance, suggesting that rne ICC is unable co sanction Indian cricketers due co rne BCCI's influence on the gaine. Ahead of the third

,, The era of great Australian cricket columnists is all but at an end - since the sad demise of the erudite Peter Roebuck and the winding­ down of the eloquent Mike Coward, there has been a noticeable dearth in reasoned scribes ,, Test in Ranchi, the journalist went on to state d1at "the reputation and integrity of Indian cricket is on the brink of complete embarrassment" based on his ill-informed assessment of the Ranchi pitcb. Hindsight will show that d1e pitch proved to be fine.

There was no retraction.

At one point, this journalist even went as far as to compare Vicat Kohli with Donald Trump, noting with no sense of irony that "Just like President Trump, Kohli decided to blame the media as a means of trying ro bide the egg smeared right across his face."

Ironic, because by the end of it, his media outlet had given up on reporting facts altogerner, its Facebook page declaring that

Steve Smith was the :Man of the Series (he \vasn't). Again, d1ere was no retraction.

Bias in sports media is almost universal.

The Indian media contingent is just as guilty of inherent bias as its Ausu·alian and English counterparts. Sensationalism, too, is a concept with which India's raving 24/7 news channels a.re -all coo familiar.

Bur perpet11alb: negative sensationalism is a craft in which rne Australian sports media is unparalleled. Whether against irs own players or the opposition, me preference is to divert rne gaze from achievements, act as a flame for the ignorant motl1, and wave a red flag in front of raging online bulls. It would be an inconsequential approach, if rne media did not play a tangible role in the relationship between i\ustraLian and Indian nationals. Bur it does.

The eta of great Australian cricket columnists is all but at an end - since the sad demise of the erudite Peter Roebuck and d1e winding-down of dle eloquent Mike Coward, there has been a noticeable dearth in reasoned scribes.

This is not to say rne talent is not there d1e analyses of Greg Baum, Malcolm Knox and Peter Lalor a.re thoughtful, measured, and weU-resea.rched - and importantly, they are about die g(l111e. But they a.re few and far between.

In the age of clickbait, sensationalism and instant gratification - Australian spores media's integrity is certainly at its lowest ebb.

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APRIL (1) 2017 29

stage

Brother-sister duo present captivating arrangetram

BY MURALI SANKAR VENKATRAMAN

W

hen l fust heard Vishni Ravindran play in 2012, she was a soft­ spoken Year 9 student whose calm and sincere countenance belied the curiosity to experiment and expand the musical idioms through the veena. That concert then, while predominantly melodic, had irs share of outliers; and whenever they appeared, they were accompanied immediately by a subtle, a.lmost imperceptible, frown on her ever­ polite face. It gave away that she was self and music-aware. The occasional disconnect between thought and execution was no doubt artributed to die enormity of the cask - wielding tbe oldest string instrument of India with tbe finesse that .it demanded - which she was just beginning to unravel.

Harish, her (tl1en) kid-brother, hrn1g a.round, probably coaxed by the promise of an extra dose of candy by tl1eir ever-inspiring

30 APRIL 0) 2017

mother Shanthinie. Fast forward to 2017, I was Aabbergasted by a confident young woman, a smdent of medicine, playing me very same veena, this time with admirable deftness. Harish, now a Year I 'I student and built like a sportsman, accompanied his sister on the mridangam majestically and meticulously.

This time round, some 600 people had garnered to hear the siblings on the occasion of their mnmgetram, held last month. When the curtains went up, the stunning decorations, done with the eye of an aesthete, provided a beautiful but laconically contrasting backdrop to the artistes on stage.

The concert started with a varnam in raga Kaanada - not usually a "starter raga" - composed by Srinivasa Iyengar.

Vishni did well to showcase tbe 11111kta)'i and chitta slJ'arams, instilling an eagerness for the numbers ro follow. A languid aalap in Shanmukhapriya followed where her now warmed-up fingers extolled ilie raga's ga111aka111.r in an assured and elaborate manner. "Siddhi Vinayakam Anisham", a Dikshitar ktiti was well rolled out and the kalpa11a ,. J/larams that followed later established her pristine understanding of the raga and its s11,ara constructs. While

pm1chm11a1t1 occupies a central position as it would in any 111e/✓1ka1ta raga, Vishni also Bashed pa11ch✓1!11a1;1-free passages involving just 111t1d1!Jt1111a111 and dhaivathm11 which evoked a sense of restless eagerness in ilie listeners' minds that unconsciously yearned for the embrace of prmchama/JJ to relax.

Harish accompanied brilliantly, adapting his play to sound as close to the meter of the complicated SJ/lllla passages thrown at him.

All in all, Sbanmukhapriya, which lasted close co 20 minutes, erased any doubts and set the bar high for the rest of the evening .

Guru Thanjavur Murngaboopathi acted as the rhythm-keeper; the )70ung performers occasionally threw him a look during the difficult rhythmic passages.

While Thyagaraja's Shree ragam composition "Endaro M . ahanubhavulu" was presented "as is" without any extra ornamentations and was fairly satisfying, I felt the ga111akas in the passage "chanduru varnuni anda chandamunu" could have been a tad better.

But for that, this song by ilie virtue of its chittai .rwaras provided the fi.rst opportunity in the concert to hear violin (Shri Mullaivasal Chandramouli) and veena i n total unison - i t defined bliss. ':Janani Ninuvtna" in rejuvenating R£etigo1vlai ragam and lllisra-ch,rpn

ta.a.Lam paved way for the ever-enticing, vibram "Raghuvamsa Sudha" in Kadhanakumoohalam - a modem metric for assessing a 11t1inik,1 in delivering rapid chittaiswam passages. Vishni's occasional excursion into "two note" chords, borrowed from western rnusic idiom and popularized

by Vaidya, was a treat to hear.

