Bit modi special supplement dec 14

Indian Times

Brisbane

A Division of Qld Multicultural Times

December 2014 Issue

Brisbane Indian Times special supplement to commemorate the visit of Indian Prime Minister Hon. Narendra Modi

From the Publisher FIRST of all I would like ceremony of Gandhi statue in congratulate Indian Prime Roma street Parklands, Minister Narendra Modi Ji followed by his address at on his first official visit to Brisbane city hall. The Brisbane after becoming highlight was his historical the Prime Minster. address at all phones arena in To all our readers, Umesh Chandra Olympic Park, Sydney. It welcome to the special truly was history in the supplement on the historic visit by Indian making.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Australia. This supplement is a tribute to his visit, we Prime Minister Narendra Modi has broken had invited community leaders and the old saying of “Indian Time” what he did associations for their messages but very few in nine days no other Indian Prime Minister responded, which is a bit disappointing, I had been able to do , he attended meetings would have thought that the response would throughout the day and night. He managed have been greater. to fit everything within the tight schedule I hope you will enjoy reading the special and still deliver a very powerful speech. I supplement. witnessed him speak at the unveiling Umesh Chandra.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Australia

am pleased to send this message to Iforthcoming the Brisbane Indian Times for their publication of a special

HOSTING the G20 Leaders Summit presented Brisbane and Queensland with an unprecedented opportunity to build on our global reputation as an exciting business and tourism destination.

In order to maximise the benefits the Queensland Government hosted or participated in a series of key events, which included meeting the Prime Minister of India, Mr Narendra Modi, as well as attending Indian Community Receptions and an Indian Business Breakfast.

Queensland and India already have a strong relationship and the G20 allowed us to build on that.

As a result Indian Prime Minister Modi has

issued me with a personal invitation to attend the 7th Vibrant Gujarat Summit from 11th to 13th January 2015 in Gujarat, India.

I have accepted this invitation and will lead a trade mission to participate in the Summit and visit other key cities.

We will celebrate our business links and look to create new opportunities so that the Queensland and Indian economies can grow.

As Queensland Premier I was incredibly proud of the success of the G20 Summit and I look forward to the benefits that it will continue to bring this State.

Campbell Newman Premier of Queensland

supplement on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Australia.

It has been 28 years since an Indian Prime Minister visited Australia.

Prime Minister Modi’s visit is a vote of confidence in the friendship between Australia and India. It is also an investment in an even greater future together.

Our two countries share growing trade and people-to-people links. Two-way trade between Australia and India is around $15 billion a year and India is our second largest source of international students with over 40,000 currently studying in Australia.

Australians of Indian heritage have found

success in a country that rewards dedication, hard work and a willingness to serve the community.

Since 1788, Australia has been an immigrant society. Successive waves of newcomers eager for a better life, including many from India, have enriched our culture and added a heroic dimension to our national story.

As a nation, we have found unity in our diversity and respect in our differences.

Together, we have built a modern nation on the idea that anyone can get ahead provided they are prepared to “have a go”.

Today, there are almost half a million members of the Australian-Indian community.

Modern Australia is unimaginable without them.

Tony Abbott Prime Minister of Australia

Fijian PM thanks Indian counterpart for visit

Tourist Visa on Arrival in India for 43 countries including Australia Written By Yadu Singh

PURPOSE AND VALIDITY OF TVoA ENABLED BY ETA THE government of India has started a * Foreigners whose sole objective of visiting Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVoA) enabled by India is recreation, sight- seeing, short Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), duration medical treatment, casual business which is a great news. It should remove the visit, casual visit to meet friends or relatives hassle which many experienced while etc.

Not valid for any other obtaining a Visa for India. This facility purpose/activities. should increase the tourist’s numbers to * Entry into India within 30 days from the India. It was announced by India’s Home date of approval of ETA. Minister, Sri Rajnath Singh and Minister of * Valid for 30 days stay in India from the State, Tourism, Dr Mahesh Sharma in date of arrival in India.

