SAT E-Paper June 2013 by South Asia Times

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CELEBRATING 10th YEAR OF PUBLICATION

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South Asia Times Vol.10 I No. 11 I JUNE 2013 I FREE s o u t hasiatimes.com.au Editor: Neeraj Nanda

Ph: (03) 9095 6220 M: 0421 677 082

Add: PO Box 465, Brentford Square, Victoria 3131

CECA READ INSIDE From The Editor ........................... page 5 Community....................................... page 6 SAT EXCLUSIVE.............................. page 10 Melbourne Durbar..................... page 14 JIMMY SHERGILL Interview......... page 25

Prime Minister Julia Gillard visits Sikh Temple READ report on PG 8

Hindi Pushp.................................. page 30 SPECIAL ARTICLE........................... page 27 South Asia.................................... page 28

My career has been slow but steady: Jimmy Shergill READ INTERVIEW BY Neeraj Nanda on PG 25

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FROM THE EDITOR

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South Asia Times

PUBLISHER/EDITOR Neeraj Nanda M: 0421 677 082 satimes@gmail.com

EDITOR (Hindi Pushp)

Dr. Dinesh Srivastava dsrivastava@optusnet.com.au

SAT NEWS BUREAU/Australia (Melbourne) Neeraj Nanda satimes@gmail.com

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South Asia Times (SAT) is a monthly newspaper published in English (2 pages in Hindi) from Melbourne, Australia. Contributors supply material to SAT at their own risk and any errors will be corrected as quickly as possible. SAT does not accept responsibility for the authenticity of any advertisement, text content or a picture in the publication. No material, including text or advertisements designed by the SAT or pictures may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the editor/publisher. Opinions/ stories/reports or any text content are those of the writers/contributors and not necessarily endorsed by the SAT.

Victoria: Racism at work, street, public transport… By Neeraj Nanda

elbourne: The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission recently launched a report that has found racism is a daily event in the lives of many Victorians and calls for all Victorians to do more to stand up to hate. Commission research on the nature and extent of racism in Victoria, which includes evidence from an online survey, interviews with community stakeholders and a review of online content, confirms existing research that says most people do not report seeing or experiencing racism because they don’t know where to report it, are fearful of reprisals or they don’t think anything would be done about it. The areas where most survey participants witnessed or experienced racism was at work (32%), on the street (31%), on public transport (15%), followed by racism in connection with a service provider (such as a hospital or a shop), and sporting events. Acting Commissioner Karen Toohey said racism can include a broad spectrum of behaviour from low-level incidents, such as offensive gestures or name calling to physical assaults. “Racism can undermine an individual’s sense of self-worth, leave them feeling vulnerable and isolated, and affect their mental and physical health,” said Ms Toohey. Karen Toohey said that some people think racism doesn’t happen anymore, or that it is a rare or isolated incident. However, this report clearly shows that for some people, racism is a fact of life. “It is hard to believe that in modern Australia people are still refused service in a shop because of their skin colour or are subject to racial abuse because of their religious dress, but that is reality,” Ms Toohey said. “For many people, it is the daily, sometimes unconscious but persistent racism they face that has the most profound impact. These subtle, low-level acts create an environment incrementally

and over time, where racism can escalate.” “We also know that racism and crimes motivated by hate harm individual health and wellbeing, for victims and bystanders. It creates fear and isolation for communities and

is bad for our economy. Reporting racism found that racism is increasingly prevalent in online environments, especially through email and social media, both by individuals and organised groups. “While social media has been identified as a site for racial and religious hate, it can also be part of the solution when it comes to providing strong examples of community members intervening and standing up to racist views,” Ms Toohey said. “We are calling on the community to report hate and we want to get the message out there that there are services and strategies in place to help. Actions identified to fight hate include the Commission’s Anti-Hate campaign, which includes a website that encourages people to share their stories of confronting racism and supporting bystanders and developing community awareness education programs. “Many of us wish we knew who to tell and how to respond to racial prejudice in a safe and appropriate way. Anti-Hate provides

people with the information and tactics they need to take action when they see or experience racism,” Ms Toohey said. “The Commission is currently working with Victoria Police under their Prejudice Motivated Crime Strategy to improve awareness of prejudice and racism occurring throughout community and to increase the reporting to police of crimes motivated by prejudice,” Ms Toohey said. Many services are provided by the Human Rights Commission and one should use them if necessary and they include: 4 a telephone Enquiry Line providing free information on discrimination, victimisation, sexual harassment, racial or religious vilification, equal opportunity and the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities (the Charter). 4 online delivery of comprehensive information about the Equal Opportunity Act 2010, the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 and the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities 4 education, training and consultancy services on equal opportunity and human rights and responsibilities under the law 4 a free, fair and timely dispute resolution service for people who may have experienced discrimination, sexual harassment, vilification or victimisation 4 seminars that debate and explore issues and developments in equal opportunity and human rights law. 4 The Commission does not handle complaints related to the Charter. The Enquiry Line can be contacted by calling 1300 292 153 or (03) 9032 3583 on weekdays from 9am–5pm, emailing enquiries@ veohrc.vic.gov.au or web chat at the humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/chat. Alternatively you can make a complaint online.

The Avenue (North Cranbourne) demands bus stop at route no 857 By our community reporter

elbourne: Following request from local residents of ‘The Avenue’, community activist Mr. Manoj Kumar visited this new residential area in North Cranbourne recently to look into the local to public transport issues. The residents collected signatures to get a bus stop. At the moment, there is no bus stop or bus route that extends into ‘The Avenue’, forcing the residents to walk up to two kilometres to the nearest bus stop. Last year also, the visit of MP Jude Perera and Mr.Manoj Kumar was organized on request of a local resident Sridevi who is leading to raise the the demand. She said her 16 year old son walked 1.4

kilometres every day to and from Berwick Spring bus stop to home in unfavourable weather conditions and also the bus services was irregular. Sridevi is much worried that it may also affect the potential outcomes of her son’s curriculum and non curriculum activities. In addition to that her concerns are about the safety of the children walking in cold and dark evening and which will continue soon with winter. Mr. Jude Parera MP said the current service caused a lot of problems for not only her family but others in the area. Some of residents find it difficult to catch bus to reach the train station with less frequency. The situation also worried the mothers of teenag-

ers to drop-offs and pick-ups their children & look for part time jobs. The residents want the bus 847, which runs from Berwick station to Casey Central, to extend into ‘The Avenue’. The signatures for the same demand will be submitted soon to the state of Victoria. It draws to the attention of the house that as a matter of urgency bus route 847 from Berwick to Casey Central to be rerouted to turn left into Glasscock and turn left towards the east direction, and then turn right into Mt. View Road & right again into William Thwaites Road and back to Glasscock Road. Then subsequently turn left towards the west direction to get to Casey central. The residents had already approached to Casey Council and

their councillor to submit and table their application and hope for a immediate solution.Talking to South Asia Times, Manoj Kumar said, it’s not fair for residents and their fami-

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lies and the Victorian government must support outer suburbs like Cranbourne North & the Avenue to provide them basic facilities like good public transport.

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Hanuman Jayanti in Hoppers Crossing M By our community reporter

elbourne: The Sargam Music Organisation organized recently the annual ‘Sunder Kand’ oration and kirtan in Hoppers Crossing. Every year the Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated with this event. People from all over Melbourne and particularly from the western suburbs attend this event. This year it was held at Mossfield Primary School, Langridge Street in Hoppers Crossing with more than 1,000 devotees attending the event. Hanuman Jayanti falls in April and the event is organised in the same week over the weekend. The event started with open Darshan of Lord Hanuman and offering of 56 types of food. It is a Hindu tradition to make offerings of 56 varieties of food. The key organiser of event Mittal Ruparalia shared that “Every year we get numerous calls and people take bookings to bring special varieties of food. Since last few terms we only allocate one variety to one person or family. So there are 56 different requests to be managed. This year there were more than 80 takers. This created a problem initially. But we found solution by allocating same variety to more than one family. We just can’t say no to anyone”. After the food offering the Sunder Kand started which was sung by all devotees together for nearly two and half hours. In addition to devotees the Wyndham Council was represented by Councillor Bob Fairclough and Councillor Peter

Maynard, Wyndham Community and Education Centre CEO Jennifer Barrera, Wyndham Legal Services representative Shorna Moore and Chair of Wyndham Interfaith Network Ron Peterson also attended the event. The non-Indian guests were thrilled and excited to witness richness of Indian culture. For most of them it was their first exposure to traditional religious gatherings. Devotion of community was main attraction for guests. Sunder Kand was originally composed in Sanskrit by Maharishi Valmiki. The literal meaning of Sunder Kand is a beautiful episode. It depicts and reminds us the selflessness, strength and devotion of Hanuman for Lord Rama. Talking to SAT, Councillor Peter Maynard said “It was an honour to be invited and I believe it was an excellent event. It is important to see what other cultures do. Attendance at these events also broadens the horizons of Australians”. Despite initially sending an apology Councillor Bob Fairclough had particularly taken time out to attend the event. Bob has been invited to a number of Indian events in recent past. Bob said, “It was a fantastic event to attend. It helped me to broaden my experience of Indian culture and values. I was thrilled to see that Indian community and particularly the Gujarati community, who organized this event, has kept all of its traditions and cultural values”. Bob arrived early and made an extra effort to interact with people who were present. He further said that, “I saw some extraordinary talent and

enthusiasm in the performances. It was a privilege to be invited to participate to these events”. Jennifer Barrera who is the CEO of the Wyndham Community & Education Centre and also winner of State award for serving community, provided details of centre and its community activities. Jennifer welcomed Indian community to come forward and use service which were available mostly free of cost. After the Sunder Kand kirtan a special eggless cake was cut and distributed .In prasad the 56 food items were mixed and distributed. The langar was sponsored by Priya Restaurant. Mittal shared devotion of Priya restaurant saying that “Priya restaurant has given us assurance that as long the restaurant and Sunder Kand run

every year langar seva will be from Priya Restaurant. They were there all the time and made sure that there was not even a single person left without langar”. The event ended with serving of langar to more than 1,000 people and concluded officially at 7:00 pm. However, it was followed by dandia and kirtan. Sargam is coming up with Dandia festival at same location on October 5, 11, 12 and 19 evenings starting 6 pm. Further details are provided on their Facebook or people can contact them on email at info@ sargammusic.com.au or by phone 0430 541 421.

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It was an honour to be invited and I believe it was an excellent event. It is important to see what other cultures do. Attendance at these events also broadens the horizons of Australians

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The Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, Mr. Vayalar Ravi announces the date and venue of the 7th Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, in New Delhi on May 30, 2013.

Regional Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas in Sydney, November 10-12, 2013 By Neeraj Nanda

elbourne, May 30, 2013: The next Regional Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas will be held in Sydney from November 10-12, 2013. The announcement was made by Mr. Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs and the Mr. Barry O’Farrell, Premier of NSW, jointly on Thursday (30 May, 2013) via a video link simultaneously in New Delhi and Sydney. According to a reliable source two high level organising committees (national and Victoria) have been setup to make the event a success. Negotiations are also on to rope in an event management company to organise and manage the event. The national organising committee consists of the Indian High Commissioner in Australia Mr. Biren Nanda, Indian Consul General in Sydney, Mr. Neville Roach AO, PMGAC, IDFOI-A,Mr. Dipen Rughani, National Chairman, Australia India Business Council, Mr. Nihal Gupta, Chairman, NSW Government Multicultural Business Advisory Council, Mr. Amitabh Matoo, President, Australia-India Institute and Mr. Gambhir Watts, President, Bhartiya Vidya Bha-

wan, Sydney. The organising committee in Victoria will consist of the Indian Consul General, Melbourne (laying vacant), Mr. Vasan Srinivasan, President, FIAV, Mr. Ravi Bhatia, President AIBC, Victoria, Mr. Jacob Cherian, CEO Ausker Group, IDFOI – A, Mr. Shabbir Wahid, Mr. Pranoy (La Trobe University)and Dr. Gurdip Aurora ,President of the Australia India Society of Victoria (AISV). The National Organising Committee will be responsible for the planning and execution of all aspects of the Regional PBD in Sydney. This will include amongst other things the programme, speakers, venue, budget, advertising, promotion, sponsorship, website, etc. The State-level Organising Committees will be responsible for ensuring high-level participation from the State Government, all stakeholders and the Indian community, advising the National Organising Committee of the Regional PBD with regard to the content of the programme,working to arrange sponsorship for the event and maintaining regular contact with the community and media. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vayalar Ravi ob-

served that the objective of the event is to reach out to those members of the Indian community who have been unable to participate in the annual PBD in India, and to provide a platform for the Indian community in Australia and the Pacific to contribute to the relationship between countries of the region and India. Mr. Vayalar Ravi also remarked that the Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas (PBD) has been celebrated in India on January 9th each year since 2003 to mark the contributions of the overseas Indian community in the development of India, a media release says. Noting the significance of the date of PBD, in his remarks Mr. O’Farrell said that Mahatma Gandhi was a “universal icon”, and not just an Indian one. “Sydney is the perfect location for this conference as it is Australia’s financial and cultural capital”, he said. Regional PBDs are organised by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs with the collaboration of the host Government, the Indian Mission, prominent overseas Indians and organisations catering to the needs of the Indian Diaspora. “Participation in the event

is expected from all States and Territories of Australia and from neighbouring countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Manila, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Fiji and the Pacific Islands,” the media release says. This convention is not only for the Indian community, but for all persons who are interested in plugging into India’s growing relationship with Australia and other Pacific countries. It is expected that more than a thousand individuals will participate in the conference. The programme of the event will feature discussions on different aspects of India’s relationship with Aus-

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tralia and countries of the region including resources, energy, infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing, skills and education, languages, women in business and culture. Speakers at the event will include Ministers and prominent dignitaries from Australia and India, prominent members of the Indian community, Australian and Indian business representatives and academicians and media persons. Details regarding the registration, venue and accommodation/logistics will be made available by end-June, 2013, the media release says. The 2012 Regional Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas was held in Mauritius.