While Kadbanakuthoobalam has been allowed .in me modern times to "harmonise", Bhairavi and Todi - me two veritable benchmarks to assess tbe erudition of a Carnatic artiste - are hanclled by almost every artist in the traditional monophonous manner. Vishni's a,ilcuipairai, taa11a!II, f/Ct"tlVal and tl1e dialogue of kalpm1as111m·ams witl1 ilie violinist for the kriti "Balagopala Palayasumam", definitively declared her rightful belonging among the promising best in ilie genre. Harish's thani avt11tha11a111 in adi thalm11 (2 kalm) that followed was a beautiful display of how it can be split into an admixture. of thist"t1t11, J11isram, and kha11da111 sub-parts and merged back tallying me correct rhyilicnic count. The question­ answer session berween the mridangam and ghatam (Shri. Chandrasekara Sharma) drew huge applause from the crowd.

Vishni carefully explained the taalm11 of a tough 1aga111-ta,mam-pallavi in Karabarapriya composed by her guru Prof. Pudukkottai Krishnamurthy and went on to give a stelfar rendition ably accompanied by Ha.rish.

The mgamalika lt1t1nC1J11, nemva!, sanchcu11a111, 1agm11alika kalpa11as111an11m and k:✓1alaprat11aana111 reinforced our belief in meit musical acumen. Brindavani thillana of Dr. Balamurali Krishna was clearly a dancer's interpretation on veena and a resrnment to Visho.i's rigorous training in Bharatanatyam. The energy and vivaciousness was unmistakable and when it ended, it brought a smile on everybody's lips.

Shri. Murugaboopathi and Dr .

Ramachanclra heaped deserving praises on ilie duo and artributed tl1eir stupendous performance to "never missing homework".

In a nutshell, simpl)7 outstanding: ilie Ravindrans are bound to make a huge ripple in the field of Carnatic music.

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APRIL (1) 2017 33

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Dharamsala decider

e sweetest victories

A look back on India 's come-from-behind 2-1 series victory over Australia in the Border Gavaskar Trophy

A

accurate bowling. Pujara's 202 off 525 balls was me longest-ever innings by an Indian in terms of balls faced, and, despite bis dismissal, a brutal half-cenmry by man of the series Ravindra Jadeja saw India take a first innings lead of 152 runs.

Ar 4-63 on tl1e final day, and wiili talismanic captain Steve Smith back in the dressing room, i t seemed as though an Indian victory was all bur a formality, but Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb aJJayed Australian fears, keeping me tourists in tl1e series wim a diligent, march-saving partnership lasting more than 60 overs.

BY RITAM MITRA

ter a month-long arm wrestle nvolving a myriad of on-field d1eatrics, several combative press conferences, and consistently 1eart-stopping cricket, leading into the final Test in Dharamsala, tl1ere remained notl1ing m separate Australia and India in me 2017 edition of me Border­ <flvaskar Trophy. A series so keenly contested deserved a thrilling finale - and against tl1e stunning backdrop of majestic Himalayan peal<s, me two sides delivered a fitting crescendo. Ultimately, it was India who prevailed by 8 wickets, sealing a 2-1 series victory mat will go down as one of its .sweetest ever.

Poor in Pune

The first of the three new Test venues in the series, Pune will consider itself lucky ro host another Test match. Labelled 'poor' by the ICC, the Pnne pitch proved diabolical for born sides, but stunningly, it was India who blinked first.

Reducing Australia to 9-205 in its first innings, India was in ilie ascendancy; but a stunning riposte by 1viircbell Stare Jed Australia co 261. In reply, despite suffering earli1 setbacks, at 3-94 and with two set batsmen at the crease, India appeared to be in prime position to continue its modus

34 APRIL (1) 2017

operandi for me summer: win or lose the wss, but be sure co pile on the runs in tl1e fuse innings.

But on Day Two of the Pune Test, tl1e most stunning hour of Test cricket saw India on irs knees, with Steve O'Keefe, tl1e steady left-arm spinner, taking 6•5 in one of tl1e greatest spells by a foreign spinner on Indian soil. India capitulated for just 105, banding Australia a 155-run advantage. Not co be outdone by O'Keefe's heroics, in Australia's second innings, Steve Sn1ith plundered a calm century in near-impossible conditions, scoring 109 out of Australia's 285. Anomer 6 wickets to Steve O'Keefe in India's second innings saw Australia win by 333 runs, raking a 1-0 series lead in a series in which i t was predicted to lose 0-4.

far, came roaring back wim 6-41, leaving .Australia co lick its wounds after being wic11in agonisingly close sight of a famous finish line.

Stalemate in Ranchi

For the second consecutive Test match, Australia seemed to have one hand on me trophy courtesy of its buge first innings of 451, which feamted an unbeaten 178*

by Steve Smith and a maiden test cenrury for Glenn Maxwell. But as i t had done aJJ summer, lndia found a way co cancel out tl1e first innings after losing me ross. Con1ing rogerher at 6-328, Wriddbiman Saha and Cheteshwar Pujara put on a record 199 runs in 63.2 overs, gruelling against impressively

The most picniresque ground in world crkket, Dharamsala's Test debut was magnificent. For each of the four days it was a breathtaking sight: the players in their off-whites, rnru1ing along clie lush green grass wirb snow-capped peal<s rising above the rustic red Tibetan grandstand behind them. The cricket was excellent, and the matcb was played in the best of spirits.

Arguably cliough, the pitch made me biggest contribution to the decider; witl1 pace and bo1mce to surpass any of its Australian counterparts, and enough nu:n and consisrenr bounce to satisfy clie fussiest of spinnets and batsmen. Indeed, tl1e evenness of the deck is evident in ilie fact that India won me march despite Josing the toss.

As ABC Radio commentator Prakash \Xlakankar noted, the Himalayan peaks were not me only immovable force decked our in white in die decider, as another cenmry by captain Steve Smith in Australia's first innings saw him become only me second captain (after A11srair Cook in 2012) to peel off 3 centuries in a Test series in India. Ha,7ing been 1-144, however, Australia was shot out for 300, leaving the door open for an India fightback.

