2015-11 Brisbane

Appreciatin light in our 1ves

byCelebrateIndia,attracted57,000 peoplelastyear.Numbersareexpectedto increasethisyearbyatleast20percent.

BY PAWAN LUTHRA

GoingthroughtheWhat's Onpagesinl11dit111Link,it isexcitingtonotetherange ofactivitiesavailablefor thecommunity,especiallywithDiwaLi celebrationsinfullflow.Afewyearsago, mostof theseactivitieswerefocusedina fewhotspotsinSydneyandMelbourne, butthesehavenowspreadcothe suburbsandevencoothermajorcities. Inrecenttimes,satellitecitiesaround ourstatecapitalsarealsobringinginthe DiwaLilightandfestivities.

Oneof themostexcitingrecent initiativestospreadtheDiwalimessage hasbeena16-pagesupplementin130,000 copiesof theIIYestA11stmlia11newspaper, organisedbytheIndianSocietyof WesternAustraLia(ISWA)inPerth.This supplementreachesomtothemainstream AusttaLiancommunitycoeducateand informallofnotonlyDi,vali,butocher thingsIndianatthisfestivetimeof year.

ThemainstreamDiwaLieventat Melbourne'sFederationSquareorganised

TheHinduCouncilofAustraliain Sydneyattractedacrowdof30,000at theirannualDiwaLiMelalastyear,and numbersshouldbeupthisyear.

Anotherinterestingdevelopmentisthat suburbswithsignificantIndianpopulation havetheblessingsof theirlocalcouncilsin celebratinglocalDiwaLievents.Strathfield andThePondsaretwoSydneysuburbs inwhichthisisfastbecomingatradition; WyndhaminMelbourneisanother e.,'(ample.

WhatisitaboutDiwaliwhicl1makes itsuchafocalpointforthecommunity? ThereligiousbackgroundcoDiwaLi isasimplestory,thesignificanceof spreadinglightanddispellingdarkness resonatingwithall(fhistakesplace everyfouryearsatthestateelections, theNSWPremierjokedatarecent DiwalieventinSydney).Moreso,for theIndianJ\ustraLiancommunity,DiwaLi iscelebratedacrossalllanguageand geographicalcommunitygroupsasthe socialsceneburstsattheseamswith festiveevents.Forthereligiouslyminded, the111tmdirsandg11md1varasmakesurethe reasonfortheseasonisbroughthome toall.

Evenmainstreamorganisationshave

nowtakenupthecelebrationof DiwaLi intheirownway,byacknowledgingnot onlythecontributionsof theirIndianoriginstaff,butalsotheirclientsfrom theIndiansub-continem.\'(/estpacand CommonwealthBankDiwaLipartiesare highlysoughtafterevents,nowNational AustraLiaBankhasalsoshownitsdesire toengagewiththeirclientsatthistime of culturalsignificance.TheDiwali greetingsignsatafewsuburbanColes supermarketsareawelcomesight,and probablygotchemafewbrowniepoints inthegrocerywarswithWoolworthsand Aldi!

NowthechallengefortheIndian Australiancommunityisthatif the mainstreamiskeentoknowmoreabout thefestivalof Diwali,thenwhynotwall< intoyourplaceof work-beitaschool or a factoryfloororacorporateofficeonDiwalidaywithalargeboxof mithai foryourcolleagues.Sharesomesweet eatsandenlightenyourworkcolleagues aboutthesignificanceofDiwali,asa timeof appreciatingtheLightinourown lives.

AswewelcomeintheHinduNew Year,averyhappyDiwalitoyouand yoursfromallof usatTtidia11Link.Mayit beayearof goodhealthandhappiness, andmaybothSaraswatiandLakshmi shinetheirlightonusall.

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YOURSAY.

IS THIS TATTOO OFFENSIVE?

Melbourne lawstudent

Matthew Gordon says he was harassed by BJP nationalists while in Bangalore who found his tattoo offended their religious sentiments.

AneetaMenon wrote: It does not offend me. However, unlawful violent extremist behaviour does.

KalaRaghunath wrote: It is offensive.I do not support the abuse that this man said he had to go through, but nothing justifies his choice of having a tattoo of a goddess on his leg.

India is known as a place where people go for religious purposes. Every country has its do's and don'ts,just follow those. Freedom of expression is not freedom to offend. Last time, it was Goddess Lakshmi on a bikini, and now it's this. It's not the tattoo that's offensive, it is the part of the body where it is.

MayurKapoor wrote: He has written an apology letter for his mistake. Why do you think it's right or wrong? He made a mistake, he accepted it. A man was sent back to his country regarding his Buddha tattoo in Sri Lanka too. Google it.

ManjunathAradhya wrote: Wherever we go we respect the law and people's sentiments. We cannot do as we like on foreign soil. If he had done the same thing in Islamic countries, hurting their sentiments, things would have been different. Our country is a free India, anybody can do anything. Our"prestitutes" protect these people.

RadhaArora wrote: No! Because he doesn't belong to the Hindu religion anyway. Be kind, forgive and give mercy. I'm sure we all wouldlike to live in peace.

PrabhatKumar wrote: Yes it is

GaganSingh wrote: Stupidity offends me, religion is one of them lndu PrlyaNlvarthl wrote: I agree with you, KalaRaghunath

DIWALI DAYS

Afterposting ourMelbourne issue online, with a story abouthow different families celebrate Diwali, we received this missive.

Every day is a Diwali day in our household or, to put it more honestly,Diwali is like any other day of the year. If it is a working day my wife goes to work at her surgery and I used to do the same until I retired. Now, being a stayat-home man-friday, I attend to normal chores and whatever errands my wife orders as she runs towards the door for work. Invariably I forget at least one of the dozen tasks she assigns me and, as if fate has ordained, she will without fail ask about that one I haven't done as she steps into the house returning from work.

My standard answer is 'I had one hundred and one things to do.' No fireworks, but mild rebuke is in order. It will be no different this Diwali either.

My son and daughter, having been born and brought up here, had limited exposure to Indian festivities because of our work situations when they were young.There weren't many Indian families for them to mix with kids of their age. Maybe now, as grandparents, we need to make amends and help our grandkids know something about Diwali and some other major festivalsthatshine a light on our culture.

I am very happy - and a bit jealous too - to see many of the Indian families of the younger generation now celebrate not only Diwali but many other regionalfestivals as well. Good luck to them!

LPAyer, Thorngate SA

HAPPY 21ST TO US!

Indian Link marks another milestone occasion continuing ourpassion to seek out the Indian storyinAustralia

DhanyaSamuel wrote: Many many happy returns of the day Indian Link

AneetaMenon wrote: Excellent news! Congratulations

PrlyaSongappan wrote: A great achievement!

DISHING UPA CULiNARY COURSE FOR THE DISABLED

Sai Narayan reported on the Annalakshmi CulinaryScience Program in Perth, which holds cooking classes for the disabled, and theirneed for continued community support

DhanyaSamuel wrote: What an amazing venture

AneetaMenon wrote: This is excellent

WELCOME TOOZ!

We welcome diplomat and poetAbhay K. Kumar who has been appointedas India's DeputyHigh Commissioner toAustralia. He is expected to take up his post in Canberra shortly

PREVENT/NG MIGRAINES

Migraines have stumped doctors foryears, while causing pain for millions of people. Tasneem Zavery reported on an Indian-Australian collaboration thatmay but an end to these painful episodes

JamesBogashwrote: It's always good to hear about natural approaches that actually work on fixing some of the underlying problems contributing to headaches. It is far more likely for someone to be deficient in vitamin b12 than for someone to be deficient in Topamax

GREAT JOB, YET AGAIN

MrldulaNathChakraborty wrote: LOVED all your stories in this issue. Urban turbans and the word poetry pieces were especially interesting. And I cannot wait to try out that caulif ower recipe.

■ r1s ane

FICQ celebrates Diwali with me/a magic!

BYVISH CHILUMKURTI

Icwasastarrynightandtheheart ofBrisbanelitupinwelcome, anticipatingaUthescarsthat weretodescendonit,whenthe federationofIndianCommunities ofQueensland(FICQ)organisedthefifth editionofitsDiwaliMelaatK.i.ngGeorge SquareinOctoberasapreludetothe festiveseason.

Themainattractionoftheeventwas theglitteringculturalshowwhichwas spectacularlycolourfulandvibrant.The potpourriofeventsincludedPunjabifolk dancesbyGurdeepSinghandteam,Indian classicaldancesandalotoffootcapping BollywoodnumbersbyAshaShahandher groupfollowedbyAndreaandhertroupe fromDance.Masala.AfusionofIndian andPersiandancescyleshadtheaudience cheeringandapplauding.Combiru11gthat withthearomafromthefoodstallsand therewasadefinitefestiveambiencethat usuallyprecedesDiwali.

Therewerealsoofficialceremonies

and,mostimportantly,atthebeginn.i.ng oftheevemAboriginalelderAunty DelmaeBartonwelcomedparticipants intheAcknowledgementofCountry. Thelightingofthelampwasfol.lowed byawelcomeaddressbythePresident ofFICQ,ProfPrasadYarlagadda. ThePremierofQueenslandAnastacia Palaszczukwasconferredwiththetitle ofHonoraryIndianoftheYear.Also inattendanceweretheMulticultural AffairsMinisterShannonFenti.manand theShadowMinisterforMulticultural AffairsTarnyaSmith.TheIndianHigh CommissioneravdeepSurisaidin hismessage,"Suchoccasionsplayan extremelyimporcamroleinsustain.i.ngour greatculturalheritageandinensLrringa continuedconnectionbetweenyounger membersofourcommunityandtheir uniqueculturalinheritance."

Diwaliisanancientfestivalwhichis celebratedthroughoutIndiainaspecialway ru1dhasoftenbeencalledthe'Christmas ofIndia'.Thatisprobablyduecothe factthatitsignifiesvictoryoflightover darkness,goodoverevilandhopeover despair.Icisalsoafestivalthatspreadsthe messageofculturaltoleranceandcultural pluralism.Giftsareexchangedandhouses aredecoratedwithcandlesandearthen lampscaUedd(yas. Diwaliisalsoatime

whenLakshmidieGoddessofWealthis worshippedinordertowelcomeprosperity cothehousehold.

Fireworksandfirecrackerslightup thenightsky,bmind1erecentyearsche usageoffirecrackershascomedown substantiallyaspeoplehavebecomemore awareoftheenvironmentalpollutionthat thefirecrackerscause.Diwaliisalsoatime formajorshoppingsuchasclothes,home appliances,goldandjeweUery.

DiwaliiscelebratedbyHindus,Jains,and Sikhstomarkdifferenthistoricalevents, storiesormyths.InHinduism,Diwali isoftenthoughttocommemoratethe returnofRama,SicaandLakshmru,ato Ayodhyaafter14yearsofexile.Another schoolofd1oughccorrelatesthereturnof Pru1davasaftertheirexile.Thesignificance ofLakshmiPujainDiwaliisrelatedcothe mythologicalstoryofhowLakshmichose Vishnuasherhusbandconsortontheday DiwalifallsintheHinducalendar.

DwaliiscelebratedbySikhsaswell. However,thereasonforcelebrationischat onthisdayGuruHargobindfreedhimself fromtheprisonofGwaliorFortduringthe timesofcheMughalKingJahangirandbe arrivedattheGoldenTempleinAmritsar.

DiwalihasspecialsignificanceinJainism asweU.AccordingcotheKalpasutraby AcharyaBhadrabahu,Mahavira, cbelaseof

sthe Tirthankm:rofchisera,attainedNirvana onthisdayatPavapmion15Occober 527BCE,on Chaturda.shiof Kmtika. Therefore,JainscelebrateDiwaliasadayof rememberingAtf.ahauira.

IInthesouthernstatesofTamiladu andAndhraPradesh,Diwaliiscelebratedto marktheslayingofd1edemonlarakasura byKrishna.InEasternIndia,Kaliisrevered asaslayerofevil Diwaliasafestivaliscelebratedbymany differentedmicculturesfordifferent reasonsbutthecommonthemeisvictory ofgoodoverd1eevilinalld1ecommunities.

AsBrisbane'sKingGeorgeSquarewas lieupbeaucifuUy,itprovidedapru1oramc backdroptothefestivitieswhichwentlace intothenight.ThePresidentofFICQ ProfPrasadYarlagaddaspokewithIndian Linkandsaid,"Thepurposeoforganising dusfunctionistobringtogetherallthe associationsandpeopleinBrisbaneandalso toinculcateintheyoungergenerationsome awarenessoftheculturaltraditions."

HesaidFICQisverycarefulinchoosing d1eperformersru1dthevarietyoffood stallsandcraftsstallsatthernelaeachyear inordertoreRectthemulticulturalnature ofIndia.

ProfYaclagaddaconveyedaHappy Diwalitoallourreaders,"Enjoythis fabLLlousfestivaloflights!"

,, FICQ is very careful in choosing the performers and the variety of food stalls and crafts stalls at the mela in order to reflect the multicultural nature of India,,

ace

There will be giant cook-ups, prayers, diyas, partying and mithai-sharing galore, but also a touch ofactivism and charity this Diwali

Dipanjali Rao

Diwali,DeepavaliforusTelugupeople,used to beabigdealbackhome newclothes, exchangingsweetswithneighbours,flowersinthehouse,diyasever)where.Iwentoff crackersandfireworkswhen1foundoutinYear 10aboutchildlabourintheindustry, andeversinceit'sbeenacrackerandfireworkfreeDeepavalibackhome.

