JULY_2025_SYDNEY

All things Indian. In Australia.

SYDNEY

JULY 2025

Vol. 32 No. 10

indianlink.com.au

FREE

31 Level 25/259 George St, Sydney 2000 • GPO Box 108, Sydney 2001 • Ph: 1800 015 847

2 JULY 2025

www.indianlink.com.au

JULY 2025 3

Discover how the new rental laws affect you There are new rental laws in NSW that impact renters and landlords.

NSW Fair Trading provides tools, resources and support to guide tenants and landlords through the new laws, including changes to; reasons to end a lease, rent payment without fees, and making it easier to apply to keep a pet.

It’s important to know what’s changed, as well as your rights and responsibilities.

NSW Fair Trading is here to help – visit nsw.gov.au for more information.

4 JULY 2025

www.indianlink.com.au

EDITORIAL All things Indian. In Australia.

PUBLISHER Pawan Luthra EDITOR Rajni Anand Luthra CONTRIBUTORS Torrsha Sen, Lakshmi Ganapathy, Khushee Gupta, Sruthi Sajeev, Harini Sridhar, Srikanth Rajagopalan, Manan Luthra, Sajay Alapakkam, Prutha Chakraborty, Charmaine O’Brien, Ritam Mitra, Minal Khona, Auntyji SALES AND MARKETING Charu Vij GRAPHIC DESIGN Shailesh Tinker

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 25 / 259 George St, Sydney 2000 GPO Box 108, Sydney 2001 Ph: 02 9279-2004 Email: info@indianlink.com.au

Investments, tariffs, and the world according to Trump BY PAWAN LUTHRA

M

ost Australians who have a mortgage were confident of mortgage relief when the Reserve Bank of Australia chief Michelle Bullock fronted the media in early July. However, in a world increasingly influenced by Donald Trump's geopolitical policies and proposed tariffs, the RBA board opted to maintain the status quo for the time being.

The global investment landscape is in flux, market movements swift and unpredictable.

Since the Trump era, market ups and downs have played out over days rather than months. For instance, an April 2 tariff announcement led to an immediate market drop, followed by a sharp rebound on April 9. Rumours, such as the false April 7 pause on tariffs, have caused wild market swings within minutes. This rapid pace is driven by instant information flow, AI-driven trading, and a 24hour investment cycle. Unlike the

prolonged downturns of the dotcom bust and the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), the COVID-19 crash demonstrated that recoveries can be nearly instantaneous, thanks to aggressive stimulus policies developed during the GFC. For investors, this means timing the market has become more challenging. In the past, there was time to exit and re-enter during downturns; now, stepping out could mean missing vital gains.

The best strategy? Stay invested.

Take it easy. Even through the Great Depression, GFC, and the pandemic, markets have trended upward. ***** Meanwhile, India is skilfully navigating US President Trump's trade threats, avoiding the tariff warnings issued to other nations.

Through consistent engagement and a refusal to be rushed by deadlines, India has done well to be seen as a reliable negotiating partner.

In the face of Trump's "90 deals in 90 days" initiative and threats of reciprocal tariffs, India has maintained a strategic resistance.

Unlike other countries that have been issued formal tariff letters,

India has not been named in such communications, allowing its exporters to operate without the immediate threat of increased duties.

India has firmly remained on Trump’s radar, particularly in sectors like pharmaceuticals and digital commerce, where both countries are keen to deepen cooperation.

However, challenges persist in areas such as agriculture and dairy, where conflicting interests could complicate future negotiations.

The evolving US-India trade dynamics have significant implications for Australia. India's approach to handling American trade pressures may influence its negotiations with Australia, particularly concerning the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).

The CECA aims to enhance bilateral trade and investment, and India's experience with the US could inform its strategies in these negotiations.

As negotiations with the Trump administration continue, the outcomes will not only shape US-India relations but also have far-reaching effects on global trade dynamics, including Australia's economic engagements in the Indo-Pacific region.

JULY 2025 5

CONTENTS SPECIAL FEATURES DIASPORA Zohran Mamdani: Yay or nay?

WILDERNESS

A diplomatic ode to the Sahyadris

TRENDS

Fake sangeet, or Insta-sangeet?

HISTORY

A Surat man in Australia, mid-1800s

INDOPHILE

Aussie historian who loved Mumbai

14

16

20

23

14 16 20 22 COVER STORY

23

DUTY AND DISTANCE Navigating multi-generational intercontinental care

10

VIRDI ENGINEERS ROOF RESTORATION Lic. No. 114274C

Professional advice at the lowest price Serving the community for over 20 years

Roof restoration Guttering solutions Whirly birds Driveway cleaning & painting Fencing & retaining walls Skylights Sunrooms Leaf guards Carports, decks, patios & pergolas

Pay in easy interest free installments* *Conditions apply. Limited period only.

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

6 JULY 2025

www.indianlink.com.au

IndianLink

Three decades of all things Indian. In Australia.

Proudly honoured with 31 media awards, including four-time recognition as Best Publication.

JULY 2025 7

YOUR SAY YOGA

unwind the mind

Unroll the mat,

International Yoga Day isn’t just about perfect poses or early morning routines, it’s a chance to reflect on why this ancient practice still holds space in our busy, modern lives. Whether it’s for strength, stillness, flexibility, or simply the calm it brings, Yoga means something different to everyone. To mark the day, we asked Yoga enthusiasts three

straightforward questions about their connection to the practice. The answers were thoughtful, grounded, and refreshingly honest. From quiet moments of clarity to unexpected lessons learned mid-pose, here’s what Yoga lovers had to say about the practice, the challenges, and why they keep showing up.

AMRITA KOHLI Certified Yoga and meditation instructor What first got you into Yoga, and what keeps you coming back?

RIA PATEL Actress, dancer, writer What first got you into Yoga, and what keeps you coming back?

I was a gym rat, but three years ago on a whim I went to a retreat - we had a Yoga teacher who guided a daily practice and she was incredible! As a dancer I just loved the movement, it was like meditating. Yoga is about coming back to yourself - when I feel lost Yoga helps me reconnect to myself again.

Which asana have you personally had most benefit from and how?

I love Baddha Konasana Uttanasana (Forward Fold Butterfly). It’s a

20 JUNE 2025

gentle hip opener. Hips store a lot of emotions and it can be a beautiful way to release tension but also emotions.

The forward fold aspect is a great way to decompress the spine, stimulate digestion, calm the nervous system.

The inward nature of the shape encourages you to look within.

What advice would you give to someone starting Yoga for the first time?

You have always been doing Yoga!

In the 8 Limbed Path of Yoga, the first pillar is Yamas, or observances towards others - this includes

Ahimsa (non-violence) and Satya (truthfulness). Notice when you were young and you told your parents the truth, or when you shared your lunch with a kid at school – yes, that’s Yoga!

Yoga goes beyond the mat: whilst it might feel “scary” to attempt asana (movement), notice how you’re already practising Yoga off the mat.

In terms of your Asana, it’s not about how you look, we sometimes look at others on their mats and compare, but come back to yourself. Keep it simple, notice how you feel, come back to your breath, your body.

Khushee Gupta

I first got into Yoga while working overseas; I was under constant pressure with tight deadlines. The stress began affecting my physical health, mental clarity, and emotional well-being. That was a turning point for me - I knew I needed to find a natural, sustainable way to cope without relying on medication.

That’s when I turned to Yoga and meditation. It became more than just a practice; it was a deep transformation.

I started exploring my inner self through the tools of Yoga, and over time, it has given me a lasting sense of inner strength, peace, and joy. Even today, through all of life’s challenges, Yoga continues to be a powerful tool that helps me manage stress, overcome anxiety, and stay grounded.

Which asana have you personally had most benefit from and how?

I truly love all asanas, but the

one that has brought me the most personal benefit is Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose). It’s a posture that allows me to deeply connect with my inner system - the intricate workings of the body that support us day and night.

Through this asana, I feel an awakening of energy within, particularly in the chakras, including the Muladhara, and a gentle activation of Kundalini. It supports the flow of Apana Vayu, positively impacting internal organs like the liver and kidneys, while also toning the spinal nerves and enhancing spinal cord function.

One of the most practical benefits I’ve experienced is its role in helping regulate my blood sugar levels. The combination of energetic and physiological effects makes this asana a powerful, grounding, and healing part of my daily practice.

What advice would you give to someone starting Yoga for the first time?

Approach it as a daily habit, just like brushing your teeth. Incorporating Yoga, meditation, and breathing techniques into your routine can bring profound benefits, not only for your physical health but also for your mental clarity and inner growth.

Yoga helps you connect to your inner consciousness, allowing you to experience inner peace, joy, and strength. It becomes a powerful support in navigating life’s challenges with greater resilience and calm.

Remember, you don’t need to search outside for peace or strength - they already exist within you.

Through consistent practice, Yoga simply helps you tune into your own inner world and experience the deep bliss that lies within.

Rajni Anand Luthra

SANJEETA BHATTACHARYA Actor, Indie singer, songwriter, composer

What first got you into Yoga, and what keeps you coming back?

Which asana have you personally had most benefit from and how?

I got interested in Yoga after learning about its many benefits, especially how it helps improve breathing - something essential for singing on stage and acting. Yoga has become a part of my routine because of the positive impact it has on my performance and overall well-being. Practices like Kapalbhati and Anulom Vilom have made a huge difference in how I manage my breath, focus, and energy. Yoga keeps me centred and calm, both emotionally and physically, which is why I keep coming back to it.

Kapalbhati and Anulom Vilom have been the most beneficial for me as they improve my breathing patterns and help calm my mind.

They also help release stress and ease performance-related nervousness. Apart from these, I also enjoy doing Surya Namaskar and Dhanurasana as they enhance the flexibility and strength of my entire body. These practices contribute not only to physical fitness but also to mental clarity, which is crucial in my artistic journey.

www.indianlink.com.au

What advice would you give to someone starting Yoga for the first time?

Start with simple Yoga practices focused on improving both your body and mind. It’s important to practice under the guidance of a certified expert, especially in the beginning, to ensure you’re doing it correctly. If that’s not possible, there are many reliable YouTube tutorials by experienced Yoga teachers that can help you get started safely. Be patient, listen to your body, and allow yourself to grow gradually in the practice.

Torrsha Sen

JUNE 2025 21

STRENGTH AND CALM, STILLNESS AND FLEXIBILITY On International Yoga Day last month, we asked yoga enthusiasts about their connection to the practice.

Nimeesha Gupta wrote: Happy International Yoga Day to all the incredible Yoga (practitioners here). Your wisdom and insights into this ancient practice of health and wellness are truly inspiring. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your answers that beautifully highlighted all the benefits of yoga in such a simple, uplifting and straightforward manner. It’s a joy to be reminded of how transformative this journey can be! Keep inspiring us.

Jyothi Madhavan wrote: Great article. Well said, Amrita Kohli, peace is within and Yoga helps find that inner peace. We all need to take time out of our busy schedules and incorporate Yoga into our routine. Thank you for reminding!

Monica Dovedy wrote: Well said, ladies.

Anu Shroff wrote: Yoga is more than just poses, it's about the journey to wellness. Motivating interviews of Amrita and the other wonderful ladies.

Amrita Kohli wrote: Thank you Indian Link for this amazing article. Thank you to each one of you for inspiring all of us in this inner bliss journey of yoga and mindfulness.

DESI YARN IN MERINO COUNTRY Himachali weavers Kullvi Whims brought their traditional wool craft heritage to a cultural exchange program at Fremantle’s Anjelms Project.

The Anjelms Project wrote: We feel incredibly blessed that you have chosen to feature this journey as connection learning and sharing. To build bridges between our communities through craft is our mission and to see artisans be recognised, valued for their craftsmanship and their cultural heritage celebrated through that process is priceless for its future and the future of our global community. Craft is the most beautiful language that doesn’t require a word. Thank you from the bottom of our heart. We will endeavour to start working on the next chapter of this journey and grow our community Sharanya Bagchi wrote: Impressive – turning a traditional craft into a powerful cultural and economic bridge. This is women-led empowerment, sustainable slow fashion, and soft diplomacy all in one. A perfect example of how grassroots social enterprises can shape global narratives and build crosscultural respect. Congratulations to all involved!

TRUCKIE FIRST AID IN LANGUAGE

TIM THOMAS IN SHOCK CAIR RESIGNATION Since becoming CAIR’s CEO in March 2023, Tim Thomas led several international efforts to strengthen Australia-India relations, wrote PAWAN LUTHRA. Sriraman Annaswamy wrote: Fully echo your sentiments and those of Swati Dave, Chair of CAIR. Tim Thomas was a rare bird, a big picture strategist with a strong understanding of ground reality. Disappointing to see him leave part way through his term! All the very best to Centre for Australia-India Relations board to find a suitable replacement for Tim. Jim Varghese AM wrote: Good luck to Tim Thomas in his next career steps as illustrated in this excerpt: “As he moves on from CAIR, Tim Thomas is expected to launch a business advisory firm to tap into trade opportunities between India and Australia.”

8 JULY 2025

MAMTA SHARMA unpacked a recent initiative in which Truckie First Aid was made available in Punjabi and Mandarin languages.

