The vibrant Indian festival of colours, Holi, has made a splash in the NSW Parliament for the very first time with special recognition at the floor of the house.
‘Holi in the House’ was hosted by the Australia India Business Council (AIBC) to celebrate the launch of the ‘NSW Parliamentary Friends of India’ on 20th March 2024. Holi is a Hindu spring festival and is celebrated on the full moon day of the Falgun month (last month in the Hindu calender) which falls on 25th march this year.
NSW MPs Gurmesh Singh (Member from Coffs Harbour, Shadow Minister for Tourism, Emergency Services and the North Coast, Nationals) and Warren Kirby (Member from Riverstone, Labor) are co-chairs of the NSW Parliamentary Friends of India and among the key forces behind the establishment of this group.
Jodi Mckay, Director of the Australia-India CEO Forum and National Chair of the Australia India Business Council (AIBC), said:
“We tried when I was an MP and were unsuccessful, but this week we launched the NSW Parliamentary Friends of India thanks to the persistence of MPs Warren Kirby and Gurmesh Singh.”
In 2010, Premier Kristina Keneally had announced that the NSW Government was working to establish the ‘Parliamentary Friends of India’ to foster strong links between India, the Indian community, and NSW Members of Parliament.
“The NSW Government’s move to establish the Parliamentary Friends of India sends a clear message about the important role the Indian community plays in the professional, philanthropic, business and cultural life of NSW.”
Premier Keneally has then also written to the Opposition Leader seeking bipartisan support for the plan. However, this group couldn’t be established then due to various reasons.
Ms McKay added that the recent launch of NSW Parliamentary Friends of India is a great achievement:
“Such a great achievement by all Members of Parliament who participated in the launch by Australia India Business Council and are now members of this important political bridge between Australia and India.”
“Holi in the House” was hosted by the AIBC in the presence of Minister of Multicultural Steve Kamper, NSW Deputy Premier Prue Car MP, Charishma Kaliyanda MP and other dignitaries.
AIBC, established in 1986 by the governments of Australia and India, is the leading business council dedicated to promoting the bilateral trade and investment relationship between Australia and India.
Support Our Journalism
Global Indian Diaspora needs fair, non-hyphenated, and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. The Australia Today – with exceptional reporters, columnists, and editors – is doing just that. Sustaining this needs support from wonderful readers like you.
Whether you live in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States of America, or India you can take a paid subscription by clicking Patreon. Buy an annual ‘The Australia Today Membership’ to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
