All things Indian. In Australia.
RheaL Nath,BageshriSavyasachi, JyotiShankar, RashidaTayabali, Carl Buhariwala, Kuna! Mirchandani, MohanDhall, MatthewForbes, KalyaniWakhare,Sandip Hor,SGopika, Minal Khona, Auntyji
Indian Link is a monthlynewspaper publishedin English. No material, including advertisements designed by Indian Link, may be reproduced in partor inwholewithoutthewrittenconsentofthe editor.Opinionscarriedin Indian Linkarethose of thewritersandnotnecessarilyendorsedbyIndian Link. Allcorrespondenceshouldbeaddressedto:
INDIAN LINK MEDIAGROUP
Level 24/44 MarketSt,Sydney2000
GPO Box108,Sydney 2001
Ph:02 9279-2004
Email:info@indianlink.com.au
BY PAWAN LUTHRAhe lasttwo years seemto have passedin astateof suspended animation- although things happenedaroundus, there was afeelingof beinga casualobserver of our ownactivity. Apandemic,one supposes,does dothat topeople; constantlockdowns addthedimension of GroundhogDay syndrome where we relivethesameday over andover.
As weend 2021 andstart 2022, one hopes, nay, prays, thatCOVIDis behind us. Butwith therecentemergenceofthe newvariant Omicron, one canonly wish that weare ableto keepat bay Pi, Rho andSigma, the next Greek alphabets earmarked forpossiblemutants of COVID-19.
Assuming wearefinally going to geta senseof normalcy, let's look atwhatto expectin 2022inAustralia andglobally.
Herearemysevenissuestolookoutfor:
1. Elections will dominatethe sound cloudinAustraliafor 1nost of theyear, withFederalelectionsto be called beforeMay. It will be a brutalfight betweenSeo-Mo andAlbo andone
suspects it willnot bepretty.If the LaborParty caused astir with their 'Mediscare' campaign inthe 2016 elections, the Coalition hit backwith their retireetax scarecampaignin 2019. Iftheearly analysesare any indications, theIndianAustralian community in certainmarginalseats, especially in Western Sydney, can hold the key to theLodge.TheLiberals needto doubledown to winthem over - there's a fair bitof anger therein thecommunity.
2. Property prices are predictedto continuerising but notasstronglyas in 2020/21. Modest price increasesin 2022 willallowagradualslowdown in 2023. Theonly caveat to the priceincrease willbe if interest rates increase sharply, butin a Federal electionyear that will nothappen.
3. Thereturn of theinternational studentswillbe welcomed by universitiesandemployers who are facingstaffingissues. The debate on migration numbers will be rampedup asskillshortages continue to bite.
4. China willalso dominatethe front pages of newspapersin thecoming year,perhaps the comingdecade. For its part, China willfocus attention on
developingcountries who feelthey have been ignoredby the developed countries. And the battle between the twosuperpowers - China andthe US will rageon.
5. With mid-termelectionsin the US, expectDonaldTrumpto rally the faithfulagainstboth theDemocrats andparts of the Republican ranks. An1erica isfragmented as a country with a dividedpopulation between the Republicans and Democrats,and Trump willplay to this weakness.
6. India willalso be fascinated by electionsas Uttar Pradesh and Punjabgo to thepollsearlyin the year. How PMModi's backflipon farmlawsimpacts his party's election chances couldform thetemplatefor Opposition attacks.
7. The ICC T20 world cup will beplayed inAustralia nextyear: could wehope foranAus VInddrean1 finalatthe MCGon 13 Nov?
Fair to sayitpromises to be an exciting year ahead,as were-emergeon the world stage andcastapandemic-weary look aroundus.
Wishing allofyou ahappy andhealthy 2022.
Goingthroughaseparation? Having trouble managingadifficult relationship? BroadmeadowsFamilyRelationshipCentrecan help. AtBroadmeadows FamilyRelationship Centre we supportseparated familiestoestablish parenting, financialandpropertyagreements. Mediation facilitatedbya neutraland accredited practitionercan help families deal with separation, manage relationships, improve communication and support children tothriveafter separation.
We welcome families fromall cultural and linguistic backgroundsand provide interpreters and support workers to help families from diversebackgrounds through this challengingphase intheirlives.
Formore informationonhowwe canhelpyou,please contact:
O Level1,Building2, 1100PascoeVale Road, Broadmeadows,VIC,3047
G (03)9351 3100
0 info@broadmeadowsfrc.org.au
mackillop.org.au/FRC
Australianfarmerscouldsoon beadopting five common Indianspices, grownwithcleanand greentechnology.
BY JYOTI SHANKAR
rSuryaBhattarai,cropphysiologist atCentralQueenslandUniversity (CQU),iscurrentlyleadingresearch toassesstheagrono1uicsysten1s requiredforfarn,erstoadoptfivehigh-value spicecropscommonlyfoundinourkitchens.
Attheuniversity'sInstituteforFuture FarmingSystemsi11 Rockhampton,Dr Bhattarai'steamislookingcloselyatblack sesame(kaalatil),fennel(saunf), nigelJaseeds (kalonji),caraway(shahijeera)andcunun (jeera).
Thevariedweatherconditionsindifferent partsofIndia-forcenturiesatthecentreof thespicetrade-areidealforgrowingarange ofspicecrops.Australiatoohasvariedclimate zones,rangingfron,equatorial,tropical,subtropicalandte1nperatetodesertsandsenu-arid regions.Sopotentiallyavarietyofspicescould begrownheretoo.
"Demandforspicesisworth$30billionin theglobal1narketandAustraliaproducesjust 3%ofthis,"SuryaBhattaraitoldIndianLink ashespokeaboutCQU'sSpicingUpNorthern Australiaproject.
Historicallythedemandforspiceshas shapedinternationaltraderoutesaswellasthe structureofworldeconomiesinawaythatcan stillbefelttoday.Therewerenumerouswars foughtovercontrolofspiceroutesandarduous voyagesundertakeninanatte111pttoreachthe sourceofspices,suchasthosebyChristopher ColumbusandVascodaGrunainthe 15th century.
Todaythesecondimentsareastapleof manyapantry,anddemandnotrestrictedto justAsianandMiddleEasternkitchens.
Recognisingthatthisdemandforspices showsnosignofslowingdown,theJnstitute's croppingclusterstartedtoresearchgrowing spicesinAustralia.
"Spicesareusedinwaysthatgobeyond flavouringfoodnow,"Suryaobserved. "Demandfromthewellnessindustryhas fuelledaboomforspiceextractionsinthe formofoilsandoleoresins,highlyvaluedinthe nutraceutica1andpharmaceuticalindustry."
Asanexpertcropphysiologist,Suryahas
waste, foruse incremations
alignedhiscwTentresearchwithindustry needs.HisteaJnatCQUworksclosely withcoID1uercialpartnerAgriventis Technologies.Explaininghowtheprocess ofcommercialisationinagricultureworks, hesaid,"Trialsarefirstdoneinuruversity plots,thentestedviafieldtrialswithfarmers atmulti-locations.Resultsgeneratedfrom manualoperationsunderthesmallplottrials arethentestedforadaptabilitytobroadacre mechanisedn1anagementfromplantingto harvesting."
Suryaadmitsthathighlabourcostsin
Australianecessitatesmecha1usationtomake competitivelypricedproducts.Theyworkwith engineerstoresearchequipmentforplanting, harvesting,cleaning,threshingandgrading. "Theentirevaluechainisinvolved.Unlessall thelinksofthischainareconnected,itwould behardtomovethisnewindustryforward,"
stressedSui-ya,presentinganewfaceof academian1ovingbeyondbasicresearch.
Itisagradualmovefromresearchto commercialisation."Onceweunderstandthe science,weconnectpartnerssuchasAgriventis withfarmers,"hesaid.Agriventishasaclosed chainsystemwherebytheysupplytheseedsand buytheproducefromfru·mers,providingallthe requfredpost-harvestvaluechainmanagement. Suchresearchrelationshipsbetweenuniversities andcompaniesaremutuallysymbiotic,enabling innovationforindustry,andresearchfunds andacclain1forwuversities.''Workingwitha rangeofpartnershelpstocoverawiderareaof research,"saidSurya.
Australian KaalaTil
Theteamisparticularlyupbeataboutthe potentialforblacksesame,acropwhose droughtandheattolerancemakesitadesirable cropchoicefornorthernAustralia.Ithas potentialtofitintoexistingcottonorsugarcane fanningsystems.Suryaobservesthatprevious attemptsinAustraliatoestablishsesame productioninthe'90swasfocusedonwhite sesameanddidnotgainmomentumdueto lowcommodityprices.Blacksesameisahighvalueproductreturningapproximately45% morethanwhitesesame.
Australia'sincreasingdomesticdemand, coupledwithglobaldemand,bringsnew opportunitiesforgrowerstoenterinto commercialproductionofblacksesame andnigella,nowinthethirdandfinalstage ofcommercialisationatCQU.Suryahopes tospreadthewordamongotherfarmers whowouldliketoparticipateinfarmtrials. Speakingofopportunitiestojoin,hesaid,"We dofielddayswhenacropisreadyforharvest
whereyoucanmeetwithindustrypartners, growers,localpartnersandresearchers."
Besidesthemaincrop,theyalsoresearch thepotentialofthebiomasswasteleftafter harvestofspices."Wetrytoextractmaximu1n valueoutoftheproductbylookingatitfrom thecirculru·economylens,"saidSurya.For example,blacksesamecropwastecanbe fashionedintofirebriquettes.Realisingthat blacksesamehasspecialsignificanceinHindu cremationrituals,theteamplanstomeet upwithsuppliersofsuchproductsandalso priestsinBenares,whentheytraveltoIndiafor theinternationalSpiceCongressinKochiin March2022.
Recentstoriesinthen1ediaaboutspices taintedwithartificialcoloUJ·scontaining leadcompoundshasraisedconcerns amongconsumers.Discerningconsun1ers areincreasinglyseekingfoodsthathave identifiableprovenanceso thattheycanchoose foodsgrownsustainably.Suryapointedout Australia'sstrongreputationforgreen,clean foodproductsisanadvantage."Withthe exceptionofcotton,Australiadoesnotallow geneticallymodifiedcrops.Sothereisan opportunitytosupplyspicestolocal111arket, aswellastaptherapidlyexpanding global opportunities".
CQUultimatelyhopestodevelopaworldclasscentreforresearchandtraininginspices, herbsandaromaticplants."Wewouldalso liketoexploreuniqueAustralianspicesand tapintothetraditionalknowledgeofour Aboriginalcommunity,helpingthembecome futurespiceentrepreneurs,"Suryasaidabout CQU'slongtermvision.
•
RHEA L NATH reported on the expensive, non-refundable flight tickets and high accommodation costs awaitinginternationalstudents in December.
Deep Dutta wrote: Wedid (warn)them.We had insider news.Yet people thoughtlet's nottake a chance.
Renee Jones wrote: It's a privilegetocometoAustralia, thecountry our parentsandgrandparents built; you're notentitled. Perhaps make opportunitiesin your nativecountryifthat's yourattitude.
Ali Geez wrote(in response):Wow, doyou realisethatthisisIndigenous Aboriginal land? We are all migrantsunless you are Indigenous.Whydon't YOU showsomegratitude?Yourignorance, entitlementtotheland and arrogance isoutrageous
Brittany Watson wrote: Ithink the whole population has been suffering financiallyfrom daytodaychanges. $1000 isnota biglossin the scheme of things.This complaint will fall on deaf ears.
John Walker wrote:Whatisappallingis howall our governmentsturn a blind eye at how(internationalstudents)areexploited The feesthey pay areoutrageous.
Nabeel Shah wrote: Notsuch a bigdeal consideringwearein a pandemic. Australia isstilla leadingdestination forinternationalstudents withdemand forskills and plenty of work opportunities.
Gautam Nath wrote: Well written articlesharingthe plightofthe internationalstudentand in many cases, a parent's plight! I knowof cases where parents have puttheir homeascollateraltobeabletofund a child's internationaleducation bytakingouta student loan.
The Melbourne Renegades player became the first Indian cricketerto win the award in the Women's Big Bash League.
Reddit user dermieZS wrote: Hasbeen awesomefor the Renegades, good to see her rewarded.The morethe Indian women play, the better theyget.Still can't believethereisnowomen'sIPL.
Dkunapun wrote(in response):Weare askingforit, but nobodywill betherein thegrounds empty stadiums
Vishy Narayanan wrote: Inspiring effortfrom Harmanpreet Kaur and theother 7 playersfrom India (Smriti Mandhana, PoonamYadav,Jemimah Rodrigues, DeeptiSharma, Shafali Verma, Richa Ghosh and Radha Yadav). Especiallyafter a longseries with COVID bubbles, lockdownsetc, makingthe inaugural season forIndian womenin theWBBL07 animpactful one. Bringon IPLW 2022!!
Michael Hennessy wrote: HarmanpreetKaurhas been fantastic,and it's been greatto seeso many Indian starsin the WBBL. I'm sure all the players have lovedtheopportunity. I know Iwassoexcited seeingShafaliVerma andAlyssa Healyinthesameteam, butsadly theSixersdidn'tquite fire. What a greatWBBLit's beensofar.
Thankyoutoallthewomen -journalists,survivors, MPs andpublicservants-who have brokenthe stories,spokenout, pursuedjustice.Thewomen's uprisingis oneofthegreatstoriesofthe pastdecade.
Juanita Phillips, ABC presenterWith borders closed to temporary visa holders (again) till 15 December, RHEA L NATH reported on the frustrations ofstudentsstilltrying to return Courtney Maywrote: Stayin India!(Thisisnotina racistway.)There'snothing foryouinAustralia.Itwasoncethelandofthefree butanythingbutnow Rohit Chowdhary wrote: ForgetAustralia,gotoCanadaand NewZealand. Australia Governmentdecisionscan changeanytime.Veryhard migration rules. Nojobs, noaccommodations
PeterTrinh wrote:Itwould beriskycominghere until (the pandemic)isover Ashish Gupta wrote:Thanksfor highlightingour plight. Let'shopewewill be heard bythe peoplewho can changeoursituation
Rini Dharva wrote:Thankyouso muchfor beingthe voiceof many internationalstudents.Appreciateit.
Anjaneya Sharma wrote: Pleasesupportusbylettingus backtoAusaswe alreadylostthousandsofdollarsagainsttheflighttickets booked between Dec 1stto 15th.
TrikoneAustralia chairperson KUNAL MIRCHANDANI explained how the bill, if passed, willaffectyoung LGBTQIA Australians
Navi Ram wrote:Thereare morethan enough protectionsin current legislationtosafeguard thefreeexpression of religion.Allthisbilldoesis effectivelygreen-lightgreaterpowersto discriminate. Never, even asa person witha religion, haveIeverfelt 'persecuted'forit.But Isureashell knowof peoplebeingpersecuted byit. Freedom of religion alsoencompassesfreedom FROMit.Thefederalgovernmentneedstostop and reconsiderits priorities. You know,like recoveringfrom the pandemic perhaps?
Bali Padda wrote:Wellwritten, Kuna!.
Peter Kerr wrote:Apowerful piece.I wonderhowmanyofthe politicians makingthefinaldecisionon thisatrocious billwill makethetimeto readand understandthisarticleand otherslikeit? Certainly not Morrison and hisband of merryzealots.Theseparation of churchand State has becomeincreasingly narrowunderthiscurrentgovernmentandtheLNPneedtoleavethe placeof the peoplesincetheydo not representthe people
Alan Maurice wrote: KunaI,thanksforthisbrilliant message.
BettyJager wrote:Australia hasmorelawsthan any othercountry. Every human beinghasthe righttofollowtheir own faith Nobody hasthe rightto takethataway from us
Alec Bell wrote:Anotherthemand usbill, welldone.
