Sat August 2014 issue

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CELEBRATING 11th YEAR OF PUBLICATION

South Asia Times Vol.12 I No. 1 I AUGUST 2014 I FREE s o u t hasiatim es.com .au Editor: Neeraj Nanda

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Dharmendra warms up Melbourne chill Read on pages 25-26

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GUEST EDITORIAL

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Sustainable innovation crucial in Asia s

by Neena Bhandari

YDNEY, Aug 6 2014 (IPS) - Innovation in the fields of renewable energy, food production, water conservation, education and health will be crucial for the developing economies of Asia to meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The 17 SDGs, which will succeed the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that are slated to expire in 2015, are aimed at fostering economic growth, environmental protection and ending poverty by 2030.

“As economic growth rises in Asia, more concentration is going into value addition and innovation is the principle vehicle for that,” DirectorGeneral of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Dr. Francis Gurry tells IPS. The Asian Development Outlook (ADO) Supplement, released late July, maintains the ADB’s April forecast of 6.2 percent growth in 2014 and 6.4 percent in 2015 for the region’s 45 developing economies.

“Many Asian countries have already become surprising contenders, for instance, China has emerged as one of the main innovators in sectors like drones, civil aviation, biotechnology and telecommunications."

-- Bruno Lanvin, executive director of INSEAD Global Indices “Clearly, there is a priority to make innovation work for sustainable development in these economies,” Gurry says.

Leading innovation performers in Asia include Japan, South Korea and Singapore, with China rapidly climbing up. Malaysia tops the middle-income countries’ category for innovation performance.

Amongst the other large Asian countries, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam have the potential to move up the ladder of innovation, according to the Global

Asia-Pacific will account for approximately 46 percent of annual installed solar PV capacity by 2015. Photo: Coralie Tripier/IPS Innovation Index (GII) 2014.

Co-author of the GII and executive director of INSEAD Global Indices, Bruno Lanvin, says, “It is a good sign that innovation is taking a front seat in the design and hopefully the implementation of the SDGs. “Many Asian countries have already become surprising contenders, for instance, China has emerged as one of the main innovators in sectors like drones, civil aviation, biotechnology and telecommunications,” he tells IPS. However, Lanvin warns that in these countries with large populations, “if innovation doesn’t translate into improving the lives of its people, it is failing somehow.”

Given the region’s dichotomies such as rapid urbanisation with large rural agricultural populations and extreme vulnerabilities to climate change with growing

resource intensities, experts say that innovation must occur right across the economy, if it is to meet the SDGs. For instance, slum populations in the developing world mushroomed from 650 million in 1990 to 863 million in 2012. More than half of these slum dwellers reside in Asia.

This situation is set to worsen, with Asia home to 56 percent of the world’s biggest cities, including seven of the top 10 ‘megacities’, defined as urban centres with over 10 million residents.

“Our attention has to be on the ‘bottom of pyramid’ populations, both urban and rural, and innovations in technology and systems design have to cater to that segment,” New Delhi-based Zeenat Niazi,vice president of Development Alternatives Group and co-chair of Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA), tells IPS. “The challenges

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will be to reach to the geographically spread-out populations with informal and inconsistent income streams; and attract the private sector to partner with governments and community groups to invest in sustainable growth,” she added.

The Asian region is today fast becoming the hot bed of innovation on and off the field. Lanvin cites Tata’s Nano car in India as a good example of localised, affordable innovation, which Asia is going to need.

In his opinion, in the next decade the Nano will be regarded a success in terms of adapting manufactured equipment to specific conditions and bringing down the cost of production.

But he says, “If you want to be a successful innovator in the Asian region, you have to be a very large company like Tata or Huawei. If Asian countries could give CONTD. ON PG 3

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Sustainable innovation...

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themselves the means to allow successful small enterprises to bring innovation to the market, we would see a lot of frugal, path breaking innovation, especially in the field of renewable energy.”

Indeed, renewable energy is the Holy Grail in Asia and countries in the region will need to invest significantly in renewable energy technologies to meet the urgency of the climate change challenge – for instance, Asia-Pacific countries absorbed 80 percent of the 366 billion dollars in damages caused by climate change in 2011, and many countries in the region are poised to absorb major food and energy shocks as a result of extreme weather patterns in the coming decade.

A new analysis by the market research company Frost & Sullivan entitled ‘Global Solar Power Markets’ estimates that the world solar photovoltaic (PV) market will be worth 137.02 billion dollars in 2020.

This year, global solar PV demand is dominated by the Asia-Pacific, which will account for

“Many Asian countries have already become surprising contenders, for instance, China has emerged as one of the main innovators in sectors like drones, civil aviation, biotechnology and telecommunications." -- Bruno Lanvin, executive director of INSEAD Global Indices. approximately 46 percent of annual installed solar PV capacity. China, Japan, India and Australia will continue to be the top four countries driving regional demand.

With panel prices coming down drastically, Asian manufacturers are now looking at value chain integration and technical efficiencies to differentiate their products from other suppliers in the market, the analysis adds.

Increasing scarcity of water will also drive innovation in sustainable irrigation, water filtration and water recycling techniques.

“In Asia and the Pacific, where almost two billion people live on less than 2.50 dollars a day, innovation is essential for identifying solutions to persistent development challenges,” Caitlin Wiesen, manager of the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) regional centre in Bangkok, tells IPS. To help countries achieve development goals, the UNDP has put in place a system for rapid prototyping and testing of potential solutions.

Currently, it is testing 16 new ideas across Asia and

the Pacific.

One such prototype is being tested in Bhutan.

Jigme Dorji, acting head of the Poverty and MDG Unit at UNDP-Bhutan, is working with U.S.based Emerson College’s Engagement Lab, local techies and youth leaders to generate the content and develop an outreach strategy to maximise youth participation in a game that would engage all the stakeholders in a constructive dialogue about youth unemployment.

“We will evaluate the results of these prototypes and assist countries in turning the successful ones so they can achieve impact at scale,” Wiesen adds.

China, Vietnam, India, Malaysia and Thailand, are demonstrating rising levels of innovation because of improvements in institutional frameworks, a skilled labour force with expanded tertiary education, better innovation infrastructure, a deeper integration with global credit investment and trade markets, and a sophisticated business community – even though progress on these

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dimensions is not uniform across their economies, according to the GII report.

Many successful Asians, working as entrepreneurs with major global corporations and universities, are beginning to return to their home countries to nurture the next wave of innovations and create local jobs.

Adam Bumpus, assistant professor of Environment, Innovation and Development at the University of Melbourne, says, “There are a number of initiatives that are directly contributing to SDGs by increasingly linking countries in research and technology development. For example, the University of Melbourne is working on initiatives that link Australia, China, India and the U.S. on innovation and climate change.”

“Secondly, there are opportunities to piggyback sustainable development initiatives by using existing technology in new innovative ways.

In the Pacific we have been looking at the role of mobile phones for sustainable development priorities like climate change,” Bumpus tells IPS.

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community

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Amrita’s ‘Chai with Bhai’ a mind blowing experience

By SAT News Desk

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umbai: Melbourne's Amrita Khambatta, an avid Bollywood

movie watcher is the lucky winner of the ‘Chai with Bhai’ on 20th July. She then flew to Mumbai on 22 July and met Salman in the Mehmoob Studios. While there was a

big crowd waiting to meet Salman, Amrita got the chance to meet and greet the superstar personally.

Talking about her experience with Salman Khan

Guru Purnima at Sai Temple Camberwell

By SAT News Desk

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elbourne: Guru Purnima, was celebrated with great enthusiasm at the Sai Temple, Camberwell on 12th July. . The festival is marked by ritualistic respect to the guru, Guru Puja. The temple marked the occasion to honour Sai Baba.

On the day of Guru Puja, the devotees started coming to pray Sai Baba since morning. The temple committee and volunteers organised food called ‘maha prasad’ for devotees from afternoon till 11.00pm at night. The festival was attended by thousands of people from all over Victoria to pray for Sai Baba. The festival was also well attended by many dignitaries including MP’s and community leaders.

The organisers of the festival Mr.Pradeep, Mr.Gorai, Dr.Revati, Mr.Avinash & others contributed their hard work to make sure to give comfortable access to all devotees to pray Sai Baba followed by ‘maha prashad’. Hon.Danielle Green (

Labor MP & Shadow minister for woman), VMC Chairman Mr.Chin Tan, Community activist Manoj Kumar ( Ex- Federal Candidate of Menzies), Molina Asthana (Lawyer with Vic. Govt) attended the celebrated Guru Puja with devotees. Hon. Danielle Green & Chin Tan also officially opened the community library of the temple. Apart from organising puja, aarti & prayer, the temple organising committee also supports and contributes for the basic needs of the community. Addressing the gathering, Manoj Kumar acknowledged the vital contribution of Sai Temple and its organising committee to support various issues with international students, family violence, and domestic violence etc. and requested them continue the same in future. Dr.Ravati Dorai along with all the Temple organising committee welcomed the guests and honoured them. Hon.Danielle Green & Mr. Chin Tan also appreciated the contribution of the Temple & its organising committee for engaging the multicultural community.

Amrita said, “I have been watching Salman Khan’s movies since I was in Year 4. Flying to Mumbai and to finally be able to meet him face to face was like a dream come true.”

“The question I asked him was - Kick is about living life to the fullest and doing things on impulse just for the ‘kick’, what is the riskiest thing that Salman has ever done just for

a ‘kick’.

“Salman had a hearty laugh and said that he was responsible, always just worked and went home and never did anything risky and had a big chuckle!

I am so grateful to Telstra and Mind Blowing Films for giving me this wonderful opportunity. It is certainly the happiest moment of my life!”

Amrita says.

Michelle Rowland consults with the Indian community

By our community reporter

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elbourne, 24 July: Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Multiculturalism, Michelle Rowland, met members and leaders of the Indian community recently in Melbourne’s western suburbs. Ms Rowland visited the Hoppers Crossing Sikh Temple, and discussed the impact of Tony Abbott’s unfair budget with community members.

The Indian community expressed deep concern about the Abbott Government’s changes to higher education, cuts to health, changes to the non-contributory (parent) visa, and the proposed watering down of the Racial Discrimination Act. “Many families migrated to Australia to give their children

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the best education possible. Now the Abbott Government has made it even harder for low and middle income families to send their children to university.

“No matter where you grew up, where you live or how much money you earn, all Australians are entitled to a good and fair education,” Ms Rowland said. Many members of the Indian community who spoke with Ms Rowland were also highly distressed about the proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act. “It is increasingly clear that Indian communities in Melbourne, and right across Australia, are opposed to these changes which significantly weaken protections against racist hate speech.

These changes should not be allowed to make it to the floor of the Parliament, “Ms Rowland said.

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Jain community observes ‘Samooh Snatra Mahotsav’

By SAT News Desk

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elbourne: The Jain community celebrated ‘Samooh Snatra Mahotsav’ on 15th June in Altona. This was the first Major Melbourne Shwetambar Jain Sangh (MSJS) event in the western suburb. Snatra Pooja is one of the eleven essential annual rituals (kartavya) for every Jain. Harrison Ward Councillor (wyndham City Council) Intaj Khan was invited as the guest of this event and he attended the celebration and extended his support for the Jain community.

Melbourne Shwetambar Jain Sangh Inc. is a religious charitable organisation, which includes group of families and individuals following Jainism. The organisation regularly does activities to preserve, practice and promote the Jain religion and its fundamental principles. As the majority of Jain families were residing in the South Eastern suburbs, most of the activities were organised in the South Eastern suburbs. However, considering the recent increase in the Jain families in the Western

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suburbs and their enthusiasm in religious activities, MSJS decided to organise this important event in the Western suburb.

Snatra Pooja is a ritual related to birth of Tirthankara are bathed symbolising Indra doing Abhisheka on Tirthankara on Mount Meru after birth of Tirthankara. This Pooja recital explains the effect of Bhagawan’s birth on the whole universe, narrates how glorious the occasion was and how much joys were shared by all the living souls including all heavenly souls.

It illustrates the celebration of two of the five auspicious events (Kalyanaks) occurring in last life of Tirthankar Bhagwan.

Jainism is an Indian religion that teaches a path to spiritual purity and enlightenment through a disciplined mode of life founded upon the tradition of self-control and ahimsa (nonviolence) towards all living beings. Beginning in the 7th–5th century BCE, Jainism evolved into a cultural system and it is one of the three most ancient Indian religious traditions in existence, along with Hinduism and Buddhism.

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community

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Labour backs Lynbrook Sikh Temple demand to fix intersection

By our community reporter

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elbourne: Labor Activist and Exfederal candidate of Menzies Manoj Kumar along with local residents last month have raised the voice for fixing the dangerous intersection of Evans Road and South Gippsland Highway at Hampton Park. A petition of residents in the Casey and surrounding areas draws to the attention of the House (Legislative Assembly of Victoria) that as a matter of urgency, there be an introduction of a Traffic Management System at the intersection of Evans Road and South Gippsland Highway, Hampton Park.

