Indian High Commissioner visits Adelaide

The High Commissioner of India to Australia, Dr A M Gondane visited Adelaide and met with community leaders on last month. At a reception organised by Indian Australian Association of South Australia, the High Commissioner, along with his wife and the Consul General B. Vanlalvawna met with some 50 community leaders. Prominent among them were members of the Indian Association (IAASA), members of regional associations like Adelaide Malayalee Association, Uttarakhand Association, Gurjari, Telugu Association, Punjabi Association, Indian Community

Radio, past presidents of IAASA, business leaders etc.

It was a pleasure to meet with the new high commissioner and Dr Gondane made it clear that along with the Consul General, he would be very approachable and try to assist people as much as possible.

Although running late and having too many appointments in his diary, Dr Gondane was extremely cordial and friendly with all, asking everyone to introduce themselves individually and making jokes.

Speaking to the community members, Dr Gondane asked them to deliberately start thinking a out how to raise the profile o our community in Australia. He suggested that we consider India’s place in the future, its future locus and focus our activities to fit that locus. e implored the audience to take a real interest in the country and use their emotions and spirit to have a mission with the aim to really boost the Indian community’s profile in ustralia. Why aren’t we up there in all walks at the highest level in the general community, he asked. Why are we not seen on the economic stage, as business leaders, in diplomatic and usiness circles, in politics

It was a fervent plea to the assembled well-established members of the community to o significance. “It is our way o saying, i it is significant or you, it is significant to me, he said. ow had it come a out e had met with Chirag Trivedi earlier in the year to discuss a range of issues. “We talked about culturally significant days and Independence Day came up. I asked how such a day was commemorated in India and Chirag talked about the parades and the raising of the Indian flag. aising the Indian flag is something we can easily do as part of a ceremony.” ter the flag hoisting, ayor Clyne and his staff also made community members very welcome for a morning tea and chit-chat about Unley’s plans to boost rapport with the Indian community.

“Relationships grow naturally,” said Mayor Clyne. “Based on the good will created today we will look at how we might be more involved in the future to support Indian festivals. Today I heard a number of attendees express how touching it was for them to be involved in the ceremony which warmed my heart. Talking to them, I elt that the flag raising has helped the Unley Council to bond more strongly with its IndianAustralian community.” consider these questions and take these ideas to members of their associations or other community members so that people from an Indian background start making a real impact on the big stage. But also to fit these ideas with the vision of India so that even though we may be away from India, what we achie e o erseas would enefit the mother country in some way. Dr Gondane had to hurry off to another appointment but did spend a few minutes chatting and posing for photographs. Hopefully on his next visit he will have more time to interact with the community and to develop these ideas more with concrete suggestions and strategies.

With this step by the Council, and the Mayor’s empathic, handson attitude, we are sure bonds with the Indian community in Unley will grow and get stronger very soon.

Everyone who passed by on Unley Road on 15 August would ha e noticed the flag and e ery Indian would have felt proud to see it fluttering against the ustralian sky. And we can look forward to more such events in Unley!

Vinaya Rai