Citizen Of The University Award Purpose: The Citizen Of The University Award Be: Fill & Download for Free

To begin with, I have been waiting for years, for this moment, to answer this question. I have been at Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies, Basar for a fair share of my life and the answer to this question of yours, is a 'NO', with a big capital 'O' in it, as in 'DOOMED'. Now don't get offended, it's a God's honest truth and it always will be, doesn't matter whether you believe it or not. Just don't try make your prejudice half way around, without completely reading it till the bottom. I will be completely unbiased and I am going to point out the flaws in both administration and students. Let me elaborate it chapter by chapter in Quentin Tarantino's style about why this institute can never become a better one.Chapter 1Flawed Selection Procedure, Loss of Diversity and Terrible Communication Skills will make a perfect recipe for a Bad UniversityAs the motto says, "Empowering rural youth of the state". State? That's where the fallacy lies in. These guys at the top of the chain, wants to cater the educational needs of the rural youth of this 'State'. Kudos them for their hard efforts! but believe me it's all have gone in vain. Why? What's the problem here? 98% of the students here are from the rural schools where Telugu is the Medium of communication and 80% of them are from Government Schools. Govt. Schools! I don't have to say anything about them. Students at Basar, doesn't even know how to converse in basic English. They fail miserably and terribly at communication. You might argue that it is not necessary for a hard working student, but to hell with your argument, English is an international language and it is damn necessary everywhere you go. So here's what our administration is doing to improve their communication skills, "Providing Special Coaching Classes" from some Coaching Agency for a week during their final year. Are they expecting the students to master the entire skills in a week? What is wrong with you guys? Wake up! Are you expecting some Ninja or Karate Kid show here? You might ask me to come up with a better solution? Yes, I'm ready with an answer.The solution to this problem is Diversity. The most important thing I learned during my two months stay at IIT Bombay is how diversification leads to improvement in communication skills. First of all, not all students at IITs are from English background. Students at IITs are from various states across the country and so the only medium available for them to communicate is English. Not everyone at IITs, knows it during their fresher year, but eventually, by using it daily to converse, is what sharpens their English language and communication skills. The best way to learn English is not from books, but by actually speaking it in an environment of people who are familiar with it.Now let us consider the situation here at Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies, Basar. Where does all the students here comes from? From the rural areas of the same state where Telugu is the basic communication language. Now which language do they use for communication? Telugu! And only a small fraction, maybe 1%, of them can speak English fluently. As I said earlier, the best way to learn English is by trying it in real life. There are few people here at Basar, who has mastered English despite being from Telugu Medium background, by staying in a company of students who speaks it and also partly by watching Hollywood movies.I even mailed Prof. Raj Reddy, regarding this situation asking him to change the selection procedure, but guess what? you have to be a guy from the top most chain to provide any suggestion. Never ever got a reply from him.Unless they include a significant amount (I personally believe that it might be at least 40-50%) of toppers from English Background or private schools, possibly from different states, this situation is never gonna be solved. Not an offense, but the truth is top students from private schools and urban areas are smarter and sharper than that of their rural counterparts. Now if all the toppers included are from rural Govt. Schools, then they all are going to be doomed eventually unless there is a proper mixture of both type of students which will help them develop their skills.What I actually wanted to point out from the beginning is, the fact that it is practically impossible to provide good skills to everyone, if everyone were to be selected from rural area. Who will they watch and learn from? Books? No Way! you don't learn communication skills and smartness from books. One has to include at least 40% of urban kids and help bring the remaining 60% of rural kids up by mixing them both. Interstate diversity will still be the most beneficial factor.Chapter 2University : A high-level educational institution in a country where academic the ‘research and development’ work is done and degrees are awarded.University is the center which provides research and development work for the betterment of the nation and the world. This is why the government funds the universities. This is why it spends millions of taxpayers money. Research and Development are the primary goals of any university, not educating students as they does in primary school. Education is something that is acquired while doing research and development. This is what, is the base on which the universities are ranked in the world. Now let's go back to our Fantastic Institute which had wasted millions of taxpayer's money. What is the research output of Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies, Basar from the time of it's inception, 8 years ago? Nil. Absolutely Nil.Who's to blame here? Administration or Students? Both of them.2.1 Let's blame the Administration first. It makes the students happy.Seriously guys, how many professors does this institute have in technical departments? One, at most, in the overall campus. What kind of university has no professors? Who's suppose to guide and motivate the student's in their research, if in case they are willing to do some actual research? Why is the administration failing to attract professors? Pay them handsomely and pay them on time! There has been a huge lack of understanding between the faculties and administration over the past few years because of the stagnant payrolls and contractual terms. Below are the few references from the National News papers regarding the lack of faculties at IIIT-Basar.Future of RGUKT faculty members in limbo?Mass exodus of faculty may hit RGUKTs - Times of IndiaUrgent need for good faculty in varsitiesConsidering the infamous reputation our institution has got regarding it's Faculty-Administration relations, I guess, no one would like to take a huge risk in their career by joining here.2.2. Now is the time to blame studentsAnd coming to the students, if you were really that interested in your education, no matter what obstacles you face, you would have done some actual development work which doesn't require any guidance from a professor. Most of the IITians does the development work on their own, using the methodology of learning by doing. Ironically it happened to be the very motto of Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies, Basar. Irony isn't it? You guys could have done that too, instead of sleeping, eating and watching movies all time. Students here are the laziest Nazis I have ever seen. All they know is to point out some bullshit reason to justify their wrong cause. When the time comes these guys go to Ameerpet and buy some project from some 'chillar' shop without even understanding how it works and what it does? Seriously guys? Ameerpet? It's a real big shame on your part. What about the millions of taxpayer's money the government has invested in you? Is there nothing you can do? Disgusting!Believe me or not! More than 70% of the students here have absolutely no knowledge of their own stream. They are just undeserving candidates believing themselves to be Aamir Khan (actor) in 3 Idiots (2009 movie) who roams freely and preaches all the time about how the actual education works by being free all the time. It's absolute bullshit. Come on guys! come out of your bullshit fantasies and work hard. Working hard with deep desire for learning is the only way the real education works. And if they see someone studying and working hard all the time, they starts calling them names like "Book worm", "Chatur Ramalingam" and many more.All these happens until the final year, where everything turns out to be the opposite for them. It's usually the time where they all are damn scared about their future and will be wishing that they go back into time and work real hard and stop making