Australiathough,isadifferentstory.I'vebeenhecetenyearsandeverysingleyearItell myselfthatI'llgo to FederationSquareforDiwalicelebrations,andeveryyearIforget!! IpassbythecityandseeaposterforDiwallandadatethathaspassedandwithout exception,slapmyforeheadandcurseundermybreath.Nextyear,Itellmyse1£

Exceptlastyear,IsigneduptovolunteerwithWhiteRibbonattheirDiwalistall.It wasveryinterestingwalkingaroundaskingIndianmentosign theno-violencepledge andgetpeopletomakedonations.AfterthevolunteershiftIgottogoaroundand samplesomeofthefoodandwatchsomeoftheentertainment.Someofit:tnademe cringe-IwonderwhyourentertainmentissoBollywood-centric-butthenIguessitis moreaccessible.Ihopetheychangethis,thistimeround.

Andthenthere wastheyearI wenthuntingaroundtoIndianstorestofindneem flowerstomakepacchadi oohwait,thatwasforUgadi,notDiwali Whoops,wrong festival.Ireallyshouldmakemoreeffort.IblamemyJewishhousemate.Ifshewere Indian,I'dbemoreintouch So,allherfaultreally.Oh,butwedidcelebrateDeepavali oncewhenshevisitedIndiaandspentafewdayswith:tnyfamilyinHyderabad.Ilifted myfireworksban(atithide1•obhava,ofcourse)andweburstbombs,firedrockets,and marvelledatthebeautyoffireworks.Thatmakesmenostalgicnow.MaybeI'lllighta fewd!Jasatmydoorthisyear.Andbuyphe11itoeatwithmilk,likewedoathome.And makepole/11.Ilovecooking,whatbetteroccasionthanDeepavali to trysomethingnew!

Diwaliformeisabusytime.Iusuallytryandattendafew festivalsandinPerththerearealot to choosefrom.lndian SocietyofWesternAustralia'snowweek-Jong,multi-venue festivalalwaysg-etshugenumbers.Itisdynamic, commercial andbusy.TheSwanFestivalofLightsmulti-dayfestivalright ontheban.kspftheSwanRiverL5upliftingandspiritual,and alwayswithsomestunningperformances.Forthefirsttime thisyearIwillbegoingtoAgrawal'sDiwaliinCannington whichshouldbefun.Ialwa)'SeatalotofgoodIndianfood overtheperiodandthenwonderwhywhen1steponthe scales.IalwayswishmyIndianfriends(andstrangers)Happy Diwali.Tenyearsagoirusedtog-arneralookofsurprise whenaCaucasiansaid"HappyDjwali".Nowwiththe growingunderstandingofotherculturesandtheincreased ethnicityinAustraliaitdoesn'treallyraisesomanyeyebrows, butIstilldoit.lreadsuchanicelettertotheeditorinalocal newspaperlastweek.Theauthorwassayingthatinsteadof banningreligiousactivitiesinschools(likeChristmasplays andcarolsandsoforthsoasnottooffendanyone)they shouldencourageitandthencelebratealltheotherfestivals likeDiwaliandRamadanandsoon. Itwasaninclusiveidea sopeoplecanappreciateeachothecandtheirbeliefsmore. Althoughtheymakemegainweight,themorefestivalsthat focusonthegood,thebetter.HappyDiwali.

Grahak Cunningham

PreetiJabbal

Diwaliisprobablytheonlytimeintheyearwhenweasafamilyobserveproper traditionsofofferingprayers,lightingcandlesandconductingcertainrituals passedonbymymother.

Startingfromthefranticrushtofindkesar(saffron)andsilvercoins(chandi kesikke)fromIndianstores,tomakingthekadhaparsad(sweetofferings)and lightingupthehousewithcandles,thepreparationstendtoswitchontohigh geararoundthistimeoftheyear.

IfDiwalifallsonaworkingday,itgetsquitehectictofinishwork,rushback, getthingsinorder,completethelittleDiwalirituals,prayandthengotothe GurudwaraSahibtoseekblessingsandlightsomecandles.

IamallforhavingapublicholidayonDiwali;afterall,itistheIndian equivalentofChristmasandinmulticulturalAustralia,anythingispossible.1fwe cangetapublicholidayforCupCarnivalandGrandPinal.whynothaveonefor thelargestIndianfestivalthatcelebratesthetriumphofgoodoverevil? Notetoself:bringthisupwhenthepoliticiansaretrippingoverthemselves makingallsortsofpromisespriortonextelections.

Ou.rlittleDiwaliritualinvolveswritingonthewallorapieceofpaper,which oursonquiteenjoysastheonlytimeoftheyearthatmumdoesnotcomplain aboutkeepingthingsspotless.Wesprinklesaffron,milkandriceoneverything includingthesilvercoinsandpray forpeaceandprosperity.

Ilearntth.isfrommyownmumandamhappytocontinuethetradition. Oursisajointfamilysotherearealwayseldersaroundtogivemoremeaning tothecelebrationswiththeirblessingsandpresence.Mymum-in-lawlikesto celebrateDiwaliwithherseniorsgroupaswell.Shegenerallyleadstheprayer segmentathomeonDiwaliday.Myfatherwholiveswithmybrotheralsolooks forwardtothisdayandlikestospenditwiththewholefamilybeingtogether.

WealwaysgototheSikhtempleonDiwalinightwherethechildrengettoplay withsparklersandlightcandlessafelyandwegettoofferourgratitudethrough prayeL

LeadinguptoDiwaliandbeyond,thesocialcalendarcompletelyrampsup withcardparties,dinnerdances,Diwalin1ela.randnumerousinvitationsroeach ofthese.Thecreditcardgetsasoundbeatingasnewclothesarcpurchasedfor everyone.Allthefestivitiestypicallyrevolvearoundfoodandcountingcalories goesoutofthe(well-lit)windows.

Givingisanintegralpartofthefestivalandmymumusedtodonatesweets toorphanagesinIndia.Sheinsistedondistributingthefoodhmelftoensure thatthekidsgottoeateverythingandtheunscrupulousorphanagestafftook nothingawayfromthem.Ihavecontinuedthattraditionto�smallextenthcteby donatingrolocalcharitiesandrotatingmychoiceeveryyear.

20yearsinAustraliaandthefestivespiritiswellandaliveaswec011tinueto eat,prayandloveatDiwali.

PuneetAnand

It'smyvery6rstDiwaliwithmyhusbandPrateeksoit'sgoing tobearatherspecialone!I'llmisshimontbedayitselfthough, becausePrateekisafly-in-fly-outengineerwithRioTintoand worksonsiteduringtl1eweek.Butwe'llbegoingtothegurudwara togetheronthe�veekend,andthenjointhecrowdsattheSwan FestivalofLightsandatISWADiwalimeJa.Wewillalsobe catchingupwithfriends.We'rehavingacommunalmealandl've offeredtomakegolgappas-mostlybecausePrateeklovesthema lot!

I'vebeeninOzonlyafewmonthsbuthavefiguredoutwhere tobuyalltheDiwalistuff.Idowanttomakeabigdealofitlike weusedtoinIndia,but1willmisshome,thein1mediatefamilr, theextendedfamily,thehome-mademithaiandthepatakas!

Edmond Roy

I'mlookingforwardtotbebigcookup.

ComeDiwalieveryyear,mywifeCherylandIhostamegapartyforallourfriendsand family.There'softeninexcess-of ahundredguests.(fwohundredinviteswenroutrhisyear, buronly180arefinallycoming!)

lr'snotreallraDiwaliparty,becausewedon'tcelebrateDiwaliinitstraditionalsense.Itsjust anexcusetoget200of ourclosestfriendstogetherandpartyallnigbdIhailfromKera.Ia,and Onam,ourbigfestival,hasjustpassed,sothecelebratorymoodisstillin.PlusCherylandI livedforafewyearsinDelhiandgotintothewhole'diyasandfirecrackersandmithai'thing!

Webothdoallthefoodourselves-atourbigbash Some17-18dishes yes,that'sright!This yearwe'veplanned20,actually!WecookinlargeearthenpotsthatI'vebroughtinfrommy homeinIndia;they'vebelongedLOourfamilyforsomehundredyears.Theseaddadifferent dimensionLOourcelebration,andgiveourguestsapeekintoourcultureandtraditions.

Themenuisusuallydominatedbyseafood:it'sagiven,secingasIcomefromKerala!This yearhoweverI'veconcoctedaspecialdish,inhonourofIndia'sprimeminister IcalJitModi Beef. Of coursethere'llbeplentyofsaffroninit.

(flusisinsolidaritywithtbestreetbeefpartiesheldacrosslnd.i.,'llately.)

Andforthefirsttimethisyear,we'llhaveabitof bhangra.

Cheryland1havebeenhostingthiseventannuallyforsomefifteenyearsnow.Westarred small,withabourtenguests,andthenitgrewfromthere Nowourfriendsandcolleagueswait fortheinvite-1meanthatlirerally,justmseebowblasphemousitwillbe,hahal HappyDiwali.

Vish Chilumkurti

Familyandfriendsandplenryof food,especiallysweetstuff. that'swhatDiwaliisaboutat myplace.MywifeSirishareachesourkidsAdicyaandAnushkathepujaelementsaswellbut it'sthefunandfoodthatappealstod1ematthispointintime!

Astheygrowup,theywilllearndunDiwaliisaspecialtimeforusinadifferentway.leisa timewhenwedoourbitforthoselessfortunated1anus.AsayoungmanIwasveryaffected oneDiwalibytheplightof childlabourersinthefirecrackerindustryinIndia.1tspurredme togoonanawarenessdrivetoshunthisproductthatisdangerous-iosomany\vays,andso wastefulcoo.Inapersonalcapacity,Ihavebeenworkingwithsomekidswhousedtoworkin firecrackerfactories,toliftd1eirstation.inlife.TheoldestchildIamsponsoringisagirlnowin Year6.Sheandd1eothersaregettingadecenteducationandwillhopefullyneverhavetogo backtotheiroldlivesagain.

Fireworksareastrictno-nowithme.Otherthantheexploitativenatureof their manufacture,theyalsopollutetheenvironmentwiththesmokeandthesound-Diwaliisa FestivalofLight,notSoundllIalsoencouragemyfriendsinIndiatodotheirhie:ifyouare notabletosponsorachi.Idoutof chisindustry,atleasecakeadecisionnottobuythestuff theyareforcedtomake.

Let'sallhaveapeacefulDiwali.

Sunila Forsyth

Diwaliatmyplacehas gottobecateredtomyAussie husbandJohn'sunderstanding!J\lydadliveswithussobe conductsthefamilypujainour111011dirathome.Hereadsthe t11afllrasandthenexplainstheminEnglishforthebenefitof ourkidsElina(who's13antlaball)andAlec(who's5).Tbe kidsbringourtheirIndianclothesforourlittleceremonyand aftenvardswehavehahl'flfor/mtshad.

Lateron,we haveour'shop'activity.ThisissomethingID}' brotherandIusedtodoatDiwaliaskids.Thekidssecup 'shop'withsweetsorroys,somethingsmallforeachmember of thefamily,antlwe'purchase'thesefromthemwith money.Thekidsgettokeepthemoneyasd1e.i.rgift.This is ourversionof theeconomicaspectof Diwali,allrespectto Lakshmi111ata!

lf Diwalifallsontheweekend,itsuitsussomuchbetter! AweekdayDiwali,likethisyeat,willbequiterushed.Still.,it's goingt.Pbefool

SunnyBakshi

.MywifeGuneetandItr)'tomake-abigdealoutof DiwaliforthesakeofourkidsAnshandAyaan,who arenine andthreerespectively.H11111chaohtthoinke hamaretraditiomle.aojihodtak111oi11tainedmht (we'dliketo keepourtraditionsmainmined) Thisyear,likeaways, we'lldoourpaolh(prayers)atborneandlightour candles.Then we'llgototbeg11md111araandjoinothers astheylightmed!Jo.randsparklers.We'llcomeback homeandcallourfamilyandfriendsinIndia O,erheretoo,wimourclosecircleoffriends,weget ourkidstoexchangegifts. Forthelittleones,thismakes itourversionofChristmas.Wealsolikethemtoknow thatmeadultsexchange111ithaiatDiwalil

ShanoRajkumar

Imadeabatchof11Joha11lho/today.YesDiwaliisafewdaysawaybutI'vegot alonglistto getthrough,andat81,Ihavetopacemyself,yousee.I'mgoingtobemakinghesonladdoos, gulahja1111111s,kheerandmuchmorethisyear.

DiwaliisaFestivalofEatsasmuchasitisaFestivalofLights!

Diwaliisverymuchastay-at-homeaffairformyhusbandRamfilldI.Ourdaughter Geetacomesvisitingwithherownfamily. Wedoahovanandthentalk,laughandeat!

Ilayoutmyspreadonthetableandthenthehomeisopenforvisitorswhokeep droppinginallday.ItismainlyourIndianfriendsthatcometowishusHappyDiwali. (!'henon-Indianfriends,Icallafewdayslater).

