Special Feature

Taiwan’s Immense Popularity in India: Building the Momentum

By Sana Hashmi ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) being discussed in the Indian Taiwan marks 200 plus days spokesperson Tajinder Singh print and online media. This has without a local COVID-19 case. Bagga placed several posters contributed to awareness and Taiwan’s impeccable COVID-19 outside the Chinese embassy knowledge about Taiwan among response has garnered immense in New Delhi wishing Taiwan Indians. However, governmentappreciation and generated on its national day. The photos to-government interactions are greater awareness about Taiwan of which went viral, leading to limited in scope and therefore, among Indians. This coupled with huge humiliation for the Chinese the potential in the relations still ever-rising tensions between Embassy in New Delhi. An remains under-utilised. India and China has led to calls insecure China’s desperate acts It is important that the leadership for closer cooperation between landed it in counterproductive from both sides sense the India and Taiwan in India. While and rather embarrassing popular sentiments and take China has lost the perception situation. China’s so-called steps to strengthen cooperation. war in India primarily due to the wolf-warrior diplomacy has The biggest likely gain for both violent clashes at the Galwan boomeranged and has failed to India and Taiwan is on the valley and the ongoing and achieve any objective that Beijing economic front. A systematic and protracted standoff, Taiwan has had set. coordinated dialogue on trade gained respect and appreciation To reciprocate appreciation and and investment relations is the among Indians. Taiwan is support from several Indians, need of the hour, and eventually now viewed as a friendly and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen an India-Taiwan Free Trade responsible country among put out a series of tweets. Her Agreement may follow. This will Indians. However, this wide tweets on her 2012 India visit not only help India reduce its reportage and discussion on and fondness for Indian cuisine dependence on China but also Taiwan is not going down well resonated well with the Indians. add a long-term and positive with China. On October 7, 2020, This series of events has shown dimension to India-Taiwan Chinese Embassy in India issued a President Tsai Ing-wen’s crafty relations. Closer economic diktat to the Indian media asking abilities to tap on the social media relations will also give an impetus them to refrain from calling platforms. This also displays to President Tsai Ing-wen’s New Taiwan a country while reporting that unlike the Chinese officials Southbound Policy. on it and even be in tune with the and diplomats who are resorting As far as the security aspect is Indian government’s stand on to bullish behaviour, Taiwan is concerned, Taiwan has been the so-called ‘One-China policy’. sticking to the professional ethics at the receiving end of China’s This move backfired and much in its foreign policy approaches. aggression or the wolf warrior of Indian media reported widely Taiwan has finally got the much- diplomacy. President Tsai on Taiwan on its National Day deserved attention from Indians. ing-wen has been urging the that fell on October 10, 2020. The Unprecedentedly, Taiwan is like-minded countries to form

Would you dare to wear Oud?

