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Healing beyond prescriptions

By
Rajyogi Brahma Kumar Nikunj Ji
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(Source: Canva)
Reading Time: 3 minutes

healing beyond prescriptions

 

Since ancient times, the medical profession has been regarded as a noble calling. Doctors alleviate pain, restore health, and stand beside patients in their most vulnerable moments – offering not just treatment, but reassurance and hope. Armed with knowledge of the human body and the principles of health and hygiene, they guide individuals through illness, crisis and recovery. For this service to humanity, the profession has long commanded deep respect in society.

Today, even the World Health Organisation defines health as a “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” This definition reflects a broader understanding of healing – one that extends beyond the physical. In earlier times, this idea was often embodied in practice. The doctor was not merely a prescriber of medicines, but also a counsellor, a confidant and, at times, even a spiritual guide. Patients found comfort simply in the calm and compassionate presence of such physicians, whose approach acknowledged the human being beyond the illness.

Yet, in today’s fast-paced world, that deeper dimension of care is increasingly under strain. The pressures of urbanisation, technological advancement and growing patient loads have transformed the practice of medicine. Doctors, often working within tight time constraints, are required to attend to a large number of patients within limited hours. Efficiency becomes essential, and consultations grow shorter. In such an environment, attention naturally shifts towards diagnosing symptoms and prescribing treatment, leaving little room for exploring the emotional, psychological or social contexts that often underpin illness.

Source: Canva Healing beyond prescriptions

This shift is significant because many diseases are not purely physical in origin. Increasingly, both medical science and lived experience point to the role of psychosomatic factors – where lifestyle, personality traits and behavioural patterns contribute to the onset or progression of illness. Stress, anxiety, and unresolved emotional conflicts can aggravate conditions such as hypertension, heart disease and even immune disorders. While doctors are aware of these links, the structure of modern healthcare systems does not always allow them to engage with these deeper causes in a meaningful way. As a result, treatment may address the symptoms effectively, but the root causes often remain unexamined.

Without addressing these underlying dimensions, the possibility of lasting healing becomes limited. A patient may recover from a specific ailment, yet continue to experience inner unrest – fear, insecurity, loneliness or dissatisfaction – conditions that no laboratory test can fully capture. Over time, such unresolved states can resurface in new forms of illness, creating a cycle that medicine alone struggles to break.

The impact of such inner imbalance is not confined to the individual. Moral and social ill-health within a person can ripple outward, affecting others in subtle but significant ways. An individual prone to anger, irritability or anxiety not only suffers personally but may also create an environment of tension for those around them – within families, workplaces and communities. Emotions such as jealousy, resentment and hostility are not merely fleeting states; they exert a tangible influence on both mental and physical well-being. Contemporary research increasingly supports what spiritual traditions have long suggested: that persistent negative emotional states trigger stress responses in the body, releasing hormones that can weaken immunity and contribute to disease.

healing beyond prescriptions
Healing beyond prescriptions

In this light, the idea of health must be understood more holistically. A peaceful, balanced mind is not separate from physical well-being; it is foundational to it. Conversely, a disturbed or conflicted mind can, over time, manifest in physical ailments. The connection may not always be immediately visible, but it operates at a subtle and profound level.

Modern medicine has made extraordinary advances, saving countless lives and improving the quality of care in ways unimaginable in earlier eras. Yet, alongside these achievements lies an opportunity – to reconnect with the deeper, more human aspects of healing. While terms such as “holistic health” and “integrated care” are increasingly part of medical discourse, their full realisation requires a more conscious inclusion of emotional, social and even spiritual dimensions in the healing process.

A truly healthy society cannot be built on hospitals and medicines alone. It requires individuals who are emotionally balanced, socially responsible and guided by values such as compassion and empathy. If the practice of medicine can evolve to embrace not just the science of the body but also the understanding of the mind and the inner self, then treatment can move beyond cure towards complete healing.

Read more: Ambulance Vic rolls out Hindi, Punjabi info

Along the Silk Road’s living cities

By
Sandip Hor
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0
Reading Time: 5 minutes

Travel Uzbekistan

On a tranquil winter night in January 1966, Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, became forever associated with India, though in a mournful manner. Travel Uzbekistan

India’s second Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri, died unexpectedly in that city just hours after signing a peace treaty with Pakistan’s President, Ayub Khan. The agreement was brokered in the presence of Alexei Kosygin, then Prime Minister of the Soviet Union, who had mediated the negotiations between the two countries.

News of his death stunned the people of Tashkent. It is said that many gathered on the streets the following day to join Shastri’s final, mournful journey in a gun carriage along the same route to the airport – where only days earlier they had stood with flowers and flags to welcome him.

Moved to commemorate him, Tashkent etched Shastri’s name into its cityscape – renaming a prominent thoroughfare in his honour and installing a bust in a quiet park along the tree-lined avenue, where memory now lingers in bronze and shade.

Today, the statue feels almost like a place of pilgrimage for visitors from India and for people of Indian origin, like me, who come to Tashkent from different corners of the world.

Trave Uzbekistan
Tribute to Lal Bahadur Shastri in Tashkent | (Source: supplied)

So when I arrived in the city, that quiet, sacred spot was my first stop. I began my journey through Uzbekistan by standing in silence before the Indian leader whose final moments were lived here.

