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Melbourne captivated by the Raags of Hindustan 

Image source: Mandar Gadgil.

BY Sanjiv Kulkarni

It is said that there is Raga (Hindustani Classical Music notes) for any mood or for any time of the day. When an artist recites the right raga it can have a mesmerising effect on the listener!

Patrons of Hindustani Classical Music in Melbourne, Australia, were enthralled bby a similar mesmerising effect on Sunday morning by a young and eminent vocalist from India, Shri Mandar Gadgil.

Mandar aptly started the recital with a composition in Basant Mukhari which is a mix of Raga Bhairav and Raga Bhairavi which are both morning ragas!

For the next 3 hours he enthralled the audience with a wide range of ragas, and  in various languages too (Avadhi, Punjabi, Marathi and Kannada). 

Image source: Mandar Gadgil.

Mandar is on his maiden Australia tour and Melbourne is his first stop. He is scheduled to perform in Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane during this week. Interested people can check out his schedule here.

Mandar’s Melbourne tour was anchored by Melbourne Hindustani Classical Music Society (MHCMS) – a leading group of prominent Melbourne based Hindustani Classical exponents.

This group regularly stages such events throughout the year offering a platform to such eminent artists from overseas as well as the local artists. Incidentally, this was the 106th concert hosted by MHCMS and the first live concert post COVID-19.

Mandar was ably supported by Pt. Pandurang Torvi on Tabla and Pt. Saugato Ghosh on Harmonium – both extremely well known artists in the Melbourne Indian music circle. 

Mandar hails from Pune, India and was initiated into music by his parents at a very young age. He has been learning music under the tutelage of Pandit Vijay Koparkar – a renowned vocalist himself and a student of two illustrious stalwarts of Hindustani Music – Late Shri Vasantrao Deshpande and Late Shri Jitendra Abhisheki.

As a prominent Indian Classical vocalist, Mandar is known for his mesmerising range and repertoire of Raags and Bandishes in his music. He has been performing in concerts across India and in the USA.

Apart from Khayal music, he also performs Marathi Natyasangeet, Bhajans and Semi-Classical music. With his dedication and devotion to classical music, Mandar has won various prestigious competitions, like the first prize at the national level in the All India Radio (AIR) classical music competition. His scholarship in music is complimented by many prestigious awards and fellowships.

Just 34 years of age, he is a shining example to youth in India and around the world. In addition to music he also excels in academics and works as a Software Engineer at Persistent Systems, a leading Software company based in Pune. However, he is very clear that music is his profession and his work as a software engineer is his hobby!

I would like to add here, that the accompanying artists Shri Torvi and Shri Ghosh are also engaged in a full time vocation, but have their mind and heart in music. They set an example to all of us to pursue our passion in any art and give it our best. Patron groups like MHCMS will always welcome you with open arms if you are sincere to your art. 

We encourage you to check out Mandar’s website to learn more about him and check out his past and future events. We also encourage you to visit the MHCMS website to learn more about the Hindustani Classical events in Melbourne. 

Contributing Author: Sanjiv Kulkarni is an ardent Indian cinema and music buff with an interest in the art of movie-making. He shares his take on movies and some rarer movies too. He lives in Melbourne and works as an IT Sales leader.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The Australia Today is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information in this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts, or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of The Australia Today and The Australia Today News does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

Indian-origin mother and daughter join Royal Australian Air Force

Image source: Khushroop Kaur Sandhu and Manjit Kaur

20-year-old Khushroop Kaur Sandhu, originally from Sri Muktsar Sahib in Punjab, India, has been recruited as an officer in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

This achievement comes five years after Khushroop’s mother Manjit Kaur got selected by the RAAF.

She is presently working as an aircraftwoman in the medical wing of the RAAF at the Darwin airbase in the Northern Territory (NT).

Khushroop’s maternal uncle, Gursahib Singh, told local media that it was a double delight for the family.

“Manjit and Khushroop are the first mother-daughter duo from Punjab who has got an opportunity to serve in the Air Force of any other country. They have set an example for others.”

Khushroop too followed in the footsteps of her mother and joined the Cyberwarfare wing of the RAAF.

Paramjit Kaur, Khushroop’s grandmother, added:

“People should not consider girls any lesser than boys. We have never stopped the women of our family from doing anything.”

Roop Singh Sandhu, Manjit’s husband, is also an Australian Government employee. The couple had come to Australia on a study visa in 2009 and later got the Australian PR in 2013, they took along their two daughters too.

Gursahib Singh said that after completing Class XII from Mata Gujari Public School in Muktsar, Khushroop cleared the RAAF test and has chosen the cybercrime wing after finishing her training.

She will undergo training at RAAF’s Wagga base in Sydney, New South Wales.

Fake nurse fined $3000 after working at medical centre without qualifications

Image source: 9News screenshot.

A fake nurse who treated patients at a New South Wales family practice has escaped jail time.

According to 9News, Belinda Elwell, 38-year-old, started working at a medical centre in October 2020 despite having no formal qualifications in nursing.

Belinda told the local clinic that she was a registered nurse and when the clinic requested for a copy of her Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia registration, she provided a false number on a sticky note.

Belinda resigned on December 8, 2020 after the centre once again requested a copy of her Board registration certificate.

She faced Magistrate’s court on 16 counts of claiming to be a medical practitioner.

The Magistrate said her actions were “deliberate deceit”.

“There was a real risk to those patients as a result of the fact you were not qualified in the role.”

Belinda escaped jail time and was fined $3000, with half to be paid to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). She was alos ordered to pay professional costs of $7200.

AHPRA CEO Martin Fletcher said he hoped this will send a strong message that pretending to be a registered health practitioner had significant consequences.

“We are committed to ensuring that such behaviour is dealt with and will act to protect the public.”

Belinda’s lawyer told the court she had been undertaking a TAFE course in care and “had some training in general first aid.”

She worked from October 13, 2020 to December 7, 2020 s- a total of 14 shifts attending to patients’ dressings, taking blood samples, administering immunisations, giving vaccinations by injection, and performing electrocardiograms.

Indian goods exports perform well, increased to $40.19 billion amidst the Ukraine war

In April, India’s goods exports increased 30.7% to $40.19 billion compared to $30.75 billion in the corresponding period last year.

A statement of the commerce ministry noted: “Services [exports] performed extremely well to reach $27.60 bn, which is an increase of 53% over April 2021.”

According to trade data released by the ministry, imports rose 30.97% to $60.30 billion because of surging international oil prices due to the Ukraine war.

India imports 85% of its crude oil and bought petroleum worth $20.19 billion in April compared to $10.76 billion in the same month last year.

Further, according to Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell’s (PPAC) provisional data, India’s gross petroleum imports in 2021-22 were $143.4 billion, nearly double the $77 billion in the previous fiscal year.

Other items that helped in raising India’s goods exports in April included electronic goods: 71.69%, cereals: 60.83%, coffee: 59.38%, processed food: 38.82% and leather products: 36.68%.

India’s trade balance in services is positive by $12.3 billion with the estimated value of services import for April at $15.57 billion exhibiting a positive growth.

India achieved a record $419.5 billion in merchandise exports and about $250 billion in services exports in 2021-22.

India has recently signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Australia to boost its exports.

At this stage, India is also aggressively promoting wheat exports after supply disruptions of the cereal from Ukraine.

Runway 34: a peak into the cockpit and airline business

Runway 34; Image Source; Supplied

BY Sanjiv Kulkarni

We put our lives into the hands of the doctor when we undergo an operation. We do this knowingly – yes, we are nervous and constantly praying to the Lord. Similarly, we also put our lives in the hands of the pilot when we board a plane. But the key difference is that we are usually unaware of his/her capabilities and are pretty relaxed. Some people rarely ever pray before a flight.

Now, there would be one such flight where you will remember and desperately pray to the Lord. This movie, ‘Runway 34’, is about that one such flight experience.

As I write this review, I am on a flight and started off with a prayer.

I recollect a flight experience about ten years ago which is still fresh in my head. We hit a pretty turbulent patch mid-air, the flight got into cloud pockets and free falls and everyone was very nervous and scared. I was in a window seat and suddenly noticed our flight swerve left, and from the window I saw another flight zoom past on my right. Everything just went silent around me for a while! Clearly the turbulent weather wasn’t helping maintain altitude and the pilot through his / her presence of mind realised an oncoming plane and averted a potential mid-air collision.

While ‘Runway 34’ is not about a mid-air collision aversion, it is inspired by real-life incidents such as the Doha-Kochi Jet Airways flight of August 2015, the mind-boggling US Airways flight landing on Hudson by pilot Sully Sullenberger in 2009, and the unfortunate Air India flight crash on a runway in Mangalore in 2010.

The first half of ‘Runway 34’ is the flight journey and how the pilots miraculously land the flight in adverse conditions and turbulent weather, saving all passengers.

They say All is well that ends well. But is it really? Given the huge risks due to passenger safety, should the pilot and crew go scot-free because the pilot landed the plane successfully and no one died? This is what the second half of ‘Runway 34’ is all about – the official enquiry process.

Such film plots require some top class VFX and some gripping court drama. However, the movie fails on both counts! At many places audience can notice resemblances to Hollywood films like Sully (2016) and Flight (2012). Ajay Devgn as the lead Pilot (Actor, Director, Producer) must take responsibility for this disaster landing!

On the visual effects front, Ajay Devgn has used an actual flight cockpit to give realistic effects, but the rest of the effects are passe.

On the court room drama front, it is primarily focused only on showcasing Amitabh Bachchan and Ajay Devgn’s acting rather than content. The prodigal pilot, Vikrant Khanna (Ajay Devgn), has made some glaring mistakes in decision making, which seem to be overlooked by a seasoned interrogator like Narayan Vedant (Amitabh Bachchan). I feel, Rakul Preet Singh (as Tanya Alburqurquee) is wasted throughout by showing her as a scared pilot both in the plane and in the courtroom.

On the acting front, both the seasoned actors are predictable. Audience can feel that they have seen th e same acting prowess in ‘Pink’, ‘Major Saab’, ‘Golmaal’ or any of their past movies. Further, there is no novelty even in the dialogues – there could have been more drama and dialogue to the trial-led second half. This is again the failure of the director which is supported by box office reports.

Despite positive reviews from friendly critics and industry insiders, the film sits at a global collection of a meagre 32 crores (Rs 320 million).

On the positive side, there are two things: Amitabh Bachchan conveys a strong message repeatedly -confess your mistake, learn from it and never repeat it again. This I believe is a good life lesson for all. The second positive is the storyline which gives us a peak into the cockpit and the airline business.

In conclusion, the movie is watchable on big screen as the performances aren’t entirely bad but not too attractive either. I hope the he next time Ajay Devgn tries his hand at direction, he should keep himself just in the Director’s seat and to remain focussed and objective give chance to new talented other actors.

Contributing Author: Sanjiv Kulkarni is an ardent Indian cinema buff with an interest in the art of movie-making. He shares his take on movies and some rarer movies too. He lives in Melbourne and works as an IT Sales leader.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The Australia Today is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information in this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts, or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of The Australia Today and The Australia Today News does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

Former Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds killed in car crash

Image source: Andrew Symonds - Wikipedia.

Well-known 46-year-old former Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds has died in a car crash on Saturday night.

According to Queensland Police the crash took place outside Townsville in North Queensland where he lived after retirement.

Police said Andrew Symonds was driving on Hervey Range Road near Alice River Bridge when his car left the road and rolled. 

Emergency Paramedics attempted to revive him but Andrew Symonds died at the scene.

Laura told the Courier Mail: “We are still in shock – I’m just thinking of the two kids. He was such a big person and there is just so much of him in his kids.’’

Cricket Australia tweeted:

Andrew Symonds’ passing comes after the shock deaths of fellow Aussie cricket greats Shane Warne and Rod Marsh earlier this year.

Adam Gilchrist tweeted: “This really hurts. #roy #rip

Andrew Symonds played 26 Tests for Australia and won two Cricket World Cups. He was a key member of Australia’s ODI teams that won World Cups in 2003 and 2007, playing 198 times in the 50-over format, scoring 5088 runs and taking 133 wickets.

Image source: Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds. Photo- Twitter.

During the fourth Test of the 2007-2008 series, things had exploded between Andrew Symonds and Harbhajan Singh. It was revealed that Harbhajan Singh had allegedly called Andrew Symonds a ‘monkey’.

The Indian test cricket team threatened to quit the tour when Harbhajan Singh was suspended for three matches. The International Cricket Council (ICC) overturned the ban.

Later, when the IPL tournaments began, both cricketers played for the same team – Mumbai Indians.

Harbhajan Singh told Indian reporters: “Honestly, it feels great to have him with us. We are playing for one team. Obviously, it’s fantastic to have him in the side. He’s a genuine match-winner. He has proved that over the years with Australia, and is probably one of the cleanest strikers of the cricket ball in the world.”

Andrew Symonds is survived by wife Laura and young children Chloe and Billy.

Arun Majumdar appointed Dean of Stanford University’s first new school in 70 years

Image source: Arun Majumdar speaking at TEDx Stanford - Stanford University

Indian-American material scientist and engineer, Prof. Arjun Majumdar, has been appointed as the inaugural Dean of Stanford University’s new school that focuses on climate change and sustainability.

Prof. Majumdar is currently the Jay Precourt Provostial Chair Professor, a faculty member of the Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, and Senior Fellow and former director of the Precourt Institute for Energy.

In a media release Prof. Majumdar said that he is “deeply honoured and humbled by the opportunity to serve as the inaugural dean.””

He added: “Building on the extraordinary leadership of transitions deans, Kam Moler and Steve Graham, we will not only harness the intellectual horsepower of our students, faculty, and staff across our campus, but we will also partner with external organisations around the world to co-develop innovative solutions and identify new insights through research and education.”

Image source: Arun Majumdar speaking at TEDx Stanford – Stanford University

Prof. Majumdar is originally from Kolkata and received his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay in 1985.

He completed a Ph.D. from the University of California – Berkeley in 1989 and worked as the vice president for energy at Google. Here, Prof. Majumdar assembled a team to create technologies and businesses at the intersection of data, computing, and electricity grid.

Prof. Majumdar was even nominated for the position of Under Secretary of Energy in the United States between November 30, 2011 and May 15, 2012 but then the nomination was retracted.

He later joined Stanford in 2014 and became the founding director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E).

Prof. Majumdar currently serves as the chair of the advisory board to the US Secretary of Energy.

He believes: “As is often said, we do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. We must collectively figure out how to create a future where humans and nature thrive together.” 

Image source: Mr John Doerr and his wife, Ann – Stanford University.

Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability is university’s first new school in 70 years and its key goal is to speed up options to the worldwide local weather disasters. This new school has received a gift of $1.1-billion venture capitalist John Doerr and his wife, Ann.

This is one of the largest single donations to an American institute of higher education and Prof. Majumdar will assume his new position on June 15.

 

Kamini, ‘Indian viagra,’ containing opioid under scanner in Australia

Image source: Kamini.

“Kamini”, a herbal drug which contains highly addictive opioids, Papaver somniferum, is again in news. These bottles are produced in India and sold as “Indian viagra” to improve mens’ virility in India.

A bottle of Kamini contains 40 balls, each tablet varies in size and weight: between 0.2 and 0.4 containing up to five per cent opium. These bottles are covertly shipped across Australia’s borders to be distributed via Indian grocery stores.

People, mostly South Asian-origin taxi and truck drivers, are known to be using 30 each day which was the equivalent of taking a strong 60mg tablet of OxyContin. Experts believe that taking merely two tablets of this opioid ball can give the user a “hit”.

In one online Indian community group a Melbourne man said he believed Kamini is “good for temporary pain relief or if you are feeling low.

“Actually it’s the combination of red bull and viagra”.

A paper published in in Drug & Alcohol Review by a team of Queensland researchers comprising of Tabibul Khan, Pem Ariyawansa, Janette Quinn, and Jeremy Hayllar has revealed that Kamini is being sold from under the counter to people who are addicted to the drug.

Dr Jeremy Hayllar, from Alcohol and Drug Service, Metro North Health in Brisbane told 9news.com.au:

“The balls are kind of brownish, they’re not formal-looking tablets we might expect to see from a reputable pharmaceutical source. They are literally round, grey-brown balls.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the supply chain of Kamini was disrupted. This resulted in driving the price of a bottle from $110 to $180.

According to the latest research, 12 patients presented with features of opioid withdrawal. Seven of the 12 patients had worked in the ride-sharing or taxi industry.

Dr Hayllar told ABC that the patients started using the herbal product after being advised it would give them “more energy to enable them to work longer hours”.

Queensland Police Service spokesperson told 9news that they “have not identified this substance as a trend or issue”. However, they “encourage anyone with information on the supply of dangerous drugs” to contact law enforcement agencies.

This is not just an Australian problem. In 2020, New Zealand’s Auckland Opioid Treatment Service reported treating 10 men who were addicted to Kamini.

Kamini represents an illicit source of non-prescription opioid in Australia and the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 prohibit the importation of medications such as this, which contain opium.

People are warned that the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has prohibited Kamini as “these tablets pose a serious risk to your health and should not be taken”.

Morrison government will provide five million dollars for multicultural media

Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison; Picture Source: The Australia Today
Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison; Picture Source: The Australia Today

A Public Interest News Gathering Program worth $5 million will be launched to support eligible local newspaper publishers including multicultural, First Nations and independent suburban newspaper publishers by a re-elected Morrison Government.

Minister for Communications Paul Fletcher told The Australia Today, “The Coalition Government recognises the important role our local newspaper publishers play in keeping Australia’s communities informed. We also understand they are under pressure due to the dramatically rising costs of newsprint driven by ongoing volatility overseas.”

“We will commit $5 million through the Public Interest News Gathering program to support eligible local newspaper publishers with the rising costs of newsprint, including independent suburban, First Nations and multicultural newspaper publishers.”

he added.
Minister for Communications Paul Fletcher

Mr Fletcher said the re-elected coalition government will move urgently to deliver the funding, with payments expected to be made early in the new financial year.

“This builds on the $10 million the Coalition has committed to supporting regional newspaper publishers.”

Mr Fletcher said.

“The Coalition remains concerned about the impact Labor’s safeguard mechanism will have on increasing costs for paper manufacturing in this country and the flow-on impacts that will have for the future of our local newspapers.”

Minister for Multicultural Communities Alex Hawke

Minister for Multicultural Communities Alex Hawke said, “The investment is in recognition of the important role multicultural media play in supporting the effective settlement of migrant communities, assisting with ongoing cultural connection, and to support the sector as it faces significant pressures in rising costs and modernisation.

If re-elected, the Morrison Government further commits to engaging with the sector to support their long-term viability as print and digital publishers, and support their work to modernise and better engage with mainstream advertisers”.

Hinduphobic Greens shunned by Labor leader Albanese amid concerns by Hindu community

Labor Leader Anthony Albanese at Hindu Council of Australia program; Image Source: Supplied

Leader of the Australian Labor Party Anthony Albanese has assured the Australian Hindu community that if he becomes Prime Minister religious vilification of Hindus will not be tolerated.

Mr Albanese was replying to the questions raised by Hindus of Sydney in a program organised by the Hindu Council of Australia.

He was specifically asked,

Q: Is there a Labor and Greens party deal? And what is your stand on political parties who spread Hinduphobia with false claims as Mr (David) Shoebridge did, and other Greens MPs who have been doing it from time to time?

To the question Anthony Albanese replied, “We are the only party and only candidate for prime minister who is wanting to form government in my own right.”

“We will not do deals with the Greens.”

added Mr Albanese.

“We will stand on our own. And that stands in very stark contrast…. To the opposition agreement between Scott Morrison and Barnaby Joyce,” said Mr Albanese

Sydney-based Hindu activist Ravi Shankar Dhankar told The Australia Today that the Greens Senator attempted to play her hate against Jews and Hindus. 

“Mehreen Faruqi is part of that elaborate Greens plan which attacks Hindus and Jews for resisting their historical persecution,” 

he emphasised.

Here is the epitome of Hinduphobic behaviour by Greens MLC David Shoebridge.

MLC Shoebridge had accused VHP Australia of being an organisation banned by the CIA and insinuating that VHP was responsible for a fight between two communities in Sydney.

The Australia Today earlier reported about a motion being passed in NSW senate asking Mr Shoebridge to apologise to Hindu community.

However, Greens Party or MLC David Shoebridge has not yet apologised for his reprehensible statement.

Here is the question-answer session Mr Anthony Albanese and Ms Kristina Keneally at Hindu Counicil of Australia’s program.

Jayeshbhai Jordaar: Loaded with hilarious satires, clubbed in social message to translate into entertainment

Jayeshbhai Jordaar poster: Image Source: Supplied

Ranveer Singh starrer JAYESHBHAI JORDAAR is set to release today 13 May 2022.

With this film, Shalini Pandey will mark her debut in the Hindi film industry as a lead actress alongside Ranveer Singh. Produced by Maneesh Sharma, a home-grown producer at YRF, the film is being directed by debutant writer-director Divyang Thakkar.

‘JAYESHBHAI JORDAAR’ is set in Gujarat and Ranveer Singh will be seen playing the role of a Gujarati man after RamLeela.

The film revolves around Jayeshbhai the unlikely hero who will be seen championing the cause of women’s empowerment in this film.

To explain the story in simple terms Jayeshbhai is a feminist son (Ranveer Singh) of a patriarchal Gujarati couple (Boman Irani and Ratna Pathak Shah) who takes off on a road trip with his pregnant wife Mudra (Shalini Pandey) after it’s revealed she’s going to have a second daughter.

With the police after them and everyone around them ready to snitch at a moment’s notice, how far will they get?
We will not tell you this because viewers also need to find something when they watch the movie.

Can I relate to Jayeshbhai, answer will be straight yes? Maybe not in the same situation but close enough.

Dubbed as one of the best actors in Bollywood today given his chameleon-esque ability to shape-shift on screen with every film Ranveer says, “For Jayeshbhai, I worked with a diction coach for over a month!’

He has again transformed himself into a character hailing from heartland Gujarat. But the question is with his razor-sharp wit, will he entertain us, win over our hearts, and deliver a powerful message? 

Ranveer reveals, “As an artist, it is important for me to be extremely authentic when I’m entrusted to play a character that belongs to a certain region of my country. I feel responsible for accurately representing the places where these characters hail from. I feel duty-bound to do justice to the people and their colourful, vibrant culture and spoken dialects. I leave no stone unturned to ensure that I give it my all.”

“All the praise that I’m getting right now is because of the hard work that has been put in by everyone to ensure that we deliver a performance that is a fitting tribute to all the Gujaratis. I’m not someone who is happy with half measures when it comes to my craft.”

He added.

Ranveer turns into an endearing item boy for the song Firecracker!

Amazingly, Ranveer has turned into an item boy in the film for its new song Firecracker which he performed without being choreographed!

He adds, “Barring the hook step, I was just left to be and to dance the way Jayesh would dance. Being in character, the moves would just come out, stumble out of me and we captured that. It has its own appeal. Jayesh is an endearing character and it’s that aspect of him that he wanted to present and showcase in the song. Just the great joie de vivre that he possesses, this great love of life, this joyous, beaming grateful heart that he has.”

He adds, “It makes people smile and that’s very fulfilling for me because I believe, that is my purpose on earth, to make people smile; and if I am able to do that through my craft, that’s very fulfilling to me.

A hilarious satire on society – Jayeshbhai Jordaar, produced by Maneesh Sharma, also stars Arjun Reddy famed Shalini Pandey, who debuts on Bollywood’s big screen opposite Ranveer. The film has been directed by debutant Divyang Thakkar and is releasing worldwide on May 13, 2022.


 
AUSTRALIA SESSIONS
VICTORIA
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Daily exc Thu 15:00, 21:00 

Reading Rhodes
Fri,Sat,Sun,Mon,Tue 15:45, 18:45
Wed 15:45, 18:30 

Reading Rouse Hill
Daily exc Thu 15:15, 21:15 

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
HOYTS Carousel
Sun,Mon,Tue,Wed,Fri,Sat 21:20 

HOYTS Garden City
Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri 21:00
Sun, Sat 20:50 

HOYTS Southlands
Mon,Tue,Wed,Fri 21:00
Sun, Sat 20:50 

Events Morley
Fri,Mon,Tue,Wed 14:45,18:00, 21:00
Sat,Sun 14:30, 17:45, 21:00QUEENSLAND
HOYTS Stafford
Mon, tue, wed, fri 15:30, 20:45 
Sun,Sat 20:45 

HOYTS Redcliffe
Sun,Mon,Tue,Wed,Fri,Sat 21:00 

HOYTS Sunnybank
Sun,Mon,Tue,Wed,Fri,Sat 15:15, 21:10 

Events Chermside
Fri, Sat,Sun,14:40, 17:50, 21:00
Tue 14:40, 17:50 21:00
Mon 14:50, 18:50
Wed 14:50, 18:15 

Events Garden City
Fri 14:45, 17:50, 20:55
Sat,Sun,Tue 14:30 17:40, 20:50
Mon,Wed 14:45, 18:00 

Events Indooroopilly
Daily exc Thu,Fri,Sat 14:30,17:40
Fri,Sat 14:30,17:40, 20:50 

Events Brisbane Myer
Fri, Sat, Sun 13:50, 21:00
Mon, Tue, Wed 18:45 

Events Brown Plains
Fri, Sat, 20:45
Sun 20:45 

Events Townsville Central
Sat 21:20 

Events Maroochydore
Fri,Sat 15:00, 18:00, 21:00
Sun,Mon,Tue,Wed 15:00, 18:15 

Events Mackay North
Wed 21:00 

Events Southport
Daily exc thu 14:20, 17:40, 20:50 

Events Capalaba
Fri, Sat, Sun 20:45 

Events Earlville
Daily exc. Thu, Mon ,Wed 18:00 
Mon, Wed 13:45 

Events Rockhampton
Daily exc Thu,Fri,Sat,Sun 21:10
Fri 20:50
Sat, Sun 21:00 

Events Springfield
Fri, Sat 21:00 

Reading Townsville Central
Fri,Mon,Tue ,Wed 20:45
Sat 21:20
Sun 21:20 

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
HOYTS Arndale
Sun, Sat 15:15, 17:00, 19:30, 20:45
Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri 15:15, 17:00, 19:45, 20:45 

HOYTS Tea Tree Plaza
Sat : 15:45, 17:45, 21:00 
Sun: 18:00, 21:00
Fri 17:45, 21:00
Tue 17:30
Mon, Wed 17:30, 20:45 

HOYTS Salisbury
Tue 16:25, 21:00
Mon,wed 17:15, 21:00
Sun17:30, 21:00
Sat 17:30, 21:30
Fri 17:45,21:30 

Events Marion
Daily exc Thu 11:15, 14:30, 17:40, 20:50 

Reading West Lakes
Daily exc Thu 15:30, 18:15 

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
HOYTS Belconnen
Sun,Mon,Tue,Wed,Fri,Sat 20:50 

HOYTS Woden
Fri 19:50
Mon, Tue, Wed 20:50
Sat, Sun 21:00
BUY TICKETSHOYTS EVENT VILLAGE
 

Google adds world’s oldest Indian language to Google Translate

Image source: Google.

Google announced at their I/O developer’s conference that it has added 24 new languages to Google Translate.

Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Alphabet, in his speech said, “There is a long tail of languages that are underrepresented on the web today and translating them is a hard technical problem since translation models are usually trained with bilingual text. However, there is not enough publicly available bilingual text for every language.” 

Image source: Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Alphabet.

Out of these new 24 additions, eight languages are from India. These include: 

  • Assamese, which is used by about 25 million people in Northeast India
  • Bhojpuri, which is used by about 50 million people in northern India, Nepal and Fiji
  • Dogri, which is used by about 3 million people in northern India
  • Konkani, which is used by about 2 million people in Central India
  • Maithili, which is used by about 34 million people in northern India
  • Meiteilon or Manipuri, which is used by about 2 million people in Northeast India
  • Mizo, which is used by about 830,000 people in Northeast India
  • Sanskrit, which is used by about 20,000 people in India

Isaac Caswell, a Google Translate Research Scientist, told told ET: “Sanskrit is the number one, most requested language at Google Translate, and we are finally adding it.”

Image source: Google.

As part of this update, indigenous languages of the Americas (Quechua, Guarani and Aymara) and an English dialect (Sierra Leonean Krio) have also been added to Translate for the first time.

Caswell added: “This ranges from smaller languages, like Mizo spoken by people in the northeast of India — by about 800,000 people — up to very large world languages like Lingala spoken by around 45 million people across Central Africa.”

Other languages that rare now part of Google Translate include: 

  • Aymara (used by about two million people across some Latin American countries)  
  • Bambara (used by about 14 million people in Mali)
  • Dhivehi (used by about 300,000 people in the Maldives)
  • Ewe (used by about seven million people in Ghana and Togo)
  • Guarani (used by about seven million people in several South American countries)
  • Ilocano (used by about 10 million people in the northern Philippines)
  • Krio (used by about four million people in Sierra Leone)
  • Kurdish or Sorani (used by about eight million people, mostly in Iraq & parts of Turkey)
  • Lingala, (used by about 45 million people in central and eastern Africa)
  • Luganda (used by about 20 million people in Uganda and Rwanda)
  • Oromo (used by about 37 million people in Ethiopia and Kenya)
  • Quechua (used by about 10 million people in Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and surrounding countries)
  • Sepedi (used by about 14 million people in South Africa)
  • Tigrinya (used by about eight million people in Eritrea and Ethiopia)
  • Tsonga (used by about seven million people in southern Africa)
  • Twi (used by about 11 million people in Ghana)

Google also announced that it has made many key improvements to its Google Translate service.

Caswell observed: “Up until a couple of years ago, it simply was not technologically possible to add languages like these, which are what we call a low resource — meaning that there are not very many text resources out there for them.”

Google Translate now supports over 133 different languages. It can be used from the web browser or a user can install the app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Crypto’s $2.2 trillion meltdown sees billionaires’ wealth plummet

Image source: Crypto - wikipedia.

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, a selloff in digital currencies from Bitcoin to Ether triggered a decline in the market value of Coinbase.

Coinbase is the largest US cryptocurrency exchange and its founder Brian Armstrong’s personal fortune of US$13.7 billion is now just US$2.2 billion.

Brian Armstrong tweeted that there is “no risk of bankruptcy” and “your finds are safe.”

Armstrong is not the only billionaire who has seen his share plummet.

Michael Novogratz, the CEO of Galaxy Digital, has also seen his fortune go down to $US2.5 billion from $US8.5 billion.

According to the Age, the market capitalisation of all crypto assets has fallen by $US1.5 trillion ($2.2 trillion) since peaking last November at about $US2.9 trillion.

So, crypto billionaire fortunes that increased over the last two years are fast disappearing.

Image source: Crypto – Wikipedia.

In fact, the value of world famous Bitcoin has fallen from almost $US70,000 to about $US30,000 that is a sharp decline of 57 per cent approx.

Changpeng Zhao, the CEO of Binance, has lost larger fortune – from a net worth of $US96 billion to just $US11.6 billion. He tweeted:

Further, Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, co-founders of Gemini, have each lost about $US2.2 billion and Sam Bankman-Fried, CEO of FTX, now has only $US11.3 billion.

Cameron Winklevoss asked investors to “be patient and HODL.”

Experts believe that as the US dollar has strengthened, investors are once again looking at cash. 

Although, there are some heavily-indebted countries such as the El Salvador that has made Bitcoin an official currency.

Given the volatile nature of crypto is it fair to say that these are merely collectible assets for speculation rather than investment?

Coalition announces to spend $5 million on ‘skills passport’ for tech sector in Australia

Image source: Skilled by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Alpha Stock Images

PM Scott Morrison has announced that his re-elected government will spend $5 million developing a “skills passport.”

The skills passport will make it easier and faster to match workers with jobs in the technology sector in Australia.

Employment Minister Stuart Robert says that this step will help workers to display their university, VET and private sector qualifications in one place.

Robert told Sunrise this would also allow businesses better understand how their skills mix could improve.

“Imagine an Australian that has done a university [course], and a few vocational courses, and a private-sector course, all of that reflected and covered by a common credit point if you like.”

“It can all be understood and you can simply see, ‘if there is one extra course, I can get that qualification, if I upgrade to that, I can get that qualification’, every Australian will benefit,” he added.

The Coalition hopes to develop this new system with the help of the Australian Technology Network of Universities.

Australia-India join hands to identify and curb terror outfits and their proxies

Image source: Mahavir Singhvii and Roger Noble

The 13th meeting of the India-Australia Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism was held in person on 4 May, 2022.

Mr Mahaveer Singhvi, Joint Secretary for Counter-Terrorism at the Ministry of External Affairs of India and Mr Roger Noble, Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia led the respective delegations of experts.

The two nations contemplated deepening co-operation in counter-terrorism cooperation in UN, G20, GCTF, ARF, IORA and FATF, as well as with Quad partners.

The discussions centred on the ongoing counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries.

According to the media release, both nations underlined their commitment to coordinate and collaborate on this important element of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

India and Australia exchanged views on various areas of cooperation in the sphere of counter-terrorism. This includes:

  • countering radicalisation and violent extremism;
  • combating the financing of terrorism;
  • the proscription of terrorist individuals and entities as a tool to combat terrorism;
  • preventing the exploitation of the internet for terrorism;
  • law enforcement cooperation; and
  • information sharing and capacity building.

Australia and India reaffirmed their commitment to work closely together to respond to these challenges.

They also discussed ways to deepen engagement between their respective counterpart agencies to further advance interaction, cooperation and information sharing in the sphere of counter-terrorism.

India and Australia strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

The two countries also emphasised the need for strengthening international cooperation to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner.

Australia condemned the use of terrorist proxies for cross-border terrorism in India. It reiterated its condemnation of terrorist attacks including 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot and Pulwama attacks.

Further, Australia support for the people and the government of India in the global fight against terrorism.

India has welcomed Australia’s participation in the proposed ‘No Money for Terror Conference’ that will be held in New Delhi later in 2022.

Indians in Australia driving innovation and paving way for future collaboration

Image source: IABCA Awards.

The India Australia Business & Community Alliance (IABCA), supported by Investment NSW and Austrade, now in its 9th year was a reminder of the opportunity that exists for Australian public diplomacy to utilise its domestic business diaspora strategically to advance its foreign policy and trade interests. And the opportunity for Indian public diplomacy to capitalise on the Australian Indian diaspora to globalise its development agendas. Affirming that the best is yet to come.

Speaking about the IABCA partnership, Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Tourism and Sport, and Western Sydney, Hon Stuart Ayres MP said:

“The partnership the NSW Government shares with IABCA strengthens ties between India and Australia. The IABCA continues to be at the forefront in fostering stronger economic, diplomatic, and cultural ties between our two nations.”

Image source: IABCA Awards

The IABCA platform this year brought together 1000 key influencers and bi-lateral leaders from across the two nations. Comprising of the IABCA Global Leaders Forum and the IABCA Awards Ceremony, this ‘Meeting of Minds’ showcase at the Star Events Centre on 29th April 2022 connected entrepreneurs, innovators, and disruptors from across Australia and India.

Image source: IABCA Awards

Congratulating the winners and the IABCA Alliance, The Hon Dan Tehan MP, Minister for Trade, Tourism, and Investment shared:

The India Australia Business & Community Alliance is an excellent platform to recognise and honour the deep business and community links between our two countries. I congratulate all the award finalists and commend you for your contribution to our strong economy and the Australia India relationship.”

The winner of the Young Professional of the Year Award Rishi Kher, Co-Founder and CEO of Holy Sanity, told The Australia Today that it was a truly humbling experience to be recognised by IABCA:

“I am humbled and grateful to be recognised as Young Professional of the Year. I have spent many years taking risks and have had my family make sacrifices on my behalf. This award helps motivate me and my team at Holy Sanity to dream big on a journey that we hope will make a lasting impact on generations to come. The annual IABCA initiative is a welcome sign of how far relations between Australia and India have evolved.”

Image source: IABCA Awards

Dr Meenakshi Arora, Associate Professor in Environmental Engineering at The University of Melbourne was the winner of the Australia India Impact Award (Individual) of the Year. She mentioned to The Australia Today how honoured she felt to have this acknowledgement for her years of work:  

“I am honoured and deeply humbled. It’s a privilege to have this acknowledgement for my years of work in bringing the Indian and Australian scientific communities together through various research collaborations in Water supply and pollution areas and through Melbourne India Postgraduate Academy (MIPA). Thanks to IABCA for providing me this platform to share my work with the broader community and showcase the positive aspect of the bilateral relationship between Australia and India.”

Speaking about his journey to The Australia Today, Business Leader of the Year Award winner Shailendra Kumar, who is a Global AI Thought Leader & Practitioner and author of “Making Money Out of Data”, highlighted the support he received in Australia: 

When I arrived in Australia 16 years ago, the local Australians gave me great support and since then I’ve only received love and affection, both professionally and personally. The people of Australia are just awesome and Australia is an awesome country to live in. I’m proud that many Indians in Australia are driving a great deal of innovation thanks to the Indian-Australian community, which is growing at an exponential rate.”

Image source: IABCA Awards

Dr Pamela Humphreys, Director, Macquarie University College, who won the Australia India Science Research and Development Award (Individual) told The Australia Today that winning the award is meaningful in terms of recognition and raising profile for future collaboration:

“It was such an honour to receive this award. Over a decade of work has translated into supporting over a quarter of a million Indians who are planning to take an English test. We are proud that our three low-cost online IELTS and PTE test preparation courses have helped so many already to achieve their goals. The IACBA event has raised the profile of how Australian and Indian companies can work together for bilateral cooperation and positive outcomes.”

Image source: IABCA Awards

The Winners across all the 14 categories were.

  • IABCA YOUNG PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

Rishi Kher, Co-Founder and CEO, Holy Sanity

  • IABCA BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR

Shailendra Kumar, Global AI Thought Leader & Practitioner, Author of Amazon Bestseller “Making Money Out of Data”

  • IABCA MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

Mayank Manish, Founder and Executive Director, OpEzee

  • IABCA COMMUNITY SERVICES EXCELLENCE AWARD (Individual)

Professor Manjula O’Connor, Psychiatrist, Clinical Hon Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne

  • Highly Commended Certificate

Dilpreet Kaur Taggar, Founder, South Asian Today

  • IABCA COMMUNITY SERVICES EXCELLENCE AWARD (Organisation)

REACH for Training (REACH)

  • Highly Commended Certificate

The Association of Haryanvis in Australia (AHA)

  • IABCA BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR

Elaine Starkey, CEO, Global Study Partners

  • IABCA AUSTRALIA INDIA IMPACT AWARD (Individual)

Dr Meenakshi Arora, Associate Professor in Environmental Engineering, The University of Melbourne

  • IACBA AUSTRALIA INDIA IMPACT AWARD (Organisation)

Sannam S4 Group

  • Highly Commended Certificate

Australia India Travel & Tourism Council (AITTC)

  • AUSTRALIA INDIA SCIENCE, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT AWARD(Individual)

Dr Pamela Humphreys, Director, Macquarie University College

  • MICRO BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Connect2MyDoctor

  • EXCELLENCE IN TRADE & INVESTMENT

Dr Badri Narayanan Gopalakrishnan, NITI Aayog

  • EXCELLENCE IN PARTNERSHIPS

Link Group   

  • SME OF THE YEAR

AirPhysio

  • Highly Commended Certificate

RD Facilities Management

The IABCA Lifetime Achievement Award, this year, was conferred to Amb. Anil Wadhwa, Former Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, Author Australia Economic Strategy Report 2020

‘Rathnan Prapancha’ – a perfect Mother’s Day movie

Image source: Rathnan Prapancha - screenshot.

By Sanjiv Kulkarni

The Australia Today team would like to wish all the wonderful ladies a very Happy Mothers Day! 

There is a common saying: God could not be everywhere, so he made Mother. I am sure we have all heard this or very similar quotes in our mother tongues. For a child mother is like God! But if one has a foster mother (has raised the child) and a birth mother, which one is like God? We have seen this in our scriptures too. Mata Yashoda (foster mother to Lord Krishna) is at the same pedestal, if not higher, as Mata Devaki (Lord Krishna’s birth mother). 

Here’s a perfect Mother’s Day movie that highlights the sacrifices made by a mother for her child – ‘Rathnan Prapancha‘.

This Kannada movie can be watched on on Amazon Prime. It is based on a similar theme, where a foster child accidentally realises his identity and heads out in search of his birth mother. In the process, he uncovers many aspects of his life that includes realising the importance and sacrifices made by his foster mother. 

The subject, while very emotional is also very dry. However, ‘Rathnan Prapancha’ is made in an entertaining way to keep audiences glued to their seats. It is rightly considered by critics as a trend setting movie in the Kannada film industry.

The movie was shot between the first and second wave of COVID-19, particularly in Bangalore, Kashmir and North Karnataka. This would be probably amongst the first new generation Kannada movies to be shot in the beautiful locales of Kashmir. A task made easy by revoking of Article 370 in the valley thus opening Kashmir for economic boom. 

I call this cinematic story telling because they have written the story in such a way that it has mass appeal across Karnataka. Purely through story telling, the movie touches upon the Muslim culture, which is a sizeable population in Karnataka. In addition, it explores the North Karnataka culture which is a unique and unforgettable experience. And it also touches upon some sensitive topics surrounding  transgender people in India. These critical cinematic additions make the film’s story extremely entertaining and appealing to the audience – not just in major cities but also in rural Karnataka. 

Image source: A still from Rathnan Prapancha.

The main lead is Dhananjaya. He has earlier movies which are of a different genre. He has done a convincing job as the angry child who is frustrated by his nagging mother. On his mission to rediscover his world, he learns more about the foster mother’s sacrifices and starts softening towards her.

Reba makes a convincing debut into Sandalwood films as the female lead who accompanies Dhananjay on this self discovering journey.

The movie also stars a long list of yesteryear’s dependable stars like Umashree, Shruti, Anu Prabhakar, Achyuth Kumar, and Ravishankar Gowda amongst others.

One actor worth singling out is Panju. He is well-known on television and plays a key role of a person hailing from North Karnataka. The mannerisms, the style, the dialogue delivery are spot on and very entertaining and he delivers the much needed punch and comic relief in the second half. 

Another surprise appearance is of Akkai Padmashali, the famous Bangalore-based transgender activist and social worker. I particularly liked this part of the film because as such it has no impact on the story line but the 3-4 minutes of engaging content leaves a big impact on the viewers mind. It educates us of the challenges faced by the transgender community and points to the main theme of motherhood.

I give full credit to director and writer, Rohit Padaki, for presenting  such a sensitive story in an entertaining manner. He has been very realistic in his presentation and doesn’t show the mother son relationship as revered upfront. The film starts with the unapologetically loud mother Saroja and son Rathnakara being at loggerheads due to their personality types. However, as the journey progresses their equation evolves with it. This is only the second film by Rohit, I am sure he has a very bright future ahead.

Although, ‘Rathnan Prapancha’ released directly on OTT (Amazon Prime) due to COVID-19 limitations, it received raving reviews from leading movie stars like Late Puneeth Rajkumar, Kiccha Sudeep, Rakshit Shetty, and Dulquer Salman to name just a few.

Watch this soulful and feel-good movie on Mother’s Day, with your mother if possible. I am sure both of you will have good laugh and at the end hug each other! 

Once again, wishing you all a very Happy Mother’s Day!

