“Keeping you connected”
Sending our warmest wishes to the multicultural communities of South Australia during this festive April 2023!
Whether you are celebrating Ramadan, Easter, Vaisakhi, Pohela Boishakh, Eid or one of the many festivals happening this month, we wish you, your family and your community a peaceful, rewarding and prosperous celebration.
Desi Media Group (Desi Australia Pty Ltd) Editor-in-chief
Hello
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This years Iftar Dinner was organised by Affinity Intercultural Foundation at The Fullerton Parliament House is undergoing intense construction.
The Friendship & Dialogue iftar aims to celebrate diversity, by bringing together members of different interfaith and intercultural communities.
Ramadan is a time not only of deep reflection and spiritual growth, but also a time of inspired action and connection. May we all find peace and tranquillity in our hearts through prayer and contemplation during this blessed month.
Hosted by:
Council and Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, Australian Labor Party member.
the Legislative Council, Member of the Liberal Party.
3. Ahmet Polat, Executive Director, Affinity Intercultural Foundation.
Acknowledgement of Country: Professor Michael McDaniel AO FRSN, Special Advisor to the Vice-Chancellor, University of Technology Sydney.
Didgeridoo Performance: Uncle Walangari Karntawarra, Australian
Aboriginal Artist, Affinity Advisory Board.
Keynote Speaker: Karen Webb APM, Commissioner, New South Wales Police Force.
Guest of Honour: Amar Singh, Founding President of Turbans 4 Australia Inc., 2023 Australian Local Hero and 2023 Volunteer Leader of the Year.
Master of Ceremonies: Darren Mara, SBS presenter and Dateline reporter.
Reflection of the Night - Fire & Rescue
NSW:
Chief Superintendent Darryl Dunbar, Fire and Rescue NSW.
Vote of Thanks:
The Hon. Prof. Verity Firth AM, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Social Justice & Inclusion), University of Technology Sydney.
Concluding Remarks: Dr Graham Thom, Refugee Advisor, Amnesty International Australia.
EID UL FITR marks the end of the holly month of RAMADAN during which Muslims around the world fast from dawn to sunset and it is considered to be a time for gratitude and forgiveness.
Muslims here in Australia begin eid celebrations by taking part in communal prayers followed by a short sermon soon after dawn .
The three day celebration of EID UL FITR also known as MEETHI EID due to the number of sweet dishes prepared on the day .
For me some of the treasured moments are the time spent in my family kitchen preparing traditional dishes . Starting with meethi seviayan (sheerqhourma) , cardamom chae and dahi baras .
The day usually begins with the whole
family enjoying a small breakfast. Money is distributed to young children in coloured envelops which is known as EIDI . Eidi is a gift given by elders to thier little ones but its not just about eidi and gifts its a special day to show your care about other people by donating , giving zakat and helping needy people around you.
Here in Australia we pakistani migrants and other country migrants like Bangladeshi,Indian muslims have large scale celebrations that take place during Eid. Cultural events ,seminars and shows are held .
What is beautiful about the muslim community in Australia is that most of the celebrations happen in community centres which tend to bring all the communities together of different backgrounds.
Eid an occasion completed as family,relatives and friends come together to celebrate. ALAS! We are living through the most unique of times as the dynamics of social interactions and celebrations change very frequently.
As the ceo of PEHCHAN TV & president of AUSPAK WOMEN ASSOCIATION I have been invited and I have visited many events ,iftar parties , especially on eid.. and what I have seen and realised is that people miss their home and there loved ones so when people meet their friends or other people in communities or out of communities especially on Eid they get really excited , emotional. So it is very important to have Eid parties and keep in touch with our culture and keep this all in mind that our young generation is also here and we have to keep up the same sprit as we had in our childhood in our mother land.
As the president of APWA we arranged apwa chandraat mela in which we provide cultural shopping facilities attended by thousands. We also arrange not only private business and individual setup stalls but well known global corporate entities also take part in the programme as a sponser or vendor. Now on this eid also we are coming with APWA CHANDRAAT this event will feature live music ,shopping, children activities and large variety of delicious food .it will be an entertaining event enjoining by women, children and all age groups .
Being an integral part of the commu-
nity other culture communities are also invited to celebrate this event that brings joy and happiness to so many people.
We also arrange henna stalls! Henna tattooing is a sign of Islamic celebration for women with elaborate patterns on their hands .
APWA is also organising EID PARTY like always to cherish the moments in which women wear their traditional dresses like gararaas , sharees etc .
Lets all come together to perform acts of kindness with gratitude.
The Hon Michelle Rowland MP, Minister for Communications and Member for Greenway said she felt privileged to launch these awards, as she went on to acknowledge the wide-ranging contributions made by the Sikh community to the Australian society, especially during the recent COVID lockdowns.
“The Sikh community in Australia is vibrant, generous and dedicated to service. When times get tough you are there to help and the Australian Sikh Awards for Excellence is an initiative to commend those who have selflessly embodied the Sikh values of putting service before self,” she added, encouraging nominations from all those who are eligible.
Conceptualised by Sikh Youth Australia (SYA) and the Young Sikh Professionals Network (YSPN), this national platform aims to recognise the contributions of unsung heroes from the Sikh community who have gone over and beyond in their contributions to the socio-economic development of Australia.
Federal Member for Dickson and Leader of the Liberal Party, the Hon Peter Dutton MP said, “This is a wonderful initiative which will see Australians of Sikh faith recognised for their achievements in many fields of endeavour, including in business, education, community service and the arts. These awards will become another significant platform for recognising and honouring the best and brightest
to identify and celebrate Sikh roles models in our nation.
His Excellency Manpreet Vohra, Indian High Commissioner to Australia who was present at the launch, highlighted the exponential growth in inter-governmental relationships and trade between Australia and India and said he strongly supported the initiatives of Sikh Youth Australia and Young Sikh Professionals Network to bring forth the tremendous latent capabilities of Australian Sikhs across a spectrum of industry sectors. His vision is for these awards to expand regionally and to include New Zealand and other Pacific nations in the near future.
Spread across eight categories, the awards will focus on the significance of the contribution made by an individual in their respective category, and the impact of their efforts on the broader Australian community:
1. Excellence in Agriculture
2. Excellence in Arts, Culture or Music
3. Excellence in Community Service
4. Excellence in Leadership
5. Excellence in a Professional Field
6. Excellence in Sports
7. Australian Sikh Woman of the Year
8. Young Australian Sikh of the Year (under 30 years)
in our community who are an inspiration to all Australians.” With similar programs
running in the UK and Middle East, this will be the first national program of its kind
In her vote of thanks, Her Excellency
Harinder Sidhu, Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand and Patron for ASAE said, “I am particularly proud that we have an award which recognises the contributions of Sikh Women to Australia. Indian and Sikh women in general come from traditional and conservative backgrounds and whatever they contribute to our society, community or family is always kept in the background. We know that Sikh women have achieved extraordinary things in their professions and we need to recognise their outstanding capabilities. These Sikh awards we hope will shine a light on the unsung women heroes in Australia.”
Nominations are now open via the ASAE website (www.sikhawards.com.au) which details the eligibility criteria, award categories and nomination process. All entries will be assessed by a national panel chaired by Tarandeep Singh Ahuja, Partner, McKinsey & Company, whose passion outside of his profession lies in strengthening the business relations between Australia and Asia and confronting the under-representation of Asian Australians in senior leadership
positions.
“At Sikh Youth Australia, we believe the seeds of Sikhism have been firmly planted in the Australian landscape, and we are confident that through the ongoing contributions of Sikhs to this nation, both past and present, our faith and sense of community will continue to flourish when these efforts are recognised and celebrated,” said Satwant Singh Calais, President, Sikh Youth Australia.
Award winners will be announced at the inaugural Australian Sikh Awards for Excellence gala dinner on 17 June 2023.
About Sikh Youth Australia
Sikh Youth Australia is a volunteer run, not-for-profit charitable organisation established in 1999 to service the social, cultural and spiritual needs of Sikh youth and new migrants. We are recognised as the peak organisation representing Sikh youth in Australia. From humble beginnings, SYA has grown to be the largest youth organisation representing Sikhs in Australia with chapters
in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.
Over the past 20 years, Sikh Youth Australia (SYA) has been a progressive, national organisation enriching the lives of Australian Sikh youth and families by empowering Sikh youth, young adults and parents to understand and enjoy their identity and positively contribute to the social and economic development of Australia.
Starting from its flagship Summer Camps, SYA has slowly built a full suite of programs focusing on the spiritual, charitable, cultural and leadership development of the Sikh community. Today, these activities have impacted over 100,000 lives across Australia. This has included initiatives such as the Future Leaders Program, Young Sikh Professional Network (YSPN), Culture Care, Sikh to Give, Women in Leadership, Spiritual and Self-Development Workshops, Natural Disaster Assistance, ANZAC Day Parades, as well as multifaith collaboration events.