Mala Mehta wrote: Empowering truck drivers with life-saving knowledge is a powerful step toward safer roads for everyone. By expanding the program into multiple languages, it breaks down barriers and makes vital training more accessible, inclusive, and impactful. Every additional person who completes the course could one day save a life - and that ripple effect is priceless.

Hassan Shakur wrote: Fantastic to see this. Impressive work by NatRoad and St John Ambulance in breaking down language barriers to first aid training. By offering Truckie First Aid in Punjabi and Mandarin, this initiative isn’t just improving road safety, it’s empowering Australia’s diverse trucking workforce to confidently respond in emergencies.

With over 1,500 drivers already trained and further translations (including Hindi and Arabic) in the pipeline, this program exemplifies inclusive, proactive public safety. Kudos to the team: this is a model for culturally responsive training in any industry!

www.indianlink.com.au

All things Indian. In Australia.

SYDNEY

JUNE 2025

Vol. 32 No. 9

indianlink.com.au

FREE

31 Level 25/259 George St, Sydney 2000 • GPO Box 108, Sydney 2001 • Ph: 1800 015 847

WHAT MAKES A GOOD COVER? Thank you for seeing our last cover, connecting with it, and reaching out.

RAJNI ANAND LUTHRA shared its behind-the-scenes story — and revisited some past covers that resonated.

Tracey Holmes wrote: What a great story about how to tell a story. Love your work.

Melissa Monteiro wrote: A great tribute to these individuals and stories.

Congratulations, Indian Link.

Jodie McKay wrote: Love this post. Thanks to Indian Link for all you do.

Blake Prichard wrote: Great post.

Anshul Shroff wrote: Well said.Your team produces great quality coverage.

Shanti Raman wrote: Beautiful, thank you.

Ajay Naidu wrote: Wow, great job. Keep the spirit going.

Smita Shah wrote: Great job on this cover.

Mala Mehta OAM wrote: Beautiful tribute. Heart warming and thoughtprovoking.

Mahesh Enjeti wrote: You have beautifully uncovered the magic behind the (#AI 171) cover.

Sanjeev Nandkeolyar wrote: Loving this.

Sheba Nandkeolyar wrote: Very well summed up.

Jayaraman Guruswamy OAM wrote: Thanks for sharing, your issues have always been inspiring read.

Bijinder Dugal wrote: Definitely worth reading.

WHERE IN OZ This geological formation resembling organ pipes is thought to be between 2.5 to 2.8 million years old. Where in Australia?

STYLE INSPO Digital creator and fashion influencer Bhavninder (Bhav) Sanghera spoke to KHUSHEE GUPTA on the Don’t Talk Back podcast about his love for dopamine dressing - using colour to boost your mood.

Kai Mac Grath wrote: Beige, grey and black are classic colours but I love to dress in bright colours – it creates happiness and fun, it’s contagious, it definitely changes a mood.

Bhav wrote: One of the main reasons I love wearing colour – it brightens everyone’s day.

Lilly Tomanogi wrote: Bhav, it’s so nice to see you doing so well in the fashion industry. Man, gotta say your style is interesting and unique. Keep them new fashion trends coming.

Might BeLeo wrote: Heavy on dopamine dressing.

Kaila J Dance wrote: Definitely agree colour more vibrational!

Liz Summerell wrote: Agree with Bhav Melburnians generally more creative, diverse in fashion and styling.

WHERE IN INDIA These ancient cenotaphs stand in silent testimony to lives once lived, echoing tales of honour, loss, and legacy. Where in India?

Reader Bindi Shah got the lone correct answer: Sawn Rocks walking track in Narrabri NSW. (Bhanu Kothari and Vimala D'Souza came close with their answer: Organ Pipes National Park, Vic.)

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

Readers Mark Warton, Trupti Shukla and Bhanu Kothari got the correct answer: these structures are in Orchha, Madhya Pradesh. They are cenotaphs of the Rajput rulers of the Bundelkhand dynasty (early 16th - late 18th century), renowned for their defiance against the Mughals. Orchha is also known for being a special spot for Lord Ram devotees.

JULY 2025 9

COVER STORY

Duty and distance Caring across generations and continents The Mistrys’ story is not uncommon in Australia’s Indian community.

Sanjeev Sachdeva of Melbourne was preparing to return to India this January for his usual six-month caregiving stint, as his sister prepared to head back to the US after hers - when news came through that their 94-year-old father had passed. The six-month routine had been on for the last five years, except during COVID, when it stretched to a whole year for Sanjeev.

For Sydney’s Upala Sunthankar, it was ten years of travelling back and forth from Kolkata in the care of her mum, also suffering from dementia. She gave up her job in marketing and was at one time spending 6-8 months in India.

Brisbane’s Madhuri Menon has her Hyderabad-based parents constantly on her mind when she’s not there, while she’s looking out for her family here, including one child who has their own care needs.

They are all are classic examples of the “sandwich generation” - squeezed from all sides as they juggle care for parents, children, and grandchildren, while maintaining their own professional lives.

In the original definition of that term, of course, you are the meat in the sandwich if you have a parent over 65 and are financially supporting a minor or adult child.

Yet the Mistrys, Sanjeev, Upala and Madhuri would beg to differ – considering themselves the larger “club sandwich” – given they are roughly in their early 60s themselves, can list off a handful of concerning physical ailments of their own, have begun to flirt with the idea of retirement, and are possibly dealing with boomerang (returning) children that warrants lifestyle adjustments.

Perhaps they are the “panini generation” –pressed harder than your regular sandwich.

Hearts across continents, responsibilities split by oceans

BY RAJNI ANAND LUTHRA

S

ince 2019, Sydneysiders Pravesh and Vinita Mistry have spent only a few weeks each year at home in Australia. The rest of their time is devoted to caring for Parvesh’s 87-year-old widowed mother in Bharuch, Gujarat, who is now severely affected by dementia.

They had explored various options to bring her to Australia, but that possibility closed after her dementia diagnosis seven years ago.

“2020 was particularly difficult, as Mum was left alone with a carer during COVID 10 JULY 2025

lockdown,” Vinita told Indian Link. “We found out later, quite traumatically, that the carer was abusing Mum.” With great difficulty, Pravesh was able to get to India as soon as borders opened – only to face a fresh set of problems, as the carer objected to living with a man in the house. It was months later when Vinita could fly in, that situation eased – but not for their mother, whose dementia took a drastic downward spiral.

“She was forgetting things, getting confused, losing her ability to dress herself, often not recognising people, and even becoming aggressive. At the time our son was in uni, and thankfully mature and independent, and understood the family situation,” Vinita recounted. “For us, work

suffered due to COVID and also being away, but as migration agents, we were able to continue to operate remotely. Our son Kishan saw himself through uni, and it was a tug-of-war situation for us, as to what to give priority to. Soon after Kishan joined the work force, he found a partner and they married. Today they have a two-year-old – who we get to know whenever we visit.”

Meanwhile, their Mum’s condition has further deteriorated. “It’s devastating for us to see this once-strong woman who was totally independent and a lovely person,now in this state of disarray. Today she’s very frail, cannot communicate at all, but is able to indicate in her own way that she would like us to be close to her rather than the carers.” ***

For Indian-Australians with ageing parents in India, caregiving becomes especially complex due to a unique combination of distance, minimal external care services, and deep emotional ties.

Distance means they can’t offer dayto-day support or respond quickly in emergencies. Travel is expensive, timeconsuming, and often constrained by work or visa restrictions.

Aged care facilities may not be up to scratch in India, with trustworthy temporary providers hard to find.

Emotional ties run deep, and the constant pull between obligations on either sideexerts its own pressure. To live with the emotional strain of being physically absent while still feeling deeply responsible, leads to that difficult decision: take extended leave from family and work responsibilities here, and move to India temporarily.

Together, these factors create a unique emotional and logistical burden that’s

www.indianlink.com.au

difficult to navigate.

Indian tradition and faith uphold filial piety, making families primarily responsible for elder care. Legal, social, cultural and economic values emphasise the role of family in senior care.

Pravesh Mistry observed, “We are not doing any obligations. This is our culture.

Our parents are the greatest gift given to us

by God: we should take the most that we can from them, and give the most we can.”

Upala felt similarly, “I'm a ‘duty-bound’ person so I felt I needed to be there for my parents, especially Mum. That was very important for me as an only child.”

Vinita Mistry has a more practical approach. “We take care of our loved ones.

In case of dementia there’s total dependency on you, and you just have to put your life aside to do what needs to be taken care of.”

For Sanjeev, cultural expectations never came into the picture. “It’s a moral responsibility more than anything else even if I was not of Indian origin. Several Australian friends are faced with similar challenges. One’s based in Melbourne and he spends two weeks of the month in Queensland with his parents.

Another friend has a father with dementia in a care facility and he spends his weekends there. We all shoulder the responsibility of aged parents. The parentchild bond compels you to reach out rather than any cultural bias.”

Key findings from the Sandwich Generation Report 2025 by Australian Seniors reveals that multigenerational caregiving involves intense time, emotional, and financial demands - with profound impacts on health, social life, careers, and retirement plans. The burden falls disproportionately on women, yet only a minority receive financial or workplace support. (see box).

From meds to meals: Everyday realities of caring

Medical care and household duties are uppermost in care. Sanjeev described, “The critical component was making sure there was a full-time attendant for Dad. It’s hard to come by the right person who will adjust to a frail individual who is also very temperamental. In addition, other support staff are required, people like a driver, to be able to mobilise at short notice any hospital visits as you cannot really rely on ambulance services to be efficient.

Then, other things like food prep, house cleaning…”

This can be difficult for those that left India thirty-odd years ago, while daily life has changed there.

“I left India at 26, never having undertaken any real household responsibilities,” Upala divulged. “So I had to learn the entire system – how to manage the house help, the grocery, the banks, the medicals. This was a big challenge for me, but I’m an expert now!”

There’s also emotional labour. Upala was witness to the whole gamut of cognitive decline with her mother.

“Mum was not aggressive; her condition started with physical decline but went on to cognitive, and then ended deeply physical again, as motor activity gradually stopped.

When she passed it was literally due to choking.”

Brief visits back to Australia saw Upala at workshops at Dementia Australia. “I learnt about management because there’s no cure. Then I taught Mum’s carers. She was a singer, so she sang right to the end.

At one stage she couldn’t remember the words anymore, though she knew the tunes.

We encouraged her to sing with whatever words she could throw in… then she would

Key findings from The Sandwich Generation Report 2025 by Australian Seniors released in May 1. Heavy caregiving workload • Sandwich-generation carers spend nearly 30 hours weekly on unpaid care - roughly 15 hrs for elderly relatives and 15 hrs for kids equivalent to a part-time job • This leaves less than 10 waking hours per week for personal time.

2. Ubiquitous burnout • A staggering 90–93% report signs of burnout: emotional and physical exhaustion, sleep loss, frequent stress • Symptoms include emotional exhaustion (47%), sleep disturbances (46–48%), and physical strain (45–48%) .

• Yet, 55% of women and 46% overall never take a break to focus on their health 3. Severe financial pressure • On average, carers contribute around A$1,500/month for parents and A$1,300 for children/ grandchildren -up to A$18,000/ year per generation • Nearly half (49%) find supporting both generations “very” or “extremely” challenging • Only 23% access financial support

services, often due to lack of awareness or being ineligible 4. Impact on work and career • 75% of carers report caregiving has put strain on their job performance • Over 50% have had to choose between caregiving and professional opportunities • 52% face increased workplace stress; 39% take more leave; 61% (74% dual carers) feel caregiving has impacted financial independence or career progression 5. Widening gender disparity • Women disproportionately bear the brunt: 48% feel expected to be caregivers, 64% say they shoulder more care than men • Women more frequently prioritise caregiving over self-care - 55% never take breaks, compared to 46% overall 6. Social and health costs • 48–58% say caregiving negatively affects social life and friendships • 70% experience physical symptoms (pain, fatigue), and 36% report high stress—further exacerbated by sleep issues

Upala Sunthankar with her mum Sunanda Barua

get up and dance. It was nice. We learnt not to argue - for example, if she said “Good Morning” at night, we wouldn’t correct her, but go along. We learnt many things like that which made life somewhat easier.”

For others though, there’s been no rule book. They’ve navigated this journey alone - trial by fire, fuelled by love. “Am I doing the right thing?” Madhuri wondered aloud.

“I don't know. I really don't know. I am doing what I think is right at this point.”

Financial factors lingered in the back of the mind too.

Although Sanjeev’s father had sufficient provision for his retirement and medical requirements, he himself was actively taking care of the financial management, and his own expenses maintaining two households For Upala, finance was a significant consideration. “My parents only had a certain amount of funds (stashed away) which was not enough for the amount of care that was needed – hospitals, care staff, medical equipment at home. I had given up work myself and was dependent on my husband then. Of course he was fully supportive. I feel blessed that I had the support from my family to be able to do this for Mum. When people tell me my parents were lucky to have me, I reply that I’m the lucky person, to have been able to care for them.”

Madhuri feels the same. “I’ve organised a home care service for my parents called Anveyaa. It is not cheap but it is absolutely wonderful, and Mum and Dad have taken well to it, so it is a God-send for me.

Sometimes I do wonder what it would have been like if I hadn’t given up full-time work, but I banish the thought immediately

– how would I have been able to drop everything and rush off to my parents’ side whenever they needed me, if I was still working? Lucky for me, I can make my parents more important than my career.”

