2021-11 Melbourne

All things Indian. In Australia.

MELBOURNE I NOVEMBER 2021 I FREE

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EDITORIAL

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PUBLISHER Pawan Luthra EDITOR Rajni Anand Luthra CONTRIBUTORS Rhea L Nath, Bageshri Savyasachi, Chitra Sudarshan, Mohan Dhall, Manan Luthra, S Gopika, Petra O'Neill, Ekta Sharma, Minal Khona, Auntyji SALES AND MARKETING Charu Vij, Priyanka Hatwalne

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 Email: info@indianlink.com.au

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another day.

2. Don't take family and loved ones for granted. There are way too many stories of near and dear ones taken from us by this deadly virus. Life is unpredictable; build and enjoy good relationships.

3. Set time aside for a hobby. Our professional lives give us strict regimentation. Being in work mode even after clocking off, is a recipe for burnout. To create balance, develop a hobby which allows you to relax. Find an activity that induces flow state, that feeling of being so immersed in an activity that you lose track of time.

4. Appreciate science. It was science that stepped up to the mark in the recent health crisis, and in less than a year, managed to research, trial, and approve a number of vaccines to fight this virus to amazing results.

5. Value the givers amongst us. It's amazed me to learn how ordinary the pay scales are of our healthcare workers, educators and others who work to increase the quality of our lives. Perhaps it is in their calling to make the world a better place and to give rather than to take, as compared to other professions that are more take than give. My respect for those on the frontlines of this pandemic.

BY PAWAN LUTHRA s we head to Diwali, COVID-19 imposed restrictions are also ending in two of Australia's largest states, and there is promise of resuming normal life. Strange to be analysing 'normal' and 'not normal' life, but then the last 18 months have been, well, largely strange.

We have all been living a life of suspended animation in which we seem to be moving, but not going anywhere. Both Victoria and NSW have gone through extended lockdowns, with Melbourne holding the grim record of 264 days of cumulative lockdown over a 570day period. Sydneysiders had 12 Local Government areas under curfew and other strict lockdown measures. And let us not talk about interstate or international travel.

So, what are son1e the takeaways of the last 18 months?

1. First up, Carpe diem, or 'Seize the day'.

Do that thing you've always wanted to do, that thing that you thought was too expensive or too time-consuming or you were too old for. Don't put it off for

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6. Cherish your friends. Friendship networks sustain us through adversity.

While we've learned now to live with virtual social networks (having added Zoom only months ago), it is vital to maintain real relationships beyond those WhatsApp emojis, Facebook likes, or 280 characters or less on Twitter. To physically 1neet and greet, exchange ideas, debate serious issues, discuss frivolous matters, share creative endeavours - these are healthy aspects of social relationships.

7. Trust the governments at all levels to act as shock absorbers at times of crises. After all, they can print money, and they are aware of their power to help their constituents.

Even if their goal is to win votes and retain power, for those in need, the government's capacity to roll out grants and incentives should not be underestimated. In fact, if they demonstrated their power during the financial crisis in 2008 and COVD-19 in 2020-21, then they can unleash that capacity to create momentum should they decide to take on climate change.

We each have our own takeaways and memories fro1n the last two years of intermittent lockdowns, what we value and treasure remains a very personal journey.

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YOUR SAY

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VISHAL JOOD RUSHED OUT OF AUSTRALIA

The 2 4 -year-old had been in police custody since April for involvement in a series of gang attacks in Sydney's west.

Alex Hawke MP wrote: Attempts to undermine Australia's social cohesion will not be tolerated. I thank community leaders who have worked to build cross-community unity and resilience against attempts by a small minority to incite discord and disharmony, demonstrating the importance and benefit of our nation's strong social cohesion.

Krishna Neelamraju wrote: Hopefully it will deter others like him. People are sometimes so deeply stuck in online rabbit holes that they forget they live in a different country with a different expectation of civic behaviour.

Renu Datta wrote: I am still confused. What happened to the other people (involved), were they also deported or is it a o n e s- ided affair? I hope every individual was treated fairly and not succumbed to the pressure of one party. He is still our hero.

Sia Ram replied to Renu Datta: If criminals are your hero(es) then you can't be a real Hindu who uses religion to promote political agenda and divide the community. You must know the real story before making anyone a hero.

Raman Nlrman wrote: Good riddance! Bye bye, no place for hate mongrels in Australia!

Adnan All Khan wrote: They (in India) will make him a hero now.

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THE FOWLER SEAT

KHUSHAAL WAS on the missed opportunity for diversity in endorsing Senator Kristina Keneally over Western Sydney community advocate Tu Le. Jannet Ballte wrote: I know Tu professionally and personally and she is so passionate about helping her community. It would be a shame if she isn't given the opportunity to represent Fowler.

Hema K wrote: I support what you have said here - 'we cannot continue telling ethnic Australians to wait their turn. We have waited!' I hope to se Tu Le in parliament. She is a candidate who can provide the voice of the community that she has been part of.

Michael KIiier wrote: I heard Tu Le on ABC RN - what an inspirational young woman who's connected with her community. I think ALP missed an opportunity here.

Anka Sahln wrote: This arrogant and entitled behaviour by the ALP is an insult to the good people of Western Sydney and I hope that a viable independent candidate emerges so that it can be given the response that it richly deserves.

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COMMEMORATING #FIJILANGUAGEWEEK

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UNITING THE LATTE AND SHISHA DIVIDE

Just learnt Indian team took the knee today, in solidarity with BLM. Good to know they're keeping themselves informed about current affairs in America. Perhaps one of these days they'll feel the urge to make a statement for those in India who are being marginalised and targeted.

Deepanjana Pal, writer

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PAWAN LUTHRA on the difference in COVID restrictions between Sydney's Did you know that 'Fiji baat', spoken by lndo-Fijians, is mostly Hindi mixed LGAs of concern in southwestern and western Sydney, and the affluent with Bhojpuri and South Indian languages like Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam?

• Pratham Australia wrote: Great to see Indian Link raising the treasures of •• eastern suburbs. our Fijian Indian community.

Alan Maurice wrote: Well said, Pawan. Time will tell. Leaders be warned!

••• •• Ramona Roy wrote: Thanks so much for sharing. It's about time Fiji Hindi Sukhmani Khorana wrote: Great title and write-up to summarise what has • • • got more recognition and awareness. taken place!

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SAY IT AGAIN

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In future, one of the metrics for universities' rankings should be how humanely they treat their students. There needs to be place for respect and compassion for international students in educational policies

UQ PhD researcher Preeti Vayada who studied Indian students' experiences in Australia

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SCOMO'S CURRY NIGHTS

RHEA L NATH joined Kishor Napier-Raman and Charishma Kaliyanda on ABC's Triple J Hack, to discuss the optics of the PM's social media posts.

Madhavi S Johnson wrote: Another way to 'curry' favour is to allow people to travel to celebrate Diwali with family.

Charishma Kaliyanda wrote: Years ago, I was really embarrassed by the curries my mum used to pack for school lunches. It's great that's changed, but quality political engagement needs to be authentic - not just tokenistic.

Ruchika Mangla wrote: I personally think it's super cool to have a prime minister who enjoys cooking Indian. To me this is inclusive at many levels - role modelling multiculturalism, normalising men to cook, personalising a political figure. This should be applauded.

Daniel Verrell wrote: I can't believe there was a Triple J Hack segment on "Why ScoMo makes curries". That lives in my head rent free.

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AUSTRALIA OPENS UP TO AYURVEDA

Dr. RAJ KUMAR SHARMA wrote about the academic chair in Ayurveda, the ancient Indian health science, recently announced at Western Sydney University.

Rekha Rajvanshi wrote: This is great news.

Remiya Goswami wrote: My life's dream has been to see Neem trees in Australia... at least one on every street. How much I miss that plant.

Deepak Chitnis wrote: Great! Australia has good potential to manufacture Ayurvedic medicines for export if local people don't like to use them.

Shaji_rt wrote: Excellent article. How can I contact Dr Raj Kumar?

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USING TECH SOLUTIONS FOR CHARITY

BAGESHRI SAWASACH/ on how Sydney entrepreneur Gopal Garg tied up with India's Mahindra Group and Australian provider Language Training Institute to upski/1 teachers in rural India.

Sonia Mehta wrote: Most commendable and laudable initiative, helping teachers by equipping them with required resources is paving the way to creating future leaders. Kudos! , • Jaswant Kaur wrote: Thank you so much for supporting our teachers.

Slddhartha BhattacharJee wrote: Wonderful to see such ENABLING SELF RELIANCE purposeful initiative. All the best and more glory ahead.

Gopal Garg wrote: Over the years, I have always wanted to help community and country that has given me so much but I never found the right channel. I am overwhelmed that a small step towards education has turned into a big project: "Helping teachers working in rural and remote areas, giving them access to international resources, equip them with contemporary teaching techniques, a deeper understa nding of teaching methodologies which they can put into practice in diverse classrooms". Thanks for the interview, Indian Link!

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WHERE IN OZ

WHERE IN INDIA

We asked you to identify this familiar coastal stretch in India and boy, was this a popular one! Readers Aryan Gupta, Vandana Gulati, Robby

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In which Australian city can you find this interestingly shaped building?

Sherley Coehlho, Anu Shree, Maurya Morya, Ekta Lumb, and Deepak Singh, Priyanka Chokhani, Afred Dsouza, Navjot Gill, Suman Chugh, Akki Gaurav, Shikha Shagun, Shruti Lal, and Bhanu Kothari had the Vincent guessed correctly: Barangaroo House, also known as 'bird's nest • right answer: Mumbai. building', near Sydney's CBD. •••• • • • • • ••• • • • •• ••••• ••••••• • •• • •• • ••• • • • • ••••• ••••••• • • • • • ••••••• •••• ••••••••••••••• • • • •••••••• •• ••••••• • ••• • •••• ••••• ••••••• • ••••••••••• • •••• •••••••• ••••• • • • •••••••••••••••••

You are asking a loyal customer to leave the store.

Anonymous Indian student, when PM Scott Morrison told international students to leave, quoted by UQ PhD researcher Preeti Vayada

No idea how to dress for social outings any more Beverley Wang, journaJist

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NOVEMBER 2021 7

COVER STORY

SALVIN KUMAR AND SCOTT MCBAIN he lead up to Diwali will see two n1ajor activities taking place in the home of Sydney­ based writer Salvin Kun1ar and his partner Scott. There'll be a thorough spring clean of the house, followed by a massive cook up.

This year, Salvin's making aloo poori, pumpkin curry, avial, and dosa-sa,nbhar-chutney. A giant mithai platter will be brought in. It's all strictly vegetarian, like every Diwali.

"Scott and I have an annual Diwali open house from 2pm to 8pm," Salvin revealed. "We'll put candles throughout the house, and there'll be plenty of food. People come and go freely, sticking around to chat. Some bring presents."

Both will be wearing new outfits they'll have bought for the occasion probably something Indian.

They'll also have bought at least one new kitchen utensil. Food is an essential part of it all.

"Cooking is a large part of my identity," Salvin revealed. "The aromas of Diwali cooking refresh my memories of Mum's kitchen. As well, I love that food brings people together."

These traditions come down from Salvin's Fijian lndian family. With no immediate family around here in Australia, Salvin will be doing Diwali exactly as his family have done for years - except, of course, for the fireworks.

"On Diwali day, I'll do a puja by myself, and then Scott will join me as I video call the family."

Come Chdstmas, Scott's family will be at the centre of it all. "We start thinking about presents weeks before -

we like to put some thought into it. We spend Christmas day with his family, open presents, have a big lunch and spend the afternoon chatting."

Sa1vin and Scott have been together for four years, married for two.

Conversations about their cultures grew as their relationship grew. "We were open to each other's cultures from the beginning. He knows which days of the week I do my pujas; he'll light the candles for n1e and allow n1e n1y time at prayer."

Were there challenges, given their cultural differences?

"Between the two of us, no. If there ever was something we didn't understand, we'd just ask each other and learn about it. It's important to have that openness. Our families are very accommodating now, but early in the piece we faced challenges from my Indian family - same-sex n1arriage was a foreign concept to then1 even though such unions have been known in India for eons. Out here, people have looked at us differently too, I must admit.

Many people assume I married Scott for a visa - even though I had my citizenship before I even 1net hin1!"

However, Salvin agrees that these challenges notwithstanding, intercultural n1arriages and mixed-race families go a long way in helping to break down social barriers, promote understanding and acceptance, andincrease tolerance.

"We are all different individuals. Our cultures and traditions are different.

Let's respect that and include that.

Let's bring all of our separate identities to play, and savour the flavours and fragrances."

SANCHAY AND VESNA MOHAN dvertising executive Sanchay Mohan and his wife Vesna see themselves as "citizens of the world".

