For the past seven years, Australia has celebrated the outstanding contributions of its high-achieving Indian community through the India Australia Business and Community Awards. 
Some 1500 awardees, from entrepreneurs and business professionals to community leaders, have been publicly recognised for their efforts, highlighting the breadth of talent and level of dedication that are keeping Australia's relationship with India so strong. 

Several outstanding Queenslanders have made it onto this prestigious honour roll since 2014. 
Hall of Fame alumni include Lifetime Achievement Award winners Professor Arum Sharma from Queensland University of Technology (2018) and Professor Peter Varghese from The University of Queensland (2016). 

The latest Queenslander to be recognised is The University of Queensland's Professor Neena Mitter, who received the 2019 Australia India Science, Research and Development A ward. 
Professor Mitter's groundbreaking research, informed by her years as an agricultural scientist in India, has significant economic and social implications for the world's food-producing regions, and is a great reminder of the global reach of this impmiant awards program. 

I am delighted to hear that the India Australia Business and Community Awards gala will be held for the first time in India in 2021. The hosting role will alternate between Australia and India from that point on, with the gala returning to Australia in 2022. Undoubtedly, this welcomed extension to the celebration will fmiher strengthen the ties that bind our nations.