SAT October Issue 2017

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CELEBRATING 15TH YEAR OF PUBLICATION

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South Asia Times

Vol.15 I No. 3 I october 2017 I FREE s o u t hasiatim es.com .au Editor: Neeraj Nanda

I

EDIT PAGE PG3 COMMUNITY PG4 MELB DURBAR PG6 SOUTH ASIA PG20 LITERATURE PG26 HINDI PUSHP PGS 30-31 MUSINGS PG36

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Our new Red Plans.

No lock-in contracts. and 12, 24 or 36 month interest free phones.

ENDEAVOUR HILLS Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre 03 9700 2413 (opp Woolworths)

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Vodafone Power to you No lock-in contract on selected new Red Plans – if you don’t love us, you can leave your plan and keep your phone, just pay us what’s left.

The nitty gritty: Devices may be purchased on a Mobile Payment Plan (‘MPP’) of 12, 24 or 36 months duration (“Commitment Period”). The outright price of your chosen device (as set by Vodafone at your time of purchase) will be spread in equal instalments over your chosen Commitment Period. Once chosen, your Commitment Period is fixed (unless you elect to pay your total remaining balance in full in one installment). MPP is only available to customers who simultaneously connect (and remain connected to) an active and eligible Vodafone Red Plan (‘Eligible Plan’). If you cancel your Eligible Plan, your MPP will also automatically cancel and 100% of remaining MPP instalments plus any outstanding charges on your voice plan will be applied to your next bill. Minimum monthly spend and terms and conditions apply for Eligible Plan.

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EDITORIAL

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SAT

South Asia Times

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

EDITOR (Hindi Pushp) Dr. Dinesh Srivastava dsrivastava@optusnet.com.au

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

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FESTIVAL SEASON TO SPICE UP MULTICULTURAL ETHOS

By Neeraj Nanda

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elbourne: It’s come again and will keep coming.

The last three months of the year are all set to dazzle with the festive season! 2017 is no exception. Big and small events cum celebrations are already happening.

Victoria’s multicultural atmosphere will no doubt, add to the festivities.

Different communities will mix with each other and exchange gifts and sweets.

Diwali is on our door step.

Some of you will be going overseas and celebrating with friends and relatives.

Those who are here the fun will not be less. And this season we will once more pledge to maintain respect for each other’s faith’s and culture. This is the best bet to preserve multicultural Victoria and Australia.

Diwali (also spelled Devali in certain regions) or Deepawali, popularly known as the "festival of lights", is an important festival in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism, celebrated for different reasons, occurring between mid-October and mid-November each year.

For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing Laxmi puja and traditional cultural activities in homes.

For Jains, Diwali marks the attainment of moksha or nirvana by Mahavira in 527 BC. For Sikhs, Diwali is celebrated as Bandhi Chhor Diwas.

In recent times, in India, Australia and other countries, Diwali is celebrated by people of all communities irrespective of region or religion. It reflects the multicultural dimension which unites people into humankind. Diwali fairs are held in all prominent Australian towns by Indian organisations and attended by people of all faiths and communities. It is also known as the ‘Indian X-Mas’ to many Australians.

The name "Diwali" is a contraction of "Deepavali", which translates into "row of lamps". Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps (diyas or dipas) filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. But these days electric lights light up homes and offices. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends.

Diwali as per belief commemorates the return of Lord Rama, along with Sita and Lakshmana, from his 14-year-long exile and vanquishing the demonking Ravana. In joyous celebration of the return of their king, the people of Ayodhya, the Capital

of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas and by bursting firecrackers.

The festival starts with Dhanteras on which most Indian business communities begin their financial year. The second day of the festival, Naraka Chaturdasi, marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama.

Amavasya, the third day of Deepawali, marks the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth in her most benevolent mood, fulfilling the wishes of her devotees. Amavasya also tells the story of Lord Vishnu, who in his dwarf incarnation vanquished the Bali, and banished him to Patala. It is on the fourth day of Deepawali, Kartika Shudda Padyami, that Bali went to patala and took the reins of his new kingdom in there. The fifth day is referred to as Yama Dvitiya (also called Bhai Dooj), and on this day sisters invite their brothers to their homes.

Meanwhile, in Melbourne the festival season has begun and the cultural scene has been picking up.

Big Diwali fairs are taking place soon! The AIII Diwali Fair will be at the Sandown Racecourse on Sunday 15 October and the Celebrate India is organising one day earlier at the Federation

Square on Saturday 14 October. Diwali will also be celebrated by the Victorious Trades Hall Council and the Sobcontinent Friends of Labor Vic at the Victorian Trades Hall on Saturday 21 October.Diwali fairs and other events are also planned in different suburbs. Many good movies are also gearing up for release in cinemas during this season. Shopping is great fun and has already started. Indian and South Asian shops in Little India, Dandenong and other suburbs are full of Diwali stuff and Indian Sweet shops are gearing up for all those who have a sweet tooth.

Christmas and New Year eve festivities and parties are not far away. Exciting and fun filled days lie ahead.

The community will be active and enjoy the season in a typical multicultural atmosphere. Living, working and enjoying together will further enhance out togetherness.

South Asia Times (SAT) will bring you all the reports from overseas and here of the fun filled days ahead in its hard copy, website and social media.

We at SAT wish you all the best of enjoyment and entertainment to you and your family for all festivals and events during the season.

Melbourne Convention Centre, 1 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf; 7 pm to 11 pm; drytickets.com.au

Bringing India to Life in the Classroom; 26 Oct. 2017;4.30pm-6pm;Upstairs Seminar Room, Australia India Institute;147-149 Barry Street, Carlton VIC 3053; www.aii.unimelb.edu.au

UPCOMING EVENTS Festivals CELEBRATE INDIA DIWALI 14 October Saturday @ Federation Square (opp.

Flinders Street Station). www.celebrateindia. org.au; Email: contact@ celebrateindia.org.au AIII DIWALI 15 October Sunday @ Tatterson Park, attached to Springers Leisure Centre, 400 Cheltenham Road, Keysboroug. 11.30 am to 8.30 pm.

VIC TRADES HALL COUNCIL & SUBCONTINENT FRIENDS OF LABOR Diwali: Saturday 21 October; 7 pm to 10.30 pm; Victorian Trades Hall – 54 Victoria St., Carlton 3053.

DIWALI AT IMMIGRATION MUSEUM 20 October 2017 – Diwali UP Late–Blend of ‘Electro Pop meets Bollywood’ tunes with dancing and a Diwali beverage plus light snacks;

7.30pm to 10.15pm (The Fifths, DJ set & The Fifths);A Henna painting Saloon will create body art designs at no extra costs; Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders St, Melbourne; https:// museumsvictoria.com.au/ immigrationmuseum/whatson/diwali-up-late/ Multicultural Liberal Business Club (MLBC) Diwali with The Hon Alex Hawke MP and The Hon Michael Sukkar MP on Wed 8 Nov 2017 7 pm for 7.30 pm at the Hungarian Community Centre, 760 Boronia Rd, Wantirna; Contact Vasan 0412 553 371.

HINDI NIKETAN DIWALI: 11 November @ Clayton Town Hall; 6 pm.; Email: hindi.niketan.inc@gmail. com; Mobile : 0431 700 646 CONCERTS SONU NIGAM LIVE: 22 October Sunday @

AUSTRALIA INDIA INSTITUTE Varun Grover; Comedy as a Super Hero in Burning City Monday 23 October 2017; 6.15 pm – 7.45 pm; Old Arts Public Lecture Theatre, College Crescent, Parkville, Vic; Free event; Register at www.aii.unimelb.edu.au Hindi Workshop; 2017; 24 Oct 2017; Viz Lab Research Commons; Level 2, Borchardt Library, La Trobe University, Victoria; Register at www.aii.unimelb.edu.au Hindi in Australia; 25 October, 2017; 5.45pm-7pm; Sidney Myer Asia Centre Yasuko Hiraoka Myer (YHM) Room Level 1; 761 Swanston Street, Parkville VIC 3052; Register at www.unimelb. com.au 'Lifelines'(Documentary):

www.southasiatimes.com.au - (03) 9884 8096, 0421 677 082

Gender in the Courtroom: Screening & Discussion of the Critically Acclaimed Bollywood Film 'Pink'; 26 Oct. 2017; Special screening of ‘Pink’(2016); Speakers Dipa Rao, Dr. Amanda Gilbertson& Panellists Dr.MridulaNath Chakraborty, Indira Laisram& Dr Amy Piedalue; 5.30pm-8.30pm; Lecture Theatre G08, Melbourne Law School, The University of Melbourne; 185 Pelham St, Carlton, VIC 3053; Register at www.unimelb. com.au South Asia Research Seminar: A forgotten history of how the study of international affairs came to India; 27 Oct. 2017; 2pm3pm; 147-149 Barry Street, Contd. on pg 6

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COMMUNITY DIWALI

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Diwali is one of the biggest Hindu festivals is right around the corner, and it’s time to get cooking some delicious sweets and snacks. If you are in India, you'd be relishing tonnes of decadent sweets that would be decking the Mithaiwallahs or Halwai ki Dukan (sweetmeat shops). But being in Australia, it’s hard to find some of those authentic delicacies. Yet, that's no reason to sit back and brood. Here are some really easy yet delicious Diwali Special Sweets that you can make right at your home; make the most of your time, so you can enjoy the other celebrations too with equal gusto!