Manan Luthra wrote:Great read
WelcometonewCEOofTwitterwho onaveragetweetsliketwicea month. Becausehehasactualworktodo.Let thisbea lessontousall. SidVadukut,writer
Idon'tknowwhoneedstohearthisbut polio andsmallpoxnever reached naturalherd immunity.Theywereeradicated byvaccines. Mohamad Safa, human rightsand environmentalactivist
RAJNIANAND LUTHRA spoke with theacademic on science, diversity, research, and application in sustainability.
Sheba Nandkeolyar wrote:That'stheIndian diaspora foryou,there are so manyachievers andVeena Sahajwalla hasdone usall proud.I remember therewas a time 20yearsagowhenwecame, and peopledid notknow whatanIIM oran IITdegree meant.
Mahesh Enjeti wrote: People likeVeena Sahajwalla haveofcoursethe 'Midastouch'.
Petra O'Neill wrote:Thisisfantastic news. UNSWaresoluckyto have someonewho istrulyvisionary. Themoreexposurerecyclingand howto repurposegetsthe better.
Ben Kumarwrote:CongratulationsDrVeenaSahajwalla,youmakeusallsoproud!
Rebecca Viney wrote:Greatinterview! Veena istrulyinspirational and bringssomuchenergytothetable. Let'skeepon bringingtheweird and wonderful ideastotheworld!
Australian ofthe Year wrote:We're proudtocallVeena the2022 NSW #AusoftheYearand lookforward tocelebratingherachievementsatthe national awards inJanuary!
Janet Coleman wrote: Perfectchoice. GoVeena!Thisgivesyou a great platformtospreadyourmessagefor us all!
Valentina Della Rossi wrote:Youreyefordetail,frugal on waste and determination are myinspiration!!I hopeweworktogetheroneday.
Mala Mehta wrote: Greatinterview.
Itwas a straightforwardonethistimearound - wherecanyoufind the BigCoins?
BAGESHRI SAWASACHI on how Tamil filmmakers are using thepoweroftheir art to influence millions to knowbetterand be better.
Shraddha Arjun wrote:Agreatsubject,truestoryofrelevance issomething thatneedsto betoldwithequal amountoffinesse and nuance.Although thisfilmiswell intentioned,itlacks in several aspectsofgoodfilm making TryPariyerum Perumal,VisaranaiorevenAsuran inthesamegenreinstead, they'renotonlygreatsubjectsorstoriesbutalsofantasticfilmson theirown theytrusttheintellectoftheiraudience, anddon'tgetpreachyandeffectively drivethe message home,withouttheneedto repeatscenesoverandover.This movieisn'talsofullyfactuallyaccurate. DespiteSuriya'sefforts andthestory /intentions,thefilm isonedimensional, predictableand sometimeslacks sensitivitytowardstheoppressed.Good intentions alonedonotmake afilm great.And honestlytherewasn't much insightintothestruggleofthe lawyer, it seemed likehecruisedthroughthecase,which actuallyisgrosslyinaccurate
Smltha Melkote wrote:A mustwatch movie!!!
RihaanShahwrote:Whata movie! Couldn'tstopcrying,Sanginiwasamazing. Hatsofftoher.
Deeplka Bhartiwrote:Thisone indeed isa brilliant movie. Reddituser Gattameowwrote: Uppercaste Hindus aren'tgoingto likethis
Weaskedyoutoidentifyan iconicstructurethatmarked a sombre anniversary in November.
and Aryan Gupta hadthe rightanswer:The Royal Australian Mintin Canberra.
Even ifthe newvariantdoesn'tend up as bad as people are makingitsound, itisa v important reminderthatwe're notoutof this until we'reALLoutofthis. Rich countriescan'tvaccinatethemselvestosafetyandforgetaboutthe restofthe world.You can'tcontinueto notadequatelyfund healthcare, notfund research, notfundvaccine production andjust hopethatwedont haveanotherwave, anothervariantorlike, the nextthinginXyears.
Nick Eversheld,journoGetthebestofIndian Linkstraightinyour inbox.ScantheQR codetosign uptoour weeklyenewsletter
e livein transfonnational tiines. Collectivelyasa society, andperhapsat theindividual level, wearesteppingintonew chaptersof ourevolutionin thesepandemicdonrinatedtin1es.
The same could be saidaboutusatthe conununitylevel. Here's alookatthe way we've changed asa community: whatwere the trendsand who were the trendsetters inAustralia'sIndian communitythisyear?
Our takeoneventsandissuesin 2021 that hadustalking.
"Doyouknow sotneone who knowsanyone who canhelpsourceanoxygen cylinder? AnICU bed?"
ManyofusinAustralia'sIndian communityreceivedthisora sinrilarly franticmessage thisyear.
Forus, 2021 willgo downasthelifechangingyear when COVIDstruckits ominousblow.
Atfirstthe concern wasfor Indiaas the deadlyDelta spreadmenacingly,andwe studiednun1bers and comparedgraphs.
Thenitbeca,neaconcernfor our
fainilies, as the degrees ofseparation betweenCOYID andus, began to shrink rapidly.
Wescrambledtoorganisecare, and sourcethatelusiveoxygen and thenhospital beds, all whiledesperatelytryingto finda waytoflyhon1easthebordersbeganto inch shut.
And thenthenews beganto comeinof thelovedoneswehadlost.
Asthefuneralpyresburnedawayon our TV screens,itexposedourvulnerability andhelplessnessas adiasporiccommunity thatcouldbutstandbyand watchin the faceofan unmitigatedhealth disasterin the motherland.
Thespecialchallengeswefacedasa com,nunitythen (whocan forgetthose dreaded WhatsApp checkseverymorning), didhavea positiveimpact:theyu1·gedus towardsvaccination. LGAs withhighIndian populationsrecordedthehighestlevelsof vaccination nation-wide.
Another somewhat comforting consequencewasthe motivationto standupforIndia: manyindividualsand organisationswithinandoutsideour co1n1nu1utygatheredfundsto organise help inwhateverwaytheycould.(Aspecial mentionhereto COVIDConnect, abunch ofIndian-Australianhealthcareprofessionals
whoinitiatedoutreach programsin India withevidence-basedtelehealth support, peer-to-peersupport andmentalhealth support.)
One wouldexpect that thecollective grievingthatunfoldedthenwouldhave bounduscloserasacommunity.Alas, we'veseendivisionslikeneverbeforethis year.Tensionsbetween Hinduand Sikh segmentsreachedaflashpointandspilled out onto thestreetsinMelbourne and Sydney. Car andtruckrallies, sabre-rattling with flags, andreligiousand nationalistic sloganeeringultimatelyendedupin mob attacks andassaults. Theissueat handcontroversialagriculturallaws backin the homelandparticulaTlyimpactingfarming communitiesin northwesternIndia.
Whenarrestswerefinallymade,you'd have thoughtthatwas theendof that,and yetstrangely,itonlyescalatedfromthere.
Oneof thearrested,a 24-year-oldstudent andexpiredvisaholderYishalJood, becameahero forhissideasa socialmedia campaignragedon inIndia andinIndian communities worldwideforhis release. SomereportssuggestedIndia'sExternal AffairsMinisterhadintervened.Turnsout, chargesagainst Joodincludingracialhate
crime weredroppedafterhepiedguiltyto somelesserones,hisjailtenn curtailed, and he "was putona plane toIndia" immediatelyupon release. He arrived home toa hero'swelcome.
Meanwhile, as India's Prune Minister and architectofthecontroversial laws announcedasuddenrepeal, itishoped temperatureswillreduceinco,nmunity hotspotshere.Theincidents caused at leastonestategovernmentinAustralia tobecomeinvolvedtodeescalatethe situation, andfor thenewIndian High Commissioner Manpreet Vohrato appeal for "thecampaigns ofhate" to "remainat the fringe," andforthe"discourseto remain sane."
Arapontheknuckles fron1atleasttwo sources.
When Mr Vohra admonishedthe community withhiswell-crafted diplomatese,itwasathisfirstoutingafter beingsafelyensconced in Canberra forthe firstfewmonthsofhis tenure,thanksto lockdown.
No such luckforhisAussiecounterpart BarryO'Farrell,whobravelyfronteda Twitter barragefro1ndesperate,depressed orirateinternationalstudentsevery
tin1ehe uttered a word.AndyetMr O'FarreU 111anaged to use the platform to com1nunicate hisgrowingaffection for his temporary ho1ne. (Love thosepeacock tweets, Barry).
OfcoursetheAustralian High Con1111issioneris currentlybusyshowing an old friendand fonnerbossTonyAbbott aroundIndia. The formerprimeminister is the currentpri,ne1ninister'sspecialtrade envoy. Interestedstakeholdersarekeento seewhetherMrAbbottcansuccessfullyshift the momentu1n in bilateraltrade. Interested stakeholdersare alsowaryofrepeated platitudessuchas "naturalpartners"and "untapped potential"andlonglistingsof areas wheresaid untapped potentiallies. Yet,even asPeter Varghese'sstrategyto engageeconomicaUy withIndia continuesto beinvoked regularly, it'sgood tosee we've movedonfro1n "coal, cricket,curry and commonwealth". MrO'Farrellhashimself advanced fron1theCs tothe Oslately-his buzzwordsbeingDemocracyandDosti. Talkingofbilateral relations, business mightperhaps learna thingortwofron1 academiaand scientificresearch,where the relationship seems tobeforgingon stronger, andwithmuch lessfanfare aboutit all.
It'shardtodiscussIndia-Australia relations withoutaddressingtheelephantin the room: the thousandsofIndianinternational students stillwaitingtocomebackto shore. FromTwitterstormstoprotestsoutside the HighCo1n1nission atDellii,they've resortedtobothonlineand offlineactivism togetsomeclarityfromthegovernment ontheir return.Ourinbox hasseen itsfair
shareofstudentinquiries too. Up until June, though,it seemed therewaslittlehope forthem. (Theirnowinfa,noushashtag #LetUsBackToAuscontinues totrendas borders remainclosedto temporaryvisa holderstill 15 December.)
Pilotplanswere announced andquickly shelved amid lockdowns,questions surroundingvaccines remained unclear until overnight announcements,and nowstudents continuetocrosstheirfingers thatOmicron won'tplay spoilsporton theirAustralian return. Forn1any,though, it'salreadytoo littletoo late - newstudent cohortsare reportedlylookingelsewhere.
At times ofcrises,governmentsdo tend to actas shockabsorbersfor the community. Comn1endably, the NSWand Victoria governn1ents have thisyearsupported fundingfor studentsand temporary migrantsstuckin FortressAustralia. Workingwithco1nmunitygroups,millions ofdollarspoured intothe systemto help with food and acco1nn1odation.Innovation grantsofupto $250,000wereavailable tohelpvulnerableco1nn1u1utiesthrough Multicultu1·alNSW,and Victoriawas offeringupto $100,000togettheir COVID-191uessagingoutbycommunity organisations. Moniessetasidefor communityfestivitiesfound their way to online activities. Therewasaconsiderable pushalsotowru·ds creatingawarenessand fundingformentalhealthissues.
TravelbansInsultingand discriminatory. That'sbowtile communitysaw the
government'stravelbans forIndian-origin Australians, which includedjailtermsfor those returning. Victimised and demonised, theypointedout thatnosuch ruleswere announced for those returning froma similarlystrickenUSA or Europe. Forthe 10,000peoplestrandedin India, returning totheirfamiliesand theirjobsi11Australia proved tobe nothingshortofa nightmare. They were, inexplicably, Australiansbanned from Australia,and notbecause they were terroristsorcriminals,but because theyhad dashed overseastocare forsickand dying relatives.
TheSwastikaFor aslongas they'vebeen residentsofthiscountry,Australia's 450,000strong Hindu con1munity have beenattemptingtode-weaponisethe Swastika intheirown s1nallindividual ways. Thisyear, theygottodo soata higher level, and collectively. Alandmarkreform in Victoriaintendedto stopextremism andpropagandacaused muchconcern, asit aimed toban the Swastikaas aNazi symbol.Itisa symbolmisappropriatedfrom Hinduismandstillin use widely. Shocked at theproposed$10,000fine and sixmonths imprisonmentfor use ofthissymbol, the Hindussoughtconsultationswith the governmentsuccessfully.Itis expectednow that the newlawwillnotimpact thefaith symbol.
KirpansatschoolAfterfu·stcallingfor schools to banthekirpanfollowinga stabbingincidentin whichastudentwas injured, the NSW Governmentbackflipped onlyweekslater. Asaknife, the kirpanis a Sik11religioussymbolsignifyingafight againstinjustice. Sik11students willnow beallowed toweru· toschooltheirkirpans,
undernewguidelinestominimiseany dangerthat mightensue.Thedebateonthe topicinitiallybrought up studentsafety, but concluded with abetter understandingof Sikhismas a religion.In recentyears, the Sikh community and the Sikh faith have come to the Limelightincreasinglythanks to the traditionofseva (selflessservice) especiallyintimesofstrifesuch asbushfires and floods.
MelbourneagainstGandhiThe Melbourne Indian con1111unity's relationship with Mahatma Gandhi, the world'sbest-known Indianand anapostleofpeace,continues to puzzle. Afewyears ago, they voted, quite bizarrely,against a proposaltoerect astatueofthe n1anwhobrought acolonial empire toits knees. Then,when astatue finallycan1e upthisyear,inaugurated with much flourishby the Prin1eMinister himself,itwasdefiledovernightina strange attack, an attemptat decapitation.
Nonviolentprotest?Civildisobedience? Goneare the Gandhianidealsjustat the veryjuncture they are needed,in today's deeplypolarised world.
We were delightedtosee manyofour con1patriotsagain thisyearintheAustralian Government'shonourslists.Academics, medicos and community warriorsled thechargeyetagain,includi11gthe late DrAmarjitSinghMoreofWoolgoolga, DrAnand Naidoo ofCoffs Harbour, Melbourne'sDrSantoshKun1ar and DrSelvin Selvendra, andProfRamesh BalasubramaniamofPerth.
The boffinscontinue todo our communityproud.Onlyweeksago, inventor
andsustainabiJityexpertProf.Veena
SahajwalJa ofUNSW wasnamed NSW Australian oftheYear2022,andscientist andscienceco1111nunicatorDrNirajLal took ho1neacovetedEurekaPrize.
FouryoungIndian-Australiansalsofound then1selveslistedinthenationwide40Under 40Most InfluentialAsian-Australiansfor 2021,includingSydneycouncillorCharishma Kaliyanda, MelbournecorporateheadAnlit Singh,RMIT'sAssocProfSumeetWalia,and BrisbaneentrepreneurYashDutt.
Inanew trend,webroughtyou more reportsthan everbeforethefieldoflaw. Indian-origin Hament Dhanjijoinedthe benchoftheNSW Supren1eCourtthisyear, andPardeepSinghTiwanawasappointed asajudgeoftheCountyCourtofVictoria (Australia).India-qualifiedlawyerMolina Asthanabeca1netheVicePresidentofthe Law InstituteofVictoria.
SPORT
2021 sawahistoricMen'sCricketTest serieswinforIndiahereinAustralia.
Itwill beaTestseriesfortheages, AustralianlegendSteveWaughhad prophesised,andhowrighthewas.A4-Test serieswasdecidedinthelasthourofthe lastdayofthelastTestn1atch.
Itwasaseriesthatbroughtoutthe best- andtheworst- onand offthe fieldbetweentheco1npetitors.lndjawas notbackwardincolllingforwardwith accusationsofsledgingbothonthefieldand byAustraliansupportersoffit.Australiafor theirpartaccusedtheIndian cricketersof manipulatingthesystemwiththeirthreats ofwithdrawingfromcertainvenuesdueto restrictiveCOVIDconditions.Inspiteof allthis,India pulledoffaremarkableseries victory:losingtheFirstTestconvincingly afterbeingbowledoutfor36;drawingthe nextTestinMelbourne;winningSydney, andthenbreakingthefortressoftheGabba,
whereAustraliahadnotlost aTest matchin 32years.Andthls,incredibly,without the servicesoftheirdynamiccaptain ViratKohli formostoftheseries, andthemany injuries sufferedenroute.Theirwin oftheBorder Gavaskartrophydespitethesesetbackswas aspecialn1omentforcrickettragicsglobaJJy.
