SAT November issue 2017 by South Asia Times

southSouth asia times 1 Asia Times

SAT

N O V E M B E R

CELEBRATING 15TH YEAR OF PUBLICATION

2 0 1 7

South Asia Times

Vol.15 I No. 4 I NOVEMBER 2017 I FREE s o u t hasiatim es.com .au

Ph: (03) 98848096 M: 0421 677 082

LOANSDIRECT LOANS MADE EASY!

Add: PO Box 465, Brentford Square, Victoria 3131

E FRoE bile

Car Loans

M p! Ap

Home Loans Personal Loans

www.loansdirect.com.au

Melbourne Office: Suite 19, 17-19 Miles Street Mulgrave VIC 3170 Pankaj Goyal P: (03) 9819 4656 F: (03) 9818 3300 E: harry@loansdirect.com.au Like us and Share on:

FREE Consultation! Call 03 9819 4656

Truck Loans

Australian Credit License: 385597 Credit Ombudsman Member: M0007205 Real Estate Agent License: 074446L

Editor: Neeraj Nanda

See page 2

New Homes, Plans & Permits, S/E Development Sites: iaussiebuilders.com.au

TRUTH BEHIND THE CLOTHES WE LOVE

Read on page 3

吀☀䌀䄀倀倀䰀夀

␀㄀㌀㤀㤀

䐀䔀倀䄀刀吀唀刀䔀䈀䔀䘀伀刀䔀㄀吀䠀䐀䔀䌀伀䘀䘀䔀刀嘀䄀䰀䤀䐀吀䤀䰀䰀㌀吀䠀一伀嘀

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

south asia 2 South Asia Timestimes

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 7

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)

KEYSBOROUGH Parkmore Shopping Centre 03 9798 8081 (opp Bank of Melbourne)

RINGWOOD Eastland Shopping Centre 03 9847 0433 (opp Shaver Shop)

MELBOURNE CITY Southern Cross Railway Station 03 9642 2617 (collins St end)

CLAYTON 312a Clayton Road 03 9544 4950 (opposite ANZ Bank)

FOOTSCRAY 42 Leeds Street 03 9687 0327 (Next to Westpac)

NARRE WARREN Casey Central SC 03 9705 6965 (opp Commonwealth Bank)

WANTIRNA 03 9801 1956 (Level 2 near Target)

MELBOURNE CITY Melb Central Shopping Centre 03 9654 8335 (next to breadtop)

DANDENONG 18 Princes Hwy 03 9791 7525 (opp KFC)

FOREST HILL Shop 111, 270 Canterbury Rd 03 9877 0944 (opp Gloria Jeans)

POINT COOK Point Cook Town Centre 03 9395 3310 (opp Woolworths)

WHEELERS HILL Brandon Park Shopping Centre 0451 009 500 (near Coles and Bank of Melb)

MELBOURNE CITY 239 Lonsdale Street 03 9654 8966 (Opp NAB, QV Building)

CHELTENHAM Shop 2102 Southland 04 0404 0066 (next to Bonds)

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. V10392 08.17 www.southasiatimes.com.au - (03) 9884 8096, 0421 677 082

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 7

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

SAT NEWS BUREAU/South Asia (New Delhi, India) RAJIV SHARMA rajeev.anchor@gmail.com PRASHAT TANDON news.prashant@gmail.com

SAT ADVERTISING (Melbourne) M: 0421 677 082 & E: satimes@gmail.com PHOTO SECTION (Melbourne) AP Guruswamy apgfoto@yahoo.com M: 0431 482 258 Kulbir Photographer creativeartmedia.au@gmail.com M: 0430 306 255

SAT Design Bala Imagine

address P O Box 465, Brentford Square, Vic. 3131 Phone: (03) 9884 8096; Mobile: 0421 677 082 Email: satimes@gmail.com/

WEBSITE www.southasiatimes.com.au

E-PAPER Access through website FACEBOOK:

facebook.com/satmelb Twitter:

twitter.com/southasiatimes skype: neeraj.nanda

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.

GUEST EDITORIAL

southSouth asia times 3 Asia Times

The shameful truth behind the clothes we love

By Helen Szoke*

wenty-five-yearold Anju works in a factory in the bustling capital of Bangladesh, where she makes 37 cents an hour sewing together sweaters sold in Australian shops. The sweaters made by Anju eventually make their way into the wardrobes of thousands of everyday Australians. But not before Anju has toiled six days a week, sometimes from 7am until after 11pm, to earn at most just $107 a month. There are times Anju’s pay is docked if she fails to meet unrealistic targets, and other times the work dries up and she is sent home – she once took home less than $14 for an entire month. No matter how hard Anju works, her meagre pay is not enough to meet the costs of even the basics – and her family is falling into spiralling debt. Anju and her husband live in a slum. They share their compound – which has one kitchen, two toilets and two bathing areas – with seven other families. The rooms are hot, dark and cramped. Running water is available only three times a day, for just an hour each time. The crowded slum is unsafe, and no place for Anju’s eight and 10-year-old daughters – especially when she works such long hours. For this reason, Anju has made the heartbreaking decision to have her children live with her in-laws, nearly 200km away in a remote village. Anju now sees her two daughters just twice a year during national holidays. She is trapped – in a cycle of poverty and in a life without her children. During a trip to Bangladesh late last year, I visited the homes of women just like Anju. Sadly, their stories are all too common – families ripped apart, women sleeping on concrete floors after long hours at work and others going without enough food as they try to support family members and stretch their pittance of a pay to the next month. Women being paid poverty wages that force them to live in shocking conditions. Oxfam has just released

Textile operator Anju (22) is showing how she works in the factory. Mirpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh. research that exposes the shameful truth – a tiny portion of the retail price of clothing sold in Australia goes to the wages of women like Anju. The research, conducted for Oxfam by Deloitte Access Economics and the first of its kind in Australia, shows that on average, just four per cent of the price of a piece of clothing sold in Australia goes toward workers’ wages in factories across the globe. In Bangladesh, where wages are extremely low, the situation is even more dire – just two per cent of the price of clothing sold in Australia goes to the wages of women like Anju. But in a fashion industry where the turnover in Australia last year was $27 billion – and which is growing at an annual rate of four per cent – it’s possible for the women who make our clothes to be paid a living wage. A wage that covers at least essential needs including food, housing, healthcare, clothing, transport, education, and some money for savings and unexpected events. A wage that allows these women to live a decent life. The Deloitte research estimates that even if big companies passed the entire cost of paying living wages to all workers on to consumers, it would increase in the price of a piece of clothing sold in Australia by just one per cent. That is just 10 cents for a $10 T-shirt. Oxfam believes that with the profits being made by the factory owners,

wholesalers and retailers of the fashion industry, it is more than possible for the cost of paying living wages to be absorbed in these supply chains. It is time for the leading fashion retailers known and loved by Australians – the companies behind brands such as Kmart, Big W, Bonds, Cotton On and Just Jeans – to step up to their responsibilities to the women making their clothes. Oxfam has been working towards improving standards in the garment sector for more than 20 years. Our work has shown that when people are rightly outraged by the unfair treatment of workers like Anju – and tell the brands they love that they expect better – change can happen. After the tragic Rana Plaza factory building in Bangladesh collapsed in 2013, killing more than 1100 workers, Australian consumers demanded that companies act. In response, many of the largest garment retailers in Australia joined the ground-breaking Bangladesh Fire and Building Safety Accord. Similarly, Australians have demanded better transparency from big brands and joined Oxfam’s call for factory lists to be brought out of hiding. Over the past two-anda-half years, 12 of the biggest brands operating in Australia have published the majority of their factory locations online – keeping them accountable for the conditions where clothes are made. Despite these positive changes, poverty wages are

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

No matter how hard Anju works, her meagre pay is not enough to meet the costs of even the basics – and her family is falling into spiralling debt. still holding back the women who make our clothes. The time has come for this rigged system’s gross exploitation of workers to stop. Big brands must publicly commit to paying a living wage to their factory workers – and publish a strategy outlining how this will be achieved and by when. Anju, denied an education after her father died when she was just a baby and entered into an arranged marriage as a young teenager, had no big dreams about her future growing up. But she does have hope for her future – and that of her daughters. She told Oxfam this year: “Everyone wants their children to have a bright future. If my daughters have a better education, maybe they will have a good job – and they would have a brighter future.” Surely Anju is not asking too much. *Oxfam Australia Chief Executive

south asia 4 South Asia Timestimes

COMMUNITY

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 7

Trades Hall-SCFOL Diwali 2017 lights up Melbourne

By SAT News Desk

ELBOURNE, 21 October: The Victorian Trades Hall Council & Subcontinent Friends of Labor Vic (SCFOL) organized a successful Trades HallSCFOL Diwali 2017 event at the Victorian Trades

Hall, Carlton on 20 October 2017 in the presence of the community and many VIPs including the Victorian Multicultural Minister Hon. Robin Scott among others. The event had puja (Hindu Diwali worship), classical Sitar recital, folk dances, Bollywood dances and workshop, lots of networking and

a tasty Indian dinner by MARRIAGE WITH SPICES (Chef Anand). People of Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Nepali and others attended the function in large numbers. It was a great potpourri of multiculturalism laced with a fine package of entertainment.

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

N O V E M B E R

community

2 0 1 7

southSouth asia times 5 Asia Times

Lycamobile back in court after alleged failure to comply with underpayment decision

By SAT News Desk

elbourne, 3 November: The Australian arm of a global mobile SIM card provider that was penalised $59,400 for exploiting migrant workers is again facing legal action after the alleged underpayment of an employee at its NSW headquarters in Parramatta. The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action for the second time against Lycamobile Pty Ltd in the Federal Circuit Court. Acting Fair Work Ombudsman Kristen Hannah says the decision to take legal action was made because of the retail giant’s alleged failure to put in place adequate corrective processes after the 2013 penalty decision, which related to underpayments to staff in

Adelaide and Brisbane. The latest litigation relates to allegations an administrative employee in Parramatta was underpaid for overtime hours worked between 2012 and 2015. The Fair Work Ombudsman commenced an investigation into the matter after receiving a request for assistance from the employee. The employee was engaged by Lycamobile to perform administrative work and was contracted to work 40 hours per week plus reasonable additional hours for a base salary of between $33,867 and $37,742 per year. It is alleged she frequently worked additional overtime hours, including on Saturdays. The employee received periodic payments on top of her base salary, designated as “allowance” and “arrears”, that the Fair Work Ombudsman alleges

were insufficient to satisfy the minimum entitlements for overtime hours under the Award. It is alleged that during the employment period the worker performed 604.67 overtime hours and was entitled to between $25.71 and $38.20 per hour under the Telecommunication Services Award 2010, or $16,736 in total. “Lycamobile allegedly only paid the employee $11,472 for overtime hours, resulting in an underpayment of $5264. The alleged underpayment has now been fully rectified,’ says a medianet press release. Ms Hannah says it is disappointing there is cause to initiate legal action against Lycamobile for a second time. “It is of grave concern whenever we uncover allegations that an employer has failed to learn from past mistakes,”

Ms Hannah said. “We make it clear that while we understand oversights sometimes occur, we take a dim view of those who make repeated errors and will not hesitate to pursue serious enforcement action when we come across these allegations.” Lycamobile faces penalties of up to $54,000 per contravention. The Fair Work Ombudsman is also seeking orders requiring Lycamobile to provide workplace relations compliance training to its managers at its own expense, and undertake an external audit to identify other underpayments of its employees’ wages and entitlements. The matter is listed for directions in the Federal Circuit Court in Sydney on February 2 2018.

—Source: medianet, 3 Nov 2017.

