WHAT’S ON

LECTURE-DISCUSSION

William Dalrymple

Thur 31 Oct (6.30pm - 7.30pm)

UNSW Centre for Ideas presents writer and historian William Dalrymple talking on ‘The Relentless Rise of the East India Company’ based on his new book The Anarchy Venue: Sir John Clancy Auditorium, High Street (Gate 9), UNSW Kensington.

Details: 02 9385 1000 or email centreforideas@unsw.edu.au

Parag Khanna

Tue 5 Nov (6.00pm - 7.30pm)

Leading global strategy adviser and international bestselling author Parag Khanna presents the 2019 Michael Hintze Lecture entitled The Future is Asian. Venue: Social Sciences Building (A02) SSB Lecture Theatre 200 Science Rd, Camperdown. Details https://sydney.edu.au/newsopinion/sydney-ideas/

COMMUNITY

Fund-raising dinner

Sun 3 Nov (6.00pm onwards) The Care One Care All Group (COCAG) presents an evening of entertainment at The Madison Function Centre, 632 Old Northern Rd, Dural.

Details Paramjit Singh 0416 983 334

Walkathon

Sun 3 Nov (10.00am onwards) The Consulate General of India, Sydney in association with Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur Australia is organising "Unitython - Walk for National Unity" to commemorate National Unity Day 2019. This is be a 2.5 km walk along Sydney harbour (Milsons Point and Lavender Bay Circuit Walk). Meet outside Milsons Point train station.

Details 0415 158 789

STAGE

Atul Khatri: Stand-Up Comedy

Fri 1 Nov (7.00pm onwards) The Comedy Store, 122 Lang Road, Sydney. Details Premier Tickets.

Saaz Band for Saaya Fundraiser

Sat 2 Nov (6.00pm - 8.30pm)

Charity organisation Saaya Touching

Lives and Australian Telangana State Association Sydney presents a night of Bollywood music with Saaz Band, at Pacific Hills Christian School, 9 – 13 Quarry Rd, Dural. Details www.saaya.org.au

KALPANA: Ideas in Motion

Sat 9 Nov (5:30 pm - 7:30 pm)

Agal Dance Company presents a showcase of original works in progress, at 8 Victoria Rd Parramatta. Details 0431 897 473

Natyamritam

Sat 16 Nov (5:00 pm - 8:00 pm)

Performing arts institute Silambam Sydney presents its tenth annual dance showcase at Sydney Baha’i Centre, 107 Derby St Silverwater. Details arunagmn@yahoo.com

Festival

IIT Alumni Diwali

Sat 2 Nov (6.00pm – 10.30pm) The IIT Alumni Association of Australia celebrate Diwali at Le Beach Hut Restaurant, 179 Russell Ave, Dolls Point. Details www.iitaa.org.au

Telugu Deepavali

Sat 2 Nov (4:00 pm - 10:00 pm)

Telugu Association Inc Sydney celebrate Deepavali Vedukalu 2019 at Durga Devi Temple Auditorium, 21 Rose Crescent, Regents Park. Details www.sydneytelugu.org

Deepavali at Strathfield

Sun 3 Nov (11.00am - 5.00pm)

Strathfield Park, Homebush Rd, Starthfield. Features include cultural program, merchandise stalls, food stalls. Details www.hindicouncil.com.au

Diwali Fair in the City of Ryde

Sat 16 Nov (4.00pm - 7.30pm)

The newly formed Ryde Indian Association presents Diwali at the Ryde Common (Ground) Wicks Road, North Ryde. Highlights include cultural performances and fireworks. Details 0452 401 956

Seniors

Seniors meet-ups

AASHA Foundation Australia (Ltd) organises seniors social hubs at various centres across Sydney. Allcommunities welcome. Activities include yoga, music, dance, networking, health talks, technology, health checks, light lunch.

Blacktown: First Wednesday of the month (11.00am – 2.00pm) West point Shopping Centre, 17 Patrick St, Blacktown (Community Room, next to gym, Fourth floor). Close to railway station.

Wentworthville: Fourth Saturday of the month (12.30pm – 4.30pm)

Wentworthville Community Centre, Grevillea Hall (next to library), 2 Main Street, Wentworthville. Close to railway station

Hornsby: Second and Fourth Friday of the month (11.00am –2.00pm) Hornsby Youth & Family Community Centre, Cnr. Muriel and Burdett St, Close to railway station.

Crows Nest: Third Wednesday of the month (10.00am – 11.30am)

Music-based social gathering at Crows Nest Centre, 2 Ernest Place, Crows Nest.

