Dear Visitor ji,
Winter is in full swing and small buds have started emerging on bare deciduous branches. COVID-19 restrictions have started easing and interstate travel has commenced. Although precautions of personal hygiene and safe distancing are still applicable, life is gradually taking little steps towards pre-COVID days.
Congratulations to the Prime Ministers Hon Mr Scott Morrison and the Hon Mr Narendra Modi for a successful virtual summit on 4 June 2020. This has resulted in at least seven agreements between Australia and India in matters ranging from cyber security to defence.
FINACT congratulates Mr Lakshman Rao Alluri on receiving an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in this year’s Queen’s Birthday honours. It is a matter of pride for the Indian diaspora and for all who are engaged in community work.
Congratulations to Indian Australians and network of federations of Indian associations that there is now a national body called Council of Indian Federations of Australia (CIFA). FINACT is its inaugural chair.
FINACT General Council Meeting was held on 30 May 2020. To discuss a few matters further, a special GCM has been organised for 27 June 2020. The Annual general Meeting will be held on 25 July 2020.
As a community we all have been through a lot due to COVID-19. Mental health is always of paramount importance. Isolation during COVID-19 restrictions brought mental health and domestic violence in public focus once again.
FINACT and its wonderful member organisations have provided assistance through cash, kind, and services to those in need. People have generously helped in their various capacities. On behalf of FINACT I thank all. You have been good to others, please be good to your own self too.
Currently, FINACT is helping the High Commission of India with repatriation of stranded Indian nationals.
Stay Warm and Joyful.
Sunita S Dhindsa
President
"To love yourself right now, just as you are, is to give yourself heaven. Don't wait until you die. If you wait, you die now. If you love, you live now."
— Alan Cohen
Upcoming Events
FINACT Special GCM - Sat 27 June
FINACT announced a Special GCM would be held on Saturday 27June 2020 through Online media at 4:00 pm.
The Intent is to discuss and decide on the following topics before the AGM:
- FINACT T-20 Cricket
- Ausindia Fair 2019-20
- CIFA - Information to be presented by Sunithaji
All member associations were requested to confirm their availability. Also, FINACT invited any agenda items, if association/s wish to discuss at the Special General Council Meeting.
Thank you for your support.
Roshan Menon
General Secretary
Yoga for Global Peace, Harmony and Wellness
Greetings from High Commission of India, Canberra!!
Yoga, a gift of ancient India to the world, has become a way of life for millions across the world. As a mark of the immense popularity of Yoga, the world commemorates 21st June every year as the International Day of Yoga.
In the present times, where people all around the world are adapting their lives to the new reality of a pandemic, yoga has become even more relevant.
It has helped many maintain a healthy regimen during the long periods of lock down and boosted their immunity and sense of balance in these extraordinary times.
Technology plays a key role in enabling the learning of Yoga, particularly during this time where social distancing is a necessity to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
In this regard, playlists of animated 3D videos of the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, a keen practitioner of Yoga, practicing various Asanas are available.
These videos have been made available on YouTube and are available in the following languages:
English: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKrFtLRqyz6MWIswWKBazJOux333ZMyvX
Hindi: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKrFtLRqyz6OAeHBgmTkKxH6K_Q5j2GC9
Let us all contribute to the global healing process and make wellness a part of our lives by embracing Yoga. Kindly do share these videos to inspire others as well.
People at peace with themselves can build peaceful & healthy societies and a harmonious world.
Kind Regards,
Arthi Tarange
Information & Culture Section
High Commission of India-Canberra
3 Moonah Place,Yarralumla-ACT-2600
E-Mail: iThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
6th International Yoga Day 2020 - Sun June 21 @8.00-11.00am
Hindu Council of Australia welcomes you all to join us to celebrate 6th International Yoga Day. We have come up with a unique program for you all to watch from online on Facebook from the comfort of your own home. Considering the COVID-19 situation, we decided to come up with with an interesting way to engage all Yoga enthusiasts by bringing experienced local Yoga practitioners to perform from iconic locations across various States and Territories of Australia.
We have special surprise guests giving messages from India and Australia. This event will open to all to watch live on facebook https://www.facebook.com/InternationalYogaDayAustralia
Consulate General office is participating with us from Sydney and all other locations will join as per the attached schedule.
Don’t miss this unique program online.
Time: Jun 21, 2020 08:00 AM – 11:00 AM AEST
To join via Facebook Live, simply visit International Yoga Day Australia and go to the timeline. We will be live by 8am https://www.facebook.com/InternationalYogaDayAustralia
To join via Zoom, follow the link below https://us02web.zoom.u/j/89792631769?pwd=R0VIYW0rRyt5SXJiQ1R3NWtOOVhLUT09
Meeting ID: 897 9263 1769 Password: IYD2020
Dial by your location (Outside Australia) Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbnhyEWNjN
Meeting ID: 897 9263 1769 Password: 970053
As we all know UNESCO has recognised celebration of Yoga at various locations to promote Yoga and its many benefits. The promotion of Yoga is both needed and essential for our personal well-being.
Every human being in this world wants to be happy and live a tension-less life but it is very difficult to achieve this in today’s busy life-style.
How can we live a balanced and healthy life? Yoga is the best tool gifted to mankind by ancient Hindus sages to the world.
Yogam Sharanma Gachazmi – means shelter to Yoga for a healthy life. Regular Yogic practice teaches us to live without tension and stress and to fulfil all our family and community obligations.
The Hindu Council has developed today’s program to display various aspects of Yoga such as Surya Namaskar, morning yoga routines, breathing techniques and chanting of Mantras to help us keep a healthy state of body and mind.
