MELBOURNE, 17 February 2024: The ‘India in Victoria’ event organised by the Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria (FIAV) and supported by the Indian Consulate,Melbourne today at the Westgate Indoor Sports Stadium, Altona, was one of the grandest and biggest in the West. The massive indoor stadium appeared to be a Little India, unleashing nostalgic memories in the Diaspora.
In ethnic dresses people started trickling in around mid-day and the flow continued till the evening, the peak of the one day festival of culture, dance, music, fun, ethnic stalls selling and publicising garments, jewellery, ayurvedic medicines, flowers, Indian food and snacks among many other activities. The ambience was multicultural and typical Indian. The presence of astrologer ‘Acharayaji’ could not be missed. No one could miss the Haryanvi Chopal with its hookas and manjis.
No doubt, the Indian Diaspora had a great fun day.
The VIPs who graced the occasion and spoke to the audience included Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Tim Watts, Indian Consul General, Dr. Sushil Kumar, Leader of Opposition John Pesutto MP, FIAV President, Sury Soni, Mat Halakari, Point Cook MP, Vivienne Nguyen, VMC Commissioner, Matt Fregon MP, Steve McGhie MP, Cr Daria Kellender and Parsu Sharma Lauital JP.
All speakers praised the holding of the event and the vital role being played by the Indian Diaspora in Victoria and Australia.
Thousands attended the event promoted as a day of festivities with families. The colourful curtas, sarees, suits and jackets added to the mesmerising day-long program. The beautiful classical and Bollywood dances enthralled the seated and standing audience. The aroma from the food stalls spread out and mixed with the music.
It was evident as already known Victoria has the largest Indian Diaspora and Indian international students and this was truly reflected at ‘India in Victoria’.
Organiser and FIAV President Sury Soni, talking to SAT said, ” Around 3,000 people came for the event, and the need for a bigger venue for such pan-India program was felt to accomodate more people.”
Aditi Arya won the free return ticket to India, courtesy Air India.
The business partners were Gaura Travel, Commonwealth Bank, Air India, and Sweet India. And, the media partners being South Asia Times (SAT). SBS and Australia Today.
The participating community organisations were the Federation of Indian Music and Dance Victoria Inc, Rajasthani Kutumb of Victoria Inc, Telugu Association of Australia Inc, Odia Community of Australia, Bengali Association of Victoria Inc, Sanjha Club and Club 60, Melbourne Kannada Sangha, Maharashtra Organisation Australia, Syro-Malabar Cultural Centre, Association of Haryanvis in Australia, Baithak and the
Punjabi Club of Victoria and supported by many other community bodies too.
The cultural partners at the program were the Saraswati Sangitha Sikshanalayam, Odisi Dance Group, Aditi Sirpa Singling & Dance, Sheena Gosh Dastidar, Raga Amrutha Music School, and the Sanjha Club (Club-60).
