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INDIAN LINK

PUBLISHER

Pawan Luthra EDITOR

Rajni Anand Luthra

ASSISTANT EDITOR

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Indian Link is a fortnightly newspaper published in English. No material, including advertisements designed by Indian Link, may be reproduced in part or in whole without the wri en consent of the editor. Opinions carried in Indian Link are those of the writers and not necessarily endorsed by Indian Link. All correspondence should be addressed to

editorial

Calling Australia home

BY PAWAN LUTHRA

It takes time for migrating families to settle into their new home. Besides the sights and sounds, the people are different, the culture is different and while the mind is challenged in adjusting to the new system, in most cases, there is also a strong desire to make a success in the new continent.

There is no single way to call Australia home - it will depend on a number of factors. These can include your age, gender, family responsibilities and/ or educational levels at the time of the big move, but there are some common denominators one could perhaps take into account.

First, recognise that there is a system in place in Australia which allows you to self-govern. Be it the tax system or the road traffic system, the oversight may be minimal. While in India, there may be opportunities to get away in case of misdemeanours, here in Australia, the system allows for little flexibility. Recent

examples of drink driving and accidents caused by new migrants is a case in point. Recognise that speed limits do serve a purpose and have been set after years of research to determine what should be a safe limit. No doubt modern cars have the capacity to far exceed the limits, and as new migrants drive on the far superior quality roads here, there is a temptation to test these limits. Miscalculations have led to disastrous results.

To fully enjoy your new home, make an effort to integrate into the local way of life. Adopting a local sporting teamin the AFL or NRL or FFA or even BBL - allows one to better understand and be part of the local passions. It will help around the office coffee machine or at after-hours drinks to be knowledgeable about local TV shows, whether MasterChef or Offsprings or Neighbours or Rake or Q and A. Volunteering at the local school or sporting clubs will only facilitate a better understanding of the suburban lifestyle.

Professionally, learn about the system. Yes, there may be glass or bamboo or other ceilings and limitations. You could use these as excuses for your limited ambition, or as a motivation to perform even better and break through. Surround

yourself with people who have similar ambitions and learn from them.

Start your financial journey sooner rather than later. Whether planning to buy a small property or a share portfolio or adding money to Super, think about the strategy and then make it happen. Ask professionals or friends to verify what you have in mind and then start the process.

Do not criticise or look down upon the way of life and culture in your new home. It is without doubt different to what you have been used to, but that does not mean your way is superior. Over time, you must learn to pick and glean the best from both worlds.

Pick up a hobby. New migrants often comment that Australia has a better work-life balance, and yes, it is easy to be seduced into actually doing nothing other than work and home/family/ friends. But make an effort to enhance your lifestyle: enjoy the opportunity to learn new skills or pick up pastimes to give your life an added dimension. Learn the Australian national anthem. You owe that to your new home. And minimise using the phrase “back home” - you have by choice, decided that this, here, is home.

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YOUR SAY

AISHWARYA AT IFFM

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Karan Johar and other Bollywood stars were in Melbourne for IFFM. Aishwarya hoisted the Indian ag at the Federation Square as part of Indian Independence Day celebrations.

Betty Jager wrote about Aishwarya Rai Bachchan:  I have watched several of her movies. She is brilliant and beautiful. A great actress and a truly beautiful woman heart and soul!

Bubby Gurbiner Bubby wrote: Beautiful pics!

Erika Wadlow wrote about Ash: She’s stunning and great to see everyone having so much fun down in Melbourne yesterday.

Meenakshi S wrote: God! She is ‘out of the world’ beauty. Can’t take my eyes off her!

Ruchika Puri wrote: Welcome Mrs. Bachchan and her loving daughter in my city

Dharma Meena exclaimed: Woohoo

Khushboo Gupta wrote: Beauty!

Regan Joseph professed his love for Ash: Aishwaaaaaaaryaaaaaa! I love her! Totes so gorgeous!

Aritra Bhopal lamented: I missed it! Meanwhile, many of our readers were upset over how people were disrespectful of the Indian ag and the anthem…

Nishi Handa Verma wrote: So much of unnecessary fuss about Bollywood stars among Indians. They are just entertainers doing their job. Wish we could offer a fraction of the respect to our defence personnel, scientists and academia.

Gopal Ganwani commented: For commercial gains we let anyone play with our national colours

Parnit Sarkaria Kang commented: Why so plastic!

Prashanth Murthy wrote: She can’t even salute the Indian ag properly.

Neha Rana wrote: At least she is doing something; others are just clicking her picture instead of saluting!

Aanchal Kukreja Oberoi commented: Aishwarya doesn’t know how to salute for national anthem. She is only concerned for her daughter. Totally disrespectful towards our ag!

Pratyush Soni commented: Look at those behind her! They are busy taking pictures than respecting national anthem.

Ali Noorie said: So true... Sadly, celebrities take precedence.

Jyoti Kapoor wrote: Shameful! No one is standing properly

CELEBRATING INDIA’S 71ST INDEPENDENCE DAY

Chandra Kishore commented: Jai Hind.

SAY IT AGAIN

#GOBEYOND

Our Independence Day special issue cover story was on off-the-tourist-map travel in India

Kanchan K Kukreja, Assistant Director of India Tourism, Sydney wrote: Travelling through India’s landscape on two wheels is an interesting way to appreciate the small details of Indian life that go unnoticed when using faster modes of transport. Whilst cycling through this vast country, one goes from high-altitude mountain-biking in Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh to gentle meandering along the back roads of rural Rajasthan and coastal Kerala. Cycling across the Himalayas in the Ladakh region is a challenging and extremely rewarding journey by bike, crossing ve passes including the world’s highest, Khardung La, at 5,602 metres.

Presenting a unique cycling holiday is through the smallest and most diverse state - Sikkim - rich in culture and heritage. The main peak of the Himalayas in Sikkim is Kanchenjunga; standing tall at over 8,500 metres it is the third highest mountain in the world. Though an ideal venue for mountain biking, one can also stop and experience the breathtaking views of this majestic peak throughout the trip.

Exploring Rajasthan on two wheels besides enjoying the scenic beauty of the state with visits to forts, palaces, temples, city monuments and remote villages and wildlife reserves, in addition to some unique experiences on the road, is the perfect way to gain real insight into the many facets of Rajasthan. Despite being less visited compared to the north, South India is no less exciting and vibrant. At the southern tip of India the state of Kerala, and to its north, the state of Karnataka, encapsulate everything that is magical about these tropical region- traditional towns, a mix of mountainous and coastal landscape, endless white-sand beaches and sensational south Indian cuisine. Starting out from Mysore and ending up in Trivandrum, this easy-paced cycling holiday provides a great way to explore this colourful part of India. Heading south, the ride passes through the cool heights of the Western Ghats where the sanctuaries at Bandipur and Mudumalai.

After crossing the hill-station of Ooty at 2240 metres in the Nilgiri Hills, a rolling hill-country ride and amazing descent takes you into Kerala for a chance to laze on the beach and re ect on an unforgettable experience of rural India.

MELBOURNE VOTED MOST LIVEABLE CITY

For the 7th time, Melbourne has once again been named the world’s most liveable city by The Economist. And, Sydney was ranked 11th. Ouch! When we shared this story with our readers and some of them were quick to agree. Ash Uchil wrote: Yes, I read it this morning.....well looking forward to living there now

Faiza Shoukat wrote: Love u Melbourne!

Looking at ways of building relationships with India… we now have a female Foreign Minister who is very keen on fashion diplomacy Aust High Commissioner to India Harinder Sidhu on Lakme Fashion Week

The Indian team is full of con dence. And if India can beat South Africa, Australia and England in away conditions, there’s no doubt India is the world’s No1 team Former Aust captain Michael Clarke

MEETING AISHWARYA AT MELB

Raj Gondaliya from Melbourne was at the right place at the right time when he and his wife met Aishwarya Rai Bachchan when she was there for IFFM. Raj shares his experience

We all know Aishwarya as an actress, but I can add that she is a humble and warm person as well. As she was about to go for an interview with Rajeev Masand, my wife and I asked her for a photo with her and I can’t believe how considerate she was. She didn’t want us to wait till her interview nished so she asked us to come forward to pose for a photo before it. We had an opportunity to have a quick chat with her, and it was a pleasure talking to her. She’s been in the industry for long but is still grounded. It was also good to see Aaradhya with her during ag hoisting ceremony. She is a hands-on mother, balancing her work life and personal life well. I think it’s inspiring how she has maintained a digni ed status as a daughter, daughter-in-law, wife, mother and above all - a woman.

WHERE IN INDIA?

We usually quiz our readers about places in India. Our readers are quick to answer!

Jillian Abery guessed: Assam

Anuj Parihar guessed:  Munnar?

Raman Khatra too guessed: Munnar, Kerala?

Jillian got it right!

SPECTACULAR INDEPENDENCE DAY FOR AUSTRALIAN INDIANS

Jodi McKay, Member for Strath eld looked stunning in a sari at an Indian Independence Day event in Parramatta. And our readers agree too. Chandra Kishore wrote: With a bindiya she would have just looked as Indian as possible. Looking great Madam.

Meenakshi tweeted: Doesn’t she look gorgeous!

Jodi also shared our post: Thank you Indian Link for your coverage of Indian Independence Day Celebrations. Yes, it was very, very green! Given the number of photos where I’m in a sari on my Facebook page - I think you can tell that I love wearing them!

HAPPY JANMASHTAMI!

On the occasion of Janmashtami (Lord Krishna’s birth), we shared a video of a lovely kids’ performance.

Betty Jager wrote: Those young dancers are awesome, what a wonderful future they have in their arts and culture.

DEEPIKA PADUKONE SHARES INSPIRING LETTER FROM DAD

Bollywood star Deepika Padukone, early in her life, got an inspiring letter from her father Badminton champion Prakash Padukone on how to navigate a life in the limelight. And, now the letter is part of school syllabus!

#BURQAGATE

One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson came under severe attack after she walked into the senate wearing a burqa and called for a ban on the garment in Australia.

We asked our readers their thoughts on this:

Uzra Casuri Balouch @uzracasuri tweeted: She’s so much more bearable in this. She should keep it on. #AustralianLeader #RoleModel?

#De nitelyNot

Rajni Luthra commented:  Perhaps Pauline should take a note from Jodi McKay, Julie Owens MP and Matt Kean MP and others for their reverse assimilation

Meenakshi S wrote: She is Australia’s Raj Thackeray, I guess. Mischief maker.

After I nished hosting IFFM Awards @karanjohar told Festival Director ‘Next year I want to host the awards’! Another takeover?!

Mallika Ravi: Chandrika Ravi, Triveni Ravi – Wow, sounds exactly like your loving Dad.

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You are woven into us, and we are the richer for it

Jodi McKay, Member for Strath eld, wishing Australian Indians on 15 August

The Indian community in Australia is an important part of helping to build even closer bonds between our nations

Malcolm Turnbull PM, on Indian Independence Day

Simi Garewal, long-time host of IFFM Awards Night

Community furore over SBS map

Government-funded network rebuked by Indian authorities; online petition gets over 4,500 supporters

Republic of India as published by the Survey of India with SBS for their future reference.”

the 2016 Olympics was one such instance.

BY HARSHAD PANDHARIPANDE

Amap of India showing the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir as disputed territory by broadcast media SBS has angered a large section of the Indian community in Australia.

The broadcast also prompted India’s High Commissioner in Australia, Ajay M Gondane, to issue an ‘oral demarche’ to the Australian government. “We cannot tolerate this,” Gondane told Indian Link. “We cannot let it go just like that.”

The Consulate General of India in Sydney also took up the matter with SBS. “We have conveyed our strong objection to this wrong depiction,” said B Vanlalvawna, Consul General of India in Sydney. “We have also shared the political map of

An online petition to the effect that was launched on change.org had received over 4,500 supporters at the time of going to print. The petition is addressed to the Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield.

“Jammu and Kashmir, like any other state, is an integral part of India and such attempts by SBS would be seen as a direct attack on the sovereignty of India. No Indian, whether in India or overseas would tolerate such propaganda,” the petition says.

“More importantly, this type of offensive content creates a divide in the multicultural society of Australia. Responsible media organisations should never propagate such lies,” it adds, and goes on to list several other examples of what they described as SBS’s ‘hate campaign against India.’ The petition says that SBS has previously had to withdraw, and apologise for, some such reports.

SBS Hindi’s piece on Indians googling PV Sindhu’s caste while she was participating in

After a complaint by Jay Shah, General Secretary of the Overseas Friends of BJP Australia (OFBJP Australia), Victorian chapter, SBS launched an investigation and concluded that “various forms of data were misunderstood, resulting (in) a significant overstatement of the number of people searching for PV Singh’s caste online.” It apologised for the story.

Shah also complained against another SBS story claiming that NRIs were flocking to Punjab to campaign for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Shah said that “not a single opposing view was published” in the story.

The SBS Ombudsman conceded that “it (was) incumbent on the program to ensure that balancing material was included in the report” and that “the views of all three parties” - AAP, BJP and Congress – “should have been included.”

The current online petition says that the most recent broadcast error has had ‘adverse effects on the bilateral relationship between Australia and India. India is the largest democracy in the world and the

largest sources of skilled and most positive contributing migrants in Australia.’ Gondane said that the online petition was a ‘very good’ move. “Citizen action should continue,” he said. “Citizen committees should approach their local MPs and MLAs and ask them to take up the issue.”

Community debate

Some 30 members of the community met on 19 August to condemn the depiction and chalk out a strategy on the future course of action.

The controversial depiction in question was broadcast as part of a programme aired on 15 August, India’s Independence Day. In it, India is shown in orange, Pakistan in red while the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir is shaded with orange and red stripes, showing that it was a disputed territory.

The Indians gathered at the meeting said that this was unacceptable since Kashmir was an ‘inalienable part of India.’ They said that SBS had hurt the sentiments of Indians and alleged that this was part of SBS’s ‘antiIndia’ agenda.

The map SBS used in its video titled ‘Partition of India’

With parents Priyanka and Pravin

Balesh Dhankhar, a vociferous participant in the meeting, also listed out previous articles by the same network which were ‘biased, misleading and agenda-driven.’

Dr Yadu Singh, a prominent community leader and president of Federation of Indian Associations of NSW (FIAN), said that this was indeed disturbing as SBS was funded by the Australian government. He said that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) had a much better version of the map that clearly depicted the Line of Control (LoC) and Line of Actual Control (LAC) but ‘SBS had gone several notches down’ by depicting the entire Jammu and Kashmir state as disputed territory.

The 19 August meeting called for a multi-pronged strategy in reaction to the broadcast. This included passing of a resolution to condemn the broadcast, float a body called India Forum to take up the issue with SBS, and prevail upon the Minister for Communications to ‘stop SBS’s hate and propaganda against India.’

The broadcast also sparked anger in other parts of Australia. Jay Shah said, “When the map issue came up on the eve of Indian Independence Day, there was an outrage from the community. We are getting tremendous community support from across Australia and we have done nothing more than articulating anger within the diaspora.”

Always a grey area

Several international websites and government organisations, including the US Department of Home, show a dotted line around the north-west part of Jammu and Kashmir (sharing boundary with Pakistan) and north-east part of the

state (sharing boundary with China) to depict that these are disputed territories. International news agencies such as Reuters and the BBC also often refer to Kashmir as ‘Indian-controlled Kashmir’ or ‘Indianadministered Kashmir.’

Asked if the Indian authorities had provided an approved map to media organisations, the High Commissioner said that the Survey of India had issued a map of what the Indian position is.

Indian Link reached out to SBS to seek the network’s side of the story.

A spokesperson said to Indian Link, “SBS World News appreciates that both India and Pakistan lay claim to Kashmir and administer separate parts of the region. As a news service, it is not our role to take a particular side. For this reason, the still image shows Kashmir with the colours of both nations as represented on the map. The map is designed to be seen as an element within a video not as a still image. The video shows the changes in boundaries over the past 70 years. It also makes it clear that the Kashmir region is a disputed territory.”

his is not the first time that there has been a controversy about depiction of the Indian map. Some time back, Twitter had shown the geographical location of Kashmir in China and Jammu in Pakistan,

triggering protests from the Indian government after which it was corrected. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg also had to delete a post in which India’s map was inaccurate. There were strong reactions by Indians on an infographic containing India’s map without Jammu and Kashmir.

