Victoria is set to hit its first vaccination target and as a result, modest easing of restrictions will be able to occur this week. The state has reported 779 new COVID-19 infections and two deaths today.
On Tuesday, Victoria will pass its first threshold on the Roadmap with 80 per cent of Victorians having received their first vaccine dose.
Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews has announced that at 11.59 pm on Tuesday 28 September there will be a modest easing to restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.
In regional Victoria,
1- Outdoor settings for restaurants and cafes will have their outdoor venue cap increase from 20 to 30 people. 2- Masks may be removed if the service requires them in hair and beauty salons, so facials and beard trimmings can recommence.
Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews
Residents of metropolitan Melbourne and regional areas in lockdown will be able to undertake ‘contactless’ recreation at outdoor facilities, such as boating, tennis or golf.
The gathering size outdoors can increase to up to five adults, from two households, if all adults are fully vaccinated.
The 10km radius will also expand to 15km – so exercise and shopping can take place up to 15km from your home.
Personal training will be able to take place with five fully vaccinated people outside plus a fully vaccinated trainer.
The additional restrictions on playgrounds will be lifted – normal public gathering limits apply, and masks can be removed to eat and drink at the playground.
Melbourne Lockdown; Picture Source: Twitter
Premier Daniel Andrews said, “We’re about to hit our first stop on the Roadmap, which is a fantastic achievement – but we need to keep the momentum going. Today is the day to book that vaccine appointment.”
Separately, Premier Andrews announced that the City of Greater Geelong and Surf Coast Shire can exit lockdown at 11:59 pm tonight, 26 September – with public health teams confident that caseloads, which are largely contained to existing contacts, can be well managed by the local public health unit.
Mitchell Shire – Will remain in lockdown due to its close proximity to areas of highest concern in metropolitan Melbourne.
The next milestones in the Roadmap will be when school begins to return to onsite learning on 5 October and when Victoria hits that 70 per cent double dose vaccination target – in late October.
Representative picture of regional Victoria: Picture Source: Ravi Singh
Vaccinated Economy Trials
Up to 20 vaccinated economy trials will test systems and support in the fortnight before Victoria is aiming to reach the key 70 per cent full vaccination mark on 26 October, triggering greater freedoms for vaccinated people.
Scheduled to start from 11 October, it is anticipated the trials will cover hospitality, hairdressing, beauty services and tourism businesses, and events such as race meetings, community celebrations and concerts – allowing higher patron numbers with all attendees confirmed as being fully vaccinated.
As regional areas with high vaccination rates and low or no COVID-19 cases the Bass Coast, Greater Bendigo, Pyrenees, Warrnambool, Buloke and East Gippsland municipalities will be the first invited to participate in the trials.
Reported yesterday: 779 new local cases and 0 cases acquired overseas. – 34,280 vaccines administered – 46,322 test results received – Sadly, 2 people with COVID-19 have died
The Government will work with local councils and industry bodies to help identify suitable businesses and events for the important fact-finding exercises.
The trials will confirm the best processes for establishing vaccination status, with work underway on how Commonwealth vaccination data can be best integrated with the Service Victoria app.
Pending the outcomes of the first phase, a second phase of trials using 80 per cent double dose settings will be held, prior to Victoria achieving that threshold.
The progress of these trials will be subject to health advice and ensuring the safety of regional communities from any potential COVID-19 infections. These trials will be used to hold larger events in metropolitan Melbourne to test the systems and technologies with larger crowd sizes.
Training for staff, supports for business owners and public communication of vaccine requirements will also be part of the trials. Support officers will be deployed on the ground to ensure trials run smoothly and participating businesses receive the assistance they need.
As Victoria reaches the key vaccination thresholds of 70 per cent and 80 per cent double dose in Victoria’s Roadmap to Deliver the National Plan, greater numbers of fully vaccinated people will be able to participate in many settings including outdoor gatherings, funerals, weddings, religious gatherings and entertainment and hospitality venues.
In regional cafes and restaurants, the patron cap increases to 30 people for indoor spaces and 100 people for outdoor spaces once they reach the 70 per cent double dose vaccination – on the basis that all patrons and staff are fully vaccinated.
Without confirmation of vaccination status, there is no change to existing settings.
Premier Andrews urged, “Getting vaccinated has never been more important – it reduces the risks to you and your family of serious illness from COVID-19 and it allows greater freedoms for all Victorians as we re-open together.”
“These trials are an important step as we move towards a vaccinated economy, supporting businesses to open safely and recover strongly and individuals to play their very important part.”
If you haven’t booked your appointment or are waiting for a particular vaccine – do not wait. The best vaccine is the vaccine you can get today. Over the next week, there are 3,495 Pfizer appointments available and 6,984 Astra Zeneca appointments available at state hubs.
Victorians can also book a vaccine appointment through their trusted GP or community pharmacist by visiting www.health.gov.au – and it’s important to remember Victorian pharmacists are now also offering the Moderna vaccine, which is a safe and effective option for any Victorian under the age of 60.
For more info on the Roadmap, or to book a vaccination, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au.
Women of Colour missing from sport light; Representative picture source; @CANVA
We are two women. Both women of colour, both lawyers, both who have collectively put in a couple of thousands of hours of volunteer work for our communities.
Both have had to work hard to create a space for themselves. One is the first woman of South Asian background to be elected the Vice President of any Law Society and the other had the potential to be the first Federal Parliamentarian of Vietnamese heritage.
Yet we are struggling to shatter the double-glazed glass ceiling that women of colour face. Many women of diverse backgrounds like us are well qualified, hard-working, conscientious and community-minded. But we have to work doubly hard to prove ourselves, our mistakes are picked up and scrutinised more so than others and our efforts are constantly undermined.
We are not often directly told to go back to where we came from. These kinds of racist attacks mostly happen on the street, by an unknown person, and not in the professional legal, board and political circles that we frequent through work. But what happened last week, without really saying that, meant exactly that.
Molina Swaroop Asthana and Tu Le; Picture Source; Supplied
Former Prime Minister Paul Keating’s comments are a testimony to the devaluation of the talents of women of colour in discounting them as well-meaning intentions that cannot ‘ever get there. So if we can never get there because we are not good enough compared to our more privileged compatriots, where does that leave us? Should we just pack our bags and go back home to achieve our ambitions? But wait, this is home.
When we have such rhetoric from a former Prime Minister, it validates, albeit, unfound, sentiments of many who think we are incompetent, inferior and unworthy of leadership positions. This is not the first time it has happened. We are constantly excluded from contributing to anything meaningful, sometimes deliberately, sometimes unconsciously.
We are continually sidelined for leadership opportunities. If we raise issues, we are trouble-makers, if we bring a diverse viewpoint, we are not considered team players, if we seek a leadership position, we get comments about spreading ourselves too thin and our competence is constantly scrutinised.
Crixtover Edwin, A young black visual artist from Lagos
Achieving diversity targets means more than just replacing white men with white women. The excessive focus on gender equality creates greater inequity for women of diverse backgrounds. Whereas quotas and targets are set for gender equality, there are no such quotas for cultural diversity. Institutions may appear to have met their goals for diversity if they have appointed enough women in leadership positions, but that completely ignores the need for an intersectional approach to diversity.
No matter how much you sympathise, you can’t equate acquired experience with lived experiences. It is similar to the distinctions made between ‘Asia capable leaders’ and leaders of Asian background. The former has acquired theoretical and perhaps limited practical knowledge whereas the latter has lived and breathed the experiences.
To suggest that the level of understanding of issues facing the Asian communities is the same for both, is preposterous and delusional, particularly for political representation that also requires a certain level of connection with the community you represent.
On the topic of political representation, the imposition of an Anglo-Celtic candidate who does not reflect the community they seek to represent and has little to no connection to that community is an added level of privileged arrogance stemming from the belief that marginalised minority communities lack the evolution to understand what is best for them.
But unfortunately, this is not the first time local voices have been stymied by so-called faceless men, nor will it be the last (for any party). Till a commitment is made to move away from the monochromatic view of diversity, it is unlikely that we will see this double-glazed glass ceiling for women shattered.
We often hear, ‘You can’t be what you can’t see”. But we’ve been invisible for too long. We’ve been underrepresented, sidelined and underestimated. We may not feel a small ripple, but no one can miss a tsunami. The waves of change will continue to smash the hegemonic systems that have been stacked against us women, particularly women of colour, for centuries.
It will take all of us to keep fighting. Together, we will ride the wave into a better and brighter future for all women and girls from all walks of life.
“We are not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from our own.”
Authors: Molina Swaroop Asthana: Commercial lawyer and Co-founder and lead Victorian Convenor of the Asian Australian Alliance. Tu Le: Program Director at Migrant Employment Legal Service, the Co-Founder of The Youth Co-Lab, and a Youth Leader at the Vietnamese Buddhist Youth Association.
Disclaimer: This Oped was first published in Women’s Agenda. We have republished with the kind permission of the author.
It is only the Indian Army and the sound footing of the Indian democracy that has stopped the region of Jammu & Kashmir from resembling Taliban occupied Afghanistan said British Conservative Party MP Bob Blackman during a discussion on a motion on the Indian union territory of Jammu & Kashmir in UK Parliament.
The debate proposal was tabled by Parliamentarian Debbie Abrahams and Pakistan-origin MP Yasmin Qureshi in the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG).
Speaking in the debate in the House of Commons, Pakistan sympathiser British Labour MP Tahir Ali and Imran Hussain called upon the UK to take action against India by barring the Indian High Commissioner from Parliament.
Hussain said the UK and other countries needed to speak up and end their silence because of the military occupation of Kashmir.
Claims were destroyed by Imran Hussain’s fellow Labour MP Barry Gardiner. He even pointed out the terrorist camps that have been nurtured by Pakistan to destabilize the Kashmir region.
“Over the years Pakistan has harboured Taliban leaders and the ISI, their security services, provided other forms of support to them and to other terrorist organisations.”
The Minister for Asia in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Amanda Milling, responded to the debate on Thursday by reiterating the UK government’s unchanged stance on Kashmir as a bilateral issue.
Further, the British government expressed its dismay at some of the language used by participating MPs, specifically Pakistani-origin or Pakistan sympathisers.
The Indian High Commission in London condemned the attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and highlighted Kashmir’s status as an integral part of India.
“As on previous occasions, the High Commission of India reiterates that any assertion made in any forum on a subject related to an integral part of India needs to be duly substantiated with authentic verifiable facts.”
BIG: UK Parliamentarian @BobBlackman in House of Commons says, Islamist Forces will Eliminate Democracy in Jammu & Kashmir like we saw in Afghanistan if Indian Troops are Withdrawn. Only Indian Army has stopped Jammu & Kashmir in India from becoming Taliban’s Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/jsHIvcb4As
However, in the whole debate hearts were won when Conservative Party MP Bob Blackman spoke about India’s democratic credentials.
He flagged the completion of local elections in Kashmir last December despite pandemic-related adversities.
“We should remember that while Kashmir Valley may be probably Muslim (dominated), Jammu is predominantly Hindu and Ladakh predominantly Buddhist. And the fact is, historically persecuted religious minorities of Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, women and children have unfortunately suffered in the Valley.”
Blackman added that it is because of the Indian military that the region of Jammu and Kashmir has not resembled Taliban-occupied Afghanistan as yet.
“It is only the Indian Army and the sound footing of the Indian military democracy that has stopped the region of Jammu & Kashmir resembling Taliban occupied Afghanistan … the region is legally and rightfully an integral part of the Republic of India.”
British MPs during the debate raised concerns on the terror attacks in Kashmir by Pakistan based terror groups such as Jaish e Muhammad, Lashkar e Tayyiba and Hizbul Mujahideen.
The key person behind this debate, Debbie Abrahams was deported from India for travelling to the country on an invalid visa.
It was also highlighted that her organisation APPG on Kashmir (APPGK) allegedly received money from Pakistan Government between £31,501 (Rs 29.7 lakh) and £33,000 (Rs 31.2 lakh) on February 18, 2020, for a visit to Pakistan.
Many Indians origin residents living in Australia have not been able to travel home to see their families and friends in India for almost two years.
They have been requesting both the state and federal governments to ease their tough border measures.
Meanwhile, Queensland’s Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk made some highly questionable comments about international borders possibly reopening in Australia.
Indians who live in Queensland have in the past appreciated her efforts to prevent extended lockdowns like in NSW and Victoria.
In May 2021, Palaszczuk Government even donated $2 million to the Australian Red Cross on behalf of all Queenslanders to aid the response to the COVID-19 crisis in India.
However, her recent comments are loaded and ignore the real sentiments of Indians.
More than 74,000 Queenslanders were either born in India or have Indian heritage and many are waiting eagerly to see their loved ones.
Pooja Manchanda who hasn’t been home to see her family in nearly three years told ABC:
“Just to pinpoint one nation out of the others, I don’t think that was really called for, and in a position like hers.”
In a statement to the media, a spokesperson for the Premier’s office said Ms Palaszczuk was highlighting “the problem of approving international travel anywhere.”
“As general examples of countries, which unfortunately have had high levels of COVID cases, she mentioned India and Japan, but there are many countries with COVID outbreaks which would similarly make travel problematic.”
Akashika Mohla is Brisbane based Head of Media Diversity Australia – Asian Chapter. She says, “Looks like Premier has forgotten the pains her family experienced being torn apart as migrants. Unfortunately, Her insensitivity towards Indian Australians wishing to meet their loved ones is bordering hate and discrimination if not racism.”
“These Queenslanders of Indian heritage are saving lives every day -Doctors, nurses, paramedics, Police, aged care workers. We deserve better treatment from Premier of the state.”
This is not the first time Ms Palaszczuk has used such a tone and words. In the 2017 campaign, she smeared the entire India accusing Indians of taking jobs from Australians.
Image source: Augnes Joy and Teresa Joy, Facebook.
Do you know all the words to Jana Gana Mana or Advance Australia Fair?
Augnes Joy and Teresa Joy, Indian-origin Brisbane-based sisters have created a new record by singing the national anthems of the 193 sovereign states in 100 languages by heart.
All the countries selected are members of the United Nations and the sisters went in alphabetical order.
Their six-hour attempt took place at an event organised by held by the United Nations Association of Australia at St John’s Cathedral to mark International Day of Peace.
This day is also known as World Peace Day and is celebrated every year on 21 September.
Image source: Poster – Facebook.
21-year-old Teresa and 18-year-old Augnes shared in their social media post that they have been researching the national anthems of all the countries of the world for the past 9 years.
They have been singing the national anthems of all the countries of the world off-by-heart to promote world peace and a heightened sense of humanity.
The sisters called their special international event ‘Salute the Nations’.
Image source: Teresa and Augnes with Clem Camphell (Order of Australia), past president of United Nations Association of Australia – Facebook
Originally planned for 2020, the sisters decided to cancel the event due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The proud sisters have now been presented with a ‘Record Breakers’ certificate from the Australian Book of Records.
In addition, Teresa and Augnes have also been awarded a 2021 Word Record certificate from the Universal Records Forum.
The family originally hails from Cherthala in Kerala’s Alappuzha district.
Teresa and Augnes’s father Joy is a filmmaker and her mother, Jaqueline, is a nurse in Queensland.
The sisters run Augnes and Tersa Peace Foundation and all proceeds from this event will go to charitable activities run by the United Nations
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met with US Vice President Kamala Harris, a day ahead of his highly anticipated bilateral meet with US President Joe Biden.
This was PM Modi’s first in-person meeting with Ms Harris after she made history by becoming the first Indian-origin person to become the Vice President of America.
During the meeting Vice President Kamala Harris “suo moto” referred to Pakistan’s role with regard to terrorism and agreed on the need to rein-in and closely monitor Islamabad support for terror groups, informed Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla.
Harris acknowledged the presence of terror groups in Pakistan, said Shringla when asked whether the issue of Pakistan emboldening Taliban came up during the discussion between PM Modi and the US Vice President.
“In that context when the issue of terrorism came up. The Vice President suo moto referred to Pakistan’s role in that regard. She said that there were terror groups working there. She asked Pakistan to take action so that these groups do not impact on US security and that of India,”
the Foreign Secretary said during a special briefing.
“She agreed with Prime Minister’s briefing on the fact of cross-border terrorism and the fact that India has been a victim of terrorism several decades now and the need to rein in and closely monitor Pakistan’s support for such terror groups,” he added.
Pakistan has been accused of providing overt and covert support to the Taliban. Early this month, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that Pakistan has “harboured” members of the Taliban including the terrorists.
PM Modi praises Kamala Harris as ‘source of inspiration’, invites her to India
“Your election as Vice President of USA has been an important and historic event. You are a source of inspiration for many across the world. I am confident that under President Biden and your leadership our bilateral relations will touch new heights,” PM Modi said in a joint press conference with Harris after the two leaders met.
“Continuing on this journey of victory, Indians would also want you to continue that in India and therefore they are waiting to welcome you. I extend you an invitation to visit India,”
PM Modi added.
Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi arrived in Washington for his much-touted US visit. He had earlier addressed the Global COVID-19 Summit called by US President Biden.
Biden is scheduled to host PM Modi at the White House on September 24. This is going to be the first in-person meeting between the two leaders after Biden took over as the US President on January 20.
Biden will host the first-ever in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit, which will be joined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.
PM Modi’s US visit will conclude on September 25 with an address at the United Nations General Assembly focusing on the pressing global challenges including the Covid-19 pandemic, the need to combat terrorism, climate change and other important issues.
PM Modi is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and senior officials.
The high-level session of the UNGA began on Tuesday in New York. The theme for this year’s General Debate is ‘Building Resilience through hope to recover from COVID-19, rebuild sustainably, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people, and revitalise the United Nations.
PM Scott Morrison and Indian PM Narendra Modi meet in Washington ahead of QUAD; Picture Source: @Twitter @MEA
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in which the two leaders reviewed the rapid progress in India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including through the recent 2+2 Dialogue.
The two leaders also exchanged perspectives on regional developments and the forthcoming Quad meeting.
“Was happy to speak with my friend Scott Morrison. We reviewed the rapid progress in the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including through the recent 2+2 Dialogue. We also exchanged perspectives on regional developments and the forthcoming Quad meeting,” PM Modi said in a tweet.
Both leaders stressed on regional & global developments as well as ongoing bilateral cooperation in areas related to Covid-19, trade, defence, clean energy.
PM Morrison did briefly mentioned the rationale of the “Australian side on AUKUS alliance” to PM Modi during the bilateral, says Indian Foreign Secretary Shringla
Prime Minister Morrison said, “We were able to agree to some important new initiatives.”
“At our meeting today we agreed to go forward with a low emissions technology partnership, a partnership that will focus on hydrogen development, ultra-low-cost solar programs, to support their energy transition.”
“If we want to address climate change, then we need to address the change that is necessary in developing economies, so they can grow their economies, build their industries, make the things the world needs.”
“We’ll work together closely with our good friends in India, to work with the comparative advantages that Australia has, particularly in the area of hydrogen, and working together with their manufacturing capabilities so they can realise that in their own country,”
added Mr Morrison
Indian FS Shringla also said PM Modi mentioned that the Indian community was very looked after during the ‘Covid Crisis’ to Mr Morrison.
PM Scott Morrison would be participating, along with Indian Prime Minister, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan and US President Joseph R Biden, in the Leaders’ Summit of the Quadrilateral Framework in Washington on September 24.
During the discussion, the leaders will discuss regional issues of shared interest and will also review the progress made since their first virtual summit that was held on March 12. Recent developments in Afghanistan are also expected to figure prominently in the deliberations.
Indian PM Modi is also likely to have one on one meeting with Quad leaders including US President Joe Biden.
Victoria’s domestic travel permit system will be modified to allow Victorians in Greater Sydney and the ACT to come back home from 30 September.
Under current rules, Victorians in Extreme Risk Zones can’t return home unless they obtain an exemption, have another valid permit (such as for specified workers) or are exempted for limited reasons.
New changes to the rules:
Victorians in an Extreme Risk Zone will be eligible to return home to Victoria if they are fully vaccinated.
“They must test negative 72 hours before their departure, quarantine at home for 14 days upon arrival, and get tested again at the start and the end of their quarantine period.”
The current Extreme Risk Zone rules will remain for Victorians who aren’t fully vaccinated. Those who are not currently fully vaccinated can still apply for an exemption to enter Victoria under the existing limited criteria.
To ensure people from extreme risk zones are meeting their quarantine obligations, Authorised Officers will conduct at-home spot checks on Victorians quarantining.
Vaccinated permit holders returning to Victoria will be required to attest their vaccination status on their application and may be asked to provide proof of vaccination when requested by an Authorised Officer.
Reported yesterday: 766 new local cases and 0 cases acquired overseas. – 40,957 vaccines administered – 62,408 test results received – Sadly, 4 people with COVID-19 have died
Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews said, “This change will allow Victorians to return home from Extreme Risk Zones – but you have to be vaccinated.”
“Given our increasingly high vaccination rates and the direction we’re headed in the roadmap, this is a safe and appropriate decision and it’s made on public health advice,”
Mr Andrews added
Anyone providing false or misleading information will face fines. Every traveller will have to carry proof of their vaccination status so it can be checked at airports, seaports or borders.
Service Victoria is developing a solution for Victorians to show their vaccine certificate and vaccination status in the Service Victoria app. They are also looking at how this can be linked to an individual’s Victorian travel permit application.
Victorians can currently prove their vaccination status by downloading their vaccine certificate from MyGov.
In a media conference, Pakistan accused an Indian named ‘Om Prakash Mishra’ from Mumbai, Maharashtra, of threatening the New Zealand team by creating fake email addresses and sending such emails using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
Pakistan information minister Fawad Chaudhry told reporters:
“The email was sent from an associated device in India using VPN, showing IP address location of Singapore.”
He alleged that the same device had 13 other IDs, all of which were Indian names.
“The device used to send the threat to the New Zealand team belonged to India. A fake ID was used but it was sent from Maharashtra.”
Chaudhry claimed that New Zealand received threatening emails before it arrived in Pakistan.
He claimed that a fake Facebook post was created in August under Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan militant Ehsanullah Ehsan’s name which warned the New Zealand Cricket Board and government to refrain from sending their team to Pakistan as it would be “targeted” by IS (Deash).
Chaudhry said that a day later, another threatening email was sent to the New Zealand team using the ID, Hamza Afridi.
He added that an email was also sent to the wife of New Zealand player Martin Guptill detailing a death threat.
Image source: New Zealand cricket team – Wikipedia.
New Zealand dropped its plans to play with Pakistan abruptly a few hours before the match citing a specific security threat to its players.
“Following an escalation in the New Zealand Government threat levels for Pakistan, and advice from NZC security advisors on the ground, it has been decided the Blackcaps will not continue with the tour.”
New Zealand Cricket said they were aware of a “specific and credible” jihad terrorist threat but did not give details to the media.
This withdrawal lead to a chain reaction whereby England subsequently called off its tours as well by citing “mental and physical well-being”.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement:
“The Pakistan Prime Minister spoke personally to the Prime Minister of New Zealand and informed her that we have one of the best intelligence systems in the world and that no security threat of any kind exists for the visiting team.”
While former Pakistani cricketer and PCB Chair Ramiz Raja had then tweeted in frustration:
“Walking out of the tour by taking a unilateral approach on a security threat is very frustrating. Especially when it’s not shared!! Which world is NZ living in?? NZ will hear us at ICC.”
Pakistan now claims that its detailed investigations have revealed that the device from which emails were sent is registered in India and they will seek help from the INTERPOL to probe this matter.
“This is unfortunate. We believe this is a campaign against international cricket. The International Cricket Council (ICC) and other bodies must take notice.”
In July, when similar allegations were made against India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi has told the media:
“It is not new for Pakistan to engage in baseless propaganda against India. Pakistan would do well to expend the same effort in setting its own house in order and taking credible and verifiable action against terrorism emanating from its soil and terrorists who have found safe sanctuaries there.”
Bagchi had added:
“The international community is well aware of Pakistan’s credentials when it comes to terrorism. This is acknowledged by none other than its own leadership, which continues to glorify terrorists like Osama Bin Laden as ‘martyrs’.”
Such withdrawals have further damaged Pakistan’s already deteriorating reputation and dealt a massive blow to its hopes of staging regular international cricket tournaments.
For almost a decade, after terrorists attacked and injured Sri Lankan players in 2009, top cricket teams have shunned Pakistan and considered the country that is a terror hub as a no-go zone.
Pakistan’s support to the Taliban and other listed terrorist organisations and the recently cancelled tours have given rise to the fears amongst its citizens that they will once again be deprived of quality international cricket.
The annual South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) foreign ministers’ meeting scheduled for September 25 stands cancelled.
This decision has been taken after most member states refused to entertain Pakistan’s request to allow the Taliban regime to represent Afghanistan in the meeting.
SAARC is the regional intergovernmental organization of eight countries of South Asia: India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka.
The grouping also has nine observers: China, the European Union (EU), Iran, the Republic of Korea, Australia, Japan, Mauritius, Myanmar and the US
Image source: SAARC – Wikipedia.
The last annual SAARC meeting was held virtually in 2020 due to the COVID19 pandemic.
The 2021 annual meeting was to take place on the sidelines of the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Image source: Imran Khan – Wikipedia.
However, the Imran Khan-led Pakistan government demanded the member states to allow the Taliban regime in Afghanistan to send a representative at the SAARC.
In addition, Pakistan also insisted that none of the representatives of the former Afghan government be allowed at the SAARC meet.
It is reportedthat Pakistan’s demand was unanimously opposed by all SAARC member countries.
Image source: SAARC Chair Nepal – SAARC.
The SAARC Chair Nepal refused to entertain Pakistan’s request or even give any guarantee to Pakistan or Taliban leadership.
The Nepalese Foreign Ministry issued a communiqué saying that the meet stands cancelled owing to “lack of concurrence from all Member States.”
Amir Khan Muttaqi has been named the acting Foreign Minister in the Taliban regime led by Mullah Hassan Akhund.
Very few countries have officially recognised the Taliban regime in Afghanistan as the legitimate government representing the Afghan people.
Melbourne Earth Quake; Pictures Source: Screenshot of video
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck near Melbourne on Wednesday morning, Geoscience Australia said, one of the country’s biggest quakes on record, causing damage to buildings in Melbourne and sending tremors throughout neighbouring states.
The quake’s epicentre was near the rural town of Mansfield in Victoria, about 200 km (124 miles) northeast of Melbourne, and was at a depth of 10 km (six miles). An aftershock was rated 4.0.
Images and video footage circulating on social media showed rubble blocking one of Melbourne’s main streets, while people in northern parts of the town said on social media they had lost power and others said they were evacuated from buildings.
The quake was felt as far away as the city of Adelaide, 800 km (500 miles) to the west in South Australia, and Sydney, 900 km (600 miles) to the north in New South Wales, although there were no reports of damage outside Melbourne and no reports of injuries.
More than half of Australia’s 25 million population lives in the southeast of the country from Adelaide to Melbourne to Sydney.
“We have had no reports of serious injuries, or worse, and that is very good news and we hope that good news will continue,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters in Washington.
“It can be a very disturbing event, an earthquake of this nature. They are very rare events in Australia and as a result, I am sure people would have been quite distressed and disturbed.”
Quakes are relatively unusual in Australia’s populated east due to its position in the middle of the Indo-Australian Tectonic Plate, according to Geoscience Australia.
The quake on Wednesday 22 September measured higher than the country’s deadliest tremor, a 5.6 in Newcastle in 1989, which resulted in 13 deaths.
The mayor of Mansfield, Mark Holcombe, said he was in his home office on his farm when the quake struck and ran outside for safety.
“I have been in earthquakes overseas before and it seemed to go on longer than I have experienced before,” Holcombe told the ABC.
“The other thing that surprised me was how noisy it was. It was a real rumbling like a big truck going past.”
He knew of no serious damage near the quake epicentre, although some residents reported problems with telecommunications.
No tsunami threat was issued to the Australian mainland, islands or territories, the country’s Bureau of Meteorology said in a statement.
The quake presented a potential disruption for anti- lockdown protests expected in Melbourne, which would be the third day of unrest that has reached increasing levels of violence and police response
Mithali Raj and Yastika Bhatia rebuilding
@BCCIWomen
’s innings steadily as the total passes the 100-run mark in the 23rd over; Picture Source: Twitter @ICC
Darcie Brown’s four-wicket haul and a 126-run opening stand between Alyssa Healy and Rachael Haynes helped Australia thrash India by nine wickets in the first ODI here at the Harrup Park in Mackay on Tuesday.
With this win, Australia has not only taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match series but also Meg Lanning’s side has extended its unbeaten run in ODIs to 25 matches. Chasing 226, Australia got off to a solid start as opening batters Haynes and Healy put on 52 runs inside the first ten overs.
The duo brought up a 100-run opening stand in just the 18th over of the innings with Healy being the more attacking of the two.
India finally got the breakthrough in the 22nd over as Poonam Yadav dismissed Healy (77) and this brought an end to a 126-run opening stand between Healy and Haynes. Australia captain Meg Lanning then came out to the middle to join Haynes. Both batters ensured that the Southern Stars do not lose momentum and they kept the Indian bowlers at bay.
In the end, Haynes (93*) and Lanning (53*) took Australia over the line with 54 balls to spare. The second ODI will now be played on Friday.
Earlier, Mithali Raj might have played a 61-run knock for the visitors, but Darcie Brown’s four-wicket haul helped Australia restrict India to 225/8. Apart from Mithali, Yastrika Bhatia also chipped in with an innings of 35 runs with the help of two boundaries.
Sent into bat, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana provided a quickfire start as the opening duo put on 31 runs inside the first four overs. However, Australia stormed right back as Brown dismissed both Shafali (8) and Mandhana (16), reducing India to 38/2 in the sixth over.
Yastika and Mithali then got together at the crease and both batters put on 77 runs for the third wicket, but as soon as India started to gain an upper hand, the side lost the wicket of Bhatia (35) to Brown in the 26th over. Deepti Sharma (9) failed to leave a mark with the bat, handing Brown her fourth wicket and India was reduced to 129/4 in the 31st over.
Mithali’s strike rate was again a slight worry as she hit her runs off 107 balls and just when it looked like she would change gears, she was dismissed by Sophie Molineux in the 38th over. Molineux had Mithali stumped and this brought Richa Ghosh and Pooja Vastrakar together at the crease.
The lower-order was not able to contribute much, and in the end, India had to settle with a score of 225. In the final overs, Richa Ghosh and Jhulan Goswami played cameos of 32 and 20 respectively.
Brief Scores: India 225/8 (Mithali Raj 61, Yastika Bhatia 35; Darcie Bown 4/33) vs Australia 227/1 (Rachael Haynes 93*, Alyssa Healy 77; Poonam Yadav 1-58).
Charanjit Singh Channi’s appointment as Punjab chief minister has taken all by surprise. He belongs to the Chamar community (of Ramdasia Sikhs) and will obviously be presented by the Congress as its Dalit Face. Chamars are followers of Sant Ravidas.
From the time Punjab State was formed in 1966, he is probably only the second non-Jat Sikh to become CM, the first being Giani Zail Singh who belonged to the carpenter community (of Ramgariya Sikhs).
The Ramgariyas trace their descent from Jassa Singh Ramgariya, who was a great leader, organiser and warrior.
Will the Jat Sikhs take this loss of power in Punjab lying down?
Will the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee that is dominated by Jats accept the downgrading of their political status?
Will the Akalis, who have counted on Jat Sikh support for nearly a century now, accept the diminution in the importance of Jat Sikhs?
To assuage the feelings of the Jat Sikhs Congress leader Harish Rawat said the 2022 assembly election will be fought under Navjot Singh Sidhu’s leadership, clearly indicating that the Congress wants both Jat Sikh and Dalit votes.
In a way, Channi’s appointment is a message to Sidhu, too. The Congress’ central leadership is willing to go only this far to support a local leader whose ability to win elections is not proven. It has also allowed Captain Amarinder Singh a graceful exit.
Sidhu’s appointment as CM meant inviting an open revolt by Captain’s camp, which has been avoided with Channi’s selection.
Does this imply that Punjab will cease to have a Jat Sikh as chief minister?
It is unlikely that Congress will unseat a Dalit CM once he is appointed for fear of losing Dalit votes across the country, just as they hope that with this appointment Dalits will vote for the Congress in Punjab and, more importantly, in Uttar Pradesh next year.
It is possible that Congress will let Channi be CM till the February 2022 assembly elections and take a decision post the declaration of the results.
All in all, a smart move by the Congress.
It has clearly taken the Akali Dal and the Aam Aadmi Party by surprise. It will strengthen Mayawati’s hands who will now push for a Bahujan Samaj Party candidate as CM, something the Jat-dominated Akalis will never agree to. So also the Bharatiya Janata Party’s plans of projecting a Dalit as CM need to be reworked.
How will the Jat Sikhs react to this move, only time will tell.
Will it result in the revival of the Khalistani movement? It is worthwhile to remember that it was mostly the Jat Sikhs who were behind the violent movement of the 1980-1990s.
There is not much love between the Chamar Sikhs (Ramdasias) and the Jats. Hope this Congress move does not lead to social tensions in the state.
We must also, however, remember that all the Sikh Gurus were Khatris and not Jats. The Jat community became powerful in Sikh affairs only with the advent of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and more so during British rule.
Besides Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand go to the polls in early 2022. The Congress will surely use making a Dalit as chief minister in Punjab as a propaganda tool to woo the backward classes and Dalits in these states.
The focus could also shift to Varanasi because Sant Ravidas, who the Chamars follow, was born there and there is even a white temple erected there in his memory.
This will force Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose Lok Sabha constituency is Varanasi, to visit the temple in order to woo his followers. The plans to develop his birthplace on the lines of the Golden Temple will need to be expedited too.
All in all a smart move by Congress. As they say, Ek teer aur multiple nishan.
Having said that, how things will pan out, only time will tell.
For now, Congress has got its opponents thinking seriously about their next move.
Priya Patel is a 25-year-old Indian-origin space scientist with experience working at the European Space Agency (ESA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as a Systems Engineer trainee on key inter-planetary missions.
In an interview to the Times of India, Priya said that aspires to be a full-fledged astronaut in order to become the first Indian to reach Moon and Mars.
Image source: Priya Patel – ESA – Facebbok.
Recently, this rocket woman, has also set up an NGO Sharda Foundation in the US.
“the aim is to provide resources to young Indian students from low socio-economic strata to give them exposure to space facilities abroad”.
Priya was born in Gujarat’s Kadi town and did her schooling from Gandhinagar.
She moved to London in 2005 and earned her bachelor’s degree in physics from Imperial College London.
Later, Priya did her masters in space sciences engineering from the University College London in 2017.
She is currently pursuing her PhD from the same university in coordination with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
“My parents gave me these opportunities through the sacrifices they made as they moved out of India. I was fortunate enough to have this experience but now I want to ensure that such experiences are shared with those that are truly passionate about space, but do not have the resources to follow their passion”.
She is currently working on collecting atmospheric data from NASA’s Perseverance Rover to study the presence of water on Mars.
“Working with NASA on a fantastic mission (Perseverance) is truly a dream come true and I am happy to be representing Indian women in STEM”.
Besides her space projects, Priya has also been training in Bharatanatyam and has participated in various national and international performances.
India climbs to 46th rank in Global Innovation Index; Picture Source: @PIB
India has climbed to 46th rank in Global Innovation Index (GII) 2021 report released by World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
It has jumped 35 places since 2015 and is top-ranked in Central and Southern Asia. From 81 in 2015, it has moved to 46 in 2021.
This report ranked Switzerland, Sweden, the United States, Britain and South Korea as the most innovative economies. China and France edged up in the rankings which continue to be dominated by Asia, Europe and North America.
“The consistent improvement in the GII ranking is owing to the immense knowledge capital, the vibrant start-up ecosystem, and the amazing work done by the public and the private research organizations,” the Indian government’s Niti Aayog said in a statement.
“As we progress further towards saving lives and livelihoods and shaping the national economic growth trajectory, the GII-2021 will be a significant reference point for all the countries to assess their innovation capabilities and readiness, which will go a long way in boosting economic recovery.”
said the statement.
The think tank conveyed that the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has also been leading from the front as a torchbearer of India’s journey towards an innovation-driven economy. NITI Aayog stated that it is hosting the India Launch of the GII and the Global Innovation Conclave in partnership with CII and World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). The event will be held on September 21-22, 2021.
“India climbs to 46th rank in Global Innovation Index of @WIPO, reflecting its success in transforming itself into an innovation hub, for a #AatmanirbharBharat,” tweeted Permanent Mission of India at UN in Geneva.
“India has jumped 35 places since 2015 and is top-ranked in Central and Southern Asia, demonstrating India’s success in creating a conducive ecosystem, enabling India’s emergence as a global hub for research and development and innovation,” added India at UN.
In its report, WIPO said that that innovation marched forward last year despite the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak. Technology, pharmaceuticals and biotech industries boosted their investments, even as hard-hit sectors like transport and travel eased back on spending.
Global Innovation Index provides detailed metrics about the innovation performance of 131 countries and economies around the world.
Its 80 indicators explore a broad vision of innovation, including political environment, education, infrastructure and business sophistication.
After two successful seasons, Me-TV is presenting My Voice to the global audience and participants in its Season-3.
My Voice – Season-3 is a competition not to be missed by talented singers because the singers from any part of the globe can now participate in this mega event.
Highlights:
A- The new avatar of the show allows participants to sing in English and any Indian language of their choice.
B- This show leaves the field open for participants of all age groups, and allows you to participate from the comfort of your own home!
This is precisely why My Voice – Season 3 stands in a league of its own.
With about 15000 AUD worth of prize money to be won, My Voice – Season 3 opens registration for the contestants from Sep 1, 2021, till Oct 10th.
There will be four categories for the contestants. 1- Silver (6-14 years), 2- Gold(15-23), 3- Diamond (24-40) and 4- Platinum (40+)
This means age shall not be a barrier at all!
No need to stand in long queues as contestants can upload their performances online! All registration process and details can be found onwww.MeWorldet.com
MeWorld – A Global OTT Plus free App is the exclusive streaming partner for My Voice Season-3. Which can be downloaded at http://onelink.to/y2mht3
The event presents itself as a wonderful opportunity for partners and brands that are looking for a global reach and that are looking for creating an inroad to a global market. The scope of publicity of branding will be very high as thousands of contestants from across the globe are expected.
About Streaming Partner MeWorld:
MeWorld is a ME-TV venture- a Media and IT conglomerate with group companies in Television, Media, Content Production, Event Management, Digital Marketing and IT Services. It was born out of a commitment to redefining the infotainment landscape through bespoke offerings. It is Australia’s first OTT platform catering to the multicultural and multilingual audience across geographies.
Australian shares recorded a second straight weekly drop after a fall in iron ore prices dragged the miners to multi-month lows and surging Coronavirus cases across the eastern coast of the country raised concerns over delay in Australian economic recovery.
China has recently continued its crackdown on steel production ahead of the Winter Olympics in February 2022. The prices of iron ore continued to decline all through the week as China mulled to add more cities under its environmental control.
With iron prices falling more than 20% for the week, a decline last seen during GFC in 2008, the move sent ripples across Australian miners with BHP, Rio and Fortescue all falling to multi-month lows. While BHP and Rio slumped to their nine-month low, Fortescue Metals declined by 12% to reach its lowest price in 14 months.
According to some of the analysts as more and more Chinese provinces look forward to curtailing steel production to meet their environmental targets there may be more weakness to come in iron ore pressure and as such any further weakness in mining stocks should not come as a surprise.
The rising Delta variant cases in Australia was also on the mind of investors all week. The weekly employment report though showed a dip in unemployment level to its lowest level in almost 13 years, it was majorly due to a sharp decline in several people seeking work.
The lockdown has forced many businesses to slash working hours right across NSW and Victoria and it would be interesting to see how the investors react to the re-opening roadmap in the coming weeks.
With US markets also turning south on President Biden’s plan to raise corporate taxes by 5.5% to 26.5%, there may be some weakness in Australian markets when the week opens.
In regards to gold, we mentioned last week how the gold investors were likely to remain on the sidelines till the next Federal Open Market Committee on September 21 and 22.
With most investors focussing on US Federal Reserve a firm US Dollar kept bullion on course for a second weekly decline.
The US Dollar rose to a three-week peak last week. The rise in US Dollar made gold unattractive and expensive for holders of other currencies and thus resulted in a 1.2% decline in the price of gold.
According to StoneX analyst Rhona OÇonnell “Everybody is watching Fed like hawks.” Investor’s looking to scour Jay Powell’s press conference for tapering a hawkish shift from the FOMC may result in another knee-jerk downward reaction in gold.
Oil posted its fourth consecutive weekly gain, thanks to unexpected supply shortages in the USA arising as an aftermath of Hurricane Ida three weeks ago.
Hurricane Ida forced the closure of 90% of oil-producing fields in the US Gulf of Mexico. As of last week, 28.24% of oil production in the US Gulf coast remained closed.
Oil continued to rally to record a third consecutive week of gains as investors focussed on tight US oil supplies with ongoing production shut-ins in the US Gulf of Mexico following Hurricane Ida. A move towards safer assets in the market on fears of economic recovery due to coronavirus fears may cap gains in oil prices.
A recent survey of economists by Reuters suggested that the economic recovery in the US may have been dented in the third quarter due to the spread of the Delta variant. Chinese data earlier last week also suggested growth slowing in the second half of the year for the World’s second-largest economy.
As such there is too much caution and if Europe also shows signs of slowing markets both oil and stocks may fall at a rapid pace.
The Australian Dollar kept falling all week against most currencies as traders looked for safer havens. China’s crackdown on iron ore has not helped the local currency recently. With Chinese retail and industrial production also falling in China, Australia’s largest trade partner and closures and lockdowns in multiple locations across the country the Australian Dollar has been under a lot of pressure all week.
In the recent Evergrande saga, with one of the largest property developers in China getting ready to default, the risks for China and Australia, the largest supplier of raw materials to the Red Dragon have significantly increased.
With no significant data coming out from Australia this week, the currency will be at mercy of news from China and the US. The Australian currency is particularly susceptible to a risk environment. With traders looking for next taper clues from the Fed, the risk is likely to remain off the table till at least Wednesday.
Moving forward should Powell announce Fed’s tapering plans the US Treasury yields may rise, which will result in the Australian dollar falling to 0.7200. His decision will however be driven by US data.
In regards to the Indian Rupee, the Rupee ended flat against the US Dollar as dollar buying by oil companies was balanced by strong corporate inflows. An increasing oil price negatively impacts the Indian rupee, however with India recently witnessing a strong inflow of foreign corporate earnings it helped the Rupee to counter any negative impact.
The Rupee is right where RBI wants it, trading at a range between 72 and 75 against the US dollar. A rise in imports, however, taper worries and persistently high crude prices all have Rupee traders on the edge.
As per Sejal Gupta, head of Forex and Rates at Edelweiss Securities, “Accelerated imports, increasing bond yields in India, global economic anxiety and rising crude oil prices over $75 per week is expected to weaken the Rupee.”
In the world of Cryptocurrencies, the week gone by saw consolidation for Bitcoin following a minor crash on September 7. At the time of writing the report, Bitcoin had risen 3% for the week. The optimism in the market returned as Cuba joined El Salvador to recognise crypto as a legal method of payment for commercial transactions in the country. El Salvador also announced plans to exempt investors from paying a CGT or income tax on Bitcoin.
Turkey, however, reiterated its ban on cryptocurrencies with President Erdogan declaring on Saturday that his country is at war with cryptocurrency.
With IMF also snubbing El Salvador and indicating it may suffer a rating downgrade there is concern that it would dissuade other developing nations from adopting crypto.
Technically speaking Bitcoin outlook looks positive with the 100/200 moving averages crossover forming. However, Bitcoin would need to break the $49,943 level to enter the Bollinger uptrend channel and start the next bull run.
Bitcoin crash: Picture Source; @Canva
In terms of altcoins, the week was a mixed bag. Solano had to shut down their network for some time following technical issues resulting in the coin getting sold heavily. Shiba Inu on the other hand rose by 40% on news that it is getting listed on Coin base.
In agricultural products corn, oil and wheat all consolidated from the losses the week before as grain traders await US harvest news and further clues on Chinese demand.
Harvest is getting ready underway in the United States and grain importer China is also preparing to gather its domestic crop. AS per grain traders, this is the time in the market when corn is about to come in, however, the corn prices need to be competitive against feed wheat for world markets to balance out.
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 independent research and/or speak with a financial advisor or qualified investment professional before making any financial decisions.
Indian Australian pilot Captain Ritesh Bhamaria; Picture Source: Supplied
Indian Australian Pilot Captain Ritesh Bhamaria’s actions have earned him a prestigious Certificate of Commendation from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) as part of their Exceptional Bravery at Sea Award.
The Exceptional Bravery at Sea Award provides international recognition for those who, at the risk of losing their own life, perform acts of exceptional bravery and display outstanding courage.
In December 2020, Indian Australian Pilot Captain Ritesh Bhamaria was expertly piloting oil tanker MT Godam through the Torres Strait in adverse weather conditions when he and the vessel crew sighted a distant hand waving for help in the rough sea.
That movement turned out to be an uncle and nephew—both local fishermen—who had been clinging to the floating debris for close to 17 hours following the sinking of their boat, with no access to an emergency beacon or other survival equipment.
Captain Bhamaria recalled his surprise at seeing the two stranded men but wasted no time in taking action.
They struggled to maintain sight of the people, losing sight of them three times. Finally, when they caught sight of them again, the crew realised the two men were being circled by hammerhead sharks.
Rather than risking the ship’s crew, by launching a rescue boat in the prevailing weather conditions and potentially not getting to the stranded fishermen in time, the pilot made the tough decision to turn the 251-metre ship around in restricted waters.
“Without hesitation, I turned the ship to the side where I had clearance,”
Mr Bhamaria said.
“The two biggest issues were maintaining sight of the two men while we turned the ship around and then approached them safely—a huge ship arriving alongside a piece of wood with two men holding on, poses quite a risk to their safety.
“We couldn’t stop the ship near the survivors—the ship’s propeller would have posed too great a risk to the two men and the reef just behind them.
“On the first turn, we dropped a smoke marker with a lifebuoy as close as 20 metres from the survivors.
“The fishermen were then able to cling to the buoy, while the smoke helped the approaching rescue craft home in on the location of the survivors. Meanwhile, the movement of the ship in the water deterred the sharks away from the men.
“Then we circled again, keeping the reef behind us, this time with the intention of picking them up. I manoeuvred the ship to within a distance of 1–1.5 meters of the survivors floating on the wooden plank, dropping the speed of the ship to a bare minimum—about two knots with the propellers stopped. We managed to get the uncle out of the water first. But by the time we were trying to get his nephew out, the rescue helicopter arrived, so we lowered him back into the water, so the helicopter could retrieve him safely.”
It was a harrowing ordeal for the survivors, but ultimately Captain Bhamaria’s quick-thinking and brave actions saved the lives of the two men. Without Captain Bhamaria’s decision making and exceptional navigation skills, these two fishermen would have endured an entirely different outcome.
AMSA Chief Executive Officer Mick Kinley said international recognition of this level of bravery from one of Australia’s marine pilots is a significant accomplishment.
“Captain Bhamaria and the ship’s crew displayed outstanding seamanship, coming together to the aid of others,”
Mr Kinley said.
“The knowledge and expertise of our marine pilots is key to the safe arrival and passage of ships bringing supplies and trade with Australia. But in this instance, Captain Bhamaria’s knowledge of the surrounding area and quick thinking allowed him to make decisions that enabled the rescue of the two men.’
“Captain Bhamaria is certainly deserving of this accolade from the IMO for his exceptional bravery.”
Humbled and thankful for the honour, Captain Bhamaria was quick to share his commendation with the wider piloting community of Australia and the master and crew of the MT Godam.
“I am grateful and appreciative that AMSA nominated me for the award,” he said.
“However, any pilot would have done the same thing, so this recognition is for the whole Australian piloting community.”
“Many thanks to the master and crew of MT Godam, Reef VTS, AMSA and the shore Rescue team, because it was an all-round team effort,” he said.
