Indian News Queensland - Oct 2017 Vol 1 Issue 1

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Oct 2017 Vol 1 Issue 1

Power of Peace Festival – Ipswich & Brisbane 2017 Power of Peace Festival launched

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he Power of Peace Festival – A Celebration of Global Mahatma Gandhi for 2017 was formally launched at an event held in Roma Street Parklands in Brisbane on October 2, the 148th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi.

The festival aims to champion inclusive community spirit by deepening sense of belonging and shared culture by promoting the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi with a focus on world peace, nonviolence, humanitarian pursuits and charitable endeavours.

The festival is being organised by Gandhi Salt March Ltd (GMSL) which was established in 2016 especially to organise the festival in Brisbane and to extend it to the rest of Australia in time.

Speaking to Indian News Queensland next to the freshly garlanded statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the Roma Street Parklands, GMSL Director Palani O. Thevar said that Gandhi was a global man who happened to be born in India but whose life and teachings not only united India and ensured its independence from Britain but had inspired millions around the world with the principles he taught of peace and nonviolence.

He said that by promoting the festival it would help to spread the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi which was the organisation’s main aim.

Mingling with the guests at the launch we also had the privilege of chatting to Mr Hemant Naik and his wife Mrs Kalpana Naik who

Community leaders attending the Power of Peace Festival launch. were members of the committee, together with Mr Jim Varghese, who were responsible for the installation of the Gandhi statue in the Parklands.

They told us how 15 years ago they met Mr Narendra Modi who is now Prime Minister of India and was visiting Brisbane. Over dinner Mr Modi suggested to them that they either name a road in Brisbane after Mahatma Gandhi or erected a statue in his honour.

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Mr and Mrs Naik accepted the challenge and the project finally moved into high gear when Mr Modi was elected as Prime Minister of India and it was realised that he would be visiting Brisbane in his official capacity during the G20 summit in 2014.

The statue, which now commands a splendid view looking out over the parklands, was donated by the Indian High Commission and the land it stands on by the Brisbane

City Council. It was finally unveiled on November 16, 2014,

by Mr Modi in the presence of the Governor of Queensland, the Lord Mayor of Brisbane and other VIP guests.

Addressing the attendees GSML Project Director Veena Merz outlined the exciting programme of events that have been lined up for the Power of Peace: Global Gandhi Festival. We have included a full listing in this publication.

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Indian News Queensland | COMMUNITY NEWS

Editor’s Word

I

t’s good to be an Indian these days. The way the world looks upon Indians has undergone a sea change in the last couple of decades. Besides our spiritual wisdom and insight and the example which father of the nation Gandhi ji has given to the whole of humanity, the value of Indians globally has increased due to a variety of reasons. These include the new wealth that has come in the country many countrymen richer and more refined, our intelligence and expertise in the business world and our software prowess with the resulting IT outsourcing contracts Indian companies receive. Then, Bollywood has done its fair share

of good as well for the Indians globally.

Not only does the world now know that Indians make terrific movies, they also know from all the images of affluence and overall prosperity they watch that many of the Indians are rich as well. And the rich are always cool. Before 2000, through the media and the movies, the world was mostly getting negative images and descriptions of India and Indians. No longer is India a nation of malnourished shack-dwellers, though we do still have many of those, and the west is coming to accept that. Another reason the world notices India now

and considers it a mighty force is our prowess in the space. ISRO has done India and all its countrymen proud, and nothing is going to take this glory away from us.

So far we have been serving you, our loyal readers, with a website and email newsletter but now we are proud to have moved into the print arena with the launch of our free tabloid monthly newspaper which we will be distributing to population centers around Queensland. We have taken this momentous step because we believe that print is not dead as the Internet generation commonly believes.

Mark Twain once wrote that the

reports of his death were greatly exaggerated and we believe the same applies to print publications.

Your printed copy of Indian News Queensland will be much easier for you to pick up to beguile an idle moment than it is to find a story on your phone that you want to read. The paper can lie around on your coffee table for weeks waiting to entertain and inform you unlike an email newsletter which can easily get lost among the hundreds of emails we all commonly receive.

We will be carrying our usual mix of news from India and our local communities plus articles of interest to you on topics ranging from

events, cookery and travel to the latest from Bollywood. Featured prominently in this issue are the Power of Peace March: Celebrating the Global Gandhi and GOPIO’s Gandhi Jayanti event held at the Roma Street Parklands in Brisbane.

Please get in touch with us at the supplied email addresses to notify us of news or events taking place in your community and by all means send in pictures you’d like to have us publish. Contact us if you would like copies of the newspaper for your Indian grocery store, restaurant or community organization to distribute to your members or visitors.

PUBLISHER Dr Ram Mohan info@indiannewsqld.com.au HON. EDITOR Allan Jackson EDITOR Harpreet Bhagrath editor@indiannewsqld.com.au ASSOCIATE EDITOR Dr Devashish Chakraborty CONTRIBUTORS Sharon Bath Rabindra Mukherji Alia Haley Marnie Dean Adrienne Mc Kibbins Ranu Mishra Singh Gunjan Mehra Deepika Banergee Aena Malhotra Jegatheesan Mahadevan MARKETING/ADVERTISING For advertising, contact Dr Ram Mohan info@indiannewsqld.com.au; sales@indiannewsqld.com.au Mobile: 0421 652 132 Editorial queries to the editor at editor@indiannewsqld.com.au Advertising and sponsorship queries at sales@indiannewsqld.com.au Subscription and circulation enquiries at subscription@indiannewsqld.com.au Indian News Queensland Unit 49, 391, WICKHAM TERRACE, Ground Floor, Spring Hill, Brisbane, QLD – 4000 Email: info@indiannewsqld.com.au Web: www.indiannewsqld.com.au Facebook: www.facebook.com/IndianNews-Queensland www.indiannewsqld.com.au

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Indian News Queensland | COMMUNITY NEWS

GOPIO celebrates Gandhi Jayanti Prominent members of Brisbane’s Indian community gathered at a Global Organisation of People Of Indian Origin (GOPIO) celebration of Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, 2017.

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rominent members of Brisbane’s Indian community gathered at a Global Organisation of People Of Indian Origin (GOPIO) celebration of Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, 2017.

The function was held in the Palm Court of the Rome Street Parklands to celebrate the 148th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi which is celebrated in India as a national holiday in recognition of the pivotal role he played in winning India’s independence from the British.

Many of the more than 20 million people in the Indian diaspora celebrate Gandhi Jayanti and, in 2007, the United Nations appointed it as International Nonviolence Day in recognition of the great service he did for India and to humanity as a whole.

GOPIO Queensland President Usha Chandra opened proceedings after prayers were said by recalling a favourite quote from Mahatma Gandhi: “Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one’s weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.”

Mrs Archana Singh

Dr Maha Sinnathamby

In her address Mrs Archana Singh, Honorary Consul of India for Queensland, said that Mahatma Gandhi had not been born as a Mahatma but in ordinary circumstances and that his journey to become the spiritual leader of India and inspiration to the world is an awe-inspiring one.

Keynote speaker was GOPIO’s patron Dr Maha Sinnathamby who testified what a tremendous inspiration Mahatma Gandhi has been in his life, saying that no person in human history can equal his achievement in bringing about the independence of India without violence.

Growing up he imbibed the philosophic traditions from every religion and culture in India but that he was open to outside influences as well. She said this would account for the message of inclusiveness and nonviolence being applicable to all of humanity.

He put this down to the fact that the purity of Gandhi’s word and deed shocked the British and that without an army and very little money he had managed to achieve his goal through total self-belief.

She said that the Mahatma had written prolifically but that his core message could be stated as the need to see the other person as a reflection of ourselves. This great message of non-violence became a political tool and accepted across the world.

Mrs Singh said that she was proud that Mahatma Gandhi had been born in India but was equally proud that he became a figure who could inspire the world to follow the path of peace in the precarious times now being experienced. This

believes this is as true when nations have disagreements and are tempted to retaliate against each other as it does even in groups as small as the family were minor disagreements can escalate rapidly and get out of hand.

Many of the GOPIO members are also members of Gandhi Salt March Ltd and had also attended the prior launch of the Power of Peace: Celebrating the Global

Mahatma Gandhi Festival which was held adjacent to the GOPIO event and are assisting with the organisation of the festival.

GOPIO is the largest Indian diaspora organisation in the world having been founded in 1989.

The Queensland chapter of the organisation was formed in June 2008 after being suggested by Umesh Chandra who became its founder President.

Dr Sinnathamby noted that one of Gandhi’s other great strengths was the fact that he behaved the same to everybody including even his foes. This, he believes, was what made it so difficult for the British to beat Gandhi and allowed him to reach the goal he had set himself.

He said that one of his favourite Gandhi quotes was: “An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind” The quotation makes the point that revenge seeking is counterproductive and Dr Sinnathamby

She then acknowledged the traditional owners of the land and the elders both past and present and welcomed the assembled dignitaries and those attending the function. Among the luminaries to address the attendees were Mrs Archana Singh, Honorary Consul of India for Queensland, and Dr Maha Sinnathamby, Chairman of the Springfield Land Corporation.

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Indian News Queensland | COMMUNITY NEWS

Offensive lamb ad irks Indian community FICQ leads Community Together protest against MLA Lamb ad

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n Friday, 22 September 2017, the Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland (FICQ) Inc. led a protest organised by Community Together against the Meat and Livestock (MLA) advertisement depicting the Hindu god Ganesh eating lamb. The peaceful protest at Speaker’s Corner was organised outside the Queensland Parliament.

It was attended by a large number of community leaders from all faiths who spoke out against the lack of respect for people’s religious beliefs to promote commercial concerns (consumption of lamb)

by MLA. Non-speaking attendees who came to show support included Mrs Archana Singh, Honorary Consul of India and Mr Garry Page, CEO of the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland.

Community Together members displayed many placards with catchy slogans like ‘Laddu for Ganesh not Lamb’, ‘Cultural Awareness Strengthens Multicultural Australia’, ‘Mutual Respect not Meat’ to reinforce the message that ‘Vegans, Vegetarians, Meat-Eaters All Are Australians’.

Mr Palani Thevar, President of FICQ, opened the protest with a vigorous denunciation of the MLA’s refusal to withdraw the ad despite the Indian Government and the Indian High Commission in Australia lodging official protests and widespread condemnation by Indian

Lord Ganesha in the controversial TV ad

communities in Australia, the United States and elsewhere.

Mr Ali Kadri, Spokesperson for the Queensland Islamic Council, referred to Muslims participating in Ganesh festivals in his state of origin Gujarat (India) with due respect and how he enjoyed eating laddoos at the local temple. There was no reason anyone to change religious beliefs to promote unity.

Mr Dave Andrews, said he was a Christian and a meateater, and he liked the lighthearted banter in parts of the ad such as Jesus changing wine to water, but he also supported the protests by Hindu, Buddhist and Jain friends against the MLA ad. The marketing manager displayed ‘gobsmacking ignorance’ of the billion Hindus and others.

Demonstrators protest against the MLA advert

Other speakers included well-known figures such as Mr Umesh Chandra, publisher of the Brisbane Indian Times and past president of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin, FICQ Committee members representing different Indian communities, (Mr Parminder Singh from the Punjabi/ Sikh society, Dr Indrani

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Ganguly from the Bengali community, Dr Krishna Mohan – representing the wider Hindu community, Mr Nikhil Reddy from the Telangana community and Dr Ram Mohan from the Tamil community) as well as community leaders from the Punjabi Welfare Association (Ms Pinky Singh), and some young leaders.

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All had one message: that it was not acceptable to disregard anyone’s religious beliefs and in the wider context to disregard personal preferences about not eating lamb or any other meat.

Some speakers suggested that apart from community protests speakers could

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Indian News Queensland | FESTIVAL

Diwali: A Global Festival of Lights

Diwali (also spelled Devali in certain regions) or Deepavali, is popularly known as the “festival of lights” and is celebrated between mid-October and mid-November by Sikhs, Hindus, South Indians, and Jains around the world for different reasons. By Deepika Banergi Eastern India The basic rituals are the same in Eastern India, including crackers, gambling, and lighting of lamps, candles, diyas. Also, doors of the houses are kept open during the whole night so that Goddess Lakshmi can enter. Conversely, any house that is not lit well is ill-placed on Diwali because it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi does not enter a dark home.

Diwali celebration with phuljharis (sparkles)

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or Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. Deepavali is celebrated for five days according to the lunisolar Hindu Calendar.

It begins in late Ashvin (between September and October) and ends in early Kartika (between October and November). The first day is Dhan Teras. The last day is Yama Dvitiya, which signifies the second day of the light half of Kartika.

Western India Emperor Jahangir’s orders to allow any who could hold on to the Gurus coat tails to leave the fort with the Guru (October, 1619). And so the kings/rajahs were freed and the Guru became known popularly as the Bandi Chhor (deliverer from prison). He arrived at Amritsar on the Diwali day and the HarMandar (also known as the Golden Temple) was lit with hundreds of lamps to celebrate his return and hence the day came to be known as the “Bandi Chhor Divas” (the day of freedom).

Laxmi puja is done at night, and also there is a tradition of putting a silver coin in a tumbler containing milk, which is sprinkled throughout the home.

Each day of Deepavali marks one celebration of the six principal stories associated with the festival.

For Jains, Diwali marks the attainment of moksha or nirvana by Mahavira in 527 BC. Lord Mahavira, the last of the Jain Tirthankar of this era, attained Nirvana or Moksha on this day at Pavapuri on Oct. 15, 527 BC, on Chaturdashi of Kartika.

Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhorh Divas to mark the return of the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, who was freed from imprisonment and also managed to release 52 Hindu Kings (political prisoners) at the same time from the famous fort of Gwalior by making clever use of

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In West Bengal, people do Laxmi Puja six days after Durga Puja takes place. Diwali is celebrated and seen as Kali puja, with late night worshipping of Goddess Kali done on this night. Apart from Kali puja, the other rituals of diwali remain the same and the rangoli is also done as part of the celebration.

The name Diwali is a contraction of Deepavali, which translates into ‘row of lamps’. Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps (diyas) filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends.

The festival starts with Dhanteras on which most Indian business communities begin their financial year. The second day of the festival, Naraka Chaturdasi, marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama. Amavasya, the third day of Deepawali, marks the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess

of wealth, in her most benevolent mood, fulfilling the wishes of her devotees. Amavasya also tells the story of Lord Vishnu, who in his dwarf incarnation, vanquished the Bali, and banished him to Patala. It is on the fourth day of Deepawali, Kartika Shudda Padyami, that Bali went to Patala and took the reins of his new kingdom in there. The fifth day is referred to as Yama Dvitiya (also called Bhai Dooj), and on this day sisters invite their brothers to their homes.

