Rainbows Are Free

"Pick up your toys".
"Why Dadi?"
"Because you can’t leave them on the floor. You must learn to look after your things".
"But why Dadi? Why do I have look after them?"
"Because things cost money, you can’t be careless and throw them around. Nothing in life comes for free".
"Not everything. Somethings are free".
"Like what?"
"Like a rainbow. You can’t buy rainbow in a shop".
Wisdom from a four year old, sometimes kids can teach us a valuable lesson.

All Dads Die

"Why did Dada die?" asked my three year old after learning about the passing away of her grandfather.
"People die when they grow old" I said a little unsure about how to deal with the subject.
"But Ija is older than Dada" said the six year old referring to her great grandmother "Why did Dada die before her?"
I wonder if sometimes politicians have easier press conferences than parents. How does one teach children about death of a loved one? What does one do when faced with barrage of such questions? Somehow they never give out a user manual with little children. You know the one with instructions that tells you what to do and when.
"Is he not coming back now?"
"No my dear he is not with us anymore but he remains in our memories".
"My friend Jack has gone away too, Papa has Jack died?"
A brief pause while you figure out how to explain the difference between going away to a place and the departure from our life of a loved one to a three year old. It was to be a recurrent theme in the conversation over the next few days. The six year old by the virtue of having spent more time with her grandfather remembered more. The elaborate games played with a very patient grandfather, the walks they went on and those long conversations on the toy phones. Then one day sitting with her younger sister she recalled with grown-up tone that only a child could muster. "I feel sad that you will never get to know how much fun Dada was".
"All dads die" said the three year old.
As I pondered over the innocent statement of a child I realized how true it was. As time goes by you find yourself morphing into your father. A face that starts to remind you of your father as you grow old. That and the DNA strains which come out in a laugh that sounds familiar. And fingers big, fat and squished in ways that scream out your heritage to the world.
So it’s true that all dads die, but a part of them still lives on inside us. We take on their roles as we bring up our children. We are dads now, working on memories that will remain long after we have gone.

The 2008 Asia Pacific Screen Awards

The region’s highest accolade in film - has attracted more than 180 film entries from 43 countries of Asia-Pacific.

New films by Aamir Khan (India), Johnnie To (Hong Kong), Majid Majidi (Iran), Ashutosh Gowariker (India), Kiyoshi Kurosawa (Japan), Mai Masri (Lebanon), Ari Folman (Israel), Aditya Assarat (Thailand), Annemarie Jacir (Palestine), Benjamin Gilmour (Australia), Anna Melikyan (Russian Federation) and Vincent Ward (New Zealand) are amongst titles to be considered in 2008.

Entries in the second annual APSAs include the outstanding works of filmmakers from other countries as diverse as India, The Marshall Islands, Republic of Korea, Pakistan, Israel, Iraq, Georgia, Indonesia and Afghanistan.

The Awards will be presented at a ceremony on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, on November 11.

APSA Chairman Des Power has confirmed that the 2008 submissions almost double the number of titles entered in the inaugural year 2007.

“In just its second year, APSA has been embraced by the burgeoning film industries of Asia-Pacific. The region’s filmmakers welcome the unprecedented opportunity APSA offers to acclaim their work and promote it to an international audience. In this mission, we are grateful for the support of our partners, CNN International, who this year will broadcast five programs associated with the Awards; FIAPF – International Federation of Film Producers Associations – and UNESCO,” Mr Power said.

“We are delighted too that APSA now partners with some 40 Official Submission Organisations that enter films on behalf of their countries and territories. Our highly credentialed Nominations Council also invite films to enter the Awards, ensuring that we have the broadest possible representation of films from across the region.”

The first stage in determining finalists in nine of the 12 APSA award categories begins in Brisbane today. Asian film scholar, Konrad Ng, from University of Hawai’i, heads the APSA Advisory Committee to the Nominations Council. Konrad and fellow Committee members, Australian film critic and commentator Peter Thompson and film critic and historian Adrienne McKibbins, will assist the Nominations Council in reviewing eligible films.

