2023-09-Sydney

All things Indian. In Australia.

SYDNEY

SEPTEMBER 2023

Vol. 30 No. 12

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NSW Premier’s Multicultural Communications Awards 2023 C e l e b r a t i n g 2 8 y e a r s a n d 2 7 M u l t i c u l t u r a l M e d i a A w aJULY 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

If you’re ok with ‘Bharat’, you should be ok with The Voice

EDITOR Rajni Anand Luthra CONTRIBUTORS Torsha Sen, Bedasree Gogoi, Suhayla Sharif, Vivek Asri, Lakshmi Ganapathy, Ajmer Singh Gill, Prutha Chakraborty, Nidhi Panicker, Navi Ram, Abhilasha Sengupta, Shalom Ila Bhaskar, Ritam Mitra, Minal Khona, Auntyji SALES AND MARKETING Charu Vij ADMN Aanchal Matta

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 RAJNI ANAND LUTHRA

I

ndia’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi took his compatriots by surprise with his country name plate at the recently concluded G20 summit in New Delhi.

There had been heightened chatter about a possible name change in the days immediately preceding, but most thought it was just that – an idea that would probably come under discussion soon-ish, perhaps in the upcoming special session of Parliament convened on Sept 18.

And yet we had Droupadi Murmu being described as the ‘President of Bharat’, and the Prime Minister displaying the name ‘Bharat’ on his desk at work at the international event.

No amendment to the Constitution, or two-thirds majority in Parliament, or a referendum (which India has never seen).

Yet there hasn’t exactly been a massive hue and cry, simply because the term Bharat is one we are deeply familiar with, one that is in use on a daily basis domestically. It appears in our Constitution to describe ourselves as a nation, and on our passports to stamp our national identity. In essence, it is the Hindi word for

India, as ‘Bharatiya’ is the Hindi term for ‘Indian’.

The revert to the Hindi name (Sanskrit would be ‘Bharatam’) is seen as a dismantling of the influence of historic invading forces that changed our homeland – whether European in 1700-1800, or centuries before that, by Persian powers.

Enough discussion has now ensued to conclude that the enduring name India is not colonial baggage, but in fact precedes colonisation.

“Hindu” is the Persian version of Sindhu, the civilization-building river that the Achaemenid Persians had to cross to get to modern day South Asia.

And “Bharat” of course is a term that precedes even that, finding reference in the Rig Veda (literally, ‘The Knowledge of Verses’, the oldest known Hindu text dated circa 1500–1000 BCE). The Bharatas were one of the foremost kingdoms of the land, their name coming from Bharat, the illustrious son of Shakuntala and Dushyant, predecessors of the Pandavas and Kauravas of the epic Mahabharata.

Regardless of the fact that the India of today is no longer the same as the Bharat of the young prince Bharata, just as for example the France of today is no longer the same as Gaul of centuries ago, the name Bharat invokes an original

ideal, a liberation from the influence of conquering forces.

And so Bombay, Madras, Calcutta have become less used as names, just as Ceylon, Burma, Rhodesia.

The restoration of historical names suggests self-identification, as an exercise in self-determination.

Australia is not untouched by this trend either – with Melbourne increasingly known as Naarm and Brisbane as Meanjin (including, appreciatively, by members of our own Indian-Australian community, particularly those in the academic and artistic endeavours).

If “Bharat” is identity-stamping, then “Naarm” and “Meanjin” are the same.

After all, the quest for identity is not bound by borders, religion or nationalism: it's an innately, almost pervasively human quest that draws us together, perhaps more than any other. When you call for Bharat, you tie yourself to that quest more generally; when you call for Bharat, you call also for Meanjin and Naarm.

These names are but part of the voice that Australia’s Indigenous people are asking us to embrace in the upcoming referendum, in their own struggle for selfidentification.

If you’re embracing “Bharat” as a name, then you’re a supporter of the Voice in the referendum.

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SEPTEMBER 2023 5

contents special features G20 G20 + 1 - 2

12

The Voice Referendum

15

Why I’m voting yes

ART

Monica Rani Rudhar: Art and identity

20

COSMETICS

All Shades Matter Cosmetcs

TRAVEL

Picture perfect Patagonia

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15

26

32

26

cOVER sTORY Best Publication Indian Link wins two awards at NSW Premier’s Multicultural Communications Awards

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SEPTEMBER 2023 7 www.indianlink.com.au

YOUR SAY BEST PUBLICATION AWARD The Indian Link team was proud to win Best Publication at the NSW Premier’s Multicultural Communications Awards 2023.

Ritam Mitra wrote: Congratulations team! Wonderful work.

Aneeta Menon wrote: Awesome work as always, team! Love leading the way with you.

Khushaal Vyas wrote: Very welldeserved recognition for a publication that has been fearless in reporting and leading on issues impacting South Asian Australians. Congratulations Indian Link Media Group!

Natasha Jha Bhaskar wrote:Huge congratulations Rajni, Pawan and the Indian Link Media Group team. Every single piece of yours is so diligently crafted. It is always a delight to read.

Onwards and upwards.

Prutha Bhosle wrote: Fantastic news!

Congratulations to two of the most amazing editors Rajni Luthra and Pawan Luthra. Thank you for making me a part of this beautiful journey. I am so proud to be associated with an organisation that does so much diverse and accurate reporting across multiple genres.

Jyothsna Rao PhD wrote: So well deserved Rajni Luthra and Pawan Luthra, the writing, stories and standards are high at Indian Link Media Group.

A joy to read, massive congratulations.

Wishing you many more.

Lily Gabriel wrote: Congrats Pawan & Rajni and to the whole team of Indian Link.

Virat Nehru wrote: Such great news!

Srinivas Karkenahalli wrote: Well done, Rajni and Pawan.

Vivek Asri wrote: Bahut bahut mubarak.

I feel so proud.

Anu Shivaram wrote: Hearty congratulations to Pawan and Rajni and their team for winning the PMCA for Best Publication. A well-deserved honour for consistent top quality reporting and articles. The editorials are so well-balanced and relevant that they reflect and influence the thinking of an entire community.

Sagar Mehrotra wrote: Super congratulations to the wonderful team of Indian Link.

Kersi Meher-Homji wrote: Hearty congratulations to you both and your writers / editors on Indian Link winning the 2023 NSW Premier Multicultural Communication Award. I feel very proud being in the winning team.

Tarini Puri wrote: Heartiest congratulations to you and the entire team for the win. It’s really your stewardship that has kept the newspaper going from strength to strength, always on the right track and always on the pulse of the community. I am glad to be associated the publication albeit in a small way.

Dhanya Samuel wrote: Congratulations!

Keep up the good work, everyone. And thanks Indian Link for giving us the platform.

Sandip Hor wrote: Proud to be part of award-winning IL team.

Neeru Saluja wrote: Congratulations Rajni and Pawan! Well deserved - this calls for a celebration! Well done to 8 SEPTEMBER 2023

Suhayla and Torsha. Feeling so proud to be part of this dedicated team.

Bish Mukherjee wrote: Huge congrats to my favourite publication. Well done, Pawan and Rajni.

Andrew Charlton wrote: Congratulations. Well deserved.

Sarah Macdonald wrote: Congratulations - and looking terrific too!!!

Mitu Bhowmick Lange wrote: Congratulations and much much love, always.

Jodi McKay wrote: This is so well deserved. Huge gratitude to Pawan and Rajni for their commitment to telling the stories of the Indian Australian community. Well done to your entire team Indian Link Media Group.

Dipen Rughani wrote: Congratulations Pawan Luthra, Rajni Luthra and team Indian Link Media Group; very well deserved. Your hard work and consistent quality content has kept you at the top of your game for three decades.

Shantha Viswanathan wrote: Wonderful Indian Link! Delighted to see you win, so well deserved! Rajni Luthra and Pawan, so happy for you.

Wishing you continued success.

Sheba Nandkeolyar wrote: Congratulations Pawan Luthra and Rajni Luthra, very well done. Wishing you the very best going forward.

Australia India Business Council wrote: Congratulations Indian Link Media Group for this well-deserved accolade.

Pink Sari wrote: Heartiest congratulations to Indian Link on winning this award. We at Pink Sari would like to acknowledge your immense support in helping us over the years in raising awareness about our cancer screening and prevention campaigns and our support programs. Best wishes for continued success. Thank you to Rajni and Pawan Luthra and team for bringing us great news coverage on diverse topics of interest.

Tracey Holmes wrote: So well deserved, Pawan, congratulations to you and Rajni from Stan and me.

Vinod Daniel wrote: Great to hear and congratulations. Richly deserved.

Sanjay Deshwal wrote: Congratulations Pawan and Rajni Luthra. Interestingly my Immigration business journey started in 1994 and your publication was the first one to market / support us!

Atul Aneja wrote: Congratulations

Pawan Luthra & Rajni Luthra, very well deserved. Great contribution over the years. Wishing you the very best going forward.

Padmini Sunder wrote: Over a long period, you have sustained considerable community interest via news articles and radio. Over the years you have adapted to popular communication platforms.

Congrats to the entire team.

Sukhmani Khorana wrote: Congratulations - absolutely welldeserved.

Sonia Sadiq Gandhi wrote: Congratulations, so well deserved.

Melissa Monteiro wrote: That’s fabulous. Congratulations Pawan to you and your team!

Mahrukh Mundul wrote: Congratulations and so well deserved.

Jasia Fabig wrote: Congratulations to you and Rajni on all your hard work, so well deserved.

Simon Disney wrote: Fabulous.

Congratulations.

Bridget Poolman wrote: A fabulous achievement. Congratulations to all at Indian Link.

Eugene Reinboth wrote: Great work Pawan Luthra and @indian link media group.

Valerie Seidel wrote: Congrats Pawan.

Nice recognition.

Jayant Sharma wrote: Congrats Pawan, Rajni and the Indian Link team!

Neelam Vasudevan wrote: Congratulations to the team at Indian Link Media Group! Simply the best…well deserved.

Kanti Jinna wrote: Congratulations Pawanbhai and team. I am not surprised.

You all are doing a fantastic job. Best wishes for a continued successful future.

Punita Udeshi wrote: Congratulations Indian Link team. This is great news.

Sanjay Rai wrote: Congratulations Pawan - great to see that your and Rajni’s contribution over the years has been recognised.

Sanjay Bery wrote: Really impressive Pawan, Rajni & Indian Link team, kudos.

Wishing you continued success.

Tanya Curtin wrote: Huge congrats to you and the team Pawan, what a glorious achievement for you to all share.

Ron Barooah wrote: Heartiest congratulations. Aus is richer for your efforts.

David Ward wrote: Huge effort Rajni and Pawan, well deserved.

Nickie Flambouras wrote: The best.

Well deserved, Indian Link.

Ajaz Khan wrote: Congratulations Pawan. Keep up the great work you do.

Dr Lurion De Mello wrote: Great recognition!

Ruchika Mangla wrote: Congratulations Indian Link team. Well deserved.

Nadeem Ahmed wrote: Well deserved.

Congratulations.

Priya Srinivasan wrote: Congratulations! Great to see all your hard work pay off.

Anthony Hunt wrote: Well done Pawan!

Kerren Lumsden wrote: Congratulations. Thoroughly deserved!

Jyoti Dogra wrote: Congratulations,well deserved, best wishes to team Indian Link!!

Keiasha Naidoo wrote: Good on you guys Blake Timothy wrote: Massive congratulations to everyone involved.

Sarita Sachdev wrote: Congratulations to you both. Well deserved.

Sunil Vyas wrote: Heartiest congratulations on the double Awards!

Thoroughly well deserved and not surprising due to the high standards you set for yourselves and for your team.

Congratulations also to your friendly and very professional team.

As mentioned in the article, it is great that Indian Link media group is venturing out into the wider societal space including Pawan's regular TV appearances.

Very proud of you and wishing you ongoing growth and success!

Devna Luthra wrote: Huge congrats to the IL team.

Acknowledging congratulatory notes also from Charmaine O'Brien PhD, Amar Singh JP, Kristen Dias, Steve Kamper, Joseph La Posta, Smita Nashikkar, Gaurav Malhotra, Priya Songappan, Dimpy Singh Kanwar, Susan Warda,Bhupinder Chhibber, Preeti Daga, Mamta Sharma, Surjeet Dhanji, Deepali Gupta,Sanjay Jatyan, Manoj Narsey, Carmel Melouney, Anand Chukka, Bala Balachandran, Kapil Kohli, Peeyush Gupta, Danny Adno, Anil Advaney, Ritesh Chugh, Kashif Harrison, Mamta B, Priya Songappan, Georgie Tyler, Alex Kyrikos, Ratandeep Kaur, Sanjay Khanna, Shyamal Bhatia, Amrita Kohli, Sarita Verma, Asmita Mankad, Jessica Bhatia, Phillip Boniface, Sachin Wakhare, Akki Gaurav, Veena Nair, Saurabh Khurana, Nalin Sharda, Himanshi Munshaw Luthar, Sanjiv Kohli, Harleen Oberoi, Anju Aggarwal, Nirupa Prasad, Aarti Gautam, Menaka Iyengar Cooke, Anjali Passey, Poornima Menon, Meena Mahanty Kumar, Rohina Joshi, Anita Bassi, Arun Mistry, Rachita Khurana Luthra, Mala Luthra, Arun Tangri, Sandip Hor, Raka Mitra, Gwwtha Gopinath, Chitra Iyer, Uma Jana, Anajli Passey, Som Bala, Charu Tangri, Rajan Luthra, Rajiv Anand, Swedesh Anand, Revathy Sundresan, and Rani RJ among others.

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STUDENT JOURNALISM AWARD Indian Link’s Suhayla Sharif claimed the Alam Knight Student Award at the NSW Premier’s Multicultural Communications Awards 2023.

