A Grand Family Gathering: UPAA-QLD & AIBN’s Diwali 2025 Celebrated with Heart and Tradition

Australian Indian Times
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A Grand Family Gathering: UPAA-QLD & AIBN’s Diwali 2025 Celebrated with Heart and Tradition

A Grand Family Gathering: UPAA-QLD & AIBN’s Diwali 2025 Celebrated with Heart and Tradition

A Grand Family Gathering: UPAA-QLD & AIBN’s Diwali 2025 Celebrated with Heart and Tradition A Grand Family Gathering: UPAA-QLD & AIBN’s Diwali 2025 Celebrated with Heart and Tradition

The Uttar Pradesh Association of Australia (UPAA-QLD) and the AusIndia Business Network (AIBN) successfully hosted their much-anticipated Diwali Celebration 2025—an event that transcended a community function to feel like a cherished family gathering.

Held on Saturday, 11th October 2025, at the stunning Indian Brothers, Annerley, the sold-out night was a beautiful reflection of tradition, culture, and communal joy. The evening was woven with the deep, familial bonds of the Indian community, creating a warm, magical ambience.

The celebration was highlighted by a solemn and heartfelt Laxmi Pooja, followed by the central theme of the night: the traditional Tika Ceremony, where guests exchanged blessings, symbolizing the strengthening of family ties and the showering of good fortune upon one another.

Event Highlights: Culture, Joy, and Family Fun

The venue shimmered with diyas and rangolis, perfectly setting the stage for a night that felt like home. The program was carefully designed to engage every family member.
A delicious 3-course vegetarian dinner was served, accompanied by vibrant cultural performances.A Live DJ and dance celebrations kept the energy high, ensuring everyone, from children to seniors, was on their feet.

Engaging kids’ activities, games, and surprises offered plenty of chances for families to make lasting memories and win exciting prizes.

The spectacular success, which saw tickets completely sold out three weeks in advance, confirmed the event’s status as a must-attend celebration for the Queensland community
A special acknowledgment goes to the dedicated sponsors and partner whose invaluable commitment and support were the Pillars of Success for the 2025 Diwali Night
Powered By: AusIndia Travel Presenting Sponsor: Capalaba Body Work,
Gold Sponsors: Nexus, Must Home Mortgage Advisers, BWF, Print Realty, CRIC Kingdom, RE/MAX Consultants ,Silver Sponsors: Trendy India, Solar Prime Group, Loaney, Hero Estate Agents . Supporters: A heartfelt appreciation to our community allies for their collaborative spirit: • Shine & Shimmer Events, Mayur Brahmbhatt Photography, DJ SandyMedia, Salt & Spice, Chandan Das Music, Platinum Media, Desi Diva, You & Me, Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan, Greater SpringField Indian Association INC, Rhythm India Club, Indian Mums Connect, Telangana Association Of Queensland INC, HKM Productions, BRIMM, Indian Brothers Annerly, Salt N Spice, Indian Council Of Australia .

Special Thanks to Mohit Gupta awarded as shining star for outstanding contribution for maximum reference generation for celebration.

We also thank our respected Media Partners – Australian Indian Times, Australian Indian Radio, and JD Media – for their widespread reach and immense support.

The collaboration between UPAA-QLD and AIBN firmly established this event as a hallmark of Queensland’s multicultural calendar.

Across Borders, Beyond Wounds: Nurturing Ageing Parent Bonds Overseas

Australian Indian Times
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Across Borders, Beyond Wounds: Nurturing Ageing Parent Bonds Overseas

Across Borders, Beyond Wounds: Nurturing Ageing Parent Bonds Overseas

By Rinchaal Patel,
Mindset and Relationship Coach,
YOLO Academy

For many millennial migrants living in Australia, family life is a delicate balance of distance, love, and longing. Our parents remain in India, ageing in the homes where we grew up, while we build new lives thousands of kilometres away. Technology shrinks the distance via video calls, WhatsApp messages and remittances; but emotional gaps often remain stubbornly wide.

The challenge isn’t just about logistics, how to manage healthcare from afar, how to plan visits, how to juggle responsibilities. It’s also about emotional legacies: unhealed childhood wounds, unmet needs, unspoken conversations, and the slow process of forgiving each other for being imperfect humans.

Through this article, we will explore how migrant millennial adults can maintain healthy, compassionate relationships with their ageing parents, while acknowledging the weight of the past and the realities of distance.

The Weight of Unhealed Childhood Wounds

Growing up in Indian households often meant experiencing love in practical, duty-driven forms rather than emotional openness. Parents worked tirelessly, sacrificed comforts and pushed us toward stability. Their love was real, but it wasn’t always tender. Many of us longed for affection, affirmation, or space for vulnerability that didn’t exist in the family culture.

Some wounds we carry into adulthood include:

• Emotional distance: Our parents never said “I love you,” leaving us unsure whether we were loved and unsure how to express it ourselves.

• Strict expectations: Success and obedience were equated with worthiness, leaving little room for individuality. Being constantly compared to someone’s daughter or son who scored more than you or was accepted into a better school, often left us wondering if we would ever be good enough.

• Unmet needs: Times when we needed comfort, understanding, or validation but received discipline or silence instead, lead us to wonder if our parents understood what we were going through.

As adults, these wounds influence how we relate to our parents now. When they call us, we sometimes feel both love and resistance. When they ask for help, we feel compassion tangled with resentment. Sometimes it feels more of a duty or an expectation rather than coming from a place of shared love and compassion for our parents.