Tethered by love, hindered by miles

Meanwhile, there were care needs back home in Australia that were not being met.

The Mistrys missed out on supporting their son through uni, and significant events in his life, such as the finding of a partner. “Yet we were glad because he had begun to feel lonely, as an only child himself. We were so pleased when he brought his fiance to India meet Grandma, and we think she understood this was a special person in his life. Our daughter-inlaw was equally loving, so we feel blessed.”

Upala was candid about missed opportunities too.“There was a lot of absence in the lives of my two kids and husband – although they understood and supported my decision. Definitely there was guilt on my part: I would feel it when I left Mum, and again when I left my family.

I missed my dogs as well – and could not be there when one of the pets was diagnosed with cancer and left us.”

For entrepreneur Sanjeev, it was work that had the most impact. “My business took a hit due to my absence. But that was the price that I was prepared to pay, as opposed to any other alternative.”

The toll of care: Emotional and physical exhaustion The cost of caring across continents had this group of sandwichers stretched thin.

Sanjeev Sachdev described the

JULY 2025 11

COVER STORY

Practical wisdom for carers If you're juggling care for multiple generations, life can feel overwhelming. Here are some ways to lighten the load and protect your well-being:

exhaustion as “absolutely absolutely emotional.”

“I was away from my family all the time.

Imagine being cooped up with an elderly person who doesn't talk much, doesn't have his faculties functioning, largely bedridden, and no companionship in terms of another person to talk to even. Particularly during the COVID years it was very, very horrific.

You were confined to one room doing work, sleeping, and making sure you were provisioning sufficient supplies to keep the house running.”

He added, “The emotional toll was very heavy for my wife Nidhi and the kids as well, for us to be separated like that for six months at a time.”

Upala confessed, “It was all so tough that I’ve had to take medication. I identified some actions quite uncharacteristic of me, and knew I had to seek help. Trauma shakes you up…Even today, a year after Mum, my nervous system continues to be fragile.”

Madhuri agreed, “Yes, there's plenty of exhaustion for me too. But I guess one has to make peace with all that. As you grow older, this is something you learn - you can't say that life is a breeze at every stage. There are challenges - physical or emotional – that you just have to meet head on.”

Vinita would not give details, but admitted to having “a lot of health issues.”

12 JULY 2025

She would only say, in her quietly spiritual way, “I take it all in my stride and have faith that whatever happens will be for my own evolution. No point in dwelling on something in the future which is not yet there to see.”

Her husband Pravesh choked up as he said, “My mum is so fortunate that she has Vinita. If something happens to me tomorrow, I know that Mum will be taken care of very well by her.”

Breathing between responsibilities

How do these carers perform self-care, in snatched moments of peace?

“It was very, very hard,” Sanjeev reflected.

“The only way to cope was, I knew my options. Do I have any alternative option?

If I don't then I may as well deal with it with a constructive and positive approach and console myself that even if I am stuck over here, lonely and emotionally distraught, Dad is worse off than me. He’s completely helpless. How can I not be here?”

The Mistrys had their deep faith to fall back on. “Sometimes all I can manage is a quick walk – no two days are the same, so a ‘routine’ is difficult to establish. We are part of a spiritual organisation called Shiv Yog. We feel that we could only go through this phase with our Guru Shiva Anandji’s blessings and teachings. These are very,

very trying periods for us. What gives us that strength is our spirituality. It keeps us grounded and focused on what we need to do. Our strong emotional support for each other also plays a role. We are good human beings for each other.”

Upala took up yoga and meditation – they have become part of her daily routine today. They’ve helped her reframe the entire experience in her mind. “This experience has made me grow in so many ways. I think if I hadn’t gone through it, I wouldn’t have developed certain parts of myself. So yes, in some ways, it’s actually been a good thing.”

Madhuri has not had to deal with severe medical conditions with her parents, but nevertheless has a strong self-care routine.

“I do things I enjoy, like craft (I’m a designer by training), and gardening - they give me peace of mind. I maintain healthy social relationships. I gain a lot of joy and satisfaction also from volunteering – I work with many organisations large and small, so for me the emotional fulfilment comes from there.”

Diaspora, duty, and the future of care

Navigating elder care responsibilities as an expat in India is a journey that requires resilience, compassion, and strategic planning. It is an act of immense love, but it

1. Prioritise self-care Your physical and mental health matter. Stay strong, stay well — you can’t pour from an empty cup.

2. Communicate clearly Send group updates to avoid repeating yourself. It keeps everyone in the loop and reduces stress.

3. Share the load Delegate. Ask siblings for help with parents, and give older kids ageappropriate chores.

4. Get help when needed Hire babysitters, home aides, or cleaners if support from family isn’t available. You don’t have to do it all. (Seek out Indian organisations such as Anvayaa, Care Unlimited, Samarth Elder Care, or Antara Senior Care) 5. Seek flexibility at work A more flexible schedule can make it easier to meet everyone’s needs — including your own.

6. Simplify and prioritise Focus on what really matters. Ditch the nonessentials and allow room for the unexpected.

7. Make time for you Read, walk, nap, dance — whatever recharges you. Schedule it like any other responsibility.

8. Talk it out Vent to someone you trust or join a support group. You’re not alone — and being heard helps.

9. Be present Let go of guilt. Focus on the now.

One day, you’ll look back with pride at the care you gave.

You’re doing something extraordinary - balancing generations with love, strength, and grace.

(Adapted from Searcy Financial)

also comes at a cost. The weight is not just logistical or financial, but deeply emotional.

In recognising the role of such carers, we must also recognise their humanity. That begins with compassion: self-compassion for carers who often put themselves last, and societal compassion in the form of greater awareness, workplace flexibility, and culturally appropriate support systems.

Diasporan communities will need to step up to better support multigenerational and intercontinental caregivers - through tangible, culturally sensitive solutions that address their unique challenges. This includes everything from creating support networks and advocacy groups, to encouraging flexible work arrangements and promoting awareness around elder care across borders.

Some names in this article have been changed at the request of the interviewees

www.indianlink.com.au

JULY 2025 13

DIASPORA BY SRIKANTH RAJAGOPALAN

T

he NYC mayoral election in 2025 is attracting attention worldwide. The world’s largest metro economy is larger than Australia’s by some measures, a large fraction of India’s, and a significant trading partner with both. The leading candidate, Zohran Mamdani, is a self-described South Asian Democratic Socialist.

However, according to India-watcher and Adelaide attorney Eugene Reinboth, he has a penchant for “great ideals” but “pie in the sky” principles. As New Yorkers and others reel under Trump’s extreme right-wing economic agenda, Mamdani offers an alternative Utopia: rent freezes, construction of 200,000 apartments, free childcare, and other items that would cost around $17 billion annually. The revenue plan? Tax “richer and whiter neighbourhoods” and raise personal and corporate taxes. If the state, federal government and stars all align, this will yield up to 10 billion a year – and still result in a deficit of $8 billion.

However, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has already opposed the tax hikes and Donald Trump has called him a Communist, so their support appears

Dangerous contradictions

Zohran Mamdani’s blend of economic myths and ethnic posturing isn’t a cure for Trumpism - it risks becoming its mirror

unlikely. Admittedly, several other economists have supported his plan but instead of calling out the deficit, they have simply pointed back to his own website’s numbers. Simply put: when a Mamdani pilot to have free buses on one NYC route was cancelled after one year, why would it succeed throughout the city? The answer might be that we have to go bigger and look at a federal policy funded not by tax hikes on job-creating entrepreneurs and businesses but by cuts to defence spending.

However, Mamdani should then run for President, not Mayor.

At a social level also, Mamdani’s comments do not give all New Yorkers comfort. He re-interprets statements like “from the river to the sea” and “globalise the intifada” to be a cry for equality for Palestinians, while promising to keep Jewish New Yorkers safe. Laudable sentiments – except that he also shows videos that mock Hannukah. Even this could be explained away as a joke, perhaps, except that similar humour poking fun of Islam are nowhere to be seen.

Even more seriously, Mamdani has made 14 JULY 2025

up falsehoods around his family’s country and state of origin – India and Gujarat.

More than twenty years ago, tragic riots took place there which claimed the lives of up to 2500 people, mostly Muslims.

Today, although almost six million Muslims live there – 10% of the state’s population – Mamdani breezily claimed that “people don’t believe Gujarati Muslims exist anymore”. By doing so, he crossed the line from riveting rhetoric to flagrant falsehood.

Moreover, Muslim representation in India has grown from about 9% in 1951 to roughly 14% today, an indicator of population increase, not annihilation.

While Gujarat’s three-day violence was inexcusable, the 1992 Los Angeles riots took five days to be quelled in the far more advanced United States of America. The Supreme Court in India also exonerated Modi while in comparison, Netanyahu or Bush were not even charged for their actions in Gaza or Iraq. Thus, Mamdani’s assertion of war crimes belies the truth.

Nevertheless, Mamdani still leads the polls although several New Yorkers have pointed out that his statements create controversy without adding clarity or equity. He chooses to support free expression when it serves him – such as refusing to condemn slogans like “globalise the intifada” – but remains silent when confronted with his own distortions. This inconsistency reveals a troubling moral hierarchy: incendiary speech gets defended, while factual truth goes unacknowledged.

Some may argue that Mamdani’s radical positions, while imperfect, offer a necessary

and natural response to Donald Trump’s right-wing hate, where he condemned his opponents – half the country – on America’s Independence Day. Two wrongs do not make a right, however. Mamdani may continue with casual remarks against “whiter neighbourhoods” and Israel in general. His charisma may even allow him to explain them away. However, the trend is troubling. If Mamdani is also willing to sell out the people of India, his ancestral home, what confidence can be there that he will be the flagbearer of democratic accountability or public trust for anyone else?

What is the alternative? Business executive Suresh Jaswal of the New York Metro Area, says that his first choice is

Republican Curtis Sliwa, but concedes that he is unlikely to win in NYC where Democrats outnumber Republicans by a factor of five. He feels that current Mayor, scandal-ridden Eric Adams would be Trump’s puppet but that Andrew Cuomo may be a best choice. Jaswal says bluntly that “Mamdani would be bad” due to his socialist policies.

Regardless, facts in history and precision in economics are the bedrock of credible opposition. Mamdani claiming the moral high ground while ignoring reality undermines the very principles of social democracy. If he aims to unseat Trumpstyle authoritarianism, he needs to do so with truth and justice – that is the American Way.

Zohran with his parents, political scientist Mahmood Mamdani and filmmaker Mira Nair

www.indianlink.com.au

Zohran and the Desi progressive wave

diaspora support for the Voice. Although the Voice proposal was unsuccessful, cofounder Khushaal Vyas reflects that “Indian and Pakistani Australians’ understanding of British colonisation of the subcontinent and its ongoing impacts today may have led to a feeling of solidarity with Indigenous Australians” and led to greater support for the Voice in areas with more diaspora youth.

Vyas says he was motivated by “an inherent, moral duty as Australian to stand up for Indigenous rights, having benefitted from land taken from Indigenous people” and by “know[ing] how to communicate with the diaspora.” This has resonance with Mamdani’s approach – projecting social justice as a duty and meeting diaspora communities where they are. Mamdani masterfully executed the latter by speaking in Hindi and Spanish in campaign videos, boldly speaking to his Pro-Palestinian disposition, and interrogating the impact of inflation on kebab prices.

Progressive Indian origin youth have also stepped up on climate action. In 2019, Varsha Yajman co-organised the Sydney School Strike 4 Climate, and in 2020, Anjali Sharma led a court case arguing that the then Environment Minister, Sussan Ley, had a duty of care to young people when making mining approval decisions. While this position was overturned on appeal, it demonstrated a lack of consideration for young people’s interests in environmental approvals.

Yajman says her involvement in the

MANAN LUTHRA and SANJAY ALAPAKKAM consider the rise of Zohran Mamdani amidst the growing chorus of young, politically outspoken Desis closer to home

H

e’s 33. He met his wife on the dating app Hinge. He appears on TikTok videos preaching rent freezes, renewable energy in public schools, and minimum wage rises. He’s unabashedly an immigrant. Donald Trump called him “a 100% Communist Lunatic”. He might be the mayor of New York City come November, but for now, he’s the person disrupting American politics and dominating political discourse.

What is it about Zohran Mamdani that resonateS with Indian-origin youth globally?

The policies, the person

Mamdani’s policy platform is what every millennial cheekily aspires to be: infuriating to the older, richer, more conservative demographic.

Democratic Socialist Mamdani aims to ease cost-of-living pressures through policies like free bus rides and childcare, rent control, higher wages, and 200,000 new affordable homes.

He plans to fund his policies through a 2% tax on New Yorkers earning over US$1 million, a corporate tax hike to 11.5%, and improved fine collection. While not perfect - and requiring state support - economists estimate he’ll need US$70 billion for his housing plan.

Yet this bold approach to improving living standards has won hearts.

And Zohran himself has too. Unlike his rivals, Mamdani has branded himself as relatable - equally at ease sipping matcha in a café as in a Congressional office - with

Clockwise from top: Desis For Yes; Anjali Sharma; Varsha Yajman

a personable style and sharp social media game driving his rapid rise.

