2022-09 Sydney

All things Indian. In Australia.

SYDNEY

SEPTEMBER 2022

Vol. 29 No. 12

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WILL INDIA BREAK 15 - YEAR JINX? T20 WORLD CUP EDITION

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contents special features ICC T20 WORLD CUP India v Pakistan The perfect amount of masala this time round!

ACCOLADES

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Two journalism awards for Indian Link

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ARTS

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Mehta magnetism

SPORT

Ashari Gill, Commonwealth Games gymnast

TRAVEL The Kimberley

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cOVER sTORY Talking T20 World Cup

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India’s woes. Players to watch.

Memorable moments. Future of T20

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BLACKTOWN CITY

LIGHTS COMPETITION Entries open online from

1 September – 14 October Cash prizes to be won! visit blacktown.nsw.gov.au/diwalilights

4 SEPTEMBER 2022

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EDITORIAL All things Indian. In Australia.

PUBLISHER Pawan Luthra EDITOR Rajni Anand Luthra CONTRIBUTORS Rhea L Nath, Ritam Mitra, Manu Prakaash, Iqra Saeed, Neelam Gopalani, Carl Buhariwala, Rama Ravinthiran, Petra O’Neill, Minal Khona, Auntyji SALES AND MARKETING Charu Vij 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 or in whole without the written consent of the editor. Opinions carried in Indian Link are those of the writers and not necessarily endorsed by Indian Link. All correspondence should be addressed to:

Indian Link Media Group Level 24/44 Market St, Sydney 2000 GPO Box 108, Sydney 2001 Ph: 02 9279-2004 Email: info@indianlink.com.au

Spotlight on the monarchy by PAWAN LUTHRA

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s King Charles III takes over as the new monarch and Head of the Commonwealth, the 73-year-old will be under pressure to make sweeping changes to the powers of the royal family, even though they may be largely ceremonial.

The Royal Family is under extreme scrutiny currently, and as the period of mourning comes to an end, many will question the ongoing position of the monarchy outside England.

In India, the reaction to the death of Queen Elizabeth has been largely muted – lots of discussion but no real concern. The discussion has mostly been centred on the return of the treasures which the British stole from India during their 200 years of colonial rule, and on the atrocities committed, especially the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919 where unarmed Indian men, women and children were gunned down in an

enclosed park. Reports of the number of people killed vary between 379 and 1,200, but the slaughter of unarmed protestors has rankled deeply in the minds of Indians. For years, there have been calls for the British monarchy to apologise for the incident that fateful afternoon in April 1919. What also rankles is the sight of the Kohinoor diamond, one of the largest cut diamonds in the world which was taken from India in 1849. Though it is said to be ‘gifted’ by 10-year-old Prince Duleep Singh, the capacity of a child to take this decision beggars belief. Perhaps the new King will reflect that the Indian prince was not very much older at the time than his grandson Prince George is now. Indians may have settled with the status quo with Queen Elizabeth, but with her passing, the youth of India are keen to redress the dispossession which the country has suffered.

It is also important for King Charles III to keep the Commonwealth as a viable group. Established in 1931, its intent was to keep connected a bunch of Asian and African countries that were slowly slipping away from British colonial rule.

In its initial days, the Commonwealth did have a network of diplomatic and cultural influence globally, but over time this has reduced as new geopolitical relationships have emerged. In fact, the Commonwealth is known more for the Commonwealth Games than anything else. But it continued to be a great source of power to the Queen, and she invested much time and energy to keep the institution alive with frequent travels and interaction with Commonwealth leaders. It seemed at times that the Queen needed the Commonwealth more than the Commonwealth needed her.

But she was well-liked as head of the Commonwealth, and it was she who held this group of nations together. Upon her death, questions will be asked of the new monarch.

After an appropriate mourning period, Australia will also come to discuss and vote on the issue of becoming a republic.

Indian migrants could form an important voting bloc, noticing their sharply increasing numbers in Australia. It might well be they who need to be convinced to have the British monarch as Australia’s head of state.

ICC MEN’S T20 WORLD CUP 2022

FEEL THE ENERGY

22 OCT - 9 NOV

SYDNEY CRICKET GROUND

MARY POPPINS 15 MAY - 9 OCT | SYDNEY LYRIC THEATRE

FIBA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL WORLD CUP 2022

RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA

22 SEPT - 1 OCT | SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK

FROM 23 OCT | SYDNEY LYRIC THEATRE

SEPTEMBER 2022 5

YOUR SAY

TWO GONGS AT THE PMCAs Indian Link took home Best Text Report while RHEA L NATH was awarded Young Journalist of the Year at the 2022 NSW Premier’s Multicultural Communications Awards.

Ritam Mitra wrote: Awesome work, team!

Jodi McKay wrote: That’s very exciting and much deserved.

Ritesh Chugh wrote: Congratulations on these great outcomes!

Sukhmani Khorana wrote: Congratulations – so well-deserved.

Sriraman Annaswamy wrote: Well done and well deserved, Rhea L Nath, great to see the high quality of journalism in our community being acknowledged publicly, good show. Tons of kudos to Rajni Luthra and Pawan Luthra for persevering with a fledgling community paper back in 1994 or so, and growing it into the institution that it is today.

Lakshmi Pathi wrote: Congratulations on winning two more awards. You need a larger trophy display cabinet.

Sandip Hor, Dipen Rughani, Phillip Boniface, Aruna Chandrala, Vinaya Rai, Indu Harikrishna, Jhumka Films, Ranjeeni Dube, Devendra Singh, Jimmy Medhora, Nilesh Makwana, C Srinivasan, Pallavi Sinha and Natasha Jha Bhaskar were among other readers who sent in congratulatory messages.

PAWAN LUTHRA ON THE DRUM (ABC TV)

Taking stock of #IndiaAt75 (15 Aug 2022) Ida Madge wrote: Great to see a diverse panel tonight and some independent media.

Dilip Rao wrote: Great to have an informed and respected commentator on Indian affairs, Pawan Luthra - a professional voice for the Indian diaspora. Best!

Sheba Nandkeolyar wrote: It was very good Pawan, you had it all on your fingertips!

Meg Jobson wrote: Pawan Luthra is a delightful guest.

Gunjan Pagare wrote: Brilliant summary, Pawan. Yes, an incredible journey (for India), inspite of the speed bumps, now a leader on the global stage. So much more to achieve though before we meet the nation's aspiration to be a developed nation in the next 25 years! It is a proud moment for us all.

Rajesh Dave wrote: Excellent summary rattled off, Pawan.

Nishi Singh Dubey wrote: That sounded like Breathless by Shankar Mahadevan!

The reaction in India to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II Tanya Curtin wrote: Well said, Pawan. The empire fails to resonate with so many in the Commonwealth so the new King will have to do something to 'connect' with them.

Ashok Bajaj wrote: Your contribution on today’s The Drum show was spot on. Well done. It will help promote indirectly the idea of Australia becoming a Republic, which is well overdue. At the same time India, along with all other past British colonies deserve a well-meaning apology from the new monarch King Charles III, and perhaps some financial compensation directly from the Royal Family. May be all on-going and future income from their assets could be used to create a fund to be distributed according to the need.

AUSTRALIAN MONUMENTS JOIN THE TRICOLOUR PARTY Saffron, white and green defined the façade of 40 Australian buildings to commemorate India’s 75th Independence Day. Dat Hoang wrote: High Commissioner Manpreet Vohra should know very well that it’s the thought that counts, not the numbers of monuments. If numbers are the name of the game, I suppose the number of my Indian friends is very significant. And I am proud of every one of them.

Karan Mehta wrote: Always a pleasure reading these articles.

Tanu Bhatia (who sent us the pic above) wrote: Goosebumps, seeing the Sydney Opera House lit up like the tricolour. Waiting to see the lights come on took me back to Independence Day celebrations at school when the Tiranga was unfurled.

RIP, Nidhi and Ruxmi Condolences have been flooding in for international students Nidhi Hirani and Ruxmi Vaghjiani who drowned after their car ran off the road into Aveley lake, Perth.

Javed Sheikh wrote: That’s so devastating. International students should be more careful while driving on Australian roads.

Anirban Chakrabarty wrote: So very sad. Please keep a hammer in the glove box, this is happening too often.

Alka Girdhar wrote: Too sad. May God give strength to their parents and family.

Pravin Balakrishnan wrote: Sad news. Young lives tragically cut short.

SAY IT AGAIN 6 SEPTEMBER 2022

This feels like the requiem for a nation. The remnants of a colonial military escorting its dead sovereign and the symbols of state, with the great star of Africa and the Kohinoor, the loot from a questionable history.

Stuart Cairns, writer

#myIndianlink An image of religious tolerance won Indian Link’s annual Independence Day photography contest.

Sandip Hor wrote: Well done, we are seeing some really great photos through this contest.

Kersi Meher-Homji wrote: The photograph contest winners have to be congratulated for their artistic vision and presentation. The winner brought out the image of religious tolerance candidly.

Ritesh Ghosh, winner of the contest, wrote: Congratulations to all finalists.

Sachin Wakhare, last year’s winner, wrote: Amazing. Congratulations, winners!

Sunil Vyas wrote: Excellent choice of winner. All shortlisted photos were very good but I particularly loved the one of the joyful kids at the lakeside with the man flying the box kite of national colours. It was natural and portrayed the joys in simplicity of celebration by ordinary folk! Congratulations for hosting the competition.

How much have all these ceremonies and proclamations cost taxpayers in the UK, Australia and the other Commonwealth realms? How much will the Queen’s funeral cost?

How much is it going to cost to fly the PM, GG and others to the funeral? How much will the coronation cost?

Shane Bazzi, refugee advocate

www.indianlink.com.au

STROKE SURVIVOR LOOKS BACK

Photo: IFFM

Just after National Stroke Week (8 – 14 Aug), IT professional SUNIL RANADIVE recounted the journey of his own affliction.

Anand Dholakia wrote: My thoughts after reading your piece were that you feel you could have done more in prevention. I do feel that it was the system that should have done more. It’s a great article and quite educational.

Anagha Chitale wrote: Very important information in this article.

Shirley Jacob wrote: Very insightful. Thank you for sharing this.

Pooja Jaising wrote: Thank you for sharing your story. You are absolutely right, doctors are humans too and can make mistakes. You seemed to be strong willed and a very patient person. I am glad you took some tough decisions and made progress. God bless you.

Dhiraj Patel wrote: Our best wishes for full recovery.

Harinder Parmar wrote: Thanks and wishing you all the best, Sunil.

Sunita Ticku Wattal wrote: Thanks for sharing, important information.

CAPTION CONTEST

Photo: @DrSoumyadeepB / Twitter

AN ‘AURAL ASSAULT’ OR A WATERSHED EVENT? DARSHAK MEHTA and SRIRAMAN ANNASWAMY shared their (differing) experiences at the recent AIBC Annual Address and Gala Dinner honouring India’s Independence Day. Sriraman Annaswamy wrote: Well done for printing both sides of a remarkable event. “Fair and balanced” is certainly something we’ve come to expect from your publication, often in contrast to the so-called mainstream media. The AIBC was breaking new ground with the AIIBS and as Indian-Australian community members, we need to support and encourage them with helpful feedback. I think so anyway.

Shirish Bharadwaj wrote: As a recent Master’s degree graduate and an aspiring future entrepreneur, it was a privilege to attend the gala dinner. It was an absolute honour to have had the opportunity to listen to leaders of such high profile share their views on pressing topics such as the economic future of the two countries.

I found all the discussions held on the stage to be highly informative. With the stage performances from the traditional Indian dancers along with the super talented First Nations peoples, I found the evening to be an exuberant display of the intertwining of the cultural roots that make up the two nations.

Overall, I found the entire evening to be entertaining and had an absolutely positive experience. Kudos to the entire AIBC team for organising such an event which helped in the planting of a metaphorical tree whose fruits will benefit the future generations of both countries.

We asked, what is Kapil Dev saying to Abhishek Bachchan as they catch up at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne?

Kunal Pandit won a movie ticket for his response: AB Jr says,“When you won the World Cup in 1983, I was 10 years old (Dus saal ka). You were a hit then.

Now I’ve made a movie called “Dasvi” but “83” is a hit again. How come?” Kapil replies,“Puttar, talent bhi hona chahiye na…” (No offence, AB Jr fans.)

Rachna Gupta wrote:“Abhishek, your work should be your passion.”

Chanel Bubba wrote:“(Great opportunity for) a night out and drink… our wives are back in India.”

Preeti Kothari wrote: “Dhoom 4 banani ho toh phir mujhe cast karlena, beta!

Todha bohat action kar leta hoon main!”

Rekha Kanth wrote: “Abhishek, feels better to visit Australia as an IFFM guest rather than a cricket player.”

Ridwan Hassim wrote:“Looks like we shop at the same clothing store…”

Jasmeen Singh wrote: “Chal, KBC khelte hain - Kapil Bachchan Cricket!”

Muhammad Idrees wrote: “Buss yadain reh jati hain” Amit Kumar Vasisht wrote: “Rishte mein hum tumhare baap lagte hai. Naam hai Hariyana Hurricane.”

Arix Bishnoi wrote: “Is that Ranveer Singh’s jacket?”

Nanditha Suresh wrote: “I’m just here for the snacks. Hope they have a good spread.”

Arix Bishnoi wrote again: “Once inside let’s go to the golgappa counter… and then the momos counter.”

Moulik Bavisi wrote: “Aur beta, kamai kaisi chal rahi hai ?? Papa se kam ya jyada?”

Chånpreet Batth wrote: “Aur tumhare papa ka kya haal hai?”

Kiran Kumar wrote: “Beta, thoda padhai pe bhi dyaan do.”

WHERE IN OZ Every evening, the colony of little penguins that reside on this island waddle along from the sea back to their burrows, much to the delight of mesmerized onlookers. Where in Australia?

WHERE IN INDIA Unlike other camels, these camels are known for having two humps and were once a major mode of transport to travel to the Silk Route. Where in India can they be found?

Readers Anu Shree, Vani Shukla, Divya Praveen and Josel Jose gave the correct answer: Bactrian camels, found in Nubra Valley, Ladakh.

Readers Kerren Lumsden, Bhanu Kothari, Chitra Iyer, and Ashok Kumar Chandok gave the correct answer: Phillip Island, Vic.

This past week, I have been reminded what it is to come from the other side of history. History itself that is written as a hymn to whiteness.

History written by the victors and often written in blood. It is fashioned as a tale of progress, as a civilising mission. As historian Caroline Elkins writes in Legacies of Violence, for hundreds of millions of people "the empire's velvet glove contained an all too familiar iron fist". From India to Africa to Ireland, the Pacific, the Caribbean and of course here, Australia, people from the other side of history have felt that fist.

Stan Grant, ABC presenter

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THE T20 COMPLEX

T 2 0 WO R L D C U P

WHAT’S AILING INDIA?

The Indian Premier League is by far the richest cricketing league in the world, with a recent rights deal valuing the tournament at AUD$9 billion. The next closest is Australia’s Big Bash League, which was recently valued at AUD$1.2 billion - but only in combination with all other cricket matches played in Australia. From next year, the Big Bash League will also be broadcast into Indian homes as part of a 7-year, AUD$250 million rights deal with Disney.