At 6-221 in reply on day iliree, India were yet again looking like conceding a first• innings deficit. But a crucial partnership between Ravi Jadeja and Wriddhiman Saha brought India back from the brink, sealing a vital 32-run lead with an at times explosive 96 run partnership.

Then came the acmal fireworks, in clie most hostile spell of fasr bowling ever produced by an Indian attack, as Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar ran rampant witl1 tl1e new baJJ, picking up 3 wicket.� - and one suspects, inflicting many more bruises before Australia had erased me deficit.

From tl1ere, it was smooth sailing for ilie hosts, who wrecked tl1e Australian middle order and chased down the evenrnal target of 106 with time and ,;,,rickets to spare.

7he next chapter: India in Australia, 2018-19.

Biting back in Bengaluru

In Bengaluru, India once again found itself in deficit to Australia in tl1e first innings, giving up an advantage of 87 rw1s. At 4-120 in me second innings, Indfa were staring down tbe barrel of a scarcely believable situation: i f Australia won me march, Australia would retain the Border <flvaskar trophy.

Enter Ajinkya Rahane, and India's answer to Steve Sn1ith, Cheteshwar Pujara.

A 118 run partnership - the first century partnership of me series - seemed to have put the match beyond doubt, until India lost its last 6 wickets for 36 runs, setting Australia a target of 188 on a deteriorating wicket With AL1stralia 4-98, me match was still in clie balance. The tben-,vorld number one bowler, Ravi Ashwin, who had been conspicuously missing from tl1e series so

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APRIL (1) 2017 35

sport

The Round round-up The latest AFL season has already delivered diverse results in a game full of diversity, writes KHUSHAAL WAS

I

have to say it. I told you so. The AFL has roared back into life and it's already been a crazy few games full of drama, passion, pure excitement and even a bit of heartbreak. In fact, it sounds a little bit like the plot of a new Bollywood fihn.

Read on for lndian Link's first ever AFL Round Round-Up and our very own tipping competition!

Round 1

The ail-exciting opening round was probably the best orientation a new fan co the AFL could ever hope to receive. Big lna.rks, big goals, big hits . . . and some big upsets. In what looked to be a fairly easy round to predict results, the AFL did what i t does best; remind you of how unpredictable the game can be.

One of the major shocks was the fall of the mighty Hawthorn Hawks to an

agile Esseodon. Of course, here is where the tale of heartbreak and woe begins for Sydneysiders. \'v'h.i.lst the Swans were heavy favourites against Pore Adelaide Power, a rusty performance, and some key players missing due to injury, saw the Power make the most of tbeir opportunity and send shockwaves through the Sydney camp with an impressive win.

Looking to the West, after a promising first half, the Giants ultin1ately fell to the Adelaide Crows with much to work on.

However, oh ye of little faith, it is but Rmmd One. The rust is being shaken off and d1e journey is only beginning.

Round 2

Perhaps one of the mote special aspects of Round 2, more the matches themselves, was baring witness to the AFL's commitment to diversity and

man

multiculmta.lism as a guest at the Diversity Launch at Spotless Stadium. Now, sometimes we can be a little cynical about the value of symbolic functions and speeches, and truth be told, some free food and a ticket to what promised to be an excellent march was enough to tempt one a-5 fickle as me.

However, just as I was mistaken that Australia would not win a test march in lnclia, 1 was proven wrong once again. The Launch was an incredibly special celebration of the myriad cultures that participate in tl1e AFL, and a reminder of tl1e way in which the sport has, since its inception, brought so many communities togetl1er. lndeed, it was inspiring to bear AFL NS\XI/ ACT CEO, Sam Graham, advocate for tbe importance

of multicul niralism for both the sport and the state as a whole.

In light of recent political debates regarding amendments to l 8C, a message of re-affirming the importance of diversity in Australia's most loYed game was something quire remarkable. Adding to the mood was tl1e Giants record 102 point win over the Suns, but, in fairn�ss, the Launch gave us something more meaningful and special than a simple win.

And whilst the Swans fell short of staging a stunning come-from behind victory against d1e Bulldogs, we mustn't forget tl1at the last time the Swans started with rwo losses, tbey ultin1ately qualified fot the Grand Final in 2014! Don't worry. Have faith. There's a long season ahead!

. . .................................................................................................................. .

Round

Three Tipping Khushaal Vyas

Smit Bhatt

Bhal*

Tanya Sinha

Margit Shah

Sydney Swans v Collingwood Magpies

Swans

Swans

Swans

Swans

Swans

North Melbourne Kangaroos v GWS Giants

Giants

Giants

Giants

Giants

Giants

Richmond Tigers v West Coast Eagles

Tigers

Eagles

Tigers

Tigers

Tigers

Geelong Cats v Melbourne Demons

Cats

Cats

Cats

Cats

Cats

Port Adelaide Power v Adelaide Crows

Crows

Power

Crows

Crows

Power

Fremantle Dockers v Western Bu IIdogs

Bulldogs

Bulldogs

Bulldogs

Bulldogs

Bulldogs

St Kilda Saints v Brisbane Lions

Lions

Saints

Saints

Saints

Saints

Carlton Blues v Essendon Bombers

Bombers

Bombers

Bombers

Bombers

Bombers

Gold Coast Suns v Hawthorn Hawks

Hawks

Hawks

Hawks

Hawks

Hawks

* The mysterious brother of ,nineyou've heard so much about in these a,ticles. He's the one to beat!

36 APRIL (1) 2017

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1)urga Temple, Rege;t P.

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The Sydney Durga Temple cordially invites all to the inauguration of the new Sri Durga temple at: 21 -23 Rose Crescent, Regents Park.

Durga Temple - opening ceremony - Maha Kumbabisekam 7 th May 201 7 Homam Starts - 30th April 2017 Ashtabanthana marunthu - 5th May 2017 Devotees apply oil -5th May from 3.00pm until 6th of May 2017 Raja Kopura Maha Kumbabisekam -7th May 2017 10:00-11 .00PM

Witnessing such event comes once in a life time. The temple has been constructed over 1 2 years at a cost of $8.5 Million.