The IMO Awards ceremony will take place virtually from IMO Headquarters in London on Monday 6 December.
Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews announced a new roadmap to free the state from lockdowns and restrictions.
As Victoria reaches 70 per cent and 80 per cent double dose vaccination targets, the Roadmap lists certain venues for opening – but only on the condition that all eligible attendees to the venue are vaccinated.
When Victoria reaches 70 per cent double dose vaccination, changes will include an increase in numbers for public gatherings outdoors, funerals, weddings and religious gatherings – with larger caps for people who are fully vaccinated.
Creative studios, amusement parks, entertainment venues and hospitality will also reopen with patron cap and density limits but only to people who are fully vaccinated.
There is very little precedence in Australia for fully vaccinated events, which is why the Government will conduct trials to support businesses as much as possible in the lead up to transitioning to a ‘vaccinated economy’ in this state, and ensure we have the right systems in place.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the government is prepared to review the reopening plan as case numbers change.
“I want to make it very clear to all Victorians, particularly to those working in our health system, as we deliver this roadmap, we will monitor every hour of every day how many people are in hospital and how much pressure is on our health system,”
he said.
Both one-off events and specific venues will be considered – with businesses permitted to operate with higher patron caps if all staff and patrons provide evidence of full vaccination. Areas in regional Victoria with the highest vaccination rates and no COVID-19 cases will be the first to be considered for these trials.
Proof of vaccination options will also be part of the trials. The Service Victoria app will be integrated with a Medicare Certificate that shows proof of vaccination and other proof of vaccination options may also be trialled to determine what works best for both businesses and patrons.
Another key part of the Roadmap is when Victoria hits 70 per cent double dose vaccination, getting more activities outside is a key part of keeping the community safe and slowing case numbers.
The government will be looking to provide additional funding to councils and businesses to get even more activities outside and more details will be released about this soon.
For the final phase of the Roadmap, Premier Andrews says, he will wait for more details to be developed as part of the National Plan as the community moves beyond 80 per cent double dose vaccination rates.
As Christmas comes closer government is working towards having 30 visitors to the home by late December – and with travel across both interstate and international borders open again, many families will be able to reunite.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer will assess vaccination requirements for all authorised workers in Victoria. These requirements and potential deadlines will be assessed progressively as the Chief Health Officer considers each sector. There are already vaccine requirements for aged care, construction, and freight workforces.
Following the recommendation from AHPPC to National Cabinet, Premier Andrews confirmed that healthcare workers will be the next workforce to have vaccination become a requirement to work.
“Healthcare workers will need to have received at least their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by 15 October or provide evidence that they have an appointment to be vaccinated before 1 November to continue working.”
The next workforce group prioritised for assessment will be school staff and childcare staff. We will also have more to say soon about Victoria Police and disability worker vaccinations requirements.
For more information on Victoria’s Roadmap to Deliver the National Plan visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au.
History and how to understand it; Picture Source: @CANAVA
Positivism refers to a philosophical movement that served as the foundation for an intellectual movement in the powerful Western countries; it helped to construct modernity in the late 19th and early 20th century in Europe and North America.
Positivists sought to integrate the scientific method into philosophy to make philosophy objective and to make social reality more predicted, and they also wanted to remove the metaphysical aspect from philosophy. Works of positivism can be related to British philosophers and theorists like Francis Bacon, John Locke, Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill.
The industrial revolution of the 18th century is considered as the cultural background of positivism in Europe, considering technology and science that has brought social progress and advancement of human society. French scholar Claude-Henri Saint Simon (1760-1825) implied a scientific approach to understand social affairs and it was followed by Auguste Comte (1798-1857) (considered as the father of sociology) that popularized positivism by applying scientific methods to the social world.
This article gives a general perspective of positivism theory and Comte’s view on positivism.
At the time of the French revolution, Saint-Simon proposed positive reorganization of society controlled by the head of industries; with the objective of this society shall produce a thing that is useful for life in terms of universal association and under new social order, the men of science shall provide spiritual guidance to the society rather than religion.
As per positivism, knowledge derived from the scientific method of inquiry or practice of attaining the actual knowledge is related to positivism, relating to beyond the possibility of any doubt or dispute. This stands for absolute and dependable knowledge based on an actual sense of experience and its empirical collections.
This knowledge is deriving from an affirmation of theories through purely ‘scientific method’. This is related to the philosophy of science that teaches the interpretation of the world is dependent on the human experience that emphasises the use of a scientific method of use of natural sciences to the study of the social world. The article highlights the principles of this theory of positivism.
Positivism in Social Science
It is concerned with the use of the scientific method by natural scientists to study human behaviour. This theory brought a revolution in the field of social science that blended faith in progress based on the idea of a scientific explanation of history that would provide the path to resolve every problem of society.
It is believed that the actual knowledge comes from fact or factual. Considering science is the legitimate source of knowledge and based on fact. The objective of this philosophy is to discover the universal principles shared by all sciences and the use of these principles are foundation guidelines for understanding human behaviour and the foundation of the social order.
This rejects intuition, theological and metaphysical knowledge and prior reasoning. It is used to reject the principles based on emotions and speculations before the French revolution by the practical questions to understand how things are in reality. Positivism is not related to the supernatural but concern with real-world and natural laws that govern the universe. Scientific knowledge is based on direct observation as per positivism.
Comte’s Stages of Mankind History: “Law of Human Progress”
The philosopher brought the term ‘altruism’, stating the people to live for the sake of others; and his goal was to create a science of society, by explaining human development and future guidelines of humankind. The philosopher believes in method of natural science should be implied in social sciences to gain empirical knowledge, these method includes observation, experimentation, comparison and the historical method, as a method of inquiry.
Comte believed mankind history evolved through a progressive three-stage path, first is primitive societies or theological stage (19th century France preceding the enlightenment/generally considered before 13 century) that is related to religious terms like idols, gods and spirits. Under this stage, people believe that all-natural occurrences are the work of the divine or supernatural, as mankind is not able to identify the natural physical causes, thus they ascribed them to the divine or supernatural force.
The second stage is termed as metaphysical phase (before the French Revolution/generally considered from 13 to 18th century) that is a further development of the theological stage, where God is regarded as an abstract entity/notion and the events of the world are guided and determined by abstract power or force. Natural forces were not imagined as superhuman forces. At this stage, one rejects faith in concrete God. This stage is supposed to be the stage of adolescence of a human being.
The third stage refers to the positive stage (after the eighteenth century) of the scientific or technological stage, based on scientific explanation based on observation, experimentation and comparing through mathematical techniques and statistics. This is based on a rational way to observe the world and its objective was to find solutions to social problems.
This stage is considered a stage of maturity of knowledge of mankind. Comte believed in the scientific empirical and inductive process of the natural sciences. It is believed that this three-stage of law is applied to all societies around the world and transition from one phase to another goes through crisis rather than progress.
Conclusion
Comte believed that natural laws govern society and human history. He stated that historians should discover these natural laws that regulate changes in societies. These laws help to predict human society’s future development. He thought about an ideal society where positivism and sociology are considered supreme based on the rule of reason. Positivism generally relates to ‘Naturalism (influence of external environment on actions), inductivism (supremacy of facts) and empiricism (observable)’.
Some scholars raised the weakness of Comte’s work as his thinking was based on his own life experiences and away from reality; he was also disconnected from other intellectuals. Other criticised scientific explanations do not reach the inner nature of phenomena, so the humanistic knowledge gives an insight into thoughts and feelings, and it is also criticised for being different from historical studies.
Author: Dr Sakul Kundra, A.HOD Department of Social Science, College of Humanities and Education, Fiji National University.
In a record-breaking effort to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 71st birthday, India administered more than 25 million Covid vaccine jabs in a day on Friday.
This vaccination number is equal to the entire population of Australia (25.77 million), five times the population of New Zealand (5.09 million) and 25 times the population of Fiji (0.9 million).
Image source: Sand Art installation using 2035 sea shells with message #HappyBirthdayModiJi at Puri beach , Odisha, created by Sudarshan Pattnaik – Twitter.
PM Modi is also celebrating another milestone – 20 years in public office.
Since October 2001, PM Modi has been the head of a democratically elected government for straight 7,285 days.
In these 20 years of public service, PM Modi has also gone on to become one of the most popular leaders in the world with an approval rating of 70%.
The Morning Consult, an American data intelligence firm, tracks the approval rating for governmental leaders in Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.
According to their graph, PM Modi’s approval rating reached a peak during May 2021.
This was the time when India was not only fighting a deadly second wave of Covid but also a deep-rooted and malicious misinformation campaign run by vested interests from both inside and outside India.
Image source: Minister Mansukh Mandaviya – Wikipedia
Mr Mansukh Mandaviya, the Minister for Health & Family Welfare of India, wrote on Twitter:
“Good health is indeed wealth and a great way to celebrate PM @NarendraModi ji’s birthday. My compliments to you for getting vaccinated and encouraging others to be a part of #VaccINESEVA.”
The countrywide vaccination drive in India was rolled in three phases earlier this year with healthcare workers (January), frontline workers (February), people over 60 years of age (March), and people over 45 years of age (April).
India has also given a boost to the ongoing vaccination programme by approving its first vaccine for those under 18 years of age (May onwards).
At present, India is using three key vaccines: the Oxford- AstraZeneca (also known as Covishield), Covaxin (made by Indian firm Bharat Biotech, and Sputnik V (Russian vaccine).
In addition, the Indian government has also authorised pharma company Cipla to import the Moderna vaccine.
Image source: India in Fiji
Most countries in the developing world have struggled to access vaccines.
India under the guidance and leadership of PM Modi has also gifted more than 66 million doses to 95 countries under its Vaccine Maitri initiative.
Taking to Twitter, well-known scholar Prof. Ananda Ranganathan said:
“Wait, what. 12.2 million vaccinated in 6 hours and more than half a day still to go. Forget New Zealand, we now have in sight vaccinating the equivalent of an Australia today – 25 million. This is PHENOMENAL. Congratulations to all involved. Congratulations to @narendramodi.”
The daily vaccinations in India have crossed the 10 million mark for the fourth time in less than a month.
This new record is more than two and a half times its previous daily record which was 13 million shots set on 27 August 2021.
Image source: https://dashboard.cowin.gov.in/
Recently, a senior Biden administration official was even quoted as telling Reuters that the US, which is lagging behind in vaccination, is communicating regularly with PM Modi and may enquire about a timeline for restarting vaccine exports from India.
With its ever-increasing vaccination numbers, India has already eclipsed Europe (777 million), North America (593 million) and South America (403 million).
India has now given more than 790 million doses and ministry officials are confident and plan to administer over a billion shots by mid-October 2021.
PM Modi in his acknowledgement tweet thanked the people and all healthcare and front-line workers for making India’s vaccination drive a success.
Hindu, Jain and Buddhist Community leaders working against a potential Swastika ban; Picture Source: The Australia Today
Hindu, Jain and Buddhist Community leaders working against a potential Swastika ban proposed by the Victorian government were pleasantly surprised by a phone call on Monday morning.
This call came from the office of Federal Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs Jason Wood. Mr Wood’s advisor Ranj Parerra advised community leaders that after the initial meeting of top Hindu community leaders on Friday Minister Wood has worked over the weekend to bring together Victorian Deputy Leader of the Opposition David Southwick and Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs Craig Ondarchie along with Co-CEO – Executive Council of Australian Jewry Peter Wertheim.
A joint meeting was scheduled for late Monday evening to find a common ground to negotiate with the Victorian Government on the Swastika issue.
More than fifty-five religious and community leaders from Hindu, Jain and Buddhist temples and organisations presented their point on the Swastika issue. The common sentiment was that Swastika (a Sanskrit word) is a symbol of peace and well-being and has been used for centuries by these communities.
Minister Wood agreed and said,
“The actual correct word for the Nazi symbol is the Hakenkreuz and not the Swastika.”
“For most of us, the Nazi symbols are one of hate, horror, terror and nothing but evil,” added Mr Wood.
Victorian deputy leader of the opposition, David Southwick said, “I will not play politics in this and want to be clear with all communities. The Jew people are one of the worst affected by persecution for their religious beliefs however we will not in any way let another religious community suffer any persecution to practice their faith. We will certainly work with the Hindu community to have acceptable legislation.”
“We are not in favour of dropping the legislation after working on it to protect the Jew community from hate attacks, but he will certainly support removing references to Swastika and have consultations to refer properly as Nazi symbols.”
Executive Council of Australian Jewry is elected peak representative body of the Australian Jewish community, with approximately 200 major Jewish organisations across Australia under its umbrella. Its CO-CEO Peter Wertheim suggested advocating for a generic offence of displaying any symbol which in all the circumstances is reasonably likely to promote or advocate hatred on the grounds of race, religion, disability or sexual orientation or identity.
“There could be express exclusions for the use of symbols reasonably and in good faith for any religious, educational or artistic purpose.”
Ramesh Rao, Joint Treasurer of the Australian Hindu Temples Council said, “Governments should educate children right from school, the differences between the Hindu Holy symbol Swastika and the Nazi Hate symbol Hakenkreuz (Hooked-Cross).”
“It is essential, so no one is persecuted for following their faith and the wider community will understand not only the difference visually but also the meaning and purpose of it,”
explained Mr Rao.
In the meeting, Minister wood was concerned with what he called a notorious reputation of the Victorian government for passing legislation through parliament without consultation.
He said, “At least on this occasion, I urge the Victorian government to consult all relevant communities.”
Victorian Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs Craig Ondrachie was very forthcoming and supportive to Hindu, Jain and Buddhist communities.
He said, “I will not support any legislation which affects the Hindu, Buddhist or Jain communities, I will push for proper consultation with the communities and only accepted legislation by all faith communities will be allowed in the Parliament.”
“We will not allow the State Government to pass the legislation before all communities are consulted and the legislation doesn’t affect any faith community,”
assured Mr Ondrachie.
Rakesh Raizada is the Founding Director of Vedic Global. He told The Australia Today, “The Vedic communities including Hindus, Jains, Nepalese, Buddhist and others who use Swastika almost everywhere – at home, religious places, cars etc. may face constant problems and harassment if this legislation is passed the way it is currently proposed.”
“And the reason is simply because particularly law enforcing agencies and people from other religions and faith may not be aware of the importance of Swastika in our day to day life and may confuse us to be of Nazi ideology,”
added Mr Raizada.
Parth Pandya is a member of Melbourne’s BAPS Swaminarayan management committee. He says “When you say drinking is prohibited, we all understand drinking alcohol is prohibited in that environment not drinking water or fruit juice. In the same way, when they say Nazi symbols are prohibited they should never relate that with Hindu Holy symbol Swastika, extensive education to all stakeholders should be provided by the Government”
Sateesh from Sree Narayana Mission told a very personal story.
“My daughter’s First name was Swastika, we moved to Melbourne from India when she was 4 years old, one of the school teachers (lovingly ) advised us to change it as it may offend the Jewish community. So we changed her name, with Births Deaths, and Marriages Victoria.”
Sateesh says, “I don’t want to offend any other community. But would like to request the Victorian government to educate the general public about whats the real positive meaning of how significant the Swastika symbol is for the Hindu Community.”
It was agreed by all parties that the new legislation that the Victorian government is looking to introduce to ban the Nazi symbol must allow for religious use in religions such as Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism and proper education should be programmed to educate the community.
Minister Jason Wood said, “I will be working with the communities closer to ensure we support them in achieving their objective of protecting their religious practices. This is what multicultural Australia and diversity are all about. Coming together and discussing issues and working together on reaching a common goal for the mutual benefit of all communities.
IIT JEE (Advanced) entrance test;Picture Source: K. Murali Kumar.
IIT-Bombay has launched ‘Project Udaan,’ a donation-based project, end-to-end ecosystem, which translates scientific and technical content from English to Hindi and all other Indian languages.
Image source: IIT-Bombay.
In India, more than 65 per cent of students who appear for board examinations study in non-English medium schools.
The AI-based translation software ecosystem can help them by translating engineering textbooks and learning materials.
Image source: Prof. Ganesh Ramakrishnan, the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), IIT-Bombay.
‘Project Udaan’ has been developed by Prof. Ganesh Ramakrishnan and his team at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE).
The key goals of this project are:
Web Platform with complete translation workbench
Machine Learning models for translation and post editing to augment human translators
Domain specific Linguistic resource (Dictionaries, translation memory) for efficient and consistent quality translation
To setup parallel corpus in technical domain (>30,00,000 words) to speed up the translation and post editing research
To translate and publish 500 books in native languages for engineering curriculum and make it accessible in cost effective manner
Active ecosystem of seed translators, reviewer, proof readers around the platform
The team began work seven years ago after noticing a wide gap in the availability of engineering and technical knowledge books in Hindi and other major Indian languages.
Image source: Project Udaan website.
According to Prof. Ganesh Ramakrishnan, his team expects to achieve a much shorter turnaround time to produce quality translations.
“We are happy to state that by deploying our AI-based Translation Engine, we are now able to translate a technical book in less than one-sixth the time it would take for a team consisting of the domain and linguistic experts working manually.”
This policy, approved by the Union Cabinet of India on 29 July 2020, is a comprehensive framework for elementary, higher and vocational education and training in both rural and urban India.
Image source: PM Narendra Modi – Wikipedia.
The Indian government has been promoting imparting of higher education through Indian languages.
The NEP 2020 states:
“India will also urgently expand its translation and interpretation efforts in order to make high quality learning materials and other important written and spoken material available to the public in various Indian and foreign languages.”
Image source: Sankrant Sanu, Founder of Garuda Prakashan.
Well-known Indian publishing house Garuda Prakashan is publishing partner for Project Udaan
Sankrant Sanu, Founder of Garuda Prakashan, told Indian Media:
“Even in premier institutes like IITs, I find that students are struggling due to not having access to education in their own language.”
The current project aims to translate 500 engineering texts in Hindi in one year and in 15 Indian languages in 3 years.
The translation project started on September 14, 2021.
Playground Victoria: Picture Source: The Australia Today
Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews has announced some modest easing to restrictions from 11.59 pm Friday, 17 September in lockdown areas of metropolitan Melbourne and Ballarat – expanding outdoor social interaction, exercise and the distance residents can travel from home and more.
Victoria will hit our 70 per cent first dose vaccination target tomorrow – becoming the second state in Australia to do so.
Premier Daniel Andrews said, “While these are modest changes, today is a positive day and sign of things to come for Victorians once we get our double dose vaccination rates up.”
“It’s also a signal: if you are vaccinated, you can get back to doing the things you love, sooner. If you aren’t vaccinated, then the safety of everyone else has to come first.”
The most significant change is that there will now be one other reason to leave home: outdoor social interaction.
1- This means one person may meet another person, not from their household for a picnic, a walk, or another outdoor activity.
2- Additionally, up to five adults (plus dependents) from two households will be able to gather outdoors if all adults present have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
3- The time permitted for exercise – and now outdoor social interaction – will increase from two hours a day to four hours.
4- The distance you can leave home for shopping for necessary goods and services, exercise and outdoor social interaction will increase from five kilometres to 10 kilometres.
5- As part of further changes to exercise, two people will now be able to train outdoors with a personal trainer. Skate parks and outdoor communal exercise equipment will reopen.
6- Child-minding for school-aged children will be permitted if only one parent is an authorised worker.
7- Up to five people will be able to attend an entertainment venue or physical recreation facility to broadcast a performance, class, or concert.
8- Real estate inspections will resume by appointment only. To ensure they’re COVIDSafe, only people from the same household can attend the inspection appointment and the real estate agent must stay outdoors during the inspection.
While these changes can go ahead, public health officials have become increasingly concerned about COVID-19 transmission and exposure in construction settings, with evidence that it is emerging as a ‘vector’ of the virus into regional areas.
Changes will be made to limit the further spread in this industry, allowing people to keep working safely.
In order to continue working,
A- Construction workers state-wide will need to show evidence to their employer that they have had a first dose of theCOVID-19 vaccine by 11:59 pm Thursday, 23 September.
B- Limited medical exemptions and proof-of-booking exceptions will apply, in line with previous requirements for residential aged care workers.
C- In light of the cases seeding from Melbourne into regional Victoria, construction workers will now not be able to cross the metropolitan-regional boundary for work.
D- Tea rooms will need to close and food or drink will not be able to be consumed indoors at work. Worker shift bubbles must be in practice and all sites will require a COVIDSafe Marshal on site.
From 11.59 pm tomorrow night, there will also be some changes to COVIDSafe settings in regional Victoria – excluding the City of Ballarat which entered lockdown yesterday.
In regional Victoria, gyms and outdoor and indoor pools (excluding spas, saunas and steam rooms) will reopen with limits and hydrotherapy and swimming lessons can occur. Tour buses can operate up to 10 people.
Victorians can book their vaccination appointment at a state-run centre by visiting portal.cvms.vic.gov.au or by phoning the Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.
Construction workers can also access priority booking (phone only) and can walk up without a booking for Pfizer during key times at the old Ford Factory in Campbellfield, the former Bunnings in Melton West, Eagle Stadium in Werribee and the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital.
“With more than 6 million vaccine doses delivered in Victoria, we’ll continue to ramp up and do everything we can to keep this momentum going, so we can have Victoria open and thriving again as soon as possible,” said Mr Andrews
If you’re yet to be vaccinated, please book your appointment today – either in state-run centres or at your GP or local pharmacy. The best vaccine is the vaccine you can get today. If have any questions or concerns you can talk to a GP, pharmacist or to a senior and experienced immuniser at our state-run sites.
In a Hindu household, a new car, irrespective of the model, sports this symbol of prosperity with pride.
New houses, apartments, places of residence are anointed with this symbol of prosperity and abundance.
Any auspicious ritual of Hindus, across the world, does not begin without drawing this symbol.
So how has such a benedictory symbol as Swastika come to be associated with Hitler, Nazis and genocide?
If no one else, this question must have at least bothered millions of Hindus who would have definitely, at one point in time or another, had to defensively, almost apologetically, clarify the difference between their beloved Swastika and Hitler’s symbol.
Nobody seems to have questioned how could Hinduism, which accepts myriad ways of worship and spiritual goals, that emphasises connectedness to the extent of proclaiming that the entire world is our family, be even associated with such a Nazi symbol. Not only did anybody question it, but it is apparent that the world has been all too eager to promote this blatant ignorance.
In a recent instance, a News agency removed a picture of U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley with a Swastika seen behind her at a Hindu temple in Delhi because, in their very words, ‘it was also used as a symbol by Nazi Germany’.
This post is an attempt to make people realise how such an incorrect and/ or motivated interpretation of the past can be a bane for billions in the present.
We begin with few questions that need to be answered at the very outset.
Why is Swastika considered a racist and detestable symbol in today’s western world?
It is because many people mistakenly think that Nazis used this symbol.
What was so bad about Nazis?
Nazis were anti-Semites who conducted genocide of 6 million Jews.
Where are the origins of Nazi antisemitism?
Of course, in the Bible!
Has anyone ever told you that? Read on.
Adolf Hitler with Nazi party officials (1885-1946), circa 1937. (Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Roots of Nazi Antisemitism: The Bible
Jews as God Killers
The New Testament, as we know it, is composed of 4 canonical Gospels: Mark, Matthew, Luke and John.
According to the Gospel of Mark, which is the oldest Gospel, Jesus Christ was crucified by Roman Governor Pontius Pilate at the instigation of a group of High-Priests who are called Sanhedrin [1].
But nowhere within the gospel of Mark are “all jews” seen as an outside group.
Nowhere in the gospel of Mark are Jews held responsible as a group for the “murder” of Christ.
In fact, it becomes clear in the earliest gospel that Christians were not yet differentiated from Jews as a group/religion. We can still see the entire episode as an intra Jewish struggle.
Now, let us see what later gospels have to say about “deicide” or murder of God.
In the Gospel of John, the word “Jews” as a group occurs in 63 instances [2]. In 38 of them, the connation is negative and derogatory[3]. In one instance, the Jewish scripture was referred to as “your Torah”’(John 8.17).
This clearly indicates that by the time of the Gospel of John, the separation between Christianity and Judaism has been complete(at least in the region where the author lived).
In the Gospel of John, the Jews are referred to as Children of Devil (John 8.44) and are collectively held responsible for deicide or “Murder of God”.
In the Gospel of Matthew (27.25), the Jews collectively say “his blood be upon us and our children”.
We can safely mark these passages as the origin of antisemitism.
This was the scriptural warrant for the denunciation of Jews for centuries as “God killers”. This had far-reaching consequences for centuries. Already in the fourth century, Gregory of Nyssa denounced Jews as “Murderers of God and …Confederates of Devil”.
Pope Saint Gregory, I famously referred to Jews as “A Sanhedrin of Satans, criminals, enemies of God and of all that is decent and beautiful[4].
Violent Church antisemitism: Proto-Nazism in medieval Christendom
Hitler was not the first self-proclaimed Christian(*) who violently persecuted Jews. It was no surprise that anti-semitism assumed violent forms in the medieval age. Institutional persecution of Jews was the norm in Christian countries. The Medieval saint St. Louis encouraged Christians to thrust a good sword into the Jewish belly as far as the sword will go[5]. Although this applied to Jews who ridiculed Christian beliefs, it was put into practice indiscriminately
Here are a few instances to illustrate this phenomenon.
During the Crusades, beginning in the 11th century, when Christian religious zeal reached epic levels, thousands of Jews on the Rhine and the Danube were massacred. Jews were accused of Kidnapping Christian Children (blood libel) and lynched by Christian mobs. In 1349, Jews in Strasbourg were accused of poisoning wells and 2000 Jews were burnt to death. Jews were often forcibly expelled from their countries by pious Christian rulers.
Here is a Christian painting depicting the burning of Jews.
The Vatican Church was again the pioneer of Proto-Nazism. Pope Innocent III of Vatican convoked the Fourth Council of the Lateran. He ordered Jews to wear circular badges and distinctive clothing[6]. This was re-enacted in the Nazi holocaust of Jews.
Snapshot
The English evangelists affiliated the hooked cross to swastika to hide the fact that Nazism originated in Christian Socialism.
Violent Protestant antisemitism
A good example of Christian antisemitism can be seen in the works of Martin Luther who is the founder of Protestant Christianity. He wrote a 65,000-word treatise named “on the Jews and their Lies”[7]
In his treatise, he wrote that
1) Jews are a base, whoring, miserable and accursed people
2) Jewish temple is an incorrigible whore and an evil slut
3)Jews are a heavy burden, a plague, a
Pestilence, a sheer misfortune for our country
4) They are Murderers of God
5) Jews have been bloodthirsty bloodhounds and murderers of all Christendom
6) Devil brought Jews to Europe from Jerusalem
And so on
He advocated the following measures against Jews
Burndown Jewish synagogues and schools and warn people against them;
Refuse to let Jews own houses among Christians;
Jewish religious writings to be taken away;
Rabbis to be forbidden to preach;
Offer no protection to Jews on highways;
After his treatise, he advocated for the genocide of Jews. He wrote-
“We are at fault for not slaying them”[8]
Luther quoted John 4.45 to support his claim that Jews were children of the Devil. The influence of Luther on Nazi antisemitism can be seen from the fact that Hitler considered himself “second Luther” [9].
Luther was perhaps the most influential person in the entire medieval world. In his own lifetime, protestant kingdoms were formed in his native German country which followed his instructions. Luther spoke a dialect of German which had minor importance. He translated Bible from Latin into his native dialect. Owing to his influence, this dialect has today become Standard German. In Nazi Germany of 1933, 65% of Germans followed Lutheran Protestant Christianity. 95% were Christians [10].
What was the influence of Luther’s antisemitism on Nazis? On Luther’s birthday (10th November 1938), Nazis went on a killing spree. They demolished 267 synagogues across Germany and Austria. The pogrom against Jews left 91 people killed and 30,000 men incarcerated in concentration camps. These attacks are seen by modern historians as the beginning of the Holocaust.
Martin Sasse, a Nazi Party member and bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, a leading member of the Nazi German Christians, applauded the burnings of Jews and published a compendium of Martin Luther’s aforementioned treatise on Jews after this incident.
Most Nazis identified their mission with that of Martin Luther. Erich Koch was a Gauleiter (second highest Nazi Paramilitary rank). He was also the elected president of the Provincial Protestant Synod. He claimed that the Nazis fought with the spirit of Luther. Koch later played a leading role in the murder of thousands of Jews in deportation camps.
In his excellent research citing many such examples of leading Nazis, Professor Richard Steigmann of Kent State unity proves that Nazism originated in a Christian frame of reference and understood their movement as a Christian movement. As he shows, Church Historians retrospectively tried to portray Nazism as a non-Christian moment and undermined the Christian roots of its antisemitism.
In the words of leading Historian Jacob Katz “Modern anti-Semitism turned out to be a continuation of the premodern rejection of Judaism by Christianity”
It is thus clear that antisemitism had its origins in the canonical gospels and was put into practice by Christian priests, rulers and lay followers across centuries from Apostle John to the Nazis.
Thus far, we have looked into the origins of antisemitism.
What was Hitler’s party symbol and where did he find it?
It is a common misconception that Hitler used the Swastika symbol. But Hitler himself never used the word “Swastika” to refer to his symbol. He called it “Hooked Cross”(“Haken Kreuz”).
Hitler first saw the Hooked Cross symbol in a Christian monastery (Lambach Abbey) which he attended as a boy[11]. He later adopted it as an emblem for his party. There is no evidence that he ever heard of the word “Swastika”. Hooked Cross had been a sacred symbol of Christianity since its inception in ancient days and it is very natural to find Hooked Cross symbols in old churches and chapels.
Swastika in Lambach Abbey Christian monastery
The hooked cross was seen as a Christian symbol in Nazi Germany.
From 1933 onwards, Catholic schoolchildren in Catholic schools of Nazi Germany were taught in their religious instruction about “the close affinity between Cross and Hooked Cross”.
Nazi SA (Sturmabteilung) members, often with the approval of their Protestant ministers, marched to worship in churches draped with the Hooked Cross[12].
Here is the image of the union of Cross and the Hooked Cross used by the Churches in the Nazi era.
Hooked cross had nothing to do either with Hinduism or Swastika. It has existed as an important symbol of Christendom since its very existence. It was found in early Christian Graves of Rome in the 2nd century CE.
Fresco from Via Latina Catacomb (2nd Century CE)
This fresco from the Christian catacomb of Via Latina depicts Biblical prophet Moses crossing the red sea. Notice the Hooked cross symbol on the tunic of Moses.
Cross and a hooked cross carved in walls of Lalibela Church
Unfortunately, the hooked cross symbol was identified with Swastika and the antisemitism associated with the hooked cross has been falsely attributed to the name and symbol of the swastika.
What led to the false association of the Christian Hooked Cross with the Hindu Swastika?
If you were to go through the English translations of Mein Kampf (“My Struggle” an autobiography of Hitler”), you would find the mention of Swastika. Mein Kampf was translated into English by James Murphy, an English Christian Priest.
The English evangelists were opponents of Nazis and they tried to portray Hitler as a Pagan. The word Hooked Cross was conveniently translated as Swastika. When Hitler became extremely unpopular, the Evangelist lobby associated the Hooked Cross with Swastika to hide the fact that Nazism originated in Christian Socialism[13].
Yet, it can be easily seen that Hooked Cross is NOT swastika. The Nazi hooked-cross was generally tilted 45 degrees from the horizontal and always oriented in the “S” letter direction for their “socialism” whereas Swastika sits flat to the base.
On the left, in the picture above, you can see the symbol that all Indic people, irrespective of faiths, recognise as Swastika. A symbol that stands for the Sanskrit words Su Astu or let there be good, both literally and figuratively.
It is to be noted that Swastika has never been associated with violence and antisemitism.
On the contrary, swastika stands for peace and prosperity.
Swastika, in India, is also a symbol of extremely non-violent sects like Jainism whose core principles enjoin their followers not to hurt a fly.
Jews do not have a history of antisemitism experienced at the hands of Hindus.
This substantiates that the Swastika does not have a history of violence and antisemitism of hooked cross.
We hope you can see what has been done through a misleading sleight of hand. The Hakenkreuz or the Hooked Cross has been cunningly translated into Swastika and Hindus have been left to bear the cross of this distortion, both figuratively and literally.
Today, when you use Google translate to find out the English translation of the German word Hakenreuz, it gives Swastika instead of the Hooked Cross.
And if you were to search for Swastika, it gives Hakenkreuz.
An online miracle in translation has been performed that has made all traces of the Hooked Cross disappear from the Hakenreuz!
We cannot immediately undo the years of bigotry that has come our way through such dishonest tactics, but we can definitely ensure that the translation is corrected. A Twitter user @AbhinavAgarwal has suggested a way to get the translation right. Hope people take few minutes of their time and contribute towards correcting the translation. This is a good time to show what a billion united Indians can achieve.
On the left side, choose ‘English’ and write ‘Swastika’ and on the right side choose ‘German’ for translation. It will show ‘Hakenkeuz’.
On the bottom right , click on ‘suggest an edit’ and put the meaning as Swastik and click on ‘contribute’.
Now on the left side choose ‘German’ and write ‘Hakenkreuz’ and on the right side choose ‘English’ for translation. It will show ‘swastika’.
On the bottom right , click on suggest an edit and put the meaning as Hooked Cross and click on ‘contribute’.
All of us can right this wrong of Swastika demonisation by correcting the translation and raising awareness about Swastika’s centuries of association with welfare and prosperity.
And for anyone who invokes the Nazi symbol for the Swastika, send them to the Hooked Cross.
Michael, R, Christianity, antisemitism and Holocaust, Palgrave Macmillan US 2006
[13] I Am Your Negro: Adolf Hitler, by Dead Writers Club, Ian Tinny
(*) In Mein Kampf, Hitler identifies himself as a Christian. There are some reports that Hitler was not a fan of some aspects of the Christian religion in private in his later life (however, he again became a hard-core Christian at the end of his life). Howsoever, that may be, it is clear that both Hitler and the Nazis publicly followed hard core Christianity. There is also no question that Nazis remained overwhelmingly protestant.
“The US government cannot afford to allow separatist movements from India, including those with ties to militant and terrorist groups, to grow unchecked among its otherwise law-abiding Sikh community.”
Hudson Institute assembled a group of South Asia experts to evaluate the fifty-five interlinked Kashmiri and Khalistani groups.
These groups are currently operating within the US and their is a clear possibility that these groups receive funding, support, and military training from Pakistan.
It notes that these groups also have ties to militant and terrorist groups in India, and could detrimentally impact US foreign policy in South Asia.
According to the report, these Khalistani separatists are backed by Pakistan which also supports separatists in India’s Kashmir.
“Its experience with Islamist extremist groups must serve as a template for dealing with Khalistan extremists, and so recruitment or fundraising for militancy or ‘martyrdom’ must not be allowed on US soil, even if the actual acts of violence are to take place far away, in India. US authorities must not let ostensibly peaceful pro-Khalistan activism become the precursor of a new wave of violence in India’s Punjab state.”
The report notes that the Khalistan campaign’s most ardent supporters are located in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and the United States.
Despite this, the report observes, US government has shown no interest in violence committed by Khalistan activists.
The report notes that Khalistani activists active in the US often use Sikh places of worship to attract followers and remember slain terrorists in Punjab.
The report call upon the US government to seriously dedicate the requisite intelligence and law enforcement resources to help India address the concerns associated with Khalistani movement.
“The Khalistan movement’s history and recent mobilisation should serve as a reminder that, unless the threat it poses is somehow preempted, it could expand to a level where action might be too late to prevent large-scale loss of life.”
They suggest that activities of Khalistani groups located in the US should be investigated, within the limits prescribed by law, to prevent a reoccurrence of the violence orchestrated by the Khalistan movement in the 1980s.
The report adds that none of these groups has been accused of a crime in the US.
However, the report notes that the recent increase in Khalistan-related anti-India activism are occurring within the US.
In the past the Khalistan movement in the North America was linked to the 1985 bombing of Air India Flight 182 from Montreal to London.This barbaric bombing had left 329 innocent people dead.
Another report by Terry Milewski for the MacDonald Laurier Institute provides details of recent Khalistani group activities in Canada.
The Hudson Institute report has been jointly authored by leading experts on South Asia Husain Haqqani, Christine Fair, Aparna Pande, Sam Westrop, Seth Oldmixon and Michael Rubin.
Premier Daniel Andrews; Picture Source: Twitter @msanto92
Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews has announced that the regional town of Ballarat will enter lockdown tonight for seven days.
The town has recorded four positive cases and multiple exposure sites.
From 11.59pm tonight, the City of Ballarat will have the same restrictions – except for the curfew – in place as Metropolitan, Melbourne. This will last for seven days, until 11.59 pm on Wednesday, 22 September.
The Shepparton community will get their share of freedom as from 11.59 pm tonight, they will have their restriction settings downgraded to match the rest of regional Victoria.
For the community in Ballarat, there will be only five reasons to leave home: 1-Shopping for necessary goods and services, 2- Authorised work and study, 3- Caregiving or compassionate reasons, 4- Exercise, 5- Getting vaccinated.
Exercise and shopping will be limited to 5km from your home. If there are no shops within your 5km radius, you can travel to the ones closest to you.
Masks will be mandatory indoors and outdoors – and there will still be no visitors allowed to the home.
Exercise will be limited to just you and one other person, plus dependants if they can’t be left at home. Playgrounds will remain open for children under 12 but with only one parent or carer and adults should not remove their masks to eat or drink. Playgrounds must have QR codes.
Premier Daniel Andrews urged City of Ballarat residents, “The best thing you can do is get tested immediately if you have any symptoms at all and get vaccinated if you haven’t booked your appointment.”
Premier Daniel Andrews said,
“We know this will be disappointing for the Ballarat community, but we’d rather get on top of these cases open up again as quickly as possible, than let cases get out of control in the area.”
“It’s so important that people in these LGAs continue to check for exposure sites near them, get tested if they have any symptoms at all and most important – get vaccinated if you haven’t already,” added Mr Andrews.
There is a walk-in testing centre at the Ballarat Respiratory Clinic on Dana Street, and a drive-through on Skipton Street.
Getting vaccinated has never been more important – it is well and truly our way out of this pandemic. The vast majority of people in Ballarat have had a least one dose of the vaccine, which is a positive sign but if you’re not among them, it’s time to get it done.
Quote attributable Minister for Health Martin Foley
“Our regional communities have gotten on top of these outbreaks before and we know Ballarat will do exactly the same, to keep their friends, their family and the whole community safe.”
GSLV-F10 carrying EOS-03 at the launch pad in Sriharikota; Picture Source: Twitter @ISRO
Australia is this year’s partner country at India’s premier space summit – the International Space Conference and Expo organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in association with Antrix Corporation, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).
In view of the recent announcements by the Narendra Modi-led BJP government a virtual premier space summit, the International Space Conference and Exhibition 2021, is being organised to enhance Indian private sector participation in space exploration.
Australia has a thriving space economy, projected to grow from $3.9 billion today, to $12 billion by 2030, creating 20,000 new jobs.
The Australian delegation is led by Mr Anthony Murfett, Deputy Head, Australian Space Agency, and will include 95+ delegates representing Australian federal and state governments, leading space industry firms, world-class academic institutions, space start-ups and incubators.
Over the course of the conference, 17 Australian experts will address various sessions. Participation will be virtual.
Mr Anthony Murfett said “we’re proud to be a partner country in the second edition of the International Space Conference and Exhibition 2021. Australia and India have a strong history of collaboration, partnering in space for more than 35 years.”
“We’re particularly excited to support India’s ambitious Gaganyaan mission, by supporting the tracking of the mission from Australia’s Cocos (Keeling) Islands.”
He added that “in light of the challenges presented by the global COVID-19 pandemic, it is important we continue to build strong collaborations and highlight the role space can play to improve the lives of our societies and inspire the next generation. We’re looking forward to building on our strong relationship with India in space, science and research activities in the years to come.”
Professor Virginia Kilborn, Chief Scientist at Australia’s Swinburne University said that “Australia and India can partner to invest in space life sciences. This promises to deliver key breakthroughs that will increase our ability to live and work safely in space, treat medical conditions on Earth, transform agricultural practices, and carefully consider the ethical dimensions of space exploration and settlement.”
In health terms, space medicine has the potential to develop innovative treatments for cardiovascular and lung conditions, neurological conditions, visual and other sensory problems and cancer. Experiments and research on growing human tissue in space also have potential applications for organ transplants. Australia already has much of the existing talent necessary for this endeavour. In biomedicine, we have world-class expertise and high intensity of research activity,” Prof Kilborn added.
A dedicated Australian country session will be held on 23 September exploring commercial collaboration opportunities between Australia and India with further high-level government and business participation.
Australia and India have been innovating in space together since 1987, to support data calibration and laser raging for Indian satellites, launching Australian satellites, and conducting joint research.
In February 2021, the Australian Space Agency and the Indian Space Research Organisation refreshed their Civil Space MOU to expand cooperation in space science, technology and education.
India’s space programme, which began in the 1960s, has now evolved to carrying out end-to-end space missions.
Image source: ESA’s current 35m diameter dish antenna at the deep-space tracking station at New Norcia, Western Australia. Credit: D. O’Donnell/ESA – CC BY-SA 3.0.
Australian Space Agency, a non-statutory entity located in Adelaide, is leading international collaboration by participating in international forums, agreements and treaties.
This virtual summit will help accelerate the advancements in space activities, spur the growth of Indian private companies, improve space industry revenues and increase India’s share in the global space market.
It is also hoped that this virtual exhibition would serve as an exclusive platform to highlight the technological solutions and innovative products that would further lead to partnerships, joint ventures and generate enquiries.
This virtual summit is being organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in association with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Antrix Corporation Limited (ANTRIX) and New Space India Limited (NSIL).
The event is taking place from 13 September 2021 to 4 October 2021 over a Digital platform.
Representative image of Airport; Picture Source; @CANVA
Australia has taken the next step in preparation for reopening international travel at full scale. The Federal government has appointed Accenture to deliver the Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD).
What is Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) ?
The DPD will replace the physical incoming passenger card and the COVID-19 Australian Travel Declaration web form, capturing essential information including passengers’ vaccination status up to 72 hours prior to boarding.
Passengers coming into Australia will be able to complete the DPD on their mobile device or computer.
Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said all Australians looked forward to once more welcoming international travellers across the border, and that the Government was taking proactive steps to ensure the safe reopening of the border at scale when supported by health advice.
“The DPD will support the safe re-opening of Australia’s international borders, by providing digitally-verified COVID-19 vaccination details,”
Minister Andrews said.
Karen Andrews MP, Minister for Home Affairs
“This will help us to welcome home increasing numbers of Australians, and welcome the tourists, travellers, international students, skilled workers, and overseas friends and family we’ve all been missing during the pandemic.”
Minister responsible for data and digital policy, Stuart Robert said that, following the implementation of the DPD, the Government will consider how the same technology the DPD is based on can be reused to deliver a suite of digital upgrades to other government services.
“The overarching digitisation program could include visas, import permits, personnel identity cards, licenses, registrations, and other documents, making previously cumbersome processes easier, safer and more transparent,”
Minister Robert said.
Accenture was awarded the work through a competitive tender process run independently by the Department of Home Affairs. Accenture will work closely with the Department to deliver the initial operating capability of the DPD later in the year.
Representative image of Airport; Picture Source; @CANVA
The DPD will also provide the capacity to collect, verify and share any Australian Government-approved and digitally-verified travel, health and vaccine status information of international travellers with State and Territory public health authorities.
The DPD will now move into a testing phase before being deployed, at scale, throughout major Australian airports.
The Indian government has moved to restrict the funding for a group of ten Non-Government-Organisations (NGO) belonging to the USA, Australia and Europe.
These NGO’s deal with environmental, climate change and child labour issues.
According to a national daily, an internal Reserve Bank of India memo (dated 1 July 2021) says that the Indian government had specified the number of foreign entities to be placed on the “Prior Reference Category” (PRC list).
This has been done using the stringent Foreign Contribution Regulation Act 2010.
The FCRA 2010, revised in September 2020, has made both banks and chartered accountants accountable for any unauthorised funds.
The NGOs include the two Australia-based NGOs: 1- Walk Free Foundation, 2- Minderoo Foundation;
European: Climate Foundation
Three U.S.-based NGOs: 1– The Omidyar Network International, 2- Humanity United and 3- Stardust foundation
U.K.-based: 1- Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, 2-Freedom fund and 3- Laudes foundation,
U.K./ U.A.E. based: Legatum fund
Image source: Modern Slavery Index – Walk Free – 2016.
In 2017, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had also objected strongly to the International Labour Organisation’s Global Slavery Index.
The Indian government has questioned “the credibility of data” which had ranked India 53rd of 167 countries where “modern slavery” was prevalent.
This index is part of the human rights group Walk Free Foundation’s annual survey that is used by other NGOs working in the field.
According to Walk Free’s webpage, modern slavery is a “hidden crime” and refers to “situations of exploitation that a person cannot refuse or leave because of threats, violence, coercion, deception, and/or abuse of power.”
The founding agency of Walk Free, Minderoo Foundation, is one of Asia’s largest philanthropies with AUD $2 billion committed to a range of global initiatives.
The Indian government has updated the parliament by releasing the numbers of NGOs under the scanner of security agencies.
Between 2016-2020, the Indian government has cancelled the FCRA licenses of more than 6,600 NGOs and suspended those of about 264.
The MHA, RBI, Walk Free Foundation and Minderoo Foundation did not respond to emails from The Hindu requesting a response.
My name is François Gautier I’m a Frenchman, catholic born and raised, and I’m a supporter of Hindutva.
What is Hindutva? It could be said it is the political idealism of the Hindus, one of the most tolerant and persecuted people in the world.
I defend Hindus as a writer and a journalist because behind Hinduism there is an eternal spirituality that is universal in nature: vasudhaiva kutumbhakam, “the world is one family”.
Today, when the planet’s two largest monotheist religions still believe that their God is the only true one and that it is their duty to convert humanity to this true God, either by coercion or financial bait, Hinduism, has from time immemorial, believed that the Divine, He or She, manifests at different times, with different names, and different scriptures. Thus, a Hindu is capable of entering a mosque, a church, or a Gurudwara, without thinking that he or she is committing a sin. The reverse is not true.
This is why every persecuted religious minority in the world found refuge in India: from the Christian Syrians, the first Christian community that fled Arabia, to the Armenians running away from the Turkish genocide, the Parsis butted out from Iran, the Jews who found in India the only country in the world where they were not persecuted, to the Tibetans today, who have recreated a mini Tibet in India around their leader, the Dalai Lama, after fleeing the persecution of the Chinese.
I, as a white man, a journalist, a foreigner, have always experienced total freedom in India: I have never been mugged, as it can happen to you in the suburbs of Washington, my papers have never been asked in the street by policemen, as it can occur to the non-Caucasian in the metro in Paris, and I have been able to write freely, even criticising the government.
Thus, it breaks my heart and makes me angry when I see conferences such as the one that just happened in the United States, comparing Hindutva to Nazism, Narendra Modi, the democratically elected Prime Minister of India, to Hitler, or Hindu organisations to the Taliban.
There is absolutely no comparison: anybody who lives in India can vouch for it. The fact that this conference was timed to happen on the anniversary of the World Trade Centre attacks of 2001 is also absolutely scandalous.
The problem rests with Indology. The British, led by Mortimer Wheeler, created an Indology system whereby they took some interest in the ancient civilisation of India: Sanskrit, archaeological ruins in Harappa, temples, etc., but always keeping in mind that their Christian civilisation was superior.
Indeed, Max Muller, one of the most famous Indologists, after whom countless streets are named in India, wrote a letter to his wife saying more or less that “Jesus Christ is the only true divinity, and Hindus remain heathens”.
Today’s modern Indologists follow the same precept, and consciously or unconsciously still believe that Indians are an inferior race. I have lived in this country for 40 years and travelled extensively from the extreme South of India to the Chinese border in Arunachal Pradesh, and I have NEVER found people who are so friendly, open, and tolerant.
It is my belief that not only India will become the spiritual leader of the world, as Swami Vivekananda or Sri Aurobindo predicted, but that it will also become an economic, political, military, and geopolitical superpower, a friend and ally of the West and the democratic world, because contrary to China, it kept its spirituality alive, thanks to the people that are called the Hindus.
