2018-01 Melbourne

LAKSHMI GANAPATHY

SHEIL BHATIA

TANISH RAO

KARINA VASUDEVAN

PUBLISHER

Pawan Luthra

EDITOR

Rajni Anand Luthra

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Harshad Pandharipande

MELBOURNE COORDINATOR

Preeti Jabbal

CONTRIBUTORS

Carl Buhariwala, Jyoti Shankar,

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RAJNI ANAND LUTHRA

Observing and reporting on the moods in our community, perhaps one of the most striking - and surprising - trends we recorded last year was collective action, as regular folk stepped up to ‘right’ what they saw as ‘wrongs’ committed by others.

Taking stock of the events in Australia’s Indian community last year, we concluded that 2017 was a year when citizen activism came to the fore.

Two major issues got the community working together last year. These included the furore over the incorrect depiction by SBS of the map of India in the Kashmir region, and MLA’s lamb advertisement which portrayed the much-loved Hindu god Ganesha in a derogatory manner. Both issues irked the community - or some claiming to represent the community - to no end. Invoking more than your

events saw the community rally together and put pressure on the organisers and perpetuators of these activities to review their stance and, over time, have them withdraw or change or apologise for their action.

Citizen journalism allowed the exposure of these issues; and the community - adept at the use of social media and mobile technology - found easy ways to connect over these matters, a particular favourite being WhatsApp groups. These were more than enough to ensure that the rage was maintained.

The collective activity sought to effect change, and met with success on more than one occasion.

In recent months, we’ve also seen a smaller subsection of our community protest against the alleged torture and ill-treatment of one of their own in India, even making inroads into political circles here and having the issue raised in parliament.

The very active online community among Indian-Australians has also been successful in coming together to help out when someone has been in an emergency and asked for help. Through funds,

community has shown that it can make a real difference in the real world.

It is true that sitting quiet will not help improve society, and that we should encourage such engagement, but such activism comes with its own problems, especially in our community. One problem is keeping the activity focussed and sustained, leading to the question of the level of commitment that existed in the first place. Digital community members are well aware of this; it is easy for the groups to turn into relay points for current affairs programs from Indian TV on unrelated issues, or of jokes, or of endless festival greetings, even as requests and reprimands go out to stay on-point.

Yet, there’s no doubt that having tasted success through such platforms, these can be used again to fight the real battles: against family violence, or for seniors’ rights for instance, or, the dropping of the pledge to reform racial vilification laws in neighbouring NSW.

In coming time, one hopes these are the issues that the community will take up, harnessing people power for social change.

Looking forward to a 2018 with even greater citizen engagement.

Yesha Joshi, Sanam Sharma, Silvana Zerella, Charuta Joshi, Maria Visconti, Minnal Khona, Ritam Mitra

If you live in a suburb near grasslands, you’re at risk of re.

If you live directly next to parks or paddocks and a re starts, walk at least two streets back. If you live two or more streets away, stay where you are. Grass res are unlikely to spread into built up areas. Stay alert and monitor conditions. Don’t drive, visibility may be poor, accidents are likely, and you could block emergency services.

emergency.vic.gov.au

YOUR SAY

WHAT’S ON RANVEER-DEEPIKA’S MIND?

We were ooded with responses on this caption contest we ran in the last issue. Here’s a selection

Namita Sheregar wrote: Ranveer: Paani se bachao deepika..

Deepika: Chup raho mera camere se focus hat jayega

Arti Asthana wrote: Let’s create the same magic with Padmavati as well..... ngers crossed

Rani RJ wrote: Let’s enjoy the calm before the storm.

Khem Raj Kharel had this to say: Deepika: Quick Ranveer! Act evil, we are trying to promote Padmavati here...

Ranveer:  I’m trying my best here Deepika, but your perfume smells so good, can I hug you?

Deepika:  Maybe you should stick to romantic movies Ranveer...Wait so that’s why you wanted us to dress like Bajirao and Mastani?!

Anshul Kothari guessed: Pakde Rehna, Chhodna Nahi.

Gaurav Wadekar wrote: Deepika: “How is it that we fall into Sanjay’s trap again and again?”

Dahlia Ahmed wrote: We love each other and we are together no matter what other people think. We are meant for each other.

Lakshman Kumar wrote: When the public can accept a movie on Akbar, why can’t they accept this movie? Padmavati, request them with your magical eyes.

MAKING A MARK

CHARUTA JOSHI interviewed India women cricket team’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur on her selection in the WBBL.

Krishna Neelamraju wrote: The Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) is presenting exciting new opportunities to the Indian women cricketers, helping them expand their horizons and gain crucial overseas experience. More excitingly, with the recruitment of the Indian stars, WBBL has the potential to reap a bonanza in cricket’s hottest media market - India.

India women cricket team’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur broke new ground in 2016 by becoming the rst Indian player, male or female, to play in the Big Bash League after being picked up by the inaugural champions Sydney Thunders. Even though the Thunders couldn’t sustain their form in the second edition, Kaur’s stellar performances for her team won all-round praise and she became an easy pick for two more seasons. This success story of the Punjabi lass from Moga will inspire other Indian women cricketers to set sights on the WBBL.

The 2016/17 WBBL02 season saw two superstars of Indian cricket, 21year old Smriti Mandhana and the 28-year old Kaur making their debut. While Mandhana failed to excite and could not renew her contract, Kaur grabbed the opportunity with both hands. She became the Thunders team’s lead scorer for the season with an enviable average of 59.20 and earned a permanent place with the team. The all-rounder is now an integral part of the Thunders’ strategy to reclaim their title.

Overseas T20 leagues present golden opportunities for young Indian cricketers to play in different conditions and improve their skills. Harmanpreet Kaur is a great example for that.

The Indian captain’s experience training with the Aussies in their own backyard helped her rise to the occasion during the 2017 edition of ICC Women’s World Cup Semi-Final against Australia. Coming to the crease with India under pressure at 2-35, Kaur unleashed a monster innings of 171* of 115 balls that included 7 sixes and 20 fours. The record-breaking effort helped India secure a berth in the nal. The Aussies witnessed with awe what a formidable player Kaur is and this no doubt played a part in the two-year contract renewal Kaur bagged.

Kaur’s Aussie adventures have serendipitously come at a transformative moment for the women’s cricket. The Women’s World Cup saw record viewership of more than 180 million people worldwide of which 156 million were in India alone. The nal between England and India was played in front of a frenzied, sold-out crowd on the Lord’s cricket ground, the likes of which Women’s cricket has never seen before. It is no secret that the hard-core cricket fans of India are driving the game’s popularity worldwide and they seem to have found a new interest in women’s cricket.

A ‘BEHTAREEN’ WAY OF ENJOYING BBL

The Hindi commentary on selected BBL and WBBL games was a superhit and widely heard. A BBL Facebook post about it racked up 23,000 views and over 100 likes

Amy Dixon wrote: I’m surprised at the balance of languages in the commentary, speci cally the amount of English for concepts like offside and leg stump. Thanks for posting.

Rani A wrote: Lovely to hear Hindi cricket commentary. Some wonderful insights from Sanjiv Dubey

Aman Agarwal wrote: Fan from Calcutta

Swapan Basu remarked: Nice yaar

Reeti Trivedi wrote: Fun and insightful at the same time. Brought back memories from my childhood

WHO WORE IT BETTER?

A few days ago, we asked who was looking better, Padma Lakshmi or Lea Michele, in a Cushnie Et Ochs dress?

Preeti Jabbal wrote: This dress needs oomph and curves and Lea

Michelle is rocking it .Sorry PL

Rajinder Kaur agreed: Lee Michele

Leyla Singh wrote: Lea Michele

Considering this, it will be a very savvy move to include more Indian players in the WBBL line ups. The opening match of the 2017/18 WBBL03 season on 9 Dec 2017 saw Kaur take a spectacular forward-diving catch to complete the Thunders’ win. The Aussie media may not have given it a lot of coverage, but the Indian media rolled out ecstatic coverage of the catch and the contenthungry news channels played the video on loop. This kind of media attention can help WBBL ll a gap in the lucrative Indian sports market while IPL remains restricted to men’s cricket.

WBBL03 season saw another Indian player, the amboyant Veda Krishnamurthy, join the Hobart Hurricanes. If she is able to replicate Kaur’s success, more doors may open. At a time when interest is fast rising in women’s cricket, seeing a familiar face or a crowd favourite on the TV screens may capture the Indian viewer’s fancy. It will be a win-win for both the Australian and the Indian women cricket if WBBL can break through the Indian market, even for a few years before the inevitable launch of women’s IPL.

STAYING SAFE IN TWILIGHT YEARS

An event to mark Prevention of Elder Abuse Family Day sought to raise awareness about this issue. CARL BUHARIWALA reported

Dilnaz Billimoria wrote: Please accept my personal thanks for always supporting our endeavours to promote harmony in the Indian community and to build bridges of trust between organisations, government bodies and CALD communities. Carl, thank you for attending our Prevention of Financial Elder Abuse Forum for the Indian community and your report in Indian Link. Building awareness of sensitive issues is the way forward, be it elder abuse, family violence, women’s health, etc with CALD focus.

FRIENDS IN DEED

HARSHAD PANDHARIPANDE wrote about online communities helping migrants in real life.

Vikramjeet Singh, whose mum’s treatment was crowdfunded by the group members, wrote: Thanks to everyone for supporting me and sharing my problem with others. I really appreciate all IIS members. Thanks to group admin also who allowed me to raise fund from their page. Thanks once again to all of you

Gaurav Wadekar, who was also featured in the article, wrote: It is an honour to be featured along with Desi Referral Network in the cover story published by Indian Link. This is truly amazing in terms of the effort that you are putting in helping people.

Krish Na wrote: A heart-warming article. Great job, people!

Prateek Saxena wrote: So awesome!

Aashish Dube wrote: Feeling proud to be a part of this group!!

Our story on the same-sex marriage result - and the negative reaction to it from some quarters - spurred a reader into penning down her thoughts.

Reeti Trivedi wrote: “All things queer are also part of nature.”

This has been on my mind ever since Australia’s survey/debate to allow same-sex marriage was on. I suddenly realised many people around me had a problem with the idea that all queer things are also part of nature. And the sad part was they thought it’s unnatural. They thought the whole concept is modern, Western or sexual.

While the thought was fresh in my mind, I came across the rather regressive and clearly unscienti c views on homosexuality by some Indian spiritual and political leaders. Thankfully, these opinions were quickly countered - at least on Twitter, where the leaders faced quite a bit of criticism.

I also recently came across a piece of news about a woman in the US rejecting a gay photographer for her maternity photos because of the photographer’s sexual orientation. The woman texted the photographer saying that she did not want someone gay to take pictures. She added that she was against it and she did not want her ve-year-old child to think that being gay is okay. She said she did not want her child to be in uenced by people who think that such a lifestyle is ‘okay and acceptable.’ Hundreds of people wrote comments on the post, saying that just as the photographer chose to be homosexual, the woman reserved the right to pick a photographer she felt comfortable with. My point here is, do people understand that homosexuality is not a choice?

Before the marriage equality survey, I read on many forums and heard many people talk about what would happen if Australia did indeed legalise samesex marriage? Would it be then taught at schools? Would that then result in in uencing children?

This fear stems purely from lack of awareness and knowledge about the issue. It may be even pronounced in a large part of the Indian community since sexand sex education - is a taboo subject, not to be discussed with children. To make it simple, nobody can teach your child or in uence your child to be gay. It is not a choice they can make. It is natural. On the contrary, people would be well served to start teaching their children - and themselves - acceptance.

I was happy when Australia nally came around to saying yes to marriage equality. And just when this took place, I nished reading the book Shikhandi by Devdutt Pattanaik. My Indian friends would know that Shikhandi was the eldest daughter of Drupada and the elder sister of Draupadi.

Drupada wanted a son so bad that he raised his daughter as a son and called her Shikhandi. So much so that she was given a wife, only to be discovered by the bride on the wedding night that her husband was a woman. A yaksha called Sthuna came to Shikhandi’s rescue. He lent her his manhood for one night. Shikhandi then performed his husbandly duties to the satisfaction of his new wife and returned the next day to give back the borrowed organ. Kubera, the king of yakshas, was so pleased with Shikhandi’s integrity that he allowed Shikhandi to use the yaksha’s manhood as long as he lived.

The book tells many stories such as Shikhandi’s. It talks of Mahadeva, who became a woman to deliver his devotee’s child; of Urvashi, who was born of no woman; of Arjuna, who was temporarily castrated for showing restraint; of Bhagirath, who was born of two women and so on. Some tales are touching, some playful and some disturbing - but these stories have been collected from far and wide.

YEH DOSTI, HUM NAHI CHHODENGE

We shared a video of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit Sarthak Kaushal wrote: Turnbull has no clue what Modi is talking, like he has no clue about people of Australia, lol!

Chandra Kishore wrote: Great dosti. Our PM values his friendship with Modiji.