38 APRIL (1) 2017

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special feature

ew-wor w1nes ■

It's avant-garde wines with an artisan approach at Tasmania's Domaine Simha

.....

i I

SIMHA

T

BY DHANYA SAMUEL

asmania, the island state of breathtaking landscapes, unigue wilderness and exquisite produce is also home to Domaine Simha, where artisanal fine wines are crafted based on ancient knowledge and intuition.

Fotu1ded by husband and w ife duo, Nav Singh and Lousie Radman, Dornaine Simba has transformed the fine wine landscape and fostered a new outlook on what Tasmania has to offer. Just a few years after their first vintage, the exceptional wines of Domaine Simha are highly sou ght by collectors, sommeliers and connoisseurs across Australasia.

Speaking co Judian U11k, NaY Singh says tliat at Domaine Simha, tlie philosophy of wine making centres on terroir (how a particular region's climate, soils and terrain affect the taste of tlie wine). The wines are shaped 'au nature!' co reflect epic single vineyards. Living w ines are produced here relying on ancient wisdom as mucl1 as science.

"Our wine comes straight from the

NATIONAL EDITION

earth," says Singh. ''\Ve strive for subtlety and detail tliat can only be achieved naturally in very few places. \.'i(/e pare things back to reveal the purest essence of terroir and tlie character of the season."

At Domaine Simha, tl1eir devotion co quality is evident in every stage from the vine to the glass. Crafted by hand in micro batches, just 2-3 barrels of each wine are made. An avant-garde approach embraces natural methods; harvesting by lunar cycle on fmit and Aower days, whole bunch wild fermentation w itli traditional foot pigeage, maturation in custom large format oak barrels and clay amphorae, basket pressing, and bottliog unE.ned and unfiltered wines with perfect natural balance.

According to Singh, Tasmania is me ttlcimate fine wine terroit!

"Tasmania is Australia's final frontier and the natural advantages we have ar. e unparalleled. Making wine here is like standing on tlie brink of a new world where everytliing is possible," he says.

Born and bought up in Dell1i, Nav Singh moved to Australia to pursue higher education ii1 1996. W hile completing studies in economics, Singh found he had a palate for different flavours and developed an interest in wine. A stim working at Sydney's Park Hyatt fuelled bis passion and he decided to undergo formal winemaking training at Adelaide University. :rvfastering his crafr, Singh honed his skills

at some of tlie world's most prestigious wine estares, inclL1ding Domaine de L'Arlor in Burgundy and Cbateau Le Pin .in Bordeaux, France as well as working in Australia witli Chandon and Mountadam and heading up operations in Margaret River and Clare Valley.

1n 2012, Singh along with his wife Louise Radn1an (who bas a host of impressive wine credentials of her own), relocated to Tasmania to establish Doma.ine S.imha.

A very unique and interesting name, Domaine Simha pays homage to ! av's rich Indian heritage. The name Singh originates from the Sanskrit word Sim ha, w hicli means lion. The logo features the India Gate flanked by C\VO lions, and many of the wines take their names from historic royal titles like Rani, Rana and Raja.

Some of the collections under the Domaine label include Amphorae and Sanskrit. Making wine in the traditional amphora is an age-old memod dating back tliousands of years. Crafted in white clay vessels, Domaine Sin1ha Amphorae wines are energetic wim expressive character. The clay allows the wine to breathe and evolve, while circulation of natural convection currents energises tl1e wine and maintains a stable cemperanu:e. The beautifully patterned, golden Amphorae labels reference the exquisite architectural beauty of jali screens found throughout India.

The Sanskrit range is a reflection of

RAJ A

'11 _...

SIMHA

the poetic language of love and beauty; me wines shine a light on lesser known grape varieties and styles such as gamay and cabernet franc. The Sanskrit pinot gris and schonburger are skin fermented white wines. Essentially, this involves making an oxidative-style wine matured by leaving on the grape skins as you would normally do for red wines. Tbe result is a textured, 'orange' style of wine wit l1 characterful ginger spice and eartliy flavours.

Domaine Simba wines can be found online and in specialist wine retailers. Their products have also been embraced by some of Australia's top rescaurams like Aria, Quay, Rockpool, The Fat DL1ck/Dinner by Heston, Aloft, Smolc and more.

W hen asked if he has ever had to face any challenges due to his country of origin, Nav Singh replies tl1at his cttltural heritage is one to be embraced as it gives him a unique advantage. "l believe my Indian background gives us an interesting story to complement our wine. A good measure of self-belief has always helped."

And to all chose who are taking steps into me wine making business, Singh has this advice, "Find a mentor and gain as much practical experience as possible around the world. Always keep an open mind and positive attitude while tasting w ines. Build good networks wid1in the wine community and be ready co work hard and long hours."

APRIL (1) 2017 39

ZEE lV

BIG BANG MOVIE DOUBLE PREMI E RE

40 APRIL (1) 2017

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Easy Easter bak1ng From traditional European treats to an Aussie classic, celebrate Easter in style, writes GAURAV MASAND

F. ..................................................... .

.

or Christians, Good Friday marks the end of 40 days of Lent, whi.le Easter Sunday, marking the resurrection, is the rime to

celebrate! But no matter if you celebrate Easter or not, here are some lip-smacking recipes perfect for parties and family reumoas.

•• •• •

.

.

•• •• •

.•• •• ••

. .

Black Forest Cake . . ..................................................... . . .

Ingredients ... .. .•.

• ••.

Impressive and rich, Black Forest cake is always a crowd favourite; this family recipe will never let you down.

For cake (Double layer)

1 ½ cup condensed milk 1 cup self-raising plain fl our 1 cup wholemeal self-raising flour ½ cup cocoa powder ¼ tsp baking soda ½ cup/ 100g butter 2 tsp vanilla essence ¼ cup brown sugar ½ cup milk For filling

2 cups heavy cream 2 tbsp caster sugar ½ cup 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 mix with 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 cream with sugar, until medium to stiff peaks form, for about 1 minute. Do not overbeat.