Video Link: 

Contributing Author: Sanjiv Kulkarni is an ardent Indian cinema buff with an interest in the art of movie-making. He shares his take on movies and some rarer movies too. He lives in Melbourne and works as an IT Sales leader.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The Australia Today is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information in this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts, or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of The Australia Today and The Australia Today News does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

‘Australia India House’ gets $3.5 million funding commitment by Liberal party

'Australia India House' gets $3.5 million commitment by Assistant Minister Jason Wood; Image Source: The Australia Today

As Australia India relations are growing to the next level of cooperation and mutual dependence Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs Jason Wood has promised that a re-elected Morrison Government will deliver $3.5 million to the Australia India House Charitable Foundation (AIHCF) to build a permanent base in the Springfield area.

The funding will allow the AIHCF to construct a premises, known as ‘Australia India House,’ that can be used for community meetings, events and day to day business.

The funding commitment was made by Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs Jason Wood while visiting the AIHCF at Springfield with locally-based Senator Paul Scarr, LNP candidate for Blair Sam Biggins and LNP Oxley candidate Kyle McMillen.

Minister Wood told The Australia Today, “I am proud to be part of a team that supports our wonderful multicultural community.”

LNP candidate for Blair Sam Biggins said the AIHCF helped hundreds of migrants in the community and an established Australia India House would be a place where the entire community was welcome.

“I am thrilled with this announcement and I know that an Australia India House is welcome news for the Indian-Australian community in Blair,”

Mr Biggins said.

The AIHCF is a non-profit organisation that was established in 2019. Since the early 1970s, the migration of people of Indian origin to Queensland has increased substantially. More than 50,000 Indians are now living in Queensland.

The building will also be used for crisis and interim accommodation, supporting domestic violence victims within migrant Australian communities and providing education and vocational training.

AIHCF president Professor Prasad Yarlagadda said he was thrilled with the announcement, which would allow the charity to reach out and engage with more people in the wider community.

“This greatly appreciated funding will serve the diverse needs of Queensland multicultural communities to host arts and culture events, festivals of national significance and educational programs,” Professor Yarlagadda said.

“This initiative by the Morrison Government demonstrates the national commitment to supporting the Indian diaspora. It will turn the Australia India House into living testimony that Australia is the most successful multicultural country in the world.”

added Professor Yarlagadda.

Professor Yarlagadda added it would also provide a permanent base to support the specific cultural needs of the community.

“Unfortunately, at the moment, there is no centrally located facility to celebrate and preserve Indian culture,” Professor Yarlagadda said.

“The project aims to use a place as a learning centre of culture and language by the different groups within the Indian community.”

Other community organisations, including Springfield Land Corporation, have also pledged support for the project, including Springfield Land Corporation.

$3.5 million committed by Labor candidate to develop Parramatta precinct, but stopped short of name ‘Little India’

Labor candidate for Parramatta, Andrew Charlton; Image Source: Supplied

Labor candidate for Parramatta, Andrew Charlton has announced to turn the cultural precinct around Wigram and Marion Streets in Harris Park (Sydney) into a dazzling tourism hub via a $3.5 million funding commitment.

Mr Andrews says this commitment will fund streetscape beautification, including the installation of street furniture and seasonal lights in the precinct, and help businesses improve their signage and shopfronts through co-investment grants. 

“This commitment is a terrific result for Harris Park – and it’s all part of my strong plan for our future,” Charlton said. 

“We’ll work with the community, the City of Parramatta and local businesses to develop the precinct and build a better future for all.” 

Additionally, it will help make the precinct safer and more accessible with improved lighting and security cameras, as well as contribute towards the planning and development of a new car park. 

Labor candidate for Parramatta, Andrew Charlton with Anthony Albanese; Image Source: Supplied

How the money will be spent for precinct development  

  • Dazzling streetscape: $1.5 million to develop the streets around Wigram and Marion Streets with South Asian sculpture, street furniture and seasonal lights.   
  • Support for businesses: $10,000 co-investment grants for businesses in the area to improve their signage and shopfront. Shop owners must use the money to improve the fronts of their premises, and match the grants with their own funding. Support would be available for up to 50 businesses. 
Labor candidate for Parramatta, Andrew Charlton with Anthony Albanese; Image Source: Supplied
  • Better Parking. A $1 million grant will go towards the planning and development of a new car park in the area to improve access and encourage visitors. Council would also be expected to contribute to this part of the project. 
  • Security lighting: $500,000 grant towards improving security lighting and cameras.  
Labor candidate for Parramatta, Andrew Charlton with Anthony Albanese; Image Source: Supplied

Naming the precinct

Labor candidate for Parramatta Andrew Charlton stopped short of committing to the name ‘Little India’ for the precinct however he said he will work with the council and community groups on an appropriate name for the Wigram Street precinct within Harris Park. 

To argue his case Mr Charlton gave examples of precincts which have become famous tourist destinations around the world such as the “Golden Mile” in Leicester, “Little India” in Singapore and “Brick Lane” in London.

Labor candidate for Parramatta, Andrew Charlton; Image Source: Supplied

Donna Davis, Lord Mayor of the City of Parramatta, welcomed the announcement. 

“Harris Park is one of Sydney’s hidden cultural gems. It’s diverse and vibrant, and everything I love about the City of Parramatta”, Davis said. 

“As a business owner, I understand the important role that small business plays in our economy – and how tough the past few years have been for many small business owners. That’s why Labor will support small businesses in Harris Park by turning the cultural precinct into a dazzling tourism hub,” Mr Charlton said.  

“This funding will help Harris Park put its best foot forward and build on what this popular precinct has to offer, as Parramatta continues its incredible transformation.” 

Runway 34: Edge of the seat thriller, flying high in Australia

Runway 34; Image Source; Supplied

The highly anticipated dramatic thriller inspired by true incidents, “Runway 34”, is a story about Captain Vikrant Khanna, a flying prodigy of sorts.

Captain Vikrant was determined to save the lives of 150 people when things went awry 35,000 feet above sea level.

Followed by an official investigation to determine, what and how things unravelled, this edge of the seat thriller takes a look at what happened on that fateful morning inside that cockpit and outside of it; what triggered the incident and what the incident triggered.

The movie is produced by Ajay ‘Runway 34’ is directed and produced by Ajay Devgn, which is his second directorial venture since ‘Shivaay’ in 2016.

The film is inspired by the true event of the Jet Airways Doha to Kochi flight 9W 555, a Boeing 737-800 aircraft that had a narrow escape on 18 August 2015, after facing difficulties in landing at the Cochin International Airport due to bad weather and unclear visibility at 5:45 in the morning.

‘Runway 34’, starring Ajay Devgn, Amitabh Bachchan, Boman Irani, Rakul Preet Singh, Angira Dhar and Aakanksha Singh, has hit theatres on April 29.

 AUSTRALIA SESSIONS

VICTORIA
Village Fountain Gate
Mon 18:40 

Village Sunshine
Thu,Fri,Sat,Sun,Mon,Tue 13:00, 20:30
Wed 13:00, 20:40 

Village Werribee
Thu 13:00, 13:30, 18:15
Fri,Sat,Sun 13:00
Mon 13:00, 13:30
Tue 13:00, 20:30
Wed 13:00, 13:30 

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
HOYTS Arndale
Mon,Tue,Thu 12:45 

Event Marion
Thu 12:15, 15:15, 21:15
Fri 12:00, 18:20
Sat,Sun 17:45
Mon,Tue,Wed 12:15, 15:15, 18:15
NEW SOUTH WALES
HOYTS Westpoint Blacktown
Thu 13:20, 21:00
Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri 13:20, 21:20
Sun, Sat 21:20 

Event Burwood
Daily exc sat, sun, tue 21:00
Sat sun 21:20
Tue 21:15 

Event Campbelltown
Thu 21:15
Fri 21:10
Sat 21:15
Sun 21:00 

Event Hurstville
Daily exc Fri, Sat, Sun 21:10 Fri 20:50
Sat, sun 20:45 

Event Parramatta
Daily exc sat, mon, wed 21:15
Sat 21:20
Tues 21:00
QUEENSLAND
Event Brisbane Myer
Daily exc Mon, Wed 20:30 

Event Chermside
Thu fri sat 21:10
Sun 21:30
Tue 21:20 

Event Garden city
Daily exc sat, mon, wed 21:15
Sat 21:15 

Event Maroochydore
Daily exc sat, sun 15:20 

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Event Morley
Daily exc. Thu 21:15
Thu 18:10, 21:15 

TASMANIA
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Trailer | Runway 34

Amitabh Bachchan after ‘Thapad’ is again playing a vital role who’s creating the pace and much-required argument for what could be the truth.

Mr Bachchan shared a heartfelt video on his Instagram, where he answered the question ‘what was that one thing which made you say yes to this film?’.

On being asked about it, he simply summed it up by saying ‘Ajay Devgn’. He further spoke about their ‘very long association’ that began with his father Veeru Devgan. He went on to talk about Veeru Devgan’s contribution to Hindi Cinema, recalling the times they’ve worked together in the past. Veeru Devgan was an Indian action choreographer, actor and film director who worked in more than 200 Bollywood films.

 

Trailer 2 | Runway 34 

Actor Rakul Preet Singh opened up about the training she underwent for the role of a pilot in the film.

“It is one of the best scripts I heard in a long time and I jumped to bag this role. My experience playing a pilot was amazing because I love my job for the reason that you get to play different roles and learn so many different things,” she shared.

rakulpreet singh in runway 34
Rakul Preet Singh, Runway 34; Image Source: Supplied

“How else would I have known how a cockpit looks? We had cockpit training for about 2 – 3 days, where there was a captain on the set who told us how the entire panel works because we shot in a real simulator, also during the entire shoot, the captain was there just to make sure that we use the right button, and use right terminology while flying a plane so it looks authentic,”

she added.

Rakul further said, “And when you step into a uniform there is a certain sense of dignity that automatically steps in – the way you walk, the way you talk, the way your language is, the way you react is very different from what a girl next door would. This is all that went into preparing for this role.”

Song Mitra Re | Runway 34 

Australian real estate group to increase investment to highest level in India

India Property Growth; Image Source: @CANVA

Australia’s REA Group which holds a controlling interest in REA India, formerly Elara Technologies Pty. Ltd., plans to increase its investments in India.

The total cost of taking over Elara was $50-$70 million, with $34.5 million payable out of the cash reserves of Elara.

Image source: REA chief executive Owen Wilson.

Owen Wilson, Global CEO of REA Group told Economic Times that they plan to increase investment in India more than in Australia.

“Going forward, India will be getting a larger share of our investment in terms of percentage growth. We are increasing our investment in India more than in Australia.”

In Australia, REA owns Smartline Home Loans Pty Ltd and Mortgage Choice Pty Ltd, Australian mortgage broking franchise groups, and PropTrack Pty Ltd, a leading provider of property data services. In India, REA Group also operates established online brands such as Housing.comMakaan.com and PropTiger.com.

India Property Growth; Image Source: @CANVA

REA Group, which is majority-owned by News Corps, has benefited from a robust Australian residential property market.

Wilson observed that India is the fastest-growing trillion dollar economy in the world and in addition, there is a clear passion for property in the country.

Owen Wilson says that they plan to set up a tech back office for REA Australia in India.

“Previous year, India accounted for less than 5% of our revenue but this year we expect it to be between 5-10%. Going forward, it will only increase.”

India Property Growth; Image Source: @CANVA

The group also plans to add mortgage business, list commercial properties and expand to tier 2 cities in coming years. Wilson notes:

“We believe India probably makes more sense for us. And so we’re going to explore creating effectively a back office here in India for REA Australia to help with their tech development.”

REA’s current market cap is AUD17 billion and the group is expected to close this financial year with revenue in excess of AUD1 billion.

Victoria passes 3,000 COVID-19 deaths, highest in Australia

Pandemic deaths; Image Source: @CANVA

More than 3,000 people have lost their lives to COVID-19 in Victoria since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.

Till last year, a total of 1,525 Victorians had died from COVID-19 and today this figure stands at 3,012.

Recently, hospitalisations have also slightly increased across NSW and Victoria with 1656 and 456 admissions respectively.

Image source: https://covidlive.com.au/

Australia’s death rate for COVID-19 is one of the lowest in the world – 7,000 deaths across all states and territories. However, within Australia, Victorian COVID-19 deaths account for the largest share.

The state of Victoria has shown a rate of 95 per cent for double dosed and 68 per cent for triple vaccinated. Yet, on average, 15 people are dying from COVID-19 each day in Victoria.

Christopher Hall from the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement told ABC:

“That represents families and workplaces and communities that have been permanently impacted by the death of somebody within that network.”

The majority of people who have died with the virus have been older Australians and due to COVID-19 restrictions many family members couldn’t support them in their last moments.

Image source: https://covidlive.com.au/

Meanwhile, Premier Daniel Andrews has promised “more healthcare workers and nurses to help lighten the load” at the regional hospital of Ballarat.

The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement is offering free COVID-19 bereavement support and can be reached on 1800 642 066.

New York removes reference to Swastika from anti-Semitic and fascist symbols legislation, time to take same approach in Australia

Swastika; Image Source: @HinduAmerican

The swastika is a living enigma that displays auspiciousness, wealth, good fortune, the sun, the circle of life, and other things. The emblem has both auspicious and ornamental meanings. There are a variety of viewpoints regarding its origin, functions, meaning, and elucidations. It may be traced throughout the Indian subcontinent, from prehistoric periods through the Indus Valley and Saraswati civilizations.

The swastika symbol holds the highest spiritual significance for Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains. The importance of Swastika became more prominent around the Indian subcontinent as Buddhism expanded. It moved westward through Afghanistan, then eastward across Central Asia to China, Korea, and Japan. Another path it took was to China around 1800 BCE, then to Korea in 37 BCE, and finally to Japan in 538 BCE (Kant A.K. et al., 2016, Diversity of an ideogram: A Case of Swastika in the Eastern World).

The Penguin Dictionary of Symbols (Chevalier J. & Gheerbrant A., 1996) says: “One of the oldest symbols in existence is the Swastika, and it is one of the most widely spread, from furthest east to Central America, via Mongolia, India, and Northern Europe. It was well-known to Celts and Etruscans and to Ancient Greece so the so-called Greek key pattern derives from it. Some writers have tried to take it back to Atlantis, which shows its great antiquity.”

Furthermore, the word Swasti (स्वस्ति) is found in many Rigvedic mantras and the meaning of the iiSwastika (卐) sign is taken from the word Swasti (i.e., well-being). For example, Rigveda V.51.15 mentions “स्वस्ति पन्थामनु चरेम सूर्याचन्द्रमसाविव”, i.e., May we ever follow “path of peace & bliss” (स्वस्तिपन्थाम्) like the Sun & the Moon.

Despite these facts, the Nazi insignia, which was originally known as the Hakenkreuz (“Hooked cross”), was substituted with Swastika in early English translations of Adolf Hilter’s “Mein Kampf,” popularising the phrase “Nazi swastika,” and, thus, confusing the two concepts. As a result, Swastika, an Indian sign of peace and auspiciousness, became erroneously connected with Hitler’s preposterous Aryan supremacy theory.

figure 1: A Visual Comparison of the Indian Swastika and the Nazi Hakenkreuz.

On 29th July 2020, Asian News International reported: “The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), a US-based advocacy group, has welcomed the New York State Assembly’s decision to reconsider a bill that would require schools to teach the Swastika as a symbol of hatred and intolerance in the school curriculum.

CoHNA further asserted that it is well known that Hitler’s symbol (“Hakenkreuz” or the Hooked Cross) had nothing to do with the Swastika and the two have been conflated due to misuse and misappropriation.

It is also important to note that the vital nuances in this conversation have been recognised by Hindu and Jewish leaders … CoHNA has reached out to the offices of the Assembly Education Committee Chair as well as other Assembly members and senators to offer help in rewording Bill’s language in consultation with Jewish, Native American and African American groups.” (Asian News International. 2020, July 29. US-based advocacy group welcomes New York State Assembly’s decision to reconsider the bill for Swastika.

On 29th April 2022, it was reported that the term “Swastika” has been deleted from New York State Assembly and Senate bills NY A.9155 and NY S.7680, according to Hindu American Foundation. The swastika was initially described as an “anti-Semitic and fascist emblem” in both legislation (Hindu American Foundation, @HinduAmerican on Twitter

NY Assembly and Senate Bills,  A.9155 and S.7680 (https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/A9155 & https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/s7680/), initially mentioned:

The attackers carried white supremacist symbols including the flag known as the Confederate battle flag, as well as anti-Semitic and fascist symbols including swastikas. At the same time as many were carrying these symbols of the enemies of the United States, some of the attackers were observed removing the flag of the United States, throwing it to the ground, and replacing it with a flag bearing the name of President Donald J. Trump.

The phrase “anti-Semitic and fascist symbols including swastikas” was amended to “anti-Semitic, fascist, and neo-Nazi ideology.

Thus, the basic distinction between the Nazi hate symbol, the Hakenkreuz, and the Indian auspicious emblem, Swastika, was preserved by the New York State Assembly and Senate after considering the facts surrounding Hakenkreuz and Swastika, thereby accepting the facts and honouring the sentiments of the Indian Diaspora in the United States.

The Indian Diaspora globally and especially in Australia is opposed to the Nazi hate emblem, the Hakenkreuz, which serves as a terrible reminder of genocide and misery and supports the banning and criminalizing of Nazi hate symbols.

However, it is equally important to note that Swastika and Hakenkreuz are not the same entity, and conflating the two is incorrect and unjustified. The Australian lawmakers should take a lead from the above-mentioned amendment by the New York State Assembly & Senate and cognition the difference between Swastika and Hakenkreuz. 

Furthermore, the state machinery and systems in Australia should be employed to launch an awareness campaign on the differences between the Nazi hate symbol and the Indian Swastika in order to educate people, law enforcement agencies, judiciary and legislators about the differences between the Hakenkreuz and the Swastika because a false equivalence, direct or indirect, of Nazi Hakenkreuz and the Swastika, is unjust and wrong. 

Authors:
Yadu Singh is a Sydney-based Cardiologist who has a keen interest in Indian History.
Vikrant Parmar is Electrical Engineer with a strong interest in Indian Medieval History.

Disclaimer: The author is solely responsible for the views expressed in this article. The opinions and facts are presented solely by him, and neither The Australia Today News nor its partners assume any responsibility for them.

“India hits a century in style!” Ranked world number three in startup ecosystem

Open Money; Image source: Open - Twitter.

The Indian startup ecosystem has reached a new milestone with the 100th unicorn which is a startup with a total valuation of $1 billion and above. The term, Unicorn, was coined by a venture capitalist and a seed investor, Aileen Lee. 

Minister of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, Piyush Goyal tweeted: “India = Ideas + Innovation + Investments”

Further, Union Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, Skill Development, Electronics & Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that India is one of the world’s fastest-growing and most exciting startup ecosystems.

On Monday, neo banking fintech portal, Open, raised fresh capital to push up its value to over a billion dollars.

This funding comes just six months after Google, Temasek, Visa, and Japan’s SoftBank invested $100 million in the neobank startup.

According to the survey, India is now ranked number three on the global map of countries with most unicorns behind USA and China.

With a total valuation of $277.77 billion, most Indian startups are in the services sector, contributing over 50% to India’s GDP.

India’s technology industry body NASSCOM also welcomed this announcement that will help in job creation.

Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma observed that today India is the land of opportunities.
 

Founded in 2017 by Anish Achuthan, Ajeesh Achuthan, Mabel Chacko, and Deena Jacob, Open offers business banking, payments and expense management services to SMBs across the country. 

The neobank platform is being used by more than 20 lakh businesses and it processes over $30 billion worth of transactions every year in India.

Startups that entered the Indian unicorn club in 2021 were Flipkart Moglix, BharatPe, CoinDCX, UpGrad, Groww, BlackBuck, Droom, OfBusiness, Meesho, Chargebee, CRED, Digit, Gupshup, Infra.Market, MindTickle, Five Star Business Finance, Innovaccer, Pharmeasy, Sharechat, Urban Company, Zeta, Eruditus, Zetwerk and BrowserStack, Apna, Vedantu, Licious, CoinSwitch Kuber, Rebel Foods, CarDekho, MobiKwik, Acko, The Good Glamm Group, Cure.Fit, Mensa, NoBroker, Spinny, Upstox, Slice, Pristyn Care, GlobalBees, Mamaearth and many more.

Hindu and Sikh communities get more than 2 million dollar funding boost by Ministers Alan Tudge, Michael Sukkar and Jason Wood

Funding for Basin Ganesha Temple; Image Source: The Australia Today

Hindu Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar Temple in The Basin suburb of Melbourne will get its own HINDU COMMUNITY HUB thanks to a $1.5 million funding promise by Ministers Alan Tudge and Jason Wood.

For years Basin Ganesha Temple is a focal point for Hindus across Victoria with more than 75,000 devotees attending it annually. Hindu community leaders have been trying to get a centre built nearby where they can gather, socialise and share their culture.

Federal Member for Aston Alan Tudge has announced that a re-elected Morrison government will help make this a reality. The Hindu Community Hub will be a place of learning, friendship and support for Hindus in Victoria and a great asset to the local community.

“The Basin Temple is a wonderful part of the local community. It is the largest granite temple in the southern hemisphere and the oldest traditional Hindu Temple in Victoria,” Mr Tudge said.

“The Hindu community in Australia has grown significantly over the last thirty years becoming two per cent of the total population of Australia. In Victoria, Hinduism is the fastest growing religion with approximately 134,000 Hindus living in the state,” 

said Mr Tudge

“Some of the temple’s key festivals attract over 1,000 devotees at any one time and on some important days over 3,000 devotees will visit the temple,” he added.

Federal Member for Deakin and Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar said, “The funding will allow for the Hindu community to thrive and strengthen its presence in the local area.”

“We are very pleased to be able to provide $1.5 million for the creation of a Hindu Community Hub here in Melbourne. This Hub will meet the cultural and social needs of the Hindu community and I look forward to seeing the community continue to flourish.”

Minister Sukkar said.

Assistant Minister Jason Wood told The Australia Today, “Hindu Community members work hard and support the growth of Australia. Their social and cultural needs are unique and re-elected Morrison government will provide the Hub they need desperately.”

“I am sure it will serve our Victorian community well in the years to come.”

added Minister Wood.

Shan Pillai President of Basin Ganesha Temple management committee told The Australia Today, “We have been in existence for 30 years serving the community but it’s the first time any government has made a funding commitment to our temple.”

Shan Pillai, President Basin Ganesha Temple with Minister Alan Tudge; Image Source: The Australia Today

“It’s really something for us, from bottom of my heart all I can say is big thank you as the Hindu Hub is a big need for us.”

explained Mr Pillai.

The proposed Hub will serve Melbourne Hindu communities from countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Nepal, Bhutan, Mauritius, Bangladesh, Fiji, Brunei, South Africa and Kenya. 

$700,00 for a new kitchen facility for a new home for Sikh Volunteers Australia

The new Sikh Volunteers Australia’s (SVA) Kitchen and Community Centre Project in Langwarrin was short of $700,000 despite the generosity of the community of Melbourne.

However the Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs Jason Wood announced the good news that re-elected Liberal Morrison Government will provide $700,000 in funding to help build a new kitchen facility at their new home at Langwarrin.

Minister Jason Wood said, “The selflessness of our multicultural community is inspiring. Sikh Volunteers Australia are our champions who have been the first to help those in need. Their service needs recognition, and this funding is just one way to show our support at a Federal level for their tireless work.” 

“SVA’s new home will not only serve as a place for the free food services but will also serve as a centre to support family violence victims, vulnerable youth and other volunteer organisation’s from the South-East of Melbourne”.

added Mr Wood.

Sikh Volunteers Australia (SVA) is a not-for-profit volunteer organisation that has been at the forefront of serving the community, particularly during the awful bushfires and pandemic. SVA’s dedicated team of volunteers aim to reduce distress in the community by providing daily free hot meals to the disadvantaged.

Liberal Candidate for Holt Ranj Perera is a staunch supporter of Sikh Volunteers Australia.

Mr Perera told The Australia Today, “I’m proud to be associated with Sikh volunteers given how much they have done for the wider Australian community in times of need.”

May be an image of 5 people, people sitting, people standing, turban and indoor
Liberal Candidate for Holt Ranj Perera at Gurudwara Nanaksar Melbourne

“I look forward to working with them on future projects which will benefit the South-East of Melbourne, particularly in the Holt electorate,” 

said Mr Perera.

SVA’s new Kitchen and Community Centre Project will also be a place for their ongoing community services, volunteers’ activities, events, and celebrations.

The Liberal Morrison Government always backs community organisations that are our champions in time of need. SVA is at the heart of serving those in need across Victoria. 

Liberal Candidate for Dunkley Sharn Coombes who was also present at the announcement said, “I have advocated strongly for a new kitchen facility for the Sikh Volunteers in Langwarrin. This is understandably a priority project of mine locally.”

May be an image of 2 people, people standing and outdoors
Liberal Candidate for Dunkley Sharn Coombes with Sikh Volunteers Australia

Every Victorian should be proud of the support the Sikh’s have provided our community. This kitchen facility will be a great asset for the entire Victorian community but particularly for the people of Dunkley.”

This interactive map of Indian Ocean Region is unbelievable, find out why?

carnegie indian ocean initiative interactive map


Carnegie Endowment for International Peace under its Indian Ocean Initiative has released a new interactive map to help better visualise and understand this region, its key players, major facts and dynamics at play.

As per this initiative, the Indian Ocean has played an important role and has been an essential commerce route for hundreds of years.

“The ocean is critical to the geopolitical and economic fortunes of both its littoral states and outside powers. As they have for centuries, ships squeeze through its narrow straits and sail into its deep waters, plying busy trade routes that span the globe from Africa to the Middle East, Asia, and Australia.”

The interactive map was released by Darshana M. Baruah who is a fellow with the South Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Darshana leads the Indian Ocean Initiative and her research focuses on maritime security in Asia.

The Indian Ocean is usually divided among the many South Asian, African, and Center Japan areas.

It is residence to three major chokepoints that help in transport activity: the Strait of Malacca, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb.  

The interactive map, presenting the maritime boundaries, is designed to present the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean in modern times.

Presently, there are fifteen ongoing territorial disputes that point to the Indian Ocean’s colonial legacy.

The map presents the Indian Ocean as one “geostrategic space” rather than subregions of continents.

“This map is meant to fill a gap by revitalizing awareness of this region’s importance as a whole.”

The map includes geographic, diplomatic and economic data from various nations that are situated along the Indian Ocean.

According to Carnegie, the next phase of mapping will include military, strategic, economic and environmental challenges in this region.

India and Australia rely heavily on Indian Ocean shipping lanes to receive seafood, major commodities and critical energy resources.

The two countries also have territories within the Indian Ocean which makes them natural partners in all collaborative initiatives: trade, maritime security and sustainable futures. 

Reserve Bank raises interest rate 25 basis points, here’s what it means for your mortgage

Interest Rate Hike: Image Source: @CANVA

The Reserve Bank of Australia has raised the cash rate by 0.25 percentage points to 0.35 per cent following Tuesday’s monthly board meeting, coming after last week’s strong inflation figures.

It is the RBA’s first rate increase since November 2010, having held the rate at a record low of 0.1 per cent since November 2020.

RBA governor Philip Lowe warned more interest rates are to come to ensure inflation returns to its two to three per cent target.

Economists had expected a more modest 0.15 per cent increase at this meeting, particularly coming in the middle of a federal election campaign.

Dr Lowe said the board judged that now is the right time to begin withdrawing some of the extraordinary monetary support that was put in place to help the Australian economy during the pandemic.

Reserve Bank Of Australia; Picture Source: @CANVA
Reserve Bank Of Australia; Picture Source: @CANVA

“The economy has proven to be resilient and inflation has picked up more quickly, and to a higher level, than was expected,”

Dr Lowe said in his post-meeting statement.

“There is also evidence that wage growth is picking up. Given this, and the very low level of interest rates, it is appropriate to start the process of normalising monetary conditions.”

Figures released last week showed annual inflation rising 5.1 per cent and underlying inflation increasing to 3.7 per cent – well above the RBA’s two to three per cent target.

“This rise in inflation largely reflects global factors,” Dr Lowe said.

“But domestic capacity constraints are increasingly playing a role and inflation pressures have broadened, with firms more prepared to pass through cost increases to consumer prices.”

A further rise in inflation is expected in the near term.

Image source: Big Four OZ banks - Wikipedia.
Image source: Big Four OZ banks – Wikipedia.

“A move of 40 basis points in June to take the cash rate target to 0.75 per cent seems a distinct possibility,” ANZ head of Australian economic David Plank said following the surprising increase in May.

The RBA’s central forecast for 2022 is for headline inflation of around six per cent and underlying inflation of around 4.75 per cent.

By mid-2024, headline and underlying inflation are forecast to have moderated to around three per cent.

“These forecasts are based on an assumption of further increases in interest rates,” Dr Lowe said.

“The board is committed to doing what is necessary to ensure that inflation in Australia returns to target over time.”

The RBA will release a full set of economic forecasts in its quarterly statement on monetary policy which is due for release on Friday.

The Morrison government put on a brave face to the interest rate rise.

“Most Australians understood it was unlikely interest rates would remain at those emergency levels forever,”

Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar told Sky News.

“It’s time to begin the process of normalising monetary policy.”

But shadow treasurer Jim Chalmers said the country faces three more years of the same fall in real wages, skyrocketing cost of living and pressure on family budgets under this government.

“This election is a contest between a Labor party with a plan for a stronger economy and a better future versus a Liberal party that is promising nothing,” he told reporters in Canberra.

Australia to stop taxing certain offshore income of Indian tech firms under IndAus ECTA

Indian IT Firms; Image Source: @CANAVA

By Jai Patel and Peter Madden

Australia and India signed an Economic Co-operation and Trade Agreement (Agreement) on 2 April 2022, in which Australia has agreed to stop the taxation of offshore income of Indian firms providing technical services to Australia. 

This development is significant because Indian information technology service companies have received unfavourable decisions from litigation in Australia regarding the taxation of services provided to Australian clients by their employees based in India.

The Indian companies argued that such services should not be taxable in Australia as those services were not sourced in Australia and were not royalties under the domestic tax law of Australia. 

In Satyam Computer Services Limited v Commissioner of Taxation [2018] FCAFC 172 (now Tech Mahindra Limited) the Full Federal Court of Australia held that payments received by an Indian company from its Australian resident clients were deemed to have had an Australian source by application of Article 23 (source) because they were considered royalty in accordance with Article 12(3)(g) (royalty) of the Australia – India Tax Treaty.

The Economic Co-operation and Trade Agreement details

In connection with the signing of this Agreement, the following understanding between the Federal Government and the Government of India was documented by way of a side letter:

  • The Government of Australia has agreed to amend Australian domestic taxation law to stop the taxation of offshore income of Indian firms providing technical services to Australia; and
  • Australia will implement the amendments to its domestic taxation legislation in a similar time period as the Agreement.

The proposed amendments will come into effect on the date the Agreement enters into force and shall constitute an integral part of the Agreement.

Observations

The recent decisions of the Australian courts in Satyam and Tech Mahindra have adversely impacted several Indian engineering, software and other Indian companies providing technical services from India to their Australian clients.

The Agreement should provide welcome relief from Australian tax for those Indian companies providing services to Australian clients from India.

The Agreement seems to propose a prospective change in the domestic law of Australia and which would help Indian companies providing services to Australian clients going forward.

There will be no change of the taxation in India for Australian companies providing similar services from Australia to clients in India.

Contributing Authors: Peter Madden, Director, KPMG Australia and Jai Patel, Head of India Business Practice, KPMG Australia

Disclaimer: This article was first published by KPMG Tax Now. The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The Australia Today is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information in this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts, or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of The Australia Today and The Australia Today News does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

Growing anti-Hindu smears by Greens must be condemned by Liberal and Labor

The Greens targeting Hindu Australians: Image Source: Supplied

Today, Hindus have become the new bashing toy. Across the political spectrum, Indian Australian Hindus face slander with the accusation that they harbour extremist links rooted in dual loyalty.

Anti-Hindu Greens Party supported Projects, who accuses India’s great leader Mahatma Gandhi of everything from incest to ” white supremacy ” to promoting Adolf Hitler , has accused the likes of Hindu Swamsevak Sangh of having links to Indian intelligence, political parties, or extremists.

Green Party’s supporters set up websites smearing Indian Australian politicians, academics, journalists and business leaders. While dirty tricks are not infrequent in politics, what sets these campaigns apart is that Indian ethnicity and Hindu religion rather than political position are the common links.

They do not differentiate, for example, between Jai Bharadwaj, a Journalist and Hindu who worked in mainstream media, and Yadu Singh, a Cardiologist who is the most famous Hindu health practitioner. When the target is a staffer rather than an independent business holder, Greens supported gang sets up petitions demanding their firing. This was the case, for example, with Jai and Yadu Singh

Sydney-based Hindu activist Ravi Shankar Dhankar told The Australia Today that the Greens Senator attempted to downplay her hate against Jews and Hindus.

“Mehreen Faruqi is part of that elaborate Greens plan which attacks Hindus and Jews for resisting their historical persecution,”

he emphasised.

When John F. Kennedy ran for president of the United States of America, many of his competitors sought to challenge him on the merits of his ideas. A few, however, questioned whether a Catholic could ever truly be loyal to America.

Kennedy addressed the matter directly in a 1960 speech: “Are we going to admit to the world that a Jew can be elected mayor of Dublin, a Protestant can be chosen foreign minister of France, a Muslim can serve in the Israeli Parliament — but a Catholic cannot be president of the United States?”

Jews, too, sometimes face charges of dual loyalty. In the run-up to the Iraq War, conspiracies spread that a desire to protect Israel rather than the U.S. motivated Jews in the Bush administration to advocate war against Saddam Hussein’s Iraq.

Even the late Secretary of State Colin Powell often used such tactics to win interagency battles. What Powell did not realise was that long-term erosion in civil society offset any short-term gains his team enjoyed. And such tactics were not entirely homegrown.

More than a decade before widespread awareness of Russian election interference, Saudi-funded consultancies and organisations catalyzed the conspiracy theories as they sought to fan opposition, for their own sectarian reasons, to any policy that might empower Shi’ites.

The charges of fascism and links to extremists are tenuous, based not on substance but instead on multiple degrees of separation and insinuation. Two figures present at a common event where hundreds of others were also present? To anti-Hindu bigots, that demonstrates definitive proof of intricate links and cooperation.

By the same logic, Federal Greens leader Richard Di Natale embraces spousal abuse if a single member of The Greens National Convention beat his wife.

In the heat of a campaign,

“Some local party officials, including those of South Asian backgrounds, turn a blind eye to the slander if it gives their preferred candidate a leg up. This is a mistake and only legitimises bigotry as a political weapon.”

It may also open the door for greater foreign interference. Greens Party supported groups are also seen as a nodal point for growing support for Sikh separatism in India, which appears to have its genesis in Pakistan. These groups including The Humanism Project have no clear and transparent source of income that explains the resources they bring to these campaigns against Indian Australian Hindus.

Despite the demonization with which some Liberal and Labor activists approach the other side, the cores of both parties, and even the most progressive and conservative activists, draw a line at religious bigotry.

Politicians should not throw Hindus under the bus to avoid manufactured controversy. It is time Liberal and Labor jointly condemn the slander.

And they should not be alone. Greeks, Italians, Vietnamese, Catholics and Jews, who have, at times, also experienced cheap bigotry in political discourse, should stand behind them to ensure that the cost of such tactics is felt not by their targets but by their perpetrators.

Author: Curated adaptation by Arvindan Ravi.

Curated from Michael Rubin‘s work titled “Democrats and Republicans must condemn growing anti-Indian smears” published in Washington Examiner. Mr Rubin is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The Australia Today is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information in this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts, or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of The Australia Today and The Australia Today News does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

Indian-Australian community raises $200k for deceased couple’s children

Image source: Hams (left) and Rama (right) - Nine News.

Adelaide residents and well-known community members Hems and Rama Batoula travelled to India with their two children Bhavagna and Palvith to attend Rama’s father’s funeral who had passed away due to a medical condition. 

Hems Batoula was a well-known leader in the Indian community and his wife worked in child protection. She also volunteered on weekends to teach children.

Last week, the couple along with their two children landed in Hyderabad on Tuesday at midnight and hired a taxi to their native village in Andhra. The taxi collided with a wall in the wee hours of Wednesday. The crash killed both the parents and left the two children severely injured who were shifted to a local hospital. 

The police told Indian media that their preliminary investigation pointed to the fault of the taxi driver who was sleepy and lost control of the vehicle thus ramming into a retaining wall of a culvert. 

Now, Adelaide’s Indian community is working together to bring the two children, aged nine and six, back. As both parents have dreams and aspirations for their children’s future in Australia, the local Indian community has decided to fulfil their dreams by providing a helping hand.

The car which met road accident at Gunpula in Suryapet dustrict.

In their condolence message Margaret & Ron Galbraith observe:

“This was our beautiful kind neighbours here in Flagstaff Hill who we will miss every day. Hems often walked up two doors for a chat and even brought us curry to thank my husband for helping his wife in the garden and just any time to share his food. I hope and pray their children will heal in time but it’s a sad loss to them. Our condolences to all the family and the Telugu community. May they Rest In Peace.”

The Indian community and friends of the family in Adelaide believe that the two children are not safe on their own. Batoula’s family friend Neni told Nine News:

“A lot of families over here are ready to do the foster caring for them. No words can really express what the community is feeling right now. Everybody is absolutely distressed.”

The Indian-Australian community has set up a fundraiser for the children via a GoFundMe campaign.

“This fund is raised to support the funeral expenses of the parents, medical expenses of the children and support them financially to get their house back from the mortgage.” 

The local Indian community have successfully raised $200,000 to support the two children. The community has even sent one representative to India to help the children.

Western racism towards Indians is filled with jealousy, envy, and even a form of angst 

Racism is real; Image Source: @CANVA

The United States and India recently concluded the fourth annual 2+2 dialogue discussing security and defence issues in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. This comes at the backdrop of the two nations celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations. 

While the relationship between the two states has grown over the past two decades, all is not well with the Indian diaspora in the U.S. 

Over the past decade, there has been a populist uprising/backlash to immigration and globalization. One of the largest American communities caught in the crossfire is the Indian American community. It is one of the fastest-growing immigrant communities besides the Latin American community in America and, understandably, is often the whipping boy for anti-immigrant activists.   

Recently, Amy Wax, Robert Mundheim Professor of Law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, speaking to Tucker Carlson, referred to Indians as “brown faces” and went on to deride entire minority groups of color and the Global South as feeling anger, envy and shame toward the Western world.  

However, her comments and comments by Donald Trump’s chief strategist Steve Bannon that there are too many Asian CEOs in Silicon Valley indicate jealousy, envy, and even a form of angst on their part more so than on the other end. It is demonstrative of the fragility of certain people, their inability to digest the fact that echelons of power are no longer occupied solely by people who look like them.  

Racism is real; Image Source: @CANVA

Moreover, it is unfortunate that bigoted views that were common in the early 1900s remain popular among professors and talk show hosts. While this type of commentary is not new for this particular professor, nor the host of the show, it is certainly interesting to note that their five-minute rant did not get the media attention as it has in the past. This is certainly a larger issue.  

Racism toward the Asian community, in particular, the Indian community, has gone under the radar for far too long and has not been as widely discussed as racism toward other communities for several reasons. 

First, Indian immigration to America is a relatively new phenomenon. Martin Luther King Jr.’s efforts paved the way for the Immigration Act of 1965, which allowed more people from Asia to migrate to the United States. Second, since a large share of the community is first-generation, they have been hesitant (more so, petrified) to publicly voice their views on the topic since a show such as Carlson’s has a viewership that could be anyone in their new life in America — their landlord, their boss or their coworker. It is difficult to ascertain who puts on a white hood and robe when they are in private and in the company of other like-minded individuals. 

Third, Indian kids are taught by their parents to keep their heads down and avoid any protest. It is common in many Asian and Indian households for parents to raise their kids against rebellion and resisting authority. While this has certainly helped them gain the label “model minority,” it has also cost them solidarity with other minorities, their careers, their high school experiences, and affected their overall quality of life in America. Interestingly, all of the above are changing with the next generation and that is contributing to the increase in these prejudiced monologues.  

Nevertheless, when second and third-generation immigrants speak out against racist structures in America, not necessarily ones that solely target them, but affect the lives of African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and other Asian Americans, they are, as feared, targeted by people in power such as Wax. Her frustration was around the “brown and Asian faces” speaking out on race in America.  

Coronavirus-Racism; Image source: AHRC
Coronavirus-Racism; Image source: AHRC

Every time the Black Lives Matter movement brings up police brutality or systemic racism in America, the immediate response from its critiques is a case of whataboutism and deflection — “what about Black on Black crime?” and not reflection — “what is wrong with the system in America?” In Wax and Carlson’s interview, bringing up India’s caste system was another case of deflection and an attempt to silence the community from speaking against racism in the country. Deflection has been the modus operandi for those wanting to avoid the conversation. But can a country and society move forward by avoiding hard conversations? The need of the hour is reflection, not deflection.  

Just as if America were to court India as a friend it would have to leave the Kissinger doctrine of the Cold War by the wayside, similarly, if American society is to have social cohesion it might have to drop its appreciation for shows such as Carlson’s.  

The arc of justice is slowly moving, With Kamala Harris, Deb Haaland, Katherine Tai and Ketanji Brown Jackson in various halls of power, America is beginning to represent its demographic diversity. As this advances, it is likely to irritate and frustrate many people who aspired to or held the same office the four women and many other people of colour are holding now. 

American society needs to nip racial angst in the bud. Only then can, not just the Indian American community, but all other minority groups live in peace.

Author: Akhil Ramesh is a fellow with the Pacific Forum. He has worked with governments, risk consulting firms, and think tanks in the United States and India. Follow him on Twitter: Akhil_oldsoul.

This article was first published as “The ‘jealous minority’ is the latest myth stoking American racism,” in ‘The Hill’. We have republished it with kind permission from the author.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The Australia Today is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information in this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts, or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of The Australia Today and The Australia Today News does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

Pawankhind: A gripping epic celebrating unsung heroes of Maharashtra

By Sanjiv Kulkarni

Today is Maharashtra Day! So Jai Maharashtra, Jai Shivaji! A very happy Maharashtra Day wishes to the readers of The Australia Today.

62 years ago Maharashtra state was formed on this day within independent India. I agree with filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnijhotri who in his recent tweet highlighted the contribution of Maharashtra to India. We are able to celebrate the creation of an independent Maharashtra and an independent India because of the sweat and blood of several brave warriors – some known, some unknown. Today, as we celebrate Maharashtra Day, we have to celebrate their contributions and sacrifices. 

Before I get to the story line, I want to mention 2 points: First, It is Paavankhind, not Pawankhind like it reads and I have heard some pronounce (Pavan is ‘wind’ and Paavan is ‘Holy’). This Godkhind or ‘mountain pass’ or literally a place on the mountains through which Ghodas or horses can pass, became Paavan or ‘holy’ because of this incident. This is near Vishalgad fort in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. Second, I watched this movie over a month ago when I was in India. However, I wanted to share this video and review on this apt day. When I watched this film in the theatre it was probably in week 4 and running almost a houseful show even the. I heard whistles and applause in the theatre that was truly unbelievable.  

