Desi Australia Monthly eMagazine – Issue October 2019 by Desi Australia

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AUSTRALIa’S MOST POPULAR SOURCE OF SOUTH ASIAN MEDIA

“Keeping you connected”

NEWS I EVENTS I Health I LEGAL I TECHNOLOGY I YOGA I FOOD I Gallery

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WHAT’S INSIDE

helps customers 08 Woolworths celebrate Diwali with expanded Indian product range

in Unison 28 Unions in Multicultural Divine Diwali

& Sharing 10 Caring Initiatives of GOPIO

Exercise, Wellbeing 29 Physical and Delaying the onset of Dementia

Gandhi Exhibition 12 Mahatma on his 150th Birth Anniversary was held on 28 September 2019 at Western Sydney

Council of Australia 32 Hindu Celebrates Diwali across Major Cities of Australia

University

14 Years on, Still Going Strong 18 Six Celebrating India’s Growing Influence in Australia Pink Ribbon Breakfast 2019 Early Detection Saves Lives

celebrates the 20 Canberra 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi

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Light up 30 forLet’sDiwali Nanak Jayanti 2019 36 Guru Special 550th birth anniversary celebrations planned in celbourne Falcons Hockey Club, 37 Craigieburn Melbourne Players bringing laurels for the club and community Competion

Association of NSW 22 Bengali Durga Puja Festival 3-6 October at Concord High School

2019 40 Rangtaali with Aishwarya Majmudar

YouGo with Rajni 26 Let’s work on our wellbeing

Bathukamma 45 Sydney Floral Festival celebrations

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Hello Everyone, We have entered the biggest Festive season of the South Asian communities and many celebrations are lined up in the coming weeks. Diwali is one do the biggest festival of the South Asian community and is celebrated across the world with National Holiday in some countries. Whist Diwali in Australia does not have the heat factor that makes it unique, it also has the factor of multiculturalism that makes it all the more special. Every year, since 2014, the sails of the inconic Opera House lights up in celebration of Diwali, it is the initiative of NSW Govt. Dig out your ethnic clothes and get ready to put on a few kilos as no festivity is complete without Mithai.

Arti Banga

Editor-in-Chief On behalf of Desi Australia team we wish you a very Happy and prosperous Diwali. DesiAustralia.com “Keeping you connected”

PUBLISHER

Sales and Marketing:

ACT Editor:

Desi Media Group (Desi Australia

Dimple Deez

Rajni Ghai Malhotra

Pty Ltd)

Victoria Editor:

Western Australia Editor:

Editor-in-chief

Garima Dhawan

Ankita Tandon

Arti Banga

Queensland Editor:

South Australia Editor:

NSW Editor:

Priya Singh

Daljeet Bakshi

Harmohan Walia

Address: Desi Australia Pty Ltd

PO Box 102, Casula, NSW 2170 • Email : info@DesiAustralia.com

Mob: 0433121339

Disclaimer: All rights reserved. Do not re-use any content and photo from Desi Australia without the prior written permission from the editor. All the material published in Desi Australia, including articles, features, fillers, advertisements, and all other contents, are published in good faith, and the editor or the Desi Australia magazine cannot be held liable for any errors or omissions. All material is published on the understanding that it is copyright free, and Desi Australia accepts no liability for any subsequent copyright issues. We also cannot accept responsibility for and do not endorse views expressed by the contributors.

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Community News | Sydney

Opera House Goes Gold For Diwali

he iconic sails of the Sydney Opera House turned gold on Monday night to mark the most widely celebrated Indian festival,

Diwali.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Acting Minister for Multiculturalism Geoff Lee turned on the lights at a community

reception. “By lighting the Opera House, we are sending the message to the world that we come together to celebrate each other’s festivals and traditions,” Ms Berejiklian said. “Diwali’s message is universal – the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.”

The festival brings more than a billion people of South Asian heritage together. Mr Lee said Diwali is celebrated across various religious traditions, including Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism. “The projection of the brilliant hues of yellow and gold on the Opera House will signify the ceremonial candlelight of Diwali,” Mr Lee said. “It is also an opportunity to recognise the incredible contribution of the South Asian community to NSW.” This year’s lighting of the Opera House was dedicated to the 550th Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev ji. The lighting of the sails takes place for one night only on Monday 21 October. This year’s lights were dedicated to the 550th Birthday celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

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Photo Credit: Harmohan Singh Walia

Community News | Sydney

Wishing you and your family a

Happy Diwali

David Coleman

Scott Morrison

Josh Frydenberg

Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Member for Banks

Prime Minister Member for Cook

Treasurer Member for Kooyong

Authorised by A.Hirst, Liberal Party of Australia, Cnr Blackall and Macquarie Sts, Barton ACT 2600.

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Mag Corner

Woolworths helps customers celebrate Diwali with expanded Indian product range are available, along with popular Haldiram’s frozen foods and sweets such as Kaju Katli and Motichoor Ladoo. Accompanied by popular beverages such as Wagh Bakri, Taj Mahal tea and MTR Badam Drink Cans, Woolworths has customers’ meal, snack and gifting needs covered this Diwali. Lastly, we are offering special prices on key household ingredients such as India Gate Basmati rice, Pillsbury Chakki Atta flour and Sundrop Sunflower oil, used for everyday cooking. Woolworths Director of Buying, Peter McNamara said; “We understand Diwali is an important time for family gathering, celebration and feasting. We have been working on continuing to expand our Indian product range, to meet the needs of the growing Indian community in Australia.

iwali preparations are now made easier and more convenient with special South Asian products available in selected Woolworths stores across the country. As a traditionally joyful time, Woolworths has embraced the importance the role food plays during Diwali by offering tailored products for the Indian community, available in over 200 stores nationally and also online. The range of products includes snacks, spices, rice and other cooking ingredients to help you create Download Our App

your special dishes during the Diwali celebrations. Specially sourced to not only offer popular food items from home, the products selected also create greater convenience for the Indian community in Australia when preparing for their upcoming festivities. Popular Indian snacks such as Haldiram sweets, Britannia and Parle biscuits, Bikano and Haldirams snacks are available, providing the opportunity to easily enjoy these little treats for Diwali. For those short on time, MTR Tasty Delights Ready to Eat meals OCTOBER I 2019

“With Diwali, we have the right variety of local and international products offering great value to help our customers during their busy preparations leading into the Diwali festivities. “We would also like to wish the community a very happy Diwali.” For more information on Woolworths stores that stock the Diwali range, head to www.woolworths.com.au/ diwali. The Diwali product range varies from store to store and the Diwali Sale is available from now until Tuesday 29th October 2019, unless sold out earlier. www.DesiAustralia.com

Michelle Rowland MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR GREENWAY

“Wishing you a bright and prosperous Deepavali” Michelle Rowland MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR GREENWAY

Office: 230 Prospect Highway, Seven Hills Phone: 9671 4780 Email: Michelle.Rowland.MP@aph.gov.au www.facebook.com/mrowlandmp @MRowlandMP @MRowlandMP Authorised by Michelle Rowland MP, Australian Labor Party, 230 Prospect Highway, Seven Hills NSW 2147.

The Affinity family wishes you all a Happy Diwali. Affinity believes that, love is the most essential element in every being; a most radiant light: We wish that the radiant light of Diwali brings peace to the world.

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Community News | Sydney

Caring & Sharing Initiatives of GOPIO By: Harmohan Singh Walia

OPIO Sydney North West chapter is unique in its community service initiatives as majority of its team members contribute as sponsors. The dedicated team of GOPIO Sydney North West chapter has so far helped over 5000 under privileged school children in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Nigeria in the last 10 years by providing them with uniform, warm clothes, shoes, socks, furniture, drinking water facilities, RO water filters, inverters with batteries, ceiling fans, sound systems for prayers, sports items, stationary etc.

Mr Harmohan Singh Walia, President of GOPIO Sydney North West chapter visited India in the months of August and September 2019 to provide basic amenities as per the requirements of Anganwari, Primary and Middle Govt. schools of villages Pandori Jattan, Wara Poh Windia and Shah Wala of District Ferozepur. Over 300 school children have been benefitted with Mr Walia’s visit. GOPIO Sydney North West chapter regularly support Cancer Council of Australia

and Heart Foundation of Australia. In the past, the chapter supported FoxG1 Foundation, victims of Blue Mountain Bush

Fire, Fiji cyclone and Nepal earthquake, provided prosthetic legs to a needy student, who lost both his legs in a rail accident, supported Manmeet Sharma, a bus driver, who lost his life in Brisbane, Captain Shekhawat’s family, who is an overseas student and fighting with cancer and helped another cancer patient and his family in Punjab. To raise funds for this noble cause, 10th annual “Caring & Sharing” event was held on 20th October 2019

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Community News | Sydney

Local Volunteers Honoured For Services To Community awarded with plaques and certificates from Ms Stanley.

outh-Western Sydney volunteers have been honoured by Federal Member for Werriwa, Anne Stanley MP, at a ceremony on 3 October 2019. The annual ceremony recognised work that tireless volunteers undertake throughout Werriwa, with 42 locals being

“Australians are known around the world for being such a warm, community-minded people,” Ms Stanley said. “We are recognised as a country of volunteers and the people of Werriwa are the best example of this. “Volunteering has been and always will

be central to our community and is an indication of the love we have for where we live and the people that live in it. “The time all volunteers donate to our community is invaluable. “I want to congratulate all winners of the Werriwa Volunteer Awards, but I also want to recognise every single one of the volunteers in our community,” Ms Stanley said.

Diwali Happy

MAY THE COLOUR AND LIGHTS OF DIWALI FILL YOUR HOME WITH HAPPINESS AND JOY

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Community News | Sydney

Mahatma Gandhi Exhibition

on his 150th Birth Anniversary was held on 28 September 2019 at Western Sydney University

By: Harmohan Singh Walia

r Manish Gupta, Consulate General of India, Sydney, Associate Professor & Pro Vice Chancellor Linda Taylor, Western Sydney University attended the event including Councillors, guests and sponsors. The evening started with a ribbon cutting and cutting a cake to celebrate Mahatma Gandhiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 150th Birth Anniversary. - A tour of the marvellous Mahatma Gandhi Exhibition. - A screening of the rare documentary Gandhi-The 20th Century Prophet by AK Chettier & Edith Martin. - The thought-provoking, The Prophet and the Poet by Bangalore Little Theatre Foundation.

