Sharing the food of friendship

A bunch of Indian students enjoy some warm hospitality, extended by an Australian senior citizens group. PREETI KANNAN reports

After numerous media reports of hostility towards Indian students in Australia, a group of retired, Australian senior citizens from Newcastle decided to take matters in their own hands to make newly-arrived students feel welcome.

Monday Desperates, a modest group of Newcastle citizens who play Lawn Bowls every Monday, recently extended an invitation to Indian students at the University of Newcastle and hosted a unique ‘friendship luncheon’ for about 22 students. Their aim was to make them feel a sense of belonging and acceptance in the Australian community.

The luncheon, a first of its kinds, saw the students and about 40 members from the Monday Desperates come together and share a meal at an Indian restaurant. The luncheon was an attempt to counter antagonising reports in the Indian and Australian media about what was happening Down Under.

The students, mostly newly arrived, were deeply touched by the welcome and the warmth shown by the group.
“We were overwhelmed by the gesture,” said Kanishk Kumar, a Newcastle University student. “Everyone felt extremely touched by the humility and welcome extended by the members of Monday Desperates. None of the students had experienced such hospitality in Australia before and the fact that it came from the local senior citizens, made it more special. One of the Indian students called me the next day and told me she missed her parents a lot after she spent time with members of Monday Desperates”.

“I feel we come from our country not just to study here, but for a holistic experience, which extends to knowing about another culture and understanding it. This makes a student’s experience complete and worth coming, even if it means leaving your comfort zone,” remarked Kanishk. He added that such interactions with locals were crucial as it made students feel comfortable, especially since they were leaving their family behind.

“More such events should definitely be held across the country to not just make Indian students welcome, but also to make students from other parts of the world welcome,” he told the Indian Link.

Students conceded that the lunch helped them see Australians from a different perspective and the perception that Australian society is racist was dispelled.

“The respect and generosity which we got at the luncheon was unforgettable. I never expected this because of the past attacks on Indians. But, truly speaking, Australians are really friendly and generous and the luncheon really changed my views towards Aussies,” said Zaanif Kugashia, another student. Zaanif added that the lunch helped overcome any fears of racism and was now enjoying student life.

Robert Stuart, one of the members of the Monday Desperates, who had initiated the luncheon, said, “I wanted to organise a function to provide the Indian students with a sense of belonging and acceptance in our wonderful community, just like I would have hoped a community may offer my daughter, if she was studying in India. I believed there was no finer group of local citizens with the generosity of spirit and community fellowship than the Monday Desperates and fortunately they supported me and we were thrilled with the result.”

Seventy-two-year-old Robert, who likes to be called Bob, added, “One of the unexpected surprises to come out of the dinner was learning that this was the first time all the Indian students had been brought together in one place and hardly any of them knew each other prior to this. So we were delighted they had the chance to get to know each other over lunch. This was an added bonus.”

Similar sentiments were echoed by the students. “They did a great job by arranging lunch on that day. It helped me to find out other Indians studying at the university,” said Aakash Mehta, adding, “I really liked the initiative and hope people around the world come to know how hospitable the Australians are. I am looking forward to more such encounters”.

Vaibhav Gaikawad said the lunch provided the opportunity to make good friends with people who he otherwise may never have met. “I thank Bob and all his colleagues for such a wonderful experience. It was undoubtedly the best afternoon I had in Newcastle,” he added.

The lunch was also attended by a university staff member. The Desperates was started over seven years ago and now has about over 130 men and women, who are retired doctors, nurses, solicitors, journalists, teachers, accountants and people who come from various trades and industries and also comprise of some well-known sportsmen. The name ‘Monday Desperates’ is in fact a fun title given by former Olympic basketball player and member Terry Charlton, when he sent Bob a postcard from Zurich for the bowlers.

The group is planning a similar event in spring this year and is hoping to bring more students together.