SAT June 2017

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South Asia Times Vol.14 I No. 11 I JUNE 2017 I FREE s o u t hasiatim es.com .au Editor: Neeraj Nanda

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

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Women, Still Major Victims of Sharp Disparities at Workplaces

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OME (IPS): Reducing gender disparities at workplaces by 25 per cent by 2025 could inject nearly 5.8 trillion dollars into the global economy and boost tax revenues, according to a United Nations report, ahead of the UN Labour Organization’s Summit on “A better future for women at work” on June 15.

The new report released by the United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO) informs that even though women are significantly less likely to participate in the labour market than men, once they manage to enter the labour market, finding work remains even more difficult for them their male counterparts.

“Helping women access the labour market is nevertheless an important first step,” said ILO, noting that in 2017, the global labour force participation rate for women –at just over 49 per cent– is nearly 27 percentage points lower than for men.

This figure is forecast to remain unchanged in 2018.

ILO on June 15 held a Summit on “A better future for women at work” in Geneva to discuss how to shape a better future for women at work.

Further recalling the commitment expressed by leaders of the Group of the 20 most industrialised countries (G20) in 2014, to reduce the gap in participation rates between men and women by 25 per cent by the year 2025, the ILO report World Employment and Social

Outlook Trends for Women 2017, estimates that some 5.8 trillion dollars could be added to the world economy.

(A woman walks to work in Singapore. Credit: ILO/ Giorgio Taraschi) “This could also unlock large potential tax revenues, in particular in countries in the North Africa, Arab and Southern Asia regions.”

In addition to the significant economic benefits, engaging more women in the world of work would have a positive impact on their well-being since most women would like to work.

“The fact that half of women worldwide are out of the labour force when 58 per cent of them would prefer to work at paid jobs is a strong indication that there are significant challenges restricting their capabilities and freedom to participate,”

said Deborah Greenfield, the ILO Deputy Director-General for Policy.

“The most immediate concern for policy makers, therefore, should be to alleviate the constraints that women face in choosing to enter the labour market and address the barriers they are confronted with once they are in the workplace,” she added.

Attitudes on Women and Men ‘Roles’ Have to Change Furthermore, the ILO report also highlights the need to “redefine the roles” of men and women at the workplace.

“We need to start by changing our attitudes towards the role of women in the world of work and in society. Far too often some members of society still fall back on the excuse that it is ‘unacceptable’ for a woman to have a paid job,” said Steven Tobin, the lead

DISCLAIMER 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.

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author of the report.

The report also emphasises the need to promote equal pay for work of equal value; tackle root causes of occupational and sectoral segregation; recognise, reduce and redistribute unpaid care work; as well as transforming institutions to prevent and eliminate discrimination, violence and harassment against women and men in the world of work.

Policies should also address the socio-economic factors that influence participation by introducing policies that improve workfamily balance, create and protect quality jobs in the care economy and target the macroeconomic environment and informal economy, according to Tobin.

—Source: Inter Press Service, June 16,2017.

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COMMUNITY

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EMPLOYER SPONSORED VISA PROGRAMME CHANGES: Frequently asked questions

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n 18 April 2017, the Government announced a number of changes in relation to the temporary andpermanent skilled migration programmes with the key decision to abolish of Temporary Work(Skilled) visa (subclass 457 visa) and replace it with the completely new Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa in March 2018. While various reforms have come in effect from 19April 2017, there are many others that will be executed in stages until March 2018. These reforms will be completed by this period to replace it with the TSS Visa.

This announcement of changes have raised specific questions which are addressed below along with the reforms that will be executed until March 2018: Changes from 19 April 2017, For the existing and prospective 457 visa applicants: • The occupation lists has significantly reduced from651 to 435 occupations.

• 216 occupations are removed from the list of eligible occupations; and • 59 caveats now apply to specified occupations -these either relate to work experience, regional location or are occupation specific. These caveats will be subject to regular review and may be added, altered or removed in future.; and • Access to 24 occupations out of 435 is limited to regional Australia.

Both the occupation list have been renamed and a new list is in effect which include Short-termSkilled Occupations List (STSOL) instead of Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL) andMedium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) instead of Skilled Occupations List (SOL). STSOL will be revised every six months based on advice from the Department of Employment.

Validity period: The maximum duration of 457 visas issued from this date for occupations that are onthe STSOL will be 2 years.

Occupations on the MLTSSL will continue to be issued for amaximumduration of 4 years unless a shorter period of employment was requested by the sponsor in the nomination or the

sponsor was a ‘start up’ business with an approved sponsorship agreement for only 18 months.

For new applicants for permanent employer sponsored skilled visa programmes: If your occupation is on the STSOL or an eligible occupation on the MLTSSL you can apply for the ENS Direct Entry stream.

However, Current holders of subclass 457 visas continue to be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the ENS visa. Access to the TRT stream is not based on the occupation lists and is therefore unaffected by these changes.FAQS: Q. Can people still apply for subclass 457 visas?

A. YESthe subclass 457 programmes remains openuntil the new TSS visa comes into effect in March 2018.However, thenew occupation list has been restricted (19 April 2017) and integrity settings will be further tightened.

Q. Do the above changes have any impacts onexisting subclass 457 visa holders?

A. No – unless they wish to change employers orpositions, in which case a new nomination willneed to be approved under the new arrangements.

Note: • This will include situations where due to businessstructure changes, an employer is required to lodge a new sponsorship application and isrequired to lodge new nomination applications to accommodate existing subclass 457 visa holders(unless they continue to work for an associated entity of an Australian sponsor).

• A new nomination approval for an occupationlisted on the STSOL will not result in reduction of the visa period already held by the visa holder.

Q. I have a pending application wherethe occupation has been removed from the listwhat happens now?

A. Once the application has reached theassessment stage; you will be contacted by theDepartment and given the opportunity to withdrawyour application in writing. The letter will specify aperiod for required response. Alternatively, you can request a withdrawal inwriting at any time and your client will then beentitled to a refund of the application fee. If you donot withdraw your application, it will be refused.

Q. Can I get a refund for an approved nomination ifa related visa application now cannot be approved?

A. Yes, if, a subclass 457

visa application is unable tobe granted where the approved nomination is for anoccupation that has been removed from the list, thesponsoring business can request that the nomination bewithdrawn and request a refund of the nomination fee.

Q. Can I change the nominated occupation?

A. No – but you can withdraw and lodge a newnomination with a new occupation specified for the nominee. This may, however, raise concerns aboutthe genuineness of the position – particularly if thenew occupation is substantially different.

Q. Do the changes impact cases that have areview application pending?

A. Yes – the AAT must make a decision based on the current framework – i.e. they are required to take into account recent occupation removals and caveats.

Q. Where the caveats require at least twoyears of work experience, what does thismean?

A. This means that a successful candidate for thenominated position would be expected to have completed at least two years full time (as per theindustry standard) work experience in the relevant occupation post qualification.

Q. Can you still apply for ENS if

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youroccupation is on the STSOL but not the MTSSL? A. Yes – currently, if your occupation is on theSTSOL or an eligible occupation on the MLTSSL you can apply for the ENS Direct Entry stream.

Whereas, currentholders of subclass 457 visas are continue to be eligible to apply for permanent residencythrough the Temporary Residence Transition(TRT) stream of the ENS visa.Access to the TRTstream is not based on the occupation lists and istherefore unaffected by these changes.

Changes from July 2017 For the existing and prospective 457 visa applicants: • Occupation lists: The STSOL will be further reviewed and MLTSSL will be revised based on outcomes from the Department of Education and Training.

• English language requirements exemption: English language salary exemption threshold, which exempts applicants whose salary is over $96,400 from the English language requirement, will be removed.

• Training benchmarks tightened: Policy settings about the training benchmark requirement will be made clearer in legislative instruments.

• Character: Provision of penal clearance certificates will become mandatory.

• Expanding mandatory skills assessments for more occupations For prospective permanent employer sponsored skilled visa programmes: • Occupations lists: The STSOL will be further reviewed and MLTSSL will be revised based on outcomes from the Department of Education and Training.

• English language requirements will be

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EMPLOYER SPONSORED VISA PROGRAMME CHANGES... raised to “competent” for all applicants (IELTS 6 each ) with TRT and Direct Entry requirements to be consistent; • Age: A maximum age requirement of 45 at the time of application will apply to Direct Entry stream applicants.

• 3 years skill and experience for Direct Entry applicants; FAQS: Q. What changes are being made to thetraining benchmarks?

A, Policy settings for training benchmarkrequirements are being clarified and tightened, by setting out: • the types of training funds eligible for training benchmark A; and • setting out the types of expenditure on trainingthat are acceptable for training benchmark B. Changes from March 2018 Subclass 457 visa will be abolished and replaced with the TSS visa.

1. Current Subclass 457 Visa will be replaced by new Temporary Short Skilled visas compromising two streams, Short term and Medium term. a. The short term stream will be up to two years with an option for an extension available. This stream does not have any direct permanent residency pathway. b. The medium term stream will be upto four years with an option to apply for permanent residency after three years.

2. Visa eligibility will require atleast two year work experience along with the qualification for both streams.

3. Labour market testing (LMT): LMT will be mandatory, unless an international obligation applies.

4. Minimum market salary rate: Employers must pay the Australian market salary rate and meet the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold requirements 5. Character: Mandatory penal clearance certificates to be provided.

6. Workforce: A nondiscriminatory workforce test to ensure employers are not actively discriminating against Australian workers.

7. Training requirement: Employers nominating a worker for a TSS visa will be required to pay a contribution to the Skilling Australians Fund. The contribution will be: - payable in full at the time the worker is nominated; - $1200 per year or part year for small businesses (those with annual turnover of less than $10 million) and $1800 per year or part year for other businesses.

8. Base Visa Application fee: $1150 for two year visa and $2400 for four year visa

The Short-Term stream: • Renewal: Capacity for visa renewal onshore once only.

• Occupations: • For non-regional Australia, the STSOL will apply.

• For regional Australia, the STSOL will apply, with additional occupations available to support regional employers.

• English language requirements: A requirement of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (or equivalent test) score of 5, with a minimum of 4.5 in each test component.

• Genuine entry: A genuine temporary entrant requirement.

The Medium-Term stream: • Renewal: Capacity for visa renewal onshore and a permanent residence pathway after three years.

• Occupation lists: • For non-regional Australia - the MLTSSL will apply.

• For regional Australia - the MLTSSL will apply, with additional occupations available to support regional employers.

• English language requirements: a requirement of a minimum of IELTS 5 (or equivalent test) in each test component.

For prospective permanent employer sponsored skilled visa programmes: From March 2018, new

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eligibility criteria for ENSand RSMS will include: • an upper age limit of 45 (from 50) for mostapplicants; • occupation must be on the MLTSSL (unless anadditional occupation approved for regional areas); • a minimum market rate salary: all visa holders must earn at least a minimum salary of $53,900 – that is the TSMIT; • at least three years’ relevant work experience; and • a pathway to permanent residence through TRTrequires 3 years on Medium-term TSS visa.

