2020-12 Melbourne

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DECEMBER 2020 • indianlink.com.au

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2 DECEMBER 2020

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lndianlink PUBLISHER Pawan Luthra EDITOR Rajni Anand Luthra MELBOURNE COORDINATOR Preeti Jabbal CONTRIBUTORS Bageshri Savyasachi, Rhea L Nath, Ritam Mitra, Nikeeta Bhatia, Melissa Domingo Rawat, Sandip Hor, LP Ayer, Minnal Khona SALES Charuta Joshi

Indian Link is a monthly newspaper published in

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

INDIAN LINK MEDIA GROUP Level 24/44 Market St, Sydney 2000 GPO Box 108, Sydney 2001 Ph: 02 9279-2004 Fax: 02 9279-2005 Email: info@indianlink.com.au

EDITORIAL

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BY PAWAN LUTHRA s 2020 draws to a close, it looks like the pandemjc is less of a concern to the governn1ent in India as opposed to the farn1ers gathering on the outskirts of Delhi.

As we go to print, hundreds of thousands are ca1nped outside Delhi to protest against what they say is the corporatisation of farming by the Modi government. The fanners, largely fron1 Punjab, are being joined by their fellow farn1ers fron1 across the nation.

The ferocity of the passion behind the protest- and some stark images of police brutality- n1ay have galvanised the Modi government in initiating talks with the fanners, but to date there is little progress towards resolution.

Like all things this decade, social media has lit up with various experts parading around extolling - or criticising - the new agriculture laws.

What has been interesting to note is the internationalisation of the farmers' protest, as support comes in from the United Kingdom, Canada, and the

United States.

From a political leadership point of view, the strongest remarks have come from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who has supported the rights of Indian farmers to protest peacefully.

This has not been taken kindly by the Indian government, which in a press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, said that such comments have "encouraged" extremist activities outside the Indian missions in Canada. India has warned that remarks of the Canadian leadership on farmer protests would lead to increasing anti­ India rallies in Canada.

Other politicians in the United Kingdo1n and Australia have also added their voices to the ongoing protests in India with comn1unity groups joining in globally.

The new breed of Non Resident Indian continues to engage deeply with their country of origin, and comes forward readily to show support - be it for the Indian cricket tean1 at the SCG, or changes to Article 370, or the Indian Citizenship Amendment Act. An early demonstration of such deep engagement with the mother country came during the Indian elections of 2014, when pro Modi supporters congregated at iconic spots such as the

Sydney Opera House and Melbourne's Federation Square as results were declared in India. Perhaps the most vocal outpouring of patriotic fervour was the Pulwa1na protest march in Sydney CBD against alleged Pakistan led terrorism. When CAA legislation was announced, we saw both pro and anti rallies in Parramatta and Sydney's CBD. This internationalisation of domestic politics is indeed a double­ edged sword. The jury is still out whether we should be bringing contentious topics 'fron1 back ho1ne' out in the mainstrea1n. Then again, with social n1edia playing such a pivotal role in highlighting our issues, vision opportunities of supporters and detractors against international landmarks do add an additional gravitas to the situation.

Meanwhile, as we prepare to bid adieu to 2020, we can't help but look back at a year that was filled with unknowns, and one which forced us to re-evaluate various aspects of our lives. If 'pivot' was the word we used frequently in 2020, perhaps the word for 2021 will be 'agile' - as we learn to work through issues in smarter ways.

Wishing you and your loved ones a great 2021.

w

NATIONAL EDITION

DECEMBER 2020 3

SPECIAL FEATURES DIWALI Light Up Your Home Contest: Winners

14

CRICKET Border Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21: Takeaways from the white ball curtain-raisers

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ACCOLLADES A youth leader, a scientist, and a horse trainer!

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HOLIDAYS Summer checklist

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BACKCHAT Santa's COVID itinerary

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EVERY TEST HELPS Every test helps us get back to work safely, to go to school, and to see our family sooner.

If you have any symptoms, get a free test and stay home until you get your results. You don't have to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

Support payments are available for workers who need to self-isolate.

STAY SAFE STAY OPEN For testing locations, visit • • coronav1rus.v1c.gov.au Authorised and published by the Victorian Government. 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

4 DECEMBER 2020

ORIA

State Government

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NATIONAL EDITION

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DECEMBER 2020 5

YOUR SAY

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STEVE WAUGH'S INDIA

At the launch of the legendary Aussie cricketer's new book of photographs of India, PAWAN LUTHRA spoke with him about his love for all things Indian.

Darshak Mehta OAM wrote: Excellent interview. You drew out the essence of the man - a very good man. He was generous with his time and did not duck any question. Good on you, Pawan.

Rahul Gupta wrote: Pawan, do you know how much of the $249 is going to charity - either the Steve Waugh Foundation or a charity in India? (Because the advance publicity promotes the SWF and there are photographs of disabled and disadvantaged people in India - some philanthropic aspect is implied.)

Santram Bajaj wrote: Thoroughly enjoyed this interview, and the ease with which you both chatted. Loved that Curtly Ambrose question: facing him on a bouncy pitch versus checking the camera to see if he got the perfect shot, which is more filled with tension!

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WE'VE GOT A BRAND NEW LOOK

Indian Link's new look logo took followers by surprise - until we explained it.

Deepak Vincent wrote: How does this sign link to India, Indian Link?

Dhlraj Arora wrote: I preferred the last logo.

Rakesh Hans wrote: This logo does not reflect Indian tri colour flag or Ashok chakra at all. You could have used the same colours at least.

Indian Link replied: The icon depicts Indian Link's commitment to digital integration. It is made up of half of the traditional Ashoka Chakra of the Indian flag (representing our traditional print form of media), while the other half is a globe.

The star at the centre of the Ashoka Chakra is the seven-pointed Commonwealth/Federation star from the Australian flag; it represents our links across the country.

The globe is synonymous with the world wide web, representing Indian Link's push towards more modern methods of connecting with the community.

The essential elements of our previous logo, which you loved so much for 26 years, are still present in our new logo!

Vandana D'souza wrote: Love it!!!

Paavan Gulati wrote: Looks great!

Krlsh Na wrote: Looks good... don't know why the angry face uncles are getting their knickers in a knot. Also the seven-point star is a nice touch.

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CELEBRATING NAIDOC WEEK

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In her podcast series Don't Miss The Link, BAGESHRI SAWASACH/ spoke to Indigenous poet Ali Cobby Eckermann on the Indian links in her life and the importance of NA/DOC week.

Mridula Nath Chakraborty wrote: Congratulations on the great audio story with Ali Cobby Eckermann for NAIDOC Week. Thanks again for continuing the work of Indigenous story-telling in your paper.

Savi Tumkur wrote: I had tears in my eyes, you've made some bold statements. We need better understanding and action!

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WHERE IN INDIA

We asked you to identify this engineering marvel where, whichever zodiac the sun is in, the first rays of sun fall on that pillar in this 12-pillared structure.

Readers Sujay Kumar Sringeri and Balakrishna Narasimhamurthy correctly identified it as the Vidyashankar Temple in Sringeri, Karnataka.

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SAY IT AGAIN 6 DECEMBER 2020

Let me be clear: wearing a mask is not about making your life less comfortable or taking something away. It's to give something back to all of us - a normal life.

Joe Biden, US President elect

I'm terrible at wrapping gifts. The parcels end up looking war torn and pretty offensive.

I wonder if I should just not bother wrapping them. I've really thought this through... and it's the thought that counts right?

Antoinette Lattouf, Channel 10 journo

As a priority, all children in Australian schools should be taught how to fact check and identify misinformation.

This problem isn't going away. We have to adapt.

Carrick Ryan, political commentator

www.indianlink.com.au

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HAPPY DIWALI, AUSTRALIA POST!

BAGESHRI SAVYASACHI reported on Oz Post's holiday discounts - which didn't include Diwali cards.

Mohan Ayyar wrote: If Australia is a secular nation, then the discount for cultural cards should be available all year round. Why are Christians getting special treatment?

Lorna Davidson wrote: India claims to be a secular country as well, but I can't see Christians getting a discount on their Christmas mail there. There's a reason why you get to enjoy the Christmas and Easter holidays here. If Australia is such a secular country, how come there are no public holidays for Eid, Diwali and other religions celebrated here?

Leyla Nubia wrote: I don't have a problem with it. It's like sending Eid cards out, Greek Easter cards, Jewish New Year cards, etc. If the pricing is exclusively for Christmas cards, then so be it.

Editor's note: A series of queries with Australia Post ultimately turned out to be conciliatory. Our Diwali cards were deemed okay to be treated as "seasonal greeting cards during the months of November and December as long as they were "in a sealed envelope and endorsed 'card only' in the top RH corner." (They were).

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BAGESHRI SAWASACHI reported on the objections raised at Barry O'Farrell's meeting with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.

Prasanna Kovalam wrote: Yes I saw this. Definitely raises eyebrows!

Hindesh wrote: Shameful.

Yadu Singh wrote: Indian Link should also have asked views of those, who see no issue with the Australian High Commissioner visiting the RSS HQ and meeting Dr. Mohan Bhagwat. This report is disappointing. Indian Link is giving far too much importance to a fringe group of 15 agenda-driven people.

Jay Shah wrote: Two questions here. 1. Why did you miss hundreds of Australian Indians who have welcomed this meeting? 2. What is the reach of such fake Humanism project and their contribution to diaspora?

The Humanism Project wrote: Thank you for publishing a fair and balanced article.

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Whose statue is this and where would you find it in Australia?

Reader Bhanu Kothari replied with the correct answer, Captain Cook at Cairns, Queensland.

AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER'S RSS VISIT RAISES EYEBROWS

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WHEN INDIAN AYAHS TRAVELLED THE WORLD

RHEA L NATH reported on a Newcastle University project that will trace the history of Indian domestic help in Australia.

Veda Gottumukkala wrote: Really interesting article written on the seldom discussed lives and far travels of Indian ayahs and the links between Indians and their colonizers.

Siddharth Aatreya wrote: I've been reading Naipaul and all about Caribbean Indians, didn't realise they took Indians to Australia also!

Sharanya Vish wrote: Very interesting read!

Pheroza Daruwalla wrote: Fabulous article. Thank you, Rhea. Beautiful photos too.

FLAME University (India) shared: Migrant labour from India has served many needs in the Western world for generations. One such fascinating aspect is that of ayahs and their contribution to households in countries that were their colonial masters.

Natasha Jha Bhaskar wrote: Fascinating piece @indian_link on old links between India and Australia through domestic service and colonisation. The historical and human connections between colonialism, care work and labour mobility.

Robert Smith wrote: Excellent project.

Rishi Suri wrote: Truly fascinating! Interesting read.

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Yes, Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives was absolute trash and yes I will watch season 2 the moment it comes out Shruti Jani, Twitter user NATIONAL EDITION

The sad part is, the noise of most TV debates has made most thinking people and experts refuse to come on with each other. They think they will be led into a cat fight. So they prefer doing solo interviews. Great loss for any society.

Shoma Chaudhary, journo

Would be helpful if governments of all stripes would not make scapegoats of people and seek to lay blame during a pandemic Casey Briggs, ABC journo

You can be one of the two persons in life: the one who drags people down, or the one that seeks to push them onwards and upwards.

It's a simple choice. Make it.

Siddharth Rath, Twitter user

Love the nonchalance of this generation.

Having to hit a six just doesn't faze them Harsha Bhogle, cricket commentator DECEMBER 2020 7

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Life can be a long journey of lessons, but you never learn quite as much as you do in your youth! With the year that's gone by - bushfires, pandemic, lockdowns, elections and all - there's certainly a healthy dose of reflection to go around. So whether it's discovering a tenacity you never knew you had, overcoming your constant procrastination, or mastering your mum's best recipes, we wanted to look back at the year fondly - what has 2020 taught you about yourself?

8 DECEMBER 2020

www.indianlink.com.au

AISHWARYA REDDY

I'm usually someone who loves to be surrounded with people. l don't enjoy spending a minute of my weekend at home. COVID, however, had other plans. The lockdown and ban on travel frustrated me at first - I felt like my wings were cut off. Over time, it forced me to get back to roots. I'm a single child, so I used to spend a lot of time by myself and this year, I discovered how to enjoy my own company again. I now have a renewed love for reading, dancing and cooking. 2020 also taught me how unpredictable life can be. Looking ahead to the new year, I'm planning to fulfil all the plans that were put on hold, travel being #1 on the list.

Eventually, 2020 will be nothing more than a punchline I'll use when things are going wrong. I'll just tell myself: ' Hey, it's still better than 2020!'

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SHRIYA SHAH

As humans, I thjnk we're predisposed to believe in the idea of certainty, and this year has obviously changed that. There have been missed birthdays, graduations, weddings and other milestones in our Jives. But I've seen how human strength lies in community. I have this new admiration for hu1nanity as I see frontline workers around the world tirelessly care for patients and bow communities have cotne together (even if it is digitalJy or virtuaJly) to be there for one another. It's been refreshing to see how thjs pandemic asked us to confront our ideas of equality and why the status quo needs to change. Although the world and the future can seem bleak, this year has taught me to stop to smell the roses. I'm ready to take on 2021 with this sense of hopeful optimism. Thank you, next!

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ABHRANIL HAZRA

From getting my first internship to completing French in 10 weeks, 2020 has actually been a rewarding year for me. Thanks to technology, I managed to connect with the outside world and make new friends from the confines of quarantine. This year taught me to be more grateful for living in this world, for being able to run, touch, sense and breathe all that Earth has to offer. When I was faced with the challenge of university studies moving on line, I had to persevere, overcoming a discouraging environment and all kinds of distractions. As ti1ne went by, my body and mind adjusted - and this could be seen with my improved grades too!