The annual IABCA Parliamentary Winner Roundtable marked a decade of sustained engagement across Australia and India and launched 130 case studies through the IABCA Leaders
Hosted kindly by Dr Andrew Charlton MP, Chair of Federal Parliamentary Friends of India, the roundtable gathered industry leaders across various sectors from India and Australia to reflect on best practices that further deepen engagement and innovation. The key focus was to harness the expertise and insights of the IABCA Alumni network in channelling the business literacy piece for a deeper understanding of our two nations. Roundtable attendees had the direct opportunity to absorb question time in the Prime Minister’s Chambers and gain insights
from key dignitaries.
The IABCA RoundTable was held in the presence of His Excellency Manpreet Vohra, High Commissioner of India to Australia, Ambassador Harinder Sidhu, Former High Commissioner of Australia to India, Swati Dave, Chair, Centre for Australia India Relations and IABCA Advisory Tejjas Parmar, CEO – International Business, Suzlon Group Energy Australia Pty Ltd.
Huge Shout to IABCA Alliance Partner
Australia India Youth Dialogue (AIYD), the facilitator for the Roundtable Discussion Dr. Bodean Hedwards, for enabling key insights and assisting with this roundtable discussion. IABCA was also pleased to announce its recent partnership with HCL Technologies Ltd and welcomed Executive Vice President, Michael Horton to the Parliament House.
We look forward to supporting growth stories of our IABCA Alumni and to our continued engagement with Stakeholders in 2023 and beyond.
Anew memorial dedicated to the Sikh soldiers who fought in the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) during World War I was unveiled on Sunday, March 26, 2023. The Sikh Anzac War Memorial, is located at Glenwood Lake Park, in Glenwood, and stands as a testament to the bravery, sacrifice and valour of Sikh soldiers who fought alongside ANZAC forces.
The Sikh Anzac War Memorial has been constructed to honour the significant contribution of Sikh soldiers who fought in the Gallipoli campaign in 1915 and beyond. The memorial also pays tribute to the Sikh community’s strong bond with Australia and New Zealand, which has been built over more than a century.
The monument features a life-size bronze sculpture of an Unknown Sikh soldier in full battle dress, holding a rifle, and a sword is standing atop a plinth adorned with a bronze plaque. The soldier’s turban bears the emblem of the Sikh forces, while his uniform is based on the World War I style adorning the Sikh sword on the side.
The memorial was unveiled by the Mayor of Blacktown City, Director of RSL NSW, City of
Blacktown RSL Subbranch, member parliamentarians, alongside Sikh community leaders and veterans. The event was attended by a large number of people from diverse backgrounds, including Australian defence personnel, descendants of soldiers and Sikh immigrants.
“The Sikh Anzac War Memorial is a powerful symbol of the shared history and values of the Sikh and ANZAC communities,” said the chair, Fateh Foundation Inc, Mr. Amarinder Bajwa, who has been working on this project for the past five years. “It recognises the important role played by Sikh soldiers in the ANZAC campaign and celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the
The Sikh Anzac War Memorial is the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, and it stands as a symbol of unity, respect and recognition for the contribution of Sikh soldiers to ANZAC history. The monument is expected to become a popular tourist attraction, as well as a place of pilgrimage for the Sikh community, veterans and descendants.
The Sikh Anzac War Memorial is a significant addition to the cultural and historical landscape of Australia and New Zealand, and it will continue to serve as a reminder of the shared sacrifice and honour of the ANZAC and Sikh communities for generations to come.
Mr. Amarinder Bajwa, Chair, Fateh Foundation Inc. thanked the participation of Sikh personnel from the Australian Defence Force, community organisations and many individuals that came forward to support the project with their skills, donations and support.
Vaisakhi is a festival celebrated across the northern India. It is the most significant religious festival for Sikhs. It is observed in the second week of the April month every year.
By: Sheetal Puri
Vaisakhi is not just the time of Harvest festival but also the one that scripts the birth of Sikh unity and brotherhood. This day is also marked as the New Year for both the communities Sikhs and Hindus.
According to the mythology of Hindus, in the solar calendar this day had been observed as the first day of the year. Hindus celebrate the genealogy of Goddess Ganga on the Earth on this particular day. In her honour, the fiend gathers for a holy dip along the banks of the river Ganga.
The prominent reason to Celebrate this festival in Punjab is that Vaisakhi marks the harvest of the rabi crops and farmers pay their tribute by thanking God for the copious harvest, which is a symbol of prosperity.
For Sikhs the major historical significance of this day is quite intriguing. It is believed that the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh ji established the famous Khalsa Panth on this day. The Khalsa Sikh order was founded after which the Guru Teg Bahadur was victimize and beheaded by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb when he repudiate to be converted to Islam religion. Fol lowing these events, in the year 1699, the
tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji laid the foundation of Panth Khalsa, by baptizing Sikh warriors to defend religious freedom.
This festival is celebrated across Punjab and parts of the North India. A number of processions called Nagar Kirtan led by five Khalsas, dressed as Panj Pyaare passes across the streets in the small hours of the morning. Devotees visit Gurudwaras to offer special prayers and a number of fairs are organised where festivities are observed with folk songs, amusement rides and good food. A lot of food services are also provided during the whole day known as Langar.
People enjoy with full enthusiasm. Many fairs are organised in the state of Punjab near tombs, shrines and Gurudwaras.
On the Vaisakhi day, people celebrate their happiness and excitement with the help of dance. The dance form performed by men is known as Bhangra. As the beat of the dhol changes, the steps progress. The dance movements express ploughing, sowing, weeding, reaping and winnowing. The final sequence shows the farmer celebrating the harvest. Now days women also participate in the rituals of dance forms which are known as Giddha and Luddi.
Each year at Vaisakh, the flagpole Nishan Sahib is lowered in every Gurudwara so that the robes can be removed. The Nishan Sahib is then washed with yogurt which Sikhs consider to be very pure. After this ritual everyone helps to raise the flagpole again with new robes and a new flag flying from the top for another Year.
The other traditional custom performed on this day is that water is drawn from all the scared rivers of India and poured into the huge tank surrounding the Golden Temple.
The fields can be seen full of nature’s bounty dressed in their typical folk attires. This is the time when harvest is gathered in and the farmer jubilates in the fulfilment of his year’s hard work.
Let’s celebrate this Vaisakhi on 14th April 2022 and seek the blessings of Almighty in all the endeavours and get blessed with perfect health, future growth, success and opulence.
Can a million lightning sparks possible on a pair of little eyes? Can thousand expressions be reflected by a little face? Can more than two hundred spins on knees be possible for a pair of tiny legs? Can a little pair of hand movements and foot works continuously make a four-hour artistic journey?
By Chandrika Subramanian
Eyes vividly expressed, ears sharply set just on the music, legs listening to the thalam , heart immersed in the art, a solo maiden performance of Sagarika Venkat mesmerized every audience, engaged the art lovers with abundant happiness, and made the parents proud.
Every item is chosen by the mother and the guru Manjula Vishwanath with meticulous care as a guru and with infinite love as a mother. Little Sagarika planned this event by choosing the most senior musicians from Karnataka and a choice of items that demanded a very mature experience in dancing. When the first puja happened on the stage there were some audiences who were anxious about what Sagarika, considering her young age, is going to present to compete with those skillful musicians. There cannot be a dispute if I comment that Sagarika did not disappoint a single audience and she could immerse the thoughts and interest of every soul present in the theatre that evening.
The enchanting evening included an impressive musical ensemble which included
the guru Manjula Vishwanath, Vidwan S V Balakrishna on the mridangam, accompanied by Vidwan Balasubramanya Sharma (vocal) Vidwan Mahesha Swamy (flute) and Vidwan Pradyumna Soraba (Rhythm Pad ) and surprisingly the violin was missing. However, nothing was missed out on the enjoyment.
Traditionally, Arangetram is the ascent to the stage by a performer, with the guru’s permission. This indicates that the dancer’s training is complete, and she is now able to impart her skills to others. The meticulous training imparted by the guru is witnessed by numerous audiences. Manjula had to face a double duty as a mother and the guru, which she has perfectly performed. The dancer’s desire, drive, energy, bliss, effortless movements, and graceful bhavas, all in combination has done justice to her mother–guru’s expectation.
Manjula’s’ programmes will have sweet surprises and this time a technique she adopted had banners on either side of the stage unfolded as every item was staged. It has included multicultural features and around eight multi lingual songs including first nations worship to nature.
