Although this is a great step towards cultural bonding being a free concert can very well be its undoing. it would take just a handful of thugs and couple of racist, lewd remarks to set off a riot in this extremely volatile environment. I am sure Indians being in such large number would not hesitate to retaliate in self defence or just for the sake of honour. If god forbid such a thing happens it will be a mockery of the entire exercise.
I sincerely hope that we have well arranged security here. Regards Karthik --- In [email protected], Vithur <vith...@...> wrote: > > Rahman concert aims to heal Aust-Indian relations > > By Anne Maria > Nicholson<http://www.abc.net.au/profiles/content/s2635643.htm?site=news> > > Posted 57 minutes ago > Updated 50 minutes ago > [image: AR Rahman] > <http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/201001/r498270_2619523.jpg> > > AR Rahman wants to spread the message of peace while in Australia. (AAP: > Tracey Nearmy) > > - *Map: *Sydney > 2000<http://www.abc.net.au/news/maps/map.htm?lat=-33.8631&long=151.2043&caption=Sydney > 2000> > - *Related Story: *Oscar winner warns media over Indian > attacks<http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/01/14/2792312.htm> > > Indian musician AR Rahman hopes his free Sydney concert on Saturday will > build bridges between Australia and India. > > The Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire composer says he never considered > cancelling his trip Down Under in the wake of recent violence against Indian > students in Melbourne. > > "No. I felt the urge even more to do that [perform] because of all the stuff > [that has been happening]. I thought it was very important to do that," he > told the ABC. > > "I want to have a great concert for people to enjoy, and also to spread the > message of togetherness and peace; build a bridge for people who are trying > to break it." > > Rahman also rejected widely reported accusations in India that the killing > of one student and attacks on others were racist, instead blaming the > attacks on drugs. > > "I think the media should be responsible and not attribute them to racist > killings," he said. > > He advised young Indians to avoid walking at night in areas frequented by > drug addicts and alcoholics. > > "Because that's the main reason for the killing. It doesn't matter what race > they are, they just want to kill because they're not in their own senses." > > The Australian and NSW governments have seized on Rahman's visit as a way of > mending relations between the two countries. > > Welcoming Rahman at today's news conference, Acting NSW Premier Carmel > Tebbutt said Saturday's concert at Parramatta Park is an opportunity for > Sydneysiders to get a taste of Bollywood while acknowledging "the amazing > contribution Indians have made to our city and country". > > "We're very much committed to community harmony. We're very much committed > to continuing strengthening our relationship with India," she said. > > "We recognise that music and creative activities is a way to strengthen our > cultural bonds." > > The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have paid for a group of Indian > journalists to visit Australia to coincide with the concert. > > Requests to interview the journalists have been denied by department > officials, who said they will talk at the end of the visit. > > Individual Indian journalists also declined to be interviewed because they > said they would need the permission of their news organisations. > > More than 100,000 people are expected to attend Saturday's concert, where > Rahman and a troupe of 40 musicians and dancers will perform music he has > written over the past 18 years, including his international hit Jai Ho! > http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/01/14/2792435.htm > > -- > regards, > Vithur >