fun of those who actually did worked hard. Now they come back to those hard working guys and starts asking stupid suggestions, like1. "Hey, can you please give me some tips to crack interviews?"2. "Hey, what should I do to get a Job?"3. "Hey which book should I refer?"4. "My family is dependent on me, I have to take care of them. I don't know what to do"5. "Please teach me these topics for interviews"6. "How can I this....., How can I that.....,Please help......Blah Blah Blah......"Seriously dude! What the hell were you doing from the beginning if your family were so desperately dependent on you? Wasting your time away on unnecessary bullshit. As the saying goes by, As you sow, so shall you reap. You were suppose to be the hero in 3 idiots, right? Invent something then and earn billions or go back to your village and follow the traditional occupation of your forefathers. You guys are having an excellent opportunity in your life and you are just wasting it away. To be Frank, I believe that the government should stop funding this university, wrap and shut it down, once and forever.Chapter 3Geographical Location, policies that violates Indian Constitutional rights, And a question on co-educational system?3.1 Geographical Location plays as an important factor in the development of an university. Being away from the city makes it impossible for the students to have access to the useful resources and materials required.3.2 Out pass Policy : It is one of the policies of the university which is in direct violation of Indian fundamental rights. It violates the Article 19 of the Indian constitution, Freedom of Movement (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_rights_in_India#Right_to_freedom) . Let me brief the university policy to you. It states that you cannot go out of the university, without obtaining an out pass, doesn't matter whether it is a working day or a holiday and to obtain an out pass you have to have a valid reason along with sufficient proof and ask your parents to come and take you out. Wow! I am going to ask my old parents to journey 600km just because I want to go to a hotel to have something to eat as I don't like the shitty mess food. Are you kidding me? And moreover by valid reason, I mean a real strong reason. Unlike 'Going out to a hotel to have something to eat or some sightseeing, attending a marriage of your relative', which are considered to be invalid reasons. Moreover no out-passes are issued on Sundays and public holidays.First of all, you have to apply Online on the university website, then take your warden signature (it is almost impossible to find him, he's the invisible guy form Mr India ), then take the CSO sign, and finally take the outpass from the security wing only during the evening time. In the absence of the CSO, we have to take the permission from the Police Officer, of the campus Police Station. A real police officer. I have to take permission from a rude Police Officer who absolutely has no shame or self respect when he speaks to students, to just go out? Are you guys kidding me or have you gone nuts? At every step of this procedure you will be questioned as if you are a real terrorist. Unlike other universities, where Wardens are available the entire day in their office, here, you will never find them in their office, as the Wardens who are allocated to the hostels are lecturers and so they are busy with their classes the entire day. It is really impossible to find them. This whole irritating procedure takes an entire day. So, to just get an outpass, you have to waste an entire day? And at the end of the day you may be rejected because your reason may not be so called valid reason.Many students have lost opportunities because of this shitty procedure. I still recall that there were students who couldn't attend the workshops or interviews outside the campus because they were either delayed or rejected the out pass when they went for permission a day before. And if you want to buy some small stuff, you have to waste one day to get permission to go out to the nearest town, which happens to be 40 km away.Seriously guys? Why are you imposing illegal restrictions on Majors adults? What gives you the right to stop me from practicing my fundamental rights that this country's constitution has provided me with? The administration justifies it by saying that the parents will hold the university responsible for their children's safety. For minors, I believe it can be justified, but for Majors? Does IITs, NITs and other major universities has the same procedure? Hell, No! Why can't you clearly relieve yourself of that duty like the other universities? Below is a reference to the IIT-Kharagpur rules which clearly states that the institute will not be responsible for the activity and safety of the students outside the campus premises.http://www.iitkgp.ac.in/dosa/rules.phpHere is a short statement from it :IIT Kharagpur believes in treating its students like young adults...While the students, as adult citizens of the country enjoy their rights, they also are expected to be aware of their responsibilities.....In the event of students' safety outside the campus the institute shall in no way be responsible.Believe me or not, adding to the geographical location, this policy imposes a huge restriction on the development of student. In short, it is a major contributor for the under development of the student.3.3 Violation of Freedom of Speech,expression and libertyAnd most important of all, if you try to talk about your rights, guess what happens? you are suspended on the ground of indiscipline behavior and will get into a lot of trouble. They like to have fun with student's life just because they have powers to do so and nobody to question them. There is no student union to fight for your rights! And the best one is below3.3 Co-education? Really?Although the university follows a co-educational system, It is a sin here to even talk to a girl. Don't ever do that, you will be dragged into a lot of troubles. The administration here still follows the narrow ideology of the ancient Indian society. People here try to put noses into things which are none of their business. Let me narrate a little story to you, which happened a few days ago.There is this family friend of mine, a girl, who studies along with me in the same class. By friend, not just a normal friend, a bestie, a real care taker, who looked after me for years like a mother. I still recall the day this incident happened. It was the day I got placed in a company with a very handsome package and surely it was the highest package in the campus. I was really excited that day. I came to the class and told it to her. She congratulated me on my new job with a formal hand shake. And by formal handshake I mean a real formal hand shake and nothing else.So, there is this old, short, fat ugly guy from the Finance department who has absolutely no business in the academic block, and who goes around watching what students are doing instead of doing his own duty, comes to us while the whole class of 70 students are watching and takes our ID No.s as if we are involved in some indecent activity. The next day he calls me and I still recall his indecent words which brought tears to my eyes and I almost broke down. He said, "... I could have accused you and made you write a letter saying that you were caught in a compromising position. Do you want me to do that? Instead I'm explaining you not to talk to a girl. It's not a good thing....". By God, I swear these were the exact indecent words he spoke to me. PA of the vice chancellor was sitting beside him as he threatened me, who then saw that I was about to be broke and asked me to go. A compromising position? Do you at least know what those words mean? There were 50 other students in the class at the time when you saw us and you wanted to accuse me of indecency with a friend just because you have the power to do so and no one would question you? You had spent your entire moronic miserable life and you wanted to have fun with mine? Seriously? How can you say such low, cheap and disgusting words? Who the hell gave you the rights?What exactly is his problem? I am a damn major and I never broke any university code of conduct and this guy threatens me of suspending me on false charges of indecency. I don't think I have to say anything more about this university regarding violation of fundamental rights.Chapter 4The tales of irresponsibilities: A Matter of Life and Death, Dual Degree program, The First Science Fair, The Librarian and The Server Room guy, Internet Connection, Shitty Mess Food, No electricity the entire day4.1 A Matter Of Life And Death : Food PoisoningI could not recall it precisely, but I think that it was during