As it was revealed to the great Sage Sri Aurobindo: “And it is the truth of the Hindu religion. It is this religion that I am raising up before the world, it is this that I have perfected and developed through the Rishis, Saints and Avatars, and now it is going forth to do my work among the nations. I am raising up this nation to send forth my word. This is the Sanatana Dharma, this is the eternal religion which you did not really know before, but which I have now revealed to you.”
Thus, you can call me a soldier of Hindutva – if you wish.
Representative Picture Cricket; Source; The Australia Today
Cricketer Asghar Stanikzai has hit back at Australia Test captain Tim Paine for the latter’s remark that teams might boycott playing against Afghanistan in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup if the country, which has been taken over by the Taliban, fails to support women’s cricket.
Paine on Friday stated that it would be “interesting” to see how a team like Afghanistan is allowed to play in an ICC tournament. The Australian also added that the chances of Australia’s first-ever Test against Afghanistan are “not looking good” with the Taliban unwilling to let women play cricket.
Taking to Facebook, former Afghanistan captain Asghar said:
“Mr Paine! The Afghan National Cricket Team has the right to play not only in this World Cup but in all ICC organized tournaments/events in accordance with the rules and regulations of ICC, and I’m sure that our brave National Heroes will perform their best in it and showcase their elite Talents Inshallah.”
“As a Sportsperson and Professional Cricketer, you know that it requires too much hard work and dedication to reach this level of Cricket. For a less privileged Cricketing Nation as Afghanistan with zero infrastructure and support reaching where we are right now and playing shoulder to shoulder with the top 10 countries require sheer determination, passion and talent. Therefore, you should refrain from delivering aggressive statements which would result in isolating the Afghan Cricket,” he added.
“Cricket is now the No#1 Sport in Afghanistan and is being followed by nearly 30 million Afghans. This shows, either you are unaware of the circumstances or talking out of contradiction; in any case, you are mistreating Afghan Cricket and all the gains we have obtained with hardship in the past decade. (Sports should be separated from politics).”
Notably, Cricket Australia (CA) on Thursday announced that the planned men’s Test against Afghanistan in November would not go ahead if the country does not support women’s cricket. Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) also said that it fully stands behind the move as the human rights issue in Afghanistan transcends the game of cricket.
The month of August has been traumatic for South Asians and all who worry about human rights and religious freedom. Many of us sat glued to our news sources, tracking the fall of Afghanistan, wondering how to make sense of the chaos that ensued.
For Global Hindus, there are parallels with the chaotic and violent world that surrounded the birth of our Krishna, in a jail, where his parents had been imprisoned by a tyrannical and murderous king, who happened to also be his uncle! And so, even as Global Hindus were celebrating the joyous festival of Krishna’s birth, we were also anguished by an upcoming academic conference titled, “Dismantling Global Hindutva,” organised by a largely anonymous group featuring a hodgepodge smattering of known Hindu-baiters, avowed anti-Hindu academics, and activists across the world who have triumphally proclaimed to balkanize India on the basis of religion, caste, language, and ethnicity.
As an academic who has organised/been part of many global conferences it is puzzling to watch how the conference has been advertised on social media, and the claims and counterclaims about who is officially supporting the conference, who is scheduled to speak, and why the anonymity sought by the organisers.
Academic conferences usually analyse or discuss a topic by featuring a variety of speakers offering different, even opposing views. The “Dismantling Global Hindutva” conference is not offering space to anyone who wants to speak in favour of Hindus, Hindutva, and Hinduism.
The organisers claim “support” of more than 40 universities in the US and Canada, including those of Harvard, Berkeley, and the University of Toronto — an impressive list designed to convince an uninformed observer that indeed Hindus must be an abominable lot. Yet even this “sponsorship” remains a highly contested topic.
A quick look at the topics listed for discussion would make it seem that indeed Hinduism needs to be “dismantled,” and Hindus do need to be pushed into a corner, bracketed with fascists, neo-Nazis, White supremacists, and other such hate groups.
Especially interesting is the choice to hold the conference on the twentieth anniversary of 9/11, turning what ought to be a day for solemn remembrance for all Americans, into a day where Hindus will instead hear their faith dissected and “analyzed” by speakers with a known history of attacking it.
It can be argued, as some have, that Western academe is built on the guiding principle of “freedom of thought and expression”. Academic freedom is what universities guarantee, as a letter from President Holloway of Rutgers University asserts, but what is equally important is academic responsibility and the need for representation from within the community or group that is being demonized.
Scholarship and inquiry can only thrive when there is real freedom of expression, and when people can weigh the merits of arguments put forward and the evidence presented. Alas, the conference organisers seem to believe that in matters of their ideological commitments, no opposing voice can be heard, no challenge posed to their curdled view of the Hindu world, Hindu texts, Hindu festivals, Hindu life, and Hindu activism.
It is therefore imperative for us to find out why these forty universities are enabling the demonizing of a micro-minority in the US and Canada. Where is their concern for the safety of their Hindu students, faculty, and staff who do not countenance the hate streaming out of some of their university departments, the offices of their tenured faculty, not surreptitiously, in the dark of the night, but in broad daylight, with the imprimatur of these universities? President Holloway, in his letter, claims that his university “…is committed to fostering a beloved community in which all members are able to freely engage in academic discourse and practise their religious faiths in a safe environment”.
How safe are the more than 5,000 students at his university who are Hindu Americans, some of whom have gone public with their concerns?
In a particularly tone-deaf statement, the DGHC organisers have sought to centre “Hindutva” (Hindu-ness) as a centre of global concern — even as the last Hindus and Sikhs were run out of their historic homelands in Afghanistan.
Equally galling is the outright denial that Hinduphobia exists – for this year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the genocide of Bengali Hindus. US Congressional reports have recorded the murder and rape of millions of Hindus in a state-sponsored pogrom, and as detailed in a book titled, “The Blood Telegram: Nixon, Kissinger and a Forgotten Genocide” Pakistan’s army generals allowed their soldiers to let loose a reign of terror as East Pakistan sought to separate from West Pakistan, leading to the birth of Bangladesh.
Even as we Hindus seek to honour and grieve for those dead, we are instead being marked as subscribers to “Hindutva”. This labelling of Hindus has an inglorious history, from the yellow patches we have had to wear under the Taliban rule, to the letter “H” shopkeepers were asked to draw on their shops in East Pakistan.
Hindus are the last bastions fighting the two-millennia-old battle against supremacists, monopolists, and violent religious and political forces. Every culture and civilization of the past have now been subsumed by these forces, and they want to divvy out the spoils of their victory once we Hindus are silenced.
But, as Lord Krishna advised Arjuna on the Kurukshetra battlefield: “Do your duty, fight the battle, do it without expecting rewards, and believe in Me”. And so, there are thousands of individual Hindus and organizations who are fighting the good battle – the Coalition of Hindus of North America, the Hindu American Foundation, and others.
More than 150 Hindu and Indian American organisations, from some of the largest Hindu temples and national associations to interfaith allies and local cultural groups, have signed a letter in protest asking universities to stand against Hinduphobia and to distance themselves from the “Dismantling Global Hindutva” conference. These groups represent hundreds of thousands of Hindus who are citizens and residents of the US and Canada, and who have contributed to the enrichment of these two nations.
The broader Hindu community is upset, angry, and dismayed that American and Canadian university administrators are tone-deaf about these vile attempts by their faculty to paint Hindus into corners. While the privileged organisers and supporters of the Hinduphobic conference have monopolized public discourse, they do not reflect the broader and mainstream Hindu community.
We refuse to be tarred and feathered by these privileged and powerful academic cabals who seek to tell us who we are, define what our spiritual and faith identities are, and what constitutes Hinduism: the “Dismantling Global Hindutva” conference and its backers are no different from the colonisers who attempted to define Hinduism and create policies based on a bigoted understanding of indigenous practices.
So, what can we do, and what will we do? It is said that Krishna, as a little boy, was full of mischief, stealing butter stored in earthen pots. When one day, his foster mother Yashodha asks him to open his mouth and show the stolen butter, Krishna opens his mouth and Yashodha sees the universe as it is – violent, bloody, conflicted, filled with grief. Yashoda quickly asks little Krishna to close his mouth.
We know that the world we live in is bloody and conflicted, and those who instigate the violence are also at the helm of crying “peace”. We Hindus know how to attain “Shanti/peace”. We will continue to show the world how and do so without shutting up others or destroying others. We will do battle for dharma/righteousness. We have done so for millennia.
He is a Professor of Communication Studies, Department of Communication, Columbus State University, Columbus, GA. He has published widely over the past three decades, and his latest book is titled, “The Election that Shaped Gujarat & Narendra Modi’s Rise to National Stardom.”
This Oped was first published on the India Facts, We have republished it with kind permission.
Disclaimer: The author is solely responsible for the views expressed in this Oped. The opinions, facts and any media content in them are presented solely by the Author, and neither The Australia Today News nor its partners assume any responsibility for them.
Australian share market tumbled to record its first negative week in almost a month as investors worried about the havoc being wreaked by the coronavirus pandemic.
On Thursday alone Australian market recorded its worst single-day fall since February with news that the virus is threatening to derail the global pandemic recovery.
All industry sectors ended in red for Australia with heavyweights mining, bank and oil stocks pulling down the market.
According to Julia Lee, Chief Investment Officer at Burman Invest, “The concern is that Delta is eating into economic growth.” She also noted that the stock markets were trading near record highs and are due for a correction. Usually, correction is said to occur when the share market falls 10% from its peak.
The miners were big concerned with Rio and BHP recording big losses on declining iron ore prices. With Beijing continuing to clamp down on steel production for environmental reasons ahead of the Winter Olympics in February next year there could be more pain for Australian miners in the coming weeks and months.
The National Australia Bank also told that the Delta strain is taking its toll on the Australian market. Ross McEwan told a parliamentary committee that the number of customers in financial hardship had risen since the outbreak of the Delta variant of the virus.
The market did recover some losses on Friday, however, it was mainly on the back of bargain hunting by some investors. The bounce, however, seems to be only tentative and temporary with the Australian market all set to resume its decline until Delta situation improves.
Australian Banks; Reprentative picture @CANVA
This week a series of crucial events such as the RBA Governor’s speech at the ANIKA Foundation, August jobless rate data and Westpac’s consumer sentiment data will drive the market sentiment.
We believe however that the scale of damage to the local economy from lockdowns will be evident in Thursday’s employment data.
Victoria, NSW and ACT have all endured lengthy, extended lockdowns and it is expected it will reflect in job decline.
Gold investors remained on the sidelines most of the week as uncertainty over the US Federal Reserve’s next moves on tapering left investors listless.
Overall gains in the US Dollar however did put pressure on gold to mark its first weekly decline in five.
Gold seems to have been stuck in a tight range all week as investors lookup for Fed taper cues. While gold is competing with the US Dollar for haven status and it seems that it is moving up or down in a range in opposite direction to the move in the greenback, in reality, it is the Fed that will have a bigger impact on the gold price.
With the Federal Open Market Committee next scheduled to meet on September 21 to 22, it seems everyone is waiting for the next Fed announcement. Gold investors very strongly follow cues from the Fed, as gold usually gains when interest rates are low. While weaker job numbers from the US helped gold in weeks before, the statement from several Fed officials last week that the August slowdown in job growth should not impact plans to reduce purchases this year downshifted the price movement in the yellow metal.
Platinum and palladium also had a notable fall last week on concerns of falling auto demand. Palladium is particularly fell by 10% after announcements from automakers globally that they would be shuttering some production due to chip shortages.
Both palladium and platinum are used for car production and with increasing concerns over automobile manufacturing in China and elsewhere they both were sold heavily by the investors.
Oil continued to rally to record a third consecutive week of gains as investors focussed on tight US oil supplies with ongoing production shut-ins in the US Gulf of Mexico following Hurricane Ida.
More than 1 million barrels a day of US crude production remains shut-in since Ida swept the region two weeks ago.
oil price going up; Picture Source: @Canva
In an unprecedented move, China intervened in the oil market last week resulting in a fall in oil prices on Thursday. The ever-present risk of increasing virus cases globally also raised concerns regarding oil demand.
China’s bold declaration to release oil reserves did take the market by surprise last week. China is the biggest importer of oil, however, over the years it has also built huge oil reserves at 3.5 billion metric tonnes. China currently has proven reserves equivalent to 5.4 times its annual consumption, however, many analysts believe China may be holding oil reserves double the size of known reserves.
The Chinese Food and Strategic Reserves Administration this week also said that China will normalise selling some of its reserves in a bid to lower oil prices globally. Overall the actions from China suggest that see the $75 a barrel mark in Brent oil prices is a red line for the price of oil.
However, with traders now fully focussed on the supply situation in the US and with production shutdown from Ida continuing and falling US stockpiles they looked past the concerns to boost oil prices.
The Australian Dollar gave up some of the gains from the previous two weeks to close the week at 0.73546 against the US Dollar after the Reserve Bank of Australia announced it will maintain its policy to taper by lowering the bonds purchasing to $4 billion from the previous $5 billion every week. However, it also announced that it will maintain this policy until February 2022.
A fast rate of vaccination in Australia, which is expected to surpass the USA in terms of percentage population vaccinated and news that some regions of Australia will be easing lockdowns raised hopes for traders for a recovery in the Australian Dollar on Friday. However, strong Price Producer Index data from the US raised speculations that the US Federal Reserve would taper their asset purchase policy sooner than expected, thus sinking the local currency again.
A rising number of coronavirus cases of various variants and slowing growth in China also poses various concerns for the Australian dollar moving forward. The Australian currency is highly sensitive to global growth outlook and currently, with the Mu variant wreaking havoc in 42 countries and the Delta variant continuing to grow in numbers there are a lot of concerns about whether or not the global economy can recover fast enough from the economic impact of the ongoing pandemic.
Moving forward the traders will be keeping a close eye on Australia’s Reserve Bank Governor, Phillip Lowe’s speech on Monday. Iron ore prices will be another area where the traders will keep an eye. The Iron ore prices hit record prices early this year, resulting in a rally of the Australian Dollar to 0.79 cents against the greenback.
The common metal has since fallen 40% from its 2021 high as demand from Chinese manufacturers declined, resulting in a fall in the local currency. With China continuing to clamp down hard on steel manufacturing ahead of Winter Olympics in Beijing it may prevent AUD from rallying too far. Technically speaking the 0.7300 mark will be important for traders as a support base.
A break below the 0.73 level may see the Australian dollar tumble further.
In regards to the Indian Rupee, and increasing inflation and rising oil prices continued to impact the Indian currency negatively. However, there is a strong indication that the Reserve Bank will continue to intervene to help provide stability to the Indian Rupee. RBI has long managed a range roughly between 72-75 against the US Dollar.
The RBI however will also be keeping an eye across the border before any intervention as Rupee may benefit from China’s unprecedented intervention to reduce rising oil prices.
In the world of Cryptocurrencies, the Bitcoin rally took a breather as a rising US dollar made traders rush towards safer assets. The price of Bitcoin now seems to be consolidating against the greenback around the US $46,000 mark. To start afresh and resume its bullish run Bitcoin would need to clear this mark and capture back $47,000.
A failure to clear this mark may see Bitcoin continue its declining streak and test the next support levels at $42,000 and $40,000 marks.
El Salvador earlier last week adopted Bitcoin as its official currency. The nation also distributed $30 worth of BTC to each of its citizens who downloaded a state-issued crypto wallet called Chivo.
While these developments are encouraging for the price and confidence of cryptocurrencies and will improve the remittance process from foreign countries, it is seen as disastrous for companies like Money gram and Western Union that make these remittances happen. Currently, El Salvador receives about $6 billion worth of remittances through these providers every year. The change is expected to cost them about $400 million in fees every year if large scale adoption of Bitcoin picks up in the country.
Having said that the Bitcoin price is currently stuck in the middle. While most altcoins such as Cardano, IOTA and to some extent Ethereum have rallied to new highs, Bitcoin is still struggling to rise to the pre-crash levels.
From its current prices, a strong close on a daily candle above $47,157 can help the largest cryptocurrency rally back to $52,672. A failure to capture this level may see BTC retest support around $42,000 where bulls may have another opportunity to make a comeback. A failure to rally from this point however will invalidate the bullish trend and push Bitcoin to $38,000.
In agricultural products prices of corn, wheat and soybeans declined on expectations of higher production.
While wheat recorded its biggest weekly price drop in two months, the price of corn fell to its lowest price since 22 January.
Prices in soybeans and corn declined on a higher production outlook in the US and Canada. Wheat prices on the other hand tumbled after reports from Canada showed a 3.7% increase in wheat production supplies.
As per grain marketers, the growing conditions in Ontario especially were reported to be so good that there may not be enough storage issues when corn and soybean are harvested later this year. The strong production also eased food supply concerns which had arisen falling severe dry drought-like conditions in the Northern Hemisphere during the summer season.
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.
Indian PM Narendra Modi meets Australian FM Marise Payne and Defence Minister Peter Dutton; Picture Source; @PIB
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has urged Australia to ease coronavirus travel restrictions for thousands of Indian international students.
These enrolled Indian students have been unable to get into Australia since the pandemic started last year.
Jaishankar told media that he has raised the issue with his Australian counterpart, Marise Payne.
“I specifically took up with Minister Payne the problems faced by Indian students in Australia and those wishing to go to Australia as well as the Indian origin community that is resident there.”
Jaishankar added:
“We have heard a lot from the students and I think their frustrations, their feelings, are completely understandable. Many of them would like to be at the institutions where they want to study …. We have been having some problems with some other countries as well. We had initially with the US, we are still having some issues with Canada.”
Earlier, India also made approaches to other countries such as Britain before it eased travel restrictions for Indian students.
Payne said at the same press conference:
“I am one of the most enthusiastic proponents of welcoming back our much-loved Indian students back to the Australian education system as soon as it is possible for us.”
Payne added:
“The Covid restrictions have impacted travel to and from Australia, not just the students that you have raised but for Australians themselves.”
Around 60,000 Indian international students are currently studying at various Australian universities.
Payne further said:
“But I do definitely understand the desire that those students and their families who are not able to be there have for the on-campus experience and in-country life.”
Payne has once again stressed to the media that higher vaccination levels of Australians are necessary to give the country “confidence to begin a sort of reopening” that will enable Indian international students to return.
The entire world is in a battle against the COVID-19’ waves and variants, but a ray of hope has begun to emerge in Fiji, where it had noticed a surge in coronavirus numbers in the last few months.
Many showed discontent with Fiji’s government policy of “No Jab, No Job” policy that was made compulsory for Fiji’s civil servants and private sector, where the government had argued the mandatory vaccination are necessary to raise immunisation rates and end the outbreak .
It gave dates to get a first and second dose of vaccination, although it may be a tough policy to imply but the government also must be frustrated “at the widespread flouting of virus safety measures such as social distancing and wearing masks, blamed in part for a huge spike in infection”
The measures make common sense in order to make human bodies more immunised to fight against this virus, despite criticism this preventive action is the way forward.
Pacific Islanders are more vulnerable to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the Pacific, but despite a scarcity of resources compared to Western developed nations, Fiji and its government are implying to adopt all possible means to curb the coronavirus disease 2019.
This article summarises the effective measures adopted by Fiji to contain the second wave of the pandemic.
Ray of Hope: Fiji’s PM Frank Bainimaramaleads the way
Lockdowns, quarantine, self-isolation and social distancing, personal protective measures, herd immunity, swift surveillance, enhance testing, vaccination drive against COVID-19 are the widely adopted emergency and preventive measures to contain and reduce transmission of coronavirus.
Until last year, the entire world was waiting for its vaccination, then came the phase of vaccination shortage, followed by measures taken to start the vaccination drive and convincing masses to get themselves vaccinated willfully.
Many of these islands have small tourism-based economies where it is challenging to enforce strict extended nationwide lockdowns, and they also lack a robust health system. Despite some of these challenges, Fiji has worked exceptionally well compared to the other Small Island Developing States in the vaccination drive.
Remember, two doses of COVID-19 vaccines will protect you against severe illnesses, death and hospitalisation.
PM of Fiji Frank Bainimarama states, “The more Fijians we vaccinated, the more lives we will save and the more freedom we can restore.”
“That means getting our houses of worship back open and that means playing sports again, getting our businesses fully open, fully restoring our freedom to move and gather, and re-opening Fiji to our friends around the world. We are close, Fiji. But we need to finish the Job.”
Recently, Fiji is relaxing its mobility restrictions, with the government announcing new curfew hours to reflect improvement in the COVID-19 vaccination drive. Fiji’s PM stated “50% of adult in Fiji are fully vaccinated which has allowed us to move the curfew hours from 8.00pm-4am.
At 60% : 9pm-4am curfew and the containment areas on Viti Levu will left. At 70%: 10pm-4am curfew. At 80: 11pm-4am curfew”. These words give a ray of hope to revive the normal life at the earliest, getting jab becomes the social responsibility for eradicating or containing the risk of the virus.
PM Bainimarama commenced innovative measures to promote vaccination through “Win Together Sweepstakes”- a national lottery for Fijians who have fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The objective of this measure is to safeguard more lives and attempt to restore freedom.
PM stated,
“I’ve said it before and I will say it again: the best reward for being vaccinated isn’t money. It is the protection that vaccines provide against a deadly virus and the lives that they save. This national lottery is our “thank you” to the Fijians who are taking the time to follow the science, register, and become fully vaccinated”
Further, the government stated “as of tonight, over 96% of adults in Fiji have received one dose. But one dose is not enough, we have to make sure all of these folks get the full protection of two doses. If you have one dose, do not skip dose number two.
When you are fully-vaccinated, not only will you be more protected against COVID-19, you will be eligible to enter our next draw on Fiji Day, where we’ll have more opportunities for more fully-vaccinated Fijians. We will be awarding a total of 51,000 dollars in prize money to ten winners –– so 5,100 dollars each –– in honour of our 51st anniversary of independence.”
The attractive financial gain through lottery shall attract many to get vaccinated, as the government is making sincere efforts to make the vaccination drive successful.
Source: facebook.com/officeoftheprimeministerfiji
Fiji’s latest vaccination updated issued “As of 9 September, 568,246 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine and 329,849 have received their second doses.
This means that 96.9% of the target population have received at least one dose and 56.2% are now fully vaccinated nationwide.
The data represents the vaccination has been in full force and plans are made to accomplish the maximum adult vaccination followed by children.
Together we can defeat the COVID-19, and the measures adopted by the Australian neighbour are praiseworthy, although Fiji may not be highly medically advance as big brothers like Australia and New Zealand.
But the government is making sincere efforts to curb the horror of COVID-19 and contain the cases through a nationwide vaccination drive, restricted curfew hours, “Win Together Sweepstakes”, ‘no jab, no job’ policy. Some may disagree with official records or their policies, but the fact of the matter is the ray of hope through vaccination with reduction of cases and curfew hours have positive outcomes.
Lastly, the government can only make preventive policies and attempt to enforce them, but the responsibility for success lies on the shoulders of the individual to observe them to make it successful, rather than blaming each other. Humanity needs freedom to support each other to follow the immunisation willfully to secure oneself and the family members.
Author: Dr Sakul Kundra, A.HOD Department of Social Science, College of Humanities and Education, Fiji National University.
Ganesh Chaturthi Celebration; Picture Source: The Australia Today
Australian Hindu Temples Council and Hindu Council of Australia organised a virtual Ganesh Chaturthi celebration amid lockdown in Melbourne and Sydney.
Federal Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs Jason Wood graces the virtual program and assured the Hindu community of all the help and support regarding community concerns on multiple issues.
Ramesh Rao, Secretary of Sri Venkata Krishna Brundavana Temple welcomed the attendees for a special pooja which was organised by the Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar Temple at The Basin.
The temple priests performed the traditional pooja ritual and aarti for the devotees gathered virtually.
Hindu Council of Australia’s National President Prakash Mehta felicitated Minister Wood. Mr Mehta said, “Peaceful Hindu community always stands for Australian values and works for a better society.”
Community concerns about the recent legislation proposed by the Victorian Government to ban the Hindu Holy Religious symbol Swastika were raised by HCA’s Victoria President Makarand Bhagwat.
Minister Wood was surprised by the fact that the Hindu community was not even consulted by the Victorian government before their announcement to start the process to ban Swastika
Priests from the Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar temple showed the Swastika and explained the importance and meaning of the Hindu religion to the gathered guests.
Hindu community members also passionately raised the issue and highlighted the fact that the Victorian State Government has excluded Hindus, Jains and Buddhists from the consultations for the proposed legislative framework.
Minister Wood answered questions from the community members and assured to support the Hindu community that he will work together with the Jewish community and find an acceptable solution for all the communities.
He also highlighted the need to create awareness about Swastika from the Hindu religious perspective to reach the wider community.
Australian Hindu Temples Council’s convenor Karthik Arasu thanked Minister Wood and his Adviser Ranj Perera for gracing the celebration and supporting the community in the time of need.
Hindu Council of Australia’s Victoria President Makarand Bhagwat said he is very hopeful a positive solution will be found with the help of Minister Jason Wood and hopefully it will have a National impact so that in the future Hindu community’s right to practise their faith in peace will not be distorted.
Many historians believe the history written on oral sources is unreliable, whereas others consider it to be a useful means of preserving and transmitting history.
Usually, Oral reminiscences are categorised into two, first is ‘Oral history is the tape recording of reminisces about which the narrator can speak from first-hand knowledge, as defined by Willa U Brum.
Pio Zirimu a Ugandan Scholar, coined the word orature, which means ‘anything that is handed down via spoken word since it is founded on the spoken language that can exist in a living community, so it needs people to communicate it’.
People of pre-literate generations are interviewed, and their memories become the foundation of history, where they lack written literature but have rich and diverse oral tradition forms like folklore, proverbs, folk songs, folk epics, that were gathered and published by academics termed as ‘folklorist and paremiographers’ that is referred as ‘oral literature’.
Oral tradition is described as “narratives and description of people and events in the past which have been handed down by word of mouth over several generations”. This oral tradition may continue in families (as a form of bedtime stories) or informal social structures.
This article discerns the theme of oral history, oral tradition and written records in history writing based on generally available sources.
Oral history
In simple terms, Oral history is related to the systematic gathering of living people’s testimony about their personal experience that does not include gossips, folklore, hearsay or even rumours.
The work of an oral historian is to verify the oral sources, analyze, imply and formulate historically objective history. They also preserve these oral testimonies for future historians that include audio and video recording of a first-person narrative, and transcriptions of planned interviews produced by the interviewer and interviewee.
These interviews are done with individuals who took part or observed the past events and whose memories and impressions of those events are to be preserved as auditory records for future generations.
Oral historiography is not relatively new, but it is argued that oral historiography is as hold as history itself, where the interview method was invented and practised in ancient times, e.g. Herodotus conducted interviews by gather information in ancient times.
Oral Tradition
Oral tradition is defined as a “body of knowledge which has been transmitted orally over several generations and is the collective property of the members of a given society”. Oral tradition was the main method of transmitting knowledge, skills and information from one generation to the next before the emergence of written language in a particular culture.
Before the invention of the written language, everything was preserved and followed in the form of oral tradition and collective memory. Sources like songs, poetry, group testimony, and open public debates became important.
The most frequent transmission mode is via storytelling and the recital of epic poetry, with the tales and poems together referred to as a people’s oral tradition. The combination of this oral tradition with morals and rituals passed down by word of mouth is known as a society’s folklore. An excellent memory is a highly important asset for preserving the oral tradition.
Oral tradition helps to finds the history which imperial historians have ignored and ‘history from below’ or the unheard lower section’s history is reconstructed in opposition from ‘history from above’ or official state records/history of higher classes.
The positive side of oral tradition is it to help to teach beliefs and values of the culture; it also helps to legitimize the existing social and political arrangements. Oral tradition provide a valuable source of information and many of them are not available as written records, and it counterbalances the evidence of official written documents with popular oral traditions.
The weakness of oral tradition is in the literacy society, the chances of oral tradition reduce and oral traditions also carry the drawback of distorting as the historian is recording the testimony. Transmissions of information through several generations led to the inclusion of subjectivity by each generation and led to a modification of the main content.
The major drawback of oral tradition is that it lacks linear chronology or dates as the tales evolve; these traditions can be misused by others for their own advantage. There is a danger of biasness with oral tradition, as the knowledge that threatens those in authority may be repressed and forgotten.
An additional downside of oral tradition may perish if their keepers refuse to learn the knowledge for future generations. It is considered a secondary source as it is amended many times for the first version. Oral tradition has become extinct in highly industrialised nations as literacy rates have increased.
Written Sources versus the Oral Sources
Leopold Von Ranke in the mid-19th century favoured the written documents, archives over oral sources, the rise of Rankean historiography advocated historians to rely on written and archival sources and consider oral evidence as unreliable sources.
Following the emergence of written sources beginning in the Renaissance, chroniclers and historians seldom rely on oral testimony, and oral sources are now exclusively used for document research.
The use of oral sources was completely abandoned with the development of modern academic history in the nineteenth century. Professional historians now focused their research on written and official documents, on which they claimed technical competence and their working life were mainly restricted to libraries and archives.
Revival of Oral Sources
There was a revival of oral historiography during the twentieth century due to the limitation of the Rankean historiography (elitism, or ‘history from above’). In the decolonized world, the independent nations wanted to write non-Eurocentric histories.
Many civil rights movements wanted to explore ‘history from below, especially related to excluded and marginalized people. This also became the part of decolonization movement. Another factor influencing the development of oral history is the introduction of technological advancements like microphones and tape recorders, which enable better recording of respondent interviews.
Oral history as a democratic alternative challenge the academic elite domination and give space to ordinary people history or illiterate community also helps to find tribal history, working-class and subaltern history.
Conclusion
Oral sources have helped to write oral history, especially in Asia, Africa and Pacific history writers. However, oral history is not a new field but a new method for bringing new sources into play alongside written sources.
Historians may rely on evidence, but the idea of direct contact with the past is an illusion, so historian’s function is to understand the reality of the past with a broader range of evidence and the discipline of historical thinking to grasp the deep structures.
Author: Dr Sakul Kundra, A.HOD Department of Social Science, College of Humanities and Education, Fiji National University.
Marise Payne at ORF Oration; Image source: ORF - Twitter
Australia’s Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Defence Minister Peter Dutton are in New Delhi to participate in the maiden India-Australia 2+2 dialogue.
Speaking at an event organised by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), Marise Payne discussed a number of issues, including trade and investment, cooperation in critical minerals, emerging technologies and steps to ensure the return of Indian students to Australia.
On Australia-India relationship: “We are working together to realise the opportunities that our region offers and respond to the many shared challenges. A strong India-Australia relationship is good for our two nations but it is also good for the wider region.”
On Indian Diaspora in Australia: “The threads that bind our two countries have been meticulously woven through a long and shared history. The Indian diaspora is one of the most successful and integrated communities in Australia.”
On Indian Culture: “Indian culture and heritage have been embraced across the world, the contribution of the diaspora has strengthened this. I am a representative and resident of western Sydney and I am proud of the role Indians play in modern Australia and my part of the country.”
On Shared Heritage: “Similarly, Australia’s indigenous peoples are the custodians of one of the oldest civilisations in the world. Studies suggest people of Indian origin visited the continent now called Australia more than 4000 years ago.”
On Indian students in Australia: “While the pandemic has disrupted key areas of engagement such as education, we are working hard to get Indian students to Australia as soon as possible.”
On shared values: “What Australia and India share is a vision of an Indo-Pacific that is open inclusive and resilient. We seek a region with no single dominant power that dictates outcomes for others. Values like freedom and openness are vital to Australians and Indians.”
On India’s role in the Indo-Pacific: “Our common values have paved the way for a shared vision for the Indian Ocean, the countries are the northern and eastern anchors of the region. Australia recognizes India’s pivotal role in the wider Indo-Pacific.
On China: “Australia will always engage constructively with China, but will always consider the advancement of our national interests in doing so — any sovereign nation will do so.”
On 9/11: “Tomorrow is the 20th anniversary of 9/11 & it reminds us of the significant impact of 9/11 on the world order, the changes that the international community has had to deal with at that time. India & Australia & the larger Indo-pacific are not immune to the terror.”
On Australia’s support to India: “Australia stands with India and others in the region in opposing destabilising actions. Might is right and coercive tactics cannot be central to our region.”
On QUAD: “The QUAD has evolved swiftly and effectively since our first minister-level meeting two years ago. It is a thoroughly contemporary grouping — countries that engage flexibly practically to increase prosperity and security.”
On Military Exercise: “The inaugural India-Australia 2+2 underlines commitment to the strategic partnership. We have strengthened military interoperability. Participated in recent editions of Malabar exercise.”
On Vaccines: “Vaccines provide great hope for a return to normal, and I want to acknowledge the role India has played in this area. We look forward to continuing working with India and our QUAD partners in increasing access to vaccines.”
On Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure: “Australia will commit 10 million dollars to India’s initiative towards disaster-resilient infrastructure. We are exploring further collaboration with India, including on low emission technologies, ensuring economic growth as we transition to a clean energy future.”
On Economic activity: “Greater economic activity, strategic weight, the natural increase in competition — these have been typical changes. From Australian and Indian perspective, competition is not bad. It is healthy. It needs to be within a construct of accepted rules and norms.”
On Technology: “Technology is central to our partnership. India is an emerging
tech superpower. Projections tell us that half of the next billion internet users will be in India. India is a leading source of trusted tech talent globally. It will be a leader in tech rules.”
Image source: Peter Dutton with Rajnath Singh – Facebook, MEA.
Peter Dutton also held talks with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh on Friday.
Rajnath Singh said in his official statement after the meeting:
“This partnership is based on our shared vision of a free, open, inclusive and rule-based Indo-Pacific region. Both, Australia and India have tremendous stakes in peace, development and free flow of trade, rules-based order and economic growth in the region.”
Australia and India have both agreed that there are opportunities for bilateral collaboration for co-development and co-production.
The collapse of the World Trade Center has been subject to intense public scrutiny over the 20 years since the centre’s twin towers were struck by aircraft hijacked by terrorists. Both collapsed within two hours of impact, prompting several investigations and spawning a variety of conspiracy theories.
Construction on the World Trade Center 1 (the North Tower) and World Trade Center 2 (the South Tower) began in the 1960s. They were constructed from steel and concrete, using a design that was groundbreaking at the time. Most high-rise buildings since have used a similar structure.
FEMA’s report was published in 2002. This was followed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s three-year investigation, funded by the US Federal Government and published in 2005.
Some conspiracy theorists seized on the fact the NIST investigation was funded by the federal government — believing the government itself had caused the twin towers’ collapse or was aware it would happen and deliberately didn’t act.
While there have been critics of both reports (and the investigations behind them weren’t flawless) — their explanation for the buildings’ collapse is widely accepted. They conclude it was not caused by a direct impact by the aircraft, or the use of explosives, but by fires that burned inside the buildings after impact.
Three individuals directly impacted by the World Trade Center attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, look back on how their lives have changed since that infamous day 20 years ago. https://t.co/AjUPksemtKpic.twitter.com/01zqpcba6p
Some have questioned why the buildings did not “topple over” after being struck side-on by aircraft. But the answer becomes clear once you consider the details.
Aircraft are made from lightweight materials, such as aluminium. If you compare the mass of an aircraft with that of a skyscraper more than 400 metres tall and built from steel and concrete, it makes sense the building would not topple over.
The towers would have been more than 1,000 times the mass of the aircraft, and designed to resist steady wind loads more than 30 times the aircrafts’ weight.
That said, the aircraft did dislodge fireproofing material within the towers, which was coated on the steel columns and on the steel floor trusses (underneath the concrete slab). The lack of fireproofing left the steel unprotected.
As such, the impact also structurally damaged the supporting steel columns. When a few columns become damaged, the load they carry is transferred to other columns. This is why both towers withstood the initial impacts and didn’t collapse immediately.
Progressive collapse
This fact also spawned one of the most common conspiracy theories surrounding 9/11: that a bomb or explosives must have been detonated somewhere within the buildings.
These theories have developed from video footage showing the towers rapidly collapsing downwards some time after impact, similar to a controlled demolition. But it is possible for them to have collapsed this way without explosives.
It was fire that caused this. And this fire is believed to have come from the burning of remaining aircraft fuel.
According to the FEMA report, fire within the buildings caused thermal expansion of the floors in a horizontal and outwards direction, pushing against the rigid steel columns, which then deflected to an extent but resisted further movement.
This figure shows the expansion of floor slabs and framing which likely happened as a result of the fires. FEMA / https://www.fema.gov/pdf/library/fema403_ch2.pdf
With the columns resisting movement there was nowhere else for the concrete floors to expand. This led to an increased buildup of stress in the sagging floors, until the floor framing and connections gave in.
The floors’ failure pulled the columns back inwards, eventually leading to them buckling, and the floors collapsing. The collapsing floors then fell on more floors below, leading to a progressive collapse.
The buckling of columns initiated by floor failure. FEMA / https://www.fema.gov/pdf/library/fema403_ch2.pdf
This explanation, documented in the official reports, is widely accepted by experts as the cause of the twin towers’ collapse. It is understood the South Tower collapsed sooner because it suffered more damage from the initial aircraft impact, which also dislodged more fireproofing material.
The debris from the collapse of the North Tower set at least ten floors alight in the nearby World Trade Center 7, or “Building 7”, which also collapsed about seven hours later.
While there are different theories regarding how the progressive collapse of Building 7 was initiated, there is consensus among investigators fire was the primary cause of failure.
Both official reports made a range of fire safety recommendations for other high-rise buildings, including to improve evacuation and emergency response. In 2007, the National Institute of Standards and Technology also published a best practice guide recommending risk-reducing solutions for progressive collapse.
What does this mean for high-rise buildings?
Before 9/11, progressive collapse was not well understood by engineers. The disaster highlighted the importance of having a “global view” of fire safety for a building, as opposed to focusing on individual elements.
There have since been changes to building codes and standards on improving the structural performance of buildings on fire, as well as opportunities to escape (such as added stairwell requirements).
At the same time, the collapse of the twin towers demonstrated the very real dangers of fire in high-rise buildings. In the decades since the World Trade Center was designed, buildings have become taller and more complex, as societies demand sustainable and cost-effective housing in large cities.
Some 86 of the current 100 tallest buildings in the world were built since 9/11. This has coincided with a significant increase in building façade fires globally, which have gone up sevenfold over the past three decades.
This increase can be partly attributed to the wide use of flammable cladding. It is marketed as an innovative, cost-effective and sustainable material, yet it has shown significant shortcomings in terms of fire safety, as witnessed in the 2017 Grenfell Disaster.
The Grenfell fire (and similar cladding fires) are proof fire safety in tall buildings is still a problem. And as structures get taller and more complex, with new and innovative designs and materials, questions around fire safety will only become more difficult to answer.
The events of 9/11 may have been challenging to foresee, but the fires that led to the towers’ collapse could have been better prepared for.
After a consolidated response by the united Hindu community in Victoria, the state government has agreed to edit its Hate crime reference website.
For the last two days, The Victorian government negotiators were working behind the scene with the top leadership of the Hindu Council of Australia and the Australian Hindu Temples Council to understand and accommodate their objections to the reference website.
Earlier, Victorian Hindu community leaders meet saw some angry outbursts of emotions by concerned community members amid a potential ban on Swastika. In this meeting, the Hindu Council of Australia’s Victoria chapter President Makarand Bhagwat was authorised to talk to the government with the help of a support group.
The Australia Today understands a joint letter was send by the Hindu Council of Australia to Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews along with Multicultural Minister Ros Spence and Justice Minister.
After this letter, on Friday afternoon government agreed to edit the webpage with reference to the Swastika issue and include the Hindu community in further negotiations.
A highly placed source who does not want to reveal her name has told The Australia Today that The Jewish Community Council of Victoria also sees a significant difference between the Nazi symbol and Hindu Swastika.
“Genuine religious symbols of peace, which should not be banned and instead should be welcomed and celebrated.”
Australian Hindu Temples Council released a press statement which explained the concerns of the Hindu community.
“We are extremely disappointed with the announcement of the Victorian Government that they have accepted the recommendations of the “Legislative Assembly Legal and Social Issues Committee’s Inquiry into Anti-Vilification Protections.”
The Victorian Hindu community were not consulted even after the objections were raised regarding the proposed prohibition and criminalising the use of “SWASTIKA – Hindu Holy symbol.
“We are dismayed with the Government’s statement regarding the consultations for these recommendations, in which the Hindu community is conveniently left out,”
reads the statement.
Hindu Council of Australia also issued a statement saying We stands united with the Victorian Government and the Jewish community to promote the important work of fighting anti-Semitism and other racist and exclusionary ideologies and wholeheartedly supports a prohibition on the Nazi hate symbol Hakenkreuz.
“Hindu Council of Australia (Victoria) strongly opposes the prohibition or criminalisation of our ancient, auspicious and holy symbol, the Swastika.”
We are extremely disappointed that the recommendation 24 which conflates, prohibits, and criminalises the display of the ancient Hindu symbol Swastika. Recommendation 24 does not even mention consultation with the Hindu community in Victoria under the considerations mentioned in attachment B of the announcement under this recommendation.
Leading Sydney barrister Hament Dhanji SC has been appointed as the first Indian-origin a judge of the Supreme Court of NSW.
Mr Dhanji was awarded Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts degrees by the University of Sydney before beginning his career as a solicitor for Legal Aid NSW.
He was admitted as a legal practitioner in 1990, called to the Bar in 1997 and took silk in 2010.
Image source: Attorney General Mark Speakman – LW.
“I congratulate Mr Dhanji, whose ascension follows an accomplished career specialising in criminal law, appearing in various jurisdictions Australia wide.”
As a barrister in private practice at Forbes Chambers, Mr Dhanji has appeared as lead counsel in a number of important cases in the High Court.
He has also appeared in approximately 350 cases in the Court of Criminal Appeal that include criminal trials, sentence proceedings, and complex corporate crime matters.
Image source: Hament Dhanji SC – Forbes Chambers.
Mr Dhanji has conducted prosecutions on behalf of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
He appeared as counsel assisting the coroner and represented clients before the Police Integrity Commission and the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption.
Attorney General Mark Speakman adds:
“Mr Dhanji has maintained a strong professional connection with Legal Aid NSW throughout his career by continuing to provide legal services to people who are socially and economically disadvantaged.”
HC Barry O’Farrell: Lithium can Powering a new Australia-India Partnership
Australia’s High Commissioner to India, the Hon. Barry O’Farrell, congratulated Mr Dhanji via Twitter:
“This is a significant appointment as he is the first Australian of Indian descent to be appointed to the NSW Supreme Court and one of only a few Australians with Asian heritage to be appointed as a judge of an Australian superior court.”
Mr Dhanji will begin the new role on 20 September 2021.
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Sydney-based business consultancy company SNS Group Pty Ltd.
The regulator began an investigation after receiving a request for assistance from a worker who was employed by SNS Group to perform administrative duties between June and September 2020.
A Fair Work Inspector issued two Compliance Notices to SNS Group in March 2021 after forming a belief the worker had been underpaid under the Clerks (Private Sector) Award 2020 and National Employment Standards.
The worker, an international student from India, was allegedly underpaid minimum wages and annual leave entitlements.
The FWO alleges SNS Group, without reasonable excuse, failed to comply with the Compliance Notices, which required it to calculate the underpayment and back-pay the worker’s outstanding entitlements.
Representative Image source: Wikipedia
A breach relating to payslip content obligations under the Fair Work Act is also alleged.
Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker said the regulator would continue to enforce workplace laws in a proportionate manner during the COVID-19 pandemic and take business operators to court where lawful requests are not complied with.
“Where employers do not comply, we will take appropriate action to protect employees. A court can order a business to pay penalties in addition to back-paying workers.”
“Any employees with concerns about their pay or entitlements should contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for free assistance,” Ms Parker said.
The FWO is seeking penalties against SNS Group.
The maximum penalty for failing to comply with a Compliance Notice is $33,300 and the company faces a penalty of up to $66,000 for the alleged pay-slip contravention.
The regulator is also seeking an order for the company to comply with the Compliance Notices, which includes rectifying any underpayments in full, plus interest and superannuation.
A directions hearing is listed in the Federal Circuit and Family Court in Sydney on 26 November 2021.
Employers and employees can visit www.fairwork.gov.au or call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 for free advice and assistance about their rights and obligations in the workplace. An interpreter service is available on 13 14 50. Small businesses can find targeted resources at the Small Business Showcase.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews; Picture Source: The Australia Today
Lockdown restrictions will be lifted in Regional Victoria from tomorrow night.
From 11.59 pm on Thursday 9 September, the five reasons to leave the home will be removed in regional Victoria, except for Greater Shepparton.
There will be no limit on the distance regional Victorians can travel from home – other than restrictions on entry to metropolitan Melbourne.
The Authorised Worker list will no longer apply in the regions, meaning most businesses and venues can reopen with capacity and density limits. Regional Victorians will return to the rule ‘if you can work from home, you should work from home’ but office workers will be able to return up to 25 per cent or up to 10 people, whichever is greater.
There remains a significant risk of Delta cases seeding from NSW or metropolitan Melbourne, and as a result, the Chief Health Officer has recommended this careful easing.
Highlights:
1- Regional schools will reopen for onsite learning for Prep to Grade 2 and Year 12 students who live in regional Victoria, while remote learning will remain for all other levels.
2- Onsite supervision at schools remains available for vulnerable children and children of essential workers in all year levels, including for students from metropolitan Melbourne.
3- Funerals will be permitted for up to 20 people and weddings will be permitted for up to 10 people, plus those required to conduct the service. Stricter limits will be in place for both weddings and funerals with people from Melbourne in attendance.
4- Restaurants and cafes can reopen for seated service with patron caps. Retail, hairdressing, entertainment venues and community facilities will also open in line with density limits and patron caps.
5- Masks will continue to be required indoors and outdoors, apart from private residences, unless an exception applies.
As restrictions remain in metropolitan Melbourne, some measures have been taken to ensure the virus does not travel into regional Victoria. Businesses that are open in regional Victoria – such as restaurants or beauty services – must check the IDs of everyone they serve.
Of the 221 local cases, 98 have so far been linked to known cases and outbreaks. Further case information will be provided this morning. [2/2]
Given the clearly increasing risk coming from Melbourne, Victoria Police will significantly expand their operation along the metropolitan border to protect regional Victoria.
Police will also be out in force in regional areas, conducting spot checks to ensure people from metropolitan Melbourne are not in the regionals are not unless for authorised reasons.
The fine for breaching the Chief Health Officer’s directions is $5,452.
The only change to restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne right now will see single parents now able to access childcare, regardless of whether they are authorised, workers.
Premier Daniel Andrews is asking all Melburnians to do keep doing the right thing, follow the rules and help protect our regional communities.
“While this is fantastic news for most of regional Victoria, we’re encouraging everyone in these areas to keep up all the COVIDSafe practices and most importantly, keep coming forward to get vaccinated,”
said Premier Andrews
Plans for Victorians to come back from interstate: The Victorian Government has also committed to making sure Victorians stuck on the border can return home safely as soon as possible.
As part of the National Cabinet’s work on the National Plan, a number of states including Victoria, have agreed with the Commonwealth to commence trials of home-based quarantine.
“The first of these pilots will support around 200 Victorian residents who have been stuck on the NSW side of the border to return home.”
Victorians who have been residing in an NSW Local Government Border Area for at least 14 days from Wednesday, 25 August to Wednesday, 8 September will be able to apply for a new permit exemption category: ‘Victorians in the cross-border community’ to come home.
Applications for exemptions will be open for seven days from midday on Friday 10 September, closing at 6:00 pm on Friday 17 September 2021.
Victorians applying for this exemption will need to provide proof of their primary residence in Victoria, evidence of negative COVID19 test results in 48 hours prior to their arrival in Victoria and that they have received at least their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine.
Applicants will also be required to provide evidence such as receipts and QR check-in records that they have stayed within the border region and maintained minimal social contact while in NSW.
Victorians will be able to apply for the repatriation exemption via the Service Victoria website or mobile application and applications will be assessed within 72 hours.