More information concerning the legislative details of future changes will be available closer to their implementation date.

This will include information about transitional arrangements for visa applicants and visa holders.

For more information please contact CECA on 03 9663 1318 or email to info@ ceca.com.au —Sukhdev Singh MARN: 1681949

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Rally demands plastic bags ban in Victoria

By SAT News Desk

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elbourne, 8 June: Hundreds of people gathered on the steps of the Victorian Parliament House to celebrate it and ask for action on marine plastic pollution. Two majestic whale puppets, a sperm whale and a humpback whale will swim amongstand breached high above the heads of the crowd, who

held up a mass of single use plastic bags.

The rally demanded ban on plastic bags in Victoria.

Plastic Bag Free Victoria collected 10,000 signatories prior to the bill being tabled and are nowwaiting on the government’s decision.

“Children and adults in communities throughout Victoria that I have spoken to in the thousands, areabsolutely mystified as to why the government hasn’t

acted to ban single use plastic bags” says Anthony Hill, Plastic Pollution Solutions.

In an open letter to the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said, “Our oceans cannot continue to withstand our relentless plastic consumption and our evidentinability to manage the resulting waste. Eight million tonnes of plastic enter global waterways each year. 95% of plastic packaging is used once

and then thrown away.”

The letter says: “We, the undersigned, ask that the Victorian government take immediate and decisive action on themain avoidable sources of marine plastic pollution, as identified in the Federal Senate Environment& Communications Reference Committee Inquiry (April 2016, Attachment 1) “Toxic tide: the threat of marine plastic pollution in Australia”:

1. Ban single-use plastic bags (including biodegradable, degradable and oxo-degradable bags) 2. Ban the sale of all products containing microbeads (cosmetic and industrial use) 3. Curtail excessive plastic packaging 4. Adopt a container deposit scheme 5. Better enforce existing laws to prevent nurdle spills from industrial sites.

Confluence: Pratibha Madan’s 1st Solo Art Exhibition in Melbourne

By SAT News Desk

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elbourne, 4 June: Leading artist Pratibha Madan will treat Melbourne with her first Solo Art Exhibition from July 12 – 23, 2017 (Wed-Sun) at The Highway Gallery, 14 The Highway, Mount Waverley.

The exhibition will showcase the journey of Pratibha Madan, ‘Confluence’ as the brilliant amalgamation of two vibrant cultures and art forms on canvas, blending the exquisite precision of figurative art with the mysterious freedom of abstraction.

Entry to the exhibition is free and Pratibha Madan can be contacted at – preetkriti@gmail. com. More information at – www.preetkriti.com. www.southasiatimes.com.au - (03) 9884 8096, 0421 677 082

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Victoria to appoint ‘South Asia Business Commissioner’ in Bangalore

By Neeraj Nanda

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elbourne, 12 June: Victoria has decided to go all out to woo business and trade relations with India and other South Asian countries.

This was disclosed today by Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade, Hon. Philip Dalidakis at a media conference for ethnic media at the Parliament House.

“The Andrews Government is also preparing an India strategy,” he said.

The Trade Minister also said building their own wealth is good for new migrants. He also praised international students in Victoria for contributing so much and those going back to home becoming Australia’s Ambassador’s in India. This he felt was a great contribution.

It was disclosed there

The Andrews government is also preparing an Indian strategy. are 175,000 international students in Victoria and it earned $ 7.1 billion from the international education sector.

Earlier, the Trade Minister was introduced by Multicultural Minister Hon. Robin Scott who detailed some of his initiatives including the international student travel discounts, trade mission to China, Hamer scholarship program and helping companies enter the China market.

Sangeet Sandhya Open forum for music lovers – classical, semi-classical & film music

Saturday 4/02/17 - Shubhangi Pandey Saturday 1/04/17 - Gurmit Sahni Tuesday 3/06/17 - Thai Group Saturday 5/08/17 - Satyendra Mishra Saturday 7/10/17 - Saurabh Mishra Saturday 2/12/17 - Yusuf Sultan

Swar Sandhya Open forum for music lovers; Karaoke – Popular Indian Music Bring your own music, perform and enjoy

Saturday 7/1/17 Saturday 6/5/17 Saturday 2/9/17

Saturday 4/3/17 Saturday 1/7/17 Monday 4/11/17

Venue: Brandon Park Primary School,

Time: 8.00pm

1-5 Ninevah Cr Wheelers Hill Free Entry, with ample parking, Free tea, coffee and biscuits Contact: Phone- 0402 074 208 or 0407 559 113 email- sangeetswarsandhya@gmail.com www.facebook.com/sangeetsandhya

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Victoria nation’s standout economic performer: Tim Pallas

BY SAT News Desk

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Melbourne, 7 June: Victoria’s economy is the powerhouse of the nation – with final demand growing faster than any other state andcreating more jobs than every other state combined.

Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today also shows Victoria’s State Final Demand grew by4.5 per cent in the year to March 2017 – almost triple the national average.

The quarterly figure of 1.4 per cent was also the strongest growth in the nation. In the six months to March, growth in Victoria's state final demand was the strongest it has been since the start ofthe Global Financial Crisis (March 2008), supporting the strongest job creation in the nation.

March quarter growth in Victoria was largely driven by positive contributions from public demand and house hold consumption expenditure.

Treasurer Tim Pallas says, "Victoria continues to be the nation’s standout economic performer, and as our economy grows, so too doopportunities for Victorians, with more than 115,000 jobs created in the past year."

“The prudent management of our state’s finances and our strong investment in infrastructure is allowing theVictorian economy to go from strength to strength.”

Overall, Australian GDP grew by 0.3 per cent over

the March quarter and is up 1.7 per cent over the year, broadlyin line with market expectations.

State final demand is a measure of economic activity which looks at the total amount of goods and services usedin the economy.

Victorian trade is also on the rise with yesterday’s ABS data showing a 7 per cent growth in exports in the year toMarch 2017, bringing the total annual value of exports up to $44.5 billion.

March quarter growth in Victoria was largely driven by positive contributions from public demand and house hold consumption expenditure.

Sunehri Yaadein with Mukhter Shah and Sangeetha Melekar on 15 July

By SAT News Desk

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elbourne: The year 2017 marks the 10th anniversary of the Australian Indian Benevolent and Charitable Trust. To mark the 10th anniversary, we are holding a concert ‘Sunehri Yaadein’ by two leading Hindi film musicians: Mukhter Shah and Sangeetha Melekar. They are Hindi playback singers in the Indian film industry who will be accompanied by an orchestra of 8 members.

The trust was established to assist people in cases of domestic violence and for funerals for Indians in need.

Since the inception, the trust gave financial assistance to nine cases of domestic violence and carried out fourteen funerals especially for the student community who

did not have the means to pay for them.

The body of a student who died in a car accident was kept in the mortuary of a public hospital. His brother came and identified the body and offered to send money for repatriation of the body. For six months the hospital kept the body because the family could not raise the money. The trust provided money for the cremation and sent the ashes back to the family. This is just one example of how the funds are utilised.

This year a student from the Asha Foundation from New Delhi was assisted to join Melbourne University to study Information Technology. He was given a scholarship and his accommodation fees were also waived. However, he required funding for

Sunehri Yaadein will be held at the Renaissance theatre, Kew High School Auditorium, High Street, Kew on 15th JULY 2017.

For Online Booking https://www.trybooking.com/PTPA The proceeds of the evening will go to The Australian Indian Benevolent and Charitable Trust.

For Tickets - Please Contact :Dr.Jasbir Bedi – 0424245217,Mr. Indrajit Jasal – 0413 586 857 and Dr. T. J. Rao – 0413 586 857 daily expenses. The trust provided $5,000 a year to assist him. There are several other similar examples.

The trust has $500,000 invested in J.B Were and 4 per cent of this amount (as per government rules) is distrib-

uted yearly to those in need.

It is my desire to raise the capital to 1 million dollars so that the trust can function more effectively.

The purpose of this concert is creating awareness and raise funds from donors

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towards this noble cause.

When sufficient funds have been raised, we plan to purchase a shelter for victims of domestic violence where they make seek temporary shelter.

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Victoria Police hosts Iftar dinner with Islamic community

By SAT News Desk

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elbourne, 15 June: Victoria Police hosted its 13th Chief Commissioner’s Iftar Dinner on Wednesday night (14 June) to commemorate Ramadan with representatives and leaders from Victoria’s Islamic community.

More than 150 people attended the event, including representatives from the Islamic Council of Victoria, the Victorian Board of Imams, Islamic Shia Council of Victoria, Benevolence Australia,

United Muslims Sisters of Latrobe Valley, Rabbinical Council of Victoria and the Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria.

Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said he was proud to host his third Iftar Dinner which had a theme of ’social cohesion’.

“The relationship between Victoria Police and the Islamic community is one that we value greatly – and it’s one that is continually strengthened,” CCP Ashton said.

“We are proud to serve a vibrant multicultural community and believe everyone has the right to

live free from prejudice regardless of faith, background, age or gender.

“With the recent challenging events across the globe, it’s more important than ever that we focus on those things that unite us, as members of a rich and diverse Victorian community.”

Last night’s dinner, and numerous other Iftar dinners between local Islamic communities and Victoria Police members across the state, provided invaluable opportunities to share experiences and build understanding and respect.

The evening included a

presentation on Victoria Police’s Social Cohesion Partnership Project, which focusses on the co-design and delivery of projects by culturally and linguistically diverse communities and their local police. It aims to promote harmony, and cultural understanding in local communities.

CCP Ashton said Victoria Police was committed to remaining connected with all communities: “We value all faith communities across the state and our commitment to community engagement will only be strengthened over the coming years.”

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We are proud to serve a vibrant multicultural community and believe everyone has the right to live free from prejudice regardless of faith, background, age or gender.

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8,300 traffic offences during Queen’s Birthday long weekend

Big jump in fines for speeding & using mobile phones

By SAT News Desk

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elbourne, 13 June: Police detected more than 8,300 traffic offences and more than 800 crime offences during the four days of Operation Regal over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.

Disappointingly 3,160 motorists were caught speeding and 418 motorists fined for using their mobile phones, an increase of 23 and 28 per cent respectively on last year.

One in every 15 drivers

tested furnished a positive result for drugs while 245 drink drivers were caught after more than 147,200 drivers were tested.

Road Policing Command Acting Assistant Commissioner Debra Robertson said the number of people found to be speeding as well as using their phones was a risk to the community so easily avoided.

“I’m not sure what it will take for motorists to heed the warnings,” A/AC Robertson said.

“Does it have to be the loss of a loved one for the message to get through?

“All our available highway patrol members and police throughout the state worked hard over the weekend in trying to keep all our road users safe.

