2022-02 Melbourne

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PawanLuthra

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BY PAWAN LUTHRA

rumpyisthemoodthat mostofAustraliaisinatthe moment.Grumpyaboutthe ongoingchallengeswiththe COVID-19virus. Grumpyaboutthe uncertaintyingoingoutwithfriends andfamily.Grumpyabouttheongoing necessitytoworkfromhome. Grumpy aboutstrugglingtomakeendsmeetas businessowners,withnoJobkeeper orJobsavertodependupon. Grumpy aboutstalledfamilyreunionvisits. Grumpyathavingtostickaswabup yournostriltocheckforthevirus. (Evengrumpiertohavetodothisfor school-goingchildrenatleasttwicea week.)

Yes,thisgrouchinesscouldtranslate intoavoteofnoconfidenceagainstthe incumbentCoalitiongovern1nentatthe nextelection, duebeforeMaythisyear.

Theopeningupofinternational borderstoallvaccinatedtravellers

Howtovote

seemstobeasignofacrawlbackto 'regular'life.Thismayormaynot impactyouimmediately,butastourist cashbeginstoflowthroughtoother sectorsof theeconomy,theboostit willprovidewillbeverywelcome.The intangibleeffectofconfidenceinthe systemthatwillthenensueiswhatthe governmentishopingfor.

Atthisjuncture,astronger pushisalsoneededtobringmore internationalstudentsback.Thiswill addfurthertothekickstartofthe economythattouristswillprovide,as wellashelpbattlelabourshortagesof thepast18-241nonths.InNSWalone, itisstatedthatinternationalstudents wereaddingover$30millionadayto thelocaleconomybeforethepandemic struck.

Nationsandorganisationsthatcan createopportunitiesforthemselves inthesetoughtimesofCOVIDcauseddisruptionwillboominthe post-pandemicworld.Australiahas beenhaemorrhagingstudentsto countriessuchasthe UK, Canada, andSingapore.Itnowneedstoadd incentivessuchassubsidisedtravel,

housing,andpathwaystomigration, tohastenthereturnofstudents onshore.Instarkcontrastto April2020,whenPrimeMinister ScottMorrisontoldvisitorsand internationalstudentsthatitwas 'timetogohome',luringthem backnowwillbeaninteresting challenge.

Indiacouldwellplayapivotalrole inapost-CovidAustralia.Withayoung populationthatcontinuestogrow, andwithinternaleducationoptions strugglingtokeepupwithdemand, AustraliaishighintheeyesofIndia's youth-eitherforfurthereducationor tomovehereaseconomicmigrants. Atthesametime,thereispent-up demandforinternationaltravelin theaspirationalandaffluentsections ofIndiansociety,andAustraliaisa favoureddestinationforitsnaturaland culturalattractions.

AsFortressAustraliaopensupto travelandhighereducationandthese tidesofgrouchinesshopefullywash away,expectIndiaandIndiansto playastrongroleinhelpingrevivethe economy.

ROBERTSON,Ellie

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LI,JasonVat-Sen Labor

FARRELLY, Elizabeth Independent

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TheGreens

SAKR,Bridget Liberal

Forearly voting information scanhere

Electoral District ofStrathfield

KASHMIRI PANDIT EXODUS

On the anniversaryof the Kashmir exodus in January 1990, Sydney's VIJAY HANDOO shared a personal account of the events leading up to her family's flight by night that year

AkhilJhingranwrote: Itissosadwhat happenedtothePunditsintheir homeland Kashmir.Hardlyeverany criticism from theWestern media. Hatsoff tothe present-daygovernmentto takesome boldstepsand restoretheirpride andcreateanenvironment fortheirreturn.JaiHind

YashShaTai wrote:Thisisveryimportant,aswhathashappenedto this communityisrarelyeverpublished.The KashmiriPanditgenocidehasbeen neglectedand wipedfromhistory.Themediashouldreinstate the factsof this genocideandcallit for whatit was

"WHY IS IT OKAY TO BEND THE RULES?"

Or is it really, okay? Where does the buck stop? A note by reader PREETHI MALCOLM of Melbourne

Like many other times during the pandemic, I recently found myself wondering abouthumannatureand the strange, rebellious streak of rule breakers. Ilookedinward at our communityand noticed that weonly tend to do theright thingsout offearof being caught bythelaw, especially when thehard-earnedplastic notes that we so lovingly and carefully save for our futuregenerationsare taken awayin the nameof "penalties."

I remember reading somewhere that integrity meant doing the right thing even when no one was watching, and thatstruck a chord with me. But who decides what's right and what's wrong?Whenit comes to the pandemic, it's not about playing the roleof "moral police".I feel peopleshould instead apply some mindfulness and another factor that is becomingsuch ararity these days: common sense.

Walking out of the cinemas recentlyafter watching thefilm '83, I listened to this nearby family of uncles andgrandparents tell theirkids all about cricket andpassion, but neverheard a mention ofpicking up theempty Cokebottlesorpopcorn packetsthattheyleft on the seats. It washeart breaking. Isit because thereis no penalty for such actionsor just thelack of mindfulness?

Similarly, afather encouraging his teenager with alearner'slicense to exceed the speed limit because there werenospeed cameras, or parents tweaking their kids' drivinghoursin therace to get a P-Platebefore their friends' children what are we really teachinghere?

Even faking declarations at Customs to bring in some spices may sound trivial but take a moment to consider the long-term repercussions and the lessons weare giving the next generation- that it isok to lie.

In my mind, it's like telling friends you'reona diet but eatingjunk food when no oneis watching. Who are we really fooling here?

COVID or COVID-free, it's probably time to make mindfulness a part of our daily life.

SAY IT AGAIN

Indiahas lost its voice. Vice President

Venkiah Naidu on the death of Lata Mangeshkar

VIVE LA REPUBLIQUE

KRISHNA NEELAMRAJU, a newly elected NSW Branch member, writes why he joined the Australian Republican Movement.

Sriram Balakrishnan wrote: Personally, myviewisthat Dominion/ Commonwealth isaredundant concept and every countryindependent of the Crownmust chooseits own Headof State. I wonder whensuch amovement will take shapeinCanadaor NZ.

Uncle Chop Chop on Worimi Land wrote: Inspiringand true.

FrankSutherland Davidson wrote: Fallaciousargument -acommon misconceptionof thefunctionand positionof the monarchinaconstitutional monarchy

Ray Summerscales wrote:Two questionsnobody seems tobe preparedto answerabout becoming arepublic. What will bethe material benefit to the averageAustralianandhow much willit cost to change?If it ain't broke

Pallavi Kumar wrote: Lovelypie,and anequally great write up

RIP LataMangeshkar, I grew up in theCaribbean listeningtoyour timelessmusic yourmusicshall live on!!!

Daren Ganga, West Indiescricketer

Meriawaazhipehchaanhai(My voice ismyidentity) Poignant lyrics ofaniconic Lataji number forwardedincessantlythis week

A PASSAGE TO INDIA

From changing flight dates to miscommunication at the airport, JAZ/8 FAR/D's recent trip to India was not without its challenges.

Vandana Mathur wrote: I travelledQantas so far one way. No issuesif you have the rightpaperwork inSydney, but theflight was packedtothe rafters. Not one seat free!!!

Rajni Luthra wrote: Some ordeal! Must have been arelief to get onthat last flight back home.Makes mewonderhow much time youspent, during the holiday, on the phoneto the airlines But at the very least, yougot tomeet the family.

Jazib Farid wrote:Thank you Indian Link forsharingmy travelexperience. Surely atrip to remember for along timefor many of us.Truly appreciate the community's support and efforts in helping one another withthe constantly evolving travelinformation and groundreality, which let me takethistrip onboard

Nitin Khanna wrote: Thanksa lot for sharing your ordeal, Jazib Farid, I'm surethis will helpmany unfortunate passengerswho have booked with Thaiairways recently, while my heart goes out to the ones whoweredenied boardingat the gatesforno fault of theirs. Appreciateyou beingso patient withall thesequeriesover the pastmonth, andkudosto you and others for helping hundreds like me planningalternatearrangements. Wish you andus all better travel experiences in future!

Pavneet Kaur wrote:Amazingly articulated appreciateyou taking the timeto painstakingly share your travel experience.Travelthesedays can be anightmare and I am sureyour post willhelp reducethetravel anxiety of many people. And also, thanks to Indian Link for thewider reachto the community

HARJAS SINGH: ONE TO WATCH

DARSHAK MEHTA on 17-year-old Sydney cricketer Harjas Singh's recent achievement, which puts him in the same league as some of Australia's top talents.

Harsha Bhogle wrote: Next gen Indian origin cricketers starting to makea mark inAustralia

Andrew Wu wrote: Interesting piecefromDarshak Mehta. NeilD'Costa, Marnus's batting coach and former mentor of MichaelClarke and thelate Phillip Hughes, might have unearthed another good one

Makarand Waingankar wrote: Nicepiece bySydney-basedfriend Darshak Mehta who played for CCI in the '80s.Teen cricketer HarjasSinghhaswhat it takes to play forAustralia.

INDIAN LINK POLL

Are you comfortable sending your kids to school in this COVID environment?

40% Yes, it'sabout time they return toclassrooms andschoolsaretaking necessary precautions 60% No, the pandemicis still raging.

WHERE IN INDIA

This popular tourist destinationhas been calleda "MiniSwitzerland". Where is it?

Readers Vandana Saini Sandhu, Tripti Joshi, Chakshu, and Vandana Gulati guessed right: Khajjiar,HimachalPradesh.

If we play her songs one after another, we could hear her for an entiremonth and neverhear the samesong again

Kajol, actor

WHEREINOZ

We asked youto identify thiscollection of birdcages and its significance. Readers Anu Shree, Devika Chaudhary, and Australian High Commissioner to India Barry O'Farrell hadthe correct answer:Angel Place, Sydney CBD. In thissound sculpture, the cagesrepresent birds of the region that are now extinct dueto over development or pushed to the fringes of the city

These once-in-two-year #U19CWC always give me a feeling of eating at an unlimited GujaratiThali restaurant. Like we've just about begun to savour the likes of Shivam

Mavi & Kamlesh Nagarkoti & they've already left two tempting bowls of Ravi Kumar & Raj Bawa on the table.

Bharat Sundaresan, cricket writer, on India's U19World Cupwin

Getthebestof Indian Linkstraightin your inbox.Scan theQR codeto signuptoour weeklyenewsletter

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BY MANAN LUTHRA

WithyourYear12nowbehindyou, you'veprobablyhadopportunityto lookbackatitallwithsomewisdom Whatdidyoulearnaboutyourselfin theyear2021?

DhruvHariharan: I was surprised how much I could push through when it came down to it,since l hadn't been facedwith thesame level ofstress before.Atthe san1e time, I gottounderstand 111y limits, and when I needed to stop and take a step back fron1 studies. lt alsogave1ne a sense ofdirection with what I wanted todo in the future, which is science research.

DanielJesudason:2021 was a learning experience unlike any other I havehad duringmyschooling. The challenge ofcompletingYear 11 and Year 12 si111ultaneously (I was studying fourYear 11 subjects and four Year 12 subjects underthe SACEcurriculum) meant that myworkload was significant. However, I learned thatwith hard workcomes rewards. Myambitiousgoalofachieving a 99+ ATARas aYear 11 studentwas quite extreme. People thought I was insane; but just becauseotherpeople have anopinion,

The class of2021 talk COVID and (high school)tests

DHRUV HARIHARAN ' 1 (HSC)

ATAR: 99.95

Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Maths Extension 1, Maths Extension 2, EnglishAdvanced,German Results/SpecialAwards: Tuckwell I ScholarshipatANU, Bronze Medalinthe International PhysicsOlympiad(IPhO), NSWState DebatingTeam

Uni Course: BachelorofPhilosophyScience(Honours),ANU

School: KnoxGrammarSchool,Sydney

doesn't mean theyare always right. The mostsuccessfulpeoplecanblockout others and focusonachieving theirgoals.

CharanKanwalSingh: I learnt thatwith effort and perseverance,your hard work will be rewarded. Even though you might wanttoprocrastinate, whenyou receive yourresults in the end, you realise it is worth the effort.

SatvikGupta: I understood more about how l learn best. Unlike the majorityof my friends, 1 preferred studyingearlier in the morningbefore school insteadof stayingup at night. I alsolearnt that I perfonnedbetterin myexamswhen there was some fortnofpressure that I placed on myselfsuch asdeadlines. This helped me remain organised and balance mytime between subjectsso that nothingwasleft to the last second.

KaranPartapSingh:Akeylearningfrom thisyearis that resilience triumphsall. Therewere timeswhen 1 thought that 1 had underperformed, duetoa poorSAC mark ora poorpracticeexa1n, butitwas importanttokeepmyselflevel-headedand trustmypreparation.Thisdoesn't mean that I didn't feel frustratedorupsetbut1 knewthatthe bestwayforwardwas topick myselfup,brush 1nyselfoff, andtryagain.

HussainHardwarewala: Throughout Year 12, I learnt that 1 work well under pressurewhen deadlines are approaching.

GURBANI MINHAS (VCE)

ATAR: 97.65

Subjects: Mathematical Methods, Biology, Chemistry, English Language, Latin,ChineseSecond Language University Course: BachelorofScience, UniversityofMelbourne School: Penleighand Essendon GrammarSchool, Melbourne

I also learnt that I enjoylearningas l wasgenuinely interested in mychosen subjects.

AbhinavRajan: To notunderestimate myselfwhen l'n1doingsomething I have never seen before.

GurbaniMinhas: Looking back atwhat perhapsmayhave beenthe most stressful period ofmylife yet, I cannotconfidently say that J have noregrets.There are many things l wish I could havedone differently, howeverall those decisions l made enabled me to reflect on my choices and further cultivate a new skill. I learned that I am a reflective person, further enabling me todiscern myproclivity towardspersistence and tenacity.

Thepasttwoyearshavecausedalotof uncertaintyforstudents Howdidyou goaboutyourstudieswhileadaptingto achanginghealthenvironment?

Karan: 1 thinkitwouldbe fairtosaythat thelast twoyearshave been nothingshort ofchaos. However, in orderto keep on top ofmystudies, it was really helpful tohave anend goal in mind, whichwas gettingintomydesired course. But most importantly, the most help came from my supportive family. Theyhave always been extremelyencouragingand havemotivated me totrymybest in all aspects oflife. It's something I will carryforward with me.

Satvik: Itwas difficult, and (wesaw) increasing amounts ofuncertainty. Howevermyabilityto focus onwhat I could control positively in1pacted 1ny results. r chose not to worry about the number ofdailyCOYID casesor new restrictions. I knew I did not have the powerto change our health environment, and so I shifted myenergy towards my studygoals and performing to the best I could. This allowed me to remain focused and motivated.

Dhruv: With the uncertaintyaroundwhen exams were likelytobe held, the keywas to pace myselfto keepup mymotivation. There isn'tone single waytostudyfindingson1ething thatworks and sticking with it was essential. I'm abigadvocate for the Pomodoro technique ofstudying harder forshorter intervals, broken up by short breaks.

Hussain: l was lucky enough to notbe impacted for themajorityofthe last two years as I only missed out a week or so ofteaching. 1-lowever, l stayed true to my revision and studyprocess even with lockdowns and isolations which helped mestaydisciplined and somewhaton top ofmy studies.

Daniel: In aconstantlychanging environment, the bestwaytoapproachlife isto prepare whatyoucan but be 1nindful thatanythingcould changeat any moment.

Iutilisedthelessbusybeginningofthe yeartocompletehighyieldassess1nent tasksinadvance,beingfullyawarethatthe latterstagesoftheyearmaybesignificantly disrupted.Therewardsofthisearly 'grindset'wereevidentearly;inJunefwas ad1nittedtohospitalwithhealthconcerns butlwasabletostayuptodatewithmy peersasIhadputintheworkearlier.This meantthat,despiten1issingtwoweeks ofschool,Iwasequally(andoften111ore) preparedthanall1nyclassmates.

Gurbani: Learninginsuchanadverse environmentprovidedmewithan1ultiplicity ofchallenges.Jhadtokeepupwiththe acaden1icaspectofmylifeandsin1ultaneously maintainmyphysicalandmentalwell-being. Ifoundthattakingtimeoutofn1ydaytotalk tomyfriendsandfa1nily,andworkingout regularly,aidedinmitigatingthestressand pressureI'dbeenfeeling.

Abhinav: 1playedalotofbasketballand badmintonatschoolandwatchedalotof animetohelp1nepasssometiine.

Kanwal: LivinginWA,wehavethankfully notbeentooaffectedbypandemic-imposed lockdowns.Therewereafewshortperiods oflockdown,butwetransitionedto distancelearningprettyefficiently.

Young people are becoming increasingly aware ofnews and political affairs. What were your main

news sources throughout the year?

Satvik: Iusedamixtureoftraditional media(TheDailyTelegraph)andsocial mediaaccounts.Onlnstagram, @dailyausand@guardianaustraliawere constant,reliablesourcesofinformation. IalsoreadtheAFRweeklytokeepupto-datewith1najorglobaleconomicand businessnewswhichhelpedmystudyof econon1icsatschool.

Dhruv: Honestly,Iwasfarlesssocially consciousthisyearthanlwouldhave liked,mostlysinceIwasfocusing onstudies,butpartiallytoavoidthe seeminglyendlessstreamofbadnews. Istilltrytogetn1ynewsfron1arange traditionalmedialikeMichaelWest,The Conversation,andnews.coin.au.The 11 AMdailyconferencebythePremieralso beca1neastaple.

