Hindu Society of Qld Marks a Historic Milestone with Bhoomi Pooja

The Hindu Society of Qld celebrated a historic moment with the auspicious Bhoomi Pooja ceremony, marking the beginning of construction for its new cultural and spiritual centre in Brisbane. The event, held on 11th October 2025, brought together members of the Indian community in a vibrant display of faith and tradition.

The Bhoomi Pooja, a sacred ritual performed before laying the foundation of a new building, symbolizes respect for the Mother Earth and seeks blessings for a successful and prosperous venture. Pundit Harihar Adhikari ji from Delhi officiated the ceremony, with assistance from Pundit Bharat Solanki ji, adding meaningful spiritual value to the event.

The event drew a large gathering of community members, young and old, all participating in the celebrations with devotion and enthusiasm

Anit Ram, President of HSQ, shared his excitement: “This is a momentous day for our community. Our vision has always been to create a space that not only fosters spiritual growth but also preserves and promotes our rich cultural heritage. The Bhoomi Pooja marks the first step towards that dream becoming a reality.”

HSQ’s new centre promises to be a landmark in Brisbane, providing a spiritual home for Hindus while serving as a hub for cultural education, community events, and charitable initiatives.

A Night to Remember GEET AUR GHAZAL Enchants Brisbane

BRISBANE, QLD – The cultural landscape was illuminated on the evening of November 8, 2025, by the spectacular musical showcase, GEET AUR GHAZAL. The event, a vibrant celebration of classic songs and soulful ghazals, was orchestrated by the dedicated Sangeet Premi Club Inc and led by the charismatic Yousuf Alikhan. The performance drew a full house of eager music lovers, delivering a night that has been universally hailed as a resounding success.

From the moment the first note sounded, the atmosphere was charged with an infectious energy and artistic brilliance. The talented lineup of singers and musicians transported the audience on an emotional journey through the rich tapestry of South Asian music.
The audience response was overwhelmingly positive, underscoring the vital need for such cultural gatherings in the city.

“Enjoyed it thoroughly, will come again.” “All singers and musicians did an excellent job.” “Wonderful evening.” “We need more of these kinds of events.”The sentiment was clear: GEET AUR GHAZAL transcended a mere concert, becoming a communal celebration of shared passion for melody and meaning.

The organizing team, led by Yousuf Alikhan, ensured an evening of grace and high-calibre performance that left a lasting impression. As one attendee noted, the event “brought a unique energy to the scene, radiating an infectious charisma that would have left a lasting impression on all who experienced it.”

The success of the evening is a testament to the exceptional talent showcased on stage.
Singers: Anvi, Yousuf Alikhan, Chandan, Asad, Hemant, Rutvi, Myra, Shabnam, and Usha.
Musicians: Joseph, Wilson, Paramjeet, and Parveen.
Musicians are also singers: Sharad and Mohit.

The Sangeet Premi Club Inc is a passionate organisation dedicated to promoting and celebrating the rich musical heritage of South Asia in Brisbane and surrounding communities. They strive to bring high-quality musical and cultural events to local audiences.

The community has truly set a high bar for future musical evenings and now eagerly anticipates their next offering, ready for another night of melody, meaning, and connection. Last but not least thanks to Tanvi Goel from AusIndia Travel for helping with marketing before and after event and for lucky door prize.
Bravo to the entire team—keep the music alive!

The best financial opportunity: pay it forward

It’s very hard to construct the profile of a donor to Life Global Australia. Occupation is highly variable: from businesswoman to yoga instructor, from copy writer to computer analyst, from psychologist to IT consultant, and from student to retiree. As a result, income is widely varied. Likewise, age is not a defining characteristic: some are over 70, some as young as 12. There are, however, some common factors: all are Australian, all are conscious of being in a position of privilege, and all see that privilege as an opportunity.

Several LifeGA donors are members of the ex-pat Indian community in Australia. In its nascent days, some learned of the charity directly through its founder, Dr Dipti McGowan.
Deepti Jajee first learned about LifeGA and in-country partner charity, Project Life, when Dr McGowan invited her to visit Gujarat, India, to see their work firsthand. As a result of her visit, Ms Jajee, an IT Consultant, has funded five women to complete the Women’s Empowerment Programme, and her husband, Raghu, has funded a further five. She is firmly convinced that when a woman is empowered, her whole family is uplifted.

“I’ve always believed in the idea of teaching a man to fish rather than simply giving him one,” Ms Jajee said. “It’s incredible how this simple concept can have the power to transform lives.”

Like her friend, Dr McGowan, Ms Jajee grew up in a family that believed in helping others.
“My mother instilled in me the value of gratitude and taught me to always show compassion for those who are less fortunate.”
Bina Gorasia was inspired to act after learning about the effects of the Women’s Empowerment Programme. Her Indian heritage gave her significant insight into the predicament of the women entering the programme. After meeting Dr McGowan, the businesswoman became interested in LifeGA’s work with women.

“I come from a culture in which women are not given opportunities,” Ms Gorasia said. “The Women’s Empowerment Programme gives them the strength to change their lives.”

Ms Gorasia was impressed by the extent of the programme, which reaches out to impoverished women, often in remote areas, and provides skill development and personal advancement. The women are educated and given the opportunity to start their own enterprises in various trades such as sewing, embroidery, catering, beauty and computer operations. Further than that, though, they are given training in self defence, gender equality, banking, budgeting and finance.