The Nominations Council then meets in Brisbane to deliberate from September 20 - 26 with the announcement of APSA finalists for 2008 to be made shortly thereafter.

Finalists will be announced in 9 Award categories:

1. Best Feature Film
2. Best Animated Feature Film
3. Best Documentary Feature Film
4. Best Children’s Feature Film
5. Achievement in Directing
6. Best Screenplay
7. Achievement in Cinematography
8. Best Performance by an Actress
9. Best Performance by an Actor

In addition, three major awards will be presented for outstanding achievement.

FIAPF Award
The FIAPF - International Federation of Film Producers Associations will determine the winner of the award for outstanding achievement in film in the Asia-Pacific region.

UNESCO Award
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Award for outstanding contribution to the promotion and preservation of cultural diversity through film.

Jury Grand Prize

Larry Holmes

Larry Holmes is a corporate consultant, mentor and confidante to leaders in business, government, education, sport and the arts. He is an internationally respected teacher of organisational change and learning, corporate leadership, and individual and team development.

Larry’s experience in the field of individual and organisational development spans 30 years and four continents. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan in psychology with postgraduate studies in group dynamics, sociology, urban studies and educational psychology.

He has given lectures at leading institutions throughout the world, including Harvard University, The University of California, the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, and the Australian AcademyUSA, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and India. of Science, and has made guest appearances on radio and television through the

In the 1980’s Larry was a director and executive operations manager for an international personal development foundation, with prime responsibility for designing, conducting and supervising hundreds of personal growth and stress management programs and retreats, as well as coordinating the set-up and management of affiliated centres worldwide. During this time he also served as personal coach and mentor to individuals from many walks of life.

In 1985, Larry was invited to Australia to design and manage the major cultural change project of transforming Australia’s monopolistic telecommunications authority into an internationally competitive enterprise.

He was founder and managing director of Anderson Holmes, a corporate consultancy. He was also co-creator and co-owner of The Country Place, one of Australia’s premier conference venues. During that time, Larry managed leadership and change initiatives and facilitated successful training programs for a large number of organisations both in government and the private sector.

In 1991, after deciding that managing a consultancy was taking him too far from his passion of working with people, Larry went solo with Larry Holmes Pty. Ltd. Working mostly with high profile organisations in a wide range of corporate and government areas, Larry focuses on assisting these organisations to develop change management strategies that work, with an emphasis on leadership, peak performance and teamwork.

A former college basketball player, Larry has also developed a unique system of sports psychology and peak performance coaching, Mindsports, to assist in his work with professional sporting teams and individuals.

Larry is a personable and engaging communicator, known for his ability to make profound and complex issues crystal clear. He delights his audience with his dry sense of humour, and makes it easy for them to immediately grasp the relevance of his insights to their own lives.

Larry resides in Melbourne with Australian born wife Louanne, and their teenage son, Jalen and teenage daughter, Summer.

Radio Brisvaani will be interviewing Larry on Saturday 16th August 2008 @ 8am with Jatish and Khushboo.

A Jain Folk Tale

There was a prince who was besotted with his own beauty. If any traveler came to the palace he would ask him:"Have you ever seen anyone as handsome as me?" No one ever had. One day an obsequious traveler said to him: "I don't think there could be anyone in the whole world as good-looking as you. I don't think even a god could be as handsome."
This made the prince very happy and he went around telling everyone that he was more handsome than any god.
One day he had two visitors who identified themselves as gods.
"We have come to see if you are as handsome as you claim," they explained.
"Aren't I?" he asked.
"We visited you earlier in the day when you were asleep," said one of the gods. "You were more handsome then."
"How could my looks decline within a few hours?" said the prince. He turned to his servants.
"Did I look better in the morning?" he inquired.
"You looked the same," said his servants.
"We are gods," said one of the visitors. "We can see what your servants cannot. Their vision is imperfect and we'll prove it to you. Bring a bowl of water."
A bowl of water was brought. The god asked the servants to study it closely and then leave the room. When they were gone, he removed half a spoonful of water from the bowl. Then the servants were called back in.
"Is there any change in the bowl of water?" asked the god.
"None," said the servants.
"They cannot see that the water has diminished," said the god, "just as they cannot see that your beauty has deteriorated."
The prince was shaken. He thought : "My beauty is diminishing by the day. It is short-lived. Why am I besotted by something so fleeting? I should concern myself with that which is eternal."
He never again looked into a mirror and in course of time renounced his throne and became a monk.

