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All things Indian. In Australia.

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Indian Link EXCLUSIVE PM ALBANESE WRITES Reflections on India trip

C e l e b r a t i n g 2 8 y e a r s a n d 2 5 M u l t i c u l t u r a l M e d i a A wMARCH a r d2023 s1 Level 24/44 Market St, Sydney 2000 • GPO Box 108, Sydney 2001 • Ph: 18000 15 8 47

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EDITORIAL All things Indian. In Australia.

PUBLISHER Pawan Luthra

Atithi Devo Bhava

EDITOR Rajni Anand Luthra CONTRIBUTORS Torsha Sen, Suhayla Sharif, Virat Nehru, Nayantara Lama, Salma Shah, Aneeta Menon, Prutha Chakraborty, Gaurav Masand, Petra O’Neill, Minal Khona, Auntyji SALES AND MARKETING Charu Vij ADMN Drishya Sharma Images from Anthony Albanese’s India visit Courtesy Dean Sherr; Pallav Paliwal 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

by PAWAN LUTHRA

A

tithi Devo Bhava. This is an old Indian adage that Anthony Albanese has probably never heard. But on his first visit to India as Australian Prime Minister, he got to experience it in full measure.

Translated literally from Sanskrit, the term means “The guest is equivalent to God”. It comes from the ancient Hindu scripture Taittiriya Upanishad (6th century BC), and is a guideline for engaging with visitors: regardless of where they come from, or who they are, welcome them warmly and treat them with utmost respect.

Prime Minister Albanese’s visit to India was pivotal to setting up the agenda for Australia’s partnership with India over the next decade. He and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi are both likely to remain at their jobs for most of this decade, and from a strategic point of view, their chemistry needs to be right.

Indian PM Narendra Modi has shown himself to be an astute leader in international affairs, having walked

the fine line between America under Donald Trump and America under Joe Biden, an independent stance against the European Union and their diplomatic war against Russia, a balance between the hairline politics of the Middle East, and success in neutralising the politics against Pakistan. That all this is happening against a backdrop of India’s emerging economic strength as it becomes the fifth largest economy in the world, adds weight to India’s international credentials.

Australian PM Albanese has been in the job for just under 10 months but has positioned himself as a strong and charismatic leader which has surprised many. After three years of COVID-caused virtual meetings, it was important that Australia engage favourably with India, increasing the momentum built by Scott Morrison and to a large extent Tony Abbot first as Prime Minister and then as special trade envoy.

This visit by PM Albanese had strong optics which clearly built on the narrative that both governments wanted to convey. Arriving on the day of Holi, a festival of colour and bonhomie, photos of PM Albanese showered with golden petals and the strategic Holi colours were plastered across all traditional and social media. Again, there’s nothing

like the backdrop of giant warships and fighter jets to convey the impression of a strong and powerful leader. PM Albanese striding confidently on the deck of Indian warship INS Vikrant and headlines that he was the first foreign leader to do so, conveyed this message appropriately enough. Also the giant billboards of the two PMs showed the importance of this relationship, which was further on display as the two leaders took a friendship lap around the 132,000-capacity Modi stadium.

If pictures can tell a story, there are many to be told in these visuals.

The stories which did raise an eyebrow or two, included the omission of discussion around coal, which makes up 70% of the $24 billion trade between the two countries. With India’s unsatiable demand for coal and Australia’s commitment to a cleaner world, this topic warrants more debate.

Also, many have criticised the need for a dictatorial-style sycophantic lap around the cricket ground: uncalled for, it has led to discussions on cult-type politics in India.

But what is a visit to India not without a controversy. India can both excite and frustrate.

Luckily, this time round, Albo’s visit was without doubt more of the former.

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contents 20

special features NSW VOTES Indian links in NSW elections

14

IWD 2023

Women in tech: How to build leadership skills

IWD 2023

Naa-two! Two Academy Awards for India

FOOD

International Year of Millets

14 29

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Using tech to empower women

OSCARS

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27 29

cOVER sTORY

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ALBO IN INDIA

EXCLUSIVE: PM writes his reflections

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KEEP NSW MOVING FORWARD Authorised by Chris Stone, Level 2, 131 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000

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YOUR SAY All things Indian. In Australia.

SYDNEY

FEBRUARY 2023

Vol. 30 No. 5

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Indian links in Australia Day honours

THE NEW CENTRE FOR AUSTRALIA-INDIA RELATIONS Pawan Luthra spoke with Swati Dave, the inaugural Chair of CAIR, soon after she took over the role Natasha Jha Bhaskar wrote: Excellent insights, Pawan Luthra and Swati Dave, with a dedicated focus on business literacy, outcomes, sharing the contemporary India growth story, and harnessing the diaspora’s valuable cultural intelligence – as key stakeholders and advocates of this bilateral relationship.

Sheba Nandkeolyar wrote: Great interview. I love that Swati Dave is so driven.

Senthil Palaniswamy wrote: I think the Australian Government has selected the right candidate for this role. Wish you all the best in your role as Chair of CAIR, Swati.

Bala Balachandran wrote: Fantastic news to forge the India-Australia alliance even more.

FEBRUARY 2023 1 128772_06 Holi 2023 Press Media Local 250x82.indd 1

OUR FEBRUARY ISSUE

Level 24/44 Market St, Sydney 2000 • GPO Box 108, Sydney 2001 • Ph: 18000 15 8 47

03/02/2023 1:02 PM

Indian links in Australia Day honours 2023 IFFM wrote: Our festival director Mitu Bhowmick Lange is on the cover page of Indian Link. Are we excited or what?!

Kersi Meher-Homji wrote: What a colourful issue. And loving the calendar too.

Suhel Sharma wrote: There’s three of your calendars on the walls in my house – in three different rooms.

Deepa Rathore wrote: Good reading on Australia Day honourees.

Congratulations to all.

Ravi Ravichandhira wrote: Narmatha is privileged to be one of 68 artists and arts workers honoured on this day. ArtsHub says this translates to 6.49% of ALL Australia Day 2023 Order of Australia inductees hailed from the arts and cultural sector. Feeling grateful.

OM RUDRAYA NAMAH

WOMEN IN TECH: DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP SKILLS SALMA SHAH, an Indian-origin industry leader, shared pointers for women in Australia’s tech sector to get ahead Molly Vohra wrote: While I do see some validity to the points made here, one of the most critical things we need to do is, instead of looking inward at what women are doing wrong (or not enough in this case), focussing more on what changes we want to see in workplaces to make them more inclusive for both women and culturally diverse people in general. Only when we start the discussion on what is missing from organisations for women to succeed, is when there will be change and inclusion.

SAY IT AGAIN 8 MARCH 2023

I came (to India first) in 1991 with a backpack and I caught trains, the video buses overnight, hitched rides... I’m doing it a bit different now, I’ve brought my own plane.

Anthony Albanese

A wonderful tribute to Lord Shiva, sent to us on Mahashivratri by 11-year-old artist Anuradha Archer-Sharma Dravidian Art wrote: Beautiful work.

Priya Shinde wrote: How nice.

A great festival-time activity making drawings and creating art works relevant to the theme of the day. I’m sure this young artist learnt a lot about Shiva (if she did not already know about him before) while engaged in this drawing.

Another activity can be colouring-in. Imagine the questions that can crop up.

Why crescent moon? Why skulls? Why snake?? Why drum??

Rakesh Yadav wrote: Jai Bholenath.

The Australian Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell shared something interesting. He was taught by a Mrs Ebert in Grade 1, she left a deep impact on his life and credits for his educational grounding.

Mrs Ebert (and her family) migrated from Goa to Adelaide in the 1950s and became a teacher. I was happy to hear this anecdote, which underlies the rich cultural connect between India and Australia.

Narendra Modi

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EXTRAORDINARY CRICKET OBSERVATIONS

CAPTION CONTEST

You’re loving the quirky pieces that KERSI MEHER-HOMJI, cricket statistician extraordinaire, has been offering up this Border-Gavaskar series Ranjan Mahapatra wrote: Did not know the Abbas Ali Baig connection to the Cadbury India ads!

Pammi Bhalla wrote: This is amazing. Does Kersi Meher-Homji have similar Indian cricket trivia/stats/gems with other cricket-playing nations?

Keshava Murthy wrote: Enjoyed memorable trivia. Fantastic memory of Kersi. Also, about ‘Jaadu’ and ‘Baidi’: a very nice article depicting the feats of these two spinners as only Kersi can describe!

Patricia Kumar wrote: Love this one: “On the third day of the third test in the ‘3’ sponsored test series in Melbourne in 2003, Australia was at one stage 3 for 333, trailing India by 33 runs.” How can he even…?

Upanshu Sharma wrote: Remarkable collection. Wonderful read.

What’s the Holi banter, we asked, between Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra here?

Rashida Tayabali won a free movie ticket wrote for her response: I said I was sorry for making you eat dal the other night!

Libran Lily wrote: Uff ye Holi, haye ye Holi.

Rashida Tayab Ali wrote again: Blue is NOT my colour, Nick!

Vandana Mathur wrote: Help! I thought he was a white tiger. My dil is dhadkoing too fast!

Pavneet Kaur wrote: My asthma doesn't kick in on Holi so I'm coming back for you.

Smita Pawar Nashikkar wrote: Bhaag kahan rahi hai. Aaj mauka mila hai pure saal ka gussa nikalne ka Medha Vikas wrote: Priyanka, you’ve woken the baby up with your Holi hungama – how dare you!

HOLI WITH PETS

WHERE IN INDIA The highest peak in India, standing at 8586 metres above sea level, is also known as the ‘five treasures of snow’. Where in India?

Keeping your pet safe during Holi Uma Patel wrote: Good to see this concern for the wellbeing of our pets on festivals like Holi and Diwali.

Cactuslessons wrote: Raising awareness – we call that ‘careness’.

WHERE IN OZ This was one of the filming locations of the famous song Tanhayi in the Hindi film Dil Chahta Hai, starring Aamir Khan. Where in Oz?

Readers Smita Pawar Nashikkar and Bhanu Kothari got the right answer: Kanchenjunga, Darjeeling

Having the pleasure of hearing The Triffids and The Go Betweens on the sitar was unexpected and extremely touching.

Anthony Albanese

All my efforts to deliberately not use cricket analogies to describe the Aust-India relationship have failed spectacularly today Baani Grewal, India-Australia analyst, after stadium chariot ride in Ahmedabad

Readers Clarion Pereira, Smita Pawar Nashikkar, Arina Banik Sil, Rameshwar Roy,and Amit Sharma got it right: Waverley cemetery, NSW

There were SO MANY questions from India when ALP won election.

Albo has well and truly shown them.

Erin Watson, public policy analyst

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COVER STORY

Albanese visit: The view from India Trade, education, defence, cricket - and Holi - made the headlines during Australian PM Anthony Albanese’s visit. NAYANTARA LAMA reports from India

I

f goals are to be set, this one is pretty high.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s recently concluded visit to India is expected to boost trade ties between India and Australia to $100 billion in the next five years, instead of $50 billion as projected after the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) came into effect last year.

The two countries are inching towards formalising a Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) by the end of the year. The sectors that would see an uptick in trade would include critical minerals, mobility, education, sports and defence.

In the critical minerals sector, crucial to India, some progress has already been made. India has a huge requirement for lithium, for use in manufacturing batteries in Electric Vehicles. It is hoping that it can increase imports from Australia, which has vast reserves of lithium and cobalt. India is looking at making investments in critical mineral projects to develop supply chains between the two countries.

There have also been significant talks on grid connectivity, allowing surplus power to be shared.

The Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement has resulted in zero duty on 96 per cent of India’s exports to Australia and 85 per cent of Australia’s exports to India.

Meanwhile, Indians are literally celebrating the fact that there will soon be a campus of Deakin University in India, where they can send their children.

“My daughter is in senior school and

10 MARCH 2023

hearing the news of Deakin University setting up a campus here have heightened our hopes of her getting an international degree in an India-based campus,” Shakuntala Bahl, a New Delhi-based mum told Indian Link. “This would mean a much lower investment for us as compared to sending her to Australia.’’

University of Wollongong is also on the starting blocks to set up a campus in India and more Australian universities are expected to follow.

India and Australia are also in the process of recognising each others’ educational degrees which would facilitate those looking at working in either country.

The first ever Mechanism for the Mutual Recognition Educational of Qualifications between Australia and Indiawas signed to facilitate mobility of students.

“This new mechanism means if you are an Indian student studying or have studied in Australia, your hard earned degree will be recognised when you return home,’’ PM Albanese said.

Meanwhile, PM Albanese has announced that this year Canberra will host the Malabar Naval Exercise for the first time –

which is a joint drill by navies of the Quad nations (India, Australia, US and Japan).

In a first, PM Albanese was the first foreign leader to visit India’s first indigenously manufactured aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. He was given a guard of honour, and his happy posing for pictures from inside the cockpit of a light combat aircraft on board, was widely shared.

PM Albanese flew out of India straight to the US where he will be meeting US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in San Diego, to discuss the progress of the AUKUS defence pact under which Canberra is going to buy three to five Virginia-class nuclear powered submarines.

In India the perception of India-Australia ties in the eyes of regular citizens has undergone a substantial change. People are now talking about Australia as a ‘strategic partner’, instead of an education destination for young adults, or a favoured holiday or migration destination.

PM Albanese’s joyful participation in Holi celebrations in Ahmedabad was viewed as his - and indeed Australia’s – openness in embracing Indian culture. His visit to

In India, people are now talking about Australia as a ‘strategic partner’, instead of an education, holiday or migration destination.