Kamini Patel was also drawn to the Women’s Empowerment Programme. Curious about Dr McGowan’s motivation and the work of the charity, Kamini went to the LifeGA website and did some research. On her birthday, Ms Patel asked friends and family to donate to the programme instead of buying her gifts. She committed to match the total donations made. The first to donate on that day were her daughters, aged 12 and 14, who raided their piggy banks to contribute.

“Donating to LifeGA is an opportunity for us to help families become independent and for me to ¬¬¬¬-set an example for my daughters that, when we can, we should help other women. It is important to me that women can be self-reliant. I have had the privilege of being independent since finishing my studies and I know what living life with confidence feels like.”

Importantly, though, LifeGA’s effectiveness is known well beyond the Indian diaspora. Some of the first people to accompany Dr McGowan on the charity’s annual philanthropic trip to India had never seen Gujarat. Sustainability consultant, Rachel Thompson, is now one of the charity’s Directors, and experienced philanthropist, Geoff Anson, is Chair of the Advisory Board.

Former teacher, Jane Elliott, has not been to Gujarat, but was immediately interested in the charity when she learned of the Indian connection. Ms Elliott had instigated a service trip for students from the independent school where she taught to southern India. Through a colleague, she learned of an institution in Tamil Nadu that provided lifetime education and support for people born with significant disabilities. Students and teachers on the bi-annual trip worked for a week at the privately-funded sangam, digging gardens, painting classrooms, supervising homework and helping with physical therapy.

“When I retired, I lost that access to meaningful service. With a reduced income, I could no longer afford to travel so far,” Ms Elliott said.
When she learned of the rigorous standards and proven results of LifeGA, Ms Elliott knew immediately she had found the answer.

“With its experienced in-country partner, LifeGA can transform the small amount of money I can afford to give into a big change in a community.”

Businessman, Chirag Panchal, became a donor through the intersection of his corporate and community interests. He believes it is everyone’s responsibility as human beings to support each other, especially when we have the ability to make a real difference. He wants to help LifeGA build a school. Incredibly, LifeGA’s partner, Project Life, has built 10-classroom earthquake-proof schools for A$250,000.

“Education is a basic right, but in many remote villages of India, it’s still a privilege. We are building a school to provide access to quality education for children who currently have no reliable facility to study. A school in their own village will give them the foundation for a brighter future, break the cycle of poverty, and uplift the entire community.”
For Mr Panchal, donating is not just about money.

“This is bigger than just building a school – it’s about building futures. It’s about hope. We are fortunate to live in a place with opportunities – others aren’t as lucky. I donate because it’s a way of giving back.”

Mr Panchal believes passionately in LifeGA’s vision to support, sustain and enrich lives through working together.

“When we join hands, we multiply the impact,” Mr Panchal said. “Even a small contribution to LifeGA can go a long way. Together, we can light up a generation.”
www.lifeglobal.org.au

StorySiri – My Story, My Values

The success of this year’s competition has strengthened plans to establish the event as an annual highlight in the Brisbane chapter’s calendar. Organisers have expressed interest in expanding future editions through partnerships with local schools, youth organisations and community groups.

by Saketh Manda

The Basava Samiti Chapter hosted a vibrant and inspiring public speaking competition on 8 November, drawing a diverse group of young participants from across the community for an evening dedicated to confident communication, cultural reflection and value-based expression.

The event forms part of the organisation’s ongoing commitment to promoting education, empowerment and ethical leadership among youth. Participants were invited to reflect on real-life situations where they had demonstrated values drawn from the teachings of 12th-century social reformer Guru Basava, whose principles of equality, compassion, integrity and social responsibility remain central to the Charity’s mission. Throughout the evening, students delivered speeches highlighting moments of personal growth, acts of kindness, and lessons learned from their everyday experiences.

Audience members praised the high calibre of speeches, noting the strong organisation, clarity and composure shown by the speakers. These contestants incorporated personal anecdotes to demonstrate how Basava’s teachings continue to inspire decision-making in modern life, giving their speeches a sense of authenticity and emotional depth that resonated with the audience.

Organisers emphasised that the purpose of the competition extends far beyond the development of public speaking techniques. “Our focus is on giving young people a platform to express themselves,” an event coordinator said. This program brings Basava’s ideals into a contemporary community setting and encourages young people to think deeply about the values they want to embody.

The event drew a warm and supportive crowd of families and community members, who applauded each speaker and fostered an encouraging atmosphere for both new and experienced participants. In keeping with the Charity’s inclusive approach, every speaker received appreciation, acknowledging their effort and courage. Every performer was also recognised for outstanding content, delivery and confidence, reflecting the event’s emphasis on both skill and substance.

The success of this year’s competition has strengthened plans to establish the event as an annual highlight in the Brisbane chapter’s calendar. Organisers have expressed interest in expanding future editions through partnerships with local schools, youth organisations and community groups.

These collaborations aim to broaden participation, provide additional opportunities and continue fostering leadership skills grounded in cultural, ethical and community-focused values.

As the evening concluded, many attendees praised the event for creating a space where young voices could be heard, celebrated and empowered. The competition not only showcased emerging talent but also underscored the enduring relevance of Basava’s teachings in shaping confident, thoughtful and socially conscious young leaders.

Basava Samiti Asia Pacific conducted this event in two cities in Sydney on the 16th November 2025 and in Brisbane on the 8th November 2025. Both cities rejoiced the reflections and adoption of the values. Sydney also welcomed the speakers of the Batch 6 Learn2Grow Program, CEO Talk from Mr.Emmanuel Musoni, Executive Manager GALPD graced by three councillors from the Blacktown city council.