And so his Indian cultural traditions are just as important as her Serbian ones.

"Diwali is always spent at my parents' place," Sanchay described. "Vesna's parents join in too. We wear our traditional clothes and have a 1neal after prayers. Easter, Christmas and Saints Day are equally significant.We're with Vesna's fanilly at these celebrations."

Their son Leroy, now 18 months old, is adding a whole new element to aU of their joint celebrations. At Janmashtami not so long ago, he rocked up to a fainily gathering dressed in full Krishna attire, peacock feather included, much to the delight of all.

"We're looking to do a bit 111ore with him at Diwali - dress him up, introduce him to candles - battery operated ones of course!"

Did the young couple talk beforehand about passing on their separate cultural 8

NOVEMBER 2021

traditions to their children?

"We've been together for ten years now, and l honestly can't remember. We just feel very much a part of each other's family traditions, having participated from the very beginning."

Sanchay grew up in Sydney's North Shore, going to a school that was not very diverse, and is glad Leroy is born into a more tolerant society.

"Racism was a battle I faced on a daily basis. It wasn't until Years 1 1 and 12 did the other students matuTe up. Luckily Leroy won't face that, as society is so much n1ore multicultural. Hopefully there will be less challenges for him. ln saying that, wonder what his mixed heritage will mean for him in that sense ... We'll talk about it when we come to it."

He himself was "brought up to be accepting of all people" and can boast today of social and professional circles that are hugely diverse. It is a lesson he will no doubt pass on to Leroy.

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RAJNI ANAND LUTHRA

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How m ixed families do Diwali - a longside their other trad itions and the lessons we ca n learn from them

Dr RANJANA SRIVASTAVA iwali at oncologist Dr. Ranjana Srivastava's Melbourne home is celebrated with just as much gusto as Christmas and Easter.

"We look forward to Diwali each year," Dr Srivastava described. "We dress up, start the evening with a puja conducted by my mum, followed by sparklers and excessive sweets! Son1etin1es, the Irish-Australian side of our fan1ily joins in to multiply the fun."

Christmas and Easter are also traditional.

"We attend Mass, sing Christmas carols and join Easter egg hunts. But I should admit that our Christmas table often features turkey alongside tandoori chicken and Christmas cake served with mango kulfi. Our bias towards Indian food is evident and proud!"

As someone who tries to live by the 1notto Vasudeva Kutun1baka111, which means the world is one family, it is very important to

Dr Srivastava that her children respect and celebrate their joint heritage.

"This comes from being respectful of each other's traditions and taking the lead from our own parents," she stated. "Our children love the pomp and ceremony of Indian festivals and traditions. Our festivals are such an explosion of colour - in everything from dress to food. Going to India confirms this and they feel very proud of tlleir lndian heritage, which makes me happy!"

Are there lessons that multicultural families can teach us about living in a world that is so polarised at the moment?

"Multiculturalism is a great source of a healthy world view - that the colour of our skin or the accent of our speech does not define us as much as the values we live by.

We try to embody for our children a life of integrity and hope that they will grow up to be good citizens of the world."

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THE NAPIER-RAMANS ydney musician John Napier will receive a call - or several - the morning of Diwali. They will be from members of his Indian-origin doctor wife Shanti Raman's fanlily. Has he had his Ganga-snaanam (holy bath), the callers will ask. lt is a typical TamBra1n (Tamil Bralunin) greeting 011 Diwali morrung.

John would probably not have had the traditional oil bath, or worn any new clothes, or done a puja, but he knows that these are ways in which Diwali morning typically begins in the Indian side of his fanlily.

Oh, and he probably knows that ''Have you had your Ganga-snaana,n" is merely a way of saying "Happy Diwali", and does not necessarily refer to your 111orning ablutions.

Diwali is a special time in the Napier­ Raman household, but "pretty tan1e" according to Shanti, as compared to the

celebrations in India. Extended fanlily will get together on the weekend, light some candles and share a 1neal.

Perhaps more significantly, John and Shanti will host a diverse gathering of friends including Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR-ANZ).

"We will celebrate /ashn-e-Chiraagan with poetry and music, as a reflection of cross-cultural and interfaith unity," Shanti revealed. "We will also raise money for a deserving NGO in India dealing with vulnerable and street children based in Delhi NCR." And when Christmas comes around, it will be pretty much something sinlilar, with visits arranged for members of John's extended fanlily who are all interstate, and gifts exchanged.

Wonder if it will be John that rings his in­ laws this year, to ask if they have had their Ganga snaanam...

NOVEMBER 2021 9

COVER STORY

--FRANCES AND SEUJ BARUAH

Neeta Callagher (second from right) at a family event

NEETA CALLAGHER or Neeta and Tohn Callagher of Sydney and their three kids, Diwali is spent with family and friends.

This is often at Neeta's parents' ho1ne, Tata and Tati to the grandkids.

"We light diyas and sparklers and eat sweets - Indian or otherwise," Neeta described. "The kids also manage to extract presents from Tata and Tati! " A fond Diwali n1e1nory is gaiJ1jng a furry family member.

"We na1ned out' dog 'Sparky' as he arrived two years ago at Diwali. So he was our Diwali present/blessing."

Neeta and John are not particularly religious but it is i111portant to thetn that their children understand, appreciate and have a healthy curiosity of their backgrounds, Indian and British/NZ. "We teach/impart culture as much as we can via our daily behaviours and how we demonstrate relationships with our parents and extended families. Our fa1niJy histories and traditions are important to both of us -

we have a mutual respect for tradition but also realise that traditions can evolve and progress over time as people do. Pre-COVI D we travelled to India and New Zealand as a fatnily and hope to revisit soon."

Have their kids embraced their dual identities?

"Our kids see themselves as Australian, as they are effectively second-generation, but they enjoy the opportunities to dress up in cultural clothes (especially my girls) at times of festive celebrations, visits to the temple, or when celebrating Hal'mony Day. They are proud of their mixed heritage but also see it as very normal. Both my brother and John's brother are in ,nixed race relationships, so our children have essentially grown up, or are growing up, with appreciating differences in backgrounds."

As well, their diverse social environment, with schools being a 1nelting pot of different cultu1·es and races, has helped them appreciate and embrace differences, Neeta added.

or Melbourne's Frances Baruab, Diwali is not as important as Bihu, the festival celebrated in Assam, from where her husband Seuj hails.

"We do message my husband's family for Diwali to let then1 know we remember this celebration and are thinking of them although so far away," she told Indian Link, but they make a real effort at Bihu.

"We ensure every yeru· when we visit Assan1 post-Christmas, that we stay until Bihu is over," she described. "This is not only in1portant to acknowledge this significant festival, but it also means a lot to all my husband's family."

The Baruahs are also keen for their son to be educated on what Bihu tneans and why it is so important.

"The Assamese community in Victoria organise Bihu functions where we get to experience the tradition of food, dance, music and Assamese attire to celebrate.

These celebrations are not only keeping the tradition alive but also so n1uch fun and brings everyone together."

She recognises that aspects of her own culture will be passed on to her son by default, as they live in Australia where her traditions are celebrated by the majority and highlighted in the media and in schools etc.

"My husband's cultural celebrations require a little more effort, as they are only celebrated by the Indian comn1unity.

We would take our little one along to the community events, although he would invariably end up falling asleep and 1nissing most of the evening! We want Bihu in particular to be familiar to him and know that one day he would be able to enjoy this celebration without sleeping throughout."

Their son, now 10 years old, will proudly tell people he is of many mixed races.

"He'll say I'm Indian, Greek, Russian and Ukrainian. We have always reminded him of his background and just how lucky he is to be so multicultural."

Frances herself has a diverse background, and her siblings both have partners from different backgrounds. As such, sbe identifies the many cognitive advantages that being n1ixed race brings.

These include being adaptable, confident in membership of a number of different groups, and rejecting of the notion that race predicts one's abilities.

At this stage though in her young family, it is the 'bringing everyone together' aspect of her wildly intercultural family that appeals most - the ability to see connections between people over and beyond what they look like.

IPSHITA AND LIAM COLLINS elb-based lpshita Collins loves Diwali for the lights and diyas and the food.

She's not a big fan of the firecrackers though.

"I used to live in Delhi, and the smoke would invariably trigger my asthma," lpshita revealed. "The noise bothered me as well."

It's different story though, with her husband Liam.

"He on the other hand, would turn into a child, bursting crackers to the wee hours and loving every minute!"

Much like him, his fa1nily are "keen on everything Indian," according to lpshita.

"More than me, sometimes," she laughed.

"Nobody really talks about our 'cultm·al differences'. I get the occasional question 10

NOVEMBER 2021

about how things are done back home, that's about it."

While family may have embraced Ipshita for who she is, others have certain expectations because she is Indian.

"I've met some people who are surprised that I speak English really well That I have colow·ed hair and piercings. That I don't cook Indian food all the time.

My in-laws are farmers, and through them I've met people who have never had a conversation with an Indian person before. They have all these notions in their head about how people from India sound like,

look like, behave or eat.

What's been positive about it all though, is that I've been able to change their minds!"

If Diwali is usually a gentle affair at lpshita and Lian1's, Christinas is different.

"Christmas is a big fanilly event. The whole clan gets together - sometimes have upto 16-20 people - and there is way too much food involved! Easter is when we go ca1nping; the group camping see1ns to be getting bigger every year. Oh, and there's always a bonfire in every festival, no matter how hot it is."

www.indianlink.com.au

NOVEMBER 2021 11

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• Kamban Kazhagam has played a sig nificant role i n the growth of Tam i l language a nd cultu re i n Australia BY CHITRA SUDARSHAN he Sydney-based organisation Kamban Kazhaga111, dedicated to the study and proliferation of the Tamil language in this country, recently marked the 15th anniversary of its foundation.

Not only is Tamil one of 22 scheduled languages in the Constitution of India, it is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore, as well as of the Indian states Ta1nil Nadu and Puducherry. Tamil is the only language apart from Sanskrit that has an equally rich and long literary history: not only was Tamil first declared as a classical language of India, the vaTiety and richness of classical Ta1nil literature has led to it being described as "one of the great classical traditions and literatures of the world." More recently, books by western authors such as David Shulman and George Hart have highlighted Tamil's great contribution to world civilisation.

It is not surprising, therefore that Tamil people take the passion for their language with the1n wherever they go. Kamban Kazhagam in Sydney is precisely the sort of organisation that was born out of this passion for the Ta1nil language.

Its Founder and Chairperson Jeiram Jegatheesan, a project manager in his daytime job, told Indian Link, "As Tamil settlers here, we felt a certain lacuna, an absence of focus on Ta1nil literature, and the teaching of values as enshrined in such magnum opuses as Tirukkural and the Ramayana of Kamban."

Kainban's 1 2,000-verse lraniavataram dated between the 9th and 12th centuries - was the first Ran1ayana written in a vernacular language.

"At the Kazhagan1, we began promoting 12 NOVEMBER 2021

Tamil Literature tlrrough our annual flagship event Kan1ban Vizha, and soon grew from a modest literary event wiili which we began in 2006, to a full-fledged multi-day literary festival, attracting scholars from India and Sri Lanka."

To take Tamil literature to the next generation, as part of the school curriculum particularly, was a natural next step.

There are several Tanill language schools that have been doing stellar work in preserving and promoting Tamil. Their influence can be seen in the growili of Tamil language learning across NSW. Since 2001, Tamil has been offered as a language in HSC, and on average, between 30 and 40 students sit for Tamil language exams every year.

However, once the students finish school, there aren't enough opportunities for them to study or develop the language further.

Kamban Kazhagam wanted to address this hiatus, and began teaching students in the 15+ age cohort in 2013.

"This was enthusiastically received, so it prompted us to ask the question, why don't we begin classes for younger kids too?"

Jegatheesan recounted.

In 2015, classes were instituted for a younger cohort on Friday evenings, and for senior students on Sunday.

Some parents reached out and requested Intermediate Tamil - and this was begun in 2019. Senior students have held debates during literary festivals, and performed a Tamil play every year, scripted entirely by themselves, Jegatheesan described.

Ali of the Kazhagam's activities are run by volunteers, he added.

Once ilie activities of the Kazhagam grew

and expanded, the organisers added more events to their calendar, and in the true spirit of muththa1nizh (the three expressions of Tamil) adding the isai and natakam (n1usic and dramatic arts) to iyal (Literature). Since 2008 they have invited renowned musicians and dancers from India to perform in their events.

The Kazhagam is aware of some of the challenges and opportunities ahead for the organisation. The 2016 census estimated the Tamil population in Australia at 75,000. Yet, the audiences in n1any of its events, especially the Literary ones, consist largely of older people.