Successful applicants will be required to drive directly to their home in Victoria, stopping only for a further test along the way and then isolate at their home for 14 days.
Any other household members are also required to quarantine and compliance checks from authorised officers will help ensure returnees are observing their quarantine obligations.
Any Victorians who are currently in NSW or the ACT but have not been in a designated NSW border Local Government Area all of the last 14 days are not eligible to apply and should remain where they are.
Further pilots are being worked on which would support Victorians in other areas of NSW and the ACT who want to come home. Some of these trials for people coming from higher risk areas may involve technology solutions to assist with monitoring of home quarantine.
Shikhar Dhawan and Aesha Mukerji at their wedding; Picture Source: @Facebook
In a shocking development, Indian cricket star Shikhar Dhawan and his Australian wife Aesha Mukerji has divorced after 9 years of marriage.
In an Instagram post, Aesha poured her heart out about the divorce in a detailed post, She stated:
“I THOUGHT DIVORCE WAS A DIRTY WORD UNTIL I BECAME A 2 TIME DIVORCEE.”
“Funny how words can have such powerful meanings and associations. I experienced this first-hand as a divorcee. The first time I went through a divorce I was soooooooo fu@kn scared. I felt like I had failed and I was doing something so wrong at that time.
“I felt as if I had let everyone down and even felt selfish. I felt that I was letting my parents down, I felt that I was letting my children down and even to some extent I felt as if I was letting God down. Divorce was such a dirty word.
“So now imagine, I have to go through it a second time. Woooahhhhhh. That is terrifying. Being divorced once before already, felt like I had more at stake the second time round. I had more to prove. So when my second marriage broke down it was really scary. All the feelings I felt when I went through it the first time came flooding in. Fear, failure and disappointment x 100. What does this mean for me? How does this define me and my relationship to marriage?,” Aesha further added.
Shikhar Dhawan and Aesha Mukerji got married in 2012 after a couple of years of knowing each other and they had together a baby boy Zoravar in 2014.
“So, once I realised this I started to redefine the word and the experience of divorce according to the way I wanted to see it and experience it. ⠀ Divorce means choosing myself and not settling and sacrificing my own life for the sake of a marriage ⠀ Divorce means even though you do your best and try your best things sometimes do not work out and that’s ok ⠀ Divorce means I have had amazing relationships that have taught me great lessons to carry forward in new relationships ⠀ Divorce means I am stronger and more resilient than I ever thought ⠀ Divorce really means whatever meaning you give to it.”
Aesha was married to an Australian businessman before she got engaged with Dhawan, She had two daughters from her previous marriage.
Earlier in the mid-year, Shikhar Dhawan led India’s white-ball team during the tour to Sri Lanka. He will be playing in the second phase of IPL 2021, slated to be held in UAE from September 19 to October 15.
Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama; Picture Source: Twitter PMoffice
Numerous brainstorming sessions of intellectuals and law expert of nations goes into making a constitution of any nation, the completing of the Constitution of any nation is a memorable, and it becomes even more valuable the day it is implemented.
It gives a deep sense of patriotism and establishes rules and principles of how the state will be governed, a framework of government legislature, executive and judiciary. This even defines the rights of the people that must be respected by the State, and establish a bond between the government and the people.
This prestigious day should be celebrated not only by enjoying the public holiday at the comfort of one home but also remember the ones who have developed their lives in the national struggle against colonization and gave them the independence to give an opportunity to prepare their own constitution.
It is defined as “The constitution is something that sets the limits and boundaries of the governments’ interaction and powers. The Constitution works as a means by which the government in the rule knows as to what extent they can impose rules and regulations on the citizen of the country” https://www.airtract.com/article/why-is-the-constitution-important–7-reasons-.
Every human being needs a “the voice in the decisions that affect our lives, material well being such as food, shelter and education, security and protection from violence and discrimination, recognition and respect as individual and communities,….so people create government and delegate power to them to exercise for the common good of society”.
Constitution provides “the supreme law that establishes organises and empower the government and determine how other laws are made and implemented” https://www.coe.int/en/web/human-rights-channel/-/what-is-a-constitution- Most constitutions throughout the globe define the basic principles of the state, the structure and procedures of government, and the rights of citizens. A constitution is not simply a regular law; it is the ultimate law known as a constitution.
“Constitution is not a mere lawyers document, it is a vehicle of Life, and its spirit is always the spirit of Age,”
B.R. Ambedkar said.
Nearly all countries in the world have constitutions to establish rules to govern. Since independence, some nations have had one Constitution like India, while others like Fiji has noticed four in 1970, 1990, 1997 and 2013.
Since 7 September 2016, the Republic of Fiji is commemorating the third anniversary of their current constitution. This day is observed as a public holiday, but every nation is proud of their Constitution that gives them an identity and values of a nation in an absolute sense.
The Republic of Fiji’s 2013 Constitution begins with a preamble, the state, bill of rights, define parliament composition and rights, executive, judiciary, state services, revenue and expenditure, accountability, emergency powers, immunity; commencement, interpretation, repeals and transitional, where each chapter defines the principles, right and duties of every citizen.
It states,
“Every person is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection, treatment and benefit of the law” (Fiji Constitution 2013).
This article discusses some glimpse of the constitution in general, with particular reference to Fiji’s Constitution and its importance.
Fiji: “First Constitution for All Fijians”
Today, Fiji PM Hon Frank Bainimarama gave a positive message “all Fijians share the same rights, same votes of equal value and the same national identity. “
“This #Constitution Day, we celebrate the Constitution that made all of that possible our first Constitution for All Fijians”
This is a message of democracy, equality and universal brotherhood that derive the nation into progressive pathways.
Fiji’s 2013 Constitution begins with a preamble, but the principles of the first chapter “The State” need to be remembered where the Republic of Fiji is explained as a sovereign democratic state founded on the values that every Fijian should remember, that include
“(a) common and equal citizenry and national unity; (b) respect for human rights, freedom and the rule of law; (c) an independent, impartial, competent and accessible system of justice; (d) equality for all and care for the less fortunate based on the values inherent in this section and in the Bill of Rights contained in Chapter 2; (e) human dignity, respect for the individual, personal integrity and responsibility, civic involvement and mutual support; (f) good governance, including the limitation and separation of powers; (g) transparency and accountability; and (h) a prudent, efficient and sustainable relationship with nature” (Constitution of The Republic of Fiji).
Further, it states…
“Constitution shall be upheld and respected by all Fijians and the State, including all persons holding public office, and the obligations imposed by this Constitution must be fulfilled”.
The constitution gives “values that underlie a democratic society based on human dignity, equality and freedom” (Fiji Constitution 2013). Celebrations of Constitution day is itself a sense of pride and responsibility for all nations to abide by its regulations, and thanks to all those who made it possible.
Although every constitution has provisions to make suitable changes as per the need of the society, that is for the common good of the nation to thrive for prosperity and progress.
Conclusion: Significance of Constitution
Constitution is a foundation of every nation, as without is a proper implication, the law and jurisdiction would crumble, but they are supposed to remain firm. It embodies the basic rules and concepts of a nation, state and its people.
It includes all the rules and regulations that are created to develop to govern a nation and resulting in a constructed document. The constitution across the globe are unique in their own way, but the same common goal to ensure that nation remains stable and govern based on principles for the best interest of the citizens.
Today, I would like to congratulate every Fijian for celebrating the Constitution Day that has given them the principles of governance and provides every citizen with fundamental rights. Lastly, Daniel Webster said, “One country, one constitution, one destiny” that reflect recapitulates the feeling of patriotism towards the nation.
Author: Dr Sakul Kundra, A.HOD Department of Social Science, College of Humanities and Education, Fiji National University.
Indian Cricket team at Oval victory; Picture Source: Twitter @BCCI
Indian bowlers delivered big time on the last day of the fourth Test at the Kennington Oval on Monday as the genius of mercurial Jasprit Bumrah, and all-round performance by Shardul Thakur in the match helped visitors in defeating England by 157 runs to gain an unassailable lead of 2-1 in the series.
This is also India’s first win in Oval in 50 years.
Indian Cricket team at Oval victory; Picture Source: Twitter @BCCI
England started the second session two wickets down with a set batter in Haseeb Hameed at the crease and their in-form batter alongside him in Joe Root. Two hours later, they are eight down.
At Tea, England’s score read 193/8 going into the last session of the match with two wickets in the bag. England lost 6 for 62 in 25.1 overs during the afternoon session.
Indian Cricket team at Oval victory; Picture Source: Twitter @BCCI
Just after the lunch, it was Jadeja who pushed hosts onto the back foot as he took the prized scalp of Hameed by beating him and knocking the top of off stump. The England batsman struggled to score all morning, adding just 19 runs to his overnight score in 102 balls.
Ollie Pope, who came into bat at five, failed to leave a mark as he became the 100th wicket of Jasprit Bumrah in Test cricket after scoring two runs. The Indian bowler cleaned Pope on an inswinging delivery to leave the hosts in deep trouble. Bumrah became the fastest Indian seamer to reach the landmark of 100 Test wickets in his 24th Test – Kapil Dev previously led the way, reaching it in his 25th.
Indian Cricket team at Oval victory; Picture Source: Twitter @BCCI
In his next over Bumrah struck again as he crashed the 142 kph reverse inswinging yorker into the base of the stumps to send Jonny Bairstow back into the pavilion for a duck. Moeen Ali soon followed Bairstow into the pavilion for a duck as he threw his wicket to Jadeja for the second time in the match. England all-rounder pushed forward tentatively and gave an inside edge to Suryakumar Yadav at short leg.
Indian Cricket team at Oval victory; Picture Source: Twitter @BCCI
England skipper Joe Root tried to hold the charge against Indian bowlers with Chris Woakes on another side with the duo passing the 30 run mark but Thakur who returned to bowling on 81st over struck immediately with the old ball to break the stand. With the back of a length delivery, Root looked to run it down to the third man, but it got an inside edge of him and crashed into the leg stump. Root went back after scoring 36.
Indian Cricket team at Oval victory; Picture Source: Twitter @BCCI
Just before Tea, Umesh Yadav got the key wicket of Woakes, caught by one of the two fielders catching at short midwicket. Craig Overton is currently unbeaten at the crease as the second session came to an end.
On Sunday, openers Hameed and Burns had provided England with a solid start in the final session after India were bowled out for 466 in the second innings.
Rohit Sharma at Oval victory; Picture Source: Twitter @BCCI
Brief Scores: India 191 and 466 all out (Rohit Sharma 127, Cheteshwar Pujara 61; Chris Woakes 3-83); England 290 and
BAPS Temple, attracts hundreds to stop COVID misinformation & get vaccinated in a pop-up clinic; Picture Source: Supplied
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced public health systems and governments at all levels to reassess how science-led programs are created and executed for the entire population.
While more than half of Australia’s population is under lockdowns, rapid uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine is the most important message every leader around Australia, the Chief Medical Officers and epidemiologist are emphasising.
A pop-up COVID vaccination clinic in the northern suburb of Mill Park in Metropolitan Melbourne is delivering a unique message of mixing spirituality and social service.
Located at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (BAPS Temple) this vaccination clinic booked over 800+ appointments in a record time. Over four days this pop-up clinic will deliver over 800 jabs to those attending who are aged 16 years and older.
The Victorian Department of Health, DPV Health and BAPS Temple have collaborated and innovated to provide a large-scale vaccination program that can be rolled out with high-level CALD community engagement.
The collaborative team first delivered a COVID-19 Vaccine Information Webinar last weekend prior to opening the vaccination centre. BAPS Temple reached out to the Hindu community to combat the COVID misinformation issues which would hamper the pace of vaccination in the community.
The vaccination clinic is set up at the temple also has translators and medical staff on-site for the four days of its operations to assist Indian community members to provide the right information and the jab.
Messages of encouragement and blessings from the BAPS Swamis (Hindu Monks) provided confidence and lowered concerns about getting vaccinated. “His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual Guru (Leader) of BAPS has appealed to all to get vaccinated without any delay and in accordance with government guidelines.” Said Ms Ishita Patel, BAPS Community Engagement & Outreach Officer.
International students and elderly parents in Indian families have welcomed this opportunity with great enthusiasm. The familiar site of the temple which they visited regularly before the pandemic for Indian festival celebrations, prayers, community activities & to meet their friends also provides confidence and lowers concerns about language barriers or other fears to get vaccinated.
The BAPS temple used weekly online assemblies, phone calls, social media posts and personal messages on messaging platforms to spread the word about the information webinar and vaccination clinic appointments.
“BAPS volunteers are inspired to perform this COVID vaccination clinic community service following the ethos – ‘In the joy of others lies our own” – as demonstrated and taught to us by the previous BAPS Guru His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj.”
“BAPS Australia is ready, willing and able to play its part in looking after the safety, health and well-being of its congregation and the broader community.” Said Sitesh Bhojani, member of the trustee board for BAPS Australia
He said: “With the guidance from our spiritual leaders, the BAPS Swamis, BAPS has teams of volunteers keen to provide Seva or selfless service to support the congregation and wider community getting vaccinated against COVID-19.”
In modern society when people trust self-driving cars for their technology and science, a minority part of the community struggles to ignore the online misinformation. Grassroots initiatives such as this try to reinforce the trust in medical science and the strict health and safety regulations we have in Australia.
In this 21st century, partnerships like this from health authorities and a place of worship are delivering the message of hope, trust and community-led actions.
The vaccination clinic at BAPS Mill Park Temple will also deliver the second dose of the vaccine in mid-October to people who have received their first dose during these four days to ensure full protection for people and to help authorities achieve their double dose vaccination targets in Victoria.
According to the sources, there is a husband-wife duo and their son who is the mastermind of this propaganda.
Let me expose them…
1. According to my sources, Ania Loomba her husband Suvir Kaul, and their son Tariq Thachil are the mastermind of this propaganda. They all belong to the University of Pennsylvania.
2. Before I tell you about their reality let me show you this news in 2013 Ania and her husband have stopped Indian PM Narendra Modi from speaking in the India Economic Forum organized by The Wharton School of University Of Pennsylvania. They are not just Hindumisia but they are Modifobic too.
3. Now let me tell you who they are actually. The Father of Ania Loomba was a fulltime trade unionist and her parents were a member of the communist party. She is herself a communist. in short, they are #Urbannaxals
4. Her Husband Suvir Kaul is also a professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Their son Tariq Thachil is Director of the Center for the Advanced Study of India (CASI) at the same university where his parents are working.
5. All three are Hindumisia hardcore communists and are extremely active in anti-India agendas. They are connected with all top communist politicians, agenda journalists, and communist professors of universities across India.
6. Read the research paper of Tariq Thachil which he has written in 2009. You will get to know how much Hinduphobic and communist #UrbanNaxal he is!
7. Here is the email of the Delhi University communist professor who is asking all #UrbanNaxal like him to support the #DismantlingGlobalHindutva conference.
8. They have put this supporters list on their official website. Most of them are #UrbanNaxals working in universities all over the world including India.
9. Now let me show you the International advisory board of the Center for the Advanced Study of India (CASI) where Tariq Thachil is the director. You will find many prominent Indian person names here!
10. And these are the name of honorary life members of the Center for the Advanced Study of India (CASI).
Is this the real reason why they don’t disclose themselves as a mastermind of this Propaganda and Hindumisia event?
Update: The name of Ania Loomba and Suvir Kaul has been removed from the official website of #DismantlingGlobalHindutva Earlier they were moderators of opening and closing segments of this Conference. Their names were also removed from the list of supporting organisers list.
Disclaimer:Vijay Patel is solely responsible for the views expressed in this article. He carries the responsibility for citing and/or licensing images utilised within the text. The opinions, facts and any media content in them are presented solely by him, and neither The Australia Today News nor its partners assume any responsibility for them.
This article was first published on the Twitter account of Vijay Patel
Professor Mohan J Dutta gave a lecture on 25 August denying the existence of Hinduphobia, arguing it is purely a political device to generate false accusations of violence and prejudice towards Hindus and that those who make complaints due to their concerns are merely doing so to leverage an agenda.
I did not know this when I first engaged him on the 24th of August to ask for a reference for a comment he made in a white paper calling ordinary NZ Hindus effectively terrorists.
He has demonised me as a member of what he defines himself as a terror network. He has retweeted and screenshots my reasonable statements to twist their meanings and brand me again. He has instrumentalised other tweets and made statements that link Hindus to the Christchurch massacre and he has been doing such things for a very long time.
Imagine using words like Jewish Supremacy, Muslim extremism, Christian Taliban and so forth without being called out for discriminatory and stigmatising language and yet this is the language we are seeing coming out of this ‘activist movement’ and we know where it leads. The same thing goes for the use of Buddhist terrorists or extremists too and yet this is deemed acceptable. Double standards cannot create consistent infrastructure for social justice.
In addition, Hindutva has not been conclusively proven to be an extremist ideology and captures within its net, every aspect of ‘Hinduness,’ which is what it means. This term should not be deployed to cast Hindus as terrorists.
“In the name of Hindutva ideology, the current government of India has instituted discriminatory policies including beef bans, restrictions on religious conversion and interfaith weddings, and the introduction of religious discrimination into India’s citizenship laws. The result has been a horrifying rise in religious and caste-based violence, including hate crimes, lynchings, and rapes directed against Muslims, non-conforming Dalits, Sikhs, Christians, Adivasis and other dissident Hindus. Women of these communities are especially targeted.”
No data is provided to show how the figures rose or the link between the BJP and those changes however the data is not too high, it is almost absent before Modi and, in addition, the figures are far too low to claim anything like hate crime is so high Hindus should be branded, terror suspects.
Rape rates are well documented in the police report linked above and it is impossible to attribute any rise since Congress as according to Statistica the data is unrealistically low. India is not the rape capital, being about 100 on the list. As for Dalits being raped, here are the actual figures for caste and tribes violence.
There is no reliable evidence on the SASAC website to back the claims of the 643 academics who have sponsored the event with their signatures. I have discussed this in detail with graphics and statistics to answer these questions in my breakdown of the points and impacts of the narratives in Australian society here. For those who prefer scanning a pdf, this is for you.
As for a rise in terror, most attacks traditionally occur in Jammu and Kashmir. The data is not mentioned as to figures by year, nor how BJP allegedly causes it to elevate. From the below map at SATP and it is occurring in states, not under the BJP.
Terrorism is defined by the Global Terror database as “The threatened or actual use of illegal force and violence by a non-state actor to attain a political, economic, religious, or social goal through fear, coercion or intimidation.” Prime Minister Modi has no such criminal histories although he is continually smeared despite Supreme Court innocence with the Gujarat riots. Tens of thousands of terror attacks have occurred in India since the 1990s.
To compare the term of Modi with the previous term of government see charts (2009-2014) with 4147 attacks and (2014-2019) with 5248 attacks. These perpetrators are communists, Naxalites, Islamists, other separatists and there are statistically negligible Hindu suspects- less than 0%. Since Modi terror issues have escalated, but not like is being claimed, considering it isn’t Modi or Hindus perpetrating. I will not drag out the data. Needless to say, it won’t conform to stereotypes.
As to the rise of authoritarianism also speculated in the media, the 2021 Pew study finds that around half of Indians might prefer autocracy, like some other countries do, whereas the other half prefer democracy. No figures on comparisons on freedom of speech or media etc have been issued and it is beyond the scope of this to check every fact. The majority are false until further notice.
Given that the alleged impacts of ‘Supremacism’ are not proven and there is no link between any of the legislation with genocide or exclusion since the CAA only covers persecuted minorities from Islamist states who are stateless and have been in India already since 2014, the issues are the farmers’ protest and abrogation. Those are Indian internal affairs.
I discuss the impact of these protests and communalism in Australia in my video whilst critically analysing the narratives provided around Dismantling Global Hindutva to demonstrate the dog whistles.
SASAC and other media outlets have repeatedly declared the BJP are proliferating hate materials. No similar case is made, despite exponentially higher hate crimes in the US, somehow linking Biden to alleged WhatsApp group IT cells. Hate crime in the US in 1999 and today, barely differs, however, hate crime doesn’t capture prejudice, discrimination and ordinary bias.
SASAC claims BJP IT cells are terror proliferators, populated by upper caste/class Hindus who create content to deliberately incite hate crime. Those crimes it claims are top-down, upper-caste on lower. However, the report states otherwise even as it tries to forge similar profiling, all without any numbers aside from a cow lynching figure from a website taken down and replaced by a Newslaundry article.
The actual report, as I explain in my talk, are listed at the ‘perpetrator’ end of these alleged WhatsApp hate groups lower castes, OBCs etc and all the other religious identities of India. Despite claiming otherwise, that the violence is committed by BJP ‘Hindutva’ in fact the report says something entirely different – it establishes no link between Brahmins or even Hindus and hate crime but distributes accountability to all kinds of people. It is this smearing of all Hindus, especially “upper castes” as perpetrators that makes this attack on the BJP inclusive of its assumed demographic of support. But even that is flawed.
A 2021 detailed Pew study, disaggregates votes by religion and states further that those of all religions with a strong sense of Indian identity, and nationalism, combined with strong religious values, are most positive toward diversity. And that is the majority. Not, as SASAC and the Supremacy Scares have us all believe, only upper-caste Hindus.
In fact, the Hindutva Field Manual, as my critique shows, uses a ‘Wired’ article to ‘prove’ the BJP are terrorists. There are no links to the Global Terror Database or South Asia Portal where it shows Hindus are alleged to have committed terror or hate crimes (some of which are captured there) at around 0.0016% of the time in 30 years of data to date.
The Pew study on India recently discredited much of the claims of the letter. The SASAC website grossly misrepresents the religious dynamics of India and fosters discontent and communalism which is deadly. On caste it states:
Regardless of whether they are Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist or Jain, Indians universally identify with a caste. Members of lower caste groups historically have faced discrimination and unequal economic opportunities, but the survey finds that most people – including most members of lower castes – say there is not a lot of caste discrimination in India.
For example, most religions prefer to remain separate, although they almost universally support religious freedom and feel India provides it. Most people believe in endogamy and not only Hindus. Forced marriage and conversion equate to rape, sometimes child abduction, and can include the kidnapping of innocent girls. I refer the scholars to this report and ask them to weigh up the claims to the evidence and whether there can be a link to so-called ‘Hindu Supremacy’ and whether it is appropriate to do so given the extensive violence, terror and communication which has been ongoing in India regardless of who is in power. The terms Hindu are stigmatising too based on flawed stereotypes.
This demonstrates partly, and my video more clearly, the prejudice and bias directed toward Hindus for calling out dog whistles re “Hindu Supremacy”. The Dismantling Global Hindutva conference has routinely criticised elements of Hindu culture which are inseparable from the overall people, Brahmins and upper castes are demonised and there are fabricated threats, intimidation, libel and slander coming from the SASAC community of all Hindus who disagree with them as BJP supporters online.
The letter in support signed by academics further argues that there has been a targeted attack on the speakers and organisers, however, this is not evidenced either. There is anger about this injustice, the responses of Hindus are only, to our knowledge, by legal means, while speaking up to ivory tower elites to defend their faith from attacks.
This is being portrayed as ‘Trolls belonging to extremist groups have openly threatened violence against speakers and their families. We unilaterally condemn all such efforts to intimidate and harass individuals.’ There is no evidence of violent threats provided despite over 900K letters and over 10,000 signatures on the petition, one would expect if so, many extremists were at the scholar’s throats we would see more than a few mean tweets.
Hindus are constructed by the materials on SASAC and in the media, as well as by Professor Dutta in his talk on ‘Interrogating the narrative of Hinduphobia’ as a cultural identity and activity to surveil, to criminalise and to associate with other forms of radical ideology, like ethno-nationalist white supremacy. What ethno-nationalist means is a clear attempt to construct alignment to white supremacism like that of Brenton Tarrant.
We are seeing Twitter comments, digital petitions and automated emails being declared not ‘dissent’ but the ‘muzzling of academic freedom.’ The level of privilege for those speaking on terrorism portrays a distinct lack of knowledge as to how fortunate they are to have the freedom to engage in a Twitter war, when genuine extremism goes by them unchecked and pointing that out, as in my case, is branded by Professor Dutta as a sign I am myself an extremist.
The scholars can block, mute and report accounts and yet they are left open to gather evidence to equate frustrations with the Taliban or ISIS as “Islamophobic”. Yet a double standard applies when it’s their “Academic Freedom” to “critique” like that is actually being done. I see no sign of that.
Auto-generated letters are used by many Non-Government Organisations as a legitimate form of protest. In Kashmir, children pelt stones and raise ISIS flags at the paramilitary and called protesters by this activist circle. Separatists with machine guns are celebrated as martyrs by the Stand with Kashmir group and yet Hindus are being portrayed as extremists for Gmail accounts like asasdasdasd and your father, your mother sending crude messages to Audrey Truschke.
This is the level of ‘hate’ and ‘violence’ called terrorism by SASAC whilst Kashmir Pundit ethnic cleansing never happened. The ideology obscures genuine perpetrators, has one set of rules for itself and others. The narrative is dealt with in more detail in my video response. US Congress in 1999 said:
The Pundits, who are the Hindu community of Kashmir, have an ancient and proud culture. Their roots in the Kashmir Valley run deep. The Pundits have been amongst the most afflicted victims of the Pakistani-supported campaign of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. Virtually the entire population of 300,000 Kashmiri Pundits have been forced to leave their ancestral homes and property. Threatened with violence and intimidation, they have been turned into refugees in their own country.
Yet SASAC says this isn’t Hinduphobia and does not recognise Pundits as minorities. This is the definition of Hinduphobia at Hindutva Harassment Field Guide Glossary:
A recently coined term popularized by far-right groups to claim systematic and targeted discrimination against Hindus for being Hindu. Scholars of South Asia overall consider the term “Hinduphobia” inappropriate for several reasons. It is deployed to stifle academic inquiry into Hinduism as well as to tamp down critiques of the Indian state, Hindu nationalist positions, Islamophobia, and casteism. “Hinduphobia” rests on the false notion that Hindus have faced systematic oppression throughout history.
No matter how many times these scholars are corrected, that Hinduphobia was coined by Sir Edward Sullivan in 1866, they ignore it.
Every day I see Hinduphobia in some form and am sent messages that convey hatred toward Hindus, especially Kashmir Pandits or those who speak to their ethnic cleansing. Those conversations for me, attempting to correct these scholars with watertight proof, have often ended with being silenced, ignored, accused of having ties to some supremacist regime lead by the Modi government, of being racist toward Pakistanis for critiquing the role of Pakistan State-sponsored terrorism.
I am racially and religiously vilified for speaking up and being both white and Hindu and not only by those who hate Modi. This is a wide problem. I have documented my and others experiences and am presently establishing a campaign to expose this hateful content, often sent to victims by DM.
Issues of personal safety and academic slander
Over the past few days, there has been an ISIS-inspired attack in New Zealand. I was held up as a terrorist by the association for writing one tweet (below) and note that I tagged the Professor and Massey University as a courtesy so they could reply. No such academic integrity from Professor Dutta, the perpetrator, who screenshot it then blocked me to privately call me a far-right Hindutva just for questioning the morality of blaming the wrong community, innocent NZ Hindus for terrorism.
He also screenshots a comment in reply on my wall from a survivor of four generations of terrorism sharing their feelings after the ISIS attack. This material was also posted in an NZ Facebook group to humiliate and shame this victim as a bigot for mentioning their pain.
I am frequently contacted by victims of terrorism who are denied a voice for speaking and shut down as Islamophobic for simply stating their experience with Islamist extremists. I have close contacts who have been likewise victimised by Maoist and Communist terrorism in Bengali, Nepali, Indian and Tibetan regions.
To call me an extremist is highly offensive as I do not see any other non-Indian academic ever speaking up for the genuine minorities and victims of genuine terror. Instead, they smokescreen and whitewash the violence and turn the perpetrators and victims around to blame the Indian State, as if all Hindus are inseparable everywhere in the world and thus should be reduced to membership of a political party whether they voted for it, are connected to it, or not. And I am not.
I have maintained strict academic independence throughout my studies however this conference has spurred me to stand up for myself and others being smeared and denied a voice.
The most offensive material of Professor Dutta is the insinuation that the Christchurch massacre is linked to Hinduism in India by making arbitrary links and threats to write ‘white papers’ for Parliament on the topic. His argument follows an article he wrote where the Christchurch attack was tacitly blamed on Hindus in diaspora due to their ‘Islamophobia’.
It’s a catch 22. Just being Hindu is enough to be blamed for terror acts that in fact ISIS or white supremacism are accountable for. It is doubly offensive given that Hindus experience both Islamophobia and Hinduphobia, as well as the anti-immigrant sentiment fostered by these ‘activist’ scholars and the brunt of anti-Asian white supremacist sentiment.
The linked article in the tweet above by Professor Dutta states among other offensive languages:
“The Islamophobia that is rampant in India prompts a cross-section of Hindutva forces to celebrate the attacks on the mosques in Christchurch. For these Hindutva forces, the attack on the mosques is the appropriate and necessary response to the manufactured threat of Islamic terror.”
“Heuristically driven and devoid of evidence, these jubilations of the attack on the Muslims entirely miss out that the manifesto called for removing all coloured people (including Indians of all faiths) from what the terrorist articulation framed as White lands (of course ignoring the claims to land in New Zealand held by indigenous Māori). People of colour bear the burden of racism that generate from White supremacy; Muslims bear this burden as attacks on their ethnicity as well amplified by the demonization of their faith.”
“The celebration of violence by Hindutva terror, although different in its framing and targeting of the other from the White supremacist terror, is a replica of White supremacist terror in its strategic deployment of violence to target Muslim minorities. Since 2015, at least 44 Muslims have been killed in India by cow vigilantes, driven by the narrative of civilizational threat.”
The double standards are beyond all academic ethics and warrant an official response however as per my talk, which critically examines the narrative of Professor Dutta in his 24 August talk at CARE on Facebook, his view is that Hinduphobia is merely a tool of Supremacists to shut down critique of Hindutva and he denies that even the Bangladesh genocide was anything more than a ‘language’ dispute, nothing to do with persecution of Hindus.
The talk states that those who complain of Hinduphobia through their universities are using safety mechanisms to victimise their professors due to their inability to swallow the ‘critique’ of Hindu extremists.
The behaviour of this Professor has only escalated and I am taking this stance because I want to open up a #MeToo space for academics and others experiencing Hinduphobic religious prejudice and persecution who would be shouted down or silenced for taking it to the authorities.
The system is so flawed that if you sink you are a witch and if you float, you are a witch.
Under the Hindutva Harassment Field Manual, just using the word Hinduphobia in defence of your human and legal rights, makes you a radical extremist and terrorist. At Massey University CARE institute if you so much as dare to ask for a reference you will be labelled as a ‘Hindutva’ terrorist and then accused, after an ISIS attack of being instrumental in fostering the Islamophobia that causes it.
You will be accused of partaking, by association, in the Christchurch massacre too since the Professor is public about his mistaken beliefs and cannot distinguish between academic integrity and blatant bigotry. Massey University is listed as a Dismantling Global Hindutva Conference co-sponsor. So are many others. Several universities and many scholars in Australia, the UK, and Europe seem to have no concept of the consequences for the genuine radical ideology for which they have signed up.
The narrative and communicative patterns of Professor Dutta are a case study in how the ideology of the SASAC ‘field manual’ operates to silence, to deny and to falsely portray Hindus as liars about their persecution, as bullies, as incapable of reason, as automatons under the control of Modi, as violent.
The claim is that there is an ‘infrastructure of hatred’ with systemic links to that famous trope of ‘Saffron Terror’ they call ‘Hindu Supremacy’ or ‘Far-right Hindu extremism’ and ‘Hindutva.’ Not only that but this is projected as pervading the ordinary practices and expressions of Hinduism, that it is happening here in Australia, in New Zealand, in America and there are supporters from all over the world.
It is a sign, not of any form of genuine threat, but that the academic institutions of America do not know or care what they have signed up for, which is an indictment on their academic credentials and ethical standards. They ignore and condemn those who dare to think for themselves according to the faulty apparatus of the SASAC field manual. And that is by definition, institutionalised Hinduphobia.
I have made a critical analysis of matters here in the Australian context. Regarding the Dismantling Global Hindutva, there are three key issues. One is a denial of Hinduphobia as a legitimate term and framework for Hindu social justice. The website definition negates historic and present bias prejudice, persecution, past genocides, colonialism and neo-colonialism.
Regardless of the parameters set by SASAC, that they say it is not evident in India or the US ‘in the modern era,’ this is due to a very narrow definition of what Hinduphobia is that is inconsistent with any modern mechanism for correlating ethnoreligious prejudices.
The rejection of the word Hinduphobia is a rejection of its history as a concept and it diminishes, deliberately, any capacity to speak to any form of Hindu bias or prejudice even outside SASACs narrow criteria by erasing the term.
Further pressure is applied on those who do speak to Hinduphobia by the assumption there is an association of the word use and the RSS, which is a conspiracy theory without any credible evidence. Because those who speak are deemed ‘bhakts’ by these activist scholars at first instance, and due to the precedent of negating the term, there is no recourse for anyone to discuss it with them and thus, if you speak you are guilty no matter what is said. This was my experience with Professor Dutta.
In February 2020, I published my study, which shows Hinduphobia was coined by Sir Edward Sullivan in 1866 and not by Rajiv Malhotra as was thought. Yet neither Malhotra nor SASAC will update this record and as academics who seek to define the term, it is unprofessional to have not first done their research.
The term was recently entered into the Oxford dictionary partly due to my study debunking this myth. It means: ‘ a dislike of, or prejudice against Hindus and Hinduism’ and its origins are late 19th century.
The organisation behind ‘Dismantling Global Hindutva’, likely the person who wrote the Hindutva Harassment Field Manual (SASAC), say Hinduphobia was recently coined by Hindutva nationalists and that it is a divisive term deployed only to ‘silence’ critique of Hindutva ideology.
What actually is Hindutva according to SASAC has little to do with the official records or Savarkar’s Hindutva.
Instead, the SASAC site sends us to a ‘think tank’ where the RSS and several other well-known identities are profiled by a hidden matrix for Islamophobic sentiment, including the Australian PM.
What is exactly being cast as ideological, cultural, religious or personal breaches all boundaries creating a melting pot for several far-left and far-right extremist positions? For example, the position that using terms like Islamist for a terror group, which is supported by those who protested Macron’s use of this term after Samuel Paty, is offensive to Muslims.
Yet Hindu Supremacist, far-right Hindu extremist and so forth as Australian Greens David Shoebridge also uses, cannot be Hinduphobic because that doesn’t exist.
The profiling and matrix by which Hindus are accused as a whole of being part of an ‘infrastructure of hate’ is deeply flawed, reductionist and stereotypes Hindus as violent extremists and terrorists.
The dispute, as my talk demonstrates with evidence, is categorically about the BJP and its perceived supporters who are vilified and demonised as if defending their rights must depend upon vote choices.
Hindus who defend themselves against prejudice and bias are being profiled as BJP supporters, “sanghis” or “bhakts.”
60% of Indians did not vote for either major party and 51% of Hindus did not vote BJP, 52% of Buddhists did not vote for Congress or BJP either. It is simply a Hinduphobic stereotype.
This is like blaming all Muslims for what Imran Khan does, or all Jews for Naftali Bennet of Benjamin Netanyahu. Just as these are Islamophobic and anti-Semitic, so too is it Hinduphobic to caste all Hindus who critique the ideology of SASAC as secret agents of the BJP or trolls.
In the same way, an email protest and a petition are deemed ‘targeted harassment’ exactly as per the ‘Hindutva playbook’ to ‘muzzle critique of extremism.’
Aside from the fact, this is not how genuine extremists behave, and the tacit admission that they are not at genuine risk of their safety as blocking and reporting a possible on Twitter, the argument seeks to cut down dissent whilst claiming itself a victim. Evidence is then captured to support the pre-crime matrix deliberately designed to dismantle any claims to Hinduphobia.
Due to this mechanism of denial, erasure and demonisation of Hindus, it is no more progressive than the Malleus Maleficarum. Further, as my talk again evidences the strong correlation between the erasure of Indian indigeneity and the projects of British colonialists in the cultural genocide of First Nations peoples around the world is clear.
Hindus, the last cohesive remaining group of pluralistic indigenous traditions are being demonised again for being heathen, pagan and kaffir.
I went to the CARE website to find out more about the organisation. On the website it states:
CARE is a global hub for communication research that uses participatory and culture-centred methodologies to develop community-driven communication solutions.
It was a bad turn to see the vilification of Hindu youth on the flyer if this was supposed to be ‘culture-centred.’
This organisation is an international group:
At Massey University, Prof. Mohan Dutta looks forward to building the work of CARE in the areas of indigenous health, health and migration, and poverty.
I was interested to see a ‘white paper’ published 11 May 2021 titled, Cultural Hindutva and Islamophobia. I noticed an error of fact in this document. It says:
“This cultivation of pride in the Hindu identity is deeply intertwined with the seeding and circulation of Islamophobia through pedagogy. Swami Chinmayananda, the key architect of the Chinmaya Mission, played a key role alongside Golwalkar in the formation of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)ix. The VHP is a terrorist organisation that has been directly linked to the deployment of violence.”
In May 2021, there was a political scandal due to the anti-Hindu statements of one Greens NSW MP. He was roundly condemned by a motion in NSW Parliament.
This context is vital to understanding how culturally unacceptable and inappropriate the activities of Prof Dutta are. I was shocked to see the evidence for the claim that VHP is terrorists – in a Massey University endorsed paper – 2008 opinion piece from a Mumbai charity journal with academic credibility issues. Titled ‘Confronting the Reality of Hindutva Terrorism’ it is a long, stream of consciousness conspiracy theory about alleged ‘Hindutva Terrorist Networks’ making wide smears and generalisations about Hindus as well as the obvious targets, the RSS, BJP and VHP, without evidence.
It identifies ‘saffron terrorists’ as ‘sadhus, sadhvis, and mahants affiliated to Parivar groupings and akharas,’ ‘some other swamis.’ Those titles belong to renunciate yogis. It is the equivalent of saying that ‘priests, nuns, monks and imams’ are terrorists. The article criticises ‘all Muslims may not be terrorists, but all terrorists are Muslims,’ whilst doing the same thing to Hindus. The argument is not supported by the Global Terror Database, and the article is highly communalised deadly propaganda.
The second reference is another 2008 article from the same publication titled Hindutva’s fury against Christians in Orissa. The article discusses the assassination of VHP leader, Swami Laxmananda Saraswati and four others by Maoists.
The riots were due to the kind of conspiracy theories hatched in the above article and were condemned by US Congress. This is clearly not an issue of VHP being Islamophobic for which Prof Mohan Dutt has leveraged it. The accusation in the referenced article is they are accountable for reactions against Christians for the assassination of their leader. According to reports, the Supreme Court is reviewing and yet to issue a verdict on the incidents although past reports cast doubts on Hinduphobic narratives.
Due to these claims, Prof Mohan Dutta urges Hindus in New Zealand to be ‘closely examined and interrogated’ for their ‘funding of cultural performances that are connected to the ideology of Hindutva,’ which would include Hindu ‘arts and cultural organisations’ in ‘Aotearoa.’ Without indicating for what precisely aside from loose claims, Hindus should be profiled and placed under suspicion of terrorism.
This attitude of ‘scrutinising Hindus’ is evidenced in his denigrating tweets where he has repeatedly asked my university to investigate me on his allegation that I am affiliated with alleged terror organisations and/or their ideology. This is ridiculous because my research on Hinduphobia has publicly criticised the academic authority of Rajiv Malhotra over the term Hinduphobia, and I have a video of myself criticising the Hindus on Campus group in the US. We are not related.
Professor Dutta’s open hostility toward me and demonisation for daring to question his ‘academic authority is reminiscent of the excessive profiling, surveillance and security targeting of Muslims after 9/11 and which was deemed to be racist, religiously prejudiced and implicitly accusatory of affiliation or conspiracy with Islamist terror groups.
Professor Datta however takes it one step further and actually published material that Chinmaya Mission and this VHP group ‘are terrorists’ and therefore all arts and cultural ‘performances’ should be scrutinised for ‘funding’ and by extension, the tacit proliferation of extremist ideology. Not only that, his reference for the claim, which I note Massey University have endorsed by putting their name on the publication, takes it exponentially further by broadening it to any yogi. I am myself an initiate and lifelong yoga teacher. It is offensive to anyone who practices yoga, which makes up about 1:10 people in the west and there are about 1:6 human beings on the planet who are Hindus.
Having read this short document, I returned to the Twitter post of Prof. Mohan Dutt seeking clarification of his source for the terrorism and hate crime claims of the VHP. I did not employ any abusive language although Professor Dutta was extremely manipulative, psychologically violent and intimidating toward me likely due to his perception of my religion and political beliefs.
Feminists call the below dynamic of coercive control DARVO- Deny, attack, and reverse victim and offender. It is often used by perpetrators when they are held to account. I have not made any comment that was personal or offensive and repeatedly affirmed the facts, asking him to cease and desist the harassment which he ignored.
I just read the white paper, Hindutva and Islamophobia where the Chinmaya Mission is called the hub of Hindutva and accused of hate crimes against muslims. If that is correct, @MasseyUni should be able to provide evidence to other scholars. I did not see any and it is disturbing.
You clearly don’t have the skillset to read the key arguments of a paper, producing the arguments that suit you. @EdithCowanUni should closely look at folks that use its branding. @drsapna@azad_richa@oscar4romero
The infrastructure of Hindutva is held up by people attached to Universities that misread arguments to justify the narrative infrastructure of Hindutva. To silence voices that interrogate Hindutva, they then tag universities. @EdithCowanUni what is your position on this behavior? https://t.co/GbLvLnCWly
You go for ad hominem at first call and can't provide evidence then criticise my scholarship, bringing in my university? I think it's @MasseyUni who should be either removing the white paper or evidencing hate crime or they might need to issue a public apology to Chinmaya Mission
You clearly have set up a false narrative, rather than actually reading the arguments in the paper. You tag my university based on a rhetorical fallacy. @EdithCowanUni should look at this behavior because it is larger pattern of an infrastructure of hate and online bullying.
Asking you, as a scholar for evidence that Chinmaya are accountable for hate crimes is not bullying. Your white paper either needs references or you can prove it now.
Predictably enough, far-right group Action Zealandia is already trying to use today's terror attack to promote their views. Won't share link but their telegram acct has called for "immediate deportation," "stripping of residency from these hostile peoples," ref'ing to Muslims
This same strategy of using the terror attack to promote their far right views is being used by far right Hindutva groups in Aotearoa and Australia. https://t.co/WrOmni2lKGpic.twitter.com/v2BFG95Tc7
No, smearing Hindus as terrorists is exactly the same as doing it to Muslims or blaming Jewish people for the Israeli state. Get it right. It cuts both ways.
Hindutva is a pernicious ideology that is built on islamophobia. The work of CARE has been targeted by Islamophobes. Worse, the terrorist attack is being used to stoke Islamophobia. Colleagues in Australia, please report this account Sarah Gates to e-safety. #DismantleHatepic.twitter.com/7QE975BNkK
Despite Professor Dutta claiming he ‘engaged’ with me, this is untrue.
I asked him for evidence for his very serious allegations and he attacked me personally. He criticised my ability to read, think, to understand his argument instead of providing the requested reference. Being a woman, this is common. It is a classic pattern of psychological violence.
However, it is problematic that a man in a position of power and authority in the academy has misrepresented my comments and reduced them in entirety to ‘constructing narratives,’ when I had simply asked for references and cited what he had stated in his ‘white paper.’
He bolstered that power imbalance by tagging strangers and my own university from which I am a graduate, whilst simultaneously complaining to them that I had tagged his university where he is in fact employed and to whom he is accountable as Massey University logo is on the white paper. He claimed then, that tagging a university constitutes ‘Hindutva’ bullying, silencing and he asked for ECU’s ‘position’ on my alleged behaviour by repeatedly tagging ECU, proving himself a ‘Hindutva bully’ by his own logic.
This clearly comprises psychological violence, threats to have me penalised for daring to question his authority, and for drawing his academic integrity to the attention of his employer and publisher. Professor Dutta attempted to silence me and he repeatedly turns the perpetrator and victim around to generate a false narrative that I have in fact bullied him. All the while accusing me of creating false narratives. It is a disturbing pattern.
That he has evidently assumed my political or religious beliefs for merely asking a legitimate question is a form of vicarious discrimination. At the point, he first responded, he had never come across me. I note my academia.edu profile had significant traffic after the incident on Twitter from Massey and Auckland University. That he has lied about me to humiliate me publicly, and deployed those perceived characteristics to intimidate me, makes this a breach of the New Zealand Netsafe terms of communication, and prejudice based on my perceived religion given I have a Hindu deity as my avatar.
I, therefore, request that all scholars and Universities who are engaging in this conference proceedings take note of my experience and take the protest and dissent against this historically archaic program seriously. Students should not be treated by Professors in this denigrating manner, or by anyone, least of all just for asking for a reference to his own ‘behaviour’ of smearing innocent people with terrorism.
Sincerely Sarah L Gates (Malininath)
Author: Sarah Louise Gates, Independent Research, Author, Ecocritical Theorist, PhD student
Disclaimer:Sarah Louise Gate is solely responsible for the views expressed in this article. She carries the responsibility for citing and/or licensing images utilised within the text. The opinions, facts and any media content in them are presented solely by her, and neither The Australia Today News nor its partners assume any responsibility for them.
PM Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg, Treasurer; Picture Source: Twitter @JoshFrydenberg
Australian shares gained 0.5% for the week, thus clawing back some of their losses from the previous two weeks.
The Australian market was down for most of the week, however, investors got a boost after Scott Morrison flagged a quicker reopening following a vaccine swap deal with England.
The Australian PM announced a swap deal with Britain for 4 million doses of Pfizer COVID19 and said that he was looking to convince states and territories to stick to the agreed National reopening plan.
The announcement was strongly welcomed by the investors who looked past a plunge in Australian retail sales due to lockdowns in NSW and Victoria to end the two-week losing streak for Australian shares.
The mining stocks also got a boost after steel prices in China soared as an increase in production curbs into the traditional peak demand season, thus stoking supply concerns. A rise in oil prices also helped energy stocks climb 0.8% for the week.
Image source: mines.gov.in
Australian shares however paled in comparison to Japanese stocks, which reached a new 30 year high last week. Japan Topix index reached its highest level since April 1991 following reports that Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has offered to resign. Prime Minister Suga has faced intense criticism for his handling of pandemics, the Japanese economy and the Tokyo Olympics.
This week the investors will be keeping a strong eye on the Reserve Bank of Australia’s policy meeting for hints to see if it will delay tapering plans. A poll of 37 analysts conducted by Reuters showed that while 36 of the analysts expect the interest rate to remain at 0.10%, more of them are uncertain whether RBA will delay a taper in its 5 billion dollars weekly bond buying.
Gold rose for a fourth consecutive week to reach its highest price in two and a half months as a slower than expected US jobs data in August drove the US Dollar lower.
US job growths came in well below the expectations in August amid a jump in Delta strain across the nation.
The US Dollar slipped soon after the report, thus making gold more appealing for holders of other currencies.
Gold which had to fight with a rising US Dollar for haven received a much-needed boost from weak US jobs data. A decline in US Dollar and rising COVID numbers in the US impacting its economy may be just the news gold was looking for and puts gold on course for a break towards USD 1850.
The demand for physical gold across Asia was however largely muted as a rise in gold prices kept buyers at bay. As per data from bullion based Mumbai banks the retail demand for gold was quite weak across India as prices were going up.
The dealers however expect jewellers to start purchasing gold soon and provide more jolt to gold prices with the festival season fast approaching.
With muted sales in physical gold, gold investors will be turning their focus on the FOMC meeting in September for hints about market taper.
oil price going up; Picture Source: @Canva
Oil prices closed marginally lower last week after nonfarm payrolls data from the USA showed that the country added only 235,000 jobs through the middle of August instead of the expected gain of 750,000, thus raising concerns about economic recovery from COVID 19 pandemic.
The oil prices were up for most of the week last week following a reduction in supplies due to Hurricane Ida in the Gulf of Mexico and OPEC+ countries raising demand forecast for 2022 earlier in the week.