For a Maharashtrian, or for anyone who has studied and grown up in Maharashtra, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is a highly revered name. We have read and heard his stories at school, from our elders and was also part of our childhood games when we would enact those famous warplays! So for us, it is reverential to see any movie of Maharaj on the screen! Shivaji Maharaj was the first, in a Maharashtrian context or even across India, to set a vision of Swaraj, self rule or independence from the Mughals. This dream of Swaraj has stayed alive over the centuries and the subsequent Maratha rulers and eventually the Maharashtrian freedom fighters like Lokamanya Tilak, Swantantra Veer Savarkar. Thanks to this vision, these dreams, we are living in a free world! 

But we have one responsibility and that is not to forget the sacrifices of such great leaders, not just the brave Kings but several brave warriors and generals – the unsung heroes who laid down their lives for their King and his vision of Swaraj! This is our #Lestweforget moment.

Pawankhind is about one such famous incident from Maratha history where Chatrapati Shivaji’s life was in danger as he was surrounded by the enemy army of Adil Shah II in the Panhala fort near Kolhapur, Maharashtra. 

Several brave warriors laid down their lives to ensure Shivaji Maharaj’s safe exit from this fort. Prime amongst the generals were Baji Prabhu Deshpande, Netaji Palkar, Rayarirao Bandal, and Shiva Kashid.

The movie is gripping throughout although many cinematic liberties have been taken in this retelling. The first half builds up the premise while the second half is action oriented demonstrating the brave escape of Shivaji Maharaj and the sacrifice of all the generals. Nobody from the defending team survives. And they knew this when they made the decision to stay back at the Godkhind as Shivaji Maharaj and a team of 300 soldiers escape to Vishalgad. It is difficult to even imagine the state of mind of these bravehearts.

While the whole film is amazing, I do hope that the makers could have researched and recreated some detailed war tactics used during the fight at the Godkhind. When a handful of soldiers are stopping a massive army, I am sure they would have used several war tactics and strategies that were developed in Maharashtra.

Image source: Pawankhind poster.

Digpal Lanjekar, the director, is on a mission to bring Shivaji Maharaj’s life stories to celluloid. His first movie was Farzand based on the valour of Kondaji Farzand which helped recapture this same Panhala Fort. Then came Faatehshikast which shows the capture of Lal Mahal in Pune. And now Pawankhind. His next venture is titled Sher Shivraj which will be releasing soon. Kudos to Digpal on this mission! We are keen to see many more stories of such unsung heroes! 

Tanaji Malsure is another such great general who laid down his life for the King, and his story was made into a movie two years ago by Ajay Devgn. I sincerely hope all the movies from Digpal also get a wider outreach especially amongst Indians living abroad. His team of actors mostly reprise their roles from the previous movies. Chinmay Mandlekar as Shivaji Maharaj; Mrinal Kulkarni as Jijamata, mother of Shivaji Maharaj; Ankit Mohan, Mrunmayee Deshpande and Sameer Dharmadhikari don various roles in these movies. All the actors, most well-known names from the Marathi film and TV industry, have done a brilliant job in their respective roles. I would particularly call out three actors:

  • Chinmay Mandlekar – Brilliant portrayal of Shivaji Maharaj. He is very charismatic and I am singling his performance for another reason though. His two movies released weeks apart. Pawankhind came first and The Kashmir Files came next. In the first movie, Pawankhind, you feel like giving your life for him as he instils a passion in you. However, in second film you feel like taking his life as he instils so hatred in you. This is definitely cunted as an accomplishment in an actor.  
  • Ankit Mohan – Great portrayal of the valiant general, Shrimant Rayajirao Bandal. Ankit has a superb personality with well built physique that helps him carry such valiant performances very well. He seems made for such roles considering his past performances: Shivaji series where he has played the lead role of Kondaji Farzand and outside the series where he has played the mighty Ashwathama in the newer Mahabharat series on Star Plus.
  • Ajay Purkar – Powerful portrayal of the legendary Baji Prabhu. His personality just suits the brave warrior. You can see some raw moments, but it is consumed by his larger than life persona on screen in the second half. I particularly loved the tense scene where is a lone man standing at the Godkhind and the invading army feels they can vanquish him easil and he just rep[onds: “Chal…” When I was watching this in the cinema hall, the entire theatre erupted in laughter.

I would highly recommend to all of you to must watch this film with family. It is not just an educating film but also highly motivational. In my humble opinion, very few films are able to achieve this combination: excel in storytelling and provide a wholesome cinematic experience.  

The film was shot in 28 days with 250 cast and crew on location in Malhargad and makers have released it as a tribute to the film editor, late Pramod Kahar who passed away during COVID-19’s second wave in India, just after completing this film. His words from an interview will always ring in my head: “Ka thamblat, Maharajancha Naav ghya, Chala evda kaam sampvuya!” (Why did you stop, think about the King, lets finish just this one task!) 

WATCH VIDEO: Pawankhind dedicated to our valiant heroes who gave their lives in the pursuit of Swaraj!!

Contributing Author: Sanjiv Kulkarni is an ardent Indian cinema buff with an interest in the art of movie-making. He shares his take on movies and some rarer movies too. He lives in Melbourne and works as an IT Sales leader.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The Australia Today is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information in this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts, or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of The Australia Today and The Australia Today News does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

Tough anti-trolling laws on card to protect children and women from cyber bullies: PM Morrison

PM Scott Morrison promises storng anti-trolling laws: Image Source: Supplied

To protect children, women and families online a re-elected Morrison Government will bring in groundbreaking legislation.

Cyber security experts belive it will significantly enhance eSafety capability in schools, ensuring strong parental controls are available on devices and legislating tough anti-trolling laws.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Coalition had stood up to big tech and social media giants to make Australia a world-leader in online safety, but there was much more to be done.

“Our kids should be able to learn, be entertained, or connect with their friends and family without facing abuse, humiliation or online predators,”

the Prime Minister said.

“The online world cannot be a cowards’ cavern where the rules of the real world do not exist.

“Big tech and social media giants must be held to account. Our plan will force them to do more – they cannot create it, and wash their hands of all consequences of it.

“Our plan will also ensure parents can protect their kids online with strong parental controls, help to prevent harm by raising awareness in every school, and improve our support for those harmed online.

“We have achieved so much in the online world, but there is much more to be done, and only a Coalition Government will stand up to big tech and social media giants.”

The Coalition’s policy includes:

  • A $23 million eSafety Schools package to raise awareness of the eSafety Commissioner’s support across every school in Australia, provide training programs for teachers, new and improved online safety resources for schools and enhance the Trusted eSafety Provider Program that connects schools with external online safety providers that meet high standards.
  • Ensuring smartphones and tablet devices have strong parental controls installed that are easier to find and activate (particularly when first setting up a device) and harder for kids to bypass, through a binding industry code under the Online Safety Act. If industry doesn’t act within 12 months, we will regulate to force them.
  • $10 million for the eSafety Commissioner to further expand coordination with other regulatory and law enforcement agencies, ensuring victims ‘tell-us-once’ and are supported into the right service, so they spend more time recovering and less time in bureaucracy. 
  • Legislating the Social Media (Anti-Trolling) laws to ensure social media companies are held accountable as publishers and Australians are given more power to deal with harmful defamatory comments from anonymous trolls. 
  • Supporting online safety in multicultural Australia by earmarking $2 million under the Online Safety Grants for projects that support women and girls in CALD communities.

Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said the Government’s principle is that the same rules and laws that apply in the real world should also apply in the digital world.

“The online world should not be an ungoverned space,”

Minister Fletcher said.

“The internet has brought incredible benefits for us all, but we will continue to remain vigilant to protect our children from some of the toxic harms they can confront when online.”

These announcements build on the Coalition’s strong track-record in online safety. In 2015 we established the world’s first eSafety Commissioner to protect children from bullying and harmful content. We have significantly expanded eSafety’s powers through the Online Safety Act, including introducing the world’s first scheme to remove harmful cyber-abuse of adults.

Other recent initiatives include:

  • The announcement of new laws combatting harmful misinformation;
  • Drafting of new laws to improve online privacy and ensure social media companies give primary consideration to the best interest of the child when handling their personal information;
  • Establishment of a House Select Committee inquiry into social media and online safety, with its recommendations now before the Government;
  • $16.6m towards Women’s Safety Online to establish a new telephone service to provide support for women and children experiencing technology-facilitated abuse;
  • $10m towards boosting support for online safety NGOs, with organisations such as the Daniel Morcombe Foundation and Alannah and Madeline Foundation already supported under the program;
  • $5m for eSafety to expand its national awareness campaign, bringing total funding for the current campaign to $10 million;
  • A new Online Safety Youth Advisory Council; and
  • Updates to Australia’s Classification System to protect children against content such as loot boxes in video games and to address content that sexualises children or depicts suicide and violence against women and children. 

To find further resources and tools on online safety and support for removing online bullying, abuse or harassment, visit: www.esafety.gov.au.

Albanese promises small deposits, a smaller mortgage and smaller mortgage repayments through ‘Help to Buy’ program

Anthony Albanese promises Home buying help; Image source: The Australia Today
Labor Party has promised that it will cut the cost of buying a home by up to 40 per cent for 10,000 Australians per year. 
 
Launching a new program called “Help to Buy; If elected on May 21 Albanese Labor Government will help Australians buy a home with a smaller deposit, a smaller mortgage and smaller mortgage repayments. 

Leader of the Australian Labor Party, Anthony Albanese said, “After nine long years in Government, housing affordability has only got worse under the Liberal-National Government. 

“Help to Buy is part of Labor’s plan to tackle the housing crisis.” 

 
Labor Party claims in some parts of Australia this will cut the cost of a mortgage by up to $380,000. 
 
This election campaign pitch is for people who find it harder to buy a home today than ever before. Help to Buy has been designed for big cities and the regions keeping in mind the distinctive needs of residents.   
 
The biggest drop in home ownership is amongst Australians on low and modest incomes who struggle to enter the market and miss out on the great Australian dream. 
 
Forty years ago, almost 60 per cent of young Australians on low and modest incomes owned their own home. Now, it is only 28 per cent
 
An Albanese Labor Government promises to provide eligible homebuyers with an equity contribution of up to 40 per cent of the purchase price of a new home and up to 30 per cent of the purchase price for an existing home.  
 
The homebuyer will need to have a deposit of 2 per cent and qualify for a standard home loan with a participating lender to finance the remainder of the purchase.   
 
The following table shows how much people will save on their mortgage under Labor’s Help to Buy


in different cities and regions. 
 Note – Regional centres include Newcastle & Lake  Macquarie, Illawarra, Central Coast, North Coast of NSW, Geelong, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. 
 
According to Shadow Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, “There is a housing crisis in Australia – it’s harder to buy a home than ever before. It’s harder in the big cities and harder in the regions. 

“It’s harder for first home buyers and harder for many older Australians. Many people on modest incomes have been forced to give up the Australian dream. Help to Buy will address this.”


Homebuyers will also avoid the need to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), representing an additional saving, depending on purchase location, of potentially more than $30,000.

This will help many Australians on low and modest incomes to buy a home with a much smaller mortgage that they can afford to pay rather than renting for the rest of their life. 

During the loan period the homebuyer can buy an additional stake in the home when they are able to do so.  

The homebuyer will not be required to pay rent on the stake of the home owned by the Federal Government.  

This scheme is not just for first homebuyers, it’s for other Australians who need a helping hand as well. 
 
Help to Buy will be available to Australians with a taxable income of up to $90,000 for individuals and up to $120,000 for couples. Homebuyers must be Australian citizens and not currently own or have an interest in a residential dwelling.  
 
Help to Buy will make money for the Government as the Federal Government will recover its equity and its share of the capital gain when the house is sold. 

Help to Buy will cost around $329 million over the forward estimates.  

National Housing Supply and Affordability Council

An Albanese Labor Government will also establish a National Housing Supply and Affordability Council, to ensure the Commonwealth plays a leadership role in increasing housing supply and improving affordability.

The Council will be advised by experts including from the finance, economics, urban development, residential construction, urban planning and social housing sectors. 
 
More land supply and better land use planning will improve housing affordability and provide a boost to national productivity and economic growth – but the only way to achieve this is by partnering with the States and Territories.

The Council will set targets for land supply, in consultation with States and Territories. It will also collect and make public nationally consistent data on housing supply, demand and affordability.

The Council will also have a key role in developing Labor’s National Housing and Homelessness Plan – something the Morrison Government has refused to do.

Doubling foreign investment fees and penalties

To pay for housing affordability polices, Labor will double foreign investment screening fees and financial penalties. 

These changes will commence from July 2022 and raise around $445 million over the forward estimates. 

Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness Jason Clare said, “It’s harder to buy, harder to rent and there are more homeless Australians than ever before.

“This will help a lot of Australians buy a home with a smaller mortgage that they can afford to repay, instead of renting for the rest of their lives.” 

  

However, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has accused Mr Albanese of trying to “take a cut” from potential homebuyers under the ‘Help to Buy’ scheme.

He claims that the plan would allow the government to purchase a slice of people’s property.

PM has suggested it was a money-making exercise.

“Our plan is for Australians to own their own home, not for the government and Anthony Albanese to own your home,”

Mr Morrison told reporters on Sunday.

The Prime Minister added Labor was “looking to make money” out of the proposed scheme.

“They will have equity in your home … I don’t have a plan to make money off of people buying their own home,” he said.

“Quite the opposite – I want them to own their own home.”

Morrison promises cheaper medicines as cost-of-living pressure grows

Prime Minister Scott Morrison; Image Source: Supplied
Prime Minister Scott Morrison; Image Source: Supplied

Millions of Australians taking common medications for blood pressure, high cholesterol, pain relief, depression, diabetes and more will be able to save $10 on scripts with an Australian first reduction in the price of Government subsidised medications. 

Morrison Government has announced that if re-elected they will cut the price of medications listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

This cut will happen from 1 January 2023 as part of an annual $150 million hip-pocket saving for Australians.

PM Scott Morrison; Picture Source: PMOffice

The Prime Minister said this was the first time the PBS General Co-payment had been reduced by any Government.

“Our economic plan is delivering cost of living relief to millions of Australians who will save hundreds of dollars every year on the cost of essential and life saving medications.”

The Prime Minister added:

“Because of our strong economic management, the Coalition is winding the clock back on the cost of medications, reducing the cost per script to 2008 prices. This will put more than $150 million back into the pockets of Australians every year.”

Image source: Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt.

Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt said only the Coalition had a strong record of delivering affordable, life saving medications for all Australians. 

“Since 2013, the Coalition Government has approved more than 2,900 new or amended listings on the PBS at an overall investment of around $16.5 billion. By listing these medications on the PBS we are ensuring Australians can have access to affordable, life saving medications that would otherwise cost thousands, or hundreds of thousands of dollars, without subsidy.“

Minister Hunt added that in contrast, Labor stopped listing medicines on the PBS in 2011.

In the 2022-23 Budget, the Coalition invested a further $2.4 billion for new and amended PBS listings including treatments for breast cancer, cystic fibrosis, severe eczema, asthma, spinal muscular atrophy, HIV infection and heart failure.


Recent medicines funded through the PBS:

  • From 1 May 2022, Zolgensma® for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy. This would cost patients over $2.5 million per treatment without subsidy by the Government. 
  • From 1 May 2022, Trodelvy® for the treatment of triple negative breast cancer. This would cost patients over $80,000 per course without subsidy by the Government.
  • From 1 April 2022, Trikafta® for cystic fibrosis. This would cost patients over $250,000 per year without subsidy by the Government.

In the recent budget the Coalition invested over $525 million to make medicines more affordable for 2.4 million Australians by lowering the PBS Safety Net threshold from 1 July 2022, benefiting concession card holders and general patients. 

Under the changes, concessional patients will reach the PBS Safety Net with 12 fewer filled scripts. For general patients, it’s two fewer scripts – saving over $80 a year before they are eligible to receive free or further subsidised PBS medicines.

Based on fully subsidised prescription volumes in 2021-22, patients across Australia are set to save approximately $150 million per year going forward.

The Prime Minister added:

“Millions of Australians will soon save $10 per script for common medications, which means those taking one medication a month could save $120 a year, or those taking two medications a month could save $240 a year.”

This is the single most significant change to the cost of and access to medications since the PBS was introduced more than 70 years ago and could benefit more than 19 million Australians each year who are without a concession card. 

Sharmaji Namkeen: A sweet and memorable dish served with a twist

Image source: Sharmaji Namkeen - Poster.

By Sanjiv Kulkarni


What does a man do in PRS? That’s a term I just coined. Post Retirement Stage.

This is the crux of Sharmaji Namkeen (2022), a movie that offers crisp storytelling along with a peek into the life of a middle-class family in today’s Delhi. There are so many men like Brij Gopal Sharma (played by Rishi Kapoor and Paresh Rawal) who struggle to keep themselves occupied after retirement. 

The movie mixes PRS with Delhi Kitty parties, builders swindling young first home buyers, dirty politics, and some budding senior citizen romance as tadka for a wonderfully created dish.

Image source: Still from Sharmaji Namkeen.

This movie will go down in history for a few reasons. First, it is an awesome tribute to the Late Rishi Kapoor or Chintu Ji as his fans called the late actor. He will forever be remembered for his amazing spontaneity and jovial persona which is on full display in this movie! You will find many moments, mine were his “Baby Doll” dance and his first cooking job entry. Priceless! Secondly, for the unique experiment and/or experience of having the same role performed by two veteran actors – Rishi Kapoor and Paresh Rawal. Two different schools of actors come together to add flavor to the same role/dish. Kudos to Paresh Rawal for taking this up. His style is different and he could have independently done this movie too. However, trying to mimic Rishi Kapoor’s style is a tough act and one can see gaps there. In fact, this transition is the highlight of the movie and the audience looks forward to it.

Image source: Still from Sharmaji Namkeen.

According to me, it is immaterial beyond a point as this is an ode to the inimitable Chintu Ji! Personally, I also learned two things. First, the way to a woman’s heart is also through her stomach. – so it is not just the men! Secondly, movie making is not a sequential/serial process. While it appears very simple on-screen, you are cooking in the kitchen and then you step out to the balcony. From a film-making process, these are two different shooting schedules: one indoor (can be on film sets) and the second is outdoor (actual location). These are planned and executed differently. And this is quite evident when you see Rishi Kapoor in indoor scenes and Paresh Rawal in outdoor scenes. I am glad they chose to execute it with both actors, instead of redoing the entire movie. 

Image source: Late Rishi Kapoor’s last film project was Juhi Chawla-starrer Sharmaji Namkeen, directed by debutante Hitesh Bhatia – PR Handout.

Kudos to all the actors and writers for a wonderful performance. Supporting artists and actors have wonderful roles these days and each has packed in a solid performance.

While Rishi Kapoor and Paresh Rawal are truly namkeen in this film, Juhi Chawla brings in the charming sweetness in her role. The two sons played by Suhail Nayyar and Taaruk Raina make you feel at home (if you have grown-up kids). Gufi Paintal and Satish Kaushik are seen on screen after a long time.  

Image source: Still from Sharmaji Namkeen.

The writers Supratik Sen and Hitesh Bhatia have done a very good job. They have highlighted the common man and their problems, which is the real hero. Hitesh Bhatia is also the director of the movie. 

Sharmaji Namkeen definitely gives both the audience and filmmakers food for thought. More power to such writers and directors to create such nutritious and essential dishes with the right garnishing (storytelling) to create such zesty food that suites the palette of the common man or woman! 

WATCH VIDEO REVIEW:


Contributing Author: Sanjiv Kulkarni is an ardent Indian cinema buff with an interest in the art of movie-making. He shares his take on movies and some rarer movies too. He lives in Melbourne and works as an IT Sales leader.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The Australia Today is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information in this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts, or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of The Australia Today and The Australia Today News does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

Former Australian PM Tony Abbott praises India’s manufacturing base

Image source: Mr Tony Abbott addressing the delegates - Facebook.

Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot is in Delhi to celebrate the recently signed India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA).

Addressing the delegates at a special dinner organised by the India-Australia Strategic Alliance and Indian Business Consortium, the former PM praised India for its manufacturing capabilities.

“India has a very sophisticated manufacturing base.”

More than 150 top Indian and Australian entrepreneurs and business leaders joined this evening. Special guests at this function included Mr. Naveen Jindal (Chairman of Jindal Group) and Mr. Manoj Tiwari (Member of Parliament).

Image source: Dharmendrakumar Patel, founder of Aussizz Group – Facebook.

Mr. Dharmendrakumar Patel, founder of Aussizz Group, who is part of the Australian delegation observed:

“Hon Tony Abbott raised very important points related to India’s relationship with Australia, especially the importance of Indian Diaspora in Australia which is playing an important role.”

During the dinner, Abbott praised the joint efforts by the countries’ leaders; especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, in strengthening diplomatic and strategic relations. He also made a special mention of commerce minister Piyush Goyal and Dan Tehan, the trade and tourism minister of Australia.

Image source: Mr Tony Abbott, Ms Meenakshi Lekhi and Dr Jagvinder Singh Virk with other delegates – Facebook.

This event comes as India and Australia are working to develop strong partnerships on all fronts, especially on trade. Australia is the 17th largest trading partner of India and India is Australia’s ninth-largest trading partner.

Abbott is considered one of the key architects of the newly signed comprehensive interim free-trade agreement that permits zero-duty trade on several items. Further, the ECTA is expected to double the bilateral trade from USD 27.5 bn (2021) to about USD 45 to USD 50 Billion in the next five years.

The trade agreement also unlocks huge opportunities for exports of automobiles, textiles, footwear and leather products, gems and jewelry, toys, and plastic products in India.

Image source: Mr Tony Abbott, Ms Meenakshi Lekhi and Dr Jagvinder Singh Virk with other delegates – Facebook.

This event was facilitated by Dr Jagvinder Singh Virk, Chairman of the India-Australia Strategic Alliance and organised by members of the Indian Business Consortium – Pramod Sharma (Trustee Director – Laxmi Narain Foundation, Founder Promoter -UV Group (UVARC and UV Special Situation Fund), Dr. Shanemeet Singh Sidhu (Economic Adviser, Founder: Brain Tree IAS), Ramesh Chandra Agarwal (Managing Director – Mohani Tea), CA Rajesh Sharma (Former ICAIICSI Central Council Member, Former BHEL Director), CA Ishant Juneja (Founder of Rrayze Business Solutions).

India Australia Strategic Alliance and Indian Business Consortium support India Australia business ventures especially entrepreneurs interested in exploring synergies across multiple countries across industries and sectors.

Some Indian international students are waiting for their visas after almost two years of admission

Stressed International Student; Image Source: @CANVA

Australia may have reopened its borders to international students back in December, but delays in student visa applications remain a problem for some who are still waiting to return to the country.

Twitter users, including those from India and Iran, have alleged that visa applications are taking months or years. Some are airing their grievances using the #still_waiting_for_visa hashtag. 

One Twitter user from India said Indian students have received PhD scholarships from Australian universities and risk losing their offers if they do not return soon. She added that their start date is close, but many are still waiting for their visa after nearly two years.

In a separate tweet, she claimed that she has been waiting for her student visa for 15 months, adding that if she cannot enrol by May 30, 2022, she would lose her scholarship and place in the university. 

visa applications

According to Pourazad, the University of Newcastle has been very supportive during his visa application process, adding that the university has deferred his scholarship “multiple times”. Source: Hamed Pourazad

Another student, Hamed Pourazad told Study International that he applied for his visa application before COVID-19 hit Australian borders. 

“I applied in January 2020, and it was a good month or two before they closed the borders. The application was not difficult at the time, and I was hoping that I could get my visa and go to Australia before the borders were closed,” said the 34-year-old, who received a scholarship to pursue his PhD at the University of Newcastle.

When Australia’s borders closed in March 2020, the Iranian thought he would get his visa and “commence my studies online, as it was a common practice back in the day”. 

That day never came.


“Even though Australian borders have been open for some time now, I am still waiting for my visa,” he said, adding that he has more than 20 friends in Iran who are facing extremely long visa assessment times.

“Some are waiting for more than two years, some have lost their scholarships, and some are about to lose their scholarships. What is bad here is that none of us can know for sure when our visas will be granted, and there is no way to ensure that our scholarships will still be valid by the time we have our visas.”

Deepak Chahal, an Indian PhD student at Macquarie University, told Study International: “I have applied for the student subclass 500 visa on Jan. 14, 2021. And I have been waiting for my visa for 15 months. I haven’t received any updates on my visa for the last 13 months.”

After contacting the DHA, the 27-year-old claimed that he, along with several other PhD students, received a “generic” reply which included that their application is going through mandatory checks that take up time.

Australian student visa applications ‘may take longer to finalise

The DHA has been contacted for comments.

Its website notes, “Due to COVID-19, some visa processing times have been affected. Applications may take longer to finalise. 

“A complete application will enable quicker processing. We encourage students to provide the Department of Home Affairs with complete Student visa applications.” 

Taxpayers warned of a new scam involving fake ATO websites

Image source: Scam alert - ATO - Twitter.

The Australian Tax Office (ATO) has issued an urgent scam warning after it found an increase in reports of fake ATO websites.

These websites impersonating as ATO are stealing “both money and personal information”.

These fake websites offer individuals tax file numbers and Australian business numbers for a fee. However, after registering they do not provide any such service.

“The advertisements offer to obtain a TFN or ABN for a fee. Instead of delivering this service, the scammer uses these fraudulent websites to steal both money and personal information.”

ATO is concerned about this recent increase in the number of victims reporting scams around TFN and ABN applications.

Image source: Assistant Commissioner Tim Loh – ATO.

Assistant Commissioner Tim Loh told media that he is concerned about the recent increase in the number of victims reporting TFN and ABN scams.

“Scammers are constantly developing new ways to target the community, and we expect to see more of these malicious attempts to steal identity details in the lead up to tax time. … We are also still seeing scammers impersonating the ATO, making threats, demanding the payment of fake tax debts, or claiming a TFN has been suspended due to fraud.”

In 2021, more than 50,000 people reported ATO impersonation scams with victims losing a total of more than $800,000.

Mr Loh adds:

“We are encouraging everyone to be on alert and take the time to remind family and friends to be on the lookout and stay safe online, so you don’t fall victim to a scam this tax time.”

ATO has alerted social media users who are also being targeted by this scam that is being widely advertised on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Australian residents should know that Tax File Numbers are free and available directly through the ATO, while local businesses must apply for an ABN directly through the Australian Business Register.

If you think a phone call, SMS, voicemail or email claiming to be from ATO is not genuine, do not reply to it. Instead, you should either: phone us on 1800 008 540 or go to Verify or report a scam – to see how to spot and report a scam.

Can your mobile phone get a virus? Yes – and you’ll have to look carefully to see the signs

Apple devices are generally considered more secure against malware than Android devices, but they’re still at risk. Pixabay/Pexels.com (edited), CC BY

Ritesh Chugh, CQUniversity Australia

With nearly 84% of the world’s population now owning a smartphone, and our dependence on them growing all the time, these devices have become an attractive avenue for scammers.

Last year, cyber security company Kaspersky detected nearly 3.5 million malicious attacks on mobile phone users. The spam messages we get on our phones via text message or email will often contain links to viruses, which are a type of malicious software (malware).

There’s a decent chance that at some point you’ve installed malware that infected your phone and worked (without you noticing) in the background. According to a global report commissioned by private company Zimperium, more than one-fifth of mobile devices have encountered malware. And four in ten mobiles worldwide are vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

But how do you know if your phone has been targeted? And what can you do?

How does a phone get infected?

Like personal computers, phones can be compromised by malware.

For example, the Hummingbad virus-infected ten million Android devices within a few months of its creation in 2016, and put as many as 85 million devices at risk.

Typically, a phone virus works the same way as a computer virus: a malicious code infects your device, replicates itself, and spreads to other devices by auto-messaging others in your contact list or auto-forwarding itself as an email.

A virus can limit your phone’s functionality, send your personal information to hackers, send your contacts spam messages linking to malware, and even allow the virus’s operator to “spy” on you by capturing your screen and keyboard inputs and tracking your geographical location.

In Australia, Scamwatch received 16,000 reports of the Flubot virus over just eight weeks in 2021. This virus sends text messages to Android and iPhone users with links to malware. Clicking on the links can lead to a malicious app being downloaded on your phone, giving scammers access to your personal information.

Flubot scammers regularly change their target countries. According to cyber security firm Bitdefender, FluBot operators targeted Australia, Germany, Poland, Spain, Austria, and other European countries between December 1 2021, and January 2 of this year.

Is either Apple or Android more secure?

While Apple devices are generally considered more secure than Android, and less prone to virus attacks, iPhone users who “jailbreak” or modify their phone open themselves up to security vulnerabilities.

Similarly, Android users who install apps from outside the Google Play store increase their risk of installing malware. It’s recommended all phone users stay on guard, as both Apple and Android are vulnerable to security risks.

That said, phones are generally better protected against viruses than personal computers. This is because software is usually installed through authorised app stores that vet each app (although some malicious apps can occasionally slip through the cracks).

Also, in comparison to computers, phones are more secure as the apps are usually “sandboxed” in their own isolated environment – unable to access or interfere with other apps. This reduces the risk of infection or cross-contamination from malware. However, no device is entirely immune.

Watch out for the signs

While it’s not always easy to tell whether your phone is infected, it will exhibit some abnormal behaviours if it is. Some signs to watch out for include:

  • poor performance, such as apps taking longer than usual to open, or crashing randomly
  • excessive battery drain (due to the malware constantly working in the background)
  • increased mobile data consumption
  • unexplained billing charges (which may include increased data usage charges as a result of the malware chewing up your data)
  • unusual pop-ups, and
  • the device overheating unexpectedly.

If you do suspect a virus has infected your device, there are some steps you can take. First, to prevent further damage you’ll need to remove the malware. Here are some simple troubleshooting steps:

  1. Use a reliable antivirus app to scan your phone for infections. Some reputable vendors offering paid and free protection services include Avast, AVG, Bitdefender, McAfee or Norton.
  2. Clear your phone’s storage and cache (in Android devices), or browsing history and website data (in Apple devices).
  3. Restart your iPhone, or restart your Android phone to go into safe mode – which is a feature on Android that prevents third-party apps from operating for as long as it’s enabled.
  4. Delete any suspicious or unfamiliar apps from your downloaded apps list and, if you’re an Android user, turn safe mode off once the apps are deleted.

As a last resort, you can back up all your data and perform a factory reset on your phone. Resetting a phone to its original settings will eliminate any malware.

Protecting your phone from infection

Now you’ve fixed your phone, it’s important to safeguard it against future viruses and other security risks. The mobile security apps mentioned above will help with this. But you can also:

  • avoid clicking unusual pop-ups, or links in unusual text messages, social media posts or emails
  • only install apps from authorised app stores, such as Google Play or Apple’s App Store
  • avoid jailbreaking or modifying your phone
  • check app permissions before installing, so you’re aware of what the app will access (rather than blindly trusting it)
  • back up your data regularly, and
  • keep your phone software updated to the latest version (which will have the latest security patches).

Continually monitor your phone for suspicious activity and trust your gut instincts. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. https://www.youtube.com/embed/nvIXGeB1WgE?wmode=transparent&start=38 Google’s tips on how to spot malware.

Author: Ritesh Chugh, Associate Professor – Information and Communications Technology, CQUniversity Australia

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Tourism Australia announces a new travel campaign inviting Indian tourists 

Image source: Sydney - Tourism Australia, Twitter.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released the international visitor arrivals for January 2022.

A total of 53,880 international visitor arrivals occurred for the month of January and the top five visitor markets were the United Kingdom (9,320 visitors), India (6,390visitors), the USA (4,760 visitors),
Singapore (3,030 visitors), China (2,600 visitors) and New Zealand (2,180 visitors).

Further, according to Tourism Australia, the strengthening of the bilateral relationship between Australia and India has encouraged the local tourism sector “to be confident about India’s resurgence once the borders reopen.”

City of Melbourne, Australia; Picture Source: @CANVA
City of Melbourne, Australia; Picture Source: @CANVA
  • Tourism Australia’s Consumer Demand Project research shows that 1.8million (82%) of high-value travellers in India intend to visit Australia, and Australia has maintained its highest ranking across all key factors that travellers consider before deciding a holiday destination 
  • With the announcement of Qantas’ direct flights to India, the non-stop services on the India/Australia route have more than doubled than pre-COVID levels 
  • The Visa Application Charge (VAC) waiver scheme announced by the Department of Home Affairs offers a unique benefit to thousands of Indian travellers who were unable to travel due to COVID 

In February, Australia’s Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan said that Tourism Australia had been prepared to ramp up its international marketing efforts once the border re-opening was announced.

“The world has been waiting two years to get Down Under for a holiday and our latest ad campaign will remind them of what they’ve been missing.” 

Direct Flights between Sydney and Delhi; Picture Source: @CANVA
Direct Flights between Sydney and Delhi; Picture Source: @CANVA

With an aim to lure Indian travellers to Australia, Tourism Australia has launched a new traveller campaign for all-inclusive, return economy-class airfares to Australia starting from just Rs. 48,300.

“There has never been a better time to hop on Down Under for a holiday, see the family, & watch the upcoming #T20WorldCup. We look forward to welcoming our friends soon!”

Tourism Australia has partnered with Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines, Thai Airways and Scoot.

Further, the commencement of direct flights by Qantas and Air India has come as a boost to travellers from both countries.

As per Tourism Australia’s announcement on social media, the present offer of sale is valid until 12 May 2022 and offers travel validity up to 31 March 2023. 

Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide; Picture Source: @CANVA
Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide; Picture Source: @CANVA

TRAVELLING TO AUSTRALIA 

  • From 21 February 2022, visa holders who are fully vaccinated with two doses of a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved COVID-19 vaccine can travel to Australia quarantine-free, without the need to apply for a travel exemption. 
  • To be eligible to enter Australia, international travellers must:  
    • hold a valid Australian visa.
    • be fully vaccinated with two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and provide proof of vaccination status.
    • Present a negative rapid antigen test (RAT) within 24 hours of departure or a Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure (unless a medical exemption applies).
    • Complete an Australia Travel Declaration at least 72 hours before departure.
  • Fully vaccinated visa holders can enter all states and territories quarantine-free from 21 February 2022, except for Western Australia.  
  • Travellers will need to comply with requirements in the state or territory of their arrival, and any other state or territories that they plan to travel to. Information on entry requirements is updated regularly so it is important to check the latest requirements before travelling. Travellers are also encouraged to check any requirements for stopover destinations that they are transitioning through. 
  • For requirements for travel into specific states and territories in Australia, visit the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website | State and Territory Information.
  • For more information on travelling to Australia visit the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs I Travelling to Australia 

Billboard of terrorist ‘Bhindranwale’ responsible for killing thousands of Hindus and Sikhs leaves Indian Australians shocked and dismayed

Khalistan billboard in Melbourne; Image Source: Supplied

Melbourne’s Indian Australian community is shocked to see posters and billboards displaying pictures of terrorist ‘Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale’ while commuting to work on Wednesday morning.

The Australia Today understands that a lot of community members have called Victoria police and local council authorities to inform them of these billboards glorifying terrorism and terrorist.

Anand Pal was driving to reach an important office conference near Melbourne Airport when he saw this billboard near Sunshine Hospital.
Mr. Pal told The Australia Today, “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Bhindranwale’s picture in full displays from the highway.”

“This terrorist was responsible for killing two of my uncles in the Indian state of Punjab in the name of Khalistan separatist movement,”

said Mr Pal.

“I was so distressed seeing that banner of “terrorist Bhindranwale’ that I had to go back home after calling sick at work and could not attend the conference.”

Another member of Melbourne’s Indian Australian community who does not want to be identified (Whom we will call Sunil) told The Australia Today that an email has been sent to the billboard company.

Mr. Sunil told The Australia Today, “Displaying such advertising is unbecoming and also gives a platform to extremist views.”

Remove the Terrorist image and Terrorism movement displays from Melbourne roads

Sunil says, he has seen bumper stickers on many cars parked around the Indian stores and restaurants owned by Khalistan supporters in Melbourne displaying “I Love Bhindranwale and Khalistan Zindabad.”

“Unfortunately the bumper stickers and the omnipresent posters of slain terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale are signs of a proxy battle brought halfway around the world despite the end of terrorism in the north Indian state of Punjab,”

said Mr Sunil.

Law enforcement officials in Australia are caught off guard by a sudden, puzzling series of protests, car rallies, beatings and terror tactics arising out of the formerly secluded, law-abiding, and industrious Sikh communities on this continent.

Earlier this month a Hindu Sikh couple was threatened and harassed by the South Australia coordinator of Khalsa Aids.

A few months back The Australia Today reported how Khalistan supporters attacked Hindu Leader Yogesh Khattar’s business in Sydney.

Khalistani's attack Hindu leader Yogesh Khattar's business in Sydney; Picture Source: The Australia Today
Khalistani’s attack Hindu leader Yogesh Khattar’s business in Sydney; Picture Source: The Australia Today

Senior Australian officials are concerned that the troubles will increase. They viewed with concern the rekindling of hostilities in India last year, fearing that a clampdown by the Indian government there would mean more such activities in Australia.

“As things get harder in the Punjab for extremists,” said a diplomat in Canberra, “our problems grow.”

Authorities believe that overseas actors in Canada, the UK, and the USA have an especially strong effect on many young Sikhs in Australia. Virtually overnight, they shed their western dress and lifestyle for the traditional beards, turbans, daggers, and bracelets of their religion and joined militant political movements.

Sukhbir Singh (name changed on request) is a prominent leader in Melbourne’s Sikh community. He is a moderate Sikh who has spoken out against the radicals.

He told The Australia Today, “The old leadership of the Sikh community has been virtually unseated by extremists who have taken over most of the temples, and their ample treasuries, with violence and/or intimidation.”

The moderate committee members and worshipers at the Craigieburn Gurudwara had city police officers posted in front of the building to prevent a radical takeover.

Officials have told The Australia Today group is being closely watched by authorities.

The Sikh communities in Australia, largely concentrated in the Melbourne and Sydney areas, enjoy greater political influence than those in the other states, which are scattered across cities on both coasts.

Australia provides state funding for Sikh Gurudwaras and their activities, as for other ethnic communities.

RBA to raise cash rate within week amid inflation rate increase to 5.1 per cent 

RBA to raise cash rate within week; Image Source: @CANVA
RBA to raise cash rate within week; Image Source: @CANVA

The annual rate of inflation has soared to its highest level since 2001, fuelled by rising petrol prices and higher dwelling construction costs.

The consumer price index for the March quarter surged 2.1 per cent for an annual inflation rate of 5.1 per cent, up from 3.5 per cent previously.

Underlying inflation – which smooths out volatile price swings and is more crucial to the interest rate outlook – jumped 1.4 per cent to 3.7 per cent for the year.

It is the first time the underlying rate has been above the Reserve Bank of Australia’s two to three per cent target since early 2010.

The result could put pressure on the RBA to lift the cash rate from a record low 0.1 per cent when its board meets next Tuesday.

The RBA has previously said it wants to see a meaningful rise in wages before it takes action, and could be wary of moving during a federal election campaign.

Reserve Bank Of Australia; Picture Source: @CANVA
Reserve Bank Of Australia; Picture Source: @CANVA

But global inflation is on the move, and so are other central banks, making the case for a move by the RBA sooner rather than later.

“The only real argument for delay now is the current federal election – as was last the case in 2007, this is another good opportunity for the RBA to again demonstrate its independence,”

BetaShares chief economist David Bassanese said.

A rise in the cash rate will force banks to raise borrowing costs for households and businesses.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg was on the front foot on the cost of living issues before the data release. faced with a tight federal election campaign where his own seat hangs in the balance.

Mr Frydenberg says global factors such as high oil prices due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and supply-chain disruptions are putting pressure on household budgets in Australia. 

“That is why in the budget we committed to a temporary, targeted and responsible cost of the living package,”

Mr Frydenberg told AAP.

The first $250 cost of living payments will this week hit the bank accounts of millions of eligible pensioners, income support recipients, veterans and concession cardholders.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg

Slashing fuel excise, along with a fall in global oil prices, had provided some relief at the bowser after petrol prices surged past $2 a litre during the March quarter.

However, in the past week, the Australian Institute of Petroleum said the national average for petrol prices had ticked up 2.6 cents to 168.9 cents per litre, ending four weeks of declines.

Consumer confidence eased slightly in the past week, coinciding with the modest increase in petrol prices.

The weekly ANZ-Roy Morgan consumer confidence index – a guide to future household spending – eased 0.3 per cent to 96.5.

A level below 100 indicates pessimists outweigh optimists.

Australian diplomat says Britain shouldn’t feel guilty about its colonial past and Empire

Image source: 745px-A_British_couple_with_Indian_policemen_and_peons_in_the_1900s - Wikipedia.

Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom George Brandis says British diplomats should stop feeling guilty about their imperial history.

Brandis, who is leaving London after four years as High Commissioner, criticised British diplomats who had bought into a narrative of negativity related to Britains colonial past.

He further told the British Foreign Policy Group in London that local diplomats should express more pride in the Queen and the Commonwealth: Britain had “a lot of moral authority in faraway places”.

“One thing that rather bothers me is that there are some in the commentariat, possibly some even in the Foreign Office, who are almost guilty about Britain’s imperial past and therefore think notions like the Commonwealth should be uttered sotto voce.”

Image source: Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom George Brandis – Wikipedia.

He added:

“I just wish that the self-lacerating classes in Britain would realise that the world respects their own country a lot more than a lot of them do.”

Brandis beleives that the British monarchy would survive in Australia during his lifetime.

He added that the Prince of Wales would make “a very fine head of state”.

“I wish the self-lacerating classes in Britain would realise that the world respects their own country a lot more than a lot of them do.”

Further, Mr Brandis said Prince Charles would be “a very fine monarch, a very fine head of state of Australia”.

“He loves Australia, and he’s been there 17 times. He has a true emotional connection with Australia. And I’ve found, in this role, his absolutely deeply felt sense of care for Australia was evident, for example from his reaction to the bushfires a couple of years ago.”

Mr Brandis’ term as High Commissioner has covered the negotiation of a free trade agreement with Australia and the announcement of the AUKUS pact on military co-operation.

According to a 2014 YouGov poll, the narrative that British Empire was benevolent and colonialism beneficial to the colonies has been accepted amongst 50 percent of people.

Last year, research published by economist Utsa Patnaik questioned this very narrative that Britain’s empire was based on moral authority and benevolence.

Prof. Patnaik, drawing on nearly two centuries of detailed data on tax and trade, calculated that Britain drained a total of $45 trillion from India during the period 1765 to 1938.

Now the question is: should British diplomats feel proud about their colonial past and plunder or set the story straight for the coming generations?

Australian companies should follow IP laws while expanding in India

Image source: man drawing intellectual property, related icons and words on whiteboard - Engineers Australia.

By Vivek Dahiya

The recent events between two big economic powers of world India and Australia paved way for trans-pacific business collaboration.

This is no doubt a great era for businesses and collaboration. However, Australian industries must be careful about protecting their Intellectual Property (IP) as well as respecting others IP rights in India and vice-versa.

On this World IP Day (or “WIP-Day”), April 26, it is important to understand importance of IP in business growth and developing partnerships.