"We are keen to get more younger people involved and are trialling various modes," Jegatheesan revealed.

They began conducting online forums from 2020, teaching Kamba Ramayana to yow1ger people. This year the Kamban Vizha will be held over 3 days at the Lidcombe Function Centre with the active involven1ent of younger people, and will be streamed live on YouTube and Facebook; several well­ known scholars are expected to attend.

Kamban Kazhaga1n is trying to spread its wings further afield and since 2012 have even held three Vizhas in Melbourne. Most of their funding comes from sponsors and well-wishers.

Learn more about Kamban Kazhagam at http://www.kambankazhagam.org

www.indianlink.com.au

arlier this month, to the estimated 4.4 1nillion dual citizens, the announcement to reunite families separated by the pandemic was met with relief.

The Prin1e Minister Scott Morrison particularly had the Indian com1nunity in 1nind when he said during a Qantas event that announced the resu1nption of services, "From the 1st of November, if you are Australian residents, citizens and their itnn1ediate family - and I can confirm that itnmediate family will include the parents of Australian residents and citizens - (then travel restrictions will ease for you). And I know, particularly in our Indian community, that has been a very important issue for them, and J know that will be welcome."

As Qantas announced the new flights to India, Federal Minister for I-fon1e Affairs Karen Andrews announced, parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for a travel exemption, for travel to Australia fron, l November 2021.

Minister Andrews said the changes would reunite many fa1nilies separated by the pandemic.

The Minister said, "With this change, parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents can reunite in Australia. In line with Australia's National Plan, I look forward to further easing travel restrictions over coming weeks and 1nonths as Australia's vaccination

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Parental relationships to be recognised include biological, adoptive, legal, step-parent, and parents-in-law.

rate continues to climb."

Qantas has also brought forward its flights to London and Los Angeles. At a press conference at Sydney Airport, Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce also said it would launch

a new service to New Delhi on 6 December - the first time the airline has flown to the Indian capital in almost a decade.

This will be pleasing news for Australian Indians desperate to get back to India during

COVIO

the Christmas break, to be with bereaved or recovering family members.

Applications for a travel exemption can be 1nade through the Department of Home Affairs Travel Exemption Portal, for travel to Australia from 1 November 2021.

Parental relationships which are recognised, including biological, adoptive, legal, step-parent, and parents-m-law.

Evidence of a parental relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident is required, with examples of the type of evidence required available on the Departn1ent's website. Parents 1nust also have a valid passport, visa, and proof of vaccination for travel to Australia.

All international travellers will remain subject to state and territory quarantine arrangements. T his means that those tlying into NSW and Victoria, if they are fully vaccinated will no longer have to quarantine from November 1, whereas those connecting to Queensland or Western Australia will have to quarantine for 14 days.

For many, the past 18 months have been traumatic as travel restrictions have prevented families from sharing special moments together. While there will be wrinkles to be ironed out, allowing vaccinated parents to travel, and the opening of new routes

by Qantas, can only add to the positive momentum.

Pawan Luthra

NOVEMBER 2021 13

WELLN ESS

It's a virtual event yet again for the Indian community's annual Pink Ribbon Breakfast

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BY RAJNI ANAND LUTHRA

knew something was wrong when the nurse attending to me went from being really ,nean, to really nice."

Jyoti Jadeja was speaking at the online community event Pink Ribbon Breakfast, an annual fundraiser for breast cancer.

Sporting tell-tale headwear, the 32-year­ old had listeners in thrall as she recounted her breast cancer story with characteristic candour.

It all began when she felt the bra pinching, the award-winning Sydney lawyer narrated.

Days later, she had her diagnosis: carcinoma.

The titning of it all, she described, was "a sick joke". Mu,n to a two-year-old, she had been keen to get pregnant again. The shock diagnosis had urged her to consider having her eggs frozen, but in1agine her surprise when the scans revealed she was pregnant already.

"The decision l had to make, was whether to put off che1no till the third trimester, or terminate the pregnancy. In what turned out to be the most harrowing tin1e in this saga, I opted to tenni11ate the pregnancy and begin chen10."

Another speaker Anita Barar, si1niJarly scarf-clad, clain1ed she saw no signs and felt no syn1pton1s. She has no fa111ily history.

Stage UJ, revealed her diagnosis. And growing aggressively. "ls this the end of the road for me," she recalled asking asked surgeon.

He replied laughingly, "No, you don't need to resign yet."

Our targeted treatment sees 95% success, he assured her. "l'm happy to report, J'rn in the 95%," proclaimed Anita, an award-winning writer based in Melbourne.

What stood out in both women, adntlrable in their honest and courageous recou11ts, was their positive attitude to it all - graceful acceptance, countered with a quiet but dogged detennination to resume a normaJ life as soon as possible. Both adnlitted to tun11oiJ - and there n1ust be plenty of it ongoing as treatment continues - but they are already brimnling with the wisdom of lessons learned.

"Trust in your treatment," said Anita.

"There's an entire tea1n of wonderful health workers who are currently caring for me, and I an1 indebted to then1."

"Take a year of your life to focus on the rest of your life," said Jyoti, advising self­ care.

The Pink Ribbon Breakfast, organised by survivors Rekha Rajvanshi and Sue Advani, has gained good profile in Sydney's Indian community, with numbers increasing each 14 NOVEMBER 2021

year in attendees as well as donations.

Rekha herself relives the n1oment n1any times when years ago, clutching the hands of her two very young kids, her sailor husband away at sea, she waited with bated breath for the surgeon to advise her.

"I had no family around 1ne, and didn't know many people as we had n1oved here only recently. But those that I did know, all

stepped up to help," she told Indian Link.

That was 2007. By 2012, having lost one friend to breast cancer and having seen other friends go through it, she knew she bad to do her bit. Together with a colleague she organised the first Pink Ribbon Breakfast, intended as a gentle way to allow sufferers and carers to tell their story among friends, as well as fundraise.

"The response was wonderful, with plenty of warmth and acceptance and hope."

Today, it's grown of its own momentum, with 1nany 'pink sisters' joitling in, dressed in the colour of the day. It's become one of the mainstays on the annual social calendar.

Attending this year, besides those who have traversed the breast cancer path themselves, were members of parliament, locaJ councillors, medical practitioners and com111unity partners, many of these being repeat attendees.

Nearly $4200 was raised this time at

Rekha Rajvanshi Pink Ribbon Breakfast, slightly lower than previous years no thanks to lockdown. It would have been so easy to give the event a nliss this year, as one guest Julia Finn MP observed, but for Pink Sisters Rekba and Sue, it was imperative that they soldier on.

As Jyoti and Anita recounted their heart­ wrenching stories, perhaps there were many won1en, nlicrophones muted and can1eras turned off, who lifted a hand to do a quick

self-check. l f they did, then Pink Ribbon Breakfast is evidence that grassroots efforts and botto111up approaches - by lone citizens willing to drive change that they are concerned about - can indeed create the necessary mon1entum.

Visit for more information the National Breast Cancer Foundation at nbcf.org.au

www.indianlink.com.au

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' In M ental H ealth Month, a look at Bottled Up - a podcast dedicated to creating conversations a round m en's m enta l health BY

RHE A L NATH hen was the last time you took stock of your e1notional wellbeing? When was the last time you checked in with yourself?

These a1·e questions three young Melbournians are hoping to raise each week.

"Vulnerability creates avenues for more vulnerability," explains Sunny Bahuguna, one of the founders of Bottled Up, a podcast dedicated to conversations around men's mental health.

"I've found that people understand the gravity of their situation after they start articulating their story out loud. Mental health journeys can feel isolating, but we're here to say you're never alone."

Bottled Up, co-founded with Mayank Sohani and Ujjwal Chaudhry, provides a platforn1 for people to open up about their mental health stories in the hope of inspiring others to do the same. Spanning nearly thirty episodes so far, the UruMelb 111ates have already hosted some pronunent na1nes including former APL footballers Jin Long and Ton1 Boyd and anti-violence campaigner Tarang Chawla.

"I've uncovered more about my own story in the last 1.5 years when listening to others," Sunny tells Indian Link. "It's made me a lot n1ore en1pathetic and appreciative of people's stories. No one is iI111nune from mental health concerns, but all of us have the power to check in."

Left to right: Ujjwal Chaudhry, Sunny Bahuguna, guest Stefano Gunawan, and Mayank Sohani

Mayank and Sunny

Driven by this desire to carve a safe space for discussions around men's mental health, Bottled Up was first ideated as activities and seminars in high schools. When lockdown began, it moved online, tunung these conversations into easily accessible, free podcasts instead.

According to recent figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, an average of one in eight men will experience depression, and one in five men will experience anxiety, at some stage of their lives. With the 'boys don't cry' narrative that continues to plague men even today, improving transparency around n1en's mental health remains a crucial issue.

For 23-year-old Sunny, this desire sh·ikes a personal chord.

"Men feel thls pressure to be strong for the sake of the family. Growing up in a single parent household, I thought that l

needed to be the 'man of the house' at 14 or 1 5 years old. It felt like it was expected of me, but l didn't have the language to express myself," be shares.

Besides a lack of vocabulary to articulate these difficult emotions, the fea1· of judgement and "Log kya kahenge?" (what will people say?) within the South Asian community continues to hinder many people's ability to come forward and start a conversation.

Sunny elaborates, "It's worth noting that there are intergenerational traun1as, like the Partition, that are deeply rooted in the history of our commuruty and it gets passed down, affecting our behaviours. We're all capable of breaking a bone or hurting ourselves physically, why is our mental health any different?"

Each week, Mayank, Ujjwal and Sunny share aspects of their O\Vll n1ental health

journey and invite guests with their own lived experiences to discuss, along with interviewing those in the mental health space, like founders and advocates, and specialists, like psychologists and GPs. More often than not, the boys note, people are really willing to come forward and share their story.

"Men have been conditioned to step up and be strong, but they're now getting access to tools to be vulnerable and talk things through.

We've had some fantastic conversations on the show, like the episode with Heshan Fernando.

Growing up, he didn't have a close relationshlp with his workaholic father, but they've since reconciled and went on to start The Model Man, an organisation that works to create positive male role models in the workforce."

The three friends, all working professionals, carve out time each week towards Bottled Up, in the hopes of creating meaningful conversations and ultimately a sense of en1powerment.

"For those struggling with their n1ental health, we want them to feel empowered to reach out for assistance and take action.

And even if listeners aren't going through somethlng themselves, we hope they feel empowered to recognise the signs and check in on those around them," says Sunny.

Bottled Up is available for streaming on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. If you're keen to come onboard as a guest, or want to reach out, you can contact them via Facebook and Instagram.

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, please contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4536, Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14, or headspace on (03) 9027 0100.

NOVEMBER 2021 15

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• Syd ney's Gopal Ga rg on helping teachers in rura l India BY

BAGESHRI SAVYASACHI or Sydney entrepreneur Gopal Garg, education, charity and business have all come together in a recent project that is seeing many thousands of lives directly unpacted.

By partnering up with Indian corporates that u1vest in educating underprivileged children,and Australian t utoring institutions, Mr Garg is responsible for training hundreds of Indian teachers in pedagogical methods and English-speaking skills.

Speaking with Indian Link, Gopal Garg revealed that dw·ing his business trips to India he saw multiple big corporates deeply mvested m changing the lives of underprivileged children, prunarily girls in rural areas.

"W hile researching the chal'ities that educate these young children, I found that the teachers who were inentoring and teaching the students needed to up skill, especially in their English language skills," Mr Garg described. "These teachers working in rural and remote areas have li1nited or no access to u1ternational resources to learn teaching techniques in English. I had a clear objective which was to equip teachers in India with conteinporary teaching techniques, a deeper understanding of teaching methodologies which they can put into practice in diverse classrooms."

To achieve this feat, Mr Garg's company TruBizSol Academy tied up with the Mahindra Group's charity foundation Nanhi Kali that supports the education of over 150,000 girls in India, and Deepalaya, 16

NOVEMBER 2021

L

an organisation that is deeply engaged m fighting illiteracy among underprivileged children all over northern India.

"The teachers from [Nanhi Kali] are all women from local communities who facilitate lea1·nmg and mentoring students truough their schooling, and also engage with pal'ents and community stakeholders to create girl­ friendly ecosystems," Mr Garg said. " l then researched and selected one of the top English language institutes of Australia to provide teaching services, the Language Training mstitute (LTi). They are leaders in training teachers to teach English to non-English speakers and have been teaching English for 25 years in Australia and overseas," he added.

TruBizSol Academy invited seniors from Nanhi Kali and Deepalaya to become familiar with teaching formats and

standards. Then, groups of 8-10 teachers were formed to create interactive learning environn1ents. The classes conducted by LTi teachers, focussed on Speaking, Listenmg, Reading, Writing, and Grammar skills divided into 6 one-hou r sessions.

