Ushering in the New Year, Adelaide’s Indian Community celebrates
Club India International celebrated its New Year’s Eve Ball on 31 December at the Gaza Community Hall, Klemzig, with a large number of members, their families and guests.
Fabulous DJ Nick Fernandes and the fantastic KJ Karl Vaz provided an entertaining evening of music and dance, before ushering in the New Year to a blaze of neon lights and a storm of popping streamers.
The guests were kept on their feet all through the evening till early hours of 1 January, 2016.
In addition to the fun and frolic, dancing and music, the audience was treated to delectable Indian dishes prepared by our own Master Chef Max Taylor.
Controlling the celebration was yours truly as MC, a particularly enjoyable duty being able to give out an endless supply of door and raffle prizes throughout the evening!
Australian guests Andris and Carol said they were thrilled with the energy of Club India members and how seamlessly families, children and adults combined to make the evening memorable and a sensational way to welcome the New Year.
“The club has been in existence for the past 27 years with club doors open to all, with nominal joining fees. Membership consists of all ages and all religious and cultural persuasions,” said Club President Austin Nevis. “The aim of the Club is to cater to the social and recreational needs of members and keeping them actively engaged in community life.”
Some of the regular events of the Club are the Curry Picnic in April, the Winter Dance in July, Sports Day in October and Children’s Christmas Tree in December.
Curry Picnic is when members and their families and friends get together at a local park for a family social. Each family brings an assigned dish and everyone relishes a variety of foods. This is such a popular event that it has become a regular feature in the Club’s calendar.
Winter Dance in July is another regular event that everyone looks forward to. A live band plays if there is a sufficiently large attendance, otherwise it is conducted by a professional DJ or KJ.
Sports Day is again a popular event for people of all ages. There are games and sports such as cricket, three legged race, tug of war etc, usually conducted in a park under safe conditions. Importance is always given to health and safety while conducting these activities.
In the second week of December, Children’s Christmas Tree is a great crowd puller. This is an occasion when the kids take centre stage. Santa and his elves arrive in a sleigh and distribute lollies and gifts to all children up to 12 years of age.
National Under 19 player Arjun Nair builds on his stint as a Sydney Thunder Development Rookie
Lara. Kohli. Gayle. Sehwag. Clarke. McCullum. The names alone emanate greatness; they are synonymous with the very game of cricket itself. But before these names attracted the aura that they now command, and years before they battled against each other on the field, these players were already connected by a common thread; each was a member of his team’s Under 19 World Cup side. It is no surprise then that only the most gifted cricketers win themselves a berth to participate in this most prestigious tournament; and one of the most recent candidates to join their echelon is 17-year-old Australian all-rounder Arjun Nair.
Born in 1998 and raised in Sydney, Arjun was introduced to the game of cricket at the age of four – and like many young boys and girls across the country, the dream began with a simple game of backyard cricket. But unlike most budding cricketers, by the age of six, Arjun was playing in the under-10 team and had already been earmarked for greatness by Green Shield coach Bill Madden.
By the time he was 15, Arjun made his maiden Sydney first-grade appearance, making him the 9th youngest debutant – and youngest player of Indian origin – in the storied 122-year history of the NSW grade cricket competition.
A destructive right-hand batsman and wily off-spin bowler, Arjun’s list of accolades is unrivalled. Arjun was the leading wicket taker for Australia in the Under 19 Tri Nation Championship in Dubai in 2016, including a match against Pakistan where Arjun scored a century and took 3 wickets, a performance he credits as his favourite cricketing moment. He was the player of the All Schools Under-19 championship in 2015. He holds the Green Shield season batting record for Hawkesbury (505 runs), with an overall aggregate of 995 runs in 21 games, including 5 hundreds. He has been awarded four ‘Sportsperson of the Year’ awards by various organisations between 2012 and 2016, and he was the captain of the championship-winning NSW Combined Catholic Schools Under-19 cricket team in 2014-15. Man of the Match on Debut: Under 19’s Australia, 2015
It is Arjun’s consistent excellence and all-round talent that have led local journalists to call him “arguably the finest cricketer to come out of Hawkesbury in living memory”, while Madden has labelled Arjun the best young batting talent he has ever seen – with names like Steve Waugh, Steve O’Keefe and John Hastings a distant second. If that was not high enough praise, one Sydney first grade captain reserved for Arjun the highest honour of all, referring to him as a “young Bradman”.