The petition also mentioned that during peak times of travel, motorists are finding it difficult to turn onto South Gippsland Highway. The local residents and devotees who come to the Lynbrook Sikh Temple face difficulties to pass through the junction.

The petitioners have requested that the Legislative Assembly of Victoria must consider either the introduction of traffic lights or the establishment of a roundabout at the intersection of Evans

Road and South Gippsland Highway to alleviate this problem.

Local MP Hon. Jude Perera pledged to take up this issue further to the Parliament to support the demand. The petition was handed over to the local MP Hon. Jude Perera by temple officials in the presence of a number of devotees, local residents, Shadow minister of Road Safety Hon. Luke Donnellan MP and Manoj

Kumar local labor activist.

The residents have also organised a petition for changing the name of Evans Road as Nanaksar Road from the intersection till it meets the Thomson Road. Hon.MP Jude Perera said renaming the road comes under the council jurisdiction, however, it would be always good to make our multiculturism stronger by working on community’s demands and concerns.

The petitioners have requested that the Legislative Assembly of Victoria must consider either the introduction of traffic lights or the establishment of a roundabout at the intersection of Evans Road and South Gippsland Highway to alleviate this problem.

No clue of missing Indian after three months

By NEERAJ NANDA

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elbourne: There is no clue of missing Indian Shiva Chauhan, 27-yers-old for the last three months. Police have appealed to the public for information surrounding his disappearance of the Melbourne delivery van driver. Detectives are concerned for Mr Chauhan’s welfare and are treating his disappearance as suspicious. He is described as Indian, around 177cm tall, slim build and has dark-coloured straight hair.

According to the Indian Consulate in Melbourne, Shiva Chauhan was on a student visa which probably lapsed and he was eager to get it extended but that did not happen. Another issue with him, according to his brother, was that Shiva was unhappy after the girl he loved agreed to marry him but her family was not ready for that.

Recently, Shiva's older brother, Dinesh left his job in Delhi, to console his ageing parents (in Beas, Amritsar), and

to leave no stone unturned, while looking for his missing younger brother. Dinesh came to Melbourne on July 1, hoping that on Shiva's 28th birthday (on July 23), he may have some news for his anxious parents.

He told SBS Punjabi program’s Manpreet Singh, "No clue has been found. I'm leaving Melbourne empty handed, just as I came here emptyhanded".

“I met the Victoria Police but

they did not tell me anything new. I got no information about the progress of the investigation. “Even the forensic report has not come,” says Dinesh Chauhan.

Homicide Squad Missing

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Persons Unit detectives have been told Mr Chauhan began his delivery route on Thursday night (Friday, May 2) and was last sighted at a bakery on South Park Road, Dandenong South around 12.30am on the same day. Concerns were raised the next morning when it was discovered his deliveries were not made and he had failed to turn up to an arranged meeting the same afternoon. Mr Chauhan’s delivery van was located on Hutton Road in Keysborough around 3pm on Friday (May 2). Investigators have since been told the van was sighted at that location around 5.40am that day. An initial search of the area was conducted, however there were no sightings of Mr Chauhan.

Anyone with information about Mr Chauhan’s whereabouts, or who may have seen his delivery van in the Dandenong and Keysborough areas on Friday(May 2) morning, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Information can be provided anonymously.

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Scott Morrison presented bats signed by Aussie Cricketers to Indian ministers for asylum deal: Daily Telegraph

By News Desk

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elbourne, 29 July: Two Kookaburra bats signed by cricketers Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath presented to Indian Ministers Sushma Swaraj and Rajnath Singh

by Australian Immigration Minister Scott Morrison during his recent visit to India are creating controversy here. Scott Morrison went to Delhi to secure the asylum seeker deal with India to take back its nationals out of the 156

Tamil asylum seekers who arrived by a boat from India and have now been shifted to Curtain (Western Australia) after being detained in a Customs boat.

India agreed during Scott Morrison’s visit to take back the Indian nationals after vetting them.

According to PTI quoting a recent report in 'The Daily Telegraph', Morrison used a "secret weapon when he flew to India to secure the first asylum seeker deal with India".

"When he met with the Indian Home Affairs

Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, he handed them a pair of Kookaburra cricket bats signed by former Australian Test bowlers Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath," the report said adding, "Both were happy to sign the bats as a favour to Morrison, after he told them what they were for".

Official sources, in New Delhi said the ministers received the signed bats from Morrison during his visit to India.

The PTI report says:

“Lee’s manager Neil Maxwell said that he was unaware that bats signed for the Immigration Minister would be given to Indian officials involved in asylum seeker deal.” and “Maxwell said he appreciated the controversy surrounding the bats but says Lee signed them without asking what they would be used for.”

The issue has become a hot topic on social media and has been reported by The Australian Financial Review and Fox News also.

Melbourne Writers Festival (21-31 August)

By NEERAJ NANDA

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elbourne: In 2008, Melbourne was recognised as an international City of Literature as part of UNESCOs creative cities network. It is the only city in the Southern Hemisphere to earn the title and was only the second city in the world to be given the title in 2008 after Edinburgh. With its unparalleled numbers of independent booksellers, journals and zines, publishers and libraries, writers and readers Melbourne celebrates its vibrant literature scene all year round culminating every August at the Melbourne Writers Festival – which this year takes place from 21-31 August.

Now in its 29th year the Festival includes a jam-packed program with over 400 events exploring everything from news and current affairs to food, art, history and innovation. Over 350 authors, thinkers, musicians’ experts, and poets from across Australia and around the globe will take part in the festival – offering insights, knowledge and advice to budding and expert writers.

What started out as a weekend of activities now spans 11 huge days of events, and draws an impressive crowd of over 54,000 people.

Key presenter in the 2014 program will include one of the world’s most influential novelists, Sir Salman Rushdie; astronaut and author Commander Chris Hadfield, well known for his prolific orbital tweeting and his YouTube rendition of Da-

(L-R) Jobe Watson, captain of the Essendon Bombers, Manpreet Kaur Singh (SBS Punjabi) and Gurtej Singh commentate the game in Hindi-Punjabi as part of Multicultural Round during the 2014 AFL Round 18 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Essendon Bombers at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne on July 20, 2014.

(Photo: Michael Willson/AFL Media) AFL Media Photo Via AFL Multicultural Program

vid’s Bowies ‘Space Oddity’; UN Goodwill Ambassador Lydia Cache as well as many others.

Visit the official Melbourne Writers Festival website (http:// www.mwf.com.au/) to view the full 2014 program and to purchase tickets.

Source: piecesofvictoria

Key presenter in the 2014 program will include one of the world’s most influential novelists, Sir Salman Rushdie.

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‘Teeyan West Deeyan’ shine

By our community reporter

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elbourne, 19 July: An overwhelming crowd of 700 girls and women demonstrated a high quality of ‘Teeyan West Deeyan’ show in the Wyndham area of Melbourne.

The event started with remembering the all mighty God with a shabad which was sung by shabad sung by 5 to 8 years old girls

while Ruby assisted them with instruments. The dazzling young girls who performed gidha with the youngest girl being only 5 years of age was the first stirring item. The innocent faces of young girls along with naughty expressions representing context of the Bolian in Gidha left the crowd speechless. Other events included Maar Udari (Hindi Group Dance), Theme Skit (Dowry), Solo Dance, Rajsthani Dance, Girls Bhangra, Group Dance, Comedy Skit, Duet Dance

and Bollywood Dance.

The main attractions were Bhangra, group dances and gidha. Mimicry by Amrinder Kaur Toor and “Bhand comedy” by Roop were liked by everyone. Roop’s group dance on Mehndi and Simrat’s energetic group dance were really enjoyable.

The meaning of "Teeyan West Deeyan" is "Girls/ women of west". ‘Teeyan’ stands for girls/women and more specifically daughters.

A cultural significance of this event is that it is

organised in the month of rains, also known as Saawan month. The Saawan month started on July 13 this year and is the fifth month of Indian calendar. During this month women dance and sing praising the rain Gods for good crops and rain.

Special guest of the evening was Federal Member for Lalor, Joanne Ryan who is well known for her work in stopping toxic dump in Werribee area. Joanne replaced Julia Gillard as Member for Lalor who retired from active

politics last year.The key organisers were Shama Bhangu, Dolly Rai, Ruby Kaur and Navneet Kaur.

The guest of honour was Jasmeet Sangha who is a multi-talented young girl. Soma Nair, Ayurvedic practitioner was honoured

by Joanne Ryan, MP. Joanne Ryan said that “It was a wonderful event.

It was great to meet so many people from Indian community. I just loved music, dances, dresses and food. I congratulate the organisers”.

More Indian Consulate services through VFS now

By our reporter

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elbourne: The Indian Consulate here has further outsourced its services to the VFS. The new services for which you have to apply through the VFS are – OCI Miscellaneous Services, Registration of Birth , Issue of Birth Certificate,Renunciation of Indian Citizenship and Surrender of Indian Passports, Endorsement of new passport details on PIO card, Affidavit by a parent when applying for a child's Passport in India, Transfer of valid Visas, Issue of Marriage Certificate and Attestation of Documents. This came into effect on 15th July, 2014.

Already, the VFS deals with Passport, www.southasiatimes.com.au - (03) 9095 6220, 0421 677 082

Visa & Transfer of Visa, OCI & OCI Misc Services, PIO & Endorsement of details on PIO card, Renunciation/Cancellation /Surrender of Indian Citizenship and passport, Attestation of Documents, Affidavit of a parent when applying for child's passport in India, PCC/IDLV, Birth & Marriage Certificate, Registration of Birth and Emergency Visa.

So, the services left with the Consulate are Emergency Certificate, Life certificate & papers pertaining to pensions, Death certificate & Certificate required for transport of mortal remains/ ashes to India and NRI (Non Resident Indian) Certificate.

For full information check http://www.cgimelb.org/

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Vic. Premier visits Blackburn Sikh Temple By our community reporter

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elbourne: Victoria’s Premier Dennis Nepthine, Multicultural and Planning Minister Mathew Guy, Goldy Barar and others recently visited the Sikh Temple in Blackburn. The Temple management people took them around different parts of the complex which included the prayer area with the holy Granth Sahib , library, Punjabi language school and the kitchen.

Media persons from the SBS-Punjabi, SAT, Indo-Times and Beyond India were also present. The Premier then talked to the temple management and assured them all the support. He also answered to questions put by the media persons.

Answering to a question on the Abbott government’s plan to ISP providers to retain mega-data, the Premier said it was necessary to keep a balance between the plan and the protection of individual freedoms.

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SAPAC migration forum a big success By our community reporter

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elbourne: Australia is a migrant’s country and related issues are always in the news. The government keeps on revising rules and requirements for visas. The change can come abruptly and any potential applicant feels confused. To alleviate this problem the South Asian Public Affairs Council (SAPAC) organised a forum on Australian migration issues on 27 July, 2014 at the RSL Glen Waverley.

A panel of three migration experts, i.e., Rumana Jahan, Barrister & Solicitor, SR Migration & Education

Services, Werribee, Kusum Vaghela, Veera Lawyers, Dandenong and Tejinder Kalra, Visa-Link, Melbourne spoke on different aspects of migration matters faced by new migrants, international students, workers and common people.

Ramuna mainly spoke on student visas and the consequences of changing course provider leading to the need of getting a new visa.

She also explained the issues relating to aged parent visas.

Kusum spoke on the difficulties of getting a partner visa and emphasised the need to demonstrate ‘genuine relationship’. She also explained visa matters connected to domestic violence cases. ‘Husbands

are also victims of domestic violence not just a woman. So a balanced approach has to be taken by visa authorities between men and woman.’

She said.

Tajinder detailed the

non fulfilment of 457 visa requirements by many employers. He emphasised the need for ‘genuine employers’ who follow the rules. He then spoke about the need for a level playing

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field for all universities and private education providers as far as Streamline Visa Processing (SVP) is concerned.

Member of Parliament Jude Perera, Dr. Raveti Dorai, Sai Temple, Camberwell were among the large number of people present at the forum.

The presentations by the experts were followed by a lively question answer session. Earlier, those gathered were addressed

by SAPAC President Shabaz Chaudhury and executive member Manoj Kumar. The MC of the day was Kaushilya Vaghela , Molina helped with the mike during the Q-A session and the vote of thanks speech was given by Vice President Neeraj Nanda.

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COMMUNITY

Prayers given and community values expressed at Eid al-Fitr festival By our community reporter

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elbourne, 30 July: Eid al-Fitr was celebrated all over Melbourne and Victoria with great enthusiasm and fervour.

People greeted each other and those belonging to different faiths went to their Muslim friends for Ed parties and festivities. A big Chand Raat festival was also later held at the Sandown Racecourse, Springwale.

Peace, brotherhood and community values" - that was the main message evoked by Al-Taqwa College's Principal Mr Omar Hallak at the Eid alFitr celebrations in West Melbourne. By 8am a huge crowd of over 3,000 people had gathered around Melton and Wydham City Council area to enjoy a day of prayer, entertainment and of course a large feast - including

fine Australian lamb. Eid al-Fitr festival marks the end of Ramadan - a monthlong period of fasting from sunrise to sunset, and usually culminates in a great celebration where children are given gifts and presents.