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Julia Gillard visits Parklea Sikh temple, community urges awareness of Sikh culture By our community reporter

lenwood, New South Wales, 23 May : In a historical visit on 23 May, 2013 the Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard visited Gurudwara Sahib (Sikh Temple) in Glenwood of New South Wales. It was the first ever visit by any sitting Australian Prime Minister to a Sikh Gurudwara. In fact, the Gurudwara Sahib is popularly known as the Parklea Gurudwara throughout Australia. The Prime Minister was joined by Michelle Rowland MP, Member for Greenway. “I very much enjoyed my visit to the Gurudwara Sahib. It’s a tremendous privilege to be the first serving prime minister to visit a Sikh temple. I’ve come away having learnt more about the Sikh community and having made some valuable friendships,” the PM said. The Parklea Gurudwara Sahib affairs are managed by the Australian Sikh Association Inc. (ASA) which is the largest registered body of the Sikhs in the Southern Hemisphere. The Gurudwara Sahib caters the social and religious needs of community in the Greater Western and North-West Regions of the Sydney metro area. In addition to serving traditional duties the ASA also makes efforts to make a positive contribution to the wider Australian community through charitable activities and by actively engaging in the development of the. The Prime Minister’s visit was organized with the efforts of Mr. Balwinder Singh Chahal who had been making regular efforts to bring the Australian Prime Minister to the Sikh temple. Balwinder Singh told SAT that they had contacted Mr. John Howard to visit the Gurudwara but it could not materialise and it was PM Julia Gillard who becomes the first Prime Minister of Australia to visit a Gurudwara. The General Secretary of Parklea, Jabir Singh told SAT they put forward some key demands to Prime Minister. The primary objective in inviting her was to motivate Australian Government to start a awareness program at the Federal and state levels to understand who Sikhs are and what is the importance of ‘Turban’ and ‘Kirpan’. Mr. Jasbir Singh said that, “In US and Canada Sikhs have more resources and

mobilization is better. We in Australia are still at early stages of migration. We have not been able to convey to the wider Australian community and Government the real message of Sikhism. Therefore, we expect that Australian Government does something at Federal level”.

Some of the key demands made to Prime Minister Julia Gillard included

- Education and awareness materials to be developed for custom, police and other enforcement agencies. The idea came after numerous incidents took place where agencies could not differentiate between a cap and a turban. In a recent case at one of the airports a Sikh was asked to remove his turban in public by an officer. When he objected the officer in joking mood said something which was not culturally and religiously appropriate. If sufficient awareness is created then such incidents can be avoided and certainly Federal Government has the responsibility and accountability for this affirmative action. - Recognition of five Kakars across Australia. Only three states of Australia recognize the importance of Kakars namely Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. Jasbir Singh said he is made to visit po-

lice stations frequently because Amritdhari Sikh are caught by police for carrying Kirpan. In some cases Turban becomes an issue of contention as well. So Government needs to create a uniform law to accept five Kakars as religiously important and respectful symbols. It is also worth mentioning that Sikhs have sacrificed their lives in past centuries to uphold the respect of their five Kakars. It is obvious that Australian law enforcement agencies do not have an automatic understanding in this matter. Therefore, Gurudwara Parklea strongly demanded from Prime Minister to take neces-

sary action at Federal level. - Further Gurudwara put forward the case of international students. Jasbir Singh said that “they asked for a clear pathway for international students. Ever changing polices were just not good for the fate and future of poor students who come to Australia with a view to make a successful career and a potential settlement”. Mr. Balwinder Singh Chahal further told SAT that the Prime Minister was patient and listened to their demands carefully. She recognised these issues in her speech and gave an assurance to take necessary action. The Gurudwara has

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made written submissions. The Gurudwara committee thanked the PM for the historic visit, taking their demands and giving a reasonable assurance. Mr. Jasbir Singh said the local Member of Parliament for Greenway, Michelle Rowland has been helpful and was always available when they approached her for issues. Michelle is representing the Division of Greenway since 2010. Prior to that Greenway was held by Liberal party’s Louise Markus who changed her seat to Macquarie where she won that seat from the Labour party. Apparently, Macquarie is also a marginal seat.

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Dha Naa Dhan– Taal, the school of rhythm

elbourne: Again TAALTHE SCHOOL OF RHYTHM proved that it is one of the best music schools who commences and ends its programmes on time. As advertised, TAAL commenced its concert at 2.30 pm and served dinner at 5.30 pm. TAAL conducted its annual concert on 11 May 2013 at the Wyndham Cultural Centre, Werribee. Tabla students and volunteers demonstrated high level of professionalism and discipline throughout the concert. The concert commenced with a brief introduction by Ashok, the founder of TAAL and MC Neha introduced the items. The students began their performance by playing for a devotional song, followed by songs in various TAALS (Rhythm cycles). The students demonstrated their skills in playing Kaidas, Mukdas, Tukdas, and Chakradhars in TEEN TAAL. They also proved their skills in playing for semi classical songs in various TAALS and light music songs. The students also played Tabla for live songs which were ably supported by Mr. Rohit kumar on keyboard, Mr. Sarabjeet Singh Gahir on Harmonium and Mr. Kamal Mudit on Guitar. The singers, Ms. Vidhi Patel, Ms. Aashna Katyal, Ms. Deepti Khazana, Mr. Ran-

jeev Bhan and Mr. Vinay Samudre did an excellent job. Ms. Disha Patel gave a superb dance performance for the duet Hasta Huva Noorani Chehra fantastically sung by Vidhi and Aashna and equally well performed by Tabla players. The students enthralled the audience by playing for Kathak dance by Supriya Vashishta and played for another light music song in Dadra TAAL by Supriya and her students, Ms. Ila Srivastav, Ms. Ashna Khurana, Ms. Bhavi Nagar and Ms. Vanshi Nagar. The audience were mesmerized by the rendition of Mr. David Balaban on Sitar and Mr. Ashok Chavali on Tabla. David played Raag Yaman in Teen TAAL and Ashok with his silken touch, was like pouring nectar in audience’s ears. The high light of the concert was the Jugal Bandi (literally means ‘entwined twins’), a musical conversation between the audience and the Tabla players. All the audience actively participated in this Jugal Bandi and enjoyed every moment of the concert. ‘This was the BEST concert’, commented one audience. TAAL has been teaching Tabla for more than 20 years and Ashok trained more than 300 students. Any one wishing to learn Tabla, no doubt, TAAL-THE SCHOOL OF RHYTHM is the place. —Supplied

Immigration Minister’s Lanka visit By Melbourne News Bureau

elbourne: The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Brendan O’Connor, sought to strengthen ongoing cooperation with Sri Lanka on the shared challenges of irregular migration and people smuggling during his May 2-4 visit to Sri Lanka. A media release says: ‘The visit also highlighted Australia’s keen interest in continuing to work closely with Sri Lanka on issues discussed at the recent Bali Process meeting. Mr O’Connor travelled with Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) secretary Martin Bowles who co-chaired the inaugural meeting of the Sri

Lanka-Australia Joint Working Group on People Smuggling and Transnational Crime in December last year.’ DIAC funds a range of activities to assist Sri Lanka to improve border management practices along with Displaced Persons Program (DPP) projects that are designed to support people’s livelihoods and future prospects in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, a further 42 Sri Lankan irregular maritime arrivals were returned home on May 1. Almost 1100 Sri Lankans have been returned home since August 13 last year, when the government accepted the recommendations of the Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers, says a media release. www.southasiatimes.com.au - (03) 9095 6220, 0421 677 082

Australia’s Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Mr. Brendan O’Connor MP stages media conference in Sri Lanka. PHOTO: DIAC

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"" Sazio: Vikrant & Rajwant conquer Italian bastion By our hospitality reporter

elbourne: It is not usual to see Indians running nonIndian cuisine restaurants. If the cuisine is Italian then it appears to be a ‘no entry’ zone. The technical complexities of Italian cooking, quantity and timing of ingredients is all a bit of a maze for heavily onion based curry culture. No doubt the Italian food precinct in Melbourne, Lygon Street is operated mainly by Italian businessmen. Two young Indians from Punjab dared to enter the Italian bastion and are successful since September 2010. Vikrant Sharma and Rajwant Singh (kindergarten mates) arrived in Australia on student visas. Having successfully worked in the marketing industry they aimed to do something different. They had challenging spirit and were looking for business opportunities. As they had just come out of University finishing mainly non-hospitality courses, it was time to settle in some promising career. With no experience in food industry all that they had was a high spirit, dedication and a common element that was binding them together, their passion for quality food. They were bound to be in a culinary business considering their passion for food and natural gastronomic instinct. Looking for right business was also a bit of challenge. At one stage the young boys were also lured to opening up a bar which could also serve their own needs! But somehow they were advised not to enter that sort of business due to their lack of experience and associated risks involved in bars. Drunks’ brawls are a part and parcel of bars. So Vikrant looked for other options. The exploration journey ended with the discovery of an exquisite fine dine restaurant, Sazio which was on sale. Although, neither Vikrant nor Rajwant are of Italian descent, yet they have loved and respected Italian food and culture. Vikrant takes pride in sharing that “whether you are looking for a light refreshing bite, a cosy meal for two or

a fresh and healthy treat for the family, Sazio Restaurant is the ideal place to be”. Rajwant adds that, “Sazio restaurant has a history of more than 25 years. What hasn’t changed through the years is our philosophy that visitors to restaurant are our guests. It is our pride and joy to create an atmosphere where people can enjoy to the fullest”. Restaurant’s head chef Ash proudly shared explicitness of their menu. Ash said that their comprehensive menu has been carefully designed, offering a vast and varied range of freshly prepared dishes in a contemporary style reflecting traditional Italian cooking with additional Australian and fusion dishes. The restaurant has a warm and cosy ambience and is located around 100 metres form the beach at 41 Bluff Road, VIC, Black Rock, and a Bay side suburb of Melbourne. Anyone who has ever started a restaurant will tell you it is a complicated affair. Rarely do restaurants open and become an overnight success story. Having a non-hospitality background, Vikrant and Rajwant struggled during the initial stages but being young, passionate and hardworking; they could gain an insight about the hospitality industry in a short span of time. The duo understood that restaurants involved timing, sanitation, teamwork, smart supply buying, great cooking and even better service. They had lot to manage to put their best foot forward. The pitfalls to setting up success are numerous, but with planning and patience, they had confidence that hurdles could be overcome. Gaining awareness and popularity in the community takes time. Though Sazio was in operation for long time, its news of under new management did spread in the area and particularly being under Indian owners. New owners had to make sure that they have sufficient financing not just to operate, but also to run an aggressive marketing campaign. They considered doing fliers, advertising, coupons, direct mail and even a publicist to get custom-

ers walking in the door. Finally they could manage to establish rapport among their old customers and also gained many new customers. They made special initiatives and gave restaurant an aesthetic touch with new interiors. Having that done, undoubtedly, their marketing and customer service background helped them in understanding the nature of the business and innovative strategies required to keep the numbers rolling in. Although it has been a rocky road, yet the duo overcame all the challenges with utmost determination. As per popular saying “Kitchen is the heart of any restaurant”. Sazio has an experienced kitchen team which is currently led by Head Chef Ash, whose passion for cooking and creativity made Sazio, a place for ineluctable experience. Their Sous Chef Luca, originally from Italy works in an impeccable manner to complement the Head Chef. The front house is managed by 4 female wait staff under the supervision of Vikrant and Rajwant. . Sazio restaurant has stood out from other Italian fine dining Restaurants because it’s modern yet understated elegance provides the perfect

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Sazio restaurant has a history of more than 25 years. What hasn’t changed through the years is our philosophy that visitors to restaurant are our guests. It is our pride and joy to create an atmosphere where people can enjoy to the fullest.

ambience to enjoy inventive tastes and flavours of their chef masterful culinary creations. Savour dishes such as Scaloppini Salsa Verde, Chicken Tenderloin Valentino and their special Sazio style pasta, special desserts Tiramisu and Warm Blackberry Pudding, are some of the mouth-watering options on the Sazio’s menu. Their regular customers are the locals from neighbouring suburbs. Their amicable approach helped the duo to establish a great reputation with their regulars. The duo feels privileged to be part of the local Black Rock community and takes pride in serving their culinary needs. At the same time, they have also indulged in the community welfare activities by making generous contributions in various fundraising events. After capitalising the success from evening trading, going ahead, the duo plans to introduce breakfast and lunch in near future. As Sazio is located in the busy strip of Black Rock Village, it holds great potential to attract local cyclists and joggers for breakfast. Rising demand from the locals has urged the duo to contemplate on the plan of extending the business hours. The duo hopes to do it at the beginning of this summer.