5 EASY HOMEMADE

DIWALI SWEETS 42 cups dessicated coconut 42 tsp cardamom powder 42 tbsp sugar 41/4 cup nuts - chopped (pistachios, almonds, cashews) 4A few strands of saffron - to decorate

1 RAVA-BESAN LADDOOS

INGREDIENTS 41 cup Besan (Gram Flour) 41 tbsp Ghee (Clarified Butter) 42 cup Rava (Semolina) 41 cup Sugar 41-2 cup Water 4Sliced Almonds and cashews to garnish METHOD Take the ghee in a non-stick pan. Once the ghee is melted add rava to it and half roast it till it becomes faint light pinkish and starts giving out roasted smell. Don't overcook it.

Then add the besan to it and roast again for about 5 mins till the mixture becomes golden brown in color.

Along with this, keep another pan to make the sugar syrup with all the sugar and water. Keep stirring the sugar syrup and check the consistency till it comes to single-wired texture (take a little sugar syrup between your fingers and check to see that the syrup forms a single strand as you pull your fingers apart).

Take the rava-besan mixture in a plate and allow it to cool. Once the sugar syrup is done, don't let it cool much, and add it to the rava till it becomes like a thick paste. Keep adding the syrup a little at a time, just enough so you can make a loose ball when you take some mixture in your hand.

Mix everything well and let it rest for 7-8 hours or even for overnight, to be on the safer side. You can see that the mixture when cooled enough, it becomes a bit thicker than before; Make laddus out of it and garnish them with sliced almonds and cashews.

These can be stored in an air-tight container for about 10-12 days at room temperature, and more if refrigerated.

2. KOPRAPAAK (COCONUT BURFI)

METHOD Keep a little coconut and a few pistachios aside for garnishing. Mix the condensed milk and the remaining coconut in a bowl. Add the sugar and elaichi powder and stir on a low flame for about 4-5 mins. The milk is already thick, so don't overheat else it may get burnt. Remove from flame, then add the chopped nuts and set aside till the mixture has cooled down enough to handle with your hands.

Shape into small laddoos(round balls). Roll each laddoo in a little dessicated coconut.

Garnish each with a slit of pistachio and saffron.

Alternately, you can spread the mixture after removing from flame into a slightly greased plate or thali which has edges. Then use a knife to cut into squares or diamonds if you want to make Coconut Burfi instead of laddoos.

3. MICROWAVE PEDA (MILK PEDAS)

METHOD Wash the rice once. Keep it aside.

Fry some sugar in ghee for a min. Add the rice to the sugar and fry for a min. Add 2 cups of water to it and allow it to cook in a pressure cooker upto 3 whistles. After that remove the lid and add milk to cooked rice. Let it boil for 5 mins, then add sugar. Boil again for 5 mins. After that add condensed milk to it to make it nice and thick.

Finally add cashew nuts, garnish with some saffron strands, and serve, either hot or cold.

5. SHAHI PISTA ROLL

INGREDIENTS 41 tin (nestle) Condensed Milk 41 cup (whole) Milk Powder 41 tbsp Kewra Essence or Rose Essence 41/4 cup finely chopped Pistachio 42 tbsp melted (unsalted) Butter METHOD Mix together the condensed milk, milk powder, melted butter and the essence in a microwave dish (preferably) a corning ware dish. Microwave it for first four minutes. Remove and stir it thoroughly. Again microwave it for another 2 minutes. Remove and let it cool for sometime.

Divide them equally into small lemon sized balls.

Take an empty thread spool and one by one press the balls with the spool on a wax paper.

Now you get a beautiful design. Sprinkle the finely chopped pistachio on the pedas. The pedas are ready. Serve it on a decorated dish.

4. PHIRNI OR KHEER (RICE PUDDING)

INGREDIENTS 41 can condensed milk

** you can reduce the sugar to half or skip it if using sweetened condensed milk cashew nuts fried in ghee - for garnish

INGREDIENTS 41 cup - rice 41 litre - milk 41 tbsp ghee (clarified butter) 41/2 cup condensed milk (unsweetened) 41 cup - sugar

OR PISTA BURFI

INGREDIENTS 4Pista (Pistachios), unsalted and chopped, 1 Tbsp 4Khoya or mawa, 1/2 cup 4Milk powder, 1 tspn 4Sugar, 2 Tbsp 4Varak (silver foil), 3-4 sheets (optional) 4Cardamom, powdered, 1/2 tspn METHOD Take khoya and sugar in a thick pan and heat over medium heat with continous stirring till it start to leave the sides, about 5 minutes. Add cardamom powder.

Transfer to a plate and let it cool so that it is comfortable to touch. Add milk powder and knead well to make it a dough. Divide the dough into smaller balls and roll each to form a long cylindrical (tube) of diameter 1 cm. Carefully stick the silver foil all round each of the tubes. (optional) Cut each roll into smaller rolls of 2cm size.

Store in an air-tight container. If its too hard for you to make the rolls, just spread the mixture on a greased plate, let it cool, then cut into diamond shapes to make Pista Burfi instead.

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DIWALI DECORATIONS RANGOLI

Rangolis are colourful geometric patterns drawn on the floor to welcome Lakshmi Mata or the Goddess of Wealth. The designs are commonly made with colored sawdust, chalk, flour or rice-grain. Drawing Rangoli patterns in front of the the courtyards or the entrance of the house on religious occassions is a very old custom in India.

A lot of creativity and hard work is involved in the making of Rangoli designs.

This Diwali, you can help your mom by making some Rangoli patterns yourself.

All you have to do is, take a handful of rice grains and soak them in different colors overnight; dry in sun the next day. Next, draw any design you like with wet chalk and simply fill it with the colored rice.

rafters, roof lines, and porch railings of your home.

ADORN YOUR HOUSE WITH FLOWERS

home as well create a divine atmosphere.

DECORATIVE LAMPS

DIYAS AND CANDLES

Diyas and candles are an integral part of Diwali decorations. Adorn every nook and corner of your home with splendid diyas and candles on Diwali.

These days, these items come in varied and artistic designs made specially for the occasion of Diwali. It's even better if you buy some

incensed sticks or aromatic candles with different fragrance. Light it in the place of worship at your home. These will enliven the surroundings of your

Diwali is the ‘Festival of Lights’ and so everyone wants to light up their homes as best as possible.

Decorative lamps are a popular item to brighten every room of your home on Diwali. With a variety of lamps available in the market, you are sure to find a set of them of your choice.

These come in various

shapes and sizes and of materials ranging from glass to brass to marble and the like. Buy a number of these and illumine your home this Diwali.

ELECTRIC BULBS

For outdoor light decorations, you can buy some electric lights. There are electric string lights, lighting pipe, tiny bulbs etc to adorn your yards and gardens. Strings of electric lights are perfect to adorn mantles and doorways,

Flowers are another great item to adorn your home with. Markets offer a lot of floral items for home decorations that you can buy during Diwali. You can also buy flowers like roses, lilies and jasmines in dozens. String some of these into garlands and fix them skillfully in your stair handles, on the wall or on the entrance door as 'toran's. Attach a string of electric light with each floral strand. It will look magnificent. Put some flowers in glasses, penstands or glasses to enhance the beauty of your house.

Your home will look like a living paradise.

Mind Blowing gets 2015 highest grossing foreign film award for PK

BY NEERAJ NANDA

M

elbourne, 12 October: Aamir Khan’s ‘PK’ released this year in Australia by the Mind Blowing Films has won the prestigious Award presented

by Michelle Gater, General Manager - Programming & Content Hoyts Cinemas for the Highest Grossing Foreign Film in Australia’.

“With a total box office collection of $2,110,842 , the award was accepted by Mitu Bhowmick Lange & John Molloy, Mind Blowing Films – this represents back-to-back wins for Mind Blowing Films, who won this category in 2014 with Dhoom 3,” says a AIMC media release.

Talking to SAT, Mitu Bhowmick said, “We are delighted to win the very special award for a second year in a row.

We are deeply grateful to the producers Disney UTV , Raju Hirani for making this wonderful film , Hoyts for all their wonderful support and of course everyone out there who gave the film so much

Hoyts GM,Programming Michlle Gater, Mitu B Lange & John Mollay at the event.

Photo: Mind Blowing Films love “ IN 2009 the award went to The Intouchables, in 2010 it went to The Women On The 6thFloor, the 20111 award went to The Girl Who Played With Fire, The Girl With the

Dragon Tattoo got the award for 2012 and the 2013 award went to the movie Coco Avant Chanel.

To celebrate the presentation of the key Highest

Grossing Box Office Awards in Australia and New Zealand for 2014/2015, the 70th AIMC hosted a special dinner with an ‘In Conversation’ session during the meal on

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October 12,2015, Gold Coast, Queensland.

Managing Director of Deluxe Australia, Alaric McAusland led the chat with Director Jocelyn Moorhouse, whose film The Dressmaker earned an enthusiastic reception at a Screen Australiahosted screening last night – and Jeremy Sims, Director of Last Cab to Darwin, which yesterday passed the $7.2 million mark at the Australian box office.

The Australian International Movie Convention (AIMC) is the premier event to showcase the Australian film industry and provides opportunities for industry stakeholders to reflect upon and shape the issues that affect the business of motion pictures and to network with local and international colleagues. The Australian International Movie Convention is held annually on the Gold Coast, Queensland and hosted by NACO, the National Association of Cinema Operators – Australasia.

—SAT News Service

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Melbourne Durbar NEW COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT GRANTS International The Empty vessels

BY THE FAIR WORK OMBUDSMAN work- end of make the most students’ place rights DVD? noise M O C T O B E R

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By Desi Oz

BY SAT NEWS DESK

Ombudsman to assist and domestic violence and vulnerable workplace mental health. elbourne, 23 participants and the As such there is, Sept: Guidelines Agency is increasing its at times, a need for apply to their work.