While Ml' Garg bad a clear plan in mind, be faced challenges in executmg the ambitious partnership.

The fact that most of the teachers were based in remote areas exposed the major lack of personal digital devices and high­ speed internet connectivity.

"Eventually, we spoke to the executives at Nanhi Kali and asked if they could organise and permit the teachers to login and attend the sessions from the nearest Mahindra dealer office," he said.

Even arranging to pay teachers and staff coordinating with the Indian companies

''The teachers logged in and attended the training sessions at the nearest Mahindra dealer office''

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proved to be a hurdle.

"Another big challenge was also that the organisations in India, even though they welcomed the idea, found it hard to believe that we would provide these classes pro bono," a surprised Mr Garg remarked.

Although Gopal Garg had left India over two decades ago for a fresh start in New Zealand and then here in Australia, he still felt something lackmg in his purpose.

"Over the years, I have always wanted to help my community and country that has given me so much, but J never found the right channel," Mr Garg mused.

A great believer in using technology solutions for charitable purposes, Mr Garg finds these invaluable partnerships especially rewarding when he receives heartfelt 'Thank you' notes from teachers who have successfully completed their training.

"I am overwhelmed to know that a small step towards education has turned into a big project, upskilling tutors and educators that have the most important job of supporting the education of about 500,000 under provided children," he said.

www.indianlink.com.au

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BOX HILL · MARSDEN PARK · LEPPINGTON · WARNERVALE · THORNTON

HOME WORLD NOVEMBER 2021 17

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Our l ittlest readers never cease to amaze us in our annual Diwali Kids' Art Contest.

Congratulations to our winners Veda nkita Kuhaluri (Upto 7 years category) and Aadhya Agarwal (8 - 1 2 years category). Both win book vouchers valued at $75 each.

Congratulations also to Run ners-Up Ayaa n Thakkar (Upto 7 years category) and Aarav Panicker (8 - 12 years category) who take home book vouchers worth $50 each.

Vedankita's design will feature on Indian Lin k's official Diwali card for 2021.

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BY RAJNI ANAND LUTHRA even-year-old Vedankita Kuhaluri of Pont Cook Victoria and Aadhya Agarwal of Parran1atta NSW, 8, have won Indian Link's Diwali Art Contest for Kids this year.

They took the prizes in their age groups 7 years and below, and 8 years and above, respectively.

Ayaan Thakkar, 7, of Hampton Park Victoria, and Aarav Panicker, 9, of Rouse Hill NSW, have been announced as ru11ners­ up in their age groups.

Vedankita and Aadhya will take ho1ne book vouchers valued at $75 each, and Ayaan and Aarav will receive $50 vouchers each.

Vedankita's design will feature on Indian Link's official Diwali card for 2021. The Year 2 student at Melbourne's Point Cook P-9 College was thrilled to hear the news.

I ndian Lin k's Diwali Art Contest fo r kids was a l l about joyous and festive mandalas this yea r "I put a lot of thought into it," she told Indian Link, aln1ost as if she knew she would take the top prize. "I thought about which colours to pick. I like warm colours red is my favourite."

She added, "I've learned art by myself.

My sister does art as well."

The winning n1andala, much like the artist herself, is vibrant and bubbling over with energy.

With its crispness and clarity, it reflects a fresh and hopeful outlook, and a celebratory mood. It will resonate as we put lockdown behind us and re-e1nerge with strength and confidence. The peripheral features of the design are evocative of Diwali fireworks, so the excitement in it is palpable. Equally impressive, was Vedankita's dedication to detail and neatness in execution.

Dad Vasanth Kuhaluri is a regular follower of Indian Link's social media, and this is not the first tiine he has sent his daughters' entries in for the Diwali Art Contest.

"My girls have varied interests," he described. "Currently they're into Tik.Tok

dancing, alongside their Carnatic vocal which was introduced to them many months ago and which they kept up via Zoom sessions. But art was our favourite activity to keep them occupied in lockdown."

The Kuhaluri girls made the news last year when they recited to perfection all twenty shlokas in Chapter 12 of the Bhagavad Gita.

Aadhya Agarwal's exuberant and intricate design took the top spot in the 8-12 years category.

"I painted in many different combinations of colours and then picked the one I liked best," the Year 2 student at Parramatta Public School explained.

She and her sister Anika (who also made it to the Top Ten), are old hands at mandala paintings. Anika, 12, has made large mandalas on canvas.

"I love painting mandalas because they relax n1e," Aadhya said. "My mum just bought me a whole book of patterns to colou1· in."

Noopur Goyal, Aadhya's mum, revealed, laughing, "Your mandala kept them

hooked for eight days. Each night from 8.30 to about 10pm, the girls would be engrossed in their colouring - experimenting and comparing. l now own ten different versions!"

Dad Bhagwan added, "I would wonder why such a lot of energy was being invested in this activity. But I'm so pleased - both girls seem to be drawn to art and creativity and often surprise me. Looking back, I remember seeing Aadhya spark up when she finished her final mandala - it was like she knew she had found the one she wanted to send in."

In its tenth edition this year, 23 8 entries came in for the kids' art competition, up significantly from last year. Perhaps we have lockdown to thank for this increase, although the contest has grown steadily in popularity. One entry was received from India, and two from Kuwait.

This activity is aimed at the youngest members of our comn1unity to include them in the spirit of Diwali in a manner that resonates with them.

rt1m yotkftU!e � the sun and the �1aa� you.

-1lltulu 1�uweib

Link

wishes you a safe and heallhy, ■ happy and •

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IJiwali

20 NOVEMBER 2021

www.indianlink.com.au

® From Chris Minns and your State Labor MP's

We wish you and your family a Happy Diwali!

Chris Minns MP NSW Labor Leader Member for Kogarah P 95879684

Lynda Voltz MP

Member for Londonderry NSW Labor Deputy Leader P 9833 1122

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Authori sed by Chri s Minns, Prue Car, Daniel Mookhey, Stephen Bali, Steve Kamper, Lynda Voltz, Julia Finn, Hugh McDermott.Edmond Atalla,fihad Oi b,Sophie Cotsis, GuyZanga�.Jo Hayleri, Paul Scully andLies! Tesch. Funded using Parliamentary entitlements. _

NOVEMBER 2021 21

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A short Aussie -film about Indigenous food practices of the Nagas of Northeast India BY BAGESHRI SAVYASACHI elbourne-based acade1nic and Naga woman Dr Dolly Kikon turned filinmaker in her newly released documentary Seasons of life: Foraging and fennenting ba1nboo-shoot during ceasefire. The short 1 1 -ntinute film is a beautiful record of precious food practices and livelihoods of indigenous commu1tities in Northeast India.

Selected for the Canberra Short Film Festival in the 'Fu-st Nation Stories' category, Kikon's doctm1entary focuses on the bamboo shoot.

Ba1nboo is a forest produce and mainstay of many tribal com1nu1tities including the Naga people. The film follows three won1en into the forests as they forage for bamboo shoot, and then as they ferment their produce for supply to the markets in Dimapur (Nagaland) and beyond.

22 NOVEMBER 2021

They do tltis as a source of income as well as food to support their fa1nilies.

While it is an integral ingredient, fennented food frotn Northeast India is often categorised as 'smelly food', the filmmaker Dolly Kikon shared. Landlords across India prohibit Northeastern tenants from cooking fennented food because it smells 'disgusting'. /:1.s Pithw1glo, one of the foragers, says in the filn1, "We eat fermented bamboo shoot.

Others perceive us as disgusting and stinky because we eat this... We also trade in this. It is our spice and our oii."

"These words are one of the essences of our film," Kikon told Indian Link. "For those who do not know about bamboo shoot as food, I wanted to showcase its versatility.

For those who can't live without it, 1 wanted to convey the painstaking work involved in its harvesting and processing.

In a fast-consu1ning, globalised economy of food, it is iinportant to know where our food comes from, and the people involved, often made invisible before it reaches our kitchens."

Anthropologist and University of Melbourne lecturer Dr Dolly Kikon

Fermentation is a significant part of human sustenance and survival. In Seasons ofLife, it allows us to open new conversations about traditional knowledge, foraging, and how these affect ongoing issues of climate change, increasing inequality, and dispossession of land.

Foraging for bamboo shoot might seem insignificant as compru·ed to the immediate large-scale destruction of forests, floods, and mining. Yet, one can consider Kikon's film as a meditative moment to focus on something so transient as a seasonal activity - sort of a touch and go - where foragers enter the forest to harvest bamboo shoot. Their senses and knowledge about the changes around the village forests is tied to ongoing challenges of feeding families and worrying about children who are migrating away from the village.

Dr Kikon met the three foragers in the fi!Jn - friends Yanchano, Tsumungi and Pithunglo - in Old Ralan village whet·e they live. The trio chose the site at which the documentary was filmed.

The film was made in 2019 and it took Dr Kikon five 1nonths to put it together.

In preparation, she connected with two local videographers in Nagaland, both self-employed and experienced at filming community gatherings. Post-production took place in Guwahati, Assam. Since the language spoken in the film is Lotha, her mother tongue, Dr Kikon majorly contributed to editing, working on sequencing, translation, and music.

Dr Kikon also stressed that the landscape of the village was central for her. The area is part of the /:1.ssrun-Arakan oil basin, one of the

www.indianlink.com.au

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ARCH -India currently l ists fifteen a reas of bilatera l interest are cu rrently listed BY BAGESHRI SAVYASACHI ollaborative research between Australia and lndia has increased considerably over the past few years. Many Australian universities have recognised India's role as a global hub for innovation and R&D and have n1ade engagement with India a priority.

Yet there ren1ai11s untapped potential to deepen our two-way research links.

A new initiative by the Departn1ent of Education, Skills and En1ployment (DESE) and Melbourne's Australia India Institute (All), the Australian Researcher Cooperation Hub - India (ARCH-India) will serve as an online platform for researchers to connect expertise, build relationships, share information, and explore opportunjties for collaboration and mobility.

Co1n1nunity stalwart and fonner senator Lisa Singh joined the project as All's new Director when the website opened up for early access on 31 August.

"The conception and creation of ARCH­ India has been a dearly held aJ11bition of successive Directors of the Australia India Institute," Lisa Singh told Indian Link.

"My role now is very n1uch focused on the mandate for ARCH-India to facilitate increased reseat·ch collaboration and to find the necessary resources to continue that work long into the future."

"In that task, we are very fortunate to have the guidance of Professor Abid Khan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Global Engagement at Monash Univetsity, who has agreed to be the Chair of the new ARCH-India Boatd," she added.

Dr Abid Khan told Indian Link, "ARCH-India has been codeveloped with

oldest oil deposits in the HiJnalayan region.

Her first book Living with Oil and Coal (2019) was based on her fieldwork conducted iJ1 that area, also known as the foothills between Assa1n and Nagaland.

She returned to the area to engage and learn about the lives of the people there. ''As negotiations for oil explorations around the village continue, we might witness the bamboo grooves and the forest disappear and be replaced with oil rigs and gas pipelines iJ1 the near future," she warned.

Seasons ofLife is an in1portant part of Kikon's ongomg work on fermentiJ1g cultures m the eastern HiJnalayan region.

Although food practices are tied to livelihood projects, Kikon wanted to adopt a framework that allowed us to connect with food and place tru·ough the experiences of the people. Food stories, she believes, should be rooted m the political and social history of the place and stem from the grassroots rather

unjversities to particularly support early­ career researchers who are new to working internationally; by helping them to identify relevant partners, funding opportunities and experienced mentors to aid them in progressiJ1g their work."

The ARCH-India website hjghlights 1 5 areas of bilateral mterest. These research areas are advanced materials, agriculture, art and culture, critical minerals, cybersecurity, economy, education, energy, environment, health, infrastructure, law, politics and international relations, social welfare and

inclusion, and water.

An overview is provided for each of these research areas aimed at introducing researchers to the research context in each country and to help build understanding of the research environment in which they can engage and collaborate.

ARCH-India is open to every researcher at any research institution or industry R&D in Australia and India. Director Lisa Singh was happy to announce that the site has received strong responses by scholars from both countries smce its early access launch phase.

ARCH-India is open to every researcher at any research institution or industry R&D in Australia and India

"In our mentorship progra1n alone, we have over 60 mentors from 20 different institutions in India and another 20 institutions in Australia," Singh revealed.

"We ru·e also seeing scholars from other parts of the world exploring the website and remain very open to the prospect of ARCH­ India supporting Australian and Indian researchers working together on projects with researchers from third countries."

