2015-07 Brisbane

INDIAN LINK

PUBLISHER

Pawan Luthra

l:DITOR

Rajni AnandLuthra

ASSISTANTEDITOR

KiraSpucys-Tahar

MELBOURNECOORDINATOR

PreetiJabbal

CONTRIBUTORS

Strippingof citizenship on the nose

intoplacein l949,itispossiblecostrip a dual citizenof Australiancitizenship when thedual citizen servesin the armed forces of a country at warwid1 Australia.

citizenship.Someof these wereoverseas andso couldnotreturntotheUKto challenge this decision. While inthe lJK rl1e decisionlies with megovernment, inCanadarevocarionof citizenship

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PreetaNair 029279 2004

Indian Link is a monthly newspaper published in English. No material, including advertisements designed by Indian Link, may be reproduced in partorinwholewithout thewrittenconsentofthe editor.Opinionscarriedin Indian Linkarethoseof thewritersandnotnecessarilyendorsedby Indian Link.Allcorrespondenceshouldbeaddressedto

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Email:info@indianlink.com.au

GuNntlandMutlcfatlwi�BrisbaneCityCouncil ondlheArtsCentteGoldCoostp,esent

BYPAWAN LUTHRA

The proposedchanges to Australia's citizenship policy arein the wrong, with the fact that thepower isvested inaminister toexilesomeone,hence bypassing the\Xlestminsrersystem of law where thecourtsdecidebasedon evidence.This couldseriously become anembarrassmentfor cbegovernment shouldthe proposedchanges bepassed intolawin d1eircurrentform.

Thegovernmenthasproposed strippingforeign fightersof their dual citizenshipandto beinlinewithsome of ouralliesincountries such astheUS, UK,France,Canada andNewZealand.

Accordingtoinformationto dare,the 1-finister forImmigrationandBorder Protectionwill holdthepowerto strip themof d1eirnationalityandplace themintopermanentexile. However, forchoseAustralianswhodo nothave dualpassportsandonly holdAustralian citizenship,thereisa consultation processhappening toseeif theycanbe strippedof d1eirAustraliancirizenship, effectively renderingthemstateless.

Accordingto currentlaw,which came

Themainissueisthatof solepower lyingwid1d1eMinisterinthedual cirizenshipdebate.Constinttionalexperts have warnedchar,if challenged,d1e rninister'sdecisionmay notstand ascbe AustralianConsriruriondoesnotallow thispowertorestwiththeMinister; rather,d1eruleof lawwill needrobe applied.According roAL1srralian law,a judgeis theonlyperson whocanhold judicialpower.Anindividualvestcrl wid1 mispowercan setverydangerous precedents.Whilethjsmayopenfurther discussionaboutdivulgingnational securityissuesinanopen counroom ordelay inprocess,itdoes ensurethe processisfairlyandcorrecdycarriedout.

Strippingaforeignlighter who does nothave dual citizenshipwill renderthepersonstateless,whichwill beincontravention of meUniversal Declaration of Human Rights, part of which states mar"everyonehas aright tonationality".This willbe achallenge whichAustralia will needroface. \Xie haveacollectiveresponsibilityforallin oursociety,bothgoodandbad;wejust cannorwash ourhandsoff d1ebad ones.

ln theUK,sincedenationalisation wasrampedup after d1e2005London bombing,27people havelosttheir

Hfghly acclaimed veena player Jayanthi Kumaresh and renowned Indian classical singer Pandit Kaivalyakumar wilI share the beauty of their individual heritage in an evocative and spell-binding concert.

BOOKINGS qmtotg.AUorqtlic136246

Brisbane

Sat 1 Aug 7.30prn

Ian Hanger Recital Hall

QueenslandConservatorium

Tickets $22 - $39 qmf.org.au

Gold Coast

Sun 2 Aug 6.30pm

Paradise Showroom

The Arts Centre Gold Coast

Tickets $18 - $32 qmf.org.au

Tialatprll:lti""""'-GSrandlloaklngFN.Tiansai:ticlft,_ffl4'/apply. Proudlytuppon.lbrNcmtraiCulturalC...unndthe lndlonOouncHfwCultUNIIltalatiOIII.

Ii.es with a HighCourt judge and has to follow ajudicial process.TheUnited Statesconstimtion stronglyprotects UScirizensh.ip and if anychangeisto bemade,inallprobability itwillhave togothrough ajudicialprocessalso. NewZealandhasnolawsinplaceto stripits citizensof their narionalitydual orotherwise-butsomepassport restrictionsdoapply.

Indiadoes notallowdual citizenship, and todate hasnormoved to strip itscitizens of theirIndian cirizenship shouldthey beiJwolved in foreign fighting.While thereisintensepressure from Non-ResidentIndians to open the bookon dual cirizenship,nether the BJPorCongresspartiesinpowerhave concededcochis,otherthanallowing moreAex.ibilitywithd1e'Overseas

Cirizen of India' oprion.As terrorism continues to beanongoinginternarional challenge,one doubts d1attheIndian governmentwiUnow concedeto the dualcitizenship demands.

Forthoseof us inAustralia,we need toensure thereisongoingpreservation of ourkey valuesinAustralia- arobust legal system,equaliryof allindividuals, andourcollectiveresponsibilityasa society.

RaweenaRaval,MohanDhall,MinalKhona, NancyJade Althea,ChitraSudarshan, PetraO'Neill,DhanyaSamuel,LPAyer, TasneemZavery

IABCLooelRlldo

YOURSAY

JURASSIC WORLD: DINO -MITE!

Indian actor lrrfan Khan considersthe success ofJurassic World a "blessing". Have you seen the hit new film? What did you thinkof his performanee?

SachlnWakhare wrote: I read somewhere "lrfan didn't have enough money to buy movie tickets for Jurassic Park 1 and now he is one of the lead actors in Jurassic World!" That is success!!

SabaNahl @nabl_saba wrote: @indian_link @irrfan_k it's just amazingwell done & congts 2 the whole team- your hard work is recognised globally - evidentfrom collection :)

FAREWELL UZMA!

After elevenyears with Indian LinkRadio, Uzma Beg is leavingAustralia forDubai.

Ajeet Haku wrote: Uzma, it has been a long journey to have travelled with you on the Indian Link train. It is very difficult to forget what you did for your listeners. Yougave us laughter, happiness, moments of listening to your sweet galiyan on air, advice on childcare, parenthood,funny and forthright criticism. We havebeen lucky to have had your voice influence our daily life. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours. You haveleft indelible moments to cherish.

The song from theflm Munim ji

"jeevan kay safar mein rahi miltey hai bicchadjane ko"has come true. Good luck and best wishes.

ShlkaAgrawal wrote: Going to miss you

Rajnl Luthra wrote: We'll miss you! *sniff*

MohammedSumalr Kolla wrote: Lovely, the Middle East is waiting. Love you hamesha & you'll be missed Uzma

Kajal Navlakha wrote: All the best for your future endeavours

Subhadra Maudgal wrote: Was listening to your program! It is not alvida to you, just wishing you a very successful move in life, love you! Will miss you onIndian Link Radio!

UzmaBeg wrote:Thank you all so much for your love & affection I feel truly blessed to have been surroundedby so many wonderful people all these years. God bless you all. I am going to miss each one of you.

ENDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Nikita Chawla would have turned 24 on 21 June, but she didn't get to celebrate. Her life wastaken in an act of violence earlier this year. Indian Link Radio's Kashif Harrison hosted a special show on the subject as he spoke with Nikita's brother, Tarang Chawla, about his campaign to raise awareness about family violence in culturally diverse communities and ensure #JusticeforNikita #NotOneMoreNiki

The show had an overwhelming response. Nikita's storytouched many hearts and brought to light the various situations thatmany women still endure.

DrManjulaO'Connor was a guest on the show:Thank you for the opportunity to be on the show. It is always great when the correct message gets airing and is broadcast to the community. Dowry is the hottest issue. We may be close to getting laws changed as a result of our lobbying and campaigns. It is important because this problem was denied by many of our maleleaders

An anonymous listener mentioned how her own family stood against her when she wanted a love marriage. She spoke of how her husband stood up for her and that's what she thinks every man should be like.

Denlsh wrote: I just wanted to add a line that Domestic Violence is a CRIME and it affects not just society but the family and children in the house. When children live with domestic and family violence, they are experiencing trauma. It can be trauma that is ongoing and long-lasting. Aartl said: I am lucky enough to say that, no, I'm not a victim of domestic violence, but unfortunately it is happening. I would like to say that ladies shouldnot let any man, whether it's theirfather, brother or husband, put them down. They should not tolerate this at any cost. Right now it's them, next thing you know it's their daughters. Also I would like to thank Indian Link and Kashif for doing this show and sharing what is happening in the real world. Keep giving us what is also happening in the real world. SandhyaSharma said: It was a good topic. We must stop domestic violence and talk more about it. I want to give specialthanks to Nikita Chawla's brother and Dr Manjula O'Connor, her information was really helpful.

Ashlsh Chawla said: I want to share that parents need to educate their sons more on this too, especially the ones who are young and about to be married. Also, I would like to urge every male listener of lndianlinkRadio to take an oath not to raise hands or let women suffer domestic violence. A good point shared by Dr Manjula is that children who see this happening to their mothers and sisters can also raise their voices and educate the elders of today that they need to change, they need to stop a maledominant society. One way they can do this by approaching student counsellors at school.

Another point raised was that young married men, especially theones who marry in India and bring their wives toAustralia, need to be educated by their parents or get involvedknowing that domestic violencehas charges and is against the law. The more they understand that before marriage the less likely women, wives, daughters and girlfriends get hurt.

VIRALVIDEO

AnInd/an student's essentfafs when travelflngabroad

NatashaGoradla wrote: 0mg. Awesome. Hahaha. To the point!

Shella Magu wrote: Maybe pack a National/ regional costume!

AsthaSingh wrote: Hilarious! Now I want theseladdoos

AnjanaMehraAujla wrote: Made me laugh

Avadhanl Kalavakolanu wrote: Good joke

The Indian Link Media Group took home the Best Print Publication award at the NSW Premier's Multicultural Media Awards held in Sydney on 25 June

TbeawardforBestPrint

Publicationis IndianLink's 15'h multicultural award since2011.

SW PremierMikeBaird and Minister forMulticulturalism

JohnAjaka announced the winners of the NSW MulticulturalMediaAwardsat agala eventatDoltoneHouseintheSydneyCBD.

"Arecord 128 entries weresubn1itted this yearacross 12 categories andI would liketocongratulateallof our winnersand finalists for theiroutstandingefforts,"Mr Baird said.

CEOPawanLutluasaid,"Thisistruly theicingontbecake.I'mparticularly happy om15' awardis forBest Print,because itis onewe haven'twonbefore,even though we've been shortlistedas finalistsin

previousyears."

EdicorRajniAnandLuthrasaid,"Iv[y heartfeltthankstoourcoreteamattl1e office,AntoinetteMullins,VivekTrivedi, Kira Spucys-Tahar,Preeti Jabbal,Preeta Nair,AshishChawla,DanieUeCairis,Nitika Sondhi,Glenn HLmt,NeelamVasudevan and Kerry olan.Notonly aretl1ey talented and long-rime faithfuls cothe cause, theyareall veryhard-working(going bythelate-nightpizzaboxesinthetrash!)"

Sheadded,"Aspecialshout-outcoour 80pluscontributorsacrossthecountry. We conlcln't have donemis without you all!You continuetobringusimpressive scories,keepingwatchon ourcommunity and engagingwith ournew home.Your worksendsoutthemessagechattheIndian

community in Australianotonly keepsits heritagealive,butiswillingand ab.leto integratewellinthewidermainstream.Let's continuedoingwhatwehavebecoineso good at,and continue to work evenharder toattain higherlaurels."

We also tlrnnk allour readers and supporters,in tl1eIndiancommunity and outside,whohave stoodby us forover twenty yearsnow.Frompeople whopick up theircopy eachmonthatthe.localspice shoporIndian grocery store,to tl1ose who submitphotosforourpartypage;from t.l10se who write regular colmnns, tothose who write one-off specials; from those whoread covertocover,to t.lmse who Aick straightto their favourites- thank you! \Yle look forwardtocontinuingto build and

nurture theIndian-Australianrelationship together.

In previousyearsTndianLinkhas won NS\XfPremier'sMulticuln1ralAwards for BestPrintReport,Best Use of Onlineand DigitalMedia,YoungJournalistof theYear forRitamMitra,Best ewsReport,Best OnlinePublicationof theYearandBest Lnageof theYear.

lndi,111Linkhasalso beenhonouredat theVictorianMulticulturalAwards with aMedia ExcellenceAward forPreeti Jabbal,and attheParliamentof NSW Multicultural MediaAwards\VinningBest Coverageof CommunityAffairsAbroad, OnlineInnovationinWebsiteDesign,Best Editorial/News ReportingandMulticultural Journalist of theYear forPawanLuthra.

ShiamakDavar's winterwarmer

Bollywood dancegroup's Winter Funk event warms the soul

Thescudentsenjoy acomplete "performingarts"experience-the excitement,rehearsals,teamwork, discipline,professionalismandmostof aU, performance.

stage was amazing.The speedwith which costume andbackdropchanges were accomplished,wasimpressive.The audience experience wasnolessthanwatchingthose glam award showsontelevision!

BYRAWEENA RAVAL

It was aU blingandBoUywoodtadka as ShiamakGroup Brisbanescnmed theirstuff attheirrecentWinterFunk event.

TheShiamak Group Brisbanehas been runningsuccessfullyforthe past year andahalf attwocentres,Runcornand Nundah.Ageisnobarrier,withstudents rangingfromas young asfourtofifty-plus, and with ahealthy mixof thesexes.

Afterlastyear's extravaganza,the Brisbanesmdentstooktothestage againat cheAmbroseTreacy CollegeAuditorinm, delightingthe audiencewith theglitz, glamourandchutzpahofBoUywood. They hadspent thelastsixmonths dedicating theirSundaysto learning differentstylesof dance.Theseclasses are"oneof akind" trainingprogram for students,teachingtrademark dancestyles likeShiamakStyleContemporary,Shiamak's BoU}'\.v·oodJazz and Shabop. Duringthe workshop,scudentsaretaught acomplete danceroutineand trainedinthe various disciplinesofstageperformance.

Thedressingroomswereabuzz with excitement justbefore curtains.The dancersaUresonatedthesamethought: they hadbutterfliesin their stomachsbut they couldn't waittorockthestage!The camaraderiewasaUbutobvious,asthey helpedeachotherwithhair andmake-up.