India’s numbers stack up in every aspect of the game, yet it has not lifted the T20 World Cup trophy since the inaugural edition in 2007

by RITAM MITRA

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he Indian Premier League has long been the envy of domestic cricket leagues around the world.

Purely from a broadcasting perspective, a single IPL match is now valued at an astronomical $22 million, and the league has also unearthed a veritable treasure chest of cricketing gems for India, including current superstars Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya. But counterintuitively, these riches haven’t translated into success on the biggest stage. For while India will come into the T20 World Cup as the number one ranked T20I side, India has won only one T20 World Cup title, and has missed the semi-final stage more often than not. So, what’s ailing India?

It’s a difficult problem to solve, including because it could be argued that there is no problem at all. The T20 format is the game’s shortest and most fickle, and accordingly the biggest leveller, in the same way tennis greats are more vulnerable over three sets than over five. There is a reason Associate nations have had significantly more success in limited overs cricket than in Test cricket, so it follows that India’s results in the T20 format may not always reflect the country’s general might in the game.

But the vicissitudes inherent to the T20 format do not explain why India has not lifted the T20 World Cup trophy since the inaugural edition in 2007, despite the billions of dollars that have flowed into the country – and into the game – through the IPL since then. 15 years is a long time in international cricket; effectively, two generations of cricketers have failed to win another title for India in the six T20 World

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Cups that have followed the first.

The conundrum deepens when you consider India’s statistics in the format.

Across all T20 cricket, India has comfortably the highest batting average (29.53), the highest strike rate (133) and even the most hundreds (10) of any major cricket-playing nation.

Even with the ball – traditionally, India’s weaker discipline in the format – India’s numbers stack up. India boasts a better economy rate (7.64) than all major nations other than Australia (marginally ahead at 7.62) and Pakistan (7.28), and sits fourth in terms of bowling average.

In T20 World Cups, India’s numbers

are largely unchanged from its overall statistics in the format, except for one key metric: strike rate. India’s strike rate drops from 133 to 124 in T20 World Cups. It may seem innocuous, but it’s a gap that, across a T20 innings, is equivalent to the difference between a team score of 150 and 160 – often the difference between winning and losing.

Of course, statistics tell only part of the story. The fundamental issue is that across all formats, India has typically struggled on the world stage in the last decade or so because its key players have a penchant for going missing when they are needed most. India’s long list of failures at the most critical stages makes for ugly reading: the T20 World Cup final in 2014, the ICC Cricket World Cup semi-finals in 2015 and 2019, the T20 World Cup semifinal in 2016, the ICC Champions Trophy final in 2017, and even the World Test Championship final in 2021.

The good news is, there doesn’t appear to be a fundamental problem with India as far as talent, ability or set-up are concerned; the current group of players blends an exciting mix of youth and experience, with India’s statistics in the format – and its number one ranking – reflecting an innate mastery of the format at large.

The bad news is, there is no magic formula India can deploy on how to win the biggest moments on the biggest stage.

It’s something that India’s players will largely need to teach themselves, in the same way Australia’s players have done for decades. Such is India’s financial and cricketing might, the floodgates of success in ICC tournaments may soon open up.

But it is no fait accompli. After all, victory in sport is often decided by the quite simple question of who wants it more, and on the international stage – as for any other sport – cricketers covet world titles above all else.

www.indianlink.com.au

co v e r s tor y

THE PERFECT AMOUNT OF SPICE

INDIA VS PAKISTAN

by RITAM MITRA

India and Pakistan meet this time round after last year’s crushing defeat of India, Pakistan’s first ever World Cup win over India in 13 attempts. This spells good news for both sets of fans.

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ndia and Pakistan have as storied a history as any two nations, but the tense geopolitical rivalry manifests in a vastly different way on the cricket field. For although the India v Pakistan contest is more intrinsically linked to the countries’ identities than any other sporting rivalry in the world, the countries’ players and fans are united by a passion and shared history that transcends politics. It means that matches between the two nations epitomise everything that is great about sport – top quality, high-stakes contests, genuine sportsmanship and by some distance the most passionate fans. The latest chapter in their rivalry, to be played in front of a capacity crowd at the MCG on 23 October, promises to be no different.

Given the decline in political relations between the countries over the last decade, India and Pakistan have not played each other in a bilateral series since 2013, and have not played Test cricket against each other since 2007. As a result, the teams now meet exclusively in ICC events and continental tournaments, with administrators ensuring (for selfevident commercial reasons) that the two neighbours are always drawn in the same group. Historically however, India v Pakistan in ICC events has been a very one-sided affair.

Adelaide Oval 2015: A blue victory under red skies (Photo: Rajiv Bhuttan)

In fact, until last year, Pakistan had never beaten India in an ICC World Cup match, from 12 attempts. It was always curious statistic, given Pakistan – even to this day – boasts the greatly superior head-to-head record. But that long-running hoodoo was broken last year when Pakistan crushed India by 10 wickets in the 2021 T20 World Cup. It’s a result that spells good news for both sides. After all, in a contest that hardly needs any extra spice, India’s streak merely heaped additional, artificial pressure on both sets of players – on Indian players to protect the streak, and on Pakistani players to overturn it. India’s record run always had to come to an end, and now both sets of players should feel at least somewhat released to play more freely, without the nuisance of an additional statistical distraction hanging over their heads.

Last time India and Pakistan played down under, in the 2015 ICC World Cup, India cruised home comfortably by 76 runs under a typically bloodred Adelaide sunset. Those who were in attendance will attest to the fact that second-generation Indian and Pakistani migrants harbour less – if any – animosity to each other than preceding generations. After all, absent ingrained prejudices, and living

in truly cosmopolitan, multicultural communities, there is more that unites fans of the two nations than divides them.

But in 2015, so one-sided was the match that the cricket largely became a sedate sideshow, amidst the constant dholis, the spontaneous bhangra and the occasional waft of biryani.

At the time, Pakistan was a team in transition, while India was still basking in the twilight of the Dhoni era. The match was all but over halfway through Pakistan’s innings, and were it not for the nations involved, would have been a rather unexciting match.

This summer’s fixture, in front of up to 90,000 fervent fans at the veritable coliseum that is the Melbourne Cricket Ground, promises to be a much closer and more electric spectacle, as both teams demonstrated in two nail-biting encounters in the recently-concluded Asia Cup. Pakistan are a genuine force to be reckoned with in T20 cricket, and in Babar Azam, finally have the answer to India’s Virat Kohli, whose light has faded in recent years.

Meanwhile, India are the number one ranked T20 nation, with a new generation of players more expressive and confident than any other.

Put another way: if Adelaide 2015 was an Ed Sheeran concert, Melbourne 2022 will be Metallica.

Pakistan’s 10-wicket drubbing of India in the 2021 T20 World Cup was the country’s first win over India in any ICC World Cup event. It ended a streak of 12 straight losses - 7 in ODI World Cups, and 5 in T20 World Cups. It also marked the first time India has lost by 10 wickets in the format; and the first time Pakistan has won by that margin.

SEPTEMBER 2022 9

T 2 0 WO R L D C U P

WHO TO WATCH

Rashid Khan

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ashid Khan is perhaps the only Associate player who would walk into any international team. Given how long he has been bamboozling batsmen with the most effective googly in the game, it is easy to forget that Afghanistan’s best player is only 24.

Khan is a veritable T20 mercenary, and is into double-digits for franchisebased representation. While he is picked primarily for his unreadable leg-spin, Afghanistan would do well in the T20 World Cup to better utilise Khan’s prodigious hitting ability, an area where T20 franchises have often failed him.

More than any other format of the game, T20 cricket is an individual sport, where impact players can single-handedly win matches in the shortest window. As the T20 World Cup draws near, RITAM MITRA takes a closer look at the key players expected not only to win matches, but to deliver what is an increasingly coveted trophy.

A HARDIK PANDYA

Babar Azam

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t’s official: Babar Azam has succeeded Virat Kohli as Asia’s “it” batsman. But with one key difference: Azam is more important to Pakistan than Kohli is to India.

With the crispest cover drive in the game, a calming captaincy, and a penchant for racking up runs at record-breaking pace, Azam is not only technically brilliant, but a simply beautiful batsman to watch.

The top-ranked T20 international batsman, Azam is a key figure in Pakistan’s recent renaissance, and will be hungry to deliver some muchneeded joy to a country that has been ravaged by recent floods.

10 SEPTEMBER 2022

s a precociously talented young all-rounder, Pandya had an arrogant nonchalance belying the cricketing nous within. But in 2018, after a steady start to his international career, Pandya was stretchered off the field with a back injury, one that many (including Pandya) thought would be career-ending.

It was not. On return from injury, Pandya’s impact has been immediate and devastating. The best short-form player in India’s tour of Australia last summer, Pandya also led the Gujarat Titans to the 2022 IPL title in the franchise’s debut season, playing a key role with both bat and ball. He then starred in India’s Asia Cup campaign, including in a thriller against Pakistan.

He may have matured as a player, but the trademark swagger has remained. With an almost Caribbean presence, Pandya – alongside Suryakumar Yadav – will be India’s most feared batsman in the tournament. It’s a (huge) bonus that Pandya is back to bowling 140+ kph and taking regular wickets, too.

Glenn Maxwell

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lenn Maxwell has long under-delivered on his potential, but that’s largely a product of his limitless ability, especially in T20 cricket where he is among the first names on any team sheet.

It is of course impossible (and almost pointless) to set a field to the dynamic Maxwell, who is the world’s most daring and successful exponent of reverse sweeps, switch hits, lap sweeps and ramp shots.

Maxwell boasts an all-round game, with handy off-spin and purely electric fielding his other strengths. In home conditions, in his favourite format, expect Maxwell to light up the tournament.

Liam Livingstone

L

iam Livingstone was the number one pick in the inaugural Big Bash League draft, and it’s no secret why: quite simply, Livingstone hits the ball bigger and longer than anyone else in the world.

Livingstone first made headlines when he hit 350 off just 138 balls for his club side in a 50-over match. At the international level, his numbers do not yet make for compelling reading, but Livingstone has enjoyed a stunning 12 months, including for Kings XI Punjab in the IPL and Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred.

A true utility player, Livingstone bowls both off-spin and legspin and is short odds to hit the most (and longest) sixes in the tournament.

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ACCREDITED

SEPTEMBER 2022 11

T 2 0 WO R L D C U P

OVER THE YEARS

To celebrate the eighth edition of the T20 World Cup – the first in Australia RITAM MITRA takes a trip down memory lane to explore some of the most memorable moments in the tournament’s history.

India lift first-ever T20 World cup trophy

South Africa, 2007 Omitting active all-time greats like Tendulkar, Ganguly and Dravid, India’s squad for the inaugural T20 World Cup was viewed as a disrespectful snub by MS Dhoni of his predecessors, and was given little chance of going all the way.

Yet as the tournament progressed, expectations slowly built. From winning a ‘bowl-out’ against Pakistan to Yuvraj Singh’s 6 sixes in an over against Stuart Broad, India entered the final as favourites against Pakistan.

With one over to go in the final, Dhoni handed the ball to unheralded medium-pacer Joginder Sharma (incidentally, now a policeman in Haryana). The move paid off: Misbah miscued a ramp shot and, in a blink, India had created history.

It was impossible to know at the time, but cricket had just witnessed the most seminal moment since World Series Cricket was first staged in 1977. The game would never be the same.

Masterful Kohli singlehandedly downs Australia

India, 2016 In an effective quarter final against Australia, and on home soil, India suffered a top order collapse, leaving the hosts with 70 runs to get from the last 6 overs.

Only one man stood in Australia’s way: with the required run rate climbing above 12, Kohli (pictured right) launched a stunning assault, slamming 6 fours and a six from his last 11 balls. Suddenly, a game that had looked beyond India’s reach was iced, with nearly an over to spare. Kohli finished on 82* off just 51; the next-best Indian batsman (Yuvraj Singh) managed only 21.

It was a bloody-minded, technically brilliant lone hand from an all-time great at the peak of his powers.

Kohli was ultimately crowned Player of the Tournament for his 273 runs at a staggering average of 137.

Umar Gul blows Kiwis away

England, 2009 At 73/4 with plenty of firepower to come, New Zealand was on track to set at least a par total on a tricky deck against Pakistan at the Oval.

Umar Gul, held back to bowl at the death, then dashed New Zealand’s hopes. With his electric mastery of reverse swing, Gul eviscerated a dangerous Kiwi middle order, taking 5 wickets for 6 runs in just 18 balls. So unplayable was Gul that New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori admitted he was (wrongly) convinced that Pakistan had tampered with the ball.

It was the first-ever 5-wicket haul in international T20 cricket, and remains the best-ever figures by a fast bowler in the T20 World Cup.

Netherlands stun hosts

England, 2009 England v Netherlands, Lords, the opening match of the 2009 T20 World Cup. All signs pointed to an easy victory for the hosts, but the men in orange re-wrote the script, reeling England in from 102/0 after 11 overs to 162/5 off 20.

With Netherlands needing two from the final ball, Stuart Broad nailed a perfect yorker – only to allow an overthrow with a shy at the stumps. Netherlands scampered home to break English hearts in an ill-fated campaign for the hosts.

Netherlands would go on to repeat the feat by beating England at the 2014 T20 World Cup.

Carlos Brathwaite, Remember the Name

Virat Kohli was the Player of the Tournament in both the 2014 and 2016 T20 World Cups, becoming the first and only player to win the award twice. The other players of the tournament were Shahid Afridi (2007), Tillakaratne Dilshan (2009), Kevin Pietersen (2010), Shane Watson (2012), and David Warner (2021). Only Pietersen and Warner won the award as part of a team.

12championship SEPTEMBER 2022

India, 2016 Fresh from a stunning chase against India in the semi-final, in which the West Indies stormed home in a record chase of 192 with 7 wickets to spare, the Caribbean giants appeared to have fallen short in the final, requiring 19 from six balls for victory, and Carlos Brathwaite, (pictured left), in his debut T20 World Cup, on strike.

But the giant Barbadian would only need four balls, depositing Ben Stokes over the fence four times in a row to the delight of a rapturous (yet neutral) capacity crowd, and sparking wild scenes of celebration in the West Indian dugout.

Equally memorable as the actual cricket was Ian Bishop’s iconic call on the microphone as the last six sailed into the stands: “Carlos Braithwaite! Carlos Brathwaite, remember the name!’

www.indianlink.com.au

FUTURE OF T20

co v e r s tor y

CRICKET AT A CROSSROADs

The ICC finds itself facing the critical task of striking a balance between keeping cricket financially viable, and keeping international cricket – particularly Test cricket – alive.

by RITAM MITRA

W

orld Series Cricket – Kerry Packer’s rival cricket league aimed at maximising the sport’s commercial potential – was unveiled in 1977. The league begun controversially, but is now viewed as one of the best eras in cricketing history, both for the quality of cricket that was played, and for modernising and financing the sport in the early stages of the television era. Now, as T20 cricket continues to proliferate and increasingly dominate the global calendar, cricket is entering its most transformative phase since World Series Cricket.

