Malayalam actor Navya Nair was reportedly fined USD 1,980 (around ₹1.14 lakh) at Melbourne International Airport while boarding a flight to attend Onam celebrations organised by the Malayali Association of Victoria. The actress shared the entire incident on her Instagram handle. She was fined this large amount for carrying a jasmine gajra with her. Along with the images, she added a sarcastic caption in Malayalam: “The drama just before paying the fine!!!”. She was carrying a Jasmine gajra, which was just 15 cm long in her bag. Navya didn’t know that jasmine flowers couldn’t be carried in the baggage.
What Actress Navya Nair Said
Apart from posting the incident on her Instagram page, she also narrated the whole story while attending the Onam celebrations of the Malayali Association of Victoria. Navya said her father bought the jasmine garland for her. Navya said that her father had bought the jasmine garland for her. He split it into two pieces and asked her to wear one on her journey from Kochi to Singapore. By the time she reached Singapore, that piece had withered. He then advised her to keep the other piece in her handbag to wear at the airport. She placed it safely in her bag.
Navya said she did not realise she was breaking the law. She was fined A$1,980 for carrying a 15 cm piece of jasmine garland. She admitted her mistake but said it was unintentional. The authorities have asked her to pay the fine within 28 days.
Who Is Navy Nair?
A two-time recipient of the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress, Navya Nair has made many notable performances in movies like Sibi Malayil’s Ishtam (2001), Nandanam, Mazhathullikkilukkam, Kunjikoonan, Kalyanaraman, Vellithira, Ammakilikkoodu, Gramophone, Pattanathil Sundaran, Jalolsavam, Chathikkatha Chanthu, Azhagiya Theeye, Pandippada, Saira, Kanne Madanguka, Sila Nerangalil, Bhagyada Balegara. She had acted cross Malayalam, Tamil, and Kannada languages.
Australian Law On Flowers
Various reports suggest that In Australia, ‘plants, flowers and seeds’ are labelled ‘Don’t bring’ under the list of items you can and can’t bring into the country. Only those having a valid permit can bring the same and its related species. The country considers such plants and flowers ‘risky,’ as they can bring in diseases or carry pests to Australia’s unique environment. You can only bring seeds into a country if you have special certificates. The seeds must not have soil, signs of disease, or any other parts of the plant, like pods, leaves, or stems. More details are available here.