“Sadly however two people were killed over the weekend, a 62-yearold male motorcyclist in Baxter and a 25-year-old man off-road after the minibike he was riding collided head-on with another bike at Holly Plains State Park.

“What must not be forgotten though are those who have been seriously injured - we have a number of people, including a cyclist who was struck

by a car in Macedon, still fighting for their lives.

Other infringements issued across the weekend, include: • 195 disqualified/ suspended drivers • 354 unlicensed drivers • 808 unregistered vehicles • 3160 speeding offences • 418 mobile phone offences • 549 disobey signs/ signals • 70 vehicle impounds • 218 seat belt offences The operation ran from 12.01am Friday 9 June until 11:59pm Monday 12 June.

One in every 15 drivers tested furnished a positive result for drugs while 245 drink drivers were caught after more than 147,200 drivers were tested.

Political attacks on the courts a very worrying trend: Law Council

By SAT News Desk

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elbourne, 13 June: The Law Council, speaking on behalf of the Australian legal profession, is calling for an end to political attacks on the judiciary, especially in cases where they might be perceived to interfere with matters currently before the courts.

Law Council of Australia President, Fiona McLeod SC, said recent comments from Government MPs referring to "ideological experiments" supposedly being carried out by the judicial system were gravely concerning.

“It is inappropriate to suggest that judges decide

their cases on anything other than the law and the facts presented to them by the parties,” Ms McLeod said.

“Attacking the independence of the judiciary does not make Australia safer, in fact it erodes public confidence in the courts and undermines the rule of law.

“It is Australia's robust adherence to the rule of law that has underpinned this nation's status as one of the most peaceful, harmonious, and secure places in the world.”

Ms McLeod said the Law Council has particular concerns about comments made in the media today by Government MPs about a terror-related case currently

before the courts in Victoria.

"Australian politicians have traditionally, and quite correctly, been very careful to avoid any perception of attempting to influence the courts. This is a standard that should be upheld by every Member of Parliament," Ms McLeod said.

“Commenting on a matter that is currently before the courts could be perceived by members of the public as an attempt to influence the outcome and interfere with the court process.”

Ms McLeod noted that the media commentary today was actually prompted by the

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court observing the difference in recent sentencing decisions between States and asking the prosecutor and defence Counsel to address submissions on this difference.

“The horrific nature of the crime is apparent to all and was in fact noted by members of the court during the hearing of the appeal,” Ms McLeod said.

"It is therefore particularly unfair and concerning that the independence and impartiality of the courts have today been questioned.

“The Court of Appeal will in this case, as in all cases, decide the matter on the facts and the applicable law.”

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Cranbourne MP Jude Perera gives away awards to Salendra Rise Volunteers

By SAT Community Desk

M

elbourne: Local Cranbourne MP Hon.JudePerera awarded & acknowledged the volunteers of the Salenda Rise Australian

Indian Association with a certificates of appreciation for organising the successful Diwali event in 2016 at the BallaBalla Community Centre. Local community activist & Chairperson of Subcontinent Friends of

Labor (Victoria) Manoj Kumar was also present during award ceremony. The association was formed in 2015 under leadership of Mr. Nirmal Singh Namdhari (who is presently chairman of the association) with a

mission to unite and engage community to celebrate our presence and festivals together and promote Australian diversity. The association has celebrated two Diwali festivals and few social forums to promote

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peace and harmony within the newly developed community. The volunteers thanked local MP Jude Perera for his keen involvement to promote more multicultural activities within the Cranbourne/Casey area.

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Two-thirds of recent migrants and temporary residents employed M

By SAT News Desk

elbourne, 14 June: Some 65 per cent of Australia's 1.7 million recent migrants and temporary residents were employed in November 2016, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today.

"Around 9 per cent of recent migrants arrived with their employment confirmed, while 46 per cent spent up to three months looking for their first job," said Denise Carlton, Program Manager of Population Statistics at the ABS. "An estimated 82 per cent of skilled migrants who were the main visa applicant were employed as at November 2016."

"Around 65 per cent of recent migrants arrived in Australia with a nonschool qualification, more than three quarters (76 per cent) of these holding a Bachelor Degree or higher.

Approximately one third (36 per cent) of recent migrants had obtained a non-school qualification after arrival in Australia. Of these, half (50

per cent) had obtained a Bachelor Degree or higher."

The 2016 Characteristics of Recent Migrants Survey collected information about migrant employment, education and household income of those who have arrived in Australia over the past 10 years.

Almost one third of recent migrants who have had a job in Australia reported difficulties in finding their first job, with the most common reason being a lack of local work experience and references (65 per cent) followed by a lack of local contacts or networks (31 per cent).

An estimated 43 per cent of recent migrants who had been employed since their arrival received help to find their first job. Assistance most commonly came from friends or family (74 per cent), followed by Centrelink or an employment services provider (17 per cent).

Ms Carlton said: "Since 2007, about 1.9 million people aged 15 years and older on arrival have entered Australia equivalent to 10 per cent of the total Australian

population over 15 years of age." Further details are available in Characteristics of Recent Migrants, Australia, Nov 2016 (cat. no. 6250.0) available for free download from the ABS website http://www.abs.gov. au.

1 in 5 adult women have experienced stalking New analysis released today by the ABS highlights important differences in the way in which Australian men and women experience and respond to stalking.

The 2012 Personal Safety Survey found that approximately one in five adult women and one in thirteen adult men had experienced stalking during their lifetime.

Additional analysis of this dataset has revealed further differences in the characteristics of men’s and women’s most recent episode of stalking.

Whilst both men and women were more likely to be stalked by someone they knew, women were more likely than men to experience anxiety or fear as a result of being stalked.

“The results also

show that women were significantly more likely to experience stalking by a male than by a female perpetrator, whereas men were equally likely to experience stalking by either sex,” said William Milne, Director of the ABS’ National Centre for Crime and Justice Statistics.

“Men were less likely to perceive stalking as a crime, less likely to experience anxiety or fear, and less likely to contact the police

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if the stalker was a female compared to a male. In contrast, for women, the sex of the stalker had no impact on their likelihood of perceiving stalking as a crime, experiencing anxiety or fear, and contacting the police.”

Further information can be found in In Focus: Crime and Justice Statistics series (cat. no. 4524.0), available for free download from the ABS website: http://www. abs.gov.au/.

IFJ-SAMSN Guide to Monitoring Internet Shutdowns launched

By SAT News Desk

T

he International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the South Asia Media Solidarity Network (SAMSN) today launched the IFJ-SAMSN Guide to Monitoring Internet Shutdowns during the ongoing campaign against internet shutdowns in South Asia.

The #JournosAgainstShutdowns campaign aims to raise awareness among media workers on the impact of internet shutdowns as a freedom of expression and press freedom issue; encourage journalists and their unions and professional organizations to advocate against and monitor shutdowns; strengthen regional collaboration and join international efforts and coalitions in advocacy against internet shutdowns.

“Shutting down online access has direct economic, social and psychological consequences on states and citizens alike. However, internet shutdowns strike at the very foundation of freedom of expression and press freedom and have major implications for the media. This is why journal-

ists must be at the forefront of campaigns for free access to the internet,” the IFJ said.

The Guide is primarily targeted to journalists and their unions, and lists out ways to systematically monitor and document internet shutdowns. Such systematic evidence can help gauge the extent and nature of shutdowns at not only national or provincial levels but also at the local level. The systematic recording of internet shutdowns will help provide data that can feed evidence-based and effective campaigns to keep the internet on.

Union leaders of South Asia

have called for an end to internet shutdowns saying they are against freedom of expression and press freedom.

Rahimullah Samandar, President of the Afghan Independent Journalists Association (AIJA) said: “Shutting down and blocking of the internet is a major concern for journalists in South Asia as it limits journalists’ work and violates press freedom.”

Anita Bindu, the vice-president of Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) said: “Internet shutdowns are attacks on freedom of expression and press freedom therefore are not desirable in democracy.”

C Dodawatta, the convenor of Free Media Movement (FMM) Sri Lanka, said: “In this era in which the horizons of expression have been broadened, restrictions for freedom of expression in the Asian region and cutting down the rights should be denounced.

We Asians have a special right to act against such restrictions, and therefore we stand against internet shutdown in the region."

“Freedom of expression is the first casualty when internet shutdowns happen. To perform their professional duties and responsibilities, journalists and media need access online and offline at all times,” the IFJ said. “Therefore,

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every journalist needs to monitor and document internet shutdowns; and report the big story behind internet shutdowns.”

In 2016, South Asia experienced the highest number of internet shutdowns globally with India, Pakistan and Bangladesh have having documented evidence of a high number of internet shutdowns.

The Guide is available for download and more information about the #JournosAgainstShutdowns campaign can be found here- https://samsn.ifj.org/wpcontent/uploads/2017/06/MonitoringDocumenting_Final.pdf Source: IFJ

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business

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The Power of Facebook Marketing for Small Businesses – Part 2 M

By Shriram Iyer

If you missed, Part 1 from last month’s issue then here’s a short recap: • Facebook is one of the strongest marketing platforms for small businesses and can provide higher ROI than most digital marketing options.

• Two concepts are key to maximising the return on your marketing spend on Facebook: o Sales Funnel (or Lead Nurturing) o Re-targeting (or Remarketing) • Facebook is a potent tool to drive customer numbers by helping businesses:

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o Acquire new customers o Retain existing customers.

Now that we have gone through the ‘previously on…’ section, let’s focus on the main topic for Part 2 of this piece: The Sales Funnel (a.k.a ‘Lead Nurturing’)

What is a Lead?

A Lead is most commonly defined as a strong interest in the products / services of a business in the form of an email, a completed quote / contact us form (usually on the website), a phone call or foot traffic.

What is a Sales Funnel?

In order to explain this, please refer to the image in the article. This is just one of many examples

of a Sales Funnel. Many marketers might also refer to this by other names

such as ‘Consumer Buying Stages’ or ‘Lead Nurturing’, which effectively still mean the same thing. Let’s look at each of these stages as shown in the image.

value, based on referrals from trusted sources, based on their initial experiences with you and other triggers, they will have their hands on their wallets.

Awareness Is your potential customer aware that you exist? Are they aware of what services / products or more importantly what value you provide to them?

If they don’t know these things, how can you expect them to transact with you.

Money changing hands is a universe away at this point.

Your goal here is to be seen by your potential customer, for them to be made aware about you.

Action But a lot can go wrong even after the decision stage. We live in a world that is so ridiculously competitive, that a simple google search to get contact details can take a potential client away from us, hurtling towards the competition.

Which is why our value proposition should be tight and the potential customer’s attention firmly arrested through your digital properties. What’s that sound? That’s your cash register ringing!

Interest Once they are aware, they will make certain associations about you.

They might be interested, or they might not. If they are in your target market, you could entice them again through other mediums. If they are not in your target market forget them. A ‘Like’ on your Facebook Page falls under this category. They are still not ready to buy; they have just moved one step down into the Sales Funnel. That’s all. But it’s a great start. Now you know why your ‘Likes’ don’t automatically translate into dollars.

