IAASA Newsletter. Note from President U P C O M I N G E V E N T S I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : Narayan Rai, President IAASA

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1 IAASA Newsletter , V O L M E 1 1 / 1 1 / U P C O M I N G E V E N T S IAASA Diwali Gala Dinner 4th November 2017 Note from President IAASA Christmas Meet and Greet 3rd December 2017 Indian Republic Day Function January 2018 Australia Day Parade January 18 I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : Gandhi Jayanthi Community & Seniors IAASA Meet and Greet Akaashvani Adelaide English Lessons Yoga for all Pranayam Secretary s Say The Cookie Thief Story Dear Members and Friends of IAASA, I am delighted to write to you about the activities of your committee and the plans we have for the Association. We, your new executive committee members, are just over a month old and have been very busy. We had to attend to or organise several events very quickly and I am proud of my committee members for rising to the occasion quickly and efficiently. We got off to a quick start with a very interesting workshop by David Dahm on Corporate Governance, the Role of the Committee and the legal context to being a committee member etc. We definitely got a better understanding of good governance. Then our first event, Gandhi Jayanti was upon us on 2 nd October exactly 2 weeks after taking office. We had a lovely function at the Bust of Mahatma Gandhi in the University of Adelaide grounds which was well attended by about 60 people, the pro Vice- Chancellor International, Adelaide Uni Prof. Nancy Cromar, Dr Jagan Mazumdar and others. Special thanks to Prof. Purnendra Jain for his assistance and Rajendra Pandey for songs by children of the Hindi School. A week later we organised a Meet & Greet session where new and old members came to meet each other and the new committee. Nearly 80 people attended and actively participated by giving suggestions and ideas and also singing songs, enjoying antakshari and a delicious lunch! We were invited to Parliament House to meet with the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Zoe Bettison and other members of SA Parliament like Dana Wortley, Russell Wortley. Our discussions included how to improve our services to the community, lobbying the Govt for funds and the need for more Indian origin people getting involved in politics. The minister was impressed with our vision for IAASA and said she would invite us again to discuss our needs and progress. Soon after, we had a meeting with the Chair of SAMEAC, Grace Portolesi and SAMEAC member, Vikram Madan where we discussed grants and funding for programs to deal with social issues in our community particularly in relation to ageing, women, youth and settlement. To elevate IAASA programs to the next level, our Community Programs Coordinator, Susila Palani is working on direct services to the community such as Volunteer meetings, English classes, music, fun indoor sports sessions and more. The plans for putting the Hall to good use are in full swing! We also represented the Indian community at the Oz Asia Festival Opening and have been asked to give more input to the planning of Indian events in the future. A VIP India Reception was also given by Dept of State Development as part of the Oz Asia Festival. At this event it was incredible to meet a wonderful dancer from UK, Akaash Odedra and the producer of his Show, Anand Bhatt. Just the other day, a Diwali Reception was organised by the Premier Jay Wetherill for all Indian community leaders. I was asked to address the gathering and I made it a point that a street or building in Adelaide CBD should be lit up next year for Diwali! Our Cultural Secretary, Saloni Gadhia was also asked to speak as a Youth Representative and spoke Narayan Rai, President IAASA beautifully about Deepavali. It was a great opportunity not only to meet the Minister and others but also to meet each other and get to know other associations better. And finally, we have our own Gala Diwali Dinner coming up! I hope you have already booked your tickets to the exciting event at Hotel Intercontinental. We are putting a lot of effort into planning a great event for your enjoyment and look forward to meeting you there. Do book your tickets immediately if you haven t yet. Please do attend and make this event a grand success! For any information or to give suggestions please do not hesitate to contact us. We have planned many more events in the coming months, so look out for our mail outs. I hope you enjoy reading our first Newsletter Thank you for your interest and support in IAASA Narayana Rai IAASA President

