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Thursday, 11 March 2010

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Indian students issue: Racism Overplayed Sydney Festival Offers a Glimmer of Human Connectedness Despite attacks, Indians queuing to become Australian citizens Indigenous Tiwi women strive to improve their lot.

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Despite attacks, Indians queuing to become Australian citizens

SYDNEY, January 26 (IANS): Despite all the reports of violence against Indians, hundreds of them are becoming Australian citizens, making India the third most represented country, followed by Britain and China, for people receiving their citizenship.

Alisha D'Souza and her twin sister, Binaisha D'Souza, 19, can’t contend their excitement as they take their oath at a citizenship ceremony at Brimbank City Council, the second largest municipality in Melbourne.

“We feel privileged to have been granted citizenship and to be more a part of this multi-cultural society. It took some time to adjust, but now we call this home. Australians are very accepting of different cultures, they tend to be more laid back and love sports. Our parents felt that it would provide us with better opportunities”, Alisha, who is doing a Bachelor of Commerce degree at Melbourne University, told IANS.

In 2008-09, 9,088 Indians became Australian citizens. This year, a record 16,500 people from 144 countries are becoming Australian citizens on January 26. So have the spate of attacks on Indians and the ensuing media publicity impacted on their life?

Paul Moulds

SYDNEY, Dec 3 (IPS) - Once a week lunch order from the school canteen was something Emily and Damien’s children looked forward to, but since the global financial crisis began last year, little treats and outings are an absolute ‘No’.
"Lunch order for our four kids aged 14, 13, 9 and 8 costs 50 [Australian] dollars (46 U.S. dollars), and at a time when our weekly shopping bills have gone up by 150 [Australian] dollars (139 U.S. dollars), it is a luxury we can’t afford," says Emily, who is blind in one eye and has half vision in the other. She has been compelled to take up a job while her partner, Damien, a truck driver, has to work seven days a week to make both ends meet.