Decision After further engagement, maybe on several occasions, your potential customer will make a decision.

Shakespeare would have called it the ‘To Buy or Not To Buy’ moment. Based on how they perceive your www.southasiatimes.com.au - (03) 9884 8096, 0421 677 082

In a Nutshell…

Wooing a potential customer is like a boy wooing a girl. Asking her hand in marriage on a first date is not a good idea. It might send her packing, and worse into the arms of the competition. In other words, a lead generated needs to be nurtured, guided through the sales funnel right until the stage where money changes hands (of course the relationship doesn’t finish there).

What Next? Call Me Running a small business is hard work. Let’s make it slightly easier for you. Call me on 0424 287 904 and we can organise for a FREE strategy session where we can talk through your goals.

And if Facebook marketing is a good fit, we can talk further. No sweat, either way. Coffee is on me!

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EDUCATION SERVICES Visit us at : Level 4, 50 Queen Street, Melbourne, Vic 3000 Phone: 9629 4529, Fax: 9629 4629, Email: info@wavesconsultancy.com www.wavesconsultancy.com

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The real story behind India's GDP 'Growth'

By Prabhat Patnaik

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ew Delhi: The Slowdown in GDP Growth: A retrospective revision of the base in short had artificially boosted the growth rate figure. When the CSO had released advance estimates of GDP for the October-December quarter of 2016-17, within which demonetisation had occurred, the fact that the economy had still shown a 7 per cent growth rate, had been an occasion for much celebration in government circles. It had been used by the government to argue that, contrary to the claims of the critics, demonetisation had not hurt the economy.

Even then however it had been clear that a major reason for this 7 per cent growth figure was a downward revision of the third quarter GDP estimate for 2015-16, the base on which the third quarter growth for 2016-17 was calculated. (All growth calculations take the figure for the corresponding period of the preceding year as the denominator). A retrospective revision of the base in short had artificially boosted the growth rate figure. Besides, the full impact of demonetisation, it was pointed out, would take time to manifest itself.

The fourth quarter (January-March) GDP estimates released by the CSO a few days ago indeed show a significant slowing down of growth, to 6.1 per cent for this quarter. Even this statistic however does not fully capture the slowing down of the economy. The GDP figure is compiled at market prices and hence includes net indirect taxes levied by the government; it does not accurately reflect production trends.

To capture the latter, we have to look at figures of gross value added. And these show a 5.6 per cent growth over the fourth quarter of 2015-16, down from 6.7 per cent in the third quarter. The corresponding

growth figures for the third and fourth quarters of 201516 were 7.3 per cent and 8.7 per cent respectively, which means a whopping 3.1 per cent drop in the growth rate figure in the fourth quarter compared to a year ago.

Even this drop however does not adequately capture the jolt to the economy because of demonetisation.

Quite apart from the fact that none of these figures properly cover the petty production sector, where the impact of demonetisation has been most severe, there is an additional factor to consider. After two successive drought years, 2016-17 was a year of recovery for agriculture.

While demonetisation might have had some adverse impact towards the fagend of the agricultural year, the favourable weather conditions generally kept up agricultural output during this year.

In the fourth quarter for instance agricultural output grew by 5.2 per cent over the previous year, compared to 1.5 per cent in the corresponding quarter of 2015-16. Now, if agriculture is taken out of the reckoning altogether, then we find that the fourth quarter growth for the non-agricultural sector, where the impact of demonetisation would have been felt most pronouncedly, slipped

from 10.5 per cent in 201516 to 5.7 per cent in 201617, which is a dramatic collapse.

The gross value added figures for individual sectors in fact bear this out.Construction, which is highly employmentintensive, actually shrank by 3.7 per cent, and manufacturing grew by only 5.3 per cent in the fourth quarter. (The manufacturing growth rate figure according to the new method of calculation is likely to be an overestimate for all quarters, but comparisons across years can nonetheless be made). All these fourth quarter growth rate figures for 2016-17 are in fact much lower than the figures for the earlier quarters, and also for the preceding year.

Taking the annual figure, we find that gross value added increased in 201617 by 6.6 per cent, which was a drop from the 7.9 per cent recorded for 2015-16.

This is quite remarkable because agriculture which had recorded a growth rate of 0.7 per cent in 201516 grew by 4.9 per cent in 2016-17. Again if we take agriculture out of the reckoning, then we find that the rate of growth of the non-agricultural sector was 9.7 per cent in 2015-16 and fell to 7 per cent in 201617, which is a pretty sharp

drop.

There can be little doubt therefore that demonetisation had a significant adverse impact on the economy, exactly as the critics had anticipated when it was announced. At the same time however it would be a serious error to see the entire slowdown of growth in the Indian economy in 2016-17 as a consequence of only demonetisation, as some neo-liberal economists are suggesting. The slowdown began long before demonetisation, but demonetisation greatly accentuated it, whence it also follows that even when re-monetisation has been completed, the growth-rate will never again bounce back to the levels reached earlier.

This is because the neo-liberal order has reached a dead-end, where stagnation, interrupted only occasionally and transiently by asset-price bubbles, will be the new “normal”; and countries like India, unless they break out of the neoliberal regime, which must mean a degree of de-linking from globalisation, will also be caught in this stagnation.

The revised estimates of GDP growth for the four quarters of 2016-17 (over the corresponding quarters of the previous year), were: 7.9 per cent, 7.5 per cent,

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7.0 per cent and 6.1 per cent. While one has to be careful comparing growth rates across quarters (since each is calculated over the GDP figure one year ago, and those base year figures may have moved in all sorts of ways), it is clear nonetheless that there is a distinct slowing down of growth through the year. In fact many see the economy as slowing down from the second quarter of 2016-17 onwards, which is striking as it has occurred despite a remarkable increase in agricultural growth.

Of course, peasant agriculture, like other spheres of petty production, has been a victim of the neo-liberal regime, under which the State has done the following things: it has withdrawn support from this sector allowing its profitability to decline; it has made it vulnerable to world price fluctuations; and it has exposed it to a direct relationship with agribusiness and domestic and foreign monopolists.

The impact of all these changes has been felt on agricultural growth, so much so that even if we ignore the two drought years 2014-15 and 201516, and compare 2013-14 directly with 2016-17, we still find that the per capita income of the agriculturedependent population has stagnated or even marginally declined between these two years (See “A Simple Arithmetic”, People’s Democracy, May 27). The Modi government has been totally complicit in this squeeze on the peasantry, which has claimed three lakh peasant lives through suicides, because the Modi government has been unthinkingly neo-liberal, and hence ultra-neo-liberal.

What happens to the GDP in the non-agricultural sectors depends generally on the level of demand for these sectors’ products.

Since demand also comes from the output of these sectors themselves, which put incomes in the CONTD. ON PG 21

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Problems in the execution of Chabahar Port M

elbourne, 25 October: Labour leader and leader of opposition in Victoria, Hon. Daniel Andrews, today announced Labour will build an, ‘Indian Precinct’ in Melbourne, if elected to govern Victoria on 29 October, when Victoria goes to polls to elect a new government. The surprise Diwali gift was announced

by Hon. Daniel Andrews at the Federation Square Diwali event, organised by the Celebrate India.

Reuters had reported, citing Indian officials, that Western manufacturers were shying away from supplying equipment for the Iranian port that India was developing for fear the United States might reimpose sanctions on Tehran. India had committed $500 million to speed development of the port after sanctions on Iran were lifted following a deal struck between major powers and Tehran to curb

its nuclear program in 2015.

But the state-owned Indian firm that was developing Chabahar was yet to award a single tender for supplying equipment such as cranes and forklifts, according to two government sources tracking India's biggest

overseas infrastructure push. Swiss engineering group Liebherr and Finland's Konecranes (KCRA.HE) and Cargotec (CGCBV.HE) had told India Ports Global Pvt Ltd, which was developing the deep water port, that they were unable to take part in the

bids as their banks were not ready to facilitate transactions involving Iran due to the uncertainty over U.S. policy.

These firms dominated the market for customized equipment to develop jetties and container terminals. One official said

the first tender was floated in September, but attracted few bidders because of the fear of renewed sanctions.

That fear had intensified since January. "Now the situation is that we are running after suppliers," one official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of matter.

India's ambassador to Iran Saurabh Kumar said in an emailed response to Reuters from Tehran that the process of procuring equipment for the Chabahar port was under way and that some of the customized cranes needed could take up to 20 months to build. The banking situation was slowing improving, he added. So far, even an initial credit line of $150 million that India wanted to extend to Iran for development of Chabahar had remained a non-starter as Tehran had not been able to do its part of work.

—Source: The Citizen

CBI raid on NDTV: Press freedom in India suffers major blow, says NYT, recalling strict censorship of 1975-77

By Our Representative

i

n a scathing attack on the Government of India, powerful US daily, “The New York Times” (NYT) has said that press freedom in India has “suffered a fresh blow” because of the Central Bureau Investigation (CBI) Monday raid on “homes and offices connected to the founders of NDTV, India’s oldest television news station.”

In an opinion piece, titled "India's Battered Free Press", approved by the Editorial Board of NYT, the daily says in its editorial, published in the print edition of June 7, “The raids mark an alarming new level of intimidation of India’s news media under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

Calling the “story” behind the raid “a bit tangled”, a “gist” of the story by NYT quotes CBI as saying that it conducted the raids

“because of a complaint that NDTV’s founders had caused ‘an alleged loss’ to ICICI, a private bank, related to repayment of a loan.”

“In 2009, ICICI said the note had been paid in full.

Not really, the investigators said: A reduction in the interest rate had saddled the bank with a loss — hence the raid”, NYT adds.

Insisting that this story “doesn’t wash”, NYT underlines, “India’s large corporations regularly default on debt with nary a peep from authorities.”

It goes on: “In fact, even as India’s state-owned banks are holding bad debt of about $186 billion, Mr. Modi’s government has hesitated to go after big defaulters.”

“But suddenly we have dramatic raids against the founders of an influential media company — years after a loan was settled to a private bank’s satisfaction”, says NYT, adding, “To

Mr Modi’s critics, the inescapable conclusion is that the raids were part of a ‘vendetta’ against NDTV.” NYT recalls, ever since Modi took office in 2014, “journalists have faced increasing pressures”, adding, “They risk their careers — or lives — to report news that is critical of the government or delves into matters that powerful politicians and business interests do not

want exposed.”

The daily says, “News outlets that run afoul of the government can lose access to officials. The temptation to self-censor has grown, and news reports are increasingly marked by a shrill nationalism that toes the government line.”

Pointing out that “through all this, NDTV has remained defiant”, the daily says, “Last year, its Hindi-language

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station was ordered off the air for a day as punishment for reporting on a sensitive attack on an air base, but it stood by its reporting, insisting that it was based on official briefings.”