If you have filed patent to secure your technology, trademark to protect your brand or design to secure aesthetic looks of your creation then you can deter your competition from copying you innovations, create credibility among your customers, develop partnerships with ease in other countries. For example, you purchase Puma shoes for AUD 200+ but if Puma’s trademark is not on that shoe will you buy it at AUD 200+? The answer is simple: NO

As per IP Australia Report of 2022 there has been an increase of 11% in number of Patent applications filed, a total 32,397 were filed in 2021. However, only 9% of these applications were originated from Australia, a total of 2,996 applications were filed having Australia as origin.

The above shows that Australian are not protecting their innovations and need to be aware of the monetary benefits of protecting innovative technologies.

On the other hand, it is utmost important for all Australian companies to ensure they do appropriate IP due diligence before they launch their products/services in India to avoid any IP dispute or to explore partnership opportunities.

To encourage more IP filings in Australia, it is important to incentivise innovators. For example, Indian government provides substantial reimbursement at the tune of AUD10,000 for their nationals/SME if they receive Patent in other country.

For about two decades, a theme has been chosen in the year to celebrate WIP-Day. For 2022, the focus will be on “IP and Youth: Innovating for a Better Future” to enable young people to discover how intellectual property rights can help them achieve their goals.

It is my belief that to maintain and promote a good start-ups ecosystem in both Australia and India that can lead to exponential growth of economy industries needs to be IP aware and youth of the nation should be incentivised for their start-up efforts.

Contributing author: Vivek Dahiya is an engineer, patent agent, advocate, and strategist. He is the founder and director of StartUpIPTeam.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The Australia Today is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information in this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts, or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of The Australia Today and The Australia Today News does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same

Public warning issued on making payments outside of building contract terms

Image source: New home construction - QBCC.

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) has issued a public warning under the public under section 20J(1)(i) of the QBCC Act 1991.

The QBCC says that some building contractors are demanding additional funds from property owners to cover increased materials and labour costs.

“𝗪𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝘀.”

Home owners in Queensland are urged to seek legal advice before making payments that fall outside the terms of a fixed price building contract under the guise of ‘contract variations’.

This is to protect the home owners from unwarranted payments.

QBCC Commissioner, Anissa Levy, says that there may not be any contractual basis for contractors to demand payment for increased labour and material costs as ‘contract variations’ under a fixed price contract.

“The QBCC urges home and property owners to seek their own legal advice before agreeing to or paying an increase in the contract price for a fixed price contract.”

Ms Levy says further adds that as a contractual issue, this matter would usually be considered a civil matter and the QBCC would not be able to become involved.

“However, it could be a breach of a contract, which could potentially allow the contract to be terminated and a claim lodged by the home owner through the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme.”

Parties trying to resolve contractual issues over material or labour shortages should consider mediation with the Accelerated Builder/Consumer Dispute (ABCD) Framework.

ABC’s India reporter called out for allegedly spreading ‘uninformed and bigoted misinformation’

Image source: Avani Dias - Triple j's Hack - ABC.

While ABC Weekend Breakfast presenter Fauziah Ibrahim is in trouble after it was revealed that she kept a long list of Labor “trolls” on Twitter under offensive names, another has been called out for allegedly twisting facts and spreading fake news in India.

Avani Dias, a Sri Lankan-Australian journalist, presently based in New Delhi as is ABC’s foreign correspondent is responsible for covering South Asian region.

After reports of Hollywood superstar Will Smith reaching India, Ms Dias tweeted that Sadhguru, founder of the Isha Foundation, “supports a law which doesn’t offer Muslim refugees citizenship in India.”

In her now deleted tweet, Ms Dias was referring to India’s Citizenship Amendment ACT (CAA) which amended the 64-year-old Indian Citizenship law.

Left cabal in India with the support of many foreign-funded journalists have tried to prove that this bill was anti-Muslim. While the Indian government has maintained that this bill was to secure the lives of members of six religious minority communities – Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian – who face persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan or Bangladesh. With the help of this bill, members of these persecuted minorities will be eligible for citizenship by naturalisation after due process.

Ms Dias didn’t highlight this fact and in her enthusiasm to take down both Sadhguru and Will Smith ended up being advised to do more reading before she tweets.

Image source: Sadhguru with Will Smith – Instagram.

Well-known scholar and professor at India’s prestigious institution Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Prof. Anand Ranganathan called out Ms Dias an “uninformed, bigoted, fake news peddler.”

https://twitter.com/ARanganathan72/status/1518478100799328257

Analyst Abhijit Iyer-Mitra informed Ms Dias that Muslim refugees have to go through normal process and ABC journalist should read the whole legislation.

Noted journalist and expert on India’s national security and strategic affairs, Aditya Raj Kaul pointed to Ms Dias’ “deliberate misinformation” regarding CAA.

To this tweet, Ms Dias replied: “the act does not allow Muslim refugees citizenship in India.”
https://twitter.com/AvaniDias/status/1518466517310001152

In his answer, Aditya patiently pointed out that “CAA is specifically for minorities in Islamic Countries in India’s neighbourhood like Pakistan where they are facing HR violations, atrocities and subjugation since years.”

Many netizens have called out ABC for sending such ill-informed journalists as its foreign correspondent.

Australian researcher Sarah L. Gates called out Ms Dias for “gaslighting” an important issue.

Prior to taking up the position of South Asia foreign correspondent, Ms Dias was host of Triple j’s  Hack.

In August 2021, ABC published guidelines for the personal use of social media by its staff as it paid almost $200,000 in personal legal costs for journalist Louise Milligan after she was sued by federal MP Andrew Laming over a series of tweets.   

ABC’s policy makes clear that staff risk being losing their job if they compromise ABC’s independence or bring it into disrepute. 

Swimwear brand in trouble for printing Hindu deities on bikinis

Image source: Sahara Ray Swim - Twitter.

A clothing brand named ‘Sahara Ray Swim‘ is in news for printing images of Hindu deities on its swimwear collection.

The brand is owned by Sahara Ray, a young Australian-American model and surfer, who in 2016 had a fling with pop star Justin Bieber.

These clothing items are part of a new line of swimwear called the ‘Aura Collection 2022’.

Image source: Sahara Ray Swim website.

This swimwear collection comprises biknis that feature images of Hindu deities on top of them.

While sharing images of models flaunting the objectionable swimwear, Twitter users questioned how the West is constantly using Hindu Gods and Goddesses as ‘fashion design’ for their bikinis.

Other outrgaed social media users shared the following:

One user even pointed out that Hinduism is not a joke or “an aesthetic for you to profit off of”.

Madhur Singh informed other netizens that the Instagram handle of ‘Sahara Ray Swim’ blocks anyone who questioons their anti-Hindu swimwear collection. 

The Hindu IT Cell informed has now taken cognisance of the matter and informed social media users that they will take appropriate legal action against such “derogatory and defamatory act against Hindu ideals.”

This is not the first time a brand has resorted to profiting by an open display of anti-Hindu display.

In 2011, another swimsuit featuring a print of Hindu goddess Lakshmi had caused outrage among Australia’s Hindu community. This was designer Lisa Burke of Lisa Blue presenting her collection in the Australian Fashion Week. The brand released a statement on Facebook: “We would like to offer an apology to anyone we may have offended and advise that the image of Goddess Lakshmi will not appear on any piece of Lisa Blue swimwear for the new season, with a halt put on all production of the new range and pieces shown on the runway from last week removed.”

In 2013, an Australian brewery (Brookvale Union Brewery) had apologised for using images of Hindu deities Ganesh and Lakshmi on its alcoholic ginger beer bottles after an outrage from the Indian community.

In 2017, the Hindu Council of Australia called for a lamb advt. made by Meat and Livestock Australia to be banned. Australia’s Hindu community pointed out how this advt. was insensitive, crude and a deplorable attempt to use images of Ganesha to promote lamb consumption.

IKEA Australia too had to apologise in 20202 to Hindu community after it featured a seven-minute long video that taught yoga poses, while associating each pose with an IKEA product. IKEA apologised for the video and stated: “We are truly sorry and apologise if this commercial from Ikea Retail Australia has been perceived as offensive in any way. We assure you that it was not intentional…the video is unpromoted on social media and Ikea Retail Australia will not re-activate.”  

It is widely acknowledged that Hindu deities are meant to be worshipped in devalayas (temples) or at home. They are not intended to be used in selling mercantile product that have nothing to do with Hinduism. Yet, with an increasing frequency, the Hindu community in various parts of the world are being targetted to such Hinduphobic displays and attempts to hurt their religious sentiments.

The Australia Today has contacted ‘Sahara Ray Swim’ regarding this controversy and will update the story with their response.

Taxi driver dies of drug overdose in Sydney’s popular park 

Image source: NSW POLICE - Wikipedia.

A taxi driver’s body has been discovered in Sydney’s Centennial Park.

According to police, the 34-year-old man had cardiac arrest after overdosing on a white powder substance.

Police officers who reached the spot performed CPR but were unable to save the taxi driver and he was confirmed dead at the scene.

It is believed three taxi drivers met up at the park around 4am on Thursday where one of the drivers presented the white powder looking substance (cocaine) that was left behind by a passenger in a taxi. They decided to they decided to take the drugs.

Another taxi driver was rushed to St Vincent’s Hospital after overdosing on the drugs and the third driver was taken to Surry Hills Police Station for questioning.

The wife of one driver called the taxi company after her husband did not return from work as usual.

Keeping in mind the welfare of the drivers, the taxi company used GPS to track their vehicles and alos called the police.

Police are investigating what drugs might have been consumed and the death is being treated as a suspected misadventure.

A police spokesperson said in a statement that they are investigating how the men came to possess the substance and “inquiries are continuing.”

Australia’s Deakin University announces INR30 million scholarships program for Indian students

Image source: Deakin University.

Australia’s Deakin University has announced its Vice-Chancellor’s Meritorious Scholarship Program 2022.

Under this scholarship program the university will offer a 100% tuition fee waiver to four high-achieving Indian students for the full duration of their studies at either undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Image source: Deakin University.

Hritish Kakati, a Vice-Chancellor’s Meritorious Scholar in 2021, said:

“I feel extremely privileged to have won the Deakin University Vice-Chancellor’s Meritorious 100% scholarship last year. Being a Vice-Chancellor’s scholar gave me the opportunity to be part of the Vice Chancellor’s Professional Excellence Program (VCPEP), wherein I can meet and interact with achievers from all over the world.”

Deakin, established in 1974, also offers other academic merit-based bursaries and scholarships for Indian students that include a 25% Merit Scholarship and a 20% Bursary for studies onshore in Australia. 

Image source: Professor Iain Martin, Vice-Chancellor of Deakin University.

Professor Iain Martin, Vice-Chancellor of Deakin University said that the university was committed to supporting Indian students who had aspirations to pursue a high-quality international education.

“Over almost three decades, Deakin’s relationship with India has been a very successful one, achieving great outcomes for Indian students and their communities. This is a priority for us – helping students gain the skills that will make a real difference to their communities in India.”

The new scholarship announcement comes as part of Deakin University’s initiative ‘Changing Lives’.

This new initiative recognises deserving Indian students with consistently high academic performance.

Image source: Ravneet Pawha, Vice-President (Global Alliances) and CEO (South Asia), Deakin University.

Ravneet Pawha, Vice-President (Global Alliances) and CEO (South Asia) at Deakin beleives that this announcement has come at the right time.

“Both our countries’ prime ministers have recently emphasised the importance of education exchange in the light of the Free Trade Agreement.”

She further adds:

“With these scholarships, we aim to nurture future leaders who can make significant contributions in areas of science, technology, arts and more.”

Deakin has 28 years of engagement in India and the university started and launched this initiative in 2014 to support talented and dedicated Indian students.

‘Chamar Pop’ and Jat masculinity in contemporary Punjabi music

Image source: Ginni Mahi - Screenshot - YouTube.

By Sumati Thusoo and Shivangi Deshwal

This article draws from present-day Punjabi music to understand the overarching and recurring theme of Jat masculinity. The article begins with the non-film Punjabi music industry and the reasons for its meteoric rise in recent years. The glorification of misogyny, caste-based violence, use of arms and ammunition, which are a mainstay in popular Punjabi music today, is framed as a manifestation of a caste-based identity. The article charts the emergence of Chamar pop and the role of caste in Punjab, especially cultural assertion and its roots in the state’s Dalit politics, particularly the Ad-dharmi movement.

The Dalit resistance art and music movement which began years ago, and the sudden rise of Dalit singers like Ginni Mahi and Roop Lal Dhir have taken the modern Ambedkarite assertion of equal rights one step forward is considered the beginning of the reconfiguration of Punjab’s sociopolitical milieu. While the Jat singers and their music get hailed, the Dalit singers are physically attacked, hounded, and threatened to speak out against caste oppression, suggesting that caste realities in Punjab are reflected in artistic expressions. 

Image source: Sidhu Moosewala – YouTube.

On 30 June 2020, Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, after being granted interim bail under the Arms Act, 1959, released a song named “Sanju.” The case was registered against him after his videos went viral in which he was seen firing an AK-47 rifle, assisted by six police officials, who were later suspended following the incident. In his song Sanju, which was trending at the second spot on YouTube soon after its release, Moosewala compared himself to actor Sanjay Dutt, who was convicted under the Arms Act in 2005, in connection to the 1993 Mumbai blasts. Dutt’s father, a political figure, played a pivotal role in facilitating relief work for victims of the Mumbai riots and their families. When Dutt was arrested, he said in his confession statement to Mumbai police, as his father was labelled as pro-Muslim, his family started receiving threats of killing and assaulting his sisters which prompted him to obtain arms. So while Dutt’s possession of AK-47/AK-56 rifles was justified in his confession, Moosewala seems to lack the mitigating circumstances to explain such possession attributed it to his shaunk (hobby). This song’s release resulted in a subsequent first information report (FIR) for promoting violence and gun culture, as the songs’ visuals were ridiculing, mocking, and undermining law and order in Punjab.

This is not the first time that Moosewala has eulogised a controversial figure in his songs. In the past, he has used El Chapo and Saddam Hussain’s names in his lyrics; the former ran the world’s largest crime syndicate, killing thousands of people over the last 20 years and the latter was one of the most brutal tyrants in recent times. Another singer Amrit Maan who collaborated with Moosewala for Bambiha Bole had also sung a song named “Guerrilla War,” in which he refers to himself as desi Pablo Escobar—the most notorious narco-terrorist in recorded history. In light of many sociopolitical and socio-economic issues in Punjab, the drug menace being one of the most glaring ones, such glorification of drugs and violence seems counterproductive.

Image source: Karan Aujla – Spotify.

Most contemporary Punjabi songs have a Jat protagonist who is a landowning, revenge-seeking, hyper-masculine, and proudly violent figure. This is continuously reflected in songs like “Jat Da Muqabala,” where the lyrics are “khule jigre te khuliyan zameena aale aan, tehde te crime’an aale scene’an aale aan” (Jats are people with big hearts and even bigger lands, and they are the ones who are often associated with crime scenes). Karan Aujla, who enjoys a similar fandom as Moosewala, also sings violence-laced songs such as Chitta Kurta. In this song, the protagonist’s partner complains, saying “chitta kurta labedeya tu khoon naal ve,” which means that you have spoiled your new white kurta with blood all over it. In Aujla’s other songs, such as Don’t Look where he can be seen promoting criminality in an orange prison jumpsuit, he sings “sadda ki aa pata kadon jail ho jave, weekend utte banda maar ho gaya” (that I could end up in jail anytime because I might end up killing a man over the weekend), and Alcohol 2 where the singer and his friend are getting an intravenous infusion of Jameson Irish Whiskey, are a testimony of the dangerous trend that Punjabi Jat-centric music is headed towards. While Moosewala and Aujla are not the only Punjabi singers to have glorified guns, violence, and alcohol in their songs, the kind of fandom they enjoy can be credited to the popularity of genres like Punjabi Hip Hop and Gangsta rap.

Punjabi Music – India’s Biggest Non-film Music Industry

Punjabi music is one of the most popular genres of music, the success of which can be partly attributed to the 130 million native Punjabi speakers around the world. This industry grew from classical folk Punjabi songs to Punjabi artists in other countries merging the folk sounds of tumbi and dhol with genres like hip hop/gangsta rap and disco. In addition to that, the industry comprises music labels that are open to investing in new artists, giving them an edge to spend more on making catchy videos for their upbeat songs. The industry’s non-dependency on the movie business has empowered artists to have absolute creative freedom (Arora 2020).

This significant rise of Punjabi music can be attributed to a myriad of factors, one of which is the long-standing tradition of music and live performances. It is through music that poets have narrated love ballads like Heer-Ranjha, Sohni-Mahiwal, Mirza-Sahiba, and Sassi-Punhoon. The state also has a rich history of musical instruments such as tumbi, algoze, dhadd, and chimta. There are folk songs for every occasion. People sang suhag to express the bittersweet feelings associated with a wedding, tappe to celebrate Lohri and Baisakhi, and boliyan to sing while doing gidda, a Punjabi dance form (Bhatt 2018).

Bollywood has also played a major role in populating the culture of Punjabi songs. Hindi films have been instrumental in popularising the Punjabi influence in their dance and song routine. This is largely because the two big production houses, Yash Raj Films, and Dharma Productions, were both run by Punjabi families—the Chopras and the Johars. It made the mainstream audience in the rest of India dance to Punjabi songs (Bhatt 2018).

Image source: Panjabi MC – YouTube.

Another reason for such a substantial growth of the Punjabi industry is the active participation of the Punjabi diaspora, both as producers and consumers of music. Many Punjabi artists have excelled in the indie genre and created an international fan base for this industry. Some of the most popular examples of such artists are Panjabi MC, a British rapper, producer, and DJ of Punjabi music who made his mark with the popular song Mundian Toh Bach Ke in 1997; Malkit Singh, a British bhangra singer, known for many popular songs such as Gur Nal Ishq MithaTootak Tootak Tootiyan, and Jind Mahi, all of which have been recreated in recent times by newer Punjabi singers (Arora 2020).

Social Identity Theory and the Formation of Caste Identity and Masculinities

Tajfel and Turner (1979) have defined social identity as the knowledge that the individual belongs to a particular group (or to specific groups). Apart from personal identity, which is based on one’s self-knowledge of “me” as a unique individual, social identity is characterised by the membership-based knowledge of one’s membership group, which in this case is the Jat caste group. It is pertinent to discuss Jatt masculinity against the backdrop of the caste conundrum in Punjab and use the social identity framework to understand the role of the dominant Jatt caste and how it influences interpersonal dynamics within and outside this caste group. The Social Identity Theory (SIT) is also used to discuss the intergroup nature of masculinity performances. Along with the historical context of Punjab, it is the amalgamation of both caste and masculinity performances that can then be seen and heard in the audiovisual mediums of entertainment in Punjab.

The institution of caste has been perceived as absent from Punjab due to the state’s association with an alternative religion—Sikhism. This religion envisioned an egalitarian society and was founded by Guru Nanak Dev in the 15th century. Sikhism emerged as a critique of the Brahminical Hindu tradition of caste hierarchy, the concept of purity-pollution, superstition, ritualism, and other orthodoxies, emphasising worldly aspects and the household, contrary to the other-worldly orientation of Hinduism. Also, Sikhism introduced a tradition of Gurudom that lasted until the 10th Guru, Guru Govind Singh, in 1708. The egalitarian vision of Sikhism attracted those at the margins of the Hindu social order. This trend of conversions of people at the margins of the society was a phenomenon similar to those followed by the proselytising wings of almost all mainstream religious traditions, including the Arya Samaj, Singh Sabha, Christian missionaries, Islamic organisations, etc (Singh 2017).

Despite the caste history of the region unfolding over more than five centuries, the Jatt Sikhs remain the dominant caste and have monopolised both religious and temporal matters in the state. The dominant caste status of Jatt Sikhs results from their numerical strength (one-third of the state’s total population) and ownership of land (more than 80% of the available agricultural land is owned by them). The Dalits in the state, on the contrary, are not only marginalised in terms of their share in land ownership, but a large proportion of them work as landless agricultural labourers on the lands of the Jatt Sikhs. The unequal treatment of Dalits and their lack of representation can also be seen in most Sikh organisations, including gurdwaras (Sikh places of worship), Sikh deras, and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC)—the central governing body of Sikhs (Singh 2017).

The contemporary discourse on caste should go beyond viewing caste as a ‘traditional remnant’ and position it as a permeating factor that continues to shape social interactions. While caste originates from ancient religious texts, its features in shaping social interactions have changed over time and require analysis. The invisibilisation of the lower castes by the upper castes and identifying it as a ‘cultural’ difference over a social one ignores their negative impact on everyday life (Gorringe et al 2017). The distinct feature of Punjab’s caste structure is that it is not as rigid as other states (Judge and Bal 2008). However, to understand the role of caste in Punjab, especially the cultural assertion, we must take a closer look at its roots in the state’s Dalit politics, particularly the Ad-dharmi movement started by Mangu Ram Mugowalia. The Chamars of Doaba, a subcategory among the Scheduled Castes (SC), gained significantly from the British cantonment’s arrival in Jalandhar. This led to an increased demand for leather goods, and the Chamars, who worked with raw animal skins, made good use of the opportunity, with some of them migrating to the West (Jodhka 2004).

Jodhka (2004) states that it is crucial to analyse Chamar Pop—a subgenre of Punjabi music— in the context of caste as subject to local historical specificities and material conditions. The Chamars of Doaba were highly urbanised, upwardly mobile, and already had a sense of a specific identity, even within the SC community. They were also able to lay claims on commercial resources in their villages and were supported by a large Chamar diaspora in the West. This kind of solidarity and support gave them the confidence to assert themselves. This is why Chamar Pop is not a subversion, but a statement of arrival, and somewhat exclusionary in that, as it has a specific appeal only for the Chamars and not others in the SC community.

Image source: Ginni Mahi – YouTube.

While the story of Dalit resistance art and music resistance began years ago, the rise of Dalit singers like Ginni Mahi and Roop Lal Dhir has taken the modern Ambedkarite assertion of equal rights one step forward. As opposed to Jat-centric songs, Dhir’s biggest hit Hummer shows a young man coming to college in a Hummer but is a serious student, and a follower of B R Ambedkar, with no interest in the affections of women, including the one smitten by him in the video. The lyrics of the song, “jadon da liya une Chandigarh dakhla, rakhda bana ke hun saade kolon faasla, Hummer gadi vich aunda ni putt Chamaran da, hun nahin ankh milaanda putt Chamaran da,” translates into a girl singing about a Chamar boy who comes to college in a Hummer (the car signifies that he is from an upwardly mobile class) but refuses to look into her eyes. This Chamar protagonist is devoted to his studies and is shown to be studying for the entire duration of the song, as he aspires to become a deputy commissioner. Such representations are embedded in Ambedkarite belief that empowerment for Dalits can only be achieved through education to pursue political action for social reform. Similar to Dhir, Ginni Mahi, a 23-years-old girl, sings about pride in her anti-caste heritage and the revolutionary social power of Ambedkarism. She sings about anti-caste icons of the country such as Sant Ravidas and Ambedkar and the teachings of the gurus of Sikhism. In her songs, she takes a hard stance, physically postures assertion, and her voice swells deeply. These are characteristic of Ginni’s songs as she represents dissent, assertion, and resistance that saturate her history (Kumar and André 2018).

Jats: The Martial Caste

The formation of the Jat identity, just like Chamar/Dalit identity, has also been influenced by various historical events such as the British rule in India, as Prem Chowdhry (2013) discussed in her paper militarised masculinities in colonial south-east Punjab. She states that the British Indian army facilitated their army recruitments under the caveat of martial caste status, land ownership, dominant caste syndrome, and good bodily physique or physical strength that ideologically came to represent dominant masculinity in colonial Punjab. They promoted the concept of ‘loyalists’ to new heights by equating it with izzat—honour, and prestige—a widely accepted and acclaimed distinguishing attribute in the rural society of northern India. The recruitment process was based on the idea that some people were inherently more suitable for military service than others, conforming to the historical theory of Aryan conquest, which led to the formation of the virile Hindu male identity based on valorised heroic deeds.

While the martial status represented the masculine and heroic man, the manly man’s opposite was associated with cowardice and femininity. This theory is credited to Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh Roberts, the commander-in-chief of the British Forces, until 1900. According to him, it was not a question of efficiency but courage and physique—those from the south of India were dismissed as effeminate, along with the Bengali babus in contrast to the martial race and superior caste groups in the north. Thus, in Punjab’s agrarian milieu, upper-caste groups were commonly known and identified as zamindars—the land-owning classes in particular. The army men possessed guns, owned land, and were the dominant caste fighting to save honour. This created a community of men that displayed power and dominance over others in the village (Chowdhry 2013).

Construction of Caste Identity through Audiovisual Mediums

The construction of the Jats as a martial caste identity through the visual-sound medium can be seen across India. Similar to the portrayal of Jats of Punjabi music, a dominant non-Brahmin caste, Thevars carry the self-image of being the martial community in Tamil cinema. Their dominance in rural areas can be seen manifesting in the cultural sphere as well. The symbiotic relationship between caste politics and cinema and other audiovisual modes naturalises intermediate caste markers and narratives through various elements such as images, screenplay, costumes, dialects, and songs. This leads to constructing a specific normative form against which a deviant ‘other’ is created. Similar to Jats, the description of Thevars as martial classes in colonial and precolonial narratives and their engagement in agriculture has resulted in their self-characterisation as rulers of the land. The twin concepts of honour and valour, which refer to the standing and status of castes entwined with the enforcement of a culture of chastity, have become increasingly significant in both Punjabi and Tamil audiovisual mediums (Damodaran and Gorringe 2017).

The cinematic representations of valour and dominance come at the cost of belittling lower castes who are dependent on the former. The accounts of violence perpetrated against lower caste men by the upper-caste men are carried to a wider audience through the medium of cinema, justify their dominance over ‘lesser’ castes. The axis of caste antagonism between the Thevars and Pallars can also be compared with that between Jats and Chamars as there are glaring similarities. Like the Chamars of Punjab, the Pallars also migrated to other countries to escape their agrarian dependency on higher castes. Pallars and Chamars have become increasingly assertive and rejected markers of dependence or inferiority. The way Pallars have emulated the caste-based celebrations by laying claim to the past is similar to the celebration of Ambedkar in Chamar pop. Such representations in the cultural realm have become politically consequential for these communities (Damodaran and Gorringe 2017).

The formation of Jat-centric Hegemonic Masculinity

The term ‘hegemonic masculinity’ was first used in 1982 by Australian sociologist Raewyn Connell wherein she discussed the hierarchies of masculinity in a school setting. Connell’s (1985) concept is an analytical instrument to identify those attitudes and practices among men that perpetuate gender inequality, involving both men’s domination over women and the power of some men over other (often minority groups of) men. Adding to Connell’s earlier conceptualisation, Donaldson (1993) states that hegemonic masculinity is culturally idealised and is both a personal and a collective project that includes a set of values established by men in power that includes and excludes and organises society in gender unequal ways. It combines several features: a hierarchy of masculinities, differential access among men to power (over women and other men), and the interplay between men’s identity, men’s ideals, interactions, power, and patriarchy.

Representation of Jat Masculinity in Punjabi Music

The representations of Jat identity and masculinity go beyond borders and can be seen in Pakistani Punjabi films. Sevea (2014), in his paper, talks about the character of Maula Jat, a rebellious and violent figure in rural-based Punjabi vendetta films in Pakistan. This particular male cultural type’s masculinity is established by demonstrating his superiority over women and other men, especially those from subordinated social groups, including younger men, “unmanly” men, and those from subordinated ethnic and social groups. This trend resonates with the kind of music that is being written and produced in Punjab. In several Punjabi songs, the Jat protagonist is characterised by the ability to protect one’s izzat vested in women’s body and chastity, an overt display of arms and ammunition, exacting revenge, and his resistance to the state’s law and order machinery. Just like Sevea’s Maula, the Jat protagonist sees being apprehended as an opportunity to reassert his masculinity against the state’s law and order machinery. He does not take legal recourse but deals with his enemies himself, as shown in Diljit Dosanjh’s Kharku and Jat Fire Karda. The code of his masculinity is encapsulated by qualities such as the ability to bear and use weapons, outdo one’s enemy in loud oratorical exchanges and, most importantly, take revenge.

Image source: Diljit Dosanjh – Twitter.

While discussing the popular representation of masculinity in Punjabi cinema, Gill (2012) emphasises that the transition of the Jat protagonist from regional to transnational is another contributing factor to such masculinity. The protagonist in the Punjabi films, much like the music videos, often belongs to the landowning Jat caste, whose masculinity is performed by his ability to move between different rural, urban, and transnational spaces. Unlike a Bollywood hero, the Jat protagonist goes through the process of glocalisation — under which a highly localised representation is further accentuated and projected into transnational geographical and cultural spaces. This can also be seen in most of the popular Punjabi songs, wherein the Jat protagonist can be seen wearing a Tehmat/Tamba or a Kurta Pyjama (the traditional dress of Punjab) operating from a village setting accessorised with a tractor in the background in one shot, and then dressed in an oversized hip-hop jersey with multiple gold chains outside India (typically Canada or the United Kingdom) in the subsequent shot. As Jats constitute the largest group in the Punjabi diaspora, the celebration of Jat identity through rural imagery constructed through dance and music is a response to the deterritorialisation of urban and transnational migrations. This imagery reinforces the sense of being Jat through strategies of autophony, laying claims to land and landscapes, and social value attached to land ownership.

Conclusions

The article starts by analysing the gun and glory and the violence-laced songs in popular Punjabi culture that has catapulted many to instant stardom and their role in constructing the present-day Jat masculinity. The inquiry into the formation of Jat identity and, subsequently, Jat masculinity cannot be undertaken without understanding the caste conundrum in Punjab and the role of the emergence of Sikhism to form an egalitarian society. With the end of living gurudom, the promises that this new religion brought of an alternative social arrangement also came to an end, and the monopoly of Jats in the state continued. The position of Jats as the dominant caste was further magnified during the British domination that superimposed ideas of martial class, advent into the army, ownership of land, dominance, and power over other castes on the battlefield and otherwise in the community. Followed by this, the green revolution magnified this idea with a sudden inflow of cash and newfound material wealth. Therefore, the glorification of hegemonic Jat masculinity accessorised by land, arms, and machinery and the propagation of rampant violence that we see in today’s popular Punjabi music is culturally intertwined with the deeper social conditioning that finds its roots in the history of the state. This flamboyance was furthered with the intervention of the Punjabi diaspora in the late 1990s which brought exposure to international studios and soundscapes, thus modernising Punjabi music for the years to come.

The discussion on popular Punjabi music that is primarily Jat-centric is incomplete without discussing Chamar pop. The recent phenomenon of ‘mission singing’ has gained prominence with the rising popularity of a 23-year-old singer Ginni Mahi, hailing from the lower-caste Jatav community in Punjab. This has marked the beginning of the reconfiguration of the sociopolitical milieu of Punjab.  The Chamar pop that has emerged as the counter-narrative to the Jat popular music has become an instrument of caste assertion, a movement for respect, songs speaking of Ambedkar’s equality in the Punjab music industry. The proud Chamar identity juxtaposed with the Jat hypermasculine identity highlights caste differences and marginalisation. While the Jat singers and their music get hailed, Dalit singers are physically attacked, hounded, and threatened to speak out against caste oppression. Thus, music as a medium for expressing one’s identity, feelings, and justice also suffers from caste hierarchy and violence.

Acknowledgement

The authors are grateful to Jashanpreet Singh and Seerat Boparai for sharing their insider knowledge about Punjabi music with us. They are also grateful to Shivani Chunekar for helping them with the review of literature on caste in Punjab.

References

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  • Donaldson, Mike (1993): “What is hegemonic masculinity?”, Theory and Society 22, no. 5 (1993): 643-657.
  • Gill, Harjant S (2012): “Masculinity, mobility and transformation in Punjabi cinema: From Putt Jattan de (Sons of Jatt Farmers) to Munde UK De (Boys of UK)”, South Asian Popular Culture 10 (2): 109-122.
  • Gorringe, H., Jodhka, S. S., & Takhar, O. K. (2017): “Caste: experiences in South Asia and beyond.”
  • Jaspal, Rusi (2011): “Caste, social stigma and identity processes”, Psychology and Developing Societies 23 (1): 27-62.
  • Jodhka, S. S. (2004): “Sikhism and the caste question: Dalits and their politics in contemporary Punjab”, Contributions to Indian Sociology, 38(1-2): 65-192.
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Contributors

Sumati Thusoo is an incoming PhD student at the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations, Rutgers University. She is currently a Research Author at the Department of Sociology, Monk Prayogshala and Founder of NyayaSarathy Foundation.

Shivangi Deshwal is a PhD student/Graduate research assistant at the University of Maryland School of Social Work, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA.

This article was first published as “Exploring the Formation of Jat Masculinity in Contemporary Punjabi Music,” in Economic & Political Weekly, Vol. 57, Issue No. 16, 16 April 2022.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The Australia Today is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information in this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts, or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of The Australia Today and The Australia Today News does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

Morrison promises ‘No Tax Hike’ to counter Labor’s scare campaign

Prime Minister Scott Morrison; Image Source: Supplied
Prime Minister Scott Morrison; Image Source: Supplied



The Morrison Government has today committed to a Lower Tax Guarantee during the next term of Parliament as well as providing an ironclad guarantee that the planned $100 billion of tax relief will be delivered to Australian workers over the next four years.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Labor Party could not give the same guarantee while they continue to refuse to put a speed limit on their tax plan for millions of Australians.


Morrison asserts that lower taxes are at “the heart of our [Liberal] economic plan” for a stronger economy and stronger future.

He further added:


“Today I give the Australian people my Government’s Lower Tax Guarantee. I also guarantee that we will deliver $100 billion in tax relief over the next four years, providing Australians with certainty and helping to deliver a stronger economy.”

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Anthony Albanese has argued for higher taxes his whole political career including the mining tax, carbon tax, housing tax, death duties and retirees’ tax just to name a few.

“Without a speed limit on taxes, our legislated tax cuts will not be safe under a Labor Government led by Mr Albanese who has called them “tax cuts for the top end of town” and “unfair tax cuts.”

The Prime Minister said:

“There is a clear choice at this election and Australians should know that a vote for Labor means higher taxes with real consequences on your mortgage repayments, grocery bill and household budget.”

He adds:

“Labor has left the door wide open to introducing new taxes or higher taxes to pay for their spending initiatives, while they refuse to guarantee a tax speed limit. Our Government has delivered income tax relief for more than 11 million Australians and reduced small business tax rates to the lowest level in 50 years – we are the party of lower taxes.”

A re-elected Morrison Government’s Lower Tax Guarantee includes;

·         No new taxes on Australian workers.

·         No new taxes on retirees.

·         No new taxes on superannuation.

·         No new taxes on small businesses.

·         No new taxes on housing.

·         No new taxes on electricity.

A re-elected Morrison Government will continue to put a speed limit on taxes by keeping taxes below 23.9 per cent of GDP.

The Treasurer notes: 

“This position is echoed by the Greens, making it abundantly clear that under a Labor-Greens alliance Australian workers and small businesses can never be certain of benefiting from lower taxes. The reason why Labor want to tax more is because they can’t manage money and when they run out of money they come after yours. Whether it’s wasting $6 billion to pay people to get the jab, even though they’ve already had it, or running JobKeeper longer than necessary Labor have shown they can’t manage money. Only the Coalition can be trusted with our plan for a strong economy and a stronger future.”

Image source: Sen. Simon Birmingham – Liberal.

Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said now was not the time to risk a higher spending Labor Government that would inevitably see Australians cop a higher tax bill.

“We all know that when Labor spends big it means they tax big and that will see Australians pay more.”

Minister Birmingham adds:


“Labor have made $302 billion worth of vague spending promises, yet they refuse to say how they would pay for them. At least Bill Shorten was up front about his $387 billion of tax hikes. Anthony Albanese dodges questions so that he can keep his high spending, high taxing plans secret. Australians know that the only way to pay for Labor’s higher spending would be through higher taxes and this huge cost would make our economy weaker, risking fewer jobs and higher interest rates.”

The Labor Party’s record is clear when it comes to putting a speed limit on taxes;
the Treasurer said. 

Morrison government’s commitment provides certainty to millions of workers, retirees and to every small business in Australia.

Sydney’s Surjit Gujral who catered to world cricket’s biggest stars passed away

Image source: Surjit Gujral - https://surjits.com.au/

Surjit Gujral, Sydney’s most-loved and iconic Indian restaurant owners who catered for some of world cricket’s biggest stars passed away at the age of 67.

He ran Surjit’s Indian Restaurant on Parramatta Road in Annandale. The restaurant’s webpage notes:

“If you are Indian, an Indian in Australia, spare a thought for the man who opened one of the first Indian restaurants and pioneered authentic North Indian cuisine in Australia. Beloved in the community, dad quickly became known as a jovial man with a very big heart. He sought to entertain everyone who visited his restaurant with his stories, contagious laugh and cheerful spirit.”

Surjit Gujral catered to cricket’s biggest stars and counted Steve Waugh, Shane Warne and Ricky Ponting amongst his friends.

He migrated to Australia from Chandigarh, Punjab, in 1980 and opened his first restaurant in 1985.

In the 1990s, Australian and international cricketers became regulars to Surjit’s restaurant.

Image source: Rasan Gujral and Surjit Gujral with Steve Waugh at the Sydney Cricket Ground, 2015 – Facebook.

Steve Waugh told told the Herald:

“He was an extremely generous guy. I went to his original restaurant in Strathfield many years ago. He became a really good friend from that moment. He always refused to take any money when he hosted. Just a very generous person who loves cricket. He was really well-loved in the cricket community.”

Surjit Gujral also became a long-time supporter and sponsor of the Sydney University Cricket Club which also posted a tribute on its website.

“Surjit was a generous host, a benefactor and passionate about the game. He was a man who will be greatly missed by this club and the broader SUCC community.”

For the SUCC, Surjit Gujral catered for some of the most successful Annual Presentation Nights in the MacLaurin Hall and lunches in conjunction the Blue and Gold at the Football Grandstand facility.

In the late 1990s, the Indian cricket team went to Surjit’s along with coach Bob Simpson.

Surjit Gujral at that time told Herald:

“Sachin said he will be back with his wife and children when he’s next in town. He loves my tandoori prawns. Best he has ever had.”

 Remembering his father, Rasandeep Gujral who takes care of the family business told SMH:

“There was a big photo with the headline ‘Sachin Tandoori’ in the paper because Sachin went ballistic over the prawns dad made him.”

Rasandeep Gujral will assume control of the family business and hopes to continue Surjit Gujral’s legacy.

India has ‘no say’ in Australia India Institute’s decision-making, MEA

Image source: Lisa Singh with Barry O’Farrell - AII.

Indian government’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson has responded to the alleged interference by the Indian High Commission in Australia India Institute’s (AII) academic freedom.

Mr Arindam Bagchi stated that AII was established by the Australian Government in partnership with the University of Melbourne. It is funded by the Australian government and other local institutions.

He said that the Government of India has “no right in taking the decision of this institution.” Further, the reports of the Indian High Commission in Australia being dragged into this matter and controversy are unfair.

“The institute was set up by the Australian govt in partnership with the University of Melbourne and funded by the Australian government and institutions. GoI has no say in the decision-making of this institute.”

On March 29, fellows mostly associated with Left ideology signed and sent a letter to Melbourne University vice-chancellor Duncan Maskell.

These thirteen academics from various Australian universities quit their affiliation as fellow of the Melbourne-based AII.

In this letter they alleged that the Indian High Commission and its representatives have repeatedly interfered with AII’s work and research.

Without providing any concrete proof, these fellows asserted that views that are anti-India are not given platform at the insitution.

Mr Bagchi added:

“As far as academic freedom in Australia is concerned, this is for the Australian authorities to respond to. I do believe that the authorities of the Institute of Melbourne have made their position clear to it.”

The University of Melbourne in a statement said that it “is committed to academic freedom and freedom of speech.”

It further added that “the University has been working on strengthening our policies in this area for the past two years and take any allegations of this nature very seriously.”

Image source: Former Senator and AII CEO Ms Lisa Singh – AII.

However, The Australia Today has found out from a highly placed source who doesn’t wish to reveal their identity that under the garb of academic freedom this attack is directly on former Senator and present CEO of AII, Ms Lisa Singh.

The source told us that there is murky internal politics involved as some of these fellows were not happy on Ms Singh’s appointment. These academics had reportedly discussed the selection of the next CEO at length and wished a candidate of their choice and ideological leaning to be appointed as the next CEO of AII.

Ms Singh is granddaughter of an Indo-Fijian member of the Parliament of Fiji and was also Australia’s first female federal parliamentarian of Indian origin. As a Senator, she focused on the foreign affairs, trade and international development, multiculturalism and refugees, and human rights.

Ms Singh is known to be of upright independent thinking. She is well-known for taking a stance against Labor Party’s position on Australia’s offshore detention of asylum seekers.

As CEO of AII Ms Singh has in a short period involved herself in actively promoting support for and understanding of the bilateral relationship with India.

The source also questioned the timing of this resignation that coincided with the signing of the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement.

WATCH VIDEO: GoI has no right in taking decision of Melbourne’s Australia India Institute: MEA

Indian trick shot sensation from Kashmir kicks his way to glory

Image source: Shah Huzaib - Facebook.

Sometimes you have got to see something to believe it! Such is the case with Indian Internet sensation Shah Huzaib’s trick shot videos that have racked up millions of views on social media.

Huzaib initially intended to play cricket but after a shot at football with his cousins he realised that it was football that he preferred over any other sport.

However, Huzaib just didn’t start playing football, he started doing trick shots in 2018 after rigorous practice for two years.

Hailing from Jammu and Kashmir’s Badgam district Huzaib cites his family as a constant source of encouragement for him. 

In July 2016, Huzaib, who was then only 13 years old, started to play football in his yard by himself as he was confined to his home due to the curfew imposed after terrorist Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces.

Video source: Shah Huzaib.

Huzaib continued to play traditional football until he came across some football trick-shot videos on YouTube and then there was no turning back. He was blown away by what one of the guys did and was captivated by his gravity-defying tricks.

Huzaib told The Australia Today that he attempted to replicate some of the tricks himself.

“I was 16-years-old when I performed my first trick shot. I placed a basket, hit the ball on the wall and it fell in the basket. It was a simple trick shot. I play football that’s why it didn’t take me much time.”

That was just the beginning. Huzaib’s trick shot videos have been featured on various social media platforms including sites like ‘Oh My Goal’ and ‘People Are Awesome’ that have a huge following across the globe.

One of his videos on ‘People are Awesome’ went viral with around 5 million views. The video titled ‘Insane trick-shot had Huzaib kicking a tennis ball through two moving tape-rolls.

Huzaib has thousands of followers on various social media platforms and he performs scores of trick-shots using balls of all sizes.

“You can do a perfect trick shot if you know how to juggle the ball. You must have a hold on juggling. Shoot, accuracy, and other calculations are important but juggling is a must for a perfect trick shot.”

Huzaib was chosen for Season 9 of India’s Got Talent. He travelled to Delhi to participate in the contest. This was a learning experience for Huzaib as he realised that big cities offered a potential for recognition for his incredible talent.

His video was recently shared by German footballer Tony Kroos, who plays for Real Madrid, on Instagram.

For Huzaib Cristiano Ronaldo has always been a source of inspiration. He also saw videos of Dude Perfect, an American Entertainment Sports Group, on You Tube, performing football trick shots. This inspired him and he started performing and posting videos on social media.

