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From the Publisher
A Monument to Faith and Fortitude: The Sanatan Cultural Centre Rises in Queensland
HISTORY is rarely made in a vacuum. It is forged in the fires of sacrifice and tempered by the passage of time. For the Indo-Fijian community in Queensland, history reached a crowning milestone this month with the realization of the Sanatan Cultural Centre at 550 Wembley Road, Berrinba. This is not merely an architectural achievement; it is a sacred bridge connecting the arduous journey of our Girmitiyas forefathers 150 years ago to the vibrant, multicultural landscape of modern Australia.
THE ECHOES OF THE GIRMITIYAS
To understand the significance of this Centre, one must look back to the late 19th century. Our forefathers set foot on the islands of Fiji with little more than their resilience. They endured systemic hardship, yet they clung to Sanatan Dharam with a tenacity that defined their existence. They preserved our rituals, our language, and our values under the most challenging conditions imaginable, fuelled by a singular hope: that their descendants would one day flourish without losing their soul.
Today, as we stand on the grounds of the Sanatan Cultural Centre, we see the realization of that dream. What was once a prayer whispered in the cane fields of Fiji has become a resounding anthem of success in the city of Logan.
A JOURNEY OF GOVERNANCE AND VISION
The institutional journey began in 1995. Under the humble and diligent stewardship of the Ramayan Mandalis, the Sanatan Association was formally incorporated. For nearly two decades, these Mandalis were the bedrock of the community. However, leadership requires the courage to evolve.
On October 18, 2013, a historic and unanimous decision was made to pass the reins from the Mandalis to the wider Sanatani community of Brisbane. This shift toward individual membership and a newly adopted constitution was a masterstroke of vision. By enshrining fair
elections, good governance, and robust checks and balances, the Association didn't just build a facility—it built a sustainable, democratic institution that mirrors the values of the Australian society we call home.
GRIT, SWEAT, AND THE "SHED"
DAYS
The path to Berrinba was paved with the "can-do" spirit that defines our community. Before the grandeur of the current site, there was the humble reality of Runcorn State Heights School, where monthly cultural programs kept the community tethered to its roots. There was the makeshift hall in a carpet warehouse for Ram Navami, and the legendary weeks spent by volunteers transforming Mr. Vijendra Rai’s shed in Belmont into a functional space for worship.
These weren't just logistics; they were tests of faith. Every hour spent by a volunteer with a hammer or a broom was a down payment on the future.
THE MIRACLE AT 550 WEMBLEY ROAD
The acquisition of the land on June 23, 2017, remains a defining moment in the history of the Australian Indian diaspora. Having raised $400,000 for a deposit on the $1 million property, the community faced a formidable "Goliath": the banking sector. Financial institutions were hesitant to lend to a non-profit without a commercial revenue stream.
The bank’s alternative a syndicate of personal guarantors would have compromised the very essence of the project. The leadership stood firm: the land must belong to the Sanatan community, not a select few. Through unwavering community belief and grassroots fundraising, the obstacle was cleared. For the first time, the community walked onto this land as absolute owners.
A HUB FOR THE FUTURE: BUILDING NOBLE CITIZENS
The Sanatan Cultural Centre is now
poised to become the beating heart of the Hindu community in Queensland. But its mission extends far beyond the religious. This is a holistic hub designed to address the challenges of the 21st century.
• Cultural Preservation: It serves as a living classroom where our youth can learn the nuances of their heritage, ensuring the legacy of the Girmitiyas remains vibrant.
• Youth Empowerment: Through structured cultural programs and community engagement, the Centre is dedicated to nurturing our future generations into noble citizens.
• A Home for All: It is a sanctuary for every family who believed that Sanatan needed a home, a place where faith provides the compass for navigating life in a modern world.
A LEGACY SECURED
This achievement belongs to the volunteers who gave their time, the families who gave their support, and the leaders who navigated the complexities of law and finance with integrity.
As the Australian Indian Times celebrates this milestone, we recognize that the Sanatan Cultural Centre is more than a building; it is a promise kept. It is a testament to the fact that when we work together with a clear vision and an unwavering belief in our identity, we can make the "impossible" happen. The flame lit by our forefathers 150 years ago now burns brighter than ever in the heart of Queensland.
Sanatan Cultural Centre Inaugurated: A Dream Realised for Queensland Community
IT gives me great pleasure to convey our sincere thanks and appreciation to you all for putting your faith in Sanatan Qld. This is a moment of reflection and immense pride for the entire Sanatan community of Qld, as we inaugrate the Sanatan Culture Centre.
L&G going back in time, some 150 years ago our forefathers, the great Girmitias of Fiji set their foot on the Islands of Fiji. They endured hardship with resilience and sacrifice. Despite going through perhaps the most challenging times of their lifetime, they did not only prevail but preserved Sanatan Dharam with a hope that their future generations will carry on their legacy.
Today is the realisation of that dream for the Sanatan community of Qld—one shaped by faith, sacrifice and an unwavering belief in who we are as a community.
This moment belongs to every volunteer who gave their time and carried that hope forward with action, every family who gave their support, and every individual who believed that Sanatan needed a home—and that together, we can make it happen.
Sanatan’s journey began in 1995.
Under the stewardship of the Ramayan Mandalis, the Sanatan Association was formally incorporated.
The strength of the Association in its early years came from this strong Mandali foundation. However, as time progressed, it became clear that this structure also placed limitations on broader community involvement. After a lengthy period of reflection, consultation, and review, a historic decision was made.
On 18th October 2013, the then stakeholders of the Association, the Mandalis unanimously agreed to pass the reins of the Association to the wider Sanatani community of Brisbane, allowing for individual membership. This decision marked a defining moment in our history and laid the foundation for the organisation as it stands today.
With this transition came a clear, concise, and ambitious vision, articulated through a newly adopted constitution. This vision was shared with the wider community through flyers, conversations, and through our regular cultural programs. The committee worked hand in hand with the community to build belief in that vision and to
clearly outline the path forward.
Other measures that were enshrined in the new constitution which has today provided the cornerstone for the development of this organization included fair election of office bearers, advocating good governance, and other checks and balances to protect shared values. Over time, further refinements have been made, each strengthening the organisation and reinforcing its direction.
With vision came purpose and a determination to deliver.
We knew the journey ahead would not be easy—but the destination was firmly within our sight.
Without delay, we set the wheels in motion.
We began by hosting monthly cultural programmes at Runcorn State Heights School. We then created a makeshift hall in the warehouse of 3SA Carpets to hold a Ram Navami program.
Later, an opportunity arose to use Vijendra Rai’s shed at Belmont. Volunteers stepped up and spent weeks transforming the facility suitable for purpose. Our efforts were rewarded, as we successfully hosted several programs there— each one bringing us closer to our destiny.
Then came a moment that will forever live in
our memory.
June 23rd, 2017 marked a defining moment in Sanatan’s history—when our community walked onto this land @ 550 Wembley Road, Berrinba in the city of Logan as owners for the very first time.
By then, we had raised approximately $400K for the deposit. With the land cost of $1M we approached the bank for the balance of $600K but the banks declined to lend directly to a nonprofit organisation with no regular income stream to service the debt. The only other option the bank gave us was through personal guarantees but that would have meant that the land would have been owned by the syndicate of guarantors.
With no other option available, a consortium, led by our now VP, Divendra Prasad was formed by a group of 11 members who actively supported the cause. Had we missed that opportunity back then, our organisation would have faced severe headwinds to progress much further in subsequent years given that land values have appreciated significantly since then. This achievement was a powerful testament to unity, trust, and shared belief.
The very next day, work began.
Thick shrubs were
cleared. Mowers and brush cutters were visible everywhere.
The building at the back of the property was completely revamped. As the community participation grew, the Meditation Hut was added later due to space constraints.
In less than two months from settlement, we held our first cultural programme on this land—the Krishna Ashtami celebrations. And with the exception of COVID lockdowns, we have proudly celebrated almost every major event in the Hindu calendar here since.
As we continued on this journey, we actively promoted Sanatan’s vision to the wider community. We didn’t just speak about it—we walked the talk.
We acknowledge and thanked those who came forward with much-needed financial support—not only in the present, but for the past contributions as well. As community interest grew, so too did our determination to deliver. We received our long awaited DGR accreditation in January 2024 which added further momentum to the donations flowing in. Thanks to Dr Narendra Singh for your guidance and advise throughout that process.
In a groundbreaking ceremony, the 1st brick
team—predominantly including the EMC members, led by Pt Anant Sharma together with the project team under the joint leadership of VPs Narendra Singh and Divendra Prasad & Secretary Rajendra Prasad, who alongside an extrordinary group of volunteers took ownership of this project and delivered it for the Sanatan community of Brisbane in the most costeffective way. Had the project been outsourced the cost would have in the vicinity of $6M-$7M.
To put this into perspective
The total cost of $2.5M for the Cultural Prescient includes $500K for the operations works and $2M for the Cultural Hall with the associated amenities.
For the Cultural Hall itself we had received a Quote for $4.5M pre Covid-19.
for the Culture Centre was laid on 28th August 2023.
The project coordinator, Narendra Ji will be sharing more insights into the construction activities that span over 2 ½ years.
L&G having given the honour to serve as the Treasurer of this great organization for over a decade, I would like to share some headline numbers to reflect on the financial journey behind what you see today.
1st graph shows steady growth in income in the early years, as you would expect there was a significant acceleration in the later years as the project took shape.
The 2nd graph shows the makeup of the Income. Let me break it down for you. So the total amount received from donations ($1000 or more) was $2,566K or 75% of our total collections.
Approximately $300K (9%) came from membership fee and a similar amount of $300K came through food sponsorship. The remaining $250K (7%) predominantly from arti collections makes up the total collections of $3.5M.
The Cultural precinct which includes the operational works, was completed at a cost of just under $2.5M. This was only possible due to the construction works done on an owner-builder basis by a dedicated Sanatan
As we all know the prices have increased significantly post Covid which means that the cost of outsourcing building works would have been in the vicinity of $5.5M to $6M. If we add another $1M for outsourcing Ops works we are looking at the total cost of $6.5M. As per the LCC rates notice the land is valued at $4M which takes the total Sanatan property valuation to over $10M. I think that’s a remarkable achievement in a short span of only 12 ½ years and deserves a big round of applause to thank yourself for your part in getting here.
The path was not always smooth.
As expected with a project of this scale, views differed at times— but intentions never did. There was always one shared motive: the interest of Sanatan.
Today, as we celebrate this important milestone by inaugration of the Sanatan Cultural Centre— we affirm our identity. This Centre provides a platform to our children and grandchildren to uphold our culture, our traditions and our values with pride. As we conclude the construction phase, an important chapter in the Association’s history, we also acknowledge that the future will belong to those who embrace this opportunity and get their children on board. Make no mistake Sanatan Dharam has & will prevail (tha, hai aur hamesa rahayga), what will matter is whether we are part of that journey.
Thank you… Jai Sanatan
Birendra Singh –Treasurer & Program Co-Ordinator 21st February 2026
The World’s Weirdest Businesses Reveal Where Consumer Demand Is Heading
AS entrepreneurs and buyers look beyond traditional cafés, retail and service models, a growing number of unconventional businesses around the world are thriving, not because they are novel, but because they solve modern problems.
From paid companionship to emotional release spaces, these “weird” business concepts reflect deeper shifts in consumer behaviour around loneliness, burnout, time scarcity and experienceled spending — trends Australian and US buyers are increasingly paying attention to.
According to Mary Tamvakologos, Director of Operations at AnyBusiness, the rise of these models highlights how value is being redefined in the businessfor-sale market.
“Buyers are no longer just asking what a business sells, they’re asking why it exists and whether it aligns with how people live now,” Mary Tamvakologos says. “Some of the fastest-growing
concepts globally are built around emotional needs, convenience and experience, not physical products.”
TREND TABLE: THE WEIRDEST BUSINESS MODELS — AND WHAT THEY REVEAL Business Concept Where It Operates What It Offers Consumer Insight Behind It Professional Cuddling Services Japan, UK, US Paid platonic cuddling with trained practitioners Reflects loneliness and emotional wellbeing gaps
Rent-A-Friend Services Japan Companionship for events, outings, conversation Social stress and desire for connection
Crying Cafés / Emotional Rooms Japan, South Korea Safe spaces to cry with curated support
Stress accumulation and emotional release demand
Death Cafés UK, Europe, Japan Open conversations about death over tea
Cultural shift in attitudes to mortality
Goat Yoga Studios USA, Europe Yoga with goats to add fun and stress relief
Wellness culture meets entertainment
Luxury Dog
Hotels Global Five-star hospitality for pets
Pet humanisation and premium spending
Professional Queueing Services
UK, Japan Paid queue stand-ins for highdemand drops Time
scarcity and convenience prioritisation Fake Wedding Guest Agencies China Hire guests to boost event appearance Social status performance and ceremonial pressure
WHY “WEIRD” BUSINESSES ARE BECOMING SERIOUS OPPORTUNITIES
While these models may appear niche, Tamvakologos says they mirror trends already influencing business
demand in Australia and the United States.
“We’re seeing growing interest in experiential, lifestyle-driven and service-based businesses — particularly those that tap into wellness, companionship, pet care and convenience,” she explains. “What looks unconventional today often becomes tomorrow’s mainstream category.”
KEY FORCES DRIVING DEMAND INCLUDE:
• Emotional
outsourcing — paying for connection, relief or support
• Time scarcity — convenience as a premium commodity
• Experience-first spending — services people feel, not just use
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR BUYERS
For prospective buyers, the takeaway is not to replicate novelty for novelty’s sake, but to understand the consumer insight behind it.
“Successful buyers are the ones who recognise why these ideas work,” Mary Tamvakologos, Director of Operations at Anybusiness adds.
“When a business aligns with real behavioural shifts, it becomes far more resilient — even if the concept initially seems unconventional.”
As buyers increasingly search for businesses that reflect modern lifestyles rather than legacy formats, platforms like AnyBusiness.com.au are seeing broader interest across non-traditional sectors.
The Double-Edged Sword: Inflation and the Cost-of-Living Crisis in 2026
AS the sun rises over the Brisbane skyline, the morning air carries more than just the humidity of March; it carries a palpable sense of anxiety shared across kitchen tables from Sunnybank to Strathfield. For the Australian Indian community, a demographic that prides itself on fiscal prudence and long-term planning, the latest economic data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is a sobering reminder that the "lucky country" is currently navigating a very difficult financial chapter.
The headline figure remains stubborn: national inflation is stuck at 3.8%. While this is a far cry from the post-pandemic peaks, it remains stubbornly above the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) comfort zone of 2–3%. For a community that has significantly invested in small businesses, local education, and property, this "inflationary plateau" is more than just a statistic, it is a direct threat to the Australian dream.
HOUSING: THE GROWING DIVIDE
The most piercing data point in the recent CPI release is the cost of housing, which has surged by 6.8% annually. This is particularly poignant for our community. Whether it is the young professional striving to enter the market or the multi-generational family managing a mounting mortgage, the "roof over our heads" is becoming increasingly unaffordable.
Senator Paul Scarr, a long-standing friend of the Indian diaspora and
the Queensland Deputy Manager of Opposition Business, recently highlighted this struggle in the Senate. He noted that even those with steady jobs are finding themselves at the limits of their endurance. "They know that the price of everything is going up and their ability to pay is not," he remarked, pointing to a "trillion-dollar debt bomb" those risks burdening the next generation. For many in the Indian community, who view homeownership as the bedrock of stability, these words ring true.
THE "TIME-PRICE" OF EDUCATION
For Indian families, education is nonnegotiable. However, the "time-price" of schooling and university is now outpacing wage growth. While the median fulltime income has risen to roughly $90,000, the cost of international student fees, starting at $20,000 for undergraduates, and the rising cost of local private schooling mean that families are working longer hours for the same educational outcomes.
The Electric Revolution Within Reach: MG4 EV Urban Set for April Arrival
AS we move further into 2026, the Australian automotive landscape is undergoing a silent but swift transformation. For years, the conversation around Electric Vehicles (EVs) was dominated by luxury price tags and high-end tech. However, as the "Year of the Fire Horse" charges forward, a new contender is set to make the electric dream a reality for thousands of Australian Indian families.
MG Motor Australia has officially confirmed that the MG4 EV Urban will arrive in showrooms this April, positioning itself as a cornerstone of affordable, sustainable transport.
REDEFINING VALUE FOR THE MODERN FAMILY
For many in our community, the decision to switch to an EV has always been a balance of environmental responsibility and fiscal reality. With the 3.8% inflation rate and the rising "time-price" of living, every dollar counts. The MG4 EV Urban arrives at a critical moment, expected to challenge the price floor of the market currently occupied by the BYD Dolphin.
Unlike the existing rear-wheel-drive MG4
models, the "Urban" is a fresh, front-wheeldrive hatchback built on the new E3 platform. It is designed specifically for city dwellers—the professionals commuting from the outer suburbs of Melbourne or the families navigating the busy school runs in Brisbane’s Sunnybank. By simplifying the drivetrain to frontwheel drive, MG has been able to "sharpen the pen" on pricing, with industry experts predicting a starting price potentially under $33,000.
PERFORMANCE MEETS PRACTICALITY
Don't let the "Urban" tag fool you into thinking it lacks substance. The vehicle will be offered with two distinct battery options to suit different lifestyles:
• 43kWh LFP
Battery: Offering a range of approximately 325km,
perfect for those whose daily routine stays within the metropolitan area.
• 54kWh LFP
Battery: Extending the range to over 400km, providing that extra peace of mind for weekend trips to the coast or visiting extended family across the city.
One of the standout features for the Australian Indian community will be the interior. Despite its budget-friendly positioning, the MG4 EV Urban borrows its sophisticated cabin design from the MG S5 SUV. It features a streamlined dashboard with a 12.8inch touchscreen and a 7.0-inch digital cluster, ensuring that the driver stays connected to navigation and family calls with ease.
THE "SAFE" CHOICE
Safety is often the primary concern for our
The government’s recent reforms to the student loan (HELP) repayment system have offered some relief, raising the repayment threshold to $67,000, but for those funding education through loans or savings, the erosion of purchasing power is undeniable.
A COMMUNITY UNDER PRESSURE
As we look toward the upcoming Holi Festival and Harmony Week celebrations later this month, there is a renewed focus on "Grains of Connection." While the cost of a standard grocery basket has risen (with electricity prices up a staggering 32.2% as rebates expire), the community is finding ways to support one another through shared meals and collective advocacy.
WILL INTEREST RATES RISE AGAIN?