However, continuously rising COVID19 cases globally and weak US data indicated a patchy recovery and slower fuel demand amidst a resurgent pandemic.
Moving forward we believe a fall in US Dollar might help lift commodities including the oil in general. As such a break above USD 70.50 for Crude oil opens up the possibility to move towards $74.00 otherwise a break of below $67 a barrel opens up the possibility for the US Crude to fall to the next support level at $62.00
The Australian Dollar recorded a strong weakly gain as signs of progress with vaccinations raised hopes that the economy was closer to reopening.
The Australian Dollar hovered near its 04 August high and have now gained 4% in the last two weeks. Sentiments have further improved after the Australian PM Scott Morrison announced that the reopening might be brought forward after securing a deal to double the stock of Pfizer doses.
At current vaccination rates, around 80% of the adult population could be vaccinated by November, which could put the economy back on track closer to Christmas.
A second-quarter increase in GDP also helped the Australian Dollar. However, the investors were varied that the Q2 data did not include the impact of lockdowns as NSW went into lockdown during the last week of June followed by Victoria in July and August.
The trade numbers also revealed the dependence of the Australian economy on commodity exports to China with Iron ore alone accounting for a sale of $26.6 billion in July alone to China.
With increasing Delta numbers and disparate commodity price action the traders will keep a strong eye on the RBA meeting on Tuesday. In July RBA announced that they would reduce bond-buying from AUD 5 billion per week to AUD 4 billion per week in September. A continuous rise in Delta infections, however, despite vaccination rate progressing well, may mean that the RBA may need to re-consider tapering for the time being.
Along with RBA, a reduction in US Dollar and rising demand for risk assets may also continue to support the local currency.
A rally in risk assets also supported the Indian Rupee against the US Dollar. The importers in India welcomed the move from RBI setting the reference rate for USD/INR at 73.07 levels. The rupee however depreciated compared to both Euro as well as the Australian Dollar as a rise in oil prices capped gain in Rupee against other currencies.
In the world of Cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin eventually managed to break the $50,000 mark again.
There is tremendous stimulus support surrounding Bitcoin which could lift it further above the USD 52,000 mark.
A broad USD weakness further makes Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies more attractive. Bitcoin is now up 81% from this years low of $27,734 on Jan 4. Moving forwards the traders will be keeping a keen eye on $51,919 which sits at 38.2% Fibonacci levels of March 2020 low and previous record highs. A takeover of bulls of this target may provide sufficient stimulus to lift Bitcoin to new records of $66,325 and $89,645.
It was Ethereum however which was the major driving force for cryptocurrency last week. Ethereum rallied 25% between 31 August and 03 September alone to retest the psychological USD 4,000 mark. With a resurgence in buying pressure ETH looks set to break its next resistance at U$4,071 and retest an all-time high of $4,372.
As per technical analysts, Ethereum may continue to climb and test the 100% Fibonacci extension at $4,699.
Previously we have provided our bullish bias towards Cardano, Stellar Lumens, Polka Dot and IOTA. Cardano in particular has continued to provide us with great returns over the last weeks. After finding support around the $1 mark on 20 July Cardano has rallied all the way to a new all-time high of the $3.10 mark. While Cardano has started to trade sideways following this resistance the formation of a new higher low at $2.80 over the weekend have raised expectations that Cardano is now set to test further upsides.
Agricultural concerns over US exports following damage to grain terminals from Hurricane Ida resulted in corn and wheat ending the week in negative territory. Continuous drought also forced US farmers to sell their futures contract in corn resulting in a 5.5% fall in corn prices for the week.
Wheat futures were down 2% for the week while soybeans gave up 2.8% for the week. Grain shippers from the US continued to report damage from Ida to their terminals. However, a strong surge in export demand for food grains may limit the price decline.
Commodity investors have also welcomed widespread rains across major farming regions in Argentina after a drier than normal winter in the South American Nation.
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 opinions in the above article are the authors 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 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.
After the take-over of capital city and key areas of Afghanistan, there are growing concerns that Taliban will support anti-India terrorist activities.
Meanwhile, in an interview with BBC Urdu, the terrorist group has said that it has the right to raise its voice for Muslims in Kashmir.
Taliban’s spokesperson Suhail Shaheen said:
“We have this right, being Muslims, to raise our voice for Muslims in Kashmir, India, and any other country.”
However, the spokesperson added that the group does not have the policy to raise arms against India.
“We will raise our voice and say that Muslims are your own people, your own citizens. They are entitled to equal rights under your laws.”
Initially, Taliban had said that Kashmir is a “bilateral and an internal matter” between India and Pakistan.
However, in not so surprising turn of event, Neelam Irshad Sheikh, a leader of Pakistan’s ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has said that the Taliban would help their country in “liberating’ Kashmir from India.”
“Taliban have said that they are with us and they will help us in [liberating] Kashmir.”
Meanwhile, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi has told media that India’s aim is to ensure Afghanistan is not used for terrorist activity of any kind against India.
MEA has even held discussions with Taliban focussing on the safe and early return of Indian nationals stranded in Afghanistan.
Rishabh Pant, Indian Wicketkeeper, IndVsEng; Picture Source: Twitter; @BCCI
England might be chasing 368 to win, but openers Haseeb Hameed and Rory Burns provided the hosts with a solid start in the final session of Day Four on the ongoing fourth Test here at the Kennington Oval on Sunday.
At stumps, England’s score read 77/0– still needing 291 runs for the win with all ten wickets in hand. For the hosts, Burns (31*) and Hameed (43*) are at the crease.
Chasing 368, England openers Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed saw out the first ten overs, managing to score 20 runs. In the end, both these openers saw out 32 overs and ensured that the hosts enter the final day with all wickets intact.
Earlier, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rishabh Pant, and Shardul Thakur all registered scores of more than 50 as India set a target of 368 for England on Day 4 of the ongoing fourth Test here at the Kennington Oval on Sunday. Umesh Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah also played cameos of 25 and 24 as India posted a score of 466 in the second innings, extending the lead to 367. For England, Chris Woakes returned with three wickets.
A brilliant 100-run partnership between @RishabhPant17 & @imShard ; Picture Source: Twitter @BCCI .
Resuming the third and final session at 445/8, Bumrah added five more runs before being dismissed by Chris Woakes and this brought an end to the 36-run stand for the ninth wicket. In the end, India was bowled out for 466 in the 149th over. The final wicket to fall was of Umesh (25) and he lost his wicket to Craig Overton.
Jadeja and Bumrah are Kohli's key men on the last day. But he can only squeeze that much out of Bumrah. That is why I believe it is an opportunity for Siraj to keep running in and bowl long spells.
Earlier, Pant and Thakur piled on the misery on England bowlers as India reached a dominant position in the second session. At tea, India’s score read 445/8– a lead of 346 runs with two wickets in hand. For the visitors, Umesh Yadav (13*) and Jasprit Bumrah (19*) are currently at the crease. Resuming the second session at 329/6, Pant and Thakur added 46 more runs inside one hour and this put the English bowlers on the back foot, with the visitors extending their lead to more than 250. Shardul carried on with his form and he brought up his second fifty of the match in the 134th over.
England skipper Joe Root finally brought about the dismissal as he sent Thakur (60) back to the pavilion, ending the 100-run stand for the seventh wicket, reducing India to 412/7. Pant (50) also registered his half-century in the 138th over of the innings, however, as soon as he reached the landmark, the left-hander ended up losing his wicket to Moeen Ali.
Ravindra Jadeja, Ajinkya Rahane, and Virat Kohli might have lost their wickets but India extended their lead to 230 in the opening session. Overnight batters Kohli and Jadeja added 26 more runs to the total before Jadeja (17) was trapped in front by Chris Woakes, ending the 59-run stand for the fourth wicket, and this brought Rahane to the middle.
Rahane (0) failed to open his account and he just last for eight balls as Woakes also had him trapped in front and India was reduced to 296/5 with the lead at 197. Rishabh Pant then joined Kohli in the middle and the duo put on 16 runs for the sixth wicket, but Moeen Ali cut short Virat’s (44) knock in the 111th over.
Brief Scores: India 191 and 466 all out (Rohit Sharma 127, Cheteshwar Pujara 61, Chris Woakes 3-83); England 290 and 77/0 (Haseeb Hameed 43*, Rory Burns 31*, Jasprit Bumrah 0-11).
In order to determine the cause of any war or event, historians have been using traditional methods of analysing causation of political, and diplomatic causes. But it has been analysed differently by Annales school to present a ‘total history’ in order to understand the complexity of any issues.
The Annales school of Historical approach was founded in 1929 by French intellectual tradition as a historical journal Annales d’histoire économique et sociale (Annales Economic and Social History). The Annales School achieved its pinnacle of significance and impact in the mid 20th century and continues to be a prominent mode of history writing.
These historians are a loose group of historians with similar goals that are dedicated to expanding the scope of history. This article explains the discourse of the emergence of Annales school and its basic principles based on general sources for the mass readers.
Annales insisted on breaking down barriers between disciplines, drawing consciously on methodologies of other disciplines and drawing consciously on the methodologies of other disciplines and posits an inter-disciplinary approach that constitutes geography, social sciences such as sociology, economics, linguistics, anthropology and psychology.
World History; Picture Source: @CANVA
It goes away from restrictions of periodization and geographical boundaries and focuses on an approach to a study of long-term historical structure (la longue durée) over events, that explores the impact of the environment on humanity over millennia, where the change is slow.
It popularize the ‘history from below approach to history’. This school believes that understanding history should extend beyond the study of diplomatic, war and political actions. These historians, in particular, offered alternatives to the dominance of the ‘economic substructure’ as a causative element in history. They placed a more significant focus on geography than on economics, and historians’ work on mentalities and cultural history foreshadowed the linguistic shift’ – the emphasis on the importance of language.
World History; Picture Source: @CANVA
Annales School of Historiography
The Annales School historians are divided into four generations. The most significant members of the first generation – the founders – were the medievalist Marc Bloch and the early modernist Lucien Febvre (they stressed Total history during the 1930s and 1940s) that insisted on considering all levels of society and focused on the collective nature of mentalities.
Fernand Braudel was the dominant figure in the next generation of Annales historians who rose to prominence in the 1940s and 1950s (they gave the concept of Notion of Historical time). They emphasise global history and social and economic history.
World History; Picture Source: @CANVA
The third generation scholar is Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie, who provided the idea of History of Mentality and Question of Narrative in the 1970s when Young Annales—- Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie and others. The last generation, led by Roger Chartier focused on the cultural and linguistic approach emphasising the social history of cultural practices rather than mentalities.
Marc Bloch connected history and social science in an imaginative manner, his work was ‘The Feudal Society’ and ‘Life of Rural France’, made use of new material like as topographical and historical maps, in addition to old sources.
He analyzes European feudal history without focusing on the elite elements of feudalism, but rather on how ordinary medieval people saw the world around them; what common people thought of life and death: it probed into their minds. He insisted on the new path of historical research by arguing that the form of inquiry was defined by the issue themselves.
World History; Picture Source: @CANVA
This work was a result of ‘total history’ and made use of mentalities and an interdisciplinary approach. Thus examined the Feudal society rather than Feudal history, with an aim to unearth the hidden causes of long term society change.
Another work ‘The Royal Touch’ (1924) is based on wartime observations. The study investigated the medieval and early modern French and English idea that the monarch could heal a skin ailment known as Scrofula merely by touching patients. Indeed, the Royal Touch was a weapon of propaganda from the ruler’s point of view, all the more so since this heavenly gift was restricted to the legitimate successor, on whom it was bestowed on the occasion of the consecration.
Bloch approached it in a way that blended social-historical eradication with new and exciting questions about the symbolic impact of rituals, the efficacy of myths, and the potential motor of collective questions. Bloch examined public views about kingship, religion, and miracles over a lengthy period of time (C13th-18th) and compared belief in the holy monarchy in France and England in the book.
The Royal Touch is a unique mix of medical, psychological, and anthropological study of Medieval monarchs’ healing powers. It may have been the first real history of Mentalities.
World History; Picture Source: @CANVA
Bloch’s other work ‘French Rural history’ (1931) study of the development of the rural institution in France and looked at the role of peasants and closely linked to the wartime experiences. Peasants are active players in their own lives who fight the attempts by the upper classes to usurp their perceived rights in the courts and through sabotage and rebellion.
He used non-traditional sources and travelled around France talking to farmers, inspecting their fields by using the sense of sight, hearing and smell.
Lucien Febvre’s work emphasized the importance of geography in history. Febvre’s view of history was centred on people, their methods of life, and their attitudes and ideas, rather than geography.
Total History was coined by Marc Bloch and Lucien Febvre as a holistic method to studying society as a whole and determining the impact of several areas of existence in writing history; their focus is on the interconnections between different aspects of society.
For the field of history, a holistic approach implies interaction between various disciplines or an interdisciplinary approach: So history creates its subjects via interaction with sociology, economics, psychology, and other disciplines. One cannot write history in isolation and the concept of total history is based on specific ideas of causation.
World History; Picture Source: @CANVA
However, the causes influencing political events should be derived from a study of the whole structure of society or from the interplay of many aspects in society such as social, economic, and cultural, among others. Total History is primarily a new method of writing history that focuses on the entirety of sources used to collect knowledge.
These new sources of history included films, advertisements, regionally produced books, tale books, novels, newspapers and political party manifestos etc. The limitation of total history as a totality cannot be achieved in a short time.
Braudel carried on the Annales Historians’ goal of integrating various kinds of history in his most well-known work, ‘The Mediterranean and the Mediterranean World in the Age of Phillips II.’ He created a work that blended a broad chronological and historical sweep with a plethora of minute details, spanning the whole Mediterranean world from the Renaissance to the sixteenth century.
For him, the historical value of events (battles) and individual (action) is insignificant, but long-term political, social, economic, and geography are important.
Lucien Febvre investigated the issue of disbelief in Rabeiaic’s writings and questioned the religious beliefs of the period. He believed the 16th century was dominated by religion, with Christian belief pervading all aspects of life.
They were not necessarily aware of their Christian identity, but they were affected by Christian concepts in their self-concept. The twentieth century represents reason, whereas the sixteenth century represents religion.
The second phase of mind corresponded to the third period of Annals. Ladurie revived the history of mind in the 1960s. History of Mentality characterized as rather of concentrating only on elite mindset, they began researching common mentality. There was a focus on studying the interconnectedness of the classes and their mentalities.
Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie studied the French village called Montaillau in the 14th century and used interrogation records to narrate history. He wrote on peasants and rural history of the early modern era and also climate history of the past.
Conclusion
This approach gives a new dimension for historical research on analysing any political upheavals in the Pacific or around the world, by breaking the limited nationalistic and disciplinary boundaries, expanding historians’ investigations to current events, and covering a wide variety of social, economic, and cultural phenomena.
It had a socio-economic perspective centred around ordinary people’s history; the acceptance and implementation of theoretical models of models from anthropology, geography, economics, and sociology. This was known as ‘total history’.
Author: Dr Sakul Kundra, A.HOD Department of Social Science, College of Humanities and Education, Fiji National University.
Lisa Singh, New Director, Australia India Institute; Picture Source: LisaSingh.com.au
The Australia India Institute has announced that it’s new Director will be India- Australia diplomacy stalwart Lisa Singh.
She will start in her new role at Melbourne based Institute on 8 September 2021.
Lisa Singh the first female parliamentarian of South Asian descent was twice elected to Australian Senator. Currently, She serves as Deputy Chair of the Australia India Council and also sits on the advisory committees of the University of Melbourne’s Asialink and the University of New South Wales’ Australian Human Rights Institute.
As a long-term advocate for a deeper Australia-India relationship Ms Singh was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman by the President of India in 2014 for building friendly Australia-India relations, the highest civilian honour for a person of Indian origin.
In a statement release online Lisa Singh said she was honoured to take up the role and intends to work with a range of leaders in Australia and India to advance the political and economic agenda.
“The Australia-India relationship is going through a transformative period. I believe its success will be dependent on the effort and collaboration that governments, businesses and institutes like the AII put into it,”
Ms Singh said.
“It’s important we nurture the academic and research capabilities in the relationship. But it needs to be done by focusing on shared priorities. That way partnerships for both nations will be enduring and mutually beneficial,” stressed Lisa Singh.
Lisa Singh also expressed concerns over the significant impact of the pandemic on the education sector. She committed to play a role to help facilitate a pathway for bringing Indian International students to Australian campuses.
“COVID-19 restrictions have stymied the education sector. The sooner Indian students can return to Australia to complete their qualifications the better,”
Said Ms Singh
Indian Australian diaspora has received the news of her appointment with great enthusiasm. The social media was abuzz with hope of new direction in methods and strategy of AII to help communities come together in both countries.
Lisa Singh was previously Head of Government Advocacy at Minderoo Foundation (Walk Free initiative), a philanthropic organisation founded by Andrew and Nicola Forrest to address some of the most challenging global issues.
The AII said in the statement they look forward to wholeheartedly welcoming Lisa Singh and to supporting her vision, strategy, and direction for the Institute in this exciting appointment.
At least six people have been injured after “a violent extremist undertook a terrorist attack on innocent people at a supermarket in Auckland. New Zealand police shot dead the ‘ISIS-inspired lone wolf’ after the terror attack.
A known extremist was responsible for this terror attack in Auckland which has seen three people in critical condition, while six are in hospital.
The man was shot and killed by members of a police Special Tactics Group within 60 seconds of the attack beginning, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.
He was a Sri Lankan national who came to New Zealand in October 2011 and has been considered a “person of national security interest” since 2016.
Ms Ardern said she was limited in what more she could share about the man as a result of suppression orders made by the court. She did say he was “ISIS-inspired” and a “violent extremist”.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
She said she was personally aware of the man prior to the attack. She was confident just one person was involved. “This was a violent attack, it was senseless on innocent New Zealanders,” she said.
Ardern said the attack was undertaken by an individual who was a known threat.
“The terrorist is a Sri Lankan national who arrived in 2011,”
said Ardern.
He had been monitored by police surveillance teams and a special tactical team at all times. He travelled from his home in Glen Eden to the New Lynn Countdown on Friday afternoon for what appeared to be a regular shopping trip. Once in the store, at around 2:40 pm, he obtained a knife and began the attack, Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said.
Within around 60 seconds of the attack beginning, Coster said, members of the Special Tactics Group had killed him. They were close enough to him to hear when the “commotion” began. None of those injured was believed to be police officers or mall or supermarket staff, Coster said. The only firearms involved were those used by police.
“What happened today was despicable, it was hateful, it was wrong. It was carried out by an individual, not faith, not a culture, not an ethnicity, but an individual person who is gripped by an ideology that is not supported here by anyone,” Ms Ardern said.
Due to the suppression orders, Ms Ardern said she was unable to provide information about any past criminal history. “By law, we could not keep him in prison,” she said.
This would also cover areas such as sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, and HIV/AIDS status.
According to Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ros Spence:
“Nazi symbols glorify one of the most hateful ideologies in human history. We must confront hate, prevent it, and give it no space to grow.”
The Victorian government will also make civil and criminal vilification easier to prove.
This is to help people subjected to vilification seek justice through the courts.
Shadow police minister David Southwick told the Age that this announcement was an important step forward.
“For too long, frontline police and local communities have been powerless to stop the Nazi swastika being used as a tool to spread hate.”
In 2021, the Victorian Parliament’s Legal and Social Issues Committee had delivered its report on the effectiveness of the state’s anti-vilification laws.
This report found that vilification is too common for many Victorians.
This included people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders, particular faith groups, those who identify as LGBTIQ+ and people with a disability.
According to Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes:
“All forms of hate are unacceptable and have no place in Victoria – expanding our anti-vilification laws to protect more Victorians sends a clear message that this vile behaviour will not be tolerated.”
The committee noted that the harm caused by hate conduct and vilification can be profound.
This could affect both the physical and psychological wellbeing of individuals and often preventing them from feeling comfortable participating in their community.
To tackle this, the Victorian Government will legislate a ban on all public displays of Nazi symbols.
This ban is expected in the first half of 2022.
Anti-Defamation Commission Chairperson Dvir Abramovich applauded the decision.
“This is a day for the history book, a joyful and profound moment. Bravo to the government for rising to the challenge and declaring in a clear and unmistakable voice that the ultimate emblems of inhumanity and racism, that are meant to break our spirit and instil fear, will never find a refuge in our state.”
As per the media release, extensive consultation will be undertaken on how the Nazi symbol ban is crafted.
This is to ensure appropriate exceptions are in place, such as for educational or historical purposes, or for other uses of the symbol.
The Government’s Anti-Racism Taskforce is also developing Victoria’s new Anti-Racism Strategy, which will complement the implementation of the Committee’s recommendations.
While most groups such as the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Equality Australia and the Victorian Pride Lobby have welcomed these bans, some Hindu, Jain and Buddhist community leaders have expressed their concerns.
Swastika which in Sanskrit means ‘well-being’ has been wrongly appropriated by the Nazis, neo-Nazi groups and even advertising or product design.
Over centuries, this auspicious symbol has been used by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains.
In fact, Hindus adorn the auspicious Swastika symbol on new houses, vehicles, machines, and other valuable items as a symbol of prosperity and abundance.
The straight-armed Hakenkreuz (Christian angled or hooked cross) was presented to the world as Swastika, an Aryan symbol to boost a sense of ancient lineage for the Germanic people.
Were the Hindu community leaders in Victoria consulted to implement a ban that would cover Swastika?
There were several submissions by Hindu community organisations and a few by individual members.
Hindu Council of Australia’s Victoria chapter also submitted a detailed report on how Hindu Swastika is different from Nazi symbol.
Makarand Bhagwat, President, HCA Victoria told The Australia Today:
“We want a legalised assurance from the Victorian government that the religious interests of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist communities will be protected.”
Hindu Council of Australia has called an urgent meeting of the Hindu organisations and community leaders tonight to discuss the future strategy to engage with the Victorian government.
Karthik Arasu, Convener, Temples Council, which represents Hindu temples in Australia, told The Australia Today that Swastika is our sacred symbol for thousands of years:
“Victorian Government should first understand the difference between the Nazi symbol “Hakenkreuz” meaning Hooked-Cross & Swastika. Hitler or Nazi’s never referred to their symbol anywhere as Swastika. This horrendous wrongful association of the Swastika with the Hakenkreuz is due to mistranslation.”
Mr Arasu added:
“We are engaging with domain experts who are able to explain how [The Nazi] symbol is completely different.”
Hindu community is in favour of banning the Nazi symbol. However, the Hindu leaders feel that if the Victorian government ends up banning ‘swastika’ it will demonise hundreds of thousands of Hindus living peacefully all over Australia.
India might have been bundled out for 191 in the first innings, but Jasprit Bumrah dismissed England’s openers Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed to end scintillating Day 1 of the ongoing fourth Test here at the Kennington Oval on Thursday.
At stumps, England’s score read 53/3– still trailing by 138 runs with seven wickets in hand, For the hosts, Dawid Malan (26*) and Craig Overton (1*) are at the crease. After bundling out India for 191, England got off to a bad start as openers Rory Burns (5) and Haseeb Hameed (0) were sent back to the pavilion in the fourth over by Jasprit Bumrah. On the cusp of stumps, Umesh Yadav got the big fish as he clean bowled England captain Joe Root (21) and the hosts were reduced to 52/3. In the end, Malan and Overton ensured that England does not lose more wickets before stumps.
Earlier, Shardul Thakur might have played a knock of 57 runs, but Chris Woakes four-wicket haul helped England bundle out India for 191. Ollie Robinson took three wickets while James Anderson and Craig Overton returned with one wicket each.
Resuming the third and final session at 122/6, India lost the wicket of Rishabh Pant (9) pretty early on as the left-handed batsman went for a big shot off the bowling of Chris Woakes, but he only managed to hand a simple catch to Moeen Ali. Shardul Thakur then joined hands with Umesh Yadav and the former played a counter-attacking inning and England was left searching for answers. Shardul brought up his half-century off just 31 balls in the 60th over and all of a sudden, India gained an upper hand.
Shardul’s (57) knock finally came to an end in the 61st over as he was sent back to the pavilion by Woakes and the eighth wicket partnership of 63 runs came to an end. In the end, the visitors were bowled out for 191.
Earlier, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane lost their wickets as England further tightened their grip in the second session. At the tea break, India’s score read 122/6 with Rishabh Pant (4*) and Shardul Thakur (4*) unbeaten at the crease.
Resuming the second session at 54/3, Kohli and Jadeja added 15 more runs before Jadeja (10) was sent back to the pavilion by Chris Woakes. Jadeja poked at a delivery bowled outside off and he handed a simple catch to skipper Joe Root at first slip, reducing India to 69/4. Ajinkya Rahane then joined Kohli in the middle and the duo started reviving the innings for India. The Indian skipper brought up his half-century in the 40th over and he was looking set for a big one. However, as soon as he brought the landmark, Kohli (50) was sent back to the pavilion by Ollie Robinson.
Right before the tea break, Craig Overton removed Rahane (14), and India was reduced to 117/6. In the end, Pant and Thakur ensured that India does not lose more wickets before the tea interval. Earlier, India lost the wickets of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara as England dominated the opening session. At lunch, India’s score read 54/3 with Kohli (18*) and Ravindra Jadeja (2*) unbeaten at the crease. In the first session, 25 overs were bowled and the English bowlers made sure they repaid the faith shown by skipper Joe Root as he won the toss and decided to bowl.
Sent into bat, the Indian openers — Rohit and Rahul — mixed caution with aggression and the duo saw out the opening spells of James Anderson and Ollie Robinson. However, the introduction of Chris Woakes paid off straight away as he dismissed Rohit (11), ending the 28-run opening stand.
Pujara next joined Rahul in the middle and the duo found the going tough and they did not score a single run for almost five overs, and this eventually brought about a wicket, as Rahul (17) was trapped in front by Ollie Robinson, reducing India to 28/2. Pujara (4) also failed to leave a mark with the bat as he chased a wide delivery and his wicket was grabbed by James Anderson, reducing India to 39/3 in the 20th over. In the end, Kohli and Jadeja ensured that India went into the lunch break without losing any further wicket.
Brief Scores: India 191 all out (Shardul Thakur 57, Virat Kohli 50, Chris Woakes 4-55) vs England 53/3 (Joe Root 21, Dawid Malan 25*, Jasprit Bumrah 2-15).
Indian International Student Vishal Jood: Picture Source: Facebook
Indian international student Vishal Jood has been ordered to be released on 15th October 2021.
Appearing before Magistrate David Price at Parramatta Local Court today, the NSW’s Department of Public Prosecutor withdrew eight charges. Following which Vishal pleaded guilty in a plea bargain to 3 minor charges of altercation which were reported to have happened on 16 September 2020 and 14 February 2021.
Police had initially laid 10 charges against Vishal arising out of four separate incidents. Police had requested the DPP to prosecute the matter before a District Court jury. However, the DPP elected for the matter to remain in the Local Court.
In court today morning Vishal’s lawyer played video pieces of evidence to prove that Vishal was provoked by a group of individuals as these incidences happened.
“A police request to lay a further charge under section 93Z of the Crimes Act of publicly threatening or inciting violence on grounds of religion was not sanctioned by the DPP.”
Vishal will serve a total sentence of 6 months for all three offences. Since he has been in custody since 16 April 2021, his sentence will be back-dated to that date.
14 February 2021 incident
Vishal’s counsel played a video to the court of a Farmers Rally at Quakers Hill in Sydney in December 2020. The video showed Vishal unfurling the Tiranga, following which over a dozen goons surrounded him, pushed and dragged him and assaulted him repeatedly. The crowd was chanting “Modi kutta, Modi kutta.”
The court heard that following this rally, Vishal received numerous threats on social media from anti-India elements.
On 14 February 2021, Vishal attended the Tiranga car rally, his counsel told the court. At the end of the rally, a dozen or so of the organisers (including women) were having refreshments at Jones Park, Parramatta at about 4:30 pm.
The organisers of the rally were approached by a group of over 100 Indian males. They were swearing and shouting slogans such as “Modi Murdabad.”
The court was told the group surrounded the rally organisers and demanded the names and car registration numbers of the “boys” who had been at the Tiranga rally. After making threats, the group left.
Evidence from another witness, who was present at Wigram Street, Harris Park between 5 pm and 7 pm on that day, was tendered to the court. His evidence was that he observed three groups of Indian males loitering in the area. Some were armed with weapons. Photos of two of the men armed with golf clubs were presented to the court.
The witness observed a number of cars driving slowly around the area and its occupants speaking to the groups of men. He then saw some of the men yelling and running in the middle of Wigram Street, armed with rod-like weapons.
At some point, a large group marched along Wigram Street chanting anti-India slogans such as “Modi Kutta hae.”
Vishal’s case was that at approximately 7 pm, he was standing on Wigram Street when he heard one of the car” occupant’s yelling, “There’s Rahul Jood.”
Several people came out of one of the cars. One of them ran towards Vishal armed with a baseball bat. Vishal took the bat off him and smashed a window of the nearest car with it, to scare away his attackers.
He pleaded guilty to being armed with a weapon (a baseball bat) with intent to commit an indictable offence and damaging property (the car window).
The learned magistrate found that these offences were below the medium range of objective seriousness.
16 September 2020 incident
Vishal pleaded guilty to one charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in the company as to this incident.
The Khalistani/Sikh angle
A number of documents were tendered to the court by Vishal’s counsel relating to the Khalistan movement and the Sikh religion, including:
A statement from a historian tracing the origins of the Sikh religion and the Khalistan movement as well as the acts of terror carried out by Khalistanis.
A reference from a Sikh Indian-based journalist in Haryana confirming the respect for Sikhs in that state by Hindus, including Vishal’s family.
References from two of Vishal’s Sikh friends in Sydney confirming that he has never disrespected the Sikh religion.
The DPP submitted that the 16 September 2020 offence was motivated by hatred for or prejudice against a group of people to which the offender believed the victim belonged (an aggravating factor under s 21A(2(h) of the Crimes Act):
Jood’s counsel pointed out that the Khalistani movement was not synonymous with the Sikh religion. He informed the court that Hindus and Sikhs had been living in harmony in India for the last 500 years.
The Khalistan movement is not a religious movement. Further, on the evidence before the court, Vishal’s conduct could simply not have been motivated by a prejudice against or hatred for Sikhs.
The learned magistrate did not accept that Vishal’s conduct was motivated by animosity towards Sikhs.
Judgement
Magistrate Price:
Found that Vishal had very good prospects of rehabilitation.
Found that Vishal had a great deal to offer to the community.
Counselled Vishal that “people will aggravate you,” but that he should resist the temptation to react in a violent manner.
Misleading website reports
Various reports from websites containing misleading reports about Vishal’s case were provided by his barrister to the court.
Reports floating on various dubious social media sites that Vishal had pleaded guilty to 10 charges and that he had admitted to targeting Sikhs are patently false.
Among the reports tendered, was a report by one “Vivek” which contained a photo of court 1.1 at Parramatta Local Court. It is understood that the publication was by one Vivek Kumar Asri.
Vishal’s counsel pointed out that it was a criminal offence to take photos inside a courtroom. Vivek, who was present in court, was warned by the magistrate to not take any further photos or make any recording. Vivek promised the court that he would not re-offend.
As for the claim by one website that it had received information about Vishal’s case from “…sources close to the case…” on 1 September 2021, the DPP, Parramatta Local Court and the NSW Police have each told Vishal’s solicitors that none of them had released any information about the case. The claim, therefore, appears to be a fabrication.
Legal team
Vishal was represented by Mr Amendra Singh of counsel instructed by Opal Legal.
In a new twist to the court case of Indian international student Vishal Jood, sources close to the case have told The Australia Today that he will be prosecuted in only two cases.
Mr Jood is now scheduled to appear in the Parramatta LC Court 13 on 2nd September 2021.
A person close to the case who doesn’t want to be named told The Australia Today that a plea bargain deal has been reached.
However further details will only be presented in the court of Magistrate K Thomson at 9:30 am on Thursday 2nd September.
As per the Court Schedule, the sentencing will also be done tomorrow. As the majority of charges dropped friends and family of Mr Jood are expecting his release as soon as possible.
Vishal’s brother from India told The Australia Today they are very hopeful of good news tomorrow.
“By the grace of Bajrang Bali Vishal will be with us soon, we are looking forward to his release from Sydney Prison.”
The two cases Vishal is pleading guilty to are both of minor altercation on 16 September 2020 and 14 February 2021.
The Australia Today has previously reported both incidents in which allegedly Khalistan supporters can be seen abusing and calling for a fight.
About the 14th February 2021 incident, a video was posted on the social media platform Tick-tock.
The Australia Today also got access to 14 February 2021 incidents photographs where a group of men can be seen armed with base bats, allegedly these men were there to fight with Vishal Jood.
A group of anti-India and separatist Khalistan movement supporters ran a coordinated campaign against Vishal Jood just for standing for the respect of the Indian tricolour. And in a wave of a misinformation campaign, few Sydney based players tried to manipulate facts to suit their dirty politics.
Hopefully, 2nd September’s court decision will help to expose these elements agendas, said one of Vishal’s close friends.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announcing lockdown will be extended: Picture Source: The Australia Today
This morning with 120 cases reported which is in triple figures with too many mystery cases and too many people infectious out in the community Premier Daniel Andrews decides to buy as much as time possible.
Premier Andrews says due to the ongoing level of community transmission and the continued number of unlinked cases popping up across the state, Victoria’s lockdown is extended.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has declared that almost all of the current lockdown restrictions will remain in place until 70 per cent of Victorians have had at least one dose of vaccine. This is estimated to be around 23 September.
Until 23rd September 2021 there will still be only five reasons to leave home: 1- Shopping for food and supplies, 2- Authorised work and study, 3- Care and caregiving, 4- Exercise, 5- And getting vaccinated.
Other restrictions – including mask-wearing – will stay the same.
However, from 11.59 pm on Thursday 2 September, playgrounds will re-open – with strict rules to keep everyone safe. Playgrounds will be for children under 12 with only one parent or carer, and adults should not remove their masks to eat or drink. Playgrounds will also have QR codes for checking in.
In-home care – like babysitters – will also be expanded to school-aged children but only if both parents are authorised, workers.
When 70 per cent of Victorians have had at least one vaccine dose Premier will look to ease restrictions a little further.
Premier Daniel Andrews said, “This is not where we wanted to be as a community, but we need to keep cases low so we can get more people vaccinated.”
“So my message is: if you are over 18 and you want to keep you and your family safe, don’t wait. AstraZeneca is available now. Make a booking to get vaccinated.”
At 70 per cent vaccination point, the 5km radius will expand to 10km – so exercise and shopping can take place up to 10km from your home. If there are no shops in your 10km radius, you’ll be able to travel to the ones closest to you.
Victorians will be able to exercise for an extra hour, for up to three hours per day. Outdoor personal training will be allowed with up to two people plus the trainer. Outdoor communal gym equipment and skateparks will reopen.
Private inspections of unoccupied premises for a new purchase or end of the lease will be permitted but only one household may attend at a time, with the agent staying outdoors during the inspection.
Victoria’s construction workforce will also be able to increase to 50 per cent when 90 per cent of their workers have received at least one vaccine dose, subject to epidemiology at the time.
Up to five staff will be able to work onsite at entertainment venues to broadcast performances.
Premier Andrews said while these restrictions are implemented state-wide for now, we will review the epidemiological conditions and subject to public health advice, we will consider easing parts of regional Victoria next week.
For senior students sitting year 12 exams from Tuesday 7 September until Friday 17 September a priority vaccination program will be put in place.
As part of this program, year 12 students will be given priority booking access at state-run clinics, as will their teachers and examiners. Students and teachers will need to book an appointment, as walk-ups are not available as part of this blitz.
Students and teachers will be able to book one of these priority appointments from Monday 6th September. The Department of Health and the Department of Education will work directly with schools, and students and parents will receive advice on how to arrange a booking through their schools.
As Victoria reaches the national cabinet threshold of 70 per cent and 80 per cent of people double dose vaccinated, Premier is inclined to ease more restrictions at set intervals, as part of the National Plan to transition Australia’s National COVID-19 Response.
Getting vaccinated has never been more important – it is well and truly Victoria’s way out of this pandemic.
“Nearly three weeks ago we announced a goal to administer 1 million doses in five weeks, and so far, we’ve delivered just under 500,000 doses,”
said Daniel Andrews
Anyone who is yet to be vaccinated, please book your appointment today – either in the state system or in your general practice or local pharmacy.
If have any questions or concerns you can talk to a GP, pharmacist or to a senior and experienced immuniser at our state-run sites.
The best vaccine is the vaccine you can get today – while we’re limited on Pfizer appointments because of supply, there are 72,745 Astra Zeneca appointments available across Victoria over the next three weeks.
Astra Zeneca is a safe and effective vaccine – and if that’s what’s available, then that’s what you should get.
All Victorians are encouraged where possible to book their vaccination appointment by visiting portal.cvms.vic.gov.au or by phoning the Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.
Major Gen. Chris Donahue leaving Kabul Airport: Picture Source: Jack Holt, U.S. Central Command Public Affairs
Carrying his rifle down by his side, Major General Chris Donahue, commander of the storied 82nd Airborne Division, became the last U.S. soldier to board the final flight out of Afghanistan a minute before midnight on Monday.
Taken with a night vision device from a side window of the C-17 transport plane, the ghostly green and black image of the general striding towards the aircraft waiting on the tarmac at Kabul’s Hamid Karzai Airport was released by the Pentagon hours after the United States ended its 20-year military presence in Afghanistan.
As a moment in history, the image of Donahue’s departure could be cast alongside that of a Soviet general, who led an armoured column across the Friendship Bridge to Uzbekistan, when the Red Army made its final exit from Afghanistan in 1989.
Completing a military operation that with the help of allies succeeded in evacuating 123,000 civilians from Afghanistan, the last planeload of U.S. troops left under cover of the night.
Though it is a still image, Donahue appears to be moving briskly, his face expressionless. He is wearing full combat gear, with night vision goggles atop his helmet, and a rifle by his side. He had yet to leave Afghanistan behind, and reach safety.
In contrast, the images of General Boris Gromov, commander of Soviet Union’s 40th Army in Afghanistan, show him walking arm-in-arm with his son on the bridge across the Amu Darya river carrying a bouquet of red and white flowers.
The U.S. and Soviet withdrawals from a country that has become known as a graveyard for empires were conducted in very different ways, but at least they avoided the calamitous defeat suffered by Britain in the First Anglo-Afghan War in 1842.
Pentagon announces the last plane carrying US forces has left Afghanistan, capping a 20-year war. pic.twitter.com/A8Ht3TiDUj
The abiding image from that conflict is Elizabeth Thompson’s oil painting “Remnants of an Army” depicting a solitary exhausted rider, military assistant surgeon William Brydon, swaying back in the saddle of an even more exhausted horse in the retreat from Kabul.Report ad
When Russia’s Red Army left, a pro-Moscow communist government was still in power and its army would fight on for three more years, whereas the U.S.-backed Afghan government had already capitulated and Kabul had fallen to the Taliban a little over two weeks before the Aug. 31 deadline for U.S. troops to depart.
Making an orderly exit, the last of Gromov’s 50,000 troops still suffered isolated attacks as they drove northwards to the Uzbek border, though they had paid mujahideen groups to secure safe passage along the way.
Gromov’s column crossed the Friendship Bridge on Feb. 15, 1989, ending the Soviet Union’s 10-year war in Afghanistan, during which more than 14,450 Soviet military personnel were killed.
Secretary of State Blinken gives updates after the U.S. meets its Aug. 31 withdrawal deadline. https://t.co/CtilelFJEB
Asked how he felt about returning to Soviet soil, Gromov is reported to have answered: “Joy, that we carried out our duty and came home. I did not look back.”Report ad
The final U.S. evacuation of Kabul will be judged by how many people were brought out, and how many were left behind.
But Donahue and his comrades will carry harrowing images from their chaotic last days in Kabul; parents passing babies to them across the razor wire, two young Afghans falling from a plane climbing high in the sky, and worst of all, the aftermath of an Islamic State suicide bomb attack outside the airport on Aug. 26 that killed scores of Afghans and 13 of their own.
Do you need to leave Australia citing emergency, compassionate or family reasons?
On 1 August 2021, the Minister for Health and Aged Care amended the Biosecurity Determination 2020.
Image source: The Hon. Greg Hunt, Minister for Health and Aged Care – Wikipedia.
So, from 11 August 2021Australian citizens and permanent residents ordinarily resident in a country outside Australia will not be automatically exempt from Australia’s outward travel restrictions.
Also, according to the Department of Home Affairs website, until 7 September 2021, travellers who arrive at the airport without an exemption, will be allowed to travel if their status as ordinarily resident overseas can be confirmed by an Australian Border Force officer at departure.
India Travel; Melbourne Airport; Picture Source: The Australia Today
DHA lists the following reasons that can allow you permission to leave:
Response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including the provision of aid
Travelling for business
Receiving urgent medical treatment that is not available in Australia
Urgent and unavoidable personal business
Compassionate and compelling grounds
Travel is in Australia’s national interest
Travelling overseas for a compelling reason for at least three months
Ordinarily resident in a country other than Australia
Representative image – source: Qantas – Facebook.
The number of Australians who have received approval to leave the country has gradually increased.
DHA says that it has made the process easier to use via an online portal where one request per person can be filed.
However, getting a travel exemption from the Department of Home Affairs isn’t easy.
You must provide evidence to support your claims.
A request to travel outside Australia may be finalised without further consideration if insufficient evidence is provided.
According to DHA, evidence may include:
passport/s
marriage certificate/s
birth certificate/s
death certificate/s
proof of relationship (for example, shared tenancy agreement, joint bank account etc.)*
proof that you are moving to another country on a long term basis such as leases, job offers and evidence your goods are being transported
proof of your current valid visa, including in Australia and/or overseas
letter from a doctor or hospital about any medical treatment/condition with statements on why travel is necessary
letter from your employer, or other evidence that you are travelling for a business reason
statement or evidence to show when you wish to return to Australia
any other proof you may have to support your claims.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews at Press Conference: Source: The Australia Today
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has stopped short of defining the ease in lockdown restriction as the state records 76 new COVID19 cases. Of the 76 locally acquired cases, 45 have been linked to known cases and outbreaks.
Mr Andrews says health experts are still in process of establishing thresholds for modest changes which can be made. That’s why these changes will be announced tomorrow on 1st of September Premier Press conference.
Premier Andrews explained that the thresholds won’t be much higher than zero, because that’s not safe. But if zero isn’t achievable, “we are better off for trying.”
“I want to make it very clear this will not be freedom day it will be very modest changes,”
Said Mr Andrews.
“I appreciate the response to needing some sort of road map, but I really truly hope they’ve got the full measure of this strain in consideration in terms of what goalposts are set – if it gets loose we WILL end up like NSW,” said Mr Andrews.
52 Victorians are now in hospital with COVID-19. Of the 15 of 16 people in ICU are on a ventilator. They’re aged between 38-72 and very few people in the hospital have been vaccinated.
Victoria’s active cases: 182 are children between 0-9, 125 between 10-19, 177 in their 20s and 158 in their 30s.
Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton says there is a “big spread” of COVID cases across metropolitan Melbourne, stretching from Melton to the Mornington Peninsula.
“There is a story behind each and every one of these cases, either of very significant illness, hospitalisation, ICU admission,”
said Mr Sutton.
Mr Sutton says health officials continue to see mystery cases popping up, particularly in Hobsons Bay, Wyndham and surrounds.
Of today’s 45 linked cases: – 17 to MyCentre – 9 to Shepparton – 3 to Millers Junction – 1 to Learning Sanctuary, Spotswood – 1 to St Kilda East – 1 to legal office in Melbourne’s outer east – 1 to Al-Taqwa – 1 to Fisherman’s Bend warehouse – 11 to existing cases
PM Narendra Modi's Maan Ki Baat video screen shot.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the global Indian Diaspora to cherish and preserve the Sanskrit language.
In his signature monthly radio program ‘Mann ki Baat,’ he said the language helps nurture knowledge and strengthens unity among the community.
“Through its thoughts and medium of literary texts, Sanskrit helps nurture knowledge and also national unity strengthens it. Sanskrit literature comprises the divine philosophy of humanity and knowledge which can captivate anyone’s attention.”
He said the efforts made in recent times have brought a new awareness about Sanskrit. “It is our collective duty to cherish our heritage, preserve it, pass it on to the new generation…. and future generations also have a right to it. Now is the time to increase everyone’s efforts for these works as well,” added Mr Modi.
“if you know of any such person engaged in this kind of effort if you have any such information, then please share the information related to them on social media with #CelebratingSanskrit,”
PM Modi urged.
He said that he got to know about many people who are engaged in the ‘inspirational’ work of teaching Sanskrit in foreign lands.
He mentioned an Irish national Rutger Kortenhorst who is a Sanskrit scholar and teaches Sanskrit to the children in Ireland. Dr Chirapat Prapandavidya and Dr Kusuma Rakshamani, both of them are playing a very important role in the promotion of the Sanskrit language in Thailand.
Another such professor is Shriman Boris Zakharin, who teaches Sanskrit at Moscow State University in Russia.
However, PM Modi’s mention about Sydney Sanskrit School bought the loudest cheers in Australia, where the Sanskrit language is taught to a large number of students. For children, Sydney schools also organise programs like Sanskrit Grammar Camp, Sanskrit Plays and Sanskrit Day.
School’s Principal Dr Meena Srinivasan says this day is very special for every person associated with Sydney Sanskrit School, and a very emotional one for me.
She told The Australia Today, “The recognition of our Sanskrit language efforts along with many others makes us work harder to establish Sanskrit schools in at least every capital city of Australia.”
Sydney Sanskrit School was established in 2006 as the First Community Language Sanskrit School in the Southern Hemisphere.
Starting with humble beginnings with a handful of students in Liverpool the school has steadily grown to several hundred students to four locations in Sydney, and programs in Melbourne and Brisbane.
Sydney Sanskrit School’s Principal Dr Meena Srinivasan and President Karthik Subramanian
The school surfed over the pandemic reaching out to students in remote areas through online sessions. There are over 70 students in Melbourne in 4 locations.
One of the laurels of the school is the induction of former students as teachers. Upon completing their HSC, students have the option to be trained as teachers, the school has a comprehensive training program. Now, school has over 15 Sanskrit teachers and with community support, the school hopes to establish classes across Australia.
SSS has developed an extensive K-12 Curriculum based on Australian teaching methodology and is aware that students are learning Sanskrit as a foreign language in Australia. Textbooks have been designed and published by the school in line with the syllabus developed.
“Learn Sanskrit with fun” is the school motto, this is augmented through residential Autumn camps and Intensive Paniniyam Grammar camps. Besides, the school participates in cultural programs while conducting the annual school day in Samaskrutotsavam, where all the dance and drama are in Sanskrit.
Sydney Sanskrit School Co-founder and President Karthik Subramanian said We as a community language school are the joint efforts of families, educationalists, visionaries and community leaders.
With reverence to First Australians, the SSS had a project with the Dharawal (South Western Sydney of Aboriginal Community) and published an Interlanguage Sanskrit-Dharawal Sing alone songbook for children.
“All the trials and hardships of the last 15 years that got us to this recognition all rolled out a movie in front of my eyes. Our efforts continue further vigorously with this boost from Modiji himself,” added Ms Meenakshi.
By Bidgee - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6030480
Australian shares finished the week slightly lower to record their second consecutive weekly loss with retail in the spotlight as spending is curbed by continuing lockdowns. Wesfarmers was the biggest drag on the index despite recording a record profit.
Wesfarmers which owns Officeworks, Kmart and Bunnings booked a 40.2% surge in full-year net profit and declared a $2 per share return on capital, amounting to $2.3 bn to investors.
Wesfarmers also reported that sales in Bunnings have so far declined 4.7% in the current financial year with sales on Target and Kmart down 14.3% over the same period last year as lockdowns continue to impact the retailers.
Australia’s other leading retailer Woolworth also delivered bumper full-year earnings and rewarded shareholders but cautioned that sales were down so far in 2021/22 due to lockdowns.