Silence and the Fear of Difficult Conversations

One of the hardest parts of being a migrant child is realising how many conversations never happened. Cultural conditioning often taught us to avoid conflict, to never “talk back,” and to keep family harmony intact, even if it meant burying our truths.
Today, as grown children, we may want to tell our parents: “I felt unseen,” or “I wish you had been gentler with me.” But the fear of hurting them or the belief that they won’t understand keeps us silent.

Instead, conversations stay on safe topics: health updates, relatives’ news, grocery lists. We rarely talk about loneliness, regret, or pain. And yet, those unsaid words live between us, shaping how connected or distant we feel. Having those hard conversations is what is required to release them and us of the unmet expectations and the trap of passing generational trauma.

The Role Reversal: Parents Ageing, Children Caregiving

As our parents age, the dynamics shift dramatically. They once guided us, made decisions for us, and held authority. Now, they may depend on us for financial support, healthcare arrangements, or even companionship.

This role reversal can trigger conflicting emotions:

Tenderness: A desire to protect and comfort them.
Frustration: Old wounds resurfacing when they are still critical or dismissive.
Guilt: Feeling torn between caring for them and pursuing our own independent lives.
Helplessness: Being far away when they need hands-on support.

The hardest paradox is this: while we’re called to care for them with compassion, part of us still aches from the times they couldn’t care for our emotional needs.

Forgiveness: A Two-Way Journey

Forgiveness becomes central to maintaining a healthy relationship in this stage of life. But forgiveness is not forgetting, and it is not excusing harm. Instead, it’s an acknowledgment that both we and our parents are imperfect people shaped by circumstance, culture, and limitation.

• Forgiving them: Recognising that their parenting style was influenced by the pressures of survival, societal norms, and their own unhealed wounds. They may not have given emotional intimacy, but they gave stability, education, and opportunities.

• Forgiving ourselves: Letting go of guilt for choosing distance, for not always meeting cultural expectations, for prioritising our own mental health and future.
Sometimes, forgiveness also means acceptance, that some conversations may never happen, and some apologies may never come. Yet, within that acceptance, there is still room for compassion and new beginnings.

Building New Spaces of Connection

Healing doesn’t require rewriting the past; it requires creating better patterns in the present. For migrant millennials, this often means finding small, intentional ways to connect with parents across borders:

1. Start with gratitude. Acknowledge their sacrifices, even if you wished for more emotionally. Simple words like “Thank you for everything you did for me” can soften walls. Sometimes, they may doubt themselves as parents and may need the acknowledgement from us that leads to open communication.

2. Introduce emotional openness gently. Share something vulnerable about your own life stress, uncertainty, loneliness to model openness. No matter how old our parents may be, they will have some wisdom to share from their own life experiences.

3. Ask deeper questions. Move beyond medical updates. Ask them about their childhood dreams, regrets, happiest memories. It reframes them as whole people, not just “parents.” Looking at them from a human perspective changes the expectations we had from them and somewhat gives permission to us all to make mistakes and be more understanding of their perspective.

4. Use rituals. Weekly calls, learning and sharing knowledge about our culture, religions, or recipes, often give us an opportunity to create continuity and give them something to look forward to.

5. Repair through action. Even when words fail, showing care—sending a surprise gift on special occasions/ festivals, visiting when possible helps build trust. This trust allows us to accept the past and live in the current state without being overly critical of them.

Contd. on next month

Contd. from Oct month

Navigating Guilt and Boundaries

One of the most common emotional burdens migrant children face is guilt:
• Guilt for leaving them behind.
• Guilt for not visiting often enough.
• Guilt for not being their primary caregivers.
• Guilt for feeling frustrated or resentful.

But guilt alone does not serve relationships—it often leads to resentment or burnout. Healthy relationships with ageing parents require boundaries:

• Recognising that you cannot meet all their needs alone.
• Sharing responsibility with siblings, relatives, or professional caregivers.
• Setting realistic expectations about what you can provide.
• Accepting that love expressed consistently, even in limited forms, is still love.

Boundaries do not mean neglect. They mean loving without destroying yourself.
Healing the Inner Child While Caring for Parents
Part of maintaining a healthy relationship with ageing parents is tending to the younger self inside us, the child who still longs for validation or nurturing. Practical ways to support this inner healing include:

• Therapy or counselling: A safe space to process unhealed wounds without projecting them entirely onto parents.

• Journaling: Writing letters to your younger self or even unsent letters to your parents.

• Community: Sharing stories with fellow migrants who understand the complexity of cross-border family dynamics.

• Self-parenting: Learning to give yourself the emotional care you once sought from your parents.

When we care for our inner child, we show up for our parents with more patience, less bitterness, and greater clarity.
The Power of Acceptance

Ultimately, maintaining healthy relationships with ageing parents across continents is not about fixing everything. It’s about accepting dual truths:

• They did their best, and it wasn’t always enough.

• We love them, and we sometimes resent them.

• They are ageing, and so are we.

• Some conversations will happen, and some never will.
Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation; it means living fully in the relationship that exists, not the one we wish existed. Within acceptance, there’s still room for joy, humour, gratitude, and connection.

Conclusion: Love Beyond Perfect Words

As a millennial living in Australia with parents ageing in India, I’ve come to see our relationship as a living thing imperfect, evolving, and tender in its own way. We may never have all the conversations I once longed for. We may never perfectly understand each other across cultural and generational divides. But we can still choose love, forgiveness, and connection—one phone call, one visit, one gentle gesture at a time.

Healthy relationships with ageing parents aren’t about erasing the past; they’re about weaving healing into the present. And sometimes, that is more than enough.