Cricket is a vastly different landscape today to what it was even 15 years ago; it is now almost obligatory that a tailender be able to acquit himself with a bat in hand. Unsurprisingly then, much of the hype surrounding Arjun is his genuine all-round talent. Madden says Arjun, who can bat in the top or middle order, is unique because “he’s got the ability to take a bowling attack apart. For a little guy, he hits the ball very hard and a long way”. However, equally impressively, Arjun’s selections at the highest level have been primarily due to his performances with the ball in hand.
As is often the case, the apparent ease of Arjun’s success masks a strict and demanding four-day-a-week training regime, to which Arjun remained committed despite successfully completing his HSC at Patrician Brothers College Blacktown in 2015, and achieving entry into a Bachelor of Business degree commencing at Western Sydney University this year.
Apart from receiving confirmation of his acceptance into university, it was an exciting December for Arjun for other reasons: on 15 December 2015, Arjun was named Sydney Thunder’s Development Rookie for the recently concluded Big Bash League. Given Sydney Thunder’s unprecedented success in what was the most successful domestic competition ever staged in Australia, it would undoubtedly have been an enriching experience for the youngster.
“A great experience and a great challenge for me to up my game. Mike Hussey is someone I’ve watched on TV for a long time, I’ll definitely use his brain and learn more about the game,” said Arjun.
In the immediate future, Arjun, who idolises former Australian wicketkeeper and left-hand destroyer Adam Gilchrist, and Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo, hopes to become a consistent player for the NSW 2nd XI, and like his predecessor, former Sydney Thunder rookie Jake Doran, play a game in the next edition of the Big Bash League. Arjun will be in good company and will not have to look far for inspiration; Gurinder Sandhu, a stalwart of the Sydney Thunder side since his debut, and with whom Indian Link spoke upon his selection in the Australian U-19 World Cup side in 2012, has since represented Australia in ODI and T20I cricket, and has become a regular fixture of the NSW Sheffield Shield team.
His NSW U-17 coach, former Australian test opener Phil Jacques, believes Arjun has what it takes to make it to the pinnacle.
“His work ethic, attitude, and desire to succeed shines through in everything he does,” said Jacques, describing Arjun’s potential to play test cricket for Australia. “He has immense ability as a middle order batsman and off spin bowler and is a good team player.’’
He’s worth watching closely – this may be the beginning of something special.
What it means to be ‘Australian’ is an ever-changing concept
Australia Day has just passed, and, for many of our readers, it ended on a happy note, to see our Men in Blue finally claim the sole victory in the ODI series.
In the lead up to 26 January though, we saw the usual soul searching that the occasion typically brings for many Australians. It is the time of the year when the discussion centres around what it really means to be ‘Australian’. One social media discussion concluded that we should call it ‘Austral-vasion-vival’ Day, and commemorate all of its varied connotations!
Indeed, the headlines in the past few days have been screaming ‘selection by omission’ in many walks of life, not only here at home but overseas as well.
Internationally, Hollywood is leading the charge and speaking out about the lack of diversity in this year’s Oscars shortlist with the hashtags #OscarsSoWhite and #SoWhite trending on Twitter. The tremendous power Hollywood exerts in contemporary life is undeniable, and to see the “whitewashing” of the ballot in the acting categories, for the second consecutive year, suggests that perhaps the real world is not correctly represented in the industry. On the other hand, the #OscarsSoRight campaign is pushing the argument that the Oscars are all about talent, not race.
Actor Viola Davis hit the nail on the head when she suggested that film-makers themselves – producers and script-writers and casting agents – can help with social inclusion in their particular roles.
Closer to home in Australia, it is heartening to see many attempts at increasing diversity in the workplace, not only by the government but also the large corporates. Diwali last year was a wonderful opportunity for many organisations to organise Indian-themed events and initiatives. No doubt there will be more of the same when the Chinese New Year comes by shortly.
Such occasions to get a glimpse of another cultural perspective only serve to highlight the underlying commonalities between us.
Even television is slowly but surely jumping on the bandwagon. While we still have the Rhondas of the AAMI campaign, we also saw Indian-origin Gurinder Sandhu being your typical Aussie cricketer in the Optus ads. And new shows such as SBS’s The Family Law go a long way in proving that all families, whatever the cultural background, experience the same ups and downs, the same anxieties and the same pleasures. As Twitter would say, #SameSameButDifferent.
