101 East: Chinese migrants face PNG wrath

Images: PNG Mourns Kokoda Trek crash victims

View a slideshow of more images from the Airlines PNG crash here.

No Survivors on Kokoda Track Airplane Crash

Time for change is NOW

Got an emailed attachment in my inbox this morning - a signed petition/statement from a number of members of parliament in relation to the pending vote of no confidence against Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare.

It's worth a read.

Download the report here (right click, save target as):

Papua New Guinea Opposition Media Campaign 2009

Perfectly Frank

"We are not going to have an election just to please Australia and New Zealand. That's not going to happen".
- Frank Bainimarama

He's been called a dictator, a disgrace and a blot on democracy in the Pacific, but Fiji's interim Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, says he just wants to make his country a better place.

In a rare interview with Mark Davis he comes out fighting against his critics...on SBS's Dateline (on Sunday, August 1, 2009).

Al Jazeera's Inside Story: What do Iran's reformists want?

"...Anger and deadly violence in Iran escalate, despite tough warnings from the country's supreme leader. As the protests continue, what do reforminsts want exactly? What will become of their movement? And can they shake the foundations of the Islamic Revolution?"

Documentary: The battle between Moderate and Radical Islam

Since yesterday, I've been busy working on a briefing analysis that I need to present to a group of highly opinionated I.R. students. I need to present an analysis on the bi-lateral cooperation between Australia and Indonesia as a result of the Bali attacks on October 12, 2002.

Whilst researching for this topic, I came across the following documentary, by Al Jazeera, in all its entirety conveniently available on YouTube.

Note that Indonesia is the most populous Muslim country in the world. Contrary to the beliefs and actions that are often referred to as "Islam radicalism", Islam is actually a a religion of tolerance and peace. Members of Jemaah Islamiah (JI) interpret the teachings of radical Islamist ideology as reaffirmed in such radical "boarding schools" (such as the one that Abu Bakar Bashir is the principal of) and are consequently encouraged to idolise posters of prominent jihad leaders such as Osama bin Laden (its true, watch the doc below). Such schools of teaching are actually breeding grounds for "terrorism" (a Western concept) however, the students of such schools are really "soldiers of war". I think that Indonesia needs to really take a firmer stand against such institutions as the curriculum that they have encourage these kids to see the world in a "us vs them" paradigm. Even though Indonesia is a developing democracy (after the fall of Suharto), all its citizens have the freedom to worship what ever religion they choose. However, like the anti-Semitic movement that dominated Germany's Nazi Party which eventually lead to WWII, this 'jihad' against non-Muslims (The West predominantly) is escalating as we speak.

Indonesia: Hearts and Minds (Part 1)



Indonesia: Hearts and Minds (Part 2)



Indonesia: Hearts and Minds (Part 3)

Educate me

In an earlier post, "Revolution and Civil Rights - Are they mutually exclusive" I concluded that a large segment of the protestors in the current Iranian crisis has resulted in international pressure mounting especially from the United States.

However, at the commencement of the G8 Summit this week in L'Aquila it has been argued by Russia that the violence in Xinjiana and in Iran are 'internal matters' and therefore should not be considered as a matter of discussion at the G8 summit. However, this has been opposed by US President Barack Obama, as well as the leaders of both France and Britain who want to increase international pressure against Tehran.

In a statement on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton declared "We would ask the world to join us in imposing even stricter sanctions on Iran to try to change the behaviour of the regime".

Clinton's statement reiterates similar sentiments made by President Barack Obama during his visit to Russia earlier this week in which he stated that the issue of Iran's capabilities need to be resolved through 'diplomatic means'. However, he also stressed something else important:

"the United States reserve(s) the right, and I as commander-in-chief reserve the right, to take whatever actions are necessary to protect the United States."

The perception of Iran as a perceived threat to the United States as a result of their nuclear weapons build-up is a highly complex issue. But I'm sure wondering whether the United States has really vital interests in Iran that are at stake? I mean, the perceived threats of North Korea's missile tests and now Iran? Are the current tensions on the streets of Tehran exercabating public perception of a possible intervention in Iran if other diplomatic channels fail?
Educate me.
Spowf.