FICQ Diwali 2025 – Festival Unites Community in Celebration of Light, Culture, and the Future

Australian Indian Times
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FICQ Diwali 2025 – Festival Unites Community in Celebration of Light, Culture, and the Future

FICQ Diwali 2025 – Festival Unites Community in Celebration of Light, Culture, and the Future

FICQ Diwali 2025 - Festival Unites Community in Celebration of Light, Culture, and the FutureThe Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland (FICQ) hosted its grand annual Diwali Festival at King George Square, Brisbane, on 24th October from 11am to 10pm, bringing together thousands from across Queensland in a vibrant celebration of light, joy, and cultural unity.

FICQ Diwali 2025 - Festival Unites Community in Celebration of Light, Culture, and the FutureThe day began with a Citizenship Ceremony, welcoming new Australians in the true spirit of Diwali — symbolising renewal, belonging, and hope. A High Tea for invited dignitaries followed in the afternoon, providing an opportunity for meaningful engagement between government representatives, community leaders, and cultural organisations before the official evening function.

FICQ Diwali 2025 - Festival Unites Community in Celebration of Light, Culture, and the FutureThe official function started with The Acknowlegement to country by Aunty Peggy Tidyman followed by the welcome address, – FICQ President Dr Preethi Suraj. She reflected on the deeper meaning of Diwali, describing it as “a festival of hope, renewal, and togetherness,” and highlighted the vital role of Queensland’s Indian diaspora.

FICQ Diwali 2025 - Festival Unites Community in Celebration of Light, Culture, and the Future“Our community continues to grow and contribute vibrantly to every aspect of Australian life — from education and business to health, technology, and public service,” Dr Suraj said. “Together, we are creating pathways for our next generation to thrive, stay connected, and feel proud to be Australians of Indian heritage.”

Dr Suraj also announced a major milestone for the community — the upcoming Stone Laying Ceremony of the House of India, scheduled for November 2025. “The House of India will not just be a building, but a home for all multicultural communities — a symbol of unity, culture, and pride for generations to come,” she added.

FICQ Diwali 2025 - Festival Unites Community in Celebration of Light, Culture, and the FutureDistinguished guests included Ms Madonna Jarrett MP (representing the Prime Minister, Hon. Anthony Albanese), Hon. Susan Ley MP (Leader of the Opposition), Hon. Fiona Simpson MP (Minister for Women and Minister for Multiculturalism), Mrs Neetu Bhaagotia (Consul General of India, Brisbane), Senator Paul Scarr, and Cr Adrian Schrinner, Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Brisbane, among others.

FICQ acknowledged the invaluable support of its sponsors and partners, including Leapmotor and Springfield City Group, whose contributions helped make the festival a resounding success. A highlight of the evening was the launch of the new B10 Leapmotor car by Hon. Susan Ley MP.

FICQ Diwali 2025 - Festival Unites Community in Celebration of Light, Culture, and the FutureAttendees include local, state, and federal dignitaries, along with members of various Indian community organizations, also emphasised the strength and unity of Queensland’s multicultural fabric, reaffirming their commitment to fostering harmony and inclusivity across Queensland. This year’s cultural program showcased the rich diversity of Indian art and performance, the Diwali celebration showcased traditional music, dance, and culinary delights, providing a platform for cultural exchange and mutual respect.

FICQ Diwali 2025 - Festival Unites Community in Celebration of Light, Culture, and the FutureThe event concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Mrs Sunita Avadhani, Assistant Secretary, FICQ, who expressed gratitude to dignitaries, performers, sponsors, volunteers, and the Brisbane community for their continued support.

The FICQ Diwali celebration was a testament to the vibrant Indian community in Queensland, showcasing the cultural richness and spirit of unity that Diwali brings. FICQ looks forward to continuing its mission of building connections, fostering multiculturalism, and celebrating the shared heritage that binds communities together.

FICQ Diwali 2025 - Festival Unites Community in Celebration of Light, Culture, and the FutureFICQ Diwali 2025 - Festival Unites Community in Celebration of Light, Culture, and the Future

Reflecting, Rejoicing and Celebrating Our Seniors

Australian Indian Times
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Reflecting, Rejoicing and Celebrating Our Seniors

Reflecting, Rejoicing and Celebrating Our Seniors

Reflecting, Rejoicing and Celebrating Our Seniors   Reflecting, Rejoicing and Celebrating Our Seniors

Reflecting, Rejoicing and Celebrating Our Seniors To celebrate seniors is to say thank you — not just for what they’ve given, but for who they are. It’s a thank-you for the sacrifices they made when no one was watching, for the love they offered freely, and for the stability they provided in times of uncertainty.

In a heartwarming celebration held at the Runcorn State School on Sunday 25th October, Indian Senior Citizens Association together with Ekta Women’s group gathered to mark Seniors Day — a tribute to the wisdom, resilience, and lifelong contributions of older generations.

Reflecting, Rejoicing and Celebrating Our Seniors ISCA celebrated this special day by presenting recognition awards to some very deserving seniors and thanking the past Presidents and few other Senior members for their service, outstanding leadership, dedication and commitment.

Association was grateful and appreciated words of encouragement and support from the Chief guest, State MP Mr James Martin. He also praised the Indian diaspora for the contributions they make to the society and encouraged them to continue their wonderful legacy.

Reflecting, Rejoicing and Celebrating Our Seniors The President of ISCA, Mrs Roshni Sharma thanked the Seniors for their time, effort and commitment in building the Association over the years.