The repeated errors just go to show that the Kashmir map is indeed a grey area and very few people are aware of the actual boundaries and disputed areas.

While it is important to have a vocal group of concerned Indian Australians to raise these issues, it is also important to ensure that the media has the right to reply and to correct any inaccuracies. Fake news accusations and the virtual finger wagging

that seems to be growing in India and other countries such as the United States by vigilante groups need to be kept in balance. Dissenting voices, or even comments on bad governance, are swiftly labelled as “antinational”.

Meanwhile, the eastern border of India was also in the news recently. A Sydney University IT lecturer had to face online fury and tender an apology after using during teaching a map showing Chineseclaimed territory as part of India.

A social media account of a Sydney University international students group recently posted an article which complained the lecturer, Khimji Vaghjiani, had used the wrong map.

“India should respect the facts,” the author of the article demanded.

Vaghjiani has since apologised. “Over 18 months ago, I used an out-of-date map, downloaded from the internet, when discussing characteristics of IT entrepreneurs around the world, however I was unaware that the map was inaccurate and out-of-date. This was a genuine mistake and I regret any offence this may have caused,” he said in a statement.

The SBS episode was the second unpleasant incident around 15 August. On the morning of the Independence Day, a fleet of about supercars, organised by a Sydney-based Australian Chinese automobile club, drove around the city, staged a rally of sorts. The rally was clearly in response to the Doklam border standoff and the cars bore hardline messages such as “China: Not even a bit can be left behind” and “Anyone who offends China will be killed no matter how far the target is.”

The cars drove around the city, revving up around the Indian Consulate at Castlereagh Street in a bid to draw attention.

The Indian High Commissioner echoed a lot of Indians when he had a one-word description for the tamasha: “Silly!”

Jammu and Kashmir, like any other state, is an integral part of India and such attempts by SBS would be seen as a direct attack on the sovereignty of India Online petition

‘‘ ‘‘

India’s approved map issued by Survey Of India. The Consulate General of India in Sydney supplied this map to SBS after the controversy

Spectacular @ 70

On Indian Independence Day, Melbourne hosted Bollywood glitterati, Brisbane lit up in Indian colours, and in Sydney, the mainstream went glam-desi

imbibe the spirit of sel essness that policemen, soldiers, farmers and disaster relief agencies display while serving the nation. “New India must include that integral humanist component that is in our DNA, and which has de ned our country and our civilisation,” the President said. “New India must be a society rushing towards the future, but also a compassionate society.”

The President’s message, indeed other messages such as those from Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Australian High Commissioner in India Harinder Sidhu, have did the rounds on social media.

The Federation of Australian Indians of NSW (FIAN) welcomed the community at a day-long India Day in Parramatta Park. On the same day, the Council of Indian Australians (CIA) organised a formal India Day Dinner. Both events saw many politicians attending, most of them in Indian attire. The women especially put community ladies to shame with their glamorous saris and the ease with which they wore them.

MPs Jodie McKay and Julie Finn, who attended both events, made an impressive dash back home for a change of costume - hats off, ladies!

BY RAJNI ANAND LUTHRA

India may have turned 70, but the celebrations here in Oz may have had you thinking it was a gala

21st

Bollywood stars came down as guests, city landmarks were lit up in tricolour splendour, and mainstream celebs rocked up in all their sarisherwani glory.

The highlight of course was Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at Melbourne’s landmark Federation Square. As main guest of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, she unfurled the ag and covered the jam-packed venue in confetti orange, white and green. She saluted the tiranga and sang the national anthem, and minutes after she addressed the crowds, photos and videos began to go viral. Of course there was a bit of drama to it all, but she delivered: no one could take their eyes off her.

Nobody seemed to mind that she was an hour late - if you look closely at her elaborate hairdo and her princess ensemble you’ll know why - but hey, Indian crowds will forgive their beloved Bollywood stars any misdemeanour. And this particular one, had made Independence Day rather special.

Meanwhile in Brisbane, two city landmarks donned Indian colours on 15 August. The Brisbane City Council chose Victoria Bridge and City Hall to wish India on the grand occasion. It was a special event organised by GOPIO Queensland (Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin), and one that we hope becomes an annual event.

The consulates in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth organised their own events of ag hoisting in the morning. A highlight of this annual event is the reading out of the message to the nation by the President of India. This time round, Ram Nath Kovind, the newlyelected head of state, called for a compassionate and egalitarian society that does not discriminate on gender or religious background.

He also called on citizens to

This year, as special events to celebrate ‘India @ 70’, the consulates in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth hosted gala cocktail events for friends of India. In Perth, Consul General Amit Kumar Mishra managed to rope in both the Governor of WA Kerry Sanderson and Premier Mark McGowan, amongst other high-ranking guests.

At the community level in Sydney, two events marked the occasion.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian brought out her own digni ed silk number for the CIA event. The men loved playing dress-ups too, MPs Matt Kean and Geoff Lee looking dapper in their sherwanis.

Great to see this reverse assimilation, especially as there is evidence of increasing polarisation all around us. And if small celebrations of India’s Independence Day - so far removed from India - can do this, then indeed, that in itself is worth celebrating.

Consulate pulls out all the stops in celebration

The Consulate General of India (Sydney) went all out to mark India’s 71st Independence Day with three separate events this year.

As a lead up to the actual event on 15 August, an India Day was organised in the CBD’s buzzing Martin Place on 8 August. With classical dances, yoga, henna tattoos and lip-smacking food, the event was a showcase for India and a start of the Sydney community’s celebration of India’s Independence Day.

Consul General of India in Sydney B Vanlalvawna, along with NSW Multicultural Affairs Minister Ray Williams and Parramatta MP Geoff Lee, kicked off the proceedings by greeting Indians on its upcoming Independence Day.

The organisers also used the occasion to showcase India as an attractive business destination. A screen played promotional material about various initiatives of the new government such as Make In India, Digital India and so on. The acclaimedand goosebump-inducing - Incredible India ad also grabbed many eyeballs. The India ourism stall, no doubt, benefitted from it.

The stalls of various PSU banks and Air India also got a fair few visitors and inquiries.

Sydney dancer Rumki Mukherjee’s Odissi presentation to a mashup of the Game of Thrones theme and Ed Sheeran’s Shape of

You was a standout. In a way, Rumki served as a representative of the new India that is steeped in culture but is still willing to adopt the best of the West.

The event sought to attract the lunch crowd and be an advertisement for India to the wider community. And while it did succeed in doing that to some extent, one would have liked to see more non-Indian faces in the crowd. Better marketing - some popular Bollywood music, perhaps? - may have got more attention.

Still, it was great to welcome a bit of India to the city, in the middle of the work day.

Also on a work day morning, the Consulate s flag hoisting event on August saw a robust crowd get together at its cultural centre at Castlereagh St. The event saw the unfurling of the flag by Mr Vanlalvawna and the reading of the message to the nation by the President of India, followed by morning tea. The event attracted a bunch of diehard deshpremis, many of who attend every year. In previous years, the event has been held at the Consul General’s residence.

The same evening, the CG hosted a gala cocktail event at Pier One. Many members of the community were invited, along with those in the mainstream who are friends of India. NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Ray Williams led a bevy of Parliamentarians, and by now, he is no doubt wising he had gone shopping for a Bollywood-style sherwani. A strictly

no-alcohol event, guests enjoyed Indianthemed drinks and fusion finger food put together by young chef Varun Gujral of Manjit’s fame. By the end of the night, the guests had well and truly let their hair down to pose for some seriously silly photos at India Tourism director Kanchan Kukreja’s Incredible India photo booth. Jai Hind!

Soaking in the spirit of freedom struggle at CIA event

Now this was an Independence Day event with a difference.

If you thought Independence Day in our community is marked by a series of repeat melas, parties, similar sounding speeches and the same bad entertainment, the Council of Indian Australians (CIA) brought in a breath of fresh air this August.

CIA’s India Day Dinner at Blacktown raised the standard a few notches higher in community-based events. As special guest, Premier Gladys Berejiklian was treated to a classy welcome, a tastefully decorated stage, a sound system that was pleasant to the ear, and well thought-out entertainment.

Choosing a dignified deep blue silk sari for the occasion, the Premier looked graceful and at ease.

“It’s hard to imagine NSW without the contribution of Indian Australians,” she said in her address.

She also recalled the hugely successful 2014 visit of India’s Prime Minister

Narendra Modi. “He inspired not only 20,000 people in his audience, but 20 million people across this nation,” she added.

Adding to the freshness was CIA President Mohit Kumar’s address on the occasion. In a well-written and beautifully articulated speech, Mohit exhorted his compatriots to adopt the ways of the country that is now home to them, and to contribute to its betterment with wholeheartedness.

As well, in a welcome initiative, Mohit announced that the CIA would be working closely with the United Indian Associations (UIA) in a non-partisan approach to solve the issues faced by the community.

The entertainment was suitably gracious and elegant, with nary a hint of badly choreographed Bollywood dances performed by badly costumed children.

The highlight of the show was the Council s film Freedom Yatra, a 27-minute film that traced the history of India s Independence. Created by Sydney-based film maker Sanjeev Mehra, the film starred local talent, with most of the main roles played by CIA’s executive committee themselves. It turned out to be the showstopper of the event.

Speaking to Indian Link later, Sanjeev revealed the actors were all novices, and he trained then to take on the roles of historical figures such as Laxmibai, atya Tope, Bhagat Singh, Nehru and Gandhi.

Left: MPs Julie Finn and Jodi McKay at CIA event (top); NSW Premier Gladys Berejeklian with Mohit and Jennifer Kumar; above: Jodi McKay and Dr Yadu Singh at FIAN event

CIA photos: Evergreen Memories

Some ingenious work went into make-up and costumes. Mohit Kumar and Balu Vijay impressed in their roles as Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi respectively. For the Indian members of the audience, the patriotic spirit was well and truly invoked.

“The project took three months in all,” Sanjeev revealed. “The scripting, directing, editing and post producing were all done by me. I even made the props myself – the charkha and the guns and the nooses.”

Julian Leeser, MP who was present in the audience, brought the topic up in state parliament. “On Saturday, I attended the Council of Indian Australians’ event in Blacktown organised by Mohit Kumar and Sanjay Deshwal,” he said. “The council produced a Bollywood-style video with local Indian members of the community, retelling important moments from India’s history, from Indian mutiny, through to Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence to the proclamation of Indian independence.”

An actor and film maker with years of experience in Mumbai s film and TV industry, Sanjeev is thrilled with the response of those who have seen the film. I am inspired now to create a series of short films on each of our freedom fighters.

No doubt, Sanjeev’s original cast from Freedom Yatra will play their characters in the fuller versions. We could perhaps then rechristen the CIA as the ‘Council of Indian Actors’.

Also on the occasion, a cricket bat with the signatures of Australian players was auctioned off, to raise funds for the India Development Foundation.

It was wonderful to see the Premier enjoy some freedom herself - from the dreaded selfie hunters. Indian crowds are notorious culprits in this regard; this reporter remembers an event where the poor lady could not even finish her meal in peace, or enjoy the entertainment.

But of course even this time round, there were some serial offenders - you know who you are - who managed to sneak in close to the Premier, mobile phone in hand.

Well done to CIA for a memorable event.

A FIAN a air at Parramatta Park

On stage in a sari in resplendent green, Jodi Mc ay, Member for Strathfield, told her largely Indian audience, “You are woven into us, and we are the richer for it.”

She was addressing the Independence Day crowd at Parramatta Park in a day-long event organised by the Federation of Indian Australians (FIAN).

This was one of two messages that went out that day from all speakers, the other being a commendation of India’s struggle against British colonialism and the advances it has since made as a democracy.

Coming only days before Pauline Hanson’s ill-fated burqa stunt in Parliament, Jodi’s words stood out for their warmth and

inclusivity, and were retweeted repeatedly from Indian Link’s Twitter handle.

For FIAN and its president Dr Yadu Singh, it was quite a coup to have secured not only Parramatta Park as venue, but an impressive gathering of politicos to mark India’s the 70th anniversary of India’s Independence.

Just like Jodi, many of the other friends of India present at the occasion, turned up dressed in Indian clothes, in a manner that Indian crowds have grown accustomed to seeing. Jodi has even rocked up to parliament in Indian avatar on more than one occasion, the latest being when she introduced a motion seeking to recognise 15 August as the Indian Independence Day.

The verdant Parramatta Park was soaked in the moods of India. The event had all the trappings on a typical desi mela: games and rides for children and the young at heart, dances, Bollywood music and food. The performances on the stage were the centrepiece of the event, and most were dances –classical as well as the ever-popular filmy ones. he Marathi drummers Shivgarjana were particularly exciting and got the crowd to its feet.

The national anthems of Australia and India were also a goosebump-inducing moment.

Meanwhile, the stalls of food - selling everything from samosas to paan - attracted many. There were a few non-Indian faces in the crowd, but it was mostly a desi affair.

There were some nice warm moments when police officers at the venue shook hands with kids, offered them their caps and posed for photos. he crowds stayed on for fireworks at dusk.

The special guests took to the stage to address the crowds.

MP Matt Kean, looking dapper in his shiny blue kurta and fancy dupatta, wowed the crowd with his line “No one throws a party quite like the Indians”.

MP Geoff Lee, as always, cleverly brought his message around to Parramatta, his electorate, and got a rousing response.

Daniel Mookhey MLC lauded India’s democracy and observed that there could be lessons there for us in this country. MP Michelle Rowland brought up the ongoing citizenship debate.

The Minister for Multiculturalism Ray Willaims walked in late, much to MC Yadu’s joy as he declared tongue-in-cheek that the Minister must be Indian at heart. In his own brief address, the minister couldn’t resist putting in a mention of how smooth his ride on the M4 had been, as a pat on the back to his government.

Pawan Luthra, CEO of Indian Link, mentioned the Melbourne event of a few hours before that had Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as main guest, throwing the bait to Yadu for next year’s event.

Rajni Anand Luthra & Harshad Pandharipande

Turning garbage to clean energy

There are an estimated 450,000 people of Indian ancestry in Australia. Some 163,000 Indians migrated to Australia in the last five years alone. But Australians living and working in India are still a rare breed. Just as the average Indian migrant faces a mixed bag of experiences - some pleasant and some challenging - it’s a tricky a air for Aussie expats living in India as well. In this new series, we speak to such Aussies about their life in Indiawhat took them there, what they do, and what they have learnt about a di erent culture and a new way of life. This issue, we chat with JAMES

CEO of the Delhi-based Elephant Energy Private Limited, which transforms landfill waste into renewable energy.

BY PAWAN LUTHRA

Amountain of waste 20 stories high.

We’ll give you a moment to let that s(t)ink in.

For most, it would be a revolting sight. But for James Newman, who saw the monster pile at a landfill site just outside New Delhi a few years ago, it was opportunity.

As CEO of New Delhi-based Elephant Energy, Newman, a true-blue Aussie, helps run waste-to-energy projects in New Delhi and Shimla.

While the company’s efforts to deal with overflowing landfills align perfectly

NEWMAN,

with the Indian government’s ambitious Swachch Bharat (Clean India) Mission, the environmentally-friendly generation of electricity reduces the power deficit in the country.

As an expat working in India, Newman has had familiar challenges: bureaucratic delays, changing political climate, cultural differences. But he has met mostly good people along the way, he reveals, and adds that he sees huge potential for the business and the clean energy sector.

On the personal front, he says that India has been interesting (Delhi’s brutal heat aside), that he’s learnt a few Hindi words, and he loves oan fish curry in Shimla.

What do you do in India?

About 5-6 years ago, a friend of mine developed a waste-to-energy technology that I invested in. We then won a project with the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC). This was for three 70-tonne facilities, meaning facilities that process

70 tonnes of waste a day. This was even before (Indian Prime Minister) Mr Modi announced the Swachh Bharat Mission. We like to feel that, with our project, we are a solution to Swachh Bharat. Delhi produces 9,500 tonnes of waste every day, so such projects are needed. We also have another 70-100-tonne facility in Shimla where we are concentrating at the moment. The projects in Delhi are currently on hold. So, how exactly do you go from waste to energy?

