February 28, 2019 by Yadu Singh

Premier’s Harmony Dinner at Rose Gardens was a spectacular success

Sydney, 28 February, 2019

Premier’s Harmony Dinner was a wonderful evening. Fantastic to celebrate diversity & multiculturalism in this beautiful state, NSW, with 1500 people in this sold out event.

Wonderful to meet so many friends from various sections of NSW. It was a matter of privilege to have met and interacted with Premier, The Hon Gladys Berejiklian, Ministers Ray Williams, Matt Kean and Victor Dominello.

We support Multiculturalism within the Australian ethos and values, and events like this go a long way in welcoming diversity and Multiculturalism.

Thank you Multicultural NSW and thank you Premier.

Dr Yadu Singh

February 9, 2018 by Yadu Singh

Parramasala 2018 launched

Sydney, 9 Feb, 2018

(Parramasala, 9-11 March, 2018)

I was pleased to be at the launch of Parramasala 2018 by the Minister of Multiculturalism, the Honorable Ray Williams, at Parramatta River Foreshore, today.

The program for Parramasala (9-11 March 2018) was announced.

It was attended by Dr Harry Harinath, Chair of Multicultural NSW, Dr Geoff Lee, Local State MP and Mr Andrew Wilson, Lord Mayor of City of Parramatta Council. A big contingent of media was present too.

A glimpse of cultural performances was presented.

I was very pleased to know that the NSW Government has committed an additional $600,000 over three years to one of the State’s largest multicultural arts and cultural festivals, Parramasala.

Now in its eighth year, Parramasala celebrates the cultural diversity of NSW through music, dance, theatre, food and film, representing more than 40 nationalities with the theme of “Many Cultures. One Sydney”.

The minister said “Parramasala is a vibrant festival showcasing Western Sydney’s extraordinary multicultural identity, and its growth as an economic and social hub.”

“The NSW Government is committed to supporting the evolving arts and cultural scene of Greater Western Sydney,” he said.

The 2018 program features some of the best in international and domestic acts, including free concerts by Grammy-nominated group Hiatus Kaiyote and Grammy Award-winning Saharan band, Tinariwen.

Crowds will also enjoy the opening night multicultural parade, interactive drumming and dancing workshops and the delicious Masala markets.

As a partner in Parramasala, City of Parramatta Council welcomed the State Government’s extra funding for what has become the signature event on the Multicultural March calendar.

“We are proud supporters of Parramasala. Western Sydney is home to a lively assortment of cultures and the City of Parramatta is pleased to lead the way in showcasing the very best our region has to offer,” Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Andrew Wilson said.

Parramasala Chairperson Dr GK Harinath OAM encouraged every member of the community interested in arts, music, food and culture to attend the festival this year.

“With a mixture of free and ticketed high-quality events, there is something for everyone at any age this year,” Dr Harinath OAM said.

Since 2016, the NSW Government has committed $2.2 million to secure Parramasala’s rightful place in our cultural calendar until

For more information about the festival, the 2018 program and for daily event schedules, see www.parramasala.com

Dr Yadu Singh

http://www.twitter.com/dryadusingh

http://www.facebook.com/DoctorYaduSingh

September 14, 2017 by Yadu Singh

NSW Minister for Multiculturalism writes to Meat and Livestock Australia and Prime Minister about Lord Ganesh Video

Sydney/ 14 September, 2017

I have received communication from NSW Government about letters from NSW Minister for Multiculturalism, The Hon Ray Williams, to Meat and Livestock Australia and Prime Minister of Australia, The Hon Malcolm Turnbull.

He has summarised the feelings of the community, following his meeting with the community representatives on Monday, 11 September, 2017.

As is known, our community is very concerned and unhappy with the video, depicting Lord Ganesh in a Lamb advertisement by Meat and Livestock Australia.

Community reps had met the Minister a few days earlier. Report here: https://yadusingh.com/2017/09/11/community-reps-meet-minister-for-multiculturalism-on-lord-ganesh-video/

Dr Yadu Singh

fianinc1@gmail.com

http://www.facebook.com/DoctorYaduSingh

http://www.twitter.com/dryadusingh

September 11, 2017 by Yadu Singh

Community reps meet Minister for Multiculturalism on Lord Ganesh Video

Sydney, 11 September, 2017

Community Reps with Minister Ray Williams re Lord Ganesh Video

I was pleased to be able to organize a meeting of the Indian community Representatives with The Minister for Multiculturalism, The Hon Ray Williams & Chair of Multicultural NSW, Dr Harry Harinath, today in the Multicultural NSW Offices in Parramatta, Sydney to discuss the Meat and Livestock Australia’s (MLA) offensive video involving Lord Ganesh. The Chief Executive Officer of Multicultural NSW, Mr Hakan Harman, was also present.

