Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury Dr Andrew Leigh MP has praised the Indian community’s growing role in shaping Canberra’s social and cultural life, calling them “a source of energy, enterprise and civic spirit that makes our city more vibrant, more curious and more confident.”
Speaking in the House of Representatives, Dr Leigh reflected on the ways Indian Australians have helped realise the vision of Walter Burley Griffin, the designer of the nation’s capital who himself spent his final years in India. “Today, Indian Australians help build the city he imagined,” he said.
Citing census data, Dr Leigh noted that more than 17,000 Canberrans were born in India, making it the largest non-English speaking country of birth represented in the capital. He highlighted the success of events such as the National Multicultural Festival and its celebrated “India In The City” program, describing it as “one of its most energetic anchor events… filled with classical dance, contemporary performance, regional associations from across the subcontinent and, inevitably, those long food queues that signal something irresistible.”
Dr Leigh spoke warmly of community gatherings across Belconnen and Gungahlin, mentioning his regular visits to the Gungahlin Mosque, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Taylor, and the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre in Florey, where he joined the chariot walk earlier this year. “I run into Gopal Baglay, High Commissioner of India, more often than I see any other diplomat,” he added with humour.
He also acknowledged the close ties between Indian Australians and the national parliament, noting recent visits by His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III of the Indian Orthodox Church and the Deepavali celebration hosted by the Hindu Council of Australia. “Last month, Satendra Nandan and others organised an event here to mark the anniversary of Gandhi’s birth,” Dr Leigh said.
Dr Leigh recognised Indian Australians for their professional and civic contributions. “They serve in our public service; run thriving small businesses; advance research at ANU and UC; and contribute across health, education, engineering, the arts and community life.”
He paid tribute to those who stepped forward during the pandemic, including volunteers from the Canberra Sikh Association and HelpingACT, founded by 2022 Canberra Citizen of the Year Mohammed Ali. He also praised Dr Madhumita Iyengar for leading Initiatives for Women in Need, and collaborators Raffy Sgroi and Hari Iyengar from South Asian Federation ACT.
Ending on a personal note, Dr Leigh said he would travel with his family to India next month. “As I keep telling my sons, you can’t understand the world if you don’t understand modern India.”
“To the Indian Australian community of Canberra,” he said, “thank you for the energy you bring to our festivals, the enterprise you bring to our economy and the civic spirit you bring to our city.”
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