THE
PATH FORWARD
community leaders who frequently emphasize the well-being of our elders and youth. The MG4 EV Urban comes equipped with a 5-star ANCAP safety rating and the "MG Pilot" suite, which includes autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Furthermore, the use of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery technology means the car can be charged to 100% daily without the degradation issues seen in older EV chemistries and it is backed by MG’s industry-leading 10-year warranty.
A FUTURE-PROOF INVESTMENT
As the federal government continues to review EV tax exemptions and FBT benefits, choosing an affordable entry point like the MG4 EV Urban is a savvy move. It represents more than just a car; it is a hedge against rising fuel costs and a commitment to the cleaner Australia our children will inherit.
Whether you are a student looking for your first car or a family looking to add a second, more economical vehicle to the driveway, the MG4 EV Urban is a sign that the electric revolution is finally inclusive.
Despite the gloom of the ASX sell-off and the stubborn CPI figures, the Australian Indian community remains one of the most resilient. We are a community of planners.
The "Year of the Fire Horse" is traditionally associated with rapid changes and high energy. It is a fitting metaphor for the current Australian economy. We are in a period of transition where the old rules of "buy and hold" are being challenged by "budget and adapt."
As we navigate these turbulent waters, let us remember the words often echoed in our community centres: stability comes not just from what we earn, but from the strength of the community we build.
The question on every homeowner's mind is: "What will the RBA do next?" The next board meeting is scheduled for March 17. Current market expectations suggest a 22% chance of a rate hike to 4.10%. While many economists expect a "hold," the risk remains that if inflation does not begin to trend downward sharply, the RBA may be forced to pull the trigger once more.
The MATES Visa (Subclass 403) Now Active
THE most exciting news for young Indian professionals is the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Earlyprofessionals Scheme (MATES). This new initiative offers a unique opportunity for talented graduates from India to gain work experience in Australia. The program is designed to strengthen professional ties between the two countries while allowing young professionals to explore career opportunities in emerging industries.
One of the key features of MATES is its ballotbased selection system. Unlike traditional visa pathways, applicants must first register and then be randomly selected through a ballot. The registration window for the 2025–2026 program year closed in December 2025, and the selection process is currently underway.
The scheme offers
3,000 places annually for graduates aged 30 or below who have studied at recognized top Indian universities. Eligible fields include Renewable Energy, Mining, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Artificial Intelligence, FinTech, and AgriTech—sectors where Australia has strong demand for skilled professionals. Another major advantage of the MATES visa is that it does not require employer sponsorship. Successful applicants can move to Australia first and then search for employment after arrival. This employer-agnostic structure provides flexibility for young professionals to explore different opportunities, build international experience, and contribute their skills to Australia’s growing and innovationdriven industries.
TRULY blessed to kickstart 2026 with our annual Havan held on 1st February 2026 at The Sanatan Centre officiated by Pt Suresh Chandra.
A heartfelt thankyou to all our members for your continued support and attendance. Your presence made the occasion even more special. Members enjoyed Prasadam and lunch, lovingly prepared by some ISCA members.
Wishing all our seniors blessed year ahead filled with good health, happiness and peace.
ISCA’s Annual Havan
2025 WORLDCLASS SPECTACLETOURING AUSTRALIA NOW
HOLD onto your seats — Hudsons Circus is back with a brand-new show that will blow your mind and steal your heart. This isn’t just a circus. It’s a two-hour adrenalinecharged celebration of wonder, talent, and jawdropping spectacle. From the four corners of the globe, our international artists bring you gravitydefying stunts, dazzling acrobatics, and edge-ofyour-seat entertainment. Experience the magic of beautifully presented animals, cared for with love and respect, performing in harmony with their trainers in a show that celebrates tradition and innovation.
team, this year’s show blends theatrical flair, immersive lighting, and heart-pounding music to create an unforgettable experience.
2 HOURS OF PURE MAGIC, From the first beat to the final bow, you’ll be breathless, amazed, and begging for more.
BOOKINGS NOW OPEN Don’t miss your chance to witness the circus reimagined. Perfect for families, thrill-seekers, and anyone who believes in the power of live entertainment.
Orion Springfield Central www. hudsonscircus. com.au
Crafted by Hudsons Circus’ visionary creative
CURRENT and former Australian High Commissioners to India have shared rare insights into the achievements and challenges of their tenure, in a first-of-its-kind panel reflecting on a defining two decades of the AustraliaIndia bilateral relationship.
The Australia India Institute’s ‘Two Decades of Australia-India Relations: Reflections from High Commissioner’s Past and Present’, featuring current Australian High Commissioner to India, His Excellency Philip Green OAM (2023 – present) and former Australian High Commissioner’s to India, Mr Patrick Suckling (2013-2016) and Mr John McCarthy AO (2004 – 2009), took place today at the Melbourne Global Centre – Delhi.
In a panel discussion moderated by Australia India Institute CEO, the Honorable Lisa Singh, High Commissioner’s reflected on their tenure, exploring key areas including strengthened education ties, economic cooperation, cultural exchange, a bolstered defence relationship and other broader areas of bilateral interest.
The panel comes as the Australia India relationship continues to make steadfast progress in the face of geopolitical uncertaintywithin the last 12 months new defence dialogues
have promoted a safer Indo-Pacific, significant advancements have been made in collaborating on the technology needed for the clean energy transition, and our education and
skills relationship continues to grow from strength to strength.
Australia India Institute CEO Lisa Singh said today’s panel event marked a period of significant growth in the
Australia India relationship.
“The Australia India relationship has well and truly moved beyond the traditional ‘three C's’Cricket, Commonwealth, and Curry, with this esteemed
panel event reflecting on the evolution of our collaboration across two transformative decades.
“Since its inception in 2008, the Australia India Institute has been at the forefront of this growth as Australia's leading research and policy centre dedicated to promoting the AustraliaIndia relationship and its cooperation in the IndoPacific region.”
Australian High Commissioner to India His Excellency Philip Green OAM said India and Australia have never been closer.
“When I reflect on the trajectory of the AustraliaIndia relationship, what strikes me most is the sheer pace of change. In Australia’s history, we have never seen such a rapid ramp up in a major power relationship.
“Our partnership will continue to broaden and deepen, so that we are fully integrated strategic, economic, and cultural partners, collaborating across all domains. I’m confident that at our next stocktake in five years, we will see a relationship that is delivering on its immense potential.”
Australian High Commissioner’s Reflect on 20 Years of Australia-India Relationship in Rare Exchange Checks on Public Power
ARGUABLY, there are only two types of power that every human is subject to and must fear. The first is the power of God, suitably modified for the atheist or agnostic. God’s power, though unlimited and unchecked, is never exercised illegitimately, arbitrarily, unreasonably or disproportionately.
The second is the power of the state. It is recognised by reference to and is habitually exercised using precisely these epithets. It is for these reasons that various apparatuses of state were developed to ensure no one person holds all the power. While the earliest form of coercive state power was exercised about c. 35003000 BCE, one may recognise the first formal restraint on state power through the Magna Carta of 1215 to limit King John’s power, and fast forward to today’s more advanced constitutional architecture.
The management of public power—from its grant to its exercise—is among the most complex questions in public law. Nevertheless, voters and concerned citizens require not only an understanding of the architectural context to judge whether those entrusted with public power are dealing with power with
prudence, but to understand the importance of why boundaries exist. That no one person should hold all the power is the foundation of the core doctrine of ‘separation of powers’. Simply explained, each of the three branches of government performs separate functions. The legislature makes and amends laws. The executive implements or enforces the laws passed by the legislature. The judiciary interprets laws as it applies the laws to the cases before it. This doctrine ensures no single branch performs the functions of the other two branches. In reality, this separation is increasingly being eroded. For instance, the executive branch now wields substantial rule-making power, often exercising it with farreaching authority. But distributing power in this way is only the first step.
Once divided and distributed, power must also be balanced. It is not enough that institutions are separate; they must be positioned so that none can dominate the others. Upper houses counter lower houses. Cabinets temper prime ministers (as pointed out in Treasurer’s Jim Chalmers’
PhD dissertation). More specifically, fiscal policy is exercised by the executive, while monetary policy is the responsibility of central banks. This delineation is an example of balancing power to ensure that no single intra-branch institution can unilaterally control the economy, maintaining stability and accountability.
Then there is the critical delineation between the attorney-general, as the chief law officer, and the assignment of the prosecutorial functions in the director of public prosecutions. Under the director’s guidelines, “the prosecution process [is removed] from the political arena by affording the Director an independent status in that process” and that a “decision whether or not to prosecute must clearly not be influenced by… possible political advantage, disadvantage or embarrassment to the Government or any political group or party”. The litany of examples goes on: a delineation between the operational matters within the police and the minister of police, and between medical decision-making and the minister of health.
Think of this
constitutional design like a car. Separation of powers is putting the tyres on all four corners — no single wheel carries the whole weight. But that alone is not enough. The wheels must also be aligned and balanced, otherwise the car pulls to one side and wears unevenly; that is the work of constitutional balance.
There emerges a distinct pattern in the examples: while balancing can operate between branches, it is felt most strongly within branches, especially the executive branch. Balance ensures that power, even when lawfully conferred, does not accumulate unchecked within one centre of authority. These balancing arrangements are all a product of statute (including implications drawn from the statutes), common law, policy or convention. Consider the spectre of their counterfactuals—the imbalance of power—by reference to two of the examples above.
If a government both increases spending and overrides the central bank to cut interest rates, it removes the key balance (or counterweight) on fiscal power. The result is runaway inflation,
erosion of savings and wages, currency instability and destabilisation of markets—triggering fullblown economic crises— a textbook failure of balancing power. In law enforcement, this imbalance will allow the government of the day to pursue prosecutions for political advantage or retribution.
Once dismissible as academic fancy, this concern confronts us as reality. We are now witnessing a drift towards—and in some cases outright attempts by—one public organ interfering with or even usurping the power of another within the same branch of government.
Since 2024, amid interest rate hikes by the Reserve Bank of Australia, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has periodically faced pressures to intervene in monetary policy. More recently, US President Donald Trump has criticised the US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for not cutting rates or not quickly enough. Retorted Powell: “it’s just an institutional arrangement that has served the people well - to not have direct elected official control over the setting of monetary policy”. In this way, there have been documented
political interventions in prosecutorial functions and questionable dismissals of prosecutors by the Trump administration.
The checks on the executive are manifold— electoral, legislative, judicial and media—but each has substantial limitations. Electoral recourse is diffused, delayed and dependent on geography. The legislature is often theatre; both it and the media have become forums for accountability evasion. Judicial oversight is contingent on the emergence of a well-resourced, wellrepresented plaintiff with a viable legal cause of action. The true danger lies in the accumulation of power and the quiet redrawing of constitutional architecture to weaken its counterweights. Without checks and balances, public power proves arrogant. We, the voter, are the judge and beneficiary of this macro-constitutional design. We must forever invigilate—and obsess—over it. With the lessons of this column in mind, remember this: scrutinise scrupulously every exercise of public power, no matter who holds it.
Nilay B. Patel is a lawyer based in Melbourne.
The Sacred Canopy: How Cultural Centres are Anchoring the Hindu Diaspora in Australia
Jitendra Deo Chief Executive Officer JD Group Australia
IN the quiet suburbs of Logan, across the sprawling reaches of Western Sydney, and through the tranquil hills of Victoria, a transformation is occurring. It is not merely a shift in demographics, but a grounding of spirit. As the Hindu community in Australia grows, the emergence of dedicated cultural and spiritual centres—like the recently realized Sanatan Cultural Centre in Berrinba—has become the vital "third space" between the home and the secular world. These centres are the anchors of our identity, ensuring that the ancient wisdom of the East flourishes within the modern framework of the West.
A TAPESTRY OF FAITH: THE MULTI-FACETED INDIAN DIASPORA
The beauty of the Indian presence in Australia lies in its diversity and the shared commitment to Sewa (selfless service). While the Sanatan Association provides a home for the traditional Vedic and Indo-Fijian heritage, it is part of a broader, vibrant ecosystem of spiritual organizations that have found fertile ground in Australian soil.
Institutions like ISKCON (Hare Rama Hare Krishna) have long been beacons of Bhakti Yoga in Australia.
From their iconic temples to their famous "Crossways" restaurants, they have introduced the philosophy of devotion to the wider Australian public. Similarly, the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha has redefined the Australian skyline with magnificent mandirs that serve as masterpieces of traditional architecture and hubs for youth development, emphasizing disciplined living and family values.
The Brahma Kumaris offer a different but equally vital sanctuary, providing world-class
meditation centres that focus on "Raja Yoga" and inner reflection. Their presence emphasizes the universal appeal of Indian philosophy— peace, purity, and selfsovereignty—providing a sanctuary for those
seeking mental clarity in a fast-paced society.
Crucially, our Gurudwaras stand as the ultimate symbols of equality and humanitarianism.
The Sikh community’s commitment to Langar
(community kitchen) has made Gurudwaras across Australia, from Brisbane to Perth, essential pillars of social welfare, feeding the hungry and welcoming all regardless of religion or background.
FROM TEMPLES TO COMMUNITY HUBS
The modern cultural centre in Australia serves a purpose far beyond the ritualistic. It is a holistic hub designed to address the challenges of the 21st century. At the Sanatan Cultural Centre, the vision is clear: to be a place where the ancient heritage of the Ramayan meets the contemporary needs of a diaspora.
THESE CENTRES ACT AS:
• Cultural Incubators: Where the next generation learns that their identity is a source of strength, not a barrier to integration.
• Social Safety Nets: Providing a sense of belonging for new migrants who may feel isolated in a new country.
• Service to Humanity: Whether it is the free meals at a Gurudwara or the cultural programs at
the Sanatan Centre, these spaces transform spiritual energy into social action.
NURTURING NOBLE CITIZENS
Perhaps the most critical role of these centres is the development of our youth. In an era of digital distraction, the cultural centre provides a grounding force. By teaching the values of Dharma (duty), Satya (truth), and Seva (service), these diverse organizations are not just creating "religious" people, they are nurturing noble citizens. These are young Australians who move through the world with a moral compass, contributing to the nation’s economy and social fabric while remaining deeply rooted in their heritage. From the chanting of Hare Krishna to the silent meditation of the Brahma Kumaris, the grand arches of the Swaminarayan Mandirs, and the open doors of the Gurudwaras, our culture is safe. It is our collective duty to keep these fires burning for the generations yet to come.
Recognising International Women’s Day
Honouring the Strength That Sustains the World
IN our life we are all in contact with women, in fact our first contact was the minute we entered the womb. With this my mind you can say that women give life. Life is so precious that we need to value each moment we have. To value we need to utilize each moment to bring positivity, happiness, love and more peace in today’s world where people have forgotten the value of their lives. International Women’s Day is not just a date on the calendar. It is a reminder. A reminder to recognise the contribution of women in our homes, workplaces, and communities. A reminder to appreciate their resilience, patience, and strength. And perhaps most importantly, a reminder to reflect on how we can become better human beings ourselves.
The importance of women in our lives cannot be overstated. Without their encouragement, sacrifice, and quiet determination, society would struggle to hold itself together. As the well-known saying goes, “Behind every successful
man there is a woman.” In truth, behind every thriving family, organisation, and community, there are women who support, guide, and uplift.
One such inspirational figure was Dadi Janki, the former administrative head of the Brahma Kumaris. Known worldwide for her spiritual wisdom and clarity,
Dadi Janki led countless individuals from confusion to clarity, from despair to hope. Her presence was known to transform the atmosphere of a room. She lived not for personal recognition, but to sustain and uplift others.
Dadi Janki often spoke of a future filled with hope. Despite being deeply aware of the selfishness and
conflict affecting human relationships today, she remained unwaveringly optimistic. “In the winter, we foresee the spring,” she would say. Her vision was of a world where human potential is realised, where people give freely, and where peace becomes natural rather than rare.
In her view, such a future is possible. But it requires a change in consciousness. It requires us to rethink how we relate to one another.
On this International Women’s Day, it is worth reflecting on four qualities Dadi Janki believed were essential for healthy relationships and a healthier world:
INTERDEPENDENCY
True relationships are built on give-and-give, not takeand-take. Interdependency means that everyone contributes. Each person adds value. In contrast, codependent relationships often lead to imbalance and disappointment. When we shift from “What can I get?” to “What can I give?” harmony grows.
FLEXIBILITY
Healthy boundaries protect us, but they should not become rigid walls. When our values are strong, we can remain flexible in our responses. Flexibility allows understanding. It creates space for dialogue rather than conflict.
CARING
Real caring is not control. It is not interference. True care gives others room to grow. It allows them to make choices, even mistakes, and learn from them. Mistakes do not define us; they refine us. Genuine care supports without suffocating.
SELF-ESTEEM
When we live in ego, we take things personally. We react quickly. We defend an image shaped by society and expectation. But when we reflect deeply and ask, “Who am I, truly?” we begin to discover inner peace, love, and wisdom. From this place of self-respect, our responses become calmer and more compassionate. Women across the world demonstrate these qualities
every day. They balance responsibility with empathy. They nurture while leading. They tolerate while teaching. They sacrifice while strengthening others. International Women’s Day is an opportunity not only to celebrate women but also to learn from them. To recognise that their strength is not loud, yet it is powerful. Not always visible, yet deeply transformative.
As we honour the women in our lives, may we also commit to embodying the qualities they so often reflect patience, courage, flexibility, and love.
When we do that, we do more than celebrate a day. We help build the future they have always quietly worked towards.
Brahma Kumaris Shailer Park provide free Raja Yoga Meditation, Positive Thinking and Anger Management Courses. Please contact us on 0414685144 or shailerpark@ au.brahmakumaris.org for further information. https:// brahmakumaris.org.au and find out the events happening close to your location.
Om Shanthi
Faith, Service and Courage: A Young Leader’s Message to the Community
BY XAVIER HERNANDEZ
I am delighted to begin this edition of the Brisbane Indian Times by sincerely thanking our readers for supporting this wonderful publication and for encouraging young contributors such as myself. I am proud to share that I have been selected as a Senior School Council member for 2026 at St John’s Anglican College, it is a true privilege to serve alongside my peers and other outstanding student leaders and to give back to a school community that has given so much to me.
Our College motto — Faith, Service and Courage — guides everything we do, encouraging us to be faith-led, service-oriented and courageous in our actions. I would like to acknowledge our Principal, Mrs Maria McIvor, along with Mrs Robern Hinchliffe (Deputy Head of College –Pastoral Care), Mr Andrew Landroth (Deputy Principal –Curriculum and Innovation), and Mr Braydon Giles (Head of Middle School & acting Head of Senior School). Their leadership and dedication strengthen not only our school, but also the wider community. I am also deeply grateful to the broader community, including the Deo family and many others, who continue to support and encourage me.