What it means to be ‘Australian’ is an ever-changing concept. Our nation is a marketplace of ideas; we should pause to consider the different sides of each argument when it comes to social inclusion, and judge each by its merits. We should all have the maturity to at least listen to each perspective, adopt the most salient points, and integrate the best ideas in order to create a workable proposition to better our society.
And for those of us upset at the lack of inclusion at the Academy Awards, perhaps the silver lining will be this year’s host Chris Rock, who, you might expect, will not hold back!
Indian origin doctors and scientists have been rewarded with the nation’s highest civilian honours for their contribution in the fields of physics, engineering and medicine in this year’s Australia Day honours
Chennupati Jagadish, an eminent professor at Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra, was conferred with the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for his eminent service to physics and engineering, particularly in the field of nanotechnology and to education as a leading academic. Jay Chandra, an eye doctor in New South Wales, head of vitreoretinal surgery at Westmead Hospital since the unit opened in 1985, received an Order of Australia (OAM) medal for his significant service to medicine in the field of ophthalmology.
Melbourne’s Dr Sajeev Koshy received the OAM for his outstanding contributions to the field of dentistry and public oral healthcare in regional Victoria
Dr Thakorbhai Babubhai Patel, of Brisbane, was bestowed an OAM, for service to the community for a range of volunteer roles. Dr Rashmi Sharma of Canberra became the youngest woman of Indian origin to be honoured with the OAM after she was recognised “for service to medicine, and to professional organisations”.
This year’s Australia Day honours list included over 600 people whose remarkable achievements range from high-profile humanitarian missions to work at the grassroots level.
“They are a source of courage, support and inspiration, and we are a stronger, safer and more caring nation because of them,” Governor-General Peter Cosgrove said announcing the awards.
Top seeded tennis pair Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis hardly broke sweat on their way to victory in their 35th successive match and enter the women’s doubles final of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Friday.
The Indo-Swiss pair took only 54 minutes to beat German-Czech 13th seeds Julia Goerges and Karolina Pliskova 6-1, 6-0 in the semi-finals at the Rod Laver Arena. They will take on Czech seventh seeds Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka in the final to earn their eighth title on the trot.
The last four contest was going without any hiccup till 2-1 when the world’s top ranked team broke their opponents in the fourth game to go 3-1 up. Sania and Martina held their service game and broke the 13th seeds’ serve again in the sixth game to take a 5-1 advantage.
It was only a matter of time before they sealed the set in their favour in only 26 minutes.
Sania and Martina, who are both individually ranked No.1 in the world, carried the momentum into the second set to break Julia and Karolina in the first and third games to go 4-0 up.
It finally looked like the German-Czech combination would be able to get off the mark when they were 40-0 up in the fifth game, but Sania and Martina were in total demolition mode. They first brought the game to deuce and then broke their opponents for the third time in the set to make it 5-0.
Serving for the set and match, Sania wasted three matchpoint opportunities but finally clinched it when Julia’s hit went into the net to give the Indo-Swiss pair entry into the finals.
This will be Sania Mirza’s first women’s doubles final here with her previous best coming in 2012 when she reached the semis with Russian Elena Vesnina.
The top seeds complimented each other really well. While Martina Hingis was impeccable up front at the net, Sania’s ground strokes were hit so hard from the baseline that their opponents were hardly able to get near the balls.
They will face seventh seeds Andrea Hlaválková and Lucie Hradecka on Friday 29 Jan.
Translating Aboriginal stories into Tamil, Mathalai Somu discovers deep-rooted similarities as well as new pathways for preserving ancient cultures
Anthropologists have deduced that the indigenous culture of Australia dates back 65,000 years, making it the oldest living culture in the world. The ability to adapt, coupled with their affinity for their natural surroundings, have contributed to the preservation of their culture, protecting Aboriginal traditions against the shearing hands of time.
In recent times, one individual has taken upon the task to unearth, compile and present the essence of this rich culture for others to enjoy. Mathalai Somasundaram is a writer of travelogues, short stories and research papers on linguistics. He has authored as many as 19 books in Tamil. Originally from India, Mathalai, known as Somu to family and friends, now lives in Pendle Hill, NSW. He recently released his book, Australia Aathivaasi Kathaigal (Stories of the Aborigines of Australia), recognising and exemplifying the indigenous culture of Australia in all the richness that it deserves.