Proponents for cricket’s current trajectory – predominantly, the three richest cricket boards, broadcasters and advertising partners – argue that the game must adapt to stay commercially viable in an increasingly crowded international sporting calendar. This adaptation can be distilled quite simply: more T20 cricket, and less international cricket, with Test matches particularly at risk.

It is true that T20 cricket has driven

an enormous injection of funds into cricket. Cricket boards usually lose money hosting Test matches, and rely on crosssubsidisation from limited overs fixtures, including lucrative domestic T20 leagues.

It is no surprise that T20 cricket is now the most prevalent and valuable form of the game.

By forcing a reduction in the amount of international cricket being played, domestic T20 leagues are going the way of club football leagues, with one key distinction: T20 cricket is not the pinnacle of the sport. That honour remains with Test cricket, the arena in which international cricketers most crave leaving a legacy.

So, the ICC finds itself tasked with the unenviable but critical task of striking a balance between keeping cricket financially viable and keeping international cricket – particularly Test cricket – alive.

There is a painfully obvious solution: scrapping bilateral T20Is, limiting international T20s to T20 World Cups and potentially continental tournaments such as the Asia Cup, and freeing up room in the calendar for Test cricket in the process. While it has long been suggested that bilateral ODIs should be axed, oneday cricket is not played as frequently at

the domestic level, so abandoning bilateral ODIs could spell the end of the format altogether and should only be considered as a last resort.

The obvious downside is that T20 internationals are a money-maker for cricket boards. But there are significant benefits that outweigh this cost, especially in the longer term.

First, scrapping T20 internationals would increase the valuation of domestic T20 leagues, which attract huge investment by broadcasters, sponsors and franchise owners. By freeing up space in the international cricket calendar, domestic T20. leagues would enjoy greater breathing space, giving them access to top-flight players for longer periods. As evidenced by the recent inaugural BBL draft, player availability (or non-availability) can have dramatic consequences on valuation.

Secondly, it would alleviate the currently untenable workloads for international cricketers, reducing player fatigue and injuries, ultimately prolonging careers.

This would also see a reduction in the frequency with which second-string international sides are fielded by stronger teams, thus increasing the value proposition of non-marquee series.

Thirdly, abandoning bilateral T20

T20 leagues like the IPL will become an even more prominent feature of the international cricket calendar

fixtures would give greater relevance to the T20 World Cup, which is held every two years (already twice as often as most World Cups).

It’s a tougher proposition for poorer cricket boards, who cannot afford to lose the already meagre revenue they receive from hosting bilateral T20 internationals.

But this, too, has a solution. If bilateral T20 internationals were to be abandoned, the dedicated IPL window (and accordingly the value of the IPL) would increase, again due to the sacrifices of poorer cricket boards, who stand to lose the most from a truncated international calendar. If the ICC grants the BCCI a dedicated 10-week window for the IPL as is widely expected, a larger proportion of the BCCI’s IPL super-profits should be transparently shared with other ICC members.

As it was 50 years ago, cricket is at a crossroads. It was only with the benefit of hindsight that the impact of World Series Cricket on the game could truly be assessed. And once again, only time will tell whether the hyper-capitalism of the modern game is killing cricket, or keeping it alive.

The T20 World Cup has seen a total of 21 teams participate over the years. Last year, Namibia and Papua New Guinea made their debuts, while the United States will make its debut in the 2024 edition, having earned automatic qualification as co-hosts with the West Indies. It will be the first-ever ICC World Cup tournament to be held in the USA.

SEPTEMBER 2022 13

14 SEPTEMBER 2022

www.indianlink.com.au

SCIENCE AND TECH

This concrete is made with COVID PPE waste RMIT engineers have found an innovative way to significantly reduce pandemic-generated waste by Manu Prakaash

A

n RMIT University research team has made a remarkable breakthrough, helping transform PPE equipment into reinforcement materials for strengthening structural concrete.

It will now make use of some 54,000 tonnes of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) waste that has been produced per day since the pandemic to instead increase the strength of concrete by up to 22 per cent, as well as improve its resistance to cracking.

Rajeev Roychand, the joint lead author of the research, has called the results “heartening.”

“There has been considerable interest from the industry, healthcare companies, as well as manufacturers of PPE items,” he told Indian Link.

“This is particularly significant due to the high levels of PPE use in the context of COVID. Also, a lot of the PPE items lay unused past their expiry date and need to be properly disposed of. Our research has a lot to offer in that scenario as well.”

The researchers from RMIT School of Engineering carried out three separate studies on the recycling of PPE, in particular rubber gloves, isolation gowns, and face masks. Their research has provided empirical evidence that these items can be used to increase the compressive strength and elasticity of concrete.

Rubber gloves increased compressive strength by up to 22%.

Isolation gowns increased resistance to bending stress by up to 21%, compressive strength by 15% and elasticity by 12%.

Face masks increased compressive strength by up to 17% Pursuing a circular economy approach, the researchers have found a solution to the longstanding problem of recycling and disposal of PPE waste.

The project has already got on board with the industry, with the RMIT School of Engineering’s industry partner Casafico Pty Ltdset to utilise this research in some of their projects. They are keen to collaborate with the healthcare and construction industries to further develop the research.

Face masks are another waste item that

Rajeev Roychand and Shannon Kilmartin-Lynch with their research team.

can be converted to a valuable building resource. Every month, about 129 billion disposable face masks are used and thrown away around the globe. This research could be a massive step towards providing a smart solution for this evergrowing pile of COVID-19 generated waste, noted first author Shannon Kilmartin-Lynch, a Vice-Chancellor’s Indigenous Pre-Doctoral Fellow at RMIT. “This challenge will remain even after the pandemic is over,” KilmartinLynch said. “Our research found that incorporating the right amount of shredded PPE could improve the strength

Photos: RMIT University

and durability of concrete [and provide a viable solution to this issue].”

Roychand added, “As such, COVID aside, there is traditionally a huge quantity of PPE materials that end up in landfills.

Plastics from the PPE turn into microplastics and end up in oceans, thereby endangering marine life and causing marine pollution. Incinerating them [PPE items] is also not a viable solution. So, if they can be used in concrete, on the lines of what our research has come up with, it will provide a sustainable solution to this serious problem.”

In previous research, Shannon Kilmartin-Lynch had successfully repurposed COVID-19 single-use face masks to create road-building material that met civil engineering safety standards. Using this material to build just one kilometre of a two-lane road uses up 3 million face masks, preventing 93 tonnes of waste from going to landfill.

For Roychand, who moved to Australia from Amritsar, this research is the ideal avenue for his particular passion - finding engineering-driven solutions to some of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century.

The team are currently looking for additional funding to come through, so the research effort can be expanded.

“My colleagues and I are busy trying to find more industry partners for the adoption of this discovery and towards continuing teaching the next generation about concrete structures and building sustainability into the science of construction,” Roychand concluded.

SEPTEMBER 2022 15

ACCOLADES

NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure presents the award for Best Text Report to Charu Vij, Indian Link’s Marketing Manager, representing co-authors Pawan Luthra and Rajni Anand Luthra on the night

All smiles: Indian Link team (from left) Iqra Saeed, Rhea L Nath, Ch

Two more journalism I

by Iqra Saeed

ndian Link Media Group has taken out two awards at this year’s NSW Premier’s Multicultural Communications Awards (PMCAs).

Pawan Luthra and Rajni Anand Luthra’s report of a nationwide survey of voting intention within the Indian community in

the lead up to this year’s Federal Election, brought home the award for Best Text Report.

Youth writer Rhea L Nath was awarded Young Journalist of the Year.

The media group was also nominated in the categories of Best Audio Report (for its COVID information including the Bollywood parody Jab Song which went viral last year), and the Alan Knight Student Award for yours truly.

Indian Link’s election surveys are typically eagerly awaited, but this time round the largescale exercise garnered particular attention. It

to see) and was shared by The Guardian in their live daily election coverage.

Co-authors Pawan Luthra and Rajni Anand Luthra were not at the event to receive the award themselves, but Pawan said later, “I’m quite proud of the work we did these elections. As part of our entire election coverage spanning three months, this particular piece informed as well as mobilised public opinion, both within our own community and those watching us from the outside. I’m grateful that its

gathered data on issues of concern impacting us as part of the wider mainstream, but also included issues specific to the community such as the effect of travel bans during the pandemic, and whether Scott Morrison’s frequent ‘curry night’ posts on social media influenced voting decision in any way.

Findings broke the community barrier and were discussed on national broadcaster ABC’s Radio National, ABC Radio Sydney’s Drive show, ABC TV’s The Drum (where host Julia Baird held up a copy for audiences

All things Indian. In Australia.

indianlink.com.au

COVER STORY

A MAY 2022

Vol. 29 No. 8

FREE

DEAD HEAT

Federal Election 2022 Indian Link survey

C e l e b r a t i n g 2 7 y e a r s a n d 2 3 M u l t i c u l t u r a l M e d i a A w aMAY r d2022 s1 Level 24/44 Market St, Sydney 2000 • GPO Box 108, Sydney 2001 • Ph: 18000 15 8 47

16 SEPTEMBER 2022

n Indian Link election survey conducted midway in the election campaign has had the two leading political parties – Australian Labor Party and the LiberalNational Coalition – at the same level of support from the community.

If these numbers can be extrapolated nationally, then on the evening of May 21, neither party will form government in their own right, and the preference flows from the Greens and the Independents could decide who will take the reins in Canberra.

One thing for sure, though, is that PM Morrison’s curry night selfies on social media have turned more people off than brought in supporters. The food posts did not go down well with 23 per cent of the respondents, who said that they are less likely now to vote for him, as compared to 8 per cent who have a positive view.

For most respondents though, it made no impact. “Let the man cook, if he wants to,” wrote one respondent, as a comment on the survey.

Let’s put things in perspective as to why the Indian community in Australia is being so heavily courted by all the political parties.

Firstly, it’s the sheer numbers. Currently 750,000-strong (though not all are eligible to vote), the community is growing rapidly, expected to touch the million mark when the Census results are released later this year. That the bulk of the community lives in marginal seats makes it a no-brainer that the leading politicians are drawn in.

Also, the new migrant is quite young – with an average age of 35, high levels of education, and a good understanding of the importance of elections and the power of the vote, having been brought up in a country like India.

But herein lies the dilemma for the new migrant. Those who migrated here and became citizens in the last, say, eight years, will have seen a Liberal Conservative government in India under PM Modi. This intersects largely with the time of a similarly attuned Coalition government in Canberra, mostly under PM Morrison. And yet as new migrants, education and healthcare are uppermost in their minds. Stretched financially, they rely on public education and health systems, and see the ALP as better responding to these needs. So, Indian-origin voters have the potential to swing both ways - and yes, they have been known to progressively change over the length of their life in Australia.

Indian Link’s online election survey gathered data on voting intentions from 1,218 nationwide respondents in the week 2-8 May 2022.

A substantial portion of the sample were those that have lived in Australia for over 20 years (55 per cent), while 25 per cent reported they have been here for 11-20

INDIAN COMMUNITY FEDERAL ELECTION 2022 SURVEY RESULTS

SYDNEY

and showing off your curry skills make for some great social media posts. They may be liked and shared by hundreds each time, but that’s all they are – social media posts.”)

ISSUES OF CONCERN: COST OF LIVING TOPS THE LIST

DEAD HEAT Indian Link Federal Election 2022 survey: The final outcome could well be decided by the Greens and the Independents. be mirroring that of the mainstream, which is currently reporting a dead heat though the ALP seems to be gaining momentum.

The interesting observation though, is that despite this even split, there is an overall confidence in the Australian Labor Party on a number of issues of concern.

On subjects such as better engagement with the Indian-Australian community, better immigration policies, even the handling of cost-of-living pressures, the ALP saw more support than the Coalition.

Regarding better engagement with the Indian-Australian community, Labor came out ahead with 49 per cent of the votes; the Coalition took 45 per cent and Greens 6 per cent. A notable comment was, “Once again, no party has the vision or maturity to lead ethnic communities. History is evidence, please check how much any party has done

ALP VS COALITION, ALBANESE VS MORRISON The two leading political parties sit equally split amongst our surveyed sample, the ALP taking 43.14 per cent of the vote and the Coalition 42.98 per cent.The same level split is seen on the question of preferred Prime Minister, with Albanese taking 50.33 per cent of the vote and Scott Morrison 49.67 per cent.

The Indian-Australian sentiment seems to

If an election was held today, which political party would you vote for?

Who will make a better Prime Minister?

Which party will be better for the Indian-Australian community?

Independent Greens

per cent. Also noteworthy is the fact that prices have shot up significantly in recent weeks, which the Coalition is explaining off as a response to global pressures following a war in Europe and the after-effects of the pandemic.

These factors may have led to the respondents challenging the Coalition spin of being better economic managers, opting to go with the ALP instead.

Despite this support, the ALP was not able to see a stronger fall of the vote in their favour as the preferred political party.

The lack of a clear-cut choice for PM warrants a somewhat deeper analysis.

One could call this in Anthony Albanese’s favour: the Prime Minister has had many years to win the trust and faith of the Indian Australian community and a draw for him is as good as a loss here.

At the same time, could it be said that perhaps Anthony Albanese should have done more to present himself as a capable leader? It looks as though while there has been a vacuum left by ScoMo to better engage with the community, Albo has not

By PAWAN LUTHRA and RAJNI ANAND LUTHRA years.

60 per cent of respondents were in the age group 35-60, while 25 per cent were over the age of 60.

The genders were skewed, with more males than females (67 per cent and 30 per cent respectively, the rest falling in other categories).

Anthony Albanese

of substance. They only solicit votes to get elected so that their future is safe.”

On the issue of better immigration policies, more than half the community supported the Labor Party, while 43 per cent of the vote went to the Coalition.

Interesting to see the rise of the Greens here, with 7 per cent support.

Also interesting, is the response to the question on cost-of-living pressures. While the Liberals have been making this a highlight of their campaigning and selling themselves as better managers of the economy, the respondents in this survey chose to believe otherwise.

55 per cent said the ALP will do a better job of handling cost-of-living pressures.

Point of note: this poll was conducted during the week the Reserve Bank of Australia increased interest rates by 0.25

Which party do you think will offer better immigration for Australia?

Greens

Scott Morrison

Greens

Which party do you think will do a better job in addressing cost-of-living pressures?

Australian Labor Party

Australian Labor Party

Australian Labor Party

Australian Labor party

10 MAY 2022

Liberal National Coalition

Liberaal National Coalition

Liberal National Coalition

www.indianlink.com.au

COMMUNITY-SPECIFIC QUESTIONS: CURRY NIGHTS AND BORDER BANS

Two questions specific to the Indian community were raised in our poll.

One of these related to the Prime Minister’s frequent curry nights on social media.

The constant barrage has emerged as a flashpoint with about 23 per cent of respondents, who reported that they are now less likely to vote for Scott Morrison.

8 per cent of the respondents though did say that the curry posts had a positive impact on their voting intentions. (One cheeky comment suggested that perhaps Scott Morrison should participate in Indian Link’s MasalaChef 2022 competition.)

An overwhelming majority of 69 per cent reported that Morrison’s curry habits had no impact on their voting intentions.

The second Indo-specific question was on

Have two years of closed borders and 2021's temporary ban on travellers returning from india, intended to protect Australians during the pandemic, influenced your voting intentions?

