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Townsville To Cairns: MulTiCulTural ausTralia shines in regional
Dear Readers,
India Fest Townsville’s recognition as Queensland’s best event is more than a local victory—it’s a national statement. What began as a modest gathering in 2014 has blossomed into a celebration that commands political attention and public admiration. The festival’s success lies not just in its colourful displays of Kathak and bhangra, but in its ability to weave disparate threads of India’s diversity—from Holi to Eid—into a cohesive, joyous experience. The Premier’s praise and funding pledge underscore a broader truth: regional Australia is no longer the periphery of multiculturalism but its beating heart. Townsville’s transformation, fuelled by migrant ambition and community grit, challenges outdated assumptions about where culture thrives.
still catching up to demographic shifts, such gatherings are both sanctuary and statement: traditions aren’t just preserved; they’re lived.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ participation in BAPS Swaminarayan’s 75th-anniversary event highlights the symbiotic relationship between public figures and multicultural communities. His receipt of the nada chadi—a staff symbolising humility and guidance—was more than a photo opportunity; it was a gesture of respect for a legacy of service and global humanitarianism. Chalmers’ ongoing engagement with the Kingston mandir, from Diwali to this milestone, models inclusive leadership. In a time when political rhetoric often divides, such acts of genuine connection remind us that multiculturalism’s strength lies in mutual recognition.
Meanwhile, the Consular Camp in Cairns exemplifies how necessity breeds innovation. For Far North Queensland’s Indian diaspora, accessing bureaucratic services once meant costly trips to Brisbane. The camp’s efficient, warm-hearted delivery of passport renewals and OCI applications is a masterclass in community pragmatism. But beyond its practical utility, the event offered something intangible—a sense of reassurance, of being seen. The lingering lunches and shared stories revealed how such initiatives do more than process paperwork; they knit tighter social fabrics. As organisers plan expansions to Townsville and Atherton, the message is clear: regional multiculturalism isn’t a niche concern—it’s a lifeline.
The Mata Ki Chowki in Cairns offered a different but equally powerful vision of unity. Led by devotional song and spontaneous dance, the event transcended ritual to become a celebration of heritage and intergenerational connection.
The Cairns Hindu Samaj’s dream of a dedicated temple and cultural precinct reflects a growing need—one mirrored in communities nationwide. Here, faith and culture intertwine, offering elders belonging and youth a tangible link to their roots. In a region where multicultural infrastructure is
Finally, Shakti Global’s brain health workshop reimagines preventative care through creativity. By pairing geriatric expertise with Warli art and Dot Mandala, the event made dementia prevention accessible, even joyful. The workshop’s success lies in its refusal to medicalise wellbeing entirely— instead, it celebrated art’s power to stimulate memory, bridge generations, and demystify health. In communities where stigma still surrounds cognitive decline, such initiatives are revolutionary. They prove that public health can be as much about paintbrushes as prescriptions.
Together, these stories paint a picture of an Australia where multiculturalism isn’t static but dynamic—where festivals, faith, bureaucracy, and health are infused with cultural specificity and collective spirit. They remind us that the nation’s identity isn’t confined to its cities or history books; it’s being written daily in regional towns, temples, and community halls. The challenge now is to ensure policies and funding match this grassroots energy—because when they do, the results are nothing short of extraordinary. z
Best wishes,
NICK ATTAM
Editor, The Indian Sun—Queensland
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Artist’s
IndiaFest Townsville Queensland’s Model of
Honoured as Queensland’s Best Event on QLD Day 2025
IndiaFest Townsville organisers Nick Attam (left) and Binu Jacob (right) with Queensland Premier David Crisafulli (centre), who announced a $25,000 grant to support the festival after council funding was halved // Photo supplied
OUR REPORTER
@the_indian_sun
It’s hard to picture a Queensland Day celebration where Townsville takes top billing. But that’s exactly what happened this year when India Fest Townsville was declared the state’s best event—a surprise, perhaps, for anyone still clutching old assumptions about regional Australia. For those on the ground, though, it’s a win that’s been simmering for a decade.
India Fest began quietly enough in 2014. No big sponsors. No glittering venues. Just a few determined volunteers from the Indian diaspora with a plan: bring the colour, music, and conviviality of Indian festivals to a place better known for footy and fishing. Eleven years later, it’s not only drawing thousands but also grabbing the attention of Queensland’s political establishment. On the floor of Parliament, no less, the Premier sang its praises—describing the festival as a celebration of culture, community glue, and a regional tourism magnet. The state is chipping in $25,000 to help keep it alive.
“This is about pride—local pride, cultural pride,” the Premier said, urging local councils to match the effort and put their money where the marigolds are. At a time when multicultural funding is patchy at best and disappearing at worst, a public endorsement at this level feels like a lifeline. But it’s also a reminder of where the most vibrant cultural expression in Australia is now coming from— not the galleries of inner-city precincts or festival tents in capital cities, but regional centres where diversity is experienced up close.
Nick Attam, the unflappable Secretary of India Fest Townsville Inc., has seen it grow. “We’re absolutely thrilled. This is for
the entire community,” he said. “It’s not just a party, it’s years of effort, dozens of volunteers, a city coming together.”
That effort has always been personal. There’s no slick marketing team behind the scenes. The choreography, catering, logistics and lights are all co-ordinated by volunteers— many of them students, retirees, and first-generation migrants juggling other jobs. Sponsors come and go. Venues change. But the crowds return. The sense of belonging remains.
Each year, the event shape-shifts. One year, Kathak dancers share the stage with bhangra troupes. Another, it’s a fusion of Tamil folk songs and Bollywood blockbusters. But the formula is steady: food stalls, costumes, music, and a relentless celebration of India’s internal diversity—from Holi to Onam, from Baisakhi to Eid. This year’s theme, “Festivals of India”, may be the most ambitious yet—an attempt to string together the dazzling multiplicity of the subcontinent’s traditions under one North Queensland sky.
That a regional city like Townsville is hosting something of this scale says more about modern Australia than any policy paper. It hints at a quiet shift: multiculturalism, long treated as an urban experiment, is becoming a regional lifeline. New migrants are heading to places like Toowoomba, Shepparton, Mildura, and Townsville—not reluctantly, but with intent. Rents are lower, work is available, and schools are welcoming. What was once a tree change has become a community recalibration.
And as the demography changes, so does the definition of who gets to speak for the suburbs and towns. In Townsville, India Fest has become that voice—one that’s joyful, textured, and occasionally political. When funding was <TURN TO #11>
Come 23 August, those ovals in Townsville will once again transform. Drumbeats will echo into the dry winter air. Samosas will vanish by the trayful. Children will chase coloured powders across the grass
INDIA FEST 2014: WHEN IT ALL STARTED
INDIA FEST 2024
<CONTINUED FROM #9> at risk last year, the organising committee didn’t just raise money—they raised eyebrows. Why was a much-loved local event scrambling for survival?
The answer lies in the fractured nature of multicultural funding across Australia. State governments come and go. Budgets are made in Brisbane and Sydney, not in Mount Isa or Dubbo. Councils, meanwhile, are stretched and often unsure where multicultural events sit in the pecking order. Is it tourism? Culture? Youth engagement? Health and wellbeing? The truth is it’s all of those—but try fitting that onto a grant application form.
That’s what makes the state’s latest recognition so pointed. It’s not just about the money. It’s the tone. An event that started with one tent and a borrowed sound system now has the imprimatur of Parliament. It changes the equation. It also raises the stakes.
Because it’s not just a party. It’s proof.
Proof that when local government steps back, the community steps in. Proof that regional towns are not allergic to diversity. Proof that Australia’s cultural identity isn’t settled in Sydney or stitched together in Melbourne’s laneways—it’s still being made, danced, and cooked into existence on footy ovals and showgrounds.
Come 23 August, those ovals in Townsville will once again transform. Drumbeats will echo into the dry winter air. Samosas will vanish by the trayful. Children will play chasing each other across the grass while aunties in silk sarees keep rhythm with spoons and steel plates. And for a few hours, a corner of Queensland will feel like all of India—and none of it—at once. Call it a festival. Call it a phenomenon. Just don’t call it small. z
Dr Preethi Suraj honoured on Queensland
OUR REPORTER BRISBANE @the_indian_sun
Dr Preethi Suraj has been awarded the Queensland Day Award in recognition of her tireless commitment to community service, cultural inclusion, and grassroots leadership. The accolade was presented during a ceremony attended by The Honourable Milton Dick MP, Margie Nightingale MP and Councillor Charles Strunk, marking an emotional and proud moment for Queensland’s Indian-Australian community.
Speaking after receiving the award, Dr Suraj said, “This award is not just for me—it represents the
strength, spirit, and unity of the communities I have had the privilege to serve.”
A respected biomedical researcher by profession and a civic leader by calling, Dr Suraj has long been an advocate for multicultural harmony. Her work as President of the Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland (FICQ) has focused on building bridges between cultures, promoting inclusive representation, and encouraging civic engagement. Under her stewardship, the Federation has led a variety of initiatives celebrating festivals, supporting migrant families, and engaging with policy makers
on issues affecting diverse communities.
She described the award as “a humbling reminder of the values we share—community, compassion, and contribution,” and reaffirmed her belief in the power of listening and connecting as the core of leadership.
“Community leadership, to me, is about standing together—especially in times of challenge and change,” she said.
The Indian Sun has reached out to Milton Dick MP and Councillor Charles Strunk for their reflections on the award presentation and Dr Suraj’s contribution to Queensland’s social fabric. Their offices are expected to provide comments shortly.
The award comes at a time when ethnic representation in civic life is more visible than ever, with grassroots leaders like Dr Suraj playing a key role in shaping inclusive policy conversations and celebrating cultural richness. Her recognition is viewed as an affirmation of years of behind-thescenes work—much of it voluntary— towards building a stronger, more cohesive society.
As Queensland prepares for major community events including India’s Independence Day in August and Diwali in October, Dr Suraj’s story is expected to inspire many younger community members to engage more actively in local affairs. z
Ganesh Deshpande honoured for building bridges in Queensland
NICK ATTAM BRISBANE @the_indian_sun
Queensland’s Indian community celebrated a proud moment as Ganesh Deshpande, Secretary of the Indian Council of Australia Queensland Inc. (ICAQ), received the 2025 Community Service Award at the Woodridge Queensland Day Awards. Presented by local MP Cameron Dick, the honour acknowledges Deshpande’s quiet but powerful work in community building, inclusion, and cross-cultural understanding.
Senator Corinne Mulholland, who MC’d the event, praised all local champions, but it was Deshpande’s
name that resonated deeply across the Indian diaspora—where his steady leadership has long been felt.
“Ganesh has helped make our community a stronger, kinder, and more connected place,” said Mr Dick.
“People like Ganesh are the glue that binds us together.”
As ICAQ Secretary and co-founder, Deshpande has championed civic participation, youth engagement, and multicultural events. From festivals to support services for new migrants, his work has shaped a more inclusive Queensland.
ICAQ President Ashish Katta called the honour richly deserved.
unity and giving back.”
ICAQ has been pivotal in guiding South Asian communities through settlement, identity, and civic participation. Through schools, public events, and forums, it has opened doors for new voices.
Ganesh’s recognition comes at a crucial time. As Indian Australians grow in number, civic representation still lags. This award marks a shift— toward visibility, validation, and the value of grassroots leadership.