Members had a wonderful time celebrating each other over a sumptuous lunch with some Bollywood music of golden era sung by a senior member with fantastic vocals.

Reflecting, Rejoicing and Celebrating Our Seniors Reflecting, Rejoicing and Celebrating Our Seniors

 

From Diwali Lights to Christmas Cheer: A Season of Celebration and Reflection

Australian Indian Times
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From Diwali Lights to Christmas Cheer: A Season of Celebration and Reflection

From Diwali Lights to Christmas Cheer: A Season of Celebration and Reflection

Written by Xavier Hernandez

From Diwali Lights to Christmas Cheer As of November 8th, we’re only seven weeks away from Christmas! The holiday season is fast approaching, and it’s a perfect time to reflect on the year that’s flown by. It’s also a reminder that the Brisbane Indian Times family is here for you. Whether you need support or simply want to stay connected with what’s happening in our community, we’ve got you covered. I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity to contribute to Australian Indian Times this year, and I’d like to extend a special thanks to the Deo family, especially my mentor and friend, Jitendra Deo, for their continued support. Your feedback motivates me every day, and I truly enjoy connecting with you all when I’m out in the community.

From Diwali Lights to Christmas Cheer Let me start by wishing Happy Diwali to everyone who celebrated! This year, Diwali—the Festival of Lights—was observed between October 21st and November 1st. It was a special time for families to come together, light up their homes, and honour Goddess Lakshmi with Lakshmi Puja. I had a wonderful time at the Diwali – Festival of Lights celebration, reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. A heartfelt thank you to Sargam Music Academy—Bondita Chakraborty, Mithun Chakraborty—and Platinum Events Services Gold Coast—Manish Saini, Pushpinder Oberoi, and their teams for organising such an unforgettable evening.

From Diwali Lights to Christmas Cheer In early October, I had the honour of speaking at the Greater Brisbane 100 (B100) event at Brisbane City Hall. It was a truly memorable experience to be part of this celebration of Brisbane’s rich history and transformation. Alongside my mother, Nayda Hernandez, and the incredible Mahnaz Abbasi, I shared my story during the “Borrow A Brissy: Stories

From Diwali Lights to Christmas Cheer Across Cultures” session. At just 15 years old, it was an invaluable opportunity to reflect on how Brisbane’s diversity has shaped who I am today. I spoke about my passion for volunteering and how the community I’m proud to call home has helped shape my journey. I also took a moment to acknowledge JD Deo and our Brisbane Indian Times team for their hard work in making Brisbane a wonderful place to live and for their invaluable investment in the community and youth.

From Diwali Lights to Christmas Cheer I’d also like to express my gratitude to Dr. Michael Ho and his staff for making me feel so welcome during my work experience at Allcare Inala Medical Centre, Saigon Plaza. It was inspiring to see so many people from diverse backgrounds receiving the care they need from staff who come from all walks of life. I am appreciative of his guidance and inspiring me to continue my pursuit of becoming a doctor.

From Diwali Lights to Christmas Cheer In addition, I had the privilege of attending Bob Pillay’s VIP book launch, and I’m now thoroughly enjoying reading his book. I’ve known Bob and his wife, Pravinita, for over a decade, and it’s been amazing to see them succeed while also giving back to the community. Bob’s new release, Dynamic Business Principles, shares his journey in Aerospace & Defence and a five-step process for business growth and personal success. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to elevate their business and life. You can grab a copy at BobPillay.com.

From Diwali Lights to Christmas Cheer Now, if you love cricket as much as I do, you’ll be excited to hear about the India vs Australia cricket series taking place this October and November. The series includes three ODIs—October 19th in Perth, October 23rd in Adelaide, and October 25th in Sydney—followed by five T20Is—October 29th in Canberra, October 31st in Melbourne, November 2nd in Hobart, November 6th in Gold Coast, and November 8th in Brisbane. These matches have been packed with incredible performances and fierce competition.

From Diwali Lights to Christmas Cheer November is shaping up to be a busy month for our community. In addition to Diwali, we’ll come together on November 11th for Remembrance Day to honour the service and sacrifice of our veterans. We’ll also celebrate International Men’s Day on November 19th, and on November 25th, we’ll observe International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, marking the start of the 16 Days of Activism campaign. These important dates offer us all a chance to reflect and support causes that affect many in our community.

This month, we also highlight Movember, a campaign focused on raising awareness about men’s mental health. With three out of four suicides in Australia being by men, Movember urges us to create supportive spaces for men to talk openly and seek help. Let’s come together to support this important cause and raise awareness for mental wellness.

In line with this, due to popular demand the ACFC International Men’s Night Gala Dinner will be held on November 14, 2025. This event promises to be an exciting evening, with top comedians and live music, all while raising awareness for men’s mental health. Be sure to grab your tickets soon before they sell out—it’s an event you won’t want to miss! If you would like more information in regards to the event, reach out to Cr. Scott Bannan and Cr Nathan St. Ledger from logan City Council.

Mark your calendars for the Forest Lake Community Festival on December 6th! The event will take place at Forest Lake Primary School from 8 AM – 2 PM, followed by the Forest Lake Christmas Carols from 4 PM. Events like these are essential for fostering connections in our community, particularly in light of the rising cost of living. I’ll be volunteering, and I look forward to seeing you there for a fun-filled day!
I look forward to seeing you all when I am out and about in the community.

Is It Smart to Buy or Rent Your Home?

Australian Indian Times
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Is It Smart to Buy or Rent Your Home?

Is It Smart to Buy or Rent Your Home?

