2022-04 Melbourne

Better Future.

Authorised by P Erickson, Australian Labor Party, 5/9 Sydney Avenue, BartonACT.

CRAIGKELLYMP

l=�d�rral lVt�r1 � �w i?@t lH�tgJrn@$ IL�ad�t lUt1���ed. /i\l10�tudlia l"'atrty

6th April 2022

My fellowAustralians

Liberal and Labor have given Australia oneTrillion Dollars ofdebt ($1,000,000,000,000) (a million million)

At the Government's proposed rate of repayment,it will take Australians 250 years to repay the debt.

ATrillion Dollars of debt will increase home loan rates to 4% in 2 years and to over 6°/o in 3 years.

At 4%,over 60% of Australians willdefault on their mortgages and will lose their homes,and at 6% or more over 80% of Australians will lose their homes.

The realestate market will then collapse and foreign buyers willflood our real estate market as they willhave the money to buy up our properties.

We have to stop Australians from losing their homes!

A maximum of3% interest on Home Loans

The United Australia Party will introduce amaximum interest rate for all home loans of 3% per annum for the next 5 years to save Australian homeownership.

My treasurer,Clive Palmer,has a wealth of business experience and the ability to save Australia. The Liberal and Labor finance teamsjust don't know what to do and they are keeping you in the dark.

Repayment of National Debt

Both Liberal and Labor fail to address theTrillion Dollars of National Debt,but not the United Australia Party. We plan to address it head-on and save your family from its impact.

Australia supplies over 80% of all Iron Ore to the Asian manufacturing market,where tens of trillions of dollars are invested in manufacturing in China, Japan, Korea and the rest of Asia.

Asia achieves its position in world trade by using Australian Iron Ore. Asian economies and industry have no alternative.

In the 1960s, Australia had an export license on the export of Iron Ore. The United Australia Party will introduce a 15% export license on the export of allAustralian Iron Ore. The export license receipts will be isolatedfor the sole purpose of repaying our National Debt which willrelieve every Australian fromthat burden and set up our future. So Australia can be all it can be without the financial destruction the Labor and Liberal parties have imposed on our country.

Bring Australian Super Home

Australia has over OneTrillion Dollars of Super invested overseas. Just like when John Curtin inWorldWar 2 brought the troops back to save Australia,the United Australia Party will bring back aTrillion Dollars of Australian Super back to Australia,to save Australia.

To save your home and Australia, I need you to vote 1,for your United Australia Party candidate for your electorate, in the House of Representatives and for the United Australia Party Senate team.

We can save Australia andyour home.

God bless Australia.

Craig Kelly Leader United Australia Party

PUBLISHER

PawanLuthra

EDITOR

RajniAnand Luthra

CONTRIBUTORS

Rhea L Nath,Bageshri Savyasachi, NatashaJha Bhaskar,DipenRugani

Jyothsna Rao,NehaJain, DhanyaSamuel,Sandip Hor, Gopika Sambantham, Minal Khona, Auntyji

SALES AND MARKETING

CharuVij

ADMN

Harmeet

Kaur

Indian Link is a monthly newspaper published in English. No material, including advertisements designed by Indian Link, may be reproduced in part orinwholewithout thewritten consentofthe editor.Opinionscarriedin Indian Linkare those of thewritersandnotnecessarilyendorsedby Indian Link. All correspondenceshouldbeaddressed to:

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1 10n or a or:

Whowould be betterfor India?

BY PAWAN LUTHRA

he2022budget,describedby analystsandpoliticiansalike, wasanelectionbudget.

Cashsweetenerswere handedouttoal1nostallsectionsof thepublictoenticethe1ntovotefor therulingparty.ThewarinUkraine, linkedwithdisruptionsinglobalsupply chainsandthef:low-oneffectsoflarge governmentpayoutsduringthelast 241nonthsofthepandemic,hasledto highercostofliving,withfuelcostsand dailylivingexpensesgoingup.Sugarhits suchasthe$250once-offpaymentsand highertaxrebateswillbewelcomedby all,and PMMorrisonishopingthatthese financial1neasureswillbeappreciatedin thevotingbooths.

Financialmanagementand internationalrelationsarethet\VOpillars thattheLiberal-NationalCoalitionis bankingontogetthemre-electedin Elections2022.Whilestrongeconomic managementhasalwaysbeenperceived astheirstrength,internationaldiplomacy willbeanotherareaofvoteharnessing

inanincreasinglypolarisedworld.Both partieswillwanttopositionthemselves tobebetterabletodefendAustraliaand safeguardAustralians.

Indiawillincreasinglycomeintothe discussion.Firstly,whicheverpolitical partycanshowitsclosenesswithIndia, willhelpinfluencethestrengthofan ever-increasingIndian-Australianvote. Withapotentialvotebankofover 400,000Indianvoters,alargenumber ofthen1inmarginalseatssuchas ParramattaandReid,thesevotersare wellconnectedtotheircountryoforigin andwouldliketoseeacloserbond betweenthesetwonations.

Thesign-offontheAustralia-India EconomicCommercialandTrade Agreement(AI-ECTA)hasaddedtothe Coalition'sinternationalcredentials rhetoric.AFreeTradeAgreement(FTA) withIndiahasbeenlikenedtotheHoly GrailofallFTAs-difficulttograsp.

NolessthenthreeAustralianPrime Ministershavetakenofficesincethe FTAwasfirstmooted,andonlynow hasitcometofruitioninamutually beneficialform.

Ifthereisachangeofgovernn,entin Canberra,itwillbeimportantforthe LaborPartytotakethisrelationship further.TheLaborPartyhasnothad

astrongtrackrecordwithIndiaother thanthetiJnewhenformerPMJulia Gillardconvincedthepartycaucus in2011toselluraniumtoIndia.The onlytwoLaborPrimeMinisterswho connectedwithIndiawereHawkeand Gillard.Ofparticularfailureinbuilding acloserrelationshipwithIndiawas PaulKeatingwhoasPMallbutignored India.Worsestill,thiswasatati1nein theearly1990swhenIndiawasopening upitsinternationaltradeandforeign investmentopportunities.Labor's closenesstoChina,especiallyunder formerPMRudd,hasalsobeenwelldocumented.

Butoverrecentyears,China'sstance onanumberofissueshasaggravated theAustralianpublicandtheLabor Partywilltreadcarefullyintheir relationshipthere.Shouldtheywin government,theirfocuscouldbein pushingforwardintheIndia-Australia space,perhapswithfreshideasto reinvigoratetherelationship.

Eitherway,bothpartieswillwork hardtoclosethegapbetweenthetwo countries:theCoalitioncanbuildonits credentialsofthelasteightyears;the LaborPartycanbringfreshideastothe tablegiventhenewdirectionsthatare openingup.

YOUR SAY

COMING TO AUS WITH INDIAN QUALIFICATIONS

RHEA L NATH reported on the new taskforce established to re-evaluate Indian qualifications in Aust.

Kalyan Ram wrote:Whatabout degreesin Artssubjectsfrom India, and degreesin Marketingand othersimilarsubjects - hopethese degreesfrom recogniseduniversitiesinIndiawould also be treatedsimilarly. Presume anysystemproposed wouldat theleastbe basedinitiallyonselectIndian universities and technicaland technology institutes.

Veronica Rosario wrote:When Icameto Australiain 1994 andgotmy educational qualificationsassessed, theygrantedmeanequivalent degree for Bachelor of Commerce butdid not recognisemydiplomain teaching (ranked#1 fromSophiaCollege in Mumbai)at all, eventhough Ihadtaughtat a very prestigious schoolin Mumbai for5years. In fact, no credit wasgivenat all, and Iwouldhavehad to doa 2-yearfull-time degree tobe able to geta job asateacher and notateacher'saide.

S Bhatia wrote: Iwasan All-India49thrankedcharteredaccountantwhen I arrivedin Australiain 1997.Theyassessedmydegreeasequivalenttoa BCom.

GAPS IN MIGRANT HEALTH

High COVID-19 death rate in migrant communities was reported in a recent report bythe Australian Bureau of Statistics. BAGESHRI SAWASACHI spoke to experts for their opinion.

Esther Morrison wrote: Whether youwere born overseas or born in Australia makes nodifferencewhen it comesto health. Itisaload ofcrock to saythat people comingfrom othercountrieshave poor access to healthcare and hygiene. Everyonehasequal accessto medical care, thehygiene depends on theindividual. Ifthere were more deaths from Covidof peoplewho came from overseasitisbecausetheyarethelarger%Australians. Anddon't go off on measIhavecomehere from India Reddit user purple green girl wrote: Australiashouldprioritize the wellbeing of all Australians, notjustmigrants. People also need to take personal responsibility fortheir own lifechoices. If you chooseto move to a new country, you will get the most benefit bylearning thelanguage and how the country works so youcanthen access servicesand supports.

Dr Nisha Khot wrote: Greatarticle.Well doneforhighlighting theissuesthat migrants face when tryingto accesshealthcare

Patricia Turnbull wrote: Before youarrive, you aresupposed to have aclean bill ofhealth,illegals don'tapparentlysotheyare obviouslyastrainon our already fragilehealth system.

TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT RACE

Tracy W wrote: Loved thispiece - sendingitto mychild's primaryschool teacher.

Tony Sutherland wrote: Kids don't generally 'see' colour.If theyask, say, "Peoplecomein allshapes andsizes.Sometimespeople'sfamiliescame from placeswheremostoftheirfriendsandfamilylookedmorethesame." That'sit! Enough! Averagechildisalreadyboredand justwantsto returnto previousactivity.

Zahra A wrote: A verygoodconversationstarter, and allowsonetoself-reflect.

SAYIT AGAIN

Iwill not let anything get in thewayof tripsto Indiatogoshopping at Fab India. Especially not an Australia-India FTA threateningme withaffordable Fab India imports

Dr Erin Watson, Academic

WHAT DRIVES SHALAILAH MEDHORA

On International Women's Daylast month, RHEA L NATH spoke with TripleJ's political affairs reporterShalaifah Medhora about women, women of colour, and women of colour injournalism.

Jimmy Medhora wrote: Iwonderhowshe managedto findthetimeto do an interview while nursing herfive-week-oldbaby. Professional, as always Arnaz Bana wrote:Veryimpressive!

Pheroza Daruwalla wrote:So interesting. Loved the photostoo.

Cyrus Madon wrote: Proudof yourachievementsandsuccess,Shalailah.

Yasmin Toddywalla wrote: That's awesome! Likedherin the redsari and tikaaswell. God bless.

Dolly Shahlori wrote: Balancinga5-week-oldbaby with work isso impressive. Happy women's day

Brenda Billimoria wrote: A rare breed ofyoungwomen empoweringtheir own to riseupfromtraditionalroles!

anothersecretivetradeagreement, negotiatedwithout anyoversight,without anymeaningfulconsultationwthunions orothercivilsocietystakeholders.

Michele O'Neil, ACTU President

Therehasbeenatendency,hereandelsewhere,totake Indiaforgranted;butunderPMModi,averygoodfriendof Australia,Indiaisrapidlydevelopingitslatentpotential.This dealhelpstoaddaneconomicdimensiontotheQuad. TonyAbbott, FormerPMofAustralia

1THE KASHMIR FILES' IN NZ

NewZealand's censorboard brieflyput the release ofthis Hindi film on hold afterconcerns were raiseditwould cause communalunrest.

Shanti Raman wrote:We needsimilarresponsein Oz!

Yash ShaTal wrote:Colonisers have no righttointerfereascolonialism itselfisbasedon hypocrisy ineachgenocideofcolonisation. Hollywood can makecountlessmoviesontheJewish Holocaustor9/11without outcry andcensorship becausetheirmoviesare basedontrueevents, and becausethe mass population viewingitunderstandsthatthere isno hatetargetedagainstanycommunitiesresponsibleforthe Holocaust. But when Bollywoodcreatesafilm basedonIndia's reality,thetrue history ofthe Kashmiri Hindu Pandit Genocide,why are peoplecausingoutrage andsuppressingthisfactualmoviefromexposingKashmir's historytothe world?What makes NewZealandany morespecialthanAustralia, UKUS, Canada etcwherecapacityishousefulinthecinemasas peopleare paying tributeto The Kashmir Files onthe bigscreen,ticketsallsellingout because Indiafinally hasonefilm which portraysthe real Hindu genocide. Theonly peopleoffendedbythisfilmwould bethose interroristorganisations.Why empathise withanyonewhosupportsterrorism?

WHERE IN OZ

As part of 'Australia's largest outdoorgallery', these metalstatuettes live permanentlyin a desert expanse. Where inAustralia?

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES

Last month, a child's rantagainstputtu (a South Indian rice dish) had India's social media buzzing. Turns out, nine-year-old Nilaa SampathkumarofMelbournehad some equallystrongopinions ofherown this time about broccoli!

ShobanaV wrote: Mysonagrees with Nilaa.

Bhuvana G wrote: Exactly mychild's attitude

Prlsha Chakraborty wrote: Nilaa hasa careerinwritingormedia/ communicationswaitingforher.

Adam D'Sena wrote:Wish Icould seetheteacher'scommentonthat assignment.

Mayank Mishra wrote: Nilaa, Iagree thatyoudon'talways have listento adults. Bean independentthinkerand findoutforyourself.