Yes, more NEGATIVE views of government

Liberal National Coalition

been able to grab the opportunity to make deeper inroads.

Yes, more POSITIVE views of government

No, Had no impact

the government’s border closures, especially with India at the height of the pandemic in early 2021, and threatening returning Indian-Australians with imprisonment and hefty fines. The dismay in the community was well reported, with the rhetoric coming out that the government would see a backlash at the hustings.

It is rhetoric that has seen some, but not overwhelming, support.

31 per cent of the respondents reported a negative view of the government on taking this hard stance, claiming it will affect their voting intentions. 25 per cent admired the government for their hard approach in keeping Australians safe. The large majority of 44 per cent said that it made no impact on their voting intentions.

Perhaps the Indian-Australian voter is appropriately discerning, not swayed by such posturing. When it comes down to action, the decision is made by factoring in relevant information, assessing alternatives and weighing the evidence.

(Indeed, one respondent wrote, “Wearing saris or achkans, greeting with namastes,

Have PM Scott Morrison's frequent 'curry nights' on social media influenced your vote in any way?

Yes, now MORE likely to vote for Morrison

No, Had no impacr

Yes, now LESS likely to vote for Morrison

As expected, cost of living is highest on the mind of the Indian-Australian voter.

Healthcare and education follow at numbers two and three. These three issues directly affect the hip pocket, and as largely first-generation migrants with limited financial means, better access to good healthcare for the older respondents and good education for the more recent migrants, are paramount. National security for Indian-Australians was less of a concern: coming from India which sees border skirmishes frequently as well as insurgency within, the safety in their new home seems to take at least that issue off their minds.

The fact of growing international tension militarily, some of it in our own surrounds, has perhaps not hit home yet.

This is unlike the constant clamour about climate change, the dangers of which our social narrative has finally begun to take notice of, and with greater frequency.

Environment concerns stood at number 5 while social inclusion and sadly, women’s issues brought up the rear, a year after #March4Justice rallies took place across the country. Now on the campaign trail, both parties continue to field questions on their plans to make Australia safer for all women, most recently poked at the second leader’s debate to ‘define a woman.’

Perhaps one might be tempted to blame this low rank on a skewed gender ratio in the survey, a sobering thought when advocating for women’s rights should be a genderneutral issue.

The issue of a federal integrity commission, too, came up frequently in comments. “It will be terrible if corrupt practices creep into the system with outcomes as one sees in countries such as India,” one respondent observed.

In summary, it seems neither party or leader has cut through or outdone each other in the Indian Australian community. As one jaded respondent noted, referring to a rise in divisive politics this past year, “there is no united Indian community in Australia, so… no one [party] can do any good to the community.”

But with the last few days of this campaign still to play out, it is a good time for both leaders to reach out and talk to this strong and influential voting bloc. The keys to the lodge may well rest with the Indian diaspora.

With inputs by Rhea L Nath

In order of importance, rank the following issues of concern that have influenced your voting decision. Eg: If 'health' is the most important issue for you, rank it as #1 COST OF LIVING PRESSURES HEALTHCARE

1 2

EDUCATION

3

NATIONAL SECURITY

4

CLIMATE CHANGE / ENVIRONMEN...

5

SOCIAL INCLUSION

6

WOMEN'S ISSUES

7

MAY 2022 11

www.indianlink.com.au

Rhea L Nath picks up her second award in two consecutive years, this time for Young Journalist of the Year

haru Vij, Bedashree Gogoi

m awards contributions to understanding an emerging community were recognised.”

For Rhea L Nath, the Young Journalist of the Year Award is an outstanding achievement so early in her career.

“It’s an amazing feeling to be able to say that I’ve won this award after just three years here in Australia,” she said.

“I started my career here in March 2020 as an international student, right when the pandemic hit, and it gave me the chance to witness first-hand the important role

Indian Link wins Best Text Report and Young Journalist of the Year at the NSW Premier’s Multicultural Communications Awards

that multicultural media plays every single day. From the get-go, I was reporting on community issues and challenges, and an area that was particularly important and relevant to me: international students. At the same time, I wasn’t always seeing these stories reflected in the mainstream media when I picked up a newspaper or scrolled through my social media.”

Indian Link editor Rajni Anand Luthra said, “It’s gratifying to see the manner in which Rhea has blossomed ever since she joined us

almost three years ago. She’s not only a skilful writer with a wonderful way with words, but she also has a great ability to sense a story and follow it through. With her sharp mind, great ability to pick up new skills, and enthusiastic and committed work ethic, I have no doubts Rhea will go far. Pawan and I are both thrilled to see her receive this latest award.”

Rhea’s work this year has been wideranging, from advocacy for disability and mental health to arts, entertainment, and international student issues.

Her consistent reportage on that last topic, the special challenges faced by international students during the pandemic, has given the student community much succour and support – they continue to contact her with queries and stories. It was this work that won her the Alan Knight Student Award at the PMCAs last year.

With the two awards this year, Indian Link’s tally of multicultural media awards ever since the awards were first instituted 10 years ago, is now 25.

INDIA- OZ

ARTS

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Natasha Lama

BY RHEA L NATH

I

and t’s a simple message of self-love hopes to pleasure that Natasha Lama for many young share with the world, but to stir a much South Asians, it’s bound deeper chord. with the best In these households, even around sex and of intentions, conversations sexual health can be tricky. family in “Growing up in an Indian I could ask Malaysia, I never felt like Natasha tells questions about these things,” porn at a Indian Link. “When I discovered to talk to about it. I young age, I had no one entire space of felt like I was exploring this in the dark.” sexual health stumbling around young South Hoping to ensure other experience, the Asians can have a different y on 24-year-old started browngirl.sexolog colourful images, Instagram last year. Using infographics, her own selfies, and useful all things sexshe was determined to tackle

In fact, Dr Sikka situations”.

Bhatnagar adds, many in “changing geopolitical drying up migrant couples to Australia In light of the possible at least in China, have had to sacrifice of an education market be major BY one of their careers to the pivot to India, another students and able to afford these massive RHEA L NATH source of international natural, he costs. For many women, professionals, was but in the retraining has come said. migrants ver the years, many new way of family planning. a common for to to Australia have faced “You don’t get loans Time and resources It problem: their hard-earned these kinds of things. requalify been and Bhatnagar, degrees haven’t always takes a lot of patience 29-year-old Mehak Sikka education if surgeon from financial support. Even recognised by the Australian an experienced dental it’s to start afresh in a new she’s paid you’re the best dentist, system, leaving them India, estimates that to retrain here a hard journey if you’re country. around $25,000 so far she Governments of not financially sound,” A new taskforce by the in Sydney. to develop updated found that warned.

India and Australia aims “I came in 2018 and arrangements to experience wasn’t In Australia, many qualifications recognition overseas my late the was announced in I needed local organisations turn to address this issue. It recognised anywhere.

Scott Morrison started work Country Education Profiles March by Prime Ministers training on my CV and meeting. she virtual in a in 2019,” (CEP) as an information and Narendra Modi, as a dental assistant the tool to support Australian “The taskforce will determine explained. to strengthen process authorities overwhelming recognition most appropriate “The hours were and Indian pressure. I assessing overseas the recognition of Australian and there was a lot of gap in focus on enhancing qualifications. When qualifications, with a really felt like any knowledge and India education and, where asked, the Department participation in higher practices between Australia employment, by someone of Education, Skills and feasible, access to general could’ve been covered spokesperson for it, but it Employment stated the for both countries,” a simply talking us through Skills and to us.” taskforce will work beyond the Department of Education, wasn’t made available Link. among this.

Employment told Indian In India, she had been will reflect on A spokesperson explained, “The work of the taskforce dozens of volunteer specialists recognition best Rekha (Jeevan qualifications “The work of the taskforce international the Lifeline Express scope to maximise outcomes train that acts Mehak Sikka Bhatnagar goes well beyond this principles which seek Express), a seven-coach India-trained dentist hurdle in her an individual’s serve people set-up for the final home as it will establish a process for the recognition of her on as a rolling hospital to practices taken three for possible.” access to which has already to improve outcomes qualifications where in rural areas with poor requalification process, in 2023, the As the lead medical officer the recognition of both Intended to be implemented $25,000 cost healthcare. and year. years the by the end of valuable qualifications, taskforce will report on the train, she earned Australian and Indian speculate the fields of years by a home set up settings in This has left many to practical skills over the sighed. “Now I’ve created including where recognition basis. able daily a be on to just be made more study this could impact. interacting with patients that cost around $15k, Australia and India can work, operating in a dental two-way higher This important philanthropic to practice.” (She’s invested complementary, to enhance covered by both practical for widely been intended has awaited since 1991, Details simulation unit education mobility.”

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One Dental, also the Last year, the Sydney international and Indian training purposes from Education (SICLE) however, Dr Sikka of many teaching institutions Australia, Community Languages supplier In feedback major Mixed was the first from scratch. This like the Australian so far on the at the University of Sydney Bhatnagar had to start and examination bodies With few details available a bridging course undertaking the last the announcement of its kind to provide May, she will finally be Dental Council.) taskforce, feedback on helping process to register drain to keep giving media. Many for overseas-trained teachers, step in a three-prong “It’s a huge financial has been mixed on social become accredited of Australia. It’s if you’re unable to move and its 2,000 professionals to with the Dental Board these exams, especially remain sceptical of the But new migrants that includes a A lot of people employment, with in Australian schools. a practical examination pass in the first attempt. impact on Australian continue to face address communication can’t afford it.” “cronyism and trained in other fields language element to drop out because they one user citing widespread by naysayers careers. exam last year, hurdles in starting their barriers, a common complaint Ahead of her first written corruption” in India.

Sydney-based and changes to degree issued Ramneek Madahar, a of Indian qualifications. there were new guidelines “Would you trust a medical optimistic of of 200 of the pandemic one conferred in Oz, as pattern. From a batch migration agent, is cautiously same “Unfortunately, because question the the India in I haven’t worked classes, she was one the announcement. and in being an assistant, people in her coaching UK, EU or USA?” implications three years,” she right to align with “There could be significant on a patient for almost Another asked, “Is it of Indians to countries so we come of these changes. Mobility the standards of other easier and quicker, partner?”

Australia could become across as a better trading he forward,” step who have faced good making this a Others, especially those expect this to see it as a step in stated. “However, I don’t these struggles firsthand, to medical and dental flow through directly the right direction. a far more rigorous “In the 80s my qualifications. There’s One Twitter user noted, those qualifications.” diploma at Uni process into assessing mother did a postgraduate medical Indian Bachelor’s Typically, migrants with of Tasmania to get her tough time building Australia so she could backgrounds have a degree recognised in They shell out was very disruptive their career in Australia. work as a librarian. This to retrain, undertake so my brother and thousands of dollars for our family in Darwin experience relatives in India for exams, and gain practical I were sent to live with towards local certifications. a year.”

TV program The Speaking to the ABC in India of Indian Link looked extensive experience Drum, Pawan Luthra Mehak comes with APRIL 2022 17 a broader lens, bringing at the move through

our community carving this safe space for same from family and it’s great to hear the is one of my biggest and friends. My brother parents have supporters. Sometimes my been their their concerns, but I’ve always will do what she stubborn daughter who likes,” Natasha says. media, she And as with all things social of trolls. isn’t without her fair share but I learned “It was a challenge at first, It’s a not to take things personally. and not really projection of how they feel “My message about me,” she observes. this type to people who don’t appreciate feel didn’t you sorry of content is: I’m about these comfortable doing or talking you things at my age, but I encourage unpack your to sit with that feeling and find that the crux discomfort. Often, you’ll of it all is shame.” than done. It This is perhaps easier said

of “After all, porn is a form I landed on a slice of life. It’s to study further. Ultimately, entertainment, it’s not a (Sexual Health) at with your own Masters of Public Health not what actual interactions we need to uncomfortable the University of Melbourne.” partner will look like. I think can be a long, potentially most frequently these things by According to Natasha, the insists the end ensure young people learn experience, but Natasha are about it.” asked questions on her page being able to talk about result is worth it. transmitted can be a tricky yourself. There’s masturbation and sexually Unfortunately, Instagram “Don’t be so harsh with what brings you infections. vocalise these issues. While to platform so much joy in embracing that come have into other “I encourage these questions some hashtags like #letstalkaboutsex pleasure, and I find it bleeds often ask me #sexpositive from healthy curiosity. People allowing yourself to 105,000 posts, others like over I aspects of your life, like and or ‘okay’ to meet because it makes if their habits are ‘normal’ and #sexeducation are limited rest or enjoy food simply the word ‘normal’ but related, head-on. guidelines. It forces have to say, I hate using our Instagram’s community This is not a linear process, pleasure, happy. human you the celebrate in to is variety “The mission and influencers because there’s so much sexual wellness advocates health, through it’s so rewarding.” for me might not like ‘seggs’ and bodies, and all things sexual results in experience. What’s normal in like Natasha to use words In fact, she highlights positive There’s no right else. someone my lens as a young Malaysian-Indian for instead. be normal giving her partner ‘p0rn’ in their posts her own relationship in your sexuality.”

I’m a sexAustralia,” she smiles. explore what or wrong way to explore “It’s almost amusing that a fascinating the space and freedom to this need for nuance and Browngirl.sexology is indeed to get people to extends trying means for them.

She advocate positive myths around being sexy and comfortable around sex terminology for page to explore. Debunking y makes me understanding to conversations learn and use the correct fielding “Running browngirl.sexolog virginity and contraception, and how my and porn.

I’m using different words work but relationship bodies, own our period my and on toys, reflect and enjoying she laughs. questions on consent, sex “Porn isn’t inherently bad be some ‘macho myself to avoid getting flagged,” no shame or fear, it partner doesn’t need to bad feminist – it’s shame, and doing it with men deserve porn doesn’t make you a Still, most feedback on browngirl. too taboo. man’ for me. Young brown and 2,500 followers seems there’s no subject It’s all about giving about how we treat the performers sexology, which has around to get into the tenderness and care too. people will “I always knew I wanted grace to find how it’s distributed. Young so far, has been fantastic.

“I first came ourselves the freedom and on the Internet. pride and joy health space,” Natasha shares. of us,” she says. inadvertently discover porn “There’s a deep sense of my undergraduate what works for each one to ask questions happy to be to Australia in 2016 for Shouldn’t we create spaces from doing this. I’m really I took a break studies in psychology. Then about it?” she wonders. passionate about to explore what I’m really MARCH 2022 23

BY RHEA L NATH

A

longside completing her master’s degree in counselling, multimedia artist Gurvinder Kaur has taken on another important project in the last few years: helping young South Asian Australians feel comfortable, even confident, in their brown skin.

Her Instagram art page Artsy Brown Lady, as the title suggests, is a celebration of our rich skin colour.

“I’ve had many families talk to me about their children developing a sense of hatred towards their own skin,” the family peer worker at Headspace told Indian Link.

“There’s a real identity crisis in looking so different from their classmates, and I wanted to help them through that with art.”

Armed with her acrylics, Procreate tablet, and her imagination, Gurvinder’s art aims to provoke a response.