November. * Allowed to enter and depart from any of the PRIME Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has TVoA ENABLED BY ETA-EXPLAINED 9 Airports, viz Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, The purpose of Tourist Visa on Arrival Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai & expressed his appreciation on behalf of the Government and people of Fiji to the (TVOA) enabled by Electronic Travel Thiruvananthapuram.

Authorisation (ETA) is to facilitate foreign * Cannot be availed more than twice in a Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi for his recent visit on November 19, 2014. travellers visiting India. This facility has calendar year.

“I am convinced that our bilateral and been extended to Nationals of following multilateral discussions found many countries: Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cook WHO ALL ARE ELIGIBLE of co-operation and Islands, Djibouti, Federated States of * Foreigner of above countries who holds an opportunities Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Ordinary passport with minimum six months development between Fiji – India and the Pacific as our nations share fundamental Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, validity.

Kingdom of Tongo, Laos, Luxembourg, * Foreigners travelling on Passport other than values of individual freedom, rule of law, diversity and electoral Mauritius, Mexico, Myanmar, New Zealand, ordinary passport such as Diplomatic, religious Niue, Norway, Oman, Palestine, Papua and Official, Special and Service passports are democracy,” PM Bainimarama said.

“I look forward to working closely with New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of not eligible for TVOA service.

Kiribati, Republic of Korea (i.e. South * Should not have a residence or occupation you and your government in these areas of co-operation and hope that these are Korea), Republic of Marshall Islands, in India.

Republic of Nauru, Republic of Palau, * Travellers should have return ticket or comprehended soon,” he added.

During the visit, the two head of states, Russia, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, onward journey ticket with sufficient money discussed on issues pertaining to climate Thailand, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, USA, to spend during his/her stay. strengthening of resource Vietnam, Vanuatu. List of more countries * International Travellers having Pakistani change, eligible for TVoA may be notified by the Passport or Pakistani origin may please apply capabilities and the importance of developing small micro enterprises in Fiji. government from time to time. for regular visa at Indian Mission 2 - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tour 2015 www.indiantimes.com.au

Fiji and India signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) during the event, including the exchange of land for a new chancery building in New Delhi, diplomatic exchanges allowing Fiji’s diplomats to train at the Indian Government’s Foreign Service Institute and project finance for an electricity cogeneration plant funded through the Exim Bank of India.

The Fijian PM thanked his Indian counterpart for convening the Forum for India – Pacific Islands Cooperation in Fiji and inviting the Pacific Leaders to Fiji.

PM Bainimarama said the address given

by Shri Modi to the Fijian parliament added dimension to democracy, economic development, innovation and prosperity to the Pacific region.

Fiji and India share 135 years of historical relations with formal diplomatic relations established in 1970.

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Australia-India research aims for cheaper fuels and chemicals from agricultural waste

• G20 Volunteers • “Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with G20 volunteer Sudha Sharma during the G20. Photo’s courtesy Awadhesh Sharma.

Mr Modi Miracle..?

INDIAN PM Mr Modi’s recent visit to Australia has sparked fresh hopes for greater economic and social engagement between two nations. For those who can sense the times and season we are moving into as a migrant community, we can expect miracles to transform villages in India. Are you ready for the challenge? Are you ready to be part of a great miracle?

The answer to these key questions depends how well you are willing to engage and give sacrificially to the less fortunate people of India. It is not only government priority to transform the nation but every citizen who has been blessed by the Almighty God. Especially people from Indian origin and subcontinents are enjoying a better life in Australia and in other prosperous countries.

Paul Kelly, editor at large for The Weekend Australian made an important and an accurate statement in my opinion. Mr Kelly wrote “In Narendra Modi , the prime minister (Tony Abbott) has found a partner who will bring us new prosperity”. If engaging with India can bring new prosperity to Australia, we must step up and ready to bless India with generous hearts.