The ties between Uzbekistan and India stretch back centuries, forged in violence when the powerful Uzbek ruler Timur invaded Delhi in 1398 to expand his empire. A little more than a century later, his great-grandson Babur conquered India and founded the Mughal Empire, which ruled for nearly 300 years until British colonisation. That long history shaped architecture, cuisine and language – influences I could still trace while exploring Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan’s plov, a hearty rice dish with meat, is often seen as a precursor to India’s biryani. Samsa became samosa, and non evolved into naan. Even language reflects this shared past, with words like kimat (price), kursi (chair) and gosht (meat) common to both cultures.

Rooted in antiquity, Uzbekistan’s history is a rich tapestry woven from the rise and fall of mighty kingdoms. Its strategic position at the crossroads of India, China and Europe made it a coveted prize in the campaigns of successive empires – Persians, Greeks, Turks, Arabs who brought Islam to the region, Mongols and, later, the Russians.

Travel Uzbekistan
Local bread on the streets of Uzbekistan | (Source: supplied)

The land’s story is inseparable from the legendary Silk Road, the vast overland network that linked East and West. For more than two millennia, caravans carrying silk, spices and gold – along with religious ideas and cultural traditions – passed through this territory, shaping it into a vibrant crossroads of civilisations.

Uzbekistan unquestionably showcases some of the finest examples of Islamic architecture – grand mosques, intricately tiled madrasas, majestic mausoleums and soaring monuments. I encountered this architectural splendour in Samarkand and Bukhara, the country’s two most significant historic centres.

Many of these magnificent structures were built between the 14th and 17th centuries under the reign of Timur, founder of the Timurid dynasty, and his successors. Much of what had stood before was destroyed during the 13th-century Mongol invasion led by Genghis Khan, leaving little of the earlier landscape intact. Travel Uzbekistan

Samarkand is widely regarded as one of the world’s oldest cities, often mentioned alongside Babylon in Iraq and Varanasi in India. When Timur made it the capital of his vast empire, the city was transformed into a showcase of monumental architecture – its skyline rising with colossal structures that reflected artistic brilliance, spiritual devotion and scientific ambition.

Travel Uzbekistan
Samarkand Madrasa | (Source: supplied)

Experts hail Registan Square as the city’s crown jewel. The vast paved plaza is framed on three sides by magnificent madrasas and mosques, their glazed turquoise domes and blue-tiled façades adorned with intricate mosaics and flowing calligraphy – enduring testimony to the splendour of the Timurid empire. The interiors are richly adorned with exquisite mosaics in shades of blue, alabaster and gold. Gazing at the intricate calligraphy, I felt as though sacred verses had been rendered eternal in ceramic and tile within these luminous spaces.

Other notable medieval landmarks in Samarkand include Shah-i-Zinda, a breathtaking necropolis adorned with the mausoleums of Timur’s relatives and trusted generals; the imposing Bibi Khanym Mosque; and the Gur-e-Amir, the magnificent mausoleum where Timur lies beneath a vast slab of jade.

Bukhara on the other hand, feels like a living museum, where wandering through its ancient quarters, I sensed the lingering echoes of civilisations reluctant to fade. That feeling deepened as I visited the Chashma Ayub Mausoleum – considered one of Central Asia’s oldest funerary monuments – the formidable Ark Citadel, once home to the rulers of Bukhara, the Bolo-Hauz Mosque, known as the “Mosque of Forty Columns”, and the towering Kalon Minaret, from which the call to prayer once rang out across the city, summoning worshippers to the adjacent mosque. Travel Uzbekistan

Tashkent captivated me with its interesting blend of the old and the new.

While the newer quarters showcase sleek, modern architecture along broad, tree-lined boulevards and manicured parklands, the historic heart of the city is studded with mosques, tombs and madrasas. During my visit to the Moyie Mubarek Library Museum, I was privileged to see what is believed to be the world’s oldest Qur’an, displayed reverently in a glass case. For many devout Muslims, even touching the cabinet is considered sacred – a devotion reflected in the long, unbroken queue of visitors waiting their turn.

Travel Uzbekistan
Registan Square in Samarkand | (Source: supplied)

Exploring Tashkent, I found myself immersed in the lingering flavours of the Silk Road while wandering through the bustling corridors of Chorsu Bazaar. The air was fragrant with ground saffron, cumin and coriander, mingling with the scent of freshly baked bread and sweet halva, all blending with the earthy aroma of handwoven silk carpets.

Stalls brimmed with colour and texture – pyramids of pomegranates, mounds of pistachios, vibrant Uzbek coats and embroidered caps – sustaining a trading tradition that still carries the cadence and charm of another era. Travel Uzbekistan

As my flight carried me home, I felt a deep sense of fulfilment – knowing I had walked the same paths once trodden by conquerors and merchants, scholars and pilgrims, travellers who once bridged the worlds of East and West. Travel Uzbekistan

TRAVEL NOTEBOOK

Getting There Fly Air India (www.airindia.com) to Delhi and Uzbekistan Airways (www.uzaairways.com) to Tashkent.