KRISHNA, THE DIVINE PRANKSTER

APARNA ANANTHUNI wrote whether Lord Krishna’s ‘divine love play’ just a euphemism for eve-teasing?

Keedi Tohu wrote: This is an allegory of the love between the soul and God. As Saint Meera Bai once said, all devotees are female lovers of the Divine God.

Mesopotamian, Greek, Chinese, Japanese, Egyptian, Persian, Judaism, Biblical… all these cultures and civilisations have copious references to homosexuality and queerness. Homosexuals, transgenders, transsexuals, crossdressers, ‘hijras’ and eunuchs have all been part of our society since eons. They have been part of every possible culture, period, civilisation and mythology.

The book only helped me understand the subject better and validate my thoughts on the issue. Actually, the thought is very simple: Love is love. Long live love.

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V ery C apably

LAKSHMI GANAPATHY

School: Viewbank College ATAR: 96.75

Subjects: English, Biology, Drama, Media, German, Mathematical Methods (CAS)

Awards: La Trobe University Vice Chancellor’s Excellence scholarship recipient, Academic awards for Media, Drama and English Academic Endeavour in Maths Methods

With your VCE now done and dusted, you’ve probably had a chance to look back at it all with wisdom. What did you learn about yourself in the VCE year?

Karina Vasudevan: This year, I was surprised to find out that subjects which I’d always regarded as my worst ended up being my best, and vice versa, both throughout the year and in my final results. This taught me to never take my own abilities for granted, since nothing is set in stone, and also that I am capable of surprising even myself. Funnily enough, I also discovered that I study most effectively in the night time, especially late. In a more holistic sense, I learnt that I am capable of making it through the toughest of times, such as weeks where I’d have almost every period of every day filled with SACs (assessments), and I think that times like these ultimately propelled me into finding an invaluable ability to persevere.

Lakshmi Ganapathy: I learnt that I’m a

bit of perfectionist, sometimes even to my detriment. This was especially true when it came to devising my drama solo - the scale of the task and the need not to stuff up (the solo contributes to about 37 percent of the study score) played on my mind the whole time. I ended up in a sort of creative pigeonhole where I was too anxious to write any material because I felt it was “not good enough.” I realised then that I had to write something before I could write something well.

Tanish Rao: I learnt that if you put in the effort, you will be rewarded. Hard work and determination are the most important characteristics both in VCE and in life.

Sheil Bhatia: The concept on which almost all of economics is predicated is that of incentive, self-interest and autonomy.

Buyers and sellers act in the way they do and interact in the way they do because they have the sovereignty to do so and because it is in their best interest. In the same way, it is so crucial to recognise

SHEIL BHATIA

School: Melbourne High School ATAR: 99.85

Subjects: Economics, English, Legal Studies, Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics

Awards: MHS Award for Academic Excellence

that every decision you make will affect you, positively or negatively. It is critical to realise that there comes a time when, as a student, you must act in your benefit. If that means not going to a party or it means getting off Facebook, then so be it. Those around you can only do so much to drive you, motivate you and reap results. So work for yourself and act in your own self-interest for what is arguably one of the biggest years of your life.

Shlok Thakur: I learnt that it’s not about how much you study, in reality it’s about how smart you study.

What were your expectations going into the VCE year? How did reality compare?

Karina Vasudevan: I definitely imagined that Year 12 would be long, tedious, lots of work, and not much fun at all. In reality, yes, there was a ton of work, and at times it seemed endless, but now, I feel as though the year actually flew past! In retrospect, I can say it was my favourite

year of high school. The effort of studying all the time seems somewhat negated by the amount of fun I had with my classmates, by how many people I became closer to, and by how much I actually enjoyed coming to school (most days). The general feeling of being in Year 12 is amazing. I ended the year with unexpected new friendships and fun memories which will stay with me for a long time, well beyond the memory of how much homework I did or how long I had to study every night (although those are aspects which won’t be easily forgotten!).

Lakshmi Ganapathy: Based on the experience of a few people I knew who had completed VCE, I was told it was going to be this gruelling, Herculean endeavour where you would be snowed under by work and which felt like “you put your brain in a blender and then back into your head again.” Obviously, I knew that this was a complete exaggeration manufactured to scare people, but there

E arned

School finishers from the VCE class of 2017 share success Stories, top tips and favourite memories

KARINA VASUDEVAN

School: Star of the Sea College ATAR: 99.30

Subjects: English, Biology, Chemistry, Italian, Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics

Awards: Top score for Biology and Italian

Academic award for general excellence

Academic award for excellence in science

are definitely points in the year where the workload does get quite overwhelming, namely around the mid-year and end-ofyear exam periods. Otherwise, it was all about consistently applying yourself. I reasoned that if I was able to achieve good results with hard work in the previous years, this year shouldn’t be any different, and that logic did more or less hold true.

Tanish Rao: I always knew that I would attain a decent score; around the 94-95 range. Reality hit me with a combination of joy, bewilderment, and confusion. I hadn’t really decided what career path to look at, so more options actually caused me some additional stress at the beginning.

Sheil Bhatia: My expectations of VCE varied greatly on the basis of the context; academically I know what I wanted to achieve and I know what everyone else wanted/expected me to achieve which was above 98. In that respect I outdid my own expectations achieving a 99.85. However, it is notable to recognise that my

initial expectations were slightly misguided and overconservative, resultant of those around me and my own conservative nature. As expected, I had to make sacrifices to my tri-weekly sport in order to focus on my studies which was fairly justified. In all honesty, I found the year to be one of extensive mateship, creating more bonds and meeting new people as opposed to the rather cynical characterisation of VCE as this cut-throat friend vs. friend environment. In essence, I met or surpassed my expectations in all aspects, truly upholding the notion of VCE as a very rewarding 2 years.

Shlok Thakur: I expected SACs to be very scary and I thought I would be nervous and anxious when walking into an exam room, but I kind of got used to it so I could concentrate better whilst sitting the exam.

What extra-curricular activities or hobbies helped you maintain a balance between work and play?

TANISH RAO

School: Suzanne Cory High school ATAR: 99.80

Subjects: English, Specialist Maths, Mathematical Methods, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology

Awards: Dux of Suzanne Cory High School

Karina Vasudevan: I took part in a multitude of random activities at school - the music festival, sports carnivals, helping to organise the Year 12 end-ofyear celebrations, mainly to maintain some element of fun in my schedule. I frequented the gym during the first semester as a form of both exercise and distraction. Furthermore, I held onto my job at McDonald’s for majority of the year and worked once every weekend (simultaneously taking your mind off schoolwork and earning money is doubly advantageous). I also tried to maintain some degree of social life and saw friends or attended parties if I had the chance. All these activities helped with creating a balance, and prevented me from feeling resentful towards my study. I won’t deny that I spent a gigantic portion of my time with my books, but all the small breaks along the way helped me stay sane. As exams drew very close, I stopped working and fully cut back on going out, but in

between doing practice exams, I often enjoyed going for walks to clear my mind. Lakshmi Ganapathy: I don’t know if I really had much of a balance - I don’t play any sports or attend anything outside of my school, as I wasn’t really interested in such things, and so most of my focus was on my coursework. I did, however, partake in my regular smattering of extracurricular activities that I had been doing since Year 7, as I didn’t want to let go of them just to study more for one year. I participated in my school’s music program by playing Double Bass, as well as playing in the school’s production orchestra, doing debating and performing stand-up comedy. I also tried to find some time to get out of the house with my friends over the holidays and experience something other than coursework with them.

Tanish Rao: I did most of my study at home, so was able to play casual basketball during my free periods and at lunchtime. At home, my free time would normally be

spent on Facebook, reading random pages on Wikipedia, playing PC games (Dota 2), or meeting up with my friends at the local basketball courts.

Sheil Bhatia: Throughout Year 11 and 12, I continued my sporting and social activities to a very high degree, only reducing the number of events I attended 6-8 weeks before exams. My personal extra-curricular activities were debating and badminton and they were rewarding in their own way. Moreover, my love for music was something I maintained everyday of VCE and was critical in my maintenance of a work/play balance.

What would you have done differently, overall?

Karina Vasudevan: I wouldn’t change too much about my year, because I enjoyed myself thoroughly, and ended up exceeding my expectations in terms of results. I don’t regret putting in a lot of time and effort, or choosing to take breaks whenever I did. On a smaller scale, I might have used my summer holidays to get ahead of the things which I knew I wouldn’t find time for otherwise. For example, I would have studied my English texts more closely - I would have rewatched the movie and re-read the books a few more times than I did, given that there wouldn’t be enough time to do so after factoring in all my normal homework during the year.

Lakshmi Ganapathy: Somewhere

towards the end of the year, partly out of frustration with studying for my Maths Methods exams, I couldn’t help but wonder why I hadn’t chosen Literature instead, as the English language seemed infinitely more enjoyable and straightforward to me than that of Maths. I had chosen Maths to satisfy the Victorian Baccalaureate criterion, but I realised that I didn’t really need Maths as a prerequisite for anything I was planning on doing, and I could have perhaps performed better at Literature than Methods. That being said, I did enjoy Maths once I was able to do it properly, and I would have probably exhausted myself by adding yet another English-based subject to my existing three.

Tanish Rao: I can’t really comment on what I would do differently in terms of study/learning, because I have only taken one path and do not want to provide untested academic advice. However, I would spend more time with my friends and teachers, and get more involved in the school community, since it was the last year of schooling.

Sheil Bhatia: Given my results, I am inclined to say ‘nothing.’ I have no way of assessing the impact that any drastic change would have had on me socially, physically and academically. In hindsight, continuing my physical exercise right to exams and even through them perhaps may have placed me in a better position physically, but irrespective, I have no regrets. I participated in everything I

wanted to, I worked how I wanted to and I backed myself and in that respect, my VCE years are something I would not change.

Shlok Thakur: The usual, “study harder and longer” but honestly, I don’t think I wanted or needed a higher ATAR than what I got.

How did you feel at the end of your first assessment of the year? How did you feel at the end of your final VCE exam?

Karina Vasudevan: My first assessment was an English essay. I remember feeling I hadn’t written very well and walked out disheartened. Nevertheless, I did much better than I thought, and the rest of my assessments unfolded as a perpetual series of ups and downs. After a while, you just learn to take it in your stride. As for exams, my exam timetable seemed never-ending, as it stretched over a whole month, with my Italian oral exam being amongst the first and the written exam being the very last scheduled for the VCE timetable. After I put my pen down, I felt indescribably strange. Reaching that exact moment of freedom at long last, something I’d looked forward to for many months, I was blank, because I didn’t know what to do or how to feel! For the last few months, my life had been filled with non-stop study and suddenly it was all over. It took almost a week to stop feeling aimless and get over VCE in general, and from then on, I started to enjoy my holidays.

Lakshmi Ganapathy: I’m not sure what

the first SAC of the year was for me but I distinctly remember the English Creative Response SAC, which was sat by my entire year level in late February. Nobody was sure of how difficult it would be, so there was this real nervous energy that hung around everyone. Everyone went above and beyond to prepare themselves; teachers were constantly mobbed by students wanting last-minute help. Despite the palpable tension, I think that was perhaps one of the few SACs of the year that I came out of feeling completely happy with my work, as I managed to write my piece exactly as I had planned it. My final exam was German. A lot of people I knew had already finished and I couldn’t really imagine just getting up and leaving and not having to come back another time to sit another exam. Despite having sat 8 other exams prior to this one, it still felt quite nerve-wracking: I don’t think you ever stop feeling nervous for these kinds of things, you just get better at controlling the nerves, a bit like performing. When it ended, it didn’t really sink in until the day of my results that I had actually finished school completely.

Tanish Rao: I can’t really remember how I felt at the start of the year, but I can tell you that finishing your final examination is amazing. You can actually feel all the stress evaporating into nothingness.

Sheil Bhatia: If I’m honest, Year 12 and its difficulty was so hyped throughout Year 11 that I came to learn that for me

I reasoned that if I was able to achieve good results with hard work in the previous years, this year shouldn’t be any different

Lakshmi Ganapathy

Groups such as VCE Discussion Space are helpful in that they allow the thousands of VCE students to let loose their emotions

Tanish Rao

Year 11 and 12 were the same. I put the same amount of effort and vigour in Year 11 as I did in Year 12 and so the first SAC of the year was just another one for me. My first thought after my final exam was not one of relief or of fear of what would happen. My first thought was rather one of reflection and certain indifference. There is an unequivocal aspect of sadness involved in realising 13 years of schooling are over but nonetheless that time is for reflection and pride.

Social media now plays a big part in the lives of many VCE students. Did you find Facebook study groups helpful?

Karina Vasudevan: For Victorian students, there’s a Facebook group called VCE Discussion Space, which is almost the same thing as the HSC Discussion Group. I personally found its best value came from the entertaining memes posted by fellow VCE students. However, the internet still did play a big part in my revision. The most helpful online resource was a website called atarnotes.com which I only started really using in November, but now wish I had found before. I found forums for every possible VCE subject with an abundance of notes, practice exams, study resources, and past high achievers willing to help out and answer any question that you possibly could have.