Most importantly, Mamdani has risen above criticism of his skin colour, Indian heritage, Muslim faith, and activism - even as wealthy elites pour millions into rivals opposing his mayoral run.Like working-class America, the system seems to be stacked against him…

And yet he persists. His determination is a sign of hope – not just for survival, but for change.

The Democratic Party is not unfamiliar with Indian-origin progressives, counting the prominent US Congress members Pramila Jayapal and Ro Khanna amongst its ranks.

However, there is a special buzz in the air amongst progressive Millennial and Gen-Z diaspora – a cohort of people who grew up with stories of India’s independence struggle, experienced racism first-hand, and are sensitised to the various civil rights movements that have shaped their Westernised generation.

This has equipped them for political action well beyond diaspora-specific concerns, engaging with broader debates around public policy.

climate movement was driven in part by her appreciation that “South Asia is one of the most climate vulnerable regions, experiencing intense heat waves every year…but Western media does not show the disproportionate impacts of climate change on the Global South”.

She also connects the mass clearing of land stolen from Indigenous people in Australia with the clearing of Adivasi lands in India – in both cases, inextricably linked with climate change.

Like Vyas, living on stolen land made Yajman feel obliged to advocate for effective climate action.

Young trailblazers

Mamdani’s impact

As a result, we see young Desis willing to speak truth to power. In the US, we saw Vaniya Agrawal, an Indian-American software engineer fired from Microsoft in April 2024 for protesting against the company providing cloud computing services to Israel while it slaughters civilians in Gaza enmasse.

We also see young Desis in movement building. Closer to home, “Desis for Yes” rose up in 2023 during the Voice to Parliament Referendum to mobilise South Asian

These examples reflect a paradigm shift among younger Indian diaspora members.

Unlike first-generation migrants who focused on stability and avoided risks to secure economic footing, the new generation is more willing to speak out and engage.

However, later generations recognise that while speaking out carries risks, self-censorship shouldn't relegate them to second-class status.

Like Mamdani, they feel a duty to push for change in their adopted homeland and beyond.

JULY 2025 15

Photos: Australian High Commission, New Delhi

WILDERNESS

A walk in the clouds What happens when two Australian diplomats and an Indian conservationist go on a trek? They inspire a film.

BY PRUTHA CHAKRABORTY

W

hen filmmaker and conservationist Amoghavarsha JS set out on a rainy-day hike through the monsoon-soaked Western Ghats with Australian High Commissioner Philip Green OAM and Consul General Hilary McGeachy, he didn’t plan on making a film. There was no script, no setup – just three nature-lovers on a trail, soaking in the lush wilderness of the Sahyadris.

But somewhere between the leech bites, foggy treetops, and shared silences, the experience shaped itself into Nothing On My Mind – a quiet, 7-minute short film released on World Environment Day in June.

It all began serendipitously, with a single question from Green: “Where can I go to experience the wild side of India?”

“Philip reached out to me for hiking suggestions, and I offered to take him myself,” Amoghavarsha recounts to Indian Link. “Hilary was also in, so the three of us just decided to go on a monsoon hike together.”

The experience was so real and beautiful that they began capturing it live – the result is a film unfiltered, and profoundly honest.

Nothing On My Mind reflects a sense of wonder, the kind that comes when you’re in awe of nature.

“The film’s title came from a line Philip uttered when we reached the peak – that moment of being completely taken in by the

16 JULY 2025

landscape. That’s what it’s about: syncing with nature’s rhythms, with nothing on your mind,” Amoghavarsha reveals.

Shot entirely on the Canon EOS R5 Mark II, the visuals are crisp yet intimate, showcasing a landscape that feels almost primeval. And the script is anchored not by dialogue, but by mood!

Nature doesn’t draw lines, it weaves connections

Early into the film you watch the two Australian diplomats trek through the

unpredictable terrain – a visual not just symbolic but also powerful.

Amoghavarsha explains why: “Philip and Hilary showed up not as diplomats, but as explorers who genuinely love the outdoors.

There were no roles or titles in the forest.

That kind of bond, rooted in nature, reminded me that the wild has a way of stripping away labels and connecting people at a human level. We just realise how we are such small entities in the larger scheme of things and as living beings, we are sharing the planet with so many species.”

And while they were just outdoor mates

on a hike, their conversations naturally veered into deeper reflections.

“Diplomats like Philip and Hilary bring a unique worldview – one shaped by global relationships and how they intersect with environmental action,” the filmmaker shares. “Their presence added a perspective that was both personal and geopolitical, from how Australia and India approach conservation to how differently India can be experienced when you step into its wild spaces.”

For Philip and Hilary, the hike was a window into a side of India rarely seen

www.indianlink.com.au

through diplomatic duty.

“They were both surprised to find such untouched wilderness in India,” he continues. “It gave them a glimpse of an India that is off-grid, raw, and deeply alive.”

The earth speaks, if we listen

The film reminds us that Earth is a shared space – where events in one part of the world, like Australia, can have far-reaching impacts on another, like India.

“Our monsoon patterns, for example, are shaped by global weather systems. The resources we depend on are shared, and so are the consequences. It’s a reminder that while our political identities may differ, our ecological reality is deeply interconnected.”

Amoghavarsha feels that both India and Australia are biodiverse, and both take wildlife protection seriously. “Australia’s biosecurity laws are some of the strictest in the world, and India’s Wildlife Protection Act is among the strongest globally,” he

says. “But beyond policy, there’s room for shared storytelling, awareness-building, and consciousness-shifting. This journey, captured in the film, could open doors to deeper collaboration.”

The film concludes with an open-ended call – not just to listen, but to act, grounded in the belief that everyone brings something unique to the table. “A diplomat might influence policy. A filmmaker can tell stories that inspire. An activist might spark a movement.”

Rather than prescribing a single course of action, the film encourages a deeper awareness: that the place we call home needs our care, in whatever form it can take.

“It’s important to walk the talk,” the filmmaker reflects. “We all have a role to play in this journey toward ecoconsciousness – and we must each strive to be earth-friendly and mindful of the value we bring.”

In the end, that’s the quiet truth Nothing on My Mind leaves us with.

JULY 2025 17

COMMUNITY

The Namaste Network Tackling men’s isolation, one chat at a time

BY LAKSHMI GANAPATHY

O

n Thursday nights, the Tarneit Community Learning Centre in Melbourne’s west comes alive with camaraderie, as a group come together to connect, learn and reflect on what it means to be Indian men.

Organised by not-for-profit IndianCare, ‘The Namaste Network – Indian Men’s Circle’ provides a culturally safe and engaging space for our fathers, sons and brothers, particularly new migrants, to open up about challenges adjusting to life in Australia and combat social isolation.

With people from CALD communities 1.5 times more likely to experience loneliness, the initiative is a valuable arena to meet like-minded men and find solace in shared experiences.

Sanchit Jain, Community Development Officer at IndianCare and convenor of The Namaste Network feels strongly about addressing migration stress and social isolation to improve men’s overall mental health.

“Because of the patriarchal system, men’s mental health affects the whole environment of the house – if we can work on that, we can work on the whole environment of the house and their thinking.”

Co-designed with participants, sessions

18 JULY 2025

involve both practical workshops with guest speakers and interactive discussions on a variety of topics, from investing to health emergencies to brotherhood, all aimed at community capacity building. A post-session dinner allows men to talk without the structure of a formal support group.

Though only running fortnightly since late March, Jain says ‘The Namaste Network’ is already making a difference.

“Participants who were once shy now look forward to these sessions. Some have formed informal social circles and meet outside the session,” he says.

“Last session, my train got delayed and four members stayed back with me just to mingle. I definitely believe there have been huge shifts in the attitude and behaviours of individuals who have been a part of this

program.”

Jain says the program has been effective at addressing not only migration stress but the patriarchal beliefs leading to isolation.

“Many Indian men grew up believing that showing emotion is a sign of weakness…

Men also still see themselves as providers.

We challenge this by making emotional conversations a part of fun and inclusive games,” he says.

For over 10 years, IndianCare have provided culturally responsive health and community development programs to all South Asians across Victoria. Though designed to address men’s mental health, Jain has found ‘The Namaste Network’ program complements many of their other efforts to reduce gender-based violence.

“They feel lonely at times, but because

Co-designed with participants, sessions involve both practical workshops with guest speakers and interactive discussions on a variety of topics, from investing to health emergencies to brotherhood, all aimed at community capacity building.

they’ve been taught to be stay strong for their family, they were never able to do that.

With ‘The Namaste Network’, they’ve been able to open up in such a circle and share instances about their own fathers, their own childhood,” he explains.

“At times you need a peer circle supporting you, [who] also understand these emotions without the fear of judgement that we face mostly in many men groups.”

Jain says emotional honesty is at the centre of the connections formed.

“Councillor Preet Singh inaugurated our first session, where he also shared his personal struggle, his migration story… when men like him, a prominent figure, share their vulnerabilities, it motivates the community to come forward as well,” Jain remembers.

With participants ranging from their mid30s to early 60s, this vulnerability allows cross-generational bonds to emerge. “[When we started,] some participants were hesitant [to mingle] and stuck with peers their own age. But with interactive games, open discussions and of course, shared meals, we’ve seen them cross generational lines, forming friendships and offering mentorships,” Jain says.

With plans to expand ‘The Namaste Network’ to other localities across Melbourne, Jain is excited about the potential to form greater connections.

“We have reached 51 individual Indian men…I think we’ve been able to redefine what support and brotherhood can look like for Indian men in Australia,” he says.

“We basically give them a structure where they can be open and vulnerable about their own lives. I think as and when men become vulnerable, they form strong bonds with each other.”

www.indianlink.com.au

The HER House team

A House for HER

The story of HER House - a one-of-a-kind accommodation for community support tailored to South Asian women BY KHUSHEE GUPTA

I

n a quiet corner of Sydney’s west, HER House stands not just as a sanctuary but a revolution, a place where South Asian women and their children, survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence, are given the time, tools, and culturally-sensitive support to rebuild their lives.

Run by the Harman Foundation, HER House is more than just emergency accommodation. It is a deeply communityrooted initiative born out of listening, observing, and adapting to the specific needs of South Asian women, many of whom remain hidden in Australia’s broader domestic violence statistics.

For many, HER House is a lifeline.

Launched in 2016 after years of community engagement, it began with a simple survey.

In 2014, the Foundation launched a general helpline to offer assistance to vulnerable community members. To their surprise, there was an overwhelming number of calls related to domestic violence. That data lit the fuse.

“We found that people were struggling, especially international students,” founder

Harinder Kaur OAM says. “They had nowhere to go. Some couldn’t afford rent.

Others were fleeing abuse with children in tow.”

What started with renting a single house in Colyton evolved into something larger, more intentional, and specifically designed for South Asian survivors who couldn’t find comfort in larger shelters that failed to understand their needs.

HER House is one of the few services in Australia that offers culturally responsive care for South Asian women, something that’s not just preferable, but vital.

“In our culture, stigma and shame are big barriers,” Harinder shares. “Women often fear what the community will say. There are language gaps, religious differences, visarelated fears and some survivors are actively threatened by their partners.”

HER House’s staff reflect the community they serve, speaking the languages, understanding the cultural nuances, and offering case workers who aren’t just trained professionals, but often seen as extended family.

“Our case workers are sometimes called aunty or didi, not in a formal way, but because the women see them as someone they trust, someone who gets them,” she says.

The service goes beyond safe shelter. It

Founder, Harinder Kaur OAM

offers trauma-informed, non-judgmental case management that doesn’t run on a strict three- or six-month cycle. Instead, support lasts as long as a woman and her children need to feel safe, stable, and empowered.

“For us, empowerment means the ability to make your own decisions when you’re mentally peaceful, when your children feel secure,” she explains. “Some women stay three months. Some stay a year. Healing

The 12th annual fundraising gala for HER House this year

doesn’t have a deadline.”

While HER House has become an anchor for women in crisis, Harman Foundation continues to advocate for preventative strategies – education, legal awareness, and community conversations that happen before things fall apart.

“We’ve seen that people come to us in crisis because they don’t know what their rights are,” she says. “Some think they can keep the kids and everything will be fine.

Others don’t know the legal process around property or custody.”

That’s why HER House runs empowerment and education programs, not just for women, but for entire families.

“We don’t believe women need to fight this alone. Community is like a village. If we want to raise stronger generations, we need to protect women and that includes educating men too.”

When asked about whether the focus should be more on policy change or educating potential offenders, Harinder says both.

“It’s complex. Sometimes the so-called perpetrator doesn’t even realise they’re doing harm. But if no one is willing to change, nothing will change,” she says.

“We show people the consequences of their choices, not just for themselves, but for their children. Abuse is intergenerational. It passes on if we don’t stop it.”

In ten years, HER House has supported over 100 women and 22 children with safe accommodation. Over 500 more have received case management without needing to stay onsite. And more than 2,000 families have been supported through broader community empowerment programs.

Despite this extraordinary impact, HER House remains unfunded. The shelter runs on community donations, corporate goodwill, and the tireless work of trained volunteers, some of whom have been with the Foundation for nearly a decade.

“We even run a 24/7 helpline with no government support,” she says. “We’re hitting targets. We’re making change. But we’re also struggling day to day.”