Spread 1/3 cream mix on one cake and top with chopped cherries.

Add the second layer 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.

Add the remaining whipped cream to a piping bag and decorate the cake.

Refrigerate for 4-5 hours.

Garnish with maraschino cherries and serve.

food

• • : L- JL-B..---1.:�1.-�.iill...�::&:lll��������Ja. ...:.:..:: • the mix frothy and yeast will activate • "Hot cross buns, Hot cross buns, within 15 minutes.

•• one a penny, two a penny, hot cross buns." This old English nursery rhyme, Add this yeast, water and milk mixture, associated with the end of Lent, is a along with currants, to the flour.

•• favourite childhood memory. These Knead the dough, this will be sticky •• buns are a crowd favourite and usually at the start. Add melted butter and eaten on Good Friday . remaining ingredients. Keep dough • aside for 30 minutes to rise .

• Ingredients Once it has doubled in size, punch it •• 2 cups plain fl our down and knead it again.

1 cup wholemeal flour Divide the fl our into 9 equal portions, • ¼ cup currants give them a round shape and arrange

•• •

.

•• •••

.

.•

3 ½ tsp dry yeast 30g melted butter ½ cup water for dry yeast 1 ½ cup lukewarm water and milk mixture 2 tsp spice mix (cinnamon, nutmeg) Ginger, small piece 2 tbsp sugar 1 tbsp salt ¼ cup self-raising fl 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 sugar water mixture. This will make

them on a baking tray with some space in between the buns.

Let them rest for 30 minutes. You will see the dough rise and the sides 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.

.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• •• • • ••

.. Upside Down Plum Cake .. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

.

•

Australia is blessed to have a bounty of sweet plums at this time of year.

Enjoythe seasonal produce with this delicious cake recipe.

. Ingredients

•• •• • • •• •• • •

. . .

.

¾ cup condensed milk

1 cup self-raising plain fl our ¼ cup wholemeal self-raising fl 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 plums with red flesh)

. ..• •. Method • Cut 4-5 plums in thin slices, and the •

NATIONAL EDITION

rest into small pieces.

Heat the sugar 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 the dry ingredients and the milk. 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.

APRIL (1) 2017 41

MATRIMONIALS SEEKING GROOMS

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NATIONAL EDITION

APRIL (1) 2017 43

entertainment

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POORNA

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STARRING: Rahul Bose, Aditi lnaamdar, Dhritiman Chatte1ee and Heeba Shah DIRECTOR: Rahul Bose

***

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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

44 APRIL (1) 2017

,

"I have no purpose_ I just want to do it," she tells her mentor honestly.

The simple 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 are no duplicitous bones in the structure of this film.

Sure, there are passages in this motivational tale that follow the rags-

to-riches trajector y 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 and winsome.

Authenticity is the key to the cogency of Bose's vision. He chooses actors and locations as true to the original milieu as cinematically possible. The restjust follows.

The narrative sweeps 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 patronising pride in depicting the rise of a young underprivileged girl to heights of glory.

Little lshaan in Taare Zameen 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 believes he took on the job with the purpose of improving lives of the underprivileged. I've read some very strange comments on how Rahul Bose has cast himself in a self-glorifying role.

Wait... is that against the law? 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 bleeds for those who are not given one square meal a day. There is an emotionally surcharged moment in the narrative where the conscientious bureaucrat eats a mid­ day 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 sequence where the girls at the boarding school giggle and compare each other' s poverty - but he won't laugh at her condition.

Poorna is a little gem with a big heart.

It has many 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 flaws of over­ statement.

However, some of the other actors in incidental roles seem to have come on board just to feel good about themselves for helping a noble cause.

The film is shot with minimum fuss and optimum feelings. When little Poorna stood at the peak of Everest, I felt I 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 tarsengV Kitne

din yun di/ tarsenge/ Ek din toh baadal barsenge/ Ae mere pyaase diV aaj nahin toh ka/ mehkegi khwabon ki mehfil.

Take a bow, Rahul Bose. Poorna is not

just a tale of the triumph of the human spirit. We all have a Pooma inside us waiting to conquer our own Everest.

Subhash K Jha

www.indianlink.com.au

to be an action thriller where Shabana 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 one night convinces her to put her martial arts training to use and she chooses to follow an uncharted path thereon. How she joins an intelligence group to save her country

from unwanted elements beginning with a global arms kingpin, forms the crux of this two-hour plus fi lm.

This is a film which exudes an aura of intrigue and being much-anticipated, one goes 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. The weak 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 the exception of Shabana, whose back story is shared to make her look complete, are all one-dimensional and appear out of nowhere. The dialogues are trite and lack punch.

The film is Taapsee'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 the scene during her childhood, when she witnesses her parents fi ght, is particularly tacky and unconvincing.

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 Danny Denzongpa in a miniscule role, are wasted.

Even Akshay Kumar's presence as fellow agent. Ajay seems forced and uncalled for. 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 background score 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.

Troy Ribeiro

dancer, as her performing partner (played with poignant panache by Pankaj Tripathi) watches in muted horror. All hell breaks loose thereafter. While the lechers of Aarah seethe in anti-climactic rage, Anaarkali gives them a long rope to hang themselves with.

In one sequence, Swara strides, looking crushed, into the vice-ridden Chancellor's den only to make him look ridiculous at the end of it. And at the end her dance of defiance and exposure she is so volatile and so deliciously over-the­ top I found myselfjumping out of my seat to congratulate Swara.

No walkover, our Anaarkali takes on the academic lout with such vigour and strength that you will find yourself cheering and clapping for this female hero of these times of sexual ambivalence when men in positions of power misuse their strength to subjugate women in workplaces.

This is a sublime film 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 even when 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 when she is required to sing and shake her booty to

lyrics that would make Yo Yo Honey Singh blush.

