May 2023 edition of Desi Australia Monthly Digital Magazine

WHAT’S INSIDE

18 20

22

Multicultural leaders come together to support the Red Shield Appeal, launched by Head of The Salvation Army Commissioner Miriam Gluyas

GOPIO International Team Sworn-in with Community Leader Lal Motwani as the New President

Ratan Tata receives Highest Australian civil honour

23 World Lupus Federation Urges Global Community to Raise Lupus Awareness on May 10 for World Lupus Day 2023

Editor-in-chief

Arti Banga

NSW Editor:

Harmohan Walia

Sales and Marketing:

Dimple Deez

Victoria Editor:

Daljeet Bakshi

Queensland Editor:

Priya Singh

ACT Editor:

Rajni Ghai Malhotra

Western Australia Editor:

Hello Everyone,

Hope you all are keeping warm and staying safe as we are trying to keep you connected with the latest happening in and around Australia.

In the May edition we bring to you the snippets of celebration of International Gita Mahautsav, Vaisakhi, YUG-ADI, Boisakhi, Chithirai festival and much more.

Ankita Tandon

South Australia Editor:

Daljeet Bakshi

Designer Ravi Mathur

As the saying goes that ‘Health is Wealth”, every month we also try to bring to you an article on Yoga reminding you to pause and breathe.

that Address: Desi Australia Pty Ltd PO Box 102, Casula, NSW 2170 Email : info@DesiAustralia.com Mob: 0433121339

share

us

Four Inspiring Mumpreneurs their Dreams into Reality

Probably one of the most difficult but rewarding occupations is becoming a mother. On Mother’s thank our mothers and other mother figures for all their love, care, and support

Kalpita Pandit – Founder, Owner of Color Drama Cakes

By: Rekha Rajvanshi

It’s the ideal chance to honour the mothers who effectively balance running their enterprises with taking care of their families and kids. Let’s meet Sydney’s women entrepreneurs this Mother’s Day, who not only started their own business but also running it successfully.

From humble beginnings in a small town in Assam, India, to becoming a luxury wedding cake specialist in Australia. Being a good mother to her two children did not hinder Kalpita from realising her true potential in the creative world of cake artistry. Color Drama Cakes has been one of the top cake boutiques in Sydney for the last decade and Sydney sid ers love her work.

Kalpita tells her story - ‘I started making cakes as a hobby when I moved to Australia. However, my cakes became very popular because of the designs and taste. I registered my business - Color Drama Cakes in 2013. Since then, we have been very busy and growing at a fast pace till date.’

This year, Kalpita is among the top 8 finalists for the title of wedding cake specialist in Australasia, recognised by the prestigious Australian Cake Artists and Decorator Association Kalpita’s work is not only visually stunning but also incredibly delicious. Her attention to detail and dedication to her craft have earned her a loyal following of repeat clients for over a decade.

Kalpita prioritises her time by making plans for work and personal activities, like going to the gym and meeting friends, regular exercise, healthy eating, and taking time for relaxation with family watching movies together, cooking together and playing games.

Kalpita’s advice to the budding entrepreneurs ‘Always believe in yourself! Just start working on it, don’t stop with your failures, learn from them. Work on the business strategy, market trends. Staying flexible and open to new ideas can help you stay ahead of the competition.’

Mumpreneurs Turning Reality

Mother’s Day, we have the chance to support over the years.

Shipra Tewani Bhatia - FounderDirector of Melange Chic

A brand offering luxury, ethical, and lifestyle goods is Shipra’s Melange Chic.

Shipra, a devoted mother of two, started her entrepreneurial journey six years ago and during this period she has established two boutique lifestyle stores in Beecroft. While her husband worked overseas, Shipra set up the business along with taking care of her children, aged 12 and 10 at the time. Being her could work on her own terms

and balance her attention between children and business. Shipra’s prior design knowledge was helpful, but navigating industry methods was a steep learning curve. Despite the challenges, through commitment and hard work, Shipra met her goal of being available for her kids while ensuring the success of her business.

Shipra’s entrepreneurial journey is an inspiration to working mothers seeking balance in work and family life. She also Indian Mumpreneur platform to ensure that other women, who want to carve a niche in the world of business, get the necessary support and guidance.

Shipra’s story demonstrates that with persistence and determination, one can overcome challenges and achieve success while balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship.

Preeti D’silva – Founder of Better Life Migration

Preeti D’silva is a Registered Migration/Educa tion Agent and has worked in Australian Immigra tion Law for the last 18 years. Prior to working in immigration law, Preeti worked in management, marketing, sales and business development roles in a myriad of industries. Her vast experience along with an MBA from the USA gave her the confidence to set up her own immigration practice ‘Better Life Migration’ in 2017.

Her kids were 11 and 15 at the time so running a business and juggling her responsibilities as a homemaker have always been a balancing act. Her business takes up a huge chunk of her time and energy so to stay on top of things and destress she multi-tasks, makes time for self-care activities and gets the family to help with the household tasks. “From an early age, I got my kids to help be it cooking, gardening, cleaning or doing laundry. This ensured that they learnt some valuable life skills while sharing precious time and moments together. We are a very close-knit family and love to do activities together be it going for long walks, practicing yoga, or travelling. I am incredibly blessed to have children who inspire me to do better and become the best version of myself. Wishing all mums out there a very happy Mother’s Day.”

Mansi Khanna BhatiaFounder Mash Accessories & Earthy Souls

Mansi has done her MBA in marketing and communications at SIBM Pune.

Mansi’s primary concern in Australia was raising her children, and eight years later she began her entrepreneurial journey with her modest firm, Mash Accessories. Mash Accessories made distinctive and elegant fashion accessories with a twist that are inspired by native Aboriginal and Indian roots.

Mansi later founded Earthy Souls based on the principle that, as a civilised species, humans must coexist with nature rather than exploit it. With the goal of ensuring there is no pollution and little waste, Earthy Souls has carefully handpicked a variety of delicious goods using traditional methods and a dash of innovation.

Along with becoming a successful businesswoman, Mansi is committed to helping other women succeed in their careers, particularly in diverse communities. She devotes a lot of time and money to supporting regional charity. Mansi wants to make a difference in women’s lives, so she founded The Indian Tea Room, a high tea with an Indian flair. Money raised through her event supports charities, offers opportunity for networking, and supports female entrepreneurs.

After talking to these successful mumpreneurs, my piece of advice to aspiring women is to start your journey with confidence and don’t be afraid of failing. Then create a network of people you can trust. It will be quite beneficial to seek advice from successful mumpreneurs like these.

Keep in mind that those who work hard will sccceed!

International Gita Mahotsav comes to Australia

As you know message of Gita is followed and shared by many communities worldwide. To commemorate the birth of Gita, International Gita Mahotsav is celebrated every year at Kurukshetra, Haryana (India) where people from all parts of the world congregate to celebrate. For last more than 30 years, the Government of Haryana in India is Celebrating Gita Mahotsav festival in collaboration with Kurukshetra Development Board. In the beginning, only cultural and religious programs were organized by the participating organizations and the Kurukshetra Development Board, but later on a wide range of social, cultural, and academic programs got incorporated with the festival.

The Celebration of Gita Mahotsav brings a moral and cultural resurgence among the people. It gives a message of peace and karma. It becomes even more relevant today as we are living in challenging times.

The prime objective of celebrating the festival of Gita Jayanti is to enlighten the people with the immortal and intangible heritage of Bhagavad-Gita - the message of love, peace, and harmony.

Exhibition from different social and cultural organizations are also organized on the occasion. Many Indian & foreign

scholars participate in the Seminar on the Gita

Since 2019, it’s been celebrated Internationally. First International celebration was in Mauritius in Feb’19, followed by London in Aug’19 and in Canada in Sep’22.

Mahotsav

Continuing the legacy, “Association of Haryanvis in Australia” (AHA) brought International Gita Mahotsav to Australia and celebrated it collaboratively with more than 60 other cultural, social, religious and community organisations like BAPS, Hindu Council of Australia, VHP, HSS, All World Gayatri Parivar, ISKCON, SRMD etc. It was scheduled to be celebrated in Australia in Mar’20 but was postponed because of COVID-19.

In April this year, Australia welcomed the International Gita Mahotsav on its shores. As a precursor to the International Gita Mahotsav, an opening event was held on 24th April 2023 at the BAPS temple in Brisbane. The highlight of the event was the handing over of the Gita to Mr Milton Dick, Hon Speaker of the Australian Federal Parliament, who addressed the audience and said, “I am deeply humbled to accept this sacred book on behalf of the Australian Parliament and it’s the proudest moment of my life. This is not only

a significant moment for the Parliament but also for all Australians. The Bhagavad Gita is a symbol of peace, unity, and spirituality, and its teachings can be applied in all aspects of our lives.”

The International Gita Mahotsav held in Australia from the 28th to 30th of April 2023 witnessed a grand opening ceremony in Canberra on the first day of the event. The opening ceremony was attended by more than 350 people at Federal Parliament Canberra, including distinguished guests from India and Australia.

The ceremony began with the recital of national anthems of Australia and India followed by a Ganesh Vandana. The audience was then treated to a soulful rendition

of Srimad Gitamahatmyam, which set the tone for the event. A lamp was lit by distinguished guests, followed by a floral welcome and presentation of Bhagwat Gita to all guests.