Sabarmati Ashram too went down well and proved to be a good photo op, just like his visits to Gateway of India in Mumbai and Rajgath in Delhi subsequently.

The two PMs watched a cricket match in Ahmedabad and in a further display of bonhomie, the selfie they took has gone viral in India. The camaraderie that they both showcased sent signals of a solidifying relationship between the two nations.

Meanwhile, one major area of concern for India, which PM Modi highlighted during the India-Australia summit, was the vandalism of temples across Australia

by Khalistani elements. This issue has been a cause of concern for people across India, as well as the diaspora in Australia.

PM Albanese’s criticism of this, and his assurance to PM Modi that they were on the same page on hate speeches and vandalism, did sound reassuring.

The two leaders will meet twice more this year, as the two nations celebrate 75 years of diplomatic ties. PM Modi will travel to Australia for Quad in May and PM Albanese will return to India in September for the G20 Summit.

India has been able to position itself well globally due to geo-politics and its rising influence in the Indo Pacific. Visits of global leaders like PM Albanese, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz prior to that, or the upcoming visit of Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, all show that trade, diplomatic and strategic ties between India and other countries are likely to thrive in the short term. India has become a country that is hard to ignore.

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Bringing our nations and our peoples even closer PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE’s reflections on his India visit, written exclusively for Indian Link

F

ew things bring home the warmth of the Australia-India relationship quite like being showered with marigold petals.

That’s why Holi in Ahmedabad – in all its colour, joy and celebration – made for such a perfect start to my India visit earlier this month.

There were moments amid all that festivity, and during my visit to the cricket, that I thought back to my first encounter with India as a young man.

India has given me so many memories that I will treasure for the rest of my life, and so much of that is down to the wonderful welcome I always get from the Indian people – regardless of whether I’m backpacker or Prime Minister.

The generosity and hospitality I have experienced on a personal level is, I believe, a microcosm of the relationship between our two nations, one which has a great and enduring friendship at its heart. It is a friendship underpinned by our common interests, shared democratic systems, and an affectionate but fierce sporting rivalry. Above all, what holds us together so warmly are the bonds between our people.

It is a view very much shared by Prime Minister Modi. This was my fourth meeting with him since I became Prime Minister; indeed, one of my first meetings with a leader after I was sworn in was with him.

Australia has a very good friend in India, and it was wonderful to spend time with Prime Minister Modi, not least at the cricket. What an extraordinary experience it was being there in the stadium, sharing one of our nations’ great shared passions.

We have more meetings to come this year when Australia hosts the Quad leaders meeting and India hosts the G20 summit. Both of these are great avenues through which our nations can work together to promote a free, fair and rulesbased order, and a stable and balanced region.

We are always looking ahead. As well as a celebration of the close partnership between our nations, my visit to India was also very much about the future. Our track record together gives me reason to feel ambitious about our future engagement in so many areas: trade, investment and the economy; strategic and security engagement; and a future built on clean energy.

As close as our relationship is, it can become even closer – and stronger. India is Australia’s sixth largest trading partner, with trade between our two nations doubling in the seven years until 2021.

There is potential for so much more, and as the relationship grows, we can create Australian jobs, and help our industries prosper, benefitting businesses big and small.

That’s why I was accompanied to India by more than 20 Australian business leaders from major companies. Among them were representatives from the transport, resources, finance, university, energy, architecture and design, health, commodities and information technology sectors.

As we both act on climate change and move towards net zero emissions, India's ambitious renewable energy goals provide a huge opportunity for Australian resources, expertise and manufacturing. There are challenges ahead on climate, but there are also extraordinary opportunities.

The security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region is critical to Australia’s economic future, and to our own national security. Australia and India are top tier strategic partners, with shared interests in a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

Our Defence links are growing, and Australia will host Exercise Malabar for the first time this year.

Likewise, our educational ties with India are about to get even closer. We've finalised a deal that means students who study in Australia and India can have more of their qualifications recognised between our two countries.

During my visit, I was so pleased to announce that Australia’s Deakin University is the first foreign university in the world approved to open a physical campus in India, at Gujarat’s GIFT City.

Where Indian students aspire to study in Australia, our newest Maitri scholarships will provide that chance as well.

I very much want to see growing numbers of Australian and Indian students have the experiences of living and studying in our respective countries, and to bring those experiences home.

We can draw from each other’s strengths, and in the process each of us can become something greater.

That’s also the story of the Indian community in Australia. The Indian community is Australia’s fastest growing diaspora, with nearly a million Australians identifying as having Indian heritage in the last census and nearly 700,000 having been born in India.

The Indian community is such a fundamental part of the fabric of Australia.

In 1947, when India gained Independence, the Tricolour was unfurled at a midnight ceremony at New Delhi’s Constitution Hall. Mere hours later, the flag was raised more than 10,000 kilometres away, in Canberra.

It was the first official raising of the flag outside of India, and it was an important moment in history.

My aim is to bring our nations and our peoples even closer together in the future.

As well as a celebration of the close partnership between our nations, my visit to India was also very much about the future.

Our track record together gives me reason to feel ambitious about our future engagement in many areas MARCH 2023 11

cover story

Albo in India

What did you miss?

Recapping the highlights from Anthony Albanese’s first visit to India as Prime Minister by Virat Nehru

L

ast week, the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited India, making him the first Prime Minister to land on Indian shores since 2017. The visit was an important step in strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries, with important progress being made in areas of education, business, defence and culture. Here’s what you need to know.

Do me a favour let’s play Holi?

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was delighted his visit coincided with the festival of Holi, as he was greeted with warmth and a bit of colour by senior Indian political 12 MARCH 2023

leaders, which is customary during the festival.

“This isn’t my first Holi - it’s definitely a highlight on the Australian festival calendar - but it is my first in India,” the PM said.

“Holi is a chance to renew ourselves - and each other. And it’s little wonder it has been so heartily embraced back home in Australia, by people of all backgrounds.”

He took the opportunity to highlight and recognise the meaningful contributions of the Indian-origin community back in Australia and re-enforced the strong, historical bond that the two nations share.

“They’ve given so much - and, in doing so, live out the message of Holi: making connections, building communities and enriching lives,” he said.

“And I know that when the gulal we scatter today has drifted away, the ties between us - hearts and minds, family and friendship - will endure and flourish.”

Howzzat for some cricket diplomacy?

Mr Albanese got together with Mr Modi – and some 100,000 other people at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad - to watch the first day’s play of the fourth cricket test match between India and Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.

“It was quite simply one of the honours of my life and will be an incredible memory,” he said later.

The special visit also commemorated the occasion of 75 years of test cricket between Australia and India, going back to when Donald Bradman was the captain of the first Australian cricket team at the time.

He met with the cricket teams of both nations along with Indian cricket legends Sunil Gavaskar, Harbhajan Singh and VVS Laxman.

The crowds cheered during the two prime ministers’ lap of honour around the stadium on a cricket-themed chariot. It was not without

its detractors, though, for whom it was a rather unusual start to a day out at the cricket.

Later the two leaders toured the hall of fame, taking in a new exhibition featuring a photo gallery of mementos from 75 years of India Australia cricket history.

New and exciting strides in education

A bit of cultural immersion ticked off the list, it was straight down to business, with education the first item on the agenda.

A new Deakin University initiative was announced - the first overseas university to launch a branch campus in India. The new campus will be built at the GIFT district near Ahmedabad in Gujarat, and will offer students the opportunity to study cyber security and business analytics courses with Deakin. Along with Deakin, the University of Wollongong has also signalled intentions to establish a campus at GIFT City.

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Another important educational milestone between the two nations was the mutual recognition of equivalent educational qualifications, thanks to the finalisation of the Australia-India Education Qualifications Recognition Mechanism.

“This new mechanism means that if you’re an Indian student who’s studying – or about to study – in Australia, your hardearned degree will be recognised when you return home,” said PM Albanese.

“If you’re a member of Australia’s large Indian diaspora, you’ll be able to feel more confident that your Indian qualifications will be recognised in Australia.”

The PM also announced a new scholarship program called the “Maitri Scholarships”, aimed at Indian students intending to study in Australia for up to four years.

It’s important to remember that education remains Australia’s largest services export to India and as of the end of January 2023, almost 70,000 Indian students were studying in Australia, making them the second largest cohort of international students.

A closer defence alliance

The PM took the time to climb aboard the INS Vikrant, the first aircraft carrier built in India, and met with the Indian naval personnel on INS Vikrant who have exercised in Australia.

Australia will be hosting the Malabar operations for the first time on its shores later in the year, making security in the Indo-Pacific an important focus for PM Albanese during his India visit.

“We've had the participation of Australian defence personnel here in India, and exchange the other way around as well. That

builds on the people-to-people relations that we have with India,” said the PM. He added, "Prime Minister Modi and I discussed the increasingly uncertain global security environment and committed to strengthening the Australian-Indian defence and security partnership to address shared challenges and work towards an open, stable and prosperous Indo Pacific."

Welcoming the “significant and ambitious progress under the defence and security pillar of our relationship," he referred to India as a “top-tier security partner” for Australia.

Business - the final frontier?

PM Albanese attended a roundtable with CEOs and business leaders from Australia and India to discuss new trade opportunities under the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), and future areas of growth for trade and investment. He also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Business Council of Australia and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

“You are Australia’s sixth largest trading partner, we can do so much better than that, I have no doubt,” he said. “And as you rise with the extraordinary growth in development that we’ve seen over recent periods, we are very jealous of your economic growth rates.”

He added, “This is the most serious business delegation that I’ve seen leave Australian shores. [Our] relationship is growing, but it has much greater potential.

In the last seven years, we've seen our twoway trade double,” said the PM. “India has manufacturing scale, has high domestic demand, a growing middle class, and

enormous research capacity. Government investing in Australian business literacy is really important to leverage the opportunities which are there. So I see this as, in my first year of my prime ministership, a first step in what will be an era of unprecedented growth in our relations.”

New cooperation was also announced on solar and hydrogen technologies, towards a Renewable Energy Partnership. This includes an Australia-India solar taskforce, co-chaired by Australian solar expert Professor Renate Egan and eminent Indian scientist Professor Anil Kottantharayil.

The nations are also set to work more closely on supplying critical minerals as India seeks to meet ambitious goals of 50 per cent renewable energy and 30 per cent electric vehicle usage by 2030.

The visit has seen an extension of the Australia-India Critical Mineral Investment Partnership. Five target projects have been identified - two lithium and three cobalt – which should start the process of building a sustainable supply chain between India and Australia for battery materials.

Lithium is crucial in the transition to a carbon-free world. The lightest metal in the world, it is essential in the manufacture of batteries for EVs and the digital devices we have to come rely on so heavily.

Australia provides 53% of the world’s lithium.

At the Annual Leaders’ Summit, PM Albanese and his Indian counterpart PM Narendra Modi announced their intentions to conclude the ambitious Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), which will build on the landmark trade agreement signed last year. The CECA will be a transformational deal that will create new

jobs and opportunities in both countries. Mr Albanese said he was hopeful the deal would be wrapped up by the end of the year.

On Bollywood (…and ‘Aussiewood’)

Both Prime Ministers also discussed the potential of an India-Australia Audiovisual Co-Production Agreement to support skilled jobs, creative exchange, and the development of culturally significant screen projects. Projects in both countries will get access to government funding including grants and tax offsets.

Religious harmony

The recent vandalism against Hindu temples in Australia also came in for discussion.

Mr Modi raised these concerns with Mr Albanese, who assured that the full extent of the law will be used to bring perpetrators to justice.

“Australia is a country that respects people’s faiths,” Mr Albanese said. “We don’t tolerate the sort of extreme actions and attacks that we’ve seen on religious buildings, be they Hindu temples, mosques, synagogues, or churches.”

As well…

… Mr Albanese can tick off on his India bucket list: n coming face to face with the Mahatma at Sabarmati Ashram n leaning to say “Kem Cho” in Ahmedabad n opening a dabbawalla delivery lunch box in Mumbai with instructions from Piyush Goyal, India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry and n hearing some homegrown Aussie hits get the sitar treatment.

MARCH 2023 13

NSW ELECTIONS

Indian links in the 2023 NSW election Getting to know some of the Indian-origin candidates in the upcoming state elections

T

here are 12 candidates with Indian or South Asian links at the upcoming NSW state election, which is less than two weeks away.

Both major parties – Liberal and Labor – have been under the scanner for ‘parachuting’ other candidates at the eleventh hour, which has often come at the expense of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) representatives.

The parties are wary of not repeating that mistake this time around in the state election.

The candidates come from a diverse spread of political parties and platforms. Labor leads the pack by putting up four candidates, while the Liberals and One Nation both have two candidates each. There are two independents and one candidate each from the Nationals as well as the Animal Justice Party.

Here’s what they had to say about the burning issues that they believe are front of mind for voters in this election.

What would you say are the three main issues concerning the voters this election?

Alan Mascarenhas: After 12 years of a Liberal Government in NSW, there is a feeling that it is time for change. People are struggling with the cost of living – groceries, rent, petrol and tolls. It is Labor that best empathises and has a plan to help. More broadly, coming off the peak of COVID, we have an opportunity for a fresh start. This means investing in public services and valuing workers so we start to repair critical understaffing in our schools and hospitals. But I also think people are yearning for a vision for the future and the new challenges our society will face: caring for our aging population, harnessing digital technology, growing jobs in new industries, and addressing climate change.

Mohit Kumar: Having a government with a long term plan to reduce pressure on household budgets, build the infrastructure for the future and invest in frontline services.

Sameer Pandey: Better healthcare. Better schools for our growing community.Cost of living: ruling out the sale of Sydney Water.