Community reps included people from not only Hinduism faith but also from Sikhism and Islamic faith. Seventeen community leaders took part in this meeting, and they included Mr Jagtar Singh, Ms Pallavi Sinha, Mr Gurdeep Singh, Ms Anju Kalra, Mr Surinder Bhogal, Mr Shamim Khan, Mr Brijrajsinh Jhala, Mr Premjitsinh Rathod, Mr Sri Ranga Reddy, Pandit Athreya Ramachandran, Pandit Krishnamurthi Venkataraman, Mr Chirag Parikh, Dr Manish Bhutada, Mr Anagan Babu, Mr Tara Chand Sharma, Dr Nihal Agar and myself (Dr Yadu Singh).

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Every rep expressed their unhappiness with the video. Lord Ganesh is one of the most revered deity of Hinduism and is invoked before every religious activity among Hindus. The video is an advertisement for Lamb. Alcohol is also shown to be served in the video. To people from Hinduism faith, associating Lord Ganesh with meat and Alcohol is inappropriate, incorrect, offensive and hurtful. They also felt that use of deities and religious figures of any religion for commercial use is wrong. It was also felt that the timing of the ad video was particularly hurtful as the video came out only a few days after Indians celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi all over the world. Reps also felt that video like this don’t help the multiculturalism in Australia and end up creating disharmony and undermine cohesion in the community. They generate a bad image of Australia, which, otherwise, is a successful example of multiculturalism. A rep also mentioned that Meat and Livestock Australia receives funding from the Government sources, which meant that our taxes are being used to abuse our beliefs and portray our deities inappropriately. This is unacceptable.

Community reps urged the Minister and Multicultural NSW to take the matter of the offensive Video up with relevant authorities, including relevant ministers in the Federal Government, and get the video taken out of circulation. The minister was also urged to get the standards of advertisement reviewed to ensure that public videos are not allowed to use religiously insensitive and offensive materials.

The minister agreed that the community is offended and agitated. He agreed to write a letter to the Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) and to the Federal Government authorities, seeking remedial action.

A proposed protest march to MLA offices in North Sydney is a potential step which our community is planning, but it has been postponed for some time to see the outcome following the discussion today. There will be community consultation in this regard sometime in the future.

Community reps thanked the Minister and Dr Harinath for the meeting.

Dr Yadu Singh

fianinc1@gmail.com

http://www.facebook.com/DoctorYaduSingh

http://www.twitter.com/dryadusingh

August 31, 2017 by Yadu Singh

Multicultural Media awards create healthy competition for quality and standards

Sydney, 30 August, 2017

PMMA YS with Sonia Gandhi, Kumud Merani and Arti Banga

PMMA YS with Dr Harinath, Neena Badhwar, Ashok Kumar and others

It was great and a matter of privilege to be invited to attend NSW Premier’s Multicultural Media Awards tonight at the Waterview, Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW.

These awards honour the quality journalism from the thriving and highly competitive multicultural media in NSW. Multicultural journalists won top awards under various categories. Indian Link media, as before, was finalist in many categories. Gurcharn Singh Kahlon, a Punjabi journalist, was a finalist too. Congratulations to all finalists especially Tia Singh (Indian Link) and Vijay Badhwar (The Indian Down Under), who were the winners in their categories.

Wonderful to catch up with the Premier of NSW, The Hon Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Multiculturalism, The Hon Ray Williams, along with so many media people including our own community media personalities and friends.

One thing which was very clear was that these awards are very important as they create healthy competition and help improve the quality and standards in multicultural media in NSW.

Dr Yadu Singh

http://www.facebook.com/DoctorYaduSingh

http://www.twitter.com/dryadusingh

March 11, 2017 by Yadu Singh

Parramasala Parade, Friday, March 10, 2017

Sydney, March, 10, 2017

It was a matter of privilege and pride to be invited as a guest for the launch/inauguration of Parramasala 2017 at Riverside Theatre, Parramatta, Friday, 10 March, 2017.

NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, Minister for Multiculturalism, Ray Williams and Chair of Parramasala Board, Dr Harry Harinath, along with others were present.

The parade with contingents from more than 50 cultural and other groups was the highlight of the evening.

Premier Berejiklian and Minister Williams were, as usual, the charming and graceful hosts for the event.

Thank you, NSW Government, Premier Gladys Berejiklian and City of Parramatta Council for your ongoing support and funding for Parramasala.