Dadi Maa Cures Cold, Cough and Flu

Cold & Flu

• Have chicken or any other mildly spiced soup.
• Have some Tulsi (basil) leaves with honey at bedtime, but without water.

Common Cold (for adults)

• Mix 2 teaspoons of garlic oil (lasan ka tel) with 1 teaspoon onion juice, dilute it with water and have it 2-3 times a day.
• Make a cup of tea with ginger (adrak), clove (lavang), bay leaves (tej-patta), black pepper (kali mirch), sweeten with honey and have it 2-3 times a day.

Common Cold (for children)

• For dry and stuffy nose, mix 1/4 teaspoon table salt with 4ml lukewarm water and instill 1-2 drops of this nasal solution 3-4 times a day.
  DO NOT USE MEDICATED NASAL DROPS WITHOUT A PHYSICIAN'S CONSENT AS EXCESSIVE USE CAN CAUSE CHEMICAL RHINITIS WITH REBOUND BLOCK.

Cough (for adults)

• Mix 1 teaspoon of honey and garlic juice with a few drops of brandy and have it 3-4 times a day.
• Put 3-4 peeled and chopped buds of garlic in 1 bottle brandy and keep aside in a closet for 2 weeks and have several drops at the time of severe cough.
• Chew cardamom, close and whole black pepper for a long time.
  

Cough (for children)

• Mix 1 cup of black grape juice with 1 tablespoon of honey and have it twice a day.
• Mix 1 teaspoon of sugar with 1 teaspoon of butter and have the mixture.
• Sprinkle few drops of camphor water on a cloth and place it near the mouth of the child. This provides uninterrupted and pleasant sleep at night.
• Roast 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder (haldi) and mix it with 1/2 teaspoon of raw turmeric powder (haldi) and 1 teaspoon of honey. Have this mixture before going to bed. Avoid drinking or eating after it. DO NOT EVER HAVE THIS MIXTURE WITH MILK.

WARNING: This information should not be used as a substitute for sound medical advice from a doctor. These remedies must not be practiced by patients, suffering from diseases as diabetes, cancer etc. or during certain body-stages as pregnancy etc. The results may vary from person to person. Radio Brisvaani or any of its sister concerns will not be responsible for any type of side effects of these remedies. The users need not contact the owners regarding any type of side effects. Consult the doctor before using these tips in case the person is infected from the problem since a long time. Do NOT use these remedies on a person already infected from any other ailment.

A Glimpse of India

MASTERPIECES OF NORTHERN INDIA
FULLY ESCORTED TOUR - 15 nights / 16 days
Delhi - Varanasi - Sarnath - Khajuraho – Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur - Mt Abu - Udaipur
Departure Thursday September 25th 2008 - Return Friday October 10th 2008

Day 1 Thursday 25 Sep 08
Depart Sydney in the morning - transit Singapore - Arrive Delhi closer to midnight - Met on arrival & transfer to hotel (No activity is scheduled for this day).
Overnight in Delhi

Day 2 Friday 26 Sep 08
After breakfast, half day sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. The tour of the 17th-century old city includes the great mosque of Jama Masjid, the main street of Old Delhi known as Chandni Chowk (“Moonlit Street”), Red Fort, one of the most spectacular pieces of Mughal architecture built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648 and Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. Afternoon visit to Akshardham Temple - The sprawling pink sandstone cultural complex spread over 100 acres showcases the grandeur of Indian history, art, culture and values. Completed in just 5 years in 2005, the temple is built in traditional temple architectural styles. The musical fountain open to public only in the late evenings is a must see. Welcome dinner at hotel.
Overnight in Delhi