I know the website operates for VCE and

HSC, and I’d definitely recommend its use to anyone if you need help with anything, extra study materials, or different perspectives.

Lakshmi Ganapathy: I found the VCE Discussion Space rather daunting; for me it heightened the competitive atmosphere of VCE and made me doubt whether I was capable at anything. I couldn’t help but subconsciously worry about people from the other side of Victoria when they posted their “raw 50 notes” and bragged about their results. However, I did enjoy the vast quantity of memes which served to mock the questions on the exam papers. They were rather entertaining, and reminded me that I was in the same boat as others and it was just an exam.

Tanish Rao: Groups such as VCE Discussion Space are helpful in that they allow the thousands of VCE students to let loose their emotions and realise that they are not alone in their endeavour. There’s also the memes. And that one guy who induces heart attacks by commenting about the non-existent last page on the exam.

Sheil Bhatia: Unlike many of my own friends and to the disgust of every parent, I did not leave social media throughout Year 12. I am not an excessive or avid user of social media bar Facebook and I continued to use it and Messenger throughout exams. In all honesty, VCE Discussion Space and similar groups

were more of a comedic outlet with the jokes posted on them. In the least condescending way possible, a majority of the resources on any of those sites was quite useless given the high standard set by my peers and my school. For many, however, I know that those resources were truly useful and they should definitely be explored.

Shlok Thakur: Yes, often a lot of helpful resources like cheat sheets, textbooks and solutions to difficult questions are posted on these pages, so if you have Facebook and are in Year 12 don’t hesitate to join because it’s a friendly and helpful community.

What would your advice to future final year students be?

Karina Vasudevan: This is a piece of advice given to me by both my father and one of my maths teachers: Consider the year a marathon, and not a series of sprints. That is, don’t tire yourself out and barely just make it alive from assessment to assessment. Rather, maintain a reasonable pace which allows you to complete the marathon that is Year 12 without burning out (which certainly can happen). I learnt this the hard way, spending a third of the year being unwell due to exhaustion and selfimposed stress. Once I learnt that it was impossible to finish every single piece of work, I was able to prioritise the most

valuable work and maximise my limited time. Things improved significantly when I learnt to compromise - for example, if I was confident that I understood a maths concept really well, I would attempt every second or third question instead of doing every assigned question in the exercise, and save a whole hour from my night in doing so.

Lakshmi Ganapathy: Be proud of what you can do and try not to compare yourself to others, no matter how much you want to. It’s so easy to feel that you have to be the best to be valued by anyone in such a competitive atmosphere, but as long as you’re doing better than you were yesterday, you’re already successful. (If only I knew this myself!)

At the same time, who you are as a person really can’t be reduced to a 4-digit number, so don’t feel that your results indicate your capability. Give it 2-3 months after you receive your results, and people will have forgotten about the hype and moved on.

Finally, enjoy the year! It’s so easy to get caught up in acing the next SAC or next exam, but sometimes you need to zoom out and just look at the year for what it is - a year. It’ll be over in no time and you be left missing the routine and community of your schoolyard life - so don’t leave school regretting that you didn’t have enough fun!

Tanish Rao: Do what works for you rather

VCE is not hard. It is hard work. All you have to do is back yourself Sheil Bhatia

Consider the year a marathon, and not a series of sprints. Maintain a reasonable pace which allows you to complete the marathon without burning out Karina Vasudevan

than for others. You most likely would have picked up on this from your previous 11 years of schooling. Also don’t bother with the amount of study (or practice exams) that other students have done. The amount of study necessary varies from person to person, so maintain a good work/play balance. In terms of trial exams, just do them until you feel you are confident that you can answer any question. Any form of study has diminishing and possibly detrimental results if you overdo it. Don’t take this as an excuse not to put in the hard yards though. Just make sure that it doesn’t compromise on your health and stress levels. Eat good food and sleep well. Sheil Bhatia: To do well in whatever you want to do, all you have to do is back yourself. You know yourself better than anyone else and VCE was scary for me not because of the result or the work but because I did not know whether or not what I was doing was what successful students do. Was the way I studied right? Should I be listening to music? Should I use cue-cards or mindmaps or just write things out? The moment I realised that it didn’t matter what other people did, that fear disappeared. VCE is not hard. It is hard work. Everyone knows you have to study but no one tells you how to and that’s something every student has to discover for themselves. I listened to music every time I studied but never when doing a practice exam. I wrote down everything because that’s how I learned. As a student, you’ve had 12 years of experience before your final year of schooling and in that time you would have learnt a little bit about yourself in terms of your studying and work ethic.

Shlok Thakur: Don’t stress, at the end of the day it’s just a number and whatever you want to be you can be with passion and hard work.

What moments from the past year do you remember most?

Karina Vasudevan: I definitely remember two distinct periods in the year, each lasting a few weeks, where I had SACs for every subject continuously rolling out one after the other. I’d be walking out of one assessment and straight into the next, day after day. The experience was hugely challenging but getting through those times made me feel like I could get through anything. Some of my more cherished moments include the events that characterise the end of your schooling years, such as the Year 12 formal, final sports carnivals, the final music festival, final house events, the Year 12 graduation celebrations and ceremony, and really everything else that happened for the last time - they are so memorable since I genuinely loved my school and everything about it. I will, however, also never forget the early morning classes held by my one of my teachers on Monday mornings for which I had to wake up an hour early (often finding myself on the bus before the sun even came up during the winter months).

Lakshmi Ganapathy: My Year 12 muckup day. I dressed up as Liam Gallagher of Oasis and approached teachers in character, as well as playing Wonderwall with my friends. It was hilarious and entertaining and the rehearsals with my friends leading up to the performance were a lot of fun.

I also remember some public speaking events from the year. The public speaking final where I spoke about vegetarianism, the Great Debate where I roasted my teachers, and the final Year 12 assembly, where I performed some stand-up comedy about the school to my cohort.

Sheil Bhatia: My Year 12 formal, senior social, my birthday, cricket with my mates every day.

Shlok Thakur: Muck-up day at our school where we got to relax for once.

How did you celebrate the end of your exams?

Karina Vasudevan: It just so happened that someone was celebrating a birthday the same day as my final exam. I was able to celebrate with all my friends, some of whom had been finished with exams for weeks, and it was a nice way to end the exam period. I didn’t go on Schoolies, but just enjoyed a relaxing week at home and caught up with some friends during that time.

Lakshmi Ganapathy: I didn’t so much celebrate as start working; I didn’t feel like going to Schoolies or any other festival as none of my other friends were doing such things, so now we try to meet up and go on outings in the city, which are really quite enjoyable. I also went to a concert the day before my results came out, which helped me not to fixate on them.

Tanish Rao: I just relaxed at home, played computer games and basketball and helped out at the family grocery store. I didn’t really have a formal celebration, just did all the things I normally do without the guilt of not studying. However, upon receiving my result, I celebrated at a hiking camp with family and friends.

Sheil Bhatia: I was never into the whole Schoolies concept so I just enjoyed some time at home and just did things that were partially restricted during my VCE - going for walks, playing sport, catching up with mates and enjoying all the things Melbourne has to offer.

Shlok Thakur: I went out with friends and just talked about things other than the exams.

Favourite quote from a teacher?

Karina Vasudevan: In a mathematical context, “when x is pi, I’m feeling high!”

Lakshmi Ganapathy: “Spares!? I’ll give them spares!” from the principal in our Year 12 formal video.

Tanish Rao: “It’s only the VCE”. I like many laughed at that seemingly dramatic understatement of the score that determines our lives, however now I see the truth in it.

Sheil Bhatia: You either wake up as a champion or you don’t wake up at all, and you all woke up today.

Shlok Thakur: Work smart, not hard

Know any good VCE jokes?

Karina Vasudevan: The VCE Maths Methods Exam 1.

Lakshmi Ganapathy: The GAT. Most confusing 3 hours of my life - I’m not sure if I’ve completely recovered from all those questions about pre-soaked fries and Arabica bean coffee.

Tanish Rao: Not really. I’m just not a punny person. But how this: Why don’t maths teachers go to the beach? Because they can use a sin and cos to get a tan. Sheil Bhatia: The minuteness of the discrepancy and margin of error between a 45 study score and 50 is a bit of a joke.

What was your Jersey name?

Karina Vasudevan: It was just “Karina” (not very imaginative, I know).

Lakshmi Ganapathy: “Thank You”. It stems from a joke in my Year 7 School Production, in which I was a stage crew member and had to bring a stool out to an actor positioned centre stage. There was no inconspicuous way to do it, as the curtains were closed and spotlights were pointed at him, so the director added a joke where he would suddenly turn and say “Thank You, Lakshmi!” as I gave him the stool. The audience loved it and the name has followed me around the school ever since.

Tanish Rao: Sin(ish)/cos(ish). For all you maths kids

Sheil Bhatia: Dherya (While everyone knows me as Sheil, Dherya was my nickname given my full first name is Dheryasheil)

Describe your VCE year in three (or four) words.

Karina Vasudevan: Exhausting, exciting, endless, extraordinary

Lakshmi Ganapathy: Hectic, stressful, (but) ephemeral

Tanish Rao: Purpose, persistence, pressure, Pythagoras

Sheil Bhatia: Taxing but rewarding Shlok Thakur: Once in a lifetime

Don’t stress, at the end of the day it’s just a number and whatever you want to be you can be with passion and hard work Shlok Thakur

Karina Vasudevan Sheil Bhatia

Brisbane monument for Indian soldiers

A REVELATION OF THE TRUTH BIANCA ARCHER

Ifirst became aware of Indian-origin Australians who served in our wars, about a year and a half ago as a first year student of architecture.

This part of our history was introduced to us in the form of an assignment competition: we had to design a war memorial to honour the Indian participation in the orld ars, especially alongside our own forces, as well as Indianorigin Australian soldiers.

The history of it all, buried so far, has come to light only recently, and we were left to do our own research.

It turned out to be quite an emotional experience for me. As I delved deeper into the context, I gained a sense of realisation regarding our history as Australians, but also regarding the wider meaning of war itself.

I imagined to myself what it must have been like to be forced to fight a war they

had nothing to do with, and to represent a country which was not their own. any words came to mind: honour, loyalty, bravery, commitment, heroism.

But then to have to comprehend the truth behind the matter - the fact that their sacrifice and contribution was - and still islargely unrecognised, made me feel a sense of sadness, betrayal, anger and disbelief. I wanted to express this in built form because I wanted other people to feel it too.

isiting the Sunnybank RS premises where the monument would sit, the design concept began to take shape in my mind.

The concept I came up with involved a missing piece, as well as a revelation of the truth.

The design features a large sphere representing our earth and the unification of humanity. The weight of the monument embodies the heavy death toll of the wars,

and the sadness that I felt and want others to feel. I want viewers to touch and feel the coldness of it all.

The missing piece of the sphere is intentional, as it symbolises the missing piece of history in which the story of the Indian soldiers was previously omitted. By “unearthing” this piece of history, we are able to able to reconstruct these stories as we commemorate, honour and preserve them in loving memory.

The major element in the design, is the hundred-year-old artillery case, which is fashioned into “trench art”, piercing through the centre of the sphere as it gently touches its core - creating a water ripple effect within its reflective surface.

The cracks upon the surface, were originally intended to allow light to come through from within somehow, to represent the story coming to light. But upon

deliberation with the Indian architect who helped construct, it was decided to leave the cracks in gold.

To conclude, the internal portion of this monument represents “reflection”, of both sacrifice and healing, while serving as a tangible link between past, present and future. By changing the way in which we orientate ourselves when viewing this design, we ultimately influence our ability to change the way in which we perceive war.

As my first real-life project, it gives me a thrill to see it listed on www. monumentaustralia.org.au I ve never designed a memorial before - it s usually houses I m a spiritual person, passionate about holistic health and wellness and want to incorporate that with architecture.

I can see now that the memorial means so much to the community. It has been inspiring to be part of this entire endeavour.

Bianca Archer with monument

On Remembrance Day 11 Nov last year, a monument was unveiled at Sunnybank RSL Brisbane to commemorate Indian participation in Australia’s war e orts. Gri th University architecture student BIANCA ARCHER won a competition to design the memorial. The two-year project was initiated by Brisbane’s Indian community led by SURENDRA PRASAD OAM.

LEST WE FORGET SURENDRA PRASAD OAM

The idea for a memorial to Indian soldiers who served the Australian cause came in . The history about their contributions were being unearthed and it touched a deep chord within me, especially as it went unrecognised.

I started discussions with others in our community about building a memorial, and the support I received was overwhelming.

The ederal member for oreton, raham errett arranged a meeting with the resident of the RS Sub Branch Sunnybank, Hugh olson, and we discussed a possible space to house the monument.

