Grand Celebration of Janmashtami by DJJS in Brisbane

On 27th July 2025, Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan (DJJS) Brisbane hosted a grand and spiritually uplifting celebration of Janmashtami at Calamvale Community College with the grace and guidance of HH Ashutosh Maharaj Ji (Head and Founder DJJS), marking the birth of Lord Krishna with devotion, knowledge, and cultural vibrance. The event beautifully highlighted the eternal relevance of Lord Krishna’s life lessons and values through captivating performances and discourses.

Young and selfless DJJS volunteers portrayed different aspects of Krishna’s divine plays, emphasizing the morals and teachings that continue to inspire solutions to challenges in modern-day life. Through thoughtful acts and enlightening explanations, DJJS also addressed and cleared widespread misconceptions often propagated around Lord Krishna’s life, presenting his true essence as a guide for righteous and purposeful living.

The celebration was graced by esteemed dignitaries including the Consulate General of India in Brisbane, Ms. Neetu Bhagotia, Stretton MP James Martin, along with community leaders and eminent personalities such as OAM Mr. Umesh Chandra and Mrs. Usha Chandra (GOPIO), Ms. Tanvi Goel (Founder AusIndia Travel), Mr. Rajesh Verma (President, Hindu Council of Australia), Mr. Parveen Gupta (Solicitor, RiverCity Lawyers), Mr. Mithun Chakraborty (Sargam Academy), Mr. Manish Saini (ICGC), Mr. Chandrakant Sharma, and

Mrs. Usha Shah. All dignitaries warmly appreciated the enlightening initiative of DJJS.
The evening concluded with a sumptuous Indian vegetarian meal, for which DJJS sincerely thanks Mr. Bhalla Ji (Bhalla Restaurant) and Mr. Daulat Singh (Punjabi Palace) for their generous support.

DJJS would also like to wholeheartedly thank all dignitaries, guests, attendees, and sponsors for their continuous support, encouragement, and for taking out valuable time to be part of this divine celebration.

Blood, Bonds and Balancing Act

Exploring Adult Sibling Relationships in the Indian-Australian population.

Introduction: The Hidden Baggage

Sibling relationship is one of the longest relationships an individual has in most cases, as their parents, partners and offspring are in their lives for a comparatively shorter span of life, yet, for most adults’ sibling relationship isn’t the first relationship that comes to mind, when we speak about adult relationships. Over time, this relationship goes through major transformations as the roles of the individuals change within the family and as they start their own families, yet, it gets given very little credit for the value it holds. It is very easy to forget sometimes that your siblings have known you your whole life and they can understand you much better than you might think.

We recently celebrated Rakshabadhan and it got me thinking what it means in today’s world. In the olden days, the sister would tie the “Rakhi” on the brother’s wrist and in return the brother promises to protect the sister or be there to protect her honour. What does that symbolise for us today? In my opinion, it means having each other’s back and being there for each other not just to protect the honour but to share stories, make memories and continue the familial bond.

As we get older, another thing that occurs between siblings is the disconnect, sometimes due to distance, sometimes due to difference in opinions and sometimes due to sibling rivalry for property/ inheritance. When we think about sibling rivalries within the desi community, there are the rivalries that we have seen in movies and on television where it ranges from being backlisted from the families to fights breaking out and family members fighting over property, all in the name of family, the “khandaan”.

However, what starts as competition for parental approval/attention during childhood can evolve into adult disputes about money, caregiving, cultural obligations, or who “sacrificed more.” These rivalries are not just personal—they are often legacies of generational trauma, passed down through families shaped by migration, hierarchy, and unspoken sacrifices.

Have you ever considered the childhood squabbles over toys or who got the bigger slice of cake end up being the rivalries that gets passed on from generation to generation. Every time one sibling was told by the parent or an older to compromise over the will of the other, leaves an imprint within them that makes them feel a range of negative emotions ranging from jealousy, to lack of self-worth. As adults we may even think that one child compromising won’t matter much, but if that is the child compromising each time, it leaves an imprint within them. Sibling rivalries don’t necessarily fade with age, sometimes they deepen impacting the bonds that once held them together.