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CONTD... UPCOMING EVENTS

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Miss South Asia Australia Pageant 2017 Miss South Asia Australia Pageant on Sunday 24 Sept 2017 @ Box Hill Town Hall was a big success. The Savish Corporation hosted the event and was supported by the SAPAC. Well done, Dilki.

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COMMUNITY

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Bank of Melbourne

celebrates Diwali

BY SAT News Desk

M

ELBOURNE, 11 October: The Bank of Melbourne celebrated Diwali at Rialto Towers, city in the presence of a distinguished gathering which included prominent business persons, community leaders, corporate clients and bank staff.

Michelle Winzer, Chief Executive, Bank of Melbourne, the Indian Consul General Manika Jain, Victorian Multicultural Minister, Hon. Robin Scott and Jonathan Ayres, Head of Premium Banking & Business Growth, Bank of Melbourne

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and HuziBagasrawala, Business Development Manager, Asian & Migrant Banking were also present and addressed the gathering.

Hon. Robin Scott while appreciating the bank’s decision to celebrate Diwali said, “We do not tolerate diversity, we celebrate diversity.”

Indian classical and a Bollywood dances entertained the Diwali celebrations. The atmosphere was of celebration and those gathered mixed with each other wishing Happy Diwali.

This was fir the first time the Bank of Melbourne celebrated Diwali.

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COMMUNITY

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Victoria funds seven more 24/7 Supercare pharmacies

By SAT News Desk

M

elbourne, Australia. Friday 22nd September 2017. Seven Chemist Warehouse (CWH) stores across Victoria will become Supercare Pharmacies, as part of a two-year agreement with the Victorian Government to provide much needed extra services to local communities.

The pharmacies, to be partly funded by the Victorian Government, will join CWH Traralgon as a Supercare Pharmacy and will operate twenty-four hours, seven days a week, 365 days of the year. They will all provide around-theclock access to pharmacists

for advice, the supply of medicines and dispensing prescriptions as of 30 June 2018,says a media release.

Supercare Pharmacies will now include: - CWH Cranbourne North; - CWH Hoppers Crossing; - CWH Keilor East; - CWH Melton; - CWH Mildura; - CWH Ringwood; and - CWH Shepparton.

Minister for Health Jill Hennessy said, “Our hospital emergency departments have been under pressure this flu season. Supercare Pharmacies have made a real difference, providing another option for families, and helping to ease the load, late at night.”

“With another eight on

board, we have delivered on our election promise to open 20 Supercare Pharmacies, with six in regional Victoria.”

A free on-site nurse

service will also be available daily from 6 pm to 10 pm and will provide face-to-face health advice and treatment for minor injuries and illness, wound management,

a range of immunizations, health screening, sexual health advice and referrals to other services.

Member for Williamstown Wade Noonan said,“It can be an awful feeling when your child is sick in the middle of the night. The Carnovale Pharmacy in Yarraville is giving local families the peace of mind that roundthe-clock care is nearby when they need it most.”

The Victorian Government’s Supercare Pharmacy Initiative gives the local community an alternative to visiting emergency departments for minor injury or illness after hours, however, doesn’t replace doctors and/or the need for emergency hospital treatment.

Message from Victoria Police “DIWALI KI SHUBHKAMNAYEN” “A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS DIWALI” —Graham Ashton AM Chief Commissioner Victoria Police

O

n behalf of the Victoria Police I would like to express my best wishes to everyone celebrating

Diwali.

Celebrations of Diwali this year begin from Thursday 19 October 2017 and celebrations continue onwards throughout the week. This festival brings friends, neighbours and communities together to share the things we value most in life – harmony, peace and understanding.

For many cultures the New Year represents an opportunity for the

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initiation of new ventures and Diwali is no exception. It is a time to look forward with excitement and hope to an entire New Year of opportunity and a time to reflect on how we create a better future.

Victoria is one of Australia’s most vibrant, diverse and multicultural states in Australia and is a socially cohesive and harmonious society.

So let us continue to work together to encourage and promote mutual understanding and acceptance to build a caring, safe and generous society.

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COMMUNITY

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Social & economic distractions behind India’s GDP decline: P. Chidambaram

By Neeraj Nanda

M

elbourne, 3 Oct: The former Indian Finance Minister under the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, P. Chidambaram today accused the Modi led BJP government of distractions leading to India’s decline on the economic and social trajectory.

Mr. P. Chidambaram was addressing a big gathering at the Melbourne University at a public lecture organised by the Australia India Institute.

Mr. Chidambaram said, “There were social distractions in inter faith relations, beef consumption issue, dress code, Hindi language, issue of J-K special

status etc.”

“On the economic front demonetisation and the insufficient implementation of the newly introduced General Sales Tax (GST) have led the GDP decline to 5.7 per cent (April 2017)’.

1.5 million jobs have been lost as a consequence of the GDP decline,” he said.

Answering to a question on demonetisation, the former Finance Minister said, “Everything about it was bad and none of the objectives were achieved.”

“The Economic Advisory Council was not consulted, RBI not told and no substantial debate took place in the Cabinet.

Because all this did not happen the wrong decision of demonetisation was taken.” he said.

The other distractions, he said, were slow down in infrastructure development, student trouble in universities, dalit issues and big rise in unemployment.

Answering to a pointed question by SAT on the killing of journalists and others, Mr. Chidambaram said, we have to see who is being killed and what is leading to the killings.

He said, “journalists and others who are outspoken, progressive, fearless and opposed to the current government are the targets.

We have to see who is creating the conditions for these killings”.

Without naming the ruling BJP, Mr. Chidambaram said, “It is those people who want to divide the Indian people are behind these killings.

Australia India Institute needs to give prominence to a dignitary like Mr. P. Chidambaram

By Mr. Gurpal Singh*

M

elbourne, 5 October: It was exciting to see that India’s former Finance Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram, one of the most prolific personality in Indian politics was in Melbourne recently at the invitation of the Australia India Institute (AII)and the University of Melbourne to give a public lecture.

One expected an interactive session with open deliberations on issues relating to the Indian economy and politics.

However, to my total disarray the presentation

by Mr. Chidambaram was a mere narration of basic information on the Indian economy as if it was an introductory lecture to class 12 students.Was it intentional not to raise the burning issues of the Indian economy?

AII should have given much-needed importance to a prominent dignitary like Mr. Chidambaram who should have been introduced to Australian think tank and decision makers to reflect on the

Gurpal Singh and his wife Ishika Das Singh with P. Chidambaram at the AII lecture. importance of India in the areas beyond cricket and Bollywood. I believe AII has lost the great opportunity to host Mr. Chidambaram in consonance with his stature and treated as if he was a college lecturer.

Nobody from the Indian or the Australian government was present

during the lecture. This demonstrates clearly the type of importance being given to Mr. Chidambaram who has the potential to the Indian Prime Minister.

On the contrary the audience was small and consisted mainly of academics and Indian diaspora regulars.

Interestingly, no one from

the Indian Consulate was present. Though the Indian Consul General in Melbourne Manika Jain was present at a function a few months back where the BJP spokesman Mr. Sambit Patra, not holding any official positionspoke in Melbourne on the three years of Mr. Modi’s coming to power.

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India is an important country and has a prominent role to play in international affairs. AII needs to gear up giving the necessary hype and publicity with a bigger audience to dignitaries of importance. *Mr. Gurpal Singh is a prominent solicitor in Melbourne.

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Diwali & Annakut Exhibition- 2017 at the Victorian Parliament

By SAT News Desk

M

ELBOURNE: BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, along with other leading Indian organisations in Victoria, organised the Diwali & Annakut festivities at the Parliament of Victoria on 18 September2017 to celebrate the Festival of Lights, the biggest festival on the Hindu calendar.

It is a festival to spread the virtues of love, messages of peace and, most importantly, becoming one family to stand by each other and pray for a brighter future full of peace, progress and prosperity.

The main attraction of this celebration is the offering of Annakut (“the mountain of food”) to deities, in which a vast array of vegetarian food is traditionally arranged in tiers or steps in front of an altar, resulting in a spectacular display.

On this unique occasion, an exhibition in Queen’s Hall provided information about Diwali and Annakut and about Indian Culture and traditions.

The opening was opened and attended by government Ministers, leaders of all political parties and leading community leaders and activists.

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Govt. of India "rattled"? ILO study refers to forced labour in big South Asian factories, yet doesn't mention India

S

trange though it may seem, the Government of India is reportedly rattled by a study, released jointly by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Australia’s Walk Free Foundation (WFF), “Global Estimates of Modern Slavery”, despite the fact that it does not provide any estimates for India, nor does it criticize India in any in its 68-pages.

Top British daily “The Guardian”, quoting an Intelligence Bureau (IB) memo appearing in a recent report, says, it advises the Government of India “to launch a campaign to ‘discredit’ research into the country’s modern slavery problem because it has the ‘potential to substantially harm India’s image and exports’,” underlining, it does so India even though “India was not specifically mentioned.”

However, claims the daily, “Successive research has estimated the number of modern slaves in the country to be between 14m and 18m people –the most in the world”, adding, “The intelligence memo claimed that researchers were

increasingly ‘targeting’ India as a modern slavery hub.”

While it is difficult to say what may have rattled the Government of India, the ILO-WFF study especially takes strong exception to how so far, in references to forces labour in the

!