North India In Northern India, the Diwali has religious significance because on this day Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya with his wife Sita and younger brother Laxman after 14 years of exile. His return to Ayodhya denotes the victory of good over evil, and this belief continues till today in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and neighbouring areas. In Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Punjab, people also like to gamble on Diwali night as it is believed that Goddess of money and prosperity, Maa Lakshmi, will bestow riches on gamblers.

In Punjab, the Sikhs and Hindus both light their houses with candles and diyas, and the gurdwaras are also illuminated on Diwali night.

In Delhi, UP and other neighbouring states, people decorate their houses with candles, lights, diyas, bandhanwars and rangolis. Laxmi puja is done at night, and also there is a tradition of putting a silver coin in a tumbler containing milk, which is sprinkled throughout the home.

In Western India, this day is associated mostly with business and trade. As in other states of India, the markets of Western India are thronged by Diwali shoppers in the days before Diwali. Rangoli is an integral part of Diwali in all states in Western India, and in Gujarat, on the night before Diwali, Gujaratis like to do colourful rangolis in front of their houses. And to welcome Goddess Laxmi, footprints are also drawn. On Diwali, houses are brightly lit, and it can be said that for Gujaratis, Diwali is the New Year.

In Maharashtra, people celebrate Diwali for four days. Vasubaras is the first day and aarti of the cows and calves is performed on the first day, signifying the love between a mother and her baby. The next day is Dhanteras or Dhanatrayodashi, the process and rituals are the same as in other regions. On the third day, which is Narakchaturdashi, there is a ritual of taking scented oil bath very early in the morning and visiting a temple. The fourth day

or the Diwali day, Lakshmi Puja is done, and money and jewellery are also worshipped.

Southern India In Tamil Nadu, Diwali is celebrated in the Tamil month of aipasi (which is thula month), also ‘naraka chaturdasi’ thithi, which is the day that precedes the amavasai day. In South India, Naraka chaturdashi is the main day of the Diwali celebrations. The oven is cleaned and smeared with lime a day before the big day. People draw religious symbols on the oven and fill it water, and this over and its water are used on Diwali for oil bath. Homes are washed, cleaned and decorated with kolam designs, which are similar to rangolis in North India.

Another unique ritual in South India that is worth mentioning is the observance of Thalai Deepavali. On this day, newlyweds celebrate their first Diwali in the parental home of the bride.

Diwali: A Global Festival Apart from Indian subcontinent, Diwali is celebrated in various parts of the world, particularly those with large populations of Hindu and Sikh origin. These include countries such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Mauritius, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Guyana, Surinam, Trinidad and Tobago, the Netherlands, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

With more and more Indians now migrating to various parts of the world, the number of countries where Diwali / Deepavali is celebrated has been gradually increasing. While in some countries it is celebrated mainly by Indian expatriates, in others it has become part of the general local culture. In most of these countries, Diwali is celebrated on the same lines as in

Housewife helping decorate a local mandir with diyas

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Indian News Queensland | FESTIVAL

Indian Community at Queensland to Celebrate

Diwali on 6th October 2017 T

Assortment of Diwali crackers

India, but some important variations occur in every nation.

Diwali in Australia and New Zealand In Australia, Diwali is celebrated publicly among the people of Indian origin and the local Australians in all the major cities today.

Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland (FICQ) in association with Brisbane City Council organised deepawali celebrations in King George Square, Brisbane, last year. The gala event was full of cultural performances and dances.

A similar event is planned for this year too.

On 21 July 2002, the organisation The Australian Indian Innovations Incorporated (AIII) consisting of a conglomerate of independent organisations and individuals was formed to celebrate Indian festivals in Melbourne. AIII facilitated opportunities to depict the cultural kaleidoscope of India and assist Indians in Melbourne to showcase Indian art, culture, style, traditions, and food via various activities, seminars, festivals, fairs, and events. The first Inaugural Diwali Festival-2002, was held at

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Sandown Race Course on Sunday, 13 October, 2002. Since then, until October 2008, about 140,000 people visited this Australian Indian Cultural Extravaganza filled with culture, fun, and cuisine. This 10-hour festival has been depicting India through 50 stalls, 10 food stalls, and an 8-hour cultural programme with Dj, Children’s rides, and spectacular fireworks over the last 10 years. Similar events and programmes are held at all the major Australian cities.

he Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland Inc., (FICQ), just like the previous years, is organising Diwali celebrations, on October 6, 2017, at King George Square, Brisbane CBD. The Federation has extended invitations to members of all communities in Queensland to come and celebrate the festival of lights.

Diwali is considered a signature cultural event and an important contribution to promote the spirit of multiculturalism. It is being sponsored and supported by the Queensland Government, the Brisbane City Council, impor-

tant private sector organisations, the Indian High Commission, several media and non-government organisations. According to the Federation, the dignitaries and participants, who attended Diwali in previous years, had lauded the arrangements made for the festival, including the colourful cultural activities and a wide range of delicious cuisine, which were part of the celebrations. It is one of the most important occasions for people of Hindu, Sikh and Jain origins. Diwali is a major festival in India, but is also celebrated in other countries of the subcontinent and around the world. It is also

a time to celebrate with family, friends and community, and to highlight the values of compassion, selflessness, harmony, tolerance and respect - values that resonate with the Indian and the wider Australian community, the Federation said.

FICQ has been celebrating this unique all-day event each year since 2010. The celebrations are a vibrant combination of the many forms of traditional and contemporary dance, music, fashion and culinary delights that comprise the rich and diverse cultural tapestry of the Indian sub-continent.

In New Zealand, Diwali is celebrated publicly among many of the South Asian diaspora cultural groups. There are main public festivals in Auckland and Wellington, with other Diwali events around the country becoming more popular and visible every year. An official reception has been held at the New Zealand Parliament since 2003.

Makeshift shop selling Diwali firecrackers

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Indian News Queensland | FESTIVAL

Queensland Telugu Association organises Deepavali Celebration on October 14, 2017

By Uma Guduru

D

eepavali is India’s biggest and most significant festival celebrated by Hindus around the world. Deepavali is a Sanskrit word composed of Deepa and Awali, which means “row of lights”. The word Diwali is a colloquial version of Deepavali. It is a festival which wipes off evil or bad and ushers in good, success, happiness, and prosperity.

Festivities often begin almost a month before Diwali, people love to buy new clothes, new homes, and new vehicles. People clean or paint or decorate their homes as it is a very auspicious day; to welcome the goddess of wealth and prosperity, i.e. Lakshmi Devi, to their homes. Homes are lit up with hundreds of diyas (lights) and colourful Diwali rangolis (colourful patterned art work on floors) adorn the doorways. After all this preparation, all the members of the family perform the Lakshmi puja.

Queensland Telugu Association (QTA) represents all Teluguspeaking people from all over the world, now living in Queensland.

In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states of India, where most Telugu-

speaking people live, Diwali is one of the seven most important festivals and mainly it is celebrated with the name Deepavali. The festivities take place over two days – Naraka Chaturthasi and Deepavali Amaavasya. As per tradition, sweets are offered to the guests during this festival. It is very popular with children as they like to light fire crackers.

Activities that QTA is involved in Queensland but not limited to are as follows 1. New Migrants Settlement

2017 – Executive Committee 1. President Mrs. Navaneetha Thatimakula Queensland Telugu Association (QTA) Invites you to Dussehra, Deepawali & Christmas Celebrations – 2017

2. Students Services

DATE: Saturday 14th October

3. Employment opportunities

Time: 4.30 pm onwards

4. Translation services 5. Accommodation 6. Cultural activities and Events

Dinner follows…

Venue: Coorparoo Secondary College

Cnr Stanley Street East and Cavendish Road, Coorparoo, QLD 4151.

During the event, snacks are provided @ minimum cost

8. Sports 10. Medical Information Support 11. Negotiations with other organisations 12. Lobbing local issues to Queensland Government through FICQ

2. Vice-President Mrs. Ratna Buddhavarapu 3. Secretary Mrs. Uma Guduru 4. Cultural Secretary Mr. Srikanth Talla 5. Treasurer Mr. Srikrishna Ravipati

7. Recreational Activities 9. Blood Donation Camps

President - QTA

Dance, Music and lots of fun For enquiries please contact 0424745678, 0412112313, 0423499742

6. Executive Member 1 Mr. Ravi Sanikommu 7. Executive Member 2 Mr. Balaji Kadiyala

QTA, BTA, TCF, NATA & FICQ marching together for a better community

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Indian News Queensland | FESTIVAL

Bathukamma – The floral festival

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athukamma signifies the collective spirit of the people of Telangana, even as it celebrates the indomitable spirit of the women folk, and inspires mankind to maintain environmental balance, says Nikhil Reddy Bathukamma is a festival of flowers and is the unique colourful festival of Telangana

them every evening and immerse them in the nearby water pond.

On the last day, the men folk of the house go into the wild plains and gather the flowers like Celosia, Senna auriculata, Tagetes, Chrysanthemum, Nelumbo nucifera, Cucumis Sativus, Memecylon edule, Tridax rocumbens, Trachyspermum ammi, Katla and Teku. They bring home a bagful of these flowers and the entire household sits down to

On this special occasion, the women dress up in traditional attire combining with jewels and other accessories. They place the Bathukamma in their courtyard. The women of the neighborhood also gather in a large circle around it. state in India. It represents the cultural identity of Telangana.

Bathukamma is a beautiful flower stack, arranged with different unique seasonal flowers, most of them with medicinal value, in seven concentric layers in the shape of potter’s clay like a cone.

In Telugu, Bathukamma means ‘Mother Goddess Come Alive’ and Goddess Maha Gauri Devi - ‘Life Giver’- is worshipped in the form of Bathukamma.

The Celebrations The festival is celebrated for one whole week and the last day is the Saddula Bathukamma, which is considered as the grand finale of the Bathukamma festival. For the whole week, the women make small Batukammas, play around

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make the big Bathukamma. Then it is placed in front of the deity of the home and prayed.

This is the festival for feminine felicitation. On this special occasion, the women dress up in traditional attire combining with jewels and other accessories. They place the Bathukamma in their courtyard. The women of the neighborhood also gather in a large circle around it. They start singing songs by circling it repeatedly, building a beautiful human circle of unity, love and sisterhood.

After playing in circles around the Bathukamma, before the onset of dusk, the women folk carry them on their heads and move as a procession towards a bigger water body near the village or town. The

By Nikhil Reddy

procession is extremely colourful with the decorations of women and the Bathukamma. Songs of the folklore are sung in chorus throughout the procession and the streets resonate with them.

Finally, when they reach the water pond the Bathukammas are slowly immersed into water after some more playing and singing. Then they share homemade sweets among the family members and the neighborhood. They return to their homes singing songs in praise of Bathukamma. The songs of Bathukamma echo in the streets until late night during the entire week.

Symbol of conservation and interconnectedness Bathukamma celebrates the inherent relationship between the earth, water and human beings.

During the entire preceding week, women make Boddemma (a deity of Gowri – mother Durga – made with earthly mud), along with Bathukamma and immerse it in the pond. This helps reinforce the ponds and helps it retain more water.

Bathukamma is the most environment friendly celebration, being the festival of flowers, and immersion of these flowers with medicinal values in the pond purifies the water making the environment much better.

The festival heralds the beauty of nature, collective spirit of Telangana people, the indomitable spirit of the women folk and also the scientific approach of the agrarian people towards preserving the resources of nature in a celebrative way.

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Indian News Queensland | Culture

Gandhiji Comes to Brisbane Story of the Statue Roma Street Parklands, Brisbane

By Hemant and Kalpana Naik

years of wait, the opportunity was not to be missed.

We had limited time and resources to be ready with the statue for the inauguration during G20. We invited Mr. Jim Varghese AM, who is also a friend, over a coffee and briefed him on the memorial project we were working on. Mr. Varghese had the knowledge and skills of working through the government machinery in delivering complex projects. He showed keen interest in what we were doing and gave us a spontaneous support.

In that very meeting we formed a Memorial working Committee of three with Mr. Varghese as a Chair and Kalpana and me as Executive Secretaries. We then invited other Indian Organizations of Queensland to join us. Amongst them were, GOPIO, FICQ, and AIBC just to name a few.

Mr & Mrs Naik visit the Gandhi statue in Roma Street Parkland on the occasion on Gandhi Jayanti in 2017. The couple were instrumental in installing the statue in 2014.

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landmark event took place at the Roma Street Parklands on November 16, 2014 when Mahatma Gandhi’s statue was unveiled by the Prime Minister of India, Shree Narendra Modi.

The idea of installing Mahatma Gandhi Statue originated when we met Narendra Modiji on June 9, 2001 over a dinner at the then Indian Honorary Counsel Mr. Parsram Punj’s residence. Modiji was visiting Brisbane in capacity of the BJP representative. During our conversations he gave us the challenge of naming a road or establishing a ‘Gandhi’ memorial in Brisbane. Since that time we had the opportunity of meeting Modiji three times in Ahmedabad when he

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was the Chief Minister of Gujarat State. Each time we met he reminded us of the ‘Gandhi Project’

to coincide with the G20 Summit in Brisbane. Little did we know, at that stage, that Mr. Modi will be

It was in early 2014 that we suddenly saw the opportunity of installing Mahatma Gandhi Statue to coincide with the G20 Summit in Brisbane. and showed keen interest in it.

It was in early 2014 that we suddenly saw the opportunity of installing Mahatma Gandhi Statue

The wheels were in motion. In a short time available following milestones were achieved by the MGM Committee: • Letters seeking support and invitations were sent to the Prime minister’s office in India, the Prime Minister of Australia, Queensland Premier’s Office and Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Office.

• Lord Mayor of Brisbane City Council was approached and through hard negotiations we managed to acquire the land for the Statue in the Roma St Parklands.

• We negotiated with the Indian High Commissioner who graciously donated the statue of Mahatma Gandhi which was flown from India in time for the inaugural.

As Naik Architects, we used our skills in designing the statue pedestal and the surrounding pavements, etc. Executing the project was an uphill battle; we had to deal with the local government’s town planning and building regulations, address public safety issues, arrange a builder and manage the construction process.