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

'Lycamobile allegedly only paid the employee $11,472 for overtime hours, resulting in an underpayment of $5264. The alleged underpayment has now been fully rectified.' says a medianet press release.

south asia 6 South Asia Timestimes

community

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 7

AIII Diwali 2017

8,000 strong crowd gives a “Thumbs Up’ to new venue & free Diwali

By SAT News Desk

ELBOURNE, 15 October: After years of celebrating Diwali at the Sandown Race Course the decision to shift to the Springers Leisure Centre, Keysborough this year was a gamble that paid off for the AIII Executive Committee asthousands took advantage of the perfect weather conditions and free entry toparticipate in the AIII’s 16th Diwali Fair. The experiment to have the Diwali fair both indoor and outdoor together was ample parking all around was the highlight of the celebrations. The crowds trickled in slowly but steadily and

became a tsunami as the entertainment program took pace. Managed exclusively by Dr RnB Entertainment, the packed 10-hour programme featured the usual food and variety stalls, Children’s and Camel Rides and an all new and massive stage entertainment featuring a variety of items and fashion shows. The programme started with prayers to Goddess Laxmi performed by the Mr BabuAkula followed by Ganesh Sloka and ‘Pushpanjali’ by the Navaratna Arts group. Bollywood dancers, stand-up comedy, kid’s paintings, budding singers and musicians fused with intermittent fill-in

music from Master DJ SHY'AM and DJ Kaushal kept the audience in the hall entertained and enthralled. Stage MC Swetha did a tremendous job of controlling a packed programme – the highlight of which was the excellent fashion show produced by the Fashion Peacock and aspecial Dhol performance by Melbourne’s favourite Dholis “Dhol Pathak”. Invited guests included Ms Gabriel Williams, MP (Federal Member forDandenong), Ms Inga Peulich, MP (Shadow Minister for Scrutiny in Government),Cr.HeangTak (representing the Mayor of the City of Greater Dandenong),several State MP’s and Dandenong

Councillors and a surprise visit by formerPremier Mr Ted Baillieu. The 2017 winners of the AIII’s Annual Awards were given away to Ms Hitanjnee Yatawara (Young Achievement Award) and Mrs MadhuDudeja (Community Services Award). An inaugural prelude to the AIII’s Diwali Fair was launched at the Federation Square on 7 October. ‘Flash Mob’ featuring Dhol Pathak by JanaganaDhol (a double sided barrel slung over the neck and played using 2 wooden sticks) wa swell appreciated. Theperformance attracted a multi-national crowd including visitors to the City ofMelbourne, who all joined

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

in the dancing to the tune of the drums. A massive eightminute continuous fireworks display rounded off a massive day’s entertainment, cheered on by excited youngsters and the growing crowd, some from the neighbouring estates. The AIII team and their event partner Dr RnB Entertainment thanked this year’s sponsors – OPTUS, WAVES CONSULTANCY, SIMOND HOMES, RAINE &HORNE KEYSBOROUGH, BUPA and of course our funding partners VMC and THECITY OF GREATER DANDENONG for supporting this event. —Supplied & SAT inputs.

N O V E M B E R

southSouth asia times 7 Asia Times

2 0 1 7 Advertisement

Closing multinational tax loopholes is helping return more money to Australia By closing international loopholes, and actions by the ATO, more money is being collected from large multinational corporations. As a result, more money is being invested here, benefiting Australian communities and the economy.

Over $1.5 billion since July 2016 Since July 2016, ATO action has collected over $1.5 billion from large multinational corporations.

Diverted Profits Tax

Tax Avoidance Taskforce

From 1 July 2017, large multinational corporations that move undeclared profits overseas can be penalised with a tax of 40%.

The new Taskforce continues to investigate multinational corporations and enforce Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tax laws.

Find out more at fairtax.gov.au

Authorised by the Australian Government, Capital Hill, Canberra.

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

south asia 8 South Asia Timestimes

community

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 7

Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel’s 142nd birth anniversary celebration at the Indian Consulate By SAT Newsdesk

ELBOURNE,31 October: India’s first Deputy PM and Home Minister and a leading figure in the freedom struggle SardarVallabh Bhai Patel’s 142nd birth anniversary was celebrated at an event at the Indian Consulate here. The event attended by community members was addressed by Consul General Manika Jain and Prof Vinod Mishra, who gave a short power point presentation about him. A short documentary on him was also shown.

‘Namal’ fundraiser at Melbourne University BY SAT NEWSDESK

ELBOURNE, 2 November: Melbourne,2 November: A fundraiser and information session were held today at the Melbourne University

for ‘Namal College’ and ‘Namal Knowledge City’, Mianwali, Punjab, Pakistan. The institution is on the TalagaggMianwali Road near from Namal lake, founded by former Cricketer Imran Khan and now a politician.

The large gathering was addressed by Aleema Khan, sister of Imran Khan who detailed the aims and objectives of the institution and how it’s eighty percent students were from the rural and Tribal areas of Pakistan. She emphasized

Aleema Khan addressing the gathering at the Melbourne University. Photo: SAT/NN.

that for education one needs passion and Namal was working towards the goal of making it a quality educational center in Pakistan. She called upon overseas Pakistanis to support the effort and

explained in detail how they can support Namal. Presentations were also made by different organizations, individuals, and pledges of support from local the community and organizations announced.

Cricket memorabilia auction in progress. Photo: SAT/NN

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

N O V E M B E R

southSouth asia times 9 Asia Times

2 0 1 7

SRI SAI BABA ASTROLOGY CENTER

Indian Astrology From My Generation Palm Reading & Horoscope

PANDITH : GANGADHAR IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM I HAVE A SOLUTION FAMILY LOVE HEALTH COURT VISA LOTTO BUSINESS

JEALOUSY

PROTECTIONS

ENEMY PROBLEM

RELATIONSHIP PROPERTY MARRIAGE CHILDREN HUSBAND & WIFE PROMOTION EMPLOYMENT SPIRITUAL PROBLEMS REMOVE BLACK MAGIC

SEXUAL PROBLEM ETC

“I have a goal in helping people with depression and people who are hurt. Sometimes they need someone to talk to. well thats what Astrology Hand Reading, Numerology Horoscope Reading, I am here for!” Face Reading, Remove Black Magic, Evil Spirit Problems, Get your ex-love Predicts Your Past, Present and Future.Performs back by Vashikaram love Laxmi Chakra,Home/Shanti Pujas, Vaastupuja.He will help Astrology and f s n Solut0io% in all problems and work with God and holy spirit. 10

e e t n a r Gua

Call For Appointment

0426 181 166

1/164 Lightwood Road, Noble Park ,VIC -3174 7 Days A Week - 9.00 AM to 8.00 PM www.southasiatimes.com.au - (03) 9884 8096, 0421 677 082

south asia 10 South Asia Timestimes

COMMUNITY

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 7

SriLankan Airlines introduces direct 10-hour flight services to and from Colombo By SAT News Desk

elbourne, 31 October: Thousands of Sri Lankans, tourists, business travellers or anyone else can now have a sigh of relief with a tenhour non-stop flight service between Colombo and Melbourne. The inaugural flight UL604 landed at the Melbourne Airport on 30 October Carried a host of Sri Lankan dignitaries, including Sri Lankan State Minister for State Enterprise and Development, the Hon. Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, SriLankan Airlines Chairman Mr. Ajith Dias, SriLankan Airlines CEO Captain Suren Ratwatte, and Sri Lankan cricketers, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena. Those who welcomed the delegation included Melbourne Airport’s Chief of Aviation, Simon Gandy and Invest Victoria Senior Investment Manager, Nigel Aldons among others. SriLankan Airlines CEO Captain Suren Ratwatte

said “We're excited to be connecting Melbourne and Colombo like never before. Australia is home to one of the largest Sri Lankan expatriate communities, many of whom reside in and around Melbourne, and our two countries share many interests and passions – making for a rich, cultural exchange in the way of tourism and trade,” Capt. Ratwatte said. SriLankan Airlines Manager Australia and New Zealand, SanjeevaJayatileke said the new direct

connectivity is in view of the steady increase in passengers travelling between Colombo and Melbourne via various Asian connection points such as Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. The new non-stop service will also solidify Colombo’s position as a vibrant gateway city, for travellers seeking onward connectivity. SriLankan Airlines currently connects to 14 Indian points with over 120 flights a week, the highest number of Indian

destinations served by any international carrier, and over sixty weekly flights to and from nine Middle Eastern destinations. The Airline also offers connectivity to popular holiday destinations such as the Seychelles, and Malé&Gan Island in the Maldives. “As the national carrier of Sri Lanka, we look forward to providing our awardwinning service, delivered with world-renowned Sri Lankan warmth and hospitality, as Australians

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

travel to Sri Lanka, India, the Maldives and beyond,” continued Mr. Jayatileke. Melbourne Airport Chief of Aviation Simon Gandy said he is delighted to welcome SriLankan Airlines to the Melbourne Airport family. “We are thrilled to launch SriLankan Airlines daily non-stop service between Melbourne and Colombo adding much-needed capacity into such a key route. “Thanks to SriLankan Airlines we are able to better connect family and friends through this direct, non-stop service. With so many cultural experiences to choose from in Sri Lanka, we’re confident the route is going to be a busy one with tourists as well,” said Mr. Gandy. SriLankan Airlines’ daily service from Melbourne to Colombo will operate on an Airbus A330-200 departing at 4:55pm (local time) each day, which includes 18 Business Class seats and 251 Economy Class seats, says a SriLankan Airlines media release.

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 7

southSouth asia times 11 Asia Times

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

south asia 12 South Asia Timestimes

COMMUNITY

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 7

Shabana Azmi & Anupam Kher among jurors to choose ‘AACTA Award for Best Asian Film’ in Sydney on 6 December 2017 M By Neeraj Nanda

ELBOURNE, 17 October: The Australian Academy Cinema Television Arts Award for the Best Asian Film will form part of the grand and glittering program at a star – studded event in December this year in Sydney. The award will recognise excellence in filmmaking throughout the Asian region and reflect the popularity and importance of Asian films in Australia. The winner of the Award, determined by the Best Asian Film Grand Jury led by Oscar® and multiple AFI and AACTA Award-winning actor Russell Crowe, will be announced in Sydney at the 7th AACTA Awards Ceremony presented by Foxtel on Wednesday 6 December 2017 at The Star Event Centre. Crowe will be joined a panel of eight jurors, including: Chinese director, screenwriter and producer Lu Chuan (BORN IN CHINA,

CHRONICLES OF THE GHOSTLY TRIBE); acclaimed South Korean writer, director and producer Kim Ki-Duk (SPRING, SUMMER,

AUTUMN, WINTER…AND SPRING, 3-IRON, PIETA); fivetime National Film Award of India Best Actress winner Shabana Azmi (NEERJA,

THE BLACK PRINCE, ARTH); Golden Rooster Awardwinning Chinese actor Ye Liu (THE FOLIAGE, DARK MATTER, BLOOD BROTHERS); Oscar®nominated producer Gary Kurtz (THE DARK CRYSTAL, STAR WARS: EPISODE V – THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, STAR WARS: EPISODE IV – A NEW HOPE); British producer and distributor of Japanese and South Korean films, and Managing Director of Third Window Films Adam Torel (THE LAND OF HOPE, LOWLIFE LOVE); Australian film critic, producer and presenter Margaret Pomeranz AM (THE MOVIE SHOW, AT THE MOVIES); and prolific Indian actor Anupam Kher (SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK, BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM, A WEDNESDAY!). “As the Asian screen industry continues to grow and the traditional borders to content distribution are

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

breaking down, audiences across the world are discovering what other regions have to offer,” said AFI | AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella. “There is strong audience demand for Asian cinema in Australia and an increase in co-productions between Western and Asian filmmakers. Our Program seeks to bring the best and the brightest from both regions to new audiences.” The line-up of nominees, representing films from India, China, South Korea, Japan and the Philippines, includes record-breaking box office hits, Best Foreign Language Film Oscar® entries, arthouse masterpieces and critically acclaimed social commentaries that have triggered worldwide debate. The nine nominees are: BIRDSHOT (Philippines), DANGAL (India),I AM NOT MADAME BOVARY (China), Contd. on pg 14