After thisincredibleperformanceit was timefortheShiamakBrisbaneStudentsto showtheirsubstance. 1ortobeoucshi.ned by theInternationalTeam,Sbian1ak's favouriteagecategory('thestars of tomorrow'ashecallsthem) litupthestage.

Brisbane's tiny 'Shian1aksters'werenotto

ofwicl1 hoolahoops astheir props. The transitionswerequick andexpertly executed by thegirls.Betterwatchom,Katrina and Kareena!

ThegroovescontinuedinShiamakstyle with everything from Rajaschani style Thark) chok1·0to thelatestBoUywoodmash-upS11mj doobaaand Dancebasa11ti. Theghagracholis leftthestageawashwithcolour, and the red111atka.sonlyenhancedcl1eperformance. ThetopsfortheBoUywoodrnashup,itwas revealed,wereinspired by atopwornon stageby Priyanka Chopraat arecentUFA awardceremony.

The finale had allperformersonstage gyratingtoLove!;, Bai?),doll,Jh11111ekimatand .fotakli, leadingiJ1to the audiencetoshake everyone'sboot/ya.

From smclencperformers to the more experiencedperformers from the Shiamak Davar InternationalGroup,the afternoon wasfull of energ)� excitement, dance, glamour,glitzandtalent.The audience cheered incessantly,hootingandwhistling inappreciation.

This\Vasonebunchofstudents who didn't wanttooutshineeachotherbutensurethat al.Iof themas a teamcouldgivetheirbest performance!

Onstage,it was aspectaculararray ofdancestyles,fromJazzBeatsto

Contemporary to Afro by themind-blowing ShiamakDavarInternational team,ledby VihangNikalje (GeneralManager,Shiamak Australia) andDarshanPawar (instructor). Thecostumes, energy andvibranceon

be leftbehindasthey performed toKamli, Dhoommachale, Enginekiseeti,Tndia1P11/eand RAnvirching.Thelitclies,itturnedom,had cl1ebestcosmmes.Thegirlsintheirshiny goldenhaltertopswithglitteringskirts,and theboysintheirgoldenvestsand sparkly reddhotis,weresimply adorable.The Kamlidancehadthepre-teensdoingavery quickcostumechangeonstageintodenim jacketsandsunglassestolookthepartfor DhoomJll(lchaleandthey finished the song

Actheend,thestudems received participationcertificates.Varad Raval thanked cl1e sponsors for heling make the eventpossible,theparentsforspending theirSundaysmakingsurekids attended classes,andthesmdents fortheirefforts. VasanSrinivasan,theinm1ediatepast presidentof theFederationofIndian Associationsof Victoria(Fl.AV) wasalso present.HemotivatedtbeBrisbanestudents tocontinue their dancejourneyand to keep aimingforhigher accomplishments.There wasalsomentionof expandingtheacademy i.e.openingacentreinPerthande.xpanding outto New Zealand.

ShiamakDavar'sphilosophy of"Have Feet,\'\(/illDance"wasonceagainprovedat chisspectacularWinterFunk.toreveryone whoperformedwas atrained dancer,but everyonehad a fantastic attitudetowards dance-cl1ere waste,'ltnwork,and plenty of enclmsiasml

,, The ghagra cholisleftthe stage awashwithcolour, andthe red matkas only enhancedthe performance ,,

nto

Mumbai's slums come alive in an innovative stage performance

caughtupwith GretaKelly,one of the performers fromtheself-described "indie orchestra"DeepBlue.

BYTASNEEM ZAVERY

Colourful,energetic,foot-tapping music . andmusical instrumems - lots of instruments,dance, narrationand agiantscreen reflectingsand art; this 90-minuteperformancewasevocativeof familiarscenariosinIndia.lndi(/Sto,ies, aperformancepresentedbyDeepBlue and BrisbanePowerhouse,enthralled a multiculmralaudiencefrom2-4Julyatthe BdsbanePowerhousein NewFarm. Tounderstandmoteaboutbehindthe scenesworkingsof theshow,lndi(/11Li11k

"Wetoured Indiain2012performingin citieslikeDelhi,Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Mumbaiis wheretheconceptof India Sto,ieswasconceived,"Kellysaid.

DeepBluecornpdses 17performers who havetranslatedd1esights andsoundsof Mumbaiintoanelectric routinethrough drama andcircus tdcksandmusical instrumemslikethebass,cello,violin,tabla, shahibqj(l(Iandshahke111an.

Kellysaid thegroup becameacquainted withcomrnW1.itieslikeDharavi Rocksand theAkon FoundationinDharaviwhere childrenaretaughttomake andplaymusical instrumentsomof recyclableproducts.

"TndiaStoriesis about thegrowingdivide betweentherichand thepoor,Hindus andMuslims,and theperformanceends

onanoteof harmony,friendship and community.Oneof ourviolinists,Imogen Gilfedder-Cooney, narratesthestory beautifullyin-betweenpieces."

SiddhiYadav,theMm11bai-basedsand artist,depicted d1escenesinbeautiful sand illustrationscreatedusingberfingertipsco d1erhythmof themusic.

Talkingaboutatmiqueappgenerated toallowDeepBlueagreaterconnection with their audience,Kellysaid,''Atthe stareof eachof our performances the audiencewereallowedaccesstoDeepBlue's ElectronicShowProgran1(ESP) through d1eirsmartphones. ThisESPgavethe audience anopportunity toexpress theirviews about theshowand access informationaboutIndiaStories."

TheIndiaSto,-iesperformancesalsopaved thewayforcommunitiesacrossBrisbaneto showcasetheir talentsaspartof theYoung-

Blueprogram,whereyom1gmusiciansare given anopportunitytoperformat the show undertheguidanceof their teachers, who area part of DeepBlue.

Choral-Blue,acommunitychoir comprisingmembersof aUagegroups, weregivend1eopportunitytoshowcase theirsingingtalent.''\Xiebelievemusicand theatrecan bringd1eentirecommunity 1mder oneroof and this is akeymessage of IndiaScodes,"GretaKellysaid.

So,whatnext?

"DeepBluebasanexcitingeventinthenear fi.iture," Kellysaid."\'!leaceheaded into the futurewith ournextshow-acollaboration wid1performingrobots.lt'sanexcitingmixof science,music, theatreandacrobatics."

DeepBlttewillbepe,formingori23 .ktgustattheQJ,ee,zs/andUnive,•sityof 'Iechnology'sGardenPointCampusiri Brisbane.

Indian-originAustralians are featured yet again in the Queen's Birthday Honours list

welJashis wife,environrnental consultant DrPadmaLal, are bothdenied entry into the country.

BYRAJNIANAND LUTHRA

Experimentswith truth: Prof. BrfjVllash LFI.AM

TheCanberra-basedhistorianand academic BrijVilashLalwasawardedtheAMhonour atthisyear'sQueen'sBirthday honours.

Hewas recognisedfor"signiEcant service toeducation,throughthepreservationand teachingof "Pacifichistory,asa scholar, author and commentator."

A highly regardedAustralianexpert on Fiji,aswellasamuch-lovedmember of Australia's Fijian-Indian andIndian communities,Prof.Lalcold Indian Link, "I amdeeplyhonouredthatmy lifetime'swork has been recognised,noronly by my peers but alsoby society atlarge."

He added, "Of course, theirony doesnor escapemechatwhilemy land of birth,Fiji, has bannedmefromenteringit again,my adoptedhomeland not onlywelcomesme but honoursme."

Anoutspoken critic of themilitary regime,in2009,Prof.Lalwas"bounded out"fromFii forspeakingouragainstthe nation's expulsionsof Australian and ew Zealandcliplomats.Tochis day,Prof. Lal, as

Prof.LalisProfessorof Pacificand AsianHistory attheAustralianNational University, andDeputy Director of its Schoolof Culture, History andL anguage.

Heis also Founding Directorof theCentre fortheContemporary Pacific,andChair, PacificManuscriptBureau.

Looking backathiscareer,Prof.Lal described hishumblebeginnings andthe path thathastaken himtothepinnacle in hisparticularareaof research.

"1comefrom arural background,with bothparentsilliterate,"Prof. Lalrecalled.

"ln my lifein aremote,pre-modernpart of Fiji, Ilearnt early onthat therewasno futureon thefarm, and chatIwouldhaveco workhardtocreatemy ownprospects."

He didexactly chat. Hetook himself to university,atfirstin Fijiand then.inCanada andAustralia, studyinghistory.

"In the 1960s, history wasforno-hopers," he reminisced. ''But I've alwaysloved stories."

Thestory of hisownfamily was particularly fascinating asayoungman.

"My grandfacl1erarrived inFijiin 1908,as anindenturedlabourerfromUttar Pradesh inIndia.I have vividmemoriesof hin1 inthe'60s. l wantedtolearnmoreabout hislife andof otherslikehim.Everybody aroundmewascoobusymakingalivingto

care,buttome,findingabout,vhothese peoplewere andhowthey camerobein Fiji,was akincofindingmyown trueself. Themotivatingfactorthenwastobear wimesstomy time andplace. Ifigured,if wedon'twriteabomourpast,no one else will."

Thiswentonto become the driving force inhis life'swork-togive illiterate people a voice, anagency,ahrn11anity.

Lately,Prof.Lal'swork hasextendedto peopleof theIndian diaspora,some20-plus millionin number.

"I'vetravelled to allcountrieswhere indentured labourwas taken,in asearchof whoweare.Thehistory l writeiswhatI haveheardandlearntfromthejourneys of ourpeople."

Prof.Lalfirst arrivedinAustraliain 1977 copursuehis PhD.Uponfinishingin 1980 heworkedin Hawaii forten years,and then remrnedcoAustraliapermanently

Amongthe highlights of his careerare beingappointedcothe committee that produced the draft forthe constitution of Fijiin 1997.Thedocumentsoughtto resolvethelong-standing discordbetween nativeFijians,Indo-Fijians and otherethnic communities.Military leaderCommodore BainirnaramaabolishedtheConstitution afterhiscoup.

"At atimewhen the Indian community inFijiwasharassed andtheirfun1.Ceseemed Lmcertain,Iwasputin aposit.ionto be just

andfair toeverybody."

"Afterthegeneralelections lastyear, thereasons forwhichIwasexpelleddon't exist anymore,sowhy arewestilldenied entry toFijiindefinitely?I havewrittento thegovernmentinFiji,butam yet toget a response."

As of last year, full diplomatic relations havebeenre-established between Fiji andAustralia. "leis goodto note tl1at the process of reengagement has begun.For Fiji, it is thefirst steptowardsrepresentative parliamentary democracy,eventhoughthere isalongway togoyet tofullyinstil the values of freedomof speech."

A secondhighlight,Prof.Lalsaid,is hisbody of work onthehistory of the Indiancommunityin Fiji."\Vrittenfroma sympathetic point of view,I have put chis historyout in thepublicarenain a form it can't beignoredanymore."

Hisworkon Pacifichistory beyond Fijiisalsosubstantial."Somepeershave questionedthispartof mywork asthey claim1 am not aPacificIslander.Totl1emI say,IamaPacificIslander,Iwasborn there anditmeans alotto me!"

Tn thefinalanalysis,Prof.Lal says, risingtothe topof bisprofessionin the humanitiesin this country,is hugely satisfying."There aremany doctorsand scientistsof Indianorigin, butvery fewin the hLm1anities."

Ptof.Lalhasjustfinishedahistorical

clictionaryof Fijiand iscurrentlyworking ontl1eAustralian engagementwiilithe SouthPacificfromtl1e1940stothe1980s.

Aswell, heisknee deepintoanotherbook TheTa111ari11dTree,whichwillbepublished notonly in EnglishbutalsoinHindi, FijianHindiandFijian."l believeweneed to nurtureour languagesormey \Vill clie," hesaid."Equally,I believeitisimportant toproduceworkswhichareaccessibleto ordinarypeople".

Prof.Laldescribesitasaworkof "creativenon-fiction".Setattileend of indenturein the1920s,itis based onpeople suchashisbeloved grandfather,whose stories are trueeven though thereare no documents toprovetheirtruth.

"Howdoyouwriteaboutsocietieswhere evenmemoriesarenot archivedadequately? Youuse yourimagination!"

And,asalwayswithProf.Lal, you tell the truthas honestly as youcan.

Ji Doctor a..�' Doctorsmust surely beone of Inclia's largestexports.Thejokegoestimenocityin meworldiscompletewithoutaChinatown andIndian doctors.

India-traineddoctorsbegan toarrivein AustraliaaftertheWhiteAustraliaPolicy wasdoneawaywit!,inthe1970s.Today, followingmany years of service,many of thesehavegoneontobecomehighly valuedmembersof society.Amunber of memhave begun to feature onlists of Governmenthonoursannouncedon AustraliaDayandontileQueen'sBirthday. Th.isyearisnoexception,withrwoInclian doctorsinthemostrecenrannouncements.

Brisbane'sDr.Ashin,KumarMajumdar andSydney'sDr.ShivaPral(llshhave received theOAMhonourintlusyear's Queen'sBirthday honours.

PsychiatristDr.AslumMajumdar is Chairmanof tileMedicalAdvisory Comnutteeinaprivatehospital,senior lecturer inpsychiatry attheUniversityof Queensland,andaprivatepractitionersince 2000.He arrived inAuscraliain 1978after smdyingpsychiatry in Indiaandtl,eUK,co workin public psychiatry.

"It hasbeenapleasure toworkandprovide psychiatricservicetothose inneed,and tobeableco servethecommunity,"he midTnditmLink.

Hisparticularpassion inrecent years,hasbeen workingwithtl1eInclian andwider community in promotingsocioculmraJ cohesion.Much of thisworkhas been accomplishedinlusrole aspatronof theBengali Society of Queensland andSeniorVicePresident of tl,eVedantaCentre, Brjsbane.

GeneralPractitionerDr. ShivaPrakashof meDerby StFamilyMedicalCentre atKingswood,Syclne)�told IndianLlnk,"Itisgratifying thatIhavebeenrecog1used for servingthecommunity cothebestof my abilityas aGP,at the .initial point of contactin illness."

Dr.PrakasharrivedinAustraliain1971to workinthe boutique Nepean Hospital.Five years later hebecameoneof fiveresident medicalofficersand shortlythereafter, Deputy MedicalSuperintendent. He served therefor36years, before takingupprivate practice.