On International Women’s Day recently, she paid tribute to painter Amrita Sher-Gil, one of the greatest Indian-origin avantgarde women artists of the last century and a controversial figure in her own right.

“Her work touched many controversial topics like nudity and the resignation an Indian woman faces, and she led an unapologetic life where she was open about her sexuality and identified as bisexual in 1930s India!” the caption read.

“An icon and truly a lady who forged the

26 APRIL 2022

pathway for us future women. I’m sure she fought many battles with just the tip of that brush.”

Gurvinder added, “I know that people will follow my page if I have aesthetically pleasing artwork, but I believe art is more than that. It’s personal and yes, sometimes it can offend people. That’s why I subscribe to the term ‘artivism’ which combines activism and art.”

Perhaps her most ‘offensive’ pieces come from her unabashedly tongue-in-cheek series titled ‘Besharam Betis’ (‘‘Shameless Daughters”). Teasing older family members who frown at tattoos, poking fun at aunties who don’t like girls who drink or smoke, ‘Besharam Betis’ is likely to strike a chord with most millennial women.

According to Gurvinder, it’s the culmination of a lifetime of tiny but exasperating occurrences.

“Shortly after we moved to Australia in 2015, there was an incident when my sister uploaded a picture in a bikini and faced a lot of slut shaming from the aunties back home in Delhi,” she recalled.

“They were calling our parents, saying things like ‘you’ve lost control of your daughters’. Eventually, it reached a breaking point and I sent them a picture of myself in a bikini too!”

Another piece is inspired from her teen years.

“I was 15 years old, wearing an outfit that exposed my navel, and one aunty tried to shame me by saying, ‘we were never allowed to show our stomach’,” Gurvinder elaborated. “So, I created a piece of a lady

holding her mug of chai, proudly showing off her navel without a care in the world.”

Through her art, the 29-year-old is a fierce advocate of intersectional feminism.

It’s a critical concept, coined by Kimberle Crenshaw in 1989, that recognises a person’s social and political identities are a combination of numerous modes of discrimination and privilege.

“Intersectional feminism recognises that you can’t choose between race, gender, sexuality, and other social identities. You’re a combination of all of them. For example, white women may face discrimination in a male-dominated workplace but it’s important to acknowledge that women of colour in the same workplace have it tougher.”

Raised in a household with two sisters, Gurvinder wants to amplify the message of feminism and shatter any false notions that it somehow equals man hating.

“It’s about equal rights and respect. My mother-in-law was a homemaker and my mother worked, and both are respectable choices. There’s no right or wrong way to raise a family,” she pointed out.

Gurvinder Kaur

Another crucial discussion that Artsy Brown Lady hopes to inspire is one of mental health in Australia’s migrant community. Based on her own experiences at Headspace, Gurvinder notes that many parents still struggle with misconceptions around the topic.

“I’ve noticed that parents are grieving in their own way, because they think their children are somehow less perfect due to any mental health conditions. But the fact is that it’s not an illness and there are many resources and facilities here in Australia to ease their journey, compared to back home.”

She added, “Some migrant parents see behaviours like the inability to get out of bed or go to school as disrespectful, after the sacrifices they’ve made to bring their children here. We work with these families to help shed such stigma for a more empathetic approach.”

The beauty of social media has meant that Gurvinder’s message has been amplified to audiences around the world, including the diaspora in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and back home in India.

“I’ve had people tell me how my art, as a South Asian artist for young people, is valuable to the community. It’s feedback like that keeps me going,” Gurvinder smiled.

“But the best feedback of all has come from young kids. My younger cousins love my artwork, and based on Instagram analytics, I see that my art is most shared by 12- to 25-year-olds. It’s an amazing feeling to know my work has moved them in some way. I hope it empowers them to talk about things they’d otherwise be afraid to voice out loud.”

www.indianlink.com.au

d’ Joining the 'cysterhoo This PCOS Awareness BY RHEA L NATH

F

Month, a personal account

l disorder of living with the hormona

least two of can be made when at A diagnosis of PCOS three criteria are met: the following

periods 1. Irregular periods or no are 2. Higher levels of androgens by blood present in the blood, shown body test or symptoms like excess

hair, acne, scalp hair loss visible on an 3. Polycystic ovaries are ultrasound *******

Indian spic es and

als Find medical profession you trust proper

PCOS, Because of the nature of with treatment can mean consulting and specialists like endocrinologists too many cysters dieticians. Unfortunately, doctors before have felt dismissed by their to simply lose getting to that stage, told they want to get weight or come back when friends warned pregnant. In my case, my pills and me against hormone regulating my doctor, and birth control, but I trusted a difference for the treatment made such is unique, after my condition. Each case a doctor you feel all, so it’s crucial to find comfortable with.

the or many women, going to a gynaecologist isn’t always know pleasant experience. I should typical meal now tried to cut out gluten. A doctor’s – I’ve had to schedule a chicken, Read, read, read do my research consists of lean protein (think months for the last with plenty of appointment every three I’m someone who likes to fish, tofu, and lentils) along 10 women around in hand, so limiting my carb two years because, like in and have all the information vegetables. I’ve found that that often articles and out items like the world, I live with a condition I often find myself reading intake, rather than cutting to understand feels out of my control. worked wonders. studies about PCOS. It helps rice and bread, has also or PCOS, in body, but more Polycystic ovarian syndrome, part of my palate too, taken what’s happening in my are Desserts remember that is a common hormonal, reproductive, healthy lifestyle. No College importantly, it helps me stride with my generally women According to the Royal Australian my fault. I also sweet tooth! and metabolic condition among this is normal, and it is not (RAGCP), up to 70% more feeling guilty for my curable, and not of General Practitioners women It’s for age. can pages of reproductive undiagnosed. follow a lot of Instagram While most nutritional requirements like acne of women with PCOS remain stories. It’s a found certain when I noticed my own symptoms are significant with PCOS to see their success come from your diet, I’ve difficulty in losing And for those who are, there may not be curable, to be helpful breakouts, mood swings, $400 million lovely reminder that this supplements, like probiotics, I was petrified. healthcare costs (approximately weight, and skipped periods, and improving gut but it is definitely treatable. an international with hormone regulation dodging doctors per year in Australia). As In fact, I found myself actively well aware of health. getting tested. student in Australia, I’m for almost a year to avoid medical Staying active the gynaecologist how the cost of these necessary lifestyle is one of Eventually, sitting across self-care While exercise and an active up. for add time really blood can and Take treatments our symptoms, going through my ultrasounds been easy. the biggest ways to improve and relaxation struggle with to make some Living with PCOS hasn’t to PCOS can work, I was told that I had I’ve had terribly the hormone imbalance linked Women with PCOS often to get ahead of There are many days when fatigue. Who wants important lifestyle changes hormone, which acne breakouts, often cause lethargy and cortisol, the body’s stress because it put me low self-confidence from up tired? impairs our my condition, especially to work out when they wake other symptoms disrupts our menstrual cycle, diabetes, bloating, facial hair, and to hour-long reason we crave at an increased risk of developing idea of During lockdown, I’ve taken immunity, and is often the that oppose society’s traditional or chatting with cholesterol issues, and cardiovascular stressed. In fact, walks, listening to music with the ebb and sugary treats when we’re ‘femininity’. Mix that in more intensive high intensity diseases in the long run. body in your friends over the phone. For some women may find that difficult to flow of understanding your training and because it only At 22 years old, all this was workouts, I opt for weight there’s no beating exercises work against them to eat? What on these 20s, and it can feel like take in. What am I supposed levels. with some cardio. I’ve landed shared some pilates cortisol friend these a I boosts Should this. But recently, error, having and meditation medicines should I be taking? put my PCOS exercises through trial and The typical advice of yoga seemed like I had great advice that’s helped with seemingly for me, so I turn change my work out? It spent hours on the elliptical saying ‘have selfto relax doesn’t really work but I didn’t journey in perspective: training improved me happy and to overhaul my entire lifestyle, than actually no results while strength instead to activities that make confidence’ is much easier burn fat faster.

I’ve started to know where to begin. this is my metabolism and helped keep me away from a screen. in 2019, it, but you have to believe doing ‘cysterhood’ the joining alongside Since mint tea fix. It’s more like enjoy a nightly routine of that works for me not a broken problem to I’ve developed a routine helped to shed the frequency that Figure out a sustainable some journaling, and it’s There are still tuning, finding the right and helps me feel in control. matters here, really, healthy diet stress from the day. What pun intended) works for you. doctor, I turned to every day. good and bad periods (no Based on advice from my is carving out a little ‘me-time’ same boat I was in, and more recently but in case you’re in the a dairy-free diet in 2019 tricks help. hopefully these tips and www.indianlink.com.au 26 SEPTEMBER 2021

A unique gin A

BY RHEA L NATH

chance encounte r at a trade fair in Berlin has led to a fascinatin collaboration g between Stranger & Sons Gin in Australia in India and Four Pillars .

Now gin lovers here can try out special spice-infu sed G&Ts while connoisseurs Indian get a Australian botanicalcrash-course in s.

“We first met with the Stranger team at Bar & Sons Convent explained Cameron Berlin in 2019,” Mackenzie, distiller and head co-founder of Victoria’s Four Pillars Gin. “We were taken by their passion and expertise in gin making, I made a point and of keeping track progress going of their forward.”

A year later, when Indian gin brand Stranger & Sons took from the Internatio home a gold medal nal Wine & Competition Spirits in London, they were back on the Four Pillars radar.

“I got in touch to say congratu and we struck lations up a conversa tion collaborating on a gin,” Cameronabout told 26 JULY 2022

Australian

The Strange r& Sons team (L-R): Rahul Mehra, Sakshi Saigal, Vidur Gupta

collaboratio n

botanicals come toge ther in two

Indian Link.

“This was at the beginnin of COVID, so g it forced us to collaborate over emails and zoom calls.

I would have preferred a trip to Goa!” Going back and forth over emails and a few trial gin distillations, they eventuall landed on two y limited edition gins: Spice Trade (made here in Australia ) and Trading Tides (made in Goa).

Spice Trade, Four Pillars’ take on modern India, is made with native herbs and accented and berries with Indian flavours anise, black and green cardamo like star and long pepper. m, red chilli,

Trading Tides, Stranger & Sons’ coastal dry gin, combines subcontin ental flavours such as kokum, mangos teen, coriander, and tamarind with Australia lemon myrtle, n anise myrtle, river mint. and “Spice Trade Gin has been a hit our gin fans,” Cameron grinned. amongst something quite “It’s unique as it’s not a clean gin. The spices are oily, the two cardamoms

distinctive

offerings

and finger lime give a cloudy finish, while turmeric fills the the palate with a solid freshness Bold, aromatic .” , and not for the faint hearted, it’s been described as ‘a spice bazaar in a glass’ and marks the collaboration fourth in Four Pillars’ Distiller Series, where they get to explore their with internatio creative sides nal brands.

Their previous limited-edition include Spain-ins gins pired Cousin (think olives, Vera’s Gin rosemary, and coriander) in collaboration with Santama nia Urbana and Japanese-inspired Destileria Seasons (yuzu, Changing bamboo, desert green tea) with lime, and Kyoto Distillery .

“We have a couple lined up over the year or two next but who knows, we might be back in India collaborating again soon,” Cameron added.

INDIA NO LONG ‘BROWN SPIRI ER JUST A

Due to the popularit TS’ MARKET rum in the subcontiny of whiskeys and dark ent, there’s been overwhelming an belief that India a brown spirits remains market. In recent though, spirits years like gin are catching of a growing the eye urban populatio n between 1840 years old.

In fact, if recent go by, the Indian figures are anything to gin market is projected to

www.indianlink .com.au

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25

STAGE

Rousing a fallen Durga Multimedia elements and interactivity with the audience enhance a collective global story of female gendered violence by NEELAM GOPALANI

I

n a recent contemporary dance performance The Durga Chronicles, well-known dancer Priya Srinivasan addressed the issue of gender violence in a carefully creative and respectful way.

Collaborating with Philipa Rothfield and Uthra Vijay and the Keerthana Women’s Choir, Srinivasan told a collective global story of women in gender-based violence.

Performers welcomed us into the presentation as though we were entering a home. Donning the stage dressed in neutral outfits, the women sang, moved around casually, and lay rice (rangoli) patterns on the floor. Their alluring singing and clapping with the audience created an instant sense of comfort. As the lights went down, we were invited to wear a white shawl for the duration of the performance. Little did we know we would form a human screen on which

18 SEPTEMBER 2022

important visuals from the storyline would be projected.

Soon we were transformed out of our home comforts onto a lit red stage where Srinivasan entered. She played a young woman who sensed danger on her journey home from an evening class. Whilst one would expect that the story of the young girl would take us through the entire performance, Srinivasan instead made efforts to share a collective and global story. Voiceovers of everyday women guided us through the performance as they recollected their experiences of gendered violence - their location when it happened, how far they were from home, and what happened to them. One couldn’t help but be struck by the frequency with which this occurs in everyday life.

Lighting was used as a key tool throughout the show. There were moments of darkness and silence, whilst green and red lights took us through the battle scene. And some of the most intimate moments were when our white cloaks became a human projection screen bathing us with images such as mouths – as we heard the women’s powerful

and at times, desperate voices.

Srinivasan is known for fusing different art forms into her productions, from visual arts to multimedia. True to style, this show delivered. Goddess Durga was introduced to the audience with beautiful projections on the stage as we heard the story of her creation by Shiva and other Gods who had struggled to fight the villain Mahishasura.

The projections were powerful, but it was the collaboration with the Women’s Choir that was central to this show. The 12 singers from the Keerthana Women’s Choir sang carefully selected songs about Durga supporting her central character.

But their role went further - they walked together, they engaged with the audience, they danced, and they supported each other.

Perhaps it was the essence of Durga that they were conveying through their collective singing voices and actions.

Durga played a more prominent role in the second half of the performance.

Srinivasan changed into a bold red, gold and black lehenga held into place with a waist tie.

Her fierce eyes and flowing hair conveyed her strong resolve wonderfully as she took

up her weapon. Similarly, the Keerthana Women’s Choir tied red sashes around their waists, readying themselves for battle. In a powerful scene we saw Goddess Durga and Women’s Choir clustered together in military formation, using dance to depict their fight.

Alas Durga was beaten down, reminding us of the women who aren’t able to fight back. We heard callouts from victims in voiceovers, “Durga, where are you?” It was a sad moment, where we felt a sense of despair for those who could not fight back.

The loud sounds and movements of the fight scene were contrasted by a deeply moving scene where the lead choir singer Uthra Vijay roused Durga from her defeated state. We saw Durga lean on her as she slowly regained strength.

At times it was unclear how Durga’s role and the performance would be resolved but the final scene felt fitting. Durga and the women marched together slowly and solemnly, around all corners of the centre stage, and then out of the auditorium.

It felt as though they were calling us to account, to play our part in creating a safer future for women.

www.indianlink.com.au

Mehta magnetism

Legendary conductor Zubin Mehta presented a personal favourite, Richard Strauss, at the Australian World Orchestra

I

t was a special treat to see Zubin Mehta flick that magic baton to command the stage recently.

After a near decade away from the helm of the Australian World Orchestra, Mo. Mehta as he is fondly known, returned to Hamer Hall in Melbourne and the Sydney Opera House for two evenings of musical splendour.