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BAGESHRI SAVYASACHI

This year has n1ade me an expert in s1nall talk. Now, l love being asked how I'm going and what I think of the weather! I never appreciated the company of strangers and acquaintances as much before. The lockdown, the restrictions and the isolation also taught 1ne to be self-reliant and depend on myself for 1ny own well-being. l became an expert in chicken curries and learned how to do a full split! I have also learned to be grateful, mostly for living in a country that was relatively safer during the pandemic.

Looking back, it has definitely been a year of activism all over the world (the Black Lives Matter movement in US and Oz, and the CAA and farmers' protests in India), it is so comforting to see that people everywhere will never give up fighting for democracy. P.S. Trump being fired fron1 the White House was the icing on top of the cake. : • • • • • • • ,• • • , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .'''. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......,.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . .... ... ... 1 . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .......... .... ... . . . . . . . . .... .............. . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . .............. ... . . . . . . . . .... .............. .. ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . .•••••••• ••. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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SUREEN HASAN

As someone who struggles with anxiety, 2020 was a nightmare at times and completely overwhelming. So many terrible things happened in the world and the news and social media can seem so negative. This year, I learned that it's okay to take breaks from social media. There's an off switch for a reason! My mind can't handle the constant negativity and I've learned to limit my consumption of it all. I've found myself to be in a much happier mood when I'm not comparing myself to everything I see on social media, and I have more time to just enjoy life instead of worrying about what everyone else might be doing.

· · · · · · · • · · · . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . ... ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . , •• , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , • • , . . . . . . . . . . .. ........ . . . . . . . . 1 , 1 , 1 , 1 , • • • • • • •

:

· ' •• ·• • • • , . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , ' ' ·•' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,' • 1 •■ • .. •• .. • • • • • • • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .............. . . . . . . . . . . ..... .............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ............... . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ....... , . . . . . . . . . . .

ANEETA MENON

It's been a year that's really challenged us at every collective level: as families, as communities, as businesses, as countries, and as a world. Through that lens, I've learned a lot about both the world and my small place in it. It's made me feel stronger than ever about the importance of fighting authoritarian regimes, about advocating for our own Fi1·st Nations people, and about how even the most basic of my choices, like how often and how welJ l wash my hands, can have such a lasting impact. Another thing that stood out to me thls year was the privilege of my geography, both in proximity to my loved ones and living in a country that has done comparatively well with COVID-19. I empathise with those who found themselves suddenly and indefinitely disconnected from places and people they hold most dear. l had to learn that sometimes, there's nothjng much you can do to help. But most surprising of all, I learned more science-y words, terms and concepts in 2020 than I ever thought I would know! , , , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............... . . . . . . . . . . . . ................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 •••• 1 . . . . . . . . . .

• ••,••••• •••••.__...• ,.._. • • • • • • ••• •.,••,•••••.•,,•••••••• • • •._,.•••,•,,,•••••••,••,•••o.. • • • • •• ••,••o..•••••,••••,..._.••••.._o •• •••• J•••••••••••••••••• •••• •• • • • •J•• ••••••• ••••••••• •••• . _,. o J '--- • •• • • ••••••••••••••• •••• •.._. • • J" J .? J J.• • • • • • ••••••••I • • • • • • ..,. _,. • ..., _,. _,. _,. _,. _,. • • • • • •••••I• I • • •• • •• • • • :

KEIRATH SINGH

The seemingly innocuous but dangerous pandemic has forced us aU to make sacrifices. While at first wearing a mask and staying indoors seemed simple enough, as the weeks and months spilled over, we began to understand its real implications. Late wake-ups for online school, all day Netflix marathons and 2 AM Zoom calls with friends (much to my parents' displeasure) were initially welcomed, but eventually the breakdown of our routines and structured lifestyles allowed for introspection not possible in pre­ COVID times. Being a student in my final year of VCE, the surplus of time allowed me to tap into what my future goals really are, what I need be more gracious for, and what I could best do without in my Jife. Practising gratitude for the seemingly insignificant things in our lives is a lesson I will carry with me, as you only truly know their significance once they are taken away. 2020 has not only been of benefit to mask manufacturers and shareholders in Zoom Inc, but has been a formative year for me too!

NATIONAL EDITION

C

DECEMBER 2020 9

COVER STORY ANAVI CHANDOK

2020 taught me that our sense of normalcy can be lost overnight and be replaced by restrictions and morning press conferences in a blink of an eye. But such is the nature of change, it can be disruptive and unnerving. Despite the negatives, change can also be progressive and enlightening. This year I realised how important it is to not take things for granted or underestimate the trivial things in our life like a family trip to a grocery store or a dinner at a restaurant with friends. Often, it is those menial tasks that subconsciously ground us and allow our lives to retain order.With the mayhem that has come with this year, 1 have also learned that it is important to surround yourself with people who will stay by your side during troubling times. This is a lesson that I will surely continue follow into the uncertain year to follow.

•••••••I•o ••o I o o o o o o o o o o o oo o oo o o ' ' ' •o•oooo o o O o o o o o o o o o o o ooooo oooo''oo'ooooo o o o o o o o o oo o oooooooo,--.oooooooo oo o o o o o o o oooooo oo oooooo..-,♦..-,o oooo oo o o o oo oo oo oooooooo..-,oooo oo oo o o o o o o o oo o o oo ooo'o''oo..-... , o o..-, o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o oo oo.-,• ' 0 o o o o o • o o o o o o o o o o o o o o oooo ' 'ooo o Ioo o O o • o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o ' ' ' o ' oo ' o O o • o o o o o o o +

: • • • I • I • I • ..., • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••,._,.•••• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •••••••• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •••••••••••••••••• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •o..••••• •••• • •• • • • • • • • • • • ••• ••••••••• o..o• • • ••• • • • • • • • • • • • • ••••• •••••••• • •• • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • •••• •• ••••• • •• • • •• • • • •

DHANANJAY KAPOOR

2020 has been a roller coaster of en1otions. l was in my final semester of uni this year and was overloaded with classes. Switching from face-to-face learning to online study was a nightmare, as I'm a student who needs in-class interaction. l had no other choice but to pull up my socks, con1mit to my schedule, and use this to my advantage. 1 was creative with my projects and developed a lot of new skills that will be advantageous in my future career. I couldn't believe it but this was actually my highest scoring semester! With im1nense study pressure and life in lockdown, I also decided to pick up on a new hobby and started learning how to play the guitar.

When I look back at 2020,it's been a blessing that's helped n1e become more skilled and patient, and helped improve my relationships with fa1nily and friends .

..

. .. . .' ' ' ' ' '....... ··········· ........ '' ' ' ..............................'' . ................................................................................................. .................................................................-..................'......... .-...................'..' ......... .

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KARTIK SINGH

2020 has armed 1ne with some useful tools - knowing when to mute myself on Zoom, figuring out how to pick the most ergonomic chair for my home of:fice,and being n1ore adventurous on my daily walks ("today... I'll go left instead of right!"). It took some work, but after some internal battles and my fair share of resistance, I'll assign 2020 as my best year yet. I've experienced more enjoyment learning how to make a margarita in my kitchen than I would have had sipping one at a cocktail bar in the city; more presence walking through my neighbourhood and getting deeply acquainted with my street than I did walking through the cobblestone streets of Florence. Armoured with a new-found outlook on how to enjoy the present, I have no problems working for the future - because I know for sure that I'll enjoy it when I get there. And that's a pretty great achievement in my books!

• •• •••,• • • • • • 1o . . . . . . . . . . . . ......,........ j . . . .. . . . . . . . . ... .. .............. . . . . . . .. . .... ................ ... . . . . . . ...... .............. ...... . . . . . . ................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .,.1 • • • • • 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 .,, ,, • • • 1 . . . . . . . .

: • • • • • I •I • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • I •I • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••••• • •••• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• ••••••••I •• ••• • • • • • • • • • • • • ••• •••••••••••• •••• • • • • • • • • • • ••• •••••••••••••• • •• • • • • • • • • • ••• •••••••••••• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •••••••••••• • • • • • • • • • • • •

MISHA SETHI

The year may have been filled with "social distancing", but I've learned the importance of meaningful social connection. Being unable to see friends for many months provided a platform for reflection, to reconsider the roles different people play in n1y life. For some friends, l felt 1nyself reaching out and trying to find new ways to maintain our connection remotely. For others, the natural drift started to occur. There was no longer any socialising and gossiping, as the "outing" or everyone's days became that sacred walk around the block. l began to truly appreciate the people in my life who make a lasting difference. I think as a society we can learn fro1n 2020 that socialising may have a big role in our Jives, but it's important to value the people who are there to check in on you. I have learnt to prioritise my strong relationships and value the friends and family who are around when l most need them. : • • • • • • • , ••• , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,,,,,,, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . .... ... ... 1 . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .......... .... ... . . . . . . . . .... .............. . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . .............. .. . . . . . . . . . .... .............. .. .... . . . . . . . . . . . ... ......... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

......................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................... , ......... .......................... ,

,'''''

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NEIL BHATIA

The year has truly tested our resolve, bringing us all together to fight a common enemy. The tragedy of coronavirus has bound us together and reminded us to be grateful for the family and friends we experience our lives with. We may have lost our way in 2020, but the flame within each or us burns brighter after overcoming such challenging odds. 2021 will be a year to band together to repair the damage caused, and build stronger, more meaningful relationships with those we care for. I believe we must look towards the future with reckless abandon and chase our dreams - without forgetting the important lessons and challenges we have overcome. · · · · · · · • · · · . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . ... ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , , , , , , , , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , , , , , , , , . . . . . . . . .. ........ . . . . . . . . 1 , , , 1 , , , • • • • • • •

:

· ' •• ·• • • • , . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . '' ·•' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,' • 1 •• • .. •• .. • • • • • • • . . . . . . . . . ..... .. , .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . .............. . . . . . . . . . . ..... .............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ............... . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ....... , . . . . . . . . . . .

AMAN REKHY

This past year, l had to quickly learn to make peace with external factors beyond my control and to focus on what was within my control. The more curveballs were thrown my way, the more determined I becan1e to stay upbeat, focused and positive. 2020 taught me the importance of self. Life has and will continue to be busy, to demand more from us, to keep us looking to the future but there's more to life than that. l had discovered the concept of mindfulness years ago, but it was in 2020, through necessity, that I learned how to nurture and grow it as a skill. By focusing on my mental health, I was able to pursue and achieve the goals I set for n1yself at the beginning of the year. I'm emerging out of 2020 a better man in comparison to the one going in.

' ' ' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ' • • ' ' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ... ''' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ............ .. ... . . . . . . . . .... .............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .................. . . . . . . . . . ... .. ............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... ... ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .,. 1 ,''. . . . . . . . . . . .

• •••••••• •••••.__...• •s._• • • • • • • ••• ••••••••••••••••••••••• • • ••J••••••••••••••••••••••O.. * • • • •• •••••O..••••••••••.,s..•••

••J •• ••••J•••••••••••••••••• •••• •• • • • •J•• •••••••••••I•••••••• • J' o J '--- • •• • • ••••••••••••••• •••• •.._. • • --' .J .? .J J.• • • • • • •••••••• I • • • • • . _,. _,. • " J J J .J J J • • • • • • • • • • I • • • • • • • • • • • •

SIMAR CHEEMA

Starting a career as a paramedic during a pandemic has been an eye-opening experience. I was learning the ropes for a new job, but also navigating the uncertainty of the effects of COVID-19 on the community. In 2020, I learnt to be grateful for my good health and support systems. I truly understand the importance of being able to comn1unicate with my loved ones to maintain a positive mental outlook. This aspect was vital for me, so I could debrief and decompress the stressful aspects of my job and I could continue providing care for patients at work with empathy and compassion.It's been a difficult year for most, but I feel it was a year of togetherness although many of us were physically apart.

10 DECEMBER 2020

www.indianlink.com.au

FIRZAD AHAMMED

I spent most of the year completing my degree online, and it's certainly an odd year to graduate. As an international student, it's already tough to find jobs, and this year has made it even more of a challenge. Between job applications, interviews, and rejections, and staying glued to the news on lifting restrictions gradually, 2020 has really taught me to be patient! With everyone upskilling and keeping themselves busy during lockdown, it's been the year of using your time wisely. I'm no exception. But above all else, being in Sydney, we were lucky enough for life to get back to some semblance of normalcy quicker than other places. I will remain grateful for that fact so that I never make the mistake of taking things for granted.

•••••••I•o ••o • o o o o o o o o o o o oo o oo o o ' ' ' •o•oooo o o O o o o o o o o o o o o ,--.--.o o oooo''oo'ooooo o o o o o o o o oo o oooooooo,--.oooooooo oo o o o o o o o oooooo oo oooooo..-,♦..-,o oooo oo o o o oo oo oo oooooooo..-,oooo oo oo o o o o o o o oo o o oo ooo'o''oo..-... , o o..-, o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o oo oo.-,• '0 o o o o o • o o o o o o o o o o o o o o oooo ' 'ooo o Ioo o O o • o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o ' ' ' o' o o 'o O o • o o o o o o o +

: • • • I • I • I • ..., • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ,._,.•••••• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •••••••••••• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••••••••••••••• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •••••••.._.••••••• • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••••••••••••• o..o• • • ••• • • • • • • • • • • • • ••••• •••••••• • •• • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • •••• •• ••••• • •• • • •• • • • •

INSIYAAH MESIWAALA

l think 2020 REALLY taught me the importance of being patient. I found out the significance of good food and developing a hobby, both have turned into therapeutic exercises for me. I realised how important it actually is to make an effort to keep in touch with your close ones, and that's why I am so grateful for technology. I learnt the benefits of self-care, it majorly uplifted my mood during all the lockdowns. Mental health is so1nething I've learnt not to compromise on and have definitely made it a priority after this year. 1 also learnt to shut off the news. Once in a while, it's perfectly okay to not care about what's happening in the world and just focus on my iLn1nediate surroundings. You know the takeaway from that experience? My compost bin and herb garden keep me more engaged than all the stories and posts on Facebook or lnstagran1! .....' ' ' ' . '....... ··········· ........ ''.. ' ..............................'' .................................................................................................. .................................................................-....-.............. ......... .-...................'..' ......... . '

'

............,......................................................................................................................................................... .................................... ...................' .. ' ..··························· .. '' .,., ..... .