WHERE IN INDIA

Iabsolutelydespite vegetables they're so disgustingandchewsy. Green vegetables like broccoli, spinach and celaryare the worst! Theonlygood vegetableIsa carrotbecause they're so freshandcrunchy. The worstof vegetableIs broccoli! Itsso chewy, flavourless, and, and, and there·s no words to describe it that's how broccoli tastes/& Thesecond worst vegetable is tomato! Wholikes those watery, red vegetables?Grown ups! Theymake us kids whoare perfectlyhealthyeat them because theysayItsgoodforyouand Ifyou saynothey'llsaybutscientistssay theyaresohealthyandit willhelp yougrow! Butheres myadviceDON'T LISTEN TO THEM/

Thesegiantsquirrelsboastall-natural multicolouredcoats. Where in India will you findthem?

Reader Anu Shree providedthe rightanswer: LakeBallard nearMenziesin WesternAustralia's Goldfields. Thisisaward-winningartistAntonyGormley's creationcalledInsideAustralia.Thereare51statuettesintotal, spreadover roughly10squarekilometresofthe Lake'ssurface.

#lndiaAustraliaFTAisusefulbutnooneissaying#Indiacan replace #Chinaasatradingpartner.Accordingto#DFAT'sWhitePaper, in 2017theriseinChina'spurchasingpowerto2030willgrowbymore thantheriseinUS,JapanIndia&Indonesiacombined.SizeMatters

Tim Harcourt,Economist

Reader Anu Shree hadtherightanswer:theMalabargiantsquirrel (Ratufa lndica), knownlocallyas shekru, isthestateanimal of Maharashtra.

ThesigningofECTAwithAustraliawouldprovetobeabiggame changerforIndia'sexportsandmanufacturingcompetitiveness. Gettingzerodutyaccessonalmost97percentofvalueofIndia's exportsimmediatelyisaremarkablegainforIndianindustry. Confederation ofIndian Industry(CH)

Getthebestof Indian Linkstraightinyour inbox.ScantheQR codetosign uptoour weeklyenewsletter

Australia'sMinisterforTrade, TourismandInvestment DanTehanduringapress conferenceaboutthesigning ofthetradeagreementwith India,Melbourne,2April,2022.

(PhotoAP)

ions

The historic Australia-India trade deallndAus ECTA is one of a raft of measures signifying new geo-economic and strategic ambitions

By Dipen Rughani and Natasha Jha Bhaskar

OVERVIEW

Australia and India have finallybroken their ten-yearjinxofnegotiatinga bilateraltrade agree,nent.

On 2April, as,nanypartsofIndia marked Gudi Padwa, thetraditional new yearfestival,thetwonations signed offon an interimtrade agreen1ent, called India Australia EconomicCooperationand TradeAgreen1ent(IndAus ECTA),withthe conunittnenttoa Comprehensive Economic PartnershipAgreement(CEPA) bytheend ofthisyear.

Thedeal isa categorical reflectionof Australia's ambition to build anengaging economicrelationshipwiththeworld's fastestgrowingeconomy,and nurtu1·ea newunderstandingofthe opportunitiesthat India offers. China isnolongerAustralia's besttrading'friend',andCOVID-19has spared none. Fornaysayers,thesigningof thetradedealisalsoalessonin'strategic patience'and 'opportunetin1ing', a statementontheconvergenceofaspirations fortherelationship, and newgeo-economic and strategicambitions.

Withfederalelectionsjustafewweeks away, PM Morrisonhaswiththis deal

India'sMinisterofCommerceandIndustryPiyushGoyal affirmed hisgovernn1ent'scommitment to buildAustralia'seconomicresilience and securitybyfocusingontheneed for economicdiversification. IndAus ECTAwill allowtariffsto be elin1inated onmorethan 85 percentofAustraliangoodsexports to India (valuedatmore than$12.6 billion ayear),and 96 percentofIndiangoods imports enteringAustralia.Australia's

goal istolift India intoits topthreeexport markets by2035, and tomake India the thirdlargestdestinationinAsiaforoutward Australianinvestment.

PASTAND PRESENT

Since theelevationofAustralia-India bilateralties toa ComprehensiveStrategic Partnership(CSP) in2020, theengagement

onboth sides hasan1plified acrossmultiple platformsandsectors, clearlyfocused on buildingtangible co111n1itments and actions, toembrace a win-winpartnership. If2020 wasaboutCSP,2021 wasabout bringing pace andenergy, and solidifyingthe bilateral economicengagementthrough numerous announcementsandengagements, and 2022 isalreadyproving itselfto be scriptinga new andcommitted engagementnarrative Therehasbeen aholisticapproachto buildthe Australia-India bilateral story. At the political level, this is evident in the announcen1entofannual summitsat the levelofthe Heads ofGovernment,making Australia onlythe thirdcountrywithwhich India willholdsuchaninstitutionalised reviewofrelations.

At theecono,niclevel, the release ofthe Updated India EconomicStrategyto 2035, whichchalksout apost-COVID bilateral economicengagementroad map,willfocus oninvestmentto strengthenlinkageswith India'skeypolicy,finance institutionsand enhanced businessengagement.

Atthe diaspora level,therelease of Australia's IndianDiasporareport, a nationalassetdescription,focuseson

abetterunderstandingoftheIndian diaspora'sreachintothebilateraleconomic relationshipandintegratingtheIndian diasporaasco1npellingchange111akersin overallties.TheDiasporaisalivingbridge betweennations,withanaturaladvantage oflanguageskills,culturalunderstanding andtransnationalnetworksthatcanbe broughttouseinameaningfulway.

Australia'sinvestinentofover$280million ininitiativeswilldrivedeepereconomic andculturalties,including"greensteel" partnership,critical11.inerals,innovation andtechnology,spaceinvestinentandanew CentreforAustralia-IndiaRelations,along withproactiveMinisterialengagetnents,MoUs andcom1nitn1enttofindingsharedvaluesand partnershipsthatmeet1nutualneeds.

AustraliaandIndiahavealsolaunched theAustraliaIndiaInfrastructureForum,to promotetwo-wayinvestinentininfrastructure andsupportbroadertradeandinvestn1ent bilateralobjectives.Bothcountrieshave alsodecidedtofocusonmanufactureand deploymentofultra-low-costsolarandgreen hydrogentechnologies,aspartofthelow emissionstechnologypartnership.Over 90%ofsolarcellsgloballyuseAustralian technology.Indiainthenext10yearswillbe oneofthelargestadoptersofsolartechnology intheworldandAustralianandIndian innovatorshavesignificantpotentialtowork togetherinthisarea.Thefocusistohavea widereconomicandstrategicgrowthstrategy andaccessthatisinclusive,respectstherule oflawbeitwiththeQUADinspecific,the SupplyChainResilienceInitiativeortheludoPacificregionasawhole.

Overall,thefocushasbeentokeep

theAustraliastorythrivinginIndia,and thelndiastorythrivinginAustraliaona consistentbasisinpublicmemory,involving aholistic111ulti-stakeholderstrategyand approachthatdeepensunderstandingand appreciationofeachother.

The'NewNormal'diplomacynarrative betweenAustraliaandIndiaisawarethatit mustbeentrepreneurial,creative,andbeled byanuancedunderstandingofdynamicfactors likeconsun1erism,capability,andcapacity.

REFLECTIONS

Indiahassetitselfatargettoachieve 5percentshareinworldmerchandise exportsand7percentinservicesexports by2025.IndAusECTAwillfacilitate market-seekingapproachofbothcountries, assistinbuildingbrandIndiaandbrand Australiainrespectiven1arketsanddevelop businessconfidence.ItwillbringIndia tothecentreofCorporateAustralia's businessaspirationsandconnectAustralian corporatestotheNewIndiagrowthstory, alongwithwitnessingtariffreductionson tradedgoods.

Thetwinimpactofgeopoliticaltensions andCOVID-19hasexposedtheweakness oftheAustraliantradingeconomy.lndAus ECTAislikelytosecu1·enewgrowth opportunitiestosupportlong-termsecw·ity fortheAustralianeconomy.

Thepast 18monthsinbilateralties havebeenexcitingandactionedpacked, perhapsmoresothaneverbefore.The constantshuttlebetweengloomanddoom ofCOVIDandtheambitionsofgovernment tomaximiseoptionsandopportunitiesfor producers,tnanufacturersandindustry

sectorshasbeenaninterestinglessonin howtoughtimescanbecomealeverfornew pronus1nggains.

Thegoalforprofessionalconsulting firms(suchasNewlandGlobalGroup)is ofsimplifyingandstrengtheningtradeand investmenttiesbetweenAustraliaandIndia. Thejourneymayhavebeenarduous,butit hasdefinitelytransitionedtodayfrom'Why India'to'HowtoinIndia'-aneducated withdrawalfromtreatingIndiaasanoption toengagingwithitasaninformedchoice.

However,itisimportanttonotethatinany tradedeal,governmentscanopenthedoor, butitisuptobusinesstofindthecourageto walktluoughitandstrategiseandcapitalise onexistingopportunities.Thegovernments havedelivered.Willbusinessfollow?

Asrenownedbusinessstrategistand authorRamBijapurkaraptlywritesinher bookWeAreLikeThatOnly"lndianeeds tobeunderstoodonitsownterms.Itwill alwaysmarchtoitsowntune.Let'sask ourselvestherightquestions,dealwith diversity,designfordigitalmedia,ridethe youthboom,understandurbanmarkets, understandruralIndia,learnfromcountries andcompanieswhogotitright,learnfrom startupsandmicro-entrepreneurs!Itisnot justaboutconsumptionorhowmuchmoney peoplehave.ltisabouttheiraspirations, painpointsandthelargercommunity context.Indiaiswherethefuturewillbe made.Let'sgetitright."

DipenRughaniistheFounderandCEO, andNatasha/haBhaskarGeneralManager, ofNewlandGlobalGroup,aSydneybasedAustraliancorporateadvisoryfirrn specializingintheAustralia-Indiaspace.

IC vaccine e cac

Years of work in developing athematical m del of infectious diseases came useful in describing the workings of COVID-19 vaccines

BY BAGESHRI SAVYASACHI

hile it is known that COVlD-19 vaccines grant a high degree of protection against the SARSCoV-2 virus, the factorthat detenninesthe efficacy oreffectiveness of these vaccineshasstu1npedscientistsand researchers.

Queensland University researcher DrPraneshPad1nanabhanalongwith co!Jaborators ProfNarendra Dixit (Indian Institute ofScience, Bengaluru)andDrRajat Desikan (Certara, UK) havebeendeveloping mathematical 111odelsofinfectiousdiseasesto understandtheunderlyingn1echanismsand optimisetreatn1entsformorethanadecade.

"Thisexperienceallowed usto develop a model describingtheworkingsofCOVID-19 vaccines swiftly," DrPadmanabhan told IndianLink.

Theteam analysedover80different antibodiesgeneratedagainst the surface spikeprotein ofSARS-CoV-2, thevirus that causes COVlD-19.

"Basedon thisanalysis, we developed a model topredictvaccine-inducedantibody responsesi11 vaccinated individuals," he said."Wethenextendedthe1nodel to predict howvaccine-induced antibody responsescontrol thedyna1nics ofinfections ininfected individuals. This allowed usto predict the protectionconferredbyeight approved COVID-19 vaccinesin clinical trials."

In thepast, thetaskofpredictingvaccine efficacyproved tootaxingbecause vaccines inducediversesetsofantibodieswithinand across individuals, andeachantibody hasa differentcapacitytocontrolvirusgrowthin the body.

"Thisdiversityofantibodyresponseswasa

challengetoquantify," DrPadmanabhansaid. Thenewn1odel quantitativelycaptures thereported efficaciesofeightmajor COVlD-19vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna,Astrazeneca, SputnikV, Novavax, Johnson & Johnson, CoronoVac, Covaxin), and more importantly,generates

quantitative linksbetween thevaccineinduced antibodyresponses and the resultingprotectionagainstinfection.

DrPadmanabhansaysthisshouldhelp expedite future vaccinedevelopment and optimizevaccinationstrategies.

"We started thisworkbecause itcan have

ahuge health impact,"he added.

What'sthenextstep?

"Ourmodelisdesignedtopredictvaccine efficacies againsttheoriginal SARS-CoV-2 strain,"DrPadmanabhandescribed. "Itturns outinadditiontoantibody response, the otherarn1sofourimn1une system, suchas Tce!Jresponse, maybe atplay todetermine thevaccineefficaciesagainstthenewSARSCoV-2 variants.The immediate next step will be toexpandtheframeworkto incorporate keyimmune responses necessaryforthe protectionagainst newvariants."

Then1athematical biologist is interested in understandingmechanisms underlying several infectious and neurodegenerative diseases. Lately, he's beenfocusingon COVID-19 andAlzheimer'sdisease.

"There arecurrentlynodisease-modifying treatments forAlzheimer's disease," he revealed. "Bycombiningcomputational mode!Jing, advanced imaging,and biological experimentations, l aimtoimproveou1· understandingofAlzheimer'sdisease and help developnewtreatments".

DrPadmanabhanis from Coin1batore and received hisPhD attheIndian Institute of Science in Bengaluru.

"Itis afantasticinstitutetostart one's career,"hemused.

Hewasthe recipientofa three-year UniversityofQueenslandfellowshipwhich brought him to Australia in 2015, and allowed him tojoin the Queensland Brain lnstitute.

He startedhiscareer as achemical engineer. Overtheyears,hedeveloped an interestin usingmathematicstounderstand biologicalsystemsand whatmightgowrong indisease conditions.

"l realisedthattechnological advancements havecreated aunique opportunitytoidentify mathematical principles, orevenlaws,ofbiological systems. I am quite excitedto findoutif there areuniversallawsofbiology," he said.

