Close X
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
ADVT 
India

Big enthusiasm for Modi's Madison Square-like event in Sydney

Darpan News Desk IANS, 27 Oct, 2014 07:41 AM
    With Prime Minister Narendra Modi all set to visit Australia in November for the G-20 summit, his Indian "community reception" planned on the lines of New York's Madison Square Garden event in Sydney is evoking high enthusiasm.
     
    Over 20 senior ministers and parliamentarians from federal and New South Wales (NSW) state have accepted invitations to attend the event. Many eminent scientists, including envrionmental scientists, will be present on this occasion, community leaders said.
     
    Cricketers Bret Lee and Steve Waugh will also be present at the event being sponsored by members of the Indian community, the source added.
     
    The Indian Australia Community Foundation (IACF), the main organising group, said there has been an overwhelming demand for tickets for the Nov 17 community reception programme at Sydney's AllPhones Arena.
     
    With preparations for the event now in full swing, the www.pmvisit.org.au website has been bombarded with registrations. Over 200 organisations have registered as "Reception Partners".
     
    "We are pleasantly surprised on receiving 21,000 registrations in just three days as
    compared to a similar event in New York. The population of the Indian diaspora in Australia is one-tenth compared to the US," IACF spokesperson Balesh Singh Dhankhar told IANS over phone from Sydney.
     
    "The pre-registrations for members of community organisations has now closed, and the
    registration for general public will open Oct 28," said Ramyavaran Ramaswamy, one of the IACF organisers, adding "those interested in attending the event should register for the general admission lottery at www.pmvisit.org".
     
    The event will also feature a cultural show to show the historical connection of Australia and India.
     
    According to Dhankhar, while initially planning for Modi's Australian tour, it was thought that the Brisbane visit for the G20 summit, the parliament address in Canberra, and Prime Minister Tony Abbott-hosted banquet at the Melbourne Cricket Ground would be enough.
     
    "It was only after learning about such a huge interest from Indians in Sydney that the Indian PMO (Prime Minister's Office) realised how much significance the Sydney visit could hold for the Indian diaspora at large," he said.
     
    Based on some recent research, the aboriginal people in Australia have some Indian connection and to establish that, "we want to showcase the historical connection India and Australia share", Dhankhar said.
     
    "Recent genealogical research reveal that aboriginal people share the same ancestory as many Indians do. This would be a great platform to show that connection and strengthen the bond between Indian and Australia," he added.
     
    Meanwhile, in appreciation of Narendra Modi's humble beginnings, over 200 fans of the Indian prime minister will travel 870 km by a special train dubbed "Modi Express" from Melbourne to Sydney for the diaspora event Nov 17.
     
    Carrying 220 Modi fans, the four-carriage train decorated with tricolour balloons will depart from Melbourne's Southern Cross station for Sydney at 8.30 p.m. Nov 16.
     
    IACF has partnered "with hundreds of communities, social, religious, and linguistic organisations that represent the incredible diversity and pluralism that defines India and 300,000 Indian Australians" to make the event a success, said Nihal Agar, the IACF president.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Pakistani army opens fire on international border in Jammu

    Pakistani army opens fire on international border in Jammu
    Pakistan Rangers Monday resorted to unprovoked firing at Indian positions on the international border in Jammu district, an official said....

    Pakistani army opens fire on international border in Jammu

    Indo-US ties aren't about values: Pakistan daily

    Indo-US ties aren't about values: Pakistan daily
    The US is embracing India because it is disgusted with Pakistan and Indo-US ties are not about "values and friendship", a Pakistani newspaper said Monday....

    Indo-US ties aren't about values: Pakistan daily

    Four injured in Pakistan firing in Jammu

    Four injured in Pakistan firing in Jammu
    Four people, including two troopers, were injured Monday in Pakistan firing at the international border in Jammu and Kashmir. The firing has now stopped...

    Four injured in Pakistan firing in Jammu

    Bring promised grants for Punjab: Congress tells Badal

    Bring promised grants for Punjab: Congress tells Badal
    The Congress in Punjab Sunday lashed out at the silence of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal over the state's...

    Bring promised grants for Punjab: Congress tells Badal

    Vajpayee, Netaji to get Bharat Ratna?

    Vajpayee, Netaji to get Bharat Ratna?
    Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose may this year be bestowed with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian...

    Vajpayee, Netaji to get Bharat Ratna?

    BJP-Akalis: Friends in Punjab, foes in Haryana

    BJP-Akalis: Friends in Punjab, foes in Haryana
    Sworn allies in Punjab for over three decades, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiromani Akali Dal are political foes in adjoining Haryana. Weird?

    BJP-Akalis: Friends in Punjab, foes in Haryana