YOUR SAY

SP o TLIGHT o N THE mo NARCHY

PAWAN LUTHRA wrote about the growing movement for an Australian Republic, especially among members of the multicultural community

Maurice Newman wrote: The Queen was not a transgressor but simply the inheritor of the crown under which over 100 years ago, atrocities undoubtedly occurred. If the logic is to disrespect the Queen for her heritage rather than acknowledge her positive actions, such as her support for sanctions against South Africa and the independence of the colonies, Indians should be persecuting all Muslims for their attempted genocide of Hindus over some 800 years and seeking an apology and restitution from Iran. No doubt the death of the Queen evoked both positive and negative feelings amongst everyday Indians. That there were two weeks of national mourning and that the President met with the new king, suggest that India is looking forward and embracing the British legacy of democracy and the rule of law rather than dwell on the negatives of empire. As we in Australia have experienced, in a practical sense, apologies for past transgressions are meaningless. The return of a diamond apparently lawfully given, may bring comfort to some but is unlikely to benefit the average Indian. For Indians and outside observers, Queen Elizabeth was a force for good and it is that which will live after her.

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.

Renu Datta wrote: [It’s] time to debate. Nice article.

o N DURGA PUJA PANDALS IN ko L k ATA

This fascinating Durga Puja pandal in Bakulbagan, Kolkata, inspired by Van Gogh's Starry Night, took your fancy. (Pic: TathagathaNeogi/ Twitter)

Anagha N Meher wrote: This is just amazing. Breaking from the stereotype décor and thinking out of the box... so good.

Priyam Mohapatra wrote: It’s been good to be out and about this year after the pandemic. Amongst the pandals we had St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Burj Khalifa, Lord’s Pavillion (with Sourav Ganguly himself making an appearance, no less), a pet-themed pandal, an opulent rajbari (mansion) theme, and one in tribute to popular singer KK who passed this year after a performance.

Being forced to wear hijab and being forced to remove it are forms of state control that Muslim women around the world are resisting. Bodily autonomy is at the core of human freedom.

Laila Lalami, author

50 Years In Australia

Australia was a little different when LP AYER and wife Jaya landed here way back in 1972.

Arun wrote: Well written and why won’t it be! A journalist and a librarian all rolled into one.

Latha Pandya wrote: Really positive story. Wish it was longer!

Renee Moses wrote: Amazing how they made it considering we were only allowed to take 3 pounds out in my day. But I had relatives here to bail me out. Great story. Thanks for sharing.

Amit Narwal wrote: Great story and quite a struggle to adjust into different country.

Pallavi Grandhi wrote: Fun reading this.

Kapila Ruby wrote: Great anecdote Mr Ayer. Would love to read more about your life journey after coming to this great country named Australia.

Roopa Mrudul wrote: Amazing, every immigrant has a story… Proud to be Australian, this country has given us a lot.

Prerana PB wrote: Amazing journey! An inspiration to all of us. We landed here just 4 years ago, and it’s been the same journey since then, [from] living at some relative’s house to landing our first job. Many linguistic terms difficult to understand at first! Would love to read more of your story.

Gizelle Daniel wrote: Thank you for sharing your story.

Sonya Coelho wrote: We migrated to Melb in 1974 from Mumbai, with the same surname Iyer.

Sandra Steel wrote: Fabulous story!

G AR bA AT N E w Yo R k’S T I m ES Sq UARE

You liked and shared our dance video on the occasion of Navratri, prompting all kinds of comments, not all congratulatory.

Pooja Mandal Pandit wrote: I don’t know much about garba, but your steps are clear and mesmerising.

Minal Panchal wrote: But nobody seems to be watching…?

Garfield Jones wrote: Garba looks good when performed in a large group.

Jaymin Bhatt wrote: Garba always brings happiness.

Dalip Thukral wrote: Pleasing to watch. Next time go for higher participation of Garba dancers.

Sandhya Hegde wrote: Not graceful at all –all that hair movement.

Lachhhhman Karamchandani wrote: Wow. Beautifully performed.

Satyam Venkata Mahendra wrote: Very different style of garba. Cool!

Karthic Ashokan wrote: But there is no idol? Garba is a religious dance, not for fun or “reels content”.

Ferns Art wrote: Garba reached Times Square. Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango reached India years ago.