ARCH-India will allow researchers to: • Showcase research news they have written or shared • Highlight case studies they have worked on and learn from other researcher's experiences • Indicate research areas where they are open to collaborating • Joining a searchable pool of lndo-Pacific research expertise open to industry, NGO and governments "Benefits of joining ARCH-India include, in addition to the valuable information on grants and funding opportunities, case studies of successful research collaborations, research news, updates on government policies impacting research and collaborations, events and travel advice and resources," Lisa Singh added.

ARCH-India presents a significant opportunity for Australian and Indian universities, research mstitutions and industry to deepen thefr international research and innovation relationships, to build understanding of the national research and education syste111s, and to strengthen the reputations of both countries for leading-edge research.

The fully functional platforn1 is now focusing on building its engagement with researchers in the lead up to the official launch in early 2022.

Researchers are mvited to register and upload their researcher profile at arch-india.org/user/login

• az 7

than from policyinakers.

"The Indian subcontinent and its food writers, chefs, and researchers n1ust recognise how Indigenous food practices and traditional knowledge about con1111unity food histories are constantly erased or relegated as prinlitive ways of cooking and eating," Dr Kikon observed. "Even today, many people m lndia are not aware about Adivasi/tribal food

cultures. This existing ignorance tells us so much about the marginalisation of cultures and histories on the ground."

The documentary was the first official selection was for the 2020 Druk International Film Festival. The film was selected in two categories for the Golden Dragon prize; it won Best Film on Women, and Best Editing m the monthly competition. The film was

also selected for the 2021 International Union of AnthJ"opological and Ethnological Sciences' Congress at Yucatan. It is among 21 films selected from across the world for the "Indigenous and Ethnographic Film Exhibition".

"As an indigenous person from India, this was special for Nagaland to be acknowledged and represented," she concluded.

NOVEMBER 2021 23

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Why, for the rest of this year, we must celebrate the social importance of schools The social isation function of school is a n essentia l component of stu d ents' learning BY

MOHAN DHALL ith the reopening of schools, it has become very evident that the social utility of schools is understated. As students are rehuning to schools, they return to social settings that bring comfort, a source of friendship, e111otional support and a closeness that has taken on new value.

What has been noticed by parents and teachers is that students are thriving on the opportunity to reconnect with friends and enjoy the con1pany of others. A sense of a new normality is emerging. A key feature of this is unpacking and sharing their recent experience of lockdown.

Though most students, including those about to do their final exams, are not working to their full acadenuc capacity right now, actually, who cares? For in the context of a large discontinuity there has been a psychological disruption. It will take time for this to be fully appreciated. ln chatting with a couple of teachers, they report the following. Everyone is relieved to be back at school. There is also however some uncertainty and more than a little anxiety around the possibility of the nu1nber of coronavirus cases rising. Nevertheless, teachers have spoken about the enthusiasm of children being back at school. Students

appreciate the care and guidance of their teachers. Both parties have been through the experience of lockdown, albeit with their own unique characteristics.

Who would have thought that given the choice between hon1e or school - students would choose school? This fact is essential in truly appreciating the social value of schools.

What is a school?

In the absence of academic assessment, we should ask what a school actually is. Schools a1·e shaped around the segmentation of young people by age and stage. They have always been horizontally streamed. Tlus means that people of the same age tend to be in the same year group. Whilst there are always exceptions, as children n1ature and go through different ages and stages, they tend to face sinillar types of challenges. lo navigating these and learning to understand and manage them, students' social networks, typically centred around school, provide a source of validation. They also provide a source of comfort and a som·ce of insight.

Students routinely n1ake disclosures to one another about what they experience. In

sharing their experiences, their thoughts and their feelings they feel normalised. They talk together and this brings a sense of inclusion and often strength.

Up to a quarter of children feel safer at school than at home. lf the statistics regarding the level of domestic violence and/or sexual assault within households are accurate, then a large number of students in every school are physically and psychologically safer for being there, rather than at home.

I know of young people who report feeling anxious on the journey hon1e. In the morning as they wake and prepare for school, they feel energised. And though some of these young people face challenges they'd probably rather not - they do say their best time during the day is the time they spend at school.

For children who are academically gifted whether they learn at home or school is arguable. Indeed, sadly for a proportion of students, they learn most of what they see as the essential curriculum in coaching centres. In this context, the social function of school for these children is even more important. Within this group, a very small minority of children who are coached view

Our children's social networks, typical ly centred around school, provide a sou rce of validation, comfort and insight.

every other child as a threat or a source of competition. Most do not. For this very small minority any environment they are in will be an environment in which they seek to be noticed, to be validated or to be lauded for what they know rather than tor who they are.

Schools can help to moderate this tendency.

For most children, school is an opportunity for them to learn essential social skills. Such social skills include fundamental social behaviours such as taking turns, listening to others, understanding perspectives, working in teams, and accepting others even though they may not always agree with them.

1n schools, children share the inevitable challenges that all children face as they grow.

Within their cohort they are largely likely to find acceptance and a real source of external validation. If they err, they will also mostly find forgiveness.

For many children the almost sole importance of school is the socialisation function. For all children the socialisation function of school is an essential co1nponent of their learning.

Celebrating the social function of school

In my view for the rest of this year, this should be the main emphasis within schools.

School teachers, adn1i11istrators and school leaders should be praised for their efforts in helping students find solace and safety after the crisis, despite the ongoing uncertainties they themselves feel.

NOVEMBER 2021 27

T H I S M O NTH

28 NOVEMBER 2021

www.indianlink.com.au

Julie Owens M P F E D E RA L M E M B E R FOR PAR RAMATTA Seniors deserve quality care at home Home Care Packages are supposed to help Australians live at home with their families as they get older. But under the Morrison Government seniors from diverse backgrounds are struggling to access these services, which rarely meet their language and cultural needs. If this is affecting you or your loved ones, my office can help - scan the QR code or visit julieowens.com.au/aqedcare

Cuts to Medicare under cover of COV I D I n July Scott Morrison snuck through almost 1 ,000 cuts and changes to Medicare. These changes mean patients could face out-of pocket costs of up to $10,000. Labor built Medicare and we will always protect it. If you want Scott Morrison to abandon these changes scan the QR code or visit: julieowens.com.au/savemedicare

COV I D support payments slashed The Morrison Government is cutting COV I D support payments with no plan for Parramatta's economic recovery. If you are worried about how these cuts will affect you or your family, scan the QR code or visit julieowens.com.au/covidl9 for more info on the support still available .

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With Western Union at Australia Post, we can help you show your loved ones you care.

Visit your local participating Post Office for a free quote today.

T&C's apply. See auspost.com.au/westemunion for more information.

NOVEMBER 2021 29

A DV E RT O R I A L

Active Super partners with M u ltiCon n exions to ta p i nto Austra l i a n diversity ctive Super is partnering with MultiConnexions Group, a multicultural tnarketing and advertising agency, to broaden its appeal and increase engagement with Australians fron1 different backgrounds .

Active Super, a leader in responsible investn1ent, is keen to reflect the djversity of the Australian population in its 111arketing strategy, recognising that a one-size-fits-all marketing and com111unications strategy is not the best way to con1municate with the Australian population given its strong multicultural composition.

The partnership is the latest plank in Active Super's strategy to attract new me1nbers and drive future growth following its rebranding from Local Govern1nent

Super in May 2021.

Chantal Walker, Active Super's Chlef Digital and Marketing Officer, said there was tre1nendous potential to reach Australians who otherwise would not be engaged with their superannuation.

"We value diversity, equity and inclusion and seek to en1bed these principles in all aspects of our business," Ms Walker said.

"Research shows that 25 percent of the Australian population speaks a language other than English, and 50 percent of the population is born overseas and has at least one parent born overseas .

"Regrettably, n1any marketers ignore these segments, but through our partnership with MultiConnexions, Active Super is taking action to address thjs gap in the 1narket.

"I am very passionate about micro­ segmentation. By adding ethnicity as an overlay to any segmentation be it Life stage, age or values based, we create a wonderfully rich, multi-layered understanding of members and their financial needs. We then use this data to engage potential members for acquisition as well as for the retention of existing members as we gain a deeper understanding of what makes then1 tick beyond just their age .

"I have had the pleasure of working with Sheba and her team in the past to create very successful local area marketing campaigns by targeting various multicultural audiences, and I wanted to bring this experience and opportunity to the world of superannuation."

Sheba Nandkeolyar, Founder and CEO of MultiConnexions Group, said: "MultiConnexions is proud to help Active Super expand its offering and services to reach Australia's n1ulticultural audiences .

Like Active Super, we share the sentiment that from a diversity, equjty, and inclusion perspective, it is important for such con1n1uruties in Australia to be heard by brands .

"In this clin1ate where growth is key to a successful business, multicultural Australians are often overlooked by traditional English-speaking n1arketing and advertising. We look forward to working with Active Super to connect with these con1n1unities to ensure that their voices are heard and needs recognised."

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COV I D-1 9 VACC I N ES ARE F R E E A N D AVA I LABLE FO R EV ERYO N E OVER 12 YEARS O F AG E

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If you are an overseas visitor living in Australia, an international student or anyone without Australian citizenship or permanent residency, you may not be able to access Medicare benefits.

But that does not stop you from getting vaccinated.

he COVID-19 pandemic has brought many challenges to everyone in Australia. We have all had to make changes in our lives to keep ourselves, our family and community safe. Vaccination is a critical step to getting back to the things we love to do.

Everyone in Australia 12 years of age and over can have a free COVID-19 vaccine at participating pharmacies, doctors' clinics, and government clinics. Read on to find out where you can get information about the COVID-19 vaccine in your language, and how to book your COVID-19 vaccination, even if you do not have a Medicare card.

The vaccines and doses recommended for Australians may be different from what is happening in other countries.

It is especially important that everyone living in Australia follow the health advice given by Australia's health experts.

Accessing translated COVID-19 resources If you would like information about COVID-19 vaccines in your own language, visit the australia.gov.au website. All you need to do is click on "information in your language" and choose your language from the 63 languages available.

You do not need to be eligible or enrolled in Medicare to receive a free COVID-19 vaccination.

If you do not have a Medicare card, you can get your free vaccination at:

How to get the COVID-19 vaccine, even without a Medicare card COVID-19 vaccines are free for everyone in Australia, even if you are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident. This includes people without a Medicare card, overseas visitors, international students, migrant workers and asylum seekers. Everyone in Australia aged 1 2 years and over can book their vaccination now.

You can get a COVID-19 vaccine at: • Commonwealth vaccination clinics • participating general practices • Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Services • state and territory vaccination clinics, and • participating pharmacies.

• Commonwealth vaccination clinics • state or territory vaccination clinics, or • participating pharmacies.

Use the austrafia.gov.au link to find your nearest vaccination clinic and book your vaccination. If you need phone or on-site interpreting at your vaccine appointment, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.

If you do not have a Medicare card, or do not have access to a myGov account, you can access your Immunisation History Statement by: • asking your vaccination provider to print a copy for you, or • by calling the Australian Immunisation Register enquiries line on 1 800 653 809 (8am - 5pm Monday to Friday AEST) and asking them to send your statement to you in the mail. It can take up to 14 days to arrive in the mail. For interpreting services please call 131 450.

For more information on how to get proof of your COVID-19 vaccinations, see the Services Australia app.

For other COVID-19 vaccine information, visit australia.gov.au website or call 1800 020 080.

For interpreting services, call 131 450.

Getting proof of your COVID-19 vaccination You can access your Immunisation History Statement:

• online, by setting up your own myGov account and then accessing your Medicare account, or • through the Express Plus Medicare app.

Australian Government

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Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.

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STA G E

21-year-old Melbourne musicia n Ashwarya has embraced her I ndian­ Australian heritage to create a unique new sound i n pop music

BY RHEA L NATH

II

love you like biryanj," croons Melbourne-based musician Ashwarya in the opening line of one of her most popular hits. A few seconds later, in what n1ight con,e as a pleasant surprise tor n1ost listeners, she dips into 1-iindi.

"Tum ho 111eri dil ki dhadkan (you are the beat of n1y heart) / it keeps on beating for you. Gatti se bhi paas ,nat aao (don't co1ne too close by mistake) / I won't let you go."

In the last year, her bilingual single "Biryanj" has garnered over 600,000 streams on Spotify a11d the nu1nber only seems to grow. It nught've been a gamble to incorporate Hindi lyrics while starting out, but she simply views it as combining the best of her two worlds.

"Yes, it's a bit experimental, but there's not a 1nassive catalogue of bilingual music for ine to refer to. So really, I'n, n1akillg 1ny own rules as I go," the 21-year o- ld told Indian Link.