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City of Parramatta Council celebrated 150th Anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi and International Day of Non-violence on 2nd October 2019 at Jubilee Park, Parramatta. After the initial ceremony, a lot of dances were performed on patriotic songs, some displaying a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tirangaâ&#x20AC;? and some both Indian & Australian flags. Over 600 people attended the celebration. Download Our App

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Photo Credit: Harmohan Singh Walia

Community News | Sydney

Pink Ribbon Breakfast 2019 Early Detection Saves Lives

Many Pink Ribbon Breakfasts are organized across Australia to support National Breast Cancer Foundation. The biggest Pink ribbon Breakfast of Indian Community was organised on 20th October at Parravilla Function centre. About 200 women and men attended this breakfast. A total of $6000.00 dollars was raised and donated through this event. Rekha Rajvanshi, a breast cancer survivor, started organizing this breakfast nine years ago (in 2010) with her friend. It was attended by 70 men and women then. Since 2012, Sue Advani and Rekha have been organizing it together and all passionate people support the cause.

been supporting the event since 2010. He spoke about how research helps in saving lives. Consul General of India’s wife Mrs Nimeeesha Gupta spoke about increasing number of breast cancer and how India runs Pinkathon campaign to raise awareness. Labor MP Jodi Mckay (leader of the opposition) and MP Parramatta Julie Owen also spoke about the importance of mammograms and early detection. Other dignitaries present were Clr & Deputy Mayor Reena Jethi, Clr Sameer Pandey and other community leaders. Informative talks, on the diagnosis and cure of breast cancer were

Some entertainment was also included in the program to lighten the atmosphere. Richa Srivastava’s Sri Hindi Choir group and Meena Mohanty sang songs. Shikha Kaushik’s fashion show, with Diwali twist, consisting of 15 women uplifted the spirit of the audience. The program ended with the raffle prizes. Delicious food prepared by Parravilla was enjoyed by all. ‘Talking about breast cancer is still a taboo amongst South Asians. It is important to raise awareness so that they can go for mammograms. Hopefully next year more people will join in and we will be able to raise more funds.’ Rekha Rajvanshi Said.

Rekha & Sue’s Pink Ribbon Breakfast is getting popular, bigger and better. Women and men, dressed in pink, come to support the cause. Dr Geoff Lee, Minister & MP Parramatta has Download Our App

given by Dr Palu Malaowalla and Dr Usha Salagame. Breast Cancer Survivor Neena Sinha shared her emotional journey with the audience. Another inspiring survivor, Anita Sharma, who recovered from breast cancer, was invited to cut the cake.

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Photo Credit: Harmohan Singh Walia

reast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in Australia. Its incidence is rising faster than any other cancer – with 8 women dying from the disease every single day. October is Breast Cancer awareness month; when friends, family and colleagues get together to raise funds for life-changing breast cancer research. Research is the only way to prevent deaths, and improve how breast cancer is diagnosed, managed and treated. NBCF collects funds to conduct research in this area so that the goal of zero deaths from breast cancer by 2030 can be achieved.

HAPPY DIWALI On behalf of the City of Parramatta Council, I wish you and your family a bright and prosperous Diwali. Cr Bob Dwyer Lord Mayor of Parramatta

City of Parramatta 126 Church Street, Parramatta NSW 2150 PO Box 32, Parramatta, NSW 2124 cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au

happy

Diwali JULIAN LEESER MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BEROWRA Level 11, 423 Pennant Hills Road, Pennant Hills NSW 2120 julian.leeser.mp@aph.gov.au

julianleeser.com.au

02 9980 1822

julianleesermp

Authorised by Julian Leeser MP, Liberal Party of Australia, 423 Pennant Hills Rd, Pennant Hills NSW 2120.

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Community News| Sydney

Paada Yatra- Walk2temple

his yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Paada Yatra took place on 5th Oct starting from Sri Murgan Temple to Sri Sai Baba Temple and from Sai Baba Temple to Sri Venkateshwara Temple. Paada Yatra continued to support the drought cause in NSW. This year Gokula Farm in hunter Valley was selected. The Farm has 73 cows &a Bull together with 2 goats and a horse which were rescued from going to slaughter house. Lack of rains have caused a lot distress as grass growth is almost nil along with water shortage. The donations raised from the Paada Yatra helped the farm to buy hay, clean water, cattle food and helped with VET fees. Download Our App

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! i l a w i D y p Hap From Jodi McKay and your State MPs We wish you and your family a joyful Diwali

HAPPY May the colour and lights of Diwali fill your home with happiness and joy.

From the Mayor and Councillors

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Community News | Brisbane

Six Years on, Still Going Strong Celebrating Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Growing Influence in Australia

By Joseph F. Kolapudi

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n the evening of the 11th of October, the Australia-India relationship was once again brought to the forefront in a spectacular setting in the heart of Brisbane. The India Australia Business and Community Awards (IABCA) evening supported by Trade & Investment Queensland was hosted at Howard Smith Wharves against the stunning

October OCTOBER I 2019

background of the Brisbane River, and was attended by hundreds of patrons, politicians and pre-eminent individuals all with one common interest in their involvement within the Indian community here in Australia. For the third year in a row, Queensland, Brisbane was able to usher in a number of worthy finalists and winners, from around Australia, and also interna-

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Community News | Brisbane

tionally. The night showcased a range of talent, and was a tribute to the accomplishments of many Australian Indians who had invested blood, sweat and tears into their businesses and communities. The evening also highlighted new developments and partnerships on every level of government, private enterprise, and bilateral trade, both between Australia and India. One of the most exciting developments that was revealed during the course of the night was the announcement of an IABCA India footprint. Sonia Sadiq Gandhi, the founder of the IABCA Awards, detailed the plan to extend the IABCA Awards to the country of India in 2020, while still holding a similar event within Australia. With the extension of the awards to India, this would further cement the Australia-India relationship, and be able to shed light on the achievements of Australian Indians in a more extensive way. This year’s event saw the introduction of various emerging award categories, such as the Tourism, Hospitality and Catering Award, and the Australia India Science, Research and Development Award.

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Due to the extensive work and practical research being conducted across the nation in these fields, it was fitting to highlight the individuals behind this work, and their continued advances in the areas of interest within the Indian diaspora community. As both individuals and organisations working within the community were brought to light, it was clear throughout the evening that much ground breaking work has been happening across the many diverse cities within Australia, and also in regional areas where Australian Indians are leading the way in pioneering breakthroughs in almost every sector of society. The IABCA Awards evening was definitely a testament to their successes and triumphs in recent times. Present at the awards evening was recently appointed CEO, Trade & Investment Queensland, Paul Martyn who was able to speak about the impact the Indian community has been able to have on Queensland from a migration and tourism perspective all around Australia, particularly in regards to cultural and diverse regions around the local area.

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As a highlight of the night, the winner of the Businesswoman of the Year Award was taken out by Elena Norman, an Australian living in India over the past decade. In her acceptance speech, Elena, who is the current Chief Executive Officer of Hockey India, mentioned that, “living in India for the last twelve years has led me to fall in love with the country, and I can’t imagine ever going back to Australia to live anywhere else”. Met by spontaneous applause, her comments were able to further point to the fact that the Australia-India relationship is extending even to Australians who also value the impact and importance of India’s connection to their lives and their livelihoods as well. With plans for the IABCA Awards to grow and bring together more high-flying achievers between both countries in the year ahead, the Australia-India relationship is providing to be a valuable asset, not only to the local community, but to the future of the two nations and their advancement. For the nation of Australia, the influence of India continues to advance across the country, and beyond.

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Community News | Canberra

Canberra celebrates the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi

By: Rajni Ghai Malhotra

Glebe Park: Morning Prayer Meeting

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Photo Credit: High Commision of India

elebration of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary began with a prayer meeting near Gandhi ji’s statue at Glebe Park. Mr PS Karthigeyan, Acting High Commissioner of India to Australia, welcomed the gathering and spoke about the life of Mahatma Gandhi. He emphasised on the values of ‘Swatchhta and Karuna’ in Gandhian Philosophy. Mr Deepak Raj Gupta, MLA shared his learning from Gandhi’s work and stressed on the need to be responsible citizens with regards to protecting the environment. Several senior community leaders also spoke on the occasion on their learning from Gandhian principles. Shri Yogesh Sharma from the High Commission led the gathering in singing Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite bhajan “Vaishnav Jan to Tene Kahiye Je” while floral tributes were paid to the father of the nation.

Community News | Canberra

Panel Discussion on ‘Gandhi and Women Empowerment’

Acting High Commissioner Mr P S Karthigeyan welcomed the gathering and emphasised on the landmark initiatives being taken in India to empower women in every sphere of life. Mr George Villaflor, an Aboriginal artiste and photographer presented his first painting depicting the story of Mahatma Gandhi and India to Mr PS Karthigeyan. The High Commission also acknowledged Ms Deepa Walia with an award for her contribution in the yearlong online quiz on Mahatma Gandhi’s life. The event was co-ordinated by MC for the night Ms Manaswini Iyengar and ended with a vote of thanks by Mr Praveen Jain, Secretary GOPIO.

Photo Credit: High Commision of India and Rajni Ghai Malhotra

By: Rajni Ghai Malhotra

ahatma Gandhi stood for empowerment of all, especially women. On 2 October, GOPIO Canberra and High Commission of India came together to mark Gandhi Jayanti with a panel discussion on Gandhi ji and his role in empowerment of women. The speakers at the event, Father Frank Brennan (Profes-

sor, ACU), Prof Ramesh Thakur (ANU), ACT Deputy Leader of the Opposition Ms Nicole Lawder MLA, Ms Rajni Ghai Malhotra (Editor, Desi Canberra) shared their ideas and thoughts on the theme of Gandhiji and women empowerment and participated in the panel discussion which involved questions from the audience. Eminent personalities at the event included ACT Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ms Elizabeth Kikkert MLA, Ms Nishi Puri President GOPIO, Mr Hari Iyengar President SAFACT, Mr Prasad Tipirneni President NATA and Mr Kanti Lal Jinna OAM and various community group leaders.

