“First of all we need more responsible media. Media is a great tool but it can also be misused and provoke people. Just one piece of wrong news can kill a thousand people. That happened in the past and we have to be extremely careful and strict about the truth. I think, I was speaking to a lot of people, they were saying that some of them are racial and some of them are not, but everything is being painted in the same colour and we have to be very careful about that”
— Music Composer, A R Rahman (On OZ issue)
The above quote was picked up from his statement to CNN IBN and as reported on their site. I am sure that Times Now will either not carry it at all or even blame Rahman as siding with the Aussies.
How can we build a bridge between the two nations now. I have now suggested to the Australian Government that there is a need to fast track the AL review and hopefully bring India back to the favorable level allowing our genuine and quality students to be able to still make it to Australia. They are the best “bridges” between two nations. Was a little distressed to read the piece in Economic Times today where it indicated that hundreds of Aussies working in India with NGOs or other organizations are feeling threatened and so have even started giving out their nationality as “British” instead of “Australian”. It is distressing and I can understand that some who stay in Mumbai may be a little more worried. However, India is a country which is genuinely free. We donot ask Google to censor their sites here. I would feel that it is extremely unlikely that anyone here in India will hurt any Australians. Some political outfits in order to gain some public support may try to harm some Australian interests here but that will always be immediately negated by other sensible people.
One of the institutions that we work with in Australia has cancelled their marketing visit to India anticipating trouble and I just hope that this is an exception. To bow down to the current situation will only aggravate the divide. The hot-heads in Australia will also get ideas. There are some in each country who have different ideas about their nation. Even in our own country there are people who would like to stop people from other states even within India from coming into their states. They may be a minority still.
What can Australia do immediately to build the bridges… Indians idolize on Aussies such as Kylie Minogue and post her recent appearance in bollywood flick, a “Chiggi Wiggy” roadshow with Akshay Kumar and some statements jointly can help. Similarly, its time for our reformed Harbhajan to genuinely shake hands with the reformed Symmonds and indicate a change of mood between the countries. Even Sourav Ganguly can finally walk up together with Steve Waugh “in time” for this cause. (Not yet suggesting Greg Chappel…) Time for some big gestures indeed.
Am suggesting that another delegation from Australia visits the cities and this time it should include Indian community leaders from Sydney and Melbourne. People like Yadu Singh and Ravi Bhatia amongst others. Indian Companies working in Australia such as TCS and Australian Companies in India such as Rio Tinto should also have role.
The issue is now no longer a “student” issue that anyone can put the blame on “shoddy colleges” and their “shoddy agents” and then get away. It is a larger issue now. The role of the Indian Media is very very critical and so I am closing this blog with the quote of AR Rahman once again hoping that you will read it once again… Donot listen to me. Listen to Rahman. Jai Ho…
“First of all we need more responsible media. Media is a great tool but it can also be misused and provoke people. Just one piece of wrong news can kill a thousand people. That happened in the past and we have to be extremely careful and strict about the truth. I think, I was speaking to a lot of people, they were saying that some of them are racial and some of them are not, but everything is being painted in the same colour and we have to be very careful about that”
— Music Composer, A R Rahman (On OZ issue)
RLS's Blog 
I would like to emphasise the fact, that Indians need to integrate into the Australian society and proactively build bridges with their neighbours and the community. Act sensibily and sensitively and avoid even the notion of an idea of creating a "little India" within Australia. I am sure better sense will soon prevail and the authorities will have got a better handle on how to deal with such incidents and even come up with preventive measures. Lets hope this happens sooner than later.
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