Sunil Badami: Top of the list has to be the cost of living. With the proliferation of toll roads, with increasing fruit and vegetable prices, with increasing rent and mortgage costs, putting a lot of voters into what they call rental stress or mortgage stress, where more than a third of their income is going in just to have a place to live. So Elizabeth Farrelly Independents is running on three key policies which are:livable communities to ensure every community in NSW in the bush, in the city and in the suburbs, enjoys the same amenities, the same facilities, the same transport and the same opportunities as everywhere else.

Charishma Kaliyanda: The issues that keep popping up when I speak with voters are: Cost of living (people are conscious of and very sensitive to rising grocery prices, energy bills and other necessities); Health (our community is experiencing the effects of a 14 MARCH 2023

ALAN MASCARENHAS (Australian Labor Party)

Candidate for Epping

health and hospital system that is struggling to cope with demand), and Education (we are facing significant teacher supply issues, and the current government has failed to deliver essential school infrastructure in newer areas of Sydney).

Rohan Laxmanalal: Cost of living, climate change and health.

Samantha Talakola: Having a government with a long-term plan to reduce pressure on household budgets; build the infrastructure for the future, and invest in frontline services.

Why politics? What convinced you to join the party of your choice?

Mohit Kumar: Many people ask me – why go into politics? Firstly after meeting our retiring member Kevin Conolly MP 12 years ago, I learned of the Liberal Party’s values and history. I found it rang true to me, and aligned with my thinking and beliefs. I’ve been involved with Kevin in his campaigns, and I have been our local branch President for many years. Fast forward to now, and to be selected and to run as a candidate is a huge threemonth undertaking - physically, mentally and financially for both myself, my devoted family, and my wonderful volunteers and supporters.

Charishma Kaliyanda: There’s a saying that goes “you may not be interested in politics, but it is interested in you”. Political decisions affect so many aspects of

our daily lives and I wanted to have a voice and be involved in solving the challenges we face. Growing up, my parents reinforced the value and importance of education. I believe that access to high-quality education and training is fundamental to having opportunities to progress and pursue what is meaningful to you in life, regardless of your circumstances.

Furthermore, I have experienced the need to

have a well-resourced, accessible and proactive public health care system. The only political party that has consistently pursued and delivered on these areas is the Labor Party, which has only reinforced why I joined so many years ago.

Alan Mascarenhas: I’ve always been interested. My family migrated to Australia in the late 1980s under Hawke and Keating.

Back at school, I was one of the very few Labor supporters! I see politics as a vocation to help people and give something back to society.

I’m passionate about education and ensuring that children have the same opportunities I did. The Labor Party’s values of economic aspiration, fairness and social justice appeal to me most.

Sameer Pandey: I got involved in politics for a simple reason – to serve the community. That is why I’m running as the Labor candidate for Winston Hills because Labor’s Fresh Start plan will deliver for the community. As a father who is currently raising two young children with my wife Nimi, Deputy Lord Mayor of Parramatta and small business owner, I understand the challenges families are facing.

I believe we can do better in health, education, and transport. Better in supporting our local businesses. Better for the most vulnerable.

Better in caring for our many inspirational elderly and in providing opportunities to our next generation – our youth.

Rohan Laxmanalal: Whether we like it or not, politics affects us all. The major parties have been so incompetent and corrupt over the years. I joined the Animal Justice Party as they aligned with my vegan values, and do not accept donations from property developers or industries such as tobacco, liquor and gambling.

Sunil Badami: I wouldn't be standing for politics, going to meetings and working the campaign trail, if it wasn't for the fact that, unfortunately, both major parties don't seem to be looking after my family or many families around NSW. They seem to be only working for vested interests of big donors, who basically, as the old saying goes that ‘you pay the piper, you call the tune’. Well, as long as a few big multinational companies are connected, mates are calling the tune, I think we need to shake up the band. And that's why I'm standing. I'd love it if I could trust the government to do what was best for all of us.

But unfortunately, I can't.

Samantha Talakola: Western Sydney has been in my heart since moving to this area as a young mother ten years ago. It’s where I’ve been raising my two children, where they’ve gone to local public school, and where I’ve worked for the local council and communities in Western Sydney. I left India as an 18-yearold in pursuit of higher education and never

MOHIT KUMAR

(Liberal Party) Candidate for Riverstone

www.indianlink.com.au

CHARISHMA KALIYANDA (Australian Labor Party)

Candidate for Liverpool

in a million years did I think that I would be standing next to the Premier of NSW while making incredibly significant announcements for the future of Western Sydney. This happened because the community embraced me, wrapped its arms around me and supported me. Now I want to give back.

And the best way I can show my affection is to be your champion, your voice, and your representative in Parliament.

There’s been much discussion about better representation in politics: more women, more people of colour, more migrants. And yet high-profile mainstream politicians continue to be parachuted in, even in migrant-heavy seats. What are your thoughts here?

Charishma Kaliyanda: I have to point to the progress being made by NSW Labor on this front. This election we have a number of candidates who deeply understand their local communities, were chosen by their local communities and are therefore better placed to represent and advocate for their communities.

I have long been an advocate for diversity in political representation and for our parliaments to better reflect the reality of our broader community. That said, I know there has been much discussion about representation of women and people of colour going backwards within the Liberal Party. We should have a bipartisan/multipartisan commitment on this for the needle to truly move forward on representation, one party can’t do all the heavy lifting.

Alan Mascarenhas: Our Parliaments are better when they reflect what Australia is today. In NSW, given the fast-growing Indian diaspora, I hope this will mean a much greater role for our communities. I’m enormously honoured by the support I am receiving in Epping. I want to be judged on my merits first and foremost.

But if I my candidacy can inspire others in the

community, I am proud of that.

Mohit Kumar: I am very proud of my heritage, and consider myself a modern Australian and a next generation Liberal. I agree that we need to continue to increase the number of women, diversity, and multiculturalism in our politics. And one of the reasons I won the Liberal preselection for Riverstone was because I’ve been a local actively working in many platforms for my community for over 14 years. We also need to attract and support the right people to be our leaders, and our party is working to find diverse individuals with that potential. I’m doing my part to use my heritage to motivate the community, to be an example and show that migrants have an important part to play in politics and shaping our society, and I appreciated how much the Liberal party has supported me. I hope we are all chipping away at breaking down barriers to have a more diverse representation for the future.

Sameer Pandey: Labor is the party of multiculturalism. As a member of the subcontinent community, I am proud that the Labor Party has entrusted me to deliver for the people of Winston Hills.

Samantha Talakola: I am an Indian-born Australian woman that defied all odds when I was 18 to travel to Sydney from my homeland to better my education and start a new life. I am very proud of my heritage, and where I came from but most importantly I am proud what I have managed to achieve as a woman.

I have been embraced by this country, the local community, and feel my values align with the Perrottet Liberal Government.

My experience has been good. When I decided to put my hand up to run for the seat of Londonderry, I was welcomed and accepted. I never had any resistance there. The Liberals have a strong focus on tolerance and diversity. I have only been encouraged and supported

SAMEER PANDEY (Australian Labor Party) Candidate for Winston Hills

to stand side by side with Premier Dominic Perrottet and the Liberals to accurately represent the people of Londonderry and Western Sydney.

Sunil Badami: The thing about diversity and inclusivity is it's not simply a checklist that you tick off to look good. It's actually an opportunity to enrich and expand the discussion about issues that affect all of us.

And how can we have a discussion about the issues that are important to South Asian people, people of South Asian origin, if we don't have anyone of South Asian origin in Parliament to represent us? So, I think it's really important. Whenever you only have one perspective, then you're going to end up missing so many others that could make potentially make a difference and ensure that the policies and ideas that you have to make the state better can actually involve all of us in that conversation.

Rohan Laxmanalal: Personally I think it's very fake when the major party candidates dress up in cultural outfits. They never did that before running as a candidate, so clearly it's of no interest to them other than votes! It is disheartening watching voters (especially those from the minorities mentioned) gravitate towards these high-profile candidates who represent parties with a weak track record/ policy on the two most important issues in our time: human health and climate change.

I will continue to raise awareness around this in my community and show them the value of voting for someone like myself with a lower profile but high credentials when it comes to education and work in the community.

What do you think are the pressing needs of the Indian Australian / South Asian community?

Sameer Pandey: The Australia-India relationship has enriched our multicultural nation. Indian Australians and the South Asian community share many of the same issues that everyday Australians share. It is important to acknowledge the many Australian Indian essential workers in NSW, including workers in our health, education, emergency services, cleaning, transport and logistics, retail, engineering and technology sectors.

Alan Mascarenhas: Parents want a stronger focus on education. There is concern that NSW is sliding down international tests. Our schooling system needs to serve the goals of both equity and excellence. Many schools in Epping and Carlingford in particular come with a great reputation. However, they can be overcrowded and are dealing with staff

shortages, which impacts quality of instruction.

Migrants come to Australia from countries like India precisely for better infrastructure and services. They expect high school standards and for their family to be treated punctually in hospital. But these basics are falling down.

Charishma Kaliyanda: The Indian community is larger and has grown in visibility over the last few years and there is greater engagement with the mainstream. Indian festivals, events, food, culture, dress (and now politicians!) are more recognised. We are seeing more Indian/ South Asian faces represented when it comes to media, sport and, of course, politics. As we enter a more mature phase in our broader multicultural society, I have noticed more conversations with community members about how we maintain connection to culture, language and traditions, especially for younger generations. I also notice more discussion about how we can more effectively address challenges like improving mental health and wellbeing, culturally appropriate aged care and family and domestic violence.

Samantha Talakola: The state has an incredibly strong and passionate Indian and South East Asian community, which the NSW Liberal Government has supported and partnered with on many different platforms. Whether it is contributing financially to ensure the celebration of major cultural events or even the creation of local sporting facilities that include courts for sports that are enjoyed by the local Indian community. Most importantly, for many families in the Londonderry electorate, the rising cost of living and mortgage squeeze is being felt. That is why I am proud to be running for the Perrottet Liberal Government with a long term plan to reduce pressure on household budgets, build the infrastructure for the future and invest in frontline services.

Sunil Badami: I think a lot of the issues that affect people of the South Asian community are the same issues that affect people from lots of different communities. We just want to have a place we can call our own, a place where we can worship in our own way, a place where we can feel comfortable to be ourselves. I grew up in Australia in the 1970s and ‘80s. And it was in the shadow of the White Australia Policy.

Although there were tentative moves towards multiculturalism, we weren't encouraged to speak our own language, or eat our own food or even dress. And I'm so proud now to see so many young people of Indian origin and even older people like myself, who are proud of being Indian or Pakistani or Sri Lankan; who are proud to celebrate their culture.

Rohan Laxmanalal: The quest for equal opportunity and removing racial bias as echoed by the cricketer Usman Khawaja.

Mohit Kumar: Looking at statistics, our Riverstone electorate is 19% Hindi speaking, so you can imagine there is a very large Indian/South Asian Australian population.

Some have come to me with family visa problems, although this is a federal matter, but if elected, I can support and escalate their issues. Like many other families in our electorate, they are feeling the community mortgage squeeze, and want more open spaces for their children to play, and more schools to be built or expanded. And I’m always happy to advise them of the positive announcements that the Liberal State Government has made and how they have allocated funding to help with these issues.

MARCH 2023 15

NSW ELECTIONS Tell us a bit about yourself.

Rohan Laxmanalal: I have lived in my electorate for over 20 years and this election will mark my fifth time running as a candidate for a Western Sydney seat. I was an Opportunity Class (OC) and Selective High School student with a background in Finance and Mathematics and currently specialising in renewable energy and environmental markets. I have not consumed meat, dairy, eggs for nearly 5 years in a bid to reduce my risk of heart disease when I am older which is common on my father’s side of the family and many males from the subcontinent. I am also well versed on the ethical and environmental impact of a meat/dairy based diet and try to pass on my knowledge and experience to the community as much as I can during my spare time. Outside of this, I enjoy hanging out with my sister’s dogs, playing tennis, watching cricket/rugby league and learning more about fitness and nutrition.

Alan Mascarenhas: Proudly raised in Sydney’s north west. My family (of Goan heritage) migrated to Carlingford in 1987. Mum was passionate about education, raising me and my sisters after Dad passed away early. I attended Trinity Grammar on scholarship, then completed Bachelor of Arts/Law at Sydney University, followed by a Master of Public Policy at the University of Chicago.

I’ve been a journalist for the Sydney Morning Herald and Newsweek. Currently, I work for a professional editing and writing business called Editor Group. Our clients include many big technology firms in Macquarie Park such as Microsoft and Optus. Some may also know me from my weekly column for the Parra News.

Mohit Kumar: I arrived in Australia by myself as a young 17-year-old international student in 1994. Fast forward several years, and I was enjoying a successful corporate career, but something was missing. I had an undeniable urge to give back to my fellow Australians from whom I had gained so much - my education, career opportunities and most importantly the love of my life, my wife Jennifer. So I handed in my resignation and joined the NSW Police Force. And in almost 20 years, I’ve advanced in the force and am currently serving the Sgt Prosecutor - Head of Court at Blacktown, managing the Prosecutors and fighting for justice for crime victims at one of the busiest courts in NSW. In my policing career, I’ve been recognised and awarded 4 medals including the NSW Police Service Medal for Ethical and Diligent Service and the National Police Medal.