“Living in Australia has made me realise that I too am part of this land, and therefore it has taught me to accept this culture and preserve it for future generations,” said Somu. “This book is a celebration of the stories from ‘the Dreaming’ or Tjukurrpa.”
Stories from ‘the Dreaming’ or ‘the Dreamtime’ are a gateway into the minds of Australia’s indigenous ancestors. It is a state wherein the psyche establishes contact with ancestral spirits, a continuous experience that links together the past with the present and the dwellers with their land. Aboriginal Australians have the utmost reverence for nature, feeling an acute sense of responsibility for the land. These stories pass on important knowledge, cultural values and belief systems to younger generations.
In his book, Mathalai Somasundaram has translated 94 stories, a majority of which have not yet received mainstream popularity. It is on the basis of his dedication and labour that some of these stories can now be read in other parts of the world. Popular among the dreaming stories are The Rainbow Serpent and Tiddalick the Frog.
“I selected 94 mythological folktales of Australian Aborigines and translated them from English to Tamil language,” Somu said. “These are mostly about gods, sun, moon, trees, animals, birds and nature.”
Whilst translating, he discovered that the legacy and essence of the stories are very much related to that of Tamil – a Dravidian language predominantly spoken by the Tamil people of India and northern Sri Lanka.
Linguists consider Tamil to be one of the oldest spoken languages in the world with a history of over 3000 years, having a classical antiquity on par with Latin. Many classical Tamil literary works dating to the Sangam period (circa 300 BCE to 300 CE) have been discovered. In 2004, Tamil became the first classical language to be legally recognised by the government of India.
“Even though there are more than 60 languages in Australia, this is the first book about Aborigines to be translated from English to Tamil language,” Somu said.
In his foreword, Mathalai Somasundaram has observed that, besides English, Tamil is the second language to have translated Australian Indigenous dreaming stories. He believes that Tamil and Australia’s Indigenous languages have a lot in common, outlining the ongoing research that continues to establish the hereditary link between Tamil, originating in south India, and Indigenous languages. If you could picture the world map geographically, there was a time when Tamil Nadu, a state in southern India, was connected to Australia.
The Indigenous language of Awabakal, traditionally spoken in parts of the Newcastle region, contains similar vowels found in Tamil.
Further, Tamil people appreciate the Dreaming stories. Thenali Raman, Mullaa Kathaigal, Kalladi Veluppillai Kathaigal are a compilation of Tamil stories similar in style and substance, resembling Aboriginal literature. He believes that these are not far-fetched or far-removed concepts and that they are not foreign. On the contrary, they are completely foreign to mainstream Australian culture.
Somu believes that while successive governments and policymakers have tried to support Indigenous culture and literature in the mainstream arena, it hasn’t quite borne fruit simply because both these worlds can be quite isolated. This is where elements of multicultural Australia, particularly Tamils, can play a role.
“We have a foot in both camps. We know what it is like to preserve and carry with us thousands of years of literature and tradition, and we also relate to the mainstream aspirations of Australia,” Somu said. “This book, and the cultural connections and conversations that we can have with Indigenous Australians, is the bridge to uplifting Indigenous culture in the mainstream.”
“Hopefully, it doesn’t stop here. These are fascinatingly creative pieces – how the emu lost its flight, how the tiger gained its stripes, how the moon went to the sky. Creativity is the tool we so lack in our education system,” Somu continued. “These stories could serve as the sparks we need to ignite the imagination of our youth in our schools.”
In a nod to 26 January, a common holiday with two countries, here’s how you can combine vegemite, a quintessentially Australian ingredient with spice masalas, a quintessentially Indian ingredient, to make a unique but delicious dish.
Let’s admit it, vegemite is very much an acquired taste. It has a rather strong, yeasty flavour and smell that makes you think it is definitely not from this planet. So, the challenge to create this Indo-Australian offering here, was to draw out the rich flavours, and mask the unpleasant ones. Well, what better way to do this than with spices!