TheWomen'sserieson theother bandwasadampsquib,butWBBLhas beenawholenewballgame.TheIndian entrantsmadeithugelywatchablefor ourco1nmunity,andthattheyperformed brilliantly wasagreatsourceofpleasure. HarmanpreetKaur'sPlayeroftheSeries award-surelytheicingon thecake.
WonderwhatUn1nuktChand,theBBL's latestIndianentrant,hasinstoreforus.
Meanwhile,mainstreamTV isbeginning towarmtotheideathatitmightlikethe notion ofpossiblyacknowledgingthatitis consideringthatitunderstandsthatpeople ofcolourarepartoftheculturallandscape inthlscountry. Andsowe'vebeguntoseea darkerskintone ortwolightupourscreens. Amongstthenotables,NlasterChefAustralia gotitssecondIndjan-originwinnerinJustin Narayan,andtwelve-year-oldsingerJanaki Easwarmovedthejudgesto tearsonThe Voice.We'rewaitingformorein2022!
Slightlyfurtherafieldfron1popular culture,therewasafairbitofthedarker skin tone inthearts:theArchlbaldsbrought usportraitsofinfectiousdiseasesexpert RainaMcIntyreandartistKeerthana Selvaraj,andtheBlake PrizeforReligious Artgavenewlifeto a2000-year-oldTamil tale,retoldasStoriesofKannagi,awinning entry.
(We'repredictingaVeenaSahajwalla portraitforafutureArchlbaldPrize- if there'sanIndianartistwhocoulddeliver, thatwouldbedoublywonderful!)
TheSydneyFilmFestival,theonlylarge-
scaleculturalprogramluckytohostin-person eventsin pandemictimes,featuredaclever selectionoffilmsfromanew-lookIndia,one wheredeepsocietalchangeisatoot.
In Brisbanecurrently, theAsiaPacific Triennialhasjust openedattheQAGOMA, featuringalistofinterestingcontemporary artistsfromIndia.
What trendsdefinedthecommunitythisyear? MinistersZoominginfrequently. (And lovingit.)Thenumberofonline meetsthat ourpoliticianshaveheldthisyearwith multiculturalmedia,isimpressive. Hardly afortnightpassesby\Vhenthereisn'tan invitetoameeting,stateorfederal,oreven indeed,with the primeminister.Restricted conversations(onCOVIDregulations, borderclosures,visachangesandthelike), it'salwaysentertainingtoanalysewhogets pasttheusual wafflingto provideproper answersto thequestionsposed. Theproliferation ofcommunitysocial mediaplatforms. Loveitorhate it,social medianowplaysamajorrolein our community lifeasaconnectivespacefor communicationandinformation.This isevidencedin therecentriseofniche platformsconnectingpeople withlike needsandinterests.Ayurvedaenthusiast? Desigardener?Desi 1notorcyclerider? Desi4WD fanatic?Stuck in India? Appliedfortravelexemption? New mum? Mum-to-bedoingitwithouthelp?Cooking enthusiast?Artpractitioner?Fashion distributor?Don'tworry,there'sagroup foryou.
Virtualevents.We'vebecomeprosat Zoom,embracingitatthecommunitylevelbusinessevents,consulatecommemorations, healthandwell-beingseminars,poetry contestsandmushairas,literaryfestivals, evendanceandtheatre.(Thankyouand welldone,Melbourne'sIndiancommunity
forthatlastone!)Everything'sonline,and everyone'sZoomingin.
Everyone'san interviewer/'Chaiti1nechats' byfirst-timeinterviewersandself-styled celebritiesareadimeadozen.Presentedin neat packagesandpushedviasocial 1nedia, thesehaveserveda purposeadmittedly, intheCOYID-causedabsenceofreaJ-tin1e interactions.Bepreparedforplentymore!
VAY OR NAY: SCOMO'S CURRY NIGHTS
Here'sthelowdownfromoursocialmedia: Yay,it'snicetoseeourPMembracing Indiancuisine(andthereby,diversity).And hehasan accompanyingplaylist,kaybaat hailNay,it'stokenistic,patronisingwhen hetellsushowtomakeourgarammasala, anden1barrassingwhenheoffersto cooka khichriforNarendraModi. Whlch waydoyoulean?
THUMBS UPTO...
IndianLinkRadio'sMission Jabjingle, featuringadancingpoliceman. Apublicserviceannouncement,this vaccinationmessageparodyinga popular Bollywoodnumberwentviral onTikTok, breaking thecomn1u11ity barrierand garneringmainstreamattention.ltproved thatcultural andsocialperspectivescanbe moreeffectiveinhealthmessagingtargeted atmulticulturalcommunities,asopposed to literaltranslationsofEnglish language con1munications.PatonthebacktoStation DirectorEktaSharmaandherteam!
THUMBS DOWNTO...
TheinfiltrationintoAustralia ofIndia's domesticpolitics,andthedivisionitcauses inan otherwiseharmoniousandhardworkingIndiancomn1unity.
WithinputsbyPawanLutbra, RheaLNath andBagesbriSavyasachi
On 28 October 2021, theAustralian Governmentannounced COVID-19 vaccination boosterdosesfor people 18 yearsofageand older.
Read on to find out moreaboutthe booster program, andwhen you can getyourboosterdose.
Why is there a booster program?
TheCOVID-19vaccinesavailablein Australia-Vaxzevria{AstraZeneca), Comirnaty (Pfizer)and Spikevax (Moderna)- are veryeffective at protecting peoplefrom severe disease, having togoto hospital, and death.They also havea significant impacton reducing the risk ofgetting COVID-19and passing theviruson toothers.
TheAustralian Governmenthas started rollingout boosterdosesto peoplewhocompleted their two-dose primaryvaccination course atleast six months ago.
Itisimportant people knowthattwo dosesof COVID-19vaccine provide verygood protection, especially against severedisease.
Aboosterdose, sixormoremonths after thesecond dose,will makesure thatthe protection from thefirstdoses
is even stronger and longer lasting and should help prevent spreadof thevirus.
Do not rush togetyour boosterdose before sixmonthsof having your initial course, even if you aregoing overseasor you haveother concerns. You can beconfidentthatyour two-dosecourseisgiving youfull protectionfor atleastsix months.
How do I get my COVID-19 vaccine booster dose?
COVID-19vaccines are free to everyoneinAustralia.Thisincludes boosterdoses.
You can go toadoctor, a government vaccination clinic, ora participating pharmacy togetyour COVID-19 vaccine boosterdose.
Tobookyour COVID-19vaccine boosterdoseappointment, visitaustralia.gov.au, or call 1800 020 080. Forinterpreting services,call 131 450.
If youdonotrememberwhen you had yourseconddose, you can find those detailson yourCOVID-19vaccine certificate. Go to servicesaustralia. gov.au forinformationon howto accessyour certificate. Or, if you received your seconddosefrom your doctor, you canaskthem.
What's the difference between booster doses and third doses? Australia'simmunisation experts, theAustralianTechnicalAdvisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), recommend a thirddoseof COVID-19vaccine for peopleaged 12 years and overwhoareseverely immunocompromised. People who areseverely immunocompromised havelowerlevelsofimmunitythan therestofthe population.They need this thirddosetoget thesame protectionotherswill havefrom two doses.
Thosewhoareeligiblefor athird dose should haveitbetween two to sixmonthsafter their second dose
AuthorisedbytheAustralian Government. Canberra.
of COVID-19vaccine, as partoftheir initial course.
Athird COVID-19vaccinedoseis differentfromCOVID-19 booster dose.Boosterdosesare notcurrently recommended for peoplewhoare severelyimmunocompromisedand whohave had athree-dose primary courseof theCOVID-19vaccination. Where do I go for more information?
It'simportanttostayinformed about theCOVID-19vaccination program throughreliableand official sources. Visit health.gov.au/covid19-vaccineslanguages for moreinformation in your language.Youcan also callthe National Coronavirusand COVID-19Vaccine Helplineon 1800 020 080. Forinterpreting services, call 131 450.
down to be sold and now more affordablethan ever.
heAustralianGovernmenthas announcedi1nportantchangesto visasintheskilled workerscategory.
ItwilJallowenableabout20,000 skilledvisaholderswhostayedinthecountry duringthepande1nictoapplyforpern1anent residency.
Thesevisachangeswillin1proveaccessto permanentresidencefor:
■ ExistingTe1nporarySkillShortage (subclass482)visaholdersintheshorttermstrean1
■ LegacyTen1poraryWorkSkilled(subclass 457)visaholderswhonolonger111eetthe agerequirement.
Priortothisannouncement,ten1porary skillshortagevisaholdersintheshort-term streamwererestrictedtoatwoyearstay withoutapathwaytopermanentresidence.
Ministerforl1nmigration,Citizenship, MigrantServicesand MulticulturalAffairs AlexHawkesaidthesen1easuresrecognise thecontributionofskilledmigrantswho remaiJ1ed hereduringtheCOVID-19 panden1icandencouragethemtostayin Australia.
"Thisisaspecialconcessionrecognising thosehighlyskilledmigrantworkerswho chosetostayinAustraliathroughoutthe pande111ic,whilecontiJ1uingtoaddress Australia'sacuteshortages.Thisallowsthem tostayhere,withapathwaytoAustralian citizenship,"MinisterHawke said. "Eligibleskilledworkers,alreadyin Australia,wiUcontinuetosupportlocal
businessesfacingcriticalshortages, particularlyinhealth,hospitalityandour regions.Thisrecognisestheeconomic value-addofthesecriticalworkers,and retainingthemwillgreatlyassistinAustralia's economicrecovery."
Theannouncementwillbeparticularly helpedtoaddressjobvacanciesinthe hospitalityindustry,whichincreasedby87 percentsincethebeginningofthepandemic, accordingtotheAustralianBureauof Statistics(ABS).
TheMinisteraddedthattherearecurrently about20,000primaryTernporarySkill Shortageand457visaholdersinAustralia whomaybenefitfro1nthesearrangements. Mostoftheseworkersareemployedinthe highest-skilledoccupationsandthelargest cohortsofworkersbenefitingfromthese changesiJ1cludethosecurrentlyen1ployed inthehealthandhospitalityindustries, includingmanyworkersinregionalAustralia.
TheGovern1nentwillalsoextendvisas forskilledregional(provisionalvisa)holders (subclass489,491 and494)inrecognition thatthiscohorthasbeenadverselyaffectedby COVlD-19relatedtravelrestrictions.
"Cu1-rentandexpiredskilledregional provisionalvisaswillbeextended,providing additionaltin1eto1neetregionalwork.There arecurrentlyaround9,000skilledregional provisionalvisaholdersoverseas. Thesevisa holderscanenterAustraliafrom 1Dece1nber 2021,andtheywilJalsobeeligibleforan extensionoftheirvisa,"hesaid.
TheGovernmentwillalsoextendbya furthersixmonthsVisaApplicationCharge waiversfornewVisitorvisaapplicants overseaswheretheirvisaexpired,orwill expire,between1Tanuary2022and30June 2022.
Inimportantnewsforinternational students,TemporaryGraduate(subclass 485)visaholderswhohavebeenunableto traveltoAustraliaasaresultofCOVlD-19 internationalborderrestrictions,willbeable toapplyforareplacementvisa.
CurrentandformerTemporaryGraduate (subclass485)visaholderswhosevisas expiredonorafter I February2020wiUnow beaUowedtore-applyforanewsubclass485 visaofthesamedurationastheiroriginalvisa.
"Australia'sbordersettingshavebeen animportantpartofourhealthresponseto COVID-19,butweunderstandtheimpact thatrestrictionshavehadoncurrentand formerinternationalstudentswhoremain overseas," MinisterforEducationandYouth AlanTudgesaid.
Innormalcircumstances,applicantsare limitedtojustoneinitialsubclass485visain a lifetiJneandafurthervisaisonlyavailable onthebasisofregionalworkandstudy.
Thereareabout30,000Temporary Graduatevisaholderswholosttimein Australiaduetotravelrestrictions,whowill nowhavetheopportunitytoapplyforanother subclass485visa.
Thosegraduateswhosevisashaveexpired willbeabletoapplyforareplacen1entvisa from I July2022.
Therewillalsobeotherchangesto TemporaryGraduatevisasettingstoensure Australiaremainsacon1petitiveandattractive destinationforinternationalstudents.
■ ThestayperiodontheTemporary Graduate(subclass485)visaforMasters byCourseworkgraduates,willincrease permanentlyfromtwotothreeyears, tomatchthestayperiodforMastersby Researchgraduates.
■ AsaconcessionduringtheCOVlO-19 pandemic,thestayperiodonthe TemporaryGraduate(subclass485)visa GraduateWorkstream, willincrease from18to24 months,andapplication requirementswillbestreamlinedby removingtherequirementforgraduates tonominateanoccupationfromtheskills occupationlist.
"increasingthelengthofTemporary GraduatevisasforMastersbyCoursework andVocationalEducationandTraining (VET)graduatesandexpanding opportunitiesforVETgraduatestoapplyfor aTemporaryGraduatevisawillbenefitour economy," MinisterHawkesaid. Thesechangeswillbeiinplemented progressivelyfrom 1 December2021 ilirough to1 July2022.
Formoredetails, head to the Departmentof Home Affairs website at www.homeaffairs.gov.au
rof. Veena Sahajwalla, scientist, inventor,sciencecommunicator, andflag bearerofwomenin STEM, hasjustwonherlatestaccoladeNSWAustralianoftheYear2022.
Prof.Sahajwallais bestknown for her researchand applicationinsustainability, particularlytransforn1ingwasteproducts into steel. Her workconvertingplastics, tyres anddiscardedfabricforuseinthe productionofsteeland building n1aterial haswonhern1uchacclaimin the scientific as wellasi11 the broadercomn,unity.
'Greensteel', 'greenceramics'andthe 'microfactories' thatproducethesegreen materials,are now beco1ning commonly used tern1inology thankstoherpioneering work. They looksetto become 1nore conunonplacein the coming years as we embrace anincreasinglysustainable lifestyle.
BornandbroughtupinMumbai,Prof.
SahajwallaarrivedinAustraliainthemidI990s.Shebroughtwithherthebestinscience educationthatIndiaoffered - adegreefrom theIndianInstituteofTechnology(Kanpur), whereshewastheonlygirlstudyingmetallurgy. Notsurprisingly,itdidnotfazeheronebit. Herinterestinengineeringtookhertofurther studiesinCanadaandtheUS,whereshemet herhusband,follow-scientistRamaMahapatl·a. They1novedtoAustraliawherecareersinthe CSIROandUNSWawaitedthenJ.
Today Prof. Sahajwalla is Professorof MaterialsScience and the founding Director ofthe Centre for Sustainable Materials Research & Technology atUNSW.
The 56-year-old isno strangerto awards. Starting withthe Eureka Prizewaybackin 2005, therehave been businessawardsand innovation awardsgalore,eventheIndian Govern1nent's PravasiBharatiya Samman prize fore1ninentoverseasIndians. Her latestaward isahurrah for science, foroverseas-trainedscientistsin this country, for womenin STEM,and for researchand applicationinthescienceofrecycling.
She speaks here about beco1ning NSW Australianofthe Year, and aboutdiversity, science, and sustainability.
CongratulationsVeena,lookslikeit's beenawonderfulDiwaliforyou. ThankyouRajni.It'sbeenincredible.Istillcan't believethat1gotnominated;thatitselfwasa surprise.Andthenwalkingawaywiththeaward lastnight,thatwasarealshock.Thankyou.
Youhaveaseriesofawardsalready.
Ohlook,it's onethingtogetscienceand engineeringkindofawards, butI thinkthis is special. Thisisvery much aboutcapturing the spiritofbeingin Australia, andit's about being able toco1111ectwithand contribute to communities.It'sdifferent.