When everyone was expecting Ganesha Kauthuvam or Alaripplu the usual curtain raiser, Sagraika was drenched in red-orange rays of Sun God performed the invocatory prayer. Then came Omkara the fullest form in which Lord Ganesh is worshipped followed by Varnam the longest and foremost item in Bharatanatyam was on Lord Krishna.
Then came a new item Laya Vaibhavam where rhythm from Mridangam tested the dancer’s capabilities.
Rama Katha introduced the traditional Harikatha to the audience, in particular, an episode from Ramayana – the story Jatayu Moksham , the bird that helped Seetha while Ravanan was abducting Seetha , and the
story of Sage Valmiki the author of the epic Ramayana chanting Rama’s name was taken with an aim to transmit the cultural and moral values the younger generation.
This was followed by Om Shivoham, a powerful tribute to Lord Shiva, and finally, the concluding item was the Thillana on Goddess Parvathi, a vibrant, metrical item to test Sagarika’s speed, energy, and consistent stamina till the last minute on the stage.
Overall, Manjula and Sagarika have pleased, all the Gods starting from Sun GodSoura sector of Hinduism, Lord Ganesha – Ganapathyam sector, Rama and Krishna –Vaishnavite cult, Lord Shiva – the Saivite cult, and the Parvathi – the Saktham sector , while missing Murugan the Kaumara sector of Hinduism, the Shanmatha sthapana – six sectors created a framework consolidated the religious practices by Adhi Shankara was reminded.
Captivating abhinaya, her bright, smiling
face, swift movement of hands, scintillating footwork, and sparkling eyes all in combination skilfully displayed all the aspects of Bharatanatyam marked Sagarika with her charming stage presence. We could witness unbelievable control and overwhelming confidence throughout the recital. The Young dancer showed her command over nritta controlled leaps and clear finishes. Well balanced stamina, engaging, intriguing adavu patterns and the ease with which Sagarika presented her Arangetram, is reflective of her rigorous training under her guru for many years.
I am confident that Sagarika is going to be an inspiration for many girls of her age and for their parents, who hesitate in taking up performing arts as both passion and a profession. Let me also add, the lighting, stage management, catering, and hospitality, were all perfectly managed by the Rasika group, and the worthiness of the school was further heightened by introducing the ‘THE RASIKA FOUNDATION’, the need of the hour in a foreign country for maintaining the cultural hereditary.
Australia India Business Council (AIBC), the leading business council dedicated to promoting the bilateral trade and investment relationship between Australia and India, has chosen International Women’s Day to launch its new brand identity – a fitting beginning for the new logo given the historic all female leadership team of the council. The launch event, organised by AIBC’s Women in Business Chapter with the support of Consulate General of India – Sydney, coincided with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s successful visit to India.
According to National Chair, Jodi McKay, the new brand identity reflects the vitality and energy in the evolving Australia-India relationship and the leadership role which AIBC plays for advancing the strategic business corridor.
“The logo is in step with the evolving times. Symbolically, it represents the blue of the Australian flag and the green from the Indian tricolour. The letters ‘AI’ adjacent to each other demonstrate how the two countries are in a symbiotic relationship and committed to supporting each other’s growth and progress.”
The new logo was designed by Enigma –AIBC’s National Partner. Enigma is also led by a woman in Lisa Sutton Gardner (CEO and Founder).
“I thank Enigma for their excellent design work with the new logo, as well as their creativity and patience in working with us to achieve what is a key milestone for Australia India Business Council.”
Consul General of India Sydney Mr Manish Gupta appreciated the progressive and forwardlooking initiatives of Australia India Business Council – the new logo launch and Women in Business focus for the event.
Mr Gupta said: “With the Government of India’s focus on women’s economic empowerment, events bringing together women business leaders from both countries to work on bilateral
initiatives such as today’s breakfast build on the bilateral business relationship.”
The International Women’s Day event was organised by AIBC’s first female National Chair, Sheba Nandkeolyar. Sheba Nandkeolyar and Dr Meena Chavan also launched their co-authored book at the event: “Exploring the economic opportunities and impacts of migrant entrepreneurship”. The book featured several successful Australian Indian business owners with a global footprint.
Sheba Nandkeolyar said: “AIBC Women in Business was formed with a vision of 50:50 participation of women in the bilateral business and trade space. It is heartening to see this vision come to fruition with a woman National Chair leading AIBC and a room full of dynamic women leaders building bridges between the two countries. It is a pleasure and privilege to launch our book on International Women’s Day.”
The event featured:
a presentation by Poornima Menon of Five Pleats (and sponsor My Muscle Chef) on the Ikkat heritage of Indian textiles, with an introduction of the bilateral collaboration in planning between Indigenous and Indian links in the textile industry.
a presentation by AustralianSuper on financial empowerment of women
McKay concluded: “The Australia India Economic Corporation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) came into force on 29 December 2022 and with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to India, AIBC is stepping up its commitment as the leading business chamber dedicated to promoting the bilateral trade and investment relationship between Australia and India. We know women are critical to the relationship and AIBC has much to be proud of in its support for women in leadership roles.”
Australia India Business Council and AIBC Women in Business Chapter thanked sponsors AustralianSuper, My Muscle Chef and Rasa Beverages for their generous support for the event as well as ABC Bullion for providing the lucky door prize.
On Tuesday, 7 March, the Rotary Club of Granville celebrated International Women’s Day with inspirational leaders and dignitaries in the local community. In line with the International Women’s Day campaign theme for 2023, ‘embrace equity’, the Club recognised that the term ‘embrace’ requires gender equity to be more than a thought or an idea, but rather an action or step toward creating impactful change. As Mary Ghribian, President of the Rotary Club of Granville, said “It is how we think, how we feel, how we value, and how we are toward creating an inclusive society.”
The flagship event acknowledged, celebrated, and thanked four outstanding women who excelled and contributed to their respective field, including:
4Beatrice Sesay in the fields of Humanitarian and Employment Services
4Karina So in the fields of Health and Wellness Services
4Lydia Im in the field of International Peace Services
4Marwa Moeen in the fields of Refugee and Humanitarian Services
All women encompassed the true essence of International Women’s Day as they reflected the diversities, facets and intersections that form the thriving landscape of Australia.
Further, prominent representatives from Cumberland LGA including Mayor Lisa Lake, Julia Finn Member for Granville, Shadow minister for youth and sports, Clr Glenn Elmore, and Clr Sabrin Farooqui
attended the celebration.
Keynote speakers, Clr Lisa Lake Mayor, Julia Finn Member for Granville, Shadow minister for youth and sports and Rotary District (9675) Governor, Dr Janice Hall, concluded the event by sharing their personal reflections about the significance of International Women’s Day, particularly for those whose voices are suppressed or rejected.
In the history of Rotary Club of Granville this is the eight year of IWD celebration and every year it reaches the community remarkably. The other projects for RC Granville which embrace equity includes, Women Wellness program, Skilling and reskilling for Women and Digital literacy for seniors
“Where there is a woman, there is magic” – Ntozake Shange
On 5th March 2023, U Creations celebrated International Women’s Day, a global day that honours the achievements and contributions of women.
By Urmi Talukdar
The event was held at Wenty Leagues on Sunday morning and brought together women’s from different backgrounds to celebrate and advocate for gender equality. We have celebrated the social ,cultural & business achievements of women.
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day was “Embrace Equity,” which encourages individuals to challenge gender bias and inequality, promote diversity and inclusion, and support women’s rights. As part of the celebration, U Creations organised fundraiser aimed at empowering women and promoting gender equality.
Some of the dignitaries who graced the
celebration were Hon. Jodie Harrison MP, Cumberland Mayor Lisa Lake, Parramatta Lord Mayor Donna Davis, Hon. Nimeesha Gupta, Councillor Charishma Kaliyanda,
The event started with a presentation from WIMR to raise awareness on Breast Cancer followed by Awards for Commitment to Community Engagements and Making A difference to various accomplished women in the society.
Other activities included networking ses-
sions, , and a workshop from International Motivational Speaker Nim Gholkar aimed at equipping women to bring positive transformation in lives, relationships and careers.
The event was a huge success, with women participating in fundraising from different profession sand walks of life.
It was an opportunity for women to network, learn, and celebrate their achievements. U Creations remains committed to promoting gender diversity and inclusion in the society.
Hindu Council of Australia recognizes exceptional achievements of Hindu women in the community through the prestigious Gargi Awards, which is now in its 5th year since inception in 2019. The Gargi Awards were started in 2019 to recognize women who make excellent good role models for girls and women in
Australia’s Hindu community. Being first of its kind, it is an admirable initiative to felicitate the achievements of women both in the community and in the mainstream.