Malvika Barry portable incense burner) in dwindling population of the “real Oud is known for its distinctive, rich, and complex aroma, which is difficult to recreate even by synthetic molecules, says Malvika Barry When I arrived in the Middle East, I was bewildered and intrigued by the scents all around me, from the aroma of spicy pungent kebab to the opulent scents on fully clothed men and women. Initially, I couldn’t quite put my “nose” the form of bakhoor, which slowly diffuses and reveals its rich entrancing fragrance. The intoxicating and enigmatic smoky scent of these wood chips can also be used to enhance the smell of garments and clothes lightly. Oud oil is also used sparingly as a perfume, by many Oud lovers. Oud’s sense-arousing smell When I smelt Oud oil for the first time, it reminded me of a oud wood”. Now alternate modern plantation techniques have been devised to grow Aquilaria trees by subjecting them to artificial injury and infection by the Ascomycota fungus to provoke the defence mechanism of tylosis. Although they have mastered the art of production, the wood still lacks the complexity and intensity of its older counterpart. West recognises Oud’s qualities on what they smelt off; what was horse stable and the dry sweet After centuries of being prevalent this oh-so-overpowering, almost honey-like hay fed to the horses. in the Islamic culture, Oud animalic musky, rich, honey-like, It is truly an odd smell, but it has gained recognition in the alluring fragrance that most of eventually grows on you and Western world as a priced them reeked off? It was Oud, arouses your senses. Saudi and and precious raw material in also known as Oudh, Gaharu, or Gulf sell the best quality Oud perfumery. Abdalla Ajmal, Agarwood, and is one of the rarest at an exorbitant price, but what General Manager and grandson and most expensive woods in the makes it so pricey? Oud is the of the founder of Ajmal perfumes world. resinous heartwood of Aquilaria from Assam, India, once said, Popularly known as Black gold, by the Middle Easterners, Oud is known for its distinctive, rich, and complex aroma, which is difficult to recreate even by synthetic molecules. When paired with some raw materials such as rose, sandalwood, patchouli, or saffron, they make an irresistible combination that is even more dynamic and wearable. Oud, just like the musical instrument Oud, is deeply rooted in the Islamic culture, and they have a sensual and soul-stirring symphony. Agarwood is traditionally used as incense by burning the wood chips in a madkhan (a small trees, which are mostly grown in South East Asia. These trees undergo a process called tylosis, that involves the production of certain metabolites in the form of resins at the heartwood, when subjected to wounding or damage due to injury, insect invasion, infection from fungus or mould. The Aquilaria tree can battle the infection for several decades until it is finally cut down and sold as agarwood and eventually used for perfume production. The oldest infected trees have the most complex and rich aroma. Due to its gaining popularity in oriental perfumes, there is a “It’s not just a fragrance. It’s an entire culture. It’s something we can’t explain to outsiders.” It is truly an inexplicable scent, which is soon being seen and made popular by many perfume houses like Christian Dior, Tom Ford, Kilian, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Montale, Gucci, Dolce &Gabbana, Roja Parfums, YSL, etc. Most of these perfume houses have refined the Oud scent and tamed it for the Western market. In the Middle East, men in their white kandura and the women in their black abaya or burkha wear perfumes infused with Oud to create an aura and leave a mark a concerted response to tackle common threats and ensure peace and stability in the IndoPacific region. The firm attitude that President Tsai Ing-wen’s administration has demonstrated in dealing with China’s bullying marks a significant departure in Taiwan’s policy. Security cooperation for information sharing in the field of cyber is essential. The two sides may also consider initiating a policy planning dialogue at mid-official level. This will help the two countries better understand the changing regional dynamics and accommodate each other’s’ interests. For Taiwan’s inclusion in the key international mechanisms, the onus should not lie on one country but the like-minded countries such as Australia, India, Japan and the United States should jointly promote Taiwan’s greater participation in the Indo-Pacific region. Equal focus should also be on strengthening people-to-people ties. People are at the core of India-Taiwan bilateral ties and to sustain the momentum, it is crucial for both countries to encourage more scholarship on the bilateral relations. Lack of

of their presence in the room they enter or exit. It’s a means of expressing their style and personality. The three perfumes that have captivated me with its mysticism and have been intricately created with Oud as the star ingredient include;

1. Oud for Greatness, Eau de Parfum, by Initio Parfums Privés

Now, this perfume is truly meant for greatness and great times! It’s the perfect composition for a barbeque evening in the desert. The saffron and oud are in harmony with the mellow lavender in the composition singing a nostalgic song in the evening purple-hued sky. The nutmeg, just like the barbeque heat, comforts the senses with its warmth in the cool air. Patchouli and musk complete this evening, leaving a feeling of satisfaction at the end.

2. Laialy, Eau de Parfum by Oud Elite

Just like “Laialy” which means night in Arabic, this perfume has a dark, mysterious, and intense character to it. The dusty, earthy, and sweet-spicy saffron along with patchouli brings out the best and most intense side of oud. This particular composition has been made by the ancient knowledge of the rare and precious infected wood. Men and women can adorn it for festive occasions with intricately embroidered clothing.

3. The Voice of Snake, The

academic work on India-Taiwan relations make it one of the most understudied and understated set of relationships. More engagement and collaboration between academicians of both countries will lead to further awareness about each other. The problem in the relations is the lack of sustained and persuasive focus. While for India, it is important to de-hyphenate India’s Taiwan policy from IndiaChina relations, for Taiwan, it is crucial that a long-term strategy for engaging India is devised. India is a focal country in the New Southbound Policy, and having a blueprint for cooperation in the areas of mutual interests will not only strengthen the New Southbound policy but will also provide framework for future cooperation between India and Taiwan.