However, as they say no pain no gain. Huzaib’s phones became a casualty of his passion as his phones would often get smashed by the ball while practising.

Huzaib has mastered around four hundred types of different trick shots. He says it is a time-consuming process that requires intense focus.  

Video source: Shah Huzaib.

“It requires a lot of hard work. You have to practice a lot. You need to do calculations decide the distance, etc. It takes 2-3 hours and a lot of hard work. You need to apply science and physics then a trick is made.”

Huzaib is looking forward to greater exposure and wants to travel across the country showcasing his unique talent. He also hopes that he will receive some assistance from the government so that he can teach his skills to the youth of the valley.




Indian scientists develop ‘space bricks’ to build homes on Mars

Image source: Space bricks for Mars - ISRO and IISc.

Researchers based at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have developed a unique way to make bricks for Mars, the red planet.

This will be done using the Martian soil, bacteria, and urea as per a release by IISc.

These ‘space bricks’ can be used to construct building-like structures on Mars to facilitate the first human settlement.

This research was first published in the peer-reviewed open access scientific journal, PLOSOne by a team comprising Aloke Kumar, Rashmi Dikshit, Koushik Viswanathan, and Nitin Gupta from the IISc, and Arjun Dey from ISRO.

Image

Aloke Kumar the lead of the program at IISc Banglore told The Australia Today, “Initially when I used to talk about this idea people used to laugh. But I knew it will work, the only thing needed was a team that believed in the proposed product.”

He says, “I met Rashmi Dikshit when she was looking for openings after a long break of being a mother of two.”

“She understood the product straightway and even suggested a few great points in that short interview process,” said Aloke.

Image source: Aloke Kumar.

Aloke says Koushik is just like me, I was back from my research in Canada and he returned from the USA to develop indigenous products.

“We started working by learning from mother nature and utilizing the knowledge for future human settlements on Mars, Moon, or any other place.”

I must mention an important part of this team Arjun Dey, said Aloke.

“Arjun was the only person who didn’t laugh at the idea of Space brick when I told him about it and agreed to work on it,”

added Aloke Kumar.

The Product:

ISRO and IISc team made the mixture using Martian soil with guar gum, a bacterium called Sporosarcina pasteurii, urea, and nickel chloride.

“This slurry can be poured into moulds of any desired shape, and over a few days the bacteria convert the urea into crystals of calcium carbonate. These crystals, along with biopolymers secreted by the microbes, act as cement holding the soil particles together.”

This method, developed with the help of Koushik Viswanathan, Assistant Professor at IISc, ensures that the bricks are less porous.

“Martian soil contains a lot of iron, which causes toxicity to organisms. In the beginning, our bacteria did not grow at all. Adding nickel chloride was the key step in making the soil hospitable to the bacteria.”

Aloke Kumar, Associate Professor at IISc and one of the authors of the research paper, observes:

“The bacteria seep deep into the pore spaces, using their own proteins to bind the particles together, decreasing porosity and leading to stronger bricks.”

Earlier, other research teams have also made cylindrical ‘space bricks’ out of lunar soil using a similar method.

Image source: Lunar bricks – ISRO.

Rashmi Dikshit, a DBT-BioCARe Fellow at IISc and the lead author of the study, has previously worked on the lunar bricks. She notes:

“The device is being developed keeping in mind our intention to perform experiments in micro-gravity conditions in the near future.”

ISRO and IISc’s current slurry-casting method can produce bricks of complex shapes and sizes.

Artwork of NASA’s Mars 2020 mission. The mission consists of a 3-meter-long rover called Perseverance, and a smaller ‘rotorcraft’ (1.2 meters in diameter) called Ingenuity. The helicopter is expected to fly five missions during the first 30 days of the mission, scouting locations for the rover. It is the first attempt at flight on another planet. The rover, meanwhile, will search for past signs of life in the red Martian soil, limiting its search to the bed of an ancient lake (now a crater called Jezero), and will prepare samples left on the planet’s surface for later recovery and analysis on Earth.

The research team is now planning to investigate how the atmosphere on Mars combined with low gravity affects the ‘space bricks’ by recreating conditions found on the red planet.

To achieve this, the researchers have constructed a device–MARS (Martian AtmospheRe Simulator) along with a lab-on-a-chip device that aims to measure bacterial activity in microgravity conditions.

These devices, with ISRO’s help, will also soon be sent into space to study bacterial growth in low gravity. 

Indian entrepreneurs create Australian playground theme party venue

Image source: Barry O'Farrell with Sinaya Khan - Twitter.

Recently, the Australian High Commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell AO tweeted about “The Backyard.”

“The Backyard” is a 20,000 sq ft indoor and outdoor play area in Kolkata created by Monash University alumna Sinaya Azhar Khan and her husband Imran Ahmed Khan.

The play area is based on the theme of Australian playgrounds that encourages the idea of kids being one with nature when it comes to play.

It also has a beautiful café and different play zones that provide an immersive experience for both children and parents. 

Image source: Barry O’Farrell – Twitter.

The entrepreneur couple told the Telegraph India:

“We came up with this idea when the country went into lockdown. Our kids used to love the open space and we wanted to extend that to kids in the city as well. So much in our lives is currently digital that we thought of this as a digital unwind destination.”

Every corner and space has been personally designed by the entrepreneur duo along with inputs from interior designer and friend Kaushik Saha.

According to Sinaya, all toys for this area have been sourced locally from India-based manufacturers. This is to encourage the idea of buying and eating local as far as possible. 

“We’ve sourced items ranging from wooden benches to even cutlery from various parts of the country so as to give a platform to Indian artisans.”

The outdoor area has a sandpit, swings and slides that takes one to Melbourne or a similar playground in any other Australian city.

Image source: The Backyard – Facebook.

Swastika: An auspicious symbol deceitfully misrepresented

Hindu Swastika; Picture Source: @CANVA

The swastika is an Indian symbol of peace and auspiciousness that Hitler hijacked for his preposterous Nazi superiority concept. The swastika is far older, dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization (3rd Millennium BCE), i.e., even before the Vedic Aryan Age, in the Indian Subcontinent.

Unfortunately, whenever this issue comes up, the horrors of Hitler’s hijacking of Swastika to fit his Nazi supremacy generally take centre stage.

Figure 1: A Visual Comparison of the Indian Swastika and the Nazi Hakenkreuz.

Those who know Swastika only as Nazi Hakenkreuz (Hooked Cross) may be surprised to learn that Swastika is one of the oldest, most widely distributed religious symbols in the world.

Swastika-like forms appear on Palaeolithic carvings on mammoth ivory from Ukraine, dated circa 10,000 BCE. This symbol also figures in the oldest coinage in India. Persia, Asia Minor, and Greece represented the rotating axis Mundi with the symbol of a Swastika.

On a Boeotian amphora of the 7th century BCE, it was presented as a sacred sign of the Goddess Artemis. It also represented many other deities from Iceland to Japan and Scandinavia to North Africa. It was much used in Troy and Mycenae before the 13th century BCE (Walker, 1983, p. 964).

The symbol of Swastika is found engraved in the steatite seals of Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, and Lothal, this is the earliest occurrence of the symbol of Swastika in India. This along with other symbols is also found on the earliest currency of India viz., the punch-marked coins (Ramachandran, 1960, p. 81).

The word ‘Swasti’ is frequently used in Vedic hymns to represent blessings, benedictions, success, fortune, and other things. ‘Su’ means “good or well” in Sanskrit, and ‘asti’ means “to be,” therefore ‘Swasti’ indicates well-being. The suffix ‘ka’ (Swasti+ka) emphasises the word sense, thus ‘Swastika’ literally means ‘that which is associated with well-being.’

Figure 2: Indus Valley Tablet (shown with both the faces H-182 A and H-182 B) excavated from Harappa. One of the faces shows five Swastikas in a row. The image is taken from Joshi and Parpola (1987).

In the preface to the second reprint of the ‘Report on the Old Records of the India Office’ (London, 1891), Sir George Birdwood gives an explanation of the ritualistic significance of the Swastika as manifested in Hindu symbolism. He says that the “right-hand Swastika is, among modern Hindus, a symbol of Ganesha, and is commonly placed by them, instead of the image of Ganesha at the head of the invoices and other papers.”

It is also the symbol of the Sun in his diurnal course from east to west, and it is coloured red, the proper colour of the East. The left-hand Swastika is the symbol of Kali, the mother of Ganesha, and of the Sun in his nocturnal course from west to east, and is coloured blue. The right and left-hand forms are spoken of as “reversely revolving Swastikas” (Willey, 1910, p. 183).

The sign of the Swastika is reported in great number in the inscriptions on the rock walls of the Buddhist caves in India. They are the same size as the letters forming the inscription; that they all have four arms and the ends turn at right angles, or nearly, so, indifferently to the right or to the left (Wilson, 1896, p. 805).

The list of inscriptions, containing the Swastikas, has been listed by Wilson (1896) in the book: “Report of Dr. James Burgess on the Buddhist Cave Temples and their Inscriptions,” being a part of the result of the fourth, fifth, and sixth Seasons’ operations of the Archaeological Survey of Western India: 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879. Eugène Burnouf says approvingly of the Swastika: “Christian archaeologists believe this was the most ancient sign of the cross. It was used among the Brahmins from all antiquity. Swastika in India corresponds to benediction among Christians” (Wilson, 1896, p. 802).

In Japan, the reborn Amida, “Buddha of Immeasurable Light,” wore a left-handed Swastika carved on his chest. A similar left-handed Swastika was the sign of Thor’s hammer on Scandinavian coins. Sanskrit meaning Swastika literally meant “so be it” or “amen.” In Japan, the Swastika was an ideogram for “infinity” – the number 10,000, which was a synonym for infinity because it was the highest number Japanese sages could visualise (Walker, 1983, p. 964-965).

Figure 3: Illustration from a Jain Kalpasutra Manuscript, late 15th century. It shows Jain Swastika symbol (marked above) in the bottom layer, which is one of the eight auspicious symbols (Ashtamangalas) in Jainism (Brooklyn Museum, 2010).

Mr. Virchand R. Gandhi, a Hindu and Jain disciple from Bombay, a delegate to the World’s Parliament of Religions at Chicago in 1893, explains the Jain Swastika as follows:

“The horizontal and vertical lines crossing each other at right angles from the Greek cross. They represent spirit and matter. We add four other lines by bending to the right of each arm of the cross…

The idea thus symbolized is that there are four grades of the existence of souls in the material universe.

The first is the lowest state—Archaic or protoplasmic life. The soul evolves from that state to the next—the earth with its plant and animal life.

Then follows the third stage—the human; then the fourth stage—the celestial.

The word ‘celestial’ is here held to mean life in other worlds than our own.

All these graduations are combinations of matter and soul on different scales. The spiritual plane is that in which the soul is entirely freed from the bonds of matter.

In order to reach that plane, one must strive to possess the three jewels (represented by the three circles), right belief, right knowledge, right conduct”

(Wilson, 1896, p. 804).

Despite its current problematic connotations deriving from its abuse as a Nazi emblem, it is clear from the above analysis that the Swastika symbol holds the highest spiritual significance for Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains.

It is a ‘living’ symbol of auspiciousness in the Indian Subcontinent.
The existence of Swastika may be traced back to the dawn of civilisation in this region, and its direct and modified variants are still frequently used to this day.

It may be found in practically every aspect of life, including religious rituals, art, architecture, coinage and seals, textiles, and wall decorations, of Indians as well as Indian Diaspora throughout the globe.

Authors:
Yadu Singh is a Sydney-based Cardiologist who has a keen interest in Indian History.
Vikrant Parmar is Electrical Engineer with a strong interest in Indian Medieval History.

Disclaimer: The author is solely responsible for the views expressed in this article. The opinions and facts are presented solely by him, and neither The Australia Today News nor its partners assume any responsibility for them.

References:

  • Walker, B.G. (1983). The Woman’s encyclopaedia of Myths and Secrets. Harper & Row, San Francisco.
  • Ramachandran, K.S. (1960). Swastika as a decorative Motif of Indian Pottery: A Short Note. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Vol. 23, Part-I, 81-83.
  • Willey, A. (1910). Swastika and Udakiya in Ceylon. Man Vol. 10, 183-185.
  • Wilson, T. (1896). The Swastika: The Earliest Known Symbol, and Its Migrations; With Observations on the Migration of Certain Industries in Prehistoric. From the Report of the U. S. National Museum for 1894, 757-1011.
  • Joshi, J.P., & Parpola, A. (1987). Corpus of Indus Seals and Inscriptions: Memoirs of the Archaeological Survey of India Number 86. Suomalainen Tiedeakatemia.
  • Brooklyn Museum (2010). Illustration from a Jain Kalpasutra Manuscript, late 15th century; Opaque watercolor and gold on paper [Painting]. Brooklyn Museum, New York City, New York. https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/46263

Australian UAV Technologies signs MoU with India’s defence services startup

Australia India Agreement; Image Source: @CANVA

Hawking Defence Services Pvt Ltd, a tech start-up operating in the unmanned systems from Chennai, India, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Australian UAV Technologies, an electronics company based out of New South Wales, to establish a joint venture (JV) company.

This joint venture will enable technology transfer, joint research and development and licensed manufacturing of unmanned systems between these two entities.

Hawking Defence Services said in a statement.

“This MOU is the first step in establishing a strong and reliable unmanned systems solution provider and manufacturer for global requirements.”

Australia India Agreement; Image Source: Australian UAV Technologies,

Hawking has acquired a 25-acre tract of land in Tiruvallur, Tamilnadu, to construct a development centre, production facility and testing zone for our Atmanirbhar products

The Indian startup that has a branch in Sydney further adds that this venture would help both the organisations to make advances in unmanned technologies.

Image source: RPA3 – Hawking Defence Services Pty Ltd.

Further, this venture will provide cost-effective solutions and services to Indian defence services both within India and abroad thereby boosting defence exports from India.

Vijayanarayanan Rapalli, the Managing Director of Hawking Defence Services, observed:

Vijay Narayanan Rapalli

“Timely investments into advanced Research and Development of cutting-edge defence products through investments into critical areas such as Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and chip development will enable India to become an epicentre for Advanced Research thereby increasing its global share of defence exports.”

The MOU was signed at the Austrade office in the Australian Consulate in Chennai by Rajeev Koundinya, CEO Hawking Defence and Ken Taylor, Managing Director of Australian UAV Technologies.

Image source: RPA3 – Hawking Defence Services Pty Ltd.

Hawking Defence Services claims that this is probably the first of its kind MoU between defence industry companies since the initial initiatives of the Australia-India Free Trade Agreement came into effect.

No more PCR/Rapid test and quarantine required for International travellers on arrival in Victoria, here’ details

India Travel; Melbourne Airport; Picture Source: The Australia Today

Victoria will remove most restrictions from 11:59 pm, Friday 22 April.

As part of the Health Minister of Victoria’s changes to pandemic orders:

Patrons won’t be required to have two doses or show their vaccination status before entering any venue.

“The requirement for staff and patrons of venues to check-in using the Service Victoria app will end, with operators not required to keep any attendance records or maintain check-in marshals.”

Masks will no longer be required in primary schools, early childhood, hospitality and retail settings, or at events of any size.

code requirements; Image Sorce: @CANVA:

Close contacts will no longer have to quarantine – provided they wear a mask indoors and avoid sensitive settings. They will also need to undertake at least five negative rapid tests over the seven days that would previously have been the self-quarantine period.

All visitor restrictions in hospitals will be removed except for mask requirements, with health services able to tailor their own settings based on their own circumstances.

Events with more than 30,000 people will no longer require public health pre-approval.

“International travellers who are symptom-free will be recommended but not required to get a PCR or rapid test on arrival, and unvaccinated travellers will no longer complete 7 days’ quarantine.”

Pre-departure tests for unvaccinated aircrew will also be lifted.

code requirements; Image Sorce: @CANVA:

People are exempt from testing or quarantine for 12 weeks if they’ve had COVID-19 – up from 8 weeks.

Individuals will be required to notify their workplace contacts, in addition to informing their social contacts. Workplaces won’t have to individually identify and notify each potentially exposed worker.

Minister for Health Martin Foley said, “The vaccinated economy kept Victorians safe and businesses open during an unpredictable time when we saw our highest case numbers ever – but now is the right time to set it aside and focus on the highest risk settings.”  

“Many things that are very effective in driving down transmission will remain strongly recommended. That will keep us protected during winter and help us respond to emerging risks,” 

added Mr Foley.

A number of critical and common-sense settings will be retained, including the essential requirement to isolate for seven days following a COVID-19 diagnosis and existing two-dose and three-dose vaccination mandates for workers. 

code requirements; Image Sorce: @CANVA:

Visitor restrictions in care facilities will be retained to protect the vulnerable. Residents can currently have up to five visitors per day if each shows a negative rapid antigen test result – or two visitors if no test results are provided.

Face coverings will still be required on public transport and at airports – excluding airport workers who aren’t public-facing – and in sensitive health, aged care and justice settings. All workplaces will still require a COVID Safe Plan.

Many rules which are no longer required will be recommended, including working from home if you’re a close contact exempt from quarantine. Masks are strongly recommended when you can’t physically distance.

Why Indians are self-loathing and What’s its connection to India’s Anglosphere?

Paraśurāma killing Kārtavīrya Arjuna, 18th century. British Museum

By Subhash Kak

Many international observers have written about the high level of self-loathing in India. I think this is not true of the general population.

Like people from other nations, most Indians are proud, self-confident, honest, and resilient and this explains their success in science, business, arts, and politics around the world.

Yet, there is a kernel of truth in these reports. India’s Anglosphere, members of which are the ones who interact with international authors are indeed a class that is obsequious and servile to the outsiders while being insufferably shallow and narcissistic amongst its own. So what’s the origin of this self-hate?

To answer this, we must go back to James Mill, author of the highly influential History of British India (1817), who wrote this about the entire populations of China and India:

Both nations are to nearly an equal degree tainted with the vices of insincerity; dissembling, treacherous, mendacious, to an excess which surpasses even the usual measure of uncultivated society.

Both are disposed to excessive exaggeration with regard to every thing relating to themselves. Both are cowardly and unfeeling. Both are in the highest degree conceited of themselves, and full of affected contempt for others. Both are, in the physical sense, disgustingly unclean in their persons and houses.

Elsewhere he condemned Indian culture as “barren, perverse and objectionable.” And he wrote of Indians: “under the glossing exterior of the Hindu, lies a general disposition to deceit and perfidy. [And] the same insincerity, mendacity, and perfidy; the same indifference to the feelings of others; the same prostitution and venality are conspicuous in both [Hindus and Muslims].”

One could call this sweeping judgement the ravings of a crazed asshat. James Mill (1773–1836), ordained as a minister by the Church, worked for the East India Company and became its chief apologist. He never visited India or knew any Indian language and his idea of India was a fantasy based on second and third-hand accounts. Historians like Grant Duff and H.H. Wilson, who had lived in India, condemned the book as being entirely wrong.

But Mill’s ideas were to shape British policy in India directly as a high official of the East India Company, and indirectly through Thomas Babington Macaulay who devised a system of English education for the Indian elite.

Okay, Mill was a racist twit, but why should we care? He has been dead a long, long time. We know that racism was the foundation of colonialism, but we have moved on. India has been politically independent for over seventy years.

Sadly, India’s political independence did not mean civilizational independence. Mill’s ideas matter for they remain powerful within the Indian Anglosphere. Its members have become, in the memorable phrase of Macaulay, “Indian in blood and colour, but English in taste, in opinions, in morals, and in intellect.” Sadly, their accents sound fake and they are not equal in intellect to the best in Britain. They remain unaware of the psychological truth that one must love oneself before one can love and understand others.

As purveyors of shallow opinions like that of Mill, they hate those who are not trying to be like them, and they have a visceral aversion for the customs of the land. Ridiculing those who can’t speak English with the fluency they have, the people who get ahead in their circles are not necessarily the most competent.

Macaulay called Mill’s book “the greatest historical work which has appeared since that of Gibbon.” It was to become the textbook for the candidates for the Indian Civil Service and English educated Indians for several generations. Worst of all, its larger premise still underlies school and college curricula in India, and Indians continue to be exposed to the propaganda underlying this work.

An example of the self-loathing of Indians is the Bollywood actors in Hindi-language films. On Hindi TV programs, most of them insist on answering questions in English!

2. The Judiciary

Indian judiciary works under a system of language-apartheid. Article 348 of the Indian Constitution (about “Language to be used in the Supreme Court and in the High Courts and for Acts, Bills, etc.”) states that “(a) all proceedings in the Supreme Court and in every High Court… shall be in the English language.”

Imagine that over 70 years after Independence, lawyers in India’s Supreme Court cannot present their case in any Indian language. In 2008, the 216th report of the Law Commission declared that only English qualified for use in the Supreme Court:

It is important to remember that every citizen, every court has the right to understand the law laid down finally by the apex court and at present one should appreciate that such a language is only English.

Given this oversized focus on the supposedly right language, there is much less attention given to logic and critical thinking. Some of the stuff the justices churn out in their opinions is sophomoric, with allusions to Shakespeare and Marlowe or Foucault and Habermas in misplaced settings.

Reliance on English alone in the proceedings and in the judgments on disputes related to culture and civilization is deeply problematic because commonly used English terminology is often not equivalent to what are considered corresponding Indian notions. Thus using precedents from religious property disputes in the UK to issues concerning Hindu temples or other institutions is unwarranted because the term religion is not equivalent to dharma.

Many judges have no sense of India as a civilization and they look at India’s issues from the colonial lens. A wit has remarked that more of India’s mind-colonization occurred since 1947 than in all of the British Rule. Such Indian judges are not even aware of their biases.

3. Science and technology

Language apartheid exists in fields of science. For example, consider computer science which is nothing but an extension of mathematics. Indian schoolchildren are taught computer science only in English., which is ridiculous. This prevents brilliant children with innate ability in mathematics, but no facility in English, from never achieving their potential in a key technology sector.

Education at the highest level is imparted in English, and one is not allowed to submit dissertations for Ph.D. degree in any Indian language.

Continuing denigration of Indian culture and character has led to the loss of self-confidence amongst the Anglophones. It is not surprising then that when it comes to competing internationally in the field of technology, most business leaders in India are reluctant to go beyond providing back-office support to Western companies.

4.

In The History of British India, Mill set out to attack the history, character, religion, literature, arts, and laws of India. He justified the colonization of India and the rapine of its resources as a byproduct of bringing civilization to the country.

Mill’s ideas provided the rationale for the colonial rule that was described by Kipling as “The White Man’s Burden.” It has been estimated that British colonial rule, with its destruction of Indian industry and education, cost India $45 trillion in today’s dollars. But worse, India’s Anglosphere swallowed the colonial nostrums about Britain’s civilising role and embraced what the American historian Thomas Trautmann has called “British Indophobia” [another name for Hinduphobia].

China dealt with attitudes such as that of James Mill with the slogan to end “The century of humiliation” and in the past half-century has striven to match the glory of its imperial past. China was able to rediscover its spirit of excellence because, unlike India, its elites are not alienated from its own culture and history.

Seventy years ago, India’s education bureaucrats decided to keep out India’s own sciences and other scholarly traditions from school and college curricula on the false pretense that they are part of religion.

5.

Kapila Vatsyayan, modern India’s eminent scholar of art and a good friend, who passed away just a few months ago, once told me that colleges Britain founded in India served their own needs for clerks and soldiers to help in the extraction of Indian wealth and to protect the Raj, with some effort thrown in to understand India’s past so that they could control it better.

The fields that they left alone — art, music, dance, and yoga — are the only ones that have maintained vitality. Indeed, people from all over the world travel to India to learn about these fields.

Behind these fields lies Indian philosophy, which remains sidelined in Indian academia as something provincial, fit only for those who are stuck in the past.

6.

Nelson Mandela said: “Hatred is like drinking poison and then waiting for it to kill your enemy.” The self-loathing in India’s Anglosphere has percolated down to the media and entertainment. For some time now Bollywood writers have mimicked anti-Semitic, racist, sexist stereotypes of old pre-Second War Western cinema, crudely replacing the Jewish character with the baniya and the temple priest. Audiences have begun to say now: Enough is enough.

Author: Subhash Kak

Disclaimer: The article was first published on Medium We have republished it with kind permission from the author. The author is solely responsible for the views expressed in this article. The opinions and facts are presented solely by him, and neither The Australia Today News nor its partners assume any responsibility for them.

Indian-Australian horse trainer eyeing for the next big win

Image source: Julius Sandhu - racing.com.

Julius Sandhu is today a well-known, although new, name in the Victorian horse racing scene.

The Cranbourne horse trainer runs a small boutique stable focused on every detail and every owner.

Sandhu was born in Bangalore (now Bengaluru), India, where his association with thoroughbreds began 30 years ago.

In an interview, Sandhu told the RSN that his father, who was in the armed forces, loved a Saturday at the track.

“Mum used to joke that she never knew if he’d won or lost because either way, he always came home whistling up the stairs. He just loved it.”

Sandhu who was on his way to become a teenage billiards sensation decided to change the direction of his career.

“I got to a reasonably good level, won a few state championships. In order to make a living out of it over there you need really serious sponsorship.”

He trained under Aris B. David, a renowned horse trainer, and started looking for opportunities abroad, particularly in Dubai. Here, he worked for the famous American horse trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.

“From Dubai World Cups to Group 1s in U.S, I was a sponge for information whenever I was with him”.

After working for five years, Sandhu moved to Australia to work in the corporate world.

However, within a few years, Sandhu decided to return to his true passion – horse training and racing.

After 15 months of working for Mick Kent, Sandhu gained his license along with instrumental support and guidance.

In 2020, Sandhu scored his first major win in the Melbourne Cup Carnival with Do You Reckon.

Last month, Sandhu felt gutted after his horse Lofty Strike was scratched from Blue Diamond Stakes.

Three vets deemed Lofty Strike “not suitable” to race after the unbeaten colt “again presented with lameness in the right front”.

Sandhu, who has a team of around 30 horses in work, is looking forward to growing his stables and a change of fortune by winning more races in 2022.

Australian cricketer Mitch Marsh admitted to hospital after contracting COVID-19 in India

Image source: Mitch Marsh - Wikipedia.

Australian all-rounder Mitch Marsh’s Indian Premier League (IPL) team, the Delhi Capitals, tweeted that he has been admitted to hospital in India after testing positive for COVID-19.

Marsh is one of the players in the Australian team’s “bio bubble” to test positive while others are asymptomatic.

He was found infected during a Rapid Antigen Test. Marsh has complained of a headache and slight fever, so the Delhi Capitals decided to have an RT-PCR Test of all its members, out of which Marsh’s result returned positive.

Delhi Capitals medical team is closely monitoring Marsh’s condition and will provide regular updates.

Other cricketers, part of the ‘bio-bubble’, are currently in isolation in their respective rooms.

Marsh will need to isolate for at least a week. This means that he will miss at least the games against the Punjab Kings on Wednesday and Saturday’s clash with the Rajasthan Royals.

He last played a Test match in 2019 but remains a key part of Australia’s white-ball teams and starred in last year’s T20 World Cup triumph.

Marsh is playing alongside fellow Australia T20 player David Warner, under the tutelage of Ricky Ponting.

Outrage over giant Nazi symbol on Melbourne football field

Image source: Giant swastika or Haken Kreuz - Nine News.

Melbourne north east has been shocked by a Nazi ‘Haken Kreuz’ (Hooked Cross) that has been drawn on a football field where junior soccer teams train and play.

This horrifying act of vandalism has drawn anger from descendants of Holocaust survivors.

Victoria has started the legal process to ban the public display of Nazi symbols.

While Hindu community members are in favour of banning the hateful Nazi symbol, they have also requested various state governments not to ban the deeply sacred and religious ‘swastika’. As such a ban will demonise hundreds of thousands of Hindus living peacefully all over Australia.

Image: Hindu swastika and Haken Kreuz, the Nazi symbol.

Nine News reports that chemicals were used to draw the giant Haken Kreuz into Morrison Reserve at Mt Evelyn.

This giant Nazi symbol was spotted by the grandson of a Holocaust survivor while taking a helicopter ride.

The man who noticed it told Nine News:

“My grandfather is the soul survivor of his family. To see it at that sort of scale is pretty horrifying. It’s concerning as how does something like that take place? How is there no action, how is there no immediate action? People should understand why something like this is so bad and how it does actually affect people.”

It is reported that local families who visit this field for a walk or exercise noticed the grass has been discoloured for more than month.

Image source: Yarra Ranges Council – https://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Contact.

Local soccer club members also raised the issue with Yarra Ranges Council in a meeting held at the beginning of March.

The council representaives told the concerned locals that these kinds of incidents were becoming more frequent in the shire and that seed would be used to cover the dead grass.

The council is incredibly disappointed and frustrated by such acts of vandalism that cause distress to locals and add cost to ratepayers.

India allows duty-free imports of cotton from Australia 

Image source: Cotton bale - Cotton Australia.

India has allowed duty-free imports of cotton until September 30, 2022.

It is reported that the prices of cotton has increased due to a drop in the production.

Piyush Goyal, the Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, tweeted that this step will “bring down prices benefiting consumers.”

India, the world’s biggest producer of the fibre, has also removed the Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC) on the imports.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

India’s key competitors in this area, Vietnam and Bangladesh, already allow to buy cotton from various countries at zero duty.

The total import taxes on cotton was 11% and now Indian mills could easily import cotton from Australia, Unite States and African countries.

Image source: Cotton export snapshot December 2021 – https://www.awe.gov.au/

Australia is one of the world’s largest cotton exporters.

Between 2017 and 2020 Australia exported an average of $1.65 billion of cotton each year.

In 2021, Australian cotton exports diversified, with exports increasing to India.

Earlier, India’s textile industry had welcomed the signing of the Indo-Australia trade agreement.

They believe that Indian mills and textile industry would gain high quality cotton produced by Australia and export of high value-added textiles and clothing products to Australia.

The Kashmir Files: Why it’s not a dishonest propaganda film

Image source: The kashmir Files poster - Wikipedia.

I recently read a review published in an Indian film magazine that called The Kashmir Files “dodgy”, “exploitative” and “dishonest.”

Saw the film along with a houseful audience and would assure the readers that it is none of the above.

The Kashmir Files, a 170-minute film, is a must-watch to learn about the plight of our fellow citizens, our Kashmiri Pandits in the 1990s – something that the Left cabal has tried to erase from our collective memory.

The movie based on factual video interviews of the first generation victims of the Genocide of Kashmiri Pandits tells the story of a Kashmiri Pandit student who discovers that his parents were also killed by Jihadi terrorists.  

Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri’s film will shake anyone with a conscience to the core to learn how the Kashmiri Pandits were not just mistreated but brutally raped, killed and shoved out of their own homes and beloved land by perpetrators who probably were one of them just 2-5 generations before (Kashmiri Pandits converted to Islam).

Image source: A scene from the Kashmir Files.

It is indeed a sad story, or rather reality, of how various governments of India chose to turn a blind eye towards this brutality and plight of the Kashmiri Pandits. And worse still, allowed for a relapse of the killing 12-13 years later, in a refugee camp. Shameful to say the least!

I agree there are certain aesthetic shortcomings of the film but these can be attributed to the small budget. The movie starts well and takes a storytelling approach. It eventually slips into a documentary mode and the last 20 mins may disappoint due to the weak screenplay.

I think VRA could have given a proper closure towards the end. I don’t mean a rosy ending, but a call for action – a small narrative or scrolling text stating the current state of Kashmiri Pandits or some live clips of their interviews would have been more powerful!

I got to watch this movie in Mumbai, India, on day 5 of its release. The buzz was electrifying and just refused to die till week 3 when I returned to Melbourne.

As I said earlier, I saw a ‘House Full’ board after ages. The film sidelined many others such as Jhund, Radhe Shyam, and Bacchan Pandey – all getting limited shows.

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh has infarct called the Kashmir Files a “phenomenal success.”

Everyone is still talking about it and everyone wants to watch it – not because it is entertaining but because it is educating a whole generation about the truth.

I was amazed when I was at the temple where they were discussing how many tickets they wanted and the chief priest yelled from the main temple that he would join too. The power of word of mouth, the power of truth is on full display!

I hope that this film achieves two things.

Firstly, more such hidden and suppressed stories come out on the big screen as it is essential for people to know what has happened in the past and how it has been suppressed by some vested interests. In the end, we must be open to all narratives as long as they show the truth.

Secondly, there should be a proper call for action on the next steps so such things do not happen again. Otherwise, I am afraid that this film and its success will be forgotten in a few weeks. We need a continued movement to get the truth to the people.

Do watch this film if you get a chance and share this review in your network.

Contributing Author: Sanjiv Kulkarni is an ardent Indian cinema buff with an interest in the art of movie-making. He shares his take on movies and some rarer movies too. He lives in Melbourne and works as an IT Sales leader.

WATCH THE VIDEO REVIEW HERE:

International arrival rules changed in South Australia, Here’ details

Adelaide airport; Image Source: @CANVA

An international arrival is now defined as a person who arrives in South Australia from a location outside of Australia for 48 hours before their arrival in South Australia. This was previously 7 days.

Vaccinated international arrivals:
·         Previously, vaccinated international arrivals to South Australia were not permitted to enter high-risk settings for 7 days after arrival; this requirement has now been removed.
·         Vaccinated international travellers to South Australia need to undertake a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) on arrival and quarantine until they have taken the test.

Additionally, if the person returns a positive RAT result, they need to then have a PCR test immediately by travelling directly to the test site and wearing a mask at all times (this does not apply to people quarantined in a medi-hotel or quarantine facility). 

People who are quarantined in a medi-hotel or quarantine facility will be directed by an authorised officer in the facility to have a PCR test in the event they return a positive RAT result.

Adelaide airport; Image Source: @CANVA

Unvaccinated international arrivals:
·         Unvaccinated international arrivals will still be required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in South Australia and submit to PCR testing.
International arrivals also need to comply with the isolation, testing, reporting and other requirements of the Emergency Management (Exposure Sites, Contacts and Diagnosis Requirements No 7) (COVID-19) Direction 2022.

The following changes made to the Arrivals Associated Direction for South Australia are effective from 12.01 am on 18 April 2022.

All COVID-19 RAT results (including those of international arrivals) need to be recorded on the SA Health website here: https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/conditions/infectious+diseases/covid-19/testing+and+tracing/rapid+antigen+testing+rat+for+covid-19#scrollTo-Reportingyourresult10

The information above only highlights the key changes made to the Directions and does not reflect all requirements. For all other existing requirements for international travellers to South Australia, visit: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/travel/international-travel

All existing directions, frequently asked questions and other information can be found here: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/emergency-declarations

If you require further information you can call the SA COVID-19 Information Line on 1800 253 787 between the hours of 8am to 8pm 7 days per week or go to the SA Health website at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au or www.sa.gov.au/covid-19

Indian Australian service station worker robbed at gun point, watch video

Indian Australian service station worker robbed at gun point; Image Source: Supplied

Police are appealing to the public for information, in relation to an armed robbery at Harristown early this morning Tuesday, April 12.

Initial investigations indicate at approximately 4.30 am a man has attended a James Street service station, where he threatened a 20-year-old male worker with what appeared to be a gun and demanded cash and cigarettes.

The man then left the scene on foot.

Caucasian man in hoodie with blue sleeve, red sleeve, white hood and black cap.

No one was physically injured.

The man is described as in his late-20s, approximately 165cm tall, Caucasian in appearance with a slim build and tattoos on his neck and hand. 

It is believed he was wearing a distinctive black and navy ‘Ralph Lauren Polo’ branded hoodie with one blue sleeve, one red sleeve and a white hood (pictured). Along with grey track pants, black shoes and a black cap.

Anyone with information, or dashcam footage in the area at the time, is urged to contact police.

Here is the video of what happened at the service station:

If you have information for the police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.

Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

Vijay Balasubramaniyan fined $250k for breaching Australia’s foreign investor laws

Australian Tax Office; Image Source: @CANVA

Vijay Balasubramaniyan, a residential real estate buyer based in Victoria, Australia, has been penalised $250,000.

He has thus become the first person fined by Australia’s Federal Court for breaching the nation’s foreign investor laws.

Mr Balasubramaniyan moved to Australia on a temporary visa in 2015 before marrying his Australian wife in 2017.

He was found to have purchased multiple properties in outer Melbourne without being authorised to do so by the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) which is administered by the Australian Treasury and the Australian Taxation Office.

Mr Balasubramaniyan admitted buying into the Hoppers Crossing, Werribee and Aintree properties from 2016 to 2018 without giving notice to FIRB.  

The ATO filed proceedings in relation to six breaches of the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeover Act 1975 (FATA) by Mr Balasubramaniyan in July 2020.

Following an investigation the ATO found that Mr Balasubramaniyan had purchased four properties without permission while simultaneously owning two established properties.

ATO assistant commissioner Keir Cornish welcomed the penalty decision. He said that this decision would serve as “a clear deterrent to other foreign investors who believe they can operate outside of the law”.

Mr Cornish added:

“There are obligations under Australian law for foreigners that have invested in, or plan to invest in Australian residential real estate. The ATO promotes voluntary compliance of the rules by foreign persons, but where foreign investors resist compliance action, stronger enforcement action is taken.”

Australia’s foreign investment rules limit the type of residential property that non-residents can purchase.

These new compliance and enforcement powers came into effect in January 2021. Under these regulations defaulters and rule breakers can see an increased penalty.

From 2015 to 2021, 434 residential properties in Australia have been disposed of as a result of foreign investor compliance action.

Foreign individuals found to be in breach of the FATA can be penalised up to 25 per cent of the value of the property or have their capital gains recaptured, whichever is greater.

Justice Jonathan Beach said in his order that Mr Balasubramaniyan banked $710,300 in capital gains from his illegal purchases and general deterrence factored into the sizeable fine.

The court ordered Vijay Balasubramaniyan pay $250,000 to the federal government as well as the Tax Commissioner’s legal costs.

It is reported that the four Melbourne properties have been sold and are now with Australian residents.

Why is Baisakhi/Vaisakhi celebrated and on What Date?

Baisakhi; Image Source: @Canva

By Sanjeev Nayyar

According to a report a resolution was introduced in the U.S. Congress to recognise the Significance of Vaisakhi. Justification for resolution,

“Also known as Baisakhi, Vaisakhi is a spring season harvest festival for Sikhs, Hindus and Buddhists. It also marks the Sikh New Year and commemorates the formation of Khalsa Panth under Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, Garamendi said.”

Based on the above a few questions arise – 

1. Why is Baisakhi celebrated today?

It is a harvest festival and Khalsa Panth was founded on that day.

2. Sikhs, Hindus and Buddhists celebrate it? 

Sikhs and Hindus celebrated it for different reasons. Buddhists are not known to celebrate it.

3. Is it a Sikh New Year?

New Year is typically associated with a calendar like January 1 or April 13-14 in the Hindu calendar or the day after Diwali is celebrated by Gujaratis as New Year.

4. Was Khalsa Panth founded on March 30 or April 13 because today Baisakhi is celebrated on April 13?

Khalsa was founded on March 30, so wish someone could enlighten why it is celebrated on April 13. 

5. What does Vaisakh mean because Baisakhi comes from Vaisakh?

Baisakhi; Image Source: @Canva

Khalsa was founded on 30 March 1699, being the 1st day of the month of Vaisakh. (Vaisakh is a month of the Hindu calendar). 

Let us start by reading about the background to the formation of Khalsa. This write-up is based on The History and Culture of Indian People Volume 7, Pg 317 published by the respected Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan Mumbai. General Editor is R C Mazumdar. 

Background

During a 2012 visit to Naina Devi Temple in Himachal Pradesh, about an hour’s drive from Anandpur Sahib, I wondered why so many Sikhs come to the temple for darshan. The answer lies in the events of 1699.

Baisakhi; Image Source: @Canva

In the Chandi Charitra, the tenth Guru says that in the past god had deputed Goddess Durga to destroy evildoers. That duty was now assigned to him hence he wanted her blessings. So he invited Pandit Kesho from Kashi to conduct the ceremony at the hill of Naina Devi.

The ceremony started on Durga Ashtami day, in the autumn of October 1698, and lasted for six months. At the end of this period, the sacred spring Navratras began on 21 March 1699. 

Then, “When all the ghee and incense had been burnt and the goddess had yet not appeared, the Guru came forward with a naked sword and, flashing it before the assembly declared: ‘This is the goddess of power!” This took place on 28 March 1699, the Durga Ashtami day. The congregation was then asked to move to Anandpur, where on New Year’s Day of 1st Baisakh, 1756 Vikrama Samvat (30th March 1699), the Guru would create a new nation.” Pg 317 

On 30th March 1699, at Anandpur, Guru Gobind Singhji gave a stirring speech to the assembly about the need to protect their spiritual and temporal rights. He then asked if anyone would offer his head in the services of God, Truth and Religion.

Baisakhi; Image Source: @Canva

The five who came forward were Dayaram a Khatri from Lahore, Dharamdas a Jat from Hastinapur near Delhi, and Sahib Chand a barber from Bidar in Karnataka, Himmat Chand Kahar, a water carrier from Puri in Odisha and Mohkam Chand Chihimba from Dwarka in Gujarat. 

They were designated the Five “Beloved Ones” and termed “Khalsa” (ie Purified). “In India ‘five’ has been a sacred number from time immemorial. Panchon mein Parmeshwar hai is an old saying indicating the presence of Divinity in five, as are the five elements of nature. 

So Khalsa was founded on March 30 1699 being the first day of the month of Vaisakh. In the Indian calendar, the date of the 1st day of Vaisakh would change every year. Dates remaining fixed are found in the Gregorian calendar only. For a brief write up on the Hindu Calendar see here

Wish someone can explain how April 13 became a fixed date for Baisakhi?

Baisakhi; Image Source: @Canva

I checked the date of the founding of Khalsa with two more sources. 

March 30 as the founding date of Khalsa is stated in the book ‘Historical Dictionary of Sikhism’ by W.H. McLeod Pg 123. 

March 30 as the founding date of Khalsa is also mentioned by Prof Harbans Singh prepared under auspices of Punjab University Patiala, in his Encyclopaedia of Sikhism https://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/uncategorised/anandpur/ Excerpts from the link,

“On Baisakhi day, 30 March 1699, Guru Gobind Singh carried out the supreme task of his career converting the sangat into Khalsa.”

Indic Scholar Dr Satish K Kapoor says,

“Vaishakha is called Madhava Maas, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Four incarnations of Vishnu are associated with this month. Treta yuga began on the third day of the bright half of Vaishakha. Sun enters Mesha Rashi during Uttarayana. Arya Samaj was founded on Baisakhi day. Having been associated with harvesting, it is dear to agriculturists, of all religions. Maharaja Ranjit Singh was coronated on Baisakhi.” 

Dr Kapoor says, “The 22nd Tirthankara of Jainism was a cousin of Lord Krishna, according to Harivamsha of Jinasena – the Jaina version of Mahabharata. Since Krishna is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and Vaishakha is special to the lord, the sacred month is associated with Jainas too.”

He adds, “Compartmentalization into Hindu, Buddhist, Jaina and Sikhs in terms of celebration of cultural events is a recent phenomenon, only about 200 years old. Since the festival falls on the first day of the solar month of Vaishakha, it became important for all communities. Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and nirvana falls on the full moon day of Vaishakha.”