:JASKARAN SINGH

2020 moulded me to become more practical. It's also taught me an important lesson that applies moving forward with my life - learning not to judge anyone. This year is a testament to how everyone is going through something, even if they don't show it!

But I like to believe that difficult years, no matter all the obstacles, inevitably pass. 2020 has made me more appreciative of all the elements in my life. It made me realise even more, the in1portance of relationships. It's like my mum would say • not rushing through things and being patient is the way to go!

• •• •••,•••••• 1o . . . . . . . . . . . . ... .. .......... j . . . .. . . . . . . .. ... .. ........... ... . . . . . . .. . ... . ................ .. . . . . . . . ...... .............. ...... . . . . . . ................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........,.1 ••••• 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 ••• ,, • • • 1 . . . . . . . .

: • • • • • I •I • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • I • I • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••••• • •••• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••••••••■ •• ••• • • • • • • • • • • • • ••• •••••••••••• •••• • • • • • • • • • • ••• •••••••••••••• • •• • • • • • • • • • ••• •••••••••••• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •••••••••••• • • • • • • • • • • • •

EKAAGRA KESARWANI

This year is likely the first I've had where I'm not quite sure whether I thoroughly enjoyed it or wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy.

The angst caused by bushfires to start the year, and a presidential tantrum to end it, creating a sandwich with a pandemic squished in between, was truly befuddling. On the flipside, the utter calm within the four walls of my room, the convenience of studying from home, and the flexibility that can1e with it was something I never expected. But hindsight is 20/20 (no pun intended), and a healthy dose of introspection never hurt anybody. What I realised this year is that while I do enjoy being alone, I value the company of others more. The connection felt with people who may be studying the same thing as you - or playing the same sport as you - is subtle, and something I only felt when it was no longer there. If l got the chance to write to myself at the start of the year, I would ask myself to be 1nore open and make the n1ost of every opportunity 1 got. Oh, and I also started baking bread .

.. . . .. .. .......................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................··········.. . ................. , .............. . ......................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................... , ......... .......................... '

'''

,

,'''''

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NEHA MADAPPA

This year marks the longest period of time that I've lived away from home. And whether I liked it or not, it taught me how to be self-reliant and independent. Guys, I learnt to keep myself alive! Joke aside, I really did pick up simple but important tasks like cooking my own (healthy!) meals for the first time. Also, it's been a difficult year for everyone, especially regarding their mental health. I found a resilience in myself that I didn't know I had. There have been a few down days in 2020, but in those tough times, I looked to the people I love and respect. The biggest lesson of all? That it's perfectly okay to ask for help! · · · · · · · • · · · . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . ... ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . , •• , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , • • , . . . . . . . . . . .. ........ . . . . . . . . 1 , , , 1 , , , • • • • • • •

: · ' •• ·• • • • , . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , ' ' ·•' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,' • 1 •■ • .. • • • • • • • • • • • . . . . . . . . . ..... .. , .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . .............. . . . . . . . . . . ..... .............. ............... ............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ....... , . . . . . . . . . . .

NAVEED BAGADIA

When 2020 began, I never though the biggest flex during a meeting would be "I got to jump on another call" and the most repeated sentence of the year would be "You're on mute"! On the bright side, though, lockdowns have meant there's project drawdown (calculated how much the earth healed in 2020) where unknowingly all of us contributed especially when we were bored. This year has been all about testing negative and staying positive. I learnt the difference between 'being alone' and 'being lonely'. 1 also learnt a great way to explain the network effect- just ask my niece, she's only 4 years old and now she can explain exactly what it is! ''' • • • • o l • l • ■ • • • • • • • • • • • • • o 0 • • • • • • • • • • • • •. . • • • • • • l o • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• ••••••., . . • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••••••••.,••■•••• • • • • • • • • • o 0 • • " ••••""'•"•""•• • • • • • • • "••• --••--•••••••• • " ' • " • • • • • • • • .,••••""••••••" • • • • • • • • • ••• •• •oo•••••••oo •"••••••••••• • ••••• ••"•••• • • • " " • • • • • • " • • • • "••I•••••--•--•••••

• •••••••• •••••.__...• ,.._. • • • • • • ••• ••••••••••••••••••••••• • • ••J••••••••••••••••••••••._ . • • • •• •••••._.••••..•••.,s..••••• .._, •• ••••J•••••••••••••••••• •••• •• • • • •J•• ••••••• ••••••••• •••• . _,. o J '--- • •• • • ••••••••••••••• •••• •.._. • • J" J .? J J.• • • • • • ••••'•••I••••• •JJ • O J J J J J J • • • •••••'•I• I • • • • • • • • • • :

RHEA L NATH

I'm a big fan of looking at the bright side, and unlike Skype (sorry, I had to!), I like to make the most of opportunities. 2020 is the year I took chances. After all, could things really get any worse? I moved out of student accommodation and got my own apartment.

1 submitted my poetry to the university anthology and got published. The fear of rejection blocks our path far too often and we've got to get out of our own way. Despite all our cribbing about circumstances in 2020, I dare say I'm proud of all of us for finding some sort of a silver Lining! I'm going to turn 25 in the middle of a pandemic, and if I'm able to introspect and learn this much every year, my 20s don't look too shabby.

C

-Compiled by Preeti Jabbal, Rhea L Nath and Bageshri Savyasachi

NATIONAL EDITION

DECEMBER 2020 11

FA R M E R S ' ST I R

CQU's Prof. Nanjappa Ashwath

a.. <t:

t, Amandeep Singh Sidhu, Coffs -&. Harbour-based farmer

BY RHEA L NATH s protests against three controversial agriculture laws gain momentum in India, many questions have been raised about the in1pact of these reforn1s. There's growing concern that the new rules will allow corporates to exploit fanners and will leave them worse off than before.

As a result, India's farmers have taken to the streets in one of the largest such protests in the last decade. As of 7 Dece1nber, thousands of farmers are can1ped out on the outskirts on New Delhi after five rounds of discussion with the governn1ent re1nained inconclusive.

The farmers are being increasingly joined by lndians across the diaspora, iJ1cluding here in Australia. Nun1erous demonstrations have already been held in the past week, including ralJies at Quakers Hill in Sydney, City Hall in Brisbane, Federation Square in Melbourne, and in front of the Indian High Co1nmission in Canberra.

Australian parliamentarians have also lent their support. Labor MP Rob Mitchell addressed his concerns on the treatment of Indian farmers in the Victorian parliament, insisting "dialogue is always better than violence", while Labor's Russell Wortley MLC joined a rally on the steps of the Parliament House.

An Australia-based specialist in the agriculture domain Professor Nanjappa Ashwath of the CO University, explamed how the laws change the existing system iJ1 India.

"With the current niandi (government regulated market) systen1, farmers take their produce to the 1narket, where they display goods in an auction. It's an open system where everyone gets a fair chance with a n1inin1un1 support price (MSP) they are guaranteed."

With the new rules, Indian farmers will be able to bypass mandis and produce directly for private businesses. The new rules will also remove prohibitions against hoarding, allowing buyers to stockpile produce.

The central government has said this will increase competition, opportunities, and 12 ISJBVEMBER 2020

Three new laws have stirred controversy among the diaspora on its impact on the l ivelihoods of I ndian fa rmers. investment for lndia's farmers to help them achieve higher incomes. Prin1e Minister Narendra Modi has called the reforms "a watershed moment in the history of Indian agriculture."

But according to the protesters, corporates with high bargaining power will be able to drive down prices, and these laws will pave the way to abolishing the mini1num support price.

Now well into its eleventh day, there's a lot at stake with the protests. Agriculture is the primary livelihood of almost 60 per cent of India's population and the reforms affect many stakeholders, including commission agents at the 111andis, and state government revenue.

"For the educated farmer, the changes can provide a good system. But \vho will look out for farmers who aren't able to negotiate with corporates to get a good deal?" Prof. Ashwath asked.

Understandably, the situation is tense.

Indian media outlets have already reported some violence between the police and protesters. Canadian Priine Minister Justin Trudeau comn1ented on the unfolding incidents, calling the situation "very concerning."

In the UK, 36 cross-party MPs led by the Labour Party's Tanmanjit Singh Dhesi have come out m support of the ongoing farmers' agitation, asking British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to raise the matter with New Delhi. A protest at the Indian High Commission in London on 6 Decen1ber saw 13 arrests for breaching COVID regulations.

As we go to print, the next round of talks between 40 farmer union leaders and the

government is scheduled for 9 December, following a 'Bharat Bandh' call on 8 December. The farmers' five-point charter of demands include a specific law on MSP, written assurance on MSP, no punishn1ent for stubble-burning, repeal of the three farm laws, and settlement of objections about proposed Electricity (Amendment) Act. Meanwhile, farmers from other states and national trade unions have pitched in.

The protest site at Singhu, near the Delhi border has now transformed into a 'mini Punjab' as the number of people gathering increases daily. Organisations such as Khalsa Aid, United Sikh and DSGMC are on site to ensure comfort and care, and provide langars (free meals).

"Farmers are the backbone of India. It's crucial to encourage farming practices for future generations and ensure they are protected against companies. It's also important to consider who is behind the protests, and why this is happening," Prof.

Ashwath said.

With farmers making up a huge voting bloc, supporters of the reform have said the protesters are being misled with incorrect information.

Amandeep Singh Sidhu, a community leader in the farming community of Woolgoolga NSW and a farmer himself, points out that much of the protest stems from ill-feeling that the governn1ent isn't consulting the very people the reform impacts.

"In pushing these bills through parliament without discussion, there's been no opportunity to study the laws," he told Indian Link.

In September, the legislation was passed

in the Rajya Sabha amid chaos, with the telecast of the proceedings being 111uted before eventually putting the Bills to a doubtful voice vote. While quick, the voice vote raised questions on the true majority voting in favour.

"It's a problem when the government turns a deaf ear to protests, putting up barricades to stop citizens fro1n going into their own capital city," Singh elaborated.

While he believes the Acts work in theory, the inability to properly implement existing laws in India doesn't inspire confidence.

"Current ordinances say that pay1nents by the government must come within 21 days. But some farmers in states like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab have payn1ents pending for 14 months or longer," Singh observed.

"At the end of the day, companies are driven by shareholders and profits. For example, a farmer receives Rs 7 for a kilo of atta that is sold by a company for Rs 150 a kilo in India. What do you do about that difference to protect the farmer?"

These protests have raised much debate about supporting India's agricultural sector and protecting farmers from corporate behemoths, amid numerous political elements at play.

Ahead of the next round of discussions, Singh muses on possible solutions to the impasse.

"Seeing the Australian model of corporates working with farmers, the laws make sense if communicated properly.

I'd suggest pausing the Act to run an awareness campaign for farmers for a year before implementation," he said.

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NATIONAL EDITION

&BVEMBER 2020 13

•

BY

RAJNI ANAND LUTHRA wo lighting designs high on history, culture, craft and sustainability have won the inaugural Indian Link WorldRemit Diwali Light Up Your Home Contest.

Manjunath Hukkeri and his wife Sujatha Hosamani of Schofields NSW took home the first prize of $1501 for their traditional design. The second prize of $501 was claimed by Sarita Kadukar 14 DECEMBER 2020

•

and her husband Apurv Kasoorkar, also of Schofields NSW, for their design which was steeped in history.

Judged via Zoom, the prizes were announced live on lndian Link Radio by Station Director Ekta Sharma, on the night before Diwali.

"We are so thrilled to win this prize," Manjunath told Ekta on air. "It has made our Diwali."

Manjunath and Sujatha gave their home extensive coverage - not only on their front fac;ade which was fully illuminated but also along their driveway, retaining walls, letter box, windows and pillars. Laser lights projected colourful designs onto the walls.

•

Diyas and Om symbols, half a dozen in number, adorned the walls, fashioned out of steel wire before being wrapped in string lights. Bronze Lakshmi-Ganesha statues, DiwaJi symbols such as kalash, Swastik and peacocks, and jasmine flowers added to the traditional feel, as well as a stunning rangoli topped off with a shiny bronze charan paduka (goddess' feet) orna1nent.

"We've been planning this since last year's Diwali," Manjunath revealed. "On our annual trip back home late last yeru·, we had a huge shopping list for this. Diwali had passed of course by then, but we sourced out stockists and wholesalers and found some authentic, traditional items for our decorations."

• For second prize winner Sarita Kadukar, this Diwali was dedicated to a hero from history, Cbhatrapati Shivaji. The elaborate light decorations included no less than 60 diyas, besides fairy lights and string lights.

Floral garlands, the traditional genda in particular, con1plemented the lights throughout, in jhoomars, latkans, thorans and tulsivrindavans.

A significant highlight was the zanjira, a tableau common in Maharashtrian/central Indian folklore, depicting a scene from Shivajai Maharaj's life and times. Modelled on a real-life fort built by the Maratha ruler, the Kadukar zanjira featured military and rural scenes. It was painstakingly

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•

• handcrafted out of recycled material like waste cardboard and upcycled milk bottles.

Lotus flowers and footprint symbols to welcome the Goddess Lakshmi were used abundantly throughout the massive rangoli that stretched all across the driveway, in the centre and on the sides, and at the threshold.