If we perform yoga, we would be blessed with a better way to life which will strengthen and synchronise our body, mind and soul.
Yoga is a Light , which once Lit, will Never fade, The Better we Practice, the Brighter the Flame.
Hope you will all join us and enjoy the program and find the knowledge shared useful. Look forward to seeing you all online.
Hindu Council of Australia
Congratulations
Shri Alluri Lakshman Prasad - Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
Congratulations to Mr Lakshman Prasad (Lucky) on receiving an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in this year’s Queen’s Birthday honours. It is a matter of pride for the Indian diaspora and for all who are engaged in community work.
Since moving to Australia in 1993, Mr Prasad has been involved in community work starting from the Vishnu Shiva Mandir in Mawson. As President of Canberra India Council, Mr Prasad is involved in organising and celebration of festivals. Mr Prasad founded the Canberra Telugu Association and Kannada Association of Canberra.
Mr Prasad volunteers his services for many causes including at the Floriade. He has also received a Multicultural Advocate of the Year award and sits on the ACT Government Multicultural Advisory Board and on other ACT Government community committees.
Council of Indian Federations of Australia
Council of Indian Federations of Australia (CIFA) is a national peak body of Indian Australian organisations representing all states and territories of Australia. As a network of federations, it had been working informally for last few years.
The unprecedent, unpredictable situation that arose due to COVID-19 pandemic required extensive collaboration and cooperation at national level and also to maintain momentum. This created the need to formally establish a body to deal with issues nationally.
CIFA worked tirelessly to get results for those impacted, particularly international students, stranded Indian nationals, and stranded diaspora in India. Currently it is assisting with repatriation of stranded Indian nationals in Australia.
CIFA committee comprise of two members from each state and territory of Australia. The inaugural chair is Federation of Indian Associations of ACT, Secretary is Federation of Indian Associations of Western Australia; and Treasurer is Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland.
CIFA will advocate and influence national policies through government and diplomatic channels on matters affecting the Indian Australians, while fostering integration, social cohesion and inclusion. This includes promoting bilateral relations, trade, tourism and strategic relationship between Australia and India.
If you have any suggestions, please let us know.
COVID-19 Fund Raising Events & Activities
Federation of Indian Associations of ACT and many of its member organisations such as Canberra Malayalee Association, Canberra Jain Mandal, Canberra Punjabi Sports and Cultural Association, Oriya Association, Gujarati Samaj, Indian Australian Association of Health & Well Being and Canberra Sikh Association have been actively engaged in providing support to community and international students during COVID-19 restrictions.
FINACT is providing advice for medical, jobs, rental, visa & returning to India issues; jobseeker payments; and moral/emotional support. In association with the High Commission of India, FINACT is providing groceries to Indian Nationals.
FINACT is also regularly liaising with relevant authorities to assist international students and stranded Indian nationals.
The Canberra Jain Mandal has been actively involved in supporting Indian students and visitors stranded in Australia by providing groceries, food items, etc. to the students, guiding them in exercising their rights on rent matters, and helping them find suitable housing arrangements.
The Mandal has also provided moral and emotional support to the students, visitors, and the parents of the students in India through regular follow-ups and by providing regular updates.
The organisation has also arranged free medical services of doctors, counselors, and psychiatrists to students and visitors.
Canberra Malayalees Association has set up a CMA Corona Response Team (consisting of Doctors, nurses, Social worked and 60+ volunteers) to help and support people in over 1000 + Malayalee community including international students, parents and work visa holders & has set up a TOLL-FREE number to provide the following services:
- Bulk billed or Free Telehealth GP consultation for all Malayalees in Canberra & Surroundings
- Social, emotional, psychological and pastoral care services for people in our community.
- Deliver groceries, medicines and other essentials for home isolated and Corona Virus affected people.
Canberra Punjabi Sports and Cultural Association along with Indian Pantry Florey has been supporting other organisations that were delivering groceries & cooked food through cash & kind. Owner of Indian Pantry, Mr Rajiv Khullar (Monu), without taking any break, cooked food for two months for the needy.
Canberra Sikh Association provided provisions to students who contacted CSA.
Gujarati Samaj of the ACT provided assistance with groceries provision.
The Oriya Association has taken steps as follows:
- Organised fundraising within our own Odia / Orioz community and raised $4000.
- Partnering with restaurants for free food.- in Melbourne “Junoon”, in Qld- donated to Gurdwara where they providing free food to students.
- Directly helped 3 students monetarily who became homeless during this time.
- Grocery and /or oil vouchers
- Non financial help- rent reduction help, medical help, support VISA applications
- Created a new Odia students portal under Orioz to get them connected with the main organisation during this time.
Your input/event for FINACT newsletter is appreciated and welcome
Newsletter for communities
You will appreciate that newsletters are critical instrument and platform to meet our functional, operational and strategic communication needs. We have been using this infrastructure for long to effectively interact with you.
Funding under the digital grants from the ACT Government has further boosted our capabilities and confidence in meeting our objectives. We thank the ACT Government for their generosity that enables us to extend our tools to our member associations. Please see below for more information on how you can use this feature.
As you know FINACT newsletter is generally published once a month. If our member associations like to publish their organisation's event in the FINACT newsletter, please provide the following information:
- Event name, date, time and venue followed by text
- Text in word format (not PDF)
- Text within 150 words
- One image/picture if needed.
If you have a flyer ready for the event then FINACT can also publish the flyer in the newsletter.
You can submit this information at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by the last week of month - marked as For FINACT Newsletter.
What else FINACT can do for you?
We acknowlege that not all associations can afford to have mailing lists or tools to regularly interact/communicate with their members. FINACT has tools and capacity to be of your assistance. You may subscribe your members on our subscription page.
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