Charishma Kaliyanda: I was born in Bengaluru and migrated to Australia at the age of four with my family. My parents were part of a wave of skilled migrants to arrive in Sydney in the early ‘90s. However, they arrived in the middle of an economic recession and fast had to change their expectations and strategies to adapt to life in Australia. Despite all this though, they were very clear about ensuring that my brother and I were connected to culture, traditions and language. I’m a polyglot, I speak my mother tongue which is Kodava thakk (which is spoken in Kodagu, a small region of Karnataka), Kannada and some Hindi, as well as Spanish and English.

I am a registered occupational therapist and have worked with young people to build skills and capacities for most of my career. Most recently, I worked for UNSW Sydney as a

SAMANTHA TALAKOLA

(Liberal Party) Candidate for Londonderry 16 MARCH 2023

There is much disillusionment with politics and politicians in current times. What needs to be done to change that public perception?

ROHAN LAXMANALAL (Animal Justice Party) Candidate for Parramatta

mental health promotion officer, as well as for headspace in south-west Sydney. Alongside this, I am in my second term as a councillor on Liverpool City Council.

Sameer Pandey: I am a father with two young children. I have lived in Western Sydney in 19 years. I currently serve as Deputy Lord Mayor of Parramatta and I am small business owner, I understand the challenges families are facing.

Samantha Talakola: Born and raised in Southern India, I migrated to Australia at a young age to pursue higher education in Business Management. Since coming to Australia and calling Western Sydney home, I have grown from strength to strength, and have always been thankful for the support

I have received from our local community.

As a single mum, raising two children who attend local schools, I am a passionate community worker, always believing in giving back to our region. Whether it’s in my many volunteer roles or within my professional capacity in disabilities, mental health and with women escaping domestic violence, I am passionate about working with our diverse community. My community experience in Western Sydney means I understand the challenges faced by many families, and the importance of a government which can deliver a strong economy to provide the services those families need.

Samantha Talakola: The Perrottet Liberal government has a long-term plan to keep NSW moving forward, and will always put people before the budget. That is how the Perrottet Liberal Government was able to empathetically deal with major obstacles like droughts, bushfires, floods and the pandemic – but maintain strong economic management. That is how the Liberals have continued to build the schools, hospitals, roads, rail and the metros – for not just today but for generations to come.

Sameer Pandey: I believe we can do better in health, education, and transport. Better in supporting our local businesses. Better for the most vulnerable. Better in caring for our many inspirational elderly and in providing opportunities to our next generation – our youth.

Charishma Kaliyanda: Politics and politicians need to better engage with our communities.

Over a number of years, I have seen people become cynical as their input into decisions that affect their lives has been reduced. This election we have the opportunity to change that. If we don’t, people’s disillusionment will only get worse.

Mohit Kumar: This Perrottet Liberal government has a long-term plan to keep NSW moving forward, and is determined to bring more transparency and accountability in politics. We have dealt with major obstacles like droughts, bushfires, floods and years of pandemic lockdowns. Despite this, we have continued to build the schools, hospitals, roads, rail and other important infrastructure that our state needs, and still with a triple A credit rating shows how important it is to have strong economic management.

Realistically, it is looking more and more likely that there will be uncertain economic times ahead, and we can’t risk Labor – we need leadership, experience, and a proven track record going forward. The Liberal party has delivered that in spades.

Alan Mascarenhas: Corruption in government is a major reason. People see politicians looking after themselves and doing favours for their friends. And to be honest, no side in recent years has been immune. It’s important to vote out a government before it gets too old and the rot sets in. Electing idealistic, energetic new people will refresh the system.

Sunil Badami: Look, I don't think of myself as a politician at all, because I haven't been elected yet. Having said that, I think the big thing is, is this, I don't expect a politician to fix all my problems. I don't expect a politician to be able to do everything right.

They're only human and democracy is about negotiation. And it's about consultation. I think the big thing is that we're the reason we don't often trust politicians, the way we do say, doctors. Doctors will tell us the bad news, if they have to, they'll tell us what we need to do. Whereas politicians seem to kind of constantly not want to tell us what it is we need to do to make things right, or they won't tell us the deals that they've made out in back rooms, where they haven't necessarily filled us in on the whole picture.

SUNIL BADAMI

(Elizabeth Farrelly Independents) Candidate Legislative Council

www.indianlink.com.au

‘We have a team that looks like the community we hope to represent’ If all the pre-election polls are accurate, Labor is on its way to being the next elected government in NSW. With elections less than two weeks away, NSW Labor leader CHRIS MINNS joined Indian Link CEO PAWAN LUTHRA to discuss the issues that will decide this election.

Chris Minns, welcome to Indian Link. There’s a school of thought that Opposition politicians know that their party will not get into power until the electorate gets sick of the government and throws them out. But why should the NSW Government be kicked out? NSW has a strong economy, with all the major credit agencies like Moody's and S&P Global giving it a triple A or double A rating with a stable outlook. And this is despite COVID lockdowns, floods, fires and other challenges. We have a strong, stable government. So why change?

at school. So I know that if I go there, I'd have a lot of friends and family to call in on.

Victoria has done well to position itself as a preferred destination for Indian businesses, students and travellers.

One of the thrusts has been through soft power attraction, such as funding millions of dollars in an Indian film festival, which has now grown over the last 10 years. NSW used to have a cultural festival dedicated to Indian cultural shows called Parramasala, which is now diluted. How would you like to build on this,using NSW’s soft power?

It’s great to be with Indian Link. Look, I think if the government's making the case that the economy is strong for working people, and therefore they deserve reelection, they should be really reckoning with the fact that people are working harder than ever before, but going backwards in terms of their purchasing power, and their ability to live, thrive and survive.

What do you think are the three main issues concerning the voters for this election?

One of the big issues is cost of living. For many families, it's very difficult to make ends meet. I look at electricity privatisation - in particular, the sale of essential infrastructure in the state. I'll give you an example, Vales Point [Power Station] was privatised by the government for a million dollars. That new owner sold it on for $200 million. A few months ago, Eraring Energy sold for $50 million and the NSW government tried to buy it back $230 million. If you're an Endeavour Energy company customer, we know that private companies are charging super profits on top of the bills. So there's a lot of costs on regular families. Cost of living is the number one issue for tens of thousands of people and then I think it's led in a weird way to the government deciding that they're going to take action in relation to grocery prices. Now, grocery prices are not the state government's responsibility.

And if they had a plan to drop grocery prices, surely they should have done it before today.

What would be your plan to bring the prices down or ease the cost of living?

We've announced our first homeowners tax cut, from $650,000 to the $800,000 threshold. You don't pay any stamp duty if you’re a first-time buyer in NSW, and a reduced amount up to a million dollars.

Secondly, we've put a toll cap in place.

We don't think it's fair that communities that have to use toll roads in NSW, have to pay an enormous amount of money just to get to and from work. And you’d know that the Opal system in NSW, the public transport system, has a $50 top cap. We don't think it's fair that consumers and motorists are

getting absolutely gouged as a result of that privatisation.

We've got more to say on energy in the next little period of time. And we've announced an Energy Security Cooperation for the state, which will put downward pressure on power bills into the future.

That's about us looking down the runway about what's coming and see if we can do everything we can to get off this rollercoaster ride of price rises, where consumers see them fall in one instance and then radically increase the year later.

There's been a lot of discussion about better representation in politics, more women, more people of colour, more migrants, and yet high-profile mainstream politicians continue to be parachuted in, even in-migrant heavy seats.

As the state leader of the party, I'm responsible for state pre-selections, not federal pre-selections. We've got a wonderful team that's running for us at this upcoming election campaign. We've got broad diversity across the different groups in Sydney. I think about 48% of our candidates are women. Now, look, we don't put out media releases trumpeting this, or trying to get a pat on our back. I'm only responding to it because you asked me that. I think that it's important that you need to have a team that looks like the community that you hope to represent. And I'm confident that Labor does have that.

Talking about the Indian-Australian or the South Asian community, what do you

think are their pressing needs?

Well, I don't propose to speak on behalf of a community that's over 600,000 people strong and there are obviously many needs within it. My sense is that many of the traditional issues that the rest of the community in NSW are dealing with are being dealt with by the Indian Australian community.

We've already spoken about cost of living; I want to speak a little bit about education.

Now, we used to be ranked third in the world when it came to science, we're now ranked 23rd. We were ranked sixth in the world when it comes to reading. We're now 23rd. We were ranked ninth in the world when it comes to math. And we're now ranked 31st. So, the outcomes when it comes to education in the state of NSW are declining. And I think many families are saying we want to, particularly after the disruption of COVID, make sure we're investing in the next generation of young Australians to give them opportunities that are unrivalled anywhere else in the world.

And that's a big key focus of NSW Labor.

You’ve seen the rockstar treatment PM Albanese got in India. If your party gets to form government and you become Premier, do we see you getting on to a flight to India in the first 12 months?

I can't promise that, but I'd love to go to India. I've never been there before so give me a bit of time to get my feet under the table if we win. Having grown up in Sydney, I've got wonderful friends of Indian background going back to my earliest years

Well, one of the things that you can do in Australia is borrow from other jurisdictions.

And if there is a good idea, it's operating somewhere else, we'll certainly examine it. I've seen particularly around Holi and Diwali, the expat community, and the recently arrived, and even those that have been in Australia for decades, have really come alive with these cultural festivals. And there's probably a wonderful opportunity to invest more in that, because it's becoming for NSW, a key part of the cultural calendar. And if there is a residual economic benefit associated with that, well, we'd be crazy not to take advantage of it. It's one of the big advantages that NSW has a large multicultural community, and that it’s engaged in the Australian community is a big asset for us.

Any message to the Indian-Australian community?

The big message from me is that you've contributed much to modern Australia and we're so grateful that you're here. It might be you’re second or third generation, or you might have recently arrived after your studies in NSW, but you're warmly welcomed. I don't like to speak in stereotypical ways about communities. But given the characteristics, the Indian community in Australia are so strong, specifically around hospitality, [being welcoming], and hard work. [These are the people] that you want in your country, to build what Australia can become [and fulfil] the potential that we have in this nation.

There's just no one finer than the Indian community. In NSW in particular, we're very, very lucky to have you. For those that have arrived recently, we're grateful that you've chosen Australia as your home.

We reached out to NSW Premier and Liberal leader Dom Perrottet for an interview, but received no response till press deadline – Ed. Use this QR code to watch the interview on your phone

MARCH 2023 17

IWD 2023

Five ways to uplift leadership behaviours

Women of Indian descent impress with their skills and commitment, but must learn to align to Australian values and behaviours, writes SALMA SHAH

A

ustralia is seen as a favoured destination for professionals trained in STEM / digital technologies from Indian universities. Many of those who come here are women with young families. A substantial portion of them land corporate jobs – as can be seen by the number of people from the subcontinent in the CBD during weekdays. A wonderful start, you might think, to a satisfying career for Indian women in tech after moving countries.

But the picture might not be all that rosy.

One particular challenge is now coming to the forefront of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives being rolled out across a number of organisations. It is one which, in all probability, comes down to socialisation – ie, the process of learning expected norms and customs of society, through social interaction.

Generally speaking, women from the subcontinent are conditioned to remain in the background, not brag about their achievements, or be loud in public. They are discouraged from challenging their elders, or superiors. Even if a girl is given the same experiences as her brothers in the home, stepping out into the wider community means she must conform to societal expectations of how women are to behave.

Once these women commence jobs in the Australian corporate world, they are expected to align to Australian values and behaviours – from talking about their achievements, to speaking up in meetings, demonstrating confidence and openly challenging their superiors (in a respectful

18 MARCH 2023

and professional manner). However, for many women, making this leap is a hurdle that is quite challenging to achieve. There is a cognitive dissonance that needs to be overcome – and unless the women are taught how, this remains a fundamental problem at an individual level.

While the women are seen as smart, talented and hard-working, a lack of confidence is often cited as the reason for the women missing out on leadership opportunities. Further, addressing cultural concerns in the workplace is seen as fraught with hidden dangers – where the majority do not want to risk being seen as prejudiced, or worse, racist. This doubleedged sword then means that not only are women not told of limiting behaviours and mindsets, they are also not taught how to overcome some of these constraints.

So how can this be addressed in the Australian workplace? By having leadership programs aimed at uplifting the confidence and behaviours of all women, not just Indian women in tech.

Here are 5 ways that all women could uplift their leadership behaviours.

• Speak up in meetings, and be visible,

with your camera on. Even if you are an introvert, it’s important to have your voice heard. This means in meetings, challenge yourself to speak up with a question, or comments, at least once. If that is a stretch, try to at least say hello to the host when joining a meeting.

• Polish your verbal and presentation communication skills. From your emails, to your presentation documents – every artefact reflects your brand. Make sure all your communication is polished and professional.

• Understand your brand. What are you known for? Find out by asking your colleagues, then work on the behaviours and practices that need to be addressed.

We all have blind spots – seek to know what these are, and address them.

• Always be the first to express gratitude, and shine a light on the achievements of others. You are not doing this to be transactional, but because when others succeed, you do, too.

• Learn to talk about your achievements.

Understand the difference between bragging and talking about your achievements in a factual manner. You

Lack of confidence and reluctance to speak in the workplace applies to all women – and addressing this head on means that everyone benefits.

might think you’re bragging, but there is a significant difference between boasting, and talking about the facts of your accomplishments.

If you are a people leader, here are two things you can do to support women.

• Take the time to listen to them – and invite them to speak up in meetings.

Always make a point of inviting the quietest team member to contribute to the discussion.

• When a woman discusses an idea, acknowledge this – do not continue the conversation as though the woman never even spoke up.

Having coaching and mentoring offered as a leadership uplift program – for all women – means that women of Indian descent will also benefit. Lack of confidence and reluctance to speak in the workplace applies to all women – and addressing this head on means that everyone benefits.

