2011 NSW Premier’s Indian Subcontinent Community Awards Profiles of winners

Trade and Industry

Mr Chandru Tolani

Chandru is recognised for his outstanding success in fostering economic relations between NSW and the Indian Subcontinent

Since migrating in 1975 his innovative spirit and energy have seen him become one of our largest importers and wholesalers of discount merchandise with a hotel portfolio that includes the Holiday Inn at The Rocks, Rydges Camperdown, Macquarie Links International Golf Course and the Capitol Square Hotel.

For over 35 years, Chandru has been actively supporting the Indian community through charity work including a recent charity golf event for the Queensland Flood Relief Fund .

Arts and Culture

Ms Kumud Merani

Kumud Merani is acknowledged for work in the promotion of cultural understanding, information exchange and artistic endeavours between broader NSW community and the Indian Subcontinent Community.

Kumud who holds a Masters of Art degree in Ancient Indian Art and Culture has passionately contributed to the growth of Indian arts through theatre production, acting, writing and broadcasting.

She has worked tirelessly for the arts. She is the recipient of the prestigious Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union Award and the International Asian Radio Award for her radio documentaries.

Kumud also won the Teeyian Society of Women Award for her outstanding contribution to the Indian Community and the Mukkti Gupteshwar Mandir Society for her outstanding contribution to Culture and Art.

Community Harmony

Mr Pawan Luthra

Pawan Luthra is recognised for his contribution and achievement in facilitating and promoting social cohesion and understanding between the communities of the Indian Subcontinent and broader community in NSW.

Pawan,has published Indian Link, since 1994, playing an invaluable role in building communal harmony and strengthening the relationship between the Indian and broader Australian Community groups by educating the community with unbiased information.

His dedication to providing a balanced perspective to the community through Indian Link and other mainstream media outlets played a significant role in facilitating community harmony during the unfortunate Student Crisis in 2010, the Dehli Commonwealth Games controversy and India’s Uranium Issues.

Community Service

Mr Mohit Tolani

Mohit Tolani is recognised for his exceptional contribution to a wide variety of volunteer projects and organisations.

Mohit finds the time to volunteer at ten different organisations and societies, including the Institute for Advancing Community Engagement , the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience, the Australian League of Immigration Volunteers and he is currently an active member of the Community Relations Commission’s initiative, the Multicultural Youth Network.

Mohit has been honored with the Gold Senior Duke of Edinburgh Award, the Helen Beh Citizenship award, the Round Square and King Constantine Medal, the Rotary Youth Leadership Award and he was also a finalist for the Pride of Australia Medal in 2010.

Lifetime Achievement

Dr Siddalingeshwara Orekondy (Dr Siddu)

Dr Orekondy is recognised for his 37 years of outstanding volunteering in the community.

He is a founding member of Sydney Kannada Sangha Inc, the United Indian Association of Australia, the India Australia Friendship Fair and Veerashaiva Samaja of Asia-Pacific.

Dr Orekondy is also currently the President of Sydney Kannada Sangha and Veerashaiva Samaja of Asia-Pacific.

He is the Honorary President of Chandana TV and has previously served as President of the Australian Indian Medical Graduates Association as well as providing voluntary medical services in both Fiji and India.

Dr Gurcharn Singh Sidhu

Dr Sidhu is being recognised for his worthy contribution to the Australian and Indian community over the last 45 years.

Dr Sidhu is most widely known for his efforts in establishing the Australian Sikh Association and its Charitable Trust.

He was the driving force behind the significant Sikh Gurdwara in Glenwood.

Dr Sidhu, a leading Scientist at CSIRO in Sydney was President of the Indo-Australian Cultural Society and a presenter on SBS Radio specialising in the music and poetry of the Indian Subcontinent.