There are number of small community organisations I am directly involved in community transformation in India. Joyful Children’s home based in Dharwad,helps to educate girls from ‘Devadasi’ community.

This is a small step in rescuing young girls who would be dedicated to one of goddess to perform prostitution to local men. This is a miracle for those girls as a curse of many generations is broken through sacrificial service of dedicated people. There are many other organisations we are partnering to bring true miracles and freedom to India.

Mr Modi’s, speech during Indian Independence Day revealed his intention to serve people as servant leadership plans. He said “Today I stand here not as your prime minister but as your prime servant”. In a Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

recent speech Mr. Modi commented “Many of us who have not had opportunity to fight for Indian independence, to be beaten, jailed. And there should be some pain in our hearts as we continually remember the great sacrifice price paid for our freedom.”

We could not die or suffer the country’s independence, but we must strive hard to live for the country’s true values of love and sharing each other’s burdens. To live in love and harmony with caring for the less fortunate. Then only India can find true freedom and these small miracles will create a transformed nation.

That is a remarkable shift in the language of Indian politics. This is what Mahatma Ghandi was speaking during his freedom fighting days. When we sincerely seek the spirit of servant hood heart to serve the under privileged people of our generation; we are on the right direction to transform our nation.

We as a community must find common ground and come together to accept the challenge of today’s deep issues here in Australia and in India. We must step up our individual responsibility to love one another and give generously to the charities. Most of us have come to this nation with nothing and have been blessed by the great land of the Holy Spirit. Australia has special part to play in the transformation of India. You are willing and obedient, don’t wait for the government to tackle the small issues such as adapting village or town to build a toilets or training centres.

One miracle hero is Moses who rescued people into freedom. Moses took up the challenge of leading the people with servant hood leadership. The Bible says, Moses was the most humble person, by trusting the word of God he lead millions of people to the promise land. The book of Exodus records the key verse, “Then the Lord told Moses, I have certainly seen the oppression of my people…I have heard their cry of distress…now go..

Just like our leaders and politicians, we have a call and a mandate from God Almighty to go and bring true freedom to people from injustice, bondage, and poverty. Go India, go Australia, multitude of miracles waiting to be released through your generous hearts and minds. And this is the true reason for Christmas; that Jesus came to earth set the captives free and bring freedom from sin and death. Merry Christmas to all BIT readers.

Join us in the journey by emailing your ideas and thoughts to:navig8grace@gmail.com

QUT’s Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities (CTCB) and the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai, are leading a multi-million dollar research project to reduce the costs of producing bio oils and chemicals from agricultural waste, minimise investment risks and encourage diversification in farming.

Associate Professor Ian O'Hara, Professor William Doherty and Dr Phil Hobson from CTCB and Professor Arvind Lali from ICT gave a presentation on the project to Prime Minister of the Republic of India Mr Narendra Modi who is in Brisbane for the G20 Leaders' Summit.

Professor Doherty said as well as making the production of renewable fuels more economically viable, the research aimed to extract chemicals to replace conventional oil-derived compounds used in paints, adhesives, fire retardants and plastics for a range of applications including vehicle body parts and building materials.

“The agricultural waste we are using which cannot be used as food or fodder is being sourced from three main crops that are common in Australia and India – sugar cane bagasse, forest residues left over from logging and rice straw,” Professor Doherty said.

“Working with eight other research partners, including the Institute of Chemical Technology in Mumbai, the project is funded by the Australian and Indian Governments and has major implications for the production of bio-based energy and renewable chemicals.

“Up to 30 per cent of the cost of producing bio oils and other renewable fuels is in the collection, transport and storage of biomass (agricultural waste) prior to processing. We are currently developing tools that enable us to reduce the cost of delivering biomass.

“Our primary aim is to establish biomass as an economically and environmentally sustainable alternative energy source and reduce the risk barriers for companies

investing in advanced manufacturing in Australia and India.