Representative Image Woolworth: PR
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has also unsurprisingly reported a 2.7% seasonally adjusted fall in retail turnover in July, the biggest monthly fall this year, as lockdowns continue to impact most parts of the nation.
The retail sector was particularly hard hit in NSW where the month of July resulted in a 9% decline in turnover. It was the third biggest monthly decline in retail ever recorded in Australia and the largest monthly decline for any state or territory since August last year.
With about 35% of potential trading days lost in the first seven weeks of this financial year and with lockdowns dragging in NSW and Victoria retail spending is likely to continue to fall in August and September.
Melbourne Lockdown; Picture Source: Twitter
Reece Plumbing also shed 15.3% despite booking a 25% increase in profit as the company said the December half of the year remains highly uncertain.
Lynas, the world’s largest rare earth miner outside China was another drag on the market. Even though Lynas recorded an eightfold increase from the prior year at $157 million, the shares were dumped by the investors after it did not declare a final dividend.
The major banks however balanced the falls with all four bans rising for the week. Qantas also gained 21.2% for the week after it laid out plans to restart international travel by end of the year.
The announcement from Qantas also boosted other travel stocks with Webjet gaining 15.9%, Flight Centre advancing 22.9% and Corporate travel adding 10.9% for the week.
Image: Wikipedia.
Gold recorded its third straight weekly rise to close above the USD 1800 mark on Friday as super dovish Federal provided clarity that it is in no hurry to raise interest rates any time soon. Gold investors geared up all week in preparation for US Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole symposium on Friday.
Gold, which is usually considered a haven has had a volatile year so far with US policymakers continuously shifted focus from wanting to begin tapering sooner and pushing it beyond 2021.
With Jerome Powell easing concerns that the policymakers will soon tighten monetary policy the US Dollar sank against most major currencies making the yellow metal attractive for holders of other currencies.
With Treasury yields also declining it also boosted the non-interest bearing precious metal’s appeal further and helped gold reach $1819.50/ounce.
Strong demand for gold jewellery from China also helped in gold recovery. A strong surge in patriotism especially amongst people in their 20s and 30s and the e-commerce boom have fuelled a strong demand in demand for heritage Chinese gold jewellery thus helping the nation recover from a pandemic induced slump.
According to World Gold Council a surge in demand for Chinese heritage gold jewellery, which can command premiums of 20% or more, have resulted in China – the world’s largest consumer of the metal- more than doubling its gold sales compared to the first half of the year in 2021. Major Chinese jewellers have reported that their heritage gold collections are doing well especially among young customers.
Part of heritage gold jewellery’s appeal, especially amongst younger customers, reflects a desire to be patriotic and is considered by many Western countries as a symbol of the Chinese younger generation’s backlash against Western brands in China who raised concerns over allegations of human rights abuse in the region of Xingjiang.
The strong demand from China has also eased concerns raised by the World Gold Council about demand from India, the world’s second-largest gold consumer, declining as the pandemic hits the wedding season. Gold is traditionally included as a gift to daughters during weddings in India.
After a temporary reversal in prices, oil too resumed its bullish momentum last week. Boosted by a strong hurricane forecast in the Gulf of Mexico, which ignited supply disruptions concerns the oil recorded its best weekly gains in over a year.
With hurricane Ida expected to hit over the weekend, the energy companies began winding up the production thus boosting oil prices.
Historically speaking oil prices always rises when the hurricane season approaches even though the refineries do not need oil when they are shut down due to the storm.
A fall in the US dollar following comments from US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and simmering tensions in Afghanistan also supported oil prices.
Energy traders are pushing crude prices higher in anticipation of disruptions in output and supplies due to weather and political events. In addition, there are growing expectations that with a continuous rise in Delta variant cases globally the OPEC+ nations may resist raising oil output.
Technically speaking with the Crude Oil taking over the 100 DMA at $68.06 the energy traders will be eyeing a fresh upswing towards 50-day DMA at $70.40 with $67.61 providing fresh support.
The 14 day RSI holds firmer above the midline, suggesting there is room for more upside.
The Australian Dollar found some support this week as risk assets strengthened after US Dollar pulled back across the board. While data from Australia was mixed with retail figures disappointing but private Capex beating expectations, it was a rise in iron ore prices that provided much-needed stability to the Australian Dollar.
China re-opening its ports was also seen as a piece of positive news for the Australian Dollar. Over the last fortnight, we saw the devastating impact the closure of Chinese ports had on the local currency. Iron ore, by far Australia’s largest export, is highly dependant on China and traders will be keeping a close eye on China for any changes that may impact iron price in the future.
Commodities such as gold, iron, copper, oil are all priced in US dollars. As such when US Dollar goes down it boosts commodity prices as the commodities become more attractive for holders of other currencies. With Australia being one of the largest exporters of iron, gold and copper it is no surprise that the fall in the Greenback following Jerome Powell’s speech on Friday resulted in a strong rally for the Australian Dollar.
Looking ahead, however, the inter-relation between various markets is expected to impact the Australian Dollar, with the Delta strain raging havoc in NSW and Victoria the upside seems to be capped for the time being.
The ongoing pandemic continues to disrupt the local economy and any change in global risk status may see the Australian Dollar getting sold first. With Australian trade data out this week, the market will be focussing on monthly building numbers and second-quarter GDP numbers. The investors will also be looking at the RBA meeting on 07 September for further direction on the Australian Dollar.
In regards to the Indian Rupee, like all other currencies, Rupee too benefited from a fall in US Dollar and move towards risk assets. The Rupee’s resurgence in recent weeks is largely been supported by recent IPO-related inflows in the Indian market, which also saw the Indian Sensex reach new record highs.
Uncertainty over Delta variant of COVID and a potential third wave in October as forecasted by analysts may however impact the foreign portfolio investments. Despite a strong surge in the Indian stock market, foreign investors are cautious. An increase in COVID cases or the onset of the third wave as predicted in October may dent the investor risk appetite and urge foreign investors to move towards safety.
The Rupees recent gains were also supported by a fall in global oil prices which saw oil drop as much as $11 a barrel in the first three weeks of August with China imposing lockdown. That situation has since reversed with oil prices reversing the trend last week. India imports 70% of its oil requirements and oil prices amount to the most important source of forex outflow for India. As such any rise in oil prices impacts Rupee negatively.
Even though the RBI governor in his recent monetary policy announced measures to curb inflationary prices through absorption of excess liquidity in the banking system, many analysts believe a continuously rising inflation remains a threat to the Rupee’s gains against other currencies such as Australian and US Dollar in the weeks and months ahead.
In the world of Cryptocurrencies, the inability of Bitcoin to clear the USD 50,000 mark saw traders losing patience and collecting profits. The slide however was limited as traders reacted positively to Jerome Powell’s comments on tapering of asset purchases. As US stocks surged to an all-time high following the Fed reserve Chairman’s comments Bitcoin too rallied $1500 in less than an hour.
If Bitcoin can reclaim the $50,000 mark it will set itself up for a phenomenal bull run next week. A repeated failure however to break above the $50,000 mark may prove to be damaging in the short-run however and could see Bitcoin retrace back to Fibonacci retrace levels of 38.2% at $45,495 and 50% at $43,931.
A break and close above $50,000 may however see Bitcoin rally to its next key fib target at $58,849.
In regards to the altcoins, most altcoins were down for the week, however, a strong rally in Bitcoin on Friday meant they recovered most of their losses to end the week marginally lower. We have had a bullish bias on Stellar Lumens, Cardano and Polka Dot and would continue to keep our bullish bias in these coins until unless there is a major turnaround in crypto prices.
In agricultural products a worsening outlook for crop season in the US and Canada, a poor start to harvest season in Russia, tightening supplies of crop grains and fears that Hurricane Ida could stall the harvest and disrupt vessel loadings in New Orleans all combined to raise prices for soy, corn and wheat.
The weaker wheat supply outlook as a result of dry, hot weather conditions in the Northern Hemisphere have continued to raise concerns about food supplies.
While corn prices found strong support from demand for US supplies after declines in the size of Brazil harvest. Severe drought conditions in Brazil, the world’s second-largest exporter of corn, resulted in 88% of the 2.46 million hectares of corn being harvested in poor conditions thus resulting in a significant reduction in expected production.
USA soybean also found itself in demand from China with the US Department of Agriculture confirming private sales for 129,000 tonnes of US soybeans to China for delivery in 2021/22 marketing year beginning from 01 September.
Author: Ateev Dang is a trader and trading coach by profession. He runs 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 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.
Currently, Afghanistan is in a state of flux, but being a researcher and historian to find the reasons for this havoc, one has to depend on primary and secondary sources, but many readers do not know the difference between these sources and usually get carried away with misinformation or misinterpretation.
Therefore, in order to understand a historical event at any given point, the historian implies its historian craft to find answers to six questions that are 5 Ws (what had happened? when the event happened? where did it take place? why did it happen? who was it about) and an H (How did it happen).
These questions are of prime significance if one needs to determine whether they are primary and secondary sources. In order to determine the distinction between them, the ‘time factor’ of authoring that event plays a prominent role, e.g. first hand is usually immediately following the event whereas second hand is conveying the experience and opinion of others.
Although the categorisation of both primary and secondary sources are not fixed, it depends on the study or research is was/is undertaken. This op-ed enlightens the readers on the understanding of these two sources and their usage.
Historical research is highly dependent upon the primary sources, as it is written at the time or soon after the historical event had occurred. The author/s of these sources is someone who has experienced or witnessed the event in question.
These first-hand/original accounts are considered valuable/more authentic historical records, and it belongs to the period under the study by the historian, and they are not filtered by interpretation or any assessment. For example, memoirs and autobiographies, old newspapers, autobiographies, archaeological artefacts, original accounts, journals, manuscripts, oral accounts, government records, census records, letters, oral histories, speeches and diaries, photographs, manuscripts, sketches etc.
It is mainly included as raw data, new observations or experiments that are published, reported or recorded for the first time. These records can be produced later by eyewitnesses or even by the participants.
Picture Source: Twitter @HinduHistory
A historian heavily depends on primary sources for history writings and explaining the causation of any event at a particular time and space. Researchers may use the primary source to come much closer to the original ideas, events and empirical research. These sources are considered more authoritative in historical value, as they represent original thinking, thoughts, reports, or events, that are usually created at the time the event had occurred.
Thus, if one is researching about the past that is not directly accessible due to lapse of time, so the researcher has to depend on the primary sources that were written at the time of an event by the participant or witnesses. When research is period-based rather than event-based, the breadth of potential primary sources expands significantly.
Reproductions of original materials continue to be important for many research objectives. Some characteristics are dependent more on the source’s viewpoint and the context in which the source is utilised by the researcher. Though primary sources are considered of high historical value, these sources are most widely scattered and accessibility of these large number of documents sometimes become challenging, as historians have to visit archives, documentation centres, old libraries, excavating sites or archaeological evidence.
Even the primary sources have biases and objectivity because every document is biased, whether intentionally or unintentionally, by the author of that source; it is mostly one point of view and may contain a person’s bias or prejudice towards an event. Another problem with primary source is that it may not cover all the information on a particular theme, which the researcher is researching, e.g. a traveller’s record may give diverse kinds of information on various themes that may not be of use of research who is studying on a particular theme.
Second hand: Secondary Sources
A secondary source is a work that interprets, analyzes, explains, synthesis, evaluates, or restatement of primary sources.
These sources are written or documented many years after a historical event or phenomenon. It is authored by another historian/researcher, who may not witness that historical event. For example, most of the scholarly and popular books, reference books, textbooks, monographs, encyclopaedias, literature reviews, biographies, journals and magazines, dissertations, newspaper editorials, opinion pieces, research articles.
It is not firsthand information, but it is gathered by using primary sources as a source of evidence. The usage of primary sources can be made differently by secondary authors to argue a contention or persuade the reader to convince the author’s arguments. These sets of sources are usually not considered as original evidence but rather a commentary on, interpretation of an event or discussion of evidence.
In the secondary source, the research need not be an expert but only need to comprehend the primary authors’ interpretation and develop an opinion on a primary source.
Picture Source: From Hinduphobia to Hindumisia.
Subject Classification
Various research fields/subjects have different primary and secondary sources, every researcher needs to be aware of these differences. Sciences consider a finding of the test, experiments, observations, discoveries, statistical data, and other original research as a part of a primary source, whereas the interpretation and discussion of the results or test data in books and journals are considered secondary.
The literature considers novels, plays, short stories, poems, diaries, films and performances, and autobiographies as primary sources, whereas journals articles, biographies, reviews, secondary books, and articles are secondary.
Social sciences consider the physical objects, archaeological records, numismatics, inscriptions, memoirs, travellers records, newspaper records, original writings, government records, court records, legal texts, speeches, interviews, sculptures, original work of arts and paintings, photographs, statistical records, datasets while commentary and evaluation of reports, documents, books, journals and articles as secondary.
Conclusion
There is no historical record that can be considered as entirely objective, as it is written by someone present at the time of the event that carries his/her personal biases to write/record the primary source, whereas this prejudice becomes even higher when the secondary sources are written based on the biasness of the primary source.
Author: Dr Sakul Kundra, A.HOD Department of Social Science, College of Humanities and Education, Fiji National University.
In an interview with Indian media former Australia pacer Michael Kasprowicz, popularly known as ‘Kaspa,’ has shared that he would love to see ‘Smart Ball’ used in gully cricket in India.
A Smart Ball has an electronic microchip installed inside and it can provide important data such as speed, spin and power right from the 22 yards.
This ball has been developed by sports technology company Sportcor in collaboration with leading ball manufacturer Kookaburra.
Image source: Wikipedia.
Kaspa who is also the chairman and co-owner of Sportcor said that the ball may sell roughly around 200 dollars.
He added that it would be fantastic to see this ball being used in gully cricket.
“To be honest, one day I’ve got high hopes and the dream on mine is to get this into gully cricket.”
Kaspa played for the first time in India in 1998 on the Australian cricket tour.
“It was easily the most challenging thing I’ve ever done. But I just loved it, I loved it so much, the energy, the people, to a point where I came back to Australia I kept talking about loving India, I learnt some great skills on that trip which meant that the media in Australia referred to me as subcontinent specialist.”
He acknowledged that amongst the South Asian cricket playing nations India holds a very special place in his heart.
“It gives me great joy to be able to bring something like the smart ball and the technology to India, where I would love to make this into a gully cricket ball and get everybody using it.”
Image source: YouTube.
Kaspa feels confident that Smart Ball can revolutionize cricket as it gives the player feedback.
“Every bit of sports tech we see right now is for the fan, in the sense that’s it’s in the broadcast, in decision reviews, and for the strength and conditioning coach or the trainer. There is not a lot of feedback that gets to the player.
So (it’s great) to be involved with the product which is able to give the player the data and feedback from the ball. It really gives an insight into their action and helping them with the feel.”
In the Smart Ball, the cork rubber core of the traditional ball has been replaced by a specially designed core that carries the electronic chip and a non-rechargeable battery.
“I am delighted to announce today Australia has kind of agreed to do an early harvest agreement with India. They had sent a special trade envoy, former prime minister Tony Abbott with whom we had extensive discussions.”
Mr Goyal also urged all Indian businesses to assess the key areas to work with Australia on a give and take basis.
Image source: Piyush Goyal – Wikipedia.
“I URGE ALL OF YOU TO QUICKLY ASSESS WHICH ARE THE AREAS WHERE WE CAN FINALISE THE EARLY HARVEST WITH AUSTRALIA, WHAT ARE THE AREAS OF YOUR INTEREST, WHAT ARE THE AREAS WHERE YOU CAN LET GO A LITTLE BIT, AND ON A GIVE AND TAKE BASIS, WE CAN THEN CLOSE THE AUSTRALIAN ENGAGEMENT. ONE EARLY HARVEST WITH A LARGE COUNTRY LIKE AUSTRALIA FROM THE DEVELOPED WORLD, WILL HELP US TO ENGAGE WITH OTHERS, ON SIMILAR LINES.”
Australia and India have been negotiating for a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement.
India is hopeful that a clearer engagement with Australia will give it the strong footing to deal with countries such as the USA, Canada and Israel.
Jim Varghese is National Chair of Australia India Business Council.
In the virtual edition of this years Australia India Business CouncilAnnual Australia India Address he said:
“The comprehensive strategic partnership signed by Prime Minister, Scott Morrison and Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has far-reaching implications for this relationship.”
Mr Varghese added:
“With the renewed commitment of both governments to work more closely will track up the bilateral relationship to its next level.”
Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbottlast month travelled to India as a special envoy of the Australian government to ignite the process.
Speaking at the Annual Australia India Address, He said his recent visit to India was aimed at progressing Australia’s significant bilateral economic and trade relationship under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
“Most of India’s exports to Australia come in, without tariffs or quotas, and those that do attract a quota. It’s a comparatively small 5%. Most of Australia’s exports to India, on the other hand, are subject to tariffs and quotas. Our wide exports face an extraordinary 150% tariff.”
Mr Abbott added:
“What we should be hoping for, before the end of the year, at the very least, is an early harvest agreement on the principal goods that pass between our two countries, there are 100 tariff lines that constitute about 98% by value of our two-way trade.”
Sydney based Harsh Shah is India Services Group Leader at Deloitte.
He says with the prominence of the growing middle class with rising incomes and the global reorientation, it is very easy to see why consumption is going to dominate trade in India, it is no longer a viable excuse for Australian businesses to put India in the too hard basket.
“When we think about the skies, we think about launching satellites together, sharing of data. All of these present tremendous opportunities for both countries.”
Mr Shah adds:
“It is not going to be easy, but with the focus on the Five Eyes and the QUAD relationship, India and Australia have a real opportunity to re-establish the global defence and strategic ties.”
Manpreet Vohra, High Commissioner of India to Australia acknowledges the re-engagements of CECA and FTA, which highlights Indian and Australia’s shared challenges, opportunities and objectives. Confirming it is time to take the trade and economic relations to a much higher trajectory.
“I think, it should be very exciting news for Australian business. They must appreciate that India today is actually an easy and welcoming place for business, and one of the most attractive destinations for foreign direct investment.”
Sheba Nandkeolyar, former AIBC National Chair agrees and acknowledges the long-standing commitment to the Australia India bilateral relationship.
She says with an open and globalised market of 1.3 billion people, India offers Australian businesses excellent opportunities for investment, export and manufacturing.
Anil Wadhwa, former Indian Ambassador has a clear view about continuing to work towards the comprehensive agreement between Australia and India.
He says If India is to be kept engaged in these negotiations as we go forward, and the option of phasing out, tariff reductions will need to be worked out as well. Reduced tariffs on rare earth and minerals, which are much needed for India’s next-generation products and programmes.
“Australia could also be accommodative in selected services areas, like financial and cyber security technologies, cloud computing, labour-intensive services for its remote areas, or a limited FDA would cover critical minerals and technologies, pharmaceuticals and chemicals.”
Do you know this 29-year-old man Rajender Singh of Indian origin? He is wanted by police for theft and contravening a Community Corrections Order.
Victoria Police has issued three warrants for his arrest. Rajender Singh is known to frequent the Casey and Dandenong areas.
He is 175cm tall and of medium build with a tanned complexion. If you know him or have seen him somewhere please contact www.crimestoppersvic.com.au or call 1800 333 000.
Australia Post has disclosed to Fair Work Ombudsman that it underpaid 19,500 former workers about $1.8 million, before interest.
In a statement, Australia Post said that they found the underpayments as a result of an audit spanning 1 August 2013 to 31 August 2019.
This was due to a payroll error that miscalculated how much annual leave the Australia Post staff should be paid out upon leaving the service.
A spokesperson for Australia Post told the Sydney Morning Herald that they are contacting the former employees who had been underpaid.
“We are very disappointed that some of our former employees did not receive their full accrued annual leave entitlement. We are grateful that we have the compliance controls in place to uncover mistakes so we can do the right thing in response.”
A spokesperson for the Fair Work Ombudsman said it would conduct an investigation into Australia Post after it self-reported its underpayments and urged staff with concerns to contact it on 13 13 94.
“We expect any employers that identify non-compliance to fully cooperate with our investigations to ensure that employees are quickly repaid their entitlements.”
Australia Post has apologised for the error and said that the underpaid staff will be repaid with interest.
NSW recorded 1,029 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8 pm last night.
Despite the rising case numbers people across NSW who have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed more freedoms next month after NSW hit the target of six million jabs.
This is the first step in the roadmap and further freedoms will follow for those who have had the jab when the state hits new vaccination targets of 70 and 80 per cent.
The following individual freedoms will be allowed for adults who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
From 12.01am, Monday, 13 September:
For those who live outside the LGAs of concern, outdoor gatherings of up to five people (including children) will be allowed in a person’s LGA or within 5km of home.
For those who live in the LGAs of concern, and who have responded to the call out to get vaccinated, households with all adults vaccinated will be able to gather outdoors (including picnics) within the existing rules (for one hour only, outside curfew hours and within 5km of home).
Premier Gladys Berejiklian thanked the people across NSW who came forward to receive their vaccine, helping hit the six million doses target.
“We are so grateful for every person who comes forward to get vaccinated because the more jabs we get into arms, the sooner we can lift restrictions,”
Ms Berejiklian said.
“We appreciate the community’s patience in the lead up to 13 September, this additional time will allow the recent surge of vaccines to take effect.”
As part of the roadmap when the following targets are hit, freedoms will be as follows:
70 per cent full vaccination: a range of family, industry, community and economic restrictions to be lifted for those who are vaccinated.
80 per cent full vaccination: further easing of restrictions on industry, community and the economy.
The government is also investigating trials of certain industries in coming months, as a proof-of-concept measure to prepare the businesses to open up and operate in a COVID-safe way.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said this roadmap is our path to freedom and is our biggest incentive yet to get vaccinated so we can return to a level of normality.
“The roadmap announced today outlines a clear pathway forward in which a range of family, industry, community and economic restrictions will be lifted for those that are fully vaccinated when NSW hits 70 per cent,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Having a meal with loved ones, or having a drink with friends is just around the corner, but to get there, we need to keep up momentum in the vaccination rollout.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said two doses of the vaccine not only helps protect people from hospitalisation and death, but also helps reduce transmission.
“Two vaccine doses leads to around a 90 per cent overall reduction in transmission of the virus,”
Mr Hazzard said.
Of NSW’s locally acquired cases, 185 are linked to a known case or cluster – 160 are household contacts and 25 are close contacts – the source of infection for 844 cases under investigation.
Ninety-one people were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 33 were in isolation for part of their infectious period. Sixty-one cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of 844 cases remains under investigation.
Five new cases were acquired overseas in the 24 hours to 8 pm last night and 18 previously reported cases have been excluded following further investigation.
The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 21,282.
NSW Health has reported the recent deaths of three people who had COVID-19. Three men who were being cared for in the community in western Sydney died at their homes – a man in his 30s, a man in his 60s, and a man in his 80s.
This brings the number of COVID- related deaths to 79 since 16 June 2021, and the number of lives lost to 135 since the beginning of the pandemic.
There are currently 698 COVID-19 cases admitted to the hospital, with 116 people in intensive care, 43 of whom require ventilation.
151,272 COVID-19 tests reported upto 8 pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 149,252. NSW Health administered 51,232 COVID-19 vaccines in the 24 hours to 8 pm last night, including 11,754 at the vaccination centre at Sydney Olympic Park.
The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 6,280,700. With 2,304,017 doses administered by NSW Health to 8 pm last night and 3,976,683 administered by the GP network and other providers to 11:59 pm on Tuesday 24 August 2021.
Of the 1,029 locally acquired cases reported to 8 pm last night, 403 are from Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 309 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 112 are from Sydney LHD, 71 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 35 are from Western NSW LHD, 57 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 17 are from Northern Sydney LHD, six are from Far West LHD, two are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, two are from Central Coast LHD, no new cases for Hunter New England LHD and 15 cases are yet to be assigned.
Across the Western NSW Local Health District, there have been 35 new cases of COVID-19 reported to 8 pm last night.
Health authorities are urging people in the affected areas throughout Western NSW need to be extremely vigilant and get tested at the first sign of symptoms.
Due to ongoing concerns about community transmission, stay-at-home orders in place for regional NSW will be extended by two weeks, until at least 11:59 pm on 10 September, in line with existing orders for the Greater Sydney area.
Everyone must stay at home unless they have a reasonable excuse to leave. They also cannot have visitors in their homes from outside their households, including family and friends.
If you have severe COVID-19 symptoms such as breathlessness or chest pain and need care, call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance straight away.
When calling Triple Zero (000), make sure to let the operator know you are or are likely to be COVID-19 positive. pic.twitter.com/3dy55VSwKL
If you are not booked in for a COVID-19 vaccine, book an appointment as soon possible. The NSW Government will waive the ambulance fee for patients unwell with, or suspected to have, COVID-19.
There are several options to receive your ‘proof of COVID-19 vaccination’:
If you can’t get proof online, your vaccination provider can print your immunisation history statement for you.
Call the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809 (Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm) and ask for your statement to be sent to you. It can take up to 14 days to arrive in the post.
If you’re not eligible for Medicare you can call the Australian Immunisation Register and request your certificate be mailed to you or add your COVID-19 certificate to your digital wallet using the Individual Healthcare Identifiers service (IHI service) through myGov.
One consequence of the escalating COVID outbreak in New South Wales has been increased political tension around the “national plan” for COVID reopening.
The prime minister has argued that states signed up to the plan – albeit “in principle”, whatever that means – and they should do whatever the plan says, whenever the plan says to do it.
Some premiers are now pushing back, arguing the Doherty Institute modelling was based on certain assumptions which no longer hold true to the previous agreement no longer stands.
There are three distinct questions at issue here. Is the Doherty Institute modelling still applicable? How does the national plan stack up? And what should happen next?
1. Is the Doherty Institute modelling still applicable?
The Doherty Institute was given a very specific remit. It was asked “to define a target level of vaccine coverage for transition to Phase B of the national plan”, where lockdowns would be “less likely, but possible”.
In identifying the vaccination coverage target for the transition to Phase B, Doherty’s experts assumed that testing, tracing, isolation, and quarantine (TTIQ), would be central to maintaining lower case numbers.
They highlighted two scenarios in terms of testing-tracing-isolation-quarantine capacity – an “optimal” scenario and a “partially effective” scenario – summarised in the table below.
Doherty Institute modelling outcomes
TTIQ = testing, tracing, isolation, and quarantine. This assumes an all adults vaccination allocation strategy. Doherty Institute
While these numbers may look acceptable, the assumptions underlying them are now hanging by a thread.
We assume that once community transmission becomes established leading to high caseloads, TTIQ [testing-tracing-isolation-quarantine] is less efficacious than the optimal levels observed in Australia because public health response capacity is finite.
This tells us that given our current high case numbers, we can probably only assume, at best, “partially effective” testing-tracing-isolation-quarantine capacity.
It’s also important to note the Doherty modelling did not incorporate scenarios where the virus was in uncontrolled spread after target vaccination levels are achieved.
But it now seems unlikely that NSW – and maybe even Victoria – will be able to suppress COVID down to zero before any vaccination target is reached.
If lockdowns are eased according to the modelled targets, while there is still substantial community transmission, testing-tracing-isolation-quarantine is unlikely to be enough to suppress further spread sufficiently, potentially resulting in higher numbers of hospitalisations and deaths than initially modelled.
2. How does the national plan stack-up?
The federal government used the Doherty Institute report’s findings as the basis of the “national plan” it put to National Cabinet.
But it glossed over the options, scenarios, and caveats in the Doherty modelling, and assumed the most optimistic testing-tracing-isolation-quarantine scenario: that everything would be rosy if Australia started opening up once 70% of adults (equivalent to only just over half the population) are vaccinated.
The transition to Phase C, where lockdowns would be targeted and vaccinated people would be exempt from restrictions, was also optimistically adopted at 80% adult vaccination, despite the lack of modelling for this scenario in the Doherty report
In a bid to make it appear convincing – but also realistic, given all the uncertainty – a veil of vagueness was cast over the national plan. The document is full of weasel words and caveats, which means it is impossible for anyone to be held to account.
But the severity of the New South Wales outbreak has forced some of our leaders to take off the rose-coloured glasses and adopt a more realistic view. Premiers are now saying they did not sign up to high death tolls.
According to Doherty modelling, deaths could reach 1,500 within six months of implementing Phase B. Agreeing to such a scenario is politically untenable for states that currently have zero cases.
3. So, what should happen next?
With states divided over the national plan, and the modelling potentially out of date, it’s time for National Cabinet to come back with a new approach. We need a revised national plan – one that all states can sign up to, one that is not full of caveats and conditions.
This should include a realistic plan for scaling up testing-tracing-isolation-quarantine capacity so that it can manage in a feasible way when each infected person could have at least ten new contacts per day.
And it should include a plan to protect primary schools and childcare centres while a vaccine remains unavailable for younger children.
But our model was about Phase D – what Australia needs to do to avoid obtrusive restrictions such as lockdowns altogether – which was not modelled by the Doherty Institute.
We argued that it is only safe to open the borders, to lift restrictions, and to manage without lockdowns and use only unobtrusive measures such as masks on public transport, if we vaccinate at least 80% of the total population and continue the vaccination rollout to 90% throughout 2022.
Recent modelling from other academics has come to similar conclusions, with some even suggesting a slightly higher threshold for safe re-opening.
Governments cannot keep making unrealistic promises about easing restrictions at 70% and 80% adult vaccination, a plan that relied on optimistic scenarios in the first place, and one that now bears little relation to the real world. It is irresponsible to build public momentum and hope around targets that are unlikely going to be enough.
Australia needs the National Cabinet to come clean and accept that the changing circumstances require a change in the plan.
Image source: HMAS Warramunga - Department of Defence, Australian Government
According to Department of Defence, the Royal Australian Navy will join key regional partners India, Japan and the United States for Exercise MALABAR 2021.
This is the second consecutive year that Australia has been invited to participate in Exercise MALABAR.
Last year, this exercise was conducted in Visakhapatnam, Bay of Bengal.
Image source: Department of Defence.
The Australian Navy will send one ship, an ASW helicopter, and special forces to MALABAR.
It is reported that ANZAC class frigate HMAS Warramunga will join ships and aircraft from participating nations.
Image source: Indian navy guided-missile destroyer INS Ranvijay (D55) – U.S. Navy photo
Indian Navy will be represented by two surface combatants led by Guided Missile Destroyer INS Ranvijay and Frigate INS Shivalik.
Apart from these, maritime reconnaissance aircraft P-8I, ASW helicopters and Special Forces (Marine Commandos-MARCOS) will also be part of the Indian side.
Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, AO, RAN
Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, said Australia’s participation in the multilateral Exercise MALABAR 2021 would strengthen our collective ability to contribute to regional security.
“Australia is committed to working closely with our partners to address shared regional challenges, including in the maritime domain. Our forces’ participation in Exercise MALABAR 2021 will enhance the region’s maritime interoperability and is a key cooperative activity between us.”
Vice Admiral Michael Noonan adds:
“We regularly work with India, Japan and the United States to build our professional relationships and strengthen the foundations for an open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific.”
Image source: Department of Defence
Exercise MALABAR will see forces conduct a range of maritime operations.
These include live firings and anti-submarine warfare operations.
This high-end military exercise will take place from August 25 to August 29 off the coast of Guam in the Indo-Pacific.
In an unbelievably public display of anti-Hindu hate, 38 universities have reportedly sponsored an anti-Hindu hate conference entitled, “Dismantling Global Hindutva” set to take place virtually September 10-12, 2021.
The Hindu American Foundation(HAF) has launched a global campaign encouraging anyone, anywhere to fight back against this bigotry festival by writing to these universities and asking them to drop their sponsorship.
The deadline to sign our letter is Thursday, August 26, 2021, at midnight ET. HAF will deliver the letter with your signature the following day directly to each university president.
Last week, HAF wrote a letter to the 41 universities that were announced as sponsors by the conference organizers. HAF also launched an email action alert last week that generated over 650,000 emails in less than 24 hours, overwhelming our system, which resulted in 3 universities officially dropping their sponsorship.
You can take action now by signing the letter to these universities demanding that they drop their sponsorship, disassociate themselves, and protect the safety and well being of any Hindu students, faculty, or staff that are on their campus.
List of Universities Allegedly Sponsoring:
Boston College
Columbia University
Concordia University
Cornell University
Dalhousie University (Dropped Sponsorship on 8/20/21)
Drew University
Emory University
Georgetown University
Harvard University
Lehigh University
McMaster University
New York University
Northwestern University
Ohio State University
Princeton University (Sponsorship Dropped 8/22/21)
Rutgers University
Simon Fraser University
Stanford University
Stockton University
Syracuse University
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, San Diego
University of California, Santa Cruz
University of Chicago
University of Colorado, Boulder
University of Goettingen
University of Illinois, Chicago
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
University of Manitoba
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
University of Massachusetts, Boston (Dropped Sponsorship 8/20/21)
As a supporter of the Hindu American Foundation, I am writing to you to express my serious concern regarding an event to be held September 10-12, 2021, entitled “Dismantling Global Hindutva” (DGH). This event is being promoted as co-sponsored by your institution with your institution’s name and logo appearing on the DGH website, promotional materials, and social media posts. If this event is not endorsed by your institution, or if the logo is being utilized in contravention of university policy, I respectfully request that you:
Ask the event organizers to remove your university’s name and logo from its website, promotional materials, and social media posts; and
Ensure the safety and wellbeing of Hindu students, faculty, and staff on your campus who may feel targeted, threatened, or face hostility or harassment as a result of this partisan, anti-Hindu event.
As a practitioner of Sanatana Dharma, also known as Hinduism, or friend of Hinduism and its values, you should know that free speech and academic freedom are intrinsic to this ancient faith, as followers are guided by the Hindu precepts of Satya (truthfulness), vāda and saṃvāda (debate and discussion), and Viveka (discernment). We ask that institutions of higher learning such as yours support the same pluralistic values and also privilege academic integrity by promoting open inquiry, encouraging a diversity of viewpoints, and modelling constructive disagreement.
This event, however, is the antithesis of all of these values.
The DGH organizers trade on the prestige of your institution’s name to host, not an academic conference, but a partisan event related to politics in India. The event platforms activists with extensive histories of amplifying Hinduphobic discourse even while denying the existence of Hinduphobia. Many of these activists equate the whole of Hinduism with caste bigotry and other social ills; deny the subcontinental indigeneity of Hindus and Hinduism, and support or minimize violent extremist and separatist movements and deny the resulting genocides and ethnic cleansings of Hindus.
DGH organizers describe Hindutva as a “political philosophy” in an attempt to distinguish the participants’ critique of it from criticism of Hinduism and Hindus. But then they go on to deny the existence of Hinduism by reducing it to being only “heterodox, continuously under contestation, and often contradictory,” rather than the coherent and diverse living tradition it is for its 1.2 billion adherents.
They do not acknowledge spiritual teachings and practices such as Oneness of existence, yoga, non-violence, loving devotion of God, and selfless service, all of which inform the shared values and spiritual lives of Hindus around the world and millions of seekers of all backgrounds. Instead, they problematize Hinduism, against any conceptual and emic understandings of Hindu teachings, writing that: “Hinduism has rightly been critiqued for the deep inequities in Indian society, most importantly for the caste system.”
Holding Hindus to double standards, defaming or falsely alleging dual loyalty against Indian and Hindu Americans, or dehumanizing Hindus by portraying them as inherently bigoted or dangerous crosses the fine line between legitimate criticism of policies of the Indian government and anti-Hindu hatred.
While academics at your institution may choose to personally engage in political partisan activism concerning India, we hope you would agree that your institution should not. In fact, strict neutrality and independence are critical to the integrity of academic institutions. The use of your university’s name and logo, in this regard, implies overt institutional partisanship and endorsement of the event’s political and discriminatory motives.
As such, I respectfully request you to ask for the removal of your university’s name and logo from the DGH website, promotional materials, and social media posts.
I also ask that you ensure the safety and wellbeing of Hindu students, faculty, and staff on your campus leading up to the DGH event, and provide support and protection to those who may feel targeted, threatened, or face hostility or harassment as a result of this divisive event. Hindu students are targeted and report feeling under attack for opposing Hinduphobic depictions of their religion in the classroom and for opposing anti-Hindu hate on college campuses.
Thank you for your attention and for urgently addressing this distressing matter.”
Victoria COVID 19 Vaccination; Picture Source: Twitter @VicDHS
Every Victorian aged 16 years and over will be eligible to access a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine at state-run vaccination centres from tomorrow.
The change means that from Wednesday 25 August, anyone aged 18 to 59 will be eligible to receive either Pfizer or AstraZeneca – with people aged 16 to 17 able to receive the Pfizer vaccine. Those aged 60 and over will continue to receive AstraZeneca.
Over the next four weeks, there will be over 830,000 appointments for COVID-19 vaccines at more than 55 state-run centres operating across Victoria – this includes 450,000 first dose appointments for the Pfizer vaccine.
With this new expansion, the number of Victorians eligible to receive Pfizer has increased by 2 million. Approximately 1.7 million Victorians aged 16 to 59 have already been vaccinated across general practice, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, community pharmacy and state vaccination centres.
The expansion follows the supply of an additional 175,000 doses of Pfizer from the Commonwealth, recently received from overseas.
Premier Daniel Andrews said, “We’ve already delivered more than 230,000 doses towards our 1 million jabs target which is a mammoth effort.”
“But please, if you haven’t had your vaccination yet, just book it in today to protect yourself and your loved ones.”
Anyone aged 18 to 39 who has a current booking for AstraZeneca from Wednesday 25th August who would prefer to receive Pfizer, will not need to cancel or change your booking – you will be offered Pfizer when you arrive for your appointment unless you would prefer to receive AstraZeneca.
The change in eligibility will not occur until tomorrow and the additional bookings will be available online from 7 am tomorrow.
However, with the number of Victorians aged 18 to 59 still far outweighing the Pfizer doses available from the Commonwealth, the AstraZeneca vaccine will still be available for those who choose to provide consent and discuss their vaccination with a medical professional.
“The best vaccine you can get is the one that you can get today.”
The state-run centres include three new drive-through vaccination sites, at the Former Ford Factory in Broadmeadows, at Sandown Racecourse in Springvale and at the Eagle Stadium in Werribee.
The new sites join the Melton drive-through clinic at the former Bunnings warehouse site, which saw 1,200 doses delivered in its first week of operation.
It’s important to remember Victorians can also book to get vaccinated with their local GP or selected pharmacists across the state.
Victorians are required to book their vaccination appointment by visiting coronavirus.vic.gov.au or by phoning the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398.
Visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccination-centres for more information on Victoria’s vaccination centres, including locations and opening hours.
Manohar Lal Khattar, CM Haryana; Guru Gorakhnath; Picture Source: @ZEEonline
The Haryana government on Wednesday banned the usage of “Gorakh Dhanda.”
This colloquial expression is generally used to describe unethical practices.
Image source: Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar – Wikipedia.
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar took the decision after meeting a delegation of the Gorakhnath community.
The community delegation urged him to ban the phrase as it hurts the sentiments of the followers of Saint Gorakhnath.
Image source: Gorakhnath Math – Wikipedia.
Gorakhnath was the 11th century Hindu yogi who is considered to be the founder of the Nath Hindu monastic movement in India.
The Gorakhnath Math and Gorakhpur city in Uttar Pradesh are named after him. The Nath sect was founded by Lord Shiva and his knowledge was passed to Guru Gorakhnath.
Dr Pitambar Dutt Barthwal discovered 40 books written by Gorakhnath in Sanskrit and Hindi. He compiled and edited Gorakhnath’s compositions, which were later published as ‘Gorakh Bani’.
A government spokesperson said:
“The delegation representing the Gorakhnath community met the chief minister and urged him to ban the use of the expression, saying it hurts the sentiments of the followers of Saint Gorakhnath. The CM agreed.”
Gorakhnath had a strong influence on Sant Kabir, Dadu Dayal and Malik Mohammed Jaisi.
Well-known Hindi write Hazari Prasad Dwivedi has said:
“There is very little historicity left in the description of Gorakhnath. The folklore merely propagates the teachings of the sect and no other information”.
Gorakhnath laid the foundation of Hindu-Muslim unity and opposed caste discrimination and other evils.
However, it is not clear if the word ‘Gorakh Dhanda’ actually refers to Gorakhnath and the trade practices of his followers or is a transformation of the word ‘Golak Dhanda’.
Gorakhnath used to advise his followers’ various yoga postures, mantras and treatment plans that most of the time didn’t make sense to the common folk. However, his advice was very effective in treating ailments. Thus the word ‘Gorakh Dhanda was used to explain things that gave results but was inexplicable.
Some experts feel that the origin of the words may be from ‘Golak’ which is often used to refer to a round shape like earth or the world and ‘dhanda’ is used for puzzles or mysteries. Thus referring to this world as a strange puzzle or inexplicable mystery.
Pakistani singer Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan has even popularised this expression through his song entitled ‘Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho’ – referring to the existence of God as a complicated mystery.
WATCH VIDEO: Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho (Original Complete Version) – USTAD NUSRAT FATEH ALI KHAN – OFFICIAL VIDEO
Australian shares finished a tumultuous week down 2.2%, its worst week since January 29, as gold stocks and miners took a hit.
Australian miners shed 11.3% for the week, with BHP leading the losses. BHP, the world’s biggest listed miner posted a weekly loss of 16%, its worst week since March 2020 as investors digested news regarding the company’s decision to end its UK dual listing.
The sell-off in iron ore is expected to continue as concerns of steel demand from China weigh on the sentiment. The market has been hit with the closure of steel mills in China as authorities aim to reduce emissions from the sector. With steel production in July down 84% compared to the same time last year there is fear this could further accelerate the fall in mining stocks.
Iron ore is now deeply in the bear market has fallen 43% from its peak in May.
Image source: mines.gov.in
Investors have also been concerned about the rise in coronavirus cases in Australia. Australia’s third wave of COVID-19 infections shows no signs of slowing down and have pushed the world’s 13th largest economy to the brink of its second recession in as many years.
Sydney Airport’s half-yearly results were a testimony of damage done by the continuing pandemic. Australia’s biggest airport operator recorded a net loss of $97.4 million for the six months ended 30 June. This was significantly greater than the $52.6 million loss it announced last year.
The airport did not pay any dividend and as per Citi analysts, the dividend will be suspended until June 2022 due to slower than expected recovery from the pandemic. Sydney Airport’s international traffic was also down 91% in the first half of the year compared to the same time last year.
Many analysts, however, believe that the market is now desensitized to the virus woes and the attention is more focused on US Federal Reserve’s tapering talks. Minutes from the Fed’s July meeting showed officials discussing ceasing back on unprecedented economic stimulus by year’s end.
While there are some divisions among Fed officials over the economic impact of increasing coronavirus cases, the minutes solidified expectations that the Fed will step back on stimulus before year’s end barring some unpleasant economic surprise. This week investors will be keeping a keen eye on Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s speech at Fed’s annual research conference for clues on Central Bank’s next steps.
Gold was little changed this week, as it battled with the rising US dollar. The economic concerns over a global pandemic slowdown due to a spike in COVID-19 infections underpinned the yellow metal’s safe-haven status, a stronger US dollar on the other hand curbed any gains in the precious metal.
With recovery from coronavirus pandemic starting to see drags as Delta cases rise globally, gold investors have underlying support. Having said that with US Dollar also rising with expectations that the Fed will move towards tapering, it has been made gold more expensive for other currency holders.
As such gold investors will be keeping an eye on Fed’s annual get together this year, which could shed further light on monetary strategy and timeline. As per analysts from Commerzbank, “As soon as Fed announces that it will start to reduce its bond purchases, an important obstacle for the gold price should disappear. During the further course of the year, it should benefit from the comparatively cheap valuation of gold and the record low real yields.”
The concern that the rising COVID-19 cases globally could handcuff international travel continued to weigh on the oil markets. Brent Crude fell by 9% for the week and US Crude oil ended the week more than 8% down. Overall, oil recorded its biggest losses in more than nine months.
Several G20 countries have now reimposed numerous measures including steep travel restrictions in a bid to reduce the spread of the virus. In addition to that China, the world’s largest importer of oil had reimposed tighter restrictions at the port as part of its zero-tolerance policy against the pandemic leading to widespread congestion, while both Australia and New Zealand have also stiffened restrictions.
With global air travel demands also reducing in tandem the black gold fell to its lowest levels since mid-April as oil investors have realised that the Delta variant is a growing problem and a potential hurdle to any recovery in oil demand.
Regarding the Australian Dollar, the rising coronavirus cases took a toll on the local currency as it fell against all major peers. In comparison to the US Dollar, the Australian Dollar fell 3% to a 10-month low of 0.71265. With lockdown further extended in Sydney and State governments in Australia keen on locking everything at the drop of a hat it continues to work against Australian growth.
With housing prices in Australia starting to suffer as a result of lockdown and the Chinese economy slowing down the Aussie is expected to fall further. Having said that there may be investors who are likely to think that the market is oversold at this stage and provide some support for the Aussie.
However, we expect that any bounce from these levels will provide further opportunities to short the Australian Dollar. As such traders are best to serve to wait for the bounce and start shorting at first signs of exhaustion as we expect the Australian dollar to suffer strongly at this point against the greenback.
Investors will keep a keen eye on the 0.70 marks as that area has provided strong support before and is regarded as big psychological importance. A break below 0.70 against the US Dollar will almost certainly result in a further collapse of the Australian Dollar shortly.
Regarding the Indian Rupee, a fall in oil prices helped stabilise the Indian currency against most major currencies. While a move towards haven resulted in the Rupee falling against the US Dollar, the Rupee rose against all other main currencies such as Euro, Pound and Aussie Dollar. Even though major INR traders are betting Rupee will fall in near future, there are stronger bets of a rise in INR against the Euro and Australian currency soon.
In the world of Cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin went about its business as usual to record a fifth weekly gain. The bulls continued to rally as they look set to take over another key Fibonacci level, the 61.8% of the $64,895-$28,600 mark at $51,030.
It was however clearly the week for the altcoins. With Bitcoin rising 5.67% for the week and Ethereum rising only 0.03%, other currencies stole the show.
We have been bullish in Cardano and Polka Dot over the past two weeks and both of them did not disappoint. Cardano spiked 17.47% for the week whereas Polkadot rallied as much as 23.02%. In fact, Cardano overtook all other altcoins to now become the third highest cryptocurrency after Bitcoin and Ethereum based on market capitalisation. This is mostly thanks to its upcoming Alonzo upgrade, which will incorporate smart contracts and is expected to give stiff competition to Ethereum.
In agricultural products, the old trading saying “nothing of importance happens in the grain markets in the last in the last two weeks of August,” rang true this week with long liquidations across nearly all agricultural commodities.
With the US dollar rising strongly against all other currencies the grain markets struggled with broader profit-taking as inflation anxiety’s continued to wane. The stronger US Dollar has pressured all commodities and with China demand estimates reducing the uncertainties are working to tip the prices of agricultural products further down. Having said that the Northern Hemisphere is battling one of its worst drought conditions in a long time and with questions around production supplies anything is possible in this market environment.
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 opinions in the above article are the authors 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 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.
Hinduism Vs Hindutva; Picture Source: The Australia Today
Of all the Indian words that have been misused the most in the global polity are “Hinduism” & “Hindutva”.
Even literature laureates like Mr Shashi Tharoor have murdered the basis of language to suffocate the truth of the two terms. There is a long list of people who have followed the same track. And I must mind you that most of them come from elite self-proclaimed guardians of language, literature and culture.
Where Did Term “Hindu” Come From?
Through this essay, I look forward to dislodging various myths around the terms “Hinduism” and “Hindutva” using empirical pieces of evidence. The difference between the two terms is primarily about suffix added to the word “Hindu”. Hence, to understand the two we must first understand the term “Hindu” itself. Hindu is derived from the Sanskrit word Sindhu, which means “a large body of water”, covering “river, ocean”.
It was used as the name of the Indus river and also referred to its tributaries. The actual term ‘Hindu’ first occurs as “a Persian geographical term for the people who lived beyond the river Indus (Sanskrit: Sindhu)”.