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Arts and Culture

Bengali Association of NSW Durga Puja Festival 3-6 October at Concord High School

We are also implementing new initiatives to make this mega event environmentally clean”.

stablished in 1975, the Bengali Association of NSW – one of Australia’s oldest Indian community organisation - celebrated with pomp and grandeur the worshipping of the Goddess Durga at Concord High School for four consecutive days beginning 3 October evening with a food festival called ‘Anandamela’.

Most of the religious celebrations worldwide have legends surrounding them. The fables are generally associated with the fight between the evil and the good, the dark forces eventually surrendering to the divine. Worship of Goddess Durga, according to the Hindu religion, is based on myths where Durga symbolizes the divine power. The idol is modelled with ten arms each carrying a piece of weapon, riding on a lion as her carrier in a fighting mode with demon called the Ashura.

“This year the festival has taken a giant leap with many new initiatives”, tells Annidita Mitra the current President of the Association. “For the first time in the history of the Association we are celebrating for four successive days, most importantly matching the dates precisely as stipulated in the religious almanac. First time as well, a drummer, called dhaki from India is here to play Dhak – a Download Our App

traditional drum the beating of which is an integral part of the festival. For entertainment in the evenings we have organised a fashion show and cultural performances with notable singers and dancers from India. OCTOBER I 2019

The origin of Durga Puja dates back to the 16th century in India. However what was earlier an exclusive religious affair has now become a social and community event with every member of the society taking part in it. Bengalis round the globe www.DesiAustralia.com

Arts and Culture

India’s if not the world’s greatest festival. Local Bengalis in Sydney ignite the joyous spirit here and get together in unity to celebrate this annual ritual. Resonating with this festive spirit, Concord High School arena adopted a different look with hundreds of devotees crowding the space to its capacity. Inside the sporting hall, the image of the Goddess Durga was set up and nicely decorated- the priest enchanting the religious mantras in high notes and hundreds of devotees praying to the goddesses for their well being. Huge quantities of fruits and sweets are offered to the deity which after the completion of the rituals are distributed to the all present symbolising as her blessings to the disciples. In addition vegetarian lunch was offered to all the visitors all the three days.

celebrate this event wherever they are, but the biggest and the grandest is held in Kolkata in India. It is considered as

Outside the hall, the scene was like a carnival with stalls and the children playing, youngsters chatting and elderly reminiscing the nostalgic moments over a cuppa from the tea and coffee stall. Truly a scene of happiness and peace. “It is the most significant occasion in our community calendar – informs Sandip Hor in charge of the Association’s Public Relation matters. Since 1975 we have been organising this event annually to get the community together and induce in them the festive spirits for social harmony”. Download Our App

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Travel

Know India Better- A joint seesion by India Tourism and Australia India Travel & Tourism Council (AITTC)

o motivate further growth of travel to India , India Tourism in joint collaboration with Australia India Travel & Tourism Council (AITTC) hosted a roadshow cum information session, titled ‘Know India Better’ on 10th October evening at the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour. As the title suggests, the purpose of this event was to provide updated information on India to the Sydney based travel industry members comprising mainly of India focussed outbound tour operators joined by airlines, hotels and other stakeholders. It was organised to coincide with Luxperience, a major Sydney based international travel mart, which was attended by many Australia focussed inbound tour operators from India – a delegation led by G. D Bairwa Assistant Director India Tourism , based in Singapore. Many of these Indian tours operators were present during the evening to discuss with their Aussie business associates the challenges and opportunities from the market downunder. While the main presentation on India as an incredible destination to visit was delivered by Amit Kumar from India Tourism , Motti Abraham from Air India talked about the aviation capacity and the airline’s market presence in this sector and Madhushimita Khound from Avani Travel Services in India about the beauty of India’s unexplored North East frontier. Eminent tour operators Loveleen Sagar from Distant Frontier in India and Eric Finlay from Adventure World in Australia highlighted the market dynamics of the travel from Australia to India and

Linda Ross from Ross Garden Tours introduced ‘Gardens of India’ as a product to be considered . Earlier Chandru Appar Deputy Consul General, Indian Consulate in Sydney spoke about India’s current standing while Sandip Hor AITTC Chairman outlined how India has become a true transformational destination. John Zubrzycki Sydney-based author, specialis-

ing in South Asia, in particular India finished the formal part sharing his wonderful travel experiences in India. Phillip Boniface, Co Chairman AITTC as MC kept the audience focussed while maintaining the schedule. Download Our App

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Yoga

YouGo with Rajni Let’s work on our wellbeing

By: Rajni Ghai Malhotra

ctober is celebrated as the Mental Health month across over 100 countries to promote mental health and wellbeing. The 2019 Mental Health Month theme for ACT is ‘Conversations and Connection’ promoting the idea that intentional conversations are crucial in supporting mental health and wellbeing and reinforce the notion that we are not alone. Feeling connected to each other and our communities builds confidence, gives us a sense of belonging and brings meaning to our lives. We can strengthen our connections with others by first focusing on more personal connection that can help us in nurturing a state of mental, emotional wellbeing. And that is the connection with the self. There are various ways through which to build a state of wellbeing – yoga, meditation, mindfulness, exercising, and other forms of self-care. Whatever the means, let it make a positive difference in your life in terms of supporting your own mental health and of those around you. CONNECT WITH YOURSELF If you can connect with yourself, you will feel a deep sense of inner calm and wellbeing spread all over you. Calm that you can carry into the most demanding and challenging situations. While there are many ways to look after one’s mental wellbeing, here are a few handy tips and exercises that can be practiced on-the-go to stay connected with ourselves and carry the inner calm. BREATHE The power of a single deep breath is more than one can imagine. So just breathe! Learn to use the power of breath to counter your body’s natural response to stress. When anxious or stressed, our breathing tends to become shallow and short. You can combat signs of stress by deepening and improving the quality of your breath. Here is an exercise on mindful breathing, which can be practiced anytime, anywhere, on-the-go. 1. Close your eyes and place your hands on your abdomen. 2. Inhale deeply - feel your breath travelling downward and the rise in your belly as you inhale deeply. Download Our App

3. Exhale - feel the breath travelling up through the belly out through your nostrils as you exhale fully and completely. 4. Imagine all the stress leaving your body with your breath. 5. Repeat steps 2,3 and 4 ten times. “When we observe the flow of our breathing, we transcend our thoughts and are able to bring mind and body into harmony with each other. Thus, we create calm.” Christopher Dimes LIVE IN THE MOMENT Be Here Now. Here’s how you can be present in the moment and make each moment calmer and more peaceful. Simply check in with yourself by taking a few moments to just notice. Look out the window - it could be out of the window of your house/workplace/moving car - notice the colour of the sky. Notice the view. Take in the colours and movement you can see from the window. Drink mindfully - Take deliberate and slow sips of your drink. With each sip, notice the sensation it causes inside your mouth. Feel the warmth of the tea as you take a sip and let it flow into your body. Feel the cool of the drink as it flows into your body. Mindful walking exercise - Take a walk, look around you and notice your surroundings. Take considered conscious steps and with every step feel the stable ground beneath your feet. Feel the warm sun on your skin. Notice how the air feels on your face, is it cool/ warm? Notice the other people around you. look out for birds. That one the just flew across the sky, the one sitting in a tree. Notice it all and you will return with a quieter mind.

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“Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don’t claim them. Feel the artistry moving through and be silent.” Rumi MEDITATE Meditation helps us to find our inner silence. Follow the steps of a visualising meditation to cultivate calm and serenity: 1. C lose your eyes, breathe gently and imagine yourself in a comfortable and peaceful place. 2. B uild a scene for yourself. You could be at a beach, top of a mountain, by a stream, in a garden. 3. N otice this place and your surroundings in this place. Notice how it feels in this place. What can you see? What can you hear? What can you smell? 4. S pend a few minutes in this place until you are ready to open your eyes. 5. G ently open your eyes and come back out of the visualisation. 6. R eflect on how this meditation has made you feel. Use this visualisation technique whenever you feel the need to quieten the chatter and chaos within you. “Meditation practice isn’t about trying to throw ourselves away and become something better, it’s about befriending who we are.” Pema Chodron There YouGo! Some handy tips on how to connect with yourself in the midst of chaos. Let us befriend ourselves as we find our inner calm and form better connections with others to help them in their journey of mental wellbeing. Yours in wellbeing Rajni Follow Rajni on Facebook @YogaWithRajni www.DesiAustralia.com

