YOUR SAY

RAJNI ANAND LUTHRA and RHEA L NATH reported on Census 2021 and the role of Indian migrants in Australia’s evolving cultural landscape.

Sriraman Annaswamy wrote: Good to see the solid coverage of the “Great Indian migration wave” by Indian Link. Well done.

Shanti Raman wrote: Thanks for excellent reporting on this issue.

Jyothsna Rao wrote: Love it.

RHEA L NATH reported on GPS artist Pravin Xeona’s creative hobby: finding designs in Melbourne’s streets and alleyways.

Mathew Jacob wrote: Creative hobby. Excellent!

Dhanya Samuel wrote: Very interesting.

Pravin Xeona wrote: Thanks Indian Link for sharing my story!

Leela Chinnan wrote: So wonderful!

RAJNI ANAND LUTHRA and BHAVYA PANDEY shared the story of cafes in Sydney and Melbourne taking a back-tobasics approach to India’s favourite beverage.

Rohini Kappadath wrote: There’s a gap in the market and these players are meeting growing demand with the real deal!

Michelle Wade wrote: Love it! So pleased to have these stories of young entrepreneurship and great chai! Can’t wait to try when I am next in Melbourne.

Jyothsna Rao wrote: These chais are amazing, our weekly hang out!

Aparna Jacob wrote: Fantastic. No more “chai tea”

Sonia Sadiq Gandhi wrote: Love this.

Emma Last wrote: Brilliant!

Tributes poured in for 43-year-old Shereen, a Sydney mum who was murdered by her partner in what is believed to be another tragic domestic violence incident.

Prof Smita Shah OAM wrote: How sad that these acts of violence against women continue to occur!

Dhiraj Arora wrote: Devastating.

Josel Jose wrote: This is bad. People need to call out or report domestic violence at the first incident. Don’t worry what society or family thinks.

Tanu Bhatia wrote: What a shame.

Poompa Arasu wrote: Shameless. Perpetrators must be dealt with.

Indian Link Radio listeners weighed in on Time Out Index’s recent reveal that Sydney ranked third worst city in the world for making friends.

Yogini Ramanuja wrote: I think this attitude is sadly everywhere, not just Sydney. People are so busy running around, they don’t have time for that luxury of smiling.

Krunal Kairon Mistry wrote: Yes, it’s kind of right. I came here 20 years ago and things were so different. People used to smile and you could talk to anyone but these days, you look into their eyes to make any sort of contact and they walk past you.

Smita Pawar Nashikkar wrote: No time to make friends in this busy Sydney lifestyle and my profession. Happy with my own company!

Ritika Maggu wrote: For sure. Stayed positive and kept trying but no, this city isn’t for making friends.

Congratulation to [the Nadesalingam] family, but let’s say everything in Aus is about white saviour culture. The very public return of this family is a paradoxical and challenging story. Specially when we remember that there are still more 100s refugees remaining in Port Moresby & Nauru Behrouz Boochani, Writer and former refugee

A week ago, Bronzemedalist from 2018, Aneesh Pillai of India wasn’t allowed to compete in his event after he tested positive for COVID-19. Yesterday, Australia’s Tahlia McGrath plays in the women’s cricket final despite testing positive for the same virus Aniket Mishra, Sports writer

BHAVYA PANDEY spoke with Melbourne environmentalist Kritika Jain who uses biodegradable materials to create a cleaning solution.

HK Tripathi wrote: Bright idea indeed. Inexpensive as well. The plan to popularise is also prompt, practical and acceptable.

Swaran Maggo wrote: Temple flowers converted to cleaning agents, how innovative. I’d heard of Tirupati temple recycling its floral offerings into agarbattis (incense sticks), but cleaning solutions sound fantastic too.

Jennifer Kumar wrote: Orange peels are a treasured item in my kitchen! They are a wonderful addition to my homemade stock made from all kinds of kitchen scraps, such as juice waste and vegetable peels.

This place is the royal crematorium grounds for the Kachwaha, a Rajput clan that ruled in the region. Each cenotaph is topped with an umbrellashaped dome called a chhatri. Where in India can it be found?

We asked, what’s the chitchat between Dhanush and Vicky Kaushal at The Gray Man launch?

Rishi Singh won a movie ticket for his answer: Vicky to Dhanush, "How’s the josh?" Dhanush to Vicky, "Pretty high Sir."

Nisha Singh Lambaa wrote: Two extremely good human beings, saying to each other, “Such an honour to stand beside you.”

Payal Singde wrote: Vicky Kaushal: Wish I could also wear a Veshti like you. Smita Pawar Nashikkar wrote: Dhanush to Vicky: Thank God mera role nahikaata inn Hollywood waalo ne (Thank God these Hollywood folk didn’t cut out my role (in The Gray Man).

Rajani Sagar wrote: Arre Dhanush, tumhari shirt mere shirt se safed kaise?

We asked you to identify this Australian location, famous for its extraordinary clear blue seas, brilliant white beaches and striking orange lichen-cloaked boulders.

While there can be no shame in losing to the greatest cricket team ever, this was another reminder of how the Indian Women’s team is capable of consistently delivering must-watch television on the biggest stages. High time they got their own stage to do so now

Bharat Sundaresan, Sports

writer it right:

According to the ATO’s latest taxation stats, there were 60 people who earned over $1 million and paid no tax. Zilch. Meanwhile, people like nurses and teachers are paying more tax than these millionaires. Make it make sense.