Baisakhi is a spring-time harvest festival. It is celebrated in some parts of North India. However, celebrations are big in Punjab because Khalsa Panth was founded on Baisakhi day. Since land in Punjab is pre-dominantly owned by Jaat Sikhs today, it has become a Sikh harvest festival. 

To read the history and significance of this harvest festival click Here

Actually, Vaisakhi was celebrated in Punjab even before it became the day on which Khalsa Panth was formed. Perhaps Guru Govind Singh ji chose this day to form Khalsa because people gathered in large numbers to celebrate the festival. 

Baisakhi is not celebrated by Buddhists because one, they are not landowners in Punjab and two, they are not part of Khalsa Panth. Not heard of or seen Buddhists in other parts of India celebrate Baisakhi. Jaina community inside or outside Punjab do not celebrate Baisakhi.

Baisakhi; Image Source: @Canva

Hindus celebrated Baisakhi for different reasons. Dr Kapoor says, “Hindus celebrate the whole month of Vaishakha as many important events of religious import are associated with it – Shitala Ashtami and Bruthani Ekadashi on the 8th and 11th day of the dark half and Akshya Tritiya, Mohini Ekadashi, Narasimha Jayanti and Purnima vrat on 3rd, 11th, 14th and the last day of the bright half. Patala Khanda of Padma Purana explains the importance of Vaishakha.”

Whilst effort is made to present a comprehensive picture and based on research, do write in if you find any errors. We are happy to stand corrected.

Author: Sanjeev Nayyar is a chartered accountant and founder http://esamskriti.com

Disclaimer: The article was first published on esamskriti.com, We have republished it with kind permission from the author. The author is solely responsible for the views expressed in this article. The opinions and facts are presented solely by him, and neither The Australia Today News nor its partners assume any responsibility for them.

2026 Commonwealth Games to be held in regional areas of Victoria to boost economy

Imge source: Commonwealth_Games - Wikipedia.

Australian state of Victoria will host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Premier Daniel Andrews tweeted:

The opening ceremony will be held in Melbourne at the MCG while the games will be organised with a focus on boosting the regional economy.

“This will be a Commonwealth Games like no other. We promised we wouldn’t be doing a re-run of 2006, as successful as that was.”

Image source: Premier Daniel Andrews – Twitter.

Mr Andrews said that 2026 events would be largely held in the regional areas in contrast to the Melbourne 2006 Games.

Regional hubs will be set up in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland, with athletes’ villages to be established in each centre.

The list of sports is as follows:

  • Aquatics (Swimming, Para Swimming and Diving) – Geelong
  • Athletics and Para Athletics – Ballarat
  • Badminton – Gippsland
  • Beach Volleyball – Geelong
  • Boxing – Ballarat
  • Cricket T20 – Geelong, Gippsland, Ballarat, Bendigo
  • Cycling – Gippsland to Bendigo
  • Gymnastics – Geelong
  • Hockey – Geelong
  • Lawn Bowls and Para Lawn Bowls – Bendigo
  • Netball – Bendigo
  • Rugby Sevens – Gippsland
  • Squash – Bendigo
  • Table Tennis and Para Table Tennis – Geelong
  • Triathlon and Para Triathlon – Geelong
  • Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting – Bendigo

The focus on regional areas will provide “affordable housing and modern sports infrastructure” to the people living here.

Do you have a cricket team? Funding of $13.5 million available in the Community Cricket Program 

Image source: Cricket Victoria.

Victorian Government is going to provide grant funding of $13.5 million in its Community Cricket Program.

This is a state-wide competitive Victorian Government investment program that provides a range of grant opportunities.

It is underpinned by the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions’ priorities to ensure the state’s economy benefits all Victorians by creating more jobs for more people, building thriving places and regions and nurturing inclusive communities.

Image source: Ros Spence, Minister for Community Sport – Vic Gov.

Ros Spence, Minister for Community Sport, says:

“The program provides grants towards cricket facilities including the upgrade or replacement of cricket nets and ageing clubrooms, wickets and more providing cricket clubs the opportunity to accommodate new players and teams and take the game to the next level.”

Key facility challenges identified for cricket in Victoria include:
• ground availability and capacity
• limited/lack of open space
• condition of training facilities
• female friendly and inclusive facility design
• loss of access to school sites
• playing field sizes
• winter/summer ‘seasonal creep’
• quality and use of Premier Cricket facilities.

Image source: United Tarneit Sports Club.

For specific details on the program, including the objectives of the fund, the number of applications that can be submitted, the grant amounts available and eligibility of applications please refer to the guidelines.

Local clubs and organisations can only seek access to support from the fund by submitting an Expression of Interest Form for Community Organisations (Word) directly to their local council or Alpine Resort Board.

LGAs/ARBs are required to discuss their project/s with their Sport and Recreation Victoria and Cricket
Victoria representatives before submitting their application/s to receive advice about developing projects that meet the program objectives.

The applications for Community Cricket Program is going to close on 11 April 2022.

Successful applications of the 2022 Community Cricket Program – Community Cricket Facilities stream will be announced in June/July 2022.

THE CHOICE: A Strong Economy, Stronger Defence and Borders for a Secure, Peaceful and Stable Future

Prime Minister Scott Morrison; Image Source: Supplied
Prime Minister Scott Morrison; Image Source: Supplied

Op-ed By Scott Morrison

Australia has faced a series of defining challenges over the past three years.

Fires, floods, a pandemic, a global recession, a mouse plague, a war in Europe, economic coercion from China.

They’ve all been hard on our families, on our businesses, on our jobs, on our farmers, on our children.

But set against those difficulties Australia, and Australians, have shown what we can overcome together.

Unemployment was predicted to reach 15 per cent, but it is now just four per cent – the equal lowest level in 48 years.

Our economic recovery measures saved around 700,000 jobs.

Australia is one of a small number of countries to maintain a AAA credit rating – a global standard for economic management.

We have achieved the biggest Budget turnaround in 70 years with our plan delivering an extra $100 billion to the country’s bottom line.

Our economic growth is one of the best in the developed world – faster and stronger than the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.

On almost any measure – fatality rates, vaccine rates, economic growth, jobs growth, or debt levels – Australia’s recovery is leading the world.

But I know our country continues to face very real challenges and many families are doing it tough.

There is still a lot of uncertainty ahead.

To build a stronger future our Government has laid out a clear plan. 

Delivering more jobs and working towards unemployment below four per cent. Our plan will deliver more jobs and the lowest unemployment in nearly 50 years.

Delivering tax relief for workers and small businesses. We’re halving the tax you pay at the petrol pump for six months. And our tax plan will put more money in the pockets of 10 million Australians in the coming weeks and months, on top of our longer-term tax relief for everyone earning up to $200,000 a year.

Investing in roads, rail, water infrastructure and renewable energy technology. We have a more than $120 billion pipeline of infrastructure we’re building like Western Sydney Airport, to the Melbourne Airport Rail Link, the Inland Rail, upgrading the Bruce Highway and building Hells Gates Dam in Queensland, METRONET in Perth, the North-South Corridor in SA, the Bridgewater Bridge in Tasmania and the Middle Arm marine infrastructure in the NT. 

Making record investments in health and other essential services. Our plan means we have record bulk billing rates, made Telehealth permanent, and includes listing more than 2,800 drugs on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to make medicines more affordable for more Australians.

Investing in stronger defence, security and borders. Locking in to new partnerships like AUKUS to build the best submarines in world, develop long range hypersonic missiles and triple the size of our cyber offensive and defensive forces. Restarting the QUAD with the US, India and Japan to bring more security, stability and peace to our region.

This election provides a clear choice, with real consequences for Australia.

Our Government is not perfect. But we have been upfront. You know what we stand for, you can see our record of delivery, and you can see our plan for the future.  

Our economy has a lot of moving parts and a lot of risks. But also, many opportunities.

Anthony Albanese and Labor have no economic plan. They would weaken our economy and put our recovery at risk. 

Mr Albanese has never held a financial portfolio. He’s never held a national security portfolio. He’s never delivered a Budget.

Labor has a record of higher taxes. Albanese has argued for higher taxes on retirees, housing, families and inheritances.

Labor makes promises, but they can’t say how they’ll pay for them. This means two things – higher deficits and higher taxes.

Labor cannot manage money, that’s why they come after yours.

Now is not the time to risk it.

Only the Liberal and Nationals have a plan for a strong economy and a stronger future.

Author: Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this Op-ed are the personal opinions of the author. The Australia Today is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information in this op-ed. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the op-ed do not reflect the views of The Australia Today and The Australia Today News does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

Qantas to launch new direct route to Bengaluru, booking starts late April 

The Airport; Image Source; @CANVA

Qantas and Jetstar will grow their international network out of Sydney, with new direct routes to India and Korea taking off this year, accelerating New South Wales’ post-COVID tourism recovery.

The planned codeshare agreement with India’s largest domestic airline, IndiGo, to provide direct connections to 50 cities; a new free trade agreement expected to strengthen demand.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the new routes would help the State’s tourism sector recover from COVID.

“Sydney is one of the world’s truly global cities and these new direct flights to India and Korea will make it easier for millions of people to come here.

Graphics for Sydney- Bangalore route; Image Source; Supplied

“The signing of the Australia-India free trade agreement is a driver of travel demand as trade and investment links expand between Australia and India’s population of more than one billion people.

“Our new direct flights to Bengaluru, combined with the planned codeshare with IndiGo, have the potential to reshape the way many people travel between Australia and India.”

Qantas_IndiGo Tails: Image Source; Supplied

Sydney to Bengaluru (Bangalore) direct

Qantas will operate four weekly return flights from Sydney to Bengaluru (formerly known as Bangalore) from 14 September, using its wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft.

These will be the first non-stop flights between Australia and southern India by any airline and will cut almost three hours off the current fastest travel time from Sydney to Bengaluru, growing technology and financial services hub.

With a population of 13 million people, the Bengaluru community has strong connections to Australia for both business travel and people visiting friends and relatives. These trade connections are expected to strengthen following the recent announcement of the Australia-India free trade agreement.

Jetstar_IndiGo Tails:Image Source; Supplied

Qantas will continue to operate up to five flights a week between Melbourne and Delhi, making it the only airline offering direct flights between Australia and both northern and southern India.

Planned codeshare agreement set to open up in India  

Qantas intends to enter into a codeshare agreement with IndiGo, India’s largest domestic carrier, which will give customers improved one-stop access to more than 50 Indian cities.

The proposed agreement will mean Qantas passengers can transit seamlessly from Qantas flights in Bengaluru, Delhi, or Singapore onto IndiGo services to other major Indian cities as well as smaller ones such as Pune and Goa.

Under the planned agreement, Qantas Frequent Flyers will be able to earn and redeem points on connecting IndiGo flights (QF code only) and IndiGo will recognise Qantas Frequent Flyer benefits for tiered members (Silver, Gold, Platinum and Platinum One) including priority check-in, additional baggage allowance, and priority baggage.

Qantas customers travelling on IndiGo will enjoy the same baggage allowance for the entire journey as well as complimentary food and drinks.

The partnership will extend to Jetstar customers who will be able to book connecting flights on IndiGo services through its Jetstar Connect platform on jetstar.com from late April.

Qantas Group international restart 

Since Australia’s borders re-opened last November, led by New South Wales, the Qantas Group has carried almost 500,000 passengers on its international services across 27 international routes, with another six routes restarting next week.

Group international capacity is expected to reach more than 40 per cent of pre-COVID capacity in April.

Qantas has now added six new overseas routes in the past six months, including Perth-Rome and Melbourne-Delhi, Melbourne-Dallas Fort-Worth and Darwin-Dili as it taps into new markets.

All three new routes announced today are being supported by the NSW Aviation Attraction Fund, which is co-funded by the State Government and Sydney Airport. Kempegowda International Airport has also supported Qantas’ Sydney-Bengaluru flights.

Fare details and Points Planes for Frequent Flyers

To celebrate the Sydney-Seoul new route, Jetstar is offering customers sale fares from $398 return starting today until 4pm on 14 April.

Qantas is putting Sydney-Bengaluru flights on sale today starting from $1349 return.

To reward Frequent Flyer members, Qantas will offer the first three return services between Sydney and Bengaluru, and Sydney and Seoul, as Points Planes meaning frequent flyers can use Qantas Points to book any seat as a Classic Reward Seat until the end of April 2022. Seats on these flights can also be purchased with cash.

Classic Flight Reward seats between Sydney and Bengaluru start from 37,600 points one way and Sydney-Seoul starts from 31,500 points, (plus taxes, fees, and carrier charges).

Flights are subject to government and regulatory approval.

Dr Akhil Gupta compelled to sell electric car as Sydney apartment block denies use of a power point

Image source: Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in - Wikipedia.

34-year-old Dr. Akhil Gupta, an endocrinologist, and an obstetric physician told SMH that his apartment block has refused to allow him to use a Powerpoint in the garage to charge it.

He had offered to pay a weekly fee to the Owners Corporation for the electricity – about $10 a week and has even offered to pay for the electricity usage in the apartment block in Darlinghurst.

“It meant I was having to drive around Sydney to find a charger somewhere else and then sit in it for up to an hour, as my EV was a few years old, to fully recharge the battery.”

Dr. Gupta was devastated as he had to sell his electric vehicle, a 2018 Hyundai IONIQ, for an old petrol car, a Mercedes-Benz.

Image source: Dr Gupta, an endocrinologist and obstetric physician – Sydney Endocrinology.

He adds:

“It added such a huge amount of time onto my commute to the hospitals I work in, and my 10-hour working day, and it seemed ridiculous when there was a perfectly good working power point in our garage where I could charge up the car overnight.

But when the strata sealed it up to stop anyone having access to it, I had no choice.”

Luke Bowen, managing director of Sky Living Strata, which looks after the 120-unit Parkridge Apartments, said:

“But we can’t allow one individual to use the power as the whole building would be paying for it. And an owners’ corporation can’t invoice one individual to pay.

He’s been told that a by-law would have to be drafted to allow access to common power and proposed at a general meeting.”

Dr. Gupta is sad about the choice that he had to make in buying a technology that is not suitable for the environment.

“My role is to help people, not harm them with carbon emissions. This short-sightedness has compromised my ability to do the best I can for the community.“

The latest figures show that the number of EVs and hybrid petrol-electric cars have more than doubled in Australia.

Australia-India launch defence officer exchange programme named after Gen. Rawat

Image source: General Rawat - Wikipedia.

General Rawat India-Australia Young Defence Officers’ Exchange Programme has been officially launched. 

Australia’s High Commissioner to India, the Hon. Barry O’Farrell tweeted: “In recognition of the contributions of India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, the Australian and Indian governments announced an Australia-India Young Defence Officers’ Exchange Programme named in his honour.”

During the India-Australia virtual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison, the two leaders had agreed to establish a young defence officer exchange programme.

ce:

After the summit, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, India’s Foreign Secretary said:

“Defence and Security is one of the major areas of bilateral cooperation between the two countries that have now joined hands to set up General Bipin Rawat Young Defence Officers Exchange Programme.

This will enable younger officers in both countries to familiarise themselves with the other country and increase service to service contacts between the two nations.”

Image: Kritika and Tarini, daughters of General Bipin Rawat receive his Padma Vibhushan award from President Kovind.

The exchange programme is named after India’s first Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, who was killed in a helicopter crash in December 2021.

Gen. Rawat was also credited with reducing insurgency on India’s northeastern frontier. He was conferred Padma Vibhhushan.

The exchange programme was announced on the same day when late Gen. Rawat was conferred with India’s second-highest civilian award.

It is expected that this exchange programme will enhance professional contacts on both sides and provide operational experience to young officers.

 

No more course change allowed under new student visa rules; Here’s the detail

International Students; Image Source: @CANVA
International Students; Image Source: @CANVA

A student visa to study in Australia comes with a number of restrictions.

The following condition(s) might be attached to a student visa:

Australian government has introduced or expanded on two new conditions: 8204 and 8303.

As per condition 8204, an international student must not undertake or change their course of study, thesis or research topic without the approval of the Minister, for a:

  • graduate certificate
  • graduate diploma
  • master’s degree
  • doctorate, or
  • any bridging course required as a prerequisite to a course of study or research for a master’s degree or doctorate

Earlier, international students in Australia were able to easily change original course that they have been studying for six months or more with permission from the educational provider.

However, now this approval must come from the Minister.

“This approval can only be given after the Minister has obtained an assessment from the competent Australian authorities that you are not likely to be directly or indirectly a risk to Australian national security.”

Further, condition 8303 has been introduced so that international students do not actively engage or promote extremist views and interrupting the operation of the Australian community.

“You must not become involved in activities disruptive to, or violence threatening harm to, the Australian community or a group within the Australian community.”

If you are not sure which restrictions you currently have on your visa, please check your conditions on VEVO or have a look at the visa grant letter you received.

Australia to provide ‘Special Skill Visas’ for Indian Chef and Yoga teachers under IndAus agreement

Chef and yoga; Image Source; @CANVA

Australia-India Economic and Trade Agreement (IndAus ECTA) will provide special visa arrangements for Indian Chefs and yoga instructors.

The Federal Minister for Trade and Tourism Dan Tehan told The Australia Today, “We have agreed on special visa arrangements for Indian chefs and Indian yoga teachers.”

This will be done under the skill visa streams and further details will be worked out within four months.

“Mobility is one of the key outcomes of the IndAus trade agreement and We have taken up a few initiatives to ensure the mobility,”

Minister Tehan said,
Hon Dan Tehan MP, Member for Wannon, Victoria, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Cyber Security, Minister for Defence Personnel, Liberal Party of Australia. Official portrait Parliament House 13 February 2017. Image David Foote – AUSPIC/DPS

1000/year Work and Holiday visa is another imortant step to encourage Indian youth to come and understand Australia.

This visa will enable Indian backpackers under 31 years of age to work in hospitality, farm and resort island sectors and stay in Australia.

Ministe Tahan said, “It is expected to contribute to both workforce requirements and boost tourism to support Australia’s post-COVID recovery.”

In a boost to Australian STEM and IT workforces, 

The length of stay for an Indian Student with a bachelor’s degree with first-class honours will be extended from two to three years post-study in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and information and communications technology (ICT) sectors.

Calling the signing of IndAus ECTA, another milestone in the growing relationship between India and Australia, Minister Dan Tehan said that the agreement further develops on the promise of the relationship.

Australia-India will also facilitate the recognition of professional qualifications, licensing, and registration procedures between professional services bodies in both countries.

Security and Geopolitics, Bilateral Economy and Cultural Diplomacy are key to Australia-India’s shared future: Lisa Singh

Image source: Lisa Singh with Barry O’Farrell - AII.

Lisa Singh, former Senator and dynamic CEO of the Australia India Institute (AII), delivered the Institute’s opening address at the Annual Oration 2022 in Delhi.

The Oration is one of five events the Institute is hosting while in India, including:

  • Launch of the Australia India Leadership Dialogue with in Bengaluru to promote the upcoming Australia India Leadership Dialogue to be hosted in New Delhi in September this year. The 2022 AILD will focus on industry-led initiatives in the technology space
  • A roundtable with think tank Centre for Policy Research (CPR) in Delhi
  • Moderating a roundtable for women in STEM in Bangaluru
  • Indian Ocean roundtable with CG Chennai
Image source: Lisa Singh with Barry O’Farrell – AII.

Here’s her full speech:

Main aap sab ka tahe dil se swagat karti hu. It is truly special that after several years, we are able to connect once again over great distances for such a prestigious event, and in such a beautiful, magnificent venue. And personally, I am so pleased to be back in India. 

         Today, it is a great honour to welcome His Excellency, the Honourable Barry O’Farrell, Australia’s High Commissioner to India, who will be delivering this year’s Oration, titled The Rise and Rise of Australia-India Relations, (someone who has been doing a tremendous job in building relations). Thank you, Your Excellency for being here with us today. 

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of the Australia India Institute, I am honoured to welcome you all to the Annual Oration for 2022. 

The Institute’s Annual Oration was first delivered in 2016, here in New Delhi, with the aim of bringing our two countries closer together. And since then, the Oration has seen a range of eminent speakers deliver remarkable addresses on the strengthening of ties between our two nations.  Their contributions have been heard by high profile dignitaries, government officials, business leaders and professionals, educationists, academics, journalists, civil society, and students.  

As His Excellency will outline, this year’s topic for the Oration is the Rise and Rise of Australia-India Relations. And what a year it has been, characterised by driving momentum, deeper engagement, and an unwavering commitment to the bilateral relationship by both countries.  The Australia-India relationship has risen, through the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, to see cooperation across a range of critical areas, including security and defence, trade and economic, climate, energy and science, critical minerals and emerging technologies, education and tourism, and our people-to-people ties. 

Upon taking up my role as CEO of the Institute, 6 months ago my aim has been to build and advance the Institute’s expertise and thought leadership, through a refreshed and forward-thinking Strategy across three program areas – security and geopolitics bilateral economy and cultural diplomacy – in order to promote support for and understanding of the Australia-India relationship. 

The Institute this year launched India Matters – a program which celebrates and commemorates India’s 75th anniversary of Independence, and includes events, policy briefs, expert analysis, podcasts, and interviews on why India matters to Australia and the world. At one of the Institute’s recent events, I convened a conversation with India’s Minister for External Affairs the Honourable Dr. Jaishankar, during which he said that he could see the relationship “dramatically changing right in front of his eyes.”  

Similarly, at another recent event hosted by the Institute, Australia’s Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, the Honourable Dan Tehan said, “there has never been a more important time for Australia and India to advance their relationship.”  Given the shifting geostrategic and geo-economic trends, it is imperative our two countries come together like we have never come before. That is why the Australia India ECTA signed days ago by both countries is such a watershed moment in the relationship.

On a personal note, it is such a thrill to be back in India. During my visit this month, my team and I will be meeting with a range of stakeholders, including members of government, industry, academia, and civil society to reignite and advance our engagement and build capacity to meet the policy challenges of our shared future. 

Later in the year, we will also be returning to India for the Institute’s flagship event, the Australia India Leadership Dialogue 2022, which will be hosted in New Delhi.  We will be launching the Dialogue with our principal corporate partner next week, so watch this space.  The theme for this year’s dialogue will be emerging technology, and will convene brilliant minds from the corporate, Government, academic and civil society sectors to address the challenges and opportunities of living in a disruptive world through innovation and entrepreneurship. 

There is no doubt the Australia-India relationship holds great  cause for optimism, built on what His Excellency Barry O’Farrell has referred to as the four Ds: Democracy, Defence, Diaspora & Dosti. The Institute is absolutely delighted to have him with us today.  But we could not have turned out such a brilliant event without the support of our sponsor HSBC India.

AII is Australia’s leading centre dedicated to enhancing Australia-India relations.

The AII is in India with a 22 member delegation to further Australia’s engagement with India. This four-week trip seeks to promote the significance of the Australia-India relationship through one-on-one meetings and events with leading foreign policy think tanks, Indian industry leaders, central and state ministers, academics, and journalists.

Tasmanian Premier resigns citing family reasons

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein, 57-year-old, has announced his resignation. He has cited family reasons and the pressure of governing through the COVID19 pandemic for this decision.

At a press conference in Launceston, Mr Gutwein told media:

“I’ve focused on everyone else’s family, I now want to spend some time focusing on my own.”

He further added:

“It is with some sadness that I leave, but I know the foundations that have been laid, the path has been laid out that a new leader will be able to make their own, and importantly, make their own decisions moving forward.” 

Mr Gutwein thanked his wife Mandy, and children Finn and Millie, for their support:

“My wife and kids have just been outstanding in their support. But that period through Christmas completely drained me … I’ve got nothing left in the tank to give.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Mr Gutwein was leaving public life with great respect.

“Peter did not put a foot wrong. As Treasurer since 2014, Peter along with former Premier Will Hodgman was the architect of Tasmania’s economic revival. He leaves politics with a world-best response to COVID and a Tasmanian economy thriving with jobs at a record high.”

In a statement, Tasmanian Liberals president Rod Scurrah said:

“Peter and his wife, Mandy, and children, Millie and Finn, have given up so much over the past 20 years, and in particular over the past two years. It’s only fair that Peter now gets to spend more time with his loved ones.”

Mr Gutwein would remain Premier until the Liberal Party elected his replacement later this week.

He holds the office of Tasmania’s Premier and Treasurer as well as tourism and climate change portfolios.

Two bushwalkers dead after landslide hits in Blue Mountains near Sydney

Image source: Blue Mountains tragedy - Nine News screenshot.

Two people have died and two others are in critical condition after a landslide hit a walking track in the Blue Mountains near Sydney.

Emergency services responded after reports that the landslide had fallen onto the group of five walkers on the Wentworth Pass track at Wentworth Falls.

NSW Police Detective Acting Superintendent John Nelson described the incident as “a tragic scene”. He said:

“Our rescuers [are] working under quite arduous conditions. A girl is walking out at the moment, who is obviously clearly [and] extremely distressed.”

Police helicopters, local officers and a specialist rescue team were deployed in dense bushland.

NSW Ambulance Superintendent Stewart Clarke said.

“The patients have significant head and abdominal injuries, requiring sedation and intubation prior to them being extricated.”

The National Parks and Wildlife Service website said that part of the track was closed “due to flood damage and ongoing rockfall risk.”

However, Detective Acting Superintendent John Nelson told media that the part of the track where the tragedy occurred was open.

He further said the victims’ next of kin have not yet been informed of their deaths.

Australia is undisputed World Champions of Cricket

The World Champion Australian Women Cricket team; Image Source: Cricket Australia

Meg Lanning’s Australia finally has the title to match their performances, crowned world champions after a sensational 71-run World Cup final defeat of England.

For five years, the world No.1s were estranged from the ODI World Cup trophy, lost at the 2017 tournament in a semi-final slip to India.

In that time, Lanning’s side has evolved and put together 21 consecutive series wins, an unmatched streak across all of cricket.

But they haven’t been able to say they’re 50-over world champions, the title they’ve craved – until now.

Alyssa Healy, crowned player of the tournament after her stunning 170 in the final made her the leading runscorer, said she knew exactly the emotion she was feeling.

The World Champion Australian Women Cricket team; Image Source: Cricket Australia

“It’s not relief … it’s just pride,” Healy said.

“We came together as a squad and said ‘this is how we want to play our cricket from now on and we’re going to be the best team in the world’.

“I’m just really proud of this group to have done what we’ve done over the last five years.

“The trophy in our hands is just the final little piece of the puzzle.”

Healy said she was unaware of her monster score until a mid-pitch meeting with partner Beth Mooney who said “you could get 200 here”.

“I at no point thought it was anything … it was just watching the ball, hit it, get our team to a good total.”

Even more impressively, Australia saved possibly their best performance for last, smashing 5-356 past England, a total Healy joked was “20 short” of par.

Lanning opted against heading out at three, instead of sending Beth Mooney and Ash Gardner into the fray to up the run rate.

“It was pretty special to watch. I was loving every moment of it sitting up there in the stands,” Lanning said.

“It’s taking the game on. It’s being brave … that’s the style of play we want to go out and play.

“At the 2020 T20 World Cup we played our best game on the biggest stage and today we’ve done a very similar thing.”

Lanning faced an agonising call in the build-up to the match on the selection of Ellyse Perry, who suffered back spasms and was touch-and-go to play.

Perry made 17 off 10 in a late cameo and didn’t bowl as expected.

“It was a really tough selection to leave Annabel (Sutherland) out. She’s hadn’t done anything wrong at all,” she said.

The World Champion Australian Women Cricket team; Image Source: Cricket Australia

“But once Ellyse was declared fit then she was going to come into the team because of the player that she is and the record that she has.”

Australia’s next mission is a T20 tri-series against Pakistan and hosts Ireland in July and the Commonwealth Games, a T20 tournament, also beginning that month.

Beyond that, Australia has a T20 World Cup to defend in South Africa next March – and attention will turn to whether any of this class of world-beaters have had enough.

Vice-captain Rachael Haynes is at the top of her game but 35, Perry is 31, while Lanning and Healy both had birthdays while in New Zealand, turning 30 and 32 respectively.

Lanning flat-batted a question on whether anyone might retire, saying “not that I’ve heard of”.

Healy, sitting next to her at the winner’s press conference, was more effusive.

“We’ll be right. We’ll be here,” she said enthusiastically.

Market Mantra: Australian shares expected to boom after IndAus trade agreement

Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles and Australia's Dan Tehan MP, Minister of Trade, Tourism and Investment; Image Source: @PIB
Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles and Australia's Dan Tehan MP, Minister of Trade, Tourism and Investment; Image Source: @PIB

The Australian share market rallied for a third consecutive week and is on course to hit a record high this year after a particularly strong March.

The ASX 200 benchmark was up an amazing 6.4% for March as it recovered quickly from the Russian invasion of Ukraine and rallied strongly on the back of higher energy and mining companies.

BHP is a great example of ASX recovery. The mining giant closed at $52.39 on Friday and with iron prices continuing to rise is well on the way to reclaiming its record high levels from last year.

Iron prices continue to rise as China moves to stimulate its economy after the continuing effects of the pandemic and the Ukraine crisis.

In a sign of how much the local markets are benefiting from the commodity price boom, triggered by the crisis in Ukraine and the rolling impact of the pandemic, the energy and materials sector added close to 10% for the month.

Image source: Grain Producers Australia

An announcement by US President Bidden that the US would be investing to boost the production of rare earth materials. The announcement immediately lifted stocks like Lynas Rare Earth, which has an existing relationship with the US Department of Defence, AVZ Minerals, and Allkem, both of them hitting record highs. AVZ has now risen more than 1000% over the past 12 months.

Unfortunately, not all shares were able to follow the market’s lead. Stocks in Imugene Limited dropped 7.4% last week. This was despite there being no news out of the biopharmaceutical company. Imugene shares have been in a downtrend currently and have declined 42% since the start of the year.

James Hardie’s share prices also tumbled 7.1% last week despite no news from the building materials company. James Hardie’s share prices have been under significant pressure since missing its third-quarter earnings in February. The company’s shares hit a 52-week low last week.

Looking ahead, the biggest event to watch this week will be the Reserve Bank board meeting, which will help solidify the course of official interest rates for the rest of the year.

While the interest rates are not expected to move from the current 0.1% level, analysts are expecting some forward guidance to fight growing inflationary pressures.

The financial stocks are expected to benefit from the meeting as interest rate hikes positively impact the financial companies. 

Australian Banks; Reprentative picture @CANVA
Australian Banks; Reprentative picture @CANVA

Currently, the market is tipping a lot more interest rate rises than the RBA itself. As such the meeting this week will be crucial to see if it can bring the two parties closer together.

Gold prices declined for the week as a strong US Dollar and higher Treasury yields dented the appeal of non-yielding bullion.

US jobless rate improving to 3.6% in March further aided the decline in gold as it raised expectations of an interest rate rise in the US. 

A jobless rate of less than 4% is defined by the Federal Reserve as ‘full employment.’ The United States has technically had full employment since December when the unemployment rate fell to 3.9%.

Fed officials closely monitor monthly job growth to measure the health of the economy and to determine the necessary rate increases to limit inflation.

Now with inflation in the US at its highest level since 1982 and job openings hovering near record highs in February it is expected that the FOMC officials may consider a 50-basis point increase at the committee’s next two meetings in May and June to bring inflation back up to its target of 2%,

Technically speaking the gold rally looks to be nearing an end, with signs of trend consolidation and exhaustion coming in.

The 61.8% retracement of the yearly range at $1891 an ounce will be a key support level, a break of which can start a new downtrend for the yellow metal. The formation of an evening star on the weekly chart has further opened the door for a reversal potential.

Gold; Image Source: @CANVA
Gold; Image Source: @CANVA

The bearish sentiment for gold is further validated by the fact that gold is trading near $2000/oz level. A level at which traders tend to get very nervous. Historically, the bullion has only had one weekly close ever above the $2,000 level.

A rebound from $1895 levels could see the precious metal rebound to a 2021 high at $1959.

Oil notched its biggest weekly fall since April 2020 on news of the US stockpile release,

US President Joe Biden on Thursday announced a release of 1 million barrels per day (BPD) of crude oil for six months starting from May to control inflating oil prices. At 180 million barrels, this is the largest release ever from the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).

Members of the International Energy Agency soon agreed to join in the largest-ever US oil reserves release, resulting in oil recording its worst weekly decline since 2020.

The US release of oil however still pales in comparison to the expectations that 3 million BPD of Russian oil will be shut in sanctions bite and buyers spurn purchases.

Oil prices also declined after China brought the commercial hub in Shanghai to a grounding halt on Friday after the government locked down most of the city’s 26 million residents, aiming to stop the spread of COVID19.

JPMorgan Bank said in a note that it had kept its price forecasts unchanged at $114 a barrel for the second quarter. They noted that releasing strategic reserves is not a persistent source of supply and if stranded Russian barrels average more than 1 million BPD. As per the bank, this will leave 2023 in a deep deficit and will keep oil prices above $100 per barrel.

The Australian dollar has gone back and forth all week to form a neutral candle for the trading week to show a bit of hesitation. This makes 0.7500 level of strong importance as it has a point of both support and resistance several times over the past few months.

The Australian Dollar has been one of the most resilient currencies against the greenback throughout the last quarter thanks to a broad commodity price rally and strong relations with China.

Australian-Dollar; Picture Source: @CANVA
Australian-Dollar; Picture Source: @CANVA

While the situation in Ukraine saw many global currencies deteriorate in favour of the safe-haven US Dollar, the Aussie flourished thus allowing RBA greater flexibility. The inflationary pressures in Australia remain comparatively muted to many of its US counterparts including the US, thus allowing RBA to keep the cash rate steady at 0.10% since late 2020.

While the RBA is expected to meet this week and RBA Governor Phillip Lowe voicing concerns around inflation, the fact is core inflation in Australia remains within the bank’s target band of 2-3% thus reducing the chances of an interest rate rise on Tuesday.

The rising commodity prices and Australia’s resistance to the current Ukrainian conflict should continue to buoy the local currency, especially if the war continues through Q2.

Having said that rising COVID19 cases in China have induced strict lockdowns from the Chinese government and could weigh on the AUD upside should the situation negatively impact Chinese growth, commodity prices and demand.

Technically speaking the AUD USD is currently forming a bullish flag on the weekly chart. A Bullish flag usually represents a bullish continuation and could bring into consideration levels beyond 0.7500 once broken. However, we would need to see a clear weekly candle close above flag resistance before considering going long.

On the daily chart, however, the situation is a bit different. The RSI index currently points down showing strong resistance at 0.7500. In the short-term, there seems to be a bearish divergence forming with prices turning lower from current levels before surging commodity prices and a strong economy eventually helping the Aussie to register a secondary rally higher.

The decline in oil prices helped stabilise the Indian Rupee against the American Dollar. However, the Indian currency ended the Indian financial year 3.5% lower.

It was truly a story of two halves for the Indian currency. During the first half of the financial year, the Indian currency strengthened on strong FDI inflows, cheap fuel prices, and high risk-on sentiment.

As the year progressed and the US Federal Reserve announced policy tightening the FIIs start withdrawing money from India. The Russia-Ukraine conflict then resulted in soaring fuel prices which then resulted in Rupee crashing to new all-time lows.

Reserve Bank Of Australia; Picture Source: @CANVA
Reserve Bank Of Australia; Picture Source: @CANVA

The RBI has since started selling dollars to absorb liquidity and not allow the Rupee to weaken further. The Ukraine war has taken oil prices beyond $100 per barrel, however, the RBI has managed well to not let the Rupee fall below 77.00 levels against its US counterpart.

With India’s foreign exchange reserve dropping by over $20 billion in the last six months the upside in Rupee remains capped. There are few headwinds for the Indian currency going forward, particularly if the crude prices stay higher. India imports 80% of its oil requirements and high crude prices will result in India’s current account deficit widening.

Furthermore, while the US Fed Reserve, as well as RBA, are expected to raise interest rates multiple times this year,  the rising account deficit means RBI will not be able to hike rates that easily. This could take Indian Rupee towards 78 to 78.50 against the US Dollar and towards 60 to 61 level against the Australian Dollar over the next six months.

Moving on to digital currencies. After a slow start to this year Bitcoin hit a 2022 high on Monday, Ethereum has posted big gains over the weekend and most of the Top 30 currencies have mooned over the last week.

BTC on Monday hit a 2022 high of $48,086, a price not seen since 31 December. At the time of writing the report the most traded digital currency had fallen slightly to trade near $46,500.

Ethereum though has not reached its 2022 high of $3,876 on January 4, however, it rose 12% over the last week to trade near the $3,500 level.

In the last seven days, most of the top 30 currencies have rocketed with Solana ballooning 39%, Terra Luna jumping up by 26%, Avalanche rallying 23%, NEAR Protocol adding 20%, and Tron going up by 16%. 

Anticipation of Ethereum 2.0 is believed to be one of the key factors behind the rally in Ethereum prices. Google searches for “Ethereum merge” hit an all-time high last week.

Bitcoin; Picture Source: @CANVA
Bitcoin; Picture Source: @CANVA

The Merge will be a moment later this year when Ethereum’s mainnet will merge with a proof-of-stake system called the beacon chain. It is expected that the merge will solve the network’s well-known scalability and energy consumption problems.

In agricultural products, there were a lot of reds on the price change table last week, meaning the Friday closes were below those from the previous Friday.

The grains started the month bullish with Wheat hitting 14-year highs and soy and corn both rallying. However, with wheat futures falling by 10.7% and corn and soy both declining too last week, the month went out like a bear. 

Corn and wheat were however still up $0.50 and $0.80 for March while soybean ended the month at $0.31 lower.

All three grains, however, extended the decline on April 1.

Traditionally speaking with warmer months starting in the Northern Hemisphere and the sowing season starting, the month of April is when grain prices start to go down.

Author: Ateev Dang is a trader and trading coach by profession. He runs a business called Glow trades Pty Ltd where he teaches anyone interested in starting their trading journey how to trade. He can be contacted at adang@glowtrades.com.au.

Disclaimer: 

The writers’ opinions in the above article are their own and do not constitute any financial advice whatsoever. Nothing published by The Australia Today constitutes an investment recommendation, nor should any data or content publication be relied upon for providing any investment activities.

We strongly recommend that you perform your own independent research and/or speak with a financial advisor or qualified investment professional before making any financial decisions.

Quantifying suffering and responses to ‘The Kashmir Files’

The Kashmir Files; Image Source: Supplied

By Sarah L Gates

In the wake of The Kashmir Files, speculation over facts and accusations of accountability have mobilised intergenerational fractures between Muslims and Hindus in India and Diaspora.

Political leaders have indulged in mudslinging, accusation, and counter-accusation cycles that have at their basis, despite attempts to sweeten the point, a general acceptance that Kashmir Pandits were indeed forced out due to fear of their lives and, for all but the most diehard conspiracy theorists, that this was due to terrorism. 

Prima facie, Kashmir Pandits are in exile. Very few remain in the Valley and they are a people with a culture and community on the brink of extinction. Spread out around all parts of the globe, but mainly in Jammu, they are unable to claim their ancestral homes, their temples, their businesses or live freely among the majority Muslim population without fear for their lives.

That has been largely agreed, if my observations are correct, by consensus on all sides. We see this even in arguments with an asterisk *we acknowledge the pain of Pandits, but…followed by the typical refrain of whataboutery. Only the most grotesquely unethical persons claim this exile isn’t real.

The Kashmir Files; Image Source: Supplied

I will not make a list of the long line of arguments nor wade through the political and factional point-scoring. My prerogative is to establish a framework for thinking about the suffering of others and the right to justice claimed by Kashmir Pandits which is at its basis no less valid than claims made by Kashmir Muslims. We have heard the voice of Muslims in countless congressional briefings, reports, Kashmiri Scholar Activist articles, anti-Hindutva websites, and news stories.

The parameters of what each party conceives to comprise justice differ, the point of both seeking justice is a valid claim in the context that injustice has occurred to both communities. No rational person would deny that. Who is to blame for that is second to an acknowledgment of the primary issue – injustice. 

Whilst some thinly veiled genocide denialist accounts argue that Kashmir Pandits are to blame for their own suffering and the suffering of others, it is impossible to uphold or maintain this view coupled with their inability to safely return. Should it have been a simple mistake, a moment of fear psychosis that drove their families out of the valley, it would be simple to amend.

The families could simply return, mend relationships with the Kashmiri Muslim majority and go about their daily business unscathed, in the assurance that the wider community, police, and security forces have their backs 100% against terrorist actors. This point of view would take a position of neutrality that accepts terrorism in the valley, which is indisputable, is the prime reason for the injustice, and leaves aside, for the time being, the numerous contested claims of injustice metered out by all other parties.

This is not however a possibility. If it is prima facie accepted, and which is also indisputable, that Kashmir Pandits are in exile, regardless of the causes, it is just as prima facie that they are unable to safely return. Therefore, they are self-evidently not doing so, even from neighbouring Jammu. The second part here can be understood by the ongoing calls of terrorists not to allow Kashmir Pandits, Hindus, or anyone who is perceived to align with either ‘Hindutva’ or the Indian Government to reside in the Valley. 

Whereas the most consistent accusation of Kashmir Muslims is that it is the Indian Government to blame for the suffering endured by their community, the most consistent accusation of blame made by Kashmir Hindu Pandits is that their suffering was meted out by terrorists and radicalised Muslims of their own community who had turned against them.

The first response of detractors is that Muslim suffering is not depicted in the film, that what happened to Kashmir Pandits is dishonestly portrayed, and that the representation of Muslims as terrorists and violent is Islamophobia. This is contrasted by the accounts of Kashmir Pandits who state that there is, overall, to summarise, a mixture of terrorist attacks, attacks of a communal nature and that the overall climate of terror induced by terrorists in the community, from religious sites, on loudspeakers, issued in public notices, effectively radicalised sections of their community who acted by the commission and by omission to enable their ethnic cleansing.

What Kashmir Pandits argue, if my synopsis adequately reflects their experience, is that their people were killed by terrorists or radicalised members of the community acting on their behalf. By definition, those who committed acts of violence in the name of religious extremist ideology can be safely classed as terror actors.

The line between a mainstream and ordinary Muslim, or for that matter, a person of any faith who indulges in religious extremism, who induces mass fear or terror into the community at large, is no longer protected by UN religious rights and freedoms.

The argument then, that the film, which depicts terrorism, represents Muslims as terrorists, cannot be said to be misrepresenting or stereotyping Muslims, if it is based on factual events. Upon this line of reason enter the disputed facts.

The arguments have not managed to get past, to this date, how it was that certain Muslims of Kashmir turned upon their neighbours if they had not crossed the line from mainstream Muslim to radicalised extremist actors. Those who failed to act, acted by omission. Acts of omission can be strategic aspects of terrorist activities and they can be for other reasons. Those who failed to act, and in that case, acted by omission can be divided between deliberate, non-deliberate, coercively controlled, and non-controlled actors. 

The Kashmir Files; Image Source: Supplied

Who is who in many cases remains subject to debate. What is not subject to debate is that these incidents occurred. The degree to which they occurred and the measure of support, sympathy, apathy, or empathy between Kashmiri Muslims and Kashmir Pandits will probably remain in the akashic record, awaiting moments of historic truth revelation as time and nature are want to do.

Just as some Germans hid Jews from the Nazis we should not forget those Muslims who assisted their community members, who died due to perceptions of disloyalty for doing so. In the past eight years of listening, reading, and maintaining friendships with Kashmir Pandits, I have not heard a single case of anyone suggesting that all Muslims are accountable, or that no Muslims helped. What I have heard consistently from hundreds of accounts, is that the community as a whole, did not sufficiently take a stand against it and in many cases actively or passively enabled the ethnic cleansing.