Sewa Singh, IGM 2023 Co-ordinator, introduced the event and shared his excitement about the festival. “We are thrilled to bring the International Gita Mahotsav to Australia, and we hope that this festival will deepen the spiritual connection between India and Australia,” said Singh.

A video on Kurukshetra and the International Gita Mahotsav was presented, which showcased the significance of the festival and its historical roots. High Commissioner of India in Australia, Mr

Manpreet Vohra, addressed the audience, highlighting the importance of the Bhagavad Gita and its relevance in today’s world.

David Smith MP, Chief Whip Govt of Australia, and Deepak Raj Gupta, Chief Adviser ACT Chief Minister, also addressed the gathering and emphasized the importance of cultural exchanges between India and Australia. Swami Vigyananand, National General Secretary (Foreign Affairs) of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, shared his thoughts on the significance of the Gita in modern times.

Anil Vij, Health and Home Minister of Haryana, delivered an inspiring address and said, “The Gita teaches us that we must do our duty without worrying about the outcome, and this is a message that resonates across the world.” A video message from Mr Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister of Haryana, was played, who extended his best wishes to the festival.

Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj and Swami Gurusharnanand Ji addressed the gathering, sharing their insights into the teachings of the Gita. The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by the Hindu Council of Australia Chair, Mr Santosh Gupta.

The opening ceremony was a grand success, and it set the tone for the rest of the festival. The event provided a platform for cultural exchange and spiritual growth, bringing people from different communities and backgrounds together.

The second day of the International Gita Mahotsav was equally captivating with a range of intellectual, cultural, and spiritual programs. The Exhibition & Seminar held on the 29th of April 2023 at the ICC Sydney marked the second day of the International Gita Mahotsav, and it was a resounding success, attended by more than 2500 people at the venue and another 2,000 people live streaming the event through social media. The event started with the Purnakumbha Swagatam, followed by the national anthems of both Australia and India, Ganesha Vandana, Deepa Jwalanam with slokas, and Ashtadashi Shaloki Chanting.

Sewa Singh, National President of the Association of Haryanvis in Australia, and Co-ordinator of the International Gita Mahotsav Organising Committee 2023, welcomed the guests with his opening remarks, saying, “We are proud to bring the International Gita Mahotsav to Australia, and we are grateful for the overwhelming response and support from the community here. The teachings of the Gita are universal and timeless, and this event is a celebration of our shared values and heritage.”

Mr Madan Mohan Chhabra, Honorary Secretary of Kurukshetra Development Board, in his address highlighted about the International Gita Mahotsav, Kurukshetra and Kurukshetra Development Board. A video documentary about the Gita Ma-

hotsav was also screened, that showcased the various events and activities organized as part of the festival in India and other countries. Stephen Kemper, the Multicultural Minister of New South Wales, was presented with the Bhagavad Gita and he said, “I am delighted to be part of this significant event that celebrates the values of the Bhagavad Gita. The message of the Gita transcends time and geography, and it is a source of inspiration and wisdom for people from all walks of life.”

Akila Ramarathinam, National General Secretary of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Australia, and Swami Shrikharanand of the Chinmaya Mission, also addressed the gathering and spoke about the importance of the Gita and its relevance in modern times. The Australian

School of Meditation and Yoga performed a mesmerising Kirtan, and a video message from Swami Bhadresh Swami Ji from BAPS was also shown. Manish Gupta, Consul General of India, and Swami Vigyananand, Secretary of VHP, addressed the gathering and emphasized the role of the Gita in promoting harmony and understanding among people of different cultures and faiths.

Meenakshi Lekhi, Culture Minister, Government of India, sent a video message in which she congratulated the organizers for successfully bringing the International Gita Mahotsav to Australia and spoke about the importance of the Gita in promoting peace and harmony in the world. Gajendra Chauhan, who played the role of Yudhishthira in the famous TV series Mahabharata, also addressed the gathering, sharing his experience of working on the show and the impact it had on popular culture and society.

Participants of the essay competition were awarded prizes, and Anil Vij ji, Health & Home Minister Haryana, addressed the gathering, speaking about the role of the Gita in promoting moral values and ethics in society. Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj, from GIEO Gita Sansthan in Kurukshetra, spoke about the significance of the Gita and its relevance in modern times, saying, “The Gita is not just a book, it is a way of life. Its teachings are timeless and universal, and they can guide us in our personal and professional lives.”

Mr Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister of Haryana, sent a video message and expressed his gratitude to the organizers for hosting such a magnificent event that celebrates the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita. In his message, he emphasized the importance of Gita’s teachings in guiding us towards a meaningful and purposeful life. Swami Gurusharnanand Ji also addressed the audience and shared his insights on the significance of the Gita in today’s world. He spoke about the relevance of Gita’s teachings in addressing the challenges of modern-day life and emphasized the need to imbibe its teachings in our daily lives. The event also featured cultural programs that highlighted the rich cultural heritage of India. The performances were a visual treat for the audience,

showcasing the diversity and richness of Indian culture. The cultural programs received a standing ovation from the audience and were a fitting tribute to the beauty and elegance of Indian traditions.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Mahipal Dhanda, MLA of Panipat, Haryana, who expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the organizers in making the event a grand success. He thanked all the guests, participants, and volunteers who contributed to the success of the event and hoped that Gita’s teachings would continue to inspire and guide us in our lives.

The third day of the International Gita Mahotsav was marked by the Gita Sadbhavna Yatra, cultural programs, and a

grand closing ceremony. The day’s events commenced with a Gita Yagna at the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Rosehill. The Yagna was attended by Andrew Charleton, Federal MP for Parramatta, and was flagged off by Julia Finn, MP for Granville. The Yagna was performed by Swami Gianananand ji Maharaj and more than 10 priests, who chanted Vedic mantras and performed various rituals. Following the Gita Yagna, the Gita Sadbhavna Yatra was held from the BAPS Temple in Rosehill to the Parramatta River foreshore. The Yatra was accompanied by floats from different temples and organizations. The Sadbhavna Yatra was welcomed by Swami Gurusharnanand ji Maharaj at the Parramatta River Foreshore, who praised the efforts of the organizers and participants in promoting the message of the Gita.

The yatra was an exquisite cultural extravaganza by the best Indian dance schools and other organizations. The highlight of the event was the Gita Arti on the lines of Ganga Arti in Varanasi, which was attended by more than 3000 people. The chants of Gita mantras echoed on the banks of the Parramatta River, creating a divine atmosphere.

The event was addressed by Swami Gianananand Ji Maharaj, who spoke about the relevance of the Gita in the modern world and how it provides a roadmap for leading a happy and fulfilling life. The event was also addressed by Hon Chris Bowen, Federal Minister for Energy and Climate Change, who lauded the efforts of the organizers in promoting the message of the Gita and how it can help in creating a better world.

Other dignitaries who graced the occasion included David Saliba, Member for Fairfield, Donna Davis, Member for Parramatta, Sameer Pandey, Deputy Lord Mayor of Parramatta Council, and other distinguished guests including Swami Vigyananand ji, Gajendra Chauhan, Madan Mohan Chhabra, Honorary Secretary, Kurukshetra Development Board and Akhil Pilani, CEO of the Kurukshetra Development Board.

Speaking on the occasion, Pilani said, “The Bhagavad Gita teaches us about the value of teamwork, leadership, and ethical decision-making. It is a guide to success not just in our personal lives, but also in our professional endeavours.”

The day’s events concluded with a spectacular display of fireworks, which lit up the night sky and left the audience spellbound. The event ended with the distribution of Prasad to all the people present there, who went home with a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction.

The three-day International Gita Mahotsav concluded on a high note, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of those who participated. The International Gita Mahotsav was a resounding success, bringing together over 40 Hindu organisations for a common cause - to celebrate the timeless teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and showcase the richness of Hindu culture to a global audience. This event was a first of its kind in Australia, and its scale and impact were truly remarkable. The three-day festival saw a tremendous response from people of all ages, backgrounds, and nationalities, who came together to explore, learn, and experience

Gita’s wisdom and cultural heritage.

The International Gita Mahotsav was a landmark event that left a lasting impact on the Australian landscape. It brought together people from all over the country and the world, transcending cultural, linguistic, and geographic barriers, to celebrate the Bhagavad Gita and the rich cultural heritage of Hinduism. This event set a new benchmark for future events and proved that when diverse organisations come together for a common cause, the possibilities are endless.

The International Gita Mahotsav is a true testament to the power of collaboration, unity, and inclusivity. By bringing together a diverse range of Hindu organisations, the festival demonstrated the strength and vibrancy of the Hindu community in Australia and its ability to organise a world-class event that was inclusive and welcoming to all. The festival also served as a platform for the Hindu community to connect and engage with people from all walks of life, build bridges of understanding and goodwill, and showcase the best of Hindu culture and traditions. The success of this event is a testament to the strength, unity, and resilience of the Hindu community in Australia, and we look forward to many more such celebrations in the future.

The presence of these dignitaries added to the grandeur of the event.

Local Women were Celebrated at Mother’s Day event in Rhodes

motherhood nationwide. Many events are held on this day to appreciate the achievements and efforts of women – mothers and mother figures.