IntheeveningwesayourprayersandthenlightdjJ1pswhichweplacealloverthehouse, ineveryroomaswellasoutside.YoucouldsaywedoittoinviteLakshmiin,orperhaps cofillourliveswithlight,thelightof goodnessandvirtue.

WealsocalloursonPramodwholivesinGermany.He'llsay'LookMum,Iplayedthis stmtooroartl'orsomesuch,justtoshowmethatbeisdoinghisbitforDiwali!Imisshimat ourThursdaydinnersessionsatmyplace.

ThedayafterDiwaliisd1eHinduNewYear.WeusuallygoovertoourdaughterGeeta's. I love thisfestive timeofyear. .MybestwishescoyouforaHappyDiwali.

SamGoraya

Diwalihasalwaysbeenaboutgettingtogetherwithfriendsandfamily,feasting,and fillingourhomeswithlightatnight.

GrowingupinIndia,weusedtoalldescenduponmyeldestuncle'shome,allof us fromtheentireclan!Thecousinswouldgettogetherandhavefun,andthemumsand auntieswouldcookuptonnesoffoodand,nithai.Itwasplentyoffun.Diwalinightwas specialpll)a(prayets)and we'd watchasourparentsofferedsilvercoinstotheirchosen deities.Thenwe'dhavedfyasandcandlesandthe.firecrackerswouldbegintoblastoffl Lateron,wewouldall sitdowntoplay cards,withsmallamountsofmoneyof courseitwasalljusttoken,soastobringLakshmi(theGoddessofProsperity)intothehome.

TodayinAustraliaIstilldothegoodfood,friendsandsharingbit!Idoalitdeplfio too.AndmenIdance.Asadancer,myspecialkindofworshiphasto haveanelement ofdanceinit!

I performalitdeOdissiroutineformegoddess.

MrpartnerZlatkowatchesasIdance;besitsdownwithmeatthepll)atoo.Iusually preparesomesottJibaln1awithsaffron andweeat thisasprashad.Zlatkolikesit.Weare bothfondofpista,g11/abj11m1111andrasag11la.r.

WealsocatchupwithfriendsatDiwali.Thisyearwearecelebratingtogetherwiili manyfamilies.

ZlatkoknowsabitaboutDiwali,matitistheFestivalofLightsandthatitwasatime ofwelcomeforRamaandSitaastheyfinishedtheirexileintheforests.Helearned aboutitwhenwetravelledtoIndiatogetherfouryearsago.IndiawascelebratingHoli atthetimeandhebecameinterestedinourfestivals.Lastmonthwe:wenttoOdisha andheenjoyeditverymuch.

Formypart,IlovecelebratingChrisanasandEasterwithhimandhisfamily.

"Everythingiseasywhenyou knowhow. Cal/nowand allowmetointroduceyouto ourteam ofexperts thatcan guideyouthrougheachstepoftheprocess. Ourteam makeacomplexideasimpleto understandandstressfreetoachieve. Ifyoursuperisnotperforming, thenyou willenjoytalkingwithusandle.arning. Bestofweensureyouarealwaysincontrol."

INDIAN LINK SOCIAL MEDIA

Newcommunityorganisation debuts with a big bash

SpeakjngcoIndianU11k,VivekBaliga, President,GOJFYsrud,"Ourorganisation's goalisbringingruverseculturalIndian familiesandyouthunderoneroof,helping andprovidingacertainsenseofmateslup andfriendsrup."

m!Out!Hmvzaat!

BYTASNEEM ZAVERY 0

Dressedinnon-traditional cricketclothes,Indianorigin menwereseenrunrungacross CentenaryStateSchool, JindaleeGroundsinBrisbane,onawarm Saturdaymorningastheyengagedina gameofcricket.

Tbjsgamewaspartofthe'BrisbaneMela

2015' heldforthefirsttimeinBrisbaneby anewbienot-for-profitorganisation,d1e GlobalOrga,usation forIndianFamilyand YoumIncorporated(GOIFYInc.)

J\nideaconceivedbythreefriends,.A.leaf Morkas,RajeshRadhakrishnanandVivek Baliga,meeventbroughtlndjanorigin familiesandyouthtoged1eriliroughd1e sameplatform.

Headded,"Whennewimmigrant fanuliesandyouthmm1etoBrisbane,we wouldliketohelptheminsettlingdown. Speakjngfrommyownpersonalexperience, when1firstmovedtoBrisbane,Ithought itwasreallydifficulttofu1dthatcertain supportandguidance."

TheBrisbaneMela 2015 spannedtwo days,31Octoberand1November.

Cricketdominatedthefirsthalfof SaturdaywimtheteamTigerstaking thewinningtide;thee,,en.ingwas ruledbyculruralperformances.Dance performances,singingandthefoot-tapping soundsoftablaandpercussionandworld windinstnm1encswrappedupDayOne.

GOIFY'scomnutmenttopreserving IndiancultureandheritagespiltintoDay TwoofmeBrisbaneMela.

MohammedAbuwala,avisitortothe

Melasrud,"Thishasbeen anexcellentexperiencefor meandmyhousemates. Wethoroughlyenjoyed playingcricket,and participatinginilie differentworkshopsd1at wereorganised."

Anditwasgoodtomeetlike-minded people,heobserved."Peoplecameupand introducedmemselvesandwegotchatting. Itwasafunandfriendlyenvironment."

DayTwooftheeventalsosawSilarnbam, anlndianmartialanstechruquefromTamil adu,presentedina'\Vorkshop,followedby aYogaworkshopbyIshaFoundation. KaveriJ\if,anothervisitor,said,"This hasbeenarelaxedandeducativeSunday afternoon,andUpaYogahastaughtme basiceverydayexercisestorelivemefrom stressandfatigue."

RajeshRadhakrishnan,Secretary,GOIFY srud,"Tlushasbeenourfirstevent,andI amreallyhappywid1theresponsereceived. Wehopetogrowbiggerandstrongerwiili eachpassingyear."

'' GOIFY aims to bring diverse cultural Indian families and youth under one roof, help to provide a sense of mateship and friendship ,,

TwoturbanedSikhsamong four Indian Canadianssworn in as ministers

ThePunjabicommunityinCanadamade hiscorythismonthwhentwoturbaned Sikhs,amongfourIndianCanactians,were sworninascabinetministers,as42-year-old JustinTrudeautookoathastbecountry's 23rdprimeministeratagrandpublic ceremony.

\\7hile42-year-oldIndianCanadianHarjit Sajjanwasappointeddefenceminister, 38-yeat-oldNavdeepBainsgottheportfolio ofinnovation,scienceandeconomic development.

Anod1erSikh,AmarjeetSohi,whoisnot tmbaned,hasbeensworninasminister forinfrastructure.Aformerbusdriver, SohiwasjailedinIndiafortwoyearsinthe 1980s.

AyoungSikhwoman,BarctishJhagger, whoisafirst-timei'vIP,hasbeensworninas ministerforsmallbusinessandtourism.

NavdeepBains,whoplayedakeyrole inTrudeau'selectionastheLiberalParty leaderin2013,hasbeenawardedwid1the importantcabinetberili.

Bains,whobecameMPforilie thirdtimelastmonthbywinningfrom Mississauga-Brampton,previouslyserved asparliamentarysecretarytotheprime ministerin2005whenhewasMPfrom 2004till2011 whenhelose.

Consideredverysuave,Bainshasbeen adistinguishedvisitingprofessoratTed Rogers SchoolofManagementatRyerson UniversityinToronto tillnow.

India-bornfirst-timeSikhMPHarjit SajjanisCanada'snewdefenceminister.

Adecoratedpoliceandarmyofficial, SajjanhasbeenthefirstSikhtocommand aCanactianregiment,caUedilieDuke ofConnaught'sOwnwhichisareserve regimentbasedinBritishColumbia province.

SajjanhasservedinAfghanistanand Bosniaandbeentwiceaspecialadviseron Afghanistan.HewasgiventheMeritorious ServiceMedalinMarch2013.

Afailieroftwo,the45-year-olclSajjan waswiththeVancouverPoliceDepartment for11yearsandservedasadetectivefor thegangcrime unit.

However,Sajjan'snominationasd1e LiberalPartycancticlatefromVancouver Southlastyearattractedcontroversywhen manySikhleadersresignedfromtheLiberal Party,allegingthatrhepartyleadershiphas been'manipulated'byhardlinerSikhsofthe WorldSikhOrganisation.

HarjitSajjan'sfarberKundanSajjanisa boardmemberofilieWSOwhichisalleged tohavehardlinesympailiies.

ButSajjantoldtheCanadianBroadcasting Corporationlastyear:"Iamnotamember ofilieWSO.I'vehadnonegativevibes fromanybody."

Harjicwaslivewhenhisfad1ermovedto CanadafromPunjab. HiswifeKuljitKaur isafamilydoctor Ind1eoutgoinggovernment,TimUppal wasamrbanedSikhbutenjoyedilierankof theministerofstate.

HerbDhaliwalwasiliefirstSikhto becomeafollcabinetministerinCanadain 1997,followedbyUjjalDosanjhin2004. Dhaliwalheldtherevenueportfoliowhile Dosanjhheldd1everyimportantportfolio ofhealth.

JustinTrudeau,the42-year-oldsonof chat:ismaticformerpt:imeministerPierre Trudeauwboiscrectitedwithopening Canadatonewimmigrantsinthe1970s, ledilieLiberalPartytowin 184seatsinilie 338-memberHouseofCommons.

Trudeauisthesecondyoungestprime ministerofCanada.

Hingis and I complement eacnotherverywell:Sania Mirza

Withastaggeringrecordof 10doubles tidesinayear,tennisstarSania'Mirza believesthatsheandherpartner,Swiss veteranMartinaHingiscomplementeach oilierverywellwhichhasresultedinthe duoclinchingtheirninthtidein2015.

TheunstoppableMirza-Hingispaircame upwithanotherstupendousperformance onSundaycowinthewomen's doublestide attheprestigious$7millionWTAFinalsin Singapore.

Thisisthetoprankedpair'snind1tide togetherthisseason,havingalsowonin Beijing,Wuhan,Guangzhou,USOpen (NewYork),Wimbledon(London),

Charleston,MiamiandIndianWells

SaoiaalsowonattheSydney 1mernationalinJanuarywid1American BethanieMattek-Sands.

"ltwasadreamrunforme.rever ilioughtIwouldwin 10tidesinayearbutI wasconfidentonmyabilitytoperformon eachgameanditpaidoff.Crectitalsogoes toMartinailiewaysheplayedandpartnered meind1edoubles.\'(/ecomplementeach od1erverywellinallaspects,"Sarriasaid recently.

Whenaskedaboutthemostmemorable victorythisseason,the28-year-oldnamed ilietidetriumphatWimbledonasiliebest, asitwastheonlyGrandSlamtidemissing fromherkit.

"The\v'imbleclonvictorywasthemost memorableoneforsure,asIneverhadwon atWimbledonearlier.Itwasprivilegeto beapartofeverymatchthere.Afterbeing clownwecamebackstrongerandwonit,it showshowweUweareplaying,"thetennis player,whoismarriedtoPakistancricket captainShoaibMalik,said.

Speakingonhison-fieldchemistrywiili d1e35-year-olclSwissveteran,Saniacouldn't keepherselffromheapingpraiseonher doublespartner.

"Martinaisagreatchampion.Sheissuch anicehumanbeing.Wegetalongwitheach od1erverywell.Sheatd1isagehasproved yetagain'>Vhataplayershehasbeenover ilieyearsandstillnow.Iloveplayingwith herandhopeto continuewinningmore titlesalongwithher,"shesaid.

ThecurrentdoublesWorld o.1believes thatitwasreallytoughtoreacbiliesummit consideringd1e currentcompetitioninthe sport.

"ItistoughtobeaWorldNo.1 thanco remaininiliacspotforquitesometime. BeingNo.1isnoteasy.Ihadcoworkhard waitforthistimetobeattbetop,soit showshowcoughitistoreachatiliecop and1amthrilledtohaveattainedd1atspot," shesaid.

Withthefnctianmen'ssquadfailingco qualifyfortheDavisCupWorldGroupdue toalackoftalentinthesinglescategory, thePadmaShriandArjunaAwardwinneris hopefulthatYukiBhambri,whohasbroken intothetop100willcomeoutasabetter

It'spickingseason:AKashmirifarmer separatessaffronpistilsfromflowers afterpickingthemfromasaffronfield inPamporenearSrinagar.Pamporeis famousforitshighqualitysaffron,the world'smostexpensivespice.

CurrentlyIndiahaveonlyYuki(89)inthe top 100ofd1emen'ssinglesrankingswiili nextbestplayerSomdevDevvarman(180) rankedcloseco200.

"Wehavedonewellind1edoublesbutwe haven'tdonethatweUinthesingles.Id1ink allthemanagement,playersandallhaveto stepintodecidewhat'sgoingwrongandfind asolutionforiliac.Iiliinkaftermenoone hasdonewellinthesinglesbeitinwomen's andmen's.ButIamhappyiliacYukiisdoing wellandhaveenteredthetop100andIhope othersalsodotbesamethingandtakeilie countryforward,"shesaid.