*Sana Hashmi is Taiwan Fellow at Institute of International Relations, National Chengchi University, and a former consultant with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

Alchemist Garden collection, by Gucci

This perfume made me fall in love with Oud. After the initial hit of Oud wood, there is an alluring note of saffron, which is too tempting to let go. There also seems to be a generous amount of patchouli as well, adding to the cool and damp note of humid leaves on the forest floor on which these slippery yet mystical creatures of the underworld tread on and hiss to warn their predators of their presence. It is undoubtedly worn by the most striking men who dare to be noticed. These are just some of the most impressive Oud perfumes I have encountered recently, and there are many more yet to be discovered. I hope you get to try these fragrances and invoke your adventurous side; until then stay safe and Happy Sniffing.

Malvika Barry is a Fragrance Evaluator at Identiscents FZC, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

From : Star Group AISECS hosts first webinar of Sport in the new normal series

The Australian Indian Sports Educational and Cultural Society (AISECS) kicked off its first webinar of the Sport in the new normal series on 17th November, 2020 which included

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Political pundits and scholars in India were quick to draw parallels with US politics predicting a www.zenithgold.com.auBrisbane Rockhamptonand Gurnam Singh, Founder liberal-secular comeback against From : Star Group Gold Coast Sunshine Coast Mackay Bundaberg of AISECS and Community Ambassador for Cricket the Modi government. In this backdrop, elections were held TownsvilleAustralia. Hervey Bayin the state of Bihar, along with Cairns Toowoomba GladstoneIndia is the largest democracy and the United States the oldest and both have witnessed tectonic the by-elections in Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat shifts in recent years in their and Telangana among others. • Tadeshow Giveaways • Coference Merchandise • Corporate Gifts • Promotional Novelties Corporatae Clothing and Uniforms 1300 853 43 5 sales@starpromotions.com www.starpromotions.com High Quality | Affordable | Quick Turnaround Promote Your Brand With Maximum Impact! sales@zenithgold.com.au www.zenithgold.com.au Ram Mohan | Ph: 0421 652 132 Ph : 1300 859 066 info@indiannewsqld.com.au www.indiannewsqld.com.au Bringing Real News to Community Newspaper Coverage Brisbane Gold Coast Sunshine Coast Townsville Cairns Toowoomba Rockhampton Mackay Bundaberg Hervey Bay Gladstone • Tadeshow Giveaways • Coference Merchandise • Corporate Gifts • Promotional Novelties • Corporatae Clothing and Uniforms 1300 853 43 5 sales@starpromotions.com www.starpromotions.com High Quality | Affordable | Quick Turnaround Promote Your Brand With Maximum Impact! Ph : 1300 859 066 info@indiannewsqld.com.au www.indiannewsqld.com.au Bringing Real News to Community Newspaper Coverage sales@zenithgold.com.au Ram Mohan | Ph: 0421 652 132 political landscape. The rise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India in 2014 and Donald Trump in the US in 2017 was seen as the emergence of the far-right politics, marginalising liberal/ moderate parties at the other end of the political spectrum. If the US saw the rise of white supremacists that fuelled racial divisions in the US, the rise of the Bhartiya Janta Party in India emboldened many right-wing vigilante groups across India. As the social fabric in the US lay tattered following the death of George Floyd triggering Black Unlike in the US, the BJP secured a resounding victory. The results have reinforced the broad trend since Modi’s rise in 2014 wherein the underprivileged and women, largely in the rural and semi-urban areas have benefitted from the government’s schemes such as Ujjwala scheme (providing LPG connections to Below Poverty Line families at subsidized rates), Swacch Bharata Mission (Clean India campaign constructing over 80 million toilets), PM’s Awaas scheme (affordable housing for urban and rural poor), Jan Dhan Lives Matter movement the Yojna (opening bank accounts Brisbane Rockhampton www.zenithgold.com.au Republicans were pushed on the with Rs 0 for direct transfer of Gold Coast Mackay back foot by the Democratic Party. financial sustenance), Beti Bachao Sunshine Coast Bundaberg In India, the political milieu has Beti Padhao (financially selfTownsville Cairns Toowoomba Hervey Bay Gladstone remained divided as the Narendra Modi government passed a series of legislations such as the Citizenship Amendment reliant education schemes for girls), PM Mudra scheme (loan to small businesses up to 1 million rupees), Atal Pension scheme Act 2019 (providing sanctuary (monthly pension for people in to minorities from Pakistan, the unorganised sector aged Afghanistan and Bangladesh), between 18-40), PM Jyoti Bima Triple Talaq, Farmers’ scheme (life insurance of Rs, Produce Trade and Commerce 200,000 for people between 18(Promotion and Facilitation) 50), Ujala scheme (low priced LED Act 2020 and the Jammu and bulbs) and Pradhan Mantri Garib Kashmir Reorganization Act Kalyan Anna Yojana (free ration 2019 (abrogating Article 35A and up to 6kgs per person) at the heels amending Article 370 to alter of Covid-19 outbreak, reaching J&K’s special status). The Modi over 800 million. government also benefitted from the favourable Supreme Court ruling paving the way for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, and adopted a tough counter-terrorism policy striking on the terrorist hideouts in the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and standing up to China’s aggression in Doklam and Ladakh. These measures have profoundly expanded BJP’s voter’s base wooing women, restive youth and the poor. India’s democracy has presented an anti-thesis of the trends in the US politics, perhaps because the Modi government has delivered a large number of schemes aimed at the poor and women, and resolved complex and contentious disputes festering for decades. It would be fair to argue that the Indian voters have risen above their ideological biases and voted for good governance and strong leadership, which should be the hallmark of any thriving Unlike Trump, who faces defeat, democracy and the benchmark in 2019 Modi could have been for any effective government, voted out too, but instead irrespective of the ideology it retained power with 21 more seats represents.