“This will significantly increase the viability of farming and rural communities by encouraging diversification associated with the production of major crops common to both the Australian and Indian agricultural sectors.

“Our hybrid biorefinery concept brings together both thermochemical and biochemical conversion processes and technologies developed by participating parties to maximise carbon conversion efficiency and end product value.”

Professor Doherty said the team was now set to take the process from the laboratory to the pilot stage at the biocommodity plants in Queensland, WA and India.

The Australia-India Strategic Research Fund 2013-2016 project partners are: • Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane; • University of Western Australia, Perth; • Curtin University, Perth; •New South Wales Department of Primary Industries • Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai; •CSIRNational Institute of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram; • International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi; • The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi; and • R & D Centre, Indian Oil Corporation, Faridabad

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us”.

- Albert Schweitzer

Prime Minister Honourable Narendra Modi has rekindled and lighted the flame of hope within millions of people, both at home and overseas, with hope for a better future. For that we are deeply grateful and honoured by his visit to Brisbane.

We wish Prime Minister Modi every success on his journey of making India a truly a great nation on earth.

With our humble salutations:

Australian Tamil Congress A Unified Voice for All Tamils www.australiantamilcongress.com

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ABN: 97 138 993 852

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tour 2014 - 3

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveils Gandhi Statue in Brisbane NOVEMBER 16th, Brisbane witnessed a historic moment and a proud achievement for Queensland Indian community, the unveiling of Gandhi Statue in Roma street parklands by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Months of hard work had finally come to fruition. A lot of hard work had gone behind the scenes to make this happen

by Gandhi Statue committee under the chairmanship of Jim Varghese.

The idea of a Gandhi statue is nothing new, it had been around for a while, in October 2013 after inaugurating GOPIO Canberra chapter in front of Gandhi statue in Glebe Park, Umesh Chandra put forward a proposal to Local and State Governments requesting a site for a statue. This was clearly announced at India Day Fair 2014 in Roma Street parklands. Both the levels of government were open to the idea and the matter was forwarded to Councillor Matthew Burke who is in charge of Parks, some undesirable sites were offered by local government, which were not

accepted. The story takes a turn here, G20 was announced and there was a lot of hype about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, as it happens quite a few years back Shree Narendra Modi in one his visits to Brisbane had dinner at Mr Pars Ram Punjs’s house, among the invited guests were Hemant and Kalpana Naik. Over dinner Shree Narendra Modi Ji had mentioned to Hemant that there should be a statue of Gandhi in Brisbane, Hemant Naik promised he would look in to the matter. Now coming back to the current situation, Prime Ministers visit to Brisbane prompted Hemant that this was the opportune time to act; he consulted Jim Varghese, who suggested that a committee be formed to take the project further.

On consulting the department Jim and Hemant were informed about the pre-existing proposal, Jim Varghese consulted Umesh Chandra and invited him to join the committee, and to take the project forward in a collective

4 - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tour 2014

to the rescue and he signed the contract for the works to proceed. Suman Makan also undertook to make up any shortfall in costs; Dr Maha Sinnathamby had pledged Seven thousand dollars towards the project. Hemant and Kalpana Naik oversaw the project works; given the short time frame there no room for error. The committee was under tremendous pressure to make this happen in a timely manner. A lot had to be coordinated, Prime Ministers approval for the unveiling, the security, the protocol, the actual works, necessary permits, planning the run sheet, and above all and most troublesome preparing the invite list. Many people felt left out, but the committee had strict instructions to keep the numbers low and the security tight.

Considering everything and the given time frame the committee did an exceptional job of planning and executing the project. Brisbane now has a Gandhi’s statue and that too one that was inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra ModiJi, in a prime central location, a location that this dear to Queensland Indian community, as it is the venue for GOPIO Queensland India Day Fair, now we have Gandhi ji to bless the occasion.

