Food delicacies are now put into use to build the harmony and understanding between Indian and Australian students living in Australia. After the repetitive stories of alleged violent attacks against Indian and other South East Asian students on the streets of Australia and the futile diplomatic efforts by the respective governments, the Australian Civil Society (ACS) has come up with a new and innovative way to bring out peace.

Robert Bos, visiting faculty member of Uniting Church, Australia revealed to The Time of India that the Church has taken the initiative to host once-a-month meals for students of Indian origin in order to encourage students to vocalize their fears and sufferings; thus, making them feel welcomed in this foreign land.

According to Bos, "We (Australia) are a multi cultural society and initiatives like hosting dinners will help build cordial relations,"

In his interview he also mentioned about Mia Northrop who has launched a similar campaign called ‘Vindaloo against Violence’ to control aggression against Indian students in Australia. As a part of the campaign, Northrop invites Australian students for dinners in Indian restaurants, in an attempt to promote cultural harmony between the two groups.

These dinners, as per Bos, are the perfect ways to sort out issues between Indian and Australian students.

He also opined that the students coming from Asian countries, including India, are the important contributor’s to Australian economy. In his words, “The bashing of Indians did upset us, there is a very small racial minority in whites, but then there have been many incidents of violence within different factions of the Indian community too…”

Ainslie Bos, another faculty member, added to the conversation by saying that the cab drivers were targeted as they carry a plenty of cash. She further stated that it was not just the Indian cabbies being targeted but taxi drivers from other ethnicities too had faced such attacks before.

In her opinion, Indian students are being misled by mediators who tell them that these students can permanently live in Australia. “Strict policies regarding this should be framed by Australian government,” concluded Ainslie.

The efforts to bring out harmony between youth of these two nations are on and one can only hope that food (Indian or Australian) becomes successful in this balancing act.

 For more- VISIT- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/indians-abroad/Food-diplomacy-to-check-violence-against-Indians-in-Oz/articleshow/7633323.cms

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