The event was no exception as an array of ponies and children's rides arrived to squeals of delight from young onlookers.

The ceremony was also attended by local Councillor Intaj Khan, who along with other prominent community leaders offered a prayer on the holy day.

The Chand Raat festival had a big crowd and there were numerous food and other stalls. Leader of Opposition, Mr. Daniel Andrews, and leaders from both sides of politics addressed the gathered crowd. There was also a lively stage cultural show with lots of music and songs.

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Crime Stoppers celebrates 10th anniversary of Multilingual Project By our community reporter

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elbourne, 24 July: It was an eerie feeling and a flashback into the past as the Crime Stoppers celebrated the 10th anniversary of their Multilingual Project.

Amidst the dark (now lighted) corridors of the Old Melbourne Gaol, Crime Stoppers said cheers to itself in the presence of the media and high officials.

A glance at the cells of this old but well kept jail (now a museum and tourist spot) cells with photographs of some of those who spent years there and the list of all those hanged there made a

rather unusual information. It was like going back into time and having a feel of those times. One can even read how much food an inmate was entitled.

Crime Stoppers Unit MLP manager Leigh Trinh was awarded the Crime Stoppers International Coralie Wagner Memorial Service Award winner – 2013 in recognition

for outstanding performance and commitment, personifying a spirit of community cooperation and demonstrating qualities of leadership on a local, national and international level.

Crime Stoppers Unit Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Bennett: S.I. got the "Mick" Miller Award w - 2014.

The S.I. "Mick" Miller Award is presented annually to a

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member of Victoria Police who has made an outstanding contribution to the Victorian Crime Stoppers program.

The ethnic media was in full strength and many enjoyed the evening function laced with a journey into the past visiting the different parts of the Old Melbourne Gaol. One visit to this piece of Melbourne history is not enough.

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By Desi Oz

Daniel Andrews at the IEC networking dinner

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eader of Opposition, Mr. Daniel Andrew’s, was recently at the Indian Executive Club’s(IEC) networking session at the ‘Grands on Princess’, Mulgrave. A large number of business people and community members were present.

Answering to questions from the stage by the IEC, Mr. Andrews detailed the Victorian Labour Party’s views on trade, Little India, Indian film festival and education. On Little India, he said, he understood the issue and the need for a separate space for Indian businesses. On trade the leader of opposition felt, “cultural diversity should also be reflected in the economic sphere.”

And about the Indian film festival, he thought, it should be more inclusive.

Answering to a question from SAT, Mr. Andrews said he will fight for the parent’s visa to be made

Mr. Andrews said he will fight for the parent’s visa to be made easy which recently has been tightened by the Abbott government. easy which recently has been tightened by the Abbott government. Daniel then mixed with those present and posed for photographs. The newly furnished ‘Grands on Princess’ reception centre glittered amidst serious talk and networking.

‘Sardar’ Matthew Guy

Australian E-visa from 190 countries

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on. Matthew Guy, Minister for Multicultural and Citizenship & Planning wore the traditional Sikh turban during a visit to the Blackburn Sikh Temple on 22 July 2014. He went around the temple and the facilities, including the community kitchen, the prayer hall, the library and the music classroom and saw music lessons on the harmonium and table being conducted. The representatives of the Sikh Community then entertained the minister to morning tea and refreshments and presented a number of projects and matters of concern for his attention. These included the appointment of Sikh religious people to have freedom to visit prisons to counsel Sikh prisoners, assistance to transport senior citizens to functions, Sikhs wearing turbans to be exempted from wearing of helmets whilst riding motor cycles and wearing of “kirpan” to courts subject to appropriate security clearances. The Minister was receptive to the requests and promised to look into these matters and assist.

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ustralia will further cement its place as a world leader in e-visa technology, with an additional 66 countries and territories having access to online visitor visa applications from today. Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash said the addition of these countries including New Zealand, the Philippines, Kenya, South Africa, Bosnia and Herzegovina will be part of a phased global rollout. The expansion www.southasiatimes.com.au - (03) 9095 6220, 0421 677 082

means that around 190 countries and territories will now have the ability to apply online for an Australian visitor visa.

Applicants seeking to visit Australia as a visitor for business visitor activities or to visit friends or family will be able to gain access to the subclass 600 visitor visa and lodge visa applications online, from their office or home, making it much easier and more convenient to travel to Australia. For more information, including a full list of the affected countries and territories, visit www.immi.gov.au/

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India’s I-Day celebrated

By our reporter

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elbourne: Indian business and community leaders and organisations celebrated India’s Independence Day on the 6th August at the Parliament House Federation Room. A large number of MPs from the Labour and Liberal parties were present along with a few diplomats from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Mr. Ravi Bhatia presided over the meeting and introduced the meeting and those present.

Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Planning, Mr.

Mathew Guy and Mr. Telmo Languiller MP representing the leader of opposition Daniel Andrews spoke at length about India’s independence and its ties with Victoria and Australia among others.

The meeting while celebrating India’s 67th anniversary of Independence also launched the Warriors Football Club, launched Indian Monthly newspaper and an innovative crosscultural program for Victorian schools.

A centre of attraction was the actual ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 which was on display and everyone got their snaps taken with it.

Honda Jazz for Anita Jordan Sunil in Mann Travel raffle By our reporter

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elbourne: Anita Jordan Sunil has won a ‘Honda Jazz’ car from Mann Travel (jetoair.com.au)after she participated in a Mann Travel Raffle of all those who purchased air tickets from them for a stipulated period. The lucky name was taken out at the Astoria Honda Centre, Bentleigh

by Julia Connell, Corporate Sales Manager in August 1, 2014.

Anita travelled on ticket no. 232482373 (Malaysian Airlines).

About 10,000 people purchased air tickets between January 1 and June30, 2014 and out of them 2,700 put in their chits for the draw. A few participants apart from Mann Travel Director, SAT Editor, Neeraj Nanda and others were present.

Astoria Honda are proud supporters of Mann Travel (Jet O Air).

Your Community Marriage Celebrant • • • • • • •

Marriage registration Notice of intended marriage Overseas Registration Marriage - Notice Special services to overseas students Assist passport applications, overseas visa Interpreting, translating and Secretarial services

For Information contact N.R. Wickiramasingham. CMC JP. Mobile: 0404 059 231 Phone: (03) 9794 7942 Fax: (03) 9794 0414 Email: wickiram@hotmail.com 34 James Street, Dandenong, Victoria 3175 Authorised by the Commenwealth of Australia Reg: A4978

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EXCLUSIVE

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SAT PHOTO FEATURE

By Sharad Kumar Verma

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AT photo-journalist Sharad Kumar Verma based in New Delhi recently visited Leh (LadakhJK) and sent in some breathtaking exclusive photos. Below is the text he sent in with the photos.

Though I have been to Leh many times on Royal Enfield but this time it was special because I was testing myself, travelling to Leh after my accident in Jan.13, for a real long journey. Another reason to go there was to cover my friend Moksha Jetly, who is a biker by profession and takes tourists to Leh on mobike. She was planning to do Leh- Manali in one day as a first woman, its

550 km distance. You have to cross Tangla-la, Baralachla-la, Rohtangpass etc. where the air is very thin.

But views are great.

On the way we crossed Muri plain , Gata loop , Rumtse, Sarchu,Lachung La pass. Since it was a one day expedition, I went to Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake with Moksha and her bikers group. While going to Nubra we had to cross the highest motorable road Khardung-la pass.

Nubra Valley has breath taking scenery, with mountains, rivers, sand, and double hump camels.

The Pangong lake is the highest salt water lake half in India and half in China. After seeing off her group at the Leh airport finally the time came for Leh- Manali in

one day. She started her ride on Royal Enfield 350 classic, at 3 am with two of her mechanics also on bikes. I was sitting in a car chasing them. Around 7 am we were crossing Tangla-la pass what a wonderful morning with fresh snow and sunrise.

TR

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RIP TO LEH 2014

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Modi visit to Australia likely

By Neeraj Nanda

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elbourne, 8 Aug: Newly elected Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, is likely to visit Australia in November this year to attend the G-20 summit in Brisbane (Nov 15 & 16). The visit will come in the background of the Queensland Government’s recent environmental clearance to Adani’s Carmichael Coal Mine and Rail Project on 7 May, 2014 and India’s tough stand on the food security issue at the G-20 Sydney meeting and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Mr. Adani considered close to Prime Minister Modi, has received flak for his Coal project from environmental and financial experts for danger to the world heritage Great Barrier Reef and being an unviable project, is estimated to cost A$ 16.5 billion covering Greenfield construction of the mine, the railway and the coal export terminal, plus the associated water, road, airport, power and water infrastructure.

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Mr. Modi will be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Australia, after Rajiv Gandhi came here in 1986. Twenty eight years ago.

There are many issues between the two countries to be discussed including the actual modalities of Australia exporting Uranium to India, a decision taken by the Julia Gillard led Labour government.

Mr. Modi will be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Australia, after Rajiv Gandhi came here in 1986. Twenty eight years ago.

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Dharmendra unleashes nostalgia at Thornbury Theatre By our correspondent

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elbourne: At 78, ‘He-man’ Dharmendra is still acting (Punjabi films) and his dialogues from super hit ‘Sholey’ remain legendry.

This Punjabi Jat from a simple village in Ludhiana made his debut with Arjun Hingorani's ‘Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere’ (1960).

Since then there has been no going back and he was here to promote his latest Punjabi movie ‘Double Di Trouble’.

This living Bollywood legend became a household name with ‘Sholay’ in which he starred with Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malani. Phool Aur Paththar became the highest grossing film of 1966. He has acted with most top actresses but His most successful pairing was with Hema Malini, who went on to become his future wife. The couple played together in a large number of films,

including Raja Jani, Seeta Aur Geeta, Sharafat, Naya Zamana, Patthar Aur Payal, Tum Haseen Main Jawaan, Jugnu, Dost, Charas, Maa, Chacha Bhatija, Azaad, and Sholay.

He has also been a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India, representing Bikaner constituency in Rajasthan from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In 2012, he was honoured India's third highest civilian honour Padma Bhushan by the

Government of India.

With such a rich successful legacy, Dharmendra was naturally welcomed

by Indian and other subcontinent people at the Thornbury Theatre.

The house was full with all age groups there to have a look at their favourite Dharmendra.

The humble actor left no stone unturned to please his fans. With smiles he posed for photographs with people of each table and shaked hands with

them. One could see the type of fan following he has after being in the Indian film industry for 54 years.

Replying to a SAT question on his no more being a Member of Parliament, he said, I decided to concentrate more on my acting career and leave the Parliament to the politicians.

Incidentally, Hema Malani is an MP in the current Parliament elected from Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.

He also happily replied to

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many questions from the audience.

Director Smeep Kang and actress Kulraj Randhawa were also present at the event.

The audience was also treated with Bollywood and other dance items.

Thornbury Theatre and the organisers did a good job by organising a rather different but entertaining event. The most popular were the Sholay dialogues Dharmendra delivered in his typical style.

Incredible indeed!

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Dharmendra inaugurates ‘Mumbai Spices’

By Neeraj Nanda

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elbourne: Wearing a long coat and a hat, Dharmendra, emerged from his car outside the ‘Mumbai Spices’ and promoters and moved towards the main gate. He was to inaugurate the ‘Mumbai Spices’ Indian restaurant. He was welcomed by the ‘Mumbai Spices’ promoters Alok, Aakash and Tajendra Kalra. The famous but simple Bollywood star whose career spans to 54 years, then cut the blue ribbon as people rushed to take his photographs. He then mixed with those present and posed for photos. Also, known as the ‘He-man’, Dharmendra chatted with Mumbai Spices people and wished them all the success.

It was a first of sorts as for the first time a top Bollywood actor inaugurated an Indian restaurant here. It was a tribute to spirit of Melbourne and the Indian community which now lives in all suburbs. The talks were endless and people were not exhausted taking photos.

I then pulled a chair and went near Dharmendra and asked him a few questions.

Excerpts from the interview: Q: Since your first film ‘Dil Bhi Tera – Hum Bhi Tare’

in 1960 it has been a long journey. How would you describe it?

A: (in Hindi) : Mannato Ki murad – Duaon ki den – malik ke mehar ka ek vardan hoon – Mahan maa azim baap ki shakfat ek insaan hoon main. ( With the grace of god and my parents I am what I am)

only. I have lots of ‘garami’ (heat) in me. No one could have consumed drinks as much I used to.

Q: I liked your 1963 movie Bandani. Tell me about your experience with Ashok Kumar and Nutun?

A: I have been brought up in such a way that I am friendly with everyone. Had good experience with Bandani actors. Used to talk a lot with Ashok Kumar.

Q: ‘Phool Aur Patthar’ and ‘Sholey’ were your big hits.

What would you say?