UTS Journalism wrote: Congratulations to UTSFass student Suhayla Sharif, who won the Alan Knight Student Journalist Award at the NSW Premier's Multicultural Awards last night for her work with @Indian_Link. Fellow journo student Mohamad Youssef was a runner-up. Well done to you both! #thebestofUTS Suhayla Sharif wrote: Thank you to Multicultural NSW for giving me a stepping stone into my career where I hope to bring light to many more amazing and diverse community stories! This recognition is a powerful stepping stone into a career dedicated to fearlessly amplifying diverse

voices. Shoutout to Indian Link too for helping me finding my voice; I’ll forever be grateful for the countless amazing opportunities over the past year - generously helping me find my feet in the media industry. Thank you to everyone who has ever helped my voice roar.

Martin Newman wrote: Well done to UTS journo student Suhayla Sharif who won the 2023 NSW Premier's Multicultural Communications Award for Student Journalist of the Year, for her work with Indian Link ! Congrats also to Mohamad Youssef who was a runner-up. Both have been producing quality stories and video packages on multicultural issues in Sydney.

Dhanya Samuel wrote: Congratulations.

Rajni Anand Luthra wrote: Congratulations Suhayla. We are so proud of you.

Dakshata Sharma wrote: So well deserved.

Kaanchana Sekaran wrote: Congrats Suhayla.

Varun Ravindran wrote: So proud of you. Congratulations. Well deserved, Suhayla.

Purushottam Goundan wrote: Keep it up Suhayla, best wishes.

Putra Goundar wrote: Great to hear this news. All the best.

Teajalam Gounden wrote: Suhayla, Congratulations!

Yashvi Luthra wrote: Proud of you.

Congratulations.

Alicia Vrajlal wrote: Congrats!

Dheeraj Thadani wrote: Massive congratulations! A truly well-deserved accolade for your outstanding work. All the best for what’s to come next!

Adam Ali wrote: Congratulations on your multishiningcultural remarkable work, good on you.

Indian Link NSW!!!!

Sunil Coelho wrote: Gateway of India, Marine Drive and Bollywood Indian Link: All the clues lead to Maharashtra and Mumbai - the city of dreams.

Archana Preeth Sagar wrote: Gomateshwara, Hampi stone chariot, Adiyogi.

Indian Link: Is this Karnataka?

Usha Thirumeni wrote: Iron and steel, Steel City, Tata Motors, Fakira chanachur, Narayan kulfi.

Indian Link: The famous Steel City is in Jharkhand.

Sonal Chaubal wrote: "Lalbaug Cha Raja" visits the state every year traveling via the "Sea Link", returning home via "The Gateway Of India".

Indian Link: Clever! These clues and the links between them brought a smile. Maharashtra!

Harishankar Kailasam wrote: Bharathanaatyam, Brihadeeswarar and other temples, pure silk sarees, idli-sambhar, filter coffee, Super Kings.

Indian Link: Woah! Plenty of clues here - each one, yes each one, screaming Tamil Nadu! You’re clearly so proud of your heritage. It certainly enriches our entire nation. Happy Independence Day. Sachin Sharma wrote: BC, MC and Kohli.

Indian Link: Ha ha very clever! Delhi.

Jayanthi Vellore wrote: Lalbagh, silk, Silicon Valley of India.

Indian Link: Gotta be Karnataka!

Tejas M Vaidya wrote: Birth place of (Indian) cinema.

Indian Link: Maharashtra.

Pallavi Barat Janapareddy wrote: Victoria memorial, Netaji and Sandesh.

Indian Link: It’s Bengal! A very happy Independence Day to you!

Arpit Joshi wrote: One word India Indian Link: What a wonderful response!

Arix Bishnoi wrote: Modi, Shah, Adani The best known Gujju bhais in contemporary India? Gujarat it is.

Jalpa Patel wrote: Garba, Statue of Unity, Dhirubhai Ambani Indian Link: Gujarat!! Nice clues, but the best clue is your name, ha ha! A very happy Independence Day to you!

Rahul Sharma wrote: Reliance, Modi, Business.

Indian Link: None other than Gujarat!

Nivedita Kunder wrote: Korutti, Aishwarya Rai, First surfing school in India.

Indian Link: The hometown of Aishwarya Rai...hmm. It has to be Karnataka.

Sanjay Sasidharan wrote: Jatayu Earth Centre, Houseboats/Lagoons, Ayurvedic rejuvenation Indian Link: That sounds a lot like Kerala!!

Susan Abraham wrote: God’s own country, Chinese fishing nets, Water Metro Indian Link: Ende keralam! Happy Independence Day!!

Javal Patel wrote :Longest coastal line, Asiatic lions, tallest statue in the world.

Indian Link: Gujarat it is.

Jyoti Dogra wrote: Mythological, Historical, Agricultural Indian Link: Is it Himachal by any chance??

Jyoti Dogra replied: Haryana (Mythology for Kurukshetra where the great battle of Mahabharat took place; Historical for Panipat battle and ruins and traces of Indus valley civilization; Agricultural for contributions via Green Revolution).

INDEPENDENCE DAY ‘STATE’ OF MIND! For a bit of Independence Day fun, we put this query to you: Without naming your home state, tell us three iconic features the state is known for.

Shabana Azmi (Yes, THE Shabana Azmi!) wrote: Hapur mangos, lavani dance, and paithani saris.

Indian Link: Hello!! What a pleasant surprise! Great to see you do the honours at Independence Day at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. Oh btw Khoobchaan! Maharashtra Majha it is.

Premi Kongbra wrote: Burning state right now.

Indian Link: We are all saddened by the situation in Manipur. Hoping for calm, resolution and the return to peaceful life for all.

RJ Lily - Indian Link Radio wrote: Jhunka Bhaakar, Prince of Wales Museum, Marine Drive.

Indian Link: Gotta be Maharashtra!

Guru Dha wrote: Ruins of the Indus Valley civilisation at Kalibangan and Balathal. Land of Maharajas. Birth place of Jagjit Singh.

Indian Link: Padharo mare desh!!

Rajasthan it is.

Shikha Goyal wrote: Golden Temple will be enough for this exercise.

Indian Link: Sadda Punjab.

Chandni Bansal wrote: Mahabharat, agriculture, battle of Panipat Indian Link: Haryana!!

Ramesh V Morkhandikar wrote: Freedom fighters. Business. Prime Minister and Home Minister.

Indian Link: Jai Shri Krishna!! Gujarat it is. Happy Independence Day! Rupa Kumar wrote: Rabindranath Tagore. Roshogolla. Victoria Memorial.

Indian Link: That definitely sounds like West Bengal Shyamal Bhatia wrote: Bajra Rotla, Chhaas, Desert sands.

Indian Link: Chhaas gives it away Gujarat! But well done on that third clue, desert sands.

Shyamal Bhatia replied: I did that one for my native Kutch.

Aruna D'ugu wrote: Charminar, Chudi bazar and biriyani.

Indian Link: We’re not going to google this one to find out which is correct: it’s either Andhra Pradesh or Telangana!

Ritika Agarwalla wrote: Maa Kamakhya. The only male river in India, Brahmaputra. World’s largest and smallest river islands Majuli and Umananda Indian Link: Assam! Some wonderful clues here, well done. These are facts about Assam that are only now becoming well known to the nonAssamese.

Saphira Toor wrote: Qutab Minar, Red Fort, Lotus Temple.

Indian Link Delhi o Delhi! Your Delhi is clearly in its monuments, ancient and modern. And that’s a great way to describe Delhi.

Divya Palsodkar wrote: Bowl of rice, Teejan bai, heart of India Indian Link Teejan Bai, the recipient of Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri Awards! This sound like Chhattisgarh.

Nalin Chandra Trivedi wrote:Tata Motors, Dimna lake, Subarnrekha river, Johar.

Indian Link: It’s Jharkhand, even though we couldn’t get that last clue!

Pls enlighten us - is it a crop that the state is known for?

Nalin Chandra Trivedi replied: Johar means namaste in our tribal culture.

Johar Jharkhand.

Angela Thanasias wrote: Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Kangaroos

SEPTEMBER 2023 9

COVER STORY

From left: Sagar Mehrotra, Torsha Sen, Rajni, Pawan, Charu Vij, Suhayla Sharif, Bedashree Gogoi, Aanchal Matta

NSW’s Best M Publicati

Indian Link wins Best Publication at the NSW Premier’s Multicultura

by TORSHA SEN

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t the NSW Premier’s Multicultural Communications Awards 2023 (PMCAs) held on 24 Aug, Indian Link brought home two journalism awards.

It took out the Publication of the Year Award, and team member Suhayla Sharif claimed the Alan Knight Student Award.

“We’re over the moon – literally and figuratively,” Editor Rajni Anand Luthra laughed. “We’ve spent the day putting out stories about India’s moon landing, and here we are finishing off the night with two trophies in our hands.”

The Publication of the Year Award this year is the fourth such for Indian Link, having won it before in 2018, 2015 and 2013.

“It’s great to be acknowledged again,” Indian Link CEO Pawan Luthra said after receiving the honour from NSW Premier Chris Minns. “Since the last time this came

10 SEPTEMBER 2023

our way, we have solidified further our role as providers of objective and reliable information, and have continued to build trust as agents of societal incorporation as well as cultural preservation.”

The role of the media group might well have moved beyond these responsibilities, according to Rajni.

“In the last couple of years, we’ve broken the community barrier and moved into a ‘post multicultural’ Australia, where new integrative realities have begun to play out,” she described.

“Our work is increasingly being picked up by the mainstream media, to which we take our diverse perspective on the many issues that affect us all as Australians – whether population, education, migration, politics, finance or lifestyle. As we share our views from a ‘New Australian’ nuance, we are reinventing ourselves as ‘post multicultural’ media.”

She added, “Such enrichment is not possible without creative energies coming from a multitude of sources. Pawan and I are in debt of our team members – our small but hard-working team punches above its weight.

Charu Vij, Sagar Mehrotra, Ash Reynolds, Torsha Sen, Kerry Said, Bedashree Gogoi,

www.indianlink.com.au

Multicultural ion 2023

n and Alan Knight Student Award al Communications Awards 2023 Suhayla Sharif, Lakshmi Ganapathy, Vivek Asri, Aanchal Matta, Shailesh Tinker – we did it again, and we did it together.”

Pawan also acknowledged the vast team of contributors, some of who have been writing for Indian Link for two decades.

“What a great team – Ritam Mitra, Prutha Chakraborty, Sandip Hor, Petra O’Neill, LP Ayer, Dhanya Samuel, Usha Arvind, Kersi Meher Homji, Neeru Saluja, Virat Nehru, amongst others. Through their work, they’re all playing a role in developing multicultural attitudes, and fostering multicultural stability.”

He added, “A note of thanks also to our advertisers, valued supporters who are just as important as our creative contributors.”

As a creative contributor herself, Alan Knight Student Award 2023 winner Suhayla Sharif of UTS has been working with Indian Link for just over a year.

“For the first time as writer, I have no words,” she said after receiving her award from Kathy Egea, wife of Prof. Alan Knight, former Head of Journalism at UTS. “I’m overwhelmed, yet overjoyed, to have received the award at a stage where I’m still finding my feet as a storyteller. It feels incredible

to know perspectives like mine are being recognised and rewarded by community leaders who are embracing the evolving face of our diverse nation. It makes me hopeful knowing that the voices being celebrated are those of multicultural Australians, especially women of colour, and I’m incredibly lucky to be one of them. I hope to use this award as a stepping stone into a career where I can authentically continue amplifying the voices that further weave diversity into the fabric of multicultural Australia.”

Rajni said, “In the short time Suhayla has been with us, she has impressed us with her pieces particularly in the Arts and Culture space, her can-do attitude and her industriousness. So very proud of her. I’m certain she will go on to a successful career in journalism.”

Following this year’s NSW Premier’s Multicultural Communications Awards 2023, the number of media awards in the Indian Link kitty (since they were instituted in 2012) now stands at 27.

Not a bad report card, as the media group this month wraps up 28 years since inception.

Suhayla Sharif

SEPTEMBER 2023 11

G20

by PAWAN LUTHRA

A la-carte menu of alliance options

Different layers of multilateralism have started to emerge globally. Alliances which may suit nations are being formed for economic as well as geopolitical reasons.

The Quad – Australia, India, Japan and United States is one such example. A phrase coined by an investment banker a few years ago – BRIC – Brazil, Russia, India and China – with South Africa added to make it BRICS – has become another bloc, which only recently admitted six new members, in an attempt largely by Russia and China to reshape the global world order and provide a counterweight to the US and its allies. From early next year, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Argentina, the UAE and Ethiopia will join the current five members.

In a recent article in the SMH, political and international editor Peter Hartcher quoted leading Indian strategic analyst C. Raja Mohan of the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore, who said that he sees Chinese President Xi moving into a new modus operandi, “using BRICS to build an anti-US platform and more directly confronting the West, rather than coming to multilateral forums where you have to deal with contending views. It’s a big step.”

Both Russian President Putin and Chinese President Xi opted not to travel to India for the G20 2023 summit.

President Vladimir Putin of Russia was not present at G20 last year in Bali either. He has not been abroad since the International 12 SEPTEMBER 2023

Photos: PIB

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he recently concluded G20, while having gained a new member in the African Union, could also be in the danger of losing two prominent members in Russia and China.

Without active participation of these two members who have often presented a contra opinion to those of the United States and its allies on various issues, will the G20 forum be anything other than a West-driven talk fest in the future?

The G20 - or Group of Twenty - is a club of countries which meets to discuss global economic and political issues on a yearly basis. Between them, these G20 countries account for 85% of the world's economic output and more than 75% of world trade.

They contain two-thirds of the global population. Though established in 1999, it was only in 2009 at the height of the global financial crisis, that it came into its own.

Over the years, as countries of the world looked at forums other than the United Nations, the G20 came into favour as an annual meet-and-greet by world leaders to discuss and act upon (or promise to act on) major issues related to the global economy, such as international financial stability, climate change mitigation and sustainable development.

A shift in the geopolitical landscape now and a polarising world order may well make the G20 a toothless tiger.

While it exercises global power, over the last couple of years its influence seems to be declining and the recently concluded G20 in India may well be the start of this forum’s waning power.