"Youneedtobackplayersthatyouhave inyourkitaslongastherearenonewgood bunchcoming.\v'ehavetomakesurethey getenoughtin1etospendonthecourt andgiveasmuchtimetod1emselves.Iam hopefulwewillimproveinthesinglesin clayscocome,"Saniaconcluded

Twitter launches Make in India emoji

TheIndiangovernmentthismonthbecame thefirstnon-USbasedbrandtohavea Twitteremoji #Makeinlndia which aimstopromotethecountryasaglobal manufacmt:inghub.

"Asakeyhighlightoftl1isgovernment campaign,anemojiofablacklionon anorangebackground,aversionofthe nationalprogramme'sofficiallogo,willnow appearnexttothe#MakelnJncliahashtag inanyTweetworldwide,"Twittersaidina releasefoUowingCommerceandIndustry lVlin.isterNirmalaSid1araman'svisittoits headquartersinSanFrancisco.

"The#Makelnlndiaemojisymbolises successofiliebrandcampaignonTwitter wiilineatly500millionimpressionsmis yearcopromotelnctiaasagreatplacefor foreignctirectinvestmenttotransformme cotmtryintoaglobalmanufacturinghub," itadded.

SiiliaramanmetTwitterchiefexecutive JackDorseytodiscussIndia'simportance asastrategicgrowmmarketandhow ilieplatformcanbeusedtopromotethe cmmtry'sbrandtorestoftheworld.

"The�fakeInIndia'storyisincreasingly resonatingwitbbusinessleadersaround ilieworldandTwitterhasproventobea valuableandeffectivechanneltotellthe highly-engagingstorytoaninfluentialglobal audience,"Sitharamansaid.

"\Ve'veseentangibleresultswid1the 'MakeinIndia' and'easeofdoing business' programmesthathavemadeIndia d1e topinvestmentdestinationworldwideand Twitterisoneofd1ebestwayswecan shineabrightlightonthecountry'svibrant potentialasaglobalmanufacturinghub," sheadded.

Whiletbe#Makelnlndiabrandcampaign onTwitterhadover300millionimpressions andnearly24millionengagernentsin

Photo: AP singlesplayeriniliefuture.

AnIndianwomanchecksoutsomegold jewelleryonthe occasion ofDhanteras festivalinMumbai,9 November2015. Dhanterasfestivaliscelebratedtwo daysbeforetheDiwalifestival,and ismarkedbythepurchasingofnew utensils andgold andsilverJewelleryas theyareconsideredauspicious.

AugustandSeptemberthisyear,the@ MakelnlndiaofficialTwitteraccounthas over700,000followerssinceitsinceptiona Iittleoverayearago.

Modi ranked world's ninth most powerful person MovingupSL'(spots,India'sPrimeJvlinister Narend.raModi,rankedninth,hasfortl1e fusetimemadeittothetop 10inForbes' seventhannuallistof"The\Xlorld'sMost PowerfulPeople".

RussianPresidentVladimirPutin(No.1) rakesthetopspotoutof73,forthethird yearinarow,withGermanChancellor AngelaMerkel(No.2)movingupthree spotsfromlastyear.

USPresidentBarackObama( o.3) droppedonespot,makingitthefuseyeara sittingAmericanpresidenthasnotmadeit tothetopt\vospots.

OfModi,Fo,bessaid:"India'spopulist PMpresidedover7.4percentGDPgrowth inhisfirstyearinofhce,andraisedhis profileasagloballeaderduringofficial visitswithBarackObamaand(Chinese President)XiJinping."

"AbarnstormingtourofSiliconValley reinforcedhisnation'smassiveimportance intech;'itsaid.

"Buegoverning1.2billionpeoplerequires morethanshakinghands:NowModimust passhisparty'sreformagendaandkeep fractiousoppositionundercontrol."

TheonlyocherIndianfiguringinthelist wasRelianceIndustrieschairmanMukesh Ambani,whoisranked36.

Ambani,Forbesnoted,hasretainedhis positionasIndia'srichestpersonforclose toadecadedespitesharesofhisoilandgas giantRelianceIndustriestakingahitduero loweroilprices.

"The$62.2billion(revenues)firmis preparingforthelatmchof4Gservices byitstelecomarmRelianceJioforwhich ithasteamedupwithonce-estranged youngersi1}!ingAnilAmbani'sReliance Communications,"itnoted.

PopeFrancis(No.4)retainedhisplace thisyear,aheadofChina'sXiJinping (No.S),wbofellrwospots.

Roundingoutthecop10areBill& MelindaGatesFoundationco-chairBill Gares(No.6),USFederalReservechair JanetYellen(No.7),BritishPrimeMinister DavidCameron(No.8),andAlphabetCEO LarryPage(No.10).

PageassumedtheCEOroleatAlphabet thisyearand.,asaresult,Googleco-founder SergeyBrin(No.30)dropped21placesfrom lastyear.

Forbessaidseveralfactorsweretaken intoaccounttoselectthe73peopletl1at matterfromthe7.3billionpeopleonthe planet:theamountofmoneytheycontrol, thenumberofpeopletheyimpact,their coralspheresof inAuence,andhowactively theywieldtheirpower.

Police 'raid' on Kerala House wrong: Delhi report

Anofficialreportsubn'littedtoDelbiCbief .MinisterArvindKejciwalinearlyNovember saidDelhiPolicehadnoautl10ritymenter KeralaHouseoveracomplaintofalleged beefconsumption.

Inhisreport,DivisionalCommissioner A.Anbarasusaid:"DelhiPolicehadno authoritytoenter,enquireandsearchthe allegedpresenceandsaleof cowmeatinthe (KeralaHouse)canteen."

Some20policemen"raided"Kerala HouseonOccober26aftertheHinduSena allegedthatbeef(cowmeat)wasbeing servedonitsprenuses.

Itturnedoutthatitwas'carabeef'(buffalo meat),notcowmeat.

Delhi'sAAP governmentonOctober29 askedthedivisionalcomnussionertosubmit areportonthepoliceactionwithinaweek. Thereportwillbesenttotbehomeministry andtheKeralagovernment.

DelhiPolicedoesnotreporttotheDelhi governmentbutcothehomeministry

"Director,Anin1alHusbandry,GNCJD/ Veterinaryofficerarecompetenttoenter anypremisesandtosearchandseizethe placewherehehasreasonscobelievethat anoffenceeitl1erhasbeencommittedoris likelytobecommitted.,"Anbarasuwrotein thereport.

Hesaidthepoliceteamdidnorfollow tl1eprovisionsoftheDelliiAgriculmral CattlePreservation(DACP)Act,1994,by notinformingthecompetentauthorityand ensuringtl1eirpresenceatthetimeofthe visit.

"TheentryofDelluPolicecannotbe construedasavisitforenforcementoflaw andorder,"tl1ereportsaid.

"Theyvisited(it)forthesolepurpose ofinvestigationofacomplaintrelated coservingbeefinthecanteenofKerala House"

Thereportsaidthatduringthefirstvisitby policeofficials,itbecameclearthatnobeef wasservedintl1ecanteen Therefore,the latervisitbymorepolicemenwas"absolmely unetlucal".

"Incasetl1epoliceofficialswerenot satisfiedwiththeinquirymadeatthefirst

visit,someveterinaryofficershouldhave beeninfonnedsothatthecomplaintcould havebeeninvestigatedproperly,"tl1ereport stated.

Theseven-pagereportrecommended "sensitisation"ofDelliiPolicepersonneland veterinaryofficersvis-a-visproperprotocols.

"Thereisaneedtocreateawarenessabout dieprovisionsoftheDACPActamong citizensofDelliiingeneralandDelhipolice personnelinparticular,"thereportsaid.

Thepolice"raid"sparkedstrongprotests bytheKeralagovernment.KerabHouse initiallystoppedselling'carabeef' but resumedsalesadaylater

BJPdefends leaders,RSS chiefoverBiharloss

TheBJPon9NovdefendeditstopleadershipaswellastheRSSanditschiefMohan Bhagwatfortheparty'shumiliatingdefeatin theBiharassemblypolls,sayingtl1epartyasa wholewinsorloseselections.

''Thepartycollectivelywinsorloseselections,"FinanceMinisterArnnJaitleysaid.

PrimeMinisterlarend.raModihadspearheadedtheelectioncampaignandaddressed 26ralliesinBiharwheretheBharatiyaJanata Parry-ledalliancemanagedtowinjust58of thetotal243seatsintl1eassembly.

Jaitleyrefutedremarkschatreservationhad apotentialimpactontheelectionsresultfor theBJPalliance.

"Noelectionisdecidedononestatement. Itisadifferentkindofmathematics,"Jaitley said..

Hesaiddieparry,sincecheManda!Commission,hadacceptedtheconceptofreservationonsocialconsiderationandthesame wasthestandofd1eRashtriyaSwayamsevak Sangh(RSS).

BJPl\fPHukumdevNarayanYadavand HindustaniAwamMorcha(HAM)leader JiranRamManjhiheldBhagwat'scomments, favouringareviewofthecountry'spolicyof quotafordiebackwardcastes,responsible fortheparty'sface.

"MohanBhagwat'scommentattl1etime ofelectionfilledthebackwardcastesand Dalitswithmistrustford1eBJP.People showedtheirfaithinModi they camein tliousandsathisrallies,burtheRSSchief's commentsshookpeopletotl1ecore,"Yadav

toldthemedia.

"PeoplegettheimpressionthattbeBJP onlydoeswhattl1eSangh(RSS)wants,"he added

TheBJP'sKangraMPShantaKumar, meanwhile,deniedmakingany commenton tl1eRSScallforrevisionofthereservation policyofthegovernment.

"Ididnotsayanythingofthatsort.The reponedstatementwrong.\'vharIsaidwas tl1atitwasthepeople'sverdictandwemust introspect,"hetoldIA1 S. ManjhitooblamedBhagwatandBJP presidentAmitShahforthedebacleof the allianceinBihar.

"Bhagwat'sstatementonreviewof reservationforDalitsandOBCsharmedtbe NDA'sprospectsasitwasmadeoneofthe mainissuesbytheGrandAlliance,"Manjlu coldthemedia.

Hesaidtheissueofreservationineducationalinstitutionsandinjobsbadlyaffected theIationalDemocraticAlliance(NDA).

HesaidShah'sstatementthatfirecrackers wouldbeburstinPakistanifdieBJPlost tl1eBiharpollsalsoplayedamajorroleinthe NDA'sdefeat."Thestatementonlyhelped tl1eGrandAlliance."

Meanwhile,Jaitleysaidhispartyrespects tl1epeople'smandateinBiharandpromised coplaytl1eroleofconstructiveopposition toenablethenewgovernmentfulfillpeople's aspirations.

''Weacceptthechallenge,willplaytherole of oppositioninBihar,"hesaid.

Hesaidthepartyunderestimatedtl1e politicalarithmeticof theGrandAllianceof theJanataDal-Un.iced,RJDandtheCongress anddescribedtheirgrandunityasthereason fortl1eNDA'slossinBiliar.

"Themaincauseof ourdefeatinBiharis thecomingtogetl1eroftheopponents.We hadtl1oughttl1eMaliagatl1band.hanwould notbeabletoconsolidatetheirvotesasa front. Thisviewmrnedourtobewrong," Jaitleysaid.

Heacceptedthefacethatvotetransferabilitywasbetterintl1eGrandAlliancecomparedtotheNDA.

"Ourassumptionthatthethreepartiesof tl1eGrandAlliancewouldn'tbeabletotransfertheirvotesfullywaswrong,"hesaid. IANS

Photo:AP

Ouryoungest readers send their Diwali wishes

We received a largenumber of entries this year for our Kids' Diwali competition, and they were all very beautifuland creative. The winning entry by Dev Sharma forms the cover of the year's Indian Link Diwali greeting card. Well done to all our budding artists!

"MyfavouritethingaboutDiwaliis spendingtime with myfamily. Lighting the candlesandsetting them outin a verynicepattern ismyspecialty."

JAYNA KHATRI, 6 Underwood, QLD "Ilike Diwalibecause Iget to dressup in Indian clothes and eatlots ofsweets!"

HARt ITA Vlf.N, ,T\' 12 Linden Park, SA

DEEPALI SINGH Salisbury North,SA

• Calamvale, QLD IliketodressupinIndian clothes �ndlook beautifulon Diwali. 1 enJoythisfestivalwithmyfamily!"

MANOGHNA, 9

Parramatta, NSW

GAURI TRIPATHI, 7

Bull Creek, WA

"Ilik�lightingdiyas, making rangol, and wearingtraditional dresses. Ihelp mum makesweets and�rganiseforthe eveningpuja. P,c�mgflowers andtidingup the puJaplaceismyresponsibility."

DEV SHARMA, 11 Glenwood, NSW

WINNER

Address: 30/112, Benaroon Road, Belmore NSW 2192 Phone: 0451719162, 0297595190

Email: sales@lagajjar.com

Whysome industries and services in India continue togo unregulated and whattheycould learn from Australia

In effect, the only law for this lot is chat there is no law.

BYKUSHAGRA BHATNAGAR

Imigrated to Australia in 2008. Since then I have been closely observing the Australian way of life in comparison with the Indian way. There are stark differences between our two societies, and we are all coo aware of chem. W/e all have our own way of explaining a,vay the differencesespecially when the Indian side appears to be weaker, which it is in many cases. However, I am not going to discuss the most commonlyknown real or perceived differences. 1 am caking up the difference in the way the governments of the two countries handle regulations. The glaring difference exists in the fact that many businesses in lndia are completely unregulated while those same businesses in Australia (and I suspect in most of the developed world as well) are strongly regulated.