"I lovethecommunityaspectof my job thebest,"hesaid. "I cametomePenrim areaassoonasI arrived,andIhavenever left. It isa beautiful place,madeevenmore liveableby itswonderfulpeople."

AsanactiveRotarian,andasa boardmemberof the epeanMedical Association,Dr.Prakashfindsmanyavenues to further hiscommunity-basedactivities.

Both doctors havemanypearlsof wisdom fornewly arrived nugrn.ncs.

"Australiaisawonderful cmt0try, alandof opportunitywhereonecan enjoy lifewith dignityand freedom,"Dr. MajLt01darnoted.''Asyoustartyour life

here,besincere,honestand focus onyour goals. Also,berespectfulof omersandbe good citizens."

"Iliketl,eoldadage,what you give,is what youwillreceive,"Dr.Prakash offered. "Arwork,bediligentandworkto your absolutebest.Keepanopenmind always, andneverstop learning."

Pai:i,sio ror � ·QI Inclusion

AlbertPeterdaCruzwassoexcited cosee awomanin asari out of his buswindow thathe rushed home,jumpedinto thecar witl1biswifeFlorinda,anddrovebackin her direction.

ThatwasinPerth,way backin 1970.

ThedaCruzshadjustarrivedfrom Kenya,wiilithreeyoungchildren.

otlongafter that,daCruzran intoan Indian-origingentlemanathisbank.He becamealifelongfriend,and bornwent on tofoLtndtheIndian Society of \X1estern Australia.

Havingmoved outof hishomecountry

afewyearsprior,daCruzhadalwaysbeen passionateaboutcohesiveand culturally pluralisticsocieties.

For hisservicestothecommunity of WAthrough multicultural organisations, AlbertdaCruzwasawardedtl,eOAJ\,[ honourat thisyear'sQueen'sBirthday commemorations.

Albertand Florinda, young school teachers,madeanamefor themselves in Perth'sGoan community earlyon,as they extended hospitalitytonewly arrived migrants fromIndia,helpingthem tosettle intotheirnewhomesandnewlives.Asa memberof theGoan OverseasAssociation WA Inc,Albertfoundedtl1eOZGOAMOG(Goansof Australiai\fosicians of Goa)

Soonhefoundhimself becoming increasingly involvedwithissuesiliac arose asNewAustraliansengagedwith themainstreamcommunity.Todayasa retired83-year-oldlivingin Adamscown, S\V,he looks backfondly athisstints wit!,CommunityTelevisionPerm (now WestTelevision);tbeFamilyReview Committeeof LegalAidWA;Constitutional CentreBoard,andthePerthLodgeof Freemasonry.

"I alwaysthoughtitmy dutytoworkwith peoplewhoaredisadvantaged,"daCruz toldTndia11Linkwithcharacteristich1m1ility. ''Iwas honomedtobeablecoserveasme Chairperson of OnlineWJ\Mulricultural Commrnuties,andasaComnutteeMember of theEthnic CommunitiesCouncil \1(/esternAustralia."

"I'vealwayshadanissuewiththe word'tolerance'," hewenton. ''Itlunk ithasinherentarrogance.I oncetold theGovernorof \Y/Amanyyearsago,a personalfriend,that1muchprefermeterm 'acceptance'.TodayIamhappy toseeits use basbecomethe norm."

TheNewAustralians of today might actuaJJy haveiteasier,daCruzfeels "They areeducatedandtreatedwithrespect,"he noted,butadded,"Tomakethis forejgn landyomhome,youmustbewillingto acquirethe characteristics of ourtypeof democracy."

DrShiva Prakash, OAM

INDIAN LINK SOCIAL MEDIA

KnowThyselfasSoul

eace

Brisbane yogis bend and stretch at Guyatt Park as the world takes up India's call foryoga

Like so much else from India, thepractice ofyoga is constantly evolving

situation;itcan bepreventative and assist in reducingstress."

BYKIRA SPUCYS-TAHAR

ogamay havebeendeveloped inIndiaasaholisticroutineto developharmonyamongmind, body andspirit,butthings havecomealongway fromthe traditional cu.ltura.landmeditativeasa11t1s of thepasc.Withmodernyogapractice, anythinggoes.Today'syoga stylesrange fromthefairlymainstream-hotorBikram yoga,aswell asprenatalyogaormumsand bubsyoga,cothemoreexoticcantricyoga, aeroyogaandpoledancingyoga.There's nude yoga, doga (doing yoga withyour dog),andasmarijuanabecomesmorefreely available andlegalacrosstheUnitedScates, thereis nowevencannabisyoga!

Ahead ofInternacionalYogaDay IndianUnkexploredthepossibilities and oppornmiciesattached tovarious forms of yogapractice.

L

Spiritof India(NS\XI)isanon-profit organisationbasedinSydney which e.xpoundsthetraditional virtues of yogaas a holisticlifestylepractice.SureshKhatav, the founder of the organisation,believes yoga should becomea priority ineveryone's lives.

''Nowadayslifeissocomplicated," Khatav says. "Yogacanhelppeoplein th.is

"Yogaalsomakes you abetterperson," Khatav says. "Youbecomemoreca.Imand quietanditcontribmesto your physical, mentalandsocialwellbeing."

Khat,w,alongwithhis wife Chaaya and a reamof volunteers,runslow-costyoga classesthroughoutseven locationsacross Sydney.Classescatertochildren, adults and seniorswithstudents rangingin agefrom fiveco90plus."\Vehave fiveorsixstudents whoarein theirnineties,"Khatavsays.

Classesfor children costjust$40 forfour monthsandarecompletely freeforsenior citizens 55 yearsplus.Adu.Its,whoare earninganincome,paya no1ninalamount tohelpcovercoses.

A yoga devoteeformorethan25years and areacher forthepast12years,Kharav's philosophyisthat yoga assistspeoplein achievingtheiroptimumconditionand preventingmany diseases."Whenyoureach a peakstate,thebenefiris notjust for you, butfor yourwholefamily and thewider community,"heeirplains."If morepeople practicedyoga,thensociety wouldbeable rolowertheamount wespend onhealth careand redirectit to development."

Aspart of InternacionalYogaDay, Spiritof Indiahaspartneredwith the HinduCouncil of Australia for theirevent inParran1atra.Ateamof volunteerswiU helpleadanafternoon session of yoga practiceontheday whileSureshwill travel toMelbournetospeakarthe8th annual lnternaciona.lYogaConference."Yogaisa platform rounitethecommmticy,"Khatav concludes.

SpeakingwithChristineConracos,you would neverknow shewas upat 4runto squeezeina yoga practice. After being introducedtoyogaasa 17yearold,Contacos hasbeenconnectedcoyogaformorethan 30years.Although herpracticehasbeen sporadicthroughout that rime,aftermoving toSydney in2000,Contacosbecame reacquainted withIyengar yoga andhasmade roominher lifeformoreregularpractice.

''\'<!hatl Likeaboutyogaisthatyoucan tailoritto yourspecific needs,"Contacos explains. "Nomatter whatstageof life you'reat,youcan adaptto what your body and mindneeds."

Contacoshasrecently committedto practisingatleast 15 minutes of simple exercisesaday todevelopher skills.''J have alsobecomernorespiritualof late," shesays.''J ambecomingmore aware of mindfulness,again1thinkit dependson your needs atthetime."

Oneof themostappealingaspects of yoga forContacosisthatit's not competitive-''It'sabouttreating yourbody with respect."

t c,...b 1-

I""nr

Crawf \Xleir,founder of BarefootYoga inSydney'sPaddington,first found yoga afterexhaustingal.Iothertherapiesforhis chronicbackinjury.

Afterdiscoveringdaily yogapractice helpedhisback pain, andfeelingmuch happier withhislife,afterrwoyearsWeir quithiscorporatecareertobecomeayoga teacher.

Originally from England,Weircombined his knowledgeof businesswithhispassion

for yogacostarehisown sn1dio.After learning aboutthe'yogt1l?Jdonation'method beingpopularisedin theUnitedScates, Weir was inspired tobringtheconceptco Australia.

"Thepremiseof yogaby donationisto makeitaccessibleroeveryone,"\Xleir says. ''Yogacanbeexpensiveandexclusive, whereasI wanttomakeit affordableand inclush7e."

Studentsattl1estudioareaskedto contribute roughly $10 to$20per class ormakea"fairdonation"basedonhow muchtl1ey canaffordandhowoftenthey attendclasses Thismeanssocialorfinancial sran1s don'tprecludepeoplefrom taking part.Workingooakindof karma-based system, theteachersarepaid directly from donations

"Iror,1.lly believeinthesystem,"Weir says."Peoplerespectitandappreciatewhat you'redoing. I'm suretl1ereareafewpeople whomightrakeadvantage,butirdoesn't matter because thereaceotherswhogive generously soyou can achievethatbalance."

Weirbeganhisyogajourney witha strongphysical practice,bmovertimehas incorporatedmoreelements of meditation andmindfulness.

''Yogais apersonal journey for everybody,"\Xlei.rsays."People lovewhatwe do,our donation approach, and they chink tl1eteachersandstudioaregreat.Weget lotsof positivefeedback."

\Xleirhasbeenlookingforwardro celebratingtheUnitedNationsWorldYoga DayonBondiBeach."Irisgoingtobean honourandapleasuretotakepartalong withalltheotherfantastic yogateachers."

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Mostpeoplecompletelybaulkattheidea of doinganythingnaked,muchlesssomething asphysicalasyoga,but,atTwisting PeacockYogainPerth,l'vfelissaHowardhas embracedthenotion.

Sixmonthsago,Howard'sreacherRosie Reescameto her withtheidea of naked yoga.

"Therewas ami'Ced reaction,definitely," Howardsays."Peoplesaid 'No wayl''Hell, no!' but they'veallcomearound."

Aqualifiedrelationshipcoach and sexologist,Reesteachesrestorative, Kundalini,Hathayogainthe two-hour long classes.

Attendees aretakenthroughaseries of modest sittingand layingposesalongwith meditativebreathingexercisesin adarkened roomI.itwith candles,accompaniedby gentlemusic.

"There'sno downwarddogoranything likethat!" Howard explains.

"lt's all about empoweringpeople.The aimandgoalisforwomentodestroyalltl1e negativeimagestheyhaveofthemselvesit'sareallyliberatingexperience."

Reinforcingbodyacceptance,thetl1ree classesheldso farhavebeen fullybooked, welcomingstudents ranginginagefrom21 to awomaninherfifties.

Thenextclass,whichisfastfillingup, willbeheldonInternationalYogaDay."It's perfect tin1ing,"Howardacknowledges.

''Therearetears, andlots of giggles,but it'sa reallybeautifulpracticewherewehave

predominantlyhotpoweryogaclasses upto 20times aweek.Though,withthesuccess ofthenakedyogaclasses,RosieReesand herpartnerwill soonexpandtheirlessons toincludea twohour couple's workshop.

"Therearealso talks of runningamixed classin thefumre,"Howardsays.

�111.ilenot yetpopularinAustralia,(there is NakedYogaSydneybilled as"classes formeninterestedin thepractice of yoga withour the restrictions of clothing"),Nude Yoga USA inArizonaholdco-ed naked yogaclasses threetimesa week. So, watch thisspace.

Ir'sphysicallydemandingatthebest of times,sowhywouldyou trythrowing standingupon apaddleboardinto tl1eyoga mix?! That'sexactlywhatCatherineMoore, along,;vitl1Di Morrison,doesas partof SUPYoga SydneyorStandUpPaddle boardingyoga.

Moorebeganpracticing>7ogaasa teen andcontinued tl1roughouthertwenties as ameans of sustainingherselfthrough injury.After findinglife asa diving instructortoophysicallydemanding,she followedher passions ofteachingandyoga and combinedit withher love ofpaddle boarding.

"It'sthesameposes andpostures,but certainpostures aremorechallengingon tl1eboard,"Mooreadmits."WithourSUP yogaclasseswe usuallystartwitlibeginner sequenceseven forseasonedyogisbecause

womencelebratingtheperfectlyimperfect."

Findingyogaclasses atthelocalg)rm tenyearsago,Howard admits she was initiallydrawn to thepracticeforitsphysical advantages. "1 hadsomebodyimageissues andl sawpeoplewhodidyogaastoned andAexible,"Howardexplains."Slmvlybut surely,theteachers weavedinthespiritual aspects and1begantofeelthebenefitsof themeditationas well."Thisleadto Howard openingher ownyoga studio which runs

Mose people who trySUPyogahave nevertriedconventionalyoga and those who participate rangefromchildrenright through topeoplein theirseventies.

"People fall off allthetime,"Moore says. "lc's abouthavingfunandlearning."

Whichever form of yogacakesyour fancy, be sure tojoinin the celebrationsfor InternationalYogaDay.

it'sdifficultlearningto balance ontheboard."

De-hyphenatedJindal hit by twitterstorm in White House race

Louisiana'sIndian-AmericanGovernor BobbyJindalhasfOLmdhimself inthe eye of atwitter stormeversincehekicked off hisUSpresidentialcampaign distancing himself fromhisIndianheritage.

JindaJ'sreiterationthatbeisnora hyphenated"Indian-American," butjust anAmerican,spawnedaseries of jokes hereandinIndiaunderthehash.rag #BobbyJindalisSoWhite.

Leadingthe charge wereIndian-American comics1-lariKondaboluandAasif Mandvi.

AmongtheKondabolugems were: #bobl!J;tndalissoll)bitethatbe111ispronou11ceshis 011)/1l/a1/IC #bobf!J;indalisso1/Jhiteheca11'tspell #bobl?JJindalissoll)hitehereferstofodia11foodas "ethnicmisine."

#boblwindalissOJvbitebebeathi111Se!fupafter 9/11

Ufflightbea#Jindia11ifurthesonef if!Jmigra11tswhoisa11ti-i111111igm11t. BoblryJindalwenttoBro1m University, butit111adehi,11EXTREMELY

UNCOMFORTABLE.

Referringto highscholastic achievement of Indian-Americankids,Mandvitweeted:The on!J thing#Indian about#Bobi?J,jinda/isthe4.0 hegotinHighSchool.

But PriyankaManchahadthelast word: #T3ob1!J]indal111ak.eshistoryasthefi"ntforme1·

TndianA11m-icm1tonmforPresident

"Onissueafter issue,BobbyJindalhas shown thathis opinionsarevery different fromAsian Americanpublicopinion," University of CaliforniaRiversidePublic PolicyProfessorKarthickRamakrishnan told NBCNewsexplainingthe IndianAmericans' reactions.