Day 3 Saturday 27 Sep 08
After breakfast, half day sightseeing tour of New Delhi. Drive down the spectacular Rajpath (“the Kingsway,”) passing the India Gate (the memorial built to commemorate the unknown soldiers,) the President’s House and the House of Parliament. Enjoy a brief respite from the otherwise bustling city at Birla Mandir, a modern and colourful Hindu temple. Visit Qutab Minar, one of the most popular landmarks in Delhi built in 1199 by the Slave dynasty, Humayun's Tomb - the precursor of the Taj Mahal and the Bahai Temple -- shaped like a lotus flower and a proof of India's secularism. Evening transfer to railway station to board Shiv Ganga Express train for Varanasi (1825/0730 hrs).
Overnight on board

Day 4 Sunday 28 Sep 08
Arrive Varanasi at 0730 hrs. Met on arrival and transfer to hotel . Morning sightseeing tour of Varanasi city. Varanasi is one of the holiest cities of the Hindus and Jains and has a number of important artistic, learning and cultural sites. It is the longest continuously inhabited city in the world dating back thousands of years. It is the spiritual, learning and literature capital of India and has many prestigious universities and cultural institutions. Above all it is known as the city of temples and Ghats. The tour of this ancient city includes The Bharat Mata Temple, which has a big relief map of India in marble, the Benares Hindu University with its art gallery, and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb built on the side of an ancient Hindu temple, bathing ghats, The Kashivishwanath temple and the Durgakund (temple from the 18th century).
Overnight at Varanasi

Day 5 Monday 29 Sep 08
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Sarnath - one of the four most Holy sites for the Buddhists where Buddha preached his first sermon to his five disciples. Archaeological excavations here date some relics back to the first century BC. Visit Dhamek Stupa - the imposing stupa 39m high was probably erected in 200 B.C in the Mauryan era and the Ashoka Pillar - erected by the Emperor Ashoka, the pillar had his edict engraved on it. At one time it stood over 17m high. Its citadel with the four lions back to back, is also the official symbol of modern India. Chaukandi Stupa - this stupa was rebuilt by Mughal Emperor Akbar. Dhamarajika Stupa - only the ruins of this stupa built by Emperor Ashoka can be seen today. Moolgandha Kuti Vihara - built in more recent times by the Mahabodhi Society, it has a life-size statue of the lord Buddha in the Dharmachakra Pravatan form.
Overnight at Varanasi

Day 6 Tuesday 30 Sep 08
Dawn boat ride on river Ganges, the most sacred of rivers to the Hindus and where millions congregate to ritually bathe in the Holy waters and pay homage to the Sun God. Hinduism, deep and mysterious is everywhere: in a decorated doorway; in a glimpse of a glittering temple; in the sound of the sacred bells; in the chant of the priests, in the fragrance of the flower oblations. From the river we can see some of the important and historic ghats (steps to enter the river) along the banks of the mighty river. Later transfer to airport to board flight for Khajuraho (9W 723 1220/1300 hrs). Met on arrival and transfer to hotel . Time for some private explorations of the city of Khajuraho.
Overnight at Khajuraho

Day 7 Wednesday 1 Oct 08
Morning sightseeing tour of Khajuraho. The tour of this place includes the Eastern and Western Group of temples of Khajuraho which comprises of the Lakshmi and Varaha Temple, the Lakshmana Temple, the Kandariya Mahadev, the Mahadeva Temple; the Devi Jagadamba Temple, the Chitragupta Temple and the Vishwanath Temple. The Western Group also houses the Matangesvara Temple, the only temple where worship continues and the Chausath Yogini Temple, presently in ruins and believed to be the oldest temple in Khajuraho. The Eastern Group of temples houses the Parasvanath Temple, the largest and finest Jain temple in the city as well as the Adinath Temple, the Shantinath Temple, the Ghantai Temple, the Javari Temple, the Vamana Temple and the Brahma and Hanuman Temple. Evening drive to Jhansi railway station to board Shatabdi Express train for Agra (1805/2035 hrs ). Meet on arrival and transfer to hotel.
Overnight in Agra.