Neither the Viennese, the English nor the Argentinians boasted about it.

Bhim B Thakulla wrote: Best advertisement for Thor: Love and Thunder, in garba style too! (Referring to film posters visible in the background.)

Nikhil Agrawal wrote: Can anyone share the song name?

Kalpash Parakh wrote: Goosebumps.

No amount of scholarly expertise on an issue will ever be more valid than expertise gained from lived experience. Please remember this before telling a person from a marginalised group you don't belong to that they're wrong because your research contradicts their experience.

Dr Ashleigh Haw, academic

EY AUSTRALIA UNDER THE m ICRo SC o PE

The community weighed in on the appointment of high-profile lawyer Elizabeth Broderick AO to lead a review of EY’s workplace culture, one month after senior auditor Aishwarya Venkatachalam’s suicide at its Sydney office.

Sriraman Annaswamy wrote: HEARTENING to see a veteran investigator renowned for her strong independent character like Elizabeth Broderick take up the role to carry out the investigation into this tragic demise of our community member, Aishwarya Venkatachalam. Not sure whether Elizabeth Broderick has the racial background and cultural understanding on how Indian accountants and auditors are made to work in Big Four "centres of excellence" in India and then brought here to work for them 10 to 15 hours a day, but am sure she'll figure it out.

Krishna Neelamraju wrote: Very sad. I hope the investigation goes beyond the logos of ‘corporate culture’ and touches upon the pathos of migration. And how EY and other mass employers of migrants spend next to no resources to help with that transition. Can’t do it without diverse representation including migrant voices on the investigating team. I hope the accomplished team at Elizabeth Broderick & Co ensures that.

Menaka Iyengar wrote: This is typical. Racism and bullying are often described as jokes and light-hearted banter between colleagues. NOT true! I have experienced many such interactions during my 50 years in Australia –from a lowly Admin Asst to HR Director.

w HERE IN INDIA

On the occasion of Eid-e-Milad, we asked you to recognise this mosque and dargah, one of the most recognisable landmarks in the city which hosts it. Where is it and what is it called?

CAPTIoN CoNTEST

We asked, what’s the chitchat here between Kamal Hassan and Ranveer Singh?

Pavneet Kaur won a movie ticket for her response: Kamal Hassan: Beta, ab toh sunglasses utaar do, raat ho gayi hai. Ranveer Singh: Yeh mera isshtyle hai, aap nahi samjhoge.

Padmini Sunderaj wrote: Kaisa hai yeh bandhan, anjaana?

Smita Pawar Nashikkar wrote: Tu kapde pehen kar aaya, kya baat hai.

Gaurav Sabharwal wrote: Kya Kamal muchhi hai aapki.

Kunal Anil Sharma wrote: Kamal: Finally you dress like a normal human being.

Hitarthi Doshi Mehta wrote: Kitne paise bacha liye tune?

Poonam Gupta wrote: Ranveer: Dada, woh Chachi 420 wale kapade do na mujhe pehanane ko

Rachna Gupta wrote: Kamal: Don't underestimate the power of dhai kilo ka haath.

Arix Bishnoi wrote: Kamal: Wearing a suit! Kya hua, Deepika hide her clothes? Ranveer: Na, this is her suit.

Ritika Maggu wrote: Kamal: Aaj bade saaf suthre kapde pehne hain!

w HERE IN oZ

A beautifully broken-down wreck, which has miraculously sprouted a lush forest of mangrove trees. Where in Australia can you find this?

This must’ve been an easy one – readers Chitra Iyer, Mahak Bhalla Dhingra, Arix Bishnoi, Gunjan Mathur, Maurya Morya, and Yash Shah-Tai guessed right: Haji Ali Dargah, off the coast of Mumbai.

It is so refreshing to see a South Asian protagonist who has a storyline beyond having strict parents or an arranged marriage. Love Heartbreak High so much.

Avani Dias, South Asia Correspondent, ABC News

For us who are Asian-Australian, it is of course about us. But it can't just be about us. This is bigger and larger than us. It’s about ensuring that Australia lives up to its promise. That Australia lives up to its very best.

Tim Soutphommasane’s keynote address at the 2022 40 Under 40 Asian Australian awards

Get the best of Indian Link straight in your inbox. Scan the QR code to sign up to our weekly enewsletter

Mayor Lisa Lake -