Several donors were also found in acquiring materials and funding for the project. The major donors were Mr. Maha Sinnathamby, Mr. Parsram Punj, Mr Suman and Mrs. Harsha Makan and Mr. Indukant Sharma.

We worked hand-in-hand with the Brisbane City Council in managing the inaugural event and getting through the hurdles of complex and stringent security requirements.

The Statue of Mahatma Gandhi was finally unveiled by the Indian Prime Minister Shree Narendra Modiji on November 16, 2014 in presence of dignitaries the Governor of Queensland, the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, the Indian high Commissioner, and 250 invited guests.

The community of Brisbane is fortunate that the statue of man of the millennium Mahatma Gandhi now stands amongst us here in Brisbane, spreading a message of peace which will inspire generations to come.

elected as the Prime Minister of India and in that capacity he will be visiting Brisbane. For us it was like a dream come true. All good stars were colliding, and after 14

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OCTOBER 2017

9

Indian News Queensland | Culture

Hindustani Classical Music and the Facebook Generation Does the Facebook generation really despise music with a Hindustani classical touch?

Gunjan Mehra digs in.

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usic and food are quite alike. Whether or not a specific type is liked depends a lot on how it is presented. The teens of today might know pretty well that they like to listen to music they can groove to. They might even have access to more forms of music than we did back in our childhood. But can they claim with certainty that classi-

bound to reflect the same.”

“We, as kids were raised listening to swaras and raagas emerging from them, so developing a natural affinity towards such music was obvious. But today’s kids have access to Bollywood music, Pop and Rock. Hindustani Classical doesn’t even remotely appear on their list,” he adds.

“It would be more like asking somebody who has spent all his life in the lanes of Bhathinda having chole-bhature, if he enjoyed continental food?” cal music is not for them?

Dipen Roy, a classically trained vocalist and trainer in his mid 60s opines, “It would be more like asking somebody who has spent all his life in the lanes of Bhathinda having chole-bhature, if he enjoyed continental food? Today’s teens are unfortunately so opinionated and misinformed and their choices are

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back, even I believed that classical music was boring and not for me. Now however, I think it does wonders to my ears and senses and happens to be a great mood enhancer too.”

Simran Tandon, a 24-year-old basketball player, however, believes she cannot stand Hindustani classical, “Not only is the music Greek and Latin to me, but I somehow think I can never identify with the slow pace at which it picks up and continues for hours at the same boring rhythm. Hard rock is what I enjoy the most. I also enjoy listening to trance.” Her friends Deepak Joshi and Sapna Negi nod in agreement.

In a typical classical concert, one particular raaga can go on for hours, and that is perhaps why today’s kids call such performances ‘boring’.

But ask this lot if they care for songs like ‘Mora Piya’ from the movie ‘Raajneeti’, ‘Peelun’ from ‘Once Upon a Time in Mumbai’ and numerous other Sufi songs featuring in our very own Bollywood movies and all of them nod a slow yes in agreement, realizing pretty well that all these songs have a strong classical base.

Prakhya Dubey, a college student and an ardent Bollywood music lover says, “Until I attended a sitar and tabla concert about 5 yearss

Perhaps they do have a taste and hunger for Hindustani classical but haven’t yet had the right opportunity to quench it.

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Indian Classical Music The origins of Indian classical music can be found in the Vedas, which are the oldest scriptures in the Hindu tradition. Indian classical music has also been significantly influenced by Indian folk music and Persian music. The Samaveda, one of the four Vedas, describes music at length. The Samaveda was derived from the Rigveda so that its hymns could be sung as Samagana; this style evolved into jatis and eventually into ragas. Bharat’s Natyashastra was the first treatise laying down fundamental principles of dance, music, and drama.

OCTOBER 2017

10

Indian News Queensland | Culture

What’s Hot on Facebook Among Indian Youth Friend Count: According to Facebook statistics, most accounts clock 130 friends on an average. But having as many contacts as possible sends just the right signals to one’s social circle, and Indian teens know that. Most try to bag as many contacts as possible. Breaking into 1000-friends mark is considered an achievement. Some particularly social teens can clock as many as 5000 contacts, the maximum contacts Facebook allows.

Number of Photos: The more photos you upload, the better your chances of getting noticed among your contacts. How often to upload the photos? As often as you can manage.

Facebook Frequency: Most teens (in India) check their Facebook accounts every hour.

Bathroom Photos: A photo taken in bathroom is in fashion among Indian teens currently; or teens anywhere in the world for that matter.

Facebook, Social Ties, and the Vain Indian Youth Is the Facebook culture helping Indians socialise better or it is their step towards living in isolation? Gunjan Mehra explores the ‘Facebook culture’ in India.

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ne’s popularity today happens to be directly proportionate to the number of ‘likes’ one receives. People click photos to receive likes and rave remarks from friends rather than for memories.

By the same token, reading newspaper is no fun because it doesn’t have a ‘like’ or ‘comment’ button.

Facebook also allows you to decide the level of involvement you wish to have with each of your acquaintances. Then, there is always a ‘delete’ button for unwanted relations, a facility missing in life sans Facebook.

Nature of Facebook Ties 22-year-old Rashi cannot wait to log into her Facebook account and get in touch with her virtual world.

She has about 500 plus friends there. “After-all it’s a much easier form of friendship that prevails here. It’s a ‘take it or leave it’ affair.

I can keep track of all that is happening in my friend’s lives without really getting too involved in their lives,” says Rashi.

Whether this aspect of Facebook is desirable or not is debatable. But generally speaking, how effective can a relationship be if the bond isn’t a strong one? www.indiannewsqld.com.au

She accepts an unabashed truth about her Facebook account, “Whether

or not I accept friend request depends on how

Facebook Breeding Vanity Among Indian Teens

Anita Dubey, a mother of three teenagers believes, “The ‘Facebook’ generation happens to be a generation of self-obsessed fools who are ready to give away even the most intimate tit-bits simply to get some attention.”

“POWER OF US” SHYAM DAS A PLATFORM IS BEING BUILT UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF SWAMI ATMESHANANDAJI OF BRISBANE CHAPTER, VEDANTA CENTRE OF QUEENSLAND TO BRING ABOUT AN AWARENESS AMONG THE COMMUNITIES AT LARGE TO PREVENT SUICIDE FROM DEPRESSION, FRUSTRATION, ANXIETY AND OTHER MENTAL RELATED ILLNESS, NOT ONLY AMONG THE YOUTHS AS WELL AS AMONG THE GROWN UPS.

“Whether or not I accept a friend request depends on how useful the person can be to me in future. If you can be of some help in getting me some clients or an appointment, well you’ve got to be on my list!”

With the thin line between close friends and acquaintances getting blurred by the day, the ‘Facebook Culture’ has pushed us into establishing relationship with people we don’t really care about but still must, perhaps only for selfish means. “So, basically it has promoted the culture of building week ties based upon selfish motives, rather than strong ones that revolve around love and care,” believes Sandhya Verma, a 45-year-old entrepreneur from New Delhi.

useful the person can be to me in future. If you can be of some help in getting me some clients or an appointment, well you’ve got to be on my list!”

a

THE REASON OF SUCH TRAGIC INCIDENTS ARE DUE TO LACK OF AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE SYMPTOMS. POWER OF US WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE YOUTHS AND PROFESSIONAL UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF SWAMI ATMESHANANDA HAS ACCEPTED THE CHALLENGE TO BRING ABOUT THE AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE INTO THE COMMUNITIES. WE ALREADY HELD QUITE A FEWS SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS ON MATTERS IN RELATION TO MENTAL HEALTH AS WELL AS ON OTHER IMPORTANT USSIES. RECENTLY POWER OF US HAS BECOME ONE OF THE APPROVED STAKEHOLDERS OF WESLEY MISSION TO WORK JOINTLY ON CONDUCTING WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS ON THIS BURNING ISSUE AND TRY TO ERADICATE IGNORANCE ON THIS ISSUE. MY PERSONAL VIEW ON SUICIDE PREVENTION ESPECIALLY AMONG THE YOUTHS DUE TO DEPRESSION, FRUSTRATION, ANXIETY OR OTHER MENTAL RELATED ILLNESS COULD BE PREVENTED TO LARGE EXTENT THROUGH MORE AWARENESS AND INTERACTION BETWEEN THE PARENTS, NEXT TO KIN OR GUARDIAN AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHICH COULD HELP ESPECIALLY THE PARENTS OR GUARDIAN TP GET FAMILIAR OR GET AWARE OF THE ISSUE. WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT “ SAVING A LIFE “ OR FOLLOWING THE MAN MADE LAW, WHICH IS NOT HELPING ? IT IS ABOUT TIME WE HAVE TO START THINKING SERIOUSLY. YOUR SUPPORT TO THIS GREAT CAUSE COULD MAKE A GREAT DIFFERENCE. FOR MORE INFORMATION YOU MAY CONTACT SWAMI ATMESHANANDA ON 07 3818 9986.

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OCTOBER 2017

11

Indian News Queensland | Bollywood

Remembering YASH CHOPRA, the much-loved icon of Bollywood For anyone interested in Hindi cinema Sunday 21st October, 2012 was an extremely sad day. Yash Chopra, the major and much beloved figure in Indian cinema, died in Mumbai on that day. By Adrienne Mc Kibbins producer/writer/director in his own right. Uday has been an actor, and is now the head of one arm of the Yash Raj empire.

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e had turned 80 on September 27 and had been working to complete his last film Jab Tak Hai Jaan, which released on November 13th, 2012. Chopra was to shoot one more song for the film in his adored Switzerland.

Although Yash Chopra had announced JTHJ would be his last directorial effort, it is now bound to become an even more iconic film.

never made a movie I have not believed in. However, though I love all my films, one tends to get attached to films that do well. But I do not have any regrets about making films that did not really do well at the box office.”

Chopra has worked in the Hindi film industry for some fifty years, starting his career with his elder brother BR Chopra, whom he often cited as his inspiration, giving him full credit for his own success.

While it might conventionally be said that Chopra is survived by his wife and two sons, it could also be said that he is survived by the many in Hindi cinema who looked upon him as a father figure or elder brother.

Some years ago in an interview Chopra made a comment which in some ways summed up his attitude to his life’s work —“Films have been my only passion in life. I have always been proud of making films and will continue taking pride in all my films. I have

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In those fifty years Chopra had directed 22 features and produced or executive-produced some 41 more. His first film as a director was Dhool Ka Phool in 1959, a melodrama about illegitimacy, and in 1965 he made WAQT, the film with which he not only found both critical and commercial acclaim,

but with which he is credited with pioneering the concept of multi-starrers. But it’s for his romantic sagas that he will most be remembered. Following the success of Daag A Poem of Love in 1973, Chopra founded his production company Yash Raj films, which has gone from strength to strength, giving many talented writers and directors a start in the industry.

Chopra was born on September 27th in Lahore, Pakistan, to a Punjabi family, as the youngest of 8 children (his oldest sibling was 30 years his senior). For some years his upbringing was in the household of his older brother BR Chopra, a film journalist at the time, which presumably sparked the younger Chopra’s interest in cinema.

Chopra moved to India after the Partition, planning on pursuing a career as an engineer, but his love of cinema encouraged him to seek work in the Bombay film industry, beginning his long career as an assistant to I S Johar and to his brother B R Chopra, who had become a producer/director.

He married in 1970, and decided on returning from his honeymoon that he would set up on his own.

His sons, Aditya and Uday, were born in 1971 and 73, and now work in the film industry. Aditya has only directed three features, but they have all been blockbusters, and he is now a highly regarded

While it might conventionally be said that Chopra is survived by his wife and two sons, it could also be said that he is survived by the many in Hindi cinema who looked upon him as a father figure or elder brother. Two such people would be Amitabh Bachchan, who appeared in four films under Chopra’s direction (one of which, Dewaar, often credited as being the film that created Bachchan’s “angry young man” persona), and Shah Rukh Khan, for in many ways it is the Yash Raj banner that made him the superstar he is. Chopra first directed Khan early in his career in Darr (1993), a box office hit.

While producing and running Yash Raj studios, Chopra only directed 3 more films from 1993: Dil to Pagal Hai (1998), Veer-Zaara (2004), and finally Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012), all starring Shah Rukh Khan. Khan also worked with other directors in Yash Raj productions, the combination of Yash Raj and SRK delivered such mega hits as Chak de India (2007) Rab ne Bana di Jodi 2009, and DDLJ (1995) - which has just celebrated a continuous run of 17 years at a cinema in Mumbai. Produced by Yash Chopra, directed by his son Aditya and starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, it has become a landmark of Hindi cinema.

Yash Raj Films, which now operates out of a state-of-the-art studio in Mumbai, is held in high esteem within the Hindi film industry, as is its founder. Not just as a producer and director, but as a man, Chopra was both admired and loved in the industry. Over the years he had won many awards and had represented the Hindi film industry at many events around the world. However, the actors he worked with always claimed that Yashji, as he was fondly called, was the most lively and “youngest person on the set”. He always remembered birthdays and other celebrations, and was also known for his love of food; no matter where a crew was anywhere in the world, Chopra would always know where to find the best Tandoori chicken or Parathas. Described by many heroines he worked with as a gentleman who had enormous respect for women. His quick sense

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of humour reflected his attitude and love of life.

He was an icon of Hindi cinema, with films often referred to as a “Yash Chopra- type romance” as though it had become a genre, but Yash Chopra will be remembered not just as an iconic producer/ director, a great filmmaker, and a unique representative of Hindi cinema, but also as a warm human being.

In 2008, The Asia Pacific Film Awards presented Yash Chopra with the APSA 2008 FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producer’s Associations) Award for Outstanding Achievement in Films. Unfortunately, he was unable to attend the ceremony in Queensland due to the death of his brother B R Chopra, but a video of Yash Chopra talking from his office in Yash Raj films Mumbai was screened on the awards night.

The award was presented to him in person at the opening of the Mumbai film festival a few months later by the Director General of FIAPF, Benoit Ginisty. Yash Chopra said: “I am very happy that Mr Benoît Ginisty has specially come to present this prestigious award to me which unfortunately I could not collect last year owing to a personal bereavement. I thank APSA and FIAPF and humbly accept this award as recognition for the Indian Film industry as a whole and for myself personally.”

Professor Rachel Dwyer, who has written extensively on Hindi cinema, and wrote a book on Yash Chopra (Yash Chopra; London: British Film Institute 2002), was shocked when she heard the unexpected news. I asked her what she thought Chopra’s legacy would mean for Hindi cinema.

