Nostalgia and the Night Sky, Courtesy Earth Hour

0 Comments read Environment & Development

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 03.04.2008 (IANS): Switching off lights for 60 minutes in a year on a perfect spring Saturday night in Sydney, when it was neither too hot nor too cold for comfort and most offices and businesses were closed anyway, one can’t help but question the contribution of the Earth Hour to the cause of tackling climate change.

An event that started in Sydney last year had about 25 countries participating this year. So is it, indeed, “Our (Sydney’s) gift to the world”? As one of the Sydney Morning Herald readers wrote in the letters’ column, “The headline shouts of our vanity, selfishness and self importance”.

International Energy Agency 2005 estimates indicate that about 25 percent of the global population, totalling approximately 1.6 billion people have no access to electricity. In most developing countries where power cuts are the norm, staying without electricity for an hour is routine. There is an ‘Earth Hour’ or rather ‘Earth Hours’ almost every day of the month and year.

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From uranium to naan, India-Australia business links growing

0 Comments read Business and Trade, Diaspora

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, (IANS): While dining at the plush Oberoi Hotel in the Indian capital New Delhi, you probably didn’t know the hot tandoori chicken and naan on your platter was from an Australian-made oven. But Brisbane-based Beech Ovens that has been selling tandoori ovens to India is just one example of the growing economic ties between the two countries.

“The success of Australia’s long-term engagement with India will rely heavily on the commercial links built up by Australian businesses,” stressed Federal Minister for Trade Warren Truss Wednesday while delivering the Australia India Business Council (AIBC) Accor-Qantas India Independence Day speech on “Breaking new ground” in Adelaide.

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Almost Goa

0 Comments read Travel
St. Paul's Church, Diu, Photo Credit: © Neena Bhandari

By Neena Bhandari

Diu (India), 22.03.2008 (The Australian): Characterised by its blink-and-miss inconspicuousness, little Diu is just a dot off the west coast of India. The island’s quaint blend of Gujarati culture and Portuguese legacy has long fascinated me, so there is good reason to break our journey in Mumbai and hop on a plane to explore this time-warp ingredient in the cultural melting pot of India.

After a 40-minute flight northwest over the Arabian Sea, we arrive at Diu airport, a small airstrip surrounded by sea and palm trees. With the propellers lazily spinning to a halt, we take a quick picture, only to be ushered aside by security staff. We are told photography at Indian airports is strictly prohibited. Sadly, we have to delete our prized first picture.

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