G20 + 1 - 2 Will the parts of the G20 be greater than their sum?

A heads-of-state tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat

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messaging was unleashed to take advantage of this opportunity. India has more than 692 million internet users with 467 million social media users, from 1.1 billion cellular mobile users.

PM Modi’s BJP party set up 225 call centres with 20,000 tele callers promoting the achievements of the PM and his world leader status; the party is reputed to have used 2.5 million social media professionals to reach 100 million voters.

While the use of the G20 for domestic political gain may seem galling to some, others see it as being in the right place at the right time and having no qualms in taking advantage of the situation.

One thing is for sure – the G20 became more democratized in India than ever before: with the constant chatter about it for months before, and the giant billboards across the length and breadth of the country, the common man became aware of the concept.

These gains notwithstanding, the staging of the G20 has come at enormous financial cost.

It is reported that over A$800 million was spent on this 72-hour fanfare, as opposed to $170 million at the Buenos Aires summit of 2018, and $450 million at the Osaka summit.

Atul Bhargava, President of the New Delhi Traders Association, told Business Today, “The Delhi G20 also cost almost $40,000,000 in losses to the local shops and restaurants forced to shut down (for the tenure of the event).”

Gains for India

What India got out of it was a bit more of that international exposure it has begun to enjoy in recent years, making itself better known and accepted. There’s been space success following economic success; its global corporate clout is increasing, with Indians heading many large multinationals,

and the growth in soft power has been phenomenal.

It also showed the clout which India and PM Modi have begun to hold internationally.

This was perhaps reflected in the final Delhi Declaration that seemed to water down that significant current concern, Russia.

The western nations in the group would no doubt have wanted to send a strong message to Russia in the communique, calling it out for its ongoing aggression against Ukraine. And yet, so high are their stakes in India, that they signed off on a diluted declaration. The language on the invasion of Ukraine was noticeably softened compared with the statement from last year’s summit, shielding Russia from criticism over the war.

Unlike the Bali Declaration year, there was no condemnation this time round of Moscow or reference to Russia’s aggressions.

Russian Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov praised the role of India in the negotiations, claiming it had pushed back against attempts to “politicise” the G20. The Delhi Declaration issued in its watered-down version was a triumph for PM Modi.

India and PM Modi also had notable success by being the voice of the Global South; having the African Union admitted into the infrastructure of the G20, was quite a coup. It showed India’s desire to stand up for and be a voice for much of the ‘developing’ world, nation states coming into their own after colonisation.

Another coup, though from the sidelines of the G20 overall, was the significant announcement of the launch of a new economic corridor that will link India with the Middle East and Europe through a new network of rail and shipping infrastructure to rival the One Road One Road Chinese policy. It is in early stages yet, but the discussions amongst the countries have been positive.

Criminal Court (ICC) in March this year issued a warrant for his arrest over alleged war crimes in Ukraine. India is not a signatory to the Rome Statute and would not have been required to arrest Putin. The relationship between India and Russia is also very warm, and President Putin could have travelled to the summit hosted by its close ally. President Xi also snubbed the G20 by not attending, despite having attended the BRICS summit in South Africa a fortnight earlier.

A triumph for Modi

Yet for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the G20 was a triumph domestically and internationally.

Internally, the timing was perfect. Indian general elections are scheduled to be held in 2024 and while Modi’s BJP is a shoo-in to win, the party has had a few scares in state elections recently. After having swapped the hosting role with Indonesia from 2022 to 2023, PM Modi used the opportunity to position himself in the eyes of the voting Indian public as a true world leader.

The phrase coined was Vishwa Guru (the leader of the world), and his face was plastered on billboards around the country.

The message was simple: by hosting the world’s top leaders, India has arrived as a world power, with PM Modi as the person who took the country there.

The billboards are old-fashioned advertising.

The true power of digital and social media

Prime Minister Albanese and Jodie Haydon with Prime Minister Modi and President Murmu

SEPTEMBER 2023 13

Two-day Weekend Energising Wellness Yogic Retreat for the whole family

Food stall with vegetarian Satvic delicious food is prepared and supplied

by Sri Venkata Krishna Vrundavana Temple at a reasonable price for a temple fundraiser.

23rd Sept 2023: Harry Todd Band Hall

1 Jubilee Lane Harris Park 2150 New South Wales

24th Sept 2023: Dundas Community Centre 21 Sturt Street Telopea 2117 New South Wales

We recommend you participate on both days

for a deeper understanding of the theory and practice of yoga

Content: Divinity in Yoga, Asana for making the body strong and healthy, Hata Yoga Kriya for cleansing, Eye exercise, Yoga Nidra for deep relaxation, Pranayama for mental health, Japa for paving a new path in life, Meditation for discovering your potential, Vasudeva Kriya.

Investment for yoga workshop: $50/person/day or $90 for both days.

Children under 5 years are free.

Banking Details:

BSB: 013479 Account: 901654618 Name: Vasudeva Kriya Yoga

Bring your own mat, plate, cup, water bottle, and a happy face! Prior booking is a must.

Please send your WhatsApp No along with the payment details.

14 SEPTEMBER 2023

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The Voice Referendum: Why I’m voting Yes The call for a Voice is morally justified and practically necessary by AJMER SINGH GILL

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s a Sikh Australian, I wholly back the moral stance in support of Indigenous constitutional recognition.

Travelling through Australia, this land of opportunities, I have been plagued by two questions.

First, how can it be that the country that provided prosperity and happiness for my family and myself, has done so little for the many Indigenous Australians living here for so long?

Second, how can it be that the Australian polity, despite their initial reluctance, eventually accepted me as a Sikh man with a turban, but has not yet formally accepted and included Indigenous peoples?

As a Singaporean-born Sikh Australian and President of the National Sikh Council of Australia, I wholeheartedly support the upcoming referendum on a constitutionally guaranteed Indigenous Voice and call on politicians across the political spectrum to do the same. Many Sikh Australians, and migrants more broadly, have immense empathy for the plight of Indigenous peoples. We want to see them properly recognised in the Constitution and guaranteed a fairer

Voice in laws and policies made about them. That is why the Sikh Council, together with eight other major faith organisations, signed a joint resolution last year, and joint letter to politicians in February, calling for bipartisan support for the referendum.

I also contributed an essay to the new book, Statements from the Soul, explaining why I support this cause.

I arrived in Australia at the mature age of 38, with my wife and two-yearold son. I saw Australia as one of the best places to live in the world. My research told me this was a stable, fair, egalitarian, and democratic society with countless economic and noneconomic opportunities. My research proved correct. I moved from Malaysia to Australia in 1981 and worked as a teacher to build a better life for me and my family.

I feel lucky and blessed to be Australian.

Living across various Australian jurisdictions, I interacted with Indigenous communities in Western Australia, Northern Territory and New South Wales. I experienced firsthand the warmth and affability of Australia’s First Peoples and learned about the deep historical connections between Indigenous Australians and Sikh (and Muslim, Hindu, and Afghan) cameleers.

Mutual connections between our communities have grown since the

1800s. I heard the personal recollections of Indigenous elders, who described the similarities between our two communities’ spiritual and psychosocial perspectives, and I grew to feel that Indigenous Australians and Sikh Australians had a sense of shared nationhood.

I have also seen the harsh realities faced by Indigenous communities, especially in remote areas.

Sikh Australians have tried to help where we can. Tejinder Pal Singh, a taxi driver in Darwin, was recognised as an Australian of the Year for his generosity cooking and delivering Indian food to disadvantaged Indigenous communities.

Such kindness is inspiring and speaks to the solidarity many migrants feel with Indigenous communities.

Yet the need for this charity also demonstrates long term systemic failures of policy making in Indigenous affairs.

The call for a Voice is morally justified and practically necessary. The least Australians can do for our fellow Indigenous Australians is to guarantee them an advisory say in laws and policies made about them.

There is no veto proposed. It is a modest and small ask, given the history of discrimination and injustice, and given current policy ineptitude and failure.

Current arguments around reiterations of the proposed constitutional drafting are of limited value and threaten to dilute or

side-track the impact of this reform. That needs to stop.

We must work together to deliver this for Indigenous communities and the nation.

As Sikhs, we are inspired by the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib, of seva (service to humanity) and vandchakna (sharing and caring). This is why I feel a moral imperative to assist Indigenous Australians to take their rightful place in this country, which has given my family and me so much, but which was premised on their dispossession.

As multicultural Australians, this is our chance to give back. I say to the politicians withholding support for Indigenous peoples’ modest request to have a guaranteed Voice in their own affairs: Sikh Australians are watching.

Migrants, multifaith and multicultural communities are watching. We are watching and we will vote.

Ajmer Singh Gill is president of the National Sikh Council of Australia and a contributor to Statements from the Soul: the moral case for the Uluru Statement from the Heart (La Trobe University Press).

Find out more about how the National Sikh Council of Australia and other multicultural organisations are supporting the Voice on multiculturalforvoice.org.

SEPTEMBER 2023 15

Facebook / Yes23

OPINION

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young 28YEARS www.indianlink.com.au

STARTUP by LAKSHMI GANAPATHY

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f you watched the livestream of the Indian Space Research Organisation’s Chandrayaan-3 mission, you’re bound to be wondering when we’ll get to the stage of not just probes, but everyday people landing on the moon.

Metakosmos, a Sydney-based Space tech startup is one organisation bringing us closer to this reality. They’re developing next-gen ‘Kosmosuits’ aimed at reducing the barriers to space travel.

Named after the Sanskrit word for ‘sky’, Metakosmos’ ‘Vyom’ line of Kosmosuits capitalise on advancements in materials, fabrics, electronics and AI to reduce the cost of production. “[Space travel] is considered an unattainable thing, there’s limited spots,” says Metakosmos CEO Kiriti Rambhatla.

“The idea is to reduce the bottlenecks in the process, and suits happen to be a core [bottleneck]. If we can drop the production cost of spacesuits down, by an order of magnitude that’s going to open the pipeline to more people.”

Rambhatla loved DC Comics and Hollywood superhero costumes as a child, and since completing his MBA has worked in the tech industry for over 15 years. A 2017 trip to NASA’s Ames Research Centre coalesced these passions into a startup, and since 2020, Metakosmos have combined imagination and technology to revolutionise spacesuit production.

As a South Asian-led startup, Metakosmos are keen to diversify the space industry, currently dominated by billionaires like Elon Musk and Richard Branson.

“Having diversified models and diversified thought represented in the supply chain is critical,” says Rambhatla. “There’s little effort outside of traditional space agencies, mostly in Russia, Europe or North America to focus on human spaceflight. We’re providing a platform for folks in Asia to be part of this ecosystem.”

Due to the dominance of western space agencies, current data on human body performance in space typically derives from a particular body type, making it inadequate for estimating how a diverse population might perform. In their efforts to democratise space travel, Metakosmos are deeply considering the diversity of bodies that might use their suits.

“The more people from different demographics you put inside the suit, the better your data quality will be, so you can effectively design better systems – that’s the thought process behind making these things accessible,” he says.

“It’s like if your car isn’t designed for your safety because people don’t know how it works when you’re inside the vehicle – that’s how strange it would be if you weren’t aware of the anthropometry of the demographics getting inside it.”

Metakosmos are also developing variants of their Kosmosuits called ‘Terra’ and ‘Aqua’, for use in all-terrain training, and a bioastronautics data collection software to better customise the suit.

Rambhatla argues these variants have ample terrestrial applications and can be used to understand and endure extreme weather conditions brought on by climate change.

“The aim is to improve human

Vyom, Terra and Aqua are designed for use in different extreme environments

One small step for Vyom Metakosmos, a South Asian led Australian space tech startup, want to democratise space travel through their next-gen spacesuits

Metakosmos at the Taste of Space event organised at Parliament House in Canberra

performance in extreme conditions; here on Earth you’ve got fires, chemically charged environments, radioactive environments.

These kits could be utilised in all those conditions to understand our own planet,” he says.

“We’d love to be in space, but we say 80% of the work happens here on Earth. There aren’t many avenues to protect ourselves [from extreme weather], so these suits could potentially play a role in the future.”

Rambhatla also says space has a lot to offer the everyday citizen, with everything from television to farmland imaging managed through satellites. India might have already proved itself with the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3, but as the relevance of space technology expands, he believes South Asia

will be at the forefront of this rising sector.

“India could really benefit from space investment, which would go back as benefits to the common people in terms of planning their livelihoods,” says Rambhatla. “There’s a lot of raw materials going into space products, and because of the whole Make-in-India drive, I see a great opportunity for folks in India to get into the global supply chain, so they should consider these avenues.”

“Traditionally [space exploration] has happened through government-based organisations, but they’re opening up to private participation which should excite people. I see India playing a major role in the next five to 10 years in the private space sector.”

So when can we expect actual ‘Life on Mars’?

Rambhatla says their Kosmosuits are currently at the stage of component testing, or what would be deemed level four on NASA’s nine-tier Technology Readiness Level scale.

The answer is, probably not for some time.

Rambhatla says alongside billionaire space tourism, the next few years will see the space industry focus on research and development in lower orbit, where the International Space Station currently sits. This will open opportunities for people from a diverse range of occupations to travel into space and investigate microgravity.

As for Metakosmos, Rambhatla says their Kosmosuits are currently at the stage of component testing, or what would be deemed level four on NASA’s nine-tier Technology Readiness Level scale. They’re hoping to bring their land based Kosmosuit ‘Terra’ out on the market early next year.

Until then, we’ll just have to make do with space livestreams.

Hover over this QR code with your phone to see Kiriti talk about his company Metakosmos

SEPTEMBER 2023 17

MIGRATION

Reduced visa allocations impact states’ nomination places

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The visa, officially known as the 408 visa, had allowed its holders to work unlimited hours for a duration of 12 months

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by VIVEK ASRI he Department of Home Affairs’ recent release of new allocated visa places for each state has sent shockwaves through the Australian migration landscape. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and NSW have suffered substantial reductions in their nomination places for the financial year 2023-24, with ACT’s allocation almost halved.