This time round, he was handling a personal favourite, German composer Richard Strauss (1864 – 1949).

Dubbed the world’s greatest interpreter of Strauss’s expositions, Mehta, 86, is renowned for his conductorship, composure and control, and has led orchestras globally.

Despite his age, it was wonderful to see the maestro, even though choosing to be seated,

Photos: Prudence Upton

by Carl Buhariwala

still enigmatic and capturing all corners of his orchestra to ensure harmony. With the simplest of gestures, Mehta had the capacity to regulate the group’s collective expression, tone and timing.

Comprising musicians from around the globe such as the London Symphony Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Australia’s own outstanding ensembles, Mehta’s orchestra showcased incredible resonance and impeccable timing in its performance.

Together with Alexander Briger AO, founder and artistic director of the AWO, Mehta, whose love for conductorship was inspired by Strauss, took the challenge to set a grand event to commemorate his appreciation of the composer’s finest works.

On this occasion the works presented included dramatic late romantic and early modern compositions: Don Juan, Till Eulenspiegels Lustige Streiche and Ein Heldenleben.

“In truth, I became a conductor because deep down I wanted to conduct Richard Strauss’s tone poems,” Mehta has said famously.

For those untrained in classical musicianship,

a tone or symphonic poem (pioneered by Hungarian piano virtuoso, Franz Liszt (1811 – 1886)) is a single continuous movement inspired from a non-musical source such as a poem, short-story or novel. Highly descriptive works, tone poems are created to inspire the listener by incorporating realism into music.

It is fascinating how Strauss composed his works and left much of the interpretation to the musicians and conductor. Strauss’s works were developed to push the boundaries of musical form and take the listener on a journey through their imagination. There are many ways to tell a story, and doing so through music offers the orchestra a great deal of flexibility under the guidance of its conductor.

Mehta’s connection with Strauss developed due to his love for interpreting complex pieces with story-telling elements. In his autobiography, Mehta recalls listening to Strauss on his family’s gramophone as a child and thinking to himself about how one day he would lead an orchestra and explore Strauss’s compositions.

Don Juan (Op. 40) is based on a play, Don Juan’s Ende (Don Juan’s End), which is derived from an unfinished 1844 retelling by poet Nikolaus Lenau. The author explores a ladies’ man, devoid of morality, looking for perfect love through countless attempts but failing repeatedly. After various efforts, he

despairingly submits himself to a duel and ultimately loses the battle.

Mehta captures this love tale turned unfortunate demise by taking the audience through various episodes in the movement.

The verses in the story are emphasised by the orchestra with romance, despair, anger and exhaustion themes clear in their performance.

As a trained classical pianist, I noticed Mehta’s ability to control the orchestra and ensure that they appreciated the tonal subtleties throughout the story to emphasise each scene.

Till Eulenspiegels Lustige Streiche (Op. 28) (Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks) depicts the misadventures and pranks of the medieval German peasant folk hero, Till Eulenspiegel.

The composition has several movements with a cheeky and light-hearted feel, referencing the prankster and his trickster behaviour.

With an action-packed score, Mehta helps the audience understand Strauss’s masterful and sophisticated merging of rondo and sonata forms. This is where the composition builds up before cascading downwards through audacious musical elements with impressive form, content, technique and colour.

Ein Heldenleben (Op. 40) or A Hero’s Life, is agreed to be Strauss’s musical autobiography.

It captures various quotations from Strauss’s earlier works including Don Juan and Till Eulenspiegel. Taking the audience through the adventures of a hero from inception through to retirement, the piece lasts about fifty minutes, and is performed in six movements without breaks to capture the hero’s life events including his enemies, companions, love and battles, except for a dramatic grand pause at the end of the first movement to mark the hero’s wait for the world’s response.

With an exceptional violin solo by AWO’s concertmaster, this grand composition pushed the orchestra to its limits in terms of volume and virtuosity. All sections of the orchestra were involved in delivering sumptuous tunes with expressive, compositional voice, and virtuoso use of orchestration to offer a wealth of vividness and drama, instrumental colour and mood.

These three masterful compositions do certainly require a mature and experienced conductor. Born and raised in Bombay, Mehta, a Zoroastrian and Parsee, was keen to explore musicianship as a young boy. With paternal musical influence, and despite his mother’s wish to study medicine, he explored music in Vienna.

With a penchant for conducting, Mehta showed commitment to the craft by forming his own orchestra while a student and conducting his first concert at a refugee camp near Vienna. From that day, Mehta resolved his devotion to conducting. Since then, he has held music directorships with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

Together with his brother Zarin, Mehta co-founded in 1995 the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation in Bombay in honour of their father. The not-for-profit continues to train the youth by promoting western classical music through the presentation of high-quality concerts and music education.

Mehta’s fervour, commitment to music and exemplary conductorship brilliance has surely maintained Australia’s appreciation of this engaged and worldly experienced maestro. We hope he continues to hold the baton and lead incredible orchestras for as long as possible.

SEPTEMBER 2022 19

Icc Men’s T20 World Cup Squad Announcements Australia

India

Australia have named the squad to defend the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup trophy, adding the firepower of a late-over specialist. In the biggest news surrounding the group, Tim David has been picked by the Australian selectors, formally completing the switch from Associate Member Singapore.

Captain Rohit Sharma and Coach Rahul Dravid are set to lead India in their first ICC event when they travel to Australia in October. Star pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel will return from injury, while all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja misses out on squad selection after sustaining a knee injury during the Asia Cup.

Pakistan

Bangladesh

Sri Lanka

Pakistan announced their 15-member squad, with the return of their pace sensation providing them with a major boost. Shaheen Afridi is currently undergoing rehab for a knee injury but is set to regain complete fitness before the T20 World Cup. Pakistan have named a similar squad that featured in the recently concluded 2022 Asia Cup, in which they finished as runners-up after losing the final to Sri Lanka by 23 runs.

Bangladesh named their squad with Shakib Al Hasan returning to lead the team as captain. With 10 losses in their 13 T20Is, Bangladesh has dropped veteran Mahmud Ullah along with several others from the team that played in the Asia Cup.

Captain Dasun Shanaka will once again lead Sri Lanka at the T20 World Cup in Australia. Key players Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara are named in the squad, but their participation will be subject to fitness. The Asia Cup champions will bring its winning momentum to Australia for the opening match of the tournament against Namibia on Sunday 16 October at Kardinia Park, Geelong.

Credit: t20worldcup.com 20 SEPTEMBER 2022

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SEPTEMBER 2022 21

ADVERTISEMENT

A profound ocean of equanimity Calm, composed and self-collected, Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s unflappable and imperturbable nature became a source of calming energy to all who came in contact with him

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he oceans are truly an utter mystery. We have mapped the surface of the moon and travelled to Mars, but only explored five percent of the ocean floor. The oceans are familiar to us since we visit them and see them regularly, but beneath the surface there is an immense depth that we cannot even begin to fathom.

Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s fifth spiritual successor, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s knowledge possessed a similar unintelligible depth shrouded in familiarity. In particular, his atmagnan (knowledge of the self as the soul) was unparalleled and cannot be fully described with words, even though many have witnessed it for many years.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s constant - and intense - spiritual travels were a testament to his deep-rooted atma-gnan.

On 28 September 1978, after traveling for days through several villages and visiting many hundred homes, Pramukh Swami Maharaj arrived in Kapura, a village in southern Gujarat. Sumanbhai Bhakta, a longtime devotee, was overjoyed at his arrival. Viveksagar Swami was delivering discourses, as Pramukh Swami Maharaj was turning his rosary. Viveksagar Swami noticed Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s face changing colour. He reached over and grabbed Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s wrist, to find that it was boiling hot. He immediately 22 SEPTEMBER 2022

ended the assembly and helped take Pramukh Swami Maharaj to the home of devotee Jitubhai Shah.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj collapsed onto the bed. While a doctor administered some medicine, Pramukh Swami Maharaj used his few remaining ounces of strength to whisper to the sadhus, “I hope Sumanbhai’s father is not offended. I wanted to stay for the whole assembly. I didn’t want to finish it early. We didn’t get to go to Mahendrabhai’s house. He has come all the way from Madhi.” Pramukh Swami Maharaj was totally spent, unable to even turn in bed. Despite this, at around 11:30 a.m., Pramukh Swami Maharaj made sure to ask about the food offered to Harikrishna Maharaj. Further examination of Pramukh Swami Maharaj revealed that he had developed jaundice and a gum abscess. Labhshankarbhai, a dentist from Rajkot who had come for Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s darshan, examined Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s condition and exclaimed, “Only Pramukh Swami Maharaj can tolerate so much pain.” After days of traveling from village to village and home to home, Pramukh Swami Maharaj did not express even a slight desire for rest.

Only after his body completely gave out did Pramukh Swami Maharaj agree to rest. His resilience was unmatched: after physically taxing travels, Pramukh

Swami Maharaj decided to endure an illness that eventually made him take mandatory bed rest. Had he expressed even the slightest discomfort before, the sadhus and devotees would have altered his schedule. But who could stop Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the guru who looked after everyone around him, from neglecting his own health for the sake of others?

Once, in 1984, when Pramukh Swami Maharaj arrived in Nadiad to perform the ground-breaking ceremony of a plot of land on which a mandir was to be constructed, a large thorn pierced the sole of his foot. An attending companion Janmangal Swami dressed the wound and bandaged Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s foot so that his attendant sadhus and devotees would not notice. However, he could not help but express his ire at the organisers of the event, deeming them irresponsible for not properly cleaning the grounds.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj, noticing Janmangal Swami’s frustration, called him close before his afternoon nap, and said, “Don’t get angry at anyone for what happened this morning. If one is destined to get hurt, then it doesn’t make a difference if he’s in a field or a room in a house; he’ll still get hurt.” His unperturbed response to physical pain was a natural, effortless expression of his atma-gnan.

Not once, even casually, had Pramukh Swami Maharaj mentioned his physical discomforts. While those with a superficial understanding of oneself as the atma may at least react in some way to such discomforts, Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s demeanour in such situations made it appear as if nothing had occurred. In all situations, Pramukh Swami Maharaj had naturally and effortlessly exhibited his atma-gnan, the state in which one behaves as the atma, experiencing the bliss of God, remaining unaffected by the ups and downs of the world. Pramukh Swami Maharaj was himself ‘Aksharbrahman’.

His realised state, atma-gnan, was intrinsic. In his entire life, regardless of the obstacle, Pramukh Swami Maharaj never became dejected. Moreover, at positive moments, Pramukh Swami Maharaj never over-rejoiced. He always remained equipoised. Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s understanding that the happenings of this world and body are temporary, and that the atma is eternal and blissful, undergirded his constant equanimity in all situations.

This article series aims to pay tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharaj of the BAPS movement in his birth centennial. To learn more about Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life and work, please visit www.pramukhswami.org

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SEPTEMBER 2022 23

INFLUENCER

Celebrating

brown beauty Sydney-based writer, content creator, and podcaster Alisha Bhojwani has been making quite a name for herself in the Australian beauty space in the last few years.

At the esmi haircare launch

by RHEA L NATH

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riter, content creator, and now podcaster, Sydney-based Alisha Bhojwani is likely to be a familiar face for skincare enthusiasts in Australia. She’s been making waves in the beauty space in the last few years, especially in her reviews specifically for South Asian skin.

“Growing up reading Cosmo and Marie Claire, no one looked like me, and their make-up tips and product recommendations ended up looking 24 SEPTEMBER 2022

completely different on my Indian features and skin tone!” she told Indian Link.

“My make-up journey started with trying to replicate the over-the-top glam style of the Kardashians, and I quickly realised it just didn’t suit me.”

Determined to meet this gap as a South Asian beauty influencer, she’s been making great strides on social media, drawing on her master’s degree in journalism from UTS. Some of her mainstream by-lines include Mamamia and Adore Beauty where she’s become a reliable ‘road-tester’ of dozens of mainstream products along with sharing her own skincare experience.

Alisha says all this is the result of a journey that’s been almost a decade in the making.

“I spent 10 years in marketing where I

built communities for major clients like Coke and eBay. It was when I had a bad health scare and was in the hospital for a while that I got the reality check I needed – this wasn’t what I wanted to be doing,” she explained.

Instead, she decided to use her years of self-taught skincare knowledge from trying on dozens of products and researching individual ingredients to build her own community online.

The Instagram page was activated and deactivated numerous times over the years.

Eventually, when the pandemic hit, Alisha found plenty of time on her hands when she was among thousands stood down by Qantas.

“I decided to take redundancy and continue working part-time – I think I had six roles in six months!” she laughed.

“Then two days before my 30th birthday, I decided to quit to take up writing and content creation full time.”

Two years in, her social media is a fun amalgamation of product reviews, reminders for self-love, make-up tips, and the occasional dating story.

“I’m single so sometimes I do share these stories. They’re not my mother’s favourite part of my Instagram content,” Alisha quipped. (‘Come for the skinfo/beauty tips, stay for the bad date stories,’ her Instagram bio jokingly reads.)

Earlier this year, she pivoted to podcasting as the host of the Skinfluence podcast alongside celebrity make-up artist Michael Brown. Some of the topics tackled in their two-season run so far have included how to replenish hungover skin, applying make-up based on specific eye shapes, tips for dry lips, and the effects of caffeine on your skin.

When it comes to addressing the most common skincare mistakes, Alisha ranks not using sunscreen right on top.

“I’ve heard people say things like ‘I’m from India, I’m used to the sun, I don’t need sunscreen’ but that’s not true at all! Regardless of your skin tone, everybody should be applying sunscreen – and reapplying it every two hours,” she elaborated.

“The next common skincare mistake people make, without even realising it, is constantly touching their face. It’s little things like scratching your face, leaning forward and resting your head on your head, that can spread dirt, oil, and bacteria from your hands to your face.

“And finally, a lot of people don’t cleanse their faces properly at the end of the day, especially if they’ve been wearing makeup. It’s important to double cleanse (using an oil-based cleanser followed by a waterbased cleanser) for 60 seconds, to really get

all the impurities of the day off your skin.”

It’s interesting for many observers how she works in this beauty space, fighting off comparisons to Eurocentric beauty standards on a daily basis.

“As representation grows in the media, we’re seeing different looks and sizes, so it’s quite surprising to me to see how deeply rooted beauty bias can be,” Alisha observed.

Born in Hong Kong to Indian parents she moved to Australia when she was five years old. She still recalls receiving bizarre ‘compliments’ about her look as an Australian of Indian origin – including being called ‘really pretty… for an Indian.’

She exclaimed, “What does that even mean? Is that supposed to be a compliment? There are so many different types of beauty, it’s beyond time to embrace all these different features!”

Ultimately, her main message for her community is to aspire for beauty that’s beyond skin deep.

“I always tell people to not solely focus on their skin and looks because looks will fade. Instead, focus on kindness, gratitude, how you can do your part to make others happy. Over the years, these are the little things I’ve started to appreciate and I now gravitate to people who radiate beauty and good energy from within,” she affirmed.

Up close and personal Your go-to skincare brands?

Murad, La Roche Posay, DMK (especially for hyperpigmentation), Skin Better, Alpha-H – I could go on!

Currently watching?