We basically turn carbon-based waste streams into electricity. We get truckloads of waste, which we then segregate with the help of machines as well as labourers. Once all the glass, metal etc has been separated, we are left with combustible material such as food, paper, plastic and so on. With the help of a process known as gasification, we indirectly heat the waste. This produces a char, which in most cases is inert, and a lot of gases that are combustible. So, you

can run a gas engine with it to produce electricity.

What challenges have you faced at work?

ell, first up, there have been positive changes in how PM Narendra Modi is trying to change to how things happen in India and promote electronic behaviour in government offices. India s paper driven system and files are all very well known. But dealing with the bureaucracy can be frustrating, especially for someone used to the Western way of doing things. So, it was very difficult. he thing is that the doors are easy to open in India. It’s getting through the last set of doors that s difficult. Waste is a massive problem in India, as it is in all developing countries. Add to that the fact that there are 300 million Indians that don’t have electricity. So, if we can make electricity then that’s a good thing as well. How did you first get to India?

We continue to look at all South Asian

countries. India is where there was British law, and where English is spoken broadly. Most importantly, India was where we won our first project with the N MC. here are some 3,000-4,000 similar sites in India. So, it’s an attractive market if we get it right. What did you feel when you first saw the mountains of waste on the outskirts of Delhi?

It is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. elhi is a flat city and there is this huge mountain that’s about 20 stories high and acres in si e. Landfill sites have been overfull for 10 years. The problem for the government is what to do with it. A 70-tonne facility is a very small site but we can deliver a decentralised solution to the problem.

The needle of Australian-Indian bilateral trade has been stuck at $15 billion for some time now. Why aren’t there more Australian companies in India?

It’s certainly challenging. I was warned about the cultural differences. Although because of the colonial influence, cricket and so on, it may seem on the surface that the two countries have a lot in common, India is very, very different in the way business is conducted. Building relationships over a long period of time is something that is taken for granted here, but in a developing country, if there is a dollar on the table, the tendency is to take it. So, it has been difficult to find partners rather than people who are just trying to make their dollar today and forget about tomorrow.

The way India operates can be frustrating. There is bureaucracy, paperwork and delays, and often wilful delays as a way to incite some payments, whether asked or

otherwise. We are a small, agile business, so we’re able to act in an agile way. But if you’re a large conglomerate from Australia with a big structures, it is a very big challenge to get things done. These delays have no purpose and the expertise of doing it is extraordinary. But I can see that there is an appetite for change. Mr Modi is promising to drain the swamp. He is making changes. It’s a 20-year process but he will have to stick to it.

Let’s talk about your personal experiences of India now. What was your first impression?

I am in India 2 weeks out of 6 now. The first impression was of the elhi airport, and it was good. he traffic, cars were ‘interesting’ but there were terrible roads. And it was hot! Delhi was so hot. I spent an Indian summer working outside in Delhi, when it was 44, 46, 48 degrees. Adjusting, what was the most difficult bit?

Food can be a bit difficult. I have been careful about what I eat in India and have never been sick. The Indian diet is a lot richer that I thought, and sugary, creamy and oily. I have never appreciated salads more when I come back to Australia! What did you find to be the most strange?

It was just coming to terms with how things work. Even the politics is so sophisticated and Machiavellian. Parties don’t seem to mean the same things there as they do here. So, trying to get the read of how things happen is uite difficult. For example, the concepts of honesty are different in an Australian context. There is a lot more forgiveness in India than there is in Australia. “I am sorry, let’s move on and forget about the whole thing” is a sort of

accepted behaviour in India a lot more. So, you can’t be sure of where people are coming from, unless they’ve dealt with Westerners.

Figured out the head wobble?

I think so. We ask our Indian staff who do the head wobble if they are saying yes or no. I think it means ‘I’m hearing you,’ and it doesn’t really mean much else than that. What was the easiest thing settling in India?

It’s hard to be there away from family but our Indian staff and the Indian director are helpful and have shown us the lay of the land. We met some people in government who are really good. There are many who want to make a difference and there seems to a big motivation across the board to lift India.

How did your neighbours treat you when you first moved in?

Well, the people are friendly. There are lots of old people walking in Safdarjung Enclave, where we have an apartment, and they say good morning to me. Apart from family and friends, what do you miss about Australia?

Clean air! And the food. The food quality in Australia in fantastic. We get good fresh food in Shimla, it’s different but it’s fresh. What’s your India bucket list?

I really need to get to Taj Mahal. It’s probably been embarrassing (that I haven’t been there yet). But I do want to take my wife there. I would also like to go to Manali. I haven’t been to Mumbai. Bengaluru is a good city. And I need to see some cricket matches!

Do you see yourself long-term in India? From business perspective, yes. In the future, I will still be coming to India but probably for short, sharp, more targeted visits.

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

Read a book by an Indian writer? No Know any Hindi words? I know how to direct the tuk-tuks, so I know words such as ‘seedha’ (straight) and ‘chowk’ (junction). There is a lot of Hinglish that gets you by. Favourite local dish? I do like my curries, and quite like spicy food. There’s a restaurant in Shimla that cooks a great Goan sh curry.

Cook anything Indian? No! There are a couple of staff in Shimla that are quite good cooks. One of them makes chapatti and he makes it look easier than it is. Apart from Mr Modi who you mentioned a few times, who is your favourite Indian personality? Sachin Tendulkar is my favourite Indian cricketer, and Dhoni. Some of the other cricketers less so (chuckles)! No, Virat Kohli is a fantastic cricketer and I am sure he is a good man.

Seen a Bollywood movie? I don’t understand them. I usually see them when I get a haircut. Some of them look, um, humorous.

Know any Hindi lm songs? Jai Ho. Love that one.

Any advice to Aussies looking to work in India? You need to have someone on the ground who knows how things operate that you can trust. A lot of activities going on around you are foreign. Without our Indian director, balancing things would have been a lot more dif cult. Australians are a little brash while Indians are very respectful and polite. So, barring the educated people who know the Australian behaviour, Australian directness can be taken the wrong way.

“We like to feel that, with our project, we are a solution to Swachh Bharat”

How to boost India-Oz tourism

AITTC’s Round Table discusses challenges and opportunities in the growing sector

BY HARSHAD PANDHARIPANDE

The average Australian travel agent doesn’t know much beyond the Taj Mahal and the Golden Triangle to sell to an Aussie wanting to travel to India. Indian tourists are nearly falling over themselves to come own nder but they could benefit from more direct flights and increased airline capacity. An average Aussie would love authentic experiences in India, but they aren’t marketed nearly enough. An Indian wanting to tour Australia is extremely priceconscious and wants their desi khana while they are here

These were just a few observations travel industry insiders made when they met at a unique event titled ‘Round Table: Opportunities and Challenges for Bilateral Tourism’ organised by Australia India Travel and Tourism Council (AITTC) on 9 August.

Bringing together top stakeholders, influencers and decision makers from the inbound and outbound tourism sector in Australia and India, the meeting sought to not only discuss challenges but also evolve strategies and create a roadmap to exploit the clearly untapped tourism potential in both countries.

The event comprised presentations by select participants, followed by a round table discussion. Following a welcome by AITTC Chairman Sandip Hor, Ajay M Gondane, Indian High Commissioner to Australia, made the opening remarks.

“Tourism should not be equated to revenue, employment or contribution to GDP. The collateral effect of tourism is peopleto-people contact and diffusion of ideas,” he said, adding that Indians had always

ending May 2017 - a year-on-year increase of 15% - some 293,000 Australians headed to India in 2016, an increase of 40,000 from the previous year. India was the sixth largest inbound tourist market for Australia for the year ending in May 2017. India, however, is still not a hot favourite travel destination for most Aussies and does not figure in the top 10 outbound markets.

Presentations by David Farrar of Insight Vacations and Eric Finley of Insider

travelled extensively across India over several years, said that the country didn’t have a buzz about it, something a place like Sri Lanka was enjoying at the moment. “There are several under-marketed destinations (Karnataka and Gujarat to name a couple) and experiences (culinary tourism and wildlife tourism, for instance) in India,” he said.

Thomas Cook India’s Abraham Allapat and Travel Maestro Inbound Australia’s Deepa Kale Shah spoke of ways to further improve Indian visitor numbers in Australia. In his video message, Allapat called on Tourism Australia to focus its attention to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities in India which, he said, had witnessed a disproportionate growth in demand for travelling to Australia. Shah said there was a need to refresh certain destinations and introduce new soft adventures and unique venues or ideas. She also called for greater industry support for things such as architectural tours or university tours.

welcomed its guests with a smile. “Seven years ago, the smile was there, but many comforts and tourist infrastructure was missing. Now,” he said, “there is a tremendous change.”

A video address by Nishant Kashikar, Tourism Australia’s representative in India, as well as Kanchan Kukreja, Assistant Director of India Tourism in Sydney, echoed these thoughts. Their presentations revealed encouragingly climbing tourism graphs in both countries. While 274,500 Indians travelled to Australia in the year

Journeys revealed why this was the case. Most travel agents in Australia themselves have very limited knowledge of India, and therefore, can’t sell it beyond the obvious (read outdated) destinations.

(Indian Link’s last issue with a cover story on off-the-beaten-track travel in India could well serve as a primer for them!)

Farrar added that that major government decisions (such as demonetisation and introduction of GST) and sudden changes in monument fees and sightseeing taxes were a dampener for many. Finley, who has

Sheba Nandkeolyar of Australia India

Business Council conducted the round table discussion which brought in other attendees including Phillipa Harrison, Tourism Australia’s Executive General Manager (International), Taj Hotels’s Thushara Liyanarachchi and Sydney Airport’s Corporate Affairs GM Sally Fielke. Nandkeolyar and Hor also sought targeted responses from the participants about sharing best practices about various issues so that these could be included in an upcoming white paper on the issue.

There are several under-marketed destinations (Karnataka and Gujarat to name a couple) and experiences (culinary tourism and wildlife tourism, for instance), in India Eric Finley

‘‘ ‘‘

WHAT’S ON

COMMUNITY

Immigration forum

Wed 20 Sept FIAN announces Q and A with the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border protection Alex Hawke on Visa and Immigration matters, 6.308.30pm at Madison Function Centre, 632 Old Northern Rd, Dural. Free event, but RSVP essential. Limited seats RSVP: aninc1@gmail.com

FESTIVAL

IMA Onam

Sat 26 Aug Illawarra Malayalee Association celebrates Onam at Town Hall Wollongong, 32 Burelli St Wollongong, 10.00am - 9.00pm. Indoor games, Onam lunch with 19 items and stage show. Details Dhiresh 0401 432 392.

LIMA Onam

Sat 26 Aug Jack Chembirika presents LIMA Onam at All Saints Church Auditorium, Liverpool. Details search Facebook for LIMA Sydney.

Hunter Onam

Sat 2 Sept Hunter Malayalai Samajam (Humsam) present Onam celebration at New Lambton High School Lambton. Details 0424 136 692.

SydMal Onam

Sun 3 Sept Sydney Malayalee Association organises Onam at Bowman Hall, 35 Campbell St, Blacktown. Details execomsydmal@gmail.com

Durga Puja Fundraising Dinner

Sun 27 Aug Food, music, dance, giveaways, games, women’s art exhibition and history panels. Free event. 5 pm to 8 pm. Thornton Community Centre, Thornton. Details on https://www.facebook.com/ events/318551498591204/

Ganesh Utsav 2017

Fri 25 Aug - Tue 5 Sept

Western Sydney Ganeshotsav Inc celebrates Ganesh Festival at Swaminarayan Mandir, 1/44 Be4ssemer St Blacktown.

Details Sandeep Dalal 0437 041 187.

Vinayagar Saturthi

Fri 25 Aug Special event at Sydney Murugan Temple, 217 Great Western Highway, Mays Hill. Details 02 9687 1695

Vinayaka Chavithi celebrations

Sun 27 Aug Australian

Telangana State Association celebrates Ganesh festival at

Ermington Community Centre

10 River Road, Ermington. 2 pm to 9 pm. For details, contact Naresh 0434 562 948

Ganesh Visarjan Festival

Sun 27 Aug Bring your own clay Ganesha idols to the temple by 12.00 noon and make Ganesh at temple for poojas and immersion at beach by 3pm. Sri Venkateshwara temple, Helensburgh NSW. Variety entertainment & foods from community kitchens all through the day. 8am to 5 pm. For details contact 1300 626 663.

Navratri 2017 Atul Puroihit

Fri 25 and Sat 26 Aug

Star Alliance Entertainment & Prudential International Education Services present Guinesss Book & Limca

Book record holder Vadodara Ratna Atul Purohit. 7.00pm at Whitlam Leisure Centre, Memorial Avenue, Liverpool.

Details Kaushal Parikh 0415 930 339.

Kinjal Dave Folk Dandia Sat 16 Sept Castle Hill Showground, Doran Drive Castle Hill at 4:00 pm. Details 0469 777 456 or email info@ navratridandia.com.au

ART

Jaipuri miniature

1 - 16 Sept Master miniature Ajay Sharma Ajay Sharma and partner Vinita Sharma of Jaipur will be presenting new works at AirSpace Projects, 10 Junction Street Marrickville.

Workshops: SquarePeg Studios and AirSpace Projects are hosting 2 week-long workshops with Ajay Sharma. Spend a week learning miniature painting, engage with an ancient and beautiful painting technique, drink chai and create your own miniature painting.

Workshop 1: Mon 4 Sept – Fri 8 Sept, 10am to 4pm (Booked out)

Workshop 2: Mon 11 Sept to Fri 15 Sept, 10am to 4pm.

Details Brenda Factor 0411 370361 or email classes@ squarepegstudios.com.au

ENTERTAINMENT

Punjabi Virsa 2017

Sat 26 Aug Urban Productions event featuring Manmohan Waris, Kamal Heer & Sangtar. C3 Conference Venue, 108-120 Silverwater Road, Silverwater. 7 pm to 12 pm.

Details on 0433 211 986

Isai Velvi

Sun 27 Aug A classical music concert of Bombay Jayashri

Ramnath. Kamban Kazhagam Australia event. 5:30 pm to 9 pm.

Sydney Bahai Centre 107 Derby Street, Silverwater NSW, Sydney. Details Chuthan 0449 989 999

Tamil comedy play

Fri 1 Sept Natya Bollywood and Maximum Media INCE present Tamil play Kaasethaan Kadavulada at Durga Temple Auditorium, 21-23 Rose Crescent, Regents Park. Details John Niven at niven.john@yahoo.com.au

Bengali poet Srijato

Sat 2 Sept Anandodhara

Readers Forum presents Bengali poet Srijato in Ekai Ek Show at Pennant Hills Community Centre. Details Srimanto 0412 554 874

MISC

Race Discrimination

Commissioner’s Student Prize

2017

The Race Discrimination

Commissioner’s Student Prize is an annual competition for school students aimed to promote research and discussion of racism among young people. Students in years 10 and 11 at a school in any Australian state or territory are eligible to enter. Entrants may write an essay (maximum 1000 words) or record a speech (video or audio, maximum 5 minutes) and submit it to the Commission via the entry form.

Entrants must answer one of the following questions:

1. The best way of killing ugliness is with kindness. To what extent should this guide our society’s response to racism?

2. Fighting racism demands that we also defend liberal democracy. Discuss. The winning student will be awarded a book voucher from Dymocks worth $150. Details: www.humanrights.gov. au/our-work/race-discrimination/ student-prize-entry-form

Last date for submission Fri 15 Sept.

Grants available for Seniors Groups

Mark Taylor MP, Member for Seven Hills, has announced grants of up to $10,000 for seniors groups in Seven Hills to host events and activities during the 2018 NSW Seniors Festival, the festival’s 60th year. Organisations are encouraged to apply and be part of more than 1,000 free or discounted events expected to be held across the state.

The 2018 festival, the largest celebration of older people in the Southern Hemisphere, will run from April 4 to Sunday April 15, 2018.