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 7

southSouth asia times 13 Asia Times

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

south asia 14 South Asia Timestimes

Contd. from pg 12 KAASAV: TURTLE (India), OUR TIME WILL COME (China), PINK (India), TRAIN TO BUSAN (South Korea), WOLF WARRIOR II (China) and YOUR NAME (Japan), says the website of the AF-AACTA. Filipino thriller BIRDSHOT’s nomination follows its Australian premiere at the Adelaide Film Festival earlier this month. The film premiered

worldwide at the 2016 Tokyo International Film Festival, where it won Best Picture in the Asian Future category, and was recently announced as the Philippine’s entry for the Oscar® for Best Foreign Language Film. DANGAL has not only received critical acclaim but has also broken box office records, becoming the first Indian film to gross $300 million worldwide and the highest-grossing Indian film worldwide. The Hindi

COMMUNITY

language sports film has also won awards at the 64th National Film Awards and 62nd Filmfare Awards in India, as well as receiving the Telstra People’s Choice Award at the 2017 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. Based on Chinese novelist Liu Zhenyun’s I Did Not Kill My Husband, I AM NOT MADAME BOVARY marks Zhenyun, director Feng Xiaogang, multiAward winning actress Fan BingBing’s second collaboration, following the Golden Rooster nominated CELL PHONE. The film has been critically praised, in particular for its innovative use of circular frames, receiving a slew of awards, including a Toronto International Film Festival International Critics’ Award and the Golden Seashell at the 64th San Sebastian International Film Festival. Lauded for addressing the subject of mental health, KAASAV: TURTLE is the latest film from seventime National Film Awardwinning Marathi filmmakers Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukthankar. The Marathilanguage film became the fifth film in the language to win India’s National Film Award for Best Feature Film in its 64-year history. Berlinale Camera winner and eight-time Hong Kong Film Award-winning director Ann Hui’s war epic OUR TIME WILL COME portrays the fight and struggles of resistance groups during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong. The film adds an AACTA nomination to a growing list of nominations, including five nominations for the 54th Golden Horse Awards in China. Hindi social thriller PINK has received universal

N O V E M B E R

acclaim for its candid focus on the treatment of women in Indian culture. The film, which received the National Film Award for Best Film on Social Issues, challenges many of the Bollywood film industry’s clichés and has opened up debate around consent, patriarchy and the treatment of women in India. After premiering at the Midnight Screenings at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, zombie horror film TRAIN TO BUSAN went on to become the highest grossing film of 2016 in South Korea. The film has received numerous accolades, including awards at Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival, San Sebastian Horror and Fantasy Film Festival and was nominated for Best Horror Film by the American Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films. WOLF WARRIOR II has seen massive commercial success since releasing in July, breaking multiple box office records and becoming the highest grossing Chinese film of all time and the first and only non-Hollywood film on the list of 100 highestgrossing films of all time, worldwide. The Chinese action film has also received critical acclaim and was recently announced as China’s entry for the Oscars Best Foreign Language Film. Animated Japanese film YOUR NAME has received widespread acclaim from critics, numerous accolades and box-office success. Following the story of a high school girl and boy who swap bodies, the film has become the secondlargest grossing domestic film in Japan and the highest grossing anime film worldwide.

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

2 0 1 7

“We are proud to honour the work of our Asian neighbours, whose films are more popular in Australia than ever before, and to recognise the rich storytelling from this region through the inaugural AACTA Award for Best Asian Film,” said AFI | AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella. “The nine nominees form a unique snapshot of the finest Asian films released in Australia in the last year and are all must see films.” AACTA will also develop a range of film forums in Australia and regionally as part of the Asia International Engagement Program. These forums present a significant opportunity to share knowledge and foster cultural understanding, allowing for greater harmony and engagement between the Australian and Asian screen industries and audiences, including the continuallyevolving diaspora of Asian communities living in Australia and becoming active in our local industry. The Asia International Engagement Program is being undertaken by AACTA in partnership with PR Asia. “As the achievements and potential of Asian media industries continue to grow and evolve, PR Asia is extremely proud to be partnering with the Australian Academy on the new AACTA Asia International Engagement Program,” said Co-Founder and Vice President of PR Asia Amy Xu. Further information on the Asia International Engagement Program, the AACTA Award for Best Asian Film and the Best Asian Film Grand Jury can be found at – www.aacta.org.

N O V E M B E R

southSouth asia times 15 Asia Times

2 0 1 7

WAVES

CONSULTANCY

Migration & Education Consultants Your Success Is Our Reward

IMMIGRATION SERVICES Premier Consultancy for Australian Immigration & Education with over 22 years of combined experience.

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

Member of Migration Alliance

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

QEAC B070

AUSTRALIA

south asia 16 South Asia Timestimes

community

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 7

Madheshi Community celebrates Chhath Puja By SAT News Desk

ELBOURNE, 26 October: The Madheshi community in Victoria celebrated ‘Chhath Puja’ here with great enthusiasm and gaiety. There were morning and evening sessions at the beautiful Edwards Lake Park, Reservoir attended by people from different suburbs. Victoria’s Multicultural

Minister, Hon. Robin Scott addressed a select gathering and participated in the celebrations. Chhath Puja is an important Hindu festival that is mainly celebrated in Bihar and some regions of Nepal. The puja is dedicated to the worship of the Sun god and his wife Usha. During the occasion, devotees perform puja to thank god for supporting life on earth and seek the divine couple’s blessing.

AMU alumni in Victoria celebrate Sir Syed Day

BY SAT News Desk

ELBOURNE, 21 October: The mission of Sir Syed Khan, founder of the Aligarh Muslim University was once again remembered and appreciated by its alumni at a meeting here today to mark the Sir Sayed Day. The AMU Alumni of Victoria organised the event at the Coburg Town Hall, Melbourne. The function was attended by more than 150 guests consisting of AMU well-wishers and prominent dignitaries. The function started with recitation from the holy Quran by Master Omair Siddiqi and its translation in English by Master HasnainJaved. The evening was marked by speeches on the mission of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. In his speech, President of AMU Alumni of Victoria, Mr Mohammad Faisal Siddiqi, welcomed the guests and emphasised that Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, on the strength of his convictions,

overcame insurmountable hurdles to create an institution that has for the last 100 years been a beacon of enlightenment and hope. Mr Siddiqi quoted Sir Syed, while he was laying the foundation stone of MAO College, “This

College may expand into a university whose sons shall go forth throughout the length and breadth of the land to preach the gospel of free inquiry, large- hearted tolerance, and pure morality”. The other speakers at the event

included Mr Hayat Qureshi, Dr Nakhat Ansari, Mr Rashid Sultan and Dr Faizan Zia. The Chief Guest, from the Melbourne Indian Consulate, Mr. Rakesh Malhotra, Consul & Head of Chancery thanked the alumni spoke at length on Sir Syed Ahmed Khan’s

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

life and his achievements and Dr Mohammad Ayubigave the vote of thanks. The program wrapped up with the AMU Tarana followed by the National Anthem and the delicious ‘Sir Syed Dinner’.

N O V E M B E R

southSouth asia times 17 Asia Times

2 0 1 7

Bank of Melbourne’s Diwali Evening M By SAT News Desk

ELBOURNE, 10 October: The Bank of Melbourne this year celebrated the festival of lights – Diwali, in the presence of distinguished guests and community members with all the excitement and festivity. Many people were in traditional dresses laced with happiness making the event fit for Australia’s multicultural ethos. Prominent among those present were the Honourable Robin Scott MP – Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Finance, Manika Jain – Consul

General of India, and W.G.S. Prasanna – Consul General of Sri Lanka and Michelle Winzer, Bank of Melbourne

Chief Executive, Jonathan Ayres, Head of Premium Banking & Business Growth and Huzi

Bagasrawala, Business development Manager, Asian & Migrant Banking. Michelle Winzer in her address said, “We support the uniqueness of many cultures from around the world that are nurtured and celebrated within our state. We work closely with the sub-continental community, supporting local community events, festivals, organisations and professional networks.” “We help to create prosperity for people, their businesses and their communities. Let’s all celebrate Diwali together and wish each other wealth, prosperity and happiness,” she said. All the other prominent

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

guests who spoke wished a happy Diwali to the community and expressed their happiness at the Bank of Melbourne organising a Diwali evening at their Rialto Towers office. Adding to the celebration were the classical Indian and Bollywood dances appreciated by those present. It was revealed 40 per cent of Bank of Melbourne staff speak a second language which helps bridge the cultural gap for the new or established customers which helps tailor bank services to suit their needs.

south asia 18 South Asia Timestimes

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

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 7

N O V E M B E R

southSouth asia times 19 Asia Times

2 0 1 7

Melbourne Durbar

By Desi Oz

30 years of Crime Stoppers

rime Stoppers recently celebrated its three decades with annual sponsors & supporters at a function at the Government House. Crime Stoppers

Victoria CEO Erika Owens paid tribute to every Crime Stoppers supporter, in particular the community, that had enabled the charity to help make Victoria a safer place for 30 years.

Over 931,000 calls and online reports have been made to Crime Stoppers from the community since its inception in 1987 – subsequently resulting in 21,340 arrests and 85,051

charges laid across the state during that time. It’s estimated that more than 50 percent of Victoria Police’s overall intelligence holdings now come through the Crime Stoppers Unit. Making

$ 337,000 for Hotel Mumbai international A students

ELBOURNE: The Andrews Labor Government has announced 14 new projects worth $337,000 to help Victoria’s international students through its International Student Welfare Program (ISWP). The projects include cricket matches, legal education seminars and cultural celebrations designed to address everything from international student wellbeing and mental health to student safety and community engagement. The projects were announced during a meeting between Minister for Trade and Investment Philip Dalidakis& international student leaders includes a $75,000 grant for the Inner Melbourne Community Legal to provide legal support for 600 newly arrived international students at universities, TAFEs and private education providers. Cricket Victoria’s Harmony in Cricket program has also been allocated

Grants of up to $5,000 are available to student groups for activities that support international student wellbeing in the state.

fter Lion, Dev Patel’s next is Hotel Mumbai, upcoming AmericanAustralian movie directed by Antony Maras. Others acting in the movie include AnupamKher, ArmieHa mmer,NazaninBoniadi,TidaCoham-Hervy, Jason Issacs, SuhailNayyar and Natasha Liu Bordizzo. The thriller is the astonishing true story of the victims and survivors of the November, 2008 terrorist attacks throughout Mumbai with the famed Taj Mahal Hotel (near the Gateway of India) being the primary target. Hotel staff risked their lives to protect the lives of guests. The movie is based on the 2009 documentary Surviving Mumbai. Screen Australia’s Upcoming Production Report says the film is written by John Collee and Anthony Maras and is of 110 minutes duration. The movie is due for release in 2018.

$50,000. Mr Dalidakis also announced that applications under Category One of the program are now open. Grants of up to $5,000 are available to student groups for activities that support international student wellbeing in the state. For more information on the ISWP and the projects funded, visit studymelbourne.vic.gov.au. www.southasiatimes.com.au - (03) 9884 8096, 0421 677 082

a report to Crime Stoppers is completely confidential, and as simple as calling 1800 333 000, visiting their website at www.crimestoppersvic. com.au or downloading their free smartphone app.

South Asia Times south asia 20 South Asia Timestimes

south asia

south SOUTHasia ASIA SOUTH ASIA

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 7

Nawaz Sharif wrote his obit By Faraz Ahmad*

EW DELHI: Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Nawaz Sharif ousted from power by a deceitful judgment of Pakistan Supreme Court two months back is facing the same existential crisis which confronted exactly forty years ago Pakistan’s first duly elected Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. Only, the Pakistani military establishment’s hand maiden the judiciary of the Mulke Khudadade Pakistan (God’s own gift) won’t dare hang Mian sahib because he happens to be a Punjabi. The rest of the story is almost identical to what befell Bhutto, the charismatic, aristocratic and arrogant connoisseur of good life who carried alongside his populist symbolism addressing the poor, deprived and mercilessly exploited sections of the Pakistani society. Mian Nawaz Sharif was a creation of that mullah in Khaki, the cock eyed General who fought no wars, Mohammad Ziaul Haq who ruled Pakistan with an iron hand in collusion with the mullahs and a kept judiciary. It was Zia, who in a bid to contain the continued

popularity of Bhutto even after his death, made a young Mian sahib a minister in the Punjab government apprehending Benazir’s rising popularity in the late 70s and early 80s.