Reflecting on the award, Deshpande said, “I’m honoured, especially because I was nominated anonymously. This is not just mine— it’s shared by all who believe in
“Ganesh embodies selfless leadership. His dedication uplifts our entire community.”
At The Indian Sun, we know real change starts quietly—in homes, halls, and hearts. Ganesh Deshpande has built his life on such moments. His award is well-earned. His story, a call to rise and serve. z
Ganesh Deshpande, Secretary of the Indian Council of Australia Queensland Inc., receives the 2025 Community Service Award from Queensland’s Cameron Dick MP at the Woodridge Queensland Day Awards// Photo supplied
Elders and youth share stories, find common ground at Helensvale Wisdom Circle
NICK ATTAM BRISBANE @the_indian_sun
Stories of hardship, hope, and homecoming echoed through the Helensvale Community Centre on Sunday as Shakti Global hosted its latest community event, the Wisdom Circle. The gathering brought together seniors, families, and young Australians in an afternoon dedicated to listening, connection, and shared learning.
The event, held on 8 June, was titled “Honouring Elders, Inspiring the Next Generation,” and did exactly that—creating a space where older members of
the community could share their experiences and younger ones could ask, reflect, and absorb.
Mr Paul Samra opened the session with a personal tribute to the resilience of older migrants. His remarks acknowledged the many untold stories that often sit quietly behind Australia’s multicultural communities, particularly those who moved across continents to give their children better lives.
Throughout the afternoon, several elders took turns speaking about their life journeys—from navigating the early days of migration to raising families in unfamiliar environments, often with little support. <TURN TO #17>
<CONTINUED FROM #16> One speaker recalled the early years of moving to Australia and working multiple jobs to make ends meet, while another spoke about the values they held onto, even in times of upheaval: family, faith, and self-respect.
Younger attendees engaged earnestly, asking questions about cultural identity, social change, and how to carry wisdom into their own lives. For many, it was a chance to hear stories that don’t feature in textbooks or news feeds.
Shakti Global also included sessions focused on physical and mental wellbeing. Mrs Kanchan Chopra led a restorative yoga session tailored for seniors, emphasising breath, movement, and calm.
Mr Shekher Arya followed with a breathwork practice that invited stillness and grounding.
A spokesperson from Shakti Global described the event as a space for “deep listening”—where stories were not just told but held. “Our elders have shaped the world we live in. This was about honouring that truth while giving the next generation something solid to stand on,” they said.
The tone was one of quiet pride and shared warmth, with the Centre
filled with the sound of laughter, quiet tears, and conversations that bridged decades. For many who attended, especially those from migrant backgrounds, the stories resonated deeply.
Founded over a decade ago, Shakti Global has long worked with multicultural women and families across the Gold Coast, focusing on emotional health, empowerment, and cultural education. The Wisdom Circle is one of its newer initiatives, aimed at closing the gap between generations in communities where tradition, transition, and modernity often collide.
As the session wrapped up, several attendees stayed back to continue conversations over tea and snacks. One young participant commented, “I’ve never heard stories like that from my own grandparents—today made me want to ask.”
More Wisdom Circles are planned in the coming months, with Shakti Global hoping to expand the format across other parts of Queensland. For those involved, the message was clear: heritage is not something frozen in time—it moves, breathes, and becomes more powerful when it’s passed on. z
Cairns Consular Camp brings comfort, connection, and paperwork under one roof
NICK ATTAM BRISBANE @the_indian_sun
The Indian community in Far North Queensland came together with purpose and pragmatism on 24 May 2025 as Centacare FNQ in Manunda hosted a well-attended Consular Camp, jointly organised by the Consulate General of India in Brisbane and GOPIO Cairns Inc.
The camp offered practical support for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) applications, passport renewals, visa services, and document attestations—bringing vital government touchpoints closer to a region often overlooked due to geography. Community members,
from international students to elderly residents, received individual attention from the visiting consular team, who worked through appointments with a quiet efficiency and calm professionalism.
The growing Indian diaspora in Cairns and surrounding areas has long called for more regular access to such services. For many, travelling to Brisbane for documentation issues can be costly and time-consuming. Saturday’s turnout confirmed what organisers had anticipated—that regional outreach isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.
“We are thrilled with the overwhelming response from the community,” <TURN TO #19>
<CONTINUED FROM #18> said a GOPIO Cairns spokesperson. “It shows how important access to these services is in regional areas, and how powerful community partnerships can be when driven by purpose.”
The event wasn’t just about efficiency—it was anchored in warmth. Spicy Bite Edge Hill provided catering that gave the day a festive feel, with familiar flavours offering a comforting reminder of home. Many attendees lingered over lunch, catching up with friends and swapping stories after sorting out their paperwork.
Volunteers from the Cairns Indian community played a quiet yet pivotal role, handling registrations, translations, and crowd management. Whether it was guiding elders through forms or assisting young families, their presence ensured that the day
flowed smoothly.
Centacare FNQ, the local social services partner, was acknowledged for offering not just a venue but a sense of calm hospitality. The Centre’s support allowed both officials and visitors to focus on what mattered—solving problems, answering queries, and building trust.
For families new to the region, especially those with elderly dependents or young children,
the event offered something more intangible—reassurance. One visitor, originally from Hyderabad and now settled in Smithfield, remarked, “Just knowing that someone from the consulate is here, listening, helping—it makes you feel connected again.”
Cairns’ Indian community has grown steadily over the past decade, fuelled by education, health care, tourism, and skilled migration. With that growth comes a growing need for tailored public services— not just in health and housing but in diplomatic and administrative areas too.
As the camp wrapped up, organisers spoke of future outreach events in surrounding regions like Townsville and Atherton. The mood among attendees was equally optimistic—many hoping such consular pop-ups become a fixture on the local calendar. z
Volunteers from the Cairns Indian community played a quiet yet pivotal role, handling registrations, translations, and crowd management
Mata Ki Chowki lights up Cairns with devotion and song
NICK ATTAM BRISBANE @the_indian_sun
Cairns saw an uplifting display of faith and cultural unity on Saturday evening as over 200 people gathered for a Mata Ki Chowki hosted by Cairns Hindu Samaj Inc. The event, held on 31 May 2025, brought together families from across Far North Queensland in a powerful celebration of devotion, heritage, and community.
The crowd was led in prayer and song by Melbourne-based Aastha Musical Group, who delivered a stirring series of bhajans and aartis. Their performance, full of rhythm and reverence, quickly turned the space into a living expression of collective
devotion—clapping, chanting, and spontaneous dance created an atmosphere more like a spiritual festival than a seated service.
This wasn’t just about rituals or performance. For many present, the Chowki reaffirmed their place in a growing regional community that continues to draw strength from tradition while navigating the realities of life far from metropolitan centres.
The Cairns Hindu Samaj, organisers of the event, have long been advocating for the construction of a dedicated Hindu Temple and Cultural Precinct in the region. With over 500 Hindu families now calling Cairns and its surrounds home, the need for such a space has only grown.
“This Chowki shows what’s
possible when we come together,” said one committee member, speaking on the sidelines of the event. “It’s the support of families and volunteers that keeps this community moving forward. Every voice in the room tonight was part of something greater.”
The warmth and unity on display reflected more than just religious practice—it was about preserving heritage, handing it forward to younger generations, and affirming cultural pride in a time when regional multiculturalism is both growing and testing the limits of existing infrastructure.
As Cairns continues its transformation into a broader multicultural hub, <TURN TO #21>
With over 500 Hindu families now calling Cairns and its surrounds home, the need for such a space has only grown
<CONTINUED FROM #20> events like Saturday’s gathering are playing a quiet but essential role. They offer a space for prayer, yes, but also connection—linking residents by memory, music, and the shared effort of keeping traditions alive.
The Chowki ended with prasad and shared conversations, underscoring how faith-based events often do the work of social glue—making newcomers feel welcome, offering the elderly a sense of
belonging, and allowing young people to see their culture celebrated openly.
For Cairns Hindu Samaj, the night was more than successful—it was one more step in a slow and steady journey towards building a permanent home for the region’s Hindu community. And for those who attended, it was a reminder of what still unites us: song, prayer, and the quiet conviction that community matters. z
Chalmers joins BAPS in Kingston
NICK ATTAM BRISBANE @the_indian_sun
Treasurer Jim Chalmers spent the weekend immersed in community spirit, joining the BAPS Swaminarayan congregation in Kingston to mark 75 years since Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s appointment as president of the organisation. The gathering blended reverence and recreation, reflecting the community’s values of service, unity and cultural pride. Chalmers took part in the ceremony and expressed his thanks, noting he had been “blessed with a new nada chadi,” a traditional staff symbolising spiritual guidance and humility.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj, born Shantilal Patel in 1921, led BAPS from 1950 until his passing in 2016. Under his leadership, BAPS expanded globally, establishing over 1,100 temples and numerous humanitarian initiatives. His teachings emphasised selfless service and the joy found in uplifting others.
Chalmers’ engagement with the BAPS community is not new.
He has previously attended events at the Kingston mandir, including Diwali celebrations, where he has been welcomed warmly . His continued participation underscores a commitment to fostering relationships with diverse cultural and faith groups within his electorate.
The 75th-anniversary event in Kingston was part of a series of global commemorations honouring Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s legacy. Celebrations have taken place in
various countries, highlighting his impact on communities worldwide.
Chalmers’ presence at the event was well-received, with community members appreciating his involvement and the recognition of their cultural heritage. The event also featured traditional rituals, including the presentation of the nada chadi, symbolising the transmission of spiritual responsibility and continuity of leadership within the BAPS tradition. Such ceremonies are
integral to the community’s practices, reflecting a deep respect for their spiritual lineage.
Chalmers’ involvement in the celebration highlights the role of public figures in supporting multicultural communities and recognising their contributions to the broader society. His engagement serves as an example of inclusive leadership, fostering mutual respect and understanding across diverse cultural landscapes. z
Leaders
Leaders in Queensland rally Indian diaspora around shared heritage
NICK ATTAM BRISBANE @the_indian_sun
Prominent figures from Queensland’s Indian community have joined hands to reaffirm cultural ties and deepen engagement with India, marking a renewed sense of purpose among diaspora leaders.
Sri Srikar Reddy Andem, former President of Bharatha Jagruthi Australia, and Sri Ashish R. Katta, current President of the Indian Council of Australia, formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at a gathering in Sydney. The occasion was attended by Dr. K. Laxman, National President of the BJP’s OBC Morcha, and other
senior dignitaries. Their decision, though political on the surface, has been described by supporters as a symbolic gesture focused on unity and cultural preservation rather than electoral ambition.
Shortly after their affiliation was announced, Reddy convened a group of more than 30 Indian Australian leaders in Brisbane. The meeting brought together representatives from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and beyond. Senior BJP officials Dr. Vijay Chauthaiwale and Dr. Nakul Bhardwaj travelled from India to attend the event and meet with members of Queensland’s growing Indian community.
The event featured discussions
about the Indian diaspora’s evolving role in Australian society. Leaders spoke about the importance of cultural continuity in a multicultural setting and emphasised that their community contributions remain apolitical in nature. “This is about heritage, about passing on what we know and believe to the next generation,” one attendee said.