Professor Dwyer said: “Yashji was one of the people who built the film industry after 1947 and was still shaping it until his last days. His films often raised social issues, however rich and prosperous his protagonists became. Yashji shaped the idea of the Indian as a modern Punjabi from his earliest films such as Waqt, uniting the diaspora with the homeland in the 1990s onwards. His legacy will continue through the work of Aditya Chopra and Karan Johar, two of the most important producer-directors in Mumbai today.”

OCTOBER 2017

12

Indian News Queensland | Bollywood

What Ails Today’s Bollywood

Lately, Bollywood movies are increasingly becoming bolder — exploring the new frontiers and experimenting with novel themes and genres. But where is all this experimenting leading Bollywood? Rabindra Mukherji explores.

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f late, Bollywood movies are increasingly becoming bolder and exploring the frontiers where no Indian filmmaker had in the past dared to go. A plethora of themes and genre are being experimented with, some successfully and others with utter failure. The new generation of filmmakers do not mind what impact their films may have on the audience, especially the youngsters, so long as the film is a box-office hit. Many questions arise out of this approach.

Is art merely an imitation of life?

Should an artist claim no social responsibility? Are the current trends in Bollywood movies really portraying the reality of the Indians? Do most of these films have an underlying universal message? If yes, what is that message?

What are the characteristics of the audience who watch these movies?

Above all, are the movies catering to the masses or are they made

keeping only a few in mind? Can an ordinary Indian from rural India identify with the themes and characters of the movies?

The questions are many and there are no easy answers. If we take up some of the themes — one by one — that were once used successfully in Hindi cinemas, it will become apparent how things have changed for the worse.

For instance, one of the genres in Hindi movies that have become conspicuous by their absence is comedy. Movies based on unalloyed comedy are totally absent from the Bollywood scene now. All one finds is what is called slapstick comedy, which is not really what one really yearns to see. In the past, we had great comedians like Johnny Walker, Mahmood, and the kind. But the one who could really surpass others was Utpal Dutt. His acting in movies like ‘Golmaal’ (1979) has made the movie one of the all-time classic Hindi movies.

‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’ (1983) is another great Hindi movie in this category.

When it comes to social themebased movies, one remembers Raj Kapoor, one of the legends of

Hindi cinema. ‘Awaara (1951)’, ‘Sree 420’ (1955), and many other movies in which he acted became immensely popular, not only in India but also in some other countries. We don’t find such powerful

movies any more. Movies like ‘Do Bigha Zamin’ (1953), ‘Mother India’ (1957) have a universal appeal, which goes beyond the boundaries of society and culture. ‘Devdas’ (1935, 1936, and 2002) is another

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13

Indian News Queensland | Bollywood (2008) and ‘Force’ (2011) have an overdose of violence to an unhealthy extent.

Besides violence and vulgarity, Bollywood filmmakers have also started experimenting with themes like homosexuality. ‘Memories in March’ (2010) is a gay Bollywood movie made in English that aspires to begin a trend of movies on such themes. In trying to position them in the industry as also aspiring to get more collaboration with Hollywood producers, the Bollywood has begun to make movies on themes that have so far remained alien to an Indian audience that still yearns for movies based on Indian art, culture, and tradition. classic, which has been remade with a lot of success. This shows that good movies are those with strong storyline, characterization, and theme.

In historical movies, ‘Mughale-Azam’ (1960) is a classic and will not be surpassed in the years to come. In the recent times, an effort has been made to revive the tradition of making historical movies, though with little success so far. ‘Jodha Akbar’ (2008) tried to conjure up the magic of ‘Mughal-eAzam’. It did well as a movie but is nowhere near the classic. Dazzling costumes and modern technology in filmmaking alone cannot bring back the golden period of Indian cinema.

More importantly, in modern movies, the regional ethos is missing.

Very few movies now are based on a storyline pertaining to any particular region in India. In the past, films like ‘Khatta Meetha’ (1978), ‘Baaton Baaton Mein’ (1979), ‘Pestonjee’ (1988), ‘Percy’ (1990), and ‘1947: Earth’ (1998) put the spotlight on the Parsi community, while movies like ‘Devdas’ and ‘Chokher Bali’ (2003) focused on the Bengali milieu.

Young filmmakers also tried their

hands at highlighting regional as well as religious eccentricities of a multi-cultural nation. For instance, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Khamoshi: The Musical’ drew its inspiration from Catholics. Prakash Jha’s ‘Mrityudand’ (1997) and ‘GangaaJal’ (2003) based their plots on politics in Bihar. Then there was Vishal Bhardwaj’s ‘Omkara’ based in the Uttar Pradesh hinterland. Also, Santosh Sivan in ‘Tahaan’ used Kashmir as a backdrop to highlight how conflicts impact the minds and lives of children. Gurinder Chadha dealt with NRI issues in ‘Bend It like Beckham’ and Mira Nair in ‘The Namesake’. While some filmmakers say such films are very few in number, veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal – who has made films like ‘Ankur’ (1973), ‘Manthan’ (1976), and ‘Trikaal’ (1985) on social differences in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and the Portuguese, respectively – does not agree.

Then, films like ‘Delhi Belly’ (2011), ‘The Dirty Picture’ (2011), and other such movies do not seem to have had a very good impact on the young minds. Movies like ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ (2011) and ‘Delhi Belly’ are difficult to identify with for an ordinary Indian. Then, movies like ‘Ghajini’

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OCTOBER 2017

14

Indian News Queensland | Bollywood

Shah Rukh Khan is my muse, says Farah Khan

It’s official, ‘Newton’ is India’s entry to Oscars 2018

Varun Dhawan to play lead in Remo D’Souza’s ABCD 3

Photo Courtesy: Indian Express Choreographer-filmmaker Farah Khan says Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is her muse.

She feels whenever the two work together for a film, they create magic.

Photo Courtesy: FunPur Director Amit Masurkar’s political satire “Newton”, starring Rajkummar Rao in the lead role, will be India›s official entry at Oscars 2018. This was announced by the Film Federation of India on September 22.

The Hindi film was the unanimous choice of FFI’s selection committee, headed by Telugu producer C V Reddy. “’Newton’ has been selected as India’s official entry to the Oscars. It was unanimously chosen from 26 entries this year,” FFI secretary general Supran Sen told.

The decision to choose the film for the Oscars was the proverbial “cherry on the cake”, said actor Rajkummar Rao. “It is a really honest film and we are already getting an overwhelming response. We will put all our energies to take the film forward,» the actor said.

Photo Courtesy: India Today

Farah has directed Shah Rukh in films like “Main Hoon Na”, “Om Shanti Om” and “Happy New Year”.

Talking about the bond she shares with the “Raees” star, Farah told IANS here: “I’m most comfortable working with him and he is my muse. I think together when we do something, it always creates magic.”

Farah, 52, says she enjoys shooting with Shah Rukh.

She said: “There is a comfort level also and we enjoy the process. It’s one of the most enjoyable processes of making a film when he does a movie with me…. I was joking and telling him the other day that ‘Where will you go…humara janam janmanter ka rishta hai’ (‘Where will you go our relationship is for life’).”

Farah is currently seen hosting the Star Plus show “Lip Sing Battle”, which is an Indian adaptation of the successful international show “Lip Sync Battle”.

Each episode of the show features two celebrities coming face-to-face as they are pitted against each other in a competition of winning by their ability to lip-sync songs.

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Director Masurkar said that it was a double celebration for the team.”We are really happy. The fact that the film is releasing today doubles the happiness. We hope that people will now really head to the cinema halls to watch the film,” the director said.

The film is a political satire revolving around an honest election officer’s attempt to conduct a free and fair poll in a conflict-hit area of Chhatisgarh.

It also stars Pankaj Tripathi, Raghubir Yadav and Anjali Patil.

“Newton” is Masurkar’s second directorial venture after the 2014 indie “Sulemani Keeda”.

Source: The Times Of India

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Varun Dhawan put on his dancing shoes of Remo D’Souza’s 2015 dance drama film ABCD 2. And after two years, the filmmaker announced the actor’s comeback in the third instalment as well.

It’s been a while since the rumours of Salman Khan doing ABCD 3 were doing the rounds, but Remo cleared the air when he made the announcement at a reality dance show recently.

According to a report in Mumbai Mirror, Varun along with Jacqueline Fernandez and Taapsee Pannu was present on the sets of the show to promote is upcoming film Judwaa 2, when Remo announced the film.

A source was quoted as telling the daily, “Varun attempted a headstand during the shoot even as his ABCD 2 co-stars, Raghav Juyal, Dharmesh Yelande and Punit Pathak, who are all a part of Remo’s show, rooted for him.

While they were filming, Varun admitted he’s back in ABCD 2 mode and that’s when Remo decided to make his grand revelation.”

The report suggests that Remo stated that after Race 3 with Salman Khan , he will begin shooting for ABCD 3 with Varun. And the cast will include Dharmesh, Punit and Raghav.

However, the filmmaker did not reveal the leading lady of ABCD 3.

Source: India Today

OCTOBER 2017

15

Fashion

Indian News Queensland | COMMUNITY NEWS

Uniting a community through fashion

Photo credits: Aras Shots

One vision, one goal, and one dynamic young lady behind it — to unite the multicultural community of Brisbane through her fashion show. Here’s how she made it happen, and in such class.

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iss Reena Augustine had a dream, a longheld belief in her dream — to unite people from all walks of life. To remove racial barriers and replace them with a sense of belonging.

This dream of Reena’s was as simple as it was beautiful. She wanted to create Brisbane’s first multicultural fashion show, but not just a little gathering of close friends, she wanted to do it in style and make it memorable — and did she achieve it!

Crowned the winner of the Award for Community Dedication awarded by Brisbane - Women in Business last year, she has continued to blaze a trail in her quest for equality. From a shy and reticent public speaker to event MC, to fashion show coordinator, Reena has overcome her fears in spectacular style to do what she loves most, and in the process has offered hope and inspiration to thousands of women as she does so.

Raised in the West Indian state of Gujarat, often referred to as the ‘Jewel of Western India’ with a population in excess of 60 million people, Reena certainly makes the most of every opportunity as she chases her dreams with refreshing passion. Her first step was to create Red Carpet Functions, her platform to promote the event, and from this launching pad she set about making her dream take practical shape.

Starting from ground zero was a challenge but also a beneficial one, as Reena was able to create a team of likeminded people and to mould the creative elements exactly as per her long-held belief. Sourcing funding from local businesses and promoting herself at every opportunity, this once-shy girl from India found her feet and found them quickly. Before too long she www.indiannewsqld.com.au

“I had two choices. I could either quit and get nowhere and let a lot of people down, including myself, or I could keep going and make it happen whichever way I could.” – Reena Augustine was able to book a venue for her multicultural fashion show last year and began locking in models, designers, and performers. With an exhaustive schedule she worked tirelessly and without sleep for long periods. For many this would seem an impossible task but to Reena, it was something that had to be done to fulfill the dream. When asked what drove her during those days with no sleep, Reena said, “I had two choices. I could either quit and get nowhere and let a lot of people down, including myself, or I could keep going and make it happen whichever way I could.”

This was her very first event and it was big, very big. Successfully managing and coordinating the entire evening was amazing in itself, but so was her incredible knack at picking the right people for the right job to help in her crusade. “All my life I have loved fashion and I have volunteered with so many different community groups in Australia that I thought why not bring them all together under one roof for a fashion show? We had a great team and we knew we could do it.”

The planning was, of course, not completely without hitches, with many people not committing or withdrawing, which caused problems. But Reena simply brushed off the disappointments and strode forward with her head held high, taking her team with her in the process. Her complete dedication

was breathtaking, and the big evening last year saw a sell-out fashion event with over 10 designers showcasing their lines, several live musical performances, native dance, numerous countries represented, 73 model-walks and over 450 guests attend in a threehour spectacular show with not one glitch. It was all the hours and hard work paying off. It was what the sleepless nights and stressful moments had all been for. People simply did not want to leave when it ended and they were all smiling.

Since the success of this event, Reena and Red Carpet Functions have been invited to produce several smaller showcases to help in the community for various charitable causes. Whenever possible, she always makes herself available for fundraisers and worthwhile causes, except for when double-booked.

“People have to remember that we are all together. There is no I or me it is always us and we. All I wanted to do was prove this and make people smile and be happy. I think we achieved this and will do it again and again.”

On the horizon for Reena, in fact on Oct 14, is this year’s annual multicultural fashion show for the many talented people of Brisbane to show off their abilities on the stage.

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“I could either quit and get nowhere and let a lot of people down, including myself, or I could keep going and make it happen whichever way I could.”

Reena Augustine

OCTOBER 2017

16

Religion

Indian News Queensland | COMMUNITY NEWS

Relevance of Vivekananda in Modern Times If we have to pick one single message of Swami Vivekananda that has the potential to transform the world, it is of potential divinity of soul in everyone, irrespective of religion, caste, or race. Therefore, universal brotherhood should manifest in the world, as there is oneness at the level of Paramatma, the ultimate reality, writes Devashish Chakraborty.

S

wami Vivekananda was a spiritual master of India, who was the disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a 19th century saint of India. It is said that teachings of saints and seers have a characteristic of being timeless and are not confined to any particular region or religion.

They speak from the summit of eternal reality, and their words reflect the supreme reality that is universal in nature. In modern times, as much as in any other time in the history of the world, the need to reawaken ourselves to the teachings of saints of every religion, has assumed greater significance for our own sustenance, and for the benefit of all species on this planet. At a time when religious fanaticism, superstitions, dogmas, violence, and terror have raised their ugly heads once again for tormenting the world, Vivekananda’s teachings can offer the necessary succour and strength to humanity.

His early life Vivekananda was born on 12

January, 1863, in Kolkata. Before joining the monastic order, he was known as Narendra Nath Datta.

He belonged to an affluent family.

Even as a boy his talents became apparent as he made his mark in music, gymnastics, and studies. He graduated from Calcutta University and was familiar with Western philosophy and history. For a while he was associated with Brahmo Movement. Even as a boy his inclination was towards yoga, and meditation.

But spiritual doubts had begun to torment him before his meeting with his Master Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.

His first meeting with Sri Ramakrishna In search of Truth, he had frequented the abode of many mystics, but none could satisfy the yearning of his heart. It was only after his meeting with Sri Ramakrishna that his doubts began to wither away.

Without resorting to circumlocution, young Narendra posed a question to his future Master, “Do you believe in God, Sir?” “Yes,” replied

the Master. “Can you prove it, Sir?” the boy ventured further. “Yes,” said the Master again. “How?” the boy was relentless in his pursuit.