It is no new discovery that two of the most unregulated breeds in India

ln sharp contrast, in Australia all commercial drivers are strongly regulated. \X!hile an ordinary citizen may have the opporttmicy co get off lightly for traffic offenses, commercial drivers have zero chance. One error and they lose their license, making them unemployable as drivers. Even in nations such as Dubai and Turkey, commercial drivers are subject to tight discipline. The slightest over speeding will see their driver's license taken away for a few years. A second offense and the license is lost for life.

Builders and developers in India also enjoy the luxmy of working in a regulationfree environment Name any aspect of bad, irrational, unruly, unethical, unfriendly behaviour, outright cheating or fraudulent business conduct and you will 6nd this lot is guilty. They enjoy coruplete, lmrestricted freedom witl1 regard to whatever business practice each one of them wishes co employ. Why? \Ve cannot explain this nonsense by trying to I.ink th.is with politicians' fear of losing an election. This lot does not exist in numbers that are large enough to become a vote bank. So why the inexplicable liberty?

One possibility is black money or

are commercial drivers and builders or developers. The commercial drivers, whether for rax:is, auto-rickshaws, truci(S or buses, are hardly controlled lmder any kind of regulation. Witl1 total impunity, tl1ey feel free to cheat customers, behave rudely with tl1em and violate traffic rules. Th.is is not co mention the occasional abhorrent rape of some hapless women. No government ha.s so far been able to rein in tl1ese people. Why? Because this crowd forms a strongvote bank.

Any effort to control their conduct is perceived to be politically tmwise. This may or may not be true because no one has tried. This needs no passing of bills in parliament; tl1is needs no presidential ordinance; this just needs those in power to enforce the law with a stern hand.

Taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers are free to do what suits them. The police cannot book them for refusing a fare, for misbehaving with a cusromer, overcharging or even for drunk driving. Your average Delhiite will vouch for the misery commmers have to suffer at the hands of the misbehaving breed of such taxi or auto-rickshaw drivers.

fraudltlently obmined income. We aH know that the property market is one of the largest creators of black money; it creates black money and it also consumes black money. A great proportion of the parallel economy tl1rives in the property marker. \Vho are the people with enormous amounts of unaccounted for money?

Politicians of course. Hence, it stands co reason that they have a huge stake in the property market. Th.is is why irrespective of which party is in power, or out of it, this lobby continues ro make merry at the expense of the cusromers. If I, as a politician, invest billions of rupees in the property market, I will jollywell make absolutely sure that tl1e people who handle the market remain protected ac aU times.

Builders and developers are regulated \vith strong rules in Australia which do not permit any discretionary powers to the bmeaucrats or politicians which can be misused. \Xie all know there is a thin, practically invisible, line between discretion and discrimination.

Food for thought?

VIKRANTCHADHA

,, While an ordinary citizen inAustralia mayhave the opportunity to get off lightly for traffic offenses, commercial drivers have zero chance. One error and they lose their license, making them unemployable as drivers ,,

Online portal Change.org has launched in India in Hindi and is allowing people across the globe to support causes they care about

change.org

BYJYOTI SHANKAR

Aewwayofbringingabout hangebysupportingcauses hatarecloseroyourheartis ysigningimernetpetitions. ctivismthroughsocialmedia andtheinternee,whereitiseasier to reach our to hundredsofpeople,hastakenoff inabigwaytheworldover.Change.org, whichhasbeenactivesince2007,isone ofsuchplatforms.ItsHindiversionwas officiallylaunchedinIndiaonMahatma Gandhi'sbirthday,2Octoberthisyear, openingthedigitalcampaigningspace to 500millionHindispeakerstheworld over.Gandhi'softquoted"Becbechange chatyollwishcoseeintheworld"iswell knownandChange.orgaimstoprovidea platformtomakethishappen.

Threemillionpeopleinlndiaalready useChange.org.Thisalsohappensto bethenumberofmonthlyactiveusers inAustralia.Availablein14languages,a petitiononChange.orgAustraliaachieves victoryatleastonceaday.Globally,this mediumofchangehas110millionusers.

Sohowdoesthismediumwork?

"AnyonecanraiseapetitiononChange. organditisfree.Theincredibleresponse ofpeopleusingthisplatforminIndia,the diversityofissuesbeingraisedandsome notablewins,hasbeeninspiring,"explains PreethiHerman,theCountryLeadof Change.orginIndia."Itisverysimilarto

FacebookorYouTubeinthatthereare broadtermsofserviceandcommunity guidelines,suchasnotincitingorpromoting hateandviolence."

Offeringsomelocalinsightsto!ndi,m Link,Preethisaysthatshehasseensome majorthemesemergingonChange.org inIndiaeachyear.Whentheplatform firstopenedupacoupleofyearsago,it wasdominatedbyissuesofcorruption.

formanyinAustraliaandIndia."Change. orgmakesitallhappenreal-timeandmore peoplecanengageactivelywithdemocracy andgovernance"saysPreethiinsupportof cl1ismedium.

Si.'CmonthsagoinAustralia,Vaishali Kanabarralliedsuccessfullythrough Change.org to keepakidsplaygroundat ParramattaParkopen.Therewere250 supportersforherpetitionwhichproved

Clockwisefromtop:Change.erg Australia'sSaraSmylie, Nathan Elvery and SamWright;ASikh petitionfor turbansinbasketball;Laxmiand her acidattackspetition

mandateaseven-yearbackgroundchedt forUberdrivers.Thisfollowedtherapeof ayoungwomaninDelhibyaUberdriver withahistoryofsexualassault.WhileUber hadastrongpolicyonbackgroundchecks intheUS,itwasn'tinplaceinIndia.The petitionbroughtUbertoitskneesandthey havecommittedtothoroughbackground checks,documentverificationandpolice re-verificationoftheirdrivers.

Sikhsparticipatinginbasketballrejoiced whenover69,000supporterssucceeded ingettingtl,eInternationalBasketbalJ Federationtoscrapitsdiscriminatoryban onwearingheadgear.

Ayearlateritwasissuesrelatingtosafety ofwomensuchasbetterstreetlightsand abolishingtheinsensitive'two-finger' medicalprocedureafterrape.l\iforerecently, childsexualabusepetitionsseemtobe trending.Theethosofthecmmtrycertainly seemstobemirroredincl,epetitionsfor keyissues.

1fanyhavecriticisedsucharmchaircyber activism,burcl1erehavebeensignificant successeswhichcannotbediscounted.

Detractorsofthismediumsaythat "liking"acauseonFacebook,commenting onapostorsigninganonlinepetition maynotchangetheworld,burChange.org petitionshavecertainlymadeadifference

sufficientfortheParramatraParkTrustto agreetokeeptheplaygroundopenuntila replacementwasbuilt.

OvertoIndia,whereL:rnni,anacidattack victimat15,usedChange.orgtogetover 29,000people to signheronlinepetition askingtheIndiango,7ernmenttoregulatethe retailsalesofacidtopreventfutureattacks. Thegovernmentmadeanannouncement thatitwouldissueguidelinesrec1uiringa validproofofidentitytopurchaseacidand requiringshopkeeperstobelicensedforsale ofacid.Alithisinsevendays.

Inanotherexample,AlinaTiphagne fromNewDelbiusedChange.orgtoget over63,000supportersforherpetitionro

ApetitioninAustraliawhichasked MalcolmTurnbulltodecriminalisethe useofmedicalcannabisforpeoplewith terminalillness,garneredover248,000 supportersThegoodnewsforLucy HaslamfromTamworthwhoranthis petitiononChange.orgforher24-yearold son,whoneededcannabistomanagetl1e painandnauseafromcancertreatment, wascl1aton17October,tl1egovernment announcedtheirsupport.

Withinternetaccessandmobilephones reachingfarand,videcl1evastexpanseof India,Change.orgnowleveragescl1epower oftheiorernetamongtheHindispeaking populationsinIndiatoo.Whilesomemay arguethatpoliticalengagementbydicking afewlinkspromotestheillusionyoucan changetheworld,LucyandLaxmiwould certainlybegtodisagree.

,, Many have criticised Change.org as armchair cyber activism, but there have been significant successes which cannot be discounted ,,

The business ofbeing human

RUCHIR SODHANI tells us about his journey from being an ITexecutive to working as a counsellor in outback Queensland

Myjobtitleis

MobileRuralCounsellor,Lifeline,St George,QLD

I'vebeeninthisjobfor4months

Myeducationalqualifications

1 workedintheITindustryforover 25 yearsandlovedit.However,slowlyIfound myselfmovingawayfrom'logicandreason' to'understancLingofhumanneedsand frailties'.MovingtoAustraliameantthatmy socialcirclewaspredominantlylimitedto sin1.ilarprofessionalsorcorporatewarriors. Tomaintainaconnectiontoolderpeople,I joinedgroupssuchastheAustralianPlant Society,andwasinspiredbywonderfully passionate elderswhowereenthusiastic aboutsharingtheirknowledgeandwere alsosokindandloving.Afterdabbling inAgedCareNLtrsing,Idecidedtobite thebu1Jet,quitmyjob,anddoatwo-year GraduateDiplomainCounselling.lthas beenanamazingjourneywhichisstill unfolding!

Whatthejobentails

Myjobistoprovidecounsellingservices topeopleresicLingintownswithina 150kmradiusofStGeorge,Queensland. NoformalmedicalcLiagnosisorreferral isrequiredtoaccessthisfreeservice,and anyonecanseekhelpiftheyarefeeling down,confused,snick,alone,orstressed.

Thefocusistosupportpeoplegoing throughtoughtimesin d1eirlivesand feelingvulnerable,especiallyinthecurrent drought.

What'satypicaldaylike?

IvisitadifferenttownaroundStGeorge everyday;a200kmroundtriponaverage. Imeetclientsattheirhomes,inthecouncil hall,oratthehospital,oreveninthelocal parkorcafe.Sessionsusuallylastaboutan hourwhere\Vetalkaboutwhatishappening intheirlives,bowtheyarecopingwithit, whatd1eywouldliketochange,andwho orwhattheirsupportsare.Itrytoremain attentiveandacceptingoftheirsituation andofthemselvesasaperson,wid1out passinganyjudgment.

Ialsovisitandtalktootherpeople, businessowners,communitygroupssuch asQC\Y/A(QueenslandCountryWomen's Association),Men'sSheds,andlibraries inthesetownsinformally.Iparticipate inHeald1yAgeinggroups,givetalksin schools,andraisecommunityawareness throughworkshopsandeventslikeRVOK Day.

IalsoworkwithP.robationandParole toworkwithpeoplewhomaybeatriskof beingcLisengagedoron d1evergeofdrug abuse.

Itisgreattohaveasupportiveteam andsupervisortoallowmecodebriefand discussspecificcasesandhowwecould

potentiallyhelpclientsholisticallybyalso connectingthemtootherservices.

Thehardestthingaboutmyjob

Itisdifficulttoconvinceanyoneaboutthe valueoftalkingaboutwhatishappeningto tbem-outsideand.inside.Openingupto othersaboutourfears,dreams,grief,pain, beliefs,shame,hurtandregretsandbeing abletoexpressdiemisnoteasy,especially becauseofour'conditioning'throughsocial norms,stigma,andexpectations.Breaking d1roughthesebarriersingettingpeopleto comeandjusthavead1acoveracuppais probablythehardestthing-forbothme andformyclients.

Thebestpartofmyjob

Itishumblingwhensomeonetakesthe courageousstepofseekinghelpand companionship,inwhatmaybeavery stressfulandisolatingsituation,byinviting meinrod1eirinner,vorldofthoughtsand feelings.Itismyprivilegewhensomeone sharesd1enarrativeoftheirlives\1.�thme. Therewardisinrepeatedlyfindingthat talkingaboutthingsshapesourexperience

ofd1eworldandhowwefeellthelpsus togainemotionalrelief,tomakemeaning ofourexperiences,tofindfreedomfrom ourpain andstruggles,andtorecLiscover ourownstrengths,wisdom,andconfidence toproceedonourjourneywitl1hope,good humomandjoy.Itisin'co-cLiscoveting'that changeispossible!

Howthisjobhasinfluencedmylife 1amgratefulfortheshiftthatthisjobhas entailed.Physically,ithasmeantamove toruralQueensland,givingmeachance coexperiencelifeinasmall,warm,and friendlycommunitywhichunforntnatelyis currentlyindiegripofdrought.

Onamentallevel,ithasbeenapractice ofpatience,persistenceandperseverance inestablishinganewcommunityservice andalsobeingavailableasa'yarning pose'forpeoplecotalkabout whateveris happeningtothemintheirlives Spiritually, ithasreinforcedtheideaofconnectedness ofthings,d1ecircleoflife,andtheoften difficult'businessofbeinghuman'inour journeytryingtofindpeacewiththeworld andwithourselves.

On

the Indian links at this year's Bridgestone WorldSolar Challenge

BYAVI CHANDIOK

Driving3000kilometresfrom DarwintoAdelaidewould challengeanyonemakingthe trip.Buttodoitwithoutadrop of petro�areyoukiddingme?