But soon as Zia was bombed into smithereens in the Presidential plane in October 1988, Benazir rode to power in an election held after 11 years’ gap. But the Pakistan army did not trust

her for two reasons. First she was a woman which the patriarchal conservative mullahs of Pakistan could not digest. Besides she had been reared by her father on some amount of considerably diluted liberalism and secularism, an anathema to Pakistan’s mullahs for whom any such trait is to date Kufr which made Bhutto and Benazir Kafirs and Kafirs for them lived and ruled in India so by implication Bhutto and Benazir too were Indian agents. They even carried an insidious campaign that Bhutto’s mother was actually a Hindu woman whom his father Shahnawaz had secretly married. Worse Benazir’s mother Nusrat happened to be a Shia Muslim, another red rag for the Wahabi Sunni sect to which Zia too belonged. It is worth mentioning because all this was brought out against Bhutto when he decided to take on the Pakistan Army and successfully negotiated with Indira Gandhi to take back over 90,000 Prisoners of War interned in India after Pakistan was defeated by India in 1971-72 war and liberation of Bangla Desh. Initially after the historical 1969 elections when

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

In Pakistan therefore you cannot dream of ruling if you show any indulgence towards the Hindu minorities or “Hindu India.” Pakistan was created on Hindu enmity and the Army has perpetuated its iron rule on Hindu India enmity. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Awami League won an overwhelming majority in Pakistan National Assembly by virtue of sweeping then East Pakistan which had more seats because of greater

N O V E M B E R

south asia

2 0 1 7

southSouth asia times 21 Asia Times

Nawaz Sharif wrote... population density, Bhutto was an accomplice in the excesses committed against Bengalis and therefore when eventually General Yahya Khan had to step down after the humiliating dismemberment of Pakistan, Bhutto created a history of sorts by becoming the first civilian Martial Law Dictator perhaps anywhere in the world. But as things progressed and Bhutto decided to push the army behind the barracks, introduce some administrative reforms to set the Pakistan bureaucracy and later the judiciary to order, and make Pakistan a modern state, the Army-judiciarymullah combine in Pakistan decided to teach him a lesson. Mind you at the height of his popularity Bhutto had the gumption to declare to wide acclaim at a massive public meeting in Lahore “Haan main sharabpeeta hoon, kisikakhoon to nahinpeeta hoon.” His Punjab chief minister Ghulam Mustafa Khar had dragged out mullahs by their beards from the famous Mughal masjid in Lahore and beat them in public for their audacity to pronounce Bhutto a Kafir. But when Bhutto superceded six generals to make the apparently pliant and submissive Ziaul Haq the army chief, whom Bhutto disdainfully considered supine, the entire Army establishment decided not to forgive him for this sacrilege and tell Bhutto who was the real boss. So, a blasphemous Bhutto was sentenced to death on the most specious plea. The allegation against Bhutto by Ahmad Raza Kasuri, still alive, contained in the FIR registered after Bhutto deposition was that at Bhutto’s orders the secret service of Pakistan called the CIA shot at him while he was driving, carrying his father sitting next to the driver’s seat. The bullet missed him. Instead it hit his father who died. The most basic student of law knows that since the ostensible target of the attack was the complainant who

survived without the least injury, Section 302 of the PPC identical to IPC cannot apply and therefore no law could prescribe a death sentence for the accidental unintended death of Ahmad Raza Kasuri’s father. But then Bhutto was so popular that alive, even interned within the Kot Lakhpat jail, he was a threat to Zia. So he had to be removed from the political scenario of Pakistan. Main Nawaz Sharif faces an identical situation. He was created by the conservative Army-Mullah-judicairy clique of Pakistan and the benevolence and generosity of Zia and the Pakistan Army extended to his entire family. Thus father Sharif within no time became from a moderate businessman to a multi-millionaire steel mill owner and the family continued rising in wealth and prosperity along with political power. In 1990 when the Pakistan army and mullahs wanted to get rid of Benazir the then Pakistan President Ghulam Ishaq Khan dismissed Benazir’s duly elected PPP government on corruption charges and then ordered fresh elections where the Army-mullah coalition not just backed Nawaz Sharif led Muslim League, but pumped huge money into his campaign and even rigged the elections to ensure his victory. But Ishaq Khan another proxy of the same conservative establishment and a relic of Zia era had tasted blood. So in 1993 he decided to dismiss Sharif again on corruption charges. But this time since the Armymullah combine was divided in its loyalty the Supreme Court too was indulgent to Nawaz and eventually the Army intervened asking both to quit bringing back Benazir for a second term, much to the chagrin of the Pak establishment. Again Benazir was dismissed by President Faroooq Leghari this time and Mian sahib put back into the seat of power. Miansaheb’s

politics encouraged or rather patronized the private Wahabi armies like Sipahe Sahaba and Lashkare Jhangvi let loose on Pakistan’s Hindu, Christian, Shia and Ahmediya minorities. He toed the Army line targeting India as an enemy. But by 1999 Mian sahib started having second thoughts on relations with India and invited the then Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to Lahore, receiving him and the Indian delegation with a warm welcome. The move may have been welcomed all over the world. But certainly did not go well with the Army-mullah coalition and within no time the Army led by the then Army Chief General Parvez Musharraf launched the surreptitious Kargil aggression embarrassing Mian sahib and making his position untenable. Musharraf deposed Nawaz soon after but the mullahs and their patron Saudi Arabia had not lost all hope in Mian sahib, an old and tested friend and so Musharraf was forced to allow Nawaz Sharif exile in Saudi Arabia where he remained till 2007. But if the USA succeeded in persuading Musharraf to allow Benazir to return to Pakistan and contest the elections proposed to be held in 2008, the patriarchal, Wahabi Islamist Saudi Arabia couldn’t stomach Benazir once more and forced Musharraf to take back Mian sahib too to politically challenge Benazir. So far so good. But then Pakistan’s politicians do not believe in forget and forgive thesis and once back in the saddle in June 2013 he contemplated trying out Musharraf for treason against the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan. Simultaneously he refused to send in his troops to Saudi Arabia to fight its battles against the Yemenis. With the PPP being largely leaderless and rudderless he also decided to cultivate the Hindu minority, participating in their Diwali and Holi

festivities as also breaking ice with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. All this put together caused tremendous suspicion and resentment against Mian sahib whom once the Army-mullah combine and its hand maiden judiciary adored. So their proxy that Imran Khan was let loose and finally the Supreme Court deposed him. In Pakistan therefore you cannot dream of ruling if you show any indulgence towards the Hindu minorities or “Hindu India.” Pakistan was created on Hindu enmity and the Army has perpetuated its iron rule on Hindu India enmity. The day they let their guards down on this front the raison d’ etre for Pakistan ceases and could lead to the state falling apart. At least that the conservative establishment of Pakistan fears and this is yet again evident in incarceration of Mian Nawaz Sharif. This notwithstanding the fact that there is a groundswell of support within Pakistan for amicable peaceful coexistence with

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

But then Bhutto was so popular that alive, even interned within the KotLakhpat jail, he was a threat to Zia. So he had to be removed from the political scenario of Pakistan. India and a warm feeling for we Indians. *Faraz Ahmad is a senior journalist based in New Delhi, India. Source: faraz1951

south asia 22 South Asia Timestimes

south asia

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 7

Up to 100 million girls vulnerable to child marriage By Tharanga Yakupitiyage

NITED NATIONS, Oct 12 2017 (IPS) Over 20,000 girls are married before the age of 18 every day around the world as countries continue to lack legal protections, according to a new study. Concerned over the lack of progress, Save the Children and the World Bank teamed up to research child marriage laws around the world and found a dismal picture. Globally, even in countries that restrict the practice, almost 8 million girls are married illegally under the age of 18 each year, making up 60 percent of child marriages. “It is such a critical issue for young girls around the world…but also for her future family and health of her children later as well,” President and CEO of Save the Children Carolyn Miles told IPS. Marriage often has irreversible impacts on child brides who are at greater risk of poor health outcomes, living in poverty, and dropping out of school. In fact, loss of access

to education appears to be both a cause and consequence of child marriage. Around the world, 32 million primary school and 29 million lower-secondary school-aged girls are out of school. Such girls are more likely to be married as children, Miles noted. “For girls, being in school is a protective mechanism really,” she said. Girls who marry also often forced to leave school, and many find it difficult to return after marriage due to social pressure, domestic responsibilities, and even government policies. In Tanzania, schools are allowed to expel or exclude students who are married or become pregnant. By undermining their basic rights to education, girls’ life opportunities become limited, creating a domino effect that impacts the well-being of societies at large. Some nations have made progress towards ending child marriage, including Mexico, Nepal, and Zimbabwe, all of which either raised the minimum age for marriage or eliminated exceptions to the practice.

However, many countries still allow girls to be married before 18 with parental or judicial consent while others still retain a lower legal age for marriage. Bangladesh, for example, recently passed a law to allow girls below 18 to be married in “special cases,” setting back progress towards ending child marriage. While stories of child marriage are commonly associated with the Global South, countries like the United States are also guilty of the practice. Across all 50 states, marriage before the age of 18 has remained legal as some lack any minimum marital age while others allow exceptions such as parental and judicial consent. Most recently, New Hampshire rejected a bill to increase the age of marriage from 13 to 18 while New Jersey vetoed a ban on marriage under the age of 18. When considering parental and judicial exceptions, Save the Children and the World Bank found that close to 100 million girls around the world are not legally

protected against child marriage. The organizations also found that two-thirds of all child marriages take place even in countries where the practice is banned, indicating a lack of enforcement of marriage laws. Bangladesh, despite having set a minimum age of 18, has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world with 65 percent of girls married before the age of 18. West and Central Africa sees 1.7 million illegal child marriages every year, making it one of the highest proportions globally. Legal reforms alone are therefore not enough to end the harmful practice, Miles said. “It’s about trying to change the local customs or belief that it’s okay for a girl to be married,” she told IPS. “Yes, we need laws and yes, we need laws that aren’t going to be circumvented, but we also need to change beliefs and these underlying issues,” Miles continued. Among such laws is a legal age of 18 for marriage and the elimination of parental and judicial exceptions.

The report also highlighted the need for countries to adopt clear interventions to delay marriage and to increase investment in the poorest and most marginalized girls in areas such as safe, accessible, affordable, and quality education. Efforts are also needed to address discrimination and social norms that prevent girls from attending school and limit their future opportunities. “Investing in such interventions, documenting their impacts, and implementing a broad range of gender transformative policies will all be key to ensuring a better future both for girls and countries as a whole,” the report concludes. The globally adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) recognizes the harmful practice and includes a target to eliminate child marriage by 2030. The report was launched ahead of an African-led High Level Meeting on Ending Child Marriage where there are high hopes that it could be a turning point to move the continent away from the practice.