the month of March in 2016 , there was a case of mass food poisoning in the Mess premises, where around 150 students got poisoned and suffered seriously with nauseas and vomiting after consuming the lunch at the mess. This was however not the first case of mass food poisoning. A few months earlier, there was a similar case where more than 100 or 200 students got poisoned by the negligence and unhygienic activities of the highly corrupted mess owners, backed by Administration. In one of the disputes between the students and mess owner over the cheaper quality of the rice being provided, and I heard him angrily replying, “I have been paying extra ‘cuts’ to the your authorities, so don’t come to me, go and ask them”. I used the word “cuts” to be more polite in this context. However I neither agree nor deny the authenticity of the statements he made that day. So, back to our food poisoning incident, when the students went to complain and asked to punish the guys responsible, they were literally kicked away, abused, both physically and verbally by the Police officer (I think he is S.I.) of the campus police station. This guy absolutely has no shame and self respect when he speaks. When I said he hurls abuses at the students, I literally mean the lowest possible words you can ever find to abuse. No wonder, when our own Vice Chancellor can use such words, an ignorant police officer is not a big surprise. When you raise your voice asking to punish the people who are responsible for the food poisoning, he threatens you to rusticate on the grounds of indiscipline behavior and even assaults and threatens to charge you with something and put you behind the bars. In short, hundreds of students gets poisoned more than once, their lives put at danger, but no one gets punished or is held responsible for. At least not even a single apology? Instead a threat is made, if you raise your voice and this news doesn’t even make it to the outside of the campus, not even to local newspapers. Instead of punishing the mess authority, VC prohibits the students from bringing any kind of outside food in the campus! All outside food banned? It was the shitty mess food that poisoned hundreds of students. It is the mess that is unhygienic and dirty, and you are banning us from ordering food from outside sources?4.2 Incident Two : Dual Degree programThere was this concept of Dual degree program for Undergraduate students. It was the only reason I joined this university. As per the guidelines of the university, a student can opt for a dual degree, if he has a CGPA of above 8.0. With regard to this, I went to the academic section in my sophomore year, to register for the program as they didn't mentioned it in the available registration options. I was asked to consult the Academic in charge and ask him regarding the program. I don't recall his name, but I remember that he was a faculty from MME Department. As he didn't knew the procedure then, he asked me one day time and promised me to inform it by then, but every time I went to him, he asked me some more time and finally at last, after many days. he said that the higher authorities are not replying to his query and are not clearly stating the procedure of the program. When I asked him whether I should contact the Director or higher authorities myself, he said it would be of no use as they don't have any real procedure. I went to the then director, but was of no use. Then, with no hope left I contacted the former VC regarding my situation, to which he replied by forwarding my mail to the people responsible and asking them to clearly specify the procedure to me. But those guys never replied even when the Vice Chancellor asked himself because there was no clear procedure. After weeks of wasting time and going around asking people for help, I had no option but to leave the hope and accept the fate.4.3 Incident three : The Science Fair, A Case of CorruptionWhen the first science fair was conducted at the campus few years ago, we were promised that the university will fund the entire budget required for the building of the working models. However we were asked us to spend money from our own pocket and submit the transcripts, to which the university will pay back immediately after the science fair. I still recall that I was confided by @Rakesh_Roshan, who happened to be my guide. He said that the university will pay back the expenses the very next day of the fest no matter what happens. But to this day, the university didn't even pay a single penny. Where did all the budget go? Where is my damn money? You owe me two thousand five hundred rupees. If this is not a clear case of corruption, then I don't know what is? I want the then in charge of science fair Mr. Ravindra (I can't recall the exact full name) and Mr. Chakrabarthi Jada, to answer my question and pay me back my money. I guess they left the institute a long ago. What the hell did the administration do with the funds? No one ever asked? Honor Among The Thieves?4.4 Incident Four : The LibrarianIn the early years, students were not allowed to borrow books from the library. I swear that the then librarian, she used to say, "We are not issuing any books now. They are not for issuing" whenever I went to ask her for a book. Then what are they for? Can you please tell me? But I think, this is not the same situation now. They built a new bigger library.4.5 Incident Five : The Wicked System AdministratorDuring my first year, we used to have this computer based examinations. We were allocated new classes and old laptops. That very week, a day before the weekend examination I was asked by HRT to take the laptop to the server room as the laptop allocated to me was not in a proper working condition. I went to the system admin but he asked me to come the next morning saying that he was busy then. But all I saw was him chatting on Facebook with a crooked smile on his ugly face. Yeah! He was busy chatting with someone. When I stood there for some more time telling him that I have an exam next morning, he wooed me away. The next morning when I went to him, he starting scolding me and asked what I did yesterday. When I said to him that I came yesterday and he was BUSY, he shut his mouth and gave me a new laptop. And this guy thinks that Internet connection of the campus is his own ancestral property. He is still there sitting in that same old room of the Old block after these many years.4.5 Restricted Internet Connection : A Synonym for No InternetTo be honest, it was mentioned in the admission brochure that the entire campus is provided with high speed Internet connectivity. But the fact is there is no Internet connectivity in the campus. You get only 10MB usage/student of restricted Internet connection between 7 to 10 pm daily [Please note that 10MB is the maximum memory usage limit per day, not the speed, meaning that you cannot download more than 10MB of content per day]. Moreover you can't actually browse anything except for the first page of a few specifically allowed websites. This is by far the most important factor responsible for lagging of the campus development. Although the new Vice Chancellor has issued the permission for installing new Wi-Fi devices at the hostels, but the question still remains whether it will be a fully restricted browsing, allowing only a few websites or a full accessible Internet with a few blocked websites? [UPDATED] : Just found out that after wasting more than 4–5 million of funds for installing networking hardware in the hostels, they still restrict the access to few specific websites. Why the hell the funds were wasted then? The reason that they gave was that the students were watching porn. According to the statistics, DC++ servers and network traffic at the IITs shows that 40% of the usage is only for sharing and accessing porn, where as a merely 6% is used for educational purposes. Below is the reference link.Reference : IIT Kharagpur students search and download - Amazing FactsLet me tell you something, although it is morally wrong in the society, it is a matter of personal privacy and basic human nature. We all watch porn, even if we don’t have an Internet connection too. Every man does that, even if we don’t want to accept the fact publicly here, there is no denying in that. From the administration, down to the students, everybody does it privately. We all know how we were born. We didn’t just appear magically or dropped right off from the sky. Isn’t it a truth that every invention has it’s own misuses? University’s Internet connection should only be used for educational purposes, but there is no way we can prevent it from being misused. That doesn’t mean that you guys have the right to take out the entire means of access to education of the