2 P A G E 2 IAASA Meet and Greet For most of us first generation migrants, it's been a great experience to meet and greet new people and settle in Australia through formal and informal friendships and connections. IAASA continues to play a key role in welcoming new settlers by offering free membership for the first year. IAASA's "Meet & Greet" program is held on a monthly basis as much as possible. Some of us have mingled and mixed more readily with people of different regions and cultures from India here in South Australia than in our home country. The program also gives new migrants the opportunity to learn from the wisdom and experience of earlier migrants on understanding and fitting into the Australian culture and exchanging our own culture, language and traditions in a multicultural society. IAASA is often painted as a social club. A "Meet & Greet" is not a bad place to start lifelong friendships and support systems particularly when we are away from our families and usual support networks. Feel free to invite new arrivals to the next "Meet & Greet" function to be held on Sunday 3rd December at 12:00 noon at the IAASA Community Centre at Broadview. Come and welcome new arrivals, share your experience and let us have fun together. Akaashvani Adelaide Indian Community Radio FM Meet and Greet, IAASA Community Centre October 2017 ARE YOU LIFE OR THE CLOCK ~ BY MANNA I adore you, I adorn you I know you are precious and Wait for none I may cry, I may laugh That never turns you off Wonder if you care for me But you never stop The time has come to say goodbye. I am quiet BUT you are not Are you Life or the Clock?? Our very own community radio program, broadcasting on 5EBI FM needs your support and patronage. The Indian program broadcasts mainly in Hindi with regular regional language segments in Kannada, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Malayalam, Punjabi and other languages with a regular Telugu program too! The Programs are broadcast every Saturday morning am and Sunday afternoon pm. The Telugu program is on Saturdays pm. Programs are also live streamed on You can support our community radio station with participation in the Radio program and/or with monetary donations. Please indian@5ebi.com.au if you are interested in broadcasting or sharing your story or to pledge your support. For more information please call Vinaya Rai on or (AH). The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. ~ Mahatma Gandhi

3 PAGE 3 Secretary s Say What is Governance? The Australian Standard on corporate governance says the essence of good governance is accountability i.e. do no harm Having enjoyed the role of Treasurer/Mela Finance Manager of IAASA over the last six years, I considered what other role I could play to assist our organisation s objectives. Amongst IAASA s many strengths, one area that could be further improved upon was Governance and the establishment of a core set of policies, procedures and guidelines for its Committee Members to follow when transacting business on behalf of the Association. My new role as Secretary allows me to work with the Committee and membership to achieve these aims. Within 4 weeks of the AGM the new Committee recruited the pro-bono services of an expert speaker in the field, David Dahm CA,FCPA,CTA,FTIA,F.FIN,FAAPM,FAIM,CPM,FGLF, who travels nationally all over Australia on behalf of professional bodies to deliver Corporate Governance presentations. The Committee appreciates David taking the time from his busy schedule. After listening and actively interacting to a 3 hour slide presentation specifically tailored for our organisation, the Committee Members felt more empowered and committed to fulfilling their individual roles and responsibilities in the best interests of IAASA members. The next step is to obtain a form of Quality Management Accreditation for the organisation which would further improve IAASA s ability to secure future Government Grants. Watch this space! Sam Dahm IAASA Secretary

