For the past few weeks, Roshan Menon has endured some sleepless nights and a lot of meetings.

But it’s all for a good cause – to organise the return of the AusIndia Fair, a community event dedicated to strengthening Australian-Indian ties.

“The main aim is to celebrate the rich culture of India and the friendship between India and Australia,” Mr Menon said.

“Australia and India have a lot of cultural connections. We just want to share them with each other and bring the community together.”

The fair is organised by the Federation of Indian Associations in the ACT (FINACT), a peak body that brings together about 30 Indian community associations from within the ACT.

Mr Menon, the organisation’s president, said the event at Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) focussed on bringing the community together.

“We want everybody – irrespective of age, culture or background – to come and be part of it,” he said.

“Being a proud Canberran, I can say Canberra is one of the most multicultural societies.”

Visitors at the fair’s return on 17 May can take in about 30 stalls, taste a variety of Indian food, enjoy workshops, meet visiting dignitaries, watch performances and more.

Each Indian state will also be represented with a display detailing its unique culture, traditions and food.

“We thought it would be a good opportunity to show the unity and diversity in India, which is one of the key values of Australia as well,” Mr Menon said.

“[The goal is showing] how different cultures come together as one through common values.”

The AusIndia Fair, which will showcase each Indian state, welcomes all backgrounds. Photo: AusIndia Fair/Facebook.

The event will also cater to the young and young at heart.

“We have a lot of workshops, children’s activities, face painting, henna, kids’ ring balloon and jumping castle,” he said.

“There are a lot of activities for kids planned.”

Mr Menon said he looked forward to the community enjoying the fair, which was becoming increasingly popular since it was first held in 2019.

“Every year it’s growing. The Gungahlin area has new people coming in so we’re excited to have a good crowd this year,” he said.

“We are proud of our culture and want to bring it together with other cultures like Australian or western culture.

“It’s a community-building exercise more than anything … through different ways of culture, food, sports and performances.”

He said FINACT would accept stallholder applications until the end of April and welcomed sponsorship from Canberra business.

“We’re mainly looking for more local businesses as well as tourism-type [businesses] to promote Australian tourism.”

AusIndia Fair 2025 will be held on 17 May 2025 from 10 am to 6 pm at Fitzy Pavilion at Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), corner of Flemington Road and Northbourne Avenue in Mitchell.

Those interested in becoming a sponsor or running a stall can email ausindiafair@gmail.com or president.finact@gmail.com before the end of April.