Now to the measure of pain.
How does one measure pain?

1- Is it the impact of trauma on the nervous system?
2- Is it vicarious trauma and intergenerational trauma?
3- Is it measured by the responses of the persons who endured heinous violence, sexual victimisation, mutilation, and suicide? Is it measured by the stain on the hearts of loved ones, of lives, lost and destroyed?
4- Is it measured by loss of community, the fragmentation of community, the cost of businesses and livelihoods, the loss of ancestral homes and lands, temples, shrines, rivers, mountains, of orchards?

I have heard of the loss of beloved walnut trees, of animals, of the sheer absence of presence in place and space. I have heard of the loss of memories, stories, language, of customs. How does one measure the loss of loved ones, sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and the homes and villages in which the communities were cohesively bonded to the land, livelihoods, and ways of life?

How does one measure the loss of the first snow at Herath, the smell, and the taste of the air? How does one measure the cost of not watching the waters change colour at Mata Kheer Bhavani?

The feeling that one may be shot on Amarnath Yatra?

Negation is a cost exponential to Kashmir Pandits. And all they have, to express this loss, are poems, songs, and paintings. Now they have a film.

Truth and reconciliation: An Indigenous perspective

Australia had its own Black Lives Matter movement. We have a governmental truth and reconciliation process. There is a genocide map with the number of massacres during the frontier period. There are numbers upon numbers of lives lost and suffering that can only be described as a long and slow attempted genocide.

The difference between numbers and reality is not only qualitative but quantitative. There are many gaps in the data. There are invisible, disappeared people and no starting point to work from. Nobody knew how many first nations were here before the brutal massacres began. There are cases of mis-attribution to causes and so forth and so we are always working on numbers that are to be checked and rechecked.

Let me give an example of numbers that change. One is how many thousands of years first nations have occupied this land. From the 1980s to the 2020s those years have risen from 10,000 years to an acceptable minimum of 65,000 and an upper limit of around 120,000 years.

None of those numbers can be reconciled with being here since the Dreamtime. There is an unbridgeable gap between ‘always was, always will be’ and data crunching. And it is possible to coexist with numbers and lived reality because we are not numbers, we are human beings. Some truths are known by being felt.

The Kashmir Files; Image Source: Supplied

There is one part of the Australian discourse that repeats in the case of India, and Kashmir, in responses to The Kashmir Files. The argument is that X no of Muslims and X no of Hindus died and since those figures are higher for Muslims than Hindus, the Hindus cannot claim genocide. This is like saying that in Australia more white people die in prison than black people. The trouble with this reasoning is blindness to proportionality.

There are approximately 3% of Australians of indigenous descent. For every one of those who die, in ordinary circumstances, there would be 32 who die of non-indigenous descent. For every one black death in custody due to incompetence, neglect, mistreatment, or violence inflicted upon their bodies, there should be another who is non-indigenous treated in the same dehumanising manner.

It is easy to see from the outset that if more white people are in prison, more of them will under ordinary circumstances die than indigenous peoples. To argue on face value numbers is so often not a measure of suffering but a game of deflection and it is a trope of number games played to whitewash, negate and explain away systemic racism and violence inflicted on black bodies in the justice system. The same logic can be applied in the case of the Kashmiri Pandits genocide and ethnic cleansing.

Systemic racism and violence in Australia are widely understood as fact. The qualities and quantities may be recalibrated, represented, reconceptualised, they may change in time. And we want them to change because we want to know the truth as fully as it can be known, and we want it to stop. There are hard facts to be drawn even from fluctuating figures because one act of racism is too many.

It is a matter of principle. If the principle is clear, that abuse of indigenous peoples is an act against humanity, it is an act against humanity both here and elsewhere. Let us use this model as a basis of thinking. 

Kashmir Pandits are the equivalent of First Nations people who were not converted by missionaries to Christianity in Australia and who still live in accordance with their ancestral customs, their kinship systems, and their continuous cultural ways of life from at least five millennia of calendar records. There is a difference in the culture and the extent of technological development between different indigenous peoples around the world. Needless to say, no amount of ‘civilising’ negates one’s indigeneity. Nor does conversion to Abrahamic religion take away one’s indigeneity. Muslims of Kashmir and Hindus are, in many cases though not always, from the same stock as it was Kashmir Hindus or Buddhists who converted to Islam over 700 years. 

The difference is that Kashmir Pandits did not convert. The indigenous Kashmiris may be all ‘traditional owners’ to use Australian terminology, however, Kashmir Pandits fit the criteria of traditional owners AND traditional knowledge holders AND cultural custodians of Kashmir. The Hindu ancestral traditional knowledge is not practiced by Kashmiri Muslims as it is against their religious beliefs. 

The Kashmir Files; Image Source: Supplied

The classification of groups in Kashmir is easiest to comprehend by comparing pre-colonial with colonial systems. The first wave of colonisation, when Muslims started to rule was in the 14th Century. The two sets of people are no longer the same. It is because they are not the same that there is religious conflict among these dichotomised ‘traditional owners.’ 

They are not the only indigenous communities with whom meaningful comparisons can be made. There is not one group of Muslim Kashmiris either. There are also tribal and nomadic Muslims and there is a range of different sects. In addition to this, there are other Muslims who have migrated to the valley who are not indigenous at all to the area.

So, the demographic has become almost entirely Muslim. The point is that they are not all indigenous, or ‘traditional owners’, meaning they do not all share the same claim to ancestral land, or what we might call, ‘native title’. In Australia, native title requires proof of ancestral claim. It is not a simple case of self-identification as we have seen coming from those speaking to the media about Kashmir. Ancestral identification is necessary to claim ‘native title’ or claim over ancestral lands.

Let’s return to thinking about numbers. The numbers do not make any difference to this claim of ancestry, ancestral lands, and ancestral culture. The numbers of deaths do not alter the fact of a long, 700-year genetic destruction of a people. That there are millions of Kashmir Muslims today and around half a million Kashmir Pandits suffices if we accept that both are indigenous.

Those who are Muslim, had they not been converted from their ancestral Hindu culture, would all be Kashmir Pandits today. That is what it would look like had no genocide, ethnic cleansing, or cultural genocide ever taken place. This should not be difficult to comprehend and yet, for some, the destruction of a people, the Kashmir Pandits, matters less than the crunch of numbers, like bones in a sawmill, to justify to themselves that what we all see with our own eyes, that which is self-evident, is not the truth.

Author: Sarah Louise Gates, Independent Research, Author, Ecocritical Theorist, PhD student

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The Australia Today is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of The Australia Today and The Australia Today News does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

Kashmiri Pandits Websites

Kashmir As It Is
Kashmir Pandit Network
Global Kashmir Pandit Diaspora
Panun Kashmir
Academia
Art of Ravi Dhar
Core Sharada / YouTube
Ishwar Ashram Trust
Roots in Kashmir
Kashmir Pandits Australia
Subhash Kak on Medium
The Seven Exoduses of the Kashmir Pandits 1
I Am Buddha Foundation

Historic India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement-“IndAus ECTA’ inked, here’ details

ce:

Australia today signed a historic trade agreement with India, the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (“IndAus ECTA”), that will further strengthen the relationship between both countries while making Australian exports to India cheaper and creating huge new opportunities for workers and businesses.

The “IndAus ECTA” was signed by Australia’s Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Dan Tehan and Piyush Goyal, Indian Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles in a virtual ceremony, in the presence of Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This agreement will turbocharge our close, long-standing and highly complementary economic relationship in areas such as critical minerals, professional services, education and tourism.”

said Minister Tehan

Both countries will facilitate the recognition of professional qualifications, licensing, and registration procedures between professional services bodies in both countries.

Australian services suppliers in 31 sectors and sub-sectors will be guaranteed to receive the best treatment accorded by India to any future free trade agreement partner, including in higher education and adult education; business services (tax, medical and dental, architectural and urban planning; research and development; communication, construction and engineering; insurance and banking; hospital; audio-visual; and tourism and travel.

Australia will provide new access for young Indians to participate in working holidays in Australia.

Places in Australia’s Work and Holiday program will be set at 1,000 per year and Australia will have two years to implement the outcome.

This is expected to contribute to both workforce requirements and boost tourism to support Australia’s post-COVID recovery.

In a boost to our STEM and IT workforces,

The length of stay for an Indian Student with a bachelor’s degree with first-class honours will be extended from two to three years post-study in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and information and communications technology (ICT) sectors.

Speaking after the signing, Prime Minister Morrison noted the remarkable scale of cooperation between the two countries in recent years and thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership.

Calling the signing of IndAus ECTA, another milestone in the growing relationship between India and Australia, Prime Minister Morrison said that the agreement further develops on the promise of the relationship.

“Apart from increased trade and economic cooperation, IndAus ECTA will further deepen the warm and close ties between the people of the two countries by expanding work, study and travel opportunities,” said Prime Minister Morrison,

“It will send a powerful signal to our businesses that ‘one of the biggest doors’ is now open as two dynamic regional economies and like-minded democracies are working together for mutual benefit,”

said PM Morrison.

It also delivers a clear message that democracies are working together and ensuring the security and resilience of supply chains, Mr Morrison added.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted that this is his third interaction with his Australian counterpart in the last one month. He conveyed his appreciation for the leadership of Prime Minister Morrison and the efforts of his Trade Envoy and former Prime Minister of Australia Mr Tony Abbott. He also commended the Trade Ministers and their team for a successful and effective engagement.

PM Modi said that the signing of IndAus ECTA in such a short span of time reflects the depth of the mutual confidence between the two countries. Mr Modi underlined the huge potential that exists in the two economies to fulfil the needs of each other and this agreement will enable the two countries to fully leverage these opportunities. “This is a watershed moment for our bilateral relations”, he emphasised.

“On the basis of this agreement, together, we will be able to increase the resilience of supply chains, and also contribute to the stability of the Indo-Pacific region,”

said PM Modi.

Terming ‘people to people’ relations as the key pillar of the relationship between India and Australia, Prime Minister Modi said.

“This agreement will facilitate the exchange of students, professionals, and tourists between us, which will further strengthen these relations.”The Prime Minister also conveyed his wishes to the women’s cricket team of Australia for the upcoming World Cup final.”

Australian and Indian Ministers also expressed their views on the growing strength of the relationship between the two countries before signing the agreement.

Growing India-Australia economic and commercial relations contribute to the stability and strength of a rapidly diversifying and deepening relationship between the two countries.

The IndAus ECTA, encompassing trade in goods and services, is a balanced and equitable trade agreement, which will further cement the already deep, close and strategic relations between the two countries and will significantly enhance the bilateral trade in goods and services, create new employment opportunities, raise living standards and improve the general welfare of the peoples of the two countries.

What is India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement-“IndAus ECTA’

Tariffs:
They will be eliminated on more than 85 per cent of Australian goods exports to India (valued at more than $12.6 billion a year), rising to almost 91 per cent (valued at $13.4 billion) over 10 years.

Australian households and businesses will also benefit, with 96 per cent of Indian goods imports entering Australia duty-free on entry into force.

India is the world’s largest democracy and the world’s fastest-growing major economy, with GDP projected to grow at nine per cent in 2021-22 and 2022-23 and 7.1 per cent in 2023-24.

In 2020, India was Australia’s seventh-largest trading partner, with two-way trade valued at $24.3 billion, and the sixth-largest goods and services export market, valued at $16.9 billion.

Australia’s goal is to lift India into its top three export markets by 2035 and to make India the third-largest destination in Asia for outward Australian investment.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the agreement would create enormous trade diversification opportunities for Australian producers and service providers bound for India, valued at up to $14.8 billion each year.

“This agreement opens a big door into the world’s fastest-growing major economy for Australian farmers, manufacturers, producers and so many more,”

Prime Minister Morrison said. 

“By unlocking the huge market of around 1.4 billion consumers in India, we are strengthening the economy and growing jobs right here at home.

“This is great news for lobster fishers in Tasmania, wine producers in South Australia, macadamia” farmers in Queensland, critical minerals miners in Western Australia, lamb farmers from New South Wales, wool producers from Victoria and metallic ore producers from the Northern Territory.”

said Mr Morrison

This is how Indian Australian business leaders responded to the trade deal.

Benefits of IndAus ECTA to Australia include:

·         Sheep meat tariffs of 30 per cent will be eliminated on entry into force, providing a boost for Australian exports that already command nearly 20 per cent of India’s market

·         Wool will have the current 2.5 per cent tariffs eliminated on entry into force, supporting Australia’s second-largest market for wool products.

·         Tariffs on wine with a minimum import price of US$5 per bottle will be reduced from 150 per cent to 100 per cent on entry into force and subsequently to 50 per cent over 10 years (based on the Indian wholesale price index for wine).

·         Tariffs on wine bottles with a minimum import price of US$15 will be reduced from 150 per cent to 75 per cent on entry into force and subsequently to 25 per cent over 10 years (based on the Indian wholesale price index for wine).

·         Tariffs up to 30 per cent on avocados, onions, broad, kidney and adzuki beans, cherries, shelled pistachios, macadamias, cashews in-shell, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, currants will be eliminated over seven years.

·         Tariffs on almonds, lentils, oranges, mandarins, pears, apricots and strawberries will be reduced, improving opportunities for Australia’s horticulture industry to supply India’s growing food demand.

·         The resources sector will benefit from the elimination of tariffs on entry into force for coal, alumina, metallic ores, including manganese, copper and nickel; and critical minerals including titanium and zirconium.

·         LNG tariffs will be bound at 0 per cent at entry into force.

·         Tariffs on pharmaceutical products and certain medical devices will be eliminated over five and seven years.

Australia and India have also agreed to undertake cooperation to promote agricultural trade as part of the agreement and will now work towards concluding an enhanced agricultural Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Mr Tehan today signed AI ECTA on behalf of Australia during a virtual ceremony with India’s Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Piyush Goyal, attended by Prime Ministers Scott Morrison and Narendra Modi.

Today’s announcement builds on the Morrison Government’s $280 million investment to further grow our economic relationship and support jobs and businesses in both countries, which includes:

·         $35.7 million to support cooperation on research, production and commercialisation of clean technologies, critical minerals and energy;

·         $25.2 million to deepen space cooperation with India and

·         $28.1 million to launch a Centre for Australia-India Relations.

IndAus ECTA will support goods exporters by eliminating and reducing tariffs and removing red tape that slows trade down. Australia exported $19.3 billion worth of goods to India in 2021, representing 4.2 per cent of Australia’s total exports.

Statewise be benefits:

NSW

Under the agreement, 85 per cent of Australian goods by value will enter India duty free and an additional 5 per cent will be reduced or eliminated over periods not exceeding 10 years. Top New South Wales exports that will benefit include sheep meat, wine, malt, certain nuts, wool, coal, copper ores and concentrates and certain pharmaceutical products. 

In 31 sectors and subsectors, including banking and insurance, higher and adult education, hospital, medical and dental services, agriculture-related services, and key business services including architecture, urban planning and engineering, New South Wales services firms are guaranteed the best access India offers in the future to any other country.

New South Wales skilled professionals will also benefit from a framework to support mutual recognition of professional qualifications, alongside enhanced opportunities to live and work temporarily in India

Australia will permit 1,000 Indians per year to participate in the Work and Holiday Maker program, commencing within two years.

Sheep meat tariffs will be eliminated at entry into force:

  • New South Wales exported 128,000 tonnes of sheep meat in 2021, 27% of the national total, worth $1.2 billion.
  • Improved market access will allow Australian sheep meat to be more competitive with the 30% elimination in duties.

Wine tariffs will be reduced over 10 years for bottles over a price of US$5 and US$15 dollars:

  • Australia exported $2.1 billion worth of wine in 2021.
  • New South Wales was Australia’s second largest exporter with $476 million, 22% of the total.
  • Over the period 2018 to 2020, India imported on average $87 million of wine, Australia being the first supplier with 25% of market share followed by Singapore and France with 19% each.

Wool tariffs will be eliminated on entry into force:

  • Australia represents 57% of wool imports in India.
  • New South Wales was Australia’s second largest exporter to the world with $646 million in 2021, 21% of the total.

Coal tariffs will be eliminated on entry into force: 

  • Coal represents around 70% of total Australian exports to India, worth around $10 billion.
  • New South Wales was Australia’s second largest exporter to the world with $23 billion in 2021, 36% of the total.
  • Around a quarter of total Indian imports of coal comes from Australia.
  • India is Australia’s third market, representing around 16% of total exports of coal behind Japan (27%) and China (21%).

Petroleum oils tariffs will be eliminated over 5 years:

  • New South Wales was Australia’s largest exporter to the world with $1.8 billion, 59% of total.

Copper ores and concentrates tariffs will be eliminated on entry into force:

  • Australia represents around 10% of total Indian imports.
  • N New South Wales was Australia’s largest exporter to the world over 2018-20 with $2.7 billion, 42% of the total.

Pharmaceutical products tariffs will be eliminated over 5 years:

  • New South Wales was Australia’s second largest exporter to the world with $0.8 billion, 32% of total.

VICTORIA

Under the agreement, 85 per cent of Australian goods by value will enter India duty free and an additional 5 per cent will be reduced or eliminated over periods not exceeding 10 years. Top Victorian exports that will benefit include sheep meat, malt, wine, wool, petroleum oils, medicaments, lentils and almonds.

In 31 sectors and subsectors, including banking and insurance, higher and adult education, and key business services including architecture, urban planning and engineering, Victorian services firms are guaranteed the best access India offers in the future to any other country.

Victorian skilled professionals will also benefit from a framework to support mutual recognition of professional qualifications, alongside enhanced commitments to live and work temporarily in India.

Australia will permit 1,000 Indians per year to participate in the Work and Holiday Maker program, commencing within two years.

Sheep meat tariffs will be eliminated at entry into force: 

  • Victoria exported 211,000 tonnes of sheep meat in 2021, 45% of the national total, worth $1.8 billion.
  • Improved market access will allow Australian sheep meat to be more competitive with the 30% elimination in duties.

Wine tariffs will be reduced over 10 years for bottles over a price of US$5 and US$15 dollars:

  • Australia exported $2.1 billion worth of wine in 2021.
  • Victoria was Australia’s third largest exporter with $249 million.
  • Over the period 2018 to 2020, India imported on average $87 million of wine, Australia being the first supplier with 25% of market share followed by Singapore and France with 19% each.

Hides and skin tariffs will be eliminated on entry into force with raw hides and skin tariffs bound at 0% on entry into force.

  • Australia exported $648 million worth of hides and skin in 2021.
  • Victoria was Australia’s largest exporter to the world with $336 million in 2021, 52% of the total.

Wool tariffs will be eliminated on entry into force: 

  • Australia represents 57% of wool imports in India.
  • Victoria was the Australia’s largest exporter to the world with $1.6 billion in 2021, 53% of the total.

Petroleum oils tariffs will be eliminated over 5 years:

  • Victoria was Australia’s second largest exporter to the world with $760 million, 25% of total.

Pharmaceutical products tariffs will be eliminated over 5 years:

  • Victoria was Australia’s largest exporter to the world with $1.3 billion, 52% of total.

Lentils 

  • 50% tariff reduction for in-quota exports for lentils with a permanent quota of 150,000 tonnes per year.
  • Out of quota tariffs will remain at most favoured nation.
  • Victoria was Australia’s second largest exporter to the world with $278 million, 42% of total.

Almonds are the largest nut exports, worth $600 million in 2021. Outcome is:

  • 50% tariff reduction for in-quota exports for almonds with a permanent quota of 34,000 tonnes per year.
  • Out of quota tariffs will remain at most favoured nation.
  • Victoria was Australia’s largest exporter to the world with $427 million, 71% of total.

Western Australia

Under the agreement, 85 per cent of Australian goods by value will enter India duty free and an additional 5 per cent will be reduced or eliminated over periods not exceeding 10 years. Top Western Australian exports that will benefit include wine, barley and rock lobster. 

In 31 sectors and subsectors, including higher and adult education, scientific and technical consulting, construction, tourism and travel, Western Australian services firms are guaranteed the best access India offers in the future to any other country.

Western Australian skilled professionals will also benefit from a framework to support mutual recognition of professional qualifications, alongside enhanced commitments to live and work temporarily in India.

Australia will permit 1,000 Indians per year to participate in the Work and Holiday Maker program, commencing within two years

Sheep meat tariffs will be eliminated at entry into force: 

  • Western Australia exported 64,000 tonnes of sheep meat in 2021, 14% of the national total, worth $575 million.
  • Improved market access will allow Australian sheep meat to be more competitive with the 30% elimination in duties.

Wine tariffs will be reduced over 10 years for bottles over a price of US$5 and US$15 dollars:

  • Australia exported $2.1 billion worth of wine in 2021.
  • Western Australia was Australia’s fourth largest exporter with $34 million.
  • Over the period 2018 to 2020, India imported on average $87 million of wine, Australia being the largest supplier with 25% of market share followed by Singapore and France with 19% each.

Wool tariffs will be eliminated on entry into force:

  • Australia represents 57% of wool imports in India.
  • Western Australia was Australia’s third largest exporter to the world with $634 million in 2021, 21% of the total.

Barley and oats tariffs will be bound to 0% on entry into force:

  • Australia exported $2.7 billion worth of barley and $156 million of oats in 2021.
  • Western Australia was Australia’s largest exporter of barley with $1.2 billion (44% of the total) and oats with $130 million (83% of total) in 2021.
  • Australia represents 82% of oats imports in India.

Rock lobster tariffs will be eliminated on entry into force:

  • Australia exported $344 million worth of rock lobsters in 2021. 
  • Western Australia was Australia’s largest exporter to the world with $212 million in 2021, 63% of the total.

Titanium dioxide tariffs will be eliminated on entry into force. 

  • Australia exported $784 million worth of titanium dioxide in 2021 and Western Australia was the largest exporter with 99.8%.

Metallic ores tariffs will be eliminated on entry into force for copper, alumina, titanium, zirconium and manganese.

South Australia

Under the agreement, 85 per cent of Australian goods by value will enter India duty free and an additional 5 per cent will be reduced or eliminated over periods not exceeding 10 years. Top South Australian exports that will benefit include sheep meat, wine, lentils and almonds. 

In 31 sectors and subsectors, including higher and adult education, hospital, medical and dental services, tourism and travel, and key business services including architecture, urban planning and engineering, South Australian services firms are guaranteed the best access India offers in the future to any other country.

South Australian skilled professionals will also benefit from a framework to support mutual recognition of professional qualifications, alongside enhanced commitments to live and work temporarily in India.

Australia will permit 1,000 Indians per year to participate in the Work and Holiday Maker program, commencing within two years

Sheep meat tariffs will be eliminated at entry into force:

  • SA exported 56,000 tonnes of sheep meat in 2021, 12% of the national total, worth $574 million.
  • Improved market access will allow Australian sheep meat to be more competitive with the 30% elimination in duties.

Wine tariffs will be reduced over 10 years for bottles over a price of US$5 and US$15 dollars:

  • Australia exported $2.1 billion worth of wine in 2021.
  • SA was Australia’s largest exporter with $1.3 billion, 60% of the total.
  • Over the period 2018 to 2020, India imported on average $87 million of wine, Australia being the largest supplier with 25% of market share followed by Singapore and France with 19% each.

Lentils 

  • 50 percent tariff reduction for in-quota exports for lentils with a permanent quota of 150,000 tonnes per year.
  • Out of quota tariffs will remain at most favoured nation.
  • South Australia was Australia’s largest exporter to the world with $385 million, 58% of total.

Almonds are the largest nut exports, worth $600 million in 2021:

  • 50 percent tariff reduction for in-quota exports for almonds with a permanent quota of 34,000 tonnes per year.
  • Out of quota tariffs will remain at most favoured nation.
  • South Australia was Australia’s second largest exporter to the world with $164 million, 27% of total.

Tasmania

Under the agreement, 85 per cent of Australian goods by value will enter India duty free and an additional 5 per cent will be reduced or eliminated over periods not exceeding 10 years.  Top Tasmanian exports that will benefit include sheep meat, wine, cherries, and wool.

In 31 sectors and subsectors, including higher and adult education, hospital, medical and dental services, tourism and travel, and key business services including architecture, urban planning and engineering, Tasmanian services firms are guaranteed the best access India offers in the future to any other country.

Tasmanian skilled professionals will also benefit from a framework to support mutual recognition of professional qualifications, alongside enhanced commitments to live and work temporarily in India.

Australia will permit 1,000 Indians per year to participate in the Work and Holiday Maker program, commencing within two years

Sheep meat tariffs will be eliminated at entry into force:

  • Tasmania exported 2,800 tonnes of sheep meat in 2021, worth $23.5 million.
  • Improved market access will allow Australian sheep meat to be more competitive with the 30% elimination in duties.

Wine tariffs will be reduced over 10 years for bottles over a price of US$5 and US$15 dollars:

  • Australia exported $2.1 billion worth of wine in 2021.
  • Tasmania exported $6 million worth of wine in 2021.
  • Over the period 2018 to 2020, India imported on average $87 million of wine, Australia being the largest supplier with 25% of market share followed by Singapore and France with 19% each.

Fresh cherries (excluding sour cherries) tariffs will be eliminated over 7 years:

  • Australia exported $69 million worth of cherries in 2021.
  • Tasmania was Australia’s largest exporter to the world with $43 million in 2021, 61% of the total.

Wool tariffs will be eliminated on entry into force:

  • Australia represents 57% of wool imports in India and Tasmania exported $20.5 million globally in 2021.

Tin ores tariffs will be eliminated on entry into force:

  • Australia exported $329 million worth of tin ores in 2021, Tasmania representing almost all Australian exports to the world.

Queensland

Under the agreement, 85 per cent of Australian goods by value will enter India duty free and an additional 5 per cent will be reduced or eliminated over periods not exceeding 10 years. Top Queensland exports that will benefit include coal, certain nuts, hides and skin, bauxite and medicaments. 

In 31 sectors and subsectors, including banking and insurance, higher and adult education, hospital, medical and dental services, tourism and travel, and key business services including architecture, urban planning and engineering, Queensland services firms are guaranteed the best access India offers in the future to any other country.

Queensland skilled professionals will also benefit from a framework to support mutual recognition of professional qualifications, alongside enhanced opportunities to live and work temporarily in India.

Australia will permit 1,000 Indians per year to participate in the Work and Holiday Maker program, commencing within two years.

Coal tariffs will be eliminated on entry into force and over 5 years for bituminous coal: 

  • Coal represents around 70% of total Australian exports to India, worth around $10 billion.
  • Queensland was Australia’s largest exporter to the world with $34 billion in 2021, 55% of the total.
  • Around a quarter of total Indian imports of coal comes from Australia.
  • India is Australia’s third largest market, representing around 16% of total exports of coal behind Japan (27%) and China (21%).

Aluminium ores (bauxite) tariffs will be eliminated on entry into force:

  • Australia exported $1.3 billion worth of bauxite in 2021.
  • Queensland was Australia’s largest exporter to the world with $862 million in 2021, 69% of the total.

Macadamia nuts tariffs will be eliminated over 7 years:

  • Australia exported $317 million worth of macadamia nuts in 2021.
  • Queensland was Australia’s largest exporter to the world with $147 million in 2021, 47% of the total.

Hides and skin tariffs will be eliminated on entry into force with raw hides and skin tariffs bound at 0% on entry into force:

  • Australia exported $648 million worth of hides and skin in 2021.
  • Queensland was Australia’s third largest exporter to the world with $118 million in 2021, 18% of the total.

Shangri-La hotel underpaid $3 million to skilled workers and international students from seven countries including India

Shangri-La Sydney; Image Source: TravelSort

The operator of the Shangri-La hotel in Sydney has entered into an Enforceable Undertaking (EU) with the Fair Work Ombudsman and has back-paid employees more than $3 million.

The Fair Work Ombudsman discovered that Lilyvale Hotel Pty Ltd, which operates the five-star hotel located at The Rocks, had underpaid employees during a proactive auditing campaign in 2018.

Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker said that an EU was an appropriate outcome as Lilyvale Hotel had cooperated and demonstrated a strong commitment to rectifying underpayments.

“Under the Enforceable Undertaking, the company has committed to stringent measures to comply with the law and protect its workforce.

This includes engaging, at its own cost, an expert auditing firm to check its workplace compliance for each of the next two years.”

Shangri-La Sydney; Image Source: TravelSort

The Fair Work Ombudsman said in a media release:

“The primary cause of the underpayments was the company failing to ensure that annualised salaries paid to some hotel staff were sufficient to cover all of their minimum lawful overtime and penalty rate entitlements under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2010.”

It further adds:

“The error resulted in significant underpayments of overtime rates and penalty rates for weekend, night and public holiday work.

Meal break penalties and annual leave loading entitlements were also underpaid.”

Further, Shangri-La hotel also breached workplace laws relating to rostering, record-keeping and providing new employees with a Fair Work Information Statement.

Image source: Shangri La – Nine News Screenshot.

The underpaid staff included cooks, chefs, food and beverage attendants, porters, and those in purchasing, engineering, room service and front office roles.

The underpayments occurred between 2013 and 2019.

According to Fair Work Ombudsman, Lilyvale Hotel has already back-paid 199 current and former employees $3.09 million, which includes interest.

“Individual back-payments, excluding interest and superannuation, have ranged from $16 to $119,447.

The EU requires Lilyvale Hotel to calculate and back-pay amounts owing to every affected employee, plus interest and superannuation, within the next four months.”

The underpaid employees were on skilled workers, working holidays and student visas from countries including Thailand, India, Burma, South Korea, the Philippines and the UK.

Ms Parker said underpayments resulting from insufficient annual salaries for employees covered by awards had become a persistent issue among various industries.

“Businesses paying annual salaries cannot take a ‘set-and-forget’ approach to paying their workers. Employers must ensure wages paid are sufficient to cover all minimum lawful entitlements for the hours employees actually work – otherwise a substantial back-payment bill awaits.”

Under the EU, Lilyvale Hotel will also make a $90,000 contrition payment to the Commonwealth’s Consolidated Revenue Fund.

The company is also required to formally apologise to staff, commission workplace relations training for relevant staff, publish workplace and website notices detailing its contraventions, and offer all operational non-managerial employees the option to be remunerated on a weekly or hourly basis, rather than an annualised salary.

Employers and employees can visit www.fairwork.gov.au or contact Infoline on 13 13 94.

Will Smith, unresolved trauma and that slap to Chris Rock

Will Smith Slaps Chris Cook at Oscar 2022; Image Source: Screenshot Oscar video

In my article, I describe how Will Smith’s assault on Chris Rock during the Academy Awards could be seen as a TRAUMA RESPONSE (related to past childhood trauma being triggered).

I use the event to launch into a broader explanation of what may constitute a traumatic experience, as well some of the obvious and not-so-obvious ways that unresolved trauma can manifest in our adult professional and personal lives.

While a history of trauma NEVER is an excuse for nor abdicates responsibility for a person who physically, verbally, or emotionally harms another person, understanding the impacts and manifestations of unresolved trauma can help us understand “the why” behind “the what” from a much deeper level.

We can use that understanding not only for this situation involving Will Smith and Chris Rock, but also as a way of gaining greater awareness and understanding of our own behaviours and possible traumas. With awareness and understanding, we can begin the path towards healing.

This is what the result of unresolved trauma looks like.

What we witnessed Will Smith do in assaulting Chris Rock during the Academy Award ceremony was a trauma response.

While I am in no way condoning violence, this is a very public and important opportunity for us to understand what a trauma response can look like.

A trauma response can take many forms and look like:

  • Slapping someone for saying “the wrong” thing.
  • Yelling at someone for not doing something “fast enough” or “up to your standards.”
  • Avoiding or not responding to a boss’s emails about scheduling an upcoming performance review.
  • “Having to” do everything “perfectly,” otherwise you feel anxious or unsettled.
  • Not setting boundaries around your time and energy because you’re worried about confrontation and upsetting the other person.
  • Working endless hours without taking time for yourself or the things and people you enjoy because your job is your primary source and measure of your own self-worth and value.

When a person has experienced trauma (“Big T” or “Little t”) from their childhood (or adulthood), the brain and body store that traumatic memory in ways such that aspects of that memory can be re-activated by present-day interactions and situations.

When this happens, the person experiencing this re-activation is split-second processing (on a subconscious or unconscious level) the current event through the filter of that past trauma. This means that that person is, for all meaningful purposes, experiencing things as if they are right back in that previous circumstance of trauma. As a result, they are reacting (taking action)—emotionally, physically, and/or verbally—from that place of trauma.

Those past traumas can be diverse and range from:

  • Witnessing a parent being physically or verbally abused during your childhood.
  • You, yourself, experiencing physical, sexual, or verbal abuse in your childhood or adulthood.
  • Experiencing emotional abuse or neglect as a child.
  • Being harshly reprimanded (including being spoken to with an angry tone and demeanor) or shamed by others for not doing a task “the right way” or not “well enough.”
  • Being told (and, perhaps, punished) as a child by an adult caregiver that it’s not polite nor acceptable to say “No” when an adult tells you to do something (including getting hugs from relatives, being made to attend events despite your objections).
  • Being called out by a teacher in front of the class for having the wrong answer and feeling embarrassment and shame.

While some of the above may be horrific, and other things may seem inconsequential, depending on the age of occurrence, the emotional, mental, and physical resources that person had at that age and any prior traumas could determine the extent to which that person experienced trauma. A 2-year-old wandering into a closet with a door that shuts behind them that they can’t easily open, plunging them alone in darkness for 15 minutes before someone finds them is a far different experience than that of an adult in the same predicament.

In the case of Will Smith, he detailed in his autobiography, Will, that he witnessed physical violence at home as a child. He writes:

“When I was nine years old, I watched my father punch my mother in the side of the head so hard that she collapsed,” he wrote. “I saw her spit blood. That moment in that bedroom, probably more than any other moment in my life, has defined who I am.”

“Within everything that I have done since then — the awards and accolades, the spotlights and attention, the characters and the laughs — there has been a subtle string of apologies to my mother for my inaction that day. For failing her at the moment. For failing to stand up to my father. For being a coward.”

So, the combination of Chris Rock targeting Will’s wife for his “joke,” along with the look on her face (signalling to Will her level of upset and distress), triggered a split-second accessing (and instantly being placed inside) of that earlier memory when he was 9yo and was unable to protect his mom (the woman he loved).

Will’s reaction at the awards ceremony was that of the nine-year-old traumatized little boy who simply reacted in the way that 9yo boy wanted to react back then.

Does having a history of trauma (big or little) give a “free pass” for the present-day trauma reactions that involve the harming (physically, verbally, or emotionally) of another? No, of course not.

However, it does highlight the importance of understanding trauma and its many manifestations, and addressing it with effective trauma-informed approaches that address the emotional, physical (because we hold emotions in our body), and mental aspects of trauma.

Hopefully, rather than simply vilify Will, and say he has “an anger problem,” people close to him can help him recognize that this is “a trauma problem,” and help him get trauma-informed help in the form of therapy in combination with modalities such as EFT (emotional freedom techniques, or “tapping”), EMDR, or other somatic modalities that can effectively and efficiently release the traumatized aspects held in his memory and body.

Once his trauma and emotions are no longer dictating his actions, he could have a much more measured and effective response to situations such as that that occurred at the awards ceremony.

My further hope is that if anyone reading this finds that they are stuck in patterns of extreme reactions (such as Will experienced), or even less severe reactions, but you recognize are getting in the way of you living life the way you really want, please consider getting trauma-informed support.

Even if you’ve not experienced “Big T” trauma, all of us have experienced various “Little t” traumas that have impacted each of us in various ways personally and/or professionally—some mild, some not so mild.

As physicians, we are masterful at suppressing so many of our emotions, and the thoughts and memories associated with them. However, trauma has a way of impacting us in great big obvious ways (as we saw with Will Smith), and not such obvious ways (perfectionism, workaholism, lack of boundaries).

I’m not suggesting any of us go unearthing swaths of past trauma. Simply be aware that it may be impacting you in ways you recognize and have yet to address, or in ways you never quite thought of as being associated with trauma. And, if needed, allow yourself to get the support you need by working with a trauma-informed therapist, trauma-informed coach, or other trauma-informed specialists.

NOTE: The traumatic experiences of Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett-Smith, the ceremony audience, and the millions of TV viewers are all also very important to acknowledge, and are absolutely worthy of discussion in order to help all of us better understand the MANY nuances and impacts of trauma, not only for them but for each one of us in our own lives. However, I was not able to explore them at this time in this article.

Author: Melissa Hankins is a psychiatrist and physician coach.

Disclaimer: The article was first published on KevinMD.com We have republished it with kind permission from the author.

Engage and welcome migrants to do volunteer work, says CFA’s Mohini Sashindranath

Image source: Mohini Sashindranath - CFA.

Mohini Sashindranath who was born and brought up in India is presently the Acting Chief Financial Officer with the Country Fire Authority (CFA).

She left India when at the age of 18 and has since then lived in Africa and the UK.

Mohini moved to Australia in her early 20s and has personally encountered a range of different languages, ethnicities and religions in all the countries she has lived.

She says:

“When I was in the UK, I lived in a hostel where we had a wing of 11 rooms and every room had someone with a different nationality and it gave me an appreciation for how diversity brings such benefits, both to my life personally and to society.”

These interactions with people belonging to diverse groups has helped her grow and find her true self.

“I always try and apply that and stay authentic to myself as a result”.

After living between regional NSW, Melbourne and Sydney, Mohini joined CFA.

“I’ve been at CFA for nearly a year and got the opportunity to act in the CFO role, which for me has presented itself with opportunities to have influence in the things that the organisation is trying to drive and that are important to me, like cultural diversity and ensuring we have good representation of women in leadership roles. That for me has been really special.”

She believes that engaging with culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Australia is a key way to increase CFA member base and encouraging volunteerism amongst migrant communities.

“If we want to encourage volunteerism we need to be looking at our CALD communities, it’s important for us to do that right from the outset and engage with these communities, welcome them into our organisation and see the benefits they can bring.”

Image source: CFA – Selection of generic photos of volunteers to be used in CFA publications.

CFA is a volunteer-based organisation that works to protect the lives and properties of millions of Victorians. 

“We have 54,000 members working in over 1,200 brigades across Victoria, ranging from small rural towns to outer metropolitan suburbs. Callouts at brigades can vary between one and 1,000 each year.”

CFA volunteers undertake a range of tasks such as fighting fires, road rescues, emergency medical response, fundraising, marketing and community education and engagement.

 A REVIEW – THE KASHMIR FILES: By keeping silent we are complicit, twice over 

The Kashmir Files; Image Source: Supplied

“Where were you in 1990?” my son asked curiously when he saw us shell-shocked and teary-eyed on our return from The Kashmir Files.

“We were here in Delhi,” we mumbled. “In fact, I distinctly remember sitting on the bed with you in my lap and watching the monthly news video, News Track, where Benazir Bhutto bloodthirsty and hoarse gesticulated cutting up into pieces, the then Lt Governor. 

“Jag-Jag-Mo-Mo-Han-Han and the chants of Hum Kya Chahete? Azaadi!” that had frozen my brain with fear at the time – till I heard it again during the CAA Protests when it brought back a flood of memories, this time, enraging me no end.

How they taunt us, were my first thoughts and that anthem Hum Dekhenge that pierced the veneer of the sham that we call Secularism in our country.

The Kashmir Files; Image Source: Supplied

“Yes, I remember clutching you tight as news filtered to us of family and friends leaving with whatever they could leave for Jammu and other parts of the country”.

“Yes, I remember every story, every murder and the insult of it when TV anchors in newfound celebrity shine justified it all in smooth, dulcet tones”

The empty eyes, blank faces, blistering heat, tents…

And India’s silence.

Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri’s brave, brilliant film The Kashmir Files smashes our complacence, fist-finds-the-jaw moment that shakes our well-oiled first instinct of hunker down and shut up.

The Kashmir Files; Image Source: Supplied

The Kashmir Files tells it, as it is. The filmmakers don’t distance themselves from the usual disclaimers. On the contrary, they proudly and defiantly claim ownership of their research and dedication to the subject. 

For those who experienced it and survived. For those who were connected but not present and for those who are vaguely or not aware at all. The truth cannot be ignored after this – ‘No Moving On’, here. 

Till we confront our history and break The Circle of Burden our children will inherit a legacy of being victims. A legacy that perpetuates crimes borne in the past and expected to be taken on the chin in the future. 

Besides the technicalities and the sophistry of cinematography, the art in filmmaking lies in storytelling that draws the viewer in so completely that he belongs to it and the story becomes his.

The Kashmir Files; Image Source: Supplied

The characters are people you think you know, in this case, you probably do, and every emotion becomes yours. 

Anupam Kher’s Pushkar Nath Pandit sears through the heart. He could be your grandfather, or that old uncle you heard of, who trekked in a Kafila leaving behind land, home, orchards in 1947 and so many times thereafter in our history of riots. ethnic cleansing and genocide. He encapsulates the history of India and in its recent avatar, a Kashmiri Pandit who pines till the end for his home.

In Darshan Kumar’s Krishna Pandit you recognise your own children, their peers. Young people, because of our own cowardice in confronting the truth know so little about who we are, who we were and can be. He is the child you hold close to your chest and hope your heartbeat tells him tales, that you dare not. But only once the vice-like grip on your own silence is prised open can he claim ownership and acknowledge his roots. The final monologue is a piece de resistance to which the actor does full justice. 

Quiet but powerful Basha Sumbli’s Sharda represents the civilisation of Kashmir with its trauma and courage. A role played with pathos, subtlety and simplicity that has a sledgehammer effect.

In Pallavi Joshi’s brilliant portrayal of Radhika Menon, I recognise my own sweetly manipulative professors of ‘ANU’ as Censors now want the university referred to, in the film. Looking for cracks, feeding on the confused and gullible …The danger these people pose is no less than those who carry guns. 

The Kashmir Files; Image Source: Supplied

Chinmay Mandlekar’s Bitta bites you as it did every time you saw his evil face on your TV screens, feted by politicians and celebrity intellectuals, all the while his lazy eye mocking their stupidity.

The dilemma of a section of the establishment that witnessed the unfolding of the genocide and later the exodus is ably represented by Mithun Chakraborty, Puneet Issar, Prakash Belawadi and Atul Srivastava. The mesh of past and present is untangled, thread by a thread through them, while they question their own motives.

The Kashmir Files is a film that India cannot afford to ignore.

May a thousand Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri’s bloom! May our stories, written in blood, resound in every corner of this planet. 

By keeping silent we are complicit, twice over.

Author: Nandini Bahri Dhanda is an Interior Architect. She has lived across sixteen states in India & travelled all over the world. Her interest in art, culture, history politics & above all a passion for communicating & chatting with people across the board, finds her voice in her blog.

Disclaimer: The review was first published on her blogspot, We have republished it with kind permission from the author. You can read the original copy at https://nandinibahri-dhanda.blogspot.com

Shane Warne honoured by UN with conservation grant

Shane Warne memorial; Image Source: @CricketAustralia

Shane Warne’s legacy will live on beyond his cricketing achievements, with his animal conservation work for the United Nations to be honoured with a new grant.

At a state memorial service in Melbourne on Wednesday, Andrea Egan from the UN Development Programme revealed Warne joined its wildlife fund, Lion’s Share, in 2021.

