Federation of Indian Associations of ACT (FINACT) Inc

Coordination :: Cooperation :: Collaboration

Dear Visitor ji, 

We had several weeks of festivities and finally got a bit of breather. Next round of festivities is on our doorstep. Shopping centres are already alit with Christmas decorations. Shopping and preparations have started for Christmas. Soon many houses will put up beautiful Christmas decorations and presents will start getting wrapped.

While all this is happening, weather all over is unusual, in Canberra and surroundings too we have experienced drought, poor rainfall, high speed winds, frost, widely fluctuating temperatures!  Recently 11,000 scientists from 153 countries signed a scientific paper declaring climate emergency, that climate crisis ‘has arrived’ and is ‘accelerating faster than most scientists expect’.

(https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-06/climate-change-emergency-11000-scientists-sign-petition/11672776)

Could we reflect on what can we do at our own individual level on how can we reduce our carbon footprint, perhaps recycle, reduce all kinds of wastage, plant more trees/plants, reduce energy consumption?

Our sacred books from ancient times consider nature to be sacred. Guru Nanak Dev ji in Japji Sahib wrote:

पवन गुरु पानी पिता, माता धरत महत

Pavan Guru Pani Pitta, Matta Dhirt Mahatt

(literally it means ‘Air is the Guru, Water the Father, and Earth is the Great Mother’).

Honour Air as it reminds us to reconnect with our breath, our ‘Now’; and respect Water and Earth for life cannot exist without them. More than 550 plants were planted at John Knight Park to celebrate 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji.

Activities for 150^th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and 550^th anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji will be continuing into 2020.

We welcome the new High Commissioner of India HE Mr A. Gitesh Sarma and Mrs Ratna Sarma. FINACT is organising a welcome dinner on behalf of the FINACT members and the Indian diaspora on Sunday 24 November 2019.

On the horizon are welcome dinner, Christmas festivities, holidays, multicultural festival, harmony day, AusIndia Fair, and much more.

May the spirit of giving and sharing continue and we share our time and resources with those who need most.

For some of us holidays and overseas trips will begin in November. On behalf of FINACT I wish you all safe and relaxing holidays, Merry Christmas and a Happy 2020.

Sunita S Dhindsa

President FINACT

“If the people use the wealth bestowed on them by God for themselves alone or for treasuring it, it is like a corpse. But if they decide to share it with others, it becomes sacred food.” – Guru nanak Dev ji

Welcome Dinner for New High Commissioner of India on Sunday 24 November 2019

 

 Upcoming Events

Effortless Weight Loss & Diabetes Prevention - Fri 22 November 2019 

Rajdhani Marathi Mandal Canberra is proud to invite you to a special program with Dr. Jagannath Dixit, a medical practitioner who is world renowned for his effortless weight loss plan and Dr. Ulka Natu, a practising gynaecologist who has unflinchingly realised and promoted the importance of YOGA.

Format of program: Lecture/Workshop/Chat
Language: Hindi/English

Date: 22 November 2019
Time: 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Venue: Gungahlin Library Conference Room

Ticket Cost : $15 per head

Christmas 2019 by CMA - Sat 30 November 2019 

Canberra Malayalees Association (CMA) is celebrating Christmas - 2019 on Saturday 30^th November 2019 at Mount Stromlo High School, Badimara St, Waramanga for sharp 5.30 pm Start.

Visual treat of amazing programs including choirs and cultural programs followed by a three-course dinner….don’t miss it.

Please book your tickets using the following link https://www.trybooking.com/BGQWF

Regards,

Roshan Menon

President  - CMA

Pink Stump Day - Sat 7 December 2019

This cricket season we are getting out in support of Pink Stumps ( Boys and Girls match) Day (07/12/2019) at Bonner to raise funds for 120 more McGrath Breast Care Nurses.

Every day almost 50 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. McGrath Breast Care Nurses help individuals and their families experiencing breast cancer by providing physical, psychological and emotional support, for free.

While more than 75,000 families have been supported since 2005, more nurses are needed to meet the growing rate of breast cancer diagnosis in Australia.

And that's why I am bringing the team together to Pink Up and join the McGrath Foundation to raise much needed funds and help to make a difference.

I would love for you to join me, by coming along to our Pink Stumps Day or by making a donation to my online fundraising page https://fundraise.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/fundraisers/sanjaysharma.

Thanks so much in advance for your support. Together we can make a difference!

Yours in Pink,
Sanjay and Jasmine

NATA Sankranthi Sambaralu - 18 January 2020

Past Events   

FINACT General Council Meeting -  Thurs 31 October

The first General Council Meeting of FINACT in 2019-20 was held at Parliament House, Canberra that was hosted by the Hon Minister Zed Seselja.

To Celebrate 550^th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji, Canberra Punjabi Sports and Cultural Association (CPSCA)  and the Indian High Commission Canberra organised the following events.

A lecture "Social Reforms in the Bani of Guru Nanak Dev": Understanding the Contemporary Relevance" by Dr. Mohammad Idris Lourey  Head Department of History Punjabi University Patiala Punjab India at University of Canberra on 26 October 2019.  In addition, Dr Deep Saini (Vice Chancellor University of Canberra) and HE Mr P.S. Karthigeyan (Acting High Commissioner of India) and S Ajmer Singh (community elder) talked about Guru Nanak as a social reformer. At the same time the book "Mudhavani - The Great Riddle" written by Sardar Amandeep Singh Sidhu (Director Harman Radio Australia) was released and the author shared his experiences and the need to write this book with the attendees. Lecture and launch were attended by members from various communities and staff from the Indian High Commission.

"Guru Ka Baag" (Guru's Garden) - On 02 November 2019, over 550 Australian native plants were planted to establish Guru Ka Baag at the John Knight Park Townsend Place Belconnen. This occasion was graced by HE Mr PS Karthigeyan (Acting High Commissioner of India), Ms Suzanne Orr MLA (Minister for Community Services and Facilities), Mr Alistair Coe MLA (Leader of Opposition), Ms Elizabeth Kikkert MLA (Shadow Minister), Mrs and Dr Deep Saini (Vice Chancellor of University of Canberra), staff from the Indian High Commission and members from various communities. Every week community members are visiting "Guru Ka Baag" and watering the plants.