Karan: MymainsourceswereTheAge andABCNewsontheTV.Ialsoobsessed aboutVictoria'svaccinationratesduring ourraceto90%doubledoseandtokeep upwiththis,1followed@thedailyauson lnstagran1.

Gurbani: Ididconstantlytrytokeepup withthenews,whetheritwasthrough televisionorInstagram,bothofwhichI usedquiteoften.

Hussain: Channel7newsontheTVand onlnstagramweremytwomainsources. TheABCNewsapponmyphonewasalso

KARAN PARTAP SINGH (VCE)

ATAR: Prefernottosay

Subjects: English,Biology,Chemistry, PE,AccountingandMathsMethods

Results/Special Awards: School Captain

School/University Course: Bachelor ofMedicalScience/Doctorof Medicine,MonashUniversty

School: SuzanneCoryHighSchool, Melbourne

usedquiteabit.

Kanwal: Havingn1ovedfromoverseasin themiddleoftheacaden,icyear,Ihada heavyworkloadtocatchuponinYear 11 andwasfairlyoccupiedduringYear 12 too.Ididn'twanttoreadthenewsaslfelt itmightdistractn1e.

Daniel: SocialmediasuchasTwitterand Instagram.Whetherpolitical,sporting orhealth-basednews,theseoutletswere influentialtomyunderstandingofthe worldaroundme.

Abhinav: Mymainsourcesofnewswere thenewsprogramsonTVbutsometimes Iwouldgetinformationthroughother socialmediaaccounts.

After online classes, are you Team Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Hangout or other?

Abhinav: HavingusedMicrosoftTeams then1ost 1 wouldpickit,butZoomis probablyeasiertouse.

Hussain: IpreferMicrosoftTeamsas documentsandvideoscanbestored, whilehavingtheabilitytoconnectwith arangeofdifferentpeoplethroughvideo calls.

Dhruv:AsmuchasIhatetofollowthe crowd,Zoomhasbeenmygo-toforthe pastyear.Changingthebackgroundisa greatwaytobreakupthemonotony!

Kanwal:Itdepends.lflwantedtospeak

tomyfriendsthatlivedelsewhereor wastutoringonline,IwoulduseZoom. MicrosoftTeamstendstobeusedmore forofficeandschoolpurposes.

Karan:TeamZoom,forsure!

Daniel: TeamZoon1. 100%.

Gurbani: TeamGoogleMeetalltheway!

Satvik: Withoutadoubt,TeamZoo1n!

What extra-curricular activities, bobbies, or TV shows helped you through the past two years?

Daniel: Musicplayedabigrolein offsetting111yheavyandsomewhat intensiveacademicworkload.Iwas inseveralmusicalgroupsincluding orchestrasandbands,andplayedthe saxophone,clarinetandpianothrough variouspartsoftheyear.Sportalso playeda1nassiveroleinhelpingn1eto relax;watchingRishabhPant's1natchwinninginningsattheGabbawasa fantasticwaytostarttheyear.

In2021 Ialsomanagedtokeep busythroughphilanthropicalwork.I participatedinfundraisingeventsfor mynon-profitofchoice,UNICEF.This ledtomebeingelectedasaUNICEF Ambassador,andUNICEFYoung AmbassadorforSouthAustralia.Inthis roleIhavebeenencouragedtoconsider theproblemsfacedbyyoungpeople aroundthecountryandinternationally, andamendeavouringtomakeapositive contributiontotheworld.

MylatestUNICEFprojectisthe RedZoneCrisisAppeal,aimingto raisefundsfordisadvantagedyouthin less-economicallydevelopednations, particularlythosefacinghungercrisesand malnourishment.Moreinformationabout myfundraisingeffortsandanopportunity todonatecanbefoundonmyUNICEF Australiafundraisingprofile.(https:// fundraise.unicef.org.au/daniel-jesudason) Karan: Forthemajorityofmyschool journey,I'velovedtakingonleadership positionsandgettinginvolvedinasmany sportsteamsaspossible.IwasHouse SportCaptaininYear11andSchool CaptaininYear12whichwereboth extremelyrewardingexperiencesthat providedmewiththeopportunityto continualJygrowasaperson.

Hussain: Tennis,cricket,playingthe saxophone,andwatchingYBshowssuch asTheOfficeandBrooklynNine-Nine, weregreatescapesfromthepressuresof schoolandassignments.

Gurbani: Readingdefinitelyhelped

methroughout.Itprovidedaformof intellectualrelease,consideringIdid manyscience-basedsubjects.Andof course,TVshowswerealwaystheperfect stressrelieftogetn1yn1indoffthings forawhile.Wheneverlwasfeelingabit dejected,Ioftenturnedto1nyfavourite feel-goodshow Friends.

Kanwal: Iwasthevice-captainofchessatmy schoolandwouldoftenspendtimeduring lunchplayingchess.Sportwasalsoanice waytorelaxandunwind.IwatchedYouTube videosratherthanTVshows.Becarefulnot tofallintotherabbitholeofsocialmedia, whereyoukeeponclickingonrecommended videos;thatwasteslotsoftime!

Satvik: Despitecontinuousrestrictions andlockdowns,Iwasabletomaintainmy passionforcricketandsoccer.l'1nastrong advocateofmaintainingphysicalactivity whilestudyingfortheHSC. l alsotriedto beinvolvedinextracurricularactivitiesat schoolasaSchoolPrefectandparticipated intheGoldDukeofEdinburghAward whichhelpedn1eren1ainconnectedwith mypeers.IalsolovedwatchingTVshows suchas Brooklyn, NineNine, Suitsand Money Heist.

Dhruv: I'veloveddebatingthroughout1ny tin1eatschool,andluckily,Icouldcontinue thatthroughlockdownonline.Otherthan

ABHINAV RAJAN {VCE)

ATAR: 94.05

Subjects: General English (A+), Physics (A-),SportScience(A-), Biology(B+)

University Course: BachelorofMedical

RadiationScience (RadiationTherapy)

School: Christian Brothers College, Melbourne

DANIEL SANJIVAN JESUDASON (SACE)

ATAR:99.25

Subjects: Biology, Mathematical Methods, Psychology, Research Project School: St Peter'sCollege,Adelaide

that,mygo-tosarenormallySeinfeldand BrooklynNineNineonNetflix.

Do you think nerds rule the world?

Gurbani: Speakingfromacompletely objectiveperspective,DEFINITELY!

Hussain: Yes,we'reallnerdsabout so1nethingortheother.

Satvik Gupta: Idon'tthinkanyonecan ruletheworld.Itwouldbemuchtoo difficult!

Abhinav: No.Anyonecan.

Dhruv:Theydefinitelyrulethebusiness world(lookingatyou,Bezos,ElonMusk andBillGates!)buttheystillneedtoenter politics.

Karan: Absolutelynot.Istronglybelieve thatthosethathaveexcellentpeopleskills andanobsessiveworkethic/discipline ruletheworld.

Kanwal: lthinknerdshavebeen negativelystereotypedandpoorlydefined. IfyouhavepassedthroughYear12,there wouldhavebeenperiodsoftimewhere youwouldhavefeltlikeanerdandthat's alright.Everyonehasbeenanerdonce uponatime.Ifeeltheydoruletheworld.

Daniel: Theword'nerd'bassomewhat ofanegativeconnotation.Oneofmy classmateswaspubliclycalledoutfor beinganerd butitmademethink.This

personisatalentedmusician,athleteand debater,andoneofthemostgenuine, kindesthumanbeingsI'veeverknown. Noamountofacademicbrilliancecan takethataway.Whilenerdsmaynotrule theworld,thosethatarekind,andthose thatworkhard,mostcertainlywill.

\Vhat moments from 2021 doyou remember most fondly?

Kanwal:Thefondestmemoryformehas tohavebeenthedaymyWACEexams finished.IfeltveryrelievedonceIknew Ihadfinishedschool.Resultsdaywas prettyfulfillingtoo;itfeltgreattoseethat yearsofhardworkhadpaidoff.During school,someofmybiggestachievements includegettingtheroleofChessViceCaptainandjoiningtheStudentCouncil.

Karan:Therewereafewstandouts,like returningtoface-to-facelearningright beforeexams,asthiswassuchawonderful opportunitytoreconnectwithfriendsand teachers.Year12valedictorywasanother highlightbecausethisallowedusstudents toreflectonthepastfewyears,celebrating howfarwe'vecomeandgrown.

Satvik: Afewofmylastmomentsatschool stickout:ourYear12campwherewewent tothebeachatsunrise,andourformaland graduationceremonywhichwasheldin

person.Anotherfondmomentwouldbemy teamwinningourschool'sannualfutsal (indoorsoccer)competitionwithallmy friendsinthecrowdjumpingontous.

Dhruv: Myfavouritemon,entwasmeeting myn1atesinpersonafteralmost4months inlockdown..HSCwise,Idon'tthinkI couldeverforgetthesenseofreliefafter finishingpaper2ofEnglishAdvanced(my leastfavouritesubject).Ofcourse,l'dbe remisstonotmentionDay5oftheFourth AUSvlNDTestattheGabba!

Daniel:Thefeelingofreliefaftermyend-ofyearPhysicsexamisonethatwillresonate withmeforever.Havingcompletedsix examsoverthepreviouscoupleofweeks,l wasmentallyandphysicallydrained.Aside fromthis,spendingtimewithfriendswas fulfilling.Thecontributionofn1yfriends andfan1ilytomyacademicdevelopment cannotbeunderstated.Forthat,lam perpetuallygrateful.

Abhinav: SpendingFormalwithmy friendsandthebondsIformedwiththem.

Gurbani: Spendingtin1ewithmyfriends atschoolduringtheshortperiodswe wereoutoflockdownaremomentsthatI willlikelyneverforget.Seeingeachother afterlengthenedperiodsoftimemadeus appreciatebeingtogetherallthemore.

Hussain: Year12Retreat,Year12

, Graduation, Year 12 Formal, and most ofall the banter amongst teachers and students intheclassroom.

Whatwouldyouradvicetofuturefinal yearstudentsbe?

Hussain: Enjoy it! Don't stress too1nuch about assignments and tests. Theywill work then1selvesout, but you mightn1iss out on the best schoolingyearifyou are too focusedongrades, ATAR and uni admission. Balance is key.

Abhinav: Cherish it. Don't spend your whole time studyingbut also don't slack offcompletely.

Satvik: Remember it is not the number ofhoursyoustudy that 1natters, buthow efficientlyyou spend yourtime. Place distractions likeyourphonein adifferent roon1 when studyingand ren1indyourself that aimlessly scrollingthroughTikTok and Instagra,n is notworth it. Prioritise completingpast papers and other revision questions in the weeks leadingup toyour exams so you can pinpointexact areas of in1provement. Apartfro1nthat, have fun and enjoyyour last yearofhigh school!

Karan: Take it as it comes. I thinkit's veryimportant tonotshy away from the fact that it is a very difficultyear; howeverifyou break itdownintosmaller

HUSSAIN HARDWAREWALA (SACE)

ATAR:98.15

Subjects:Chemistry, Mathematical Methods, Psychology, Integrated Learning,General English, Research Project, Music SoloPerformance, MusicEnsemble Performance

University/Course: BachelorofBiomedicalSciences, JamesCookUniversity School: RostrevorCollege,Adelaide SATVIK

GUPTA (HSC)

ATAR:99.90

Subjects: MathsExtension 1, Mathematics Extension2, Physics, Chemistry, EnglishAdvanced, Economics

Results/SpecialAwards: Band 6 in MathsExtension 1, Mathematics Extension 2,Physics,Chemistry, EnglishAdvanced, Economics

University/Course: BachelorofActuarialStudies(Co-OpProgram), UNSW

School: Baulkham Hills HighSchool, Sydney

CHARAN KANWAL SINGH (WACE)

ATAR:98.70

Subjects: English, Chemistry, Mathematics: Methods, Mathematics:Specialist, Business Management&Enterprise, Economics, Punjabi (interstate) Results/SpecialAwards:CertificateofDistinction, SubjectCertificateofExcellence: BusinessManagement& Enterprise(top0.5%inWA)

UniversityInformation:UniversityofWesternAustralia - BachelorofPhilosophy (Honours)with Majorsin Business Managementand Economics School:ScotchCollegePerth

pieces,YCE becomesa lot less daunting. Moreover, it's essential thatyou enjoy thegrind. Therewill be ti1nes whenyou are studying forhourson end despite not feelingvery n1otivated. Buton the flipside it's imperative thatyou make themost ofyourfinal yearofschool and immerse yourselfwithin theschool co1nmunity to make those lifelongn1emories.

Dhruv: It's easytogetcaught up in the everyday chaos ofYear 12,so never lose sightofwhatyouwanttoachieve.

Takethe time to stop and askyourself whyyou're doingwhat you are. Don't underestimate the need to take time and to enjoyyourselfduringtheyear. Studies

areimportant,but so are breaks!

Daniel:Thebeststudentsarethosewho enterYear 12 prepared. Beforeyour first dayofschool, make sure thatyouknow yourcourse inside-out. Knowthestructure andwhatisexpected.Don'tbe afraidto talkto past studentsto seekadvice and askquestions.Makethe mostofyour teachers; positive, meaningful relationships with them cansupportyou,fosteringa communityofacademicsuccess.

Gurbani: While itis importanttowork hard and be uptodate withyour studies, I'd recommendregularlyspendingtime doingthings outsideofyour academiclife in order to prevent a burnout, and enjoy a

balanced YCEjourney.

Kanwal: Enjoy it. Work hard. Simple.

Favouritequotefromateacher?

Satvik: "Hospitals need cleaners as much asthey need doctors."

Dhruv: "The HSC is a marathon, not a sprint"

Daniel: "The future belongs to those who prepare forit."

Gurbani: "Practice makes perfect." I know it's a cliche, but it's a sayingwhich I will forever hold to heart.

Hussain: "Noool!!!" - on many sentences ofmyEnglish drafts.

Karan: "There's nothingmoreyoucan do other than try your best." Best teacher in the world: Mrs Ruddick.

Describeyourfinalyearinthreewords

Dhruv: lntense. Insightful. Insane.

Hussain: Fun. Stress. Memories

Karan: Challenging. Rewarding. Unforgettable.

Kanwal: Busybut enjoyable.

Abhinav: Exciting. Fun. Eventful

Satvik: Demanding. Unpredictable. Rewarding.

Gurbani: Challenging. Engaging. Rewarding.

Daniel: To becontinued

Melbourne's Devika Chaudhary is Brimbank Council's Young Citizen of the Year 2022

BY CARLBUHARIWALA

orBrimbankCityCouncil'sYoung CitizenoftheYear2022Devika

Chaudhary,allittakesisasmall gesturetomakeadifferenceinthe livesofothers.

Whenwethinkabouthelpingothers,we questionwhatin1pactoureffortswillhave onthen1.Wemayworryaboutnotbeing abletodoenough,perhapsbecausewe believewemightnotbesufficientlyskilled, resourcedorexperienced.Or,wemightnot havetheconfidencetohelpothersinneed.

22-year-oldDevikaChaudharynever questionsherabilitytohelpothers."Weall havesomethingtooffer,"shesays."Wejust needtofinditanddoit!"

Withherpositive,outgoingandproactive attitudeinlife,DevikaistheproudcorecipientoftheBrimban.kCityCouncil's YoungCitizenoftheYearawardfor2022, forhercomn1unityworkacrossawiderange ofgroupsandprojects.

Children,youthandwomenfro1ndiverse backgroundsformthecruxofDevika's worksofar.

Amonghervastvolunteeringcon1mitment isherworkasanadvisorymen1berforthe BrunbankCo1nmunityFundforthepast twoyears,findingwaystohelptheFund withactivitiestobenefitlocalyouth.

Herworkalsoincludesstintsasan AdvisortoStateLibraryFocusGroup (CulturallyandLinguisticallyDiverse People)in2020;asamemberofCouncil's

HomeworkClubin2020;aspartof Council'sMentorProgra1nm2020-2021, andasaKidsActivityorganiserforthe McKayGardenFestival2019-2020.

BorninDelhi,Devi.ka1nigratedto Victoriawithherfan1ilyattheageof6. Thereweredifficultiesexperiencedin thoseearlyyearsofadjustmgtoanew culture.Asayoungadult,sherecognised thechallengesthatnewmigrantfamilies typicallyface,jugglingendlessprioritiesand activities."lrecallseeingfamiliesmigrate fromoverseasandnotunderstandsomeof theprocessesthatwenowknowandtake forgranted,"sheexplains.Sharingher experiencesandmsightswithotherchildren andtheirparentsonschooling,cultureand familylife,shehashelpedmanyfamilies feelcomfortableastheytransitiontolifein Australia.

Devika'spassiontovolunteercomes fromherownfamily.Withhermothernow thePresidentoftheWomenofBrimbank, a1nu1ticu1tura1wo1nen'ssupportgroup, Devikacontinuestoplayanimportantrole

inhelpinglocalwon1enbuildconfidence andleadahappylife.Asamen1berof thisorganisationherselfnow,shehas helpedorganiseCOVID-safeeventsfor localwomentokeepthemconnectedand supporteddurmgisolation.

AsanlPCHealthYouthAmbassador oftheVictorianResponsibleGambling Foundation,Devikahasworkedtopublicise theharmthatgamblingcancausetoyouth. Heractivitiesincludeschooloutreach projectstomakestudentsawareofgambling harm,sothattheydonot fall mtothetrapof gambling.