DoJindal's comments that ''I'mtired

of thehyphenatedAmericans o more 'African-Americans.'No more'IndianAmericans.'Nomore'Asian-Americans"' "make himhyphenist?"wondered Lev Raphaelof theH1ffe11gto11Post.

"Isthereanythingthisguywon'tsay to getelected?"heaskedadding,"Staytuned. He'sgotlotsof competitioninanalreadycrowdedfieldof blowhardsandextremists."

But an opinion writerin theNe1vYorkPost cametoJindal's defencesaying:"Thereason Jindalhas comeinforsuch treatmentis becausehe'saneloquentadvocatefor integrationandthepromiseof America."

Piyush"Bobby"JindalonJune24 made hismuch-anticipated entry intothe 2016 White House raceviaTwittermaking himthefirstIndian-Americanand 13th Republicancandidatetodo so.

"My name is BobbyJindal,andIam runningforPresident of theUnitedStates of America,"het\veetedaheadof aplanned formalannouncementin the·r ew Orleans suburb of Kenner.

Ahidden-camerastylevideo of tl1e governortellinghiskidsabout hisdecision torunfollowed. His daughterquickly leveragedtheinformation,requestinga puppyas hershare of the deal.

"OK,if we moveintothe\)(fluteHouse, youcanhaveapuppy,"Jindaltoldhis daughter.

Jindal joinsanalready crowdedfield of Republican candidates includingJebBush, RickPerryandi\1ikeHuckabee,former governors of Florida,Te,xasandArkansas respectively,USSenatorsTedCruz, Rand Paul,Marco Rubioand Lindsey Graham, formerHewlett PackardCEOCarly Fiorina; and.realestatemogulDonaldTrump.

Onceviewedasarisingstarof the RepublicanParry,Jindal,44,whowasthe youngestAruericangovernorwhenfirst

electedin 2007,is now pollingtowardthe bottom of theRepublicanfield,registering at just 1 percent in the latestCNN/ORC pollthis month.

Analystssuggestedchathefacesanuphill taskinhis campaign and even facestl1e prospectof beingeliminatedfromPox ews'spresidentialdebatesstartingAugust 6asthe channel has decided to limitit to thetop 10.

Jindal,whoreceived wide support from Indian-Americans in hisCongressional and gubernatorial campaigns,seemsto havelost muchtraction withthe communitysince herecently declaredthat he wastiredof hyphenatedAmericans.

Abouthisparents, he declared,"They weren'tcorningtoraise'Indian-Americans.' They werecomingto raiseAmericans."

AsPearsonCross,apoliticalscience professorattl1eUniversity of Louisiana atLafayette who is,vritinga book onhim toldthe IPashi11gtonPost: "There's notmuch Indian leftinBobbyJindal."

TheLouisiana-born son of immigrant parents fromIndia,Jindal convertedfrom Hinduismto Christianity asa teen,and waslaterbaptisedaCatl1olicasasn1dentat BrownUniversity.

The RhodesScholarwas tl1e second Indian-Americanto be elected to theUS House of Representativesin2004 after DalipSinghSaund,aDemocrat,in 1957. Hewasre-elected totheCongressin2006 beforemakinghis second run forgovernor in2007. Hewasre-elected in2011.

Smngby mediacriticismthatheis distancinghimself from hisIndian heritage, BobbyJindal'spresidential campaignis hittinghardonhis'hyphenatedAmericans' themewithT-sllirtstoutinghimas"tanned, rested,ready".

The$20officialT-shirt whichissupposed

to bea nodtoJindal'sIndian heritageand his dislikeof "hyphenatedAmerican" modifiersas wellasaplay onafamous RichardNixonline,isapparentlylus way of gettingbackatthe"liberalmedia."

Waybackin1988,aT-shirtsoldatthe YoungRepublicanconventioninSeattle depicted "a smilingRichardM. Nixon" withtheslogan "He'stan,restedandready," accordingtotheNewYorkTimes

"The liberalmediasaid,'There's not muchIndianleftin Bobby Jindal,' sowe madeshirtscomockthem,"Jindal tweeted on30 June.

"I'm donewithallthistalkabout hyphenatedAmericans.\Y/eare notIndianAmericans,Irish-Americans,AfricanAmericans,rich Americans,orpoor Americans- weareallAn1ericans,"Jindal saysinhis"\Y/eareAllAmericans"ad.

Indiato have1.4 bn mobile subscribers by 2020: Report Indiawill haveatleast1.4 billion mobile subscribersby 2020,resultingina population penetrationof I00 percent, saysareportreleasedby Swedish communication technology andservices providerEricsson.

Accordingtotl1ereport,tl1egrowth will primarily bedrivenby theincreasing affordability of devicesandservices.

"Maintainingandimprovingquality of theuserexperienceislikely to beatthe top of Indian operacors' agendaoverthe corningyears,"Chris Houghton,Indiahead atEricsson,said.

"A network with amixof macro sites, micro sitesandsmallcellswillneedto be established tomanagecoverage,capacity andnet\vork performanceforthe best userexperienceandto meet thegrowing demandfordataservices,"headded.

iYeSmarkthearrival oonseason onthe coast"ln Mumbai, la eed hun people.Photo: J

LukeWallaceoftheHarlequins

FootballClubofEngland plays rugbywith underprivileged Indian childrenata coachingcampin Kolkata, India,June 16, 2015. The clubisvisitingthe cityaspart ofa charitytripto helpIndian childrentogrowthroughsportin shortcoachingcamps.Photo:AP

ThereportalsoobservedthatGSM/ EDGE subscriptions will declinefrom780 millionin2014roaround510millionby 2020.

"TheGSM/EDGEsubscriptionbase ispredictedtopeakin2015 anddecline thereafter assubscribersmigrateto3G services,"thereportrevealed.

Also,rhereportclaims d1ac WCDMA/ HSPAsubscriptionswillincreasefromover 120millionin2014 toaround 620million by2020duetotheincreaseinproportion of WCDMA/HSPA subscriptionsfrom13 percentto45percent.

Ontheotherhand,LTEsubscriptions isscriptedto reachmorethan230million by2020, formingarolmd17percentof the rotaI subscriptionbase,as per the report. Currently,GSM/EDGEtechnologyhas thewidestreachin India,with95percent popuiationcoverage.

Thereport alsounveiledtrendsof lndianconsumers."Onaverage,Indian smartphoneusersspendoverthreehours a clayontheirsmartphonesand 25percentof themcheck theirphonesover 100timesa clay,"itsaid.

Asperthe report aroundonethirdof the timespenton smartphonesis used forapps, primarily char,socialmedia,andgaming.

"Therehasbeenanincreaseof over 20percentin theoveralltimespenton smarrphones andarou_ncl a 65percent increaseinappusagesince2012,when EricssonConsumerLabmeasuredthese paraineters,"it said.

Interestingly,iralsopointsouttl1at as consumerswatchmorecontent,tl1eir tolerancefor delayswilldecrease.

"Nearly 65percentof mobilebroadband usersprefertostreamratherthandownload videosonsmarcphones and 4 outof 10 videosplayed haveissueswith bufferingand scalling."

The report alsopointsout thatmonthly mobiledata consumption isexpectedto increase 18-foldby2020over current levels.

"Across allmobiletechnologiesinIndia, monthlydatausagepersubscriberisscill relativelylow,primarilybecauseof a suboptimal2Gand3Guserexperience.This iscausedbytl1einabilityof 2Gnetworks tosupporthigh-bandwidtl1 services, insufficient 3Gnetworkcoverage,andalack of relevantlocalcontent,"itsaid.

Irish village commemorates1985Airlndia bombing

Amemorial servicewasheldin theIrish villageof Ahakistain CountyCorkon 23JunetohonourtheAirIndia Flight 182crashviccimswhodied whenabomb explodedonboardoff theIrishcoast30 years ago.

Familymembersof the329passengers andcrew,wholosttheirlivesin d1e1985 crash,gathered attl1esrn1dialmonumentto honourthevictims,RTENewsreported.

Thememorialservicewasattendedby India'sMinisterof SeateforExternalAffairs Gen.V.K.Singh(retd),IrishMinister for Foreign AffairsCharlieFlanagan and

Canadian MinisterofJuscicePeterl\facKay. TheSlmdialmonrnnent displa)'Stheexact timetheaircraftexplodedmidair.

"Therecanneverbejuscification for themurderof innocentsinpursuitof ai1y politicalend.Unfortunatelyterrorism continuestoplagueour worldand wehave seenmany repugnant andmalevolent acts in thelast30years,"UTV Irelandquoted Flanaganassaying.

AirIndia Flight182 was Ayingfrom Toronto toLondonwhenitcrashedinto meAtlanticOcean,killing329peopleon June23, 1985.

Moseof tl10sekilledwereCanadian nationalsof Indianoriginandirisbelieved thecrashwas caused by abomb planted by Sikhextremists.

A Sikhelectrician, lnderjitSingh Reyat,was eventually convicted ona manslaughter chargeoverthebombingand wassentenced to 15 yearsinjail.

A Krishna heritagecircuitto come up around MathuraVrindavan

It'sa lai1dsteepedinIncuanfolklore,a land whereLordKrishnaandhis'gopis' (consorts) arebelievedtohaveonceromped in gay abandon.Now,thetourismministry issettospendoverRs.120crore($20 million) on theinfrastructuraldevelopment of d1eMachura-Vrindavanpilgrimage circuit,amovedmtwilltransformthe profileof aland visitedbymillions round theyear.

TheUrtarPradeshgovernmenthas announced aBraj HeritagePlanning Board tosuggestideas andmonitor implementationof projectsin theBraj area. Theunion governmenthas alreadydeclared Mathura aheritagecity.

UnionTourismMinisterMaheshSharma toldmediapersonsthatanewinternational airport would besitedalongtheYainuna ExpresswaythatlinksMathuratoAgra ononeendandtoGreaterNoidaonthe nationalcapital'soutskirtson tl1eod1er.

Statingthat anew circuit centredaround thecult of Lord Krishna,partof the HinduTrinityandoneof itsmostbeloved personal gods,isbeingdeveloped from AkshardhaminDelhi toMachura,the

minister saidRs. 120crorewould bespent ondeveloping the''BrnjChaurasiKos"that includesVrindavan,Goverdhan,Gokul, Barsana, Nandgaon,KokilaVan,SherC':n1rh andMahavan areas.

Mathura's Memberof Parliamentand Bharatiya Janata Party leader HemaMalini wants tl1e airport tocomeup atMahavan in MathuracuscrictontheExpressway.Both theUttarPradeshandcentral governments appearkeen to speedupdevelopmentof theBraj areawhich drawstouristsand Krishnadevotees fromacrossthe,vorld.

"Wirnsomuchmoneypouringin,the profileof tl1eSriKrishnalandis set to changein the comingyears,"BrajManclal HeritageConservationSocietypresident Surednra Sharma coldIA1 S.

The region,however,has beenfacing acoughcimeinthewakeof widespread encroachmentsand traffic snarls foralong cirne,givingcommntersadifficulttime whilevisitingd1isplace.

The authoritieshave,however,started initiatingstrongsteps now against encroachments.

A majoranti-encroachment driveto clearroads leading toGoverdhan and the district'sSonkhtown from d1enational highway,aheadof tl1emonth-longfestival season,has beenlaunched wid1 discernible results.

"\Vehad writtensomanytimescod1e districtadministrationbuttherewas no result.rowitseems tl1eprocesshasbegun against encroachment,"BrajBachaoSamiti memberRhais Qureshi told !ANS.

ThesituationinVrindavanisworse,as motoristsfromDell1i, oida andAgra headedforMadmraorVrindavan these days arefacingall kindsof problems.

USenvoy recallstroublesof 'A minus' in school reportcard Indian-originUSenvoytoIncuaRichard Vermaexpressed gratitudetod1evalues of education andservicethathisIndiaeducatedparentsinstiUedin him,including onceof hisparentsspendingdays reviewing whytheirson gotan'Aminus' inhisreport cardwhentheotherfivewereAs.

Addressingtheconvocation atAshoka UniversityinSonepac,Vermasaid: "For

me,I amextremelyhumbled that myparn hasledmefromamodestupbringing in\XlescernPennsylvaniaro become ambassador-thefirst IndianAmerican ambassador - rodiecountrymyparents calledhome."

Vermasaidhis fathergraduated from DAVCollegeinJalandhar,Punjab,over60 years ago,beforemigratingtotheUSto teach.

"Mymod1erwasalsoateacher.Iam certainIdon'tneed totellyouallwhatit's liketobethesonof rwolndianteacl1ers!1 remembercominghomeinthe9thgrade witl1areportcardof fiveAsai1doneA minus.Yes,youguessedit,wespentthenext daysreviewingwhathappened,ai1dwhat couldhavecauseddusA nunus!"hesaid.

"Butas anadult, l amevergratefulfor theimportant values of education and servicechattheyinstilled inme.I also knowdrntfromthealley-wayof theBastiSheikh neighbourhoodofJalandhar where myfamily grew up totheroad leadingco theUSembassyis notalikelypathorone easily traversed - not without alotof help, alotof friends,teachers andmentorsand a dedicatedfamily.

"I amalsoverymindfulof theextra obligation weallhavetohelpotherswho todaymaybeJivingdownthatpathor alleywaylikewedid, but whoalsodreamof what the fumreholds.

"So,leadershipis alsonot forgeccing whereyoucomefromandnotforgetting abouttl1osewhomayhavebeenleft behind," hesaid.

TouchingonIndia-USties,Verma said dierelationswere"soaring forward" followingtwoverysuccessfulmeetings betweenPrimeMinisterNarendraModi and USPresidentBarackObama.

Hesaidbothsideswereworking together onover 80initiatives and addressingall soresof challenges.

Vermasaidbod1sides wereworkingon challenges likeexploringiliesolarsystem andimprovingthequality of theair.

"I think itis fair tosay chat progresson our agenda may in many cases define and enrich thelivesof generations tocome," hesaid.