A cultural performance by Sargam Music Academy added a personal and emotional layer to the evening, reflecting the diasporic experience of balancing belonging across two countries. The music echoed the message of identity and belonging being reinforced by the gathering. <TURN TO #25>
Senior BJP officials Dr. Vijay Chauthaiwale and Dr. Nakul Bhardwaj travelled from India to attend the event and meet
with members of Queensland’s growing Indian community
from Queensland’s Indian community pose with senior BJP representatives at a community meet-up in Brisbane
<CONTINUED FROM #24>
In a post shared across social media, Dr. Laxman commended the Queensland community for its commitment to unity and cultural pride. “The commitment of our community leaders to preserving cultural heritage and fostering unity is commendable. Their efforts play a crucial role in strengthening the bond between India and its global citizens,” he wrote.
Observers of the event said the most striking takeaway was the collaborative energy on display—an effort to involve diverse voices within the Indian diaspora and reinforce common threads. Katta, who has long championed community participation in civic dialogue, stressed that unity does not require uniformity. “We come from different states and languages, but we share common values. That is what gives our community strength.”
The gathering also mirrored a
broader pattern: the increasing involvement of diaspora leaders in shaping narratives not just within their host countries, but back in India as well. With remittances, philanthropy, digital engagement, and political connections growing, the influence of Indians abroad is becoming more organised and strategic.
Both Reddy and Katta have been active in building bridges between Australian and Indian institutions. Their efforts go beyond attending cultural events or organising festivals. They have worked on youth outreach, professional mentorships, and language preservation programs. Their recent participation in BJP platforms appears to be another way of maintaining formal ties with institutions in India while continuing their local work in Australia.
Leaders at the Brisbane gathering
It’s easy to label this as political, but at its heart, it’s a cultural mission. We want to empower our children with confidence in who they are ORGANISER
were quick to stress that their activism stems from a sense of duty to their community. One senior organiser said, “It’s easy to label this as political, but at its heart, it’s a cultural mission. We want to empower our children with confidence in who they are and where they come from.”
The Indian diaspora in Queensland has more than doubled in the last decade, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures. With a rising population and increased civic visibility, groups like the Indian
Council of Australia and Bharatha Jagruthi Australia are expected to play a bigger role in crosscultural dialogue and public life.
As more Australians of Indian heritage seek to make sense of their dual identities, events like these provide an anchor—one that connects their lives here to stories, values, and traditions from home. Whether expressed through music, political affiliations, or local initiatives, the message is clear: culture travels, and it thrives where communities nurture it.
This Brisbane gathering, quiet in scale but rich in intention, may well serve as a blueprint for other diaspora communities seeking to strike a balance between assimilation and authenticity. It shows that even far from the banks of the Ganges or Godavari, the idea of India is being kept alive in the hearts of those who never left it behind. z
Dr. Vijay Chauthaiwale, BJP’s Foreign Affairs Department head, interacts with community members in Brisbane during a gathering of Indian diaspora leaders
Tovino brings the heat as Narivetta premieres in Brisbane
NICK ATTAM BRISBANE
@the_indian_sun
Malayalam actor Tovino Thomas received a warm welcome in Brisbane this week as Narivetta—his latest political action film—held its Australian premiere. The screening drew members of the Indian diaspora, film buffs, and cultural diplomats, with Consul General Neetu Bhagotia also in attendance.
The film has been steadily gaining traction since its 23 May release, with reviews praising its storytelling, performances, and commentary on institutional power. Directed by Anuraj Manohar and written by Abin Joseph,
Narivetta takes inspiration from the 2003 Muthanga protest in Kerala—a flashpoint event involving Adivasi land rights and police violence.
Tovino plays Varghese Peter, a police constable caught in the moral tug-of-war between duty and justice. His layered performance has earned acclaim both for its emotional weight and for bringing nuance to a role often simplified on screen. Sharing screen space with him is Suraj Venjaramoodu, another Malayalam cinema heavyweight, as Head Constable Basheer Ahammed. Tamil director-actor Cheran makes his Malayalam debut as DIG R Keshavadas, adding further depth
to the cast. Supporting roles from Arya Salim, Priyamvada Krishnan, and Rini Udayakumar round out the ensemble.
The film’s gritty tone is reinforced by cinematographer Vijay and editor Shameer Muhammed, while Jakes Bejoy’s score provides the emotional undertow. The track “Minnalvala,” with lyrics by Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri, has already struck a chord with audiences.
Initial box office figures are promising. Within three days, Narivetta brought in around ₹15 crore—about $2.75 million AUD— against a budget of ₹10 crore ($1.83 million <TURN TO #27>
Narivetta is expected to stream on OTT platforms from July, potentially widening its impact and drawing in a global viewership eager for cinema that doesn’t flinch from asking hard q’s
Consul General Neetu Bhagotia joins Malayalam star Tovino Thomas at the Brisbane premiere of Narivetta
<CONTINUED FROM #26> AUD).
Analysts estimate the film needs to hit ₹25 crore ($4.58 million AUD) globally to be considered a commercial success, and current momentum suggests that milestone is within reach.
Malayalam cinema has long been respected for its rooted narratives and moral clarity. The Brisbane premiere is further evidence that its reach is no longer
limited to the subcontinent. As Consul General Bhagotia noted during the event, such films help bridge cultural distances while shedding light on issues that resonate across borders.
Narivetta is expected to stream on OTT platforms from July, potentially widening its impact and drawing in a global viewership eager for cinema that doesn’t flinch from asking hard questions. z
Can art help protect the brain? A community workshop says yes
OUR REPORTER BRISBANE
@the_indian_sun
Acommunity-driven workshop focusing on brain health and dementia prevention brought together residents of all ages to explore the role of creativity, lifestyle, and early intervention in maintaining cognitive wellbeing.
Held as part of Shakti Global’s wellness initiative, the event aimed to highlight practical steps individuals can take to support their brain health long before cognitive decline sets in. At the heart of the session was a simple but powerful idea: prevention doesn’t always require prescription pads—it can begin with a paintbrush.
Dr Subakumar, a respected
geriatrician and memory care expert, anchored the session with researchbacked insights into age-related cognitive changes. He walked attendees through the early signs of dementia, emphasising how crucial early recognition can be. Drawing on decades of clinical experience, he explained that while ageing is inevitable, decline doesn’t have to be.
“Small changes in daily routine—like physical activity, mental stimulation, social connection, and diet—can influence long-term outcomes,” he told the audience.
What stood out, however, wasn’t just the medical knowledge on offer but the creative approaches used to demonstrate it. Participants were invited to immerse themselves in
interactive art sessions designed not as therapy, but as active tools for wellbeing.
Leading the first session was Megha Dasog, an artist who works across acrylic, watercolour, and oils. Known for her Warli art and storytelling through canvas, Megha encouraged participants to use painting as a way of expressing memories, thoughts, and emotions. Her approach bridged the gap between personal experience and cultural heritage, inviting individuals to consider how art can carry memory—literally and metaphorically—through shape, colour, and texture.
Joining her was Brisbane-based Suchi Vasuki, <TURN TO #29>
<CONTINUED FROM #28> a mindfulness teacher and artist who works with women and children to encourage self-expression and healing through art. Her session introduced techniques such as Dot Mandala and textured painting, offering participants a slow, focused practice that some described as ‘almost meditative.’ With over four years of experience, Suchi’s sessions leaned into the therapeutic benefits of rhythm and repetition— approaches that are increasingly being explored in neuroscience research for their impact on mental clarity and emotional regulation.
Together, the two artists demonstrated how creative practice can do more than entertain—it can engage different parts of the brain, promote neuroplasticity, and evoke a sense of calm. These effects, while not cures, are part of a growing movement in dementia care that includes sensory enrichment and purposeful activity as essential elements of support.
The audience response was immediate and sincere. Participants of all ages—from young adults to elders— engaged in the painting exercises, with many commenting on the unexpected emotional release the process brought. Some said the workshop helped them reflect on family members experiencing memory loss, while others simply enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with a creative side that daily life had buried.
Workshops like these also
serve a broader function—bridging generational gaps, demystifying health conditions, and making medical advice more approachable. By grounding clinical concepts in creative activities, the organisers fostered a setting where health education felt less like a lecture and more like a shared experience.
The event fits into Shakti Global’s wider commitment to preventative health, especially in communities where early intervention and mental wellness are often overlooked. Speaking after the event, a spokesperson for Shakti Global said,
“This isn’t about prescribing solutions. It’s about sparking conversations, equipping people with tools, and creating moments that can shift perspectives.”
There are still gaps in how society talks about dementia. Despite growing awareness, stigma and fear often prevent people from seeking support early. Events like this one are reminders that education doesn’t have to be clinical. It can be warm, collaborative, and even fun.
Shakti Global hopes the workshop inspires more community-led initiatives that combine scientific
insight with everyday tools—whether that’s paint, music, or movement—to support long-term wellness. Future events will continue to explore how creativity, mindfulness, and social connection can be used in the service of public health.
If you walked past the event room that afternoon, you might have noticed the laughter, the stillness, the colour on people’s fingers. But beneath the brushstrokes and canvases was a far more urgent message: the sooner we start taking care of our minds, the more of ourselves we get to keep. z
Coercive Control Now Illegal in Queensland
Police and communities unite to break the silence
NICK ATTAM BRISBANE
@the_indian_sun
Astrong message of healing and accountability echoed through Queensland’s Parliament House as the “Break the Silence, End the Violence” event drew together law enforcement, community leaders, and government officials to confront the realities of domestic and family violence.
Led by Sergeant Amanjot Sharma from the Queensland Police Service (QPS) in collaboration with the Consulate General of India in Brisbane, the event followed
the Queensland Government’s formal criminalisation of coercive control—a landmark shift in how abusive patterns of behaviour are recognised and addressed in the legal system.
Minister for Women, Women’s Economic Security and Multiculturalism Fiona Simpson MP addressed the gathering with clarity and care, saying, “Break the silence, end the violence. That was the message jointly shared between the Queensland Police Service and leaders of Queensland’s Indian community. Our police are doing an excellent job partnering with our multicultural communities to get these important messages
out. Particularly, as of this week, coercive control is now illegal in Queensland.”
Minister Simpson called for collective responsibility, stressing that domestic and family violence is not simply a private matter but a community-wide concern. Her remarks praised the proactive work being done by police and community groups in building awareness, especially across culturally diverse populations.
Adding a powerful voice from the diplomatic community, Consul General of India in Brisbane, Ms Neetu Bhagotia, spoke of the invisible scars domestic abuse can leave behind.
“Family and <TURN TO #31>
Minister Simpson called for collective responsibility, stressing that domestic and family violence is not simply a private matter but a communitywide concern
<CONTINUED FROM #30> domestic violence is a problem faced across communities around the world. It doesn’t always leave visible scars—but leaves deep wounds. Silence helps no one. It protects the abuser, not the victim. It’s time we come together—as friends, neighbours, families, and communities—to say: enough is enough,” she said.
She went further, challenging cultural taboos that discourage speaking out. “True honour lies in protecting someone’s dignity, not in protecting the abuser. We need to break this silence to end the violence.”
The event was designed not only to inform but to empower. Sergeant Banks of QPS delivered a focused presentation on identifying signs of abuse, especially coercive control in multicultural households—a form of manipulation and intimidation that often escapes easy detection. His presentation was well received for its clear, practical advice and for encouraging greater confidence in accessing police support services.
Cultural elements brought both gravitas and warmth to the occasion. The Queensland Police Pipes and Drums gave a stirring performance,
creating an atmosphere that balanced the seriousness of the message with a sense of unity and shared purpose. Attendees noted it as one of the day’s highlights, alongside the direct educational content shared by police officers.