"Biryaru" is one of the singles from her debut EP Nocturnal Hours that released last year, accompanying "Psycho Hole", "Love Again" and "To The Night" featuring Chicago rapper Vic Mensa. Ever since, Ashwarya's

32 NOVEMBER 2021

been touted as the next big thing in Australian pop, featured in Paper Magazine, NM E's 100 Emerging Artists for 2021, and being the top pick of best finds on Triple J's Unearthed.

In fact, she adds, she's had non-Hindi speakers singing along to "Biryani" at live shows too.

"They had taken the time to learn the Hindi lyrics, I couldn't believe it," she sn1iled. "It proves that you can convey a feeling with music even if people don't understand what you're saying."

In late Septen,ber, the Indian-Australian musician dropped a new track "Flare" that she considers to be her best work yet.

"It's a song about the tension that plays out between not knowing if someone likes you back and searching for their signal, treading the line between letting people in and Jetting people go," she elaborated.

Working with British-Australian producer Jarrad Rogers and mixer Jamie Snell, Ashwarya finds herself in the company of internationally renowned artists like Boyzone, Anrue Lennox, Mark Ronson, Dua Lipa, Ellie Goulding, and Noah Cyrus. Last year, she was the first artist signed to NOiZe Recordings in a joint venture with Sony Music Australia.

It's no mean feat for a young artist who launched her career in the middle of the pandemic.

"It's been hard, missing out on international travel opportunities because of the pandemic. r haven't even been able to visit Sydney!" she confessed. "Still, there have been a lot of new skills learned in lockdown, like making my own music videos at home."

Growing up in Melbourne in the company of her grandparents, Ashwarya (real name Aishwarya Shah) found herself immersed in old BoUywood films, introduced to the n1usic of Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar and the hits of the '80s. In recent years, the work of Arijit Singh ("the Ed Sheeran of India") and the soundtracks of Ae Oil Hai Mushkil and Pad1naavat have caught her attention.

Combine these BoUywood influences with musical inspirations from the 2000s like Rihanna, Tylor the Creator, and The Weeknd, and it's given her a unique sound that she can only define as "experimental" and "forward thinking."

She's understandably reluctant to box herself into one single genre, but son1e common elements that con1e across in her music are strong emotional qualities, high production value, and tempo changes that you never see commg.

"My general idea is to keep people on their toes," she grinned.

From a young age, Ashwarya felt drawn to exploring her n1usical side, participating in community choirs, and continuing to explore her sound. She went back and forth on whether to take it music seriously as a career and eventually took the plunge after high school.

Amid all this success and press, it's the dfrect messages from fans that mean the most.

"In the past year, I've noticed how much my South Asian background has had a direct impact on people. It's so satisfying. I've had teenagers reach out to say my music allowed then1 to feel like themselves and be proud of their heritage," said Ashwarya, whose own family hails from Ahmedabad and Lucknow.

So what's next on the agenda? " I've already started writing my next project and I know where I want to go visually and sonically. Just keen to get started," she smiled.

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STA G E

..

• • Composer, performer, lyricist and multi-instrumentalist Vidya Makan on diversity in performing arts BY

MANAN LUTHRA

II

iversity is part of my identity, so being a minority and talking about marginalised voices is part of n1y story.

In anything I write, that's going to be the undercurrent."

Yidya Makan is nothing less than a one­ woman tour de force. The Queensland native with Indian and South African roots can act, sing, compose, play piano, and write. Her recent perfonnance credits include the role of Catherine Parr in SIX, a musical re-telling of the lives of King Henry VIIl's wives which toured Australia in 2020, and the lead role of Maria iJ1 The Colour of Darkness, a filtn about India's social history available on SBS On De111and.

"Diversity is iJ1teresting, and 1nakes for interesting storytelling," Vidya tells Indian.

Link. "Musical theatre is a!J about the

underdog, where a character will want son1ething and then have to go through obstacles to prove that they can get it. In .Disney n1ovies, [the hero is] almost always son1eone who's unseen, or pushed to the side, or one of the freaks. Which is the minority story."

This minority story is something Vidya (.) has lived experience of. Exposed to the b..

See Vidya Makan as Catherine Parr in SIX The Musical in its Sydney season commencing h arts at a young age with her theatre-loving family ("I learned to read music before l learned to read English"), she was inspired Conservatorium in the mid-2010s, Yidya's "[SIX is] revolutionary in the way that it gives power to these women's voices and

by Julie Andrews' performance as Maria career coincides with a turning point in the von Trapp in The Sound ofMusic. Yet the performance industry. Revisionist musicals contextualises them in the modern day for a like f-Ja,nilton (created by one of Vidya's all­ self-proclaimed to1nboy reca!Js that despite modern-day audience. Each of [Henry VII l's] her parents' full support of her following time favourite creatives, Lin-Manuel Miranda) wives, who have always been portrayed are revolutionising the way that people of through a very white, male, patriarchal lens, her artistic endeavours, they did show initial apprehension when she expressed her desire colour can get on stage, replacing all-white get their own retelling of how they're so historical figures with multi-ethnic casts and famously known. Even though the n1usical is to take up performance as a career.

"They were hesitant because there was no crew. Outrage over the lack of opportunities set up as a pop concert and is not a realistic one who looked like me in lhe industry or in for culturally and linguistically diverse show, its power is that we actually get to see who these characters are in their own aU the theatre shows we'd seen," she explains. performers on screen is leading to movements championing this issue, giving us films Like perspectives."

"The idea of having a career in a space that we weren't typica!Jy part of, was scary for then1."

Black Panther. The Australian theatre industry This power is central to another piece of work from 2020 • for which Vidya found Pushing forward nonetheless and gaining a is foUowing this path towards inclusivity, of which SIX is a good example. herself nominated for a Green Room Award, a Bachelor of Music degree at the Queensland performing arts prize. Her song / Need You To See Me featured over 100 perlormers of colour in its n1usic video. Described as an 'explicit invitation to the entertainment industry for visibility and diverse representation', it includes lines such as Your world never saw me look what I've already achieved I won't let you ignore tne...

I breathe the air of this land And I need you to see ,ne.

Clearly, as she writes borrowing from a much-regarded idol, Vidya is keen 'to be in the room where it happens.'

Having packed in over half a decade of working full-time in the performing arts, Yidya has witnessed her star power (and

UP CLOSE & PERSONAL CURRENTLY READING: Putting it Together by James Lapine CURRENTLY LISTENING TO: The Daily by The New York Times

Vidya Makanas Catherine Parr in SIX The Musical

34 NOVEMBER 2021

ALL-TIME FAVOURITE ARTISTS: Stephen Sondheim, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Toby Marlowand Lucy Moss

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n December workload) continue to rise. Aside fro1n SIX (which will resun1e its nationwide tour after lockdown ends), she is set to perform in Hayes Theatres' Merrily We Roll Along (which was delayed due to COYCO) and continue developing The Lucky Country, a new musical in conjunction with the Create NSW Musical Theatre FeUowship.

While a career in BolJywood still eludes her - though an enthusiastic "hell yeah" indicates she'd rectify that in an instant she's also finding time to engage with those cultural roots, having recently watched 6ln1s like Khabi Khushi Khabi Chain "for the first tin1e in n1y life".

C 0 (/) C ..c

With those experiences in mind, she candidly offers the following advice for all diverse artists trying to follow in her footsteps.

"You have to be unafraid to take up space and assert your presence in spaces that might not necessarily see you. Also, find your tribe.

Find your co1rununity, because that's where my career started to take off. If I hadn't found the incredible creat:ives that 1 did, I wouldn't be achieving success in the commercial world now. They gave me a space where I could actually be 1nyself and be seen as n1yself. And 1 guess the world took note because of that."

She laughs, "That's such stereotypical advice, but it works."

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O UT D O O RS

• Small space g a rdens need not be u ninspi ring a n d m u ndane Zoning Understand your needs and

BY

GOPIKA S ith land size shrinking, big houses with smaJI garden spaces are becoming co1nmonplace.

This means the scope of landscape design ca1u1ot be elaborate - it must be succinct. If you have bought a house in a new development area and are clueless about working within a sn1all space, then this article could help you create functional and aesthetic space.

Remember, small space gardens do have a major advantage: they require less maintenance if planned and executed well, saving time and energy.

Style Decide early on what theme or

style you want for your s1na1l space garden, what will suit your family needs, as well as what will match the surroundings. Adding too n1any features in s1nall space may seen1 like clutter, so stick to either a colour theme, or layer the plants according to size or a particular style to create interest. Regardless of style, every garden should connect the indoors to the outdoors seamlessly and be sustainable, benefitting both you and your surrounds.

wants and zone your small space according to your family needs. For example, if kids' space and a cozy sit-out place is required, prioritise these and lay out the garden around it. Keep your plant selection minimal and n1ass plant to get the greenery.

By adding different flooring like pavers, deck, concrete with outdoor rug, you can zone the small space garden with a palette of materials.

Levels and Layers Adding

distinct levels to the small space will provide a perception of spaciousness. Do this by including a deck, or a vertical garden with climbers, a raised garden bed, above ground plunge pool, sunken terrace or hanging baskets.

Varied levels can also be achieved by layering plants in the garden bed, or with a clever choice of hardscape structures like built-in seats etc.

Colour and year-round interest Add colours and texture

in your plant selection, furniture, and hardscape to give the small place a distinct vibe. Year-round interest with plant selection will do the trick for small space as well. If time is of the essence, a general thumb rule to achieve low maintenance garden design is to select at least two to three plants each of medium size, small size, ground cover plants and mass plant them. Consider the sun exposure, wind, and the directions of the yard for placement of plants to thrive. For example, south facing yard planting should consider shade and wind tolerance plants in their plant selection. Select plants with varied leaf colow· or texture or shape to add interest.

Focal point Have one focal point

strategically placed in your small garden, like a feature tree, statement pots, small water feature, coloured wall or fence and mirror. The idea of focal point in garden is

To create a feel of space, think of a deck, or a vertical garden with climbers, a raised garden bed, sunken terrace or hanging baskets

to create an interest, an illusion and cleverly camouflage the boundaries.

Furniture and lighting Built-

in seats with storage space, collapsible furniture and built-in barbeque and seat can be weaved into the small space garden with clever placement.

Some up - lighting near feature trees, and downlights near pathways and seating a1·ea will enhance the garden appeal even in chilly weather.

Planting If you are time poor, then

choosing low maintenance and hardy plants for your smalJ space garden is a wise idea. To keep your garden style to low maintenance, plant selection is vital. If you're going with a colour theme, son1e of the low maintenance plants are Medium shrubs Raphiolepis indica (Indian Hawthorn), Gardenia, Loropetalum chinense (Chinese fringe flower) Low level shrubs Agapanthus, Lomandra, Dietes species (Wild iris) Ground cover Carpobrotus (Pig face),

Sedum, Gazania

Designing a small space garden is a challenge but it is possible. With a bit of creativity and some smart choices, a s1nall garden can be transformed into a stunning place that suits you and your fanlily.

NOVEMBER 2021 37

T R AV E L

The top-rated tourist attractions in and a round Perth - a city with so much to discover

FREMANTLE

Situated on Perth's southern fringe, Fre1nantle is a vibrant port city. Discover the historic waterfront district at Victoria Quay lined with warehouses and learn about its seafaring past at the Maritime Museum.

Stroll down High Street, one of Australia's most beautiful streets lined with 19th century heritage buildings. At South Terrace you'll find cafes, pubs and restaurants offering al fresco dining. Learn about Australia's convict past at Fremantle prison and explore the Roundhouse dating back to 1830.

BY PETRA O'NEILL esidents of Perth will proudly tell you that their city is the most isolated in the world. The journey fron, Sydney on the Indian Pacific train takes 65 hours. Having worked on that train, after journey's end in Perth, I'd go and explore the sights. Here is a guide to what you can see and do.

ROTTNEST ISLAND

ELIZABETH QUAY

This revamped precinct is the place to go to enjoy newly opened riverside restaurants, while rooftop bars offer sweeping views of the city. It's also a pleasant place to stroll alongside the Swan River.

enjoy. Close by, the Art Gallery of Western Australia has a splendid indigenous art collection that's well worth seeing.

CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS

SHOPPING AND DINING

The Perth Cultural Centre is a dazzling new structure integrated within heritage buildings. It reflects the stories and cultural traditions of Western Australia from the perspective of its Indigenous co1nmunities. The centre also showcases mineral and crystal collections, and interactive exhibitions that children will

Margaret River

laneways have been reinvigorated with decorative street art. Howard and Wolf Lane are jam packed with cafes, boutiques and bars that buzz night and day.