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Sushi Das: Slow burning racism is the worry By Melbourne News Bureau

elbourne: Yes, that’s what ‘The Age’ journalist Sushi Das feels about Australia. She was speaking at the ‘Tiffin Talk’ – The Indian Diaspora in Australia and Racism: A Journalists Perspective organised by the Australia India Institute on 30 May. She touched the responses to racism with two types of Indians - the older settled well to do Indians who thought incidents of racism as overblown and the other newer and younger ones who want to be treated like any other Australian. The focus was the 2008-2009 violence against Indian students in Sydney and Melbourne and the reasons behind it and the responses. The doggy private colleges (often run by Indians), students in hospital beds, lack of or evasive police interest, friendly Indian media reports, role of Indian activists in Australia etc. forms the background of Sushi’s effort to explain what disturbed her most as an journalist. Indian students complained that their issues were not taken seriously by authorities, the police failed to act on their complaints, they were treated like willing victims, cops did not take complaints seriously, cops treated them as complacent with criminals, found difficult to get jobs and so on, she observed in those days. Sushi’s experience with fel-

low journalists in her newsroom made her accountable to how Indians treat their wives, how Indians do not use deodorant, all the one billion Indians were violent, smelly and with a criminal DNA. This she says despite us were not yet a tabloid but a liberal Left leaning newspaper. Adding recent mainstream examples to her Indian experience, Sushi says, the worry lies in “Comfortable, slow burning, persistent and totally silent prejudice as racism wall paper”. So, she asks the question – Why does it exist and how to get rid of it? The Tempa issue (2001) during Prime Minister John Howard’s tenure and the recent 457 visa issue (2013) by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Sushi feels, conveys the message of the foreigner as threatening from outside. It legitimises ‘us’ and ‘them’. “The Indian Diaspora all over the world is strong and successful but there are challenges. The next generation on Indians in Australia want to be treated as equals but will find themselves slightly excluded because of the Wall Paper of “slow burning” racism,” she says. Political leaders, Sushi says, need to give leadership in the area. “A non-racist country is the one that moves quickly to stamp out racism as soon as it is identified,” Sushi wants.” - The report is based on the podcast of the ‘Tiffin Talk’ available on the Australia India Institute site.

From China to Cafe Saffron By our community reporter

elbourne: About 200 members and supporters of the Khalsa Lions attended a big celebration cum dinner at the Cafe Saffron, South Morang on 11 May. The celebration was to mark the major success of Khalsa Lions during the recently held Sikh Games. The highlight of the day was the attendance of Federal Labor MPs Alan Griffin, for

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Bruce and Laura Smyth , for La Trobe who arrived from a China tour and came straight to the Function from the airport. Those who performed well and won at the Sikh Games were honoured by the guests including Australia India Business Council – Victoria President, Mr. Ravi Bhatia, who addressed those gathered in Punjabi. Alan, Laura and Ravi were honoured by Khalsa Lions with others. A nice dinner was served and the event ended with networking.

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China & India main source of skilled migration to Australia: Report By Melbourne News Bureau

elbourne: 3 June 2013: The Asia region is becoming a leading source for permanent migration to Australia according to Australia's Migration Trends, a new report released today by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Brendan O'Connor. The report contains comprehensive analysis and commentary on migration activity for 2011-12, and provides a clear picture of substantial changes in the origins of Australia's migrants, reflecting the trend towards an Asian Century. For the first time, India and China were the two main source countries of permanent migrants. 'Seven of the top 10 source countries in 2011-12 were located in the Asia region,' Mr O'Connor said. 'Between 1996 and 2011, Australia's overseas-born population grew by more than 40 per cent to reach six million. This was more than double the rate for the Australian-born population and is essential in addressing the demographic challenges of an ageing population,' Mr O'Connor said. 'With the government's strong emphasis on skilled migration, this sort of growth

is also crucial to ensuring depth in Australia's labour force. Mr O'Connor said patterns of migration are also changing. 'In 2011-12, half of Australia's skilled migrants applied while they were already living in Australia on a temporary visa. This was more than twice the rate of a decade earlier and reflects a growing trend of migrants seeing what Australia has to offer before making a commitment to settle permanently,' Mr O'Connor said. 'There is also clear evidence of Australia's commitment to international refugee protection. By granting more than 13 700 humanitarian visas in 2011-12, Australia continued to earn its place as one of the top three resettlement countries in the world, along with Canada and the USA. 'These and other findings, along with extensive policy discussion make Australia's Migration Trends essential reading for anyone wanting to learn more about migration's role in our society and its importance to Australia's future.' See: Australia's Migration Trends 2011â&#x20AC;&#x201C;12 Edition (http://www.immi.gov. au/media/publications/ statistics/australia-migrationtrends-2011-12/)

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In 2011-12, half of Australia's skilled migrants applied while they were already living in Australia on a temporary visa. This was more than twice the rate of a decade earlier and reflects a growing trend of migrants seeing what Australia has to offer before making a commitment to settle permanently.

Arif Lohar Show: Entertaining, vibrant & enjoyable By our community reporter

elbourne: The Arif Lohar show on 19 May at the Thornbury Theatre, Thornbury was an excellent event that left a lasting impact on the audience. Subcontinent people from all walks of life were there enjoying the Punjabi folk singer from Pakistan. Son of folk singer Alam Lohar, he sang with a native musical instrument resembling tongs (called a 'chimta'). His folk music represented the traditional folk heritage of the Punjab. He sang the famous Jugni , Sher Punjab da, Soniye among others. His style is basically Punjabi folk laced with his slow dancing style with the use of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;chimtaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. His height is short but his singing style is tall enough to make the audi-

ence dance. He does not force himself on the audience but creates a rapport by his interesting Pun-

jabi jokes. So, he sings, dances and in-between connects it with a joke. There were too many songs people wanted

him to sing and he obliged. Thornbury Theatre was also a perfect venue for the event and sound and lighting was

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superb. Royal Productions and Swastik Migration need to be commended for the success of the show.

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India-Australia to have joint naval exercises in 2015 By Melbourne News Bureau

elbourne, 5 June, 2013: India and Australia have decided to deepen defence cooperation between the two countries. Indian Minister of Defence A K Antony and the Australian Minister for Defence Stephen Smith met in Perth on 4 June and Canberra on 5 June 2013 to discuss shared strategic and security interests, including maritime security and bilateral defence cooperation. India has agreed that its Navy will join the Australian Navy to participate in the International Fleet Review to be held in Sydney in October 2013. The two countries have also decided to work towards bilateral naval exercises in 2015. A joint statement issued in Canberra at the end of Mr. A. K. Antonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Australia visit says: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ministers agreed that efforts to promote cooperation between the defence establishments should continue. In this regard, both Ministers agreed to the following activities: 4 To continue to have regular bilateral Defence Ministers' Meetings; 4 To promote exchanges be-

tween the defence establishments and the Armed Forces of both sides, including through the regular conduct of the Defence Policy Dialogue, Armed Forces Staff Talks and professional military exchanges; 4 To continue ongoing bilateral Naval exchanges to build confidence and familiarity between our Navies and work towards a bilateral maritime exercise in 2015; 4 To continue to cooperate in the Asia-Pacific region bilaterally and through various multilateral fora including the EAS, ARF and ADMM-Plus; 4 To enhance Indian Ocean cooperation, including through the framework and priorities of the IONS and the IOR-ARC; and 4 To promote the sharing and exchange of professional knowledge and experiences through participation in training courses in each other's military training institutions.â&#x20AC;? The two Ministers took note of the progress made in defence cooperation, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation concluded in 2006, the Joint Declaration on Security Coopera-

The Defence Minister, Mr. A. K. Antony and his Australian counterpart Mr. Stephen Smith, paying homage at the State War Memorial, at Perth, in Australia on June 04, 2013.

tion issued during the visit of the Australian Prime Minister to India in 2009 and the Joint Statement issued during Prime Minister Julia Gillard's visit to India in 2012, says the joint statement.

The Defence Minister, Mr. A. K. Antony at a reception hosted by the Australian Defence Minister, Mr. Stephen Smith, in his honour, at Perth, in Australia on June 04, 2013.

Vinayagar Cultural Hall inaugurated By our community reporter

elbourne, 9 June: The Hindu community now has a medium sized cultural centre in the complex of the Melbourne Vinayagar Hindu temple, The Basin. The newly built Cultural Hall built with the support of the Victorian Government was opened by Hon. David Hodgett MP, Minister of Ports, Major Projects and Manufacturing at a glittering function. Others present were Ms. Laura Smyth MP, Mayor of Knox among others. The VIPs addressed the gath-

ering and congratulated the Hindu community for the successful completion of the Cultural Hall. The President of the Melbourne Vinayagar Hindu Sangam, Mr. Raj Nagarajan while addressing the gathering traced the voyage of the Cultural Hall which succeeded with the active support of Mr. Manoj Kumar, Ms Laura Smyth, the ongoing Victorian Governments and all those who contributed in one or other way. Young devotees also played traditional music and snacks were served to mark the occasion.

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Melbourne Durbar

Zubin Mehta in Melbourne on Oct.3-5

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By Desi Oz

Unique experience at Gallipoli : 3,400 Indian graves honoured

n 2013 the Australia India Institute (AII) is bringing Maestro Zubin Mehta, arguably the world’s greatest living conductor (and unarguably India’s greatest gift to the world of Western classical music) to Melbourne to perform with the Australian World Orchestra. Mehta will be playing two pieces of music, both of which have universal appeal: Igor Stravinsky’s Rite of spring, first played a hundred years ago at the Theatre des Champs-Élysées in Paris in 1913; and Gustav Mahler’s first symphony – often referred to as The Titan. 2013 is the 100th anniversary of the first performance of Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring”. When it was first performed in Paris it caused a riot as its rhythms and tonality were considered to be far too progressive. Today, however, the work is one of the boldest; most virtuosic and exciting works ever written for orchestras. With its relentless power and rhythmic energy, it constantly brings the

house down. Mahler’s 1st Symphony is perhaps his most popular and with good reason. It has everything anyone could wish for in a large symphony-passion, extreme emotion, fury, tragedy, excitement, pathos, the famous “Frere Jaques” slow movement and one of the grandest endings to any work ever written. The incomparable Zubin Mehta will be conducting both Mahler’s 1st symphony and Stravinsky’s ‘The Rite Of Spring’ in an unforgettable three concerts in 2013. Zubin will be in Melbourne on October 2, 3 and 4. Don’t miss out on your chance for tickets. —AII Site.

elbourne: A Wyndham City Councillor went through a unique experience to learn more about specific war-sites as well as the Greek connection with Anzac Day. Cr Intaj khan was on a self-funded trip to Greece and Turkey with many other members of local, state and Federal Government. He was asked by Dandenong MP John Pandazopoulos (Labor Party) to join the tour, which stopped at significant Australian WWI and WWII war-sites. Cr Khan said he grasped the opportunity to attend the tour after having learned about Indian soldier’s military history. Cr. Khan said he was at the island of Lemnos learning about the Indian and Greek con-

nection to the Anzacs. “All Anzacs headed to Gallipoli from here and were evacuated back to home via here,” Cr Khan said. “It was also the site of all the allied hospitals, mostly serviced by Aussie doctors and nurses. About 50,000 troops were stationed here in WWI and it was also used in WWII.” Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served."