Past events have focused on creativity, recreation, technology and health, while also bene ting the culturally and linguistically diverse, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. For the rst time, there are three funding categories available:

* Tier 1 Grants of up to $1000 for small-scale local events or activities targeted at community organisations and schools

* Tier 2 Grants from $1,001 to $5000 for local community events targeted at larger community organisations

* Tier 3 Grants from $5,001 to $10,000 for large scale community events run by local councils in partnership with organisations and groups. Grant applications close 5pm, Fri 8 Sept 2017. For more information or to submit an application, go to www. nswseniorsfestival.com.au

Activities at Indian Cultural Centre

Attention International Students

Fri 25 Aug The ConsulateGeneral of India, Sydney and StudyNSW are hosting an info session for Indian students in NSW about how to remain safe and know your working rights while studying in NSW. 3:45 pm - 6:00 pm. There will be guest presentations by StudyNSW, NSW Police, Fair Work Ombudsman, Redfern Legal Centre and Surf Life Saving NSW. Refreshments will be provided at the conclusion of the event.

Concert: Mudra

Fri 1 Sept Musical concert of Carnatic, Hindustani and Abhangs of Indian Saint composers by Ms. Nadhamuni Gayatri Bharat, 5:30 to 7:00 pm.

Indian Miniature Painting Sat 9 Sept Learn the art of Indian miniature painting. Jaipurbased miniaturist Ajay Sharma joins Sydney-based artist and collector Francine Haywood for a demonstration and workshop, 10:00 am - 01:00 pm

Hindi Classes

Saturdays 2.30pm-4.30

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. Details email icc2.sydney@mea. gov.in

LIST

Supreme Court strikes down instant triple talaq, political parties hail decision

In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India by a 3-2 decision struck down the centuries-old practice of instant triple talaq among Indian Muslims as unconstitutional, manifestly arbitrary and void in law.

However, the minority judgment concluded that “talaq-e-biddat” was a matter of personal law of Muslims that does not breach the Constitution’s Article 25 (right to practice one’s religion).

The judgment was widely welcomed by political parties including the BJP and Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and women’s organisations. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) welcomed the judgment on the ground that it accords protection to Muslim personal law. The political parties said the landmark judgment accorded equality to Muslim women and rendered gender justice.

Chief Justice J.S. Khehar and Justice S. Abdul Nazeer constituting the minority in the five bench Constitutional bench ordered an injunction on triple talaq at least for six months -- by when the government should consider steps to initiate legislation on the issue. They beseeched political parties to keep their individual political gains apart while considering measures requiring legislation.

The other three judges disagreed.

“In view of the different opinions recorded, by a majority of 3:2 the practice of talaq-e-biddat - triple talaq - is set aside,” the bench comprising Justices Khehar, Kurian Joseph, Rohinton F. Nariman, U.U. Lalit and Abdul Nazeer said in the concluding paragraph of the 395-page ruling.

The apex court gave its judgment on a petition filed by Muslim woman Shayara Bano, joined by a Muslim group and four other women.

Justice Nariman and Justice Lalit, who were part of the majority judgment, said: “Given that triple talaq is instant and irrevocable, it is obvious that any attempt at reconciliation between the husband and wife by two arbiters from their families,

which is essential to save the marital tie, cannot ever take place.

“...This being the case, it is clear that this form of talaq is manifestly arbitrary in the sense that the marital tie can be broken capriciously and whimsically by a Muslim man without any attempt at reconciliation so as to save it.

“This form of talaq must, therefore, be held to be violative of the fundamental right contained under Article 14 of the Constitution,” they said, adding the 1937 Shariah Act must be struck down.

In a concurring but separate judgment, Justice Joseph said: “What is held to be bad in the Holy Quran cannot be good in Shariat and, in that sense, what is bad in theology is bad in law as well.”

e said he found it extremely difficult to agree with the Chief Justice that triple talaq has to be considered integral to the religious denomination and it was part of their personal law.

He said merely because a practice has continued for long, that by itself cannot make it valid if it has been expressly declared to be impermissible.

He said when issues of such nature come to the forefront, the discourse often takes the form of pitting religion against other constitutional rights.

In the minority judgment, Justice Khehar said it would not be appropriate for the court to record a finding whether tala e biddat was or was not affirmed by adiths (Prophet’s sayings) in view of the enormous contradictions in the Hadiths relied upon by rival parties.

“Talaq-e-biddat is integral to the religious denomination of Sunnis belonging to the anafi school. he same is a part of their faith, having been followed for more than 1,400 years, and as such, has to be accepted as being constituent of their ‘personal law’.”

“The ... practice cannot therefore be set aside ... through judicial intervention.”

The minority judgment observed that there was seemingly an overwhelming majority of Muslim women demanding that triple talaq, “which is sinful in theology, be declared as impermissible in law”.

The judges noted that during the hearing,

learned counsel appearing for the rival parties described the practice as unpleasant, distasteful and unsavoury. Others called it disgusting, loathsome and obnoxious.

The minority judgment said religion was a matter of faith and not of logic and it was not open to a court to accept an egalitarian approach over a traditional practice.

They said it was not for a court to determine whether religious practices were prudent or progressive or regressive.

The judges said the stance adopted by the Union Government supports the petitioners’ cause and observed: “Unfortunately, the union seeks at our hand, what truly falls in its own.”

Reacting to the judgment, Modi, who has been forthcoming on the issue on a number of occasions including last week’s Independence Day address, hailed the ruling as “historic.”

“Judgment... is historic. It grants equality to Muslim women and is a powerful measure for women empowerment,” the prime minister tweeted.

BJP president Amit Shah said it was a victory for Muslim women and their right to live with dignity.

The Congress also called it historic and said it reinforces the rights of Muslim women who were victims for centuries. “Welcome the Supreme Court decision setting aside instant Triple Talaq. I congratulate the women who fought for justice,” Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi said on Twitter.

The National Federation of Indian Women said the Supreme Court verdict is a crucial step towards women’s equality and justice as enshrined in the constitution.

The AIMPLB saw the verdict as a vindication of its stand that accords protection to Muslim personal law. “As a representative body, we welcome the judgment...The majority (comprising Chief Justice J.S. Khehar and Justice Abdul Nazir, with Justice Kurian Joseph agreeing) has accorded personal laws the status of a fundamental right being protected under the right to practise religion contained in Article 25,” the body said in a statement.

In his reaction, AIMIM leader Asaduddin

Owaisi said there was need for society to reform. “Judicial pronouncements and law ... experience tells us that what is needed is that society should reform. Reform on the ground should come from society,” he said.

Indian-origin boy with IQ higher than Einstein wins UK Child Genius show

A 12-year-old Indian-origin boy from north London has won the Child Genius show broadcast by UK’s Channel 4, the media reported.

Rahul, who lives in Barnet, beat his nineyear-old opponent, Ronan, 10-4 in the programme s finale, the BBC reported.

Rahul, who has an IQ high enough to be a member of Mensa, the world’s largest and oldest high IQ society, fought off competition from 19 children aged eight to 12 in the week-long show.

Rahul has an IQ of 162 – thought to be higher than Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking, The Daily Mail quoted. He clinched the title by answering a question on 19th Century artists William Holman Hunt and John Everett Millais.

In the final, Rahul s chosen subject was Edward Jenner’s medical innovation and methodology in 18th Century England. He and Ronan both scored 15 in their specialist fields.

Rahul said he was “extremely delighted to win” and congratulated Ronan and the other contestants, the BBC reported.

He had impressed audiences and ui master Richard sman in the first round by answering every question he was asked correctly.

Rahul’s father, Minesh is an IT manager and mother Komal, a pharmacist. They entered him into the competition and called his success a “phenomenal achievement”.

Indian-origin man awarded $2.9mn after bad reference cost him job

An Indian-origin man in Singapore has got 4 million Singaporean dollars ($2.9 million) in damages from his previous employer after a scathing reference letter by them cost him the chance to get a new job.

Ramesh Krishnan had accused AXA Life Insurance Singapore of defaming him while providing references on his work performance in 2012, the Strait Times reported.

Justice George Wei noted that the stands of both parties had been “polar opposites” when it came to damages. Ramesh had sought 63 million Singaporean dollars, while AXA urged he should be awarded only a nominal sum of 1 Singaporean dollar.

Krishnan lost his initial defamation suit in 2015, but the Court of Appeal later ruled that AXA had breached its duty of care to him, the report said.

The court had also noted AXA’s breach of duty led Prudential Assurance Company Singapore not to hire Ramesh.

hen the firm in which rishnan had applied for a job asked AXA for the reference, it wrote back saying: “He showed a very poor 13th month persistency rate” -- meaning that many of his clients did not stick with their policies -- and “we are very

Indian movie stars Rana Daggubati and Tamannah Bhatia act as parade grand marshals during the India Day parade in New York on  Sun 20 Aug.

Photo: AP

concerned as to whether the clients have been provided with proper advice”.

The Court of Appeal said this would have given the mistaken impression that Ramesh was not competent, and did not square with the evidence that he was one of A A s best financial services directors and it had earlier persuaded him not to resign.

“People must know that justice is served. Somebody must go out there and make a point,” said Ramesh, after the ruling.

Breast cancer may kill

76,000 Indian women a year by 2020

Lack of early diagnosis of breast cancer may kill 76,000 Indian women in a year by 2020, says a study, one of whose researchers is of Indian origin.

One of the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer among women in India, breast cancer claimed 70,218 lives in 2012, the study published in the Journal of Business Research showed.

It also revealed that the average age of death from the disease has shifted from 50 years to 30 years.

The magnitude of the problem is enormous and has major policy implications for the Indian government, said Vijay Pereira, Associate Dean (Research) at the University of Wollongong in Dubai.

Pereira said there were complex challenges at national, state and community levels.

“What is clear is that healthcare at statelevel must transform to deliver quality care and awareness,” Pereira said.

The researchers found lack of awareness about self-examination and cultural barriers played a major role. Women sought medical care extremely late.

Women do not access health services and are reluctant to consult male doctors, neglecting their health due to family obligations. They are over-dependent on other family members. All of these cause delay in diagnosis, the researchers said.

Thus, educating Indian men about the significance of early diagnosis for breast cancer, could be key to halt the disease which is turning into an epidemic, the researchers suggested.

“India is still a patriarchal society.

Although women are now in responsible jobs and earning for their families, it’s the men who are the head of the household,” said Judith Fletcher-Brown, from the University of Portsmouth in England.

Even educated professional women do not discuss private matters about their bodies with their husbands, fathers or brothers. So it’s essential to direct health messages towards men, Fletcher-Brown said.

Rapid economic development and greater urbanisation are also responsible for the rise in breast cancer rates, the researchers noted.

Besides, women tend to have children at a later age and breast feeding is less, which increases their chances of developing the disease.

Working women in urban India often have a more western diet leading to obesity. That also increases the risk.

The study said community health nurses had the greatest impact in raising awareness of early breast cancer symptoms.

In addition, schools and media were also found to be the good channels through which awareness could be raised in young women.

Australia keen on fashion diplomacy with India

Australian High Commissioner to India Harinder Sidhu feels that when two nations are forging a relationship they usually talk about political, diplomatic or economical tie-ups but what matters most is the link between people.

Sidhu says Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop emphasises on creating bonds through “fashion diplomacy” and India is one of the countries that tops the chart.

“We have been looking at different ways of building relationships with India. A good relationship has many levels to it and for the first time we have a female Foreign Minister who is very keen on fashion diplomacy, and this is the term we are taking forward,” Sidhu told IANS on the sidelines of Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Winter/Festive 2017, in Mumbai.

“It (the association through fashion) has been incredibly successful. I feel that not just fashion brings people together but it’s also a very large industry in its own right.

“Australia is one of the big producers of products like cotton and wool and India is home to a great deal of creativity and I think these collaborations are cementing the whole dimension of relations between the two countries,” she added.

Sidhu was in Mumbai to support designer Gaurav Jai Gupta of the brand Akaaro.

The designer’s show was supported by the Australian Foreign Affairs and Trade departments. He used Australian homegrown Merino Wool as one of the fabrics in his line.

Asked about the relationship between the two countries, Sidhu said: “I think a lot of time when we talk about relationships between two countries, we talk about political, diplomatic, economic or trade relations.

“All these things matter a lot but what is glue between two countries is actually the link between its people,” she said.

So will there be more associations with Indian designers? “I am staggered by how much talent India has. I think absolutely. We have a couple of collaborations already and we are prepared to be more adventurous and really reach out a lot more.

“Few collaborations that we had, has led to deeper understanding of both the countries. And Australians now are much more comfortable working with Indian designers as they are really making their mark,” she told IANS.

Sidhu also added that the Indian population in Australia is “growing very fast and that is building more and more people connection.

“Australians are thinking about Indian places to collaborate in all fields. I think the relationship between Australia and India is stronger than ever now,” she said.

30 children die in Gorakhpur hospital; UP says seven, announces probe

At least 30 children died in the state-run Baba Raghav Das Medical College in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur, the parliamentary constituency of Uttar Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in the last two days, an official said. The government however said that only seven had died and a probe has been ordered.

Gorakhpur DM Rajeev Rautela told local channels confirming the death of kids in the last two days” and seven deaths in the last 24 hours.

He said that 17 children had died in the neo natal ward, five in the ward meant of patients suffering from acute encephalitis syndrome and eight in the general ward.

Denying that the children had died due to lack of oxygen, he confirmed that there was shortage of liquid oxygen at the medical college and that due to non-payment of Rs 70 lakh, the vendor supplying oxygen has stopped supply. However, he said the principal had told him that for emergency use, alternative arrangements have been made.

He further said that part payment of Rs 35 lakh has been made to the vendor and that he had been requested not to disrupt the oxygen supply.

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government denied media reports that more than 30 children had died at the hospital due to lack of oxygen.

A statement issued by the state Information Department termed reports shown by “some TV channels as misleading” and that the District Magistrate was personally stationed at the medical college to keep a vigil on the situation emanating out of the death of seven patients due to “different medical reasons”.

The state government ordered a magisterial probe. The probe will be finished in hours and a detailed report submitted, said Chief Secretary Rajeev Kumar, who also put the number of deaths at seven. He also ruled out the oxygen shortage being responsible.

State Health Minister Siddarth Nath Singh told TV channels that “a lot of people come suffering from high fever and if they don’t get treatment, it may result in death”.

To a query if an inquiry will be ordered, he said: “Absolutely, we will do into the depth of these deaths. We are going to check each and everything and then come with a final answer those who found guilty and if we find any error on their part, they will be made accountable.”

Informed sources told IANS that senior health officials were monitoring the situation and admitted that the state government had been left red-faced because of the deaths took place in the CM’s hometown.

Meanwhile, parents and attendants of patients, mostly children at the ward number 100 - the encephalitis ward at the BRD medical college - remained resigned to fate and medical negligence.

Dozens of children admitted here are battling for life and in absence of proper treatment, medicines and oxygen, they have lost hope, said many others. IANS

Bollywood star Jacqueline Fernandez walks for designer Manish Malhotra during the grand nale of Lakme Fashion Week 2017 in Mumbai, India on Sun 20 Aug. Photo: AP

Speckled in stardust

All the glam and gupshup from glitzy IFFM >>

According to Aishwarya, the honour of hoisting the Indian Flag for IFFM would easily be the most memorable moment for her and her daughter Aaradhya.

BY PPREETI JABBAL

Indian Flag Hoisting at Indian Stretchable Time

A royal wave from Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was the closest to an apology for running an hour late to the special flag hoisting ceremony at Federation Square in Melbourne on 12 August.

The stunning actress was in town and became the first female actor to hoist the Indian flag at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) this year.

The star arrived looking splendid in a Manish Malhotra soft blue and white gown with daughter Aaradhya in tow dressed in a white ghagra choli.

The child is often seen attached to her mum as an appendage, which makes one wonder, when does she attend school?

Mommy love was showered in abundance as Ash ruffled Aaradhya s hair, kissed her cheeks and pointed out at things, including the massive crowd at the event.

Thousands queued up from as early as 10 am to reserve their spots to be able to see one of the most beautiful women in the world.

