Parramasala: A new spice blend for this year!

Parramasala will return again to Western Sydney in 2015, but this time around it will play a leading role during Indian Tourism Week

Sydney’s premier festival celebrating Indian and South Asian traditions, Parramasala will return again to Western Sydney in 2015, but this time around it will play a leading role during Indian Tourism Week. On 17 June, NSW Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Multiculturalism John Ajaka announced the event will be held from Friday 16 October to Sunday 18 October in Parramatta.
“I’m also pleased to announce this year’s festival will be celebrated in conjunction with the inaugural Indian Tourism Week, announced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Australia last year,” Premier Baird said.
During an interview with Indian Link ahead of the NSW State election in March, Premier Baird reaffirmed his government’s commitment to Parramasala, saying, “I can confirm Parramasala will definitely be returning to Western Sydney later this year, even bigger and better. It’s a symbolic time of year. At Diwali, when we lit up the Opera House, that event, coupled with Parramasala are the ties that bring us together.”
At the time, Premier Baird also hinted at things to come, saying, “We’ll be looking at tying up Parramasala with a tourism boost. It’s become a wonderful event and I look forward to going back again this year.”

Established by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the first ever Indian Tourism Week is designed to build cultural ties between NSW and India. Announced during his November meeting with Prime Minister Tony Abbott, the so-called Festival of India will showcase the dynamism and diversity of contemporary Indian culture to the wider Australian market.
“Mr Modi became the first Indian leader to visit our nation in almost 30 years and we’re delighted to continue strengthening diplomatic relations with India through events that celebrate our cultural ties, such as Parramasala,” Premier Baird said.
A much anticipated annual event on the cultural calendar, Parramasala attracts more than 50,000 people each year.
Minister for Multiculturalism John Ajaka said the festival celebrating contemporary Indian culture had been identified as the best time to host the first ever Indian Tourism Week.

“Now in its sixth year, this year’s event will place greater emphasis on everything we love about India – its customs, cuisines and colours – in one jam-packed weekend,” Mr Ajaka said.
Dr Harry Harinath OAM, Chairman of Multicultural NSW and the current Chairman of the Parramasala Board, said he is delighted by the latest development for the festival.

“It is a great pleasure to be involved with Parramasala, which continues to explore and celebrate the rich social fabric of Sydney,” Dr Harinath said. “The festival is now proving to be an important meeting point between the great state of New South Wales and the country of my birth, India.”
Parramasala is a free, public celebration exploring the many facets of life among the culturally diverse population of Western Sydney.