A management committee - the Australians of Indian Heritage ar emorial Committee AIH C - was

formed in uly . It drew members from different sectors of the Indian community, the RS sub-branch and politicians from both major parties. Capt Chetan Chandegave, Defence Adviser at the Indian High Commission also offered his support.

uch support also came from a good mate of mine, ewis ee A , who, as Chairman of the Australians of Chinese Heritage ar emorial Committee ACH C , was instrumental in the installation of a similar Chinese monument a few years ago.

The cost to build our monument was estimated at around , : we raised some of this money ourselves, but very soon the federal government came on board with a , commitment. e thank Nick onsour and Ross asta ederal member for Bonner , for their

efforts in obtaining this grant. or the monument itself, we requested riffith University, old Coast, to design the memorial. Dr Ruwan ernando from the riffith University School of Architecture became directly involved, designing a four-week project with his first year students. A group of students participated in the preliminary design competition. The students were encouraged to research cultural aspects, including art and customs and incorporate this into their model. Eleven students were picked as finalists to develop the design further.

A panel of five judges was appointed to evaluate the design entries. At a gala dinner on November , Bianca Archer s submission was announced as the winner.

e are very proud to see this project, the first of its kind in ueensland, finally

come to fruition, thanks to the joint efforts of the AIH committee, RS Sunnybank, and the staff and students of riffith University.

Depicting a turban-clad Indian-origin soldier together with a mainstream peer, this monument will serve as a reminder and tribute to all Australians of Indian heritage who served in our armed forces.

Apart from the monument, in memory of the fallen Australian-Indian soldiers, the committee has set up an educational bursary for high school students valued up to a year. This financial support has gone out to deserving students in the past two years and we hope to continue providing this assistance in coming years as well.

Bianca Archer and Surendra Prasad spoke to RAJNI ANAND LUTHRA

Surendra Prasad (third from left)

No child left behind

Albert Park Rotarians support differently-abled children in rural Bihar

For some differently-abled children from Dalit families in a remote village in India’s Bihar state, help has come from unexpected quarters.

With the belief that every child, regardless of their developmental progress, should have the same rights, the Rotary Club of Albert Park has been supporting the Bodhi Tree Educational Foundation School (BTEFS) at Bodhi Tree Campus, Shiripur Village, Bodhgaya since 2016.

The association between the club and the school started in early 2016. Antoinette Bongiorno, a Melbournebased financial planner and philanthropic donor, visited the school and met with the BTEFS’s Project Director, Dhirendra Sharma.

Witnessing and understanding the issues facing the village, the impoverished conditions, and the stigma associated with children having special needs, Antoinette decided to support the BTEFS and, with generous donations, create and develop activities at the school. With assistance from the Rotary Australia World Community Services (RAWCS), Ishwar Prasad from the club was appointed to oversee the management of donations. Ishwar visited BTEFS in March 2017 to assess whether the persons running the school had created an effective learning and teaching environment.

Following a successful assessment, RAWCS took over the project in May 2017 and provided additional funding to develop the school. BTEFS has over 40

students with several more being assessed for enrolment.

The school supports children with disabilities including autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and many other disabilities. Each child is assessed according to their abilities so that tailored tuition is provided to the best of BTEFS’s resources.

“All the activities are designed to build a child’s confidence and develop higher self-esteem. The children are nurtured in a relaxing and open environment so that they can improve their motor skills and cognitive skills at their own pace,” Prasad said.

Children are encouraged to participate in all activities, make friends and embrace the environment. Since parents of these children face difficulty funding their child’s education and extra-curricular activities, the BTEFS is helping bridge

the divide between children of differing abilities and backgrounds.

The club continues to assist developing villages and regions in rural India. In the past, the club has helped Indian communities with the installation of water filtration units, toilets and sanitary napkin assembly units.

The club also actively pursues its endeavour to promote their activities to the wider Australian community. The club does this in the hope that it can seek support of all kinds, and appreciates any help it can receive.

To help support this cause, donations can be made online through the RAWCS website https://donations.rawcs.com.au, project number 71-2016-17. Donations are tax deductible.

Carl Buhariwala

Timeless love

What happens when former lovers reconnect after 35 years? A Hindi play with a stellar cast delves deep

the nosy but well-meaning neighbour, in a supporting role, the three actors deliver impactful performances.

BY PREETI JABBAL

Despite being a story full of emotional memories, whatifs and unfinished business, Rakesh Bedi’s play Mera Woh Matlab Nahi Tha provided its art-loving Melbourne audience a great sense of contentment.

The live theatrical two-hour play with its stellar cast comprising Anupam Kher and Neena Gupta managed to tick all the right boxes for quality entertainment.

The central pair masterfully covered the emotional territory of childhood sweethearts meeting after a gap of 35 years to clear some misunderstandings. Delivering alternating accounts and flashbacks of their lives since they were separated, they walk us through their memories without slackening the pace of the narrative.

Neena Gupta as Hema Roy and Anupam Kher as Pritam Chopra visibly pour themselves into the execution of their roles. Along with Rakesh Bedi as Kapoor,

Neena Gupta clearly outshines the other two equally versatile actors as she seamlessly shifts between enacting the role of the feisty Hema and the conservative Nigar (Pritam Chopra’s wife).

Anupam Kher offers an impeccably emotive performance as the man who loses the love of his life to be forced into marriage to someone else. Rakesh Bedi, who has written and directed the play, provides comic relief during the tense moments of conversation between the two childhood lovers.

As the plot proceeds to unravel the truth behind why the two lovers from Chandni Chowk were separated and their experiences with their respective spouses, the audience is kept engaged, curious and interested.

The set is simple yet effective in the form of a public park that provides the location for the former lovers’ rendezvous. Without resorting to any mush or sweet nothings and with little or no physical contact, the lead pair maintains the romantic intrigue.

A refreshing change from the melodrama of TV soaps and the glitz of Bollywood cinema, Mera Who Matlab Nahi

Tha is a play that leaves you caring about the characters.

Did they eventually split again or did they consider a future together, did they go their separate ways or were they on the brink of a new commitment? The end keeps you guessing.

Mera Who Matlab Nahi Tha talks about how circumstances can be misinterpreted by humans in relationships, it talks about

the bitter-sweet memories of young love and it talks about age being irrelevant when two people reconnect.

In parts clichéd, in parts unexpected, the story can get somewhat predictable but is pulled off by some brilliant acting.

During the curtain call, the delighted audience at the Kingston Arts Centre leapt to its feet to give the accomplished cast a standing ovation, and deservedly so.

ON

REPUBLIC DAY

Flag hoisting

Fri 26 Jan (9:30am) Flag hoisting ceremony on the occasion of 69th Republic Day of India. All Indians, Persons of Indian origin and friends of India are welcome. Registration compulsory. Please register yourself at https://69th-republicday.eventbrite. com by Monday 22 January to attend the function. Consulate General of India 344 St Kilda Road. Details (03) 9682 5800

Republic Day Party at MCG

Sat 27 Jan (2:30pm) Join the Big Bash League (BBL) Melbourne Stars Cricket team for its Cultural Pulse Indian Republic Day Party! Precinct dance party with DJ, playing Bollywood, Bhangra and South Indian tunes, pre-match Bhangra, Bollywood, South Indian dance-off. Dedicated Indian fan bay with crowd interviews. Dress up in traditional Indian clothing. Families encouraged. Melbourne Cricket Ground, Brunton Ave, Richmond. Details 0406 308 302

Indian Republic Day & Australia Day Dinner

Sat Feb 10 (7:00pm to 10:00pm)

Australia India Society Of Victoria Inc is organising a function to celebrate Indian Republic Day and Australia Day, a musical event with gala dinner including 3 course meal, beer and soft drinks. (BYO Wines & Spirits). Manningham Function Centre, 699

Doncaster Road, Doncaster. Details aisv.org.au

ENTERTAINMENT

Sanjay Dutt Meet And Greet

Sun 11 Feb (7:00pm) Bollywood

singers, belly dancers, three course meal and drinks. The Melbourne Pavilion, 135 Racecourse Road, Flemington. Details Shinkoo NBH 0435 779 544

FESTIVAL

Lohri

Tues 13 Feb (6:30pm) 269, Robinson Road, Ravenhall Details Anu 0404 885 007

Melbourne Holi Festival 2018

Sat 24 Feb (11:00am to 7:00pm)

indulge in colours of India and groove on some ne tunes by International DJ lineup. Hosted by Holi Tribe Festival and IndoMystic. St Kilda Beach Victoria. Details 0469 393 460

AIII Holi

Sun 4 March (11:30am-6:30pm)

Hosted by The Australian Indian Innovations Inc and Dr RnB Entertainment. Experience the fun of playing with powdered colour, water balloons for kids, dry powder Holi and water-based Holi. Scrumptious food by Melbourne’s most famous food trucks, children’s rides, variety stalls, nonstop music for all those dance lovers. Springers Leisure Centre, 400

Cheltenham Road, Keysborough. Details Raj 0411 429 598.

Festival of Colours 2018

Sun 25 Feb (11:00am-4:00pm)

Hosted by Harekrishna Valley. Barwon Park Mansion, 105 Inverleigh Road, Winchelsea. Details http://www. festivalofcolours.com.au/

Colorfest Melbourne

Sun 29 April (11:00am to 4:00pm)

Hosted by Star Event Productions. Moonee Valley Racing Club, 1 McPherson St, Moonee ponds. Details info@stareventproductions.com.au

Rang Barse - Festival of Colours

Sun 11 March (11:00am-6:00pm)

Monash Clayton Sports Center, Melbourne Details 0427 274 462.

Holi at Werribbee Racecourse Sat 3 March (11:00am-8:00pm)

An event by Festivals of South Asia Inc. Werribee Racecourse, 2-10 Bulban Rd, Werribee. Details www. festivalsofsouthasia.org.au

MUSIC

Anoushka Shankar - Land Of Gold

Tues 13 March (8:00pm-11:00pm)

A singular gure in the Indian classical and progressive world music scenes, Anoushka Shankar grew up playing sitar alongside her father and Guru, the legendary Ravi Shankar. Arts

Centre Melbourne 100 St Kilda Road

Details 1300 182 183

POETRY

Guftagu With Gulzar Sahab

Sun 28 Jan (5:30pm) An unforgettable evening with the celebrated poet, lyricist and director Gulzar. Atlantic Peninsula, Shed 14 –Central Pier, 161 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands. Details 0401 230 046

FOOD

Foodie Trails - Indian Festival

Melbourne

Sat 24 March 9:00am to Sun 25

March 4:00 pm Queen Victoria Market, 452 Queen street Melbourne

COMMUNITY

MuslimFest

Sun 11 March (12:00pm-8:00pm)

Attracting over 10,000 people, this community event has been exciting residents of all ages and share the multicultural heritage of Islam with all Australians through art, culture, and entertainment. Highlights include carnival rides, free kids activities, cultural and community performances. Westgate Sports & Leisure Cnr Grieve Pde & Doherty’s Rd, Altona. Details 0432 175 822

To list your event email: media@indianlink.com.au

Woman of substance

film award at the Australian International Movie Convention for the films Dhoom 3, PK and Dangal.

BY PREETI JABBAL

This holiday season, Mitu Bhowmick Lange, Director of the Indian Film Festival Of Melbourne (IFFM), had much to celebrate as she became the first Australian-Indian woman to receive the prestigious Jill Robb Award.

Mitu took home the Screen Leadership Award for Outstanding Leadership, Achievement, and Service to the Victorian Screen Industry and for fostering cultural collaboration.

Jill Robb was the inaugural CEO of the Victorian Film Corporation (now Film Victoria) and a member of the Film Victoria Board from 1983-1989. As a producer and executive, Jill has been a role model for many screen practitioners, particularly women working in the screen sector.

Mitu is also the director Mind Blowing Films, a film production and distribution company that distributes Indian films throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Mind Blowing Films is three-time winner of the highest grossing foreign language

Mitu’s passion and commitment as a proponent of Indian cinema in Australia is visible in her impressive drive in leading IFFM to its current form.

Since its inception in 2010, IFFM has progressed in both scope and scale under her direction. It is an initiative of the Victorian Government that aims to strengthen ties between the Indian film industry and Victoria.

IFFM was the first Indian event to win the 2016 Melbourne Award in the category of Contribution to Multiculturalism by a Corporation.

IFFM aims to showcase the diversity, quality and vibrancy of cinema from India and the sub-continent. Every year, the Festival attracts a line-up of Indian film industry celebrities and stars. It also provides a platform for up-and-coming filmmakers, dancers and performers to showcase their work.

In December 2017, the International Film Business Awards (IFBA), supported by the Government of Telangana, honoured IFFM with the title of Most Popular Festival Abroad.

Most recently, the Jill Robb award added another impressive accolade to Mitu’s

profile. She was understandably elated to be recognised for the prestigious honour.

“The award is decided by Film Victoria and to be honest I had no idea how it came about,” said Mitu, flashing an infectious smile.