Sachin Pilot in Melbourne

t was a quite but cold evening on 5th June. I received a call from the Indian Consulate if I could make it to have dinner with India’s Corporate Affairs Minister and one of the youngest MP, Mr. Sachin Pilot. A close confidant of Congress leader Mr. Rahul Gandhi, Mr. Sachin Pilot is the son of former Congress leader and Minister, Mr. Rajesh Pilot. I rushed to catch a train to the city from Nunawading and a short trip by tram from the Flinders Street Station landed me at the Shiraz Indian Restaurant at William Street. Slowly the invitees including Mr.Vasan Srinivasan (FIAV), Mr. Ravi Bhatia (AIBC), and Mr. Gurdeep Arora (AISV), Mr Raj Kumar (Indian Con-

sulate), Mr. Rakesh Kawara (Indian Consulate) and others from the Indian community trickled in. The Minister was there who talked of the positive progress being made towards a free trade agreement with Australia. In the day the Minister had met Victorian government officials and Ministers. A few words were then spoken by India’s Deputy High Commissioner in Canberra, Mr. Vasan Srinivasan (FIAV President) and a representative of the Australia India Institute. Entree and dinner was served and as the Minister seemed to be having another appointment left early. The evening ended with ‘Ras-Malai’ and I rushed to the station to catch the train home.

Indian Army’s role to help ANZAC forces The Indian Army was composed of Indian Hindus, Indian Muslims, Indian Sikhs from various part of India, The Indian Shikh from mainly Punjab, Muslims from North India and Hindus from North and central India. At the Gallipoli The Indian Mule Cart Company, renowned for their transporting of water and other supplies up into the hills on mules or along the shore in small two-wheeled carts, initially established them in this area. Shelling became severe but it was decided that this

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depot must be maintained as a more convenient spot than Anzac Cove to pick up stores for men coming from the southern Anzac trenches. The Indian Army during the World war -1 also used against the Central Powers. The Indian Army became the largest volunteer army in the world. In 1914 the Army in India comprised 76,214 British and 154,437 Indians. In 1918 the number of combatant Indian soldiers rose to 573,000. contd. on pg 15 4

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Melbourne Durbar

By Desi Oz

Pak Christians rally in Melbourne

elbourne: Rally by The Australian Association of Pakistani Christians and supporters on the steps of the Victorian parliament demanding end to prosecution of Christian and other re-

ligious minorities in Pakistan. Despite rain and cold a large number of people turned up and demanded Australian visas for prosecuted minorities in Pakistan. —SAT News Service.

Udit Narayan concert a big hit M

elbourne: Bollywood singing sensation Udit Narayan on Sunday 26 May at the Melbourne Town Hall was one of the best entertaining events in recent times. The hall was full of Indian and subcontinent people and the atmosphere full of music colour, lights and dance. Udit who has been singing ion Bollywood for about 30 years started off with his

4 contd. from pg 15

How Many Indian Soldiers Died in Gallipoli?

here are more than 3,400 Indian graves in Lemons, Greece of soldiers who died fighting side by side with ANZAC Forces in the battle field of Gallapoli. Councillor Intaj khan, John Pandazopoulos MP, Lee Tarlamis MP and Jim Claven visited Lemons Cemetery that was part of ANZAC Study tour among with several MPs and paid respect to them. John’s knowledge of Greek language helped the ANZAC tour to understand some of things which we may not be able to understand just looking at hundreds of graves. Intaj told SAT: “The

Indian soldiers are most important part of ANZAC Day. Please visit Greece to know reality of our Indian heroes they were may be born in region of from Pakistan to Bangladesh but died as Indian Army Soldiers. “ Indian Soldiers have died along with British Forces and ANZAC force on the soil of Turkey in Gallipoli during World War -1. ‘Lest We Forget’ Cr Khan finished the tour by attending nine ceremonies on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 24 and 25 April, including participation as a VIP at the Gallipoli. www.southasiatimes.com.au - (03) 9095 6220, 0421 677 082

hit song ‘Papa Kahaite Hai.... and also sang in Nepali. This was his first ever concert in Australia and the audience enjoyed every bit of the show. Young girls and fans rushed to be photographed with him as he sang one after another hit song. Udit Narayan’s concert was one of the most entertaining of a Bollywood singer’s concert.

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Indian Film Festival Melbourne 2013: Amazing magical experience By our hospitality reporter

elbourne: This year was easily the biggest year for the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. With over 60 films screening at five locations, the largest number of attendees and festival guests from India and a wonderful end to a wonderful festival. On a magical Opening Night one watched the 1913 milestone Raja Hanshchandra with a live score alongside Vidya Balan, Prabhudeva, Pamela Chopra, Kabir Khan, Farah Khan, Simi Garewal and Girish Kumar, who also made the opening press conference one to remember. The silent movie laced with live music, in fact, made one wonder how many efforts Dada Sahib Phalke made to initiate the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest film industry. Simi's lecture on the 'Evolution of Women in Indian Cinema' had Australian audiences wanting more, while Kabir gave an engaging Masterclass about his journey from Documentaries to Blockbusters. Onir spoke at length to our local upcoming film makers about raising funding through social media -leaving Melbournians thirsting for more! Audiences in Melbourne were

treated to a huge run of Australian premieres, including Mira Nair's The Reluctant Fundamentalist, attended by cricketing legend Greg Chapel, Gangoobai, ID., Anhey Ghorhey De Daan, Lessons in Forgetting, Delhi in a Day and many more. Meanwhile, over at Federation Square`s ACMI cinema, the 100 Years of Indian Cinema season played classic after classic, featuring unforgettable moments and legendary performances. With an eye always on fostering creative and cultural links between India and Australia, the Western Union Short Film Competition returned. The theme this year was Freedom, and Film makers from India, Australia and New Zealand did battle for judges Kabir Khan and Paul Cox, with the winning Indian film screening on Opening Night in front of Indian Elm royalty. The weather held off, just, for the Telstra Bollywood Dance Competition in Federation Square, where Prabhudeva and Farah Khan joined winners onstage and even shared a few moves of their own. It was as if Bollywood had well and truly landed in Melbourne. The hugely anticipated Bombay Talkies, had its Australian premiere as the IFFM Closing Night film - only

three days after its gala screening in Cannes. An ode to Indian cinema's 100"â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;birthday, this star-studded anthology was the perfect way to wrap up the festival. The film received a long and thunderous standing ovation from a delighted audience. The festival was an amazing experience and one hears plans are on for the treat next year. It would be good if in 2014 there is a competition section

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for new feature films from the Indian subcontinent or of South Asian origin anywhere from the world. Mind Blowing Films led by Mitu Bhowmick Lange organisers of the festival need to be commended for all the hard work and dedication which made the festival a grand success. All the sponsors including the Victorian Government need a similar commendation.

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Ashoka Award for Ted Baillieu

By our business reporter

elbourne, 23 May, 2013: The Governor of Victoria His Excellency Hon. Alex Chenrov honored the ex-Premier of Victoria Mr. Ted Baillieu with the Australia India Business Council (Victoria) Ashoka Award at a glittering function at the Grand Hayat, Melbourne. The resulting partnerships, joint ventures and MOUs between Victorian and Indian enterprises and higher education institutions have been of significant importance to the Victorian economy. Addressing the gathering the Viscotian Governor said:

“I suggest that the activities of the Baillieu government effectively relegated the comment of the Indian Prime Minister, that Australia and India have so little to do with one another, to a past era.One person who progressed this beyond others will be recognised tonight for his contribution to this growing relationship. It gives me great personal pleasure to announce formally, that the winner of this year’s Ashoka Award, in recognition of his active contribution to the Australia India relationship – is Ted Baillieu.” In his address to those present, Mr. Ted Baillieu said he was delighted to work with the Indian community and with India.

” I love every bit of my involvement with India and thank the AIBC and all those involved for honouring me with the Ashoka Award.” He also traced the relations between Victoria and India and detailed the various trade missions he initiated to India. The former Premier also thanked the Indian media in Melbourne and in India for doing a great job. The dinner event was also addressed by the Victorian Governor. Mr. John Perera (AIBC) and the President of AIBC-Victoria, Mr. Ravi Bhatia. Mr Bhatia thanked the VIPs and all those present and appreciated the support of all sponsors.

Kerala IT companies looking for Australian partners By our business reporter

elbourne: A big delegation of IT companies from Kerala (India) was in town recently. The IT companies who are doing different things had the opportunity to showcase themselves at a function in the city organised by the Victorian Government and the Australia India Business Council – Victoria. The companies represented were the Group of Technology Companies (GTECH), ACTSINFO, ARACKAL, ATTINAD, CONFIANAZ information technologies, CRONOS group of companies, ENfin Technologies, EXALT Integral Solutions, Experion Technologies, Kreara Solutions, Light Logics, Mirox Cyber Security, OrisysIndia Consultancy Services, Saturn, Se-Mentor Suyati Technocoz, TechRista, Webture Technologies and Zesty Beanz Technology.The delegation was led by Mr. P. H. Kurian, Principal Secretary – IT Government of Kerala. Mr. Ravi Bhatia, President Australia India Business Council – Victoria spoke to the gathering about the strength of Kerala as India’s most e-literate and as having the largest software infrastructure parks. Representatives, Directors’ and CEO’s of different companies introduced their companies and the type of partners they were look-

ing for in Australia. There was also a short question answer session followed by networking. It was felt the interaction between the Kerala IT companies and many local companies was good and exchange of ideas will ultimately to increased business and interaction between India and Australia. Kerala is India’s southernmost state and is home to the world’s greenest IT park with a built-up space of 10 million sq, feet. The state has the highest literacy rate (over 90 %) in India and has about 100,000 IT workforce employed in Fortune 500 companies. Many upcoming projects include Technopark Phase-3, Infopark Phase-2 and Crberpark in northern Karala.

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The state is perfect for investors and companies fuelled by pro-enterprise government policies that foster success for over 400 IT/ITeS companies. Policy and Ministerial contacts: Mr. P.K. Kurian, Principal Secy- IT, Kerala Govt. – secy@it.kerala.gov. in or Mr. K. G. Girish Babu, CEO Technopark – ceo@technopark.org.

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interview

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My career has been slow but steady: Jimmy Shergill A By Neeraj Nanda

ctor Jimmy Shergill, 43, is well known for his Hindi and Punjabi films. Shergill started his career in 1996 with Maachis directed by Gulzar based on terrorism in Punjab. The film did well at the box office. He was later cast in Aditya Chopra's Mohabbatein alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Aishwarya Rai. He's won rave reviews for all his performances in films like Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai, Haasil, Munna Bhai, Yahaan, Lage Raho Munnabhai, Eklavya: The Royal Guard, A Wednesday, My Name is Khan, Tanu Weds Manu, Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster and Special 26. Shergill was here recently for the Indian Film Festival Melbourne 2013, promoting his new Punjabi movie ‘Rangeelay’. SAT Editor, Neeraj Nanda caught up with him during the sidelines of the festival. The interview was bilingual as he answered questions in Punjabi, Hindi and English.

Excerpts from the interview: Q: Tell us about ‘Rangeelay’. A: It’s a wholesome family entertainer. It has romance, comedy, action, drama and emotion.

Q: What do you emphasise in the movie? A: My previous Punjabi movie was ‘Dharti’, which was serious and political. Many people and especially children could not connect to it. So, it was decided the next will be a colourful, laughing and action packed one. That’s how ‘Rangeelay’ came to be made. In it you can connect easily. There is a dialogue where the leading lady is eating ‘Gol Gappe’ and the hero makes a comment to the shopkeeper that ‘Gol Guppe’s’ should be made to fit the mouths of girls. Basically, it’s a slice of life. Q: What about the songs of the movie? A: There is a variety of songs – romantic, sad, title, dance type and one ‘Khadke – Tadake’ song.

Q: What are your future plans for Punjabi movies? A: Rangeelay was our fourth Punjabi movie after Dharti, Tore Mitra De and Sadhi Love Story. Sequels are always not possible. We have many more stories. But some themes need a big budget and hence a producer. Q: Punjab has many issues which can be taken up in a movie. A: We are open to any issue.

Q: The Hindi movie market is very big. Why not make Hindi movies? A: When I went into Punjabi movie production only one per cent of Punjabis saw Punjabi movies. Now about 7-8 per cent does that. It’s being talked bout that the Punjabi box office is a big one. I feel, 90 per cent of Punjabis have yet to start seeing Punjabi movies. I do Punjabi movies as a duty. I will compel the 90 % who stay at home to see Punjabi movies. Q: How has the digital revolution effected your profession? For example, You Tube and Facebook ? A: The social media helps us connect to our well wishers. We know the response to a movie fast. Anyone, can Google and get to connect to us. Q: From “Maachis’ to ‘Rangeelay’, which movie made what Jimmy Shergill is today? A: My journey and been slow but steady. I enjoy the characters I act. My high point is to do a new thing each time. Maachis, Mohabbate, Munna Bhai MBBS, Haasil, Wednesday, Munnabhai-2, Sahib Bibi Aur Ganngster (first and second) etc. gave me different characters, I loved.