One such event was held on the May 4th, 2023. The Foreign Minister Penny Wong and the Federal Member for Ryde Sally Sitou organised a Mother’s Day

By: Rekha Rajvanshi

Global SUV maker Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. today announced the arrival of the much anticipated SUV, the all-new Scorpio, in Australia.With its innovative features, qualities, and capabilities, the brand-new SUV is intended to upend the SUV market.The Z8 4WD Variant of the Scorpio has a tempting starting price of $41,990 till June 30, 2023.

Mother’s Day is a special occasion that celebrates and honours mothers and

Senator Penny Wong delivering her remarks. Also Abla Kadous of the Islamic Womens Welfare Association

Sally Sitou Mothers Day panel group photo

event at Maestria restaurant, in Rhodes to honour accomplished women of different ethnic backgrounds. These women not only made a significant contribution to the community but also inspired others to achieve their goals. The event included a panel discussion involving seven inspirational women including Senator Wong, who opened the event with remarks outlining the progress the Albanese Labor Government. She commented that Labor Government has contributed to advancing economic opportunities for women as it expanded paid parental leave, compulsory family and domestic violence leave and cheaper childcare from July 1st this year. She spoke about the importance of multiculturism and having women in leadership roles, both inside government and in the community.

Sally Sitou diligently conducted the panel discussion of prominent local women, who shared their life journey and experiences with the audience. They spoke about their inspiration and how their perseverance and hard work helped them achieving their goals against all odds.

The panel included:

Justine Perkins – Founder of Touched by Olivia, best known for the network of Livvi’s Place inclusive play spaces and Livvi’s Cafe at Five Dock. This charity aims to improve the well-being of individuals and communities through inclusion and belonging.

Anna Wang – One of Australia’s most renowned wedding planners, small business owner employing a team of 30 and the owner of Maestria, mother of two.

Melanie Warman – Owner and run leader of Boobs on the Run, a community for women to exercise and go running and founder of the Concord Mums Unite! Facebook group. She is also the NSW Chair for the Mother’s Day Classic.

Marie Piccin – Chair, Foundation for A Bloody Great Cause which raises for the world-leading blood cancer clinical trials at Concord Hospital. She is also a Committee Member for Majors Bay Chamber of Commerce.

Abla Kadous – Founder and President

of Islamic Women’s Welfare Association, Australia’s first welfare service for Muslim women, mother of five.

At the end of the event, MP Sally Sitou remarked “In my role, I get to meet the most extraordinary members of the community. In the lead up to Mother’s Day, I wanted to organise this event to highlight the female leaders in our community. I feel incredibly proud of the community I

have the privilege to represent. This event showed our community in all its diversity, bringing people from all backgrounds.

It was a real honour to be able to be joined by Senator Wong, one of Australia’s most prominent female leaders, whose leadership internationally is a defining factor in forging Australia’s place in the world.”

Sally Sitou, Abla Kadous of the Islamic Women’s Welfare Association and Justine Perkins of Touched by Oliva

Sally Sitou, Abla Kadous, Justine Perkins and Marie Piccin

Premier, Opposition Leader Mark Israel’s 75th Anniversary

More than 600 people including NSW Premier Chris Minns and Opposition Leader Mark Speak-

man attended a gala reception in Sydney on May 3 to mark Israel’s 75th anniversary, hosted by the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies (JBD).

Representatives from an enormous number of consulates and faith communities joined state and federal politicians and religious leaders to celebrate Israel’s 75th year of independence.

Premier Minns spoke about the strong relationship between his government and the JBD, noting the strong interfaith presence on the night.

“I particularly want to acknowledge Darren Bark, the CEO of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, and pay tribute tonight to the role that the Board of Deputies has played in building that strong relationship across our diverse communities, and I think it’s demonstrated by the diverse groups that are here with us celebrating tonight,” Minns said.

“The Board’s commitment to social inclusion and interfaith dialogue is exemplary and a perfect fit for the modern state of NSW.”

Noting the rise in religious-based hatred across our state, Minns reaffirmed his government’s

Leader Anniversary

commitment to providing $15 million in funding to bolster safety and security at faith institutions.

“Nobody should feel unsafe because they’re practicing their faith,” Minns said.

He added that the NSW Government will “introduce a helpline at the suggestion of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies to assist students and staff who experience religious bullying in NSW schools”.

Minns concluded: “I look forward to continuing to develop and deepen the relationship between the people of New South Wales and the people of Israel.”

Opposition Leader Speakman also praised the Board of Deputies “who have tirelessly worked to foster unity and inclusivity here in our Australian society”.

Speakman added: “In opposition as we were in government, the Liberals and Nationals will continue to stand with you and to ensure that you are safe, welcomed and embraced as part of our community.

“I look forward to continuing to work with you and to seeing New South Wales con-

tinue to partner with Israel in trade, business and cultural exchange and to a prosperous and united Israel for many, many years to come”.

Photo credits: Giselle Haber Photography

Multicultural leaders come together launched by Head of The Salvation Army

Captain Tara McGuigan, Assistant Public Relations Secretary _ Relationship Manager CALD Communities NSW_ACT, shares the work done by SALVOS

The Salvation Army’s National Multicultural Launch, as part of the annual Red Shield Appeal, was launched on Friday 5 May 2023 by Head of The Salvation Army Australia, Commissioner Miriam Gluyas and Jodi McKay, former Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, former Leader of the Opposition, and business leader, bringing together business, community, and media leaders from 20+ multicultural community groups at Sydney Startup Hub.

Now in its 59th year, the Red Shield Appeal is The Salvation Army’s flagship fundraising Appeal and is aiming to raise $37 million nationally to support people in need across Australia, including the key work The Salvation Army does within multicultural communities.

The Multicultural Launch, hosted by MultiConnexions Group, which has been running for over 20 years, is an important event for The Salvos as it offers a chance to connect and communicate with diverse groups of Australians.

Captain Tara McGuigan from The Salvation

The Salvation Army team at the Launch

Sheba Nandkeolyar, CEO, MultiConnexions wlecoming guests at the Multicultural Red Shield Appeal Launch

to support the Red Shield Appeal, Army Commissioner Miriam Gluyas

tions culturally and linguistically diverse groups make to our society. The Salvation Army’s Multicultural Launch is a great way for us to connect with multicultural community leaders who are charity driven and eager to help the less fortunate. We don’t want anybody to struggle alone, and we remain committed to working alongside multicultural communities providing services and programs that have a lasting impact.”

Jodi McKay, former Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, former Leader of the Opposition, and business leader said: “The Salvation Army’s important work sends a message of hope to those in need. Australia’s multicultural communities are a valuable contributor to our society and economy. It is an honour and great privilege to formally launch The Salvation Army’s annual Red Shield Appeal for 2023 to multicultural communities across Australia.”

Army said: “We are a proud, multicultural country and we acknowledge the valuable contribu-

Sheba Nandkeolyar, CEO of Australia’s leading and largest multicultural marketing agency MultiConnexions Group said: “Our latest Census 2021 has shown us that more than half of Australians are multicultural (either born overseas or have a parent born overseas). Many are keen to contribute back to the country they

live in and support The Salvation Army, one of Australia’s leading charities that has a national footprint of over 400 centres and 2,000 services around the country. Similarly, many New Australians face unique challenges and hence MultiConnexions is proud to continue to support the Salvation Army in extending the message of hope to these audiences.”

Each year, through The Salvation Army’s nationwide network of services, The Salvation Army provides*:

4Assistance to one person every 17 seconds

4More than 1.86 million sessions of care to people in need

4Over 1 million bed nights to those in need of accommodation

4More than 1.52 million meals to people who accessed our homelessness services

To donate to The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal, or if you need support from The Salvos, visit salvationarmy.org.au or call 13 SALVOS. You can also donate at any Salvos Store.

Address by Jodi McKay, former Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, former Leader of the Opposition, and business leader

Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, Territorial Commander, The Salvation Army formally launching the Multicultural Red Shield Appeal

Durga Owen, The Salvation Army testimonial speaker shares her SALVOS journey

GOPIO International Team Sworn-in with Community Leader Lal Motwani

as the New President

Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) conducted its election last month and the new team was sworn-in on March 4th at a virtual Zoom ceremony with veteran community leader from New York Mr. Lal Motwani as its president. Motwani has been a Founder Life member from GOPIO inception in 1989 and was serving as the International Coordinatorat-Large and later as Executive Trustee of GOPIO Foundation in his last term. Others sworn in at the ceremony are media and community leader Mr. Umesh Chandra from Brisbane, Australia as Executive Vice President; Los Angeles area community leader Kewal Kanda as Vice President, New Jersey businessman Prakash Shah as Global Ambassador and former IBM official and community activist Ms. Jasbir ‘Nami’ Kaur as International Coordinator-at-Large.

Five more Regional International Coordinators were sworn-in as follows: former engineer Harmohan Singh Walia of Sydney, Australia as Oceania Coordinator, Businessman Roger Latchman from Johannesburg, South Africa as Africa Coordinator; Engineering Entrepreneur Deo Gosine (Trinidad and New York) as Caribbean Coordinator; Real Estate Investor Ashok Madan of Southern California as North America Coordinator; and New Delhi businessman Dhiraj Ahuja as South Asia Coordinator.