Participants included representatives from across Queensland’s Indian diaspora, domestic violence service providers, state and federal officials, academic experts, and frontline responders. Notably, several members of the Queensland Police Service took active roles in the discussions, highlighting the department’s commitment to both protection and prevention.
The event comes at a time when reports of coercive control are gaining national attention, and legal systems across Australia are moving to treat psychological abuse and manipulation with the seriousness they deserve. Queensland’s new law is seen as a major development, but the event made it clear that legislation alone is not enough—community involvement, education, and cultural awareness are all vital components.
Attendees were reminded that help is available for anyone in need.
DVConnect can be contacted on 1800 811 811, a confidential helpline offering advice, crisis support, and pathways to safety.
For those at the gathering, the message wasn’t just about legal reform—it was about shifting the culture. As Consul General Bhagotia said, silence serves no one. By naming
the issue, recognising its patterns, and building trust between institutions and communities, there is hope for change—one voice at a time.
The Indian Sun remains committed to sharing these voices and helping create the conditions for safer, more supportive communities across Australia. z
Consul General of India in Brisbane, Ms Neetu Bhagotia
Minister for Women, Women’s Economic Security and Multiculturalism Fiona Simpson MP
Strings and steps: Indian arts take centre stage at Monash
OUR REPORTER MELBOURNE @the_indian_sun
Monash University marked 60 years of its music program on 16 May 2025 with the launch of a cultural exhibition celebrating the deepening ties between Indian and Australian performing arts. Titled The Place of Indian Music and Dance in Australia, the exhibition opened at the Performing Arts Centre and brought together archival treasures, personal stories, and live performance in a tribute to cultural exchange.
Consul General of India in Melbourne, Dr Sushil Kumar, attended the event and highlighted the role of cultural diplomacy in strengthening ties between India and Australia. “Music and dance are
not just expressions of art—they carry stories, philosophies and histories,” he said. “When shared across borders, they build bridges far sturdier than policy ever can.”
At the heart of the exhibition is the Tagore collection of Indian musical instruments, which includes rare pieces connected to Raja Sir Sourindro Mohun Tagore, a 19th-century polymath who championed Indian classical music’s global dissemination. These instruments now form part of the Popular Music Archive at Monash and have played a quiet but crucial role in exposing generations of students to Indian music traditions.
The show also honours the legacy of Louise Lightfoot, the Australian dancer and choreographer widely credited with bringing Indian classical
dance forms such as Kathakali and Bharatanatyam to Australian stages during the early 20th century. Lightfoot trained in India and developed close ties with leading artists of the time, later touring extensively with Indian dance troupes across Australia and beyond. Her handwritten notes, photos, and tour programmes are featured in the display, offering a glimpse into a life spent stitching together two distant cultural worlds.
Adding a contemporary thread, the exhibition highlights the work of Tara Rajkumar OAM, who has been a pioneer in Indian dance in Australia since the 1980s. Rajkumar’s contributions to the field span performance, pedagogy, and advocacy. Through initiatives like Natya Sudha Dance Company and the Academy of Indian
Performing Arts, she has mentored hundreds of students and worked to establish Indian dance within Australia’s broader performing arts infrastructure.
Guests at the launch were treated to a performance by Divya Rasa Dance, which presented a series of pieces drawing from various Indian classical styles. The troupe’s choreography moved from intricate hand gestures to dynamic footwork, weaving influences from Bharatanatyam, Odissi and Mohiniyattam into a visual reflection of the exhibition’s themes.
The exhibition will remain open to the public over the coming weeks, offering a rare opportunity to experience the sound, movement and memory of Indian performing arts in the Australian academic setting. z
Dr Sushil Kumar, Consul General of India in Melbourne, with Tara Rajkumar OAM and guests at the exhibition The Place of Indian Music and Dance in Australia, held at Monash University’s Performing Arts Centre on 16 May 2025
India’s High Commissioner visits NT Parliament House
OUR REPORTER DARWIN @the_indian_sun
Jinson Anto Charls, the Member for Sanderson in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, recently welcomed India’s High Commissioner to Australia, Gopal Baglay, to Parliament House in Darwin. The meeting reflects a deeper current—India’s growing diplomatic outreach intersecting with the rise of its diaspora in Australian politics.
Charls, originally from Kerala, migrated to Australia in 2011 and settled in Darwin in 2015. From working in aged care to becoming the first Indian-origin Minister in the Northern Territory, his journey has been swift and symbolic. Elected in 2024 under the Country Liberal Party, he now holds a suite of portfolios including Multicultural Affairs, Veterans, Disability, and Equality. His presence in Parliament signals a new phase in Territory politics, where lived experience and cultural diversity are no longer sidelined but actively
shaping governance.
Gopal Baglay, who assumed his post in January 2024, has brought a distinct sense of purpose to his role as High Commissioner. A senior Indian Foreign Service officer, Baglay has previously served in Colombo, London, and within the Prime Minister’s Office. But it is his time in Australia that’s drawn attention—marked by a level of visibility and engagement rarely seen in diplomatic circles.
He has emerged as a strong voice on India’s national security, especially in the wake of Operation Sindoor. His comments in Australian media have been clear and assertive, reflecting India’s strategic posture and zerotolerance approach to terrorism. Baglay hasn’t hesitated to speak plainly about India’s position, cutting through the usual diplomatic fog to bring clarity to issues that are often softened in public forums.
But what sets him apart isn’t just his stance on policy—it’s how deeply he has embedded himself in the Australian context. He has made time for community groups, cultural events, and state leaders from across the political spectrum. Whether it’s a community kitchen in Melbourne, an academic forum in Canberra, or his recent visit to Darwin, Baglay shows up—with interest, with insight, and with intent.
For diaspora communities, his style has struck a chord. Charismatic without showmanship, formal without distance, Baglay connects easily. He listens, he remembers, and he engages on substance—not just sentiment. It’s no surprise that many Indian-Australians regard him as one of the most approachable and effective High Commissioners to have served in Australia.
His meeting with Charls was warm, thoughtful and reflective of both leaders’ understanding of what diaspora diplomacy should look like in 2025—grounded, local, and forwardlooking. z
Gopal Baglay, India’s High Commissioner to Australia (second from right), with NT Ministers Jinson Charls (second from left), Khoda Patel, Member for Casuarina (left), and Robyn Cahill, Member for Port Darwin (right)
NT Minister Jinson Charls (left) with India’s High Commissioner to Australia Gopal Baglay (centre) and NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro (right) at Parliament House in Darwin.
dances to a different beat
NICK ATTAM BRISBANE @the_Indian_Sun
Brisbane’s southside came alive on 4 May as hundreds gathered at The Spanish Centre in Acacia Ridge for the Kairali Brisbane Fusion Festival 2025—a day marked by music, food, and an unmistakable sense of community. The celebration, set against the warm backdrop of Queensland’s autumn sun, drew in families, stallholders, performers and curious onlookers from across the city and beyond.
By late morning, the car park had filled, queues were forming near the dosa stalls, and children with painted faces darted between a miniature
reptile enclosure and a row of food trucks serving everything from biryani to bubble tea. Organised by Kairali Brisbane, the festival was a multi-sensory affair designed to be as inclusive as it was lively—an afternoon escape with a local heartbeat.
On the main stage, the lineup reflected the crowd: a swirl of traditions, languages and generations. Dancers performed Bharatanatyam, Bhangra, and Bollywood mash-ups with the sort of flair that left grandparents nodding and teenagers filming on their phones. But this wasn’t a formal gala. It was a street party with structure—a mix of curated performances and spontaneous cheers, where sari-clad aunties and teenagers in sneakers shared
the same dance floor.
The food zone was another major drawcard. Aromatic wafts of curry leaf and cumin mingled with the buttery scent of fresh naan, tempting even those who’d claimed they were “just here to browse.” The dessert section included kulfi and gulab jamun, but also macarons and shaved ice. It was less about authenticity and more about appetite—a genuinely cross-cultural buffet. Children found their playground in a dedicated Kids Entertainment Zone, where fairy floss was followed by bouncing castles and face painting. For a touch of adventure, a live reptile show gave young onlookers a chance to get close to native Australian <TURN TO #37>
<CONTINUED FROM #36> snakes and lizards—drawing as much awe as it did squeals.
Beyond the spectacle, the festival’s purpose ran deeper. Organisers had curated community stalls promoting everything from language classes and mental health resources to handmade art and migrant-owned microbusinesses. There were places to learn, to talk, to sign up, and even just to sit and watch. It was a festival that, by design, didn’t demand participation—it invited it.
What stood out was how organically it all fit together. There
was no jarring sense of spectacle, no forced “cultural showcase.” Instead, the event unfolded like a neighbourhood story being told out loud. Young performers, some of whom had never danced in public before, stood proud on stage. Community elders watched quietly from shaded seats. And somewhere in the middle, new migrants and longtime residents struck up conversations over chai.
The Kairali Brisbane Fusion Festival has become a fixture on the Queensland multicultural calendar, but its appeal lies in more than scheduling. It’s the kind of gathering that reminds
locals of how diverse their city really is—and how much that diversity depends on everyday interactions, not just official events.
For media and community publishers like The Indian Sun, these moments are worth spotlighting. They are the antidote to division. Festivals like this don’t seek to lecture or label. They feed people. They give them music. They make children laugh. And without saying much, they show what’s possible when everyone is given a chance to show up as themselves.
As the day wound down, volunteers
handed out feedback forms, performers took final selfies, and parents gathered their kids for the ride home. But the mood lingered—a sort of warmth that doesn’t fit easily into press releases or bullet points.
The next edition of the festival will no doubt have bigger acts, new partners, and more stalls. But it’s the atmosphere that people will return for: open-hearted, proudly local, and quietly powerful. z
For more information or to take part in future editions, contact the
The man who walked with tigers
Valmik Thapar, India’s foremost tiger conservationist, dedicated his life to protecting and documenting wild tigers with
Valmik Thapar // AI generated
OUR REPORTER NEW DELHI
@the_indian_sun
Valmik Thapar, who died on 31 May in New Delhi aged 73, was one of India’s most visible and vocal guardians of the tiger. Unlike many who champion wildlife from a distance, Thapar lived within clawing reach. For nearly fifty years, he was a fixture in the scrub and dry deciduous forests of Ranthambore, not as a visitor but as a witness. A witness to birth, death, poaching, bungling bureaucracy, policy inertia, resurgence and sometimes, just silence—of the kind only an apex predator can inspire. To him, the tiger wasn’t a symbol or an allegory. It was a living, breathing beast—sharp-eyed, unpredictable, and worth every minute of protection.
Born in 1952 into one of Delhi’s intellectually plugged-in families, Thapar might easily have become another voice in the drawing-room symposia that his father, the political commentator Romesh Thapar, hosted through the pages of Seminar. His aunt, Romila Thapar, rewrote ancient Indian history. His cousin, Karan, became a famously confrontational television journalist. Valmik, for a while, seemed destined to orbit the same milieu. But something changed in 1976 when he travelled to Ranthambhore and met Fateh Singh Rathore, the park’s legendary field officer. The man handed him a pair of binoculars and a camera, and that was it. Thapar’s allegiance shifted from parliament to the jungle.
He would become one of India’s leading experts on tiger behaviour, having watched and documented the lives of several generations of Ranthambhore’s feline residents. One tigress in particular, Machli, became both muse and metaphor. Cameras, books and tourists loved her. Thapar too, but with less sentiment and more curiosity. He insisted on naming his tigers by numbers first. Machli was T-16 before she was India’s most photographed animal. To Thapar, intimacy came with discipline.