Jump on-board a ferry for a 40-minute ride to Rottnest lsland. A postcard perfect car­ free getaway, it offers 63 stun11ing white sand beaches, protected bays, coral reefs and many friendly quokkas, ot· pint-sized furry wallabies. .Hire a bike and cycle around the island to find your own beach, or catch the Bayseeker Bus that stops around the island.

BEACHES, PORTS AND ISLANDS

GETTING OUT BUSH FOR WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS

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Trinity Arcade and London Court are beloved by locals, and flash designer boutiques line the southern end of King Street. At the northern end, you'll find numerous bars and restaurants. The newly refurbished State Buildings are a haven for foodies offering high end dining, as well as bars and boutiques. Many of Perth's

With 19 beaches and long sunny days, Perth is heaven for beach lovers. The most well known are Cottesloe with its terraced lawns and surfy hot spot Scarborough.

Linger here to watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean.

•

38 NOVEMBER 2021

Kings Park is a 400-hectare park in the city centre with stunning views overlooking the city and Swan River. With 3000 native plant species on display, it's spectacular at any time of year. While there be sure to experience the elevated walkway high

I

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Margaret River Vineyards

., Thrombolites.:_!'!!iJorup National Park 2

Cycling in Rottnest Island

above the tree canopy. If you want to see oldest winemaking region. Explore the valley's n1any historic townships, boutique unspoilt bushland, you won't have to travel far. On the eastern edge of the city, the Perth wineries or sample beer, cider or ginger Hills are home to several national parks of beer at one of many micro breweries. The towering jarrah trees. Among the abundant district is also renowned for chocolate, native shrubs are waratahs, grevilleas and cheese and walking trails, including Bells wattles, especially spectacular Rapid and Nobel Falls. when flowering.

The Avon Valley encompasses a vast area A 45-minute drive north of Perth, Yanchep National Park that stretches from Beverley features limestone caves, lakes, in the south to New Norcia and woodland forest. Walking in the north. Stroll around trails provide encounters with quaint historic townships grey kangaroos and koalas, such as York, delve into and there is an abundance of pioneer history, and drive native birds including black among rolling hills to enjoy swans, pelicans, and parrots. At the wildflowers. If you have Karakamia Sanctuary you'll see Rottnest Island quokka time, consider driving the Silo native animals in a bush setting.

Trail, a series of large murals 47kms south of Perth, Rockingham is painted on towering grain silos. known for its rugged coastline, and for The Margaret River is one of tny the pods of dolphins that visit between favourite regions of Australia. To enjoy September and June, best viewed from a it fully you'll need more than a day or boat or by swimming alongside. You can two. 1-lere you'll find renowned wineries also visit nearby Penguin Island, home to a with cellar doors to sa1nple, a spectacular colony of fairy penguins. rugged coastline with some of the best surf conditions in the world, delicious food, and art gaUeries showcasing the work of GOURMET CUISINE, local artists. You can also kayak along FINE WINE AND QUAINT TOWNSHIPS the Margaret River or follow one of many The Swan Valley, a 25-minute drive walking trails with expansive views of north east from the city centre, is WA's windswept hills and ancient caves.

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TO SPIN THE WHEEL NOW

NOVEMBER 2021 39

BY

EKTA SHARMA oh tyohaar hi kya, jismey jalebi naho? What's the fun in

festivities without jalebis?

And a Diwali without jalebis, now that's unheard of.

Of course, if you're a jalebi fan like n1e, you don't wait for Diwali or any other tyohaar (festival) to show that jalebi love.

Perhaps for me, this stems from the days my dad, another jalebi fan, brought hon1e hot crispy jalebis almost every Sunday, and without fail on school exam results day, on birthdays and on anniversaries.

You'll find jalebi on any list of top lndian sweet eats. Except, did you know, jalebi is not originally Indian! Yes, you heard that right jalebi came to India from Persia. It's been variously called zolabiya, jalepi, and jalipi, but this spiral sweetness has now become a Diwali mainstay.

As an adult, I learnt that you don't have to be a halwai to make perfect jalebis: with the right meastu·en1ents and step wise instructions, you're all set to go.

I've experimented with three different recipes for this Diwali. You can too - don't worry, they're easy-breezy to execute, and the results are delicious.

Bhai �vaah, as they say in that song Afghan Jalebi. (Okay, honest confession - I've caught myself humming this number a bit too often these past few days ... ). You might prefer Jalebi Bai, or Jalebi Baby, as your go-to song when you try these recipes out, let me know!

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BEETROOT JALEBI INGREDIENTS

■ 1 cup plain flour ■ ½ cup ghee ■ 2 tsp cornflour ■ 1 tsp chickpea flour (besan) optional ■ ½ cup beetroot juice or very fine beetroot puree (To make beetroot juice, half boil the beetroot, cool down and puree) ■ 2 pinches baking soda ■ Ghee for frying For the sugar syrup ■ 1 cup sugar ■ A few drops of lemon juice ■ 2 cups water

PAN EER JALEBI

INGREDIENTS

■ 1 cup paneer ■ ½ cup plain flour ■ 1 ½ cups sugar ■ Ghee for frying ■ Powdered pistachio for garnish.

For the sugar syrup ■ 1 cup sugar ■ Pinch saffron or powdered cardamom ■ 2 cups water ■ 2-3 large slices of lemon

METHOD

■ Add a little water to plain flour and whisk to pouring comsustency. For this version of jalebi, you'll need to keep whisking for 5-6 minutes. Set aside for an hour.

■ To make the sugar syrup, combine sugar and water in a deep saucepan. Bring it to a boil and then let it bubble away for 10 minutes, till it reaches one-string consistency.Add lemon slices and saffron or cardamom powder and keep it aside.

■ Mash paneer and knead till very smooth. Add to batter.

■ To make jalebis, heat ghee in a flat wok or pan. (Keep heat medium - high heat will harden this version of jalebi.)

Gently squirt your batter in, in spirals. Use tongs to flip over.

Dunk into syrup when done, for about a minute or two.

■ Serve sprinkled with powdered pistachio.

METHOD

■ Mix flour, a spoonful of ghee, beetroot juice, cornflour, besan if using, and baking soda in a large bowl. Add just enough water to make a batter. Make sure it's not too flowy. The beetroot will give it a gentle pink colour.

■ Set aside while you make the sugar syrup.

■ Combine sugar and water in a deep saucepan. Bring it to a boil and then let it bubble away for 10 minutes, till it reaches one-string consistency. Add lemon juice and keep it aside.

■ To make jalebis, heat ghee in a flat wok or pan. Gently squirt the batter in, in spirals. Use tongs to flip the jalebi over. Remember not to fry your beetroot jalebis too brown. They must be kept light pink. Dunk into syrup when done, for about a minute or two.

Serving suggestion: Beetroot jalebis taste best with yogurt or rabdi.

NOVEMBER 2021 41

E N T E RTA I N M E N T

•

--------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 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 It's a fascinating p ick of Indian fi l ms this time rou nd I t's been a while since we have had such I I an interesting bunch of Indian films at I I the Sydney Film Festival.

I I India's only all-fen1ale newspaper.

A recently widowed north-lndian I I wo1nan who wants to Live it up. A 9 y- earI I old boy transfixed by cine1na. Scientist I I and activist Dr Vandana Shiva.

And perhaps 1nost significantly, an I I opening night feature produced by I I Indian-origin Australian filmmaker I I Sheila Jayadev, set right here in our backyard • in Western Sydney.

I I The film Here Out West sounds like a I I great pick for opening night. Produced I I by entertain1nent lawyer turned filn1maker Sheila Jayadev, it looks at the I I lives of a whole range of diverse families I I that make up Blacktown - Australia11, Eight emerging writers from diverse I Fire. Based on India's only all-female I background got together to workshop I Bangladeshi, Chilean, Chinese, I publication Khabar Lahariya, it follows Burmese, Kurdish, Indian, Lebanese, I and write this film, including Bina I I the trials and tribulations of its Dalit Filipino, Vietnamese. They come Bhattacharya and Arka Das. journalists not only as they face off a I I I gender-based hierarchy and a ruthless together over a single day, following the From India, Sydney Film Festival I mainstream media, but also the changing I I brings us the docu1nentary Writing With kidnapping of a baby from hospital.

n 1an

42 NOVEMBER 2021

nature of the industry itself as they struggle to move fron1 print to digital.

Directed by Sushmit Ghosh and Rintu Thomas, the fil.m con1es to Sydney after huge acclaim at Sundance Film Festival earlier this year - winning the Audience Award for World Cinema (Documentary); World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Impact and Change, and a nomination for the Grand Jury Prize for World Cinema (Documentary).

In the film Just Like That the recently­ widowed Mrs. Sharma decides to live her life to the fullest - despite the cultural traditions and expectations she'll be breaking along the way. Directed by Kislay Kislay, the film offers a clear and unflinching look at female agency in India. It has been nominated for multiple Best Film awards at various international film festivals.

Critically acclaimed director Pan Nalin's Last Film Show follows 9-year-old Samay who is fascinated by the world of cinema, unmoved by his conservative father's views on the 'immorality' of the medium. Sydney Filn1 Festival marks the premiere of this film.

The docun1entary The Seeds of Vandana Shiva is based on Indian social activist and physicist, Dr. Vandana Shiva, well-known for her role in the anti-GMO movement. She stood up to the corporate powers at agricultural giant Monsanto by suing then1 in 1999 for their illegal GMO Bt cotton strain trials in India.

Her stance against corporates is just as strong as her push for organic/local food systems. Dr Shiva won the Sydney Peace Prize in 2010. The film, directed by American filmn1akers Camilla and James Becket, features a cameo by actor Mark Ruffalo.

Together, these films look set to give us a feel of the emergence of a new-look India, one where change is afoot, and the perspective is far-sighted. The shift indeed the revolution - whether in societal codes and mores or in issues that concern us all as humans, springs from the very basic individual or small group level, ie from regular citizens willing to drive change.

That this change is being spearheaded by women in charge, not at the highest political, business or institutional levels, but at the very grassroots, is incredible.

The Sydney Film Festival 2021 program can be found online at sff.org.au.

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

E N T E RTA I N M E N T I

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

1

I I I I I I

TABBAR {SonyLIV)

I

I STARRING: Pavan Malhotra, Supriya

I I

I DIRECTED BY: Ajitpal Singh

Gagan Arora, Sahil Mehta, 1 Pathak, Paramvir Cheema, Kanwaljit Singh,

I Ranvir Shorey, Ali Mughal and

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1 Nupur Nagpal

I I Set in the heart of rural Punjab, in Tabbar, family means everything to I retired police constable Omkar (Pavan I Malhotra).With the conniving mind of

1 a seasoned policeman, Omkar pushes all boundaries to save his family from

I falling apart in this dark crime thriller.

I His wife Sargun (Supriya Pathak) I is his perfect match, the yang to his yin. She had always dreamt of a big I and happy family and was unsure if a I policeman husband would devote his

I­ I I I I I I I I

1

1 I I 1 I I

1 I I I I I

I demeanour, her hallucinations I symbolising her tortured soul, and I I the guilt she experiences, are all encapsulated beautifully in the I I narrative, along with lines of the Sufi I I mystic and poet, Baba Farid.

I The entire series appears robust, I but it is the fifth episode which is I I the weakest of the lot. The writing I I and poor direction chancing with I I minor cinematic liberties - like Happy stealing the helmet, then snatching I I his girlfriend's purse, and later trying I I to convince her that her father is not I I killed but has committed suicide - make the sequence of events I I unconvincing.

I I The performances of its ace casts I provide Tabbar with its best moments. I The scenes between Pavan Raj I I Malhotra and Supriya Pathak looking I deeply miserable, stand out. Similarly, I I time and energy to it. Omkar made I investigation.

I Gagan Arora, Sahil Mehta, Paramvir a promise then, before marriage, Cheema and Nupur Nagpal are sincere I This eight-episode drama tells us 1 I about events that occurred in the last and now, it is evident that he is still and earnest.

I I two weeks at the residence of Omkar. I honouring that commitment.

Ranvir Shorey as the upcoming It turns out that the family, Omkar I The series begins with 'Karam Din', or I politician Ajeet Sodhi, Rachit Bahal as I his younger brother Maheep Sodhi, Ali I and his two sons Happy (Gagan Arora) I the 'day of destiny'.

I The episodes, which follow Mughal as Ajeet's Man Friday, Multan, and Teji (Sahil Mehta), have notjust I I sequentially, are: 'Jhoot' (Lies); 'Sach' I and Babla Kochhar and Seema been keeping secrets from their I neighbours. They have been keeping I (Truth); 'TureyaJa' (Keep Walking, I Kaushal as Palak's parents Suneel secrets from each other too. An incident and Tanu Mahajan, all have their I I or Exploring Within); 'Kaai', which I at their home that rolls on account of could be interpreted as Time; 'lshq' moments of on-screen glory. Kanwaljit I (Love); 'Hanera', or Darkness, literally, I Singh in a minuscule role as lnderji is I selfd - efence boomerangs into a fullI fledged jamboree of a high-profile case I but symbolically and mystically, it I wasted in the series.