Praveen Swami, an Indian Express reporter, who warned on Twitter that Monday’s raids were “a defining moment,” adding: “The last time this sort of thing happened was during the Emergency,” the daily says, this was “a reference to the strict censorship of 1975-77 when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency and ruled as an autocrat.”

“Sadly”, concludes NYT, “Mr Swami’s warning is warranted. The CBI said on Tuesday that it ‘fully respects the freedom of press.’ Even if that’s true, the question still outstanding is whether Mr Modi does.”

—Source: Counterview

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The real story behind...

CONTD. FROM PG 18 hands of those engaged in their production, it is the autonomous or exogenous element of demand for these sectors’ output that is the crucial determinant of this output.

A part of this autonomous demand of course comes from the agricultural sector; but since per capita incomes of the agriculturedependent population have hardly increased at all, this source of demand has been stagnant in absolute terms.

The two other autonomous elements are net exports and government expenditure (since investment responds to the growth of demand and therefore is not really autonomous; and even though consumption has an autonomous element, this element changes only slowly over time).

Now the stimulus from exports per se is waning because of the impact of the world economic crisis, and also because, superimposed upon this crisis is Donald Trump’s protectionism which amounts to exporting unemployment and recession from the US to economies like India. On the other hand, the stimulus from the drop in the value

of imports owing to the oil-price fall could have boosted domestic demand, but the government has used this fall for garnering larger revenues through excise duty-hikes, while not letting petro-product prices fall for the consumers.Hence the stimulus to demand from net exports (exports minus imports) has been waning.

In this situation one would have expected the government to spend more to boost domestic demand to ward off a slowdown in growth. But total central government expenditure has increased in nominal terms, during the Modi years, at a rate that is lower than the rate of increase in nominal GDP, which means that far from stimulating the economy central government expenditure has played the role of dampening the economy still further.

The rate of increase in total central government expenditure has been 6.7 per cent in 2014-15, 7.6 per cent in 2015-16, and 12.5 per cent (for implementing Pay Commission recommendations) in 2016-17 (RE). The budget estimate for 2017-18

visualises only a 6 per cent increase. Since the nominal GDP has been rising at a rate in excess of 12 per cent on average, it follows that government expenditure has not even kept pace with GDP, let alone providing an autonomous stimulus to its growth.

Faced with the crisis of neo-liberalism in other words, the Modi government, instead of trying to counter the crisis by acting in some

manner that is different from what neo-liberalism demands, has become even more ultra-neo-liberal, even more of an obedient servant to international finance capital. Unthinking adherence to neo-liberalism, together with occasional unthinking “macho” acts like demonetisation (which by no means challenge neoliberalism), are the hallmark of this government.

This trait springs from the fact that it is an unthinking

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government, indeed a government incapable of thought, because the “leader” who demands sycophantic applause, lacks the wherewithal for such thought. International finance capital always loves such governments in the third world, since they remain intellectually parasitical upon the “global financial community”.

—Source: People's Democracy, 10 June 2017.

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NDTV is anti-India, anti-Hindu & anti-BJP: Sambit Patra

By SAT correspondent

M

elbourne, 17 June: The national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Dr.

Sambit Patra today came down heavily on the NDTV describing it as “anti-India, anti-Hindu & anti-BJP. Dr.Patra who is touring Australian cities to celebrate the Modi led NDA

government’s three years in power, was answering to Melbourne based SAT (South Asia Times) question about the NDTV episode where he alleged NDTV ‘agenda’ and was asked to

leave the live discussion by the anchor.

Earlier, Dr. Patra gave a half hour speech on the achievements of the three years of Modi government in a program organised by the Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) Australia at the Thornbury Theatre here.

Dr. Patra addressing the gathering on the ‘ABCD of achievements’ described the demonetisation step as one that touched every section of Indian society in its aim to weed out unaccounted money in the country. He then supplement www.southasiatimes.com.au - (03) 9884 8096, 0421 677 082

detailed other Modi government programs of rural electrification, girl’s education, ease of doing business, infrastructure development among others.

The BJP leader said India has now arrived on the global scene and it is the Indian civilization based on the Vedic culture that was engulfing the world.

The gathering was also addressed by the OFBJP leaders and political leaders including Gevin Jennings (ALP) Indian Counsel in Melbourne Manika Jain and Inga Peulich (Liberal).

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By Rashid Sultan The dictionary meaning of irony:Use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning.

Saudi Arabia: One of the wealthiest as well as one of the most conservative societies in the world. The kingdom is custodian of the two most sacred Islamic shrines in Mecca and Medina. Their religious as well as social life is greatly influenced by Wahhabism- after Wahhab, the mentor and religious teacher of the first King Saud who established the kingdom.

Nowhere is it more evident than its attitude towards women.

They must remain in veil in public; they need a male guardian to decide their education, financial and marital needs. He can be a father, brother, husband or a son who must give them permission to pursue their life choices.Women are not allowed to drive; they need a male escort to ride a taxi on roads which are ‘almost’ paved with gold- one of the best in the world. The few sports they play are almost exclusively witnessed by women. The state is very strict with uniforms they wear while playing.

There have been scores of cases where young girls have rebelled against this practice; many of them are now in

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Ironies galore

detention.

The list goes on.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has just been chosen for a seat in the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

Australia: More than a thousand refugees and asylum seekers, mainly from Afghanistan, Syria and Sri Lanka are in Nauru and Manus Island (PNG) detention camps for about 4 years. Their sin? They needed to flee from persecution and torture some of which has resulted due to Western policies/actions/war and it includes Australia as a member of the “coalition of the willing”.

And, why? Because Australia wanted to teach them a lesson- these wretched people were fleeing from persecution and torture and came to Australian shores for protection, uninvited.

Italy, on the other side of the world, has been experiencing the brunt of this global refugee problem head on and accommodating them in their hundreds of thousands (there have already been more than 60,000 refugees so far in this calendar year). Germany has already accepted more than a million refugees on its soil in the last year to the extent that it has aroused the wrath of far-right political factions endangering Angela Merkel’s government.

The current Australian laws are so strict and dictatorial that no news is allowed to come out of these camps

about their plight and conditions. Whatever little we are privy to, indicates that they are suffering physically, mentally and emotionally. There have been several cases of attempted suicides and self- mutilation.

Reason? Uncertainty of their future. This detention has involved women and little and innocent children too.

Interestingly, more than 90% of them have been assessed as genuine refugees. This is a scenario we often come across in despotic regimes but, unheard of in a western democracy. It makes a mockery of the UN charter on Refugees of which Australia is a signatory. Whatever little we are able to glimpseout of this gloom is mainly due to journalists like Michael Gordon, who have been reporting on this subject, zealously, for 4 years else we would never know what is going on behind the fencing of these detention centres.

But, Australia’s treatment of the indigenous communities for the last 200 years is well known throughout the world.

The record of massacres, long incarcerations, disproportionate custodial deaths and the living standards of the indigenous people (the first nation) is enough to bring any sensible Australian to shame.

Australia, now, desperately, is trying to gain a seat in the pre-eminent human rights body- the UN human rights council.

India: Themain ideological plank of the RSS and its, various units of the Saffron Parivarhas been – Akhand Bharat(read India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan) and Hindu, Hindi Hindustan. Their Hindu nationalism is highly influenced by Hitler’s Fascism.

Hitler is a very revered person in their philosophy.

To reach the zenith of Hinduism (revival of so-called glories of the past), minorities (Muslims and Christians, mainly) are regarded as a thorn who are preventing them to reach their lofty goal (aka Jews in pre- war Germany).

The BJP, the RSS’ protégé and its earlier avatar, Jan Sangh have been known for their antipathy towards minorities.

There are numerous examples where perpetrators against the minorities are going scot freeGujarat massacre, demolition of Babri Masjid, Daadrilynching et al. Their leaders are now publicly calling for demolition of mosques Varanasi and Mathura. Their other demands? Uniform civil code, abrogation of article 370, cow protection etc.

Suddenly, one fine morning, we find the BJP government, in the name of providing justice to Muslim women, is fighting a case in the Supreme Court against triple talaaq, and bigamy.

Pakistan:Land of the pure, a nation where 95% population is Muslim and its many laws are

administered under Islamic Sharia. And, Blasphemy Act is one of them.

Blasphemy, in Pakistan, means mocking and insulting Islam, Quran and the prophet and the punishment is death.

This was introduced by the fanatic despot and dictator General Zia-ul-Haq in 1980s (who was also instrumental in hanging the, then, prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto).

Since then, this law has gone berserk. It is being misused to carry out personal enmities, landlords trying to evict small farmers/labourersetc. There have been more than 60 lynchings before these cases could go courts. A very large and disproportionate cases belong to small Christian minority- uneducated males, females and mentally ill. There have been voices against the misuse and barbarity of this act by many activists but to no avail. A very prominent governor of Punjab, Salman Taseer was killed not long ago, in daylight, in Islamabad, due to his support of the victims and a demand to amend the law. Interestingly, many lawyers declined to fight the case for the prosecution (some of them were fearful of their own lives and some others approving the killing).

Almost the whole Pakistan follows the Hanafi school of Islamic Jurisprudence (one of the four schools of Sunni Islam) which forbids death penalty to non- Muslims.

—These are author’s personal views.

How Australia’s coal exports industry threatens climate crisis

By Zachary Davies Boren

a

ustralia is powering a global surge in an especially polluting type of steel production, and exporting a massive amount of greenhouse gases — 88% as much as it produces domestically.

According to a new report from Greenpeace Australia Pacific, the government’s ambitious coal export plans threaten to overwhelm any emissions gains made as part of the Paris climate agreement.

The Turnbull administration is looking to further ramp up Australia’s metallurgical coal exports by nearly 50% over the next 15 years, which would erase the benefit of Australia achieving its Paris emissions target by more than 3 times over.

Basically, as Australia looks to cut emissions by some 92mt a year to 441mt by

2030, it also intends to export emissions of nearly 650mt.

Feeding the China smog In recent years Australia has become the largest exporter of both iron ore and metallurgical coal, fuelling an explosion in blast furnace steel production (and air pollution) in Asia.

The country accounts for around 60% of all the met coal trade, and in the past 20 years, it has accounted for about 90% of the net increase seen globally.

Partly as a consequence, scrap steel recycling rates in China remain among the lowest in the world at about 10%—1/5th of the rates being achieved in the EU and 1/7th of those in the US. Although steel production accounts for one in every fifteen tonnes of global greenhouse gas emissions, its climate impacts are generally underappreciated.

Indian frontier As Energy Desk has

previously reported, demand for met coal is predicted to fall dramatically in China as the government shifts from reliance on construction projects and heavy bulk industry to advanced manufacturing and services.

However, global steel production is still expected to rise from 1.6bt a year to 2bt in 2030 – a 25% increase.