Related news articles:

Obama urges Iran to 'stop all violent and unjust actions'

Another day at the office for Ban Ki-Moon

There has been much debate (especially in my IR tutorial) regarding Ban Ki-Moon's performance so far into his five year tenure at Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Some have argued that he is trying to accomplish too much.



I think we can argue that he is trying to achieve too many things but we must also remember that this man is the Secretary of the United Nations. In his role, he doesn't have the 'privelege' to choose which issues he should choose to address and issues he can't put on the agenda and present it into a small, neat portfolio to the world. Unlike self-interested governments who focus predominantly on domestic national issues, the United Nations has a larger amount of transnational issues to raise public awareness about and help resolve. I think as the dominant international organisation, he is doing a great job by educating the global international community and reminding them of the plight of others around the world. If he failed to raise such issues through the media especially, as individuals, we may not be as educated and be as inquisitive into these issues if he completely failed to acknowledge them. Failing to acknowledge these issues, would undermine the strife and violations that are occuring and eventually we would even further marginalise the importance of these issues.

Put yourself in his shoes. What gives anyone the right to say that the genocide in Sudan is less important//more important than the economic global crisis for example. To argue one case against another, would create a lot of negative responses from all sides. As the lives of millions of people have been affected by both issues - the pool of poor and vulnerable people is just too large to not address.

It's just another day at the office for Ban Ki-Moon.

and to reiterate Ban Ki-Moon it can be either a "make it or break it year full of issues that aren't solved into a make it work year full of solutions."

:)

Revolution and Civil Rights - Are they mutually exclusive?

In an interview on CNN's American Morning (June 22, 2009), John Roberts interviewed Hamid Dabashi, a professor of Iranian studies based at Colombia University. Dabashi stated that Iranian protestors want civil rights not a revolution.

Read the transcript of the full interview here.

RGarcia posted the following comment:

Don’t listen to the “so-called” expert who says that this is not revolution being demanded. Listen instead to the voices on the ground in Tehran…the voices of those young brave men and women, the voices of those interviewed over the phone by cnn, like the young man pleading with the international community for support by vehemently pointing out that Ahmadenijad’s rule is now illegal and that a new “structure” of government is needed and that the structure of government with Ayatollahs has got to go; When we hear chants of “death to Khamenei ” [Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei], and when we hear others like the son of the former late Shah of Iran who says that he sees now the biggest threat to the current regime since 1979….when we listen to all of these people, the result is quite clear – the people of Iran want nothing less than a revolution, which ovbviously INCLUDES civil rights for its people. Yes, the current Iran constitution provides for civil rights for its citizens, but the current system of government in which there is a ’supreme leader’ is very loudly being opposed. So, please pay little attention to this ‘expert’ (Hamid Dabashi). The people of Iran very obviously are showing that they want nothing less than a revolution which includes a system of government by the people and for the people (and this includes civil rights)…..Revolution and Civil Rights are not mutually exclusive….Rene from Dallas.

Personally, I think that had President Ahmadenijad’s initially been smart enough to have predicted the possibility of riots on a large-scale such as this, and thus opted to have a re-election...the situation would never have exercabated. It would have been more 'democratic' to acknowledge the civil liberties of its citizens as opposed to suppressing their rights to freedom of speech by placing thousands of soldiers on the streets.

President Ahmadenijad seemingly undemocratic response therefore lives little faith in the majority of the Iranian population who now will opt for an overthrow of the current system of governance. What was initially an exercise of civil liberty through peaceful protests and gatherings (although highly emotive) has resulted now in a highly escalating situation that will inevitably either require a peaceful solution or international humanitarian intervention through the use of military force. Only God knows what'll happen then.

NOTE:

Despite his title, President Ahmadenijah does not hold the highest constitutional office in Iran. The highest constitutional office belogns to the Supreme Leader of Iran who is Ali Khamenei, also the commander in chief of the armed forces of Iran (as stipulated in Article 113 of the Constitution of Iran).

Classixx 2009 Australian Tour, Brisbane

So who's coming?
See you there. Isn't this just a co-incidence?