TheBridgesconeWorldSolarChallenge, acarracewithadifference,isaneventthat seeksoutnew-andsustainable-frontiers ind1etransportscene.

Thisyear46teamsfrom25countries participated.

AmajorpurposeofmeChallengeisto advanceilieexplorationanddevelopment ofautomotivetechnologyinrheuseof solarpower.Thisbasbeenevidencedasme winner'saveragespeedsince1987,whend1e eventbegan,hasrisenfrom67kphto92kph roday,achievedbythewinningcarNuna8 fromtheNuonSolarTeambasedinHolland.

The4"'placedcarwastheAnrumfrom meUniversityof 1-iichigan,USA Aurum ProjectManagerPavan aik,attheyoung ageof 21,isaveteranofsolar-poweredcar racing,havingbeeninvolvedinthe2013 raceinAdelaide,followedbyracesinthe

,, The University of Michigan's Aurum car, project-managed by 21-year-old Pavan Naik, placed a commendable 4th ,,

USandAbuDhabi.

Describingd1isyear'sracehesaid,"The finalpositionsweredowncothelast30 minutesof theentiretace."

MajoringinIndustrialEngineering,Pavan hasapassionateinterestinthesuccessof Aurum forhimself andhisteam.

ltwasinterestingtohearPavansay,"I hadaninteresti.nengineeringbutitwasn't untilmyinvolvementwidlsolarcarsdrntI reallyunderscoodwhatengineeringwasall about.Youcanlearnitinclassbutit'snor thesame."

Astheteamstatementsays'Our emphasiswithAurumwasonspeed, reliabilityandsafety itwasdesignedtobe thefastestsolarcar'.

ThesleekAurumisanentirelysmdent run project.Theteamcomprisesof engineeringstudentsfrornd1emechanical, electrical,aero-dynamicandstrategy disciplineswimsupportfromoperations

andbusinessdivisions.Withanentlrnsiastic racecrewof 17,anddriverscakingturnsat thewheel,therewasjustoneobjectivein mind:togetthis 140kgbabycod1enumber onespot.

Interestingly,therewasasupporters groupthathadcomeallthewayfromdle USAfordlefinishinAdelaide.Therewere the"M.ichiganMoms"includingJulieand Tracy,rnodlerandaunt,respectively,of me leadmechanicalengineer,Joshua.Others includedAjitNaik,fad1erofPavan.

TalkingtoAjitgaveaninsightintorhe feelingsof aparentof aparticipantin therace.AjitcoldTndia11Llnk,"Getting involvedintheprojecthaschangedalot of d1eperspectiveinPavan.Hehasbeen reallyinvolvedforthelasttwoyears.When hisfriendswouldbegoingtoballgameshe wouldbebusyworkingontheproject."

Thiswasjustanexampleof the dedicationandpassionshownbyalltaking

Above:TheUniversityofMichigan's AurumCar;Atthefinishline celebrations;Pavanwith hisdadAjit Naik;Celebrations In theThreeRivers Fountain

partinthesolarchallenge.

\Xlhenasked.ifbatterieswereanissuefor solarvehicles,Pavanreplied,"No,memain issueisenergymanagemem,makingsure yourstrategyisconsistentandyourvehicle reliable."

Acmeendof therace,Pavansaid,"Iam proudof mytean1;we'll bebackin2017for abetterresult."

OnanLmforrunatenote,theRVCESolar CarTeamfromBangaloreworkedveryhard tobringtheircartomeracebuttechnical problemspreventedtheirstart.Hopefully iliey'llbebackne.'<trimetoo.

Aftersuchagruellingraceitwasnot sL1rpcisingmacthecelebrationswereoff thescale.Loudcheeringandchanting continuedasthewinningcarsrolledinto thefinishenclosure.Beforeweknewit,d1e Aurumteam wererunningdownVictoria Squaretocontinueatradition,tojumpimo ilieThreeRiversFotmtainasthesparkling winefizzedintomesky.Later,aparade of carsi.nd1ecity,anAwardsceremony followedbyapartybroughtchiseventcoa fittingconclusion.

Goooooaaaaaaaallllllll!

BYFRANKEYGERARD FERNANDES

Imaginestayinguptill2amtowatch Indian soccerandthenwakingup at7amtogettoschool.Itmaynotbe anidealsituation,butforadedicated groupof youngstersinAustralia,it's asacrificetheyarewillingtoendureforthe lndianSuperLeague(ISL)2015underway infar-awayIndia.

Agro\vingnumberof Goansandother Indiansherehavebeenfaithfullyfollowing thesecondeditionof ISLeitheronFox SporesTVorLlveTVwithintensityand enthusiasm,evenif itmeansgoingtobed intheweehoursandwakingupafewhours later.

HeroIndianSuperLeagueisIndia's unrivalledfootballchampionship playeddu.ringthefomtbquarterofthe calendaryear.Itisco-promotedbyIMGReliance(thejointventurebetween IMGandRelianceIndustries),Star lndiaandsupportedbyAllIndiaFootball Federation(AIFF).

India'sleadingindustrialisesand celebritiesfromsportsaswellastheIndian filmindustryhaveinvestedinowningthe lndianSuperLeague'seightfranchises. ThesearebasedoutofChennai,Delhi, Goa,Guwahari,Kochi,Kolkata,Mumbai andPune.

ForthefirstrimeinIndianfootball, globallyrenownedfootballershavebeen playingalongsidethebestIndiantalent. Withamissiontorevolutionisethesport, HeroIndianSuperLeagueispositioned asahighqualityanddynamicleaguethat promisestoelevatelndianfootballtoan internationallevel.

EightteamsincludingAtlericode Kolkata,Chennai)rinFC,DelhiDynamos FC,FCGoa,FCPuneCity,KeralaBlasters PC,MumbaiCityFC,North.EastUnitedFC areparticipatinginthechampionship.

"It'sasoccertreattl1atcomesjustonce everyyearandwhywouldImisstl1isone," justiEesSamsonFernandes(14)from AdelaideinSoutl1Australia. Samsonstillcherisheswatchingsome matchesinvolvingFCGoaduringthe inauguraleditionof ISLfromtl1estandsat FatordastadiuminGoaandalsomeeting hisicon,RomeoFernandes.

ConsideringthatAdelaideisfive hoursaheadof IndianStandardTime, ISLmatchesarewatchedontelevision frommidnightforthenextcoupleof hours.

ButSamson,hisbrotherShaneandtheir matesherearepreparedforthesacrificetill mid-December.

AnardentChelseafanintheBarclays PremierLeague,SamsonfeelsFCGoahas amuchbetterchancetoclinchtl1etitle thisyearandhopestomakethetripdown toGoa,should FCGoacontinuewid1its winningways.

''It'sgoingrobeatreattowatchFC Goaplayinthefinals,consideringthatthe finalsareslatedtobeplayedattheFatorda stadium,"saysSamson.

Thecolourfulatmosphere,thechanting of''let'sfootball"or"VivaFCGoa" accompaniedby blaringmusicfromthe stands,thecarnival-likeatmosphereand thelargecro,vdsaresomeof diemany memoriesthatSamsonandShanehave fromthelastecl.itionofISL.

Buttheicingonthecakewasmeeting inpersonthemanyscarslikeBrazilian coachZico,RobertPires,formerSydney FCplayerTolgayOzbeyandGoanduoof RomeoFernandesandMandatRao.

"MyFCGoaeditson Facebookpage orlnsragramWeershavebeen"liked"by manysoccerplayersfromFCGoa",states anelatedSamson,whoalongwitl1hismates inAdelaidespendstheweekendsdiscussing

reviewsof tl1ematches.

AddsGlenD'SouzafromBrisbane,"The ISLhasbroughtIndiansoccertohomes inAustralia.Sieringintl1ecomfortof our loungesinAustralia,itisgreattobeableto followallthemarchesplayed,withmany oftl1emshownlive.Thebigexpatriate Indianpopulationisbeingabletowatchthe tournamentwithavidinterest."

"AskeenFCGoasupporters,our householdwatchesallthematchesplayedby Goawithkeeninterest.MysonElijahwears hisFCGoajersey\\�thalotofpride.When Goaplays,hewillevengotobedinit."

AccordingtoD'Souza,thepopularityof theBrazilianteaminGoaisnosecret. "\Xlitl1Zicoattl1ehelmatFCGoa,itaddsa newdimensiontoseeingouryoungstersrub shoulderswithsomebignames,"hesays.

Headds,"ToseeIndiadrawsomebig names,albeitmanybroughtbackfrom retirement,isapleasure.Playersmightget old,buttheirtrickswillneverdisappear.To seemoreandmorebignamesjointhisrear isimpressiveandproof ofwhereIndian footballhasreached.Hence,itisnosurprise thatFoxSporesisstreamingmostof the marcheslivecluetothepopularityof the sporthere."

InAdelaide,theFCGoaFanteam comprisingAJisterRodrigues(18),Kris Fernandes(17),KarrellVaz(16),Samson Fernandes(14),ShaunRoswan(10),Kyrel Vaz(10),LeonFernandes(10),Shane Fernandes(9)andBrisbane-basedElijah D'Souza(9)haveaplantomakeFCGoa apopularbrand.Andhowdotheyintend togoaboutit,over7000kmsawayin Australia?

"IfaManchesterUnited,Chelseaoran ArsenalfaninremoteIndiacanpopularise theEnglishPremierleague,whycan'twedo thesameforFCGoaandISLfromournew home,"reasonsomSamson,whoplansro weartheFCGoacoloursduringhissocial gatl1erings.

EvenasthesecondeditionofISLis nearinghalfwayandtheteamsaregettinga feelof thematches,tl1eyoungFCGoafans inAustraliahavealreadypredictedafiual clash:FCGoaversusFCPune.

Man)'maysayit'stooearlytodrawa conclusiononthefinalisesatthesecond editionofISL,butFCGoaplayingon hometurfinthefinalswouldbeamouthwateringmatchforthe)'OungFCGoafans, whohavebeenstayingupwa)'afterbedtime hereinAustralia.

The Indian Super League has manykeen fans in Australia, especiallyfrom the Goan community

WearingtheGoajerseywithpride:

Brisbane'sElijahD'Souza;Adelaide's LeonFernandes,Samson Fernandes, Shane FernandesandShawnRoswan

Sweet Diwalitreats!

Indulgeyour sweet tooth, but with a different, healthier form ofsugar

utensils,fireworks,earthenlampsand sweets.Festivitiesbeginwithprayersand arefollowedbythelightingoflampsor fireworks,andahugefeastconsistingofa largevarietyofsweetsandsavories.

BYGAURAVMASAND

Jgarnee Duvall

Therearemanynatural andhealthy alternativescowhitesugaravailableon themarker.They givethesamesweet flavouryecdonorposethesamehealth risksasartificials,veereners.Someofthe commonlyusednaturalsweetenersinclude ritualstypicallyein:endfora5-dayperiod, coconutsugar/palmsugar,scevia,erythrirol signifyingthevictoryofligbtoverdarkness. andJ,.·ylitol. AheadofDiwali,peoplecleanandrenovate tbeirhouses,andshopfornewclothes,

DhvaliisthebiggestHindu festiv . alandiscelebrated onthenewmoonnightof theHinducalendarmonth Karcik. Thefestivitiesand

Bengali Rasgulla

Rasgulla is a syrupy dessert immensely popular in the Indian subcontinent. They are cottage cheesedumplingssoaked in a light sugar syrup andserved cold. This traditional recipe can be made one or two days in advance and requires no oil.The syrup can be re-used for another batch if required.

The two most important things to make good quality Rasgulla are the softness of the cheese and the clarity of the sugar syrup.

edlenb

1 ½ litres full fat milk

2 tbsp. vinegar or lemon juice

250 gm palm/coconut sugar

6-8 cups water

Metho

Boil the milk and keep aside for 5 minutes so that it cools a little.

Mix 2tbsp. of lemonjuice/vinegarwith ¼ cupwaterand slowly add to the milk as it startsto coagulate.Add morelemonjuice

Sugar free rnanqo eda

1n�edlen

evaporated milk, erythritol, stevia and

1 large mango ghee to a bowl and mix well.

(or 1 ½ cup mango puree) Slowly addthe skimmed milk powder

½ cup lukewarm milk to the mixture andcombinewell with a

½ cup light evaporated milk whisk.

1 ¼ cup skimmed milk powder Heat a pan and add the mango puree.

2 tbsp. ghee Stir continuouslyfor 3-4 minutes on a

1/3 cup erythritol medium f ame.

2 tsp. stevia

Add the milk powder mixture to the

½ cup shredded coconut mango puree and mix well for 2-3

3-4 cardamom seeds/pods minutes.

(powdered)

Add shredded coconut to the mix, this

5-6 saffron strands will make the mixture thicken a bit.

5-6 pistachios chopped

Add the saffron milk and cardamom powder to the mix, stirring continuously

Method until a light dough forms and starts

Puree the mango pieces in a blender separating from the sides of the pan. for 2-3 minutes with a dash of water/ Turn off the heat, allow it to cool at milk if required. room temperature.

