‘Challenges, Opportunities & Successes’ book launched at the Consulate General of India, Sydney

The coffee table book, “Challenges, Opportunities and Success” – a compilation of 75 Inspirational stories of Indo–Australians by Harmohan Singh Walia was launched on June 30, 2022, at the Consulate General of India, Sydney. The evening was organised by the Vivekananda Cultural Centre in the presence of Consul General Manish Gupta with emphasis on culture, art and literature. There was an inspirig talk by Dr Maha Singh, Director DYCA, Kurukshetra about the cultural legacy of Haryana and the vibrant cultural performances of visiting Haryanavi artists organised by Association of Haryana in Australia which added colour and entertainment to the evening.

The hard bound coffee table colour book has been dedicated to the 75th Independence Day of India as India celebrates “75th Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”. This is in continuation to the earlier publication titled “Success Stories of Indo-Australians”, launched in 2021, at the NSW Parliament, where 50 inspirational stories of trials & triumphs were included in the first volume.

A panel discussion moderated by Sheba Nandkeolyar was held with six story writers, Melissa Monteiro, Clr. Reena Jethi, Depinder Chhibber, Rohit Pathak, Sewa Singh Redhu and Saba Zaidi Abdi.

About 200 years ago, migration from the Indian subcontinent was of Indians as labourers, hawkers, cameleers, sugarcane cutters and others. Present day Indians comprise engineers, doctors, teachers, scientists, IT professionals, architects, artists, actors, singers, film makers, business analysts and businessmen who all have successfully contributed to the Australian society.

The objective of compiling these books is to present and sketch the lives and history of the Seventy five Indo-Australians, who migrated to Australia since the 1950s from different fields highlighting their journey of achievements. The book aims to create awareness for the future generations of Indians to understand the contribution these people made when they migrated to Australia thus helping develop and impart a sense of their culture, skills, contributions and achievements to the local scene.

Harry Walia spoke about how when many of us were confined to their homes during the lockdowns for two years due to Covid-19 pandemic, that he continued to work all the way on the book to achieve and publish the book finally. He kept busy approaching people settled all over Australia, collecting information from them, collating it and thus was able to reach the goal that finally saw the colourful and a beautifully hard-bound book for future reference by the coming generations, inspiring stories of distinguished Indo-Australians.

Walia congratulated the Indian Consulate in Sydney for celebrating 80 glorious years of public service. He also thanked all the story writers, supporters, guests and media present during the book launch and all others, who helped him in his research as he spent many months exploring the 75 achievers throughout Australia who were selected for the book.

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