ACT, known for its strong demand for skilled migration, has been allotted a mere 1,200 places for the two subclasses (491 and 190), down from previous years.

Notably, the Business Investment and Innovation (Provisional) visa category has been left without any allocated places. The reductions come amidst the Australian Government’s broader efforts to address skills shortages and enhance social cohesion through the 2023-24 permanent Migration Program, which is set to allocate a total of 190,000 places nationwide.

The essence of the 2023-24 permanent Migration Program lies in its meticulous composition tailored to specific needs. The Skill stream, making up around 72% of the program, seeks to augment the nation’s productive capacity while addressing skill gaps across industries, including in regional sectors. The department emphasized that categories within this stream, including Employer Sponsored, Skilled Independent, Regional, State/Territory Nominated, and Global Talent, have been customized to accommodate diverse skill sets and demands.

ACT Migration acting director Donny Pasaribu, conveyed the news to migration agents via email, acknowledging the reduction in ACT’s allocation and stating, “The Department of Home Affairs has reduced the allocations for ACT nomination back to pre-pandemic levels.” This adjustment is aimed at managing a surge in visa applications from the previous year

COVID Visa abolished

2023–24 state and territory nomination allocations State

Skilled Skilled Work Nominated Regional (Subclass (Subclass 190) visa 491) visa

Business Innovation and Invest ment Program (BIIP)*

ACT NSW NT QLD SA TAS VIC WA Total

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

600 2,650 250 900 1,100 600 2,700 1,500 10,300

600 1,500 400 650 1,200 600 600 850 6,400

and maintaining a smooth pipeline for visa processing without unnecessary delays.

NSW has also faced a decrease in its nomination places. The allocation includes 2,650 places for the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) vis a and 1,500 places for the Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa.

This contrasts starkly with the 8,800 places allotted to the state in the previous year (2022-23).

Migration SA expressed their commitment to supporting South Australia’s vital industries with the limited allocation available. In a statement, they underlined their focus on attracting skilled migrants from abroad, particularly in critical sectors such as Health and Defence.

As the allocation reductions reverberate across the states, stakeholders in various industries are assessing the potential impact on their workforce needs and recruitment strategies. The reshaping of nomination places underlines the dynamic nature of Australia’s migration policy, where economic and demographic considerations continually intertwine.

n a significant move to curb exploitation and fraudulent practices in the immigration system, Immigration Minister Clare O’Neil has officially terminated the controversial “COVID visa,” a loophole that has been reported as being widely abused by migration agents and international students seeking a backdoor entry to the Australian job market.

COVID visa, officially known as the 408 visa and sometimes as Pandemic Event Visa, had allowed its holders to work unlimited hours for a duration of 12 months. However, over time, it became evident that this provision was being taken advantage of, with an estimated 120,000 individuals using the visa to gain access to full-time employment opportunities within the country.

The rapid rise in the number of individuals on the 408 visa, particularly in the past year, had raised alarms among immigration experts and officials. Notably, the visa had become a popular option for international students hailing from countries like India, the Philippines, and Nepal, as they sought ways to transition from their study visas to this employmentoriented category. This trend had led to concerns that the visa was being exploited to avoid the established pathways for work permits and permanent residency.

A release by the Minister for Home Affairs Clare O’Neil and Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, and Multicultural Affairs Andrew Giles, said, “From 2 September 2023, the Pandemic Event visa will only be open to applications from existing Pandemic Event visa holders. All other visa holders will be ineligible for the Pandemic Event visa.

This is a transitional measure to promote visa integrity. Anyone with a valid Pandemic Event visa will remain lawful until their current visa expires.”

As of the end of May, the number of people holding 408 visas had surged to 105,300, a stark contrast from the mere 17,000 holders less than a year prior. Experts had long argued that the 408 visa had no valid reason to exist,

as it was increasingly being misused by unscrupulous agents and students to circumvent the intended purpose of the immigration system.

Prominent immigration expert Abul Rizvi questioned the government’s timing in addressing the issue, citing the extensive abuse that the 408 visa had been subjected to over several months.

“Stock of SC408 (mainly COVID visa stream) at end June ’23 was 122,000 & rising rapidly. When will Govt close this to new apps? What will be Govt policy for those holding this visa but no pathway to PR,” Mr Rizvi had asked on Twitter.

Rizvi’s concerns were echoed by others within the field who had voiced their skepticism regarding the delay in implementing corrective measures.

Minister Andrew Giles observed, “The Pandemic Event visa was an important part of Australia’s visa system during the pandemic. Many people on temporary visas helped Australia during this period. We’re providing an opportunity for people who hold a Pandemic Event visa to explore another visa option, or plan to leave Australia.”

The government has taken a series of measures to rectify the situation. Notably, Skills Minister Brendan O’Connor successfully garnered the support of all states and territories to empower the vocational education regulator with the authority to prevent individuals of questionable backgrounds from owning or operating colleges.

Additionally, Immigration Minister Clare O’Neil, in collaboration with Education Minister Jason Clare, announced comprehensive changes to visa conditions. One of the most significant changes requires international students to demonstrate savings of at least $24,500, aiming to ensure that they can support themselves financially during their stay. Furthermore, new rules prohibit international students from enrolling in a second course within the first six months of their stay.

Vivek Asri

Temporary Graduate 485 Visa stay limit rolled back Government adjusts post-study stay period, leaving international graduates in limbo

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n a sudden and unexpected move, the Australian government has quietly rolled back the extended stay period for the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) Graduate Work stream, returning it to the previous 18-month limit.

The changes, which have taken international students by surprise, were not officially announced, sparking concerns and confusion among those affected.

The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) is a crucial pathway for international graduates to gain valuable work experience in Australia after

18 SEPTEMBER 2023

completing their studies. Initially, due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian government had temporarily extended the stay period to 24 months for applications lodged on or before September 2, 2023.

This extension was seen as a lifeline for many international graduates seeking to secure job opportunities and contribute to the Australian workforce during a tumultuous period.

However, without any prior notice or official statement, the government has reverted the stay period to the standard 18 months, leaving graduates who had

planned their careers based on the extended period in a state of uncertainty.

This move is part of a series of steps taken by the Australian government in recent times to adjust its visa policies, particularly in response to the ongoing impact of the pandemic. Notably, the 408 visa, commonly referred to as the “Covid visa,” was abolished in a bid to streamline the visa system and reduce administrative complexities.

The changes to the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) Graduate Work stream appear to be part of a broader strategy to recalibrate the immigration landscape in Australia.

As the impact of this rollback becomes evident, it is likely to prompt discussions within the international education sector and among stakeholders about the need for clearer and more predictable visa policies.

There is another provisions for applying for a second Post Study Work stream visa.

However, to do this, one must live, work and/or study in a regional area while holding their first post-study work visa and that visa must have been granted on the basis of a degree or higher from an Australian institution located in a regional area.

Vivek Asri

www.indianlink.com.au

Int’l students will have to show increased savings by VIVEK ASRI

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ustralia is making changes to the rules for international students who want to study here. Starting from October 1, 2023, if you want to get a student visa, you’ll need to show that you have enough money – at least $24,505.

This is a bit more money than before, about 17% higher. The goal is to make sure students have enough money to live and study in Australia and to stop anyone from taking advantage of students who might not have enough money.

This new initiative was one of many announced by Jason Clare MP, Minister for Education, and Brendan O’Connor MP, Minister for Skills and Training.

The reform comes on the back of a surge in visa applications from various nations, including India, characterised by fraudulent practices. Instances of students providing inaccurate financial information to gain entry into Australia have been on the rise.

Consequently, Australia has declined thousands of such applications.

The sector is also experiencing an increase in exploitative activities that

threaten the well-being of students and the country’s global education standing.

The Albanese Government has unveiled a comprehensive suite of measures to buttress the authenticity of the international education domain and extend genuine support to overseas students. These initiatives are designed to curb the proliferation of deceitful courses and shield the industry’s reputation. This development comes as the sector grapples with a surge in exploitative activities, which jeopardize the well-being of students and Australia’s global standing in education.

The joint media statement issued by Jason Clare and Brendan O’Connor spotlights the pivotal role of sustaining the quality and reputation of international education, which stands as Australia’s fourth-largest export industry. The measures intend to address the abuse of the concurrent enrollment system, enhance financial prerequisites for visa applicants, and augment scrutiny of high-risk cohorts.

A pivotal change introduced is the closure of a loophole that previously enabled educational institutions to maneuver international students with less than six months of residence in Australia into a scheme facilitating access to work opportunities in the country. Termed “concurrent enrollment,” this practice has witnessed a significant uptick in 2023,

resulting in 17,000 such enrollments during the first half of the year. This surge prompted investigations, exposing the system’s misuse and its potential to compromise the sector’s integrity.

Minister Jason Clare stressed the gravity of this adjustment, stating, “This modification will effectively curtail predatory ‘second’ providers from enrolling students before they have fulfilled the requisite six months of study at their initial provider.” This action aims to shield international students from unethical practices while bolstering the credibility of Australia’s educational offerings.

Brendan O’Connor, the Minister for Skills and Training, accentuated the significance of these amendments for the Vocational

Education and Training (VET) sector.

Acknowledging its pivotal role in preparing the workforce for forthcoming employment prospects, O’Connor emphasized, “Nine out of 10 future jobs will necessitate a postsecondary qualification and VET constitutes a crucial conduit towards securing these jobs.” This underscores the administration’s commitment to elevating the credibility and standing of the sector.

In addition to these measures, the government is intensifying scrutiny of highrisk cohorts and contemplating the use of suspension certificates under Section 97 of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act (ESOS Act) to address providers exhibiting concerning practices. This potential action signifies a landmark step, with the Albanese Government poised to wield its authority to suspend the recruitment of international students by high-risk education providers.

Minister Clare O’Neil reaffirmed the government’s determination to eradicate exploitative practices from the international education panorama: “Our message is unequivocal – the era of irregularities and loopholes undermining this system is drawing to a close.” This proactive stance echoes the government’s dedication to safeguarding international students, preserving the sector’s reputation, and consolidating Australia’s global stature as an education hub.

Australia offers Puja travel packages from India

C

ome to Australia for DurgaPuja!

You would expect Indians in Australia to travel back home to be with family to celebrate the major festivals. Well, times they are a-changing!

Now families are being urged to travel to Australia for the festive season.

In an exciting development for travellers from Eastern parts of India, Australia’s tourism department is gearing up to offer special Puja travel packages and exploring the possibility of direct flights between Kolkata and Australia.

This initiative comes as India emerges as the first market to achieve pre-Covid tourism levels, and Kolkata, a city with deep cultural roots, takes centre stage in Australia’s tourism strategy.

Nishant Kashikar, Country Manager, India and Gulf, Tourism Australia, emphasized the significance of the Kolkata market, stating, “India is the first market to achieve pre-COVID levels, and Kolkata is a very important market for us. We are working with local travel agents in Kolkata to develop Puja packages.”

Talking to the Telegraph India, Mr Kashikar revealed that discussions are underway with around a dozen travel agents in the city to create all-inclusive Puja packages catering to tourists of all generations.

The proposed two-week packages would cover four of Australia’s eight states and cost between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 3.5 lakh per person (approx. AUD 6,000 – 7,000),

including airfares. These packages are expected to be available for honeymooners during the Puja-Diwali season and throughout the year.

Despite the enthusiasm, airlines have yet to respond positively to direct flights between Kolkata and Australia. However, several factors contribute to the surge in tourism from India to Australia.

Since Australia reopened its tourism sector in February 2022, there has been a substantial increase in footfall from India, with 383,000 Indians visiting Australia between July 2022 and June 2023, marking a 3% increase from 2018-19 figures. India has risen from the seventh to the fourth-largest inbound market for Australia. Furthermore, Indian tourists have spent a whopping Rs 11,000 crore in Australia during this period, reflecting a 16% increase compared to 2018-19.

One key factor driving this surge is the ease of visa processing. Mr. Kashikar highlighted the fully digitized process, which eliminates the need for personal interviews, biometrics, or physical submission of documents,

including passports. Flight tickets and accommodation vouchers are not mandatory at the time of application.

Another contributing factor is the rise in MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) travel, with various sectors like banking, infrastructure, automobiles, and healthcare sending groups to Australia.

Additionally, the tripling of air capacity between India and Australia has made airfares competitive, increasing tourist interest in the region. This, combined with streamlined visa processing, has facilitated the growth of Indian tourism to Australia.

Tour operators have reported a growing demand for combined packages encompassing both Australia and New Zealand.

While direct flights between Kolkata and Australia are yet to materialize, this move holds the potential to enhance cultural exchange, trade, and tourism between the two countries. It would be a gateway to India’s eastern and northeastern regions, less explored by Australians and non-resident Indians living in other Indian states.

Navneet Mittal from Travel2India in Wollongong NSW notes, “The Australian population of Indian origin has exceeded 800,000, now constituting nearly 4% of the total Australian population.” Therefore, establishing direct flights could offer significant advantages to both Australia and India, fostering cultural exchange and tourism growth.

Jayanta Bairagi, Secretary of the

Melbourne Bengali Association, commented, “During the festive season of Pujo, colleges, schools, and offices all shutdown. It’s the time for family gatherings and making travel plans, whether within India or abroad.

Sometimes, family members express concerns about missing out on Pujo festivities while travelling. As a Bengali, this dilemma arises because the essence of Pujo is deeply ingrained in our culture. However, here’s the silver lining: You don’t have to miss out on Pujo entirely when travelling from one country to another. In fact, you can immerse yourself in a unique opportunity to experience how Bengali traditions and Pujo celebrations are preserved by like-minded Bengalis worldwide. For instance, you can visit places like Melbourne, enjoy Pujo festivities for a two-day trip, and witness how we maintain our Bengali gharana traditions, elaborate Pujo pandals, vibrant dhols, and all the sacred rituals. This way, you can enjoy your travels while keeping the spirit of Pujo alive, even overseas.”

