Safeguarding the Pacific from any further nuclear contamination

13/04/2022 0 Comments read Features, Nuclear Disarmament

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 12.04.2022 (IDN-InDepth News Analysis): The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), the region’s leading political and economic policy organisation, has appointed a panel of global experts on nuclear issues to provide independent scientific and technical advice to Pacific nations in their discussions with Japan over its intentions to discharge treated nuclear wastewater from the Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Fukushima into the Pacific Ocean.

The Pacific Island countries, in the past, have been unwilling victims of nuclear weapons testing by the United States, the United Kingdom and France. This has made them staunch opponents of any nuclear-related activities in the region. Fishing and coastal communities are worried about the impact the release of wastewater perceived as “contaminated” will have on the ocean, which is the main source of their livelihood and subsistence.

The PIF Secretary General Henry Puna said in a media release, “Our ultimate goal is to safeguard the Blue Pacific – our ocean, our environment, and our peoples – from any further nuclear contamination. This is the legacy we must leave for our children.”

Continue reading →

The omnipresence of Omicron as we usher in 2022

02/01/2022 7 Comments read Features

Photo Credit: © Neena Bhandari

By Neena Bhandari

The incisive eyes of a Powerful Owl were staring at me from the last page of the wall calendar. The days had melted into weeks and then months. 2021 had begun on a note of optimism, ignited by a promise of vaccines against the novel coronavirus, but that ray of hope has been eclipsed by the lengthening shadow of new mutations.

A more transmissible mutation — the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant is surging unhindered as we usher in another year of living with SARS-CoV-2. The omnipresence of Omicron has dimmed New Year festivities and disrupted family reunions, just as we were hoping life would return to some form of normalcy.

Globally, on an average one million new coronavirus cases are being recorded daily. Public health systems have been stretched to a breaking point. Doctors, nurses, medical laboratory professionals, pharmacists, scientists and the innumerable health professionals have spent most part of their waking hours over the past two years helping the world cope with the pandemic.

Continue reading →

Asian food warms hearts on Australian MasterChef

10/07/2021 0 Comments read Arts, Entertainment & Lifestyle, Diaspora, Features

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 10.07.2021 (Khaleej Times): As COVID-19 lockdowns confined people to their homes, many sought comfort in home cooking. The 13^th season of MasterChef Australia showcased contestants from varied professions, inspired by their culture and heritage, improvising traditional recipes to incorporate local Australian produce and ingredients. They created dishes that attracted a huge following, including from second and third generation migrants from around the world.

The Australian food landscape, today, is a cultural melting pot. The penchant is growing to discover and savour the culinary diversity immigration has brought to this country. In recent years, it has been the subtleties and complexities of Asian flavours that is gaining popularity.

Four contestants with Indian, Bengali, Sri Lankan and Vietnamese heritage speak about what makes them passionate about food; when did they transition to cooking good food from enjoying eating it? Would they have been as passionate about their heritage and cuisine, if they hadn’t migrated; the importance of reducing food waste; their connection to the Middle East; and the doors that this competition has opened for them. Continue reading →