T A S S S I M T ' N A C IA L MED A I C O , S , SITE Y P O 82 C 677 0 HARD 1 2 4 M E: 0 IL.CO A MOBIL M G @ (SAT) TIMES A S S E : M I L T EMAI ASIA H T U S O K: S ATIME O I S O A B E H UT FAC U : @SO R OM.A E C T .

T I S E W T IM ASIAT H T U O S SITE:

manufacturing sector, unfortunately, attention has only been “focused on the abuses in small garment or footwear factories in the largely infor­mal sector of the South Asian countries”.

It underlines, though without giving any facts, “Growing aware­ness of global supply chain risks has led to coercion being detected in the production of a range of products that until recently had escaped public attention.”

Providing an unnamed example, it says, “Just one ex­ample is the manufacture of garments for medical use – a large global industry produc­ing some 150 billion pairs of gloves per year and with a market value of more than US$ 5 billion – for which most production is outsourced to factories in Asia that rely on migrant workers.”

“The doc­umented concerns at many of these factories include ex­ cessive working hours and production targets, payment of high recruitment fees, il­ legal retention of passports, and in some cases illegal im­ prisonment and beatings of workers”, it underlines.

It continues, “At the higher end of the manufacturing scale, abuses in the electrical and electronics industry have also received global attention, with some major electron­ics, telecommunications, and technology brands encoun­

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Overall, according to ILO-WFF estimates, without mentioning India, “Modern slavery occurred in every re­gion of the world.

Modern slavery was most prevalent in Africa (7.6 per 1,000 people). tering criticism over labour exploitation, including forced labour, in their supply chains.”

The study also notes how “patterns of Asian bonded labour”, noted about four decades ago, continue even now: “Traditional forms of bonded labour still sur­ vive throughout South Asia, particularly in rural areas where land and tenancy re­ forms have not taken place, and where landowners still enjoy wide powers.”

“Much of today’s bonded labour is associated more with internal migration, the involvement of labour contractors and re­cruiting intermediaries, and work in a range of sectors in the informal economy”, it says, adding, the areas where such bonded labour exists include “min­ing, brickmaking, fish-pro­cessing, gem-cutting, and carpetweaving”, many of whom are “hazardous.”

Overall, according to ILO-WFF estimates, without mentioning India, “Modern slavery occurred in every re­gion of the world. Modern slavery was most prevalent in Africa (7.6 per 1,000 people), followed by Asia and the Pacific (6.1 per 1,000) then Europe and Central Asia (3.9 per 1,000).”

Pix: Screenshots from the study Source: Counterview, October 6,2017

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Send money to India & share the Diwali joy

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Rohingyas Near End: 'Terror There Is, But It's of the Burmese Regime'

By Pierre Rousset*

T

he Burmese government is pursuing a policy of ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya, who are being driven out of the country. Never has the persecution of this Muslim minority reached such a level of violence. The nature of the Burmese regime, the policy of land grabbing and the geopolitical stakes are largely responsible for the paroxysmal nature of this humanitarian crisis.

The Rohingya constitute one of the main stateless populations in the world.

This has not always been the case. The Burmese authorities have gradually deprived them of previously recognized rights, imposed increasing restrictions on economic activity, marriage, access to education, and have violently repressed them to reach the point of this wave of terror that resembles a systematic policy of ethnic cleansing: theRohingya must die or leave to never return.

Rohingya means “inhabitants of the Rohang”, a name formerly given by this largely Muslim population to the Arakan – “inhabitants of the Arakan”,

therefore. The current Burmese authorities deny them the right to call themselves so, since they consider them foreigners.

Burma is composed of fourteen states and administrative regions.

The official name of the Arakan is Rakhine State. It is located in the centre-west of the country, bordering the Gulf of Bengal, and shares a short border with Bangladesh. The Rakhine is also inhabited by a Buddhist population, itself marginalized and discriminated against: it is indeed the poorest state in the country. There do not seem to have been any particularly violent conflicts between the two communities in the past.

The history of the Rohingya is poorly known, and has become the subject of political controversy.

However, the presence of Rohingya in Arakan goes back a long way in the past.

On the other hand, a wave of immigration took place in the late 19th and early 20th century, during the reign of the British - which the Burmese nationalists reproach the Rohingya for.

The question of citizenship is complex in Burma: it does not

automatically grant the same rights to everyone.

The Kam (Muslims) are thus recognized, but their freedom of action remains strictly controlled. The Rohingya have in the past had identity cards and the right to vote in certain elections.

Creating stateless persons In 2012, the Burmese regime published a list of 135 officially recognized ethnic groups. It did not include the Rohingya who are thus without any citizenship whatsoever. Under the pressure of the Buddhist nationalists, the regime has imposed increasingly discriminatory measures on the Rohingya: they can no longer vote or run for elections. They must be registered as Bengalis (while Bangladesh does not recognize them). The prohibitions are multiplied on the economic level (they cannot open a shop and trade with Buddhists) and socially: restrictions in access to care, education, marriage (placed under administrative control), children they may have, travel and so on. The separation of communities in Rakhine State has become strict.

The anti-Muslim campaigns have become increasingly aggressive.

In 2012, following a rape rumour, Buddhist nationalists burned houses, killing more than 280 Rohingya, causing thousands of people to flee, many by boat. They were often denied refuge by neighbouring countries. A small armed incident caused by an unknown group was used by the army and police to systematically occupy Muslim territory.

The final offensive?

Faced with such a situation, activists formed the ArakanRohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) opposed to fundamentalism and presenting itself as a movement of self-defence and liberation. Many ethnic minorities are armed in Burma and have been able to resist government forces for decades. This was not the case for the Rohingya and it still is not. Indeed, the ARSA has only extremely rudimentary weaponry. In August 2017, it attacked positions of the police or the army. The fighting killed more than 100 people including a dozen police officers, all the other victims being the attackers.

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On the “military” side, ARSA is a very minor problem for the Burmese authorities, who have seen others and who know how to negotiate when they want - however, in this case, they do not want to. The entire Rohingya community has been criminalized (“Bengali terrorists”"). Terror there is indeed, but it is that of the regime.

We are witnessing a vast operation of ethnic cleansing, with systematic massacre of civilians, villages burned one by one, a hunt for fugitives and so on. Already more than 400,000 Rohingya have crossed the border (at the risk of their lives) to take refuge in Bangladesh, but also in Malaysia, Thailand and even in Indonesia, finding themselves totally deprived and exhausted, with many orphaned children.

Prior to these events, in Rakhine State, the Rohingya population was estimated at 1.1 million. Exodus phases have existed in the past. Since the late 1970s, a million people have already fled persecution.

The conditions in the host countries are often deplorable.

Contd. on page 24

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On Sale from Wednesday 20th September until Monday 23rd October 2017

Products only available at below stores, unless indicated otherwise. Not available at Coles Express or coles.com.au. While stocks last. Some products or varieties may not be available at all stores. We reserve the right to limit sale quantities. Savings, single sell prices and unit prices shown off regular selling prices.

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Tarneit Tarneit West The Glen Waverly Gardens

south asia 24 South Asia Timestimes Contd. from page 22 Stateless they had become, stateless they remain.

International institutions are O Claunching T O B E important R 2 0 1aid 5 programs; unfortunately, experience shows their limits or, in the long run, their perverse effects when the conditions for a collective taking charge of their future

BY N CHANDRA MOHAN* by the refugees themselves EW DELHI, Sep 18 are not met.

their citizenship (which has been withdrawn!). We will see what happens.

Until now, however, with her spokesperson, she had firmly stood by the army, even denouncing the UN aid agencies as “accomplices of the terrorists”. She has demanded that the United States stop using the term Rohingya. She asserted that all the noise made about the situation in Rakhine State was only a disinformation campaign.

One may fear that Aung San Suu Kyi’s posture will reveal how her vision is traditionally “Burmese”" and her lack of empathy towards the Rohingya.

However, it also reflects the reality of power relations in Burma. Even though the National League for Democracy (NLD) won the 2015 legislative elections, the army still holds decisive powers. The Constitution grants them three key methodology for computing ministries: Interior, product, Defence the gross domestic and Borders and guarantees the economy has the stride them 25% oftiger the seats of an Asian than ain Parliament (i.e. theGrowth right of sluggish elephant! in theon current financial year veto any constitutional is 7 per cent, a pace that amendment). is a thanhand that It tad hashigher the upper of the Chinese economy. on everything concerning Instead of engaging with national security - and the dragon and creating therefore on the Muslim interdependencies that territories. is backed is a win-winItsituation up by the police for ‘Chindia’, theand fact by of extreme right-wing Buddhist being ahead in the growth militias.

An influential sweepstakes is the all- far right Buddhist important issuemovement that has occasioned a sensethe of figure has formed behind

south asia of the monk U Wirathu, racist and xenophobic, for whom Buddhism authorizes (or even preaches) the killing of the Rohingya.

Ashin Wirathu was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2003 for inciting racial hatred, but he was amnestied in 2010. He formed the movement 969 targeting Muslims (some 4% of the population of the country!) The latter are said to threaten Burmese “identity” and “race”, based on Buddhism, and aim to Islamize Burma by marrying Burmese youth.

Wirathu’s sermons contributed to the intercommunal violence of 2012.