The pressing question for today’s millennial siblings is this: Do we continue the rivalries we inherited, or do we consciously break the cycle and heal?

Trauma Passed Down in Silence

Generational trauma is not always about one dramatic event—it is about the accumulation of hardships. For many Indian migrant families in Australia, trauma stems from:
Parents who worked multiple jobs to establish financial security.
Experiences of racism, marginalisation, or homesickness.

Authoritarian parenting styles where obedience outweighed emotional expression.
Children absorbed these pressures differently. One sibling may have been encouraged to overachieve as a way of validating the family’s sacrifices. Another may have been labelled the “rebellious one,” carrying the frustrations of generational struggle. Over time, these assigned roles harden into rivalry.

The Cultural Layer of Competition- PERCEPTION

In Indian families, comparison is often woven into everyday life. Praise for one child (“Your brother is so responsible”) often feels like a critique of the other. These small but frequent remarks create long-lasting fault lines.
A 2019 Journal of Family Psychology study found that siblings who experienced perceived parental favouritism were significantly more likely to report conflict well into adulthood. In diaspora families, where parents already face the burden of survival in a new country, these patterns can feel intensified.

The Diaspora Experience
For Indian Australian millennials, rivalry often stretches beyond family walls. It plays out in cultural milestones—who married “appropriately,” who retained their language, or who is seen as more “Australian” versus more “Indian.” These identity-based comparisons add another layer of tension that siblings in monocultural contexts may not face.

Emotional Fallout
Research from Purdue University found that adults with poor sibling relationships are more likely to suffer from loneliness, depression, and lower life satisfaction. Rivalries create emotional distance, replacing trust with suspicion and leaving siblings ill-equipped to lean on each other during crises.

Family Cohesion at Risk
In Indian families, siblings often act as the glue that holds extended kinship networks together. When rivalries escalate, that glue weakens. Weddings, festivals, and caregiving responsibilities become arenas of tension instead of connection.
One Melbourne-based millennial reflected:

“When my sister and I weren’t talking, it wasn’t just us who suffered. Family gatherings were divided, parents were stressed, and cousins felt they had to pick sides. Our rivalry rippled through the entire family.”
Contd. on next Month

A Celebration of Tradition and Talent

The Lalithakalalaya School of Bharathanat-yam recently held its fourth Salangai Pooja – a beautiful milestone for 15 young dancers who stepped onto the stage to formally offer their art in a traditional and spiritual way.

For every Bharathanatyam student, a Salangai Pooja is more than just a performance – it marks their readiness to take on deeper training and a lifelong journey in this classical dance form.

This celebration was the result of 8 months of dedicated practice by the students, supported by their parents and guided by their Guru, Smt. Padmalakshmi Sriram. The stage lit up with nine graceful performances, each one showcasing the foundation of Bharathanatyam – intricate footwork, rhythm, storytelling, and beautiful group synchronisation. The dancers, dressed in vibrant costumes, moved with confidence and grace, their expressions breathing life into each piece.

The live orchestra added a magical touch to the evening with Smt. Padmalakshmi Sriram and Kum. Shivani Sriram on nattuvangam, Smt. Priyadharshini Swaninathan on vocals, Shri Harish Ravindran on mridangam, Shri Aswin Narayanan on violin, and Kum. Vindhyavasini Sureshchandra on veena. Together, they created a soulful experience for an audience of 400 people who were deeply immersed in the music, rhythm, and culture of India.

The success of the evening reflected the tireless dedication of Guru Smt. Padmalakshmi Sriram, who continues to preserve and share this ancient art form beyond the borders of India. Her ability to prepare 15 young dancers for such a demanding performance is truly commendable. Her efforts were acknowledged by the Consul General of India in Brisbane, Mrs. Neetu Bhagotia, who attended the event and praised the Guru, musicians, and students for their remarkable achievement.

We congratulate these young dancers for reaching such an important milestone and wish them many more opportunities to grow in their artistic journey. May they continue to dance with the same passion, discipline, and joy that lit up the stage that evening.