Rashmi Hamal is a local heroine who helped to save her friend from an early marriage. She campaigns actively against child marriages in the Far Western Region of Nepal. Credit: Naresh Newar/IPS www.southasiatimes.com.au - (03) 9884 8096, 0421 677 082

N O V E M B E R

south asia

2 0 1 7

southSouth asia times 23 Asia Times

The why & how of ‘secularism’ in the Indian constitution In the struggle for independence, the people of different religious pursuits had a natural worry as to what sort of religious freedom they would be able to enjoy in an independent India. By Ravi Kiran Jain

ny discussion on secularism would need first to focus on two basic aspects: Firstly, the word ‘secularism’ has no substitute in any of our languages. Like the ‘war’ is the opposite word of ‘peace’, in common parlance in the Indian context, ‘secularism’ is understood by its antonym ‘communalism’, while in the Western context, ‘secularism’ is understood by its antonym ‘theocracy. Secondly, the word ‘secularism’ was nowhere mentioned in the Preamble of the Constitution when it was enforced. It was included in the Preamble by the controversial 42nd Constitution Amendment during the Emergency with effect from January 3, 1977. It is interesting to note that the Preamble, though the Constitution opens with it , was not the first to come into existence .It was the last piece of drafting adopted by the Constituent Assembly at the end of the first reading of the constitution . The motion to adopt the Preamble was moved on the October 17, 1949. It was suggested during the

debates that the Preamble be taken up when the Constituent Assembly would meet in November for the third reading as by that time the Drafting Committee would also have submitted its final report to the House.

Preamble was added to the Constitution.

MaulanaHasratMohani objected to the postponement submitting that unless the Preamble was passed on that day at the first reading itself , the Drafting Committee could not produce any report on the second reading . K.M.Munshi supported him. MaulanaHasratMohani by making a humorous comment – “Once in my life I support the MaulanaSaheb !” The President ruled that the Preamble should be passed on that day to enable the Constitution as a whole being passed in its second reading and the Preamble forming part of the Constitution. Several amendments were suggested to the Preamble but they were all negated.

“The Preamble to the Constitution which our Founding Fathers have, after the Constitution was framed, finally settled to conform to the ideals and aspirations of the people embodied in that instrument, have in ringing tone declared the purposes and objectives which the Constitution was intended to sub serve.”

At the end, the President moved the motion – “That the Preamble stands part of the Constitution.” The motion was adopted on Novemer 2, 1949. The

In the words of Justice Jagan Mohan Reddy in his judgment in KesavanandaBharati v. State of Kerala, 1973 (4) SCC 225--

The question arises as to why it was introduced during the Emergency. Was it not a challenge to the wisdom of the Constitution-makers? The Constituent Assembly consisted of persons who had no partisan motive nor they had any axe to grind. They were men of vision; they inspired confidence, and were all products of the struggle for independence. In the struggle for independence, the people of different religious pursuits had a natural

worry as to what sort of religious freedom they would be able to enjoy in an independent India. When Mahatma Gandhi appeared on the scene and transformed the freedom movement into a mass movement in 1920s, it was realised that people could hardly be motivated to go the whole hog for the freedom struggle unless they were assured that their religious beliefs and systems would be secure in a post-independent India and that they would not be marginalized and sidelined, in case they belonged to the minority community. It was in the pursuit of this very assurance that Gandhiji gave to the people the much-valued concept of ‘SarvaDharmSambhav” --the principle that all religions are equal. The Mulsim League had boycotted the Constitutent Assembly when it started its session on December 9, 1946, and it continued to boycott it even thereafter. Evidently the pressure worked, and on June 3, 1947, Lord Mountbatten announced the coming into existence of two independent States with effect from August 15, 1947.

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

On August 14, 1947, the President of the Constituent Assembly, Dr Rajendra Prasad remembered Mahatma Gandhi in the following words while speaking on the floor of the Assembly, “Let us also pay our tribute of love and reverence to Mahatma Gandhi who has been our beacon light, our guide and philosopher, during the last 30 years or more. He represents that undying spirit in our culture and make-up which has kept India alive through vicissitudes of history.” And then he went on to say, “To all the minorities in India we give the assurance that they will receive fair and just treatment, and there will be no discrimination in any form against them. Their religion, their culture, and their language are safe, and they will enjoy all the rights and privileges of citizenship…To all we give the assurance that will be our Endeavour to end poverty and squalor and its companions, hunger and disease: to abolish distinction and exploitation and to ensure decent conditions of living.” Contd. on pg 24

south asia 24 South Asia Timestimes

south asia

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 7

The why & how of ‘secularism’ ... Contd. from pg 23 These words of Dr Rajendra Prasad on the floor of the Constituent Assembly were clearly influenced by the overwhelming concept of “SarvDharmSambhav” which reigned supreme in the minds of the members of the Constituent Assembly, and this later found ample manifestation in the provisions specifically incorporated in the Constitution. Article 15 says, ‘The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on ground only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them” and also Article 25 provides that “all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practice and propagate religion”. What needs to be taken note of is that absolutely nothing happened in the country from 1950, when the Constitution was enforced, to 1977 to hasten the urgency of bringing about a Constitution Amendment to incorporate the word “secular” in the Preamble of the Constitution. As a matter of fact, the politics in the country

remained during all these years focused on issues, people participated overwhelmingly and spontaneously in the poll process, and the public debates were focused primarily on the key issues concerning the masses of this country. In fact, cutting across all barriers of castes and religion, people voted on the issue of “garibihatao” in the 1971 Lok Sabha election. Paradoxically, however, the post-1971 years unfolded nothing effective to tackle the problem of poverty and economic disparities, but, instead, the State, literally dominated by one individual, gave place to a process of demolition of Constitutional institutions. Three Judges of the Supreme Court were superseded. Then followed the Emergency, letting loose a reign of terror, and one of its fallouts was the apex court verdict in ADM Jabalpur case. Against this backdrop came the controversial 42nd Constitution Amendment. Nehru told the members of the Constituent Assembly on August 14, 1947, “The service of India means the service

of the millions who suffer. It means the ending of poverty and ignorance and disease and inequality of opportunity.” The country was to achieve this objective on the basis of the principles contained in Part IV of the Constitution, which were “fundamental in the governance of the country”. Incidentally, in the Statement of Objects and Reasons in respect of the 42nd Constitution Amendment, similar expression has been used in the following words, “The question of amending the Constitution for removing the difficulties which had arisen in achieving the objective of socioeconomic revolution, which would end poverty and ignorance and disease and inequality of opportunity, had been engaging the active attention of government and the public for some years…It was, therefore, considered necessary to amend the Constitution to spell out expressly the high ideals of socialism, and integrity of the nation”. Paradoxically, after the word “secular” found place in the

Preamble as a result of the 42nd Amendment that it was lapped by sections of opportunistic politicians to fuel a highly retrogressive and diversionary debate of secularism vs communalism and vice versa. What the country saw in its wake? The demolition of the Babri masjid and the resultant communal holocaust followed by Bombay, Surat attacks on minorities and in other cities in january1993, thereafter Gujarat communal massacre and then the recent Muzaffarnagar communal riots . Looking back, the communalism vs secularismdebate hasonly resulted in throwing into the backyard the issues of removing poverty, illiteracy, disease, and inequality of opportunity. On the other hand, nonissues became issues and issues became nonissues in politics and polls, and what has been worse, it generated its own pernicious offshoot. Politics and polls got additionally hooked onto castes versus castes. The real issues, confronting the people, like poverty, disparity,

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

exploitation, hunger, unemployment, illiteracy, power crisis, environment degradation, and water scarcity, alarming loot and destruction of our forests, and population explosion have been sidelined. Likewise, criminalization of politics and corruption have also become nonissues. There has been no difference between various governments at the Centre or the States during the last two decades on the question of following the economic policies on account which the forces of globalisation have slowly but solidly deprived India of its economic and political sovereignty so much so that the country has lost its right to determine its own agenda of governance and development, which now rests with the international powers, multinationals and worldfunding agencies. The question is how long shall we permit this to continue by keeping the people involved the nationally detrimentally quarrels over secularism vs communalism or castes vs castes? Source: Sabrang, Oct 4, 2017

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 7

southSouth asia times 25 Asia Times

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

south asia 26 South Asia Timestimes

south asia

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 7

Missing Pak Journalist Fighting for Jailed Indian Engineer Rescued After Two Years

EW DELHI: Zeenat Shahzadi, a journalist who went missing in Lahore in 2015, has been recovered by security forces, Pakistani officials said. Shahzadi was allegedly kidnapped two years ago by unidentified men as she was on her way to work in an autorickshaw in a populated part of the city of Lahore. She was a journalist with Daily Nai Khaber and Metro News TV channel, and was looking into an Indian engineer jailed in Peshawar on espionage charges named Hamid Ansari at the time. Shahzadi had filed an application with the Supreme Court’s Human Rights Cell on behalf of Fauzia Ansari, Hamid's mother. She also filed a habeas corpus petition in the Peshawar High Court. The application was submitted and forwarded to the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances. Shahzadi’s efforts had compelled authorities to admit that Ansari was in their custody. Reports then emerged that Ansari had been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment on charges of espionage -- leading to protest from human rights campaigners. Some versions of Ansari’s story say that he was pursuing a Pakistani woman whom he had met on the internet, and had hence crossed over into the country from Afghanistan. The case had received some media attention, and Shahzadi was pursuing it as a key story. In 2016, activist Hina Jillani told BBC Urdu that Shahzadi had told her family of the threats she was facing, including being forcibly taken away by security agencies",

Zeenat Shahzadi. Photo: CJFE detained for four hours and questioned about Ansari. The case once again gained attention after Shahzadi’s brother, Saddam Hussain, committed suicide in March that year. The family linked the suicide to the kidnapping. "Helping an Indian prisoner -- Hamid Ansari -- in Pakistan has cost us dearly. My sister is missing and my younger brother (Saddam) who was deeply attached to her hanged himself after losing hope to get reunited with her," Salman Latif, Shahzadi's other brother, had told PTI at the time. "My sister has not committed any crime in helping an Indian national," he said. “Zeenat received threats from unknown persons who asked her not to pursue the case anymore. We also

asked her not to put her life at risk but she said she wanted to help Ansari out of humanity. When she spoke to Ansari's mother she literally cried along with her and vowed to help,” Latif said. Pakistan's Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances (CIED) head, Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal confirmed that Shahzadi had been located and rescued. He said that non-state actors and “enemy agencies” had kidnapped Shahzadi, adding that tribal elders in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa played an important role in her recovery. Two years on, Shahzadi’s rescue has again made headlines, with activists across borders welcoming

the development. Pakistani activist Beena Sarwar took to Facebook to post, “Thrilled that the disappeared activistjournalist Zeenat Shehzadi is home safe. Justice Javed Iqbal, chairman National Accountability Bureau Pakistan who retains charge of the Commission of Enquiry into Enforced Disappearances for a few more months announced her recovery. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) had been pleading her case before the commission of inquiry since her disappearance in 2015. I. A. Rehman says he has spoken to Zeenat’s mother who confirmed that Zeenat is back and is well.” Source: The Citizen, October21, 2017

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

Two years on, Shahzadi’s rescue has again made headlines, with activists across borders welcoming the development.

N O V E M B E R

south asia

2 0 1 7

southSouth asia times 27 Asia Times

Big Hearts in a Small Village How a Community Clinic in Cox’s Bazar helps Local Bangladeshis and Rohingyarefugees By International Organization for Migration

OX'S BAZAR, Bangladesh, Nov 9 2017 (IOM) - Johora, 60, came to the IOMsupported community clinic in Kutupalong, Ukhiya subdistrict, with Shajeda, her 20-year-old daughter-in-law, who is in her eighth month of pregnancy and expecting her first child. As they waited for Shajed’scheck up, they leafed through the little blue book given to expectant mothers by the clinic, detailing their medical history and appointments throughout the pregnancy. The clinic, outside the Kutupalong makeshift settlement where over 600,000 Rohingya refugees are seeking refuge from violence in Myanmar, provides healthcare to local people like Johora’s family, as well as the refugees. On a normal day, clinic staff treat as many as 150 patients — often half of them locals and half refugees. Johora lives close to the clinic, which is located just a few miles from Bangladesh’s border with Myanmar. The newly arrived refugees trudge past her house on their way from the border to the vast, makeshift settlement. Johora is quietly proud of the fact that she has cooked food for close to 400 destitute Rohingya families since the current influx started on August 25th. Although, like most people in the neighbourhood, she has very little, she felt that she had no choice but to help them with some food and a place to stay. Two and a half months into the crisis, some of the families are still living on her land. “I remember two similar influxes of people, when violence broke out a long time ago, but this one is much bigger,” she says. The stories of suffering she has heard from her guests are like nothing that she has ever heard before. “I am trying to support them as best I can, but it is hard,” she observes. Like other members of the local community in Cox’s Bazar, Johora also

Johora, a Bangladeshi soon to be grandmother (right), and her daughter-in-law, Shajeda, sit in the community clinic waiting area. Credit: Olivia Headon/UN Migration Agency (IOM) 2017.

