Council of Indian Australians

For the third year in a row, the Council of Indian Australians (CIA) has celebrated India’s Independence Day in Blacktown which has one of the largest populations of Indian community in Australia. Regardless of the controversy dogging the organisation, given the sudden exit of its very public former president Yadu Singh, the Council of Indian Australians pulled off a very impressive evening indeed.

The 400-plus people who were gathered were treated to an evening of entertainment which was well presented by a group of talented performers. With children as young as five taking part in a vibrant mix of patriotic songs, folk and classical dances, the cultural theme director Jaspreet Chopra did well to inform and entertain the gathered crowd. Pairing the husband wife team of Jennifer and Mohit Kumar as the MCs also added a fantastic Indian Australian touch to the evening. Both Jennifer and Mohit were well scripted and shared a terrific chemistry on stage as they kept the show running smoothly and on a tight leash.

There was a bevy of politicians and officials present, from Louise Markham representing

Opposition Leader Tony Abbot, Victor Dominello Minister for Citizenship and Communities, NSW Opposition leader John Robertson, Liberal Matt Kean from Hornsby, Liberal Geoff Lee from Parramatta, and Chair of the Community Relations Commission Stepan Kerkyasharian. Conspicuous in their absence, yet again, were representatives of the Indian government in Australia.

CIA President Subba Rao Varigonda while welcoming the guests acknowledged the commonalities between India and Australia in areas such as law, language and a commonwealth heritage. He emphasised the mission statement of CIA, which is to work for the growing Indian community in Australia in a transparent and ethical manner and urged all those present to join and contribute to the community through the organisation.

Louise Markham, representing Opposition Leader Tony Abbot also spoke about the high regard the Opposition leader had for the Indian Australian population and how wonderful it was to celebrate the diversity of cultures in Australia. Stepan Kerkyasharian, on behalf of the Premier Barry O’ Farrell also congratulated the

Community achievers are felicitated

promote greater trade with India,” he said, adding, “India is a priority market for us”.

NSW Opposition leader John Robertson spoke about the inspiration he gets from the life and times of the Father of the Indian nation, Mahatma Gandhi.

A special moment on the night came from a wonderful video presentation aimed at expat Indians: a clip from movie Namastey London in which actor Akshay Kumar extols the virtues of all things Indian. For all those present, it was good to hear about be without awards? This time round, felicitaions were made for contributions in sports, academic and business categories, the awardees being cricketer Lisa Sthalekar, academic late Prof Bhaskara Rao and businessmen Sanjay Deshwal, Sanjay Patel and Neni Tiwari. It was interesting to note the omission of many Indian-origin Australians who have recently been awarded Australian Honours through a rigorous process by the government: sadly, not even a mention was made of these