Roast Chicken with Vegemite Masala (with Chilli Garlic Asparagus and Cumin spiced Mashed Potatoes)
For the chicken
2 Chicken Maryland (with skin)
1 large onion; cut into large cubes
1 cup white button mushrooms
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 medium red onion; finely chopped
2 small ripe tomatoes; finely chopped
3 garlic cloves; finely grated
1 inch ginger; finely grated
1 tsp red chilli flakes
½ tsp caraway seeds
½ tsp cumin powder
½ tsp fennel powder
½ tsp freshly milled black pepper
Salt, to season
1 tbsp vegemite
Juice of ½ lemon
For the asparagus
12 green asparagus
1 large garlic clove; sliced finely
½ tsp chilli flakes
1 tbsp butter
Salt, to season
For the mashed potatoes
500gms potatoes (I used russet but you can use any which lends a creamy texture)
2 large garlic cloves
5 tbsp unsalted butter
½ cup milk
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp cumin seeds; coarsely crushed
Salt, to season
Black pepper, to season
1 tsp toasted pine nuts; crushed coarsely
For the roast chicken
In a pan, heat butter and add the onions. Sauté till light brown and then add the garlic and ginger.
Sauté for another 2-3 minutes and then add the spices except salt. Mix well and cook on low heat for another minute and then add the tomatoes.
Increase heat and continue to sauté till the tomatoes have turned mushy and the whole mixture begins to come together.
At this stage add vegemite; mix well, taste and then season with salt as the vegemite is naturally salty.
Balance flavours with lemon juice and remove from heat. Allow to cool.
Rub the chicken pieces with salt and pepper; apply the prepared masala (reserve a little) liberally all over the chicken pieces and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or as long as you can. Bring to room temperature before roasting.
Heat the oven to 200°C (fan forced) and line an oven proof tray with baking paper. Place the chicken pieces inside (skin side facing upwards) along with the diced onions. Apply a bit of the reserved vegemite masala over the onions and sprinkle with salt.
Roast for 15 minutes and then turn the chicken pieces over; add the mushrooms at this stage. Apply the remaining masala over the chicken and roast again for another 10 minutes.
Turn the chicken pieces over again, increase heat to 220°C and cook for another 5 minutes (or till done) to brown the skin.
Remove from oven, keep covered and allow to rest for at least 10 minutes before serving.
For the asparagus
Trim the thick ends of the asparagus (an inch from bottom) and peel the skin off at the lower end of the asparagus.
Blanch the asparagus and keep aside.
Add butter to a pan and add the garlic cloves; cook on low heat till the garlic takes on a light brown colour, then add the chilli flakes.
Immediately add the asparagus, season with salt and stir fry on high heat for about 15 seconds.
For the mashed potatoes
Cook the potatoes in salted boiling water till soft.
Add 2 tbsp butter to a small pan along with the garlic; cook on low heat till garlic turns golden. Remove from flame and add the crushed cumin seeds and oregano. Keep aside.
In another pan, place the potatoes, milk and remaining butter. Mash and cook on low heat whisking continuously till you get a smooth, creamy mixture.
Season with salt and pepper; remove when desired texture has been achieved. If you want super creamy texture, pass the mashed potatoes through a sieve (I didn’t do this, though).
Add the melted garlic infused butter to the mashed potatoes and stir through.
Garnish with toasted pine nuts.
Tips
To go along with the vegemite chicken, I pan-roasted asparagus with a bit of butter, chilli and garlic. And of course there’s no roast chicken without mashed potatoes; so check out this Indian influenced version of garlicky potatoes spiced generously with cumin and caraway seeds.
Did you know that in Australia, Chicken Maryland is a butcher’s cut as opposed to America where it is the name of traditional dish? Chicken Maryland is a great option for smaller families who do not want the tedious job of roasting a whole chicken. It is affordable, easy to roast and there will be no leftovers!
It originated in 1922 when Dr Cyril P Callister was appointed by the Kraft Food Company to develop a tasty spread from brewer’s yeast. Brewer’s yeast is one of the richest known natural sources for Vitamin B complex. What followed was years of uncertainty until eventually Australia accepted this new product. Of course, very soon it grew to acquire cult status and became known far and wide as a unique Australian food product.
Let your lipstick steal the spotlight by following these tips for lip care
Selfies and pouts are all the rage on all social media. Plus, with the growing importance given to being well groomed at all times, lipsticks, especially those that stay on, are a must-have cosmetic.
There are a few rules to keep in mind so that no matter when you’re taking a picture, your lips are camera and pout ready. Lip maintenance
When it comes to a skincare routine, people often forget that our lips are also part of our faces. Keeping them clean and moisturised is just as important. Next time you are using an exfoliating scrub for your face, rub your lips with it too. This removes the dead skin and makes it easier to apply a creamy long lasting lipstick.