But there is a certain grace and dignity to the double meaning thrown out of the erotic dancer's pelvis thrusts, like fire leaping into the sky. Swara dances to these ribald lyrics with such familiarity and trust, you won't notice the sexuality in her thrust. You will see the thirst and dare I say, the innocence, the determination to remain an artiste even when pushed so much against the wall that her body is stiffened and stymied by social order where men have the right to 'own' women' s physicality.

In this nimbly-written ode to feminine grace, a cheesy dancer who probably moonlights as prostitute tells the predatory man where to get off. It kicks where it hurts the most and its does so without the flourish of schisms. It is a terrific premise for a post-feminist film.

Writer-Director Avinash Das doesn't focus on remaining fashionable about women's empowerment.

The smell, the feel, the flavour and the emotions of the stifl ingly patriarchal small-town is so palpable, you are swept into the vortex of the film's vibrant vista.

Full marks to the film's cinematographer Arvind Kannabiran for making Aarah and Anarkali seem wedded to one another, and of course Rohit Kumar's authentic folk songs... they add so much

value to the proceedings! A dizzying, combative explosive expose of small­ town hooliganism and a spunky girl's determination to survive all odds, Anaarkali OfAarah has a memorable gallery of actors giving the goings-on a sterling push and a bracing vigour with their performances.

But above all there is Swara Bhaskar giving what histor y wiII record as one of the bravest and most important performances by a female actor in post­ modernist Bollywood.

Don't even think about seeing any other film. With this towering achievement around the others don't stand a 'ghost' of a chance.

Gimme the spunk queen of Aarah any day rather than the bhoot of Phillauri.

Subhash K Jha

-

NAAM SHABANA

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

ANAARKALI OF AARAH STARRING: Swara Bhaskar, Sanjai M ishra, Pankaj Tripathi, lshteyak Khan DIRECTOR: Avinash Das

*

Nothing in this unexpected storm-trooper of a film has prepared you for its hig� velocity energy and fervent statement on female sexuality. Without exaggeration, Anaarkali OfAarah (AOA) is the surprise of the season.

It is stunning in thought, spellbinding in plot and utterly gripping in the way the story of a small-town dancer-singer's adventures in lecher-land unfolds.

AOA is many things at the same time.

It is a shimmering sun-soaked mirror of small-town values wherein every sneeze or fart is noted and evaluated across the communities. And yetthe story of Anaarkali (Swara Bhaskar, spectacular) is also the stor y of every woman, urban or rural.

Lady, you may belong to Aarah or Arizona, there will always be men who feel they've the birthright to own your body as and when they wish.

So, here's the simmering provocative scenario. Anaarkali, the small-town hottie who makes every guy in town horny, is on stage giving robust voice and body to her raunchy songs - yes, she does dirty dancing for a living and enjoys her job as much as Swara enjoys acting and I enjoy writing - whenthetown's prime educational institution's Vice Chancellor (Sanjai Mishra) decides to take the 'Vice' too seriously.

He jumps on stage to molest the NATIONAL EDITION

APRIL (1) 2017 45

entertainment

----------------------------UP-TO-DATE NEWS ON WHAT'S HOT AND HAPPENING IN BOLLYWOOD

BHAGYASH REE'S SON TO MAKE BOLLYWOOD DEBUT

Bhagyashree's son? She has a grown up son?

We all remember her as the Pretty Young Thing that Salman Khan - and the whole of India - fell in love with, in that super-duper hit Maine Pyar Kiya (1989). She left the industry soon after, never having done another Hindi film, to wed the love of her life, aged only 19.

Today, 28 years on, her son Abhimanyu Dassani is all set to make his Bollywood debut.

He has just been announced as the lead in a quirky action comedy called Mard Ko Oard Nahi Hota. The film, which will also launch 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, whose long-time assistant Vasan has been since the heady days of DevD.

"Vasan has written a superbly funny and kickass martial arts film, the likes of which I have neither read nor seen. It's so local and so new that you can't help but marvel at it," Anurag Kashyap said.

The film also features Tamil star Vijay Sethupati in a key role.

SHABANA AZMI: NO SLOWING DOWN

ALI FAZAL GOI NG PLACES

Y

India's very own Meryl Streep, Shabana Azmi feels the film industry has definitely been age-centric, but that this is grad.ually changing.

"If you look in my own career graph in the last 10 years, I have probably had the most challenging roles of my life," she remarked recently. "I have five films lined up for release. Two of them are American productions - one is called Signature Move and the other is The Black Prince."

"Then I have Premchand's ldgah, Sonata and The Wishing Tree. All these

ou probably know of him from his small roles in 3 Idiots, Fukrey and Happy Bhag J ayegi. But our Ali Fazal is now going places.

He got a small role in Furious 7 and found himself thrust in a new world of great opportunities. The Lucknow lad acquitted himself well enough there to get noticed, and before long, had bagged the title role in the Judi Dench starrer

roles are as different as you can possibly imagine."

Shabana says it's a rich variety of roles that is coming her way at 66, and it makes her happy.

The Stephen Frears-directed film should open new doors for young Ali, and has probably already done so, now that talent management firm Julian 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 the story of Queen Victoria's close relationship with a tall and handsome Indian Muslim called Abdul Karim. It is based on a book by the same name by London writer Sharbani Basu.

Abdul Karim was just 24 when he was sent to England from Agra to wait at tables during Queen Victoria's golden jubilee in 1887. He was 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 and even learnt 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 this film, a musical comedy along Bollywood lines.

As well, there's a project with Eddie Izard in the off ing, who Ali worked alongside in Victoria and Abdul.

HINDU SUPPORTERS PROTEST AGAINST SCENE IN UPCOMING FILM

Victoria and Abdul.

46 APRIL (1) 2017

Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) supporters protested outside film producer T.P. Aggarwal's office claiming that his forthcoming release Laali Ki Shaadi Mein Laaddoo Deewana includes a scene which can hurt the Hindu community's sentiments.