Attheageof15,Devikajoinedthe AustralianAirForcecadetprogram."I amfascinatedbyaviation-mygrandfather servedintheIndiana1·medforces,"she describes."Duringthecadetprogram,I developedfundamentalskillsliketeamwork, leadership,motivationandconfidence. Ivolunteeredacrossthreesquadronsto participateinvariousactivitiesthathelped medevelopessentialskills."

Towardstheendofher5-year

commitment,sheprogressedtobeing responsibleforteachingbetween80-90new recruitsandworkedherwaytotherankof sergeant.

Currently,Devikaisinherfinalyearofa jointEducatjonandLawdegreeatVictoria University.

"lhopetoimplementthelearningsfrom bothstreamsu1myvolunteeringwork.Law andeducationaredisciplinesthatwillallow metoguideothersonapathtoabetter future."

DespitetheimpactofCOVIDon universitylife,itisnotsurprisingthatDevika foundfurtheroutletsforherparticular passions.ThroughVictoriaUniversity's VolunteermgProgram,shewrotecountless letterstoresidentsinagedcarehomes, bringingthemcomfortandgivingthema contactwiththeoutsideworld.

Throughvolunteering,Devikaclaims shehasbeenabletouncoverwhatsheis passionateabout,andthishascontributed toshapmghercareertrajectory.

"Volunteeringnotonlyhelpsothersbut allowsyoutoidentifyanddevelopyourown skillsandpassionstoo,"saysDevikawith wisdom."Youdonothavetovolunteerall of your timetohelpsomeone.Allyouneed todoisofferasmuchoraslittleasyoucan to1nakeadifference.Speakingformyself,I feelIhavealotmoretooffer."

Withvariouss1nall(andso1nelarge!) gestures,Devikahasshownthatitdoesnot takemuchtogivebacktoothers,evenwith abusyschedule.

Itisclearsheispartofanewbreed ofyoungsterswhocaredeeplyabout supportingtheirlocalcommunityand n1akingitbetter.

COMMUNITY, BUSI DEEPAK-RAJ GUPTA, OAM

Forservice to the communityofCanberra

eepak-RajGuptawasfelicitated onAustraliaDaythisyearwith theOAM,forservicetothe con1munityofCanberra.

"Ifeelhonouredandprivileged,"Gupta toldIndianLink. "Itreflectswellonour con1munity,tobefelicitatedbasedonour professionalcontributions."

GuptaservedintheACTLegislative Assen1blyin2019-2020,asaLaborParty representativefortheYerrabiconstituency. Hebecan1ethefirstIndia-bornpersonto beelected,andasapractisingHindu,took hisoathontheBhagawadGita.

IntheAssen1bly,hetookonrolesinthe fieldsofjusticeandcom1nunitysafety, economicdevelopn1ent,waterefficiency, clin1atestrategy, andtourism.

Beforethis,alonglistofcontributions adornedhisCV,inacheckeredcareerin thebusinesssphere:hewaspartofACT tradeandbusinessdelegationstoIndiain 2015and2019.

WithintheIndiancornmunityin Canberra,Guptaiswell-known.He foundedtheCanberraIndiaCouncil;was PresidentoftheIndiaAustraliaAssociation ofCanberra,andwasfoundingpresident oftheACTChapteroftheAustralia IndiaBusinessCouncilfortenyears(he continuestobeamemberoftheAIBCat thenationallevel).

"lca1nehere32yearsago,withalmost nothinginn1yhands,"Deepak-RajGupta said,describinghisjourney."Asayoung internationalstudentin Melbourne,I neverdreamt1nycontributionswouldbe recognisedinthismanner."

TheAgra-bornSiinla-educatedGupta isgratefulfortheopportunitiesinthose earlydays,doingoddjobssuchaswashing carsandinhospitality."Thatstartputme directlyintouchwiththeco1nmonpeople, andallowedn1etobecomepartofthelocal co,nmunity.Ifoundpeopletobefriendly andwelcoming."

Gettingintotheworkforce,Gupta tookajobasprojectmanagerinafederal governmentdepartmentinCanberra. Outsideofhisworkhours,hethrew himselfintocon,munitywork.

"In2004IstartedHoliandDiwali celebrationmelas.Withthatexperience, l thoughtourco1nmunitydeserved moreexposureattheannualNational MulticulturalFestivalinCanberra.Aweeklongevent,ithadonlya15-minuteslotfor Indiann1igrants.I gotbehinditandasked formore.Todayitisaday-longevent, oneofthemostsought-afterintheentire festival."

Buoyedbyhisexperienceandsuccess inlarge-scaleevents,andwithgrowing businessnetworks,Guptathenlaunched

theWorldCurryFestivalinCanberra.

Withprofessionalinterestsasdiverseas this,itisnowonderhiscolleaguesinthe LegislativeAssemblyreferredtohimasan "IndianForrestGump".

Askhilnabouthiscareerhighlight,and hewilJpickhisshortstintintheLegislative Assen1bly.

"I'mquiteproudofthatachievement. Itshowsothersinourco1nmunitythatwe canfulfilourdreamsinthisnewland, withhardwork.Equally,itshowstherest ofthecountrythatIndianmigrantscan servethewidercommunityaspeople's representatives-andnotjustasmedicos andITprofessionals.I'malsoconscious thateffortssuchasminecaninspirethe secondgenerationofmigrants-I'mquite thrilledwiththeinterestI'mseeinginthe takeupofpolitics;manyofouryoungfolk aretakingthebatonandarekeentobein theplacewheredecisionsaremadeforthe

peopleofAustralia."

Inasignificantcontributionwhilehe wasintheAssembly,Guptalocatedthe graveofWalterBurleyGriffininLucknow. TheChicago-bornarchitectwhodesigned thecityofCanberra,diedinthenorthern Indiancityin1937.AsGuptapaid obeisance,hesaidfamouslythathewas ableto'feelaconnection'.

Advisingnewmigrantsintheiradopted ho1ne,Guptasaidsimply,"Dothehard yakka;don'ttakeshortcuts;giveyour 100%andtheresultswillcome."

Heiswell-awarethatrecentmigrants havebeenimportingolddivisionsfrom India.

"Wearenotunitedasacommunity,and thatisnotagoodreflectionofus.Worse, thepoliticalpartieswilltakeadvantageof it.Itisentirelyourfaultthough,andwe mustcheckthesetendenciesbeforethey bringusdown.Wemustleaveourdisputes

backinIndia.Thisisourhomenow, andwemusttreatitassuch.Thisisvery important."

WhatdrewhimtoLaborwhenhe decidedtotakeuppolitics?

"IknewverylittleaboutAustralia when.I wasgrowingupin India.Thetwo personalitiesthatimpressedmemostwere BobHawke,andRichieBenaud (laughs). HawkewasPMwhenIarrived.Ifound thenthatthevaluesoftheLaborParty resonatedwithn1e. As1nyowncareer inbusinessadvancedandIinteracted withpoliticians,Ibegantospeakup formorediversityinourboardsandin policy-making.Theyencouragedmetoget intopoliticstoseethechangesIwanted, implementedinreallife.Laborgave megreatsupport,allowingmetoseek preselectiononmyownterms.1gotthe preselectionin2016byonevote-itwas thattough."

Atrailblazerinacomn1unitythatisnow increasingitspoliticalpresenceespecially atthelocalcouncillevel,Gupta'slife experiencecanbeasourceofinspiration tomanykeentofollowthispath.

Rajni Anand Luthra

Ourheartiestcongratulationsalsoto Professor PrithvipallSingh BhathalofMelbourne, whoreceivedtheAM honourforsignificant servicetopathology, toeducation and mentoring,and tomedical research.

Deepak-

How lnstagram took Sydney girl Sanjana Nagesh to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list

SanjanaandNikitaatlnstagramheadquartersatLA

BY RITAM MITRA

ollowingyourpassionsisasimple adagethatiswroughtwithcomplexity foryoungSouthAsians.Forone,itis neversufficienttosimplyfollow;you areexpectedtoexcel,tolead,towin.Butmore significantly,passionsarefinetofollow-aslong astheyLiewithintheboundsofconvention: medicine,law,finance,engineering.

ButSanjanaNagesh,the25-year-old founderandCEOofsocialmediacommunity BrownGirlGang,isbreakingthemould.

Sanjana'sjourneyin"accidentally"starting aglobalsisterhoodhasseenherstarttorack upaccolades,includingbeinghonouredon theForbes30Under30Listinthecategory ofMedia,MarketingandAdvertising.In aninterviewwith Indian Link. Sanjana describesherjourneyas"surreal",andone shehopescanmotivateothers.

Itwasin2017thattheSydney-based Sanjanafoundherselfscrollingthrough Instagram,drawinginspirationfroma widerangeofSouthAsianwomenacross avarietyofdiversecareers.Surprisedto discoverthattherewasnocommunityor "girlgang"collatingthesewomenandtheir stories,Sanjanacreated-onawhim-the lnstagramhandle@browngirlgangand beganthatcuration.

"Theprocess(ofcuratingstories)was initiallymeanttobeapersonalmoodboard. Growingupdesi,1didn'treallyknowabout thedifferentcareersavailabletome.So, IthoughtIcouldlearnfromtheseother people,"saysSanjana."AkeyreasonI choseBrownGirlGangasanameisthat theAsiandiasporacon1efromsomany differentcow1tries,socontentbymost 'browncreators'isinherentlyrelatableto anextremelywideaudience.So,brown isjustshorthandtoreflectmyidentity. Brownmeanstoembracemyancestryand heritageandmergeitwithmydailylife, whetherit'sspeakingmultiplelanguagesat home,watchingBollywoodmoviesoreating differentcuisines,"shecontinues.

Initially,Sanjana'spetprojectinvolved postingcontentprimarilyduringherdaily commutestouniversityandwork.But BrownGirlGangtookonalifeofitsown, andnowboastsnearly140,000followers onlnstagramalone,andcountsamongstits followerscelebritieslikeNeverHaveIEver creatorMindyKaling.Forawhile,Sanjana alsojuggledtheresponsibilityofcollating, producingandresearchingcontentfor BrownGirlGangalongwithherpart-time jobatventurecapitalfundAirTree.

• -

Giventhat"working"insocialmedia isarelativelynewphenomenon,attin1es SanjanawasunsurewhetherBrownGirl Gangcouldsupportasustainablecareer. Havingrarelyseenrole1nodelsthatlooked likeherinthemediaspace,Sanjanawas detern1inedtofindSouthAsianwomenand featuringtheirstoriesonherInstagram,and indoingso,hasdevelopedforherself-and others-astrongsenseofcommunity.

Fittingly,BrownGirlGangalsohasan unofficialmicrobrowngirlgangbehindit; Sanjana'soldersisterNikita,whoherself hasextensiveexperienceinworkingwith technologyandstart-ups,andbySanjana's ownadmissionhasafantasticknack forspottingopportunities,alsodevotes whatevertimeshecantohelpSanjana withthearduoustaskofmaintainingand growingthecommunity."It'sbeenamazing seeingSanju'sjourneyasalessoninhow farpassioncantakeyou,"saysNikita."All theopportunitiesthathavecon1eherway arequiteorganic,whichjustgoestoshow howengagedhercommunityis.Oneof myfavouriteexperienceswasflyingover toAmericatogethertomeettheHeadof Productatlnstagram.Iamsoexcitedtosee what'saheadforBrownGirlGang."

WithplanstonowscaleBrownGirlGang upacrossmoreplatforms,withawider varietyandvolumeofcontent,Sanjana's workloadisn'tabouttogetanyquieter. Findinginspirationtodosowasn'thardSanjananotesthatshereceivesdailymessages andcommentsfromfollowers-including acrossawidespectrun1ofgendersand ethnicities-whocreditBrownGirJGangwith helpingthemfeelcomfortableintheirown skin,motivatingthemtofollowtheirpassions, orallowingthemtoembracetheircultu1·es.

It'sinteractionsLikethesethatground Sanjanainrealitywhenitcomestothedark sideofsocialmedia:trolls."Gettingnegative commentsispartofcontentcreation,and Likeeveryjob,thereareprosandcons," admitsSanjana."Butthebadisverymuch outweighedbythegood,andinthemon1ents whenlfeeloverwhelmed,Itrytofocusonall theamazingDMsI'vereceivedinsteadand takeabreakfromtheonlineworld."

Andhavingusedtheplatformtorun successfulsocialcampaignsLikeraising almost$5,000dollarsforCOVID-19reliefin India,there'sasensethatthereismuchmore goodtocomeforandfromBrownGirlGang.

Sanjana'sadvicetocreators,entrepreneurs andinfluencersissimple:"Createthings youwishexisted-whateveryou'regoing through,youmayfeelisolated,butsomeone elseisfeelingitintheworld.There'snosuch thingasanicheanymore.Ifyoucanfindthe targetedthingthatyoucareabout,you'llhave anincrediblyengagedaudience."

Teen cricketer Harjas Singh has what it takes to play for Australia

BY DARSHAKMEHTA

twaswitha1nixtureofprideandcuriosity thatIdrovetomeetHarjasSinghat NeiJO'Costa'sStarCricketAcademyin Hornsby.Harjasisayoungmanofwho1n muchisexpected.Hebecan1ethe8thyoungest teenager,at16,toscoreahundredinSydney's (First)PremierGradeCricketCompetition, forhisteamBlacktown,againstStGeorge. Indoingthishejoinedson1everyillustrious na1nes,includingSteveSmith,Usn1an Khawaja,NieMaddinsonandKurtisPatterson -allcontemporaryAustralianTestcricketers. Infact,atayoungeragethanthem!

Thedistinguishedgroupofteenagerswho havepe1fonnedthesamefeatingenerations past,includesforn1erAustraliancaptains ArthurMorris,IanCraigandBobbySitupson. Folks,wearenottalkingofcheapruns here.Thelevelandqualityofcricketof thetopclubteamsinSydney'sFirstGrade isreminiscentofmanymiddle-rungRanji TrophyteamsinIndia.

So,thereisareasonformyhype. InNeilO'Costa'swords,"Thisboyis special.HeiscapableofplayingTestcricket forAustralia."

ComingfromthecoachofMichael

Clarke,PhilHughesandMarnus Labuschagne,thisishardlyamentor pluggit1ghispupil.Thisisarespected Dronacharyawhohaspersonallydiscovered, mentoredandfinessedmoreAustralian cricketersthananyoneelse.

D'Costaisparticularlyproudofhis Indianheritageandhebelievesthat1-larjas isthegoods."Heiscool,confidentand unflappable,andhasdevelopedthepleasing habitofscoringbighundreds,"heaffirmed. "Itisearlydaysyet,but1an1confidenthe hasthetalent,ambitionandtemperamentto playatthehighestlevels."

AYear12studentatWestfieldSports HighSchool,Fairfield,Harjaswasunfussed

answeringquestionsinanhour-longchat.His parentschippedineverynowandthen,when asked.Blessedwithgoodsportinggenes(father lnderjitwasaPunjabstateboxingchampion andmumAvinder,astate-levellongjumper) Harjaswascannilymotivatedbyagrandfather whogavehimcash"baksheesh"everytimehe scoredover50.Granddadmighthavetoscale itbackorliftthecriteria,thewayheisgoing!

Harjasisanaturalright-handerinaln1ost everythinghedoes,EXCEPTbatting.The reason?

"Asayoungkidbattingright-handedin thebackyard,Iwasindangerofbreakingthe glasswindowswhichwerecloseby,onthe leg-side,"herevealed."So,Istartedbatting

left-handed,toavoidthatpotentialcrisis.And I'vestucktoit!Ibowlright-armmedium pacers,though,andthrowright-handed."

Theyoungsterhascomethroughthe ranksincricketandannouncedhimself byscoring161 battingatNo. 3,forthe BankstownUnder12sagainstFairfieldLiverpool.Thatledtohin1beingselectedfor theNSWAcademyUnder13s.

"That'swhenIfeltIreallybelonged,and developedheapsofself-belief,"Harjassaid.

Atjust 17,D'CostafeelsHarjas"isahead ofwhereheshouldbe"andintheoff-season thisyear,planstofocusonafewaspects whichwillfurtherhonehisability.

Harjasisnotaboring,uniditnensional blokeeither-hehasplayedtheharn1oniu1n sincehewas6yearsoldandhasevenpicked upthetablainthepastfewyears.Hisparents creditthistothekirtansheattendsandplays atregularlyattheRevesbyGurudwara.

HealsolovestheSikhmartialartof "Gatka",astyleofstickfighting,andproudly donsa"patka".

He'sfondofcookingtoo,herevealed.

"I'mavegetarian,andpastaismy favouritedish."

Hein1pressedasawell-grounded, n1atureyoungmanwhosedotingparents arejustifiablyproudofhiskind-hearted, relaxedandfriendlynature.Despitehaving encounteredunsavoury,discrin1inatory experiencesasayoungboy,Harjasiswell andtrulyoverthosechallengingtimesand bearsnoresentmentofthosewhoignored orsidelinedhiminhisyoungerplayingdays.

