1972–2022Celebrating50 Years oF ICST

I am delighted to learn that the Indian Cultural Society of Tasmania is organizing a grand Cultural Programme and Dinner to celebrate its Golden Jubilee in Hobart on 19th November, 2022. I commend the Indian Cultural Society of Tasmania for its excellent work over the years in promoting Indian culture and helping to strengthen people-to-people ties between India and Australia. This has played a very important role in promoting friendship and understanding between our two strong democracies and multicultural societies.

This is also a special year for us as India is celebrating its 75th year of Independence, our Azadi K Amrit Mahotsav. The commemoration is dedicated to the people of India, including our diaspora who have been instrumental in India's growth and development.

It is heartwarming that the Indian-origin community in Tasmania continues to maintain deep and abiding connections with the motherland and its rich heritage, traditions and culture. I congratulate the Indian Cultural Society of Tasmania for their commitment and sustained efforts and wish them all success in their future endeavours.

Her Excellency the Governor of Tasmania, Honourable Barbara Baker AC, Members of the Indian Cultural Society of Tasmania, Distinguished guests, Ladies & Gentlemen,

It is an absolute pleasure and indeed an honour for me to be here tonight to participate in the landmark event for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Indian Cultural Society of Tasmania. Firstly, I would like to convey my congratulations to all those associated with the establishment of this association, which has remained instrumental in promoting Indian culture in Tasmania. I would also like to thank the organizers for inviting me here.

Friends, India, with about 1.4 billion people, is a land of rich cultural heritage. No matter how far from the roots, the Indian diaspora always carries a bounty of Indian traditions and cultures with them wherever they go. Since the beginning of our civilization, music, dance, and drama have been an integral aspect of our culture. Life is all about happiness, and as human beings, social interaction with our fellow beings not only brings happiness but helps us grow our capacity to learn languages, familiarise ourselves with cultures, inquire, think, play, and work.

We are dependent on social heritage, a mixture of customs, traditions, moral values, attitudes, festivals, folklore, beliefs and ideals, which not only makes us who we are, but binds us to pass it on from one generation to another. Events like this provide an excellent opportunity for our younger generation to connect with our culture in the foreign land. I am delighted to see the enthusiastic participation of you all here.

I came to this country at a time when India Australia relationship is at an all-time high, and India is celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Independence and Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. Our Indian diaspora in Tasmania is active across all aspects of life, and they have been enriching this place with Culture, food, and Festivals. I am delighted to see the fine bonding between the people of the two countries. I would like to thank the people and the Government of Tasmania for their continued support to the Indian diaspora.

I once again thank the Indian Cultural Society of Tasmania for organizing this event and inviting me here. I convey my best wishes for all your future endeavours. Thank you all.

We acknowledge all Aboriginal people, the traditional owners of the land upon which we work, and pay our respects to Elders past and present.

I would like to welcome Her Excellency the Hon. Barbara Baker, AC, Governor of Tasmania, Dr Sushil Kumar, Indian Consul General in Melbourne, Josh Willie MLC, representing the Leader of the Opposition, and the Deputy Mayor Helen Burnett representing the Lord Mayor of Hobart.

Thanks to Cr. Stuart Slade, newly elected Councillor of the Glenorchy City Council, for coming. It is important to have someone from the Glenorchy City Council here because our Bharat Bhavan (India House) is in Glenorchy.

Indian Cultural Society of Tasmania was born on 30th July, 1972. I had the honor to be the first President.

I am pleased to acknowledge the presence of Mahendra Pathik, who came to our first meeting in 1972. He has had various roles in the Society, including a Trustee of the Bharat Bhavan Board.

I am delighted that Safia, widow of one of the founders, Saleh Parkar, and her children, Nasima and Noor, are with us. Saleh was the first Secretary of the Society and played a key role in establishing the Bharat Bhavan at 7 Lodge Street, Glenorchy. It was the first Bharat Bhavan in Australia.

We have the video of the inauguration of the Bharat Bhavan and a scrapbook showing pre 1989 activities of the Society, plus photos of some recent activities screening the whole evening.

Unfortunately, the third founding member, Abnash Singal, is no longer with us. He was the first Vice President and held numerous positions, including a Trustee of the Bharat Bhavan Board.

I would like to acknowledge the presence of Dr Jacob George, who has had various roles in the Society, including one of the Trustees of the Bharat Bhavan Board.