Much later than expected, they did get a glimpse of utter gorgeousness as the Bollywood royalty swept in amidst tight security.

The formal part of the event started with a special address from Ajay M Gondane, High Commissioner of India to Australia.

As the Tricolour unfurled, Aishwarya closed her eyes, saluted the Indian flag and sang the Indian national anthem along with the crowd.

The tricolour confetti that burst out to shower the crowd made up for the not-sorousing rendition of the anthem.

We did not, however, envy the person responsible for cleaning it all up after the event.

Gracious, friendly and smiling, Ash made all the right moves including giving a brief speech in Hindi and then translating it into English.

Unfortunately, not everyone was impressed with the fact that Aishwarya was chosen to do the flag hoisting, and there were some murmurs, particularly on social media, raising a question mark over the choice of the guest. However, we thought that this was being a bit nitpicky, since Aishwarya is a great ambassador for the country, enjoys a clean image and is hugely popular.

Ra ed with Parched and Lipstick Under My Burkha

During the special Conversation Hour held at the ABC studios in Southbank, ABC journalist Rafael Epstein could not stop raving about Parched and Lipstick Under My Burkha, so enamoured he was of the two headline films that kickstarted the Festival in 2016 and 2017.

“My 15-year-old daughter is still recovering from watching Lipstick… with me last evening, he said of the feminist film that was mired in controversy for five months prior to its release.

Alankrita Srivastava, creator of Lipstick…, spoke at length about the heartening response to her out of the box film. he film is a personal exploration of the concept of being free, and having dreams and ambitions within the restrictions that are imposed on women in a regressive society,” she said.

Actress Konkona Sen Sharma also talked about her directorial debut and her preference of directing over acting if given a choice.

Among the special guests at the Conversation Hour was Tannishtha Chatterjee, who plays the lead role in Dr Rakhmabai, an Indian woman who fought against child marriage, gender discrimination and right to practise medicine in India.

Rafael also invited Indian film critic and entertainment reporter Rajeev Masand to comment on the current trends in Indian cinema.

It s not true that all Indian films are Bollywood films, said Festival irector Mitu Bhowmick Lange. “And it’s a misconception

that all Indian films are over hours long, she joked, adding that “Through this festival, we keep persisting and showcasing the diversity of Indian films.

“Indian cinema goes much beyond the song and dance routine that it is often associated with. his year, we have films in 20 languages as well as documentaries and short films, so we are catering to a diverse audience and taste,” said Mitu.

The Conversation Hour that was broadcast and streamed live made for some interesting listening as Raf skilfully drew out responses from the guests. It helped that each one of them was articulate in their expression and passionate about their work.

The Bengali Bhadralok

During the Conversation Hour, Raf went around the guest panel asking everyone which film they grew up watching. With Konkona, Tannishtha and Mitu, there were some common themes as they all

come from a Bengali background.

Mitu said with a laugh, “We Bengalis think that the world is divided into two type of people: Bengalis and non-Bengalis.”

The conversation then veered, with good

humour, towards Bengali parenting and the culture of elitism that often pervades the Bengali psyche.

The ladies who now rule Bollywood revealed that they were prohibited from watching Bollywood films in their childhood, as they were considered rather common by their Bengali parents.

A little glitz, plenty of glamour and a lot of Kakkar sisters

The IFFM Westpac awards night held at the Melbourne Recital Centre was big on honours, starting with the Best Indie Film award given to Alankrita Srivastava’s Lipstick Under My Burkha he Central Board of Film Certification in India had initially banned this movie for its ‘women oriented content.’ After a long battle with the Board and much furore over social media, the movie was given permission to be screened in India, albeit

with many cuts.

As the Indian Film Festival Opening Night special, the audience in Melbourne got to watch the uncensored version of this frank film on female desires. ackling subjects like deep-rooted patriarchy and misogyny that shackles the women depicted in it, Lipstick… definitely left an impression.

The Best Director award was taken by Nitesh Tiwari for Dangal, India’s highest grossing Indian film ever, also listed as the highest grossing Indian film of all time in China.

Rahul Bose collected the Equality in Cinema Award for Poorna, a biographical adventure film based on a year-old who struggled past structural and systemic inequalities to scale Mount Everest.

Director Nitesh Tiwari and Bahubali producer Shobhu Yarlagadda received the Telstra People Choice Award for their respective films. The latter is the highest grossing Indian multilingual film of all time.

Gracious, friendly & smiling, Ash made all the right moves including giving a brief speech in Hindi and then translating it into English

‘‘ ‘‘

Photos: Ravinder Singh Jabbal

Australian filmmaker arth avis took the Diversity Award for Lion, his muchacclaimed Australian film on an Indian subject.

Konkona Sen Sharma, who rules the parallel cinema scene in India, won the best actress accolade for her portrayal of Shireen, one of the protagonists in Lipstick Under My Burkha Sen’s directorial debut movie Death In The Gunj was also screened later at the film festival.

Special mention was made for Rajkumar Rao for his compelling performance in the survival drama film Trapped. Rao lived on a coffee-and-carrot diet for 16 days in preparation for his challenging role as a young man locked in an uninhabited room without food, water or electricity.

The immensely talented Rao said he was thrilled with his first ever international award. So was Sushant Singh Rajput who received the Best Actor award for his portrayal of former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni, in M.S.Dhoni: The Untold Story. Sushant was one of the dancers from Shiamak Davar’s dance troupe that performed at the 2006 Commonwealth Games held in Australia. From a background dancer to an award winner in the Indian Film Festival 2017, his has been an incredible journey.

“My mom said life is a story that you tell yourself and I hope my story is worth telling,” said Sushant as he collected his award.

Shoojit Sircar deservedly took the Best Film award for Pink, an Indian courtroom social drama for his story of women who don’t subscribe to societal standards of culture and morality.

Just as we thought we had seen the lot there was more.

The Leadership in Cinema award went to aran ohar, Indian film director, producer, screenwriter, costume designer, actor and television show host.

Sporting a different look with nerdy glasses, formal jacket and funky shoes, Karan took to stage styled by Nikita Jaisinghani. In his brief acceptance speech, he let the audience know he was in Melbourne as a guest of IFFM and, with trademark wit, added that he was attending it for free.

Simi Garewal, Indian actress and TV show host, was generously effusive with her introductions of both Karan Johar and the beautiful Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. She invited Ash on stage, calling her, among other things, a legend.

Looking stunning in black and gold, Aishwarya thanked Simi for her

introduction but gently disagreed. “I do not think I am a legend and have a lot to achieve before I even come close,” she said, as she received the Excellence in Global Cinema Award for her contribution to cinema.

Mark ellinger s film Road to Glory won the Western Union Short Film competition for its exploration of the theme of diversity.

As the evening progressed there were occasional dips in energy till the team of children from e.motion 21 took to stage and received a standing ovation.

E.motion 21 is a special school that provides dance and fitness opportunities for children with special needs. The children presented a vibrant Bollywood dance assisted by instructors from Shiamak Davar’s Dance School in Melbourne.

The evening was dominated with songs from Kakkar sisters - Akriti, Prakriti and Sukriti - who have recently made their name in playback singing for Indian films.

The vivacious sisters belted out a variety of songs, in between the awards presentation. However, between the numerous awards and endless songs, it started bordering on ‘too much of a good thing’.

High on style but low on sparkle was the general consensus based on the post event feedback that was collected.

Munni meets Melbourne’s talent

The Telstra Bollywood Competition, once again, saw the ravishing Malaika Arora as the judge of some of Melbourne’s best dancing talent.

Melbourne artist Bessie Kay accompanied her as judge while Karan Johar and Sushant Singh Rajput joined her over the course of the afternoon.

Both Karan and Sushant received much adulation from the crowd as they announced the winners.

The crowd that had come to see Aishwarya did dwindle. However, many people stayed back to enjoy the Bollywood dance competition and find out who won the $1,000 and a trip to India.

Mitu’s mammoth e ort

With her beautiful handloom sarees and infectious smile, the lady who has helmed the Festival has been given the epithet of Melbourne’s most beautiful woman, and we agree.

It’s no easy task to align dates and schedules, and attract stars, teams and guests in order to pull off a smooth event, but Mitu Bhowmick Lange seems to have a handle on it all.

Celebrating the best, the diverse, the

Nitesh Tiwari, Rajkummar Rao, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Rahul Bose Rajeev Masand

Taran Adarsh

Mitu Bhowmick Lange with Satish Kaushik

Malaika Arora

empowering and the creative from Indian Cinema, the IFFM, under Mitu’s leadership, has over the years carved its niche in the ictorian festival and film scene.

IFFM was the Winner of the Melbourne Award 2016 for Contribution to Multiculturalism by a corporation and is the Guinness Book record holder for largest Bollywood dance event in 2011.

Martin Foley, Minister for Equality, congratulated Mitu and her mind blowing team on another successful, vibrant and happening festival. “In a time when the world sees so much fury and fire being proposed in some aspects of our life, the role that film communities and films can play to reach across borders and to bring out the best in humanity cannot be underestimated,” said the Minister.

I do not think I am a legend and have a lot to achieve before I even come close Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Konkona Sen Sharma

Kakkar sisters

Simi Garewal with fans

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

M asterclass Revelations

KASHIF HARRISON sits in as B-Town bigwigs are put under the spotlight

Candid, funny and engaging. That’s how the Bollywood-wale turned out to be, up close.

IFFM’s Masterclasses were held at the iconic Deakin Edge at Federation Square, the design of which even Karan Johar claimed to be amazed at, as soon as he entered the room. But more about him later, given he was the real star everyone wanted to see. Some clever scheduling saw o take the last slot in a day filled with interviews, but that’s okay; we got to hear first hand from many different leading Bollywood folk that day, as they opened up about their craft to Rajeev Masand, film critic and media personality.

Fashion designer turned film director Vikram Phadnis spoke about his debut film rudyantar. I wanted to break people’s perception that fashion designers can only make movies about fashion,” he said. Vikram also shared his love and respect for actor Salman Khan. “I’m indebted to him, if he tells me to stop making films, I will, he remarked. mm, many decisions in Bollywood are made from the heart, rather than the head!

Bollywood critic and trade analyst

Taran Adarsh let slip that Bollywood producers ‘fear’ Hollywood, while talking about the changing dynamics of the Indian Box ffice. he interview was conducted by festival director Mitu Bhowmick Lange who asked for Taran’s thoughts on the dreaded “N” word.

“There’s no discrimination in Bollywood,” Taran replied, and added, “I’m not for nepotism, I am not against it either.” In a strange way, it was clear what he meant: the industry will never really be rid of nepotism, given its leading actors come from generations of film makers and in whom the talent is koot koot ke bhara hua, to borrow a term from an SR hit film.

Bahubali producer Shobu Yarlagadda then sat down with Rajeev Masand, talking about Indian folklore on celluloid. “My biggest concern wasn’t that both the movies Bahubali 1 & 2 should do well, for me it was the budget in which the projects had to be completed, and the timelines in which we had to do that.” Shobu added, “Movies should be like an (experience) that the whole family and friends should

look forward to.” The Khans better be reading this!

Director of Dangal, Nitesh Tiwari, talked about taking stories from real life to the silver screen. He was asked the obvious, how his hit movie ruled the China market. “Emotions and relationships are universal, this effected the most in China,” he replied. He also shared some insights from the Aamir han film. he father daughter fight scene convinced Aamir Khan to gain that massive weight; otherwise Aamir Khan wanted to be a George Clooney built wrestler.” George Clooney, a wrestler? I sense a Hollywood disagreement here

I was taken aback when the director of one of my favourite Bollywood movies iku, Shoojit Sircar revealed, My films don’t belong to Bollywood.” Apparently, he is used to having his scripts being rejected by actors, but getting an okay from Amitabh Bachchan for Piku was something he never expected. He gave nothing away for his upcoming film October.

As Rajeev Masand welcomed the man

of the event Karan Johar, the audience had grown to its largest. Well, why not - the dude is Bollywood royalty. Rajeev went straight to the question bugging B’town: Will Kangana Ranaut ever appear on Koffee with Karan again? “I would love to have anyone on my show that can benefit from the show, the articulate Karan replied, but added, “The ones that don’t come on my show in future, will be the ones that won’t be (around).” Gulp! Karan also shared, “I’m really confused for my next film I need to make it a commercial success.” So Ae Dil Hai Mushkil wasn t a success f course we all wanted to know about Karan the father. “Being a father of two kids has opened up my heart... It will impact my cinema for me. here will be layers in my next film that will explicitly portray the humongous level of excitement that Yash and Ruhi (have brought into my life).” Which I thought was adorable.

Was Karan Johar candid? Probably not, he was very safe - way too safe - with his answers. And yet, he officially promised to host the Westpac IFFM Awards next year!

Shoojit Sircar

E.motion21

Shoojit Sircar

Awards ceremony Aaradhya

Sushant Singh Rajput

Giving the gift of life

Family members of organ donors, and organ recipients, share their amazing stories during DonateLife Week, reports

Did you know that one organ donor has the ability to save the lives of up to 10 people and improve the lives of many others?

A few of those who made the extraordinary decision to donate the organs of their dying or recently deceased family members, as well as the grateful recipients of the organs, got together to tell their life stories recently.

The theatre event featuring storytellers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds was part of the Australian observance of DonateLife Week that began on 30 July and concluded on 6 August. The NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service collaborated with the NSW Organ and Tissue Donation Service, the Contemporary Asian Australian Performance and the South Western Sydney Local Health District to present ‘Life Giving Stories 2017’ at the Bryan Brown Theatre in Bankstown.

DonateLife Week is the national awareness week for promoting organ and tissue donation and is initiated by the Organ and Tissue Authority in partnership with DonateLife agencies in every state and territory. It is a key part of the Australian Government’s national reform program to increase organ and tissue donation and transplantation outcomes in Australia.

FARZANA AHMAD

Close to 300 people attended the show which was directed by leading storyteller and photographer William Yang and written and produced by Annette Shun Wah. The production, which won the 2016 Australian Multicultural Marketing Awards - Public Sector Category, aimed to increase awareness and highlight the importance of organ and tissue donation amongst multicultural communities. The stories were accompanied by photographs from private collections, revealing engaging and inspiring insights into the families.

The show started with an introduction by Annette Shun Wah. She emphasised the importance of organ donation in Australia in the light of the fact that over 1,400 people were, at present, awaiting a transplant and a whopping 12,000 were dependent on dialysis. She said that one organ donor has the ability to save the lives of up to 10 people and improve the lives of many others.

The audience were allowed glimpses into the lives and circumstances leading to each of the four storytellers’ amazing generosity in donating the organs of their loved ones or appreciating the lifesaving gift from someone else.

Rupesh and Mili Udani’s narrative began with wedding photos and a prologue on how it all began for them back in India when they tied the knot in an arranged marriage.

The couple soon moved to Australia where Rupesh already lived. They went on to have a daughter followed by a son, Deyaan.

The family was on an extended holiday in India when, a few days before returning to Australia, Deyaan, then seven years old, complained of an intense headache. A week later, he was pronounced clinically dead due to brain haemorrhage. The couple then took the brave step of donating Deyaan’s organs which resulted in giving a new lease of life to four recipients.

Sumaema Grace, originally from Fiji, opened up about what it’s like to be on a donor waiting list. She narrated her heartbreak at being abandoned at birth and shared her journey through various adoptions, to end up with a loving family in Australia.

She was just 13 when her kidneys began to fail as a consequence of lupus. The young lady detailed her ongoing battle with health issues where, even after receiving a kidney, her struggles continued as her body rejected the organ after three years. Today, she is hoping to get back on the waiting list for another donation. In the meantime, she performs her own dialysis every day. She concluded her narration with a song that left the audience applauding her amazing resilience.

Rosemarie and Oliver Zammit of Maltese Australian background recounted the story

of how their son Dujon was beaten to death in the Greek island of Mykonos in 2008 when he was only 20.

The couple donated his major organs in an act of extraordinary kindness. Kosta Gribilis was the lucky recipient of Dujon’s heart. He has maintained close ties with the Zammits and was even present as an audience at the Life Giving Stories event.