IANS

heSnn Salutation (S111yaNa111askar) is a powerful sequence of 10-12poses specifically designed towork ouc all pares of thebodyand stretchthe spine. Itis said tbatSuryaNa11Jakarcontainstbeentirepractice of yogawithinit.Butwhatdoes diatmean?If you examinetheposrnresthatmakeupthesunsalutations, youget awiderangeof movements:fonvard bend,backbend,being still,lengd1en.ingthespine,groundingthefeet,strengtheningthe upperbody,stretchingthehamstrings,ei..-pandingthelungs and more.Tbatiswby S111ya1"\Ta111askaris tbeideal way towarmthe body at thebeginningof a yogapractice.Evenif you donot intend topracticeyoga,diesunsalutationis agreatway tostart d1eday,asitalsoworksonthemind.By hearingthebreathand holdingthegaze(dri.rhti) thesemovements allow ustocentre ourselves and coquiet ourwanderingmind.

Thisexercisehas manyhealthbenefits.Its regularpractice helpswid1 increased energy levels,increased radiance, strengtheningof d1eimmune system,improveddigestion, eyesightandlifespanandimprovementinoverallhealtb.Above all,weareinvokingthegraceof theLord inthe suntoilluminate ourpath.

Melbourne'sRashiKapoor,pictured here,hasbeendoingthe Smya1VaT11askaronadailybasisformanyyearsnO\,T.

"Ifirstlearntitasa childas my family isquiteinco yoga,"she told IndianLink."ItwaswhenI joined theArt Of Livingin2009 iliat the penny dropped formeabout thebenefitsof this routine. l'vebeendoingitdaily since."

Adedicated yogaendrnsiast,Rashirisesatfoureach morning to put in an hourof yoga. Thistypically indudes tenfull rounds of Sf{lya1Vamaskm: Sherevealedithelpshercontrol hermind aswell as body. "Itis uplifting and relaxing,and asa studentithelped mecalm d1enervesduringexamtimeasweU!"

Twenty three-year-old Rashi,an accountantby background, iscurrently preparingfortheVictorianfinalsof theMissWorld Australia competitioninJuly.AlreadyweU-knownin theIndian communityforhermany publicappearances,such aswhen the IndianPrimeMinister arendral\fodivisited inNovemberlast year,we'refully behind hertogofarin thiscompetition

Goodpain, badpain

In education, sometimes thepride you gain is worth the pain

painandcrampsafterasportingcompetition againstothersci1ools.

BYMOHAN DHALL

Educatorsatall levels,fromschools throughtoWliversities, need to w1derstandandwork\Viththe differencebetweengood pain and bad pain.Thisisbecause 'pain' canbeametaphorforthestruggle togrowand tobecomeabetterperson, amoreindependentandresilientlearner. Students canexperiencepaini.oeducation whenthey undertakeactivitiesandd1allenges chathelpthemtopush againsttheir own perceivedJinurations.Paincanalsobe experienced byteacherswhenwrestling withhowbe.sttoteachadifficultclass,or howcosetappropriateLi.miesin situations wherebuildingself-esteeminchildrenwith behaviouralissuesisimportam.Painaffects parentscoo.Thepainof seeingchildren growandbecomemoreautonomous, sometimesmakingchoices chatparents knowwillleadtonegativeoutcomes,butwill hopefully also lead toworthwhilegrowing experiences.

Considerthefollowingscenariosbased aroundtheexperiencesstudents canhave. I:Astudentparticipatesinanu111ingrace andcomesseventhinafieldof eight.2:A studentrepresentscheschoolin adebating competition,preparesforseveralhours,hue theteamlosesbyonepoint.3:Astudent performsbaclJyonanassessmentandhas coredoit.4:A studentexperiencesmuscle

1neach of thescenariostheissueof pain is present.Inthedifferentscenarios,pain canbecharacterisedvariouslyas:thepain of poorrelativeachievemem,thepainof lll1fulfilledexpectations,thepainof facing anunwamecllevelof effort and lastly the physicalpainof musclenucrotearsand fatigue. 1neachof diescenariosthestudent experiencingthepainmaywanttoavoid it through suci1things asdistractingthe mind,seekingreassuranceorresolvingnot toundertakethe activityortaskeveragain (withoutmakingchangestotheapproach).

Howeve.r,tl1equestionarisesastowhether [bee..,perienceof painisalways bad,and thereforetobeavoided,orwhetheritisgood and tobewelcomed.Is tl1epopularsaying, 'nopain,nogain',trueoreven instructive?

Oris it thecasethatpainisbad?lsthere painthatis good? \X/hatlevelof painis not appropriate?Whetl1eritisgoodorbad,pain isconsequential-it arises asaneffectfrom acause.

What is pain?

Is painthedistancebetweenwherel amnow and whereIwould liketobe?Is pain asense of discomfort arisingfromsome formof separation?Separationsuch as fromwhom d1estudent tl1ought theywere inanusplaced senseof expectations.Orseparationfrom whattl1estudentwantedtobeorbecome. Orevenpainbeingasenseof disjunct arisingfromrealitytl1atdoesnotaccordwith desire.

Howeve.rwedefine,articulateorthink aboutpain,itiscommonlyassociatedwith discomfort. Ineducation,thisassociation

needstobechallenged.Forexan1ple,a persontrainingtoclimbamountainmay wellexperiencemusclepainfollowingtheir physicalactivity.Thismay wellbeawelcome pain,especiallyif itis considered 'adaptive' orapartof whatmustbecloneinorderto realisethegoal.Similarly,in educationwe can classifypainintwoways It can either beadaptiveand indicativeofgrowtl1,or

conceptorLmclerstanding.Inthisregard, holdingthemomentandallowingfor adaptationiscrucial.Scillnesscanassistin helpinga person feelingvulnerableto adjust, breatl1eandaccommodatenewlearning.

Thepainof beingconfoLmded,atalossor confusedareirnportwtand,if confronted withstrengtl1and confidence,lead coa persontoseekclarificationorsupport.In

Pain in education

Whilstphysicalpainmaybedisconcerting duetothediscomfort,apersoncan rake medicationtodullthepain.However,when confrontedwiththemoresubtleincellecmal painofbeingconfrontedwithcertain realisations,Lmclerstandingor ideasthenthe paincannoteasily beavoided.Indeed,itis commonforpeoplefaced with psychological paintobeginfromapointof denial.In education,thisisoftenevidencedwhena personrepeatsinformationbutappearsnot toprocessit.Thethinking isattemptingto accommodateilienewinformation,idea,

thisway,discomfort canengendergrowd1 and learning. However,educators mustbuild self-confidencefirst.

Toomuch paincanbeove.rwhelnung. Beingoverwhelmedisnotconduciveto learning.Anessentialaspectof education islearningcodistinguishbetweengood and bad pain anddrnslearn toprotectoneself whennecessary.

Resilienceiscreatedwhenstudentslearn tostay stillwithdiscomfortgeneratedwhen exploringnewideas,difficult concepts and alternativeways of viewingwhatthey 'know'. However,realstreugtl1 doesnotonlymanage this painthroughsti.11.ness.Realmengili knowswhen to seek support,changea courseof action ordiscloseweakness.

,, The question arises as to whether the experience of pain is always bad, andthereforetobe avoided, orwhether it is good andtobe welcomed. Is the popular saying, 'no pain, no gain', true or even instructive? ,, maladaptiveandindicativeof arequirement of change and/orintervention.

Indian authors embark on reimagining the epics ofthe past

BY CHITRA SUDARSHAN

Theseareexcitingtimesfor writers of fictioninEnglishinlndia.As AmitavGhosh remarkedrecently, creditmust begiventothe CheranBhagats,AmishTripatb.is and AshwinSangh.is-despitesomecritics' dismissalof their worksas pulpfiction-for havingbroughtmillionsof Indiansinto tl1e readingfold.

Ona recentvisit comyfavourite bookshopsinBengaluru,1found scores of newtitlesby Indianaumorsinavarietyof differentgenres. '\Xi'hatcaughtmy particular fancy wasIndian'mytl1ology' -although Imuchprefertheterm'legends'.The RamayanaandtbeMahabharataare'itihasa' andalthoughmay havebeenembellished witbstories of thefeatsof superheros,may wellhavetheirsourcesin trueevents.

Bethatasitmay,Ifoundsomevery wellwrittenretell.ingsof meepicsby Ashok Bankerand DevduttPatnaik. TheForestof Stories (BookOne)byBankertakesusinto mehaunted forestof Naim.isha-aranyaor Na.imisha-van,totheAshramof tl1esage Saunaka.Adusty traveller,Suta,anives withsombre tidings:lVlahar.ish.iKrishna DweipayanaVyasa,thecoBatorof me Vedasand meauthorof theEpic poem, thel\llahabharata,haspassed.Urgedby tbe Asbramites,hebeginsto recitetl1egreat

composition,startingwith theincredible creationmythsand talesof Godsand giants,snakemothersandgargantuan eagles,and meepic sagaof theKuru race. Basedonthe original Sanskritshlokas, thisSampoornMahabharatabringstolife all themagicandmajesty,wondersand parablescontainedin theworld'slongest andgreatestepic Itissaid matevery humanemotion,dilemma,em.icalormoral guestion,and relationshipis captured in tbe Mahabharata:whatis notintheepic cannot be found anywhereelse.Thelayered tales and parables in theMahabharata haveat their coreasingle theme, paraphrased so poignantly by Yudh.ishthiraat theend of the war: thenoblest guality ishumanity

DevduttPatnaik'srecentadaptation titled]rf;•a,A11ll/11stmtedRetellingofthe Mahabharata,condensesthis hugeepic into amanageablebook matanyonecanread. Formose whodonotknowtheepic-and foryoungadultswho want tolearnabout it- tl1isisagreatintroduction.Ithas108 chaptersandcontains250simple line drawings by meautl1orhimself.Pamaik hasincludedmanyintriguingtales from the epic,andinterestingly be also includes several regionaland folkvariationsapart frommeoriginalworkinSanskrit.

AmishTripathi'snewbookScionof Tksh11ak11,thelegendary story of the Ramayana,wasreleasedth.isyearatthe JaipurLiterary Festival.Heshottofame with hisearlierShivatrilogy-allbestsellers intheirowneight.

Quireapartfrom tl1ese renditionsof theMahabharataand tl1e Ramayana,afew Indianaumorshaveturned meir hand to

modern (andnotsomodern) tl1rillersbased onancientIndianepics,visibly influenced by thesuccess of thegenre unleashedby DanBrown!ChristopherDoyle'srecent book Thei\llahabhamtaQuest:TheAlexander Secret,(\Xfestland,2014)is,in anutshell, about megreatAlexander'squesttoobtain tl1e'secretof tl1eGods'which wouldmake himimmortal-asecret which layhidden in thel\fahabharata. A.las,sometlungwent wrongwithhis guest and me secret is buried withhim.Agroupof powerful peoplearenow tryingtolay theirhands on thatsecretsothat they can rule theworld. Entertl1eIntelligenceBureau of India:will tl1ey beabletostop theguest? Read to find out.Itisathrillerwitl1anintrigningblend of history,scienceandmythology,and me autl1orhasdelved into melvfahabharataand thescripturesasasourceof Indian history. Readersareadvised to readthefirstbookin theseries Thei"1ahahh,mitaSecet, beforethey readQue.rt.

TheWordkeepen, (Duckbillbooks2014) by]ashSen,isagrippingfantasy,mefirst inatrilogy,witl1twoteenageprotagonists and charactersfromIndianlegends.The Prologueisaface-off betweenArjunaand AshwatmamaaftermeMal1abhararawar. Therestof the book is setin contemporary times-well,abitfuturistic,bur2028is nottoofaraway:Kali (asinKaliYuga)is inpursuitof Kalki,thetentl1Avatarof Vishnu,anditisup to14-year-oldAnya SharmacoprotectKalk.i,another 14-yearold. Apart fromAshwatmama,there areParashuram,Vibheeshan andseveral Chiranjeevis,andSeninterweaves legend wim fiction usinga lot of imagination.Itis

animpressivedebutnovel,apage-turner, andsomethingmost readerswouldwant to devour inonesitting. Afterreadingmis novel,Iamcertainmanyof you would be spurredon tofindoutmoreaboutsomeof thelesswellknownbutmore ntriguingand fascinatingcharactersinmeEpic.

Satyartl1Nayak'sdebmnovel The E111peror'sRiddle,(AmaryllisPublication, 2014), released duringtheBengaluru Literary Festival,isanother mrillerwluch harksbacktoIndian history,especially Buddhistlegends.Theplotbeginswitl1 medeathof aneminenthistorian,whois murderedon mebanksof Ganges.What causesastirischatthepattern of me murderissimilartootl1erdeatl1sin thepast montl1s, butasymbolisscrawled onhis facethataddstothemystery andintrigue. Thehistorian'sdaughter,Sia,awriter friend, Patnaik,andafilm-maker,Jasodhara, togemergo onatreasurehunttl1at takes tl1emfromMysoretoChidambararntemple inTamil NadutoHatidwar,Kongl<aLa nearLadakhtoKolkata.Ona guest foran enigmaso powerfultl1ateventheGods wouldkillforit,they are hounded by a super smartand slipperymurdereranda pol.iceofficer.

Thereisaparallel plotwhichhassome mysteriousconversationsandglimpses from theLife of Buddha, Chandragupta Mauryaand Ashoka,it is,however,abit of adistractionfrommema.in action.The researcl1completedtheaumorsof mese historicalfiction worksisremarkable;each novel includes many fascinatingdetailsand willsurely inspiremany toseekomfurther informationabouttbeclassicIndian epics.

ChilliorchilliconcarneisaTex Mexdelight;inface,itisthe officialdishofTexas.Atits heart,achilliconcarneisa richmeatstewwithhocchilli peppersandtomatoes.Toaddornotacid beanstoachilliisamatterofmuchdebate andyoucanchoosetomakeitho\veveryou like,bmthisrecipedoeshaveblackbeans. Chilli,forthelongesttime,hasbeenlabeled asa]'l'fexicandishthoughthatcannotbe fartherfromtbetruth.Youwouldrarely findthisdishinMexicoexceptforrandom tou.ristspots.Historyhasitthatthisdishis entirelyanAmericaninventionbythepoor Spanishimmigrantswhoarrivedi.nTexas intheearly17'"century.Unabletoafford large9uantitiesofmeat,thisdishcame tobe-astewlikepreparationwithlocally availableingredientslikebeans,tomatoes andpepperswhichwouldfeedalargefamily comfortably.

Chocolateisnotatypicalingredientina chilli,butyouwillbesurprisedatthedepth ofAavourthatasmallamountcanacidto thisdish.Ithastobedarkchocolateandnot

thesweetenedmilkones,asthiswouldmake thedishtoosweet.Youdonotgettotaste diechocolateassuch,butdieredefinitely isabalance,ameetingofAavoursthat happenswhichmakesthisdishadelicious treat.

