Last Sunday, 16th May 2010 (Akshay Trutiya Nija Vaishakh Shukla Trutiya  5112 as per Hindu calendar) the auditorium at the Shirdi Sai Baba temple in Camberwell, Melbourne reverberated with the auspicious sounds of conch blowing and Vedic recitations, commencing the much awaited first ever Hinduism Summit (Hindu Dharma sabha) in Australia. Eminent speakers, Pandit Abhay Awasthi of the Hindu Community Council of Victoria, Mahant Swami Shankaranand Saraswati of the Shiva ashram, Shri Bhakta das of ISKCON, Shri Sean Clarke of the Spiritual Science Research Foundation & Shri Rohan Mehta were awarded the ‘Vishwa Hindu Ratna’ award for their selfless service to Hinduism.  On this occasion Swami Paramanand Saraswati, President of Yo Veda was also present.
The speakers spoke to an attentively packed hall and the audience viewing the online live webcast with a lot of concern for the current state of Hindu Dharma and also the uniqueness about it. They listened raptly as Pandit Abhay Awasthi opened the presentations, highlighting the universal Sanatan Dharma. He emphasized how important it is for us and our children to have Dharma education. Shri Sean Clarke inspired the audience to consider spiritual measures in resolving issues facing the Hindu community, through SSRF’s spiritual research video footage showing the power of Saints and subtle negative forces. Mahant Swami Shankaranand expressed in very nice simple words how unique Sanatan Dharma is, how God is in each and every person and that we need to connect to everyone. Shri Bhakta das also shared the same principle of how following Sanatan Dharma and Vedic culture is the only sure solution to all our problems in this materialistic world. He also emphasized that if we take one step towards God, He takes 100 steps towards us. Shri Rohan Mehta spoke passionately about the need to stop rampant denigration of Hinduism and proposed practical methods to learn about denigration and stop it. Shri Atul Dighe concluded the presentations with emphasis on Hinduism education and spiritual measures to overcome issues facing the Hindu community and to experience firsthand the unique science underlying Hinduism concepts and practices.
On this auspicious occasion, Mahant Swami Shankaranand also inaugurated a Souvenir on understanding, living and preserving Hinduism.
 The following resolutions were passed at the Hindu Dharma sabha:
1.      The Government should take strict action against the perpetrators of attacks on Indians in Australia.
2.      The media must give unbiased and sufficient coverage to the recurring attacks on Indians in Australia! 
3.  Hindu Dharma should be recognized as a major religion, as are others like Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism!
4.  Every denigration of Hindu Dharma should be protested peacefully but surely!
5. We shall not support any art, products or any media that denigrate our revered concepts and practices!
6. We shall take Dharma Education ourselves, impart it to our children, and others who are interested through Dharma education satsangs and other means
 The Hinduism Summit concluded with the speakers answering questions from the members of the press and the attendees, on the direction ahead to understand, live and preserve Hinduism. Majority of the attendees expressed their desire to acquire education on Dharma and to start a Hindu school in Melbourne.

Predictions for MAY 2010 by Roseline Deleu

LIFE PATH

In a coup of sorts the NDTV (India’s leading private TV channel) has ousted Doordarshan (DD) News for SBS TV’s World Watch program. NDTV was roped in after the SBS TV failed to access DD News capsule (for Australia) through the satellite. DD news bulletin in Hindi & English had started only from1st February and lasted around two months with its news vanishing from SBS TV during the Easter here.

Christine Heard, SBS Marketing and Communications said, “We were not able to access DD news from the satellite during Easter.”

In a SBS TV media release today Claus Hannekum, Manager of SBS’s International News Service says:
“SBS has been working for five years to add a Hindi news service to World Watch, as the organisation recognises the large number of Hindi speakers in Australia who have been without free-to-air access to news from their homeland.

“When the DDI service stopped, SBS immediately got to work sourcing an alternative. The NDTV bulletins are of a high quality, and I hope the community will enjoy them. SBS apologises for any confusion or inconvenience.”

A lone ranger, Anuj Kulshreshtha, translated his burning desire to popularise Hndi among the Indian community in Sydney by launching his first Hindi internet paper Hindi Gaurav in the presence of small but distinguished gathering.

Here’s a paper that has a wider agenda of catering to Hindi language needs of all sections of the community.

“There are many families in which the children can speak Hindi but can’t read or write. Through Hindi Gaurav we are attempting to fulfil that need.”

” This site is to increase Hindi awareness in Australia and seeks to work in collaboration with all Hindi loving Indians,” he said.

