YOUR SAY

NSW TREASURER DANIEL MOOKHEY: SWEARING IN CEREMONY

Our early reports by VIVEK ASRI and PAWAN LUTHRA on the new NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey’s swearing in ceremony, with the Bhagavad Gita playing a prominent role, was widely read.

Barry O’Farrell, Australia’s High Commissioner to India, shared our report and wrote: Indian-origin Australian Daniel Mookhey takes oath as NSW Treasurer on the Bhagavad Gita – the first Australian minister to take the oath of office on the holy scripture. Born in Blacktown to Punjabi migrants, he has been a politician since 2015.

Gauri Maini wrote: I firmly believe our younger generation will be far more at ease with diversity and far more vocal about social equity. I hope we can be witness to a world where moments like this are the norm.

Estelle Keerthana Rangaswamy wrote: It is nice to see such acceptance (of religions, languages and cultures) in Australia.

Shriram Iyer wrote: Great to see, very happy! Also noted your excellent play on words there, Pawan.

SAHIR LUDHIANVI: 102 YEARS YOUNG AND MORE RELEVANT THAN EVER

On the birth anniversary of the legendary poet-lyricist, VIRAT NEHRU wrote about why his work remains timeless

Timothy Osborn wrote: That article couldn't be more Virat, it's almost as if you wrote it.

Mohammad Anas wrote: Bahot umda likha hai, bhai. An honest attempt. Appreciable.

Virat Nehru wrote: I tried to tackle those aspects which usually don't get talked about as much while also tying it to contemporary issues

Anamika wrote: Loved reading this piece, and reminiscing about so many of Sahir’s works. Kudos, Virat.

Deepak Joshi wrote: On Sahir Ludhianvi's birthday, which is also International Women's Day, Virat Nehru writes about how Sahir's poetry addressed uncomfortable issues of nationalism, communalismand misogyny. Srishtee Bajpai wrote: Sahir Ludhianvi is my favourite for a reason… So glad to read this piece that weaves his work so beautifully

Avinash Gadkari wrote: A really good article that highlights Sahir more as a poet and song writer than as a person or victim of romance. With regards to Sahir being nationalist of other cadre, a rationalist and atheist, his songs like Wo subah kabhi to aayegi and Aasma pe hai Khuda aur jami pe ham from the movie Phir Subah Hogi tell much about his vision and are also worth citing. Bharadwaja Prasad wrote: Could you please provide a pdf (or link). I’d like to send it to my 70-year-old father.

KIARA RODRIGUES: A RISING VOICE IN AUSTRALIAN MUSIC

KEONIA SWIFT spoke with the country music star, a first-gen Indian-Australian, who is breaking stereotypes in the Australian country music scene.

John Denyer wrote: Kiara is a very talented singer/songwriter, and it's good to see her getting some of the recognition she deserves. And her performance at Starmaker at Tamworth was fantastic.

Kiara Rodrigues wrote: Big thanks to Keonia and the team at Indian Link for this article. It is truly an honour and privilege to represent my South Asian heritage in the Australian Country Music industry

Maggie Rodrigues wrote: That's awesome! Congratulations!

Melanie Rodrigues wrote: Well written article. So, proud of you, bubba.

Canute D'Souza wrote: Nice tribute to mum and dad too. Well done Kiara Rodrigues go well.

Brooklee Rose, singer/songwriter wrote: Congratulations, this is so wonderful.

Beth Milkins wrote: Loved reading your story.

Melanie Gray, modern Australiana singer/songwriter wrote: And what a voice!

Patricia Woodrow wrote: She’s our star.

Holi With Pets

You liked our post on keeping our pets 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’

Anuradha Kapur wrote: As the kids splashed around the backyard with their friends on Holi creating a ruckus, our brand new puppy joined in. I was concerned about the rang (coloured powder) on puppy’s skin and fur, not wanting her to lick at it afterwards. Luckily the kids agreed to keep her out of their muck-up activities, but only after putting one little bindi of colour on her forehead!

A truly phenomenal weekend attending the opening of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai, India. From the spectacular musical “Civilization to Nation” to the most extraordinary “India in Fashion Exhibition”. Congratulations to #NitaAmbani and family on your extraordinary investment, support and love of arts, culture and fashion and to Tim Brinkman and Anuj Talukder for your extraordinary work in bringing it all together. Honoured to have been a part of it all.

Michael Cassel AM, Producer & CEO of live entertainment and theatrical production company, Michael Cassel Group, Australia

BALESH DHANKHAR IN COURT, CHARGED WITH SEXUAL OFFENCES

Sydney’s Indian community was shocked to learn of the offences allegedly committed by Balesh Dhankhar, who once enjoyed high profile Krish Na wrote: Very disturbing allegations. What shocks me is how he was rubbing shoulders with the Indian PM and his senior ministers, while at the same time allegedly drugging, raping and videotaping women. It also appears he was charged years ago and was out on bail. How did he manage to remain ‘prominent’ with this hanging over his head?

Maria Alam wrote: Sounds like a predator.

Where In Oz

This stunning composition of coral has naturally formed into the shape of a heart. First discovered in 1975 by a pilot, it is now one of Australia’s most recognised attractions. Where in Australia?

Caption Contest

What’s Ajay Devgn thinking here, we asked you.

Preet Cheema won a free movie ticket for his response: I protest! I’m a celeb, but they’re not letting me act out my boyhood fantasy - to be a truck driver.

Amanjot Cheema wrote: OK then, if I can’t be a truck driver I’ll settle for traffic warden.

Vandana Mathur wrote: What a "drishya", hmmm?

Ambika Girglani wrote: Hum jaha khade ho jaate hai line wahi se shuru ho jaati hai. Do not cross Bholaa.

Ambika Girglani wrote again: Ala re ala Bholaa ala.

Jasmeen Singh wrote: Ruk ruk ruk, arre baba ruk

Where In India

Bruce Wayne aka Batman escaped jail in the movie The Dark Knight Rises by jumping out of this iconic structure. Where in India?

Please make it stop.

Tom Holland (historian), after being deluged with SRK fans on Twitter. He was tagged in place of Tom Holland (actor), who was snapped posing with SRK at the opening of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai

‘Gigi didi, ikde ikde’; ‘Ae Tommy’, ‘Tom, Homecoming’, ‘Jhandeyaa’ Paparrazzi to Gogi Hadid, Tom Holland and Zendaya at the opening of NMACC

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