The proposed Puja travel packages are a wonderful initiative that could see added benefits, he added.

“This two-way cultural and heritage exchange can also spark interest in business collaborations. When people visit our festivities, they might think, ‘Let’s explore some business opportunities.’ This, in turn, could foster new business ventures and growth,” Mr Bairagi told Indian Link.

Vivek Asri

SEPTEMBER 2023 19

Photo: Chantel Bann / Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre

art

20 SEPTEMBER 2023

Monica Rani Rudhar at her

www.indianlink.com.au exhibition Looking At Gold

A look at the art practice of Sydney-based artist Monica Rani Rudhar, who was on the judging panel of the Packing Room Prize at the Archibald this year

The Archibald and beyond

by NIDHI PANICKER

W

hen Monica Rani Rudhar saw Andrea Heulin’s portrait of comedian Cal Wilson arriving at the Archibald Prize this year, she stopped for a second to take a good look.

“I saw it being unloaded off a truck, and I thought, ‘that’s a really good portrait’.

It really popped,” she tells Indian Link.

“There were quite a few works coming off that were quite dark, and I was still drawn to darker works, but there was something about this one.”

As one-third of the Packing Room Prize judging panel – alongside Alexis Wildman and Tim Dale – she helped pick the Cal Wilson portrait as the winner this year.

She recalls her judging experience fondly. “I felt, like the others, I had quite a big responsibility. We liked that the painter was a woman and the subject was a woman.”

Cal Wilson brought cheer and humour to her fans during lockdown by making elaborate crowns with household objects and modelling them over Instagram.

Monica states, “It was nice to find out the story behind that because when we chose it, we didn’t know! All we knew was that there was love and mystery that drew us in.”

Monica with her fellow judges for this year’s Archibald Packing Room Prize and the winning portrait

(part of ‘Live Dreams: Distance’, curated

by Talia Smith ) reinforced to Monica about what she wanted to portray through her art – exploring her connection to her heritage.

She dances in a field of wildflowers, wearing a green and red sari, hair cascading in waves down her back. The melody is a haunting rendition of a Punjabi prayer that her late grandmother used to sing to her father when he was younger.

Up until making the piece, Monica couldn’t articulate her feelings towards her Indian heritage. ‘‘But I suddenly realised something deep within me – that this means a lot to me, this is important, I think this is the direction I want to go in.”

She goes on to explain, “My Romanian family, I didn’t feel very connected to, because they ostracized my mum after she married my dad. I felt like I identified more an as an Indian Australian person rather than Romanian. I’m navigating all of those complexities, and it’s been a very wonderful and rewarding journey so far.”

Monica Rani Rudhar, the artist

‘Monica She Called Out To Me’, 2023

her pet cow, also named Monica, and her mother’s pregnancy cravings of mangoes.

Monica’s work has won rave reviews.

This year she brought home the 2023 Emerging Arts Prize valued at $5000, for her giant ceramic recreations of her mother’s earrings. It is a nod to the heritage of her family who practiced as goldsmiths, and a reflection of lost heirlooms and identity. Monica has also been announced as one of the two Art Incubator Grant Recipients for 2023, and has just concluded a solo exhibition at Martin Browne Contemporary Art Gallery featuring giant ceramic replicas of pieces from her family’s traditional gold jewellery.

Monica credits the lockdown period as being pivotal to her creative process.

Her first major work, showcased at Carriageworks as a part of Vivid 2022,

Photo: Felipe Olivares

Monica landed the coveted role of senior installer at the Art Gallery of NSW last year after the legendary Brett Cuthbertson, past senior installer and head packer, retired.

Her own art revolves around themes of cultural displacement, the link to her family and heritage, and finding her identity – themes that ‘third culture’ children can resonate with.

Monica was raised in southwest Sydney by an Indian father and Romanian mother.

Her parents met in Granville at a window factory. Their union was rejected by her mother’s family, who then found solace in her in-laws’ home, immersing herself into the Indian culture.

Monica proudly shows me a jar of chillies sitting in her home studio, explaining how the very first art piece she made after a long hiatus was a necklace of common Indian spices – star anise, chillies, and cardamom pods.

Her latest work, commissioned by the Powerhouse Museum, is a visual treat, titled We were connected in a more complicated way than either of us could even begin to understand. The brief was to incorporate the concept of Holi with one of the objects from their collection – a ball of yellow pigment, infamously produced by a cow’s bladder after being made to ingest toxic mango leaves. She incorporates the story of her mother’s relationship with

Spice work: Drawing The Curtains, 2021

I ask Monica about what advice she has for the next generation of artists.

“Being one of the faces of the Archibald Prize this year is an incredible opportunity to represent women of colour, especially South Asian women. When I was young, I didn’t see that… now I want younger people to see that ambition, and not be scared to follow whatever ambition they might have, in whatever industry that may be, with whatever doubts/resistance they feel. We don’t see a lot of brown women in theatre, in arts, in dance, because there’s a lot of risk involved, in what are very white dominated industries. I definitely feel grateful and honoured, but I also feel a responsibility in paving a bit of a way in the minds of younger brown women.”

As a community, we ourselves embrace artistic pursuits wholeheartedly as side passions, but there can often be misgivings about pursuing it as a career. Monica Rani Rudhar is among a slowly increasing band of creative professionals who are inspiring this mindset to change.

SEPTEMBER 2023 21

FIRST PERSON to explore my environment.

I probably sound bitter, which is not to say I felt “left out”, but rather that I was seeking a deeper meaning to my identity, and I did not find it much in the spaces around me. Schools usually are ideal places for forming your sense of identity. If anything, my ‘Australianness’ strengthened at school, with such multiculturalism everywhere, I understood this to be a place where all can be who they are.

Despite this, I needed to find belonging in the community I was both so close to and yet so far away from. Being Fijian Indian in Australia means you take up a unique place on the spectrum: you are neither Indian from India, Fijian from Fiji, or Australian from Australia. You are a combination of all of these - ancestrally Indian, contemporarily Fijian, and uniquely Australian. You take on the ancient cultural world view of India including in religion, the laid-back lifestyle of the Islands and the decidedly unique sense of fairness and equity that defines the Australian character.

You are in essence, different. But a kind of different that is becoming increasingly common, and especially so in a community that is beginning to understand what this means. At first, among people from India, the space I occupied appeared foreign. “He looks like us” many thought, “but he sounds different” they would continue. This would naturally lead to discussions about the journey many thousands of Indians made to the Fiji Islands. These talks often prompted much surprise from my friends hailing from the Subcontinent – usually punctuated by shock that they did not know about these historical events.

Navi Ram with his family

Searching for identity in multicultural spaces

Exploring what it means to be Fijian Indian in modern Australia by Navishkar Ram

G

rowing up in one of Sydney’s most diverse suburbs meant that I was surrounded by a rich tapestry of people and cultures. I warmly recall my environment, which was made up of families from every corner of the world. My slice of Sydney was known for its prominent Assyrian, Vietnamese, and Italian communities, who all contributed massively to shaping the Fair field area.

Notwithstanding its obvious multiculturalism, most in this community were perplexed when I would share stories of my own background. Largely because I am of Fijian Indian ancestry, and to most people, the Fijian Indian community was not widely known, at least back in the early 2000s. To most, I was first an Australian – having been born down the road at Fairfield Hospital; despite which I was constantly left asking “who am I?”.

I have always relished connection, which was a concept that I would not really get a

22 SEPTEMBER 2023

chance to explore until high school where I was one of three students of Fijian Indian background. I had big questions about myself, I didn’t see many others who looked like me outside of my family, and those I did come across, were somehow all known to my parents, including the three others at school. Fiji is a small place.

Searching for a place to belong

The enduring questions that form in young minds about belonging are hard to firmly address in the confined spaces of a school.

While opportunities were provided to form relationships with peers, when so few of

them came from the same community, I usually felt lost, and those around me were badly placed to assist. While outwardly South Asian, the cultural differences between those from India and from Fiji began to become noticeable at school, and mostly from our divergent language.

I had always assumed the Fiji-Hindi I spoke was the standard. The language is a register of Awadhi, with smatterings of English, Fijian, and Bhojpuri thrown in. This was a utilitarian development, owing to the diversity among the original Girmityas. Of course, I had known none of this growing up – only realising the inherent differences when I had the chance

As Australians, we are all on this journey (of trying to belong) in some way or another. Indeed, our national story has always been one of exploration of the personal, appreciation of what has happened, and working on what is to come.

Searching for identity requires acknowledgement of its fluid nature Navigating identity is never easy, for me, this has been largely defined by my search for societal meaning. For others, this same journey will take on different forms, all of which add to our developing understanding of who we are. Australia is a place where you can be comfortable in your skin, but also seek to know more about yourself and gain the answers you need to better define your identity. It is precisely such a country because we are all on this journey in some way or another.

We seek meaning to situate ourselves within the continuum of the past, present, and future.

I was afforded the chance to learn about other people – to listen to their stories, to understand why and how we become who we are today by reflecting deeply on who we were back then. I learned of the struggles faced by the Assyrian community, and of the plight of Southern Vietnamese refugees and the unspeakable horrors experienced by the parents of my Cambodian friends under the brutal reign of Pol Pot. But what became of their descendants is what matters here; those same displaced peoples became Australians who built this community, never forgetting their past, and their stories. Indeed, our national story has always been one of exploration of the personal, appreciating what has happened, and working on what is to come.

Out of it all we are better for wanting to know who we can be together, and it often starts with one simple question: “who am I?”

www.indianlink.com.au

THE YOUNG ONES

S

ince meeting Haya in Year 3, I’ve been incredibly curious about her. At first, I wondered why she needed to use special equipment and have a guiding stick, as well as why all her writing was in dots. We spent precious time together, talking, playing, and studying, and I went from being an acquaintance to a classmate to a friend. Now, I’m a silent cheerleader for her.

She introduced me to A Series of Unfortunate Events which became my favorite book and Netflix series. It’s a gripping tale of three siblings who use their talents to defeat the antagonist. When Haya told me about it, I was hooked. I now realise how well the three siblings combined reflect Haya’s personality.

Haya has strong willpower, inspiring sincerity, and affectionate charm. The more time I spend with her, the more exceptional, empathetic, humorous, and resilient I learn she is. I continue to be in awe of her, and I hope you will too.

When you first started primary school, what challenges did you face?

I started primary school overseas and moved to Australia when I was 6. I found it challenging to make new friends and start all over again. When I was overseas, I went to a private school for students with disabilities, so everyone knew about my condition. Coming to Australia and explaining my disability to others was challenging as many people hadn’t encountered someone with a disability before.

How did you become visually impaired?

When my mother was pregnant, my eye nerves didn’t fully develop, and nobody knows why. My condition is referred to as Coloboma.

How do you do schoolwork? Is it all in Braille? How do you use a computer?

Since starting high school, I haven't received much work on Braille paper, except for Maths graphs.

I have a Braille device called the ‘Braille Sense 6’. It’s basically a Braille version of a computer which lets me work without looking at a screen. It reads long passages out to me which also saves my eyes from fatigue. I also use my iPad and laptop, which have accessibility shortcuts allowing me to zoom in and navigate my work efficiently.

How did you overcome these challenges?

Did you receive support?

In many circumstances, I’ve received support from disability services, teachers and sometimes my peers. Recently, I’ve learnt most of the problems that come my way are in my hands and it’s up to me to solve them rather than ask for advice.

How does it feel to have so many accomplishments? Of all your achievements, what are you most proud of?

When I achieve something, I feel proud and motivated to achieve more and train harder.

Going to the Nationals (athletics) championship in 2022 is my biggest achievement, it’s a memory that will stick with me forever.

Do you feel you voice the words that numerous visually impaired people couldn’t?

I have voiced a few things, but I’m young.

‘Don’t judge my personality based on my disability’ Eleven-year-old SHALOM ILA BHASKAR chats to her 12-year-old schoolmate HAYA DAGHER about living with a visual impairment.

I’m still learning and growing, and I look forward to speaking up for people with disabilities when I’m older as more problems come my way.

You’re an accomplished state level athlete; how do you play sports? What are some adjustments you’ve had to make?

Being visually impaired, it’s challenging for me to run on a track without guidance. This is why a guide runner helps me – it’s their job to be my eyes when I am in a race.

In my 100 and 200 metre races, the guide runner stops me from going out of my lane and tripping over. They also tell me how much of the race I have done and how much I have left.

This year you entered high school. Has your school accommodated you well?

The teachers at my high school have done a good job at making everything accessible for me. Like all humans, sometimes they make mistakes, but they always learn from them.

What’s a common misconception about visually impaired people?

There’s a difference between treating me differently socially and visually.

Under certain circumstances, I need to be treated a bit differently, but only visually.

Instead of people showing me something, they could describe it to me instead. That way, I can receive the same message as everyone else in the social environment. This isn’t the same as treating me differently socially.

What frustrates you the most?

It frustrates me when people judge my personality based on my disability. People should understand that a disability is a condition, and a personality is someone's features and character traits.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

What message would you like to give us?

To be honest, I haven't decided on what I want to be yet. I’m still in the process of exploring different areas of work. Hopefully, by the time I get to Year 12, I’ll be an expert in whatever field I choose. For now, I’m trying to enjoy my childhood and explore anything that interests me.

I want people reading this to always strive for what they think is best for themselves and everyone around them. Always be thoughtful of others, but don’t forget about yourself.

SEPTEMBER 2023 23

Media Group

Diwali Art Competition Design

INDIAN LINK’S Diwali card WIN

Prizes!

TWO categories: Kids up to 7 years, and Kids 8-12 years.

WIN book vouchers valued at $75 and $50 in both categories.

PLUS: The winning entry will be designed into Indian Link’s Diwali cards for the year 2023.

Colour in or paint the pattern presented here. Photocopy the pattern if you need to.

