Australian Indian Times Connects with Readers: Highlighting Community Concerns and Celebrating Cultural Events

Dear Australian Indian Times readers,
Welcome to the September edition of the Australian Indian Times! I would like to take a moment to express my gratitude to all of you for your continued feedback and support. Your insights on the content we feature and the issues that matter most to you enrich our community-focused, family-owned publication. As we approach the end of the year and the upcoming elections, it has been heartening to engage with many of you, whether through conversations or surveys. Tell us what policies you feel we need or need amending.
Based on our latest survey, it’s evident that our readers are deeply concerned about pressing matters such as domestic and family violence, as well as the rising cost of living. An overwhelming 100% of respondents identified these as their top priorities. During my recent volunteer activities, I’ve heard firsthand from residents grappling with increasing expenses for essential items such as food and electricity, alongside distressing stories of those affected by domestic violence. Additionally, 50% of our readers indicated that mental health issues, homelessness, housing shortages, and crime are also significant concerns, particularly regarding personal safety in our community. I am grateful to each individual who has shared their perspectives, as addressing these critical issues is vital for finding meaningful solutions.
At the India Day Fair 2024, hosted by GOPIO QLD, many expressed their appreciation for this free annual event that fosters community spirit. A heartfelt thank you goes to President Aprit Singh, Usha Chandra, Umesh Chandra, and their team for creating such enriching experiences for all attendees. It was wonderful to see the JD Media supporting the event and actively engaging with community members. This month, I also had the privilege of volunteering with the Australia Indian Theatre. Attendees praised Anu Sharma and her team for their outstanding efforts in bringing Indian theatre to our local stage. Additionally, I had insightful discussions with Manish Saini, Siddharth Nagpukar, and Pushpinder Oberoi, who are relentlessly working on the Queensland Multicultural Festival of Lights – Diwali at Dreamworld. This promises to be an incredible celebration filled with colour and joy; for more details, please contact Manish at 0450569896. The support from JD Media and the owners of JD Media, Deo family for these events exemplifies the true spirit of community engagement. Actions speak louder than words, and it’s heartening to see how our united community continues to spread joy and raise awareness about critical issues, even in challenging times.
Our readers have said promoting culture, mental health and supporting our youth is important. That is why I would also like to extend a special recognition to Sargam Music’s Bondita Chakraborty and Mithun Chakraborty, who tirelessly promote the culture, language, and arts within our community. Their dedication ensures that the next generation, both of Indian heritage and beyond, can connect with their roots while fostering an appreciation for the arts. Music is a universal healer, and its benefits for mental well-being cannot be overstated. Recent feedback indicates that our readers are also concerned about immigration issues affecting them and their families, alongside cost of living and domestic violence. I’ve emphasized the importance of diversity and culture and the impact of our shared history on our collective future.
As a young person, I see more clearly the daily struggles that many face, and it’s evident that our readers share these sentiments. If you need assistance or wish to share what matters most to you, please feel free to reach out or participate in my surveys. We all have a voice, and I encourage everyone to make it heard. At the Rawandan Independence Day celebration, I reflected on the significance of language and culture, honouring those who have sacrificed for our present. Let us remember their dedication and strive to make our world a better place for everyone. If you’d like to share your thoughts, please participate in my September survey available via the link or by scanning the barcode.
https://us17.list-manage.com/survey?u=e2a27a9d91a2076e4df41b4e0&id=a857d86611&attribution=false

Our Youth, the leaders of today and tomorrow- “The Australia India Youth Dialogue”

JD Media Corp has a very young executives and fully support this most worthy visionary incentive.
It is our pleasure to share to you young reader and parents alike the extensive work the “The Australia India Youth Dialogue (AIYD” has faithfully engage in for over a decade.
“The Australia India Youth Dialogue (AIYD) is the pre-eminent track-two young leaders’ dialogue between Australia and India. Held in India and Australia in alternate years, the AIYD hosts 15 of the best and brightest young minds from each country at an annual conference.
The AIYD brings outstanding young leaders in Australia and India together to create enduring relationships and to collaborate on initiatives that create sustainable outcomes for both countries. It enables a rich exchange of ideas between emerging leaders to think creatively about how the Australia-India relationship may be strengthened through their own work and efforts.
Australia and India are globally recognised as the closest of bilateral partners, working collaboratively and equitably across a range of sectors for mutual prosperity. The AIYD contributes to this relationship by fostering strong people-to-people relationships and working with alumni, supporters and partners to collaborate on a range of projects and initiatives.
The AIYD is committed to upholding the following values in everything we do:
Independence
Impartiality
Intellectual integrity
Moral and ethical integrity
Respect
The AIYD is grateful to the support of its partners and advisory board. Partners include founding partner, Global Victoria (State Government of Victoria); distinguished partners, Deakin University, Monash University and University of Sydney; and associate partners, Bluescope Steel and Western Sydney University.
The AIYD acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia and pays its respects to the Traditional Owners upon whose lands we meet.”
Adopted from the https://www.aiyd.org/about-us