The awards are named after the Hindu philosopher, Gargi Vachaknavi (circa 700 BC), who is said to have written many hymns in the Rig
The Gargi Awards for the year 2023 was organized by Hindu Council of Australia on Sunday, 2nd April 2023 at Strathfield Girls High School.
Veda, one of the 4 sacred texts of Hinduism.
Gargi Awards are awarded to women who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in various fields such as Education, Science and Research, Performing Arts, Arts, Language & Culture, Frontline Defense, Police, Fire, Emergency Services and Aged Care & Community Services. The awards serve as a symbol of inspiration and encouragement for women to pursue their goals and make a positive impact on the society. The award is a testament to the valuable contributions of women towards the development of India. The winners of the awards are selected through a rigorous process involving a detailed evaluation of the nominees’ achievements and contributions by a committee of experts from the relevant fields.
The event was graced by several well-known dignitaries including Mayor Karen Pensabene, Councillor Raj Datta, Councillor Sandhya Reddy, Mayor Zoe Baker, Councillor Emelda Davis, Councillor Moninder Singh, Jody Mckay – Chairman, Australia India Business Centre, MP Charishma Kaliyanda, Prakash Mehta –President HCA, Surinder Kumar Jain – Vice
President, HCA, Bharati Rangarajan – Chair for National Women Empowerment, Shobha Desikan – Additional Secretary HCA.
The event was packed with exciting Indian folk and classical dance performances, speeches by notable dignitaries and award presentations for each of the categories. HCA committee members also delivered speeches emphasizing the importance of recognizing excellence and promoting achievements of Women.
Prakash Mehta – President HCA, Surinder Kumar Jain – Vice President HCA, Shobha Desikan – Gargi event coordinator and Bharati Rangarajan – Chair for National Women Empowerment,spoke about the significance of the awards.
The winners in various categories were
4Renu Sharma,
4Rita Kunal,
4Punam Gaurkhade,
4Dr. Snigdha Saha and
4Vijayalakshmi Sampath.
The event was a great success in highlighting the contribution of Women in various fields and the significant role they play while excelling in their fields. In addition to recognizing achievements, Gargi Awards function also serves as a platform for showcasing talent, promoting culture, and raising awareness on important social issues.
We look forward to seeing more such events in the future and celebrating the best of the best in their respective industries.
SEVA International Inc, Boronia Multicultural Services, Immigrant Women’s Speakout and Sri Lankan Australian Women’s Association held a joint celebration of International Women’s Day 2023 on 4th March 2023 at Auburn Centre for Community, Auburn.
Sumati Advani, President SEVA International said “International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and raise important issues of concern which continue to prevent women from achieving their full potential. For a country to progress, it is essential that we empower
both men and women and help them reach their full potential. This year’s theme is Embrace Equity – to achieve Gender Equality we need to create an equitable and level playing field so that no one is left behind. Societal pressures resulting in inadequate tertiary education, lack of workplace flexibility, lack of women in leadership roles, many working in low paid jobs, career breaks and resulting low retirement income all result in poor outcomes for women. As
women generally carry the larger burden of care, scarce childcare facilities prevent women from fully participating in the workforce. As a result women are falling behind in earnings and superannuation savings. We cannot Crack the Code and create Gender Equality without first ensuring Gender Equity.”
Sunila Kotwal, Executive Officer Immigrant Women’s Speakout stated that the words equality and equity are used interchangeably but have a different meaning. She gave several examples to explain the difference between equality and equity and why this year’s theme of Embrace Equity was very apt. This year’s 2023 International Women’s Day theme highlights the fact that women need more support to reach equal status in society.
Nalika Padmasena, President SLAWN said “My Association was glad to collaborate with other three organisations to celebrate the IWD 2023. We believe it is high time to focus on equity while we are continue to advocate for equality. With the progress of life journey, the challenges vary too. We believe our work to be not to leave anyone behind. Every woman has a story to tell and sharing
such experiences are so vital in shaping access & service provision.
Bernadette Agyepong, Manager BMS said “Boronia Multicultural Services exists to help migrants and Refugees to access the knowledge, skills, and opportunities that will help them build their future in Australia that is what embracing equity is all about; providing options, pathways to bridge inequities, to provide a level playing ground to enable people to take up opportunities available.
This year’s keynote speakers included Mayor of Cumberland Council, Councillor Lisa Lake, Councillor Sabrin Farooqui, Dr Anju Aggarwal, Dr Tanima Banerjee and Dr Ramprasad Attur.
Mayor Lisa Lake traced the history of IWD, fight for women’s rights over the years and achievements of women in Australian politics. Cumberland Council has five female councillors and has taken steps to minimise the barriers faced by women in the Cumberland area. She expanded on some of the initiatives in the areas of domestic violence, Community Hub and ‘Her Way’. She stated that “Equal Rights do not tailor options and opportunities accord-
ing to need, Equity does”.
Dr Anju Aggarwal, who was recently awarded the National GP of the Year Award for 2022, encouraged women to take care of themselves in order to be better able to care for others. Self-care is not being selfish or self-indulgent but self-preservation. Our body is the vehicle to our dreams and should be taken care of. She encouraged participants to exercise at least 15 minutes every 24 hours, 5 days a week and to not miss it for 2 consecutive days. “Don’t say, I don’t have time” She encouraged women to start with small steps. “Just like on the flight, passengers are advised to wear their oxygen mask first before they help others, women need to take care of themselves first to be able to look after their loved ones”.
Councillor Dr Sabrin Farooqui shared her experience in Australia as a migrant studying and later looking for work, her motivation and passion to assist other migrants to overcome the barriers they face. She believes that addressing all differences of women will promote equity at home. Dr Farooqui is passionate about human rights, social justice and cultural diversity. She expanded
on the steps taken by Cumberland Council to minimise the barriers faced by women in the Cumberland area. She encouraged women to participate in local, state and federal politics to represent the female view to bring about change.
Dr Rampasad Attur is a Senior Child Psychiatrist currently working fulltime at Campbelltown Hospital. His area of interest are Autism, ADHD and Family Therapy. Dr Attur said “Mental Health affects all, it does not discriminate”. He gave examples of many celebrities who had faced and overcome mental health issues to drive home the message that all can be affected by mental stress and anxiety. He stated that mental health equals well- being. Our thoughts, feelings, behaviour and relationships are indicators of our mental health.
Dr Tanima Banerjee, founder of Bandana Cultural School shared her personal journey as a new migrant and the challenges she faced juggling work and looking after a small child. She also gave a brilliant dance performance based on women’s theme. It is time for change - Let us all work towards an equitable society. Let us embrace equity.
By: Rajni Ghai Malhotra
International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women around the world.
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, as a socialspiritual organisation, strives to honour the efforts made by women in our community. His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS, has inspired the formation of more than 160 humanitarian activities specifically for women. These activities focus on various aspects such as health and wellness, education, career advice and post-disaster relief work.
One such activity is the annual Women’s conference. The Women’s conference is held in celebration of International Women’s day, in centres all around Australia including Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth.
On 26th March 2023, the women of BAPS Canberra came together to celebrate the UN’s International Women’s Day with an empowering conference on the theme,
‘Make it Happen’, to acknowledge and honour the achievements and contributions of women in our society.
The conference consisted of various presentations, speeches, dramas and dances that showcased the importance of self-care and wellbeing for women in today’s fastpaced society. Over 50 BAPS volunteers took part in the celebration through drama performances and video presentations that aimed to inspire women to prioritise their goals and wellbeing, simultaneously paying tribute to the multitude of family, social and professional roles that women uphold.
From the initial stages of creating the material to its final presentation, the women of BAPS Australia contributed to all aspects of this eye-opening celebration.
The event was graced by the presence of special guests from various different backgrounds and careers, who have truly ‘made it happen’. Honourable guests, Minister
Rebecca Vassarotti, member of ACT Greens party, and Ms. Chandrakantha Rathore, First Secretary of the Indian High Commission, both attended the event and presented empowering speeches to the audience.
Honourable guest, Lieutenant Nayni Sharma-Wing, a naval officer in the Royal Australian Navy, who attended the conference, appreciated the quality and themes presented at the event, noting that many hours of seva would have been contributed by community members to bring together such an event.
Ms. Harshita Kakkad, a BAPS volunteer who helped organise the event, shared “Our guru, Mahant Swami Maharaj, is a constant source of inspiration for all of us. As our role model, he has encouraged us to serve our community with humility and kindness”.
BAPS’s celebration of International Women’s Day continues to represent its on-going commitment to women and matters of importance to women, as inspired and guided by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj.
By: Daljeet Bakshi
Every year, volunteers from BAPS contribute back to their local communities through various activities.
This year on 18th March, volunteers of all ages from BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Green Fields, Adelaide, participated in Clean Up Australia day.