I just finished season 2 of Indian Matchmaking. It’s such a hate watch!

Your favourite beauty influencers?

Ruchi Page is a really talented Indian-origin content creator that I follow. She’s really creative with her makeup and she’s such a strong advocate for body positivity. My friend Liz Claire is another digital creator I follow, who discusses acne struggles, gut health, and self-love. Also, Hannah English is a skin scientist whose work I find fascinating.

Tips for those who want to get into content creation?

Just start! I know a lot of people stop themselves, wondering if they’re good enough, but the key is to be authentic and put out content that resonates with you, because that will definitely then resonate with others as well.

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SPORT

(Main image) Competing at Birmingham 2022; (Below) With coach Kateryna Logachova and on the podium; (Bottom) As a four-year-old at the Prahran Rhythmic Gymnastics Specialist Centre in Melbourne

Childhood passion reaps silver medal

Melbourne gymnast Ashari Gill looks back on her Commonwealth Games 2022 win

by RHEA L NATH

F

or even the uninitiated, observing a rhythmic gymnastics performance can be a fascinating experience, watching on as the performers combine their athletic prowess with dance and calisthenics.

According to 20-year-old Ashari Gill, the fascination began for her from watching the 2006 Commonwealth Games as a child.

“It was being held in Melbourne at the time and I was around four years old.

Shortly after, my mum took me to my first gymnastics class and I never looked back,” she told Indian Link with a grin.

Her own Commonwealth gymnastics journey came full circle last month when she won silver for Australia at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games alongside teammates Alexandra Kiroi-Bogatyreva and Lidiia Iakovleva.

The trio finished second on 268.650 points, ahead of England (267.050) and falling just

short of gold medallists Canada (272.950).

“It was one of the most enjoyable competitions that I’ve been to and it was really different from any of my previous experiences,” Ashari recalled. “The stadium was larger, the music was much louder, but it only added to the excitement. Most of all, the crowd was wonderful in cheering for all teams equally.”

Despite feeling well-prepared after three weeks of intensive training in Germany ahead of the Games, the Monash University student admits the nerves kicked in on the day.

“I remember getting jittery when I started to do my hair. To calm myself, I put on my AirPods and just tried to gather my thoughts,” she added.

Although “very nervous” during her first routine, the gymnast eventually settled in. As the day drew to a close, she was the last of her team to finish up their Commonwealth Games outing, performing her ribbon routine to Sonny Bono's 'Bang Bang' to receive a score of 25.200.

“The whole competition was quite fun!

After a point, it felt like I was performing rather than competing,” Ashari smiled.

To those unfamiliar with the rules of rhythmic gymnastics, the competition requires athletes to perform on a floor with an apparatus: ribbon, clubs, hoop, or ball. The difficulty of each routine looks at body difficulties like jumps or rotations, the choreography of the dance

steps and body expression, exchanges and collaborations of the group, and technical handling of the chosen apparatus. (Ashari says her strongest apparatus is probably the clubs - “it's also my favourite one,” she notes.)

Interestingly, she isn’t the only one in her family to enjoy the spotlight in the field of sports. Her grandfather Dhansiri Weerasinghe was once part of Sri Lanka’s national cricket team, playing between 1958 and 1969.

What are some of the major lessons she's learned over the years as an athlete?

“The first takeaway has definitely been sacrifice, learning to give up other commitments to be able to train and practice. I know I missed a fair bit of high school social events,” she admitted. “I've found that sports also inculcates a great work ethic. You've got to be disciplined and learn to manage your time wisely.”

Ashari now finds herself at cross-roads as one of the older competitors in the field, since becoming eligible to compete in senior-level competitions when she turned 16 years old.

She’s currently pursuing university fulltime after 1.5 years of part-time study to be able to train for the Games and views this period as “an interesting time.”

“I’m definitely taking my time to decide what I’d like to do now and what I’d like to achieve from here. It’s pretty exciting, though!” she signed off.

SEPTEMBER 2022 25

ਹੜ੍ਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਜ਼ੋਖਮ � ਜਾਣੋ। ਤੁਸ� ਇੱਕ ਅਿਜਹੇ ਇਲਾਕੇ ਿਵੱਚ ਰਿਹੰਦੇ ਹੋ ਿਜੱਥੇ ਹੜ੍ਹ ਆ�ਦਾ ਹੈ। ਸੁਚੇਤ ਰਹੋ। SES.NSW.GOV.AU/PUNJABI

26 SEPTEMBER 2022

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ACCOLADES

Bravery accolade for warding off bomb scare Brisbane’s Sukhbir Singh Seehra in national bravery awards

S

ukhbir Singh Seehra of Queensland is among 26 nationwide recipients in this year’s Australian Bravery Decorations, announced last month.

Recognised for his actions during a bomb threat at a hospital in Herston, Queensland three years ago, Seehra won a ‘Commendation for Brave Conduct’.

The incident occurred at the Psychiatric Emergency Centre of the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital where Seehra is a registered nurse.

“I was working in the morning shift where this consumer [the patient in question] came to the hospital requesting inputs on his mental health, as he had been going through a crisis,” Seehra told Indian Link.

“After the mental health assessment, he was asked to wait for a further review.

I noticed he was displaying agitated and aggressive behaviour. I overheard him saying to a co-consumer [another patient] that he was going to ‘blast this place’. His actions made me highly concerned as he lifted the front of his shirt and grabbed an

explosive-like device wrapped around his torso.”

Seehra immediately alerted the security personnel and phoned triple zero.

Three security officers stationed around leapt in and grabbed the patient. Seehra rushed in too and assisted in restraining him. Police arrived shortly afterwards and took control of the situation.

Seehra said all the staff members were shaken up despite security personnel being stationed in the department. Post the traumatic incident, Seehra and his colleagues were provided appropriate support in order to help them cope with what had transpired.

“I felt relieved that the incident ended with everyone safe,” Seehra recalled.

“I feel proud as to how I managed the situation. I was able to generate learning outcomes for the staff in relation to how to deal with serious situations of this nature.”

Currently a Mango Hill resident, Seehra arrived in Australia in 2007 from Punjab, India.

“I studied for a Bachelors’ degree

in Nursing at the Central Queensland University,” he said. “My placements in mental health really drew my interest in this field.”

When he finished uni in 2014, he started work at the Rockhampton Base Hospital’s Mental Health Inpatient Unit.

He then moved to Brisbane in 2017 to join the Mental Health Unit at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

“At the Psychiatric Emergency Centre I have been through multiple encounters of dealing with aggressive, agitated and drugaffected patients,” he mentioned.

The incident with the bomb scare has been recounted a few times at work as well as outside of it.

“It’s something to share with friends, family and my kids, to shed light on what we frontline healthcare workers deal with on a daily basis,” Sukhbir Singh Seehra noted.

The Australian Bravery Decorations recognise acts of bravery where people selflessly put themselves in jeopardy to protect the lives or property of others.

Manu Prakaash

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हम इस सर्दी में सुरक्षित रह सकते हैं nsw.gov.au पर जाएँ

•Extensive traditional and research based evidence

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Sapnaa Parmar - HHC Homeopathic Practitioner

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SEPTEMBER 2022 27

TRAVEL

Kimberley Cruising

Breathtaking rivers. Pristine reefs. Incredible tidal movements.

Fascinating wildlife. Ancient rock art. Intriguing history.

Petra at King George River

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cultural significance and meaning of this art.

Later on in the cruise, we visited the Bonaparte Archipelago, a rugged maze of islands composed of fractured sandstone providing rock shelters, with numerous examples of rock art. On Jar Island we went on a guided walk to view Gwion Gwion rock art believed to date back 30,000 years, the site also a midden or place where shell fish over the ages were cooked and eaten.

by PETRA O’NEILL

he wonders of the Kimberley are first revealed as your plane descends into Broome, the arid red earth of the outback contrasted with the turquoise waters of Roebuck Bay, where several humpbacks could be seen.

On arrival I explored Broome’s sights, the historic corrugated iron storefronts of Chinatown, and the broad expanse of Cable beach to watch a brilliant orange and red sunset. Next afternoon, I joined Ponant Cruises’ Le Soleal for a ten-night cruise along the Kimberley coastline to experience this vast wilderness, with wildlife, indigenous art, and breathtaking scenery.

Miraculous feats of nature

Next day we visited the Lacepede Islands, a significant breeding habitat for green turtles, and birds including Brown Boobies, Terns, Pelicans, Egrets and Oyster Catchers. The best way to explore is by zodiac for a close encounter with the many thousands of birds, the more inquisitive swooping down to take a closer look at us.

Lying to the east of the Buccaneer 28 SEPTEMBER 2022

History archipelago, the ancient landscapes of Collier Bay have been shaped by massive tidal movements. With a tidal range exceeding 14 metres, Collier Bay is one of the most incredible destinations I’ve ever seen. In the centre of the bay is Montgomery Reef, the world’s largest inshore reef system. As we approached the edge of the reef in zodiacs, as though by a force of nature, the black reef suddenly appeared, seemingly thrust upwards from the ocean, with water cascading down on all sides as the tide rapidly receded.

Massive tidal movements were also experienced the next day at the world’s only “Horizontal Falls.” As the tide receded, a raging torrent of water came surging towards us, squeezed from between two narrow sandstone cliffs. Returning later at low tide, the water line on the cliffs showed the height

of the tidal fluctuation. An environment that requires interpretation to yield its full value, Sam a geologist and member of the expedition team, explained the rock formations, as we explored in zodiacs.

Ancient indigenous art

Hidden in the many caves of this ancient landscape are examples of two kinds of rock art, Wandjina and Gwion Gwion that are unique to the Kimberley. At Freshwater Cove, we were welcomed by the traditional owners, Indigenous guides, who smeared our cheeks with orange ochre, before leading us to a sacred site, a rocky overhang with earth coloured ochre paintings depicting men and native animals in the Wandjinastyle. After a smoking ceremony we departed with a better understanding of the

Careening Bay was named by Lt. Phillip Parker King while surveying the northern coastline in 1820 after his ship, the Mermaid, underwent repairs. The ship’s name and year were inscribed on a giant boab tree. When I met with Captain Antoine Paquetlater in the bridge, he explained that the Kimberley is such a vast wilderness area that it is still largely unchartered, owing much to the navigational skills of our early explorers.

We also visited the site of a plane that crashed during WW2, and the successful rescue mission of all those on-board.

Curled beneath the wreckage was a large brown snake.

Teeming with wildlife

One of the most scenic parts of the Kimberley, the Hunter River is lined with

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King George River

Exploring in zodiacs

Travel Notebook n A small expedition cruise

sheer sandstone cliffs and extensive mud flats and mangroves, a rich habitat for wildlife. By zodiac we explored several of the river’s tributaries and Porosus Creek, the water the colour of chocolate.

Giant Raptors, Brahminy Kites and Black Cockatoos flew overhead, and in amongst the mangroves, were smaller birds including Kingfishers. Ahead of us, a green turtle popped its head up for air, and on the river bank were mud-covered crocodiles, the waves gently lapping their sides.

The journey on the King George River is breathtaking, the massive escarpment at the mouth of the river rising steeply upwards, the colours and textures of the sandstone changing from red, purple, pink and orange,

the surfaces from jagged to smooth to deeply pockmarked. Arriving at Twin Falls, we went up close for a refreshing splash, a spectacular day that also included flying over the Mitchell Falls by helicopter.

After a relaxing day at sea, we arrived at nightfall in Darwin, a vibrant tropical city with historic buildings, museums, fresh produce markets, great outdoor dining and a friendly relaxed lifestyle.

Taking in the vast wilderness landscape of spinifex tufts, eucalypts, wattles and giant boab trees, exploring rivers, pristine reefs and witnessing incredible tidal movements, will provide memories of a lifetime. The enormity and beauty of the Kimberley is truly overwhelming.

ship is the perfect way to explore the Kimberley.

Ponant, Silversea, APT, Coral Expeditions, True North and Seabourn offer cruises, generally of ten nights’ duration, ex Darwin or Broome, between March and September. March can be windy, and waterfalls dry up by season’s end. n Le Soleal has 132

elegant suites and staterooms, most with balconies, in beige, off white and chocolate tones. There are two restaurants, bars, a library, sun deck and pool, boutique, gym, steam room, and spa.

On-board entertainment is provided and lectures and recaps by the expedition team are informative.

Lacepede Island

n Your cruise, flights

La Soleal

and accommodation should be booked well in advance.Well located hotels include Mantra on the Esplanade in Darwin, and the Mangrove Hotel in Broome.

Montgomery Reef

SEPTEMBER 2022 29

1800 858 858 The number that changed my life Gambling too often, spending more than you can afford, or missing time with friends and family?

If you think gambling may be a problem for you or a loved one, call GambleAware and receive free, confidential support 24/7.

Visit gambleaware.nsw.gov.au/indian

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DAY OUT

This winning horse is called I’m Thunderstruck.

(Above, its trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr).

Horses, equine welfare, and so much more

M

An introduction to Victoria’s Spring Racing Carnival, by RAMA RAVINTHIRAN

elbourne celebrated the return of the Spring Racing Carnival at Flemington recently, with the Sofitel Girls Day Out event.

Hosted by the Victoria Racing Club (VRC), the Carnival brings three months of racing along with entertainment, fashion and fun – a uniquely Australian celebration the highlight of which is the Melbourne Cup, or “the race that stops the nation™”.

Founded in 1864, VRC is the largest member-based racing club in the world.

The Carnival begins each year with the Penfolds Victoria Derby Day, this year on Saturday 29 October 2022. One of the most prestigious days of racing in Australasia, it features four elite-level Group 1 races in the day’s nine-race program.

Penfolds Victoria Derby Day also sees the commencement of famous Myer Fashions on the Field. This year marks 60 years of the department store’s annual spring racing style competition, which is made extra special with the VRC’s recent announcement that it was ditching gendered categories. A Best Dressed and Best Suited racewear replaces the previous categories,

with all genders encouraged to enter either category based on their own personal style. A winner will be selected on Penfolds Victoria Derby Day, Lexus Melbourne Cup Day and Kennedy Oaks Day, who will go straight into the national final alongside a number of Australian states and territories and New Zealand finalists. The overall winner will be announced at the Kennedy Oaks Day on November 3 2022.

The Lexus Melbourne Cup falls this year on Tuesday, 1 November 2022. The spectacular event and the focal point of the carnival attracts upwards of at least 100,000 spectators with the richest prize in Australian sport to be won. Melbourne Cup is also the day to make the strongest fashion statement, where hats and a yellow rose in the lapel are essential. This is followed by the Kennedy Oaks Day, the ‘Ladies Day’ of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. It is the day where women of all ages come together dressed in their most feminine ensembles, with visitors often adding a pink rose to their signature style, the official flower of Kennedy Oaks Day. The Melbourne Cup Carnival concludes with the VRC

Champions Stakes Day on Saturday, 5 November 2022. The final day of the races features two Group 1 races and a relaxed fashion style, marked with a red rose on display, with a fun day out with family and friends.