After the banning of the 969 movement, he created Ma Ba Tha, the association for the protection of the Race and Religion; then the Philanthropic Buddha Dhamma Foundation. The latter is largely composed of laymen, which allows triumphalism. him to circumvent the India now has the successive prohibitions opportunity to “take the of his hierarchy. baton of globalWirathu growth”uses from social networks pour out China, stated thetominister of finance. “The hisstate hatefor speech. world other engines The needs influence of this to carry the growth process” extreme Buddhist right is added finance minister, felt even in the decisionsArun Jaitley. taken by the regime. For What these ministers example, in 2015, the conveniently overlook is that government adopted “laws a slowdown in China has on race and religion”", greater global consequences whicha include limiting than statistical uptickthe in number of children Muslim India’s pace of expansion. couples may have (not just The prospects of the world economy would Rohingya) and “protecting”

BUSINESS VIEW

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Buddhist women marrying Muslim men, especially by forbidding them to convert to the religion of their spouse.

Burma is the focus of intense geopolitical competition. India has financed and built, for example, the port of Sittwe (the capital of Rakhine!), South Asia Times A crisis that to connect the (Indian) culminates state of Mizoram to the A sign of the times, the Bay of Bengal. The Chinese victory of the NLD did not government has many trigger a real process of investments in ethnic democratization; we live minority areas and is in a period where regimes continuing the construction tend to become increasingly of a pipeline between Sittwe authoritarian and not the and Kunming in China. As reverse. The army has for the United States, they managed to perpetuate consider it essential to its rule. The Rohingya counterbalance the growing crisis has culminated in an influence of Beijing in this affirmation of its hegemony pivotal country. and this is not by chance. It Political manœuvres, also exacerbates Burmese economic interests and nationalism and, for the geopolitics have a great regime’s clientele or the deal to do with the violence transnationals, it allows with which the Burmese the seizure of the lands of authorities now settle the those Muslims massacred or “Rohingya question”". The driven out without hope of complexity of ethnic and return. religious relations in Burma The ethnic cleansing is obviously a factor to be suffered by the Rohingya taken1993 into to account, but deteriorate dramatically from 2010. China’s is the thedeceleration extreme expression their exasperation is one due as to if in example is a singular of a general process of causes that have nothing China’s growth gathers it has expanded at a superdispossession Burma of “spiritual” about them. momentum.

If aincountry rapid rate for more than the popular strata.

There are three This also explains why, that accounted for 40 decades.

The big question is not percent of global growth many forced displacements beyond the verbal protests, if, when the slowdown last year cannot expand of the population.

The thebut European Union and the kicks in.States Having as fastlight as it was did in earlier green given by United areenjoyed so close robust expansion, the law decades, it can trigger the government to landa to the Burmese regime.

The of averages bound toof global recession itself. grabbing for the by benefit cessation ofisthe policy assert itself. There is thus The Indian economy also of large investors. The terror and ethnic cleansing a strong probability that cannot keep expanding at country has long been is not considered priority.

India’s growth alsoa will the current rate indefinitely. on the margins of the *Pierre Rousset is a brake sharply like China’s A burst of acceleration is “development” of an capitalist reputed French according to US scholar economists often followed by equally globalization.

It is now with Pritchett Europe solidaire sans Lant and Lawrence sharp deceleration.

India opening to foreign frontières (ESSF) Summers. has experienced 17capital. years It of accelerated expansion Contd. pg 26 has become a “new frontier”.

Source: TheonCitizen

south asia times 25

OPINION: DANCE WITH THE DRAGON

N

2015 (IPS) - Prime

Minister Narendra Isolation Modi ethnic had a meeting Combatant with India Inc. to discuss minorities in Burma have the in global economic crisis and the past received support how the country can seize from foreign governments the emerging opportunities. (including China).

Nothing The National Democratic of the sort for the Rohingya, Alliance (NDA) government even Bangladesh, does from believe this crisis is whose guards have indeed border an opportunity as the often economy’s fundamentals too harassed and remain strong. repulsed refugees fleeing the India is also considered massacres. the performing Inbest Burma itself, no economy globally.

However, significant force has instead of providing defended them – no other suggestions, industrialists ethnic minorities, and not outlined their worries, Aung San Suuhigher Kyi, historical ranging from taxes opponent of the military to protecting domestic junta, Nobel Peace industries like steelPrize from winner and now Head dumping.

One consequence this meeting was athe of State.

She adopts defensive response

by India discourse of Burmese in slapping arather safeguards nationalism than that duty on specific of human rights. steel imports China,2017, among On 19 from September other countries.

Aung San Suu Kyi, for the The government, for first time, acknowledged its part, does not have the problem (without any ideas either beyond admitting basking inits thegravity) glow ofand selfdeclared that theIndia return satisfaction that has of the refugees would be overtaken China in growth.

With a new year and organized afterbase verifying

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southSouth asia times 25 Asia Times

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LITERATURE

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Shriram Iyer’s second novel out worldwide

by Fingerprint Publishing (an imprint of Prakash books) and is slated for release in India in October.

His first book Wings of Silence was published by Westland Books / Grey Oak Publishers in 2012 and was translated into Korean by Darun Publishers.

A recipient of the Shankar’s international award for creative writing, he has also authored a few unpublished short stories, adapted scripts for theatre and screenplays for short films.

He is an accomplished singer and songwriter, with over 2.5 million views on YouTube and am currently signed to the US based music label 50/50 Global Muzik with his second studio album due in late 2014. In 2007, he released his first pop music album, Is Dhundh Mein across India launched by Shankar Mahadevan. He has entertained audiences in over 500 concerts across USA, India, New Zealand and Australia.

Born in Bangalore, India he spent his schooling days in the state of Gujarat and has an MBA from the Melbourne Business School. He is currently working on his third novel in Melbourne.

A

fter a five- year hiatus, Shriram Iyer’s second novel, the highly anticipated ‘Let Me Go’ releases in bookstores across India this month. The E-book version will be available globally on Amazon.

About ‘Let Me Go’ A boy and a girl can become friends.

But can they remain friends forever?

When Anshuman Kale meets Indira Kelkar, all it takes to bring them close is a lost school bag, a missed school bus leading to a walk back home, and a few cutlets to beat the after-school hunger. As the now best friends grow up together, there is nothing that can come between their friendship. Or so they think!

At the climax of their teenage years, as Indira falls in love with a guy five years older than her, she finds herself caught between friendship and love—neither of which she can let go. But as their lives begin to take a turn—for good, for bad, and for the worse—Anshuman is forced to rethink one of the things he had considered a given: ‘he and Indira would be best of friends forever.’

Now estranged for years,

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Anshuman is looking forward to marrying the love of his life, while Indira is waiting to hear back on her euthanasia appeal.

What could have gone so wrong that she wants to end her life?

As their lives intersect once again, how far would Anshuman go for Indira?

To Friendship . . . With Love About The Author Shriram’s second novel Let Me Go is being published

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Buy the Book The book will available on Amazon and bookstores across India. You could also read sample chapters by visiting: www. authorshriram.com/home Shriram can also be contacted on shriram2.iyer2@ gmail.com

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southSouth asia times 27 Asia Times

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australia

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56% Australians oppose Adani coalmine project A

n Australian survey

by Brisbanebased TeachTEL, which calls itself “leader in automated communications” across the country and in New Zealand, has said that 55.6% of those polled oppose the powerful Indian tycoon Gautam Adani’s controversial $16 billion Carmichael coalmine project, with an even bigger number saying they are against the Queensland state of Australia allowing the company to receive a $1bn federal loan.

Commissioned by the Stop Adani Alliance, which claims to be a growing grassroots movement of local action groups working to stop Adani’s what it calls “disastrous plans for a dirty new coal mine”, even as building “the biggest environmental movement in Australia’s history”, survey has been released amidst protests at dozens of locations in the country to “oppose” to the project.

The ReachTel surveyed about 2,200 people across Australia. It found 55.6% of respondents opposed the mine going ahead, which is more than twice the number who supported the mine. As many as 18.4% of respondents saying they were “undecided”.

On being asked what do

they think of Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk making an election commitment not to spend public funds on Adani’s project, 65.8% of those polled wanted her to veto the possible $1bn loan the federal government might give to the project through the Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility (NAIF).

“That view was unanimous across voters of all persuasions – respondents who said they voted Liberal, National, Labor, Green, One Nation, Australian Conservatives, as well as those who were undecided, were all more

likely to think Palaszczuk should veto the loan”, said the British “Guardian”, reporting on the poll.

The report said, the Australian Conservative voters were the “only group with clear support for the mine, with 57% saying they backed it”, adding, “Liberal voters were almost split down the middle – 39.3% backed the mine and 34.1% opposed it, while 25.7% were undecided.”

“A clear majority of most other voters opposed the mine proceeding – 69% of Labor, 58% of National and 90% of Greens voters.

Among the One Nation voters, more opposed the

mine going ahead (44.9%) than supported it (37.7%)”, the daily reported.

The polling follows earlier surveys showing similar numbers, including one commissioned by GetUp in January, finding that threequarters of respondents believed a loan to Adani was not a good use of public money. Another polling by The Australia Institute in May found 59% of Queensland voters were opposed to any state or federal assistance for the mine.

The voting has taken place close on the heels of an Australian journalistic exposure titled “Digging

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into Adani: The dubious dealings of India's corporate colossus”, carried out by Four Corners travelled to Kutch in Gujarat to investigate the activities of the Adani Group. The noticed now it “soon discovered the power of the company.”

“While attempting to film and gather information about Adani's operations, the Four Corners team had their cameras shut down, their footage deleted and were questioned for hours by police”, a Four Corners note says, adding, “The team were left in no doubt that their investigations into the Indian company triggered the police action.”