By Hitesh Mohanlal

Is It Smart to Buy or Rent Your Home?There is a myth that says buying a home is the be all and end all.
In my mid 20’s everyone told me I had to buy a home so I had to have the difficult conversation with the lady of the house to tell her she had to cut down on the high heels so we could squirrel away a deposit. This did not go down well with her.

When the deposit was squirreled, we ended up with a mortgage which meant I had to now tell the lady of the house that handbags needed to go too. There is only so much a woman can take so this inevitably resulted in a monumental war. Which I lost. Obviously.

Anyway, back in those days it made sense. We were taught to buy, work your butts off and if that meant your starved for a while so be it. And because everyone did it, it was considered normal. Avo on toast had not been created back then so we were never enticed.
We ended up being debt free before the age of 40 and I still refuse to borrow on my home. It is my safety net. Pretty dumb too because I could leverage it to create more wealth, but this is the line I have decided to draw.

Even up to about 8 years ago you could make it work and buying a home was a non brainer. Ros my business partner is a prime example. She will be debt free by the time she is in her early 40’s.

But in today’s market does it make sense to buy a home when a tiny shoebox of a place can cost you a billion or two?
Most will say it does. We have all had ‘property’ conversations with friends. They all go along the lines of ‘I bought a property for $X and now it’s worth $Y and I am a trillionaire.’
And I am going to tell you these conversations are rubbish. Total crap.
Here’s why.

Let take my example.I purchased my home for $560,000 in 2008. 17 years later I am told it is worth $2m This makes me $1.5m richer and so smiles and high fives all round. There are however, one or two problems with this.
That’s because I haven’t made a $1.5m. Instead, my bank account has been bleeding. Every. Single. Year. Here’s how.

1. Buying costs

I needed a legal man in a suit to cross the t’s and dot the i’s to buy my home. And he charged me a fee. Can’t remember how much but I doubt I got any change back from a couple of grand. Then I paid stamp duty. Not sure why I have to pay the state for buying a home, but you do. From memory that was about $15k.
Now I did not have to take out a mortgage but let’s say I did. The bank manager (also in a flash suit) and gleaming white teeth will charge you a financing fee – usually a percentage of the mortgage – between $5k and $10K then.
So, I would be down about $25K and I have not yet set foot in the house.

2. The improvements and renovations you ‘Need’

Then you move in and find all kinds of things that are not quite right. My eldest suffered from severe asthma so the carpets had to go replaced by wooden flooring.
Over 17 years all types of things ‘needed’ to be done.
We removed 16 trees from our garden. The kitchen needed to be renovated. The outside area ‘needed’ an outside kitchen. The pool fencing did not look nice enough, so glass screens were put in place.

And for some reason my pool tends to find my wallet and swim away (see what I did there) with it. If I were to add up the maintenance and repairs for a pool that hardly gets used, you would be looking at $50K easy over the last 17 years.
We have had the house painted inside and out and about to get the roof sealed and painted too.

And now the lady of the house says the bathrooms are looking a bit tatty so would it okay o have them gutted and looking a bit modern. We just got quoted $70,000 to renovate 2 bathrooms. Last time a checked a bathroom needs a shower, some tiling, a vanity unit, a toilet and a mirror and that’s about it. How can that possible cost $70,000? But it does.

I have not yet counted the numerous trips to Bunnings for routine maintenance such as an electric food disposer (we’ve munched through 3 of these), plants nor the replacement of automatic driveway gate opening unit which just happens to explode every now and then and costs a couple a grand a go.

If I were to estimate what renovations and repairs have cost me, I would probably get about 10 $2 coins change back from about $400,000.

3. Holding costs

We all forget about holding costs. These are things we must pay because we ‘hold’ or own the property whereas if you rent you don’t have to pay.
Think rates, mortgage insurance, property insurance, and maybe body corporate fees.
According to ChatGPT I have paid Brisbane Council about $80,000 in rates and water fees alone over 17 years and if I had taken out a loan of $500,000 with an average interest rate of just 5%, I would have paid a whopping $370,000 to my suited and booted white teeth bank manager in interest alone assuming a principal and interest arrangement.

And I have not yet calculated other holding costs such as property insurance, but I know I paid about $3K last year alone.
And now that $1.5m ‘profit’ I made on the house is no longer $1.5m. It’s bu**er all to be honest.

It gets worse because the costs I have paid out are real – money got transferred out of my bank account whereas the increase in property value is ‘equity’ only.
And that is why I feel that if you are buying a home for $1m plus maybe it does not make sense anymore. For years, we’ve all been told “rent money is dead money” and that being smart starts with getting your own home. I am not sure that is true anymore.
What could happen is that you end being asset rich but cash poor and last time I checked I would rather have $1m in my bank account than a $1m in equity.
Why renting may not be dead money.

Yes, I know rents are going crazy and there could be limited stability because you have less control – the landlord could kick you out.
Renting for say $1,000 a week might be up there, but it could be the norm soon.
That same property might cost you $1,500 a week to own once you factor in mortgage, strata, rates, insurance and a bit of maintenance.
That’s a $26,000 difference every year.

Then when you add in the cost of your deposit, you can see how renting can potentially be better especially if you are clever and do something with the difference.
You see when you buy a home it is a bit risky – it’s all eggs in one basket. Just think of all those homes that have been flooded over the years with insurance companies saying they are not covered. Your asset base is not diversified.
You might find that if you put your $26,000 a year into say the Australian stock market and achieved an average return of 8% the results are not that bad. If you ask ChatGPT a 17 year investment of $26,000 would create a diversified share portfolio of $850,000. Not bad.
But this only works if you invest the difference. If you blow the $26K on heels and a massive 100 inch TV screen renting is dead money.
So, what should you do?

think you need to work out what is best for you. I have clients who will consider buying only. I have others that will rent only, and I have others you have a hybrid system where they rent but buy an investment property which they rent to others.
There is some scientific research that seems to suggest the latter is the one that makes you the wealthiest.

