By Vish Viswanathan
Partnerships are focus of goodwill visit
Various prominent Indian community associations united in New South Wales to host a grand reception on May 30 for a 15-member delegation of Indian parliamentarians and senior officials on a goodwill visit to Australia. The delegation, led by the Hon. Pratap Rudy, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Minister of State – Parliamentary Affairs, Government of India, were on a visit to Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra that coincided with the first anniversary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governance.
Addressing the Indian diaspora at the event, Mr Rudy sought support 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 agreement (FTA), security and also on skill development front,” stated Mr Rudy, also highlighting ongoing visionary projects under PM Modi’s leadership such as Pension Schemes, Swachh Bharat, Make in India, Digital India, among others.
The event commenced with a delightful Kathak performance by Apeksha and Niharika from Ruchi Sanghi Dance Academy, introduced by the Master of Ceremony, Kartik Mohandas. Mrs Yujita Chaudhry welcomed the Minister, the delegation and community members, while John Kennedy, Chair of UIA expressed the delight of community organisations in hosting the event, and stressed on the importance of the Indian community to Australian society. Sunjay Sudhir, Consul General of India in Sydney graced the occasion as a special guest.
The reception was jointly organised by United Indian Association (UIA), Council of Indian Australians (CIA), Tamil Arts and Cultural Association (TACA), Australian Hindi Indian Association (AHIA), IIT Alumni Association (IITAA), Institute of Charted Accountants of India (ICAI), and was well attended by enthusiastic community members.
The 10-member delegation were presented with mementos, including Sanjay Patel, a major sponsor of the event. Vish Viswanathan presented the vote of thanks and acknowledged the great spirit of unity in the community that led to the success of this event.
The Indian Telegraph Sydney Australia
Indian parliamentarians feted at grand community reception