Drs Ulhas & Geeta Lad were very active in the Society over many years. Ulhas held numerous positions, including a Trustee of the Bharat Bhavan Board. Unfortunately, Ulhas is no longer with us, but I am delighted that Geeta and her children Anup and Aparna are here with us. In fact, you will see on the screen a younger Geeta playing a key role in the inauguration of the Bharat Bhavan.

I am also delighted that my son, Kamal, and his wife Sabiha, are able to share this happy occasion with us.

It is with pride and pleasure that I welcome you to the 50th Anniversary of the Indian Cultural Society of Tasmania.

Due to the untiring work of our dedicated members, we have enriched the Tasmanian community by exposing them to Indian culture in the area of dance, music, craft, language, and especially FOOD. Look at the number of Indian restaurants in Hobart.

Keen’s curry powder was the only spice available when I came to Hobart in 1960. You can buy just about all spices now.

I asked a shopkeeper in 1960 whether he sells mangoes. He asked me, “What is a mango”

Now they are everywhere. Hobart and Australia have become more multicultural, and we Indians will make it more spicy and colourful.

Bharat Bhavan has been serving the Indian community by cultivating cultural values through organising events, disseminating knowledge through Hindi classes, along with holding communication/connectivity with various Indian subcontinent groups in Tasmania.

Due to the considerable growth of the Indian community in Tasmania, we are extending the building. Drawings of the extension are on display.

All money raised tonight will go towards this extension. Extra facilities are designed to enhance the opportunity for frequent meetings and bonding opportunities.

I want to thank our brilliant architect, Hemant Khanna, and the President of the Society, Ajit Ramdas, for their great work on this important project for the community.

Finally, I would like to thank our hard-working Organising Committee for their dedication and cooperation. I don’t need to name them because they can be seen playing key roles tonight. It makes me happy that the future of the Indian Cultural Society of Tasmania is in good hands.

Enjoy the evening.

Dear members,

I am feeling humbled and privileged to be part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Indian Cultural Society of Tasmania. Special salutations to all of you who initiated, put in efforts for the common causes, and keep the spirit of Indian Values and Culture alive in this beautiful state of Tasmania.

Whenever I think of India, two great values of humanity come to my mind. Ahimsa and Satyam. Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation of India, lived and propagated the value of Ahimsa in the whole world. No more explanations are needed. The national slogan of India declares to the whole world “Satyam Eva Jayate” or “Truth Alone Triumphs”. I feel proud, because these values are universal, beyond boundaries. And I believe it is the same values that empower everyone in the Indian Cultural Society, in this Golden Jubilee year.

Recently I heard a simple explanation of what is truth and untruth by Sadguru Shri Jaggi Vasudev. Let me quote him: “What is truth and what is untruth? It is not in the words that we speak. It is in the way we hold life within us. It is in the way we are. Whether we are a crawling creature or a human being, once the sun comes up in the morning, it lights up everybody. Whoever opens their eyes, for him there is light to see. The essential nature of life is all-inclusive. This is the Truth. If one sits here like that, absolutely all-inclusive, we are in touch with truth. This is Satyam. If one is in touch with truth, there is no suffering. It is as simple as this.

”Most of us are also passionate members of organizations that represent one region or state of India, one language, one religious practice or one spiritual practice. Some of us are also members of another migrant organisation, or multicultural organisation, or a professional organisation. The Indian Cultural Society provides a web of interconnectivity between these organizations, which empowers human values in every human being.

Indian Cultural Society acquired Bharat Bhavan or the India House in Glenorchy in 1989. We have a meeting room, which we offer free of charge to our partnering community groups. The space has been used for committee meetings, training programs, language studies, religious, spiritual, and philosophical classes, workshops, etc. Currently, we have received planning approval from the Council to expand our facility by about 110 square meters, to house a bigger meeting room, office room, storeroom, etc. We seek the support of the Government, funding organisations, and community members to make our dreams real.

In the last couple of years, you might have also noticed that we have modified our constitution to improve continuity and inclusiveness to cater to the increase in a diverse population. Now we have a large board of about 20 members. Thank you all for facilitating this change. Today, we are in a scenario of stress from pandemics, economic and financial changes, etc. I wish that, if we, the organization in the name of Indian Culture, are able to provide some casual, friendly opportunities to get connected with each other, to get interconnected between community groups, and to realize that the whole world is one humanity and to cherish human values within ourselves, that will be great. Let us continue putting in efforts for harmonious, peaceful, and brighter years ahead.

Jain Hind