Indians, Australians celebrate their founding days with joint music concert

Melbourne, Jan.26 (ANI): Australians and Indians celebrated Australia Day and India's Republic Day together here on Tuesday with a joint-music concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

According to a SBS Television report, members of both communities got on stage and grooved to "Jai Ho" - a popular theme song from the Oscar-winning film "Slumdog Millionaire".

The concert also showcased traditional Australian Aboriginal dancers and musicians, as well as Indian performers.

The Australia Day Committee in Victoria hosted the multicultural arts event, which was held as part of an endeavour to improve relations between Australians and Indians in Australia.

Relations between Australia and India have been strained due to a recent string of violent attacks on Indian nationals, many of which have taken place in the suburban Melbourne area.

Australia Day commemorates the arrival of the first fleet from England under the command of Captain Arthur Philip. However, the date and nature of the day continues to be debated.

Meanwhile in a separate though related development, 430 Indians became Australian citizens on Australia Day in New South Wales.

According to Dr. Lachlan Strahan, Australia's Deputy High Commissioner to India, this was a "very tangible sign of the positive links between the two countries". (ANI)