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5 P A G E 5 Gandhi Jayanthi Celebration, Adelaide University Gandhi Jayanthi Celebration The new committee embarked on their journey towards celebration through a very special event organised to honour the life of one of India s most celebrated freedom fighters, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (2 October January 1948). Mahatma Gandhi also called Bapu ji, the Father of the Nation, was the leader of the Indian independence movement against British rule. Employing non-violent civil disobedience, Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. Gandhi Jayanthi in Adelaide was celebrated on 2nd October 2017 by honouring the statue of Gandhi Ji with garlands (located at Adelaide University, North Terrace Adelaide). The event was honoured with the presence of Dr Mazumdar, Adjunct Prof. University of Adelaide, Chief Guest Professor Nancy Cromar, Pro Vice-Chancellor (international) University of Adelaide and distinguished guests. The event also featured patriotic songs sung by a group of enthusiastic children representing the Vishwa Hindu Parishad lead by Mr Rajendra Pandey. We hope to bring more of such occasions to you. Happy Gandhi Jayanthi! Program Options: Bridge Yoga (Offered Saturday am / Sunday pm) Sitar Guitar Ukulele Tombola afternoons Carnatic music Water Colour painting Languages for travel or communication: English (commencing November), Tamil, French, Spanish, Italian Career and social support: Preparation of Job Application, Interview skills including mock practice session and informal feedback, Working smarter, not harder, Young person s network, Women's network, Motivational Speakers) Planning your holiday Sewing, Knitting/crochet Gardening - green fingers Regional cooking Community Programs (including Seniors) Let's come together, have fun and make better use of the IAASA Community Centre! The Meet & Greet gathering on Sunday 8 October 2017 was vibrant with ideas on what members want to offer IAASA and what they want from IAASA. By great fortune there was considerable common ground. There has been a call to have the IAASA Community Centre open at least one day a week possibly starting with Tuesdays between hours of 10:00am 2.30pm to allow for the convenience of parents and to avoid traffic congestion not to mention free bus travel for those with a Seniors card. Based on sufficient interest noted on the day and availability of presenters through known networks, IAASA is currently exploring opportunity to present various programs When sufficient interest is gauged to make any program viable, it can be scheduled. Have I A A S A N E W S L E T T E R fun as you learn, connect and improve. The more interest there is expressed in any of the programs listed above, the sooner the focus will be to provide it. Costs are anticipated to be between $4-$10 per session. IAASA members are to be offered discounts. Upfront payment will ensure certainty and viability in spite of participants withdrawing. Refunds are unlikely unless very special circumstances dictate it. Some presenters have come forward already. Do volunteer your skills if you have the talent, inclination and time to teach and share various programs. More hands mean greater variety and greater fun. What you need to do: Submit an expression of interest straightaway (particularly for English) or latest by 30 Nov 2017 to communityprogramsiaasa@gm ail.com detailing your area of interest. The sooner you indicate your interest, the earlier a program can be scheduled. Get friends to submit expressions of interest to ensure a particular program does commence and is at a time and length that suits you. These are early attempts to make the IAASA Community Centre more of a Community Centre. Teething problems are likely. Let's work together and succeed. ~ Susila Palani IAASA Community Programs Coordinator

6 P A G E 6 English With Purpose English language classes IAASA is launching a new program to teach English on a regular basis at the IAASA Community Centre at Broadview. Students can learn to speak, read, listen and write in the English language including preparation for International English Language Test (IELT) or similar tests. There is no need to buy text books as instructional material will be provided (other than in specialist and technical areas of English). Where needed, there is to be a Hindi language speaker to assist with learning English. Based on demand and preference and the number of teachers available, the aim is to provide assistance in a classroom situation and/or on an individual basis or as a mix of the two as needed. New program launch From Tuesday 21 November 2017 Tuesday & Thursday 10 am to 12 noon Saturday 10:30 to 12:30 pm Wednesday 6:30 to 8:30 pm Cost: $4 for the 2 hour session with experienced teachers (Discount for IAASA members and bulk payment) Did you know that IAASA offer Yoga sessions every week. When: Every Sunday 3:30 to 5:00 pm Cost: by donation Where: IAASA Community Centre, 6 Blamey Ave, Broadview Yoga for all and Yoga for Wellbeing We are pleased to announce that a group of accomplished professional Yoga teachers have joined hands to teach yoga on regular basis at IAASA. This program was inaugurated during the recent celebration of India s Independence Day on 13 Aug. by His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le, the Governor of South Australia. The benefits of yoga are well known. Regular practice of Yoga enhances the health, mental abilities and the quality of life enormously. If you wish to know more visit where scientific evidences are summarised. Due to space restrictions, attendance to Yoga classes will be limited to 25, so register your name as soon as possible. Yoga mats are available at the venue. Please bring a blanket and a large towel. Doors will be closed at 3:30pm and hence come early. Don t miss this great opportunity to learn Yoga from experts. Send your name, phone number and address to iaaofsa@gmail.com to register your name and book your place. After Yoga you can stay back and socialise with your friends. Pranayama is generally defined as breath control. Prana means vital energy or life force, ayama means to expand, accordingly pranayama is expansion of the vital energy. This vital energy is responsible for all life experiences including physical and spiritual. Pranayama harmonize the pranic body which is a network of Pranayam Yoga I A A S A N E W S L E T T E R nerve channels carrying the vital force to every cell and organ infusing them with life and dynamism. Pranayama s are also the preparatory practices for the awakening of the chakras (psychic centers) and aid in the perfection of kriya and kundalini yoga s. Did you know that IAASA offer free Pranayam Yoga sessions every week. When: Every Saturday 8.00 am Where: IAASA Hall, 6 Blamey Ave, Broadview