This month is particularly significant as we prepare to commemorate ANZAC Day 2026, marking 111 years since Australian and New Zealand troops first landed at Gallipoli. ANZAC Day falls on Saturday, 25 April 2026. I will be attending the local Forest Lake service, and I warmly encourage readers to attend a service in their area. ANZAC Day provides us with an important opportunity to honour the courage and sacrifice of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, established in 1914, and to recognise the significant contributions of Indian and British soldiers who served alongside them.
Approximately 16,000 Indian troops fought in the Gallipoli campaign, with around 1,600 losing their lives. Their bravery and sacrifice must always be remembered.
As part of my commitment to keeping our community informed about international developments, I read an article published on 1 March 2026 by journalist Joseph OlbrychtPalmer in NewsWire, reporting that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed in joint airstrikes carried out by Israel and the United States. Iranian state media confirmed his death, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned of an imminent “devastating offensive.”
In Australia, opponents of the regime gathered
in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that his passing would not be mourned. While a ceasefire is currently in place, the situation remains fluid. Australians requiring consular assistance can contact the Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 (overseas) or 1300 555 135 (within Australia).
Closer to home, I recently had the privilege of speaking with community champion Sonya, a Home and Investment Lending Specialist with ANZ Browns Plains. I was inspired by her passion for helping families achieve home ownership, during our catch-up she mentioned, “Many people give up after one ‘no’ sometimes they just need someone to look deeper. I love being that person for my community, I genuinely want to help more families feel confident about home ownership.” She shared a moving story about assisting a client whose loan application had previously been declined. By carefully reassessing the situation and guiding her through the process, Sonya secured approval just in time. When she delivered the good news, her client was overwhelmed with gratitude. Moments like this remind me that leadership is grounded in compassion, persistence and genuine care. I also enjoyed hearing about her recent travels to Delhi and her continued support of community events. With International Women’s Day approaching, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all women — especially those whose efforts often go unrecognised — for the extraordinary difference they make every day.
I would also like to acknowledge the Vietnamese Community in Australia – Queensland Chapter President Khue Oanh Do and her team for hosting a memorable Tet Festival celebration at CJ Greenfield, Forest Lake and I would like to wish Khue Oanh a happy birthday. It was a pleasure to volunteer and support fundraising efforts by Vietnam Grace Church for important local causes. Community spirit like this truly strengthens us all.
There are also several wonderful upcoming local events I encourage readers to support:
• Walk for Breast Cancer – Forest Lake 2026
Hosted by Lions Club of Inala President Kylie Gates
Sunday, 8 March 2026
8:00am
The Esplanade, Forest Lake
• Social Smash Cricket Program – Wolston Park Cricket Club
THE 8th of March is International Women’s Day, a well-recognised day to celebrate the lives of women around the world. The
ECCQ Love Health Program joins communities across Queensland in honouring the strength, resilience, and leadership of all women.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Give to Gain.” It reminds us that a small action taken today can create long-lasting benefits for the future. This year’s theme is particularly relevant to health: caring for your health is one of the most valuable investments you can make—for yourself and for your family’s wellbeing.
A SMALL STEP FOR BIG PEACE OF MIND
Taking a proactive approach to your health can make a real difference. One simple but important step is having a routine check-up for key health conditions. Some health conditions do not cause obvious symptoms at first but can have serious long-term effects if left undetected, unmanaged and untreated such as chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C, HIV, and syphilis.
BY GIVING A LITTLE TIME FOR A HEPATITIS BLOOD TEST, YOU GAIN:
• Peace of mind
• Early access to effective monitoring and treatment if needed
• The ability to protect
yourself and those you care about
UNDERSTANDING THE FACTS
HEPATITIS B AND HEPATITIS C
• Hepatitis B can be prevented through vaccination. For people living with chronic hepatitis B, it is a manageable condition like other chronic diseases needing regular medical care and monitoring.
• Hepatitis C can be cured. Simple treatments taken over a few months can completely clear the virus.
HIV AND SYPHILIS
• HIV is now a manageable long-term condition. With early testing and effective treatment, people can live long and healthy lives. Treatment also prevents HIV from being passed on to others.
• Syphilis is increasing in Australia. While it is a serious infection, it is easily cured with antibiotics when detected early. Without treatment, it can cause severe health complications.
GIVE PROTECTION, GAIN A HEALTHY
Knowing You Will Still Be
LIFE has a quiet way of reminding us that nothing remains exactly the same. Sometimes the shift is gentle. Other times it arrives like a sudden turn in the road we did not expect.
Life throws many curve balls. The question is not whether change will come as it always does. The deeper question is this, what does your sense of security truly depend upon?
Is it the freedom to be yourself within a relationship, or the invisible tie that slowly asks you to lose parts of who you are just to keep something intact?
True connection does not require the loss of self. In fact, the healthiest relationships are those where two whole people walk beside one another, not where one disappears so the other can remain.
THE FRAGILITY OF LIFE
When we are young, life often feels endless. We imagine the people around us will always be there, that the rhythms of our days will continue unchanged.
Yet as we grow older, a deeper awareness begins to settle in. Life is inherently fragile. No person, no moment, no experience stays forever. This realisation can feel confronting at first. But
it can also be profoundly awakening.
LIFE TRULY IS SHORT. Fortunate are those who walk beside us a little longer on this path. And those who cannot stay still leave their imprint in quieter ways. Sometimes they walk in the shadows of our memory, supporting us in whispers we can still feel when we pause long enough to listen.
WHEN THE HEART BEGINS TO CLOSE
There are moments in life where something inside us begins to harden.
Perhaps a disappointment, a betrayal, or a loss that felt too heavy to carry at the time. Slowly the heart becomes guarded, the mind begins to avoid what hurts, and what once flowed naturally becomes blocked like a heavy rock sitting in the middle of a river.
In the PEMA Mind and Motion philosophy, these moments are not signs of weakness. They are signs that the emotional system is trying to protect itself.
Yet protection can quietly turn into isolation if we are not careful.
Because when the heart closes completely, the very experiences that could heal us connection, love, laughter, all struggle to find their way in.
START: FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS
Pregnancy is a time of special care. Getting tested is one of the most important gifts you can give your baby.
• Hepatitis B: Babies can be fully protected by effective, essential vaccination at birth, and again at 2, 4, and 6 months. If a mother has hepatitis B, additional steps during and after the birth can prevent transmission to the baby. It is important to get the baby tested for hepatitis B 3 months after completing all the vaccination doses.
• Hepatitis C: Knowing your status allows for appropriate care planning. Treatment for hepatitis C can be started after birth.
• HIV: With effective treatment during pregnancy, the risk of passing HIV to a baby is very low.
• Syphilis: Testing and
treatment during pregnancy are crucial to prevent serious harm to both mother and baby.
This International Women’s Day, Make the Choice GIVE yourself the gift of knowledge—talk to your doctor about a simple blood test. You can also contact our program for free rapid hepatitis B and C testing. GAIN empowerment, protection and health for yourself and your family. Caring for yourself and your loved ones is the ultimate gain. Get checked. Stay healthy. For more information in your language, visit: www.eccq.com.au/bbv Or contact our friendly Love Health Program team: Email: health@eccq.com. au Phone: (07) 3844 9166
Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health Program Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ)
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A VEDIC LENS ON IMPERMANENCE
Ancient Vedic teachings speak openly about the impermanent nature of life. Rather than resisting it, they invite us to see impermanence as a teacher.
The Bhagavad Gita expresses this wisdom simply:
“As a person sheds worn-out garments and wears new ones, so the Self discards old forms and enters new ones.”
The Bhagavad Gita 2.22
From this perspective, change is not a loss of life’s meaning. It is the movement through which life renews itself.
Understanding this
does not remove sadness or grief. But it allows us to hold them alongside gratitude for what has been.
A GENTLE REMINDER
Within the emotional discovery with the research informed Mind and Motion Cards, the Change card often appears when someone is standing at an emotional crossroads.
It does not tell us what decision to make. Instead, it offers reassurance that even when life shifts in ways we did not plan, something essential within us remains steady.
The deeper message
of this card is simple yet powerful:
Knowing that if life changes, you will still be OK.
Sometimes the most healing realisation is recognising that our strength does not come from controlling every outcome. It comes from trusting our ability to meet whatever life brings.
THE GIFT OF THE PRESENT MOMENT
Time waits for no one.
This truth can feel confronting, but it can also become the greatest invitation of all, to fully appreciate what exists right now.
Enjoy the conversations, the shared meals, the laughter, the quiet companionship of simply sitting beside someone you care about. These are the moments that quietly become the memories we carry forward.
Tomorrow sometimes never comes.
Holding onto regret can quietly drain the life from the present. The heart becomes heavy, and energy that could be used for connection gets trapped in the past.
But when open hearts meet open hearts, something remarkable happens. Life feels lighter, authentic and real.
CONCLUSION
Change is inevitable.
Relationships evolve, seasons shift, and people move through different chapters of life.
But the deeper truth remains, we are more resilient than we often realise.
When we allow ourselves to stay open to life, to connection, to the present moment we discover that even through change, something meaningful continues to grow.
And perhaps that is the quiet wisdom life offers us again and again:
Nothing lasts forever. So love well. Speak kindly. And be fully present while the moment is here.
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.
THERE are plenty of things for landlords to be mindful of when it comes to effective property management. Sometimes, subtle signs of wear and tear can be the first indicator that a bigger issue is, or will be, at play.
Regular property inspections and clear communication between tenants, property managers and landlords are key to ensuring red flags don’t get overlooked. In regard to the cost of water usage, tenancy agreements may differ from state to state and property to property. Regardless of whether the bill is being sent directly to you or to your tenant, a significant jump in charges may
not necessarily indicate simply an increase in water usage.
Recently, the media reported that an unsuspecting homeowner in Queensland was hit with a large – and unexpected – water bill. It was later discovered that the cause was a concealed leak underneath the property’s driveway. Another case was reported in a unit complex, with 98 submetered units affected by, again, a concealed underground leak.
While it sounds hard to diagnose, there are some key warning signs to look out for that may warrant further investigation.
Externally, soft and squishy garden patches, fast growing and
particularly lush sections of lawn, a slow water trickle toward the road, and unexplained puddles could signal a concealed leak. If your property has a pool or spa and tenants experience frequent drops in water levels, this may also indicate a leak somewhere.
Internally, damp or discoloured walls, ceilings, cupboards and floors should be investigated to identify the source and reduce the impact of not only excess water usage, but also the risk of associated health concerns such as respiratory issues caused by mould growth.
Australians are watching their wallets closely as the cost of living continues to challenge
IN REGARD TO THE COST OF WATER USAGE, TENANCY AGREEMENTS MAY DIFFER FROM STATE TO STATE AND PROPERTY TO PROPERTY. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE BILL IS BEING SENT DIRECTLY TO YOU OR TO YOUR TENANT, A SIGNIFICANT JUMP IN CHARGES MAY NOT NECESSARILY INDICATE SIMPLY AN INCREASE IN WATER USAGE.
individuals and families, regardless of whether renting or paying off a mortgage. Electricity and
The 2026 Market Outlook
CURRENT forecasts for 2026 suggest a "twophase" year. The first half of the year is seeing continued momentum driven by tight supply, while the second half is expected to see growth moderate to a more sustainable 4% to 8% as affordability ceilings begin to act as a handbrake.
REGIONAL BRISBANE & GROWTH CORRIDORS
"Regional Brisbane" is a broad term that often refers to the high-growth LGAs (Local Government Areas) surrounding the inner city, such as Moreton Bay, Ipswich, and Logan. These areas are currently the "relief valves" for the inner city's affordability crisis.
1. MORETON BAY (THE NORTH)
Moreton Bay is emerging as one of the strongest performers in 2026. Suburbs like Strathpine, Caboolture, and Redcliffe are seeing double-digit growth.
• The Draw: Significant infrastructure including the Moreton Bay University Precinct and Bruce Highway upgrades.
• Investment Case: Units in Strathpine have seen over 20% annual growth, offering a more accessible entry point for investors looking for yields above 5.5%.
water usage costs are, on the whole, increasing; sudden spikes in usage and charges may be one of the first indicators that the property may be experiencing an issue.
The importance of addressing concerns, even small ones, can be extremely valuable in
2. IPSWICH (THE WEST)
Ipswich remains the "affordability king" of Greater Brisbane. Suburbs like North Ipswich, Brassall, and Bundamba allow investors to enter the market under the $700k–$800k mark.
• The Draw: It holds some of the highest rental yields in the metropolitan area, with some pockets still achieving 5.3%+.
• Investment Case: High demand from firsthome buyers and young families who are being priced out of the middle ring.
3. LOGAN & BEAUDESERT (THE SOUTH)
Logan has seen a massive transformation
from a perceived "lowertier" region to a highdemand rental hub.
• The Draw: Proximity to both Brisbane and the Gold Coast make it a strategic "mid-way" location.
• Investment Case: Suburbs like Springwood and Kingston are reporting some of the tightest vacancy rates in the state (often below 0.7%), ensuring near-zero downtime for landlords.
IS IT WORTH INVESTING NOW?
The Case for "Yes"
• The Olympic Tailwinds: Billions are being funnelled into the Cross River Rail, Brisbane Metro, and Victoria Park stadium projects.
Historically, host cities see sustained property value uplift in the 5–7 years preceding the Games.
• The Supply Crisis: Queensland needs to build approximately 96,000 homes by 2029 to meet targets, yet labour shortages and high material costs mean completions are lagging far behind. This "structural undersupply" acts as a floor for property prices.
• Interstate Migration: Queensland continues to lead the country in net interstate migration, with roughly 30,000 to 40,000 people moving to the state annually, primarily from NSW and Victoria.
THE RISKS TO CONSIDER
• Yield Compression: Because capital growth has been so aggressive, rental yields (particularly for houses) have started to compress. Investors seeking "cash-flow positive" properties may need to look at units or further out into regional hubs like Toowoomba or Townsville.
• Affordability Ceilings: With the median house price at $1.15M, the pool of buyers who can afford to bid higher is shrinking. We are seeing a "flight to quality" where only well-located properties near transport and good schools are seeing premium growth.
maintaining the overall condition of a property. Through regular inspections and prompt response to tenant concerns, your property manager is here to help minimise risk within your investment property.
WINNING STRATEGIES FOR 2026
If you are looking to enter the market now, experts suggest three specific avenues:
1.The "Unit Revolution": Boutique apartments in middle-ring suburbs like Chermside, Nundah, or Coorparoo are currently outperforming houses in both yield and short-term capital growth.
2. InfrastructureAdjacent Houses: Look for properties within walking distance of the new Cross River Rail stations (e.g., Woolloongabba, Boggo Road) or the Brisbane Metro lines.
3. The "Value-Add" Play: Given the high cost of new builds, buying older "renovator delights" on decent land parcels in areas like Tarragindi or Salisbury allows you to manufacture equity in a market where move-inready homes are fetching massive premiums.
Investing in regional Brisbane in 2026 is no longer a "get rich quick" scheme based on cheap land. It is a strategic play on scarcity and infrastructure. While the days of 20% annual growth for detached houses may be cooling, the combination of record-low vacancies and the decade-long leadup to the Olympics makes it one of the most resilient investment destinations in Australia.
Want to Save $96,000? Read On…
BUSINESS owners are brilliant at many things. Spotting opportunities, managing chaos, pretending the cash flow forecast looks better than it actually does… But ask most about their mortgage and they often have a blank stare as if you asked your dog to do some mathematics.
It’s the same for nonbusiness owners too.
I get it. Numbers can be boring. But if you run a business, you already live in a world where the tax office is trying to mug you and your staff want a daily pay rise.” So, here’s a simple win: a way to save $96,000 without lifting a finger.
And no, it doesn’t involve crypto, a Ponzi scheme, hustling on Instagram, or buying a warehouse full of dodgy widgets from Ali Express.
It’s this: stop paying your mortgage monthly. Pay it fortnightly instead. That’s it. Sounds too easy? It is. But the best part is, it works. Here’s the science bit:
• Monthly repayments = 12 per year.
• Fortnightly repayments = 26 per year.
26 payments is the same as 13 months.
That extra months’ worth of repayments doesn’t feel like anything because it’s spread out. But over the life
of a loan, it’s the difference between paying off a loan in 25 years… or paying it off in 21 years and pocketing
$96,000 in saved interest.
Here is an example of how you can save $96,000
- You have an $800,000 loan paying 5% with a term of 25 years. You move from monthly payments to fortnightly payments. And by doing that you save $96,000.
$96,000! That’s a brandnew Mercedes. Or a Business Class family holiday.
And here’s the thing: the banks don’t want you to know this. They love monthly repayments because it means more interest for them, and more Porsches for their executives. But they’re generous enough to allow you the choice. They just don’t advertise it.
Even better, if you can add a little extra on top, the results are equally astonishing. One of my clients had a small $200,000 loan with 20 years left. We advised her to add an extra $100 a fortnight, and she shaved two years off the term and saved $14,000 in interest.
Of course, this is the point where some accountants jump up start running around the room with their arms in the air and start wailing about “tax efficiency.” They’ll tell you negative gearing is your best friend
and paying tax deductible loans off early is financial heresy.
Some of that may be true if your idea of fun is handing money back to the government for the rest of your life. But I believe in the maths: in my client’s case she lost about $6,000 in tax perks — but she kept $8,000 more in her pocket. And that is what this is about. How much is left in your pocket not what the tax bill is.
There are some caveats, of course. Some lenders or banks won’t let you switch to fortnightly, others cap how much you can overpay, and if you suddenly want the money back for, say, a new warehouse fit-out or an espresso machine your staff don’t deserve, you may not be able to get it.
That’s why an offset mortgage is usually best. Maximum flexibility, lower interest, and you still keep access to your money. But before you decide to refinance just make sure you understand the exit and refinance costs before charging into your Bank demanding a change.
But the bottom line is this: if you’re still making monthly repayments, you’re basically donating a small fortune to your bank manager’s next yacht. And trust me, he doesn’t need another yacht.
Honoring Selfless Service, Togetherness, and Growth 13/06/2026
Children's performance Dances, Plays and Music Learn2Grow Presentations Awards and Recognitions
Enlightening speeches and discussions to strengthen values and ethics
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Article By Dr Ved Vyathit
Why Choose Learn2Grow –Power BI & Data Analytics?
JOB-READY FROM DAY ONE
Participants gain handson experience with:
• Microsoft Power BI
• Data modelling & visual storytelling
• Business dashboards & executive reporting
• Real-world datasets and scenarios
Focus is placed on employability, not just certification.
CORPORATE CULTURE & WORKPLACE READINESS
Learners are exposed to real corporate environments, including:
• Professional communication standards
• Stakeholder engagement
• Ethics, governance and accountability
• Working in crossfunctional and remote teams
This mirrors how modern Australian workplaces operate.