“Because I see Him just as I see you here, only much more intensely,” the Master was unequivocal. This meeting would erase all doubts from the mind of Narendra inspiring him to tread the path of spirituality under the tutelage of Sri Ramakrishna.

Initiation into monastic tradition After the passing of Sri Ramakrishna in 1886, a monastic brotherhood was formed, initially by 15 young disciples of the Master, led

by Narendra. Later another disciple joined the group. In 1887, they took vows of sannyasa and their names were changed. Narendra now became Swami Vivekananda.

However, his inner urge to understand the message of his Master in relation to India and the world at large, forced him to take the blessings of Sri Sarada Devi, the divine consort of Sri Ramakrishna, and undertake a long journey to explore India and her people.

An exploration of India While travelling through the length and breadth of India, he came to the conclusion that the neglect of the masses of India, steeped in poverty, was the main reason behind India’s downfall, both domestically and internationally.

Indians, who were victims of years of oppression, had lost faith in their own selves and in their ability to rebuild their lives. While, on one hand there was a need to adopt improved techniques of agriculture, establish industries in villages, there was, on the other hand, a need to instill confidence and faith in people about the potential divinity of their soul. This philosophy was based on Vedanta philosophy, one of the ancient Indian philosophies for Self-realization. Vivekananda understood that Indians need both secular knowledge of the West to rid themselves of poverty, and religious wisdom of India to emerge free from the bondage of slavery, spiritual slumber, and foreign oppression.

His concept of religion One of the many contributions of Vivekananda to humanity may be

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considered to be his interpretation of religion. When he talks about religion he makes it clear that it has nothing to do with dogma and superstition. Religion, according to him, is the universal experience of a transcendent Reality that is common to all humanity. There is a scientific basis to religion. He regards religion as the ‘science of consciousness’.

According to him, religion and science complement each other.

Science strives to understand the reality of the physical world or the world outside, religion based on spirituality strives to know the reality of the inner world of the soul or consciousness. Just as there are methods to do science, there are also methods to practice religion or spirituality. Depending upon an individual’s nature, he/she can practice any of the methods such as Raj Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Jnana Yoga. Just as science experiments are conducted in laboratories, spiritual practices are conducted in the laboratory of the body employing any of the aforementioned methods.

Vivekananda’s philosophy is based on Vedanta. Vedanta is not a religion, but one of many Indian philosophies and principles that talks about how to attain Selfrealization. Sages and seers of the past, like scientists, have laid down the principles of Self-realization.

Here there is no room for dogma and superstition. One can seek verification and confirmation of the experiences enshrined in Vedanta and other scriptures by following their principles.

It is also pertinent to state that there is no place for intolerance in religion. Intolerance comes from erroneous understanding and interpretation of the teachings of saints.

All religions lead to the same Supreme Reality. Therefore, religion frees man from the captivity of the dark alleys of his mind. The pursuit of true religion, irrespective of its denomination, leads to the experience of Sat-Chit-Ananda i.e. Truth, Consciousness, and Bliss. This is the goal of every religion.

Relevant to his interpretation of religion is his concept of ‘potential divinity of the soul’. This implies that all men are potentially divine.

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The discrimination based on caste, creed, race, sex, religion, or any other attribute is due to the ignorance of men of their own potential divinity. Such a concept of man abhors any form of exploitation of a human being by another of his/ her own kind. The practitioners of true religion, whatever be the denomination, cannot harbour feelings of racial hatred against anyone. Therefore, religions teach Religion and science complement each other.

Science strives to understand the reality of the physical world or the world outside, religion, based on spirituality, strives to know the reality of the inner world of the soul or consciousness. Just as there are methods to do science, there are also methods to practice religion or spirituality.

us to serve each other, and by extension, the humanity at large.

This is a unique contribution of Vivekananda to humanity. For, religion must be practiced to unite the world, and not create divisions. Science and technology have given us enormous power to transform the world, but without religion, it will leave the power in the hands of ‘brutes’. But haven’t battles been fought in the name of religion? Haven’t divisions been created between man and man in the name of religion, race, caste, creed, and sex? The history of the world bears testimony to the fact that battles in the name of religion have been fought only when people have not been able to understand and absorb the truth inherent in the messages of their respective religions. Also, modern concepts of liberalism and individualism pale into insignificance in the absence of a concept of man that perceives him as potentially divine. Once the realization dawns on human beings that they are all sparks of a divine source, they would cease to raise arms against one another.

Vivekananda’s concept of man as potentially divine has practical implications. If asked, why should we be good to others? Is it because we fear the consequences of not being good to others? We fear the police; we fear the public at large; we fear punishment if we break any law; we fear being scoffed at for our actions, there is always ‘fear’ behind OCTOBER 2017

17

Religion most of our actions. Fear weakens personality and hampers progress of humanity towards divinity. How about the concept of purity of the soul? At the level of the soul, all are pure and one. Distinctions between man and man are all superficial, owing to ignorance of the true nature of one’s own self, which is pure and potentially divine.

Then, there is also the issue of service. Why should we serve others? Vivekananda’s philosophy has the answer. Serving others is serving Paramatman, the Ultimate Reality, to which all human beings are connected. So at the level of Paramatma all human beings are one and connected. Where then is the scope for division, discrimina-

Indian News Queensland | COMMUNITY NEWS tion, oppression, and degradation of one by the other? Our education systems should include the study and practice of these principles.

For, every religion teaches seva or service. One must become aware of the fact that suffering to anyone anywhere in the world is suffering to others everywhere else. In this respect Vivekananda has laid the foundation of ‘spiritual humanism’.

True humanism ought to be spiritual in nature and not merely based on the notion of materialism.

His pragmatic approach Vivekananda told his disciples that religion should not be thrust upon others. A poor man, experiencing a sharp pang of hunger and depriva-

tion, cannot be forced to practice religion. ‘Yoga without bhoga’ is meaningless, he believed. One’s materialistic needs must be fulfilled and a level of satiation reached before one can begin practicing the principles of religion. He argued that a strong healthy body was essential for becoming a yogi.

Therefore, any neglect of body and mind is against the practice of true religion. Serving the poor and the hungry is not about preaching religion to them, but to feed them and attend to their economic needs. Once their economic needs are attended to and looked after, ground is prepared for sowing the seed of religion. This is precisely why he did not deliver too many

speeches on religion and spirituality in India. Most of his speeches were delivered in the West for their audience as he believed that the affluent countries of the West have prepared the ground for the sapling of religion to grow. Poverty-stricken people in India need economic means first and not more religious teachings.

Vivekananda did not just preach, he accomplished some significant tasks as well, as his mission on this planet. To propagate the practical principles of Vedanta and for offering social service he founded an organization known as Ramakrishna Mission, on1 May, 1897, which saw monks and common

people come together to serve humanity through running of hospitals, schools, colleges, hostels, rural development centers, etc. This organization assists in relief and rehabilitation activities for victims of earthquakes, cyclones, and other calamities in India and other countries.

The way to live a monastic life, as shown by him, is based on ancient principles of monasticism, adapted according to the conditions of modern life. Such a monastic life provides opportunity to all, irrespective of religion, race, or caste to strive for enlightenment and offer one’s services for the welfare and betterment of others in the society.

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OCTOBER 2017

18

Religion

Indian News Queensland | COMMUNITY NEWS

Char Dham Yatra: Pilgrimages to the Abodes of God Char Dham are mainly known as the four abodes of God in India: Puri in the East, Rameshwaram in the South, Dwarka in the West, and Badrinath in the North. By Deepika Garg

I

Gulf of Kutch and was the dwelling place of Lord Krishna.

Badri means a berry that grew abundantly in the area, and nath means Lord. The legend has it that Shankara discovered an image of Lord Badrinarayan made of Saligram stone in Alaknanda river.

He then enshrined it in a cave near the Tapt Kund hot springs, and in the sixteenth century, the king of Garhwal moved the murti to the present temple.

Jagannath Puri

Badrinath n the North Indian state of Uttarakhand, Badrinath is situated in the Garhwal Hills, on the banks of the Alaknanda River. The town lies between the Nar and Narayana mountain ranges and is shadowed by the Nilkantha peak (6,560m).

Dwarka Dwarka city lies in the westernmost part of India, in the Gujarat state.

The city gets its name from the Sanskrit word dvar, meaning door or gate. It is quite close to where the Gomti River merges into the

According to the legend, due to the damage and destruction by the sea, Dwaraka has submerged six times, and the modern-day Dwarka is the city that has been rebuilt the 7th time.

Puri is located in the East in the state of Orissa, India. One of the oldest cities in the eastern part of the country, Puri is situated on the coast of Bay of Bengal.

Matha, one of the four cardinal institutions or Mathas established

by Adi Shankaracharya.

Rameshwaram Rameswaram lies in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu in the South.

It is situated in the Gulf of Mannar at the very tip of the Indian peninsula. According to legends, this is the place from where Lord Rama built a bridge, Ram Setu, to Lanka.

Rameshwaram is significant for the Hindus as a pilgrimage to Benaras is incomplete without a pilgrimage to Rameswaram. The presiding deity here is in the form of a linga with the name Sri Ramanatha Swamy. It also is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.

Main Hindu Pilgrimages in India (other than Char Dham) Kumbh Mela The Kumbh Mela is one of the holiest of Hindu pilgrimages that is held every four years; the location is rotated among Allahabad, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain.

Old Holy Cities as Per Puranic Texts • Varanasi, formerly known as Kashi • Allahabad, formerly known as Prayag • Haridwar-Rishikesh • Mathura-Vrindavan • Ayodhya

The main deity of the temple is Shri Krishna, celebrated as Lord Jagannatha. It is the only shrine in India where goddess Subhadra, sister of Lord Krishna, is worshipped along with her brothers, Lord Jagannatha and Lord Balabhadra.

The main temple here is around 1000 years old and constructed

by Raja Tritiya Ananga Bhima Deva and Raja ChodaGanga Deva.

Puri is the site of the Govardhana

Realise Yourself as Soul The spiritual path of Sant Mat

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The Ramanatha Swamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, occupies a major area of Rameshwaram. The temple is believed to have been consecrated by Shri Rama.

THE PRACTICE of Sant Mat is based on the meditation on inner Light and Sound, ethical values, service to others and love for all creation.

THE GOAL is to enable the soul to return and merge into its source to realise and enjoy its full potential.

Inner Light and Sound meditation, as taught

by Sant Baljit Singh, is practised around the world by people who are searching for a deeper meaning in life. There is no charge at any stage.

1800 462 193 www.knowthyself.org

For more information:

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Major Temple Cities • Puri, which hosts a major Vaishnava Jagannath temple and Rath Yatra celebration • Katra, home to the Vaishno Devi temple (Three comparatively recent temples of fame and huge pilgrimage are Shirdi, home to Sai Baba of Shirdi; Tirumala - Tirupati, home to the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple; and Sabarimala, where Swami Ayyappan is worshipped.)

OCTOBER 2017

19

Health

Indian News Queensland | COMMUNITY NEWS

Yoga for the Old Medical science has still not found a permanent cure for arthritis, but yoga asanas offer hope, writes Alia Haley.

the left side.

Natrajsana

Veerasana

Root the left foot firmly, even as you balance the body weight on the left foot. The right leg is to be raised and held firmly. Inhale and maintain the posture for a while, even as you concentrate on a point.

Put the left foot forward, with the foot being placed at maximum distance from initial location. The hands with palms joined should be placed on the knees. The left leg is to be bending in a position so that thigh and calf are at 90 degree. Meanwhile, keep the right leg straight. The joined hands need to be raised and bend the head backwards, even as the hands are raised at their maximum. The posture needs to be maintained for a few seconds.

Gomukhsana Pranayama has also been found to be effective in arthritis. Deep breathing techniques as inhalation from right nostril and exhalation from both nostrils are an effective remediation for those suffering from arthritis.

Shavasana As the name signifies, shavasana is lying in a corpse posture. Lie down with hands relaxed on the side of the body. The main purpose of shavasana is to offer a person complete rest. This asana is to be performed at the end of the yoga asanas and will help one relax and develop better concentration power.

The above-listed asanas not only offer relief in cases of chronic arthritis but also help one develop emotionally and physically as these asanas are considered an excellent medication techniques.

Vrikshasana

A

rthritis is a serious health problem normally experienced by older people. Swelling, stiffness, and severe pain in joints are some of the common symptoms of arthritis. Arthritis comes in various forms; rheumatoid, gout, and osteoarthritis being the common ones.

The worse part of suffering from arthritis is that medical science has not been able to find a permanent cure for this condition. A range of medications are available, but these fail to provide much-needed relief to the patients.

However, all is not bleak, and those suffering from arthritis can expect some relief as yoga offers much-needed cure. Those suffering from moderate arthritis can expect some relief within two months, if they practice the suggested yoga techniques. Chronic arthritis may

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take four to five months to heal.

Below are listed some of the yoga techniques that need to be adopted for relief from arthritis.

Yoga has a curative effect in arthritis. Poses, or popularly known as asanas, help in improving the circulation of blood, thereby making joints and limbs move freely and reducing the incidence of arthritis. Yoga asanas as makarasana, hastashirasana, veerasana and trikonasana are recommended for those suffering from arthritis. However, one needs to perform these asanas in a controlled manner. The posture should not be maintained for long.

Following asanas have been found useful in arthritis and offer imminent relief.

Santulansana This asana enhances the body balancing mechanism in cerebel-

lum. For performing this asana, you need to kneel down and bend forward. The palms should be on the floor at shoulder width. The toes need to be tucked in. Move the shoulders forward, even as you bring the arms vertical to the floor.

This position is to be maintained as long as possible. Lower the knees on the floor while releasing the position.

Trikonasana As the name implies, trikonasana means formation of a triangle by the limbs. To perform this asana, you need to stand erect with toes joined. The hands should be placed on either side of the body. The right leg should be spread to the right side. The hands need to be extended on both sides. Bend towards the right as you exhale. The big toe of the right leg is to be held by three fingers of right hand. The same process is to be repeated on

You need to stand straight with closed feet to perform this asana.

Bring the right feet up to the left thigh. The right tow needs to point downwards while performing this asana. Join the palms and bring them to shoulder height, even as you maintain this position. Move the hands over head and close your eyes and relax. Stay in the position for few seconds and return to normal self. Repeat the asana two to three times.