A: ‘Phool aur Patthar’ was the ‘Sholay’ of its time. My character was called ‘Shaaka’ in it.

Q: Why are you called ‘HeMan’ and ‘Dharam-Garam’?

A: Because I am like this

Q: Which other movie apart from ‘Sholay’ made you what you are?

A: ‘Pratigya’. That movie is very close to me.

Q: Tell us about your latest Punjabi film ‘ Double Di Trouble’?

A: It’s based on Shakespeare’s ‘Comedy of Errors’.

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‘India Channel’ for global audience

By SAT News Desk

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ew Delhi, 5 Aug: Doordarshan (DD), India’s national broadcaster is all set to enter homes across the world, courtesy the MOU signed between the Prasar Bharti and the German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle. The agreement would facilitate for the first time the availability of Doordarshan programmes on a ‘Free to Air’ basic package mode, on a DTH Platform.

This would entail coverage of DD in Europe, Asia, North Africa and Australia. About 120 million homes globally will be able to access ‘India Channel’. The pact would also provide DD a viable DTH distribution platform.

“Speaking on the occasion, CEO Prasar Bharati Jawhar Sircar said the MOU provided an important platform to position DD content globally. The content for the platform would be created based on the consultation with various stakeholders and the taste of the target audience, says a PIB media release.

The agreement entails distribution of ‘India Channel’ on DTH Platform of Hotbird-13B Satellite and the reciprocal distribution of DW-TV on DD Freedish.

The signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding between Prasar Bharati and Deutsche Welle the Public Broadcaster of Germany, in New Delhi on August 05, 2014. Photo: PIB Hotbird-13B is an extremely popular DTH platform in Europe. It has a reach of 120 million homes in the whole of Europe, Northern Africa and the whole of Middle East, having a total number of 1,543 TV channels of which 1117 TV channels are Free-to-Air. 124 English

channels are available on this satellite, prominent amongst which are BBC, CNN, CCTV, RT, France24, VOA TV, Euromans, Sky News, Bloomberg TV, Al Jazeera, etc.

Placing DD on Hotbird DTH Platform will also give it full access

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to the Middle Eastern GCC Countries, where Indians work and reside in large numbers. DD will be offered in the basic package of the DTH service which does not require any individual to either subscribe to it or to pay for viewing the channel.

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‘Mercy Killing’ up for debate in India

By Neeta Lal

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EW DELHI, Aug 4 2014 (IPS) - If a terminally ill patient, with scant hope of recovery, pleads for his death to be facilitated, should the doctors comply? Or, if the family of a patient who has been declared brain-dead requests that her life-support system be withdrawn, should their will be respected?

These and many other such fraught questions are currently roiling India as the country debates the moral and legal dimensions of legalising euthanasia or ‘mercy killing’, defined as the painless termination of an incurably sick person’s life in order to relieve them of their suffering, or end a long-term coma.

In response to a petition filed by the New Delhibased NGO Common Cause, which wants both the right to refuse treatment and the right to die with dignity to be incorporated into law, the Supreme Court has ordered a public debate on the contentious issue after decades of eschewing adjudicating on it.

At the heart of the debate is the case of Aruna Shanbaug, a rape victim who has been lying in a vegetative state in Mumbai’s KEM Hospital since 1973, virtually brain dead.

In March 2011, Shanbaug’s friend, journalist Pinki Virani, filed a plea to the Supreme Court to free Shanbaug from the agony of a barely conscious existence, but the apex court denied the petition.

The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government helmed by Narendra Modi – which came to power this May – has also been firmly opposed to legalising euthanasia.

“The government doesn’t accept euthanasia as a principle,” Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told the press.

“Our stand on euthanasia, in whichever form, is that the court has no jurisdiction to decide this. It’s for Parliament and the legislature to take a call after a thorough debate and taking into account multifarious views.”

Experts say complexities are amplified further by the absence of agreement between lawmakers and public, as well as medical, opinions about the right to life granted by the Indian Constitution.

“Will legalising euthanasia require a Constitutional amendment?” asked Samta Khanna, a Delhi-based legal

activist. “And suppose a terminally ill or comatose patient has no close relatives or next of kin, who will take the decision whether or not life support should be withdrawn?”

The lawyer told IPS there were “so many dimensions to this sensitive issue” that it needed to be discussed in close detail before the drafting of a law.

Still, it is not rare for Indian families to opt for euthanasia with full cooperation from physicians. Prohibitive costs of protracted treatment, as well as a desire to end the suffering of a family member, both play a catalytic role in these decisions.

“Even with insurance cover, private hospital care in India burns a deep hole in the pockets of middle-class Indian families,” Dr. Dineshwar Sharma, CEO of the Apollo Hospital in Noida, a city in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, told IPS. “And for the poor, for whom life is a daily struggle for survival, treatment costs of a long-suffering patient can be ruinous.”

Stories of small farmers being forced to sell their meager landholdings for treatment are not uncommon.

Nor are tales of terminally ill patients from villages being abandoned by their relatives in big hospitals.

The cost of life Passive euthanasia, defined as the withholding of life-saving medicines or treatment, is also a frequent occurrence, particularly among the poor.

Thirty-six-year-old Naina, the wife of Manik Ram, a farmer whose family withdrew life support for him after two years of brain hemorrhaging

and confinement to the bed, told IPS, “In the beginning, we were hopeful that my husband would recover. So we sold our small agricultural plot. Then went the household furniture followed by all my jewelry.

“But gradually, we realised the futility of spending money on my comatose husband as doctors were clear he wouldn’t ever recover. I asked the doctors to release my husband so we could take him home. After all, I had four young kids to look after as well.”

Ram was then brought home where he breathed his last after three weeks. “I’m still under a heavy debt but as we don’t have to pay hefty hospital bills any more, I’m hoping things will gradually get back to normal,” she said.

Such tales are not unique in this country of 1.2 billion people.

Sarita, 35, whose young brother Mukesh was paralysed from the neck downwards in a motorcycle crash in 2011 in New Delhi, recounts the days of horror the family lived through after he was hospitalised.

“My mother had to sell off all her gold ornaments.

My wedding was also put on hold because the hospital bills for my brother were phenomenal,” she told IPS. “It was unbearable to see an athlete like him live in a vegetative state. One fine day my father made a decision.

He went to the hospital and brought my brother home. He died within a month.”

Still, the Indian medical fraternity’s views over the matter are splintered.

While some doctors oppose it, calling it “murder”, others believe that extenuating circumstances make a case for passive

euthanasia.

“Family members should be at liberty to decide whether to withdraw the life-support system from a patient if there is no hope of revival,” Dr. Rajendra Prasad, medical director of the Indian Head Injury Foundation, told IPS. “Several patients die because of a lack of such systems,” he said. “However, active euthanasia, in which the terminally ill are killed [by lethal injection] should be prohibited.”

The anti-euthanasia lobby contends that doctors have a moral responsibility to keep their patients alive, as enshrined in the Hippocratic Oath.

“The line dividing euthanasia from murder is a fine one, and legalising euthanasia might result in an abuse of law, unfairly targeting the poor and disabled, and create incentives for insurance companies to terminate lives in order to save money,” according to Dr. Sanjay Dheer, an oncologist at Max Healthcare in New Delhi.

“There should be a system of checks and balances to review such situations on a case-to-case basis so that both doctors and families can take an informed decision,” added Dr. Sumit Ray, vice chairperson of critical care medicine at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi.

“Just like most hospitals have a panel to certify whether a person is brain dead or not, a similar panel for euthanasia should be in place,” he told IPS. Doctors say there is mounting pressure on them as most big hospitals are getting at least three to four such requests from families per

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“It was unbearable to see an athlete like [my brother] live in a vegetative state.

One fine day my father made a decision. He went to the hospital and brought my brother home.

He died within a month.” -- Sarita, 35, a New Delhi resident. week. Worsening the situation is the crisis in the Indian health sector where a dearth of doctors and hospital beds is forcing the medical community to reconsider huge investment in patients who are unlikely to live.

According to the 12th FiveYear Plan, the doctor-patient ratio is 45 per 100,000, against the desirable ratio of 85 per 100,0000.

Similarly, the number of nurses and midwives is only 75 per 100,000, compared to the goal of 255 per 100,000 patients. The crisis is worse in rural areas, which are especially poorly served.

Euthanasia as a concept isn’t new to India. Seers and sages have for centuries practiced yogic concepts like samadhi, nirvana and santhara, voluntarily opting for death at a particular stage in life, or to escape terminal illness. But successive governments of ‘modern’ India have been reluctant to draft these ancient practices into law.

Until Indian courts make a firm decision on the issue, those forced to make life-ordeath choices for their loved ones say they will be plagued by confusion and guilt.

—Edited by Kanya D’Almeida

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Gods on Earth: Shankaracharya says no to worship of Sai Baba T

By Ram Puniyani

he phenomenon of God is probably the most complex one in the World. For believers there is a range of belief system about the supernatural powers. For agnostics it is ‘I don’t know’ and for atheists there is no supernatural power.

The systems of thought relevant to the topic range from Animists (nature worshippers), polytheists (multiple gods/goddesses), tri-theists (Brahma-VishnuMahesh or Father, Son and the Holy spirit), Monotheists (single Universal God) to Atheists. In the concept of God we have ‘god as a physical being’ to formless the God. Adivasis are animists, worshipping the nature and spirits of their ancestors. In different religions the concept is very different, including the fact that some religions do not have the concept of God like Buddhism and Jainism.

Polytheism prevailed in Greek society, with different Gods and Goddesses endowed with special virtues. Ancient Aryans also had polytheism, with multitude of Gods and Goddesses looking after different virtues and aspects of the life on Earth.

We have a Goddess each for wealth (Laxmi) knowledge (Sarswati) and Power (Durga) We also have a God each for lightening (Indra) air (Marut) sex (Kamdevta) liquor (Som devta) amongst the plethora of the divine powers. Hindu mythology is a rainbow exposition of the diversity and complexity of the lives of Gods and Goddesses.

There is no fixed timeline of the phenomenon of God. Diverse concepts begin in different time periods. From animism, the most ancient concept to polytheismmonotheism and atheism come up over a period of time but not in a sequential fashion. Simultaneously, there come up the traditions of Charvak, Buddhism and Jainism which either do not talk about God or deny the existence of God. While today the prophet based religions like Christianity and Islam have a definitive concept, the Hindu religion has plethora of divine powers, Hinduism also has assimilated the diverse concepts, which merrily co-exist. That’s how in

my childhood while reciting Hanuman Chalisa and reading Ramayan, (Lord Ram) I could reverentially go through the text of Mahabharata, with many Gods playing their different interesting roles. My family-community, worshipped Banyan tree on one hand and on the other had parallel worship of bullocks, of snakes and what have you. I vividly remember taking the wooden bullocks to neighbors and getting some sweets or small change as a reward. Every Saturday, mendicants with a vessel filled with oil used to come and my grandfather used to slip some coins in to the vessel, while at the same time performing the puja of Lord Ram. Last three decades in particular while on one hand one saw the plethora of Godmen like Mahesh Yogi, Rajneesh, J.Krishnamurthy, Asaram Bapu, Satya Sai baba (Bhagwan) coming to the fore, the popularity of Sai Baba of Shirdi and Mata Vaishno Devi has gone up exponentially.

Bhagwan Satya Sai, who died few years ago, had vast following and he was regarded as the reincarnation of Shirdi Sai baba. At the same time Shirdi Sai pilgrimage became

very popular and his temples came up in most cities. Sai Baba of Shirdi has a beautiful syncretic background. While he was born in a Muslim family he came up more in Sufi tradition and intermingled with equal affection amongst Hindus as well as Muslims.

His major focus was bringing Hindus and Muslims together.

One major landmark in his life will give the essence of his efforts. In 1896 he instituted the annual Sufi ‘urs' festival with the explicit purpose of bringing these two communities together. In 1912 he combined this Urs with Hindu Ram navami festival.

This effort of his strengthened his Sufi initiative of cooperation, symbiosis and tolerance. During the festival Hindus would worship in the mosque along with Muslims, each community following their own rituals. The Baba would put the sandalwood paste on the forehead of Mlahspati, the priest of local Khandoba temple, who in turn would reciprocate the gesture.

Baba was deeply steeped in humanism, the core of all religions, and so initially Muslims as well as Hindus started respecting him.

By and by more and more of Hindus started

worshipping him and today he is more of a Hindu deity than a Muslim one.

In Hinduism as such there is a scope for new Gods and Goddesses also (e.g.

Santoshi Ma, Satyanarayan).

Apart from Sai Baba; Swami Parmhans is another one who has been raised to the level of divinity, and his more famous disciple Swami Vivekananda, also started a mission in his name.

The controversy around worshipping of Sai Baba was raised by Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand (June 2014) who described Shirdi Sai baba as a Muslim ascetic, and proclaimed that he cannot be worshipped like a Hindu deity. He also said that his campaign is to protect the Hindu religion and that he will continue irrespective.