His early work was rooted in the belief that science, local knowledge and rigorous fieldwork could combine to produce better wildlife outcomes. That conviction drove the formation of the Ranthambhore Foundation in 1988, which focused on engaging surrounding communities as partners rather than intruders. Conservation, he believed, had to benefit the human beings who lived on the forest’s edge, not punish them for geography. The results were mixed but earnest—he
When asked whether India should experiment with the concept of human-tiger coexistence, he was scathing. “You cannot ask a tiger to cohabit with 4,000 people and their livestock and expect success,” he said
managed to create a model for collaboration that endured, even if the government machinery didn’t always keep pace.
His written output was enormous. More than 40 books carried his name, including Tiger Fire, The Secret Life of Tigers, and The Illustrated Tigers of India Few naturalists have managed to document their subject so extensively, and fewer still with such emotional clarity. His prose often read like a field diary soaked in dust and wonder. Tigers, in his telling, were not mythical beings. They mated, limped, parented, fought, and slept. He never romanticised them, nor reduced them to mascots for fundraisers.
He also made television look easy. Land of the Tiger, his 1997 BBC series, remains one of the best introductions to Indian wildlife. His documentaries with Animal Planet, Discovery and National Geographic helped bring the feral grace of India’s jungles into urban living rooms. These weren’t just travelogues for the armchair naturalist—they were pointed, persuasive essays on why nature, when watched closely, demands humility.
Humility, though, was not something Thapar always reserved for people. He frequently clashed with officialdom. As a member of multiple government advisory panels and task forces, he pushed hard for reforms but pulled no punches. He was blunt about the shortcomings of Project Tiger, the flagship conservation scheme launched in 1973. He accused it of being bureaucratic, poorly implemented and averse to transparency. When asked whether India should experiment with the concept of human-tiger coexistence, he was scathing. “You cannot ask a tiger to cohabit with 4,000 people and their livestock and expect success,” he said. His honesty often ruffled feathers, but it also kept the debate honest.
His final years were no less active. He continued to publish, mentor younger conservationists, and appear on camera, his voice deepening but not softening. The 2024 BBC documentary My Tiger Family was, in many ways, his retrospective. It featured five tigresses he had observed over five decades, a
quiet farewell delivered in episodes. Watching it now feels like reading a last letter from someone who never left the field.
Valmik Thapar’s death leaves India’s conservation community without one of its most articulate and unflinching voices. But it also forces a reckoning. Few people embodied the transition of tiger conservation from royal pursuit to scientific necessity as fully as he did. He straddled worlds: the elite and the rural, the observational and the operational, the lyrical and the empirical.
He is survived by his wife Sanjana Kapoor, herself part of a cultural dynasty as the daughter of actor Shashi Kapoor, and their son, Hamir. But the legacy that looms largest is not bloodline—it is track line. Deep in Ranthambhore, under the sunbleached rocks and peepal trees, are the paw prints of tigers that trusted him long enough to be seen.
For Thapar, that was more than enough. The tiger was always the true protagonist. He was merely the humble scribe. z
Business leaders, diplomats gather as ABSC Inc. launches EKONOMOS
OUR REPORTER @the_indian_sun
The Australian Business Summit Council Inc. held its Annual Gala Dinner on 2 May 2025, hosting more than 250 distinguished guests at the Aqua Luna Waterfront Dining in Drummoyne, New South Wales. The occasion marked the official launch of the sixth edition of EKONOMOS, the Council’s flagship publication on business, trade, and investment.
ABSC Inc. president Dr Frank Alafaci PhD welcomed an extensive guest list that included ambassadors, high commissioners, consuls, economists, business leaders, and community figures.
Among those present were H.E. Dr Siswo Pramono (Ambassador of Indonesia), H.E. Mr Beka Dvali (Ambassador of Georgia), H.E. Mr Encho Dimitrov (Ambassador of Bulgaria), H.E. Mr Kemal Muftic (Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina), H.E. Ms Arjaree Sriratanaban (Ambassador of Thailand), H.E. Mr Ernesto Cespedes Oropeza (Ambassador of Mexico), and H.E. Mr Diego Felipe Cadena Montenegro (Ambassador of Colombia). Representatives from Kenya, Uganda, <TURN TO #41>
Dr. Frank Alafaci PhD (President, ABSC Inc.)
Mr Paul Bloxham
<CONTINUED FROM #40> Zambia, Papua New Guinea, Sudan, Azerbaijan, Ethiopia, Timor-Leste, Pakistan, Malta, the Czech Republic, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, France, and the United States of America were also in attendance.
The event provided a platform for leaders to discuss issues influencing global and domestic markets, with keynote speaker Mr Paul Bloxham, Chief Economist for HSBC in Australia and New Zealand, addressing the current state of the world economy. Drawing on his 12 years at the Reserve Bank of Australia, Bloxham examined the pressures shaping financial conditions and the structural opportunities emerging in Australia’s economic outlook. He also responded to a series of audience questions that ranged across trade, investment, inflation, and geopolitical concerns.
Entertainment for the evening featured Mr Jiwhan Son, an operatic tenor with Opera Australia, and Mr Yue Zheng, a gifted young violinist originally from the People’s Republic of China. Their performances offered moments of cultural grace between the event’s formal proceedings.
During the awards segment, Dr Alafaci honoured contributors to EKONOMOS Issue 6, presenting commemorative plaques to those who authored pieces in the latest
edition. Among them were diplomatic leaders such as Dr Tanieris Dieguez La O (Ambassador of Cuba), Dr Wilson Kogo (High Commissioner of Kenya), Dr Elias Munshya (High Commissioner of Zambia), Qamar Zaman (Consul General of Pakistan), David Cheng-Wei Wu (Director General, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office), and Carolina Molina Barrantes on behalf of Costa Rica’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade. Business and thought leaders such as Richard Yuan, Michael Short, Bob Croft, Scott Qin, and Nerva Kay Ghamraoui were similarly recognised.
The magazine itself, described by Dr Alafaci as a “tour de force,” examines a broad array of topics impacting Australia’s economic engagement with the world. Contributors offer perspectives on opportunities in emerging markets, innovation ecosystems, multilateral trade developments, and structural industry changes.
Sponsors were also formally acknowledged, with commemorative plaques presented to Alliance Project Group, Arab Bank Australia Ltd, Drs. ABCD First Aid Training, Trade Window, Serenade Leather, and Greenstone Vineyards. Their support was integral to the success of the event and the publication’s release.
The evening closed with Dr Alafaci expressing gratitude to those who
helped bring the dinner together, including members of the ABSC Inc. Board and Councillor Sylvia Alafaci for her central role in planning and
logistics. He also thanked Ms Anna Finini and the team at Aqua Luna Waterfront Dining for their meticulous coordination, and several community members for their contributions to the evening’s preparation.
Now in its sixth year under Dr Alafaci’s leadership, the Council continues to position itself as a forum for developing policies that support enterprise, encourage innovation, and build international business links. Through initiatives like EKONOMOS and gatherings such as the Annual Gala Dinner, the ABSC Inc. fosters conversations that link commerce with public policy and practical investment outcomes. z
India’s consumer lending market is booming, driven by rising incomes, urbanisation & digital access—despite global economic uncertainties
India’s consumer lending market is nudging towards a new high, forecast to reach $724.2 billion in 2025. This 4.9% year-on-year growth comes even as the global economic environment remains unpredictable. Fuelled by rising incomes, urban migration, and an appetite for bigticket purchases such as homes and cars, borrowing habits in India are shifting at a steady pace.
GlobalData’s latest report puts a spotlight on how India’s growing middle class is borrowing more and faster than before, positioning the country as a central cog in AsiaPacific’s credit expansion. According to their Global Retail Banking Analytics findings, the value of consumer loans in India rose sharply by 27.6% in 2023. This was not a one-off—it followed several years of significant growth, despite the external economic turbulence that has tested markets everywhere.
At the heart of this surge is India’s ongoing economic resilience. Despite the global jitters—from supply chain strains to geopolitical rumbles—India has managed to maintain a forward march. In 2024, the consumer loan market is estimated to hit $690.5 billion, with continued momentum expected in the following year.
Ravi Sharma, Lead Banking and
Payments Analyst at GlobalData, draws attention to a few key engines driving the trend. Infrastructure spending from the government, alongside a consistent interest in real estate from households, has pushed demand for credit higher. Add to that the freedom afforded by higher disposable incomes, and borrowers are becoming more willing to finance everything from homes to holidays.
But there’s a pinch of caution. Recent tariff announcements from the US and other geopolitical pressures could take the shine off what’s otherwise been a healthy growth story. These uncertainties might translate into slower loan originations across most product lines in the near term.
The loan market, after all, remains sensitive to global conditions even as it rides high on domestic confidence.
Still, India’s lending market, while growing quickly, remains modest when compared to its regional peers.
China towers over the APAC chart with a consumer loan market valued at $8.2 trillion in 2024. Other significant contributors include Australia at $1.7 trillion, South Korea at $1.5 trillion, and Japan at $1.3 trillion. India is still playing catch-up, but it’s doing so with consistent pace.
Within India, mortgage loans make up nearly half the consumer loan pie. Holding a 49.1% share in 2024, this segment has expanded by 17.4% since 2020. That growth has been helped along by the push for affordable housing and schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. While the segment remains dominant, its growth rate is expected to moderate to 5.9% in 2025 due to global headwinds.
Personal loans—spanning everything from car loans to discretionary borrowing—form the next largest slice, with a 45.8% share. But expectations here are a bit more subdued, with forecasted growth of
3.8% in 2025. This slower pace may reflect consumers becoming more cautious about debt in the face of an unpredictable international climate.
Recognising the need to support household spending, the Reserve Bank of India stepped in with rate cuts. In April 2025, it trimmed the repo rate from 6.25% to 6%, marking the second reduction this year after a similar move in February. For borrowers, this translates into lower EMIs, potentially boosting the appetite for new loans in the coming months.
Then there’s the credit card segment, which is small in volume terms—just 5% of total consumer lending in 2024—but growing rapidly. Between 2020 and 2024, it recorded a compound annual growth rate of 21.9%. The spike is linked to better payment infrastructure and an e-commerce boom that’s changing how consumers shop. Banks have done their part too, luring spenders with cashback offers, discounts and reward schemes. Even so, growth here is expected to ease to 4.3% in 2025.
Looking slightly further ahead, the path of credit expansion in India remains upward. A forecast compound annual growth rate of 7.2% is expected from 2025 to 2029, taking the total consumer lending market to $956.7 billion by the end of the decade. The ingredients for this trend remain steady—urbanisation, younger populations entering <TURN TO #43>
<CONTINUED FROM #42> the borrowing bracket, and a general increase in confidence about the future.
India’s lending story is one of ambition meeting access. The idea of borrowing has long evolved past necessity and now touches aspirations—from owning a home to upgrading gadgets. What’s changing more rapidly is how comfortably the average Indian is walking into a bank, or tapping a lending app, and signing up for a loan.
There’s also a behavioural shift underway. Gone are the days when credit was seen as a last resort. Today’s borrowers are younger, better informed, and more open to structured debt as a tool to enhance
their lifestyles. EMI plans on online shopping platforms, quick approvals through fintech, and expanding reach of financial services in semi-urban areas are all part of this shift.