Most of this projected growth is likely to happen in India, where a more than trebling in steel production has been targeted by the government.

At present, cleaner electric arc furnaces account for nearly 60% of steel production in India.

But the met coal industry is looking to reverse that situation, and replicate the blast furnace-dominated expansion seen in China in the past 15 years.

This could lock new facilities into coaldependency, and fuel an increase in annual steel

industry emissions of another billion tonnes.

What next?

There is actually a cleaner way to make steel.

Roughly a quarter of the world’s crude steel is produced via the electric arc furnace process to which coal is not essential.

In practice, coal may play a part, but on average for every tonne of steel scrap used in an electric arc furnace, 98% less coal is required compared with the conventional blast furnace alternative.

For every tonne of crude steel produced via the electric arc furnace/DRI route, the amount of CO2 produced is cut by around 75%. Of course, powering electric arc furnaces through renewable energy further reduces the carbon footprint of steel.

In addition to environmental benefits to

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cutting its met coal drive, Australia could see a big boost to its domestic steel industry.

By providing the cheap raw ingredients underpinning the global glut in Chinese steel, Australia has undermined local producers, something which could be reversed through a phase-out of met coal exports.

But it all boils down to this: Australia simply can’t keep feeding the world’s dirtiest steel production and claim to be part of a globally credible response to climate change.

—Greenpeace Energy Desk, June 9 2017.

south asia 24 South Asia Timestimes

THE WORLD Migrant workers pour trillions into world economy

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China, India & the Philippines top in getting migrant’s remittances

Press Conference on IFAD report at the UN Foundation (14, June 2017)

By Roshni Majumdar

u

NITED NATIONS, Jun 15 2017 (IPS) - A new report by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) says the flow of money from migrants—commonly located in developed countries—to their families in lower income countries has doubled over the last decade.

Dubbed the remittance flow, it increased by 51 percent—from 296 billion dollars in 2007 to 445 billion in 2016—lifting families out of poverty across the world.

Migrants in the United States typically send the largest amount of money, making the U.S. the biggest benefactor, closely followed by Saudi Arabia and Russia, according to the report.

In fact, the top ten countries, largely in Europe and the Gulf Council, account for half of the annual flows.

The increase in flow of money brings good news. First, it increases the leverage of migrant workers all over the world. Second, it boosts sustainable development

in countries which benefit from the money, notably China, India and the Philippines, which tops this list.

Asia receives nearly 55 percent of the total money sent from developed countries.

The money sent is used by families to achieve personal goals, such as improving healthcare, educa-tion and food security. This is why, despite the seemingly staggering numbers, Gilbert F. Houngbo, the President of IFAD, said “It is not about the money being sent home, it is about the impact on people’s lives.”

Still, even if the leading blocs account for half of the flow, they represent a tiny fraction of their country’s GDP. For instance, migrant earnings in the U.S. account for almost 4 percent of the GDP, while the money they send back to their families represents only 0.65 percent of the GDP. Generally, 85 percent of a migrant’s income remains within the host country.

The value of the money sent back cannot be

Pedro de Vasconcelos, lead author of the IFAD report speaks at a press conference (14 June 2017). underestimated—most families rely on this income, which can make up to 60 percent of the household income in rural areas.

However, many criticize the high costs of transactions, especially in rural areas which receive the bulk of remittances.

Speaking about the prospect of building better infrastructure to ensure easy and cheap flow of money, Pedro de Vasconcelos, the lead author of the report, told IPS that it was particularly important in rural areas, “where remittances count

the most, and where we can have them count more.” He added that “simply opening a saving account can transform the lives of people” and can go a long way towards eradicating poverty.

In the end, there is a lot of room for innovation and growth as the demand for migrant labour will continue to grow in developed countries.

To understand the scale of this flow, it is important to understand the number of people involved: one in every seven people in the world is directly impacted—either as a

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sender or a beneficiary.

This means that a billion people in the world are involved in the transaction in some way. Even when times get tough, as during the financial crisis of 2008, remittance flows remained steady.

There are two overarching reasons that explain the growth of the flow, and why it’ll continue.

First, it reflects the demand for migrant labour as populations in highincome countries grow older with advances in medicine.

Second, migrant workers are committed to make ends meet for their families at home, and readily make sacrifices— such as eating fewer meals—to ensure money they can send home.

This is why this corridor of money has been increasingly referred to as “Family Remittances.”

The flow of money has greatly exceeded migratory flow, which only grew by 28 percent over the last decade. This means that there are as many 800 million people across the world who are reliant on migrant workers, who are about 200 million in number.

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By Shilpa Dhanothia

M

elbourne: I remember my first paper plane and the unadulterated joy I felt while watching it soar across the terrace. I also remember the mayhem that followed as I taught myself to make completely dysfunctional planes.The craft came to a seemingly early end when an important document (by now a battered yet proud aircraft) crash landed on my

travel

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Airborne dad’s head. Thus began my lifelong affair with aviation.

I was 14 when I took my first flight. That feeling of the accelerating plane and the moment we were airborne is one which will be etched in my mind forever. I watched the buildings get smaller and the traffic look like a colony of ants. I strained my eyes till the forests and rivers all disappeared and the world was entirely cocooned in white fluff. The exhilaration returned as the world gradually came back into

focus, almost like adjusting the lens on my camera for a photo. I had just flown on a giant steel machine and it was overwhelming.

As I fastened the seat belt on my first ever long haul flight, my mind was riddled with doubt. This flight was to bring me to Australia for higher education, a land where I had no friends or family.

In this far end of the world I learnt during lectures and outside, met the best people, travelled, worked, faced my fears, risked it all

1300 FLY INDIA (1300 359 463) and thence comprehended life. Today, I work with a travel company and help people fly to destinations and live their dream holiday. Life really does come full circle.

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I urge you - say yes to new adventures. Get on that flight – risk it all and then do it all over again. Trust me it will be the best thing you will have ever done for yourself.

south asia 26 South Asia Timestimes

VIEWPOINT

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Manipulation of History for 'Social Engineering': Of Nationalism and Opium Addicts!

BY Ram Puniyani

t

he agenda of Hindu nationalism is to polarize the communities along religious lines and to subjugate the lower castes within its gambit.

The first major target of this politics was to demonize the Muslim kings as foreigners, aggressors, who tried to convert the non-Muslims, and due to whom the caste differences came up.

Their second obsession has been to glorify Aryans and uphold Hindu mythology as history. Lately newer forays are being made to promote Brahmanical values through their icons as well as to instill new icons to co-opt Dalits and OBCs. One recalls that to instill Brahmanical norms BJP President Amit Shah greeted the people with a tweet on the occasion of Onam saying that this festival marks the birth of Vaman, the fifth avatar of Vishnu (September 2016). At the same time RSS mouth piece Kesari carried an article which said that there is no reference or description in mythology books which can support the story that Mahabali was pushed to the netherworld

by Vamana. According to

their version there is no mention of Mahabali’s annual homecoming in the Malayalam month of Chingam.

This is very much in contrast to the common understanding that Onam, a harvest festival is celebrated to mark the popular King Mahabali’s visit. Pongal has assumed a syncretic dimension in Kerala while the RSS effort is to give it an upper caste tilt by revoking Vishnu Avatar Vaman, who tried to push Mahabali into netherworld.

There is yet another dimension to the use of history in contemporary times by the RSS combine.

In their newly renovated BJP office in UP there is a portrait resembling the Rajput king Maha Rana Pratap, but in reality the portrait is that of an eleventh century king Suhel Dev. Maharaja Suheldev, is a little-known king, whom both Pasi and Bhar communities own. Over a period of time how has Suhel Dev come to find a place amongst BJP icons?

In Baharaich in UP Amit Shah had unveiled a statue of Suheldev and launched a book about him. He is being presented as a National hero who fought for independence. A train has also been started in his

name, Suheldev Express.

To add to this UP Chief Minister Adiyanath Yogi, has announced (June 2017) that Suhel Dev’s statues will be installed in the Ambedkar Park along with existing statutes of ChatrapatiShahu, JotiraoPhule, Ambedkar, Kaknshiram and Mayawati.

The park built by the Mayawati Government will now have the statues of icons of other castes as well. While Mayawati had overdone the installing of statues, still this was an attempt to give Dalit identity an honorable place in public memory. The present move comes with propagating a version of History which suits Hindu nationalism. For instance it is being propagated that Suhel Dev took on Salar Mahmood (Ghazi Miyan), a nephew of Mahmood Ghazni, who had come to the region to settle, seeing its beautiful environment.

As per Prof Badri Narayan (Fascinating Hindutva, Sage) the popular narrative is that Suhel Dev, was tyrannical against Muslims and Dalits. On insistence from the local people Salar Mahmood took on Suhel Dev and in the battle both the kings died. The dargah of Ghazi Miyan is visited by both communities as it is believed that prayers here will help the afflicted get rid

of disease, with a bath in the lake a cure for leprosy!

In contrast, the story being popularized by RSS affiliates is that Ghazi Miyan was a foreign aggressor and Suhel Dev, to protect the Hindu religion, engaged with him in a battle, losing his life in defense of the Hindu religion. There was a mention of this king in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech (August 2016). He hailed Suhel Dev as a king who protected cows and also used cattle in warfare by placing these in front of his army.

Here again the popular narrative that spoke of communal amity and harmony arising from the popularity of Ghazi Miyan’s tomb for all has been shifted to a pro-Hindutva angle in the framework of Hindu versus Muslim.

In case of Suhel Dev there is a twofold strategy, on the one hand to present him as a Hindu icon against Islam and secondly, to add to him on the icon of Pasi-Rajbhar communities for electoral and social goals. The goal is to create icons from each sub caste from among Dalits, irrespective of whether they contributed to Dalit uplift or not. This is to divide Dalit unity. This also adds a king to the number of icons they are trying to bring up.

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We need to remember that kings presided over a system of society based on hierarchy, in contrast to the icons whose statues have been placed in Ambedkar Park. These icons had done something to liberate the Dalit community from caste slavery, to add to their struggles for equality in society. Kings are being brought forward mainly for identity politics.

Since history is so important to this nationalism, they will go to any extent to glorify the Hindu kings. The political system of kingdoms is not something which we can uphold today. Still for sectarian nationalism the political structure and values of feudal times, the period of kingdoms is what they want to restore To take matters forward Rajasthan’s education minister VasudevDevnani states that in the Haldighati battle, it was Rana Pratap who won.

So far what was happening was giving an interpretation of events; now with likes of Devnani even the events can be mauled to suit subjective political goals!

Eric Hobsbawm correctly stated that ‘history is to nationalism what poppy is to an opium addict!’

—Source: The Citizen, 14 June 2017.

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south asia 28 South Asia Timestimes

PANAMA PAPERS

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Will PM Sharif's defiant political gambit pay off? t

By Md. Rizwan

TORONTO: Caged Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif decided to play, perhaps the most important hand of his political career, when he decided to appear in person before the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) constituted by the Supreme Court to look into the PM’s role in the corruption scandal that surfaced after the Panama Papers leaks.