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Q: There is a feeling that the strength of ‘Maachis’ could not be seen in your other films. A: No, every film has its subject and issue. ‘Maachis’ was a sensitive issue. It will always remain special for me. ‘Jahaan’ was another one on a sensitive topic. We can’t compare movies. Q: Which character you liked the most and do you have a dream character? A: I don’t have a dream character. But, I like, light hearted characters. My most challenging role was in ‘Sahib Bibi Aur Gangster Returns’, where a royal is on a wheel chair. It was a tough character. I also like movies with armed forces background. ‘Dharti’ was one such movie. Another was ‘Agni Pankh’In ‘Mannat’ (Punjabi), I played the role of an army officer. Q: Who is you inspiration? A: I idealise Saheed Bhagat Singh. Q: Would you act as Bhagat Singh in a movie? A: Yes, I would. I have been to his village ‘Pind Banga’ where there is a museum in his memory. It inspired me a lot. —With KULBEER CAM PHOTOGRAPHER

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Oz made plastic Spot fixing currency in India in IPL a concern: Adam Gilchrest

ew Delhi: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is gearing up for the trial of plastic currency notes printed in Australia. A proposed introduction of plastic or polymer currency notes, depending on the success of a trial pilot project, is expected to tackle this problem to a large extent because of a much longer shelf-life of the plastic bills, the Business Standard says quoting the PTI. Pioneered by Australia, the plastic currency notes are already in use across a number of other countries, including Singapore, Canada, New Zealand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Fiji, Brunei, Papua New Guinea and Romania, while the UK is also said to be toying with the idea. In India, RBI is planning to

introduce one billion pieces of Rs 10 notes in polymer or plastic on a trial basis in Kochi, Mysore, Jaipur, Bhubaneswar and Shimla, although a timeline is yet to be decided, PTI reports. According to Gerry Wilson of Australia-based Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the polymer notes have longer life time and can be produced at a faster rate than paper currency. Wilson is Theme Leader (Flexible Electronics), Materials Science and Engineering, at CSIRO, which worked closely with the Reserve Bank of Australia in developing polymer notes. Australia was the first country to shift to these currencies. —This report is based on report in the Business Standard.

By Neeraj Nanda

elbourne, 06 June, 2013: Adam Craig Gilchrist, nicknamed "Gilly", a former Australian cricketer who has captained Kings XI Punjab and Middlesex today said the spot fixing scam in IPL is a major cause of concern. He was answering to a question by SAT Editor, Neeraj Nanda, if he agreed that the consequence of extreme commercialisation led to the recent IPL spot fixing scam. Gilchrist was speaking at a function at the Novatel, Glen Waverley organised by Australia’s biggest Sandalwood producer, TFS Corporation. “Spot fixing has been prevalent for many years. Unfortunately, we have not been able

to stamp it out, he said. But he said, “If the players are vigilant and strong spot fixing cannot take place.” “The over in which Sreesanth bowled me was fixed. But I was not aware of the scenario. He bowled slowly to me,” Gilchrest said. Answering another question, Gilchrest said, “Shane Warne was the best cricketer he had played with and Sachin Tandulkar is the best batsman I have ever seen.” For information on investing in TFS’s 2013 Indian Sandalwood Project please visit the TFS website - www.tfsltd.com.au, phone TFS on (08) 9386 32999 or contact: Dinesh D’sa (VIC) 0427 128 156 dinesh@tfsltd.com.au

Rumblings in the temple By our community reporter

elbourne: In the April 2013 issue of the SAT we did a story ‘Immigration raid at temple in Carrum Downs...’ On Friday 5 April, 2013 immigration officials had visited the Sri Shiva Vishnu temple, Carrum Downs and interviewed a person there. Subsequently, we saw a denial by the Immigration Department published in the Casey Weekly “that it raided a Hindu temple in Carrum Downs...” but the same news report says, “The alleged raid on April 5 was reported in the South Asia Times. A spokesman of the department, Steve Pivetta, said there was no raid but departmental officers visited the temple as part of an ongoing investigation”. Well, this proves the SAT report correct and reveals that an immigration department is probing some issues in the temple. Later, the Hindu Society of Victoria (HSV) sent a letter to

all its members refuting the SAT report in the April 2013 issue but officially a copy was never sent to SAT and hence

was not published by SAT. SAT came across the said letter by HSV at ‘Noelnadesan’s Blog (http://noelnadesan.

com/2013/05/08/reply-tosouth-asian-times-by-hsv/) titled ‘Reply to South Asia Times by HSV’.

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At a recent meeting of the temple’s trust board, according to a reliable source, Mr. Thanikasalam, a former President of HSV and a member of the trust was asked to quit and he did so. The reasons for this action are unknown to SAT. There are also reports of meetings minutes being wrongly taken down thus changing the meaning of the decision taken. The issue of having an external audit is also hanging on fire despite the trust and the temple committee having consented to it. Much more has, meanwhile, happened in the temple and SAT has information of insiders being allegedly ripped off of huge sums of money by powerful and influential people. The alleged victims are silent as they fear losing their livelihood. Another development has been that a person who had breached his priest visa and was working as a cook in the cultural centre kitchen has gone back to Sri Lanka after pressure from the Immigration Department. —SAT News Service

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SPECIAL ARTICLE

southSouth asia times 27 Asia Times

Quantitative easing: Impact on emerging and developing Economies

In this column, Shyam Saran, former Indian foreign secretary, writes that the financial policy of “quantitative easing”(QE) adopted by the world’s most powerful economies – the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Japan, otherwise known as the G4 – are having ripple effects in the developing world due to resulting expansionary and distortionary capital outflows. Saran, current chairman of the Research and Information Systems for Developing Countries (RIS) and senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi, argues that it is necessary for the G4 to act with great responsibility and to work together with emerging economies to minimise the adverse effects of their QE policies.

By Shyam Saran

EW DELHI, Jun 5 2013 (IPS) - The global economy is awash with successive waves of liquidity generated over the past few years by the four most advanced economies, viz., the United States, the European Union, (EU), Japan and the United Kingdom, known as the G4. This liquidity has taken the form of “quantitative easing” (QE). When zero rates of interest have failed to stimulate their economies, these countries have resorted to large-scale asset purchases by their central banks, such as corporate bonds or mortgage backed securities, to pump more money into the banking system. The aim is to extend credit to business and industry and encourage consumption. In the immediate aftermath of the global financial and economic crisis in 2008, when there was a danger of financial collapse, both advanced as well as emerging economies adopted stimulus packages, to revive demand, maintain trade flows and avoid large-scale unemployment. During the crisis phase of 2008/09, QE played an important role in crisis management, helping advanced and emerging economies alike. However, while emerging economies have weathered the crisis and seen a revival of growth, the G4 continue to experience economic stagnation, depressed markets and large-scale unemployment. Their response has been to persist with even larger doses of QE as a means of propping up demand,encouraging banks to expand and boosting stock valuations. Before the crisis, the U.S. held 700 to 800 billion dollars of Treasury notes. The current level is 2.054 trillion dollars. In the latest round, QE-3, the U.S. Federal Bank is committed to the purchase of 40 billion dollars of mortgagebacked securities per month as long as unemployment remains above 6.5 percent. The European Central Bank (ECB) has pumped 489 billion euros of liquidity into the eurozone since the crisis, while in the United Kingdom QE has reached the level of 375 billion pounds. Most recently, the Bank of Japan has decided to pump 1.4 trillion dollars in the next two years into its economy, aiming at a two-percent inflation rate by doubling the

money supply. The assets of the G4 central banks have expanded from a figure of 11-12 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) to the current unprecedented level of 23 percent. These assets were 3.5 trillion dollars in 2007 before the crisis. They are now nine trillion dollars and rising. This is the scale of liquidity expansion we are dealing with. Since interest rates in the G4 remain at zero and their economies remain stagnant, it is inevitable that there will be significant capital outflows to emerging and other developing economies, in quest of higher risk-adjusted returns. According to one estimate, about 40 percent of the increase in the U.S. monetary base in the QE-1 phase leaked out in the form of increased gross capital outflows, while in the QE-2 phase, it may have been about one-third. This massive and continuing surge of capital outflows to emerging and other developing economies is having a major impact. Corporations, which have a sound credit rating, are taking on more debt, and increasing their foreign exchange exposure, attracted by low borrowing costs. Their vulnerability to future interest rate changes in the de-

veloped world and exchange rate volatility will increase. Such inflows put upward pressure on exchange rates, stimulate credit expansion, and cause inflationary pressures, which pose a major challenge to policy-makers in the developing world. Most of the capital inflows are in the nature of portfolio investments, which are prone to sudden and volatile movement and puts emerging economies at greater risk. The volatility one has witnessed in the Indian stock market is a case in point. In general, we may conclude that the overall impact of these capital flows is expansionary and distortionary. There has been considerable criticism of the G4’s unconventional monetary policies from the emerging economies, including the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). The magnitude of QE has had unintended consequences beyond the borders of the G4, especially because their currencies are not only fully convertible but, together, constitute the pillars of the global financial system. The U.S. dollar is the world’s leading reserve currency, and the euro, the British pound and the Japanese yen together constitute

the basket of currencies the International Monetary Fund (IMF) uses to value its Special Drawing Rights. Thus, the nature of the G4 currencies and their significant role in the global financial market ensures that QE undertaken by them has a global impact on economies across our globalised and interconnected world. It is necessary, therefore, for the G4 to act with great responsibility and to work together with the emerging economies, to minimise the adverse effects of their QE policies. It would be particularly important to forge a consensus on how to handle the potential financial turmoil and disruption that may afflict developing economies once the QE is sought to be retired and interest rates once again become positive in the G4. The sudden and large-scale reversal of capital flows is a likely scenario that would need to be anticipated and managed. The Asian financial crisis of 1997/98 was, in part, triggered by an earlier version of QE pursued by Japan in the aftermath of the bursting of its property and asset bubble in the early 1990s. Then, too, the large inflow of low-cost yen loans led to the asset price bubbles, inflationary pressures and currency instability in the Asian economies. They paid a

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Most of the capital inflows are in the nature of portfolio investments, which are prone to sudden and volatile movement and puts emerging economies at greater risk. The volatility one has witnessed in the Indian stock market is a case in point.

heavy price in the bargain. A larger, more pervasive crisis may await the emerging and developing economies unless there is a much more coordinated and careful handling of the risks that are already building up. The G20 should have this issue at the top of its agenda.

south asia South Asia Times south asia 28 South Asia Timestimes

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The Himalayas are changing – for the worse By Amantha Perera

HIRPU PHULPINGKATT, Nepal , Jun 2 2013 (IPS) Residents of Jhirpu Phulpingkatt, a village nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, about 110 km from Nepal’s capital Kathmandu, are on red alert. As the impacts of climate change batter the towering mountains above them, these villagers on the banks of the Bhote Koshi river have started to dread the sound of incoming text messages, which may carry evacuation warnings. Their fears are not unfounded. Research conducted by experts from the University of Milan shows that the snowline in the Everest region of the Himalayas, also known as the Khumbu region in the northeast of Nepal, has receded by 180 metres in the last 50 years, while glaciers have shrunk by 13 percent. Last week all eyes were on the Himalayas’ highest peak – 29,000-foot Mt. Everest, whose summit is bisected by the ChinaNepal border – in honor of the 60th anniversary of the first human ascent of the mountain. But the momentous occasion presented as much cause for

panic as for celebration, when images showing bare rock jutting out from under the receding ice caps called attention to the rapidly changing face of this majestic range. Sudeep Thakuri, who led the Italian team of researchers, told IPS that the continuous and increased melting is most likely caused by rising temperatures, which were 0.6-degrees Celsius higher this year than they have been in previous years. Together, the two phenomena have led to the proliferation of massive glacier lakes – melting ice held back by natural dams of moraine and debris – that could spell disaster for those living in the rocky ravines down below. Avalanches, erosion, heavy water pressure and even snowstorms could cause glacial outbursts, “releasing millions of cubic metres of water in a few hours (resulting in) catastrophic flooding downstream”, according to a study by Germanwatch, an NGO dedicated to sustainable development. Glacier lake outbursts are not uncommon, and over the last century scientists have recorded at least 50 incidents of these icy

lakes breaking their dams. One of the most devastating incidents occurred when the Sangwang Cho glacial lake in Tibet burst in 1954, flooding the cities of Gyangze (located 120 km downstream), and Xigaze (about 200 km away). Now experts warn that the lakes are filling up faster than ever before and new lakes are being created at an alarming rate. “If climate warming continues, as is predicted, accelerated glacial thinning and retreat are likely,” Pradeep Mool, programme coordinator at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in Kathmandu, told IPS, warning that “the danger posed by glacial lake outburst floods will increase.” According to ICIMOD research, there are over 20,000 glacial lakes in the Hindu Kush Himalayas, stretching from Afghanistan in the west to Myanmar (formerly Burma) in the east. The Dudh Kosi river basin in eastern Nepal is home to 278 glaciers, some of which are receding at a rate of 74 metres annually. Mool told IPS that the region is now home to 34 lakes,

including 24 recent formations, of which ten have been tagged as potentially dangerous. Mool warned that earthquakes also pose a serious threat. “The Hindu Kush Himalaya region is one of extreme seismic instability. Earthquakes could act as major triggers for glacial lake outbursts,” he stressed. There has been at least one reported lake outburst in the last 500 years in the Seti Khola region that was triggered by seismic activity, the scientist said. That outburst produced a 50-metre-high debris field in the western region of Pokhara. According to Thakuri, the future wellbeing of glaciers is largely dependent on the climate, adding that much more concrete scientific research is required to determine possible outcomes. But those living in the Himalayan foothills, like the villagers of Jhirpu Phulpingkatt, say there is evidence enough of the possible disasters to come. The steep mountain walls in this village, mostly covered in lush vegetation, are frequently disrupted by deep cave-ins caused by earth slips that follow

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heavy rains. At the small power plant that lies just next to the Bhote Koshi river, officials rely on a warning system to give residents adequate notice to escape any lake outbursts. However the plant’s acting manager, Janak Raj Pant, told IPS that the warning would only give an escape window of between six and 10 minutes, and extends only to the Nepali border, which is just 10 km from the plant. But many of the glacial lakes that could impact this village and others lie in Chinesecontrolled Tibet, where the warning system does not reach. ICIMOD’s Mool told IPS there is an urgent need for better monitoring of lakes and their water levels. He pointed to a few isolated examples in which outlets have been cut into the dams of some glacial lakes in Nepal and Bhutan to let out excess water, but Mool said such preventive action needed be more uniform. There is also an economic imperative to take action, at least in the Bhote Koshi valley, where Nepali authorities are planning to build at least four new power plants on the river.