Claiming that the Four Corners “has been digging into the business practices of the Adani Group” for years, the note, which is accompanied with a video footage, quotes a former government minister as saying that there were “not accidental” but “deliberate, willful violations" of environment in Kutch, where it largely operates.

Digging into Adani, reported by Stephen Long and presented by Sarah Ferguson, went on air on October 2, and was replayed on October 3 and 4, on ABC News channel.

Source: Counterview

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South Asia Times south asia community 32 South Asia Timestimes

quick community guide Radio GUIDE

www.ekantipur.com/en THE RISING NEPAL: www.nepalnews.com.np

SBS Radio's South Asian

SUNDAY Language Programs Hindi..................................9 am to 10 am – 93.1 FM BANGLA Urdu................................10 am to 11 am – 93.1 FM Sydney 97.7 FM & SBS Radio 2 Tamil...............................11 am to 12 pm – 93.1 FM Melbourne 93.1 FM & SBS Radio 2 Hindi.................................8 pm to 10 pm – 88.3 FM Monday & Saturday Singhalese.......................8 pm to 11 pm –97.7 FM 6-7 PM GUJARATI MONDA Y Sydney 97.7 FM & SBS Radio 2 Hindi....................................3 to 4 pm – 93.1 FM Melbourne 93.1 FM & SBSPm Radio Bengali...............................4 pm to 5 pm – 93.1 FM Wednesday & Friday 4-5 PM Hindi...................................6 pm to 8 pm – 88.3 FM Indian (Fiji)..................................6 pm to 8 pm 88.3 HINDI Punjabi........................1 1 am to 12 Sydney 97.7 FM & SBS Radio 2 noon 92.3 FM Melbourne 93.1 FM & SBS Radio 2

Daily TUESDAY 5 PM Hindi.....................................

6 am to 8 am – 97.7 FM Hindi....................................

2 pm to 4 pm – 97.7 FM kannada Sydney SBS Radio 3

Melbourne SBS Radio 3 WEDNESDAY Tuesday 3-4 PM Hindi.................................... .6 am to 8 am – 97.7 FM Hindi.........................................

12 to 1 pm – 93.1 FM Nepali Sydney 97.7 FM & SBS1Radio 2 12 pm - 92.3 FM Punjabi............................

1 am to Melbourne 93.1 FM & SBS Radio Hindi................................... .8 pm to 92pm – 97.7 FM Saturday & Sunday 4-5 PM

THURSDAY PUNJABI Hindi...............................

5.30 am to 7 am – 97.7 FM Sydney 97.7 FM & SBS Radio 2 9 pm – 92.3 FM Tamil....................................

8 pm to Melbourne 93.1 FM & SBS Radio 2 Sinhalese..........................

Monday & Saturday 1 1 pm to 3 am –92.3 FM Punjabi.............................

9 pm to 10 pm – 93.1 FM 9-10 PM SINHALESE FRIDAY Sydney 97.7 FM & SBS Radio 2 Indian.................................. .8 am to 92am – 88.3 FM Melbourne 93.1 FM & SBS Radio Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri

11AM-12 PM SATURDAY Sinhalese............................ 7 am to 8 am – 92.3 FM TAMIL TSydney amil.....................................

12-12.30 97.7 FM & SBS Radio 2 pm – 88.3 FM Indian....................................

5 am to 62am - 92.3 FM Melbourne 93.1 FM & SBS Radio Sun, Mon, Wed, Sat Punjabi..........................................

12-2 am – 92.3 FM 8-9 PM Indian................................

9 pm to 10 pm – 92.3 FM Punjabi..................................................

11 pm to 1 am urdu Sydney 97.7 FM & SBS Radio24/7 2 Radio stations Melbourne FM & SBS Radio (Subscription) 2 Indian Link93.1 Radio Wednesday & Sunday 18000 15 8 47 6-7 PM Radio Santa Banta (Internet) Santabanta.com.au WORLD NEWS AUSTRALIA RADIO SydneyJhankar 1107AM88.6 & SBSFM; Radio 1 Thursday; 8 to Radio Every Melbourne 1224AM & SBS Radio 1 10 pm; Contact: 94668900 or 0411247320 or Monday & Friday 9404 2111 6-7 am & 6-7 PM

South Asian websiteS India TEHELKA – www.tehelka.com OUTLOOK – www.outlookindia.com FRONTLINE- www.flonnet.com THE HINDU: www.hinduonnet.com TIMES OF INDIA: www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com HINDUSTAN TIMES: www.hindustantimes.com Pakistan DAWN: www.dawn.com THE FRIDAY TIMES: www.thefridaytimes.com THE NEWS INTERENATIONAL: www.thenews.com.pk Sri Lanka DAILY MIRROR: www.dailymirror.lk DAILY NEWS: www.dailynews.lk THE ISLAND: www.island.lk Nepal THE HIMALAYAN TIMES: www.thehimalayantimes.com KANTIPUR NATIONAL DAILY:

PLACES OF WORSHIP HINDU Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple 57 Boundary Rd, Carrum Downs, Melbourne, Vic 3201, Ph: 03 9782 0878; Fax: 03 9782 0001 Website: www.hsvshivavishnu.org.au Sri Vakratunda Vinayaka Temple 1292 - 1294, The Mountain Highway, The Basin, Vic 3154, Ph: 03 9792 1835 Melbourne Murugan Temple 17-19 Knight Ave., Sunshine VIC 3020 Ph: 03 9310 9026 Durga Temple (Durga Bhajan Mandali) Neales Road, Rockbank, Vic 3335 Ph: 03 9747 1628 or Mobile: 0401 333 738 Hare Krishna (ISKCON) Temple 197 Danks Street, Middle Park Vic 3206 Ph: (03) 9699 5122 Email: 100237.354@compuserve.com Hare Krishna New Nandagram Rural Community Oak Hill, Dean’s Marsh Rd., Bambra VIC 3241, Ph: (052) 887383 Fax: (052) 887309 Kundrathu Kumaran Temple 139 Gray Court, ROCKBANK Victoria 3335 Ph: 03-9747 1135 or M: 0450 979 023 http://www.kumarantemple.org.au/

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SHEPPARTON Gurdwara Sahib Shepparton 240 Doyles Road, Shepparton VICTORIA 3603 PH: (03) 5821 9309

JAIN Melbourne Shwetambar Jain Sangh Inc 3 Rice Street, Moorabbin, Vic - 3189, Australia. Phone: +61 3 9555 2439 info@melbournejainsangh.org http://www.melbournejainsangh.org

Melbourne West Mosque 66-68 Jeffcott Street, Melbourne Ph: 03 9328 2067

Indian Consulate Address: 344, St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia P.O. Box No: 33247 Domain LPO Vic 3004 Consular Enquiries: +61-3-9682 5800 (9.30am-12.30noon only) General Enquiries (other than Consular): +61-3- 9682 7836 Fax No:+ 61-3- 9696 8251 Email: consular@cgimelb.org Web site: www.cgimelb.org

Broadmeadows Mosque 45-55 King Street, Broadmeadows Ph 03 9359 0054 Islamic Call Society 19 Michael Street, Brunswick Ph: 03 9387 7100 Islamic Centre of Australia 660 Sydney Road, Brunswick Ph 03 9385 8423

Indian Consulate Consular services are handled by VFS Global Visa / Passport / PCC / IDLV / PIO / OCI services contact VFS +61 2 8223 9909.

Address: Part 4 Suite, Level 12, 55 Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 Site : www.vfsglobal.com/india/australia/

Australian Islamic Cultural Centre 46-48 Mason Street, Campbellfield Ph: 03 9309 7605 Coburg ISNA Mosque 995 Sydney Road, Coburg North

Services handled by Indian Consulate Melbourne itself: OCI Misc. services, Registration of Birth, Birth Certificate, Renunciation of Indian Citizenship, Surrender of Indian Passport, New Passport Details on PIO, Transfer of Valid Visas, Marriage Certificate, Affidavit for Applying Child’s Passport in India, Documents Attestation.)

Coburg Mosque (Fatih Mosque) 31 Nicholson Street, Coburg Ph 03 9386 5324 Deer Park Mosque 283 Station Road, Deer Park Ph 03 9310 8811 United Migrant Muslim Assn.

72 George Road, Doncaster Ph 03 9842 6491, Footscray West Mosque 294 Essex Street, Footscray

SIKH

Heidelberg Mosque Corner Lloyd & Elloits Streets, West Heidelberg

CRAIGIEBURN Sri Guru Singh Sabha 344 Hume Highway, Craigieburn VICTORIA 3164 (see map), Ph: (03) 9305 6511 KEYSBOROUGH Gurdwara Sri Guru Granth Sahib 198 -206 Perry Road, Keysborough VICTORIA 3073 (see map) LYNBROOK Nanaksar Taath, 430 Evans Road, Lynbrook VICTORIA 3975, (03) 9799 1081 HOPPERS CROSSING Sri Guru Nanak Satsang Sabha 417 Sayers Road, Hoppers Crossing VICTORIA 3029, Ph: (03) 9749 2639 WERRIBEE Gurdwara Sahib Werribee 560 Davis Road, Tarneit VICTORIA 3029 PH: (03) 8015 4707

Gas escape...........................................

132 771 Poisons information........................

13 11 26 Maternal and Child Line................

13 22 29 Parentline...........................................

13 22 89 Kids Help Line.........................

1800 551 800 Lifeline (provides confidential telephone counselling).................

13 11 14 Suicide Help Line....................

1300 651 251 Animal Emergencies..................

