onora 1ans

Members ofQueensland's Indian community relish the opportunity

to gather at Parliament House

Have you recei ved an invite? It was a question that did the rounds of the Indian community io Brisbane for a few days The Honourable Campbell Newman, Premier of Queens land, on behalf of the Queensland Government, invited se lected guests, compris ing both Indians and Australians, to a Reception in Honour of the Indian Community io Queen sland.

On a warm Tuesday evening, at the Speaker's Green, Parliamentary Annexe, dressed in traditional Indian finery or business attire, and around 200 peop.l e walked into the event ,vith eager faces.

Addressing tbe gathering, Premier Campbell Newman emphasised d i e improved connections between Queensland and I11dia. He also commended the Indian community's hard work in organising a highly successful Diwali function held at George Square, in d1e month of Occober.

The Premier also touched upon Bol.l ywood's and Indian tourists' tryst w im the Go ld Coast, and also discw,sed the upcoming G20 that w ill see over 4000 international delegates come to Brisbane.

" l am especially delighted to welcome d1e Ind ian Prime Minister Narendta Modi to the Scace," Premier Newman said And not forgetting cricket he said, ''Queenslanders are looking forward to the upcoming Australia-India test series."

Above: Prof Prasad Yarlagadda(President FICQ); Dr Maha Sinnathamby (Patron, FICQ); Biren Nanda ( High Commissioner oflndia to Australia); Queensland Premier Campbell Newman

Also speaking at the event was High Commissioner of India co Australia Biren anda, who said die event was symbolic of Australia's multiculturalism. "India coo is a diverse multiculmral society," he sa id, "Ir's i ncredi ble that peop le of Indian origin are making a significant conrribuci.on in A ustralia."

Biren Nanda also spoke about the recently elected Liclian Prime :tvf.inister Modi, and s aid mar th.is is tbe first decisive result for a political party. ''People believe aspirations can be m et wid1 a democratic framework," he said President of the Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland , Prasad Yarlagaclda reaffirmed the title of 'Ho norary Indian of me Year' given to the Premier CampbeU Newmai1, for b.is strengthening and supporting of die India -Australia relati ons hip.

After the speec hes everyone tried to grab ilie attention of di e Premier co get a picture and a c1uick introducLion, whil e appetisers like san1osas, paneer ti kkas .and drinks floated around the venue

An evening which lasted for just over an hour fostered a new networking opportunity for quite a number of people