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southSouth asia times 29 Asia Times

India’s Maoists are far from spent By Sujoy Dhar

EW DELHI, May 31 2013 (IPS) - They chopped down trees and used them to barricade the road, then retreated into the dense forests of the remote Sukma district, located in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, to await their quarry. When the convoy bearing leaders of India’s ruling Congress Party finally came chugging along the road, the rebels activated a landmine that sent cars and people flying in all directions. Not content to trust the force of the explosion, male and female cadres reportedly belonging to Maoist guerilla groups emerged from the trees and used AK-47s to gun down 24 people who comprise the “top brass” of the Party’s Chhattisgarh leadership. In doing so the rebels sent a clear message to this country of 1.2 billion people on May 26: the Maoists rebels, thought to number some 22,000, are far from being a spent force. A decline in attacks in resource-rich eastern and central states like West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh – where armed groups now under the umbrella of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-M) have been operating since the early 1990s – as well as reports of “successful” military operations against the rebels, had, in the last two years, turned the spotlight away from what mainstream media refers to as “India’s Maoist menace.” But this latest ambush in the southern Bastar region of Chhattisgarh – the rebels’ most politically significant attack in over twenty years – has once more drawn attention to what Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has labelled the “greatest threat to India’s national security”, and raised questions about the government’s plans to end a conflict that has resulted in 8,000 deaths in the last decade. Saturday’s attack is thought to have been carried out by some 500 guerillas who fired bullets and lobbed handmade explosives at the armoured vehicles, killing Congress Party State Chief Nand Kumar Patel, his son Dinesh Patel and Mahendra Karma, mastermind of the anti-Maoist civilian militia movement known as the “Salwa Judum” (Purification Hunt). When Karma’s lifeless, bulletridden body slumped to the ground, eyewitnesses say women cadres danced in celebration, while one rebel stabbed him with a bayonet. Experts on the conflict have somberly observed that this

Even while the Indian home secretary announces to a parliamentary committee that security forces are charging Maoists, the home minister is warning the public that Maoists are arming themselves with sophisticated weaponry.

brutal attack was a tragic reflection of Karma’s Judum, through which thousands of local vigilantes were unleashed into a 40,000-square-kilometre area of tribal forested lands with guns and the license to kill. What government policy? Security experts say that unless the government firms up its “Maoist policy”, unresolved issues will continue to fester and erupt in bloodbaths similar to this one. As Ajai Sahni, counter-terrorism expert at the New Delhibased Institute for Conflict Management, told IPS: “There are no flaws in the government’s policy, because there is no policy to deal with Maoists in the first place.” One day the government talks of “developing” tribal areas where the Maoists gained ground as a result of grinding poverty – in fact, 90 percent of some 1.4 million people in the Bastar region live below the poverty line – and on the second day they talk of “operations” against the rebels, he said. “Where is the policy? All this talk of ‘holistic’ and ‘multipronged’ approaches is just garbage.” He believes the answer lies in gathering intelligence and using it to target the Maoist leadership, “instead of continually massacring ordinary Maoist cadre.” According to the expert, human rights violations by policemen in Maoist areas are a result of poor training, and a flawed policy of wantonly attacking foot soldiers. Enough is known about the rebels’ command structure – including its politburo and current general secretary, Muppala Lakshmana Rao, who is known

The root of the problem Other observers say the “disastrous” results of state-sanctioned policies have given the Maoists more legitimacy. Blood spilled in the Purification Hunt has created fertile ground for Maoists to recruit angry and impoverished villagers into their ranks. According to filmmaker Soumitra Dastidar, creator of the documentary ‘Journey Through Camera: My Days with Maoist Guerrillas’, “Between 2004 and 2008, at least 600 villages were torched, tribal people were killed and women were tortured. “Many were whisked away into camps” in the name of stamping out the Maoist threat, Dastidar tells IPS. During one such operation, writes Sudeep Chakrawarti in the ‘Hindustan Times’, over 50,000 tribal folk were “herded into little more than concentration camps in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada (South Bastar) district.” Despite efforts by the Indian Supreme Court to disband the operation in 2008 due to its “illegal” practice of arming civilians to kill at random, various as Ganapathy – to attack the highest decision-making body, he said. He also stressed that the government must never underestimate the Maoists’ capabilities. “Even while the Indian home secretary announces to a parliamentary committee that security forces are charging Maoists, the home minister is warning the public that Maoists are arming themselves with sophisticated weaponry,” he said. These mixed messages have allowed rebels to seize upon

branches of the Judum continue to operate throughout the Bastar region. Flawed government policies on forests and tribal rights have also fuelled support for Maoists. Subhash Chakma, director of the Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR), pointed out that when the Maoists fled into the forests – after their “caste wars” in lower caste states like Bihar were crushed – they walked straight into long-standing disputes between forest-dwellers and forest officials. With the former dependent on forest produce to sustain a modest way of life and the latter, along with middlemen, anxious to secure profits in an informal timber trade, the forests were already the site of a major crackdown on tribal peoples, with officials “empowered to make indiscriminate arrests,” Chakma told IPS. Since fear of the rebels now keeps many officials and middlemen at bay, the Maoists have won the sympathies of many tribal villagers here, he said, hastening to add that tribal unsuspecting victims, like the convoy of Congress Party members on May 26. “This incident was served to them on a platter. They have been after this man (Karma) for years, yet the high-profile ‘yatra’ (political procession) had minimal security.” His is not an opinion that many in the sphere of national security share. P V Ramana, an expert on the Maoist insurgency at the Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) in New Delhi,

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people often end up as pawns in the war between Maoists and government forces. Others say the conflict will not end until the government reconciles the enourmous mineral wealth buried in these forests with the poverty of forest dwellers. According to Sudha Bharadwaj, a human rights lawyer and general secretary of the Chhattisgarh-based People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), “If you overlay maps of forests, of adivasi villages, of minerals – you’ll find almost perfect overlap. “This state (Chhattisgarh)… holds 19 percent of India’s iron ore and 11 percent of the coal, bauxite (and) limestone,” she said. In the last decade 26,000 acres of agricultural land have been swallowed up by mining projects and industrial plants. “Where are the people to go?” she asked, indicating that if the government does not attend to these outstanding issues, the Maoist threat will continue to hover like a dark shadow over the world’s “largest democracy.” told IPS that the government’s policy is sound, and requires only “better implementation and monitoring.” Rooting out an armed force is not like using a vending machine to get an instant cup of coffee, he said. It requires patience, and an understanding that incidents similar to the May 26 attack are to be expected and must not cause “panic” and chaos. Since 2009, the government has dispatched about 100,000 paramilitary troopers and policemen to fight the rebels.

south asia 30 South Asia Timestimes

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-@;Ž³ p[It aro@¹;² moh;lI² p'j;b

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á”s StM. me' p[k;xn;qR² a;pke anu.vo' pr a;/;irt s'Smr, a;m''i]t hw'-s''p;dkâ

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kr l;ne lgI) Eese lg rh; q; m;no'' @Ubte ko itnke k; sh;r; iml gy; ho) mw'ne k.I soc; .I nhI'' q; ik koé mere b;re me' ”tn; soc skt; hw a*r ”s trh merI mdd kr skt; hw) sc .gv;n ne jwse mere ilE f¹irXt; .ej idy; ho) iktne idno'' b;d mw' pUrI r;t s;t `‹$e a;r;m se sone lgI) sIt; ke a;ne se mere a;\\%o'' me' Ek né sI cmk id%;é dene lgI) phlI b;r muZe mhsUs hua; ik Ek ”'s;n ke p[em me' jo xiKt hw vh atulnIy hw) sIt; ne jo p[em ”s qo@e¹ se smy me' muZe id%;y; ¬sk; b%;n mw' xBdo'' me' nhI'' kr sktI) xuÞv;r ko vmR; jI r;t 8 bje meLbnR se `r v;ps a; j;te qe to muZe kuz a;r;m iml j;t; q;) somv;r kI subh vh v;ps cle j;te qe) né n*krI me' zu¯I .I nhI'' le skte qe) m''glv;r 10 bje ke k¹rIb² muZe ¾”S$e$ Eeje'$¾ ne yh bt;ne ke ilye² f¹on iky; ik hm;r; `r ibk gy; hw) muZe shs; ivXv;s nhI'' hua; ik `r ”tnI jLdI ibk .I gy;) `r ”tn; su'dr q;² ”silE ibkn; to q; hI) mn ko r;ht imlI ik ab hm a;r;m se meLbnR me' apn; `r %rId skte hw') mw'ne x;m ko sIt; ko f¹on iky; ik ab mw' kuz idn akele rh kr de%n; c;htI hU\ agr a;vXykt; hué to mw' ¬see' f¹on kr ke bul; lU\gI) mw'ne soc; ik sIt; k; apn; pirv;r hw vh kb tk Eese hI merI sev; krtI rhegI) tIn hF¹to' b;d hI vmR; jI ko meLbnR me' smu{-t$ ke p;s Ek `r ps''d a; gy; a*r mw' ¬nke s;q rhne ke ilE meLbnR clI gé) pr'tu sIt; ne muZe jIne kI jo né xiKt dI qI a*r jo smy mw'ne ¬ske s;q ibt;y; ¬skI Jyoit mere údy me' dIp-ix%; kI .;''it sd; jltI rhegI)

ab h\sne kI rei@yo tq; $elIivj¹n b;rI hw pr ihNdI k;yRÞm

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JAIN Melbourne Shwetambar Jain Sangh Inc 3 Rice Street, Moorabbin, Vic - 3189, Australia. Phone: +61 3 9555 2439

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info@melbournejainsangh.org http://www.melbournejainsangh.org MUSLIM Melbourne West Mosque 66-68 Jeffcott Street, Melbourne Ph: 03 9328 2067 Broadmeadows Mosque 45-55 King Street, Broadmeadows Ph 03 9359 0054 Islamic Call Society 19 Michael Street, Brunswick Ph: 03 9387 7100 Islamic Centre of Australia 660 Sydney Road, Brunswick Ph 03 9385 8423 Australian Islamic Cultural Centre 46-48 Mason Street, Campbellfield Ph: 03 9309 7605 Coburg ISNA Mosque 995 Sydney Road, Coburg North Coburg Mosque (Fatih Mosque) 31 Nicholson Street, Coburg Ph 03 9386 5324 Deer Park Mosque 283 Station Road, Deer Park Ph 03 9310 8811 United Migrant Muslim Assn. 72 George Road, Doncaster Ph 03 9842 6491, Footscray West Mosque 294 Essex Street, Footscray Glenroy Musala 1st Floor, 92 Wheatsheaf Road, Glenroy Heidelberg Mosque Corner Lloyd & Elloits Streets, West Heidelberg Islamic College of Victoria (Mosque) 201 Sayers Road, Hoppers Crossing Ph 03 9369 6010 Huntingdale Mosque 320-324 Huntingdale Road, Huntingdale Ph 03 9543 8037 Al Nur Mosque 34-36 Studley Street, Maidstone Meadow Heights Mosque Hudson Circuit, Meadow Heights Springvale Mosque 68 Garnworthy Street, Springvale

EMERGENCY CONTACTS EMERGENCY CONTACTS Police, Fire & Abulance ........................ 000 Victoria State Emergency Service (SES)....................................... 132 500 Traffic hazards and freeway conditions.......................... 13 11 70 Gas escape........................................... 132 771 Poisons information........................ 13 11 26 Maternal and Child Line................ 13 22 29 Parentline........................................... 13 22 89 Kids Help Line......................... 1800 551 800 Lifeline (provides confidential telephone counselling)................. 13 11 14 Suicide Help Line.................... 1300 651 251 Animal Emergencies.................. 9224 2222

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HIGH COMMISSION FOR PAKISTAN,CANBERRA 4 Timbarra Crescent, O’Malley ACT 2606 (Australia), Tel: 61-2-62901676, 61-2-62901676, 62902769, 62901879 & 62901031, Fax: 61-262901073 Email: parepcanberra@internode. on.net, Postal Address: PO Box 684, Mawson ACT 2607 (Australia)

Sri Lanka Consulate 32A Brunswick Street ,Walkerville 5081 Melbourne , Phone: 9898-6760, 9248-1228 Email: rodney@techno.net.au

Bangladesh High Commission, Canberra 43, Culgoa Circuit, O’Malley, ACT-2606 Canberra, Australia, Ph: (61-2) 6290-0511, (612) 6290-0522, (61-2)6290-0533 (Auto hunting). Fax : (61-2) 6290-0544 E-Mail :hoc@bhcanberra.com Consulate of Nepal, Melbourne Email: cyonzon@nepalconsulate.net.au Level 7, 28-32 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Ph: (03) 9650 8338 Email: info@nepalconsulate.net.au SBS1 – Daily NDTV News - 11 am - Monday to Saturday. (From New Delhi, India).