Technology

Apple iPhone 11 By: Sarang Vengurlekar

he wait is over. Apple unveiled its 2019 iPhone range in the early hours of September 11. Apple released three new models to choose from with a whole lot of colour ranges. The entry range is the iPhone 11, the iPhone 11Pro which has a better camera and the most expensive of all is the iPhone 11 Pro Max. What does this mean for the public who already own a version of an iPhone and is it really worth the upgrade? Let me get you out of your misery and the direct and short answer is ‘Yes’ it is worth upgrading only if you are an Android user. Confused? If you are one of those who have been contemplating on making the switch from Android phone to an iPhone 11 then take my word for it that this is the right time to do it. The pricing model has been revamped providing better bang for your buck and the technology you are being handed to you is incredible. It is also an option to get your iPhone on a subscription plan with providers such as Vodafone, Optus and Telstra. Now for the other half of the population who already own an iPhone X or onwards it might not be worth the upgrade as there are minimal advantages and some that are not even evident during your normal day to day use. It has been rumoured the next line up of the iPhone will have far greater upgrades and will support 5G as the current range will tie you down to 4G only. It is a good time to hold off and save your hard-earned cash for next year’s release. Although if you still do decide to go ahead and upgrade, then here is what you Download Our App

should know before you would want to upgrade to any of the iPhone 11 range. The new iPhone are certainly faster as they are powered by Apple A13 Bionic processor, this means the first thing you may notice is the speed difference in some apps. The Bionic processor is extremely powerful and will provide greater multitasking capabilities. The new iPhone range also has an excellent camera 12MP, improved battery life and in terms of pricing model, they tend to be bit cheaper than the previous line up. All the new iPhone’s have excellent screen size ranging from 6.1” (iPhone 11), 5.8” (iPhone 11 Pro) and 6.5” (iPhone 11 Pro Max). The pricing starts from A$1199 for base model. Let’s look at the configuration of all the new iPhone 11 range currently available: iPhone 11 Weight: 194g | Dimensions: 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3mm | OS: iOS 13 | Screen size: 6.1-inch | Resolution: 828 x 1792 | CPU: A13 Bionic | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64/128/256GB | Rear camera: 12MP+12MP | Front OCTOBER I 2019

camera: 12MP iPhone 11 Pro Weight: 188g | Dimensions: 144 x 71.4 x 8.1mm | OS: iOS 13 | Screen size: 5.8-inch | Resolution: 1125 x 2436 | CPU: A13 Bionic | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64/256/512GB | Battery: 3,046mAh | Rear camera: 12MP+12MP+12MP | Front camera: 12MP iPhone 11 Pro Max Weight: 226g | Dimensions: 158 x 77.8 x 8.1mm | OS: iOS 13 | Screen size: 6.5-inch | Resolution: 1242 x 2688 | CPU: A13 Bionic | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64/256/512GB | Battery: Unknown | Rear camera: 12MP+12MP+12MP | Front camera: 12MP If you add the new iOS 13 with new tweaks on top of this, the iPhone’s make the ultimate machine to do all the work for you. When looking at the iPhone 11 Pro Max the best upgrade is the ultrawide lens along with the photo software which has also been upgraded. The zoom levels on the iPhones are far smoother than the previous versions. When comparing iPhone 11 Pro Max with iPhone XS Max the battery capacity has been improved by staggering 4 hours. This iPhone is truly the most powerful iPhone available thus far. The technology gets better and better every year, but this is the best time to enter the iPhone world. www.DesiAustralia.com

Community News | Sydney

Unions in Unison in Multicultural Divine Diwali

of Opposition Hon Jodi Mckay , the chief host of the evening Secretary of Unions NSW Mark Morey representing Council General of India, Consul K.Nandakumaran. Before the speeches lighting of the lamp ceremony took place. This was conducted

by the monks from Bangalore from the Veerashaiva Samaja . Their chants were so powerful that the crowd not only stood up but gathered around the lamp. There were dance performances and the full house of 120 guests were served vegetarian food as a mark of respect to the occasion.

Photo Credit: Harmohan Singh Walia

nions NSW in conjunction with Transport Workers Union and South Asia Labor celebrated its second Diwali event at historical trades hall. The event master of ceremony was Aisha Amjad made the event a grand success. Harish Velji representing Richard Olsen, Secretary, Transport Workers Union spoke first followed the longest serving Premier of NSW and former Foreign Minister Hon Bob Carr, current Leader

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Health

Physical Exercise, Wellbeing and Delaying the onset of Dementia

by Ms Anju Mathur Dementia Consultant and Aging Well Consultant Awarded 2019 Volunteer of the Year Award for Hornsby & North Western Sydney as a Dementia Consultant

n important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle is doing Physical exercise.

Doing physical exercise contributes to muscle control and coordination, general fitness and to a sense of wellbeing. Then there are also the benefits of physical activity on our social health and its linkages to increased social engagement which helps to improve self-esteem and mood, which in turn contributes to our wellbeing. But did you also know that Physical exercise is essential for maintaining good blood flow to the brain and may encourage new brain cell growth and survival. Studies have been conducted that reinforces that physical exercise is beneficial for physical and mental health and may also improve the quality of life for people living with dementia. This article outlines the role that physical exercise can play in reducing the risk of developing dementia and the benefits it offers to people living with dementia. A question that I often get asked as a Dementia consultant is what role does physical exercise play in reducing the risk of developing dementia? Several studies have found that higher levels of physical exercise are associated with less cognitive decline in older people and that people who exercise experience a

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slower loss of brain tissue as they age. Doing physical activity in early, mid and late life is associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia, besides also maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes healthy eating, cutting down on alcohol; watching your weight; checking your Blood Pressure; quitting smoking; drinking plenty of water and dental hygiene. These are modifiable risk factors, and then there are genetic factors too leading to development of dementia. This article focusses on benefits of exercise. People who exercise regularly are less likely to experience heart disease and stroke, both factors that are associated with an increased risk of developing dementia. Exercise is also important in reducing the risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and obesity, all of which are risk factors for dementia. People often ask What is the right exercise? Answer is simple: All exercise is worth doing. There are many lighter exercise options that don’t require you to attend group sessions and can be performed whenever you want. Attending a gym or exercise group is a good example of physical activity, this can be a great benefit to the person with early onset of dementia and their carers. It can help create more opportunities for social interaction and engaging in social and physical activities can improve person self-esteem, boost mood and ultimately

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contribute to a healthy lifestyle. If you do not to join a group for exercise and would like to do something in private at home instead with your family member then just go a walk or the occasional activity just to help ease you into more physical activity. Walking is often suitable for everyone, it can be a group activity, and it is free and there’s plenty of walking equipment choices that can help you should you have limited mobility. Group walks are a great way to enjoy a bit of light physical activity with your family or your friends or carers and it can be incorporated into anyone’s day. Another great example of physical activity is gardening. Gardening can be performed in your own home and it’s a great physical activity and provides you with something else to focus on. Gardening is a great hobby that can help strengthen your mind and your body and provides the benefits of physical exercise that you need to improve your heart. You could also do Yoga - a form of exercise that focuses a bit more on flexibility and mindfulness and mental health; or try doing - Tai chi - gentle Chinese martial art that combines deep breathing and relaxation with flowing movements to create a relaxing exercise experience. Never push yourself to start doing physical activities because of the benefits it has when it comes to both your body and dementia symptoms and Always Please consult your doctor before starting any exercise program, particularly where there are other illnesses or disabilities to consider.

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Cover Story

Let’s Light up of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance” this is not an occasion that is limited to devotees of Lord Rama. Instead it’s a celebration for a number of groups in the South Asian diaspora. By Akshay Raj

The date is the 27th of October, 2019. A date that will have various meanings for a number of people who follow the Vedic traditions. Despite the common theme of small business and entrepreneurship amongst South Asians, this date is not a joke about owning or working at Convenience stores or Gas stations. It’s actually much more than that. It is recognised as an official public holiday in close to a dozen countries around .The importance of this date lifts the veil of darkness, ignorance and evil for close to a Billion people all over the world. Welcome to the brightest night in the year for our community. Welcome to Deepawali, the Festival of Lights.

For Sikhs, this day is commonly known as Bandi Chor Divas which commemorates the time when Guru Hargobind along with 52 Hindu Kings were finally released from imprisonment in Gwalior Fort, by the orders of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Jains also celebrate the theme of knowledge of ignorance as the date marks the final act of liberation by Lord Mahavira in his eternal quest for enlightenment. Like many Bengali’s, Newar Buddhists also importance on the date of Diwali as it honours the deities Kali Ma and Lakshmi in the hope of receiving an abundance of good fortune and to help wipe out negativity.

Whilst the majority of South Asian’s across the world celebrate this festival in the Northern Hemisphere, here in Australia our celebrations are a tad bit different. As the heat of the warmer months set in, you’ll often find our kids with chilled Kulfi’s rather than piping hot Jalebi’s and the soft glow of sparklers rather than the explosion of firecrackers. You’ll find perhaps a few veggies on the BBQ and your fellow neighbours perhaps more excited than you are for their annual treat of Desi-Khana (traditional food) as well as a smorgasbord board of sweets and mittai from across cultures that our ancestors could only have dreamt of.

“There is no doubting that on this night families from all over the Sub-Continent and their diaspora’s will be lighting up the world..... just as the guys at NASA”

It is small anecdotes like this that make the Diwali experience in Australia so unique. Whilst parents by this point are tired from cleaning, shop keepers and staff will be run off their feet from last minute purchases and children will be filled from laughter, the connection with a tradition and culture that has been passed down for hundreds of years will always remain constant.

For many South Asian’s living aboard the festival is more than a celebration of Lord Rama coming home to the kingdom of Ayodhya after defeating the demon (Asura) King Ravana, or Krishna’s victory over Narakasura. It’s about narrating knowledge and connecting with a rich culture, heritage and tradition which forms an integral part of who we are as people.

The date of Diwali or Deepawali general falls on the darkest night in the Hindu Lunar Calendar. The general theme of a spiritual “victory

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Whilst the use of traditional foods, mittai, decorations and clothing is not a strict rule, there is little doubt that we could bear celebrating it any other way. “Although a box of Lindt chocolates would be great, I don’t think anyone would substitute that for the warmth of traditional Barfi or Ladoo’s ”.