Fostering a sense of shared ownership of one’s community, BAPS Community clean–
ups provide an opportunity for individuals to volunteer their time by clearing roadsides and/or open areas of accumulated litter, trash, thereby beautifying the space for all. The campaign was carried out by around 140 volunteers at 3 different council locations – Dry Creek Trail, Mawson Lakes (City of Salisbury Council), Thorndon Park, Paradise (City of Campbelltown Council) & Michael Reserve, Lockleys (City of West Torrens Council) at the same time. Gloves and litter bags were
provided to the volunteers. Present amongst each location were the invited guests.
Mayor Michael Coxon and councilors from City of West Torrens Council, Mayor Jill Whittaker and councilors from City of Campbell Town Council, Councilors from City of Salisbury Council who supported by participating at the event. Light refreshments were served at the end of the event. Inspired by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, who preaches the importance of community service and maintaining a clean society, volunteers were able to give back to their own communities.
Established in 1907, the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is a global non–governmental Hindu socio–spiritual organization in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. BAPS has representative centres (Mandirs) in some of the major Australian cities, including Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane.
BAPS is dedicated to the collective spiritual and social progress of society by promoting
harmony between individuals, within families and amongst diverse communities.
In Adelaide, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Green Fields, which was inaugurated in 2015 promotes harmony, inspires values of co–existence and selfless service to the community, nurtures spirituality, Hindu culture and heritage, and encourages integration and social cohesion.
Globally, through its worldwide network of 3,850 centres, BAPS organizes and coordinates various medical, educational, environmental, cultural, and social activities. Analogously, BAPS Australia has contributed to this great nation through annual blood donation camps, tree plantation drives, educational seminars, participation in community clean–up days, serving and fundraising for disaster–relief activities such as the
COVID–19 pandemic as well as natural disasters and hosting a variety of children and youth activities to invest in a brighter future.
SWAMI MAHARAJ
His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj is the sixth spiritual successor of Lord Swaminarayan and the present leader of BAPS after Pramukh Swami Maharaj who left for his divine abode in 2016.
His steadfast virtues of austerity, self–control, devotion, humility and service earned him the blessings of both Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Mahant Swami Maharaj now presides as the guru and spiritual guide to countless devotees and helms the worldwide spiritual and humanitarian activities of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.
This event was held on 11 March 2023 as an effort from APWA to celebrate women and also to introduce everyone with APWA upcoming projects especially APWA NEST – home for Her. AusPak Women Association (APWA) under the leadership of Shafaq Jaffery is continuing on its mission to support women to achieve their full potential, to encourage, enable and facilitate their active involvement in business, employment, learning and community life. In this regard, a celebration of women on International Day of Women along with a Fundraiser night for APWA Nest – Home for her project has been organised with full zeal and zest.
What’s a better way to celebrate international women’s day other than to celebrate International Women’s Day and female empowerment with APWA Grand Launch and Fundraiser Dinner for APWA Nest – Home for Her. A safe haven for women, where APWA enables connection, support and advocacy. Event has not only been attended by a huge number of Pakistani and CALD community members, women achievers, parliamentarians, community leaders, other organisations from NSW and Sydney but representatives of APWA chapters from Brisbane, Tasmania and Melbourne have also travelled to join the celebrations.
No Function can be successful without the help of valued sponsors. But one of the huge successes of APWA team was to be able to bring the renowned Pakistani Bank – Bank Alfalah as Platinum sponsor of the event. Bank Alfalah not only kindly sponsored this very important celebration and event but also showed desire to support APWA work and future initiatives for a long term collaboration.
Event started with the video ad by Bank Alfalah along with a key message from Chief
Digital Officer – Muhammad Yahya Khan. Everyone present in the event along with the dignitaries especially Senator Mehreen and Senator David Shoebridge appreciated such generous support by Bank Alfalah. All the participants of the event agreed that Bank Alfalah has set a huge example by supporting its Pakistani community for women empowerment and it will prove to be a huge milestone for turning the APWA dream into a reality.
During the event all attendees showed great interest in services provided by Bank Alfalah and enquired about the details of how they can avail the services. Bank Alfalah printed information pamphlets made available on each table along with displays at various places in the venue made it easy for the attendees to familiarise themselves with Bank Alfalah services. The media ad played also built the curiosity among the attendees to know more.
APWA also want to give thanks to dignitaries who gave up their Saturday evening to show support in this celebration and fundraiser event:
4Mehreen Faroouqi – Senator
4David Shoebridge – Senator
4Lee Rhiannon – ex Senator and activist
Among the attendees we also had other achievers and star women who are part of various initiatives and running their own businesses to pave way for alot of other women like them in the community. In short it was an event attended by achievers, aspiring leaders, community leaders, parliamentarians and activists. The event turned out to be a galaxy filled with shining stars.
The event was filled with prizes, beautiful and heartfelt speeches by dignitaries, APWA projects presentations, networking, fun, music and food. Among other sponsors, most of which are ongoing sponsors of Auspak Women’s Association include:
4BroadSafe Group
4SS Smash Repair
4Brigd Laique – Defence Attache High Commissioner Pakistan
4Julia Finn – Shadow Minister for Sport, and Shadow Minister for Youth
All invited dignitaries not only shared their views on International Women day and importance of celebrating it but also were very impressed with the APWA Nest and other planned projects under the banner of AusPAk Women association and regarded it as a much needed initiative for CALD and Pakistani community especially women.
Taking the opportunity APWA team also acknowledged the efforts of some of the key supporters of APWA cause of women empowerment through handing over ‘Angel Awards’. Ofcourse the first ‘Angel’ award for making the night possible went none other than – Bank Alfalah. Council General Pakistan – M. Ashraf presented the award on the announcement of APWA Patron-in-chief Kiran Ali. APWA President Shafaq Jaffery
received the award on behalf of the Bank.
Three angel awards were handed over by our respected dignitaries to; Shaukat Khanum Hospital Australia team, Dynamic Racking – your Storage Specialist team and a very generous supporter from Brisbane Mr. Bezaad.
The event was attended by highly accomplished individuals of the CALD community, especially the Pakistani community. Some of the most prominent names included but not limited to Dr. Ali Sarfaraz – who had been president of Kashmir Committee for a number of years, Daniya Atif Syed who was named Young Woman of the Year at the 2021 and her family, Durga Owen – Labor representative for Seven Hills, Sanela Osmic GM iCare from Bosnian community, Thiru ARUMUGAM JP – Founding President –Australian Tamil Association Inc and Vice President (Community Affairs)
Australian Tamil Chamber of Commerce Inc etc.
4Auburn Radiology
4Lion Group of Companies
4Best Disability Solutions
4Beauty Bay Salon
4Pehchan Media Network
4Dynamic Racking – your Storage Specialist
Everyone will agree that the event truly showcases the enthusiasm of the APWA team and their passion to pursue their dream of empowering women from CALd communities and represent them in true sense.
Feedback from attendees was that it was a vibrant, community feel, amazing energy and great hospitality from all at Auspak Women’s Association, from executives, volunteers and family members helping out on the day.
Well done Auspak Women’s Association and we look forward to many more great events in the future.
On the occasion of International Poetry and Harmony day in Australia and the United Nations to promote the elimination of racial discrimination, WAACI (We Australians are Creative Inc), a not-for-profit Australian organization organized “Poetry Power & Rhythm of Harmony”, an event filled with Poetry, Film & Music which was held at Eric Tweedale Stadium, Merrylands on 21st March 2023. WAACI believes that Creativity has no boundaries, limitations, nationalities, religions, colour, racial differences, or any other barriers humans erect around themselves.
The event was attended by VIPs including Hon Laurie Ferguson, Hon Lee Rhianon, Hon Kevin Gillies, Cr Sabrin Farooqui, Cr Livingstone Chettipally & Cr Moninder Singh.
Ms Theresa Ormerod (Chair ARRCC), Dr Sunil Vyas (President UIA), Ms Natalia Ballotin Hall (Red Cross), Mr Javed Nazar
( Koocha-E-Safaqat), Mr Neel Banerjee (Nautanki Theatre), Mr Kamal Pasha (Representing the Bangladeshi community) were also present.
To begin with, Origin of Country and a short talk about poetry’s power for social cohesion was addressed by school youth Ashar
Hasnain. Poetry Power was presented by Avijit Sarkar, Hale Isil Cosar, Pankaj Upadhayay, Virat Nehru, Shahana Chowdhury, Luke Weyland, Vivek Kumar, Sarker Kabiruddin & Mark Marusic.
