PA/75/10 3 December 2010
Oz Haat Mela at the Australian High Commission on Saturday 4 December - Tenth anniversary Mela!
Australia’s popular NGO mela, “OzHAAT”, now in its tenth year, is on tomorrow at the Australian High Commission grounds in Chanakayapuri.
The mela has a great selection of innovative products produced by NGOs. Entry is free and everyone is welcome. All profits go directly to the charities represented.
“The name OzHAAT is a play on words of Oz for Australia and Haat being a Hindi term for marketplace” said Australian High Commissioner Peter Varghese. “We want to show people that Australians have a big heart and care for development in India”.
“It’s a lovely community-focused event with interesting products and a relaxed easy-going atmosphere” said Mr Varghese.
“A lot of people come every year to stock up on Christmas tree decorations. This year we’ve added a kids corner with games and rides so that younger visitors have a great time as well” he added.
Ms Geeta Dharmarajan, Founder and Executive Director of the NGO Katha, which is also participating in Oz Haat said, "KATHA has been participating in the OzHAAT mela for many years and we welcome the opportunity to reach out to a high-quality audience for our products".
"We will be selling a range of adults and children's books translated from 21 languages into Hindi and English."
The mela is the outreach arm of Australia’s Direct Aid Program which provides small grants to NGOs across India.
OzHAAT is on from 10am to 5pm on Saturday 4 December at the Australian High Commission, 1/50G Shantipath, Chanakyapuri. Fifty carefully selected vendors will be in attendance selling a range of products including Christmas decorations, pottery, shawls, gift items, books and handicrafts. Food and drink will be available for purchase and there will be an Australian cake stall for those with a sweet tooth. The children’s corner will have a jumping castle and drawing competition. And remember all profits go to charity.
For further information, please contact Mr Shekhar Nambiar, Senior Public Affairs Adviser on (0) 98101 54167. For further information on DAP, please visit our website www.india.highcommission.gov.au