ItturnedouttobeawonderfulDiwali giftfortherestofthecommunityaswell
That'sverykindofyou tosay.Ifeelvery blessedthatson1anyn1embersofthe communityhavebeensending messages. I feelveryhun1bledtohavethisrecognition for the scientificwork, butin abroader
sense,aboutwhatitmeanstoour con1munitiesand toourenvironment. So ulti1natelyitisaholisticrecognitionofthe workmorethanjust aboutscience.It'svery much aboutthe social andenvironmental impactthat thiskindofworkactualJyis for - it's forourplanet, and forourpeople.
TrustyouVeena,toalwayslookatthe biggerpicture.
(Laughing)Thankyou Rajni.
Whowasthefirstpersonyoucalled whenyougottoknow?
My husband Raina waswith me.I thinkas my namewascalledandI walked up,he was sending messages to ourfamily-my mum and ourkids.
Howdoyouthinkthisawardwill changeyourlife?
ThishasrealJybeenarecognitionofall the fabulousworkthatn1embersofthe UNSW SmartCentreandourcollaboratorsin conlll)unitiesandindustrieshavebeendoing. We'rerealJypassionateaboutthescientific work, butperhapsmoreimportantlyabout being asourceofinspiration forfuture generations.Toseeourworkasasourceof hopeand optimism,Ithink,isthebestpru·t.I feelveryprivilegedwhenyoungpeopletellme howtheyareinspiredbytheworkIdo.That's reallytheuJti1natepraise,youknow,whena youngpersonspeaksfromtheirheart.
Solet'sgobacktoayoungVeena growingupinMumbai...
Mymostvivid memoriesaregoingtothe marketsand bazaru·sinMumbaiwithmy mum.I'dbehanging ontoherand taking in allthoselittlestallssellingallkindsof stuff. Ijustenjoyedthebuzz! Andwhilethe shops attracted1ne,whatreallyfascinated weretherepairshopsthatfixedthingsclothesand shoes and oldTVs. With their entrepreneurialspiritandcreativityand
the sheerloveofwhat they weredoing, the repairguyswould genuinelyengage.I'll neverforget the conversationsIhadwith the guywhowouldfixour shoes. He'd say,whatkindofheelsdoyouwant -ifI usethisrubbersoleratherthanthisone, it'lllastlonger.Thesesimpleconversations stayed with me, stored somewherein the backofmymind,and becamewhatl love so muchaboutthescience and technologyof recycling.Today we bringtothe table these veryideasaboutwhatcan makeadifference, howeversLnall. Forinstance,thatwecan asconsumersreduceourconsumptionin thefirstplace,whetherclothesorshoesor electronicdevices.Andthatwhenproducts break down, weconsider repair. Ifweput togetherallour little microsolutionsand makethem apartofourdailylife, thenwe wouldactually becontributingtochange in abigway.And thatchange in mindset,you know, isverymuchaboutsustainability.
Thatmindsethasseenyoudosome wonderfulworkinsustainability.You've recycledplasticforsteel.You'veused oldclothesforbuildingmaterial.What otherweirdandwonderfulthingsareyou ,vorkingoncurrently?
Well,thereissomethinginthepipeline thatI canprobablysharewithyou.Ilove mycoffee. There'salotofcoffeewasteresidue that's leftbehind,asyoucanimagine,whether you'rehaving itathomeor incafes, and I begantowonderwhatwecould dowithit. Oneoftheprojectswe're workingon right nowishowtousethatcoffeeresidueinthe processofmaking steel.This will reduceour dependenceoncoal-based materials.Yesof courseyoucanuseupyourcoffeewasteby composting it,butusingitin thiscompletely differentandcreativewayprovidesusan alternatepath towardssustainability.
Wonderful!Neverstopthinkingweird things,Veena.
I'll keep thinkingweird and wonderful!
LatelyinAustralia,we'vehadsome serioustalkaboutsmartcars.We're fmallybeginningto think about sustainablelivesinthenot-so-distant future Butseriously,howsoondoyou seethiscountrymakingameasurable changetowardsasustainablelifestyle?
Willitbefiveyears, 10years,more? Youknow,therearesomanysolutions thatweru·ehappytoembrace,butforalJ ofthesethings,youneedinfrastructure, right?Whetheryou'retalkingaboutcharging stationsoraboutrepairingcars,orabout replacingbatteries,infrastructureisessential. Thismeansthatinourapproachtowards sustainability, we'regoingtoconstantly havetoinnovate.Wehavetothinknotjust inthecontextofourelectricvehiclesalone, butmorebroadlyaboutapushtowards electrification,decru·bonizationetc.Sofor allthedifferentkindsofproductsthatwe'JJ useifwe'regoingtomakeachoiceabout beingsustainableasaviablealternative, we'llhavetomakesurethatwehavethe
capacitytosupportthepeoplewhowant toembracethesenewconcepts.You'll wanttohavechargingstationsforelectric vehjclesfor instance. You mightwanttohave moreelectronicdevicesandgoodsbeing manufacturedandproducedinAustralia. You'llneedaccesstomaterialsthatgointothe 1nakingofthesekindsofsustainableproducts. Thisisgoingtobeanewjourney; theworld isevolvingveryquickly,thathasbecomevery apparent.And Ido thinkn1ore andn1ore peoplearereadytoembraceawholenew wayofliving,awholenew1nindset But this requirespartnershipsandcolJectivesupport allthewayfromyourlocalcouncils toof coursebusinessesandresearchcommunities andcommunity memberswantingtosupport newinitiativesthatarecoming about.
Youjustspokeaboutmindsetagain,and itn1ade1nethinkofanotherquestion. l'1nsohappytoseethatthisaward hasgonetoascientist,becauseinthe pastfewmonths,we'veseenashiftin tcn1peran1entincertainsectionsofthe populationawayfromscience Whatare yourthoughtsonthat?
Ithinkit's really heartwarmingtoseepeople keentoengageinconversationsabout science. Butit'sgottobe conversations thatconnect sciencetoour everyday lives, thatshow people thatthis hasa big impact on our lives,whether it'saboutour health oraboutourenvironment.It isofcourse acritical rolethatscientistsmustplay-to connectwith ourcommunities and make science accessible. Imean, we alJunderstand whyhealth matterstous. We may not understand the insandoutofmedicine, but wen1ustunderstand whatstepsweneed totake tohavea healthy lifestyle.Andjust likeweworryaboutout·personalhuman health,wemustworryaboutthehealthof ourplanet.
Youareaflagbearerforwomenin STEM Whydoyouthinkwomenarea goodfitforscience?
1 thinkit'salJaboutdiversity,isn'tit. We allthinkdifferently. Webringourlife experiencestothe table,and allthe things thathaveinspiredus. Like therepairshop guysin theMumbaiofmychildhood. So 1 guessitsverymuchaboutbringingourhead andourheart, totheconversation.And when webringour wholeselves totheconversation, wecanlistentootherpeople,putourselves in theirshoesandlearnwhattheirneedsand worriesare.Thiswillallowustocollectively delivera betteroutcomeforalJthepeopleon thisplanet.Andthat'swhydiversity1natters.
Ihopetherearemoreyoungwomenout therewhoarelisteningtoyouandare inspiredbywhatyou'redoing Inyour ownwayyou'rebreakingstereotypes aboutscientistsandmakingsciencecool, withyourenergyandenthusiasm,your creativity,evenyourcoolsenseoffashion. Ilove that! I'mrighthere, willing tolisten to ouryoungpeople,and encourageand supportthemontheirscientificjourney.
communicatingwith kids andpromoting scienceto them,suchason the ABC.Kids ListenpodcastimagineThis.
BY RASHIDATAYABALI
anberra'sDr. Niraj Lalwas one of 16scientistsawardedthis year'sAustralian Museum Eureka Prizes,knownas the'Oscars' of Australianscience.
Ascientist andsciencecon1111unicator, Niraj wontheCelestino Eureka Prizefor Promoting Understanding ofScience.
Theprizeis awarded toanindividual scientistwho hasshared theirexpertisewith a broad audience - informing,enthusing andengagingthepublic.
Niraj won $10,000forhis effortsin engagingAustralians ofall agesthrough pri1ne-timetelevision,podcasts,anda children's bookaboutgravity.
"Itwasa realhonourto winthis awardevenjusttobeinthecompanyoftheother outstandingfinalists," Nil·aj toldIndian Link. "Thebiggestvalueofawards like this is tohelpcontinue this workin thefutw·e, andthat's whatIhopeto do withpromoting theunderstandingofscience."
Niraj is based attheAustralianEnergy Market Operator andtheAustralian National Universityandis currentlyworking intherenewableenergysector.
Butyou'veprobablyseen orheardhim onABC Catalyst,ABCRadioNational,
ABC KidsListenpodcast bnagineThis, ABCSciencey,ToddSampson'sLifeonthe Line, Dr Karl'sOutrageousActsofScience, TEDxSydney, or on hisYouTubechannel.
Born in Hawaii andbroughtupin Australia with roots inIndiaandFiji,Niraj's interestinusingscienceforgoodwas sparkedonavisittoIndiaasa teenager.
"MyparentsarefromFiji, but 1ny grandparentsand greatgrandparents werefromIndia. On thisparticular visit,1 becameawareofmyh1credibleprivilege, education andupbringinginAustralia comparedto whatI sawinparts ofIndia. I started wonderingaboutthe waysin whichI could helpaddressandreduce inequality, instead ofcontributingtoit. After graduation,I decidedtoexplore
•
usingphysicsfor renewableenergy insteadofdefence wheremanyof my peersendedup."
Sciencehadalwaysinterestedhimasa childilioughheadmitshe wasn'toneof thosekidsforeverconductingexperiments inhisbedToom.
"l wasalwaysasking why,and was interestedinhow thingsworked,"Niraj revealed."Growingup,Ialsospenta lotof timeatthebeachlearningabout theocean inHawaii, then thebush inAustralia.I was interestedin Maths,Physics,Politics and Philosophyand howthings worked from a theoreticallevel."
Niraj'sparticularpassionliesin
"PersonaUy,themostimpactfulscience communication isto audiences that aren't alreadyengaged with science,"heobserved. "l feellike l canhelp makea realimpact with children.Iespeciallyenjoyanswering kids' questionsaboutscience."
Thisparticular passiontomakean impact onchildrenindifferentways ledto adreamthat inspired himto writeachildren's bookongravity, HenryThe FlyingEmu. "When Iwrote thebook, l was learning aboutgravitational mechanicsand howthings moveinspace.Ihadan idea in adreamabout howfastyoucouldflyto the beachifyouwentthroughorbit, and thought abouthow fastemuscan run, and thebookwrote itselffromiliere!"
Niraj isdonatinghalfofhisprizemoney to organisationssupporting kidstoengage inscience,creativity, criticalthinking,civics, performing artsor connecting wiili country and thenaturalenvironment.
So what's nextforNiraj Lal?
"I'mhelping progress marketdesign reforn1of ourelectricitysystemandworking withsomegreatpeopleacrossAustralia abouthowourenergysystemcouldsupport a 100%renewablefuture."
t'sSunday nightandbirdphotographer
NaiduKumpatlahasjustreturnedtohis
Perth hon,efromaweekendatCamel
Soak inoutback WA.
The800-kmroundtrip wasin pursuitof one- yes,one-featheredcreature.
KnownasMajorMitchell'sCockatoo (lophochroaleadbeateri), thissaln,oncolouredcockatooiscurrently nesting there.Withitsstriking redand yellow crest, especiallyagainstthearidsurrounds,itis suretomakeaspectacularpicture.
Naidudidnotgettheshot.
Butthere'snohintofdisappointmentin hisvoice,onJyenthusiasm.
"I'Ligooutagain nextweekend,"hetells IndianLink withpromise."Don'twantto missthischancebefol'esummersetsin."
Ifyou'reonbirdingplatformsyourselfor folJow birdandnaturephotography onyour social 1nedia,you'llhaveseenNaidu'swork. The35-year-old'sphotographsareoften pickedup bytheABC.
Notonlyishisphotographicworka testit11onytohis love ofbit·ds,thepassion also comesthroughloudandclearwhenhe talksabouthiswingedfriends.
Ofcourse,hedoesn'tusuallyhaveto travelasfarastheoutbackforhisclicks.
Hehassomestunningimagesofthe GreatCrestedGrebe,currentlybirdingin Perth.
"I'vebeenouttoseethemeveryday, startingat5.30am,beforestartit1gwork at8.30,"hedescribes. "Theyareaquatic birdsnativetoAustralia,with longnecks. Thesedaysthechicksareout,alwaysonthe mother'sback."
Naiduhaslearntalotaboutthesebirds, watchingand observing.
"Theyspendtheseasoninmonogan1ous pairs,takingturnstositontheeggs.Igot afewgreatshotsoftheirtypicalcourtship dance earlieron,inwhichtheydigupreeds
ofgrassfromwithinthewaterandoffer themtoeachother.This'weeddance'isan amazingbehaviouraltraitspecifictothis species.Theweedsareusedto buildtheir nests."
TheGrebesallowedNaiduto comeclose - even4-6feet,allowmghimshotsofthe nesteggs.
(Jt'sanimportantinsighthe'sgained whilebird-watching:"BirdsinAustraliaare muchlessshythanbfrdsinJndia.Usingthe satnefocallength,I'vecapturedmanymore intimateshotshere.")
Oneofhismosttalkedaboutimages also cameonly2kmsfromwherehelives, Perth'sfamousQueensGardens.
It'sashotofthecommonkookaburra feedingonbabyturtlehatchlings.
"Theitnagecausedmuchdebateon socialmedia,becausetheturtlespeciesis endangered,"herecounts."Thekookaburra itselfwasintroducedtoWAinthe 1900sto reducesnakesbutisnowfeedingonother localnatives.Mythoughts?It'snature!"
Thisprofile-liftingshotcamewhen COVIDhadrestrictedhisworktotwodays aweek,whichmeanthespenttherest ofthe weekworkinghiscamera.
AlthoughhisdaytiLnejobis in hospitality (asdirectorofrevenueatalocalresort), Naiduhasalwaysbeenattractedtowildlife andnature.GrowmgupmIndia,he bushwalkedintheforestsofhisnative Hyderabadwithabasiccameramhishand. Whenhegothisfirstbirdshot,hewas hooked.
"ItwastheIndianparadiseflycatcher, asmallbright-colouredbfrdwithalong tailthatappearsribbon- likewhenitis in flight.Jfellmlove."
Soonafter,heacquiredhisfirstpieceof equipment-alenswortht 1.5lakh(nearly $3000).
Today,he'slookingforward to buying himselfamirrorlesscameraworth$9000 andlensesworth $26,000.
"Technologyhaschanged now. From pro-levelDSLRswe'vemovedtomirrorless cameras,easiertouseandn1uch more advancedtocaptu1·eactionshots."
lt'sanexpensivehobby,heagrees, admittingwrylythathiswifeoften drops hintsaboutgettingintothepropertyn1arket.
"Apart fromfunds,youalsoneedplenty ofpatienceifyouwanttoget into bit·ding,andtime,and willingnesstotravel."
Nevertheless, therearemissed opportunitiestoo.
"There's plentyofthose!"Naidulaughs.
"Technicalfactors,limitationsofequipment, plusofcoursenotbeingattentive,orjust notquickenough.Therainbow beeeater, alsocurrentlyin Perth,hasgivenmuchjoy to photographers,especiallyasittossesits prey intoitsmouth. Butyou'reaimingat
thebit·dwithahandheldtripodforaonesecondaction- there'ssomuchthatcango wrong."
Themissedopportunities notwithstanding,wearesureNaiduwill be outthereagainastheweekendcomesup, camonetandyogamatintow.
More pieson pages 20-21
hadto waitto getashotofa bird?
"Threeyears.Itwas aCrimsonchat,asmall sparrow-likebirdwith
Thelongesthebas brightredheadandred underbelly.ItcomestoWA inaseason of3-4months. WhenIfinallygottheshotafter yearsoftracking,IfeltlikeI'd won thelottery!"
Hispatiencehasnodoubtpaid off,ashisinlagesbegan towinhio1 smallcompetitions,getshortlisted forAustralianPhotographerofthe Year,andsellmoreandmore.