LIVE COMMUNITY & SOCIAL IMPACT PROJECTS
Participants work on real community-focused projects delivered through Basava Samiti Asia Pacific, enabling them to:
• Apply analytics to social good
• Work on end-toend project delivery
• Build a credible portfolio with measurable outcomes
• Understand how data supports policy, planning and community services
PUBLIC PRESENTATION & LEADERSHIP EXPOSURE
A unique highlight of Learn2Grow is public recognition and exposure.
Selected participants get opportunities to:
• Present insights at community events across Australian cities
• Engage with Councillors, Ministers, community leaders and professionals
• Build confidence, visibility and publicspeaking skills
• Network beyond traditional classrooms and offices
This experience is rare, powerful and careerdefining.
SUPPORTED BY A PURPOSE-DRIVEN CHARITY
The program is delivered by Basava Samiti Asia Pacific, a registered international charity operating across Australia and New Zealand, fully powered by skilled
volunteers and supported by:
• Microsoft Tech for Social Impact
• Google Workspace for Nonprofits
• Industry-grade digital platforms
Every learner becomes part of a values-driven ecosystem that believes in: Engage. Educate. Empower. Enlighten.
WHO SHOULD JOIN?
• University students & graduates
• Career switchers & return-to-work professionals
• Community leaders & volunteers
• Aspiring data analysts, BI developers, consultants & policy analysts
No matter where you start — Learn2Grow helps you grow forward.
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Sant Shri Murlidhar Ji Maharaj: Connecting the World to Shri Ram Through Ram Katha
"SANT Shri Murlidhar Ji Maharaj is a divine medium bringing the sacred life of Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram to the masses through the chaupais of Goswami Tulsidas Ji. In the present day, he is performing the transcendental task of connecting millions of devotees across India and other parts of the world to Shri Ram through his soulful Ram Katha."
A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF HIS JOURNEY AND CONTRIBUTIONS:
• Introduction: Born on August 13, 1970, into a Vaishnav family in Kalol, Mehsana district, Gujarat. Maharaj Ji is the son of Shri Laldas Ji Vaishnav and Smt. Soni Devi. He completed his primary schooling in Kalol and pursued his graduation in Jodhpur.
• Guru’s Grace: At the tender age of 12, he received the holy guidance and 'Guru Mantra' from his Guru, Shri Jamna Das Ji Maharaj. He inherited the tradition of Ram Katha singing as a family legacy.
• The Turning Point: To fulfill family responsibilities, he initially ran a stone business in Jodhpur. However, in 2004, following a divine calling, he renounced his business to dedicate his life entirely to singing the glories of Shri Ram.
• Unique Style: His soulful rendition of the Ramcharitmanas and his ability to explain complex spiritual truths in simple language naturally draws people toward devotion.
• Global Reach: Beyond India, he has propagated
Indian culture by narrating the Ram Katha in countries including Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Singapore, South Africa, Dubai, Mauritius, Switzerland, and Oman.
• Service and Ashram: He has established the Raghuvansh Puram Ashram in Kelawa village (near Bawadi, Jodhpur), which hosts religious events and
Sant Seva throughout the year. Alongside the ashram, he founded the Keshav Priya Gaushala, which currently provides dedicated care to approximately 650 cows.
Elchi: Redefining Indian Fine Dining in Melbourne’s CBD
IN the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, where cultures intersect and celebrations unfold beneath the glow of city lights, Elchi is quietly redefining what Indian fine dining looks and feels like.
At its helm is Manpreet Sekhon, a chef whose journey has not been shaped by a single dramatic moment, but by what she describes as a gradual calling a steady pull toward elevating Indian cuisine onto a refined, contemporary stage.
Yet my introduction to Manpreet Sekhon did not begin within the walls of her restaurant. It began at a book launch an evening layered with conversation, curiosity and spirited debate. Amidst the energy of the room, her presence stood out. There was warmth in her smile, humility in her manner, and an effortless ease in conversation that immediately drew me in.
That evening, I discovered the woman many affectionately call Melbourne’s own “curry queen.”
Before long, our paths crossed again this time as
I stepped into the intimate, candlelit elegance of Elchi itself to have a chat about her culinary journey.
1. WHAT DEFINING MOMENT MADE YOU REALISE IT WAS TIME TO OPEN A RESTAURANT LIKE ELCHI IN MELBOURNE’S CBD?
“There wasn’t just one moment,” Sekhon reflects.
“After opening Eastern Spice and later Masti, I felt I had more to say through food.” Indian cuisine could be elegant, layered and experiential not only comforting but refined.
Melbourne CBD, she explains, felt like the right stage. “It’s where cultures meet. Where people celebrate milestones. Where romance happens.”
From that vision, Elchi was born a space where Indian food stands proudly in a fine-dining setting, experienced in a completely new way.
2. HOW DO YOU STRIKE THE BALANCE BETWEEN AUTHENTICITY AND INNOVATION ON YOUR MENU?
“For me, authenticity isn’t about copying tradition, it’s about
respecting its soul. I grew up with these flavours. I understand their depth, their emotion. That foundation never changes. Innovation comes in how we present it, how we refine it, and how we surprise guests. Maybe it’s a modern plating style, maybe it’s a contemporary cocktail pairing, or a lighter technique that enhances the spices instead of overpowering them. The goal is never to reinvent Indian cuisine, it’s to elevate it while staying true to its heart.”
3. HOW INTENTIONAL WERE YOU ABOUT DESIGNING THE OVERALL GUEST EXPERIENCE BEYOND WHAT’S SERVED ON THE PLATE?
Food, Sekhon insists, is only part of memorymaking.
“Dining, to me, is theatre. The plate is the star, but the setting is the stage.”
From lighting and music to the subtle scent of spices in the air, Elchi was designed to feel intimate but not intimidating, luxurious yet welcoming.
4. WAS ROMANCE ALWAYS PART OF YOUR VISION, AND HOW HAS IT SHAPED THE CULTURE AND STANDARDS YOU UPHOLD HERE?
“Romance was always part of that vision a space for anniversaries, proposals and Valentine’s evenings. Service is paced, never rushed. The team is trained to read the table to know when to engage and when to quietly step back.”
Manpreet sees food as sensory storytelling. “Indian cuisine is naturally romantic. It’s layered, slow-cooked, deeply aromatic. It invites sharing. It invites conversation.”
“At Elchi, dinner becomes more than a candlelight meal. Thoughtfully curated tasting menus, cocktails that surprise, moments designed to be remembered long after the night ends is part of the experience.”
5. WHAT INSPIRED THE DECISION TO WELCOME GUESTS AGED 12 AND ABOVE, AND HOW HAS IT SHAPED THE
ATMOSPHERE?
To preserve that tranquil, elevated atmosphere, Elchi welcomes guests aged 12 and above. A decision Sekhon describes as clarity of concept rather than exclusion.
“It’s about protecting the experience. Guests come here knowing they’re stepping into something calm, refined and intimate. And what we’ve created is beautiful. People relax, linger and truly connect.”
As our time together ended, we lingered over a beautifully brewed chai from the Elchi kitchen. In that quiet moment, something softened within me. The warmth of the spices, the intimacy of the space it all felt cinematic. I found myself thinking, almost instinctively, that one day this would be the place I would return to for a truly heartfelt evening with someone special. For those visiting Melbourne be sure to add to your itinerary and mention this article:
https://www. elchirestaurant.com.au/
A Kaleidoscope of Unity: Celebrating Holi in Australia
IN Australia, the arrival of March marks a shift in the air, not toward the spring of the Northern Hemisphere, but toward a vibrant autumnal celebration of Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colours. What was once a niche community gathering has evolved into a cornerstone of Australia’s multicultural calendar, embraced by people of all backgrounds. From the iconic shores of Darling Harbour to the suburban backyards of Brisbane, Holi in Australia is a powerful symbol of "Unity in Diversity."
THE SPIRIT OF THE SOUTHSIDE
While massive public festivals like the Brisbane Festival of Colour draw thousands to the city's parks, the heart of Holi remains in the intimate, grassroots celebrations that keep ancient traditions alive. A shining example of this is the annual gathering hosted by Mr. Adrian and Roshni Naidu in Brisbane’s south. Their home becomes a sanctuary for the Southside Chautal Group, a dedicated mandali that preserves the rare and rhythmic art of Chautal and Faag singing. These traditional folk songs, rooted in the rural landscapes of Uttar
Pradesh and Bihar and carried to the Pacific by the Girmitiyas, find a new resonance on Australian soil.
At the Naidus' residence, the air is thick with more than just gulal (coloured powder); it vibrates with the sound of the dholak (drum) and the clash of manjira (cymbals). The Southside Chautal Group leads the gathered families in high-energy, competitive singing that narrates the playful antics of Lord Krishna and Radha. This isn’t just a party; it is a cultural transmission, where the younger generation watches their elders reclaim a heritage of joy and resilience.
A MODERN AUSTRALIAN TRADITION
The beauty of such private celebrations is the seamless blend of the old and the new. Between the spirited rounds of singing, guests enjoy a fusion of traditional treats like gujiya and bara and sweets.
As Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently noted, Holi has been "heartily embraced" as part of the modern Australian story. Whether it is through the grand scale of the Swaminarayan festivals,
the community kitchens of the Gurudwaras, or the rhythmic folk songs at Adrian and Roshni Naidu’s home, Holi in
Australia serves as a vibrant reminder that our traditions are the threads that weave us into the fabric of this great nation.
Strong Between Two Worlds Redefining success, identity and wellbeing in modern migrant life.
WHEN we talk about achievements on International Women’s Day, this is often measured by visible milestones like leadership appointments, entrepreneurial success, community recognition. Yet for many millennial desi women living in Australia, strength and achievement are expressed less through headlines and more through daily resilience.
The resilience is often found in reinvention, responsibility, and the ongoing negotiation between ambition and obligation.
Over the past two decades, Australia has seen significant migration from India, including a large cohort of millennial women who arrived as students, skilled professionals, partners,
or new brides. Many have since established careers and families, contributing meaningfully to Australia’s economic and cultural landscape.
But behind professional progress lies a more complex emotional reality.
Reinventing Life from the Ground Up
For many desi women, arrival in Australia meant accelerated independence and adaptation. This was not just a practical adjustment but also a psychological one, and played a vital role in reinventing their identities.
Whether as a professional, they required local accreditation for their skills to be recognised or working mums, they changed their field of work for school hours friendly work environment or being at home to support the needs of their growing families, the resilience of desi women has been tested time and time again. This has required them to stretch themselves and be self-reliant.
Those who migrated for higher education or skilled employment often carried additional pressure to succeed, both for personal ambition and family expectations.
Yet alongside these challenges was determination.
Many desi women entered sectors such as healthcare, IT, education, finance, and small business with clear objectives — financial independence, career progression, and longterm stability.
The Invisible Emotional Load Professional achievement, however, has not erased emotional strain.
What is sometimes referred to as the “second shift”, domestic and emotional labour undertaken after paid work hours. For desi women in Australia, this burden can feel intensified by cultural expectations around caregiving, home-cooked meals, and community involvement. They are forever chasing the work-life balance that is frequently promoted in Australian workplaces, yet can somehow be elusive in our cultures.
Women speak of a persistent internal checklist: Am I doing enough at work? Am I present enough at home? Am I staying connected enough with family in India? Technology may have reduced physical distance but not emotional responsibility. Regular video calls maintain closeness with parents and relatives yet also underscore absence from family milestones and ageing loved ones. The result is a sense of
divided presence, belonging fully to neither place at any one time.
The Persistence of Guilt
A recurring theme in conversations with millennial desi women is guilt. Guilt for long work hours. Guilt for relying on childcare. Guilt for not pursuing career growth more aggressively. Guilt for wanting time alone. Guilt for not earning an income.
Much of this stems from cultural narratives equating sacrifice with virtue. Many women were raised to prioritise family needs above personal wellbeing. Rest was something earned after responsibilities were fulfilled, and responsibilities rarely felt complete.
In Australia’s more individualistic context, messages around self-care and boundary-setting are prominent. Yet adopting these practices can generate tension. Choosing personal time may feel like abandoning inherited expectations.
This tension contributes to stress and, in some cases, quiet burnout.
Mental Health and Evolving Conversations
Encouragingly, attitudes toward mental health are shifting within the community.
Desi women are increasingly open to
counselling, peer support groups, and wellness practices.
Multicultural health services report growing engagement from South Asian women seeking support for anxiety, work stress, and adjustment challenges.
Wellbeing strategies vary. Some draw on familiar cultural practices such as yoga and meditation. Others prioritise gym memberships, walking groups, or creative outlets. Informal networks: WhatsApp groups, community gatherings, professional circles, often serve as safe spaces for honest conversations about overwhelm.
Where previous generations may have normalised silent endurance, many millennials are reframing strength as the willingness to seek help.
Redefining Success and Balance
Rather than pursuing a rigid definition of balance, many women are adopting a more fluid approach. Flexible work arrangements, hybrid roles, and more direct conversations with partners about equitable domestic responsibilities are becoming increasingly common. Within households, subtle but significant shifts are occurring.
Children in migrant Indian families today are observing mothers who pursue careers while also prioritising mental health and setting boundaries. This modelling has long-term implications, shaping how the next generation understands gender roles and emotional wellbeing.
A Broader Reflection International Women’s Day provides an opportunity not only to celebrate visible accomplishments but also to acknowledge layered realities. Millennial desi women in Australia are professionals, caregivers, entrepreneurs, and community contributors. They are also individuals navigating complex identities across two cultures. Their strength lies not simply in endurance, but in adaptation, in balancing heritage with independence, ambition with wellbeing, and responsibility with selfdefinition.
As Australia marks International Women’s Day, their stories serve as a reminder that empowerment is not a fixed achievement. It is an ongoing process, shaped by migration, motherhood, career, culture, and personal growth.
And for many millennial desi women, that journey continues- resilient, reflective, and increasingly self-directed.
By Rinchaal Patel, Mindset and Relationship Coach, YOLO Academy
Bhagavad Gita Chapters 12 & 13 Vishwarup Darshan Yog – The Yog of the Vision of Cosmic Manifestation
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12 Bhakti Yog – The Yog of Devotion
Arjun said:
1. The steadfast devotees who constantly worship you with devotion and those who worship the eternal unmanifest Brahm, which of these have the better knowledge of yog?
Shree Bhagavan Krishna said:
2. Those who are eternally steadfast and endowed with supreme faith, and setting their minds on me, worship me, are in my opinion the most perfect.
3. But those who worship the imperishable, the undefinable, the unmanifest, the all-pervading, the unconceivable, the unchanging, the immovable and the eternal;
4. With control over all their senses, even-minded in all situations and engaged in the welfare of all creatures, they also attain to me.
5. The difficulty encountered by those whose thoughts are set on the unmanifest is greater, for it is difficult for embodied beings to reach the unmanifest Brahm.
6. But those, who surrendering all their actions to me and regarding me as the supreme, worship me with constant meditation and undistracted yog;
7. And whose thoughts are set on me, I straightaway deliver them from the ocean of death-bound existence, O Parth Arjun.
8. Fix your mind on me alone and let your intelligence dwell in me., Thereafter you will reside in me, of this there is no doubt.
9. If you are unable to fix your mind steadily on me, then with constant practice of concentration seek to reach me, O Dhananjay Arjun.
10. If you are incapable even of practice, then concentrate on providing service to me. By performing actions for my sake, you will attain perfection.
11. If you are unable to do even this, then take refuge in disciplined activities for me alone, renouncing the fruits of all actions and act with self-restraint.
12. Indeed, knowledge is better than the practice (without discernment). Better than knowledge is meditation. Better than meditation is the renunciation of the fruits of actions and peace immediately follows renunciation.
13. The one who is free from malice to all beings, is friendly and compassionate, without the sense of mine and false ego, even-minded in pain and pleasure, and forgiving;
14. The yogi who is ever content, self-controlled, with firm resolve, and whose mind and wisdom are fixed on me and who is devoted to me is dear to me.
15. The one from whom the world does not shrink and who does not shrivel from
the world, and who is free from happiness, distress, fear and anxiety, is dear to me.
16. The one who has no expectation, is pure, skilful, impartial and free from anxiety, and has renounced initiatives in all actions and is devoted to me, is dear to me.
17. The one who neither rejoices nor hates, neither laments nor desires, and who renounces both auspicious and inauspicious things and is full of devotion is dear to me.
18. The one who behaves alike to foe and friend as well as to honour and ignominy, and who remains balanced in heat and cold, pleasure and pain and who is free from attachment,
19. And who considers blame and praises equal, remains silent (restrained in speech) and content with anything that comes his or her way, who has no fixed dwelling, is steady in mind and is full of devotion to me is dear to me.
20. Those devotees endowed with faith and holding me as their supreme goal who follow this immortal wisdom as stated above are exceedingly dear to me.
Thus ends the twelfth chapter, entitled Bhakti Yog – The Yog of Devotion containing the discourse between Shree Krishna and Arjun in the Upanishad called the Bhagavad Gita, the science of Brahm, the scripture of Yog.
BHAGAVAD GITA
CHAPTER 13
Kshetra Kshetragya Vibhag Yog – The Yog of Distinction between the Field and the Knower of the Field
Arjun said:
O Keshav Krishna, I wish to know about Prakriti (material nature) and Purush (spirit); Kshetra (field) and Kshetragya (knower of the field); and Gyan (knowledge) and Gyeya (object of knowledge).
(This unnumbered verse does not occur in all versions. It may have been deleted in order to make the total number of verses 700, which is traditionally accepted.)
Shree Bhagavan Krishna said:
1. O Kaunteya Arjun, this very body is said to be the field and the person who knows it is called the knower of the field. Those who are wise in these things say so.
2. And also recognise me as the knower of the field in all fields, O Bharat Arjun. It is my opinion that the knowledge of the field and its knower is the true knowledge.
3. Hear in brief from me what the field is, what its nature is, what its modifications are, whence they come, and also who the knower of field is and what his powers are.
4. Sages have sung of it in many ways and distinctly in various Vedic hymns and also in well-reasoned and conclusive expressions of
the aphorisms relating to the Absolute (Brahmsutra).
5. The great (five gross) elements, self-sense, intelligence and also the unmanifest, the ten senses and one (mind) and five objects of the senses;
6. Desire, hatred, pleasure, pain, the whole body, consciousness and steadfastness; thus, the field is described in brief with its modifications.