Indian women in tech have the necessary skills to do well in Australia. They might however lack the confidence to showcase the best of their talent. Luckily, this is something that can be addressed – and with the right leadership program as part of an organisation’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative, Australian technology companies should be able to have female leaders running them – the same way that Indian males are running Silicon Valley companies.

The writer is an Indian origin leader at a well-known Australian organisation

www.indianlink.com.au

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MARCH 2023 19

IWD 2023

Address technologyfacilitated gender-based violence

KITTU RANDHAWA, Founder and Director, Indian (Sub-Continental) Crisis and Support Agency

E

very technological advancement comes with the inevitability that technology will eventually be exploited in unintended ways.

Speaking to Kittu Randhawa, it sounds like nothing would surprise her when it comes to the avenues utilised by perpetrators of violence against women to control, intimidate and harm. “Digital surveillance is an area we’re seeing a lot of issues in,” she revealed. “Technology is used as surveillance – someone can always know where you are, where you’re going, access your bank accounts – all in real time.”

Describing the complete lack of privacy many women in abusive relationships face, Kittu describes instances of hidden tracking software installed on phones, perpetrators abusing video doorbell systems and CCTV to monitor and control women, and even seemingly innocuous gifts, such as jewellery containing location trackers. The unprecedented access has led to organisations such as ISCA and government bodies reassessing how they’ve traditionally worked to support women in vulnerable situations.

Image-based abuse, which involves pictures or videos being circulated of victims without their consent, is also a growing concern. “It’s a huge concern for young girls, but also for newly married women who are not comfortable denying their spouses requests.” Kittu explains that even in the event that a woman refuses to consent to images, they’re

often filmed covertly, such as via a hidden camera in the shower, and the images used to threaten or shame all the same.

However, the advances in technology come with benefits previously inaccessible to women, such as the ability to store important documents on encrypted cloud-based platforms. Echoing Sneha’s message, Kittu also advocates for selfdetermination for women urging them to always have a ‘Personal Emergency Plan’.

“This includes know where your passports are, understanding immediate medical needs, children’s essentials, insurance etc. Living in Australia, a land of floods and fires, that is basic to know. Financial independence can be confronting for women sometimes, but it’s no different than being prepared for a disaster. It’s about understanding the essentials required to foster selfdetermination.”

Kittu explains that great resources are available via the eSafety Commissioner to learn more about how to protect yourself and your children from technologyfacilitated abuse and encourages everyone to review these. With her parting comment, Kittu adds that the one thing we can all do to help women and girls is, “Reach out and say hello to someone you know. Women don’t support women enough. They’re worried what people might think. Just reach out and say ‘hey, how you going’. You need to make it accessible to open and be approachable.

That’s the only way a woman facing abuse has the opportunity to disclose.”

Technology is used as surveillance by perpetrators of violence against women to control. Someone can always know where you are, where you’re going, access your bank accounts - all in real time.”

20 MARCH 2023

IWD Using tec 2023 push for

How three Indian-Australian women are #c

Create tech that meets

by Aneeta Menon

I

nternational Women’s Day is upon us once again and the annual tradition of White Women Celebrating Equality via Ticketed Breakfasts commences.

Whilst many valid criticisms of the culture surrounding IWD emerge each year, it’s also our duty to combat creeping tokenism by honouring the roots of the women’s equality movement and the role we all play in creating an equitable future for all women.

This year’s theme “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality” draws attention to a critical area which impacts outcomes for women and girls. It urges women to #crackthecode and use innovation in technology to push for gender equality.

We speak here with three Australian women of subcontinental background about the work they’re doing in this regard, in their fields of financial literacy, safety, and gaming.

A

s part of a large digital transformation program, Sneha coaches and enables development teams on how to maximise outcomes for banking customers. Like much of the STEM and IT industries, DevOps (sometimes referred to as software development) has historically been a densely male industry.

However, as US researcher Caroline Criado Perez points out in her book Invisible Women, there is design bias in everything from seatbelts to pianos – all of which were designed and tested based on male subjects by male-led development teams. This demonstrates the flaws of not having women in the design and creative process. Sneha sheds light on how she makes it her mission to “make it easier for women to manage money.” Speaking about South Asian culture, she mentions that historically women have felt uncomfortable or even stigma when asked about family finances.

“Fundamentally there is a barrier or a mental block where women think they don’t really need to manage their finances, and rely on their partners instead,” Sneha says. “By making it easier and simpler for women to manage money on their own, and by building accessible apps, we can make sure they have confidence using the tools.”

Alongside development, Sneha is also passionate about financial literacy for women and girls. “I am a big advocate for financial literacy programs specifically designed for

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Close all gaps in digital access and skills

DHAYANA SENA, Founder of

Attack on Geek and Women of Xbox

chnology to gender equality

crackingthecode in their sphere of influence

meets the needs of women and girls

SNEHA KADAM, Agile

Coach, Financial Services

women being run online using technology.

These basic things can reach a wide audience, and so we ask ourselves how we as an industry can remove the blocks preventing people from accessing these things.”

Reflecting on her own role in a majority male space, she finds that “there isn’t enough at an individual level outside of the leadership programs and International Women’s Day events. All the development opportunities for women are extra work that you do on top of your day job, rather than being integrated in dayto-day interactions, like watercooler chats (which is where a lot of informal networking occurs)”.

Asked if she could make any one tech change to meet the needs of women and girls, Sneha says, “I’d love to remove the existing barriers that women have to obtain loans, especially business loans, in everything from applications and documentation required, and making whole process more accessible.”

Sneha’s advocacy is for making it easier and simpler for women to manage money. “By building accessible apps, we can make sure they have confidence using the tools.”

A

lso known as MissDeuxGeek, Dhayana is no stranger to the digital world. Working professionally in digital content creation and marketing, Dhayana is a staunch advocate for women and girls in gaming.

When she began the Twitter account @WomenOfXbox, ‘an unofficial community of female gamers’, she had no idea it would grow so large that it would end up becoming a full website. Today www.womenofxbox.com is a platform that connects, supports and empowers female Xbox gamers and professionals around the world. It lists and streams worldwide events, shares Xbox news, product reviews and interviews gaming developers and executives at leading technology brands.

A notoriously male-dominated environment, the gaming landscape was long overdue for disruption when Dhayana waded into it some eight years ago.

Though her experience was largely positive, she encountered barriers which lead her to question her place in the community.

“When I started, the communities were male dominated but they were welcoming,” she reveals. “Most were really glad to see a female gamer.”

Dhayana acknowledges that in part her path to acceptance may have been easier as she shared her hobby with her husband, who often occupied the same spaces. “Occasionally when

streaming (playing in front of a live online audience) I’ve encountered young boys and older men shouting abuse. It made me wonder if I should quit, but I kept going through the strength of the community. You’re not just gaming for yourself but for a community.”

The gaming landscape has a greater representation of women now, almost 50% according to some industry bodies, however the diversity within that 50% is lacking. The majority of female gamers are white and from Western countries, and professional opportunities in the industry centre around these women.

“It is still very rare to see Asian or South Asian representatives in the games industry. As a young teenager in New Zealand seeing that representation would’ve been so great. Wanting to be in entertainment and the arts as a South Asian was so hard.”

Dhayana describes how difficult it was to demonstrate that success was possible through the lack of role models, and encountered challenges finding support within her family to pursue her passion.

“It has taken a long time to silence the doubt internally,” she admits. This has led her through a few abandoned traditional career attempts, and to her motivation now, which is “showing young girls that no matter what, even if you don’t see yourself represented, you can still do it and achieve that if that’s your passion and what you desire.”

When Dhayana began the Twitter account @WomenOfXbox, ‘an unofficial community of female gamers’, she had no idea it would grow so large that it would end up becoming a full website.

MARCH 2023 21

IWD 2023

Cherrybrook Girl Guides, aged 7-10: Writing notes to women who inspire them

Lessons from Girl Guides Leading with equity How South Asian women in Girl Guides are empowering young girls to become future leaders by Suhayla Sharif

E

very Monday afternoon, I make my way to Girl Guides Cherrybrook, just as I have for the past 14 years.

From joining Girl Guides at 6 years old, to now being a Unit Leader, I have seen the organisation mould to the increasingly diverse perspectives welcomed to the Cherrybrook area over the past decade.

Founded to provide young girls and women with the resources to build leadership skills, the enduring organisation has given women across Australia a platform for selfdiscovery in their local communities.

From being the only member of South Asian heritage at some points in my Girl Guides journey, I am now joined by 3 women of Indian, Pakistani, and Sri Lankan descent in my leadership team. Working with these amazing

22 MARCH 2023

WOC, my Monday afternoons at Cherrybrook Junior Guides continue to remind me why I am still part of this organisation after 14 years.

Our group activities for girls aged 7-10 typically cover a wide variety of topics - first aid, bushwalking, even respect and consent education - but this week, we spoke about International Women’s Day (IWD). Unit Leaders Dakshata Sharma and Aliyah Khan* led the conversation on this year’s theme Embrace Equity, guiding the girls through relevant discussions and activities.

“This feels like school,” one of the young girls groaned as Sharma ushered the group to the white board.

“Well, when was the last time you talked about gender equality and stereotypes at school?” asked Sharma, the young girl shrugging and now giving her full attention.

Life lessons

Dakshata Sharma has had her journey as a Girl Guide span across three different countries – India, the United Kingdom and

Australia. Her particular choice in becoming a Unit Leader was underpinned by the desire to encourage more girls and women to develop their leadership skills and realise their potential in creating change.

“You can’t be who you can’t see,” Sharma told Indian Link. “Being a leader, it has become really important to remember that we are role models for the next generation of young women.”

She continued, “To show young girls that we can maintain our full-time careers and personal responsibilities alongside volunteering at Girl Guides on a weekly basis, becomes a reminder that women are unstoppable.”

Fellow leader Aliyah Khan explained how her decision to become a Unit Leader in the women-led organisation was rooted in sharing with upcoming generations the sense of empowerment she herself has felt.

“The idea of giving back and being able to help inspire young girls the way I had been, definitely motivated me,” said Khan.

“We live in an ever-changing world, and we use our roles as leaders to ensure girls, even as young as 7, are empowered and equipped to take anything on.”

Girl Guides has been celebrated as an inclusive avenue with lessons encouraging young girls to push the boundaries, the ‘glass ceiling’ a mere myth when confronted by the organisation’s confident women.

Khan shared how crucial it has been to create an environment that encourages girls and women from diverse backgrounds to be confident in themselves.

“As much as we encourage girls to be pushed outside their comfort zones, it is also important that we can foster a safe space for them to discover who they truly want to be.

No matter who you are or where you come from, you hold the potential to leave a lasting impact on someone even in the smallest way.”

She added, “There is a weight to our responsibility in teaching the girls about the many realities of women across the world, including what International Women’s Day means in advocating for equity. This weight has changed the way I carry myself as a role model, but I also feel more empowered in doing so.”

Sharma explained why she believes it is important for girls and women to be given the opportunity to join women-led organisations.

“What I think sets the organisation apart is the holistic educational model where you get to learn and experience things, outside a formal education system like school. On top of this, young girls learn that they should speak up, fight for themselves if necessary, and advocate for others like them – because they’re worth it.”

Reflecting on my own lessons from my Girl Guides journey, the skills and experiences I have gained are truly incomparable. Growing up, I hated being told that my success would be dependent on my academic skills. However, being exposed to a world beyond the ABCs and algorithms showed me that I could create an impact by simply being myself. The organisation has nurtured my individual strengths which have then extrapolated wonderfully to my life beyond the Guide Hall. Additionally, given Girl Guides has enabled me to be more active in my community, I have been able to explore a variety of different perspectives that have helped me appreciate so much more, the diversity I am surrounded by.

I have been guided to realise that being a great leader ultimately means being prepared for whatever may come your way.

I am now proud to say that I have never felt more prepared to take on the world as an independent, empowered WOC. However, it makes me even prouder to know I am alongside women such as Sharma and Khan, who mirror my hopes as an emerging leader in an ever-changing world. *Not her real name

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W I S H I N G E V E RYO N E A

HAPPY

FESTIVAL

Happy Holi from our homes to yours...

May you all have colourful and joyful celebrations.

If you haven’t visited HomeWorld before you may not realise all that it has to offer and why people love to visit.

HomeWorld display villages allow you to step inside more than 350 display homes and see for yourself what living in a brand new home would be like.

The range of designs on display is huge from single storey homes to large bespoke designs, granny flats and duplex.

You will also find 50 leading Building Companies on site who can help answer your questions and take you through your options.

Exciting new villages have just opened and there are now 5 locations, with more to explore than ever before.

Homeworld villages are open 7 days from 10am-5pm.

HomeWorld.com.au

homeworldaustralia

@homeworldaus

BOX HILL · MARSDEN PARK · NEW LEPPINGTON · NEW THORNTON · WARNERVALE

MARCH 2023 23

You’ve been with us longer than...

Google has existed

People have sent SMS in Australia

GST has been increasing prices

Homosexuality has been decriminalised

Paid maternity leave has existed

Under 3% of Aussie homes had internet

Thank you for trusting and growing with us since Oct 1994

IndianLink All things Indian. In Australia.

For the past 28 years.

24 MARCH 2023

young 28YEARS www.indianlink.com.au

ENVIRONMENt campaign is to have 200 companies, one for each of her marathons, commit to being more water-aware).

Why do you feel that people are not having enough conversations about water crisis?

Billions of people across the world talk about water every day, because it is a matter of their health, their food, or their work. The challenge is that most decisionmakers are not prioritising water and freshwater ecosystems, even though they are fundamental to our future.