,
GreatCrestedGrebesincourtshipdance''It took me three years to get a shot ofthe Crimson chat. When I finally did, I felt like I'd won the lottery."GreatCrestedGrebewithherbaby
A love of birds de-fines Naidu Kumpatla as much as bird photography
BIRDS ARE A MIRACLE because they proveto us there is a finer, simplerstate of being which we may strive to attain.
IMAGES: NAIDU KUMPATLA
mentoring,events,engagementandnetwork development.
BY CARL BUHARIWALA
henPrakashGuptaandhiswife
SeemamigratedtoAustraliain 2000asskilledprofessionals, theywereinsearchofjob opportunities.Theyfeltprivilegedwhenthey successfuJlysecured reliablejobswiththeir strongoverseasqualifications.
However,Prakashalwaysdrea1ntof startingabusiness. 1n2007,whenhewas maderedundant,hetookonthechallenge.
Within 15daysofhisredundancy,Prakash hadtakenthenextsteponhisentrepreneuriaJ journey.Withhelpandencourage1nent fromSeemawhoaJsothrewinherjob,he establishedacompanythatofferstechnicaJ optimisationsolutionsforbusinessprocesses.
Fastforwardto2013.Theduofaceda dile1nmathatallbusinessownersexperience. Theyquestionedwhytheirbusinesswas notgrowing,anddidnotknowwhattodo. Openabouttheirlackofbusinessexperience, SeemacandidJyrecalledthattheydesperately neededhelpandguidance.
PrakashcontactedTiEMelbourne andsoughtmentorship.Havingrunthe businessforapproximately6years,Prakash andSeemaknewthattheydidnotknow everythingaboutrunningabusiness.Their awarenessandhonestreflectionaboutcertain lackingcapabilitiesn1eantthattheyhad1nade oneoftheirbestdecisionsinlife
TiEMelbourneconnectedthen1witha mentorwhoselflesslygaveuptheirtime toguideandsupportthem.Thementor's supportmeantthatthebusinessdidnot fold.Instead,PrakashandSeemafound themotivationtocontinueoperatingtheir
business,followingtheirmentor'sadvice.
"Runningabusinesscanbelonely," PrakashruminatedasbespoketoIndian Link. "Atthebeginning,youdofeelisolated becauseyouarelearningonyourownabout howtooperateandgrowthebusiness."
"Thereisn'tsomeoneelsedoingthatfor you,likewhenyouareane1nployee,"Seema added."Whenweknewweneededhelp,we gotupandsoughtit."
Ti£MelbourneisachapterofglobaJ not-for-profitorganisationTheIndus Entrepreneurs,establishedin 1992outof SiliconValley.Initiallylaunchedto1nentor Indian-originentrepreneursintheUSover theirentrepreneurialjourney,Ti£hasgrown intoaglobalassociationofmorethan 12,000 me1nbersandover 1,800charter1nembers with61chaptersacross 12countries.
SheelaEdwards,PresidentofTi£ Melbourne,explainedthatoverandabove fosteringentrepreneurship,thecorefocusis nowondevelopingconsciousentrepreneurs.
"Beingawareandmindfulofyour situation,goalsandpurpose,iscrucialto runningasuccessfulbusiness,"Sheela explained.
Since2003,TiEMelbournecontinuesto assistentrepreneursinunderstandingtheir purpose.Theirfocusisontheindividual,not thebusiness,andtheirprogramandevents aredrivenbypurpose-ledactivities.These activitiesaredevelopedandrunbycharter members.
Currentchartermemberscumulatively havedecadesofexperienceasentrepreneurs inavarietyofindustriesincludinghealthtech, FinTech,educationandEdtech,Al,mobile apps,andsupplychains.
AfterengagingwithTiEMelbournein 2013,Prakashbecameachartermember in2019.Toqualifyasachartermember, onemusthaveentrepreneurialexperience andmeetcertaincriteria.Itisacharter men1ber'sroletogivebacktothecommunity andsupporttheorganisationthroughout
TiEMelbourne'snewVicePresident, Dr.SubhashChallareflectedonhisown journeyandthecharter1nembers'rolewith TiEandexplained,".Havingcrossedthe bridgefrombeinganacademictobecoming anentrepreneurwiththehelp,supportand mentoringIreceivedfro1nTiE,Ifeltthat it'smytimetogivebacktothecommunity ofentrepreneursandplayapositiverolein shapingfutureentrepreneurs."
Onlyafewweeksago,TiEM.elbourne hosteditsfirstin-personeventfollowing easingofCOVID-19restrictions.Commenting ontheoccasion,SheelaEdwardssaid,"It waswonderfultobegiventheopportunityto meetourchartermembersfacetofaceand celebratetheprogressofTi£Melbourne. 2021 hasbeenaneventfuJyear,withthe successofseveralprogramsincludingTiE Won1enEntrepreneursandTi£Young Entrepreneurs,andincreasingmembers."
Ti£hasbecomeavibrantplatformfor entrepreneurs,professionals,industryleaders andinvestorstointeractwithoneanotherand forgelong-lastingrelationships.Collaborating withschools,universities,industryand government,Ti£Melbotu-neisopentoany entrepreneurregardlessoftheirtimeintheir entrepreneuriallifecycle.
Encouragingpositivegesturesby Melbourne'sentrepreneurialcohort,TiE Melbournehelpsthebusinessecosystem leverageexperienceandwisdomfromothers willingtosharetheirtimeandmotivateothers tonotgiveup.
"Wedon'tendupwherewearewithout others,"SheelaEdwardsemphasised.
Forn1oreinformationaboutTiE Melbourne,itseventsandglobalnetwork, andtobecomeamember,headto www.melbourne.tie.org
tstartedoff with asitnpleconcept: for every$20donation,adiyawaslitthis Diwali.Andforevery25diyas, addingup to$500,ayounggirl who droppedoutof schoolwouldbegivenanotherchanceatan education.
By theendof itssix-weekrun,Pratham Australiawasableto raiseenough01oneyto send41 girlsandwomenbacktoschool.
"I really beUevethatgettinganeducation can changelives,"bea1nedAnoopKalra, aboardme1nberofPrathan1Australia. "Younggirlsarean,ongthe1nostvulnerable sectionsin society,andbyempoweringthem with aneducation,we're breakingthecycle and helpingthemon the path toabetterlife andmoreopportunities."
At anoverwhelming$20,502raised throughthis Diwalifundraiser,thesefunds willhelptheseyounggirlsandwomento con1pleteYear 10andobtainanacademic certificate.
The passionforeducation isevidentin Anoop'svoiceasheelaboratesonthelifechangingworkdonebyPratham.
"The RighttoEducationlawinIndia guaranteesfreeandcompulsoryschooling toallchildrentillYear8,butmillionsof children, especiallyyoung girls, dropoutor discontinuetheireducationdueto reasons likeillness,n1arriage,culturalbarriers.With theSecondChance progran1,wewantto helpbringthembacktoschool."
Sinceitsinceptionin2015,Pratham Australiahasfundraisednearlyaquarterof amilliondollarsand supported445girlsin theSecondChanceprogram.Itrunsacross ninestatesinIndia:AndhraPradesh,Bihar, Chhattisgarh,Gujarat,MadhyaPradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha,Rajasthanand Telangana.
InPhase 1,the studentsfillinthegaps withfundamentalstheyhavemissed insubjectslikeEnglish,science,math,
This festive season, Pratham Australia raised over $20,000 towards educating young girls and women in India
homescience,andlifeskills.InPhase 2,theypreparefortheSecondary School Curriculumthroughdiscussions, presentations,grouplearning,andother activities.
"Wereallybelieveinbroadeningthevision ofthesegirls.Byprovidingthemwithan education,we'rechangingtheirlivesandthus, futuregenerationstoo,"Anooppointedout.
Hisowninvolvementwiththe organisationwasinspiredbyhisyoung daughter,whowantedtotackletheissue ofpovertyforgirlsinIndiaasherYear6 project.ThefanillywerereferredtoPratham Australiaandwereblownawaybythe organisation'sefforts.
SeeingthesuccessoftheDiwali fundraiser,PrathamAustraliaisalready
lookingaheadat2022,withatentativeHoli fundraiserinthe works.
Theorganisationhasreceivedmany accoladesovertheyears,most recently beingnamedoneofthe34initiativesfrom aroundtheworldto receivefundingfrom theGoogleImpactChallenge.
ForAnoop, whowasbornandraisedin Australia,workingwithPrathatnalsooffers adeeperpurpose.
"Itallowsusasthediasporatogiveback toourheritage.Wegettoacknowledgeour luck,privilege,andopportunitieshere by donatingnotjustmoney,buttime and energy toameaningfulcause,"hetoldIndianLink.
Togetinvolved,youcanfollowPratham Australiaonsocial media(www.facebook. con1/PrathamAustralia)orreachout regardingvolunteeropportunitieson info@pratham.org.au.
Todonate,headtowww.pratham.org.au/donate
''Young girls are among the most vulnerable sections in society, and by empowering them with an education, we're breaking the cycle and helping them on the path to a better life and more opportunities."
ChintSinghmarksChristmas1946with afterahorrificfour-yearwarexperie
ChintSingh's wish to tell the world his extraordinary tale of survival is fulfilled by his son, in a bookjust released.
nlateSeptember 1945,attheendof WorldWarII, LtF.O. Monkofthe AustralianArmyhelped rescueagroup ofIndiansoldiersheld as POWsby the JapaneseArmy in NewGuinea.
"Itwasheart-wrenching," LtMonkwrote later."Tenofthesepoorfellowswerelined up. Son1eweresittingbecauseofthesoreson theirfoet butwereallrigidlyatattention despitetheirragsandpitiablecondition In chargewasasn1art-Iooking1nan, Jemadar ChintSingh,alsoin ragsbutwiththemost 1nilitary bearingwhomarchedup,saluted, andsaid, 'Sir,oneofficer,two NCOsand eightotherranksreportingforwhateverduty theKingandtheAustralianannyrequiresof us'.Ifounditveryhard toreplytohim.Istill feelmuchen1otionwhenrecallingit."
Theywerethelastsurvivorsofagroupof 600Indian prisoners.
Today, morethan 75yearsafterthat rescue,wearelearningthestoryofthe 'sn1art-looking'officer ChintSingh forthe firsttitnein a newbookjust released.
1.tis written byhis son,NarinderSingh Parmar, whohas lived inAustraliaforover 30years.
Parmar'sbook,ChintSingh:TheMan
WhoShouldHaveDiedisanextraordinary storyofsurvival in thefaceofextre111e hardshipandviolence. ltdoes notend atthe rescuebytheAustralians. Indeed, thestory becomeseven morere111arkableafterthat.
Inthemonthsfollowing,ChintSingh becamechiefwitnessin theAustralianWar CrimesComn1issioninvestigatingatrocities committedbytheJapaneseImperialArmy. WhilehestayedbackinAustraliatotestify,his con1rades,flyingbackhome,allperished inan aircrash.ChintSingh wasthesolesurvivorof 5000Indian POWstakenbytheJapanese.
"Weshouldhave killedhim," oneofhis Japanesecaptorsmuttered atthetrial.
NarinderSingh Parmar observed,"My father was a1nanwhoshouldhavedied. H.e survived torn1entaftertorn1ent,and bya strangetwistoffate,escapedthatfinal fateful blow whichtook the restofhiscompany."
Thatstrangetwistoffate-theWarCrimes Conunission andhowChintSinghca1ne tobein it-isoneofd1en1anyastonishing aspects ofParmar'sbook.
RevealingfactsaboutIndia'sinvolvement inWorldWarIhavecometolightinthepast decade;thisbook,itishoped,willbeginthe interestinunearthingstoriesaboutthe subcontinent'sparticipationinWorldWarII.
uch morethan apersonal accountofhisfather'sstory,the book recordsa partofIndia's militaryhistoryaboutwhich very littleis known.
RevealingfactsaboutIndia'sinvolvement in World WarIhavecon1etolight in thepast decade;d1isbook,itishoped, willbegin theinterestinunearthingstoriesabout the subcontinent'sparticipationin WorldWar 11. YetforParmar,itis morethanjust a book. "lseeitas myfather'sdesirebeing fulfilled - hewantedthe worldtoknowthis survivalstory."
(ln aparticularlydespondentmoment amidsttheswamps ofNew Guinea,Chint had recordedthatifhelived,hewould tell his story.)
Parn1ar'sbookisinhisdadChint'swords, recreatedmostlyfromhisdiariesand thenotes hejotteddownonwhateverpaperhecould find,includingthewrappingsonfoodtins.
Theearliestnotes comefrom 1941, when Chint was deployed toMalaya. Afterthe fallofSingaporein 1942, Chintwasamong the thousands ofsoldiers taken prisoners. Shipped to New Guinea, Chintand his men wereput to workin manual labour through swamps andjungles, under the
worstpossibleconditions. Chint recorded starvation,disease, regular beatings, insults, racehate,stealing food tosurvive, andeatinglizards,grasshoppers and snakes.
RecordsshowChintaskingforrelieffor his n1en accordingto internationallaw. It only resultedin further punishment. Men whoescaped weredragged backtocamp and beheaded publicly, orbayoneted.
Quitehorrifically,Chintwroteofmenwho went missing,afterwhich largequantitiesof meatwerecooked in the Japanesekitchens.
Hiscopiousnotes,diligentlyrecorded, showdatesand namesofIndian men beaten or killed, and the Japanesemen that comn1ittedthesecrimes.
Thesenotes wouldbecomeevidencelater.
"Theysaved my father's life," Parmar remarked.
n hisownretellingofthestory,mentored by well-known Australian historian Prof. PeterStanley, Parmarhasadded details ofeachsoldierwhoismentioned in his father'sdiaries. Hecreditsthesedetails (includingnamesoffamilymembersand thevillagetheycamefrom) to military researcherAdilChhina,buttheyshow thathehasmheritedhis father'sattention
to detail. TheyalsorevealParmar's own dedication toensurethatthesacrificeofthe menisdulyrecorded, andbroughttothe attentionoftheworld.
Growingup, Parmar knewlittleabout hisfather'sstory-onlythathe had beena POW. "Heneverspokeofitto us, but I'd seensomeoldnewspaperclippings, andhad heardhimspeakoccasionallyateventsat RotaryClubor Lion'sClub."
Itwasin 1990, onlymonths afterhe arrived inAustralia, thatParmar met Kevin Deutru1n, agovernmentofficialwhoserved in PNG. Kevinrecalledseeinga memorial dedicatedtoChintSingh. Hehad followed it throughandfound adocumentin a Port Moresbylibrary,writtenby Chint.
"Thatwasenoughto motivateme.
Through Kevin, I n1etMarsden Hordern,the officerwhohad arrangedthe rescueofmy dadandhis 1nenin 1945.Turnsout,heand mydadhadkeptintouchforyearsafter."
(Thebook records thegrowingbond betweenthetwo men astheIndian POWs recuperated in theAustraliancan1p.)
Shortlythereafter, Parmar hearda Radio Nationalshowthatspokeabouttherescue ofIndian POWsin PNG. Hecalled in, and said, "IamChintSingh's son."
romthereitwasasifthestory unraveled itselftoParmar. He travelledacrossAustralia meeting manyofthemenwho had known hisdad, asociableperson andgreat con1municator whohadcharmedeveryone hecrossedpaths with after his rescue.
"I am amazed at thewarmth with which theyspokeofmydad," Parmarrevealed. "It wasa veryproud moment whenin 2004, theyinvited me tomarch with themon AnzacDay."
ChintSingh returned toAustraliain 1970, invited by theAustraliangovernment as Indian representativeto markthe25th anniversaryofJapanesesurrender atPNG. Sadly,theplinth thatwaserectedhassince been washedawayin floodwaters.
YetChint's signature can beseen, alongsidethoseofothers,on asurrender flagthatis todayheld at theAustralianWar Memorial. It was carded bythecomtnander oftheJapaneseforces in NewGuinea, Lt GenAdachi,on 11 Sept 1945.