Thenewmodelquantitativelycaptures thereportedefficaciesofeightmajor COVID-19vaccinesandgenerates quantitativelinksbetweenthevaccineinducedantibodyresponsesandthe resultingprotectionagainstinfection.

amon n1cm1nor1 1es

BY BAGESHRI SAVYASACHI

heCOYlD-19mortalityreport releasedrecentlybytheAust:raUan BureauofStatisticshasrevealed adarkdisparityinthecountry's healthcare.Thereport,whichrecorded 2,639deathsuntil31 Janthisyear,found thattheCOVIDdeathratewasthreeti1nes higherinpeoplebornoverseasthanpeople whowereborninAustralia.

Thereportraisesdeepconcerns consideringnearlyhalf(49%)ofall Australianswereeitherbornoverseasorhad atleastoneparentwhowasbornoverseas, accordingtothe2016Census.

Melbourne'sDrNishaKhot,an obstetricianworkingatRoyalWomen's HospitalandWesternHealth,toldIndian Linkshewasawareofincreasedrates ofCOVJDinfectioninmigrantsinher everydayexperiencebutwasshockedbythe

disparitiesinmortalityratesamongethnic minoritycomn1unities.

"Theinfectionsalsotendedtobemore severeinthesecon11nunities,"shenoted.

"Datafron,overseas(UKandUSA)also showedthesestrikingdifferencesbetween infectionratesbasedonraceandethnicity.''

Shementionedthatpeoplefron1minority co1nmunitiesaremorelikelytohavepoor healthbecauseofpooraccesstohealthcare andpoorpreventativehealthcare.

"ThenumberofGPsper1000population inareaswithhigher1ninorityethnic populationsistnuchlo\verthaninnonminoritypopulatedareas.

"[Peoplefron1minoritycon1munities]are morelikelytohaveobesity,hypertension, diabeteswhichputsthen1athigherriskof severeinfection."

Sheexplainedthathealthisdetermined byanumberoffactorssuchasgoodquality heaJthyfood,stableandsafehousingwithout overcrowding,preventativemessagesthat arecuJturallyappropriate,accesstosecure employ1nent,accesstoGPsandspecialist heaJthcare.

"Itsaddenedmetoseethatdespitehaving theinformationonthesedisparitiesand timetoprepareformitigation,westilldid notachievecomparableoutcomesforethnic minoritycommunities,"theBoarddirector forRANZCOGandtheRuralDoctors AssociationofVictoria,said.

Infact,thereportshowedthatpeople withacountryofbirthintheMiddleEast (about5%oftheoverseas-bornpopulation) hadaCOVIDdeathratewhichwas 10times higherthanthoseborninAustralia.

DrDevakiMonani,lecturerinsocialwork atCharlesDarwinUniversity,saidshewas notsurprisedbythefindingsintheABS COVIDmortalityreport.Herresearchinto thereportexplainsthatformostmigrants, irrespectiveoftheirethnicity,economic participationintheworkforcetakespriority overwell-being.

"Thismeanstheirhealthisoften neglected.Additionally,navigatingthehealth caresystemisalsoproblematic;public hospitalwaittimesareenormous,andoften peoplefrommigrantcommunitiesaretime poorandtendtoplacetheirhealthonaback

burner,"shesaid.

Sheaddedthatthepandemic demonstratedastarkrealityoftime-poor working-classmigrantssuchassecurity guards,agedcareworkers,nursinghon1e workers.

"Theyweretime-poor,unlikemainstream middleclasswhowereafforded opportunitiesofworkingfromhomeetc, duetothenatureoftheirjobs.Thismeant thatmigrantshavetomostlychoosebetween goingtothehospitalorheadingtowork."

Ithasbecomeincreasinglyclearthat Australiaisdependentonamigrant workforce,andDrMonani,anexpertin comparativesocialpolicy,stressedthe importanceofearlyinterventionaround healthliteracyformigrantsandthewider population.

"Itisnowimperativemorethaneverto prioritise1Ttigrantwell-beinganden1bed theseaspectsaspartoftheirworkplace. Workplacesoffrontlineworkersneedto prioritisehealthandwell-beingopportunities formigrants,"shesaid.

Ithasbeenwidelyreportedthatthereason somanyfrommigrantandn1ulticultural communitieshavecontractedCOVIDanddied isbecauseoflivingincrowdedandcramped conditionsindenselypopulatedareas.

"However,thisbringsusbacktothe broaderconversationabouthousing affordabilityinAustralia.IfAustralia

willcontinuetodependonan1igrant workforce,thentheliveability,healthand well-beingoptionsformigrantsalsoneed tobeconsideredintheoverallworkforce planning.Ahealthymigrantworkforcewill contributetowardahealthynation,"Dr Monanisaid.

Whataboutthegovernment'smulticultural messagingofCOVIDrelatedinformation towardsethnicminoritycommunities?Did thathaveanimpactonthepreventionof infections?

"Whiletranslationsaretricky,thevast majorityofskilledmigrantshavemedium levelsofEnglishifnothigh,"DrMonani said."Translationsareinonewayoffloading thebroaderproblen1ofengagementto deemingittobeinganEnglishlanguage situation,whilstitisalittlen1ore complicated."

"Here,bringingGovernmentinthe discourseisonesideofthestory.Thereisa broaderproblemaroundgivingresourcesto multiculturalservicestomanagethedelivery ofkeymessaging,ratherthanallocatingthat jobtointerpreters.

"Weneedtoacknowledgethatbroadly reallynoonewaspreparedforCOVID-19. Inthispost-COVIDera,wehaveachanceto makeadifferenceinshapingtheengagen1ent aroundthemulticulturalcontext."

Experts commenton the gaps in preventative healthcare forpeople born overseas

''Itsaddenedmetoseethat despitehavingtheinformation onthesedisparitiesandtime toprepareformitigation,we stilldidnotachievecomparable outcomesforethnicminority communities."

DrNishaKhot,BoarddirectorforRANZCOG andtheRuralDoctorsAssociationofVictoria

''IfAustraliawillcontinue todependonamigrant workforce,thentheliveability, healthandwell-beingoptions formigrantsalso needto beconsideredintheoverall workforceplanning."

DrDevakiMonani, CharlesDarwinUniversity

AuthorisedbyChrsMinns,PrueCar,SteveKamper,StephenBali,JuliaFinn,JasonYat-senLi,HughMcDermott,EdmondAtalla,GregWarren.SophieCotsis,ShaoquettMoselmane,andGuyZangari.FundedusmgParliamentaryEnttlements.

AuthorisedbytheAustralian Government, Canberra.

BY RHEALNATH

vertheyears,tnanynewmigrants toAustraliahavefacedacommon problem:theirhard-earned degreeshaven'talwaysbeen recognisedbytheAustralianeducation syste1n,leavingthemtostartafreshinanew country.

AnewtaskforcebytheGovernmentsof IndiaandAustraliaai1ustodevelopupdated qualificationsrecognitionarrange1uentsto addressthisissue.Itwasannouncedinlate MarchbyPrimeMiJ,istersScottMorrison andNarendraModi,inavirtualmeeting.

"Thetaskforcewilldeterminethe mostappropriateprocesstostrengthen therecognitionofAustralianandIndian qualifications,withafocusonenhancing participationinhighereducationand,where feasible,accesstogeneralemployment, forbothcountries,"aspokespersonfor theDepartmentofEducation,Skillsand En1ploy1nenttoldIndianLink.

"Theworkofthetaskforcewill1·eflect internationalqualificationsrecognitionbest principleswhichseekton1axin1iseoutco1nes fortherecognitionofanindividual's qualificationswherepossible."

IntendedtobeimplementediJ12023,the taskforcewillreportbytheendoftheyear. Thishasleftn1anytospeculatethefieldsof studythiscouldimpact.

Detailsawaited

Lastyear,theSydneyInstitutefor CominunityLanguagesEducation(SICLE) attheUniversityofSydneywasthefil·st ofitskindtoprovideabridgingcourse foroverseas-trainedteachers,helping 2,000professionalstobecomeaccredited inAustralianschools.Butnewmigrants trainedinotherfieldscontiJ1uetoface hurdlesinstartingtheircareers.

Ran1neekMadahar,aSydney-based migrationagent,iscautiouslyoptin1isticof theannouncen1ent.

"Therecouldbesignificantimplications ofthesechanges.MobilityofIndiansto Australiacouldbecomeeasierandquicker, makingthisagoodstepforward,"he stated."However,Idon'texpecttlusto flowthroughdirectlytomedicalanddental qualifications.There'safarn1orerigorous processintoassessingthosequalifications."

Typically,migrantswithmedical backgroundshaveatoughtimebuilding theircareerinAustralia.Theyshellout thousandsofdollarstoretrain,undertake exams,andgainpracticalexperience towardslocalcertifications.

SpeakingtotheABCTVprogramThe Drum,PawanLuthraofIndianLinklooked

orce o re-evaua e

in"changinggeopoliticalsituations".

InLightofthepossibledryingup ofaneducationmarketinChina, thepivottoIndia,anothermajor sourceofinternationalstudentsand professionals,wasbutnatural,he said.

Timeand resourcesto requallfy

29-year-oldMehakSikkaBhatnagar, anexperienceddentalsurgeonfrom India,estin,atesthatshe'spaid around$25,000sofartoretrainhere inSydney.

"Ican1ein2018andfoundthat myoverseasexperiencewasn't recognisedanywhere.Ineededlocal trainingonmyCVandstartedwork asadentalassistantin2019,"she explained.

"Thehourswereoverwheln,ing andtherewasalotofpressure.l reallyfeltlikeanyknowledgegapin practicesbetweenAustraliaandIndia could'vebeencoveredbysomeone simplytalkingusthroughit,butit wasn'tmadeavailabletous."

InIndia,shehadbeenamong dozensofvolunteerspecialistson

theLifelineExpress(JeevanRekha Express),aseven-coachtrainthatacts asarollinghospitaltoservepeople inruralareaswithpooraccessto healthcare.Astheleadmedicalofficer onthetrain,sheearnedvaluable practicalskillsovertheyearsby interactingwithpatientsonadailybasis.

India-traineddentistMehokSikkaBhatnagar practicesonherhomeset-upforthefinalhurdleinher requalificationprocess,whichhasalreadytakenthree yearsandcost$25,000

Thisimportantphilanthropicwork,operating since 1991,hasbeenwidelycoveredbyboth internationalandIndianmedia.

InAustralia,however,DrSikka Bhatnagarhadtostartfromscratch.This May,shewillfinallybeundertakingtheLast stepinathree-prongprocesstoregister withtheDentalBoa1·dofAustralia.It's apracticalexamiJ1ationthatil1cludesa languageelementtoaddresscommurucation barriers,acommoncomplaintbynaysayers ofIndianqualifications.

"Unfortunately,becauseofthepandemic andinbeinganassistant,Ihaven'tworked onapatientforaln1ostthreeyears,"she

sighed."NowI'vecreatedahomesetup thatcosta1·ound$lSk,justtobeable topractice."(She'sinvestedinadental simulationunitintendedforpractical trainingpurposesfromOneDental,alsothe majorsupplierofmanyteachinginstitutions andexaminationbodiesliketheAustralian DentalCouncil.)

"lt'sahugefinancialdraintokeepgiving theseexams,especiallyifyou'reunableto passinthefirstattempt.Alotofpeople dropoutbecausetheycan'taffordit."

Aheadofherfirstwrittenexamlastyear, therewerenewguidelinesandchangesto thequestionpattern.Fromabatchof200 peopleinhercoachingclasses,shewasone

ofsevenpeoplewhopassed. lnfact,DrSikka Bhatnagaradds,many migrantcouplestoAustralia havehadtosacrificeatleast oneoftheircareerstobe abletoaffordthesemassive costs.Formanywomen, retraininghascomeinthe wayoffanulyplanning.

"Youdon'tgetloansfor thesekindsofthings. It takesalotofpatienceand financialsupport.Evenif you'rethebestdentist,it's ahardjourneyifyou're notfinanciallysound,"she warned.

InAustralia,n,any organisationsturntothe CountryEducationProfiles (CEP)asaninformation tooltosupportAustralian recognitionauthorities assessingoverseas qualifications.When asked,theDepartment ofEducation,Skillsand Employmentstatedthe taskforcewiUworkbeyond this.

Aspokespersonexplained, "Theworkofthetaskforce goeswellbeyondthisscope asitwillestablishaprocess toimproveoutcomesfor

therecognitionofboth AustralianandIndianqualifications, includingwhererecognitionsettingsin AustraliaandIndiacanbemademore con1plementary,toenhancetwo-wayhigher educationmobility."

Mixed feedback

Withfewdetailsavailablesofaronthe taskforce,feedbackontheannouncement hasbeennuxedonsocialn1edia.Many remainscepticalofthemoveandits impactonAustralianemployment,with oneusercitingwidespread"cronyismand corruption"inIndia.

"Wouldyoutrustamedicaldegreeissued inIndiathesameasoneconferredinOz, UK,EUorUSA?"

Anotherasked,"Isitrighttoalignwith thestandardsofothercow1triessowecome acrossasabettertradingpartner?"

Others,especiallythosewhohavefaced thesestrugglesfirsthand,seeitasastepin therightdirection.

OneTwitterusernoted,"Inthe80smy motherdidapostgraduatediplomaatUni ofTasmaniatogetherIndianBachelor's degreerecogrusedinAustraliasoshecould workasalibrarian.Thiswasverydisruptive forourfamilyinDarwinsomybrotherand IweresenttoLivewithrelativesinIndiafor ayear."