Although commercialisation has played a role in how we celebrate the festival, there is no doubt that for the majority of Desi families the celebration of Diwali is akin to ‘Our Christmas’. This doesn’t necessary mean that one should

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p for Diwali be reaching for Rasgulla’s over the words of the Ramayana, but as Pandit Prem Mishra explains, “It’s a time to reconnect with family, with loved ones. It’s a time to share and show those close to you of your care, but most importantly it is a time to reconnect, reflect and cleanse yourself on a spiritual level ”. Whilst Diwali, in Australia does have the heat factor that makes it unique, it also has the factor of multiculturalism that makes it all the more special. The mixing of foods from different regions of the Sub-continent across lounge rooms is something truely amazing which needs to be celebrated. Examples of this happen all over the country. In Omega close, Prestons one can see Fiji Hindustani families share the secrets of their (Dry) Ghulab Jamuns with Punjabi families who have brought over their moist Halva whilst both are biting into miracle of a sweet Idli brought over by their Tamil neighbours. To adding to scene would be a number of unsuspecting neighbours who are wondering why Christmas lights have been placed up so early, only to be surprised with a plate full of sugar filled richness. For others in the street who have seen the festival being celebrated for a number of years, they have come prepared as they too have made their own traditional sweets of bakhlava and cakes in response. The scene of a mass exchange of food, cultures and children running from house to house with sparklers in this street is the story in many neighbours across Australia where Desi’s reside. With transformative times, also come a number of challenges that need to be met. Unlike previous generations many families require both parents to tend to their respective jobs. With the increasing costs of living and mortgage stress, the notion of taking a day of leave in order to make

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preparations and celebrate is almost seen as impossible. Many families as a result are have little choice but to either pull an all-nighter cooking from dusk till dawn or forego the tradition of homemade dishes and instead make an order from the local Desi Grocery store on their way home. “Although this may work to be more efficient whilst juggling multiple commitments, it does often risk the loss of passing down traditional recipes and knowledge that has been handed down from generation to generation”. With the struggle of fitting into a new country and adapting to a new culture it is clear that for many Desi’s, celebrations like Diwali are not merely about celebrating faith. It’s about celebrating the core of our heritage and identity. It is about celebrating who we are; it is about celebrating being Desi. NOTE: Under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) not allowing employees to celebrate Day of Religious Significance may be found to be discriminatory and a breach of their entitlements. Similar provisions of Anti-Discrimination legislation may also apply to students as well. In all cases it is important to review your Enterprise Agreement and speak to your Employer a head of time in order to schedule leave for the day if you are planning to do so. If you are a student it is vital to inform your course coordinator ahead of time if your absence will effect your learning. If you are required to give evidence, most Ministers of Religion should be able to provide you with a letter, outlining the significance of this practice for you. If you are experiencing issues with your employer it is advisable to contact your relevant Trade Union or Industry Body. If you are unable to contact a local priest, please feel free email info@desiaustralia.com

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Gallery

Hindu Council of Australia C

across Major Cities of A

Sydney

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Gallery

Celebrates Diwali

Australia

a r r e b n Ca

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e d i a l e d A

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Community News | Melbourne

Guru Nanak Jayanti 2019 Special 550th birth anniversary celebrations planned in Melbourne.

Daljeet Bakshi

Satinder Chawla

he year 2019 will mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and will be observed on Tuesday, 12th November 2019.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji was the founder of Sikhism and the first Guru of the Sikhs. He travelled far and wide spreading the message of ‘one’ God. Guru Sahib ji spread three principals 4 Vand Chako: Sharing with others, helping those with less who are in need 4 Kirat Karo: Earning/making a living honestly, without exploitation or fraud 4 Naam Japna: Chanting the Holy Name and thus remembering God at all times (ceaseless devotion to God). This year 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji will be celebrated in a big way worldwide . In Australia , Victoria ( Melbourne ) has taken a lead in hosting these celebrations in a series of events planned across the State that includes Illuminating the Melbourne landmarks in saffron on November 12th , celebrations in Parliament House , Humanity Walks and other events .

Mr. Satinder Chawla has recently spoken to S Gurdeep Singh Matharu Secy Craigieburn Gurudwara Committee regarding information on the events happening on Guru ji’s Birthday in Melbourne, Australia. According to Mr. Matharoo “ we are celebrating 550th birthday of Guru Sahib in city on 9th November. It will be Humanity walk (Nagar Kirtan) where we will invite all the faiths and communities to join us.The walk will start around 11am from parliament gardens to flagstaff gardens and finish at 12:45pm. After reaching in flagstaff gar-

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dens there will be special attraction on the day will be Khalsa band from Malaysia in parade and in flagstaff gardens Ragi Jatha and school kids will recite Shabad Kirtan.” He further added “ Gurrudwara Sahib Craigieburn is also celebrating by conducting Gurmat camps, Sakhi and Gurmat Sangeet seminars starting from 15th October. And on 16th November there will be a Nagar kirtan in Craigieburn starting from Olrig field on to Windrock Ave and will finish at Anzac park craigieburn.

Nanak Ji Birthday it’s expected to be more than last year.

It is worthwhile to mention , Last year Vaisakhi in CBD attracted around 25000 people who participated in Sikh Parade ( Nagar Kirtan ) and this year on the eve of Guru

“Nanak naam chardikala Tere bhane sarbat da bhala” Nanak, with Naam comes Chardi Kala and with your blessings, peace for everyone.

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Craigieburn almost 10000 people will be celebrating In Craigieburn. From 15th Oct to 16th November is dedicated to Guru Nanak ji Birthday celebrations. Let’s come forward, participate and follow the principles of Guru Granth Sahib ji and celebrate 550th Birthday of Guru Sahib ji in a true way .

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Community News | Melbourne

Craigieburn Falcons Hockey Club , Melbourne Players bringing laurels for the club and community

Satinder Chawla

while ago , I had a talk with Paramjot Singh President Craigieburn Falcons Hockey Club about the club and its players . During discussion i was pleased to learn about the talented players and the laurels they are continuously bringing for the club and doing whole community proud. Craigieburn Falcons Hockey Club was formed in July 2017 with about 15 senior players and now they have about 200 juniors and seniors registered players and members. With in two years of the hardship of the players and members club has proved that hockey is proud of India.

Tarvinder Kullar has been selected for Victorian 40+ team. He is from village Sansaarpur, Jalandhar that produced multiple olympian hockey players. He started playing at very young age and has played in New Zealand and in Australia.

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Hardeep Singh has been selected for Victorian 35+ hockey team. He is from Calcutta and has played at national level in India and represented Indian Railways. He is the senior coach of Craigieburn Falcons and helped teams to reach into finals.

Bhupinder Kaur is our women team captain and coach. She is an exinternational hockey player of India. She is the main person behind success of our women team. Craigieburn Falcons is the first club who has all Indian women hockey team that played in league. In 2018, the team finished 3rd and in 2019 they finished 2nd.

Harbariq Singh has been selected for Victorian Under 13 team. He started playing hockey about 3 years ago and is also 1 of the 6 players of Craigieburn Falcons who were selected in Junior State Championships. He is representing Victoria at National Under 13 championship being held in Hobart from 1st to 8th October 2019.

Also junior stars of the club, 6 kids played at state level this year and 1 kid has been selected to play at national level who will play in Hobart, TAS from 1st to 8th October 2019. I wish all the success for Craigieburn Falcon Club for more achievements in the coming years.

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Satinder Chawla

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Foodies Corner

[Review] Flyover Fritterie • Quick Bite Best for? Lunch and snacks What to order? Pakore, Masala Chai, and the Salad

By: Minal Bhagwat

hen an Indian snack bar opens up near my office, you know that I absolutely jumped at joy and found every opportunity to go and check out the food. I’ve taken along a number of people to try out ‘Flyover’ and they’ve all had wonderful reviews. Located right off George Street in Sydney’s busy CBD, this is a real hidden gem that is a little bit tricky to find, but once you’ve found it you will be so happy that you did. I have come by the Fritterie a number of times and I have had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Gunjan, who shared with me her vision and ideas for the little shop. In all honesty I am so incredibly excited to see something like Flyover popup in Sydney bringing good quality Indian cuisine in the most snackable and easy way. One thing that Sydney lacks is the strong presence of South Asian food in the city, and this is a clear step in the right direction. The Fritterie is effectively a little tuck-shop where you order at the counter, and stand-by waiting for your food which is all packaged to-go. Each time I have been, I’ve been served by really friendly staff with a lovely knowledge of what they are serving and the best part is that the pronunciation is bang on. The food comes out really quickly

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which is really great when you have a short break, and I find the staff really communicative too about the food times and any possible delays. Oh and the most interesting part? The Fritterie is completely vegan! Let’s kick start with the hearty ‘Quinoa Kichri’. Traditionally Kichri is made with a rice or semolina base, and in various parts of India is served up in different styles. At flyover the Kichri is served ‘Chaat’ (street food) style topped generously with tamarind and mint chutneys. This is quite a compact, but incredibly filling bowl of warm tasty quinoa cooked with mung bean, vegetables and spices. The Kichri isn’t in any way spicy, but rather is packed with warming ingredients like ginger and clove. The bowl is also topped with some fresh Pakora (vegetables coated in a batter, then either fried or baked) and coriander. I’ll talk a bit more about the Pakore later, but for now let’s focus on the Kichri. If you are after a tasty and hearty lunch, one that will also be super filling, then this is the perfect option to go for. I love me some healthy Indian food! My favourite from flyover has to be the ‘Street Style Salad’ (or ‘Bhel’ as it’s called in India). This is a really simple and tangy salad made with puffed rice, baby spinach, peanuts, avocado, Bengal gram, roasted chickpeas, crispy bits and

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loaded with tamarind and mint chutneys. In India this is a really common street food snack to eat at any point of the day, and is a common entree to serve too. I loved this salad take on the classic and found it really refreshing, but filling too. The spinach wilts down with the chutneys, and takes on the lemon juice so it’s not overly bitter, while the puffed rice fills you up really well. If you want to try an absolute crowd favourite, and something really different to what you’ve experienced of Indian food, then I highly recommend the salad. The ‘Pao’ was so intriguing for me. I would have never put ‘Pakore’ in between bread and loaded it up with chutney. In many Indian languages, Hindi and Marathi included, the word ‘Pao’ actually means bread, and is usually served with some form on ‘Bhaaji’ (curried vegetables). This burger is made with a layer of baby spinach, beetroot, mint and tamarind chutney, a squeeze of lemon, and fresh ‘Pakore’. The milk bun was cold and personally I would prefer a slightly toasted bun with a hint of butter just the way we get it in India, but still it’s some delicious milk bread that is ultra soft. The filling itself is delicious and crispy, but you have to eat it fresh otherwise those ‘Pakore’ will definitely start to go soggy. I loved this fresh take on some classic Indian street food, and I just

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Foodies Corner

love the way it was packaged in a familiar, compact and no-mess way. Now let’s talk about the thing that I really came for, ‘Pakore’ or ‘Fritters’. The great thing about these at Flyover is that these are fresh, and cooked right there in front of you. Each day the base vegetables change - I’ve had a combination of spinach and sweet potato fritters, and broccoli fritters too. The fritters themselves are actually quite light, and are not oily in the slightest, making them very easy to eat and very lunch-worthy. I love the tamarind chutney and mint chutney that it’s served with offering just that hint of heat, as well as amazing tart flavour and just a bit of sweet too. We ordered a large cone of the fritters, and these filled myself and Nirry up really well:)

What Flyover Fritterie has created is a little alleyway community, bringing together all lovers of Chai and Indian snacks, great company and great service. I find myself going back again and again for some fresh Chai, and pakore - particularly on a cold day. Have you been to Flyer Fritterie yet? Let me know your thoughts! Or have you got a different go to spot - let me know too! Keep eating, Minal from The Miniature Life

After eating all that delicious food, it’s time for a delicious ‘Masala Chai’. You could easily say that I am addicted to Chai, but not the chai lattes we are served here in cafe’s - I am talking about Chai that we make at home using ginger, caradamom and well boiled tea. Seeing the imagery used on the logos, and the fact that the food had been so delicious, I decided to take the leap and try the ‘Iced Masala Chai’ made with soy milk, lot’s of ginger of course, and delicious black tea. I was thankfully for wonderfully impressed by the chai, for it’s deep flavour, fresh ginger, and creamy texture - free from cinnamon and milk froth as served up in local cafes. Please don’t leave without grabbing a cup of Chai.

