At the 7th Australian National Hindu Conference held on 20 April 2024, at Novotel Parramatta, the Vishva Hindu Parishad of Australia Inc. (VHP) hosted an impressive gathering of 250 delegates from various sectors. These included community organisations, media, business sectors, professionals, and politicians nationwide. This assembly underlined the burgeoning influence and integration of the Hindu community within the Australian societal fabric.
The conference’s chief guest, Hon Chris Bowen, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, acknowledged the Vishva Hindu Parishad of Australia for their exemplary leadership and commitment to spreading the message of tolerance and acceptance encapsulated by the maxim “World is one family.” This principle resonated deeply, especially in light of recent troubling events in Sydney. Mr. Bowen’s address praised the community’s ethos in fostering unity and mutual respect across diverse Australian landscapes.
A standout moment came during the keynote address by Sushyanth Subramanian from Hindu Youth Australia. He presented compelling census data from 2021, illustrating that the Hindu community not only matches but in many cases exceeds the national Australian average in terms of qualifications and income levels. This evidence compellingly refutes any notion of mere survival, spotlighting a community that is actively thriving and contributing at high levels across the country.
Further endorsements of Hindu values came from Mr. Warren Kirby, MP and Member for Riverstone NSW, who shared personal anecdotes from his travels to India. He witnessed firsthand the jubilant celebrations surrounding the construction of the Ram Mandir and used this experience to highlight lessons that Australian society could learn from Hindu principles, particularly the concept of universal brotherhood and respect for all.
Additional praise for VHP’s grassroots efforts came from Hugh McDermott MP, the State Member for Prospect. He commended the organisation for its educational initiatives, particularly in language teaching and community support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, Hon Scott Farlow MLC reiterated his longstanding support for the Hindu community in the NSW Parliament and reflected on the collective backing VHP received against criticisms from the Australian Greens in March 2021.
The conference also addressed challenges such as the media portrayal of Hindus. Jitarth Jai Bharadwaj, founder and chief editor of The Australia Today, called for proactive engagement with the media to shape narratives more accurately and assertively. Meanwhile, Mr. Murray Norman, CEO of Better Balanced Futures, highlighted upcoming NSW legislation aimed at protecting individuals from religious bullying, illustrating a proactive step towards safeguarding faith-based communities.
The event concluded with a unanimous commendation from various federal, state, and local government representatives, as well as interfaith group leaders, who recognised the Hindu community’s positive impact and leadership. Looking ahead, the 8th Australian National Hindu Conference is scheduled for 3 May 2025, in Perth. VHP Western Australia eagerly anticipates continuing this momentum, fostering collaboration to further strengthen and unify the Hindu community for a resilient and prosperous Australia.
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