INDIAN GOODWILL DELEGATION GREETED WITH A GRAND COMMUNITY RECEPTION IN SYDNEY

When the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi visited the Australian continent in 2014, it laid the foundation of a stronger and healthier relationship between the two nations. The sojourn paved way for better trade and investment prospects between the two allies. Recently, the Indian community associations saluted the Indian Parliamentarians and senior officials who were on a ‘Goodwill visit’ to Australia with a grand reception; thereby strengthening the ties furthermore.

The delegation was led by the Honorable Minister of State (independent charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Joint Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Government of India, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, at Grand Marion Function Centre, Harris Park in New South Wales (Sydney). The magnificent reception held on 30th May, 2015 for the 15 member delegation saw the presence of enthusiastic community members.

The reception was organized jointly by prominent Indian community associations, such as United Indian Association (UIA), Council of Indian Australians, Tamil Arts and Cultural Association (TACA), Australian Hindi Indian Association, IIT Alumni Association and Institute of Charted Accountants of India.

The other dignitaries who were a part of the Goodwill tour included Bhartiya Janta Party’s Shri Avinash Raj Khanna, Samajwadi Party’s Shri Arvind Kumar Singh, Shiv Sena’s, Shri Shivaji Adhalrao Patil, AIADMK’s Ponnusamy Venugopal, CPI (M)’s Jharna Das Baidya, Biju Janata Dal’s, Dilip Kumar Tirkey, AITC’s Shri Prasun Banerjee and TDP’s Shri Venkata Narasimham Thota and senior officials such as Shri Afsal Amanaullah, Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Shri Rajiv Mathur Head Standards & QA, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).

The official ceremony inaugurated with a graceful Kathak performance by Apeksha and Niharika from Ruchi Sanghi Dance Academy, introduced by the Master of Ceremony Kartik Mohandas, followed by Mrs. Yujita Chaudhary welcoming the notable Minister, the Parliamentarians and the community members.

The atmosphere of the grand occasion echoed, Australia- India as essential partners. Mr. John Kennedy, Chair of United Indian Association stated that the community organizations were delighted to host this important event and also spoke about the importance of Indian community in Australia. A special guest of the community reception, Mr. Sunjay Sudhir, Consul General of India, Sydney, too expressed his approbation and appreciation of the relationship between the two countries.

The Indian Parliamentarians also visited Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra paralleling their visit with the first anniversary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Government. Speaking to the Indian Diaspora, the Honorable Minister (of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship), Rajiv Pratap Rudy, sought their support and assistance for various development projects in India.

“Members of Parliament are here to meet Australian leaders and to discuss various aspects of partnerships in the area of business, clean energy, Free Trade and Agreement (FTA), security and also on skill development front,” Rudy was quoted as saying while addressing the community.

The Minister also highlighted the ongoing visionary projects under PM Modi’s leadership such as, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Make in India Campaign, Digital India, and the various Schemes for the people. The honorable Minister and the other distinguished Parliamentarians not only interacted but also answered the queries of the inquisitive community members.

The official ceremony ended with the members of the delegation accepting souvenirs, followed by a vote of thanks by Mr. Sanjay Patel, a major sponsor of the community reception and Mr. Vish Viswanathan, on behalf of the community organizations. They acknowledged the great kinship spirit of unity and unanimity among the community members for having successfully organized and managed the event.