Indians in Australia

Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business Dinner and Awards held in Brisbane Aishwarya Somal wins Young Multicultural Business Person of the Year award

The 2020 Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business Dinner and Awards was held on Friday, 6 November, 2020, at the Main Auditorium, Brisbane City Hall in Brisbane. The Awards celebrate Brisbane as Australia’s Inclusive City that embraces diversity, innovation and economic prosperity. The event attracted a strong following from Brisbane’s multicultural community and business sector. All funds raised Aishwarya Somal (red dress), won the Young Multicultural Business from the night support the Lord Person of the Year award Mayor’s Multicultural Business Scholarship Program and Mentoring Scheme which has supported over 500 recipients since the program began in 2008. The event was organised under a Queensland Health approved COVID Safe Plan.

Aishwarya Somal wins Young

Multicultural Business Person of with the United Nations ECOSOC. provided for ways in which to the Year award She has co-authored a written best address the needs of CALD One of the Indian community submission to the House of women in the family violence members, Aishwarya Somal, won Representatives (HoR) Standing arena, both from the Family the Lord Mayor of Brisbane’s Nick Committee on Social Policy & Law and Immigration Law Xynias Award for Young Business Her community engagement/ broader peace building initiatives Legal Affairs -- Inquiry Into perspectives. Person of the Year 2020. awareness efforts through her role as Peace Family, Domestic And Sexual This award represents Upon being nominated for this position, Aishwarya submitted to a grueling 4-person panel interview with representatives from the Lord Mayor’s office where she was questioned about all aspects of her business and its Aishwarya has also been an active participant in community awareness programs and has attended and presented at several events in the Family and Migration Law arenas. To name but a few over the last 12 Ambassador of the Universal Peace Federation and also in her capacity as Vice President of Women’s Federation for World Peace. Both UPF and WFWP are Non-Government Organisations which sit in consultative status Violence. This submission identified and articulated particular ‘risk factors’ affecting CALD women which contribute to their further marginalization in the Australian context. Further, concrete recommendations were recognition of Aishwarya’s tireless efforts in the legal and humanitarian field and will undoubtedly provide a platform for her to effect further meaningful change in our community. growth. months, she has been involved After subsequently being with the Indian Women’s Health shortlisted as a finalist in the Expo at the Sahara House under 35s category, she was then Domestic Violence Shelter, and fortunate enough to be named in the Bringing Cultures Together the top 3 finalists. Event held by Queensland Who is Aishwarya Somal Police Service at which she was Aishwarya is the sole Director of Emerson Family Law and Emerson Migration Law. Her passion for advocacy and her commitment to advancing the rights of the more vulnerable members of our society led her to practice in the areas of Family Law and Migration Law respectively. In 2013 she became the sole Director of Emerson Family Law. She established the supporting lawyer to their presentation. These events have been aimed at addressing DFV issues in a culturally inclusive environment where the subtle nuances of family relationships can be identified and addressed accordingly. In light of her knowledge and experience in this field, Aishwarya has earned the respect of QPS who regularly call on her for advice. Emerson Migration Law in 2015 As a result of these events, and Global Pathways Education Aishwarya was introduced to the and Migration Services in 2019 CEO of Women Empowerment from inception and currently has and Leadership and has recently a team of 8 staff. been involved in assisting in Across both arms of her practice, she ensures a steadfast focus on a culture within the firm wherein clients always obtain comprehensive advice as to their entitlements under the relevant legislation. hosting zoom webinars during Covid-19, which again involve the distribution of information regarding DFV and other social issues amongst CALD and Diaspora communities. These events have included information sharing regarding Along with her professional life, State Government initiatives Aishwarya is married and is a surrounding DFV, Refugee issues very proud mother to two young and the interplay between such. children. She has also embarked upon

Congress accuses Modi of shifting goalposts on demonetisation

New Delhi, November 8 (IANS): As four years ago, Modi mentioned Indian Prime Minister Narendra black money 18 times and fake Modi defended demonetisation he or counterfeit currency 5 times. announced four years ago to this There was no mention of digital/ day, the Congress on November cashless economy. 8 accused him of “changing the The Congress leader alleged that goalposts” on the issue and posed then Attorney General Mukul questions whether it had helped Rohatgi said in the Supreme achieve what all benefits it had Court in November 2016 that envisioned. out of Rs 15-16 lakh crores “The Prime Minister shifts the estimated to be in circulation, goalpost each time he speaks the government expected people on demonetisation,” Congress to deposit Rs 10-11 lakh crore in leader Ajay Maken said at a press banks. The rest, Rs 4-5 lakh crore, conference here. were being used in the north-east He said in his November 8 and Jammu and Kashmir to fuel address that lasted 25 minutes trouble in India.