This year I got to attend the Sofitel Girls Day Out, which featured an exciting nine-race program. As part of the VRC’s continued partnership with Living Legends, two champion equine athletes from the farm visited Flemington, which happens every race day. They can be found in the horse stalls but also parading around the Mounting Yard on a non-race day. Living Legends is an equine-welfare initiative that was designed and created to provide a safe and happy home for retired Australian champion racehorses. I got a chance to meet and feed the beautiful Fawkner and Fields of Omagh, who share a whopping 24 wins between them. The gentle giants were friendly and eager to meet visitors, with kids enjoying the interactions immensely.

We were then taken on a tour through the largest public rose garden in the Southern

Hemisphere, with over 16,000 rose bushes.

Plenty of beautiful benches along the walk proved to be a great photo spot. While on the walk we were shown the different facilities present at the racecourse, with a great member-only section for viewing and dining, matched with an equally amazing non-member section. With the ability to reserve tables for the day, it was a hasslefree experience to enjoy delicious vegetarian and meat-basedmeals available for purchase on site. Many families present brought along sumptuous picnic spreads from home to enjoy alongside meals bought. The young ones present were wonderfully entertained with pony rides and face painting.

Sofitel Girls Day Out was an amazing start to the Spring Race Season. First-time racegoers are highly recommended to attend Group 1 races that occur in the lead up to the Melbourne Cup Carnival, allowing the racegoer to participate in the festivities of Spring Racing without the hassle of the more popular race days.

Spring Racing is a truly Melbourne sporting event that everyone in the family can enjoy equally. Why not give it a try!

SEPTEMBER 2022 31

ENTERTAINMENT

cineTALK

September releases How many have you ticked off the list so far?

CUTTPUTLLI (Disney+Hotstar) In this remake of Tamil film Ratsasan (2018), Akshay Kumar plays the role of a new sub-inspector in Kasauli who is tasked with solving the murders of young teenage girls.

INDIAN PREDATOR: THE DIARY OF A SERIAL KILLER (Netflix)

FABULOUS LIVES OF BOLLYWOOD WIVES (Netflix)

In this second chapter of the true crime docuseries inspired by the exploits of Indian serial killer Raja Kolander, an Allahabad-based journalist is found murdered and a suspect is quickly found. However, a secret diary links the suspect to 13 more victims – and possible cannibalism.

Bollywood’s four glamorous wives Maheep Kapoor, Seema Sajdeh, Bhavana Panday and Neelam Kothari are back for a second season of their usual antics.

Prepare for banter, drama, and of course, a fair share of eye rolls (don’t say we didn’t warn you.)

PLAN A PLAN B (Netflix)

JOGI (Netflix) Singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh returns to the big screen with Jogi, a film about friends who band together to help their town during the anti-Sikh riots of 1984. He’s joined

by Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub and Saurabh Chauhan in supporting roles.

In this film starring Riteish Deshmukh and Tamannaah Bhatia, it’s the classic love story of opposites attract. Ever wondered what happens when a cynical divorce attorney falls for a matchmaker?

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HEARTBREAK HIGH (Netflix) The modern adaptation of the Network Ten series from the ‘90s centres on Amerie (played by Ayesha Madon) who finds herself estranged from her schoolmates after a wild stunt at Hartley High. It’s one of the most anticipated Australian shows of the year. Tell us if you believe it’s lived up to the original.

BRAHMĀSTRA: PART ONE – SHIVA (in cinemas)

DAHAN: RAAKAN KA RAHASYA (Disney+Hotstar)

One of the most expensive Indian films made to date has finally hit cinemas. Starring Ranbir Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Alia Bhatt, Mouni Roy, and Nagarjuna Akkineni, this action adventure film centres on DJ (Kapoor) who learns about his strange connection to fire, and his ability to awaken the Brahmastra, a supernatural weapon.

Sent to Rajasthan’s Shilaspura to resolve a conflict between a mining company and the locals, a disgraced IAS officer (played by Tisca Chopra) finds herself thrown into the town’s occult practices, mixed with suicides, mysterious disappearances, and more.

What happens next?

DHOKHA: ROUND D CORNER (in cinemas) What happens when a homemaker with a personality disorder and a husband accused of cheating on his wife have different versions of reality? Find out in this thriller, starring R Madhavan, Aparshakti Khurana, Darshan Kumar, and Khushalii Kumar.

CHUP: REVENGE OF THE ARTIST (in cinemas)

JAMTARA SEASON 2 (Netflix)

Starring Sunny Deol, Dulquer Salmaan, Pooja Bhatt, and Shreya Dhanwanthary, this romantic psychological thriller is directed by R Balki. It follows the story of a lonely film director who casts a new actress in his film, and the drama that unfolds when she becomes a superstar.

The much-acclaimed series is back for a second season, providing a realistic portrayal of cyber scams in India.

The usual characters of Jamtara – the school drop-outs, the corrupt politician, and the police officer determined to end their scams – are all slated to return.

VIKRAM VEDHA (in cinemas) This remake of the hit Tamil film of the same name stars Saif Ali Khan as a tough cop (Vikram) hunting down a formidable gangster Vedha, played by Hrithik Roshan. The remake is also helmed by the original directors, married duo Pushkar-Gayathri.

PONNIYIN SELVAN: PART ONE (in cinemas) BABLI BOUNCER (Disney+Hotstar) In this film by Madhur Bhandarkar, as the name suggests, Tamannaah Bhatia stars as a woman who defies stereotypes to become a female bouncer, set against the backdrop of northern India.

The first of two cinematic adaptations of the 1955 novel Ponniyin Selvan, this Mani Ratram film stars an ensemble cast of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Vikram, Karthi, Jayaram, and Aishwarya Lekshmi, among others. The story follows the early days of Arulmozhivarman, one of the most powerful kings in the Chola Empire.

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Positions Vacant - SBS Board

Applications are invited to fill 2 upcoming vacancies for the role of non-executive Director on the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) Board.

The successful candidates will demonstrate high-level leadership and vision, as well as a commitment to the highest standards of governance and personal and professional integrity. Candidates must understand, or have the ability to represent, the communication needs of Australia’s multicultural society, and possess an understanding of the media environment, the role of the SBS as a multicultural broadcaster, its Charter and its place within the Australian community.

Candidates for the SBS Board must also demonstrate knowledge of or experience in at least one of the following fields: the media industry, including broadcasting and digital media; business or financial management; corporate governance; cultural policy; or industrial relations.

The application process will be conducted by an independent Nomination Panel. At the end of the process, the Panel will provide a report containing a shortlist of at least 3 nominated candidates for each position to the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, Minister for Communications. The Minister will then make a recommendation to the GovernorGeneral, who has responsibility for appointing non-executive Directors to the SBS Board.

The principles of equal opportunity and diversity will apply to the selection process.

First Nations people are encouraged to apply.

Please visit www.infrastructure.gov.au/abc-sbs-board-appointments for further information about this process, including detailed selection criteria and a link to the application form.

The selection criteria for this position is provided by the Special Broadcasting Service Corporation (Selection criteria for the appointment of non-executive Directors) Determination 2013, which is available at: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/ F2013L02090 For further information, please contact Helen Johnson at Challis & Company on 02 8039 2223 or at sbs@challis.co To apply: Please complete and submit the application form (from the link above), along with your curriculum vitæ (CV) to sbs@challis.co. Please note: submitting a completed application form and CV are mandatory parts of the process.

Applications close at 12 noon (AEST) on Monday 19 September 2022.

*Conditions apply. Limited period only.

Contact Harjit today! Call: 0412 254 015 Fax: (02) 9920 1044 web: virdiengineers.com.au

34 SEPTEMBER 2022

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FORETELL

September 2022

BY MINAL KHONA

Minal Khona has been reading tarot cards for the last two decades. She uses her intuition and connect with the cards mostly to help people.

aries

TAURUS

TAROT GEMINI

CANCER

March 21 - April 19

April 20 - May 20

May 21 - June 20

June 21 - July 20

The card signifying Aquarius drawn by Aries indicates they could be less impulsive and more practical this month. You might even meet an Aquarian. Financial stability is what you seek, so apply a practical approach to succeed. Singles could meet someone unique and interesting. Work environment changes for the better. Those choosing professions could consider healthcare.

Adopt an alternate therapy lifestyle. What you desire will come to you despite the wait.

Be clear about your objectives and look at problems as opportunities.

Expect to walk away from situations or people that you have outgrown. A destiny card, the chariot makes you seek more than what exists in your life right now. Keep mental and emotional aspects in balance. A dilemma will resolve itself. Slow down or exhaustion could cause health problems. Confront those who owe you, if you want to recover your money. Someone will disillusion you causing you to wonder whether it is worth it. Things will work out better than you thought they would.

You may want to focus on your intuition and feelings rather than practical chores this month. The lack of a fulfilling element in your life will have you seek spiritual guidance.

People will test your patience; but it is more to do with your lack of clarity.

Some of you may want to procrastinate at work or look for something more creative. Those wanting a baby might just get pregnant. Money can be delayed but it will come eventually. Think positive.

Singles could attract a new romantic partner. A problem concerning the home needs to be handled. Work gets better as new projects, or a raise, lift your spirits. Emotional changes that are coming may make you feel uncomfortable. Some of you may fall sick so take care of your health.

Financially, you are at a stage where you are laying the foundation for the future, so money comes in slowly and in small amounts. Wait for things to change on their own.

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

July 21 - Aug 22

Aug 23 - Sep 22

Sep 23 - Oct 22

Oct 23 - Nov 21

A good month as you have a sense of emotional abundance. Singles will look for more depth in their next relationship.

A trip may have to be postponed. Work life sees some ups and downs but all will end well. Mood swings could affect your sleep. The success you seek will come but, in a form different from what you had expected. Keep in mind that the universe makes no mistakes. Focus on those things that give you a sense of fulfilment.

Singles could be let down and not want to pursue someone they are dating. Progress on the work front is slow, and anxiety about money dominates. A person or an event will help you change a negative situation to a positive one. Some of you may experience depression because nothing seems to be working out. Take time to relax or exhaustion and anxiety could affect your health. Don’t worry about money as financial gains are round the corner.

A difficult month for Librans as self-doubt, conflict in relationships and losses could occur. Someone you know may have a health problem or an injury that needs medical attention. Colleagues could be difficult, causing arguments. Your anxiety is due to being overstressed physically and mentally; take it easy. Watch out for falls or minor accidents around the home.

You may spend on a spiritual cause. Avoid a poverty of spirit mindset and focus on what you have instead of what you lack.

If any aspect of your life has been stagnating, you can now expect a revival.

Singles could fall madly in love, or an ex could rekindle a past relationship. In some matters, things start falling into place synergistically. Focus on your goals at work; it will make you more assertive too. If you are looking to sell a home, it will get sold. The self-employed could enter into a partnership. Stress could cause health issues that could be hard to identify.

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18

Pisces

Feb 19 - March 20

A relationship could see a breakdown of sorts but you will be reunited. Things may seem really bad or stressful, but the only way out from here is up.

You or someone you know may need hospitalisation. At work, with new ideas you can expect to shine and gain success. A break-up could leave you quite depressed. You may inherit some money or through multiple sources like a settlement or new business. Use this low phase in your life to grow spiritually.

Problems could bog you down.

Your workload is heavy, and you wonder when all this hard work will get you more money. A relationship could be rocky but you will not break up. On the other hand, those who have broken up will not be able to reconcile.

The devil card also stands for marriage so now would be a good time to propose. Financial difficulties could surface, but you can recover lost income in the near future.

You sense the barriers holding you back and now seek those who are in alignment with your beliefs. This includes opportunities in your career too. Those in a relationship could feel it is going nowhere and that it lacks depth. Seek answers within for external fears and anxieties.

A cold or other respiratory problems could occur. Letting go of the past, loss, and attachments take you closer to your goals. Any delays in all round progress are divinely ordained so be patient.

You could be at a point in life where the decision you make will make all the difference. Go with your gut instinct on this one. The universe will send the kind of partner you have been looking for, if you are single.

Some of you may be looking to move home or move in with a partner.

Work can get unpleasant but tensions will ease gradually. Some of you may be low on energy. Count your blessings, though.

Nov 22 - Dec 21

Dec 22 - Jan 19

SEPTEMBER 2022 35

backchat

ASK AUNTYJI

Do you have a question for Auntyji?

Email it to info@indianlink.com.au

I like to go out, she likes to stay home Dear Auntyji As much as my wife is the loveliest lady on earth, she has a habit that really irritates me sometimes. And this is around the subject of my going out.

You see Auntyji, a few years ago my lovely darling decided that she wasn’t going to go out socialising with people.

She said she had had enough of friends, and she wanted to detach from public life. She wanted to be by herself and ruminate on thoughts instead of doing small talk with sahelis. Mind you Auntyji, she said all this before COVID, so it’s as though she knew what was coming and prepared for it. In any case, the problem is with what I do.

Sometimes I go out and come back with a cold or be a bit dusty. My wife shows me zero sympathy. And when I cough and sneeze and say how sick I am, she replies with the sweetest sarcasm, oh don’t worry, you will be better just in time for golf, or for your next party etc. Now Auntyji, is it my fault that I miraculously get cured just before a party? Must my wife put a dent on my going out with her caustic observations? Tell me what I should say?

Auntyji says Arre you haraami, what makes you think that a billa like you is going to get even a teaspoon of hamdardi from me? I think I have you all worked out, and if you thought your lovely darling had a caustic zubaan, wait till I finish giving you my masala. So it appears to me that a party boy like you is always trying to paint the shaher red.

From one party to another, you lurch, like a teenage lothario. And you probably prioritise going out over time spent with your beloved, you besharam kamina.

So then, off you go partying. Then when you party so hard that you come home as dusty as the Thar desert, and you are parched and all you want is sympathy from your beloved, she looks at you and sees that you have brought all this shame, this kalank, on yourself. Your indulgence makes you ill. And then, probably during the entire week you moan and groan and carry on - but

by Wednesday your groans become less petulant, by Thursday your sighs of sorrow diminish remarkably and

by Friday, you are a billa ready for a top notch night on the town. Your wife sees you do this and being smart, she has assessed the patterns. So then when you complain like a little dayan, she has zero humdardi for you. Have you no sharam, you zaalim? Have you no akal either to see that you bring this on yourself, you kaala nimbu? Are you a man or a bottle of daru - looking for the next merry companion? Arre paapi, paap mukti mujse nahi milegi. Unless you change your behaviour, be prepared to tolerate your beloved’s kadwi zubaan. That’s exactly what a shaitaan-e-nana deserves.

1800 858 858 Gambling doesn’t just affect gamblers, it impacts their loved ones as well.

If someone you care about gambles too often, spends more than they can afford, or misses time with friends and family, it may also affect you.

If gambling is impacting your life, call GambleAware 24/7 for free, confidential support.

Or visit gambleaware.nsw.gov.au/indian

36 SEPTEMBER 2022

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SEPTEMBER 2022 37

Police can be anywhere at anytime.

The Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee pilot program provides up to $812 a year of sick and carer’s pay when you’re sick or need to care for a loved one.

Check your eligibility and sign up now on the Service Victoria app Need an interpreter? Call TIS National on 131 450 and ask for the Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee hotline

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Police are out day and night to keep everyone in the community safe.

If you break the law while driving, you could receive large fines and lose your licence.

Don’t take risks while driving and follow the road rules or chances are you will be caught.

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