It was a wonderful surprise to learn later that the two prize winners are in fact next door neighbours. Both couples took a week off work to put their designs up.

"The hardest part for 1ne was to cook," Sarita Kadukar revealed to Ekta Shru·ma on Indian Link Radio. "We worked throughout the day, and I found that alongside looking after my one-year-old, there was no time to NATIONAL EDITION

It's history and heritage galore i n the World Remit Light U p Your Home contest orga nised by Indian Link cook. Our neighbours on the other side came in to help, first with food, and later with everything. We are truly grateful to them."

(Her daughter was born on Diwali night last year, and na1ned Ramaa after Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess who is venerated on this night.)

The two neighbouring Diwali designs, based heavily on culture and history, included many traditional and folk-based depictions that are unusual even in displays in today's India.

As such, their homes played host to hundreds of visitors dropping by to have a peak, many of them complete strangers.

The number of teachable stations in both

designs were also high, adding to their inspirational value.

"I heard many kids say to their parents, 'Mum, Dad, look at this - we could make this at home!'. To me, that was immensely rewarding. This is how we maintain aspects of our culture, and in fact, see it grow," Sarita said.

Scott Eddington, Managing Director of Asia Pacific for WorldRemit, said, "It's been a n absolute pleasure to be connected to this year's Diwali via the Virtual Festival of Lights competition, and to shine a light on such magnificent diversity in Australia. To all those who participated in this contest, to the Indian community and

indeed to all Australians, I'd like to say on behalf of WorldRemit, Happy Diwali, and n1ay your lives be filled with the light of knowledge, good will and harmony."

Pawan Luthra, CEO of Indian Link, said later, "While these two homes may have won, others in the competition were by no means less commendable. The effort that went into each was clearly evident to all.

In the end, all contributed to Indian Link's ultimate aim: that people should drive by or walk past to see our Diwali decorations, just like we've been doing for years at Christmas time. By participating in this contest, you have helped that become a reality."

DECEMBER 2020 15

Three families - the Sadhus, the Kadukars, and the Upadhyays - continue their winning streaks this year.

The Kadukars' Schofields home: Second place

BY RHEA L NATH espite a 'distanced Diwali', the irresistible festive spirit continued this year in NSW with Blacktown City Council's annual Diwali Lights Competition.

Blacktown, the third largest local council in the country and perhaps one of the most diverse, is the only council that celebrates the Hindu festival of light on a grand scale.

Shamila and Vishal Sadhu from Bungarribee brought home the top prize for the third year running.

"People came to see our home in the days leading up to the competition, and they would watch us put up our decorations," shared Shan1ila with Indian Link.

No doubt top contenders for the prize, given their previous wins, the Sadhus' home was illu1ninated with fairy lights, 16 DECEMBER 2020

The Upadhyays' home at The Ponds: Third place

creating Diwali icons Like diyas and peacocks, lotuses and Om sy1nbols, along the fa9ade.

According to Shamila, it took 2-3 days to complete the endeavour. ''This year, my husband really took charge with the designs. Honestly, COVlD didn't deter us, and we would've decorated our house regardless," she said.

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM congratulated the winners, pointing out that Blacktown is home to more than 83,000 people of Indian descent who actively participate in this competition.

"My wife Nina and I met the finalists during the judging and many of them said that Diwali this year was truly a celebration of emerging from the darkness of COVID into the light of better times," Mayor Bleasdale said.

In second place for a second year in a row were Sarita and Apurv Kadukar of Ward Street, Schofields.

"We decided to bring additional Indian flavour to our decorations with

Best rangoli: Sujatha Hosamani, Schofields

flower maalas. We incorporated a lot of craft items which we n1ade by hand with recycled materials," Apurv explained.

Theil· decorations looked back to tradition, using oil lan1ps, genda (marigold}, and Tulsi vrindavans. Most notably, they created a zanjira, a model of a real-life fort built by Shivaji Maharaj, in a nod to central Indian folklore.

"Lots of kids came to see our fort and ask how it was made. Then, they went home and built forts of their own!" Sarita said happily.

Sunaina and Yogendra Upadhyay of The Ponds bagged the third prize. Their house boasted of an undeniable Diwali atmosphere - includjng the soulful melodies of a flute.

"We didn't want to put our Ganesha decoration on the floor, so we built a special platform. Then we decided, in keeping with this theme, to incorporate some music too."

During the days of judging, passers-by were wowed by the lights, colour, and unique tunes of the Upadhyay house.

For Sunaina, decorating the house for Diwali holds special significance.

"Coincidentally, my kids have never been in India during Diwali. That's why I try to bring the festive spirit here for then1 to see," she said with a smile.

A special award for best rangoli went out to Sujata Hosamani and Manjunath Hukkeri of Ward Street, Schofields. lncorporati11g a specific Diwali theme of diyas, kalashs, and even special charan paduka (goddess' feet) in her design, Sujata painstakingly created her rangolis starting 5 am, before her young children woke up.

With rain and wind playing spoilsport, she ended up creating the rangoli on three separate occasions, using homemade glue mixtures to hold it in place.

The Hukkeris (along with the Kadukars) also took home the title of Best Street, which acknowledges families who create a festive atn1osphere in their neighbourhoods.

"Our street, Ward Street in Schofields, is full of tradition. Everyone enthusiastically joins the festivities and shows off the Diwali spirit to the rest of our suburb," Manjunath said.

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DECEMBER 2020 17

I N D I A N N E WS Dharam Singh Sandhu, 67, and his wife Nirmaljeet Singh Kaur, 66, are spending nights parked near the site of the farmers protest at the Delhi­ Haryana state border, India.

Photo: AP

Employn1ent based immigration are "racist and un-American".

Biden-Harris name Indian­ American as executive director for inauguration

36 cross-party UK MPs support Indian farmers' agitation

A faction of 36 cross-party UK MPs, led by the Labour Party's Tanmanjit Singh Dhesi, have come out in support of the ongoing fanners' agitation in India, asking British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to raise the n1atter with New Delhi.

The MPs, in a missive to Raab, asked to pressurise India against the recently enacted agriculture laws which "exploit" the fanners and those who depend on farming.

They further urged the Foreign Secretary to hold talks with the Indian government through the support of Sikh farmers in Punjab and abroad.

In his letter, Dhesi, the Laboul' MP for Slough, said that last 1nonth several MPs wrote to the Indian High Co1nmission in London about the impacts of the three new fann laws.

"This is an issue of particular concern to Sikhs in the UK and those linked to Punjab, although it also heavily impacts on other Indian states.

"The Punjabi community is widely recognized as the backbone of the state's economic structure and the fanners' concerns al'e a powerful faction in national and state politics," the letter said.

Jt called for an urgent with Raab to discuss the "deteriorating" situation in Punjab and its relationship with the Union goverrunent.

Also, representations to be 111ade to India about the impact on British Sikhs and Punjabis, with longstanding links to land and fanning in India.

Dhesitweeted, "Many constituents, especially those e1nanating from the Pw1jab, have contacted MPs to express solidal'ity with the fanners opposing farmers Bill 2020 in India.

"Dozens of MPs duly deliberated and signed a cross-party letter, seeking justice for the peacefully protesting far111ers.11 The development co111es as farn1ers have continued their protests at the Delhi-Haryana and Delhi-Uttar Pradesh borders.

The agitated farmers are demanding 18 DECEMBER 2020

the repeal of the th1·ee farn, laws passed

by Parlian1ent earlier this year and have expressed apprehension that they would pave the way for the dismantling of the minimum support price system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporate houses.

The government has maintained that the new laws wilJ provide farmers with better opportunities. It has also accused the opposition parties of misleading farmers.

US Senate passes bill to clear epic Green Card backlog

After more than a year of intense political tangling, the US Senate has passed a bill that lifts the existing per-country cap on the number of e1nployrnent based permanent­ residency permits or 'Green Cards' issued to legal in1migrants, potentially paving the way for Indians waiting in decades-long lines to breathe easier.

But there's a catch. Several, actually. lt's the Senate vs House lawmakers versioning problen1.

Apa1·na Bhatnagar, an Indian living in Stamford, Connecticut who's been in the "queue forever" places the developments in context.

"This version has to reconcile with the previous version that the House passed. It's still a long way to go and by that time the new ruling party will take over. Let's wait and watch," she told !ANS. The "previous version" that Bhatnagar refers to is the 'Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act' which passed the House of Representatives in 2019 in a 365 to 65 vote.

What passed the Senate was a similar piece of legislation sponsored by Senator Mike Lee (Republican, Utah), not the exact one passed by the House.

Senator Lee's state Utah, incidentally, is the new magnet for the nearshoring business model in the US. The Senate and the House bills will now have to be layered onto each other and a combo version will have to pass both the House and Senate before being sent over to the White House.

Current US rules limit any one country to 7

per cent of all employment-based green cards.

Indians make up more than 600,000 of those whose paperwork is approved but are waiting.

The State Department awards about 140,000 Green Cards a year but does not have caps on how many applications get approved each year - creating a demand supply asymmetry that puts millions of legal immigrants on a perpetual waitlist.

"It is indeed a great decision by the Senate.

Fingers crossed because the House has to pass the bill with the added amendments," Rashi Bhatnagar, an Atlanta resident told IANS. The swirling anxiety centres around the carve outs in the Senate version of the bill, coming from various Republican Senators opposed to the legislation in its cul'rent avatar.

Senator Rand Paul (Republican, Kentucky) has inserted provisions for nurses from the Philippines and is demanding new restrictions on firn1s that employ 50 per cent workers on H l B visas.

Senator Rick Scott (Republican, Florida) added two more into the mix: a new limit for the next 10 years on the overall number of immigrants on H l - B visas who can receive Green Cards and another which could slash immigration from China.

"While I recognize the sincerity of all members and senators struggling to find solutions, unfortunately the provisions sent to the House by the Senate yesterday most likely make matters worse, not better," said Representative Zoe Lofgren, chairwoman of the House Judiciary subcommittee on immigration, who sponsored the House bill.

"S.386 passed the Senate with unanimous consent, which means all 100 Senators agreed to this bill. This shows that this inlmigration bill has huge bipartisan support," said Anirban Das, who leads Skilled Immigrants in America (SHA), a non-profit.

"The bill is almost at the finish line. I sincerely hope Representative Zoe Lofgren can work out a compromise and finally pass this bill."

Das, who has been through the Green Card grind hinlself, leaned on Senator Lee's remarks that birth country caps in

US President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kan,ala Harris have appointed lndian-A1nerican Maju Varghese, who steered their campaign, to be the executive director of their inauguration - the swearing-in ceremony and the festivities around it.

The announcement makes Varghese the fifth Indian-American to be appointed to an important position by Biden and Harris.

Earlier, Biden had formally announced the appointn,ent of Neera Tanden as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Varghese played an important part in the successful Biden-Harris ca1npaign as its chief operating officer and as a senior adviser to the former Vice President.

He ran the logistics for the nationwide, n1ulti-million-dollar effort to elect Biden, mobilising tens of thousands of staff and volunteers.

He had worked for former President Barack Obama as his special assistant and deputy director of advance, a position in which he worked on organising his travel in the US and abroad.

One of those assignments was organising Obama's 2015 historic trip to India for the Republic Day celebrations.

Varghese later became assistant to the President for administration and management and oversaw the White House complex.

His parents immigrated from Thiruvalla, Kerala, to the US, where he was born, and is a lawyer by training.

The inauguration of Biden as President and Harris as Vice President is slated take place on fanuary 20, 2021, as mandated by the constitution when they will forn1ally take over the offices.

This will be the 59th inauguration and it will take place under the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic and the festivities would have to balance the exuberant outpouring of joy by Biden supporters with the need to prevent the spread of the disease.

Tony Allen, who was named the CEO of the inauguration committee, said, "This year's inauguration will look different amid the pandemic, but we will honour the American inaugural traditions and engage Americans across the country while keeping everybody healthy and safe."

He is the president of Delaware State University in Biden's home state and had been his speech-writer when he was a Senator.

More than a million have come to some previous inaugurations.

The social highlight of inaugurations has been the inaugural ball, a formal dance by the President and the Vice President and their spouses, and the invitees, with the women dressed glamorously in designer outfits that get widely discussed.

Several entertainments are also organised for the rest of the crowds attending the inaugurations.

Congress is officially in charge of

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Farmers arrive at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh state border to participate in the protest against new agriculture laws.

Photo: AP

the formal swearing-in portion of the inauguration and has the bi-partisan Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies to hold the ceren1ony at the Capitol, the Congress con1plex.

The current co1nmittee is headed by Republican Senator Roy Blunt and includes Democrat Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

But the winning presidential candidates set up their own comJnittees to work with it and to organise other celebrations and raise funds for the events.

The other Indian-Americans named to in1portant positions by Biden include forn1er Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, who was appointed co-chair of his Covid-19 task force last n1onth in one of his first acts after the media proclaimed him the winner of the presidentiaJ election.

Two lndian-Americans were named to head the co1nmittees in charge of transition to the new adn1inistration -- Arun Majumdar for the Department of Energy and Kiran Ahuja for the Office of Personnel Managen1ent.

In addition, 19 Indian-Americans were appointed to the various transition teams and two oth.ers, Atul Gawande and Celine Gounder, to the Covid-19 task force.

Transfering Info through human touch: Purdue University's Indian-origin engineers

A tea1n of Indian-origin researchers in the US has made it possible to essentially let theiJ: bodies act as the link between the card or s1nart phone and the reader or scanner, making it possible to transmit information just by touching a surface.

The prototype, developed by Purdue University engineers, doesn't transfer money yet but it's the first technology that can send any information through the direct touch of a fingertip.

While weariJ1g the prototype as a watch, a user's body can be used to send information such as a photo or password when touching a sensor on a laptop.