Sydneygradecricketisnotforthefainthearted.Vigorousverbalexchanges(a.k.a. sledging)arecommonplace.Previously, thoughheneverinitiatedanyverbals,Harjas wouldnottakeabackwardstep.HeisaSikh afterall!However,hebasheededhiscoach NeilD'Costa'sadviceandthesedaysrarely dignifiestheopposition's"banter"orbaitwith aresponse-justasmile.NeiJ'ssuggestion wassimple:StayQuiet.Also,StayHun1ble. AskedaboutNeil,thepupilsays,"Hecan bequicktocriticiseandslowtopraise,but nevergoesoverthetop,regardlessofagood orbadperformance."

There'sobviousrespectandadmiration there.

D'Costacanbeacerbic,i.tisknown,but hasaheartofgoldandsupportshisboys passionately.Heisdeterminedtoproduceand seeacricketerofIndianheritageinAustralia's Testteaminthenext3to5yearsandhefeels thiswillinspirescoresofothers.Hehasafew goodprospectscurrently,includingbuddmg quickbowler,HunarYern1a.

Ifhiscoachisright,Harjas,whohas hinlselfbeeninspiredbyUsmanKhawaja, mightwellbetheinspirationforhundredsof youngSouthAsianboysandgirls,aspiringto playfortheircountryofbirth,Australia.

soa In n Ian amI 1es

n e-coo

Grassroots community organisations RAIN, Sakhis and Heart of Love Foundation rise to the occasion

BY BAGESHRI SAVYASACHI

sSydneysidersgrapplewiththe

O1nicronwave,Kogarahresident

EktaSharmafoundhersell'ina 10-dayisolationsituationafter sheandherhusbandtestedpositive. Thefamilyofthreefoundithardto copewiththeharshsympto1nsofthevirus (fever,cough,ru11nynose,headachesand diarrhoea) while also caringfortheir6-yearoldson.

Withnotimetobuygroceries,the

Sharmashadnofoodorsuppliesatho1ne. ItwasthenthatafriendofEkta'sona KogarahcommunityWhatsAppgroup 'Sakbis'poi11tedherinthedirectionof wannho1ne-cookedrelief.

"Wecould'vereliedonSwiggyorUber Eatsbutwhenafriendtoldmeabouta communityserviceorganisationproviding home-cookedfood,l quicklybookedmeals withthem,"EktaSharmatoldIndianLink. "1twasnotjustsoulsatisfyingbutalsogreat formychild."

JtallstartedduringtheSydneylockdown of2021 whenManishaShi1·odkar,a memberofRAJN(ResourcefulAustralian IndianNetwork)whoalsomanagedSakhis (a256-membergroup),noticedthatmany

Indiancommunitymemberswhowere isolatingwereindireneedofareliable sourceofnutritiousfood.

However,RAlN'sfoodcollectionpointin Penshurstprovedtoofarforsomeisolating householdsintheSouthSydneysuburb. Asmoremessagespouredinfromother Kogarahresidentswhoneededthetiffin service,ManishaShirodkarrequesteda bulkdeliverytotheKogarahIndiaBazaar. ManishaShirodkarisacricketclub secretaryattheKingsgroveCricketClub insouthSydney,whichhostsabout200 players.

"Therewerepregnantwomenwithnone oftheusualfamilysupport,andpeople recoveringfron1ailmentswhohadbabiesto

lookafter.Theyallrequiredhealthyhomecookedfood,"Manishasaid.

"At$8pertiffin,it'sverycheapandmore thanenoughfoodforoneperson.Youget amazinggharkakhaana andtheproceeds gotosupportanNGO,"sheadded.

MadhuAuntyfromtheKogarahIndia Bazaarwasinstrumentalinhelpingthe localcon1munity,Manishashared.She clearedshelvesatthewell-knowngrocery storetomakeroomforRAIN'sfood deliveries.

"WhenEktawasimpacted,myson pickeduptifftnsfro1nthestoreand droppedthemoffatherhouse,"Manisha revealed."Andwhenhehimselffellsick halfwaythroughherisolation,anotherlady fromthegroup,Charanya,tookoverto makedeliveriesatsickpeople'sdoorsteps. Thepeopleinourgroupfindwaystohelp eachother."

Theinitiativetakenbythevolunteerand motherofthreehasledto25fa1niliesin Kogarahregularlyreceivinghealthyhomecookedmeals.Closetoathousandtiffins havebeendeliveredtoresidentsinisolation sinceSepten1berlastyear.

Me1nbersat RAIN Penshurstbegin cookingat7a1nsothatmealscanbe deliveredorpickedupbefore 1l:30am, wellaheadoflunchtime.

"Wehave7staffandaround20 volunteers,somecomeinonaregular basis,"RAINGeneralManagerParagShah said."Wewouldlovemorevolunteersbut duetoCOVIDsocialdistancingguidelines wecannotaffordtoputanyoneatrisk;it's acatch-22."

Hewenton,"Weareheretoserve. Welovetoservethecon,munity.Though westartedthisNGOin2014forseniors, throughManisha'sgroupmanyyoung mumsandexpectantmumshavealsobeen given1nuch-neededrelief."

Thoseinneedofmealscanplaceorders twodaysinadvancebycontactingRitaben on0422897665,Gitabenon0450 150 808,orParagon0409748832.

***

TheSydney-basedHeartofLove FoundationhasalsobeenprovidingCOVJD reliefintheformofmealstosickfamilies. SriandNaveenYelamanchililaunchedthe foundationtwoyearsago,toprovidemeals tohomelesspeople.ButCOVIDhasaddeda wholenewdimensiontotheiragenda.

Volunteersnowcookanddeliver foodboxesandprovisionsallacrossthe city.Theirmessagehasgoneouttothe

FoodpacksdonatedbyvolunteersofHeartofLoveFoundation

con1munityviaFacebookandWhatsApp groups.

SriYelamanchJJitoldIndianLink, "Ourfoodisvegetarian,sattvicandhomecooked.It'susuallydal,vegetablecurries, n1aybe paneer, plentyofsalads,riceand rotis,andson1etimesfruit.Weaskour volunteercookstouseminirnaloil,andnot toincludenuts."

Asanalliedhealthprofessionalhimself, Naveenisveryparticularaboutthekind offoodthatmustbesentouttothose currentlyconvalescing.

Son,e60fan,iJieshavebeenbenefitting inthelastfewweeks.43volunteersare currentlyserving-eitherpreparingthe mealsordeliveringthen1,oftentakingon bothresponsibilities.

"Thenun1berofpeopleofferingtohelp isgoingupeveryday,"Srirevealed."We expressourthankstoallourvolunteers, especiallySavita,Pushpa,Ashok,Priyaand Prathilna."

Yetanoperationsuchasthisrequil'es morevolunteersandsothecallisoutcontactNaveenon0488725753ifyou wouldliketohelp.ContactSrion0434 620092ifyouareinneed.

"Theain1ofourfreeco1nn1unityservice istohelpprovidefoodtoCOVlD-infected peopleandabettheirfastrecovery,"Sri re1narked."Butourunderlyingaimand goalistoutilisethisserviceasamedium toexpressourlovetowardsourfellow compatriots,andinthatprocesstolove ourselves."

"Whiletherearemanyformsofservice towardsmankind,webelievethatfood servicenourishesthestomachsofthe receiverswhilenourishingtheheartsofthe givers,"sheadded.

RAIN / Sakhis

Ifyouare in need, place orderstwo days in advance bycontacting Ritaben on 0422897 665, Gitaben on 0450 150808, orParag on 0409 748832.

Heart of Love Foundation

ContactSrion 0434620092 if youare in need.

ContactNaveen on0488 725 753 if you wouldlike tohelpcook and/ ordeliver.

With RaJni Anand Luthra

VolunteersatRAINhavebeenpreparingregularmealsforaffectedcommunitymembers

We havelearned so much... there still remains much to learn. We are notgoing in circles, weare going upwards.The path is a spiral; we havealreadyclimbed many steps.

Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha (1922)

Image bySMITA NASHIKKAR lnstagram: smitanphoto

Sydney Olympic Park Drone photography (OJI Mavic Mini)

'' urderisacrime.Describing murderisnot.Sexisnota crime.Describingsexis," Americanculturalcritic GershonLegn1ansaidin1949,decryingthe officialattitudethatallowedculturaldepictions ofgraphicviolencebutnotsex.

Asthe1960sbegan,however,twohighprofiletrialsintheUK('TheLadyChatterley' case)andtheUSsawrulingsthatsexinliterary workscouldnotbepenalisedongroundsof obscenity,andtheeroticele1uentbecamequite mainstrean1

Sexhasfiguredinliterature,rightfrom ancienttimes,butsawa111ajorfillip-and gotdifferentiatedfron1pornography-asthe noveldevelopedinthe18thcentu1y,with JohnCleland'sFannyHill(1748),oractually Memoirsofa Wo,nanofPleasure,possibly beingthefirsteroticnovel.

Thegeru·ereallyhititsstrideinthe20th century,asevenestablishedwritersespoused it.JosephineMutzenbacherorTheSto,yofa VienneseWhore,asToldbyT-Jerself(1906)was publishedanony1nously,butisnowattributed toFelixSalten,otherwiseknownforthe children'sclassicBa,nbi.

Hern.yMiller'sTropicofCancer(1934)and TropicofCapricorn(1939),AnaisNin'sThe DeltaofVenus(fron1thet940s,butpublished 1977),PaulineReage'sTheStoryofO(1954), EmmanuelleArsan'sEn1manuelle(1959),and TerrySouthern'sspoofBlueMovie(1970)are son1enotableones.

Furthermore,sexscenesbecamecommon inothergenrestoo-takeHaroldRobbins, JackieCollins,andeveninthrillers,say,Sidney Sheldon,IJ·vingWal.lace,the'ModestyBlaise' series.AnotableoutlierwasAlistairMaclean, whowhenaskedabouttheabsenceofsexin hisworks,saiditgotinthewayoftheaction.

Withsocietybecomingn1oreliberal(mostly) andnewformsofmediaen1erging,thetrend hasbeco111ecomn1on.AsthesuccessofSexin theCity, 50ShadesofGrayandtheirilkshows, theeroticinfiction,oreveneroticfiction,is nolongerseenasprurient,asthepreserveof dodgy publishers,orhiddenawayinbookstore corners(mdianreadersofacertaingeneration wouldrecallcoiningacrossNancyFridayand LetterstoPenthouseandbeingchasedaway bybookshopowners/parents).Andlikeother media(cinen1a/OTIespecially),itnolonger hastobeapologetic,thoughchallengesfron1 "moralguardians"stillpersist.

l11dianshavealongtraditionoferotic literaturedowntheages.TheKainaSutra, theAnangaRanga,Kalidasaandhisvivid descriptions(oneaboutShakuntalagotits Bl"itishtranslatorallworkedup),Jaydeva's GitaGovinda(thoughsomedee1nitto beareligiousallegory),Vallabhadeva's Subhashitavali, Bihari'sSatasai,Telugupoetess Muddupalani'sRadhika-santvana,n (The AppeasingofRadhika),andmanyothersshow thatourforebearswerenotshyabout thetopic.

Closertoourtimes,we'vehad "bold"writerslikeIsn1atChughtai, KrishnaSobti,KhushwantSinghneveraversetopullinghispunches onthiscount-andShobhaaDe.And now,authorsdon'tevenneedthat label,astherangeofanthologies,web stories,andtheIndianimprintofthe Mills&Boonseriesshows.

Beforelistingsomecontemporary examples,itisimportanttonotethat thequalityofthewritingism1portant. (ManyIndian-Originwritershave beenshortlistedforTheLiterary Review's'BadSexinFictionAward',

VIKAS DATTA on Indian erotic literature and its significance

withtwoevenclaimingthedubioushonourof winning).

Depictionofsexshould"evokeafeeling androotforthecharacter,notmakeitcreepy, dirty,orderogato1ytoanygender,"says MadhuriBanerjee,whoseoeuvre,relevant here,includesLosingMyVirginityAndOther Du,nbIdeas(2011),MistakesLikeLoveAnd Sex(2012),ScandalousHouseivives(2014) andForbiddenDesires(2016)aswellasthe screenplayforHindifilmHateStory2.

KiranManral'sversatileaswellas prodigiousoutput,spanningfrothyron1ance

(AllAboard, 2015,andSavingMaya, 2108) tol-limalaya11Nair(TheFaceatTheWindow, 2016),todarkerjou1·neysintomentalnever lands,asinMissingPresurnedDead(2018) ru1dMoreThingsinHeavenandEarth(2021), alwaysqualifiesonthisscore.

Shesayssheis"generallynotveryexplicit anddetailed,Itendtoleavealottothe imagination.Myaimisnottotitillatebutto putthereaderinascene,sotheygowith themoment."

Shenotes,"Onedoesn'treallyaddasex scenethinking,okay,let'saddasexscenehere.

Forme,ilieprocessisorganic;ifthe1noment isprogressinginawaythatoneneedstowrite itoutsothereaderwillexperiencewhatthe protagonistisgoingthrough,thenonedoesso. Ifitwouldseen1gratuitous,thenIdesist.Ifeel itisthecharacterswhodrivewhatIwrite,and itistheywhotellmewhentheyaregoingto havesex,andwhetherIneedtowTiteitoutor merelyalludetoitandmoveon."

Kiranalsoadmitsthat"sexscenesareperhaps themostdifficultscenestowrite,afterhtunour".

SomeotherstoseeincludeAbhaDawesar's Babyji(2005),acoming-0f-agestoryofarather precociousteenagegirlstudentintheearly 1990s-atumultuoustimeforJJ1dianyouth, careerandotherwise-assheexploresherown sexualityandnavigatescomplexrelationships, includingwithherclassmatesandadults.

Ananth'sPlayWithMe(2014)mayseema fantasybutalsoprovidesfoodtorthoughton theintensityanddurabilityofrelationships, longing,andemotionalsupport.

Inshortstories,ApurvNagpal'sEighteen Plus:BedtimeStoriesForGrown-Ups(2013) usesvariousforms,includingthetranscriptofa textingexchange,toexploresexualityinurban India.Theuproarious'AttheBigFatIndian Wedding'setinaresortwherethebridegroom ishavingsecondthoughtsandhisfiendhasa seriesofencounters,standsout.

InEighteenPlusDuets(2016),Nagpal collaborateswith 18womenwriterstofashion anotherrangeofsex-themedstories,including 'ADayofDeshSeva'(alongwithJoMarch), asatiricallookatIndianpoliticiansand bureaucratsinthecourseofaday.

APleasantKindoffleavyandOtherErotic Stories(2013)byAranyanialsoexpandsthe gem·e'sscope,especiallyinitsfirststorywhena post-lunchmassagele,1dstoallsortsofthings. Then,twoanthologiesdeservemention -ElectricFeather:TheTranquebarBookO EroticStories(editedbyRuchirJoshi,2009) andThePleasurePrinciple:TheAmaryllisBoole ofEroticStories(editedbyG.Sarnpath,2016). Therearemanymore,butit'stin1etoask whatdowemakeofsexinbooks?

Justpassingitoffasawaytotitillatereaders, thelitera1yequivalentoftheHollywood"item song",wouldnotbeve1yvalid,foritdoes provideinsightsintoemotions,personaland genderrelations,socialmores,nonns,thestate ofsocietyitself-anddesiresandaspirations. WhileforKiran,1nak:ingherfemale protagonistssexuallyactive"hasbeenthisneed toshowagencyandfen1aledesire",Madhw·i says,"Iwriteaboutwo1nenempowerment. Andonefacetofthaten1powermentissexual liberation.Iaddascenewhenthecharacter hasadesireandhasbeendeniedorrepressed toralongtimeas1didinScandalous Housewives, whereeachcharacterwasscorned forsomereasonbutfow1dhappinessinanew way."

Thatwecanrelateto.

BY MOHAN DHALL

hestartoftheschoolyear commenceswithrnostadults

wearyandwary.Whilstthelarge risesandsubsequentdeclinesin O111icroncaseshavegivenson1ehopethat casenun1berswillcontinueto fall,parents, educatorsandstudentsremainconcerned.

A conflation of issues

Afewissueshavecombinedtocreate averyuncertainstarttotheacadentlc year.Disruptionsappearinevitable,but accommodationforthispossibilityhas beenpatchy.Considerationsincludethe effectofdisruptiononstudentsandtheir parentsifstudentsfallill;concernsabouta sn1allernumberofteachersinschools;and theeffectofhighOmicroncaseloadson teachers,parents,andsystemsonceroutine, giventhathighvolumemove1nentandclose contactisthenorm.

Student illness

Itmaybepredictedthatdespitemoderate butrisingvaccinenumbersamongst school-agedchildren,therewillbemore coronaviruscasesaffectingyoungpeople. Thiswillleadtoschooldisruptionsandwill directlyimpactonstudents.Forindividual studentsaffected,therewillbetheinevitable isolationandconvalescence-whichmaybe

quick,butforothersfarlonger.Thisalone willimpactonstudentconfidenceandcould alsobringasocialstign1afromirnmatu1·e peers.Thepublicstaten1entshavebeen abouttheneedforschooltocontmueas normal-butwhetheritiswantedornot, onlir1elearningn1uststillbereadied.

Educators,parents,andchildrenare generallywearyofonlinelearnmgandso thispossibilitycanleadtoresistanceand undermineornullifyitseffect.Moreover, teachershavenotbeengivenextra timetoplanforthisagain.Afterall,say systems,theyshouldbynowbeready, notwithstandingthepreparationforface-tofaceteachingandlearnmg.

Consequently,shouldtherebehighcaseloads everythingwillbepredictablyre-activerather thanpre-readiedshouldissuesarise.

