A discussion on the book, Growing up Indian in Australia

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Gender, colourism, identity, code-shifting , all of this and more in an animated and unfettered discussion on the new book Growing up Indian in Australia. 

Published by Black Inc, the book has been edited by Aarti Betigeri with contributions from a wide cross-section of Australian-Indians. Aarti joins us in this conversation along with Preeti Maharaj - 'Tangle of Tenses', Swagata Bapat - 'The Dance Performance' and Rakhee Gelani, the author of 'Navratri'.

In their stories, perhaps lie commonalities with stories of other migrants and people who straddle multiple cultures and identities. There are questions of assimilation and preserving culture, the intergenerational bonds and frictions between the world that was, and a world that will be. There are contemplations on women of colour finding our voices and the ways in which we find our place in the world. 

A bit about our panelists from the book: 

Aarti Betigeri is a journalist, writer, broadcaster, and former foreign correspondent, born in Melbourne to parents from Maharashtra and Karnataka. She has spent a decade in India and now lives in Australia, working as a journalist and advisor focussed on international relations. 

Swagata Bapat is a second-generation Indian Australian who was raised in and lives in Melbourne. She works in her business Swagata Bapat Consulting as an executive coach, facilitator, and consultant. 

Born in country Victoria, Rakhee Ghelani was shaped by her parents' stories of East Africa, delectable Gujarati delicacies and adventures to far flung countries that began before she could even walk. She lives and works in Melbourne and shares her love of travel, great food and cats with her cheeky young daughter. 

Preeti Maharaj was born in Fiji. She is the descendent of Girmitiyas, who were indentured labourers taken from India to work in the sugarcane fields of Fiji by the British. She immigrated to Australia with her family when she was twelve after two military coups. She lives, works and write with gratitude on the lands of the Kulin Nation in Naarm/Melbourne.

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