Dear Members of the Indian Community and Supporters Across Victoria,

I make this heartfelt appeal to every Indian Australian and friend of our community: this is a defining moment for us.

The recent announcement by the City of Melbourne, led by the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor, to explore the establishment of a Little India Precinct should be a moment of pride and collective celebration. Instead, it is deeply disappointing to see negative and, in some cases, racist commentary overshadowing this visionary initiative.

Even more concerning is the silence from many within our own community.

With a population of over 400,000 people of Indian origin in Victoria, we must ask ourselves:

If we do not stand up for our identity, our culture, and our future—who will?

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Why This Matters

Melbourne is one of the most multicultural and liveable cities in the world. A Little India Precinct is not just symbolic—it is a powerful economic, cultural, and social opportunity.

Our community contributes significantly across all sectors:

Medicine, engineering, IT, and education
Law, accounting, construction, and hospitality
Innovation, entrepreneurship, and global trade

We already have strong institutional presence through:

The Consulate General of India
VFS Global
Air India
Global companies like Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, and Tech Mahindra

Globally, successful precincts such as Southall (London), Little India (Singapore), and Brickfields (Kuala Lumpur) demonstrate what is possible. Melbourne has the scale, talent, and reputation to build something even greater.

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A Personal Perspective

As President of the Federation of Indian Associations in Victoria (FIAV), and having served our community since 1987, I have witnessed every phase of our growth.

From leading initiatives during the challenging period of 2008–2009, to working with the Victorian Multicultural Commission under George Lekakis, we have achieved meaningful milestones:

The “Aussie Indians” photographic exhibition
Expansion of Diwali celebrations
Support for the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne
Return of Air India to Melbourne
Establishment of the FIAV office and community hall in Dandenong
Development of the Little India precinct in Dandenong

These achievements were possible because we stood united.

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What We Must Do Now

I urge every member of our community—and all supporters of multicultural Melbourne—to:

1. Write a formal submission to the Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne strongly supporting the Little India Precinct.

2. Speak up publicly—on social media, in community forums, and through your networks.

3. Stand together beyond language, region, or background.

This is not about North or South, Tamil or Punjabi, Telugu or Gujarati.

This is about being Indian.

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Our Vision

We envision a world-class precinct that includes:

A minimum 2,000–3,000 sqm dedicated space
A vibrant Indian food court showcasing regional cuisines
Retail outlets for textiles, jewellery, fashion, and crafts
Professional hubs for Indian businesses and services

To achieve this, I strongly recommend that Melbourne City Council commits funding at a level at least ten times greater than currently proposed, ensuring a precinct of true global standing.

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Cultural Strength and Institutional Support

FIAV proudly represents 18 Indian organisations across Victoria. In addition:

The Federation of Indian Music and Dance Victoria supports over 30 schools
The Australian Indian Community Charitable Trust stands ready to contribute
We will showcase Indian heritage through artefacts from Dr Dinesh Parekh’s Museum of India

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Final Appeal

Let us not miss this opportunity.

Let us not be divided by language, region, or ideology.Let us rise together—proud, united, and determined—to support the creation of a Little India Precinct in Melbourne.

Our voice matters. Our unity matters. Our future matters.

Together, let us build something our next generation will be proud of.

Vasan Srinivasan 

President - Federation of Indian Associations in Victoria