Arijit Singh Thrills Sold-Out Crowd at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena

LINKEDIN, Facebook and Instagram:
The Indian-Australian community came out in force to enjoy an incredible performance by Indian musical superhero Arijit Singh in a sold out Qudos Bank Arena at Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday July 13.
Singh is one of India’s premier musicians and enthralled the audience with a record 103 songs in a concert that finished after midnight.
For the last four years, Singh has been the most downloaded Indian artist on Spotify and the crowd sang along joyously with the Punjabi-Bengali maestro who showcased his vocal range and mix of classical and modern songs.
CulturalPulse provided cultural advisory services to Qudos Bank Arena which included pre-event communications and announcements in Hindi, as well as Hindi language speaking event staff and an Indian tasting box which sold out.
A corporate event was also hosted featuring Indian media, business, community and government leaders including Consul B K Anand and his family who represented the Consulate General of India in Sydney.
A special thanks to Terrence Trujillo and the hardworking team at Qudos Bank Arena for executing the cultural initiatives that turned Qudos Bank Arena into a ‘home away from home’ for the Indian and South Asian patrons.
Reg Raghavan, founder and CEO of CulturalPulse said the event highlighted the vibrancy and colour of the Indian-Australian diaspora:
“One of India’s greatest artists came to Sydney and the sold out crowd was in raptures,”
“We look forward to working with Qudos Bank Arena with other communities to create a culturally inclusive experience for upcoming concerts.”
Thanks to our team at CulturalPulse with a special shout out to @Reg @Patrick @Jake @Dee Raghavan.

The Generosity of the Australian Government to Pacific Islands and Timor Leste

The Australia Federal Government through her Department of Home Affairs has generously invited Citizens of her neighboring countries, between the ages of 18 to 45 to try their luck on a migration kind of ballot.
“The Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) pre-application ballot aims to give eligible people from Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste equal access to the PEV. The ballot provides a fair and transparent process by randomly selecting people to apply for the visa. It makes sure there is equal access for people of any skill level, occupation and gender.” Dept Home Affairs.
The Australian Government has generously allocated up to 3000 visa places per year, which includes partners and dependent children.
Majority of these Pacific young, age 18 – 45 are descendants of Pacific Islanders who shared the agony, sweat and blood in the trenches with brave Australia diggers/soldiers in both world wars, Malayan campaigns, Vietnams, East Timor, Middle East and other volatile spots on earth.
Australians’ goodwill has opened employment opportunities in Australia for Pacific Islanders under the PALM scheme. The latest update as at end of 2023 there were 39,644 PALM scheme workers in Australia and 423 current Approved Employers.
This new Visa sub class 192 offer has excited the majority of these PALM workers who may be eligible to try their luck on the draw, hoping should they be chosen to have their respective families join them in Australia.
Potential 100,000 plus applicants for the 3,000 spots?
Let’s do a bit of simplistic arithmetic, shall we?
The Pacific Island population of 2.3 million added to PNG’s 11.78 million equals 14.08 million.
Now, in Fiji’s case 48.5% are between the ages of 20 – 45 years old, within the eligible age to put their names in the draw. So, 48.5% of Fiji’s 939,535 population is 455,567. So, to borrow Fiji’s equation pacific wide without any other socio-economic mitigation will be 48.5% of 14.08 million is 6,790,800.
Say if only 2% of the 6,790,800 puts their names in the draw, that’s leave us with 135,816 potential applicants vying for 3,000 spot. No wonder there are late night prayer meetings in the PALM workers camp, declaring a verses in the Chistian Bible in the book of Proverbs 16:33 to favour them!
It seems that the only hope to be one of the 3,000 is by divine intervention of whatever deity each worship.
Recent visa embargos are that no PALM workers holder of Sub class 403 may apply for Student visa as in the previous years. However, the possibility for PALM worker spouses applying for Student visa may still be available and could be a real fallback plan should the luck of the draw fall far off the mark.
Our papers very best wishes to all who thew their $25 and name to the draw so you may further enjoy Australias hospitality.
Personal opinion with data sources: abc news, fijistatsfiji.gov.fj, world bank, homeaffairs.gov.au

