Federation of indian associations of act (finact) Inc

Coordination :: Cooperation :: Collaboration

Please let me welcome you to our first newsletter after the successful conclusion of FINACT’s sixth annual T-20 tournament. I would also like to warmly welcome all the new associations joining FINACT at first General council meeting of this term, their executive committees and their members to the Federation.

We are near the end of year 2016 and I share with you how the FINACT Executive Committee has been able to forge greater partnerships to connect and promote community interests and its ethos in 2016. We have worked to share information about the Indian culture, tradition and our history both at the Federal and ACT level.

We started 2016 by celebrating Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on 9th January at Indian High Commission following which all the FINACT member associations were invited to meet and interact with the visiting Indian cricket team at India house on 18 Jan 2016.

Followed by ‘men in blue’ the Indian women’s cricket team was welcomed at Manuka oval and FINACT representative carried the Indian Flag for the team on 2nd Feb 2016.

At the National Multicultural festival 2016 a number of FINACT’s member associations portrayed the diverse Indian cultures while FINACT as always, showcased the ‘Unity in diversity’ through its stall titled ‘Best of India’ on Sunday 14 February 2016. The first two stall awards also went to FINACT member associations. The most decorated stall award was bagged by Canberra Sikh Association whereas the award for most informative stall was won by ‘Integrated women’s network’.

The community harmony day was celebrated was celebrated with usual gusto at Theo Notaras multicultural centre. Most of the ACT MLA’s including the Chief Minister, MPs and Senators attended the event and interacted with leaders of FINACT member associations. The event

provides the platform for information sharing between multicultural leaders and political representatives.

FINACT also assisted Bengali Cultural Association in felicitating the installation of bronze bust of Noble Laureate Rabindranath Tagore at Multicultural Showcase at the Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre, 128 London Circuit, Canberra City on 7 May 2016 FINACT partnered with the Indian High Commission to celebrate the participated in and promoted International Yoga Day on 21 June 2016.

An interactive session for the community was organised by FINACT Indian bureaucrats and political leaders including the Chief Election Commissioner of India (CEC), Dr. Nasim Zaidi 30 June 2016 at National Library and later with Mr Sitaram Yechury on 6 th October 2016 at Ukranian Hall in Queanbeyan.

New executive committee was formed following the AGM held on 23 July 2016 and I was humbled to be unanimously elected to serve as President of the federation for the second consecutive term.

The independence day was celebrated on 13th August 2016 along with India Australia Association of Canberra to reiterate the nous of patriotism and belongingness in Indian diaspora.

FINACT proudly assisted in promoting and participating in an interesting and colourful festival which started in Canberra on 16 September 2016. CONFLUENCE, A Festival of India in Australia was successfully concluded in November 2016.

The first general council meeting for FY 2016-17 of FINACT was held in Australian Parliament house on 15 November 2016 the meeting was hosted by federal Assistant Minister for multicultural affairs Hon. Senator Zed Seselja. GC reviewed the past activities and planned upcoming strategies for the federation.

I also take this opportunity to thank my executive committee, all the 208 players, 26 associations, 10 sponsors and countless members of community for their support and contribution in the successful conclusion of FINACT T20 cricket tournament 2016. The tournament concluded with better than before festivities on 20 November at Bonner Oval. The closing ceremony included the Bhangra performances and mouth-watering traditional Indian food and Aussi style barbeque.

As per the FINACT’s tradition a pre final dinner was organised in which a warm farewell for outgoing High Commissioner Mr Navdeep Suri was given on 17 November 2016. Mr Suri left behind as true success story in terms of not only the Indo-Australian diplomatic relationships but also enhancing the acuity of India among Australian on which the community can be proud of for long period of time.

The new High Commissioner Dr A.M Gondane presented his credentials to his Excellency General Sir Peter Cosgrove and FINACT was honoured and invited by Deputy High Commissioner to welcome his excellency Mr Gondane on behalf of Indian community of Australia.

Soon, it will be time to say goodbye to the year 2016 and welcome 2017. On behalf of FINACT, it is my great pleasure to wish each and every one of you SEASONS GREETINGS, a very HAPPY & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.

May God bless us all with happiness, peace and good health. Once again thanks to all of you and take care of yourself and others in need.

Amardeep Singh

President

FINACT mourns the death of Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Ms Jayalalithaa Jayaraman. She was an Indian actress and politician who served five terms as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, for over fourteen years between 1991 and 2016.