Hinduism Vs Hindutva; Picture Source: The Australia Today
It was found in the 6th-century BC inscription of Darius I. It mentions the province of Hi[n]dush, referring to northwestern India. The people of India were referred to as Hinduvān (Hindus) and hindavī has been used as the adjective for Indian in the 8th-century text Chachnama.
The term ‘Hindu’ in these ancient records is an ethno-geographical term & didn’t refer to religion.
Hindustān, Hinduism and Hindutva by Arvind Sharma & Numen Vol. 49, No. 1 (2002), pg 2-5
-Ism?
Now let us talk about the suffix of the first term “Hindu+ism”. What does -ism stand for? The first recorded usage of the suffix -ism as a separate word in its own right was in 1680. By the 19th century, it was being used by Thomas Carlyle to signify a pre-packaged ideology. The use of the phrase “the isms” as a collective derogatory term to lump together the radical social reform movements of the day (such as slavery abolitionism, feminism, alcohol prohibitionism, Fourierism, pacifism, early socialism, etc) was common in the USA of the 19th Century.
It was also added for various spiritual or religious movements considered non-mainstream by the standards of the time (such as Transcendentalism, spiritualism or “spirit rapping”, Mormonism, the Oneida movement often accused of “free love”, etc.).
I don’t know how people even believe that the “Hindu” idea is non-mainstream or just a radical social reform so how justified is the addition of “-ism” to “Hindu”? The -isms have always been about “unilateral philosophy” or “idea”. But isn’t Hindu practice all about plurality? Let me make it even simpler by taking examples of three very common -isms depicted in the respective images below:
Example of SurrealismExample of ExpressionismExample of Cubism
Can you notice, that they come with a completely distinct appearance? It’s because of the unique philosophy embedded within each of them. And that’s where the problem comes when you add “-ism” to “Hindu”. You can’t limit it to a singular idea hence in reality “Hinduism” is an oxymoron.
Like how we can’t ever say “Architecture” though “Deconstructivism” is a type of architecture. You can have “Shaivism”, “Vaishnavism” but not “Hinduism”. Despite that, we accepted this oxymoron with the time it became popular. Britishers never understood the pluralistic Hindu idea & ended up adding “-ism” as they thought it to be on par with “rigid” Abrahamic ideas which they were only aware of.
How many of you ever wondered that why “Islam” isn’t “Islamism” or “Christianity” not “Christianism”, but we have “Judaism” & “Hinduism” etc? Ism was always added to practice that seemed inferior or not mainstream. If one understands -ism & believes in a plurality of “Hindus” then Hinduism can never be “Hindu Dharma”, rather Sanātana Dharma. Plainly speaking “Sanātana Dharma” means eternal order: like “the flow of water”. It’s nature of water to flow, wind to blow & every such order is Sanātana.
Religion is institutions while Dharma is the way to “strive to be right”. Dharma tells to reject institution which shows wrong path.
Dharma signifies behaviours that are considered to be in accord with Ṛta, the order that makes life and the universe possible. It includes duties, rights, laws, conduct, virtues and the “right way of living”. Eg, ‘Rajadharma’ means King’s Duty, not Religion.
For Bhartiya understanding, Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Buddhism, Sikhism etc are various Panth which means denominations. Most fail to get it. We mustn’t confuse “dharma” with” religion.”
So to sum up the points derived out of the above discussion following becomes clear:
“Hindu”is an ethno-geographic connotation & not religious at all.
Hinduism is an oxymoron though we use it for popularity.Often addition of-ism degrades the great “values”.
Hindutva: For Beginners
Now let’s come to another sensational term, “Hindutva”. It is formed by adding -the suffix to Hindu. What do we understand by -tva? In plain language adding -tva (-ness) to a noun means: in state of being that noun. Eg. Naritva. This image would further clarify -tva:
So can any of the critics of “Hindutva” explain that how the ‘state of being “Hindu(Indian)”’ be wrong at all? Who are we to interpret “Hindu” as per our comfort if Darius-I, the first one to use the word had defined it completely another way around?
That was the period when Islam was spreading on the power of “sword” & “qital fi sabilillah” was common. The Parsis had to take refuge in Hindu Rashtra “Bhāratá”. They were persecuted the worst as Islam was set to conquer Persia. Hindus came to their refuge and, that’s exactly “Hindutva” ie “state of being Hindu” for you from that period.
Many even want to declare particular age when Hindu+Ism (Sanātana dharma) but as someone can’t trace from when the water got the trait to flow, it is impossible to claim if it originated few thousands of years ago. As per historical records “-ism” was first time added to “Hindu” around 1830 and “Hindutva” was coined in 1892 by Chandranath Basu. So people should come out of this myth even that Veer Savarkar coined the term.
I also observed an interesting point raised in this debate. They say that ‘“Hinduism” has many central texts while “Hindutva” has none’. Nothing can be more to call self-humiliation than this statement. A logical person will tell you that: Centre is always one, you don’t have multiple centres.
Things evolve with time and so has “Hindutva”. Once it was the only saviour of others but the condition demanded it adds a new feature: Resist. Now ”Hindutva” is the “Hinduism” that resists. When the whole cabal came against “Asato mā sadgamaya…” being sung in Kendriya Vidyalayas, it needed a force to preserve the echo of heritage. And the force that stood to resist was “Hindutva” for you. Hence, It will need to exist in the present form to preserve the ethos of Bhāratá till attacks keep occurring.
As, “Hindutva” is the state of being Hindu, so how can one not follow Hinduism (I have used it multiple times for popularity) if he is “in state of being Hindu?”
It’s like saying water is not in a “state of being water” though it’s flowing.
How many oxymorons?
Author: Aabhas Maldahiyar A self-professed Ex-Marxist, a practising architect and author of two fiction books— ‘Restart-An Architect’s Journey to the Parliament House’ and ‘Crossing the Line’ inspired by Marxist ideology. His latest book #ModiAgain buy at https://garudabooks.com/modi-again-1copy This article was first published on Kreately. We have republished it with his kind permission.
Disclaimer:Aabhas Maldahiyar is solely responsible for the views expressed in this article. He carries the responsibility for citing and/or licensing images utilised within the text. The opinions, facts and any media content in them are presented solely by him, and neither The Australia Today News nor its partners assume any responsibility for them.
IFFM; Picture Source: The Australia Today via Twitter
Indian Super Star Suriya Sivakumar’s film Soorarai Pottru bagged the Best Feature Film award at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne in an online award ceremony on Saturday 20 August 2021.
But it was not all for him, Suriya also won the Best Actor Male for Soorarai Pottru, While Actress Vidya Balan bagged Best Actor Female for her critically acclaimed film Sherni.
— Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (@IFFMelb) August 23, 2021
For the delight of the virtual attendees of the award ceremony, Suriya was present for the whole of the two and a half hours of the online program. Vidya Balan who could not attend the function sent a heart-touching message to the organisers and her fans.
A new category of web series was introduced in this years edition of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne Awards. The Family Man 2 actors Manoj Bajpayee and Samantha Akkineni were among the winners of male and female awards respectively.
Filmmaker Anurag Basu won the award for ‘Best Director’ for LUDO.
“Humbling to be part of the nominees and to be winning the best director. Thankful to Netflix and T-Series. My actors were amazing to stand by me. Such amazing people, my crew, my actors. Such a crazy bunch of people. This award shows us that despite all the situation we are in, cinema will continue to be celebrated.”
And Pankaj Tripathi starer Mirzapur Season 2 won the Best Series award for 2021.
A pleasure to speak at the @IFFMelb Virtual Awards Ceremony and present the Best Film and Best Indie Film Award categories. Great to see the agility of this festival, one of the world’s major Indian film festivals, celebrating diversity through cinema. pic.twitter.com/PWOUG3nQjT
Versatile actor Pankaj Tripathi was judged the winner of the Diversity in Cinema Award. He joined the award ceremony from the shooting location in Ladakh. Pankaj thanked Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap for rediscovering his talent via his film ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’.
“The man who is here to give me this award. He is the one who discovered my talent. So thanks to Anurag Kashyap sir. He is the one who rediscovered my talent. So I’m grateful to you. I’m grateful to all my directors, writers for having me part of their projects.”
The biggest names of contemporary Indian cinema like Shoojit Sircar, Thiagarajan Kumararaja, Sriram Raghavan and Anurag Kashyap were present to support and guide the new breed of filmmakers and artists from Australia and around the world.
The outstanding list of winners of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2021.
1- Best Feature Film – Soorarai Pottru 2- Best Performance Male (Feature) – Suriya Sivakumar (Soorarai Pottru) 3- Best Performance Female (Feature) – Vidya Balan (Sherni) & Honourable mention to Nimisha Sajayan (The Great Indian Kitchen) 4- Best Director – Anurag Basu (Ludo) & Honorary Mention Prithvi Konanur (Pinki Elli?) 5- Best Series – Mirzapur Season 2 6- Best Actress in a Series – Samantha Akkineni (The Family Man 2) 7- Best Actor in a Series – Manoj Bajpayee (The Family Man 2) 8- Equality in Cinema (Short Film) – Sheer Norma 9- Equality in Cinema Award (Feature Film) – The Great Indian Kitchen 10- Best Indie Film – Fire in the Mountains 11- Diversity in Cinema Award – Pankaj Tripathi 12- Disruptor Award – Sanal Kumar Sasidharan 13- Best Documentary Film – Shut Up Sona
The IFFM 2021 had the privilege of some of the biggest Australian film talents on the jury panel. This year’s festival jury boasts names like global award-winning film editor Jill Bilcock, one of Australia’s renowned actors Vince Colosimo and multi-award-winning director Geoffrey Wright.
Beautifully bold Richa Chadha and handsomely different Onir constituted the jury in a short film competition.
Speaking at the award ceremony Suriya called Soorarai Pottru ‘a special film’. He also said it was special as it was the first movie that came to him during the pandemic and this was the first award it was receiving.
“I felt bored with what I was doing after having worked for 20 years. So thanks to my director Sudha Prasad – this film was her 10 years dream – she worked 4 years on writing for his film. The character of Maara will not be anything without her. I couldn’t ask for more.”
This tweet created a lot of burn for all sorts of regional bigots, Marxists & pseudo atheist anti-Hindu haters from a region. They all declared that Onam is not Vamana Jayanti. But they are wrong.
For once in his life, Arvind Kejriwal is right.
Onam is indeed Vamana Jayanti.
Bhagavata Purana(8.18.5) says Lord Vishnu took birth as Vamana on Shravana Dvadashi.
This is exactly the time of Uthradom (Onam Eve).
The Onam festival is celebrated for four days until Purnima. Even South Indian tradition agrees that Onam marks the birth of Lord Vishnu as Vamana.
Onam is a celebration of the birth and victory of Lord Vishnu as Vamana and the returns of his devotee king Mahabali to earth.
Mahabali comes back every year from sutala to see his land & celebrate Lord Vamana’s birth at Vamana temple in Thrikkakara (=”place of holy foot”) in Kochi.
From ancient days, Onam was celebrated in Tamilakam (Tamilnadu-Kerala) not as the festival of Bali but as the birthday of “Asura destroying” Lord Vishnu.
This is mentioned in ancient Sangam literature in a poem called Maturaikkāñci.
PS-Nairs still keep the Onam battle traditions of this poem.
This tradition of celebrating Onam as the birthday of Vishnu continued to be celebrated in the middle ages. Medieval literature like the 10th century Divya Prabandham shows Onam continued to be celebrated as a festival of Lord Vishnu.
Rice and fruits were prepared and offered to Vishnu.
That Onam was a festival of Lord Vishnu is confirmed by Independent sources. William Logan, a Scottish civil servant of the 19th cent noted in his “Malabar Manual” that Onam was the day on which Vishnu descended to make his people happy. Along with Vishnu came Vishnu’s devotee Bali.
Francis Day was a 17th century East India Company administrator who lived in Kerala and Tamilnadu.
In his book, he recorded local folklore. He writes that Keralites celebrated Onam to mark the day when Vishnu wandered around the earth. Along with Vishnu came his devotee Mahabali.
Earliest record of Onam in Kerala comes from the Thirikkara Vamana temple (861 CE). Even today, Onam is celebrated here as the birthday of Vamana. It is believed that Bali also returns to worship the Lord every year on this day. Processions of Vamana Murti(“idol”) are carried out.
Unlike Abrahamic religions, Hinduism does not have any centralizing authority like the pope.
Because of this reason, the mode of celebration of the Onam festival has diversified over centuries among various caste and communities who celebrated the festival in different ways. This does not change the fact that Onam was originally a festival that marked the birthday of Vishnu as Vamana. And traditional Onam celebrates this aspect even today.
Even today, the most important part of Onam celebrations is Thrikkakara Appan, which is a clay Pyramid representing Lord Vamana who is worshipped as the guest.
This only shows how communists and evangelists have systematically divorced Onam from its Hindu roots Onam exceptionalism is a myth.
On the same Onam day, Vamana Dwadashi or Vamana Jayanti is celebrated across several regions of India.
The liars have been pitting Vamana against Bali. But such a dichotomy cannot be supported even by the story in Bhagavata Purana According to Bhagavata, Vishnu comes to test Bali’s generosity. He becomes satisfied & grants Bali any boon he wishes.
But Bali has only one wish. To ever be with Vishnu. Vishnu grants it. He leaves Vaikunta & repairs to Bali’s new abode Sutala where there is no fear and hatred.
Srimad Bhagavata (5.24) says Lord Vamana served as a gatekeeper of Bali in Sutala which is grander than Svarga.
Vamana kicked Ravana out of Sutala when Ravana invaded Sutala. Such is the beautiful relation between Bhagavan and Bhakta.
Hateful Marxists are not sparing even that just a minor detail.
While Onam/Vamana Jayanti in ancient days was celebrated on Shravana Ekadashi, it has from medieval times to this day been celebrated during Bhadrapada Ekadashi. There have also been regional variations and some communities still prefer Shravana Ekadashi for all that nonsense about ‘Aryan’ Vamana and ‘Dravidian’ Mahabali.
Here is a pre-modern painting from Mankot (c.1700) The dark-skinned dwarf is beautiful Vamana. And the Brahmin with choti in the painting is none other than Mahabali. Mahabali was a descendant of Rishi Kashyapa.
They are now taking their propaganda to a new low by depicting Bali as a Christian Saint like Jesus.
The Bali in this painting looks absolutely nothing like how Mahabali is traditionally depicted– with a choti and a sacred thread
Note: NOBODY, absolutely NOBODY, dressed like Jesus or any Christian saint in those days in Kerala.
Even local Christians of Kerala dressed like Brahmins.
Here is a painting of a local Christian couple of 19th century The Christian man wears Choti and dhoti like Brahmins.
In fact, Mahabali in this FAKE Marxist painting looks eerily similar to the so-called “Holy Face of Jesus” which is nothing but a forgery impression on the FAKE shroud of Turin. Just that he was a little Indianised by keeping the moustache, removing the beard and darkening the skin.
Disclaimer: The Author is solely responsible for the views expressed in this Oped. The opinions, facts and any media content in them are presented solely by the Author, and neither The Australia Today News nor its partners assume any responsibility for them.
The word sex and gender are often used interchangeably, but it is totally incorrect.
Gender is implied when we compel the girl child to chose soft colours like pink and play with a doll and encouraging boys to opt for blue or similar dark colours and play with toys guns.
If any girl behaves like a boy, we mostly consider it as tomboy or Manish, whereas if the boy cries, society teases him to be behaving like a girl or being effeminate. The assigning of unique and separate characteristics and responsibilities to male and female sexes impose certain expectations and regulations on both sexes.
The biological difference of separate male and female genitalia and reproduction organs is undeniable and their bodies have distinct hormonal and chromosomal make-ups, but gender construction of special characteristics of expecting male characteristics to be commanding, impatient, adventurers, and macho, whereas females suppose to be kind, tolerant, obedient and patient.
Are Gender and Sex Same?; Picture Source: @CANVA
Immense pressure is implied by the norms created by society to observe them and teach them to both the sexes. This op-ed tries to examine the concept of gender and sex and its implications.
What are Gender and Sex?
‘Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviours, expressions and identities of girls, women, boys, men, and gender diverse people. It influences how people perceive themselves and each other, how they act and interact, and the distribution of power and resources in society’ where sex is defined as ‘to a set of biological attributes in humans and animals.
It is primarily associated with physical and physiological features including chromosomes, gene expression, hormone levels and function, and reproductive/sexual anatomy (https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/48642.html).
Are Gender and Sex Same?; Picture Source: @CANVA
Gender implication force both sexes to behave in certain ways, that creates an immense pressure to live in a water-tight compartment of gender roles. Society determines both boys and girls behaviour, attributes, duties, roles, rights and even looks. This is a part of a wider social system.
Thus the biological determining is mainly used to justify gender stereotypes, as boys are considered better in choosing subjects like math, engineering and physics, whereas girls should choose teaching, nursing or perform domestic duties. Gender behaviour of both sexes is imposed by society as they are not inherent by sex.
Are Gender and Sex Same?; Picture Source: @CANVA
These roles are imposed by family and peers. The extension of this approach is noticed in a division of labour, distribution of power and rights. Thus different roles, relations and identities are constructed in the society that defines expectations, values, roles, rights and responsibility, distribution of resources for both sexes.
Both the sexes have to accept these norms, some try to adapt by negotiating, where others resist the social implications. It is a competition of power to sustain patriarchy and resistance shown by matriarchy. The first section expects the status quo, while the other wants to make a transformation in society.
Are Gender and Sex Same?; Picture Source: @CANVA
Gender roles are defined by parents, peers and other sources. These differences can be seen in physical behaviour, style of interaction, behaviour, academic motivation and choices. It is the family, neighbours, community and the state who has a profound influence on a child.
Gender roles are taught to both sexes since birth and these are determined by the parents and the ones to take care of kids, while during adolescence the girls been more associated with beauty and charming traits while boys are considered to be the development characteristics of masculinity.
Children are gender detectives, able to identify signals regarding gender, such as who should or should not participate in a certain activity, who may play with whom, and why girls and boys are different. During adulthood, both sexes develop work roles, as girls to raise children and do domestic jobs, whereas boys are expected to do higher studies in order to get a job and be the breadwinner of the house. Women in the role of mothers and men to protect the other sex.
Conclusion
Although the terms Gender and sex is associated as to be similar, their implications are quite different. Gender roles affect a wide variety of human behaviour, including the clothes one wears, the career one selects, and the personal relationships one joins.
But with changing society, there have been changes in these thoughts where both sexes opt for any profession, clothes moving towards unisex dress, relationship based on equality. The demand for equal rights in the power struggle of opposite sexes, and it shall continue under the equilibrium is not established.
Author: Dr Sakul Kundra, A.HOD Department of Social Science, College of Humanities and Education, Fiji National University.
Victoria's Premier Daniel Andrews; Picture Source: The Australia Today
Regional Victoria will enter lockdown from 1 pm today due to the ongoing level of community transmission, a large number of mystery cases and a surge of new cases and exposures sites outside of metropolitan Melbourne.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer says further measures will be implemented to protect children across the entire state, as the number of infections amongst kids continues to rise.
The number of coronavirus cases that have been infectious out in the community over the last few days and the number of mystery cases emerging in different areas across Victoria is extremely concerning. It shows the incredible speed at which this Delta variant is spreading.
Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews has announced that all metropolitan Melbourne restrictions – except for the curfew – will be implemented across regional Victoria from 1 pm today until 11.59 pm Thursday, 2 September.
Premier Daniel Andrews said, “This is not where we wanted to be as a community. It’s not a decision we wanted to make after Victorians have sacrificed so much, but we have no other option. Cases need to be lower and vaccination rates need to be higher.”
In regional Victoria there will be only five reasons to leave your home:
1- To get the food and the supplies you need, 2- To exercise for up to two hours no more than 5km from your home, 3- For care or caregiving, 4- Authorised work or education if you can’t do it from home, and 5- To get vaccinated at the nearest possible location.
Face masks will still be mandatory outdoors and indoors (not at home) unless an exception applies – this includes all workplaces and secondary schools.
“There’s a million things that we miss about life before the pandemic and a million things we’re looking forward to doing again once we’re through this outbreak – each of those is a reason to get vaccinated,”
added Mr Andrews.
To give the industry time to adjust, workforce permits will be required to leave the house for authorised work from 11.59 pm Monday 23 August.
Workforce limits apply to the construction industry from 1 pm today, however, authorities will be engaging with the industry about safely reducing staff numbers as they secure sites.
In addition to 61 local cases reported, there are an additional 16 local cases which were recorded on a rapid PCR testing platform and will be reported in tomorrow’s numbers. [2/3]
Remember these restrictions: Playgrounds, basketball hoops, skate parks and outdoor exercise equipment will be closed. Masks will also not be able to be removed to drink alcoholic beverages. Exercise will be limited to just one other person, plus dependants if they can’t be left at home. And more than ever, it’s so important people do not have visitors to the home.
The age demographic of this outbreak is very different to what we’ve seen before, with around 80 per cent of our active cases aged below 40 and around 25 per cent under the age of nine. The cases currently in the hospital include people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s – showing just how serious this virus can be for young people as well.
Important for authorised workers: Because of the high rate of transmission in young people and the number of childcare centres now designated as exposure sites, all childcare centres across Victoria will be closed except to children whose parents are authorised workers and cannot be supervised at home. Vulnerable children can still attend. A permit system will apply, and further details will be available soon.
Victoria’s public health team are also strongly recommending that primary school-aged children, when they are not at home, also wear a mask as an extra precaution against this virus.
Picture Source: The Australia Today
Further, changes will be made to metropolitan businesses operating in high-risk industries – like abattoirs, meat, poultry and seafood processing – with additional obligations such as workforce limits and mandatory surveillance testing to be implemented.
Getting vaccinated is our way out of this pandemic. The Victorian Government is aiming to administer 1 million doses in five weeks – so far, they’ve delivered more than 168,000 doses in 5 days.
There are more than 390,000 COVID-19 vaccine appointments available over the next four weeks and they’re asking all eligible Victorians to book theirs today – do not wait.
While the Commonwealth has advised they will be opening Pfizer eligibility to over 18s from 30 August, Health authorities are strongly suggesting that Victorians who have already booked in for their Astra Zeneca vaccine, do not cancel that appointment.
If you have any questions or concerns you can talk to a GP, pharmacist or to a senior and experienced immunise at state-run sites.
All Victorians are encouraged where possible to book their vaccination appointment by visiting portal.cvms.vic.gov.au or by phoning the Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.
The open warfare and targeting of Hindus under the guise of “dismantling Hindutva” is yet another wake-up call to Hindus.
Here are two things that the Hindus need to do.
Western academia has moved on from indirect Hinduphobia to open Hindumisia — full-blown Hindu hatred.
As long as Hindu hatred was restricted to some academics like Audrey Truschke, who has called Sri Rama a “chauvinist pig” and the Bhagavat Gita a manual for mass slaughter, one could ignore the rants. But now this hatred has taken on a new dimension with over 40 universities supporting a conference whose literature and publicity visual says it all: “Dismantling Global Hindutva”. It is no longer about opposing Hindutva as a political ideology, but about “dismantling” it.
Audrey Truschke, Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey; Picture Supplied by Aabhas Maldahiyar
Apparently, dismantling Hindutva is fine and non-Hinduphobic, when none of these universities would dare hold similar conferences titled “Dismantling Islamism” or “Dismantling Born Again Christianity & Evangelism”, both of which constitute huge threats to peace in the parts of the world that are not majority Muslim or Christian.
Equally clearly, political Islam, political Christianity and political Buddhism is fine, but not political Hinduism, which is what Hindutva broadly is. It is about unifying Hindus to defend their common interests even while reducing caste-based discrimination and divisiveness. But then you can’t dismantle Hindutva without dividing Hindus.
The visual material for the conference (see here), scheduled for 10-12 September, shows its real intent. It shows a row of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) figures being forcibly removed like nails from the woodwork, using the reverse side of a hammer. This is not about opposing the RSS’s ideology but targeting them just as Jews were targeted by Hitler.
It is interesting that at a Kerala procession of the Popular Front of India (PFI), an Islamist organisation, two individuals dressed in RSS uniforms paraded in chains. ‘Fact-checkers’ quickly got into the act to absolve the PFI of any hateful ideas, and said that these characters were merely role-playing RSS workers and not actual Sanghis (read here, here, here).
This assumes that the attempt to dehumanise an entire organisation as worthy of being chained is not hateful enough. A pliant mainstream media converted the story from being about the hateful depiction of a group to one of victimhood, where the PFI was wrongly accused of chaining actual RSS members.
Those ill-disposed to the Sangh will get the message: the Sangh and all its supporters are fair game for intimidatory tactics and even violence. Consider what would have been the reaction if the reverse was the case: PFI members being shown in chains in an RSS procession.
Despite formally differentiating between Hinduism and Hindutva, an unholy alliance of evangelical groups, woke liberals and Islamists is trying to label all those standing up for Hindu rights as Hindutva activists and Islamophobes.
This is how anti-Semitism begins, by de-humanising people and imagining the worst about them. The end result is often ethnic cleansing and genocide, as we saw in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and even India in Kashmir Valley. All efforts to help discriminated Hindus get labelled as Islamophobia, as we saw with the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests.
The targeting of Hindu organisations began quite soon after Hindu students at Rutgers sought action against Audrey Truschke, but the university administration did nothing of the kind. Instead, it offered some mealy-mouthed words of concern for Hindus without condemning Truschke in any way. Soon after, the Hindu American Foundation was targeted, and the latter has sued its accusers for libel in American courts, including Islamist TV channel Al Jazeera.
The speakers at the September Hindumisic conference include known Hindu haters, RSS-baiters and self-loathing Hindus and Muslims — with no speaker giving any different viewpoint. The speakers include Anand Patwardhan, Ayesha Kidwai, Christophe Jaffrelot, Kavita Krishnan, Mohammad Junaid, Nandini Sundar, Neha Dixit and Meena Kandasamy. Two of the writers are unabashed supporters of the murderous Maoists, who apparently do not deserve to be “dismantled”.
This open warfare and targeting of Hindus under the guise of “dismantling Hindutva” is yet another wake-up call to Hindus. Two things need to happen.
First, Hindus need to realise that Hindumisic forces, and academic dhimmies who whitewash every Islamist crime, are now openly gunning for them. They have no other option but to organise themselves and take the ideological war into the enemy camp.
Second, the Narendra Modi government should realise that this is not just about political opposition to it, but a wholesale assault on Hindus in the west which will soon extend to India. The massive electoral victories of three Hinduphobic forces — in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal — have given global Hindumisics new enthusiasm.
The Indian government should now actively discourage Indian Hindus from seeking admissions in universities where Hindus will be targeted by issuing an advisory in this regard. The government must seek specific guarantees from universities about fighting Hindumisia before endorsing them as safe for Hindu students to study there.
If the government does not do even this, it does not deserve to be called Hindu nationalists.
Author: R Jagannathan is Editorial Director, Swarajya. He tweets at @TheJaggi. This report was first published on https://swarajyamag.com/, We have republished it with kind permission.
Disclaimer: The Author is solely responsible for the views expressed in this Oped. The opinions, facts and any media content in them are presented solely by the Author, and neither The Australia Today News nor its partners assume any responsibility for them.
The 100-page report covers India’s current and future demand for critical minerals in India and potential opportunities for cooperation with Australia.
Image source:: Key Megatrends for 2030 – Austrade Report 2021.
The report observes that this partnership is possible in the following key areas:
• supply critical minerals • attract investment for Australian mining and mineral processing projects • export services and technology to process, refine, recover and recycle critical minerals • help with mineral exploration in India • support India’s mining-related environmental management • carry out joint research projects.
Image source: mines.gov.in
Australian Government has dedicated trade and investment teams in major Indian cities.
According to the report, India offers economies of scale for offtake projects and a pipeline of manufacturing-led commercial innovation opportunities.
The report lists eight critical minerals divided into three categories based on their end-use industries that matter most to Australia and India.
traditional – titanium and vanadium
sunrise – lithium
mixed use:
cobalt
nickel
graphite
light rare earth elements (LREEs)
heavy rare earth elements (HREEs).
Image source: Solar India – Wikipedia.
The Indian Government under PM Narendra Modi has implemented policy reforms to accelerate new low-carbon sectors such as renewable energy, energy storage and electric mobility.
In addition, PM Modi’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) also include production-linked incentives for multiple sunrise sectors such as advanced chemistry, cell battery storage for electric vehicles.
Image source: The Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman – Wikipedia.
This was reflected in the Modi government’s 2021-22 budget, where it provided INR 1.97 lakh crore (A$38 billion) for the PLI scheme in 13 key sectors including electronics, automotive, energy storage, steel, etc telecommunications.
Australia recognises that India has a large industrial base that includes mechanical, chemical, electrical, automotive and defence production.
The report highlights that India’s projected demand for critical minerals presents significant opportunities to increase cooperation with Australia.
Reciprocally, Indian firms are also exploring investment opportunities in Australian mining and mineral processing assets.
This new report was commissioned by Austrade as part of the Australia-India Business Exchange (AIBX) program and has been prepared by Deloitte India (Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited).
AIBX is the Australian Government’s flagship program to increase partnerships and engagement between Australian and Indian businesses.
Indian Film Festival of Melbourne; Picture Source: Twitter @IFFM
Indian Film Festival of Melbourne- IFFM has had a phenomenal online opening with thousands of people from all parts of Australia registering and watching movies on their website and App.
Despite the COVID induced restrictions and lockdowns, IFFM2021’s online avatar is proving to be most popular.
IFFM opened on 15 August at 6 pm on Indian Independence day since then within 48 hours number of registration on the IFFM website has exceeded the previous years.
Festival Director Mitu Bhowmick Lange told The Australia Today, “We are so happy that Australians are liking the lineup of more than 120 movies and short films in 27 languages.”
“I would like to encourage everyone to please drop a message on our social media pages about what they are liking most.”
When questioned about her own preference among the lineup, Ms Lange said curating the festival is like having your child and no mother can pick favourites among her kids.
She sums it by saying, “This is a celebration of diversity and the best of Indian cinema in all its forms.”
The highlight of the festival has always been the star-packed ‘IFFM Awards Ceremony’ which will also take place online on the 20th of August during the course of the festival.
IFFM2021 has broadened its horizons with new nomination titles to celebrate the Indian film industry holistically. This year the festival is launching three categories under the belt of web series on OTT platforms.
Keeping up with the growing trend festival will recognise Best Series, Best Performance in a series each under the Actor and Actress category. The consideration of these shows is limited to only those platforms which are available to the Australian audiences.
This list of names includes extraordinary films of 2021 such as Ludo directed by Anurag Basu, the Vidya Balan starer Sherni directed by Amit Masukar, Soorarai Pottru (Tamil) that is starred and produced by Suriya and directed by Sudha Kongara and God on the Balcony, an Assamese film starring Harish Khanna and directed by Biswajeet Bora.
This year’s Best Documentary features some of the most compelling stories including Shut Up Sona, W.O.M.B, About Mumma amongst others. Winners of Best Film, Best Indie Film and Best Documentary each won the state of the art cameras from Black Magic Design apart from the award.
Another key highlight is that the Best Film winner automatically gets a nomination nod under the Best Asian Film category at the annual prestigious AACTA (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards).
The IFFM has had the privilege of some of the biggest Australian film talents on the jury panel. This year’s festival jury boasts of jury members that will include names like global award-winning film editor Jill Bilcock, one of Australia’s renowned actors Vince Colosimo and multi-award-winning director Geoffrey Wright.
Register to watch IFFM Awards Ceremony on ZOOM: When: Aug 20, 2021, 04:30 PM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpc-mqqTIqGNdRyOBIY19B4B-LiSZiouRi
THE DIRECT ACTION DAY, 16 AUGUST 1946; Picture Source: @Twitter
What appears to be a communal piece of information today is in fact a part of the correct history of Modern India. Indian freedom fighter K M Munshi wrote, “Another problem that we have to consider is the persistent demand for the rewriting of history to foster communal amity. To my mind, nothing can be a greater mistake.” 1 pg iii
What is the background to Direct Action Day?
Actually Direct Action Plan started in Punjab. Here is briefly why. 4
In the 1946 Punjab Assembly elections, the Muslim League won 78 seats out of 175. The Unionist Party, Congress and the Akalis formed a coalition Ministry in March 1946 with Khizar Hayat Khan as Premier. In Bengal, the League formed its ministry with H.S.Shurawardy as Premier.
The Cabinet Mission Plan proposed three groups, 1-Bihar, Orissa, Central Provinces, U.P, Bombay and Madras, 2-Assam and Bengal and 3- Punjab, Sindh & North-West Frontier Province, to frame their provincial constitutions. Sikhs and Hindus rejected the Plan while the Congress saw through the League game.
To turn the tide against Congress, the Direct Action campaign actually started in NWFP which had a Muslim population of 91.79%. On July 28, 1946, in Hazara district where the Muslim population was 94.94%, Hindus and Sikhs were killed, their shops, Gurdwaras were looted and burnt. More violence against H&S followed. 4
Jaideep Mazumdar wrote in Swarajyamag.com, “In early 1946, British prime minister Clement Attlee sent a three-member Cabinet Mission to finalise the formalities for the transfer of power. On 16 June 1946, the Mission, under pressure from Jinnah, proposed an alternate plan for the sub-continent to be partitioned into a Hindu-majority India and a Muslim-majority Pakistan.
THE DIRECT ACTION DAY, 16 AUGUST 1946; Picture Source: @Twitter
Congress rejected the plan outright and, on 10 July, Nehru announced that while the Congress had agreed to participate in the Constituent Assembly, it would be free to change or modify the Cabinet Mission Plan as it thought best.” Source
In mid-1946 efforts were made to form an interim government to resist the formation of a separate Muslim state. On July 29, 1946, the Council of the Muslim League passed two resolutions, withdrawing its acceptance of the Cabinet Mission’s proposals and deciding to resort to direct action. 1 pg.745
The second resolution began with some premises for e.g., “now the time has come for the Muslim Nation to resort to direct action to achieve Pakistan, to assert their just rights, to vindicate their honour and to get rid of the present British slavery and the contemplated future Caste-Hindu domination.” After the second resolution was passed Jinnah said (excerpts), “Today, we have also forged a pistol and are in a position to use it.” 1 pg. 746
The Working Committee of the Muslim League followed up on the resolution by calling upon Muslims across India to observe 16 August as Direct Action Day. On that day meetings would be held all over the country to explain the resolutions passed above. 1 pg. 747 “It may be mentioned that Jinnah had, threatened a civil war if the Muslim demands were not satisfied.” Now, he launched one.
Jinnah’s statement, rejecting the May 16th British Cabinet Mission plan to form an interim government, “We shall have India, divided or India destroyed,” is well known. A Muslim League leader Sir Firoz Khan Noon warned the British Government that the destruction and havoc the Muslims would do would put into the shade what Chengizkhan had done. 7 pg. 374
THE DIRECT ACTION DAY, 16 AUGUST 1946; Picture Source: @Twitter
Was Hindu Muslim animosity of recent origin?
Actually, Hindu Muslims had been at war ever since Muslims entered India (Sindh) for e.g. Akbar’s general Abdullah Khan Uzbek had declared that he had enslaved and converted 5 lakh Hindus, who by the day of judgement would be one crore.
M Ali said during the Khilafat Movement, “However pure Gandhi’s character may be, he must appear to me from the point of view of religion inferior to any Mussalman, even though he is without character.” Or see the condition of Hindus in Pakistan and Bangladesh today.
Said Maulana Azad Sobhani 27/1/1939 at Sylhet “Our big fight is with the 22 crore Hindus who constitute the majority. Only 4.5 crore Englishmen have practically swallowed the world by becoming powerful.” 2
In 1924 the editor of a Bengali paper had an interview with Dr Rabindranath Tagore, “another important factor which, according to the Poet, was making Hindu Muslim unity impossible was that the Muslim could not confine patriotisms to one country. When he asked Muslims whether they would defend India in the event of a Muslim invasion of India he could not be satisfied by the reply he got from them”. 2
Relations between Hindus and Muslims were very honestly outlined by R M Sayani in his Presidential Address at the 12th session of the Congress held in 1896. Excerpts “Before the advent of the British in India, the Muslims were the rulers of the country. The rulers and their chiefs were Muslims so were the great landlords and officials. The court language was their own. Every place of trust and responsibility, or carrying influence and high emoluments, was theirs by birthright.”
Sayani argued that when the British introduced English education in the country, the Hindus embraced it, but Muslims resented competing with the Hindus, whom they once regarded as their inferiors. Hence Muslims were gradually ousted from their lands and offices, while Hindus rose under the Raj (History and Culture of Indian People, Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan, Vol. X pg. 295)
THE DIRECT ACTION DAY, 16 AUGUST 1946; Picture Source: @Twitter
Back to Jinnah
Jinnah’s presidential address to the Muslim League in Lahore on March 23, 1940, and statements of many Muslim leaders are indicative of the Pan Islamic mission of bringing India under their green flag. Jinnah said in his March 23, 1940 address,
“Hindus fail to understand the real nature of Islam… ‘the Hindus & Muslims can evolve as a common nationality, is an impossible dream’…they belong to different philosophies & civilisations based on conflicting ideas, conceptions & social customs….they derive their inspiration from different sources of history, their epics are different, their heroes are different…Neither do they intermarry nor inter dine…”
“Their present artificial unity dates back only, to the ‘British conquest’ that is maintained by ‘British bayonet’. Muslims cannot accept any constitution which results in a Hindu majority government. ….termination of British regime will be the worst disaster that ever took place in the last one thousand years under the Muslims……”
THE DIRECT ACTION DAY, 16 AUGUST 1946; Picture Source: @Twitter
Was August 1946 violence pre-planned?
The violence of August was pre-planned as is borne out of the fact that special coupons for gallons of petrol were issued in the names of Muslim League ministers. The petrol was used to make bombs by Muslim League goons. One month’s food ration was stocked to feed Muslim League goons.
The 17th day of Ramzan i.e. 16 August 1946, was chosen for launching Direct Action Day.
“It was on that day that Prophet Muhammad waged the bloody Battle of Badr which resulted in his first decisive victory over the heathens and the subsequent conquest of Mecca.”
Muslims have a good sense of history as the attack on 2001 attack on New York’s Twin Towers bears out.
With an intent to have police on their side, they decided to hire more Muslims in Calcutta police. Suhrawardy got, “Niaz Mohammed Khan, under Suhrawardy’s orders journeyed to the Northwest to recruit Punjabi Muslim and Pathan constables for the Calcutta Police. Pathans are Pashto-speaking Muslim tribesmen inhabiting the barren hills of the frontier and are divided into a large number of tribes such as Afridi, Mohmand, Waziri, Khattak, Yusufzai etc. These tribes are by nature extremely fierce and cruel – in fact, they had been extensively used in British jails in India for application of third-degree methods.” Quote from former Governor of Tripura, Tathagata Roy’s blog.
Back to Direct Action Day, note the Government declared August 16 as a public holiday in Bengal and Sind, two provinces ruled by the Muslim League. The Bengal CM Suhrawardy threatened to declare Bengal independent in case power was transferred to the Congress at the Centre. 3 pg. 171
When asked whether his “farewell to all constitutional methods” implied being violent Jinnah replied he did not want to go into the niceties of violence and non-violence. 3 pg. 171 Nawab Liaquat Ali Khan (first Prime Minister of Pakistan) said,
“Direct Action means any action against the law. We cannot eliminate any method.”
Members of the Muslim League present at the Direct Action Day rally.
Actually, there was a deeper intent behind the August 16, 1946 violence.
The Muslim population in the Bengal province was 54%, with a Muslim League government in power under provincial autonomy, 1935. Calcutta was a Muslim majority with a population of 53%. The intent was to drive Hindus out of Calcutta so that Calcutta city, an important trading hub then, became part of Pakistan. Further, the League wanted to draw as many Bihari refugees as possible to Bengal and settle them in the bordering districts where the Hindus were in a majority. (This demographic change in some border districts has now been achieved due to Bangladeshi infiltration. See link 3).
Pamphlets were issued in Urdu and Bengali with pictures of violent scenes printed on them. 6 pg. 227 SM Usman, the Mayor of Calcutta urged the Muslims to congregate at the rally. He issued a pamphlet with a picture of Jinnah with a sword, which read, “We Muslims have ruled India. Be ready with swords and we will have a special victory..…O kafir, your doom is not far, the massacre will come.” 6 pg. 228
More than 1 lakh Muslims gathered in the mosque where a call for Jihad was read, “We are 10 crores in India but have become slaves of Hindus and British. We are starting a jihad in the month of Ramzan. May we be victorious and establish the kingdom of Islam, making India the biggest Islamic kingdom in the world.” Namaz was offered for a British free, Islamic India”. 6 pg. 228
On the morning of 16 August 1946 over one lakh, Muslims rallied the streets of Calcutta with lathis, spears, daggers, knives, firearms, empty soda bottles, kerosine, rags soaked in petrol etc. The parade ended with a gory rampage in the thickly populated Hindu areas.
Jaideep adds, “By early afternoon, Muslims armed with iron rods, sticks, swords and weapons started streaming out of the mosques in areas like Park Circus, Metiabruz, Rabindra Sarani and Garden Reach and congregating at the Ochterlony monument (the Shahid Minar now) for the Muslim League rally. The gathering, estimated variously between 60,000 and 200,000, was by far the largest assembly of Muslims in Bengal.”
Suhrawardy took charge of the control room at Calcutta Police Headquarters at Lal Bazar and instructed the police not to take any action against the Muslim rioters. Police were sent where Hindus were fighting back. Suhrawardy transferred twenty-two Hindu police officers out of twenty-four key posts in Calcutta to disable police interference. In Howrah, League rioters were supported by Sherif Khan, the Mayor of Calcutta. 3 pg. 165
Muslim shops were marked to save them from being looted. Some Muslims were seen looting Hindu shops in Red Cross uniforms. Fire Brigade had to attend 900 calls in 2 days, they were stopped from putting out the fires in Hindu areas. Even the English governor Burrows, turned a deaf ear to the wails of Hindus. 6 M.A. Khan quotes Justice Khosla’s report. Pg. 230
THE DIRECT ACTION DAY, 16 AUGUST 1946; Picture Source: @Twitter
Jinnah asked Muslims to conduct themselves peacefully “but in certain localities of Bengal, it was merely a camouflage for an anti-Hindu campaign of loot, arson, and indiscriminate murder of men, women and children, with impunity. The worst holocaust took place in Calcutta as the Muslim League government took a direct part in organising the Muslim attack and it was alleged that even the Chief Minister himself shielded notorious ruffians of Calcutta.”
“It was reported that a notorious Muslim goonda of Calcutta, responsible for murdering Hindus was caught red-handed, was released from the lock-up at the intervention of the CM.”
“The Hindus were butchered like sheep, their women were violated and their houses burnt in predominantly Muslim quarters.” 1 Pg 748. Many believe that Jinnah had full knowledge of Suhrawardy’s plans, who could not have unleashed such scale of violence without Jinnah being in the know.”
The Statesman, an English daily in Calcutta wrote, “We have already commented on the bands who found it easy to get petrol and vehicles when no others were permitted on the streets. Men were brought into Calcutta to make an impression. Thousands have been brutally burnt, smashed eyes, smashed jaws and limbs of men, women and children. For 3 days the city concentrated on unrestrained civil war. The primary blame lies with the Muslim League cabinet and particularly CM Suhrawardy.” 1 pg. 749. Neither Nehru nor Jinnah thought it fit to visit Calcutta.
Note that Suhrawardy’s are of Arab descent from a place called Suhraward in Iraq. Source
When Hindus were at the receiving end the English Governor Burrows sat like a statue in his chambers taking no action. “When it was realised by the Government that the butchery, pillage and arson were no longer one-way traffic, they cried halt and peace was restored after about a week.” 1 pg. 749 On August 21 1946 the Suhrawardy government was dismissed, and the British Army flag marched in riot-affected areas.
“The streets were strewn with dead bodies, small children were hurled down roofs, some boiled in oil, others burnt alive. Suhrawardy called in the army after two days when the Hindus started retaliating.” Stern Reckoning by Justice Khosla, Lahore High Court. 6 pg. 230
In the Metiaburz area, now known as Mini Pakistan, about 600 Oriya labourers were beheaded by League leader Syed Abdullah Farooqi and his mob inside Keshav Ram Cotton Mill. Two labourers, who had their hands chopped off, escaped.
Leonard Mosley summed up the casualties in the following words, “Between the dawn of 16/8/1946 and dusk three days later, the people of Calcutta hacked, battered, burned and short 6,000 of each other to death and raped and maimed another 20,000”. 1 pg. 749
The unabated killings resulted in over 10,000 killed in Calcutta alone, 15,000 injured. 3 pg. 172 Records say that many bodies were thrown into underground sewers, the Ganga and city canals. An actual number of casualties must be higher.
According to this article in The Hindu between 1-2 lakh were rendered homeless by the riots and the resulting exodus could result in the breakdown of economic life.
It was expected that Hindus would not fight back. However, Gopal Chandra Mukhopadhyay, Basanta a wrestler and Jugal Chandra Ghosh took the battle into the Muslim League camp.
On August 18th, Gopal Mukhopadhyay equipped his Bharat Jatiya Bahini team and commoners like milkmen, vegetable vendors, labourers with pistols, cartridges, grenades procured from the American soldiers and launched counter attacks on the League goons.
He was supported by SP Mookerjee and the Marwari community that dominated the economy of Calcutta and Bengal. Basanta’s team with his Bengalis and non-Bengali migrants from UP, Bihar and Odisha and Jugal Chandra Ghosh, owner of an akhara and of the Hindu Mahasabha fought back.
Leagues plan of draining industrialised areas of Calcutta Howrah, Hooghly, 24 Paraganas of Hindus and demand for including them in Pakistan came crashing down. Muslim League student’s wing leaders – G G Ajmiri and Sheikh Muzib Ur Rehman were sent to the Hindu groups for a truce.
“Having failed in Calcutta, League chooses to attack Hindus of Noakhali who were just 18% of the total population”, wrote P C Lahiri. The Noakali killings require a separate article.
In July 2021 Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal declared August 16 as “Khela Hobe Diwas”. How she means to justify “Khela Hobe” is open to conjecture or for her to explain, but its distinct connection to Direct Action Day is not lost on students of history.
Note:The purpose of sharing history is not to incite or provoke but to make the reader aware. Utmost care has been taken in culling out extracts. Errors if any are unintentional and without malafide intent.
References
1. History and Culture of the Indian People Volume 11 published by The Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan. 2. Thoughts on Pakistan by Dr Ambedkar chapter 13. 3. The tragic story of partition by H.V.Sheshadri 4. Muslim League Attack on Sikh & Hindus in the Punjab 1947 by S Gurbachan Singh 5. Pakistan or the Partition of India by Dr B R Ambedkar. 6. Islamic Jihad: A Legacy of Forced Conversion, Imperialism & Slavery by M. A. Khan. 7. Veer Savarkar by Dhananjay Keer.
Author:Meenakshi Sharan This article was first published on eSamskriti We have republished it with her kind permission.
Disclaimer: The author is solely responsible for the views expressed in this article. The opinions and facts are presented solely by her, and neither The Australia Today News nor its partners assume any responsibility for them.
Daniel Andrew, Premier Victoria; Picture Source: The Australia Today
The lockdown across Melbourne will be extended and a curfew will be put in place across metropolitan Melbourne.
Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews has announced that from tonight the lockdown restrictions will be strengthened and extended in metropolitan Melbourne, until 11.59 pm on Thursday, 2 September.
This is an additional 14 days on the previous directions.
The strengthened settings will see a curfew imposed from 9 pm to 5 am every night. This will operate as it did last year, with very limited reasons to leave the home during this time.
There will be increased police presence across metropolitan Melbourne to ensure public health measures are enforced.
While the restrictions commence from 11.59 pm tonight, Premier is asking people to respect the curfew from 9 pm.
“Permits will be required to leave the house for authorised work, consistent with the arrangements that were in place last year.”
Additional restrictions will also apply to the construction industry, again operating as it did last year with staffing reductions in place except for critical infrastructure and emergency repairs.
Premier Daniel Andrews said, “These restrictions are hard work for every Victorian. Everyone wants this pandemic to be over, but the rules are in place for a reason – we know they work and if we follow them together, we’ll be able to lift them sooner.”
