Gautam Gupta Intelligence Squared speech

Robbers hunted Indian victim

Read this story. It is amazing that some politicians from both the countries are still in denial. It is time that people such as Mr Lucky Singh be put in the middle of this issue and solutions be created with victims in mind and not export dollars.

Let us also explore the link between poverty and racist violence. There was no need for Mr Singh to be viciously and physically assaulted even if the aim was just to rob him. Why was he bashed senseless?

Story here:

THREE young men drove around searching for an Indian to rob before setting on a student in a phone booth and bashing him unconscious, a court has heard.

The Victorian County Court heard Aleksander Trifunovic drove his friends Shayne Comensoli and Lennon Metaxas around Melbourne's west, looking for an Indian person to rob on the night of October 15, 2009.

Comensoli and Metaxas, who had been drinking at a local hotel, spotted Indian student Lucky Singh, 23, in a phone booth in Sunshine about 1.30am.

The two, both 20, got out of the car and attacked him.

Prosecutor Amelia Macknay said the pair believed a person of Indian ethnicity was most likely to have cash on him.

During the assault, Metaxas punched Mr Singh in the face so hard he fell to the ground.

Comensoli held him while Metaxas punched him repeatedly as Mr Singh screamed in pain and fear.

''Shut up, you Indian motherf-----,'' Comensoli repeatedly said, and then said, ''Now it's my turn,'' before swapping places with Metaxas and delivering more blows.

Hit up to 20 times in the head and face, Mr Singh curled up on the ground covering his head with his arms.

Mr Singh was left bleeding and unconscious on the footpath, suffering bone fractures, severe swelling and bruising.

The pair stole $80 in cash from his wallet and split it between them, then called for Trifunovic, 20, to collect them.

Mr Singh, who had been living in Victoria for eight months, said in his victim statement that the attack had shattered his confidence and he suffered flashbacks. ''I'm too scared to walk at night,'' he said. ''My life has completely changed. I feel scared to go outside.''

Mr Singh said he had thought Australians were welcoming and friendly, but had changed his mind.

Defence barrister Ron Tait denied there was a racial aspect to Trifunovic's crimes.

Metaxas was sentenced in March to three years in a youth justice centre after he pleaded guilty.

This story was found at: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/robbers-hunted-indian-victim-20100714-10b51.html

 

My presentation at Melbourne Fire Brigade Workshop for improved Fire safety for Indians

Aishwarya Rai Burns David Letterman in his own show

“I like curry, I do, but now that we’ve got the recipe is there any need for them to stay?”

My letter to Indian Consulate in Melbourne written on 12 April 2010

Dear Ms Nayar,

I write to you as an Australian of Indian descent, who maintains strong affection to both the countries and cultures.

Firstly, I would like to thank you for the hard work you have been doing to keep the Indian community united. You have gone out of your way in resolving many community issues including student issues, diplomatic issues and various other issues that has arisen in the past couple of years.
Many people have misunderstandings about the role the Consulate have played and without full knowledge my effort alone is not enough in advocating for the good job that Indian Consulate of Melbourne is doing. I have been asked by some Indian media to visit India to attend a special program that will explore many areas of life and functioning of various systems in Victoria. They would obviously want to know my opinion and the opinion that of the organisation and indeed many Indians whose interest I represent.

I will also be meeting a number of Central cabinet ministers from various parties to discuss the issues. I would hope to raise appropriate matters and to defend my reputation which it seems have been under scrutiny due to false information being fed by some people from here. I will attempt my best to set the record straight and expose the sloth and the corrupt in order to protect my reputation and I do hope you will help me in doing so.
I now write a list of questions that people have asked and I am sure Indians will be interested in knowing.
Specific questions:

1.      Has any charges been laid in the cases of:

1.      Legend Bar, Epping case

2.      The Carrum family break-in case

3.      Nitin Garg murder case

2.      What percentage of crimes against Indians would you classify as racist and/or opportunist?

3.      Why do you think thousands of Indians participated in the march to Parliament last year? Does the Consulate think the rally was politically motivated?

4.      The Consulate have suggested to some reporters and Indian parliamentarians that 'FISA is not representative of all students' and to take 'Gautam's words with a pinch of salt'.

1.      Can the Consulate please specify if the Consulate knew of any organisation in a democracy that represents everyone?

2.      Could you please explain if the Consulate think there is any organisation in Victoria that represents the interests of Indians and Indians students and how many people do they represent?

3.      Have you mentioned to them only about Gautam or have the Consulate given them a list of people whom they can't trust?