June 2009: Ipod playlist

1. Classixx feat. Juppe - I'll get you
2. Pheonix - Lisztomania (Classixx Remix)
3. Friendly Fires - Skeleton Boy (Air France Remix)
4. Friendly Fires feat Au Revoir Simone - Paris (Aeroplane Remix)
5. Ebony Bones - The Muzik (The Krays aka Yuksek & Brodinski remix)
6. Buraka Som Sistema - Aqui Para Voce
7. Friendly Fires - Jump In The Pool (Thin White Duke remix)
8. The Hours - See the light (Calvin Harris Remix)
9. Hot Chick - Pheo

So I know it's winter....

But just to help keep you warm... I thought this might help...

;P

If you love it so much, download it here.

Elie Wiesel: up close and personal

If you watched President Obama's speech in Cairo, you would note that he mentioned that he was going to Buchenwald after Cairo. At Buchenwald, President Obama not only had a tour of the infamous concentration camp which claimed to kill 50,000 Jews --he was joined by the German Chancellor as well as the 1986 Nobel Peace Prize leaureate, Elie Wisel.

If you recall, at President Obama's speech in Cairo, he consistently stressed the importance of fostering religious tolerance.

Sooooooooooo....

I've included a youtube video featuring almost an hour and a half worth of footage that was filmed of a presentation by Elie Wiesel to a 2000 person crowd in Chicago.

It's part of the The Arthur N. Rupe Distinguised Dialogue Series hosted by the Boston University.

It's a different speech to one that Elie Wiesel is used to giving - he is invited as part of this Series to talk about himself and as you will find out, quite humously does so. Quite a funny bloke.

Watch President's Obama's Speech, Cairo 2009

Last week Tuesday, I attended a seminar presented by the U.S. Consul General , Judith Fergin titled "The U.S. - Australia relationship: Confronting global challenges together." During the speech, she noted that President Obama was delivering a historical keynote address in Cairo that same afternoon.

I didn't get a chance to watch it live and if you didn't get a chance to either, here it is.

Spowf

Note: subtitles are available, click the CC option on the selection above.

Yes, we call it diplomacy, Minister!

Just for laughs: diplomacy explained artistically (and as some may argue...honestly)

Encouraging diplomacy through virtual worlds

Hey guys,

This is very interesting. Pretty much, we all know how technology has benefits and disadvantages. However, as I've just discovered (didn't know a thing about virtual world's before watching this vid), modern technology, in the case of virtual worlds, can both be a form of entertainment and fun as well as a medium to promote understanding between those who view Islam as a religion that breeds hate and violence (which is undoubtedly incorrect) to one of peace and tolerance.

Personally, I know I won't be creating an avatar of myself (if you have please let us know) so we can check it out and maybe (just maybe) be convinced to create a 3D impersonator of myself.

Happy viewing,
Spowf

Irony at It's Best

Received a two-line email from Tama today:

90 people get the Swine Flu and everybody wants to wear a mask.

A million
people have AIDS and no one wants to wear a condom.

The School of St.Jude's, Tanzania

Guys this is sooo interesting...read about what this woman has done....i had my first Cultural and Ethics tutorial and we were examining the quote: "the unexamined life is not worth living" - Socrates (469-399 BC). And my tutor mentioned that when we start to analyse (maybe overanalyse) certain aspects of what our roles as individuals are when it comes to alleviating poverty, we can critically analyse ourselves and say that "yes, i do contribute to poverty". Then this morning I got my ticket for this seminar which will be held next tuesday and just read the background on the presenter, Gemma Sisia...read it:

PRESENTER: Gemma Sisia
In 2002 a young lady, Gemma Rice (now Gemma Sisia), from a sheep farm in Australia, opened a small school, St Judes School, in Northern Tanzania with the help of her family, friends and local Rotary Club. What started with only a handful of children and one teacher is now a thriving school of over 1000 children, 130 teachers and 200 staff.
Over 90% of the children at the school receive a totally free education as local and international sponsors individually cover the costs of not only the educational fees but also the uniform, stationery, transport, hot meal, snacks and drinks of each child. What makes this school even more special is the fact that this success comes about due to the group effort of thousands of ordinary people from all over the world coming together to do something quite extraordinary.

Visit: The School of Jude's website here.

Gemma'a two sons, Nathaniel 7, and Jacob 5, are sooooooo cute!