Sadhvi Uma bharti currently Union Minister of Water Resources, who was one of the prominent figures in Ram Temple agitation, leading to demolition of Babri masjid and deepening the communal divides, is also worshipper of Sai baba. In a letter to Swami Swaroopanand she explained the rationale behind her statement where she had said that looking upon someone as a god was people's personal choice.

While Sai Baba has been accepted as God by large sections of Hindus, it is probably for the first time that someone, Shankaracharya, has objected to this popular trend. As such Hinduism is a collation of multiple traditions. The clerical Brahminical tradition to which Shankracharya belongs is rigid and orthodox, while the other traditions of Nath, Tantra, Siddhanta and Bhakti are more flexible and adapt to the situation very easily. The Hindu practices have evolved continuously.

On one hand the clerical ones emphasize on the status quo, the non Brahminical traditions have flexibility and fluidity. It will require a deeper study to understand as to why the worship of Jai Mata Di, Sai Baba, Santoshi Maa has become more popular during last few decades, surely it is part of broader inclusive Hindu practice as well. One needs to realize that the religious practices of different religions are not uniform. Even in the Universal, Prophet based religions; there are sects,

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Catholic-Protestants, ShiaSunni, Hinayan-Mahayan, Digambar-Shetambar, to name the few. The orthodox versions of religions have been used as the base of politics within every religion.

South Asia is today in the grip of rising religiosity on the one hand and growing assertion of politics in the name of religion on the other.

The more conservative orthodox versions are picked up for political abuse, Wahabi version from Islam, Brahminical version from Hinduism, and similar conservative version from Buddhism in Myanmar-Sri Lanka-Thailand in particular.

People should be left to their own wisdom and choice in matters of the faith. Imposing, asserting a particular version from the interpretation of the texts does complicate the matters and creates strife, the way the controversy raised by Shankaracharya is doing.

While on the topic of God, recently a book has come out, “Why Atheism will replace religion: The triumph of earthly pleasures over pie in the sky” written by Nigel Barber. This book predicts that religions, believers, will become a minority Vis a Vis the practice of secularism in the decade of 2040s.

This book relates the rise/ fall of the religion with economic power and makes an observation that atheists are much more in number in developed countries. This book is based on the study of 137 nations conducted by the author who concludes that in the countries; more developed the welfare system; higher is the number of atheists. The book’s crunch line is, in countries where distribution of income is even, lesser is the number of religious people. The author is a prominent psychologist.

He makes a prediction that people will feel lesser need of supernatural beliefs when the tangible world is providing them for their real needs.

Also in a survey conducted in America 20% people identified themselves as Atheists.

While we wait for the realisability of such prediction, we should respect the people’s choices about their faith, this is a message loud and clear given by the followers of Sai baba in response to what Shankaracharya said.

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इस महीने की १५ तारीख़ को भारत को अँग्रेज़ी राज्य से स्वतंत्रता प्राप्त किये हुए ६७ वर्ष हो जायेंगे| इn ६७ वर्षों में भारत में प्रजातंत्र की जड़ें मज़बूत हुई हैं और आर्थिक व तकनीकी रूप से प्रगति भी हुई है | ग़रीबी के स्तर में भी थोड़ा सकारात्मक परिवर्तन हुआ है यद्यपि आज भी ग़रीबी एक गंभीर समस्या है | परंतु भारत में नैतिकता का ह्रास हुआ है और विभिन्न प्रकार के अपराधों में वृद्धि हुई है | बढ़ती हुई महँ गाई ने आम आदमी की कमर तोड़ दी है और भ्रष्टाचार से पूरा समाज त्रस्त है | बलात्कार के मामलों को कम करने या रोकने में पुलिस असमर्थ है | दे श की सीमाओं पर आज भी कड़ी सुरक्षा की आवश्यकता है | आज भी अलगाववादी तत्व दे श की एकता को ख़तरे में डाल सकते हैं | संक्षेप में दे श के सामने अनेक बड़ी चुनौतियाँ हैं | आशा है कि नई केन्द्रीय सरकार इन समस्याओं के समाधान के लिये सकारात्मक क़दम उठायेगी| सभी पाठकों को स्वतंत्रता दिवस की बधाई तथा इस महीने पड़ने वाले विभिन्न त्योहारों (श्रावण-पूर्णिमा, रक्षा बंधन, जन्माष्टमी, पर्यूषण पर्व आदि) के लिये शुभ कामनाएँ| इस अंक के साथ ‘हिन्दी–पुष्प’ दस वर्ष पूरे करके ११वें वर्ष में प्रवेश कर रहा है | इस अवसर पर हम सभी पाठकों, लेखकों व संपादकीय समिति के सदस्यों के प्रति आभार प्रकट करते हैं जिनके सहयोग से हिन्दी-पुष्प पल्लवित होता रहा है और आशा करते हैं कि हमें भविष्य में भी आपका सहयोग मिलता रहे गा| इस अंक के k;Vyku'j स्तम्भ में ‘आज़ादी की सालगिरह’ तथा अन्य रोचक कविताएँ हैं | साथ में, ‘अंतहीन पड़ाव’ नामक एक नयी कहानी का पहला भाग भी है | इसके अतिरिक्त ‘संक्षिप्त समाचार’, ‘अब हँ सने की बारी है ’, ‘mhævpU,R itiqy;\’ व ‘सूचनाएँ’ स्तम्भ भी हैं | लिखियेगा कि आपको यह अंक कैसा लगा| —दिनेश श्रीवास्तव

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आज़ादी की सालगिरह आज़ादी की सालगिरह पर स्वर्गवासी गांधी और नेहरू ने भारत-भ्रमण का कार्यक्रम बनाया| पहला पड़ाव था पटना मुलाक़ात हुई खादीधारी नेता से| नेता ने इन महामूर्तियों को दे ख साष्टांग प्रणाम किया और बोलागांधी बाबा, मैं आपकी परम्पराओं, आपके आदर्शों को आज भी जीवित रखे हूँ आपने भाईचारे का संदे श दिया मैंने भाईयों तो क्या, सालों समेत करोड़ों का चारा खाया| आपने कहा था- ‘ग़रीबी दरू करो’ मैंने अपनी ग़रीबी दरू कर ली आपने दध ू -दही के रामराज का स्वप्न दे खा था हम दध ू -दही तो क्या रबड़ी का ही राज ले आये आप दे श के ख़ातिर जेल गये थे हम भी आजकल जेल की हवा खाने जा रहे हैं | वैसे जब आप आये ही हो तो कुछ जुगाड़ लगा कर यह केस रफ़ा-दफ़ा करवा दो आपकी दो-चार और मूर्तियाँ खड़ी कर दें ग|े नेहरू बोले, बापू, यह आधुनिक गांधीवादी है उजली खादी, काली करतूतें छिपाने के लिये पहनता है | नेताजी ने कहा थातुम मुझे ख़ून दो, मैं तुम्हें आज़ादी दँ ग ू ा आज का नेता कहता है तुम मुझे वोट दो, मैं तुम्हारा ख़ून चूसग ँू ा इसका सत्य सत्ता है | अहिंसा में उतनी ही दे र विश्वास करता है जब तक इसकी बात मानो| भलाई इसी में है यहाँ से जल्दी निकल चलो| बाहर निकले सामने ‘फ़्रीडम फ़ाइटर पेंशन’ का सरकारी दफ्तर था| अब यहाँ कुछ दिन रहना है

एकाकी जीवन कहाँ से यात्रा आरम्भ की और कहाँ तक पहुँच गये कभी विशाल वट वृक्ष थे अब बोनसाई बन रह गये कभी हृदय विशाल था भावनाओं का ज्वार था मन में निस्वार्थ प्यार था सम्बन्धों का दल ु ार था परिवार में एकता थी संघर्षों में संग होते थे

-किशोर नग ं रानी, कैनबरा गुज़ारे के लिये पेंशन ले लें| बाबू ने पान चबाते हुए पूछानाम? मोहनदास गांधी बाप का नाम? करमचंद गांधी बाबू हँ सा, बोलायहाँ जो आता है , वह आपने आपको गांधी, नेहरू, सुभाष ही समझता है ख़ैर, पेशा बताओ| आज़ादी की लड़ाई, नमक तोड़ो, भारत छोडो आंदोलनों में भाग लिया| बाबू ने पान की पीक थूकते हुआ कहामुझे हिस्ट्री के पाठ सिखाने की ज़रूरत नहीं इतनी हिस्ट्री आती तो मैं आई.ए.एस. अफ़सर होता; यहाँ कलम न घिस रहा होता| जेल जाने का प्रमाण-पत्र है ? मैं दे श की आज़ादी के लिये जेल गया था प्रमाण-पत्र लेने नहीं अगला सवालज़िंदा रहने का प्रमाण-पत्र है ? गांधी जी बोले – सामने खड़ा हूँ और कौन सा प्रमाण-पत्र चाहिये? बाबू गांधी की नादानी पर हँ सा बोला-तुम्हारा केस मुश्किल लगता है मगर बाबू श्यामलाल सक्सेना ने ऐसों को पेंशन दिलवाई है जो सन सैंतालीस में, माँ की गोद में दध ू पी रहे थे| तुम शक्ल-सूरत से भले दिखते हो, फ़्रीडम फ़ाइटर भी लगते हो कुछ खर्चा-पानी करो पेंशन का भी इं तज़ाम हो जायेगा| नेहरू क्रुद्ध हुए, बोलेदीवार पर गांधी जी का फ़ोटो लगाया है और घूस माँगते हो! बाबू बोला– दीवार पर गांधी जी की फ़ोटो लगाना सरकारी मज़बूरी है मेरा रिश्वत लेना, मेरी ‘ट्रिस्ट विद डे स्टिनी’ है अगर तकलीफ़ होती है तो गांधी की फ़ोटो कोट से ढक दे ता हूँ अब कुछ निकालो| अंत में उनकी मुलाक़ात मोबाईल फ़ोनधारी,

-अरुण स्वरूप भटनागर, दिल्ली खुशि ़ याँ भी सबमें बँटती थी दःु ख मिलकर हलके होते थे अब न शेष वह मृद ु भावना है न ही प्यार का आवेगः है बस संकुचित सी सोच हो गयी निज स्वार्थों की ही चाह रह गयी कितना बँटेंगे टु कड़ों में क्या यही नियति स्वीकार हमें कि बनकर रह जायें सूखे कड़े पेड़ों जैसे एकाकी जीवन के तपते मरुस्थल में।

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यप्पी नौजवान से हुई उसने गांधी जी को ‘बेन किं ग्सले’ समझ ऑटोग्राफ़ माँगा जब उसे पता चला कि गांधी जी गांधी हैं तो ऑटोग्राफ़ -बुक वापस माँग ली फिर बोला- महात्मा गांधी रोड पर दस शराब की दक ु ानें हैं चल कर कहीं आज़ादी का जश्न मनाते हैं | गांधी जी ने पूछाआज़ादी का सफ़र लाया कहाँ से कहाँ तक? जवाब मिला – तब भारत छोड़ो का नारा बुलंद हुआ था; अब भारत बुलाओ की होड़ लगी है | तब विदे शी कपड़ों की होली जली थी; अब ‘पिज़्ज़ा हट’, ‘के.एफ़.सी.’, कोका-कोला की धूम मची है ; प्रगति हुई ‘है | चरखा कातने से कम्प्यूटर तक पहुँचे हैं | प्रगति नहीं भी हुई है | विश्व अंतरिक्ष-यात्रा कर रहा है पर हमारा नेता आज भी रथ-यात्रा कर रहा है | आपने भारत छोड़ो का नारा दिया था; मैं भी भारत छोड़ने के चक्कर में हूँ| कहीं से यू.एस.ए., यू.के. या फिर ऑस्ट्रेलिया का वीज़ा दिलवा दें तो आज ही भारत छोड़ दँ |ू गांधी जी निराश हुए, नेहरू हताश हुए बोले –पिछली बार अँग्ज़ रे आये थे तो दो सौ साल लग गये थे वापस भेजने में इस बार अँग्रेज़ियत आ रही है क्या इसे कभी वापस भेज पायेंग? े

बरखा रानी!