The committee had representation from GOPIO Qld, FICQ, AIBC and Queensland Indian Business Community.

COMMITTEE • Jim Varghese AM (JV) – Chair • Kalpana Naik (KN) Secretary • Hemant Naik (HN) Executive Secretary • Mrs Archana Singh (AS) - Honorary consul of and united manner. Umesh Chandra agreed to work together as the end result was more important than who gets the credit. Lord Mayor had called Umesh Chandra for a meeting in his office, after the formation of the committee Lord Mayor contacted Umesh Chandra to see if he was aware of the committee and would all be working as one unit and there would be only one proposal, Umesh Chandra informed that he had already been contacted by Jim Varghese and that he will work with the committee for the project. The meeting was still on at the same time and the committee was invited to attend, Lord Mayor briefly met Umesh Chandra before meeting the entire committee.

Hemant Naik and Umesh both were sourcing the statue from the same source, a donor from Canberra.

At the initial meeting Councillor Matthew Bourke suggested Wickham Park, this was rejected by the committee and finally Roma Street parklands was offered and the committee whole heartedly accepted that. Through our Honorary Consul for India in Queensland, Mrs Archana Singh, Indian High Commissioner got involved as well; the involvement saw a change in the statue that would be installed, as now the statue was being donated by Indian Government with the Help of PBD. Hemant Naik took on the major role of coordinating the actual works; being an architect and developer he has a lot of experience in that field. Upon finding out about the project Pars Ram Punj expressed his desire to be involved as well and the contract for the works was awarded to his son in law Indu Kant, Indu Kant also donated the stone that would go around the base, Pars Ram Punj donated the cutting and installation cost of the stone. A legally binding contract had to be signed with the contactor as the committee had no legal entity, a Brisbane based developer Suman Makan came

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India • Professor Arun Sharma (AS) - Chairman Qld Government India Council • Mr Randeep Agarwal (RW) President AIBC QLD • Professor Prasad Yaragladda (PY) President of the FICQ • Ms Raynuha Sinnathamby (RS) Managing Director Springfield Land Corporation • Mr Shaym Das (SD) - Immediate Past President of GOPIO Qld • Professor Kamal Puri (KP) - Chief Advisor including legal counsel • Mr Umesh Chandra (UC) – GOPIO International Coordinator Oceania & Publisher Brisbane Indian Times • Mr Surendra Prasad (SP) – advisor on Qld Ethnic communities • Mr Yousuf Ali Khan – (YK) President, GOPIO, Qld • Mr Suman Makan – (SM) Coopted member (Events) and donor • Mrs Harsha Makan – (HM) Co-opted member (Events) and donor.

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PM Narendra Modi covers three-nation tour in nine days NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned home after a nine-day-threenation tour of Myanmar, Australia and Fiji during which he had a range of international engagements.

The special Air India plane carrying the Prime Minister and his delegation landed in New Delhi airport after a 14-hour flight from Fiji with a two-hour refuelling halt at Yangon in Myanmar.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was among others at the airport to receive Prime Minister Modi.

During his three-nation tour, Modi attended the East Asia and ASEAN-India Summits in Myanmar, the G-20 Summit in Australia and held bilaterals with his

Australian and Fijian counterparts.

Modi, the first Indian premier to visit the Pacific country after Indira Gandhi who had come here in 1981, held talks with his Fijian counterpart Frank Bainimarama and also announced a slew of Lines of Credit and development aid totalling USD 80 million for the country.

He also addressed Fijian parliament, the first by a foreign leader, after parliamentary elections, during which he said that India was prepared to build a “Digital Fiji”.

Modi announced visa on arrival facility for all the 14 Pacific Island countries and hoped it will promote better understanding between the peoples.