( Source: The School of St. Jude's site)

Featured documentary: India Reborn

Ex-Guantanamo Bay detainee is released

After seven years without trial, Guantanamo Bay Prison detainee Binyam Mohamed has been released from the controversial prison.

I'm aware the when David Hicks was released, there was an enforced media ban on him which prevented him from speaking publicly about his ordeal.

Since, his release - Mohamed's lawyers have requested that President Obama release documented evidence (including photographs) which detail abuse and torture inflicted upon Mr. Mohamed during his incarceration.

My question is: Can Binyam Mohamed sue the United States government? If so, on what grounds?

Through their eyes: The Darfur Genocide

I've recently signed up to be a member of The Hub which is the world's first participatory site where individuals, groups, networks and organisations can bring their stories of human rights abuses and draw the attention of citizens worldwide. Members can upload videos, photos or make comment on posts. It's a great site - volunteers all over the world with acclaimed human rights advocacy organisations such as Amnesty International make frequent postings as well.

Well, so we all know that George Clooney didn't rock up to this year's 81st Annual Academy Awards...instead he was briefing U.S. President, Barack Obama and Vice President, Joe Biden on the ongoing conflict in Darfur, Sudan. This genocide has been going on for a few years now and the fact that someone of George Clooney's celebrity and association with the United Nation's (he is a U.N. Messenger of Peace) brings great publicity before this modern day genocide went off the radar. You would have thought that world would have taken a more firm stance in the aftermath of Rwanda.

The Sudanese government has time and again denied supporting the mass killings and atrocities that have been instigated by the Jajaweed Militia, however, witnesses continue to raise claims about Government helicopters being used in the assault against innocent civilians. To difuse the Government's rejection of any involvement, video below is a shocking testimony from four alleged perpetrators who have been involved in the Sudan crisis - one was a senior officer in the Sudan Army Force, one a high-ranking Janjaweed commander, another a Janjaweed footsoldier, and the last a Sudanese soldier. In this video you see the genocide through the eyes of these four men. They give very key details about who were financiers behind some of the attacks through to detailed accounts of some of the attacks. The stories of these four men make a direct link between the accounts of witnesses claims and their own experiences in the lies that the Sudanese government has been telling the world over and over again. Phil Cox, an independent film-maker who assisted in the production of this film states the importance of this footage as being "the first time that the people can see a Sudanese, Arabic-speaking, high-ranking commander saying that 'We did this.' It never happened before." In a nutshell, the testimonies of these four alleged perpetrators could be used against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and others if this case was to go the the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Watch the video here.

Related articles:

Group releases film allegging Darfur war crimes - International Herald Tribune
Shocking video testimony from Darfur perpetrators (Aegis Trust) - By Samir Padania, The Hub online

Get it right, Buai Chewer

(Mustard, Betel Nut, and Lime)

This post in retaliation to an article posted in the Post Courier's Viewpoint Section entitled "Get right NCDC with your buai ban" by Buai Chewer:

"...Your supporters can then go around and collect the rubbish in their trucks twice a day and while doing so the public is educated on how to dispose of their rubbish properly instead of going around in convoys harassing people".
Read the full article here.

I agree with Buai Chewer that more bins need to be located in smart spots - locations where betel nut chewers can easily dispose of the betel nut shell itself instead of throwing it on the ground and littering public areas. One thing I've noticed (and I'm sure every other Moresby-ean) is the spilling of 'red blood' on our streets and walkways. This 'red blood' itself isn't actually 'human blood' but the product of a chemical reaction between the lime, mustard and saliva in the mouth. If not swallowed, a lot of betel nut chewers usually spit this out of their mouths onto our walkways and from their moving vehicles onto our roads. If the purpose of the betel nut ban is to promote cleanliness and hygiene in Port Moresby, in order to also prevent betel nut chewers from ruining our pathways and especially our roads, (1) all buai chewers on our PMVs (Public Motor Vehicles) should be refused entry on all our PMVs if they are chewing betel nut. (2) NCDC should also enforce all betel nut chewers to carry a plastic bottle (for example only) to spit into instead of smearing betel nut spittle publicly.

