ARCHIVED MEDIA RELEASE
PA/29/2004 15 December 2004
Radio Australia sets up new website in Hindi
Radio Australia has set up a new educational website aimed at the Hindi audience in India. The website, which is in Hindi, was produced with the support of the Australia-India Council, a bilateral council of the Australian Government, which aims to promote people to people links between the two countries.
The first of its kind, the website will give Hindi listeners greater opportunity to further explore Australia, Australians and Australian culture and lifestyle. The Managing Director of the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC), Mr Russell Balding, hosted the Melbourne launch of the new facility.
"We are delighted that an increasing number of Indians are interested in learning about contemporary Australia. This website will particularly assist the many Indians now choosing Australian institutions for higher studies, undertaking Australian studies programs in India or visiting Australia as tourists," said Mrs Michelle Marginson, Chargé d' Affaires, Australian High Commission, New Delhi.
"The growing Internet accessibility in India will enable the website to reach out to a wider audience and will strengthen the understanding of Australia in India," added Mrs Marginson.
"Understanding Australia" was originally a 13-part English language radio and website series produced by Radio Australia in conjunction with the National Centre for Australian Studies at Monash University in Melbourne.
The Head of Radio Australia, Mr Jean-Gabriel Manguy, said audiences in India would benefit from the availability of this multi-lingual educational tool. "These resources benefit not only Indian nationals seeking further information about Australians and our way of life, but also greatly assist Australia and Australians by encouraging a current and realistic view of our country and our culture," he said.
"Understanding Australia" will assist in dispelling the myths and increasing the understanding of how contemporary Australians live, work, spend their leisure time, view their societies, their institutions and civic responsibilities; and how they see their place in the world.
The Radio Australia website together with the Asia-Pacific television service of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), which is now available for viewers in India through Dish TV's direct-to-home platform, should help meet the interest in India for quality programs about life in Australia. ABC Asia-Pacific TV offers viewers news, latest documentaries, quality dramas, and English language skills and lifestyle programs.
The ‘Understanding Australia' websites are: English (radioaustralia.net.au/australia); Hindi (radioaustralia.net.au/australia/hd)).
For additional information, please call Mr John Fisher, First Secretary, on telephone 51399997.