Send in your work, along with your name, age, address and phone number, to:

Indian Link, GPO Box 108, Sydney 2001 Last date for submission 13 October 2023 For more details, ring the Indian Link office on 02 9729 2004, or email editor@indianlink.com.au Winners will be announced on Indian Link’s social media channels

24 SEPTEMBER 2023

www.indianlink.com.au

books

Sydney writer Vidya Madabushi is receiving acclaim for her new book The Days Toppled Over

Topples and turbulence Set between Bengaluru and Sydney, a new novel explores mental health and the plight of international students living in Australia by PRUTHA CHAKRABORTY

S

urya thinks his one-way ticket to Sydney is also a ticket to a new and improved life outside of India. The plan is to get valuable experience by studying abroad and making a fine living for himself.

Instead, he ends up working tirelessly at an Indian restaurant, where the boss has almost no compassion for his employees.

Back home in Bengaluru lives his older sister Malli, who has selective mutism. The highlight of her life is a long-standing weekly phone call with Surya. One day, Surya misses the call, and Malli is thrown into disarray.

In The Days Toppled Over, author Vidya Madabushi explores mental health and the plight of international students living in Australia.

“The book began as two separate short stories, one centred around Surya, an international student in Sydney, and another around Malli, who lives in a retirement village in India,” Sydney-based Madabushi tells Indian Link. “I was writing these stories simultaneously, and their lives intertwined in my head. I began the book in 2017, and one of the driving forces to shape it into its current form came from a callout for Writing NSW Grant applications, which I ended up receiving in 2018.”

available at the time) before finally acquiring permanent residency through my employer,” she says, adding that she moved from South India to Sydney in 2004 to pursue a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing.

“I faced similar issues Surya faced – the loneliness, the anxiety of letting family down, the financial stress, and the racism.”

Her American husband, too, faced similar challenges when he moved to Australia. Luckily for both of them, their lives turned around after getting a residency.

“I have a wonderful life here now with my family for which I’m very grateful, but it doesn’t always turn out that way for everyone else,” she acknowledges. “So easily, my life could have gone in a different direction.”

In her experience, the pathway to residency is “incredibly hard” no matter your background or your extent of wealth and privilege.

“If you come from a family that can afford to fund your stay in Sydney, that experience will be very different to someone whose family has taken out a huge loan for you and you now need to not only pay that money off but also prove to them that the investment in you was worth it.”

Not everyone can make it to the finish line. “I think it’s designed that way!”

The Australian government, she feels, needs to address students’ issues.

“Today’s students are tomorrow’s skilled workers and eventual citizens. They deserve

better than what they are getting,” she adds.

The book The story of her central characters, Surya and Malli, revolves around these issues in this eyeopening novel. In the book, the two siblings are dividing their inheritance after the untimely passing of their parents in a car crash. Their relationship takes a thrilling turn after Surya disappears. Malli travels to Australia to find him.

And while this premise might give you a different notion about the book, for Madabushi, The Days Toppled Over is simply “an unconventional love story”.

What aspect or which character in the book does she relate to the most, we ask.

“Both Surya and Malli are outsiders in their own way, and I relate to that aspect of them,” the author smiles. “I think there can be a very strong internal and external push to ‘fit in’ to society, but I am drawn to lives explored outside of society’s norms and what it means to live a fulfilled life in those conditions. In both Surya’s and Malli’s cases, their lives turn out very different from what they expect, and in some ways, it changes them for the better and they discover what truly matters to them. I can relate to that.”

The Days Toppled Over is Madabushi’s Australian debut. It was picked up by The Guardian in its list of ‘Best Australian Books in June’ this year.

Her first novel, Bystanders, was published in India in 2015.

When life gets real Scores of international students arrive in Australia to experience high-quality education and post-graduate work opportunities. But not everyone ends up calling this country home.

Many dreams are cut short.

Interestingly, The Days Toppled Over novel is based on Madabushi’s own struggles as a newbie in a new country. “My life followed the same trajectory as Surya’s… studying in Sydney, working at an Indian restaurant, and struggling to get a 457 visa (the temporary worker visa

Vidya and her family have now built a comfortable life in Sydney

Vidya as an international student

SEPTEMBER 2023 25

STARTUP

Tali Mason and Shaanti Wallbridge

Because all shades matter

Changing the face of the cosmetic industry, All Shades Matter Cosmetics celebrates the spectrum of shades that paint an inclusive Australia by PRUTHA CHAKRABORTY

T

ali Mason and Shaanti Wallbridge roar resilience and determination.

Both women have taken strides from unimaginable upbringings that eventually led them to find their identity, and build successful careers in Australia’s beauty industry. Their venture, All Shades Matter Cosmetics, is a testament to their journeys as women of colour fearlessly navigating the evolving realm of Australian beauty.

Scores of women of all colours, ages and ethnic backgrounds use makeup every day.

But the beauty arena fails to cater for its entire consumer demographic. Mason, 30, and Wallbridge, 34, are shaking things up!

Set up in May 2020, All Shades Matter Cosmetics is a makeup brand started by two people of colour, for people of colour. Since their launch, the brand has garnered over 6,500 followers across social media and were recently announced as a 2023 Australia Post Local Business Hero. The brand stems from their experiences of finding products that complement their skin tone, and is being 26 SEPTEMBER 2023

applauded for responding to the lack of inclusivity in the beauty industry.

Both Mason and Wallbridge are adopted from India. While Wallbridge migrated from Patna to Australia in 1989, Mason moved from Kolkata in 1994. They were 11 months and 15 months old at the time of their intercountry adoption.

“We are absolutely lifelong friends,” Mason reveals to Indian Link. “Our parents were part of a Melbourne-based group with other families that had adopted from overseas. Our friendship and family connection have remained strong over the years, due to shared experiences, understanding and mutual support.”

Very early on, the duo came to understand the struggle in colourmatching makeup products in Australia.

“We believed there was a large gap in the current Australian beauty market,” shares Wallbridge, a Geelong resident.

“We live in such a multicultural country, and thought, it’s the 21st century, we shouldn’t have to be waiting around for a product to ‘match’, and have to source products from overseas which is extremely expensive. Something needed to be done,” Wallbridge continues.

And so, in 2020, they set on a mission to change the beauty industry. “We’re

doing things in reverse – starting with the darker shades, as this is where the gap is in Australia. We will slowly expand with our range,” Mason adds.

But why does the gap exist?

“Historically, many makeup brands have predominantly focused on producing products that cater to lighter skin tones, often neglecting the diverse range of skin tones found within the population of people of colour,” Mason explains.

Wallbridge speaks on the importance of representation, and how much it truly matters to an increasingly diverse Australia.

“Limited representation in advertising, promotional materials, and brand campaigns can make

individuals feel excluded and underrepresented,” she says.

And then, there is obviously a lack of cultural nuances. “Different ethnicities can have varying preferences when it comes to makeup application, colours, and finishes,” Wallbridge continues.

All Shades Matter Cosmetics wants to demonstrate the need for a growing emphasis on celebrating diversity and creating a more inclusive beauty landscape in Australia.

“Since our launch in 2020, we have introduced samples of each product, bundle packages and created a beauty industry incentive. We want our products to be accessible to as many people as possible, including makeup artists who are looking to diversify their makeup kits,” Mason informs.

The response to the brand has been “incredibly heartwarming”, both women beam with pride.

“Our customers have shared inspiring stories of feeling seen, valued, and empowered by our products, and this enthusiastic feedback continues to drive us forward.”

The industry has historically favoured certain standards of beauty, often excluding people of colour from the conversation.

But that is slowly changing, thanks to entrepreneurs like Mason and Wallbridge.

“By championing diversity and providing products tailored to our unique skin tones and textures, we’re not only promoting self-confidence but also sending a powerful message that every shade is beautiful.”

After Australia and New Zealand, they now have plans to make their collections available in other regions to further break the moulds of global makeup brands.

“As for what’s next, we’re excited about the possibilities. An Indian-themed collection is an intriguing idea, and it’s certainly something we’re considering as a homage to our roots. A book that shares our journey and insights is another avenue we’re exploring, and who knows, another startup may also be on the horizon. Our goal is to keep pushing boundaries and creating positive change in the beauty industry and beyond.”

www.indianlink.com.au

Sister Ananya

The aim of this ONLINE Course is to attempt to grasp that higher consciousness.

Ordinarily, we don't even know our highest potential, our higher consciousness is shut down.

The 10 Sessions Online retreat starting on 25th October 2023 (HINDI) is about attempting to grasp this higher consciousness. That is precisely the purpose of spirituality. The course is set out in very clear and simple terms, with an emphasis on experience.

‘No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.’ Albert Einstein If you’re looking for advancement in your own life, if you need strength to raise your mind high above the daily trivialities, if you could do with clearer understanding of our very existence here, if you need practical steps towards transformation… then, this is for you.

Facilitator: Sister Ananya For Ananya Tomar, her ultimate goal as a meditation teacher is to create an uplifting atmosphere. Starting October 25, Ms Tomar will host free Raja Yoga Meditation sessions Online in the Hindi language. Ms Tomar says her personal aim is that one person understands and starts practising meditation. “Meditation is like a big discovery,” she said. “I was spending my life really exhausted by changing things outside, changing my health outside and my finances, and it was like a big reveal, all the change happened from within.

“I train them to think to see that spirituality and higher consciousness are not the treasure of just a few, but are something that should help us all in our everyday lives. It’s a very practical transformation that we teach.”

Ms Tomar, who works in the environmental sciences and sustainability sector, says the Zoom classes are designed so that anyone can join, whether they’re at the office or at home while radiating the positive insights gained in the classes to all their family members and housemates.

“You can do this anywhere, any time, that’s the whole idea,” she said.

Find great Meditation Commentaries and Classes on our Meditation Channel, Subscribe:https://youtube.com/@peacepower Visit this website for all the Brahma Kumaris Centres and Locations in Australia. https://brahmakumaris.org.au/new/

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INQUIRY INTO COMMONWEALTH PROCUREMENT RULES AND SMALL BUSINESS The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman is conducting an Inquiry to examine the impact of reforms to Commonwealth procurement rules on small business.

Pursuant to the terms of reference, the Ombudsman will review the implementation of the 1 July 2022 changes to Commonwealth procurement. The Ombudsman will also examine any impediments for small businesses participating in Commonwealth procurement.

Written submissions from small businesses and interested parties should be sent to inquiries@asbfeo.gov.au by 15 September 2023.

For further information about the Inquiry, including the full terms of reference, visit www.asbfeo.gov.au/procurement

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SEPTEMBER 2023 29

Upper South Creek एडवांसड वाटर रीसाइक्लंग सेंटर और पाइपलाइनस

निरामाण-कारमा की शुरूआत

NSW सरकार के अंतररर निरामाण-कारमा के शोर-शराबे से जुड़े नदशा-निददेशों पर धराि देिा

John Holland, Sydney Water की ओर से Kemps Creek रें Upper South Creek एडवांसड वाटर रीसाइक्लंग सेंटर (AWRC) और संबंनित पाइपलाइनस का निरामाण कर रहा है तानक वेसटिमा नसडिी रें जिसंखरा और आन्माक वृनधि का सर्माि नकरा जा सके। निरामाण-कारमा इस रहीिे रें शुरू होगा, और AWRC का 2026 रें संचालि शुरू करिा नि​िामाररत है। Wallacia पर Kemps Creek से लेकर Nepean River तक संसानित वाटर पाइप बिाई जाएगी। Kemps Creek से लेकर Lansdowne पर रौजूदा वेसटवाटर िेटवक्क तक ब्ाइि (लवण-जल) की वाटर पाइप बिाई जाएगी। Badgerys Creek, Bonnyrigg, Bonnyrigg Heights, Cabramatta, Cabramatta West, Canley Heights, Canley Vale, Cecil Hills, Cecil Park, Elizabeth Hills, Fairfield, Green Valley, Kemps Creek, Lansdowne, Lansvale, Luddenham, Mount Pritchard, Mulgoa और Wallacia के भागों रें निरामाण-कारमा होगा। पाइपों का निरामाण भूनरगत नकरा जाएगा, अनिकांश तौर पर रोड ररज़वमास और सावमाजनिक स्ािों पर। कुछ अिुभाग प्ाइवेट संपनतिरों के आसपास इंसटटॉल नकए जािे की ज़रूरत होगी। प्भानवत भूरानलकों को पहले ही सूनचत नकरा जा चुका है। नवघि कर करिे के नलए हर कड़ा पररश्रर करेंगे परनतु कुछ लोग अनिकांश तौर पर खाइराँ खोदिे और पाइपें नबछािे के नलए प्रोग की जािे वाली रशीिों से अस्ारी रातारात पररवतमािों का अिुभव कर सकते हैं। पाइपलाइिों का निरामाण-कारमा 2025 के अंत तक चलेगा। हरारे नदि के दौराि के सारानर कारकाजी घंटे सोरवार से शुक्रवार सुबह 7 बजे से लेकर शार 6 बजे तक और शनिवार को सुबह 8 बजे से लेकर दोपहर 1 बजे तक होंग।े रनद हरें इि घंटों के बाहर कार करिे की आवशरकता होगी तो हर प्भानवत लोगों को पहले से इसकी सूचिा देंग।े

AWRC स्थल (Kemps Creek) नदि के सारानर कारकाजी घंटों दौराि, साइट स्ापिा, अ्माव्समा, नसनवक व्समा, कंक्रीट संरचिाओं के निरामाण और भूनिरामाण के कारमा आसपास के लोगों (संवदे िशील प्ापतकतामाओं) को सपषट रूप से रौजूदा बैकग्ाउंड शोर-शराबे के सतर से अनिक सुिाई दे सकते हैं। रनद नदि के सारानर कारकाजी घंटों के बाहर कार करिे की आवशरकता होगी, तो नसनवल व्समा से जुड़ी गनतनवनिराँ िोनटस करिे रोगर रा आसपास के लोगों को सपषट रूप से रौजूदा बैकग्ाउंड शोरशराबे के सतर से अनिक सुिाई देिे रोगर हो सकती हैं। AWRC साइट के नलए नकए गए कंपि आकलि से संकेत नरलता है नक निरामाण-कारमा से होिे वाले कंपि से आस-पास की कोई भी संरचिा प्भानवत िहीं होगी। पाइपलाइनें (संसाधित जल और ब्ाइन जल) नदि के सारानर कारकाजी घंटों और इि घंटों के बाहर कार की आवशरकता वाले घंटों के दौराि, साइट स्ापिा, साइट रौनगकों के उपरोग, सेवा जांच, खाइरों की खुदाई, पाइप स्ापिा और भूनिरामाण