But even though I have been confronted with the evidence that this may be true I will still only ever consider buying my own home. I am just programmed and comfortable that way.
And I think that is where most people sit. Just don’t believe that if you buy you are going to be a trillionaire whereas if you rent you are going to be living on cabbage soup for the rest of your life.

The Courage to Stay Calm When there is Chaos

Australian Indian Times
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The Courage to Stay Calm When there is Chaos

The Courage to Stay Calm When there is Chaos

The Courage to Stay Calm When there is Chaos

Sometimes our worlds are constantly buzzing, with opinions, updates, provocations, and noise, staying calm can feel like quite a radical act. Whether it’s a partner’s sharp tone, a parent’s disapproval, a friend’s silence, or something we scroll past on social media, external stimuli are everywhere. And more often than not, we let these moments steal our peace. Remember: What’s happening around you is not as important as what’s happening within you.

External Chaos and/or Internal Collapse?

Energy is contagious. Thoughts are magnetic. What others post, how they speak, what they project, all of it can impact your nervous system, your breathing, and your thoughts. It’s easy to get swept up in the chaos of the external world. But if peace is what you seek, looking outward will only take you further away from it.

This isn’t a call to be indifferent. It’s a call to come back to yourself, again and again. Because when you focus on others, their drama, their opinions, their triggers, you abandon your own center. And when you’re not centered, you become reactive.

Yet, there is always a gap between stimulus and response. In that gap lies your power and how you use that power determines whether you stay in peace or spiral into patterns.
Triggers Are Teachers in Disguise

We all have emotional triggers. And when they’re poked, especially by the people we love inevitably the nervous system fires up, and we often respond from an old wound instead of present wisdom.

But instead of reacting blindly, ask:
• Why is this affecting me?
• What am I making this mean?
• What can I do right now to let go of this?
• What would help me feel more peaceful inside, not just temporarily, but deeply?
These questions slow your breath, quiet the inner noise, and restore you to a place of choice. Because that is what this is about: choosing how you respond when others have forgotten how to.
A Vedic Perspective: The Eye of the Storm

From a Vedic lens, the mind (manas) is a tool, not the master. Our senses constantly pull us outward, distracting us from our dharma (true path). The more we engage with the chaos, the more fragmented we become.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna reminds Arjuna: “Be steadfast in yoga, O Arjuna. Perform your duty and abandon all attachment to success or failure.”
In other words: Act with awareness, not attachment. Let your stillness come from within, not from the illusion that peace exists in a quiet external world. Because that world will never be fully quiet. Vedic philosophy teaches that the sattvic mind, one that is clear, balanced, and in harmony, does not seek validation or peace outside. Instead, it cultivates self-control within.

Self-control is not passive. It is powerful.It’s the courage to be still in a world addicted to reaction.
The Mind and Motion Card of Love – A Self-Care Perspective Within the Mind and Motion Deck of Discovery, the card of Love is where Self-Care acts as a gentle mirror.
It asks, “What does love look like when it’s directed inward?” “What would change if you gave yourself the peace, you’re asking others to give you?”
This card isn’t about bubble baths and candles, though those have their place. It’s about emotional hygiene.

It’s about choosing what you take on and what you let go.It’s about checking in with yourself before checking your phone.It’s about setting boundaries not to push people away, but to stay close to your own center.

Self-care, in this lens, is a daily devotion to the peace within you. It’s how you show up, not only when life is calm, but when it’s not.
The “Love” card reminds us that we are always in relationship, with ourselves. And when that relationship is strong, other people’s chaos doesn’t shake us. It may still affect us, but it doesn’t own us.
Final Words: Anchor Yourself

The world will continue to spin. People will continue to post. Loved ones will continue to trigger. But your peace is not theirs to govern.
Your job and your power is to anchor yourself.
To pause. To breathe. To ask better questions. To respond from love, not lack. To choose stillness over spiraling. Because staying calm in chaos is not avoidance. It is maturity, it is mastery and it is medicine. Every time you reflect for yourself, you create ripples that make the world just a little more peaceful not by controlling it, but by no longer needing it to change for you to be calm.

Explore Further
The Mind and Motion Cards offer guided reflections like this to support your personal growth journey. These tools are designed to complement, not replace, professional support.
For more resources or to purchase the deck, please visit
https://www.monicapema.com/mindandmotiondeck
Monica Pema | Integrated Wellness Expert
MSc. Psychology
“From Passion to Purpose in All Walks of Life”

This article is intended for self-reflection and general education only. It is not a substitute for professional medical, mental health, or psychological care.

By
Sandy Deo
REMAX Landmark 
0400920238
07 3189 6535
2/3 Curban Street Underwood
[email protected]

The Courage to Stay Calm When there is Chaos As we head into the last few months of the year, many businesses, particularly
in the trades and services sectors, enter one of their busiest periods.
Now is an ideal time to check the condition of your property’s key fixtures, such as air conditioning units that may not have been used for some time. Conducting a general inspection and addressing any issues early can help ensure everything is functioning correctly.

For many trade-related businesses, the lead up to Christmas often brings increased demand with clients seeking finalisation for works before end of year shutdown periods occur. For landlords, this can mean that unscheduled maintenance or repair work may take longer than usual to complete, depending on availability of trades in your area.