-हरिहर झा, मेल्बर्न

(इस कविता में वर्षा के दष्प्र ु भावों को दर्शाया गया है | छींके आना, कामकाजी महिलाओं के श्रृंगार का बिगड़ना, काम की खोज में गये हुए व्यक्तियों का बहुत वर्षा होने के कारण घर पहुँचने में दे र होना व परिवार का चिन्तित होना तथा वापस घर सुरक्षित पहुँच जाने पर परिवार का खु़श होना आदि सभी कुछ आपको इस कविता में मिल जायेगा-संपादक) बरखा रानी! हौले बरसो नज़र इधर करो, पता चलेगा बादल छींके, टिशु बिखर गये पता नहीं क्या तड़के उठ वह बैग लिये ऑफ़िस भागी थी दे ख आइना सज-सँवर कर गालों पर लाली लानी थी तुमने छे ड़ा भीड़भाड़ को चन्द्रवदनी के लेप गये। हसन मियाँ को काम मिला जब मन्नत मानी थी मज़ार में बिफरी तुम तो, घर न लौटे बेगम रोये इं तजार में भीगे कपड़े , भीगी पलकें आये अब्बू, शिशु मचल गये।

A U G U S T

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kopenhegn² @enm;kR me‹ subh ke n* bj rhe qe a*r ap[wl k; mhIn; q;) sUrj kI ikr,‹e ib%rI hu”R qI pr ikr,o‹ me‹ t;p nhI‹ q;) ifr .I /Up me‹ %@¹; hon; .l; lgt; q;) ¾sor$e@;m @oseir'g ke ds Flw$o‹ kI ”k;”R ke s;mne a;kr @;ikye ne apnI ¾me$;@or¾ k;r %@¹I kI tq; p]o‹ k; qwwl; lekr b;hr inkl;) mu:y drv;je pr ds n;m lge qe² ijNhe' p!¹ kr @;iky; i##k; tq; p] pr il%e pte ko dub;r; p!¹ne lg;) drv;je pr hI Ek yuvk /Up sekne kI inyt se %@¹; q;) @;ikye ne ¬s yuvk se pUz ily; ®”s Flw$ ke tIsre F¹lor pr Ky; ko”R E@I inlsen rhte hw‹À® ®Kyo‹ Ky; b;t hwÀ® ¬s yuvk ne pUz ily;) ®¬nke ilye Ek p] hw² yh;\ ¬nke n;m kI jgh iksI jwkobsn k; n;m il%; hua; hw)® @;ikye ne jv;b idy;) ®mw hI jwkobsn hU\) yh p] muZe dIijye® jwkobsn ne jv;b idy;) ®a;p kI b@I mehrb;nI hogI² yh p] ¬nko de dIijyeg;® @;ikye ne kh;) yuvk ne SvIkOit me' sr ihl;te huE p] ko le ily;) @;iky; cl; gy;) jŽ;n ¬s p] ko lekr apne F¹lw$ me‹ v;ps a; gy; tq; सोफ़े pr bw# kr p] %olkr p!¹ne lg;) p] a\g[ej¹I me‹ il%; hua; q;² ijsk; xBd-s;r ihNdI me kuz ”s p[k;r q;"-

®bw‹k;k Ee mere ip[y² m‹w tuMh‹e iks n;m se puk;å\À mer; tuMh;r; ko”R jgt p[dÊ irXt; nhI hw) bs kevl Ek r;t ke x;rIirk sMb‹/ ke² ijsne mere jIvn m'e tUf;n %@¹; kr idy; hw a*r mw‹ pTqr bnkr ”s tUf¹;n me‹ tuMh;r; ”‹tj;r kr rhI hU\) tuMhe‹ x;yd ivXv;s n ho ik mw‹ tuMh;re bCce kI m;\ hU\ a*r ¬sk; akele l;ln p;ln kr rhI hU\) tMhe‹ merI b;t korI bkv;s lg rhI hogI y; mer; tuMh;re jwse / nI yUroipyn ke s‹g jIvn guj;rne kI idlI tmNn; ko mUtR¨p dene k; hqk‹@; lg rh; hog;) m'w ¬s r;t tuMh;re ilye Ek k;l glR se Jy;d; kuz nhI‹ qI) pr mw‹ n k.I k;l glR qI² n hU\ a*r n k.I bnU‹gI) ¬s Ek r;t kI .y‹kr .Ul k; a‹j;m itlitl .ugt rhe hw‹ hm dono‹ y;nI ik mw‹ a*r tuMh;r; apn; be$;) mw‹ne tuMh;re be$e ko tuMh;r; hI n;m idy; hw ¾isLvr inlsen¾) ¬ske jNm p[m;, p] kI Ek fo$ok;pI tuMhe‹ .ej rhI hU\² ijsme‹ b;p ke n;m kI jgh tuMh;r; n;m hw) m‹w ”s p] ke s;q apn; a*r apne be$e k; f¹o$o .ej rhI hU\² jo x;yd tuMh‹e merI y;d idl;ye) muZe a;x; nhI‹ hw ik tuMh;re jwse r‹gIle a;dmI k; idl merI kh;nI ko sunkr ip`l j;yeg; a*r tum apne bCce ke l;ln p;ln m‹e mer; h;q b$;aoge) yh to mer; s*.;Gy q; ik tum

¬s r;t apne v;sn;my p[em p[s‹g ke b;d bhut p[sNn huE qe tq; apn; ivij¹i$‹g k;@R muZe idy; q;) aNyq; muZe k.I pt; n clt; ik mere aNdr pl rhe bCce k; b;p k*n hwÀ tuMh;re yh bt;ye j;ne pr ik p[em p[s‹g asuri=t rh; q;² mw' aTyNt iciNtt ho gyI qI) tumne muZe gle lg;y; q; a*r !;!¹s b‹/;y; q; ik ”sse kuz nhI‹ hot; a*r kuz nhI‹ hog;) tumne yh .I kh; q; ik tum jb .I bw‹k;k a;aoge muZse j¹¨r imloge) ”sI ilye tumne mere `r k; pt; a*r $elIf¹on nMbr apnI @;yrI me‹ il%; q;) mw ko”R k;lglR nhI‹ hU\ ifr .I a;j s;t s;l se tuMh;rI k;l k; ”‹tj;r kr rhI hU\) ¬s r;t mw‹ne apn; tn lu$;y; q; a*r ab ”tne s;lo‹ me apne be$e k; mu%@¹; de% de%kr itlitl mw‹ne apn; mn tum pr lu$;y; hw) tuMhe‹ y;d hog; ik tum mere k;lej m‹e Ek k;ŽlglR ke dl;l ke s;q a;ye qe) k;lej me‹ p!¹ne a*r k;ŽlglR k; /‹/; krne v;lI l@¹kI nelI k;Ts ne muZ piriSqityo‹ kI m;rI l@¹kI ko bhl; fusl;kr tuMh;re ilE twy;r iky; q;) mw‹ k;ŽlglR nhI‹ qI pr piriSqityo‹ ke k;r, tuMh;rI hmibStr hu”R qI) mw‹ Ek behd g¹rIb pirv;r kI be$I qI) m‹w ¬S; pirv;r kI be$I hU\ nhI‹ il% sktI Kyo‹ik ab ¬s pirv;r ne muZe `r se inv;Rist kr idy; hw)

hm log b‹wk;k ke di=, ke b;hrI ihSse kI Ek Slmnum; bStI me‹ rhte qe) mere ipt; Pl;iS$k ke kb;@¹ Ek] krke kb;@¹I ke yh;\ becte qe) m;\ cULh; btRn k; k;m krtI qI) `r kI a;mdnI bhut sIimt qI a*r iksI trh `r k; %cR cl p;t; q;) g¹rIbI ke b;bjUd mere ipt; ne muZe k;lej kI ix=; dI) h;q hmex; t‹g rht; q; ifr .I hm tIn .;”R bhno‹ ko p!¹;y; il%;y;) mere ipt;jI èsUlo' ke b@e pKke qe ik .U%o' mr‹ege pr g¹lt k;m nhI‹ kr‹ege) ¬nme‹ ”Rm;nd;rI kU$kU$ kr .rI qI) hm;rI hI Zop@¹I ke p;s k;ŽlglR nelI k;Ts k; pirv;r .I rht; q;) ¬nke a;/uink #;$b;$ ko de% kr hm bCco‹ m‹e ¬nke jIvn ko apn;ne kI llk lg gyI qI) pr yh #;$b;$ k;ŽlglR ke /‹/e ke k;r, q;) pI# pIze dbI jb;n m‹e log ¬nke b;re m‹e b;te‹ krte qe) nelI ne .I ”s tQy ko mere s;mne lj;te huE SvIk;r iky; q;) hm bCce m;\ b;p ke s‹Sk;r a*r .*itk su%o‹ ko p[;Pt krne kI l;ls; ke bIc i]x‹ku kI trh ZUlte rhte qe) jb k.I l;ls; tIv[ hotI to glt-shI k; D;n lop ho j;t; q; a*r hm iksI n iksI hqk‹@e se #;$b;$ ko p[;Pt krn; hI apn; ?yey m;nne lgte pr jb m;\ k; ¬pdex a*r ipt; kI .Oku$I k; .;n hot; to l;ls; k;f¹Ur ho j;tI qI)

विश्व प्रतियोगिता - ‘असीमित भविष्य’ के विजेता उत्तम कुमार

गत वर्ष ऑस्ट्रेलियाई सरकार ने विद्यार्थियों के लिये एक विश्वव्यापी प्रतियोगिता आयोजित की थी जिसमें विद्यार्थियों को एक पोस्टकार्ड बना कर बताना था कि ऑस्ट्रेलिया में प्राप्त की गयी शिक्षा उनके व्यवसाय (कैरियर) में कैसे

mhTvpU,R itiqy;\

मदद करे गी| इस प्रतियोगिता का पुरस्कार था ऑस्ट्रेलिया में एक वर्ष की मुफ़्त शिक्षा| इस प्रतियोगिता में १९० दे शों से ३७,००० विद्यार्थियों ने भाग लिया| १४ जुलाई, २०१४ को, ऑस्ट्रेलिया के व्यापार और निवेश मंत्री, श्री एंड्रयू रॉब

श्रीवास्तव से ०४२७ २७४ ४६२ पर संपर्क कीजिये| ५. ‘इस्कान’ द्वारा आयोजित श्रीकृ ष्ण जन्माष्टमी उत्सव (सोमवार, १८ अगस्त) स्थान - हरे कृ ष्ण मन्दिर, १९७ डैं क्स 3 भारत के धर्मों के बारे में ‘रिलीजन्स ऑफ़ स्ट्रीट, एलबर्ट पार्क इण्डिया’ नामक फ़ोटो प्रदर्शनी समय – सुबह से मध्यरात्रि तक sUcn;E\ तिथि व समय – शनिवार, १६ अगस्त व अधिक जानकारी के लिये (०३) ९६९९ १. s'gIt s'?y; áxinv;r² 2 agStâ tq; Svr रविवार, १७ अगस्त (सुबह ९ बजे से शाम के ५१२२ पर फ़ोन करें | s'?y; áxinv;r² 6 istMbrâ ५ बजे) Sq;n - vevlIR me@oj¹ p[;”mrI SkUl² 11 सोमवार, १८ अगस्त (सुबह ९ बजे से दोपहर ६. फ़ेडरे शन ऑफ़ इण्डियन एसोसिएशंस, kUliMby; @^;”v² ×IlsR ihl² ivK$oiry; के १ बजे तक) विक्टोरिया द्वारा आयोजित बहुसांस्कृतिक ámeLve s‹d.R-71 jI-11â स्थान – ३४४ सेंट किल्डा रोड, पर कौंसल रात्रिभोज -२०१४ smy - r;t ke 8³00 bje se a;rM.) जनरल ऑफ़ इण्डिया, मेल्बर्न के हाल में, (शनिवार, १६ अगस्त, २०१४ ) p[vex in"xuLk hw) प्रवेश निःशुल्क है | स्थान – ग्रैंड्स ऑन प्रिंसेज, २२४९ प्रिंसेज ai/k j;nk;rI ke ilE nIrj áf¹on – 0439 हाईवे, मल्ग्रेव, विक्टोरिया – ३१७० 980 551â aqv; ini%l áf¹on-0430 922 ४. संकट मोचन समिति द्वारा आयोजित समय – शाम, ७ बजे तक अपना स्थान 851â se sMpkR kIijye aqv; inMn vebs;”$ संकटमोचन महोत्सव (शनिवार, ९ अगस्त) तथा ग्रहण कर लीजिए| ७.३० बजे से आरम्भ| dei%ye - http://www.sharda.org/Events.htm श्रीकृ ष्ण जन्माष्टमी उत्सव (रविवार, १७ अगस्त) इस कार्यक्रम में विक्टोरिया सरकार के समय - संकटमोचन महोत्सव (दोपहर ३ प्रीमियर, डे निस नेप्थाइन तथा अन्य महत्वपूर्ण २. भारतीय झंडारोहण बजे से प्रारम्भ, शाम ७ बजे-महाप्रसाद) अतिथिगण होंगे और इससे प्राप्त धनराशि भारतीय स्वतंत्रता दिवस की ६७ वीं वर्षगाँठ श्री कृ ष्ण जन्माष्टमी उत्सव (सुबह १० बजे से भारतीय वृद्धजनों की दे खभाल परियोजना के के अवसर पर मेलबर्न में कौंसल जनरल ऑफ़ आरम्भ, मध्यरात्रि – लिये उपयोग की जायेगी| टिकट (७५ डालर) इण्डिया के निवास स्थान (८ लैंडल (Landale) श्रीकृ ष्ण जन्म) खरीदने या अधिक जानकारी के लिये, डॉ. रोड, टू रक, विक्टोरिया – ३१४२) पर सुबह स्थान - संकट मोचन केन्द्र, १२८९ – ए संतोष कुमार से ०४११ १३ ६६ १२ पर अथवा ९.३० बजे से १० बजे तक झंडारोहण उत्सव नार्थ रोड, हंटिंगडे ल डॉ. शरद गुप्ता से ०४०३ ७७७ २५२ पर मनाया जायेगा| इस अवसर पर सभी भारतीय अधिक जानकारी के लिये, डॉ. सुनीला सम्पर्क कीजिये| १० अगस्त (सावन पूर्णिमा व रक्षा-बंधन), १५ अगस्त (स्वतंत्रता-दिवस), १७ अगस्त (कृ ष्ण-जन्माष्टमी), २९ अगस्त (गणेश-चतुर्थी), ३० अगस्त (पर्यूषण-पर्व), २९ सितम्बर से ३ अक्तू बर तक (नवरात्रि)|