At the moment, three huge topics dominate many conversations – climate change, the loss of nature and how to achieve sustainable development. Water is seldom at the forefront of these debates.

Yet water and healthy rivers, lakes and wetlands are central to tackling the climate and nature crises, and driving sustainable development.

This is why I run. To help end this ‘water blindness’ and make people realise the scale of the global water crisis, the fact that everything is connected to water, and the urgent need for action.

Running for water

Australian woman Mina Guli has spent the last year running 200 marathons worldwide - India included - to bring the world’s attention to the water crisis by PRUTHA CHAKRABORTY

M

ina Guli, Australian ultramarathoner and water campaigner, is currently finishing 200 marathons across the world.

The founder and CEO of Thirst Foundation – a non-profit organisation focussed on delivering action on water – Guli began her Run Blue campaign on March 22, 2022 at Uluru in Australia.

Exactly a year to the day, she will run her last marathon in New York City, when the United Nations Water Conference sits down to deliberate for the first time in 50 years.

Her aim through the endeavour has been simple yet significant – to build a community of water advocates across the

world to join her in the fight against the global crisis.

She was in India in January this year as she clocked up 150 marathons, having run in excess of 7,000 km. She ran in Delhi, Varanasi, Thane and Mumbai, and alongside environmentalist and social activist Ripu Daman Bevli, called the ‘Plogman of India’.

Excerpts from an interview:

What does it take to run 200 marathons in a span of one year?

I worked with run coaches, trainers, nutritionists, physios and sports psychologists to ensure I was both physically and mentally prepared to take on this task.

My coach reminded me that in a campaign like this, most of the time you're going to be running or operating in some degree of pain or discomfort and you have to be okay with that. So during training, I had the

Simpson Desert, Australia: Marathon 11 of 200

philosophy of ‘no excuses’. It didn’t matter how cold, wet, hot, rainy, sunny, muddy it was, how little sleep I had gotten, or how many times I just wanted to go back to bed.

No matter what, I would put my shoes on, get out there and go running.

Why do you feel so strongly about the global water crisis?

I had a moment when I was standing in the Richtersveld desert on the bank of the Orange River in South Africa. Once mighty, the levels have decreased so dramatically in the river over the years, that you can now walk it. The water levels have dropped for two main reasons: one is climate change and the other is over-abstraction of its water to irrigate fields of crops, like grapes that end up on tables across Europe. Standing on the bank of that river was when I said this is what I’m going to do for the rest of my life. (One of Mina’s aims in the Run Blue

Anatolia, Türkiye: Marathon 77 of 200

Part of the solution is using less water in agriculture (with more efficient irrigation) and industry (investing in water-efficient processes) and to a much lesser extent domestically (taking shorter showers).

But there is no silver bullet to solve the crisis. It includes investing in better water management and water infrastructure as well as in restoring healthy rivers, lakes, wetlands and watersheds.

Rampant bushfires in Australia are an indication of a sharp decline in water availability. What can the government do?

Longer and more intense droughts coupled with high temperatures are creating the perfect conditions for wildfires. To stop the situation from getting worse, Australia and other countries must act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to minimise future climate change. Healthy ecosystems, particularly healthy wetlands and forests, will help combat wildfires. But so will better management and policies.

Source material: minaguli.com

Mumbai, India: Marathon 156 of 200

India has nearly 17% of the world’s population, but just 4% of the world's freshwater resources. What conservation policies does India need?

New Delhi, India: Marathon 152 of 200

MARCH 2023 25

Police can be anywhere at anytime.

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.

Happy Holi with crops.pdf

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27/2/2023

11:53 am

Happy Holi C

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Iʼm proud that our state is home to one of Australiaʼs largest Hindu communities.

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To the Hindu Victorians in my electorate: thank you for the enormous contribution you make to our area and our state, and happy Holi.

Daniel Andrews, Premier of Victoria Ph: 03 9548 5644 Member for Mulgrave daniel.andrews@parliament.vic.gov.au premier.vic.gov.au 517A Princes Highway, Noble Park 3174

26 MARCH 2023

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OSCARS 2023

Two Oscar wins ‘fill a billion hearts with pride’ India this month celebrated not one but two wins at the 95th Academy Awards, Oscars 2023. Musicians MM Keeravani and Chandra bose won the Oscar for Best Original Song (Naatu Naatu from legendary director SS Rajamouli’s film RRR), and Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga brought home the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film.

The Elephant Whisperers: Second Oscar for Guneet Monga

T Father-son duo share Oscar glory: Naatu Naatu

T

he song Naatu Naatu found two mentions at the glittering Academy Awards ceremony at Los Angeles, first as it was presented live on stage at Dolby Auditorium by popular singer Kaala Bhairava, and then as Kaala Bhairava’s father and musician extraordinaire MM Keeravani ascended the stage to receive the prized gong.

It was an unusual acceptance speech that got him several rounds of applause.

"I grew up listening to The Carpenters and now here I am at the Oscars," Keeravani began, and then started singing his own version of the '70s pop smash hit: "There was only one wish on my mind. ... RRR has to win, pride of every Indian, and must put me on top of the world."

MM Keeravani is a man of few words, but he has mastered the art of bringing the house down across his many public appearances in America.

Naatu Naatu by singers Rahul Sipligunj has already won a Golden Globe and a Critics Choice Award this year, and hopes were high for an Academy Award. It has been such a runaway hit, that it is no surprise at all that it has won.

The song has made history as India’s first entertainment win at the Oscars. Leaving behind names such as Lady Gaga, Diane Warren and Rihanna, it was pitted against songs such as ‘Applause’ from Tell It Like a Woman, ‘Hold My Hand’ from Top Gun: Maverick, ‘Lift Me Up’ from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and ‘This Is a Life’ from Everything Everywhere All at Once.

PM Narendra Modi was one of the first to offer his congratulations. “Exceptional! The popularity of ‘NaatuNaatu’ is global. It will be a song that will be remembered for years to come. Congratulations to @mmkeeravani and @boselyricist and the entire team for this prestigious honour. India is elated and proud,” he tweeted.

NTR Jr, who starred in the song and the film with actor Ram Charan, was also attending the Awards event at Los Angeles. He reacted happily to the RRR feat at the Oscars.

“I cannot find the words to express my elation right now,” he said. “This is not just a win for RRR but for India as a country. I believe this is just the beginning, showing us how far Indian cinema can go. Congratulations to

Keeravaanigaru and Chandrabosegaru. Of course none of this would have been possible without a master storyteller called Rajamouli and the audiences who showered us with all the love.”

Tollywood megastar and actor Ram Charan’s father, Chiranjeevi was also quick to react to the historic moment.

He tweeted, “#Oscars would have still been a dream for India but for One Man’s vision, courage & conviction @ ssrajamouli ! A Billion Hearts filled with Pride &Gratitude ! Kudos to every member of the Brilliant Team of @ RRRMovie”.

The song became one of India’s all-time hits almost as soon it was released. It had not only citizens shaking a leg but others as well (such as the Korean ambassador to India and his entire staff, in a viral video only weeks ago).

In an interview to Variety magazine, Keeravani had said, “The Naatu Naatu song has to make you forget everything –and not just the viewer who is watching the movie, but the characters from the story, too, need to forget every other thing happening around them and pay their full attention towards the song. And the coda, the end part of the song, consists of so much stamina, you cannot call it merely a song – it is an action sequence.”

Well, the song did make the star-studded audience at the 95th Academy Awards everything else for a moment, and just surrender to the high-octane energy of the anthem that RRR has gifted to the world.

he Oscar for the Best Documentary Short Film generally ends as a blur in the blaze of the bigger names jostling for international attention at any Academy Awards evening. For Guneet Monga, though, it has earned a special place in her heart, for she has come home with it twice.

As executive producer, Monga was the force behind The Elephant Whisperers, photographer Kartiki Gonsalves’ maiden documentary, lifting the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film at the 95th Academy Awards. It was her second time.

The Elephant Whisperers landed in Monga’s lap when she was contacted by Kartiki Gonsalves, who had stumbled upon Bomman and his baby elephant Raghu near the Mudumalai National Park while on her way home in Ooty.

The Netflix India short film documents the tender relationship between Bomman and his helpmate, Ballie, whom he marries subsequently (Monga attended their wedding deep in the forest to get a better sense of the story), and Raghu, who was orphaned and abandoned by the herd after his mother got electrocuted at the national park.

Gonsalves, the daughter of IIT-Mandi founder-director Timothy and US-born historian Priscilla Gonsalves, shot the story of the indigenous couple on her phone, a GoPro, and then a DSLR camera.

Much of the filming was done at the Thepepakadu Elephant Camp, one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the region. Gonsalves had 400 hours of footage, which she finally got down to 40 minutes.

The Elephant Whisperers Oscar win comes after Monga took the same award for another documentary short film, Iranian American filmmaker Rayka Zehtabch’s Period: End of Sentence, which follows a group of local women at Kathikera village in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, as they learn how to operate a machine that makes low-cost, biodegradable sanitary pads, which they sell to other women at affordable prices.

The short film was inspired by the life of Arunachalam Muruganantham, a social activist from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Monga, incidentally, has previously worked with Anurag Kashyap on projects such as Gangs of Wasseypur (Parts 1 and 2), Peddlers, The Lunchbox, Masaan, Zubaan and Pagglait.

MARCH 2023 27

FOOD

Fill it with millet

Millets have been part of the Indian pantry for years, tucked away in the corners.

Let's put them out on the front shelf for the International Year of Millets.

by GAURAVMASAND

U

rged by India, the United Nations has declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets. It views this as “an opportunity to raise awareness of, and direct policy attention to the nutritional and health benefits of millets and their suitability for cultivation under adverse and changing climatic conditions.”

Millets as grass seeds / ancient grains have been in use in India for centuries, and are now seeing a massive comeback as all things old are becoming new again there. At least ten types are in common use: Amaranth (rajgira), finger millet (ragi), sorghum (jowar), buckwheat (kuttu), pearl millet (bajra), foxtail millet (kangni), barnyard millet (sanva), kodo millet (kodra), little millet (kutki/sama), and proso millet (chena or punarva).

Millets are actually a whole family of seeds, all of them nutritionally dense.

As a “superfood” they are a powerhouse of minerals, vitamins and proteins. They are naturally gluten-free, and also have anti-inflammatory properties. This helps them improve both your gut health and your bone health.

No surprise they're becoming popular again as a healthy grain, now that we're moving away from rice and wheat.

In fact, Indian foodies are saying, move over millet dosas and rotis, try the chips, noodles, pizza bases, murukkus, chaklis and so much else, made of millets! (And wash them down with a swig of millet beer.)

India may be the largest producer of millets in the world, but it is not unknown in Australia either.

Sorghum for instance is Australia’s third largest grain crop (the largest summer crop grown here).

While it was mainly grown as feed crop, it is now trending as a health food – its flour and cereal biscuits easily available.

A huge benefit is that not only are millets nutritious, they are also wonderfully sustainable, given they require less water and fertiliser to grow, and can even flourish in arid conditions.

What's holding us back from totally loving millets?

Check out the new ways to embrace the ancient grains, with these easy recipes below.

28 MARCH 2023

Ragi Cookies Ragi or nachni is a good alternative to milk for vegans, as it has high calcium content. You can bake with it, make pancakes, and even have it as ragi malt. It has a huge amount of fibre and helps manage weight loss, insomnia and anxiety. This recipe will give you 5-6 cookies.

Ingredients ½ cup ragi flour ¼ tsp baking soda n 2 tbsp raw sugar n ½ tbsp flax seed powder in 2 tbsp water n 1 tbsp ghee n Pinch of salt n n

Instructions Mix ragi flour and baking soda in a mixing bowl. n Add ghee, a pinch of salt and flax seed meal. n Mix all ingredients to form a soft dough. Add more ragi flour if it’s too wet. n Make small balls of dough, press them into flat biscuits/ cookies. n Place these on a baking tray.

Option, garnish with nuts of choice. n Preheat the oven for 10 mins at 160 degrees C. n Bake at 160 degrees C (fan forced) for 18-20 minutes. n Let it cool on the rack and store in an airtight container. n

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Buckwheat Chocolate Muffins Buckwheat or kuttu is a fantastic gluten-free flour to cook with. It is a great alternative to plain (all-purpose) flour or maida for baking.

You can use it to make pancakes, bread and cinnamon rolls. Crepes, waffles, muffins and brownies get a great texture with buckwheat.

The recipe provided here yields 5-6 muffins.

Ingredients 1 tbsp chia seed meal soaked in 1/2 cup water. n 1 large ripe banana (1/2 cup mashed banana) n ¼ cup sunflower oil n ¼ cup raw sugar n ¾ cup buckwheat flour/kuttu flour n ¼ tsp baking soda n ½ tspbaking powder n ¼ cup milk /any vegan milk n ½ tbsp cocoa powder n 2 tbsp hemp seeds or any other seeds for garnish. n

Instructions Mix powdered chia seeds with water using a spoon. Set aside for 5 minutes. n Mash the bananas using a fork or a potato masher. n In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, oil and mashed bananas. n Add chia seed mix with milk. n Mix buckwheat flour with baking soda, baking powder and add to mixing bowl. n Mix the batter, until all ingredients are mixed. Do not overmix. n Pour the batter in muffin liners or a greased muffin tray. Garnish with seeds. n Preheat the oven at 170 degrees C for 10 minutes. n Bake for 25 or until a toothpick comes clean. n

Sorghum Salad The ancient wholegrain sorghum or jowar is anti-inflammatory and has almost three times the protein as quinoa. It is a good source of fibre and helps lower LDL cholesterol.