Andofcourse,what'sachilliwithoutsome actualchilli?Thischillicoocarnecelebrates diechilliesandincorporatestheminthe dishinseveraldifferentforms.Youcanplay aroundwiththe9uantitiescosuityourtastes; myIndiantascebudsdesire.ithod

Beefistbemeatofchoicehere,butif youdonoteatbeef,thenlambwouldbe agoodsubstitute.Youreallydonotneed anyotheraccompanimentswithachilli concarne;justabowlofittoppedwidi jalapenosandplentyofgratedcheese.Bue i.fyouwish,addasideofriceorsome coastedgarlicbreadandyouhaveacrowd pleaseronyourhands.

Thisdarkchocolatebeefchilliisa definitewinterwarmer;aonepotmeal perfectfordiecoldwintrynightswhenall d1acyouwanetodoislanguishondiecouch withsomethingwarmandcomforting.And evenbetter,thisdishfreezeswellcoo,so youcanmakelargebatchesandfreezeaway forrushedweeknightsorwhenyousimply can'tbetoobotheredtocook.Betterthan takeawaypizzaanyday!

So,here'showyoumakeacomfortingpot ofdarkchocolatebeefchillitowarmyour insidesonacoldwinternight!

1½kgbeefmince

1largeonion,finelychopped

1cancrushedtomatoes

3mediumtomatoes;finelychopped

1canblackbeans(optionaloruse anyvarietyyouprefer)

2mediumcelerystalks,finely chopped

1mediumcarrot.finelychopped

1greenbellpepper,finelychopped

3redjalapenos;finelychopped

2tbspredchillipowder

1tspcuminpowder

2tspredchilliflakes

1tspcayennepepper

¼cupmelteddarkchocolate

1tspbrownsugar

2tbsptomatosauce

Salt,toseason

Blackpepper,toseason

1redjalapeno;slicedforgarnish Cheddar,gratedforgarnish

Have all youringredients chopped and readytogo.

In a large heavy bottom pan, brown theground beef.

Nextadd the onionsand brownfor a coupleofminutes.

Then add allthe other ingredients and mix well tocombine.Add a littleseasoningto beginwith and build up asyougo.

Simmer on low heatforaround 45minutes;checkandstir occasionally.

Tasteand adjustseasonings especiallythesweet/spice balance. Servehotwithslicedjalapenos and grated cheddar.

Note: Ifyou prefera thinnerchilli, add stockorifyoupreferthe tomatoeyflavour,then add an extra can ofcrushedtomatoes

,,Chocolate is not a typical ingredient in a chilli, butyou will be surprised at the depth of flavour that a small amount can addto this dish ''

Subtlyspiced with lovely rich flavour, trythis chilli con carne with a chocolate twist!

BYDHANYASAMUEL

era

BYMINALKHONA

Justlikewitheveryothercosmetic, cho .

osingasoapforyomshoweror bathcanbeamulti-choiceaffair. Bodywash,showergel,anti-bacterial soap,moisturisingbeautybarthe listgoeson.Howdoyouknowwhatworks bestforyourskin?

Mostofusdon'td1inkmuchaboutthe soapweuseforourbathingritual.Ific smellsgood,ormakesusfeelfresh,we areokaytogowithit.Rarelydowepay attentiontoasoap'singredientsorwbatit doescoourskinaftermebath.

Tofindoutaboutthechoiceswehave today,andhowweshouldgoabout choosingwhatworksbestforus,Iwalked downmeaislesofmelocalsupermarket. Sureenough,thereweresomanyoptions Iwasutterlyconfusedbyd1eendofit.I finallyboughtaglycerine-basedsoapIhave usedsinceIwasachildknowingitwasmild andsafe.

Butwhatifyouhavesensitiveskin, orskiniliacdevelopsdrypatchesincold weailier,orskindrntgetsallredanditchy whenyougiveitagoodscratch?Howilien shouldyouchooseasoaporgel?

Don'tbuy into whatthe ads tell you

Payattentiontoyourskintype,tryouta fewoptions,iliengowithwhateverproduct worksbest.Luckily,d1esedaysd1ereare soapsavailablethatworkforsensitiveand dryskin,andevenmoseiliatareproneto allergiesandrashes.

Lock inthe moisture

Theendresultofusingasoaporgelisto cleantheskin,butsome,whileremoving thedirt,sweatandbacteria,alsostripilie skinofitsnaturaloils.So,thefirstthingto checkiswhetherthesoaphasmoismrising qualities.Howdoyouknowifthesoapor gelwillmoisturise?Afteryouhaverinsed itoff,youwillfeelasifiliereisafilm coatingyourskin.Thisisbasicallytoseal

Don'tget into a lather

Anoiliermisconceptionwhenitcomesto skincareisthatasoaporgelmustproduce alotoflather.Infact,allcommercials showiliemodelusingasoaporbodywash d1acalmostmorphsintoabubblebath! Well,contrarytopopularbelief,alotof foammightacmallydryoutyourskinand avoidingaproductthatproducesalotof lailiermayworkbetter.

Howdoyouknowifasoapisharsh?

Checkifitmentionsaningredientcalled lyeorsodiumhydroxide.Icisachemical usedtornakesoapsanditsharshnatme candryilieskin.Ifasoaphasnamral oilsandingrediemsitmakesdleproduce genderontheskin.

Ifyouhaveasensitiveskincondition likeeczemaorpsoriasis,seekthehelp ofaqualifieddermacologistandusea medicatedsoap.

Keep in mind

Showerincoolorwarmwater,never stinginghoc.

Donotapplysoaporgelonyourbody twiceduringthesameshower.

Lookomfordryoritchyskinaftera shower.Ifitishappeningoften,maybe youneedtochangeyoursoap.

themoisturein,andoftenchoseusedto harshsoapsmightfindd1issensationabit alien.Theymightevenchinkd1esoapdidn't getwashedoff.Infactchisisalayerofoil/ moisturedrntworkstoprotecttheskinand itworksfordry,normalandcombination skins.Suchmoismrisingbarsorgelshelpto retaind1emoistureandareyourbestbet. Hmvever,ifyoufeeld1elayerismaking yourskingreasy,ttyoucdifferentproducts cofindonechatmoismriseswithoutleaving aresidue.

Avoid dry skin \Xlhenitcomescobarsoaps,theantibacter:ialonesordeodorantonesarethe worstculpritsincausingdryskin.Unless youhavereallyoilyskinalloveryourbody -whichitselfisrare-avoidusingd1ese soaps,eveninhotweather.Youneedto useamoisturiseraftertheshowerifyou usesuchsoaps.Forguysandgirls,the beautybars-soapschataremildanddon't drytheskin-arethebesttouseifyou don'tlikebodywashesandshowergels.

An at-home spa ritual

YoucanincorporateanoldIndianhome bathritualLntoyourweekendshowersco keeptheskinmoistandsupply.Haveanoil bathbeforeyourshower.Thatessentially means,rubbingoliveoilorcoconutoilall overyourbodyl.ikeyouwouldduringa massageataspa.Leavethisonforanhour thenshower.Thiswillretainthemoisnue inyourskinandpreventitfromdryingout andisespeciallyeffectiveduringwinter.

It's important to knowwhich soaps orgels arebest for keeping your skin squeaky clean and healthy

,, Pay attention to your skin type, try out a few options, then go with whatever productworks best ,,

BY PETRA O'NEILL

ProceedingalongBrokenHill's mainstreet,Iaskedalocal, wearingthedistinctivebroad bushman'shat,whereIcould getgoodcoffee.'SillyGoat' wasaresponseopentointerpretation, thoughsoonafterwardsIfoundd1ecafe andenjoyedalargeflatwhite.Thiswasthe firstoffourwhistlestopsontheIndian Pacific.

ThefourdayjourneyfromSydne}' toPerthisAustralia'stranscontinental east-westline,arailroadthatspans4352 kilometresfromthePacifictotheIndian Ocean,enablingpassengerstotraverse fromonesideofthecountrytotheother.

Withafirmgripond1econsciousnessof Australians,atranscontinentalraillinkhas operatedsince1917,initiallyconstructed usingpicks,shovels,horsesandcamels.

Withthetrackhavingdifferentrailline gaugesduetoalackofagreementbetween d1estatesofnarrow,standardandbroad gauges,fivechangeswererequireden route.Itwasnotuntil1969d1atastandard gaugeraillinewascompletednshering inaneweraofprovidingthedefinitive waytoe�7JloreAustralia'sinterior.From dieBlueMountainsacrossd1eoutbackto BrokenHill,pastrollinggreenhillstowards AdelaidetotheexpansiveNullarborPlain, throughthegoldfieldsofKalgoorlieand finallymeetingjourney'sendinPerd1.

Ar2.55pmonahotsummer'sday,the hldianPacific,measuring567metresin

length,rolledoutofSydney'shistoric CentralStation.I'dchosenGoldService, nudgingthetopofthecomfortclasses, withacabinfittedwithalargeviewing windowandsmallen-suitebathroom.

\Xloodpanelling,mutedtonesandetched glassgiveanauraofluxurytootherwise utilitariancarriages.

Rollingalongatanaveragespeedof 85kilometresperhour,mosrpassengers lefttheirdoorsajar,minglinginthe corridorsorsocialisinginthelounge, creatingafriendlymood.Therewere161 passengersonthistripanditwastimeto meetsomeofthemoverawelcomedrink inthelounge.Askedwhytheyhadjoined d1ejourney,twinsistersBereyandElma recalledhavingtravelledonthelegendary GhanandwantedcoeA7Jeriencemore.

BeyondthelushnessoftheBlue Mountains,wepassedfarmsofwheatand sheep,withdesertscrubofgnarlybushes, grassystubbleanddrycreekbedssoon appearingjustasd1esunbegantoset. Emusandgreykangarooswerevisibleas wellasmanyspeciesofbirds,including eaglesandcockatoos.

PlatinumandGoldServiceincludesall meals.Servedonheavychinawithstarched whitetablecloths,<linnetincludedkingfish orkangaroosteakandavegetarianoption accompaniedbyqualityAustralianwineor beer.Afterretiringtomycabin,nowturned intoacosybed,Igazedoutthewindowfor hours.Australia'sinteriorisvaseandempty. Therearenoroadsorsignsofhuman habitation-onlyanighttimeskybrilliantly glowingwithstars.

EadynextmorninginBrokenHill,me TradesHallanddiemanyhisroricpubs werelittlechangedsincemylastvisit. Returningtod1etrain,breakfastwasatreat. 'Tmnotheretodocornflakes!"exclaimed

theAmerican.\Xfouldyoupreferthe poachedpeachandpassionfruitcompote layeredwithvanillabeanyoghurt,toasted almondandhazelnutcrumble?Orthe honeydewmelonandnativecurrantstossed wicbpistachiovinaigrette?Fullbreakfast wasalsoavailable,andforILU1ebit,vas smokedlamb,,�thzucchiniandbeansalad orroastedpumpkinandartichoketart.

Curioustovisittherestofd1etrain(Red Sleeperclasshasacafeteria),d1ecarriages occupiedbyapassengerwhocrocheted flowersford1eentirejourney,alongside backpackersandstudentssprawledout, legsandarmshangingacrosstheirseats, lookingdecidedlylesscomfortablethan therestofLIS.Attl1epremiumend,rwo carriageswereoccupiedby16passengers withluxuriouscabins.

Laterthatafternoond1eIndianPacific pulledintoAdelaide,wiiliimposing19thcenturysandstonearchitecture,parklands, broadstreetsandpublic.squareslaidour inagridpatternidealforexploringon foot.Therewereseveraltoursincludingan excursiontakinginthecitysights,d1oughI optedtowalktoNorthTerracetovisitthe SouthAustralianMuseum,withd1e,vorld's largestandmostsignificantcollectionof Aboriginalartefacts.

FurtheralongNorthTerraceisthe AdelaideBotanicGardensestablishedin '1855witl1diePalmHouse,anexquisite Victorianglasshousein1ported&om Bremen,Germanyin1875.Turningback,I walkedalongd1ebanksofthescenicRiver TorrenspassingAdelaideOval,steepedin cricketingandAussierulesfootballhistory.

ThenI ventured toCentralMarket, boastingeverythingfromthefreshestfruit, cheesesandsmokedGerman sausages. I departedwith apricots and plump strawberriesbeforedashingtoRundleMall, themain shoppingprecinct. Facedwith chocolatechoicesincludingHaigh's and KokoBlack,l opted for the utterly divine StephenterHorstchocolatier Iwokeafteracomfortablenight'ssleep onboard. Thevineyards,orchards and olivetreeshadbeenreplacedby a parched aridlandscapeatitsbestintheearly morningwithshadesof orange,redand gold.

With thescenery sliding past, tbeday wasspent reading, relaxingandchatting tootherpassengers,tooeasyawaytobe transportedacrossthetreelessplainof theNuilarbor.Derived fromLatinand meaning'notree',thi.sistheworld'slongest stretchof straight railwaytrackcontinuing for 478ki.l.omecreswithoutabend. ln 1841,ayoungexplorer,EdwardEyre,set out fromAdelaidetocross theNullarbor onhorseback takingalmostlive months. Herewemadea short stopat theisolated outpostof Cook,a virtualghosttown of fourinhabitants and soon afterwards asign marked theborder aswecrossed intoWesternAustralia stoppingbriefly to dropoff passengers atRawlinnaStation, Australia'slargestpropertymeasuring2.5 millionacres.

ArrivinginKalgoorlie,knownfor itsopencutminemeasuring3.6by 1.6 kilometres,wetoured thetowntoabsorb

thelocalAavour., extmorningIwoketo a fertilelandscapeof farmsdottedwith sheepandcattle.The65-hourjourneyhad comecoanencl.

Avibrant,energeticcity, Perth offers great restaurants,expansivepark.lands, blackswans and vast beachesalonga coastlinethatdeliversamazingsunsets

1visitedthePertl1 CulturalCentre whichdisplayssomeof Australia'sfinest Aboriginal art; theBellTowercootaining theroyalbellsof London'sStMartin'sin-the-Fielcls;andjoinedacruiseboar alongtheS\van RivertoFtemantle,the bestpreservedexampleof a 19'"century portstreetscapein tl1eworldwitl1 astrong macitimeandconvicthistory andgreat Italiancoffee.