The election was conducted according to the GOPIO bylaws by a team of the Interim Committee which was appointed by the GOPIO General Body Meeting held on January 14th consisting of Mr. Ram Gadhavi (Wayne, New Jersey, USA), Mr. Mahavir Arya (Sydney,

Australia) and Mr. Mridul Pathak (New York). In a spirit of unity, nominees with multiple nominations withdrew from their multiple nominations except one, making it a unanimous choice for all positions.

The ceremony started with a universal prayer song by Ms. Devika Gadhavi, who is a young professional working for the New York Times. Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman of GOPIO welcomed the participants from all continents and provided a brief introduction to the birth of GOPIO and many of its achievements in the last 34 years. Dr. Abraham also highlighted the great services provided by GOPIO Chapters during the pandemic such as providing food to the frontline workers at the beginning of the lockdown, getting N95 masks to the hospitals, replenishing food pantries and sending oxygen concentrators to India when the pandemic was at its highest level.

“GOPIO chapters around the world have been doing a lot of organizational ground work in many countries to pro-

mote leadership in public service and the thrust have been to promote and involve the Indian Diaspora in the larger society and local communities wherever they live,” said Dr. Abraham.

In his acceptance speech, President Motwani said, “We will soon activate those regions which are not active now and we will get all the councils to become active again. We need many volunteers to get involved in the Councils such as Human Rights, Cultural, Academic, Women, Science and Technology, Youth and Young Professionals, Media, Health and Wellness and on Seniors. We will officially launch GOPIO Chamber of Commerce (GICC) in different parts of the world.”

Congratulating the new team, former GOPIO President Niraj Baxi said that the ceremony on March 4th signifies marching forward for GOPIO.

The program ended with a melodious Bollywood celebration song by GOPIO-Edison President Pallavi Belwariar.

Ratan Tata receives Highest Australian civil honour

Ratan Tata, the Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, was conferred with Australia’s highest civilian honour, the Order of Australia, for his efforts in strengthening the India-Australia bilateral relations.

Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Barry O’Farrell, shared the images of the ceremony on Twitter and said Ratan Tata has made a significant impact on the island nation.

“Ratan Tata is a titan of biz, industry and philanthropy not just in India, but his contributions have also made a significant impact in Australia. Delighted to confer Order of Australia (AO) honour to Ratan Tata in recognition of his longstanding commitment to the IndiaAustralia relationship,” the diplomat said in a tweet.

But why was Ratan Tata conferred with Australia’s highest civilian honour?

The Australian envoy said that Tata’s

contributions have led to a lasting impact on the island nation. He wrote, “Ratan Tata is a titan of biz, industry and philanthropy not just in India, but his contributions have also made a significant impact in Australia. Delighted to confer Order of Australia (AO) honour to Ratan Tata in recognition of his long-

standing commitment to the Australian and Indian relationship”.

The 85-year-old played a critical role in the 2022 India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, while Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) reportedly employs the biggest Australian workforce of any Indian firm with about 17,000 employees.

The honour comes a month after the business magnate was appointed as an Honorary Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO) for his service to fostering India-Australia ties, specifically in trade, investment, and philanthropy.

In India, Ratan Tata is a 2008 recipient of the country’s second-highest civilian award – the Padma Vibhushan.

World Lupus Federation Urges Global Community to Raise Lupus Awareness on May 10 for World Lupus Day 2023

Donate – Lupus Association of NSW Inc. (lupusnsw.org.au) Lupus Association of NSW Inc. – The Quest for a Cure (lupusnsw.org.au)

WASHINGTON, DC – May 8, 2023 – World Lupus Day was established to take place on May 10 by the World Lupus Federation (WLF) to unite lupus groups around the world during Lupus Awareness Month and call attention to the impact that the disease has on the more than 5 million people globally affected by lupus. This year on May 10 for World Lupus Day, the World Lupus Federation is urging the global public, including those living with lupus, their friends and family members to raise awareness and share facts about the disease on social media and in their communities.

Lupus Association of NSW Inc. – The Quest for a Cure (lupusnsw.org.au)

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation and pain in any part of the body, including the heart, kidney, lungs, blood, joints and skin. With lupus, the immune system, the body system that usually fights infections, attacks healthy tissue. While anyone can develop lupus, 90% of people with the disease are women. It has no known causes or cure, and can be disabling and potentially fatal.

Access to care and medications continue to be a significant challenge for people with lupus around the world. A recent WLF global survey found that 1 in 4 respondents delayed or did not get medical care when needed in the last 12 months, with top reasons including wait times (44%), fatigue (22%), cost (22%). Those that delayed or did not get care also were twice as likely to have multiple flares, a time when lupus symptoms, such as pain and inflammation, worsen.

“It is an extremely important promote World Lupus Day because it is an opportunity to raise awareness of the devastating impact that lupus can have on physical, emotional

and economically,” remarked Cr Barbara Ward, CE and Board member, Lupus Australia, and member of the eight-nation WLF steering committee.

In australia and around the world, lupus isn’t understood, which can lead to delayed diagnosis and for those living with the disease to feel misunderstood and unable to receive the care they need for this debilitating disease. Each voice sharing facts on World Lupus Day can have an incredible impact and bring greater attention and resources to efforts to end lupus.

The World Lupus Federation is encouraging people around the globe to share facts about lupus and raise awareness on May 10 for World Lupus Day using the official toolkit, whether it’s by contacting local media and policymakers or through an individual’s social media channels. The toolkit offers several awareness resources and tools, including

social media shareables. People across the globe are also encouraged to wear purple and have buildings lit purple to shine a light on the fight to end lupus.

Find out how to get involved on World Lupus Day at worldlupusday.org and check out the official toolkit for ways to participate and visit Lupus Association of NSW Inc. – The Quest for a Cure (lupusnsw.org.au)

About the World Lupus Federation

The World Lupus Federation (WLF) is a coalition of lupus patient organizations, united to improve the quality of life for all people affected by lupus. Through coordinated efforts among its affiliates, the Federation works to expand global initiatives that create greater awareness and understanding of lupus, provide education and services to people living with the disease and advocate on their behalf.

Inaugural Australian Sikh Awards Nominations Close on 20th

Sikh Youth Australia (SYA) and Young Sikh Professionals Network (YSPN) recently launched a major new initiative called the Australian Sikh Awards for Excellence to showcase the unsung heroes within the Sikh Community in Australia.

How often have you seen Sikhs recognised in National Awards or The Queen’s/ Kings Birthday Honours Lists?

“We believe that there are some amazing

Sikhs across Australia who are making outstanding contributions to the social and economic development of Australia, and it’s time that we celebrate these successes,” said Satwant Singh Calais President of Sikh Youth Australia. These awards will also provide pathways for national recognition by mainstream Australia. Nominations have been called across 8 award categories. These include:

4Agriculture

4Sports

4Arts/culture and music

4Community service

4Professional development

4Leadership

4Australian Sikh Women of the Year

4Australian Sikh Youth of the Year

Details of each award category can be obtained from www.sikhawards.com.au

The Australian Sikh Awards for Excellence were launched on the 20th March by Hon Michelle Rowland, MP, Minister for Communications. Messages of support were given by Hon Peter Dutton MP,

Awards for Excellence 20th May 2023

Leader of Opposition and Dr Andrew Charlton MP, member for Parramatta and a keynote address was also delivered by His Excellency Manpreet Vohra, Indian High Commissioner.

A national selection panel which is regionally, and gender balanced has been established to review nominations received. The Patron of the panel is Her Excellency Harinder Sidhu, Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand.

The panel membership include:

4Mr Tarandeep Ahuja, Chair of selection panel and Partner, McKinsey & Company, Melbourne and leads the Energy practise for ANZ for McKinsey. He was a major contributor to the development of Australia’s India Economic Strategy to 2035.

4Gurmesh Singh MP, member of Coffs

Harbour, first Australian Sikh member of Parliament with a background in agriculture and a small business operator.

4Pam Bains, Group Executive Network Aurizon, the largest private inland railways company in Australia. Based in Brisbane, she is also a non-executive director of NBN.

4Sarvjit Girn, previous CIO of the Reserve Bank of Australia and currently CIO of I Med, Australia’s largest radiology company. Based in Sydney

4Manpreet Kaur Singh, Program Manager SBS Radio and award-winning journalist and media personality. Based in Melbourne

4Pardip Singh Pangly, multifaceted technologist managing a range of business including caravans, manufacturing and farming. Secretary of the Australian National Sikh Sports and Cultural Council. Based in Adelaide.

4Kuldip Kaur Jassal, first Sikh woman officer in the Royal Australian Air Force. Currently working with the Education Department in WA and is based in Perth.

“As of 9 May, 45 nominations have been received from across the nation and we anticipate over 50 nominations by the closing date of 20 May” said Gursimrat Bawa, YSPN External Affairs Lead.

The winners will be announced at the Gala Awards Night Corporate Dinner at the Shangri La Hotel Sydney on the 17 June 2023.

