The Hindu Business Line : A day to remember

The Indian scene had a similar ring as we returned from Australia... there was the Savarkar incident... Uma Bharati with the tricolour court issue... news of the Left parties not being happy with the UPA government... inflation was growing ... and the delegation from Pakistan in and out with both sides agreeing to disagree. Nothing very cheerful, more so in Bangalore with its series of BJP-sponsored hartals and arrests. "Don't go into the city... there could be trouble," was the advice of friends.

Just a month ago, it was a different scene in a different country where our own people — proud people — were celebrating the Indian Independence Day with joy and vigour. Of course, they were aware of the happenings in their country but there was confidence that the country had seen, in the last few decades, many a difficult situation but the new century had heralded a new and economically vibrant India. So, celebration it was... an eye/ mind capturing 15,000 people assembled in the Sydney Olympic Athletic Center... singing and dancing all through the day with the Indian and Australian national flags flying high. It was heartening to see that it was not just an Indian assembly; in the gathering were many from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and other Asian countries. This was the essence of what India could be... and it was happening.

Bob Carr, the premier of New South Wales was the first to notice and acknowledge the warmth and cordiality of the Asian people on an important occasion like this. His speech concentrated on the big progress India had made on the economic and technology fronts and paid a tribute to the people of the region. His promise that a statue of Mahatma Gandhi would soon be put up in Sydney was received with great cheer. As he arrived at the Stadium, he was greeted with a delightful folk dance from Karnataka.

It was more symbolic of the growing India/Australia bond that the programme started, with two young Australian girls performing a Karagam dance under the guidance of a Tamil teacher. That set the trend for the day; soon Bhangra and Bharatanatya followed, vying for honours with Bollywood and Kollywood. And the crowd joined the group on the stage — naturally when their favourite film dance was on. The energetic, joyous Bhangra had any number of groups in the audience participating. There was a number from the film Dil Chahta Hai as well. And guess by whom? The Australian co-artists and technicians of the film, which was extensively shot in Australia. It was fun... fun and cheers all around.

A long, cold day but people were still pouring in even at three in the afternoon, though the day started much earlier. The end was spectacular too... with a colourful display of fireworks. One could see many youngsters carrying the Tricolour. There was pride in their step. (Uma Bharati should note this... She is not the only one who can carry the Tricolour.) More professionals... more students from India — a change of scene from what existed just four years ago. They are confident, they are good and that makes a big difference. If more Australian universities are sending marketing teams to India, it is not just because the universities need the money but they also know the students are good. Talking to some Indian faculty members at Flinders in Adelaide, this was evident. They are proud that more than 85 per cent of the Indian students are brilliant.

It was good to note that the South Australian delegation was here recently. I hope the delegation had some Indian professors. This is necessary for the student/parents here to know the reality on the ground and how to manage. Who better than an Indian faculty member to explain or convince Indian parents?

Turning the pages of history, these happenings sound strange. For, mind you, till 1966 it was only the British and other Europeans who were welcomed in Australia. But during that year, Sir Robert Menzies, the then Prime Minister, relaxed the immigration policy in favour of non-Europeans, just before his term ended. This was the beginning of Indians going to Australia. Initially, there were many doctors who went, followed by engineers and then the door opened for others. A doctor told me in Adelaide that it was very difficult for vegetarians to survive those days and they had to get their provisions from Singapore!

Times have changed and the Indians are a proudly accepted lot in Australia today. As the day of our departure arrives, our neighbour Peter, an immigrant from Italy and a very friendly man (fond of drinking wine all day), shouts across the fence, "Come back soon, old man... we will miss you."

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