Stay Hilton Tashkent (www.hilton.com) in Tashkent, Hilton Garden Inn in Samarkand (www.hilton.com) and Wyndham Hotel (www.wyndhamhotels.com) in Bukhara.  

Local Tour Operator Contact Orient Mice (www.orientmice.com), a trusted local tour operator for all ground arrangements. 

READ ALSO: A journey into the Namib

Letters from Life: On premature grey hair

By
Minnal Khona
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0
Reading Time: 4 minutes

 

I was 13 when my mother first noticed a few strands of grey hair while oiling it one weekend. She naturally freaked, proceeded to pluck them out and then used several oils to stop the process. She didn’t succeed because, by the time I started working, I had enough grey that they needed to be camouflaged.

Enter the messy henna paste treatment. For several years I used to apply a henna paste to my hair every month. Mixed with coffee powder, beetroot juice and amla powder – all suggested to darken the colour – when the henna would fade, my hair was a ghastly mix of slate black and orange! Then I switched to hair colour thanks to the suggestions of beauty professionals I interviewed during my day job. Here too, the monthly salon visits, and, hiding of the roots with kajal in between colour sessions in case of an upcoming important event, were as painful as visits to the dentist.

Then you had rude colleagues or strangers who would pointedly stare at the roots that show up a week after you colour your hair. I’ve had colleagues even ask me ‘You have grey hair?’ From being embarrassed to feeling ashamed to making a snarky retort, I’ve been through the gamut.

Colouring hair also comes with side effects. After all, you are dousing your hair in so much chemical goop month after month. My hair would weigh heavily on my scalp, which, after so many years of colour, had turned pink! Then, while oiling my hair, it would hurt to massage. But I soldiered on, for reasons of vanity, and maternal disapproval at roots showing and the aforementioned rude stares. During the colder months, leaving hair colour on for close to an hour inevitably led to head colds and sinus problems. Severe headaches where it hurt to even bend would follow, and I would need all sorts of natural remedies to get better, fast.

grey hair
(Source: Canva)

Gradually, living in the city I now am in, where we get hard water in the taps, damaged my hair further. It would lie flat and lank no matter how fancy the salon where I got it cut. I would use the high-end salon range of colour, shampoo and conditioner but over time, the hair fall increased and soon, my once thick and curly hair became limp and scanty.

Often, I was tempted to stop the colouring chore but I didn’t. Then, when the hairfall didn’t stop, I finally decided to do so. But it was not easy. It took me a year of self-talk and psyching myself to feel confident enough to stay silver. I knew the flip side – I would look older than I am; friends ten years older than me were still colouring their hair; and, wearing certain colours or gold jewellery would be a hit and miss. After all the overthinking and pros and cons later, I decided I would take the plunge.

I stopped colouring. Initially, the stares were awkward to deal with, so I would wear headbands to cover my hair. Then, when the roots got to a decent length, my hairdresser chopped off the darker, dyed bits. After that, it was easier. People stare even today because the trend here in India is still that of wanting to look younger. I am used to the stares by now. grey hair

What was truly liberating though was the fact that I did not have to go through that long and messy process. I felt free in my head; almost as if I had taken a giant step towards self-acceptance on all fronts. It felt good to have the thickness return to my hair. They even grew faster. The only problem left was that of removing the yellow tint in the hair. Luckily, cosmetic companies are aware of the problem and there are several good shampoos to remove the tint and give hair a silver glow.

 

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What I earlier thought was a drawback – that people would think I am older than I am – has also worked to my advantage. In traffic, brats speeding in sports cars and other rash drivers on the road slow down when I show my hand and struggle to run across. They think it is an old lady wanting to cross the road! At other times, when I tell people off, for troubling a street dog or other such stuff, they listen quietly rather than argue with someone they think is a senior citizen! Best of all, when I walk my dog early in the morning on empty streets, no one bothers me by driving too close as they do to younger women. Of course, the fact that said dog is a rottweiler gives me a fillip of attitude too!

Accepting my grey hair has truly been a long, hard journey. From having low levels of confidence due to their presence, to now revelling in the silver streaks, I have come a long way. Hopefully, my body will forgive me for all the chemicals I forced on it all these years. My hair certainly has.

READ MORE: Letters from Life: Living with anxiety

Bedtime stories and bookworms: The art of Indian storytelling

By
Ananya Thirumalai
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Storytelling
A hunger for stories
Reading Time: 3 minutes

 

I recall late nights, pleading with my dad to let me stay up just an hour longer to hear another story. These weren’t tales that put me to sleep out of boredom, but rather out of a contented calm. Even miles away from India, I grew up with snippets of the Ramayana, whimsical fables from the Panchatantra, and an original fiction piece my dad concocted about a boy named Nobody, whose companions included an ensemble of Somebodys and Everybodys.

Beyond fables, my dad spun tales of his own childhood mischief—stories that, to his relief, didn’t inspire similar behaviour in me. But everything else did, shaping the reader and writer within me who now craves a good story. This, I realise, all stems from the art of Indian storytelling.

