International Women’s Day Awards for Women of Indian Origin!
During the month of March, the International Woman’s Day events are celebrated everywhere in the world as well as in Australiaby many organisations including the United Nations. For past 30 years,The United Nations Organisation has been celebrating International Women’s Day. Each year they have a theme and this year it was “Changing Climates: Equality today for sustainable tomorrow.” Many organisations that celebrate the IWD follow the theme and base their events accordingly. Change is necessary for healthy living. The IWD is a fantastic day and event to celebrate women’s achievements, and acknowledge the change they bring to their families, friends, colleagues, workplaces, and the community they belong to.
The Indian Council of Australia, Queensland Inc., thus took it upon themselves to implement this task to recognise and celebrate the contributions Indian women have made, be it in their family, to a friend, in the work places or in the community. We thusfelt the need to invite and acknowledge these significant contributors of the changing environment. Indian women living in Australia contribute not only to the development of their own families but also to the community, by way of their work, their passion, their interests, and hobbies. Many have thus turned entrepreneurs, social workers, entertainers, working from home and supporting the family and the economy of Australia. It is time to acknowledge their contributions. Often we here that if a women is at home, it means she is a house wife. This concept has troubled many a women of Indian backgrounds. The Pandemic changed a few things for these women. They became the centre of focus as life turned to living 24 hrs at home. Home became the work place, school, entertainment hall, and a hospital ward. Women became significant in this mayhem of fighting the virus. They were the carers, they were the managers, they were the teacher, they were the entertainers, they were the nurses and doctors and for once no one asked them what educational qualifications they had to fulfil the tasks. Everyone became the stay at home Mom and a stay at home dad. The lines blurred.
We are now in the recovery stage from the Pandemic with most restrictions lifting, schools, work places, homes, and entertainment will all see the changing environment. Lives for women will also change. To celebrate this changing environment ICAQ felicitated15 women from the community, acknowledging their contributionsto empower them to share and encourage them to keep the work they are doing going. The work may be as a health officer, A nurse, A doctor, A teacher, A social worker, A Community leader, An entrepreneur, or an An entertainer.
Research and statistics has shown that it is not easy for ethnic women to sustainably keep working and contributing to the society. Some may also have trouble getting a job as their overseas degrees are not recognised.Even if they get the job they face many hurdles. If they have young children to care for the lack of childcare support hinders their desire to work.As a result, migrant and refugee women most likely end up working in low income, low skill, insecure jobs.Australian Bureau of Statistics data also shows that culturally and linguistically diverse women have a significantly lower rate of workforce participation compared to CALD men (47.3% and 69.5%resp.). And yet, women of Indian origin have paved significant pathways for themselves and their peers or other women whom they can help. Hence, ICAQ felt there was the need to recognise these women and applaud their contributions.
ICAQ PRO Amrita Deshpande said “To me having come to Australia as an Indian women is an achievement in itself. Be it as mother, sister, daughter or wife, we created our paths of survival here in Australia and it has not been easy to do so. I have lived in three developed countries before and believe me it has never been easy to live your daily life in a country culturally different from the country of your origin. You have to alter yourself right from the way you look to the way you think, and further more the way your conduct is in a workplace, or the society you live in. Many of the comforts those which oneis used to have to be let go of, challenging yourself to adapt the new. It is not easy. Yet, many of us have broken those barriers and risen above and beyond, standing strong surviving the everyday. Kudos to all women who dared to pave the paths for themselves and have achieved a respectable status for themselves. I am thankful to the Indian Council of Australia for having given me the opportunity to organise this event.”
Indeed, the Achievements must be celebrated and a program to recognise the efforts must be implemented by every community and organisation. At the event ICAQ President Mr. Parminder Singh gave a speech on how religion and history has seen women’s role in its practices.
He said “All the religion describe the importance of women in our life. According to Sikhism a man can not feel secure and complete during his life without a woman, and a man's success is related to the love and support of the woman who shares her life with him, and vice versa. The founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, said in 1499 that "It is a woman who keeps the race going" and that we should not "consider woman cursed and condemned when from woman are born leaders and rulers".
Sikhs have had an obligation to treat women as equals, and gender discrimination in Sikh society has not been allowed. However, gender equality has been difficult to achieve".
Cultural Coordinator for ICAQ, Ms Neetu Singh Suhag, gave a motivating speech on women’s issues and how we can overcome them. She soon became popular among the women present at the event.
Mr. James Martin MP presented the awards to all the awardees of ICAQIWD2022. In his speech he mentioned that Australia has been striving hard to achieve gender equality and women’s equal representation in theGovernment and today Queensland has its Governor General a Woman and its Premier also a Woman.
ICAQ was also happy to receive a message from Lord Mayor Mr. Adrian Schrinner and Lady Mayoress Ms. Nina Schrinner who could not attend the function but sent ICAQa beautiful message which also included the following “International Women's Day is an incredibly important occasion which encourages us toreflect on the contribution and value that women from all over the world make. We havealways admired the contributions of Indian women in Brisbane. Indian women are brave,kind, generous, smart and incredibly community-minded. They are the first to put up theirhand to help, no matter what that help may look like.
We and our children have been warmly welcomed by Indian women at many communityevents and we have also admired the entrepreneurism, agility and business sense that we seeday in, day out in Indian Businesswomen.”
Ms. SudhaManian who is a known Sitar player, graciously offered to co-MC with Ms Amrita Deshpande at the award ceremony. It was a great pleasure to hear Ms. Sudha Marian’s composed piece of Sitar recital as a background score to introduce all the award Winners.