Day 8 Thursday 02 Oct 08
Morning you are collected for half day city tour of Agra visiting one of the new Seven wonders of the world - The Taj Mahal - a poem, a feeling of love, in white marble - is a fine example of the Mughal architectural styles. It has been described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love. Visit the Red Sandstone Agra Fort, seat of the Mughal dynasty in the 16th century, lies on the bend of the River Yamuna, almost in the heart of town. Akbar built it as his citadel over the years of 1565-1573. Also, view the Taj Mahal from the opposite side of Yamuna river where the Black Taj was started. Evening sun set visit to Taj Mahal.
Overnight in Agra.

Day 9 Friday 03 Oct 08
Drive Agra - Jaipur (250 kms /05 hrs) en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri. Often called the ghost city, built by Akbar the Great in the 16th century to serve as the capital of his vast empire, Fatehpur Sikri was mysteriously abandoned 13 years later. The city is a perfectly preserved example of a Moghul architecture and includes the Diwan Khana-i-Am (a great courtyard for public audiences), the Diwan-i-
Khas (private audience hall) and the beautiful five-tiered Panch Mahal. On arrival check-in at hotel.
Overnight in Jaipur

Day 10 Saturday 04 Oct 08
In Jaipur - Full day sightseeing tour of Jaipur - the Pink City. The tour includes the Hawa Mahal or "Palace of Winds,” one of the major landmarks of Jaipur, a five-story building originally built to enable the ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life and processions of the city. The City Palace, located in the heart of the old city, is a large complex of courtyards, buildings, and gardens, and also houses an interesting museum. Adjacent to the City Palace is Jantar Mantar, the ancient astronomical observatory built by Raja Jai Singh, whose passion for astronomy was even more notable than his prowess as a warrior. Your tour also includes a visit to the Amber fort, situated on the outskirts of the city. Here, you are transported back in time today, riding like royalty atop elegantly draped and painted elephants into the high mountain fortress. Amber Fort was the ancient capital of the State until 1728 and inside the fort, you visit the Jagmandir or the Hall of victory glittering with mirrors, Jai Mahal and the Temple of Kali.
Overnight in Jaipur

Day 11 Sunday 05 Oct 08
Day at leisure in Jaipur. Evening optional Bollywood film in the famous ornate Raj Mandir Cinema House.
Overnight in Jaipur

Day 12 Monday 06 Oct 08
Fly Jaipur - Udaipur (9W 709 0700/0745 hrs). Met on arrival and drive to Mt Abu (215 kms/4½ hrs). On arrival check-in to hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Mt Abu. A pleasant retreat set amidst the lush forested hills, Mt. Abu is a green oasis in the barren desert scape of Rajasthan. Situated at the southern tip of the Aravali range Mount Abu is the only hill station and summer retreat in Rajasthan. The City tour of Mount Abu includes the stunning array of exquisite Dilwara Jain temples, dating back 11th-13th centuries, which make it a popular pilgrimage centre. The intricate ornamental carvings in the temples represent the climax in the art of decoration in stone. Also visit Nakki Lake, Toad Rock and Achalagarh Fort.
Overnight in Mt Abu.

Day 13 Tuesday 07 Oct 08
Drive Mt Abu -Udaipur (225 kms/05 hrs) enroute visit Ranakpur Jain Temple. Renowned for some marvellously carved Jain temples in amber stone, Ranakpur is one of the five holy places of the Jain community. These temples were created in the 15th century AD. The central Chaumukha or four faced temple is dedicated to the venerated Tirthankara Rishabhji. Two temples, dedicated to Jain saints Parsvanath and Neminath, face the main temple. The temples have beautiful carvings similar to that of Khajuraho. On arrival check-in at hotel. Evening Sound and Light Show at City Palace, Udaipur.
Overnight in Udaipur.