“I was happily travelling in Bombay when I got a call informing me about the honour. What made my heart burst with pride and joy was that I am the first Indian to win this - especially when the past winners have been legends like Sue Maslin, producer of Dress Maker, Oscarnominated Jill Bilcock and other women who I really respect and admire,” she said.

Mitu’s creative and commercially astute approach helped her in overcoming the many challenges that came her way. “My favourite song is Tagore’s Ekla Chalo Re, and that’s my mantra in life as well,” said Mitu. According to her, the one characteristic that has always helped her is tenacity and moving forward no matter what.

“The biggest challenge is usually to ensure that we are able to live up to everyone’s expectations. As the festival is growing and getting such immense love and following, there is more pressure on all of us to keep doing better, and live up to the love,” she added.

Mitu’s recipe for putting together a successful show is to create a programme

that has something for everyone and is a balance between arthouse and pop culture with a lot of fun and informative and interactive events.

Not one to rest on laurels, Mitu claims she has many goals to achieve. “I want to make IFFM stronger and start a small film fund around the Festival. I also want the initiative of ‘Educate the Educators’ to become stronger and more widespread,” she said.

“Educate the Educators was launched by our ambassador Vidya Balan, as a platform to help equip educators with the mind and skill-set required to address the teaching needs of special needs children. We had a good outcome in Delhi with our pilot program and we want to build on that,” shared Mitu.

According to Mitu, Mind Blowing Films have now started releasing films in Fiji, along with Australia and NZ, so she needs to build on that and also get her dream film up and going.

Asked to provide a message for the women leaders out there who wish to break the glass ceiling and the bamboo ceiling, Mitu said, “Sky should be the only ceiling that can contain us. If we believe and push forward no matter what, the ceilings do stop existing. I truly believe in that and live that!”

IFFM Director Mitu Bhowmick Lange becomes first Australian-Indian woman to win the prestigious Jill Robb Award

Mitu (2nd from right) with the other winners

CHEERS TO 2018!

MELBOURNE SURE KNOWS HOW TO THROW A NEW YEAR'S PARTY! HERE ARE A FEW MEMORABLE DOS FROM THE INDIAN COMMUNITY

Ambarish & friends raise a NYE toast

Muktesh & Rahul Chhibber with Aussie mates

Snigdha, Monika and Ina outside Bhoj Docklands

Reet & Kam Phulwani with friends

NYE celebrations in full swing at Bhoj Docklands

Mad hatters Riny, Angelique, Jasmine and Poonam

Shikha & Vaibhav Kansal’s poolside party

An Indo Aussie BBQ at the Singhs’ residence

Gracious hostess

Sonia Batra with friends

Whale of a time

Tourist’s photograph of a breaching whale wins accolades

BY JYOTI SHANKAR

Iremember my first whale watching trip off the Gold Coast – lots of retching and vomiting from sea-sickness, interspersed with shaky attempts to capture the huge beautiful animals on camera. Most of the shots captured had just a tiny bit of the whale’s tail in the frame. So when I saw Nitin Jayanand’s photo of a humpback whale, I couldn’t help but go “Wow!”

This picture of the breaching whale won the People’s Choice prize at the Nature Conservancy Australia’s 2017 photography competition. Around 4900

entries were submitted in this year’s competition. The Nature Conservancy is the world’s largest conservation organisation working around the globe to address pressing conservation threats by working collaboratively with local communities, governments, indigenous groups and businesses.

Nitin Jayanand, from Canberra, a mechanical designer by profession, describes himself as an amateur photographer.

“I attribute my shot to sheer luck,” he told Indian Link modestly. “On a holiday in Tasmania with my family, we took a whale-watching cruise at Eaglehawk Neck on the south-eastern coast of the island. A humpback whale suddenly breached.”

Breaching is a spectacular whaling behaviour where this massive animal leaps out of the water. Why they do this is

not known for sure but marine scientists have speculated that this may be a way of communicating with other whales about food, predators or mating.

After breaching, the whale usually lands on its side or back. A huge amount of water is displaced in the process, creating a massive splash.

“The action is spectacular and in the case of this whale, it was just once and I captured the moment just on time,” he revealed. Though he attributes much of the credit for this magnificent photograph to his Olympus camera and luck, one can’t deny that there is a level of skill required to capture such moments. Cameras are a thing of the past for most travellers these days, most of whom prefer to quickly capture memories on their mobile phones and take selfies. Nitin prefers taking pictures using manual settings. You need

to know your camera well and enough about what goes into a good exposure to get great shots. His other pictures here are evidence of his skill, much as he makes light of his accolade. A man of few words, Nitin’s pictures speak for him.

Photographer Nitin Jayanand

Protecting animal rights

a common risk among animal activists.

BY YESHA JOSHI

Most of us have fond memories of being told childhood stories of farmyard animals and singing the nursery rhyme Old MacDonald had a farm. These farms are happy places where ducks swim in a pond, little piggies roll around in the mud, cows and sheep gra e on the lush green grass and chickens happily cluck away in the far distance, playing until the sun sets, only to wait for their next adventure.

I have certainly grown up being told of such a happy place, where animals of all shapes and si es live a decent life, out of harm s way. Through these stories we teach children to be respectful towards other beings and that most often stories will have a happily ever after ending.

Sadly, the reality of these animals tells a different tale - one that some might find too confronting to bear.

Animal welfare advocate Apoorva adan knows the reality facing animals in animal industries too well. As a psychologist, she is clinically trained to provide assistance to those who suffer from compassion fatigue,

News about animal abuses in the dairy industry has begun to come in with increasing regularity. The confronting footage of bobby calves being taken away at just a day old, the forced pregnancies and the inevitable slaughter of cows that can no longer produce high quality milk is brought to the forefront of traditional and online media - courtesy of a handful of animal activists.

Speaking to Indian Link, Apoorva said:

“ ver the recent years, there has been a large amount of footage collected from various farms around the country showing the immense fear and pain that these animals experience every day,” Apoorva said. “This is confronting work for animal activists who seek to capture and share what is happening to our animals in these industries so that people are better informed when making consumer decisions.”

She added, “The animal welfare standards in Australian meat, dairy, egg and other animal use industries are alarmingly poor. or example, to produce milk for human consumption, cows are forcibly impregnated almost yearly, which is an immense physical burden on the body.”

oiceless, an organisation seeking to be a voice for the voiceless released The ife of the Dairy Cow report in . This report stated that around , dairy calves are considered waste and are “either killed

on-farm or sent for commercial slaughter within just five days of life, often ending up as pet food or used by the pharmaceutical industry.”

The report disclosed that farmers can slaughter calves by “chemical euthanasia, the use of a firearm or stunning by a captive bolt.” It is even more distressing to know that “a newborn calf can also be killed by striking their head with a blunt instrument, such as a hammer.”

The lack of animal welfare laws across Australian jurisdictions means these practices are considered acceptable across other animal industries, as Apoorva explains. “In the egg industry, it is standard practice to kill male chicks in the millions, as they are considered waste products to the industry. In the farming of pigs, it is legal for pregnant pigs to be kept in sow stalls - which are metal enclosures so small that the mothers are barely able to stand, let alone move forward or backward. other pigs will stay in this condition during their pregnancy. It is also standard practice to cut the tails of piglets and remove their teeth without any pain relief.

“This is done so that pigs do not cannibalise each other, which often happens because pigs become so psychologically distressed in these conditions.”

The Australian ork imited announced that the use of sow stalls will be voluntarily phased out by the end of .

commitment in most jurisdictions. nly the ACT and Tasmania have enforced legal restrictions on the use of sow stalls.

The light at the end of this sad tale is the existence of consumers who make informed decisions. They are the heroes of this story. As they vote with their wallet and demand improved animal welfare standards by purchasing free-range eggs or by making changes to their diet, the industries listen to the consumer dollar as Apoorva explains.

“ eganism is spreading rapidly, which makes sense - we are living in the age of social media where information is widely available. Industries can no longer hide behind their false advertisements convincing customers that animal products come from happy and willing animals. eople are learning the truth about the lives of animals, and as a result, are making changes in their lifestyle choices. I am confident we will continue to see veganism grow.”

As consumers, the choices you make will decide the ending of this story.

rite to your local about seeking animal law reform in your state.

We need more animal welfare laws, argues Apoorva Madan

Calm is a super power

A personal account of a yoga retreat in Rishikesh

BY SILVANA ZERELLA

In ctober last year I decided I would join a group led by ani Shukla from Himalayan Yogis, to experience life in an ashram in India.

e arrived at Swami Rama Sadhaka rama Ashram on November all excited about our -day stay. n arrival I was a little taken aback especially as I realised that all meals were to be taken in silence. y mind suddenly went into

overdrive and I thought I could not handle this ur mornings would start with a bell ringing at . am. rom here our day would begin and not end until . pm at night. I have to be truthful and say I really thought that the whole experience was going to be too much for me to handle, but then I decided to take a deep breath and see what the days would unfold. I am so glad I did this, as it all became so beautiful and calming and enlightening.

Everyone at the Ashram was calm and helpful and could not do enough to make our stay memorable. They tailored a program specifically for us and I learnt that yoga does not have to be so hard. Yoga in actual fact is all about soft movements that

stretch our body and calm the mind. e do not need to do strenuous stretches or impossible poses. rom yoga we would then go into silent meditation for an hour - which once again I thought would be impossible - but what an experience this was to mediate with the uru and his disciples. The aura in the room was ama ing and so very calming.

e experienced chanting at night and joined in with cymbals.

e learnt what the Himalayan tradition of meditation and yoga is all about and we learnt how to put this into our everyday practice. e learnt an authentic way of experiencing ashram life and we learnt an authentic way of bringing this into our lives. e learnt all about mantras and how

important these are to our meditation and we learnt that life is beautiful no matter how rich or poor we are, and no matter where we live in the world.

ould I have gone had I known the extent of the restrictions in ashram life ost probably not…

Am I glad I went Definitely so glad I went, and so glad I was able to experience such authenticity.

I am so grateful to ani Shukla Himalayan Yogis for allowing me the experience of a lifetime.

Silvana travelled to India with Adelaide-based Vani Shukla’s company Yoga Begins, organiser of the Divya Darshana Yoga Retreat

Bowled over

The Big Bash League’s attractive packaging and fast-paced games are sure to hook the younger generation

it his life-long passion (and I am the one who usually preaches to his friends to not impose their dreams on their kids. Ah, whatever).

powerplay period ended.

BY SANAM SHARMA

Indian parents, traditionally, have had one clichéd expectation from their Australian-born kids - to excel at school and to make it to medical school.

Lately though, a second breed of Indian parents has been cropping upthose who dream of seeing their kids play cricket at the highest level for Australia. I belong to this new breed of cricket-tragic parents - I can (just about) live with my son not going to medical school, but the thought of my son not being a cricket lover is extremely sour.

Two years ago, as my son Arjun turned six, I thought it was time for him to wake up to the wonderful world of cricket and make

So I turned our modest driveway into a cricket pitch and began daily ‘coaching’ sessions for Arjun. Only a couple of days into our training drills, and we were both fed up of each other - Arjun, for having a dad who demanded the perfect straight drive from a six-year-old who had only held the bat for two days; and me, for Arjun’s lack of ability to do so. His mum intervened and the training sessions were abandoned (indefinitely).

So I moved on to contemplating other ideas to get Arjun hooked to cricket. I tried to get him to watch a Test match with me on TV. He was glued - for four minutes and thirty seven seconds.

I then lured him to a one-day game, hoping that the colourful outfits and the white ball would do the trick. This time, his attention span gave in after the first

I looked up to the heavens in despair, seeking a sign. The gods must have been listening, because something in me said, give it one more try.

The Big Bash League (BBL) was in full swing and I was able to score tickets for us to watch the Melbourne derby between the Renegades and the Stars.

It was the perfect introduction to cricket that I had been seeking for Arjun. A packed stadium brimming with colour and noise, and the entire razzmatazz of a T20 cricketing encounter had Arjun hooked at first sight. The fireworks that erupted after every boundary, the song and dance, and the cheers from the crowd had him spellbound as he warmed to a game that his dad so desperately wanted him to love.

And this is how Australia’s Big Bash League, promoting the shortest version of the game, has won the hearts of cricket lovers across the country.

The BBL offers hard-fought T20 encounters that are spectacular in design and delivery, appealing to adults and kids alike. It is slick, fast paced, and makes for a perfect family outing on bright summer evenings.

The fact that Cricket Australia promotes BBL as a family-friendly event, differentiates it from other T20 leagues around the globe. It is a clean event that dishes out high-quality T20 games played out in picturesque stadiums with a singular view of attracting young kids into the game. In a way, it is the most potent tool to tap into the real grassroots for future talent. In times when the future of Test cricket is being debated, the T20 format offers a far more attractive platform to grow the engagements of kids in the game.

So, just like I did, take your kids out to a game to a BBL game this year and let them experience this spectacle of cricket. You won’t be disappointed. I promise.