Of course, risk management is still key. With more credit in the system, lenders will need to continue refining their underwriting processes. And borrowers, particularly those new to credit, will need better awareness around financial discipline. Regulation will play its part, too, in ensuring the system remains stable even as it grows.
The entry of new players— especially in digital lending—has also brought innovation into what was once a slow-moving segment. From buynow-pay-later models to personalised credit scoring using alternative data,
the Indian market is quickly becoming a testing ground for consumer finance solutions that blend technology with access.
There’s an undercurrent of competition between traditional banks and newer fintech firms. While banks bring legacy trust and structured processes, fintechs are offering speed and customisation. The winner in the long term may be the hybrid model— where digital ease meets institutional stability.
Meanwhile, interest rate movements remain under the spotlight. With the RBI taking steps to make borrowing cheaper, the trick will be to ensure these benefits reach the consumer quickly and transparently. As lending becomes more central to
personal finance decisions, borrower education will have to keep up.
India’s consumer lending market may not be leading in volume when compared to regional giants, but it’s one of the few showing reliable upward momentum. It sits in an economy that’s still building, with a population that’s still dreaming, and a financial sector that’s finally equipping itself to meet both.
What started as a cautious march into consumer credit has become something more spirited. With the right balance of regulation, innovation and economic consistency, this could well be a stretch of steady and meaningful expansion. Borrowers may be facing headwinds, but the direction is clear— and it’s forward. z
International Tea Day: The unnamed corners where India brews
On International Tea Day, we raise a cup to more than just a beverage. This piece is a gentle reflection on the nameless tea shops that dot the Indian landscape— places where time slows down, conversations spark or simmer in silence, and a simple cup of tea offers an extraordinary pause in our fast-moving lives
DEEPIKA SAHU
@the_indian_sun
On a slightly cool February morning, my friend and I were walking along the quiet streets of Sekharipuram in Kerala, south India. We were simply soaking in the beauty of the gramam (the village) and its deliciously charming houses. Suddenly, I had an intense craving for chai and parippu vada. And, as if by magic, we spotted a nameless tea shop just a few yards away. I felt extravagantly lucky at that moment.
Everything felt like a soft kasavu sari.
What’s India without its countless nameless tea shops? A tea shop is an intimate pause in a world dominated by busyness. It is a large-hearted, inclusive universe that embraces anyone who can spare ₹5 or ₹10— maybe a little more or less—for a cup of tea.
The tea shop is the epicentre of both silence and conversation. You can walk in quietly, have your cup of tea, and leave just as quietly. There is no need to strike up a conversation with your fellow tea-drinkers. You can
have your own inner universe even as you sit in the outer one. On the other hand, you can also choose to engage in conversation. It’s entirely up to you— how you wish to be present in that nameless tea shop.
Everyone is in a hurry now—in a postmodern, rapidly developing urban India. Everyone is rushing to acquire something or the other—a house, a car, a cool bike, a smartphone, an LBD, or even faded jeans. Even the humble chai/chaha/cha has undergone a sleek makeover. During the pandemic, we saw many privileged souls gloating
over their bubble tea. These days, everything needs a fancy tag. Tea is no exception. Now, you can have sleeping beauty tea, anti-stress tea, rose tea, blueberry tea… the list is endless.
But in the world of nameless tea shops, nothing has really changed. The kettle may look a little battered, but it still does its job. Some things in life shouldn’t change. They should stay just as they are—like a mother singing the same lullaby her mother once sang to her child.
You’ll find these tea shops across almost every <TURN TO #45>
A tea stall in Odisha // Photo by Deepika Sahu
<CONTINUED FROM #44> state in India, especially when travelling through the countryside. These tiny tea shops are a lifeline for many who stop by to sip a hot cup of chai as they go about their lives. They add a certain charm to the landscape and, in a way, can be described as community meeting centres.
I’ve found them everywhere I’ve travelled in India. In western Sikkim, I found my nameless tea shop while searching for rhododendron flowers. The men playing cards at the little shop started talking to me. They got excited when they found out I was a journalist—even more so when they learned I was from Gujarat. They asked me many questions about life there.
The world may have many problems, but there I was, sipping hot
tea with four fellow tea-drinkers, our conversation flowing like water.
A few months ago, during my travels in Odisha, eastern India, I came across another nameless tea shop in a small village. I stopped to have a cup of chai and soak in the atmosphere. I was the only woman there, yet I felt safe. I don’t know whether women from nearby villages visit this shop, but that moment was mine.
There’s nothing fancy about the tea in these shops. If you can’t live without your jasmine tea, orange pekoe, or oolong, then this may not be your place. Here, the tea is brewed with basic tea leaves, milk, and sugar. But it tastes good—robust and alive.
In Odisha, these tea shops always have an assortment of biscuits in colourful plastic dabbas. As a child, I used to love gazing at those canisters
filled with goodies, dreaming of having tea with them. But adulthood is a different game, and now I stay away from biscuits.
The tea shop is a place where people steal a few moments for themselves—without spending much. The humble chai will always remain a hot favourite across India.
The most telling image I carry in my heart from all these tea shop visits is of a man in Odisha walking away gracefully after finishing his tea. I will never forget the lines on his back— they spoke of a life spent toiling under the burning sun.
I believe there is no absolute love, no absolute death—but there is absolute hard work. On his back, many of us stand—with our urban privileges, brooding over Monday blues in air-conditioned offices.
Time at a nameless tea shop feels like a semi-colon in a relationship— not the full stop. Maybe you’re hurt or angry, but it’s not the end. There’s a way forward. Maybe it becomes clearer after you finish your tea at that humble, gentle tea stall. Not everything in life needs a name. The tea will still taste like nectar—even if the shop doesn’t have one.
Welcome to the world of pause and liquid happiness. z
Deepika Sahu has been a journalist for 29 years and she has worked with some of India’s leading media houses. Right now, she is independently engaged in content creation and curation.
Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, “The Liver Doc,” warns of a new, unpredictable COVID-19 wave in India, urging global vigilance as cases rise with evolving
OUR REPORTER @the_indian_sun
Dr Cyriac Abby Philips, better known as “The Liver Doc,” isn’t sounding the alarm just for India’s sake. From his hospital in Kerala, the multi-award-winning hepatologist is watching an uptick in COVID-19 cases with a familiar sense of unease—not because it feels like 2021 all over again, but because the virus seems to be mutating into something subtler, sneakier, and stubbornly persistent.
He isn’t alone. Across India, emergency rooms are filling with patients reporting prolonged fevers, unusual rashes, and dry coughs that worsen at night. This time, throat pain often leads to voice changes—hoarseness, laryngitis, and a lingering irritation that doesn’t resolve quickly. And while most aren’t ending up in ICU, the pattern is troubling enough that his hospital has reopened a COVID ward.
“Ok Covid is here,” Dr Philips posted. “Different, but still here.” His detailed list of
recently: fatigue, rash-like urticaria, dry cough, and voice loss. But what makes his observations especially worth noting for countries like ours— with lower testing, fewer public warnings, and growing pandemic fatigue—is that India tends to act as an early warning system. With over a billion people and high transmission volumes, its hospitals often spot trends that ripple across the world weeks later.
“My patients are getting affected,” he wrote. “Many are coming back with itchy bumpy rashes that don’t seem to go away.”
He’s joined by other medical professionals witnessing the same. Dr Ashwin Rajenesh noted, “The covid transient rashes are back? We did have them initially pre-delta, then sort of completely disappeared during omicron. Dengue-like myalgia and malaise [are] prominent symptoms. Lots of secondary bacterials this time around day 5–7, again something we hadn’t seen earlier.”
Dr Philips responded: “The hives are pretty bad this time. Also secondary bacterial infections. I concur.”
It’s that kind of frontline pattern recognition—not panic— that Australia’s clinicians and public health officials should be paying attention to. India is, once again, becoming a laboratory of transmission, and clinicians like Dr Philips are acting as its early messengers.
Despite the wave being relatively mild so far, it’s the unpredictability that’s driving the concern. Asked on X whether this might get “1st lockdown bad,” Dr Philips responded: “Not seeing very sick patients. Few of them in the
ICU. But ER is getting full with fever cases and my OPD also seeing patients coming in with prolonged fever.”
What’s particularly noticeable this time is the unpredictability of symptoms. One user, Aadeesh, shared: “Got sick three weeks back. Strange symptoms—no fever, severe bodyache for 2–3 days, loss of smell and taste for 10 days… very bad cold, still fatigued, voice changed initially.” These accounts aren’t medical evidence, but they echo a larger concern: this isn’t behaving like the flu, and it’s not behaving like Omicron.
Dr Philips responded to one such post saying, “I’m not scared by Covid. I’m scared of what comes after Covid.”
His fear is rooted in experience. Long COVID remains poorly understood, and many patients continue to face weeks of exhaustion, lingering inflammation, and unexplained symptoms. He has written and spoken at length about post-viral complications and the strain they place on both patients and hospital systems.
Here in Australia, NB.1.8.1—a subvariant of Omicron—is beginning to appear across New South Wales and Western Australia. Wastewater data in Perth has also shown increased viral fragments, suggesting more infections than official numbers show. In NSW, test positivity reached 5.7% by midMay. That may seem low, but in a country where testing rates have plummeted, it is a likely undercount.
While our health officials aren’t sounding the alarm, the rise in cases coincides with winter—a time when respiratory illnesses already put pressure on the system. Hospitals are gearing up for flu and RSV, offering free immunisations until
the end of June. Yet COVID’s new forms, despite being milder on average, are now known to be lingering longer—dragging down energy levels, keeping people off work, and spreading quietly in households.
India is currently reporting over 1,000 active cases, with Kerala, Maharashtra, and Delhi leading the count. Subvariants like LF.7 and NB.1.8.1 are believed to be behind the rise. Singapore, meanwhile, has seen a 28% week-on-week increase in COVID cases, rising from 11,000 to 14,200 in early May. Hong Kong’s test positivity rate has doubled, and Thailand has logged over 71,000 infections this year alone. In each case, authorities are resisting lockdowns or mass restrictions. The focus is on individual responsibility—staying home when sick, wearing masks in crowded indoor spaces, and keeping vaccinations up to date. Yet, as Dr Philips points out, there is a risk that without clear guidance or attention, communities may simply sleepwalk into another wave of illness.
To be clear, the health response in Australia is calibrated to our current risk. Hospitals are not overwhelmed, and no new restrictions are being proposed. But part of public health is listening to frontline clinicians— even those outside our borders— when the symptoms start looking unfamiliar.
Dr Philips, by virtue of his clinical position, reach, and credibility, is one such voice. His message is simple: “If you are sick, stay at home. Get supportive care at home. Mask up in closed public places.” He may be treating patients in India, but his words resonate across oceans. With our own winter setting in, now might be the right time to tune in. z
Are we just managing disease, or missing the point?
Representational
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Unsplash+
Dr. Hira Singh’s book Healing the Whole Person advocates for a holistic approach to health, integrating lifestyle, prevention, and mental resilience alongside traditional
OUR REPORTER @the_indian_sun
As winter edges closer and flu season makes its rounds, one Australian doctor is urging a rethink of how we approach health—not in opposition to medicine, but alongside it. Dr Hira Singh, a seasoned general practitioner and advocate of integrative care, believes it’s time doctors stepped beyond prescriptions and embraced their role as health educators.