Her hope for the next five years is simple but urgent: sustainability.

“We can’t let HER House close,” she says.

“It’s working because it’s built from within the community, for the community. But we need consistent funding so we can keep saving lives, not just reacting to crises.”

Harman Foundation’s HER House is a powerful reminder that culturally-specific care isn’t a luxury, it’s essential. And in the face of rising violence against women in Australia, this homegrown solution proves that when community and compassion come together, real change is possible.

To learn more about HER House, or to donate, head to harmanfoundation.org.au

HER House offers traumainformed, non-judgmental case management that doesn’t run on a strict threeor six-month cycle, but for as long as a woman and her children need to feel safe, stable, and empowered.

JULY 2025 19

TRENDS

Fake it till you make it!

All hail the rise of Fake Sangeet - or should we call it Insta Sangeet?

BY TORRSHA SEN

L

ast year, when India’s richest man Mukesh Ambani’s son Anant Ambani got married, the world didn’t just watch, it gaped. Thanks to social media’s unstoppable reach, what unfolded was swiftly dubbed the “Indian wedding of the century”. From Bollywood A-listers to Hollywood legends, heads of state to tech billionaires, all descended decked in their Indian finery, dancing like there was no tomorrow.

For many ordinary folks who devoured every viral reel and paparazzi still, one question lingered: how could they, with simpler means, experience even

20 JULY 2025

a fraction of that euphoric blend of music, colour, and abandon, without the emotional and logistical tangle of an actual wedding?

Enter the unexpected party trend of the modern age – ‘Fake Sangeet’.

A sangeet is a high-energy pre-wedding party - full of music, dancing, and joy.

Friends and family from both sides come together to celebrate the couple with choreographed dance performances, singalongs, and friendly dance-offs. Whether it’s with Punjab’s vibrant giddas and bhangras or Gujarat’s swirling garbas, the sangeet is meant to melt away awkwardness and stress, easing two families into a lifetime bond.

What began as playful mimicry soon mushroomed into a social phenomenon.

www.indianlink.com.au

hits, and post it all.

It’s also a way for the diaspora to merge identities. Dubai-based finance professional Ankita Sharma took along her non-Indian colleagues for one such gathering. “They were blown away by the colours, the energy.

They didn’t care it wasn’t tied to an actual wedding. For them it was an epic theme party; for me, it was a way to celebrate my heritage without the emotional baggage.”

In Canada and the UK, where massive Indian communities flourish, similar trends are popping up. Toronto banquet halls advertise “sangeet-style packages” for anniversaries or corporate events. London’s Indian caterers report increasing demand for sangeet-themed parties among even non-Indian groups, purely because of how visually arresting and joyful they appear on social feeds.

It’s almost as though the sangeet has transcended its place in the wedding calendar to become a new kind of global cultural currency. In doing so, however, it inevitably boils down to choreo routines, sparkling lehengas and photogenic smiles, often stripped of the deeper intergenerational bonding that made traditional sangeets so poignant.

Young people across the globe started hosting elaborate sangeet-style nights, complete with choreographers, confetti showers and high-gloss reels, all without a wedding to follow. It was all about having fun and immersing in traditions, but on their own terms, minus the weight of vows, family negotiations or actual commitment.

The anatomy of a fake sangeet

Typically held a day or two before the wedding,a traditional sangeet is deeply tied to the Indian wedding journey.

The fake sangeet however has no emotional strings attached to it. There is no bride-and-groom pair, no elders guiding the rituals, no anxious looks over who’ll host the next ceremony. Instead, it’s an immersive dance party dressed up as a sangeet, complete with Bollywood playlists, matching lehengas, choreographed group performances, photographers on standby, and drones ready to catch that sweeping aerial shot.

Saddi Galli, a Mumbai-based event company, was among the first to bring this trend into the spotlight. Its founder, Alisha Chowri, recalls her brother’s

Businesses are waking up to the potential of this new market. Saddi Galli even tied up with make-up brand Lakmé to set up complimentary stations for guests.

A social media strategist on anonymity notes, “In many ways, fake sangeets are more lucrative for brands. Real brides are exhausted, have strict schedules, and are focused on family. Fake sangeet hosts are purely there to create content. Every shot is product placement gold.”

This has also given rise to a parallel influencer market. Instagram creators collaborate with decor and clothing brands to host sponsored “sangeet nights” dressed up as personal celebrations, but in reality, slick content factories. The line between authentic joy and curated spectacle is getting blurred each day.

Is it hollow, or harmless fun?

wedding was approaching, and she was so excited that she couldn’t stop talking about it with her friends. They turned the buzz into a full-scale event. “We’d only ever been to pool parties and clubs but this theme felt completely different, and we were eager to try it out.”

Their inaugural party turned out a runaway success, leaving them overbooked.

“Off the back of that response, we’re now looking to expand and already fielding inquiries from across India,” says Chowri.

The economics of going fake

Fake sangeets have turned into a surprising boon for the massive USD130 billon Indian wedding industry. It has created a scope for extra gigs for choreographers, makeup artists, décor teams, lighting experts, DJs outside the typical November-February wedding boom. Many venues even offer three-hour slots for such gatherings, complete with stage lighting and confetti blasts and most importantly, a dhol!

Not surprisingly, the fake sangeet trend has its share of critics. Many on social media roll their eyes at these gatherings. Comments under such reels often read, “This is cringe. Weddings aren’t cosplay.”

But for a large section of Gen Z and millennial partygoers, such criticism feels overblown. “Why not have fun? Who decided you can only do this if you're getting married?” says Sudhanshu Joshi, a 26-yearold from Bengaluru after a fake sangeet birthday party. For him, it was simply a playful way to celebrate.

In the end, performance, nostalgia, or both?

Taking the fake sangeet global: Australia and beyond

The fake sangeet isn’t just thriving in India, it’s finding an eager audience across the Indian diaspora worldwide.

The fever has well and truly caught on in Australia, where fake sangeets are fast becoming the diaspora’s new favourite theme party. In Sydney, one cheeky invite is promising “the ultimate Bollywood party where the wedding is fake, but the vibes are 100% real,” luring folks into ornate lehengas and sherwanis to twirl under marigold canopies, line up for henna, and lose themselves in dhol beats at Potts Point next month.

Over in Canberra, later this month club Mezcals is throwing “Fake Shaadi” nights complete with DJs, dholis, best-dressed prizes and wedding-style décor, proving that sometimes all you really need is a dance floor and a good dose of desi nostalgia to keep traditions - real or not - very much alive.

In Dubai, event planners are now regularly organising “Bollywood Sangeet Nights” just for the fun of it. These aren’t always labelled as fake sangeets, but the blueprint is unmistakably same.

Bollywood wedding reels did spark something - now everyone wants a piece of that glamour. They want to reconnect with culture, dance to filmy

The fake sangeet is both a symptom and a showcase of our hyper-visual, hyperdocumented times.

One thing’s certain, however: as long as social media craves dance videos, and as long as desis crave belonging, whether through ritual, roots, or rhythm, the sangeet - fake or real - will keep twirling on. From Mumbai’s glittering ballrooms to Sydney’s backyard marquees, the beat goes on, and we’ll keep watching, liking, and maybe, next season, even dancing along.

JULY 2025 21

HISTORY

Views of Sydney and Surat circa the time Brom was transported

(Source: NLA; Zoroastrian Heritage Institute)

Other ‘black convicts’: The restless Sheik Brom Servant, cook, fugitive, ally: tracing the colourful life of early Indian settler Sheik Brom of Surat

BY CHARMAINE O‘BRIEN

S

hortlisted for this year’s Stella Prize for Women’s Writing was Santilla Chingaipe’s Black Convicts, which brings to light the fact convicts of African ancestry were transported to Australia on the First Fleet in 1788 and thereafter. Chingaipe makes mention of racial diversity amongst convicts, but her focus is on Africans. It so happens I have been immersed in research about another convict of colour, an Indian named Sheik Brom, and in piecing together his particular story I learnt he was not the only Indian lawbreaker shipped to the antipodean colonies.

Brom came into my awareness when I discovered he was engaged as a cook by the famed Australian explorer Sir Thomas Mitchell, circa 1843. He will feature in a book I am working on about celebrity cooks in colonial Australia — and will not be the only Indian cook in it — a project that requires years of work yet. Still, I thought it timely to share some of what I know of Brom.

Biographical details on Brom are scant.

He was born in Surat in 1802, a Muslim, 5ft 2inches in height and “dark skinned”.

His carrying a surname of Dutch origin might be accounted for by the presence of the Dutch East India Company in Surat.

His journey to Mitchell’s employ in Sydney from western India was circuitous. In 1824, Brom was indicted and charged with theft in London. He must have made his way to England by sea — the only, and improbable, alternative being a 7000-kilometre walk or horse ride – likely working his passage as a lascar, seamen recruited by British ship operators to do the hard work of sailing a vessel. Lascars were poorly paid and more often poorly treated. It was not unusual for their maritime employer to abandon them in London when a ship docked; others voluntarily deserted to take their chances in the Metropole. Either way, lascars without resources and limited English found it hard to find employment, forcing some to commit crimes to survive. Perhaps this was Brom’s situation.

22 JULY 2025

Representative image only

The property Brom filched in London was worth 101 shillings, an amount for which the law demanded he be sentenced to death.

Nevertheless, the hearing judge thought him an “unfortunate Black” “unaccustomed to mess with Europeans” and commuted this sentence to transportation to the ends of the earth, New South Wales. In April 1826, Brom disembarked the Asia, at Sydney, where he was likely assigned — all convicts were put to work — to domestic service in a private home, as Indians were considered to be ‘good’ servants, i.e., trainable and obedient. It didn’t take long before Brom showed himself to be not so biddable. Six months in, he stole a cornucopia of goods from a city residence. He was caught, convicted and shipped north to the remote penal colony at Moreton Bay, a notoriously brutal place from which he quickly escaped, then returned himself. This pattern of flight and return was a regular occurrence with convicts. While eager to flee penal servitude, once in unfamiliar bushland they lacked the knowledge to feed themselves from native food sources, and/or were terrified of Aboriginal people. In 1830, Brom bolted again and made his way 300 kilometres south, on foot, to the untamed Northern Rivers region, remaining here for several years — making one of the first non-Aboriginal people to see this area. He

could not have stayed out there for as long as he did without the support, or at least the toleration, of First Nations people. Other fugitives passing through reported Brom provided hospitality to them.

It seemed Brom was counting his days out in the wilderness because he eventually handed himself in at Port Macquarie in the belief he had served his sentence out there. Discovering this was not the case, he escaped again, hitching a ride on a south bound steamer. He told the captain he was Jose Koondiana, a sailor from Daman, who had walked across the continent after being shipwrecked on the west Australian coast.

This fabulous story hoodwinked the captain and made it into the Sydney Herald. Brom was soon identified though and returned to

Moreton Bay, attempting another escape in the company of a fellow Indian convict, George Brown.

In 1842 Brom was granted his ticket of leave, allowing him to seek private employment. In October 1843, Sir Thomas Mitchell, residing in Sydney, makes a note in his journal about him, in particular his interactions with First Nations people.

Three weeks later he writes that Brom has agreed to come as a cook at a salary of fifteen pounds a year. After that he disappears from the record until his death in Queensland in 1847.

There is so much more to this story about Sheik Brom, Indian convicts and the influence of India in the early colonies. In the meantime, this is just a tantalising taste.

In October 1843, Sir Thomas Mitchell of Sydney, makes a note in his journal about Brom, in particular his interactions with First Nations people.

Three weeks later he writes that Brom has agreed to come as a cook at a salary of fifteen pounds a year. www.indianlink.com.au

INDOPHILE

Aussie historian who loved Mumbai’s soul

A Mumbaikar on how Australian historian and Indophile Jim Masselos made her fall in love with her city all over again.

BY TORRSHA SEN

T

here’s a slender volume that rests permanently on my bookshelf, a book called Bombay Then and Mumbai Now, by Jim Masselos and Naresh Fernandes. The pages open easily at my favourite spreads, where colonial boulevards of Bombay stand shoulder to shoulder with contemporary Mumbai’s chaotic, exuberant streets. It’s more than just a book for me, it’s a living, breathing bridge between eras, proof that ‘Amchi’ Mumbai is not only of the present, but a work in progress.

So when I learnt that Dr James Cosmas “Jim” Masselos, the Australian historian who helped countless Mumbai residents like me see our city anew, passed away last month, in Sydney at age 85, I felt an unexpected pang of personal loss. It’s strange to grieve for someone you never met, yet whose ideas walk beside you each time you wander through Crawford Market or pause under the clock tower at CST. Jim Masselos (1940–2025) arrived in Bombay in 1961 on a Commonwealth Scholarship, a young Australian scholar drawn to the whirlwind of anti-colonial fervour and urban drama. He lodged at Churchgate hostel, conducted fieldwork under Professor William Coelho, and completed a thesis on Bombay and Poona’s nationalist movements by 1964. But somewhere amidst those student days, Bombay also lodged itself in Jim’s heart. He never really left. At least, not in spirit.