7. Freedom from pride, absence of deceit, nonviolence, patience, honesty, service to the teacher, purity, steadfastness and selfcontrol;
8. Aversion to the objects of sense and absence of conceit, keeping in sight the evils of birth, death, old age, disease and pain;
9. Non-attachment, absence of clinging to offspring, wife, home and so on, and ever evenmindedness towards desirable and undesirable events;
10. Unswerving devotion to me with single-minded attachment, frequenting secluded places and distaste for association with people;
11. Constancy in the knowledge of the supreme spirit, insight into the goal of the knowledge of the truth; this is declared to be true knowledge and all that is different from it is ignorance.
12. I shall declare that which is to be known and by knowing that one attains immortality. It is the beginningless supreme Brahm, which is said to be neither being nor non-being.
13. With hands and feet everywhere, with eyes, heads and faces in all directions and ears all around, it sits enveloping all in the universe.
14. It appears to have the qualities of all the senses, yet it is without any of the senses. It is unattached, yet it supports everything. It is free from the gunas (three attributes of prakriti) and yet it enjoys them.
15. It is outside and inside of all beings. It is unmoving as well as it is moving. Because of its fineness it is not comprehended. It is positioned far away as well as it is near.
16. It is undivided yet it seems to remain divided among beings. It is known to be the sustainer of beings, their destroyer and creator.
17. It is also said to be the light of lights and is beyond darkness. It is knowledge, the object of knowledge and is to be attained through knowledge, and is seated in the heart of all.
18. Thus, the field, knowledge, and the object of knowledge have been described in brief. After understanding this my devotees enters into my state of being.
19. Know that both material nature and spirit are beginningless. And also know that all their modifications and qualities arise from material nature.
20. Material nature is said
to be the cause in producing the cause and effect, whereas spirit is said to be the cause of experiencing pleasure and pain.
21. The spirit abiding in material nature enjoys the qualities born of material nature. Attachment to the qualities is the cause of its birth in good and evil wombs.
22. The supreme spirit in this body is also said to be the witness, the approver, the sustainer, the enjoyer, the great Lord and the supreme self.
23. Those who thus know the spirit and the material nature along with the qualities are not born again, no matter in whatever way they live and act.
24. Some perceive the self within the self by the self through meditation. Others by the discipline of sankhya, the path of knowledge and still others by karmayog, the path of action.
25. Yet others, though ignorant of these paths, hearing from others, worship. They also cross beyond death through their devotion to what they hear.
26. Any being that comes into existence, moving and unmoving, know O Bharatrshabh Arjun, that it springs from the union of the field and the knower of the field.
27. The one who sees the supreme Lord existing alike in all beings and never perishing when they perish, truly sees.
28. The one who sees the same Lord equally present everywhere and does not injure one’s true self by the self, attains the supreme state.
29. The one who sees that all actions are executed exclusively by material nature and thus the self is not a doer, truly sees.
30. When one perceives the various states of beings resting in the one, and from that spreading out distinctly, then that person attains Brahm.
31. This imperishable supreme self, being without a beginning and without qualities, even though situated in the body, O Kaunteya Arjun, does not act nor is tainted.
32. As the all-pervading sky does not become tainted due to its subtlety, likewise the self, despite being situated everywhere in the body, does not suffer any smearing.
33. As the one sun illumines this whole world, likewise Kshetri, the lord of the field, illumines the entire field, O Bharat Arjun.
34. Those who know through their eye of knowledge the distinction between the field and the knower of the field as well as the deliverance of beings from material nature attain the supreme.
Thus ends the thirteenth chapter, entitled Kshetra Kshetragya Vibhag Yog – The Yog of Distinction between the Field and the Knower of the Field, containing the discourse between Shree
Krishna and Arjun in the Upanishad called the Bhagavad Gita, the science of Brahm, the scripture of Yog. Epithets for Krishna used in Bhagavad Gita (BG) in general
1) Achyut – imperishable, one who does not fall; 2) Arisudan - slayer of enemy; 3) Bhagavan – blessed one; 4) Govind – chief herdsman, protector of cows, giver of enlightenment; 5) Hrishikesh –bristling hair one, master of senses; 6) Janardan - the one who protects the virtuous and punishes the wicked; 7) Keshav – one with beautiful hair; 8) Keshinisudan – slayer of the demon Keshin; 9) Madhav – lord of sweetness, descendant of Madhu, a Yadav, the husband of Lakshmi; 10) Madhusudan – destroyer of demon Madhu; 11) Mahabaho – mighty armed one, also used for Arjun; 12) Varshneya – a warrior of the Vrishni clan; 13) Vasudev (Va pronounced as Vaa) – son of Vasudev; 14) Yadav – descendent of Yadu; 15) Yogeshvar – lord of yog. And in the cosmic manifestation chapter 11 1) Anantrup – infinite form; 2) Aprameya – Immeasurable; 3) Dev – deity, god; 4) Devesh – lord of gods; 5) Isham Idyam – lord to be praised; 6) Jagannivas – abode of the universe; 7) Kamalpatraksh –lotus-petal eyed; 8) Mahatman – whose self is great; 9) Parameshvar – supreme lord; 10) Prabhu – lord, master; 11) Prajapati – lord of creatures; 12) Purushottam – supreme spirit, best of human; 13) Sahasrabaho – thousand armed; 14) Vishnu – the preserver god among three main gods that include Brahma and Shiv, all-encompassing, of which Krishna is an incarnation; 15) Vishvarup – cosmic form; 16) Vishveshvar – lord of universe.
Epithets for Arjun: 1) Anagh – sinless one; 2) Bharat - descendent of king Bharat, ancestor of Kuru clan; 3) Bharatarshabh – Bull of the Bharatas; 4) Bharatashreshth – best of the Bharatas; 5) Bharatasattama – highest of the Bharatas; 6) Dhananjay – conqueror of wealth; 7) Dehabhritvar – best of embodied; 8) Gudakesh – one who has conquered sleep, one with thick beautiful hair; 9) Kapidhwaj – the monkey bannered; 10)Kaunteya - son of Kunti; 11) Kiriti – with crown;12) Kurunandandescendent of Kuru who was a king of his lineage in the past, one who bring joy to Kuru; 13) Kurupraveer – hero of Kuru dynasty; 14) Mahabaho - mighty armed one, also used for Krishna 15) Pandav – son of Pandu; 9) Parantap – chastiser of the enemy; 16) Parth – son of Pritha, which is another name of Kunti; 17) Purusharshabh – bull among men; 18) Purushvyaghra – tiger among men; 19) Savyasachi - One who is equally adept with both hands.
—Awadhesh Sharma www.hinduguru.com.au
Pastor Suresh Dass Joseph josephdass@optusnet.com.au
DEAR READER, it is with great joy that we bring you the word of God. Today, I want to speak to parents, single parents, grandparents, guardians, mentors, spiritual parents, and anyone who wishes to become a parent. Because parenting is not easy. Then we have other people, the social media, the culture, telling parents how to raise a child, but not everyone is pointing the parents to God's way of raising a child. The world mostly wants to produce children who are only successful and popular. But God brings up children who are prepared and saved. And God has given parents tools to do so. Think of a compass. It does not tell you about the obstacles, storms, and the distance of a journey,
GOOD PARENTING
but it does tell us the clear direction of your target. In the same sense, every parent needs a compass. Not some celebrity advice, social-media advice, but the word of God as a compass.
In the bible, we read (Luke 15) about the son who left home for the city, and lost all that was in his possession. While working on the farm, caring for swine, he remembered his father. Coming to his senses, he thought, 'How many of my father's hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger.
I shall get up and go to my father, and I shall say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. “
HERE ARE 3 LESSONS WE CAN LEARN ABOUT RAISING CHILDREN FROM THIS PARABLE AS TOLD BY JESUS.
1. The world raises children to be liked, but God raises children to be led.
Often the world says, "let the children do what they like, or don't correct them too much, or else you may hurt their feelings". But God's word reminds us that the rod and the rebuke give wisdom, and a child left to himself brings shame to their
parents. It doesn't say you should be abusive, but it does say, as a parent, to be present and purposeful in raising them because correction is not hatred. And what the world calls "trauma," the bible says, it is training. Correction is love with a backbone and not a wishbone. Again, the scripture says, "whom the Lord loves, He chastens." So if God disciplines His children whom He loves,
situation. But hang on. Stay in faith, for God is about to speak to that child. And remember, when God speaks, hearts change, and children come back home.
then how much more are we to raise ours with correction. And just like a compass, discipline is not rejection, but direction! When the son in the parable came to his senses, he remembered his father, and he knew how to get back home. He had the compass. And sadly, sometimes our children do drift away, even to a point where it looks like an impossible
2. GODLY PARENTING IS NOT ABOUT CONTROL; IT'S ABOUT COVENANT. Some parents feel it's their job to control a child. Those rigid rules, enforcements, and excessive power do not change the child's heart. It only changes behaviour temporarily. But a parent under a covenant says, "I will cover you, I will pray for you, I will speak life over you, I will guide you back to God." The bible says, "Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. You don't raise children by pressure; you raise them through your prayers and by your presence. It's not just correction, but also connection. For the children may forget all the lectures, but they will remember your example of love and affection, and being present for them.
3. ALWAYS TRUST GOD TO HAVE THE FINAL SAY OVER YOUR CHILDREN.
In this parable, when the son left home with
his possessions, I can imagine the pain of the Father. Thoughts may have come to his mind, "Where did I go wrong? Why is he rebellious? Why is he far from God?" And sometimes, like him, it is easy to carry the guilt that your children are nowhere near where you want them to be. The world may have influenced them. Friends may have misled them, but the good news is that God is still the author of their lives. His word says, "The Lord shall teach all your children. That means God can reach them. He can restore them and bring them home.
As parents, I encourage you to keep praying for your children. Always speak life over them. "You are chosen. You are loved. You are more than your mistakes." These are words that can shape their identity and future. Set some Godly boundaries. Saying "no" is not cruel because sometimes your "no" is the reason they survive.
The good news is that God's grace is always available to you as you go about raising, praying, and believing for that child.
God bless you
Ps Suresh Dass Joseph josephdass@optusnet. com.au
Honouring the Pillars of Our Community: International Women’s Day with the Indian Senior Citizens Association
THE spirit of resilience and the warmth of community were on full display as the Indian Senior Citizens Association (ISCA) gathered to celebrate International Women’s Day. In a room filled with the wisdom of our elders and the energy of a new generation, the event served as a powerful reminder that the journey of women’s empowerment is a baton passed from one era to the next.
The celebration was graced by the presence of James Martin MP, Member for Stretton, who acknowledged the vital role Indian Australian women play in the social and economic fabric of his electorate. However, it was the stirring keynote address by Chief Guest Shanjeshni Deo that truly captured the heart of the occasion.
A VOICE OF INSPIRATION: SHANJESHNI DEO’S ADDRESS
Shanjeshni Deo delivered a speech that was as much a tribute to the past as it was a call to action for the future.
Drawing on the theme of "Inspire Inclusion," she spoke passionately about the "invisible labour" of the women in the room, the mothers and grandmothers who migrated to Australia, often sacrificing their own professional dreams to ensure their children had every opportunity. "Empowerment isn't just about the titles we
hold in the boardroom," Shanjeshni remarked. "It is about the courage to lead within our families, the strength to preserve our culture in a new land, and the wisdom to know that our voices matter." Her words resonated deeply with the seniors; many of whom were the silent architects of the thriving Indian community we see today in Queensland. She
challenged the audience to continue mentoring younger women, ensuring that the confidence found in our heritage becomes a shield against the challenges of modern life.
THE TRUE MEANING OF WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT
Women’s empowerment, particularly within the South Asian diaspora, is
a multifaceted journey. It begins with education and economic independence, but it matures through cultural agency. For the Indian Senior Citizens Association, empowerment is reflected in the way women have taken the lead in preserving the "Sanatan" values of Sewa (service) and Shakti (strength). True empowerment
means creating an environment where a woman’s worth is not defined by her proximity to others, but by her own inherent dignity. It is seen in:
• The Power of Voice: Breaking the silences of previous generations to advocate for health, safety, and equality.
• Economic Contribution: From the Girmitiyas women who worked the fields to today’s professionals, women have always been the financial backbone of our progress.
• Leadership in Faith: As seen in our Sanatan, Swaminarayan, and Brahma Kumari centres, women are increasingly the custodians of spiritual wisdom and community governance.
As James Martin MP noted during the event, the strength of a community is measured by how it treats its women. By honouring our senior citizens on International Women’s Day, we aren't just looking back at history, we are honouring the foundations upon which every "noble citizen" of our future is built.
Key Scriptures Genesis 1:26–27
Humanity’s True Identity, Purpose, and Restoration Through Christ
Few passages in the Bible carry such profound meaning about human identity and purpose as Genesis 1:26–27. These two verses appear at the very beginning of Scripture, yet they answer some of the deepest questions every human being asks:
Who am I?
Why do I exist?
What is my purpose in this world?
Genesis reveals that human life is not accidental, random, or meaningless. Instead, every person was intentionally created with dignity, purpose, and a unique relationship with the Creator.
1. THE ORIGINAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN IDENTITY
Genesis 1:26–27 states:
“Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…’
So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.”
These verses stand apart from the rest of creation. Earlier in Genesis, God created light, land, animals, and plants simply by speaking them into existence. But when God created humanity, Scripture records something remarkable: God spoke with intention and deliberation.
“Let us make mankind in our image.”
This statement reveals that humans were created to reflect something of God's nature in a way that no other part of creation does.
Every person— regardless of nationality, culture, education, or status—possesses a divine imprint. This truth gives every human life inherent value and dignity.
Human worth does not come from wealth, intelligence, social status, or achievements. It comes from being created in the image of God.
2. UNDERSTANDING THE WORD “IMAGE”
The Hebrew word translated “image” in Genesis 1:26 is “tselem” (
). The word carries the meaning of:
• representation
• reflection
• resemblance
• visible expression of something invisible
Jesus said “Arise and Shine…”
In ancient contexts, the word was sometimes used to describe a statue or symbol representing a king’s authority in distant territories. Wherever the statue stood, it represented the king's rule.
Similarly, humanity was created to represent God on earth.
Humans were not created to replace God but to reflect His character, creativity, wisdom, and stewardship over creation.
This means humanity was designed to display:
• moral awareness
• creativity
• relational capacity
• stewardship over creation
• the ability to love, reason, and choose
No animal or object shares this unique capacity.
Psalm 8:4–6 beautifully echoes this truth:
“What is mankind that You are mindful of them…
You made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.”
Human beings were created with honor and responsibility.
3. UNDERSTANDING THE WORD “LIKENESS”
The Hebrew word translated “likeness” is “demuth” (תוּמְּד).
This word means:
• similarity
• pattern
• resemblance
• form reflecting an original
While “image” emphasizes representation, “likeness” emphasizes similarity of nature or character.
Together, these two words reveal that humanity was designed to both:
1. Represent God
2. Reflect His character
Humans were created with the capacity to reflect qualities that originate in God, such as:
• love
• justice
• compassion
• creativity
• wisdom
• relational connection
In this sense, humans were created not merely to exist, but to mirror the nature of their Creator in the world.
This gives profound meaning to life.
4. HUMANITY’S ORIGINAL PURPOSE
Genesis continues in verse 26:
“…and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the sky… and over all the earth.”
This statement reveals humanity’s role.
Humans were entrusted with stewardship of creation.
They were not owners but caretakers.
This responsibility included:
• cultivating the earth
• developing society
• building communities
• exercising wisdom and responsibility
Genesis 2:15 explains this further:
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”
Human work was originally designed to be meaningful and purposeful, not burdensome.
People were meant to partner with God in cultivating a flourishing world.
5. THE FRACTURE: HUMANITY’S DEPARTURE FROM GOD
Although humanity was created with purpose and dignity, something went wrong.
Genesis 3 describes humanity’s decision to reject God's guidance and pursue independence from Him.
This act introduced:
• separation from God
• broken relationships
• moral confusion
• suffering and death
The image of God in humanity was not destroyed, but it became distorted.
This explains why human history shows both great beauty and deep brokenness.
Humans still display creativity, love, and compassion, yet also struggle with pride, selfishness, violence, and injustice.
Romans 3:23 explains this reality:
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Humanity fell short of the purpose it was created for.
6. HUMANITY’S LONGING FOR RESTORATION
Even though humanity turned away from God, people across all cultures continue to seek meaning, identity, and purpose.
This universal longing reflects a deeper truth: the human soul still carries the imprint of its Creator.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 says:
“God has placed eternity in the human heart.”
People intuitively
sense that life must have deeper meaning beyond survival or material success.
This longing is evidence of humanity’s original design.
7. JESUS: THE PERFECT IMAGE OF GOD
The Bible presents Jesus Christ as the perfect expression of God's image.
Colossians 1:15 declares:
“The Son is the image of the invisible God.”
While humanity reflects God's image imperfectly, Jesus perfectly reveals who God truly is.
Jesus demonstrated:
• compassion for the broken
• justice for the oppressed
• mercy for sinners
• truth without compromise
• love without limit
His life showed what humanity was originally intended to be.
Hebrews 1:3 describes Jesus as:
“The radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being.”
Jesus is not merely a teacher but the living revelation of God's character.
8. JESUS CAME TO RESTORE HUMANITY
The central message of the gospel is that Jesus came not only to teach but to restore humanity to its original purpose.
John 10:10 records Jesus saying: “I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
Through His death and resurrection, Jesus addressed the separation between humanity and God.
2 Corinthians 5:19 explains:
“God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ.”
Jesus took upon Himself the consequences of human rebellion so that people could be restored to relationship with God.
9. RESTORING THE IMAGE OF GOD
When people turn to Christ, something profound happens.
The New Testament describes salvation as a process of restoration.
Romans 8:29 explains that believers are being: “conformed to the image of His Son.”
This means God is gradually restoring humanity to its intended design.
The process includes:
• renewed identity
• transformed
character
• restored relationship with God
• rediscovered purpose
Colossians 3:10 states:
“You have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”
Salvation is therefore not merely forgiveness— it is restoration of the divine image.
10. A NEW IDENTITY
Through Christ, people receive a new identity.
John 1:12 says:
“To all who received Him… He gave the right to become children of God.”
Human identity shifts from striving for worth to receiving worth from God.
This truth addresses many of humanity’s deepest struggles:
• insecurity
• identity confusion
• purposelessness
• fear of insignificance
When people understand they were created in God’s image and redeemed through Christ, they discover that their lives have profound meaning.
11. A RESTORED PURPOSE
Christ not only restores identity but also restores purpose.
Ephesians 2:10 explains:
“We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.”
The Greek word translated workmanship means a masterpiece or work of art.
This means every person redeemed by Christ becomes part of God’s ongoing work in the world.
Purpose is rediscovered through:
• loving others
• serving communities
• stewarding creation
• reflecting God's character
12. THE FULFILMENT OF HUMAN LIFE
True fulfilment is not found merely in wealth, success, or personal achievement.