Mehreen Faruqi MP

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In the lead up to the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence Day, we bring you a game of #WhoAmI. Can you guess the identity of a famous son or daughter of Independent India with the clues provided? Ranging from literature and sport, arts and business, and everything in between, these individuals come from all demographics and walks of life. Notably, they’ve all made their mark in the last decade, at the national or global scale. (Be warned though - some might not spring to mind immediately, despite their significant accomplishments). Take in the fun as you take in the excellence that our fellow Indians have achieved over the years, with our brightest years still ahead.

Batter. Prolific run-getter. Named by Wisden as Leading Cricketer. The third cricketer ever to appear in six ICC 50-over World Cups.

Hint: You might’ve seen their Bollywood biopic

Answers on Page 26

One of India’s musical ‘kings’ with over 7,000 compositions under their belt. Their songs have also been sampled by international acts like The Black Eyed Peas and M.I.A.

Hint: Nickname Isaignani, which means ‘musical genius’

Born in Uttar Pradesh, this writer’s work has been translated into German, Korean, even Serbian, but they made their mark in Hindi literature. They use their mother’s name as their adopted second name.

Hint: Their novel recently made international headlines

Opulent. Lux. Their couture offerings are known to be quite the hit at an Indian wedding!

Hint: Royal Bengal Tiger

Foodie. Chef. Restaurateur. MasterChef. Author. Historian.

Hint: Tumne bataya nahin….

International cricket player. Took to media upon retiring. Rated as one of the top cricket commentators in the world.

Hint: Being a tennis fan, they also presented Wimbledon coverage.

Path-breaking young actor and model who fits right into the Regency era. They’ve been vocal about representation and addressing colourism in the acting industry.

Hint: Goes by a more Anglicised name in their acting credits

Businessman. Philanthropist. Included in TIME’s 100 most influential people of 2021. We’d name their city but that would make this too easy!

Hint: Their father is currently one of India’s richest people

Teacher. Hails from Orissa. One of the youngest people ever to take on their current job position.

Hint: Has been in the news very recently.

The subject of numerous award-winning documentaries. Environmentalist from Assam. Padmi Shri awardee.

Hint: They gained their nickname from the local word for radish

Their ‘golden’ career began after being teased for childhood obesity. Today their name is etched in the history books. Plus, they’re known to be quite the sneakerhead.

Hint: The proud parent of a loveable Golden Retriever named Tokyo.

One of the most searched Indian singers on Google. Every year, June 26 is celebrated in their honour in Ohio, USA.

Hint: Devdas

Rocket scientist at the ISRO. Falsely implicated in espionage saga.

Hint: Bollywood biopic

Hint: They were raised in, and frequently showcase, the ‘Little India’ of UK in their work

Beach. Beckham. Bride. Blockbusters! 17

Social reformer and Nobel Prize recipient. Led a nationwide Bharat Yatra in 2017.

Hint: Yeh dil mange more

Patriot. Point 5140. 18

This person’s writing varies from Indian history and environmentalism to history of cricket. A notable alum of The Doon School.

Hint: Was once offered to write a biography of Atal Bihari Vajpayee (which they declined)

This person wore many hats in their lifetime, including leader and scientist. Think Wings of Fire

Hint: Missile Man

Hint: Founder of Bachpan Bachao Andolan

An illustrious career spanning over 40 years in the Indian Army. Padma Vibhushan Awardee.

Born Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja, but you might be more familiar with their stage name. Actor, singer, producer. A family link to Rajnikanth.

Hint: They were rubbing shoulders recently with Ryan Gosling and Ana de Armas

Hint: Tributes poured in from international figures like UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Australian High Commissioner to India Barry O'Farrell, and US defence secretary Lloyd Austin after their recent demise

RAjNI ANAND LUTHRA

An image depicting peaceful coexistence amidst religious diversity has won the top honours in Indian Link’s Independence Day photography contest for 2022.

A photograph of careful preservation of India’s ancient heritage took second place. Winners Ritesh Ghosh and Amish Jain take home prizes valued at $200 and $150 respectively.

Indian Link’s annual photo contest at this time of the year, called #myIndianlink, seeks submissions of images from photographers that display their link to, or a feel of, India. Entrants use the #myIndianlink hashtag to post their photographs on social media.

This year’s winner Ritesh Ghosh clicked his photograph in Kolkata.

“It’s an image very close to my heart,” he told Indian Link. “The wall art depicts the Hindu Goddess Kali and Jesus Christ, the Messiah or Saviour for Christians all over the world. The Muslim person walking through the frame completes my vision of the religious and cultural diversity of India. It’s my way of reminding us all that we are all Indians first, above all religion.”

Ritesh took this photograph for a personal project on the graffiti wall art culture in Kolkata.

“I’ve visited this particular spot a few times, but on this occasion it was sheer luck to have observed the Muslim man approaching – it was totally candid.”

His wonderful visual storytelling through this beautiful image, captured the judges’ vote unanimously.

Amish Jain’s photo was taken in Udaipur, Rajasthan, at a location quite popular with photography enthusiasts.

“The spot, called Pachetiya Hill, is famous for its impeccable view of the mighty Mehrangarh Fort which overlooks the city,” Amish described to Indian Link. “It is also a fantastic sunset point, and its high altitude is a great vantage point to view the entire city.” His particular perspective in the photograph depicts the ancient heritage of India as well as efforts to safeguard it for future generations.

“The image shows how joint efforts by citizens and government can do wonders to a place,” Amish observed. “The beautiful murals of Rajasthani art and culture along the sides of the path have increased the beauty of the place manyfold. Overall, the pic captures the Rajasthani vibe of art, culture and history – which is what I ventured out to record.”