His work made history thrilling, relatable

For me, Jim Masselos was someone who looked at my city’s grime and grandeur with an affection and depth many born here never muster. His writings make me walk a little slower, notice a crumbling cornice, imagine a long-vanished tram. and startlingly relevant. In his famous 1991 essay, “Bombay Time/Standard Time,” Jim explored how Bombay refused to set its clocks by Delhi’s time until as late as 1955. For him, this was more than a quirky civic footnote, it was Bombay’s stubborn assertion of identity. His genius lay in revealing how even the ticking of clocks told stories of power, resistance, and community.

Jim didn’t just dwell in dusty archives.

He walked the streets with keen eyes and even keener empathy, collecting stories,

documents, rare colonial records and art from pavement booksellers. His apartment in Sydney apparently was said to overflow with Mumbai’s memory - from Tyeb Mehta canvases to brittle government reports once languishing on Kalbadevi footpaths.

Through his books and over 50 articles, Jim gave us a Bombay that was intimate yet panoramic. In Bombay Then and Mumbai Now, he paired archival photographs with modern-day counterparts, letting us glimpse what Marine Drive

looked like under gaslights, or how Byculla evolved from a genteel suburb into a teeming intersection of lives. Each spread feels like opening a time portal. Without Jim, I might have walked these same streets blind to the sediment of stories beneath my feet.

Those who interacted with him as academics recalls Jim dabbled effortlessly between analysis and observation, whether discussing the 1893 Hindu-Muslim riots or the communal horrors of 1992-93, he never reduced Mumbai to statistics. Instead, he laid bare the continuities that made history echo painfully into the present.

He had once quoted: Mumbai was never “merely a white enclave surrounded by an Asiatic universe,” but a complex organism shaped from within by its many communities. What a fascinating perspective! That understanding…that cities breathe, hurt, heal and reinvent themselves through their people, feels urgent even today, as Mumbai strains under new pressures yet again.

His friends and colleagues, sociologist Sujata Patel, historians Prashant Kidambi and Rachel Dwyer, speak of Jim not just as a brilliant mind but a warm, unassuming presence. He wandered from Samovar café at Jehangir Art Gallery to the shaded lanes of Gamdevi, debating politics and art with a relish that made him part chronicler, part flâneur. He built lifelong friendships across continents, mentoring students at the University of Sydney who found in him not just a teacher but a connector to distant worlds.

Though he tried to place his vast personal archive with institutions in Australia, the shifting winds of digital priorities meant it largely stayed with him. Yet perhaps that’s fitting: his legacy isn’t coldly housed in a library basement. It lives on more vibrantly in our homes in the form of books, in footnotes of local histories, in the way we pause to wonder what once stood where a glass tower now gleams.

For me, Jim Masselos’ passing feels like Mumbai losing one of its adopted sons.

Someone who looked at this city’s grime and grandeur with an affection and depth many born here never muster. His writings make me walk a little slower, notice a crumbling cornice, imagine a long-vanished tram.

Jim gave us the gift of seeing our city in layers, of treating its past not as relic but as active participant in its present. Perhaps the reason why local guided tour companies were the first to pay tribute.

May we continue to read him, to argue with him, to see Mumbai through his eyes eyes that loved Bombay/Mumbai enough to make its history a living, urgent part of who we are.

JULY 2025 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 2025.

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 3 October 2025 For more details, ring the Indian Link office on 1800 015 847, or email editor@indianlink.com.au Winners will be announced on Indian Link’s social media channels

24 JULY 2025

www.indianlink.com.au

BOOKS

When feminism means choosing to live The International Booker Prize winner for 2025 is a luminous, unflinching portrait of women’s lives

BY TORRSHA SEN

W

hen Banu Mushtaq’s Heart Lamp, masterfully translated from Kannada by Deepa Bhasthi, clinched the International Booker Prize this year, it wasn’t merely a personal triumph for the author or a moment of celebration for Kannada literature. It was also a powerful validation of regional voices, of narratives rooted in local soil yet resonating universally. Having spent time with this remarkable collection, one can only echo the chorus: this book deserves every bit of the spotlight it’s receiving.

Heart Lamp (Penguin Random House India) is a devastating yet deeply stirring collection of twelve stories that traverse a wide range of social terrains, with a piercing focus on women’s everyday struggles. Written over an extraordinary span of thirty-three years (from 1990 to 2023), these stories bear the weight and texture of lived experience, offering layered meditations on patriarchy, gender inequality, feminist resistance, class divisions, and many more interconnected oppressions.

What gives this collection an even sharper edge is its lineage. Heart Lamp emerges from the Bandaya Sahiti movement, a bold Kannada literary tradition committed to interrogating caste, class, and religious hierarchies. This anchoring within a distinctly political, antioppression aesthetic lends Mushtaq’s work an authenticity and urgency that goes beyond the confines of fiction. These are stories that don’t just want to be told; they demand to be heard. Much like Premchand’s timeless stories – simple, deeply rooted in the everyday life of villages and towns, yet profound in their moral force, Heart Lamp draws its strength from the community it springs from, illuminating 25 JANUARY 2024

universal truths through the smallest of local details.

The collection opens with a bang. The very first story grabs your heart with tender hands, only to squeeze until it aches. Many of the tales that follow provoke sheer rage – as they should – by exposing the relentless injustices women endure. And then, by the time you reach the final page, the book leaves you in a contemplative space, its emotional weight still pressing down long after you’ve closed the cover. A mark of truly powerful literature.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is that it feels at once intimate and sweeping. There is a powerful sense that much of what we read could be autobiographical, not necessarily in the literal sense, but in how closely Mushtaq seems to inhabit her character’s worlds. She doesn’t write from above, handing down moral verdicts; instead, she positions herself as a keen, compassionate observer, letting events unfold with raw honesty and trusting the reader to grapple with the messiness.

Sometimes it’s too messy – yet it’s precisely this refusal to offer neat resolutions that makes some of the stories so haunting. They stay with you, lingering like bruises.

Relationships are at the core of Heart Lamp.

Not just romantic relations, but the intricate web of family ties, community expectations, and unspoken social contracts. Mushtaq excels at capturing their shifting dynamics, the fragile compromises people make to survive, and the heartbreak simmering underneath mundane conversations. A recurring motif across the stories is the exploration of remarriage customs and the disproportionate toll they exact on women. These narratives shine a light on how entrenched norms continue to shape and often destroy women’s lives.

There’s also an important conversation that Heart Lamp inevitably stirs up, especially in the context of global literary consumption. It’s a valid critique that stories from India, when they do travel abroad, often revolve around poverty, social strife, or grim depictions of

marginalised lives. One could argue that these narratives risk typecasting an entire nation.

Yet, there’s immense value in books like Heart Lamp. They give voice to tragedies that are all too real, ensuring that the struggles of countless women aren’t relegated to silence.

At a time when women’s rights are under siege in many parts of the world, a book like this feels not only relevant but absolutely necessary.

Better to have stories of heartbreak and resistance than to have no representation at all.

Of course, no book is without its imperfections. A few of the stories in Heart Lamp strike an oddly whimsical note, feeling somewhat out of sync with the overarching themes. Others end rather abruptly, leaving you questioning their narrative direction or intent. Throughout the book, the translator thoughtfully retains many Kannada terms, explaining them only once and without a glossary, which, while enriching the cultural texture, might frustrate readers unfamiliar with Indian contexts who find themselves repeatedly flipping back to grasp meanings.

And while the prose (especially in translation) is effective and often beautifully evocative, there are moments where it falters and lacks the stylistic finesse one might expect from a work that’s scaled such global literary heights.

But these are small quibbles in the larger scheme of things. What Mushtaq achieves here is monumental: she crafts a testament to the quiet, persistent strength of women, to the myriad ways they push back against forces that would crush them. Her stories remind us that feminist resistance isn’t always loud or banner-waving – sometimes, it’s in the simple act of enduring, of telling one’s truth, of choosing to live.

In the end, Heart Lamp stands as a luminous contribution to not just Kannada literature, but to world literature at large.

It underscores why we must champion vernacular voices – because they bring with them textures and realities that would otherwise remain invisible.

SYDNEY JULYEDITION 2025 25

HERITAGE geographical traditions,” sangs Brighu.

Participants learned to spin with taklis (supported spindles), weave on small handlooms (khaddi), dye yarns with foraged plants, and even felt Himalayan wool into fabric.

“Every day the Australian artisans invited us for dinner,” Brighu remembers, “Sharing meals together made us feel like part of their family and created a deep bond beyond the workshop and work – a true cultural exchange filled with love and respect.”

With love from the Himalayan hills

Sapna teaching workshop participants.

It’s Desi Oon in the land of Merino Himalayan weavers demonstrate their traditional wool craft in Fremantle WA BY PRUTHA CHAKRABORTY

A

t 13, Sapna sat beside her grandparents during Himachal’s long winters, watching them loop yarn into warmth.

Last month, she travelled abroad for the very first time. What began as tradition passed down by the elders in her family recently took Sapna across the world – from the highlands of Himachal Pradesh, India, to the coastal city of Fremantle, Australia.

But she wasn’t a tourist or student. She was a teacher – of Himalayan wool craft and heritage. Along with fellow artisan Lata and Kullvi Whims co-founders Brighu Raj Acharya and Nisha Subramaniam, Sapna led immersive craft workshops as part of a cultural exchange organised by The Anjelms Project in Fremantle.

Kullvi Whims is a grassroots social enterprise founded in 2012. It works with communities in the Kullu, Lahaul, and Kinnaur Valleys to preserve and elevate the practices of hand-spinning, weaving, and knitting wool.

“I was nervous about how I would communicate and teach,” Sapna recalled. “But once I got there, everything fell into place. I never imagined sharing our traditional craft in another country would feel so natural. It’s an experience I will always carry with me.”

Lata agreed, saying teaching knitting, weaving, and dyeing in another country was a “once-in-a-lifetime experience”.

“Truly thrilling and unforgettable,” she said, smiling.

26 JULY 2025

Desi Oon speaks its own story

While Lata joined Kullvi Whims 12 years ago, Sapna has been with them for eight.

The artisans work with wool from indigenous sheep, using only naturally dyed yarns. The weaving is distinct; every piece carries the scent of cedar hills, the rhythm of slow craft, and the fingerprints of generations.

Nisha Subramaniam believes this is precisely why the Desi Oon (indigenous wool) stood out in Australia, a nation synonymous with Merino wool.

“Merino wool is highly industrialised and organised, with most of its raw material processed and sent to other countries,” she says. “In contrast, Himalayan wool has a complete story – from shepherding and

shearing to spinning, dyeing, knitting, and weaving, all done within the community.

This deep connection from sheep to final product makes our wool special.”

This interest in Desi Oon is part of a broader shift toward sustainable, ethical, women-led craft practices in the global textile world.

“There is growing recognition worldwide for women-led, small-scale, indigenous craft systems offering real solutions to fashion’s environmental and ethical crises,” Subramaniam tells Indian Link.

The workshop held in Australia in June saw many participants who initially came for a single session but kept returning.

“The atmosphere was filled with creative discussions, enriching conversations with exchange of knowledge, history, and

“These women are not just artisans.

They are leaders, knowledge keepers, and custodians of land and culture.”

Kullvi Whims uses hand made slow wool from the Himalayas.

Their conversations with The Anjelms Project and other Australian collaborators focused on how indigenous Himalayan wool is not just a material but a cultural and ecological resource.

“They valued the story, authenticity, and resilience behind Himalayan wool, seeing it as an example of how indigenous materials can lead the way in ethical, slow fashion globally. It was inspiring to see their respect and curiosity for the entire ecosystem connected to our wool,” Brighu adds.

Behind the tactile experience was a mountain of preparation. Kullvi Whims carried 12 handlooms, 79 spindles, 5 kg of natural dyes, raw wool, charkhas (spinning wheels), and more – all the tools to bring Himachal’s heritage to life for an international audience.

But perhaps the most important thing they brought was perspective. As Brighu puts it, “I want people to see that these women are not just artisans. They are leaders, knowledge keepers, and custodians of land and culture. Behind every strand of wool is their story.”

The Fremantle program wasn’t just a cultural milestone. It was an affirmation: that slow fashion has a future, that indigenous crafts have global relevance, and that women like Sapna and Lata are not only preserving the past but leading the way forward.

Gaelle Beech of The ANJELMS Project was thrilled with the program. “This is really what I envisioned The ANJELMS Project to be – more than a clothing brand, but a facilitator across cultures that brings people from all backgrounds together to celebrate cloth as a manifestation of our connection to nature, of which we are all custodians,” she tells Indian Link. “Our mission is to have the voices of artisans heard, their craftmanship skills shared, and ultimately – to bridge the gap between makers and wearers.”

Brighu’s final words echo the heart of the project: “Through this journey, I hope Indian and international audiences understand that behind every piece of wool is a woman’s story, skill, and dignity. It’s not just about the product – it’s about their lives, heritage, and strength.”

Learning to use traditional weaving machines.

www.indianlink.com.au

JULY 2025 27

MUSIC

Finding strength in contrast

MOWGLI explores playful reclamation, both as an individual artist and as part of KERFEW’s collaborative engine BY KHUSHEE GUPTA

“M

ost South Asians growing up here had some version of a curfew,” laughs DJ and producer MOWGLI (also known as Amar Singh).

“Your parents would be like, ‘Be home by 11!’ So, we flipped it to fit our narrative.”