If a tenant lodges a maintenance request and your preferred transperson in unavailable within a reasonable timeframe, it is advisable to speak to your property manager. With a network of trusted, reliable and reputable trades and service providers, your property manager can help ensure necessary works are completed as efficiently as possible.

If you are already aware of upcoming repairs or maintenance, it’s recommended to discuss anticipated timeframes with relevant parties as early as possible. During peak periods, it’s not uncommon for lead times to be extended. Your property manager can support these discussions to ensure minimal disruption to tenants and clear expectations around scheduling.

In some cases, particularly for larger scale work, it may be more practical to schedule repairs or upgrades during a vacancy period to avoid tenant disruption. Additionally, considering how timing will impact the property’s readiness for leasing.

If you are planning on any work being completed over the December/January period, it’s best to check availability and scheduling with trades and contractors as early as possible.
For routine, scheduled maintenance, minimal disruption is expected. Your property manager will ensure appropriate notice is given to tenants.
CREDIT: REMAX AUSTRALIA

Know Your Status– World Hepatitis Testing Week

Australian Indian Times
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Know Your Status– World Hepatitis Testing Week

Know Your Status– World Hepatitis Testing Week

The World Hepatitis Alliance has announced November 17th to 21st as World Hepatitis Testing Week. (www.worldhepatitisalliance.org)
During this week we encourage all people who do not know their hepatitis B or hepatitis C status to get tested.
In Queensland the latest data to the end of 2023, estimated around 13,260 people (Queensland Health Hepatitis C Plan 2030) (68,890 nationally -Viral Hepatitis Mapping Project: Hepatitis C National Report 2023-2024) are living with hepatitis C with 9% of them still do not know their condition. Hepatitis C can be easily cured with a short course (2-3 months) of highly effective medications.
In Queensland, an estimated 35,000 people are living with chronic hepatitis B (219,800 nationally – Viral Hepatitis Mapping Project: Hepatitis B National Report 2023), and 34% of them are unaware they have the condition (Queensland Health Hepatitis B Plan 2030). Much like other chronic conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes, chronic hepatitis B requires regular monitoring to help reduce the risk of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure, but with appropriate management, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer can often be prevented if the condition is detected early enough.

Testing for hepatitis B and hepatitis C will let you know if:
• You have a current infection – this will mean you will require regular checkups for chronic hepatitis B and potential treatment. Remember, hepatitis C can be cured.
• You have been reinfected with hepatitis C. It’s important to know that people who have been cured of hepatitis C can be reinfected. Therefore, it is important to get tested again if you are exposed to other people’s blood, such as through unsterile medical, dental, or cosmetic procedures, or by sharing injecting drug equipment or personal items like toothbrushes etc.
• You are immune to hepatitis B from a past infection. Some people who are infected can clear the virus and develop lifelong protection. This means you cannot be reinfected and do not need the hepatitis B vaccination. However, it is important to know if you have ever been infected. Even though you have cleared the virus and cannot transmit it to others, having had the infection may require you to receive additional care for other conditions; for instance, some cancer treatments can reactivate the virus.
• You are NOT immune to the hepatitis B virus and therefore, it is recommended you be vaccinated to protect your health. Birth dose vaccinations have been given over the last 30 years or so – but it is still important to check as some people (a small number) do not get adequate protection.
ECCQ’s Love Health Program can help you get tested. The team is currently working with the Kirby Institute on a research project, which allows us to offer free testing for:
1. Hepatitis B surface antigen. A positive result indicates a current infection.
2. Hepatitis C antibodies. A positive result means a person has or has had hepa-titis C. A further test (an RNA PCR test) is required to confirm a current infec-tion.
These tests are very sensitive, and results are available within 30 minutes. All that is required is the completion of a brief form and a finger-prick test (like a diabetes test). If your result is positive, we will refer you to a doctor for confirmatory testing.
Our team has undertaken extensive training and will ensure that your personal information always remains confidential. In fact, your personal information is only known to the team members doing the testing and is not required by the research team or other members of the ECCQ Love Health team.
Our team is available to do testing in multiple locations – if you would like a test, you can register using the QR code below and we will contact you to discuss a venue convenient to you. We will also provide testing at the:
• Sunnybank Hall (121 Lister Street Sunnybank) on Saturday 22nd November, from 9:00am to 2:00pm. Please book using the QR code below.
• Inala Market (outside the Inala Shopping Centre) on Saturday, 29 November, from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM. No appointment is required.
Knowing your status protects you and your family’s health.
#HepTestWeek
You can find more information including translated resources on hepatitis, HIV, and STIs at www.eccq.com.au/bbv.
If you are in Cairns, you can contact the team at Cairns Sexual Health Services by calling (07) 4226 4769 or emailing [email protected].