Its the end of an era, Jayalalithaa will be remembered for her charismatic leadership, not only in TN but around the globe.

Condolence: Dr J Jayalalitha Passed Away

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister 68-year-old Jayalalitha passed away at 11:30pm on Monday night in Apollo Hospital, Chennai after suffering from cardiac arrest on Sunday evening.

Dr J Jayalalitha, was one of the most dynamic woman in a predominately male dominated political landscape and a charismatic leader.

Due to the interest in social service, she joined AIADMK following the steps of MG Ramachandran in the year 1982. She served as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister from 1991 to 1996, in 2001, from 2002 to 2006 and from 2011 to 2014. She again elected as Cheif Minister in 2014 elections for the sixth time.

She was also a member of Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu between 1984 to 1989. After the death of MG Ramachandran, Jayalalitha declared herself as his political heir. Due to her service towards the poor and to the people of Tamil Nadu, she was reffered as ‘Amma’ meaning Mother.

On behalf of the Indian Community in Australia, I wish to pass on my Condolence to the people of Tamilnadu and pray for her soul to rest in peace.

She will be fondly remembered in the years to come and will definitely be missed as a woman & leader working to uplift the poor, downtrodden and especially women in the community.

Vasan Srinivasan

Chair, Confederation of Indian Australian Associations Inc

Thank You - Westpac FINACT T-20 Cricket Tournament Concluded

What a grand finale of our prestigious and highly competitive annual cricket tournament held at Bonner oval on 20 November 2016. BJSM PK-XI retained championship after beating Karnataka Bulldozers.

This year, the standards of the tournament were risen to very high levels and also the players were presented with substantially high value appreciation and awards. All credit and sincere thanks to our sponsors. Special praise to our title sponsor "Westpac Bank."

I'd like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere thanks and regards for your extended contribution and cooperation in making this year's "Westpac FINACT T-20 Cricket tournament", Pre-Final dinner and His Excellency Mr Navdeep Suri, High Commissioner of India for Australia's farewell a grand success.

Let me also take this opportunity to commend my fellow executive committee members: Mr Amardeep Singh, Mr Mahesh Scaria, Mr Ramesh Kayla, Mr Shaji Karattiyattil, Mr Sanjay Pandey, Mr Sumandeep Dhillon and Mrs Madhumita Iyengar alongwith a person who was always available to assist us, Mr Khaleel Shaikh.

Regards,

ChittiBabu Divi

Secretary

Please Update Your Details - Stay Informed and Engaged

A kind request and reminder to update details.

For member associations

- names of your delegates
- delegates' contact details and emails
- your website url
- your social media channels, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+

Welcoming the High Commissioner of India, HE Dr A M Gondane

On 1 December 2016, the new High Commissioner of India, His Excellency Shri Ajay M Gondane presented his credentials to the Governor-General and later he invited community leaders at his residence, India House.

FINACT President started the welcome reception with his impromptu speech followed by His Excellency’s expression of his appreciation for all participants, his expectations, needs and scope of cooperation and collaboration among the Indian community groups to tackle issues in Australia and India.

Profile: Dr. A. M. Gondane joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1985. He worked in various capacities in the Indian Embassies & Consulates including in Damascus, Baghdad, Vienna, Ankara and New York. He was High Commissioner of India to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands & Vanuatu. He also worked earlier in SAARC, West Asia North Africa, Bangladesh-Myanmar Divisions. He was the Coordinator for the XIV SAARC Summit in New Delhi, 2007.

He was Officer on Special Duty with Dy. Speaker, Lok Sabha and a Research Fellow at the Stimson Centre, Washington D.C. He is a Doctorate in Sociology.

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Demonetisation of Rs500 and Rs1000 Notes

We undestand issues and predicament of non-resident Indians holdinf big bills and especially for those who are not visiting India in near future.

We wish to assure you that we are in touch with the high commission. The High Commission had contacted the concerned authorities in India for an appropriate solution to the issue but so far they haven’t received any response. As soon as the Indian government makes any decision on the holding of NRIs we will be informed. Please stay updated by visiting our website www.finact.net.au or you may wish to follow us on www.facebook.com/finact11 and www.twitter.com/finact11 

If you wish to get informed, please subscribe to our newsletter at www.finact.net.au/newsletter

UPCOMING EVENTS

Pink Stumps Day on Sun 18 December 2016 at Bonner Oval 11 AM

FINACT supports Pink Stumps Day - Women Cricket on Sunday 18 December 2016 at Bonner Oval. Please come, enjoy, support and contribute to this fundraising event.

