SAY IT AGAIN

"I will not sit here and be lectured by the Vice President. " Okay Kamala has seen the Gillard speech.

Benjamin Law , columnist and journalist

Adult Migrant Eng l is h Prog r am

An Australian Government Initiative

'NEW AUSTRALIANS MUST KNOW ENGLISH'

RAJNI ANAND LUTH RA 's report on the new language requirements for permanent partner visas elicited mixed responses.

Jeya Ramanathan wrote: Yes, New Australians must learn English. However, I find the standard that the Government is proposing is unacceptable. It is unfair especially to non -English speaking migrants. My main concern is that Morrison Government & Peter Dutton tend to support White Australia policy If these English tests were taken by the average Australian in the same socioeconomic category of many of these migrants and their partners, they will fail dismally. Even our Indigenous community will fail, does that mean they are not Australians. Representation must be made to the Government as to the level of test ing. Conversational English and know the current affairs of Australia. Grammar and spelling should be reduced to a Grade 5 standard I hope Indian Link will make a representation to the government. If you do, I would welcome an opportunity to contribute. I have, at ground zero level, helped many migrants to prepare for the current testing process.

I see many migrants in a personal capacity as a tribunal member for Public Housing in Western Australia. I see women being disadvantaged. Would love to ensure their voice is heard. Migrants are not capable of mastering English; the type of testing does put a lot of stress upon them. Given these days they are tested online, there is no fairness in the process as it is very objective and doesn't have subjectivity in understanding the candidate sitting for the test. Failing by one mark can be disheartening. The cost of these tests is $370 per sitting. Migrants struggle to make that kind of income, let alone spend on the tests several times. My Vietnamese friend sat for the test 7 times before passing. My Hindi teacher with a Masters in English Literature (who tutors English Literature at the University of Western Australia) sat for the test 9 times before passing. The current record is there is an Indian lady who has sat for the test 60 times (although this is hearsay as I heard this third hand).

Anurishi Agarwal wrote: A great move by the Federal Government. Renee Markita Chhlna wrote: How is that White Australia policy? How can you settle in a country if you don ' t know the language. I understand if you have a partner who doesn 't speak English but like it said they ain't banning that. But to come here with no English at all, you wouldn ' t cope

Zora Bhullar wrote: What about BJP imposing Hindi on non -Hindi speakers in India

ur11 to Au stralia

Honestly, just the thought of having private phone calls with a partner played in a public forum makes my insides crumble.

Calla Wahlquist , The Guardian journalist

Gladys Berejiklian is not a target of ICAC's investigations & no one is alleging she's behaved corruptly. The smartest people with the best intentions in public life still end up having dumb and/or damaging relationships (in hindsight).

Suspect many are living in glass houses today.

Emma Alberici, journalist

My screen time report this week just said "no it's cool , we get it"

Jess Dweck, writer

Gandhi And Shastri

On 2 Oct, we celebrate Mahatma Gandhi's birthday with much fanfare. But the day also marks the birth anniversary of a lesser known Indian leader, Lal Bahadur Shastri. We asked our readers for their favourite Gandhi and Shastri quotes.

Krish Na wrote: Here's my favourite Mahatma Gandhi quote: " You have to stand against the whole world although you may have to stand alone. You have to stare in the face of the whole world although the world may look at you with bloodshot eyes. Do not fear. Trust the little voice residing within your heart." My favourite Shastri quote comes from his speech titled 'The New India' broadcast to the nation on October 19, 1964: " The Chinese are trying to build up a mighty war machine and to create fear in the minds of all." (Sadly, some things haven't changed much).

Betty Jager wrote: I so love Gandhi for who he was, is and all he gave to the people of India

Nlrupa Prasad wrote: One of the simplest and my favourite is " When someone throws you a stone, throw back a flower."

Nlshtha Patnl wrote: I love this Gandhi 'quote': "Be the change you wish to see in the world ". It is hugely inspiring and frequently quoted even day, but apparently, it is not something that Gandhi actually said. (Hence the single inverted comma on the word quote!) What he did say, was something similar, and these are his actual words: "If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him We need not wait to see what others do."As regards Lal Bahadur Shastri, I love the simple yet profound "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisaan "

Srlkumar AdlraJu wrote: Funny you should ask this. I just read a piece about current day leaders that quoted Lal Bahadur Shastri. Shastri , I thought to myself, blast from the past! We don't usually see reference to him these days. Anyway, the quote was: "The basic idea of governance, as I see it, is to hold the society together so that it can develop and march towards certain goals." How many of our leaders are doing said ' holding together'? And Gandhi - there's just too many quotes to choose from, right? One that comes to mind right now is from his Salt March, delivered as he broke the Salt Law: "Even those as powerless as a grain of salt can make a difference " Something to that effect.

COVID-19 VACCINE: MULTIFAITH PERSPECTIVE

Following the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney' s claim that he would boycott the COVID-19 vaccine when available, BAGESHRI SAWASACHI spoke to religious leaders to get their perspective

Rosa Stathis wrote: Great article on the vaccine and the religious leaders' thoughts - really insightful for me

Anurag Relan wrote: For most people, safety of their family will far supersede any religious concerns on the use of the vaccine, as and when it is available. Don 't all religions talk about the importance of taking care of your loved ones?

#DALITLIVESMATTER

BAGESHRI SAWASACHI discussed the ways Dalits still face atrocities and persecution in India

Melinda Parker wrote: I loved your article about casteism. I lived and worked in India as a social worker for 25 years and am back in Sydney now I feel India is my second home. I've seen casteism so often, including with friends and children we are educating. I honestly wasn't sure if Indian Link would publish something so outspoken. Well done.

Where In Oz

Where will you find these remarkable rocks, we asked you.

Readers Moulik Bavisi, Akhil Jhingran and Vimisha Jani sent in the correct answer: Kangaroo Island , South Australia

My parents deliberately spoke no English to me as Big trend this year of pointing out

The problem with current

The fact that each Can apps stop with a toddler. I went to kindy with little English, but they things that are literally happening affairs podcasts in 2020 school term has the stories? People knew I would catch up. I topped the state in English right now under capitalism and is if you wait half an hour been trending this are making Linkedln in the HSC. And I still speak Chinese. English should saying "lol this is what life would to listen it's already six year shows how hard look like their not be a barrier to entry. Helping kids learn foreign be like under socialism. " months out of date. this year has been. l nstagram now l anguages should be the focus.

Greg Larsen , writer and Byron Kaye , Reuters Tuan Vo, Mithali Soni, Jason Yat-Sen Li, Twitter user pod caster journalist Twitter user Twitter user

Over $2000 in prizes for lighting up your home!

It's the year to get those Diwali lights out big time!

WorldRemit and Indian Link invite families across Australia to decorate the exterior of their homes with lights to celebrate Diwali.

The competition is for everyone, including non-Indians - you can just keep the lights up until Christmas!