To purchase NarinderSingh Parmar's book, head to www.shawlinepublishing.com.au
rimeMinisterScottMorrison introducedaReligious DiscriminationBilltothe parliamentlastweek.Promised bytheCoalitiongovernn1entinthewake ofthesame-sexmarriagedebatein2017 to provideextraprotectionforpeopleoffaith, thisbillhasbeendeeplycontroversial.But despitewidespreadopposition(including fron11nen1bersofhisparty),thePM'sfervid languageduringthebill'sintroductionn1ade clearwhatwe'veknownallalong-thathe doesn'trepresentallAustralians.
"Peopleshouldnotbecancelledor persecutedorvilifiedbecausetheirbeliefs aredifferentfron1someoneelse'sina freeliberaldemocraticsocietysuchas Australia,"Morrisonsaid."Manypeople fromvariousreligioustraditionsare concernedaboutthelackofreligious protectionagainsttheprevalenceofcancel cultureinAustralianlife."
ThefactthatthePMwouldusethisbillas anexcusetowadeintothedivisivewatersof cancelcultureisunsurprising,particularly sinceanearlierversionofthebillincluded theso-called"Folauclause".Asyoun1ay recall,JsraelFolauisafootballerwhose inflammatorycommentsabouthomosexuals "goingtohell"resultedinhistermination
fromRugbyAustraliain2019. Itisclear fromthePM'swordsthathebelievesFolau hasbeenunjustly"cancelled"forhisbeliefs andhisinitialproposalforthisbillwould haveprotectedFolaufrombeingfiredfor hisoffensivestaten1ents.
Sowhatexactlyis theRel.igious Discrimination Billandwhyis it sodivisive? Onthesurface,thebillaimstogivebetter protectionforpeopleoffaith,particularly whenexpressingtheirsaidbeliefs.This couldmanifestinreallifeasaCatholic nursetellinganHIVpatientthatGod
ispunishingthem.Orawaitressina cafetellingaqueerwomanoffaithher relationshipisanabon1ination.Thereis agoodreasonwhypotentiallysensitive "staten1entsofbelier•areprohibitedtoday andthisbillwouldgivezealotsthelicense tobroadcasttheirbigotryinthenameof religion.
Let'sfaceit,there'salreadyplentyof religiousprotectioninAustralia.Evena widelysupportedpublichealthinitiative likegettingtheCOVlDvaccinecanbe avoidedbasedon"religiousexemptions". Sowhoexactlyisthebillprotecting?
Certainlynotreligiousinstitutions,who alreadyenjoywidespreadprotections suchastaxexemptions.Theironicfact isthatinsteadofprotectingonegroup, thisbillhasbeendesignedtodiscri,ninate againstanothergroup.Bypermitting religiousschoolsandinstitutionstofire stafforstudentswhodon'tconformto theirbeliefs,thebillresurfacesmanyof theoldwoundsthataroseduringthetoxic marriage-equalitydebate.YoungLGBTIQ+ Australians,whosesexualitywasalready questionedbypoliticianswhohadno businessinthematter,willhavetheir identityinvalidatedoverandoverinschool recruitmentbrochuresandemployment websites.
TheCoalitiongovernmenthasassured thatanyloopholesopenedupbythisbill wouldbeaddressedinanupdatetothe SexDiscriminationBillatalaterstage. Butconsideringit'salreadytakenyearsfor thisReligiousDiscriminationBilltotake form,whoknowshowlongitwilltake forthegovernn1enttofixtheproblems ithascreated?Unlessthereisadequate protectionforLGBTlQ+studentsand teachersinreligiousinstitutionsinplace, we1nustnotallowthisbilltopass.It'snot justtheemotionalstateofouryoungqueer Australians,buttheverysoulofournation that'satstake.lfweallowourpoliticians toopenlyenshrinediscri1ninationintoour law,whatrightdowehavetocontinue callingAustraliaawelcoming,inclusiveand multiculturalsociety?
•
ITANstartedwithanobjective tocreateawatchforeveryone, followingthreekeyprinciplesof innovation,performance,andthe highestglobalqualitystandards.Through expertcraftsmanshipandattentiontodetail, TITANWatchesrodewavesofsuccess acrossmarketsandsoonbeca1neasignature statementforpeopleinallwalksoftile.
TITANcontinuestocreatestylesthatare atparwiththebestinternationalbrands.
Bringingtogetherhigh-quality1naterials andinnovativetechnologies,TITANoffers watchesthatareuniqueandexceptional.
Veryrarelydoespureminunalisn1take physicalfonn.Thisisoneofthosetimes. TheTITANEdgestrikesanu1in1itable balancebetweenforn1andfunction,aresult ofmorethanadecadeofdesignevolution. Sculptedfromfeatherlighttitaniumand broughttolife
byrazorthin move1nents,itis
theslimn1estwatchintheuniversethathas wonawardsforitsdesigningenuity.
TITANRagareflectsthemodern woman'sprogressiveviewsandisallthat ayoungmodernwomanisandcanbe elegant,fun,chicandquirky.Exquisite, bold,andeye-catching,TITANRaga watchesareadreamcome-trueforevery woman,thankstotheirdesign,and attentiontodetailing.
Keepingin1nindthedifferentfacetsof theRagawoman'slife,thewatchesare madefordifferentoccasionsandareagreat an1algamoffunctionalityandbeauty.
TITANEdge,Ragaandmanymore amazingdesigns&collectionsarenow availableinAustraliaandNewZealandon thewebsitewwwtitanworldcon1auTITAN arecurrentlyrunninga40%discounton storewideproductsincludingnewranges, AnimaliaandPastels;andlaunchingtheir perfumerange,SKINNin AustraliainJanuary2022.
here'saproblememergingin Australian workplacesthatnoone reaJlywantstotaJkabout, butmanyareworried about. WFHiscausingsubstantialissues forworkplacesacrossthenation.A significantproportion ofpeoplehave decidedthatthereisnoneedtoreturnto the office.
Discussionswith1nanagersand businessleadersrevealtheproblems startingtoemergewithWFH:anerosion ofworkcultui-e,lossofconununication, lossofproductivity,andagrowing perceptionthatthenatureofemployment ischanging.
RTOorReturnToOfficehasbeen resistedbymanyen1ployees.Indeed,on morethan oneoccasion J haveheard employeessay,"Iwillnevergobacktothe workplace.ZoomandMicrosoftTea1nswill don1e,andIlikeworkingfro111home."
Thereisnothinginstatementslike thesethatrecognisestheworkplace. Whilste1nployeeshaveevery righttohave apreferenceoverwheretheywouJdlike to work,aquestionarises. Whatkind of relationshipdopeoplehavewiththeir work,andthebuildingofcuJturewithinthe workplace?
Thestatement"Iwillnevergobacktothe office"reducesworktoaseriesofactivities.
Itdoesnotrecognisethenatureof formal andinformalstructuresand relationships.
Having been told what to do - they won't be told what to do Lockdowns.Restrictions. QRcodes.Masks. Physicaldistancing.Awarinessbetween people.Noneofthesearethingswegrew up with.Extendedlockdownsbroughtadefault tocaution,andthisisboth predictableand expected.Thesocietyweknewisnotthe societywenowhave.
ThisisaJsotrueoftheworkplace. Having beentoldwhatto do inthepast,therehas beenashiftinethosto"I won'tbetoldwhat to do."
Inaworkplacethistranslatesto:"If youwouldlikemetocomebacktothe office,then J needtobetoldwhy. J need to understand whyIshouldspendthetime travellingboth ways,whytheworkcannot bedonefromhomeandhowitcanbe justified."
Whilsttherearesignificant benefitsin working fron1 workona personallevel, peoplethat Ispeaktoreportthattheirwork takeslongerandisquieter.Lndeed,people never seen1tobe"off".Deadlinesroutinely pass;perfunctorycommunicationslike someonemissingtea1nmeetingsandfollow upsonactivitiesaxeforeverwithinthe pui-viewofmanagersandtean1leaders.
DespitetheuseofSlackandTrelloand Monday,manyemployeeshidebehind fuewallsofsilence,'poorconnections'and focusingonsomethingelse."Ithought wewereworkingonXYZtoday ?"or, "Wasn'tABCwasthepriority ??"
Afurtherissuefacedbymanagersand businessleadersisthewildcardof
wellbeing.Thereisnothinglikeapandemic to bringaboutasenseofuncertaintythat affectshow wenavigatethe world.This againistobeexpectedandisanormal responsetostress,fearanda perception of danger.
ln business,'resilience' isacommon buzzword.Resiliencetakesitsbasefrom managingvulnerabilitywhenthereis noactuaJdanger.Managerstellmethat "wellbeing"isbecominga bannerphrase fornotproducing.Theyfeelhamperedby an inability tocalloutagroupofbehaviours thataxeleadingtodisruptedtimelines, disruptedworkflows,poorcommunications andalackofcommitment.
Managersknowthatwithintheworkplace thereareformaland informalstructures. Formalstructuresandcommunicationscan bemanaged,informalstructureslessso.
Itiswithintheinformalstructures,the 'watercooler'discussionsandimpromptucafe stopsatmorningteathatmanyworkplace issuescanbeidentified.Ihaveheardpeople saythattheydidn'tevenknowtherewere workplaceproblemsdisruptingproductivity untiltwoorthreeofthemsataroundchatting atlunchandwonderedwhycertainthingswere occurring.Thesepeopletellmethatproblems nowcan'tevenbeidentifiedletaloneresolved.
Inforn1alstructuresassistincreating alliancesofpeoplewholiketowork together.Inaworldwheretherehasbeen agreatdiscontinuity,buildingcloseness, identifyingandinterrogatingissuesand findingsolutionscomesfromsuchalliances. Alasthisisbeingrapidlyeroded.
Employees or contractors?
Oneof thestrengthsofenterprise isthe passionandcommitn1ent the people who work in itbring.Theethos of an organisation isbuiltaround asenseof brand value and brand loyalty ofthosewith theresponsibility ofcreatingthebrand. When thatethosbreaks down, there'sa shift inthenatureof work.
The WFH/RTOstandof appearsto beshiftingpeople fromamindsetof 'employee'toamindsetof 'contractor'. Theyappear to wantthecertainty of regularpayandothernon-financial benefits whilstrestrictingcontribution in the way a contractor mightdo: itisjust work.
Three or four days a week in office?
Therehave been manystudiesthatshow peoplecanbejustasproductiveoverfour daysinan officeasfive.Thefifthdayis nota workfromhomeday-itisa day withoutwork. Productivity,teambuilding, andsharedvisionappeartobebetterbuilt whenpeopleworkalongsideoneanother ratherthanremotely.
Perhapsawayforwardforall businessesandworkteamsisafew daystogethertorelearnnewsocial structures,renegotiatehow workwill lookand bedone,andrecreateaculture thatisdesired ratherthan arising by default.Spendingtimerebuilding, ratherthansimplyreworking,will helpto create thekindsofarrangements thatworkforallparties,builtonshared understandings.
A new work culture is arising by default - and it is not productive
Festival and Event Grants of up to $15,000 are available to help community groups across New South Wales hold celebrations, festivals and interfaith events
The Multicultural NSWStrongerTogetherGrants Program invests in community activities that foster community harmony and celebrate cultural diversity as a precious part of our identity and way of life
Grants are open until 5pm on Friday 17 December for Festivals and Events taking place between 1 February-30 June 2022
For more information and to apply visit multicultural.nsw.gov.au
reshoffhisdebutEPreleased backinAugust,LA-basedsingersongwriterSaahilBhargavahas unveiledwhathe'sdubbedan "homage"tooneofAustralia'smostbeloved modernrockacts.Hiscoverof"Umbra", fromKarnivool's2009albumSoundAwake, isastrippedbackarrangementofthe sprawlingprogrocker.
Covering"Umbra"inanyfashionis anan1bitiouseffort,thankstoitsshifting rhythn1sandcon1plexchordprogressions, aswellasfrontn1anIanKenny'stypically stunningvocals.Bhargavacertainlymade thetaskharderbytranslatingthebulkofthe track'sintricateguitarlayersinto asingle pianopart,backedbyafairlysimplestring section.
"I veryrecentlycameupwiththeterm 'cinematicrock'asthebestwaytodescribe mymusic,"SaahiltoldIndianLink. "Allof mysongshavethisverykindofbigandepic feeltothem.It'ssupposedtogivetheListener thefeelingof beingtransportedintoanother worldandseeinglotsofthingsaroundthem, andmylyricstendtobeverydescriptivetoo."
Drawinginfluencefromclassical,Indian classical,Bollywoodmusic,and"prettymuch everythinginbetween",themusicianstarted singingattheageoffour,andtookuppiano shortlyafter.Sincethen,Saahilhaspickedup theguitar,bass,andeventhealtosaxophone.
Listeningtohiscoverof"Umbra",tllis keenmusicalearisclearbysmalldetailsof theoriginalsonghepicksupandexpands on.Ashortandbarelyaudibledescending guitarlineattheendofthechorusappearsin Saahil'sversionasagrandiosestringmelody. Anotherhighpointofthecoveriswhenit takestheoriginal'sriff-heavybreakdownunarguablyitsmost'headbanging'moment - andturnsitintoanelegantpianoline,with thestringsforegroundingtheunderlying harmoniesfromtheoriginal.
Heelaborated,"ThispianopartIwrote wasridiculous;it tookawhiletogetit andevenlongertobeabletorecordit.I workedwithanotherguywhowasalsoan exceptionalkeyboardist.Betweenthetwo
ofus,wegotthepartworking,andthen wedecidedafterhearingitthatweshould addsomestringsintoit. Ittookalongti1ne becauseitwasessentiallydiallingbackwhat Karnivoolhaddone,andthenfiguringout howtomakeitworkwithoneinstrun1ent andthenextrapolatingitouttofourmore instruments."
HecitesChrisCornell,Chester Bennington,andFreddieMercuryassomeof hissinginginfluences,alongwithbandslike Muse,Radiohead,andofcourse,Karnivool.
"Ithink(myinterest)startedwhenIwas inhighschoolinIndia,andIactuallymissed theirconcertinBombay.Ihadafinalexam orsomethingthatday.Myfriendsaiditwas oneofthebestconcel'tsthey'dseen,"Saahil said.
"Thenitbecameastapleinmylistening becausethere'ssomuchtounpackin Karnivool'smusic.Everylistentoeach album,Iwouldgetsomethingnewoutof it.I'vealwaysbeenabigfanof"Un1bra"as asongingeneral,becauseit'sgotsuchan excitingtheme,andthelyricsreallystoodout tome."
Forsomefans,theonlydownsideof Saahil'sversionmayLieintheabsenceof Karnivool'spunchiness,mainlydueto itslackofdrums.Buthecertainly,nakes upforthatwithafiercelyemotivevocal performancethatsharplye1nphasisesthe paininleadsingerIanKenny'slyrics.
AccordingtoSaahil,"Eachsonggetsits owninspiration."
Nodoubthiscoverwillnowintroduce theAussiemodernrockacttoentirelynew audiences,furtherprovingthatmusicreally transcendsallboundaries.
FindSaahilBhargava's''Umbra"on YouTube,Spotify, YouTubeMusicand AmazonPrimeMusic
·•My interest in Karnivool started when I was in high school in India, and I actually missed theirconcert in Bombay. I had a final exam orsomething that day. My friend said itwasoneofthe best concertsthey'd seen."
tanningto buysomenewplants tofeshen upyourgarden?Give athoughttoAustralian natives. Distinctanddiverse,nativeplants do notdisappointwhenitconiestocolour, texture,forin andfoliage,andcan be adapted to anystyleofgarden.
Notonlywilltheyprovideaestheticappeal, theywillalsobenefityoucost-wise:once establishedtheyrequire1ninimalcare.Creating anAussieoasisinyouryardwillprovidea low1naintenance,sustainableandwater-wise gardenthatisworththetimeandeffort.
When itconies tochoosing nativeplants, it'sawiseideatofind outwhichnatives thrivewellinyourparticularlocalarea. Belowareafewsuggestionsthatwill thrive wellinsuburbangardensinSydney.
