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culture, work within the boundaries of the law and receive at least the minimum wages, will have a very good experience. They will become positive ambassadors of Australia and this is what an overseas

The recent AR Rahman concert was meant to promote harmony amongst the Indian and mainstream communities. However, on the day, there were less than 10% Australians in the audience. Was it just pandering to the Indian community, or did it truly raise the level

AR Rahman is a legend, but on that day the Sydney Festival had another concert on at the Domain, and this caused competition between two great artists. Naturally the Indian community preferred Rahman and perhaps the only thing which the Australian community might know about him is Jai Ho. Also, staging the concert in Parramatta meant that the Indian community was targeted. The NSW Government took it as a major initiative and their purpose was well served. The Indians felt good, and the Australians did

Do you feel that the local Indian community organisations are doing their

Unfortunately I feel that there are far too many associations in Sydney. There are almost 60 local associations. I recognise that sometimes it’s a good thing to bring people of a certain community together who have similar interests, but it’s important that the effect is not to dilute, when instead, we can put together a collective viewpoint. My hope is that issues will bring people together, rather than separate them. I recognise that associations and organisations are required to be divided on linguistic grounds. I do not see anything wrong in this, as long as people can come together for important

On another issue entirely, there have been complaints about your own office regarding visa turn-around times, which can stretch up to 11 days. What is being

I am reviewing this and I will be recommending, whether it’s accepted or not, to increase the turn around time to 15 working days. This is also the time period which the Australian Government takes, as per their website. My thinking is that we should give an outer limit and work within it. Do note that the number of visa applications are increasing and our resources are getting decreased. This is a only way to do that is to learn as much as possible. Be proud that you are Indian, but also be proud that you are here.

What message would you like to give to the Indian student community?

PL: Your message to the established community here?

AD: I say with folded hands, never forget that you are Indian as well as Australia. We need to ask ourselves, how can we improve the relationship between India and Australia?

PL: Your message to the Australian Government?

AD: The attacks are taking place, and need to be addressed. A clear message has to be sent to parents in India. Not just the ones whose children have not been affected, but even those whose children have been harmed. Secondly, go beyond the trivialities. A common love of love cricket and curry is all fine… we now need to identify if there are more substantial issues on which Australia and India need to engage.

PL: Your message to the Indian Government?

AD: The Indian Government needs to recognise, and I believe it has, that the India-Australia relationship is strategically important and we need to identify how we can strengthen this, by working with the Australian Government on this.

PL: When your tenure as Consul General is complete, what would you like to have accomplished?

AD: Hopefully the student issue is not the only defining issue – I hope I am still Consul General when M S Dhoni and his merry men come here and beat the Australians in cricket! But seriously, one of the core issues for me is to increase trade between India and Australia. I would also like to see definite resolves on the students’ issue. Two resolutions which will build up great confidence will be setting up an International Student Centre and offering travel concessions. I would also like to increase community awareness of Indian establishments underpaying Indian students. If that can be improved, I will be very pleased. If I can see Indian associations work collectively on issuebased matters, I will be pleased. If the Indian community can join together and offer their voice and opinions in politics etc, it will please me. The important thing for the Indian community is to take itself seriously. That is the core issue and if the community realises that they can make a difference and that they are not merely a drop in the ocean, that they have critical numbers which should be heard, it will be something I will be pleased to have achieved.

Up close and personal with Amit Dasgupta

Favourite holiday destination: I like wild life and photography, so Ranthambore and Sunderbans (anything wild life related)

Favourite food: Bengali food, East Indian food and then South Indian Food

Favourite Indian restaurant in Sydney: I enjoy the Barramundi at Akis at Woolloomooloo

Non Indian: Aria. I am going to Tetsuya’s in March which is reputed to be one of the best in the world.

Favourite movie (Bollywood): Old films like Pyasa and Guide. I also enjoyed Parineeta though (maybe due to the Bengali connection!)

Favourite movie (Hollywood): An old movie called The Man from La Mancha with Sophia Loren and Peter O’Toole

I relax by: Reading, writing and cooking.

I like to cook: Seafood - in a style I call fusion, but my family calls it confusion.

Favourite song: Frank Sinatra’s My Way

Favourite book: Enjoyed reading The Little Prince by Antoine de SaintExupery

The book I am reading now: Reading a few, actually: What We Knew (about the Germans’ awareness during World War II as to what the Nazis were doing to the Jews), Viktor Frankl’s 1946 book Man’s Search for Meaning and John Howard Griffins’ Black Like Me after his course. He is very happy despite the tribulations he went through when the college collapsed. There are far more wonderful stories than sad ones. The students who get good orientation, who assimilate well with the mainstream

AD: If you have left the shores of India to come to study in a foreign land, it’s important to recognise that there are rules and regulations in this country which you need to follow. You need to adapt to this, make the most of your life here and the

The interview took place at the studios of Indian Link Radio. Full interview can be heard on Indian Link radio on Sunday 7th February at 9 pm, repeated on Tuesday 10th February at 3 pm. Radio is available through subscription or online at www. indianlink.com.au

If I was not a diplomat, I would have been: A cook

Three people I would like to have over for dinner: Sachin Tendulkar, Nicole Kidman and Steve Waugh.