Parentsarewary.Theyareuncertain aboutwhatwilltranspire-hopefulbut weary.Summerholidays,asanextension oflastyear,weren1uted.Parentsworryfor theirchildren.Theywonderhowquickly thingswillreturntosomething'normal' andsotheycanfinallyrelax.Anadditional worryisthatparentsmaynothaveany accumulatedleavetolookaftertheirownill child(ren)and111ayfeelworkvulnerable.

Vaccines and vaccine concerns Astherolloutincludeschildrenofyounger ages,thenumberofconcernedparents rises.Theyseethat,althoughvaccinesmay a1neliorateseriousillness,theydonotappear toreducethetransntlssibilityoftheOntlcron

variant.Morethanoneconcernedparent hasstatedtomethattheydonotwanttheir pre-adolescentchildrentohavethevaccine forfearofwhatthelong-termeffectsmight be.Thesearenotanti-vaxxers,havinghad alltherequisitedosesthemselves.They aresimplyconcernedandwaryparents, responsiblythinkingoftheirchildren.

Fewerteachers

Unvaccinatedteachershavebeenforcedout ofschools.Thishasledtoadeclineinthe numberofteachersinschoolandtheriseof unvaccinatedteachersbecomingtutors.The staffproblemiscompoundedasthepipeline fornewteachersbasbeendisrupted.This isbecausethepracticalexperienceof traineeteacherswasunabletobeeffectively completedlastyearandthusfewertrainees areclassroom-ready.

Giventhat20-30%ofdifferentworkplaces sufferedfromstaffsickness,beforeand afterChristmas,thereislikelihoodthathigh levelsofstaffsicknesswillbethenormin Terms1 and2.Thisisaseriousissuewith fewerteachersavailable.Howwilllearning beaffectedbythis?

Olderteachers

1knowofolderteachersinschools concernedthattherehasbeenno accommodationtotimetablesto allow themtoworkonlineforthistern1.Theyare simplyexpectedtoworkas"newusual" withfacemaskson,physicaldistance,the shieldoftheirvaccinesandtwiceweekly RATs.However,Omicronnumbersarehigh

acrossallagegroupsandwitholderpeople mostvulnerable.Manyteachershaveelderly parentsandtheseteachershavenotheard fromschoolshowtheirextendedinterests arebeingtakenintoaccount.Inshort, teachersarewary.

Weary

Whetherwelikeitornot,thepasttwoyears havetakenanemotionaltoll.Teachingis tiringwhenthereisnottheaddeden1otional overlapofworryaboutselfandfa111i1y. Thoughtherehasbeenabreak,theholiday wascharacterisedformanyasatimeof worryforfanillyandfiendsduetothehigh casenu1nbers.Teachersarewearyandso areschooladministrators.

Not enough psychologists in schools

Pre-pandemictherewerenotenough counsellorsandpsychologistsinschools. Atthistimen1oreareneededthanprior tothepandemic.However,thereare feweravailable,andtheemotionalsupport required,intheabsenceofsystemic support,isnowevenmorenecessary.The effectofthisisthatteachersandstudents needtorelymoreontheirownresources. Whilstweallwanttocelebratethestart ofanewyearandafreshbeginning,for awhileparentsandeducatorsneedtobe disciplined,carefulandconsidered.

Atthestartofthiseducationalyear,a significantproportionofthemostimportant stakeholdersarewearyandwary.

Atthe start ofthis school year, a signiiicant proportion ofthe most important stakeholders - parents and teachers - have many concerns

Myjobtitle

DeputySuperintendentClassificationsand Place1nent,attheSilverwaterCorrectional Co1nplex

Ihavebeenin thisfieldfor 27years

Whatmyjobentails

Myjobinvolvesdecidingwhereinmates shouldbeplacedsothattheyhavethebest chanceatturningtheirlivesaround.

Whenaninmate first con1esin,wedoa detailedriskassessmentbeforebuildingacase planforthelengthoftheirstay.Thisinvolves lookingattheirage,whethertheyareafirsttin1eoffender,healthissuesincludingmental health,educationalanden1ploymentlevels, identifyingwhetherthereareakohoVdrug/ violence/gang-relatedissues,etc.Basedonthis wechartoutacomprehensiveplanfortheir rehabilitation.Dependingontheprogramwe reco1nmend,wedecidewheretheyshouldbe placed,ie,whichfacilitywillprovidethemwith theprogramtheyneedforrehabilitation.

Itisalongjow·neyforinmates-soour assessmentandplacementcanbecrucial.In

so1necasestheirownsafetycanbeaffected. Butn1oreimportantly,ifweplaceaninmateat alocationwithoutasuitableprogramforthem, they'rejustgoingtositarow1danddonothing, which1nightencou1·agethemtooffendagain.

Thepositiveaspectsofmywork

I'mdirectlyinvolvedin helpingsomeone turntheirlifearound.Thedecisionsthatmy teamandItake,haveasignificantbearing onthefutureoftheoffender.Thiscouldbe in theirhealthormentalhealth,behaviour issues,aswellaswork.hnportantly,wesee thattheygetappropriateskillsets,training themin111eaningfulwork.Long-tenn inmatesareencouragedtowardseducation viaopenuniversityiftheyarekeentodoso.

Mostoften,we'veobservedthat theytakereallywelltoourintervention programs.Ofcourse,therearethosewho don't-youcan takeahorsetowater,but youcan't111akeitdrink.

Overall,myworkisfulfillingandrewarding. TherehavebeenoccasionswhenI'moutand aboutafterhours,andsomeonewalksupto meandsays,HelloMrSinghhowareyou.It'll beaforn1erinmatewhostillremembers.

Thechallenges

Yestherearechallenges,likeineveryjob. Intherarecasewherewearenotableto placeaninmateinthebestpossibleprogram forthemduetowhateverreason,itcanbe frustrating.Itisnotdeliberate,asmightbe believed;we'dlikeyoutoknowthatplentyof worktakesplaceinthebackgroundbeforewe decidetogodowntothenextbestplacement.

Itcanalsobeachallengeson1etimesto establishrapportandtrust,butI'veleaTnt thatcommunicationisthekey.

l'n1oftenaskedaboutsafetyofstaffin thisworkenvironment.Yes,staffhaveto dealwithissueslikeself-harm,skirmishes andriots,butwearetrainedtodeal withthesesituations.Confrontedwith theseconditions,weactaccordingtoset professionalguidelinestoquicklydiffuse.

HowCOVID-19haschangedmy workpractice

I'mworkingfromhomealotWhenIdovisit thesites,it'salwaysaftertesting,becausewe areconcernedaboutthehealthandsafety ofstaffaswellasinmates.Likeinother industrieswe'realsofacingstaffshortages,

o cer

andongoinguncertainty.Wedohowever havegoodsupportfromCommandPost,who managestaffandlookaftertesting.

Regardingtheinmates,monitoringsocial distancingandmask-wearinghasbecome anaddedresponsibility.Visitshavebeenan issueobviously.Buttechnologyhashelpedwe'vebeenabletoorganisevideovisits.

Howmyjobhaschangedmylife

I'vegainedalotoflifeexperience(laughs).l wasverynaivewhen Istarted! Butseriously, I'vedevelopedgreatskillsindealingwith people.Effectivecommunicationisvital.I've learnedhowtobefirmbutfair-it'sthe1nost appropriatewaytotreattheinmateswith dignity,andtodotherightthingbythe111.

I'malsopleasedathowI'velearnedto communicatewithmystaff.

Overandabovethesechanges,l've beguntofeelthatmyworkissewa,the actofselflessservice.Sewaisatthecore ofmySikhism.It'ssomethingI'velearnt frommyfamilyandhavetaughtitonto myownchildren.Wealldosewainthe gurudwarafrequently,but1thinksewamust bereflectedineverydaylife.Iseemyjobas sewa,directlyhelpingbetterpeople'slives. Seeingmyjobassewaalsohelpsmetodo itbetter.

Adviceforpeoplewhoarelookingtoget intothisprofession

Yes,manynewmigrantsfromIndiahave shownaninterest.Itischallenging,but you'retrainedforit.There'sbeenanincrease infinancialstability,andtherearemany opportw1itiesforgrowth.Youcandiversify accordingtoyourareaofinterest-industry, psychology,civilianorcustodialroles.

In this column, we look at the interesting vocations in which our community members are involved. This issue, Sydney's GURPREETSINGH tells us about his work with Corrective Services NSW, on National Corrections Day

GurpreetSingh spoke to Rajni Anand Luthra

BY RHEAL NATH

avigatingtheworldofonlinedating canbeadauntingexperience,facing awkwardencountersandconfusing conversationsinthesearchforlove.

Unfortunately,it'smuchmorecomplicated thanthatformorethan4millionAustralians livingwithadisability.

"Whenpeopleseen1eforthefirsttime, someofthemmakefalseassun1ptions," sharedJerushaMather,adisabilityadvocate, poet,andn1otivationalspeakerlivingwith cerebralpalsy.

"WeshouldjustseedisabiJityasanorn,al partofdiversityandnot1nakeitabigdeal. Peoplewithdisabilitiesarecapableofso muchandcanhaveahighqualityoflifejust likeanyoneelse."

Tiredofthemisconceptionsandlackof support,the27-year-oldiscallingondating appslikeBumble,Tinder,ande-Harmonyto maketheirplatformsmoreinclusiveofpeople withdisabilities(PWD).

"Thereshouldbemorespecialised coaching/mentoringprogramsandalternative optionsforpeoplewho'dprefernottouse datingapps,likeafree1natchmakingprogra1n andfreespeeddatingeventsaimedat increasinginclusion,"JerushatoldIndian Link.

"RecentresearchhasfoundthatPWD havesimilarwantswhenitcomestodating yetsupport,inclusivityandlackofequal opportunitieswerethemainpreventersin themhavingmeaningfuldatingexperiences."

importantly,shehighlightstheneedfor improvedsafetynormsandsupportonsuch appsforpeoplewithdisabilities.Accordingto theAustralianLnstituteofHealthandWelfare, around43percentofadultswithdisability haveexperiencedsexualharassment, comparedto37percentofAustralians withoutdisability.

HerChange.ergpetitionhasalready received1norethan2,500signatures.

"Everyonehastherighttofindtheir specialsomeone.Andthoseofuswhohave disabilitiesarenotdifferent.Itjusttakes alittleofunderstanding,compassionand conlillunication,"wroteonesupporter.

"Itishardenoughtoputyourselfout

there andthiswon'taffectablebodied persons.Itdoes,however,allowcontact betweendisabledandablebodied,by1nutual decisionanddisclosure,"addedanotheruser.

Normalisingsuchrelationshipsremainsan importantcauseforJerusha.

"Somepeoplehavethisbiasedviewthat peoplewithdisabilitiesshouldonlydate peoplewithdisabilities,"sheelaborated."This isanunacceptablefalseassumption.We shouldbeabletodateadiverserangeof people,andthisshouldbethenorm.We shouldbelookeduponaspotentialpartners andpartners.Weshouldbelookeduponas contributingequallytotherelationship."

Havingn1ovedtoAustraliafro1nSriLanka attheageoftwo,she'sparticularlypassionate aboutdispellingsuchmisconceptionswithin theSouthAsiancommunity.

"Theperceptionofpeoplewithdisabilities canbeparticularlynegativewithintheSouth Asiancomn1unity.Thishasgottochange andisthankfullyslowlychanging.lthinkthe focusshouldbeonprogressionratherthan perfection.Particularlyinthesecultures, youhavetheassumptionthatpeoplewith disabilitiesshouldonlymarrypeoplewith disabilities,whichisjustunacceptable."

AsherChange.orgpetitioncontinues togaintraction,shesharesson,eexciting news:twoweeksago,representativesfron1 BumbleAustraliareachedout,promisingto passontheseideastotheirinternalteamfor consideration.

"Weoftentrytofixthedisability thinkingitisaproblem,ratherthanfixing theenvironn1ent,"Jerushalamented."We shouldcreatechangeston1akesocietymore accessibleandinclusiveandtransfonn mindsets."

It'scertainlyamessagethathasdo1ninated headlinesrecentlyafterParalympianandfollow disabiHtyadvocateDylanAlcottwasna1ned AustralianoftheYear2022.(Notably,thefirst timeintheaward's62-yearhistorythatitwent toapersonwithavisibledisability.)Whatwas herreactiontothenews?

"lwasoverjoyedandexcitedforDylan," Jerushasaid."He'sanamazingandgenuine advocateforpeoplewithdisabilitiesandl knowhe'UdogreatworksastheAustralian oftheYear.He'satruechampionwitha powerfulandinfluentialvoiceandhasa passionateheartfor1nakingthingsaccessible forpeoplewithdisabilities."Asshecontinues herPhDinneurosciencewiththegoalof becomingarehabilitationphysician,she's makingcrucialstridesofherown.In2020, shejoinedtheAustralianAcademyof Science'sgroupoftwelveSTEMWomen Changemakers.

"Ilovedlearningbiologyandpsychologyat hlghschoolandwantedtomakeadifferencein people'slifesothatbecame1nylife'spurpose andmission.Ialsowantedtoutilisemylived experiencestocreateamoreempatheticand compassionatemedicalenvironn1ent."

Melbourne's Jerusha Mather is calling on platforms like Bumble and Tinder to help create safe spaces for people with disabilities

BY BAGESHRI SAVYASACHI

n2008,22-year-oldDwayneFernandes wasworkingasaconsultancyaccountant intheMLCCentreinSydney'sCBD.His workviewencon1passedthecityskyline includingaparticulartoweringlandmark, CentrepointTower,orSydneyTowerEyeas it'snowknown.Itwasthenthatacolleague approachedDwaynewithaninvitationto jointheminrunningupthetower.

"NoneofthesepeopleknewIhadfalse legs.Iworelongpantsandforn1alshoes, sonoonecouldtellthatIamadoubleleg a1nputee,"Dwaynetold Indian Link. "I phonedtheorganisingcom1nitteeofthe towerclimbingeventandaskedthem,'Hey, haveyoueverhadanybodywithfalselegs runupCentrepointtower?'.Theperson saidtheywouldmakesomeenquiriesand callback.'No.We'veneverhadanybody withfalselegsdothisrun,'theysaid.'Please come,there'llbe111ediaandyou'dbesetting aworldfirst!"'

"WhoamItosaynotoaworldfirst?" Dwaynethought.

Starting at1 504st6' s Atthispoint,Dwaynehadneverimagined runningupstairs,ortowersforthatmatter.He wasn'tinthebestshapeeither.

However,duringtheweeksbefore thetower-runDwaynesoughtoutstairs

everywhere.Hewouldpracticerunningup everystaircaseheca1neacross,becausehe knewthatifhecouldmakeitallthewaytothe top,thatwouldbeaworldfirst.

"1justneededtogetuptothetopof1,504 stairsbecausenobodylikemehadeverdone that,"hesaid.

Workingonsomebasicn1athsandmusic, Dwaynefiguredthatifhemanagedtodoat leastonestepasecond,(whichispreventively slow,accordingtohitn)hewouldreachthetop in20-ishminutes.

"Ipluggedinaplaylistthatwasabout20 minuteslong,and1started,"Dwaynesaid. ''ltwasthe1nosthorriblethingthatonecan everdo."

"It'sunlikeanyotherrace,"hedescribed. "Inamarathon,therearecrowdsonthestreets cbeermgandhopmgyouwin.Instairclimbmg. itisjustyou,thesoundofyourechoillgbreath, andthesoundofyourfootonthemetalsteps. Noviewsatalluntilyougettothetop."

Afterseveralstepsandself-affinnations, Dwaynebecamethefirstdoubleamputeeto everrunuptheSydneyTowerEye.Hediditm 23minutesand12seconds.Twoyearslater,he returnedtom1provehistimeandfinishedthe climbill20minutesand14seconds.

•

"Youshouldputthelogoonmyshirtandsend metoNewYorktorunuptheEmpireState Building,"Dwaynejokinglysaidtooneofthe partnersofhisfirmtheFridayafterbisfirst race.

"Draftupamemo andwewillspeakon Monday,"theyresponded.

OnasnowyFebruarydayin2009,Dwayne climbed86storeysoftheEmpireState Buildinginarecordtimeof26minutesand 12seconds.Heisthefirstandfastestdouble amputeetodoit.

AfterhisstintmNYC,Dwaynesoonfound himselfflymgoutonweekendstodifferent cities,clitnbingtowers,andreturningtowork onMonday.

"Whenmostpeoplewerespendingtheir weekendsonPlayStationsandtalkmgabout games,IwasillSingaporeorVietnam,just settmgworldrecordsforotherpeopleto break,"Dwaynesaid.

Dwaynealsoholdsworldrecordsin 100mand200mracesattheRetroRunnmg (alsoknownasbackwardsrunnmg)World Championships(2016)thattookplacein Essen,Germany.

Thoughheispleasedthathisrecordsstill

stand,heisproudertobethefirstonetoset them.ForDwayne,towerclitnbingwasabout drivmgequityandawareness.

"Iwasoneofthefewpeoplerunningup towerswithbusinesscardsinmypockets," Dwaynesaid.

-

DwayneFernandes,36,wasbornillBombay (asberemembersit),buthisfamily1noved fromIndiatoNewZealandwherehefinished schoolbeforemovmgtoAustraliain1999.

Duetoaseverebonedefect,Dwaynewas bornwithoutfibulas,causinghimtohave problemswithbalance.Belorehewasthree, hehadalreadyw1dergonefivesurgeries,andat age11,hemadeacourageouschoicetoreplace bothhislegswithprostheticlimbs.