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Entertainment

Rangtaali 2019 with Aishwarya Majmudar

uva Gujarat brought yet another successful and house full event for Sydneysider s this Navaratri.

On 21ST Sep, Liverpool Whitlam centre turned in to the sea of colourful costumes as people came from far and near dressed in their best traditional outfits dancing to the Live singing of Aishwarya Majmudar .

While Aishwarya kept everyone on their toes with her energetic and interactive performance, indoor fireworks, colourful confetti and authentic Indian food all added to the festive ambience. As promised by Aishwarya Majmundar, she will be back again next year with 3days of back to back events out of which 2 events will be dandia nights and one will be Bollywood music night. So if you missed it this year, then you can still be the part of music and masti next year.

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Photo Credit: Bhavin Productions

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PECOSA AUSTRALIA proudly presents

Sparkle

SATURDAY

16th November 2019 7:00PM to 10:30PM PARRAVILLA FUNCTION CENTRE 42 CAMPBELL Street, PARRAMATTA 2150

KEEPING THE MAGIC OF CHILDHOOD ALIVE

to align with BRAVEHEARTS AUSTRALIA MISSION, in making Australia the safest place in the world to raise a child.

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TICKETS • Platinum - $90 per Person • Diamond - $80 per Person • Platinum Table of 10 - $850 • Diamond Table of 10 - $750

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For Tickets and Sponsorships: Jyoti Phaugat 0430 167 283 Ashok Sud 0401 693 390

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Festival

Sydney Bathukamma - Flo

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Festival

loral Festival celebrations

athukamma and Dussehra celebrations were organised by Sydney Bathukamma and Dusserah Festival In. (SBDF) on 05 Oct 2019 at Sydney Durga Temple Regents Park. It was attend by over 2000 guests from the Indian community and was a platform to promote the culture & tradition among younger generation. Grand Celebration of Colourful and Vibrant Floral Festival was a fun-filled event with great variety of Classical, Semi-Classical, Contemporary and Bollywood dance performances with delicious food been served at the end.

In Telugu, ‘Bathukamma’ means ‘Mother Goddess come Alive’. The event starts with women preparing Bathukamma from the afternoon. They cut the flowers leaving the little length base, some dip flowers in various vibrant colours, some scented and arrange them on a wide plate and flowers are stacked in 7-11 concentric layers. These are carried by them in a ceremonious way to the common place for celebrations. All women gather in the place of congregation and sing and dance around Bathukamma’s (flower arrangement). The event was attended by many Indian and Australian dignitaries including Jodi Leyanne McKay (Leader of the Opposition in the

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Parliament of New South Wales) Enugula Peddi Reddy (Ex-State Minister , India) Mr Manish Gupta (Consul General) Durga Owens and Aruna Chandrala. Bathukamma and Dusserah Festival In. (SBDF) is a non profit organisation.The intention of the association is to promote harmony, facilitate opportunities for local

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talent along with other communities and showcase to the world the spirit of Multicultural Australia. Sydney Bathukamma and Dussehra Festival Team consists of Anil Munagala (Chairman), Vasu Tootukur (President), Ashok Malish (General Secretary)

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Mag Corner

Harkirat Singh’s book “JADO TURE SI” launched in New South Wales Parliament

he book, based on the Indians’ early travels to Australia, went public in the New South Wales Parliament. It is worth mentioning here that this is the first Punjabi book which has been flocked to the Australian Parliament. Speaking on the occasion, Harkirat Singh said, “My purpose in writing this book is to make our generation aware that we are not new to this Australian land, but that the steps of our migration are very old and deep.” The book “JADO TURE SI” sheds light on the migrations of Indians to Australia. Speaking on the occasion, Leader of the Opposition in New South Wales, Honorable Jodi Macay, MP Julie Finn, first Punjabi-origin MP Gurmesh Singh, Blackstown Council Mayor Stephen Bali as well as many other ministers arrived. When the entire team of JadoTour Si, Amarinder Bajwa, Dav-

inder Singh Dharia, Sukhjinder Singh, Garry Singh also talked about moving the series, they further stated that this 160-page book contains 80 chapters that will inform us about the achievements made by Indians in Australia . The Honorable Minister congratulated the writer Harkirat Sandhar and said that this will deepen the relationship between Australia and India. Many Indian-origin people rushed to congratulate them on the release of Harkirrat Singh’s book. There has been a lot of enthusiasm for

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the book and there was a huge gathering of people who loved history in Sydney as well as Melbourne, Canberra and Perth. The Punjabi as well as Hindi, Gujarati, This will also be translated into Urdu language. This initiative by Harkirat Singh Sandhar is receiving acclaim from all over the world.

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Community News | Sydney

Spectacular 10th Annual ‘Caring and Sharing’ Event by GOPIO Sydney North West

he glamorous and dazzling event, organised by Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Sydney North West Chapter, was held at Bowman Hall, Blacktown on 20th October

Australia. Previously, the chapter helped victims of the Blue Mountains fire, the Fiji cyclone, the Nepal earthquake, FoxG1 and the underprivileged kids in Nigeria. Around 400 guests attended the event. Mr Manish Gupta, Consul General of India, Sydney, his wife Mrs. Nimeesha Gupta, Hon. Mark Taylor MP representing NSW Premier and Hon. Stephen Bali MP representing NSW Opposition Leader also graced the occasion. GOPIO is an international non-partisan, secular global organisation engaged in promoting the wellbeing of People of Indian Origin, enhancing cooperation and communication among Indians living around the globe. GOPIO Sydney North West Chapter’s President, Mr Harmohan Singh Walia and the team

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Photo Credit: Evergreen Memories

2019. The GOPIO Sydney North West Chapter team has been conducting Caring & Sharing events for the last 10 years, raising much needed funds for the less privileged children in India and needy persons/organisations in Australia. The chapter annually supports Cancer Council of Australia and National Heart Foundation of

Community News | Sydney

– Prof. Balkar Kang, Sumit Joshi, Kamal Joshi, Baljit Pelia, Parmjit Multani, Rosie Multani, Aman Singh, Rajvinder Singh, Neeru Singh, Sanjeet Hooda, Baljinder Singh and Ravi Singh have worked passionately towards the success of the 10th Caring & Sharing event. Such events are a result of the spirit that we all have in us to care for the under privileged and needy. Therefore, the funds raised through these events become a symbol of hope for the needful. During the night of great cause and unlimited entertainment, there were scintillating performances from the Bollywood dance group, Dhamma Yoga kids, Giddha Group, and Bhangra Group that kept the spectators on the edge of their seats. Aman Singh, in her best attire, engaged the wonderful audience through her stage anchoring. Other attractions of the night, quiz prizes and energetic DJ, attracted the zeal and enthusiasm of all the guests present at the event.

Generous offerings from the sponsors in Australia and the support of the dedicated individuals in India have made it possible for the team to extend a helping hand to over 5000 less privileged primary school children in India for the last 10 years. A few necessities that will be provided again to the primary school kids include warm clothes, shoes, socks, ceiling fans in classrooms, hand pumps for drinking water, water filters, RO filters, inverters with batteries, furniture, Daris, sound systems for prayers, sports items, stationary and other basic commodities as per the requirements of the remote area schools. This year, the Caring & Sharing event not only raised funds for kids in India, but also gave donations to the Cancer Council, the National Heart Foundation Australia, Kids in Nigeria for their righteous

causes. Caringly, funds were also donated to needful overseas student, Captain Shikhawat’s family in Sydney, who is a cancer patient. GOPIO Sydney North West Chapter thanks their main sponsors – Yogesh Manav & Jasbir Kang of Auburn Sapphire Function Centre, Kewal Kalra of Kalra Group, Sumit Joshi of My Loan Expert, Baljit Pelia of Vista Home loan, Fred Khurana of Hous Properties Quakers Hills, Gurpreet Chadha & Aman Brar of G&A Roadline, Sanjeet Hooda of Gain Home Loans, Parmjit & Rosie Multani, Graphic Designer, Akhlak Parker and Dimple’s DJ. Evergreen Memories Photography and Rao Srini captured all the beautiful moments of the event.

Sunday 27th October 10.00am - 4.00pm • Builder Promotions • Sydney Thunder Player Appearances • Giveaways & Prizes • KIISFM On Site 10am - 4pm • Kids Fun Zone and Activities

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Ayurveda

“Natural customs to Healthy Weight Loss” “Make it happen, shock every single one of them- Anonymous” objective evaluation. If you don’t have it, try to pinch your waist. If you can grab more than an inch, it may be time to seriously think of losing weight.

