India

Strong political presence at AISV and AIBC organised Independence Day celebrations

sterling job of growing Indian Australian business relationships. Scott Morrison spoke about the important role that the Indian community has played in Australian society. “The opportunities in IT, finance, tourism and education industries further cements the need for association of Australia with India, and there is no doubt that India is critical to the economic future of Australia,” said the Minister. He thanked the Indian community for a partnership that is growing and benefitting both nations.

Minister Kotsiras managed to stir up the audience with his tongue in cheek comment about India being the second best cricketing nation in the world. On a serious note, he reflected on the achievements of India as a nation in being a democratic multi-faith and multicultural nation. According to him, while there has been a lot of work done to support new migrants, the challenge lies in thinking of future needs of the rapidly growing Indian community. The challenge is to get the Indian community in Australia together as a force, to fulfil future needs like building a nursing home for Indians in Australia. He said he was wiling to support the efforts of the community, and they could continue to organise functions and cultural shows and events; however, a solution needs to be found to unite the community to address the needs of the future generation. Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews ended the speeches by offering a few brief comments. He praised the contribution of the Indian community, in particular their efforts in the medical, healthcare sector in Victoria and the broader nation. The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Monica Raizada, the dynamic Vice President of AISV.

And where were you on 15 Aug 1947?

Acrowd of about 50 gathered at the India Consulate at 344 St. Kilda rd, Melbourne to celebrate India’s Independence day. The early morning ceremony saw the acting Consul General r aj Kumar unfurl the Indian national flag as the members of the Indian community collectively sang the national anthem.

Mr Kumar also read out the message of the Indian high Commissioner in Australia Mr Biren nanda, to Indian nationals here.

“India’s relations with Australia have grown from strength to strength since the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries in 2009,” Mr nanda observed. “last year people born in India were the largest segment of new immigrants in Australia. The 400,000 strong Indian community in Australia is acting as a bridge between the two countries. They have the potential and the capacity to qualitatively transform our bilateral relations in the future”.

Community members then took the floor. The eighty-something Krishna Arora, everyone’s favourite “Aunty”, spoke warmly about her memories of mid August, 1947.

“I was a teenager in delhi,” she recalled as everyone listened, enthralled. “There were feelings of happiness sweeping over the entire city. we sat glued to the radio, our only source of information. I remember the city all lit up in celebration. The India Gate area was decked up like I had never seen it before”.

no doubt the description was of the days before the religious riots between the hindus and the Muslims broke out. or perhaps, Mrs Arora cleverly chose to ignore that part of our history on this particular occasion!

A poem presentation in hindi by Aviti was another highlight.

o ver snacks, the discussion was all about the upcoming regional pravasi Bharatiya divas to be held in Sydney later this year.

Ashish Chawla