“Six Yards of Grace” Exhibition Showcases India’s Saree Heritage in Brisbane

An exhibition titled “Six Yards of Grace” took centre stage as part of the Festival of Commonwealth Friendship on August 31 at the Government House in Brisbane. Held in the Investiture Hall, the event offered audiences a vibrant glimpse into India’s living textile heritage.

Curated by Madhu Khanna and the members of Kala Bharati, Australia, the exhibition highlighted the artistry and diversity of Indian sarees. Attendees were treated to a live demonstration of traditional saree draping techniques, offering insight into the varied styles found across the subcontinent.

The display featured a stunning range of sarees, each representing a unique Indian region: the opulent Kanchivaram, lively Bandhani, regal Banarasi, elegant Mekhla Chador, pure Kerala Kasavu, exquisite Jamawar, vibrant Phulkari, and delicate Chanderi. Members of the Indian diaspora from Queensland modelled these sarees before an audience of over 200 people in the Investiture Hall, underscoring the rich tapestry of India’s culture.

Beyond their aesthetic beauty, sarees are revered as timeless symbols of Indian womanhood and heritage. Every saree reflects the story of its region and the skill of the artisans who create it. The intricate weaving and elaborate embroidery showcased during the event highlighted the craftsmanship and tradition that define this iconic attire.
In addition to celebrating the history of the saree, the exhibition provided a vivid demonstration of the diverse ways this garment is draped in different parts of India, illustrating the deep-rooted traditions that continue to thrive among the Indian community abroad.

The organizers expressed heartfelt gratitude to Her Excellency Dr. Jeannette Young, Governor of Queensland, for attending the event and lending her support. Consulate General of India, Neetu M. Bhagotia, was recognized as a key inspiration behind the exhibition.

Pride was palpable as Drs. Rajshree, Abha, Malabika & Mrs’s Anita Bhaskar, Surjit Ubbi, and Ramneet Ubbi shared the stage to present India’s living heritage. A special highlight was the saree draping demonstration by Surjeet and her daughter Ramneet. The event was seamlessly coordinated by master of ceremonies Anu Mehrotra.

This unique showcase left a lasting impression, offering Brisbane’s community a rare opportunity to experience the splendour and significance of India’s most iconic garment.

Walking the talk

Life Global Australia has no employees, only a handful of volunteer Directors, and an even smaller number of volunteer Advisory Board members. Founded six years ago just before the world learned about Covid 19, it is a small organisation which then had to hibernate through the pandemic. Yet LifeGA has had the energy and influence to transform hundreds of lives.

Working with partner charity, Project Life, LifeGA has enabled 75 women to become financially secure, provided 100 units of blood free of cost to needy recipients, funded 500 screening tests for an endemic blood disorder, and gathered donations to build a school, classroom by classroom.

The source of LifeGA’s energy is the conviction of its volunteers that they must act. Every one of the Directors and Board members walks the talk.
Advisory Board member, Jane Elliott, for example, attended the launch of LifeGA in Brisbane in 2023. As retired teachers, she and her husband were particularly interested in the education programme.

“I had taken groups of students from my Brisbane school to work at a school for the disabled in Tamil Nadu,” Jane said, “and I saw what could be accomplished in India with relatively modest donations.”

Jane and her husband were amongst the first to become LifeGA sponsors. More than that, though, Jane was looking for a meaningful way to use her newfound time. After talking to LifeGA founders, Jane saw that she could utilise her journalism training and years of English teaching to achieve the sense of purpose she was lacking. Jane is now Director of Communications on the Advisory Board.
“It is energising and exciting to contribute in this way. As a teacher, I used to quote Ralph Waldo Emerson who said that improving someone else’s life is the definition of success. Helping LifeGA allows me to succeed.”

Like Jane, Rebecca Reeve had already felt a connection with India before she joined the LifeGA team, first as an Advisory Board member and then as a Director.
“In 2015, I visited India and instantly fell in love with the country as a whole and its people. The warmth, resilience, and spirit I came across left a huge impact on me.”
After a university education in the UK, Rebecca focused on establishing a career in marketing and media, but had a growing sense that work alone was not providing the deeper purpose she was looking for.