During his four-city tour in Australia, Modi and his counterpart Tony Abbott agreed on a landmark framework for security cooperation across the spectrum in defence, Call Trudi on 07 3865 6533

cyber and maritime security and combating terrorism, including the threats posed by foreign fighters joining extremists groups.

The two countries also decided to conclude a long- pending Free Trade pact by the end of next year and an “early closure” of the civilian nuclear deal that will facilitate uranium imports to India. Prior to arriving in Australia, Modi attended the ASEAN-India summit and the East Asia Summit in Myanmar.

At the East Asia summit in Myanmar capital Nay Pyi Taw, Modi asserted that the world community must reject any linkage between religion and terrorism while formulating a “genuinely international” partnership in the fight against all forms of terror acts.

On India-ASEAN relationship, Modi said there were “no irritants” in their ties and they can be “great” partners.

He said there will be “major improvement”

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in India’s trade policy and environment and proposed a special facility for speedy implementation of connectivity projects with the 10-nation ASEAN bloc.

On the sidelines of the summits, Modi met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak, Russian Premier Dmitry Medvedev, and Thai counterpart Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha.

PTI

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tour 2014 - 5

GOPIO International welcomes India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Australia

• GOPIO International executive team.

THE Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) extends a warm welcome to India’s Prime Minister Hon. Narendra Modi to Brisbane. There is an extra-ordinarily high level of excitement and anticipation among Non-resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) in Brisbane about the visit of Hon. Narendra Modi to the Australia. It is a unique time in the history of the partnership between India and the Australia with many opportunities to strengthen the relationship on several fronts while doing so with respect, consideration of present and emerging trends, as well as recognition of realities. The growing partnership between India and Australia is poised for an historic alliance between equals.

NRIs and PIOs in Australia comprise a rapidly increasing population. These include significant numbers of prominent achievers and contributors in all segments of society, innovators in technology, High

technology medical and professional, academia, media, finance, legal, political, business and investments, culture, hotel/motel hospitality, pharmaceutical, etc.

There is a highly visible sense of euphoria among NRIs and PIOs in Australia about the recent political change in India and anticipation of stronger partnership between India and Australia, as well as mutual interest of India and Australia for peace among India’s neighbors. There is also mutual interest of India and Australia for combating violence, terrorism and extremism among India’s neighbors and countries in the region. India-Australia relationship potentially can be the cornerstone of much needed global strategic interests and regional stability which can be tremendously beneficial to both India and Australia.

While there is also a new generation of NRIs and PIOs well integrated in Australian society at all levels, there is strong interest

among NRIs and PIOs in Australia to strengthen the relations between Indian & Australia. There is also a strong interest among NRIs and PIOs in Australia for more progress in India internally for good governance, accountability at all levels, quality education to all children, health services, clean water supply, updated sanitation and social services, equitable treatment of women and children, uplifting the poor and downtrodden and taking pride in quality of services. There also exist good feelings towards India and NRIs and PIOs in Australia among the Australia population, officials, business, academia and society in general.

As the premiere global advocacy Indian Diaspora organization representing the interests and concerns of NRIs and PIOs, GOPIO looks forward and supports more progress to strengthen the partnership between India and Australia. GOPIO’s special message in this supplement

highlights the enormous successes and contributions of the Indian Diaspora in Australia and globally. We are confident this special supplement in Brisbane Indian Times will enhance the prominence of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Australia and highlight the IndianAustralian community’s support for Prime Minister Modi, his mandate and agenda for reform and India’s prominent place in the global arena.

Umesh Chandra GOPIO International Coordinator (Oceania) GOPIO is a non-partisan, non-sectarian global organization formed in 1989 and has chapters in several countries, actively promoting the interests of people of Indian origin worldwide by monitoring and addressing current critical issues of concern, and by enhancing cooperation and communication between groups of Indians living in various countries.

Indian PM stresses importance of research during QUT visit INDIAN Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared research the "mother of invention" after an historic visit to QUT. One of the most tech-savvy world leaders attending the G20 Summit in Brisbane, Mr Modi was given a tour of The Cube, one of the world's largest interactive learning and display spaces.