At large scale construction sites, staffing must reduce to 25 per cent or five workers on site, whichever is higher.
Authorised workers will be required to carry permits when working, and when travelling for work, from 11:59 pm on Tuesday, August 17. The permits need to be certified by an employer.
“Permits will be available on the coronavirus website before these directions come into effect.”
Permits will also need to be carried by higher education students who are on the Authorised Provider list.
Incidents that occurred in Melbourne over the weekend – people congregating together on pub crawls with no social distancing, different families meeting in parks together, large groups of people visiting other households– were unacceptable.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said, “At the moment we have a steady number of cases who are out in the community each day, and an increasing number of mystery cases, and we need to get ahead of that. These new measures will help us limit movement, so we can catch up and shut down this outbreak.”
Under the strengthened restrictions designed to curb potential transmission events, playgrounds, basketball hoops, skate parks and outdoor exercise equipment will now be closed. People will not be able to remove their masks to drink alcoholic beverages in public.
Exercise will be limited to just you and one other person, plus dependants if they can’t be left at home. This is similar to the current rule but with a slight change,
“If you live in a larger household such as a share house, or with extended family, you can no longer exercise with all members of your household.”
Otherwise, the restrictions will remain the same – there are still only five reasons to leave your home:
1- Shopping for the things you need – One person per household per day 2- Care and caregiving, 3- Exercise, 4- Authorised work and study 5- To get a vaccine.
Exercise and shopping are still limited to 5km from your home.
If there are no shops within your 5km radius, you can travel to the ones closest to you. You are also able to travel more than 5km to get a vaccine if you need to. And more than ever, it’s critical people do not have visitors to the home.
All Victorians are encouraged where possible to book their vaccination appointment by visiting portal.cvms.vic.gov.au or by phoning the Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.
Visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccination-centres for more information on Victoria’s vaccination centres, including locations and opening hours.
Commonwealth_Bank_branch_office; Picture Source: By Maksym Kozlenko - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,
Boosted by healthcare stocks Australian shares closed the week at a record high, as investors look ahead to corporate earnings and announcements of bumper dividends from more heavyweights this week.
The stocks of export-reliant healthcare companies such as CSL Ltd continued to record impressive gains helped by a stronger US Dollar.
Financials also added 3% for the week, with the country’s top three insurers all soaring after their earnings report highlighted improving conditions.
Commonwealth Bank, however, was the only exception as it snapped out of its recent rally, soon after announcing a bumper dividend of $2 per share and a large share buyback as analysts flagged concerns around its revenue growth going forward.
Australian Insurance Companies; Picture Source: @Canva
A continued decline in iron ore prices on concerns over output controls of steel in China and signs of economic slowdown in China, the world’s largest metal consumer resulted in losses for major miners with BHP and Fortescue leading the losses.
The earnings season is set to kick into full gear this week, with BHP, Westpac and CSL Ltd all set to post their results this week.
With more bumper payments expected, analysts believe it will be about time that the payout finds its way back to the markets.
According to one of the analysts with Australian interest rates continuing to sit at near 0% and most Australians unable to travel or do much due to the pandemic related lockdowns, most of them would not want all the bumper cash announced through these dividends to sit in a bank and earn near-zero interest. It is only a matter of time this money will find its way back to the market.
ASX 200; Picture Source: @Canva
As such we believe that ASX 200 is all set to reach 8000 points shortly once all this cash finds its way back into the market. Probably the COVID lockdowns currently plaguing the nation being the main drawback for the momentum.
There were also some new record highs reached by some major Australian stocks last week.
Macquarie Bank shares touched a record $164.89, Wesfarmers hit a record $65.30 and Domino’s Pizza shares jumped to reach a high of $127.62.
A dip in gold prices to a four-month low of $1667 on Monday resulted in gold being snapped up in Asian markets, with premiums in China and Asia rebounding to a multi-month high.
Dealers in India were charging a premium of up to $5 an ounce over official domestic prices on physical gold, the highest in five months. Last week the premium on physical gold in India was only $1 per ounce.
Gold; Picture Source: @Canva
According to Harshad Ajmera from JJ Gold House in Kolkata, “Retail demand is improving because of price correction in gold. Jewellers are also making purchases for the upcoming festivals.”
With COVID cases continuing to decline in India jewellers are optimistic about the upcoming festival season in India and with a decline in gold prices across the region the demand has received a much needed new boost.
In China, the premiums on physical gold rose to their highest since the beginning of June at $5-10 per ounce over global benchmark spot gold prices. According to Ronald Leung, chief dealer for Lee Cheong Gold Dealers in Hong Kong, “Gold demand in China was a little better when prices dropped, people rushed to buy gold.”
Trade reports showed there was an increase of 60% in demand for gold in China last week compared to the week before. On Friday gold futures closed at USD 1780 per ounce after reaching a four-month low of $1667 on Monday.
Oil on the other hand was little changed last week as it weathered concerns that the spread of coronavirus variants is slowing oil demand. On Thursday the International Energy Agency said that demand for crude oil came to a ground halt in July and was set to rise at a slower rate over the rest of the year because of surging infections from various variants of coronavirus. Having said that oil has continued to find support by improved demand in the USA and other nations where the rate of vaccinations are higher.
oil price going up; Picture Source: @Canva
Moving forward the fast-spreading COVID19 Delta variant will remain the biggest challenge for oil markets with investors watching the rapidly rising infections with alarm. The situation in China, the world’s biggest oil importer, is of particular concern as China imposed lockdowns in 144 of the worst-hit areas nationwide to stop the spread.
About the Australian Dollar, it continued to drive sideways within 0.7288 and 0.7430 boundaries against the US Dollar for a third consecutive week. The Aussie dollar continues to struggle in registering any uptick above the 20-day moving average. The Technical Oscillators reflect an indecisive market as well. The RSI has failed to return above the broken tentative ascending trend line and the 50 and 200-day moving averages continue to deviate after negatively intersecting each other, keeping the bias on the bearish side.
In light of the rising numbers of Delta variant cases of coronavirus emerging in New South Wales, the investors will be keeping an eye on RBA Assistant Governor who will b speaking on Friday for further insight into the central bank’s stance.
Just like the Australian Dollar the Indian Rupee remained indecisive and range bound against the US dollar. The USDINR pair kept trading a 50-day moving average and a descending resistance line from July 21.
Even compared to the Australian Dollar the Indian Rupee remained range-bound between 54.50 and 54.80.
In the world of Cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin recorded a fourth weekly gain. The bulls continued to rally as they took over the 50% Fibonacci of the $64,895-$28,600 mark at $46,747.
With Bollinger uptrend channel also holding the bulls will be targeting a price of $51,030 for the next target.
Ethereum also continued to rally before hitting resistance around the USD3250 mark. Ethereum prices have now surged 60% over the last 30 days. The redesign of Ethereum to make it ready for Ethereum 2.0 release in December have been more positive about the rally in Ethereum with calls for Ether to energize above USD 5,000 going day by day.
Last week we spoke about our bias for green coins such as Cardano, Stellar Lumens and Polkadot. All three coins rallied and outperformed Bitcoin in the previous week, indicating that the market is optimistic on alts. With the majority of the measures showing signals of good health, we continue our positive bias towards these coins.
In agricultural products, wheat prices hit an eight-year high after big cuts to wheat production in Russia and Canada. The big cuts surprised the market and raised concerns about declining food supplies.
With more hot and dry weather continuing in the Northern hemisphere soybean and corn also finished strong for the week. With dry summer expected to continue the prices for agricultural goods could be pushed farther North this week.
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 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.
Indian PM Narendra Modi at Red fort unfurling Tricolour
‘Nation First, Always First’ is the theme for this year’s celebration.
On the 15th of August 1947, India declared its independence from the British Empire. Today is 2021, we will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the triumph of our liberation fight. Independence Day is important because it honours the valour and determination of the country’s freedom warriors who struggled for independence from British control.
This year, as a result of the epidemic, a large number of online activities are being planned at the national and international levels among Indian nationals living abroad. A popular Independence Day ritual is kite flying, with thousands of kites of all sizes, shapes, and colours filling the sky on this holiday every year.
To properly celebrate the event, let us first examine the history and importance of this day in history.
Independence Movement: A historical perspective
Beginning in 1757, Following the British victory at the Battle of Plassey, the English East India Company gained control of the nation and started to exert influence. By 1857, the British had gained full governmental control of the Indian subcontinent, which they governed either directly or via subordinate rulers.
They had created an authoritarian administration based on Mughal practice and tradition, backed up by competent civil service and a reasonably effective army. The British had reigned over India for almost two centuries, a period that included the Indian independence movement.
In the midst of World War I, the Indian independence movement was launched under the leadership of Mohandas K. Gandhi, who called for a peaceful and nonviolent end to British rule. For years, the Indian independence movement had gathered momentum, with the demand for poorna Swaraj, or complete independence from colonial authority, resonating in the streets and echoed across the country.
The rise of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose provided the independence movement with a boost in its strength and effectiveness. Finally, the British chose to withdraw from India, allowing the nation to reclaim its independence.
Lord Mountbatten, the Viceroy of India, had been set a deadline of June 1948 for completing the transfer of authority in the country. Mountbatten, on the other hand, determined that the British would go early.
Retaliation and uprisings have played a prominent role in Indian history, and they were ultimately responsible for driving the British out of the country and forcing former Viceroy Lord Mountbatten to declare India free on August 15, 1947, after granting the Indians the authority to do so. On this day in 1947, British-ruled India was divided into two nations, India and Pakistan, which became independent in 1947.
The British were successful in implementing their divide and rule strategy, which resulted in bloodshed between Muslims and Hindus in the aftermath. This turmoil resulted in the formation of a new nation on the eve of August 14, 1947, after violent riots, widespread fatalities, and the relocation of almost 15 million people.
After being presented in the British House of Commons on July 4, 1947, and passing two weeks later, the Indian Independence Bill became law. As a result of the Bill, the British Empire’s authority over India came to an end on August 15, 1947. The partition of India and Pakistan also resulted in the creation of these countries as sovereign states.
The Importance of Independence Day
On 15 August 1947, as India was preparing to become an independent nation, Jawaharlal Nehru, the country’s first Prime Minister, addressed the nation and unfurled the Indian tricolour at the Red Fort, marking the beginning of the country’s transition into independence. Since then, the custom has been carried forth.
The prime minister of India Narendra Modi will continue delivering a national speech from the Red Fort. Additionally, in the Indian state capitals, a variety of cultural events are made accessible to the public.
Author:Dr Mumtaz Alam is Head of School- Arts and Humanities at the College of Humanities and Education of the Fiji National University. The views expressed are his own and not of this newspaper or his employer. For comments or suggestions, email: mumtazalig@gmail.com
Many know that India was once a prosperous nation with a rich heritage or else why would it attract Muslim and Christian invaders? So they believe it is inevitable before she becomes prosperous once again.
Times have changed. The path to building national power is difficult. Here are some things (not an exhaustive list) Indians must do?
They are broadly classified as thinking differently, business and policy and macro issues. Thinking Differently
1. Ignore flattery.
This requires not to gloat when praised e.g. recently former President Obama said he heard the Ramayana in his childhood. It made many proud but could actually be a ploy to promote his book. Flattery inflates the ego. If that happens it is the beginning of our downfall.
If we get taken in by flattery it implies a lack of confidence. When praised, say thank you.
2.Stop this yearning to be a superpower.
When things begin to look up, the hype about India being the next superpower is created. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Indians must put their heads down and work. When we become a power, the aware shall realize because the world will look at us differently.
3.Be inspired by and learn from India’s past but live in the present.
Swami Vivekananda said, “So long as they forgot the past, the Hindu nation remained in a state of stupor and as soon as they have begun to look into their past, there is on every side a fresh manifestation of life. It is out of this past that the future has to be moulded.”
4. How must we think?
Maharshi Aurobindo said, “Our first necessity, if India is to survive and do her appointed work in the world, is that the youth of India should learn to think, – to think on all subjects, to think independently, fruitfully, going to the heart of things, not stopped by their surface, free of prejudgments, shearing sophism and prejudice.” India’s Rebirth
5.Have an open mind and accept knowledge from all sides.
We must accept the best of the West, whilst adjusting it for our national temperament.
6.India should play to win.
And stop trying to be a good boy like Vijay Amritraj who never won a Grand Slam but was appreciated for his on-court manners.
7.Learn how to Concentrate.
If we do so, national productivity would go up.
8.Promote Curiosity.
Create a culture that encourages people to ask questions. This will also help disturb the status quo.
9.Change is essential to life, a rolling stone gathers no moss.
The government can take the lead and explain the need and benefits of change. Once people’s faith in the government is restored they will be more amenable to change.
10.Stop being over-critical.
When shortcomings in the electoral process of its President became apparent some suggested the U.S. outsource the conduct of elections to India. Yet we never cease to find fault with India’s electoral process and Chief Election Commission.
Indians criticize too much. It represents negative energy. Learn to appreciate good work and say Thank You.
11.Compassion.
Being compassionate requires us to share wealth/intelligence with the less fortunate and accept that the God within all is the same.
GOI must create a Public Trust that allows rich Indians to contribute to nation-building e.g. purchase of Covid19 vaccine and weapons.
Indira Gandhi Canal Bikaner.
12.Yoga and Ayurveda, is preventive in nature, build immunity and mental-physical-spiritual strength.
The learned can tell how to make them part of contemporary daily living. India must then selflessly share these pearls of wisdom with the world.
13.Focus on the Root of the problem.
Well-meaning institutions are taking numerous steps to control NCR pollution where rice farmers’ stubble burning is a major cause. Growing rice is attractive because of free power (encourages pumping of groundwater) and assured price.
Yet, we do not ask Punjab farmers why they grow rice or do away with free power. Instead, we spend money on buying machines to cut stubble and farmer subsidies.
Thus, we are not addressing the actual cause of the problem i.e. free power. Be it bank NPA’s or stubble burning India must not put good money after bad.
Chitrakoot Waterfalls Bastar.
Business and policy
14.Give people freedom from excessive regulation.
Over the last seventy years, Indians have become adept at how to beat the system. Create a high trust rules-based environment, with checks and balances, so that energy is used to create jobs and wealth.
Remember, “Expansion is life, contraction is death.”
Bajaj Bikes are sold globally.
15.Focus on manufacturing, scale, innovation and products for domestic and export markets.
So far India Inc. was forced to think small. However, the recent PLI (production linked incentives) scheme might change things. Anand Mahindra tweeted “This policy signals recognition that a) Scale is imperative to nurture globally competitive businesses b) Large enterprises foster a large ecosystem of small/micro enterprises.”
Companies could learn from Bajaj Auto who produce motorcycles for the domestic and export markets. Exports lower per-unit manufacturing cost.
Wish Rajiv Bajaj spoke about how BA meets consumer needs in so many markets and shares learnings with India Inc.
Cotton Ikat shirt from vinegr.in & kurta fromfabindia.com
16.Indians should be obsessed with Cost Reduction.
Government must run a national campaign कमरूपएमेंअधिकमूल्यपाओ or Get More Value for Every Rupee Spent. Consumers must demand better quality at the same price. This will force all to increase productivity. I learnt this mantra whilst working for Hindustan Lever.
17.Judicial reforms. The Executive must reform laws.
Delays in courts make it difficult to enforce contracts – this affects the ease of doing business. Read Ideas for Judiciary
18. Irrigation.
Since states have failed to substantially build canals, the Centre needs to step in. For this, the constitution must be amended by moving agriculture to the Concurrent List.
Orchha, Bundelkhand is wow.
19. Promote Handlooms.
More consumption shall increase employment and incomes at the grassroots level.
20. Promote Tourism esp. to backward areas of Bundelkhand, Bastar and Odisha.
Make Bodh Gaya a world-class pilgrimage destination with 18-hole golf courses.
More tourists mean jobs and higher incomes. When Indians interact with others it shall reduce misunderstandings and promote appreciation.
21. Export Arms.
This shall generate jobs and growth. It shall provide the necessary heft to India’s foreign policy.
Confident, a village near Barmer.
Macro issues
22.Strengthen Dharma.
Every nation has a main current of life. India’s is Dharma. If Dharma weakens India could become like Sudan where warring factions split the nation into two (Muslim north vs Christian South). Read here Remember the Supreme Court logo, Yato Dharma Tato Jaya — ‘Where there is dharma, there is victory.’
We should remember that centuries ago our forefathers allowed persecuted Jews and Parsis to settle in India. Those wanting to make India an Abhramic state must see the state of Pakistan to know its pitfalls.
23.Reduce Population.
Now suppose India’s population was 100 and not 140 crores imagine the reduced need for food grain, resources and administration.
It is also simple maths. A family of four with a monthly income of Rs 20,000/spends Rs 10,000/ per child vs. a family of 6 who spends Rs 5,000/.
24. Be Aggressive.
We must realise that military strength and spirituality are both necessary for peace and righteousness. Swami Ramdas is incomplete without Shivaji. We need not project our capabilities aggressively. The wise will understand.
Similarly, spirituality and improvement in material conditions of life of the poor can co-exist.
25.Respect Women, allow them to blossom.
Can’t say it in more simple words.
India’s future is intertwined with the respect accorded to her women. Conversely, women should not try to ape-men because then India will lose.
Before going to bed REFLECT on what you can do better.
If people do not change India shall remain a country with potential.
Author:Sanjeev Nayyar is a Corporate Trainer, Business Consultant, Chartered Accountant, Columnist since 2003, Committed Photographer & Ex HLL, Star TV.
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.
Educators from Fiji and the Pacific have always shown a phenomenal contribution in learning, teaching, innovation and research that has led to not just developing the human capital of Fiji/Pacific, but they have been empathetic and shown commitment towards the community, during the pandemic to come forward to appreciate Fiji’s healthcare and frontline workers by presenting a ‘basket of goodies.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Fiji is surging at a brisk pace, so is the rising responsibility on Fiji’s frontline workers and healthcare heroes who have sacrificed the comfort of their homes and taken an unimaginable risk to serve the ones in need.
These unsung heroes are the national pride for Fiji, and the initiative tagline is…
“You have given our Nation the Gift of Encouragement and Hope in a difficult time. Vinaka Vakalevu”.
The torchbearer of this humanitarian initiative is the dynamic and intellectual leader Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba, Dean of College of Humanities and Education, Fiji National University [FNU] joined by a large number of educators in and around the Pacific.
This initiative is one of the deep commitment to achieving Fiji’s National Development Plan and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) values that aimed at developing sustainability, building resilience and helping communities, showing accountability, caring, values of service, respect and compassion, development, honesty and selflessness and nurturing the spirit of volunteerism.
This also reflects the Educators’ commitment towards Corporate Social responsibility and supporting national economic and social development. These values are aligned with national priorities that have global relevance.
Supplied: Prof. Unaisi Nabobo-Baba, Dean of College of Humanities and Education, Fiji National University
‘Basket of Goods’ initiative is also supported by players of Fiji’s rugby 7 Olympic Gold Medalist winners who showed appreciation towards the healthcare workers and front liners, their families for their service to the nation in these hard times.
Many healthcare workers of other nations including Australia have reported increased levels of stress and anxiety, where researches have shown ‘majority of them are also concern about contracting the virus themselves and passing it on to others and urged to be considerate by doing the right things, appreciate the stress they’re under, stay connected to show affirm social bond, encourage them to seek support.
Australians have shown respect to their healthcare and frontline workers and by various campaigns like #BuyThemACoffee, helping doctors without babysitters, writing letters for the front, adopt a health care worker, and feeding the frontline.
In India, many Indian healthcare and frontline workers have also gone through emotional and mental strain when they serve the fearful public, and many have even sacrificed their lives while performing their professional duties.
The researchers have recommended that ‘The provision of psychological and financial support for health workers and their families is absolutely critical in building trust and dedicated work efforts by the health workforce for a continuous fight against the deadly disease” (Behera et al., 2020).
A letter to editor Violence among healthcare workers during COVIC-19 pandemic in India, where they have been attacked and criticised, probably due to the ‘panic and mistrust on the government steps in combating COVID-19” (Kengadaran et al., 2021).
Despite these incidences, many organisations and government have shown their insurmountable support to their health and frontline warriors. This anxiety among healthcare and frontline workers became intense where coronavirus pandemic cases are rising at an alarming rate.
Thus, this Oped displays a sense of gratitude towards Fiji’s healthcare and frontline workers and saluting all those who have been working tirelessly in this initiative for community service.
Basket of Goods by Fiji/Pacific Educators
Recognizing and Appreciating: Golden Hearts
The inspiring quote of Martin Luther King Jr. stated,
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy”
It implies most appropriately to all healthcare and frontline workers who have shown dedication in these testing times.
The health workers working in hospitals, clinics, health centres, quarantine centres, swapping teams, vaccination workers and their supporting staff; similarly, the armed forces constituting of Fiji Police Forces, Fiji Military Forces, Civil servants and other administrative workers to enforce law and curfew restriction have shown their sincere committed towards service of a nation.
Their commitment, passion and dedication deserve appreciation from the ones who they are serving. Therefore, recognition of Fiji’s healthcare and frontline workers efforts in battling against COVID-19 through gifts, flowers and goodies is the objective behind ‘Fiji/Pacific Educators Recognise & Appreciate Healthcare & Frontline workers’.
This is a College of Humanities and Education led event widely organised by FNU workers with our front liners. This initiative is to support the frontline workers, especially the nurses, doctors and members of the defence/police forces and others who are serving in hospitals, health centres, quarantine and containment centres, vaccination and checkpoints during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under this volunteer initiative, the educators from the Ministry of Education, Fiji National University, University of South Pacific, University of Fiji, Fulton College, Pacific Theological College, Fiji Teachers Union and Fiji Teachers Association, other educational union leaders, business houses, school teachers, retired teachers, voluntary donators, youth groups, NGOs, a few companies and friends, and fellow educators at all levels in the Pasifika, have united to provide their appreciation by a ‘basket of goodies.
That included providing refreshments, bouquets, hand sanitisers, cartons of water, face masks, grocery packs and other essential items, that were delivered by adhering to COVID-19 procedures and restrictions.
Melody Beattie said, ‘Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow’. Thus, showing appreciation by Pacifica educators to all frontline workers and families is a basic act of appreciation to their sacrifice of being away from their family and comfort to contain the epidemic and perform national service.
These workers put their life at risk and that of their loved ones to help to take care of their fellow citizens. It is due to their sacrifice and tirelessly working, the community at large can feel safe and secured.
They put themselves in the way of the deadly virus and provide care to a number of them who are infected, thus making a difference in the lives of many others. Their devotion, courage and commitment deserve admiration. An entire society cannot repay the efforts shown by these unsung heroes for their fellow citizens.
Fiji/Pacific Educators: Vibrant Committee Teams
This noble initiative by Fiji/Pacific Educators set up a role model reflecting active, positive and progressive commitment towards the society in uncertain times. It shall set up an example for current and future challenges to stand together to support their healthcare and frontline workers.
Thus a humanitarian effort is even supported and appreciated by Hon. Rosy Sofia Akbar, Minister of Education, Heritage and Arts, Fiji. This small appreciation gesture and support are led by different leadership committees across Fiji, as in the Central division. These teams made rational decisions on the logistics for funding, procurement and distribution, and shown a most incredible sense of sustained commitment that has eased the pressure and enhance the morale of these unsung heroes.
Vinaka Vakalevu/Thank you
Australia, India, New Zealand, United States and other nations have shown their support to provide vaccination to Fiji and many Pacific countries who are suffering from an increasing number of COVID-19 cases. They deserve a huge appreciation, but equally, the acknowledgement should be given to men/women working at ground level to deliver and administer the vaccinations to people.
Due to the commitment of the frontline and health professionals, the families of others can remain healthy, safe and protected during these trying times. Their duty of care need to be appreciated, so I take this opportunity on behalf of all those educators and sponsors to show my deepest appreciation to their commitment and salute all Healthcare & Frontline worker’s contributions towards Fiji and humanity.
I fall short of words to show my gratitude towards their endless commitment, so I would like to say one word in a nutshell, A Big Vinaka Vaka Levu/Dhanawad/Thankyou/Shukriya/Merci Beaucoup!
Author: Dr Sakul Kundra, A.HOD Department of Social Science, College of Humanities and Education, Fiji National University.
Educators supporting the initiative: Prof. Unaisi Nabobo-Baba, Dr. Rosiana Lagi, Ms. Sereima Takiveikata, Mrs. Vidya Singh, Mr. Jerry Wong, Ms. Adi Kelera Bokini Naborisi, Mr. Matereti Sarasau, Mr. Agni Deo, Mr. Paula Manumanuitoga, Mr Mosese Natuilagilagi, Dr. Shikha Raturi, Mr. Maciu Cakaubalavu, Ms. Laisa Tifere, Dr. Joseph Veramu), Nausori (Master Viliame Mulo), Tavua/Rakiraki (Dr. Rohit Kishore), Nadi (Mrs. Rina Kumar, Dr. Sunil Kumar and Mr. Eric Jioje), Labasa (Dr. Samu Bogitini, Mrs Fereal Ibrahim, Mr. Pradeep Lal), Navua (Mrs. Sharmila Lakshman, Dr. Mosmi Bhim, Ms. Makereta Mua), Lautoka (Shabreen Khondoker [Champs International School], Mr. Perry Gabriel, Mrs Finau Voi, Dr. Kamal Naiker, Mrs Lia Bogitini, Dr. Taravini Raiula, Mrs Sangeeta Jattan, Dr. Premila Devi (USP), Prof. Tupeni L Baba (University of Fiji), Mr Aminisitai Koroi, Mr. Ravinesh Prasad) and Ba (Mr. Feroz Ali, Ms. Sofia Ali, Dr. Mumtaz Alam and Dr. Afsar Alam, Dr. Tanveer Naqvi, Mr. Salim Humayoon) and all others.
Indian Film Festival of Melbourne – IFFM’s 12th edition will be launched with a magnificent Opening Night on 15th August 2021, drawing Satyajit Ray’s classic film Mahanagar (The Big City, 1963).
Festival Director Mitu Bhaumik Lounge says, “it is an unmissable highlight of the Festival’s tribute to legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray, as part of global celebrations marking his centenary birth year.”
And just to add the cherry on the top of the IFFM’s digital cake all the movies will be streaming free of charge across Australia via the festival’s website.
Coming back on the Satyajit Ray directed Mahanagar (The Big City, 1963)
Based on the short story Abataranika by Narendranath Mitra, the movie tells the story of a housewife who disconcerts her traditionalist family by getting a job as a saleswoman.
This 131 mins Ray-delight of 1963 was way ahead of its time.
Arati, a middle-class woman from Kolkata, takes her first job because of increasing financial pressure. However, her husband slowly grows insecure about her growing success.
The film examines the effects of the confident working woman on patriarchal attitudes and social dynamics.
When veteran film critic Philip French says this is one of Ray’s greatest films, you just tend to agree with him. The movie is a far cry from the loud, revolting and disrespectful deception of the modern feminist movement. However, it conveys the strongest meaning of women empowerment and equality in marriage.
The emotional roller-coaster will continue as we Celebrate the Ray Centenary with 9 more Online films: 1. Mahanagar 2. Charulata 3. Nayak 4. Mahapurush 5. Jay baba felunath 6. Ghanashatru (Enemy of the People) – Feature film 7. Ghaire Bhaire (The Home and the World)- Feature Film 8. Agantuk ( The stranger) – feature film 9. A Ray of Light- Nemian Ghosh {Documentary} 10. The Music of Satyajit Ray {Documentary- English}
As the COVID19 has disrupted our lives as much as it could, the resilient IFFM team has adopted more innovative ways to keep the entertainment to the highest possible level.
IFFM2021 team released a touching message.
Curious? Me too.
It’s as easy as going to your AppleTV and downloading the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne App, and you are ready to binge more than 120 Films in 27 languages. Remember there is no subscription fee, just register and click the movie to watch on your TV.
Oh sorry, We should have explained it before. No, it’s not an exclusive right of Apple gadgets owners to have all the fun.
We android people can simply log on to IFFM.com.au register and enjoy on phone or TV.
Reshma Azhakiya Namby is an Advocate of Migrants’ rights; Picture Source: Supplied
AUSTRALIA- A land of opportunities?
In 2018, when I first moved to Australia, everything seemed so fresh. I was the new girl in the city and enjoyed the tiniest of detail present in the country. From enjoying the lighted city during the White night to working at Nandos serving “seriously large chips” to the Aussie population, I felt extremely welcomed in the country.
Every day was a new opportunity for me with being able to meet tens of hundreds of people belonging to several cultures. Learning French from a European friend at University and volunteering at engineering clubs were the highlight of my Uni life. Not to forget the free beer and food every Tuesday at my Uni’s UMSU social event.
Within months of arriving in the country, I landed my first professional job. I was employed as an undergraduate structural engineer with Aurecon, one of the A-tier engineering consultancy firms in the country.
Upon graduation, I was promoted to become a Structural engineer within the same company, further rose in my career as a consultant and it’s been almost 3 years with Aurecon, and I can say I have worked with an amazing portfolio of clients including State Governments. I was beginning to enjoy the diversity within the country and the inclusiveness of the people here.
Reshma Azhakiya Namby, Advocate of Migrants’ rights; Picture Source: Supplied
Bam! Then came the international border closure and Australia’s fortress attitude
But what has changed in the past year and a half? Literally, NOTHING!
Pressing the pause button to life for a period as long as 16 months isn’t fair. Now, by definition, Life means different things to different people. To an average Aussie, having a cuppa and burger from Maccas and enjoying a nice surf at the Bay could be what Life is.
But the truth is and what I have witnessed personally is that there is no “average Aussie”. Every Australian resident always strives to excel, excel in anything and everything we do. And that my friends, is the reason why I do not want to settle for anything less.
Reshma Azhakiya Namby, Advocate of Migrants’ rights; Picture Source: Supplied
As an Australian resident, I deserve to live LIFE without having to press that pause button. If John Smith from the United Kingdom, where a total of 4,990,916 COVID19 cases and 128,301 fatalities due to the virus have been recorded to date, can have an inter-country tour to visit a dying mother or celebrate a sibling’s wedding, then why can’t I?
If Deepak Mehra from India, where a total of 30,709,557 COVID19 cases and 405,028 fatalities due to the virus have been recorded to date, can relocate to Germany, Singapore, the USA or the UK for international education, then why can’t the same person relocate to Australia?
Oh wait, I keep forgetting Australia has a “fortress attitude”.
Reshma Azhakiya Namby, Advocate of Migrants’ rights; Picture Source: Supplied
If Rosa Linda, who has been studying and working in Canada for the past 3 years, could secure her permanent visa within the country amidst the pandemic because the Justin Trudeau government decides to continue their efficiency even during the pandemic and keep their economy and thereby their migration program live, then why can’t the Scomo government do the same?
And yet I have to live in Australia, facing mini lockdowns now and then, claiming it to be way better than enjoying the freedom of movement which is now only a luxury for the rest of the world but Australian residents.
Now comes the part where Australia level up the discrimination game
On 1st May 2021, I came across a news article that elaborated on the decision of the Scomo government to ban entry of Australian residents and citizens from India due to the country facing a rise in the detrimental Delta variant COVID19 cases.
Reshma Azhakiya Namby, Advocate of Migrants’ rights; Picture Source: Supplied
I thought to myself it wasn’t the best decision or the solution, however, I had to empathise with the government at some level, right? Of course, because Australia is also home to me. I decided to stand by the government’s decision and observe how it has improved Australia’s situation.
Although there were several outbreaks and mini lockdowns within the country due to a very poor quarantine system, Australia did manage to keep the disease well under control.
Now, on 15th May 2021, the ban was lifted, (yay time for celebration? Well, not yet) and India was rated as a “high-risk category” country.
At this stage, no outbound or inbound travel exemption requests were being accepted from India. On the 7th of June, India was removed from the “high-risk category” and introduced certain criteria for accepting exemption requests. Still, exemption requests were not being processed for travel to or from the country.
“As per the ABF’s criteria on the Department of Home Affairs’ website for those seeking travel to India, visiting a close family member who is critically ill is on the list. Despite that, my requests to visit my dying mother have been rejected,” says Brisbane resident Mr Amit Jaura.
“Not once, but six times denied.”
Also noting here that Mr Jaura is not alone. Since then up until today, there has been no change to the conditions on the Department’s website.
Indian Australians at Airport, PictureSource: Twitter @RameshDutta
I understand the fear over a variant of concerns here and I re-emphasise that I totally empathise with the government in this regard. But despite these strict measures, three Australian states went into a snap lockdown fearing the spread of delta variant in the Australian community, which got “leaked” from what is now called “the worst quarantine system” in the world. That part, I really don’t understand?
Now, to provide some context and the scenario regarding the COVID surge in India and around the world, I did some research. COVID cases in India is continuously reducing now. India has around 40k cases per day and less than 500 deaths per day, which is far lesser than two months ago when the cases within the country stood at 500,000 per day.
The current rate of vaccination within the country is very high, with almost 5,000,000 doses being administered daily. The recovery rate within the country is at 96.7%. I am forced to compare these numbers with a developed economy like the United Kingdom for instance.
There is 25k plus cases per day in the UK and 92% delta variants. And cases per population in the UK is 8 times more than in India. Yet I don’t see a column or a separate heading on the Australian Border Force webpage saying, “Exemption request for travel to and from the UK”.
Author: Reshma Azhakiya Namby is an Advocate of Migrants’ rights. She works as a Consultant, at Infrastructure Advisory at Aurecon
Disclaimer: The author is solely responsible for the views expressed in this article. The opinions and facts are presented solely by her, and neither The Australia Today News nor its partners assume any responsibility for them.
Victoria's Premier Daniel Andrews; Picture Source: The Australia Today
Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews has announced that the lockdown in metropolitan Melbourne will be extended until at least 11:59 pm, Thursday 19 August, as health authorities are still trying to get on top of the current outbreak.
Victoria recorded 20 new locally acquired cases. The source of five of the infections is not yet known, 15 of the new cases are linked to known outbreaks, and 14 were in quarantine during their infectious periods.
Premier Daniel Andrews said there are more than 100 active cases in our community and more than 12,000 primary close contacts.
“We cannot afford to open up and let this variant run free – we need to get in front of this, just like we have done before.”
The areas of concern are Melton and Caroline springs suburbs where new cases have been identified with mystery sources.
However, health authorities are confident that today’s 5 mystery cases will be linked in the coming days. This includes 3 members of the same family from Melton, 2 cases in the city of Melbourne, A father and son. Son is a grade 1 student at St Michaels Primary School and his father is Doctor at Royal Children’s Hospital.
Anyone who has the slightest of the symptoms is urged to get tested. However, testing sites are seen to be struggling with long queues and waiting times of few hours in western suburbs.
Premier Daniel Andrews said
For the next seven days, Melbourne metro residents can still only leave home for five reasons: 1- To get the food and the supplies you need, 2- For exercise for up to two hours 3- For care or caregiving, 4- Permitted work or education if you can’t do it from home and 5- To get vaccinated at the nearest possible location.
Shopping and exercise must be done within 5km of your home or the nearest location. Face masks will remain mandatory indoors (not at home) unless an exception applies – this includes all workplaces and secondary schools.
Despite claiming to have controlled the spillover of the NSW outbreak last week, Victorian Premier’s press release starts with, “Due to the current level of community transmission of coronavirus in Victoria from the recent New South Wales (NSW) incursions, the current lockdown across Melbourne will be extended for another seven days.”
Residents of the cross-border community local government areas will now be required to obtain a permit to cross between Victoria and NSW from 6 pm, Friday 13 August.
This permit will improve health authorities ability to track who is entering Victoria from NSW and make it easier to rapidly get information to contact tracers and to monitor for compliance.
The reasons Cross Border Community Area residents can cross theVictorian -NSW border still include:
Necessary goods and services, including medical care
Care or other compassionate reasons
Work (whether paid or voluntary, including for charitable or religious purposes)
Education (including childcare or early childhood services)
Receiving a COVID-19 vaccination
Organised/community sport and exercise connected to or organised by a club or facility.
Residents will be able to apply for a permit from Thursday afternoon at the Service Victoria website, service.vic.gov.au and via the Service Victoria app.
Indian International Students in Australia; Picture Source: @CANVA
India’s High Commissioner to Australia, Mr Manpreet Vohra, says that Australia risks “eroding” its reputation as a welcoming place for international students.
“That is not good for the students, of course, directly affected; that is perhaps also not good for the overall image of Australia as a great place for Indian students.”
In a recent interview given to The Guardian Australia, He added that if Australia does not offer any hope soon to these enrolled students regarding the exact timeframe of when they can return to the country to study.
Image source: Manpreet Vohra – Wikipedia.
Vohra urged the Australian government to create a COVIDSafe return to on-campus studies so Indian international students had something “to look forward to.”
“But if they go on without any determination about when they are likely to end, then it leads to a lot of frustration, it leads to a lot of uncertainty, it leads to anxiety.”
He hinted that with such an attitude on the part of the Australian government, Indian students would end up turning to other countries to continue their higher studies.
“They signed up for education here in your universities, they continue to pay a substantial amount of tuition fees. They are getting online education, of course, but that really is not what they signed up for.”
About 17,008 students from Indian international student visa holders are currently outside Australia.
The Australian education minister, Alan Tudge, has said that the government was working with universities, states and territories on plans “to return international students when conditions allow.”
Mihir Sheth is CEO at Echoes Global Education specialising in the International education market.
He told The Australia Today, “Indian students have lost interest in Australian education due to restriction on entry in the country.”
“Our weekly student counselling rate has plunged 80% from what it was in January 2020.”
We had hundreds of students who were studying offshore for the last one and a half years but a large number among them is opting to go to Canada or UK for face to face education, Mr Sheth added.
He said, please understand the gravity of the situation, even international students who are here in Australia have opted for Canadian/UK Universities midway through their degrees because of the unfriendly attitude of Australian Authorities.
The reason International students stuck in India or in Australia with online studies are opting for Canada and UK is because their Universities are offering ‘Recognition of prior learning’ done at Australian education institutes.
Mr Sheth says Things can go from bad to worse if the Australian government doesn’t think pragmatically to save the education industry.
Representative picture of Sikh Kirpan; Picture Source; The Australia Today
The NSW Government has released a new schools policy to ban knives on school grounds to keeps students safe, however, it comes with a caveat to respect religious freedom.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said knives will continue to be banned on school grounds, with new strict guidance on carrying religious items that resemble a knife.
“The safety of students is my highest priority and our policy will always prohibit weapons at school,”
Ms Mitchell said.
“When parents and carers send their children to school they expect them to learn in a safe and caring environment. We have a paramount duty to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff while they’re at school.”
Ms Mitchell says the government has worked closely with community representatives, including from the Australian Sikh Association and the NSW Gurdwara Group, as well as Multicultural NSW and other government agencies, to develop these new guidelines.
“The guidelines provide for the safe carrying by students of items worn for a religious purpose.”
If a Sikh student wears a miniature Kirpan to school, the following guidelines must be followed:
1- The miniature Kirpan is of small size, i.e. 8.5cm or smaller with no sharp edges or points. 2- Worn underclothes and secured so it cannot be used; 3- Must be removed and safely stored, or secured against the body, when undertaking physical activity such as sport; and 4- When reasonably asked by the school the student must verify that these guidelines are being complied with, any safety concerns will be discussed with the student and their parents or carers.
Any student that does not comply with the above rules will have their parents notified and potentially face strong disciplinary action.
Sydney based Bawa Singh Jagdev is the secretary of the Sikh Council of Australia. He told The Australia Today, “In the given circumstances we welcome the decision fo the NSW government.”
“If community needs we can defiantly work towards procuring the agreed size ‘Kirpan’ for youngsters.”
Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research figures from previous years have shown schools are amongst the safest places in our community, where over 818,000 students work and learn safely at over 2,200 public schools in NSW every day
Melbourne Lockdown; Picture Source: The Australia Today
20 new locally acquired coronavirus cases have been recorded in Melbourne Metro as regional Victoria wakes up to lockdown free morning.
Victorian Health Authorities announced all the new cases are linked to previously known cases, while only five were in quarantine during their infectious periods.
The real concern is that fifteen of the today announced cases were out in the community while infected with COVID19.
Premier Daniel Andrews was reluctant to commit if lockdown will be extended or not on Thursday.
“It is still too early to say whether lockdown could end as planned at 8 pm on Thursday.”
However, Health experts are of the view it will be very difficult for the Premier to ease any restrictions.
Virendra Patel is a small business owner in Melbourne’s western suburb. He told The Australia Today, “My printing business needs some sort of certainty about what’s going on with the lockdown.”
“It took me 9 years to establish my own business and now I can’t sleep at night due to fear of losing everything.”
Anyone from Melbourne metro trying to go to regional Victoria will potentially face fines of up to $5,000. Just to make sure restrictions are followed almost 200 police officers are deployed to main and back roads across Victoria.
DHHS data shows 34,892 tests were processed in the 24 hours to Tuesday morning, while 22,670 Victorians were vaccinated at a state-run hub.
NSW recorded 283 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours.
One hundred and six cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 42 were in isolation for part of their infectious period. Sixty-four cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of 71 remains under investigation.
A number of contact venues have been identified in Tamworth.
As a precaution, anyone in the Tamworth area should immediately isolate and have a COVID-19 test if they have even the mildest of symptoms.
To protect the people of NSW from the evolving COVID-19 outbreak, new restrictions will be introduced for the Tamworth Local Government Area, from 5 pm today until 12.01 am Tuesday 17 August.
“Stay-at-home orders will apply to all people who live in the Tamworth areas or have been there on or after 5 August 2021.”
The rules for this area will be the same as those already in place across Greater Sydney, including the Central Coast, Armidale, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, Singleton, Dungog, Muswellbrook and Cessnock.
NSW Health has been notified of the death of a person with COVID-19. A woman in her 90s from northern Sydney died at Greenwich Hospital yesterday. This brings the number of COVID- related deaths to 29 during the current outbreak, and the number of lives lost to 85 since the beginning of the pandemic.
There are currently 349 COVID-19 cases admitted to the hospital, with 67 people in intensive care, 29 of whom require ventilation.
NSW has reached the major milestone of 10 million tests, with a record 133,840 COVID-19 tests reported to 8 pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 95,480.
Cases
Count
Confirmed cases (incl. interstate residents in NSW health care facilities)
11,012
Deaths (in NSW from confirmed cases)
85
Total tests carried out
10,064,212
Total vaccinations administered in NSW
4,449,056
NSW Health administered 11,327 COVID-19 vaccines in the 24 hours to 8 pm last night, including 2,940 at the vaccination centre at Sydney Olympic Park.
The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 4,449,056 with 1,668,669 doses administered by NSW Health to 8 pm last night and 2,780,387 administered by the GP network and other providers to 11.59 pm on Saturday 7 August 2021.
There are six new cases in the Hunter New England Local Health District, making a total of 26 in the district. A further case has been notified overnight in a young woman who had been exposed in Newcastle and travelled to Tamworth while infectious.
A case has been notified overnight in a man in his 50s in the Byron area. Investigations are underway into the source of his infection and venues he may have visited in the area.
As a precaution, everybody who is in the following local government areas should immediately isolate and have a COVID-19 test if they have even the mildest of symptoms: Byron Shire, Richmond Valley, Tweed, Lismore, Kyogle and Ballina.
Due to a notable increase in community transmission in recent days, twelve suburbs in the City of Penrith Local Government Area (LGA) are now part of areas of concern, along with the eight previously identified LGAs, and have additional restrictions in place.
These suburbs, which are adjacent to the Cumberland and Liverpool LGAs, are Caddens, Claremont Meadows, Colyton, Erskine Park, Kemps Creek, Kingswood, Mount Vernon, North St Marys, Orchard Hills, Oxley Park, St Clair, and St Mary’s.
In line with the restrictions currently in place for Blacktown, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool and Parramatta LGAs, people in these 12 suburbs must only obtain food or other goods and services, and exercise, within 5km of their home.
You cannot travel to other areas for work unless you are an authorised worker. Full details of the additional restrictions are available on the NSW Government website
If you are directed to get tested for COVID‑19 or self-isolate at any time, you must follow the rules whether or not the venue or exposure setting is listed on the NSW Health website.
It remains vital that anyone who has any symptoms or is close or casual contact with a person with COVID-19, isolates and is tested immediately. When testing clinics are busy, please ensure you stay in line, identify yourself to staff and tell them that you have symptoms or are a contact of a case.
Please check the NSW Government website regularly, and follow the relevant health advice if you have attended a venue of concern or travelled on a public transport route at the same time as a confirmed case of COVID-19. This list is being updated regularly as case investigations proceed.
There are more than 420 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week. To find your nearest clinic visit: COVID-19 testing clinics or contact your GP.
Likely source of confirmed COVID-19 cases in NSW
Likely source of infection
Cases past 24 hours*
Cases past 7 days**
All cases
Overseas
2
19
3,374
Interstate
0
0
91
Locally acquired – linked to known case or cluster
113
934
5,238
Locally acquired – no links to known case or cluster
0
5
474
Locally acquired – investigation ongoing
170
861
1,835
Under initial investigation
0
0
0
Total
285
1,819
11,012
Note: Case counts reported for a particular day may vary over time due to ongoing investigations and case review. *notified from 8pm 7 August 2021 to 8pm 8 August 2021 **from 8pm 2 August 2021 to 8pm 8 August 2021
Reprentative picture of regional Victoria: Picture Source: Twitter @timbguille
Regional Victoria will be released from lockdown from tonight at 11.59 pm, and go back to the same settings as on Thursday last week.
Regional Victorians will be able to leave their homes for any reason and there will be no limit on the distance travelled from home. But people will only be able to travel to Melbourne for a permitted reason and must follow Melbourne restrictions.
Visitors to the home are still banned, however, outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people is allowed.
However, you still need to wear a mask indoor and outdoor as community sports is also back on track.
Premier Daniel Andrews said, “It’s good news for regional Victoria at the same time let me tell you, No Melbourne resident is allowed to travel to regional Victoria unless they are permitted to do so.”
“We’ve always said the moment it’s safe to lift restrictions we will. While we continue to get on top of this outbreak in Melbourne, minimal primary close contacts and no new cases means we can ease setting in regional Victoria”
Food and hospitality will open for seated service only, a density requirement of 1 person per 4sqm will apply, with a maximum of 100 people per venue. Venues smaller than 100sqm can have up to 25 people before density requirements apply.
Retail can also open and personal services such as beauty and tattooing can resume. Face masks can be removed where required for the service to be performed.
Religious gatherings and ceremonies are allowed, with density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm, and no more than 100 people total indoors and 300 people outdoors per venue.
Weddings and funerals are also able to have up to 50 people at a venue. This limit doesn’t include infants under 12 months of age, or the people required to conduct the service.
Community sport is open for all ages, including training and competition. Only the minimum number of participants (players, coaches, referees, officials, and carers or parents) needed to train or compete are permitted to attend, subject to a density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm. Spectators are not permitted.
Entertainment venues can have up to 300 people per outdoor space with a density requirement of 1 person per 4 sqm and a cap of 100 people per space indoors. All entertainment facilities are required to have a COVID Check-in Marshal to monitor patrons checking in with the Service Victoria app.
While a stay at home orders remain in metropolitan Melbourne, we need to ensure the virus does not travel into regional Victoria. Businesses that are open in regional Victoria but closed in Melbourne – restaurants for dine-in service or beauty for example – must check the IDs of everyone they serve.
All regional Victorians need to continue with their COVIDSafe behaviours – most importantly to get tested immediately if they have any symptoms at all and get vaccinated if it’s their turn.
To book a vaccination at one of Victoria’s state-run clinics visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au/book-your-vaccine-appointment.
& 
Divorce means choosing myself and not settling and sacrificing my own life for the sake of a marriage
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(@covidbaseau) 
Members of the Muslim League present at the Direct Action Day rally.
Indira Gandhi Canal Bikaner.
Chitrakoot Waterfalls Bastar.
Bajaj Bikes are sold globally.
Cotton Ikat shirt from vinegr.in & kurta from
Orchha, Bundelkhand is wow.