Ingredients 1/3 cup Sorghum/jowar grain 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved. n 1 cup cucumber, cubed. n ½ apple/cucumber, diced n ½ cup pomegranate seeds n ½ cup sweet peppers, chopped n 1 tbsp lemon juice n Salt and pepper totaste n n

Instructions Cook sorghum in 2 cups of water until soft.

Drain excess water, keep it aside. n Toss all ingredients with the lemon juice,salt and pepper. n Serve fresh. n

MARCH 2023 29

travel

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

The many treasures of Abu Dhabi by Petra O’Neill

A

s our plane descended just before the stroke of midnight into Abu Dhabi International Airport, the landscape was unlike anything I’d ever seen before. Neat rows of earthcoloured villas and the surrounding streets were lit up, giving the stark desert landscape a golden glow.

Met on arrival, I was whisked away to my hotel, driving past the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, that even with bleary eyes, was utterly breathtaking.

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, is the perfect destination to begin and end a trip to the Middle East. If you want glitz, Abu Dhabi has it in spades. Though founded in 1761, it’s a modern city, with towering skyscrapers, landscaped parks, and a corniche that faces the iridescent waters of the Persian Gulf, and a pleasant place to

30 MARCH 2023

The capital of the UAE, this is the perfect destination to begin and end a trip to the Middle East

stroll lined with beaches, restaurants, cafes, and hotels. I felt immediately at ease here.

There is a lot to see, so allow enough time to explore all that it offers. While the city centre is walkable, many of the attractions are deceptively some distance away. When I set out the next day, the Emirates Palace and Presidential Palace loomed large in the distance, though it took five hours to reach them.

Begin at the Observation Deck at Etihad Towers for the best 360-degree views of the city. Explore historic mosques and Qasr Al Hosn, built in 1760 as a watch tower to guard a well of fresh water.

Nearby, the World Trade Centre provides a reinterpretation of a souk, designed by the British Architect Norman Foster, and is a pleasant place to visit.

What is surprising is that most of the

people you'll meet are expats, from India, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Egypt, making up almost 90% of the population. And in the evening as the sky turns burnt orange, it seems everyone is out for a stroll, the best time to watch fishermen in Dhows going out to sea.

Beyond the city

Remarkable for its beauty and opulence, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, 16kms away from the city centre, is one of the world’s largest mosques, accommodating 40,000 visitors inside. Built from white marble, it has a roofline supported by over 1000 columns with floral designs inlaid with semi-precious stones, 82 domes, the world’s largest hand knotted carpet, and contemporary chandeliers with Swarovski crystals and gold. An opulent modern

Islamic building for the modern age.

Linked by bridges, the islands of Abu Dhabi have their own distinctive character.

Saadiyat Island, 8kms away, is where the Louvre Abu Dhabi is located. I spent an afternoon here - the stunning building defined by its striking silvery dome. Other museums slated to open include the Natural History Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum, designed by the world’s leading architects.

If it’s action and thrills that you’re after, Yas Island is home to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and several family friendly amusement parks offering rides including Ferrari World, with the world’s fastest roller coaster, Warner Bros World, and Yas Waterworld.

Nearby Yas Mall provides global brand shopping with 370 shops.

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Louvre Abu Dhabi inside

Emirates Palace Hotel

Louvre Abu Dhabi Ferrari World rollercoaster

Camel market

Mangrove National Park, home to wetlands that attract numerous species of birds including herons and flamingos. You can meander along a boardwalk or kayak here.

Further afield

A 25-minute drive from the city centre is where you’ll find the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, the world’s leading centre for falcon medicine, welfare, research and training. Visitors learn about the lifespan, history and cultural significance of the UAE’s national bird on an informative tour.

Al Ain, a two-hour drive away, is one of the world’s oldest permanently inhabited settlements, once a vital stop on the caravan route between Oman and the Persian Gulf.

A lush oasis with natural groundwater springs, it has forts and museums to visit and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a

Abu Dhabi corniche

Al-Jahili Fort

date palm grove fed by a 3000-year-old channel system of irrigation. Nearby, and a fascinating place to visit, is the lively camel market with many camels for sale.

Also a two-hour drive away, is the world’s largest sand desert, regarded as the heart of the Arabian Peninsula. The arid landscape supports a surprising amount of wildlife, with Arabian oryx and camels roaming the dunes.

Four-wheel drive excursions by Jeep travel to Jebel Hafeet, the mountain that looms over the city and stretches to the border with Oman. From its summit, you can enjoy incredible views, while at the base are beehive shaped burial chambers dating back 5,000 years.

Abu Dhabi is a fascinating blend of modern and ancient and already I find myself planning a return trip there.

Qasr-Al-Hosn

Entry For Australian passport holders, 30-day visas are issued free on arrival.

Fly Etihad Airways flies direct to Abu Dhabi from Sydney and Melbourne. Their airport lounge is recommended.

Travel Notebook

Skyline

need a Halifat card to use it.

There’s also a Big Bus, while taxis are reasonable and can be hired for the day.

Stay Hotel prices vary depending on demand and season, with rates lower between May and September. I recommend staying near thecorniche at the Sofitel or Hyatt for views, St Regis for the beach, or midrange the Courtyard by Marriott.

Dine One of the main joys of Abu Dhabi is dining out and while hotels offer plush restaurants featuring seafood, Italian, French, Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine, budget options are outstanding, with entire streets dedicated to dining.

Strike out between Sheikh Zayed the First St and Falah Street. An absolute must is Bait El Khetyar for Middle Eastern cuisine.

Getting around Abu Dhabi's bus network is excellent, but you

More information visit abudhabi.au

MARCH 2023 31

MUSIC

Kabhī khud pe kabhī hālāt pe ronā aayā Baat niklī to har ik baat pe ronā aayā Maiñ zindagī kā saath nibhātā chalā gayā Har fikr ko dhueñ meñ udātā chalā gayā

Sahir: 102 years young and more relevant than ever On the birth anniversary of poet-lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi this month (8 March), an examination of what makes his work timeless, and why he will always be contemporary by Virat Nehru

T

he emotionally unavailable garden variety of commitment-phobic humans owe a huge debt to Sahir Ludhianvi. It is, after all, thanks to Sahir that they’ve found a poetic way of justifying their toxic behaviour patterns: Taa-aruf rog ho jaaye toh us ko bhoolna behtar Ta’aluq bojh bann jaaye toh us ko todna achchha, Woh afsaana jisey anjaam tak laana na ho mumkin, Usey ek khoob soorat mod dekar chhodna achchha, Chalo ik baar phir se ajnabi ban jaayein hum dono (If an acquaintance becomes an ailment, it is best forgotten If a relationship becomes a burden, it is best broken 32 MARCH 2023

A story that cannot be taken to its logical conclusion Is best given a beautiful tinge and then left alone Come, let us be strangers once again).

The song, used in the BR Chopra directorial Gumrah (1963), originally appeared as a nazm (poem) with the title “Khoobsoorat Mod” (A Beautiful Turn) in Sahir Ludhianvi’s debut poetry collection Talkhiyaan. First published in 1944, it became an overnight sensation. Many of the songs that we associate with Sahir’s lyrical prowess have their genesis in this poetry collection.

The enduring relevance of Sahir’s literary output has attracted poets, academics and literature lovers for decades. Contemporary Urdu poet Humaira Rahat penned a feminist response to Sahir’s “Khoobsoorat Mod”, asking the innocent yet piercing question in her nazm, “Kya Mohabbat Ik Pal Hai” (Is Love Just A Moment In Time): Main dil se poochhti hoon Kya mohabbat ko bhulaana Is kadar aasaan hota hai ‘Chalo ik baar phir se ajnabi ban

jaayein ham dono’ Bas is misrey ki ungli thaam kar Barson puraana saath pal mein tod dete hain (I ask my heart Is it truly so easy to forget love…

‘Come, let us be strangers once again’ As if, by holding on to this one verse You can forget those years of togetherness in just one moment).

From popular Hindi film songs to poems that have enthralled one and all, Sahir Ludhianvi’s literary output is vast, varied and worth investigating. It is a giant disservice to one of our foremost literary icons that whenever Sahir’s name is brought up in dinner table conversations, it’s mostly by virtue of his personal life and his doomed romance with Amrita Pritam.

So much ink has been spilled when it comes to the toxic relationship between Sahir and Amrita, that somewhere, it has eclipsed the need to talk about the nuances one finds in Sahir’s literary persona. It’s an unspoken tragedy that our impulse to needlessly romanticise this tragic and ultimately harmful relationship has resulted

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in Sahir’s literary output to be taken for granted. We are more interested in Sahir the person and because of it, Sahir the poet has suffered immensely.

So, on his 102nd birthday, I want to rectify this situation. Let’s take a deep dive into Sahir’s literary world to discover what our pal do pal ka shaayar has to say about some of the most challenging issues that we’re currently facing.

levels of jingoism. For Sahir, it’s these hypocrites that go wherever the wind blows who are the true anti-nationals.

Hai jinhen sab se ziyaada daava-e-hubb-e-vatan Aaj un ki vajah se hubb-e-vatan rusva to hai (Those who make claims of patriotism the loudest Today, it’s because of them that patriotism has been disgraced).

Sahir Ludhianvi on nationalism

Sahir the atheist and rationalist against communalism

Sahir was a staunch nationalist, but nationalism for him, much like his progressive counterparts, wasn’t an excuse to be subservient to the status quo and the regime of the day. It’s fundamentally odd and insidious how the implied meaning of nationalism has changed to imply that you are an uncritical and vociferous advocate of whichever regime is in power. Those who dissent are branded ‘anti-national’ today and criticism of the regime in power is conflated with working to conspire against the nation-state.

Going by this false dichotomy and twisted logic, Sahir would most definitely have been branded ‘anti-national’ if he was alive today. However, if we follow the classical definition of nationalism, he was very much a true nationalist, but was disillusioned with the policies of the state since India gained independence. The newly independent nation-state proved to be as oppressive as the displaced colonial powers, and for Sahir, this exercise meant exchanging one set of oppressors for another. In fact, one of Sahir’s most memorable songs from the 1957 film Pyaasa was a direct and rather unveiled attack on Nehruvian policies: Zara mulk ke rahbaron ko bulaao Ye kooche, ye galiyaan, ye manzar dikhaao Jinhen naaz hai Hind par un ko laao Jinhen naaz hai Hind par vo kahaan hain (Pray, call the leaders of this country Show them these lanes, these sights Call upon those who are so proud of India Where are they, those who claim to be proud of this land?)

Sahir’s nazm “Chhabees Janvary” (26 January) could very well have been written on the occasion of the Indian Republic Day earlier this year, instead of in his time period. The broader issues highlighted in the poem that are plaguing the nation, particularly around wealth inequality and the evils of communalism, remain remarkably similar despite the passage of time.

Daulat badhi to mulk mein iflaas kyon badha?

Khush-haali-e-avaam ke asbaab kya hue?

Jo apne saath saath chale koo-e-daar tak Vo dost, vo raqeeb, vo ahbaab kya hue?

Har koocha shola-zaar hai har shahr qatl-gaah Ekjahti-e-hayaat ke aadaab kya hue?

(If the wealth of the nation has increased, why this growing poverty?

What ever happened to the path towards ordinary peoples’ prosperity?

Those that had once walked with us towards the gallows Where are those friends, those companions, those beloveds?

Every street is aflame, every city a killing field Where did the etiquette of togetherness disappear?)

Perhaps, the clearest way to surmise Sahir Ludhianvi’s nationalist stance is through this verse, where he denounces all those who resort to hypernationalism and chest-beating

Aqaa’e dvahmhaim azhab khayaal-e-khaam hai saaqi Azal se aql-e-insaan basta-e-a uhaam hai saaqi (Faith is but superstition, religion but a crude system Human intellect has been held captive by these since eternity).

Many people are shocked to learn that Sahir Ludhianvi was an atheist and against

personality in film songs. Yet, if you pay close attention, the subtext is evident. For example, listen to the frothy, lilting melody from the 1965 Yash Chopra blockbuster film Waqt. On the surface, Aage bhi jaane na tu is a song that talks about living in the present. But equally, it can be read as an indictment against the claim that there is an afterlife. Once we’re dead, that’s it. There isn’t a Dante’s inferno or a cycle of rebirth to go through.

Is pal ke saaye mein, apna thikaana hai Is pal ke aage hi, harsh aifas aana hai Kal kisne dekha hai, kal kisne jaana hai Is pal se paayega jo tujhko paana hai Jeene waale soch le yahi waqt hai kar le puri aarzoo Aage bhi jaane na tu, peechhe bhi jaane na tu Jo bhi hai bas yahi ik pal hain (In the shadow of this moment, we all have an identity In the presence of this moment,

Tujh ko kisi mazhab se koi kaam nahin hai Jisilm ne insaanon ko taqseem kiya hai Us ilm ka tujh par koi ilzaam nahin hai Tu amn ka aur sulha ka paighaam banega Insaan ki aulaad hai insaan banega (You will neither become a Hindu nor a Muslim You are a child of humans, you will become a human being It’s good that you don’t yet have a name That you aren’t yet associated with any religion That you aren’t accused of possessing that knowledge which keeps us divided You will embody the message of peace and tolerance You are a child of humans, you will become a human being).

Sahir: A vast, complex canvas to explore Sahir Ludhianvi’s literary output is prodigious. It’s impossible to cover the

Abhi na jao

Chalo Ik Baar

Pal do pal ka shayar

all forms of organised religion, especially religious fundamentalism and orthodoxy.