5.      The city of Darebin (the first Victorian city to ever elect an Indian origin Mayor) has recognized FISA with a MOU - what have the Consulate done to work with Darebin or encourage other cities to engage with FISA?

6.      Can the Consulate assure that the Consulate is not relying on advice from migration/education agents or private college operators while dealing with student issues over advice from student bodies such as FISA?

7.      What is the Consulate's opinion on collapsed colleges?

1. Has the Consulate conducted any impact analysis on Indian students who have been unwittingly become victims of this scam?
2. Has any collapsed college operator been charged for any wrongdoing?
3. Are you in touch with any owner/operator or an agent of any collapsed college?

8.      Is any private college operator or migration/education agent or their immediate family member

1.      In any elected position representing Indians in Victoria

2.      Being investigated for fraud by the Consulate or by Victoria Government (if the Consulate asked for such info)

3.      Does the Consulate ask people to declare their conflict of interest when dealing with the Consulate office, and

4.      What is the Consulate's official policy on dealing with such conflicted people

9.      Last year, Premier announced a Rapid Audit. The result of which was supposed to be released by the end of 2009. The report has not been released yet. Have the Consulate asked them for a copy or details of its release?

10.  What is the Consulate action plan on

1.      Helping young Indians who have become unwilling victims of crime, fraud and scam

2.      Making people aware of agents of Indian origin that may be scamming students

3.      Supporting Indians that are countering racism

4.      Exposing Australian residents, many of Indian, Greek, Chinese and Sri Lankan backgrounds who are exploiting Indian citizens in education, immigration, housing and employment markets and breaking Australian laws?

11.  Do the Consulate support or condemn Victoria Police and particularly the Chief Commissioner when they said or supported the following statements:

1.      Indians must not talk in their native tongue in public places

2.      Indians must look poor

3.      'I've stopped listening to Mr Gupta a long time back as he has not played a constructive role' - Mr S Overland, Chief Commissioner

4.      Does the Consulate think Police has crossed the line and become politically influenced when they make such statements?

12.  Is the Consulate aware of any positive contribution made by Gautam and/or FISA?

13.  FIAV and Consulate.

1.      Does the Consulate think the FIAV followed the court order when changing constitution or electing office-bearers? (The copy of the transcript was provided to the Consulate and the audio recording of the proceeding and finding was heard in the consulate at the community meeting organised by the Consulate.)

2.      Did the Consulate ask anyone to follow or not to follow any part of the order?

3.      If the Consulate are or were made aware of any breaches in the laws or inappropriate applications of law, what will the Consulate do?

4.      A meeting to restructure the FIAV took place at the Consulate residence, where only 5 people participated. Does the Consulate think that was democratic and the outcomes were fair for the community?

5.      Does the Consulate think FIAV is the uniting force in the community? How many Victorian Indians do they represent?

14.  The Consulate has maintained that FISA must change its representation. Can the Consulate suggest how? What role models are there for FISA?

15.  In atleast two interviews the Consulate have suggested that Indian students are to be blamed for the attacks on them. In one such interview it was suggested that 'students coming to Australia are from regional and rural parts of India' implying that these students invite trouble. Please explain. Does the Consulate still maintain it and what suggestions do you give to people, politicians and media on this matter?

16.  Do you agree with the High Commissioner Ms S Singh when she singled out Victoria as the only trouble state within Australia?

1. Why do you think Victoria is the only such state?
2. Does the Consulate actually think there is anything wrong with Victoria or this is all a media beat-up as claimed by Victorian Premier?

17.  Does the Consulate support statements made by prominent Australians like Greg Sheridan, Ted Baillieu, Chris Nyland, Simon Marginson, Archbishop Frier, Tony Abbott and Peter Cosgrove. They have all repeated the statement made by Gautam and FISA about racism and institutional racism in Victoria and Australia.

18.  Some people believe that Indian consulate's actions are supporting Labor government especially when they side with them in criticising Indian students and Indian student leadership.

1. Does the Consulate disagree with those doubting people?
2. Have the Consulate actually supported and provided support to Indian student representation?

19.  Why does the Consulate think hundreds of students contacted Gautam and/or FISA for help despite having IISAC and Indian Consulate? 

20.  When Minister SM Krishna was in Melbourne, Indian High Commissioner Ms S Singh declared that every Indian that wants legal help will be provided with and has been provided with.

1. Can the Consulate please provide us with details as to how many cases have the Indian Government provided legal help in?
2. What level of courts did the case go in and who was the lawyer?
3. Can not-for-profit organisations such as FISA who fights for life, dignity and rights of ordinary Indian student get legal representation?