Indian storytelling has a rich legacy, layered with moral teachings. As a child, I found these morals a little nonsensical, but looking back, I see how they shaped the person I am today. Traditional storytelling in India often goes beyond spoken words, weaving itself into song, dance, and rituals, yet the spoken word has a timeless reach. Many stories connect to the concept of karma—that what goes around comes around—reflecting the cultural values and life lessons Indian families seek to pass on, even today, through their bedtime tales.

storytelling
Family is the heart of storytelling

Family and community are at the heart of Indian storytelling. My dad told me stories that his parents told him, passed down from their parents before them. Though storytelling forms and anecdotes vary across communities, the heart of Indian bedtime stories remains rooted in scriptures—whether in the tale itself or in the values it embodies. Family and community serve as the stewards of these values, passing them down through whispered bedtime stories or under the spotlight at community gatherings.

This art of storytelling through spoken word shaped me as a reader and writer. It instilled an early love for language and a hunger for meaningful stories. As a reader, I gravitate toward books; as a writer, I lean into conversations. Both are extensions of the spoken word that first sparked my curiosity and taught me lessons that might otherwise have been lost. From an impressionable age, I learned to appreciate stories of all kinds, even those that challenge or discomfort, knowing that every story has something to say—much like those age-old tales of karma and consequence.

These stories did more than entertain—they laid the foundation for my love of reading. As I grew up, I found myself seeking out books that held the same richness and layered wisdom as those bedtime tales. Indian storytelling taught me to savour the intricacies of character, plot, and theme, helping me understand that every story has a deeper meaning waiting to be uncovered. This early exposure to the layers within stories gave me a hunger for narratives that challenge, engage, and ultimately enrich my understanding of the world.

Storytelling
The beginning of Indian storytelling

Indian stories also trained me to read with empathy and patience. From fables of wise animals to epics of valour and virtue, these tales required me to slow down, to listen carefully, and to appreciate every detail—qualities that became crucial as I ventured into more complex literature. They encouraged me to see beyond the surface, to consider each character’s motivations, and to relish the process of piecing together a story’s many facets. This patience became a gift, allowing me to approach every book with a sense of openness and curiosity.

Perhaps most importantly, these stories nurtured my appreciation for diverse perspectives, something my dad instilled in me early on. Through his storytelling, I was introduced to a vast world of heroism, trickery, and the quiet teachings of karma. His tales opened my mind to the idea that stories come in countless forms, each with its own unique beauty. This variety left me craving different genres, themes, and perspectives as I grew older. It’s why, today, I feel equally at home reading literary classics, magical realism, or contemporary fiction. The art of Indian storytelling was the spark, and every new book since then has been a way to carry that magic forward.

Read more: How opening lines shape literature

NSW Premier’s Harmony Dinner: Indian Link wins its 33rd award

By
Sruthi Sajeev
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0
Source: Supplied
Reading Time: 3 minutes

NSW Premier’s Harmony Dinner

Indian Link took home the ‘Multicultural Publication of the Year’ award at the NSW Premier’s Harmony Dinner, organised by Multicultural NSW.

It was one of several honours recognising excellence across the state’s multicultural community. NSW Premier’s Harmony Dinner

Young journalist Khushee Gupta also won the ‘Best Report in Multicultural Media,’ award for her Indian Link podcast Don’t Talk Back and her work across a wide range of platforms in the print and digital space.

The Multicultural Publication of the Year award was presented to Rajni and Pawan Luthra by the Treasurer of NSW Daniel Mookhey himself of Indian origin and a longtime supporter of Indian Link.

Reflecting on the collective effort behind the publication, Rajni Luthra expressed, “It was a proud moment to be up there with Pawan receiving the award – though we truly wished the whole team could have been beside us. We did it together – Charu Vij, Lakshmi Ganapathy, Torrsha Sen, Sruthi Sajeev, Ash Reynolds, Apoorva Tandon, Khushee Gupta, Shailesh Tinker, Harini Sridhar, Sagar Mehrotra – each of you go above and beyond, often quietly, but always with purpose. Thank you for your commitment, care, and excellence.” NSW Premier’s Harmony Dinner

Khushee Gupta receiving her award (Source: Supplied)

She also acknowledged the regular contributors whose industry insights and experience have greatly informed Indian Link’s stories through the years.

“Prutha Chakraborty, Darshak Mehta, Ritam Mitra, Manan Luthra, Khushaal Vyas, Sydney Srinivas, Tarini Puri, Ekta Sharma, Neeru Saluja, Sandip Hor, Charmaine O’Brien, Auntyji, and so many others, your outstanding work has played a valuable role in shaping and elevating our publication. We deeply appreciate your contribution.”

Over the past year, Indian Link has upheld its commitment to reporting on the vital stories at the heart of the Indian-Australian community. Its balanced and varied reportage of major events such as the anti-immigration and anti-Indian protests and the 2025 Bondi attack offered great insight into the attitudes of the community at large.

Rajni credited founder Pawan Luthra for his advice in navigating through this period.

“Pawan has been the perfect partner-in-chief,” she noted. “He brings to this endeavour deep insight into the community we serve, along with foresight and the courage to take risks. I especially value his ability to cut through the noise and offer thoughtful, dispassionate advice that is firmly rooted in principle. Our entire team – core and extended – has come to rely on him for that.”