9224 2222

INDIAN CONSULATE

MUSLIM

Sankat Mochan Temple 1289 A North Road. Huntingdale Morning: 10.30 am – 12.30 pm daily Evening: 4:30 pm – 8.00 pm daily Site: http: www.sankatmochan.org.au Contact: 0427 274 462

BLACKBURN Sri Guru Nanak Satsang Sabha 127 Whitehorse Road, Blackburn VICTORIA 3130, Ph: (03) 9894 1800

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Glenroy Musala 1st Floor, 92 Wheatsheaf Road, Glenroy

Islamic College of Victoria (Mosque) 201 Sayers Road, Hoppers Crossing Ph 03 9369 6010 Huntingdale Mosque 320-324 Huntingdale Road, Huntingdale Ph 03 9543 8037

HIGH COMMISSION FOR PAKISTAN,CANBERRA

Al Nur Mosque 34-36 Studley Street, Maidstone Meadow Heights Mosque Hudson Circuit, Meadow Heights

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

Springvale Mosque 68 Garnworthy Street, Springvale

EMERGENCY CONTACTS EMERGENCY CONTACTS Police, Fire & Abulance ........................

Victoria State Emergency Service (SES).......................................

Traffic hazards and freeway conditions..........................

Student Welfare Officer in the Indian Consulate Melbourne Consulate General of India, Melbourne Address: 344, St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC – 3000 Phone: 03-96826203 Fax: 03-96968251 Email: cgo@cgimelb.org Website: www.cgimelb.orgExternal website that opens in a new window Contact person for Students welfare: Mr. Nirmal K. Chawdhary Designation: Deputy Consul General Mobile: 0430020828

Sri Lanka Consulate 000

132 500 13 11 70

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Suite 536, No 1 Queens Road, Melbourne VIC 3004 Telephone: +61 3 9290 4200 Fax: +61 3 9867 4873 Email:mail@slcgmel.org Web: http://www.slcgmel.org

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quick community guide

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VIEW POINT

South Asia Times

contd from previous page Bangladesh High Commission, Canberra 43, Culgoa Circuit, O’Malley, ACT-2606 Canberra, Australia, Ph: (61-2) 6290-0511, (61-2) 6290-0522, (61-2)6290-0533 (Auto hunting).

Fax : (61-2) 6290-0544 E-Mail :hoc@bhcanberra.com

Consulate of Nepal, Melbourne Email: cyonzon@nepalconsulate.net.au Level 7, 28-32 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Ph: (03) 9650 8338 Email: info@nepalconsulate.net.au

TV GUIDE SBS1 – Daily NDTV News - 11:05 am - Monday to Saturday. (From New Delhi, India).

Urdu news SBS1 - PTV News – 9.30 am - Every Sunday – (From Pakistan).

SOUTH ASIAN Garments Roshan’s Fashions 68-71 Foster Street, Dandenong, Vic 3175 Ph: (03) 9792 5688

Travel Agents Gaura Travels 1300 FLY INDIA or 1300 359 463 info@gauratravel.com.au Travel House 284 Clayton Road, Clayton 3168 Ph: (03) 95435123, Mobile: 0425803071 mail@travelhouse.com.au

lAWYERS

MLG Lawyers Ronny Randhawa 144 Sydney Road, Coburg Vic Ph 9386 0204 & 138 Walker Street, Dandenong Vic Ph: 9793 9917 Mobile : 0402 256 712 Vera Lawyers Kusum Vaghela Level 1, Suite 2, 373 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong Vic, Mobile: 0433 827 124

Jewellery Bhadra Laxman Jewellers 22ct Gold Jewellery / Silver Pooja (03) 9846 7661

Raj Rani Creations 83-A Foster Street, Dandenong, Vic 3175 Ph: (03) 9794 9398 desi estyle 76 Foster St., Dandenong 3175 (03) 87744853; 0413707685 Heritage India 54-56 Foster Street, Dandenong, Vic 3175, Ph: (03) 9791 9227 Site: heritageindia.net.au

DVDs, Music CDs & Film Stuff Baba Home Entertainment 52C Foster St., Dandenong 3175, (03) 97067252

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CINEMA

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Palestinian Film Festival Australia 2017 (26 Oct. to 19 Nov. 2017)

Conflict, resilience, strength & spirit

By SAT News Desk

centres on the relationships and tensions of an extended family, dispersed across multiple borders.

M

ELBOURNE, 5 October: Movie buffs in Australia are in for a bonanza of documentaries, features and short films that celebrate the life, art and culture of Palestine and its people.

From the award-winning documentary Ghost Hunting where ex-prisoners re-enact nightmarish interrogation memories, to political hip-hop feature Junction 48, and Australian Documentaryfrom Under the Rubble, the Palestinian Film Festival Australia returns this year with a program that celebrates the life, art and culture of Palestine and its people.

Five documentaries, two features and five short films will screen in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth from 26 October - 19 November.

“We are thrilled to present this incredible selection of films that goes behind the news headlines and celebrates the culture and community of Palestine.

We want people to leave with a deeper understanding of Australian-Palestinians, their stories and journeys, and that of the global Palestinian experience more

generally,” said Festival Director NaserShakhtour.

“This year’s festival falls on the same year that Palestinians remember and reflect on the 50 years since the 1967 War – the war where Israel occupied the remaining Palestinian territories of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip. The memory is one of trauma and loss but also of one of strength and resilience, and the Festival program is reflective of this spirit,” added Shakhtour.

Opening Night The reflective documentary, Stitching Palestine will open the Festival in each city.

Stitching Palestine delves into the lives and identities of 12 high-powered Palestinian women, with the stitching of a piece of embroidery progressing as

they tell their stories, linking one to another.

Writer and architect SuadAmiry is one of the 12 women featured in Stitching Palestine and will attend the Festival as a guest this year. As well as having written several acclaimed books, Suad is the founder of RIWAQ, an NGO dedicated to preserving Palestinian collective memory through the restoration of architectural heritage sites in rural Palestine.

Features Junction 48 sets the Israel-Palestine conflict to a hip-hop soundtrack as Palestinian Rapper Tamer Nafar stars as a version of himself, dreaming of hip-hop stardom whilst facing Israeli bigotry.

Personal Affairs is the charming directorial debut for Maha Haj. The film

Documentaries From Under the Rubble, is an Australian featurelength film and explores the ongoing psychological damage and trauma faced by women and children after enduring years of conflict.

Ghost Hunting won the Glashutte Original Documentary Award at the 67th Berlin International Film Festival and has generated buzz all over the world for its inventive and controversial style of storytelling. The film follows a group of Palestinian exprisoners who share their stories by re-enacting the nightmarish memories of their own interrogations.

Off Frame aka Revolution Until Victory explores the Palestinian revolutionary period of the late 1960s and early 1970s through archival and old movie footage from the time. The film depicts the shift in the way Palestinian began to think of themselves: from refugee to freedom fighter.

Looted and Hidden – Palestinian Archives in Israel exposes, for the first time, Palestinian materials that were plundered and erased from the public sphere by

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Israel and for many years were considered lost.

Emwas: Restoring Memories is a personal film that follows director, Dima Abu Ghoush and her efforts to rebuild a scale model of her demolished hometown from the memories of its people.

Shorts Accompanying the program will be five incredible international shorts. Highlights include: A Man Drowning which was nominated for the Palme d'Or - Best Short Film at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival and InDefense of the Rocket which charts the rise and fall of the Middle East peace process in photos to the rhythms of Beethoven’s 7th Symphony.

The Festival is partly funded through the Council for Australia-Arab Relations (Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade) and supported through the Australian Cultural Fund.

The Palestinian Film Festival opens in Sydney (26-30 Oct), Canberra (27 Oct), Melbourne (2-5 Nov), Adelaide (10-12 Nov), Brisbane and Perth (17-19 Nov). Tickets to the Festival are on sale now at www. palestinianfilmfestival.com. au.

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MUSINGS

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Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam versus Rohingyas s

BY RASHID SULTAN

cientists are thumping their chests after last week’s discovery that Homo Sapiens (current humans),split fromNeanderthals not 200,000 years ago but, 300,000 years ago. This means we are older than what had been assumed so far.Who wouldn’t be happy at this news? The older the past the greater the avenues to glorify our past whether real or fiction , inventing or reinventing our ancestors’ deeds. You do not have to go far to taste a sample of this phenomenon; we are going through it in the subcontinent.

But, there is a darker side to it, too. It also means that the human race must have borne the cruelty, brutality and oppression from despots for another hundred thousand years. These evil traits are ingrained in our DNA. Why do you think Zoroaster determined the Supreme Being had two facets- one good while the other evil? And, why we, the civilised human beings, still grow nails? Recorded history tells us we did not suffer so much by natural disasters as human-made catastrophesinvasion, massacre, butchery, bloodshed etc. And these events have always resulted in displacement of communities, towns, cities and whole nationalities. The human history is replete with events from Babylon to present day world. To cite just one example, after the second world war II, Europe accommodated 900,000, the USA accepted 500,000 and more than 300,000 refugees were taken by Canada, Australia and the rest of the world.

The partition of India in 1947 resulted in 12 million refugees from both sides of the border; the Rwandan genocide not only killed 3 million people but also displaced I million people who sought refuge in neighbouring countries; theBalkan war in 191213 sent 800,000 people to refugee camps; the war in Afghanistan produced 400,000 refugees fleeing to India, Pakistan and to the west; Iraq resulted in 1.3 million refugees while Syria

has so far made 5 million people to flee from their country.

By the way, who is a refugee?

The UN charter defines refugee as someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war, violence or out of fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, and political opinion.