INDIAN LINK RADIO APP

Hard K aur player

Harmanpreet Kaur, the 28-year-old all-rounder of the Indian women’s cricket team and recipient of the 2017 Arjuna Award, speaks to Indian Link Radio about her second outing in the WBBL as a Sydney Thunder player

he happened to be in the same city. I had been asking to meet him for a long time, so I couldn’t believe my luck when I got the opportunity. He actually took out time, and waited for me, and we got to spend half an hour together.

CHARUTA JOSHI: How did your journey in cricket start off?

HARMANPREET KAUR: Dad used to play cricket and I used to enjoy playing with him as a child. Luckily for me, my parents did not stop me from pursuing this interest of mine. I kept getting opportunities and finally got the chance to represent the country.

CJ: Just like your dad, you played other sports as well. So what made you choose to pursue cricket at the professional level?

HK: Yes, Dad was into a lot of sports in his school days. There wasn’t much scope for cricket at that stage. Things are different now, so when my time came, my parents encouraged me a lot, and never stopped me from pursuing the game. I have played other sports too at the school level, but I’ve always loved cricket the most. Besides, Indians are big supporters of this sport, and so far, there has been maximum name and fame in cricket, so it’s all worked out for me.

CJ: Who would you say is your cricketing hero?

HK: My dad is obviously my first hero. He is the one who taught me how to hold the bat correctly and tackle the oncoming ball. At the professional level, my role model has been Virender Sehwag since the initial days. He has been a huge inspiration. It’s wonderful to hear the stories of his initial days of struggle. Now he is at another level, having represented India at the international platform for so many years. I first met him five or six years ago. We were scheduled to leave for England, and

CJ: Tell us about your debut match against Pakistan in which you performed so well with the ball (4 overs, 10 runs).

HK: I hadn’t slept the night before because not only was it my debut, it was a match against Pakistan! Now it feels good to play against so many different teams.

CJ: You led the team as captain in the 2012 Asia Cup. Tell us about that match, again against Pakistan?

HK: I got the opportunity to lead as both our seniors, Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, were injured. But that also meant that there was a lot of pressure on me. It was a good match for me, eventually. The team performed well together and it turned into a memorable win for us.

CJ: Talk us through the last over of that match, when India bowled out the Pakistan team still short of 18 runs for victory?

HK: I had reserved the last over for medium pacer Niranjana Nagarajan as the Pakistan team were tackling spin well. The plan worked, and we managed to dismiss the team with five balls still left of the last over.

CJ: How do you handle pressure?

HK: Earlier, it was a big deal. Now, it’s become routine, so much so that I enjoy it. Playing against big teams on a daily basis, if one has to retain the team’s winning positon, you cannot afford to slip up on your schedule and discipline. Rather, the bigger the match, the greater should be your focus.

CJ: Tell us about your selection for the Women’s Big Bash League?

HK: It was in 2016 that the Board of

Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) allowed Indian players to participate in BBL and WBBL. Just the day after they granted the permission, I received the call with an offer to participate in the WBBL - I was thrilled! T20 cricket is one of my favourite formats of the game. The first call I made to share the news, was to my father. He had been upset about the permission being denied up until then, so he too was very happy that I had got the opportunity straight up. I had a good first year, and now I am back with a two-year contract, and really looking forward to it.

CJ: How did you get this opportunity?

HK: At the international level, it’s all about performing well. Luckily for me, I had been doing well against the Australian women’s team, and the selectors may have noticed that and followed my performance. Thankfully, I had a good season last year, and I hope to continue that form into this year as well.

CJ: What do you think about the audience’s response to WBBL?

HK: It’s fantastic! A huge number of people come to watch us play. The spectators enjoy the game, so they don’t care too much about whether it’s the men’s team or the women’s.

CJ: What do you think about the way cricket is played here?

HK: It’s aggressive and attacking on the field all the time, which is great because it gives me more energy and I enjoy this a lot more than having a defending approach to the game.

Here in the WBBL, you get a lot of privacy, freedom and the opportunity to just enjoy the game.

CJ: So what’s your team like?

HK: Besides Australian players, there are players from New Zealand and West Indies too in our team. Everyone is

friendly, and it feels good to have friends from across continents.

CJ: What changes have you seen in India regarding women’s cricket?

HK: Oh, there have been a lot of changes, especially after the World Cup last year. We have got so much love and respect! Cricket lovers actually watch out for our matches now, and enjoy our game, so it feels great. It also makes us want to perform better and keeps us fit and going. Thankfully, a lot of sportswomen are doing well for India now, like in Badminton and Tennis, so these are good times. Earlier the adulation was just reserved for the men’s cricket team, so I wish for more power to Indian sportswomen.

CJ: What’s your message to youngsters looking to pursue their dreams, just like you?

HK: Whatever you do, do it from the heart, and enjoy it. The results are secondary. The idea should be to remain calm and focussed. Equally important, respect your elders.

CJ: And your message to parents?

HK: Support your children’s dreams, and give them freedom instead of pressurising them. It’s all about mutual trust.

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

Favourite sport (other than cricket): Football

Sportsperson you admire: Yuvraj Singh

Favourite food: Mum’s cooking

Favourite holiday spot: Maldives

How you unwind: By watching films

Last film you have seen: Firangi

Favourite team member: Jhulan Goswami

Most happy-go-lucky team member: Sushma Verma

One person/thing you are missing while away from home: My mum, actually!

CHARUTA JOSHI

An absorbing draw at MCG

A recap of the best moments - Alistair Cook’s 244*, David Warner’s contrasting knocks in each innings and yet another Steve Smith century - from the Boxing Day Test match

Photos: Ravinder Singh

Jabbal

Celebrating diversity

Spring Festival showcases multiculturalism through arts, food and talks

With a full calendar of events, food, entertainment and community engagement, the Sawan Multicultural Spring Festival 2017 finished last year on a vibrant note.

SKGA Inc & SIMDA Cultural Group organised the season-long festival within the City of Melbourne, Monash and other local councils. The organisers said that the festival attracted an estimated 20,000 people who enjoyed the diverse range of activities on offer.

According to Nawal Moudgil, who helmed the project, “The festival was inspired by the Victorian Government’s initiative of spreading the significance of multiculturalism through creative and performing arts, as well as promoting the social, cultural and economic benefits of diversity.”

The performers and participants hailed from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds including India, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Columbia, China, Fiji, Bangladesh, Macedonia, Greece, Nepal, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Sudan, France, and Mauritius.

People sampled sumptuous seasonal delights at the array of food stalls that sold multi-ethnic cuisine. A myriad variety of entertainment was on offer, thanks to the line-up of multicultural dancers, musicians and artists.

Talks and workshops were conducted for community engagement and innovations as well as social cohesion. The topics were as varied as teen transformation, business

coaching & wealth management, taxation and accounting.

Other topics of interest were Yogameditation and mental health, diversity in business and finance, real estate and home loans, 21st century education and education - migration and immigration consulting.

Some other subjects were Bharatanatyam: an immersion of body and mind, preserver of linguistic diversity - the Sanskrit and Hindi language and literature in Australia.

During the festival, SKGA Inc & SIMDA Cultural Group, led by Moudgil, along with ASEAN Association and Albert Lim, showcased the vibrancy of Indian Diwali celebrations and the ASEAN 50th Year Silver Jubilee. The event was held at the iconic Queen Victoria Market of Melbourne.

The festival received support and sponsorship from a number of community groups, businesses, and local government representatives, Victorian multicultural commission (VMC) and media organisations.

The holiday mood, sunshine filled days and accessibility made for full festival immersion as festivalgoers made the most of the free events.

The aim of the festival was to engage the community in promoting cultural diversity, community harmony and intercultural awareness.

Riding on the success of last year’s events, a Spirit & Harmony Multicultural Festival 2018 will be held by SKGA Inc and SIMDA Cultural Group from 5 January till 4 March. For more info one can visit www.skga.org.au.

Mango tango

As mango season continues, we bring you three different ways to enjoy your favourite fruit

GRILLED KING PRAWNS WITH MANGO, YOUNG COCONUT

> Makes: 4 serves

> Prep time: 20 minutes > Cooking time: 2 minutes

Ingredients

2 young coconuts

2 mangoes

200 ml (7 oz) coconut cream

1 long green chilli, seeded and nely

chopped

Juice of 4 limes

1 tablespoon sh sauce

6 spring onions (scallions), sliced

20 Crystal Bay Green King Prawns

Method

1. Peel and nely dice the mangoes and put in a large bowl. Add the coconut esh, coconut cream, chilli,

lime juice, sh sauce and spring onions.

2. Preheat the barbecue hotplate to medium.

3. Cut the prawn in half lengthways and remove the intestine. Season with salt and pepper and cook for a couple of minutes until opaque and just cooked through. Serve drizzled with mango dressing.

Tip: Ask your grocer to cut open your young coconut or, if you have a cleaver at home, you can do it yourself. Using a spoon, scoop out the soft esh from the inside and dice.

DUCK AND MANGO NOODLE SALAD

> Makes: 4 serves > Prep time: 20 minutes > Cook time: 2 minutes

Ingredients

2 duck breasts, trimmed

200g rice noodles

½ red capsicum, cut into strips

2 green onions, sliced

¼ cup coriander leaves

¼ cup mint leaves

2 teaspoon sh sauce

1 tablespoon lime juice

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce

1 mango, thinly sliced

Lime wedges, to serve

MANGO CROISSANT PUDDINGS

> Makes: 4 serves > Prep time: 15 minutes > Cook time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

3 croissants, torn into small pieces

1 mango, chopped

3 eggs, lightly beaten

½ cup caster sugar

½ cup cream

1 ½ cups milk

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

Ice cream, to serve Mango curd, to serve (optional)

Method

1. Preheat oven to 170C. Lightly

grease four 1-cup capacity ovenproof ramekins or dishes.

2. Divide the torn croissants and chopped mango among the ramekins.

3. Whisk together the eggs, caster sugar, cream, milk and vanilla until fully combined and transfer mixture to a large jug. Pour over the croissants and mango then place the ramekins in a baking dish.

4. Pour boiling water into the baking dish, coming half way up

Method

1.Peel and nely dice the mangoes and put in a large bowl. Add the coconut esh, coconut cream, chilli, lime juice, sh sauce and spring onions.

2. Heat a nonstick frying pan over low heat. Add the duck breasts, increasing the heat as the duck cooks. Cook until duck skin is golden brown and middle is still slightly pink. Remove from pan.

3. Soak the noodles in a bowl

of boiling water until soft then drain and run under cold water.

4. Transfer the noodles to a bowl and toss with capsicum, green onions and herbs.

5. Combine the sh sauce, lime juice, oil and sweet chili. Toss with the noodle mixture and fold through sliced mango.

6. Slice duck breasts and serve with mango noodle salad. Serve with lime wedges.

Tip: It’s best to cook duck breasts starting them in a cool pan

the sides of the ramekins.

5. Transfer to the oven and bake for 35 minutes or until golden and set. If the puddings start to brown too quickly cover the baking dish with foil.

6. Allow the puddings to stand for 5 minutes then serve with ice cream and mango curd (optional).

6. Allow the puddings to stand for 5 minutes then serve with ice cream and mango curd (optional).

Desert in the sky

in people

BY MARIA VISCONTI

The Zanskar Valley in North India’s Ladakh region is a land of legends and snow leopards, of yaks and yak herders, of farmers and monks, of chortens and prayer flags, of solitude and isolation. Well above the tree line, the landscape is harsh and rugged, a kind of desert in the sky.

There is a general perception that getting to Ladakh and beyond is difficult but nothing can be further from the truth. You can fly or drive to Manali and do the exhilarating Manali to Leh road over high passes, or fly direct to Leh from Delhi. Airfares are very competitive on this route.

I had been to Ladakh before and couldn’t wait to get back to this region. This time, I had the opportunity to explore the Zanskar Valley and do it from the back of a Royal Enfield ‘Bullet’ motorcycle, a legendary machine, although this trip can be done by car as well.

Sparsely populated and breathtakingly beautiful, the Zanskar Valley has no paved roads, a few high passes, hanging glaciers (the Drang Drung glacier is said to flow with garnets and sapphires), a collection of ancient Buddhist monasteries clinging to dizzying cliffs and a few hamlets of Balti farmers who converted to Islam in the 16th century.

There are three very small hubs in this narrow valley: Rangdum, Padum and

Zangla where the valley closes in and you cannot go any further.

We had our share of flat tyres and delays and were ultimately rescued by a Balti family of farmers who took us in on a blustery night when we rocked up to their village Parkachick, exhausted after pushing a disabled bike for four kilometers. The family gave us a room in their farmhouse, fed us dinner and helped us the following day to get the flat repaired. We spent two nights at their farmhouse and became part of the family.

Aside from the awesome landscapes, it’s the people you meet that makes this trip so memorable. Chance encounters - which were nothing short of miraculous - allowed us to overcome some serious difficulties. There was always someone ready to help in the most extraordinary way.