Tarandeep Ahuja said that we are pleased to have received platinum sponsorships from various national and state-based companies for the following awards:

4SBS- Excellence in Community Service Award,

4Aurizon – Excellence in Leadership Award

4Soma Wellness – Excellence in Professional development,

4QE Stores – Excellence in Australian Sikh Woman of the Year

4Desi Australia – Excellence in Arts/ culture and music

VAISAKHI CELEBRTATION

CELEBRTATION 2023

Sewa Australia-25th year Silver Jubilee Celebration

Ajourney which started in 1996 with humble beginnings of founders to now thousands of karyakartas, patrons, donors, national office bearers, core committee members, friends and well wishers across Australia united by a common thread –

“Sewa Hi Paramo Dharmaha”

Sewa team in Australia which consists of

Sewa Australia which focuses on projects within Australia and Sewa International which focuses on projects outside of Australia including India celebrated the Silver Jubilee on 16th April at Bowman Hall, Blacktown, NSW.

It was an incredible evening of cultural extravaganza with a theme of –

“Classical Dance Forms of India” which

showcased India’s rich cultural heritage to honour, felicitate and celebrate the selfless contribution of our volunteers over the years.

During the program, Sewa Australia showcased many of their projects like

4 Family Support Services

4 Seniors Milan

4 Crack Your First Job initiative.

4 Work to help Flood affected victims at

Lismore

4 Refugee migrant woman training in collaboration with Jesuit Refugee Service

4 Blood and Plasma donation

4 Tree plantation and Clean-up Australia

4 Feeding the Homeless initiative

4 Family empowerment sessions etc

Sewa International on the other hand showcased their projects like

4 Work done at India during Covid-19 pandemic

4 Mangala Nidhi

4 Tribal Women Empowerment & Education

4 Disaster Relief and rehabilitation

4 Maitreyi Gurukuka

4 School kit program etc

Many dignitaries graced the occasion including Consul General of India Mr. Manish Gupta and Mrs. Nimeesha Gupta, MP Charishma Kalyanda, AIBC Chair person Jodi McKay, Deputy Mayor Barbara Ward, Deputy Mayor Suman Saha, Deputy Mayor Sameer Pandey, OAM Prof. Nihal Agar, OAM Jaya Raman and others.

Many other people wished Sewa team through Video messages on the occasion

including the Hon Minister from India Mr. Piyush Goyal.

President of Sewa Australia Mr.Murthy Anjanappa addressed the audience to give Sewa’s vision for the coming years along with the President of Sewa Intl. Mr. Manoj Desai.

More than 800 invitees enjoyed the program

which concluded with nice dinner.

Those interested to get involved in volunteer work and help the communities in Australia or outside of Australia can visit the following links and register with Sewa team.

https://www.sewaaustralia.org/

https://www.sewainternational.org.au/

Sydney Chithirai Festival- Day long Organised by Tamil Arts and

long Sydney Tamils Celebration and Culture Association Inc.

Photo credits: Harmohan Walia

IMPACT 2023 in Canberra

Audit impact- “The Indian Perspective”

On 19-20 April 2023, the Australian Council of AuditorsGeneral (ACAG) hosted IMPACT 2023, the International Meeting of Performance Audit Critical Thinkers, in Canberra, Australia. The conference aimed to explore the exponential rate at which technology was developing and its effect on the future of audit. Mr. Girish Chandra Murmu, the CAG of India, was invited as a keynote speaker during the conference.

Mr. Murmu’s keynote speech on “Audit impact – the Indian perspective” highlighted the role of the founding fathers of the Indian constitution who ascribed great importance to the independence of the CAG through Article 148 to 151 of the Indian constitution. He emphasized the use of technological tools such as machine learning algorithms, data analytics and visualization, Geographic Information Systems, remote sensing technology and unmanned aerial vehicles which had expanded the repertoire of audit techniques.

Mr. Murmu informed that all business processes in SAI India were now fully digitized, and the entire audit cycle was being operated through the OIOS (One IA&AD One System), an end-to-end audit process and knowledge management system for the institution.

He further underlined the role of Audit as a catalyst to good governance, promoting accountability, transparency, efficient and effective functioning of organizations and government. He also stated that the Audit reports assumed immense significance as they induced action from the executive by way of design improvements, mid-course corrections, strengthening systems, and even review of certain policies.

Mr. Murmu also shared a few experiences wherein audit findings had a distinct visible impact on executive functioning. He underlined that audit focus should be closely aligned with global mega trends and

SAIs needed to be geared to not only adapt to new age technologies and build capacities for a seamless integration of the audit process into the new governance structures but also to effectively address the risk and ethical challenges posed by such technologies.

IMPACT 2023 had the overarching theme

of “The Auditor of the Future” with two sub-themes: “technology as a tool” and “technology and the impact on the auditor.” The conference also focused on ethics in the delivery of government programs.

The conference brought together participants from different countries to discuss the latest developments in audit and explore the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

During the IMPACT 2023 Conference in Canberra, Australia, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, Girish Chandra Murmu, held separate meetings with the Controller and Auditor General of New Zealand, Mr. John Ryan, and the Auditor-General of Australia, Mr. Grant Hehir, to explore ways to enhance bilateral cooperation between their respective Audit Institutions. The discussions focused on IT audit, data analytics, environmental audit, and sustainable development. Mr. Murmu expressed his commitment to strengthening cooperation between the Audit Institutions.

ANZAC Day Dawn Service 2023 Australia India Cenotaph Committee

The Australia India Cenotaph Committee (A project of Hindu Council Australia) along with Hornsby RSL

Sub-Branch, 202 ACU Blacktown Army Cadet Unit, and Hornsby Shire Council conducted the ANZAC Day service at the Cherrybrook Community and Cultural Centre due to Inclement weather condition on 23rd April to commemorate the sacrifices made by the ANZACs of Indian origin during WW1.

The ANZAC Jawan Cenotaph was erected in

2018 to celebrate the Armistice Centenary of the ANZAC; to recognize and commemorate the sacrifices of the ANZAC of Indian origin.

The service commenced with landowner acknowledgment by Master of Ceremonies

Mr. Anand Manickam, Jt. Secretary – Hindu Council -NSW, the mounting of the guards and lowering of the flags followed by the prologue read by George Main President, Hornsby RSL Sub-branch. The Prayer of Thanksgiving, Prayer for the King and Prayer for the Nation were

presented respectively by Mr. Jay Raman OAM VP of Hindu Council, Mr. Nitesh Sethi AICC Member, and CTHS School Executives. The hymn (Abide with me) was sung by all in honour of the ANZACs.

The ANZAC day messages were delivered at the service by Mr Bhagwat Chauhan, President Hindu Council NSW, Lt. Col Sachin Tielkar, Hon. Matt Kean MP Member for Hornsby. Hon. Damien Tudehope MLC, Mr Kashmiri Lal , Vice Consul from Consul General India Office

by The Committee

in Sydney, Mr. Warren Kirby MP Member for Riverstone and the Principal Speaker Mr Julian Leeser MP Member for Berowra.

Wreaths were laid by the Hornsby RSL Sub branch, Ex Servicemen, Hindu Council National & NSW Teams, AICC, Dignitaries, Community Organizations, Students and the general public at the cenotaph

Religious prayers for Hindu faiths were offered by Mr. Jagdish Trivedi – Gujarati Samaj.

The National Anthems of Australia and India were sung by the students of IABBV Hindi School, The Ode was read by Mr John Zeller, VP Hornsby RSL Sub branch

A minute silence was observed in honour of the ANZACs followed by the Last post, and the Reveille sounded by Bugler Ms. Haasini Anandhan of Cherrybrook Public School and raising of the National Flags by CTHS Students Executives Ms. Sejal Mall, Ms. Deeptha Kannappan.

The service was covered by Mr Harmohan Walia (Desi Australia), and Mr Rajesh Sharma (Indus Age). The vote of thanks was presented

by Mrs. Pranita Tandon, AICC Member

The service was concluded by sharing some delicious refreshments with all the guests and it was sponsored by Bakers Delight at Cherrybrook & Mrs. Prathiba Bhanushali

The Australia India Cenotaph Committee of Mr Anand Manickam, Mrs Parinita Tandon, Mr. Nitin Jayaraman, Mr. Nitesh Sethi and Mr. Arjun Mehta managed the whole service.

“LEST WE FORGET”

Photo credits: Harmohan Walia

YUG-ADI celebration by NATA Canberra

By: Rajni Ghai Malhotra

What was clearly the talk of the week was YUG-ADI - Navya Andhra Telugu Association’s (NATA) celebration of Sri Shobhakruthu Yug-Adi which marks the start of a new era or new beginning.

Celebrated on 29 April 23 at the

Gungahlin College Theatre, nearly 150 participants including students of Indian dance schools, music schools and Indian community members showcased dances such as traditional Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, devotional, contemporary art form, carnatic and film music. Energetic boys and girls performed the OSCAR winning best original song Naatu Naatu amongst other famous songs. In another presentation, children dressed up as mythological characters depicting Ramanyanam and Indian Gods/ Goddesses.

Yug-Adi patchadi /chutney is a special dish that reflects the various emotions of life. This was showcased through a ramp walk by kids showing the six tastes. The event involved youth as anchors for the

event, all of whom performed their role gracefully.

At the Yug-Adi celebration, NATA also acknowledged community contribution. This year, community award recipients were:

4 Dr. Krishana Murthy Boyapati, was honoured with NATA Professional Excellency award for his expertise in field of engineering.