Perhaps, this is hard for them to imagine because some of Sahir’s most popular film songs are actually bhajans such as Allah Tero Naam. Many mistakenly assume that a person who is well versed in religious and cultural imagery must be a man of faith. This, of course, needn’t be true. In fact, a similar scenario emerges in the case of contemporary poet-lyricist Javed Akhtar, who is also a selfconfessed atheist and yet, has written two of the most popular contemporary songs based around Ram Leela and Krishna Leela in Pal Pal Hai Bhaari from the 2004 film Swades and Radha Kaise Na Jaley from the 2001 film Lagaan respectively.

While you can find plenty of examples of Sahir’s leanings toward ilhaad (atheism) in his literary non-film poetry, the mainstream Hindi film medium seldom gave Sahir opportunities to express this side of his

Kahaan Hai

every entity becomes a story Who has seen the future, who knows what might happen tomorrow In this moment, you will get what you seek Think, the time is now, fulfil what you desire What lies ahead, you do not know, what is gone, you do not know The only thing that matters is this very instant).

While Ludhianvi’s atheistic leanings were usually hidden in subtext in Hindi film songs, his hatred for the evils of communalism and sectarianism were evident in an overt fashion in his song lyrics. For yet another Yash Chopra film Dhool Ka Phool (1959), Sahir pens one of most piercing critiques of communalism conveyed through a song. A man addressing a young child sings: Tu Hindu banega na Musalmaan banega Insaan ki aulaad hai insaan banega Achcha hai abhi tak tera kuchh naam nahin hai

sheer depth and variety that his pen has to offer, whether that’s his film lyrics or non-film literary poetry. There’s so much to uncover and I’ve barely scratched the surface. This is precisely what I mean. One of the biggest tragedies to have happened to our literary stalwarts is that even though they’re well known, the variety of their output isn’t. The more easily accessible thoughts, moods and feelings in songs – usually these are the softer romantic or tragic numbers – typically travel much further than poems or songs that have more challenging ideas.

Yes, Abhi Na Jaao Chhod Kar deserves endless replays until the end of time. It deserves it. But the next time you decide make googly eyes at Dev Anand (who wouldn’t?), take two seconds to discover what else came from the pen of the lyricist who wrote this immortal song. The answer might just surprise you.

MARCH 2023 33

ENTERTAINMENT

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Worth waiting for? You decide!

What’s on SUHAYLA SHARIF’s watchlist this March MRS CHATTERJEE VS NORWAY (In cinemas) Based on a mother’s journey for justice, Rani Mukerji leads the way through this Hindi drama showcasing a heart-wrenching true story. An Indian couple’s fight for their two young kids sees them challenging Norwegian Child Welfare Services, but can anyone truly compete against a mother’s love?

Release Date: 17 March

TU JHOOTHI MAIN MAKKAAR (In cinemas)

RANA NAIDU (Netflix)

This highly anticipated Hindi romcom sees a young couple who find themselves in a battle of wits, a ‘player’ whose ‘other half’ is smarter than he thinks.

Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor show how to master the game of love, as sweet as it may seem.

Release Date: 8 March

This upcoming Tamil action crime drama series brings together a star uncle-nephew duo who are guaranteed to pack a punch. Netflix have proven they aren’t short of star talent to showcase, with Rana and Venkatesh Daggubati uniting in the OTT series sure to have South India cinemagoers celebrating.

Release Date: 10 March

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MURDER MYSTERY 2 (Netflix)

GULMOHAR (Disney + Hotstar)

If you weren’t familiar with the first Murder Mystery film, you’ve at least seen the stills of Jennifer Aniston sparkling in a lehenga and asked yourself why on earth she wore it. Murder Mystery 2 takes place at an Indian wedding, the story combining a maharajah, murder, and Manish Malhotra.

Release Date: 31 March

Sharmila Tagore marks her return to Hindi cinema with a story celebrating the ups and downs of family matters. Tagore stars alongside Manoj Bajpayee, Suraj Sharma and Simran Bagga in a heartwarming drama that looks like the perfect flick for a family movie night.

Release Date: 3 March

Ajay Devgan stars alongside Tabu, Sanjay Mishra, Deepak Dobriyal and Gajraj Rao, in a high-octane Hindi action release that promises a gritty journey into the underworld. Devgan seems to be one film closer to being crowned the king of action-thrillers.

Release Date: 30 March

DASARA (In cinemas)

CHOR NIKAL KE BHAGA (Netflix)

KABZAA (In cinemas)

Audiences can expect an adrenaline rush with this Telugu action drama. Nani and Keerthy Suresh have already been creating a stir amongst Telugu cinema buffs with the release promising rage, revenge and rustic storytelling.

Release Date: 30 March

Buckle up for this Hindi action-thriller that takes place 40,000 feet in the air. Yami Gautam Dhar and Sunny Kaushal join forces as madness ensues when the pair’s plan to steal diamonds is interrupted by a plane hijacking.

Release Date: 24 March

Upendra headlines this Kannada action release set to take you back in time to meet a king of the underworld. Throw in Sudeep to play his rival, a ruthless cop, and you have the recipe for the perfect crime thriller.

Release Date: 17 March

ZWIGATO (In cinemas) Looks like Kapil Sharma has taken a break from comedy and donned the helmet of a delivery driver.

This slice-of-life Hindi film tells the story of one man who finds himself relying on gig work to feed his family amidst the turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Release Date: 17 March

INDUBALA BHATER HOTEL (Hoichoi) A narrative seeping with the nostalgia of discovering one’s roots will now be shared with lovers of Bengali cinema. Tollywood superstar Subhashree Ganguly is set to make her OTT debut based on Kaloll Lahiri’s novel of the same name.

Release Date: 8 March

AGILAN (In cinemas) Tamil cinema is set to take the high seas with this action-drama film following a seafarer tangled in a complicated tale. Jayam Ravi has already created a buzz online for captaining the film - and without spoiling too much, we may need to expect double the trouble.

Release Date: 10 March

BHOLAA (In cinemas)

TAJ: DIVIDED BY BLOOD (ZEE5) Missing the twinkling yet twisted tales told by Hindi period dramas? Taj: Divided by Blood brings to you a series that takes you back in time to the Mughal Empire, showcasing the rise and fall of royalty as told by an all-star cast.

Release Date: 3 March

ROCKET BOYS 2 (SonyLIV) A second season continues the highly acclaimed series that captured the attention of cinephiles seeking to explore India’s journey to space. Jim Sarbh and Ishwak Singh reunite to resume the Hindi biographical depiction of two men and their stories of friendship and sacrifice.

Release Date: 16 March

BHEED (In cinemas) Rajkummar Rao and Bhumi Pednekar star in this Hindi socio-political drama set to unite the voices of those lost in the biggest of crowds, even following the silence that COVID-19 brought to the world.

Release Date: 24 March MARCH 2023 35

backchat

Confessions of a shopaholic Dear Auntyji My wife and I have lived in Australia for 15 years and we both have very good corporate jobs which pay well. We also have families in India and spread across the world. Auntyji, the problem is this. I like to look good when I go to the office - and so every few weeks or so, Shilpa and I go to the city to look at clothes and things for me. I know you might think I am an unusual man because I shop for clothes quite frequently. In any case, during each shopping expedition, while I am looking at clothes, Shilpa might buy something for herself, but then she spends the bulk of time trying to buy things for our extended families. Now our families are fairly well off in India so they don’t need things, but Shilpa is always buying buying buying for them. When I say something to her, she either laughs at me and says I lack generosity, or she gets cranky and tells me to be quiet (this mostly happens when the day is hot). Auntyji, our families in India don’t ask for gifts and they are doing even better than us. How do I get Shilpa to stop this unnecessary habit? By the way, I have to admit that the relatives love the gifts - but like I said, they don’t need them.

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Auntyji says Arre kanjoos. What type of napunsak are you that you don’t see that it’s not so much about the gifts for your family, but about the fact that Shilpa is a caring, generous, loving human being - unlike the napasand daku that you are. The problem here is you. And how you managed to land a generous wife like Shilpa, and continue to hold onto her, is beyond me. So here is what you need to rethink - first unlock the darwaza of your akl and see the world through an abundance mindset. You are blessed beyond belief. That you have a stable well-paying job in one of the most stable, wealthiest countries on the globe is a gift.

You have plenty of paisa. Your relatives have plenty of paisa. Yet where is your abundance mindset? Let me explain it to a nasamajh like you more simply. Shilpa cares about people, and when she buys gifts, it’s because this is her way of saying to her family, that she cares for them, and is thinking about them. And when she gives them the gift, she is essentially giving them a part of herself. She is giving them her love and affection, manifested in a physical gift. A bewakuf like you can’t be expected to understand what generosity of spirit looks like if it came and bit you on your matlabi booty.

Do you even care about anyone other than yourself? If you stopped preening and parading in front of a mirror like a munni bhai getting dressed for a mujra, you would have more time to think about how you can be a better human being. And go buy Shilpa a gift.

She deserves a thousand gifts for putting up with a budtehzeeb rogi like you.

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FORETELL

March 2023

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

If already married or in a relationship, communicate to avoid pent-up feelings of frustration from creating bigger problems. A trip could get postponed due to illness. Those in a relationship will receive signs whether it is working or not. Business expansion is on the anvil. Infections of the eyes should not be ignored. Watch your expenses as inflow of money may be restricted. A new career direction could come your way. Some of you may want to pick up a new skill.

You choose to focus on your career and upskilling for better prospects. Keep at it for best results. Singles, be careful if you meet someone new; they could be married. Check the fine print before signing important documents. Success at work with expansion and promotions will make you happy. An estranged ex could try to woo you back. Don’t jump into a new business venture before thoroughly checking the pros and cons.

Eat more high energy foods and do only what you are sure of.

The mercurial Gemini picks the card for Libra making them slightly calmer.

Seeking balance and a new perspective, you will rely on your intellect to solve problems. Singles could meet someone from the legal field. Be careful while travelling. Finances could get delayed and cause stress. Try new age remedies for any infections. Anxiety about an uncertain future at work could trouble you. Analyse a situation before you act. Practice detachment and meditation to control yourself from getting judgemental.

The card for Virgo appears, making Cancerians a bit finicky. If stuck in a rut, look for motivation in things you enjoy. A rocky marriage could come to an end. Seek medical attention for a health problem. Money owed to you will be delayed. The end of a relationship could make you long for a reunion.

Withdrawing emotionally is your way of dealing with conflict at work. Let go of your ego and seek divine guidance.

Wait for new ideas before you look for a different job.

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

July 21 - Aug 22

Aug 23 - Sep 22

Sep 23 - Oct 22

Oct 23 - Nov 21

Short trips, and letting go of something to gain something deeper are your focus in March. Singles will be open to meeting new people instead of pining over an ex.

Support from seniors at work, a new job offer, and financial gains are foretold.

Some of you may get nostalgic about a past event. More money than you expect is coming your way. Take rest to deal with health issues. Seek spiritual guidance if you feel empty despite everything working out for you.

Faith in the universe and a desire for spiritual growth will play on your mind.

Singles will be wary of committing to someone and vacillate between yes and no. The self-employed will start a venture that puts them more in touch with people. Some of you will eventually find that new job you are looking for.

Any discontent felt is a sign of spiritual growth and progress. Trust your intuition but don’t be impulsive while making decisions.

The card representing Sagittarius appears, making the balanced and cautious Librans a little bolder. Singles might even meet someone who is a Sagittarian. New beginnings in the form of a different way to do things at work can lead to financial gains. If estranged, you could reunite.

A health condition will need medical attention. Overall, your finances improve but money owed to you will still be a while coming. Avoid stressful situations and stop settling for less than what you truly deserve.

Avoid focussing on what you lack, as it could add to your woes. You are plagued by self-doubt, difficult colleagues and financial hurdles so lie low and avoid confrontation. An unhappy marriage could have more problems. Money will come but watch your expenses. Let go if you are in a one-sided relationship. Soon, likeminded people will come into your life and things will improve. Even though you achieve success at work, an underlying spiritual quest will help you.

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18

Pisces

Feb 19 - March 20

Events testing your faith and new partnerships are on the anvil. You will be successful in a business or financial transaction. Team effort matters, so keep your staff happy. Singles could get married this month. Those in an existing relationship see it getting better. This could also indicate a pregnancy. Take some rest if you have been working too hard. Don’t be indecisive about new actions. A long-held dream is manifested on multiple levels.

Trust your vision and make it happen.

Singles will change their mind about seeing someone based on something they do. New beginnings on the work and personal front are foretold; spot the opportunities which may not come again. At work, conflicts get resolved and things get better. A spiritual practice will help you find meaning in everything you do.

Do not ignore health problems. Finances improve significantly. An inspired idea could lead to a new business partnership or relationship. Accept what comes your way for it is a life-changing opportunity.

Everything you think you had dealt with could return to test your growth. These could be an ex, old habits, money or health issues, and the answer lies in seeking spiritual guidance. You need to create balance in your life on top priority. Refocus your energies elsewhere and see how something negative turns into a positive experience. Finances are fairly stable.

Some of you will badly want to change your line of work. Overall, things will progress towards a happy ending this month.

You have divine protection this month as the cards indicate. Singles will stay unsuccessful in meeting someone they like. A sudden argument due to money matters could occur. Travel for work is indicated. A pet could need to go to the vet. Despite expenses, you need to stop worrying about money as it will come through multiple sources. Arguments will be resolved and look for a new approach to prevent them from happening again. Stay practical in all matters for best results.

Nov 22 - Dec 21

Dec 22 - Jan 19

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