At a time when SBS TV has introduced Hindi news on its channel One and repeat on Two, emergence of Hindi Gaurav has enhanced the prestige of Hindi language.

The distinguished Hindi loving gathering present at the launch was all praise for the efforts of Anuj who had singlehandedly conceived and implemented the programme.

The programmer Hemant Negi was given very given time of month to prepare the site but he did it in record 15 days and surprised everyone.

Now, we find many who would like to contribute to the site.  Shilpa who used to write poetry said when she was told about the upcoming site she was excited at the opportunity. She wrote the poem half in English and then sought the help from her father in India to know the Hindi equivalents. Thus she completed her first poem for Hindi Gaurav.

Hindi Gaurav has kind of set into motion the thought process among the Hindi speaking community and implores it to write. Among those gathered at the launch were people from different language backgrounds and all vowed to build on the efforts of Anuj Kulshreshtha

By Ashok Kumar

Public transport concessions for International students is among the several recommendations made by a former Federal Liberal MP Mr. Bruce Baird who was asked by the Government to conduct a review the multi-million dollar international education sector.

The review has recommended a major regulatory crackdown to prevent overseas students from being exploited. The Baird review was released today in Canberra, reports AAP. Mr. Baird acknowledged ongoing concerns about racism and violent attacks on Indian students. Continue Reading

In a further move to appease the Indian community following the attacks on students, the SBS TV channel has launched the Hindi News service on their World Watch schedule since the beginning of the month. However, it was formally launched on 23 February 2010 at the SBS Sydney Headquarters by Mrs Sujatha Singh, High Commissioner of India in Australia and Shaun Brown, Managing Director, SBS in the presence of senior SBS staff and various community leaders.

 The Doordarshan capsule of News in Hindi and English can be viewed from

Mon – Sat: 11am on SBS ONE (rpt 5:20pm on SBS TWO) and Sundays: 11:00am on SBS TWO

SBS Hindi Radio is broadcast in Melbourne (93.1fm) and Sydney (97.7 fm). Sundays 9:00 am, Mondays 3:00pm and Wednesdays 12noon.

Although it is a good beginning but it has been observed the DD news capsule is not long enough to fill the half hour slot and SBS has to use filler items.

Also starting Monday MArch 1, 2010 to Friday March 5 SBS — II will show bollywood movies from 21.00 hrs.

                                                                    By Roseline Deleu
 
CAREER – Abundance, Money and Wealth are coming your way! Simply open up your views, your ideas, your arms and remember to say “YES – THANK YOU” when it is time to receive. You used to totally ignore new opportunities that could increase your income; this month you can change this simply by saying “YES, THANK YOU” and studying the offer.
 
LOVE – Raise above! In March, you observe and take a step backwards when challenged. Instead of confronting the other, you understand his/her point of view. Your patience and compassion allows you to act differently by making positive choices and choosing the right words to express yourself. Well done!
 
FAMILY – A little challenge in your health makes you re-consider your life priorities. You are the only one to find out how to solve this health issue. Listen to your body and eliminate the unbalance. Change diet drastically to be healed in 4 to 5 weeks. Blue sky comes after the rain!
 
WEALTH – Your roots for wealth are like mangrove roots, no matter the tide, the tree grows. In other words, for this month, you always have enough food to survive.
 
YOU – ‘The other is your Mirror’ – Whatever you dislike in others is the reflection of what you dislike in yourself. Fly above any criticism and focus on the positive things that life offers.
 
HELP – Health issues from the past seem to have the potential of recovering faster this month. Recall to what emotional imbalance your disease is linked; eliminate the memories in your cells and re-program them with a ritual.
 
CHILDREN – Keep an eye open, stay quiet. This month observe your children and ideas and wait until the right moment before acting. Patience is the key.
 
STUDY, OPENNESS –in March 2010, on a daily basis you are connecting with the unseen. Call them how you prefer: your angels, guides or even God – they are there to help. So, what are you waiting for?
 
SELF CONFIDENCE – You now feel like a precious detailed artistic lace work. Created patiently, with a sharp eye for details, you are building your way out of what you thought was a black hole. Well done, now you are on your way to happiness!

When Sydney’s popular community leader and cardiologist Dr. Yadu Singh circulated an e-mail in early January that his group is organising Australia–India Day on January 24 or 25 which will be one of its kind, it was hard to believe since the general perception of all Indian functions is the same naach-gaana and khaana.

