The inaugural Indian Traditional New Year Celebration on 27 April 2024 at Roma St Parklands
Indian Council of Australia, Queensland Inc. (ICAQ) proudly executed its inaugural event to celebrate Indian Traditional New Year on 27 April 2024 at Roma St Parklands.
There have been several events to celebrate Indian festivities like Diwali, Holi, Onam etc. but there is no festival in Brisbane to celebrate Indian Traditional New Year at a multicultural community level.
Various cultures observe their traditional or religious New Year’s Day according to their own customs, typically (though not invariably) because they use a lunar calendar or a lunisolar calendar. India, Nepal, and other south Asian countries also celebrate New Year on dates according to their own calendars that are movable in the Gregorian calendar. Traditional new year is celebrated all over the world in different countries in different ways. It will provide opportunities for people of different origins to understand the culture of different communities.
There are numerous days throughout the year celebrated as Hindu New Year’s Day in the different regions of India. The observance is determined by whether the lunar or solar calendar is being followed. Most widely followed Lunar calendar considers the month of Chaitra (corresponding to March-April) as the first month of the year, so the new year is celebrated on the first day of this month.
The traditional new year is known as different names in different regions or states in India. It is known as Chaitra Navaratri, Vaisakhi, Gudhi Padwa, Ugadi, Yugadi, Puthandu, Vishu, NabBarsha, Navreh, Bihu, Cheti Chand, Mesha Sankranti, and Sajibu Cheiraoba.
Traditional new year celebrations provide an opportunity for leaders from the different Indian communities and organizations to meet with each other and with representatives of the different tiers of government and senior government officials to strengthen mutual ties. It also provides opportunities to meet Australians with Indian origin people.
The inaugural event executed by the ICAQ on 27 April 2024, brought multicultural community leaders together along with elected representatives from all levels of Government and representatives from various Government departments. The event observed vibrant and colorful display of Indian culture underlying the importance of traditional new year.
Through various speeches all dignitaries highlighted the importance of Indian Traditional New Year as well as how such festivities can bring multicultural communities together by sharing cultures and values.
The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia, Hon Steven Miles MP, Premier of Queensland, and Cr. Fiona Cunningham Councillor for Coorparoo Ward sent a message to the ICAQ congratulating for hosting the inaugural event and wishing Indian community happy celebrations.
To commence the event, Welcome to Country & Didgeridoo performance was presented by Uncle Billy Cummings.
ICAQ President Mr. Parminder Singh, ICAQ Patron Mr. Ashish Katta, and ICAQ Advisor Mrs. Pinky Singh welcomed everyone and highlighted various ICAQ initiatives as well as values ICAQ can present to the multicultural communities.
The event observed attendance from the following dignitaries:
Mrs. Neetu Bhagotia, Consul General of India in Brisbane
The Hon. Milton Dick MP, Member for Oxley Queensland & Federal Speaker
Hon Charis Mullen, Minister for Child Safety, Minister for Seniors and Disability Services, and Minister for Multicultural Affairs
Mr. John-Paul Langbroek MP, Representing Mr. David Crisafulli MP, Qld leader of opposition
Hon Bart Mellish, Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services
Cr Vicky Howard, Central Ward, Representing the Brisbane City Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner
Mayor Teresa Harding, Ipswich City
Mayor Jos Mitchell, Redland City
Mayor John Raven, Logan City
Cr. Trina Massey, Councillor The Gabba Ward
Wayne Briscoe Executive Director, Multicultural Affairs
Heath Goldfinch, COO at Multicultural Australia
Inspector Mat Ryan, Patrol Group Inspector, Inner West Patrol Group, North Brisbane District
Dr. Anil Dalsania
Dr. Ram Mohan
Mr. Gati Krushna Mishra
Mr. Sushil Kumar Goel
ICAQ cannot express enough gratitude for the overwhelming response towards the community members for supporting the event.
ICAQ is thankful to all Cultural Performance teams for their time and devotion. Mrs. Sudha Manian Yatra Music, Art of Living Yoga Dance, Rich Virsa Punjabi Folk Dance, Noopur Dance Studio, Swetha Bhupathi, ORIOZ Community for traditional and Sambalpuri dance, Mr. Rohit Vombathkere SUR420, and Mr. Mihir Brahme Maharashtrian Shivan Dhol Tasha Group.
Roma St Parklands have provided venue management and best services to make the event a big success.
Thank you, Namaste Foodies, Aarav Ice Cream, Art of Living, 1300 Medics for putting up their stalls.
Any successful event is not possible without team effort. We are thankful to the ICAQ Treasurer Mr. Srikar Reddy, Vice President Mr. Sambit Das, Vice President Dr. Venkat Pulla, and all Volunteers for assisting us.
The last but not least the event MC Mrs. Swati Das had a wonderful introduction of all dignitaries and has managed the ICAQ presentation in a most professional manner.
ICAQ Secretary Mr. Ganesh Deshpande stated in his vote of thanks that, the roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation. As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ICAQ would like to live by our commitments and objectives towards the Indian Diaspora, grow stronger by co-creation and by adapting the changing environment.
ICAQ is highly energized and motivated with the overwhelming response and looking forward to delivering many more programs in future to better serve our multicultural community.
Article prepared by ICAQ Secretary Mr. Ganesh Deshpande