hardworking guys, just because few others are misusing it. It is up to them, to decide the usage. If they use it wisely, they will benefit from it, otherwise they will be one paying the consequences of wasting the valuable chance. Why should be the good hardworking guys pay for the misuses that someone else is responsible for?4.6 The Student Magazine : You should never be honestAfter the release of the 8th edition of new Magazine, we were asked to provide with the feedback regarding the edition. After the 7th edition the entire editorial team was changed and the responsibility was handed over to the next batch as the seniors were leaving the campus. Now as it happened the Juniors were not that good at English and the article in the magazine was full of grammatical mistakes as there were no one who took proper efforts to correct them before publishing.Now, I provided an honest feedback saying that last edition of the magazine was not at all good. I believe that it was a mistake to be honest with them. They should have mentioned it properly that "ONLY POSITIVE FEEDBACKS ARE ALLOWED". As it turned out later that the new editor said that they are going to publish my feedback on the front page as a punishment. Are you guys kidding me? Why can't mine be in the comment section like a normal comment? Oh! I see what you are doing there! Playing Game of Thrones?All the articles in the magazine are administration friendly. They only blame students, but never even once blamed the administration! Most of the articles are filtered out. Honestly, it should be renamed to ‘The Administration Magazine’ instead of ‘The Student Magazine’.4.7 Shitty Mess FoodDo I have to say anything about this? Whenever we bring some problem to Mr. Vice Chancellor's notice, he say the famous quote" Did you come here to study or to eat? "What do you mean? Good Food is my right! And I am paying for everything I eat, no one is doing any damn charity here. But the mess owner and his staff, thinks that they are doing some kind of charity and being humble by providing us with shitty food. Don't forget that you guys are making us pay each and every penny for you shitty services. During my stay at IIT Bombay I used to pay Rs. 102 per day as the mess charges. Here at Basar, we pay 72 rupees per day. But the mess at IITs provides food four times a day and RGUKT provides three times a day. And for your information, IIT-B didn't provide any subsidy to the mess on behalf of me. Now let us compare both of them.IIT Bombay Menu :4 Times a day, Cost Rs. 102Morning : Normal Breakfast+ Tea/Milk/Coffee + Unlimited Toasted Breads with Butter, Jam and cheese + Omelet2. Afternoon : Rice, Curry, Curd +Unlimited Chapatis + Chapati curry + Salads3. Evening : Tea/Milk/Coffee+ Toasted Bread with Butter and Jam + (Unlimited Panipuris/Cutlet/Hot Dosas/Vadapavs/... any one item each day)4. Dinner : Rice, Curry, Curd+ Unlimited Chapatis + Chapati curry + Salads + Any special item such as ICE CREAM or FRUIT JUICE*All the items in marked bold are not provided at RGUKT BasarRGUKT Basar Mess Menu :3 Times a day, Cost Rs. 72Morning : Limited Normal Breakfast+ Diluted Tea/Milk2. Afternoon : Rice, Unrecognizable Curry, Diluted Curd3. Evening : Diluted Tea/Milk+ 2 single biscuits4. Dinner : Rice, Unrecognizable Curry, Diluted CurdAn interesting point to be noted is that in the theoretical ‘show-off’ mess menu, we actually have “Banana and Egg” listed as to be provided compulsorily everyday. However, from the past 6 years, I bet you, they hardly provided any of it more than once a week. Every time they skip a banana or an egg, the owners saves thousands of rupees. All this money illegally accounted for and goes into their pocket. No one takes the complaints even if we make one. Everybody turns a blind eye to it. Guess who is sharing the money with the mess owners? It’s really disgusting how low the human beings can fall to, after rising to significant positions.There is only 30 rupees of difference compared to that of IIT and a lot of items are missing and moreover RGUKT's mess provides only 3 times a day. I don't understand how there can be this huge difference just because there is no one to question.4.9 ‘Power Cuts’ EverydayThe administration started a new approach to make students attend the classes, the place where the faculties makes special guest appearances once in a blue moon. They started cutting off the electricity supply to all the hostels from early morning 7 am to evening 5:30 pm and then again from 8:00pm to 10pm during night study hours, everyday, except on Sundays. From the Management point of view, it looks like they proposed the carrot and stick approach to make the students attend the classes. But the deal here is 'all stick and no carrot'. This was a huge set back for us during our final year when we are suppose to concentrate more on things that helps us decide our future and less on current academics. By things, I meant preparation for exams like GATE, GRE, TOEFL, Placement drives and so on. Power cutting the entire day, meant that we couldn't access our computers, as we IIITians are highly used to studying on laptops. We had no other option but to attend the classes where we can't prepare for what we want, because of the regular lectures. Although the management intentions were in the best interest of students in this case, this is no appropriate way of carrying it out, as they are many students from final and pre-final years, who always becomes victims of such decisions.When I said faculties appears once in a blue moon, I didn't mean that the faculties are irregular. In fact, the faculties here are very punctual and disciplined, most of them are friendly and cool, although I must exclude a few. What exactly I meant was that the insufficient number of faculties for relatively large number of students, leaves many subjects untaught during the semester. I still recall there were at least 2 to 3 subjects during my time, every semester which had no faculties assigned to them. Even if someone were assigned theoretically on papers, just for the official sake, so that the administration can show the proof later when asked about the lack of faculties, the faculties couldn't do much. The latter did as much as they can by giving as many lectures as possible, motivating and encouraging students all the time, but as I said earlier, students here the laziest Nazis I have ever seen and no amount of encouragement or motivation would drive them to do something meaningful.Chapter 5The Conclusion - Sh‘IIIT’ HappensIf you are still expecting something good from this university then you are absolutely a fool and you will be eventually doomed. I hope you have come to your own conclusion by now.

Warm regards to readers,#1 Delhi Jan Lokpal BillFULFILLEDPromise: Aam Aadmi Party resolves to legislate the Delhi Jan Lokpal Bill after coming to power. This will ensure a time-bound investigation in matters of corruption. The Delhi Lokpal will have the power to initiate investigations and prosecution against those charged with corruption. Whistleblowers will be provided protection and awarded for their contribution toward creating a just systemStatus: AAP promised to "legislate" the Jan Lokpal Bill, and indeed, the bill was cleared in the Delhi Legislative Assembly on 4th December, 2015. The Jan Lokpal can issue necessary orders for full protection for whistleblowers, protect confidentiality, provide security, and initiate criminal action against the person involved in the harassment of whistleblower. However, the legislation's fate remains unclear as it is yet to get the approval of Lieutenant Governor and Centre.#2 Citizens' CharterFULFILLEDPromise: A Citizens' Charter shall be introduced in all government offices in Delhi.Status: The Delhi legislative assembly passed the Delhi (Right Of Citizen To Time Bound Delivery of Services) Amendment Bill. Among other provisions, the Bill prioritizes each government department to put out a "comprehensive citizens charter" within 30 days of its notification, and that responsibility lies with the Heads of Department.#3 Swaraj BillBROKENPromise: Aam Aadmi Party will legislate the Swaraj Act to devolve power directly to the people.Status: The Swaraj Bill was prepared during the AAP's 49 day governemnt in 2014, but is yet to be tabled in the assembly. In the manifesto, it was mentioned: "One of the first things that AAP will do after forming the government is to legislate the Swaraj Bill that will devolve power directly to people and contain provisions for the formation of Mohalla Sabhas". The government has certainly missed their deadline, but on the other hand, attempts have been made to incorporate the spirit of Swaraj by setting up Mohalla Sabhas in 11 constituencies.