It's abouttime, say migrants who have spent considerable time and resources on requalifying procedures

atthen1ovethroughabroaderlens,bringiJ1g

MehokcomeswithextensiveexperienceinIndia

BY RAJNIANAND LUTHRA

hefundamentalrnessageofthe FestivalofColours-ofamityand goodwill-wasbroughtforthina rareinterfaithHolicelebrationin Sydneyrecently.

Haveyounoticedhowattheendofa roundofI-Iolifestivitieswithgulal(coloured powder),webegintomatcheachotherin skincolour?

OurnewcolouratHoliisnotbrownor blackorwhite,butanamalgamofhues. Thegulalrubsoffonothersaswee111brace tosay'HappyHoli',andaswelookateach othersmearedincolour,wecannotbuthelp laughattheabsurdityofitall.

Thedifferencesinskincolourobliterated, otherdifferencesdiminishtoo,andthe resultisanoverallincreaseinbonhomie.

ThesearetherealtakeawaysfromHoli: acceptanceandinclusivity,peaceand harrnony,valuesofwhichweneedample boostershots,giventhepolarisedworldin whichwefindourselvescurrently.

Organisedbyfourlike-mindedplatfonns TheHumanismProject,Hindus4Human RightsAustraliaandNZ,NRIAffairs,and IndianCrescentSocietyofAustraliaICSOA, theeventattractedpeoplefromvariousfaith andpoliticalbackgrounds.

"Green,redandbluehaveaHcome together,"NathanHaggartyofLiverpool Councilremarkedashegesturedtowards thepoliticiansinthefrontrow.

Beforehim,DavidShoebridge,Greens memberoftheNSWLegislativeCouncil spokepassionatelyabouttheneedforgreater understandingbetweencultures,religions,and languages."Wecannotprogresscross-cultural issuesinAustraliatillweacknowledgethe majordispossessionandcrin1esagainstFirst Nationspeople,"headded.

Healsospokeabouttheloomingthreat

oflslamophobiainIndiaspillingoverto thediaspora.AbbasRazaAJviofICSOA recalledhismemoriesofaninterfaithHoli inIndia."IneverthoughtofHoliasaHindu festival.Wewouldcallonourneighbours, greetthemwithanembrace,playsomeHoli andsharesweetmeats.Andtheywoulddo theexactsameatEid."

HealsodetailedthefestivitiesattheDewa SharifshrineatBarabankitowninUP, whichmarkstheFestivalofColourannually. Thetomb,afusionofHinduandIslamic architecturalstyles,isinmemoryoftheSufi saintHajiWarisAliShah(1809-1905)whose best-knownteachingremains/oRabhaiwahi Ramhai('HinduandMuslimgodisbutone').

Echoingasimilarsentiment,NSW MinisterforMulticulturalismMarkCoure said,"Theessenceofmulticulturalismisa spiritofinclusiveness.Itbenefitsusallaswe participateineachothers'cultures.OnHoll, lwishyouaHvibrantfreshbeginnings."

'Freshbeginnings'isatermthatis meaningfulinmanyways.Charishma Kaliyanda,LiverpoolCouncillor,touched onthisasshebroughtupanoft-forgotten significanceofHoli."Holiisalsoafestival offorgiveness.Itisatimetoburybridges, overcomechaHenges,andbuildsympathy andunderstanding."

AnimportantHolilessonistoletbygones bebygonesasweembraceandhavealaugh together.Itisatimetostartanewwithold acquaintances,andatimetomakenewones.

Earlier,DrShantiRamanofHindus4 HumanRightssetthetonefortheevent withherSanskritinvocationtoMother Earth,ofwhoweareallequalchildren: OhMotherEarth,salutationstoyou.Please forgivethetouchofmyfeetonEarth,which isyourholybody.

RabbiSachaspokeoftheroleofdiversity insociety,callingthemultiplegroupspresent ontheoccasion"tobuildabetterSydney."

AnotherJewishrepresentativeJess HarrisonfromSydneyAlliance,spokeofthe recentlyconcludedJewishfestivalofPurim, markedsomewhatlikeHoliwithfeasting andmerrymaking,exchangingofgiftsof food,andstreetparadeswithmasksand costumes.

Manyculturesaroundtheworldhavea festivalof"lettinggo"likeH.olithatinclude boisterousfestivitiessuchasthethrowingof flourorwaterateachother.

"I'dloveyoualltojoinusatournext celebrationofPurim,"l-Iarrisontoldthe meeting.RevBillCrewsAM,oneofour nation's 100"NationalLivingTreasures",had theaudienceinthrallashebroughtupthe ongoingUkraineconflict.Thedanceinterlude performedbykidsjustbeforehespoke, remindedhimofthefootageofUkrainian kidsaffectedbythemilitaryaggression.He said,"Wemustcalloutthosethatthinkthey ortheirreligionisbetterthaneveryoneelse's. WemustcaHoutthosewhotakeawayour righttobe."

ItwasawonderfulencoretoNathan Haggarty'sstatementearlier:"WemustcaH outthatwhichdividesus,andcelebratethat whichbringsustogether.Becausethereis muchmorethatbindsusthandividesus."

USYDstudentShaniPatel,providinga youthperspectiveonwhatHolimeansin contemporaryAustralia,wasawelcome addition:theyouthelementistoooften missingincommunitycelebrations.Shani spokeofhowsherejectedher"brown roots"toidentifywithherpeers."Yetit wasatcelebrationslikeHolithatthereal meemerged.TheRadhaKrishnaaspect particularlyappealedton1yqueerness."

Themessagesontheoccasion,which had"strengthwithhumanity"accordingto anotherattendeeformerNSWSenatorLee Rhiannon,helpedmakeitadifferent-and wonderfullyreflective-Holi.

NSWMinisterforMulticulturalismMarkCourewithguests

''We must call out those that think they or their religion is better than everyone else's. We must call out those who take away our right to be."

Rev Bill Crews AM

The fundamental message of the Festival of Colours Hali is brought forth at an interfaith celebration in Sydney

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BY RHEA LNATH

heAustralian Defence Force has had abusyfewyearsontheho1ne front,steppingin toassist afterthe BlackSu,nmerbushfu-es, helping withpandemicreliefefforts, and more recently, helpingin the clean-up afterfloods devastatedpartsofAustralia'seast coastin thelasttwo1nonths.

Still, concernscontinueto be raised astothetimelinessand effectivenessof the response in coordinationwith other agenciesinthe eventofdisasters.Inearly March, NSW Pre1nier Dominic Perrotett conceded thatthe emergencyflood response

had notbeengood enough afterhund1·eds ofpeoplewere leftwithout food,water, and fuel, and manywerestrandedon rooftops awaitingevacuation.By 14 March, the NSW State EmergencyService (SES) commissionerwasforcedtocommenton a controversialdecisiontorejectADFaid ontwoseparateoccasions,daysbefore the deadlyfloodingbegan.

Therearenowmorethan3,000ADF personnelandassetson-groundinnorthern NSWtoassistwithfloodrelief,asof30March.

It'sevidentthatgovernmentscallonthe militaryto helpwithcrises,butas many havebeenrecentlywondering,howoptimal is the response?AnewbookbyaSydneybased retu-ed IndianArmy Generalaimsto tackle thesequestionshead-on.

MajorGeneralAmardeep Bhardwaj, PhD (Retd)explained,"Throughouthistory,

militariesaround theworldhavebeen atthe forefrontinrespondingtodisasters;saving lives, bringingsuccourand dispensingaid. TheMilitaryisacountry'sbiggest resource, with betterlogistics,manpower, andguts than anyotheragency,to tackledisasters. Consideringthatmostmilitariesare often notengaged inwarfighting, there isvast scopeforthemtoplaya bigger, more meaningful, role indisasterresponse."

ManyIndiansarefamiliarwiththemilitary's longhistoryofprovidingaidinthetimeof crises,outlinedintheDisasterManagement Actpassedin2005. HereinAustralia, though,itisn'tquiteasstraightforward.ADF involvementindisasterresponsecanbetraced backasfarastheHobartFiresin 1967,butas theRoyalCommissionintoNationalNatural DisasterArrangementsrecentlynotedafter the2019-2020bushfires,there'salackof

understandingabouttherole,capacity,and capabilityoftheADFinrelationtonatural disasters.

1nthelastfewweeks,n1anyofus haveseen imagesofflood-reliefeffortsontheground, includingADFpersonnelclearingpersonal belongings fromwaterlogged homes.The authorpointsoutthatinstanceslike this, whengivenadequatecoverageinthe1nedia, catchthepeople'sattention,raisingpertinent questionsabouttheefficiencyand timeliness ofthedisasterresponse.

"WhenIsawthegraphicsofsoldiersin Lismore,helpingtocarryitemslikeclothes andmattressesoutofhouses, I couldn't helpbutwonderifthiswasthebestwayto employthemilitary," hesaid. ''Thatiswhy Ifavoura'competency-basedapproach'in assigningtaskstovariousagencies,including themilitary,indisasteroperations. Mybook

FloodedscenesinUsmore, NSW,March30,2022.

(PhotoAP)

A new book by Sydney's --1AJO GENERAL

MARDEEP BHA DWAJ, PhD (Retd)

considers how to optimise global military responses to disasters.

RESPONSE

positsproperroledefinition,taskassignment, training,equippingandorganisingamilitary -andthisappliestoallnulitariesintheworld -formoreefficientdisasterresponse."

InDisasterManagement: Optiinising

TheGlobalMilitary Response, publishedby PartridgePublishers,aPenguin-Random HouseCompany,readerscanexpecttofind well-sequencedchapters,eachfocussingon onemajoraspectofthemilitary'srolein DisasterManage1nent.Areviewofthelatest disastertrends,howtoleveragetechnology, andwisdon1drawnfromtheUnitedNations aswellasothercountries,addcompleteness andflavourtothebook.

"There'sneedforasystemicreviewand, ifneeded,anoverhaulratherthanknee-jerk reactionsduringcrises,"elaboratesGeneral Amardeep."Thehiddentruthisthatmilitaries arenotoptimallytrained,equipped,organised ormandatedtoundertakesuchspecialised humanitariantasks.Theyare,infact, optimisedforco1nbat.Butwhennotengaged intheirprimaryroleofwar-fighting,thereis tremendousscopeforthen1toaccruemuch higher'peace-dividends'inservinghun1anity."

A er in he ,,·n ry ThebookcombinesMajorGeneral Bha1·dwaj's40yearsofprofessional

MajorGeneralAmardeepBhardwaj(Retd) experienceinthen1ilitary,includingdisaster/ emergencyoperations,theirplanning, policymakingandadvocacy,andovera decadeoffocusedresearchinthefield.

Hiscareerinthemilitarybegan immediatelyafterleavingschoolasa 17-yearoldwhenhejoinedtrainingattheNational DefenceAcademy(NOA)inPuneforthree years,followedbyayearattheIndian MilitaryAcademy(IMA)inDehradun.

"Earlyinmycareer,Iwasplacedinan EmergencyManagementCommittee,"he recalled."WhenIinquiredaboutwhatthat meant,Iwastoldthatit'sapre-constituted teaminthearmytobereadyand provideassistancetowardsdisastersand emergencies."

Fastforwardafewyearsandhefound himselfamonganemergencyresponse teamflyingMl-17helicoptersintofierce weatherconditionsintheHimalayanheights ofHimachalPradesh,whereinJuly2018, localsdescribed"a100-feethighwallof water"blastingthroughtheBaspaRiverValley atmidnight,destroyingeverythinginitspath, especiallythevillagesaroundKarcham.

"Istillremembertheterribleweatherand howitwasdangerousforanyaircraft,even armyhelicopters,tobeflyingin.Noonein theirrightmindwouldgointothatstorm, butwedid,"hesaid."Atthetime,l'dturned tomysuperiorandasked,'howlongwill weneedtobehere?'Hetoldme,withouta moment'shesitation,'aslongasittakes."'

Overtheyears,heplayedaroleinvarious disasterresponsesbytheIndianMilitary, beinginvolvedinfieldoperationsaswellas theirmanagementathigherheadquarters. Hestillrecallshisexperiencewithmanmadedisasters,havingservedasaUnited NationsPeacekeeperinAngolain1997.

"AIDSandotherdiseaseswererampant whilethewarringfactionsfoughtceaselessly withmilitaryweaponsandlaidextensive mines.Lifeexpectancieswereshort,itwas hardtofindalocalwhocouldsurvivetill 60andhavegreyhair!Itwasasolemn reminderofhowdisasters,man-madeor natural,canbedevastating,"hesharedwith Indian Link.

Afterthisexperience,hedecidedto supplementhispracticalknowledgefrom thefieldwithacertificateindisaster management,becomingperhapsoneofthe fustIndianmilitaryofficerstodoso.

1n2012,MajorGeneralBhardwaj successfullydefendedhisthesison "RoleoftheIndianMilitaryinDisaster Management"toearnhisPhDin DefenceStudies(specialisinginDisaster Management)fromChaudharyCharan

SinghUniversity,Meerut.Hissupervisor wasDrHarvirSharma,anesteemedIndian scholarandperhapstheonlyD.Littinthe field.

"Aftern1yPhD,Ibegantowonderwhatisthecasewithothercountries?I thenstartedstudyinghowthemilitaries ofChina,theUnitedStates,Australia, Japanandmanyothersengagedindisaster response;alsohowvariousorgansofthe 'UnitedNationsandso1neoftheglobal NGOsparticipatedindisastermanagement. Tworealisationsdawned;firstly,itseen1ed therewereidenticalproble1nsinalmost allmilitaries,andsecondly,couldn'tthe solutionsbethesameoratleastsimilar?"

