Indian Connexion

The Anoushka Shankar Project

brisvaani — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:51:28 +0000

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 www.qtix.com.au

Media enquiries please contact:
Tania Stibbe, Publicity Manager ~ 07 3840 7589 ~0417 645 314~ tania.stibbe@qpac.com.au or
Danii Murphy, Publicity Coordinator ~ 07 3840 7984 ~ 0419 676 850 danielle.murphy@qpac.com.au

Immigration News

brisvaani — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:49:05 +0000

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

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.

To All Multicultural Artists and BEMAC members and friends

brisvaani — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:47:48 +0000

BEMAC has been asked to program one of the stages in the Queen Street Mall for this inaugural international event. This provides an opportunity for BEMAC to raise its profile and play a big part.in the promotion of cultural and diverse programming in the Queensland calendar.
It could also be considered a favour to BEMAC for the hundreds of artists we have supported in the past, as this event does not offer, as its tradition, any payment, rather, it is trying to establish an event which will help artists develop their audience and provide a performance platform for young and emerging artists, and to provide great free music all across Brisbane.
It is therefore imperative that BEMAC has a profile within the schedule music genres.
Please contact me if you would like to support BEMAC in this event.
Thank you for supporting BEMAC
Bronte MorrisExecutive Producer/CEO
For information on this international event go to http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:BASE::pc=PC_3072
BRONTE MORRIS
Director

Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre
Yungaba 120 Main St Kangaroo Point Qld 4169
PO Box 7299 East Brisbane Qld 4169
Tel: 07 3391 4433 Fax:07 3391 2802
Email: mailto:director@bemac.org.au
Website: www.bemac.org.au

Premier of Queensland – Business Reception

brisvaani — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:45:05 +0000

By Amritha Amarnath

On the 15th of April 2008 a business reception was held at the Parliamentary Premiers and Speakers Halls, Brisbane City. The main purpose of the gathering was to invite people representatives from different industries who are effectively contributing to the government’s economy to interact with the ministers of the parliament, from the respective industries. In simple words it was for the government to talk to its people and for the people to express their concerns to the government in turn.

There was a session before the Business reception, where the representatives of Shree Sanatan Dharam Hindu Association of Queensland and the Indian Radio Station, Radio Brisvaani 1701AM’s Brisvaani Aid Foundation together presented a cheque to Ms Bligh to help our fellow countrymen in their times of need and promised to continue to offer such contributions whenever possible in their speech addressed to the Government that evening.

The Business Reception started with a welcome speech by Hon Desley Boyle MP, Minister for Main Roads and Local Government and she then lead Hon Premier of Queensland, Ms Anna Bligh on stage to address her speech to the gathering.

Ms. Bligh welcomed everyone and recognised the presence of all the ministers of parliament like Hon Judy Spence, minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport, Hon Rod Welford, Minister for Education and Training, Minister for the Arts etc; and also Parliamentary Secretaries like Karen Struthers MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and all other members of Parliament present there that evening.

She mentioned about her visit to India, China and Japan and how it was important to build good relations with these countries. She said each of these countries are developing very rapidly and require the skills and resources from other countries like ours in this process and we need to put forward our products in the right way in the market and provide the infrastructure necessary for this as well.

Ms Bligh said, “$19.00 Wiggles tickets are sold at $2000 on EBay today and that can explain where the Queensland economy is shooting up to.”

She mentioned about the urgency for government to combat climatic change and focus on avoiding environmental damages and was glad she was able to sign agreements with the three countries on Climate Change.

Ms.Bligh announced a decision on 15th April morning parliamentary session about focusing on the growth of states like Cairns and other such areas and bringing forward health development, new hospitals, better infrastructure etc; She mentioned that a decision was made to sell the airport, to sell 12% share in Brisbane airport corporation. She said private airlines were doing too well a job that there is no need for the Government to stick to this domain of service anymore. She stressed on prioritizing issues and working towards overall betterment.
Finger food and drinks were served at the hall, which made it a lighter environment to network and communicate with the others present. It was a perfect Business Reception with a blend of government officials and their people