They demanded the deletion of a scene wherein a pregnant women is seen being married.

However, Aggarwal stood firm against the protest and said he won'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 Producers Association, told the protesters.

He also asked them to show where in the scriptures it is mentioned that this is taboo.

Directed by 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 the theme of teenage pregnancy, a rising concern in India's metropolitan cities.

WEB SERIES FOR SHAMITA SH ETTY, APARSHAKTI

It's good to learn thatthe film industry is growing by looking at various modes of consumption. The term 'web series' is now being bandied about with increasing frequency.

Shilpa Shetty's baby sister Shamita Shetty will soon be joining actor Aparshakti Khurrana for a web series.

The series, in works for Viacom18's Over-The-Top (OTT) platform - VOOT, will mark Shamita's digital debut. The storyline of the series and all the other related information is being kept under wraps.

Shamita had recently teased her social media family with a post that read: "Doing what 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 the series will be revealed soon.

RANI MUKERJI IN COMEBACK MODE

Bollywood star Rani Mukerji returned to face the camera this month for her comeback film Hichki.

The announcement was made via a video posted on the social media platforms of production banner Yash Raj Films.

After her power-packed performance as a policewoman in Mardaani, the actor took time off for motherhood when she had daughter Adira with husband and film producer Aditya Chopra.

Then she wanted to return to do what www.indianlink.com.au

\ she loves doing the most.

Coming out under the Yash Raj Films banner, Hichki is being directed by Siddharth P. Malhotra and produced by Maneesh Sharma.

The film will feature Rani in a positive and inspiring story about a woman who turns her biggest weakness into her biggest strength.

In an earlier statement, Rani had said she was on the lookout for a script that would challenge and exc ite her.

The fact that Hichki came with a positive premise, urged the actress to take it up.

KAJOL: SOUTHERN SOJOU RN

Meanwhile, Rani's first cousin and equally loved actor Kajol, has just finished work on her comeback to Tamil cinema. The Soundarya-directed VIP 2 has just wrapped up.

Last seen in 1997 Tamil film Minsara Kanavu, Kajol has returned to Tamil filmdom after nearly two decades.

VIP 2, a sequel to the 2014 Tamil blockbuster Vela Illa 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, as I have got strict orders from my director not to talk about the film," the Dilwale actor said.

Apart from the Tamil film, Kajol is also working with her husband Ajay Devgn for

their home 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," she said.

AND SOME OTH ER COMEBACK FEATURES

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 and Telugu on July 14.

And what has Raveena Tandon been doing, while her contemporaries have been working away on their comebacks?

She's been judging a children's talent show on TV called Sabse Bada Kalakar.

"Judging a kids' reality show is very easy," ravishing Raveena said recently.

"Kids are very uncomplicated. For them, life is very simple - either it is black or it is white, with no hidden agenda. It has been a great and wonderfuljourney filming this show with them."

Really Raveena? Simple?? Well then, this next story below, is aimed at you.

BEHIND THE SCENES OF A MUSIC REALITY TV SHOW

There are awe inspiring stories of unknown talent discovered on TV reality shows who go on to strike it big in the world of entertainment. But what about

WHO WORE IT , BETTER?

DEEPIKA > I PADUKONE or KARLIE KLOSS I N PRABAL GURUNG

+

Share your views with us on our Facebook page /lndianLinkAustralia

NATIONAL EDITION

the equally good talent that does not make it to the top? How are they left to pick up the pieces after they have 'failed'?

This is the unusual theme of upcoming fl ick Blue Mountains, directed

by Suman Ganguli and produced

by Rajesh Jain. It stars young talent Yatharth Rutnam, real life winner of a children's talent show on Indian TV, even though he takes on the role of someone who did not win. Gracy Singh (of Lagaan fame) plays his mum, failed classical singer who urges him on in a bid to realise her own dreams vicariously through him.

The film has already taken out various awards in the international fi lm festival circuit.

What's the chitchat between DEEPIKA PADUKONE and N EETU KAPOOR? Send in your responses to win@indianlink.com.au and win a movie pass

MADHUR BHANDARKAR IS AT IT AGAIN

Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar's upcoming project lndu Sarkar will release on July 21.

The movie is reportedly based on the infamous Emergency era, a 21-month period from 1975 to 1977, when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency across the country.

It features Anupam Kher, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Kirti Kulhari and Bengali actor Tota Roy Chowdhury.

A recipient of the Padma Shri, Bhandarkar is known for his socially relevant films like Traffic Signal, Chandni Bar, Fashion and Page 3. He feels youth will be eager to watch lndu Sarkar.

WHAT TWEETY BIRD TOLD US THIS WEEK

Match the stars to the following tweets: Karan Johar, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Madhur Bhandarkar Thank u for the love the passion and just sticking by ur team. KKR fans u make us!

It's an Emergency! Your date with an important chapter from post independence history of India, 'lndu Sarkar' releases on July 21 2017 My baby nursery designed by @gaurikhan with so much love and care ... it's my paradise! Love you gauri. ..

Nice. @SohailKhan inaugurates @bebeinghuman 53rd store at Seawoods Mall, Navi Mumbai

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

APRIL (1) 2017 47

backchat

How to su1Vive i'mrnigration Inside secrets are revealed by One Who Integrated Successfully

M

BY KRISHNA NEELAMRAJU

igraring co a new ctrnntry is probably chc hardesl i:hing you'll ever do. If your life were a mobile phone, this is like pressing Lhc 'factory reset' button. All the apps you got used to?

Yeah, they're gone. J'm ,tfraid you have co install them again.

1 wrote once before: Migrrmls pt1rk ti lo/ 11•onies i11 /heir slighl!J ormnight c11bi11 briggage.

UndcrstaJ_1ding i:hc local accent is probably the lease of your worries. Bigger bart:lcs will be fought when you're job hunling and convincing real estate agcncs that your curry doesn't smell chat strong.