Inspiredtolookintotheissueonaglobal scale,theideaforhisbooktookseed.

"Thisbookisespeciallyrelevanttothe military,para-military,civil-defence,police, andotheremergencyservices,irrespective ofcountryornationality.Itoffersvaluable insightsforpolicy-n1akers,practitioners, studentsandstakeholdersinthefieldof DisasterManagement,allaroundthe world,"MajorGeneralBhardwajnoted.(He addsthathehasreachedouttotheof.ficesof theAustralianFederalMinistersforDefence aswellasEmergencyManagement,National RecoveryandResilience,tocontributehis insightsbuthasnotreceivedanyresponse fromthem).

Advocating forclimate action and sustainability

"We'vetinkeredwithmothernaturea bittoon1uchandnowallofmankind's resourcesarefallingwoefullyshort.There's anever-wideningcapabilitygap,"the Generalobserved."Disastertrendsare unambiguousthatinfuturethefrequency andferocityofdfaasterswillincrease manifold.Butgovernmentsaroundthe worldaregoingaboutbusinessasusual. Mankind'scapabilitiestocopewiththis growingthreatneedurgentandexponential upscaling.Itisherethattheideatoassign abiggerroletotheworld's1nilitaries,in disasterresponse,canbealife-saverfor planetearth."

Asascholarindisastermanagement,he's well-versedinthewaysthatn1an'sactions, nomatterhowharmless,cangoontoaffect ournaturalsurroundings.

"Ancientculturesoftheworld,including inIndiaandAustralia,havefantastic wisdomabouttherightwaytointeractwith andrespectnature.Ibelieveit'si1nportant topreservethisknowledge.Oneoftheways togoforwardis,infacttogobackwardto preserveandutilisethisancientwisdom," MajGenBhardwajstated.

ADFandAirForcepersonnelcleanupafterfloodinginBexhi/1nearUsmore (PhotoAP)

''Whennotengaged intheirprimary roleofwarfighting,thereis tremendousscope for(themilitary) toaccruemuch higher'peacedividends'in serving humanity."

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Jaya Manchikanti wins Vic Premier's Volunteer of the Year award for 2021

BY JYOTHSNARAO

elbourne'sJayaManchikanti, founderofIndianCare,haswon theVicPremier'sVolunteerof theYearawardfor2021 for herselflessworksupportingthegrowing Indianco1nmunitylivinginVictoria.

JayaalsowontheVolunteering LeadershipAwardforhereffortsin establishingIndianCare,anot-for-profit seekingtoaddressthewelfareneedsofthe diverseIndianandSouthAsiancommunity inVictoria.lthasimpactedthelivesof morethan5000Victorianstodate.

AsthePremier'sVolunteeroftheYear, JayareceivestheDan1eElisabethMurdoch Awardanda$10,000donationtoanotfor-profitorganisationofchoice.Thefunds thisyearwi!JgotoIndianCare.

"IamgratefultoVolunteeringVictoria andtheVictoriangovern1nentforthese awards,"Jayatold IndianLink. "Ihopeto usethisplatfonntoenablebetteroutcomes fortnigrantsandrefugees.Ialsowishto bringgreaterattentiontothegoodwork ofcommunityserviceorganisations,and increasecollaborations,asIbelievethatwill assisttowardsan1oresustainablefuture."

JayalaunchedIndianCarein2013. Utilisingastrengths-basedcomn1unity developn1entapproach,shehasled

herteamtoaddressissuessuchasthe preventionandearlyinterventionoffamily violence,preventionofalcoholharm, supportforSouthAsianinternational students,COVID-19reliefandre-building aswellastheprovisionofaninforn1ation andreferralhelplineservice.

IndianCarehasnowgrowntobecomea respectedagencythatworksco!Jaboratively withgovernmentandotheragencies.The boa1·d,staffandthevolunteersareof Indianheritage,andareamixoffirst-and second-generation1nigrants.Theyare professionallyqualified,tertiaryeducated, havelivedexperienceasmigrants,speak11 Indianlanguagesandhavetheabilityand experiencetoprovideanempatheticand aculturallysensitiveresponsefor\Varro referralstomainstreamsupportservices.

Thetea1nhasrepresentationfromthe variousprofessionsseenintheIndian commu11ity,suchassoftwaredevelopn1ent, law,account,healthpromotion,small business,socialworkandcommunity develop1nent.Theyworkinthegrowth

corridorsofMelbourneintheSouth EasternandWesternsuburbs,areas heavilypopulatedwithyoungfamilies ofIndianbackground.Notably,35%of AustralianIndianmigrantschoosetolive inMelbourne,51%ofIndianmigrantsare familieswithchildren.Ourcommunityis young(averageage31years)-theyneed supportpostmigrationandweasthe diasporaneedtosupportthem.

ImyselfmetJayain2018,whenafriend invitedmetotheAGMofIndianCare.I hadjustmovedfromacademicresearch intothecommunitysector.Inspiredby Jaya'sPresident'sspeechthen,thepenny droppedabouttheurgentneedforan organisationsuchaslndianCareina communityasdiverseasours,withmany religions,languages,thinkingandsocioeconomiclevels.Igotonboardsoonafter.

TheIndianCarevaluesofrespect, honestyandcompassionstrivetouniteand supportwithoutbias.Thesearethevery valuesthatmakeJayathewomansheis, andtheyhavebecometheessenceofthe

platforn1shehasfounded.

Jayaisaninspiringleaderwhoworks quietlyandtirelessly.Shehastaughtme theethosofcomn1unitydevelopment, importanceofactivelistening,andthevalue ofpatienceincommunityengagement. Manytimes,asIreflectonheradviceand experience,IconcludethatIhavegivenmy bestforthatmomentintime.

Forsomeonewhoneverseeksthe spotlight,thismomentistrulyhers.

JayamovedtoAustraliaasan8-year-old in1970,arrivinginMelbournewithher parentsandsiblings.Thefamilysettled inBendigoduringtheeraoftheWhite AustraliaPolicy.

Currently,JayaisaPhDcandidate atVictoriaUniversity.Hertopicof researchis'Exa1niningAustralianthird sectorcom1nunitydevelop1nentpraxisin relationtoprogressingtheSustainable DevelopmentGoals'.Shewillparticularly focusonwomen,COVID-19responses, andthemarginalised/disadvantaged.This isacriticalareaneedingattention.

Jayanotes,"Morerecognitionisneeded forcommunitydevelopmentintheThird Sector,andprogressionoftheSustainable DevelopmentGoalsisneeded.Boththese issuesofcommunitydevelopmentand sustainabledevelopmentdon'tgetenough attentioninAustralia."

ContactIndianCare on 1300 00 50 40, emailhelp@indiancare.org.au, orvisit their websitewww.indiancare.org.au

With itsstrengths-based community developmentapproach, lndianCare has grown to become a respected agencythat works collaborativelywith government and otherentities.

Pramukh Swami Maharai: Transformer of Lives

Butterflies have abeautythatdraws usto look and admire. To become a butterfly, the caterpillar must undergo internal change. A caterpillar gorges on food to facilitate this. Similarly, to facilitate our inner transformation, we require food in the form oftrue knowledge. We get this from apersonwhoisperfectinmindand heart.

His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921-2016), Bhagwan Swaminarayan's fifth spiritual successor had the ability to transform people in this way. A rare soul who always lived for others and simultaneouslyremainedtotallyabsorbed in God. He had a unique aptitude to

A Great Teacher

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was a distinguished Indian aerospace scientist who servedasthePresidentofIndiafrom2002 to 2007. Dr. Kalam and Pramukh Swami Maharajfirstmeton30June2001 inNew Delhi, India forming a lasting friendship andspiritualrapport.Thereafter,theymet in personorbyphone on numerousoccas1ons.

Dr.A.P.J.AbdulKalanimeeting

PramukhSwa,niMaharaj

These interactions left a deep impression on Dr. Kalam. He was touched by Pramukh Swami Maharaj'sprofoundspirituality and divinity. Explaining the reason forwriting his book, 'Transcendence: My Spiritual Experienceswith Pramukh Swamiji,' Dr. Kalam said, "On the day I in-

understandyouth and liberated countless

of a pious saint like Pramukh Swami Maharaj.Mohanbhaisaidthataftergiving up his addictions he began to experience trueinnerpeace.

What for many years had seemed youthsfromtheharrowingissuesoflife. impossible happened by the association Mohanbhai Patel, a devotee from Bolton in England, used to smoke 80 cigarettes and drink 16 pints ofbeera day. In 1994, inAshton,England,Mohanbhaicameinto contactwithPramukhSwamiMaharaj for theveryfirsttimewhenhewasinvited by a friend to attend the murti-pratishtha ceremony at the BAPS mandir. Pramukh SwamiMaharajlearntaboutMohanbhai's chain smoking and beer drinking habits, andencouragedhimtogiveupthesevices. He lovingly blessed, "God will give you strength to give up these addictions." He firmly decided to give up his addictions.

JayeshKedariya,aBAPSdevoteeinSurat, India approached his cousin brother Anand, who was addicted to alcohol. The addiction was ruining Anand's life. After a lengthy chat to persuade him, Jayesh offered prayers for Anand to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Pramukh Swami Maharaj Anand observed all this. Some months passed, but his cousin had still not given up his addiction. Several times, Jayesh wrote to Pramukh Swami Maharajforblessingsthathiscousingives up his addiction to alcohol. Each time, Swamishrirepliedwithwordsofblessings andencouragement.

Eventually, after many months of persistent effort by Jayesh, Anand gave up his addiction, andthishad aknock-on effect. Anand'swifewasverypleased. She and other women were inspired to make effortstofreetheirvillageofalcohol. They achieved resounding success! In turn, womenfromover50othernearbyvillages were inspired to free their villages of rampantalcoholaddiction.

augurated Akshardham in Delhi, I found a teacher in Pramukh Swamiji. A great teacher.ThatdayIdecidedI must writea bookwithmyfriendArunTiwari.It'snota book. It'satribute.Toagreatleader."

In 2015, when Dr. Kalam made thejourney from Delhi to Sarangpur to present the book, hewas 84years old. Dr. Kalam presentedthe firstcopyofTranscendence toPramukh SwamiMaharaj inSarangpur on20June2015,theirlastpersonalmeeting.Whilepresentingthebook, Dr.Kalam said, ''You are a great teacher. I learnt to removeI,removemine.That'sagreatlessonIhavelearnt. Ilearntfromyou."

Pramukh Swami Maharaj said, "To rise aboveIandmineisonlypossiblebyGod's grace. It is the best principlebywhich to remainhappyinlife."

Transformationisachievedbyseekingthe refugeofagreatteacher, foronlythendo his compassion and words affect us and help us to change. Such changes benefit notjustthe individual, butalsotheirfamilyandfriends.

This year marks Pramukh Swami Maharaj's centennial birth celebration year; therefore, we aim to pay a tribute to his centennialbirthcelebrationyear,through thisarticleseries.

JustlikePramukhSwamiMaharaj,today, HisHolinessMahantSwamiMaharaj,

PramukhSwamiMaharaj

SpiritualHeadofBAPS(1971 -2016)

the present spiritual successor of BhagwanSwaminarayan continuesthatlegacy. Throughhisassociationpeoplehavebeen transformed to experience inner peace. Maywe transform from a caterpillar into a butterfly so that we mayflyhigh in the skyofspiritualjoyandbringjoytoothers. TolearnmoreaboutPramukhSwamiMaharaj'slifeandwork,pleasevisit: wwwpramukhswamiorg

PramukhSwamiMaharajcounselingayouth

BY NEHAJAIN

astmonthAustraliacelebrated I-larmonyWeek.Whetheryou markedHarmonyDayon21 March,orInternationalDayforthe EliminationofRacialDiscrimination,you werecelebratingdiversityandstressingthe importanceofincl.usivityandbelongingin allsettings.

Haveyoueverhadyourchildaskyou, "Whydoesmyskinlookdifferenttoyours?"

Or"Whyisn1yskinthiscoloul'?"

Havetheyissuedstatementslike"Idon't wanttoplaywiththispersonbecauseof howtheylook/sound?"

Andhaveyoufeltcompletelystumped whenhearingthesequestions/statements?

Thenyoumightwanttoreadontolearn howtodealwiththesesituations.

BE RESPONSIVE BUT KEEP IT SIMPLE

Youngchildrenarenaturallycuriousand observant.Fro1nayoungage,theyare abletonoticesin1ilaritiesanddifferences betweenthemselvesandothers.Whenthey con1paretheirskincolourortalkabout others'skincolour,itcomesfromaplaceof fascination,andisreallyveryinnocent.They aresimplydescribingwhattheyareseeing.

Soifachildasksaboutdifferencesinskin colour,simplyrespondwith"That'sright!

WelldonefornoticingthatXlooksdifferent

Talking to kids under -five about race

toyou.That'sagreatobservation,"instead ofsilenceorembarrassmentthattheyhave askedyouthesequestions.

Thewayyourespondtotheirquestions NOWwillsetthetoneforfuturediscussions aboutraceandculturaldiversity.

MAKE IT RELATABLE

Apartfromkeepingitsimplewhiletalking aboutrace,it'salsoitnportanttomakeit relatabletoyourchildwhentheyaskyou questionsandtalkaboutwhattheyhave observed.Anexamplewouldbe"Mu1nma, whyisn1yskindifferenttoyours?"and youcouldrespondwith"Everyone'sskin isdifferent.Lookatyou1·skin,andNani's skin,it'sdifferenttoo.Lookatourhairand eyecolour,isitdifferentorisitthesame? Whateveritis,differentorthesame,it'sall amazing."

