A steady stream of generosity marked this year’s Diwali celebrations, with the Australian Andhra Association Queensland contributing more than 100 kilograms of packaged and non-perishable food to the Sewa Diwali Food Donation Drive. The items were delivered to Community Friends in West End, a volunteer-run service that has been supporting people in hardship for close to two decades.
Community Friends runs on simple purpose and consistent effort. Every Wednesday, more than 200 people queue for a hot meal, groceries, and essential supplies. Jimmy, the organiser, has kept the service going for 19 years. Week after week, he turns up and gets the job done. It is steady work rather than ceremony that keeps people afloat, and the demand shows how many Brisbane families continue to face pressure.
AAQ’s participation this Diwali came through careful coordination from community leaders who have long been active in local service. Krishna Mohan Kandula, representing HOTA, and Dr Mrinal helped steer the drive, ensuring donations were gathered and delivered smoothly. Uma Chilukoti and Priyanka Sripathi added strength to the effort by organising contributions from their own neighbourhoods, showing how support often spreads through small, practical steps.
The AAQ Executive Committee, its members, and supporters across Queensland backed the initiative with donations and encouragement. For many families, Diwali is a time to pause and reflect, and this year the focus extended beyond celebration. The act of giving offered a quiet reminder that festivals carry their deepest meaning when they bring comfort to others.
Service, or sewa, has long been central to community life. This drive affirmed the value of that tradition in multicultural Queensland, where small acts of care echo widely. AAQ’s message, “Together for Better Future,” gained tangible form through the work done on the ground.
Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.
Follow The Indian Sun on X | Instagram | Facebook
Support Independent Community Journalism
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun exists for one reason: to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard.
We report on local councils, state politics, small businesses and cultural festivals. We focus on the Indian diaspora and the wider multicultural community with care, balance and accountability. We publish in print and online, send regular newsletters and produce video content. We also run media training programs to help community organisations share their own stories.
We operate independently.
Community journalism does not have the backing of large media corporations. Advertising revenue fluctuates. Platform algorithms change. Costs continue to rise. Yet the need for credible, grounded reporting in a multicultural Australia has never been greater.
When you support The Indian Sun, you support:
• Independent reporting on issues affecting migrant communities
• Coverage of local and state decisions that shape daily life
• A platform for small businesses and community groups
• Media training that builds skills within the community
• Journalism accountable to readers
We cannot cover everything, but we work to cover what matters.
If you value thoughtful reporting that reflects Australia’s diversity, we invite you to contribute. Every donation helps us maintain the quality and consistency of our work.
Please consider making a contribution today.
Thank you for your support.
The Indian Sun Team