These things may bring temporary satisfaction but cannot satisfy the deeper hunger of the human soul.
Jesus addressed this reality in Matthew 16:26:
“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
Human fulfilment comes from living in alignment with the purpose for which humanity was created.
This includes:
• relationship with God
• meaningful
relationships with others
• purposeful contribution to the world
Jesus summarized this life in John 15:5:
“Whoever abides in Me and I in them will bear much fruit.”
13. A VISION FOR HUMANITY
Genesis 1:26–27 reveals that humanity was created with extraordinary dignity. Every person carries the imprint of God.
Despite humanity’s failures, God's purpose for humanity has not changed.
Through Christ, people are invited back into the life they were originally designed for.
This restored life reflects:
• love instead of hatred
• humility instead of pride
• service instead of domination
• truth instead of deception
As individuals rediscover their identity in God, they begin to reflect His image more clearly in the world.
CONCLUSION
Genesis 1:26–27 reveals a foundational truth about human existence: every person was created in the image and likeness of God. This truth establishes human dignity, identity, and purpose.
Although humanity turned away from God, the Creator did not abandon His creation.
Through Jesus Christ, God initiated a plan of restoration—redeeming humanity and restoring the image that was distorted.
Through Christ, people rediscover:
• who they are
• why they exist • what they were created to become
In the end, the story of humanity is not merely about creation or failure. It is about restoration and fulfilment.
The Creator who formed humanity in His image is also the Redeemer who restores that image.And through this restoration, humanity can once again live the life it was always meant to live.
What about you?
Have you ever experienced a lightbulb moment—where a simple memory or life experience suddenly unlocked a deep spiritual truth?
I would love to hear your story. Let’s encourage and inspire one another.
Email: navig8grace@ gmail.com
FIJI GIRMIT LEGACY AWARD NOMINATION FORM
NOMINATION CRITERIA
PURPOSE
This award aims to honour the enduring legacy of Fiji Girmit and inspire the younger generation through the annual "Fiji Girmit Legacy Awards" program.
These awards acknowledge individuals of Fiji origin residing in Queensland who have significantly contributed to our community, whether in Fiji or Queensland, Australia.
VALUES OF THE AWARDS
The awards aim to be inclusive, recognizing contributions to the community irrespective of gender or religious background. Recipients are viewed as positive societal role models deserving of this esteemed recognition.
SELECTION CRITERIA FOR AWARDEES
Eligible candidates for the Fiji Girmit Legacy Awards must meet the following criteria:
• Must be eighty (80) years and older, prioritizing recognition for our senior citizens.
• The nominee must be of Fiji origin, born in Fiji.
• Nominees must be descendants of a Fiji Girmitya.
• Awardees should have made valuable contributions to the community, whether in Fiji or Queensland, Australia. Contributions may encompass a wide range of areas, including but not limited to Academia, Sports, Medicine, Science, Research, History, Religion, Community, Professional Services, Politics, Media, Authorship, and Industry Segments. Nominations will only be considered for living individuals and not awarded posthumously.
NOMINATOR
Anyone is welcome to nominate a candidate for these awards. The Panel of Judges will base their decision on the outlined criteria. The nominator can be related to the potential awardee.
HOW TO NOMINATE- FIJI
GIRMIT LEGACY AWARDS
Members of the Fiji Indian diaspora can nominate a deserving individual from their community. Each nomination should be submitted using a separate form. Incomplete forms may not be considered for assessment. Nominations must adhere to the provided criteria for consideration.
Send your completed form to: P O Box 1025 Sunnybank Hills Qld 4109, Email: namastejitendra@gmail.com
Applications close : 31 March 2026
Nominee details
First name: Surname:
Nominee's postal address: (include postcode)
Nominee's phone number:
Nominee's email address:
Fiji Girmit Legacy Awards Criteria
When making your nomination, please provide short statements describing how the nominee meets the following award criteria. Where possible, provide examples to support the statements. (Please limit response to space provided)
1. Demonstrated benefit to the community in Fiji or Queensland
2. Demonstrated achievements of the nominee and the work for which he/she is being nominated.
3. Demonstrated qualities (attitude, support provided, initiative) in their role as a volunteer.
4. Demonstrated evidence of innovation, initiative, or obstacles the nominee may have had to overcome to achieve their outcomes.
Nominated by
Name:
Organization:
Address: (include postcode)
Telephone:
Mobile:
Email:
Relationship to nominee:
Signature
Mobile:
Date:
References
Name of referee 1:
Address: (include postcode)
Phone number:
Email address:
Name of referee 2:
Address: (include postcode)
Phone number:
Email address:
Sanatan Cultural Centre
Hindu Society Of Qld Shivratri Celebrations
Holi Celebrations
Indian Seniors Citizens Association - International Women’s Day
Tips for Quitting Smoking and Vaping
SO you want to quit smoking or vaping but aren’t sure where to start?
Congratulations! You’ve already taken the first step.
Deciding to quit is a powerful choice that can bring many benefits: better health, freedom from nicotine dependence, and money saved.
If you’re not sure where to start, here are 5 tips to help you on your quitting journey no matter where you are starting from:
1. CREATE A QUITTING PLAN
Preparation is the first step. Taking a few small steps before your official “Day One” can help make quitting smoking or vaping feel more manageable. As part of your plan you can:
4Set a quit date: Choose a specific date to give yourself a clear starting line.
4Consult a professional: Chat with your doctor or pharmacist about different quit methods you can use.
4Find your "Why": Write down your personal motivation for quitting; whether it’s for your health, your family, or to save money.
4List your triggers: Identify the moments (like stress or social settings) that make you reach for a cigarette or vape so you can plan your detour. We talk more about this point in the
next section of this article!
4Calculate your savings: Use the Quit.org.au calculator to see exactly how much money you’ll save.
2. TRACK YOUR TRIGGERS WITH A QUIT DIARY
Identifying your smoking or vaping triggers can help you prepare. Keeping a quit diary may help you notice patterns in your behaviour. Try to track:
4The moment: Date and time of the craving.
4The context: What were you doing? (e.g. driving or finishing a meal).
4The mood: How were you feeling? (e.g. stressed or bored).
4The intensity: Rate the craving from 1 to 10.
Knowing your triggers doesn’t make the cravings disappear, but it can help you plan how to cope with them.
3. BEAT YOUR CRAVINGS WITH THE 4 DS
Smoking and vaping can quickly become part of your daily routine. When a craving hits, you can try implementing the 4 Ds to help ease the craving.
4Delay acting on the urge to smoke or vape: Wait a few minutes, the craving will decrease.
4Deep breath: Take three slow deep breaths to help calm your nervous system.
4Distract: Shift your focus to a hobby - such as exercising or reading.
4Drink water: Sip slowly and savour the taste.
4. DON’T GIVE UP Progress isn’t always
a straight line and that’s okay. If you experience a setback, view it as a learning experience. For some people, it may take several attempts to quit successfully. Each attempt gives you valuable information about what your triggers are and which tools work best for you.
5. BUILD YOUR PERSONAL SUPPORT SQUAD
Research shows quitting is easier with support. A friend, family member, or ‘quit buddy’ can encourage you
and help you stay on track. While it may not always be easy to avoid environments where smoking or vaping is common, try not to feel pressured. Remember why you started and keep focusing on your quitting journey.
THERE IS MORE PROFESSIONAL QUIT SUPPORT AVAILABLE THAN EVER BEFORE TO HELP YOU SUCCEED. THESE INCLUDE:
4Speaking with a health professional. Your GP or pharmacist can advise if any medications are appropriate to help you stop smoking and/or vaping.
4You can download the MyQuitBuddy app to help you stay smoke and/or vape free on the go.
4Calling the Quitline on 13 78 48 to speak directly with a trained counsellor. If you prefer to speak in a language other than English, simply request an interpreter when you call. Quitline will arrange for an interpreter to join the line as quickly as possible, so the counsellor can talk with you about quitting smoking or vaping and help you build a personalised quit plan that works for you. For practical advice on what to expect, visit Quit.org.au or health.gov. au/GiveUpForGood for resources.
Diabetes, Lifestyle Risks and Preventive Health in Australia
TYPE 1 diabetes is a lifelong autoimmune disease that usually has its onset in childhood or early adolescence. The exact cause is unknown, but it is believed to be the result of an interaction of genetic and environmental factors. The management of an individual with Type 1 diabetes requires a multidisciplinary healthcare network delivering integrated clinical care, using a complex array of health care tools (APEG and ADS 2011). A person with Type 1 diabetes requires daily insulin replacement to survive, except in cases where a pancreatic or islet cell transplant occurs.
Between 2000 and 2021, there were around 58,000 new diagnoses of type 1 diabetes across all ages, which equates to around 2,700 diagnoses a year. In children and young adults (aged 0–19), around 13,200 were reported to have Type 1 diabetes in 2021. This equates to 211 per 100,000 population, with a similar rate between females and males (AIHW 2024f).
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic and progressive medical condition that results from 2 major metabolic dysfunctions: insulin resistance followed by pancreatic islet cell dysfunction, causing a relative insulin deficiency. These metabolic
dysfunctions occur due to modifiable lifestyle-related risk factors interacting with non-modifiable and genetic risk factors. The relative insulin deficiency leads to chronic hyperglycaemia and multiple disturbances in carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism (RACGP 2024c). Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, generally having a later onset than Type 1 diabetes.
People with Type 2 diabetes produce insulin, but do not produce enough, and/or cannot use it effectively. It involves a genetic component, but is largely preventable and
is often associated with lifestyle factors including physical inactivity, poor diet, being overweight or obese, and tobacco smoking. Type 2 diabetes can be managed with changes to diet and exercise, oral glucoselowering medications, noninsulin injectable glucoselowering medications, insulin injections or a combination of these methods (RACGP 2024c).
Although it has typically been considered a disease of older people, reports show that it is being diagnosed at younger ages than in the past (AIHW 2014). In 2021, almost 1.2 million (4.6%) Australians
had Type 2 diabetes (AIHW 2024f).
Height and weight classification -In 2022, almost two-thirds (65.8%, or 13 million people) of Australian adults aged 18 years and over were overweight or obese (ABS 2023b). Being overweight, obese or underweight is associated with higher rates of morbidity, and overweight and obesity is a major public health issue in Australia. Overweight and obesity are risk factors for Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, osteoarthritis, some cancers and gallbladder disease. Being overweight or obese is also associated with certain psychosocial problems, functional limitations and disabilities. On the other hand, being underweight may cause malnourishment and lead to compromised immune function, respiratory disease, digestive diseases, cancer and osteoporosis.
Other sources of relevant data-Data on measured height, weight and BMI are captured in the National Health Survey (NHS) conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
People aged 65 years and over with an influenza immunisation statusInfluenza is a common disease of the respiratory tract which affects people
of all ages. In 2023, influenza accounted for 19% of the total notifiable disease cases and has been the most common cause of notifiable disease hospitalisations in most years over the past decade, although this was highly variable from year to year. Influenza, which was the most common cause of notifiable disease deaths between 2014 and 2019, was recorded as the underlying cause of 305 deaths in 2022 (AIHW 2024h).
A number of groups are at a higher risk of influenza and its complications. These groups experience higher rates of illness and death associated with influenza than the rest of the population, and adults aged ≥65 years are one of these vulnerable population groups. Therefore, annual influenza vaccination is strongly recommended for those aged ≥65 years (ATAGI 2025).
The administration of the influenza vaccine to people at risk of complications of infection is the single most important measure in preventing or attenuating influenza infection and preventing mortality. There is evidence that influenza vaccination reduces hospitalisations from influenza and pneumonia, and all-cause
mortality in adults aged ≥65 years of age (ATAGI 2025). While best practice guidelines recommend annual immunisation, a 15-month interval allows for cases when a client decides to receive a vaccine earlier than recommended (for example, from a pharmacy), or delay and wait for the release of an ‘enhanced’ vaccine (Department of Health 2020d).
Capture of results recorded outside of the general practice settingResults arising from clinical intervention conducted outside of the service that are known and recorded by the practice are included in the measure. Where immunisation was provided elsewhere (for example, pharmacies and workplace programs) but are not known to the practice, this is not captured in the report. For example, this might be where the vaccination providers’ information systems may not be compatible with the clinical information system (CIS) of the client’s usual general practice. Other sources of relevant data-There are other administrative data collections where the data on influenza immunisation are captured, for example, the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).
CONTD. ON PG 32
Becoming Available to Grace
Question: Sometimes or in some places, I find it is very easy to access or feel Grace. At other times, it is quite difficult to be connected. How do I always stay connected to Grace?
Sadhguru: Grace is not something that you have to think about or talk about. You can be unconscious of Grace only if you are too full of yourself. When we say Grace, we are looking at that which is the basis of everything because you do not know how this solar system is held in place. You do not know how the whole universe is held in place. You do not even know how you happened. You don’t really know how so many cells are staying together and making your life happen. If you knew, you would be able to create life right now. When there is so much that you do not know and everything is still happening great, it is obviously not an accident. Whatever is making all this happen, we call that energy or force as Grace. How do you make yourself available to this. If you have a stuffy nose, the flower means nothing to you. If you are blind, light means nothing to you. If you are insensitive, nothing means anything to you. So it is a question of becoming sensitive.
Most people are egosensitive, they are not life sensitive. With a lot people, you have to be cautious about what to say and not say because they are horribly ego-sensitive. When the situations around them are up, they go up. When the situations around them go down, they go down. They have created an illusion of falling and rising within themselves. This is a very
bad game. You must be disillusioned soon. If you are truly, absolutely disillusioned, you will always be available to Grace. If you have no illusions of your own, you will wonder about everything. How can you not wonder about everything? How can you not wonder about your very existence? If you have no conclusions in your mind about anything, you
will be soaked in Grace. Even now you are soaked in Grace, but you cannot enjoy it unless you are conscious. Grace is still working for you, but you cannot fully benefit from it unless you are conscious. It is a medically established fact that if two people eat the same food, both of them will not get the same nourishment. It depends on your ability to draw sustenance from
that. Similarly, all of us are in Grace, but it is a question of developing the capability to draw sustenance from that, so that this life becomes an expression of that Grace. Unfortunately, people take in fantastic things into themselves, turn it into nasty nonsense and let it out. But look at the tree: you give it filth and it gives out fragrance. If you learn the way of the tree,
MOST PEOPLE ARE EGO-SENSITIVE, THEY ARE NOT LIFE SENSITIVE. WITH A LOT PEOPLE, YOU HAVE TO BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT WHAT TO SAY AND NOT SAY BECAUSE THEY ARE HORRIBLY EGOSENSITIVE. WHEN THE SITUATIONS AROUND THEM ARE UP, THEY GO UP. WHEN THE SITUATIONS AROUND THEM GO DOWN, THEY GO DOWN. THEY HAVE CREATED AN ILLUSION OF FALLING AND RISING WITHIN THEMSELVES. THIS IS A VERY BAD GAME. YOU MUST BE DISILLUSIONED SOON.
you will exude Grace. Ranked amongst the fifty most influential people in India, Sadhguru is a Yogi, mystic, visionary and a New York Times bestselling author. Sadhguru has been conferred the Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India in 2017, the highest annual civilian award, accorded for exceptional and distinguished service. He is also the founder of the world's largest people's movement, Conscious Planet – Save Soil, which has touched over 4 billion people.
MARCH 2026
ARIES ( 21ST MARCH TO 20TH APRIL )
March marks a month of emotional clarity, passionate momentum, and strategic progress for you. The month begins with Mercury enhancing communication, especially in matters of the heart. Singles may be surprised how casual chats evolve into meaningful connections, while couples realign through open dialogue and future planning. Financially, Venus boosts your resources but also tempts indulgence. Enjoy luxuries, but keep sight of long-term goals as South Node energy will be affecting transactions. Professionally, lingering uncertainty lifts, and teamwork brings fresh momentum. It is a great time for action on job applications or business refinement. Health-wise, emotional sensitivity runs high, peaceful schedules and slow self-care bring relief. As the month advances, emotional depth takes center stage. Singles may gravitate toward someone with long-term potential, while couples build trust through heartfelt conversations. During the latter half, Mars makes you bold in love and eager for excitement. However, balance passion with presence to avoid miscommunication. Financially, resist urges to splurge on sudden desires. Instead, focus on sustainable value. At work, the North Node reminds you that structure leads to freedom. Academically, your mental speed is strong so take on complex material and remain focused. Healthwise, don’t push past limits as hydration, rest, and mindfulness will help you recharge. Venus around the month-end brings emotional grounding. It shifts your focus to long-term security in love and money. Mars may empower your confidence. Professionally, recognition arrives, rewarding your steady efforts. Stay organized as responsibility increases. It can be a good phase to finalize assignments or take steps toward new learning ventures in your studies. Physically, you may feel good energy levels with growing confidence.
The month begins with the Moon encouraging emotional healing in your relationships. If you are in a partnership, open up about your feelings through heart-to-heart conversations, which will strengthen your bond. Singles may feel drawn to connections that offer emotional depth rather than superficial attraction. Mercury sharpens your financial focus, urging you to review your spending and cut unnecessary costs. A small financial gain may surprise you, offering relief. If you are considering a purchase, take your time to research thoroughly. Trust your judgment when receiving financial advice. Gradually, Mars brings momentum to your career, helping you focus on refining skills and making progress toward long-term goals. Stay organized and embrace collaboration, as teamwork will be essential. In studies, avoid multitasking and stick to a clear plan for steady progress. To nurture your emotional well-being, engage in grounding activities early in the week and physical exercise. As the month progresses, Venus and Jupiter foster a fresh approach to love. If you are in a relationship, sharing dreams and exploring new activities will reignite emotional connection. Singles may meet someone exciting who shares your values. Mercury enhances your financial clarity, prompting you to rethink your spending habits. Avoid impulse buying and focus on building longterm savings. Career-wise, Mars and Saturn help you make steady progress through collaboration. Focus on structured study, and maintain balance with relaxation and light physical activity. By month’s end, emotional renewal and growth dominate. Jupiter brings hope and deepens relationships, while Saturn ensures careful financial decisions and disciplined spending.