Ms Egan announced the Shane Warne conservation grant to memorialise the spin king’s work to protect wildlife and catalyse more action.

“His legacy extends beyond the hearts of the people here today,” she told the crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Shane Warne memorial; Image Source: @CricketAustralia

“It lives on in the people of Sri Lanka promoting sea turtle conservation, in an all-female anti-poaching unit in South Africa, and the team at the Byron Bay hospital, who were supported in the wake of the bushfires. 

“All this work and more, Shane helped make possible. We are forever grateful for his championship and will work to honour his memory in a manner that does justice to the person he was.”

Warne had a history of charity and community work, including through his disbanded foundation, but his links to wildlife conservation were previously unknown.

Shane Warne memorial; Image Source: @CricketAustralia

The cricket legend, who died in Thailand of a suspected heart attack on March 4, was remembered during Wednesday night’s farewell as a loveable larrikin and devoted dad.

His father Keith Warne led tributes and described his son’s death as the “darkest day in our family’s life”.

Warne’s children, Jackson, Summer, and Brooke unveiled the renamed Great Southern Stand as the Shane Warne Stand after each giving emotional speeches.

Shane Warne memorial; Image Source: @CricketAustralia

A friend and former St Kilda footballer Aaron Hamill gave an insight into Warne’s larrikin nature when the cricketer served as his best man and leaned in for a hug just before the nuptials.

“He said ‘mate, it’s not too late and, Shane being Shane, he pulled out two passports. He managed to get his hands on my passport as a bit of a gag,” Hamill said.

Shane Warne memorial; Image Source: @CricketAustralia

Elton John, Chris Martin, Robbie Williams, and Ed Sheeran were among those to lend their superstar talents with pre-recorded musical performances, while Australian actors Hugh Jackman and Eric Bana also gave virtual tributes.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese were in attendance.

Shane Warne memorial; Image Source: @CricketAustralia

Others at the MCG, the site of Warne’s hat-trick in 1994 and 700th Test wicket in 2006, included former Australian captain Allan Border, ex-English skipper Nasser Hussain, and West Indian great Brian Lara.

Warne’s everyman appeal was on full display outside the ground as his statue once again became adorned with beer cans and baked beans – two of his other great loves.

Is your home in 1100 Australian million-dollar suburbs, Here’s list

Million Dollar House; Image Source: Creative commons

418 suburbs have now joined the million-dollar club during Australia’s housing boom.

PropTrack director of economic research Cameron Kusher told realestate.com.au that many suburbs have eclipsed the $1 million median price mark in Australia:

“The past 12 months has seen property prices rise at their third highest rate on record, plus people have been comfortable borrowing more due to low mortgage rates and dedicating more income to housing because they essentially couldn’t spend in ways they usually would during the pandemic.” 

According to PropTrack data, 1100 suburbs around Australia now have a median house price in excess of $1 million.

Million Dollar House; Image Source: Creative commons

Both Sydney and Canberra have city-wide median house prices in excess of $1 million.

Greater Sydney has almost 450 suburbs with a $1 million-plus median house price.

Melbourne now has more than 200 suburbs with a $1 million-plus median house price. 

State/territoryNumber of new $1m suburbs
New South Wales181
Queensland94
Victoria60
South Australia40
Australian Capital Territory23
Western Australia14
Tasmania5
Northern Territory1
Source: realestate.com.au

The new additions in the million-dollar club include:

  • Sydney: Bankstown ($1.17 million median house price), Lakemba ($1.087m), and Punchbowl ($1.06m) in the inner southwest area; Glenbrook ($1.265m) and Leura ($1.19m) in the Blue Mountains; Auburn ($1.055m) and Merrylands ($1.058m) in the Parramatta region; and Cabramatta ($1.075m) and Wetherill Park ($1.026m) in the southwest.
  • Melbourne: Chelsea ($1.02m) and Bonbeach ($1.152m) are newcomers, along with Greensborough ($1.02m), Diamond Creek ($1.047m) and Wattle Glen ($1.037m) in the north east and Gisborne ($1.08m), Macedon ($1.11m) in the Macedon Ranges, Nunawading ($1.26m), Forest Hill ($1.2m), Ringwood ($1.035m), Rowville ($1.038m), Mount Dandenong ($1.09m), Dingley Village ($1.045m), Mulgrave ($1m),  Rye ($1.16m), Frankston South ($1.159m), Safety Beach ($1.18m), Mornington ($1.112m) and Dromana ($1.08m).
  • Adelaide: Trinity Gardens ($1.546m), Beaumont ($1.5m), Wayville ($1.5m), Unley ($1.37m), North Adelaide ($1.101m), North Brighton ($1m), Stirling ($1.089m), Aldgate ($1.05m) and Henley Beach ($1.25m).
  • Canberra: Farrer ($1.4m), Lyneham ($1.275m), Lyons ($1.27m), Downer ($1.26m), Mawson ($1.207m), Dickson ($1.117m), Forde ($1.1m) and Chifley ($1.081m).
  • Perth: East Perth ($1.087m), Marmion ($1.25m), North Beach ($1.05m), Shelley ($1.056m), Kensington ($1.03m) and Fremantle ($1m).
  • Hobart: Acton Park ($1.1m), Mount Stuart ($1.065m), Dynnyrne ($1.02m), West Hobart ($1.006m) and Tranmere ($1m).
  • Brisbane: Manly ($1.2m) in Brisbane’s east, Gordon Park ($1.251m) and Shorncliffe ($.125m) in the north, Robertson ($1.351m) and Carindale ($1.28m) in the south and Kenmore Hills ($1.31m) in the west.
  • Gold Coast: Miami ($1.48m), Burleigh Waters ($1.375m), and Burleigh Heads ($1.3m).
  • Sunshine Coast: Noosa North Shore ($1.592m), Diddillibah ($1.462m), Peregian Beach ($1.275m), and Coolum Beach ($1.2m). 
Million Dollar House; Image Source: Creative commons

Mr. Kusher adds:

“Paying $1 million for a house is much more normal nowadays anywhere than it was in the past and the $1 million price tag is no longer necessarily the indication of owning a premium property like it was in decades past.”

Mr. Kusher believes that Australian housing prices will continue to rise in 2022 at a slower pace.

Khalsa Aid’s South Australia coordinator threatens Hindu-Sikh couple for organising inclusive Vaisakhi Mela

Hindu-Sikh Couple of South Australia; Image Source: The Australia Today

The last seven days have been like hell for a Hindu-Sikh couple from Adelaide who runs an organisation called ‘Punjabi Aussie Association of South Australia.’

They have been threatened to be physically harmed, their business destroyed and boycotted from the community.

Harmeet Kaur and her husband Rajesh Thakur have been organising Vaisakhi Mela in South Australia’s capital Adelaide for the last several years.

The Mela draws crowds of thousands of people not only from Indian-Punjabi backgrounds but also from South Asian origin and importantly Australians curious and interested in multicultural festivities.

Music, dance, and food are the three basic and most loved staples of most Indian festivals but this time they are targets of alleged extremist groups.

Rajesh Thakur told The Australia Today:

“It all started with a threatening phone call on 22 February from Khalsa Aid’s South Australia Head Gurinder Jit Singh Jassar.”

Rajesh Thakur adds:

“He told me, Change the name of your Vaisakhi Mela because Vaisakhi belongs to us (read- Sikhs),”

said Mr Thakur

“When I refused to change the name of the Vaisakhi Mela, Gurinder Jit Singh Jassar became aggressive,” said Mr. Thakur.

“Tussi Mele wich giddha- bhagra pa ke lacharta- kanjarkhana fyalane ho.”

“Gurinder Jit Singh Jassar accused me that we are sexualising the young generation by letting them perform Gidha-Bhangra (Punjabi folk dance for Women and men),”

Mr Thakur said.

“I explained to Mr. Jassar, Giddha-Bhangra are the traditional folk dance of Punjab and there is no sexualisation or nudity in any of the programs performed on the stage of Vaisakhi Mela.”

“Gurinder Jit Singh Jassar wasn’t ready to listen to any explanation and threatened me if we would continue with organising Vaisakhi Mela there will be serious consequences,”

said Mr Thakur.

“I told Gurinder Jit Singh Jassar, We have been organising Vaisakhi Mela for several years you can simply go to our Facebook page and check how we conduct the whole program.”

“Gurinder Jit Singh Jassar told me we don’t care how you do things, the only thing I am concerned about is Vaisakhi is a Sikh festival and you can’t use this name,”

said Rajesh Thakur

“Jassar said to me Australians do the vulgar dance which is not acceptable in the name of Vaisakhi Mela.”

“Gurinder Jit Singh Jassar even proposed to pay us for dropping the name Vaisakhi Mela.”

“At the end of the call, I told him you talk to your group and explain we are not doing anything wrong and I will also talk to our organising committee.”

There was calm for ten days before the storm of hate-filled messages, phone calls, and social media video posts targeting and threatening Harmeet Kaur and Rajesh Thakur started to ruin their life.

Gurinder Jit Singh Jassar decided to take it on social media with veiled threats of disrupting the Vaisakhi Mela. His video can be seen on this link: https://www.facebook.com/749313763/videos/514885516654287/

Harmeet Kaur approached a local media group Raabta Radio to explain her side of the story. Here’s the link: https://fb.watch/c3H7R2qFhf/

Robbie Benipal is the Editor of Raabta Radio. He told The Australia Today, “I did my job as a journalist of giving voice to the community and raising issues but for this, I was publicly targeted.”

Robbie Benipal is the Editor of Raabta Radio

“In an Indian program couple of days back they surrounded me and rudely questioned me on why I gave a platform to Harmeet Kaur, organiser of Vaisakhi Mela.”

I told them it’s my job as a journalist and asked them to come and present their side of the story but they refused,”

said Mr Benipal.

Link to this Video: https://fb.watch/c3H7R2qFhf/

Here are some examples of the dance which Gurinder Jit Singh Jassar and his group are opposing and calling vulgar Australian dance.

Link to Video: https://www.facebook.com/100000658654376/videos/295914566004978/

After Harmeet Kaur’s interview by Raabta Radio, the Thakur-Kaur family’s life turned upside down.

Now, Threats were open and direct.

Harmeet Kaur said, “My girlfriend was called by an international student belonging to ‘Gurinder Jit Singh Jassar’ group and was told to convey a message to me: We will cut you into pieces if we find you in the Mela.”

“We will be 300-400 people, some are coming from Melbourne to beat the shit out of you (kuttapa karne). Our group is bringing mike and speaker, we will capture the stage and anyone who tries to stop us will know who we are,’

explained Harmeet.

This phone call and threatening text messages made the matter very serious for the Kaur-Thakur couple and they decided to make the police complain to South Australia Police.

Rajesh Thakur told The Australia today, “I received a call from Gurshiminder Singh Mintu Brar on 22 March, he also threatened us saying if the Vaisakhi Mela goes ahead there will be Hindu-Sikh riots.”

Mintu Brar; Image Source: Facebook profile Mintu Brar

“Mintu Brar told me that he is in touch with all three gurudwaras in Adelaide and some Melbourne Sikh groups (Jathebandiya) who are ready to come in Vaisakhi Mela and run amok,” said Mr. Thakur.

However, Two Gurudwaras of Adelaide have categorically denied anything to do with Mintu Brar.

“I will be in the USA on Vaisakhi Mela day now you decide what you want for your program riots between community members or you are ready to change name, Mintu Brar asked me”

said Rajesh Thakur.

Facebook bio of Mintu Brar shows that he is Managing Director at Idea ventures, Managing Director at Kangaroo Island Seaside Inn, and Owner at Brar Farms.

The Australia Today contacted Gurshiminder Singh Mintu Brar.

He told The Australia Today from Sydney Airport, “I deny all the allegations.”

“I was simply trying to mediate between two groups, I requested organisers of Vaisakhi Mela to come and talk to Gurinder Jit Singh Jassar for resolving the issue,” added Mintu Brar.

However, Mintu Brar agreed that Facebook posts by Gurinder Jit Singh Jassar were inappropriate and threatening in nature.

Vaisakhi or Baisakh has been celebrated as a harvest festival in North Indian state of Punjab where farmers offered thanks for a plentiful harvest.

It became popular amongst the Sikh community after Guru Gobind Singh chose the festival as the moment to establish the Khalsa in 1699.

Amrik Singh Thandi is a Sikh leader in Adelaide and a member of the Sikh Society of South Australia.

Mr. Thandi told The Australia Today, “Vaisakhi Mela is common for Hindu, Sikh, Christian, and Muslims of Punjab. Nobody can claim it and in my view, the name should not be changed, Vaisakhi Mela should go on as it is.”

Amrik Singh Thandi, Member of the Sikh Society of South Australia

“Before Guru Nanak ji the first Sikh guru was born Vaisakhi month was still there in the Hindu calendar. If it was always there as a festival then why they want to change the name I can’t understand,”

explained Mr Thandi.

Harmeet Kaur told The Australia Today, “We are so concerned about these threats that my kids are not able to attend school, we have not cooked and eaten food properly for a few days.”

“We are bringing communities together through this Vaisakhi Mela event, is that a crime?”

questions Ms Kaur.

“The whole community is scared of these radical extremists that’s why my own friends are telling me we know you are right but can’t come out openly in your support,” teary Harmeet said.

Mahanvir Singh Grewal is President of Allenby Garden Gurudwara (Guru Nanak Sikh Society of Australia).

Mr. Grewal told The Australia Today, “Everybody does dance in India at the Vaisakhi festival, what’s the problem here in Australia.”

Mahanvir Singh Grewal is President of Allenby Garden Gurudwara

“These people asking to change name of Vaisakhi Mela just want to become famous by creating trouble for others,”

said Mr Grewal

There is only one solution inform the Police and they will sort them out,” added Mr. Grewal.

South Australia Police has told The Australia today, “South Australia Police is aware of the upcoming Vaisakhi Mela festival.  As with other community events, SAPOL works with organisers and conducts assessments to identify the level of police presence required. These assessments are conducted in the lead up to and during the event.”

ZB Holden Commodore trialled as SA Police car
South Australia Police.

“We encourage any person who at any time believes their own; or the safety of others may be at risk, to report that to the police as soon as possible.

“My message to the community is, please attend Vaisakhi Mela in big numbers and enjoy food and cultural dances,” added Mr. Thandi.

Note: The Australia Today has tried to contact Gurinder Jit Singh Jassar, however, we have not received any response from him. In case he responds to us we will update the story.

Indian-origin Raj Subramaniam appointed as CEO of FedEx

Image source: Raj Subramaniam - FedEx.

Package-delivery giant FedEx has named company’s 56-year-old president and chief operating officer Raj Subramaniam has been named as the new CEO.

Subramaniam will replace founder Fred Smith, 77 yo, who will step down on June 1 and take on the role of executive chairman.

Image source: Fred Smith – FedEx.

Smith said in a FedEx statement:

“As we look toward what’s next, I have a great sense of satisfaction that a leader of the caliber of Raj Subramaniam will take FedEx into a very successful future. In my role as Executive Chairman, I look forward to focusing on Board governance as well as issues of global importance, including sustainability, innovation, and public policy.”

Subramaniam is originally from Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram and has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from IIT Bombay.

He also has a master’s degree in chemical engineering from Syracuse University and an MBA from The University of Texas at Austin.

Prior to his role as President and Chief Operating Officer of FedEx Corp., Subramaniam was President and Chief Executive Officer of FedEx Express.

He also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer of FedEx Corp., where he was responsible for developing the corporate strategy.

In addition, Subramaniam served as the President of FedEx Express in Canada and in several other management and marketing roles throughout Asia and the U.S. since he joined FedEx in 1991.

Image Source: Raj Subramaniam – FedEx.

Subramaniam said:

“As we continue to transform as a company and reimagine what’s next, we will keep our people-service-profit philosophy at our core. I am immensely proud of our 600,000 team members around the world. Together we’ve set into motion ideas that have changed the world for the better, and together we will unlock new value for our people, customers, and shareholders.”

With this achievement, Subramaniam will join other notable Indian-origin CEOs who are presently heading most successful American businesses and companies. These include Sundar Pichai – Alphabet, Satya Nadella – Microsoft, Parag Agrawal – Twitter, Leena Nair – Chanel, Shantanu Narayen – Adobe Inc, Arvind Krishna – IBM, and Nikesh Arora – Palo Alto Networks.

Subramaniam was elected to the FedEx Board of Directors in 2020 and will maintain his seat on the Board. 

Budget 2022-23: Skill and Parent Visa numbers increased but Partner Visa reduced, Here’ details

Federal Government is addressing critical skill shortages, driving innovation, and attracting investment as part of the 2022-23 Budget.

The 2022-23 permanent Migration Program ceiling will be 160,000 places.

Migration – Skill stream

The Morrison Government’s Migration Program will focus on skilled migration, with a return to a pre-pandemic composition of roughly two-thirds/one-third across the Skill and Family streams.

The Skill stream will increase to 109,900, more than 30,000 places above 2021-22 planning levels.

Within the Skill stream,
1- The categories of Employer-Sponsored (30,000 places),
2- Skilled Independent (16,652 places), and
3- State & Territory Nominated (20,000 places) have all been increased from 2021-22 planning levels.

Regional visas will be more than double to 25,000 places to support growth in regional Australia.

1- Business Innovation and Investment (9,500 places),
2- Global Talent (8,448 places) and
3- Distinguished Talent (300 places) categories will ensure that Australia remains a favoured destination for the world’s best and brightest individuals and entrepreneurs.

However, Occupation lists will be reviewed and updated in early 2022-23 to reflect changes in Australia’s labor market, based on advice from the National Skills Commission.

State and Territory nominated visa categories – ​2021-22* nomination allocations

​Under the 2021-22 Migration Program settings, nomination allocations are made available to States and Territories in the following visa categories:

  • Skilled – Nominated (sub​class 190)
  • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491)
  • Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP)

States and Territories each assess eligible applicants against criteria unique to their jurisdiction.

Further information on State and Territory nomination requirements can be found at:

Migration – Family stream

As part of the Government’s migration program, the Family stream will provide an estimated 50,000 places to support family reunions.

The Partner and Child visa categories are estimated to deliver 40,500 and 3,000 visas respectively (delivery of Partner and Child visas will be subject to demand and visa processing requirements); while 6,000 places will be available for Parent visas; and 500 places for Other Family visas.

From 2022-23, Partner visa processing will move to a demand-driven model.

Granting Partner visas on a demand-driven basis will provide the flexibility to meet the demand for Partner visas in a given program year, and assist in mitigating future growth in the Partner visa pipeline while maintaining immigration integrity.

100 places will be allocated for the Special Eligibility category. This stream covers visas for those in special circumstances, including permanent residents returning to Australia after a period overseas.

Working Holiday Makers

The Government recognises the importance of the visitor economy to Australia’s national prosperity. Australia has Working Holiday Maker (WHM) arrangements with 45 countries, of which 26 partner countries operate under annual “cap” arrangements.

To support Australia’s economic future and the sustained growth of the tourism sector, the Morrison Government has announced a one-off cap increase to the number of places available to WHMs from countries with which Australia has a Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa arrangement.

As a result, around 11,000 additional WHM visas will be available for prospective backpackers. This measure is estimated to increase the underlying cash balance by $45 million over the next three years.

To further encourage the arrival of WHMs to Australia, between 19 January 2022 and 19 April 2022, Working Holiday Maker (WHM) (subclasses 417 and 462) visa holders who arrive in Australia can apply for a refund of the visa application charge (VAC). This complements visa refunds for Student (subclass 500) visa holders who arrive between 19 January 2022 and 19 March 2022.

Humanitarian program

The 2022-23 Humanitarian Program will be maintained at the current ceiling of 13,750 places and over the forward estimates, to ensure Australia remains one of the most generous humanitarian resettlement countries in the world and can respond flexibly to humanitarian crises overseas.

This will ensure Australia can continue to support, as per recent announcements, the transition of Ukrainians onto a temporary humanitarian (subclass 786) visa and to work with international partners to respond to global humanitarian needs including Myanmar.

In recognition of our sustained commitment following Australia’s two decades of operations in Afghanistan, an additional 16,500 places will be available for Afghan nationals under the Humanitarian program and will be equally allocated over the next four years. In conjunction with previous announcements, this brings the total number of places available to Afghans across Australia’s Humanitarian and Migration Programs to 31,500 over the next four program years.

To support migrant and refugee youths to enter a competitive job market and realise their full potential, the 2022-23 Budget allocates an additional $9.2 million for a Youth Transition Support (YTS) services program. This 12-month extension builds on existing work to assist young migrants to improve their education, employment and social cohesion outcomes.

Carsales Australia’s Ajay Bhatia appointed CEO of Germany’s largest vehicle marketplace   

Ajay Bhatia; Image source: Ajay Bhatia - Mobile.de

Adevinta ASA (ADE) has announced that Ajay Bhatia has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of mobile.de, Germany’s largest vehicle marketplace.

He brings two decades of executive leadership experience in online classifieds in Australia and Asia.

Ajay is presently serving as Managing Director of Carsales Australia.

He has extensive experience in the Motors vertical, as well as across Real Estate, Jobs and general classifieds.

Further, Ajay has held a range of leadership roles covering general management, product, technology, sales and digital marketing

Image source: Rolv Erik Ryssdal, CEO Adevinta.

Rolv Erik Ryssdal, CEO Adevinta, said in a press release:

“Ajay is ideally positioned to lead mobile.de’s continued growth ambitions and will be a fantastic addition to the Adevinta Executive team. We conducted an extensive search for a new CEO for mobile.de, and we are confident that Ajay’s expertise in the classifieds industry, strong product and technology background, and track record of leading growth businesses will add value to mobile.de, its users and the Adevinta group.“

On being appointed the CEO of Germany’s largest vehicle marketplace, Ajay says:

“I am excited to join Adevinta as CEO of mobile.de. The mobile.de team has done a tremendous job in building Germany’s number one online automotive marketplace, and I look forward to working closely with them to drive customer and commercial innovations to the business.”

Ajay graduated from Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program and holds an Engineering degree and a Masters in Management from the University of Technology, Sydney.

He was also named Australian CIO of the year in 2015 by CEO Magazine.

Image source: Ajay Bhatia – Carsales / CEO Magazine.

Ajay has also served on several Boards across the public, private and non-profit sectors, and holds the honorary position of Adjunct Professor at UTS Business School.

His term as the new CEO of mobile.de will begin on 1 August 2022. 

Jaya Manchikanti, founder of IndianCare wins Victoria’s Volunteer of the Year Award

Image source: Jaya Manchikanti - IndianCare Facebook.

Jaya Manchikanti who migrated from India to Australia as a young girl with her parents and siblings in 1970 has won Victorian Premier’s Volunteer of the Year 2021 – Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Award.

The 2021 Volunteering Awards recognise and celebrate the impact volunteers, volunteer leaders and volunteer programs have in building resilient communities, services and connections across Victoria.

The 2021 Awards were run by Volunteering Victoria with the support of the Victorian State Government through the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH).

“We commend Jaya for her truly inspiring work and congratulate her for the well-deserved accolade of Premier’s Volunteer of the Year, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Award.”

Jaya is the Founder and immediate past president of IndianCare, serving from 2013 to late 2021. 

IndianCare is a Victorian not-for-profit community organisation dedicated to addressing the welfare needs of people of Indian origin.

This organisation provides direct support and pathway connection in the areas of family violence, substance abuse, health, international students, social isolation, migration, education and employment, and elder abuse.

Jaya is also co-convenor of the Victorian International Community Development Network, and is passionate about equitable outcomes for all and is keen to assist people of Indian origin in Victoria. 

She has been an active member of the Telugu Association of Australia and was the co-founder of the Telugu Ladies Club which she helped to convene for 15 years. 

She is also currently undertaking PhD research exploring the role of community development praxis in progressing the Sustainable Development Goals.

Her influence and leadership have been instrumental to the Indian community especially during the pandemic.  

“Selected by Premier Andrews, this award acknowledges Jaya’s extensive volunteering efforts in establishing IndianCare Inc – dedicated to connecting people in Victoria’s diverse and growing Indian community with welfare services needed to lead a safe and healthy life.”

As the Premier’s Volunteer of the Year, Jaya will receive a $10,000 donation to a not-for-profit organisation of her choice.

Market Mantra: Miners boost Australian equities to a nine-week high

Representative Picture; Market @Canva
Representative Picture; Market @Canva

While investors eyeballed Western nations announcing new pro-Ukraine measures in a unified front against Russia, the Australian share market overcame concerns about the war to rally for a second straight week on strong mining shares.

Helped by gains in iron ore and gold miners on strong underlying commodity prices, ASX overcame losses in heavyweight tech and financial stocks to end the week at a nine-week high.

With no material progress in the Russia-Ukraine peace talks, gold stocks climbed more than 6% as the yellow metal recorded its third weekly gain in four. Newcrest Mining, Australia’s largest gold miner, benefitted the most from rising bullion prices, hitting its highest level in more than two weeks.

Iron mining majors BHP, Rio and Fortescue also gained strongly on higher iron prices, with Fortescue hitting its highest levels since early March. 

Uncertainty around the war in Ukraine persisted as Moscow’s attack on its neighbour entered its second month with Western leaders reinforcing their forces in Eastern Europe, expanding military aid to Kyiv and tightening sanctions on Russia.

Many economists believe the commodity prices will rise further if the Ukraine crisis worsens further. If that is the case we may see iron and gold prices skyrocket like nickel prices recently. As such the iron and gold miners should be a very good place to put money in the current situation.

Other than miners the energy stocks also rose by 4% for the week. Though sliding crude prices dented the appetite for local energy shares on Friday.

Some of the market optimism is reflected in bumper dividend payouts about to be made in Australia. Premier Retail chief last week led the way by announcing a bumper interim dividend of 46c a share, up from 34c a year ago despite thousand of days of lost trade and decline in profits by 13% for the six months to December.

BHP will also credit its shareholder accounts with one of the world’s largest dividends this week. All in all, an estimated $36.3 billion of dividends are expected to be paid out in Australia in March and April, with many expecting most of this money to be ploughed back into the share market.

One of the biggest events for the Australian market this week will be the arrival of the Federal Budget on Tuesday night. Due to the looming election this year we can expect some big spending and less scrimping and saving than we might usually see.

PM Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg, Treasurer; Picture Source: Twitter @JoshFrydenberg
PM Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg, Treasurer; Picture Source: Twitter @JoshFrydenberg

Some of the big-spending have already come into focus, such as the $5.4 billion promised Hell’s gate dam in Northern Queensland to bolster LNP’s chances in Queensland. Historically though such projects have had a history of cost blowouts. The best example is the current inland rail project which was announced by LNP back in 2017 for $8.4 billion.

The project was then subjected to a $5 billion extension to Gladstone port as part of a deal to get National Party support for the net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. As per the last update, while the construction has started on the 1700 km project, the latest cost has ballooned to $14.3 billion and is expected to rise further as the final route through Brisbane is completed.

However, it is the debt side of the budget that will be in big focus as it limits the flexibility of the government to react to any future crisis and act as an anchor on economic growth over time.

As the gross government debt powers towards a net figure of $1 trillion and debt repayments alone set to reach $30 billion a year, whoever wins the Federal election will have a serious task of reducing that debt load. As interest rates rise, the debt will increasingly hamstring the Federal Government.

Other than the budget, consumer confidence numbers, building approvals, construction figures, job vacancies, household wealth, home prices and manufacturing numbers will also be keenly watched by investors this week.

Gold Market surge; Image Source: @CANVA

Supported by risks around Russia and Ukraine and talks about inflationary pressure gold recorded its best week in three.

Bullion is seen by many investors as a haven during times of political crisis and uncertainty. Some investors also perceive it as a hedge against high inflation.

The overall tone of the market continues to be supportive of the yellow metal as investors continue to add to the diversification of gold to their portfolios to shield against the war in Ukraine and higher oil prices that threaten global growth.

Having said that the expectations of monetary tightening by the US Federal Reserve may limit the upside in gold. Gold is highly sensitive to interest rate rises as it increases the opportunity cost of holding zero-yield bullion.

Traders looking to trade gold but wanting to play safe are advised to wait for the breakout of spot gold at $2000 on a weekly chart. A weekly close above those levels signals an opportunity to buy and hold for long.

The high-risk traders on the other hand can continue to maintain the buy on dips strategy with very tight stop losses as gold prices are expected to remain highly volatile and single Russia-Ukraine news could result in a big change in the yellow metal price in the short-term.

Oil recorded its first weekly increase in three weeks with Brent crude rising 11.5% for the week after traders began buying oil after a missile attack on an oil distribution facility in Saudi Arabia.

oil price going up; Picture Source: @Canva
oil price going up; Picture Source: @Canva

Brent crude rose sharply at the end of trading on Friday to close at $120.65 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate also recorded an 8.8% rise for the week.

An official from the Saudi Ministry of Energy said that the oil distribution station in Jeddah was attacked on Friday evening with a missile shell and the “Al-Mukhtara” station was also attacked with a bullet. Both attacks resulted in no injuries or deaths.

Saudi Arabia also warned that it would not be held responsible for any disruption in oil supplies to global markets following the Houthi attacks. 

As such we expect oil prices to continue to move higher in the short-term as the market which is already facing a supply crunch after shunning Russian oil now faces something else to worry about because of the Houthi attacks that could affect Saudi production.

With global stockpiles at their lowest since 2014, many analysts believe that the oil market remains highly vulnerable to any supply shock.

Boosted by rising commodity prices and a rebound in market sentiment the Australian Dollar has been on a tear against most of its major peers in recent weeks. Upbeat domestic economic data has also helped lift the Australian currency.

Last week, Australia’s PMI for manufacturing and services showed that the economy continues to improve strongly post Covid lockdowns.

Image source: Big Four OZ banks - Wikipedia.
Image source: Big Four OZ banks – Wikipedia.

This week will see February’s preliminary retail figures, building permits for February, job ad numbers and manufacturing PMI numbers. Most economists believe that the positive momentum will continue to advance after Australia removed the brunt of Covid restrictions over the last few months. The job ads numbers are likely to show acute labour market growth.

A better than expected set of data this week would likely fuel already rising rate hike bets for the Reserve Bank of Australia, benefitting the Aussie further. The 2022-23 Federal Budget is also set to be presented on March 29 and could have an impact on the RBA’s outlook. Alternatively, disappointing data could halt AUD’s recent rally.

From a technical point of view, AUD/USD is poised to extend its gains. The weekly chart shows that it continued to advance beyond its moving averages, while technical indicators offer a strong upward momentum within positive levels.

The daily chart offers a similar picture with the Momentum indicator heading firmly higher. The immediate resistance level is the October 2021 monthly high at 0.7554, followed by the 0.7600 level. A break of the latter could extend its rally towards the 0.7670 price zone. On the other hand, a corrective decline could kick in if the pair slides below 0.7490, a break of which could see the price approach 0.7400 levels, where we expect buyers to come back to maintain the bullish trend alive.

Unlike its Australian counterpart which has been benefitting from rising commodity prices, Indian Rupee continues to be pressured by inflationary concerns over elevated commodity prices.

Unlike the Aussie which has continued to show tremendous growth in recent weeks, the Indian rupee has continued to depreciate against most major currencies, closing the week close to 76.50 against the greenback.

Last week the Indian rupee went down by half a per cent against the US Dollar due to higher crude oil and weaker risk sentiments. While the RBI has been using its large foreign reserves, selling another $2.5 billion last week to prevent further slide of Indian currency, the risk sentiment and higher crude prices continue to skew the bias for Indian currency downwards.

 Moving on to digital currencies, the crypto assets had another strong week with Bitcoin seeing its highest weekly close of 2022. The cryptocurrency market cap was up by more than $200 billion in the past seven days as the majority of cryptocurrencies charted considerable gains.

Bitcoin surged by 8.4% and is testing important technical resistance at $45,000. This is the third time the currency is testing the resistance and it will be extremely important to see how it performs this time.

The altcoins in general followed BTC’s path up. Ethereum has rallied 11% for the week, BNB is up 5.6%, Solana increased by 14% – same as Dogecoin. However, t was Cardano that exploded by a whopping 32% for the week. ADA reclaimed the $1 level and then tested resistance at $1.20. At the time of writing the report though, it failed to overcome it.

Bitcoin; Picture Source: @CANVA
Bitcoin; Picture Source: @CANVA

All in all, it was a fruitful week for the digital coins with meaningful advances. That being said with most digital currencies now at key technical resistance it would be interesting to see if the momentum can transition to this week.

In agricultural products, the grain prices resumed their move upwards amidst supply chain concerns. Wheat futures added 2% for the week as traders watched for direction amid the Ukraine war. Soybeans prices were supported by lower production in South America because of drought, while corn gained on slow sowing conditions in the US.

Grain prices have continued to rise as some of the world’s biggest importers seek supplies from alternative shippers after Russia’s attack on Ukraine choked exports from the Black Sea.

With far fewer Ukrainian and Russian grain and fertilizers entering global markets, most experts fear that a bleak period of scarcer, pricier foods will arrive this year.

Author: Ateev Dang is a trader and trading coach by profession. He runs a business called Glow trades Pty Ltd where he teaches anyone interested in starting their trading journey on how to trade. He can be contacted at adang@glowtrades.com.au.

Disclaimer: 

The writers’ opinions in the above article are their own and do not constitute any financial advice whatsoever. Nothing published by The Australia Today constitutes an investment recommendation, nor should any data or content publication be relied upon for providing any investment activities.

We strongly recommend that you perform your own independent research and/or speak with a financial advisor or qualified investment professional before making any financial decisions.

Micro-history reflection in RRR: ‘Deconstruction Approach

RRR; Image Source: Supplied

Much awaited RRR (Rise, Roar and Revolt) flick of SS Rajamouli hit the screen yesterday with a bang. This story presents an epic, mythological narrative with a patriotic saga combining Ramayan and the Mahabharat to raise the anti-colonial national awakening movement.

From a historical perspective, this depicts the history of those who were left behind or subaltern groups. Although many parts of the movie may be fictional, it expresses micro-level research of a story revolving around two superheroes with their agendas.

Critics may not appreciate micro-level studies, for example. In Pacific’s historical context, Kerry R. Howe (1979) posits Pacific history has been conducting more technical articles, monographs and symposia and moving towards a state of ‘monography myopia’ [finding out more and more about less and less that lack broader generalisation]. Thus, one needs to discern the importance of micro-history, which is enlightened in this op-ed. 

RRR; Image Source: Supplied

The micro-level historical study gained prominence in Europe during the 1970s-80s, associated with the practice of Carlo Ginzburg, Italian scholar (book The Cheese and the Worms, 1976: study life of a one 16th century Italian miller named Menocchio) and Giovanni Levi is another protagonist. The term ‘microhistory’ was adopted in 1959, given by George R. Stewart, an American historian.

The term prefix is ‘micro’, related to the reduction of the scale that does not analyse broad historical themes but specifies a particular event/individual or community action that happened in a larger field of study. This should not be confused with ‘biography’ or ‘local history, which does not specify the connection with particular events to a broad social context.

Tenets of Microhistory

Micro Historians focus on reducing the size of observation and the level of generalisation. This explains the individual interaction within and towards the social world, emphasising the distinction from significant notions. It concentrates on exploring the small scale event, community, personal and settlement; and is mainly associated with social and cultural history rather than economic and political historical facts.

RRR; Image Source: Supplied

It has a qualitative approach that investigates the concepts of the small unit as of a person, event or a small community that differs from quantitatively assessed phenomena. The scholars explore the materials of a historical standard that is marginal but can contribute to historical understanding if evaluated in depth.

Micro Historians use the ‘deconstruction approach’ to study many factors concerning the subjects and make an in-depth analysis of small units with evaluating every source. They believe in ‘normal exceptions’ that concentrate on individual units and establish their relevance in historical discourse. This person stands out from the common masses’ conduct or thinking, assessed on the premises of those in authority. The individual’s conduct may be praised in one context while criticised by others; this person’s act/phenomena are termed as ‘normal exception’.

The micro historians attempt to evaluate the conditions and sources to reconstruct the interaction between the text and the individual involved. They use a limited amount of quantitative data as it is not concerned about an individual but focuses on mass conduct. Mirco historians adopt restrictive criteria of sources and stress verifiable figures, mainly collected from secondary sources.  

The microhistorians attempt to make research more transparent and unconventional methods by giving precise references to avoid the consideration of being based on the author’s subjectivity of the historical events. It is believed that historians only provide a reasonable and fair description. Still, it is difficult for them to recreate the understanding of the individual’s mind that participated in an event. However, the microhistorians fall short of reference material when they create a history of everyday life, as marginalised events, individuals and phenomena have few noted historical documents about their experiences and lives.

RRR; Image Source: Supplied

Micro-Historians believe that every source is ambiguous and needs further study, as every source is brought to the audience by the historian or scholar. The micro historians study the ones who are left out of the main context or the marginalised figures and phenomena. They study their behaviour as a dissent discrete voice/group of voices against the social customs and traditions.

They focus on individuals and events that may be considered bizarre, strange and done by socially marginal individuals. Their focus is on everyday life and reconsiders the traditional historical approaches related to political events, while micro-historians focus on social activities and cultural interpretations.

As Giovanni Levi’s “On Microhistory” stated, the “microhistorians have concentrated on the contradictions of normative systems and, therefore, on the fragmentation, contradictions and plurality of viewpoints that make all systems fluid and open”. They use narratives as an assessment research method to present their findings to reach a conclusion and reflect the gaps in a general understanding of that subject. The critics of microhistory state that if the micro historian concentrates on individual interactions, it is difficult to imply their analysis on large-scale events/phenomena.

Microhistory is critical to the contemporary technology events of modernisation and contemporary science. Microhistory takes care of the experience of the local people, an event or phenomena that are exploited, oppressed and overlooked by macrohistory. It is believed that macro history’s grand narratives and quantitative Social Science research fall short to record the micro-level reality. Thus micro-historians attempt to create a history of everyday life. A micro-level study and observation constitutes documentary evidence’s thorough revision. It pays attention to every small detail and is careful to avoid mistakes in analysing.

This history believes that the small level stage is the most appropriate way to assess people’s real feelings, values, and symbols. Microhistory has its means to reach generalisation by intensive study of a case to lead to better conception, although these generalisations may not imply a broader scale. They give a detailed description more objectively.   

RRR; Image Source: Supplied

Conclusion

RRR has all potential to be the blockbuster that gives a sense of acceptability of micro-level stories among the populace. Micro historians use microscopic analysis to generate conclusions applicable to a more significant portion of the general population.

The pedagogy is used on a limited scale, but it shall recreate new dimensions. Using the Internet to share the Microhistory of diverse individuals will enhance its acceptance and help form generalisation across the world. In-depth research of a particular event and individual human behaviour action will better understand the world. 

Dr Sakul Kundra; Picture Source: Supplied
Dr Sakul Kundra; Picture Source: Supplied

Disclaimer: Dr Sakul Kundra is an assistant professor in history and Acting Head of School, School of Arts and Humanities, College of Humanities and Education, at Fiji National University. The views expressed are his own and not of this newspaper or his employer. For comments or suggestions, email. dr.sakulkundra@gmail.com

Reclassified ‘The Kashmir Files’ will be in New Zealand cinemas next week

The Kashmir Files; Image Source: Supplied

After two weeks of unnecessary controversy created by few who wanted to suppress the pain and lived experience of Kashmiri Hindus the Bollywood film the Kashmir Files has been reclassified and audiences aged 18 or older will be able to see it in cinemas next week.

New Zealand’s Chief Censor David Shanks announced the change after spending the week speaking to a range of community representatives, viewing the film and consulting with overseas classification offices.

“I watched the film, and I am satisfied that it does not promote extremism or violence in a way that would require it to be classified as objectionable (banned) in New Zealand,”

said Mr Shanks.

However, He thinks an R18 restriction is warranted given the nature and intensity of the violence and terrorists cruelty depicted. This age restriction is consistent with what the film received in Australia and India.

The Kashmir Files; Image Source: Supplied

“Members of the Muslim community I spoke to are concerned the film would negatively affect them and Hindu representatives felt strongly that the film showed an important part of their history,”

added Mr David Shanks.
The Kashmir Files; Image Source: Supplied

The Kashmir Files is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language drama film about the genocide and exodus of Hindu people during the Kashmir Insurgency in 1990. It has been released in other countries with varying age restrictions.

The film was initially classified as R16 in New Zealand but a review was conducted after concerns were raised by members of the Muslim community in New Zealand.

Achla Datar is Operations Manager with Zee Studios for Australia, NZ and Fiji.

The Kashmir Files; Image Source: Supplied

Achala told The Australia Today, “I am so grateful to New Zealand Hindus who supported us in our pursuit of their lived experience to come out and be shown on screen.”

“No one can stop the truth from coming out,”

said Ms Datar

Parijaat Kaul a Kashmiri Pandit who’s family had to flee their home of several generations after it was attacked by Islamic terrorist in 1990 lives in Auckland.

The Kashmir Files; Image Source: Supplied

Mr Kaul told The Australia Today, “The Kashmir File is my story, it’s my family and friends story.”

“How can someone be so insensitive to stop us from telling the world what we went through?”

questioned Mr Kaul

“Today, I am experiencing same when some thugs tell us that we are the one spreading hate not the Islamic terrorists who told us to leave, convert or die,” said Mr Kaul.

Chief Censor David Shanks said “I know this decision will disappoint some members of the Hindu community that I spoke with, who believe that the film has historical value and should be released with no age restriction. Similarly, some members of the Muslim community were of the view that the risk of harm that it posed meant that it should not be screened at all. I hear and understand both perspectives.”

The Kashmir Files; Image Source: Supplied

“The community leaders that I spoke to about this made it clear to me that they do not condone or tolerate expressions of hatred or oppression in their communities, and they are prepared to play their part to ensure the film doesn’t prompt this. I believe them, and I think there is an opportunity here to build understanding and social cohesion, rather than erode it.

“My Office will provide information detailing the reasons for the decision and the process to seek a review by The Film and Literature Board of Review, as well as other information about support and help available,” David Shanks said.

Achla Datar said, “It is a simple civil right to be able to watch a movie, and I am glad it has been upheld by New Zealand’s Chief Censor.”

Australia removes COVID test requirement for international travellers 

International Travel; Image Source: @CANVA

The federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has announced that the requirement for international travellers to provide a negative COVID-19 test before they fly to Australia will be removed.

The decision will come into force from April 17 2022.

Previously international travellers needed to show a negative Covid-19 test in order to board a flight to Australia, even if they were up to date on vaccinations.

“The country is ready to move on from the emergency declaration made two years and one month ago. I will not be renewing the biosecurity emergency determination,” Minister Hunt told reporters on the Gold Coast.

Health Minister Greg Hunt explained that the government would no longer make it a condition of entry that people had to show they had tested negative for the virus before they travelled here.

International Travel; Image Source: @CANVA

“Given that the vaccination requirements remain and the masking requirements, the medical advice is that (the COVID test) would no longer be required,”

Mr Hunt said.

Minister Hunt explained that the decision will also make travel easy for people who come from those jurisdictions which have issues having access to those tests or proving those tests.

Mr Hunt said he spoke to the chief executive officers of both Qantas and Virgin airlines.

“But we also took the medical advice of the Chief Medical Officer,” he said.

International Travel; Image Source: @CANVA

“That was the view, that we progressively take away those items which are no longer required,”

added Minister Hunt.

The pre-departure tests were introduced at the beginning of last year in an effort to stop as many COVID cases as possible from arriving in Australia.

,