Hmring spcnr alino$t two year$ in AuscraLia and not run away ycL, I've decided to compile some inside secrets d1at will help new desi immigrants survive. Ready for it?

Herc goes:

ef

Fire Alarms

The very first crisis you will face in i:he \'vest is d1c bleeping fire alarm. Every rime d1c little buggers go off, the stress will make vou will lose two days of your balance life. 171cy seem co imuithrcly know how to harass you. Just when you chink you've got d1e hang of making d1at butter roti. d1e fire alarm disagrees and purs you in your place.

One of 111)' deepest fears, 1 confessed ro my wife once, is drnr our son's precious childhood memories will be filled wid1 his immigrant fad1er funning the fumes away from tbe fire alarm. He'll probably write a smnd-up routine around ir, t1 !t1 Russell Peters. Did I hear you say somedli.ng abour removing bacceries? You sly dog!

Tip: (fJ'OII mm/ lo binge (I//gfaee m1et1red rhnpt1lhis, bHm .ro111e ralonts btfareba/ld.

Stm1d diru/9• btloll' /hefire r1/am;, hold r1 lm-ge mper111arkel ratt1/og11e 11•ith holh 11r1J1s ubo,,eJ'Ollr het1d m1dfa11 mmyf111io11s9·. fl'., t1lsO.!,J(}Od e.wrdse for_yo11r lalissiJ1111s dorsi 11111.rrles

Shopping centres

There's something misleading nbout these big, air-conditioned boxes chat lcx>k the same e,·crywhere. lJ you walk in lace, after

aJJ the shiny lights are mmcd c>ff, you'd think rhat duis arc half the Australian population. lr's a �l'pe I sampli ng error. \'<:rhile the rest of the cmu1ty is ciilier a tan aJJ-nigbt­ beach-pany or already in bed, the desi fanlilv scraps its snotty kid to i:he back of a metal trolley and haunts d1c aisles of a discoW1t mega score (Ha supccmarkec in the local shopping ccnrre. Smdying che prices of unsalted butter bra1Jds ac 9pm on weekends has never been so popufar in d1e history of humanit}: My family's weekends have been more productive e,·cr since l shifted to grocery shopping alone on weekdays, on my wa)' home from work.

Tip: Ihm-ea 011e-wordlipfarJ'()/Jr IF"RT 111cills i11 ge11eml- Al'Oid

Indian TV Box

le is an essential accessory co every desi household. Like the timed film for your car wil1dows, it proccecs you from d1c harmful effects of ovcrcxp<>sure co local cnccnaiJm1ci1L At least for firsr generation immigrnncs, d1e TV bnx is rhe only connecti<>n co the mod1er ship when not on a Sk-ype call. That, and the pirated DVDs you gee for free wid1 a SI 00 grocery bill at d1e Indian store. Get one if you musl, but don't become too attached co iL The TV box, l mean.

Tip: Restrict II� /11dia11 77 'bo.v lo 50% of )'Ollr idiot box li111e. Patronise /om/ /(l/et1I too. IfJ'OII ro11'!, ll'h11l 's /htpoi11t of m1igmti11g, 1wl!J?

'These People'

Righc from day one, I have been gerring generous ad,�ce about how ro deal wid1 'these people'. l e is d1e produce of decades of collective immigrant wisdom, crunched inlO bite-sized stereotypes abom d1c host country.

'These people' don't work at all. All they mlk about is lawn mowing and home renovations. e1·cr cruse ·mese people'. 171ey will turn against ym1 any time.

'These people' earn till Thursday and spcod it aU on booze in d1e oei-1: three days.

1 confess, l'vc also been guilty of generalising nbour 'these people' - thongh in my defence, my stereotypes only increased my adnlirntion for ·dtese people'.

'These people, no? They arc like d1is only!'

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48 APRIL (1) 2017

Tip: It's okqy to i11d11!gc 1i1 ti bit 'thtsepeople' 011ce i11 r1 111hile. The.rtpeople · do ii loo. ]us/ t/011 � overdo

ef

Pressure Cookers

So we pressured our landlady about d1c leaking taps until she senc a handyman co fix then.1. There he was, in d1e shower, grappling with the complc.x problems of water drips when he heard an eard1sharrering sound of somedting blowing up outside. Suspecting morcal danger, he rushed om co save himself and alcrc law enforcement.

1o doubt he was embarrassed to run into my coddler coolly building wooden train cracks, oblivious co the hullabaloo. My brave son, unlike the bucly handyman, grew up to dte sounds of Lhe pressure cooker blowing whistles four times every meal. l am sure de.ri kids could even handle an oil rig blowing up in d1e next room and noc 0inch a muscle.

J\ desi friend's Aussie aunc once playfully mocked d1e suburb we live in. 'Every cwo steps, you hear a pressure cooker go off. ]e's almost like India!' Says it all, docsn'l it?

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New Immigrants

A favourite pastime of older people is co complain about ho\\" things were 'so good' before and 'not at aJJ good' nmv. I eeping up with d1e cmdition, a de.ri former colleague once cold me that the quality of new dui immigrants is really falling. She should know. She emigrated co Australia at lhe same time as d1e Dandckars. l was ahouc three momhs old in d1e country when she gave her quality assessment, so l assumed she was talking about the Clnes who c:une after me.

Tip: "Piere is 11othi11g more de.ri Iha,, bei11g dimi111i11r1/cd ag1Ji11sl I?)• afel/0111 desi. Take i11 f liheml doses !f!Odold desi s11obhe1]" 111;e11e11trJ1011 rt111. TJ:r II wo11dnfit!mrefar hrJ111tsirkm.ss.

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Adjusti ng co the new environment mkcs time. What makes ic easy is "'hen you know inside secrets Like Lhesc. \X'ich me on your side, you're never shore of c.._;ccllent inside info. f Fi1111/Tip: Talw it alhvilh a pi11ch salt. !f it is slill 111rpa!t1tahle, sprinkle JO/Jlt rhr1I 111asalt1 011 lhe top. Tbt1t oughta do ii!

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