That flipped narrative is KERFEW, a nownational South Asian creative collective cofounded by MOWGLI. The group was born out of a desire for community, collaboration, and visibility and for MOWGLI, it mirrors his own evolution – from growing up in Karratha, a remote town in regional Western Australia, to creating a fusion of sets across Australia’s biggest cities.

When the idea for KERFEW first emerged

during the COVID-19 lockdowns, MOWGLI was living in Perth and reflecting on the lack of spaces for South Asian creatives like him.

“There are so many of us, who’ve grown up here, with roots elsewhere, and who are doing creative work. But there wasn’t really a unified platform for us,” he shares.

A Zoom call with like-minded creatives from across the country, many of whom he had never met, sparked something bigger than just a one-off event.

“Unity was a big part of it,” MOWGLI explains. “We thought: instead of operating in silos, why don’t we do this under one umbrella? Then we can support each other across states, collaborate, and represent a broader South Asian creative identity.”

KERFEW made its debut in Sydney in 2022 and has since redefined what a party can be. Their events are multi-sensory and intentionally layered where one room might pulse with DJs spinning genre-bending music, while another holds space for yoga, classical dance, or guided meditation.

“From day one, it wasn’t just about the party,” he says. “We wanted to merge the traditional with the new. That contrast is our strength.”

MOWGLI’s own music reflects this hybridity – raised in a Punjabi household where both spiritual and celebratory music was always present. He now draws on everything from Punjabi folk to hip-hop and Afro to techno. “Everything I do is rooted in feeling,” he explains. “When I build a set, I think about energy – how it rises, how it falls, what emotion it creates.”

Even his stage name, MOWGLI, is a playful reclamation. “Growing up, the only South Asian characters I saw were Mowgli from The Jungle Book or Apu from The Simpsons. And I wasn’t going to call myself Apu,” he jokes. “Mowgli just felt right.

Raised in the jungle, raised by wolves… it’s kind of a metaphor for finding your way in unfamiliar territory.”

Today, based in Melbourne, MOWGLI continues to explore that territory, both as an individual artist and as part of KERFEW’s collaborative engine.

“We’re all South Asian, but our experiences are different,” he says. “I grew up in WA and am Punjabi, others come from different cultures and grew up in other Australian cities. That shows in our music. It keeps things fresh.”

That rich mix was on display recently at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, as MOWGLI performed at the Archie Party 2025, a late-night celebration of music, art, and culture, co-curated by KERFEW. Now in its fourth year, the event featured fellow KERFEW artists Jhassic and Munasib, with headline acts including Pakistani experimental group Jaubi and LA-based singer-producer Gayathri Krishnan.

For MOWGLI, the setting offers a unique creative opportunity. “Club gigs are fun, but there’s an expectation to make people dance,” he says. “Here, I can stretch out, start slow, build an atmosphere, and really tell a story.”

Even the stage name MOWGLI is cheeky reimagining. “Growing up, the only South Asian characters I saw were Mowgli from The Jungle Book or Apu from The Simpsons. And I wasn’t going to call myself Apu,” he jokes. “Mowgli just felt right. Raised in the jungle, by wolves… it’s kind of a metaphor for finding your way in unfamiliar territory.”

28 JULY 2025

www.indianlink.com.au

with Lakshmi Ganapathy GRACE VEGESANA has been at the forefront of the climate justice movement since the age of 17 and is currently the National Director of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition. She is also Co-Founder of the POC Climate Network and International Climate Change Youth Advisor for the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

As climate activism shifts to highlight connections with issues like cost of living, how has this reframing affected engagement and impact?

I think it can be overwhelming thinking of climate change as an isolated, big, global [threat]. But it really does impact every part of our lives…everything is connected and deeply intersectional.

Throughout the federal election, we saw the cost-of-living and energy debates playing out, but what was really missing is the underlying [fact that] climate change is impacting these things and is why we're experiencing increasing house prices - there's less places that are safe for people to live, less homes that are climate ready and climate resilient...The economy deeply interacts with climate change.

Same with energy prices rising, because gas corporations are ripping off everyday consumers. They export so much of their gas production not to be taxed, not to go back to the regular Australian person's pocket. It's very much for-profit.

We're seeing these trends happen in Australian society, but we're not actually talking about what the root cause is, which is often climate change.

You’ve been an organiser in the climate justice space for almost 10 years; how have you kept the energy up all this time?

It’s a long time! Like, it's wild to be 17 and throw yourself headfirst into a social movement and to learn, grow and be brought up in that environment. But I also think it's a special experience. It’s taught me so much about the world. It's brought me closer to people who I otherwise would have never met. It's given me opportunities to have conversations with people I probably never would have run into if I had stayed in my own bubble.

What keeps me going is seeing young people step up into leadership. Through my own journey with AYCC, I've had a lot of people invest heavily in my development. I feel like now I get to pay it forward and build up the next generation who are going to keep this

fight going. The world that young people are growing up in is increasingly uncertain and unstable, so to be able to equip the next generation as much as we can to have the skills and capability and confidence to [keep fighting] is important.

Many POC, especially South Asians, are at the forefront of climate movements. What do you think drives this advocacy?

South Asians are on the frontlines of climate change in so many ways. In our own homelands, one of the biggest populations in the world will experience the brunt of climate disasters - forced displacement, loss of homes and infrastructure - purely because of concentration and how the region is changing.

In Australia, we have a huge South Asian population and often these communities live in places like Western Sydney (where I grew up) where you are experiencing climate change already.

The urban heat island effect, where the combination of increasing concrete, lack of tree coverage and incredibly hot environments without the ability to selfregulate themselves mean that there are

huge concentrations of more affordable housing - South Asian communities tend to find themselves concentrated in [such] areas.

I think there's a twofold [effect] of experiencing the crisis in your own [town] and also feeling that connection to your homelands and communities overseas who are also experiencing it.

It’s great to see South Asians leading the climate movement. I think it comes from a place of wanting to make sure our people are being heard and are at the forefront of creating solutions.

What's something that you're currently listening to/reading/ playing/watching?

I'm currently reading a book called The Open Veins of Latin America [by Eduardo Galeano], which is about how five centuries of colonialism, occupation and extraction has shaped the continent. I wouldn’t say it's particularly interesting, it's almost like a textbook, it's quite intense. I started reading it when I was travelling around Latin America - I wouldn't recommend it to people doing that because it's a bit boring! But it's left quite a mark on how I see the long-term histories of extraction; I find it so hard to conceptualise in my own little brain as a 25-year-old what 500 years of colonisation looks like, and yet we carry that history with us every day.

What’s a word that you like in a South Asian language, and what does it mean?

I really like the word ‘pilli’ which in Telugu means cat. It’s not very deep, but I think it's really cute. Whenever I see a cat I go, ‘oh, a pilli’ - that's my go-to word in my mind, it doesn't default to English which is usually what happens. Also, it's not a swear word, which is the only other things that came to mind, terrible!

And finally: Soan Papdi or Papdi Chaat?

I love chaat in any format – genuinely, I'm a fiend. I've got to go with Papdi Chaat.

JULY 2025 29

WANDERLUST

The Smoke That Thunders Victoria Falls: Where water roars, earth shudders, and rainbows are born BY RITAM MITRA

T

Danger Point

30 JULY 2025

here’s a moment, just before the microlight lifts off, when I start seriously questioning my life choices. I’m strapped into what is essentially a flying garden chair, buzzing – seemingly spluttering – down a small runway in Livingstone, Zambia. Even after we’re airborne and, miraculously, we haven’t plummeted straight back to ground, the man in front of me – the pilot – spends most of his time gesturing at buffalo and hippos, meaning his hands aren’t doing much steering. Below me rages one of the most powerful natural wonders on the planet. It’s Mosi-oa-Tunya – “The Smoke That Thunders”. Victoria Falls.

Victoria Falls straddles the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. It’s not in itself the highest or the widest waterfall, but all things considered, it is the largest sheet of falling water on the planet. It’s twice as high and nearly twice as deep as Niagara Falls, and gets its Lozi name from the immense spray – the smoke – and the

roaring sound of the water – the thunder, as it plunges into the gorge For the full experience, you need to visit both sides of the Falls – Zimbabwe, from where 75% of the Falls can be seen, and Zambia, from where you can best feel the sheer power of the Falls. I’m particularly excited for the Zambian side; it’ll be my first time setting foot in the country since I was born there over thirty years ago, and it’s somewhat of a homecoming.

I arrive at the Zimbabwean entrance to the Falls just after sunrise. Situated within a rainforest – the only place on the planet where it rains every single day of the year – the walk is pristine, lush and cool, with the rising sun serenely backlightingthe constant mist from the Falls, which rage on the other side of the understory.

The trail is beautifully maintained, and as I arrive at the main viewing point, the full curtain of water crashes down on the other side of a gorge before me. There are no fences, no tour groups, no people; for nearly an hour, I have perhaps the most dramatic of the world’s natural wonders to myself, but of course it’s anything but quiet.

Later that morning, I cross into Zambia on foot, over the Victoria Falls Bridge. The border formalities are casual, but almost

as soon as I step across the threshold, I’m struck by the disarming hospitality of Zambians – from police officers, to taxi drivers, to hotel and bar staff – everyone I encounter is endlessly kind, genuinely helpful, and quietly proud.

That afternoon, I hop on a gentle, luxurious sunset cruise along the Zambezi, then spend the evening sipping cocktails at The Royal Livingstone Hotel – a hotel where the guest list includes not just humans but also zebra, giraffe and deer, who roam freely across the manicured lawns and loiter about the pool like so many detached influencers.

Early the next morning, I set off for Devil’s Pool, the world’s most extreme infinity pool – a natural rock pool at the very edge of the Falls, separated from the gaping abyss below by only a narrow lip of stone. Much of the thrill of Devil’s Pool is also in the journey to get there: a small boat across the Zambezi river to the famous Livingstone Island, a careful scramble over slippery rocks, and then a swim across the surging water just metres from the edge of the Falls.

Having booked the Devil’s Pool tour from the safety and comfort of a warm bed in Sydney, I’m struck by the apparen tstupidity

www.indianlink.com.au

TRAVEL NOTEBOOK Knife’s Edge Bridge from a distance

Microlight flight

Getting there Fly from any major Australian airport into Johannesburg, then fly straight to Victoria Falls Airport, in Zimbabwe. There are no ride-sharing services, but the local taxi services are reliable and safe to get around.

of my decision when, grappling at the edge of the pool, I’m being loudly encouraged to let my body hang over the edge for a photo while a guide holds onto my feet, his hands slipping constantly under the flowing water.

It wasn’t the last time I questioned my life choices on that day; it was that afternoon when I took the microlight flight over the Falls just before sunset. But seeing the Falls from the air is the only way to truly appreciate its scale and beauty, with the added bonus of seeing herds of wild animals from above. We’re particularly lucky to briefly follow the rare sight of a mother rhino and her baby calf.

It’s a fitting, idyllic sight to end a magical few days in the Victoria Falls region.

Guest at Royal Livingstone Hotel

Best time to go Peak flow of the Falls is between February and May, but this means a lot of spray; travel between October to December for the clearest views (and the chance to visit Devil’s Pool).

Knife’s Edge Bridge from the Zimbabwean side

Devil’s Pool

Where to stay There’s plenty of accommodation options on both sides of the border, so you can’t really go wrong. The region is incredibly safe and wellaccustomed to tourists.

The dollars and cents I paid around $2,000 for 4 days in the region – that covered my accommodation, food and drink, and plenty of activities. For an extra thrill, visit Big 5 Mukuni Safari and do the famous lion walk.

JULY 2025 31

ENTERTAINMENT

cineTALK

Worth waiting for?

You decide!

High-voltage action. Feel-good love stories. Spine-chillimg horrors.

Check out KHUSHEE GUPTA’s watchlist for July.

HEADS OF STATE (Prime Video)

METRO… IN DINO (In cinemas)

This action-comedy film starring Priyanka Chopra alongside Idris Elba and John Cena is set against the high-stakes backdrop of international diplomacy. The film follows the unexpected alliance between the UK Prime Minister and the US President after they become targets of a foreign adversary. Blending political satire with fast-paced action and razor-sharp wit, it promises a thrilling ride through espionage, chaos, and unlikely camaraderie.

Releasing 2 July

A successor to Life in a... Metro, this anthology drama directed by Anurag Basu features a largerthan-life cast featuring Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Konkona Sen, Pankaj Tripathi, Anupam Kher, Neena Gupt Ali Fazal, and Fatima Sana Sheikh. With its soulful music by Pritam and heartfelt storytelling, each narrative explores the vulnerabilities and emotional struggles of ordinary people navigating life in a fast-paced world.

Releasing 4 July

KAALIDHAR LAAPATA (Zee5) A moving drama that follows Abhishek Bachchan, a man disillusioned by his own family, who unexpectedly finds companionship and clarity through a chance encounter with Ballu, an orphan.

In doing so, the film explores themes of belonging, loneliness, and the human need for understanding.

It’s a poignant reminder that sometimes, family is found in the most unexpected places.