Pawan Luthra’s reflections on multicultural storytelling were, characteristically, macro in outlook. He noted, “To the Indian community in Australia – whom we seek to understand, engage with, and represent with care – thank you for your dynamism and for being such a rich source of stories. It is your diversity that ensures our storytelling continues to have depth.”

Indian Link team celebrating post-awards (Source: supplied)

He added, “To the wider community in which we live and work, our growing interactions have revealed shared strengths. It has been heartening to see that there is far more that unites us than divides us – giving us even more stories to tell.”

Indian Link’s win was part of a greater celebration of harmony and unity. These messages were echoed by Ahmad Al Ahmad, hero of the Bondi terror incident, who shared his thoughts with Joseph La Posta, CEO of Multicultural NSW.

“We should celebrate multiculturalism every day,” he emphasised. “Australia is a country that is known for its unity and harmony – it’s the reason why everyone wants to come here.”

Earlier in the evening, the Premier of NSW Chris Minns commended the state’s multicultural community for coming together in support of the Jewish community in the wake of the Bondi tragedy. NSW Premier’s Harmony Dinner

The night also included a posthumous salute for those who dedicated their lives to serving the multicultural community. Those recognised came from a broad cross section of society, from not-for-profit founders to language school teachers.

This year’s win brings Indian Link’s total tally of awards to 33, cementing its place as a stalwart for Australia’s multicultural groups and as one of the most influential voices in the broader community. NSW Premier’s Harmony Dinner

READ ALSO: 30th award in our 30th year

Aus-India green steel push, powered by rice husk

By
Indian Link
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0
aus-ind steel
Reading Time: 4 minutes

Low-emission green steel

A first-of-its-kind trial in India has brought the Australia-India partnership a significant step closer to producing low-emission “green steel”. Researchers from both nations have successfully demonstrated how agricultural waste can partially replace coal in the steelmaking process – without compromising performance.

The breakthrough, led by Australia’s national science agency CSIRO in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), marks a major advance in efforts to decarbonise one of the world’s most carbon-intensive industries. Steel production accounts for roughly 10 per cent of global carbon emissions, making it a critical sector in the global race to net zero.

At a commercial-scale trial conducted at Jindal Steel’s plant in Odisha, researchers used locally sourced rice husk pellets – an abundant agricultural by-product – to generate biomass-derived synthesis gas, or syngas, for iron ore reduction. The trial successfully blended 5 and 10 per cent biomass into existing coal-based gasifiers, achieving sustained production with no loss of operational efficiency.

steel aus ind rice pellets
Rice husk pellets derived from local agricultural waste are used to partially replace coal in the production of syngas (synthesis gas) for iron ore reduction. (Source: Supplied) low-emission green steel

Scaling a solution for India towards low-emission green steel

The findings suggest a viable, scalable pathway to reduce emissions in India’s rapidly expanding steel sector, which is projected to double its production capacity to 300 million tonnes by 2030 and reach 500 million tonnes by 2047. Currently, the sector emits an average of 2.55 tonnes of carbon dioxide per tonne of steel – significantly higher than the global average – and contributes around 12 per cent of India’s total emissions.

“This is a world-first demonstration of how agricultural waste can be harnessed to decarbonise steelmaking at scale,” said Warren Flentje, Senior Experimental Scientist at CSIRO. “By blending rice husk pellets into commercial gasifiers, we’ve shown that biomass can replace coal without compromising performance.”

If adopted across India, the approach could reduce emissions from the steel sector by up to 50 per cent – equivalent to approximately 357 million tonnes of CO₂ annually – offering one of the most promising near-term solutions for decarbonising heavy industry.

From ag waste to industrial fuel : Low emission green steel

The trial forms part of the India-Australia Green Steel Research Partnership, backed by the Australian Government, and involved collaboration with RESCONS Solutions, a commercial steel innovator incubated at IISc’s Foundation for Science, Innovation and Development.

Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL) steelmaking plant in Odisha where the biomass demonstration in steelmaking was undertaken.
Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL) steelmaking plant in Odisha where the biomass demonstration in steelmaking was undertaken. (Source: Supplied)

Researchers say the solution is uniquely suited to India’s conditions, where vast quantities of agricultural residue – estimated at more than 228 million tonnes annually – are often burnt in fields, contributing to severe air pollution. Redirecting this biomass into industrial use could not only cut emissions from steelmaking, but also help address a major public health challenge. low-emission green steel

“India’s steel sector is both a major employer and a significant source of emissions,” said Keith Vining, Research Group Leader for Green Metals Production at CSIRO. “Our partnership with IISc and industry partners shows that biomass can be a viable alternative to coal, particularly in regions where agricultural waste and coal-based steel facilities co-exist.”

Policy push and industry buy-in

India has already outlined an ambitious roadmap to achieve net zero emissions by 2070, with strategies including the adoption of electric arc furnaces, increased use of scrap steel, carbon capture technologies, and the development of green hydrogen. Biomass substitution is increasingly being recognised as a practical, near-term lever within this broader transition.

Industry stakeholders involved in the trial say the results mark a turning point.

