Punjabi

• MUMBAI, India, Nov. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ZEE5 Global , the world's largest streaming service for South Asian content, today announced a strategic move to aggregate multiple South Asian streaming platforms within the ZEE5 Global platform with the launch of Add-ons in the US.
• ZEE5 Global Add-ons will offer subscribers in the US a single-window to access their favorite South Asian entertainment platforms on the ZEE5 Global platform itself, with Add-ons pricing starting from just $1.49 onwards.
• "The launch of Add-ons on ZEE5 Global is a significant milestone, further cementing our leadership position as the No.1 South Asian streaming platform in the US market," said Ms. Archana Anand, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5 Global, "Add-ons will bring the best of South Asian content from multiple streaming platforms within ZEE5 Global for the diaspora in the US and soon globally, and at the best possible value."
• Sharing her vision for ZEE5 Global Add-ons, Ms. Archana Anand, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5 Global, added, "As the foremost South Asian streaming platform in the United States, ZEE5 Global has played a crucial role in connecting the South Asian diaspora with their cultural roots.

• The Supreme Court of Queensland last week overturned a law banning children from bringing “knives” to school for religious reasons.
• This will allow Sikh students, parents, and teachers to carry a ceremonial dagger known as a “kirpan” at schools in Queensland.
• The only religious or ethnic group in Australia that habitually wears a religious or cultural symbol that resembles a knife are Sikhs.
• The Queensland case highlights the needs for Australia’s secular legal system to recognise the adverse impact of law on religious and cultural minorities.

What did the court say?

• However, knives can be used for a range of legitimate activities such as cutting food or whittling wood.
• As a result, all states and territories have exemptions that allow people, including children, to carry and use knives where it’s “reasonably necessary”.
• The Supreme Court found the ban on bringing a knife to school specifically for religious reasons was inconsistent with the Racial Discrimination Act.
• So, the court found that section 51(5) of the Queensland’s Weapons Act 1990 was void.

A religion or ethnicity?

• There are around 25-30 million Sikhs worldwide, with about five million living outside the Punjab region.
• While Sikhism is commonly thought of as a religion, the courts have recognised Sikhs have a common ethnic origin.
• Nearly all Sikhs continue to have a link with family in Punjab, practice elements of Punjabi culture and speak the Punjabi language.

A knife or a religious symbol?

• The Queensland Supreme Court found the kirpan was a knife for the purposes of the Weapons Act 1990.
• It found that a knife remains a knife no matter how blunt or sharp it is, how it’s worn or how easy it is to access.
• Referring to the kirpan as a knife downplays its important religious significance.

What happens now?

• The court did leave the door open for a complete ban on knives in schools, although this would impact other legitimate uses of knives such as preparing food.
• Kirpans are currently worn in schools by students, parents and teachers in other states of Australia, often with strict guidelines.

• Michelle Chawla assumes the leadership role at Canada Council for the Arts.
• GATINEAU, QC, May 8, 2023 /CNW/ - The Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez announced today the appointment of Michelle Chawla as Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Canada Council for the Arts for a five-year term, effective June 26, 2023.
• Chawla has also held many other senior positions at the Canada Council, including Corporate Secretary and Director of Strategic Initiatives, Secretary-General for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO and Head of Arts Services.
• "Michelle Chawla's impressive leadership and extensive experience in various senior roles at the Canada Council for the Arts makes her uniquely qualified for this position.

• Kicking off the holiday shopping season, ZEE5 Global , the world's largest streaming platform for South Asian content, unveiled a special offer for its subscribers across the U.S. ahead of Black Friday.
• The offer can be accessed directly on ZEE5 Global under the subscription tab from November 23 to November 29, 2022.
• So, celebrate the upcoming holidays with ZEE5 Global and binge-watch blockbuster movies or web series with friends and family.
• ZEE5 Global is the digital entertainment destination launched by Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL), a global Media and Entertainment powerhouse.