Suma stands in the clinic, where she brings her patients when they need extra care. Credit: Olivia Headon/UN Migration Agency (IOM) 2017. worries that the huge influx of people since August will over-stretch the limited services, including healthcare, that exist in the area. Suma Sharma, a local IOM community health promoter and outreach worker, who covers the Kutupalong area where Johora and Shajeda live, recognizes the problem.

In the three years that she has been working with IOM, she has helped over 100 pregnant women and assisted in 37 births. She tries to get women to the clinic in time for delivery. On the day that Johora and Shajeda came for the check-up, Suma brought in a patient whom she had been supporting through

nine months of pregnancy and was now in labour. The young mother safely delivered a healthy baby just four hours after arriving at the clinic. Suma not only works with pregnant women, but also takes care of other vulnerable patients, making at least 10–12 home visits a day to both Bangladeshi

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

Like other members of the local community in Cox’s Bazar, Johora also worries that the huge influx of people since August will overstretch the limited services, including healthcare, that exist in the area. and Rohingya families. She is responsible for 300 households comprising roughly 2,000 people. IOM, in partnership with Mukti, a local NGO, has some 262 health promoters and outreach health workers in Cox’s Bazar district. “One of the most important aspects of my work is visiting families in their homes,” says Suma. She provides basic primary healthcare to families and, when she finds a patient with a complicated case, she refers them to the clinic. She also promotes vital health awareness messages on maternal health, hygiene practices, childhood immunization and communicable diseases at the community-level. In the harsh living conditions of the Cox’s Bazar settlements, some of her work ends in tragedy. Recently a pregnant woman she referred to the district hospital suffered complications and eventually both she and her baby died. Suma believes that her work is saving other women from a similar fate. This story was posted by Olivia Headon, the UN Migration Agency’s Press Officer in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.

south asia 28 South Asia Timestimes

focus

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 7

Taj Mahal as Tej Mahal Once Again “There Is a Bee in The Bonnett” in India I By Subhash Gatade

t was probably late sixties or early seventies – when a gentleman called P N Oak started appearing in Marathi magazines peddling his weird theories about well-known monuments in and outside India. An article which made lot of news then was centred around Taj Mahal where it was claimed that it was ‘Tejo Maha Aalay’ or hindu god Shiva’s abode. It tried to establish through various ‘explanations’ that a Shiva Temple was destroyed to build Taj Mahal and if we dig deep we can find ‘remnants’ of the earlier structure. Mr Vinay Katiyar’s latest advice to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath that he “should go into the Taj Mahal and see the Hindu signs inside it” reminded one of P N Oak. Looking at the fact that ideas of Hindutva had still not caught the imagination of the people then, hardly anyone – apart from a minority of Chitpavan Brahmins who believed in turning India into a Hindu Rashtra – looked at Oak’s ‘theories’ seriously. Definitely nobody could then have the premonition that such claims – that their places of worship were buried beneath the Mosques as a lame excuse to demolish them – would become order of the day, in Hindutva politics. Definitely the article on Taj Mahal by Oak was not a one off affair. Similar articles /books kept appearing here and there where Oak engaged in rectifying what he believed to be “biased and distorted versions of India’s history produced by the invaders and colonizers” and a section of the Marathi Brahminical elite – which always entertained sympathies towards the idea of Hindu Rashtra – provided legitimacy to these ideas by their reception. Oak argued that modern secular and Marxist historians have fabricated “idealized versions” of India’s past and drained it of its “Vedic context and content”. And he went on propagating his ideas writing articles, publishing books and also initiating the work of ‘Collecting Local History’ by forming ‘Bharat Itihas

Sankalan Samity’ which also use to bring out a journal in the 80s. A rough estimate tells us that he has written nine books in English, 13 books in Marathi and 8 books in Hindi. One of his books which according to a scholar summarises his life’s work is titled ‘World Vedic Heritage: A History of Histories, Presenting a Unique Unified Field Theory of History that from the Beginning of Time the World Practised Vedic and Spoke Sanskrit.’ For laypersons who have never heard of him it would be opportune to name the list of few of his other books which appeared in English which can give one an idea about his key argument : Christianity is Chrisn-nity, ISBN 978-81-88388-77-6, Islamic Havoc in India (A. Ghosh Publisher, 5740 W. Little York, Houston, Texas, 77091), The Taj Mahal Is a Temple Place (Alternate title, The Taj Mahal is a Hindu Palace), Hindi Sahitya Sadan, New Delhi (online version: hindusarise.com), Who Says Akbar Was Great? (Hindi Sahitya Sadan, New Delhi), Agra Red Fort is a Hindu Building (Hindi Sahitya Sadan, New Delhi), Some Blunders of Indian Historical Research (Hindi Sahitya Sadan, New Delhi), Some Missing Chapters of World History (Hindi

Sahitya Sadan, New Delhi), World Vedic Heritage—A History of Histories (Hindi Sahitya Sadan, New Delhi), Taj Mahal — The True Story (ISBN 0-9611614-4-2), Was Kaaba a Hindu Temple?, Learning Vedic Astrology etc Analysing Oak’s work Srinivas Aravamudan noted that it typically resorts to “deep punning” – associating Sanskrit soundalikes with non-Sanskrit religious terms such as Vatican=vatika “hermitage”, Christianity=Krishna-netti or Chrisn-nity “ethics of Krishna or the way of Krishna” Islam=ishalayam “temple of God”, Abraham as an aberration of Brahma, and George as an aberration of Garg. Based on this, Oak claimed that both Christianity and Islam allegedly originated as distortions of “Vedic” beliefs. Aravamudan concluded that via “deep punning” Oak is “creative in proliferating these delusional etymologies.” (Srinivas Aravamudan, Guru English: South Asian Religion in a Cosmopolitan Language Princeton University Press (2005), ISBN 0-691-11828-0). While his weird theories like ‘Christianity and Islam being both derivatives of Hinduism’ or ’Like Taj Mahal, Catholic Vatican,

Kaaba, Westminster Abbey were once Hindu temples to Shiva’ or ‘Vatican being originally a Vedic creation called Vatika and that the Papacy was also originally a Vedic Priesthood’ or his complete denial of Islamic architecture in India could not find any takers in the mainstream, in fact were rejected in academia, they gathered a popular following in the Hindu Right which is still in search of a grand theory to further its agenda. Interestingly the Belgian orientalist and Indologist Koenraad Elst- who is sympathetic to Hindutva -seems to be an exception. Underlining Oak’s ‘lasting popularity’in NRI/PIO circles and debunking Oak’s varied ‘historical and linguistic theses’ regarding Taj Mahal, Red Fort and Vikramaditya he rather focusses his attention on the ‘gross immaturity’among Hindu activists : The popularity of PN Oak’s theses is a sign of gross immaturity among contemporary Hindu activists. It indicates confusion regarding the facts of religious conflict in Indian history, along with a narcissistic greed, a morbid desire to lay ludicrous ownership claims to all manner of precious objects produced by outsiders (as if Hindu Dharma’s genuine

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

achievements weren’t enough to be proud of) (http://koenraadelst. blogspot.in/2010/06/ incurable-hindu-fondnessfor-pn-oak.html) Vinay Katiyar’s latest rant just goes to show the unending traction of ‘Oakisms’( as Koenraad Elst says) among Hindutva followers. It is now history how Oak had even petitioned the Supreme Court to rewrite the history of Taj Mahal as being built by a Hindu King during NDA’s first stint of power at the centre. Perhaps the then conducive political atmosphere might have prompted him to gain further legitimacy but he was sadly mistaken. A two member division bench of the Supreme Court dismissed the ‘misconceived’ petition with these remarks ‘Somebody has a bee in his bonnet, hence this petition’. Subhash Gatade is the author of Pahad Se Uncha Aadmi (2010) Godse’s Children: Hindutva Terror in India, (2011) and The Saffron Condition: The Politics of Repression and Exclusion in Neoliberal India(2011). He is also the Convener of New Socialist Initiative (NSI) Email:subhash.gatade@ gmail.com Source: CounterCurrents, 20 October 2017.

N O V E M B E R

finance

2 0 1 7

southSouth asia times 29 Asia Times

Estate planning matters – Part 1 BY Balki Balakrishnan

n the last few articles we explored the various types of personal risk insurances one should consider having such as Life, Disability, Trauma and Income Protection. In this article we will explainwhat happens when a payout is made on a successful claim upon the death of a member who has Life cover within the superannuation. Mostly for reasons we explained in the previous articles, the Life insurance cover is organized within the superannuation environment including SelfManaged Superannuation Fund (SMSF). Therefore, this article deals only with what happens to the payout on the death of the policy holder. Generally the Will of the life insured will determine the beneficiaries and the distribution of assets held outside super. The life insured should be mindful that the insurance cover amount is paid directly to trustee of the superannuation fund and thus is pooled with other interests of the member. The trustees then decide how the member’s superannuation balance is distributed. Many people are surprised to find that their Will has no effect when it comes to disposing of their superannuation interests upon their death. The beneficiaries, the proportion in which it is paid out and the way it is paid is determined by the type of nomination the member makes in their superannuation fund. Therefore, it is important that one should understand how their super is treated if they die as it will not necessarily go to their estate. There are four options available to superannuation members when it comes to determining how their super is distributed. Under ‘No Nomination’ option where the member hasn’t

nominated any beneficiary, the death benefit will be paid in accordance with the super fund rules. The death benefit may be distributed directly to the deceased’s estate or the trustees may follow their discretion in nominating the beneficiaries. These outcomes may not be what the member wanted. The second option is ‘Non-binding Death Benefit Nomination’. This is where the member has nominated beneficiaries and has chosen non-binding option instead of binding option. Often the trustees of the super fund will pay the beneficiaries according the member’s declaration. However, trustees under their discretion may pay all or part of the death benefit to a dependant not nominated by the member or to the member’s estate. A Nonbinding Nomination therefore could result in the death benefit paid to the wrong person(s). It could also be time consuming as the trustees have to ascertain the most appropriate recipient of the death benefit.

The third option ‘Binding Death Benefit Nomination’ is where the member has nominated beneficiaries and have opted it to be binding. The nomination is a legal instrument that ‘binds’ the trustees to pay the death benefit to the nominated person(s) only and in the proportion determined by the member. This nomination option provides certainty of outcomes and avoids procedural delays in distributing the death benefit. However, one of the disadvantages of this option is that the trustees of the super fund cannot exercise their discretion to adjust the payout if circumstances have changed since the day of nomination. The nomination also cannot be changed if the member loses capacity thus resulting in unintended consequences in regards to pay outs. There are quite a few requirements for a binding nomination to be valid when it comes pay out and one should seek professional advice in framing the nomination. In general the death benefit is paid out in the form of a lump sum. The fourth option

is to nominate a reversionary beneficiary and provide an income stream as the payout instead of a lump sum. On death, the income payments automatically continue to the beneficiary. One should note that the superannuation laws restrict this type of nomination to only certain types of beneficiaries. The beneficiary is generally nominated at the time the pension is commenced and cannot be revoked. There are a few other facets concerning Estate Planning within superannuation, for example, who can be the beneficiaries and the tax implications to the recipients. These are guided by superannuation and tax laws. We will explore these aspects in the next few articles. For most people superannuation will be the largest asset after their own dwelling. Estate Planning within superannuation is a complex and sensitive subject and requires professional advice at the time of nomination and at the time of review.

