Thursday, 23 February 2023

Indian community celebrations

Mathew HILAKARI (Point Cook) (11:20): I recently attended the grand celebration of the Australia India Society of Victoria’s Wyndham club, and I say namaste to all my friends there. I thank all club members, including secretary Vadilal Patel, Asha Jolly, Dr Rattan, SK Arora and the immense PH Patel. Everyone made me so welcome with food, dancing and the inspiring story of their work across the community.

The majority of people from India in Australia have chosen to call Victoria home, and we are so much better for it. The Indian community in Australia is incredibly diverse. People have come from many parts of India and belong to various religious, linguistic and cultural groups. All are welcome, and all have so much to share.

To celebrate India Republic Day, I attended a celebration with the Point Cook Royals. It was a great day of celebration along with the mayor of Wyndham, president Rajendra Kakkad, secretary Chandni Dutta and other dignitaries, including Rupali Sharma, Mr Pankaj Ghai, Mr Virendra Singh Reen and of course Mrs Prem Hans. It was inspiring to see the sharing of culture, which makes us all richer, and I was very glad to share what the Labor government intends to achieve for the residents of Point Cook, being the most multicultural community in this country.