There will be a Women Cricket Match to play Cricket, have nibbles, raise fund and get the message out. The match will be of 10 overs and will be played by soft ball.

You are all welcome with family and friends to JOIN BONNER ROYALS PINK STUMPS DAY – BRINGING THE MAGIC OF THE PINK TEST INTO CANBERRA  by participating or showing up to support the Women cricket match. 

Entry fee:                                                   FREE

Pink Stumps Day provides an opportunity for our local community to participate in the spirit, energy and international phenomenon of the Pink Test. By bringing the magic home it raises vital funds to make life for families experiencing breast cancer just that little bit easier.

There is no need to have previous experience of cricket. If you know how a cricket bat and ball looks like.. You qualify.

An interactive session with Prof H Deep Saini - February 2017

FINACT is organising an interactive session with Professor H. Deep Saini, the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra, in February 2016. Professor Saini completed his undergraduate and masters degrees at the Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana, India, and holds a doctorate in plant physiology from the University of Adelaide.

As a child growing up in the Punjab region of India, he remembers walking to school with a rolled up jute mat to sit on, his one-room school had no furniture, just a blackboard and a dedicated teacher.

Professor Deep Saini is the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Canberra. Professor Saini was previously the Vice-President of the University of Toronto and Prinicpal (chief executive) of the University of Toronto Mississauga, where he was also a Professor of Biology. Professor Saini began his academic career in 1982 at the University of Alberta and subsequently served as the Director-General of the Plant Biology Research Institute at the Université de Montréal and Dean of the Faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo. An educational visionary and distinguished scientist, his research on plant biology and biotechnology has focused on the cellular mechanisms behind crop survival and yield in hazardous environments. 

21^st National Multicultural Festival: 17-19 February 2017

The National Multicultural Festival began in 1996 and has since evolved into the biggest occasion on Canberra’s event landscape. In the very beginnings of the Festival, it was a one-day event, eventually moving to a 2-week Festival.

Over the course of the last 21 years it has developed into the 3-day Festival it is now, which allows Canberrans, national and international visitors alike to congregate in Canberra over one weekend for what is one of the biggest celebrations of cultural diversity across Australia.

With 22 major languages, written in 13 different scripts, with over 720 dialects and with hundreds of different Landscapes and Landforms, India and Indians are no strangers to the concept of multiculturalism. A number of FINACT’s member associations will present the diverse Indian cultures while FINACT as always, will showcase the ‘Unity in diversity’ through its stall at National Multicultural Festival.

What you need to do?

We invite our member associations to send us details of their activities at the festival - performance, information stall or food stall. We intend to promote your activities as we did during the last festival. For more information, you may wish to view or visit our newsletter page.

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Queanbeyan Multicultural Festival 2017 - 5 March 2017

The Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council are managing the very successful Queanbeyan Multicultural Festival from last few years and are now looking to grow the day and where ever possible involve more community groups to use the day to interact and connect with members of the public.

Last year they had 4000-6000 people throughout the day so it is certainly a great day out for many people. Our research also indicates that a large number of people from ACT attend the day too. The event runs from 10am-4pm and involves 20 acts, street food and lots of community groups creating magic in our beautiful park.

What we are doing?

FINACT had a very successful meeting today with council represented by Cheryl Rule and Laura Shelley (on 6^th December 2016) which has opened the doors for FINACT to establish a partnership in promoting and presenting the Queanbeyan Multicultural Festival. The event will be held on 5 March 2017 and the first week of march for the coming years.

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Community Harmony Day  ~ 6 March 2017 (TBC)

Continuing the traditions FINACT will be organising the community harmony day in the first week of March 2006 to reiterate its moto of ‘Unity in Diversity’. The event will be an opportunity for all multicultural associations presidents and delegates to interact with political representatives of the territory and the commonwealth. 

Hindi School in GUNGAHLIN is open

खुशखबरी व शुभ समाचार - हिंदी पाठशाला शुरू

Good news for residents of North Canberra. Hindi School is functioning in North Canberra since 16 October 2016 at the Palmerston District Primary School. It runs on Sundays from 3pm.