Setubandhasan Lie on the floor in a supine position. Feet are to be kept hip-width apart. Pelvis and chest are to be lifted as high as possible. Breathe normal and hold the position for a minimum of 30 seconds.

Siddhasana You need to be in a seated position to perform this asana. Bring the heels to the groin area. Ensure that ankles are placed in opposite positions. The spine is to be held erect while performing siddhasana.

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Regardless of the type of arthritis, the common symptoms for all arthritis disorders include varied levels of pain, swelling, joint stiffness, and sometimes a constant ache around the joint(s). Following are the common symptoms seen in majority of arthritis patients.

• Muscle aches and pains • Tenderness • Difficulty moving the joint • Inability to use the hand or walk • Malaise and a feeling of tiredness • Fever • Weight-loss • Poor sleep

OCTOBER 2017

20

Kitchen and Cuisine

Indian News Queensland | COMMUNITY NEWS

Defining Australian Cuisine I’ve been eating and cooking like an Aussie across the nation for a long time, but defining Australian cuisine is a task almost as enormous as the country itself.

original Australians. Being around for 50,000 years as mentioned in literature, you could say they know a thing or two about living off the land, which is why it would be a disgrace to not mention bush tucker. Any food that is native to Australia is considered bush tucker, and now more than ever you can find us chefs adding our touch on these indigenous plants, seeds, and berries.

Take wattle seed, for instance.

Wattle seed comes from the Acacia species of plant, and while it can be eaten raw, it is mostly purchased already ground and roasted. The seed tastes like a combination of cocoa nibs, coffee beans, and hazelnuts, and it imparted a complexity to the pancakes that only something like toasted nut flour could rival.

I

have been working in food for the last 38 years and was incredibly excited about discovering the food scene in Australia, but nailing down the definition of Australian cuisine turned out to be a task almost as enormous as the country itself. I’ve been eating and cooking like an Aussie across the nation for a long

time, and I still can’t tell you in a word. Australian cuisine is truly an intersection of flavours around the world.

Here’s a look at the different kinds of ingredients, dishes, and drinks you might find on a typical day in the Lucky Country.

To start: coffee. One of the most

pleasant surprises I found when I first arrived was how great the quality of brew is down here. I could be in the heart of the city or a small town in the bush, and finding good espresso is easy as finding the nearest cafe.

Australia is home to the oldest living culture on earth, the Ab-

do not know another country that consumes both of the animals that appear on their coat of arms, I can tell you that emu is incredibly high in protein and has virtually no fat, so it is considered a healthy alternative.

The art of Modern Australian cuisine has a back drop of Asia such as salt and pepper squid, lamb shank with aniseed flavour. Now that we’re on the subject, Aussies happen to love their seafood, including native fish like barramundi. Barramundi is an aboriginal word for ‘large scaled river fish’, and it has a mild taste and flaky texture. This fish is so popular in Australia that Aussies are often turning to Asia to help bear some of the load.

I won’t be able to cover everything in this one article. From Anzac biscuits to Aussie barbecues, there is still so much food to be discovered and enjoyed; perhaps next time I get to write.

Kangaroo meat is a by-product of population control; the ‘roo are culled in the wild by skilled hunters, so they don’t come with the kind of environmental consequences that feed lot animals do.

Australians don’t typically eat a lot of kangaroo, probably because they prefer fattier meats like beef and pork, though ‘roo consumption does vary regionally. Outback menu has a lot more ‘roo than in the city.

To a man with an empty stomach food is God. Mahatma Gandhi

Speaking of touristy, here’s the ‘Coat of Arms’ pizza with kangaroo and emu, basically in this post to show that Australian’s will put pretty much anything on a pie. I

Indian Grocery Shops in Brisbane

Jai Ho – Indian Groceries in Browns Plains 5/109 Grand plaza drive, Browns Plains Phone: 0402499268

Spice Valley – Indian Grocery Store, Nundah, Brisbane 11 Nundah Street, Nundah, Qld Phone: 07 3260 6133 Mobile: 0433 339 774 Zillmere Spice House – Afgani Groceries, Brisbane 1 Church Road, Zillmere, Brisbane Phone: 07 3865 4499 Mobile: 0431 401 847 Indian General Store and Bollywood Fashion Store, Morayfield, Brisbane Shop 1, 10-14 William Berry Dr, Morayfield, Brisbane, Qld 4506 Phone: (07) 5495 6300 Web: http://www. indiangeneralstore.com.au

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7 Hills Impex – Indian Spice & Grocery Store Kenmore, Brisbane Name: Anil Agarwal Email: anshulagarval@yahoo. com 2, 16 Marshall lane, Kenmore, Brisbane, Qld 4069 Phone: 07 3378 5574 Web: www.7hills.com.au

Pillai & Sons International Pty Ltd, Brendale, Brisbane, QLD Indian Spices, Grocers, Grocery Shop, Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi, Nepali, Fijian, Islander Grocery Shop/ Store/Supermarket Specialising in Groceries such as Desi Atta (Flour), Basmati Rice, Spices, Samosa, Kulfi , Lentils (Dal), Red Kidney Beans (Rajmah), Chick Peas (Choley), Dairy Products, Phone Cards, Frozen Fruit & Vegetables, Oils etc.

Unit 1/10 Johnstone Rd, Brendale, Brisbane, QLD 4500, Australia Phone: (07) 3889 9188

Mirchh Masala Impex – Indian Grocery Store Woolloongabba 3/110 logan road, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Qld 4102 Email: info@mirchhmasala. com.au Malabar Center Annerley Brisbane 498, Ipswich road, Annerley, Brisbane, Qld 4103 Phone: 0738484234 Email: malabarcenter.bne@ gmail.com Swades Foods – Indian Groceries Sunnybank Hills Next to Commonwealth Bank and Behind Coles At Centro Pinelands.

47a Centro Pinelands, 58 Pinelands Road, Sunnybank Hills, Brisbane Qld 4109 Phone: 07 3345 3003 Mobile: 0424700011 Email: swadesfoods@ymail.com

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IABCA AWARDS 2017

Indian News Queensland | COMMUNITY NEWS

IABCA National Finalists 2017 Young Professional of the Year

Aakash Tolani Pomeroy Pacific

Anuraaj Chhabra ArtsReady

Dr. Astha Singh Neuro-Science Research Australia

Karan Anand Deloitte

Mandeep Sodhi HashChing

Nehal Patel Kinetic IT

Young Community Achiever of the Year

Athira Thomas Ryan Catholic College

Jennifer Star Tara.Ed

Khushal Vyas UNSW Law Society

Manu Singh India- Australia Cricket Relations

Sam Freeman Australian Retail College India Private Limited

Preeti Daga Australia India Business Council

Prerna Pahwa Simply Human

Shaun Star Australia Studies Jindal Global University

Taj Pabari Fiftysix Creations

Saba Nabi Murrumbidgee Local Health District

Community Service Excellence Award

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Artisans of Fashion

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Business Leader or Professional of the Year (Male)

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IABCA AWARDS 2017

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Travel

Indian News Queensland | COMMUNITY NEWS

Amarnath Yatra – a journey of faith, devotion and fortitude A trip to the Amarnath shrine in the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir is testimony to the human spirit of adventure and tenacity of purpose. Sharon Bath takes us through the arduous route that leads to the abode of Lord Shiva. place for several days and the streets were eerily deserted. We hired a driver and left around three o’clock in the morning. We travelled alongside Lake Dal for quite a long time and admired the lake’s splendour in silence and darkness. One vivid memory I will treasure was the majestic silhouette of a beautiful old mosque that stood alone like a massive jewel on the lake.

My friend had generously booked accommodation for us both on a house-boat on Lake Dal. After our pilgrimage, we had planned some site-seeing but that ‘tourist’ part of our trip never happened and we never saw the city of Srinagar by daylight.

Every little thing helps the devotees during such a tough trek like this helpful sign

M

y visit to the Amarnath Shrine came about because my dear friend and her brother planned a trip there and she invited me. My friend knew from past discussions that I would be thrilled to go. At one stage there was a small group of us going, but as fate would have it, everyone else dropped out and only two of us were left. I felt anxious on the lead up to our pilgrimage to Sri Amarnath. I’d done my research well and watched YouTube snippets that captured (with frightening detail) the narrow trails that lead to the cave. I’d also read all kinds of historical and statistical information and had some idea about the fragile atmosphere in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. However, I tried to be brave. Swami Vivekananda’s poignant account of his holy darshanin of August, 1898, inspired my every step!

Scaling Heights to reach Shiva’s Abode

Setting Off in Quest of the Lord During our stay in the city of Jammu, we’d come to know that due to unrest in the state, the annual pilgrimage had been halted for three days and pilgrims were at a standstill, stuck in cars, trucks and buses at various locations on route to Amarnath. Due to a worsening situation, the scenic Pahalgam route to the Amarnath shrine, a longer trek but one favoured by pilgrims, had been shut down.

Later pilgrims were moved on and redirected by the military police through the high mountains of Ladakh. These pilgrims were the truly brave ones, who endured hardships to have the darshan of Lord Shiva, while we went the easy, direct way, by plane from the city of Jammu.

However there had been moments when we ourselves were unsure if we would be able to travel to Sri Amarnath.

The day we landed at the airport in Srinagar there had been a curfew in

The scenery on our way up the mountain was spectacular and the local architecture of the traditional houses and the mosques were amazingly beautiful. Due to heavy snowfall, the houses were quite unlike the classic flat-rooved houses found elsewhere. The Himalayan Mountains are awesome! The driver stopped so we could take photos. He kindly offered us a heavy man-sized shirt to put on over our clothes, a traditional shirt of the local Kashmiri people so that we could have our photo taken in it.

As we were driving up the mountain there was a glacial stream running parallel with the road. Words cannot adequately describe the beauty and purity of the place.

It was after dawn when we arrived at the helipad. This part of the trip cuts down the time it would take us to reach the cave. The fiveminute helicopter trip was simply out of this world! How amazing everything looked from the air,

Shivling inside the cave at Amarnath the dirt tracks winding around the majestic mountains, ponies and people looking like ants or tiny smudges on the landscape. It felt surreal and looked like toy-town.

At the same time, what a joy it was to feel oneself in the playground of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati!

The main purpose for the arduous trek to Amarnath cave is so that devotees of Lord Shiva can pay their respects, worship and receive darshan from the Lord in the form of an ice stalagmite Lingam that rises from the floor of the cave and is said to wax and wane with the natural cycles of the moon. There are also smaller ice stalagmites that take the form of the Devi and Lord Ganesha. One decade ago, the main Shivlinga stood at 20 feet; this year it was half the size and also melted quickly within the first 15 days after the cave was open to pilgrims on July 2, 2016.

Some people walk to the cave; others who maybe unhealthy, overweight or old are carried on a palki by four strong men and still others ride ponies. We chose to ride ponies up to the cave, led by the local Kashmiri men, who make a living there during the summer months of July and August. We needed to trust these means as they cared for our safety at every moment, and this is no small thing.

Daunting landscape amid nature’s bounty On the day of our pilgrimage it was a pleasant 13 degree celsius, and

yet there were still glaciers there.

The weather is changeable and can be incredibly hostile; one must dress suitably in warm clothes. The weather can take a plunge and dip to even -5 degree celsius in the summer months. I wore thermals, woollens, a lightweight jacket and a beanie, I was taking no chances!

We did have a few light showers.

However, by afternoon I was feeling quite warm in all my gear.

In each direction upward the views were breathtaking. However, in some places if you looked at the ground alongside the tracks, you would see exquisite Himalayan flowers growing wild. Some of the flowers I had only seen before in books, were electric blue, dark grape, violet and many other shades, some shaped liked bells - a beautiful perennial carpet of the Lord- a garden not fashioned by human hands. It was one of the times I had wished we’d walked to savour this experience more.

The high altitude does have an effect on one’s physical body. That’s why there is a strict registration process, which includes a current health certificate. The pony ride was fine for us because we had visited the Vaishno Devi temple by ponies some days before to pay respects to the Devi, which helped our confidence greatly. I was only anxious when the ponies were going across a blanket snow or wet stones and there was the possibility of the pony slipping. The trip was around 14 km from Baltal.

Fabulous views of the trail

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Travel

Indian News Queensland | COMMUNITY NEWS

Helicopter landing at Helipad In Readiness for Divine Offerings When we came closer to the cave we bought fruits and rice puffs from the stalls to offer Lord Shiva.

At the last part of this pilgrimage, one walks without shoes.

We walked up the giant staircase slowly, by then I felt lighter and more invigorated. Before the top there is a statue of the Bull Nandi; we stopped and paid our respects. As we reached the summit I was thrilled to see the trishul of Lord Shiva, but unfortunately the stalagmite had melted away.

However, it did not dampen our spirits. For me, this was a once-ina-lifetime opportunity. There was some chanting of mantras which enhanced the spiritual atmosphere.

We stood spellbound in order to drink in the divine energy.

We were so blessed that on our arrival there were not many people present and we could stand in a respectful mood in front of the cave for a longer period. We noticed that there was still an ice mound on the ice Linga of the Devi. After a while we moved away to a space

where we could sit and meditate for some time. It was there I received sari prashad - a sari which had been offered to the Devi. I was so grateful and surprised to receive it. The sari was of grape and dark green colour. I will wear and enjoy it as a gift from Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati. I sat on the ice-cold floor with the sari draped around me.

We also saw the pigeons that are said to be immortal and it was shown to me that there are images in the rock faces of Lord Ganesha etc. I will never forget this day!

Basking in the sun with sadhus

The Daughter of the Mountain Parvati’s name means - daughter of the mountain; the Devi was the daughter of King Himavat, the Lord and personification of the Himalayan mountains. A legend says Parvati once asked Lord Shiva about a particular necklace of beads he was fond of wearing, a mund mala. He explained to her that each time the Devi is born in human form he adds another skull-shaped bead to his garland of beads. She asked him why it is that she dies and is reborn again and again, while Lord Shiva himself is immortal. He said that it is due to Amar Katha and promised to tell her the secret of immortality in due time. Lord Shiva chose an austere location, the cave at Amarnath to tell this secret to Parvati.

According to ancient texts the original name of the cave was Amareshwara –the Eternal God. Lord Shiva went to great lengths so that no living being could hear the secret of immortality. The legend says that at Pahalgam Lord Shiva left Nandi the Bull and at Chandanwari he released the moon from his hair.

