We had the immense pleasure of having the Australian High Commissioner to India, Her Excellency Ms Harinder Sidhu today. Dr Kiran warmly welcomed Her Excellency Ms Sidhu, Simon O’Connor, Political Section and Caitlin Laing, Administrator Direct Aid Programme at the Asha Polyclinic and Diagnostic Centre.
On their first visit to Asha, Her Excellency and her team were introduced to the Healthcare Programme with an overview of the activities taking place at the Polyclinic.
Her excellency gladly inaugurated the CR system of X-ray machine that was generously donated by the Australian High Commission under the Direct Aid Programme. Thoroughly impressed with the work of Asha, HE Ms Sidhu shared, “the slum dwellers have got a quantum of relief in availing such specialised medical treatments within their reach.”
HE Ms Sidhu then visited Asha centre at Kanak Durga slum colony and was extremely pleased to interact with the Women’s Association, Community Health Volunteers, and students from the Higher Education Programme.
While the Women’s Association shared their journeys from being inside the four-walls of their rooms to becoming champions of women’s rights, the Community Health Volunteers showcased their work and its impact at the grassroots level.
During the interaction with University students, Her Excellency applauded them for overcoming the challenges and working their ways out to the top and achieving new heights. Dr Kiran expressed her gratitude towards the Australian High Commission for their long standing association with Asha.
HE Ms Sidhu ended the event with some encouraging words for the college students, “…I am thoroughly impressed by your work and I think you all are champions. Its youngsters like you who are India’s future.”
We wholeheartedly appreciate HE Ms Sidhu for her encouraging words and we thank her for visiting us.