Passion, purpose, pride

no particular order, a clear visio n of what they want accomplished; a working team th at operates cohesively and efficiently, and a strong be lief in , and dedication to, their cause.

In over 20 years of observing the trends in Australia's Indian community, seldom has one seen the kind of passion that is on display at the moment.

r o, this note is not just about the 'Modi mania' that's sweeping the community, but more specifically about the core group behind the upcoming Allphones Arena event that will probably go down as a landmark event in the annals of the Indian diaspora down under.

The Indian Australian Community Foundation (I.ACF) was set up to hatness the re.<;o urces of the various Indian community groups in organising the reception for the Indian Prime :[\,[in ister.

It was fotmded by a core of people who are behind the Hindu Cow1ciJ of Australia's annual DiwaLi Mela, wh ich has grown strongly since it scarred over a decade ago, while other comparable functions waxed and waned.

Ir is clear that a nwnber of factors are at play in the steady success of its activities, which have made this o r ganisation one to emulate. These are, in

It is the ver y same passion tha t this team of people brings co tl1e Modi venture. In spite of initial chaUenges in getting access ro the PM's time, mey are now on tl1e verge of pulling off what will no doubt be the event of the year in me Indian community

In a community mired a plecbora of organisations demarcated by linguistic or regional differences, the egos o f the leaders have often caused divisions and factions. Splinter groups morph inro sub o rganisatio ns and all too o ften the agenda is dri ven by petty policies rather man me common good. In contrast, the IACF has reached o ut ro every o rganisation with its inc lusive nan1te. It has been impressiv e to watcll some 300 register w itl1 chem, i n a matter of days, offel'ing su pport.

The passion was fuelled by a purpose, and that was to create a platform for the scill new PM Modi to connect w ith th e Indians in this countr y Wbile the bar was set by the public forum at Mad ison Square Garden in New York not so long ago, the Sydney team knew chat their access to me PM was on a Monday working day in the earl y evening, as compared to a weekend event in the U nited Stares lndo Americans are estimated to be over 3 ,000,000 in numbers , Indian Australians battle to reach a si.xth of that number at 500,000 Anotl1er internationa l event in the community, tl1e regional Prav as i Bharti ya Diwas held a t aro und the same time last year, could only manage muster the interest of 300 people , even wim montl1s of preparatio n. The challenge for me organisers this time around was to ignite the imagination of those thinking about attending They have been able to do chi s b y keeping the message sirnple: it's a community reception for the Indian PM, aU are welcome, and iris free.

Indians in Australia feel a sense o f pride in the c o untry of their birth and ancestry Th ere is a desi r e to connect with their heritage and c ontinue to nurnire the bonds between t he ir adopted and original bomelands. Sadly, previous govern ments had failed co reach om to mem and there was a g ro,ving disenchantment with t he politicians o f India The recent change in government seems to have ignited the passion of t he comm tmity, and a desire has emerged to participa te in the various mood s sweeping across the country. This passion has been ind eed been harnessed well b y the IACP, as mey create a pl atform at which me chi e f architect o f the new India, PM Modi, can s hare his visio n directly