नशकारत कैसे करें आप हरारे कार के बारे रें नशकारत 1800 064 127 पर फोि करके, uppersouthcreek@sydneywater.com.au पर ई-रेल करके रा GPO Box 508 Sydney 2001 पर हरें डाक से पत्र भेजकर कर सकते हैं।

नशकारत ई-रेल रा पत्र से नरलती है तो पांच कारकाजी नदिों के दौराि शुरूआती जवाब देंगे। प्ौजे्ट संबंिी सूचिा और हरारी नशकारत िीनत www.sydneywatertalk.com.au/ uppersouthcreek पर उपलबि है।

हरारी नशकारत टेलीफोि लाइि सारानर कारकाजी घंटों के दौराि और इि घंटों के बाहर निरामाण-कारमा होिे की कस्नत रें खुली होती है।

नशकारतकतामा द्ारा निजी जािकादी देिा सवैकचछक है। निजी जािकारी देकर, आप Sydney Water को NSW Environment Protection Authority and Department of Planning and Environment सनहत अनर सरकारी संस्ाओं को जािकारी प्दाि करिे की सहरनत देते हैं।

रनद हर तुरंत आपकी नशकारत का सरािाि िहीं कर सकते हैं, तो रनद नशकारत निजी तौर पर रा फोि से नरलती है तो हर शुरूआती जवाब दो कारकाजी नदिों के दौराि, रा रनद

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अचछी कस्नत रें हैं और नवनिरामाता की आवशरकताओं का के कारमा आसपास के लोगों को सपषट रूप से रौजूदा बैकग्ाउंड शोर-शराबे के सतर से अनिक सुिाई देंगे। कुछ स्ािों रें, आसपास अिुपालि करते हैं। के कुछ लोग अपिे क्ेत्र रें कार के होिे से शोर-शराबे से बहुत हद • जहाँ संभव हो, अनिक शांत और कर शोर-शराबा / कंपि तक प्भानवत होंगे। पैदा करिे वाली निरामाण नवनिरों का प्रोग करिा। साइट स्ापिा, सेवा जांच, खाइरों की खुदाई और पाइप स्ापिा • जो उपकरण कार रें ि नलरा जा रहा हो, उसे बंद करिा। के पररणारसवरूप आस-पास के लोग निरामाण-कारमा से होिे वाले • शोर-शराबे और कंपि के प्भावों को कर कैसे करिा है, कंपि से प्भानवत हो सकते हैं। इसके बारे रें हरारे करमाचारररों को इंड्ट करिा। शोर-शराबे और कंपन से समबन्ित धनयंत्रण • कंपि-गहि उपकरण के नलए नरूितर कारकाजी दूरररों को लागू करिा। इि और अनर निरंत्रणों के नववरण • प्भावों को कर करिे के नलए रुखर स्ािों पर शोर-शराबे www.sydneywatertalk.com.au/ और कंपि पर निगरािी करिा त्ा रह िारांनकत करिा uppersouthcreek पर उपलबि हैं। नक स्ल-नवनशषट प्बंिकीर उपारों की ज़रूरत कहाँ है। हर निम्ननलनखत कार करेंगे: • सरुदार को निरामाण गनतनवनिरों, संभानवत प्भावों और • शोर-शराबा पैदा करिे वाली गनतनवनिरों को जहाँ अलपीकरणों से जुड़ी जािकारी देिा। वरवहाररक हो, लोगों से दूर कस्त करिा। • प्भाव कर करिे के नलए आसपास के अनर प्ौजे्टों के सा् • सुनिकशचत करिा नक पलांट और उपकरण कार करिे की सरनवर करिा।

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FOOD

Easy Indian desserts to do in the microwave ABHILASHA SENGUPTA gives the microwave treatment to some of the most traditional of Indian sweets this festive season - easy peasy!

Ghevar is a traditional Indian sweet, deep-fried to finger-licking deliciousness.

Remember how MasterChef Australia contestant Depinder wowed her fellow contestants with her version? Well, here’s a quick and innovative microwave version that preserves the authentic taste while significantly reducing the cooking time.

(Wonder if Depinder would approve…) n n n n n n n n n n

1 cup plain flour (maida) 1/4 cup ghee (clarified butter), melted 1/2 cup milk 1/4 tsp cardamom powder Ice cubes 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup water A few saffron strands 1/4 tsp cardamom powder Slivered almonds and pistachios Edible silver foil (varak), optional.

In a microwave-safe bowl, mix flour, melted ghee, milk and cardamom powder to form a smooth batter. The batter should be of pouring consistency, like pancake batter.

Place the ice cubes in a larger microwave-safe bowl and put the batter

GHEVAR

Pic: Flickr/Rakesh Kumar

n

C

ome September, we launch into the festive season, which thanks to our hyphenated identities, lasts until New Year’s. Special days call for special celebrations, for sure. But what if we told you that you could whip up lip-smacking Indian desserts using just your microwave and refrigerator?

Yes, you read that right. Stop slaving over the stove, and embrace microwave Indian desserts now!

These three fabulous recipes will leave your taste buds tingling and your guests asking for more.

The dishes beautifully encapsulate love, with tenderness mirrored in their flavours, creativity woven into their preparation, and a splendour that makes celebrations special.

bowl on top.

Microwave the batter on low power for 2 minutes. Check the consistency; it should be thicker but still pourable. If needed, microwave for another 1-2 minutes while checking at intervals.

Carefully remove the ice bowl and place

it aside. Now, take a round microwave-safe dish and grease it with a little ghee.

Pour a ladleful of the batter into the centre of the dish, allowing it to spread on its own. You can create multiple layers by repeating this process, ensuring the batter spreads evenly each time.

Microwave the batter-covered dish on medium power for 4-5 minutes, until the edges turn golden brown and the top becomes porous and crispy.

The centre might remain a bit softer, which is fine as it will firm up on cooling.

Allow the Ghevar to cool slightly before carefully removing it from the dish. Place it on a wire rack to cool completely.

While the Ghevar is cooling, prepare the sugar syrup. In a microwave-safe bowl, mix sugar, water, saffron strands, and cardamom powder.

Microwave the mixture on high power for 5-6 minutes or until it forms a slightly sticky syrup. Stir halfway through.

Once the Ghevar has cooled completely, place it on a plate. Gently pour the sugar syrup over it, allowing it to soak in.

Garnish the Ghevar with slivered almonds, pistachios, and edible silver foil, if using.

Let the Ghevar sit for a couple of hours so that the syrup gets absorbed and the flavours meld together.

Slice to serve.

(For a fancier version, called Malai Ghevar, add thickened sweetened cream)

ROSE PEDA

n

Pic: Yum recipes

2 cups milk powder 1 cup sweetened condensed milk n 1/4 cup milk n A few drops of rose essence n Edible rose petals and chopped pistachios for garnish.

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the milk powder, sweetened condensed milk, and milk.

Microwave the mixture on high for 2 n

minutes, then stir well.

Repeat the process, microwaving for 2 minutes and stirring, until the mixture thickens and leaves the sides of the bowl.

Stir in a few drops of rose essence for that lovely floral note.

Allow the mixture to cool slightly and then shape it into small peda rounds.

Garnish with edible rose petals and chopped pistachios.

Refrigerate the pedas for about 30 minutes to firm up before indulging in their rosy goodness.

SAFFRON-SCENTED MINI MALPUAS Malpuas, a traditional favourite, can transform wonderfully into a microwave dessert. We give them a twist here by making them mini-sized and saffroninfused, and making the process microwave-friendly. n n n

Pic: Yum recipes

These Rose Pedas are not only visually stunning but also incredibly easy to make.

A great microwave-friendly dessert!

n n n n n

1 cup plain flour 1/4 cup semolina (sooji) 1/2 tsp baking powder A pinch of saffron strands 1/2 cup milk 2 tsp yogurt Ghee for frying Sliced almonds and pistachios for garnish.

In a microwave-safe bowl, warm the milk for 15 seconds and infuse the saffron strands in it.

In a separate bowl, mix the flour, semolina, and baking powder.

Gradually add the saffron-infused milk and yogurt to the dry ingredients, stirring to form a thick batter.

Let it rest for 15 minutes.

In a microwave-safe dish, melt some ghee for frying.

Using a tablespoon, scoop small portions of the batter and drop them into the hot ghee, shaping them into mini malpuas.

Microwave the malpuas on medium-high for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn golden and crisp.

Drain the excess ghee and place the malpuas on a paper towel.

Garnish with sliced almonds and pistachios, and serve these saffron-scented mini malpuas to satisfy your sweet cravings.

SEPTEMBER 2023 31

travel

Flamingos at Torres Del Paine National Park

Picture-perfect

Patagonia Patagonia is more accessible than you might think, and a must for any keen traveller

Halfway to Mirador Las Torres

The final ascent to Mirador Las Torres

32 SEPTEMBER 2023

Perito Moreno Glacier from observation deck

www.indianlink.com.au

Mirador Base Torres

Travel Notebook How to get there Fly direct to Santiago from Sydney, then fly to Punta Arenas (or El Calafate, via Buenos Aires). From there, rent a car or use the region’s excellent bus network to your base.

by RITAM MITRA

I

t’s no secret that Patagonia is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes. Nestled between Chile and Argentina, the largely untouched region features the southern section of the Andes mountains, woven together with a rich tapestry of lakes, glaciers, steppes and deserts.

Patagonia is safe, even for solo travellers; the area has low crime rates, the roads are wellmaintained and, if you need help and don’t have access to Google Translate, English is commonly spoken in most Patagonian towns.

In quintessential Sydneysider fashion, I’ve overloaded my South America itinerary to justify the 26-hour journey. It means I’m only scheduled to spend four days in Patagonia, rather than the ideal two weeks.

Torres del Paine National Park (Chile)

On arriving at Punta Arenas – a stop on Chile’s famous End of the World Route – I’m warned by the rental car operator: park into the wind, and open doors carefully, because the region’s notoriously strong gales can pull car doors clean off. Thankfully, my Toyota Corolla Cross does not deconstruct itself, so my three-hour drive up to Puerto Natales, the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park, proceeds without incident.

I spend the afternoon driving through the meandering park, stopping briefly at the Cueva del Milodón, a large cave that was, over 10,000 years ago, home to a species of giant sloth.

The drive is spectacular, and I’m grateful that I hired an SUV and took out additional insurance: rock chips are all but guaranteed on the park’s gravel paths.

The next morning, I start the coveted Mirador Las Torres hike at 6am. It’s a

What to do For seasoned hikers, conquer the W Trek in Torres Del Paine. If you’re adventurous, but short on time, hike to the Mirador Las Torres, or to Mount Fitz Roy from El Chalten.

Not a hiker? In El Calafate, visit the Perito Moreno glacier, and join a 4WD tour to the top of Cerro Frias.

Mini trekking on Perito Moreno glacier

21km, 10-hour return journey culminating in perhaps Patagonia’s most famous view: three towering granite pillars, the eponymous Torres Del Paine, rising sharply above a pristine turquoise lake.

It’s a gruelling hike, especially for someone who is trigger-happy with the “Request UberX” button. The weather is unpredictable, and the terrain is varied and steep – particularly the last hour, which sees you scrambling over boulders and generally traversing rocky, exposed moraine.

But the journey is utterly worth it. After nearly four hours of climbing, the peaks of the three towers suddenly appear high above me, as though conjured into existence. I’m immediately struck with that profound sense of insignificance that only nature can evoke.

By the time I’m ready to leave – having refilled my bottle with ice-cold glacial water as is customary – the viewpoint is suddenly busy, and hordes of people are stuck in traffic on their way up. It’s a reminder that this hike is best done early in the day.

El Calafate (Argentina) I spend my last two days in Patagonia in the Argentinian town of El Calafate, a five-hour

bus ride from Puerto Natales.

Calafate is home to the Perito Moreno glacier, a staggering 258 square km mass of 80-metre high ice seracs and glacial cracks.

The glacier, which began forming 2.6 million years ago, is the third largest reserve of fresh water on the planet (after Antarctica and Greenland). The glacier advances 2 metres each day, so the ice at its front – large slabs of which regularly crack off and crash thunderously into the awaiting lake – is estimated to be 18,000 years old.

I’m with a guided tour which takes visitors “mini-trekking” on the glacier. It’s an otherworldly experience that’s essential to book in advance (and a novelty for Australians, as inhabitants of the only glacier-free continent). If trekking on ice with cramp-ons is not for you, you can take a boat ride to the glacier, or view it from a labyrinth of observation decks – it’s here where you can best appreciate the sheer magnitude of the glacier.

As my time in Patagonia draws to an end, I book a last-minute 4WD tour of Cerro Frias.

It’s a steep and somewhat gnarly drive, but the famous Patagonian blues are comforting. We finish with dinner at a private ranch, watching the sun set over the vast Patagonian wilderness.

When to go Patagonia is brutal in winter, so visit during the warmer months, between November and March. It can still get cold, so layer your clothing.

The dollars and cents Expect to pay between AUD$4,500 to $6,500 for two weeks in Patagonia, the majority of which will go towards flights and accommodation. If you’re on a budget, Argentina is significantly cheaper.

4WD to Cerro Frias

SEPTEMBER 2023 33

ENTERTAINMENT

cineTALK

Worth waiting for? You decide!

What’s on SUHAYLA SHARIF’s watchlist this September FRIDAY NIGHT PLAN (Netflix) When mum’s away… these brothers come out to play. For students who have the HSC set in their sights, you may feel some FOMO with this fun Hindi flick all about getting the good times going. I mean, teenagers and an empty house for the weekend… what could go wrong?