Opes Financial Solutions Pty Ltd trading as Opes Financial Planning ACN618 122 795 is an Authorised Representative of Merit Wealth Pty Ltd AFSL 409361. Balki Balakrishnan

Director | Financial Advisor Authorised Representative Number: 409415 Merit Wealth Pty Ltd. AFSL No: 409361 M: 0419 506 560

This article contains information that is general in nature. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs before making any decisions based on this information. Please contact us at 0419 506 560if you want more information or need to review your insurance covers.

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

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/

N O V E M B E R

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

2 0 1 7

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

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

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

southSouth asia times 33 Asia Times

quick community guide

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 7

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

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

south asia 34 South Asia Timestimes

CINEMA

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 7

Bollywood screen-on time for females is a meagre 31.5 %, compared to 68.5 % for male characters: Study

new study of gender bias in India’s Bollywood movies suggests that whether it is plots, posters or trailers, a male is mentioned around 30 times in a plot while a female is mentioned only around 15 times, adding, “There is a consistency of this ratio from 1970 to 2017(for almost 50 years).” Second study on the subject this year, it is based on data extracted from 4,000 movies with cast, soundtracks and plot text since 1970, and data from 880 movie trailers since 2008, is titled “Analysing Gender Stereotyping in Bollywood Movies”, and has been carried out by a group of researchers from IBM Research-India, IIIT-Delhi, and DTUDelhi. Referring to how male cast and female cast have been addressed, the study says, “Verbs like kills, shoots occur with males while verbs like marries, loves are associated with females”. Further, “Males are often represented as rich and wealthy while females are represented as beautiful and attractive.” The study says, “On aggregating the relations by gender, we find that males are generally introduced with a profession like as a famous singer, an honest police officer, a successful scientist and so on, while females are either introduced using physical appearance like beautiful, simple looking or in relation to another (male) character (daughter, sister of).” “The results show that females are always associated with a successful male and are not portrayed as independent while males are portrayed to be successful”, it adds. As for the “occupation as a stereotype”, the study says, an analysis based the occupation list from multiple sources over the web comprising of 350 occupations suggests that “males are given higher level occupations than females”.

Thus, “When it comes to occupation like ‘teacher’ or ‘student’, females are high in number. But for” lawyer” and” doctor” the story is totally opposite.” The study says, “There is a distinct demarcation in verbs, adjectives, relations associated with males and females”, adding, “While 80% of the movie plots have more male mentions than females, surprisingly, more than 50% movie posters feature actresses.” The study says, “Movies like ‘Gangaa Jal’, ‘Platform’, ‘Raees’ have almost 100+ male mentions in plot but 0 female mentions, whereas in all 3 posters females are shown on posters very prominently."

It adds, "Also, when we look at image and plot mentions, we observe that in 56% of the movies, female plot mentions are less than half the male plot mentions, while in posters this number is around 30%.” As for the percentage distribution of screen-on time for males and female characters in movie trailers over the last 10 years, the study says, the “screen-on time for females is only a meagre 31.5 % compared to 68.5 % of the time for male characters.” “Over the 10 years, anger constitutes 26.3 % of the emotions displayed by male characters as compared to the 14.5 % of emotions displayed by female characters”, the study says, adding, “Another trend which is observed, is that, female characters have always been shown as more happy than male characters.” Source: Counterview www.southasiatimes.com.au - (03) 9884 8096, 0421 677 082

N O V E M B E R

BY RASHID SULTAN

MUSINGS

2 0 1 7

he Middle East has not been the same since 9/11. First Afghanistan and then Iraq. The Coalition of “the willing” led by the US and its allies was successful in ousting first the Talibans and then Saddam Hussain, respectively. We are all familiar with the death toll in its wake (200,000 in Afghanistan and more than a million in Iraq). Naturally, it gave rise to Islamist terrorism not only in the Muslim world but also elsewhere. The causes of this mayhem needs much more space than available now. While the Middle East was trying to grapple with the new political situation in its aftermath, a tiny little incident in Tunisia where a young boy was beaten and killed by security forces led to the ousting of the government. And, thus, Arab Spring was born. A silver lining on the horizon for a population who had been oppressed and repressed by either monarchs, despots and dictators (sometime on flimsy grounds of Baathist Socialism) for centuries. Soon, it spread to Libya, Egypt, Syria and Yemen etc. The protests, demonstrations and civil disobedience began in earnest in these countries. The world waited with bated breath for

southSouth asia times 35 Asia Times

INTROSPECTION

a happy ending. But bad luck! Let’s have a peek in some of the Muslim countries.

Egypt: Mubarak was ousted after months of protests. Elections were held and Muslim Brotherhood came to power. But, not for long. The army staged a coup d’état and now its ruling the country with no freedom of any kind. And the West, keeping upto its traditions is backing the current army regime. Death toll? 6000 to 10,000; it includes Coptic Christians, who have been a peaceful part of Egyptian society for centuriesbut had to face the brunt of supporters of the ousted Muslim Brotherhood in response. There is a saying in India’ Dhobi par bus nahin to Gadheykekaanumethejayen’. To what purpose? Libya: After the death of Moammar Gaddafi (with help from the US) scores of armed militias took birth and reached adulthood overnight; and indulged in mass killings of rival tribes. Everyfaction wanted to grab a slice of oil (largest in Africa). A civil war with a break of a year has continued to this day. The US is supporting the discredited government. Death Toll 25000. To what purpose?

Yemen: One of the poorest countries in the Middle East. Just one example: water is the most scarce commodity in Yemen. A Yemini uses 140 cubic meters in a year while average for a middle eastern is 1000 and internationally it is 1700 .The country consists of Houthis (Shia) in majority and Sunnis, in minority, who control the government.The civil war is on for many years and is worsening every day. The Houthis are being financed and armed by Iran (Shia) while the exiled government, in Aden, is being buttressed by Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Emirates et al (Sunni).Yemen has been blockaded by Saudi Arabia from all sides- land, sea and air. Nofood or water or medicines can reach them.A child is dying every ten minutes in Yemen. UN agencies are helpless and are predicting that if the blockade continuesit would prove to be the worst human crisis in history. Death Toll: 10,000 in 2015. It has worsened since then. The injured and the displaced do not find a mention on the score board. The US is supporting Saudi Arabia in this massacre. To what purpose?

Syria: Here the equation is in the reverse. The majority popu-

lation is Sunni and the president and the governing elite is Alawite (a sub sect of Shia). Bashar Al Assad, the current president, is the third generation of Allawite presidents. Ironically, here Iran is helping and supporting militarily Bashar Al Assad against the Sunni majority (Russia has also joined in abetting the Assad regime, to get a foothold in the region). The government has used chemical weapons against its own citizens- a crime against humanity. And it so happened that the IS also plunged into the marshes. Whohasn’t heard of “ behti ganga meinhar koi haathdhotahai’’. Death toll : more than 250,000and refugees? More than four times as such. To what purpose? Somalia: A country who has not faced any western intervention except in times of calamities, natural and human- made, when western charities used to rush to help to save millions of lives.A blatant display of fundamentalism in the form Al Shabab (the youth, in short) resorted to arms against not only the government but,also, Ahlu Sunna Waljama, the sufistic majority. With a temporary success for some time, they were pushed to the fringes

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

but only temporarily. The recent attacks in the last fortnight in Mogadishu, killing hundreds of innocent men, women and children suggest that terrorism is not going away. Death Toll : hundreds of thousands. This is only a window of some Muslim countries. We have a few questions to answer. Muslims are killing nonMuslims, Muslims are killing Muslims.They are killing innocent people, they are killing women and children by hundreds of thousands. These are the organisations which are using Islam for their massacre whereas the Holy Quran says, not once but several times in the narrative, to be kind towards women and children even of enemies. Here are no enemies. They are killing their own people who believein the same faith. It beggars belief. Are they still living in the medieval ages? Are tribal rivalries stronger than compassion and justice? Or they have been made so insensitive by years of subjugation to their despots and dictators that they have become blind to the misery and suffering of the innocent. The situation is ironic. This community, once, ruled more than half of the world.

south asia 36 South Asia Timestimes

fight for justice

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 7

‘They Said My Character Is Bad’ How a rape survivor found the courage to fight for justice in India By Birgit Schwarz*

hat should have been a short ride from one village to another in India turned into a nightmare that will haunt Kajal (not her real name), a shy young woman, for the rest of her life. Kajal, who was 23 and married at the time, had set out on foot to take some homemade roti – unleavened flatbread – to her sick mother in a nearby village. An acquaintance offered her a lift in his car. Seeing that there was another woman among the passengers, she accepted. Midway, however, the woman got off, and Kajal found herself alone with the driver and his two male friends. The car’s tire had a puncture, they told her. She would have to get out so they could fix it. What followed from that fateful moment two years ago would leave her bruised and traumatized: a gang rape by the roadside, hostile encounters with doctors and police officers, the breakup of her marriage, alienation from family and friends, and constant taunting and harassment. Had it not been for a local organization that aims to empower rape survivors, Kajal may never have found the courage to speak up and fight for her rights. Five years since the brutal gang rape and murder of a young student in Delhi caused national and international outrage, India has made serious efforts to strengthen the rights and recourse of women and girls who have survived rape and sexual violence. Punishment has become more stringent; police officers are required to file complaints of sexual assault; medical guidelines call for counseling to be offered during forensic examinations; and rape survivors are officially entitled to compensation. None of these reforms,

however, have been fully realized, Human Rights Watch found in anew report, “Everyone Blames Me” (www.hrw.org/ report/2017/11/08/everyoneblames-me/barriers-justiceand-support-servicessexual-assault-survivors). Rape survivors in India face significant barriers to obtaining justice and critical support services. Legal and other reforms adopted since the gang rape and murder of a student, Jyoti Singh Pandey, in Delhi in December 2012 have not been fully realized. Women and girls who survive rape and other sexual violence often suffer humiliation at police stations and hospitals. Police are frequently unwilling to register their complaints; victims and witnesses receive little protection; and medical professionals still compel degrading and intrusive tests, purportedly to determine whether a woman is “habituated to sex.” Counseling and legal support, meanwhile, are barely accessible, especially for women like Kajal, who live far away from urban centers. Knowing that many poor rural women have no access to lawyers and often barely know their rights, the local office of Jan Sahas, the community-based organization that eventually

helped Kajal, routinely scans local newspapers for reports about sexual abuse. It was from a local Hindi language paper that Jan Sahas found out about “a suspicious incident” near the village of Neemuch, where Kajal was attacked. Having spent most of the night of the rape at the hospital, waiting to be examined, Kajal had been asked to return to the police station the next morning to make her statement. A crowd of reporters had gathered outside, their cameras clicking away. The publicity would propel Jan Sahas into action, but it also would, as Kajal was about to find out, turn her entire life upside-down. When a Jan Sahas case worker and lawyer met with Kajal five days after the attack to offer help, they found a frightened young woman, reluctant to talk. As she gradually began to trust them, the story they managed to coax out of her was one of police brutality and victim blaming. The doctor who had examined her on the night of the rape had, Kajal said, nothing but words of scorn for her: “Why did you have to go in the night?” she asked. The doctor subjected the distressed young woman to a humiliating “two-finger” test, an examination with no forensic value, which was

recently made illegal. She offered neither comfort nor advice. The police had repeatedly slapped and beaten her, calling her a liar, Kajal told Jan Sahas. They had locked up her father, while the driver of the car, who had been taken in for questioning, had been let go. And the investigating police officers had threatened to lock her up, too, and keep her father in custody, unless she retracted her allegations in her testimony before a magistrate. Scared, Kajal gave in and did as told. Three months later, the police declared her case closed, claiming that a land dispute had been the real reason for the complaint. Meanwhile, her husband left her, and her in-laws wanted nothing more to do with her. Her brother’s children had to listen to sneering comments about their aunt having become “famous,” with her story all over the papers. Neighbors would taunt her, and relatives of the man she had named as an accomplice to the rape threatened to kill her. “Everyone blamed me,” she told Human Rights Watch researcher JayshreeBajoria when they met earlier this year. “They said, my character is bad. That’s why this happened to me.” Kajal stopped leaving the house. Many women in India are afraid to report rape, the Human Rights Watch report found, because they fear they will not be believed. Often, women face the stigma as much at home as outside. Kajal at least had a supportive father. But the social pressure in the village was such that she and her parents were left no choice but to move away. “There were times when I thought I should just hang myself,” Kajal said. It took an entire week after Jan Sahas’s first visit before Kajal accepted the offer of help, and another five months before she could talk about what had

