PA/05/14 30 January 2014
AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS
Three Australians of Indian origin have received one of the Australian Government’s most prestigious honours in recognition of their exceptional contribution to Australian society.
Australian High Commissioner Patrick Suckling congratulated the three recipients of the Australia Day Honours, which were announced on January 26, the national day of Australia.
Dr Sadanandan Nambiar, Radhey Shyam Gupta and Dr Pratish Chandra Bandopadhayay have all been awarded a place in this year’s Australia Day (26 January) honours list.
Mr Suckling said their achievements were recognition of the extraordinary contribution the Indian community had made to Australian society.
“With an estimated population of over 450,000 people, including permanent residents and temporary visa holders, people of Indian background make up a large and growing part of contemporary Australia,” he said.
“People-to-people links between our countries have been expanding rapidly. India has been in the top three source countries for temporary and permanent skilled migration for the past several years.
“The awards reflect the fact Australia is a country of migrants and is one of the most ethnically diverse societies in the world.”
Dr Sadanandan Nambiar, who works with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), has been awarded the Officer of Order of Australia (AO), Australia’s second highest award, for distinguished service to science.
Dr Nambiar is a forest scientist internationally recognised as a leader in research on sustainable productivity and management of forests. Through his work, he promotes the sustainable management of forests in Australia and tropical countries.
He credits his success as a scientist to “the platform offered by CSIRO to lead multi-disciplinary teams to tackle big problems and to the opportunity that Australia gives to those who serve the nation.”
“This is recognition of the people of diverse backgrounds and skills from different parts of the world who have made Australia their home,” Dr Nambiar said.
Dr Nambiar, who was born in Azhicode in Kerala, has lived in Australia since 1970.
Radhey Shyam Gupta, from Templestowe, Victoria, received the Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia for services to the arts through classical Indian music.
Mr Gupta teaches and plays Hindustani classical music and is a renowned for his expertise across Australia. He is expert sitar player who has performed in concerts all over India and Australia for over 40 years.
"I am very happy to receive this award on behalf of all Indians in Australia and particularly the music lovers of Melbourne,” Mr Gupta said.
Dr Bandopadhayay also received an (OAM) for community service to the Australian Bengali and Nepali communities.