#4 Local GovernanceFULFILLEDPromise: Decisions affecting the local community will be taken by citizens and implemented by their Secretariat.Status: The concept of Mohalla Sabhas has been piloted in 11 constituencies. In the next financial year, the concept will be scaled to all 70 constituencies of Delhi.#5 Citizen Local Area Development FundFULFILLEDPromise: A Citizen Local Area Development (C-LAD) Fund will be given to every Mohalla Sabha and Resident Welfare Association, ensuring funds and functions in the hands of the community.Status: "Swaraj Fund" was announced in the budget to enable the citizens in selection and implementation of programmes prioritized by them for the development of their area. Rs. 253 crore under the Swaraj Fund Scheme was provisioned. In the first year, this is being implemented in 11 constituencies, where Mohalla Sabhas were organized to know the requirements of the citizens. To meet these requirements, Rs. 20 crore has been allocated to these 11 constituencies while for the remaining 59 constituencies, Rs. 50 lakh was allocated.#6 Full Statehood For DelhiWISHLISTPromise: Acting within the constitutional framework, our government will use its moral and political authority to push for full statehood for Delhi. This will ensure that institutions such as the DDA, MCD and Delhi Police will be accountable to the elected government of Delhi. This way land will be made available for the common man, there will be greater synchronization and shared purpose among civic services with regard to service delivery and the law and order machinery will be accountable to the citizens.Status: Though the Delhi government has constantly demanded for full statehood, the decision lies with the Central government.#7 Electricity Bills to be Reduced by HalfFULFILLEDPromise: An Aam Aadmi Party government will keep its promise of reducing electricity bills by half. A more efficient, transparent and accountable system to regulate and audit the power generation and distribution companies is the need of the hour and AAP will do everything within its command to achieve that. Discoms should purchase power from economical sources and wriggle out of expensive and unsustainable Power Purchase Agreements. AAP will take measures to provide relief from rising power bills, namely generating cheaper electricity, improving transmission efficiency, fixing billing defects and correcting meter defectsStatus: Within days of coming to office, the Aam Aadmi Party government slashed power tariff by 50 per cent for households which consume up to 400 units per month, with effect from March 1, 2015. However, if the power consumption crosses 400 units, a consumer will have to pay for the entire number of units used and no subsidy would apply. The government had set aside Rs.1,477 crore annually for the power subsidy.#8 CAG Audit of Power DiscomsSTALLEDPromise: We will conduct a comprehensive performance audit of discoms by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. Discoms shall also be brought within the ambit of the RTI act. We will ensure that the citizens of Delhi do not have to bear the burden of soaring power tariffs. Initially we will provide subsidy that would go not to the power discoms but to Delhi Transco, a state-owned transmission company which has unpaid bills of Rs 3,500 crore to be paid by the discoms. This money will help Delhi Transco upgrade and augment its transmission capacity, which is in a bad state at present. The lack of funds at Transco's disposal is one of the main reasons for the frequent power outages in the state. After the audit results are tabled in the assembly, power tariffs will be restructured.Status: In January 2014, AAP government (before resigning from the previous term), announced audit of discoms by Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India starting from 2002. In August, a leaked report in Times of India claimed that discoms inflated dues by Rs. 8000 crore. Discoms have been revolting this order from the very beginning, terming it as unconstitutional and moved to the High Court back in January 2014 itself. In October 2015, the High Court gave a verdict that CAG can't audit discoms, because they are outside the purview of a CAG audit as they come under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC). Following this, the Delhi Government moved to the Supreme Court. Very recently, in January 2016, the Supreme Court has seeked explanation from all three discoms as to why they can't be audited by CAG. The case has been posted for hearing on March 2.#9 Introduce Competition Amongst DiscomsSTALLEDPromise: AAP reiterates the promise made in its December 2013 Delhi manifesto of providing consumers the right to choose between electricity providers. We will introduce competitive distribution, which will provide better services and lead to lower tariffs.Status: The promise can be fulfilled only if CAG audit of power discoms is permitted. The matter is subjudice.#10 Delhi's Own Power StationYET TO STARTPromise: We will put up Delhi's own power station at the pithead and comprehensively solve Delhi's electricity problem in the long run by being able to meet peak power consumption of 6200 MW. We will also ensure that the Rajghat and Bawana plant are efficiently utilized.Status: A new power station is not the main focus of the government at the moment. However, Delhi would bid in Center's coal block allocation.#11 Water As A RightYET TO STARTPromise: AAP will provide Water as a Right. It will provide universal access to clean drinking water to all citizens of Delhi at an affordable price. The Delhi Jal Board Act will be amended to make clean drinking water a right of the people.Status: Work on expanding access is ongoing, but there has been no amendment in the act.#12 Piped Water Availability For AllUNDER PROGRESSPromise: AAP will make a time bound plan of action for covering all residents of Delhi with piped water and sewage network in all parts irrespective of their legal status. There will be no discrimination between planned/non-planned; authorized/ non-authorized; regularized/ non-regularized; city or village. Within five years piped water connections will be made available to as many as 14 lakh households (50 lakh people) in Delhi that do not have a piped water connection at present.Status: Action plan has been drawn up. Delhi Jal Board expects to cover the entire city by December 2017. Currently, 82% of households are covered by piped network. This year, 120 km of new water supply pipelines were laid (taking the total to 14,000 km) and another 70 kms of pipeline were replaced. 205 of 1105 unauthorised colonies have piped water connection; eight of them were added recently.#13 Free Lifeline WaterFULFILLEDPromise: AAP will ensure free lifeline water of up to 20 kiloliters (20,000 liters) to every household per month through a Delhi Jal Board's (DJB) metered water connection. This scheme will be extended to group-housing societies.Status: Within days of coming to office, the Aam Aadmi Party government decided to provide 20,000 litres of free water to every household, with effect from March 1, 2015. However, no subsidy would apply for metered consumers using over 20,000 litres of water per month. The government had set aside Rs.250 crore annually for the water subsidy. In January 2016, government conveyed that despite the subsidy, the DJB earned Rs.178 crore more in 2015 compared to the previous year.#14 Abolishment of mandatory 10 percent hike in water tariffsYET TO STARTPromise: AAP will provide universal access to potable water to all citizens of Delhi at a sustainable and affordable price. The mandatory annual 10 percent hike in water tariffs will be abolished and any further hike will be made only after due consideration.Status: The mandatory annual hike of 10% was introduced in 2009 by the then Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. Apart from 2013 and 2015, water tariffs had automatically gone up on January 1 every year. For 2015, the hike had been deferred by the DJB till an elected government could take a call on it. Though AAP was against the automatic hike, as mentioned in the manifesto, the financial reality of the water utility necessitated the hike and therefore, water tariffs in Delhi went up by 10%.These were some highlights of AAP govtThanksAryan

