Grand Chithirai Kalai Vizha New Year Celebrations kick started Cultural VARNAM the TamilSociety Month (QLD) of Chithirai Inc. in a grand manner with a Grand Chithirai Kalai Vizha New Year Celebrations at St. John’s Anglican College, Forest Lake. The event started in a Traditional manner with the lighting of Deepam (Lamp) by distinguished guests including Mr. Steven Minnikin MP Shadow Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Multicultural Affairs, Councillor Charles Strunk (Forest Lake Ward), Mr. Anthony Shorten, Councillor Jonathan Sri (Woolloongabba Ward), Sgt. Jim Bellos and Acting Inspector Steve Hollands representing QLD Police Commissioner Mr. Ian Stewart followed by Traditional dances from various dance schools showcasing Indian & Tamil Culture, Tamil & Bollywood variety dance & singing performances especially by lot of small kids made it look more colourful as the Varnam Cultural Society slogan states “Bringing Colour Into your lives” Even the audience got a chance to try some dancing onstage themselves and Community Service Awards were also presented to Mr. Umesh Chandra for the year 2015 for his outstanding service to the community for over 26 years, Ms. Prerna Pahwa for the year 2016 for generating cancer awareness within the community and helping raising funds towards the treatment of Leukaemia Patient Mr. Ujwal Poudel and Mr. Sathish Rajendran for the year 2017 for being selected for 2 years in a row as a “A Sports for All” Community Ambassador appointed by Cricket Australia to facilitate Multicultural Cricket here in QLD along with Queensland Cricket. Community leaders including Mr. Umesh Chandra (President - QMC & Brisbane Indian Times / Australian Indian Radio), Mr. Palanichamy Thevar (President - FICQ), Mrs. Usha Chandra (President - GOPIO QLD). Mrs. Shan Ju Lin - President, World
12 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, May, 2017
Harmony Society, Mrs. Lila Pratap - President Damini Women’s Association, Mrs. Prakruthi Mysore Gururaj, Vice-President FICQ, Mr. Sathish Rajendran, Brisbane Super Kings Cricket Club, Ms. Reena Augustine, Social Worker were present to grace the event along with a crowd of over 500. Varnam Cultural Society (QLD) Inc., a registered Not for Profit Organisation started in April 2012 to provide opportunities to new and hidden talents within the Tamil community in Queensland also completed 5 years on this occasion and sticking to its principal motive this organisation has so far identified and provided opportunities to over 300 new talents in the last 5 years by setting up a platform via Chithirai Kalai Vizha to showcase their talents on stage. All those present at the event were extremely happy to see kids performing on stage, following the traditions and keeping the culture alive in Australia.
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