Sydney prepares for Modi
Indian Australian Community Foundation (IACF) is organising an all public event at all Phones Arena, Sydney Olympic Park to felicitate Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi. It has created an overwhelming interest and response from over 300 associations from Sydney and other cities. 30,000 people registered just in a matter of three days when it was announced by the foundation though only 15,000 of the Australian Indian community have been promised confirmed seating in the arena comprising mainly from Sydney including few hundred eager ones from other states also joining in.
In appreciation of Narendra Modi’s humble beginnings, over 200 fans of the Indian prime minister will travel 870 km by a special train dubbed “Modi Express” from Melbourne to Sydney for a diaspora event on November 17.
Carrying 220 Modi fans, the four-carriage train decorated with tricolour balloons will depart from Melbourne’s Southern Cross station for Sydney at 8.30 p.m. November 16, spokesperson Balesh Singh Dhankhar of the Indian Australian Community Foundation (IACF) said.
About 1,000 such fans are expected to arrive from Melbourne to Sydney. As the train’s capacity is just 220, only that many will travel, Dhankhar said. Local TV channels have also decided to cover this colourful entourage as it travels to Sydney to meet and greet Modiji.
The IACF event has registered around 15,000 members of the Indian community which will also include politicians, community leaders, media and the business community. IACF has approached individuals and businesses for sponsorship to fund for this event which is being managed by a team of dedicated three to four hundred volunteers.
Dr Nihal Agar at All Phones Arena discussing various aspects and logistics of an event planned for Prime Minister Mr. Modi
Says Dr Nihal Agar, “It is a public event and has nothing to do with one association or an individual or a business. It’s not the Hindu Council, it’s not the Overseas Friends of the BJP (OFBJP) or the Indian Consulate Sydney. It is a concerted community effort only because we felt that since Modiji is coming to Australia we should welcome him and let all the community listen to a leader of the country who is a true visionary and a hard working simple man. There is huge interest in people and they want to listen to him, meet him and greet him in person.”
Program Schedule is as follows:
4pm ”“ 5.30pm ”“ Public lines up to enter the arena after being screened by the security. By 5.30 pm all 15,000 members of the public will be seated in the seats in the arena with 240 degree view of the stage.
4.30pm ”“ Prime Minister Mr. Modi arrives at All Phones Arena
4.30pm ”“ 6.30pm ”“ Mr. Modi meets Premier Mike Baird in the rooms provided at the arena and also the select members of the community and high achievers who have been sent invitation by the Indian High Commission, Canberra. Here Dr Agar adds, “In this invitation list IACF is not involved and has not been consulted.”
5.30pm”“ 6.30pm: There will be a brief cultural program as people wait for Mr Modi to arrive on stage.
6.30pm ”“ 7.30pm: A traditional Aboriginal welcome dance will be followed by the announcement of politicians and leaders present at the event. And then Mr Modiji will be invited to the podium to give a speech.
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