At one point, after the patched tyre of our motorbike exploded under the rough conditions just before Penzi-La, we had to hitch a ride back to Rangdum, abandoning the bike by the roadside. The first truck that appeared (after a half an hour wait, such is the scarcity of vehicles on the road) generously gave us, our luggage and the Enfield’s back wheel, a ride back to Rangdum. The motorbike had to stay behind overnight by the side of the road. This would have been a worrying thought anywhere else in the world, but we were confident it would be untouched. As we were riding inside the highly decorated and spacious truck’s cabin, a lone rider appeared on the horizon. We stopped him to ask if he had a spare tube we could buy, knowing that Rangdum had neither a service station nor a repair shop. Basheer, an English teacher

from Kerala teaching in Chandigarh, gallantly parted with his only spare tube and would take no money for it. There still are people like that in this world.

The following morning, we were hoping for another truck to take us back to the bike when a distinctive Australian voice in the Rangdum hotel’s restaurant attracted my attention. Tsering, a Nepali-born woman living in Sydney, happily shared her vehicle with us, dropping us by the untouched bike, a four-hour drive away towards Padum. Until then we had not seen any Australians. Miracles do happen.

By the time we cleared Penzi-La we were very hungry as there are no eating places between Rangdum and Padum, the next town. But again, something extraordinary happened. A yak herder’s temporary encampment came into sight. A short conversation in Hindi resulted in an invitation to join the herders and have lunch with them. We were very grateful to receive from the nomads’ weathered hands a bowlful of paneer, dahi and freshly made rotis, accompanied by glassfuls of yak butter tea. What else can one dream of?

Padum, with its busy two streets was a bit of a shock after riding through such remote and solitary rockscapes. Overwhelmed by the sudden business of the place, the Mont Blanc guesthouse at the end of the road, surrounded by an organic vegetable garden, appealed to us. There we met, again by chance, the owner of another guesthouse in Zangla, the last village at the end of the valley. The Padum to Zangla road is being widened and improved at the moment and this made an already tough road even tougher. Riding

over sharp rocks scattered all over is a teeth-shattering experience. The actual roadworks fill the air with dust and grit. The road seems tortuous and unending, but Zangla is worth the pain.

Harvest time combined the hum of bumblebees with the hum of distant grass cutting machines. The smell of haymaking made us drowsy and high at the same time. Dorjay, the owner of Dragon Guesthouse in Zangla, made sure we were pampered and treated us as his children. He practically carried me off the bike to our cottage, removing my boots and giving me a leg massage all while uttering endearing words. I must have looked shattered after hours of riding on the bad road. The two-room cottage (separate from the farmhouse), is cozy, warm and has a terrace to relax and have drinks at.

With the Royal Castle overlooking the entire ancient village, Zangla is the best place to visit in the Valley. Meandering lanes take you past whitewashed farmhouses with wood piled up on top of the roofs to last the winter or to have in store for a family cremation. Rows of stupas melt like wax candles in the harsh environment, lending the village and air of holiness. The King’s Castlebeing restored by a group of Hungarian volunteer architects and engineers - is worth the climb.

The Zanskar Valley will stay with you forever. It is the trip of a lifetime.

Ladakh’s Zanskar Valley may be harsh and remote, but it brings out the gentle and welcoming side

Clockwise from top left: Rangdum monastery; the Balti family; view from Penzi-La; Lamayuru monastery; Tsemo, Leh; Chortens in Zanskar, A typical road in Zanskar; Drang Drung glacier

Chance encounters - which were nothing short of miraculousallowed us to overcome some serious difficulties

Photos: Vikas Panghal

MATRIMONIALS

SEEKING GROOMS

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31-year-old Hindu Brahmin girl, pharmacist, Australian PR holder. Looking for a well-settled professional. Contact way2divine@gmail.com

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ARE YOU LOOKING FOR ‘THE ONE’?

We offer catering services for all occassions:

• Birthdays, • Weddings,

• Corporate Events • Puja / Langar

We cater from 20 to 2000 guests and we suit your budget, taste and requirements.

PREDICTIONS FOR JANUARY 2018

BY MINNAL KHONA

ARIES March 21 - April 19

TAURUS April 20 - May 20

For energetic Arians, the focus this month is on travel, new opportunities and long distance communication. If you are in a romantic relationship, it is a positive time. If single, the start of a signi cant love affair will come as a pleasant surprise. You might want to do more with your life or move home and live closer to the water. A sudden boost or progress in your career also brings an end to delays and improvement in your nancial affairs.

For practical and sincere Taureans, a fresh start could have anxious moments. You are looking for personal grati cation on the career front and work that is more meaningful. A new love affair could sweep you off your feet. Travel plans could change due to an urgent work-related matter. Stay calm and don’t let strong emotions rock the boat - whether in a marriage or a business partnership. Minor frustrations are temporary and you will take active steps to improve your health.

VIRGO

Aug 23 - Sep 22

You are in a sensitive and emotional frame of mind, so go slow if in a romantic relationship. People around you make you re-examine your objectives and what it is that you really seek out of life. Cash ow is not an issue but avoid over-spending. A long-term niggling problem that is work related will get resolved. Taking decisive action on a matter will lead to success so don’t waver once you have made up your mind. Don’t take on more work than you can handle.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov 22 - Dec 21

TAROT

GEMINI May 21 - June 20

CANCER June 21 - July 20

The in uence of an Aquarian in your life makes you interested in humanitarian matters; you will want to engage in social work and help those less fortunate than yourself. A different job offer or business opportunity comes your way. A holiday or planned trip will be a happy one. New information you receive related to work will make things more positive all around. Success in nancial matters is predicted and things will work out better than you think.

LIBRA

Sep 23 - Oct 22

Virgos have a practical approach to most things in life and this holds them in good stead. But, if you have to take a decision, be rm. A friend may play matchmaker for single Virgos, or even help with business affairs. Feeling good about yourself this month keeps you on top of everything, even in a stagnant relationship. Your emotions might swing high and low. Take care of your health as you could have stomach and back ache-related problems.

CAPRICORN

Dec 22 - Jan 19

If you are with a signi cant other and feelings run deep on both sides, you might still not want to make a commitment till the creases are ironed out. A short trip is fruitful. Aspire for bigger things at work to ensure success. Financial problems will end. With work mates or your spouse, communicate your needs clearly and let the matter go if you want to resolve any con ict. Beware, a glamorous offer is not as good as it looks.

You are in uenced by someone with the temperament of a Libran so you might indulge in some self-analysis for clarity. Stay detached in a troublesome situation but be upfront and candid. New friendships are in the of ng and letting go of the past or a painful relationship is round the corner. Be careful while driving and do not dither while taking a decision. The heart takes a backseat while making up your mind. A fresh start is indicated for some.

You are in a re ective frame of mind where you want to nd your life’s purpose. Let the higher power handle your problems. An unexpected nancial opportunity comes your way. Avoid feelings of martyrdom in a relationship. New beginnings are indicated but you have to be prepared to let go of the past and break destructive patterns. Spiritual growth too is predicted and unsettled issues get resolved. Listen carefully to the universe; it is trying to tell you something.

AQUARIUS

Jan 20 - Feb 18

A reunion with friends or loved ones is possible this month. New partnerships, business ventures challenge the freedom loving Aquarians; and a change of habit is predicted. A situation or the occurrence of an event makes you rethink a romantic relationship; use your judgement before making a decision about it. Improvement in work conditions, a short trip, a new admirer, and resolution of inner and outer con icts will keep you occupied. You will seek purpose in what you do.

Those in creative professions will receive money for their efforts. Other Cancerians stuck in mundane jobs might look for ful lment through art, writing or other creative pursuits. A nancially rewarding business trip is in the of ng. You will have a breakthrough in the form of inspiring ideas that will enhance your productivity. If in a romantic relationship, you might seek more permanence, but be patient. Several promising options are in the of ng for those looking for work or a change of job.

SCORPIO

Oct 23 - Nov 21

Your intense and secretive nature might cause health issues that are entirely stress-related. So stay calm and balanced and if there are internal con icts going on in your head, they will end. A positive change is in store and you will nd a solution to an ongoing problem. If you are feeling stuck in a relationship, you might have a change of heart and decide to end things. A social event could be the buffer that provides clarity.

PISCES

Feb 19 - March 20

You will focus on wanting to move home or do something unusual. There are no reworks happening in your current relationship. You might even have to make sacri ces if you want to keep it going. If you are just getting over an affair, you will want to move on from it. Things will change for the better. Money could be tight this month and watch out for eye infections. Your skills will be called upon for business expansion at work.

cine TALK

DIRECTOR MAKES THIS TIGER ROAR

of international-calibre talent that we need to import important technicians to make our onscreen action look competitive and competent? And does Salman’s stardom really need a boost? A no to the rst question and a yes to the second. Salman’s superstardom is like a pitcher of brackish brew whose bitter hue is best tasted when recycled with gusto.

TZH looks like many other antiterror lms including Baby and Naam Shabana. And if you really want to see a taut intensely-felt take on the same plot about the kidnapping of nurses in Iraq, try the Malayam lm Take Off

TIGER ZINDA HAI

CAST: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Sajjad Delafrooz, Girish Karnad, Kumud Mishra, Paresh Rawal

DIRECTOR: Ali Abbas Zafar

HHHHH

When did this Tiger ever stop roaring?

Well...okay, Tubelight didn’t quite work. Salmaniacs didn’t want to watch him as a whimpy whiny crybaby hero. The message is hammered loud and clear in Tiger Zinda Hai (TZH), an homage to Salman Khan’s indomitable powers of hero-giri. From the rst frame to the last blast, this is a fanboy director making sure that every moment of the narrative is paisa vasool for the Salman fans.

Tiger Zinda Hai is a 2 ½ hour homage to Salman Khan’s superstardom. In the cinema of the Southern superstars like Rajinikanth or even Mammoothy (see his latest release Masterpiece where in almost every frame the star

is eulogised) it is common practice to extol the virtues of the Man Of The Moment, to the extent that the other members of the cast appear to be afterthoughts.

Almost every supporting actor in TZH - and that includes the diligent Katrina Kaif - is an extension of Salman Khan’s superstardom, his or her existence de ned by how much he or she herowosrhips our intelligence of cer Avinash Singh Rathod a.k.a Tiger. The lengthy eulogy gets tedious only when the actors pause to tell us what a daunting one-man army our hero is.

And since that happens quite often, we are frequently asked to hold our horses, while the compliments ow and the speed breakers are served up. Once those are out of the way TZH is a lot of fun to watch. The sheer silliness of a one-man army mowing a mayhem across terrorism, at a time when heroes in cinema across the world are

exposing their vulnerability more than their virility (watch the haunting Call Me By Your Name to know what I mean) is laughable.

So is the attempt to infuse a political urgency to an endeavour that is clearly on a one-point mission: no, not save the tiger, but celebrate the hero’s macho-giri until it hurts. And I don’t mean the muscles.

To his credit, the director packs in quite a punch. The narrative takes us through a collage of quirky, appealing locations where some really wellchoreographed action scenes are shot with breathless zeal. Full marks to cinematographer Marcin Laskawiec and action director Tom Struthers, not to mention the pulse-pounding yet discreet background score by Julian Packiam, for uplifting the viewers’ gaze to a level comparable with the Hollywood franchise.

A thought, though. Are we so short

Admittedly, the action sequences in TZH are better staged than in the rst Tiger lm. Except for the Iranian actor Sajjad Delfarooz who stands out as the terror mastermind, the splendid supporting cast is criminally wasted. It’s sad to see actors like Girish Karnad, Paresh Rawal, Kumud Mishra and Angad Bedi hanging around only to make sure the leading man looks his Sunday best. Still these actors ferret out their moments from a script that allows no breathing space for anything but comicbook vigour.

As for Katrina Kaif, she remains as deadpan as ever. Thank God some things never change. But she’s surprisingly effective in the action scenes, more so than she was in a similar role in Kabir Khan’s Phantom, or for matter in Ek Tha Tiger.

As for her chemistry with Salman, his eyes melt like an ice cream cone left out in the sun, each time she’s around. Will someone make an intense love story with the two?

Subhash K. Jha

the BUZZ entertainment

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

PAD MAN’S NOBLE WISH

National Award-winning actor Akshay Kumar, who is addressing the issue of menstrual hygiene in his forthcoming lm Pad Man, says women should get sanitary napkins for free of cost as it is a basic necessity for them.

Asked if the Toilet: Ek Prem Katha actor wants to reach out to the government to cut down on GST rate of sanitary napkins, Akshay said, “Why just cut down on GST? I think women should have free access to sanitary napkins. This is their basic necessity. It is about menstrual hygiene and not luxury.”

“It is unfortunate and I am ashamed to say that 82 per cent women in this country have no access to sanitary pads and they are mistreated during those ve days of their menstruation period. This is unfortunate,” he added.

Pad Man is a biopic on Arunachalam Muruganantham, the inventor of a low-cost sanitary pad making machine in India. The subject of Pad Man is considered a taboo or a sensitive issue. So what are the elements that

he has kept in mind while promoting the lm?