"Buai selling (betel nut selling) is their lifeline and as soon as they are deprived of their income..." - Buai Chewer

Growers, PMV operators and village people will not be affected by the betel nut ban - they can still grow, distribute and supply betel nut vendors! The current betel nut ban only restricts WHERE betel nut vendors can sell betel nut. They still can sell betel nut - just not on public property. This is legally enforceable because first of all, betel nut sellers who sell betel nut in public places do not pay the people that the NCDC contracts to clean up the streets. By restricting betel nut vendors to sell betel nut only on private property reduces the costs that the NCDC has to cough up paying street cleaners and also gives the responsibility of cleaning entirely up to the betel nut vendor. Which is very fair. Think of it as a form of 'corporate responsibility' - only on a smaller business scale. In addition, the fact that NCD govenror, Mr. Powes Parkop has established a taskforce of enforcement officers - they aren't mobilised to 'harass' people as Buai Chewer suggests. Yes, they may be intimidating but this is not unlawful harassment. These betel nut sellers know it is illegal to sell betel nut in public places.

By banning the sale of betel nut in public places - there is only a slight change (as opposed to complete difficulty) in terms of moving and purchasing betel nut, I've made a few suggestions to make purchasing betel nut, more 'efficient' for betel nut lovers:

• know your 'suppliers' and their location. Liase with them. Get their mobile numbers if you're that desperate. If you can't go to them, let them come to you! Most importantly, know where they live so you can go to their house and buy it. This all sounds very hilarious but I can't figure out anything more practical. It shouldn't prove too difficult as there is a high probability that there is at least one betel nut vendor who alread resides on your street/has a betel nut stall on their property.


• Buy in BULK. Simply, less trips and frustration in finding and locating your supplier.
  

Buai Chewer, I suggest you start to not only stop thinking selfishly, but start acting responsibly. If you haven't noticed, the Health Department, other NGOs as well as the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) have spent millions to educate citizens on how to dispose of their rubbish properly in paid TV, radio and print media. The argument that spending K80,000 so that "the public is educated on how to dispose of their rubbish properly" is a reckless argument. Obviously, lazy and ignorant people have failed to comprehend one-line advocacy campaigns such as "Please Help Keep Port Moresby Clean". It's time to toughen up.

Yes Buai Chewer, betel nut is here to stay, but please be smart and responsible.
Enough is Enough.

He doesn't mean to be rude...But

he is undeniably sexy.

Who is he?

Simon Cowell, of course!

For someone who has been most noted for his controversial insults and wisecracks, I can't help but have a tinge of cheekiness everytime I watch episodes of American Idol!

Here are some of my favourite Simon Cowell quotes:

I hate political correctness. I absolutely loathe it.

If your lifeguard duties were as good as your singing, a lot of people would be drowning.

Not everybody is perfect, and I don't think we should be looking for perfect people.

Shave off your beard and wear a dress. You would be a great female impersonator.

Bored: Watch Simon getting punk'd here.

Danny Boyle wins Best Director Oscar for Slumdog Millionaire!

Winners so far:

Milk
1. Best Original Screenplay
Slumdog Millionaire has won an Oscar in the following categories:
1. Best Cinematography
2. Best Adapted Screenplay
3. Best Sound Mixing
4. Best Film Editting
5. Best Original Score
6. Best Original Song
7. Best Director
8. Best Picture
The Duchess
1. Best Costume Design
Dark Knight
1. Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Heath Ledger.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
1. Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Penelope Cruz
The Reader
1. Kate Winslet, Best Actress

I believe that Slumdog Millionaire has already cemented a definate win for Best Director and Best Picture.

Winners and Losers: The 2009 Oscars

The red carpet has been rolled out and the excitment and tension has intensified.

In their respective categories, here is a short-list of who I think SHOULD win at todays' 81st Annual Academy Awards:

Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger in Dark Knight. Unquestionably.
Best Actor: Mickey Rourke. It's a serious toss between the star of The Wrestler and Sean Penn's portrayal of California's first openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk in Milk. It's been noted that the Academy in history have always taken preferrence for actors who have played the characters of famous individuals, however, my bet is on Mickey Rourke. When one considers the similarities between Rourke's own personal life over the last decade and the character he plays, you must have nothing but pure admiration for the strength and bravery of this actor who in this raw and honest portrayal, reveals himself.
Best Adapted Screenplay - Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire) It's either Best Picture or Best Adapted Screenplay for Slumdog. The film deserves to win both categories out of its ten nominations tally.
Best Actress - Kate Winslet. Although a few reviewers have suggested that Kate Winslet's portrayal in Revolutionary Road is the film that should be the film receiving the accolades for the actress' performance, it is most likely that her portrayal in The Reader is the film that will win this category.
Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Undecided between Viola Davis (Doubt) and Marisa Tomei (The Wrestler)
Best Art. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

I will be updating my blog as the live ceremony progresses.