तथा भारत के मित्र आमंत्रित हैं | यदि आप इस उत्सव में सम्मिलित हो सकते हैं तो कृ पया निम्न पते पर अपनी उपस्थिति के बारे में सूचित करें - trade@cgimelb.org धन्यवाद|

ने भारतीय विद्यार्थी, उत्तम कुमार को इस प्रतियोगिता का विजेता घोषित किया| श्री उत्तम कुमार, इण्डियन इं स्टीट्यूट ऑफ़ टे क्नॉलोजी, दिल्ली के स्नातक हैं और २८ जुलाई, २०१४ से युनिवर्सिटी ऑफ़ न्यू साउथ वेल्स में विज्ञान और प्रौद्योगिकी में एक वर्ष का ‘मास्टर्स’ कोर्स का अध्ययन आरम्भ करें गे| वे ऐसे पदार्थ विकसित करना चाहते हैं जो पर्यावरण सम्बन्धी समस्याओं का निराकरण करें और पर्यावर्णीय संवाह्नीयता (सस्टेनेबिलिटी) को बढ़ावा दें | इस पुरस्कार के अंतर्गत उन्हें ऑस्ट्रेलिया आने-जाने का किराया, ऑस्ट्रेलिया में निवास की व्यवस्था और १५.००० ऑस्ट्रेलियन डालर की धन राशि भी प्रदान की जायेगी| श्री उत्तम कुमार निम्नलिखित वेबसाइट पर ऑस्ट्रेलिया में अपने अनुभवों के बारे में लिखेंगे-www. studyinaustralia.gov.au/uttams-blog

हिन्दी कवि, लेखक तथा शिक्षक डॉ. सत्येन्द्र श्रीवास्तव का निधन

१५ जून, २०१४ को आजमगढ़, भारत में जन्मे, तथा पूना और लंदन विश्वविद्यालयों में शिक्षा प्राप्त, इं ग्लैण्ड–निवासी, ७९ वर्षीय डॉ. सत्येन्द्र श्रीवास्तव का दे हांत हो गया| उन्होंने टोरन्टो, कैनाडा तथा कैम्ब्रिज विश्वविद्यालयों में एक लम्बे समय तक हिन्दी-अध्यापन का कार्य और साहित्य सृजन किया था और वे इं ग्लैण्ड की प्रमुख साहित्यिक संस्था ‘वातायन’ के संस्थापक सदस्य थे| उनकी प्रमुख कृ तियाँ हैं – ‘जलतरं ग’, ‘एक किरण और एक फूल’, ‘स्थिर यात्रायें’, ‘मिसेज़ जोन्स और वह गली’ तथा ‘सतह की गहराई’ (कविता संग्रह); कन्धों पर इन्द्रधनुष (निबंध व यात्रा-संस्मरण); पत्थर गाता है तथा शहीद उद्धम सिंह (नाटक); ‘टाकिं ग संस्कृ त टू फालेन लीव्स’ (अँग्रेज़ी कविता-संग्रह) ३० जुलाई २०१४ को ‘वातायन: पोएट्री ऑफ साउथ बैंक, लन्दन’, ने डा सत्येन्द्र श्रीवास्तव की स्मृति में हाउस ऑफ लॉर्ड्स, लन्दन, में एक कार्यक्रम आयोजित किया| श्रोताओं का स्वागत कार्यक्रम की मेज़बान बैरोनैस श्रीला फ्लैदर ने किया और ‘यू.के हिंदी समिति’ के अध्यक्ष और पुरवाई के संपादक डॉ पद्मेश गुप्ता ने दिवंगत सत्येन्द जी को अपनी श्रद्धांजलि दी और उनके दे हावसान पर दे श-विदे श से प्राप्त शोक-संदे श पढ़ कर सुनाए | उन्होंने 'पुरवाई' के विशेष अंक का परिचय भी दिया, जिसमें सत्येन्द्र जी के जीवन व कृ तित्व के समस्त पहलुओं को प्रकाशित करने का प्रयास किया गया है | इस कार्यक्रम में, वातायन की संस्थापक अध्यक्ष, सुश्री दिव्या माथुर ने सत्येन्द्र जी की कविता 'किसने यह हाँक दी - जागते रहो' का तथा ब्रिटिश कवयित्री, इंडिया रस्सल ने सत्येन्द्र जी की कविता 'विंस्टन चर्चिल मेरी माँ को जानते थे', के अंग्रेज़ी अनुवाद का पाठ किया और सत्येन्द्र जी की पत्नी, मुन्नी श्रीवास्तव ने सत्येन्द्र जी के बचपन, परिवार, शिक्षा और उनसे अपने विवाह आदि के बारे में जानकारी प्रदान की| इस अवसर पर, लेखिका, फिल्म निर्माता-निर्दे शक रमा पांडे के पहले काव्य संग्रह, ‘गुहार’, का विमोचन भी संपन्न हुआ|

दायीं ओर फ़ोटो में, अगली पंक्ति: रमा पांडे, बैरोनेस फ़्लैदर, मुन्नी श्रीवास्तव; पीछे : कैलाश बुधवार, उत्तरा सुकन्या जोशी, मीरा कौशिक, भारतेंद ु विमल, दिव्या माथुर, लौरें स नौर्फ़ क, पद्मेश गुप्ता एवं इंडिया रस्सल

ऑस्ट्रेलिया में भारतीयों का इतिहास

शनिवार, ६ जुलाई. २०१४ को मेल्बर्न के भारतीय कौंसलावास में ऑस्ट्रेलिया में भारतीयों के इतिहास पर डॉ. लेन केन्ना तथा क्रिस्टल जार्डन द्वारा लिखी गयी पुस्तक-ê'%l; की ४ पुस्तकों (खंड २,३,४,५ ) का विमोचन किया गया| इन खण्डों के विमोचन के पहले, ऑस्ट्रेलिया में भारत के उच्चायुक्त, श्री बीरे न नंदा ने ऑस्ट्रेलिया में भारतीयों के इतिहास की विस्तृत विवेचना की और इस पुस्तक-ê'%l; के लेखकों की प्रशंसा की| इस अवसर पर मुख्य अतिथिगणों में विक्टोरिया के भूतपूर्व प्रीमियर, टे ड बैल्यू तथा विक्टोरिया की ‘लेजिस्लेटिव काउन्सिल’ के अध्यक्ष, माननीय ब्रूस एटकिं सन भी उपस्थित थे| लेखकों ने अपने भाषणों तथा प्रस्तुति में बताया कि सबसे पहले ऑस्ट्रेलिया पहुँचने वाले जहाज में भी १७ भारतीय थे| इसलिये ऑस्ट्रेलिया का इतिहास शुरू से ही भारतीयों से जुड़ा रहा है | इस अवसर पर ऑस्ट्रेलिया में भारतीयों के इतिहास से सम्बंधित एक फ़ोटो-प्रदर्शनी का भी आयोजन किया गया था| इस पुस्तक-ê'%l;; (Are Indians an Ethnic Minority? Series) के बारे में अधिक जानकारी प्राप्त करने के लिये ‘ऑस्ट्रेलियन इन्डियन हिस्टारिकल सोसायटी’ को निम्न पते पर ईमेल कीजिये – jordonca@alphalink.com.au अथवा डॉ. लेन केन्ना से (०३) ९४९४६७ ३२९५ या (०४३८) ४२१ ३०६ पर फ़ोन द्वारा सम्पर्क कीजिये|

बीमार पति

ab h\sne kI b;rI hw

एक पति बहुत बीमार था| डॉक्टर ने उसकी पत्नी से कहा – अपने पति को अच्छा स्वस्थ नाश्ता दो; सदा खुश दिखो; अपनी समस्याओं के बारे में उससे बात मत करो; कोई टी.वी. सीरियल मत दे खो; नए कपड़ों तथा जेवर की मांग मत करो| एक साल तक ऐसा करोगी तो तुम्हारा पति बिलकुल ठीक हो जायेगा| वापस घर जाते हुए, रास्ते में, पति ने पत्नी से पूछा – डॉक्टर ने क्या कहा पत्नी ने उत्तर दिया – तुम्हारे बचने की कोई उम्मीद नहीं है | (प्रेषक –डॉ. सुरेश गुप्ता, मेल्बर्न)

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quick community guide Radio GUIDE

SBS Radio's South Asian

SUNDAY Language Program 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 & SB 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 & SB 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 & SB Radio Hindi................................... .8 pm to 29 pm – 97.7 FM Saturday & Sunday 4-5 PM

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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 & SB Radio 2 Sinhalese..........................

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

9 pm to 10 pm – 93.1 FM 9-10 PM SINHALESE FRIDAY Sydney 97.7 FM & SBS Radio 2 Indian.................................. .8 Radio am to 29 am – 88.3 FM Melbourne 93.1 FM & SB Monday & Friday 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.................................... am to26 am - 92.3 FM Melbourne 93.1 FM & SB5Radio Monday & Saturday 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 & SB Radio 2(Subscription) 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 & SB Radio 1 10 pm; Contact: 94668900 or 0411247320 or Monday & Friday 9404 2111 6-7 am & 6-7 PM

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

A U G U S T

info@melbournejainsangh.org http://www.melbournejainsangh.org MUSLIM Melbourne West Mosque 66-68 Jeffcott Street, Melbourne Ph: 03 9328 2067 Broadmeadows Mosque 45-55 King Street, Broadmeadows Ph 03 9359 0054 Islamic Call Society 19 Michael Street, Brunswick Ph: 03 9387 7100 Islamic Centre of Australia 660 Sydney Road, Brunswick Ph 03 9385 8423 Australian Islamic Cultural Centre 46-48 Mason Street, Campbellfield Ph: 03 9309 7605 Coburg ISNA Mosque 995 Sydney Road, Coburg North Coburg Mosque (Fatih Mosque) 31 Nicholson Street, Coburg Ph 03 9386 5324 Deer Park Mosque 283 Station Road, Deer Park Ph 03 9310 8811 United Migrant Muslim Assn.

72 George Road, Doncaster Ph 03 9842 6491, Footscray West Mosque 294 Essex Street, Footscray Glenroy Musala 1st Floor, 92 Wheatsheaf Road, Glenroy Heidelberg Mosque Corner Lloyd & Elloits Streets, West Heidelberg Islamic College of Victoria (Mosque) 201 Sayers Road, Hoppers Crossing Ph 03 9369 6010 Huntingdale Mosque 320-324 Huntingdale Road, Huntingdale Ph 03 9543 8037 Al Nur Mosque 34-36 Studley Street, Maidstone Meadow Heights Mosque Hudson Circuit, Meadow Heights Springvale Mosque 68 Garnworthy Street, Springvale

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

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Fax : (61-2) 6290-0544 E-Mail :hoc@bhcanberra.com Consulate of Nepal, Melbourne Email: cyonzon@nepalconsulate.net.au Level 7, 28-32 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Ph: (03) 9650 8338 Email: info@nepalconsulate.net.au SBS1 – Daily NDTV News - 11 am - Monday to Saturday. (From New Delhi, India).

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

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south asia 34 South Asia Timestimes

Analysis

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The Modi Sarkar:

Initial symptoms

By Ram Puniyani

I

t is already over two months that Narendra Modi has taken over as the prime minister of the country. While some may call it as a ‘honey moon period’ others will say that its actions during last few months are an indication enough of shape of things to come. It goes without saying that Modi is the Pracharak of RSS, which is aiming at converting the secular democratic India into a Hindu Rashtra. Modi came to power with many planks, many factors went into his victory, one of that was the catchy phrase’ “Acche Din Aane Wale hain” For the people, who have been restless due to rising prices and inflation, there has been no respite and many of them have started feeling the regret of being taken in by the propaganda of Acche din… As such this was a major propaganda point so a large section of people are disgruntled.

This Government did begin with a major initiative in the area of relationship with the South Asian neighbors. It invited all the heads of South Asian countries for swearing in ceremony. People had their eyes on the invitation for the Pakistani Prime Minister Navaz Sharif as the BJP’s longest ally Shiv sena was opposed to it. Overruling objections from Shiv Sena, Modi went ahead in getting Sharif to visit to India. This may open the path of peaceful relations with the neighbors, Pakistan in particular. One knows that a peaceful neighborhood is more conducive for growth and development and India has to gain a lot in terms of trade, education and medical facilities being opened up for these countries and making a good deal of revenue.