LIBRA ( 23RD SEPTEMBER TO 22ND OCTOBER )
At the start of the month, the Moon and Venus bring a gentle, emotional tone. If you are in a relationship, you will feel more connected to your partner’s needs. Quiet talks and thoughtful moments help bring peace. Singles might notice someone with real emotional depth, let connections grow slowly. This is a good time to release old emotional patterns and welcome meaningful love. Financially, you will feel more aligned with your goals. Whether saving, reducing debt, or managing money better, steady progress shows. If advice comes, listen carefully but trust your own values. Self-employed s may find reorganizing workflows boosts efficiency. Mid-month, Mars brings energy to take action. You will want to finish loose ends and step into leadership or pitch ideas, but avoid rushing decisions. Your steady approach earns respect. Mercury encourages you to review spending habits and fine-tune your budget. Small adjustments work best, and advice from experts may open new doors. Venus adds warmth and playfulness in relationships, making social time fun and lighthearted. Singles may attract romance during casual outings. In the latter half, Saturn urges patience. Delays or challenges at work or studies may happen. Take time to clarify doubts and avoid rushing. Focus on steady progress and balance health with gentle exercise and rest. Mars highlights financial matters, clarify shared resources and negotiate fairly. Toward the end, Jupiter supports your career growth and communication. It’s a great time to seek recognition and promote your work. Keep balancing work, rest, and self-care for lasting success.
( 22ND DECEMBER TO 20TH JANUARY )
The month opens with a calming emotional tone, as Venus and the Moon support stability in love and relationships. Whether you are committed or single, you are more focused on long-term emotional security than fleeting excitement. Gentle gestures and quiet loyalty speak volumes now. Early in the month, you are also likely to feel more confident in your emotional choices, creating a strong inner foundation for everything else. By mid-month, Saturn becomes a steady influence on financial matters. It’s an ideal time to review budgets, trim unnecessary expenses, and invest in tools or education that improve daily efficiency. Minor gains may come through past efforts, reinforcing the value of patience and planning. If self-employed, it’s a good moment to refine pricing or services. Just be cautious with who you share financial details with—the South Node advises discretion. Career-wise, progress feels gradual but rewarding. Past projects could bring overdue recognition. With Mars entering the picture, fresh leadership opportunities or collaborative tasks may arise. Stay strategic—bold moves must be grounded in reality. Mercury sharpens focus across mental tasks and studies. This is a productive time for finishing ongoing work, clearing mental clutter, and engaging with educational or technical content. Toward the end of the month, Mercury, Saturn, and the Nodes all support a return to structure, both in thought and lifestyle. Emotional courage pays off, and routines around rest, nutrition, and gentle movement help maintain balance. Nature, sleep, and steady rhythms become essential for keeping both your energy and mindset aligned. Overall, this month favors quiet progress, thoughtful planning, and emotionally grounded connections.
TAURUS ( 21ST APRIL TO 21ST MAY )
March brings a focus on emotional depth and meaningful connections in your relationships. With the grounding influence of the South Node, you will feel a need for more genuine and honest conversations. If you are in a relationship, it’s a great time to discuss your shared values, future goals, and emotional needs. If single, you will begin to understand what kind of love truly aligns with who you are now. Letting go of old patterns and unrealistic expectations will create space for deeper intimacy. Financially, this is a time for long-term thinking. A job offer or money-making opportunity may appear, but be sure to weigh it carefully as it might involve some compromise. Stick to practical financial goals and limits to ensure lasting stability. In your career, your consistent, steady approach is being noticed. Recognition may come from unexpected sources, so stay focused and confident. Academically, rely on your knowledge and resist the urge to cram; steady, consistent effort will pay off. Health-wise, prioritize calm routines and emotional balance. Hydration, restful sleep, and a balanced lifestyle will strengthen your energy. As the month continues, you will crave emotional peace in your relationships. Small disagreements could arise, but they will offer a chance to grow closer if handled calmly and honestly. Singles may reflect on past patterns and shift toward more emotionally grounded choices. Financially, stay focused on budgeting and smart spending. At work, your efforts move projects forward and align with your strengths. For your health, focus on gentle habits and emotional well-being to maintain balance.
This month starts with calm and steady energy in your love life. The North Node encourages building trust through kindness and loyalty. If you're single, you’ll prefer honest and reliable connections over short-term excitement. As the month moves forward, focus shifts to your finances. The South Node urges careful handling of money, watch your spending and manage savings wisely. Creative ways to earn may show up, but shared expenses need attention. Mid-month brings steady progress at work. Your patience and consistent efforts begin to pay off. Your charm helps in team efforts and negotiations. You’ll feel mentally sharper, making it easier to make good choices. Still, it’s best to avoid major commitments right now. Later in the month, romantic energy heats up. Couples rediscover fun through playful moments, while singles may attract others easily. But don’t just go by charm, look for real emotional connection. Financial discipline remains important, with long-term benefits coming from smart decisions and avoiding impulse buys. New ideas and team projects at work start to take shape. Recognition grows, but keep a balanced and careful approach to any investments. You will also build emotional strength, finding balance through rest and healthy routines. As the month ends, the Moon encourages emotional honesty. Couples should gently talk through hidden feelings, and singles are guided by intuition toward true connections. Money matters improve through revised budgets and cutting out extra costs. Mercury boosts teamwork, while Venus and Mars bring fresh chances and strong focus. The North Node reminds you to rest and take care of yourself. You end the month feeling clear, strong, and ready for steady growth ahead.
This month begins with emotional clarity as the Moon helps you connect with your inner needs. Venus softens your heart, supporting trust and closeness in relationships. If you are in a partnership, this is a good time to build emotional security through shared understanding. Singles are guided by intuition trust your instincts, as they will point you toward sincere connections. Financially, Mars brings attention to spending habits, while the North Node warns of surprise costs. Stay grounded in budgeting and avoid hasty purchases. By mid-month, Mercury enhances your clarity in money matters and career goals. Old work habits may feel limiting, this is your chance to make meaningful changes. Avoid power struggles at work; cooperation will bring better results. As the month continues, Mars stirs challenges in your professional life. Tensions may arise, but responding with calm confidence helps you maintain control. Contracts or new roles may emerge, read fine print carefully. Meanwhile, Jupiter fuels curiosity, especially in academic or creative areas. This is a great time for learning, expanding knowledge, or trying a fresh routine that supports wellness. The South Node helps unlock inner wisdom, reminding you to listen to both your mind and body. Toward the end of July, steady energy from Venus supports emotional balance. Relationships flourish with teamwork, while singles may feel drawn to familiar yet meaningful connections. Financially, Mercury brings stability through careful planning and communication. Long-stalled projects may move forward under Mars, rewarding your persistence. Finish the month with self-care, rest, reflection, and gentle movement restore your strength for what’s next. Overall, this month offers growth through patience, insight, and mindful action.
AQUARIUS ( 21ST JANUARY TO 18TH FEBRUARY )
The month begins with emotional clarity in your love life, thanks to Venus’s gentle influence. Singles may reconnect with someone familiar, while couples revisit past conversations with kindness and care. Healing and realignment come through small, thoughtful actions. In your career, the Sun and Mercury boost focus and innovation. Teamwork, leadership opportunities, and creative ideas take center stage, but avoid rushing—steady actions bring lasting success. By mid-month, Mars adds passion and drive. In relationships, singles might be drawn to unconventional partners, while established couples benefit from refreshing shared experiences. Honest communication keeps passion grounded. Mercury enhances financial insight—past efforts begin to show results, but Saturn advises caution with spending and lending. Clarity in money matters and patience in partnerships will lead to progress. Your mental focus sharpens, supporting long-term plans and smart negotiations. As the month progresses, the Moon encourages deep emotional reflection. This is a powerful time for healing and growth in both love and self-worth. Shared finances or business responsibilities require attention; think creatively and stay organized. Work challenges become opportunities for innovation, possibly opening doors to new partnerships. Jupiter stimulates learning and collaboration, but maintaining balance between mental and physical health is essential— nourish your body and mind. By month’s end, Venus and Mars uplift your social life. Flirtation may turn serious, while couples find joy in shared interests and community engagement. Mercury prompts attention to unexpected expenses—stay grounded and proactive. The Sun supports career reflection and future planning, while Jupiter helps consolidate learning.
GEMINI ( 22ND MAY TO 21ST JUNE )
This month brings a calm yet productive energy, encouraging emotional depth, steady growth, and thoughtful decision-making across all areas of life. With Venus and the Moon in harmonious motion, your emotional world softens. Relationships, whether new or long-standing, benefit from sincerity and quiet connection. Heartfelt conversations deepen intimacy, while singles may find romance blossoming through familiar faces or friendships. Let things evolve naturally, without pressure. Mercury sharpens your awareness and supports smart, strategic planning. Financially, this is a time for stability. You are more mindful of spending, with a growing focus on long-term value over quick gratification. Minor expenses may surface, but discipline and clarity in budgeting will keep you grounded. A delayed payment or financial update mid-month could ease recent concerns. In your professional life, Mars energizes your efforts and rewards persistence. Whether employed or self-employed, consistent work and clear communication open doors. New roles or responsibilities could emerge especially if you stay focused and adaptable. Entrepreneurs should aim to improve services and prioritize quality, not speed. For students, Mercury and Saturn enhance concentration and structure. Study routines that include review and rest will lead to steady academic progress. Mentors or peer discussions can also sharpen your insight. Health-wise, the month emphasizes balance and gentle routines. Saturn and the Moon support emotional grounding, while Mercury inspires mental clarity. Light exercise, nutritious meals, and moments of calm will boost both energy and mood.
The month begins under Mercury’s influence, bringing clarity and ease to your communication. Relationships benefit as open dialogue helps clear lingering misunderstandings. Whether deepening an existing bond or exploring new love, heartfelt conversations lead to emotional insight. Singles feel drawn to sincerity, and subtle romantic intuition helps guide early connections. Venus and the Moon also lend a nurturing tone, perfect for building trust and emotional safety through simple, caring gestures. By mid-month, financial matters take center stage. With Mercury and Saturn providing practical grounding, it’s an ideal time to reassess budgets, cut nonessential expenses, and consider long-term planning. A minor financial gain or freelance offer could boost morale, but careful evaluation is key. Avoid emotional spending and focus on stability. Honest money conversations especially in shared arrangements, create smoother flow and mutual understanding. The latter half of the month brings a rise in career momentum and mental focus. The North and South Nodes, along with Mars, help anchor your long-term vision. You will feel more capable handling leadership tasks, making presentations, or taking initiative in collaborative projects. Business growth is favored when guided by authenticity and patience. Academic goals progress steadily with discipline, avoid perfectionism and stick to consistent effort. Toward month’s end, energy may dip slightly, signaling a need for rest and recalibration. Emotionally and physically, you are more balanced when you honor your limits. This month’s journey is one of clarity, structure, and emotional depth, setting a calm and steady foundation for forward movement in love, money, career, and well-being.
The month begins with emotional renewal, as the North Node supports honest communication in love. Whether you are in a relationship or single, expressing deeper feelings helps build trust. Singles may reconnect with someone from the past before rekindling, pause to reflect on what’s real versus what’s familiar. Financially, it favors practical action so, organize your budget, clear lingering debts, and steer clear of risky ventures. Creative projects may offer income potential, but steady discipline is the key to lasting gains. Mercury boosts mental clarity, helping you restructure your work or study habits with longterm goals in mind. As mid-month approaches, Venus adds adventure and curiosity to your heart space. Singles might feel drawn to someone intellectually or spiritually engaging; explore slowly for true compatibility. In finances, teamwork matters. Mercury supports collaborative discussions around profits or investments. Minor revisions to old plans could yield fresh results. Professionally, energy picks up, momentum builds, and your preparation pays off, especially in leadership or negotiation roles. Keep risk-taking in check. In the latter half of the month, Saturn shifts your emotional focus toward stability. Relationships deepen through simple, steady gestures. Singles may prioritize emotional security over fleeting attraction. Financially, it’s a good time to reassess income goals and spending habits. Mercury and Saturn suggest thoughtful choices and patient planning. Reconnecting with old professional contacts may open new doors. As the month closes, Venus and Jupiter bring emotional insight and financial uplift.
VIRGO ( 23RD AUGUST TO 22ND SEPTEMBER ) PISCES ( 19TH FEBRUARY TO 20TH MARCH )
As the month begins, Venus enhances emotional warmth, especially in relationships. Whether you are committed or single, there's a pull toward meaningful connection over fleeting attraction. Venus in Taurus favors loyal, calm love, while early Mercury-Venus tension urges gentle, honest communication. The Moon’s influence heightens emotional awareness, and the North Node encourages heartfelt exchanges, though caution is needed to avoid overgiving. Financially, Mars energizes budgeting efforts, and you are motivated to manage money more wisely. By mid-month, the Sun and Saturn bring grounding energy to your finances, ideal for investing in long-term goals. Patience pays off as Saturn delays payments or decisions—but use this pause to refine strategies. In your career, Jupiter's slow movement calls for steady action rather than big leaps. Mars supports stepping into leadership or launching ideas. Creative thinking gets a boost from Mercury, especially in studies involving psychology, art, or spiritual growth. Emotionally, clarity improves as you understand deeper motivations in love and money. In the latter half of the month, Venus harmonizes with Saturn, shifting romantic focus from passion to emotional security. Heartfelt conversations around future plans deepen bonds. Singles are drawn to emotionally stable partners. Meanwhile, Mercury’s friction with Uranus may bring surprise expenses—double-check details and stay calm. The North Node nudges you to avoid illusionary choices. By month’s end, the Moon’s gentle energy reminds you to rest. Recovery, mindfulness, and body care bring emotional balance. Professionally, Mars gives focus to clean up lingering work. Financially and emotionally, you end the month more aligned, stable, and ready for what is ahead.
CAPRICORN
LEO ( 23RD JULY TO 22ND AUGUST ) SAGITTARIUS
THE subject of today’s discourse is “Adarsha and Iśta.” Now, what is Adarsha and what is Iśta? We are all constantly on the move: each and every entity of the universe from the huge dinosaurs to the smallest blade of grass is in a state of constant motion –nothing is fixed, nothing is static. Movement is life, and perishability is the natural law of the universe. When everything is in a state of motion, then what is the goal of movement? Every movement certainly has a terminating point, and that terminating point is ádarsha. Human beings also move on, but to move forward sometimes they need energy. But where does this energy come from?
The source of all energy is Parama Puruśa. With His energy all entities are moving. No living being has its own energy: endowed with the energy of Parama Puruśa, it moves forward towards its ádarsha.
Is there any difference between ádarsha and iśta? This is a knotty question indeed. Adarsha is that which is the very goal towards which all entities are moving. The word ádarsha is derived from á – drsh + ghaiṋ; when the feminine suffix uniiś is added to the word ádarsha we get the word ádarshii which means “a mirror”. What human beings wish to become is their ádarsha.
Human beings are constantly on the move, but the question is, what is the culminating point – the point they reach at the end of their movement? Take the case of a small child: it is always weak and powerless. If it wants to be strong, it has to undergo regular physical exercises. If the child grows strong and powerful through physical exercises, that is it’s ádarsha – that is to say, ádarsha is a state endowed with particular qualities.
Now, when human beings do not move towards that state, what happens? I have just said that movement is the law of the universe. It is a providential decree that movement is a must for all: caraeveti, caraeveti – “proceed on, proceed on.” Naturally human beings must keep on moving ceaselessly; but supposing one does not have a goal, then one’s movement will be like that of a rudderless
Adarsha and Iśta 20 July 1979 DMC, Bhuvaneshwar
ship sailing on stormy sea. If you keep rowing a boat without a fixed goal all your labour will go in vain, your time will be wasted, and you will also run the risk of being caught in a whirlpool. Therefore human beings must always have an ádarsha, an ideology before them.
Now, what is iśta? The word iśta has two meanings: the entity which you love most, or which is your most favourite, is your iśta. Now the question is, what is the most favourite object? Every microcosm has an existential “I” feeling, and every microcosmic “I” feeling is an expression of the greater “I” feeling. Now, each microcosm has two “I’s”: one is the small “I”, and the other is the greater “I”. Parama Puruśa is the greater “I”; the small “I” is finite happiness, whereas the greater “I” represents infinite happiness. Every microcosm desires [[finite]] happiness, but the dearest object of all is infinite happiness. Finite happiness is an individual’s affair, whereas infinite happiness is a universal affair. Infinite happiness is that aspect of Parama Puruśa which is generally called Personal God. According to philosophy, the Supreme Entity who controls this universe is Parama Puruśa; He is also the nucleus of the cosmological order. But the Parama Puruśa of philosophy, the hub of the universe, is a formless, impersonal entity, whereas human beings always prefer a personal God whom they can love, and to whom they can explain the pleasures and pains of their life. Human beings cannot feel extreme love and affection towards an impersonal God or philosophy because that is only a metaphysical concept, and the human heart cannot fully identify itself with an abstract idea. People cannot reveal the stories of their joys and sorrows, pains and pleasures, loves and affections, to an abstract idea. They want a personal God to whom they can fully convey their feelings and sentiment. This is an absolute necessity. Human beings do not search for their God in distant nebulae and meteors – they seek Him right near them, in their very midst. They want
to accept Him totally as their shelter in life. In the play of abstract imagination people may derive some temporary satisfaction, but not lasting peace. The God of philosophy cannot provide complete fulfillment to people’s deep internal urges: they want One to whom they can open their hearts. Such an entity is one’s iśta.
What is the difference between dharma and iśta? That which sustains is dharma: Yah dhárańaḿ karoti sah dharma. Dhriyate dharmah ityáhuh sa eva paramaḿ prabhuh. A microcosm is distinguished by its innate property: we say “this is oxygen” because it has such-and-such characteristics. We say “this is fire” because it has its own property. Similarly, air also has its own unique property. Thus every object in the universe is distinguished by its unique characteristic. If fire ceases to burn, we no longer call it fire; if air stops blowing, we no longer call it air, because mobility is its inherent characteristic. In Saḿskrta there are two words nila and niila. Nila means “blue colour,” whereas nila means “fixed, stationary.” If air is immobile, then it becomes nila or stationary, and not anila or mobile. In this way innate properties or characteristics of objects distinguish between animate and inanimate, organic and inorganic, movable or immovable entities.
Human beings, animals, and plants, all have life. Just as plants have certain common characteristics, animals too have certain common characteristics. Of the numerous differences between plants and animals, the major difference is that plants are relatively static, whereas animals are dynamic. Now, if plants become more dynamic, then they too will come within the category of animals. Now, what is the difference between human beings and animals? Human beings follow Bhágavata dharma but animals do not. The common characteristics shared by humans and animals are eating, sleeping and dying. But human beings have the unique property of Bhágavata dharma which is lacking in animals. This is the speciality of human beings.
Now, if this unique
characteristic is lacking in human beings, then they will degrade themselves to the level of animality; and if animals develop this characteristic then they will be elevated to the status of humanity.
What are the special characteristics of Bhágavata dharma? They are: vistára (expansion), rasa (flow), seva (service), and tadsthiti (realization of the Supreme). The first criterion of human greatness is the spirit of expansion. Human beings want to give an aesthetic expression to all internal feelings and propensities; this is the first aspect of Bhágavata dharma - vistára.