Overall, mounted with decent involving the local politicians, drug I 1 connotes Ignorance; and 'Birha', I cartels and the police. production values, the series is or Separation, which also implies a I I longing for reunion.

I visually atmospheric as each frame Complicating the issue is Palak I (Nupur Nagpal), the love interest The narrative is rich in literary I I appears to be realistic and is of Happy, who's now engaged to I I symbolism, which portrays the ethos I painstakingly captured. The sound design too elevates the viewing of its cinematic universe. The ominous his cousin, Lucky (Paramvir Singh I I cawing of the crow, the unpredictable I experience.

Cheema), an enthusiastic police I constable inevitably drawn into the I weather, Sargun's Macbethian I Troy Ribeiro - -I I I forms the crux of the narrative.

I confident Sita on stage with grace.

I Rajendra Gupta as Rajaram's dad 1 The film is minutely detailed and 1 Panditji is natural, so are Rakesh perfectly cast. What makes it stand I I out is Hardik Gajjar's direction. He I Sharma as Bhajrangi, Ankur Vikal as I astutely manages to guide his team to I Bhurelal who plays Ram, Ankur Bhatia, I I I deliver the best, be it in performances, I who plays Laxman, and Bhagyashree

-------------------�-----------------------

1 BHAVAI (Theatre release) DIRECTED BY: Hardik Gajjar

I STARRING: Pratik Gandhi, Aindrita I Ray, Flora Saini, Rajendra Gupta, I Rajesh Sharma, Abhimanyu, Ankur

Vikal, Ankur Bhatia and Gopal K. Singh.

I ***

I Set in the village of Khakhar in Gujarat, I Bhavai, a popular folk theatre form, provides the backdrop of this tragedy.

I The film is a layered tale of two I star-crossed lovers who meet while I performing the Ramlila in the Bhavai style.

I When a travelling troupe of the I Ramlila owned by Bhavar Singh comes I to his village, Rajaram Joshi (Pratik Gandhi), son of the village pandit I (Rajendra Gupta), realises that this I is the opportunity for him to achieve

music, or visuals. His writing, too, is commendable. The dialogues are down-to-earth, realistic and embellished with the right amount of local flavour.

The only issue is Gajjar's script.

The first act moves at a leisurely pace with an undertone of religious fervour fanning the narrative. The second and 1 third acts simply seem rushed.

I The performances by the characters I are captivating. They all live their parts to perfection. Pratik Gandhi slips into I Rajaram Joshi's shoes effortlessly, I stealing the show with his boy-next1 door looks and stardust in his eyes.

I His transformation from the ordinary village boy mouthing the Tandav I Stotra to becoming Ravan is simply I commendable. His sincerity touches I the right emotional chords, but the script does not allow him to flourish.

I Aindrita Ray is promising as the I defiant Rani who embodies the

I I I I I I

I I I I I I I

his dream of becoming an actor. With perseverance and happenstance, he secures the role of Ravan.

During his stint with the troupe, Rajaram Joshi forms a bond with Rani (Aindrita Ray), who plays Sita, and given the circumstances, they plan to elope. How the character, Ravan of the Ramlila, comes to define Rajaram's life,

I I I I I I I I

I I I I 1 I I I I I

Mote as Rani' s friend Pyari. Their performances resonate with the right attitude, both as people and actors in the Ramlila. Gopal K. Singh as the local politician Ratan Singhji is wasted in a minuscule role. The others in supporting roles, too, are perfectly handpicked and deliver outstanding performances.

Visually, the film is aesthetically mounted. The high production values boosted by cinematographer Chirantan Das' visual instincts, the stirring score

by Prasad Sashte and Shabbir Ahmed, which include well-crafted songs, elevate Gajjar's effort.

The last frame of the film - a quote

by Buddha that states, "It is man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways" - is directed towards a society blinded by religion and culture.

Overall, the film is a mild attempt to be an eye-opener.

Troy Ribeiro

NOVEMBER 2021 43

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SMS only 04991 61 230

www.indianlink.com.au

F O R ET E L L

November 2021

BY M I NAL KH O NA Mina I 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

E

The self-employed could have some losses, and colleagues could act up for those in a job.

Take a different approach to stay on top of things. Several events could help to get over a crisis at work or i n your love life. Stress-related health issues and aches and pains could crop up. Money is tight this month and you may not be able to save any. Any troubles you have been having within or without will soon end.

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

D

Work, finishing ongoing projects and letting go of the past will keep you busy. A new opportunity can come along at work or in your love life. Home improvement is on the cards. Circumstances improve, making you feel good about yourself.

Work and home keep you busy so go easy on the nightlife, so you have time to rest. A renewed project or a new business helps you earn more. If you are clear about your goal, go for it.

E

I I E I I JU 1 I I I I I I I I I I I I Emotions could run high this month I You feel a strong urge to opt for a I across your personal and professional I different profession as the current one doesn't satisfy you anymore. Your life. An unexpected meeting with I someone could lead to a business I spiritual quest keeps you afloat as you I acknowledge the temporariness of I opportunity. Travel plans get shelved; I every situation. A trip could lead to new I it is for the best. Work hits highs and lows this month. A sense of emotional opportunities. Be careful while driving I or while using gizmos at home to avoid I emptiness could add to your problems I accidents. Money seems blocked adding I and may even cause health issues.

Delayed income or money owed will to your frustrations. But freeing your I mind from self-imposed limitations can I start to come in. Shift your energy and I bring success. Do not fear change and I focus to productive areas of your life for I go with the flow.

I inner contentment.

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22

You may have gone through some life­ changing events recently. Work at being less reactive and more responsive in difficult situations. Singles have a lot happening in their lives, so romance takes a back seat. Work seems unrewarding and adds to the vacuum within. Panic attacks or other health issues could bog you down but take it easy and things will get better.

Look beyond the surface of every situation for emotional growth. Introspection will help you resolve internal dilemmas.

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I I I I I I Letting go of the past is what you need to I move on and change yourself. Consider I the feelings of others before expressing I your views. A romantic relationship might end because of a reality check. Work will I be challenging this month. Keep your I communication with others clear to have happier relationships. You may need to I see a doctor if you have a minor ailment.

I The future seems uncertain but plod on, I things will get better. Be objective in every situation to know the truth.

I

I I I I I I To change the outside, it is best to start I with changing the inside. Love yourself I some more before you look for a serious I relationship, if single. Those already involved could be considering getting I married. Be thorough in your work and do I the research required for better results.

A pet could fall sick, or a family member I may need medical help. Avoid substance I abuse and binge drinking. Delayed I payments will start coming in. Voice your ideas and work on them.

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

You seek financial security and evaluate your relationship too, wanting security there as well. A lack of fulfi lment in your love life makes work and all else seem lacklustre. A health condition needs immediate medical advice. You will clear any debts you may have as money flows in. Be careful about loss of money though. You may lose a loved one to death. Be completely honest about your own mistakes and what you can do to correct them.

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

1 - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - 1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

For those of you repeating patterns in your life, watch out for you may learn a lesson that will never let you repeat them again. A problem that seems beyond resolution should be let go off to a higher power for peace. A chance to make some extra cash could come your way. A difficult situation could also be resolved amicably. Take more rest and avoid the energy drainers. A new job opportunity is also on the anvil; overall, things will start to get better.

I I I I I .------=-=-=--=----=:-:-:--:--:-=------. 1 .------ -=-=� -=-=,- -===-�---, l .---� F==-:-=----:--:-:- =-=,..,...,... -=- =,--� 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 presence of a major arcana could I I The practical Capricorn might be even I You are looking for a sense of being I indicate a pregnancy, looking for a I I more so this month as they pick the I centered and grounded. Singles could card for Virgo. You become meticulous meet someone unique and the attraction creative project and for the single, the I I in what you do and more decisive, which I will be mutual. A personal problem leaves I chance of a romance. If considering I I is not a bad thing. A break-up leaves you I you confused; give it time to get resolved. I moving in with a current partner, give it I devastated. News of the passing away of I Introspect and cleanse your chakras for I some time. You could travel on a break or I someone could make matters worse. If a healthier outlook all around. Money will look to buy your own home. Those bored I with their jobs may want to move to a line I I you have a health issue, get it checked I come in giving you relief. Guidance and I before it affects your work. Don't invest I success come your way to help you take I of work that gives them more interaction I the next step i n your career. What you with people or creative opportunities. Any too much into new business plans, they I could fall through. Allow the higher I want will come to you; have clarity about I delays in money matters or other aspects I I of your life, are temporary.

I I powers to guide you.

I your goals however.

NOVEMBER 2021 45

BAC KC H AT DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR AUNTYJI? EMAIL INFO@INDIANLINK.COM.AU

-------------------------------O I L maange mJ?ne

Te re c h e h re pe�..

SALAAM AUNTYJI. I hope you are well during COVID. My name is Saira Rukshana. When I was younger. people called me Saira Banu because I looked like the great actress of yore. In fact. Saira Banu the star and I share not only the same name but also our birthdays. Anyway. my grandson has recently gotten married in the UK. and his new du/hon insists on having a weekly catch up on Zoom because she wants to see us when she talks to us. But Auntyji, hamari boat yeh hai, ki I don't like going on Zoom because it is not the most flattering for me. So I always tell the nayi dulhania that we have technical issues and that we can only do audio. My husband Zulfi says not to worry about how I look and to just make connection with Shaila. Can you please tell me how I can end this once and for all, and convince Shaila that audio is best?

Looking forward to your guidance.

AUNTY JI SAYS

Tauba tauba. yeh kis jahil se hamara path cross hua hai? Arre kalmouhi, sharam nahi aati, at your age? You are a grandmother. and here you are. one foot in the kabar. worried about your

---

looks. you old banana peel? Khuda ne

tujhko achcha chehera zaroor diya tho if you looked like Saira Banu. but aka/ to bilkul nahi di. At your age. you should

be thinking about your good deeds. and building connections. yet here you are. worried about what you look like on Zoom. Zaroor tumhari ticket to jahannum is assured. You have a new family member who is doing her bit to connect. and to spend time virtually with you, and your narcissistic. self­ centred pride on your faded looks is more important to you. Di/ ko dekho, chehere nah dekho, because chehere ne laakhon ko loota. Do you remember this Bollywood song? Di/ sacha our chehera jhoota. Except in your case, your di/ is koala like the kaja/ you probably wear.

You are not even a tit on Saira Banuji's face - because you let your faded beauty keep you from forming a loving relationship with your grandson's new wife. When you land injahannum. there will be plenty to keep you company.

None of them will be complimenting you on your beauty. They will be laughing at you for prioritising beauty over virtue.

So I have no guidance for you. Get over yourself, you self-centred %*$%#!

DEAR AUNTYJI I have a particular problem I desperately need your help on. One of my sons who is 27 years old recently got married. and because we have a really big house. he and his new wife live with us. My daughter-in-law is nice and I hope they live with us for ever. But Auntyji, my OIL works from home. and my son works in the city. So the problem is this. When my son comes home from work each day. both Ravi and Nina go into their room for over an hour. We don't see them until it's time to prepare dinner - when Nina helps me do this. Auntyji. how do I tell them that when Ravi comes home, it would be nice for me to see him and that he and Nina don't disappear into their room for an hour. How do I tell them to stop this behaviour?

AUNTY JI SAYS

Arre Dayan. tere mouh me kida pade.

Tere sapno me kaali bi/Ii tujh ko noche.

Tere baa/o me nits and lice khushiyaan manaye. May green fungus grow between your toes. You are the worst mother I have ever had the misfortune to write to me in all the years I have been doing this.

What kind of a churail are you that you think your desire for seeing your son is more important than the blossoming needs of his new wife? Don't you remember being newly married. dusht aurat - and what it's like to be in the honeymoon phase? If you had even a jot of maternal inclination, you would be delighted that Ravi and Nina love to spend time with each other. You would be overjoyed and grateful that they are living with you. You should be going out of your way to make life so wonderful for them that they never think of leaving. Yet here you are, wanting to be the first person to be with your son when he returns from work. Seriously, is this what's been bugging you? How can you not want to die in shame for even thinking this way? Listen up besharam kulta. your son is now a man and deserves some alone time with his new wife. Don't you dare impose your neediness on him. And especially don't impose your poop on your new bahu.

If you want Ravi and Nina to continue to live with you. I suggest you change your vyarth thinking - you wacky

dushta bhava. Hey Ram, mujh ko mukti chahiye from your paapi people.

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