Mr Modi inspected the twostorey-high digital centrepiece of the Science and Engineering Centre, at QUT's Gardens Point campus, where he heard about ground-breaking research and met local high school students.

As Australia's leading research centre in robotic vision, QUT unveiled its latest agricultural robot.

AgBot II has the potential to change farming practices around the globe and early next year will start field trials which will see it seed, weed and fertilize crops.

Asked to write a message on the robot, Mr Modi wrote (translated from Gujarati): "Research is the mother of invention. The development journey of mankind is a continuous stream of research. Science and technology is very important for agriculture.

"Agricultural scientists rely heavily on science and technology. Agricultural progress is very important for the welfare of humanity. I congratulate you for your efforts here and wish you the best."

Generous with his time, Mr Modi, who has more than 7.8 million Twitter followers, happily posed for "selfies" with excited high school students.

Mr Modi explored the diversity of The Cube, from "Chem 6 - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tour 2014

World" to the spectacular "Virtual Reef" and "The Cube Globe", which visualised trade and investment opportunities between Queensland and India.

He also met the QUT research team spearheading the university's multi-million dollar partnership with the Indian Government to develop iron-rich bananas to help stamp out iron-deficiency anaemia in India, a major cause of maternal death during childbirth.

The joint project has enormous humanitarian potential as iron deficiency is a problem in all developing countries.

The progressive Prime Minister was briefed on a project being jointly led byQUT's Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities and the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, which aims to create cheaper fuels and chemicals from agricultural waste.

The project expects to reduce risks for companies www.indiantimes.com.au

investing in advanced manufacturing in regional and rural areas and is funded through the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund.

QUT's expertise in the development of droughtresistant chickpeas and other pulses, staple foods in India, was also on the Prime Minister's itinerary.

The development of new varieties of pulses such as chickpeas and mung beans should allow Australia and potentially other nations such as India, to be able to farm land currently considered unsuitable for production.

As income levels rise within the Asian region in particular there will be unprecedented demand for protein and this void will be filled by pulses rather than livestock.

QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Coaldrake and Professor Arun Sharma, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Commercialisation) welcomed Mr Modi to QUT, along with Australian Minister for Agriculture, the Honourable Barnaby Joyce MP. "It was a huge honour for QUT to welcome Prime Minister Modi to our world-class Science and Engineering Centre," Professor Coaldrake said.

"QUT is proud of its very strong ties with India, in particular our joint major research projects in the areas of agricultural innovation and food security. These are ground-breaking research projects that could be crucial to the future of food production in India, Australia and globally."

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Modi magic hits Australia...

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tour 2014 - 7

Real Estate Is Our World Licensee Usha Chandra and the team at Globenet Realty Boondall congratulate Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his historic visit to Myanmar, Fiji and Australia.

We would also like to congratulate Gandhi Statue committee for the milestone achievement.

Congratulation is also in order for Prof Nihal Agar and his team at Indian Australian Community foundation for planning and executing the very successful civic reception for Honourable Narendra Modi Ji in Sydney.

Globenet Realty, longest established agency in its trade area serving the community since 1998. Number one agency for listing and selling as per Real Estate.Com statistics

(07) 3865 4466 www.globenetrealty.com.au

Indian Times Brisbane

A Division of Qld Multicultural Times

The team at Brisbane Indian Times congratulates Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his historic visit to Myanmar, Fiji and Australia. We would also like to congratulate Gandhi Statue committee for the mile stone achievement. Congratulation is also in order for Prof Nihal Agar and his team at Indian Australian Community foundation for planning and executing the very successful civic reception for Honourable Narendra Modi Ji in Sydney.

Brisbane Indian Times, Queenslands first full colour newspaper for the Indian community, serving the community since 2013. Covering all regions and religions