Relatingittotheirownsurroundingsand peoplearoundthemwillmakeiteasierfor themtoconnecttothis.

EXPOSE YOUR CHILD TO THE DIFFERENT RACES AND CULTURES IN THE WORLD

Thiswouldnaturallyoccurwhentheyarein childcare/preschool/playgroupsetc.Apart

fromthat,cultivateadiverselibraryof books.Readstorybookswithyourkidsthat havemaincharactersfromdifferentpartsof theworld.Surroundthemwithpicturesor artworkfeaturingpeopleofvariousraces andcultures.

Dothesamewithtoys.Buydolls/toy peoplethatrepresentpeopleofdifferent ethnicities- thesearereadilyavailablein shopsandsitesonline.

1boughtacolouredcrayonboxfrom Kmartrecentlythatallowsyoutoexplore coloursandfinddifferentshadestomatch skincolours. I'vefoundthistobevery usefulasaconversationstarterorsimplyfor observationwithmychild.

Allofthesewillhelpyourchild understandthattheirenvironmentincludes peopleofdifferentracesandcultul'es.

DoN·T OVERREACT

AspaTents,ournaturaltendencywhen childrentalkaboutraceordifferences amongsteachothercanbetooverreact, panic,orfreakout.

Reactinglikethisthenmakesitseemthat thetopicofdiversityistaboo,andyourchild willpickuponthis.

Didyouknowthatachildaged0-5

hasnotattachedanyemotionalorsocial meaningorvaluetoskincolourasyet?

Sosticktofactsanddon'toverdoit. Youcouldsaysomethinglike"Y'sskinis differenttoyours,butisjustasbeautiful."

Ifyourchildcon1mentsthatX'sskin orY'shairisdifferenttotheirown, acknowledgethefact,andbringoutother behaviouralaspectssuchas"Xissofunny; she mademelaughwhenshesaid "orthat "Ysangsowelltoday."

Intherareinstancethatyourchildn1akes anegativeracialcomn1ent,itusuallyreflects somethingthatthey'veeitherheardinthe media,atschoolorathome.Findoutthe originofyourchild'scomment,andtakeit tothesource.

BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL

Kidsdoaswedo,notaswesay.Asparents wen1ustmodelacceptanceandinclusivity throughourownfriends'circle,ourTV habits,orthebooksormagazinesweread.Let yourkidsseeyouinteractsociallywithpeople ofdifferentracial/ethnicgroups.Also,model calfu1gpeoplebytheirnamesversusreferring tothembytheirskincolour,sothattheir identityisnotreducedtotheirskincolour.

Ihopethesetipshaveshownhowyou canmaketheseconversationsintoteachable momentswithyourchild.Acknowledgethe differencesthatyourchildhasnoticedto preparethemtoliveinamultiethnicsociety inAustralia.Lettheunderlying1nessagebe thatyourethnicityispartofwhoyouare, andwhilstwehavedifferences,wereallydo havemoresimilarities.

Thewayyou respondtotheir questions NOW will setthetonefor futurediscussionsaboutraceand cultural diversity.

Beti Beti I

Melbourne-based Gurvinder Kaur is using artto raise awareness about mental health, intersectional feminism, and cultural norms

BY RHEAL NATH

longsidecompletinghermaster's degreeii,counselling,1nultimedia artistGurvinderKaurhastaken onanotheriinportantprojectii1 thelastfewyears:helpingyoungSouthAsian Australiansfeelcomfortable,evenconfident, intheirbrownskin.

HerInstagran,artpageArtsyBrown Lady,asthetitlesuggests,isacelebration ofourrichskincolour.

"I'vehadn1anyfa1niliestalkton1eabout theirchildrendevelopingasenseofhatred towardstheirownskin,"thefamilypeer workeratHeadspacetoldlndianLink. "There'sarealidentitycrisisinlooking sodifferentfromthefrclassmates,andI wantedtohelpthen1throughthatwithart."

Armedwithheracrylics,Procreatetablet, andherin1agination,Gurvinder'sartai1ns toprovokearesponse.

OnInternationalWotnen'sDayrecently, shepaidtributetopainterAmsitaSher-Gil, oneofthegreatestIndian-originavantgardewomenartistsofthelastcenturyand acontroversialfigureinherownright.

"Herworktouchedmanycontroversial topicslikenudityandtheresignation anIndianwo1nanfaces,andsheledan unapologeticlifewhereshewasopenabout hersexualityandidentifiedasbisexualin 1930sIndia!"thecaptionread.

"Aniconandtrulyaladywhoforgedthe

pathwayforusfuturewomen.I'msureshe fought111anybattleswithjustthetipofthat brush."

Gurvinderadded,"Iknowthatpeople willfollowmypageifIhaveaesthetically pleasingartwork,butlbelieveartismore thanthat.It'spersonala11dyes,sometimes itcanoffendpeople.That'swhyIsubscribe totheterm'artivism'whichcombines activismandart."

Perhapshermost'offensive'piecescome fro1nherunabashedlytongue-rn-cheek seriestitled'Besharan,Betis'("Sban1eless Daughters").Teasingolderfamilymembers whofrownattattoos,pokingfunataunties whodon'tlikegfrlswhodriiikorsmoke, 'BesbaramBetis'islikelytostrikeachord withmostmillennialwomen.

AccordingtoGurvrnder,it'sthe culminationofalifetimeoftinybut exasperatingoccurrences.

"ShortlyafterwemovedtoAustraliain 2015,therewasanincidentwhen1nysister uploadedapictureinabikiniandfaceda lotofslutshamingfromtheauntiesback bon1einDelhi,"sherecalled.

"Theywerecallrngourparents,sayrng thingslike'you'velostcontrolofyour daughters'.Eventually,itreacheda breakingpointandIsentthemapictureof myselfinabikinitoo!"

Anotherpieceisinspiredfromherteen years.

"Iwas15yearsold,wearinganoutfit thatexposedmynavel,andoneauntytried toshamemebysaying,'wewerenever allowedtoshowourstomach',"Gurvinder elaborated."So,Icreatedapieceofalady

holdinghermugofchai, proudlyshowing offhernavelwithoutacareintheworld."

Throughherart,the29-year-oldisa fierceadvocateofintersectionalfeminism. It'sacriticalconcept,coinedbyKimberle Crenshawin 1989,thatrecognisesa person'ssocialandpoliticalidentities areacombinationofnumerousmodesof discriminationandprivilege.

"lntersectionalfeminismrecognisesthat youcan'tchoosebetweenrace,gender, sexuality,andothersocialidentities.You're acombinationofallofthem.Forexample, whitewomenmayfacediscrrntlnationina male-dominatedworkplacebutit'simportant toacknowledgethatwomenofcolourinthe sameworkplacehaveittougher."

Raisedinahouseholdwithtwosisters, Gurvinderwantstoamplifythemessageof feminismandshatteranyfalsenotionsthat itsomehowequalsmanhating.

"It'saboutequalrightsandrespect.My mother-in-lawwasahomemakerandmy motherworked,andbotharerespectable choices.There'snorightorwrongwayto raiseafamily,"shepointedout.

AnothercrucialdiscussionthatArtsy BrownLadyhopestoinspireisoneof mentalhealthinAustralia'smigrant community.Basedonherownexperiences atf-Jeadspace,GurviJ1dernotesthatn1any parentsstillstrugglewithmisconceptions aroundthetopic.

"I'venoticedthatparentsaregrieving intheirownway,becausetheythinktheir childrenaresomehowlessperfectdueto anymentalhealthconditions.Butthefact isthatit'snotanillnessandtherearemany resourcesandfacilitieshereinAustraliato easetheirjourney,co1nparedtobackho1ne."

Sheadded,"Somemigrantparentssee behavioursliketheinabilitytogetout ofbedorgotoschoolasdisrespectful, afterthesacrificesthey'vemadetobring theirchildrenhere.Weworkwiththese familiestohelpshedsuchstig1naforamore empatheticapproach."

Thebeautyofsocialmediahasmeantthat Gurvinder'smessagehasbeenatnplifiedto audiencesaroundtheworld,rncludingthe diasporaintheUnitedKingdom,United States,Canada,andbackhomeinIndia.

"I'vehadpeopletellmebowmyart,as aSouthAsianartistforyoungpeople,is valuabletothecommunity.It'sfeedbacklike thatkeepsmegoing,"Gurvindersmiled.

"Butthebestfeedbackofallhascome fromyoungkids.Myyoungercousinslovemy artwork,andbasedonInstagramanalytics, Iseethatmyartismostsharedby12-to 25-year-olds.It'sanamazingfeelingtoknow myworkbasmovedtheminsomeway.I hopeitempowersthemtotalkaboutthings they'dotherwisebeafraidtovoiceoutloud."

GurvinderKaur

Haveyour sayon Sydney MetroWest

SydneyMetroisAustralia'sbiggestpublictransportproject,revolutionisingthe waySydneytravels.

Sydney MetroWestis the newmetrorailwayconnectingGreaterParramattatothe Sydneycentralbusinessdistrict(CBD). ItwilldoublerailcapacitybetweenGreater ParramattaandtheSydneyCBD,transforming Sydneyforgenerationstocome.

All nine SydneyMetroWeststationlocationsarenowconfirmedatWestmead, Parramatta CBD, SydneyOlympic Park, NorthStrathfield, Burwood North, FiveDock, The Bays,Pyrmont, and HunterStreetin the SydneyCBD.

FormalprojectplanningforSydneyMetroWeststartedin2019andwillcontinue throughtheearly2020s.NowisthetimetohaveyoursayaboutSydneyMetroWest station plansinyourlocalarea.

TheEnvironmentalImpactStatementforrailinfrastructure,stations,precincts andoperations-WestmeadtotheSydneyCBDisonexhibitionbetween 23 Marchand4May2022.

More information

@ Visitplanningportal.nsw.govau/major-projects/project/42176toviewthefullEIS.

@ Visitsydneymetro.infotogetprojectupdatesandsignupforemailalerts.

{!;) Visitsydneymetro.info/metrowesttoviewthe SydneyMetroWestinteractiveportal.

@ Call1800612173totalktooneofourdedicatedplacemanagers

@) Emailsydneymetrowest@transport nsw.gov.auandwe'llgetbacktoyou

Homeopathic support

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•Extensivetrad1 and research evidence

Stress and hormonal imbalance may lead to hair fall. Homeopathy may help if you are seeking relief from hair and scalp issues.

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Harbord Homeopathic Clinic

110/20 Dale St Brookvale NSW 2100 I 02 9905 9415

To book an appointment use the QR code or www.hhcc.com.au

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BY GOPIKAS

uyinganewho1neisaproud 1non1entforallofus,andmoving incanbeanexcitingtimeforthe fanilly.Withanewhome,though, con1enewchallenges. Allow·needsn1aynot befully1net, andwe1nightdecidetolaunch intorenovations,whetherlargeandhrunediate, ors1nallandphasedout.Whateveryow· priority,thisarticlewillhelpyoutounderstand youroutdoorspace,andoffersuggestionson howto111aximizeitseffectivenessasyoubegin totransformittoyourtaste.

Soil conditions

Whenitcomestothegarden,itisnot theplants that need imn1ediate attention, butyoursoil. Dependingontheprevious owner,you eitherhavegoodsoil inyour yard, or soilthatis notsogood.

To understand the soil, do a quick PH testwith thekits available atyournursery orgarden shop. Decidehowto improve the soil ifrequired,and thengetontothejobof planningwhich plantsyou wantto addor removefro1nyourgarden.

Existing plant varietiesr their health and pest issue

■ Observe inyouryard whichplants look great,whichlookgood, and whichlook

notsogood.

■ Find outthespeciesoftheplantsusing various apps available.

■ Before you decide topull outcertain plants,wait atleast ayeartosee bow they lookdifferent in everyseason.

■ Ifsoilisnotgood, plants arenotgoing tobe healthysofocusonimprovingsoil withorganiccompost,and fertilizers like chickenand cowmanure.

■ Withtherightplanting,pestissueshould be mininlal; ifnot, takeaction.

Shade and light

Plantsneed three mainingredients tothrive:

sunexposure,water,andnutritioussoil.

■ Observeyouryardduringvarious times ofthe day

■ Understandtheorientationofyour garden (i.e., north, north-eastetc.)

■ Observe themovementofthesunand lookathowitcastslightinyourgarden.

■ Checkifthereisanyexistingirrigation setup.

■ Checkifthere is anydrainage orerosion issueduringheavyrainfall.

Biodiversity

Alongwithplantsobservetheanin1als, birdsandinsectsthatarrive inoruse your

yard. Everythingco-exists in nature; ifyou eradicateoneelement,you will end up with issueswith another. As long theyare not life-threatening, leave the fauna be. You will never know the magic they canweave toprotectthe plants in youryard, toyour benefit in the long run.

Neighborhood plant watch

It issaidthatwhat thrives inmostother gardensinyourneighborhoodwill thrivein yours.Checkout theplantsonyourstreet, and incorporate theminyourgarden. Plants are expensive to buy, so seek outcutth1gs fromyour neighborhood gardeners; they'll be more than happy to share. Checkout yourlocalcouncil forfreeplantgiveaways and ask the local nurserywith plant selection.

Iftime is ofconstraint,engage professionalslike a landscapedesigneror an architectorhorticulturist to helpyou out withchoosingthe rightplants.