Release Date: 1 Sept

JAANE JAAN (Netflix) In this upcoming Hindi whodunnit, Bebo seems to have serenaded the wrong crowd. Kareena Kapoor Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat and Vijay Varma are the talented trio on the search for answers that may hiding be in plain sight. Grab your magnifying glasses for this mystery movie directed by Sujoy Ghosh!

Release Date: 21 Sept

JAWAN (In cinemas) The Baadshah of Bollywood is back, sending SRK fans into a frenzy for the second time this year! Joined by Nayanthara, Vijay Sethupathi and Yogi Babu – with Deepika Padukone in a special appearance – and with Anirudh holding the musical reins, audiences should expect the South stars to steal the show in this Hindi/Tamil/Telugu action blockbuster. If Pathaan packed a punch for you, Jawaan just might be the next masala movie you’ve been craving for.

Release Date: 7 Sept

SALAAR: PART 1- CEASEFIRE (In cinemas) A roaring and rowdy rebel on the big screen – what more could Prabhas fans ask for? With this only being the first part of an upcoming series, audiences can definitely expect plenty of twists and turns in this Telugu action drama. Fingers crossed Prabhas can redeem himself after his ‘unique’ performance earlier this year (seriously, after all the Adipurush memes, let’s hope that was a one-off for Indian cinema’s Baahubali).

Release Date: 28 Sept

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KUSHI (In cinemas) South Indian cinema is in for a treat this month with superstars Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Vijay Deverakonda uniting as star-crossed lovers.

With a sweet love story facing some sour twists of fate, this Telugu rom-com is sure to melt your heart. Will this dynamic duo keep all things khushi (happiness) in their marriage?

Release Date: 1 Sept

BAMBAI MERI JAAN (Prime Video) In a city where the streets are littered with secrets, crime lords will do anything to silence their enemies. Produced by Hindi cinema powerhouses including Farhan Akhtar, Kay Kay Menon leads a dazzling cast in this crime thriller series. If you’re not hooked already, know this could possibly be the closest Bollywood gets to a Peaky Blinders remake.

Release Date: 4 Sept

THE GREAT INDIAN FAMILY (In cinemas) No matter how many ups and downs an Indian family may have, love will always prevail in binding you together. However, sometimes the chaos can land you in more trouble than you expected. That’s the case for one Indian family whose story you might need to gather your own near and dear to truly enjoy. Make sure to mark your shared calendars for this Hindi family flick starring Vicky Kaushal and Manushi Chhillar!

Release Date: 22 Sept

CHANDRAMUKHI 2 (In cinemas) Before Bollywood’s beloved Bhool Bhulaiyaa, there was Kollywood’s Chandramukhi. The story continues with the upcoming sequel to the Tamil horror comedy classic starring Kangana Ranaut, Raghava Lawrence and Vadivelu. Although you can expect some laughs, this flick isn’t for the faint-hearted.

Release Date: 19 Sept

HADDI (ZEE5) Is there anything that Nawazuddin can’t do?

Whether he happens to be adorned as a ruthless transgender woman or a gangster tightly gripping his crown, this crime thriller will be nonetheless power-packed.

Release Date: 7 Sept

SAPTA SAGARADAACHE ELLO – SIDE A (In cinemas) The life of a young couple is turned upside down when their dreams of the perfect life require imperfect tactics to achieve. Starring Rakshit Shetty and Rukmini Vasanth, can love truly conquer all in this upcoming Kannada romantic drama?

Release Date: 1 Sept

BUHEY BARIYAN (In cinemas) CHETA SINGH (In cinemas)

LOVE ALL (In cinemas)

Sound the sirens, another Punjabi crime thriller is coming our way! A bit of bloodshed won’t stop one man from making sure justice is served. This gritty release is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Release Date: 1 Sept

Who knew badminton could be so bad? Well for one boy, his racket and shuttlecock are what stand between him and his future. In this upcoming Hindi drama release, witness a tear-jerking story where sport saves the bond between a father and son.

Release Date: 1 Sept

MR KOLKETA (Hoi Choi) History buffs unite, this Bengali adventure drama will take you back in time! Watch as one detective (Ritwik Chakraborty) gets tangled in a journey of uncovering hidden treasures of the past. Who says curiosity is a curse if it means a quest is always around the corner?

Release Date: 8 Sept

SUKHEE (In Cinemas) Just as the title suggests, this upcoming Hindi sliceof-life release is filled with so much happiness you’ll be smiling before even entering the cinema. Shilpa Shetty plays a Punjabi housewife who seeks to find her own happiness after a turbulent turn of events.

Grab the family together for the heart-warming tale of strength and self-discovery.

Release Date: 22 Sept

The patriarchy stands no chance in Punjab with this powerful Punjabi film showcasing the potential all women have in creating change. This comedydrama release follows one group of women whose greatest weapons are their voices (and their chappals). Two queens of Punjabi cinema, Neeru Bajwa and Nirmal Rishi, put their best foot forward in an empowering story that celebrates #girlpower.

Release Date: 15 Sept

SKANDA–THE ATTACKER (In Cinemas) Rugged mobsters, romantic montages and one rowdy hero – an epic combination bound to win audiences over. This Telugu action entertainer takes things up a notch as no one will get in the way of Ram Pothineni seeking justice. Indian audiences now know that nobody does action as well as South Indian superstars.

Release Date: 15 Sept SEPTEMBER 2023 35

backchat Dear Auntyji Lately my wife did something that has irritated me no end.

Now Auntyji, I think the world of my Shilpa. She is a lovely wife and looks after the family really well. Sometimes I can be better - like when she asks me to do something around the house and I neglect to do it in her time frame. She might get irritated by it and make a few pointed comments, but she is never aggressive.

Four months ago Shilpa asked me to fix the toilet seat in the guest room. I’ve been very busy and haven’t gotten around to it. Last weekend I return from golf and I see a man coming down the stairs. He looks like a tradie and says g’day mate and then takes his toolbox upstairs. It occurs to me that Shilpa has hired a man to fix the toilet!

I was incensed - and I was already a bit angry because I had hit a shot into the bunker at the 4th hole and I took 8 swings before the ball flew out and landed in the pond.

So I said to Shilpa - I said I was going to do it, why did you get a tradie? She pulled out her phone and said yes, you said you would do it on these dates - and she highlighted the 8 dates when she had reminded me and I had told her I would do it. And then she calmly put down her phone, fetched my beer from the fridge and instead of giving it to me, took it upstairs for Dave the tradie. Auntyji, I am livid.

He charged us $150. Money doesn’t grow on trees. What should I say to Shilpa? I don’t want to fight with her, but don’t you think this is ridiculous?

Do you have a question for Auntyji? Email it to info@indianlink.com.au

Bad golf joke

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The 10 Sessions Online retreat starting on 25th October 2023 (HINDI) is about attempting to grasp this higher consciousness. That is precisely the purpose of spirituality. The course is set out in very clear and simple terms, with an emphasis on experience.

‘No says problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.’ Albert Einstein Auntyji If you’re looking advancement yourthis own only life, if you need to raise your mind Arre bevakoof, listenfor up, for I shallinsay once tostrength a behuda insaan likehigh dailya trivialities, if you could do with clearer of our very existence here, you. Youabove are the such besharam aadmi I don’t evenunderstanding know where to start.

What kind if you need practical steps towards transformation… then, this is for you. of a lafanga takes 8 shots to hit a ball out of a bunker? Kamaal karte ho, yaar?

Facilitator: Sister Ananya And you’re not just a useless golfer, you’re also the worst type of golfer - a selfish For Ananya Tomar, her ultimate goal as a meditation teacher is to create an uplifting atmosone. So phere. you prioritise going and hitting balls into bunkers and ponds over doing Starting October 25, Ms Tomar will host free Raja Yoga Meditation sessions Online in the your duty around the And youaim have the audacity to get upset at your Hindi language. Mshouse.

Tomar says herthen personal is that one person understands and starts is like a big discovery,” she said.

“I was spending my life8rewife forpractising bringingmeditation. a tradie “Meditation in to do the one thing she asked you to do 8 times? ally exhausted changing my health and my finances, and itof times? That’s twiceby a changing month, things over outside, the last 4 months yououtside napunsakh.

What kind was like a big reveal, all the change happened from within. a shaitaan ka chacha ignores a request 8 times for help around the house?

“I train them to think to see that spirituality and higher consciousness are not the treasure of And what besharam then asking advice, forum? justkind a few,ofbut are something thatwrites should to helpme us all in our for everyday lives.on It’saapublic very practical Ok, heretransformation is what youthat should know.

That 8-swing bunker shot was your punishment we teach.” for ignoring yourwho wife 8 times.

Can you notsciences see the connections here?says Thetheuniverse Ms Tomar, works in the environmental and sustainability sector, Zoom classes are designed so that anyone can join, at the office or golf at home while raand even the golf gods are punishing you forwhether beingthey’re a namakool.

The gods want diating the apositive gained in but the classes to all their members and housemates. you to play with clear insights conscience your failure asfamily a husband means that you “You can do this anywhere, any time, that’s the whole idea,” she said. will fail as a golfer. If you continue to ignore your wife’s requests for help, then let Find great Meditation Commentaries and Classes on our Meditation Channel, me tell you right now, your golf will suffer. And also, this time around your wife gave Subscribe:https://youtube.com/@peacepower

Dave the tradie your ice cold beer on a hot Saturday. Whatever else she decides to give him - it will beVisit allthis onwebsite you. for Beallbetter, doKumaris better, you and bawale.

Unless you become the Brahma Centres Locations in Australia. https://brahmakumaris.org.au/new/ a better husband, may all your putts be three putts.

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SEPTEMBER 2023 37

FORETELL

September 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

A busy month as you settle legal matters, introspect on the nature of your relationships and question whether your career is on the right track. A new cycle begins, so expect old stalemates and past tensions to dissipate. Money could be tight but the situation will improve. Be cautious with expenses till then. The self-employed could hear of a business opportunity. Patience is the key as you wait for the scales of karma to tilt in your favour.

There could be unexpected changes in matters of business or romance.

Even if a relationship is going through a bad patch, it won’t break and things get resolved. An ex could make a comeback. Do not let your emotions overpower your rational side, especially at work. Money matters need looking into for better outcomes. Your best success will come from concerted efforts, and lucky breaks that come your way. the problems you are facing right noware only temporary.

Singles will seek more depth in their relationships. A situation you have been manifesting comes to be. Work could be good and bad, but eventually, the financial gains will come. A feeling of emotional abundance keeps you happy; but there is an underlying anxiety and insecurity too. Insomnia could deplete your energy levels. Money held up will get cleared. Focus on activities that make you happy. What you want will come to you; though not in the manner you wished it would.

Social interactions, spiritual quests and possibly a marriage or news of a pregnancy could keep you busy this September. A trip will disappoint. At work, you are looking for a change to stay motivated. Being low emotionally could make you feel extreme fatigue. A financial matter that caused problems will be settled. Someone you know could call off an engagement. Some of you may receive a good offer for a business.

Keep an open mind – to new offers and to changing circumstances.

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

July 21 - Aug 22

Aug 23 - Sep 22

Sep 23 - Oct 22

Oct 23 - Nov 21

The card drawn shows that the fiery and headstrong Leo will stick to the rules.

Which means, singles will not take the current relationship forward if what they seek is missing. Those looking to change jobs will find something more in tune with what they seek. Watch out for breathing problems. You could get help from someone you didn’t expect.

Whatever the situation, don’t get overwhelmed. As long as you are doing the right thing, you will be fine.

The practical Virgo could be even more so this month. And they might even meet a Capricorn person, so the earth and rational elements will be strong overall. Good news at work will lift you out of the career slump you are in right now. You will have enough money to meet all your expenses even if it trickles in. If something is meant to be, it will happen, so let go of trying to control outcomes.

Situations come up that test your selfcontrol at work or in your personal life.

Use these to grow, and compassion will help you overcome them. Singles will not be ready to commit; an ex still holds their hearts. Go with your passion if you are looking for a career direction. You may not see immediate results but stay devoted to your work; the rewards will come. Debts will be cleared and you will receive money. Positive conditions all around are foretold.

Whatever the situation, only logic will help this month. Singles could meet someone who could be Aquarian or Libran. Let go of the past if you want a healthy relationship. Drive carefully and be careful while travelling. Look for a sense of purpose at work or find something that gives you one. Finances are stable but the people around can make it stressful. ‘Change your mind to change your world‘ should be your mantra for the month.

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18

Pisces

Feb 19 - March 20

Some of you may have several problems spring up related to work or relationships.

Those in a relationship could get married; a marriage, even if rocky, will not break. Avoid confrontations or arguments with family members. Too much stress will make you feel run-down. Watch out for an unfaithful partner if your relationship suddenly seems unfulfilling. Financial hurdles are temporary and your money situation will soon improve. The self-employed won’t be able to go through with a merger.

There could be a 360-degree change in your lifestyle or your mindset. Some of you may feel a sense of purpose and actively make changes in some area of your life. Dealing with your inner demons and resolved issues at work makes your job easier. A trip proves beneficial in more ways than one. Spiritual growth helps you find motivation again. Watch your diet. Singles could meet someone new.

The self-employed could receive a lifechanging offer for a partnership.

A major arcana indicates preordained events. An ex could make a comeback but you remain unsure. If dissatisfied with your work, change what is needed to make it better. Some of you will make a life-changing decision after a longstanding negative situation ends. Watch your food habits to avoid mood swings. A new lifecycle commences and you will receive some positive information regarding your finances.

All the changes happening in your life currently are for the better. Go with the flow.

Singles could meet someone new in their own neighbourhood. This person could be a Scorpio. Avoid feelings of martyrdom in difficult situations. Focus on self-healing to get over past traumas.

If looking to sell property, it will not sell this month. At work, some of you may get a chance to expand your skillset.

If looking to get married, expect a proposal. Avoid family dramas. If you have lost weight recently, it would be best to get it checked.

Nov 22 - Dec 21

38 SEPTEMBER 2023

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