Day 14 Wednesday 08 Oct 08
In Udaipur - Half day sightseeing tour of Udaipur. The tour includes a visit to the City Palace, the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, with its scalloped arches, fretted balconies, and cupolas. The main part of the palace is now preserved as a museum. Saheliyon-Ki-Bari or “Garden of the Maids of Honor” is a small ornamental garden with fountains, kiosks, marble elephants, and delightful lotus pools. Jagdish Temple is an Indo-Aryan temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It has a black stone image of Vishnu as Jagannath, Lord of the Universe. Rest of the day at leisure. Evening boat ride on Lake Pichola.
Overnight in Udaipur

Day 15 Thursday 09 Oct 08
Morning at leisure. Fly Udaipur - Delhi (1530/1640 hrs). Met on arrival & transfer to International airport to board flight back to Sydney.
Overnight on board

Day 16 Friday 10 Oct 08
Transit in Singapore arrive Sydney late evening.

Tour Accommodation

• Delhi The Connaught
• Varanasi Radisson
• Khajuraho Taj Chandela
• Agra Howard Park Plaza
• Jaipur Shahpura House
• Mt Abu Connaught House
• Udaipur Fateh Prakash Palace

Hotels chosen are good quality 3 and 4 star hotels.
Upgrades to 5 star hotels can be arranged for additional payments when requested, provided that these arrangements do not affect the smooth operation of the group tour.

Tour Inclusions
# International flights from Sydney, Australia to Delhi and return flying Singapore Airlines in economy class (connections from other cities to Delhi can be organised)
# Arrival - departure transfers
# Land transportation using a suitable air-con vehicle.
# Accommodation on twin sharing bed & breakfast basis.
# Fully escorted tour and local English speaking guides in all cities
# Sightseeing tours
# Entrances to the monuments
# Domestic airfare for the sectors Varanasi / Khajuraho and Jaipur / Udaipur / Delhi in economy class.
# Train tickets II Class Aircon sleeper train ticket for the sector Delhi /Varanasi and Chaircar train tickets for the sector Jhansi/ Agra.
# Pre-tour meeting in Sydney and tour notes
# Welcome and farewell dinners

Tour Prices
Twin share Aus Dollars 5675 per person
Single room supplement Aus Dollars 1250
Not included in holiday price:
# Airport taxes, costs of passports, visas, travel and other insurances, immunisation, excess baggage, meals (excluding breakfasts and two dinners), tips to tour guides, items of personal nature such as phone calls, taxis, laundry, room service, drinks etc.
# Terms and Conditions apply; must be agreed upon at the time of booking.

World Heritage Monuments
(UNESCO) seen on this tour:
• Agra Fort (1983)
• Taj Mahal (1983)
• Fatehpur Sikri (1986)
• Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986)
• Humayun's Tomb, Delhi (1993)
• Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993)
• Red Fort Complex (2007)

Contact
Phone: 0732791701
Email: anjila@brisvaani.com

My Experiences in Australia

I am Naresh Rathod, presently a student in Intech Institute of Technology, Brisbane. I want to share my experiences in Australia with all of you. After completing my graduation in Electrical Engg., I have chosen Australia for my further studies. After spending nine months in Australia, I am very happy that I was right to choose Australia as my Destination.

I have discovered that Australia is a very good country for studying and future prospects. I had selected Melbourne for my diploma study in 2007. Melbourne is much developed city compared to Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, etc. It is the best place for living but more costlier than other cities. And the living expenses are also high compare to Brisbane, Perth, etc. My first month in Melbourne was very difficult, because the weather is totally different compare to India. It is very cold in winter and very hot in summer. Here you have the skin burning effect during summer time. In Melbourne you can enjoy three seasons in a day.