At night, when you apply moisturiser on your face, apply lip balm to prevent your lips from cracking. In Australia’s severe winters, cracked lips can be a serious problem. An apricot oil-based cream or lip balm is a good solution to keep lips from getting dried out.
If you have lines above your upper lip due to smoking or ageing, you can use the anti-wrinkle cream that you use for your under-eye area on this part of your face too. It will delay the onset of further wrinkles and minimise the existing ones. Lip colour choices
Keeping in mind which skin tones go best with different lip colours, here are some tips for choosing your lipstick shade and when to use lip liners, if at all.
When you choose a lip colour, look at your skin tone and the colour of your lips. If you have dark lips, pale peach is not going to work, for example. If you have pale pink lips or lips that are almost your skin colour, then you can experiment with reds, corals and nudes. If you have dark pigmented lips, go for maroons, burgundies, dark red or even a bronze. If your lips are slightly darker than the rest of your face, you can try hot pinks, cherry red or colours with hints of purple.
Avoid shimmery lip gloss unless you have very thin lips and want to give them some volume. These days, you can opt for any number of moisture rich, long lasting lipsticks with creamy finishes. It is while wearing these lipsticks that you need to have moisturised lips beneath. Peeling skin, cracked lips and this kind of lipstick is not going to work at all, no matter how much the colour complements your skin.
When you choose shades of nude, remember that the one that will suit you best is one where that is slightly darker or brighter than your skin tone. If you have a dark complexion, those with undertones of brown will look good and if you have a pale, light complexion, those with undertones of peach or pink will work best.
Avoid dark lipsticks that are too purple or, unless you like the Goth look, black or blue based ones. Not only do they make you look like Dracula’s cousin, they also add years to your face. Stick with reds, pinks, browns and shades of these families of colours.
The trend these days is to not use lip liner. Instead, you should outline your lips with the lipstick itself or go without a line completely. The important thing is to apply lipstick and not let it bleed. Blotting after every application helps.
When you apply lipstick, start at the centre of your mouth and blend in the colour moving towards the outer corners of your mouth.
If your lipstick is a shade that is a tad too bright, or you’re feeling hesitant about it, just smudge some on to your lower lip with your finger and press your lips together. Blend with your index finger and spread evenly. You can always dull a lipstick if it is too bright by mixing it with a nude lip gloss.
If you want your lipstick to last longer though, apply from the tube then blot with a tissue and reapply. Eyeliner and lipstick combinations
When you wear red lipstick, use black for eyeliner and mascara. Don’t make the liner too prominent, let the red lipstick hog the limelight.
When it comes to pinks, you can experiment with eyeliner and eye shadow in shades of pink or nudes. This is one colour where you can do a mix and match to complement your outfit. I always use purple eye liner when I wear a pink lipstick containing shades of lavender or purple.
Oranges go with browns and bronzes, so depending on your skin tone you can use brown eyeliner and mascara and experiment with gold and bronze for eyeshadow.
Maroons and burgundies are strong colours so you can either do away with eye make-up entirely or go with a discreet brown shade. Again, let the lipstick do the talking. You look less made up if you go easy on the eye make-up.
An opportunity to participate in the college debate competition led to so much more
Years ago, on an uneventful afternoon, I lazily walked through the college corridors to get to my last lecture for the day. A notice hanging on a noticeboard grabbed my attention as I walked past. The college debate team had lost a member and they were seeking a replacement. I read the notice and walked ahead a few paces. Then, I stopped abruptly and went straight to the Dean’s office to register my interest in being the replacement debater.
Each college needed a team of two to participate in the inter-college debate competitions. One participant spoke ‘for’ the topic of the debate and the other spoke ‘against’ it. There was a competition the following week in a nearby city, and the debate team were in dire need of a substitute debater. So I was given the green light. Untried. Untested.
Never before in my entire life had I ever stepped on to a stage or participated in anything extra-curricular, but something within me just urged me to try it out.
We were provided the topic of the debate 24 hours prior to the competition. I went home and earnestly jotted down my thoughts on the stipulated subject and drafted a speech.
Next morning, I fronted up for the competition. There, I met my debate partner for the very first time, Jashan Brar, an extremely confident young man, renowned throughout the university circuit as an accomplished public speaker.
Jashan spoke before me. True to his reputation, he set the house on fire with his confidence and oration. I watched him in awe from the audience as he tore apart the opponents with his succinct opinions and well placed arrogance. He descended from the stage to a rapturous applause. Something he was quite used to.