Why is Australia so hostile to China?It’s not. And never has been, and is unlikely to ever be so. We are Chinese.Perhaps I have your attention, so let's keep rolling….Australia is most definitely not hostile towards Chinese people. To say such a thing simply means you have no knowledge of Australia, Chinese-Australian history, and China-Australia relations.Australia is an immigrant country, and a young country that grew and developed on a timeline loosely similar to modern China’s. The two nations have been inexorably interlinked since the early 1800’s.At every step of Australia’s founding as a nation, formation of policy and social development, Chinese-Australians have been there.The contribution of Chinese-Australians to the country is profound. I will argue that the Australian Chinese community is one of this country's national treasures and its greatest assets.Let’s take a quick look at that history1829 – Fifty-five Chinese migrated to Australia.1848 – On 2nd October the ship Nimrod arrived from Xiamen with 120 Chinese followed by another ship, the Phillip Laing with 123 Chinese aboard.1851 – 393 Chinese arrived at Hobart. 225 Chinese arrived at Moreton Bay. A person of note at this time is Louis Ah Mouy who sent a letter to his hometown explaining of the gold that was being found in Victoria. 50000 Chinese arrived in China between 1851–56 to work in the goldfields predominantly in Bendigo and Ballarat. Louis Ah Mouy became a prosperous gold merchant.1855 – with the end of the gold rush came policies that restricted immigration into Victoria, fuelled by locals unhappy that dwindling reserves of gold were going to foreigners, fuelled political by fears of rebellion stemming from the belief that many of the Chinese were of that nature coming from an area of China that had seen riots against the Qing empire and the so on. Post the Eureka Stockade Chinese arriving into Victorian ports were required to pay ten pound entry tax.1855 – Chinese arrived through the port of Adelaide to avoid the restrictions in Victoria, and followed overland routes, in the hope of riches, to the Goldfields of Victoria.1856 to 1889 – Over 61,000 Chinese came to NSW. They also helped build key infrastructure inc the Great Northern Railway (Sydney to Brisbane) and the international telegraph line at Darwin, NT.1877 – there were 20,000 Chinese living at Palmer River who had followed the news of a gold rush in Queensland, outnumbering European settlers. Challenged by native tribes they stayed on mining the region. Post the mining rush many Chinese helped to develop the Banana trade. The Chinese became dominant in the banana trade, wholesale and retail on the eastern seaboard. Interestingly, profits from this trade were sent home to develop department stores (Wing On) in Hong Kong, Guangzhou (Canton), and Shanghai.1880s – end of the gold rush and many Chinese stayed in Australia and took jobs as chefs, working on farms, paddle boats, as cabinet makers and so on. Many becoming highly successful merchants and business owners.1898 – the Tung Wah Newspaper rolls of the printers. Distributed nationally it was apparently a hot platform for the discussion of the future of China, with Chinese Australians being pro-Qing and others being pro Sun Yat Sen.1901 – Introduction of policies barring non-Europeans immigrating to Australia was a hideous time for Chinese Australians. Policy born out of fear, ignorance, and rising nationalism, yet it was perhaps one of the catalysts for Federation. The awkward and ignorant stumbling of the coming together of a new nation that had not yet formed values or beliefs, nor understood that it was to be a nation of nations. These policies were instituted by the states and later federally where subsequently removed from 1949 to 1973. In 1975 the Racial Discrimination Act was passed, as the name implies, making racial discrimination unlawful.1901 – Federation – Australia becomes a nation. The Chinese community paraded two dragons through the streets of Melbourne in joint celebrations.1902 – the Chinese Times rolls off the presses in opposition to the pro-Qing stance of the Tung Wah Newspaper.1911 – the Young China League was formed by Lew Goot-Chee and Wong Yue-Kung and created the National Patriotic Fund which sent money back to China to support Dr Sun Yat-Sen.1912 – There were pro-Qing flag parades held by Chinese conservatives who were dismayed at the demise of the imperial regime and celebrations were held by pro-KMT along with the removal of the dragon flag was replaced with the 12-pointed star flag at the Chinese Australian Consulate.1913 – A thank you letter is sent from the Finance Minister of the Republic to Chinese Australians for their support. That letter is on display at the Golden Dragon Museum in Bendigo Victoria.1914 – 198 Chinese men enlist with the Australian Imperial Force and fight in the Great War. Notable was Billy Sing who became Australian hero for his ability with a rifle.1921 – China World’s News rolls off the presses1937 – Jiang Jieshi sent a letter to the Chinese in Australia, appealing for their support against the Japanese invasion. Fundraisers were held across the country. Immigration numbers of Chinese to Australia increased as refugees escaping invasion from Japanese forces.1939 -1945 – WWII saw many Chinese Australians involved and making vital contributions in the war effort.1943 – Bank of China is issued a banking license and opens its first branch in Sydney.1951 – the Australia China Friendship Society was established in Melbourne and Sydney founded by Arthur Locke Chang. He advocated for peaceful international co-existence in the troubled times of capitalism vs communism.1951 – the Columbo Plan. 300M was donated to aid in the education of Asian students in Australia. It’s important to note this as up until this point immigrants from China had been mostly from southern areas.1956 – Melbourne Olympics. An Australian born Chinese proposed the idea of marching without national flags at the closing ceremony to symbolise international togetherness in what were troubled times internationally, he was later presented a medal even though he did not compete. A Chinese team from Taiwan took part in the Melbourne Olympics.1970 – James Lew, a 101-year-old Chinese elder brought Sun Loong, the longest imperial dragon in the world, to life by dotting his eyes with chicken blood. Sun Loong lives at the Golden Dragon Museum in Bendigo Victoria.1972 – Diplomatic relations were established between Australia and the People’s Republic of China.1973 – the Australian Chinese Community Association (ACCA) was formed1976 – the Australia-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry was formed1978 – The Australian-China Council was formed1982 – William Liu was awarded an OBE his efforts in Sino-Australian relations, and also receiving high praise from then premier of China, Zhao Ziyang.1982 – Sing Tao Daily rolls of the presses1983 – Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang visits Australia1984 – Alec Fong Lim is elected Lord Mayor of Darwin1984 – the Australian Chinese Forum was founded1986 – Australia begins accepting Chinese students for tertiary1988 – Helen Sham won a seat in the Legislative Council of New South Wales.1988 – The Chinese Garden of Friendship is opened at Darling Harbour, Sydney. It was designed by Sydney’s sister city, Guangzhou.1989 – After the events of Tiananmen Square, Australia allowed 42,000 Chinese students to settle in Australia permanently. (note that some claim that figure to be 20,000)1990 – During this decade trade with China begins its first boom1993 – The Pacific Times rolls off the presses1993 – The Queensland Asian Business Weekly rolls off the presses1995 – Chinese Sydney Weekly rolls off the presses1997 – 100,000 Chinese immigrate to Australia post the British handover of Hong Kong.2003 – Chinese President Hu Jintao visits Australia and addresses Australian Parliament - transcript here: Full text: Hu's speech2006 – Wen Jiabao visits Australia2006 – Vision Times rolls off the presses2007 – Chinese President Hu Jintao visits Australia2008 – The University of Sydney Confucius Institute opens. The Chinese Government opens another 9 Confucius Institutes in Australian Universities and also within the NSW Education Department.2009 – Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang visits Australia2009 – China and Australia sign a deal on the Gorgon field which ensures China a steady supply of LPG fuel for the next 20 years2011 – Chinese becomes the second most widely spoken language in Australia overtaking Italian and Greek.2014 – Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Australia and addresses the federal parliament2015 – China-Australia Free Trade Agreement was signed2016 – At the 2016 census, 5.6% of the Australian population have Chinese ancestry. 