At first, I had no fluency in English, so it was very difficult for me to communicate with local people. In India we have Hindi as a national language and also have local language in each state. Here I have found people are very helpful.

Then after completing 6 months, I have changed my education provider and took admission in Intech Institute of Technology, Brisbane. In Brisbane, it is good to have strong Indian community. I have visited places like Hare Krishna temple, Shivdham temple. I am very glad to listen to Radio Brisvaani. We can enjoy some local language programs to like Gujarati, Punjabi, etc. In Brisbane, we have very active Indian community. They are celebrating festivals like Navratri, Holi, etc. So we can not feel lonely here.

I am very lucky that I have found one of the best college in Brisbane, Intech Institute of Technology. It is very good college and has multicultural environment for study. They have students from countries like Columbia, China, India, Russia, Thailand, etc. So it is very good for me to improve my English. I have got many good friends from different countries. You will get the complete Multi-cultural study environment.

Our head of college Mr Robin and Head of Administration Mrs Amy are very helpful and always ready to solve students' problems. Our staff members are also very helpful. After joining Intech, I am very happy to have such a pleasant environment for study. After meeting Robin Sir and Amy madam, I feel like I am not alone in Brisbane. They are taking care of students as like their parents.

We have very good trainers, who have sound knowledge of their subjects. They have very good teaching method that helps students to gain basic knowledge of subject and also encourage them to do research to learn new and advanced things related to subject.
Intech is located near Brisbane City Council Library, central bus and railway station, ferry station. It is very easy for students to reach there.
Thus after coming in Australia, I am very happy and have full confidence that I will achieve my goals for my career.

Naresh Rathod
(STUDENT - INTECH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY)

The Anoushka Shankar Project

Often connected by the media with her father, the legendary sitar virtuoso and composer Ravi Shankar (who inspired The Beatles in the 1960’s) and her half-sister, pop star Norah Jones, Anoushka Shankar has shown herself to be a hugely successful artist in her own right.
Anoushka Shankar is also not someone afraid to speak out. The first Indian ambassador for the United Nation’s World Food Programme and an extensive campaigner in India for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, she is fast becoming a role model for young independent minded women, not just in her native Delhi but around the world.
Schooled in the Indian classical music tradition by her father, Anoushka’s unique style of music cleverly fuses classical Indian, electronic and world music, and while her name may have brought her to the stage for the first time as a young girl, it is her talent and vision that have kept her there.

Anoushka has played with some of the world’s biggest name artists including George Harrison, Herbie Hancock, Elton John and Sting. She has received critical acclaim throughout the world, received two Grammy nominations and also became the first Indian to perform at the Grammy Awards.

In this, her first Australian tour, Anoushka will be performing classical Indian as well as her own fusion of eastern and western style music from her most recent albums, Rise and Breathing Under Water. She is joined on stage by a band of leading western and eastern musicians featuring Ravichandra Kulur (Indian flutes and vocals), Tanmoy Bose (tabla and vocals), Leo Dombecki (acoustic piano), Nick Able(tanpura) and Barry Phillips (tanpura and cello).

The second concert in QPAC’s Arrive Without Travelling concert series which embraces the rich diversity of global music, The Anoushka Shankar Project is a rare opportunity for world music lovers.

Coming Soon: LURA (Cape Verde)
Concert Hall, QPAC
Thursday, 10 July

Ticket information:
Venue: Concert Hall, QPAC
Dates and times: Wednesday, 18 June, 8pm
Tickets (incl fees): $38-$78
Bookings: qtix 136 246 or click here

Immigration News

Compiled by C K Prasad, LL.B.(Hons)(London), Barrister &
Solicitor, Registered Migration Agent 9474820
02 6296 2966 or 0406 377 518
ck@gatewaylegal.com.au
http://www.gatewaylegal.com.au