“Volunteering with LifeGA gave me a way to put that feeling into action. With the LifeGA team, I have had the opportunity to make a difference in campaigns such as empowering women with skills and training that can literally change the future for themselves and their families, and providing education to give children the best start possible. I’ve also learned that communities face health challenges we simply don’t hear of in Australia, so the health program is crucial.”

Chair of the LifeGA Advisory Board, Geoff Anson, is also acutely aware of the particular difficulties of the less fortunate and regionally isolated people of India. In fact, it was the challenge inherent in raising money in Australia for the people of India that attracted Geoff. He had already had extraordinary success in charity work within Australia, cofounding an organisation that eventually attracted federal government support to equip and educate thousands of remote indigenous Australians.
G

eoff initially became involved with LifeGA as a donor.
“I was particularly motivated by the needs of remote India as it is far away and often forgotten. In remote areas like that, if funds do not arrive, people die. It’s as simple as that.”

But Geoff quickly realised that his skills could be employed more extensively if he became a volunteer, heading LifeGA’s Advisory Board.
“I saw that the LifeGA mission and objectives were clear. Helping to give children a better life through education and empowering women with new skills that enable them to support their families are right at the top of my core goals, so I was excited to offer my enthusiasm and energy.”

As Chairman of the Advisory Board, Geoff has now participated in two philanthropic trips to India. “I went in 2023 to see with my own eyes the people and their needs. I went back in 2024 because we successfully raised funds and I wanted to meet the people we were actually helping.”

In 2026, Geoff will be heading to India for his third trip, this time hosting a group of colleagues and fellow donors from Australia to show them directly how their donations have changed the lives of the recipients.

LifeGA’s Founder and Chairperson, Dr Dipti McGowan, is proud to have assembled her team of active volunteers. From the start, she was determined that 100% of all donations to LifeGA would go to the people and programmes in India. The dedication of the Directors and Advisory Board members has ensured this goal has been achieved, apart from unavoidable bank fees.

Excitement in the team is building as preparations continue for the 2026 trip to India.
“The journey makes what we do real,” Dr McGowan said. “It has inspired and motivated me to keep donating my money, time and effort to LifeGA’s vision and mission.”
LifeGA keeps walking the talk.

www.lifeglobal.org.au

Indian Independence Day Celebrated in Brisbane with Patriotic Spirit

Brisbane, 17 August 2025 – The Association of Indian Muslims Queensland (AIMQ) hosted a vibrant 79th Indian Independence Day celebration at Logan Gardens, Brisbane, bringing together community members, leaders, and dignitaries in a display of unity, pride, and cultural richness.The event began with a soulful recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by the national anthems of India and Australia, symbolising the shared respect and bond between the two nations.

Chief Guest Mr. Rowan Hozelbrger, Federal Member of Parliament for Forde, and Guests of Honour Mr. Paul Jackson, Councillor for Division 5 Logan, and Mr. Asghar Hussain, a distinguished social worker from Hyderabad, graced the occasion along with representatives from various organisations.

In his address, Ali Riaz, President of AIMQ, paid tribute to the forefathers of India’s freedom struggle and reminded the audience that, “Even while living far away from our homeland, our love for India remains alive, and our respect for Australia as our home has become stronger than ever.”

A special shawl felicitation was presented to Mr. Rowan Hozelbrger and Mr. Asghar Hussain in recognition of their contributions.
The program was skillfully moderated by Asma Sultana, Assistant Secretary of AIMQ. The organising team included:
• Junaid Qadri – Chief Patron & Advisor
• Ali Riaz – President
• Adnan Rahim – Vice President
• Ahmed Muhtashimuddin – Secretary
• Asma Sultana – Assistant Secretary
• Abdul Rauf Imran – Treasurer
• Asad Khan – Executive MemberThe celebration concluded with the distribution of lunch, sweets, and snacks, followed by community sports and games, creating a warm and festive atmosphere.