Inside this Week
Partition Stories | Photo Contest Winners | Independence gets social media | Why August 15? | India's Broken Ladder
Just Wanted to Say
Ahead of the National Union of Students’ protest today, I wondered aloud what I would say to my own children if they announced they were skipping class to join the march.
Pawan showed me an Insta reel in reply.
It was from the recent students’ protests in India. A teenager tells her mother she wants to join the protest. Mum brings out a lathi and starts swinging. Her daughter is stunned at first, but quickly catches on, instinctively dodging every blow.
Mum throws the lathi aside.
“You’re ok to go to the protest.”
Enough said.
Story of the Week
This Independence Day, we're looking beyond the textbooks and into the memories that survived it. The student activist who was arrested. The family that fled Partition. A family that raised the wrong flag for three days. Stories that travelled through decades, across oceans, and into our living rooms.
In Other News
A technical officer obsessed over 2000 shots at a sacred pilgrimage to freeze the spirit of devotion in motion blur. A hearing-impaired photographer found magic in Rajasthan's havelis, where history meets everyday life. Meet the winners of this year’s #myIndianlink photo contest.
What if Bhagat Singh had TikTok and Gandhi understood the algorithm? If Quit India had trended before it ended? If non-cooperation looked like a mass unfollow? If the British Empire's fatal flaw wasn't military - it was losing the virality game?
New Lost in the Lore Ep: India celebrates Independence Day on 15 August. But few know why that date was chosen. It wasn't selected for India at all - it was one man's "lucky day."
Families spent their life savings on education because they believed it would lift their kids up. But the ladder of opportunity has too few rungs - and millions of talented young people are stuck waiting. India's economy is booming. So where's the pathway?
Shoutouts
Three members of our community who were awarded at the 2026 Queensland Multicultural Showcase & Multicultural Awards: Shweta Goyal (Multicultural Community Champion), Poonita Agarwal (Youth Leadership Award), and Mahi Mehta (Excellence in Sports Award).
Indian Link's very own Apoorva Tandon, whose short film Dhaba was shortlisted in the Australian AI Film Awards 2026.
Two young members of our community who took their expertise to Parliament this week: Dentist Dr Mohit Tolani as member of the Australian Dental Association’s inaugural national advocacy event championing improved access to dental care for vulnerable populations and lawyer Khushaal Vyas presenting submissions on behalf of the Employee Rights Legal Service to the enquiry into the operation and adequacy of the National Employment Standards.
Mitu Bhowmick Lange and IFFM for the 17th festival starting today.
What’s On
On the occasion of India’s 80th Independence Day, The Consul General of India (CGI) Sydney is warmly inviting you to a flag hoisting ceremony. Come together to celebrate the spirit of freedom and unity.
For more head to our What’s On page.
Say it Again
The spirit of Revolution should always permeate the soul of humanity, so that the reactionary forces may not accumulate (strength) to check its eternal onward march. Old order should change, always and ever, yielding place to new, so that one "good" order may not corrupt the world.
Until next week,
Indian Link
