Federation of indian associations of act (finact) Inc

Coordination :: Cooperation :: Collaboration

The Federation of Indian Associations of ACT (FINACT) has witnessed a very busy and momentous first couple of months of new financial year 2016-17. It is with immense pleasure I am sharing with you the accomplishments of FINACT for last couple of months.

FINACT along with India Australia Association of Canberra organised the Indian Independence day extravaganza which was attended by more than 300 guests including the dignitaries such as The Chief Minister of ACT the Hon Mr Andrew Barr and the High Commissioner of India HE Mr Navdeep Suri.

FINACT executive committee held meetings with ACT Senators, Ministers and Leader of opposition to discuss the matters of interest for the multicultural communities, Indian community in particular.

FINACT feels proud to be part of upcoming Confluence a Festival of India in Australia. The Festival was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his historic visit to Australia in November 2014. FINACT is looking forward to the portrayal of the Indian culture and civilization for our friends in Australia.

Finally, it is again that time of the year when we gear up for the FINACT T-20 Cricket Tournament. The 5-week long tournament will commence on 23 October. The community is encouraged to participate in the cricket bonanza 2016 as per the details mentioned below.

The FINACT Executive Committee’s main objective this year will be to fully engage with members of the community and collectively promote Indian values and ethos with heads held high and passion. 

Amardeep Singh
President 

 FINACT T-20 Cricket Tournament 2016-17

This is to inform you all for community circulation that much awaited and highly regarded FINACT T20 Cricket Tournament for this year is scheduled to start from 23 October 2016. And the draws will be held on 2^nd October 2016 by the High Commission of India.

Please register your teams on or before 29^th of September 2016 to participate in this year's tournament.  Registration Fee is $300.00 and T&C apply.

Please make your payment to FINACT bank account or by a cheque drawn in favour of "Federation of Indian Associations of ACT (FINACT) Incorporated":

Name: Federation of Indian Associations of ACT (FINACT) Incorporated
BSB: 062919
A/C No: 1034 3742

Meeting with Lawmakers and Government Representatives

The FINACT executive committee was invited by His Excellency Mr Navdeep Suri the High Commissioner of India and his office in the chancery at Yarralumla after it election in July 2016. The committee was introduced to the high commissioner and high commissioner appreciated FINACT for continuing to present a unified front for all of its member associations and promote the advancement of people of Indian origin in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and surroundings. Mr Suri also commended the efforts of FINACT executive committee for its contribution towards the promotion of Indian culture and heritage with in Australia. 

The newly elected FINACT executive committee also held some meetings with lawmakers from all sides of politics. FINACT has been assured of the commitment and patronage to the concept of multiculturism from all sides of politics including Labour, Liberals and the Greens.

The discussions were held with Senator Katy Gallagher and Dr Andrew Leigh MP, both the leaders were appraised of the initiatives of FINACT which are of significance at Federal level.

Similar discussions were held with the Hon. Senator Zed Seslja the assistant minister for multicultural affairs, the minister assured his support to the initiatives of the Federation of Indian Associations of ACT.

The FINACT also met the ACT Minister for Education Shane Rattenburry and discussed about the different aspects of ACT education system with particular reference to the ACT Scaling Test and the manner in which the scores are scaled to determine the ATAR of year 12 students.

The meeting with leader of opposition Jeremy Hanson was held at his office in the Legislative Assembly. Mr Hanson appreciated and reiterated his support to FINACT for its endeavours like cricket (which unites the community) and Harmony day in particular.

Nominations for Multicultural Awards - Opens on 8 Sep

Nominations open today for the 2016 ACT Multicultural Awards which recognise the outstanding contribution made by people and organisations in promoting and strengthening our multicultural community.

Now in its sixth year, these awards focus on the great work that happens every day in support of multiculturalism, reflecting our respect and appreciation for the cultural diversity in our community.

I know there are many people and organisations out there well deserving of recognition for the work that they do, and encourage you to put forward a nomination in one of the following categories:

• Outstanding volunteer
• Community organisation
• Business enterprise
• Public sector
• Education
• Media
• ACT Multicultural Advocate of the Year
• ACT Multicultural Young Person of the Year

Nominations for the 2016 ACT Multicultural Awards close on Friday 21 October, 2016 and can be made at www.communityservices.act.gov.au

Upcoming Events

Integrated Women’s Network – IWN’s Let’s Talk event 

A workshop by Padma Menon based on “dance and yoga techniques” for relaxation and self-awareness.

The workshop will focus on yoga based techniques for self-reflection and relaxation. It will also facilitate a guided exploration of dance as a way of 'movement meditation' and of connecting with our emotions. Knowledge of dance is not required for the workshop.

There will be a short discussion after the workshop on the strategies for including self-reflection in our daily lives and the benefits for personal development and stress management.

Date: Saturday 17 September 2016

Time: 3 – 5 pm

Where: Meeting room, Level 2, Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre, London Circuit, Canberra

Cost: free; all welcome 

Integrated Women’s Network – IWN’s Let’s Talk event 

A Talk by Dr Sharmila Sambandam on "Hypertension"

Dr Sharmila has a MBBS degree from ANU and a Bachelor of Siddha Medicine from India. She believes that lasting and harmonious health states can be achieved through taking a holistic approach while treating ailments. The talk will be followed by Q&A. 

Date: Saturday, 15 October 2016

Time: 3-5pm

Where: Meeting room, Level 2, Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre, Canberra city

Cost: free and open to all.

RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Confluence - Festival of India in Canberra

Canberra Theatre Centre Tickets Absolutely at a Bargain Price

Success of this festival really depends on the number of  your friends from other communities.

Inform, Invite and Bring Along your Friends, Colleagues and Neighbours.

Sat 17 September - A Free Bollywood Workshop by Gillies Chuyen

Sat 17 September - The Raghu Dixit Project  

Often hailed as India’s biggest cultural & musical export, Raghu Dixit’s unique brand of infectious, happy music transcends age, genre, and even language. His music is strongly rooted in Indian traditions and culture and is presented with a very contemporary, global sound. From playing to over 100,000 people in his home state to every big music festival in India, from Glastonbury to the BBC to even playing for the Queen of England and the entire Royal Family, Raghu Dixit seems to have done quite a bit!

Time: 8:30pm

Where: Canberra Theatre Centre - Civic Square, Canberra

Cost: $30  Buy Tickets before Sold Out

The Raghu Dixit Project is one of India’s foremost bands in its genre. Earthy, rooted, colourful, vibrant, simple yet highly enjoyable are some of the words that describe the music of The Raghu Dixit Project. Often hailed as India’s biggest cultural & musical export his music is strongly rooted in Indian traditions and culture and is presented with a very contemporary, global sound. 

Fri 23 September - Sonam Kalra and the Sufi Gospel Project

Multiple award winning singer and composer Sonam Kalra is that rare breed of musician who has been trained in both Indian and Western traditions of music and is equally adept at both.

Sonam’s unique brainchild, ‘The Sufi Gospel Project’ which blends the many voices of faith, through poetry, prayer and music to create one universal voice of faith, has earned her international critical acclaim.

Time: 7pm

Where: James O Fairfax Theatre, National Gallery of Australia (NGA), Canberra

Cost: $15 - $30  Buy Tickets before Sold Out 

Sonam has been recognised and appreciated for her all inclusive definition of Sufism and her message of Peace and Oneness has made her a popular voice at prestigious festivals and venues around the world including London, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Pakistan, Oman, Kuwait, Lebanon, Algeria, Dubai, Tunisia, Mauritius, Egypt, South Africa and The United States of America. 

Sun 25 September - SRIYAH Nrityagram Dance Ensemble

Ancient dance in a modern era – exquisite Indian dance from the Nrityagram Dance Ensemble, whose vibrant costumes and lively yet fluid movements depict an ornately carved Hindu temple springing into life and colour.

Time: 6:30pm

Where: Canberra Theatre Centre - Civic Square, Canberra

Cost: $35  Buy Tickets before Sold Out

The Nrityagram Dance Ensemble is regarded as one of the foremost dance companies of India. The Ensemble has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, from New York to Hawaii in the US and in Denmark, Holland, Portugal, the Middle-East, Singapore and Japan. 

Sun 2 & Mon 3 October - Pung Cholam

There will be a free Pung Cholom performance in the Floriade Night Fest.

Time: Sun 2 October from 1:40 PM & Mon 3 October from 2:40 PM

Where: Floriade Night Fest, Albert Street, Canberra

Cost: FREE  Register before Booked Out 

Pung Cholom is a unique classical dance of Manipur. In this style, the dancers play the pung (a form of hand  beaten drum) while they dance at the same time. They use  acrobatic movements  without breaking the rhythm or  flow of music.

The dance is marked by a gentle rhythm, which gradually builds up to a thunderous climax. Pung cholom borrows elements from the Manipuri martial arts Thang Ta and Sarit Sarak. 

In the Western imagination, India conjures up everything from saris and spices to turbans and temples—and the pulsating energy of Bollywood movies.

But in the Festival of India you will get a glimpse of whole of India culture and arts - classical to contemporary - in over 12 weeks. Please visit to have a look at the event schedule across Australia at 

http://confluencefoi.com/

Wed 12 October - Transposition (Ishara International Puppet Trust)

The Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust founded in 1986 by Dadi Pudumjee is one of India’s leading contemporary puppet theatres, committed to creating awareness, exposure and education to the multifaceted traditions and techniques of puppetry in India and the world.

Time: 7:30PM

Where: Canberra Theatre Centre - Civic Square, Canberra

Cost: $35  Buy Tickets before Sold Out

The Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust is known as one of India’s innovative modern puppet groups. The group has evolved through the years with Puppeteers, traditional artists, actors and dancers, creating a language of gesture – Ishara. The group has performed in many countries and organizes the only annual International puppet festival in India in collaboration with Teamwork.

Tue 8 November - Jatayu Moksham (The Kalakshetra Foundation)

Kalakshetra in Chennai was founded by Rukmini Devi Arundale in 1936 and has since become a premier institution primarily dedicated to dance and music.

Time: 7:30PM

Where: The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre - Civic Square, Canberra

Cost: $35  Buy Tickets before Sold Out

The repertoire of the company includes mythology based dance-dramas, classical and contemporary Bharatanatyam compositions, as well as programs of the varied folk dances of India. In particular, Kalakshetra’s dance-dramas have come to be recognized worldwide for their impeccable technique and aesthetic.

The Kalakshetra Foundation will be performing an expressive dance piece Jataya Moksham from the Ramayana choreographed by Rukmini Devi Arundale herself.

‘The undisputed face of classical arts’ – The Hindu