Dear Visitor ji,
We are still in the midst of festive season with celebrations or planning in full swing for Diwali and Guru Nanak's 550th birthday. Onam, Durga Puja, Navaratri, and Bathkumma were celebrated with faith, colour and enthusiasm. Weather has also warmed up after giving us an unexpected display of snow in the Capital, flowers are blooming and Floriade finished with splendour.
FINACT completed its popular T20 community Cricket Tournament. Congratulations to PK11 and Delhi Strikers for getting into the finals. Delhi Strikers defeated the 4-times champion PK11 in a nail-biting final to win the trophy. Organising a tournament of this scale takes a lot of planning and coordination with support from the players and umpires. Well done to all involved for cooperating and displaying sportsmanship.
These last few weeks have been marked by farewells by the Indian diaspora to HE Dr Ajay M Gondane, Indian High Commissioner who recently retired. In addition, Mr Rattesh Gumber has been nominated as ACT Ambassador, and Dr Madhumita Iyengar and Dr Sunita S Dhindsa received multicultural awards by the ACT government in recognition of their work for the community.
Activities for 2nd October to celebrate 150th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi and 550th anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji are continuing - with more events to come.
FINACT organised a public consultation to inform FINACT’s submission to the Inquiry on Nationhood, National identity and Democracy to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee.
Many member organisations have had their AGM or will be having one soon. Please notify FINACT of the changes to Executive Committees and to the delegates to FINACT.
On the horizon are the general council meeting, participation in various ACT government activities, felicitations, farewell, welcome, and progressing the four goals of FINACT.
Let each one of us continue to contribute positively for the broader good of all taking inspiration from Bapu, who said, “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”
Sunita S Dhindsa
President FINACT
“When you are right, you have no need to be angry. When you are wrong, you have no right to be angry.” – M K Gandhi
FINACT's First General Council Meeting for 2019-20
Dear Members
The FINACT GCM is scheduled to be held on Thursday 31 October 2019. The draft minutes of GCM held in May 2019 are sent to delegates' email accounts.
Venue: Australian Parliament House
Time: 5.15 pm arrival for 5.30 pm start
RSVP names of delegates: By Monday 28 October 2019
Note: Security check will be required. Please bring photo ID.
Agenda will be sent before the meeting. Please send me any agenda items if you wish to raise with the General Council.
Kind regards,
Roshan Menon
General Secretary
Mobile: 0400 101 825
Felicitation and Farewell
On 17 November 2019, FINACT will be honouring achievements of some members of the ACT India diaspora and also farewell one of our esteemed members. Please join us.
Time: 6.30 - 9.00 pm
Venue: Oh Canberra Restobar Phillip ACT
Dinner: $32.00
RSVP: 14 November 2019
Upcoming & Past Events
550th Birth Anniversary Event - Sat 26 Oct 2019
Events to Celebrate 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Guru Nanak Dev Ji was a most visionary social reformer and his reforms are even more valid today. On the occasion of 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Canberra Punjabi Sports and Cultural Association is organising following events and invites all to join and participate in the events:
1. Saturday 26 October 2019: 4.00 – 6.00 pm Lecture Theatre Building 9 University of Canberra Bruce ACT (light refreshments will be provided)
Lecture: Social Reforms in the Bani of Guru Nanak Dev Ji: Understanding the Contemporary Relevance by Prof Mohammad Idris, Head Department of History Punjabi University Patiala Punjab India
Book Launch: ‘Mudhavni – The Great Riddle’ authored by S Amandeep Singh Sidhu
2. Saturday 02 November 2019: 9.00 am – 1.00 pm John Knight Park Townsend Place Belconnen ACT (light refreshments will be provided)
Guru Ka Bagh Tree Planting: 550 native Australian trees will be planted for Guru's Garden.
I would appreciate if you can join us for these events and extend this invitation to others.
Harjinder Dhindsa
0490 082 930
CPSCA
FINACT Invites Input for Strategic Direction
Dear Member Organisations
The FINACT Executive Committee is seeking input to strategic direction for FINACT for 2019-20 and beyond.
You can either email with your input, or if you are interested in organising a meeting with the EC then email with a few dates and we will get back to you.
Please write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
If I have inadvertently missed anyone please let me know.
Kind regards
Sunita Dhindsa
President FINACT
Meeting with Patron Minister the Hon Chris Steel
On 1 October 2019, FINACT Executive met with ACT Minister for Multicultural Affairs Chris Steel MLA. Minister Steel is FINACT's Patron.
President provided information on FINACT activities. Minister Steel informed FINACT about progress on issues that FINACT had been lobbying, in some cases from 2014: community hall and creamatorium. Minister also informed about policy for availability of land for community use. It was a productive and useful meeting.
All are welcome.
Deepawali Celebration at Australian Parliament House
Congratulations to the Hindu Council Australia on another successful annual Diwali event at the Australian Parliament House. Thanks to Prime Minister the Hon Scott Morrison (ScoMo) for his graceful attendance.