The Billionaire Bet: When Visionary Spending Turns into a Venture Capital Nightmare

Australian Indian Times
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The Billionaire Bet: When Visionary Spending Turns into a Venture Capital Nightmare

The Billionaire Bet: When Visionary Spending Turns into a Venture Capital Nightmare

Jitendra Deo
Chief Executive Officer
JD Group Australia

The news cycles this week delivered a jarring split screen of the AI revolution. On one side, we had Bill Gates, the elder statesman of tech, issuing a sober warning: for all the excitement around AI, a “ton of investments will be dead ends,” a familiar echo of the dotcom bust. On the other, we saw Mark Zuckerberg, the current-day titan, take a painful, multi-billion-dollar hit to his personal net worth precisely because he’s ignoring that warning and placing the biggest, riskiest AI bet in corporate history.
This isn’t just about billionaire bragging rights; it’s a critical moment for the global economy. It reveals the immense tension between the audacious, long-term visions of tech leaders and the cold, hard demands of the public market.
Gates’s message, delivered in his characteristic pragmatic style, is a valuable historical corrective. He understands that a technological “platform shift”, which he rightly calls AI, always creates a frenzy. Just as the internet was genuinely transformative, but most early web companies vanished, AI will certainly change the world, yet most startups seeking capital today will likely fail.
His caution is for the investors, the venture capital firms and the institutional funds who are currently throwing money at every vaguely AI-adjacent proposal. This is the “me-too” era of the AI gold rush, where unique value propositions are scarce and capital is burned rapidly on competing to build the same basic infrastructure.
This perspective preaches prudence, specialization, and execution. It suggests that the real winners won’t be the noisy entrants but the giants who can afford the long game, or the highly specialized firms that can be profitably acquired.
While, Zuckerberg’s recent plight offers a vivid, real-time illustration of Gates’s warning, from the other side of the ledger.
Meta’s stock plunged, wiping out roughly $29 billion of Zuckerberg’s personal wealth in a single day, because the company announced its capital expenditure (CapEx) for AI infrastructure would skyrocket, potentially reaching a staggering $72 billion for 2025.
For the market, the message was simple: costs are outrunning profits. While Meta’s revenue is growing, the necessary spending to compete with Microsoft and Google in the AI arms race is so massive that it’s creating a near-term profit squeeze. Investors, preferring certain profits today over promised AI dividends tomorrow, sold off the stock.
Zuckerberg’s move is not merely an investment; it is an act of corporate desperation and courage. Having been burnt by the metaverse gamble a project similarly reviled by investors for its cost he knows he cannot afford to miss the AI platform shift. He’s betting the company on the idea that if he builds the biggest, most powerful AI engine, long-term value will inevitably follow.
The sharp divergence between the actions of the billionaires highlights the central challenge facing every company and investor today.
Gates warns against the speculative “frenzy” where capital is misallocated, pointing to the high likelihood of “dead ends.” Meanwhile, Zuckerberg is living out the cost of that frenzy, being personally penalized for committing funds in the form of massive CapEx and debt to avoid being the “dead end” company himself.
Ultimately, the market correction that brought Zuckerberg’s rank down is healthy. It forces the question: is this spending genuinely strategic, or is it merely capital being burned on an existential, fear-driven race?
The eventual winners of the AI revolution will be those who heed Gates’s underlying wisdom, that even in a gold rush, only a tiny fraction of the prospectors strike it rich, while successfully navigating the enormous, necessary costs that Zuckerberg is currently enduring.

Kerala Achieves Historic Milestone: Declared India’s First ‘Extreme Poverty-Free’ State

Australian Indian Times
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Kerala Achieves Historic Milestone: Declared India’s First ‘Extreme Poverty-Free’ State

Kerala Achieves Historic Milestone: Declared India’s First ‘Extreme Poverty-Free’ State

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: In a groundbreaking achievement that redefines social welfare benchmarks, the southern Indian state of Kerala has officially declared itself ‘extreme poverty-free,’ making it the first state in the nation to reach this monumental milestone. The announcement, met with widespread commendation, signifies the culmination of decades of targeted policy implementation, robust social security systems, and community-led initiatives.
This landmark declaration sets a new standard for other Indian states and offers a powerful model for effective poverty eradication strategies.
Kerala’s journey to eradicate extreme poverty is deeply rooted in its unique socio-political landscape, characterized by:
• Robust Public Distribution System (PDS): The state has long boasted one of the most efficient PDS networks in India, ensuring food security for its most vulnerable populations.
• High Literacy Rates: Decades of investment in universal education have led to nearly 100% literacy, empowering citizens with knowledge and access to opportunities.
• Strong Healthcare Infrastructure: A robust public healthcare system ensures widespread access to medical care, reducing health-related poverty traps.
• Decentralized Governance: Kerala’s model of local self-governance has empowered local bodies to identify and address the specific needs of their communities, ensuring that welfare programs are tailored and reach the grassroots.
The state’s success has been meticulously documented, with various government agencies and NGOs working collaboratively to identify and uplift individuals and families previously categorized as living in extreme poverty.
The ‘extreme poverty-free’ status was achieved through a multi-pronged strategy that involved:
• Precise Identification: A comprehensive door-to-door survey was conducted to identify families and individuals living below the ‘extreme poverty line,’ considering multiple indicators beyond just income, such as access to food, shelter, healthcare, and education.
• Targeted Interventions: Once identified, these families were provided with tailored support packages, including guaranteed access to subsidized food, housing assistance, skill development programs, and health coverage.
• Community Participation: Local self-help groups, particularly women’s collectives like Kudumbashree, played a pivotal role in identifying beneficiaries, implementing schemes, and ensuring accountability at the local level.
State officials highlighted that the declaration is not merely statistical but reflects a tangible improvement in the quality of life for thousands of citizens who previously lacked necessities.
Kerala’s achievement comes at a time when India as a whole is making significant strides in poverty reduction, as acknowledged by various international reports. However, Kerala stands out for achieving complete eradication of its most severe form.
This milestone reinforces the idea that sustained political will, strong social sector investment, and a people-centric approach to governance can yield transformative results, even in the face of complex socio-economic challenges. The ‘Kerala Model’ is now poised to serve as an inspiration and blueprint for other states striving to achieve similar welfare targets.

(Source: The Hindu / The Indian Express)

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