SAY IT AGAIN

Whoever wins this election, if you’ve let them turn you into a hateful person… you’ve lost.

Vir Das Stand-up comic, on India’s General Elections

Going Green

You liked our post on NASA’s announcement that India and China are responsible for increasing Earth's green cover in the last two decades

Atiya Gazali wrote: That's so good. Especially about India. Mera Bharat Mahan.

Rani Ramanathan wrote: Wow! Impressive results for the initiative and effort put in by the two countries.

Chitra Iyer wrote: Just back from China - every city was so green.

Prabhat Pathak wrote: A very hard fact to believe.

Nagajun Keshwala wrote: India’s green is not good for the environment, because of (increased) use of fertilizer and pesticides.

Amitabh Singh Raikwar wrote: But most of it is not natural and recently planted, hence has little or no biodiversity in it. Still a positive outlook.

Shekhar Rx wrote: Some good news. I think we all have done a little good. Congratulations India and China.

For a dish you’d happily have everyday, one contestant’s lamb chops with goat’s cheese puree is called ‘honest’ and another’s Egyptian Kushari gets ‘so much culture in this bowl!’ MasterChef season is back and needs less Eurocentricism to stay relevant.

Sukhmani Khorana Culture Studies academic and writer

Masterchef Australia 2019

We congratulated Sandeep Pandit and Dee Williams on making it to MasterChef

Australia’s 2019 Top 24

Sandeep Pandit wrote: Dee and me... Please wish us luck for MasterChef Australia 2019

Rajeshwari Channakrishna wrote: Winning smiles, both of you.

Amit Rawal wrote: Congratulations! Wish you good luck and happy times.

Rene Singh wrote: Wishing you both phenomenal success on your MasterChef journey!

Ingrid Mildon wrote: All the very best you two! I really am enjoying seeing the dishes you cook!

Shruthi Krishna wrote: There are very few people for who the judges taste the food and say please leave your plate here, just go. Ha ha, that was amazing!

Patricia Foenander wrote: Watching you - love your cooking.

Atiya Gazali wrote: Good luck to both. So happy to see people from the subcontinent make it to MasterChef.

Aditya Pandit wrote: Good luck, guys.

Shammi Prasad wrote: Looking forward to watching you guys cook a milestone.

Dee Williams wrote: Thank you all.

Chant Rant

Madonna’s supposed version of the Hindu hymn Hanuman Chalisa (in a viral video that looks suspicious) got mixed reactions. Sanjeevv Malhotra wrote: So sad, it's not a song. The singer should know this as she is performing (it) on stage (like) a rock star. If you really want to pray with Hanuman chalisa, get some knowledge of Indian culture on how to worship.

Suman Arora wrote: That is the beauty of Hinduism… I'm impressed by her pronunciation.

Mohina Raj Garg wrote: I do cherish creativity but not this one. Hanuman Chalisa is not just a mere song to be performed by an artist. Every word of it matters and we mean it when we say it. Didn’t touch my heart.

Indian Friends in Sydney wrote: Perfect!

Where In Oz

This Instagram pic has prompted officials to send out a warning against tourists taking selfies at this precarious cliff. We asked our readers if they could guess the name of the place. Readers Ramesh Kundu and Rishabha Chitalia Nayak guessed the right answer: Diamond Bay, Vaucluse in NSW.

Australia too is in the midst of federal elections. Voting is compulsory and those who do not vote are fined $20. In case of non-payment you can be taken to court and are liable to be jailed. Seeing the apathy of rich and middle class voters in India this is worth a try.

Amitabh Kant CEO, NITI Ayog (Govt of India), who toured Australia recently

#JUSTNOTTHATMANY

APARNA ANANTHUNI wrote about the lack of diversity in Australian media. Sukhmani Khorana wrote: A call for higher on-screen visibility: what a cool campaign in fun costumes!

Parting IPL thoughts:

1. RCB, RR and KIX need new coaching staff

2. Pant will now excel with his non selection for the CWC. He’ll be a star.

3. Gill is India’s next superstar.

4. India is amazingly beautiful with the most generous, kind and loving people.

Kevin Pietersen Former England cricketer