All fair in love and war
Independence Day fairs by different bodies is a sign of a divided community: PAWAN LUTHRA
August is turning to be quite a busy month for the Indian community in Sydney. 15th August is a defining day in the Indian calendar. On this day after over 200 years of British Raj, India achieved independence and the day is marked as a public holiday in India. Celebrations take place, not only in India but amongst the Indian diaspora worldwide. In the United States, Bollywood stars are paraded as Marshals for the yearly celebrations, (Preity Zinta in 2010, Shilpa Shetty in 2009, Deepika Padukone in 2008). The community unites and the occasion is used to showcase India’s unity in these countries.
Sydneysiders this year will be offered two choices to celebrate the 64th anniversary of India’s freedom. By the stroke of midnight on 15th August, two fairs would have taken place within a time span of seven days and a distance of less than 15 kilometres between the two venues.
The United Indian Associations Inc (UIA) would be celebrating its annual India Australia Friendship Fair on 14th August at Sydney Olympic Park. A dazzling venue which gained importance when Australia conducted the 2000 Olympics, the fair is the highlight of UIA’s yearly activities. With over 15,000 people in attendance, the occasion is celebrated with festivity and gives a chance for the community to get together. Funds collected from the entrance monies and stalls, after costs, are used to support other UIA activities during the year, such as its various annual programs, and for operating their Parramatta offices, besides building up funds for an India House.
This has been UIA’s dream for a number of years and year in year out, the grand vision of India House drives the India Australia Fair preparation. What is unclear is the level of success which has been achieved towards realising this goal. UIA, which is an umbrella body of various Indian associations in Sydney, has no legal requirement to share their financial strength with the community at large. Perhaps as a show of solidarity with the community, the UIA can learn to adopt such transparency. This will have the potential of rallying the community towards the cause of an India House.
This year, the newly formed Council of Indian Australians (CIA) has also decided to stage an India Day fair, a week before UIA’s fair. On 7th August, those who cannot wait for the celebrations for India’s independence to begin, can join the festivities at Parramatta Park. While some see it as a blatant attempt to steal UIA’s thunder, it is also an opportunity for the local Indian Australian community to have a choice for the celebrations for the future.
Both groups will chase the same stall holders, sponsors, attendees and yes, the same politicians. While it is another sign of a community divided within itself, it also is a chance for both UIA and CIA to showcase what they can each offer to the community. It is often when one is challenged, that the best is brought out.
Over the longer term, it will be difficult for either organisation to stage these events to massive scales as they fight for funds from the same sponsors and public. Only the fittest will survive. Meanwhile to all Indian Australians in Sydney, the message can only be: enjoy the options of two weekends of fun and festivities, courtesy the UIA and CIA.
While some will talk about the unity in our diversity, we also do showcase a large diversity in our unity.