"We're used to unlockiJ1g devices using our fingerprints, but this technology wouldn't rely on biometrics - it wouJd rely on digital signals.

Imagine logging into an app on son1eone else's phone just by touch," said Shreyas Sen, a Purdue associate professor of electrical and con1puter engineering. Shovan Maity led the study as a PhD student in Sen's lab.

The study was published iJ1 Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction, a journal by the Association for Computing Machinery.

The technology works by establishing an "iJ1ternet" withiJ1 the body that smartphones, sn1artwatches, pacen1akers, insulin pun1ps and other wearable or iJnplantable devices can use to send information.

"These devices typically communicate using Bluetooth signals that tend to radiate out from the body. A hacker could iJ1tercept those signals fron1 30 feet away," Sen said.

Sen's technology instead keeps signals confined within the body by coupling them in a so-called "Electro-Quasistatic range" that is much lower on the electromagnetic spectrum than typical Bluetooth communication.

NATIONAL EDITION

This mechanisn1 is what enables information transfer by only touching a surface.

Even if your finger hovered just one centimetre above a surface, information wouldn't transfer through this technology without a direct touch.

US post office to be named after slain Sikh police officer

A post office in the US city Houston will be na111ed after Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, the first Sikh Deputy in Texas's Harris County who was shot dead while on duty in September 2019.

Decks were cleared for renaming the post office at 315 Addicks Howell Road in Houston as "Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal Post Office Building" with the US Congress passing the necessary legislation.

The Senate has just passed a bill to rename the post office after the House of Representatives did so in September.

The bill is now headed to the White House for President Donald Trump to sign into law.

The post office named after Dhaliwal in Houston is only the second one named after an lndian-An1erican.

The first one was named after the first Indian-American Congressman Dalip Singh Saund in Southern California in 2006.

On September 27, 2019, Dhaliwal, 42, was shot dead by a suspect during a traffic stop in the county's Cypress a1·ea.

He was the county's first Sikh Deputy when he joined the force 10 years ago, and became a national figure after convincing the Harris County Sherrifs Department to allow him to wear a turban and grow a beard while on patrol.

Responding to the development, the slain police officer's father Pyara Singh Dhaliwal said that the "gesture will 1nemorialise his legacy of service to his beloved Houston, while also reminding us all to uphold his example and celebrate the diversity that makes our and so many other communities strong", American Bazaar reported.

In a statement, Republican senator Ted Cruz said, "The US Postal Office on Addicks

Howell Road in Houston will now serve as a lasting tribute to Deputy Dhaliwal's trailblazing legacy for Sikh Americans and religious minorities in law enforcement."

Indian racing star Daruvala earns Maiden F2 Podium

Indian racing star JehanDaruvala earned his maiden FLA Formula 2 podium at the Bahrain Grand Prix Support Race on 5 Dec. The Red Bull Racing Junior is the first Indian to stand on the podiun1 m an FLA Fonnula 2 Race, in the present era of the championship.

The F2 season moved to Sakhir, Bahrain, for the last two rounds of the F2 championship, and DaruvaJa iJnmediately sho\ved his pace in the only practice session. lo the last 1 5 minutes, Daruvala posted a lap time of 1 :42.782 seconds to go fastest.

With just five minutes left, Nikita Mazepin of Russia went faster by a mere 0.122 secs.

Qualifying threatened to completely undo all oIDaruvala's efforts. He faced traffic on his quick laps that allowed him to post a tiJne that was quick enough for eighth on the grid, two places ahead of Championship leader Mick Schumacher. Callum llott of Great Britain ea1·ned another pole position.

Daruvala made an excellent start for the Feature Race (Race 1 ) from eighth. He gained two places and stayed in a sixth for a few laps.

Daruvala and other racers on the Medium compound of tyre, then seemed to struggle against those on the Hard Compound. Lap 5 saw Daruvala lose two places and was forced off the circuit. The resulting loss of speed lost hiJn more positions. Daruvala stayed in tenth for a few laps before pitting to change tyres.

The 22-year-old lndian emerged from the pit down in 18th place. He then reeled of a series of quick laps to climb up the order. He gained more positions as others pitted and was running sixth by lap 19 of the 32-lap race.

Daruvala soon overtook multiple race winner Robe11 Shwartzman to move up to fifth.

Race leader Mick Schumacher then took his mandatory pit stop. Daruvala's blistering pace after his own pit stop meant that Schumacher emerged from the pits behind Daruvala, who was now running third.

The main risk was that Schumacher had tyres that were many laps fresher than Daruvala. The two were evenly n1atched for at least another six laps, before Schumacher, now in his second season, started closing the gap to Daruvala. Schumacher soon brought the gap down from two seconds to around 1.5 seconds. Besides much fresher tyres, Schumacher was also now on the faster Medium compound and charged to reduce the gap down to 0. 7 seconds with five laps remaining.

Unfortunately for Daruvala, this n1eant that Schumacher was now also able to use his DRS (Drag Reduction System) which gave hiJn extra speed on three straights around the Fl circuit. Jt seemed only a matter of corners before Schumacher would overtake Daruvala.

However, m a nail-biting few laps, Daruvala without the option of DRS and a tyre disadvantage drove one of his best races of the season. With three laps to go, he had to defend aggressively into the first corner, both drivers were side by side for a few corners but Daruvala was not giving up in spite of his disadvantage. He held his nerve and placed his Carlin car in exactly the right places, preventing Schumacher from gettiJ1g ahead.

Two laps before the end of the race, Schumacher momentarily got ahead of Daruvala, but the Indian was not gomg to allow that and he braked late, to get the position back. Daruvala's excellent racing caused Schu1nacher to make a couple of mistakes. This allowed Daruvala room to breathe. He continued his intelligent drive to increase the gap and crossed the line 0.894 seconds ahead of Schumacher, to earn a really well deserved third place. Brazilian Felipe Drugovich won the race ahead of Callum Hott.

Daruvala was the second runner-up in the FLA Formula 3 Chan1pionship last year. He earns his maiden FIA Formula 2 podium, in his first season in the ultra-competitive championship, which has seen 1 5 other racers stand on the podium. Daruvala's achievement is also the first podium, by an Indian in the current iteration of the FIA Formula 2 Championship.

IANS DECEMBER 2020 19

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DECEMBER 2020 21

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Ahead of the Test series, Ind ia may wa nt to look seriously at its bowling, field ing and facing a resurgent opposition BY

RITAM MITRA or once, India return to Australia as the holders of a Border­ Gavaskar Trophy contested in Australia, but curiously, India are far fron1 being favourites. Squad changes within both tean1s heavily favour Australia this series, while India has had zero exposure to long-form cricket since COYID-19 emerged. Yet with the limited overs series now done and dusted, India are in the unusual position of entering the Test series with competitive international cricket under their belt already on this tour. The ju1np fro1n limited overs cricket to Test cricket is a large one, but not so large that some lessons cannot be learned.

Smith and Warner are (seriously) back

I f the Indian players were in any doubt regarding the forn1 of Messrs Sn1ith and Warner following their long breaks, those were quashed in the OD1 series, where each of Warner and Smith plundered the generally lacklustre Indian bowlers.

Warner smashed two blistering fifties (though is in doubt for the first Test having picked up a groin injury during the second 001), while S111ith notched up, in consecutive innings, bis two fastest-ever ODI tons.

Jf that were not daunting enough for the I ndians, they will also need to conquer Marnus Labuschagne, Australia's best find of the last two years. After a breakout .0 cu :,t Ashes series in 2019 where Labuschagne C cu was the first-ever concussion substitute in C u-----a Test match, Labuschagne is now one of � India will be without their the first nan1es on the team sheet, such has � talisman, Virat Kohli, for been his n1eteoric rise. The third-ranked _g most of the Test series. batsman in Test cricket - behind only Smith and Kohli - Labuschagne could well be Australia's answer to Pujara this summer. came at an average of 50.

With Bumrah out of sorts and \vitbout India's bowling lacks bite the control of lshant Sharma, India's attack I n the 2018-19 Test series, Bumrah looked suddenly looks a shadow of its 2019 self. nigh unplayable; the polite fast bowler Umesb Yadav, who averages 46 with the ball in Australia, is the likely third seamer picked up a series-topping 21 wickets, and bowled n1ore overs than any other quick behind Bumrah and Shami, while Navdeep across both teams. Since then though, Saini and Mohammad Siraj, each of whom Bun1rah picked up a stress fracture in his have so far struggled at the international lower back that has threatened to derail his level, are the reserves. stunning career to date.

In his only two Tests since returning A long summer of drops from that injury, Bun1rah picked up 6 may await wickets at 31 apiece, 1 1 higher than his I f there's one thing post-COY ID cricket has career average of 20. The number is even taught us, it is that fielding and catching more concerning in ODis, where he has are the first skills to have departed taken 5 wickets at nearly 100 runs a wicket international cricketers during their time (ODIs). That includes his 4 wickets in the away from the game. Australia and India recent 001 series against Australia, which both underwhelmed in the field in the

Rediscovering its fielding and catching form will be a key part of India's challenge ofAustralia.

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recent OD1 and T20 series, but if anything symbolised India's efforts, it was captain Kohli himself.

Normally one of the more reliable and electric fielders in world cricket, Kobli's white-ball series were scattered with errors; letting balls go through his legs, regularly missing his shies at the stumps, and even dropping two regulation catches that any competent under-14 cricketer would have taken in their sleep.

It would be unfair though, to single out Kohli: catching and fielding standards have fallen in international matches across the world, perhaps a symptom of COYIO-weary cricketers being, for once, unaccustomed to the periods of long concentration required when fielding at the highest levels of the game. I n the first

Steve Smith is as good as he has ever been, and still looms as the biggest threat for the Test series.

Test between New Zealand and the West Indies for instance, New Zealand dropped perhaps ten catches.

Fielding is not a skill that returns overnight, and for those in the Test squad who did not play in the lin1ited overs series (being the n1ajority of the team), even longer bas the break been between international matches. Drops and misfields n1ay be largely fleeting and even inconsequential in the shortest forms of the game, but in a Test series - no less a four­ Test series - they can be physically and mentally debilitating.

How well each team supports its bowlers in the field could go a long way to determining the outcome of the series - and the blood pressure of the respective captains.

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Melb Cup 2020: Indian trainer Julius Sandhu breaks through with his horse Do You Reckon always risk. It's not ideal that international horses have to be put down. Behind the scenes, there's plenty of work ongoing to get to the bottom of these accidents.

Horses come conditioned to different kinds of tracks - tracks in UK and Ireland are softer than ours due to climate. We're trying to find ways to bring these incidents down - should the horses arrive here earlier to acclimatise to our conditions, for instance? We're trying to focus on the best possible solutions for horses and for all other participants - trainers, jockeys, and fans, because everybody is in1pacted. Don't forget, racing is a vibrant industry that held up well even with COVID. lt e111ploys 300,000 people and contributes greatly to the economy."

Regarding his own plans, Julius sees Do You Reckon - a career highlight so far - as the start of many things. "I'm now looking to grow my stables. We have 23 horses so far, and I'd like to take that number to 30-35. If there's anyone out there keen to get involved, in an ownership perspective perhaps, get in touch!"

020 will go down as a 1nemorable year for Cranbourne horse trainer Julius Sandhu, and not only because of COVID. This year, he scored his first major win in the Melbourne Cup Carnival with his horse Do You Reckon. [t took out the $500,000 Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final on Oaks Day. "It was a very rewarding effort," Julius told Indian Link. "Not n,any people gave my horse a chance for that distance, 1600111 - but he ran a great race. It was a big deal for us to see him win."

"My life's passion is for horses," Julius mused. "They're magnificent anin1als.

I'm happy to spend 1nost of my day around them." lulius Sandhu has been drawn to horses since his teenage years in India, introduced to them by his brother who was a horse trainer. Later he cut his teeth as a trainer under Aris David, one of India's best­ known trainers.

It was in Dubai though that he decided that racing would be his life's calling, after working under legendary na1nes such as Sheikh Mohammed and his son Sheikh Hamdan, and American thoroughbred trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.

In Australia he worked briefly in the industry in 1996, then left to establish hi 1nself financially. He's been a certified trainer now for three years.

Julius describes his four and a half years in Dubai as the most in1portant path in bis career in racing.

"There's no betting in racing over there, it is the prize n1oney that is a!J-in1portant.

So, fundamentally, the horses are there for the racing. The trainer's job is thetefore to keep the horses in the best possible shape and condition for racing. They truly care for then,, and do the right thing by them."

In l ndia, on the other hand, the situation is reversed. "Firstly, the 1ndian industry is a closed industry - it's hard to break into it

unless you have connections. Secondly, the gambling is a very large part of it; the vast majority of people in racing are there for that purpose, forget about the well-being of the horse. For me that was a challenge."

Luckily for him, Melbourne provided the perfect middle ground. "Both aspects blend in the industry here. Prize money is good, the betting part is just a bit of fun. It makes it a different experience altogether."

He added, "The Australian racing industry is very blessed. Melbourne alone has 35 racecourses, so we have the ability to race every day in different conditions.

In between, the horses rest in lush green

paddocks. There's an expanse of farmland so horses can be horses. My horse Do You Reckon for example, who has been racing for 7 continuous months, is resting now."

Julius is also a great supporter of women in racing: in his own stable, the most successful rider bas been a woman, Alexandra Bryan. "There's a great influx of girls taking up riding as a profession. At Cranbourne 30% of the riders are women."

What is his view though, on the increasing number of accidents in racing?

"Unfortunate accidents can happen in all kinds of racing - boat, car, motorbike, even bicycles. With racing and speed there's

n a select group of ren1arkable leaders, RMlT's Professor Madbu Bhaskaran has stood out to win the Science & Medicine category of the 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australians this year.