21.  Consulate has provided support to Indian community groups even access to infrastructure.

1. Will FISA be given the access and support?
2. What will FISA need to do to get that support?

22.  FISA has submitted a detailed submission to the Australia Federal Senate enquiry. A copy of submission was provided to the Consulate and High Commission.

1. What is the Consulate opinion about the content of the submission?
2. Have the Consulate provided a brief to MEA on its contents?
3. Does the Consulate think there are merits in the submission?
4. Have the Consulate encouraged any submission from any organisation?
5. Was the Consulate disappointed that there was only one submission from the whole Indian community? 

23. If we want to access copies of information that the Consulate/High commission is holding (if any) or have communicated to MEA about any individual or organisation, under what Act can we request that information be provided – RTI (India) or FOI (Australia). What is the process?

Audio transcript of Press Conference with Cricket Australia

Audio transcript of Press Conference

Letter to Shri Balasaheb Thackeray, Leader of Shiv Sena

To: Shri Balasaheb Thackeray, Leader of Shiv Sena

The Federation of Indian Students of Australia deeply appreciates the moral support from Indian politicians and political parties including yours for the well-being and safety of Indian Students in Australia.

We know that you, along with the Indian media are sincerely worried about the welfare of the Indian students in Australia and are concerned about the terrible anxiety the recent attacks have caused to parents from many States in India, including Maharashtra.

This concern by our brothers and sisters in India is welcomed by students in Australia.

Now is the time for those Indians who have bravely stood up for the rights of Indians in Australia to also recognise that Australian Cricketers were the first Australians to voice their condemnation of the attacks on Indians in Melbourne. Great cricket players such as Mr Shane Warne had termed the attacks against Indians as 'atrocious and unacceptable' way back in May/June 2009.

We are therefore humbly requesting you, who have always supported the sons and daughters from all corners of India to drop plans for sanctions against Australian cricketers and instead allow the cricketers to take their place as champions of Indians in Australia.

It is the Indian student's strong desire that there should be no violence or protests against Australian cricketers and instead the Australian Cricketers should be invited to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Indian students and become FAIR GO Ambassadors for all Indians especially when they return to Australia.

If the Australian Cricketers are willing to give the Indian public through leaders of standing like yourself, a pledge to act as FAIR GO ambassadors for Indians and work to end the violence against Indian students in Victoria, as indicated by Cricket Australia, then all bans and protests against the Australian players should be dropped. If you can arrange these pledges and a dropping of sanctions then you will have the gratitude of over 450,000 people of Indian origin in Australia.

 

We hope that your party can take up this important step that will promote the security of Australian cricketers in India and that you will take the leadership position of recruiting the Australia's cricketing greats to defend the dignity, rights and security of India's sons and daughters with a concrete program of action back in Australia.

In Solidarity,

Gautam Gupta
Founder and Chair
Federation of Indian Students of Australia www.fisa.org.au

0061 413 211 534 / chair@fisa.org.au

Audio transcript of Press Conference

Letter to PM The Hon. Julia Gillard

24 June 2010

The Hon. Julia Gillard MP
Prime Minister of Australia
Canberra, ACT

Dear Hon Ms Gillard,

Congratulations on your election as the Prime Minister of Australia.

I am delighted that the Australian Labor Party has chosen a Leader who reflects Australia's progressive credentials and its fundamental ideal that any person can rise up to any office in the land. It is a very proud moment that we have in you our first woman Prime Minister. This is a proud moment for every Australian and one that will be celebrated by many people around the world.

Your new office is a great source of encouragement to people throughout the world who believe in democracy, freedom and equality of opportunities.

Traditionally, your party has many firsts to its credentials. The apology issued by your party was one of the most significant moments in our nation's history. Today, again your party has taken the lead.

May I also commend the determination and moral courage that you have demonstrated till date in your campaign for a fairer Australia, as well as the kind heart and steady hand that you often showed when challenged. I recall our own discussion last year and these same essential qualities came through in your concern for the welfare of all International students.

As the Prime Minister of Australia, you will certainly have great and difficult tasks before you, but also many opportunities to powerfully transform the lives of those millions who continue to struggle for basic human needs.

There is now an opportunity for you to recreate the strong links with our Asian neighbours that are required for our prosperous future. You can also continue your great work in righting the wrongs of the past, by declaring someone like Ms Cathy Freeman as our First Aboriginal Governor-General or President for this country. I am sure, like always, all Australians will rally behind you in your progressive campaign.

Once again, on behalf of all Australians of Indian descent, I congratulate you on your election to the highest office and invite you for a continued dialogue for a better and more inclusive society.

Yours sincerely,

Gautam Gupta