But itwastimetocatchmy flightback toSydney.Theenormity ofAustraliacan only be understood by travellingacross it and ajourney ontheIndianPacificallows you to viewtheeverchanginglandscapein considerablecomfort.Andyou get tomeet localslikeTony,who had travelleddown fromMarrakaiin the orrhernTerritory. Askedwhatled himcotravel toPerth,he repliedsimply,"Bullriding"

Clockwisefrom oppositepage top: RawlinaStation;The IndianPacific stoppedat Cook;ThebarrenCook desert;Onboard diningisa luxury experience;Betty and Elma in Kalgoorlie;Petraaboutto boardthe Indian Pacific

TheIndian Pacific offersexclusiveprivate carriages, Platinum and GoldService. Meals, refreshments and offtrain excursions are included.Onlyforthehardy, Red Servicehasrecliningchairs. www.greatsouthernrail.com.au

InSydneytheSydneyHarbourYHAand Ibis WorldSquarearegoodbudgetchoices. TheShangri-La has splendid views oftheharbour. Withtwoservicesaweekduringpeakseason,youcan breakyourjourneyin Adelaide.TheMercureGrosvenor HotelorIbis hotelarecentrallylocated. In Perth, FraserSuites offersspacious accommodation

•

,, Australia's interior is vast and empty. There are no roads or signs of humanhabitation only a night time sky brilliantly glowing with stars ,,

Packajumper. Generous luggage allowancesapply.AspectsGalleryShopatKings Park, Perth has asplendid range ofAustralian madegifts.

__tJl-t--, TANAKPUR '.,�6If.n�ID 'W1�

WtlllEN5Dtt(CTB 11VINOP KAHi

Rahul's parents and his old Aunt, Bua. With decent production values, the settings and the frames are realistic. Yogesh Jani's cinematography captures the rural milieu very aptly.

MISS TANAKPUR HAAZIR HO

STARRING: Annu Kapoor, Hrishitaa Bhatt, Om Puri, Ravi Kishan, Sanjay Mishra and Rahul Bagga

DIRECTOR: Vinod Kapri *tt,·\ (

Written and Directed by ajournalisttumed-film directorVinod Kapri, Miss TanakpurHaazir Ho is a social satire inspired by true events. The film delves into how numerous, ridiculouslyfalse and blatantly obscure casesare registered in the Indian courts. This vengeancesaga, camoufaged as a comedy, reveals the extent to which some people can stoop and highlights the corruption prevalent in oursystem.

Set in the district ofTanakpur somewhere in Uttar Pradesh, Suvalal

Pradhan (Annu Kapoor) a "10 + 2" educated, village headman and a wannabe politician who often pouts, "Don't take me otherwise" is constantly suspicious of his wife, Maya's (Hrishitaa Bhatt) fidelity, as he is insecure ofhis own virility.

One day, aftercatching hiswife red-handed with her paramour Arjun (Rahul Bagga), he realisesthat his own reputation is at stake. So, seething with anger and revenge on his mind, he accuses Arjun of raping Miss Tanakpur, his buffalo. How he keepsup with this charade,formsthe crux ofthe film.

Whilethe premise is amusing, the plot,treated in a satirical manner, meanders capturing Pradhan's idiosyncrasies.

Annu Kapoorstraight-faced, puts his heart intothe characterSuvalaI Pradhan and essays the rolebrilliantly. His

dependencyon hislackey Bhim Singh (Ravi Kishan) and the village Pandit (Sanjay Mishra)forsolutions, createthe required situational comedy.Together, they make a hilarious threesome.

Ravi Kishan, with kohl-rimmed eyes as Suvalal's buffoonish right-hand man, andSanjay Mishra astheconniving and greedy Panditji arethemselves. Though funny in certain scenes, they playstock characters that don't elevate their character-sketches.

Om Puri on the other hand shines as the corrupt police inspector. As always, he is a natural beforethe camera.

Hrishitaa Bhatt as Pradhan'swife hasverylittleto offer, byway of performance. Rahul Bagga as her lover Arjun, has a passive role and manages to evokesympathythrough his effective portrayal. The rest ofthesupporting casttoo isvery expressive, especially

The background score byVinayak Netke alongwith thesongs Naach basanti, Andhera andhera and Sasure ke kaudy /agagay/by music directors Palak Muchhal and SushmitSen meshwell intothe narration.

Whilethe director hastaken pains to dramatisethe reality, he has resorted to some lazy back-hand approach in some scenes. The most notable among the few are theme/a (fair) scene and the busscenein which Arjun's Bua is travelling.Also, his writinglacksthe finesseof a well-researched subject in termsofcharacter-sketches.

Packed with quick retorts, the dialogues are taut and crass.These generate laughter at the intended momentsand will be lapped. up bythe frontbenchers.

Overall, this is a fairly enjoyablefilm, but a tad too lengthy. Although ittackles a universaltruth about India, it has a very local and regional flavourwhich maynot appeal to everyone.

TROY RIBEIRO

INDIAN LINK RADIO APP

HAMARI ADHURI KAHANI

STARRING: EmraanHashmi,Vidya Balan, Raj Kumar Rao, Amala Akkineni, Suhashini Mulay and Namit Das

DIRECTOR: MohitSuri

*1rl•

Very rarely dosequels create an impact Director MohitSuri's HamariAdhuri Kahani is an anachronistic, tragic romancethattouches an emotional chord, yet, makesyou dismiss it as a regressive piece ofart.The direction appears confused, with a present-day setting, whilethe treatmentofthe plot and characters belongto a bygoneera. Thestory, with its verbose, melodramatic and regressivedialogues,

along with outdated metaphors and symbolism, fits intothe1970s' mould perfectly. Sadly, the audiencetodaywill notrelate toit.

An intriguingtale nevertheless, it is all aboutlove: an engagingstory ofa married lady bound by theshackles of society, yearningfortrue love.

The dramatic prologue lays the foundation ofthe narration. It is 22 yearsthatVasudha (Vidya BaIan) has left herhusband Hari (Rajkumar Rao). Upon learning ofherdeath, Hari stealsthe urn as he is adamant about immersing herashes in Bastar and not in the Ganges, to enable Vasudha attain salvation.

Hari'struth -thestory ofhis life is unravelled througha diarythat he

leaves behind for hissonSanjh to read.

Mahesh Bhatt has penned this semi-biographical convoluted saga, with well-etched characterswhich are intense and complex. High on emotional quotient, he leaves his imprintwith the well-structured, tight and intelligentlywoven script. But it isthe cliched, archaic and effusive expositions that nailthe narrative.

Recounted in a non-linear manner and packedwith backstories, what holds your attention isthe potent performancegiven by the ace star cast. This is undoubtedly the key reason to watch thefilm.

Emraan Hashmi delivers a sensitive performance, quite contraryto his usual image.AsArav Ruparel, thesuaveand

successful businessman who owns 108 hotels and is emotionally drawn to Vasudha, he is convincing.

Vidya Balan as the protagonist Vasudha, brings outthe pathosof a distraughtmotherand abandoned wifeseekingtrue love, through an emotionallyintense portrayal.Shedoes justice to her character, but expectedly so. Your heart bleedsfor her at the treatment thatfate has meted out to her.

With a broad spectrum ofemotions, rangingfrom a possessive husband to a harassed victim ofcircumstances seethingwith anger,to thesubdued psychotic, Rajkumar Rao wows you with his power-packed and nuanced performance as Hari. He is a natural before the camera.

Theothernotable characterin a

cameo is Apurva, Arav's friend-cumman Friday. With his spontaneity,tone and senseoftiming, he lends a fresh perspectiveto thesardonic lackey, eliciting many a laughter at his "flight delay" dialogues.

Yesteryear's actor Amala as Rohini, Arav's mother, is a huge disappointment. Although the character allows her ample opportunityto perform,she offers nothingto make it memorable.

Technically,with excellent production values and decent music, the visuals by cinematographerVishnu Rao are vibrantly broughttolife byhis meticulousframing.

Watch this one ifyou are moved by sad lovestories.

TROYRIBEIRO

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ARIES March 21 - April 19

You seem to be feeling emotionally upsetthis month. Thecardsare indicating a timewhenyou need to focus onyourrelationship. You will be thinking of a new direction with regard to yourwork. You have not been feelingvery happy around your working environment and may belookingto do somethingnewforyourself. You mayhavesome problemswithyourlower back.The main focusthismonth isto relax and de-stress.

TAURUS April 20 - May 20

This month you need to be very clear on where you are going. The cards are indicating a time when you will be faced with some hard decisions.You may face some difficulties in a relationship area. You have a hectic month ahead with many different opportunities presentingthemselves.Workwill be tiring and demanding. Be careful notto overspend this month as you will have a tendency towantto splash out. Try and meditate ifyou are getting headaches.

GEMINI May 21 - June 20

Excitingtimes are ahead. The cards are indicatingthat you mayfind a new loveora past lovermay contactyou. Itis a good month for romance and love. You seem to be doingwell at work and have a lot ofenthusiasm and focus.Yourcolleagues seem to be having a few ups and downs. You need to take care ofyourfinances and you must nottake risks with investments.

CANCER June 21 - July 20

You will befeelingvery energetic and emotionally charged. The cards areshowing thatyou need to be careful of outbursts and impatience. These could getyou intotrouble. Financially you are goingto enjoystability and an increased bank balance. You seem to be in a betterplace, and thinking about saving and yourfuture. Be careful of minoraccidentsthrough carelessness.Youwill be thinkingofbooking a short break, to relax and unwind, go ahead and treatyourself!

LEO July 21 - Aug 22

This month you are keen to sort out the relationship area ofyourlife. You seem to be missingthat companionship and love.Thosewith a partnerwill befeeling more romantic. The cardsshowyou will be blessed with opportunities whichyou will be seriously considering. Work has become a little boring andyou need moreof a challenge rightnow.Yourcar needs to bechecked foroil and water. Keep active and lose that bit ofweight.

VIRGO Aug 23 - Sep 22

This month you are taking life easy and enjoyingyour home and family. You have been feeling a bittired lately and you need to look atyour dietfor any allergies. The cards are indicating a time whenyou may be sufferingfrom IBS and stomach issues. Love and relationships are cordial, there may be some issues with your partner's relatives.They may be a little demanding. There may be somedepartmentreshuffingtakingplace atwork.

PREDICTIONS FOR JULY 2015

BY NANCY JADE ALTHEA

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22

You are notvery happythis month. You seem to be havingsome communication problemswith yourpartner.You mayjust need to takesome time outfrom each other. This month the cards areshowingthatyou have a lot of determination and a strong competitivestreak at work. Don't let anythingslip through the net as some important contacts and contracts can be lost. An old policy may be maturing, soyou can cash in on that.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21

This month your partnerwill be doingvery well in their work and career.Thiswill be a timefor celebration.Thecardsareshowing thatyou will want tospend more time together as work and life has come in theway. Make sure you make some memories and go on some dates. Even ifyou are married. An injection ofspice isneeded inyourpartnership. Make a good impression onyourbosses they arewatchingyourwork.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 21

Feelingsentimental and nostalgic this month?Your mind is taking you topastevents and experiences in yourlife. The cards are showingyou may befeelingsome regret. Move on and take life as it comes. Yourpartnermaywant an addition toyourfamily. You, on the other hand, may not. Workwill be stressful and you may be looking at a higher role within the company. You will betravelling forsome partofthe month.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 19

This month you will be meetingsomeinteresting people. Romantic liaisons will come from unusual contacts. There will besome interesting party invitations comingyourway.The cards are indicatingyouhavesome majorpressures around decisionsto do with work. You are confused astowhatyou would liketodo.You have some plans and need to putthem in motion. A new business idea will come yourway through a friend.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18

Youwill enjoy love harmonyand togethernesswithyourpartner this month. Things have been stressful lately, butyou are now feeling at peace. The cards are showingthatyou will be booking a holidayforthefamily andtakesome well needed time out together. One ofyour children may befeeling a little under the weather. They may be under pressure atschool. Nothingthatyou cannot handle togetheras a family.

PISCES Feb 19 - March 20

Your month will start off a little slow. You still have some projects from last month to dealwith. You may befeeling a littlefrustrated as you are encountering delays in the execution ofyour plans. The cards are indicatingthatyouhave a love interest in mind, but you need totakethe firststep and askthemfora date. You are romantic and need to putyourpassionto thetest now.

WELCOME, ANIL KAPOOR!

Melboume's Indian community isgetting readyto say "Welcome" to Bollywood starAnil Kapoor in August this year.

This of course isthe name of one of his all-timetop-grossing blockbusterfilms (thesequel ofwhich, Welcome Back, issetfor a September release).

Anil Kapoor, who the mainstream community know thanks toSlumdog Millionaire, will be in Melbourne as a special guest ofthe Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), which takes place 14-27 August.

The event has become Melbourne's - indeed Australia's - fagship annual Bollywood event, which bringsto ourshores films aswell as film personalities from India's largerthan life cinema world.

Anil Kapoorwill head a long list of celebrities thisyear, including his daughter fashionista Sonam Kapoor, Imran Khan, Kangana Ranaut and Fawad Khan. IFFM regulars Rajkumar Hirani and Simi Garewal will make an appearancethisyear again, aswill film-makers ShonaIi Bose (Margarita With a Straw) and Nagesh Kukunoor, whose latestfilm Dhanakwon the Grand Prix atthe Berlin Film Festival this year.

The Indian Independence Day celebrations at Melbourne on 15Augustthis year,you can besure,will belitteredwith stardust. Anil himself will take part in a major eventat Federation Square alongsidethe High Commissioner Navdeep Suri, and many notablesfromthe government in Victoria.

Don't besurprised if many Indian nationals from across Australiafeel a sudden patriotic urgeto seethe cherished tiranga unfurl in Melbourne thisyear!

Thetheme ofthe IFFM thisyear is Equality - amongtheraces and the sexes and the social classes.

Theschedule lists Umrika asthe opening film, and the world premiere of political thriller Phantom as the closingscreening, with some 45 otherfeatures and documentaries.

These include your usual Bollywood faresuch as Haider, PK, Piku and theTamil Kaaka Muttai (The Crow's Egg) which has a successful screenings at theSydney Film Festival.

But it is thegrowing LGBTQI community in India that has sent in the interesting work, including NannuAvanalla Avalu (I am Not He But She), Unfreedom and Tell MeAStory.

Check out also lndophile Australian film-maker Paul Cox's documentaryfrom India Calcutta, and a tribute to Chandigarh sculptor The Kingdom of Nek Chand. Thegala Awards Night will be held on 15August.