But the ambience and flavour of the celebration proved it was “khana khazana” and a lots of memories to cherish as never ever any function organized by any Indian Association/s received such a tremendous response for such an event.  With more than 500 prominent Indians, representatives from over 20 Indian Associations, and star-studded politicians from both the Labor and Liberal parties from State and Federal level attending this event, the Ryde Civic Centre function hall was bursting at seams. And, Dr. Singh himself led the celebration of Australia National Day and the Indian Republic Day by taking control of the proceedings.

Some of the highlights of this program included the benevolent fund for the Indian Diaspora and more than 40 political leaders and party workers from both the Labor and Liberal parties gracing the event. ALP took 2 tables and Liberals took 1 table in function.  Prominent people from the political leadership included: 

Ms Maxine Mckew [Parliamentary secretary, Fed Gov & representing Prime Minister of Australia], Hon Mr. Joe Hockey [Shadow Treasurer, Fed Parliament & representing Hon Tony Abbott, Leader of Opposition in Fed Parliament],Hon Mr. David Borger [NSW Minister], Hon Mr. Peter PriMr.ose [NSW minister], Hon Ms Barbara Perry [NSW minister & representing NSW Premier], Ms Angela D’amore [Parliamentary secretary, NSW], Hon Mr. Laurie Ferguson [Parliamentary secretary, Fed Gov], Mr. David Clarke MLC [Shadow Parliamentary secretary & representing Mr. Barry O’Farrell, Leader of Opposition, NSW], Mr. Phillip Ruddock [Shadow Cabinet secretary, Fed Parliament], Mr. Greg Smith [Shadow Attorney General, NSW], Hon Ms Amanda Fazio [President, Upper House of NSW], Hon Ms Tanya Gadiel [Deputy speaker of NSW parliament], Mr. Chris Hayes MP, Mr. Michael Richardson MP and Mr. Shaoquett Moselmane MLC.

Clr Mark Adler – Canterbury Council, Clr Tony Hay – Hills Shire, Clr Barbara Burton – Hills Shire, Clr Vaseekaran Rajdurai – Holroyd Council, Clr Bill Whelan, Hawkesbury Council, and Crl Trent Zimmerman, North Sydney Council also attended this function.

Mr. Amit Dasgupta, Consul General of India, Sydney and Mr. Gautam Roy, Consul from the Indian Consulate, Sydney also graced this function with their presence.

In a highly emotional and charged up speech, Mr. David Clarke [representing Mr. Barry O’Farrell] from the Australian Liberal Party, said that if his child goes to India he is sure the parents in India would treat him as their son and look after him.  On a similar manner, he urged that the Australian Moms and Dads to treat the Indian students as their own sons and look after them.  He went on and paid tributes to India and its traditions by saying that ‘India practices what it preaches. 

Ms Barbara Perry [representing the Premier of NSW] spoke eloquently about the contribution of Indian Australians and declared that violence against Indian/international students will not be tolerated. She said that students are very welcome in NSW. She was dressed in Indian attire which people appreciated with enthusiastic applause. She spoke about the interest of NSW premier and Government in working actively with the Indian Australians.

Joe Hockey, spoke about the Liberal party’s full committment to its policy of supplying Uranium to India.  Dr Yadu Singh, while responding to Joe Hockey’s speech encouraged the Labor party to consider a similar policy and implement it as early as possible. He explained that the issue of NPT is not relevant in case of India after India has been given an India-specific exemption from NPT by the NSG [Nuclear Suppliers’ Group] in Vienna last year.

Ms Maxine Mckew also spoke very highly of India, Indian Australians and multi-culturalism in Australia. She also explained that India and Australia have a great relationship and it will get even better despite some hiccups. She was very impressed with the enthusiastic participation of women Indian Australians in this function. Her speech generated a thunderous applause from the audience. 

All the speakers from both the major parties spoke highly of India, Indian traditions, Indian sports – in particular Cricket, and the Indian political landscape, which stood the test of times for more than 62 years since securing independence from the British rule in 1947. All speakers were enthusiastically applauded by the audience.  

Mr. Amit Dasgupta, the Consul General of India touched upon two fundamental issues.  One related to the Indian students and the Consul General paid glowing tributes to the NSW Police force and the political landscape of NSW for containing the student issues in NSW.  As a clear indication to vindicate this matter the Consul General said that out of the 1340 attacks on Indian students in 2009, only 13 such attacks occurred in the state of NSW and South Australia – the States which fall under the jurisdiction of Mr. Amit Dasgupta.  He further stated that these statistics do not however condone the vast majority of attacks on Indian students that occurred and still occurring in other States.  He urged that the law enforcement agencies and the political parties should work closely in this direction and ensure safety of the Indian overseas students 

On a second major issue, the Consul General spoke about exploitation of the Indian students by Indian business – in particular the food/restaurant industry whereby the restaurant owners pay less than the wages stipulated under the labor law.  He insisted that all business owners must do ethical business.  He further went on to say that ‘I will not attend any function where he is not assured of suppliers to that function follow ethical standards in conducting their businesses’.  The entire hall including all the politicians from both major parties echoed with a big applause. 