TV News/programs Hindi News Urdu news SBS1 - PTV News – 9.30 am - Every Sunday – (From Pakistan). Readymades Roshan’s Fashions 68-71 Foster Street, Dandenong, Vic 3175 Ph: (03) 9792 5688 Raj Rani Creations 83-A Foster Street, Dandenong, Vic 3175 Ph: (03) 9794 9398 Heritage India 54-56 Foster Street, Dandenong, Vic 3175, Ph: (03) 9791 9227 Site: heritageindia.net.au

DVDs, Music CDs & Film Stuff Baba Home Entertainment 52C Foster St., Dandenong 3175, (03) 97067252 Essence of India 76 Foster St., Dandenong 3175 (03) 87744853; 0413707685 Accountants & Loans Deepak & Associates Suite 4 & 6, Bldg.6, Hamilton Place, Mont Waverley 3149, (03) 9807 5992; 0402459174; 0411733737

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contd from previous page All Banking Needs Rakesh Raizada Commonwealth Bank (Indian Banking) Ground Floor, 378 Burwood Highway Burwood East 3151 Mobile: 0434470095 Email: rakesh.raizada@cba.com.au Immigration iVisa Consulting Level 5, 45 William St. Melb. Mobile: 0409504094 www.ivisaconsulting.com.au 1st Migration PL, Suite 110, Level 1, 672 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn Vic 3122 Travel Agents Gaura Travels 1300 FLY INDIA or 1300 359 463 info@gauratravel.com.au Supa Cheap Travel 381 Burwood Road, Hawthorn 3122 Ph: (03) 98194656; Mobile: 0420201155 info@supacheaptravel.com.au www.supacheaptravel.com.au Mann Travel 329 Clayton Road, Clayton 3168 info@manntravel.com.au www.manntravel.com.au Travel House 284 Clayton Road, Clayton 3168 Ph: (03) 95435123, Mobile: 0425803071 mail@travelhouse.com.au Solicitors/Barristors Vernon Da Gama & Associates 28 Fromer St. Beltleigh 3204 Ph: (03) 95038046; Fax: (03) 95038047 Mobile: 0401407280/042193100 Email: vernondagama@msn.com

Indian Restaurants Hot Gossip 143 Boronia Road, Boronia 3155 Ph: (03) 97610733 Kadai Curry Kitchen 5 Canterbury Road, Blackburn 3130 Ph: (03) 98909782 Phoolwari 7 Murry Place, Ringwood 3134 Ph: (03) 98769111 Curry Bazaar Cafe 361 Burwood Road, Hawthorn 3122 Curry Bazaar Cafe-2 77 Swan Street, Richmond 3121 Ph: (03) 94259401 Tandoori Junction 29 Railway Parade North Glen Waverley 3150

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Rich Maha 499, Shop 5, Vermont South (Burwood Hwy) 3133

CECA Education Consultancy, Ph: (03) 96631318, Mobile: 0430338761

Indian Star 254-256 Maribyrnong Road, Mooni Ponds, Ph: (03) 93751113/93707298

EdX Institute Ph: 1300 933 922, Mobile: 0433354401 Email: edx@optusnet.com.au www.edxinstitute.com.au

Punjabi Masala 2-6 Market Street, Nunawading 3131 Ph: 98774052, Mobile: 0413449783

Satellite TV Telsat Communications Ph: (03) 97925661, Mobile: 0402147476 Satview Ph: (03) 97985100, www.satview.com.au

Rajdoot Indian Restaurant 144 Boronia Road, Boronia, Ph: 97624410

Music Groups/DJ/Cultural Om Music Group (Amitaabh Singh), Mobile: 0422028076 Email: amitabh_om@yahoo.com.au

Punjab Cafe 143 Carnish Road, Clayton 3168 Ph: 95444218, Mobile: 0432536683 Haldirm’s Indian Restaurant Shop 28, Stuart Ave., Hampton Park 3976, Ph/Fax: 97994790, Mobile: 0433259369 Email: haldiramfoods@yahoo.com.au Sinage & Printing Sign*A*Rama Box Hill 895B Canterbury Road, Box Hill 3128Ph: (03) 98988564, Mobile: 0412639703 Mobile Car Mechanic Tony Zahlan (Repairs all models), Mobile: 0402466599 ltzahlan@primusonline.com.au Bollywood Mandaps Office: Nunawading, Showroom: Dandenong North, Call: 1300 851 137 Email: info@bollywoodmandaps.com.au Site: http://www.bollywoodmandaps.com. au/

INDIAN CONSULATE (MELBOURNE) Address : 344, St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia , P.O. Box No: 33247 Domain LPO Vic 3004 General phone: +61-3- 96827836 Fax No: + 61-3- 96968251 Web site: www.cgimelb.org PHONE NUMBERS Phone Number for General Consular Enquiries(operational only during Consular Working Hours i.e. 0930 hrs to 1230 hrs, Monday to Friday) For PCC and PCC and Driving License Verification enquiries 03- 96825800 02 8223 9908/ 1900 969 969 Email ID for General Consular Enquiries consular@cgimelb.org Visa enquiries: visainfo.inau@vfshelpline.com Passport/Police Clearance Certificate/ Driving License Enquiries passportinfo. inau@vfshelpline.com, OCI/PIO Enquiries

ociinfo.inau@vfshelpline.com CONSULAR SERVICES (Passport, Visa, OCI, PIO & Miscellaneous) Please note that all these consular services are handled by VFS Global (Indian Passport and Visa Service Centre) The Consulate General of India in Melbourne will continue to provide to residents of Victoria and Tasmania the following consular services, for which applications would have to be lodged directly with the Consulate: Miscellaneous OCI Services • Miscellaneous Consular Services (such as attestation of documents, transfer of visas from old to new passport, affidavits, birth certificates, life certificates, certificate required to transport ashes or mortal remains to India etc) IMPORTANT: The Consulate does not accept credit cards, EFTPOS, personal cheques or company cheques. Please send only money orders or bank cheques with applications sent through the post. Cash payments are accepted only at the counter. WORKING HOURS General Working Hours 9.00 am to 5.30 pm Monday to Friday, Consular Working Hours 09.30 am to 12.30 pm Monday to Friday, (except on public holidays observed by the consulate) International Students International Student Care Service (ISCS) www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/iscs Ph: 1800 056 449 Emergency Services Police, Fire, Ambulance............................000 Crime Stoppers......................1800 333 000 Property st Property PL, Suite 110, Level 1,672 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn Vic 3122

PHOTOGRAPHY Video/Photography/Marriages Hot Chilli Media Kamal (Still,Video,Event,Catering) Ph: 1300851137;(03) 80806616 Mobile: 0435075447 kamal@hotChillimedia.com www.hotChillimedia.com

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Walmart, Gap seek separate safety standards for Bangladesh factories By Carey L. Biron

ASHINGTON, May 31 2013 (IPS) - Top U.S. companies are now in negotiations to agree on new safety standards for their clothing-producing contractors in Bangladesh, a month after a garment factory’s collapse in Dhaka killed more than 1,100 workers. The move comes after these companies, most prominently including Walmart and Gap, refused to sign on to a fire and safety standards agreement, announced weeks ago, that has received wide backing among European companies. Yet labour advocates are disparaging the new talks, suggesting the results will likely not be binding and thus will not be able to ensure worker safety. “Walmart is … undermining the constructive efforts of other companies,” Jyrki Raina, generalsecretary for IndustriALL Global Union, an umbrella of unions with 50 million worldwide members that has led the European agreement process, said Friday. “The kind of voluntary initiative being put forward by Walmart and Gap has failed in the past and will again fail to protect Bangladeshi garment workers.” The new discussions, announced Thursday, are being sponsored by the BipartisanPolicyCenter, a Washington think tank, and being co-chaired by two respected former U.S. senators, George Mitchell and Olympia Snowe. The negotiations also include several U.S. and Canadian trade associations. “Over the next several weeks, we look forward to building on [past] efforts … and seeking input from key stakeholders to forge an effective response,” Jason Grumet, president of the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC), said Thursday. Currently, the process is aiming to come up with a final agreement on new standards for Bangladeshi contractor factories by July. (BPC did not respond to a request for comment for this story.) “We are hopeful that … these discussions will result in a plan for long-lasting change for the garment industry in Bangladesh,” Bill Chandler, vice-president of global corporate affairs for Gap, Inc. told IPS. “We believe the American alliance can be a powerful path forward to achieve lasting change in Bangladesh, and will build upon the work that is already underway.” A spokesperson for Target also confirmed the company’s involvement in the BPC-facilitated

Twenty-five-year-old Razia is one of 2,500 survivors of the factory collapse in Bangladesh. Photo: Naimul Haq/IPS

talks process. Contacted by IPS, a Walmart spokesperson emphasised that the company has already taken “a number of actions that meet or exceed other factory safety proposals”. But he also noted Walmart’s belief that “there is a need to partner with other stakeholders to improve the standards for workers across the industry”. Nonbinding “not good enough” This interest in entering into the new negotiations appears to be motivated particularly by public pressure following the companies’ refusal to sign on to the European Union accord, which now has more than 40 corporate backers, including three U.S. companies. That agreement would include financing to upgrade factories as well as independent inspections. In addition to concerns over potential costs and the prospect of court litigation, a key sticking point for U.S. companies over the E.U. proposal has been that the agreement would be legally binding. According to documents on Gap’s corporate website, for instance, in mid-May the company was “ready to sign on today with a modification to a single area – how disputes are resolved … With this single change, this global, historic agreement can move forward with a group of all retailers, not just those based in Europe.” Yet it is because of this stance – reportedly repeated at a Gap

shareholder meeting on May 21 – that observers are now sceptical that a company-led negotiations process will be able to result in strong, and legally enforceable, agreement. “Forty retailers from all over the world … have agreed to a binding comprehensive safety plan for Bangladesh,” the AFLCIO, one of the largest labour unions in the United States, said Friday, noting its “deep concern” about the new BPC-led talks. “No amount of bipartisan window dressing can change the fact that Walmart and the Gap have refused to take this important step. This is a matter of life or death. Quite simply, nonbinding is just not good enough.” Such concerns are heightened by the fact that, currently, no worker-rights organisation is included in the talks. “This is the latest, and probably most sophisticated, in a series of industry public relations gambits designed to deflect attention from the real issue: the refusal of these companies to make a binding commitment to clean up their factories in Bangladesh,” Scott Nova, executive director of the Worker Rights Consortium, an advocacy group, told IPS in an e-mail. “This shows the pressure these corporations are under and their recognition that the failed inspection schemes they have been touting no longer have any public credibility. Unfortunately, their goal has not changed: they are still looking for political cover so they can preserve the very lu-

crative status quo.” Corporate-led process Concerns over corporate-led international labour and safety programmes have received boosts from U.S. lawmakers in recent days, as well. Last week, Representative Sander Levin warned that the oversight process has “been left up to the retailers, suppliers and government all these years, and that hasn’t worked.” On May 15, Levin and two dozen members of Congress wrote to Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, urging that her government put “the highest priority on aggressively enacting and enforcing comprehensive reforms … including the right to organize and form unions”. The lawmakers also noted, “it is critical that all key stakeholders take action”. Reports in recent days have suggested that the U.S. State and Labour Departments are currently arguing over how hard to push the Bangladeshi government on these issues. Unions and some advocacy groups are pressuring the U.S. to revoke certain bilateral trade concessions given to Bangladesh, though critics say doing so would give up important leverage for change. For now, Washington, seemingly led by the embassy in Dhaka, has chosen not to back the E.U. accord, although the U.S. State department says it is urging Bangladeshi officials to institute a suite of labour reforms. “We need a lot more from the U.S. government – why the em-

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No amount of bipartisan window dressing can change the fact that Walmart and the Gap have refused to take this important step. This is a matter of life or death. Quite simply, nonbinding is just not good enough.

bassy has decided not to endorse the E.U. standards is beyond me,” Charles Kernaghan, executive director of the Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights, a watchdog group, told IPS. “Of course, we have to remember that even the E.U. accord hasn’t put any emphasis on workers’ right to organise. It’s only workers themselves that can win their rights, and they can do so only once they have the right to organise and bargain collectively. The U.S. government needs to do far more on two issues: binding agreements on safety codes and the right to organise.”