(If youliveoutsideofSydney,di-opusa noteto tell usthekindof nativesthatgrow inyourarea, orinyourgarden!)
Whetheryouarekeenongrassyplants,low levelhedging,screeningplants,groundcover, featuretreesandclimbers,thereisagood rangeofnativeplantstochoosefro1n.
LOW LEVEL SHRUBS (GRASS VARIETY)
■ Anigozanthos(Kangaroopawyellow): Plantedinmass,thiswillprovidea colourfulborder.Co1nbiningitwith Kangaroopawredwillgiveyourgardena strikinglookwheninbloom.
■ LomandraLongifolia 'Tanika' (Lomandra):Thisclumpinggrassvariety
will suppressweed growinginbetween theplantswhenplantedinmassandlooks greenallyearround.
■ Acaciacognate'Lin1elight'(Riverwattle): Foralushlitne-greeneffect,plantitin mass.
LOW LEVEL SHRUBS
■ Westringia 'JervisGen1'(Coastal rosen1ary):Thisisanexcellentlowlevel edgingplantwhichislowmaintenance.
■ Calliste,non 'LittleJohn'(Dwarf bottlebrush):Withitsbrightredflowers, thiswillattract birdsand beestothe garden.Itisanotherexcellentborder plant.
■ Correarejl.exa(Nativefuchsia):Thisis alowlevelshrubthatcan beplanted alongsideagrassvarietyplantforan appealinglook.
GROUNDCOVER
■ Violahederacea(Nativeviolet):Forthe
tightspacesbetweenthefenceandthe concreteorpaving,thisgroundcoverwill fillthegapandsuppresstheweeds,and willlookattractivewheninbloom.
■ Ajugaaustralisprostate'AussieBugle' (Ajuga):Theshadypartof thegardenbed canbefilled withthisgroundcover.
■ Carpobrotus(Iceplant):Thismakes excellent groundcover whenplantedin mass;perfectnearyourswimmingpool.
■ Prostanthera(Mintbush):Thisfastgrowingplanthasattractivepurple flowerswhichstandoutin anylandscape, aswellasaromaticfoliage.
■ HymenosporumFlavum(Native frangipani):Thisleanverticalgrowing plantcanbeusedalongthefenceasa screeningplant.
■ Leptospermum 'Tickledpink'(Teatree): Thisisanattractivefeatureplanttohave inanygarden.
■ Corymbia 'Sum,nerRed'(Redgum):This summerfloweringgumtreehasattractive redflowers.Onceestablisheditisalow maintenancetreeto haveinanyyard.
■ Eucalyptuspulverulenta 'BabyBlue' (Silverleavedmountaingum):This eucalyptuswithbluishsilverfoliageisa smallfeaturetreewhichhasyear-round interestinany landscape.
■ Ceratopetalurngummiferum 'AlberysRed' (NSWChristmasbush):Thisisaco1npact treewitbattractiveredbloo1nswhich can beusedascutflowers.
■ Hardenbergiaviolacea(Happywanderer): Thisisa fast-growingclimberwith attractivepurpleflowers.
■ Pandorea/asminoides(WongVine):This isanever-greenclin1berwhichgrowsfast andneedssturdysupporttospread.Itis suitableforfenceorarbor.
■ Tryyourlocalcouncilnursery.
■ Retailnurserieshaveaselectionofnative plantsinstock.
■ Specialized growersandnurseriesfor nativeplants.
Groupyournativestogetherinonebed and makesurethesoilisfree draining.Adda nativesoil 1nixtoyourprepared bedand startplanting.MulchwithEucyMulch. Nativeplantscanbesourcedastubestock whichwillcostlessandwillthrivewell onceestablished.
oday itisn1oreconvenient than everto buildasustainablehon1e, with abundantinforn1ation at your fingertipsand somany 'green' product optionsto choosefro1n.
Lastyearwasan eventfulyearforus,as my husband I, both architects, designedand builtour drea,n home. Startingwith a blank canvas,weexploredeverysustainability conceptasmuch aspracticallypossible. A 'green'homeisn'tjust aboutadding solar panels, rainwatertankorlandscaping; italJ begins rightfrom when thedesigner putspen topaper.
OuTaimwastoharnesspassivesolar design,utilisespacescleverlywithoutbuilding son1ethingunnecessarilymassive,and embracingthenaturalfeaturesofthesite.
Inaddition,wewerekeenton1aximisebuilt instorageandreducetheneedforbuying furniture.Thevisionforthehomewastohave acontetnporary,minin,aJandlight-filledfeel.
■ Thefirststepwhen designingagreen hon1eisto retainasmany natural features ofthelandaspossible,whether itisestablishedtreesorland slope. Construction isanintrusive process, so consciousdesignisthefirststep. For exan1ple,designinga splitlevelif thesite isnaturallysloping,sothatexcavationand backfill canbereduced.
■ Choosingmaterials thatblend in softly withthenaturalenvironmentand the architecture around yourhouse can beagood decision.Considerrecycled materials too. Peoplehavedoubtsabout usingoldmaterials but recycled bricksfor
SachinandKalyaniWakhare'snewlybuilt homehaswonadesignawardtrophyat thisyear'sSydneyDesignAwards.
Amulti-livingfamilyhomeconcept,itwas designedfortheirfamilyandthatof Sachin's brotherSanjay.Andso, basically, it istwoseparatehomes inone. Someofthemeasures implemented intheir sustainablehomeincludeusingrecycled materials,passivesolardesign, local products,designingaroundexistingpalm tree,harnessingsolarenergy,andstoring rainwaterinalargeundergroundtankfor thegarden.Theyarecurrentlyworkingona compostbinonsitetoproducebio-gasfor BBQfromorganicwaste.
Facadepalettepaysrespecttosignificant heritagechurchacrosstheroadfromthem andtheirimmediatesurroundings.
examplehave arusticcharmaboutthem andwill costyoufar lesstoo.
■ The house canprovidea richliving experiencetoitsoccupantsif the followingfactors are wellthoughtof-the flowof spaces,thequalityofdaylight, the internalfinishesinatin1elesspaletteand theinteractionofindoorand outdoor space.
■ Achallengethatisconunonlyfacedwhen designingwindowsisstrikinga balance betweengettingabundantdaylightand yetkeepingtheheatout.Acoupleof solutionsshould beconsidered. One, uselowemissivitycoatings,particularly forwesternandnorthernfacesof the housethat receivethe mostdirectand harshsunlightinsummer. Theother
option istoexternally shadewindows with anawning that blends wellwith the externalmaterials,which is moreeffective in keeping theheatout than internal curtainsorblinds.
■ Locally madeproductsand finishes, ideally should begivenpreference where possible,as theyarekinderto theenvironment,savingemissions from transportationand supportinglocal economy. Alsonatural n1aterials like bambooorplantation timberfinishesgive thehouseawarm andcozyfeeling, aswell asbeingasustainablechoice. Ensureyou pickpaints andvarnisheswith lowVOC (volatileorganiccompounds) inthem, VOCsaretypicallyharsh chemicals which mayaffecthealth inthelongtermandare notgood fortheindoorenvironment.
■ Sustainabilitywillnotbefully addressed if youdon'tapplythis criteriontothe selectionofappliancesand fixtures too. Someexamples foryoutoconsiderare low-flow showerheadsand taps that dispenselesswaterwithout compromising on theflowand effectiveness.Always choosefridge,washingmachineand microwavesetc,withhighstar ratingto ensuretheyareefficientand conserve energy,also reducingyourenergy bill in thelongrun. Installceilingfans, these willnotonlyprovidegoodventilationbut alsolimittheuseofair conditioningto extremelyhotdays.
Finallythinkabouttheoptiinum spaceyouneedfor yourhouse; afterall, constructionofyourhomeisgoingtoimpact MotherEarth and ourenvironn1ent.Why not build to fulfillourneedswithoutadding unnecessaryfrills. Don'tcompron1iseon comfortand conveniencein your'dream home' butthinkaboutgivingbacktonature bybeingmindfulaboutyourfootprint!
Serves2
Ingredients
■ 1 cup rolled oats
■ 3tbspcacao powder
■ 2 banana(mashed)
■ 2tbsppure maplesyrup
■ 2tbspchiaseeds
■ 1 ½cupvanillaalmond milk
Method
Toserve
■ Fresh blueberries, blackberries, sliced banana, 1/3 cup unsweetened granola, peanut butter(todrizzle)
■ Add alloatmixtureingredients intoalargebowl. Stirwell. Divide mixture betweentwo bowls or masonjars. Place intothefridge overnight.
■ When readytoserve,topwith fresh blueberries, blackberries, sliced banana, unsweetened granolaanda good drizzle ofpeanut butter.
Serves2
Ingredients
■ 2cupsfresh orfrozenpineapplepieces/chunks
■ Juicefrom2 limes
■ 1 cuppurecoconutcreamfromacan
■ 1 1/2 cupsvanillaalmond milk
Method
■ Placeall ingredients intoahigh-speedblender and blend untilsmoothand creamy,addingextra almond milkifthe mixtureistoothickfromthe frozen pineapple.Servewithfresh pineapple. Recipes and pies: califiafarms.com.au
Serves3to4
Ingredients
■ 1 bottleunsweetenedvanilla almond milk
■ 2cinnamonsticks
■ 1 tbsp maplesyrup
■ 1 tsp nutmeg
■ 1 tsp mixedspice
Method
• Forserving
■ Cinnamon sticks andground cinnamon
■ In asmall potcombinethevanillaalmond milkwiththe maplesyrup, nutmegand mixedspice.Stirgentlyon a lowheat.
■ Addthecinnamonstickandcontinuetostirfor8-10 mins whilethe milkthickens upslightly.
■ Pourthe mixintoajugand refrigerateovernight.
■ Oncechilledtheeggnogis readytoserve.You could enjoyitwarmifyou preferbutletitrefrigerateovernight sothe flavourdeepens.
■ Sprinklesomeextracinnamonontoptoserve.
■ Optional:�a-little rumorbourbon if you would like it withsome,1ii
hink Darjeeling, and itishighly likelythatwhatpopsintoyour mind isagoodcup oftea. However, discerningtravellers worldwide aredrawn to this hilly tearegionin eastern Indianotjustforthe top quality ofthe breworbythe lushnessof thegardens fromwhereitoriginates, but more by its picturesque Hi1nalayan setting. Sittingata heightof2000111,thesnowcapped Mt Kanchenjunga-theworld's third-highest peak-towersover the azure skyin this tranquil town.
A forn1erGurkhavillage atthefoothills ofthe Hi1nalayas,Darjeelingwasspotted bythe British colonisersin the 19th century asanideal escapeduringthe hot Indian su1nmer111onthswhen theiriinperial capital Calcutta, nowcalledKolkata,became nearunliveable forthe1n. Darjeelingthen belonged tothe Kingdom ofSikki111,who called thisnest 'Dorji Ling' n1eaning 'the landofthe thunderbolt'.The British managed tobuyit from theroyals and transfor111 it intoa settle111entfitforfiling theircolonialduties.Thehillylandscape soongotpacked withpalaces forthe British Governor-General and Indian Maharajas, colonialofficebuildingsforadministrative
- �--===
staffand quaintcottagesforthe affluent, alongside hotels, restaurants,clubsand shopsliningwindingthoroughfares.
European n1issionaries moved in to establish boardingschoolswhichwere comparable totheircounterpartsback home, while Scottish and English tea planterssetaboutconvertingtherolling hillsintoplantationsoftea.
Darjeelingsoonbecame known as the 'Queen ofHills'.
Acenturyanda halflater, notmuch haschanged, otherthan the additionof somecontemporaryandlifestyle elements. Thediva still retainsherseductivecharms tomake itoneofthe1nostvisitedtourist destinations in India.
Darjeelingisblessed withoversized scenery. It'spossibleto seeitsspectacular Himalayanpanoramafrom aln1ost everywhere. However,Tiger Hill, the town'shighestaccessiblepoint,claims tobe the most popularviewingplatform. Many don'tmind the 3 amwakeupcalltobe there at sunrisetowatch howthe firstrays ofthe morningsunmysticallychange the colourofthewhitepeaksofKanchenjunga fromcrimson red togoldenyellow. It'sacelestialsight,butforlate risersand crowdavoiders,BatasiaLoopisthenext bestoption. Ladenwithmanicuredgardens, streamsandfallsandanarrow-gaugerailway trackformingaloop,thespotoffersan uninterruptedvistaofDarjeeling'slandscape,
■ GettingThere Darjeeling is connected by air, rail and road with Kolkata the gateway cityto eastern India. Contact Gaura Travel (www.gauratravel.com. au)forthe bestflight connections from Australian citiesto Kolkata
■ Accommodation Heritage plays an important role when discovering Darjeeling. That's bestexperienced when staying at the Elgin Hotel (www.elglnhotels.com)
Kanchenjungaandotherunna1ned Hin1aJayanpeaks.Thoughalotofpeople throngthespace,theeclecticserenityofthe atmospherekeepsallqu.ietandarrestedby thebeautyofthescene,untilthearrivalof the 'ToyTrain' - anothericonicattraction ofDarjeeling. Hauled byacentury-old steamengine,the legendarytrainchugs intothelooptoimbueasenseofabygone eraabruptlywalkingintothelivesof onlookers.A sampleofagreatengineering feat,thisfairytalerailwaystartedoperating in 1881,linkingthetorridBengalplains withthemountains.NowaUNESCOWorld Heritage-listed icon,itcoversamuchshorter distanceasawondrousmemoirofthepast.
Aftertravellingto Darjeelingbythis trainin 1886, Americannovelist Mark Twainwrote,"Therailwayjourney upthemountain is fortymiles,and it takeseighthours ton1ake it. Itisso wild and interestingandexcitingand enchantingthat itoughttotake aweek." While bestowingtherailway'sold-world carefreecharms,theshorterversionof the legendaryjourneystillevokessi1ni1ar feelings.
The ethnic population ofDarjeeling comprisedofpeople from neighbouring Sikkin1, Nepal and Bhutan. Theirreligion is Buddhis1n. Sothe quarterishometo many Buddhist temples, 1nonasteries and stupas, the ensemble beinga major attraction forvisitors. Some ofthem are prettyexpansiveand showcase extensive
artwork. Mostwell-known, is theYiga CholingGompa monastery. (texhibits wonderful muralsand ishometosome thirty monks from the Gelugpa School. Built in 1850, itenshrinesa Sm-high statueofJampaorFutureBuddha and 300 beautifullyboundTibetan texts. Beingatthe foothillofthe Himalayas, avisittothe HimalayanMountaineering
Institutecanbeafascinatingexperience, particularlyfortheadventure-minded.
Established in 1953 inhonourofTenzing NorgayafterheandNewZealander Edmund HillaryconqueredMountEverest, it's thetraininggroundformountaineering students.Butthelureforoutsiders isitsmuseum,stockedwithn1ultiple exhibitsthattellthrillingstoriesofmany expeditionsto Himalayansummits. Adjacenttotheinstituteisazoowhichis hometorarespecieslikeredpandas,snow leopards,andTibetanwolvesthatlive inthe snow-cladregionsofupperHimalaya.
The magnetism ofDarjeelingis intense enoughtomake the returnjourneytothe plainssomewhatpain-stricken, unlessone departswith apromisetoco1ne back for anothervisit.
There's much morethan lush tea gardens that's enchanting about Darjeeling
I I I I
ARANYAK
RaveenaTandon returnsto ourscreensascop Kasturi,whoisinvestigatingthe mysterious disappearanceofaforeign tourist.TheTV series marks her digitaldebut,andis basedona Bengali novel ofthesame name byBibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay.
I Catch Aranyakon 10 December.
1 Ayushmann Khurranafans,this one'sfor you.Of I course,likeall Ayushmann starrers, you can expect Prateik Babbar plays an enigmaticstrangerwhotakes upa payingguestroomin atraditional Malayalifamily's house.Thingsgetcomplicatedwhen hischarmsappeal to boththeson, played byNeeleyMehendale,andthe daughter, playedbyAnjaliSivaraman.
The arthouse film releases on 4 December.