Family needs

Allfamilyneedsare different. List out what you need to addorre1nove when redesigningyour yard. Some hardscapes require a substantial budget and council approval. Do your due diligence before you en1bark onthe renovationwork. Understand the levelof maintenance and tin1e you can give to the gardenin relation to other responsibilities. Choose plantswiselyand enjoyyourtime inyouryard.

Outdoor renovation tips when you move into a house with an existing garden

BY SANDIP HOR hisiswherethesunrises

61·stinAush·alia,"apasser­

bytellsn1easIstand,

transfixed,gazingatthe vastnessoftheoceaninfontofme.Nextto meonthislookoutpoint,isasignpostthat reads'MosteasterlypointoftheAustralian mainland'.

JaminByronBayinNSW,oneof thecountry'smostsought-afterholiday destinations.

S01nepeopletravelheresolelytosee thesunrisefron1thisparticularpodium, beforeanyoneelseinthecountry,butthat's notthemaindrawcardofthedestination. Theseafrontlocationboastsof1nanyother

rewardingluresandassuressomethingfor everyone.

Theareawheretoday'sByron Baysits belongstotheindigenousBundjalung people.TheycalltheplaceCavanbah or'meetingplace'.CaptainJan1esCook nameditCapeByronafterthefamous circumnavigatoroftheworldJohnByron whowasthegrandfatherofpoetLord Byron.

Livinguptoitstraditionalreputation,the destinationstillre1nainsameetingplacefor peoplefro1neverywhereforashort,longor permanentstay.Thefirstbatchofoutsiders werewhalers.Thencamethesurfers,pulled bynaturalbreaksoftherollingwaveshitting theshoreline.ByronBaythenwasnothing morethananisolatedfishingvillage; perhapsitwastheveryisolationthatenticed thehippiesbackintheseventies.Soonafter, itdrewnoticeofthenation'sbaronswho movedintoenjoythespectacularvistafrom

thebalconyoftheirnewly-builtn1ulti-million dollarmansionsandmakeByronBayoneof Australia'smostup-marketresidentialareas.

Todaythevibrantlocalcommunity compriseofboththe'hippies'andthe 'yuppies'whichincludesbackpackers, holidaymakers,musicians,artistsand celebrities,themostfamousbeing HollywoodstarChrisHemsworth.When intownhecanbeseensurfing,walkingto theshopsordroppingkidsofftoschool. Hedoessowithease,aslocalsdon'tbother thefrcelebrityresidents.It'saByroncustom toleavepeopleontheirownirrespective ofwhattheydo.That'sagreatfeatureof theplace.Perhapsthat'swhythe'hippies' andthe'yuppies'stillLivetherehappily, modesthostelsstandnottoofarfrom five-starluxuryresorts,andbackpackers surfalongsidewealthyentrepreneursand celebritiesnotparticularlyknowingwho theyare.

ThenameByronBayissynonymous withwellness,thoughit'snotamodern phenon1enon.AccordingtoIndigenous elders,thedomainhasbeenasacredhealing groundfortensofthousandsofyears.The airherewasbelievedbythemtobefilled withakindofchargedenergythatthrived fromthelavaofapartlyerodedvolcanothat erupted23millionyearsago.Thelavaover timeturnedintomagneticrockonwhichthe settlementofByronBayevolved.

Undoubtedlylocalsandvisitorsalikeare seducedbyitsindefinablemagicalqualities. Peoplemoveheretohavelife-changing experiences.AgoodexampleisKaren, aFrenchwomanwhoarrivedherefrom Francealmosttwodecadesagoandthen madeByronBayherhome.Anauthorof severalbooks,shecurrentlylivesatthis spectacularseafrontlocationpro1noting happinessandwellbeingthroughthe practiceofmeditation,mindfulnessandself-

The health and wellbeing routines - which have their roots in India - are but one of the attractive features of Byron Bay

development.

Inrecent times, Byron Bayhasbecome a magnetforanyonekeenoncombining wellnesswithvacation,or for havinga holidayto rechargewearyand urbanised mind, bodyand soul. Theplaceisfullof hubsofferingregular1neditation classes, yoga lessons, Ayurveda treatn1entsandother life-changingpracticestoliftone'sspirit.

Eventhevariousaccon1modation outlets have wellness structured intotheiroffering byprovidingyoga and meditation lessons, therapeutic treatn1ents,physicalactivities, and healthydietoptions.

Mostofthese health and wellbeing routines have their rootsin India. This inspired me tosensea flavourof'lndianis1n' in theplace: Bombayto Byronis the name ofapopular Indian restaurantthatappealed ton1e asa reflection ofthat.

Splendid nature displayedbythe con1boofaseries ofpristine beaches and surrounding lushgreen hinterlandescalates

FACTFILE

GettingThere It'sa40-minutedrive fromGold CoastAirportwith direct flightsfrom several Aussie cities, and 30-minutedrivefrom Ballina airportwith directflightsfron, Sydney. By road it'saround 750km fromSydneyand 160km from Brisbane.

thewellnessfactorofByron Bay. While playingwith seaand sand underthe sun divertsthemindfromeverythingelse, walkingthrough thesereneandshady rainforestortakinga dipinaswimming hole at thebottom ofawaterfallcreates magicalhealingeffects.

While thewellness part ofthe place is pretty hyped, itsparty-townreputation can't be ignored. Consideringchillingout as anotheravenueforrechargingbatteries,

Accommodation Combining wellness, luxury, natural setting and comfort, Crystal brookByron (www.crystalbrookcollection.com/ byron)isagood choice

manygo theresimplytohave agood time. Tocaterforthisthetownshipboasts of severalvibrantcafes,restaurantsandbars to welcome them,while local breweriesand distilleries keepsupplying the beerand the gin,bothhighlyrated byconnoisseurs.

wa1 or? • ec1 e!

What's on our screens this April

KGF CHAPTER 2 (Theatre release)

Thishistoricalaction drama in Kannada isset in the KolarGold Fields.Atthecentre ofitisthecharacterRaja Krishnappa Bairya, aka Rocky, ananti-villainofsorts. Fightingforthe impoverishedand againstinjusticedespitea criminal record, he isseen as saviourbymany, butthegovernmentseeshimasathreatto lawand order.And ofcoursethereareplentyofenemieshehastocontendwith. Written and directed byPrashanth Neel, thefilmstarsYash, SanjayDutt,SrinidhiShetty, Raveena Tandon and Prakash Raj. Telugu, Hindi,Tamiland Malayalamversionsarealsoavailable.

Scheduled for a 14 April release.

MATRIMONIALS SEEKING BRIDES

Seeking qualified match for 1990born, 6feettall, good lookingand charming Hindu vegetarian boy. Has a Masters degree in ITand ownsfamily homes in Melbourne and India. For further information, please contact me at +61469393036 or email ashishsharma800@gmail.com

SEEKING GROOMS

Seekinga professionally qualified match, teetotaller, ofgoodfamily background, preferably Australian citizen or PR holder, for highly qualified career-oriented Brahmin girl 35, 5'2", vegetarian, ofgood

RUNWAY 34 (Theatre release)

AjayDevgnjugglesthreedifferentroleshere-leadactor,directorand producer - inthisfilm inspired bytrueincidents.Amitabh Bachchan, Rakul PreetSingh, Angira DharandAakankshaSinghstar.Thefilm'strailerhasstronginfluencesof ClintEastwood's 2016 biographical drama SullyinwhichTom Hanksplayedthe characterofChesley"Sully"Sullenberger. Runway 34 hasan Eid release on 29 April. That's right,wedon'thaveaSalman Khan releasethis Eid.

family background, workingand well settled in Sydney. Please contact aussyd08@gmail.com

BEAST (Theatre release)

Thisblackcomedyactionthrillerfilm inTamilgives us insightsintogoldtrafficking.

ThalapathyVijayand Pooja

Hegdestar, alongside Aparna Das, ShineTom ChackoandYogi Babu. Nelson Dilipkumar writes anddirects. Accordingto sources, a major portionof Beast takes place inside a shopping mallsupposedly hijackedby terrorists. A giantshoppingmallsetwas createdbythefilmmakers to look likea leading Chennaimall. Beastreleaseson13April.

DASVI (Jio Cinema, Netflix)

Abhishek Bachchan is back, thistimeinraw and rusticjaat avatar: an anpadh, corruptand di/ se desi politician. As ChiefMinister, hefinds a new challengewhile in prison: to becomea 'dasvi pass'. Meanwhile hisfiesty wife (Nimrat Kaur) gainsa tastefor her hubby's beloved kursi. YamiGautam alsostars, asa dhaakad IPS officer. Socialcomedy, they're callingit. Lookoutfora 7April release.

1 JERSEY

I (Theatre release)

I Acricket has-been I attemptsto revive his career, atage 36,forthe I sake ofhisson. Jersey, 1 starringShahid Kapoor, isa remake ofa Telugu I filmofthesame name. I Shahid'sdadPankaj

Kapur plays hiscoach I and mentor. Directed I byGowtham Tinnanuri, whoalsodirectedthe I original,thisfilm has I faced multiple COVIDrelatedglitchesfor I release.

I CheckItoutnowon

I 14April.

I FA EH (Theatre release) I

I SonuSoodstarsasthe lead inthis upcomingfilm I I directed by Abhinandan Gupta. I I Thestory,apparentlyinspired by reallife events, I isdescribedas "one man'swaragainstIndia's I hiddenenemy,"and promiseshigh-octaneaction I I sequencesatitscore. I Thefilm hitsthescreenson8April.

HEROPANTI 2 (Theatre release)

TheIndiangovernmentsendsits mostruthlessmercenarytofight Russiantroops.Canonly happen inBollywood, right?Well, um, it does,in Heropanti2, starring upandcomingactionstarTiger Shroff.(Somewhatdifferent, you cansay, tothesuccessful2014 romanticactionfilm Heropanti whichsawTigerin hisdebutrole oppositeKritiSanon.)Nawazuddin SiddiquiandTara Sutariaalso star inthishighvoltagetaleof action. Plentyofinterestalready for Nawazuddinherein hisroleas maniacalvillain. Eid releaseforthis tooon29April.

COBALT BLUE (Netflix)

Prateik Babbar playsan enigmaticstranger who takes upa payingguest room inatraditional Malayali family'shouse.Thingsgetcomplicatedwhen his charmsappealto both theson, acalm andcollected youth played by Neeley Mehendale,andthedaughter,a free-spiritedsportsperson played byAnjali Sivaraman. Theensuingeventsshatterthefamily. CobaltBlue is basedon a novel bySachin Kundalkar,set in a Marathi family. Thefilmreleasedon 2April.

GHANI I MISS RANU MARIA (Theatre release)

KAATHUVAAKULA

RENDU KAADHAL (Theatre release)

TheTamillanguage rom-comstarsVjaySethupathi as Rambo(shortfor RanjankudiAnbarasu Murugesa Boopathy Ohoondhiran),whois havingitoffwith two beautiful ladies Kanmani(Nayanthara)and Khatija (Samantha Ruth Prabhu)atthesametime. He convincesthem ofathree-wayrelationship, andthings gowell - but notforlong. Thefilmreleaseson28April.

I Ranu Mondalbecamean overnight I sensationwhenshewas pickedoffa West TheTelugu language sports Bengalrailwaystation platformwhere dramafeaturesVarunTej I shesatsinging,and placed in Mumbai's intheroleofa professional I thrivingentertainment industry.Aviral boxer.Thefilm,writtenand I sensation,shegotontotelevisiontalk directedbyKiran Korrapati, shows,andevenrecordedforBollywood alsostarsUpendra, Suniel I musician Himesh Reshammiya. Miss Ranu Shetty,and Saiee Manjrekar. I Maria isher story.ItstarsEshika Deyin Aftermultiple thelead,directed byBengalifilmmaker postponementsGhaniwill I Hrishikesh Mondal. hitthescreenson8April. I Seethefilmstarting10April.

BY DHANYASAMUEL

ipis are sn1all,ediblesaltwater clams thatareende111icto Australia.Theyarealsoknownas

Coorongcockle orGoolwapipior kuti ('Ngarrindjeri name) in SouthAustralia, andsometimesreferred toaseugariein some partsofQueensland.

The tasteis quite sin1ilartothatofclan1s but slightly sweeter,hence any recipethat usesclams canbeused topreparepipistoo.

Pipis are available forpurchaseatmost seafood storesand markets. But themost in1portantthingtorememberwhile buying pipisis tolookfortl1e MSC bluefish tick. This ensuresthatthe pipisare certified sustainable and con1e from a fisherythat hasbeenassessed and adherestotheMSC FisheriesStandard.

muchtime cleaningtl1e pipisathome.

Ifyou arebuyingfrom afishn1onger,make sure toaskifthe pipishave beenpurged i.e., stored in aeratedsaltwatertoremove thegrit and sand. lfnot, thenyou mustdo theprocessyourself. Add 30gmssalt/litre cold water(adjustbasedonthe quantityof pipisyou have) and place thepipisorclams inside fora fewhours,preferablyovernight. Donotrefrigerateas t11epipiswillclose up the shells and not allow thesandandgritto purge out. Instead coverand placein acool spotofthehouse.

Another importantthingtorememberis thatit'sbest todiscard thepipisthathave notopened aftercooking. Bettertobesafe than sorry!

Thegolden rulewhile cookingpipis isto keep it sin1ple-just atouchofflavourtolet the pipisshine.