The overwhelming response to this event is an indication of the ‘changing times’ and ‘changing outlook’  to the leadership and responsiveness to the current issues and challenges being faced by various sections of the Indian migrant and student community living in the State of New South Wales.  

Surely the representation of more than 40 students from the International Student community is an indication that they want to hear from the leadership and also from the large number of politicians on their views and actions proposed to be taken to address their issues. The Chief of VETAB [Ms Margaret Willis] and her assistant, Mr. Shona Tannock and Mr. Robert Redfern, Commander, Parramatta Police command [representing NSW Police Commissioner] were present as our guests. Ms Willis’ and Mr. Redfern’s presence was meant to send out the message that quality of training and safety of students are 2 key issues in relations with Indian students.

It is noteworthy that students had paid at a very subsidized rate and all others including the organizers, except a very small numbers of VIP guests, had bought the tickets for their participation in the function.

The representation from more than 20 Indian Associations is a clear indication which shows they are bewildered with the current policies and practices, and financial management of our current top associations and leaders. The one fundamental reason for this large support stems from the fact that they found a new leadership in the AIDFC which can respond to the current issues and make representations at both Australian and Indian Government levels with a solid and united voice.   Some of the major Indian organizations who supported the event included the India Club, The Sydney Sangat, Australian Punjabi Business Association, Australian Indian Business Congress, Punjab For Ever, The Australian Tamil Association Inc (ATA), Hindi Samaj and the Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association (AMU) in addition to others.  

ACR International Tours and Travels added spice to the event by offering one return air ticket through Singapore Airlines for auction.  The auction added nice A$1,000 to the much badly needed money for the ‘benevolent fund project’. Mr. Navneet Chaugar was the winner of this ticket. For the raffle draw which helped us collect about $750, the Good Guys offered a Plasma 26 inch TV which was won by Councilor Bill Whelan of the Hawkesbury City Council.  Congratulations to the winners! 

Media-both Indian and Australian, were represented with Indian Link, The Indian, Punjab Times, Hamare Rang [Pakistani] and most importantly, Channel 9 team present in the function. This was the very first time that Channel 9 crew was present in an Indian function.

Many other ethnic community leaders also graced the occasion with their presence.

The Future – the AIDFC Benevolent Fund

AIDFC has made a number of public announcements at the function to the community as a part of its commitment for the future.  Prominent among them is the creation and implementation of the AIDFC’s Benevolent Fund.  We are committed to get this fund going and make a significant contribution to the well being the Indian migrant and student community, our fellow Australian community and finally to our mother country – India.   

Finally we promise you that we will provide you a solid leadership and will representation at various levels.  We will have clean governance in all matters of the AIDFC management – in particular finance management. We will adopt an ‘open book’ approach in all these areas.  Consideration will be given to broaden the current AIDFC to include more Associations, individual members and businesses.  The community will be getting more frequent updates in the coming weeks and months! 

Ghungurus Group of Shalini Patel was the provider of the entertainment programme which was of 50 minutes duration and had the mix of Bhangra and Bollywood songs/dances. Every one enjoyed it tremendously. Ms. Shubha Kumar gave the vote of thanks.

By Roseline Deleu

2010 – Year of TRUTH and INTEGRITY
 
Predictions for January 2010
 
CAREER – People become more and more aware of their life choices.  Chances of change appear daily. No more ‘blame game’- no more of staying put or even stuck in the same position… You are now strong enough to take action and move forward. This January, many will take a step out of their comfort zone to discover who they really are thriving more interest, joy and ambition in their current or new job.
LOVE – Interestingly this month you regain lust and desire that you were missing in 2009 by decreasing your alcohol intake. Clear communication and expressing genuine feelings will encourage physical and chemical attraction. Continue Reading

A new series which features regional New South Wales has become the highest rating ever on Indian TV in the youth music genre, Minister Assisting the Premier on the Arts, Virginia Judge, said today. MTV Roadies Australia has been produced by Film and Casting TEMPLE, owned by Mr. Anupam Sharma.

Ms Judge said MTV Roadies Australia will draw visitors to New South Wales, with a format and popularity that make the show a virtual tourism advertisement for the state. Continue Reading