The awards, an initiative of Asialink, PwC, and Australian National University, recognise the contributions of Australian leaders fron1 Asian backgrounds. Now in its second year, it includes accomplished leaders in various sectors like community and advocacy, education, arts and culture, sports, corporate, entrepreneurship, science and medicine, and public sector and govern1nent.

Madhu is no stranger to awards for her research endeavours, but she considers this a special one.

"lt's particularly special because it recognizes my lndian background, and my work in the community for enhancing diversity," she told Indian Link.

The tesearcher, originally from Chennai, first came to Australia in 2004. With the completion of her PhD in 2009, accolades have poured in for her development of unbreakable, flexible electronics that work "like electronic skin."

"This has been eight years in the making and we're now working with eight industry partners. We see its practical use in healthcare and aged care. It's a patch, like a band aid, which can be used to monitor UV exposure on your skin and help in the fight against skin cancer. It can also help detect, and monitor, early onset diseases and chronic illnesses within the body,"

Madbu explained.

If aU this sounds like an invention from a sci-fi 1novie to you, you're not alone.

"The goal in our team is to make science fiction a reality," she chuckled.

The award also highlights her work towards gender diversity, such as co­ founding the Women Researchers' network at RMIT University in 2013 and sitting on the National Boa1·d of Directors for Women in STEMM Australia.

"Often, 'diversity' is only considered in terms of gender, but it goes beyond that.

It's about aspiring for diversity in thoughts, age, cultural background, and perspective - because these are truly representative of our experiences," she elaborated.

Citing the Women in STEM Decadal Plan from 2019, she points out that societal

24 DECEMBER 2020

Rajnl Anand Luthra

:Julius with Do You Reckon, who was ridden byjockey Kerrin McEvoy on Oaks Day

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New award for 19-year-old follows recent honour in the 40 U nder 40 Most lnffuential Australian Asians aysuhi Khillan, 19, has won the Youth Chan1pion Award in the prestigious 2020 Melbourne Awa1·ds.

She was felicitated for her work in the health and education fields to support the Melbourne community during COVID-19.

A scholarship-win11ing biomed student at the University of Melbourne, Aayushi was also one of the youngest awardees recently in the 40 Under 40 Most Influential Australian Asians 2020. She was recognised for her work in the education sector.

Before this, she became the youngest ever Australian selected for a govern1nental board when she was appointed to the Victorian Curriculu1n and Assessment Authority (VCAA) at the age of 18.

Clearly, the young lady has many firsts to her nan1e. And yet, like another South Asian who has recently been in the news, she is determined to ensure that she is not the last.

"1 do really Iive by Vice-president-elect Kamal Harris' words," Aayushi told Indian Link. "I may be the first to do a lot of things, but I certainly do not wish to be the last. 1 want to empower more young people to do even better than I am so they can create an even better world and 1 plan to continue my work by supporting and en1poweri ng others."

Aayushi Khillan's innate gumption and willingness to push for change has always held her in good stead, whether she is out to win validation in a boardroom or shining light on issues that affect her fellow millennials.

Aayushi considers her appointment to the VCAA Board as one of her best learning opportunities that bas significantly broadened her horizons,

NATIONAL EDITION

developing her skills to a point where her input was both recognised and valued.

"In High School we learn how to be leaders a,nongst our peers. VCAA, however, helped n1e to grow as a person and be a strong leader among leaders," revealed Aayushi.

The VCAA is a statutory authority primarily accountable to the Minister for Education and the Minister for Training and Skills, serving both government and non-government schools. lt develops and implements the curriculum and assessment from Early Learning to VCE. Aayushi's experience there provided a more nua11ced understanding of resources available to Victorian schools.

"My role is to act as a conduit between

the students and the Board," she explained. "I can speak directly to students to establish what challenges and struggles they are facing, what changes are required and to see if the changes made are sufficient and effective." l n this COVID-dominated year, the VCAA implemented measures like reduced content for Year 12 students, delayed exams, ongoing support, online modules for teachers and more considerations for students.

Besides her work with VCAA, Aayusni contributed to health and education as the executive officer for Body Works, a not-for-profit organisation. She visited primary schools to engage and motivate children and teach them about health. She

nonns and stereotypes affect girls from a young age. In 2016, India and China reported the highest uptake of STEM subjects by girls, while Australia had the lowest percentage among Asia Pacific countries at just 27 per cent.

"It co1nes down to the thought process and the way people choose their careers.

I n Australia, we see that only 16 per cent of Australians in STEM professions ru·e women although the population in terms of gender is fairly even," Madhu explained.

But she also accounts for the factors motivating women to join the field.

"There's a popular saying that goes 'you cannot be what you cannot see'. Well, we now have a generation of women who have had to be what they couldn't see. They've had to break ceilings and just go for it!"

Winning the award has another important purpose. Although Australia's growing Asian-Australian community accounts for around 12 per cent of the total population, research indicates that less than 5 per cent make it to senior leadership levels.

What is Madhu's advice for young Asian Australians?

is currently also involved in a committee that will introduce a pandemic module in alignment with the school curriculum. " I am passionate for school curriculun1s to focus on life skills to prepare students for the real world, by providing the1n with strategies to survive a pandemic as well as deal with mental health issues that n1ay follow."

Aayushi lists technology overload, isolation from friends and inactivity as the biggest challenges young people have faced during the pandemic.

"Health has been so unpredictable during this time that it is crucial that the next generation is prepared and equipped to prevent future pandemics," she explained.

She herself has taken pains to be organised, planning in advance and taking tirne out, at least once a week, to relax and pursue her interest in photography.

"2020 has been a tough year for all of us and J also had a lot to balance. I struggled with university work, meetings, tutoring and it was not easy. However, I am so passionate and happy with what J do that it never felt like a burden," she said with characteristic enthusiasm.

Aayushi credits her father Dr Raj Khillan for providing her the inspiration to achieve and her mother Dr Preeti Khillan for providing her stability. She was grateful to both for their ongoing encouragen1ent, and to her younger sister for being a source of inspiration and innovation.

"But really, participation has always been the key," she mused. " I would highly recommend that young people work in team settings, volunteer, join university clubs and share insights if they aspire to be leaders or change makers."

Preeti Jabbal

"Appreciate the fact that Australia's multicultural society embraces differences.

Overcon1e any shyness and learn to ask questions - no, it's not offensive! In time, we build confidence in seeing Asian Australians around us doing well in their fields and ultimately, it helps pave the way for a future generation."

Rhea L Nath

''Only 16 per cent of Australians in STEM professions are women, although the population in terms of gender is fairly even'' DECEMBER 2020 25

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How the Starlight Fou ndation b rightened u p little Vishwa's life BY NIKEETA BHATIA or seven-year-old Vishwa Solanki, who has spent n1ore of her life in hospital than anywhere else, the Diwali just passed has been a very special one.

Her wish for a 'princess roon1' was granted, and she was thriUed when she saw it upon her return from another bout in hospital.

"Now I have so1newhere that is beautiful to sleep - it's nothing like the hospital," Vishwa said happly.

Her wish was realised thanks to the Starlight Children's Foundation, which works with seriously iU kids bringing them fun and happiness that has a lasting positive impact on their lives.

Through the stress of hospital life, Vishwa and her family found joy in the Starlight Children's Foundation.

Vishwa's mum Mital said, "Starlight has changed our lives; it has brought happiness out of a situation of sadness."

At just two weeks old, and after three hard days in the ICU, Vishwa was sadly diagnosed with the kidney disease Congenital Nephrotic Syndron1e. She spent the first few months of her life in The Children's Hospital at Westinead.

"We were devastated," Mital recalled.

"Instead of being ho1ne with us, Vishwa lived in hospital for the first couple of months of her life."

After being discharged, Vishwa returned to the hospital four times a week. Doctors told the family that Vishwa would need a 26 DECEMBER 2020

In hospital Vishwa with family

kidney transplant. Vishwa's grandn1other, 'Nanima', travelled from India to Australia to be the donor for her four-year-old granddaughter.

"Nanin1a and Vishwa now share a very special bond," Mital revealed.

Though positive from the aftermath of the surgery, Vishwa was sadly diagnosed with another life-threatening condition earlier this year. Increased time in hospital resulted in Vishwa not being able to attend school. She missed her baby sister Rishwa, and cooking and dancing with her mum at home. Vishwa also lost her hair due to treatment, but bravely decided to donate it to someone else.

The family discovered Stai-light during the long days in hospital. Its volunteers, named 'Captain Starlight' helped Vishwa to simply enjoy being a kid in times of worry and uncertainty.

"Captain Stai-light is so beneficial for kids' e1notions," Mital said. "As soon as Vishwa sees the Captains, she's her old self again."

Happiness also arrived when Vishwa was granted her Starlight Wish. As Vishwa loves

playing princesses she wished for a princess room for her and her sister. The anticipation and excitement helped Vishwa through the tough days at the hospital.

"She loved planning every element of her dream room, from the princess dressing table to the pink cushions," Mital divulged.

"It gave her something fun to do in hospital."

Vishwa was very excited when she saw the finished room just days before Diwali.

She now loves to play princesses with her little sister and friends and share photos of her new room.

Her parents are thankful that the double celebration will give Vishwa many happy memories. The Wish coinciding with Diwali has added lots of colour and light in her life. Mital is very thankful to the Starlight community: "A very big thank you. Vishwa's Starlight Wish is like a big Diwali present for our family at such a special time of year. We could never have done this on our own.

Starlight has changed our life; bringing us out of the sadness feels like a new life for us."

Starlight Children's Foundation work closely with their hospital and healthcare partners to deliver happiness to hospitalised children in Australia. Starlight CEO Louise Baxter says, "Being seriously ill shouldn't mean missing out on the fun of childhood, especially when evidence shows happiness helps kids bounce back after going through tough times".

By Christmas 2020, Starlight will have granted more than 350 life-changing Starlight Wishes, provided over 1 13,000 positive Captain Starlight experiences, and broadcasted over 16,000 hours of Starlight TV to hospital wards.

Vishwa's Princess Room is part of the Starlight Children's Foundation 2020 Christmas Appeal. The appeal is currently attempting to raise $1.3 1nillion to help bring happiness to more than 30,000 sick children in hospital and the community this Christmas.

You can donate by visiting starlight.org. au/Christmas to give the gift of happiness to sick children this Christmas.

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yndham Diwali has played a central role in bringing con1munities together to celebrate and share the festival of lights Diwali or Deepavali with the broader comn1unity for eight years. .Despite the challenges of Covid-19 this year, the Wyndha1n Diwali Virtual Online Festival in 2020 provided an opportunity for the spirit and meaning of Diwali and Indian culture to be shared with all Victorians, and for other cultures to participate in Diwali celebrations.

Over 45 performances Jndian, and from other cultures, were live streamed on Facebook, MeTV and YouTube, along with Diwali n1essages fron1 the Prime Minister Scott Morrison, the Premier Daniel Andrews, Leader of the Opposition Michael

O'Brien and other State and Federal Ministers and Members of Parliament.

Diwali n1essages were also livestreamed fro1n Viv Nguyen, Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Comn1ission, Eddie Micallef, Chairperson of the Ethnic Com1nunities Council of Victoria, and numerous cross-cultural leaders.

"The Wyndham Diwali 2020 Festival was true to our organisation's vision which is Many Cultures - One Nation," Jenny Matic, Spokesperson of Wyndham Diwali Inc. said, "It serves as a platform for celebrational learning about other cultures, which in turn builds cultural tolerance and community cohesion."

On the day, thousands of Victorians and

CHANGING

international participants came together in the spirit of Diwali to spread positive cheer, mark the start of new beginnings, and enjoy the vast array of enthusiastic perforn1ances ranging fron1 those taking their first steps in the performing arts to professional performers.

"It is fantastic to see the Wyndham Diwali 2020 Virtual Festival performances continue to be viewed on line weeks after the official festival live stream event," spokesperson Srinivas Shesham said. "We hope the performances continue to bring joy and cheer to the comn1unity into the future, particularly those who are socially isolated.

This year Wyndham Diwali launched a home decoration contest proudly

supported by TAAL" The event was put together in record five weeks, thanks to the effort of team men1bers Jenny Matic, Christina Chia, Sudarshan Sritharan, Rajbeer Kaur and Srihari Kommineni. Valued support came in from the State Government, the Mental Health Foundation, Telugu Association of Australia Inc (TAA1), Dennis Family Corporation, and peak national Indian comn1unity bodies like CIAA, FIAV, FIMO and FIMDV. "Most of all on behalf of the Executive Con1mittee of Wyndham Diwali Inc, I would like to thank our performers and all those who participated in our 2020 Festival," Srinivas Shesham said. "Building on the sound foundations of prior festivals, with your continued support, we hope to bring a bigger and better Wyndham Diwali in the new year."

TRAVEL

Thank you Victoria. Together, we can keep on top of this virus.

When travel ling, remember to: 0

Wear a fitted face mask that covers our mouth and nose.

Wash our hands before and after each trip.

Never travel if we feel unwell.

Keep o u r d i stance where we can.

And to help, there's extra cleaning right across the network.

It's up to all of us to protect what we've achieved .

STAY SAFE STAY OPEN

NATIONAL EDITION

For details go to ptv.vic.gov.au/CORONAVIRUS Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place Melbourne

ORIA

State Government

DECEMBER 2020 27

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Who says you can't 1ind a great gift for $20 and below?

BY BAGESHRI SAVYASACHI n the quest to find that perfect present this time of year, even the n1ost thoughtful efforts can so111etimes burn a hole in your wallet. l s it even possible to find a decent present for less than $20 ...?

Well, challenge accepted! Whether you have a planned Christmas budget or you're flat broke, these ideas for presents will make everyone wish you were their Secret Santa too.

