LETTERS TO THE

Let’s make everything right

Your editorial ‘Everything has gone wrong’ (Indian Link March 1) was thought provoking and interesting. The reputation of India and Indians unfortunately has taken a beating in Australia. Sachin Tendulkar, Bollywood, A.R.Rahman and now IPL have made every Indian proud amongst the Australians. But suddenly, ‘Everything has gone wrong’. The indecent attacks on Australian women in Sydney by a man of Indian/Pakistani origin reported recently, are really reprehensible and there is likely to be further erosion in the hard-earned reputation of Indians amongst the Australians. Let us collectively urge the few irresponsible Indians (if found guilty), to desist from such dastardly acts and strive hard to convince the Australians that “Everything will be right” in future.

Som Balachandran Sydney

Playing in harmony

I had the privilege of attending the Australian Football Harmony Cup Grand Final at Whitten Oval with Leader of The Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition Ted Baillieu recently.

The day brought together footballers from many different cultural backgrounds and promoted respect, goodwill and understanding to put all Australians on a level playing field.

As a former Essendon player, I was impressed with the commitment and skill of the players.

The games were tough and physical but, most importantly, those participating demonstrated a remarkable spirit of friendly competition and respect for their opponents.

Footballers with Albanian, Greek, Indian, Indonesian, Israeli, Italian and Lebanese backgrounds travelled from around the state to celebrate Victoria’s multicultural heritage and to show their passion for the game.

I congratulate Aussie Rules International general manager Brian Clarke and his team for arranging the event and thank the many sponsors who supported the various teams. As Nelson Mandela famously said, ‘sport has the power to change the world, the power to inspire, the power to unite people in a way little else can’

Hugh Delahunty MP Shadow Minister for Sport

Media controls mindsets

I recently spent one month travelling in India, cruising along the Brahmaputra river in Assam, and from Kolkata to near Varanasi on the Ganges. While in Munger, I was approached by a group of young men. They asked where I was from and became quite hostile when I said I was from Australia. Why had I come to India, Australians are racist, they attack Indians. When I tried to say that Australians are generally welcoming and tolerant, and that we hoped Indians would not be deterred from visiting, they would hear none of it. Should they believe me or the Indian media, they said and walked off.

Petra O’Neill Paddington