“First, do not call it a sensitive issue. It is a natural process of a human body. It is time to get rid of those taboos attached to it. It is time to treat the issue maturely. Also from the women’s end, they should not shy away from talking about the issue, and certainly should not whisper about it,” he said.

He feels that the way festivals like Holi and Diwali are celebrated, people should also “celebrate when a girl meets with her puberty.”

“When you celebrate it, the girl who is already going through a physical and hormonal transition, will feel con dent and secure. But we excluded our women from the normalcy of life during those ve days. So from the rst experience, women feel that period is something they should hide. So you know where we should start from,” he added.

Produced by Akshay’s wife Twinkle Khanna and directed by R. Balki, Pad Man is slated to release on January 26.

SALLU GETS DEATH THREAT

His fans fondly call him ‘bhai,’ but Salman Khan has received a death threat from a real-life bhai (gangster). Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi of Rajasthan issued a death threat to Salman Khan, saying the Bollywood actor will be killed in Jodhpur.

“Salman Khan will be killed here, in Jodhpur... Then he will come to know about our real identity,” Bishnoi told media persons while being taken to a Jodhpur court in police security.

Bishnoi was being produced in the court following his arrest on charges of terrorising traders and extorting money from them.

The gangster claimed that he had been framed in false cases and that to date, not even a single witness had deposed in the court to prove the charges.

“Now, if police want me to do some major crime, I shall kill Salman Khan and that too in Jodhpur,” he added.

Bishnoi’s death threat to Salman is being linked with the black buck killing case of 1998, in which Salman and his co-actors are accused. It was the Bishnoi community which had brought up the black buck hunting case, and ever since the community considers the Bollywood actor a “villain”.

However, some onlookers felt that the gangster talked of killing Salman just to create a sensation.

RAJPUT OUTFIT FIRM ON PADMAVATI BAN DEMAND

Despite a series of modi cations being made in the controversial lm Padmavati including its renaming as Padmavat, Rajput out t Karni Sena has again raised a demand for a complete ban on lm.

Speaking to media, Karni Sena observer Lokendra singh Kalvi said that lmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali should forget dreaming about the lm’s release.

“All efforts of Bhansali and CBFC (Central Board of Film Certi cation) shall go down the drain as we will never allow the screening of Padmavati anywhere in India or abroad.

“We are still adamant on our demand. Let there be a complete ban on the release of Padmavati,” he added.

Kalvi also demanded a complete ban on the Ghoomar song. “We don’t want any changes in the said song - we demand a complete ban on it,” he said.

He also questioned the ‘authenticity’ of the panel formed by the CBFC to review the lm.

Not all of them were historians, hence, their suggestions hardly make a difference, he said, adding that the CBFC proposed to bring in nine historians in the panel but ended calling only three historians “which speaks volumes on their seriousness to justify our demands”.

IN FILM INDUSTRY FOR MARATHON, NOT RAT RACE: RAJKUMMAR RAO

He debuted in the Hindi lm industry with Love Sex Aur Dhokha and went on to grab the limelight by delivering powerful performances. Geared up to enthrall cinema lovers with more thought-provoking projects, Rajkummar Rao says he is here for a marathon and not a rat race.

From performing on the stage at Shri Ram Centre in Delhi to picking up the nuances of acting at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, the 33-year-old actor started in the industry with no godfather. In a span of eight years, he has cemented his space with his work in lms like Kai Po Che!, Shahid, Aligarh, CityLights, Bareilly Ki Bar and Newton.

Rajkummar believes the times are changing for outsiders seeking a break in Bollywood.

“Being an outsider, I know it is not easy for an outsider to (get a break) in the industry; but I think times are changing. Writers in this generation are coming with some wonderful stories. Our directors too are experimenting with their storytelling and that is the reason why actors like me and so many of us are getting great characters to portray on screen,” Rajkummar said.

“I just hope this journey continues and I keep challenging myself. I just want to push the envelope with every lm. I really do not want to nd any comfort zone. It is just a very humble beginning. I have just started and it feels like Love Sex Aur Dhoka is just released... It has been seven years and there is a long way to go. I am here for a marathon actually, not a rat race,” added the actor. He says there was never a Plan B for him.

“This is the only thing I have always thought of doing since my school days. I always wanted to be a lm actor. I always chased that dream and I started by doing theatre in Delhi. Then I went to FTII from where I landed in Mumbai in 2008,” said Rajkummar, who says FTII gave him the con dence to face the camera.

“Somewhere, I feel that people take FTII actors seriously because we commit two to three years of our lives to learn

SALMAN KHAN

acting,” he said.

The struggle began when the Gurugram boy landed in Mumbai.

“For me, the rst two years in Mumbai were a bit tough. As Mumbai is an expensive city, it was not easy for me to cope up with a lot of expenses here. But my family really supported me.”

Rajkummar’s popularity has also not affected his attitude. Besides his performances, people often compliment him for his humility.

Brushing that off, he said: “I just be myself as I am doing this (acting) for myself. I wanted to work all my life in lms, not because I wanted to prove a point to anyone. I genuinely fell in love with acting. When there is true love, there is no other feeling. I think this is what I breathe for every day, to act in front of the camera.”

Rajkummar’s Love Sonia, 5 Weddings, Omerta and Shimla Mirchi are slated to release this year.

TV STRONGER MEDIUM

THAN FILMS: KARAN JOHAR

Filmmaker Karan Johar says that there should not be a divide between the small and the big screen as television is a stronger medium than cinema.

Karan has been a part of the small screen with shows like Jhalak Dikhla Jaa and India’s Got Talent and will be now be seen co-judging a reality show titled India’s Next Superstars

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The lmmaker, 45, says the digital platform and television has become huge.

“Today it reached out to at least nine times the audience... If three million people watch cinema and 27 million people watch television. So what is a bigger platform? Today digital and television is going to be huge. I respect those who earn name and money from television,” he added.

SANJAY DUTT’S BIOPIC TO RELEASE ON JUNE 29

For those awaiting to see how Ranbir Kapoor brings alive the story of Sanjay Dutt on the big screen, the wait has become a little longer. The biopic on the Khalnayak star will now release on June 29 instead of March 30.

Apart from Ranbir, who even put on weight to t Sanjay’s shoes for the biopic, the lm stars Sonam Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Dia Mirza, Paresh Rawal, Manisha Koirala, Karishma Tanna, Vicky Kaushal and Jim Sarbh. Presented by Fox Star, the untitled Dutt biopic is co-produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Rajkumar Hirani. Meanwhile, actress-producer Dia Mirza, who will be seen playing the role of Sanjay’s wife Manyata in the biopic, says she is excited to work on the project.

“I’m very very excited about the Dutt biopic and my work in it. I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself

by thinking about the fact that it might take my career as an actor in a new direction,” Dia said.

After winning the Miss Asia Paci c 2000 title, Dia made her Bollywood debut in 2001 with the lm Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein.

Despite having a successful debut, she could not sustain the golden run in the Hindi lm industry. She featured in Bollywood lms like Deewaanapan, Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge, Dum and Kurbaan that bombed at the box of ce.

Apart from acting, Dia has stepped into the lmmaking business. She coowns a production house, Born Free Entertainment, with her husband Sahil Sangha. Her last production venture was Bobby Jasoos in 2014.

The actress hopes to evolve as an actor and a producer with each project.

“As an actor and a producer, I hope I can continue to evolve, grow and contribute. That’s what my primary focus is... to just keep making better choices, keep learning and growing,” she said.

PADMAVATI UNCERTAINTY PUTS QUESTION MARK ON OTHER RELEASES

With speculation on the release date of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati - January 26 and February 9 - going around, the producers of the other lms lined up for release in the last week of January and the rst two weeks of February are anxious.

Prernaa Arora, the co-producer Pad Man, which will open on January 26, and Pari, which is slated to hit the screens on February 9, feels it would be foolhardy to release her lms on the same day as Padmavati, which might release as Padmavat.

“The curiosity level to see Padmavati has increased to a hysterical point now. Whenever it opens it is going to be an instant crowdpuller. Any lm released on the same day would have to take the brunt of the Padmavati wave,” said Arora.

With two release dates for Padmavati being put forward, Arora is now in a dilemma.

However, a source dismisses all rumours regarding the release date.

“There is no clarity on the release date of Padmavati yet. The director and his producers are yet to take a call on when to release the lm,” said the source.

What’s the chitchat here between ANUSHKA SHARMA and VIRAT KOHLI?

Send your response to: media@indianlink.com.au TO WIN A MOVIE TICKET!!

LAST ISSUE CAPTION CONTEST WINNING ENTRY

What’s the quiet chitchat here between RANVEER and DEEPIKA?

Lalmani Kharel:

Ranveer: Umm Deepika, why are we dressed as Bajirao and Mastani when Padmavati is releasing soon?

Deepika: Why does it even matter Ranveer? We are married now, you dress exactly how I tell you to dress, ok?

Ranveer: Damn it! What has Shahid done to you! I thought I wore the pants in this relationship?!?!

Lalmani wins a movie ticket!!

For other responses, see Your Say on page 8

RAJKUMMAR RAO

DIA MIRZA

KARAN JOHAR

Twenty20 gossip

Some grapevine about the world’s most popular T20 leagues . Disclaimer: slight exaggeration likely

CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE

BY RITAM MITRA

There are more than half a dozen top-flight domestic T20 leagues around the world, jammed into the can of sardines that is the international cricket calendar. We’re not suggesting there’s ever such a thing as too much cricket - statements like that are naturally against the law in Australia - but it’s very easy to fall out of the loop. Luckily, our cricket boffins have kept their ears to the ground(s) to help you stay up to date with the latest developments in the T20 world.

BIG BASH LEAGUE

Arguably the most competitive league in the world due to the evenness of the contest between bat and ball and the quality of the domestic talent, the citybased BBL replaced the state-based KFC Twenty20 Big Bash in 2011-12. England and West Indies players form the bulk of international players available for selection for the BBL, which is now the second-most attended sporting league in the country.

> The goss: Brisbane Heat batsman Chris Lynn is reportedly in talks with Cricket Australia to establish his own BBL franchise, as part of CA’s broader plans to expand the BBL competition. As no player is actually worthy of playing under the Chris Lynn brand, the MCC is considering rule changes proposed by CA which will allow Lynn to bat 10 times and require opposition bowlers to bow to Lynn each time they approach the popping crease.

“CA has always put fans first. With such

insatiable demand for Chris, and a timely oversupply of cricket balls, we couldn’t hold this off any longer,” said a CA official. The ‘Lynnsanity’ Chris Lynners franchise will debut in the 2018-19 season.

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE

Money, money, money. Having bulldozed its way through countless scandals and conflicts, and having changed cricket forever, at the end of its first decade the IPL is already one of the most valuable sporting assets in the world, with the latest 5 year broadcast deal selling for over $3.3 billion.

> The goss: IPL officials have privately expressed dismay at the league’s failure to commercialise more elements of the game. Leaked minutes of an IPL Committee meeting reveal plans to allow sponsors to bid for choreography rights

to on-field player celebrations, as well as a suite of new naming rights.

“With so many events taking place within a game, we need to think beyond simply branding sixes in order to ensure that fans and sponsors continue engaging with the tournament,” said the IPL’s Chief Slogan Officer in response to the leaked document. “For instance, fans are sick of the unoriginal fist-pump or arms aloft celebrations by players when they reach milestones or take wickets. For this reason, we welcome bids by our commercial partners to choreograph the physical actions of players at these moments. We will also be releasing a range of new naming rights for catches, run-outs, fours, threes and twos. However, the IPL values tradition and will not be releasing naming rights to a batsman’s singles at this stage.”

Established in 2013, the short and sharp CPLT20 is quintessentially Caribbean entertainment, drawing in large crowds of rum-drinking, reggae-loving fans across the island nations, with some matches also held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The cricket is excellent, too, with the tournament earning a reputation for unearthing some seriously good, and endearingly raw domestic talent.

> The goss: Despite a successful 2017 CPLT20, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has announced an immediate end to the tournament, citing concerns that the CPLT20 has begun competing with the WICB in the entertainment market. “The WICB has been committed to entertainment for over 20 years,” said a WICB official on the condition of anonymity. “In fact, we have dissolved our entire governance and administration function to ensure we don’t stop delivering laughs to our biggest stakeholders - the fans. However, the CPLT20 has been grabbing greater market share in the entertainment market than was originally intended and is now cannibalising the WICB’s primary function. It is for this reason that we have made the decision to cancel the CPLT20.”

THE UP AND COMING

Other leagues too, have been carving out their place in the domestic circuit, with the fledgling Bangladesh Premier League and Pakistan Super League also attracting cricket’s most explosive hired mercenaries. Whether the market reaches a point of saturation remains to be seen, but tonight’s job is simple: watch the cricket and make sure you don’t spill your drink if the leather comes hurtling your way.

Big Bash League Indian Premier League

Caribbean Premier League