Furthermore, Acknowledgments and awards for Outstanding contributions to Creativity in Australia and deepest appreciation for the contributions to creativity were awarded to Dr Shabbir Haider, Avijit Sarkar, Harmohan (Harry) Walia, Pupinder Mintu & Varun Tiwari. The deepest appreciation award for volunteering work in Australia was awarded to the Singh Social Motorcycle club.
On this occasion, two books were released. A Hindi Book “ Australia Se Kahaniyan” of stories written by local writers and edited by Rekha Rajvanshi and an Urdu Book of poetry “Ana Ke Neze Mein” written by Dr Shabbir Haider.
KH Brothers Films premiered their flagship Short Film “Chitta- The Curse of Heroin Chapter 2” in front of a house full of poetry, music and film lovers who chose to spend their evening soaking in true love for creative art forms. The film is Directed by Multi International award winner Harjot Singh who is also the Producer and Script writer of the film. The film stars Sydney’s very talented actors, Harjot Singh, Gagan Jassal, Paramjit Kaur and Ahalya. The film is based on Mother’s unconditional love for her soil and her fight against drugs with soulful background music by Abbas Alvi. The film is largely shot at various locations in Parramatta including The Unmute studio. Technical support for this film has been provided by Rajbir, Gurmeet
Singh, Gagan Jassal, Munish Arora and Addy Singh. The feelings, rhythm and vibe of the event were truly multi-culturally magnificent and something to experience in person.
The event ended with Qawwalis by Australia Qawwal Party. In the end, all Media partners and Volunteers were thanked.
The event was managed by Harjot Singh, Gagan Jassal, Sanvir Singh, and Anmoldeep Kaur, video-graphed by Varun Tiwari and Hosted by Taufeeq Ahmed, Fasih Uddin Khan, Sarwat Zehra & Iram Rasheed.
The event was sponsored by Multicultural NSW
By Smt Preeti Sunil Rao
The first day of the Hindu lunar year is celebrated as the festival of Samsaar Padvo by the Konkani community. This festival, also known as Yugadi or Gudi Padwa, is celebrated with great pomp and fervour in most Konkani households. Keeping the tradition alive, Konkani families in and around Sydney got together as one big kutumbh (family) to celebrate Samsaar Padvo and Ram Navmi on Sunday, the 26th of March.
This collective of amchigele (Konkani) families, fondly called ‘Amhi EK Kutumbh’ (AEK) was formed to ensure key festivals and events are celebrated following the same customs and traditions as most of us have grown up experiencing in India. It is a humble attempt to make the same experiences available to the next generation hoping to keep our culture and traditions alive in their young minds.
This year, the event was organized at the Swami Yoga Retreat in Kenthurst. This beautiful and serene venue surrounded by bushland was the perfect location to celebrate our festival in the lap of our beautiful nature. 300-plus people attended the event, all dressed in colorful traditional sarees, mundo (dhoti)
or salwar kurtas. The outdoor seating was organized for everyone to watch the ceremonies. All attendees were invited to offer Abhishek (holy bath) to Lord Rama before the deity was established on the sacred altar beautifully decorated by karsevaks (volunteers). Bhajan seva and ram naam chanting by some talented community members made the whole atmosphere divine. After the traditional aarti and naivedya (food offerings), all attendees were invited to enjoy the scrumptious Konkani lunch.
Our food has always been the biggest highlight of our celebrations, making the AEK Samsaar Padvo function extra memorable. The traditional Konkani lunch on a banana leaf excites every true blue amchigele. Traditional Konkani dishes like khotto, gashi, batetya vaagu, tendli bibya upkari and ten other items were prepared by our volunteers. No outside caterers or professional cooks were engaged, and all preparations and cooking were completed on-site by both men and women volunteers. Over 50 volunteers joined forces to shop for cooking supplies and groceries, source banana and jackfruit leaves, arrange utensils, prep, cook and clean. This is no easy feat, and hats off to our selfless volunteers who have been tirelessly preparing for the days leading up to the event. The enthusiasm amongst the volunteers was so infectious that other community members also stepped in to lend a hand. It was great to witness the community spirit and oneness on display.
So how do so many people come together with a single objective? How does a whole community get motivated to achieve the unthinkable? It needs excellent leadership, determination and a strong sense of community service. AEK is the brainchild of Kamakshi Shenoy and Hemant Nayak Benne, two individuals deeply rooted in the Konkani culture and tradition and have created opportunities to keep us engaged as a community by organizing various celebrations. They are a great combination representing the Northern and Southern regions of India’s Konkan (west) coast, ensuring the festivities are relatable to all amchigeles irrespective of their origins. With active participation and support from their respective partners, Kamakshi and Hemant steer the community forward as they recreate the cultural experience of our Indian festivals here in Australia. I’m sure the whole community is grateful to them for their vision, dedication and tenacity.
The broader Indian community in Australia also supported the event. Over 20 local businesses supported the event in various ways. Delicious breakfast (Swagath Restaurant), Indian sweets (Sweet Utsav) and idli batter (Madura foods) were provided by the renowned business, ensuring that the santharpana meal and phalahra were complete for the day-long celebration. Sunrice, Hari om Foods, Sharma’s Kitchen, Chatkazz, Shri Dhaba, GuruMantra, Sydney Sports club, PAIradise and E-Gurukul were some other businesses I could recall. Stalls
were set up to support small household businesses, and all attendees had a great time browsing and shopping for Indian goodies.
tions. We have a strong sense of community; we uphold our customs and traditions and are keen to continue our age old traditions well into the future. Our car festivals (Teru) and the Ganeshotsav celebrations of Mumbai are a testament to that. Occasions like this strengthen our bond, giving us a true sense of belonging to one huge kutumbh. Having been in Australia for 20-odd years, I genuinely welcome being part of this extended family and look forward to many more such events.
Amhi Ek Kutumbh was formed in Jan 2022 with an aim to elevate the Konkani community and upcoming generations with knowledge of Konkani language, traditions, and culture. As families migrate to other parts of the world, English is adopted as the first language to communicate. Eventually, the mother tongue or original language, Konkani, is overlooked.
Similar is the case with our traditions and culture. Our only aim is to gather all aspects of the Konkani language, tradition, and culture to promote, educate and preserve for future generations of Konkani origin.
Objective: Our core vision is to establish and administer a nonprofit organization for community welfare with the foundation of our Konkani language, tradition, and culture. Supported by the four pillars, such as creating an atmosphere for our community members to come together and celebrate our festivals, strengthening the bond we call Amchitana and passing on the legacy to our future gems, Encouraging organic and healthy food habits originated by our ancestors, educating and responsibly celebrating with
nature-friendly approaches, and Supporting small businesses.
Benefits: Safeguarding Intangible Language and Cultural Heritage. Konkani language, culture and traditional heritage will be passed on to upcoming generations and enhance awareness in future about our originality and unique identity.
World Malayalee Council (WMC) is a global organisation, which provides a global connectivity fostering friendship and fellowship among Malayalees worldwide. (Malayalees are people from Kerala, South India and one who speaks Malayalam language).
WMC has a three tier organizational structure with a global council, six regional councils in America, Europe, Africa, Middle East, India and far east & Australia and local chapters called provinces. Global, regional and provincial councils has a cabinet responsible for the day to day affairs presided over by the president and an executive council, which is the legislative body and electoral college responsible for policy making and electing officers presided over by the chairman.
WMC’s Sydney Province had conducted their Annual General Meeting (The AGM) on the 5th March 2023 to elect the new
officer bearers for the Executive Committee for the years 2023 to 2025.
The AGM was attended by the members of WMC Sydney Province. Mr Babu Varghese, the President extended his welcome to all the WMC members and expressed his warm wishes for a successful year ahead.
At the AGM, Mr Varghese was unanimously re-elected as the President, Dr Ambereesh Syamala Mohan as the Vice President, Mrs Deepa Sujeet Nair as the Secretary, Mrs Sujitha Jithesh as the Joint Secretary, and Mr Sajin Unni as the Treasurer. Mr Abbas Chelat was unanimously re-elected as the Advisor for the WMC Sydney Province. The other
elected members to the executive team included Mr Irfan Malik, Mr Rajan Thomas, Mr Kiran James, Mr Binu George, Mr Anas SR, Mrs Priya Balan and Mr Vinesh V George. Mr Malik presented the annual accounts, and this has been unanimously approved at the meeting. Mr Malik, who is also the Global Vice-President for WMC Far-East & Australia Region addressed the gathering by explaining the vision of WMC and congratulated the newly elected executive team. Mr Chelat, who is also the Advisor for Global WMC congratulated and motivated the core team to achieve and soar higher and higher. Mr Varghese presented the plan of action and the projects, which will be undertaken in the coming months.