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Their missing daughters By Ranjita Biswas

UWAHATI, India, Apr 23 2013 (IPS) - It is as if they have given up hope of ever seeing their girls again. They are an Adivasi family from a remote village in Assam state in India, nestled in the Himalayan foothills. The picturesque surroundings belie the hollowness they feel within. Three of their four daughters have been missing for the last five years. “Poor and ignorant, the parents simply don’t know where their girls have gone,” says Sunita Changkakati, executive director of the Assam Centre for Rural Development, an NGO in Guwahati. The Adivasis, an aboriginal tribal people whose ancestors the British had recruited from central India to work in the tea plantations of Assam, are particularly vulnerable to the menace of human trafficking, though women from tribal areas in lower Assam and others from neighbouring states in the northeast have been falling victim too. Wily agents stalk the countryside, hunting for gullible prey. The bait most often is the promise of big money, the lure of city life or the prospect of escaping a humdrum existence. Some even dangle the prospect of marriage, hooking impressionable girls under the pretence of having fallen in love with them, ‘marry’ them in secret, and instead of a promised honeymoon, deliver them to prostitution. Accordingly, in the last couple of years, there have been media reports of girls from the

north-east of India and other parts of Assam being rescued from brothels in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and elsewhere in the country. "The mother was obviously lying, but what could we do?” According to the records of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the state government of Assam, the recorded number of girls trafficked for sale outside the state started with a minuscule four in 2005, went up to 37 in 2009, 54 in 2011, and 79 in 2012. These numbers could be far from the real story, since parents seldom register cases of their missing daughters. Not all the missing girls end up in the sex trade. Bizarre as it may seem, many of them, some under the age of 18 – the stipulated year of adulthood under the Indian Constitution – find themselves getting married to much older farmers in the faraway Indian states Punjab and Haryana. Female foeticide and infanticide have skewed the malefemale sex ratio in these two north Indian states, leaving men in these villages with no women to marry. Hence, the practice of ‘buying’ consorts from middlemen. Getting a bride from the north-east may have been unheard of earlier. No longer so, never mind if there is little in common between their cultures. Some of the other abducted girls find themselves in the domestic help circuit in India’s metropolitan cities. Recruited by affluent families, “they are often underpaid, working almost as bonded labour,” says Stephen Ekka of Pajhra (mean-

ing ‘spring of life’), an NGO in Tezpur in the north-eastern state Assam. “Trafficking doesn’t mean only those sold into the sex trade,” says Ekka, who himself belongs to the Adivasi community. “Anyone who is unwillingly confined to a work-field can be considered as being trafficked.” Rajeeb Kumar Sharma, general secretary of the Global Organisation for Life Development (GOLD), an NGO in Guwahati, tells IPS about the case of a domestic worker recruited by a Delhi-based agent who complained of stomach pain, and when taken to a hospital was found to have had an organ removed without his knowledge. The hapless man was told that since so much expense had been incurred on his behalf, he had to make good the loss by bringing another able-bodied person from his village. Poverty and unemployment are the primary factors driving the villagers to desperation; the lack of social mobility and of education and opportunities for young people compounds the problem. Assam’s famous tea plantations, a major source of employment for the state’s populace and crucial contributor to its revenue, have been facing hard times in recent years. To cut costs, many have started employing only casual labour, especially during the tea plucking season. It wasn’t unusual in this scenario for girls to go out looking for work, even if their parents remained unaware of where the money was actually coming from. Even in the remotest vil-

lage, the name ‘Delhi’ now evokes instant recognition and is perceived as the magic word to open a world of untold riches. Often, a girl ‘from Delhi’ comes visiting, attired in ‘fancy’ clothes and heavy make-up, and bragging about how much she earns. It’s often a ruse, the surface glamour a lure to recruit other girls. Trapped thus, many girls set out to follow a dream, and return after visiting a nightmare, if they return at all. Changkakati of the Assam Centre for Rural Development recently came across a girl in a village who was barely 14 years old and nursing a six-month-old baby. “When we asked her mother about it, she said her daughter was married. The husband (she said) was apparently from Bihar, but since he had a shop in Delhi, he could not be with them. The mother was obviously lying, but what could we do?” NGOs like the one Changkakati works for or Ekka’s Pajhra, among many others, have been working in the past few years to raise awareness about human trafficking, helping rescue victims and rehabilitating them. Helping them in their efforts are local student bodies as well as organisations such as the All-Adivasi Women’s Association of Assam, headquartered in Majbaat near Udalguri town. Their members have easy access to the local community, making it easier to keep tabs on girls missing in the area. NGOs in the state have taken to implementing Ujjwala, a scheme to combat human trafficking, particularly of girls sold into prostitution. Vigi-

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When we asked her mother about it, she said her daughter was married. The husband (she said) was apparently from Bihar, but since he had a shop in Delhi, he could not be with them. The mother was obviously lying, but what could we do?

lance committees look out for possible cases of trafficking, and work in close collaboration with the police to rescue girls. In 2012, 78 girls were admitted to shelter homes. Rehabilitating the rescued girls, however, is difficult, especially if they have returned after a few years, due to social stigma. “Some girls have come back with really bad health conditions,” says Pajhra’s Ekka. “They look depressed too but do not want to talk much about what may have happened to them.” The state CID department has set up 14 anti-trafficking units. Special vigil is kept at railway stations.

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Neighbours view Sharif as yoked to personal, national history By Fatemeh Aman

Such rhetoric refers to an old dispute over the British-drawn boundary that divides Pakistan and Afghanistan as well as Pashtun tribal areas, though the region continues to be prone to frequent violence and remains a source of tension between the two countries. Whether Sharif can dispel such suspicions will yet another challenge he faces in improving ties with his neighbours.

ASHINGTON, May 22 2013 (IPS) - Following on Nawaz Sharif’s victory in the May 11 national elections in Pakistan, many analysts are indicating cautious optimism on the prospect that the new prime minister can strengthen bilateral relations with the country’s neighbours, particularly India. While entrenched interests among Pakistan’s powerful security establishment constitute one prominent obstacle to any such optimism, a more significant hindrance could be scepticism among the country’s other two neighbours – Afghanistan and Iran – over Sharif’s own past, including his dealings during his two previous stints as prime minister.

Better relations with India For the moment, Sharif himself is attempting to stoke this optimism. During his election campaign, Sharif pledged to revive India-Pakistan relations, which soured during Pervez Musharraf’s presidency from 2001 to 2008, and during a post-election phone call Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed his wish for a “new course” between the two countries. Following through on this vow, however, will be very difficult. Pakistan has long used ethnic tensions against India, as against Afghanistan, and changing this policy will require both a new mindset and a new set of convictions. Sayeed Salahudeen, chief of the Muttahida Jihad Council (MJC) and the Hizb-ul-Mujahedeen, a powerful separatist Kashmiri militia group believed to be based in Pakistan, has already warned Sharif not to abandon the “Kashmir cause” over “friendship with India”. As long as “Kashmir is under India’s occupation”, Sulahudeen continued, “the national security of Pakistan, the safety and security of its borders, and its economic stability is at stake.” Pakistan’s support for Kashmiri militants has been an essential part of Pakistan’s approach toward India, and any attempt to end this will take time. During his election campaign, Sharif stated that the Kashmiri conflict “needs to be resolved peacefully, to the satisfaction of not only both countries but also of the Kashmiri people.” Sharif also promised a full investigation into the Kargil conflict, the 1999 incident in which Pakistani soldiers and Kashmiri militants infiltrated Indian side of the Line of Control, setting off a major crisis between the two nuclear powers. Sharif, who was prime minister at the time, has long claimed that Musharraf, as the military commander, had acted on his own,

although another Pakistani army general insisted in January that Sharif himself was not as ignorant about the plans as he has said. The new prime minister has also said he plans to investigate the alleged involvement of Pakistan’s powerful Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) agency in the 2008 Mumbai bombings, another key action that would please India but thoroughly aggravate powerful elements within the Pakistani establishment. The India-Pakistan conflict is today deeply rooted, and governments in Pakistan, both civilian and military, have for decades viewed India as a strategic rival. Indeed, the potential “threat” from India has consistently been the army’s justification for its massive budget. While civilian governments have generally opposed increasing military expenditures, the military-intelligence establishment continues to exert considerable influence, particularly in foreign and security policymaking. Sharif’s post-election statement that the prime minister would now be “the army chief’s boss” was an attempt to mitigate this concern, but it remains unclear whether he will be able to effectively follow through. Sharif appears to hope that expanding economic ties between the two countries will weaken resistance to enhancing relations between the two long-time rivals. India’s economy has grown at a much more rapid pace than Pakistan’s over the past decade, and building stronger commercial ties to its giant western neighbour offers Islamabad perhaps the most direct route to getting its own economy out of the doldrums. Afghan discomfort While Sharif has established a certain cred-

ibility regarding his desire for better relations with India, the same does not hold true for Afghanistan where the new prime minister does not enjoy much popularity. This is due not only to his support for warring jihadi factions in 1992, but also because Pakistan under his watch became the first country to recognise the Taliban as the legitimate Afghan government in 1997. In addition, Afghans have yet to forget Sharif’s attempt to impose Sharia law in 1999, the same set of decrees the Taliban brutally imposed in Afghanistan. In his congratulatory message to Sharif, Afghan President Hamid Karzai expressed his hope that the two countries would be able to cooperate “to root out terrorism”. However, this was viewed mostly as a formality. “If Pakistan’s political officials want to show good faith,” an Afghan news website states, “they have to confront terrorist groups inside Pakistan that are organised by ISI.” Indeed, concern over an uncomfortably close association between Sharif and the Taliban intensified during the candidate’s preelection gathering in Lahore. If he won, Sharif promised, he would pull Pakistan back from the U.S.-led international “war on terror” coalition. If such a statement were not meant to “blackmail” the United States, an editorial in Afghanistan’s Hasht-e Sobh newspaper stated, it means “he is serious in what he is saying.” In a separate interview with the Hashte Sobh, Mahmoud Karzai – Hamid Karzai’s brother and a possible presidential candidate for Afghanistan’s 2014 election – accused Pakistan of attempting to annex Afghanistan, the prospects for which the country “tasted during Taliban rule”.

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Iran and Saudi Arabia Iran, which also accumulated its share of complaints about Islamabad’s behaviour under Sharif in the 1990s, is not expected to play a primary role in Pakistan’s regional policies, barring a major event such as a military crisis or controversy around gas pipelines. Contrary to some analyses, any Iranian scepticism regarding the new Pakistani government is not related to the Islamabad’s alleged support for Sunni insurgents in Balochistan province, on the Iranian side of the border. In fact, Iran and Pakistan have established a cooperative relationship on this front. Rather, scepticism stems, again, from Nawaz Sharif’s support of the Taliban during the 1990s, as well as his close associations with Saudi Arabia which, among other support, gave him safe haven during the years he was exiled from Pakistan after his ouster by Musharraf in 1999. Iran and Afghanistan almost went to war in 1998, after Taliban militants murdered Iranian diplomats in Mazar-e Sharif. Because of Sharif’s support for the Taliban, as well as his close ties to Riyadh, Tehran’s chief rival in a region that has become increasingly polarised along sectarian lines, Iran’s hard-line media has reacted with concern to his return as prime minister. Among other things, Tehran is concerned about the fate of the cross-border natural-gas pipeline between Iran and Pakistan despite strong U.S. opposition. Pakistan desperately needs Iranian gas to meet its growing energy needs, and outgoing Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad inaugurated the final construction phase of the pipeline in March. Pakistan received 500 million dollars to start building the pipeline in its territory, running through Balochistan into Karachi, and the deal is clearly to Pakistan’s advantage. However, if a story by one influential Pakistani newspaper is true, that deal could now find itself in jeopardy. The Dawn newspaper has reported on Sharif’s rumoured suggestions to Saudi Arabia that “he may be open to reviewing the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline.”

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