4 Mr. Prakash Mehta was honoured with NATA Community Excellence award for his services to community through Hindu Council of Australia.

His Excellency Mr. Suneet Mehta Deputy High Commissioner representing High commissioner of India, Honourable Sena-

tor David Pocock, Mr. Michael Patterson MLA representing Minister ACT Multicultural Affairs, Ms Suzanne Orr MLA, Ms Elizabeth Kikkert MLA, community leaders and friends of NATA graced the occasion.

Commenting on the success of the event, Ms Sahithi Paturi, President NATA Canberra, mentioned that the event was attended by over 500 people. She acknowledged NATA Executive committee members for their hard work and selfless service.

NATA was founded in 2015 by Dr. Prasad Tipirneni and his team with a focus to celebrate, promote, preserve Indian culture, promote talent in the community and community wellbeing.

NATA hosts multiple events and activities such as Canberra Indians Got Talent,

Carrom and Chess Championships, Spelling Bee, Women Inspiration Network Canberra, Rocket Sports Badminton Championship and Canberra Indians Youth

Championships to encourage children, youth, women and community health and wellbeing. NATA activities are open to all members of the Indian community.

YouGo with Rajni-Let’s Be Mindful Celebrating Mother’s Day – Mindfulness and Yoga tips for Mums

Mindful Series Mindfulness Mums

the greatest gifts we can give ourselves’ -Tara Brach.

A few slow breaths are sometimes all it takes to release the tight hold your emotions may have taken over the moment and return to the busyness with a calmer, quieter you. You will find even slight pause of a few seconds will make you more present in the moment and able to choose a considered response than simply reacting to the chaos of the moment.

P – Pause

Take a short pause in whatever you are doing for a minute or two.

I – Inhale

To the count of five, take a slow, deep breath in.

E – Exhale

By: Rajni Ghai Malhotra

No matter where in the world you are, if you’re a mum, I’m sure you’ll agree with me – Motherhood is the best thing that happened to you, but it also is the one thing that takes up all of you.

It challenges you physically, mentally and can stir a riot of emotions inside of you at a moment’s notice. An ordinary day in the life of a mum can make her go from laughter to tears, joy to anger, elation to disappointment, confidence to self-doubt, relaxation to exhaustion, feeling on top of the world to hitting rock bottom and back again like an erratic pendulum that’s never learnt to work to a rhythm. And besides it all, the constant strife to be the best mother you can be often leads to burnout, both physical and emotional.

So, what can help mums keep their emotional and physical balance?

Mindfulness of course!

Mindfulness is an easy and effective approach to nurturing yourself, being more connected and feeling a sense of calm even in the midst of chaos. With mindfulness you can spiral yourself into a positive cycle of self-care and kindness, a general feeling of well-being and a dispassionate connectedness with the here and now.

Take a Pause in the Busyness – follow the P.I.E. technique:

‘To pause in the midst of busyness is one of

Release your breath slowly to the count of five.

For mums: This technique can and should be applied anytime, anywhere, on-the-go or even in the quieter moments. Pause, Inhale, Exhale when you’re rushing to school pickup, waiting at a soccer game, trying to reason with a stubborn toddler or a pre-teen (or any age your child is), negotiating device time over dinnerthe options are endless.

Dip into the moment

An ordinary day in the life of a mum can involve juggling a range of activities - driving, cooking, working, school assignments, rushing to activities, spending time with the kids. All these and more! But there are also moments when you are not rushing, when all is well in your world. They are the happy moments, the restful moments. Be on the alert for such moments and take a conscious few minutes to dip into their warmth. Allow yourself to completely immerse yourself in the feel-good moments and allow yourself to heal and re-energise.

For mums: These could be planned moments like when you’re enjoying a quiet cup of tea while the kids are busy, out for a walk, catching up with a friend or even surprise moments on-the-go as when you’re waiting in school pick up lines, stolen moments while watching your kids play sport.

Yoga for you

The best time for yoga is when you don’t have time for it – that’s when you realise what a rewarding experience only a few

minutes spent in yoga can be. The busier you are the more effective yoga can be in helping you find balance and calm in your day. Busy mums almost always struggle to make time for exercise but yoga can be practiced in your own space at your own pace. And if you can’t find time to engage in yoga by yourself, do so with the family, turning it into a time of quiet bonding with your children.

For mums: Yoga does not have to be an elaborate routine of asanas, it can even be a 10 minute escape in the morning or before bedtime to a quiet space to sit in lotus pose, focus on your breath and engage in simple stretching asanas such as Mountain pose and Tree pose. It could be a 5 minute pre-dinner ‘quieting’ down with the kids with simple relaxation poses such as Shavasana or Dhyana meditation.

BYO Mindful affirmations

Worries, anxieties, regrets, doubt - there’s not a mother in the world who isn’t carrying some or all of these with her wherever she goes. Affirmations are an effective way to minimise these emotions and allow yourself the ability of being a mother who is more present when she is with her family. Here are a few general affirmations for you to try.

4 I am loved and appreciated by my family

4 Each day I wrap myself in the love and smiles of my children

4 I am doing the best I can for my family

4 I do not second guess myself

4 I see the best in me and the best in my children

4 I let go of trying to control every tiny detail in the lives of my children

Using this as a starting point, build your own list of affirmations that speak to you and help you to stay positive.

So, to all you beautiful mums out there who are reading this, take a pause, a slow mindful breath and with gentleness and compassion permit yourself to just be, to feel the love that surrounds you and remind yourself that you are beautiful and loved as you are.

There YouGo!

This Mother’s Day you have made mindfulness your mantra and given yourself the gift of the pause.

Yours mindfully, Rajni Follow Rajni on Facebook @YogaWithRajni

Pohela Boishakh or Vaishaki important festival for Bengalis

On 15 April 2023, Deputy Mayor Suman Saha Celebrated Vaisakhi with excellent joy and interest.

The event was held at The Holroyd Centre on Saturday afternoon and brought together people from different backgrounds to celebrate and advocate for multicultural diversity.

Pohela Boishakh or Vaishaki is an important festival for Bengalis, Assamese, Nepa-

lese, Punjabi, Tamils, and Sikhs. Bengalis celebrate Pohela Boishakh by spending time with the loved ones, cleaning house, both men and women consumed a colourful new dress to celebrate the day.

Bengalis also decorate their homes with traditional designs called alpona. Now the season of the Pohela Boishakh has become a worldwide festival for its great value and importance.

Councillor Saha is a Bengali and is very

proud of his Bengali ethnicity which is third-largest ethnic group in the world. He mentioned that he not only embraces his culture but also like to share it among others in the multicultural society. In an inclusive environment, people of all cultural orientations can: freely express who they are, their own opinions and points of view.

Some of the dignitaries who graced the celebration were Hon. Chris Bowen MP, and Cumberland Mayor Lisa Lake.

The event started with an acknowledgment of country by Rianna Saha (7 years). The event featured entertainment from different dance groups showcases traditions of various cultures & heritage.

Various artists and performers from Bangladesh Society for Puja and Culture, Bandana Dance Academy, kiyara Dance Academy, Nrityam Sydney Dance Studio and Sabdamala Nepalese Language School performed.

When asked what the experience is like, Mr Khushaal Vyas said “As someone who

Vaishaki is an Bengalis

had never experienced Vaisakhi celebrations before, this event was particularly special for me. Vaisakhi is celebrated by so many cultures across South Asia (and the wider world), and, to me, this Vaisakhi event showcased that breadth and multicultural harmony perfectly. Indeed, the performances represented so many different parts of the South Asia and were as educational as they were entertaining. I felt so fortunate to have been able to be part of it and cannot wait to see more events that celebrate an important cultural event but also symbolically showcase how vibrant and strong our multicultural community is here out West!”

Clr Saha mentioned that he started celebrating Vaisakhi with family and friends in the Cumberland Council area, which was the first in its kind, COVID stopped it, but he is glad that it is back again. It was the third year of his Vaisakhi celebration.

The event finished with traditional snacks.

Language teachers praised by the new government in NSW

The new Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government in NSW, Jihad Dib, today told the annual conference of community language teachers he used to be embarrased by his name and the langauge his parents spoke.

He said: “All the other kids at school from Greek, Italian and other Europian backgrounds felt the same.”

The visual artistry and storytelling, in Indian voices and accent, adds weight age to add ethnic rendering. When the opening

‘forest life’ scene kicks off, the presentation mesmerizes. A wildlife swarm through the arena, and outside the stage, upstairs in the theatre, all overwhelmingly make the audience set to the mood to welcome the hero.

Minister Dib told the conference, organised by the NSW Federation of Community

Language Schools at the University of Technology, Sydney: “My parents used to drop me off at the Saturday Arabic Language School but I never went in. One day they met the teacher and asked how I was progressing. He told them he had never seen me”.

Officially opening the conference, attended by over five hundred and fifty community language teachers, the minister said: “Today it is the complete opposite, with kids enthusiastically learning their parents’ languages and embracing their cultures. My own kids are immensdely proud of their multilingual ability and their family name. Community language teachers are the catalyst for that dramatic change”, he said.

Welcoming the participants to the conference, the President of the Federation, Lucia Johns, said: “The Federation and its member schools play an imortant role in teaching languages and culture in NSW and Australia and language is an important factor in social inclusion and participation.