“My hope is that more health practitioners will consider and embrace the wider responsibilities of their role as teachers of health to their patients,” he says, “rather than be reduced to the soul-destroying practice of disease management with pharmaceuticals alone.”
This perspective is at the heart of Dr Singh’s latest book, Healing the Whole Person, published by Hill of Content. It’s not a rejection of medicine, but a recalibration of its role—placing lifestyle choices, mental resilience, and prevention on equal footing with clinical treatment. Drawing from 45 years in Australian general practice, Dr Singh presents what he calls a “whole person model” of care—an approach rooted in the belief that health is shaped as much by daily life as it is by diagnosis.
In practice, that means looking at diet, movement, relationships, stress levels, and even one’s sense of purpose. “Doctors often see patients ‘presenting’ with evolving illnesses which do not fit into a well-defined diagnostic category as described in medical textbooks,” he says. “The complexity of illness demands that we expand the scope of our attention in this way if we are to be effective doctors.”
It’s not a fringe view. As patients become more informed—and more vocal—Dr Singh says there’s a growing appetite for a broader conversation in the consultation room. “More patients are expecting their doctor to engage with them on their health journey. They request explanations, question their prescriptions, and are no longer
content to be passive recipients of a paternalistic medical culture.”
He sees this shift not as a threat, but as an opportunity. “Science has confirmed that Western medicine is not the only available path to better healthcare,” he says. “We need to bring together the best insights from different systems of health, rather than holding onto rigid silos.”
The book presents practical strategies for embedding small but meaningful changes into daily life— from how we eat to how we think. It’s a guide less concerned with fads and fast results, and more focused on long-term change.
Professor Avni Sali, founder of the National Institute of Integrative Medicine, describes the work as a “road map” for everyday Australians looking to improve their wellbeing without abandoning conventional care. “Healing the Whole Person offers us simple, effective ways we can all follow to improve our lifestyle for health optimisation and personal growth.”
Dr Singh doesn’t position himself as an alternative health guru, and there’s little interest in gimmicks. His critique is squarely aimed at the tendency in modern health systems to chase symptoms without asking harder questions about why we get sick in the first place—and what keeps us well. His message may be timely. The
rising burden of chronic conditions— from diabetes to anxiety—has made prevention a policy buzzword, but implementation is still often reactive. Dr Singh argues that prevention must start with how doctors are trained and how patients are seen. “The answer to long term wellness lies in the way we live every single day,” he says.
For Dr Singh, the goal is not perfection, but progress. His model encourages personal agency, small wins, and respectful dialogue between doctor and patient. In the end, it’s a vision of healthcare that values partnership—where medication, movement, and meaning all have a seat at the table.
Dr Hira Singh migrated to Australia from Singapore in 1977, and has since become a prominent voice in integrative medicine both nationally and internationally. He has served on the founding board of the Australasian Integrative Medicine Association and is the former President of the Whole Health Institute (Australia). His lectures on whole person care continue to shape practice among a growing number of Australian clinicians.
Healing the Whole Person is available now through Hill of Content Publishing. z
Healing the Whole Person is available now through Hill of Content Publishing.
Dr Hira Singh speaks on the power of lifestyle-driven healthcare during the launch of Healing the Whole Person// Photo supplied
Indian celebrity chef SanjeevKapoor’s Aussie gamble
Celebrity chef Arth flavours to Australia, making traditional cooking accessible and
This is quite a big recognition. When I walked up on stage, I really didn’t know what to
OUR REPORTER @the_indian_sun
“Some people raised their eyebrows when I said there’s life beyond butter chicken,” laughs Indian celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor. But with the launch of Arth—his new range of authentic Indian pastes, pickles, and marinades—Kapoor wants to take Australia on a deeper, more flavourful culinary journey into India.
His new line of artisanal products—launching exclusively at Coles—proves just that. From creamy curry pastes to rich marinades, warming khichdi to tangy pickles, the Arth range brings to life Kapoor’s passion for flavour and variety, with easy instructions that make Indian cooking accessible to all.
Speaking <TURN TO #52>
Chef Mischa
There are two sets of people—those familiar with Indian flavours and those who are not. For those who are unfamiliar, it’s important that their introduction to Indian cuisine comes from an authentic source
CHEF SANJEEV KAPOOR
Indiancelebrity Kapoor’schefSanjeev gamble
<CONTINUED FROM #51> over Zoom from Sydney after his Melbourne launch, Kapoor explains why Indian flavours are so unique. “They demand immersion.” That’s why his new endeavour simplifies authentic Indian cooking at home—without compromising on flavour.
And by authentic, Kapoor means not tweaking or toning anything down, but keeping the recipes true to their roots.
Too often, he believes, Indian food is presented to the world through a lens that isn’t truly Indian. As a result, many Indian food products are offered with a palate that doesn’t genuinely reflect Indian taste.
He adds, “There are two sets of people—those familiar with Indian flavours and those who are not. For
the ones who are familiar, the question is: where can they find authentic flavours delivered with honesty and integrity? For those who are unfamiliar, it’s important that their introduction to Indian cuisine comes from an authentic source.”
With Arth, Kapoor hopes to bridge that gap—to create a convergence where authentic Indian products connect with both Indians seeking genuine flavours and non-Indians looking for a true taste of India.
The Arth launch comes as more Aussies embrace Indian cuisine at home, with Coles’ Indian grocery range growing nearly 60 per cent over the past two years. In the past 12 months alone, it has attracted the fastestgrowing customer base across the grocery aisles, up <TURN TO #53>
celebrity Kapoor’sSanjeevAussie gamble
<CONTINUED FROM #52> 34 per cent.
For newcomers to Indian cuisine, Kapoor has designed Arth to eliminate the intimidation factor. “I have lived and travelled across the world, so I understand what people might find difficult or easy. So, I’ve made sure that all the hard work is done by me,” he explains.
Each product comes with guidance—recipe cards and pairing suggestions. “In Australia, there’s so much great produce you can pair with pickles. It’s not just about having pickles with paratha— it’s about how you can integrate them in different ways.”
He shares an example.
“Just two days ago, I served Tasmanian oysters with a topping of our lemon-chilli pickle, alongside a chickpeaquinoa salad dressed with sweet lime pickle.”
Kapoor sees Australia’s vibrant food culture as the perfect space for Arth. “Australians love to experiment—they’re fearless with flavour,” he says. “Look at how Thai cuisine carved its space here: bold, hot, flavours that went mainstream. A lot of credit goes to those who paved the way. Now, Indian food—equally flavourful, never boring—gets its moment.”
He also addresses consumer scepticism about packaged food versus fresh produce:
“Don’t be mistaken about the spices you get. When you say they are fresh—they’re not. They’re already dried spices, and that actually enhances their concentration.
“Fruits, vegetables, meats, and seafood are best fresh, and they’re of very good quality here. But seeds, condiments, and spices don’t need to be fresh to have flavour. In fact, when they’re dried and roasted, their flavour intensifies—and that’s exactly what we pack for you. You simply choose your fresh produce and add these elements.”
When asked about his must-have kitchen tool, Kapoor says, “My Wonderchef NutriBlend—I use it for everything.”
And the one Indian dish he’d eat every day? “That’s tough!” he laughs. “But I could eat khichdi every day.”
He wants everyone to try one Indian street snack at least once in their life: pani puri— those crispy balls filled with spicy, tangy water.
He ends the conversation with a reminder, “For under $6 a bottle, you have an Indian chef do all the hard work for you in the kitchen”.
For Kapoor, Arth is the just the beginning. z
Paromita Mukherjee // Photo supplied
A Gujaratitwist on Macbeth: Harsiddhi Mody’s bold take
Harsiddhi Mody’s Manka Bapu blends Shakespeare’s Macbeth with Gujarati folk traditions in a powerful musical retelling
INDIRA LAISRAM
@indira_laisram
This July, Harsiddhi Mody brings Manka Bapu to the stage—an extraordinary Hindi musical where Shakespeare’s Macbeth meets the vibrant soul of Gujarat.
Mody, the creative force behind the adaptation, asked herself a simple but bold question: What if we brought Shakespeare to Gujarat? What if we told his timeless tragedy as a musical, set in a world I know intimately? That spark of an idea became Manka Bapu
“Honestly, Macbeth has always fascinated me,” she says. “That raw ambition, the crushing guilt, the spectacular downfall—it’s so intensely human. When we at Khelaiya Productions decided to explore global stories this year, I knew exactly where to start.” But this is no ordinary
adaptation.
“Growing up in a Gujarati household, I was surrounded by its rich stories, customs, and traditions,” explains Mody. “As I grew up, I realised how universal themes like ambition and betrayal are—woven into the fabric of every culture and into the very soul of humankind. These ideas never felt abstract or distant—they were always right there, wrapped in the tales we heard and the values we lived by.
“Blending our myths, folk tales, and history with music felt natural—like revisiting my childhood. The songs, the language, the stories shared by elders—they all came alive again.”
So when Mody approached Macbeth, she didn’t just want to translate it. “I wanted to reimagine it in a way that felt real and rooted. Once I began weaving in Gujarati customs, traditions, and even superstitions, the <TURN TO #57>
Blending our myths, folk tales, and history with music felt natural— like revisiting my childhood. The songs, the language, the stories shared by elders—they all came alive again
HARSIDDHI MODY
<CONTINUED FROM #55> stories came to life in an entirely new way.”
Turning Macbeth into a Hindi musical wasn’t easy.
“The biggest challenge was language,” Mody admits. “Shakespeare’s words are powerful, but not always easy to follow— especially for audiences who haven’t read Macbeth. I wanted people to feel the characters’ emotions, but in a way that felt familiar.”
“So while we kept some of Shakespeare’s most famous scenes, my focus was on retelling the story—keeping its heart intact but expressing it through music, culture, and words that connect with Indian audiences.”
Another challenge was blending theatre and music naturally. “But once I started tapping into the richness of local traditions and storytelling, everything began to fall into place. It became less about adapting Shakespeare, and more about bringing his spirit into our world.”
“What I really hope,” she adds, “is that audiences—especially young people and those from different backgrounds—feel a genuine connection.”
Her diverse team helped shape
the production. “Our team truly represents India,” she says. “We have members from various states, so everything—from perfecting diction to capturing big emotions like betrayal and ambition—has been a collaborative effort rooted in diversity.”
For younger audiences, Mody promises something special. “They’ll experience a classic through the vibrant lens of Indian folk traditions—making it both relatable and fresh. While the original is set in Scotland, we’ve adapted the characters and places to feel closer to Gujarat, without losing any drama. And yes, we’ve included a little tribute to Shakespeare—but you’ll have to watch to find out!”
For Mody, Manka Bapu is her most personal project yet. “In my seven years of directing musicals, I’ve never done anything so close to my heart,” she says.
She has a small confession: “I’d never seen Macbeth on stage—only read it. So bringing it to life meant trusting my instincts. Though I grew up in Mumbai, my roots are in Kathiyawad. Adding that regional flavor felt like coming home—an artistic reconnection with my heritage.”
What made it even more special was weaving in the works of legendary Gujarati writers and musicians. “These were figures many of us grew up admiring. Bringing their influence into a Hindi musical, while staying true to Shakespeare, was emotional and proud.”
Manka Bapu is more than just a play; it is a heartfelt tribute to the stories, sounds, and values that shaped Mody—reimagined in a way she hopes will resonate with audiences across generations.