Vulnerable children and the Subclass 802 (Child) visa
From 26 April 2008, the Migration Regulations 1994 are amended to provide that certain on-citizen non-permanent resident children in the care of a State or Territory government welfare authority are eligible for the grant of a permanent residence visa.
These children are required to be supported by a State or Territory government welfare authority. This amendment applies only in relation to the permanent residence visa, Subclass 802 (Child) visa.
Work rights on all initial student visa grants
From 26 April 2008, the Migration Regulations 1994 are amended to:
• include work rights on all initial student visa grants thus removing the need for student visa holders to make a separate application for permission to work
• prevent students and their family members from undertaking work until the student has commenced their course of study or training by amending student visa work conditions
• define the term 'week' as it applies to student visa work conditions
Changes to the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) – 17 May 2008
08Twelve occupations have been added to the MODL, including five Computing Professional specialisations, Electronics Engineer, Optometrist and Dental Technician, as well as the trade occupations of Binder and Finisher, Landscape Gardener and Tree Surgeon.
Computing Professional – specialising in Sybase SQL Server has been removed from the MODL.
See DIAC link: Is your occupation in demand?
Changes to the Skilled Occupations List (SOL) – 26 April 2008
Seven trade supervisor occupations have been included in the offshore skills assessment regime being conducted by Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services (VETASSESS).
The occupation of Seafarer – Ship's Surveyor (ASCO 2542–17) has been removed from the Skilled Occupations List (SOL).
See DIAC link: Australian Skills Recognition Information
Capital Investment Scheme for pre-1 September GSM visa applications
Prior to 1 September 2007 GSM visa applicants could earn 5 bonus points if they deposited at least $100,000 in a designated security for a term of not less than 12 months. The NSW, Queensland and NT Treasury Corporations and the SA Government Financing Authority had been State and Territory authorities participating in these arrangements (the Western Australia Government withdrew from 1 July 2007).
Each of the participating States and Territories have notified the department of their withdrawal of support for the use of treasury bonds for this purpose. This means that no State or Territory will issue a security in which an investment is a ‘designated security’.
There is no compulsion on States or Territories to participate in the scheme. Whether the State or Territory government authorities actually issue a security is ultimately a matter for them to determine.
The new visa arrangements for the GSM Program introduced from 1 September 2007 did not include the provisions for the lodgement of designated securities. The closure of the arrangements will only affect visa applications lodged before 1 September 2007.
Changes introduced on 1 September 2007
Changes to the General Skilled Migration program were introduced on 1 September 2007. People who made an application for a skilled visa on or before 31 August 2007 will not be affected by the changes.
See DIAC link: Changes to the General Skilled Migration Program
Changes to the work requirement for SIR visas
Recent changes allow SIR (Skilled Independent Regional (Provisional) subclass 495) visa holders to fulfil the 12 months (35 hours a week) full-time requirement by working up to 2 concurrent part-time jobs, provided that the work is in regional Australia or a low population growth metropolitan area.
Automatic cancellation of student visas
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has reversed the automatic cancellation of student visas under s.137J of the Migration Act 1958 that occurred between 17 August 2005 and 3 February 2007 inclusive. These cancellations occurred because the students were reported by their education providers for breaching Visa Condition 8202 (failing to achieve attendance or academic requirements regarding their studies). The cancellations have been reversed because the department has determined that the approved proforma notice that was sent to students, which resulted in the automatic cancellation of their student visas, was invalid. The effect of this is that the department considers that these student visas were not cancelled by operation of law.
The department has written to all students affected by the reversal of the automatic cancellation of their visas at their last known address available to the department. In the letter, students have been urgently requested to contact the department as soon as possible to enable the alleged breach of the student visa condition and any related issues to be determined.
Advice for students who think they might be affected
Any students affected by automatic cancellation under s.137J of the Migration Act 1958 that occurred between 17 August 2005 and 3 February 2007 inclusive should make contact with the department.
See DIAC Link: Contact Us. Each client whose visa cancellation was reversed has a Client of Interest note in the department's computer systems to allow staff to identify them.