Keep the saffron strands with 2 tbsp Take some butter/ghee in your hands warm milk in a separate bowl. and mould the dough in small peda. Add rest of the warm milk, light Garnish with pistachios.

tothemilk until the cheese andthe water is clearly separated. Strain coagulated milk in a muslin cloth. Drain it in a bowl beneaththesieve.This will separatethe chena or cottage cheese. Pour a cup of cold water on the cheese to remove any bitter residue from the lemon. Add 4-5 cups of water to palm sugar and let it boil in a pressure cooker. Add 2 tbsp. milk to the syrup to remove any impurities in the palm sugar. Continue this process until a clear base with light orange colour is visible. Alternatively, you may add around ½ cup of milk to the sugar mixture and cook

•

•

a

urroll

• Dates (Khajur) are anatural source of

: energy and are power packedwith protein, dietary fibre, Vitamins 81, 82, 83,A and :C.Theyarefreefromcholesterolandhave

• high potassium and iron content.

: This traditional recipe can be made

: one or two days in advance. It

: requires no additional sugar and

• requires little cooking.

. : lneredlent

: 1 cupdates pitted

• ¼ cup almonds

• ¼ cup cashew nuts

: ¼ cupshreddedcoconut

: 1-2 cardamoms

• 2 tbsp. ghee or unsalted butter

: 1-2 tbsp. milk

: 3-4 pistachios (optional)

until 1whistle in thepressurecooker, this will speed.up the purification process. Mash the cheese on a plate for 4-5 minutes until smooth.

Roll cheese into 10-12 small balls of the same size.

When the syrup is boiling, add the balls one by one and cook on medium fame. Reducethe fame and cook for 7-8 minutes after 1 whistle. Keep the cooker aside until the steam cools.

Transfer the contents to a serving bowl. Let it cool further in the refrigerator for a minimum of 5-6hours.

Meth1\.1

Heat a pan and dry roast almonds and cashew nuts for 3-4 minutes on a slow flame. Keep this aside. Coarsely chop along with cardamoms. Chop all dates in small pieces. Heat ghee in a pan.Add the dates and cook on a slow f ame for 3-4 minutes. Add milk and keep stirring until dates become soft start sticking together Add the roasted nuts along with shredded coconut.

Let it cook for a few minutes, mix well until it forms a slightly sticky mixture. Turn off the heat and let it cool.

Grease your palms with ghee, mould this mixture into a cylindrical shape by rolling in baking paper.

Refrigerate for 2-3 hours.

Cut the roll in small discs and serve on a plate

Garnish with dry pistachios if desired

MATRIMONIALS

SEEKING GROOMS

Familyinvitesalliancefor38-year-olddaughter,Australiancitizenworkingas Accountant(C.A)non-veg.FamilyseededinAustraliaforover35years.Elder brotherrnarriedandsettledinAustralia.Professionalmarchpreferred.Please sendbiodatatorlm1263@ginai1.com

Well-settledfamilyinAustraliainvitesalliancefor28-year-old,5'7,Indiangirl. Australiancitizen,workingasalawyerongoodsalary.Professionalmatch preferredfromAustralianCitizenorPRscams.Pleasesendbiodata/particulars rofordsyd88@ginail.com.

Marchrequiredfor38-year-oldChristianfemale,lookingforsomeoneco remarrySeparatedafterabriefmarriage,noissues,AustralianPR,workingasa reacher,height5"4,wheatishcolour.Pleasesendbiodatacorattan_16@yahoo. com.

Australiabased orrhIndianparentsinvitealliancefor'88bornson,6ftrail, ChemicalEngineerworkinginOil/Gasindustryfromsuitablyqualified/ professionalwithgoodbackground.Castenobar.Pleasecontactwithcomplete andfulldetailstokashaust@gmail.com

Snicablematchformysister,HinduSindhi,5'1"beautiful,attractive, 1978born, Mastersdegreein(Economics),familysettledinAustraliafor 15years.Seeks aprofessionalcandidatesettledinAustralia.Emaildetailson:kumar1978@ oudook.com.auorphone0490046022

Marchforbeautiful,professionallyeducatedfemale,5'6"/48,slim,Lmmarried, well-settledinMelbourne.Seeksgroomprofessionallyqualified/working,settled inMelbourne.Respondwithphoto/biodata.Ph:0405307794/0422033407or sen_guddu@yahoo.com.au

SEEKING BRIDES

\,'(fell-settledfamilyinAustraliainvitesalliancefor1983born,5"10,SoodPunjabi boy,AustralianCitizen,B.SoftwareEngineering(honours),workingasasenior ITConsultantforAustralianGovt.SeekingIndiangirl(AustralianCitizen/PR statuspreferred).Pleasesendbiodata/picturestosoodaust55@ginail.com

Well-settledFiji lndianfamilyinMelbourneinvitesalliancefor33-year-old,6'2", ChristianIndianboy,Australiancitizen,welleducated,familyoriented,holds executivepost.Lookingforwelleducated,25-30yearsold,nevermarried,kind, beautifulIndiangirlpreferablyofChristianfaith.Pleaserespondwithrecent photoandprofiletoda.ndssi.ngb@tpg.com.au,contact039545 L164. [apologisetothosewhocalledmepreviouslyl couldn'trespondtoyourcallsas tl1eywerefromlancllinenumbers.IwasonholidaycruisinginSoud1eastAsian countries.Backhomenow:AustralianCitizen,62,Punjabi,financiallysecured, seekingpartnerbetween40-55years old.Ifinterestedpleasecallmeon0405 829861.Manythanks.

MarchforPLrnjabiAroraAustraliancitizen,5'-10",28-year-oldboy.Girlshould bewelleducatedandfamilyoriented.Australiasettledgirlpreferred.Please respondtotheemai.lamnkathuria@gmail.com

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ARIES March 21 - April 19

This month may start with some ups and downs in your love life. There may besome misunderstandings andgeneral unease may be present for the first few weeks. You will have some new ideas with regard to your work and perhaps enrolling in a newcourse ofstudy. The cards are indicating a time when you will be assessing your finances and future work opportunities.There may besome concern relating to your children. Perhaps a change of school.

TAURUS April 20 - May 20

You will be thinking about your finances andwork this month.You may bethinking of looking for another opportunity.Therewill be an opening to work in another city, but you will have to decidewhatstepsyou take. Yourrelationship areaseems harmonious and youwill be thinking of taking ashort holiday with your partner.Take care not to rush around -you may injure yourselfdue to carelessness. Make sure you get enough rest as you have been working non-stop lately.

GEMINI May 21 - June 20

This month the cards are indicating a time when you will be feeling very connectedwith your partner and therewill be a lot more closeness and greater understanding between you.Thingsacrossall areas have been stressful lately. Finances seem to besettling, you are looking at what you have achieved as the year comesto an end. Work will be demanding and there may be some trips away from the family.Thiswill be a busy time socially.

CANCER June 21 - July 20

You have been quite flamboyant lately, so you will needto be carefulwith financesthismonth. Workwill havesome issues with departmental reorganisation and changes in the work environment. There may be a new manager and staff coming in. You may be offered a newpositionwhich requires you to work extra hours. Love will be a little eratic as you will not be sure ofwhat youwant.You need to take care of your health.

LEO July 21 - Aug 22

This month you will bewantingto make major changes in your life. You may decide to go travelling for a while and there may be a love connection meeting. The cards are indicating a timewhen youwill bewilling to jump in and enjoynew adventures. Work will be slightly draining andcause you stress, but you will be looking to starting something for yourself.Your health needs more attention - take more time for yourself.

VIRGO Aug 23 - Sep 22

This month you will be looking at your joint investments. Itseems that your partner may have spent a bit more than you would have liked. There will besome discussions regarding money and youwill come to a newarrangement. Work is goingwell, with new contacts and clients. You will be looking at taking a week away to a health spa. This could .., bewith a group of friendsfor a celebration.

PREDICTIONS FOR NOV 2015

BY NANCY JADE ALTHEA

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22

The cards are indicating a time when you will beworking on your ideas and finances. You will be looking at some long term investments andtaking advice from friends and perhaps relatives. You are keen to improve your health as you have been walking a bit more lately. Your partner may bewanting to go away for a weekend, but you are not too keen. Property matters need to be sorted out and you may be thinking of changing your will.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21

This month will be an interesting one, when you will be thinking of redecorating your house.The cards are also indicating a time when you need to be careful of liaisons that could lead to problems later. Someone will be attracting your attention. You seem to be quite bored atwork right now and need a newchallenge.You are being urged to look for other opportunities. A reunion with an old friend will be very nostalgic andspecial.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 21

This month the cards are indicating a timewhen you are feeling disinterested in everything. You are waiting to hear about an opportunity you applied for, as you are desperate for a change and an increase in finances. Your relationship seems to be causing you stress as you may not be seeing eye to eye right now.Your general state of mind needsto besettled and you will feel better. Financially, you are looking at investments and the future.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 19

You haveset your mindto change things around you and you are on a missionthis month.The cards are indicating a timewhen you will besingle minded and very determined. Therewill be a change of house for you and you will be looking to travel. Romantically, you are ready to meet someone to complete your life. There are new friends to be made, new adventures to had, and a lot of exciting times ahead for you.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18

There is a sense of urgency around you this month as you will be wanting to get a lot of things done.Youseem to be inthe mode of planning and organising. Workwill be very busy and you have heavy demands on you to get things done.There seems to be a shortage of staffwhere you are.A personal project will also take off and you will be looking to expand at that level.Everything seemsto be happening at once- tackle it head on!

PISCES Feb 19 - March 20

This month you seem to be a little confused as to where you want to be. It seems that you would like to move away from your current house. If you are looking for work this is a great time as there are a lot of opportunities coming your way. You may decide to make a relationship more official.The cards are ind.icating a time when you needto take time out and decide where youwant to go

TITLI

STARRING: Ranvir Shorey, Shashank Arora, Amit Sial, Shivani Raghuvanshi and Lalit Behl

DIRECTOR: Kanu Behl .�.�{;(

This is a dark neo-realistic film which takes you into the murky side of the lives of the working class of Delhi, exposing the animal instincts of human beings and how humanity gives way to

brutality when survival is in question.

The title Titli or butterf y, is used as a metaphor for the f uttering wings of the lead character (ShashankArora) named Titli, who is restless andwantsto break free from the shackles of his gory family and be set free into another world to find his paradise.

RanvirShorey as Vikram, the eldest of the three brothers in a dysfunctional family, is a frustrated man living his life in penury and readily awakens the beast

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in him to eke out a living for himself and his family. He delivers a power-packed performance - whether it is mercilessly indulging in crime, getting into an uncontrollable fit of rage or craving for more time with his little daughter Shilpi.

Amit Sial as Bawla, the second brother, is again a natural before the camera, essaying his character of the partner in crime to make ends meet, with conviction and competence.

But it is the relative newcomer Shashank Arora, the youngest brother, who steals the thunder in a stoic yet powerful performance of a young man who lives life mechanically in the hope of realising his dream one day. His character is well etched, has a steady upward graph and Shashank matches that with his performance, sometimes controlled and indifferent and at other times, giving vent to his angst.

Shivani Raghuvanshi as Neelu, Titli's wife, is every inch the brazen, fearless Delhi middle class girl, who knows what she wants out of life.She does not bow down or let circumstances get the better of her.Yet, she is vulnerable. Shivani is a confident actor and renders Neelu effortlessly, with complete sincerity.

Lalit Behlas the patriarch of the family, the father ofthe trio, is battling his own demonsandis effectivethrough his silenceand occasional outbursts.

The script, written by Kanu Behl and Sharat Katariya, is compact, never once digressing from the core issue, replete with dramatic moments.The performances are gripping and although there is no respite in the form of entertainment or humour, Titli keeps you gluedto the screen.

It is the characters which are interesting and well written, which contribute significantly to the appeal of the flm.

Director Kanu Behl in his debut film, manages to disturb you and sets you thinking about how selfish and violent human beings can get, and how they can go to any extent in order to safeguard their own interests.

The stark dichotomy in the lives of the poor working class striving hard to make ends meet and the leap of urbanisation that cities like Delhi aretaking, leave you uneasy.

Siddharth Diwan's cinematography ably captures both the poverty and the dark bylanes of Delhi with equal fair, taking you into their lives effortlessly.

Namrata Rao's sharp and seamless edits and Karan Gour's evocative background score does not let the mood of the film slip for a moment, making it a film which haunts you long after you leave the theatre.

Titli is a must-watch for lovers of meaningful cinema.

TROYRIBEIRO

KnowThyselfasSoul

Who am 17 Where do I come f.om? Where am I go ng?

Sant Mat is a practical and natural path to selfrealisaton. The meditation on the inner light UyotJ) and Sound (Naad) combined with an ethical lifestyle builds the foundation to experience and strengthen the connection with the inner core of our being, the soul.

Sant Baljit Singh teaches this meditation to people searching for a deeper meaning in life.

Weekly spiritual gatherings (satsangs} are available in most metropolitanareas.

KnowThyselfas Soul Foundation s a non-profit incorporated association. It offers its serv ces free of charge.

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

PRIYANKA, JAMIE LEE CURTIS VIE FOR FAVOURITE ACTRESS AWARD

0ur very own Priyanka Chopra is up against Hollywood starslike Jamie Lee Curtis and Emma Roberts for the 'FavouriteActress In A New TV Series' accolade of the People's Choice Awards. She has been nominated for her role in Quantico.

Other nominees are Marcia Gay Harden and Lia Michele.