596,711 persons declared that they spoke Mandarin at home followed by Cantonese at 280,943. Other popular dialects were Hokkien and Hakka. The most popular city for mainland Chinese was Sydney followed by Melbourne.2017 – Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visits Australia2017 – December 21 the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and AustraliaThis timeline comes from a recent article I wrote for WTC here http://welcometochina.com.au/celebrating-chinese-australian-history-a-timeline-1829-to-2017-5689.htmlWhat I didn’t touch on to a great extent was the political connections which run quite deep since Gough Whitlam, then Prime Minister, and his first visit to China in 3rd July 1971 and the meeting with Zhou Enlai. Interestingly, but unknown to many, he preceded Henry Kissinger's visit.Long before any other nation, Whitlam was one of the first to recognise the People’s Republic of China, and to voice support for its entry into the United Nations, when he stated publicly on the, 12 August 1954, “It is about time that, like the United Kingdom and France, we recognised the communist government of China”.The People’s Republic of China was officially recognised by Australia in December 1972.During the Hawke Government era trade relations boomed. In 1983 Zhou Ziyang visited Australia, and in 1984 Bob Hawke visited China. That relationship led to the integration of China’s and Australia's Steel and Iron Ore industries. It also led to innumerable Joint Working Groups and Memorandums of Understanding on technology transfer, science and technical cooperation, geological sciences and participating in China’s legal reform via exchanges between the two countries legal departments. The CAP (China Action Plan) was initiated which including setting up trade offices in Sydney and Melbourne to facilitate the development of Chinese trade into Australia and Internationally.On the 16 June 1989, Prime Minister Hawke made an emotional and tearful address to the Australian nation post the events of Tiananmen. In his address, without consultation, he offered all Chinese students in Australia extended visas, work rights, and financial assistance. In the end that led to the granting of 42,000 permanent visas.During the Howard Government years, and for the most part continuing through to the present, trade has continued to flourish along with intergovernmental working groups and collaborations.Yet, Chinese Australian relationship it’s an odd relationship in a political sense. We have no common values in this area, we have no historical language or cultural ties, and geographically we are not that close to each other. We are not dependent on each other politically, economically, strategically, nor through any grouping.Australia, even with its deep Chinese heritage, and ever growing Australian Chinese community, and Asian community at large, has shown that it is not going to change philosophically from its alignment with own values and western values.In fact, it’s the Asian community, and lately the Australian Chinese community, that are the most vocal about protecting those values. One example being the Australia Values Alliance.So, whilst Australia is Chinese through the Australian Chinese community as an integral part of the nation and its history, and whilst it embraces Chinese culture into its melting pot of cultures and seeks to expand relations with China, but, simultaneously, remains resolutely independent according to its values and what the nation represents.That is perhaps the most frustrating thing for Beijing. It has had no success in gaining real influence in Australia or to have Australia as some kind or subject, or agreeable vassal state. Regardless of having strong trade and strong investment, it has little sway. This constantly gets played out on the international stage where Australia will state it’s own view, sometimes quite independent from US and in favor of China, at other times very much in line with the shared values of democratic nations.The recent debate surrounding “China’s influence” in AustraliaRecent events surrounding political influence by Beijing within Australia are quite interesting. Interesting in that its the Australian Chinese community that is perhaps driving force behind the rejection of Beijing becoming so ‘active’ within Australia.The tipping point to recent events was perhaps the late 2016 planned performances to celebrate the death of Chairman Mao."As Australian-Chinese, we see this trend happening as Chinese-language media in Australia become largely influenced by Chinese government with all sorts of commercial linkages; pro-China groups emerge in Sydney and Melbourne; the incoming of Confucius Institutes in our universities which have spread to high school and primary schools in the name of teaching Chinese," Embrace Australian Values Alliance spokesman John Hugh said."We are not here to be against certain groups, we are here to protect our Australian values. We choose to live in this country so we need to protect our home."Quoted from http://www.smh.com.au/world/divisive-chairman-mao-concerts-cancelled-20160901-gr6j8a.htmlIt was perhaps the marketing of the concerts in Chinese Australian media that tipped people over the edge“commemorate the great leader,” “illustrate Mao Zedong’s humanitarian ­personality,” and describing the late ruler as “a hero in the eyes of people all over the world.”The concerts were cancelled. But attention to anything pro-Beijing escalated.Chinese Media in AustraliaChinese language media in Australia is quite well established through print media, a recent explosion in the number of website portals, and through traditional Chinese social media such as WeChat.Many claim that Beijing was buying influence in major Australian media through publishing deals.Several leading Australia media outlets (including Fairfax media and Sky News) have signed distribution deals with the Propaganda Department of the ruling Chinese Communist Party. These deals were signed during the little-publicised tour by the country’s Grand Inquisitor, Liu Qibao, who is a member of the politburo and the minister for propaganda.Quoted from https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/beijings-control-over-chinese-language-media-more-pressing-fairfax-china-dailyChinese language media in print form, in Australia, is mostly pro-Beijing, with only one or two independent papers. This at first wouldn’t be overly concerning, expect for when it can be used for a tool of social division and to drive the Chinese Australian community against the greater community to cause social disruption and destroy harmony.That is a point that any nation would want to investigate, China certainly would, and Australia has been far to lax in not doing so.Although probably immune to party propaganda, Chinese Australians didn't come all this way, and go through so much to build a life here, and to then continue enduring such garb.For detailed insight into the Chinese language media landscape in China see the PDF here http://www.australiachinarelations.org/sites/default/files/1609%20Australia-China%20Relations%20Institute%20Publication%20-%20Chinese-language%20media%20in%20Australia%20Developments,%20challenges%20and%20opportunities.pdfFreedom of debate within universities is another hot topic.Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has issued a blunt warning to Chinese university students affiliated with the Communist Party, urging them to respect freedom of speech in Australia.You have to remember Australia’s offer of openness, tolerance, freedom of speech and discovery of truth through open debate. That's why many students come here. These are central to our nation's values.Confucius Institutes housed within Australian Universities, whilst displaying good intention and warmly welcomed, have displayed they are not so altruistic towards core Australian values. This has been concerning policy makers, on the left and right, for some time.Communist Party of China (CPC) speeches and texts openly describe CIs as being designed to influence perceptions of China and its policies abroad. Li Changchun, a Politburo member, says the Institutes are ‘an important part of China’s overseas propaganda set-up’ and Deputy Education Minister Hao Ping has noted that ‘establishing Confucius Institutes is a strategic plan for increasing our soft power’.Quoted from https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2014/November/Confucius_Institutes_and_Chinese_soft_power_in_AustraliaFurther escalationsThe detaining of the Australian-Chinese professor, Chongyi Feng, in China didn’t help. It deepened suspicions about the CCP and it’s actions that are contrary to Australia's core beliefs, and led to deeper introspection of the extent and purpose of China’s soft power in Australia. Analysis: Beijing sends blunt warning to Chinese AustraliansWhat also came from that was an awareness of the actions of the “United Front’ within Australia and deeper suspicion of civil groups connected to the Chinese Communist Party operating in Australia.Political PaymentsPolitical