On the banks of Lake Sheshnag he released the snakes that accompany him. He left his son Lord Ganesha at Mahagunas Parvat. At Panjtarni, Lord Shiva left behind the five elements and performed the Tandava dance. Only then Lord Shiva and the Divine Mother entered the Holy Amarnath Cave.

In order to ensure that there was no other living being present to hear the secret, Lord Shiva used

his immense powers to create a form from within Himself called Kalagni. Lord Shiva ordered Kalagni to spread fire and burn every living thing within a certain radius. Needless to say not much lives in such harsh conditions and at that altitude –the cave is at 3,888 meter or 12,756 feet above sea level.

As Lord Shiva began to tell the secret of immortality, quite mysteriously Maa Parvati was overcome by deep sleep. There are variations of this story and what happens next.

One version says that an egg from a pigeon was hiding under Lord Shiva’s deer skin mat and a pair of pigeons hatched from the egg and they heard or were witness to the secret being told by him. The pair became immortal and lives at the Amarnath cave in rock crevices.

They are seen by the worshippers to this day!

The awe-inspiring Himalayas

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Wedding

Indian News Queensland | COMMUNITY NEWS

Big, Fat Indian Weddings in Rajasthan What makes Rajasthan so special for people planning a big, fat Indian wedding?

What are the ways Rajasthan adds a dash of royalty, glamour, and flamboyance to the wedding ceremonies? Aena Malhotra explores.

H

aving an extravagant, illustrious, dream-like, and opulent wedding is every woman’s dream.

Who doesn’t want to make regal memories of the most special day of one’s life? Right goes the dictum that marriages are made in heaven, but if you are planning to tie the knot the royal way, Rajasthan is what you need.

Besides its rich and colorful heritage, stunningly beautiful forts and palaces, world’s renowned wildlife parks and sanctuaries, and an inviting trail of customs and traditions, this kingly state of India has much more to offer. Hardly anyone who visits Rajasthan returns without being mesmerised by its rich cultural and architectural aura. Over the years there has been an increasing interest among people from all corners of the world to choose Rajasthan as their wedding destination, and the trend is still catching up. Be it international celebrities and socialites including the likes

of Vikram Chatwal and Priya Sachdev, Russell Brand and Katy Perry, Arun Nayar and Elizabeth Hurley, or passionate common folks, Rajasthan has become an irresistible wedding destination stop.

So what makes it so special? If the sand dunes and camels adorning the vast Thar desert that trails across Rajasthan do not leave you spellbound, wait till you encounter the mystique aura that envelops this grandeur-emanating state, or for the colors of Rajasthani culture to sweep you off your feet.

Rajasthan and a Royal Wedding To make an unforgettable wedding destination for you and the love of your life, Rajasthan has all you need and much more—right from a rich cultural history, heart-warming hospitality, never-before-seen architectural wonders to not-to-bemissed traditional cuisine, inimitably colorful culture, heart-stealing Rajasthani customs and traditions, and the regal charm that this state

so effortlessly reflects.

A typical royal Rajasthani wedding inevitably offers you an almost dream-like experience. Irrespective of one’s caste, creed or religion, the localities and those involved in hospitality make sure that the bride and the groom are offered no less than a prince- and princess-like treatment. Flower-showers, decked up palaces or forts that serve as the wedding venues, eloquent lunch and dinner spreads to leave your guests gasping in surprise, royal animals including elephants, camels and horses marching in the wedding procession, and regal costumes and traditional jewelry for bride, groom, and their families are some of the key highlights that attract love-birds to witness their convivial ceremonies in Rajasthan.

plethora of economic options that wedding planners and co-ordinators in India offer to the prospective families aiming to engage Rajasthan in their familial festivities. Among the preferred wedding destination cities in this regal state, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jaisalmer rule the roost.

It is here that most of the privately owned and easily available forts or palaces are available for private celebrations. So if you too are plan-

ning to tie the knot in an interesting and unforgettable way, do consider Rajasthan as one of your wedding stops, and the rest would be history!

Let the deserts and winds of the royal Rajasthan create a royal wedding experience for you and your beloved. Go ahead and steal the show as you take the world by a storm with a dream-come-true wedding!

It is on account of reasons like these that millions of couples across the globe can’t help eyeing upon this kingly Indian state as their wedding destination. What makes their dream come true is the

Prominent Royal Wedding

Destinations of Rajasthan • Udaipur – Known as the City of Lakes, Udaipur is a popular wedding destination. Jagmandir Island palace and the Udaipur Lake Palace are some of the sought-after wedding venues.

• Jaipur - The capital city of Rajasthan, Jaipur offers various heritage hotels like the Rabbagh palace, Samode Palace, and Jaimahal Palace that are ideal for arranging royal weddings.

• Jodhpur - The Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mehrangarh Fort, and Hari Mahal Palace are some of the prominent wedding venues here.

• Jaisalmer - The desert city Jaisalmer offers banquet facilities in several hotels, which are excellent wedding venues for a royal ensemble.

Queensland shines in India ahead of Games THE QUEEN’S Baton Relay for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games is in India where its arrival coincides with Trade 2018 – the Games’ trade and investment program.

Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones said the Palaszczuk Government is actively reaching out to key markets as the baton makes its way around the Commonwealth.

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“We’re staging top-level trade and investment seminars with leading government, business and community leaders to coincide with the Queen’s Baton Relay.

“We’re letting them know that Queensland is open for business.”

“In India, our forums will showcase Queensland as a destination of choice for trade, investment, tourism, sports, education and train-

ing opportunities,” Ms Jones said.

Embracing 2018 Legacy Advisory Committee Chair and Study Gold Coast chair Rob Borbidge is leading the Indian delegation.

Mr Borbidge said Australia and India shared a common interest in the business of sports and the emerging field of sports diplomacy.

“The Australia-India Sports Partnership, launched ear-

lier this year, established an agenda to advance cooperation between our countries in training and development, sports science, governance and grass roots participation,” he said.

“Through this partnership, our countries will realise great developments in sports capability. Trade 2018 will enable further partnerships to develop between India and Queensland.

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“We’re encouraging potential investors in India, and right around the Commonwealth, to join us at Games time to discover for themselves the full breadth of trade and investment opportunities in Queensland,” he said.

Minister Jones said Commonwealth House would be a trade and investment hub in the lead-up to and during the Games.

OCTOBER 2017

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Personality

Indian News Queensland | COMMUNITY NEWS

An altruistic crusader for peace Prakruthi Mysore Gururaj has carved a niche for herself in the international initiative for peace and human welfare, paving the way for others in her community to follow in her footsteps.

Photo credits: Prakruthi Mysore Maharaj

prevails in the region. Any talk of peace in a highly volatile international political scenario, would seem too much of an ambition.

Prakruthi has dedicated herself to works related to establishment of peace, community welfare and social justice. She has been a part of the effort made by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), a non-profit, non-governmental organization, to achieve the goal of World Peace.

HWPL, in association with the United Nations Department of Public Information, has spearheaded the world peace initiative.

Women and youth involved with HWPL’s peace initiatives play a significant role in both peace building and conflict resolution in their respective communities as active proponents of peace. HWPL was founded in 2012. She is also a part of HWPL as a Hindu religious leader. Moreover, she has also been a part of a movement spearheaded by the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG), and is the only women representative from Australia for IWPG. IWPG is essentially the gathering of women who embrace the world with maternal hearts in a bid to establish peace.

Their ideal is the cessation of war

movement so that young people are not sacrificed on the altar of wars.

Recently, Prakruthi was awarded the Merit Achievement award at Greater Brisbane Women in Business Awards 2017, in recognition of Community Dedication and Social Justice. She has been part of many peace initiatives, and her participation in the World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Summit has further lent justification for the award she received. Being one of the proud participants of highprofile peace summits, she has brought laurels to her, her family and her community. Acknowledging the honour of being one of the participants at the 3rd Annual commemoration of World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Summit 2017, Prakruthi says: “Being a Multicultural Ambassador of Red Carpet Functions, I feel honoured to have witnessed the World’s biggest Peace Carnival, supported by more than 200,000 thousand people, and many more around the world.”

With Dr. Prasanna Kumar Pattasani MP Bhubaneswar and Vice President and Founder Member of the Biju Janata Dal

W

hen Prakruthi Mysore Gururaj, the only woman representative from Australia, returned home from the 3rd Annual Commemoration of World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Summit 2017, held in South Korea, she was relieved and a happy woman. “What more would I have wished for when I returned home successful from World Peace

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Summit, at Republic of Korea, amidst the critical crises, unsure of what the situation would unfold,” she says. It was what she terms as “an exhilarating experience”, of being part of a great world peace initiative. She adds: “I left Republic of Korea with great feeling of contentment and geared up to spread the message of peace.” Why wouldn’t she be, especially in view of the geopolitical situation that

With representatives from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Thailand and Australia

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Personality

Indian News Queensland | COMMUNITY NEWS

A Selfless Servant of Community

P

rerna Pahwa has emerged as a beacon of light for the terminally ill in Australia.

She is an inspiration and a motivation for others who have made it their vocation to work selflessly for the welfare of humanity. While people generally wish to become materialistically successful in life, Prerna chose to be a humanitarian and philanthropist. She was born and brought up in a small town of Raigarh in Chhattisgarh state of India. After her schooling from Sambalpur and Bhubaneshwar, both in the Indian state of Odisha and from the state of Telangana, India (earlier Hyderabad), she migrated to Australia as an international student. She did her master’s from Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, and has been working in the IT industry for more than a decade now.

Community Engagement After being employed, she started charity work for the needy. Her mission as a social worker began when she was able to help one of the international students from Nepal in Brisbane, who was diagnosed with Leukaemia. Besides being emotionally supportive to the ailing student, her

could be raised. Her dogged determination and unflinching faith in the goodness of humanity paid rich dividends as she managed to raise the needful amount just in time to save the life of the student who was otherwise hopelessly staring at death with the passing of each day.

Important Projects She and her friends managed to raise $88,000 within 8-9 months of time in 2015 for Ujwal for his bone marrow transplant. Since the success of the ‘Help Ujwal’ campaign, she has been striving to educate people about cancer/ leukaemia, particularly the process of bone marrow transplant. This is essential to break the shackles of myth that prevailing in the society that dissuades people from becoming a bone marrow donor.

She became part of a bone marrow donor drive that initiated the job of educating and motivating South Asian community in Brisbane and other cities to come forward and register to donate Bone Marrow. In one of her many successful donor drives in Brisbane, which was in association with Malayalee association Queensland, they managed to get onboard 94 Indian origin people for registering in Australian

Prerna managed to raise $88,000 within 8-9 months in 2015 under.

Help Ujwal campaign for Ujwal’s bone marrow transplant

With Minister Grace Grace Minister for Multicultural Affairs

alese community in Queensland and Student Association of Nepal conferred on her ‘Friend in need is a friend indeed’ award in one of their community events. The local Indian and Nepalese community newspapers had also acknowledged her services and its significance by giving timely coverage to Ujwal’s bone marrow donor drive story.

During her campaigns to raise money for cancer patients and to educate and encourage people to become bone marrow donors, she realized the need for laying the foundation of an organization that would focus solely on the welfare of cancer patients. This is why she became the Founder of “Simply Human - Superheroes without Capes”, an organization that works for the wellbeing of cancer patients.

In recognition of her community service that inspires many others to work selflessly for the welfare of humanity, she has been nominated for IABCA awards 2017.

Photo credits: Prerna Pahwa

Prerna Pahwa has made it her business to serve the community and thereby, the humanity, making hope and joy the real dividends of life even in this highly materialistic modern world.

Kannada Sangha Queenland Inc invites you to

Kannada Rajyothsava

Besides being emotionally supportive to the ailing student, her real challenge was to collect funds so as to facilitate the student’s bone marrow transplant. So she, along with a few friends, took up the challenge and started visiting community events in Brisbane to raise funds. real challenge was to collect funds so as to facilitate the student’s bone marrow transplant. So she, along with a few friends, took up the challenge and started visiting community events in Brisbane to raise funds. Needless to say, she faced many impediments on the way to ensuring the requisite amount for the treatment of the ailing students

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Deepavali — 2017 Date: 4th November 2017

Space for advertisement Venue: Coorparoo Secondary College

Address: Stanley St E & Cavendish Road, Coorparoo QLD 4151

Time: 4 pm for 4.30 pm start

Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR).

Other Achievements Prerna’s selfless service has won her accolades and awards. However, she does not hanker after any award or recognition. Acknowledging her great service in saving the life of the Nepalese student Ujwal, the Nep-

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Photo Feature

Indian News Queensland | COMMUNITY NEWS

Niyati’s India

Here are a few shots from Niyati Upadhya’s camera. While travelling around India, Niyati captures what fascinates her.

These snapshots from her travelling escapades around Mumbai and Goa have been shot during Monsoon. A visual artist from Rachana Sansad, a college in Mumbai teaching Art, Architecture, Technology and allied disciplines, Niyati Upadhya is a qualified sculptor and an established photographer.

If you like her work, you can show your appreciation by emailing her at niyati.upadhya@ gmail.com. She blogs at http:// niyatiupadhya.wordpress.com.

You can even buy some of her work or employ her for any particular photography assignments or contracts.

Getting the job done – a man cycles along a wet road

Blue

Colourful umbrellas brighten up an otherwise grey monsoon

Green fields by a park bench and a single umbrella to cosy under

A man gets his ears cleaned in Mumbai

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An elderly man braves the gloom barefoot

A schoolboy shares an umbrella with his mother

View from a train Mumbai to Goa

OCTOBER 2017

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Photo Feature

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Indian News Queensland | COMMUNITY NEWS

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Photo Feature

Indian News Queensland | COMMUNITY NEWS

Celebrating Global Mahatma Gandhi:

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Indian News Queensland | ADVERTORIAL

The voice of the Indian community – Radio Brisvaani Radio Brisvaani has, since 1997, been the premier radio station for the Indian community in Australia, bringing for them on a platter a host of entertaining and informative programs in a desi flavour.

The advent of radio, it is said, is responsible for ushering in the era of mass communication. Its resurgence in the 21st century, utilizing digital technology, has further changed the very landscape of media and communication.

Besides being an inexhaustible source of entertainment, it helps in community building, thereby creating a community consciousness that is vital for the progress of any society as well as the country. It certainly entertains, but also educates and informs. More importantly, one can always feel attached to one’s roots by listening to programs in one’s native language. Therefore, when a person is a habitual radio listener, he or she never feels cut off from his or her origin. This is where the contribution of Radio Brisvaani becomes significant, especially in the light of its services to the Indian audiences in Australia and elsewhere in the world.