PM Sharif was served the summons when he arrived back from Ostana, Kazakhstan after taking part in Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting. The prime minister has the option to claim immunity from the personal summons or PMO has the powers to call the JIT to PM House due to security reasons but Sharifs political wits told him to appear before the court and tell his story.

He is certain to reap the immediate political windfall from the decision however, this is not the first time he is appearing before the Supreme Court. In November 1997, a Supreme Court bench headed by the chief justice was due to hear the contempt of court proceedings against the then prime minister Nawaz Sharif when the government unleashed goons who attacked the supreme court and the honourable judges of the apex court including chief justice had to take cover and flee the court.

So this hearing is the second time, and if one listens to the tone and tenor of the PML-N ministers it

is certainly aggressive and defiant.

The difference between the last time and the current situation is in 1997, the army chief did not come to save the chief justice despite the CJP Sajjad Ali Shah’s request to provide the security. The current army chief General Bajwa doesn’t look like saving the day for Nawaz. Had it been the case Nawaz would have never decided to appear before the JIT which is headed by a Grade 21 police officer and comprises two

brigadiers each from ISI and MI among others. Also even if now Sharif had claimed prime ministerial immunity, the overseeing bench of the Supreme Court, may issue direct summons over-riding the immunity.

The entire Panama Leaks saga revolves around one basic question. How did the prime ministers and his sons bought properties overseas especially the Mayfair flats in London. The court is asking the money trail and that exactly the prime minister and his

family has failed to produce so far.

PM’s lawyers have built the entire case on the premise that in 70s NS father Mian Sharif set up a steel mill in UAE (No money trail presented) and in late seventies that mill was sold and the proceeds were given to a Qatari prince to invest in various businesses.

The profit and proceeds from those businesses were transferred to NS sons Hussain and Hasan in 2006 and they bought the London apartments. They are three luxury apartments priced at six billion Pakistani rupees. In proof the Qatari prince wrote a letter to the supreme court three months back that he got the money from NS father and invested it. But how the money reached Qatar and later to Saudi Arabia where Sharif family set up another steel mill while in exile, has no trail at all.

When all concludes and JIT asks the Supreme Court to decide on what action could be taken as Sharifs have failed to establish the money trail and the supreme court determines that there are solid grounds to pursue criminal charges against Sharifs, this would have drastic consequences on politics of House of Sharifs.

In this scenario Imran

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The entire Panama Leaks saga revolves around one basic question.

How did the prime ministers and his sons bought properties overseas especially the Mayfair flats in London.

Khan’s PTI would gain tremendous political ground in Punjab, the province that elects prime minister.

But if the court decides on a verdict which is neither here nor there in a bid to minimise the political damage, again it will go in favour of Sharifs’ major political rival Imran Khan as he would call it a judiciarySharif compromise. And there is not enough time for Sharifs to salvage the situation as elections are due in 11-month time.

—Source: The Citizen, 14 June, 2017.

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SAT EXCLUSIVE

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Sultan & Dangal changed my image: Kaliraman N

by Rajeev Sharma

ew Delhi: Sultan film fame Kaliraman will play Hanuman in the world-famous Luv Kush Ramlila here.

The Ramlila will start from 21st September in the Red Fort ground and continue for 11 days. Kaliraman is the son of famous Indian wrestler, Master Chandgi Ram. It was a pleasure to speak to Kaliraman about his experience of being a part of both the blockbuster films of Bollywood, ‘Sultan’ and ‘Dangal’. It was an eyeopening interview in which he spoke candidly about his life as a wrestler, as a coach and also about the various other roles he has played.

Excerpts from the interview: South Asia Times (SAT):So you are playing the character of Hanuman in the Luv Kush Ramlila. When are you going to prepare yourself for playing the character?

Kaliraman (KR): I had a discussion about my role with Pervez jee, the director of Ramleela , some time back. I will also discuss about it with Ashok Aggarwal (President, Luv Kush Ramlila), and take his advice regarding this.

I will have to see some footages from the old video recordings where the Indian actors of the yesteryears had performed the role of Hanuman jee. It appears challenging to me.

Being a wrestler myself, I know the expectations of the audience would be much high on me. They would expect me to deliver a superior performance.

Therefore, to fulfil their expectations, I have to work hard enough, for threefour months, in terms of dialogue delivery, in terms of preparing my body for the role.

The image of Hanuman jee in people’s mind is that of an embodiment of victory and power, so I have to strive hard to do justice to the character and the image as much as I can. The whole process will take threefour months, and within this duration, I will have to interact with the other characters, work along with them on my dialogue delivery, among other things. I will have to mould myself physically, and also mentally for the role.

SAT: So, during this entire duration of the Ramleela, will this role be stressful in terms of your other activities?

KR:Yes, absolutely. I don many hats at the same time, being a coach, in the UP police as ADSP , a father, a husband. Apart from all these diverse roles, now, I am playing the character of Hanuman jee, Bajrangbali, a massive character in the epic Ramayana. I have to learn a lot and incorporate changes within myself in order to play this character.

SAT: Do you see any difference in your life after the release of the film ‘Sultan’?

KR: Yes, it did make a lot of difference. See, film is such a media that the entire world gets overpowered by it. People at large get to know you. I remember when the shooting of the film ‘Sultan’ was over, someone who was part of the main lead of film told me that everything in my life will change after the release of the film. He specifically told me that all my acquaintances, my childhood friends, my relatives, who never even remembered me in all these years will now get in touch with me over the phone.

It happened exactly the way he had predicted.

After the release of the film ‘Sultan’, I was getting phone calls from all over the world, including the US, England, Australia, Canada. I also got a few calls from Singapore.

In India, I got calls from all my friends, acquaintances and relatives, from a few old associates of my father.

All of them praised my performance, encouraged me immensely and told me that I did utmost justice to my role in the film.

I am fortunate to participate in the action sequences of the film

‘Sultan’, to choreograph the scenes on wrestling and I am grateful for the opportunity to Ali Abbas. It was a great learning experience for me.

It is a mammoth responsibility and great teamwork that goes behind the production of a film.

When you go and watch the film in the theatres, you cannot imagine the meticulous work that goes behind making the film. But when you are involved in the production of the film yourself, then you get to realize the hard work and the nitty-gritties behind the creation of the film.

It is a mammoth task for the producer, the director, and all the actors involved in the film, starting from the small character actor to the lead actors of the film. So, I would say that I got to learn a lot from the film.

SAT: Would you consider playing the hero if given an opportunity?

KR: No, I am not of the age to play the hero any more (hesitates).

SAT: But you are quite close to the hero Salman Khan.

KR: See, he is a superstar for a long time, so he is a few notches ahead of us already.

SAT: But there is a hero material in the story of yours.

KR: Thanks very much for your compliments.

Actually, after resigning from wrestling, I wanted to do something on my own, which are not

normally performed by sportspersons.

To that effect, I started doing commentaries in DD sports, which was the beginning of a unique journey for me. After DD Sports, I did commentary for Sony Max, for Star Sports and a few other sports channels, all of which were great learning experiences for me.

God was kind to me, I was fortunate to receive his blessings in every step of my journey. And I am rather happy and satisfied that after resigning from wrestling, I got the opportunity to delve into so many diverse activities associated with the media, be it acting, or doing commentaries. I am content that I am involved in fruitful associations with people after so many years of giving up wrestling.

Usually a player or sportsperson has a limited shelf life of 12 to 15 years, and goes into hibernation after those years. You can say they are lost in the darkness of oblivion. But in my case, I am thankful to God, to the people who are constantly giving me the opportunity to remain involved among them, to work for them. I am fortunate that I get to play many diverse roles, some big and some small.

SAT: Would you like to say anything about your chemistry with Salman Khan?

KR: See, first of all I would like to say that Salman Khan is an extremely nice

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human being. But you cannot understand him in just one meeting. When I first met him, I was at a loss to understand how best I would be able to teach him wrestling. I was at a loss to figure out how I would implement the activities of wrestling for him in the film.

It was really a challenging task for me to train Salman Khan and Anushka Sharma in wrestling, and all the more challenging for me to train Salman to perform wrestling along with other veteran wrestlers from India, and also with international wrestlers coming from various other countries.

It was very difficult to synchronize the scenes keeping in mind that the hero or the actor doesn’t get hurt, which was our first priority. It was actually Yashraj Banner’s first priority than none of the actors should get hurt in the process. And it was all the more difficult for me as the professional wrestlers who were involved in the film had never worked with actors before; so they did not know how to perform wrestling with the actors.

But when I sat with Salman Khan, I realized that he knew a lot about wrestling already. He introduced me with his uncle who was himself a wrestler in Indore, and I discovered that he knew both me and my father. When he met me, he asked me categorically, what kind of punches are you using for Salman in the film? I told him about three-four punches which I thought about using.

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Sultan & Dangal changed...

There were two films being made together, ‘Dangal’ and ‘Sultan’, and both films were competing with each other.

The shooting of both films had started simultaneously.

Salman’s uncle told me to use some punches in the film ‘Sultan’ which had not been used in ‘Dangal’. As for me, I was also associated with the film ‘Dangal’. Amir Khan had given me the opportunity to work on the wrestling scenes of the film. Moreover, in ‘Dangal’, I had the opportunity to select Fatima and Sania Malhotra for the two main characters of Geeta and Babita in the film.

There was strong competition between the two films. Though the two banners did not show the competition overtly, there was a subtle competition among the actors and the filmmakers with each other regarding the release dates, and their objective was to see which film would excel over the other. All this was a learning experience for me.

Salman Khan’s uncle talked to me further and suggested me some techniques which I would implement on Salman. He

told me that Salman Khan closely followed the sport of wrestling. In fact, Salim Khan, Salman Khan’s father referred to an ‘akhara’ (the venue where wrestlers fight) in Indore, and specified that the ‘akhara’ has existed since 1974-75, and also that he took a keen interest in wrestling and was involved with the sport since the film ‘Sholay’ was released. In fact, he still is involved with it.

So this interaction with both Salman and his father and also this opportunity to work with Salman has been a great learning experience for me.

We shared a lot of things while ‘Sultan’ was being made, we exercised together, and he would ask me how the image of a wrestler is maintained, how much of hard work he has to do on an everyday basis, how much does he have to invest on his career financially, and what are some of the problems that he encounters in his life usually. These kinds of discussions happen only when you are close enough to a person, and I am very glad that he gave me that kind of space and respect in course of our

conversations. I felt in some way that my life as a wrestler resonated with his own life.

SAT:I have a small and final question for you, keeping in mind that you have worked with both stars Amir Khan and Salman Khan, what do you think is the role of attending a gym in the body building of a hero and how important is it?

KR: It is important, in fact, being in films, it is mandatory that one goes to the gym, because in this industry, maintaining the looks and the body is of utmost importance. It is essential that you remain physically fit in this industry.