Let’s, now, come to Rohingyas. Who are they?

They are Bengali Muslims living in Myanmar (by a conservative estimate) for more than 300 years. They have no rights to citizenship hence no welfare or any other government help. They have been living in pockets of shanty towns, thatched dwellings with no roads,no water or electricity.

Add periodic attacks by police and soldiers to satiatetheir hunger for sex and loot.

Rohingyas are often called sub- humans by so- called cultured and civilised Myanmar Buddhists (mind you, Myanmar is a predominantly Buddhist country, following on the teachings of Mahatma Buddh, the ultimate icon of peace and non-violence).

How many communities can survive the centuryold discrimination, torture, rapes and oppression for so long? They did. But, a stage, finally, came when they could no longer bear any more

and they rebelled. In Paul Keating’s famous words “it had to have happened “.

On August 25 a few rebels attacked police posts around their villages, looted and burned them.

And, then, the rage of the establishment was let loose on this impoverished stateless populace – the so-called policemen and soldiers snatched breastfeeding infants from their mothers, raped them and burnt their houses, their villages and planted mines around their villages so they could not escape alive.

This is coming from UN Human Rights Commission, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.“Text book example of ethnic cleansing”; “devastating cruelty amounting to crimes against humanity”has been the verdict of these agencies.

Amnesty International has just released satellite pictures showing 62villages being burnt down by soldiers in arson attacks between 25 August and 14 September providing irrefutable evidence of systemic pattern of abuse by security forces.

The British government has suspended all aid to Myanmar military ‘in the light of on-going violence that are taking place and deep concern about the human rights abuses’.

400,000 Rohingya refugees had already fled to Bangladesh before the August massacre and another half a million in one month from June. The struggling Bangladesh had to close

its borders and the latest exodus is living on no man’s land,turning it into one of the world’s largest make shift camps.

Medicines San Frontieres:”No potable water; not sufficient food or shelter; measles and cholera may break out any time due to lack of sanitation; people are walking in excreta; no roads in or out of settlement; one meal of plain rice a day; no money; on the cusp of dying of dehydration”.

The whole world rose in anger against the Myanmar govt. in general and against Aung San SuuKyi, in particular who was once acclaimed as a ‘ hero’ fighting for democracy and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize apart from scores of other awards during her house- arrest . A group of living Nobel Laureates have published an open letter to her to do something in this regard.

People have also been crying hoarse and asking her to return her Nobel Prize but, no luck. There has been a deafening silence on her part. At the time of going to press, Oxford University has, finally, stripped her of the award which was given for her ‘fight’ against military dictatorship.

The world media is, now, pressuring their governments to urgently accept some of these refugees to avoid more deaths due to miserable conditions prevailing in and around Bangladesh. Just one example, Fairfax Media is urging Australian government to at least accept 12,000 refugees, immediately, at par with Syrian refugees whom Australia accepted recently.

It was natural that some of these refugees would want to stray into neighbouring India for a chance to live.

According to government estimates there are now 40,000 Rohingya refugees living in India, from Jammu and Kashmir to Rajasthan to Delhi, though, NGOs dispute this number.

It is intriguing, indeed, when the whole world has been condemningSuuKyi and her government, our Prime Minister, Mr NarendraModi was expressing empathy, on his recent trip, over so called ‘terrorist’ attacks by

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desperate Rohingyas without uttering a word against the barbarous treatment of Rohingya minority being meted out for decades.

From the word ‘go’ the Indian government has been labelling these Rohingya refugees as Rohingya Muslims and claiming that they are terrorists hence a danger to India, also that they are being supported

by Islamist terrorists (the western security agencies reported, three days ago, that there is no sign of any terrorists aiding them and it was a bunch of desperate cadre who resorted to this act on 25 August).

It was against the forcible eviction order by the Indian government, that two boys from Rohingya refugees have gone to Supreme Court to appeal against the government’s decision.

The Home Ministry’s stand is that Supreme Court has no role to play and let the government deal with national security matters.

India is not a signatory to the UN’s Refugee Convention .

Shining a bright light on the judicial independence of India, some very prominent lawyersMessrs PrashantBhushan, FaliMistry, KapilSibal, Rajiv Dhavan, Colvin Gonsalvesetc have decided to represent these boys in the Supreme Court ,commenting that these refugees, under Article 21, cannot be sent back to persecution and death whether Indian or Non- Indian. Some of these luminaries have openly said that these refugees are being sacrificed on the altar of domestic agenda by the ruling party because they happen to be Muslims.

The hearings are yet to begin.

There is news, circulating around, that this very government has approved for settlement of 100,000 Chakma refugees in Meghalaya.

A quote here would not be out of place, from none other than the greatest sportsman of the world, Mohammad Ali: “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth”.

These are author’s personal views

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Sony Pictures Network is Cricket Australia’s new media partner in the subcontinent

By SAT Sports Desk

M

ELBOURNE, 10 October: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) has acquired the exclusive media rights for all men’s international matches played in Australia, beginning with the Magellan Ashes Series in November. The term of the deal is six years and will cover multiple Indian tours and visits

by Pakistan, South Africa and the Ashes of 2021-22.

Separately, SPN has also acquired the exclusive broadcast and digital rights for women’s international cricket played in Australia, beginning with the Commonwealth Bank Ashes Series later this month, along with the KFC BBL and the Rebel WBBL, says a Cricket Australia media release.

SPN will have extensive access to content from Cricket Australia’s archives and some original programming from the newly-created CA Productions team.

The agreement for the

Indian subcontinent covers a number of countries, including Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and SPN will broadcast Australian cricket via its sports network of 11 channels.

The chief executive officer of Cricket Australia, James Sutherland, welcomed SPN as a partner of Australian cricket.

“We are delighted to conclude this agreement with Sony.

They understand the global value of Australian cricket.

“We’re also delighted with their support of our national women’s team, and the men’s and women’s Big Bash. Our summer of Big Bash will continue to expand and

highlight the excitement and quality of our game.

“One of Australian cricket’s key strategies is to ensure it has a sustainable approach to investment so that we can keep growing the game, and the six-year deal with SPN is part of that strategy.

NP Singh, the CEO of Sony Pictures Networks India, said: “SPN is committed to redefining the sports broadcasting landscape in the Indian subcontinent by curating a multi-sport culture. Our sports network comprising of 11 channels will offer something for everyone.

“Cricket enjoys a high viewership in India and with the acquisition of the media rights of Cricket Australia, we are ensuring that the viewer has continuous cricketing action, all through the year.”

Cricket Australia’s Executive General Manager of Broadcasting, Digital Media and Commercial, Ben Amarfio said: “CA’s Media Rights & Broadcasting team is thrilled to have inked a deal with

Sony as the new media rights partner for the subcontinent region, taking in key markets such as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan over the next six years.

“We hope that cricket fans throughout this region will thoroughly enjoy seeing Australian cricket, particularly what has become one of the fiercest rivalries in world cricket – Australia v India. We will have numerous tours by India over the next few years, along with Australia playing against other subcontinental cricket teams.

“Sony is a world-class sports broadcaster and has done an exceptional job growing cricket in India with its ground-breaking broadcasting of the IPL and its widespread coverage of international cricket. To have our international and domestic cricket carried on such a premium sports platform as SPN is hugely important to the continued growth and promotion of Australian and

SPN will have extensive access to content from Cricket Australia’s archives and some original programming from the newly-created CA Productions team. bi-lateral cricket in the region.

We are looking forward to being a part of Sony’s elite cricket stable and it all kicks off next month with the Ashes.”

Victoria Government, ACTU slam penalty rate cuts

By SAT News Desk

M

ELBOURNE, 11 October: The Andrews Labor Government and the ACTU have slammed the Federal Court upholding the Fair Work Commissions’s decision to cut penalty rates for the hospitality, retail and fast-food workers.

In a statement, the Hon. Natalie Hutchins MP, Minister for Industrial Relations said the decision will impact some of Victoria’s most vulnerable, low-paid workers including young workers, womenand those in regional areas.

The cut to penalty rates is only occurring because there has been a lack of leadership shown by the Federal Liberal Government in defending workers.

Their Victorian Liberal counterparts are no better, with Deputy Leader David Hodgett backing the cuts when they were announced.

Earlier this year, Mr Hodgett said: “I support the Federal Government’s changes to penaltyrates...I don’t have

a concern with changes to penalty rates.”

In contrast, the Labor Government made a submission to the FWC review strongly opposing any change topenalty rates.

The Minister also lodged the Victorian Government

Submission to the Senate Education and Employment References Committee inquiry into penalty rates.

In Victoria, an estimated 80,000 retail workers and almost 70,000 hospitality workers are award-reliant.

Meanwhile, the ACTU has

condemned the decision of the Turnbull government to back cuts to penalty rates, after the Federal Court turned down attempts to protect the pay of low-paid workers.

In a statement ACTU Secretary Sally McManus says, “The decision confirms the rules are broken for working people. 700,000 people in retail, pharmacy and hospitality will suffer a government-backed wage cut, while wage growth is at record lows, and 40% of people are in insecure work.

The Turnbull Government’s support for cutting penalty rates, backed by big business, is already having an impact on people who can least afford it, while the government continues to push tax cuts for big businesses.”

“The Turnbull Government sided with corporations and against working people when it voted down an attempt to reverse the cuts, and today’s decision comes as another blow to families who don’t deserve, and can’t afford,

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The

a pay cut.The Turnbull government’s wage cuts are already spreading to other sectors, as workers in the hairdressing industry are being forced to defend their weekend and public holiday penalty rates, she says.

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