A section of the 550 strong attendance at the conference

“This day-long gathering gives our teachers the opportunity to benefit from the best research and experience to assist them in raising the teaching standards for our children.

’We must maintain this progress if we want to fully benefit from the natural advantage migration has delivered us to create a truly multilingual, multicultural society and economy”, she said.

The Executive Officer of the Federation, Michael Christodoulou, expressed their appreciation of the new government’s announcement during the election campaign of an increase in the per capita funding of $200 per student per year and a $100 dollar rebate for the parents of children who successfully complete a year’s language classes.

The opening address by world renowned Prof. Stephen Krashen, Specialist Educator and Researcher in Early Childhood and languages was beamed live from the University

of Southern California.

He was supported by two Sydney academics – Specialist Educator and Researcher in Early Childhood and Languages, Dr Criss Jones Diaz, and world-renowned behaviour management specialist, Dr Bill Rogers.

Workshops presented by highly experienced

teachers addressed areas of early childhood, primary and secondary language teaching, and learning.

The Federation supports the 3000 voluntary teachers who run classes in 583 locations around the state for 35,000 children studying over 60 different languages.

Minnister Dib addressing the conference

Michael Christodoulou

Lucia Johns welcoming participants

Amanpreet Kamal Punjabi teacher with Minister Dib

DEATH, THE LEVELLER

is that sinking feeling of helplessness.

By: Yamini Hemanth

‘Death’ is inevitable from the day of ‘Birth’, as both are two sides of the same coin. Yet we don’t like to think about that while we are alive and each one of us aims to live the best possible life we can and utilise the opportunities that come our way to make a difference in this world.

Death is a very difficult concept to understand, especially for children. How do you explain to a child that a dear one has gone away for ever and are in a sleep from which they will never wake up? The first death I vividly remember is that of my maternal grandfather. We knew he was ailing and also knew we couldn’t go immediately with the impending Board exams. But Death waits for no one! And ultimately the inevitable news came and though we knew, we were still not prepared. A decade later it was my grandmother, the loss was more evident and the timing, again unexpected. In each of these cases, there was another generation in between to handle the rituals, the communication, the chaos and looking back as kids we didn’t actually talk to our parents about the pain.

The time I really felt the pain was the sudden passing away of my father-in-law. I was older and I think was able to understand the significance of the loss. We knew he had a relapse of cancer and was not doing well. So we decided to spend some time during the summer holidays at Hyderabad with him. It was heart-breaking to see an energetic, immensely positive and always on the go person reduced to being bed-ridden and it seemed like he was awaiting Death. Nothing can prepare a family for the permanent loss that Death brings with it. It was the Saturday afternoon of Hanuman Chaturthi that we received a call informing us that dad’s condition had turned for the worse. Hubby and I rushed to the hospital but in a few minutes, we get ‘the’ call. Hubby couldn’t forgive himself; he had been with dad all day, every day, day in and out and had just left to complete some paperwork as his brother would be around on a Saturday.

Seeing a body suddenly go motionless and without life is an image that sticks with you for a lifetime. And the worst of it all is when you have to convey the news to others. It seems like going through the shock and grief in slow motion and living it all over again. And before we even realise, overnight we age, age to take on the call of duty, rituals, formalities and explain life truths to kids who don’t know what happened to their grandparent suddenly. And it is heart breaking to see an otherwise brave hubby break down after immersing his dad’s ashes on his birthday. There

It is a rush of duty and rituals during the initial days, some imposed by society, and some imposed by religion. We are expected to answer the numerous questions from relatives and friends with a smile, whether it’s about what happened or why a certain member was absent or if there was tea available!

And then it all culminates on the thirteenth day, a day when all family, relatives and friends talk fondly of the person, the day the family is relieved from societal bondage and can recollect the memories with the loved one. I remember my grandmother-in-law telling us a few weeks before her death. “I have lived my life and enjoyed it to the fullest and am blessed to see even my great grandchildren. When I am gone, I don’t want to be grieved, I want to be remembered as the bubbly noisy baby.” ‘Baby’, that was how she was fondly called even at 85.

Death is a leveller and brings everyone together. It is sad that sometimes it takes Death to bring the estranged members of a family back into the fold, as grief takes away any ill-feelings and looks out for the family. But the family truly grieves in silence and in peace, grieves in thoughts only after all are gone. The truth of the vacuum created dawns when life has to continue but this time without the loved person to share the day, to share a victory, to share a smile or to shed a tear.

Australian trip in May 2023 for the Indian women’s hockey squad before the Asian Games

The Indian women’s hockey team will visit Australia in 2023 and play a five-game series at Adelaide’s MATE Stadium.

India will play Australia in the opening three games of the series before facing Australia A in the next two games.

On May 18, India will play its first game of the trip, followed by back-to-back contests on May 20 and 21. On May 25 and 27, the visitors will then go off against Australia A. The Indian women’s hockey team is now rated eighth, whereas the Australian women’s hockey team is ranked third worldwide.

The tour will serve as a warm-up event for the Hangzhou Asian Games, which will take place from September 23 to October 8 this year.

Talking about the same, Janneke Schopman, the Indian women’s team head coach, said, “Playing Australia in Australia will help us assess where we are compared to the top of women’s hockey. More importantly, the series

will be crucial for our preparations for the Asian Games in China as it will give us ideal exposure while helping us reckon the areas where we need to make improvements and changes. So, it’s a very important tour for us strategically.”

In December 2022 India defeated Spain in the final and wining the FIH women’s National Cup. Additionally, in January 2023, India went on a tour of South Africa. There, they played the hosts in four matches and won each one handily (5-1, 7-0, and 4-0), with the fourth game ending in a 2-2 draw. The Indian team, on the other hand, lost 1-3 to the Netherlands in their final three games of the same tour.

In the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Australia, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, defeated the Indian women’s hockey team 1-0. India had achieved a historic win.

In the semifinal match of the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham, India battled valiantly against Australia, drawing the score at 1-1 at the conclusion of regulation. But Australia prevailed 3-0 in the penalty shootout to advance to the championship game.

The players are now preparing for the Australia tour at the senior women’s national coaching camp, which is taking place at SAI in Bengaluru.

The Indian women’s hockey team will visit Australia in 2023 and play a five-game series at Adelaide’s MATE Stadium.

Questions to ask before your cosmetic surgery

A list of questions to ask your medical practitioner to help you make an informed and safer decision on cosmetic surgery.

Prepare for your cosmetic surgery consultation by making a list of questions.

It’s important to do your research and understand as much as you can about:

4Your procedure

4Your medical practitioner

4The facility or clinic where your procedure will take place

4Your recovery and aftercare

4Who to call if you have concerns with your procedure.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. This list can help guide the conversation with your medical practitioner.

Know the Risks:

Questions about your practitioner

4What are your qualifications?

4How many times have you performed this procedure, and how often do you do it?

4What procedures do you regularly perform?

4Can I see photos of your work?

4Will anyone help you perform my procedure? What are their qualifications?

4Who will give my anaesthetic? What qualifications do they have? What kind of anaesthetic will I receive?

Questions about your surgery

4Where will the procedure be performed? Is it licenced for my procedure?

4What are the risks of this procedure? And are there any risks unique to my health history?

4What are the side effects?

4How many people have experienced complications when you have performed this procedure and what were they?

4Are there any alternative options to this procedure?

4What will it cost and what do those costs cover?

4Will it cost extra to have further treatment if something goes wrong?

4How long do the results last? Will I need further procedures?

4What will the scarring be like?

4What if I’m not pleased with the result?

Questions about your recovery and aftercare

4What care will I need and receive after the procedure and who will give it?

4What kind of discomfort or pain should I expect following the procedure and how will it be managed?

4How long will I need to be home/off work for recovery?

4What activities can I do during recovery time?

4When can I start showering, exercising, driving, grocery shopping, etc.?

4What do I do if something goes wrong? Who should I call?

For more information on preparing for cosmetic surgery visit health.gov.au/cosmeticsurgery.

To report any concerns go to Ahpra.gov.au or call 1300 361 041.

The All-New Scorpio is introduced by Mahindra in Australia.

Global SUV maker Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. today announced the arrival of the much anticipated SUV, the all-new Scorpio, in Australia.With its innovative features, qualities, and capabilities, the brand-new SUV is intended to upend the SUV market.The Z8 4WD Variant of the Scorpio has a tempting starting price of $41,990 till June 30, 2023.

The SUV underwent extensive six-month testing across Australia and is designed to meet segment benchmarks in every important

area, including performance, capabilities, technology, sophistication, ride and handling, noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH), interiors, and looks.

Sachin Arolkar, Head of International Operations, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., said, “Scorpio is an iconic SUV brand and a true testament to sophisticated engineering that is aimed at delivering an authentic 4WD experience. The Scorpio leverages our expertise in SUVs with a range of technological advancements and will be a compelling proposition for our Australian customers. We are confident that the all-new Scorpio will be the first step in scaling up our operations multiple-fold in Australia.“

The All-New Scorpio is constructed entirely from scratch. When combined with 4WD, the 4XPLOR technology and extremely competent powertrain provide a thrilling driving experience. The new Scorpio is the first Ma-

hindra SUV to feature the new “Twin Peaks” emblem in Australia.

