“Namaste, Namaskaram, Vanakam & Sat Sri Akaal, I will never forget the welcome I received today from the priests and Temple members,” said PM Scott Morrison.
Mr Morrison’s Siva Vishnu Hindu Temple visit in Melbourne came with the background of a second Australian plane of medical supplies reaching New Delhi and just four days after the India travel ban ended.
Reassurance was the theme of the whole afternoon. Prime Minister Morrison and Assistant Minister for Multicultural affairs Jason Wood were busy explaining and assuring the Indian Australian community members that they will do everything to bring back 11,000 Australians stuck in India.
The program started with religious prayers for India and its people in this difficult time of the COVID19 surge. There is a cultural Hindu belief that collective prayers have a miraculous effect.
PM Morrison said, “If I could ask for one thing from God it would be bringing each and every Australian back to the safety of their homes.”
Even though a lot of people in the Indian Australian community are facing some COVID-19 issues with family or friends they still made the reception of their guests to be special.
Hindu temple committee invited PM Morrison to thank him and his Assistant Minister Jason Wood who was instrumental in providing ‘Safer community grant’ to secure the premises of the temple for its devotes.
Mr Morrison said, “It is great pleasure to be here with not only the Hindu community but also other multicultural groups.”
“Assistant Minister Jason Wood is a great friend and supporter of the multicultural communities across the country, he is doing outstanding work, that’s why I gave him this job.”
The crowd acknowledged it with the thunderous applause.
When quizzed about his culinary skills and Saturday curry nights Prime Minister didn’t leave anything to chance. He readily agreed to show his skills in front of almost 250 guests.
However, it was not Samosa but Dosa which he tried this time.
Mr Morrison said, “I am always ready to learn new things and let it be Dosa this time.”
Under the strict direction of Temple Chef Narendra Mr Morrison successfully made yummy Dosa.
He didn’t forget to remind the chef that he has a “Good Indian friend” ( Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi) with the same name.
Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs Jason Wood also addressed the gathering.
He said, “I am very proud to provide funding to make places of worship and faith a safer place.”
I also thank Prime Minister for his dedication and passion for the multicultural communities,” said Mr Wood.
Senator David Van who was also present told The Australia Today, “We stand with the Indian community, and we know they are doing it tough in India, there is aid being sent, and will be happy to give any support.”
Rangarajan Balasubramaniam is president of the Shiva Vishnu Temple management committee.
He explained how the safer communities grant has helped them to install security lighting and other security infrastructure and make the Temple a secure place for its devotees.
PM Morrison was also presented ‘Holy Bhagavad Gita’ by Karthik Arasu, President of Federation of Indian Australians. Mr Arasu thanked the Prime minister for the timely support with medical supplies to India.
90-minute long cultural extravaganza concluded with a special feast for everyone present. The event was attended by not only Hindu community members but also Sikh, Muslim, and Christian faith leaders.
