PA/02/09 6 March 2009
Australia honours leading Indians
Australia-India Council Special Awards 2009 presented for outstanding contribution to bilateral relations
Eight Indians who have made exceptional contributions toward strengthening Australia-India relations were awarded the Australia-India Council (AIC) Special Awards on 6 March in New Delhi. The awards were presented at a ceremony at the Australian High Commission to:
Mr Suman Bery (public policy)
Mr Sunil Gavaskar (sport),
Professor Darvesh Gopal (education)
Dr Jyotindra Jain (culture)
Dr Alka Pande (art)
Professor Pankaj Singh (education)
Mr Tarun Das (community, health and sport management)
Dr Jasleen Dhamija (art)
The awards were presented by the Australian High Commissioner to India, Mr John McCarthy, and Ms Suzanne Davies, Chair of the AIC and a leading figure in the Australian arts community.
“These awards recognise the special contribution made by these individuals to building a stronger and deeper relationship between Australia and India in diverse fields” said Mr John McCarthy. “Their efforts have advanced the Council’s core objectives in culture, sport and education”.
“Those honoured by these Awards have used their expertise and influence in India to promote the relationship between our countries”, Mr McCarthy added.
AIC Chair Ms Suzanne Davies said, “The work of the AIC would not be possible without the extraordinary efforts of our friends and partners in India. Each award recipient has made an outstanding effort in building the Australia-India relationship, and it is an honour to be able to recognise their hard work.”
The AIC Special Awards were constituted in November 2007 to honor those who have made an exceptional contribution toward strengthening Australia-India relations. Mr Tarun Das (community, health and sport management) and Dr Jasleen Dhamija (art), who were awarded the Inaugural Australia-India Council Special Awards in November 2007 in absentia, also attended this year’s ceremony.
The Australia-India Council (AIC) was established by the Australian Government in May 1992 to broaden and deepen Australia-India relations through contacts and exchanges in a range of fields which promote mutual awareness and understanding. The AIC is a non-statutory body with a Chairman and a Board appointed by the Government on a part-time basis for three years.
For further information, please contact, Mr Shekhar Nambiar, Senior Public Affairs Adviser, on (0) 98101 54167.