Brisbane’s first and the best 24-hour Hindi radio station for the last two decades It all began in September 1997 for Radio Brisvaani, a broadcaster as unique as its name, when it started broadcast-

ing for the first time. Its instant USP was the latest, up-to-date information and entertainment in everything desi.

The items related to information and entertainment may emanate from Fiji, Somoa, India, Singapore, Canada, or anywhere else in the world, but it is all served with a ‘desi’ flavour. Therefore, in no time Radio Brisvaani became Australia’s favourite Hindi radio station.

In fact, people inhabiting the sunshine state for more than a few years are well aware that Radio Brisvaani is a force that binds together Queensland’s Indian community.

Besides being the premier radio station for the Indian community in Queensland, the Brisvaani establishment has also been reaching out to their audiences through the medium of a general-interest portal by the name brisvaani.com.

The voice of the Indian community Radio Brisvaani’s popularity among members of the Indian community is owing to the fact that right from its days of inception, it understood the needs of the community and very quickly cata-

pulted itself into becoming the voice of the Indian community with its Hindi language service. It now boasts of being Australia’s only full-fledged, Asia-Pacific radio station catering to the Indian communities throughout Australia with 24/7 live webcast. Moreover, Radio Brisvaani has the distinction of being the only independent commercial radio station in Brisbane that broadcasts seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

For the benefit of audiences that comprise the Indian Punjabi, Muslim, Bengali; Sri Lankan, South African, Afghanistan, Fijian, and Polynesian communities, the radio brings to them entertainment, current affairs, BBC World, India and Fiji news, cultural and religious programs, interviews, talk-back, and other community-related programs. It also covers a range of special music programs, from old classics to contemporary pop, and blues to Hindi dance music. The talk programs highlight social issues, address health and spiritual needs, and discuss local current affairs for the audiences.

Broadcast and Reach

Demographics •

•

Radio Brisvaani owners Mr Jatish Puran and Mrs Anjila Puran with ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas

Mix of mainstream Indians, Fiji Indians, South Indians, and Punjabis living in Queensland (Also Muslim, Bengali, Sri Lankan, South African, Afghanistani, Fijian and Polynesian communities)

• •

Broadcast 24x7, 365 days a year throughout greater Brisbane and webcast throughout the world Estimated listenership over 150,000 Australian Indians

Programmes

Age group: 12-70+

Hindi music, Hindi classic songs, current affairs, BBC World, India and Fiji news, cultural and religious programs, interviews, talk-shows, and other community-related programs

Indian News Queensland | THE LIGHT END

The Sting that Failed to Make Headlines

By Devashish Chakraborty

The pitfalls of being a budding journalist are many. The paths journalists tread are replete with pits, and one is always in danger of falling into one! A bigger danger is that no one will extend a helping hand to pull you out!

Not very long ago, I had the opportunity to work at a local newspaper as a reporter. I was occupying a temporary position. Initially, I was doing only the routine stories.

One day, however, the chief reporter called two of us to his chamber. “What if you find your byline on the front page of tomorrow’s edition,” he asked probingly. I looked askance at him.

Finally, he divulged his plan that was to catapult us to the dizzy heights of journalism.

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“Both of you will do a sting operation. How and where, I will let you know. Now, are you game?” he asked. “Yes, sir,” we said in unison. “Very well, I will call you in the afternoon.” He left us both thrilled and scared at the prospect of what might turn out to be a misadventure.

In the afternoon my phone rang. My fellow reporter was at the other end. “Hey, where are you?” she demanded. “I am at a conference,” I said innocently.

“Come as fast as you can to meet me near the Rose Garden [Chandigarh, India],” she was breathless.

When I reached the garden she was already pacing up and down anxiously awaiting my arrival. “So what is the

plan?” I enquired of her.

She told me of the plan which was to expose the station house officer (SHO) of a certain police station in Chandigarh, who was alleged to be very ill-mannered and corrupt.

“We are to go there as friends and tell them that someone has stolen my handbag which has my identity

card, some cash and other valuables. Our aim should be to meet the SHO and request him to nab the culprits at the earliest. If he misbehaves with us and asks for a bribe to register the case, we have our story,” she explained.

However, what followed left both of us dumbfounded.

When we approached the police, they turned out to be very friendly. When we insisted on seeing the SHO, we were told he was away for an important departmental meeting.

After waiting for the ‘protagonist’ for three hours, he finally arrived. A constable showed us to his room.

During our conversation, he manifested no signs of irritation, ill-temper or anger, and

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did not resort to any of his much-awaited verbal assault.

His pleasing countenance, despite repeated provocation from us, added to our discomfiture. This meant we lost a front-page story. He even offered us a cup of tea and registered the case with the assurance the case would be dealt with expeditiously. By then four hours had passed.

The worried chief reporter sent a young reporter to fetch us from the police station.

“Do you have a story?” the chief reporter asked wryly when we were in the newsroom that night. “I am sorry, sir. But how could the SHO be so unusually polite today?”

I said. “That’s why you are a cub reporter, people can sniff you out,” he explained even as the whole room burst into laughter.

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Indian News Queensland | COMMUNITY NEWS

Celebrating Global Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi, walked different miles, experienced tides, learned to resist but with peace. He believed in humanity, an inclusive society and a nation. A nation which was the then Indian Subcontinent prior 1947, which he envisioned to have for all, a land for Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jain, people from all religion, across gender, ethnicity and diversity, to live in a nonviolent and inclusive nation.

As his enriched journey began outside India and ended in the Subcontinent, legacy of Mahatma Gandhi is celebrated globally.

His values touched nation building global leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther king Jr and many, the values of peace, nonviolence and inclusiveness.

But are these values relevant in this contemporary world? Do they really exist? And, how can these value shape up greater humanity?

It’s your opportunity to gain an insight on this hot topic, to debate and discuss with a panel of experts on 28 October 2017.

The Power of Peace Festival: Celebrating Global Mahatma Gandhi, is a two-day festival from 28 to 29th October 2017 in Queensland, Australia, and an initiative of Gandhi Salt March Limited.

The Festival will commence with an Official Reception featuring a Forum over Dinner on “Peace, Nonviolence and Inclusiveness: Are Gandhi Values Relevant in 21st Century?” at the Queensland Art Gallery on Saturday 28 October 2017.

1st time in Australia a panel of experts from diversified background from gender, profession to religion including Hindu, Muslim, Christian join in a Forum on “Peace. Nonviolence & Inclusiveness: Are Gandhi Values Relevant in 21st Century?”

They will share their views, debate and discuss if these values are relevant today to shape up a better humanity.

Join us to network with industry leaders and expert panel. Hear their insights and express your views at the Forum on Saturday 28 October 2017.

The Panel is joined by distinguished presenters and experts: • Dr Ela Gandhi, Researcher, Peace Activist and former Member of Parliament, South Africa. Dr Ela Gandhi is granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi.

• Ms Maxine McKew, Hon Enterprise Professor University of Melbourne,Australia • Mr Neville Roach AO, former CEO of Fujitsu Australia. Former Chair of National Multicultural Advisory Council. Australia • Mr Peter Varghese, Chancellor of the University of Queensland, former Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Australia • Professor Amitabh Matthoo, Executive Director of Australia India Institute, New Delhi, India • Ms Rabia Siddique, Author, Humanitarian and Lawyer This is a paid event, dinner and entertainment included by the Ishara Puppet Theatre from India. Please book your seats early.

This event will be livestreamed to the supporters of https://signforpeace.actonit.com.au/petition/ Forum related inquiries, please contact: Tamanna Monem, Strategic Advisor and Convenor of the Welcome Reception and Forum over Dinner – Power of Peace Festival at tamanna@powerofpeacefestival.org

Power of Peace Festival is supported by:

The Queensland Department of Premier and Cabinet, Queensland Rail, Department of Education & Training, Curious Minds, Springfield Land Corporation, Queensland, Brisbane City Council, Ipswich City Council, Indian High Commission, University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, Griffith University, University of Southern Queensland, Australia India Institute, Australia India Business Council, Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland, Global Organization of People from Indian Origin, Tradition by T Boutique, Star Promotion Group, Sri Maya Yoga and Altitude Migration.

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Indian News Queensland | Business

IABCA 2017: Platform for Fame and Fortune All is set for the glamorous business event to start on October 13, and the ceremony will witness some of Australia’s most inspiring leaders across 13 award categories. Writes Rabindra Mukherji

Brisbane. Among the dignitaries expected to grace the occasion are High Commissioner of India in Australia Dr. A.M Gondane, High Commissioner of Australia in India Ms. Harinder Sidhu, Lord Mayor of Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Jackie Trad MP, Assistant Minister for Social Services and Multicultural Affairs Senator Zed Seselja, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment, Curtis Pitt MP, Senator for Queensland Murray Watt, and Honorary Consul of India in Brisbane, Mrs. Archana Singh.

Highest credibility of awards

a panel of highly qualified experts every year for the judging process.

This panel is rotated on a yearly basis to ensure the highest degree of credibility and integrity of the Awards. Every year, more than 200 nominations are received nationally across various award categories.

An independent industry panel with representation from across the nation has assessed each of the nominations over a twelve-week period, along with the thirteenth category- Indian-Australian Ambassador of the Year, which is the most coveted, judge’s choice award.

Source: Some contents were borrowed from the IABCA website during compilation of information.

Photo courtesy: IABCA

For the awards, IABCA constitutes

IABCA Awards 2017 - Categories Young Professional of the Year

W

ith the number of Indians migrating to Australia witnessing a steep increase in recent years, they have emerged as a force to reckon with in the Australian society.

In fact, the Census 2016 official data reveal that Indians have become the second highest number of migrants living in Australia, followed by people of Chinese origin. This is suggestive of the fact that these Indians look upon Australia as their second home and have come to this country with many aspirations and dreams which they hope to fulfil.

Australia for them is a country full of opportunities, where they hope to excel and prosper in the course of time.

For Australia, the Indian business diaspora is a rich source of innovation, enterprise, and entrepreneurialism. They have a great potential to further enhance Australia’s economic engagement with India and also contribute immensely to the country’s economic growth and prosperity.

Moreover, Indians are known the world over to be a hardworking race.

According to one of the research findings of the Australian Council of Learned Academies, published in May 2016, Chinese and Indian diasporas in Australia constitute a greater proportion of educated and highly skilled individuals who are globally networked, and are a major source of business opportunities, innovation and entrepreneurialism. And the business and entrepreneurial zeal and achievements of an individual www.indiannewsqld.com.au

must be recognized in the interest of the society at large and the individual concerned in particular.

The recognition given to sterling achievements of individuals in business and community service go a long way in inspiring and boosting the confidence of others in the society as well, who are involved in similar activities.

IABCA’s contribution This is where the role of awards such as the annual India Australia Business & Community Awards (IABCA), which recognizes extraordinary achievements of individuals and the significance of the relationship between two great countries, India and Australia, becomes significant. Ever since its establishment in 2014, IABCA has been at the forefront of celebrating migrant entrepreneurship and community leadership. These awards provide great opportunities for its proud recipients to get nationwide exposure and recognition, which can give a boost to their entrepreneurial endeavours.

In 2016, Businesswoman of the Year Uppma Virdi’s story received as many as 1.2 million hits. Now, Uppma and her business Chai Walli have become famous owing to the media exposure she had received.

And it all began after she received her IABCA award.

Besides recognizing the achievements of individuals, IABCA’s initiative directly contributes to the objectives of promoting a broader and deeper relationship between Australia and India. In other words, a primary objective of IABCA is to deepen

Australia-India ties and promote intercultural exchange between the two countries. This is achieved by showcasing and recognizing success stories of existing IndianAustralian investment for Indiandecision makers to take note of.

IABCA is also conscientious of its societal responsibility towards the needy. Therefore, like every year, IABCA will continue to give back to the society in the form of support to a national charity mission called ‘beyond blue’. It is a great initiative for providing information and support to everyone in the country so that they achieve their best possible mental health, irrespective of their age and place of living.

Brisbane plays host this season In 2017, the focus shifts from New South Wales to Queensland in Brisbane, which is scheduled to play host to the event for the first time. The ceremony will celebrate some of Australia’s most inspiring leaders across 13 award categories, including Young Professional of the Year, Young Community Achiever of the Year, Community Services Excellence Award, Business Woman of the Year, Business Leader or Professional of the Year, Travel Agency/Tour Operator of the Year, Indian Restaurant of the Year, Spirit of Sport Award, Australian Exporter of the Year, Indian Investment in the Australian Market, Small Business of the Year, SME of the Year, Indian Australian Ambassador of the Year (noncontested).

The gala ceremony is all set to take place on Friday, October 13, at the Brisbane City Hall,

Indian Restaurant of the Year This award recognises a restauThis award recognises outstanding rant or caterer that has delivered achievements of a young profesoutstanding culinary experiences sional in middle or senior manageas evidenced by attention to detail, ment who has built a successful a well-structured balanced and incareer and is under 35 years of age. ventive menu, exemplary customer service and an online presence.

Young Community Achiever of the Year Spirit of Sport Award This award recognises community This award acknowledges an achievement of an individual who individual who has demonstrated has shown strong community excellence in the field of sport as leadership and brought about a a competitor, administrator or positive change and is under 35 official. years of age.

Australian Exporter of the Year Community Services Excellence This award recognises outstanding Award achievements and contributions of This award acknowledges the an Australian exporter from Austraachievements of an individual or lia to India.

Not-For-Profit (NFP) Organisation that has enhanced community Indian Investment in the Austraspirit through the promotion and lian Market integration of arts and culture This award acknowledges an Indian between the two nations, Australia company or joint venture’s imporand India. tant contribution of direct investment to the Australian economy.

Business Woman of the Year This award recognises outstanding Small Business of the Year achievements of a female leader Small business of the year is defined who has built a successful business as a business turnover of up to $2 or career over time. million. This award recognises outstanding achievement and contriBusiness Leader or Professional bution made by a Small Business. of the Year This award recognises outstanding SME of the Year achievements of a business leader, Small-to-medium enterprises professional or researcher in middle defined as economic groups with or senior management who has turnover of $2 million and up to built a successful career and is over $250 million. This award recog35 years of age. nises outstanding achievement and Travel Agency / Tour Operator of contribution made by an SME. the Year This award recognises outstanding achievements made by a tour operator / travel agency that demonstrates best practice in agency management, service delivery and promotes Incredible India as a destination.

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Indian News Queensland | COMMUNITY NEWS

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