Biomass locally sourced from agricultural waste can partially replace coal in steelmaking, using existing gasifiers at commercial steel plants.
Biomass locally sourced from agricultural waste can partially replace coal in steelmaking, using existing gasifiers at commercial steel plants. (Source: Supplied)

“This collaboration is a pivotal moment in our decarbonisation journey,” said Damodar Mittal, Executive Director at Jindal Steel. “By integrating biomass and green energy into our processes, we are reducing our carbon footprint while setting new benchmarks for the industry.”

Professor Govind S. Gupta, Managing Director of RESCONS Solutions, added that the partnership demonstrates how innovation can align environmental sustainability with industrial growth. “We are proud to help pioneer the use of biomass in steelmaking, supporting India’s transition to greener practices that benefit both current and future generations,” he said.

Mapping the transition 

To accelerate adoption, the CSIRO-RESCONS team has also developed an interactive digital map of India’s steelmaking infrastructure, overlaid with regional biomass availability. The tool is designed to help policymakers and industry players identify optimal locations for scaling up the technology.

Looking ahead, researchers plan to expand trials to smaller, regional steelmaking units and explore a wider range of biomass sources, including integrated systems that link agricultural production with industrial feedstocks.

For both India and Australia, the project highlights the growing strategic depth of their partnership – extending beyond trade and security into climate innovation and sustainable industry.

And for a sector long seen as one of the hardest to decarbonise, the message is increasingly clear: the future of steel may well be shaped not just in factories, but in the fields.

READ MORE: Woman of (green) steel: Veena Sahajwalla, NSW Australian of the Year 2022

Dubai, Interrupted: An expat’s tale on displacement amid war

By
Prutha Chakraborty
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0
flightradar dubai airspace closure
(Source: FlightRadar24.com / March 1, 2026)
Reading Time: 4 minutes

Dubai Airspace Closure

Three bags. Three passengers.

When my husband, our 1.5-year-old daughter, and I left Dubai on February 28, we did so with the certainty that we’d be back within a week. Our return flight was booked for March 8 – there was never a question of staying longer.

What was meant to be a quick trip home – squeezing in a Holi celebration with family in Mumbai, a brief stop in Pune for a work meeting, and then back to routine – has stretched into nearly a month of being stranded.

War broke out the very day we landed in India.

Dramatically, ours was among the last flights to depart from DXB before operations were indefinitely suspended. Missiles were being fired. Airspace was shutting down. And just like that, there was no way back home – well, our second home.

dubai airspace closure prutha
Leaving home (Source: Author)

My husband and I moved to Pune when we wed four years ago, choosing it for its calm, safety, and unhurried pace – a welcome contrast to Mumbai. It felt like the right place to build a home and start a family. When our first child was born, that certainty only deepened. I couldn’t imagine raising our daughter anywhere else.

And then, out of nowhere, came a job transfer.

My husband was asked to move overseas – to Dubai – and we followed, our little girl and I, stepping into a life we hadn’t quite planned for.

It was December 2025 when we packed up our entire life in India and left. I was hesitant. He was hopeful.

It was Christmas – everything, everywhere I looked, felt bright and alive, almost electric with movement. It reminded me of an older Mumbai – a time before pollution became a constant concern, when ambition drove everything, when building, expanding, and dreaming bigger felt like a shared national mood. Development was everywhere, and so was hope.

burj khalifa prutha
The first time I saw the Burj Khalifa (Source: Author)

Dubai felt like that version of Mumbai – only amplified. Bigger dreams. Taller skylines. A city constantly reaching upward.

I still remember the first time I saw the Burj Khalifa – it was unlike anything I’d seen before. For the next month, it followed me everywhere, a constant from morning to night. This towering icon I’d only known through photos had suddenly become part of my everyday life – something I woke up to and returned to while I called Dubai home.

The following month, we moved out of our temporary accommodation and into a new home – this time with a view of the Burj Al Arab. Equally magnificent, equally surreal.

But what made this house feel like home wasn’t the view – it was the neighbourhood.

We found ourselves among other expatriate families – away from home, yet bound by a shared in-between. The neighbourhood had its own rhythm: cafés and bars flowing into each other, parks and open-air gyms, lakes catching the evening light, and long stretches of green made for wandering.

There weren’t tall neem, banyan, or gulmohar trees like in Pune. But the neatly lined urban trees felt enough, at least for now – or so I told myself.

And then, just as we were beginning to settle into this life, the war cut it short.

We found ourselves among other expatriate families - away from home, yet bound by a shared in-between.
How Dubai became home: We found ourselves among other expatriate families – away from home, yet bound by a shared in-between. (Source: Author)

I am writing this from Pune now, where tree canopies once again line the roads and the air feels familiar. And yet, somewhere between these shaded streets and quiet afternoons, I find myself missing the two Burjs, missing that new life we had just begun to build.

There is a strange sense of displacement I can’t quite shake.

I am home, but not entirely.Dubai Airspace Closure

I am away from home, but not entirely.

We book flight tickets, only to cancel them when the news begins to feel too serious. Debris from intercepted drones has already landed in residential buildings – one of them right across from our home in Dubai. The anxiety is real. We want to go back, but how?

The mommy expat groups I’m part of are constantly buzzing. Some families, like us, left after the war began. Some are still weighing their options, looking for a way out. Others have chosen to stay, to ride this out, come what may. None of us know how long this uncertainty will last.