"Weunderstandbowthequalityandthe valueoflifeisinthesedifferentcountries,don't we?There'salowqualityoflifeifyouhavea billionpluspeople,"Dwayneshared."When IwasbornillIndiaasapersonwithdisability (PwD),mymu1nknewthatwehadtoleaveso thatIcouldhaveabetterlife."

Dwayne'smotherwasshockedtofindout theyhadbeenacceptedintoNewZealand.She doublecheckedwithvisaofficerstomakesure theyknewhersonhadadisability.Shefound comfortintheit-response:"Yousonisnot unabletodoeverything,it'sjustafewthingshe won'tbeabletodo."

DwaynecommendsNewZealand's schoolingsystem,whichdidn'tsegregate betweenPwDandothers,andprovided aphysicaldisabilityunitavailableforuse oneverycampus.Herevealsthisinclusive

Forhisnextadventure,Dwaynewantsto bethefirstdoubleamputeeinspace. Sofar,onlyfourpeoplewithdisabilities havebeentospace.

approachdidsomethingveryimportantforthekids:"making themrealisethatsocietyisdiverse,andismadeupofavarietyof differentpeople".

Dwaynewitnessedfirst-handthedifferentattitudesinthese countriesandknowswhatinclusivityfeelslike.

WhenheworkedwithTransportNSW,henoticedthat"his people"(PwD),weren'tbeingpromoted.

"AfterIgavethatfeedback,Igrewthenetworkatthe organizationfro1n50peopletoover300.Itbecan1ethelargest disabilityemployrnentnetworkinthepublicsectorintheyear 2020,"hesaid.

NowheworksasaDiversityandInclusionpartneratthe NSWDepartmentofPlanning,Industry,andEnvirorunent, helpington1ake1noreand1norespacesinclusive.

DwaynelivesinSydneywithhiswifeOliviaandtwo daughters,EsrneandEnola.HesaysNDIS(NationalDisability InsuranceScheme)hashelpedhimimprovehisphysicalquality oflifesothathecanbeagoodfatherandhusband,andbemore usefularoundthehouse.

"It'salengthyprocessnow,becauseeachdifferentdisability isaco1nplexstep.Itisagreatsystetn;itjustgetsabitpoliticised sornetitnes,"hesaid.

• Inadditiontohfadaytin1ejob,DwayneFernandesisalsothe co-founderofMindsAtPlay,aplatformwherepeopleonthe spectrutnplayDungeonsandDragonsandMinecraftinasafe space,tolearnsocialandcommunicationskills.

Dwaynehadakeadybeenplayingvideogamesasanoutlet forstressforafewyears,butwiththedesiretoconnectwith hisgodchildwhohasautisn1,hetransformedthehobbyintoa gamingplatforn,forPwD.

DwayneandhisbusinesspartnersDanPapalloandJeffOzog launchedMindsAtPlayin2019.Intheirfirstonlinesessionin June2020,theyhadnoideastartingthissidebusinessinthe middleofapandemicwouldbesuchasuccess.

"Thesupportcoordinatorhadneverseensuchengagement frornherclassorfron,herclientsbefore.She'dneverseenthese boys,socialiseandcometogetherandwanttohangoutandalso makecontactwitheachother,"Dwayneshared.

WiththehelpoftheLukePriddisFoundationanddigital gamingdeveloperBouncyrock'ssupport,MindsAtPlaycurrently host151playersintheironlinegamingsessions.

WhatwouldDwaynesaytosomeonelikehin1whowishesto setworldrecordsandchangetl,eworld?

"lfyouwanttodosornethingthathasneverbeendonebefore, Isay,'Goforit!'andmostofthesethingscanbepracticed,"he said.

"Bylookingtodothingsthatpeoplehaveneverdonebefore, youendupiinprovingtheplace,itnprovingthetechnology,and engage111entinthatway."

Forhisnextadventure,Dwaynewantstobethefirstdouble amputeeinspace.Sofar,onlyfourpeoplewitl1disabilitieshave beentospace.Then1ostrecentastronautwas30-year-0ldHayley ArceneauxonSpaceX'slnspii:ation4flight.

"There'splentyofvalueinhavingpeoplewithdisabilities goingupthereandmakingitmoreinclusiveforeverybodyelse," Dwayneremarked.

But1noreimportantly,hesays:"Ifyouhaveagoaliliatbig, youendupdomgawholebunchofothersmallerthingsthatare prettyitnpressive."

In 2019, Dwayne launched MindsAt Play, a platform where people on the spectrum play Dungeonsand Dragonsand Minecraft in a safe space,to learn social and communication skills.

DwayneinSingapore fortheStanfordHotel VerticalMarathon

pays a tribute

namusiccareerspannjngoverseven decades, LataMangeshkarhasbequeathed arichtreasw·etroveofimn1ortaJsongs thatareingrained inthenundsofasn1any generationsofmusiclovers.

Startingin theblack-and-whiteerawhen film songswere oftenrecordedin congested studiosoreven inthe open atthe deadof night,tothe modern-day'auto-tuners', Lata blazedaglitzycomet-liketrail thatwill dazzle for1nanymillennia.

Hersinginglegacycompriseslilting lullabies, love songs, love-lornnumbers,legshakers, haunting, heavenly, high-paced,both solos and duets,classical and cominercial,in multiplelanguages, renderedwithease.

Shedevelopedanunprecedented style ofsinging-mouldinghervoicetosuitthe particularheroineonwhon1 itwould be shot on thescreen-likehermale cou11terpart,the equallylegendaryMohammed Rafididwith aplon1b,andwbo remainsevergreen41 years afterhisdeath in July 1980,aged 55.

Likeallinspirationalstories,Lataji'searly struggletoestablish herselfin the 1940sis one thatwecannot everforget. Inthosedays, shewould take aBESTbusandtravelfrom hersouth Mumbai homeregularlyto 1neet NaushadAliathisKharWestbungaloworin thestudios, hopingfora'singingbreak' w1der thelegendarymusicmaker'sbaton.

Inthe viciousMumbai 1nonsoon, sbe would come to Naushad'shome, wea1·ing hertrade1narksari,carryinganumbrella but totallydrenched,shiveringand barely able to speak, letalone sing. The n1usic director wouldofferherpipinghottea and cookies to sootheher,butno songs ...yet.

"lfelthervoicewas notyet 'ripe' for my style ofmusic," said Naushad, the perfectiorust, in aconversationwith this writer. Hewastryingtojustifynotgiving her an earlybreak. "Toimproveher diction and control overwords, I advised her to learnandpractice Urdu,which she did ... and finally, shewasreadyto record forme."

ThefirstchoicesofNaushadwerethe reigningstalwarts-Noorjehan, Suraiya, Sha1nshadBegum,ZohraAmbalewali,to nameafew.

Withtime, trainedbyherfather, Dinanath Mangeshkar,Latajigraspedthemaesh·o's advice andgotherfirstn1ajorhit-Uthaye

Ja Unke Sitam

(Andaz 1949) composed byher mentorNaushad. Withit,she'arrived'in thefilt11 industry.

Thereafter,top musicdirectors oftheerawooed her,andtheyincluded Sachin DevBurn1an, HusanLal-Bhagat Ram (brothers),Ghulam Haider,SardarMalik, GhulamMoham111ed,Jaidev, SaliJChowdhary, C. Ramchandra,Shankar-Jaikishan (partners), Roshan,Madan Mohan, M.ZahurKhayyam, Kalyanji-Anandji (brothers),LaxmikantPyarelal(partners),Sonik.-Omi(unclenephew),Ravi KumarSharmaor'Ravi', SudhirPhadke,Sajjad Hussain,Usha Khanna, andevenA.R. Rahman,AnuMalik,Rajesh Roshan,Anand-MilindandJatin-Lalit, among theyoungercropofbatonwielders.

Aftertheex.itofNoorjehanfromIndia and thefadingawayofotherstalwart female singers,bythelate 1950s/early 1960s, Lataji wasfirmlyperchedonthetopoftheheap.

Producersanddirectorsvied for Lataji's uniquevoiceandstyle fortheirtopheroines, especiallybecause shecould 'mould' her voicetosuit mostheroines. Withoutdoubt, shehadbecomethefirstamongwomen singers,apositionthatMohammed Rafi enjoyedamongthe1nen.

As Lataji'ssingingstyle maturedunder mastermusicdirectors,hervoicehelped heroineswhoacted ordanced toher

tunescatapult to stardon1,such as Madhubala, Meena Ku1nari, Nargis, Ameeta, Beena Rai,Waheeda Rehman, Vyjayanthimala Bali,Tanuja,SharmiJa Tago1·e,Asha Parekh, Nutan, SairaBano, Sadhana Shivdasani, Babita Kapoor,Zeenat Aman,Parveen Babi, Hema Malini, Rekha, Sridevi, Neetu Singh, Madhuri Dixit, and manyothersintbe post-1980s,rightdown totheyoungsters, notably, Kajol, Rani Mukherjee and Karisma Kapoor.

Simultaneously,shesangindifferent Indian languageswith aplomb, non-film songs,with berrangeencompassingclassical, tragic,melodious,erotic, melancholic, Light, mischievous,dependingon thecomposer, ortheheroine,orthesongsituation. She neverfailedtoastoundherlistenerswiththe seemingly"undying"powerandyouthfulness ofhergoldenvoice.

Typically,sbebrookednononsensefrom anyone-producers,directors,composers, siblingsorcontemporru·ies-attemptingto clamberanywhereclosetoherroost.

Bollywoodisfullofstories ofhowLataji ring-fencedherpositiontilltheveryend,

oftenraisingthehacklesofhertemalepeers, althoughmalesingers,suchas Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh,.Kishore Kun1ar, Mahendra KapoorandMaru1a Deychosetomaintain a professionalrapportwithher.

Nevertheless, thereweretalesofhowRafi onceborethebruntofher"otherside",or certaincomposersquiveringasshegently decfu1edtosingforthemaftertheyallegedly daredtocomm,issionothersingers,for whateverreason.

Lataji'srisetothispositionwasafarcry fromherhumble beginnings.

BornonSeptember28, 1929,asthe oldestchildofamusicallyinclinedfamilyin Indore(Madhya Pradesh)-comprisingfather Dinanath, Lataji, Meena(Khadilkar),Asha (Bhosale), UshaandsolebrotherHJ·idaynath -shewastutoredbyherdadfromtheageof fiveandalsoactedinhismusicalstageplays, tillhisdeathin 1942.

Overthedecades, she was decoratedwith a multitudeofrewardsand honours-three Padn1aawards, five FilmfareAwards,the DadasahebPhalkeAward-cappedbythe BharatRatna in 2001. More than that, state governments namedawards and institutions afterher.

Latajisangatprestigiousliveconcerts orcharitableevents, enthrallingglobal audiences,pickedupmoreoverseas accolades, such asFrance'shighestcivilian honour,Officerofthe LegionofHonour, in2007, brieflydabbledinhigh-end merchandise,suchassignaturejewelleryand perfumes, launched aproductionand111usic house,andenteredintointernationalmusic collaborations.

Deathhasonlyremovedherphysically. Thelegaciessheleavesbehindwilloutlive herfordecades.

Lilting lullabies, love songs, leg-shakers, to hot, highpaced, haunting and heavenly. QUAID NAJMI

BY SANDIPHOR

oapassionatetrave!Jer,exploring Brisbane,thecapitalof'Sunshine State'Queenslandcanbe

unfoldingmanyi11terestingstories whilediggingintothesettle1nent's19th centurycolonialhistory.

Forexa1nple,notmanyknowEdinglassie wasthecity'sfirstna1necreatedbythe ScottishsettlersasablendofEdinburghand Glasgow-thetwokeycitiesinScotland. Infact,manysuburbsinthecityarenamed afterplacesinScotland,orafterScottish fa1nilynameslikeBrisbane.

EdinglassiebecameBrisbanein1824when itbeca1neapenalcolonyforBritishconvicts sentfromSydney.ItwasthenattachedtoNew SouthWalesandthenewnan1ewasderived fro1nthethenGovernor,SirThomasBrisbane. ln 1838itwastransformedintoafree settlementconsideringitssuitabilityfor farming,fishingandagriculture.

In1859,QueenslandseparatedfomNew SouthWalesandbecameanindependent BritishColonyandmaintainedthisstatus until1901,whenitwasincludedasoneofthe sixfoundingstatesoftheCommonwealthof Australia,withBrisbaneasthestatecapital.

Thecity'spresent-dayCBDiswherethe historically1nindedtrundletofindamong acrowdofglean1ingskyscraperssome architecturallyastutesandstonebuildings thatstandas1nemoirstothecity'scolonial

past.Amongmany,CityHall,Treasury Building,Parlian1entHouse,andOld GovernmentHousedrawattention.

WhileatOldGovernmentHouse,another interestingstoryunfolds.Notmanyknow thisvenueasthebirthplaceofLamington, thenation'sfamouscake-dishnamedafter LordLamingtonwhowasthegovernorof Queenslandbetween1896-1901.While therearemanystoriesaroundthebirth ofLamington,theone1wastoldsaysthat atadinnerpartyhostedbytheGovernor, thedessertiten1fellshortandtherewasno ingredientleftinthekitchentoquicklyprepare somethingnew,otherthansomepiecesof spongecake.Aquick-thinkingmaiddippedthe piecesofcakeintomoltenchocolate,covered themwithdesiccatedcoconuttoavoidmessy fingersandservedthemupasanotherdessert.

Theguestslovedit,anditwentontobeco1ne aculinarysensationinAustralia.

Tuckedbetweentheopenseaandthe greeneryofthebotanicalgarden,Brisbane todayisabustlingriverfrontsettlement. Currently,itisgoingthroughamassive makeshifttoemergeasthecontinent'snew globalcity,wherecuttingedgemodernism shakeshandswiththeland'srichlegacyand culture.

Besidescolonialheritage,thecityhasmany morethingsandexperiencestodelightvisitors. Herearesomeofthemorepopularones.

Cruising the river

TakingacruisealongthewindingBrisbane Riverisaspectacularwayofcatchinga glimpseofthecity'shigh-risepunctuated waterfrontsilhouette,particularlyinthe

With Queenslantt 15oraers now open, it's worth planning a trip to capital Brisbane to hear some interesting stories

eveningswhenthelightsonthepanorama bestowafairy-taleappearance.

Spinning on a wheel

Risingto60111abovegroundlevel,arideon theWheelofBrisbaneoffersabreathtaking 360-degreevistaofthesurrounding cityscapefrotnthesafetyandcomfortofa fullyenclosed,air-conditionedgondola.

Hiking tothetop ofa bridge

Alandmarkofthecity,theStoryBridgeis aheritage-listed,steelcantilever,770111-long roadbridge,spanningacrosstheBrisbane River. Itreminds1neofKolkata'sland1nark -theHowrahBridgeonthe HooghlyRiver. Oneofonlythreebridgeclimbsinthe world,anadventuroushiketoitstopalmost 80111etresabovethewaterlevelnotonly offersadrenalinerushingthrillsbut also unmatched360-degreeviewsspanning MoretonBayintheeast,theGlasshouse Mountainsinthenorthandhinterland viewstothewest.

Exploring art and culture

Locatedonthesouthernbanks

oftheriver,theculturallythriving SouthBankisfamousforworldclassmuseums,galleries,theatres, Librariesandcentresofperforming arts.The17-hectareareaishome toQueenslandArtGallery,Gallery ofModernArt,Queensland MaritimeMuseum,Queensland PerformingArtsCentre,some 90restaurants,cafesandbars,

andahostofotherentertainment, recreationandleisureactivitiesallofwhich a1·ewithinwalkingdistanceofeachother. Hundredsofeventsofdifferentkindsare heldhereeveryyear.

Sleeping in an art house

Thoughthecityoffersseveralhotelsto choosefrom,stayingattheCrystalbrook Vincent(formerlyTheFantauzzo)beneath theiconicStoryBridgeandoverlooking

BigBattheCrysta/brookVincent

therecentlyrevitalisedHoward Sn1ithWharvesoffersanextraordinary experience.Inspiredbycelebrated AustralianpainterVincentFantauzzo,this 166-roomluxurypropertyprovidesguests withanartisticindulgence.Theartist's creations,500ofthem,aresplattered throughoutthehotel,evokinganimpression ofsleepinginanartgallery.Aportraitof AmitabhBachchaninthelobbydrewmy firstattention.

Food and wine

Becauseofitspleasantclimateand abundanceoffreshproduce,foodand drinkaretakenseriouslyinBrisbane, whetherit'scoffeeattheStanton Cafe&BarinQueenStreet,lunchat theGreektavernGrecaatthenew HowardSmithWharvesprecinct,a cocktailatMrPercival'soverwater barwhilewatchingthesunset,or finediningatthePolpettaforataste ofreal[taly

Spending a fun-filled day

Worldfamousforfun-tilledthen1eparkslike SeaWorldandMovieWorld,Australia'sGold Coast,onlyanhouraway,isalsoanideal destinationforspendingadaywiththesun, seaandsandatoneofthemanybeachside locations.SurfersParadisecontinuestobethe mostpopularGoldCoastdestination.