7 P A G E 7 With best compliments from The Cookie Thief ~ a Story by Valerie Cox A woman was waiting at an airport one night, With several long hours before her flight. She hunted for a book in the airport shops. Bought a bag of cookies and found a place to drop. She had never known when she had been so galled, And sighed with relief when her flight was called. She gathered her belongings and headed to the gate, Refusing to look back at the thieving ingrate. She was engrossed in her book but happened to see, That the man sitting beside her, as bold as could be. Grabbed a cookie or two from the bag in between, Which she tried to ignore to avoid a scene. So she munched the cookies and watched the clock, As the gutsy cookie thief diminished her stock. She was getting more irritated as the minutes ticked by, Thinking, If I wasn t so nice, I would blacken his eye. With each cookie she took, he took one too, When only one was left, she wondered what he would do. With a smile on his face, and a nervous laugh, He took the last cookie and broke it in half. He offered her half, as he ate the other, She snatched it from him and thought oooh, brother. This guy has some nerve and he s also rude, Why he didn t even show any gratitude! She boarded the plane, and sank in her seat, Then she sought her book, which was almost complete. As she reached in her baggage, she gasped with surprise, There was her bag of cookies, in front of her eyes. If mine are here, she moaned in despair, The others were his, and he tried to share. Too late to apologize, she realized with grief, That she was the rude one, the ingrate, the thief. How many times in our lives, have we absolutely known that something was a certain way, only to discover later that what we believed to be true was not?

8 P A G E 8 NEWSLETTER ADVERTISEMENT RATES QUARTER PAGE $25.00 HALF PAGE $50.00 FULL PAGE $ DID YOU KNOW THAT THE IAASA COMMUNITY CENTRE IS AVAILABLE FOR HIRE*. THE COMMUNITY CENTRE IS LOCATED CLOSE TO THR CITY IN BROADVIEW (6 BLAMEY AVENUE). FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HIRE COSTS, FACILITY DETAILS AND OTHER AR- RANGEMENTS, PLEASE CONTACT A COMMITTEE MEMBER OR COMMUNITY CENTRE HALL MANAGER (Mr Niral Patel: ) *Hire charges and Terms & Conditions for hire are currently being reviewed and will be available shortly President: Mr. Narayan Rai Peradka Vice President: Mr. Mandeep Rikhi Secretary; Mr. Sam Dahm Treasurer: Ms. Manna Abraham Committee Members: Mr. Deepak Vasisht Mr. Dhruv Kumar Mr. Gagan Sharma Mr. Gurdeep Singh Mr. Hargobind Singh Ms. Saloni Gadhia Mr. Sunil Bhatia Co-Opted Members Ms Susila Palani Mr Amarjit Grewal Editor s Note I write and I write but oh-what-should-i-say-to-you! Should I thank you for taking time to support IAASA and the community, or should I acknowledge how important your presence is in forming our ever growing, strong community in South Australia, especially Adelaide. No matter how I word it, one thing is crystal clear Indians in Adelaide will not be the same without you. THANK YOU! Thank you for your support and efforts! ~ Saloni Gadhia