Lebanese origin couple Rita and George Germanos’s son was just 17 when his kidneys started failing. A nurse by profession, Rita knew what it meant to be on a waiting list for a donor. Despite her own health problems, when Rita learned that she was a good match, she did not hesitate to offer her own kidney to save her son’s life.

The afternoon show ended with a robust question and answer session which dispelled many misconceptions regarding organ donation in various religions and cultures.

Milli made a very good point when she mused, “If receiving an organ is not forbidden in any religion, then why would it be not permitted to donate one.”

In keeping with the theme of this year’s DonateLife Week: ‘Make your decision count. Register today to save lives at www.donatelife.gov.au,’ the presentation succeeded in inspiring the audiences to have conversations with their loved ones about the importance of organ and tissue donations and to register as donors.

In Australia, over 1,400 people are, at present, awaiting a transplant and a whopping 12,000 depend on dialysis

Rupesh and Mili Udani

Photos: Helen Tran

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How something is acquired, so it is retained

The keyword is effort: Effort sustains learning and shapes character

academic achievement at a young age can lead to serious underachievement for bright students in later years.

BY MOHAN DHALL

Authenticity is born in the silent purity of effort.

Understanding the depth of meaning in the aphorism, “how something is acquired - so it is retained” is central to authentic teaching, authentic management and leadership, authentic relationships and politics.

Applied in an educational context, educators will recognise that this is something they know. Educators will always value more the honest effort made by a student when struggling and learning a difficult concept, than the high marks achieved by a bright student who makes no effort. Is this because we intrinsically know that effort shapes character and sustains learning beyond the application of that effort? Teachers have observed that persistence in uncertainty leads to academic success sooner or later, even if years after formal schooling has been completed. It leads to resilience.

Academic prizes given for achievement do not always reflect the effort linked to the achievement. Oft times, authentic effort does translate to exemplary academic performance. However, in the case of innately bright students, this is not necessarily so. Indeed, prizes given for

Such students may not have learned the relationship between effort and outcome; the relationship between fear of failure and bravely studying when there is no guarantee of academic prizes. Focused on prize winning as a feature of knowing, such students are crippled. Tiger parents need to understand this point.

How learning is approached, the honesty of the effort, the innate desire to learn, will relate to how valued such learning is. When adults voluntarily undertake formal studies, they often state that they enjoy it more than ever because they want to learn. They often say they read more widely, question more deeply, understand more fully. Importantly, the learning is more deeply imbued than learning performed in a hurry and through compulsion.

Modes of acquisition, and thus, consequent retention explain the role of experience. Many students who have been accelerated simply do not have the capacity or ability in school to critique as deeply as older cohorts. Educators in a variety of contexts have observed this. Since experience takes time, and since development cannot be authentically hastened, maturity and insight can simply be a function of lived experience. Trying to force maturity makes people secondguess what they should be doing, saying or thinking.

Similarly, most people would know that cramming as an approach to ‘learning’

involves quick memorising – and such ‘learning’ is equally quickly lost. Understanding, deep knowledge, nuanced critique and thoroughness take time and take effort. Accordingly, retention lasts longer.

Acquisition, retention and ambition

Unconstrained personal ambition can act counter to an authentic education as competition in education always devalues the achievement of those not placed highly in a hierarchy or where ‘cut off scores’ determine accessibility. To gain success by competing with, and beating, others are never as valued as self-mastery. Insightful people talk of a ‘hollow victory’. The most respected academics, athletes, musicians, writers, innovators and dancers are driven by a passion that transcends. They seek to be their best - not to be the best. They acquire through effort, self-correction, humility and openness to learning. Incidentally, in so doing, they often are the best, but not because that is valued over personal growth or collegiality.

“How” relates to intention

In the saying, the first word “how” is crucial. “How” is not to be measured by external standards. “How” is premised on an understanding of intention. Only a person can know, or learn to discover, what motivates themselves. “How” shapes attitude. Students can see their “how” in the study they undertake done when everyone else is asleep. The stolen moments in transition when others are resting, but their

own focus is maintained. It is the training that is done after the scheduled session because the goal is something bigger. It is the practice that is done away from publicity and social media.

Of course, intention can be applied to other aspects of life: how a contract was won in business, how a material thing was purchased, how a personal relationship was ‘acquired’, the drive for physical ‘perfection’. The subtlety of the aphorism is that in each of these facets of human activity, questions can be asked about the nature of acquisition and retention. A purchase made through the effort of saving is valued more for the discipline and sacrifice made. A thief who acquires something by stealth retains it by mistrust. Similarly, nations conquered by force are held onto through forms of suppression, overt or covert. The issue of how a thing is acquired has deeper ramifications across a range of human experiences.

Beautiful things

The most beautiful things in human experience are usually those that have been built up over time and have been retained with care and protection. The built structures most loved globally have usually been built over time, artistically wrought, carefully attended to, with attention to detail. Accordingly, these structures are highly valued, impressive, monumental. Beautiful, meaningful things are authentically acquired and authentically retained. For educators and non-educators alike, this aphorism needs serious reflection.

“The honesty of the effort, the innate desire to learn, will relate to how valued such learning is

My high

August is time for art excursions, parent-teacher interviews and sport choices

BY ANANYA WAKHARE

It’s true, time flies. I can’t believe that Year 8 is just around the corner! Like any other term in Year 7, Term 3 is fully packed with lots of work and activities. Since it’s the middle term, some exciting things have happened including a visit to the art gallery and parent-teacher interviews!

We visited the Art Gallery of NSW, as part of our art excursion this term. I should have been really excited, right? But

it would be boring, but wow! I have really got to stop assuming! We saw many different types of artworks, including sculptures. My favourite sculpture had to be the one in the Yiribana collection. It was a washing line with fibre-glass fruit bats hanging off it. It was really cool and fun to think about what the artist was trying to say to us. When it was time to go, I realised that the trip was amazing and way more interesting than any other ordinary art gallery. I’m realising that in high school excursions, we are allowed to walk around alone in small groups, unlike primary school excursions. I quite like it and the fact that I have many ways to express my opinion. On this occasion, it was through

an analysis of the fruit bat sculpture using a method known as ‘conceptual framework of art’.

‘Parent teacher interviews’. Just the sound of it made me cringe. Anyways, they took place in Week 3. Because everyone has more than one teacher, this parent teacher interview was very different to the primary school ones. We were in a big room with lots of mini desks for each of Year 7 teachers. Each student was given a timetable

Everything worked just like clockwork and I was amazed by the organisation. They even provided cookies and chocolate! That was definitely the best part! After listening to all the teachers’ comments I quietly made a resolution to improve on my weaknesses. Thinking about it now, it actually wasn’t all that bad. Some teachers did remark how I had finally got the hang of using assignment templates and appreciated my efforts.

In Term One, I had signed up for Badminton as my sport. This term I’ll be playing volleyball! I’ve never played volleyball before and I’m very excited to try it out. Although I’m excited, I’m not expecting to ace it so soon, but hey, who knows! I do know some things about volleyball - like you have to make sure the ball bounces off your two hands that are together. I also know that it is an outdoor sport and it is a generic beach sport. Can’t wait to get the volleyball balls out!

Term 3 has been quite a rocky ride with challenging times balancing work and other extra-curricular commitments. Next thing, I’m really looking forward to the spring break.

Nerd Word

This month’s Nerd Word is Archibald. Yes, it comes from the excursion to the Art Gallery!

Archibald is a person’s name, not a word as such. J.F Archibald was the editor of The Bulletin, and a major competition is named after him. The Archibald Prize is the first major prize in Australian portraiture. The first prize ever given was way back in 1921 and since then the award has been given out annually. This year, artist Mitch Cairns won it for his portrait (above) of fellow artist Agatha Gothe-Snape.

Pagoda perfection

BY NANDITHA SURESH

Far from the madding crowd, nestled in the bushes of Blue Mountains are several thousand pagodas. Each a different size, form and shape, these pagodas are part of Australia’s stunning landscape. Sydney artist Gauri Torgalkar has explored beyond the popular pagoda formation - Three Sisters, and brought to life the magnificent structures hidden deep in her artwork.

Following a successful exhibition entitled Strange Familiar, the artist’s stunning new presentation is called Pagoda Country. Her quest for renewed inspiration found her at the heart of the Blue Mountains. Gauri’s self-funded art residency in the region resulted in the new collection.

the rock formations to create a visual delight. The collection of paintings and drawings ranges from abstract to muted to vivid and colourful, each rivetingly exquisite in its own way. The colour scheme may appear random but upon careful observation, it is apparent that she has played around with the colours that occur naturally in the pagodas adding her own interpretation to represent the beauty of it.

Another apparent aspect of this collection is the incorporation of Gauri’s fascination for Indian fabrics. “I’ve used a lot of dry brush strokes to imitate the ikat design,” she mentions. The vertical and horizontal strokes in the artist’s paintings resemble weaves that appear in Indian handloom fabrics. “I love the uniqueness and the little imperfections in the handloomed fabrics, and I’ve tried to incorporate that technique here,” shares Gauri.

One drawing titled ‘Anatomy of a Pagoda’ is a reflection of her love for uniqueness; it depicts the varied shapes the pagoda is formed in, as opposed to the common imagery we have of the structure.

The dry brush strokes imitate the ikat design of the Indian handloom weave

“During my stay at BigCi Residency, I was introduced to the pagoda rock formations in the Gardens of Stone National Park and Wollemi National Park,” shares the artist.

An architect by profession, many of her drawings and paintings depict urban spaces. “This residency opened a window of opportunity to explore the beauty of Australian bushland and share it with the world via my art,” she adds. This exhibition held at Art Est. Art School & Gallery too has been instrumental in this collection.

“In 2015, I won a competition held by the school, which provided this invaluable opportunity to exhibit my collection at their gallery,” she reveals.

Gauri’s artwork is a fitting tribute to the pagoda formations that have stood the test of time. It is also strangely reminiscent of the gopurams of southern Indian temples and the many temples of South East Asia, which again beautifully amalgamates with the Pagoda Country theme. Each of the 28 drawings and paintings in exhibit showcase the many facets of the pagodas in all their glory. The artist has experimented with different placements of

Gauri has made use of acrylic, oil pastels, liquid graphite, oils and charcoal mediums to showcase the enchanting pagodas. At the residency, she had the opportunity to explore the beauty of the bushlands and walk among the gigantic pagoda formations. It is during this time that she also learnt that the imposing natural structures are in grave danger. “These rocks have taken several million years to form but are sadly being damaged by illegal trail biking and local mining activities. It is in dire need of conservation,” she shares passionately.

‘Fragile Giants’ seems as an apt tile for another series of paintings, where the attention is drawn to the delicate flutes in the giant structures that are chipping away due to human intervention. “Very little is being spoken about these pagodas, and even less about the damage being caused to it,” muses the artist.

“I hope that through my art, I can raise awareness for these beautiful structures,” she concludes.

From the bushlands to the brushstrokes, this is pagoda perfect.

Sydney artist Gauri Torgalkar explores the beauty of the fragile giants in the Blue Mountains

Fragile Giants 1 / Fragile Giants 2 oil & acrylic on paper 76cm x 56cm

MATRIMONIALS

SEEKING GROOMS

Well-settled, professional match invited for Sydney-based Punjabi girl, never married 43 years old/5’6”. Masters in IT from Sydney, jolly nature, good mix of Indian and modern values. Working in an MNC. Australian citizen. Educated family. Parents in Delhi. Respond with photo and profile to sydgirl09@gmail.com

Seeking an alliance for my daughter brought up in Australia from Kayastha family living in Sydney for past 24 years. She is 25 years old, 5’2”. Bachelors of Commerce with Bachelors of Law from UNSW working in a reputed firm in Sydney. She is smart and caring and has great regard for family values. Looking for a qualified smart boy, preferably settled in Australia. Caste no bar. Send details at akhilsns@gmail.com

Seeking professionally qualified settled match for Sydney-based, never married Australian citizen. Hindu, Punjabi Khatri 44 years old, 5’3” slim, fair, attractive girl. The girl is postgraduate and is working on a good position in a government organisation. Please send details with photo indsyd2016@gmail.com

Seeking match for Hindu girl 31, 156cms, sports minded, helpful and reserved type. Settled in Australia for 27 years, working in IT for over seven years. Please send details with photo to matrimonialaustralia2017@gmail.com

Looking for a suitable match for our 40-year-old daughter. Well-educated, holding an MBA and Masters in Accounting. Divorcee with no children. 5’3”, Punjabi. Coming from a respected and cultured family. Contact on mobile 0466 973 282 or email varun_mendiratta@hotmail.com

Seeking a match for a Hindu Khatri, 25-year-old, 5’ 5’’ professional, fair, beautiful, vegetarian girl. Australian citizen, high status family seeks good alliance from a well-to-do family. Email: indian.bride2017@gmail.com with details and photo of the boy or call +61 429300961. Australian citizen preferred.

Seeking life partner for a good looking, intelligent, Australian-born Punjabi vegetarian girl. Twenty-six-years-old, 5’1”, good job in financial sector. Has type 1 diabetes, well controlled. Email nat00239@gmail.com

Brother based in Sydney seeks suitable match for 39-year-old Mumbai-born, never married Gujarati girl. 5’4”, cultured medium built, BCom and working for international shipping company in Dubai. Hindu grooms please contact on 0416475948 or komaldxb@gmail.com

Seeking professionally qualified match for attractive and multitalented 31-yearold, 5’1” Hindu Saraswat Brahmin girl. Raised and currently living in Sydney, she is passionate about her work as a doctor, and enjoys both Australian and traditional Indian cultures. The family are well settled in Sydney and prefer boy having Australian citizenship or PR status. Please email sydneygsb@gmail.com

SEEKING BRIDES

Seeking Punjabi professional girl (Manglik preferably) with good family values, for our son, 27-year-old, 6’3”, well-built, non-smoker, Australian citizen, works in a multinational company as a manager. Please email with details at sarthak. kaush30@gmail.com

Match required for a well-established actuarist, handsome, Hindu Punjabi boy. 6’3”, 35 years old, slim, fair. Citizen of Australia and UK. Looking for beautiful, tall, fair, educated girl from a cultured family. Respond with photo and profile to puran@prasand.com.au or call +0412563757. Caste no bar.

Well-settled doctor, Australian citizen, Hindu Brahmin, 43-year-old divorcee, 5’ 10’’, looking for suitable lady for marriage. Caste/religion no bar. Please contact with details on mraus2020@gmail.com

Match required for a handsome, Hindu Brahmin boy. 6’, 27-year-old, slim, fair, software engineer working with HCL. Looking for a beautiful, tall, fair, educated girl from a cultured family. Respond with photo and profile to priyanka@ astragalaxy.com or WhatsApp +61 410-803-291. Caste no bar

Looking suitable match for 33-year-old Hindu Brahmin boy. Australian citizen, good looking, well settled, 6’. Seeking an educated and good looking girl in Australia, caste no bar. Please contact on 0422091170; 0431176440

More on Hindus from Census 2017

Numbers saw 60% jump since 2011, Census figures reveal

Apart from India’s Independence Day, 15 August this year marked Krishna Janmashtami, the annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. It one of the most important days of observance on the Hindu calendar. There certainly were a greater number of

Hindus celebrating Krishna Janmashtami this year, with the 2016 Census of Population and Housing showing that Hinduism was the fastest growing religious group in Australia between 2011 and 2016.

Last year, the Census counted 440,300 Australians reporting Hinduism as their religion - 1.9 per cent of the population. This represents a whopping 60% increase since the 2011 Census, when the Hindu population was 275,535.

Australia’s most populous state, New South Wales, is also home to the most Hindus, with 180,000 people out of the state’s population of just under 7.5 million reporting Hinduism as their religion. However, in terms of percentage of the population, the Australian Capital Territory had the highest figure with 2.6 per cent of the ACT’s nearly 400,000 residents reporting as Hindu.

New South Wales and Victoria housed the five Australian suburbs with the largest number of Hindus - Parramatta (NSW), Westmead

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Swati, like many others, had migrated to Australia a few months back. Obviously, it was a very different environment compared to back home in India but with the help of her friends and colleagues, she was able to settle in very quickly.

