The South Asian Public Affairs Council (SAPAC) organised the 4th South Asian Literary Event on Saturday, the 30th of March evening at Glen Waverley Community Centre in Melbourne. More than 20 Australian-based South Asian poets and writers participated in the event. In addition, a good number of young participants took part in the event from Indian, Nepalese and Bengali Schools from across Victoria. Students from Nossal High School also particiapated in the event.

Five new books were launched at the event, viz., ‘Bheeng Gaya Mon’ (Hindi Poems) by Harihar Jha; ‘Thikana Norontor’ (Bangla Poems) by Sharif As-Saber; ‘Echoes and Epochs’ (English Poems and Stories) by Kaushal Srivastava; ‘Prem Nagariya (Hindi poems and stories) by Suman Verma; and ‘Rajkonnar Ahnik’ (Bangla Short Stories) by Ahmed Sharif Shuvo.

Among the dignitaries, Hon Kaushaliya Vaghela, MP (Advisor, SAPAC), Hon Julian Hill, MP and Hon Matt Fregon, MP were present and made brief speeches. Speakers commended the various SAPAC events and reiterated their support for any such initiatives in the future.

In his speech, SAPAC President, Dr Sharif As-Saber thanked all guests and participant for making the program a success. He introduced SAPAC as a nonprofit and nonpartisan organisation devoted to preserving the South Asian culture while promoting multicultural Australia. Dr As-Saber congratulated Hon Kaushaliya Vaghela MP to become elected in the Victorian Parliament. The founding Member and immediate Past Secretary of SAPAC, Ms Vaghela is the only South Asian-born Labor MP currently serving the Victorian Parliament.

The event was addressed, among others, by former Honourary Sri Lankan Consul General in Victoria and Immediate Past President of SAPAC, Dr Bandu Dissanayake; event coordinator Dr Kaushal Srivastava; Dr Mridul Kirti, an US-based Researcher; and Ms Kamala Reddy from Nosssl High School.

Senior SAPAC Executive, Dr Kaushal Srivastava coordinated the entire program and obtained external funding for it and SAPAC executive Dr Mo Jamal provided audio visual support. Ms Hibah Jamal from the University of Melbourne was the MC for the night.

South Asian Public Affairs Council (SAPAC) is a voluntary non-profit organization of  migrants from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Maldives – the SAARC countries. It promotes cultural and social integration through various events. Literature plays a vital role in this mission as it transcends all boundaries. Writers, poets, authors, and other intellectuals from South Asia share their literary contribution at the annual Literary Event. The next event, the fourth one, will be held on 30 March 2019. Entry is free, all are welcome; details can be seen on the attached flyer.