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News Topical, Digital Desk : Malayalam actress was going to Australia to attend Onam celebrations, but little did she know that the excitement of a very special festival would land her a hefty fine. Recently, the actress revealed that she was fined for carrying jasmine flowers in her handbag at Melbourne International Airport. She had gone to attend the Onam celebrations of the Malayali Association in Victoria.
This actress was fined lakhs
This is Malayalam actress Navya Nair, she was fined 1980 Australian dollars (₹1.25 lakh) at the airport for carrying a jasmine garland just 15 cm long. Navya did not know that jasmine flowers cannot be carried in the bag. She told about this incident while speaking at an Onam event in Victoria.
Navya told that her father had bought a jasmine garland for her. Navya told, 'He cut it into two pieces and asked me to wear one garland from Kochi to Singapore. It had wilted by the time we reached Singapore. He advised me to keep the other piece of garland in my handbag, as I could wear it at Singapore airport. I put the garland in a carry bag and kept it in my handbag'. Navya did not know that she was unknowingly breaking the law.
Navya further said, 'The officials fined me 1,980 Australian dollars for carrying a 15 cm jasmine garland. I know I was wrong, but it was not done intentionally. They have asked me to pay the fine within 28 days'.
What is the law in Australia
According to the Australian Border Force website, 'plants, flowers and seeds' are prohibited from being brought into the country. These can only be brought in by those who have a legal permit. The country considers such plants and flowers 'risky' because they can spread diseases or pests in the Australian environment. Even seeds should only be brought in with permission and should not have any traces of soil or any other part of their parent plant, such as pods, leaves, stems, etc.'
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