I would like to say here that Anushka Sharma is extremely fit physically, therefore she was able to perform some brilliant moves in the wrestling shots, and the same goes for Salman Khan who was capable of performing his wrestling shots so flawlessly.

Also, due to his extreme physical fitness, Amir Khan could perform so brilliantly in the wrestling scenes in

the film ‘Dangal’. If any of them were not physically fit, they would not be able to perform well in the wrestling moves of the films. It is important that you go to the gym and build your body in an aesthetic way. In fact, the viewers want to see that aesthetic look of your body in the films. But basically, we have seen that it has not always been possible to maintain that aesthetic look.

For example, we all know how a hero exhibits his six abs. But it is extremely grueling to maintain that six abs. He has to remain without food, salt and also water for at least 48 hours during the main shoot to make the six abs effective.

That look of the six abs is only for a short period, it is short-lived. You won’t be able to follow up with it, or maintain it for all your life.

That is impossible.

People prefer these aesthetic looks, especially women, hence the actors have to sacrifice a lot in their lives to attain that kind of look, maybe twice or four times every year; they have to give up a lot of things, including food, water, their

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basic needs, which is very excruciating actually.

However, after the release of the two films ‘Dangal’ and ‘Sultan’, the earthy sport of wrestling has been in a lot of limelight. There has been a sea of change in society in terms of how this sport has been perceived, and it is heartening to know that the people at large has accepted it so greatly. The acceptance of these two films and the actors have in fact enabled greater acceptance of the image of a wrestler in people’s minds, which has been very inspiring. In fact, the life of a wrestler is a life of daily struggles, and both ‘Dangal’ and ‘Sultan’ have portrayed this struggle very realistically. This has also accentuated the respect that people feel for a wrestler.

People have generally believed that a wrestler has very little education and is only interested in his little world of sports. The image of a wrestler in their minds has been very typical and stereotyped.

But after ‘Dangal’ and ‘Sultan’, this stereotypical image has been altered to a large extent.

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cinema

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Ali Asgar at ‘Despicable Me 3’ premiere N

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by Rajeev Sharma

ew Delhi, 14 June: Asgar Ali (Dadi of Kapil Sharma Show), at the premiere of ‘Despicable Me 3’ (animation film). He dubbed for the Hindi version of the movie.

After quitting the Kapil Sharma Show, the actor will soon be returning on the telly with a new comedy show.

‘An Insignificant Man’who shook the corrupt status quo

By Neeraj Nanda

A

n Insignificant Man: 2016; Directors Khushboo Renka and Vinay Shukla; Running time-96 minutes; LanguageHindi with English subtitles.

Melbourne, 30 May: Directors Khushboo Renka and Vinay Shukla’s ‘An Insignificant Man’ is a documentary which starts with the formation of the Aam Admi Party (AAP) and ends with it forming the first government in Delhi with Congress support, lasting 48 days. The anti-corruption party’s and its’s leader Kejriwal’s phenomenal rise and success is traced with footage that takes the viewer through their offices,

private and public meetings, election campaign amidst rising people’s support (December 2012 to the Delhi elections in December 2013).

Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan (later expelled from the party) are visible throughout the film. Poet Kumar Viswas announcing Shiela Dixit’s defeat in the New Delhi seat and earlier creeping tensions in candidate selection speak for themselves.

The AAP cracking the years of two party system in Delhi never went well with the BJP and the Congress. In one TV interview just before the election Shiela Dixit said, “Kejriwal is not even on our radar” and Prime Minister Modi saying in an election rally that Delhi has always been

with the BJP, indicated how much out of touch the two main parties were in Delhi.

The subsequent developments including the expulsion of Rajendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, Kejriwal resigning as CM, one year of no government in Delhi and the AAP back

with 67 out of 70 seats in the Delhi Assembly come as text only as the documentary ends. In fact, much more has happened after the making of this documentary.

What is right or wrong has not been commented upon.

Anyone can make their own conclusions. Obviously,

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those in Indian politics and on the other side of the fence might see it as a projection of Kejriwal and his party. But if you see the documentary this argument might not stand.

One wonders what objection the Indian censor has to the documentary.

Reportedly, it wants the producers to get a no objection certificate for the Indian Prime Minister and remove references to the BJP and the Congress.

I suspect, the final word on the AAP and Kajriwal is yet to be said. This documentary is part-1 of the story. Still,no doubt, makes a riveting watch.

The documentary will be shown at the Sydney Film Festival (7-18 June, 2017). www.sff.org.au

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sports

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Facial recognition part of security plans for Gold Coast Commonwealth Games

By SAT News Desk

M

elbourne, 9 June: Facial recognition is one of a range of strategies being considered for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018.

A face recognition system is a computer application capable of identifying or verifying a person from a digital image or a video frame from a video source.

One of the ways to do this is by comparing selected facial features from the image and a face database.

It is typically used in security systems and can be compared to other biometrics such as fingerprint or eye iris recognition systems.

Assistant Commissioner Peter Crawford of the Commonwealth Games Group said: "The Queensland Police and security partners are considering the application

of facial recognition technology during the Commonwealth Games in 2018.

"This technology is constantly evolving. No decisions have been made regarding how and

where this technology will be deployed. It is not appropriate to publicly discuss this security strategy further at this time."

Commonwealth Games Head of Security, Danny

Baade said:"GOLDOC and other security partners including the Queensland Police and Australian Government have been planning for the types of incidents that have occurred in London, Manchester and

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Europe.

"A range of safety and security strategies are being considered and will be deployed for the Games.

Some of these strategies will be obvious to the community, for example the use of airport-style screening at the entry of all venues" Assistant Commissioner Crawford said:"All safety and security incidents occurring throughout the world are reviewed against current Games planning."

"As a result of the incident in Manchester, GOLDOC, the Queensland Police Service and Australian Government agencies are meeting in Canberra today to participate in a three tier safety and security review.

"It remains an ongoing priority for GOLDOC the Queensland Police and our Australian Government security partners to ensure that we deliver the safest Games possible."

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southSouth asia times 39 Asia Times

ICC Champions Trophy: Well, that was unexpected...

By Martand Jha

I

t was a beautiful Sunday morning and it was a full house at the Oval cricket stadium. Arch rivals India and Pakistan were set to play one of the most awaited finals in the recent cricket history.

News channels in India were using all sorts of metaphors to ridicule Pakistani team and how India would beat them convincingly on the ‘Father’s day’. Cricket nationalism was reaching its peak and anchors were almost celebrating an Indian victory even before the match had started.

Well, India won the toss and the Indian captain ViratKohli invited Pakistan to bat on a belter of a wicket. It was almost like the Hyderabadis say “Pehle Aap”.

Pakistan started cautiously with Indian pacers trying to move the ball in first few movers. Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah almost had Fakhar Zaman sent back to the pavilion at a cheap score, except that was a NO-BALL. Both Bumrah and India had to pay a big price due to this mistake. The young Fakhar Zaman went on to make his maiden ODI century before getting out. That must have been a dream come true for him to score a century against India that too in the finals of an ICC tournament.

Pakistan’s run rate throughout their innings remained about 6 runs an over and the reason behind that was the solid first wicket partnership between Azhar Ali and Fakhar Zaman. They contributed 128 runs for the first wicket. Whatever bowling changes Captain Kohli went in vain as India’s both spinners Ashwin and Jadeja went for 70 and 67 runs respectively in their 10 overs.

Both went wicketless. It was after a long time that Indian bowling attacked seemed

quite weak to stop the flow of runs and take wickets.

Cricket pundits were criticizing Virat Kohli, not to bring in Kedar Jadhav and use Yuvraj Singh in the middle overs when India’s frontline bowlers were just being hit out of the park for fours and sixes consistently.

Kedar Jadhav was the trump card used by Captain Kohli in the semi final against Bangladesh where he derailed a strong Bangladeshi batting line up when they were in a commanding position. By the time, Jadhav was brought to the attack, it was just too late, a lot of runs had already been leaked and Jadhav too proved ineffective.

At the end of the innings, Jadhav had the most expensive bowling figures with 27 runs in 3 overs.

Pakistan piled up 338 runs at the board after 50 overs,

which is the highest in this Champions Trophy. Well, all was not lost yet or fans and media believed it so. Old statistics were pulled out to show how India has chased many totals over 350 in the recent past. Secondly, it was argued that the pitch was a batting paradise with no assistance to the bowlers.

Considering, India has one the best batting line ups, the fans should fasten their seat belts for a cracker of a match.

All hopes shattered in the first over itself when Indian opener Rohit Sharma went out for a golden duck in the first over itself when the Indian team was yet to open its account. It was 0/1, when captain Kohli entered the crease, now the responsibility lied on him to produce a match winning innings, which he has done many times for India in the past.

Sadly, it was not his day.

After being dropped in the slips, he got out on the very next ball. Soon, it was the turn of Shikhar Dhawan, the highest run getter of the tournament to go back to the pavilion. The top 3 of Indian batting line up was finished by the fiery Mohammed Aamir. Indian batting was falling like a ‘pack of cards’. At this juncture, entered, Hardik Pandya, the young Indian allrounder who had an average day with the ball.

But Pandya was having different thoughts in his mind.

Regardless of the situation Indian team was in, he decide to explode like the way he does. Suddenly, ‘fours’ and ‘sixers’ started flowing, which gave the Indians fans something to smile about.

His cameo ended after he made 76 runs in just 43 balls, which included 4 fours and 6

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sixes. When he was batting, some fans even started believing the unbelievable that Pandya’s heroics can bring India back in the match.

Pandya was run-out rather unfortunately and thus went away all the hopes of India saving the match.

Sooner than expected, Indian team was bundled out at 158 runs on the board.

Pakistan won by a whopping 180 runs margin, making it one of their biggest victories against India. Pakistani fans and the players were in absolute delight. Before the tournament started, nobody was giving Pakistan a chance of even entering the final four of the tournament and yet they managed to pull a rabbit out of their hats by winning the trophy.

For his match winning knock, Fakhar Zaman was adjudged Man of the Match.

Shikhar Dhawan and Hasan Ali were presented the ‘Golden Bat’ and ‘Golden Ball’ respectively for their fabulous run in the tournament.

Dhawan made a good 338 runs while Hasan Ali bagged 13 wickets in the in the tournament. At the end Virat Kohli said “Disappointing to lose but I have a smile on my face because I am very proud of the boys. To be in the final, you need to have a good tournament, which the boys pulled off. Credit to Pakistan; they outplayed us”.

To sum up, this was a completely one sided affair, it was out of the blue. Pakistan’s victory is being compared to their world cup win way back in 1992. Their victory has come at a time when Pakistan cricket is in a dire state, hopefully cricket will soon resume in Pakistan. On the other hand, it’s time for the Indian team to sit back and introspect what went wrong….

—Source: The Citizen.

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