At another level the Government showed its shift away from India’s West Asia policy as Sushma Swaraj, the Foreign minister went on to equate Palestine, the victim with the oppressor Israel, who has violated

most of the UN resolutions. The vote on this matter did follow the Indian policy so far, and that is a matter of great relief. Modi as Prime minister is wearing his religion on his sleeve.

Be it participation in Ganga Aarti in Varanasi or participating in Puja in Pashupatinath Temple in Nepal, he has no qualms about doing the same as the head of a theoretically secular state.

The formation of the Government gave a signal that doubtful elements like Sanjeev Balyaan, who is widely seen as having a major hand in Muzzafarnagar violence, as a reward for his role in the communalization of the polity and this is something which needs discouragement if we want to preserve the integrity of the nation.

The case of Gopal Subramanian, an outstanding advocate, came as a shock to many as he is known to be competent and upright. He was denied the nomination as the judge on Supreme Court bench. One recalls that as Amicus curie of the Court Mr. Subramaiam had brought forth the links of Sohrabuddin fake encounter and the present BJP President Amit Shah, it is suspected that to be the reason for this denial. Subramaniam Swamy the top leader of BJP showed his discomfort with Gopal Subramaniam as according to Mr. Swami, Gopal had hurt the feelings of Hindus in the case of Ram Setu issue.

On other fronts there are symptoms which are ominous so to say. Right in the beginning, a confidential report was deliberately leaked that the major foreign funded NGOs, like Green Peace are retarding the country’s growth. We know that this foreign funding is regulated by the home ministry and there are enough checks and balances to prevent adverse use of funds.

This leaking of the report and the utterances of the top Govt officials has sent the message down the line where by the harassment of these

NGOs has come up retarding their work. Surely these NGOs are also the ones who have been fighting for the cause of environment, problems related to poverty and other issues related to peoples’ empowerment.

As such these dissenting voices should be an integral part of a caring democracy.

While MHRD minister has not stated clearly but Mr. Dinanath Batra of Shiksha Bachao Abhiyan Samiti has stated that he met the HRD minister who has promised him to change the school syllabus to make it in tune with the ideology of RSS, which is parochial and sectarian. Similar changes were brought in during the NDA regime 1999. A sample of this was to introduce courses like Jyotish Shatra (Astrology) and Paurohitya (Performance of religious rituals) in our universities. The government instruction to celebrate the Sanskrit week was seriously opposed by many states, Tamil Nadu in particular. The appointment of Prof Y.Sudrashan Rao tells the tale as to in which direction our research is going to be directed.

Prof Rao has been working on the project to prove the historicity of Mahabharat. He has also come forward in the defense of caste system on the grounds that it worked and that nobody had complained about it.

During this period the affiliated wings of RSS have become bolder. In particular the Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders like Ashok Singhal and Praveen Togadia have given speeches which are very frightening to the religious minorities. In a way such elements are openly threatening the Muslims. Singhal claimed that Modi's victory was a blow to Muslim politics because it showed elections could be won without Muslim support. He also claimed that Modi is an "ideal" RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) volunteer who would implement the Hindutva agenda

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It is no coincidence that the Goa’s BJP’s deputy Chief Minister went on to say that he is a Hindu Christian, this deliberate confusion being the earlier use of Hindu as a geographical category to the presently used religious category in a way is the violation of the religious freedom of the minorities in India.

Another BJP MLA opposed Sania Mirza being appointed as the brand ambassador of Telangana, on the ground that she is ‘daughter-in-law’ of Pakistan. This statement goes against our Constitution and has not been strongly opposed by the top leadership, who has soft peddled the issue giving a wrong signal.

The so called Hindutva agenda is being brought into operation slowly.

The minorities affairs minister Nazma Heptullah stated that Muslims are not a minority, while Parsis are. Parsis are a comparatively better off community while Sachar Committeee tells us the plight of Muslim community and need to initiate affirmative action for them.

The Article 370, which was brought in due to peculiar circumstances and is a bridge between Indian and Kashmir, is being questioned. The Uniform civil code is being bandied without going into the subtle nuances of social reform and the need for grounding of such a law in the concept of Gender Justice. These topics have been debated endlessly and need to be handled taking along the opinions of people of Kashmir on ones hand and women from minority community on the other.

The need is to ensure that interests of the country’s people are kept uppermost, the way invitation to Nawaz Sharif shows, should be appreciated. The other measures show that there is an attempt to undermine the diverse nature of our polity, there is an attempt to bring in RSS agenda through education and culture, which are dangerous and need to be opposed.

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South Asia Times south asia 36 South Asia Timestimes

Business

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Adani Coal mine approval:

Environmentalists fume, business happy

By Neeraj Nanda

M

elbourne, 30 July: The recent environmental approval of the proposed controversial Carmichael Coal Mine and rail link in Queensland has drawn reactions on expected lines.

The environment lobby is fuming while business circles have welcomed the go ahead to the world’s biggest Coal mine.

In a Adani Australia media statement from Brisbane, Adani Chairman Gautam Adani has said the approval of the mine and rail project “...is a step closer to delivering our multi-million dollar mine, rail and port development.”

“Adani’s commitment to nationbuilding in India goes hand-in-hand with its commitment to providing sustainable employment opportunities for local workers and suppliers, not just through our rail infrastructure , but also our long-term investments in ports and mining,” Mr. Adani said.

Greenpeace, has said, “Don’t assume this is the end of the story.

The Carmichael mine cannot go ahead without the financial support of one the big four Australian banks.

Greenpeace will make sure every Australian knows that any bank cutting a cheque for Carmichael is making possible a monster mine that will endanger our Reef and our climate.”

“Carmichael coal mine’s impacts will be felt for generations”, Ben Pearson, Australia-Pacific programme director for Greenpeace, has said, adding, the project was approved despite the fact that Adani Group had “a dirty track record (pdf ) n India”, where it “has been investigated and fined for

illegally building on villagers’ land and destroying protected mangrove areas.”

Pearson, whose reaction has been posted on the Greenpeace site, said he had “hoped” Greg Hunt, Environment Minister, “would stand up to the coal industry and reject the plea for environmental clearance.

“Minister Hunt had the simple task of rejecting absurd proposals for the biggest coal mine ever proposed for Australia — the Carmichael mine — which requires a new coal export terminal and destructive dredging and dumping in our beloved Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. But for whatever reason, Hunt couldn’t do it”, he said.

“Hunt approved Carmichael mine against independent expert advice that the mine could dry up endangered springs and drain sections of the Great Artesian Basin. The outback mine, which is located in a drought-prone farming area, requires a whopping 12 billion litres of water every year (pdf )”,

the Greenpeace activist said, adding, “With this decision, the political system failed to protect the Great Barrier Reef, the global climate and our national interest”, he said.

Tim Buckley, Director of Energy Finance Studies, Australasia, for the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) has spent many years studying the economic viability of energy projects and companies, with a particular focus on the Galilee basin projects.

“It's not surprising that Minister Hunt is going along with Premier Newman and Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s desire to facilitate foreign firms in their efforts to try to prop up Australia’s declining coal industry," Mr Buckley said.

"Ironically, if this project proceeds, it will actually accelerate the longer term destruction of Australia’s coal export industry by dramatically expanding the capital invested whilst at the same time driving coal prices down globally.

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"Global coal prices are already depressed due to excess supply. If the Carmichael project proceeds, it will potentially open up access to another nine mine proposals with a combined thermal coal capacity of up to 300 million tonnes per annum. Our analysis forecasts that this would drive down thermal coal export prices a further 10-20%, thereby squeezing coal sector profit margins which are already down to zero," Mr Buckley said.

Meanwhile, in an Email statement, Ravi Bhatia President of the Australia India Business Council (Victoria) says, “...the project involving the largest coal mines in Australia and the related logistical and will transportation infrastructure is a major success for the Adani Group. This project will also contribute towards feeding massive thermal power projects in India, particularly in Mundra SEZ in Gujarat, thereby helping to alleviate power shortages in India.

Later, talking to SAT, Mr. Bhatia said, “there is always variation in commodity prices in the international market, Coal was high two years ago, now it is cheap.

“The net effort of low price in market is it makes it harder to get financing for the project. However, low prices are temporary phenomena. One knows to live with it,” he said.

While agreeing environment issues were important, Mr. Bhatia asked, “Can anyone can tell me of technologies that can help us achieve the objective of more energy at a special faster rate than Coal?

“If we wish to lift the standard of living in India and remove poverty we need more energy,” he said.

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southSouth asia times 37 Asia Times

Guru is real energy behind my dance: Medha Joshi

By Rajeev Sharma

P

une : It was Gurupurnima when more than 500 people watched Medha Joshi’s Bharata Natyam in Pune. The programme "Anugraha" was organised by the Kalavardhini Charitable Trust on the occasion of Guru Purnima. Dr Sucheta Chapekar was present there as a guru and her disciples performed dance in her honour. Medha Joshi was one of them. After the powerful performance Medha Joshi spoak to SAT Correspondent and said, "guru is the real energy of his disciple, without his or her grace you are nothing."

Excerpts from what she said: It was a long journey: I have dedicated almost four decades in Nritya Sadhna. When I was only five, I started to learn Bharata Natyam. My mother encouraged me to join this traditional dance form of India. I

was from Pune and my grandfather late Vaidyaraaj Anant Yadveshwar Joshi was a renowned name in Maharashtra. He was famous not only for his medical practice but also for playing the instrument "Dilruba".

When Mahatma Gandhi was in the Yerwada jail, he asked my grandfather to play 'Dilruba'. Later he praised my grandfather for his art.

It was my grandfather’s wish that I should learn Bharata Natyam. In those

days big classical singers and dancers used to visit my grandfather. Late Pt. Bhim Sen Joshi used to visit our home every day. I mean my childhood was spent among the great souls of music and dance. I learned from them, this mantra "give your 100 percent to learn any art either dance or music". When I was in 6th standard(early 70's) Dr. Sucheta Chapekar came to Pune and I became her first disciple. Before that she was

teaching only in Mumbai.

Dance as career: I was fortunate to receive some advance techniques from late guru Thanjai V. Shreenivasan, Thanjauvar.

I hold a masters degree in Dance from Lalit Kala Kendra of Pune University.

Later I started my own dance institute "Kalasiddha" which has now completed 25 years in Mumbai.I have given number of performances all over India and abroad(Canada and Dubai).

Family : My husband Ravi who is a creative director in the film industry supports me a lot in my career.

Without his support it was impossible to reach where I am today. He was always near me whenever I needed him. I cannot forget when my daughter Sanyukta in her childhood fall sick and Ravi and my in laws took care of her as I was out of town for my performance. That was the time of life and death for my only child.

(Medha Joshi can be reached at - medhavi2010@ gmail.com)

0404 599 644

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Sports

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Indian Men’s Hockey Team bags Silver at the XX Commonwealth Games 2014 S

cotland, 3 August 2014: A high intensity final filled with pace and adrenaline was witnessed between India and Australia to accomplish their quest for gold where both the teams were seen in an attacking mode from the very start of the game. India went down fighting a tough battle against Australia by 0-4 and settled for a Silver medal finish in the XX Commonwealth Games 2014 at

Glasgow, Scotland on 3 Aug. Australia was seen struggling to find a goal scoring opportunity as India showed exceptional onfield skills by restricting Australia at many occasions. It was only in the 13th minute when Australia’s Chris Ciriello managed to convert a penalty corner and open the account for his team, marking 1-0.

Again in the 21st minute Australia obtained another penalty corner opportunity but completely failed to

penetrate the Indian defence wall.

India proved that they were not ready to settle down easily as they secured their first penalty corner in the 24th minute. Though India’s V R Raghunath failed to convert this opportunity but showed that the team was ready for the challenge.

It was Australia’s Chris Ciriello who managed to convert yet another penalty corner in the 29th minute to take the lead ahead and closed the first half of the match at 2-0.

The second half of the match saw another challenging play by India, giving the Kookaburras a sturdy fight.

The Indian team was seen penetrating the opponent’s half quite often during the last 45 minutes of the game, giving them a tough time in finding an escape route. In the 48th minute however, Australia’s Chris Ciriello pocketed his third goal by converting another penalty corner and taking the lead to 3-0. Australia’s Eddie Ockenden supported his team by marking 4-0 on board when he managed to sneak in a field goal in the 50th minute and sealing the final in Australia’s favour.

Speaking on India’s 2nd place finish in the tournament, Hockey India’s Secretary General, Dr. Narinder Batra said, “I am happy

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Speaking on India’s 2nd place finish in the tournament, Hockey India’s Secretary General, Dr. Narinder Batra said, “I am happy to see that the efforts to groom these men are showing excellent results.

to see that the efforts to groom these men are showing excellent results. The team has showcased some exceptional talent on the field during the entire tournament and has yet again made us all proud. On behalf of the entire Hockey India family, I would like to congratulate the Indian Men’s hockey team on their silver medal finish in the tournament and making India proud.

—Hockey India

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