The Australian Business Summit Council Inc. hosted its fourth annual Media Conference and Luncheon at the five-star Le Montage Reception Centre in Lilyfield, New South Wales on 13th March 2023 to announce the upcoming publication of the fourth issue of EKONOMOS, the official ABSC Inc. business affairs magazine.
More than sixty VIPs and guests attended this significant event, featuring H.E. Dr Ali Kraishan PhD (Ambassador of Jordan) and the Consuls-General of Egypt and Bangladesh, the Hon. Mr Damien Tudehope NSW MLC, and the Deputy Mayor of the City of Canada Bay and Liberal candidate for Drummoyne in the 2023 NSW state election, Ms Stephanie Di Pasqua, as well as eminent business leaders, multicultural community leaders and representative members of the multicultural press corps.
ABSC Inc. president for the fourth consecutive year, Dr Frank Alafaci PhD outlined the Council’s broad agenda to enable business leaders to network and enhance business opportunities by serving as an extensive medium for sound business policies and practices and stimulating informative debates and discussions on issues pertaining to business relationships between Australia and the international community.
Indeed, the ABSC Inc. has expanded rapidly since its establishment in late 2018 to augment its influence and pervasiveness
within the business community in Australia and abroad through actively promoting business investment and innovation into high value-added and technologically advanced sectors and industries, and assisting small, medium-sized and large businesses to further multilateral business relationships within the national economy and extraterritorially through the Council’s signature events.
EKONOMOS magazine presents incisive, well-written appraisals of the current business trends and forces that impact on economic growth from authoritative expert figures in the fields of finance, trade, investment, politics, and diplomacy drawn from the Australian and international communities, including practical, comprehensive views, opinions, suggestions, and solutions for bolstering the Australian economy by strengthening commercial links and investment opportunities with our known regional trading partners and untapped extra-regional markets.
EKONOMOS, Issue 4, 2023, will comprise article contributions from seventeen prominent academics, business leaders and diplomatic officials led by Dr Frank Alafaci PhD (President, Australian Business Summit Council Inc.); H.E. Mr Paolo Crudele (Ambassador of Italy); H.E.
Ms Alicia Moral Revilla (Ambassador of Spain);
H.E. Mr Mauricio Carvalho Lyrio (Ambassador of Brazil); H.E. Mr Maximo Gowland (Ambassador of Argentina); H.E. Mrs Ithzel Patino de Villareal (Ambassador of Panama); H.E. Dr Ali Kraishan PhD (Ambassador of Jordan); H.E. Ms Wassane Zailachi (Ambassador of Morocco); H.E. Mr Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri (High Commissioner of Pakistan); Ms Agata Utnicka (Charge’ d’Affaires ad interim, Embassy of Poland); Ms Diana Carvajal Toscano (Charge’ d’Affaires ad interim, Embassy of Colombia); Mr Piers Morgan (Executive Director, Weringa Group Pty Ltd); Mr Hasan Gencturk (President, MUSIAD Sydney); Dr Rateb Jneid PhD (President, Australian Federation of Islamic Councils); Dr Anthony De Francesco PhD (Managing Director, Real investment Analytics Pty Ltd); Dr Jaehu Shim PhD (Adjunct Professor, School of Business and Technology, Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology); and Dr Angus Hooke PhD (Emeritus Professor, Finance and Entrepreneurship, University of Nottingham Ningbo China).
Interestingly, the ABSC Inc. Media Conference and Luncheon featured keynote speeches by H. E. Dr Ali Kraishan PhD (Ambassador of Jordan) and the Hon. Mr Damien Tudehope NSW MLC, as well as an informative thirty-minute Question and Answer session
on business, trade and investment chaired by the ABSC Inc. President, Dr Frank Alafaci PhD between the occasion’s VIPs and guests and an assembled panel consisting of H.E. Dr Ali Kraishan PhD (Ambassador of Jordan); the Hon. Mr Damien Tudehope NSW MLC; Dr Joseph Rizk AM D.Litt (CEO / Managing Director, Arab Bank Australia Ltd); and Dr Anthony De Francesco PhD (Managing Director, Real investment Analytics Pty Ltd).
ABSC Inc. president, Dr Frank Alafaci PhD formally concluded this annual Media Conference and Luncheon with his glowing acknowledgement of EKONOMOS, Issue 4’s sponsors: Alliance Project Group, Swan Wine Group, Arab Bank Australia Ltd and DRS ABCD First Aid Training, and heartfelt expressions of gratitude and appreciation for the unwavering support and assistance provided by the Board of Directors of the Australian Business Summit Council Inc., especially Mrs Sylvia Alafaci, the Council’s secretary, for her prodigious efforts in securing the magnificent venue for the occasion, sending out most of the invitations, organizing the beautiful table arrangements and decorations, preparing the VIP and guests’ name tags, and communicating with Le Montage’s events management team spearheaded by Ms Andrea Hajje and Mrs Agustina Muchaga.
will become the first university in the world to open an international teaching
The state-of-the-art campus in the heart of the smart business district GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) will give students access to future-ready Deakin postgraduate courses aligned with local employment needs.
The campus will open as early as possible and by no later than mid-2024, the same year Deakin celebrates its 50th anniversary and 30 years in India. The international campus will deliver job-ready graduates to meet India’s soaring labour demands and bolster Deakin’s commitment to providing a worldclass education and learning experience for students around the globe.
This innovative venture was officially announced in Ahmedabad by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Deakin University’s Chancellor Mr. John Stanhope AM, and many other notable guests.
Speaking at an event that showcased Australia-India cooperation on education PM Albanese said that he was very pleased to be in India.
“It gives me great pleasure to acknowledge that Deakin University will be the first overseas university approved to establish a branch campus in India.’
“It’s a great honour for Deakin University – and for Australia, too,” added PM Albanese
cybersecurity and business
Deakin.
PM Albanese mentioned that along with Deakin, the University of Wollongong also has intentions to establish a campus at GIFT City.
“Of course, we always welcome students to come and study in Australia, and that will continue to be an important focus for us.”
He acknowledged that not everyone has the means or the ability to pack up their lives and study in another country. There might be financial constraints, or family commitments, or a variety of reasons that students want to, or need to, stay closer to home.
“So the presence of Australian universities in India opens up new ways for Indian
students to obtain an Australian education by bringing Australia a little bit closer.” PM Albanese further added,
“When I was growing up, I didn’t know anyone who was going to university. No one in my family had ever been to university.”
“But Sydney University was just up the road from where I lived. I’d see it all the time. And the proximity made it real to me. It made it seem possible.”
So this is a terrific development and I congratulate everyone involved in making it happen.
Deakin Vice-Chancellor Professor Iain Martin said Deakin has a long and proud history in India.
“Deakin was the first international university to establish its presence in India in 1994,
Heidelberg. Our thinkers may yet become authorities upon questions which need personal acquaintance with India and its peoples.
We may hold it to be inevitable, as well as natural, that one of the first outward going movements of our expansive Australian life will bring us into contact, and then into communion, with India.”
(Alfred Deakin, Irrigated India, 1893)
“Perhaps it’s taken a little longer than Alfred Deakin expected, but through the dedicated work of Government, academia and industry, today’s historic announcement takes our partnership to an entirely new level,” Professor Martin said.
Professor Martin said Deakin’s approach was ‘in India, with India, for India’ and that as the university prepared to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024, opening a new India campus marked an exciting new chapter.
The India campus will provide better opportunities for local students who cannot afford to travel and live in Australia to study.
Concentrating on the needs of the digital economy, Deakin’s world-class course offerings on campus will initially include the Master of Cyber Security and Master of Business Analytics, before expanding to degrees from the faculties of Science, Engineering & Built Environment, and Business & Law.
and since then, through innovative collaborations across research, education and training, we have forged a bond based on commitment, excellence, trust and transparency,” Professor Martin said.
“Our India partnership is one of the jewels in the crown of our growth and success over the almost 50 years of Deakin’s existence from humble beginnings on a green field site at Waurn Ponds in 1974.
“Back in 1893, Alfred Deakin – the Australian Prime Minister for whom our university is named – predicted that students from Australia and India would traverse international borders and form lasting intellectual partnerships:
“We are near enough to readily visit India and be visited. Its students might come to the universities of our milder climate, instead of facing the winters of Oxford, Paris, or
“This is a historic opportunity to deepen our engagement with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and open up access to our world-class education and pathways, delivered in India by Deakin alongside our industry partners,” he said.
Deakin Vice-President (Global Alliances) and CEO (South Asia) Ms Ravneet Pawha said it was a “momentous occasion for Australia and India”.
“We are thrilled to have contributed to two ‘firsts’ in the Australia-India education sector story; Deakin being the first international university in India in 1994, and now the first university in the world to open a teaching campus,” Ms Pawha said.