"Wow, my first nomination for #Quantico. Feel like a true debutante again. Thank you @peopleschoice. Fingers crossed," tweeted Priyanka, who made her international TV debut with the show this year.

The former beauty queen playsthe role of Alex Parrish, a FBI recruit with a mysterious past.

The show has also been nominated for Favourite New TV Drama award along with Minority Report, Supergirl, The Player, Rosewood and Limitless.

"Double whammy! #Quantico nominated too! Yay," PeeCee tweetedlater. What do you think are her chances at winning?

ACTORS FOR FARMERS

First t was Nana Patekar, thenAkshay Kumar, now it's Nawazuddin Siddiqui.

Nawaz, a farmer's son, says he is aware of the hardships faced by farmers andso, he isurging hisfansto help them.

Knownfor deliveringscintillating performances in Bollywood films like Gangs of Wasseypur 2, Kick, and BajrangiBhaijaan, the actor has asked peopleto join him and donate to help the farmers in the country.

"I am a farmer's son and I know the hardships they face. That's why I'm supporting #SeedTheRise. Join me and donate to help India's farmers," Nawazuddin tweeted.

The initiative is to help improve the lives offarmers across India. The official site of the initiative reads: "Betrayed by the weather and our indifference, these men and women are struggling and fighting against the odds every day. But no more. Together, we can turn things aroundfor them by donating money to five impactful projects.So join us in helping the farmers of our country do what they do best,with their heads held high."

Great to see the help being offered by folk at tinseltown.

PRIYANKA CHOPRA IS AN ELEPHANT...

No, truly.

No, no, relax, PeeCee hasn't put on weight.She couldn't have - have you seenallthat exercise they make her do at Quantico?

The star of ABCTV's new show Quantico, has given voice to PETA's walkingtalking robotic elephant named Ellie, which will go on a school tour across US, Europe and India.

As children have a natural empathy for animals, the new campaign of the American animal rights organisation Peoplefor the Ethical Treatment of Animals, aims to helpeducate kids about elephants and captivity through Ellie.

Thanks to Chopra's voiceover, the 6.5-foot-tall Ellie "speaks" to students and shares her story, taking them through her painful separation from her mother as an infant, discussing the intimidation and physical punishment that she endured at the hands of her circus handlers, and finally detailing her happylife at a sanctuary after her rescue.

Ellie has already visited 3,000 elementary school students, who were captivated by the gentle giant. One student at Horace Mann Elementary in Oakland, California, asked, "Why don't circuses just use robots instead?"

"Ellie is teaching kidsthat elephants belong inthe wild with their families, andthat theysuffergreatly in captivity, in which they're kept chained, forced to learn tricks,and deprived of allthe

things that make them happy,like family and freedom,'' said Chopra.

"I'm pleasedto join with PETA in bringing Ellie to life for children everywhere," Priyanka said in a release.

Chopra described elephants as "magnificent creatures who desperately need our help and protection."

... AND KANGANA RANAUT IS 85 YEARS OLD

Versatile actress Kangana Ranaut, known for her power-packed performances in filmslike Queen and Tanu Weds Manu series, says she has been offered the chance to play an 85-year-old woman in a Shekhar Kapur film.

"Yes I have been offered (such a role)," Kanganaconfirmed, but added, "We are still intalks The role is very challenging for me."

However, Kangana did not confirm if the role that she has been approached for is in Kapur's most ambitious project Paani.

Talking aboutthe subject, Kangana said, "There is a pressure from the film industry and the society that an actress should look of certain age allthe time. We as women shouldaccept ourselves the way we are. We actresses should stand for ourselves."

AWARD WAAPSI SEASON

In a dramatic development, many prominent filmmakers in the past month have returnedto the government various awards and honoursthey have received, protesting impediments to freedom of speech and expression in the nation.

"We appeal to the people, not the government. We want to be party of the awakeningthat is happening around the country withscientists, artistes and writers returningtheir honours," noted documentary maker Anand Patwardhan said recently.

He spoke in reference to the decision of a string ofwriters, historians, filmmakers and others to return their national awards and honours to protest an atmosphere of "intolerance" in the country, suchasthe lynching of a Muslim man inDadri of Uttar Pradesh over rumours that he had consumed beef, the murder of Kannada rationalist scholar M.M. Kalburgi, and the police "raid" inDelhi's Kerala House.

In recent days, however,thereseems to have been a rethink on award-waapsi.

What are artistes gaining by returning awards, asks veteran theatre, film and television actor Supriya Pathak, among others.

Have they been able to change anything?Who are they pressurising by doing this?

Meanwhile as social media fillsup withbad jokesaboutthe 'return-wallahs', many are following Kamalhaasan'sstance and sayingthey won't returntheir awards.

Andone Chandigarhstreet comedy group actually demandedthat the government give them an award, so they could return it, justto be instep with the times!

OVERHEARD

Q: What isthename ofSalman Khan's upcoming film?

A:. Prem and Ratan win the lottery (Prem Ratan Ohan Payo).

Oh dear.

SRIDEVIIN PULi TROUBLE

The makers ofTamil fantasy drama Puli denied claims that they owe money to Sridevi.

Sridevi hadfiled a complaint at the MumbaiProducer's Council that the producers owe her Rs.50 lakh.

In a four-page statement, producers Thameens and P.T Selvakumar said they signedthe veteran actress out of respect and agreedto pay Rs.2.7 crore as her salary along with Rs.30 lakh as service tax.

"Inthe final stages of production,

Sridevi's husband Boney Kapoor asked us to pay her extra as we were planning to release the film in other languages too," read the statement.

The statement said Boney Kapoor told the filmmakersthatSridevi would only come to the shoot if she was paid extra.

"After much deliberation, we decided to pay her 20 percent ofthe f lm's Hindi satellite rights, which was Rs.55 lakh, and Rs.15 lakh for the dubbedTelugu version," the statement added.

It was at the behest of Boney Kapoor, who convinced themthatSridevi has very goodmarket in Hindi,that the makers decided to release the film in Hindi.

"We had hired three costume designers for Puli, but Sridevi insisted that we sign Manish Malhotra, and we paid him Rs.50 lakh.She also convinced us to pay Rs.8 lakh for the marketing designer for the film's Hindi version," read the statement.

The makers said they spent crores just for the sake of Sridevi. Despite doing so much, she didn't even come for the film's audio launch.

AND HEMA MALIN! WANTS BACKIN TOO

The pull ofthe arc lights, they are difficult to resist, they are!

AgingDream Girl Hema Malini has said she would like to direct again.

Hema's f rst Bollywood directorial was the1992 film Di/AashnaHai, after which she wielded the megaphone for the 2011box office dudTellMe 0

Kkhuda, whichfeatured her daughter Esha.

But since then, many women filmmakers likeZoyaAkhtar,Gauri Shinde, Farah Khan and Madhureeta Anand have come to the fore.

Talking about them, Hema said, "I am so happy that there are so many woman directors doing good films. If an opportunity comes, I would like to direct a film once again. Currently, Mathura is taking lot of my time."

Hema is currently a Member of Parliament from Mathura.

KAJOL:ALL FOR MYBETI

Kajol says her daughter Nysa convinced her to do Di/wale.

Making her comeback with Rohit Shetty's masala entertainer Kajol says Nysa convinced her to do an entertaining film rather than her usual tea1erkers.

"She was like, Mom, I'm tired of seeing you cry in your films, do somethingfun," she told reporters.

Thankfully, she remembered in time to switch her brain back on, and said, "Of course, first and foremost the script was really awesome, andthen Rohit and Shah Rukhtogether ."

She's either trying to do anAishwarya, who puts in a mention of daughter Aradhya every time she opens her mouth, or she's trying to do a Shah Rukh, whose own baby son AbRam has been dominating the pre-release publicity, what with all that pouting and that car-driving

WHATTWEETY

USTHIS WEEK

BIRDTOLD

Can you match the tweetsto the stars who tweetedthem?

Karan Johar, Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra,SRK

Myfirst nomination for#quantico. Only six episodes in. Let the voting begin Yours to love. From Team Di/wale Hope you like it.. http://bit.ly/ Dilwa/eTrailerForYou

AapSabhi Ko Prem Wali Diwali Mubarak Ho!

Before the #DILWALEmaniabegins! Here is the latest poutingDILWALA!!! #AbramKhan

What's NEIL NITIN MUKESH sayinghere?

What is the chitchat here between SHAHID KAPOOR and ALIA BHATT?

Shahid: Shaandaar indeed I'm so disappointed.

Alia: What are you talking about, dude?

Shahid: You haven't read the reviews, have you?

SanjaySingh BallaratVic Sanjaywinsa ticket to new release Prem Ratab Ohan Payo

Driverlesscarsare coming

But theymaydrive us mad

BYLP AYER

Inthepastfewyears,everytimethe 'Nlostliveablecityintheworld'survey comesout,marvellousMelbourne pipsaffableAdelaideatthepose.But itmaynotbeforlong.Nexttime Adelaidewillzoompastitseastern rival byacountrymile.Whatdrivingforcewill crankupthissouthernlaggardtoleapfrog? Driverlesscars!Yes,automobilesthatwill soonbecomeactuallyautomatic.Anditis Adelaidethathasbeenchosenintheentire southernhemispheretotrialdriveclesscars thisNovember.

WhyAdelaideof allphces?Itwas theonlycitywithaone-wayexpressway connectingitssouthernsuburbstothe city. Aneadiercost-consciousgovernment hitupontheideaof anexpresswaywhere trafficwouldRowinonedirectioncowards tbecityinthemorningandtheopposite directionintheeveningtocopeatpeakhours.Youmaythinkitisthebestway todrivethetaxdollarfurther.Buenor theAdelaideans.Theyletoutastreamof crappyjokesincruisecontrolmode.Shock jocksjw11pedonthebandwagontomock the'onedirection'roadshov;,Takingout moreloanscoaddmorelanes,thecurrent rulershavemadeitadualcarriagewaygiving ittherighttopushautotechnologytoa highergear,triallingdriverlessVolvos.

Themomentthisplanwasannounced, itopenedthedoorsfortalk-backradio titanscohaveatiltatthestateof affairs saying"Driverlesscarsareaperfectfit foragovernmentwithoutdirection".The dawnof driverlesscarscanbringanumber ofbenefitsand,ontheRipside,anequal numberofunintendedconsequences.

Firstly,nomoreroadrages,side-swipes orrear-endcollisions.Noneedtoforkout fordrivers'licences.Anenormoussaving of timeforeveryone•onthewaytowork, keyboardwarriorscantapontheirtablets, womencanputontheirmake-up,blokes canccimtl1eirbeardsandtradiescantweet theirmates•witl1noworriesaboutbeing

pingedbypolice.Thehospitalityindustry willhitthejackpotwithpuhspullinginlot morecuscomerstoboozeupwitl1outfeat of coppingdrinkdrivingfines.Copswill beconfom1dedastOwhotoissueanotice •manormachine?Audnomorecarping commentsonmydrivingfromthebackseatdriver.Thebenefitsareboundless. Don'tletyourimaginationgoona joyride,though.If accidentsaretotally eliminated,tl1efirstindustrycocrashwill bethecrashrepairindustry.Butmotor mechanics,takeheart.Evenduringthe lirnitedtrialsinCaliforniasomeaccidents havehappened.Itwillbecomeabattle of blameshiftingbetweeninsurance companieswhentwodriverlesscars collide.Lawyers'picnicsloomlarge.With disappearingdrivinglicencefeesand dwindlingtrafficfines,theStatetreasury mayrundry.

Theymayworkwondersworld-wide,but

onecounccywheredr:iverlesscarswon't beasoundsuccessisIndiawhereonly non-stophonking getsyourcarinches ahead.Nodriver,nohonking,nomove forward.Besides,thosecarscan'treadtl1e sign"Pleasesoundhorn,"onthebackof everytruck.Theworstchallengeforthose computer-controlledcatsisnotbugs,but bovinebollards.Howcantl1eycomprehend tl1eunmo(o)vingcowson lodianroads? If meycan'ttackleanimalsstandingstill,what chancesdothesecarshaveof nothitting hoppingkangaroosonAustralia'soutback roads?

Thedriverlessconceptwillhavedire consequencesfortl1enew1ndianmigrants who,forwantof opportunities,takeup taxidrivinguntiltheylandajobintheir professionalarea.Anotherdoorslammed shut.

Hondahopestohavedriverlesscarsonthe roadbyaround2030,burVolvovisualises

itsooner.SoIneedtostartplanningwhat brandtobuyforDi,valithen.AVolvo? No chanceforanyonetosneerat.

Withallthesoftwaregiantsracingahead withtl1eirmodels,Iaminclinedcowards aGoogle'gadi'sinceitssearchengineis consideredtl1ebest. WillIbaveasoft cornerforMicrosoftif itmakesone? Umm lemayhavetoomanyWindowsand requirefrequentupdating. AnAppleauto seemsapt,asanAppleadaymaykeepan accidentaway.Andwhenitgetsveryold,no onecancallitalemon.

RegardlessofwhateverbrandIselect, tl1erewillbeonenaggingworry.As tl1esevehicleswillberunbycomputers, suddencrashescannotberuledout.In anemergenc)�if Ineedtoshutdown tl1eengine,doIhavetoscareaswith computers?Can'timaginetheconsequences. Themindboggles.Driverlesstheymaybe, buttheyacesure codriveLISmad.

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