Visitwww.visitbrisbane.com.auformore information

St.StephensCha

OldParliamentHouse

BY GOPIKA SAMBANTHAM

heswimmingpoolisawelco1ning sightonasummer'sday,and providestranquilityandlushness du1·ingotherseasons.Acareful plantingdesignwilltransformyourpool surroundsintoasecludedbackyardhaven. Plantingdesignaroundtheswi1runing poolneedsconsiderableconsideration, involvingtimeandresearch.Addingany plantthatyoulikethelookof,n1ightsiJnply notcutitifyouwantalush,secludedand safebackyard.

Youn1ayloveyourtropicalpool-side holidays,andidylliciiuagesfromlnstagram aboutswimmingpoolhavens,butremember notallplantsthrivewellnearthepool. Choosingplantssuitabletothelocalcfuuatic conditionsandyourlocationisalsovital.

Youn1usttakeitintoconsiderationfactors like:

• Willtheplantsshedleavesandclogyour poolfilter?

• Aretherootsinvasive?Willthey damage/crackthepoolsu1-roW1ds,pool wallsorplumbingsystem?

• Aretheplantschosensafeforswhnmers, withnothornyorspikybits?

Toavoidthesepitfallsforyourpool-side, belowaresevenplantcon1binationsthatyou couldconsider.Theseplantsthrivenearpools astheyaresaltanddroughttolerant,arelow maintenance,andsafetousearoundpools.

EXOTIC PLANTING

Lovedthebeachresortlastholidays?If youwouldlikeabeachresortlookfor

r1en an 01ces

7 low-maintenance ideas for pool landscaping

poolandhavevariouslevels,then aMediterraneanplantmixwillprovide asilveryfoliageeffectandattract pollinators.

Trees Olivetree(Oleaeuropaea),Pencil pine(Cupressussempervirens'Glauca)

Lowlevel shrubs Bluechalksticks(Seneico serpens)andFrenchLavender(Lavandula stoechas)

ROPICAL FEEL

Ifallyouwantislushnessandgreenery aroundthepool,thenatropicaloasislook canbeachievedusingthebelowplants. Suitableforfullsuntopartshade

ShrubsSandankwaViburnum(Viburnu1n Suspensum),Frangipani(Plumeria) Lowlevel shrubs Fern(Blechnu1ngibbum), Cycasrevoluta(Sagopalm)

RESORT LOOKS

yourswimmingpoolsurrounds,thenthese plantcombinationswillnotdisappointyou. Suitableforfullsuntopartshadelocations.

Shrubs BirdofParadise(Strelitziareginae), ChineseWind1nillPaln1(Trachycarpus fot1unei)

LowlevelshrubsZebraGrass(Miscanthus sinensis'Zebrinus'),Hebe.

NATIVE COMBO

IfyouwanttogiveAustraliannativesago, totransformyourpoolsidetoacountryside billabong,thenthisplantcombowillgivethat effect.Suitableforfull SW1 tolightshade.

TreesBlueberryAsh(Eleocarpusreticulates), SwampBanksia(Banksiarobur)

Groundcover

juniperina'Molongolo')andIceplant (Carpobrotusglaucescens)

SCULP URED LOOK

Ifyouraimistogetaneat,clean,green look,thensucculentsandstructuredshrubs willhelptoenhancethewallsnearthepool andthereflectiononthewater.Suitablefor fullsuntopartshadelocations.

ShrubYucca,Reedfeathergrass (Calan1agrostisxacutifloraKarlforester).

GroundcoverAeonium,Echeveria.

MEDITERRANEAN COMBO

Ifyouhavealargeareatoplantaroundthe

Alwayswantedyourresortholidaystolast longer?Thenwhynotbringapieceofthat staycationeffecttoyourhomebyplanting thebelowplantsaroundthepool.Suitable forfullsuntopartshadearea.

Trees Magnolia,AlexanderPalin (Ptychospermaelegans)

GroundcoverGiantLilyturf(Ophiopogon jaburan),StarJasmine(Trachelospernium jasminoides)

SMALLSPACE

Ifthespacearoundthepoolisless,then optforcontainerplantingofsomeof theplantsmentionedhere.Plungepoolsare alltheragethesedays;itiseasyto incorporatetheseintoyourlandscapewith athoughtfuldesignthatsuitsthestyleof yourhome.

ProstrateGrevillea(Grevillea

Latest role is

or Ka

ravel,theysay,canchange yourlife.Psychologistshave nowactuallyconfirmedthis, byshowingthatitleadsto increasedself-conceptclarity.This wascertainlytrueinpopularn1ystery thrillerTheTourist(Netflix)inwhich theleadcharacter,thetourist(actor JamieDornan),findshiinselfinoutback Australiasufferinga1nnesia.

ForSydneyactorKabirSii,gh,the serieshasbroughtself-conceptclarityin realLife.

Althoughh_iswasbutas1nallrole,Kabir saysitwaspivotal,andinmorewaysthan one.

Atonepointearlyintheseries,you're transportedtoabustlingIndianbazaar. Yougopastovercrowdedshops,fihn posters,vegetablehawkers,raidis (open carts),sari-cladwomen,evenacow crossingthestreetlazily,beforeyougetto Kabir'scharacter,ataxistandoperator.

WhereinIndia,youwanttoknow.

"AdelaideJaiJ,actually,"Kabir reveals,laughing."Tookthen,fourdays toconstructtheset!Whichsurprised me,givenitwasbutasmallrole."

InvolvingawholerangeofcharactersAfican,MiddleEastern,Indian,Greek, [ndigenous-TheTouristisrefreshingin itsdiverseappeal.

"Forn,eitisparticularlysignificant, asI'mfinallytreatedandrespectedasan actor,"Kabirnotes.

Therolecamefourteenyearsafterhefirst startedout,freshfromtheLeeStrasberg TheatreandFil1ninstituteinNewYork. Ofcoursehehasn'texactlybeenidlein theinteriin,evenpickinguptwoAACTA no111inations(forindependentfiJn1sOne LessGodandAiyai: WrathfulSouls).

Butthebigbreaksrefusedtocome.

�ame-chan er

"Sure,Iwasdiscouraged,urged totakeona'real'job.Butforme thereonlywasaPlanA.I'man all-inkindofguy,noroon,forPlans B,CorD!"

Twoyearsago,hefellseriously illwitharareblooddisorder Thron,boticthrombocytopenic purpura(TTP),spendingfive monthsinhospital.

"Itcausedamajorshlftinmy life.I'verecoverednow,buthaveto goinformonthlybloodtests."

Throughchemo,ashereassessed hispriorities,hedecidedtogiveup onacting.

"Somuchrejectionand unhappiness,it'snotworthit,Isaid tomyself.You'renevertreated withtherespectyoudeserve."

Followingadiagnosisof depression,PlanBcameintothe picture.

"Findingmyselfinadeepdark holeoneday,Igotacraving formum'sjeeraaloojaffles.My roommatewentoutandgota sandwichgrillfromMarketplace for$10,andwemadejeeraaloo jaffles.Theyweresogood1thought lshouldbesellingthem!"

asthiscanbemyplatforn,tospeakabout mentalhealth."

Tolifthimselfupfromthefeelingsof insecurity,heworkedoutastrategy.

"Ataudition,myattitudewas,Idon'tcare ifIgettheroleornot.These15minutesof auditionarewhatlhavecontrolover.I'lldo n1ybest,andthenI'llletitgo."

Itworked.

"Igotadafterad-forBlueBet,Hard Yakka,AmericanExpress,brandskeento makeAustralialooklikeAustraliabycasting diversecharacters."

With TheTourist, though,thingsarefinally beginningtolookup.

The30-year-oldwasdrawntoacting asayoungchildgrowingupinDelhi.A prin1arystudentatDPS,hetooktothestage instinctively,perhapsinfluencedbyhismum LuckySingh,herselfanactorandn1odel.He finishedschoolinSydneywithDran1aasa Year12subject,andknewhewantedtobe anactor or

Shortlythereafter,hehadbought afoodtruckandhissidebusiness PocketRocketzwasborn.lthelpedthathe hadworkedasachef.

Ashedrovearoundtocommunity hotspotsillSydney,hebegantoseesuccess. Withsignificantimprovementillhisown mentalhealth,hebecamepassionateabout talkingtootheryoungpeopleaboutit, particularlyillhisowncommunitywhereit isstillatabooofsorts.

"lfiguredthatImustreturntoacting,

Hescoredtheleadroleinmulticultural projectTheAbandoned.

Hewasatworkonitwhenhegotthe auditionandsubsequentcallbacksforThe Tourist.

MeanwhiJe,Bollywoodhascomecalling too.WhiJesomeoftheprojectsthereare currentlyonholdduetoCOVID,aUhe'll revealissomeselectnames-Madhavan, JimmyShergill,SanjayLeelaBhansali.

"You'llseemeinsomethingsoon,"he smiles.

RaJni Anand Luthra

or1nanyIndian-Australians,thepast yearwasadifficultonemadeworse byaproblematictravelbanthat stoppedthemfromreturningtotheir owncountry.Butformanyinthecommunity whogrewuphereii1AustraJia,these unconuortablefeefu1gsarenothingnew.

It'sanissuethat23-year-oldfihnmaker AbhishekParashertackledinhislatestwork.

"GrowingupinMelbourne,Isawlittle illCidentsallaroundme,likedisputesat school,whenimmigrantsSill1plyconcede insteadofrufflingfeathers,"hetoldIndian Link. "There'samentalitythatwe're'lucky' tobeherethatimpedesupfromstandingup forourselves."

HisshortfilmAcrossBordersnarratesan Indian-Australianfamily'suncomfortable experiencewithanunruly,racistneighbour whomovesinnextdoor.Theirnnligrant father,Akash,isafamilymanwhotriesto avoidanytrouble.Toprotecthisfamily,he isforcedtoconfronttheneighbour-and findshimselfworse-offwhenhedoes.

"Justbecausesomeonemightnotbea

'fuUresident'doesn'tmeanthatsomeone bornandraisedhereisabovethem.I'dlike anyonewhowatchesthefilmtousethe opportunitytoiliinkaboutthemesofjustice, inferiority,andwheretheythinktheyfitinto thisworld,"Abhishekelaborated.

AcrossBorderspremieredatFlickerfest FilmFestival2022asoneofthenominees forBestAustralianShortFilm.Ithasalso

beendoingtheroundsofinternationalfilin festivalsliketheMosaicInternationalSouth AsianFilmFestival(MISAFF)inCanada andAmdabadFilmFestivalinGujarat.

"Thefeedbackhasbeenan1azillgso fa1-,''Abhigrinned.''I'vereceivedalotof messagesabouthowmuchpeoplerelate totheissueathand.Racismexists,but weshouldfeelconfidenttostandupfor ouTselveswhenwearen'tinthewrong."

Theprojectwascrowdfundedwiththe supportoffamilyandfriendsthrougha GoFundMepage,withthecrewpitching

infortherest.Itwasthefinalprojectof theIndian-originfilmmakeraspartofhis BachelorofFilmatSAEInstitute. ForAbhishek,whosefamiJyhaiJsfrotn Punjab,Across Bordersaddressescrucial conversationsaroundvisastatusthatare finallyreceivingattentionintheAustralian mainstream.

"ThefilmisaboutmorethanjustIndianAustralians-it'saboutanyonewhofinds themselvesinanewcountry,andhowthey deservetoberespected,"hestated.

Rhea L Nath

I

I

I

INDIA SWEETS

AND SPICES

I DIRECTOR: Geeta Malik

I CAST: SophiaAli, Manisha Koirala, RishShah,Adil Hussain

I ***

I FilmsabouttheSouthAsian

I diaspora in countries likeCanada, I the US, Australia,andthe UK aren'tparticularlynew.Infact,with I memorablehits likeMississippi

I Masala(1991), Bend It Like Beckham

I (2002)and morerecently The BigSick (2017)and Never Have I Ever

I (2020-), it'sa categorythatis seeing

I someserious competition.

I Whilesomehavemanagedtoshare thediasporastoryparticularlywell,there I aredozensofothersthatfallvictim

I I

tocertaintropes,suchasbattlingthe immigrantparent'simpossiblyhigh expectationsorthedifficultiesoffalling inlovewithsomeoneoutsidetheir

I community.Thankfully,newofferingIndia

I SweetsandSpices steers(mostly)clear

I ofthese.Instead,itaddressesthe Log kya kahenge?(Whatwillpeoplesay?)

I mentalitywithinthemigrantcommunity

I thatmanywillsympathisewith. I

1 India Sweets andSpices, written 1 and directedbyGeeta Malik,is I the storyoffirstgenerationIndian- I

I AmericanAlia Kapurwho is homefor I I the summerfrom herfreshmenyear of 1 collegein California.She's back in her I affluentsuburbancommunityin New I

I Jersey,onewhereelaboratehouse I 1 partiesare hostedeverySaturday,the 1 localIndian storeisastaplesocial I spot, andeveryoneknowseveryone 1 I (perhapsa littletoowell.) I

Gupta)arrives ina beautiful but simplesari and immediatelyfeels out ofplaceamongtheSabyasachi and Manish Malhotra-adornedaunties. Asthe Duttaswanderthepartyshyly, onerecallsthesacrificesthathumble migrantsmustmakeintheinitial yearstosetthemselvesupfora lifeof comfortand success.

Eyebrowsare raisedwhenhumble

Bhairavi recognisesqueenbeeSheila fromtheircollegedaysatDelhi University.Alia can'thelp butwonder: whyis hermothersosecretiveabout herpast?Withoutgivingtoomuch away, shockingrevelationsaremade, andAliaisforcedtoconfrontthefact that herparents arefarfrom perfect. Unfortunately,it'ssomewhereinthis crucialdiscussionthat India Sweets andSpices beginsto loseitsedge. Thetoneshiftsfrom playful to preachy whilecommentingonthepatriarchal structuresthathauntIndianwomen evenaftertheyleavethecountry andthe unnecessaryjudgement and pressurethatmembers ofthe diaspora place ononeanother(hence thetagline: "lettheauntiestalk.")

I oftheupper-middleclassdiaspora I I

I Forthefirst40minutes,wesee charmingand equallybitingsnapshots

I life.Alia'smother,queenbeeSheila

I (ManishaKoirala)istheepitomeof

I I producerofanotherhugelysuccessful Asianhit, CrazyRichAsians.)

I chuckleatourselves.(It'sworth noting I herethatthefilmdoescomefromthe graceand eleganceatpartiesand I expectsthesameperfectionfrom her I rebelliousdaughter.SoAliaisforcedto I sneakinhersipsofbeerina hidden corner,awayfromallthejudgemental I aunties.Someoneevenplaysthe

I Bollywood hit"Beedi"thatcausesall

I thedrunkunclesto,unsurprisingly,bust amove.Theselittlescenesdopanderto I certainstereotypes, butthey'rehonest, I I andearnest,enoughtoevokea little I

However,Aliagoes ontostirthis I alreadysimmeringpotwhen she invitesthe Duttas,thenewfamily I totakeoverthelocalgrocerystore, I tooneoftheseopulentgatherings.

I Suddenly,weare remindedofthe classdifferencesthatcanexist betweenoldandnewmigrants.

Bhairavi Dutta(theformidable Deepti

Adaptedfromthedirector's2016 script Dinner With Friends thatwonthe AcademyNicholl Fellowshipsin screenwriting, India SweetsandSpices isa well-intentioned although somewhat predictablecomedy.We'reeven offereda littlelovetriangleand some caricatureteen rivalsforadditional drama.Thefilm may notprovide thefreshesttakeonthediaspora experience unlikethemorewellrounded filmsthatcame before,but itisexecuted well byatalented cast alongsideslick visuals and acatchy soundtrack.Checkitoutforthe mirror itthrows upto ourowncommunity, questioningwhatwecould,and probablyshould, bedoingdifferentlyto evolvecollectively.

Rhea L Nath

MATRIMONIALS

SEEKING GROOMS

Seekinga professionallyqualifiedteetotaller match,ofgoodfamilybackground, preferably Australian citizen or PR holder,forhighly qualified career-oriented Brahmin girl 35, 5'2", vegetarian.ofgoodfamilybackground,working and wellsettled in Sydney. Pleasecontactaussyd08@gmail.com

Seekingqualified match (workingprofessional, notself-employed)fromAustraliafor'88 born 5"3" Hindu Punjabigir (divorced, issueless), workingwith a governmentorganisation in Sydney. MusthaveAusPR; preferenceto RadhaSoamifollower,teetotaler. Email: matrimonial.ml@gmail.com

SEEKING BRIDES

45-year-old Sikh Khatri man seekssuitable match. Divorced, no child, self-employed, on bridgingVisa. Preferred Australian PR/ citizen girl. Contact 0422812939 oremailjas_ghai01@hotmail.com

Twobedroom untWentworthville,Lanestreetcloseforalltravel,shopsschoolswithinaveryfriendly area, securitylockup garage, newaircon,floatingfloorboards,oven,showerrecess,paint,blinds, separatetoilet& bathroom,spaciousbalconywonderfulstrata. 500kono

Wal or?

What's on our screens this February

I ONE CUTTWO CUT (Amazon Prime)

I UpcomingcomedyadventureOne Cut Two Cutstars I comedian DanishSaitasanartsandcraftsteacher who -getthis - mustsavetheschoolafter thas I beentakenhostagebysocial mediaactivists. Itis I oneofthreemoviesfrom PRKProductionsand has

beendedicatedtothelateactor-producerPuneeth Rajkumar,whopassedawaylatelastyear.

One CutTwo Cutbeginsstreamingon3February.

