History - Celebrate India Inc.
Celebrate India as a Victorian organization was the vision of 4 key members - Messer T J Rao, Arun Sharma, Virendra Berera, and late Martand Joshi. The idea was to bring in the colors and richness of the Indian culture to the hearts of wider Australians of Melbourne, Australia and decided to begin with the biggest festival of India, “Diwali” the festival of lights.
Celebrate India was well supported by some very experienced and well known people such as Mr. George Lekakis, Mrs. Jaya Sharma, Hon. Hong Lim and the first Consul General of India in Melbourne, Mr. Butshikan Singh who volunteered their time and guidance to make this event a great success.
This vision took firm roots in Melbourne in 2006 and the Diwali event of Celebrate India has been a success story right from the very start. Even in its first year, VIPs such as Lord Mayor John So, Chairman Victorian Multicultural Commission Mr. G Lekakis, the Counsel General of India, Ms Nayar and many Victorian MPs such as Hon. Hong Lim & Marsha Thompson attended the event. The celebrations concluded with the longest (25 Minutes) and most spectacular fireworks at the Yarra.
The event also created history by adorning and bringing to life the major landmarks and iconic buildings such as the Victorian Parliament, Melbourne Museum, Melbourne City Hall, Federation Square, Royal Exhibition Building, Flinders Street Station, St Paul’s Cathedral and SBS Radio for the first time ever for this Indian festival.
Australia Indian Business Council (Vic) joined in and organized a Diwali dinner at the RACV club which was attended by many business and political leaders.