Theclassicwayofenjoyingpipisiswith butter,garlic,asplashofwhitewineandplenty ofparsleytofinishoff. Butwespicetl1ings upabitinthisTaiwaneserecipe,without

Taiwanese-style Pipis

INGREDIENTS

■ 1kgpipis

■ 75mlShaoxingricewine

■ 6gmsfreshginger;slicedthinly

Forthe sauce

■ 60ml oystersauce

■ 5gmsrawsugar

■ ½tspfreshlymilled black pepper

■ 75ml pipiscookingliquid

Themost sustainable way tocollect pipis are tocollectbyhand usingrakes, a techniquethathas been referred toas'pipi shuffle'. Thfa n1ethod keeps technologyat bayand ensuresthatthespeciesand its sun·ounding natureisprotected.

Another advantage ofbuyingfron1 a pre111iun1brand is thatthepipisare super fresh and clean ofgrit and sand, which isverycommonwhen buyingfrommany seafoodsellers. So,you don'thave towaste

overpoweringthesweetnessofthepipis.

There arevery few ingredientsinuse here,butt11ecombinationoffreshginger, garlic, chilliesand herbsworksmagic to elevatetheflavourofthepipis.Fingerlick'n good!

Andofcourse, don't forgetsomegood qualitybread onthe side tomopupthose juices. Perfectanytime oftheyearbutmost enjoyableonwarmsutnmerafternoonswith a couple ofchilledbeerstoaccompany.

■ 60gmsspringonions(green part);finelychopped

■ 1longredchilli(medium heat variety);finelychoppedwith seeds

■ 35gmsfresh coriander(both stalksand leaves);finely chopped

■ 40gmsgarlic;finelychopped

■ 20mlsesameoil

■ 30ml vegetableoil

■ Salt,toseason

■ Lemon wedges

METHOD

■ Heata large saucepan and addthepipis, gingerand ricewine. Coverandcook for2-3 minutesand shake periodically. Removethepipisastheypopopen (allthe pipiswill notpopopenatthesametime so keepremovingastheydo).

■ Removethegingerslicesand reserve75 ml ofthecookingliquid.

■ In a bowl, mixallthesauce ingredients together.

■ Heatvegetable andsesameoil in a large panorwok.Add halfofthe choppedgarlic andfryon lowheattillgolden brownand toasty(takecare notto burn).

■ Thenaddthe remainingchoppedgarlic alongwiththepreparedsauce; bringto boil.

■ Addthecooked pipis alongwiththe restof the ingredientsandtosswelltocombine. Season withsaltonlyaftertasting.

■ Serve immediatelywith lemon wedges.

Pipis are usually cooked simply - butwe spice things up a bit here

BY MINAL KHONA

MinaI Khona has been readingtarotcardsfor the lasttwodecades. She uses herintuition and connectwith the cards mostlyto help people.

The impulsive andfiery Aries will be moody and deliberate in theiractions asthey pick the card representingthe sign of Cancer. Work from home will be yourfocus and itwill befinancially gainful.You could even beseekinga supportive lover. Some ofyou may be lookingfor a wayoutof an abusive relationship. Unpleasantsituationsat work or in your personal life will cease. Don'tcompromiseon your integrity. Hold outforwhatyou believe you truly deserve.

ThecardforScorpioappearswhich could makeTaureans more intense and secretivethis month. Theycould develop an interestin mattersofthe occult, orevengetattractedtoa Scorpio. Singlescould meetsomeone interestingintheirown neighbourhood. If lookingto sell yourhome, expect delays. Someofyou mightmake or receive a marriage proposal. Iflosing weight, seea doctor. Moneyand help areyoursforthe asking. Family life could be discordant.

August-born women could havesome issueswith theirreproductive organs orperiods. Singleswill notwantany entanglements posttheirlastbreak-up. Someone close maybeoverlysecretive abouttheir personal or professional life. If business has been slow in the past, it will pick up momentum soon.Trustyour intuition ifyou are goingtomakea big decision. Asecond careerorajoboffer will improveyour life on all counts. Trust the universeto realise yourgoals.

ThefinickyVirgospickthecard I representingCapricorn,which may have I them being morefinickythanusual.Avoid I over-analysingyourrelationship, andjust beyourself. Afriend could helpyouwith I business prospectsorintroduceyouto I someoneforadate.A relationshipthat I isgoingthroughproblemscould possibly end. Moneymaynotcome in asfastas I you like butthings will improve.Stress I related health issuescould crop up.Stop tryingtoo hard in anysituation and letgo.

Prepareforgrowthonthe insideas theChariotcard guidesyoutowards maintaininga balancebetweenyour emotional and rational sides. Singles will notbesatisfiedwithwhat'sonofter asthey lookfora deeperrelationship. Propertymatterscangetcomplicated. Ifyou have been livingitup,takeiteasy oryourbodywillforceyouto. Ifyou have been givingmorethanyou get in any situation - workorfriendsorlovers -you mightjustwalkaway.

I Thecardadds uptosevenwhich implies I introspection andspiritual growth. But the otheraspects ofthetowercard can I alsosignalsudden accidents, problems, I break-ups and loss. Ifyour life is in I upheaval mode, staycalm and pray because itis pre-destined. Situations I maybe beyondyourcontrolsoletgoand

I believe inthe higher powers. Income loss I I is also predicted, butneweropportunities I could make upfor it. New avenueswill

I The card signifying Leo comesfor I Canceriansdraw the card forTaurus I the May andJune born, which I sotheymaydisplay a stubborn streak. I impliestheycould enter into leadership I Lettinggo ofa painful past is notas roles. It is also a messagethatyou easy asyou believed. An excould make I should go with your passion, I a comeback. Youremotions could affect I especially ifyou are stuck in a dead-endjob. Let go ofpast I attachments ifyou wantto moveto the I nextlevel in yourcurrent relationship. Itmay not happen immediately, but I you will be rewardedforyourefforts I atwork. Stickto yourgoals as life I improves on all fronts.

Troublesonallfrontscouldleaveyou I depressed.Singleswon'tcompromise I ontheirvaluesjusttobewithsomeone. I Therewillbedilemmaswithinandoutside afteradecisionhasbeentaken. Lower I expectationsasotherswilldisappoint.A I recurringhealth issuewillneedmedicines andsupplementsbutmaynotgetcured I completely. Financesarestable.Think I positivenomatterhowdifficultyourcurrent I situationmaybe.Badtimeswon'tlastand thetensionwilleaseouteventually.

I yourwork, leadingto mistakes. You could have problemswith yourteeth I and gums. Finances need somefine I tuningforfuturesecurity. A new sense ofpurpose could help you improve your I career prospects. A difficultsituation will I soon end - whether in your personal or 1 professional life.

Adifficult monthforsomeofyouas I worldly and practical matters bogyou I down; and with the devil card in reverse, I thingsdon'tquitegoyourway. A marriagemaybe on the rocks; if I things break down, accept itas preI destined. Worktoofeels like a drag I becauseyoudon'tseegains in the short term. Moneycould also be held up. I Don'ttake impulsive decisions asthat I could make matters worse. Plan your workandworkyour plan.

I Singles could meetsomeone new I and there are high chances ofatorrid

owed toyou isstill held up.Travel for I work is indicated. Those in a relationship I I mightstillfeel distancedfrom their I I partner.Avoid eatingfoodyou are I unsure ofand be careful around

I Agood phase financiallyas you can I I expectabundancethough money I I romance. You can expectan upswingin yourcareer. Spiritual matters interest I you andyouwill go deeper into seeking I knowledge. Some ofyou mayend an unhappy marriage or relationship. Itwill I not bea sacrifice; itwill beforthe best.

You movetowardsa healthier lifestyle foryourselfand yourpets. The universe is on yourside in helpingyou attract

I yourhome.A new project leavesyou I I unsureasyou don't have clarityon I howtotake itforward. Ifyou can I sacrificeshort-term gains, you will have I I benefits in the longterm. I I open upafterthestorm. I everythingyou need.

Those Nusrat Fateh Ali Kham

DEARAUNTYJI

Myproblemisso embarrassingthat Iam almostashamedto bringitup Bahen. butIthinkyouwillbetheonlyonewho understandsmyplight.Iam55yearsold. andamhappilymarriedtoawonderful. kind.thoughtfulman Ireallylovemy husbandandIamcertain hefeelsthe same NowNickisEnglish, becausewhen Iwasyoung,IdecidedthatIdid notwant togetmarriedtoanIndian man becauseI didnotwanta saasandallthetraditional thingsthatgowithIndianfamilies Inany caseAuntyji lifeisprettygoodforme exceptforthatonelittlearea Myhusband isnotromantic Nowmostofthetime,Iam toobusylivinglifetoworryaboutthis But everynowandagain.whenIdecidethatI willwatchold Bollywood romanticsongs, it's becauseIhaveagapofromance inmylife Iwish Nickwouldsendme meaningfulgazes.andtellmethatIam themostbeautifulwifeintheworld.and sometimesreadme poetry.Ihavetold him aboutthelackofromance. butnothing changes Meanwhile mycousinstellme how passionate andromantictheirIndian husbandsare.andIfeelIhave missedout. Andinstead when IlistentoNusratFateh AliKhan sing Mere Rashke Oamar, Iso wishNickcould singthistome -oratleast lookatme meaningfullyduringthesong whileI blushlikeateenager Howtosolve

this problem,Auntyji?

AUNTYJISAYS

Desh drohi. Whatdidyouthinkwasgoing tohappenwhenyoudecidedtojoinforces withthe Britishand in doing so.allow thosecoloniststoconquerus onceagain? Didn'tyoulearnanythingfromourhistory, gaddaraurat?Didthe EastIndia Company notonce ringdingdonginyourheadwhen youdecidedthatol'blightywaswhereyou weregoingtooutsourceyourpatidev?In exchanginga saas andIndiantransitions foragora, youbroughtallthisonyourown head. Goras andromance?Imean,how manyBritishfilmshaveyouseenwhere thereisromanceonanepicscale-likein Bollywood? Inanycase,myadmonishing youisnotgoingtohelp.Iamreallysorry thatyoumissedoutonalltheromance oflisteningtoa qawaliandhavingyour beloved exchangelovingglanceswith you.Sowhattodo?Romanceyourself. Organisetohaveflowerssenttoyourself. along with Haighschocolates.Then indulgeinthosechocolatesandlistento qawalis. Andpretendthatahandsome Bollywoodheroiscourtingyou.It'snot cheatingifit'sa personyou don'tknow in reallifewho isinvadingyourmindwith wildthoughts.That'sallyoucan do-just pretend NickisShahrukhorSalmanand letyourimagination gowild.

COVID isharmony

DEARAUNTYJI

Myfamilyisina bitofaCOVID kerfuffieandIam hopingyou can helpme Threeweeksago. myhusbanddecidedtogotoa musicconcertatacrowdedpub in Newtownwith200otherpeople He hadthe besttimeeverand hesang anddancedlikeawhirlingdervish Then.tonoone'ssurprise. hegot COVIDtwo dayslater Mysonand daughter-in-lawareupsetwithhim, becausetheythinkhewasselfish and negligent. Myhusband.onthe otherhand.thinksthatit'sjustbad luck-andwhenmyson and DILgo tohairdressersorrestaurants.they couldhavejustaseasilycaught COVID Nowthereistensionin my house.HowdoIreconcilemyfamily sothatharmonyreturns?

AUNTYJISAYS

OMGwhatacrazysituation.Let's lookatthefacts.Yes.it'strue thatit'sbadluckthatanyofus can getCOVID.Wecangetitfrom anywhere.andsome peoplegetit andothersjustdon't.Whereyour husband'slogicfailsisthatunlikea restaurantorahairdresser.where theenvironmentiscontrolledtoa degreeandyouhavefewerpeople.

acrowdedpubin Newtownwith 200peoplemeansthatstatistically, you arealmostcertaintoget COVID.It'sanumbersgame.So yes,yourhusbandmadeadecision thatwasselfish-ifyourana risk matrix.thelikelihoodofcatching COVIDfromthateventwouldscore as HighlyCertain.Whatdoyoudo withariskthat's HighlyCertain? Youavoidit.Everyoneknowsthat -becauseyoucan'ttransferitor acceptitwithoutsignificantcost. Withthatlittle bitofforesightyour husbandknewwhatwasgoing tohappen and hediditanyway. Butwhat'sdoneisdone. Howdo yougetyourselfishandfoolish husbandtomakeamends?Well.is hebeingintellectuallyfraudulent andclaimingthatit'sbadluckhe gotCOVIDthe samewayitwould be badluckifabirddropped somethingonhisheadashewalked downthe street?Oris hesaying badluckbutdeepdown he knows hedidthewrongthing?Isayas longas patidevisnottaking any morechances.then onlytimeis goingtohealthisbreachoftrust. Here'shoping yourhusband is beingremorsefuland decidestolie lowforawhile.

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while keeping our loved ones safe.

AswecometogethertocelebratetheNewYear,pleaserememberto stayCOVIDSafe

Thatmeans meetingand greetingoutsidewhen possible, keeping homeswellventilatedwithwindowsanddoorsopen,andgetting testedifyou haveanysymptoms.

Thankyouforeverythingyou'vedonetoprotectyourself, yourloved ones, andourstate

Victoria isproudtobehometoastrong, kind and compassionate IndiancommunityandonbehalfofourGovernment,wehopethe NewYearbringsyouandyourfamilyhealthand prosperity

DanAndrews PremierofVictoria

Ros Spence Ministerfor MulticulturalAffairs

For upto date information go to coronavirus.vic.gov.au/translations

AuthorisedandpublishedbytheVictorianGovernment, 1TreasuryPlace,Melbourne