INDIA NEWS
Indians in Australia
Despite hardships amid lockdown, Australia’s Indian community exemplifies resilience, optimism and solidarity
As Covid-19 cases began to surge again in Australia, parts of the country such as the state of Victoria had to enter a new phase of lockdown; but even in these trying times the Indian folks in Australia have kept up their spirits By Deepika Banerjee Melbourne, Victoria, entered a six-week-long hard lockdown in the second week of July due to a sudden uptick in Covid-19 positive cases triggering a new phase of uncertainty for the inhabitants among whom there are many Indians. However, their resilience, positive outlook and enterprising attitude have helped many of them to brave this adversity.
Close engagement UNITED SIKHS providing with community and succour to those in dire straits virtual adaptability for E business sustenance
Melbourne-based fashion business “Deida” owner, Samita Bhattacharjee (right) with her daughter, Shilpi
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elbourne-based entrepreneur Samita Bhattacharjee is one who has taken the lockdown in her stride. Her fashion label “Deidaa” was one of the Australian fashion businesses selected to showcase at World Boutique, Hong Kong, in January 2014. Talking to India News recently she said, “We were on the verge of taking a big leap in 2020 with our business, when COVID struck. Some of our big clients put their orders on hold. We had to take stock of the situation, reinvent and reboot. One of our shipments was delayed. The client, a long time Deidaa regular, was patient and understanding about the delay. We nurture our clients and build strong relationships with them. The bonds we forge with our clients over a period of time stood us in good stead through COVID. There were no cancellations. All our invoices were honoured. Our clients are now coming back to us with wholesale orders.” Regarding the innovative steps taken to safeguard “Deidaa” against the effects of the lockdown, she mentioned that they introduced and developed products that supported working from home, homeschooling children, and home bound activities like cooking. Some of their products double up as teaching and learning aids, and have been very popular with children. About the strategy her business adopts to withstand crises, Samita said, “Deidaa interacts closely and
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gives back to the community, be it the bushfires or the pandemic. We have revived Deidaa’s YouTube channel, deidaasecogiftsonline. We are uploading videos that have a strong community focus. We record conversations with wellness experts, master chefs and stay at home mums and upload these videos on YouTube. We give tips on organic living, homeschooling children, COVID management, online conferencing and other relevant topics.I appear on Facebook Live every Sunday. This is an opportunity for my viewers and followers to interact with me personally, share comments and ask questions.At Deidaa we are inclusive. We urge our clients and followers to contribute to our various initiatives e.g., the Plastic Free July challenge, thus enhancing wellness and positive engagement.” As far as her family and friends are concerned, Samita says that her husband, who is a health professional, has to go for work physically but her daughter Shilpi and her partner, who are insurance and IT professionals, respectively, are working from home. They are maintaining their fitness levels through Yoga and exercises, while their dog Simba is a source of joy to all of them. Acknowledging the necessity of the current lockdown, Samita, however mentions that unfortunately some of her friends have been stood down from their jobs and many have had to put up with radical changes.
ver since the Covid-19 pandemic created financial constraints for international students and those with temporary work visa permit in Australia, many Sikh volunteer groups have been at the forefront providing them free meals, grocery items and other essential commodities. One such non-profit organization, which epitomizes the Sikh concept of ‘seva’ that is “selfless community work, is UNITED SIKHS, which is affiliated to the United Nations Organisation. The social group has several chapters across USA, Europe and other parts of the world. It launched its Australia chapter of Guru Nanak’s Free Community Kitchen and Pantry, a global initiative on 23 May, 2020 in West Melbourne, Victoria,in collaboration with Wyndham Park Community Centre and has been providing free meals and grocery items to the families which have been hit hard by the Covid-19 crisis. Gurvinder Singh, Director from Australia of UNITED SIKHS, has stated that the Free Community Kitchen is all about equality, sharing and loving, and it gives him and the other volunteers a feeling of contentment to see people from different religions, caste and creed coming and eating together. He also mentioned that since lots of people have either lost their jobs due to the Covid crisis or
UNITED SIKHS have been compelled to work for reduced hours, their earnings have plummeted. Thus, there has been a rise in the demand for freshly cooked hot meals and grocery in the Wyndham community, especially among the vulnerable sections comprising international students, elderly people, aboriginals and homeless people. Regarding the currently prevailing lockdown in Melbourne, Gurvinder Singh told India News, “We are distributing free PPE kits and facemasks which have become mandatory and those found without these
will have to pay a fine of $200. Moreover, we are also adding Vitamin C supplements along with our grocery delivery which will help in boosting the immune system to fight coronavirus. Apart from this, free hand sanitizers are being given away at Gurudwaras and other public places. Also, we are educating people via our social media platforms about the need to maintain social distancing, use of sanitizers and hand-wash as well as staying at home unless it is absolutely necessary to step out and urging people to follow the government guidelines.”
Staying positive and embracing the trying times
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ockdowns are not easy to negotiate. However, if you are associated with providing healthcare services, your responsibilities increase manifold and go beyond your own personal wellbeing. In this regard Melbourne-based nurse Muskaan Puri who believes in keeping a positive outlook has observed that the experience of living and working through the pandemic has definitely been a scary one. Nevertheless she has a different take on the time she spent during self-isolation. She has utilized the period during the lockdown constructively by spending quality time in catching up with her leisure pursuits such as cooking, reading books and following up with the latest trends.
When asked about her personal take on the lockdown and her role as a healthcare professional, she said, “Being an essential worker, I would have to return to work sooner than I anticipated. There’s a lot of psychological distress revolving around isolation from friends and family as well. At the same time, it’s a great way to stay put and rise stronger with a more methodical approach. It is a matter of pride to be able to make a contribution in even the slightest way possible. The only way I have dealt with this is by keeping myself occupied. My only hopes are to stay positive and safe for the time being and embrace life as it goes by.
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Melbourne-based nurse Muskaan Puri
august 2020
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