And she is not alone. Every year, close to 40,000 Indians make Australia their home helping contribute to the local economy and making a mark for themselves. A combination of a great work environment and a strong community presence make life a lot easier for people like her.

What’s made life easier for people like Swati and her folks now is the instant connectivity available. Be it instant messaging and video chats or sending gifts and managing financial transactions for their folks, the internet has helped bridge the physical gap to a large extent.

It’s now only logical that the benefits of

this instant connectivity are extended to one of the core needs of sending money back home. According to the World Bank, Indians send close to $1.8 billion annually from Australia and historically, have had to settle for options that were either painstakingly time-consuming or prohibitively expensive. There was no option, which combined the speed of delivery at a very competitive price.

This too has changed now with online services available that help send money to India in a quick & transparent manner. One such service is Remit2India that’s been catering to the needs of Non-Resident Indians across the globe for over 16 years. Their proposition for Indians in Australia is one of the best as it offers an instant transfer to most bank accounts in India and currently at no fees to the sender. This facility is available 24x7 irrespective of time zones and bank holidays at both ends

up to a maximum transaction size of Rs 1,00,000. More details are available on the website www.remit2india.com and the iOS & Android apps.

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(NSW), Blacktown (NSW), Tarneit (VIC) and Point Cook (VIC).

Interestingly, the five suburbs in NSW with the highest proportion of Hindus were all in Western Sydney: Harris Park (45%), Girraween (43%), Westmead (41%), Bungarribee (37%) and Wentworthville (35%).

Hinduism appears to resonate with a younger crowd, with the median age of Hindus in Australia coming in at 31 years, significantly lower than the overall Australian median age of 38.

With origins in India, it comes as no surprise that just over half (51%) of Hindus living in Australia were born in India. Australia (18%) was the second most common country of birth, followed by Nepal (10%), Fiji (6%) and Sri Lanka (5%).

There is great diversity in the languages spoken at home by Hindus in Australia. Hindi (27%), English (13%), and Tamil (12%) are the three most common, while 41 different languages have at least 100 Australian Hindus speaking them at home.

every new customer in order to induce senders to try the online option.

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Indians in Australia are surely getting the best of both worlds.

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Lost in Tokyo

BY PETRA O’NEILL

It was while gazing up at the Park Hyatt hotel, where the film Lost in Translation was set, that I realised how very different life is in Japan.

Exiting Shinjuku’s railway station, I was propelled forward by the orderly but determined surge of commutersall wearing white shirts and black suits - making their way to futuristic office buildings. I, meanwhile, ended up in a park where pushed by proud owners in strollers - and wearing bonnets and frilly dresseswere dogs, not babies.

I had preconceptions about Tokyo - that it was spotlessly clean, its inhabitants wellmannered, homes were tiny, and that there was a deep respect for the past while looking towards the future. All true, but unexpectedly it also has a cheerful, quirky side.

A colossus of a city, mammoth in proportions like New York or London, a city with no discernible downtown centre, Tokyo is made up of clusters of skyscrapers scattered far and wide. The main challenge is deciphering the subway route map that looks like coloured entwined spaghetti representing 13 different lines. And yet, after arriving in the dead of night at 5am, I travelled across the city, catching three different trains that were already filling with commuters.

Equipped with maps (though a smart phone would have helped enormously with

navigating), to get acquainted with Tokyo’s quite distinctive neighbourhoods, from the ancient to modern, peaceful to clubby and brash, elegant to funky, I sliced the city up into doable parts, spending a day in each of the must-see areas. I tried to avoid the subway system altogether by travelling on the above ground Japan Railway Yamanote line which skirts around the city’s perimeter high up off the ground, doubling up to provide a panoramic tour of the city. And surprisingly it is a city that is easy to discover on foot with signs often in English and locals who really do go out of their way to help you.

Ginza is lined with neon frenzy, with outlandish modern architecture, high-end boutiques and one of the world’s busiest crossings. Locals here dress from top to toe in designer clothing. It’s showy with flash fast sports cars zooming by and women wearing killer heels and lots of bling.

But behind the main streets lined with department stores, such as Mitsukoshi with a splendid food hall, and flagship stores of overseas designers, are smaller boutiques and eateries that are pleasant to stroll by, especially along Namiki Dori.

Not far from here is the historic Tokyo Railway Station and hotel, now beautifully restored. And at the Imperial Palace, you can gain admittance to enter beyond the gates on a guided tour around the gardens to view pebbly walkways and ponds filled with carp.

To learn more of the past, I visited Asakusa and Ueno, two adjoining districts steeped in history. Within the city’s oldest temples, locals come to burn incense to ward off illnesses while coach-loads of Chinese and South Korean tourists rent kimonos for the day and take selfies.

Tackling the megacity can be a dizzying experience with fashion, food, design and history all colliding on the streets

But away from the temples and souvenir stores overrun with tourists are narrow winding streets with ancient timber houses that once belonged to merchants and artisans dating back to the Edo period. Here, life continues largely unchanged at a slow pace, with locals riding bicycles and shops sell sweets and crackers as they have done since the 17th century.

Shinjuku is shops and department stores on one side of the railway station with its staggering 60 exits, a nightclub and quite seedy area with strange names such as Closet Child Gothic Lolita in another direction, and futuristic office buildings on wide, tree-lined boulevards on the station’s other side. Japan’s Isetan Department store is located here with a food hall that has everything, giftboxed melons that retail for over $100 each to affordable treats including an extraordinary array of sushi, all exquisitely packaged.

Shibuya is a creative enclave renowned for its funky teenage locals that congregate on weekends to wear outrageous clothing and its hypnotic multi-storied video screens. It was here that I decided on a day of serendipity.

I’d heard of Cat Street, though locals didn’t know it by that name and it didn’t appear on my map. I set off eastwards, following sloping streets and twisting alleyways, hoping to find it. And by chance,

three hours later, I did just that off the main street of Omote-sando. Cat Street is tiny with even tinier offshoots lined with funky cafes, arty boutiques and very cool locals in a high end and a street way.

I had been looking forward to my stay in a traditional Japanese style inn, known as a Ryokan, but found the experience awkward. My room, lined with tatami mats, was so tiny that the futon mattress, once rolled out, absorbed the entire room. Across the hall, the toilet replicated the sounds of waterfalls and tweeting birds, a noise emanating from a control panel with instructions in Japanese that unfortunately squirted water in all directions when I tried to stop it. And opposite, at the neighbourhood restaurant frequented by locals, you selected your meal from photos and paid at a vending machine that dispensed a ticket, with the waitress then swiftly delivering your meal. So much is different from life as we know it.

Tokyo is a city of surprises that would take a lifetime to see and understand, but my time there had come to an end. I loved it and will be back.

At Shinjuku station I found the brilliantly sleek white Shinkansen train, a technological marvel shaped like a bullet. Ushered onboard by the conductor, I was soon being catapulted towards my next destination to begin my journey around Japan.

TRAVEL NOTEBOOK TOKYO

GETTING THERE Qantas, Japan Airlines and ANA fly direct to Tokyo while Jetstar makes 1 stop. Flights arrive at Haneda (closer to the city centre) or Narita.

GETTING AROUND Tokyo has a staggering number of rail and subway lines. Subway passes are recommended if you’re game to tackle them. Use your Japan Rail Pass only for long distance travel after you depart Tokyo as the pass is very expensive. If you use the JR Yamanote line you can purchase single trip tickets. There is also a hop on hop off sightseeing bus.

WHERE TO STAY Opt to stay close to a major transport hub, well serviced with shops, hotels and restaurants so you can get around swiftly such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno or Ginza. There are many options for accommodation from dormitory, affordably priced Japanese hotel chains with compact rooms such as Toyoko-inn and Tokyu Stay to luxury hotels and Japanese style ryokans. Book at least 3 months ahead.

WHERE TO STAY The cost of living is comparable to Australia though speciality items can be expensive. I was glad to have brought a thermos and my own coffee as good coffee is hard to find. Stations are surrounded by supermarkets, cafes and restaurants while department stores offer a staggering selection of food in their food halls with Isetan having one of the world’s best. Noodles and sushi are sold everywhere. Vegetarians will find dining out a challenge since fish paste is used extensively in stock.

WHERE TO STAY While hotels and departments stores accept credit cards, other purchases are generally cash only. The exchange rate for AUD in Japan is eye wateringly bad. Change your money before you leave into cash and as a backup a cash card loaded up with Yen.

Spotless shower rooms are available at major airports for a reasonable fee. Avoid travelling to Japan during peak holiday periods. Book at least 3 months ahead.

Clockwise from top left: Imperial Palace; Shinjuku; Cat Street, Shibuya; Omote-sando; beautifully presented food, Isetan Dept store, Shinjuku; Cracker shop, Asakusa

Surprisingly, it is a city that is easy to discover on foot with signs often in English and locals who really do go out of their way to help you

‘‘ ‘‘

The Round round-up

KHUSHAAL VYAS looks back at multicultural festivities, and forward to finals in September

September. It’s coming up all too fast. The month that every footy mad fan in Australia longs for. Because September means finals football. It means triple the intensity of every game, and naturally, the importance of every hand-pass, kick, mark, point and goal grows exponentially. So much to win, so much to lose. Even better is the fact that both Sydney teams are looking fairly set on playing finals football in what has been one of the most unpredictable seasons in living memory. Along with the talk of finals, we take a look and reflect on the incredible Multicultural Round and Festival that took place in late July as well as a look at the close tipping race between our experts. Here’s this week’s Round Roundup!

Multicultural Festival

You’ve heard me harp on and on about multiculturalism and its recognised importance in the AFL and the broader Australian community. Firstly, hopefully that made you get up and go check out the festivities! But secondly, if you didn’t, it’s worth noting how brilliant and special this year’s celebration was. Whilst the GIANTS played the Fremantle Dockers and won a thrilling match, the footy took a backseat with the celebration of different cultures taking centre stage. With special performances from Turkish Folk Dancers, Tai Chi workshops, L-Fresh Lion’s latest beats and the Diversity Cup between India, Philippines and New Zealand the festival highlighted what is beautiful about both AFL and Australia’s diversity in general. Many Cultures, One Game - the motto of Multicultural Round and the festivities highlighted exactly that. It makes you proud to be a follower of AFL and even prouder to be an Australian-Indian.

Finals Football

I told you to never lose faith in your team. The Swans started the season by losing the first six matches of the season. Now, they’re set to make history by qualifying for the finals after such a horror start. It tells you a great deal about both the

Round 22 Tipping Comp

Collingwood

Carlton

Melbourne Demons v Brisbane Lionss

unpredictability of this season and the determination of this strong Swans outfit. In the last seven matches, the only team the Swans have lost to are the Hawks, whose finals hopes are effectively over. The Swans have managed to score victories over the Bulldogs (reigning Premiers), GIANTS and Geelong - all of whom are some of the top contenders for playing finals football. Whilst the Swans have virtually secured their spot in the top 8, a win against the first-placed Crows will give them a shot at securing a top 4 position. So much to play for!

The GIANTS on the other hand are suring up second place and after a series of underwhelming performances were able to showcase their skill by their absolute drubbing of the Western Bulldogs. Sydney is going to be well represented in the finals and with so many players returning from injury for the Giants, they’re going to be

St Kilda Saints v North Melbourne Kangaroo Saints Saints Saints Saints Saints

Fremantle Dockers v Richmond Tigers Tigers Tigers Tigers Tigers Tigers

cine TALK

A DIRECTORIAL TRIUMPH

of this eventful drama, accompanied by an overpunctuated background score.

Akshay Kumar means business. This film is not so much a vehicle to promote the Prime Minister’s Swachh Bharat campaign as to promote Akshay Kumar, period. He milks the film for all his trademark chuckles and giggles, making Madhav seem like a Basu Chatterjee hero with a certain sly and smooth sinewiness to his heroism.

TOILET: EK PREM KATHA

STARRING: Akshay Kumar, Bhumi Pednekar, Divyendu Sharma, Sudhir Pande and Anupam Kher

DIRECTOR: Shree Narayan Singh

HHHHH

There is a point of no return in the plot when we, the audience, become so immersed in the protagonist’s crusade for a better tomorrow that we are cheering and stomping our feet in encouragement for that bright sunshine-drenched tomorrow of which Sahir Ludhianvi dreamt in Pyaasa and Phir Subah Hogi.

Our protagonist Madhav’s battle is not really reformatory in the way the great heroes of our times meant it to be.

In Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Satyakam, when the protagonist Dharmendra marries the rape victim, he does it with the least amount of self-congratulations.

In Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, Akshay Kumar’s mission to build a toilet for his wife is compared with Shah Jahan building the Taj Mahal for his wife. I wonder who should feel more affronted by such flamboyant selfglorification: Moghul history or Modi politics. Either way, there is much too much self-congratulations and heroic hurrahs playing at the foreground

It is debutant director Shree Narayan Singh who proves you don’t need extra sinewiness to shine in every frame. He is the Basu Chatterjee and Hrishikesh Mukherjee of our times. He makes hygiene and sanitation seem humorous without trivialising or tempering the issue. The sorority evidenced among the village women as they troop off in the morning for nature’s call is captured with a respectful laugh.

Here is proof that a film can make a social point without wearing a constantly sullen demeanour.

Throughout the lengthy film, the director maintains a kinetic momentum. He has his character’s feelings on his fingertips. He digs into the high-points in the drama with the disarmed delight of a kid scooping into a bowl of icecream. He negotiates the dips and curves in this bombastic tale of a man who must fight ‘sanskaar’ (no no, not the kind favoured by the censor board) to build a toilet for his newly married wife.

A warm earthiness and a nimble

wisdom pervade the storytelling. The plot is a pyramid of high-pitched drama captured in the basic colours of nature’s components by cinematographer Anshuman Mahaley (he had shot the first Jolly LLB film using an equally gritty palate). That the director is also the editor, helps him to remain on top of the commodious material. But the film could have been shortened post-interval where some of the toilet-building drama gets repetitive and shrill.

Though the high-pitched propagandist tenor and tone of the narration become overpowering after a point - as does Akshay Kumar’s exaggerated humanism - the film keeps us absolutely close to its heart as Madhav and Jaya’s love story acquires a universality by dint of their intimate affinity to the grassroot level of existence.

Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar play against one another in sparring spasms, their age difference notwithstanding. They look like a couple. The real performing sparks fly when the supporting cast - Sudhir Pande, Divyendu Sharma, Anupam Kher - are around to lend heft to the socio-political argument on how women in rural India need dignity before empowerment.

This is essentially a cause-withoutpause melodrama set at an opulent octave. Happily, director Shree Narayan Singh counterbalances those shrill notes of self-righteousness and propaganda with just the right doses of warmth, humour and irony.

Don’t look for subtlety in the storytelling in Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and you will come away a happy viewer with some relevant thoughts on how non-metropolitan India exists without caving into a depression.

Subhash K. Jha

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GURGAON

STARRING: Akshay Oberoi, Ragini Khanna, Pankaj Tripathy, Aamir Bashir, Shalini Vatsa, Arjun Fauzdar and Yogi Singha

DIRECTOR: Shanker Raman

HHHHH

The film opens with a promising, serious sequence that preaches how nature is

violated by man and warns us about its repercussions. But the story that follows is too feeble to substantiate this initial claim.

Mounted as a noir thriller and embedded with artificial flourish, Shanker Raman’s maiden directorial venture Gurgaon is a moody, heinous family drama based on true incidents. With female infanticide, greed and

DARK BUT NOT COMPELLING ENOUGH

sibling jealousy as vile motives, the story reveals the psychotic behaviour of an estate developer’s clan who is based in one of the most economically developing regions of northern IndiaGurgaon.

Property magnate Kehri Singh (Pankaj Tripathi) has an ominous past. In his endeavour to be prosperous, he visits a soothsayer, who tells him that his daughter will bring him all the luck he needs. So he adopts an orphan, Preet (Ragini Khanna), and showers all his attention on her. This has an adverse effect on his biological son Nikki (Akshay Oberoi), who resorts to vices and substance abuse.