1. Personal care bundles

When in doubt, gift bundles are a great way to go. Without endorsing them too much, I'd say Body Shop gift bundles are a guaranteed winner. All you have to do is walk in, pick your favourite one which comes with a con1bination of soaps, gels, bars or perfu111es, and they'll wrap it up for you. Unbelievably, you can get one under $10 at their sales.

2. Mugs

The one thing that everyone needs!

Regardless of your relationship with the gift receiver, this is something that they would use and appreciate. A mug with a cute cartoon or novelty design would leave them smiling. lf you want to go one step 30 DECEMBER 2020

further, you could also include a small pack of tea bags or cinnamon and cloves inside the mug as a bonus gift.

3. Thrift stores

Some people may not opt for this option because they like to give newly bought presents. However, if you are someone who's looking to reduce their carbon footprint and stop more waste from ending up in garbage mines, this is a good way to go. Any Red Cross, Salvos or Vinnies in your suburb would have enough unique clothes and other antique knick-knacks to produce the perfect present.

4. :Jewellery

Tiny jewellery stores like Lovisa and Accessorize have extremely budget-friendly options. Around this time, I've spotted some extremely adorable festive designs like candy canes, Christmas trees, or snowflakes as earrings. Along the lines of 4 pairs of earrings for $10, the deals only get better as you increase your budget.

A stud or ring for their piercing would be a nice addition to their collection. (Some folks even collect finger and toe rings!)

5. USB drive, SD/Memory cards

This is possibly the most practical present you can give anyone. People need to

back up their data! A small 64 GB stick costs about $15. A smaller USB with 16 GB storage is also available for $7 at Harvey Norman. Most of us could use a portable storage device bandy in cases of unforeseen printing!

Santa receiver's role model (you could find out that info Crom your colleagues/friends) or a stiJL fron1 their favourite movie or TV show would defin_itely get them excited about the poster. Al size posters can be printed for $20 anywhere!

6. Postcards

9. Magazine subscription

ls it just me or does the State Gallery (and most other galleries) have the coolest collection of postcards and painting prints for sale? Even a quick browse in the gallery gift shop would be enough for you to pick out a few beauties that you can wrap a ribbon around, and it's ready to be gifted!

Better yet, purchase one and post it to them with a thoughtful greeting if you share that sort of relationship.

7. Plant accessories

Neighbou1·hood nurseries tend to have small pots of flowering plants and succulents for 3-4 dolJars, or 3 pots for $10. Besides, gardening and tending to plants is a good bobby this summer; the right season to plant a bunch of marigolds or a gorgeous tomato sapling. (It's really no surprise that more and more of us developed a green thun1b to beco111e 'plant parents' during lockdown!)

8. Posters at Officeworks

Officeworks has a great deal on printing posters. A large-scale print of your secret

A curated print or digital subscription to a hobby magazine isn't son1etliing 1nany of us would think to do for ourselves, making it the ideal Christmas present! A 3-month subscription to Taste Magazine is about $13 and the sa1ne for a Vogue subscription is about $20.

10. Origami sets

Gift then1 a simple origami set with instructions! It's good fun and a great exercise in mindfulness. As one becomes engrossed in the folding activity, one feels present in the 1noment, almost finding oneself in a meditative state. A set costs around $20 at Dy mocks, you can also buy them online on Amazon or Booktopia.

After all this, if you can't be bothered to spend the $20 on a present, here's a tip: just grab a sheet of paper and some colour pencils to make them a personalised card.

(If your artist skiJJs are on point, you could even make small caricatures of them, just for a laugh!)

www.indianlink.com.au

FOOD

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A favourite family activity in the lead up to Christmas BY MELISSA DOMINGO RAWAT hristn1as to n1e, besides its religious significance, is a feeling, an aroma, a connection with 1ny happiest self. As a child, tin1e stood still as we neared Christrnas. Ma1n1na and I would drift off into a n1agical world of our own.

Christmas Carols by Boney M would be on repeat and the sn,ell of caramel, vanilla and butter would gently waft through our little apartment as Marn ma turned out goody after goodywith rne as her little helper."Life is not measured in bank balances but rather in men1ories," Marnma would say. .I'm now a mum 111yself and I take her wisdon1 very much to heart as rny kids and l gather around our kitchen bench top to n1ake men1ories each year. I rnarvel at both their ability to bicker and their ability to wolf down treats as soon as they leave the oven! Butter Cookies are by far my children's favourite Christmas treat - allowing them to get creative by cutting out shapes of their choice.

Contrary to my son's belief, dirty hands don't enhance the flavour.

The ideal Butter Cookie is one that holds its shape during the baking process to emerge as a golden piece of flaky, buttery, vanilla goodness. I'd like to get all fancy and reco111n1end exclusive ingredients but really, this is just a hun1ble treat that tastes wonderful with any brand of ingredients. The magic is in the ha11ds and in the moment.

' I 4

Butter Cookies

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INGREDIENTS ■ 170gm butter (softened just enough to hold a fingerprint) ■ 150gm powdered sugar ■ 1 large egg ■ 2 tsp vanilla extract ■ ¼ tsp almond extract ■ 280gm flour ■ 1/2n tsp baking powder

METHOD

■ Using an electric hand mixer, beat

butter until creamy.

■ Add sugar and continue beating until fluffy.

■ Add egg, vanilla and almond extract and beat till well combined.

■ Combine baking powder and flour in NATIONAL EDITION

a bowl.

■ Sift the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients little by little and keep beating at a low speed until the dough is just combined. DO NOT overbeat.

■ Add 1 or 2 tbsp extra flour if needed to adjust the dough to rollable consistency.

■ Divide dough into two equal parts.

Roll into ¼ inch thick discs, cling wrap and refrigerate for an hour.

■ Once chilled, roll out and cut shapes with cookie cutters of choice.

■ Bake in preheated oven at 175 deg C for around 8-10 minutes or until the edges of the cookies just start to become golden.

I DECEMBER 2020 31

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Enjoy an exciting wildlife safari experience right i n the backya rd of Syd ney.

BY SANDIP HOR cenes from the 1985 film Out ofAfrica kept flashing in my n1ind when 1 toured Kenya and Tanzania a few years ago.

Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, the stars frotn that classic film, strike me again when back in a wildlife environment recently.

As dawn breaks out, I stand in the veranda of 1ny lodge and watch antelopes, elands and zebras grazing, giraffes stretching out to grab their breakfast high in the trees, and two rhinos crowding around a waterhole. While birds chirp freely, a lion roars not too far away. The morning sun starts colouring the dry

savannah that stretches out before me. l feel like l'm at one of those tented acco1nmodation outlets inside the wildlife parks in Africa, but in reality, I am not too far from my borne in Sydney.

I am at the Zoofari Animal View Lodge inside Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, located in the Great Western Plains region of NSW, about 400k1n north­ west of Sydney.

This 300-hectare oasis of woodland and irrigated grassland is home to 4,000 animals from over 350 species, some of them endangered. They freely wander in their self-contained hideouts without metal bars, cages and concrete slabs; clever use of lakes, moats and unobtrusive fencing separate them from visitors. This invariably creates a pseudo jungle scenal'io and the ilnpression of being alinost face to face with the animal world, like in a real wildlife reserve.

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32 NOVEMBER 2020

www.indianlink.com.au

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TRAVEL NOTEBOOK

e GETTING THERE Dubbo is well

connected by road and air. However, a relaxing way to reach there is by rail (www.nswtrainl ink.info). The 6.5-hour journey from Sydney Central station offers passengers a great vista of rural Australia.

• GETTING AROUND THE ZOO While the energetic prefer to walk or ride bikes, it is possible to drive your own car or ride on an electric cart to be booked prior.

With ,nany COVID-19 travel restrictions in place currently, the not-too-far and easily connected Dubbo has emerged as an ideal destination for a few days escape from urban life. The key attraction here is the natural sanctuary which bestows a taste of Africa right in our own backyard.

The Africa n1ood escalates when staying overnight at the unique Zoofari retreat.

Everything is Africa-inspired, fron1 the style of the cottages and the meals provided, to books on African wildlife and a binocular in the room for a closer view of the animals.

Each of the ten individual air-conditioned, tent-like cottages features a private ensuite and a shaded deck for animal viewing, and contains a king-size and a double sofa bed to sleep a family of four. The 2-day, 1-night staying package additionally covers zoo ad1nission, two exclusive guided tours on an Africa inspired safari truck - one in the night followed by another early in the morning - bike hire, and dinner and an a-la carte breakfast served at the adjacent NATIONAL EDITION

guest house, where the well-stocked bar will quench your thirst whenever needed.

There are other staying options inside the zoo. Tucked inside native bushes near the Animal Viewing Lodges are five Bushland Lodges, which offer similar accommodation facilities but no animal viewing from the room. For adventure­ minded and budget-conscious travellers, self-contained Savanah Cabins and Billabong Camps are ideal. Both are located not far from the main zoo arena.

During my two-day stay, 1 come across almost every species that I have encountered in n1y travels to Africa.

While meandering a 6km circuit through the natural bushland of various types of trees from eucalyptus and gum to African acacia, I spot giraffes, zebras, elands, antelopes and rhinos grazing in sprawling savannah, African wild dogs resting under a tree, l1ippos slumping in the muddy pools and elephants playfully shrugging off the dust from their bodies. However, the

adrenaline pumping thrills come from the big cats - lions, cheetahs and tigers. The long pause to see them appear on the scene reminds similar waiting spells inside the sanctuaries in Africa and in lndia to spot the famous Royal Bengal Tigers.

This zoo provides much more than animal displays. lt is also an education base, a research hub, and a world-renowned wildlife conservation centre for species from throughout the world. Since opening in 1977, the zoo bas successfully bred a number of animals, including black rhinos, Asian elephants, lions, hippos and more.

A motivating part of the journey here is the learning experience. The omniscient zookeepers provide interesting information about the animals - their habits, behaviours, diet, mating, gestation periods and many more facts and figures, like the difference between black and white rhinos and why African elephants have much bigger ears compared to their Asian counterparts.

First of its kind in Australia, this zoo is also an ideal venue for the family to relax and enjoy. Inside the sprawling complex there are two cafes and plenty of places to rest or enjoy a picnic in the sun or under shady trees.

For anyone who hasn't been on a wildlife safari tour to Africa or India, this zoo offers the sights, sounds and smells of a natural setting, adequate to ignite thoughts of travelling there in the future to see animals in their own natural environment.

• ACCOMMODATION INSIDE THE ZOO Check www.taronga.org.au/ accommodation for Zoofari Lodge bookings.

e DUBBO CITY ACCOMMODATION There

are plenty of motels in Dubbo city from where the zoo is only a short drive away.

Clean and tidy Shearing Shed Motor Inn (www.shearingshedmotel.com.au) is a good choice.

• EATING OUT There are many good cafes and restaurants in the city. Popular among locals and visitors for good food and service is Royal Indian Restobar (www.royalindiarestobar.com.au).

NOVEMBER 2020 33

STA G E ""O ::, 0 0 ""O (I) 0 (I)

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On the cultural appropriation of a treasured Hindu sym bol: Dancer Raghav Honda at the Sydney Dance Company BY BAGESHRI SAVYASACHI horeographer Raghav Handa's latest production Cult of The Titans co1nes with a content warn1ng.

The work contains i1nages of the swastika. . .. Patrons (have) the opportunity to leave the theatre if they wish.

The piece is included in the show New Breed 2020, the Sydney Dance Con1pany's annual celebration of the best en1erging Australian choreography. Handa is one of four choreographers featured in the con1pany's recent return to the stage after a year of cancelled shows.

Ste1runing fro1n deep within the choreographer's Hindu roots, the piece is intended to reclaim the religious symbol swastika, its image tarnished after it was stolen by Nazis.

Synony1nous today with fascisn1, the swastika has for centuries stood for "well­ being", its literal 1neaning in the ancient Sanskrit language.

"People look at the swastika purely as a syn1bol of hatred," Handa lamented to Indian Link. "Instead, we could actually start a conversation and ask how we can re­ sanctify what was originally n1eant for peace, happiness and good fortune."

Hindu readers 1nay have had this very conversation on more than one occasion with their mainstream friends, perhaps as recently as Diwali only days ago, when the swastika was to be found all over Indian homes, painted on doorsteps and included in floor decorations.

34 DECEMBER 2020

But Raghav welcomed that content warning, given he did encounter some minor hiccups in the process.

"One of the performers felt really uncomfortable about rehearsing the piece and carrying on with the performance, which I really respect as everybody is going to have different reactions to this, so we had to have a change of cast at the last minute," he revealed.

The intent of the piece is loud and clear fron1 the very outset, with the image of the swastika appearing in the dark, son1ewhat menacing in its look and feel. Dancers attempt to stand in front of it and move in its imagery.

Soon, amidst more sootning music, a pair of characters representing the swastika's Hindu origins are introduced, embodying, as Raghav notes, the "macrocosm" and the "microcosm".

Their graceful synchronous movements, gentle facial expressions and comfortable multicoloured clothing exude a calming effect. They demonstrate the original unity and harmony that the swastika symbol represents in Hindu cultui-e.

Contrastingly, lurking in the shadows, a group of antagonists stand dressed in dull monochromatic robes that can be interpreted as uniforms.

Suddenly and dramatically, one of them infiltrates the pair's elegant duet by aggressively interrupting their flow. This interruption results in the radical separation of the two entities where one of them is hijacked by the fascist group and forced to dance in their circle.

After a period of visible conflict, the evil­ doers' dance comes to an end representing the fall of the Nazi regime; the two entities struggle to re-unite, portraying the swastika's attempt at finding its roots in an atmosphere of stigma.

