Sydney | 3 July 2026
The Association of Haryanvis in Australia (AHA) celebrated its 9th Foundation Day with a spectacular evening of music, dance and cultural exchange as Multicultural Saanjh 2026 brought together communities from India, Nepal, Thailand and across multicultural Australia under one roof.
Hosted at the Roselea Community Centre, Beecroft, the event showcased how a community organisation that began with the vision of preserving Haryanvi culture has evolved into one of Australia’s most active multicultural organisations, promoting inclusion, community service and cross-cultural understanding.
The celebration was proudly supported by Multicultural NSW through the Stronger Together Festival and Events Grant Program, recognising AHA’s ongoing contribution to strengthening community harmony across New South Wales.
Representing the Premier of New South Wales, Hon. Chris Minns MP, Hon. John Graham MP, Special Minister of State, Minister for Transport, Minister for the Arts, and Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, attended the event as Chief Guest. Also in attendance was Dr. S. Janakiraman, Consul General of India in Sydney, along with councillors, business leaders and representatives from numerous multicultural organisations.
For many in attendance, the evening was a reminder that culture has the power to unite people beyond language, religion and nationality.
Speaking during the event, Sewa Singh, National President of AHA, said the organisation’s mission extends well beyond preserving Haryanvi traditions.
“When AHA was established in 2018, our dream was to preserve our roots while embracing Australia’s multicultural values. Today, Multicultural Saanjh has become a celebration where every community feels welcome. Whether you are Indian, Nepali, Thai or Australian, this stage belongs to everyone.”
The cultural program reflected that philosophy beautifully.
Audiences enjoyed colourful folk performances representing Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Nepal and Thailand, each presentation highlighting the traditions, costumes and music of its respective culture while celebrating Australia’s multicultural identity.
One of the most emotional moments of the evening was the presentation of the AHA International Award of Honour to legendary Haryanvi poet, folk artist, actor and cultural ambassador Dr. Jagbir Rathee.
Having dedicated decades to promoting Haryanvi language and folk culture around the world, Dr. Rathee travelled from India to accept the honour.
Addressing the gathering, he expressed his appreciation for the recognition and acknowledged the remarkable efforts of the Indian diaspora in preserving their language and traditions while contributing positively to Australian society. He noted that seeing younger generations proudly embracing their cultural heritage overseas was deeply encouraging and gave renewed confidence that regional Indian cultures would continue to flourish globally.
The celebrations continued beyond the Foundation Day event. During his visit to Australia, AHA also organised a special screening of “Baingan,” Dr. Rathee’s latest Haryanvi feature film, providing the Australian Indian community with a unique opportunity to experience contemporary Haryanvi cinema.
Dr. S. Janakiraman, Consul General of India in Sydney, acknowledged AHA’s contribution towards strengthening people-to-people ties between India and Australia. He commended the organisation’s commitment to promoting Indian culture while actively embracing Australia’s multicultural ethos and creating platforms that bring communities together.
Representing the Premier, Hon. John Graham MP recognised the important role organisations such as AHA play in strengthening community cohesion. He acknowledged that multicultural festivals encourage understanding, build friendships and help ensure New South Wales remains one of the world’s leading multicultural societies.
Beyond the performances, the event highlighted AHA’s journey over the past nine years.
Since its establishment, the organisation has become widely recognised for initiatives including Australia’s national Haryanvi blood donation campaign, International Gita Mahotsav, youth engagement, cultural festivals, migrant support and extensive community work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of the strongest messages of the evening was the unity displayed within the organisation itself.
AHA’s Victorian Chapter, led by Mr. Vijaypal Redhu, travelled from Melbourne to Sydney to support the celebrations, demonstrating the growing national footprint of the organisation and the spirit of teamwork across state borders.
The event was coordinated by AHA NSW President Mr. Bhupesh Sharma, supported by an experienced team including Ajay Dhull, Vibhor Sharma, Rajiv Gupta, Pankaj Mittal, Lalit Uttam, Amardeep Malik, Sanjay Parashar, Mayank Sangwan, Ramesh Kundu, together with many other volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes.
Sewa Singh said the success of the evening belonged to the wider community.
“Events like this cannot happen because of one person or one committee. They succeed because volunteers give their time, performers share their talent, sponsors believe in the vision, governments support multicultural initiatives and communities come together with open hearts. That is the real spirit of Australia.”
As the evening concluded with networking and multicultural cuisine, attendees left with a renewed appreciation that while cultures may differ, the values of respect, family, friendship and community are shared by all.
For AHA, Multicultural Saanjh 2026 was more than a celebration of its ninth anniversary—it was another step towards building a stronger, more connected and more inclusive Australia.
About the Association of Haryanvis in Australia (AHA)
Founded in 2018, the Association of Haryanvis in Australia (AHA) is a not-for-profit organisation committed to preserving Haryanvi heritage while promoting multiculturalism, community service and Australia–India friendship. Through cultural festivals, blood donation drives, educational initiatives, youth engagement and community outreach, AHA continues to build bridges between communities across Australia.