To prove himself worthy, Nikki proposes various business projects, the latest being a gym in an upcoming locality. When his proposals fail to impress his father and he realises that Kehri plans to hand over the development project of the land to his sister, who has just returned home from the US after studying architecture, he resorts to illegal methods of raising money for his pet project.

THIS BARFI IS YUMMY TO THE LAST MORSEL

BAREILLY KI BARFI

STARRING: Ayushmann Khurana, Rajkummar Rao, Kriti Sanon

DIRECTOR: Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari

HHHHH

Early in the plot, we are told that the film’s heroine Bitti is no Sati Savitri. In fact she adheres to another kind of stereotyping that Hindi cinema has lately embraced. You know, the smalltown girl who is hip and happy, sassy and sexy, rides two-wheelers and smokes, and when a prospective groom asks her if she is a virgin, Bitti retorts, “No, I am not. Are you?”

What Bitti thinks to be streaks of rebellion (breakdancing, watching ‘angrezi’ films, etc) is nothing but a sign of decadent feminism.

And director Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari knows it. She lets Bittu fly free. Even if it’s just a flight of limited coverage, it is still worth that soar towards the sky.

Before Bareilly Ki Barfi ends, Bittu, played with endearing vivacity by Kriti Sanon, must choose her life partner. It’s a toss-up between Chirag, the nakedly selfish foxy suitor who can’t bring himself to say those three magical words to Bittu, and Pritam Vidrohi, the timid kind compassionate loser who sells sarees to bored housewives and lives his life on the crushed dreams of his existence like

a daredevil walking on glass.

That Chirag and Pritam are played by Ayushmann Khurrana and Rajkummar Rao is an exceptionally happy circumstance for the film.

Tiwari, who earlier directed that endearing film on female literacy Nil Battey Sannata carves a charming tale of a fey self-declared wild child and her two suitors. It is a film strewn with splendid moments framed in vistas of unrehearsed bustle by cinematographer Gavemic U Ary who shoots the characters, major or minor, with equipoise and empathy.

The writing and the dialogues sparkle with warmth and sunshine. Though the narrative pace slackens considerably after a point, we never lose interest in this oft-told tale that acquires vigour through the terrific dialogues and performances.

While Rajkumar Rao’s doubleidentity heroics bring the house down, Ayushmann has the tougher role as he emerges a slimy opportunist most of the time until he undergoes an abrupt and unconvincing change of heart. Kriti is spunky and in-character even in the scenes where she is not the centre of attraction. And Pankaj Tiwary and Seema Pahwa are absolutely delightful as her parents.

Yes, there are potholes in the

But luck evades him and he lands up owing a bookie Rs 1 crore. Desperate to ease his financial woes, he hits upon a plan to kidnap his sister Preet, fully aware that his father will cough up the ransom amount.

But predictably, his plan goes awry and the chain of events only get murkier.

Due to the plot that has onedimensional characters, and a substandard screenplay, the narrative seems forced to ensure mystery and drama. But the real fascination in the film lies in the under-stated performances of its cast who speak in a fluent Haryanvi accent.

On the technical front, even with moderate production values, the film is astutely crafted. The violence though deadly is not so graphic or stylized as to be voyeuristic, but the climax is definitely shocking.

While the sound effects and music by Naren Chandavarkar and Benedict Taylor are used to great effect to pump up the mood that accompany the stylishly designed frames captured by Vivek Shah’s lensing, jerky edits mar the viewing experience.

The last number that accompanies the end-credits is soulful and worth the wait for the credits to wind up.

Troy Ribeiro

romantic journey. But at the end, you will come away with a smile as Bitti walks into the sunset (in a manner of

speaking) with... Ah, now that is the question! Subhash K Jha

the BUZZ entertainment

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

TAPSEE PANNU: MAKING HER MARK

Tapsee Pannu seems to be the new darling of the industry. Her powerful roles in women-oriented films Baby, Naam Shabana and Pink have not gone unnoticed. We are also growing used to seeing her on many ‘fashion forward’ lists for her sartorial choices. Equally, she is not afraid of speaking her mind.

“A feminist is not someone who asks for extra rights or reservation or an edge over the other gender,” she said recently. “It’s someone who works towards gender equality.”

This month women’s mag Savvy has called her the Most Powerful Woman of the Year. But she is not afraid to be “common woman”, she declared as she launched the new cartoon series of Rimanika Laxman, RK Laxman’s granddaughter, the creator of the iconic cartoon character Common Man. (Rimanika’s versions are called New Common Man and Common Woman).

Taapsee said she herself is a very proud common woman. Her family and friends outside the industry have kept her grounded and normal, she revealed. “Thanks to their support, I wasn’t afraid to fall. That’s why I kept on taking one risk after the other.”

Way to go, girl!

SANJAY DUTT’S GANESH SONG

News is that actor Sanjay Dutt is recording a Ganesh aarti for his upcoming film Bhoomi

He’s not exactly known for his singing, so director Omung Kumar revealed how the idea came about. “The opening short is a Ganesh aarti performed by Sanjay, and we all decided that it should be recorded in his voice.”

He added, “It isn’t about singing. Even if Sanjay just recites it passionately, that’s enough. His voice echoes in your mind. I believe people will play this aarti for many years to come. “

The actor himself revealed, “I am a bit nervous, but let’s see.”

He added, “We celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi at my house. We worship him a lot, so I feel lucky that I have the chance to sing this song for him.”

Perhaps the troubled actor needs Ganesh’s blessings for his comeback film.

Who can forget Sanjay’s illustrious dad Sunil Dutt doing his own tribute to Bappa in that moving 1982 film Dard Ka Rishta. Hopefully Sanjay takes inspiration from there, and makes it just as memorable.

Bhoomi is a revenge drama centred around a father-daughter relationship. Aditi Rao Hydari plays Sanjay’s daughter.

The film releases on 22 September.

INDIAN AUDIENCE EQUATES RS 100 CR WITH CRICKETER’S CENTURY: MILAN LUTHRIA

Filmmaker Milan Luthria, who is looking forward to his upcoming offering Baadshaho, says he is against the “unnecessary” pressure of getting into the ‘Rs 100 crore club’.

Luthria, known for delivering films off the beaten track, like Kachche Dhaage, The Dirty Picture and Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, admitted he wants good numbers at the box office, but in proportion to investment.

“I think our Indian audience have equated Rs 100 crore to a cricketer’s century. No matter how many times you score 99 runs, if you have not done 100s, you are not a successful player. It’s sad. Honestly, personally, I am dead against it.”

Luthria said “I made a film named Taxi Number 9211 in a budget of Rs 6 crore. That film went on to make Rs 25 crore at the box office. So, how come it is not called a successful film for producers?

My film The Dirty Picture was made in Rs 20 crore and we did business of Rs 90 crore. In both the cases, the films were liked by people and we got our money back. So, for a producer like me,

these are successful films.”

Asked if doing a multi-starrer film is a bigger risk or advantage to cater a wider audience and make a potentially successful project, he said, “It makes the film more interesting to watch. If I have three celebrated actors in my film, it will grab more eyeballs - because they have their different fan followings and all of them will land up at the theatre.

Baadshaho, featuring Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi, Ileana D’Cruz, Esha Gupta and Vidyut Jammwal, will release on 1 September.

Will Luthria make his century, or will he be happy with a good return-oninvestment?

NO ‘PARTITION’ FOR PAKISTAN

Filmmaker Gurinder Chadha’s Partition: 1947 has been banned from releasing in Pakistan, reportedly over “misrepresentation” of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The director says it’s unfortunate. The film was released internationally as Viceroy’s House For the film, the British film director of Sikh origin, whose mother grew up in Rawalpindi, went back to trace her roots and document events that led to India’s Partition.

The film narrates the story of the trauma that people went through due to the division, and how it changed their lives. Featuring Hugh Bonneville, Gillian Anderson, Huma Qureshi and Manish Dayal, the movie released in India on 18 August.

According to The Express Tribune, the Sindh Film Censor Board deemed it unsuitable, stating that “the political narrative contradicts the national interest of Pakistan”.

The Board’s secretary Abdul Razzaq Khuhawar added somewhat strangely, “It’s a historical film and nothing negative is shown against Pakistan. The main reason for banning it was the misrepresentation of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. We felt his character was not portrayed correctly and it felt strange. Although the character only appears in a few scenes as the film mostly revolves around Lord Mountbatten, the actor didn’t look like Jinnah at all. If you had seen it, you couldn’t tell it was Jinnah. Otherwise, there were no issues with the film.”

ADITI RAO HYDARI

INDIAN NETWORK LAUNCHES US TV SHOW

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL), a worldwide content company, has launched its first English language South Asian reality show, Made In America

The show is entirely produced and filmed in the US and marks the first time that a channel of Indian origin is producing content on a global scale for international audiences.

The show centres around six South Asian millennial women chosen from a nationwide search in the US, which drew in over 6,000 applicants.

Hosted by Nina Davuluri, the firstever Indian American woman to be crowned Miss America, the six women are mentored by Nina as they are pushed to their limits for over a period of 10 weeks in various types of training, while competing to win the coveted title of Made In America

Sameer Targe, CEO of ZEE TV Americas said, “We realised that there was a need in the marketplace to reach a younger South Asian audience who have a desire to be in the glamour world. Our show is a platform for them to be able to showcase their talents.”

(Sounds a bit like Australia’s own Bollywood Star. Let’s just hope the American winner doesn’t go AWOL like the Aussie winner.)

Each episode focuses on a specific challenge, and a winner is chosen.

CAPTION CONTEST

The finale of the show will air on 12 October.

Viewers can expect an array of new programmes produced in the US by the channel, which will air throughout 2017 and 2018. The newly developed shows will centre around a variety of genres and topics. From a reality series to a biographical series based on successful Indian American entrepreneurs and philanthropists in which their journey to success stories are shared, the channel will also be airing a business show and game show.

DANIEL AND I ARE HANDSON PARENTS: SUNNY LEONE

Nisha Kaur Weber. That’s the name of the baby girl Indo-Canadian actress Sunny Leone has adopted with her husband Daniel Weber.

“It is so amazing to have her,” Sunny revealed recently. “Both Daniel and I are hands-on parents. We bathe her, wash her, change her nappies and feed her. When she wakes up, we run to say ‘good morning’ and sometimes we are pushing each other to get in first. We are really happy.”

The actress, 36, who adopted the girl from Latur, said the process took two years.

“We decided almost two years ago that we will adopt because we are volunteers at times with different orphanages and shelters and especially one in particular which is St.

WHO WORE IT BETTER?

CHERIE CHUNG or FRIEDA PINTO in PAULE KA

Share your views with us on our Facebook page /IndianLinkAustralia

Catherine’s Home. We loved that every single woman there was a volunteer who helped the children and there were so many babies there. They have taken girls who have been trafficked, children who have been trafficked, children who have HIV. It touches you. There are so many children who want parents. We had that room in our heart, financially and in our home, so everything fell into place.”

We hope Nisha brings the Webers much happiness.

WORTH WAITING FOR? YOU DECIDE!

The fourth instalment in the Golmaal series is slated to release on Diwali. Called Golmaal Again, the comedyactioner is directed by Rohit Shetty and stars Tabu, Parineeti Chopra, Ajay Devgn, Shreyas Talpade and Neil Nitin Mukesh. The first instalment Golmaal: Fun Unlimited released in 2006.  Aamir Khan’s upcoming production Secret Superstar is the story of a 14-year-old girl who is a singer and song-writer. It stars young actress Zaira Wasim. New singing talent Meghna Mishra has lent her voice to the film. She was picked after a thorough vetting of 28 young singers, Aamir Khan revealed recently as he released Main Kaun Hoon, a song from the film. Directed by Advait Chandan, Secret Superstar will release on 19 October.

WHAT TWEETY BIRD TOLD US THIS WEEK

Match the following tweets to the celebs that made them.

Tamannaah Bhatia, Gurinder Chadha, Vidya Balan, Karan Johar, Salman Khan

Thank you Melbourne and #IFFM for your love and hospitality… it was one of my favourite festival experiences… thank you @mitublange

Honoured to be part of annual India Day parade in New York

It is unfortunate my film has been banned in Pakistan. It will always be the land of my ancestors. ‘Partition: 1947’

Judwaa 1 tweeting for Judwaa 2

I am very happy to join the CBFC and I hope to fulfill my responsibilities as a member to the best of my abilities.

What’s AISHWARYA saying to daughter AARADHYA here?

Send in your responses to win@indianlink.com.au and WIN A TICKET to a new Hindi film

LAST ISSUE CAPTION CONTEST WINNING ENTRY

What’s the chitchat between ALIA BHATT AND KATRINA KAIF?

KATRINA: “Let’s do a Hindi version of Thelma and Louise!”

ALIA: “Great idea!!!”

MANVI AND GAURAV DANDENONG VIC Manvi and Gaurav win a ticket to new Hindi film Toilet Ek Prem Kathal

NINA DAVULURI

ZAIRA WASIM

SUNNY LEONE

ask AUNTYJI

Cry baby

DEAR AUNTYJI

Our neighbours have a beautiful baby boy. We used to love waving at him and making the usual cho chweet noises. But recently, little Matthew has come to act differently whenever he sees us. When we smile, he does a full-on extension of his body into a rictus of indignation and starts howling. He opens his mouth wide until all you see is pink gums with two teeth up and two teeth down, and he bellows like we tossed him into some sesame oil as a stir fry - which I thought was a clever description of the situation from my funny husband. My husband thinks Matthew has racist tendencies - because his parents are of Asian descent - but I don’t believe babies are inherently racist. Matthew will keep crying until his parents wheel him away. At first we all laughed because we thought this was hilarious, but now we are a little unsettled by this. What do you think, Auntyji?

AUNTYJI SAYS

Sesame oil?!  Stir fry?! If that is not

the most racist and disturbing thing I have ever heard, then I don’t know what is. But first, let’s ponder on why little Matty howls when he lays his unfortunate eyes on the two of you. It could be that he is seeing into the depths of your black souls and knows that you are going to hell, and he is crying with pity for you. It could be that he has seen your old kaale kartoot, and can’t believe that people like you exist - so he is shedding tears. Or, he could be howling with misery because he is having an existential crisis now that he realises that in this janam, he is an insaan and that he must live next to you. Either way, he is upset by the mere sight of you. And as for that comment from your black-face husband about stir frying the poor mite, well, clearly your husband has issues. No good will come from any of this. Little Matthew knows the two of you to be rakshasas in human form. You need to stay away from him - because at this stage, he can only bawl and carry on at the mere sight of you. In future, when he is old enough to speak, who knows what he will reveal about the pair of you.

On marriage equality

DEAR AUNTYJI

There is a lot of tamasha on at the moment about marriage equality. I am a little caught up about this - I mean, shouldn’t the sacred rites and rituals be between a man and woman? What about all the traditions and thousands of years of marriage customs? Why does a man want to marry a man or a woman want to marry another woman? As long as they live together, who cares, right? Can I please have your thoughts about this so I can discuss with my neighbours in an intelligent manner?

AUNTYJI SAYS

Ah, again, the same old topic which is guaranteed to bring out small mindedness and insular thinking in all of us. Tell me, what difference does it make to you if a man decided to marry another man? Exactly how does it impact your life? There is no argument clever enough to negate why a man should not be allowed to marry another person - whether it is

a man or a woman. As long as both are consenting adults, they should have the same freedoms allowed to heterosexual couples. Who are we to create laws to prevent people from these fundamental rights? As for marriage rites and customs, well, which ones exactly should we follow? Those that told us it was ok to marry our siblings, as Egyptian and other royal families throughout the world did? What about those marriage customs that insisted that wives perform suttee on the deaths of their husbands? Traditions and customs used as an argument against same-sex marriage is intellectually fraudulent. (Our ancient rites tell us that if a woman is a manglik she should be married to a tree). No one wins here. Bottom line is this. A person should be allowed to marry whomever they want - as long as they are both consenting adults. Let’s be intelligent about this. So you see, this whole debate is getting rather boring. The sooner we accept that people have basic rights, regardless of their sexual identity, the sooner we can move on to move interesting subjects, such as euthanasia or animal rights. Marriage equality for all. Full stop.

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