Inthisnewdramedyby HardikMehta, RMadhavan andSurveen Chawlastarasanestrangedcouple, dealingwiththeirimpendingdivorceamidtheirbusy careers.Theprojectiscreatedbyacclaimedwriter ManuJoseph,who you mightknowfor hisworks
I Serious Men and TheIllicitHappiness ofOther People. We'vegotagood feelingaboutthisone!
I TheTVseries launches on 17 December.
Comingoffthe heelsof an International Emmy nominationfor bestdrama series,Sushmita Sen returnsforseason 2ofAarya, playingawoman who hasjoined the mafiatoprotect her familyafter her husbandis brutally murdered.
Getthe popcorn ready on 10 December.
Sports biopicsare arecentphenomenon in Bollywood butthisone had 'success' written all overiteversinceitwas announced. Pretty muchliketheWorld Cupeventthat sawa cricket-mad nation comeintoitsown! If you'reof Indian origin and haven'tseen piesfromthis film floatingaroundalready, you're living under a rock. RanveerSinghas Kapil Dev, bringiton.
The film releases on 24 December2021.
SEEKING RIDES
34-year-old SriLankan man,Sydneybased, seeksgood-lookingSydneybased match,29-34. Please contact ramananthanapalasingam499@gmail. comor0447319719
Seekingmatchfor36-year-old, 6'tall Tamil HinduBrahmin man,AustPR Visa,workingforatopITorganisationin Sydney.Girlshould beHinduvegetarian,
I thisfilmtobeaboutsmashingsocialstereotypes.This timeround, heand co-starVaaniKapoor batforthe I transcommunity.TheAbhishekKapoordirected film 1 isalreadycoppingitsfairshare of criticism for not featuringtrans actors - willthefinal resultbeworthit? Hitting cinemas 10 December.
1 BihargirlmarriesMaduraiboy,andthenfallsfor
flamboyantcircusringmaster.Sara AliKhan, Dhanush I andAkshayKumarstar.RomcomsofdirectorAanandL I Rai'svariety (Raanjhana, Tanu Weds Manu) havegone I downwell before -itremainstobeseenifthisoneisas atrangi(outoftheordinary)asitsounds. I AtrangiRewill release on 24 December.
Acricket has-been attemptsto revive hiscareer, atage36,forthe sake of hisson.Jersey, starring Shahid Kapoor,isa remakeofa Telugu film ofthesame name. Shahid'sdad Pankaj Kapur plays hiscoachand mentor. Directed byGowthamTinnanuri, whoalso directedtheoriginal,thiswas meanttobea Diwali release. Check it out now on 31 December.
preferablyAustcitizen/PR.Pleasesend profiletoaravind7778@gmail.com
Seekingaprofessionallyqualifiedsettled matchforSydneybased, nevermarried Auscitizen, Hindu,PunjabiKhatriman, 48,6',ofathleticbuild. Heisaproject managerwithanengineeringbackground andisworkingin areputed organisation. Pleasecontactausind26@gmail.com
Seekingaprofessionallyqualified match, ofgoodfamilybackground,teetotaller,
preferablyAustralian citizen orPRholder, forhighlyqualifiedcareer-oriented Brahmingirl,35,5'2", vegetarian,of goodfamilybackground,workingand wellsettledinSydney.
Pleasecontactaussyd08@gmail.com
Seekingqualified match(working
professional,notself-employed)from Australiafor'88born,5"3" Hindu Punjabi girl(divorced,issueless), workingwitha governmentorganisationinSydney. Must haveAusPR;teetotallerpreferable. Email:matrimonial.ml@gmail.com.
Seekinga professionallyqualified and settled matchforSydneybased, never marriedAuscitizen, Hindu,PunjabiKhatri girl,49,5'3"slim,fair, attractive.Sheis apostgraduateandworkingatagood positionin agovernmentorganisation. Pleasecontactausind26@gmail.com
BY MINAL KHONA
MinaI Khona has been readingtarotcards for thelasttwodecades. Sheuses herintuition and connectwith the cards mostlyto help people.
There could be hurdles on all fronts with exhaustion rulingthe roost. A rocky relationship could end; for women, a series ofdisappointments byyour partnercould make you want to end it. Watch for burnouton the careerfront; take a break. Some bad news regardinga loved one could come your way. Be carefulwith money as expenses could rise butyou could earn a bonus. Colon problems could add toyourwoes. Don'ttake impulsive decisions and waitfor clarity.
Mixedbaginstoreforyou:learningand lettinggo;solitudeandinteractions with people;avoidingemotionalattachments yetrememberingpastevents.There could begynaecologicalissuesfor May-bornwomen.You canexpecthelp fromcolleagues andseniors.Theselfemployedwillmakemoneydespitea dullstart. Ifina relationship, lettime revealwhat's in storeforyou.Allmatters relatedtomoneywillbe positive. Don't repeatold patterns: sticktoyourgoals withsingle-mindedfocus.
I The card thatsignifies spring I indicates that new beginnings are I on theway. Strong romantic interest in you byanothercould takeyou by I surprise. Those alreadyinvolved may I want more affection. Someofyou might buya new house. Yourgrowth I indicates thatthose not in sync with I you will be leftoutofyour life. Your I finances will improve. Ifyou have been sick, youwill recover. Taketime out I forsometraveland indulge in your I hobbies.
I An existingsituation can change in an I instantand you mayconsidermoving house. Chances tomove intoa new I sphereofwork, make newfriends I and travel could comeyourway. Work I is upbeat and supportive. The selfemployed could be considering new I partnerships to increase business. A I positive mindsetkeeps you happy. Take careofyour health tokeep existing I conditions in control. Yourfinancial I position is looking up.Adopt an attitude I offaith in the universe.
You couldfacesomedifficultsituations in yourrelationshipsoratwork.A solutiontoany problemwillcomefrom an unexpected avenue - mostlyforwork related issues.Youcould bestrappedfor timeas workkeeps youvery busy. Stress could cause backacheandotherhealth issues. Moneyistightas youearn as muchasyouspend. Disappointments in yourpersonal lifecouldspilloverintoyour professionalone. Changeyourmindsetfor a happierfuture.
Youshould watchoutforyourfinicky I nature notgoingoverboardthis month. I Thecarddrawnshowsa needfor I structureandorganizationalabilities. Use themwhere neededand within limits.A I superficialoptionfora relationship is not I whatyouwantsosingles will prefertostay alone. Anewcareeropening, morealong I the linesofwhatyou wishtodowillcome I yourway. Moneyisgoodthough debts I won'tgetpaid. Don'tcompromiseonwhat youtruly believe in.
I Youwishtoseea resolutiontoallyour problems, whethertheyareatwork, in I yourrelationships orelsewhere.Singles I will bedisappointed as a seemingly positive romancewon'tpanout. Atrip I torecuperatecould beontheagenda. I Problems atworkwillgetresolved. Goit I alonetorediscoveryourselfand yourselfesteem. Ifyouhave health issues,don't I ignorethem. Moneymay betightbutin I the nearfutureyouwillhave morethan youexpected. I
Youwanttofocus on yourcareerand I beingfinanciallystable.An attitudeof I abundance will helpyou achieve your I goals faster. Travel forworkoron holiday is indicated Ifin a relationship, the I feelingthatsomething is missingstill I exists Watchoutforfood poisoningso I sticktoeatingfresh. Debts will not be cleared butyou will haveenough money I foryour needs. A newlineofwork is I indicated. Sticktoyourgoals even ifyou don'tsee results soon. I
Work, public relations,changing theexistingstatus quoin business partnerships keepyou busy.Youcould meetsomeonespecialatworkorasocial event.A newjoboffercouldalsocome by. Ifyou are consideringwhatyou have already beenoffered,take it. Moremoney andsuccess is foretold.Timespent awayfromfamilyis inevitablebutwillbe productive.Avoidalcoholtopreventbinge drinking. Focusonyourstrengths,trust yourgutinstincts andfollowyourdreams.
I You can expectchangeonseveralfronts.
I Haveanattitudeofgratitudefor better
I luckand prosperity. Others couldactup makingthings difficult.Someoneyou
I know could end upin hospitalduetoa
I health issue.Take a breakfrom house chores and stress. Losses atworkare
I indicated Anxietyand self-doubtseem
I overwhelming, butarethe aftereffects of I thestress you are experiencing. Health problems needtobechecked. Take upa I spiritual practicetocopewith everything.
I Agoodtimeforromance, projectstaking I I offandfruitfultripsfor Pisceans. Theself- I moneythroughthesaleofa houseor I a winningticket is ontheanvil. Singles I could meetsomeonespecialand I theattraction willbemutual.A new opportunitywillgiveyourcareerthe lift I youseek. An eventora person couId I rejuvenateyourlifeorwork.Money
I Aproductive month asyou shiftinto I a positive mindset.A luckybreakwth
I employed willseea sudden spurt intheir businessesthough asetbackmayoccur I forsome. Health is good and moneywill I bestable. Any projects orgoalsthatwere blocked will nowmoveforward. Overall, I new energies bringin a rejuvenation I thatwas longoverdueandyou will be troubles will end. Health issues needto motivatedtodo more. Moveoutofhome I be looked into.Yourfuturewill be brighter I ifneed be, helpothers and havefaith in I thanyou thoughtitpossible. I the universe.
DEARAUNTYJI
Namashkar. Ihopeyouaredoingwell duringCOVID.Myparticularconundrum requiresyourusualdirectandblunt approach-andIwouldbehappytotake yourfeedbackonboard.Myneighbour hasababywhichis4monthsold She isalwaystakingthebabyonwalksand everytimesherunsintome.shewants metointeractwiththebabyTheproblem isAuntyjithatthebabyisnotTaimurAli Khan Myownbabieswereverybeautiful. ThisbabyissounattractiveIcanbarely beartolookatit.Whenitstaresatmewith itskaalikaaliankhen,Ijustwanttolook away Itsnoseistoowideanditbarely hasanyhair.Auntyji,Ialwaystrytobeat ahastyretreatbutAlyciaalwaystriesto engagemeinconversation SometimesI pretendIdidnotseethemcomingandI crossthestreet.ButAuntyji.Icantkeep doingthisforever Whatadvicedoyou haveforme?Behonest.please.
AUNTYJISAYS
Bahenji, aapkedi/meinkuchbhimamta nahihaikya?Whatkindofablackhearted.cold-blooded,lovelessold naginareyou?Areyousureyou'repart ofthiscommunity?Howisitthatour sagesadvisedusthatbabiesarethe
estern Melbourne Group (WMG),theparentcompany ofWestern United, hasreached asignificant milestoneinthe construction oftheWyndhamCityStadium precinct,withtheconunencementofthe site's earlyworks.
Construction ofthesite'shaulroadisthe firsttactilestepin theprojectthatincludes a 15,000 capacityelitefootballstadium, a trainingprecinctwitha second5,000 capacity stadium,a residentialprecinctwith son1e 1,000residences andacommercial mixed-use development.
Thefirstsoilwasturnedon the 62-hectaresiteinTarneitearlylastweek withthe constructionteamnowon-site and theheavyvehiclesn1obilisedandin full swing.
"Thisisa proudmomentforWMG,the footballclubandthecommunitywhohave been on thisjourneywithus fromthe start," WMG Chairn1an JasonSourasissaid.
"I am delightedthatthefirstearth-n1oving vehicles areonsite,we'reon ourwaynow. Justtogettothis pointhasbeenyearsof preparation andplanning, andl'dliketo thankourpartnerWyndhamCityCouncil fortheirhardwork andsupport."
Western UnitedCEO,ChrisPehlivanis thankedmembersandthefansfor their supportandbelief.
"It'sfantasticthatearlyworkshave con1mencedonthesite, thisisthebiggest milestoneforourClub to date," Pehlivanis said. "The bestthingaboutourWestern Unitedcon1mu1iityis theirunwavering supportandpassion, thisisawonderful
embodimentofgod,andareangels inhumanform,andthismessage bypassedyour chotisisaamajentirely? Thereasonthisnadaan, nanhisijaan looksatyouisperhapsbecausebeing theembodimentofgod,itwantstosee itsnemesis,theshaitaan, inhuman form.Andyoudonotdisappointwith yourattitudeandpoisonouswords.You don'tevenrefertowhetherthe babyis agirlora boy-you'recallingthebaby "it". Theproblemisnotwiththebaby, theproblemiswithyou.Aapkenazaron kakasoorhai. Howcomeyoudid not stoptothinkwhetheryoucouldniharo thisbabywithyourmun kiankhein?Itis notyoureyesbutitisyourmun (mind, brain)wherethefaultlies.Myadvice wouldbetostopjudgingtheexternal featuresofthebabybyyourinsular, ganwarviewpoint.Lookatthebhagwan withinthebaby,andyouwillseenothing butthemostdivinecreationbefore you.Also,youbetterrepentposthaste andstartseeingtheparmatmawithin thispreciousbachcha, otherwisethe grandchildrenwhoareinyourfuture will belininguptoturnofftheswitchon yourlifesupportwhenthetimecomes -becausetheyrecognisethechurailin yoursoul.
DEARAUNTYJI
Igrewupinanon-religioushousehold
Nowinmy60s.Ilistentosome people whoarespiritualandhavefaithandI wishItoohadthatcontentmentthat beliefinsomethingbiggerthanmyself. AreyouabletoguidemeonwhatI shoulddotoliveamorespirituallife, Auntyji-I mean,I knowthe basictenets ofHinduism.Islam.Sikhism. Buddhism and ChristianitybutIfeelthemajor religionsarenotforme Iwanttohave a1:1relationshipwithmycreator. ButI donotknowwheretoevenstart.What shouldI read?WhoshouldItalkto? WhichpodcastshouldIlistento?
AUNTYJISAYS
Farbeitformetomockanyonewho astheirfootstartsdanglinginthe grave.wanttogetclosertogod.And it'sbettertohavespiritualaspirations atalatestagethan never.Soyes.I certainlyhave someadvicetooffer you.fellowpilgrim.Inthefirstinstance, Iam notgoingtopointyoutosome websiteor apodcastbecausethey won'ttellyouthefundamentaltruth (or iftheydo.youwill havetosiftthrough lotsofnoisetogettothemain idea). So.thetruthis.godisin eachofus.
Everysinglebeing ontheplanetisa manifestation ofthedivine. Sotoget closertothisdivinity.thefirstthing weneedtodoistoserve.Askyourself, howcanI betterservethosearound me? Andperhaps.theanswer might beto reflectwithinyourselfandask whethereveryinteractionyouhave withthosearoundyouisonegrounded in loveand respect.Foryour spouse, asan example,doyou chooseyour wordscarefully, ordoyou usewords andactionsthat belittle.diminish anddamage?Doyourdeedsbuild up thosearoundyou,ordotheyhandicap anddestroy?Startbychanginghow you speakandact. Everywordthat spillsforthfromyour mouh shouldbe underpinned byloveandcare.Look atyourthoughts-eachtimeyou hear gossip,doyoujoininand add chutney tothemasala, ordoyou gentlychide othersthatgossipisdamaging? Doyou knowtheflaws andfoibles ofothers and acceptthesewithoutjudgement? Whenyouseeothersindistress,doyou reachoutto help, ordoyouwantto pryonly? Focuson howyoucan bring outthe bestin others. and beforeyou knowit,youwillalreadybe havinga1:1 withthedivinity.
rewardforallthosewhohave beenwithus fromthebeginning. I'mexcited. Getready, fromhere onin,therewillbeplentyof momentstocelebrateas wewatchtheprecinctcome to lifewiththoseonthejourney withus - ourloyalmembers,partners, footballers, staff,volunteers andfans." Therewillbeamulti-phase approachto
theconstructionoftheproject,with the earlyworksrepresentingthe firstphase. Thefirstphaseisexpectedtotake betweeneighttotwelveweekstocomplete.
Ahaul roadmustbeestablishedto providethesiteaccesstowater,gas, electricity,internetaswellasprovideheavy vehicle accesstotheexactlocationwhere thestadiumwillbebuilt.