Handa said later he didn't want to create

just a piece of "sensationalised art" but intended it to be a valid conversation to be had because "it comes with an intention to unite rather than divide".

He was glad to report that overall, the work garnered support.

"Leaders of the Jewish con1munity attended the performance to lend their support to this conversation, and l think that was remarkable," he stated.

The recital forced one to sit up and watch intently. The 1novements stunned with their stark militaristic choreography as well as subtle glimpses of Indian Kathak mudras, revealing Raghav's characteristic style in a self -described "contemporary language".

The music composed by Jan1es Brown with tabla and vocal stylings of Maharshi Raval and Raghav himself carried one seamlessly through the abstract storytelling.

In the end, the "seductive pull" of the swastika's tragic mainstream representations stood suitably de-weaponised.

Translating the painful loss of the swastika's original significance, many would leave the performance with a refreshed opinion, or at least allow it to chip away at the symbol's prolonged and gross misappropriation.

www.indianlink.com.au

E N T E RTA I N M E N T

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--------- ---------------------------I I I I I I A Z E E S O R I G I N AL F I L M I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I DARBAAN (ZEES) I I STARRING: Sharib Hashmi, Kelkar, Rasika Dugal, I I Sharad Flora Saini, Harsh Chhaya I Nadkarni gives Hashmi an entire film I DIRECTOR: Bipin Nadkarni I to flaunt his skills.

I Nadkarni and co-writer Rakesh I I It is easy to make a film if your Jadhav draw from Tagore's 1918 I material at hand is Tagore. Then again, I short story Khokababur Prottaborton, I and reimagine the plot in the early I it is just as hard, think of the purists.

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A CO M M ENT O N CLASS D IVI DE

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National Award-winning Marathi filmmaker Bipin Nadkarni makes his Hindi debut straddling those pros and cons.

Nadkarni's film rides a second asset besides the hallmark emotive nuances that come with a Rabindranath Tagore classic. Sharib Hashmi may still not draw immediate recall for many Bollywood buffs, but chances are - if you recognise him from Filmistaan or the web series The Family Man - you know him as an actor who doesn't need much of an effort to light up a scene. With a title role in Darbaan,

1

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seventies. This was an era that marked the end of private coal mines in India. Raicharan (Sharib Hashmi) is a loyal darbaan in the household of one such mine owner (Harsh Chhaya), and his job is to look after the miner's infant son, Anukul. The years pass, and Anukul is now a fine young man (Sharad Kelkar). Raicharan is presently entrusted with the job of looking after Anukul's little boy Siddhu.

However, a twist of fate awaits Raicharan, one that will change life for all characters of the story forever.

Nadkarni and team work with the

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basic outline of Tagore's work, but have altered a lot of the storyline, obviously to suit modern-day tastes and fit a simplistic, mainstream cinema narrative. Credibly, the film remains a visually appealing period piece. The cinematography (Amalendu Chaudhary) vividly captures a sleepy East Indian coalmine town and adjoining scenic landscape.

The story unfolds at a relaxed pace. It is almost as if Nadkarni was trying to underline the old-world charm about the film's setting, as well as the virtue of selflessness it professes through Raicharan's final act of sacrifice. It is an act that is, idealistically speaking, momentous.

But it could seem hard to relate to for many i n this day and age. Without giving away spoilers, Raicharan's final

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sacrifice, romanticised as it is, gives the story a heart-warming closure.

For Sharib Hashmi, this is his biggest role since the 2014 release Filmistaan, and also more intricate than that film i n the play of emotions it demands. The actor does brilliantly and Raicharan resonates in your mind long after the film. Almost all of the cast fit their roles perfectly, notably Sharad Kelkar as the grown-up Anukul and Rasika Dugal as Raicharan's wife Bhuri.

Nadkarni's film avoids the deeper psychological contexts of Tagore's story. It remains poignant drama, nonetheless, weaving a comment on class divide into its story of an affluent scion and his caretaker without getting too in-your-face about it.

Vinayak Chakravorty

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NSW Electoral Commission

Have changes been proposed to your electoral district?

The electoral districts in New South Wales are being reviewed. This is a legal process called redistribution and ensures we have approximately the same number of voters in each of the State's 93 electoral districts.

A redistribution is a consultative process. Feedback from the first round of public consultation has been taken into account to produce a set of proposed electoral district names and boundaries. This is called the draft determination.

The draft determination and reasons for any proposed changes are available on the NSW Electoral Commission website, at elections.nsw.gov.au/redistribution

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The Electoral Districts Redistribution Panel now invites written submissions relating to the draft determination. Any submissions lodged during the submission period will be published on the NSW Electoral Commission website for public inspection and comment.

Following closure of the submissions period on Wednesday, 9 December 2020, a further 14-day period of public consultation will commence, with comments on those submissions being invited. Any comments received during this period will also be published on the NSW Electoral Commission website for public inspection.

To see if your electoral district is affected by the proposed changes, and to have your say, visit the NSW Electoral Commission website, at elections.nsw.gov.au/redistribution

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Seeking a match for Australian citizen, Sydney based Brahmin girl born 1997, 168cm with good family values, pharmacist, working for a leading pharmacy, parents highly educated and well settled in Sydney. Please respond to: connection.1971@gmail.com Match for '88 born, 5"3" Hindu Punjabi girl, divorced (short marriage, issueless). Full time govt. job in Sydney. Pref Radha Soami follower/ teetotaller. Must have Aus PR. Email: matrimonial.ml@gmail.com

Seeking match for educated, divorced, 5'9", 1975-born Sikh boy, self-employed, on bridging visa with full work rights.

Looking for PR/citizen girl from Australia. Phone: 0422 812 939 or email: jas_ghai01@hotmail.com Match required for a well-settled professional boy, 36, 5'9", slim, Australian citizen grown up in Sydney. Girl must have grown up in Australia, preferably living in Sydney. Contact 0404 920 822.

****

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F O R ET E L L

December 2020

BY M I NAL KH O NA MinaI Khona has been reading tarot cards for the last two decades. She uses her intuition and connect with the cards mostly to help people.

--------------------------------------I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I You pick the card for Capricorn this I The Ace of Pentacles card stands for The usually fiery Aries could be even more charged up this month as I month so Geminis will be slightly more I a new beginning; mostly in the work and practical realm of life. This month, practical regarding their ideas. You will they pick the card that stands for I I experience ambitious moments where Leos. Indulge your passions, strengthen you think with your head and are not your spiritual foundation, and let go I you wish to succeed no matter what.

I willing to put up with unsupportive of the past. Expect challenges in your I friends or family. Past problems I Skirmishes in relationships are dealt end and a project at work will be with maturely. An event or person will personal and professional life. Keep I successfully completed. Business will I make things better at work that will at it on the work front; due credit and rewards will come. If in a relationship, I improve if it has been slow. You may I improve your mood. If you have throatyou could be considering marriage. resort to alternative remedies for a related health issues, it could mean you I are not saying what you really want to.

Patience and empathy in a troublesome I health issue. A romance could give situation can improve your love life.

I You should be open to new ideas this I you stress as you can't make up your Debts get cleared.

I month.

I mind.

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I A cycle is nearing completion and A month of activities, childhood memories You may be faced with additional I I another one is due to begin. Watch out and leaving behind something for a responsibilities due to the actions of for someone who may deceive you. This I new path. If single, you will be open to I someone else. In the mood to finish could be in a relationship or with work I new romance. A new career opportunity I projects and tie up loose ends, you and money. A clandestine love affair could come your way which makes you may end up taking on more than you I happy. Spiritual guidance changes your I should. Make sure you take rest or you could also be on the cards. Conflicts at work make you tense but your self-control I perspective. Your finances are better than I will be exhausted with home and work keeps things in check. A feeling of dread you expected. Fatigue bogs you down chores. At work, you may want to look I but you will plod on. Writers meet with I for something different to do. A rocky needs to be examined as you could be misled. Someone close could let you I success and could get published. Analyse I relationship may not revive despite your down. You may experience insomnia or I all your ideas; you will know which one is I best efforts. You outgrow someone on suspicious lumps. Follow your gut instinct. right for you. Things will work out well. the emotional front.

I I

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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I The sun card stands for the number 1 I You focus on self-improvement You find yourself at a crossroads this month in work, love, life, home and all I I which implies a new beginning is at hand. I and rewarding work this month. A that matters. Things may be stressful The December-January born can expect reconciliation with someone estranged is I I but the situation is temporary. A new a few changes. The singles will find suggested. An unexpected meeting could I I acquaintance may well turn out to be I many eligible potential partners. Work I lead to new opportunities. Success at your soulmate or BFF. Work may have I is slow; a spiritual overhaul is needed I work sees you positive and hopeful. Past I to feel motivated again. There could be some unpleasant situations that you have fears and insecurities fade away with the I an announcement of a pregnancy in the I remnants of this very bad year. Eat heal thy I to deal with but tensions will ease off eventually. Stress makes you determined I family. If things are rocky, an engagement I for improved immunity. Profi ts in business I to solve problems and you will. Visit the could break. Feelings of fatigue could bog increase. You don't have to accept the first I I I dentist if you can. Finances improve this you down. A project may need to be put in offer of work that comes along; something I month and luck is with you.

I cold storage.

I better is round the corner.

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NATIONAL EDITION

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I I I I I I I I I You decide to move ahead in your I life with supportive friends on your side despite the challenges. A new I romance or love affair is on the anvil, I something you didn't think was possible.

I A surprising event could lead to a sudden trip. If involved, it could lead to I a proposal of marriage. Work brings new I opportunities. A family reconciliation

could be on the cards. Take care of your 1 health. There could be some stress but I you can overcome everything that comes your way.

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

The magician card always indicates a new beginning and also past efforts coming together magically. You might get involved in a new relationship which will be very intense. A pay hike is indicated for some. Travel plans get postponed. A health issue may need a second opinion to diagnose the problem. Self-employed people will make money but beware of someone duping you. A relationship going nowhere could get a new lease of life. Be open to the gifts from the universe.

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

•--------- • I I I I I I I I I A certain situation may be causing you some stress; but this is a time to I reevaluate your goals and where you are I headed. No romance on the horizon this month for singles. If money is stuck at I one place, you will receive some from I another source. Anxiety and stress can I tire you out and you should avoid taking on anything too challenging physically or I mentally. Don't worry about your finances; I they will improve. You will receive help when you need it the most.

I DECEMBER 2020 37

BAC K C H AT

•

•

How Santa is working out his new route this year BY

LP AYER t is early Decen1ber. At this time of year, a certain workshop at the northernmost point of the earth is usually buzzing with activity, 111aking toys and gift iten1s. Unfortunately, like everything else around the globe, this year it is somewhat less active, even though it is not locked down (way too far from Wuhan for that).

Its owner Santa Claus - a kindly soul with a pot belly, snow-white beard and large heart - has championed the tradition of distributing his factory wares to children around the world in a whirlwind trip of less than a day. To do this, he plans his flight path meticulously. In recent years he has found this becoming increasingly complicated, with war clouds looming in n,any parts. This year it is even more difficult. Although the air space itself is very clear with no planes in flight, the new challenge con,es from nations choosing to close their borders.

Santa Claus spends long hours in his study poring over a large world map with green, orange and red markers. His custon,ary first spot, America, is evenly divided between red and blue zones showing how disunited it is. Its (ex?) co1nn1ander-in-chief is fighting for his job although he easily won his brief battle with COVID, presumably taking a large dose of self-prescribed disinfectant. Doubts arise in Santa's mind whether to go or skip. Finally, a red tick, and he moves on to Britain.

Jts head honcho BoJo, after a stint in the ICU, recovered his mojo but only

38 DECEMBER 2020

briefly, as a second wave of corona is creeping there. Maybe next year.

France, Spain, and Italy, the spiritual home of Father Christmas, are all swept up by a second wave too; he reluctantly scratches them off his itinerary.

Middle East has been the 'missing east' for several years, with actual wars and civil wars scarring the land from Syria to Afghanistan.

When it comes to the

country just east of Afghanistan, Santa always recalls ' Beefy' Botham's famous line,"Jt is the sort of place every man should send his mother-in-law to, for a month, all expenses paid."

India of course has been one of Santa's favourite places to visit, where Christmas is celebrated in many parts with the same gusto as Diwali. For the past few years, he has an added affinity since that country's headman NaMo

looks somewhat like him. But this tiine, with its large corona count, Santa thinks twice before giving it a saffron mark, to be reviewed closer to the date.

Going over the Himalayas is always a delight, with snow-clad peaks and crystal­ clear water flowing from the melting snow forming n,ighty rivers like the Ganges, Sind, Yamuna and Brahmaputra. But pictures of opposing armies camped there cause some concern. When viewed from the air, that part of the globe looks so glorious that Santa wonders why anyone wants to ping that pristine land and ruin the peace. A paradise (Xi)jinxed? Maybe the PRC, with an eye on all those waters for the future, want their southern 'bhais' shown their place.

For the past two decades Mr. Claus has shown keen interest in visiting China, his biggest competitor in making toys of all sorts - elementary to electronic - so he could pick up a few clues. He's had no luck, though. Bamboo curtains are not easy to break through. Is it safe to go there? Although this is where the virus originated, there isn't a whisper of another wave. While there is pandemonium everywhere else, there are no pandemics in the land of pandas.

Santa, a bit wary, places a big red tick for Red China.

With not many countries left to go to, Santa lowers his eyes and spots Australia. Its supermarket shelves brimming with toilet rolls, and beer and spirits walking out the door of bottle shops, Santa feels this country looks like it is back to normal. Corona is conquered. He ponders for a few seconds though - what if a second wave hits?

"Stop making toys," Santa issues an order to his elves.

"Start on toilet rolls. That's what they value Down Under."

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