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IABCA reveals names of 2020 finalists

The India Australia Business which recognises outstanding Dr. Partha Narayan Mishra, Technology and Management; and Community Awards achievements of a young Geotechnical Engineer, NavneeshGarg, Chief Executive (IABCA), which is supported professional in middle or senior KlohnCrippen Berger; Dr. Officer, Adactin Group Pty Ltd; by Global NSW, announced its management who has built a Saba Nabi, Secretary and Dr. Raj Khillan, Director, Western list of global IABCA finalists on successful career and is under Board Member, Multicultural Specialist Centre; RohitPathak, November 6, 2020. This year, the 35 years of age. The finalists Council of WaggaWagga; Sri Associate Vice President, IABCA received an immensely include AayushiKhillan, a board Harsha Reddy Mangammola, Infosys; and ShubhneetTyagi, high level of engagement member of Victorian Curriculum Director, VR Brothers Pty Ltd; CEO, Australian Institute of with greater than 300 entries and Assessment Authority; and SrikarMaddi, Director of Engineering are among the across seventeen distinct AkashAhluwalia, Managing Partnerships, Kolossus Digital. finalists of the IABCA Business award categories. The panel Director, Jenny Craig Australia Mannu Kala, General Manager, Leader or Professional of the of experts had to indulge in a and New Zealand; AkshayaBorkar, Medlab Pathology; Abbas Year (Male) category which significant degree of extensive co-founder, The Art and Craft Kudrati, Chief Security Advisor, acknowledges outstanding analysis covering eight weeks Gallery; DilpreetKaur, founder, Microsoft Asia’s Enterprise achievements of a business in deliberating over the pool of South Asian Today; Jehan Cybersecurity Group; Daman leader, professional or researcher entries and eventually arriving Kanga, Ag Clean and Deep Shrivastav, Lecturer, Box Hill in middle or senior management at the list of finalists from among Tech Lead, KPMG Australia; Institute; GunasekarDoraiswamy, who has built a successful career the high calibre and diversely Dr. Karan Sinha, consultant Co-Founder and Technical and is over 35 years of age. skilled entrants. psychiatrist, Vital Psychiatry Director, Intergy Consulting Winners will be announced at Among the seventeen award Clinic; KarthikumarKrishnakanth, Australia; Hitesh Mohanlal, the National IABCA Gala on19th categories, one of the most WA State Director, Baiada; Owner, MediSuccess; Professor March 2021at the International prominent ones is the IABCA KirandasSivadasan, Director and MuktiKanta Mishra, President, Convention Centre, Sydney. Young Professional of the year Founder, BRIKS Technologies; Centurion University of

Mannu Kala,General Manager, Medlab Pathology