has been serving the community for more than 21 years promoting cultural

diversity and building harmonious relationships.

UIA’s flagship event is much awaited by the community who look forward to the

bouquet of excellent cultural performances, mouth-watering food, amusement rides

for the kids and a glimpse into the new businesses seeking their patronage. Once

again the community was not disappointed.

UIA has moved the Friendship Fair to Blacktown which hosts a large Indian

Community. This year’s Fair was held at Blacktown Showground. The Fair is a

great opportunity for Indian Australians to celebrate their cultural heritage, display

the positive contribution they are making to the overall economic growth of their

adopted country and the part they play in social cohesion.

Several state and federal MPs attended the Fair and expressed their support for the

Indian Australian community. Mayor of Blacktown Clr. Stephen Bali, senator the

honourable Concetta Fierravanti- wells, Hon. Chris Bowen MP, Hon. Matt Keen,

MP, Hon Minister David Elliott, Hon. Opposition leader Luke Foley, MP, Prime

Minister Modi’s representative Hon. Chaudhry Birender Singh, His Excellency

Consul general of India to Sydney Sunjay Sudhir, Hon. John Robertson, Hon.

Geoff Lee, Race Discrimination Commissioner Dr. Tim Soutpommasane, Hon

Barry O’Farrell Ex premier, Our Chief Guest cricket legend Steve Waugh,

Managing director of Waugh Global Realty Mr. Dean Honan, Dr. G.K. Harinath

OAM, Mr. Richard from GWS Giants, Mr. Nihal Gupta SBS chairman, Inspector

Ormes Rod representing the Police Commissioner of NSW, Clr. Susai Benjamin,

Clr. Raj Datta and MP’s from Federal and State.

President of the United Indian Association Mr. John Kennedy in his speech said,

“UIA is a voice for our communities and is in the fore front of every issues that our

community come across and UIA will always keep its arms open to help the needy.

He also stated that UIA has maintained a very good relationship with all political

parties both federally and in NSW. UIA as an organisation never side with any side

of politics. UIA’s motto is to serve the community and nothing more than this”.

Consul General of India Sunjay Sudhir appreciated the work of UIA in providing

an umbrella of organisations coming from diverse backgrounds and representing

different regions and states of India.

In his message to the community, Premier Mike Baird congratulated UIA for

strengthening the NSW-India relationship. NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley

attended the Fair and said that the Indian community makes an enormous

contribution to NSW and the UIA Friendship Fair is a chance to celebrate that

contribution.

Colourful and exciting cultural performances were provided by Mr. Ranjit Khera

and team.

This year’s flavour was sport with a Kabaddi demonstration and the presence of

two popular cricketers – Steve Waugh and Gurinder Sandhu. Steve Waugh took

the opportunity to advertise his new business venture – Waugh Global which is

creating greater investment opportunity for Indian nationals living abroad.

UIA sincerely thanked the community and Sponsors Waugh Global Realty,

MoneyGram, Multicultural NSW, Western Union, Ria, Bank of Baroda, Air India,

Euro Solar, Guara Travels, Sun Legal, ABS, Bluesky Migration, Prudential

International Education Services, Cricket Australia, Grewal Atta and Millennium

Hotel’s and SBS and all their media partners for their continuous support.