Welcome to ‘Little India’ in the city of Parramatta

By Raj Natarajan

To have a little part of your country in an absolutely foreign soil is a matter of immense honor and pride. It is this moment of triumph, the Indian citizens in Australia felt when on 15 June, 2021, the Parramatta Council declared the iconic business streets of Wigram Street, Marion Street and Station Street in Harris Park as – ‘Little India’. The announcement came into fruition via Council resolution to name it as “Little India” as part of an initial 6-months campaign. Harris Park is known to station  more than 20 eateries , shops, businesses of varied types and kinds– showcasing the rich aromatic beauty of India.

As this historic announcement was made, Indus Age spoke to dignitaries, business association and traders on this occasion to know their comments. Read on…

Lord Mayor Cr Bob Dwyer, City of Parramatta

“Harris Park, like Parramatta as a whole, is home to a diversity of cultures and that’s something that should be celebrated,” Cr Dwyer said. “The Indian community is a large and important part of the cultural mix that makes this City rich and vibrant.”

“The main business area of Harris Park, around Marion and Wigram streets, boasts a wonderful array of Indian businesses and has long been known locally as ‘Little India’. We want to share this hidden gem with the wider community, so we can attract more visitors to the area and boost the local economy.

“Council will continue to work with local businesses, including through the Little India Harris Park Reference Group, to make sure we successfully market this thriving business district.”

 Dr Geoff Lee, Member for Parramatta

I am supportive of the naming of Little India in Harris Park as a part of a strategy to drive the visitor economy for Parramatta.  I have been asking council for many years for this to happen and we are very close to achieving this goal. 

This is not about changing the suburb name of Harris Park, it’s about attracting people from all around Sydney to come and visit ‘Little India’ as a destination precinct. This will help support the businesses and restaurants in Harris Park.

The naming of Little India as a destination and visitor strategy is similar to China Town in Haymarket or Little Italy in Leichardt and I think most of the community in Harris Park will embrace supporting the local businesses and restaurants with this destination name of Little India.

Chandru Tolani, Businessman 

I think it’s a great idea to have Little India as it sure is a tourist attraction for visitors from overseas and interstate. More tourists mean more business for Parramatta area. Since, we have properties in this area, business will flourish.

Sanjay Patel, PATEL BROTHERS GROUP AUSTRALIA

This is an acknowledgement of Australia’s Indian community & Indian business’s contribution toward creating vibrant Indian culture in Harris Park within last 15 years.

Also, this is a very positive step towards helping local businesses under the “Little India” brand tourist spot. This “Little India” location on the Sydney map will generate more foot traffic in Harris Park area and more & more Australians will come & experience Indian food & culture. This will definitely help local Indian Australian businesses & entrepreneurs who have been working hard & contributing towards our economy. 

We as Patel Brothers Operating Harris Park’s Biggest local Indian Australian Supermarket will be able to showcase to them our different cultural & festival items, food products, crafts etc representing our different states & communities of wider India. Personally for us this will create more opportunities in future.

Hopefully this first positive step by Parramatta council will eventually lead to creating Harris Park as Indian Cultural Hub of Sydney. If this happens this will benefit all businesses & local communities. Harris Park will have its own identity & representation as “India In Australia”. 

Dharmesh Rangparia, Chatkazz

This is one of the biggest achievement for Harris Park and Business Community so far, as when you think about Harris Park, first thing comes in mind is Indian Food, Indian Culture, Indian Hub, it is all about INDIANS.

This will be an advantage to all businesses not only Indian Business but other business will benefit too.

In terms of businesses and area, people will recognize as Little India of Australia, but there are lots of things which needs to get improved like parking, as not enough parking for sure to cater all those people,  may be more advertisement by government.

As an Indian, we definitely would like Harris Park to be recognised as a Business hub which will attract all people from Sydney and all around Australia to visit Harris park, at least once.

Little India Australia Association – Gurmeet Tuli

Business owner of Indian origin in Harris park  take  ‘Little India” as  Heart and soul of Indian Australian  community.

 Announcing  of “Little India precinct” has build confidence in business community

Parramarra council has – recognised the efforts to Little India Australia and Council has trusted the vision of Little India and given back to community, what we deserve.

We are working on visual identity of Little India  so  that  little India is declared as tourist attractions in NSW Govt.

Little India is Shaping the future of Australian –  Indian Government bilateral relationship.

At a recent meeting with Indian Consulate –  we are  progressing toward installation of

“Little India – Gate” which will be used as memorial services or cultural hub in Sydney.

Little India Harris Park Business Association Inc –  Sanjay Deshwal

I am  delighted and it is a matter of pride for all Indians in Australia. Proud to be part of this initiative from 2015. It is time to show case our colours, heritage, art, crafts and skills

Indian diaspora would have a cultural hub. A common place to meet, share and display Indian colours. If managed and marketed properly, it can be an iconic place like little India in Singapore

We have proposed an Indian Arch like Gateway in 2019. We also would request to install another statue in roundabout.

Plus the way destination NSW and tourism Australia will promote along with Gandhi statue in jubilee park, it will become like a must place to visit.

We would like to develop an Indian house, Indian chaupal and more decorations and more presentation in ethnic style.

Shops and businesses should be encouraged to use Indian theme and or ethnic style decorations and themes.