Details Bijinder Dugal 0412 786 569

Spiritual

550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev: Divine Steps Festival Sun 10 Nov (10.00am - 4.00pm)

Sikh Youth Australia together with Sikh Sangat and Sikh organisations of Sydney, present the Divine Steps Festival, an event celebrating Guru Nanak Dev Ji's 550th Birth Anniversary and his universal message.

The Divine Steps Festival looks to share and celebrate the essence of Guru Nanak Dev Ji by bringing together Sikhs and other faith groups in a spiritual festival honouring his life and Universal message. The Festival will feature:

• Divine Music Concert of spiritual music and performances from Sikh (Dya Singh World Music group) and other faith traditions.

• Langar (free vegetarian food and drinks)

• A showcase of the history of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the Sikh faith

• Free health checks (courtesy of Culture Care)

• Jumping castle and entertainment for the whole family

• Fundraising for selected charities – raffles, silent auction

• Sponsored charity udahasi walks

Details 0401 055 271 or Facebook/DivineStepsFestival

Yoga And Meditation

Lunch-time yoga and meditation

Mondays Art of Living Sydney presents free lunch-time Yoga sessions from 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm at Level 2, 265 Castlereagh Street, Sydney.

Thursdays The Brahma Kumaris

Australia present meditation sessions from 12.15pm - 1.00pm at the Indian Cultural Centre, Level 2, 265 Castlereagh Street, Sydney. Details 02 9223 2702. Register at icc2.sydney@mea.gov.in

Yoga at Spirit of India

Saturdays and Sundays, 15-week Yoga course. Also check out special yoga classes for children (5-12 years), adults and senior citizens (55 plus). Venues at Wentworthville, Quakers Hill, Pennant Hills, Auburn, Epping, Homebush, Ryde.

Free Yoga class every Wednesday (5.30pm - 7.00pm) at Indian Consulate Cultural Centre, Level 2, 265 Castlereagh St, Sydney. Free meditation every Saturday (8.30am9.15am) at Wentworthville. Details www.spiritofindia.org or call Suresh 0412 202 182 or Raja 0402 789 109.

Sahaja Yoga: Music and Meditation

Free sessions at multiple venues across Sydney.

Details www.sahajayoga.com.au

MISC

New Gokula Farm urgently seeking donation

New Gokula is a not-for-profit organisation, nestled in the heart of the Hunter Valley, dedicated to serving the community through sustainable agriculture, cow protection, spiritual courses and retreats, and providing free, organic vegetarian meals every day of the year.

New Gokula grows organic produce, which is also used in its nutritious vegetarian cooking. It also has more than 70 cows and bullocks. It is committed to sustainable practices and has been self-sufficient in many areas including water usage and food production until the impact of the drought.

Millfield, where New Gokulais located, has been severely struck by the 2017/2018 drought. Because of this, it now has barren pastures, dry lakes and hungry animals.

The lack of rain has left New Gokula Farm struggling as it battles the worst drought in the hundred years of recorded history.

Unrelenting hot weather has ripped moisture out of the ground and the once luscious pastures have turned brown, the grass is dead, and the animals have no feed.

As the drought continues, New Gokula is in urgent need for help. It is struggling financially with the increased electricity costs involved with pumping water to stock troughs and the increasing costs of purchasing feed to keep the animals alive.

New Gokula is now kindly seeking your generous support to help it continue its activities.

Your donation will significantly assist New Gokula with purchasing of hay bales, supply of clean water for the animals, keeping them fed until spring, and assisting with other overheads.

Details 0469073918 or email newgokula@gmail.com

CLUB / ENTERTAINMENT

Diwali Dhamaka

Sat 2 Nov (2.00pm - 6.00pm)

Featuring Ramdas Padhye (puppet show) and Shabdanche Café 9song and poetry). Venue: Sydney Baha’i Centre, 107 Derby St, Silverwater. Details Premier Tickets.

Kareena Kapoor

Sat 2 Nov (7.00pm - 11.00pm) Catch

Kareena Kapoor at The Diamond Showroom, Blacktown Workers Club, 55 Campbell St, Blacktown. Details www.drytickets.com.au

Students

Essay writing competition

The Ambedkar International Mission Australia invites entries for its second annual essay writing competition, open to uni students across Australia and New Zealand. Topics:

1. Comparison of Dr Ambedkar’s contributions with any political philosopher of your choice OR

2. Salience of Dr Ambedkar in the coming decade in any one of the following aspects – Social justice, Affirmative action, Women’s empowerment, Nation building. 3000 words. First prize $300. Second prize $200. Third prize $100. Last date for submission 15 Nov 2019. Submit entries to aim. sydney2018@gmail.com.

Details Vaibhav Gaekwad 0415 469 525