ComeAugust, the Indian community's annual 14-day date with Bollywood stars, will be on!

---------

FARHAN, ZOYA EIGHTH GENERATION WRITERS IN MY FAMILY: JAVED AKHTAR

Writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar is considered a legend forhis contribution to Hindi cinema over the lastfour-five decades. Hisfamily has a rich tradition of producinggreatwriters, with his children Farhan and Zoya beingthe eighth generation writers in thefamily.

"Farhan's daughter has also started writingnow, making her a ninth generation writer in thefamily," he said at an event in Mumbai recently. He remembered the works ofboth his parents, grandparents and uncles, all writers.

"I was born in an atmosphere where there were books and talk of literature all around me," he added.

Akhtar also stressed on how the ProgressiveWriters'movement and various Russian literature influenced the writer in him.

TIGER SHROFF FOR JACKIE CHAN'S KUNGFU YOGA

ActorTigerShroffconfirms he has been approached to appear in martial arts movie starJackie Chan's upcoming action-adventure film KungFu Yoga, but he hasn't taken a call on ityet.

CallingJackie Chan his inspiration, Tigersaysthatifthe film happens itwill be a dream come truefor him. Before Tiger,thefilmwasoffered to Aamir Khan when he was in China but due to his commitmentfor Dangal, he had to decline.

Thefilm will be directed byStanley Tong.

As of now, Tiger is busy doing Baaghi: A Rebel ForLove oppositeShraddha Kapoor.

Meanwhile, director Remo D'Souza of ABCD2fame is set to do an action film with ngerthis month. Tentativelytitled Flying Sikh or even Flying Jat, the film seesTigerpaired opposite Jacqueline Fernandez.

Hmm, looks likethe tiger cub isfinally going places, after thatsomewhat shaky start....

WORTH A WATCH

TheCannes Film Festival this year considered this film definitelyworth watching, so if you likethe new pathwaysthatthe Indian film industry is creating, you'll like Masaan.

Forthis film, whichtellsthetruths of life of a small town with shackles of society, director Neeraj Ghaywan took inspiration from real life.

"My cinema is often infuenced by Satyajit Ray, Shekhar Kapur, butfor this film I would say that Dardenne brothers (Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne) from Belgium helped me deeply in constructingthestory, as the duo also talk aboutworking class

and modem crisis in their projects," Ghaywan says.

Thefilm, set in Varanasi, takes audiences to the dark side of Indian societythroughthelivesoftwo women and how their life coincides atsome point.There areghats, scenic locales with riverin the backdrop asthe movie movesforward with a holysense.

Thefilm alsotalks about caste segmentation ofthesociety by narrating a love story where a girl falls fora man from a lowercaste,who burns dead bodiesfora living.

ItstarsSanjay Mishra and Richa Chadha and will hit Indian theatres on July 24.

IT'S BULGARIA FOR AJAY DEVGN'S NEXT

Actor Ajay Devgn,whovisited Bulgaria to checkoutlocationsforhis upcoming directorial Shlvaay, will lend support to promotetourism in the countryfrom India.

Ajaywill take partin local activities and shoot a promotional videoforthe purpose.

"The Bulgarian Tourism Ministry has been reallysupportiveto me and myteam.To show ourappreciation, I will be lending a helping hand to promote Bulgarian tourism. It's a great initiative," Ajaysaid in a statement.

Ajay is not only directing but also playingthe lead in the film. Sayesha Saigal, grand nieceof legendary actor Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu will be seen making her debut.

Wonder ifAjaycaught up with old 'friend'ShahRukh Khan,whowasalso in Bulgaria at thesametime, working on his next, titled Di/wale.

(Er, in caseyou'rewondering, yes, Kajol stars opposite SRK in this Rohit Shettyfilm.)

And bingo! Nowwe know whyAjay Devgn was in Bulgaria in the first place !

But itsurelooksas though this Balkan beauty ofa nation is becoming Bollywood's latesthotdestination

OZ-BASED FILM-MAKER LAUNCHES BOLLYWOOD FILM

He's an interiordecorator by profession, and has lived in Australia forseven years now, but assoon as Lorn Harsh stepped out of India, he says he "felt a senseofmoral duties

UP-TO-DATE NEWS ON WHAT'S HOT AND HAPPENING IN BOLLYWOOD

and responsibility as an Indianto promote and protectthe image of India and Indians". And so he began writing a script, about a young Indianorigin person raised in Britain. When hetravels in India as a young adult, he experiences a reconnectingto roots. Looking beyond the stereotypes of population, pollution and poverty, the protagonist discovers thebrighterside of India.

Lorn Harsh says, "There is more to Indiathanjustwhatthe eye catches."

Thefilm is called Yeh Hai India. "Thescripttookalmostsix toseven years and finally we are filming now in Jaipur," Harsh told IANS in mid-June.

ActorAshutosh Kaushik of Roadies and BiggBoss fame, hasbeen roped in to play the lead in the film, which isto bejointlydirected by G.K. Yogesh and Lorn Harsh.

Thefilm alsostars Inda-British model Deana Uppal. Veteran actor Mohan Agasheappears as the prime minister of India.

Itwill be interestingtoseewhat promisesto be a different kind of"NRI" film than the usual Karan Joharfare.

AMITABH BACHCHAN: SUPERHERO ALL OVER AGAIN

He'sgeared upto don a superhero's avatar in an animated TV series for the firsttime, but Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan believes every hero in the Indian film industry is no less

than a superhero.

The 72-year-old has lent his looks and voiceto an animated superhero called AstraforAstraForce, a funny and fast paced, action-adventureseries which will go on air only in early 2017.

Asked if he was offered any superhero role in hisyoungerdays, Amitabh told IANS: "No But I imagine all Indian heroes are superheroes. They take care ofa lotofthings. Theygetthe most beautiful women, fight 50 to 60 villains at thesametime and jump off skyscrapers without a scratch what more do you want?"

He might as well be talking about his own Bollywood avatar.

What's interesting isthat Astra the superherosportsa similar beard as Big B's real avatar.

"Astra is ofmy age,sothe look on the face isthe look that I have right now except that I'll be given some superpowers.There aretwoyounger kids a girl anda boy. They are part of the story," he said.

Theactor,whohas earlieracted in films like Bhoothnath and Bhoothnath Returns which have appealed to his youngerfans,saysAstraForce will be "children-friendly".

There'sstill a year before the makers can givethe 52-episodeseriesfor broadcast.

Atthe heart of it,Astra Force tells the story ofa mythical herofrom a distantworld, whowas stranded on

Earth millions of years ago after an epic space battle.

When eight-year-old brother and sister twins accidentally awakenthe mythical superherofrom hislong hibernation, they mustteach him about ourmodern world andjoin Astra to save the universefrom a newwave ofgiant monsters and intergalacticthreats.

If monsters weren't enough,Astra's new youngfriends also haveto hide thesuperherofrom their parents and deal with Astra's insatiable hungerfor modern dessertsafter an eternityspent in hibernation.

The characterwill also be launched in a series of digital and print comic books available on a special Facebook comic app.

Thegrandfatherofthreehopes "India progresses in thefield ofanimation, a feature which has notbeenso prominent".

He has done action, romance and more onthebigscreen and now he is making his debut in animation TV series. What else isleftto explore?

"These things just keep dropping into my lap. I feel humbled and honoured thatsomebody thinksof meeven now atthis age new ideas, new thoughts keep coming in and I thankthem for thinkingof me. Hope I am able togive my best," said the star, who will next be seen in Wazir on the silver screen.

SALMAN KHAN, MAHESH BABU, DHANUSH SET FOR BOX OFFICE BATTLE

Top stars Salman Khan, Mahesh Babu and Dhanush are set to battle itoutat the box officewhentheirfilmsBajrangi Bhaijaan, Srlmanthudu and Maarlall release on July 17 worldwide.

The release date coincideswiththe Eid weekend.

Ifthe threefilms release together, it will indeed be a battle forscreens, says trade analyst Trinath.

"All thesefilmsfeaturestars who demand good numberofscreens forwide release. However, itwill be extremelytough for theatre ownersto allocate screens for all the three films," Trinath told IANS.

With another major release taking place a week before (Baahubali releases on July 10), it is goingto be an Eid bonanzaforfilm buffs no doubt, but itwill be interestingto see how operators handlethe rush!

What's the chitchat here between JAYA BACHCHAN and son ASHISHEK?

Send in your responses to win@indianlink.com.au and win a surprise prize

What'sthe chitchat here between SONAM KAPOOR and KATRINA KAIF?

KATRINA:So is it ok with you if I gethitched to Ranbir?

SONAM:You can have him - he's historyasfaras I am concerned!

Sfndhoora Vyas KirribilliNSW

Sindhoora wins a ticket to Hindi film HamariAdhuri

Kahani

osition

What our leaders stand up for on International Yoga Day

� �

BYLP.AYER

ris21June.Allover thecoumry thousands of Indians arestandingon their beadsin 'sirasana'styleasif to keep their headsawayfrom thesun afterthe recenthe.'lt:wavethat rook ahugecoU.Althoughthe heatwavehas somewhatwaned,thesun isquitebright andshininglongerthan any other day.Itis Sllmmer solsticeinIndiawhendaylight:lasts longest.Butthatisnotthereasonforthe mass'sil'(Jsana'.

HopefullyInternacionalYogaDay, declaredby theUN at the behestof Prime i\liinist:erNarenclraModi duringhisvisit totheUSlastSeptember,willbringinner peaceandharmony.So,itisappropriate that thisdayis observedwithgreat enthusiasmbyanybodywhoissomebody contouringtheirbodiesintheirfavourite yogapositions.Letmetakeyou onaguided tourof theloungeroomsof leadersaround theworJdtoseetheirpreferredpositions.

Mayurasana(the peacock pose)

Thisbasto bethe favouriteof India's HumanResourcesi\liinisrerSmritiIrani. Thepeacockisthemostcolourfulof the birdswhosemclescent:plumageneverfails toattractanyone.Havingbecomepopular throughTVserials,Irani babustillhasa penchantforattractingattentiontoherself byanymeans.Forinstance,hercomplaint againstashop inGoaaUegedthatithad viewedherthrough a hiddencamerainits fittingroomswhiletryingsomedesigner gear.Thishit thenationalheadlines.Her claimtohaveobtainedaYaleUniversity degreeafterasix-daycourseisneverout of thenewspages. But Smtitihasfarto gobeforeshereachesthestatureof Kim Kardashian,thequeenof thepeacocks,who getsnoticedwhetherwearingsomethingor baringher rear. What abummer!

Simhasana (the lion pose)

Thelion of Lahore,ImranKhan,canbe thebestpractitionerof thispostureashe oftenroarsabouthiserstwhilebowling prowess.Duringthe last general election his standard sloganwas"withthis oneball Iwillknockouralltheotherpoliticians". Alihedid,sadly,wasknockhimself clown from amake-shift bambooplatform at an electionraUy,vhile addressinghisfans.

Padma murdra (lotus pose)

Thisismandatory not only forBJP ministers bur alljcspartymembers,since thelotusproved thewinning symbol.It did comeuprosesfor them!

Gomukhaasana (the cowface pose)

Needless tosay,this isfortheCongress party cadreas rbecow'smalespeciesbas been theirelectionsymbolfordonkey's years.Althoughit failedtopull themtothe powerbasethisrimearound.

Bhujangasana (thecobra pose)

Thiscreanuethatslithers alongin azigzag motionto getitself ahead,shedsitsoldskin several timesto reveal abrand newone, andcangive a'hiss'of death aswell.Critics ofJuliaGillardmaysaythatsheis akbzladi (expert) atthis asaaa,butgivinga fatalclose to both hisleaders, BiUShortencanclaim

11lu,l,,alions /or!fiearlicle'A,i,mal Gurus';nYq,[afuidice

Virasana (the hero pose)

Thisasana opens out thechest areamaking you feellikea hero.Tb.isbasto beKevin Rudd's preferredexercise,sincebethumps hischestas thesaviour of Australia during theGFC,splurgingbillions squi_rrelecl awayby the previous government. Former Pakistandictator,Musharaf too favours chisexercise,sinceherecentlyboasted

Savasana (thecorpse pose)

Tb.is canbe the choicest exerciseformost men (thiswriterinducled)whoprefertodo nothingunless, andLmril,goadedby their wives.A slight variationforsomemales wouldbeforthosewhojustopentheir mouths atregularintervalstodown another can of amberfluid.

And what about the manwhoseidea

tobeachampionpractitioner.Heneedsto watchhispatchaswell.Anywonderthisis themostpopular asana amongpoliticians world-wide.

Navasana (boat position)

Thisis aroutine intenselypractisedby Indonesianpeoplesmugglerswho now seem to be double dipping-mjjking asyhunseekers toferrythem toOzand then acceptingpayment by theAustralian Governmentto transportchem back. Don't you conremplare doing thisasana whenTonyAbbott orScottMorrisonAustralja's'rumbackthe boats titans'-are around, you could be stopped in your cracks.

that he held India by its throat during bis KargiUmisaclvennirethatbackfired.

Makrasana (the crocodile pose)

Thisaggressive aquaticcrean1reposeis nowthe favolll'iteof China'stopbrass,asit Rexes itsmusde to control theentireSouth ChinaSeaby buildingartificialislands,and gainingpoweroverLidianOceansealanes bybuildingnavalbasesinSri Lanka. ln contrast,BarackObama istakinga softer stand onmanycbaUengesfacinghim.In thefinal yearsof hissecondterm,heis rechn.icaUyalameduel,president burno, unfortunatelythereis noasananamedafter diecluck.

settheyogaballrolling? Beingthe'bead' of die nation,.Modijihasno hesitation inplacinghis headon thegrounddoing thestressfulsirasanawhichwasthe daily routine of hisillustriouspredecessorof thefifties,Jawaharlal Nehru. Thisposition aUows a.t\lfotoget acloserlookat those atthe bottom of the economicandsocial strata. These people,letus hopebytheend of ]',foci.i'sfirstterm,areableto keeptheir headsabovewater. If d1atcomesabout, Modijiwillsurelybeabletohold hisbead high.

NB:Namesof theasanas,exceptsirasasana, aremystifyingsince noneof them resemblescl1eir descriptors.

,, Beingthe 'head ' ofthe nation, Modiji has no hesitation in placing his head on the ground doingthe stressful sirasana which was the dailyroutine ofhis illustrious predecessor ofthe fifties, Jawaharlal Nehru ,,