Indian smartphone market grows 17% in third quarter: IDC

New Delhi, November 6 (IANS): Smartphone shipments in India reached 54.3 million units in the third quarter of this year, a growth of 17 per cent year-overyear, showed data from industry tracker International Data Corporation (IDC) on November 6. India was the only smartphone market in the top 3 to witness growth, as both the China and the US markets declined yearover-year in the July-September quarter, said IDC’s Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. The reopening of the economy in India with fewer restrictions was further fuelled by pent-up demand in July and August and channel stocking in September to meet the upcoming Diwali quarter demand. In Q3, online channel share reached an all-time high of 48 per cent, growing by a healthy 24 per cent year-over-year. Offline channels registered a moderate 11 per cent YoY growth after a challenging first half of the year. “This healthy growth in shipments in 3Q20 is expected to continue through October and early November during the festive months,” Navkendar Singh, Research Director, Client Devices & IPDS, IDC India, said in a statement. Xiaomi’s Redmi 8A Dual, Redmi 8, and Redmi Note 9 were the top three models nationally, despite Xiaomi facing supply constraints in the early weeks of the quarter. Samsung registered strong YoY growth of 38 per cent in Q3 with record shipments of 12.1 million units. India became Samsung’s largest smartphone market globally, ahead of the US in Q3, accounting for 15 per cent of its global shipments, IDC said. The online channel accounted for 43 per cent of Samsung shipments, witnessing unprecedented growth in Q3 with the Galaxy M21 and M31 featuring in the top 5 online models nationally. With shipments of nine million units, Vivo grew by 27 per cent YoY in Q3. Realme grew 19 per cent YoY to eight million units in Q3, while OPPO registered 6.1 million shipments. The premium segment ($500+) witnessed a strong growth of 91 per cent YoY where Apple, Samsung, and OnePlus continued to be the top three players. “IDC expects the low-end and mid-range segment to continue being the volume driver. As consumer sentiment improves in the next few quarters, upgrades and affordable 5G offerings in the US$200-500 segment is expected to drive growth,” said Upasana Joshi, Associate Research Manager, Client Devices, IDC India.

India Inc expects new highs in economic ties with US with Biden as President

New Delhi, November 8 (IANS): consulting, IT and its newer companies have an important Indian industry hopes that technology facets. history in the US as they work bilateral economic ties between Congratulating Biden and Harris, with over three-quarters of the India and the US will reach new Uday Kotak, President, CII said: Fortune 500 companies in the US, heights with Joe Biden as the next “With rising trade and investment providing them vital technology President of the world’s largest ties between the two countries, services and helping them economy. the health of our economies innovate, compete, and grow. On November 8, Indian Inc are inextricably linked and we The US-India Business Council congratulated Biden along must work together during this (USIBC) said: “It’s an exciting with Kamala Harris, the Vice critical time to reinvigorate day for all Americans, but in President-elect of the US. the bilateral economic agenda particular, the Indian-American Industry body Assocham facilitating economic growth, community in the United States. expressed confidence that the enhancing job creation, It is truly a barrier breaking Indo-American partnership supporting small business moment, and one that celebrates would lead the world in the most and enabling cooperation in the diversity of America and coordinated manner in critical areas like dealing with Covid-19 investment-related movement of professionals.” US President elect Joe Biden pandemic, climate change and “With the election of Joe Biden the important contributions rules-based and fair global trade. as President and Kamala Harris of immigrants who have made “We congratulate Biden and Vice- as Vice President, we are looking America their home.” President-elect Kamala Harris for forward to engaging with the It noted that US-India ties their victory in the most keenly administration’s leadership have continued to grow and contested US election. Under to promote post-pandemic the bilateral partnership has the Biden-Harris leadership, the economic stability, business continued to deepen for the Indo-US economic ties would collaboration, our shared past two decades, under both go from strength to strength, democratic values and increased Democratic and Republican getting deeper into areas of people-to-people ties that have Presidents. advanced scientific research and development, business to defined the special India-US relationship,” he said. “The US-India Business Council looks forward to working with business cooperation in strategic IT industry body NASSCOM the Biden-Harris administration areas,” said Assocham Secretary said that it looks forward to to help the US-India economic General Deepak Sood. working together with the new US partnership achieve its full He added that Assocham would administration to find solutions potential and bring opportunity be announcing several new to the STEM skills gap, and enable to the citizens of both countries,” initiatives in forging business-to- America to be more competitive, USIBC said in a statement. business cooperation covering the to grow and create more jobs. entire gamut of trade, services, It noted that NASSCOM member

Modi defends demonetisation, says it reduced black money

New Delhi, November 8 (IANS): tax compliance. He said selfEven as the opposition Congress assessment tax of more than Rs mounted an attack on the central 13,000 crore was paid by targeted government on the fourth non-filers and 3.04 lakh persons anniversary of demonetisation, who deposited cash of Rs 10 Indian Prime Minister Narendra lakh or more but had not filed Modi defended it by saying the their income tax returns were measure helped reduce black identified. money. Modi also said that 2.09 lakh “Demonetisation helped reduce such identified non-filers black money, increase tax compliance and formalisation had responded and paid self- assessment tax of Rs 6,531 crore. Indian PM Narendra Modi and gave a boost to transparency. He also claimed that the of financing for terror and leftThese outcomes have been greatly demonetisation helped improve wing extremism as well. beneficial towards the national progress,” Modi tweeted. India’s tax-GDP ratio. The Prime Minister said the Modi had announced demonetisation on November The Prime Minister said India number of counterfeit notes in 8, 2016, wherein all old Rs 500 had turned into a lesser cash- circulation decreased the sources and Rs 1,000 banknotes were based economy with better withdrawn.

Samsung India logs 32% growth in consumer electronics turnover in October

New Delhi, November 5 (IANS): Riding on increased sales in the smaller towns and cities during the festive season, Samsung on November 5 said it achieved an overall 32 per cent growth in its consumer electronics business in the month of October and a huge 50 per cent growth in the premium electronics categories in India. In the months of August and September, the company had achieved an overall 20 per cent growth in the consumer electronics segment in the country. “This has been the best October ever for us, as consumers across the spectrum looked to upgrade their lives especially in the tier 2 and tier 3 cities. The demand is shifting towards premium electronics products and the growth in that segment is a clear signal,” Raju Pullan, Senior Vice President, Consumer Electronics Business, Samsung India, told IANS. When it comes to the smalltown India, Samsung registered overall 36 per cent growth in its consumer electronics business and 68 per cent over all in the premium categories -- much higher than the national average. In the TV (UHD) category, the company logged 72 per cent growth in tier 2 and 3 cities while for TV (QLED 65 inch and above), there was a massive 105 per cent growth in smaller cities.