Dubai is home to a vast expatriate population. For a city that once felt like a safe landing place for people from across the world, it now feels subdued – quieter, watchful, holding its breath. Even the Burj Khalifa, the very symbol of all that Dubai stands for, seems to carry the weight of that silence.

And yet, I hold on to hope.Dubai Airspace Closure

That one day, the emirate will find its rhythm again. Children will return to playgrounds. Parents will go back to work. Malls will buzz with life. And the skyline will glow once more – bright, certain, and full of possibility.

Read Also: India: A major collateral victim of Netanyahu and Trump’s reckless war

Can’t get over Dhurandhar? Try these next

By
Harsheni Maniarasan
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Films Like Dhurandhar
Reading Time: 3 minutes

 

The striking appeal of masterly crafted action thriller films is their capacity to deliver edge-of-your-seat drama, right until the very end. The audience have their eyes glued to the screens as high-octane events unfold, sometimes loudly with explosions and gunshots and other times quieter with secret plans and deception. When it comes to Indian cinema, more often than not, action thrillers come richly nested with political nuances and past chronicles. Perfectly balanced with emotions, drama and sturdy plot lines, Indian cinema knows just how to add their touch to this much-loved genre. So, if you enjoyed Dhurandhar and its newly released sequel Dhurandhar 2, below are six Indian thrillers that need to be on your radar.

A saga of power, patriotism and personal vendetta, Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar duology unfolds with ferocity, driven by a protagonist whose singular resolve – to protect his nation – is embodied with intensity by Ranveer Singh. It exemplifies a defining trait of Bollywood’s action thrillers: spectacle layered with emotion, where large-scale conflict is anchored in personal stakes. From gangland rivalries to covert missions and war narratives, the genre thrives on this blend – setting the stage for the standout films that follow.

Here’s a look at some must-watch Indian movies that take action and thriller to a whole new level.

MADRAS CAFE (2013)

Starring: John Abraham, Nargis Fakhri, Raashii Khanna Films Like Dhurandhar

Set in the late 1980s and spanning into the early 1990s against the backdrop of Northern Sri Lanka, the film focuses on an Indian intelligence agent Vikram (Abraham) and his undertaking of a high-staked secret mission. Ensnared amid a civil war, political tension and an assassination conspiracy, Vikram sets out to fulfil his mission, come what may.

URI: THE SURGICAL STRIKE (2019)

Starring: Vicky Kaushal, Yami Gautam, Paresh Rawal, Mohit Raina Films Like Dhurandhar

Inspired by the true story of the retaliatory acts to Pakistan’s 2016 Uri attack, the film follows Major Vihaan Singh Shergill (Kaushal) who is part of the Para Special Forces as he heads a covert operation to eliminate a group of militants responsible. The film is divided into five chapters, set in varied locations: The Seven Sisters, An Unsettling Peace, Bleed India with a Thousand Cuts, Naya Hindustan and The Surgical Strike. Echoing an unwavering sense of patriotism, the film delves into the vengeance, precision and resilience that drives such war operations and depicts the realities of the battlefield.

RAAZI (2018)

Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, Jaideep Ahlawat Films Like Dhurandhar

In this captivating spy thriller, Sehmat (Bhatt) plays an Indian RAW agent, who upon heeding her father’s request, marries into a family of Pakistani military officers to perform an undercover mission. Set against the backdrop of the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war, the film explores Sehmat’s journey as she navigates the clashing interests between upholding her patriotic duty and embracing her blooming relationship with her husband Iqbal (Kaushal). As Sehmat fulfils her responsibilities as an informant, Raazi makes for a masterful take on spy missions and the urgent choices one is forced to make and at what cost.

D-DAY (2013)

Starring: Irrfan Khan, Arjun Rampal, Rishi Kapoor, Huma Qureshi Films Like Dhurandhar

A bold multi-perspective spy action thriller, D-Day recounts the mission led by Indian intelligence officer Wali Khan (Khan) as the team sets out to capture Goldman, a Pakistani terrorist who is one of India’s most hunted men. A slight error menaces the entire mission, forcing the intelligence officers to go into hiding. Unfiltered and raw, the film depicts the dangers and wildcards that entail these missions exactly as they are. If you’re looking for a stellar blend of action and suspense, this could be your next watch.

SATYA (1998)

Starring: J.D. Chakravarthy, Urmila Matondkar, Manoj Bajpayee

Gang wars, cold-blooded murders and unfiltered brutality. A critically acclaimed cult classic, Satya is known for pioneering Bollywood gangster movies. Satya (Chakravarthy) is an immigrant seeking jobs in Mumbai. After a false charge, his friendship with gang boss Bhiku Mhatre (Bajpayee) in prison sparks a quick ascend to power in the Mumbai underworld. Struggling to reconcile his savage ways with his love life, Satya is a must-watch portrayal of how corruption, crime and loyalty drive the criminal world.