15 woman of Indian origin living in Brisbane were felicitated at the IWD event by Indian Council of Australia. Queensland.As Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress have mentioned they arebrave, kind generous, smart and incredibly community-minded. They are:
Surinder Kaur nominated for Social Work
Charanjit Kaur nominated for Social Work
Gian Kaur nominated for Social Work
Adjiab Kaur nominated for Social Work
These four woman have been serving the Punjabi community day in and day out cooking the meals at the Gurudwara for past 10 years. They have never been recognised for their efforts outside of the Gurudwara. All of them are now 80 years old and they are still cooking and serving the community.
Bina Adhikari nominated for Social Work another nightingale who has been feeding the homeless through her organisation. She helped many to have that meal on table during the pandemic.
Anjali Ghurye nominated for Business who runs a grocery store that provides typical Maharashtrianproducts making it feel like home for many Maharshtrians living in Brisbane. She was significant in donating meal packets to those International Students who were going through hardship during COVID.She has donated money and products to organisations to smoothly carry out the community functions they organise.
Nishi Saran nominated for Community work runs the Art of Living Foundation. Through the courses she teaches people tostaystrong and be resilient. During the pandemic times, teaching others the art of living, she healed many, gave them the hope to live, and be strong, resilient against the virus.
Similarly, Seema Lathker nominated for Social Work a yoga instructor and wellness professional who when Omicorn was at its peak Seema conducted various Immunity Enhancement Programs for kids, and recently conducted prayers for relief for people affected by floods in Qld. She has started Free Yoga Classes for women.
Kavitha Chitti nominatied for Community work is working with South Indian communities since 8 years. Presently, she is serving BTA as a president. She is always a part of the committee in many Telangana cultural events organised by BTA.
Manju Jehu nominated for Social Work and Community, she is anoutstanding Indian woman who has always taken care of migrants and refugees without discriminating if they are from her own country of origin. She has meritoriously served as Vice President of the Queensland Migrant Resource Centre.Has contributed to many women's causes are commendable, she also had her own local Indian cooking television show which was very popular at its time. She has been actively involved with the Multicultural Ethnic Radio Station for the past 21 years and was convenor of the Indian Group Radio 4 EB/FM.
Pinky Singh nominated for Social Work and Government, sherepresents Indian women in Australian politics and community work.In one of her memorable acts of generosity she had given unconditional support to the family of the Brisbane bus driver ManmeetAlisher who was murdered in 2016.
Seema Chauhan nominated for Community and Business, is also the co-founder of Abode Australia Migration. President of Gopio Gold Coast. With a strong belief in the value of all members of society, men, women and children alike, within a thriving community, Seema actively supports causes to help connect the community.
Ketaki Apte nominated for Business,she launched Vishwa Events Entertainment company to cater to the Maharashtrian community's entertainment needs. It is because of her efforts that Marathi people in QLD are able to maintain a connection with Marathi Cinema, dramas and Marathi Musical programs and pass it on to the next generation growing here.
Pallavi Bandiwadekar nominated for Business, launched the Noopur Dance Studio, she is a kathak, Indian folkand bollywooddance performer. She has helped many woman heal during the pandemic through her dance classes and community performances.
Amanpreet Kaur nominated for Entertainment she has organised many women only events in which more than 1000 women participate, she is also associated to sports clubsand helps them in their annual functions.
Pragya Sharma nominated for Entertainment and Social Work, she is a young budding radio presenter who is spreading our Indian culture to our community by showcasing well known personalities who are contributing to our Indian community through art, music & culture as well as connecting to politiciansthrough her interviews & talks shows. She is in constant effort in connecting people from Indian origin living in Australia.
Shelly Ahuja nominated for Social Work is the Director of Wings Education and has been teaching for 25 years. She believes in women’s empowerment through empowering others on team. One of her nominators said “she has empowered me and all the other women around her in any possible way, be it work, accomodation, startup or emotional support. I have been sponsored with many up skill courses by her, knowing my potential and financial constraints. She also supported us in starting up Folk Blasters”
ICAQ congratulates all the women mentioned above for their awards and hopes they continue to do the work they are so passionate about.
The IWD event was organised in the Indian Brother’s Restaurant in Taringa. The sumptuous meal they served definitely made all guests smileand behappywith a full stomach.ICAQ thanks Indian Brothers Restaurants for readily accepting to have the event at their restaurant.
Indian Council of Australia, Queensland Inc is a newly formed organisation registered in October 2021. It is an organisationof and for all people of Indian origins living in Queensland. Both organisations and individuals can become member. We have received great support from community so for with 15 organisations and 50 individual members obtaining membership. ICAQ is committed to support people who are disadvantaged. Some of the objectives of ICAQ are to
- Undertake specific social services in the field of child, women, and youth welfare as well as in the field of ageing.
- Undertake specific public education campaigns in areas such as mental health, wellbeing, zero tolerance to violence in families, and protecting children
- Encourage and initiate integration and assistance programmes to help new citizen-entrants from Indian origin with the assistance of member organisations and groups
Please visit our website https://www.icaq.org.au/membership To know more about ICAQ and if interested in joining our organisation as members.
Article written by
Amrita Deshpande
Public Relation Officer ICAQ
She is a media and communication consultant, performance Artist, Graphic Artist, Watercolour, Arcylic and Henna Artist.