Releasing 4 July

MATRIMONIALS Pre-painted

Lowest Price Roof Restoration / Painting Available

SEEKING GROOM Indian-origin, professionally qualified, issueless match (working professional, not selfemployed) from Australia for ’88-born 5’3" Hindu Punjabi girl (divorced, issueless), working with a government organisation in Sydney. Must have Aus PR, and be a non-smoker and preferably teetotaller. Email biodata with photos, parents’ contact details to: matrimonial. ml@gmail.com

32 JULY 2025

www.indianlink.com.au

AKSHARDHAM: OPERATION VAJRA SHAKTI (In cinemas) Actor Akshaye Khanna’s gripping 2021 OTT action drama State of Siege: Temple Attack is making its way to the big screen with a new title. Based on the real-life 2002 terrorist attack on the Akshardham temple in Gujarat, the film follows a special forces unit’s courageous mission to neutralise the threat and save innocent lives.

Releasing 4 July

OH HI (In cinemas) SARBALA JI (In cinemas) Set against the vibrant backdrop of pre-independence Punjab, this Punjabi language film is a riotous, high-energy comedy that weaves together romance, mistaken identities, and a whole lot of heart. When a harmless flirtation at a wedding spirals out of control and a bizarre curse strikes, what follows is a wild ride through runaway grooms, quirky bandits, secret crushes, and a headstrong bride who prefers ploughing fields over wearing a lehenga.

Releasing 18 July

A romantic comedy stars Logan Lerman, Geraldine Viswanathan, and John Reynolds and follows a newly minted couple as they set off on their first weekend road trip together, expecting cozy vibes and couple-y bliss. But when the getaway spirals into a series of hilariously offbeat detours, awkward run-ins, and unexpected revelations, their fresh relationship is put to the ultimate test.

Releasing 25 July

MAALIK (In cinemas)

PARAM SUNDARI (In cinemas)

Maalik is an upcoming gangster drama starring Rajkummar Rao, Huma Qureshi & Manushi Chhillar, promising a gritty tale of ambition, power, and survival in the criminal underworld. As a storyline packed with drama, violence, and political undertones, the film is expected to deliver a thought-provoking look at power and consequence.

Releasing 11 July

Dinesh Vijan presents Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor in a sweeping romance that brings together two worlds, two cultures, and two hearts. North meets South in Kerala's picturesque backwaters but their cultural differences spark a hilarious and chaotic romance, full of twists and turns.

Releasing 25 July

SAIYAARA (In cinemas) AANKHON KI GUSTAAKHIYAN (In cinemas) Finally making her much-anticipated debut, Shanaya Kapoor stars in a heartfelt romantic drama opposite Vikrant Massey. Named after the famous Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam song, this is a love story between two visually impaired characters and is about the unique joys, challenges, and emotional depth of finding love.

Releasing 11 July

A powerful new love story from Yash Raj Films, marks the much-anticipated debut of Ahaan Panday, featuring Aneet Padda in lead roles.

Directed by Mohit Suri, this film is the first collaboration with YRF and it promises to redefine modern romance on the big screen.

Releasing 18 July

SON OF SARDAAR 2 (In cinemas) Presented by Ajay Devgn Films, this film’s stakes are higher, the punches are harder, and the laughs are louder. In a world where honour meets hilarity and tradition clashes with chaos, our sardaar returns bigger, bolder, and more unpredictable than ever.

With family feuds, wild twists, and full-on desi action, it is a rollercoaster of emotions, masti, and pure Punjabi madness.

Releasing 25 July

AAP JAISA KOI (Netflix)

TANVI THE GREAT (In cinemas)

VIR DAS: FOOL VOLUME (Netflix)

R Madhavan and Fatima Sana Sheikh explore the delicate love story between two people from contrasting worlds - one, rooted in tradition, and the other, embracing a free-spirited lifestyle. As their relationship blossoms, they begin to realise the tensions between cultural expectations and selfexpression.

Releasing 11 July

A courageous story of a young woman with autism who discovers her late father’s dream – to salute the Indian flag at the Siachen Glacier. With heart, humour, and unshakeable resolve, Tanvi sets out on a journey that defies expectations and honours a soldier’s promise. A moving tribute to determination, difference, and the bonds that live on.

Releasing 18 July

In this latest Netflix stand-up special, comedian Vir Das dives headfirst into the chaos of everyday life, finding humour in the most unexpected places.

From bizarre encounters with the police to the quirks of superstition and the struggle of losing his voice at the worst possible moments, Vir masterfully turns life’s absurdities into laugh-out-loud revelations.

Releasing 18 July JULY 2025 33

INDIAN LINK LOVES

Loving right now What we’re obsessed with this month

READ

WATCH

The Degenerates is a book that is at once highly expansive and deeply relatable. This Miles-Franklin long-listed book, written by Indian-Australian writer Raeden Richardson, follows the lives of multiple characters including Indian immigrants Somnath and his child Maha, as well as her fellow Melburnians Titch and Ginny. The characters might have startlingly different lives, but all of them are grappling with the need for transformation and a deep longing for meaning. If you’re looking for a cerebral read to wile away the winter nights, then look no further than this stunning debut novel.

Lovable jester Vir Das puts on his fool’s costume once again for his latest standup special Fool Volume. Bringing together his characteristic wit and his unique storytelling ability, Das vouches for a life lived less seriously. He may have only had a two-year break since his last comedy special, but he’s come back swinging with a series of new hot takes, and a new raft of personal stories (this time involving the police and the evil eye). The show marks his fifth collaboration with Netflix, making it a first for any Indian comedian.

LISTEN

EAT

Ed Sheeran hanging out with SRK and Arjit Singh? No, it’s not just a dream! Sheeran’s latest single Sapphire is not just a jewel of a song, but it’s a ‘must watch’ too. The single is a celebration of Indian culture, featuring a Punjabi hook, the sitar and Arijit Singh, no less. Watch the music video and you’ll feel like you’re living vicariously through the singer as he hangs with Singh, SRK and more. To top it off, a Punjabi version of the song is in the works and is expected to be released later this month!

Ever thought of mixing your cappuccino with Kheer? Me neither, but it turns out that it can be done (with delicious results). Sydney eatery Urban Tadka’s Cappuccino KheerMisu, is a must try for those sweet tooths or fusion dish fanatics. The combination of the bitterness of tiramisu with the sweetness of Kheer makes a dish that is to die for – one which is not just a dream to bite into, but which is totally Instagram-worthy. Not to mention the millions of puns that you can leave as a caption (“Kheer I Miss u!”).

WRITTEN BY SRUTHI SAJEEV 34 JULY 2025

www.indianlink.com.au

FORETELL

JULY 2025

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

Despite fears, you will move ahead with positivity and clarity. There could be some stressful moments in your personal or professional life. A new romantic partner could show up for singles. Something or someone you believed impossible will come along – like a mentor, or a beloved long-lost object. A problem with paperwork will turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

Some of you will make peace with an estranged family member. A money problem will get resolved on its own.

If things have been bad lately, they will start getting better. A relationship may hit rock bottom or a marriage could end. The current environment will force you to look at your own toxic traits and that of others. Avoid impulsive buys but a short holiday will cheer you up immensely. If unwell, you will make a full recovery. Money problems too will come to an end.

Have hope, no matter how grim the current situation is.

A fresh start, possibly in the realm of healing, or relationships is on the anvil.

Singles could get engaged or married; there could also be a pregnancy announcement. Some of you may buy a new home. A trip will bring a happy surprise where you find something you wanted unexpectedly. Creative people can expect a sudden burst of ideas and positive responses to their work. A good month for health and finances. Accept new ideas or projects that come your way.

You draw the card for Libra indicating the need for or the arrival of a semblance of balance, if things have been off-kilter. Problems get resolved easily with mental clarity.

Let go of the past to find true love.

Watch out for selfishness on your part as you could end up hurting loved ones. You may get a reality check about your current relationship, and it won’t be pleasant. Find more empathetic ways to connect with people for spiritual growth.

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

JULY 21 - AUG 22

AUG 23 - SEP 22

SEP 23 - OCT 22

OCT 23 - NOV 21

Success is yours this month in all your endeavours. Singles might find love, perhaps in someone younger. Watch your words so you don’t hurt someone unintentionally. Taking a break from work to pursue your interests or to upskill will help. Being trapped in a situation you can’t get out of will leave you anxious and cranky. Take that break to let your body recuperate and let go of stress.

A financial issue will be satisfactorily settled. Everything will fall into place.

Feeling stuck financially by juggling expense and income will follow you all month. In a relationship, suppressing emotions by both partners will cause problems. If an idea at work is stuck, look at it differently for better results. A busy month with work and other commitments which won’t leave you much time for other things. Slow down and do one thing at a time. Balance will return to areas of your life where things were off-kilter. A happy change is indicated.

Those in a relationship will want honesty and commitment instead of a vague status. Sudden problems could come up related to family, work or money. At work you will achieve your goals but your focus is on finding love. If pushed against a wall in a situation, have the courage to take a stand – it will lead to a win. Don’t take on more than you can as it could make you ill. If you are clear about your goal, stick to it.

A new home, partner or help from the universe is on its way to you. You will begin to see the results of your past efforts at work. A trip will prove to be beneficial. If your relationship is seeing problems, clear communication on both sides should help. Stress related ailments like aches and anxiety could come along. Finances increase steadily and in bigger amounts. Deal with whatever comes your way with a firm hand for best results.

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS JAN 20 - FEB 18

PISCES

FEB 19 - MARCH 20

A time for friendships - and for being open to whatever the universe is guiding toward you. Those in a relationship need to have clarity on what they seek before making a commitment. Seniors or people in power will surprise you with their help. At work, your ambition will be the foundation for your expansion where you seek a bigger stage. A long-standing financial problem gets resolved and you make money through activities you enjoy. Tell the universe what you need.

This month you need to ask yourself whether you are bored, or if someone is so familiar that there needs to be space for respect to be maintained. You will find someone who believes in your ideas at work. A new job or increased business is foretold. If a relationship is strained currently, it will not get resolved. Multiple resources to make money are available. Take a break from your problems, do something you love, and remain positive.

July brings the challenge of easing lingering anxieties, releasing what’s weighing you down, and creating space for financial growth. Someone will help you with an idea that will benefit your work, creative project or business. Money will come through an unexpected avenue which will ease your worries about finances. Anxiety and overwork can leave you tired, so take it easy. Expect blessings in the form of gifts and help with ideas. Your efforts will eventually pay off, be patient.

In a romance, your expectation won’t match the reality. Gizmos malfunctioning, changing your mind about moving house and other situations beyond your control could frazzle you. An overseas trip for some is predicted. Walk away from a troublesome situation with the power of your mind.

Watch out for tummy-related health issues – seek medical help. If your finances are tight right now, things will improve soon.

Accept your role in your current issues as that will help you resolve them.

NOV 22 - DEC 21

DEC 22 - JAN 19

JULY 2025 35

BACKCHAT DEAR AUNTY JI My sister-in-law and I have a grievance that I was hoping you could arbitrate.

When Sanjay Kapur passed away recently after he was stung by a bee while playing the nawabi khel of polo, I saw my sister-in-law crying silently for him.

I was shocked because I could not understand why she was grieving for him when she didn’t even know him.

I told her that Sanjay was a villain because he had divorced Karisma Kapoor, and he had done unspeakable things to her. I said to my sister-in-law, "Don’t feel any pity for him - he does not deserve it". Auntyji, she replied that I was being harsh and cruel and I should feel some grief for the loss of a human life. I said I feel no such sympathy for Sanjay. What are your thoughts, Auntyji?

36 JULY 2025

Sorting out those wobbly feelings of loss As for a jahil haraami like you, who is more rakshas and less insaan, here is my advice. You really need to start paying attention to your own life and not minding the business of other people. Especially where marital relations are concerned, mind your own business. I know Karisma was a great actress in the ‘90s and still is, but she is also entitled to a private life. You have no business judging what happened in her marriage - Doosron ki shaadi par nazar rakhne se behtar hai, apni shaadi sambhaalo.

AUNTYJI SAYS Dude, are you seriously writing to me about this?

Why are you taking a bees saal purana panga with Kapoor versus Kapur, and making this an issue?

How dare you waste my time with this budtehzeeb pagalpan? How is this any

business of yours? Were you at Karishma’s wedding and honeymoon, that you know exactly what happened and who was the villain and who was the hero?

If you’re not involved, you have no right to comment.

People say things in the heat of the moment and

are often misquoted by the media - so leave the Kapoor vs Kapur drama alone and mind your own business.

Your sister-in-law is right to feel grief; every death deserves compassion. With two children now missing their father, her empathy is completely natural.

ASK AUNTYJI Do you have a question for Auntyji?

Email it to info@ indianlink.com.au

www.indianlink.com.au

T ’ N DTOA LK BACK Season 2

Scan

to li

sten

JULY 2025 37

38 JULY 2025

www.indianlink.com.au

EVERYTHING UNDER ONE ROOF! CBB: THE RIGHT CHOICE!

CUSTOM TIPPERS & TRAILERS GENUINE PARTS – IN STORE & ONLINE REPAIRS, MAINTENANCE PBS / VASS CERTIFICATION EXPERT ADVICE FROM THE BUILDERS

CALL TODAY 03 9311 6124 2 - 24 Burwood Avenue, Nth Sunshine, Vic 3020 www.chrissbodybuilders.com.au JULY 2025 39

40 JULY JULY 2025 2025

www.indianlink.com.au SYDNEY EDITION