Anything could happen.

Arthos, Porthos and ??? The Question worth 20 million Rupees

Ayush Mahesh Khedekar as young Jamal.


After receiving much exposure at this film awards season, I recently watched the internationally acclaimed film directed by Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire. At first thought and as per my previous Bollywood film exposure, I had assumed that Slumdog Millionaire would be typical of its predecessors - lots of singing, dancing, eccentric costumes accompanied by storylines that romanticise and celebrate the best of Indian culture and life.

Slumdog Millionaire does share the underlying theme that binds most Western (and Eastern) films of acquiring and earning love, however, the film provides the rare opportunity by allowing a larger audience outside of India to live and see life through the eyes of three young children who live in extreme poverty and experience painful experiences that neither of us would want to see happen to our own children. I believe this to be a more honest and realist portrayal of India - a well-directed film I would definately prefer watching than a perfectly presented, over-romanticised film about India.

Although, certain audiences have viewed this film to be a negative portrayal of a country also richly blessed with wealth and beauty, I know India (just as any other major developed city or country) too has its 'ugly' side. I don't believe I'm as close-minded, poorly educated and arrogant as a xenophobe who has an ill constructed perception about a country overwhelmingly rich in history and culture.

Told and seen through the eyes of the protoganist Jamal (Dev Patel), the movie's horrifiying detail is eased by the innocent, childish humour relayed throughout the script by the other two main characters - Jamal's brother, Salim (Madhur Pintal) and Jamal's love interest, Latika (Freida Pinto).

Among the criticisms of the film's portrayal of India ("a wasteland filled with horror stories of exploitation and degradation" as one critic put it), I believe it is important to remember the intention of the scriptwriter, Simon Beaufoy which was to convey "...the sense of this huge amount of fun, laughter, chat, and sense of community that is in these slums." I strongly believe that the storyline is highly motivational and uplifting.

As a member of the audience, I did not stigmatise nor limit myself to having a constricted and incorrect perception of India as being "one big slum." I guess if the story-line was different and proved to be a lot more unfortunate, then the grounds of arguing that the film was heavily biased could be justified. For example, what if the script had been different and limited the life of "The Three Musketeers" to a life only confined to the slum and their deaths were the result of a common-slum disease? Then I guess, this would be a very negative portrayal of India. This is not the fact in the movie where the lives of the three main characters is not limited to a life of slum-like dwelling and poverty-ridden experiences - we see India's highly visited tourist site, the Taj Mahal, appreciate and breathe the landscape of the interior of India as the two brothers, Jamal and Salim travel on a train, immerse ourselves in Hindi as the characters conversate etc. Unlike the practise of other Bollywood films I have watched that have preceeded Slumdog Millionaire, Slumdog Millionaire accounts and briefly draws the attention of a few segments of India (from the elite through to its slum-dwelling residents). Audiences see the real India- a country that is becoming one of the most competitive economies in the world - rich in its culture and heritage, yet still trying to overcome and solve its own social and development issues. To attest to this dilemma, Slumdog Millionaire has already been hailed by Wall Street Journal critic Joe Morgenstern as, "the film world's first globalised masterpiece." This a story, that is not only limited to the experiences of Third World Countries, but issues such as crime and poverty portrayed in this movie, also occur even in great major developed nations such as the United States of America. There is no need for a group of people to feel attacked or mispresented as poverty is a global issue and in this circumstance, I believe has not been used to humiliate or ridicule the circumstances of a single country.

This movie has not turned me away from visiting India one day and neither has it changed my perception of this Nation. Before my birth, my mother lived and travelled around India for two months and her admiration and love for the culture, cuisine and people further arouse curiosity in me til this day.