New community organisation Global Organisation for Indian Family and Youth debuts with a big bash
Out! Out! Howzaat!
Dressed in non-traditional cricket clothes, Indian origin men were seen running across Centenary State School, Jindalee Grounds in Brisbane, on a warm Saturday morning as they engaged in a game of cricket.
This game was part of the ‘Brisbane Mela 2015’ held for the first time in Brisbane by a newbie not-for-profit organisation, the Global Organisation for Indian Family and Youth Incorporated (GOIFY Inc.)
An idea conceived by three friends, Altaf Morkas, Rajesh Radhakrishnan and Vivek Baliga, the event brought Indian origin families and youth together through the same platform.
Speaking to Indian Link, Vivek Baliga, President, GOIFY said, “Our organisation’s goal is bringing diverse cultural Indian families and youth under one roof, helping and providing a certain sense of mateship and friendship.”
He added, “When new immigrant families and youth move to Brisbane, we would like to help them in settling down. Speaking from my own personal experience, when I first moved to Brisbane, I thought it was really difficult to find that certain support and guidance.”
The Brisbane Mela 2015 spanned two days, 31 October and 1 November.
Cricket dominated the first half of Saturday with the team Tigers taking the winning title; the evening was ruled by cultural performances. Dance performances, singing and the foot-tapping sounds of tabla and percussion and world wind instruments wrapped up Day One.
GOIFY’s commitment to preserving Indian culture and heritage spilt into Day Two of the Brisbane Mela.
Mohammed Abuwala, a visitor to the Mela said, “This has been an excellent experience for me and my housemates. We thoroughly enjoyed playing cricket, and participating in the different workshops that were organised.”
And it was good to meet like-minded people, he observed. “People came up and introduced themselves and we got chatting. It was a fun and friendly environment.”
Day Two of the event also saw Silambam, an Indian martial arts technique from Tamil Nadu, presented in a workshop, followed by a Yoga workshop by Isha Foundation.
Kaveri M, another visitor, said, “This has been a relaxed and educative Sunday afternoon, and Upa Yoga has taught me basic everyday exercises to relive me from stress and fatigue.”
Rajesh Radhakrishnan, Secretary, GOIFY said, “This has been our first event, and I am really happy with the response received. We hope to grow bigger and stronger with each passing year.”