The Scorpio was created by Mahindra India

Design Studio (MIDS) in Mumbai, India, and Pininfarina in Italy. It was developed by teams at Mahindra North American Technical Centre (MNATC) in the United States and Mahindra Research Valley (MRV) in India. It was created at Mahindra’s cutting-edge, world-class manufacturing facility in Chakan, India, making it a true testament to global engineering and creativity.

In Australia, the Scorpio will be offered in five eye-catching hues: Dazzling Silver, Deep Forest, Everest White, Napoli Black, and Red Rage. Starting on April 20, 2023, reservations and test drives for the All-New Scorpio will be accepted.

In addition, the market for electric cars is going to become more crowded as a result of Mahindra, an Indian automaker, promising to release two new battery-powered cars in Australia by the end of 2025.

Within the next two years, two new electric vehicles from Indian automaker Mahindra are expected to hit the showroom lineups in Australia, a company executive told local media.

Despite Mahindra’s announcement that it will launch up to six electric vehicles worldwide over the next few years, the CEO claimed that at least two of the vehicles will arrive in Australia by 2025.

Mahindra and Volkswagen, the largest manufacturer of automobiles in Germany, are also about to agree to share components for next electric vehicles.

The Asia-Pacific head of the company, Mr.

Joydeep Moitra, provided an overview of the Indian automaker’s future ambitions for electric vehicles while he was in Australia last week for the debut of the Mahindra Scorpio six-seat SUV.

We have the INGLO platform, which will function as a standard platform for five or six new models. It is a versatile platform, according to Mr. Moitra.

The executive said Mahindra has forecast “a substantial” increase in the popularity of electric vehicles in India in “three to four years” – and predicted battery-powered vehicles could account for for “25 to 30 per cent” of India’s newcar market in that time frame.

“And that’s a big number, because India’s total market last year was over 3.5 million.”

If Mr Moitra’s prediction is correct, the Indian market could soon be buying more than 1 million new electric vehicles every year; equivalent in size to Australia’s total new-car market today.

Mahindra plans to produce up to six ad-

ditional electrified SUVs between 2025 and 2030 in an effort to satisfy this demand.

The CEO stated that at least two of Mahindra’s planned global introductions of up to six electric vehicles will be made in Australia.

This is in light of reports that Mahindra and Volkswagen may shortly agree to share key components.

“Firstly, without getting into specifics, it’s about collaborating on components, especially key components for making (electric vehciles),” said Mr Moitra.

According to reports, Mahindra’s new electric vehicle lineup would be marketed under the XUV and BE brands. The first five electric vehicles, according to a press release from Mahindra, will be the XUV.e8, XUV.e9, BE.05, BE.07, and BE.09.

The first four of these new electric cars are expected to be on sale between 2024 and 2026. They will have a power range of 170 to 290kW, a battery capacity of up to 80KWh, and a rapid charging capacity of up to 175kW.

Awaken the Inner Avatar-Be

Media release provided by Chinmaya Mission Australia, Sydney

We are excited to announce that our Global Head of Chinmaya Mission, Pujya Swami Swaroopananda will be visiting Sydney from the 29 May to 8 June 2023.

About Swami Swaroopananda

In an era ripe with scepticism and confusion about matters spiritual, Swami Swaroopananda-ji (Pujya Swamiji) is a rare voice that blends authenticity with accessibility; theory with self-practice; and logic with heart.

Pujya Swamiji is the Global Head of Chinmaya Mission, Chairman of the Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth Trust (Chinmaya University) and Director of the Chinmaya International Residential School.

As an adolescent, though coming from a commercial background, Pujya Swamiji, swayed by Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s “kadaksha” (grace and blessings) in 1984, underwent monastic training. Since then, Pujya Swamiji has touched and transformed many thousands of lives across the world by His ability to bring out the essential wisdom and underlying unity of all religions by teaching the essence of Advaita Vedanta philosophy in a simple manner.

Pujya Swamiji has commented on numerous spiritual classics such as Ik Onkar, Maha Mrtyunjaya Mantra, Sankat Mochan and on several lifestyle subjects such as Simplicity and Meditation, Storm to Perform, Avatar, Managing the Manager and Journey into Health. Pujya Swamiji also conducts ‘wholistic management’ seminars for senior corporate executives. He has been a guest speaker at the Ford, London Business School and Harvard University to mention a few. His “self-development” course, Make It Happen™, has been adapted and integrated into the human resource training programmes of several corporate organisations in India and abroad.

As part of Pujya Swamiji’s Sydney 2023 Tour, Chinmaya Mission Sydney will be organising several events for all age groups. The

3 big events you & your family should attend are the Free Public Talks on Awaken the Inner Avatar, Grand Vedic Havan Ritual & Talks on Living Fearlessly, with Guided Meditation Sessions.

You can see all the events & programs details on our website – https://www. chinmaya.com.au/pages/pujya-swami-swaroopananda-sydney-tour-2023

Awaken the Inner Avatar – Be Happy!

3 days of Free Public Talks in English by Pujya

Swami Swaroopananda

Date: Tuesday 30th May to Thursday 1st June, 2023

When: 7.30pm to 9.00pm

(For parents with young children, a separate program will be held for children in the Ashram, during the talks)

Where : Chinmaya Sannidhi Ashram, located 38 Carrington Rd, Castle Hill NSW 2154 (near the Hills Showground Metro Train Station)

About the Talks

Knowledge of the Self is the most sacred and potent that leads to happiness, success, and prosperity. In the 4th chapter of the Bhagavad Geeta, the Lord Krishna establishes this supremacy of knowledge by revealing the nature of the Avatar. The Lord also emphasises the necessary qualities to acquire this knowledge. He urges us in the end, to awaken the inner Avatar in each of us to reach our potential and be happy.

During these 3 days of free talks (jnana yagna) in the evenings, Pujya Swami Swaroopananda will guide us to integrate devotion and In-depth knowledge of the Upanishads and Geeta, and learn the secret to awaken the inner Avatar in us to reach our full potential and be happy. Take the opportunity to register now to secure your spot and don’t miss out!

To Register – https://awakening-inneravatar.eventbrite.com.au/

Heal Yourself & Heal the World

A Grand Maha Mrtyunjaya Vedic Havan & Chanting Ritual

Date: Sunday 4th June, 2023

When: 5 pm to 7 pm

Where: Chinmaya Sannidhi, 38 Carrington Rd, Castle Hill NSW 2154 (near the Hills Showground Metro Train Station)

About the Havan Ritual

We solemnly invite you to join us for this unique & grand yagna in the presence of the Global Head of Chinmaya Mission, Swami Swaroopananda, for the welfare of all beings.

H.H. Swami Chinmayananda once said, “To do your job even if circumstances are not conducive, is our gift to Him who is the sole lord of all circumstances.”

Invocation of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra through the Vedic Havan does inspire us to do our job even when circumstances are not conducive and thus help heal the world from

Avatar-Be Happy!

fears and thus create feelings of hope, peace, health and prosperity. The world, today, desperately needs this.

The program includes a brief introduction to the vedic ritual and the meaning of the Maha Mrtyunjaya Mantra by Pujya Swamiji, followed by 108 times chanting of the mantra while offering into the sacred fire. All participants will have the opportunity to offer their oblations into the vedic fire to gain the blessings.

To Register – https://chinmaya-universalpeace.eventbrite.com.au/

Living Fearlessly – Harness Your Hidden Powers!

3 days of Talks & Guided Meditation on one of the most powerful Maha Mrtyunjaya Mantra

Date: Monday 5th June to Wednesday 7th June, 2023

When: 7.30pm to 9.00pm

Where : Chinmaya Sannidhi Ashram, located 38 Carrington Rd, Castle Hill NSW 2154 (near the Hills Showground Metro Train Station)

About the Talks

The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is one of the most powerful mantras in the repertoire of Vedic incantations. Translated literally as The Great victory over Death, this short

but potent prayer is known to confer many corporeal benefits, including good health, long life, fearlessness. To the ardent speaker of truth, the mantra can give liberation from Self-ignorance, verily a deathly state unto itself….for Mrityunjaya, the Victor over Death (Moha – Delusion), is none other than Lord Shiva Himself.

Spiritual Teacher, Pujya Swami Swaroopananda – disciple of one of the foremost spiritual lights of our times, H.H. Swami Chinmayananda, delves into this esoteric Mantra to reveal the full spectrum of its nuances and hidden secrets through these talks and guided meditation. The sensitive listener is sure to discover a new and lasting impact of the Mantra on both the gross and subtle levels of one’s own personality.

To Register – https://www.chinmaya.com. au/products/living-fearlessly

About Chinmaya Mission Australia

Chinmaya Mission is a worldwide spiritual, charitable and educational nonprofit organisation. It aims to facilitate inner growth & mental health. The Mission offers a wide array of spiritual study classes, family camps, workshops for all ages. Millions have benefitted by Mission’s activities. In Sydney, Chinmaya Mission offers unique family & individual programs to cover from babies in the womb to senior citizens. And as part NSW Government Special Religious Program (SRE), Chinmaya Mission Sydney volunteer teachers conduct Hindu Scripture Classes at NSW schools.

For more information, visit our website www.chinmaya.com.au

OUR MOTTO

To Give Maximum Happiness To Maximum People For Maximum Time