SACRED GAMES (2018-2019) [Television series, Netflix]

Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Saif Ali Khan, Neeraj Kabi Films Like Dhurandhar

To draw parallels to Dhurandhar, the acclaimed Sacred Games (2018-2019) runs on a similar note as the former: how the political events of India at a particular time affects the main characters, and eventually influences the plot. Based on Vikram Chandra’s novel of the same name, this neo-noir work follows Mumbai police officer Sartaj Singh as he embarks on a perilous cat-and-mouse game after receiving a phone call from underworld tyrant Ganesh Gaitonde to save all of Mumbai, in just 25 days. Sartaj’s engulfment into India’s crime world, in a way, is analogous to Dhurandhar’s Hamza Ali Mazari as he infiltrates Karachi’s criminal syndicate: intense and violent.

Read Also: Dhurandhar The Revenge: Review  

 

Ambulance Vic rolls out Hindi, Punjabi info

By
Indian Link
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Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ambulance Victoria’s health guide

Finding the right medical help can be confusing, especially for new migrants still navigating the Australian healthcare system. To make it easier, Ambulance Victoria (AV) has released a new General Health Information Sheet which explains who to contact in health emergencies. 

The ‘who to call for help’ information sheet is available in 17 languages including: Arabic, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dari, English, Greek, Hazaragi, Hindi, Italian, Karen, Macedonian, Pashto, Persian, Punjabi, Swahili, Tigrinya and Vietnamese.

It adds to Ambulance Victoria’s already translated health resources, with a range of emergency, no-emergency, membership COVID-19, and Call, Push, Shock, all available in multiple languages and simplified English. 

“The General Health Information Sheet provides a guide to help Victorians decide the best care option for themselves and their loved ones,” AV Acting Metropolitan Regional Improvement Lead Brad Gin said.

Ambulance Victoria Health Guide
Information sheets in English and Hindi languages | (Source: Ambulance Victoria website)

“The first section shows a range of immediate, potentially life-threatening emergencies, with graphics to help people identify if their symptoms fall into this category.

“If they do, the advice is simple: call Triple Zero (000).

“For other symptoms that don’t fit into the first category, the information sheet guides users to a range of health care options.

“This includes visiting an Urgent Care Clinic, video calling the online Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED), ringing Nurse-on-Call, or consulting a local doctor or pharmacist.”

Ambulance Victoria's health guide
Ambulance Victoria explaining whom to call during emergencies | (Source: Canva)

The information sheet also features a handy ‘who you can call for help’ section, with space to fill in contact details for local care providers. It includes phone numbers for crises and other support lines.

Brad said the information sheet will make a real difference helping people in the community connect with the right care at the right time. Ambulance Victoria’s health guide

“The sheet has been developed with all Victorians in mind, to simplify the decision-making process when you’re worried that yourself or someone else is unwell or injured,” he said.

 

 

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Paramedics can provide patients with an information sheet – either by email or in print – when they are assessed as safe to remain at home, rather than requiring transport to a hospital emergency department.

“This supports the conversations paramedics already have with patients about care options available in the community,” Brad said.

“Paramedics can now provide a consistent, standardised written resource that patients and their families can easily refer to after paramedics have left and serves as a helpful guide they can keep for future use.

“It also helps paramedics clearly communicate who to contact for urgent support and which symptoms to watch for in case they need to call an ambulance again.”

READ ALSO: Breaking barriers, saving lives: Truckie First Aid goes multilingual

Chinmaya Hanuman Festival Comes to Melbourne for Landmark 75-Year Celebration

By
Indian Link
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Reading Time: 2 minutes

Chinmaya Hanuman Festival

Melbourne to Host Landmark Chinmaya Hanuman Festival as Chinmaya Mission Marks 75 Years.

A powerful gathering of community, culture and a shared prayer for global peace.

Thousands of devotees are expected to come together this Good Friday for the Chinmaya Hanuman Festival – a major spiritual and cultural event bringing the community together in celebration and unity.

Hosted by Chinmaya Mission Melbourne, the festival forms part of the organisation’s global 75th anniversary celebrations. As part of this milestone, Hanuman Havans will be conducted across Chinmaya centres worldwide, including Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth.

chinmaya hanuman festival rundown

The Melbourne event will take place on 3 April 2026 at Event Central at Caribbean Park in Scoresby, and is expected to welcome many thousands of participants.

At the heart of the festival is the Hanuman Havan, an ancient Vedic fire ritual dedicated to Lord Hanuman—revered for his strength, courage and unwavering devotion.

For this special occasion, 108 Havan Kunds will be lit as devotees chant the Hanuman Chalisa in unison, creating a powerful collective offering for peace, harmony, and global wellbeing.

The event will be graced by Pujya Swami Swaroopanandaji, Global Head of Chinmaya Mission.

Founded in 1953 by Swami Chinmayanandaji, Chinmaya Mission today spans more than 350 centres across over 30 countries, sharing the timeless wisdom of Vedanta through spiritual learning, youth development and community service.

Beyond the sacred rituals, visitors can enjoy a vibrant festival atmosphere featuring cultural performances, Indian food stalls, exhibitions, and children’s activities – making it a memorable day out for the whole family.

Entry to the Chinmaya Hanuman Festival is free (registrations required).

For the Indian diaspora in Australia, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to be part of a spiritual gathering of this scale – an experience not to be missed.

Register for free tickets here.

Read Also: Raja Ravi Varma’s gods grace Brisbane!

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