payments have always been a hot button issue in Australia, and the finances of ministers is highly scrutinised topic and a guaranteed hot button issue with locals.The stream of donations by Huang Xiangmo was a bridge too far for many of the Australian public who were opposed to the idea of donations from anyone. Beyond Dastyari: Chinese businessman's political donation web revealedThe citizens of any country would rightly reject such.The inquiry into foreign political donations is still taking place Foreign donations and it’s mostly accepted that they will be banned at state and federal levels.An ongoing storyChina's Operation Australia: payments, power and politicianshttp://www.abc.net.au/news/story-streams/china-power/Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s statement on “Taking a Stand”He had to make that statement for two reasons. In the media flurry that was surrounding a ‘perfect storm’ of issues relating to China’s influence, he had to draw a line. Even if for nothing else but to make people at ease and to dispel festering fears that the nation is becoming a vassal state of China.The second major implication of that statement is that he stood with the Chinese-Australian community, he could of chosen to use diplomatic rhetoric to smooth the important economic relationship, but instead he chose to stand with the local community. You see, The Chinese-Australian community is vital to this country, an integral part of our fabric and history, and they are offered safe harbour here, free from fear of external influence, free to live their life as they feel.Returning to your point, Why is Australia so hostile to China?There isn't hostility, Australia remains as open as ever to Chinese, Whether coming for tourism, for education, for business, to work, or to start a new life and raise a family.But understand the offer. Australia doesn’t offer a one party state, hierarchical culture, or collective. We offer a nation that sits at number 2, sometimes no 1, on the Human Development Index, we offer pristine environment, low density living, high income, world leading health care, world leading social welfare, democracy, freedom of speech, dignity as an individual, equality, egalitarianism, a fair go for all, and compassion for the needy.Probably blowing the trumpet a bit hard, but the core point is perhaps that we are fundamentally different societies, culturally and most certainly philosophically. I am not trying to say one is better than the other, but just to pay respect to the differences.Perhaps Chinese Premier Li Keqiang sums it up well, on his most recent visit, upon arriving"We flew across the clouds. There was lightning but we kept flying and that is the same as China-Australia relations, It will keep moving forward and forward and forward."And I will end with a shout out to some of the Chinese-Australians who have helped make Australia what it is.AcademiaVictor Chang: heart surgeonCindy Pan: celebrity doctor and sexual/women's health expertMabel Lee: linguistHelene Chung Martin: former ABC correspondent, author of Shouting from China and Lazy Man in ChinaTerence Tao: mathematicianCharles Teo: neurosurgeonKaren Tso: finance reporterJohn Yu: paediatrician and 1996 Australian of the YearOuyang Yu: poet, novelist and author of The Eastern Slope ChronicleLiangchi Zhang: scientistYang Hengjun: political blogger, author of "Fatal Weakness" series.Marita Cheng: founder of Robogals and 2012 Young Australian of the YearBusiness and financeKwong Sue Duk: pioneer herbalist and merchantNeale Fong: doctor and sports administratorSir Leslie Joseph Hooker: real estate magnate, founder of L.J. HookerStern Hu: businessmanBing Lee: businessman who started up the Bing Lee franchisesAndrew Leon: businessman in Cairns, Queensland [1][2]Andy Yin: Sydney Inner West Leo's PresidentYew-Kwang Ng: economist at Monash UniversityTrevor O'Hoy: Former CEO of Foster's GroupErn Phang: lawyerTom See Poy: department store owner in Innisfail, QueenslandMei Quong Tart: 19th Century businessman and public figureheadDavid Wang: businessmanXiaokai Yang: economistArts and entertainmentTony Ayres: screenwriter and directorJason Chan: actor and directorQueenie Chan: comic artistClaudia Chan Shaw: fashion designer and television presenterJackie Chan: actor,singer,director and stuntmanJun Chen: painterLee Lin Chin: news readerElizabeth Chong: chef, author and television presenterAnna Choy: actress and presenterLi Cunxin: ballet dancer, author and public speakerJeff Fatt: performer with the WigglesRussell Jack: founder and director of the Golden Dragon MuseumShen Jiawei: painterKylie Kwong: chef, restaurateur and media presenterLawrence Leung: comedianGuang Li: actorRenee Lim: actress and media personalityNina Liu: actressJaymee Ong: actress and modelCindy Pan: physician and media personalityChris Pang: actorSam Pang: writer, actor, director, producer and presenterAlice Pung: authorRose Quong: actor, performer and writerSarah Song: television actress and presenterShaun Tan: artist, author and illustratorLing-Hsueh Tang: actressVico Thai: television and film actorAnnette Shun Wah: media presenterJames Wan: film director, writer, and producer of the Saw film franchiseBin Xie: painterHu Xin: actressPoh Ling Yeow: artist, grand finalist on MasterChef Australia 2009John Zerunge Young: artistPoliticsWilliam Ah Ket: barrister and early 20th century campaigner for Chinese rightsHenry Tsang OAM: former Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier; Deputy Lord Mayor, Sydney, 1991–1999Dio Wang: federal Senator for Western Australia since 2014 (Parliament of Australia)Tsebin Tchen: former federal Senator for Victoria (Parliament of Australia)Helen Sham-Ho OAM: Member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales (State Parliament)Jing Lee MLC: Member of the Legislative Council of South Australiasince 2010 (State Parliament)Peter Wong AM: Member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales (State Parliament), 1999-2007; Founder, Unity Party (Australia), 1998Ernest Wong MLC: Member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales since 2013 (State Parliament)Michael Choi: Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly (State Parliament), 2001-2012Harry Chan: First Chinese mayor of Australia, DarwinAlec Fong Lim AM: former Lord Mayor of DarwinKatrina Fong Lim: Lord Mayor of DarwinJohn So AO: Lord Mayor of Melbourne, 2001-2008Alfred Huang: Lord Mayor, Adelaide, 2000-2003Stanley Chiang: Mayor, DarebinRobert Chong AM:Member of the Order of Australia; Mayor, Whitehorse, 2002-2005. Whitehorse Councillor since 1997Chan Ching Howe: First Chinese councillor of Australia, MelvilleLai Li Hiam: Councillor, Yarra, Victoria, 1996-2004Keith Yong: Councillor, PerthSarah Chong: United Nations Peace Women Project Officer 2007, Asylum Seeker and Refugee Advocate and Community Development PractitionerMilitaryCaleb Shang: World War I soldier, Western FrontJack Wong Sue: World War II special forces soldier, mariner and author (Western Australia)Billy Sing: World War I soldierSportsLes Fong: Australian rules footballerLin Jong: Australian rules footballerCheltzie Lee: Figure skaterAndy Liu: FootballerAnthony Liu: Figure skaterMiao Miao: Table tennis playerRichard Chee Quee: CricketerKenneth To: SwimmerEsther Qin: DiverMelissa Wu: DiverPriscilla Hon:Tennis playerGronya Somerville: BadmintonMixed Chinese/European ancestryAcademicsVanessa Woods: scientist, author, and feature writer for the Discovery ChannelArts and entertainmentCourtney Eaton: actress and modelRichard Clapton: singer and songwriterJimmy Chi: composer, musician and playwrightJessica Gomes: modelLisa Ho: fashion designerJenny Kee: fashion designerAdam Liaw: winner of MasterChef Australia 2010MilitaryBilly Sing: World War I: soldier, Gallipoli and Western FrontCaleb Shang: World War I, Soldier, Royal AirforcePoliticsGai Brodtmann: Member of Parliament, Federal ParliamentMichael Johnson: former Member of Parliament, Federal ParliamentBill O'Chee: former Senator (Queensland), Federal ParliamentPenny Wong: Senator (South Australia), Federal Parliament, Member of Cabinet, Minister for Climate Change and Water 2007-2010, Minister of Finance and Deregulation 2010 - (Incumbent)SportsKevin Gordon: Rugby league playerWally Koochew: Australian rules footballerHunter Poon: first player of Chinese descent to appear in Australian first-class cricketMelissa Wu (diver)Jack Purtell: Jockey, Won 3 Melbourne Cups.This list is quoted from an earlier post here What will be the future between Australia and China relations?updated: added link to transcript of Hu Jintao’s address to the Australian Parliament in 2003, tks Peter Webb. Added Gronya Somerville to the list of notable Chinese-Australians tks Kenzo Variant