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

happened to her. By that time she had had taken up the invitation of Jan Sahas and attended almost a dozen gatherings of women who shared similar experiences. She would sit and listen quietly to their accounts of survival and resilience, afraid to speak up. “We are trying to make each woman understand that this battle is not hers alone to fight,” said Asif Shaikh, founder of Jan Sahas. “This battle is of all the women who have been raped or have faced violence and if they unite and raise their voices, then they will have much better chances to get justice.” As Kajal heard woman after woman talk about how she managed to obtain justice, her despair gave way to determination. “If they can say it, why can’t I?” she told herself, and took to the stage to tell a hall full of women what she had previously kept mainly to herself. In November 2016, Kajal finally found the courage to file an appeal against the police’s closure report, testifying that the police had forced her to lie in her earlier statement. She knows that once her case goes to trial, she will have to undergo crossexamination and that the defense might try to paint her as a liar. Without Jan Sahas’s support, she said, she would never have had the strength and confidence to challenge the police’s version of the events. But now she is determined to see this through to the very end: “I will fight. The police did not help me get justice. But I still have hope.” Her case is still pending, and Kajal has not yet seen the justice she seeks. But at least she found the inner resources to fight. And that has given her a new sense of self, and helped her regain her dignity. *Source: Human Rights Watch

N O V E M B E R

book review

2 0 1 7

southSouth asia times 37 Asia Times

Pranab Mukherjee tells it all!

By Taj Hashmi

ndia’s immediate past President Pranab Mukherjee (82) in his ‘The Coalition Years, 1996-2012’ – his twelfth book – tells his own tale about the last 16 years of his experience in active politics until 2012, when he became the President of the Republic. He was in active politics for 43 years (19692012), holding important positions as MP; Leader of the Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha; Deputy Chair of the Planning Commission; Defence; External Affairs; and Finance Minister. But for Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s selection of Manmohan Singh, he would have become the Prime Minister. Since I haven’t seen his latest book yet, this piece isn’t about the book per se but what media has revealed from excerpts of the work, some of which are very revealing, and relevant to Bangladesh. This piece is all about the excerpts, which I consider very disturbing from the Bangladeshi perspective. The small paragraph on India’s relationship with Bangladesh tells us all. I know those who know about India’s hegemonic designs in Bangladesh, and its big brotherly attitude toward all its smaller neighbours, the excerpt I’m referring to here gives them the “you’re telling me!” moment. They know, as I know, India has been very condescending, deceptive, domineering, and demeaning to Bangladesh. And Pranab Mukherjee – possibly inadvertently – has re-confirmed our perception and experience that India considers itself a hegemon, a neocolonial master in the postcolonial world. Some of Pranab Mukherjee’s up-close comments about his intimate personal relationship with Sheikh Hasina and her family members, and some other important people in Bangladesh is very discomforting for patriotic Bangladeshis in general. However, those who want Bangladesh to remain an Indian satellite, would be ever thankful to Mukherjee for his role in doctoring the 2008 Elections in Bangladesh.

In Part II of his autobiography, he narrates an episode which virtually amounts to meddling in the internal affairs of Bangladesh. Mukherjee writes: “In February 2008 (while he was India’s External Affairs Minister), Bangladesh army chief Moin Ahmed came to India on a six-day visit. He called on me too. During the informal interaction, I impressed upon him the importance of releasing political prisoners.” Then Mukherjee mentions his assuaging the fears of the General about his personal safety under Hasina Government: “I took personal responsibility and assured the general of his survival after Hasina’s return to power…. With my intervention through the then National Security Advisor MK Narayanan, I ensured the release of all political prisoners and the nation’s return to stability.” He also mentions India’s continued engagement with the military-backed caretaker government in Bangladesh. What’s even more revealing in the autobiography that after Hasina came to power, she assured that General Moin would remain in office, and that Pranab Mukherjee also reprimanded Awami League leaders who deserted Hasina during her bad days: “In fact, when some Awami League leaders deserted

her at the time she was in jail, I rebuked them for their stand and told them that to leave someone when they are down is unethical.” One may thank Mr Mukherjee for being so candid and honest! But there’s a problem here! He tells us – despite being an Indian politician – he regularly meddled in the internal affairs of Bangladesh, and moulded its politics to serve Indian interests. So far, so good! We know India has always been an intrusive big brother, and a malignant neighbour of Bangladesh. And as to how some top Indian leaders assert India’s hegemony over Bangladesh is wellreflected in a personal correspondence of Dr Kamal Siddiquie, a former Principal Secretary to the PM Khaleda Zia, with this writer on October 23, 2017. He gives a candid eyewitness account of as to how India’s External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee behaved with PM Khaleda Zia in this regard, at a toplevel meeting in New Delhi in 2006: “It was a formal official meeting between the two PMs in Delhi in March 2006. On our side were the PM, Foreign Minister Morshed Khan, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Reaz Rahman, myself the Principal Secretary, and ShamsherMobin Choudhury, the Foreign Secretary. As soon as the

meeting began, I found the Indian Foreign Minister grossly overstepping his role and firing broadside against us, for our ‘bad behaviour’ with India, including our alleged support to the ULFA which was a damn lie. As he was speaking, he was also pointing his finger at our PM in a most disgusting manner, and it showed that he was no gentleman. His language was the Babu English spoken by clerks in West Bengal.” Dr Kamal Siddiquie’s account corroborates what BabuPranab Mukherjee – who was once an upper division clerk – has written about his manoeuvring and undermining Bangladeshi politicians in the recent past. There’s no reason to assume that he was the first and only Indian leader to do so. Even senior Indian civil servants at times could be much more powerful than most powerful and influential leaders in Bangladesh. We know India’s former External Affairs Secretary Sujata Singh – who was just a public servant, not politician – directly intervened into Bangladesh politics on the eve of the so-called parliamentary elections of January 5th 2014. She flew to Dhaka, and literally coerced Ershad into submission. Who, till his close-door meeting with Sujata Singh in Dhaka was unwilling to take part in the farcical elections, had to change his mind. He participated in the voter-less election, and was “elected” uncontested. As desired by India, Ershad simply legitimised Hasina’s re-ascendancy to power, for another five years. In view of the above, it’s obvious that Indian politicians in general – particularly those from the Congress Party – leave no stone unturned to see their own people in power in Bangladesh. Their most preferred Bangladeshi politicians mostly belong to the Awami League and the various factions of the Jatiya Party, originally floated by General Ershad. Possibly with the exceptions of Morarji Desai, V.P. Singh, and I.K. Gujral, all Indian Prime Ministers since 1971 have been intrusive and hegemonic with regard to Bangladesh. What we get from the

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

anecdotes narrated by Pranab Mukherjee in his latest book, and from his grossly disrespectful behaviour with Khaleda Zia – a visiting Prime Minister from Bangladesh in 2006 – are just tips of the iceberg called “India’s Bangladesh Policy”, which is all about treating Bangladesh as an Indian satellite, not as a sovereign country. As Mukherjee’s condescendingly intrusive mindset with regard to the internal affairs of Bangladesh is sickening, so are his public assertions as to how he treated General Moin, and rebuked those Awami League leaders who deserted Sheikh Hasina while she was in jail during the army-led “caretaker” government in 20072008. Most importantly, Bangladesh should not take Pranab Mukherjee as an exception in this regard. There’s no reason to believe that Narendra Modi, Shushma Swaraj, and other members in the Modi Government have any benign or non-intrusive policy toward Bangladesh. What Shushma Swaraj did during her recent visit to Bangladesh – she didn’t meet RowshanErshad, the so-called Leader of the Opposition, and instead met Khaleda Zia (despite Hasina’s dislike) – shouldn’t make self-respecting and patriotic Bangladeshis complacent about New Delhi’s not-so-hidden antiBangladesh agenda. Nothing would be more counterproductive and disastrous for Bangladesh than considering Modi a better alternative to Manmohan, and Shushma Swaraj a better person than Pranab Mukherjee, with regard to India’s Bangladesh policy. By the way, who’s Shushma Swaraj to tell Bangladesh that parliamentary elections under an unelected caretaker government is not the right thing for democracy? *Dr Taj Hashmi teaches security studies at Austin Peay State University in the US. He is the author of several books, including his latest, Global Jihad and America: The HundredYear War Beyond Iraq and Afghanistan (Sage, 2014). tajhashmi@gmail.com Source: Counter Currents, November 1, 2017.

south asia 38 South Asia Timestimes

SPORTS

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 7

Cricket Australia to release Ashes commemorative film series

By SAT News Desk

ELBOURNE, 18 October: The 2017-18 Summer of Cricket is set to get even hotter with the announcement that Cricket Australia has joined forces with successful sports filmmaker Peter Dickson to produce the three-part Ashes film series; ‘Forged in Fire’. To be broadcast nationally on Nine during the 2017-18 Magellan Ashes Series, ‘Forged in Fire’ will bring together the key protagonists from the last 50 years of sport’s greatest rivalry, chronicling the key battles and back-stories of Australia and England contests, as well as what drives both nations’ quest to capture cricket’s most prized possession; the Ashes urn. The film was produced and directed by award-

winning documentary filmmaker Peter Dickson. Peter has an outstanding reputation for sports filmmaking in this country, with his most recent AFL documentary The Final Draw receiving several awards. “After many years of documentary filmmaking, I am thrilled to have the chance to be involved in telling the story of one of the most iconic rivalries in

sport – the Ashes. Having played the game for over 30 years (the last ball I faced was a throathigh bouncer from Damien Fleming), I have had a lifelong love affair with the game and I am determined to make a film that will not only appeal to cricket lovers but lovers of sport in general.” Cricket Australia’s Executive GM, Broadcasting, Digital Media

& Commercial, Ben Amarfio said the documentary series will give cricket fans an insight into past Ashes series from the players who took part and will add a greater sense of occasion to the 2017-18 Magellan Ashes Series. “The Ashes is an amazing sporting rivalry thanks to the incredible history that the series has and the colourful characters and stories that have been a part of the contests between Australia and England over the decades. Some of the stories and quotes from former players in this film are genuinely provocative. The brashness of some of their on-field feats are matched by the brutal honesty and boldness of some of their statements. “We are excited to be working with Peter on this film as it takes viewers behind the scenes of some of the most famous

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

moments in Ashes history and into the minds of some of the biggest names in the game, all of which we feel will add another layer of excitement to the 2017-18 Ashes Series, the latest chapter in this great sporting rivalry. Nine Network’s Head of Cricket, Brent Williams, said the series celebrates the big moments in Ashes history and will add to the excitement of the summer of cricket. “The Ashes is so much more than just a sporting event; it is arguably the greatest of all rivalries. This amazing series chronicles the moments and memories that have made this fierce cricketing contest so special over so many years. We are proud to have “Forged in Fire” as part of what promises to be our biggest summer of cricket ever.” Source: Cricket Australia.

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 7

southSouth asia times 39 Asia Times

PADMAVATI releases Australia wide from December 1. For more information check mindblowingfilms.com www.southasiatimes.com.au - (03) 9884 8096, 0421 677 082

south asia 40 South Asia Timestimes

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

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 7