Premier Brumby looks to strengthen Indo-Oz relationship

Need to further build cultural, investment and trade opportunities between the two nations, Preeti Jabbal reports.

It was India’s Independence Day celebrations and Jawaharlal Nehru’s famous ‘Tryst with destiny’ speech surfaced again, this time in an address made by Premier John Brumby at Parliament Hall in Melbourne. Quoting India’s first Prime Minister Mr. Brumby said, “At the stroke of the midnight hour when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom”. According to Mr. Brumby, these famous words by Jawaharlal Nehru were a very powerful statement and they were delivered at a great moment in the world’s history. “They were just a step and an opening for many great triumphs and achievements to come, and Mr. Nehru was correct. There have been many achievements and triumphs to talk about since then; however the best is yet to come,” he added.

Mr. Brumby remarked on how the Parliament Hall is the centre of democracy in Victoria, making it the best place to celebrate the independence of the world’s greatest democracy, India. Addressing an audience of select invitees from within the Indian community, Mr. Brumby touched on the strength of Indian Australian relationship and the need to further build cultural, investment and trade opportunities between the two nations. “We are proud of the contribution made by the Indian community in Victoria and we want the community to grow. We will overcome challenges like the recent incidents of violence against Indian students with the help of people from the community, its leaders and various organizations,” he said.

Mr. Brumby also announced the recent appointment of Mrs. Madhu Bhatia as a Victorian Multicultural Commissioner. Mrs. Bhatia has lived in various parts of the world including India, the USA, China, Bahrain, Iran, Syria and Germany. She arrived in Melbourne in 1996 and currently serves as a convener and board member for Harmony Australia, where she works to identify issues and challenges faced by international students in Melbourne. “She will bring fresh insight and cross cultural understanding to the Parliament with her experience of living in different countries around the world,” said Mr. Brumby.

The Queens Hall within the Parliament House proudly displayed life size photographs of members of the local Indian community who have made Australia home. Some of the photographs by Michelle Lawrence will be on display in Federation Square in September and then sent to in New Delhi where they will be displayed in Australian High Commission in India from November this year, according to Mr. Brumby.

The Consul General of India Miss Anita Nayar wrapped up the formal proceedings with a farewell note to the community as her tenure in Melbourne is soon coming to an end. “This is perhaps the last time I will address such a distinguished audience,” she said “I just want to say one thing to people who have made Australia home. We expect you to be ambassadors of India in Australia. We would like you to be the real, living bridge between the two countries and hope that you will help others adopt what is good about Australia. I hope to come back some day and would like to see how you have grown and flourished in that time. I wish you a happy Independence Day,” she concluded, raising a toast the Queen and the heads of two nations.

The rest of the evening saw the Premier meet up with people on an individual basis and pose for photographs with them. The event was held prior to the elections and judging by the divided votes and uncertainty around this year’s Federal elections and a challenging State election in November, Mr. Brumby may need the Ganesha idol that was presented to him to ward off any unpleasant surprises.