Dr Naveen Shukla

Dr Vishal Sharma

am so fat. My life has been changed since I gained weight. There is a universal anxiety about weight and even if you have a family history, for instance, don’t accept your obesity whole heartedly. If you tried and failed, you are not alone. But that doesn’t mean you will not succeed this time. You may not know this yet, but you have the ability to reinvent endlessly. Are you obese? Pay a visit to your mirror as this is the best diagnostic tool. Look at yourself honestly without holding in your stomach. If you dislike what you see, you need to slim down. If you wish to be genuinely honest use caliper for a proper and more Download Our App

Workable diet: The first step in successful dieting is developing right and positive attitude. Diet is a way of limiting the number of calories you consume every day. It is a tool that assists you in reaching your desired weight. This tool should not be treated as a punishment for crime of being overweight.

you lose muscle instead of fat. But if you go off the, diet you gain weight back more quickly and that too in the shape of fat not as muscles. And after some time you are fatter than before, you may look older also. So forget crash dieting as too few calories cause the metabolism to rebel and after going of it will cause bingeing. Foods to limit: Precaution is always better than cure, so first we will discuss the dietary ingredients which should be avoided

Second step in successful dieting is to select the right diet. However, sometimes it is seen that people who want to shed weight quickly goes for a very low-calorie diet. Initially they do lose some weight quickly, but then they run into trouble.

Fats and fried food: It is normally seen that common man who is weight conscious always tries to find substitute for sugar when he really needs a substitute for fat, as fats are the highest source for calories. So, the intelligence is to reduce fat content from diet and simultaneously minimizing the sugar intake.

After prolong starvation they stop losing weight. The question arises here that why it happens? It is believed that if you drastically cut down on diet. Your metabolism slows down and your body doesn’t burn those calories you feed in. The most hazardous factor of this is that

Sugar and sweets:we are aware that sweets are fattening. Sugar based foods are poor source of other nutrients. If we assess it technically, these are empty calories. Simple sugars just stimulate secretion of insulin and thus they stimulate our hunger. Since insulin is related to hunger so you

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Ayurveda

important to weight loss as diet control. Begin to exercise as this is a major element in losing weight. Researches of modern times have proved that exercisers can lose weight without even dieting. Exercise provides the tools you need in day-to-day life as it helps counter emotional triggers.

will be hungry in less time. Protein in diet: The issue regarding protein consumption is a bit confusing all over the world. It is a fact that protein is just required to repair and to build new tissues. It should be kept in mind that we don’t need much protein in routine as we think. It is a proven fact that excessive protein consumed turns into fat. It is observed that it should not be more than 12 to 15 percent of total food intake. Alcohol: Most of the alcoholic beverages are high in calories. This statement should always be kept in mind. But it is more harmful because of it is an appetizer. That is why people eat abruptly after consumption of alcoholic drinks. Increase intake of these: There are certain edibles which help us in keeping weight under control. So, start eating them regularly. Fiber rich food: This is the one content of food we don’t relish to have. But it is a super food. Recent researches have proved that it can fight against diabetes, heart disease, cancers of intestines, tooth decay, constipation and obesity. Persons who are non-vegetarians should immediately start switching over to vegetarianism as you are not eating fiber at all. The fiber present in wheat flour gives feeling of fullness as it starts swelling due to tendency of absorbing water. And this fiber present not only helps to control tendency of habitual constipation but helps to smooth evacuation. So it is wise to go for foods which are high in fiber content: bran, peas, brown rice and cleaned but unpeeled potatoes and apples etc. Fruits: It is always wise to pacify your craving for sweets with fruits and other foods which are naturally sweet. Natural sweets are low in calories and high in nutrients. Fruits are also a good source of natural fiber and micro nutrients essential for wellbeing. So, avoid chocolate bars, sweets or anything relevant to it. Change your habits: If eating less and exercising more were easy tasks, perhaps everybody has done this. In Practical life, it is seen that these are the habits we grow gradually over a period of 6 to 10 years and if we wish to change them overnight, Download Our App

is very difficult. But if we decide once to change these gradually, is possible. Here are some simple suggestions: 4Welcome the Positive change. 4 A healthy routine, balanced food and good exercise, all three are equally important. 4 Identify first of what triggers your desire to eat. Start ignoring that. 4 Avoid buying your favorite dish and keeping in your refrigerator. 4 Gradually try to neglect favorite food article or try to avoid for some time or days. 4 Stop buying ready to eat food, go for the food which needs cocking- fresh food. 4 Don’t eat while watching, reading, talking and playing as it will land you in overeating. 4 Eat small bites and chew longer and let your taste buds to experience the real taste of it. 4 Try to avoid sitting in the same place all the times as it can aggravate your hunger. 4 Be focused and add some more do’s and don’ts to this list to be a winner this time. 4 Drink a glass of warm water or eat salad of mixed vegetables at least half an hour before lunch or dinner. 4 Don’t eat when you are extremely hungry, go for a walk instead or eat salad or something healthy. 4 Talk to others who also are struggling to lose weight. 4 Reward yourself if you are slimming down. Buy new outfit or go on vacations. 4 Manage your stress as people under stress eat more to relieve it. 4 Do Yoga, Meditation, Swimming, Cycling, Dancing or other physical activities to stay motivated. Start exercising: Exercise may be as OCTOBER I 2019

Think positive, behave positive and stay positive. Always remember that it is better to increase physical activity to control excess calories than to reduce energy intake. And of course, the most obvious benefit of exercise is that it burns calories. Choose the right exercise: There is one exercise everyone can try without investing much and that is walking. You don’t need any expansive equipments or gadgets and without joining a health club. Simple walking burns sufficient number of calories required for losing weight and body shaping. This is effective for all age groups of men, woman and children. You can gradually increase the distance and speed as per your stamina to get desired results. Another way to get more exercise is to make part of your daily routine. Start using stairs instead of escalators, avoid car for short distances, park your car in far corner and take your dog for a run. All is up to you, once you decide to infuse exercise in your life. Nature Care Ayurveda Yoga Detox & Rejuvenation is the only Sydney based Ayurvedic centre where you can experience a complete range of Ayurvedic therapies like Panchakarma, Shirodhara, Detox, Abhyanga Body massage, Back Care, Chronic Disease management,Weight loss, consultation from experts.The team is highly professional and working under the direction of Director’s Dr Naveen Shukla (Vice President Australasian association of Ayurveda for NSW), Dr Vishal Sharma (Member International Academy of Ayurved), Dr Nikhila Venugopal (Female Health and Marma Specialist), Dr Anu Handa (M.D Panchakarma BAMS). Nature Care Ayurveda & Desi Australia in synergy focused to spread the word of Ayurveda in the community and promote wellbeing as “WE CARE FOR YOU” For more information /to see a doctor/ for specific health concern visit our website www.naturecareayurveda.com.au or call us on 02 9572 6990 www.DesiAustralia.com

Community News | Adelaide

Junior Cricket event was a great hit in Adelaide 120 Kids from multicultural communities represented their teams

Daljeet Bakshi

itzroy Community Club and SACA established the event, with significant support from Multicultural Communities Australia (MCA), to encourage juniors to sign up for club cricket this summer. Fitzroy Community Club hosted 120 children from multicultural backgrounds for a roundrobin cricket event dubbed the ‘Junior World Cup’ on 22nd of Sep 2019. It was a wonderful day with display of fun, colour and cultural pride, children representing six countries Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka played modified Twenty20 matches. Multicultural Communities of Australia (MCA) initiated this concept with vision of promoting sports within the multicultural communities and emphasis on its benefits on health. The core message of this event was to highlight the fact that active participation in sports is essential for children as it reduces stress and enhances their mood. It builds healthy bones and muscles, increases fitness, improves sleep, helps them socialise, develops their cooperation skills, boosts selfconfidence, fosters sportsmanship, disciplines the child, gets the child outdoors, critical for personality development . The event commenced with an Opening Ceremony in presence of participating teams who were holding their National Flags. Afterwards , the matches were played between teams and was well coordinated by managers,

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in each team . Ethnic media played a vital role in capturing the glimpses of the day and sharing on various media platforms for a wider reach .

coaches, support staff. In the end, closing ceremony was held, in which two Redbacks players were interviewed as an inspiration for young kids. Furthermore, there cultural dances, photo-sessions and certificates were presented to players, managers, coaches and other key stakeholders . Matt Lucas Inclusion and diversity Leader and Alex Guy of SACA were iconic in the whole tale and guided the team throughout this event. This event couldn’t be written as a “Success Story” without many contributions from individuals and their hard work. Amongst them, Deepak Bhardwaj Director of MCA lead the way, addressing inclusiveness for all communities and community members. Saru Rana representing MCA promoted gender representation by having girls registered

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Parents and friends gathered for an enjoyable day of cricket in a mix weather of sun and rain watched on and cheered Kids from Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, India and Bangladesh. This event was free of charge for the participants and were given a playing shirt to wear proudly displaying the country they were playing for. Another attraction of the day was display of The Men’s and Women’s ICC T20 World Cup trophies in giving everyone present there the opportunity to have their photo taken, and it continues building excitement for both World Cups, taking place in Australia in 2020. Sarah from Cricket Australia was present at photo booth briefing about the Trophies on display and fixtures of the upcoming world cup . Kids enjoyed freebies of T20 cricket balls and wrist bands. This event was a matchless demonstration of social-cohesion, brotherhood, harmony, peace and love, in the region.