MURDERVILLE (Netfllx)

Whathappenswhenan eccentricdetective(WillArnett) teams up with celebritiesConan O'Brien, Kumail Nanjiani, Annie MurphyandSharonStone? Honestly, theydon'tknowthemselves - becauseit'sentirely unscripted! Havewecaughtyourattentionyet? Thisimprovisationalcrimecomedyhitsyourscreens on3February.

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I THE GREAT INDIAN MURDER 1 (Disney+Hotstar)

I Helmed byPratikGandhiand RichaChadha,this film isan adaptationofthe2016novel SixSuspects I byretired IFSofficerVikasSwarup.(Funfact:he I alsowrotethebookthatwasadapted intoSlumdog

Millionaire). Inthisone,detectivesSurajYadhav andSudha Bharadwajinvestigatethemurderofa politician'splayboysonathisownparty. TheGreatIndianMurderbeginsstreamingon4 February.

I BESTSELLER (Amazon Prime)

LOOOP LAPETA (Netflix)

Inthisremakeofthe1998cultclassic Run Lola Run, I Savi(playedbyTaapseePannu)isina raceagainst

I timetosaveherboyfriendSatya(TahirRaj Bhasin) afterhelosesa mobster'smoney.Thesciencefiction I thrillerisdirected byAakash Bhatia andstarsShreya Dhanwanthary, Rajendra Chawla, Dibyendu Bhattacharya insupportingroles. I

I Thefilmreleasesworldwideon4February.

ROCKET BOYS (SonyLIV)

Thisbiographicalseriesfollowsthe livesofnuclear physicistsVikramSarabhaiand HomiJ Bhabha.The rolesareessayed bythetalented lshwak Singh and JimSarbh respectivelyastheysharethe impressive accomplishmentsand discoveriesofthesetwoIndian scientists.Astronomyandscience lovers, areyou excitedforthisone?

RocketBoys dropson4February.

BADHAAI DO (Theatrical release)

This upcomingcomedydrama isthespiritual sequel to 2018's Badhaai Ho. StarringRajkummar Rao and Bhumi PednedkarasShardul and Suman, it sharesthestoryofa couplewhoentera marriageof convenience, butfacecomplicationswhen Suman's girlfriend comestovisit.

BadhaaiDoreleasesincinemason11February.

I Veteran Bollywoodactor MithunChakrabortyisall I settomake hisdigitaldebutinthis psychological thriller. He isjoined byShruti Haasan,Arjan Bajwa I andGauhar Khan. In Bestseller, the livesoftwo I strangerscollide, causinga dominoeffectonthe livesofthosearound them. Whathappenswhen I everyaction has multipleconsequences?

Bestsellerbeginsstreamingon18February.

THE FAME GAME (Netflix)

MithunChakravortyisn'ttheonlyBollywoodstar makinghisdigitaldebutthismonth! InTheFame Game,MadhuriDixitNeneplaysafamousactress whogoesmissing,leadingtoapoliceinvestigation thatunravelsthemanyhiddentruthsofherseemingly perfectlife.Itcomesfrom BaarBaarDekhowriterSri RaoandfeaturesKaranJoharasoneoftheproducers. Theseriesbeginsstreamingon25February.

I GEHRAIYAAN (Amazon Prime)

Caughtinthe monotonyofherlife,Alisha Khanna I (Deepika Padukone)findsherselfina complicated I situation whensheisvisited byhercousinTia(Ananya Panday)andTia'sfianceZain (SiddhantChaturvedi), I withwhom shesharesatroubled past.Willshe beable I toconfronttheskeletonsin hercloset?You'll haveto watchtofind out.

I Themuch-awaited Gehraiyaan releaseson11February.

GANGUBAI KATHIAWADI

1 (Theatrical release)

I I DirectorSanjayLeela Bhansali's upcomingfilm, basedonthe 2011non-fiction novel Mafia Queens of

I Mumbai, starsAlia Bhattasthetitularcharacterwho goesonto becomea brothel madame in Mumbai's red-lightdistrict. ItalsostarsVijayRaaz, Seema Pahwa, andfeatures cameosfromAjayDevgn and Emraan Hashmi.

I Gangubai Kathiawadihitsscreenson25February.

Healthy home-made snacks for your next chai break

AIR FRIED METHI MATHAI

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Mathri(orn1atthi) isthatsavouryflakybiscuitthat alwaysconjuresupchildhoodmen1oriesofafternoon teas,bothsun1111erandwintertime.WhenMumservedit withatangyachaarandhotchai,itwasasimple,earthy pleasure!Itistypicallydeep-friedbutI'velearnthowto usetheairfryerforahealthierversion-theresultsare prettyclosetotheoriginal.

INGREDIENTS

■ ¾cupmaida/plainflour

■ ¼ cupoatflour(orplainflourorwholemeal flouratta)

■ 1tspsalt

■ ½cupwatertoknead

■ ½cupfreshmethi(fenugreek)leaves,finely chopped

■ 2tbspoil

METHOD

■ Addtheoiltoplainflour,oatflourandsalt.Mixwell tocombine.

■ Kneadamediumtightdoughbyaddingall ingredients.

■ Takeasmallamountofdoughandrollitintoabig flatbreadusingarollingpin.Useacookiecutterto cutoutcirclesoranydesiredshape.

■ Preheattheairfryerfor10minsat170degC.

■ Placethe mathri inthebasket.Cookfor12-13mins at170degC.Sprayoilonceandflipsothatitis cookedevenlyonallsidesandisgoldenbrown.

■ Coolandstoreinacleandryjar.

AIR FRIED CHANA DAL

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AirFriedChanaDalisagreatwaytohavelentilsonthego. Itislowincalories,andperfectforTVtin1e.Okaysoit'snot exactlypopcorn,butitisagreataccompaninlentforchai orotherbeverage!

INGREDIENTS

■ ½ cupchanadal ■ 1-1.5teaspoonoilorghee

■ Salttotaste ■ 1tspchatmasalapowder

METHOD

■ Soakchanadalfor2-3hours.

■ Adddaltoboilingwater.Letitcookuntilitcomesto aboilagain,andsieve.

■ Preheattheairfryerat200degCfor10mins.

■ Spreadthedalonacrispingtray/parchmentpaper andcookfor2mins.

■ Addoilandmix.

■ Cookfor8-10minsat200degC,stirringonceor twiceinbetween.

■ Oncedone,putintoabowlandaddchatmasalaand saltifyoulike.

■ Coolandstoreinairtightcontainer.

AIR FRIEDCHICKPEAS

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AirFriedChickpeasareperfectfortea-time.Alowcaloriehigh-proteinsnack,thesearegreattonibbleon whileatworktoo.

INGREDIENTS

■ 1cupchickpeasboiled/canned

■ 1tspoil

■ ½tspchaatmasala

■ SaIttotaste

METHOD

■ Airfrythechickpeasfor7-8minsat 200degreeC.

■ Takethemoutandgentlytosstheminoil

■ Airfryforafurther5-6minutesuntilthey arecnsp.

■ Mixspicesaspertaste.Storeinacleandryjar

BY MINAL KHONA

MinaIKhonahasbeenreadingtarotcardsfor thelasttwodecades.Sheusesherintuitionand connectwiththecardsmostlytohelppeople.

ThecardrepresentingSagittarius makesAriansevenmoreoutspoken anddriven.Theymayfindthemselves busywithworkandspiritualactivities. Insecuritiesbesiegesomeofyouwho areinarelationship.Thatisbecause itcurrentlylacksdepth.Ifunwell,you

willneedtovisitadoctor.Financesare I improving.Youwillnolongersettlefor I lessthanyoudeserve.Newideasand repeatordersbringsuccesstotheself- I employed.Youmaymoveclosertothe I homewhereyougrewup.

Ifyouareexpectingacertainoutcome, chancesareitwillnotmaterialize. Ifinarelationship,evenifyoufeel shutout,persevereandkeepthe communicationgoing.Therecould betensesituationsatwork.Ifunwell, youmayneedtovisitadoctor;don't ignorechronicissueseither.Financial worriesaretemporary.Turnto meditationifstressisgettingtoyou; thoughstressfulsituationswillend soon.Otherswillsupportyouinkey matters. Takeplentyofrest.

I Youareinthefinalstagesofa I cycleofdestinysoyoumayfind yourselfcompletingprojects,orold I friendsorexesre-enteringyourlife.A I moreenergizedlifestyleawaits.Ifyou I areplanningtosellyourhome,itwill sell.Youmakemoneythroughyour I workaspasteffortsarerewarded. I Anyexistinghealthissueswillget I sorted.Singlesmayfindtheyarestill notabletofindwhattheyseek.A I rockyrelationshipthoughwillstartto I improve.

I Singleswhoaredatingmayhaveto I takeacallaboutwhetherthey wanttomakeacommitmentorend I things.Someofyoumayevenget I married.Anewbusinessproposal I ordealwillbeprofitable.Travelfor workwillyieldgoodresults.TheselfI employedwilldowell.Takingregular I breakswillbebeneficialforyourhealth. I Focusonyourgoalsandyouwillfind thattheuniversesendspeoplewho I helpyouachievethem. Letgoofany 1 fearsthatholdyouback.

Expectsetbacksanddisappointments inrelationships.Thisisespeciallysofor Leowomen.Someofyoumayevenend arelationshipifitisnotgivingyouthe happinessyouseek.Watchoutforoverexertionatwork.Takeabreakorashort holidaytorecharge.Afriendorlovedone couldneedhospitalization.Ifnegotiatinga raiseorabetterdeal,speakupforyourself tomakethemoneyyoudeserve.Look withinandnourishyoursoulwithself-love toavoidheartbreak.

I

Ifyouaresingle,youcouldgetinvolved withsomeoneinanunusualmanner.

I Youwanttobreakoutofthemonotony I ofroutinechoresandmightjusttakea shortrelaxingholidaytodoso.Anew

I ideaorsoftwarecouldmakelifeeasier

I fortheself-employed.Somesinglescould I getmarriedorreceiveaproposal.Avoid irregulareatinghours.Someofyoumay I haveahecticsociallifewithcelebrations I thrownin.Trusttheuniverseinareas whereyouseekclarity.

Theaceofheartscardsignifiesaperiod I ofhealing,engagementsandweddingsor I eventheannouncementofapregnancy. I Someofyoumaybuyanewhouse.A tripwillincludealuckybreakintermsof I findingsomethingyouwanted.Youwillget I recognisedforyourideasatwork.Your I healthremainsgoodallmonthlong.Despite yourconcernsregardingmoney,youwill I startanewbusinessifself-employed. I Strainedrelationshipswillseealesseningof tensionandbettertimestocome.

Acardofabundanceandanoverall I feelingofwell-beinggivesScorpios I theboosttheyneed.Youhaveto I taketimeouttorelaxthoughtravel forworkisforetold.Arelationship I stilllacksthedepthyouseek.Be I carefulasyoucouldhaveminor accidentsathomeorsufferfromfood I poisoning.Moneyowedtoyouisstill I heldupbutitcomesinfromother I projects.Anewparadigmorwayof workingwillbringyousuccess.

Anexistingsituationinyourpersonalor worklifecouldchangeovernight.Singles couldmeetsomeonetheyconnectwith atadeeperlevelinstantly.Anideawill materialiseevenbeforeyouhaveexpressed itfullyatwork.Stressduetounresolved issueswilldiminishasyousorteverything out.Someoneinthefamilycouldfallill suddenly.Certainpaymentsmaygetheld upbutmoneycomesinfromelsewhere.Let theuniverseguideyouintomakingtheright choicesandresolvematters.

I Externalfactorscouldbethereasonfor I Thecardimpliesthattherecouldbea I anyupsettingevents.Someoneyouknow I reconciliationofsorts(inrelationship I mayneedhospitalization.Self-doubtwill I orlegalmatters),andmoneywillcome keepyoufrommakingconfidentdecisions toyousoonerthanyouexpectedeven

I ThecardrepresentingGeminiappears, I

I promisingmanyideasforcreativePisceans. I I Arelationshipappearsstuckfornow;let tbeandkeeparationalmindaboutit. I I inyourworkorpersonallife.Singleswon't I thoughyoumaybeinatightspotright I begettingseriousanytimesoon.Forthose I now.Someofyoumaymovetoanew inproblematicmarriages,theunhappiness homeandmayevensellthecurrent I isduetophysicalcompatibilityorthe I one.Anewcycleisbeginningfor I absenceofopencommunication.Money I manyAquariansthoughdon'texpect I willcomedespitehurdlesbutwatchoutfor I apovertyofspirit.Focusonwhatyouhave, I notwhatyoulack.Startaspiritualpractice. I emotionalhappinessassomethingvital isstillnotavailable.Avisittothedentist mayberequired.

I Creativeendeavourspreoccupyyouwith I I thearts,writingetctakingcentrestage.Your I pastsuccessescouldleadyoutonewwork I comingyourway.Moneywiseyouprosper, I I whetheryouareworkingorself-employed. I I Youcouldmeetsomeinfluentialfolkswho maybeinstrumentalinresolvingariftwith I alovedoneorgiveyourcareeraboost.

Questionable LyrLcs

DEARAUNTYJI

There'sbeenmuchchatterthismonth aboutactressSamanthaRuthPrabhu's dancetothesong OaAntava It'sa songsupposedtocallmenoutfor sleazybehaviour,butissoraunchythat itmightaswellbeencouragingthat behaviourBollywoodsongshavesome peculiarlyricsEventhesongsfrom the'50sand'60shavelyricsthatinmy mindarequestionable Forexample, Motiyon kiladihoon mai. sundarparihu main asongfromtheoldfilm Loafer. Thissongisjustoneexampleofthe manysongswherethegirlsingsabout herbeautyIdon'tknowanygirlwho talksinthismanner,letalongsinglike this.AndIwilladmitthatwhenasong isbeautiful,amancansingittoagirl inreallife Myhusbandusedtosing Chaundvin ka chandtomeincollege anditwastotallynatural.ButIcertainly didn'tsing Husn haisuhanatohim WhydowehavesuchoddBollywood songswhereagirlblatantlysings abouthercharms?

AUNTYJI SAYS

Arremerigulabo. merichumchum. meri jalebi. whatawonderfulthoughtyou havehad.I'mdelightedthatyouchose

tosharethiswithme.Therearetwo thingsthatIwanttotellyoutoday.So, hereisthereasonwhywehavesuch weirdnessinBollywoodlyrics-where thegirlsingsaboutherselfinthethird personandhighlightshercharmsina particularlyjarringmanner.It'sbecause nearlyallofBollywoodlyricistsare men,andit'sthereforethemalegaze that'sbeingtranslatedintolyricsthat's thenperverselyvoicedbythefemale. Letmebreakitdown.Themalelyricist looksatthegirlandthinks, Motiyon ki ladi, sundarpari. roop,jawaani. husn sebhari, etcetcandthenmakesit intoasong,andthenhasthegirl singit.Couldtherebeanythingmore perverted?

Thesolutiontothisistohavemore femalelyricists,oreducateourmale lyricistsnottoobjectifywomenthe waytheydo.

ThesecondthingIwantedtosayis this.Soyourhubbysang Chaudhvin ka chandtoyou.Whatelsedidhesing? Andareyousureyoudidn'tfeelthe needtorespondwithsomefeistysong inreturn?Theonesongyoucouldhave sunginreturn.justtoeventhingsout. couldhavebeen Hungama hogaya fromAnhonee.

Single and ready tp

DEARAUNTYJI

Ioccasionallyreadyourcolumnfor thefunofit-andIthoughtIwould submitmyproblemtogetyour thoughts.I'm34andworkasan executiveassistantatasmallfirm PeopletellmeI'mgood-lookingbut Istillhaven'tfoundamantomarry AllIwantinthislifeistogetmarried toamanwholovesme.stayat homeandraisekidsandlivehappily everafterIsthissuchabaddream tohave?Ihavemetmanymen,but noneofthemturnsouttobemy foreverguy.Iwanttohaveaspark withmyfuturehusband.andwhen Imeetthesepotentialsuitors. ifIdon'tgetasparkstraight awayItendtorejectthem Iam tiredofdoingeverythingonmy ownAuntyji,lifeissohard.Ijust wishIhadahusbandwhocould helpmeAreyouabletoofferme someadvice?Iwouldlikeatall, handsomehusbandwhohasa reallygoodjobandiswellsettled andwouldbehappywithastay-athomewifeAndIwanthimtolove meandforustohavethatspecial spark.WherecanIfindsucha husband?

AUNTYJI SAYS

Areyouforreal, bekaaraurat?

Youleavemespeechlesswith yourdemands.Soyouwanta husbandwhoishandsomeand lovingandrich-butwhatareyou bringingtotherelationshipother thangivinghim au/ad? Yousay youexpectanimmediatespark. Isyourfuturehusbandsupposed tobeanelectronthatwouldspark inthemerepresenceofyour highness?Iamatalossforwhat advicetogiveajahil likeyou.You aresingleprobablybecauseyou thinkthatnoneofthenicemen youmeetaregoodenoughfor you.Youareplacingimpossible demandsonprospectivesuitors. Marriageismorethanallthat-and soyouactuallydon'tdeserveto bemarried.Youaresinglebecause that'swhatyougetforbeingso picky.Goodyourejectedallthose guys.becausenoneofthem deserveda budtehzeeb likeyou forawife.Here'smyadvicetoyou. Updateyourperspectiveofwhat marriagemeans.Understandfirst whatyoubringintoarelationship, andlearnhowtobeagoodpartner.

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

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