As the applause died down, I heard my name being called. As I made my way up to the stage I could feel my intestines curl up as the tied in several knots within me. Being on the same team, the audience perhaps was expecting me to unleash the same fury that Jashan had just before my act.
A giant lump kept sprinting up and down my throat as I fiddled with the microphone stand to adjust it to my height. The wooden stage was a bit squeaky and so were my rattling knees. Somehow, I made it through the next four minutes as I stuttered and stammered my way through my script.
I knew I had let my partner down with my below par performance. Big time. We did win a prize, but that was more for Jashan’s brilliance than any of my efforts. Instead of complementing him, on that day, I was perhaps a liability for him. But Jashan was extremely gracious. He thanked me for my efforts and encouraged me for next time.
For the next few days, I questioned myself and my capability of being a good debater or public speaker. It was quite clear that I was not a natural. Neither did I possess the maturity at that time to string together and articulate opinions of my own. It was a dreadful feeling. But somehow, I kept at it. I kept participating in competitions and trialled different partners.
Soon enough, the thrill of being on stage became an enjoyable feeling. The oration became a bit more self-assured. I started cultivating opinions within me along with the strength to trust those opinions and stand by them. I was able to express ideas in my own words and speak with authority. A self-belief evolved within me.
A few years later, as fate would have it, in my last year of university, I was teamed up with Jashan once again for debate competition in the North Zone Youth Festival. We were to represent Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar. The venue was the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.
This time, again, Jashan was the first to speak. He had the audience captivated with his performance. I went after him. And this time the applause for me was equally deafening. We won the competition and went on to represent GNDU at the national level.
“So you are the two GNDU guys who stole the show today,” was a remark from a local academic after the competition. It had taken me a few years, but finally on that day, I felt I was able to hold my own next to the big fellow. I was not a liability that day. At least, I didn’t feel like one.
Jashan and I continue to be friends. He is a successful lawyer now, and a family man. I am sure his oratory prowess makes him a winner in his court room battles as well. Watching him speak in that first ever debate competition was instrumental for a shy kid like me in finding my own voice.
And never since that day have I lacked the courage to state my opinion.
The charming and captivating state of Kerala will make your next holiday a memorable one
After landing on its shores, I don’t take much time to realise why Kerala, the land of kera, coconuts, is touted as ‘God’s own country’. Tucked away in the southernmost tip of Indian peninsula, the land edged by the Arabian Sea in the east and Western Ghats in the west, can be described as nothing but beautiful and serene.
Renowned for its serene sandy beaches, lush green vegetation, array of coconut groves, fascinating rivers and canals, rolling hills and valleys, spiced perfumed air and a likeable culture that has adopted all faiths from Hinduism and Islam to Christianity and Judaism, Kerala represents a classic microcosm of India. Perhaps that’s why National Geographic Traveller lists it as one of the top ten paradises of the world.
There is so much to see and experience in Kerala, from fascinating historical memoirs, religious shrines and nature’s bounties to artistic splendours, traditional treatment methods and epicurean delights that it’s rather impossible to cover all in one visit. I attempt to collect a broad sample of some of the major offerings.
The scent of spices dotted Kerala on the world map as early as 3000BC. Initially the Phoenicians monopolised the trade. They were followed by the Arabs until the Europeans, the Portuguese, Dutch and British, marched in after Vasco da Gama established the epical route from Europe, sailing around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. These traders from round the globe established a cultural melting pot in Kerala, some leftovers of which can be sampled at the quaint harbour settlement of Fort Kochi, referred during its zenith as Queen of the Arabian Sea.
The citadels, catholic churches and hordes of colonial buildings flanking tree lined thoroughfares tell stories of the European masters who enriched the land with their taste and style, Fort Immanuel, Bastion Bungalow, Bishop’s House, St Francis Church and Santa Cruz Basilica are a few impressive sites from the long list. Both the churches were built by the Portuguese in the early 16th century. Vasco da Gama was initially buried inside St Francis Church which is considered as India’s first European shrine. Soaked in sea breeze, I amble aimlessly along shady alleyways and smell nothing but past until a fishy smell overpowers when close to the Chinese fishing nets. These were erected by traders from the court of Kublai Khan in the 14th century.