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Mag Corner

Six Steps

By: Meredith Forder

to Find Happiness Within

hen I was in my early twenties, I felt a deep sense of emptiness within. On the outside I was all smiles and shiny, but on the inside there was a hollowness, so deep, that I thought I would never be happy again. By today’s standards you might say that I was depressed. After all, I had lost so much—my father, my partner, my cousin and my business—all within the span of three months! But it wasn’t these losses that caused my grief. No, it was something else. It was Me It was all about me. I couldn’t stop thinking, “Why me? Why did this happen to me?” “Me, me, me.” That’s all I was thinking about. I had selfishly forgotten about all the other people who were affected by what had happened-my mother, who lost her husband. My brother, who lost his father. My aunt, who lost her daughter and my cousin, who lost her sister. And the impact that these situations were having on them. I was totally unaware of their pain; being utterly consumed in my own. It wasn’t until I travelled to India to study Vedanta, at the Vedanta Academy, near Lonavala, that I gained awareness of just how self-centred I really was. And today I strongly believe that all our problems stem from this one problem: Self-centredness “Never before could I have believed it but I see it all now. There is no happiness unless you have cleaned dropped thinking about yourself.” —Edward Carpenter Thinking about yourself all the time not only stems from incompleteness, emptiness, it makes us to feel inadequate and unfulfilled. This feeling pushes us into the world seeking fulfilment. We seek to be Download Our App

filled materially, physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. However, external pursuits of happiness can never fulfil us. At best they can provide us with a temporary sense of satisfaction. That is all. That’s why we keep wanting more. Enough is Never Enough Almost everyone is caught up in a mad chase for more—more money, more things, more experiences and more excitement. People genuinely believe that the more they have the more fulfilled they will be, but the result of having more often means that you have less! Less satisfaction, less contentment and less fulfilment in life. The more you have, the more you want. When America’s first billionaire, J.D. Rockefeller was asked, “How much is enough?” He replied, “Just a little bit more!” The Source of Happiness OCTOBER I 2019

The wise tell us that the source of happiness is within. If this is true, then why do people run after material things? Why is everyone still so fascinated with the world? The answer to this question is simple: instant pleasures! The world provides us with instant pleasures-an immediate sense of satisfaction. For example, eating an ice-cream on a hot summer’s day. This is definitely a pleasure, but the satisfaction it provides is only temporary. It disappears as fast as it appears. And when it disappears we are left feeling empty inside. Again we rush out into the world seeking fulfilment—it may be coffee with a friend, catching a movie, going for a walk, a run, a picnic. Whatever it is, if we are dependent on that activity for our happiness then our life will be like a roller-coaster ride of happy-sad, happysad, happy-sad…. We must therefore learn to shift our focus from trying to find happiness outside to www.DesiAustralia.com

Mag Corner

finding happiness within. The question is how? Below are six simple steps to help you find happiness within. Step 1: Fix a Higher Goal The higher the goal, meaning the more selfless it is, the more power it will generate within you. Set your goal high, but make sure it is within your capacity to achieve. Step 2: Create a Plan of Action Spend some time carefully planning a course of action. What steps do you need to take to reach your goal? Write a list of all the tasks you need to carry out to achieve your objective. Step 3: Focus on the Present Action The mistake many people make is that they focus on the goal or outcome. Focusing on the outcome creates anxiety. Your mind must be on the present action. Only then will you attain the results you want. Step 4: Love selflessly Love is a universal feeling of oneness.

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When we learn to love beyond the boundary of our preferences, then we gain a beautiful sense of inner peace and contentment. Step 5: Be Grateful for What You Have You must learn to be grateful for what you have in life—food on your table, family and friends, eyes to see, ears to hear, limbs to move about, a voice, good emotions, the ability to think and oxygen to breathe. Step 6: Perform Conscious Acts of Kindness When you are grateful for what you have, automatically you want to give back. You begin to see the needs of others-little things, like filling the kettle after you use it, so that there’s water ready for the next person. Or washing the dishes in the sink, even if they’re not yours. You no longer wait for others to do it, you step up and do it yourself. You are always ready to lend a hand and always prepared to do more than is expected of you. When your attitude is based on giving, rather than taking, you

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will be amazed how happiness fills you up from within. About Vedanta Institute Perth Vedanta Institute Perth (VIP) is a nonprofit organisation, dedicated to creating awareness of Vedanta in Perth, Australia and around the world. One of the ways VIP is creating awareness is by bringing Vedanta Master Sunandaji, daughter-disciple of Swami Parthasarathy, to Perth for Talks and a 3-Day Retreat on 10-12 April, Easter 2020. Register your interest: https://vedanta. org.au/vedanta-retreat-perth/ For further details visit: https://vedanta. org.au or email vip@vedanta.org.au Find us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ vedantaperth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ vedantaperth/ About the Author Meredith Forder is a Vedanta philosopherpractitioner and Self Management teacher, who has spent over a quarter of a century studying and researching the ancient wisdom of Vedanta and how it benefits modern-day health, happiness and wellbeing.

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Legal

Abortion Reform

By: Mitu Gopalan fter 119 years, abortion has now been removed from the NSW Crimes Act. Supporters of the bill have described this is being a massive step forward for women in the state, with NSW being the last state in Australia to decriminalise abortion. After the making of this historic decision, there is the question, what does this change mean for women seeking an abortion and for doctors who perform the abortions? Before the reform Since 1900, abortion has been outlawed by the NSW Crimes Act. Under the Act, anyone who “unlawfully uses an instrument or other means” with the intention to force a miscarriage, could face 10 years in prison. Despite this, lawful abortions were still regularly performed in NSW. During this time, an abortion was considered ‘lawful’ when a medical practitioner held an honest belief that the abortion was necessary to preserve the women involved from serious danger to their life, physical or mental health. However, women could not seek to terminate a pregnancy after 20 weeks. Download Our App

The reform Under the Abortion Law Reform Act 2019, which was passed by the NSW lower house last week, it is no longer a criminal offence for a woman to have an abortion. Crucially, this means that women will no longer be criminalised for choosing to have an abortion. Likewise, qualified medical practitioners who perform an abortion no longer have to fear any punishment under the new Act. The new Act broadly divides a lawful abortion in two categories: 4 Termination of pregnancy on a person who is no more than 22 weeks pregnant and, 4 Termination of pregnancy on a person who is more than 22 weeks pregnant. Under both circumstances, the Act requires the free and informed consent of the woman seeking an abortion. Such a consent should be obtained without any coercion, intimidation or undue influence. Women The new legislation has made it easier for a woman seeking an abortion under 22 weeks. This is a historic decision as women now have the freedom to facilitate the process of obtaining an abortion, either through medication or through surgical procedures. Women can also seek to terminate their pregnancy after 22 weeks, although, a medical practitioner must be satisfied that there are sufficient OCTOBER I 2019

grounds for such an abortion. With the decriminalisation of abortion, it is expected that there will be an increase in the availability of services for women across the state. This is an important statement as it acknowledges the right of a woman to make a decision, prohibiting the state from criminalising a woman’s choice. Under the Act, a woman is explicitly barred from seeking an abortion based on the sex of the child. Doctors The Act imposes an obligation on a medical practitioner, who is conscientious objector, to remove himself from the process at the first instance. If an attempt to an abortion leads to a live birth, the medical practitioner has a duty of care to that child as in any other live birth. Where a woman is seeking an abortion after 22 weeks, the medical practitioner is required to obtain the assent of another specialist practitioner, before undertaking the procedure. The other practitioner should also be satisfied if there are sufficient grounds for an abortion. Therefore, in such cases, the performance of the abortion is contingent on the discretion of the specialist medical practitioner. If you would like to inquire into any of the issues raised in the above article, contact Freedman & Gopalan Solicitors on 02 8999 9837 or by the enquiry box on our website. www.DesiAustralia.com

Thats Life

It’s time to… LIVE SIMPLY SO THAT OTHERS MAY SIMPLY LIVE

By Aruna Ladva

elebrating the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth on October 2, 1869.

October 2, 2019: the United Nations International Day of Non-Violence. Mahatma Gandhi said: “Live simply so that others may simply live”. To live simply was the way of being for many cultures in the past, both in the East and the West: to live in harmony with nature and its cycles, and to take only from the earth that which was absolutely necessary. In a society where there is over-consumption and little effective recycling, many of us are recognising the truth of Gandhi’s wisdom but don’t know how or where to begin making a change. Perhaps it is appropriate to define waste. Waste is a relative term and what may be considered waste to one person may be thought to be a requisite for another, for example daily exercise and meditation. Waste can be defined as that which is in excess of what is really necessary. For example, that extra pair of shoes or handbag – did I really need to buy them? Waste is greed – that extra slice of chocolate cake or portion of chips. Did they really add to the satisfaction of my appetite or just to my already growing flab? Waste is ego – believing that, since I can afford more, I have the right to waste what I already have. Waste can also be applicable to non-material things such as time, breath and thoughts: our most precious assets. How much time did I waste on the phone gossiping or how much energy did I waste, shopping for that perfect outfit just because the ego wasn’t quite satisfied? To live simply is about learning the true meaning of contentment, humility and self-respect. Although the Mahatma was mocked by some for Download Our App

his simple lifestyle and appearance (To them it represented impoverishment), he looked them straight in the eyes with a smile and a confidence that made them redefine poverty. It seems that, the more people have, the more worry and insecurity they feel. There is a certain freedom that comes from owning little and having to manage less. An abundant life is not about having more but about living better. Imagine globe-trotting with five suitcases! Then imagine globe-trotting with a simple backpack. The sense of freedom that comes from carrying less means you have more flexibility and more fun! As I sit on this mountaintop in India, it simply reinforces the fact that people can not only survive but can also thrive happily with very little. Although on this picturesque peak there are the affluent with their monster houses, there are also the ‘poor’ villagers who have a rich smile on their faces that people in the West would die for. Being caught up in excesses is a lot like being caught up in a web of our own making. It may look pretty awesome, even a work of art, but in reality it’s a trap. We get caught up in the allure and glamour of all that we possess only to find that we are being consumed by our own creation. It is only a matter of time before we ‘wake up’ and exclaim: ‘I want to be free!’ Another important aspect is that of the karma we create as we use the world’s resources. As OCTOBER I 2019

we consume more, it means others are being deprived. Thus if I take something and I don’t appreciate it, value it or use it in the right way, then I am adding more to the burden of my own karma. It’s time … to live more simply and in harmony with the world and others! Consider this: Is adding to my possessions adding to my peace and happiness? The truth is that, the less I consume, the more content I feel. Living simply means more than simply living. Mahatma Gandhi: “ There is enough for everyone’s need but not for everyone’s greed!” The Brahma Kumaris in Australia The Brahma Kumaris have had a presence in Australia since 1975. There are centres and class locations in the major cities, as well as three Centres for Spiritual Learning, where courses, classes and retreats are held. The Brahma Kumaris Australia is a registered charity in the area of education (spiritual). All programs are offered free of charge as a service to the community. The ongoing operations are funded through donations from students and the public in the spirit of maintaining its educational services for the benefit of all in the community. Further information: Meditation online: http://learnmeditationonline. org www.brahmakumaris.org.au www.facebook.com/BKAustralia www.DesiAustralia.com

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