Rasa means “flow,” Endless waves are emanating from the hub of the cosmological order, and surging in troughs and crests in all directions. These Macrocosmic thought waves are dancing according to the cosmic will of Parama Puruśa. Human beings are also dancing in the rhythm of these aesthetic waves, to the tune of the sweet musical cadence of Krśńa’s flute as He remains in the nucleus of the universe. This is the second aspect of Bhágavata dharma. The third aspect is sevá or service. Now what is service? Prańipátena pariprashnena sevayá. Among animals there is no spirit of service, but among human beings it is certainly present. Prańipátena means “through total surrender”. Pariprashnena means “through proper queries”: and sevayá means “through service” – that is, Parama Puruśa is attainable through total surrender, spiritual queries, and selfless service. Parama Puruśa Himself does not require any service, but in this universe each and every created object is His progeny. If you serve the children of Parama Puruśa, if you serve the distressed and afflicted human beings, if you render all-round service to humanity in the physical, mental, mundane, supramundane, social and spiritual spheres of life, Parama Puruśa will surely be pleased. This is the real service to the Supreme. If you want to please a mother, simply serve her children and the mother will be pleased. This is the third aspect of Bhágavata dharma.
Service is always unilateral or one sided: that is the major
difference between service and business, for business is mutual - you give some money and take something, say, pulses in return. The transaction is mutual. But service is quite different: it is always unilateral. You give something to Parama Puruśa without asking for anything in exchange. When you offer everything unto Parama Puruśa, what else can He ask for? Moreover, who will ask? When you have offered everything to Parama Puruśa, then you have become one with Parama Puruśa, what else can He ask for? Moreover, who will ask? When you have offered everything to Parama Puruśa, then you have become one with Parama Puruśa, and obviously there cannot be anything left to ask for.
The fourth aspect of Bhágavata dharma is tadsthiti: it means to merge your individual identity in Him, your Supreme Goal. I have already said that Parama Puruśa is Táraka Brahma; He is your iśta, your personal God. This is not a theoretical concept. The human mind can be delighted with some philosophical ideas, but the heart is not satisfied thus. This four-fold Bhágavata dharma is like a silver line of demarcation between human beings and animals. Bhágavata dharma is the human dharma, mánava dharma; besides this there is no other dharma for humanity.
In the Bhágavata Giitá, Lord Krśńa proclaimed, Shreyán svadharma viguńah paradharmát svánuśthitát. What is paradharma or “others’ dharma”! Here Paradharma means that dharma which is followed by plants and animals. The dharma of human beings is Bhágavata dharma. Animals and plants also have their own dharma, but this should not be followed by human beings. Thus Lord Krśńa further declared, Svadharme nidhanaḿ shreyah paradharma bhayávaha; Death is preferable to neglect of one’s own dharma: one should never follow another’s dharma. Out of ignorance, some people misconstrue paradharma to be Hindu dharma, Islam dharma, Christian dharma, etc., but this is not correct; Paradharma means the dharma of animals and plants.
Human dharma is one, and that is Bhágavata
dharma. And iśta means the personal God with whom all unit beings can establish a relation of love and affection, to whom they can reveal their pains and pleasures, and surrender themselves and take the safest shelter in Him. That Parama Puruśa, that personal God is not the God of philosophy. Human beings cannot establish a very close relationship with something theoretical. If one closely follows Bhágavata dharma, the final result will be the realization of the Supreme, becoming one with one’s iśta. Some time ago I said yato dharma tato iśtah Yato ista tato jayah. When spiritual aspirants become one with their iśta, they no longer remain as insignificant people; in that case their finite happiness is transformed into infinite happiness. Then with their limited strength they become able to perform gigantic tasks. So although there is a theoretical difference between ádarsha and iśta, practically both are the same. Human beings can become one with their iśta, through the relentless pursuit of Bhágavata dharma. Those who do not follow Bhágavata dharma are almost like animal.
A mystic poet has said, Krśńa bhajibár tare saḿsáre áinu Miche máyáy baddha haye brkśa sama hainu. Human beings have come onto this earth only to follow Bhágavata dharma, and not for any purpose. You have many tasks to perform: whatever you do, you should always feel that all your actions are part of Bhágavata dharma. Wherever you are, you must do something to remove the poverty and distress of the people in that area, to ameliorate their socio-economic condition. But even while discharging your duties thus, you should always remember that whatever you are doing is not a mundane duty it is an inseparable part of your Bhágavata dharma. 20 July 1979 DMC, Bhuvaneshwar
Published in: Subháśita Saḿgraha Part 12 File name: Adarsha_ and_Ista.html
Birthdays and Anniversaries, Matrimonial, Employment, In Memory, Notice and Events etc. for our community.
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<Fiji born Indian family residing in Sydney Australia Seeking for a Hindu girl, age between 38 to 43. Interested family or person can contact us! Only genuine inquiries nalishdas@gmail.com or siwankathy@yahoo.com.au
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<PANDIT Dr. G A Tularam offers all 16 Vedic Sanskaar, Sanskrit Prayers, Hawans for weddings, death rites, new homes, anniversaries, birthdays, and more. For professional religious services, call 0468 366 797 or E: a.tularam28@gmail.com
Diabetes, Lifestyle Risks and Preventive Health in Australia
CONTD. ON PG 28
National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) have revealed that of the Australian population aged 14 years and over, more than two-thirds (69%) have consumed alcohol in the previous 12 months, with 5.2% consuming alcohol daily in 2022–23. This study also found that around 1 in 3 people (31% or 6.6 million) aged 14 years and over
consumed alcohol at risky levels in 2022–23 (that is, having more than 10 standard drinks per week on average in the past year or having more than 4 standard drinks in a single day at least once a month in the past year). Men aged 18 years and over were more likely than women (35.8% compared to 18.1%) to drink at risky levels (ABS 2022). Alcohol-induced deaths are defined as those that
can be directly attributed to alcohol use (that is, where an alcohol-related condition is recorded as the underlying cause of death), as determined by toxicology and pathology reports. There were 1,667 estimated alcoholinduced deaths in 2023, representing an agestandardised rate of 5.6 deaths per 100,000 people. Of all alcohol induced deaths, 9 in 10 (90.2% or 1,504) were related to chronic alcohol
consumption, such as alcoholic liver cirrhosis, while acute alcoholinduced deaths (including alcohol poisoning) accounted for 163 deaths (ABS 2023a).
Capture of results recorded outside of the general practice settingResults arising from clinical intervention conducted outside of the service that are known and recorded by the practice are included in the measure. Where
alcohol consumption was recorded elsewhere but is not known to the practice, this is not captured in the report. For example, this might be where the rehabilitation centre’s information systems may not be compatible with the clinical information system (CIS) of the client’s usual general practice. Other sources of relevant data- Data on prevalence of health risk factors such as alcohol consumption status of
Australians are captured in the National Health Survey (NHS) conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and the National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS). There are other administrative data collections where the relevant data from these client-provider interactions are captured, for example, smoking and drug rehabilitation services, and community health centres.
QCUP 2026 – What. A. Tournament
THE curtain has fallen on an extraordinary NRS Transport and Logistics QCUP 2026, and what a spectacular showcase of passion, pride, and pure football brilliance it has been!
Finals Day delivered edge-of-your-seat action from the very first whistle.
The Masters set the tone early Sunday morning with semifinal clashes, with a pulsating clash as Nadroga Masters battled fiercely against Labasa Masters, with Nadroga prevailing in a gripping encounter. The excitement soared even higher when Nadi Masters narrowly overcame Ra Masters in a nail-biting showdown that had hearts racing until the final moments.
The Premier grade brought its own fireworks. Ra and Nadi went headto-head in an electrifying contest, with Ra surging through to the grand finale in emphatic fashion. Meanwhile, Labasa and Ba produced another classic encounter, with Labasa emerging triumphant after a thrilling contest.
Grand Final glory belonged to the very best.
In the Masters decider, Nadi rose to the occasion to defeat Nadroga in a performance worthy of champions.
In the Premier final, Ra overcame Labasa in a commanding display to claim the ultimate prize. Congratulations to our deserving champions and to every team that graced the tournament with skill, spirit, and sportsmanship.
This success would not have been possible without the incredible backing of our valued sponsors — NRS Transport and Logistics and the Queensland Government — thank you for believing in our vision and empowering community football.
We also extend our sincere appreciation to:
• Radio Brisvaani 1701
— Jatish, Anjila & Nizar
• JD Media Corporation
• Magic Events
• Taufiq Ahmed • Incitech
Your support and partnership helped elevate QCUP 2026 into a truly memorable spectacle.
A heartfelt thank you to Donny and the management of Acacia Ridge for their understanding, flexibility, and steadfast support — even as the rain tested us. Your commitment ensured the show went on seamlessly.
To our referees — your professionalism, resilience, and courage in braving the wet conditions did not go unnoticed. You upheld the spirit of the game with excellence.
Thank you to Rewa FC for the Fiji styled BBQ and the cuisine served throughout the tournament.
And to the heartbeat of QFFA — our players, supporters, volunteers, and executives — your energy, dedication, and unity transformed QCUP 2026 into another blockbuster chapter in our journey. We are immensely grateful.
A special tribute to our Tournament Coordinator, Ali, and the entire QFFA executive team for their tireless efforts behind the scenes. Your leadership and commitment have once again lifted the standard and delivered an event of the highest calibre.
As one-chapter closes, the excitement continues. We now set our sights on the upcoming QBOG, the prestigious Australian International Masters, and the much-anticipated QIDC on the horizon.
The winners certainly were the beautiful game and QFFA, as we continued to celebrate the Fiji Diaspora on the platform of the beautiful game.
The bar has been raised. The passion burns brighter than ever.
Until the next kick-off — thank you for being part of the magic.
Jitendra Prasad President, QFFA
Perry passes Rolton to become Australia's leading Test scorer
ELLYSE Perry cemented her name among the pantheon of Australian cricket greats even as another Test century went begging Ellyse Perry has entered unchartered territory on day two at the WACA Ground, becoming Australia's greatest run scorer in women's Tests as she strengthened the hosts' position in the daynight match against India. Perry resumed on 43 on the second day in Perth and quickly settled
into her work, bringing up a half-century from 70 deliveries with the first six of Australia's innings.
The allrounder, who entered the match under an injury cloud after missing the ODIs against India with a quad strain, started the match with 930 Test runs to her name.
One hour into the opening session on Saturday, she hit a single to reach 1,000 Test runs and shortly after, hit a four down the ground to surpass Karen Rolton's
record of 1,002 by an Australian woman.
Shortly after, she was dismissed lbw by Deepti Sharma for 76, denying her a third Test century and leaving her with a tally of 1,006 with potentially a second dig to come in this match.
It was Perry's first fifty in the format since July 2023, after she was dismissed for an uncharacteristic two in the last WACA Test against South Africa in early 2024, and pushed
down the order to No.10 after injuring her hip during last year's Ashes Test at the MCG.
She reached the 1,000run milestone in her 15th Test and 24th innings, and in the process, also moved into the top 10 of top run scorers in women's Tests, a list dominated by England players who historically played far more multi-day matches.
Of that top 10, which is led by England's Jan Brittin who scored 1,935 across her 44 Test innings,
Perry's average of 59.17 following her dismissal is only bested by English 1970s star Enid Bakewell's 59.88.
She is also the first Australian woman to score 1,000 runs in each of the three formats, and the seventh Aussie overall.
The 35-year-old will not add to her tally of 39 Test wickets in this game, given she is playing as a specialist batter following her injury-hampered preparation.
Regardless, she is now
the only woman to have scored more than 1,000 runs and taken more than 30 wickets in Tests. Perry shared the crease with Annabel Sutherland on the morning of day two, with her younger teammate resuming on 20 before going on to score a 70-ball half-century of her own.
Sutherland passed 600 Test runs in the process, and just seven runs into her career is already ninth on Australia's list of all-time scorers.
Dhurandhar: The Revenge creates advance booking storm; Preview shows being sold at 7.5k tickets per hour
THE buzz around Dhurandhar: The Revenge appears to be translating strongly into ticket sales even before its official release. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh recently shared an update on social media about the film’s advance booking response, revealing that the spy action sequel is witnessing an impressive surge in ticket sales for its paid previews.
Taking to X, the analyst posted about the early momentum surrounding the film’s paid preview shows scheduled ahead of its release. In his tweet, he wrote, “'DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE' ADVANCE BOOKINGS GO ON A RAMPAGE... Advance bookings for the paid previews on 18 March 2026 have just commenced, and #Dhurandhar TheRevenge is already trending on #BMS, selling a staggering 7.5k tickets per hour.”
The advance bookings opened shortly after reports emerged that the film would hold special paid preview screenings before its theatrical launch. A source had earlier informed Bollywood Hungama about the plan, stating, “Dhurandhar: The Revenge is scheduled for a release on Thursday, March 18. As per the latest development, the film will have paid previews on Wednesday,
A fresh controversy has emerged around rapper-singer Badshah after the Haryana State Commission for Women issued a formal summons over alleged objectionable lyrics in his recently released Haryanvi track ‘Tateeree.’
As per a report by ANI, the commission said it has taken suo motu cognizance of complaints claiming that the song’s lyrics are indecent and violate cultural boundaries and modesty. The track, which was released around March 1, 2026, has been at the centre of growing criticism on social media and among local groups.
According to the official summons issued on March 6, the case concerns allegations against Badshah—whose real name is Aditya Pratik
March 18. Shows will commence from 5:00 pm onwards. There’s tremendous urgency to see the film and hence, Jio Studios and B62 Studios are confident that the film can see a record for the highest collections through paid previews.”
The strong early response comes on the back of the box office performance of its predecessor, Dhurandhar, which released on December 5, 2025 and went on to register impressive collections during its theatrical run. The success of the
first installment has significantly amplified expectations from the sequel.
Directed by Aditya Dhar, the upcoming installment Dhurandhar: The Revenge continues the story after the demise of Rahman Dakait and focuses on the journey of Jaskirat Singh Rangi, also known as Hamza Ali Mazari. The film promises to expand the scale of the narrative with heightened action and a deeper exploration of the protagonist’s mission. The movie stars Ranveer Singh in the lead role and
Singh Sisodia—over the wording used in the song. The notice has been addressed to the Superintendent of Police in Panipat, directing authorities to ensure the presence of all concerned parties during the hearing.
The complaint was filed by Savita Arya, president of the Nari Tu Narayani
Utthan Samiti in Panipat, along with Shiv Kumar, director of the Shiv Aarti India Foundation. The complainants have alleged that the lyrics in ‘Tateeree’ contain indecent vocabulary and objectify women and minors.
Following the complaints, the commission initiated
Anil Kapoor starrer
Subedaar takes over Times Square: Prime Video action drama goes global
features an ensemble cast including Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi, among others.
With its advance booking momentum already drawing attention on BookMyShow, the sequel appears to be setting the stage for a strong opening at the box office. Dhurandhar: The Revenge is expected to release in cinemas on March 19 in multiple languages, including several South Indian versions, aiming for a wide pan-India reach.
INDIAN storytelling made a high-impact global statement as the promotional campaign for Subedaar lit up the iconic billboards of Times Square. The larger-thanlife display marked a significant moment for the film and for Indian cinema, as the action drama starring Anil Kapoor was showcased at one of the world’s most recognizable commercial intersections.
The special feature at Times Square comes shortly after the film’s premiere on Prime Video, further amplifying the movie’s global visibility. Known for hosting major international entertainment campaigns and blockbuster film promotions, Times Square remains one of the most coveted advertising stages in the world. For an Indian streaming release to occupy the giant digital screens at the landmark reflects the growing global appeal of Indian content.
around him, Maurya must step back into a dangerous world, navigating crime, corruption, and intense moral dilemmas in order to protect his family and reclaim his honour.
The gritty action-drama is directed by Suresh Triveni and produced by Vikram Malhotra, Anil Kapoor, and Triveni. The film also features a strong ensemble cast led by Radhikka Madan, along with Saurabh Shukla, Aditya Rawal, Faisal Malik, Mona Singh, and Khushboo Sundar in key roles.
proceedings to examine the matter.
Chairperson Renu Bhatia confirmed that the commission will hold a hearing on March 13, 2026, at 11:30 am. The proceedings are scheduled to take place at the Conference Hall at the DC Office in Panipat, with Bhatia presiding over the session.
Commenting on the issue, Bhatia also questioned how the song managed to pass regulatory scrutiny. She noted that she had previously served as a member of the Central Board of Film Certification for three years and raised concerns about the approval process for content containing such lyrics.
The matter is expected to be reviewed during the upcoming hearing.
Headlined by Anil Kapoor, the film has been receiving positive responses for its emotionally charged narrative and powerful performances. The actor plays Subedaar Arjun Maurya, a retired soldier who is forced to confront his past when his otherwise quiet civilian life is disrupted by a reckless act. As chaos unfolds
The film premiered exclusively on Prime Video on March 5 and is available in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. In addition to its release across India, the movie has also been launched in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide, reflecting the increasing international demand for Indian stories on streaming platforms. With its blend of action, emotion, and social commentary, Subedaar aims to deliver a gripping cinematic experience while also showcasing Indian storytelling on a global stage. The Times Square showcase marks just the beginning of the film’s international promotional journey, with more moments and conversations around the project expected in the coming weeks.
Australian Indian Times - Distribution Centres
Name Address Name Address
NEW SOUTH WALES
Bansi Supermarket Unit 1/148 Walters Rd,Blacktown, 2148
Bigsmart Suite 1/56 Restwell St, Bankstown, 2200
Casula Indian Mart Shop10,633 Hume Highway, Casula, 2170
Indian Hprermarket 128 Frances St, Lidcombe, 2141
Koseli Megamart Unit 5/42-44 Queen St, Cambelltown, 2560
Little India Supermarket 1/29 Amax Avenue, Girraween, 2145
Milan Bazaar 69 Boomerang Pl, Seven Hills, 2147
Om Namah 65 Graftonn St, Coffs Harbour, 2450
Radhe WholeSale & Retail 8/12 Station St E, Harris Park, 2150
Townsville Indian Groceries 3/244 Ross River Rd, Townsville City, 4814
Tulsi Spice and Indian Restaurant Shop 8A/200 Grand Ave, Forest Lake, 4078
Vedanta Centre of Brisbane 96 Vedanta Dr, Springfield Lakes, 4300
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Indian Traders 345 Anzac Hwy, Plympton, 5038
VICTORIA
Divya Indian Groceries 102 Coleman Rd, Boronia, 3155
Indiagate Spices And Groceries Unit 14C/ 560-590 High St, Epping, 3076
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Quality Indian Groceries 1/1337 Albany Hwy, Cannington, 6107
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