“I didn’t just want to set Macbeth in India—I wanted to breathe India into it,” she says.
“Every musical teaches you something,” she says. “But this one? It’s been a deeply personal journey.”
But as with any bridge, building it took effort, creativity, and belief.
This isn’t just an adaptation—it’s a homecoming. A Macbeth where the misty Scottish moors transform into the rugged landscapes of Gujarat, and every verse carries the rhythm of Gujarati proverbs.
Will you be there when these two worlds collide on stage? z
Get Your Tickets to Manka Bapu July 26 | 4:30 PM
The Drum Theatre, Dandenong
So while we kept some of Shakespeare’s most famous scenes, my focus was on retelling the story—keeping its heart intact but expressing it through music, culture, and words that connect with Indian audiences
HARSIDDHI MODY
Photos supplied by Sridhar Subramaniam
Young hearts Ramayanabringto the stage in Melbourne’s east Ramayanato
Youth-led Dharma Down Under brought the Ramayana to life in Melbourne through dance, music, and heartfelt cultural expression
SRIDHAR SUBRAMANIAM @the_indian_sun
Theatre-goers in Melbourne’s east were treated to a cultural evening rich in tradition, expression and youthful energy as Dharma Down Under (DDU) hosted the Sri Rama Navami showcase at the Kew High School Theatre on 27 April.
Run entirely by youth volunteers, DDU is a community initiative rooted in Dharmic values with a focus on social service, spiritual reflection and cultural expression. With most members either in higher education or early stages of professional life, the group has quietly built a reputation for thoughtful, well-executed events that speak to Australia’s evolving multicultural character without leaning on clichés.
Their latest showcase centred on the epic Ramayana, retold through Indian classical dance
and music. From Bharatanatyam to Kathak, the performances unfolded with precision and emotion, drawing applause and quiet moments of reflection alike. The evening combined storytelling with devotional art forms, shifting between the structured grace of Bharatanatyam and the expressive fluidity of Kathak to bring episodes from the Ramayana into focus.
Dr Rethika Ravi, Director of Shakthiswara, opened the evening with a Bharatanatyam performance of Sri Rama Chandra Kripalu, a bhajan by Tulsidas. This was followed by Ghar More Pardesiya, a Kathak duet performed by Tashu Pawar and Dia, which earned one of the evening’s loudest applauses. Group devotional singing by Shrita Sira, Shivani Krishna and Rhea Sanjanwala followed, with a heartfelt rendition of Raghupati Raghava Rajaram.
Samyuktha <TURN TO #61>
From Bharatanatyam to Kathak, the performances unfolded with precision and emotion, drawing applause and quiet moments of reflection alike
<CONTINUED FROM #59> Sriganesh and Yazhini Karthi presented a Bharatanatyam piece, Unnai Kanathu Naan, exploring longing and inner devotion, while Shivani Krishna returned for Yahahin Rahio Sa, a Kathak solo filled with nuanced abhinaya.
The line-up continued with Vaishnavi Sarode offering a blend of modern cinematic and classical Bharatanatyam interpretations— drawing from Kanthara and RRR—followed by Aishwarya Joshi’s soulful presentation of Vaani, composed by Niraj Chag. The evening closed with Harshini Rajesh’s crisp Sindhu Bhairavi Thillana, and a return to Ghar More Pardesiya by Ananya Acharya and Tvisha Verma.
What gave the night its charm wasn’t just the technical execution—it was the visible camaraderie among the performers, the sense of purpose they carried, and their easy, confident relationship with their heritage. It didn’t feel forced. Nobody was trying to recreate something foreign to the setting. Instead, the group brought their identity into the open, naturally,
as if the Ramayana belonged just as much in Kew as in Ayodhya.
Dharma Down Under describes itself as a “medium where the message is the medium”—and this came through clearly. The initiative revolves around the principles of compassion, interconnectedness and selflessness, using performance as one of many ways to engage with community. While there was reverence in the tone of the showcase, it was never overbearing. This was celebration, not sermon.
At a time when the wider conversation around multiculturalism is often weighed down by tokenism or division, DDU’s approach is refreshingly unaffected. There is no race to prove identity, nor any urge to soften tradition for mainstream consumption. Instead, what’s offered is something calm and confident—an experience built for those who recognise it, and open to those who wish to learn.
The packed hall at Kew High School suggested that there is a growing appetite for such evenings. Not everything needs to be explained, repackaged
or diluted. Sometimes, a performance speaks for itself. The audience—many of them parents, friends, or curious neighbours— understood this intuitively.
Dharma Down Under’s work extends beyond cultural showcases. The group also runs seva (service) initiatives for underprivileged communities, hosts satsangs (spiritual gatherings), and facilitates youth engagement on issues ranging from mental wellbeing to identity and belonging. The thread running through all their work is dharma— not in the dogmatic sense, but as a framework for living with empathy and awareness.
Events like this one don’t solve every problem. They don’t claim to. But they do open a window—a space where old stories can be retold by new voices, and where tradition doesn’t feel like a burden but a choice.
The night at Kew was proof that young people, when given the room to lead, can offer something both rooted and refreshingly new. And for an audience longing for sincerity and grace in cultural expression, that may be more than enough. z
At a time when the wider conversation around multiculturalism is often weighed down by tokenism or division, DDU’s approach is refreshingly unaffected
My Melbourne wins big at Flame Awards 2025
My Melbourne wins Best Film and ‘Longing and Belonging’ award at the 2025 Tongues on Fire Flame
OUR REPORTER
@the_indian_sun
The cross-cultural anthology
My Melbourne has clinched two top honours at the Tongues on Fire, Flame Awards 2025—Best Film and the special festival award for ‘Longing and Belonging’.
Blending voices from India and Australia, the film features four poignant stories centred on identity and belonging, resonating strongly with global audiences since its recent release.
Produced by Mitu Bhowmick Lange AM, director of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, the project is a collaboration between renowned Indian directors and emerging Australian filmmakers from underrepresented communities.
“We are incredibly honoured and grateful,” said Lange. “My Melbourne is a labour of love that celebrates diverse voices and lived experiences. These awards recognise every story of identity, resilience, and community that it tells.”
Filmmaker Onir, who directed one of the anthology’s segments, said the film captured “universal emotions of longing and belonging.” Directors Imtiaz Ali, Rima Das, and Kabir Khan also praised the film’s message and
global recognition.
Ali called the experience “deeply enriching,” while Das noted its portrayal of the “nuanced, everyday realities of migrants.” Khan added that the film proves cinema’s power to “bridge cultures and foster empathy.”
The Flame Awards honour excellence in South Asian cinema, and My Melbourne‘s dual win marks a milestone for Indian-Australian storytelling on the global stage. z
Filmmaker Onir, who directed one of the anthology’s segments, said the film captured “universal emotions of longing and belonging”
Operation Sindoor: War on Patriarchy?
BHUSHAN SALUNKE
@the_indian_sun
Sindoor—for women who are not familiar with it—is a traditional red or vermilion powder applied by married Hindu women along the parting of their hair (maang), symbolizing their marital status. Deeply rooted in cultural and religious practices, Sindoor represents a woman’s devotion and prayers for her husband’s longevity and well-being. Commonly used in North India, it is applied during wedding rituals and daily as a mark of a married woman.
On May 7, 2025, the Indian government launched a military retaliation against Pakistan for the Pahalgam massacre of April 22, naming it Operation Sindoor. This choice of name Sindoor sparked
outrage among online feminists, who condemned it as a symbol of female subjugation, subordination, humiliation, cruelty, torture and male domination.
Just as a bull is enraged when it sees red, the Indian feminists go into a meltdown even thinking about the red Sindoor!
Operation Sindoor has triggered the internet feminists who are now on a warpath against the Indian government for using Sindoor for the operation name. The Indian Armed Forces is now facing attacks from two fronts: From Pakistan and from the Indian cyber feminists, the latter who have already started showering their missiles at patriarchy in the
Indian armed forces!
From a feminist viewpoint, Sindoor is seen as a symbol of patriarchal control and gender inequality. Feminists argue that it reinforces the notion that a woman’s identity and social value are tied to her relationship with a man. Women are expected to wear sindoor as a sign of loyalty and submission. Some feminists question why such customs continue to be normalized.
Feminist enfant terrible, Vaishna Roy tweeted:
“On principle, I object strongly to the label Operation Sindoor. It reeks of patriarchy, ownership of women, ‘honour’ killings, chastity, sacralizing marriage, and similar Hindutva obsessions.”
Appu, a free-thinking observer, was outraged. “Have feminists crossed the red Sindoor line here?” he asked Xena, his staunch feminist acquaintance.
“With lives at risk and war underway, is patriarchy your priority and why are you so obsessed with it? Are you not worried about getting nuked by Pakistan instead?
The name Sindoor was personally chosen by the Indian PM, Narendra Modi in a show of empathy for the women who lost their husbands in the Pahalgam massacre.
Unfazed, Xena countered, “Wars come and go, but the battle against patriarchy is fought every single day by feminists until matriarchy is established. Sindoor is a symbol of submission. Why not name the mission Operation Hanuman? Why must war be <TURN TO #65>
<CONTINUED FROM #64> framed through male saviorhood? Women are capable of fighting and taking care of themselves.”
She went further: “The armed forces remain male-dominated thanks to patriarchy and toxic masculinity. This is the moment to demand 50% female representation in the armed forces. Let’s have women launch Operation Kali next time war comes around.”
“Women are not the weaker sex anymore. Indian women have done very well in the Olympics in events such as weightlifting, wresting, boxing, shooting etc and they would make good soldiers on the ground, snipers, honey-trap spies and fighter pilots”.
Appu agreed. “The government is terribly ashamed about the gender inequality in the Indian Armed Forces. Highlighting the low representation of women in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), a parliamentary committee has asked the Union Home Ministry to take steps to encourage them to join the services, besides recommending
a reservation for transgenders. In its latest report, the panel said a policy may be explored for women officers to be given soft postings and not subject them to extremely strenuous working conditions”
“Unlike the feminists, women in the armed forces have embraced Operation Sindoor. Even though they are not in the frontline engaged in real combat, they are part of the war efforts. Even in the times of war and atrocities, the Indian government is fully committed to ensuring gender equality and it is the topmost priority. In a historic move, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the IAF and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of the Indian Army co-led the media briefing on Operation Sindoor. Their leadership marked a defining moment for gender equality in the Indian Armed Forces, in which men go into war to die, and women hold the fort and report on the goings on. So, don’t be too quick to label Operation Sindoor as an act of patriarchy.”
“In fact, women have recently given the opportunity to be pall
bearers, a task always reserved for men. In a recent viral video, four armed forces women pall bearers were shown carrying the coffin of the dead Pahalgam victim. Even though they were struggling to carry it to the point of dropping it, it is so heartwarming to see women empowerment”
Xena objected. “This is atrocious. Why are women given such menial jobs to do, carrying dead weights?”
Appu replied wryly, “Only men fight and die in wars. Perhaps that’s the real injustice.”
Xena concluded. “As my sisterin-arms, Vaishna Roy has said, India is obsessed with Hindutva and Hindu symbolisms such as the Sindoor. Then she put her foot in the mouth and said. “At least the Pahalgam gunmen were not patriarchal. They only killed the men and spared the women” Feminists! God bless their souls! z
(Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author)
Unlike the feminists, women in the armed forces have embraced Operation Sindoor. Even though they are not in the frontline engaged in real combat, they are part of the war efforts
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