Opinion: Integration of Seniors with Younger Generations

By Jitendra Deo

In my view, the integration of seniors with younger generations is not merely a beneficial endeavour; it is an essential one. The vast reservoir of experience that older individuals have accumulated over many years—whether through triumphs or trials—holds the potential to offer invaluable guidance to the younger generation. This process of knowledge transfer ensures that the wisdom gained from years of life experiences is not lost but instead serves to illuminate and ease the journey of those who follow. In essence, it is about leveraging the lessons of the past to avoid reinventing the wheel.
Intergenerational engagement provides a profound opportunity for mutual learning. Each generation possesses unique skills and knowledge that, when shared, can foster significant benefits for all involved. Older generations, with their deep well of life experiences and historical insights, offer younger individuals’ wisdom that extends beyond traditional education. This includes practical skills, historical context, and cultural understanding, which can be instrumental as younger generations navigate the complexities of contemporary life.
Conversely, younger generations bring fresh, innovative thinking and a grasp of new technologies and trends. Their ability to approach problems from novel angles and adapt to technological advances can offer older individuals’ new perspectives and keep them engaged with current developments. This reciprocal exchange not only bridges the generational divide but also stimulates personal growth across the board. Both young and old can gain valuable insights and enrich their understanding through these interactions.
My personal experience with community engagement has been deeply inspiring, underscoring the profound impact that such intergenerational connections can have. Research highlights that engaging in intergenerational relationships brings significant psychological and emotional benefits. For older adults, interactions with younger people can rekindle a sense of purpose and motivation, mitigating feelings of depression and anxiety while potentially enhancing cognitive function. The vitality and enthusiasm of younger individuals can invigorate older adults, making them feel valued and relevant in an ever-evolving world.
For younger people, forming bonds with older generations offers emotional stability and a sense of belonging. These relationships provide guidance and support during formative years, helping young individuals develop a positive outlook on life. The mutual encouragement and support that emerge from these interactions can be profoundly inspiring, contributing to a more balanced and optimistic perspective on life.
One of the most significant aspects of intergenerational engagement is the opportunity to share and preserve family history and cultural heritage. Older family members have the unique ability to recount personal experiences, historical events, and traditional practices that are crucial for understanding one’s roots. This sharing not only maintains a sense of continuity and identity within families but also allows younger generations to appreciate and embrace the traditions and values that have shaped their families and societies.
In turn, younger generations can provide their elders with insights into contemporary phenomena, new technologies, and evolving cultural trends. This reciprocal exchange enriches both parties’ understanding and helps dismantle stereotypes. By learning from each other’s experiences and perspectives, individuals cultivate greater intercultural competence and empathy.
Furthermore, the benefits of intergenerational activities extend beyond personal growth and emotional support. These interactions can provide practical advantages, such as enhancing digital literacy for older adults through technology guidance from younger individuals. Shared physical and mental activities promote overall well-being and help challenge and dispel negative stereotypes about aging, fostering a more inclusive perspective.
Engaging in shared activities like storytelling, arts and crafts, cooking, and outdoor events can strengthen these intergenerational bonds. Volunteering together or working on family history projects further enhances the sense of shared purpose and heritage. By actively participating in these interactions, we can create more inclusive and supportive environments that benefit all generations.
In conclusion, the integration of seniors with younger generations is a powerful and enriching process. By valuing and fostering these intergenerational connections, we can ensure a more cohesive, empathetic, and supportive society for everyone.

FROM THE LANGHAM, LONDON TO HILLSONG, BRISBANE

IN harmony with the cultural ethos of Deo Family Charity Foundation, and in association with the JD Media Corp and organized by events guru Jitendra & Imran the Hindi speaking Queensland Indians enthusiastically awaits the globally renown Indian singer sensation Abhijeet Bhattacharya’s personal appearance in concert here in Brisbane, Hillsong Center, Upper Mount Gravatt on October 19th, 6.30pm. Jitendra & Imran event gurus are envisaging the sitting capacity of 1,500   at Hillsong is filling up very quickly through Star Tickets sales and late booking may be disappointed.

But his childhood   fascination for singing and music got the better of him and Abhijeet made the life changing decision to pursue a career in playback singing. Later started his singing career in the late 1980’s, now is renowned to have has sung in more than 18 languages. Rightly so, he was recognized in the industry where Abhijeet Bhattacharya won a Filmfare Award in 1997!   Abijeet also has served as a judge for Indian reality television series including Indian Idol.