Australian Government Community Grants Hub
As discussed during the Annual General Meeting in July, Mr Kanti Jinna ji has kindly forwarded information related to community grants.
Please refer federal government’s Community Grants Hub at https://www.communitygrants.gov.au/ which is the one-stop-shop for grants.
FINACT member associations are encouraged to subscribe to an email list, which can be found at the bottom of the home page - to receive new grant listings and other information.
Our Proud Sponsors
Messages from Australian Tamil Cultural Society
 Tamil Society members are very glad to let you know that Tamil Language has been approved by BSSS as one of the ATAR subjects that can taught in ACT colleges. We are trying to gather information from parents. The Expression of Interest for learning Tamil in 2020 should be given to the college/ institute who is happy to run the course by September 2019.
Please request the FLYER that contains detailed information. Clicking 'ENROLL NOW' takes you to further details. Those who would like further information re this can always send the enquiries to Mrs Uma Ramiah via email-id This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
ALL ARE WELCOME.
Tamil Society is celebrating Deepavali on 26-OCT-2019 (Saturday) 5PM onwards at Melrose High School. A full 6-Course dinner is now organized and details are below.
ATCS Account: BSB: 032719 // Account #: 162672
Members: $15 Adults and Children from 10yo.
All others $10
Non-Members: $25
Contact us via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like to know further details.
ACT Telangana Association - Big Plantation Event
ACT Telangana Association in association with High Commission of India planted 150 trees on 28 July 2019 to commemorate 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Thank you all for your contribution and participation.
Conclusion of T20 Cricket Tournament & Review
Dear Captains and Members
FINACT would like to invite all of you to have a review and discussions about the recent FINACT T20 2019 tournament and also have a healthy discussion to improve the games and its arrangements for future games.
The meeting is planned on Wednesday, 6:00pm – 8:30pm on 23 October 2019 at Gungahlin Library, Training Room 1.
Please pass it to any captains we have missed.
Thank you all for your support.
Roshan Menon
General Secretary
Canberra India Got Talent 2019 by NATA - Sat 9 Nov
Please share the Canberra India Got Talent competition in your community to participate and encourage young kids.
Farewell to the High Commissioner
FINACT, member organisations and members of Indian diaspora farewelled HE Dr Ajay Gondane, High Commissioner of India and Mrs Varsha Gondane on 24 September 2019.
High Commissioner of India HE Dr Ajay Gondane retired on 30 September 2019. Dr Gondane had been a great support to the Indian diaspora and to the FINACT and will be greatly missed.
FINACT wishes the best to Mrs and Dr Gondane for their future endeavours.
HE High Commissioner of India Dr Ajay Gondane bid adieu to Canberra community on 26 September 2019.
On behalf of FINACT and member organisations, we wish you all the best to Dr Gondane and Mrs Varsha Gondane in the future.
Nationalhood, National Identity & Democracy
FINACT held a workshop on Nationhood, National Identity and Democracy on Tuesday 17 September 2019 from 6.00 to 8.00 pm at Gunghalin Library to inform the submission. Based on the public consultation FINACT has submitted its report to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee who is overseeing the Inquiry.
Discussion was intense as the topic was directly relevant to all Australians - present and future generations, and this enquiry provided an opportunity to share our views and inform the decision makers.
Bathukamma: The Floral Festival of Telangana
Bathkumma Festival, the beautiful Floral Festival of Goddess Gauri, representing the cultural spirit of Telangana was organised by the ACT Telangana Association on 05 October 2019. Congratulations to committee and volunteers for colourful and traditional celebrations with prayers, flowers, dance and food.
Durga Puja by Bengali Cultural Association
Bengali Cultural Association celebrated Durga Puja with prayers, traditional food, and kids activities. Congratulations to BCA Committee and volunteers for bringing everyone together.
May MAA Durga bless all with light, love and happiness in our lives and that of our families. May she fulfill our wishes. Wishing happy Durga Puja to all.
Durga Puja - Canberra Sabojonin Puja & Cultural Association
Durga Puja was celebrated by Canberra Sarbojonin Puja and Cultural Association. Congratulations to committee and volunteers for colourful and traditional celebrations with prayers, food and cultural program.
Gujarati Samaj of Canberra Celebrates Navaratri
Gujarati Samaj of Canberra organised Navratri and Vijaydashmi Program over 10 nights. Congratulations to committee and volunteers for colourful and traditional celebrations with prayers, food garba, and cultural program.
150th Annivarsary of Mahatma Gandhi
On 2 October 2019 was the 150th Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the man who shook the world in a gentle way. Prayers were offered at Glebe Park organised by the Indian High Commission Office Canberra. FINACT participated in the ceremony.
Onam Celebrations by Canberra Malayalee Association
On 14 September 2019, Canberra Malayalee Association celebrated Onam with prayers, food, and traditional and contemporary cultural program.
Singing Bee by Mehak Punjab Di
On 5 October 2019, ex- President of FINACT Mr Amardeep Singh arranged a ‘singing bee’ event to raise funds for victims of human trafficking.
|