Nearby quaint quarter of Mattancherry was once the home of Kerala’s flourishing Jewish community who migrated from the Iberian Peninsula in the 16th century. Still few of them live there in dilapidated bungalows bordering narrow streets dotted with antique and curio shops. A timeworn synagogue and a clock tower lends a medieval feel to the place. Mattancherry is also the epicentre of Kochi’s spice trade. I whiff strong aroma of cardamom and ginger while walking to the Dutch Palace, a royal residence gifted by the Portuguese to the Raja of Kochi in 1555. A later restoration of the palace by the Dutch links to its current name.
If history dominates waterfront Kochi, then scenic beauty and unspoilt wilderness govern Munnar and Thekkady.
Green is the colour that bands the lush mountain slopes of Munnar, Kerala’s answer to the fabled Darjeeling. Located 110km inland from Kochi at the confluence of three mountain streams, hilly Munnar, nestled at 1600m above sea level, was once the summer retreat of the erstwhile British in Southern India. Sprawling tea, coffee and clove, cinnamon and cardamom plantations, winding laneways through patches of them, picturesque human nests and cool climate makes it a popular sanctuary for urban dwellers. Looking at the surrounding greenery and the engulfing tranquillity it’s nothing unusual to imagine the quarter as an ideal hideout for gods.
Not far from there is Thekkady, the sound of the very word conjuring images of herds of elephants, sambars, bison and other wildlife wandering on the banks of Periyar Lake. Few tigers are said to be hiding inside this bushland, but chances of spotting them are same as winning lottery.
A major highlight of any Kerala odyssey is cruising its idyllic backwaters, which comprise of an extensive network of placid lagoons, lakes, estuaries and canals, on a luxurious houseboat, locally known as Kettuvalloms. I get into one for a magical day-night journey from Alleppey. The passing panorama reminds passages from Arundhuti Roy’s award winning novel The God of Small Things, where she eloquently captured Kerala’s rural sumptuousness.
Being autumn time after the rains, the waterways are overflowing and the surrounding vegetation is viciously green, the water though appearing brownish with floating flora and fauna adding colour. We go past several villages, see children dressed in starched uniform walking to their school, villagers on bicycle riding along the red dust road to work while women using the water to wash their utensils and clothes. Something common among all of them, none forgetting to smile and wave at us as we sail past them. It reflects their friendliness towards visitors. We hop into couple of villages, meet some locals and learn about their routine and traditions. Kerala has the highest literacy in India, so most them are educated and can converse in English. Being the world’s first democratically elected communist state, their social consciousness is strong and logical. The entire journey is relaxing and slow paced to shake off any curbed urban stress. A dreamy sunrise break over the serene marshlands at dawn is most notable.
Kerala is the home of Ayurveda, a thousand years old Indian recipe of natural treatment and wellbeing that has surpassed through generations and has survived all foreign influences. The holistic medicine is generally produced from herbs and plants, Kerala’s tropical climate being ideal for it growth. I learn more about this healing method at Somatheeram, the world’s first Ayurvedic resort, in Kovalam, world famous for its sandy stretch edging the blue sea water.
A massive rocky promontory on this beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options here are plenty from sunbathing, swimming and body toning massages to special cultural programmes and catamaran cruising. Life on the beach begins early in the day and carries on well into the night.
Close to Kovalam is the state’s capital city Thiruvananthapuram. It’s modern and fitted with contemporary elements from plush hotels and restaurants to shopping malls and fashion outlets. Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one site there that no visitor give a miss.
Finally, friendly Keralite people with their welcoming attitude, cultural emblems and cuisine delicacies makes my journey complete and most rewarding. Fact file
Getting there: Fly internationally with Singapore Airlines (www.singaporeair.com) and Silk Air (www.silkair.com) to arrive in Kochi. Alternatively, fly IndiGo (book.goindigo.in), India’s most acclaimed domestic carrier, famous for being on time, to fly into Kochi from major Indian metropolises.
Accommodation: Kerala offers an array of options to suit your budget. Highly recommended are Eighth Bastion (www.cghearth.com) in Fort Kochi, Ambady Estate (www.ambadyestate.com) in Munnar, Spice village (www.cghearth.com) in Thekkady and Somatheeram Ayurveda Resort (www.somatheeram.in) in Kovalam.
Houseboat: Spice Routes (spiceroutes.in) offers luxury houseboats for the best backwater cruising experience.
Tour operator: Marvel Tours (www.marveltours.in) are expert operators to show you around Kerala.
More info: Check www.keralatourism.org.