“The new campus aims to provide a worldclass post-graduate education to meet the industry’s skilled workforce demands within the country.”
The campus will operate on the basis that standards and requirements are equivalent to those at Deakin’s campuses in Australia (Burwood, Geelong Waterfront, Waurn Ponds and Warrnambool). Students will receive the same standard of higher education in GIFT City as in Australia, with academic standards based on Deakin’s standards frameworks and manuals aligned with Australia’s national accreditation body, the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).
The campus will also work closely with corporate leaders collocated at GIFT City for cadetship and employment opportunities for Indian students and to ensure courses align with the requirements of local employers.
Deakin has contributed over AUD 50 million in India through scholarships, research fellowships, community projects, and collaborative research. The Australia-India Economic Strategy 2035, released in 2018, cited Deakin as an ‘ideal collaborator’ with India. Over almost three decades, Deakin has developed strategic partnerships with India’s premier research organisations, businesses and academic institutions.
The Elephant Whisperers has won Best Documentary Short Subject at the 95th Academy Awards. It is the first Indian production to win in the category.
Kartiki Gonsalves’ and Guneet Monga’s production, The Elephant Whisperers, made history by taking the First Oscar For An Indian Film, Thanks Husband, Sunny Kapoor.
Guneet Monga is a name that needs no introduction. She is the founder of Sikhya Entertainment, which produced films like Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 1, Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2, Peddlers, The Lunchbox, Masaan, Zubaan and Pagglait. And now, Guneet created history by winning the first Oscar for an Indian film.
It was indeed a proud moment for every Indian after the short film, The Elephant Whisperers won an Oscar at the 95th Academy Awards. It is the first film to win an Oscar and the third to be nominated after The House That Ananda Built and An Encounter With Faces. It was the most joyous moment for the producer, Guneet Monga and director, Kartiki Gonsalves.
“Tonight is historic as this is the first ever Oscar for an Indian production. India’s Glory with 2 women. Thank you Mom Dad Guruji Shukrana. To my Co-Producer Achin Jain, Team Sikhya, Netlflix, Aloke, Sarafina, WME Bash Sanjana. My lovely Husband Sunny. Happy 3 months anniversary baby! Kartiki for bringing & weaving this story. To all the women watching….The future is audacious and the future is here. Let’s go! Jai hind.”
A few days back, Guneet posted a video of her excitement when her film, The Elephant Whisperers was nominated for the Oscars. Sitting on a sofa with other crew members of the film, Guneet jumped in excitement
when the name of her film was announced in the nominations. She captioned the moment as:
“Sometimes, the most extraordinary tales of love and compassion whisper their way into our lives like magic. Thank you for believing in this extraordinary family and the message they share. It’s been a rewarding journey to reach this far, let’s take the final leap with the same faith!”
On this occasion, Guneet Monga shared a piece on Humans Of Bombay in which she described her path from growing up in a middle-class Punjabi household to becoming a producer.
Guneet Monga shared her goals and early hardships in the Instagram post.
She said, “I’ve lived a life of borrowed dreams. I grew up in Delhi, in a Punjabi middle-class family. To the world, we were happy–but no one knew what happened behind closed doors. My family was allotted 1 room in a big house. Because of the fight between brothers over property- my mom was suppressed. They abused her… Once,
the argument got to a point where they tried to burn her alive-my father called the police, grabbed us, and ran out of there.”
After this, Guneet Monga’s family began to build their life anew, she explained. “Eventually, my mom started dreaming of having a 3-bedroom house on a ground floor with 3 steps by the entrance – So specific! I became determined to buy one for her. At 16, I started working while balancing schoolwork–I sold cheese on streets, was an announcer at PVR, a DJ, an anchor… you name it. In college, I began coming to Mumbai to work in films. I went from a coordinator, to being a production manager. Whatever I’d earn, I’d give it to my parents for our dream. Slowly we pooled our savings and booked a house.”
However, by the time the house was ready, Guneet Monga lost her parents within six months of each other. The personal tragedy pushed her to move to Mumbai and channel her “energy into films”. She added, “My dreams then became my director’s dreams. I was always on my feet and barely slept four hours a day. Each film was a challenge. Crowd-funding, international sales- but I loved it! I wanted to hear my mom’s ‘you did well’ or my dad’s ‘proud of you’…”
“So, in my happiest times- whether it was at the Oscars or when we produced Gangs of Wasseypur and The Lunchbox or when I launched my production house… all I wanted was my parents beside me. But I know they’re at peace where they are. Someday I’ll see them again and get my ‘well dones.’ But for now, I’m going through life, collecting happy moments for them. I hope they can be proud that I’ve finally stopped borrowing dreams. I’m my own person now and maybe that in itself is a dream come true!” she said.
As of 2022, international students are worth about $25.5 billion but this figure is expected to rise again. Not only has Australia reopened its borders, but it is trying to entice international students by increasing post-study working rights and working rights on student visas.
China is of huge importance to our international student intake, making up 25% of the group as of December 2022. However, students from South Asia – including India – are also important, making up more than 30% of those studying here.
We know South Asian students are extremely keen to work here. Indian graduates were granted the most post-work study visas in the two years leading up to the pandemic. But as of 2022, only 57% of undergraduate Indian students and less than 53% of postgraduates had full-time employment after they graduated.
Our new study talked to South Asian graduates about the support they got trying to find a job. It found they face two main challenges: both career fairs and careers support on Australian campuses are skewed towards domestic students.
Our research
As of December 2022, about 16% of international students in Australia come from India, with a further 9% coming from Nepal. More than 7% of students also come from a combination of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan and the Maldives.
We know that many of these students want to study in Australia so as to get a job here and then gain either permanent residency or citizenship. They are often referred to as “two-step” migrants.
Our study wanted to look at what kind of support this group was receiving around employability – the skills and opportunities needed to find a job. In 2020 we interviewed 20 South Asian graduates to understand their experiences at careers fairs and university career services, as these are the two major vehicles for supporting students to get into jobs.
The graduates were mainly in Melbourne and studied a range of degrees, including business, accounting, finance, engineering, education and public health.
Careers fairs are set up for domestic students Australian universities invite companies to career fairs on campus to show students what job opportunities are out there and to connect them with prospective employers.
International students are a hugely important part of Australia’s university system and its economy. In 2019, before COVID, international education was worth about A$40.3 billion to the Australian economy.
The South Asian graduates we interviewed were disappointed with the fairs. Most of the companies they met had internships, work placements or full-time graduate opportunities but they were largely for domestic students.
As one interviewee seeking a job in business told us:
We did have career fairs at university every semester. But most of the career fairs I attended just have jobs for PRs [permanent residents] or citizens. TR [temporary resident] jobs are very limited. Maybe just two or three companies only at the fair takes in international students or TRs.
Another interviewee, who studied telecommunications also talked of limited opportunities:
Very few companies are open for international students – probably less than ten. So, it is very hard. We don’t have much opportunities due the limited numbers of companies that take in international graduates.
Most Australian universities have a career office or career advice service. Careers office offers offer general services around resume checking and tips for interview skills.
The South Asian graduates went to careers offices for help but again, found the advice and resume assistance was geared at domestic
students. As another interviewee seeking work in planning told us:
Career advice provided by the university careers office is very generic. It is not going to help or be relevant, as it is supposed to be different for international students who are finding employment in Australia. So, I did not take the advice that they gave me. I got better advice from industry professionals who were also academics at this university.
An engineering graduate who had only found work in a supermarket said he went to the career office several times to try and get his resume “sorted out”.
But they just enrol me for the resume sessions every time I ask for feedback on my resume. I waste my whole day for this. They gave the same tips every time to everyone. So not much help was provided to me. I am still [searching for] jobs in my field of studies, which is engineering.
Australian universities need to move away from a “once-size-fits-all” approach when it comes to employability support. Some key changes could include:
4Initiating partnerships with companies or industry representatives to provide specific job opportunities to international students via internships, work placements and volunteer-
4Inviting more companies to career fairs that will be open to offering opportunities for international students or graduates on temporary visas
4Inviting international graduate alumni as guest speakers to career sessions, to mentor students, help modify their resumes and locate work or internship opportunities
4Providing careers offices with the capacity to provide practical career planning and development guidance for international students. This is so international students are able to visualise their careers in Australia, in their home country or a third country.
Australia’s economy and university system rely heavily on international graduates to come and study here. They do so on the premise it will help their career prospects, and Australian universities need to do more to live up to this.
This article was originally published on The Conversation.
Authors:
Jasvir Kaur Nachatar Singh
Senior Lecturer, La Trobe University
Hannah Holmes
Dean and Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor in Business and Law, Manchester Metropolitan University
Sabrina Gupta
Lecturer, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University.
