Author: daroonjinish

Adviser of the Year 2019

Nellie has extensive experience in the finance industry having worked in Singapore and Melbourne. As a Certified Financial Planner and authorised representative of Count Financial Ltd Nellie’s focus is on assisting clients to achieve their lifestyle and financial goals. Her areas of expertise include wealth creation and protection, superannuation, capital transition and investment.

Over almost ten years of dedication to O’Brien’s Nellie has developed highly valued professional relationships with her clients who seek Nellie’s direction as their trusted advisor. 

This is demonstrated in her acknowledgement as Adviser of the Year 2019 by Count Financial. Nellie is a director of the firm and leads the Financial Planning services.

” I have always had this amazing connection with India through our very good friend Parag, who is from India. I have always been fascinated by the different cultures that exists within the country. India has this magnificent touch of warmth and kindness. I have been involved in causes that supports children and ladies at risk. They are St Jude India Childcare Centre, FHI and Apne Aap Org, (Kolkata). People in Kolkata have big hearts to help the less fortunate ones. Amee tomake bhalobashi Kolkata.

Some of my favourite picks from India are Indian food, Butter Chicken, Vibrant cultures and festivals.

I admire the creative work, done by craftsmen under the Daroonjinish banner. With the times changing I believe there will be a big push for Eco friendly and sustainable products around us and in our homes.

My hobbies include reading, bush walking and a major part of my time spent in social work and groups that I support. “

Contents : Nelly Fung // Images & Concept: Daroonjinish.com

CZECH-BORN DESIGNER & COUTURIER

Judith Penak was born and raised in the fashion capital of Prague, Czech Republic before she came to Australia in 1983. Judith inherited the artistic genes of her mother and grandfather. By delving into fashion from a young age, she quickly mastered her skills in dress-making and expert tailoring. Judith started her brand in 1991 before officially re branding it to Judith Penak Couture in 2013.

ACCOLADES & AWARDS

Judith, many fashion accolades include 2007 Australian Masters of Fashion Awards “Best Designer of the Year”, the winner of 2011 “BMW Caulfield Cup Classic Style Award”, runner up for “Best Dressed Lady” in 2016 Jaguar Style Stakes – Dubai World Cup. Most recently Judith Penak Couture won, by public vote, the designation of Most Popular Bridal Gown Designer – second place in Australia.

My connections with Kolkata city is very deep, as my dear Uncle George was working in India in 60’s and we were in close contact with him, Uncle George being my mum’s brother. There are so many great connections with Kolkata few of them being Mother Teresa, the famous Howrah Bridge, Fashion and beautiful Bengali ladies.

“My very first order for shopping bags of Judith Penak Couture brand is from lovely Daroonjinish brand. I love how this brand is helping in bringing the artisans, craftsmen and international customers, get closer and work as one beautiful family. I love everything about how this brand promotes eco-friendly , chemical free and against animal cruelty products.

I love “Shiggiree Dekha Hobay Kolkata” because I want to meet all those beautiful children of St Jude India Childcare Centre, Kolkata and beautiful talented ladies and children from Apne Aap Org, Kolkata. I also admire the beautiful work done by Fly Higher India ( FHI) .

I look forward to my trip to Kolkata, India and connect with many friends who I have been connected with via social media. Every step we take makes us only get closer.” – Judith Penak, Founder/Owner- Judith Penak Couture

Images copyright : Daroonjinish // Contents: Judith Penak

Tim Roman, a proud Australian, doting father and enthusiastic creative writer. His connection with India is through cinema, food, cricket and social work.

What inspires me most about the Daroonjinish approach is the care and respect they show their remarkable artisans. They bridge the gap in culture between Westerners such as myself who love their crafts, and the wonderful women who make these stunning pieces with unrivalled skill, care and attention.

The fact these amazing works of art are eco-friendly is important to me because in these times of global warming, it can be easy to fall into the trap of accepting mass-produced goods. Knowing there are no machines involved, just passionate Bengali artisans using what is around them makes supporting their work even more rewarding.

I believe strongly in closing the obscene gap between rich and poor in this world, no matter where such people live. I have been proud to make a small contribution to wonderful Kolkatan organisations like Apne Aap Org and St Jude India Childcare Centre, who work constantly to shine a light on inequality and then build the confidence and independence of artisans, poverty-stricken children and thousands of others who, through no fault of their own, struggle with hardship.

My connection with India has been largely through cultural assets such as film. Movies like The Lunchbox, featuring the unmatched acting talent of sadly departed Irrfan Khan, gave me a pathway into the intensity and richness of Indian cinema. I’m a passionate music fan too and early in my university days I encountered Anglo-Indian pop artists like Asian Dub Foundation and Cornershop who spoke truth about the challenge of growing up in an immigrant community and finding acceptance through like-minded family and friends.

I am currently completing a Masters of Creative Writing at University of Melbourne. Having worked for many years in journalism and corporate communications (I am currently employed by the Victorian Government in such a role) I was keen to test my abilities to come up with more creative prose and open myself up to more enjoyable forms of expression. I’m reading the magnificent Great Indian Novel by Shashi Tharoor and its satirical eye, cast playfully over the Mahabharata, fits my mindset perfectly. Satire is an underrated art form, particularly when it kicks upwards to those in positions of cultural or economic superiority.

For all my lofty cultural goals, I’m forever a sucker for great food, no matter which cuisine it comes from and that’s why picking my favourite Bengali phrase ‘kheeday peche’ wasn’t much of a challenge!

— Tim Roman, Digital Content Advisor, Victorian Government

Image Copyright : Daroonjinish.com // Contents : Tim Roman

Vicki Hilcke, a Proud Australian citizen, has always found connection with India for many reasons few of them being business, food and culture.

“Beautiful Indian artisan works have been around for hundreds of years, we see many changes in the production of products throughout the world and it is beautiful to see that these arts are still around and thriving. As a co-director of Maud N Lil Organic Cotton being an Australian based design company which has been specialising in luxury certified organic cotton baby products for over 20 years, I see the benefit of supporting the artisan ways along with the fast paced mechanically produced products.

In my own business, my business partner and I still like to focus on what was an old traditional way of growing cotton and that is without the use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers, the old traditional organic method. 

We understand that the artisan who make the beautiful products of well-crafted home wares understand exactly what it means to be authentic and keep to tradition and keep the craft alive.

We believe there is a very real need to provide well designed products made from sustainable textiles and materials such as rattan, bamboo, jute and organic cotton and  to give us a market option around the world. I am passionate about sustainability and organic farming, I believe “we do not inherit the Earth from our forefathers”, rather believe “we are borrowing it from our grandchildren.

I care about factory workers and every stage of the production process and like to know that we minimise impact and ensure our products are sustainable  end to end just like to artisans of these gorgeous products that we see here in the Daroonjinish collection.”

– Vicki Hiclke , Co- Director Maud N Lil Organic Cotton Pty Ltd

Bengali is a very sweet Indian language.

Some Bengali items are already famous across the world, such as :

Rosogolla ( Sweets )

Saree ( Dress)

Maacherr Jholl ( Fish Curry)

Loochi ( Soft hand rolled puffy breads , deep fried)

Durga Puja

Mishti Doi ( Sweet Curd)

Sandesh ( Sweets)

Beautiful Smart Bengali lines for our lovely Readers across the Globe

“Jodi Torr Daak Shuney Keu Na Aashe Tobe Ekla Cholo Re..- Rabindranath Tagore”

Idea, Concept, Design : Poonam Sh