Australia
The Australian National Parliament in Canberra recently revealed a significant commemorative stamp paying tribute to South Indian superstar Mammootty, emphasizing cultural appreciation and fostering ties between Australia and India. The event, organized by the Parliamentary Friends of India committee, a group of Australian lawmakers dedicated to enhancing relationships in trade, commerce, and culture between the two nations, showcased a special ceremony.
Representing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and as Chairman of the Parliamentary Friends of India, Dr. Andrew Charlton MP presented the inaugural stamp to Manpreet Vora, the Indian High Commissioner to Australia. Held at the Parliament House Hall, the ceremony marked the release of an astonishing 10,000 personalized stamps featuring Mammootty’s visage, a collaboration with the Australia India Business Council.
During the ceremony, Andrew Charlton MP conveyed Prime Minister Albanese’s felicitations to Mammootty, underscoring the actor’s standing as an icon of Indian culture. He highlighted that honoring Mammootty was, in essence, paying homage to India’s rich cultural legacy. High Commissioner Manpreet Vora praised Mammootty’s commitment to his community, encouraging Indian celebrities to follow in his footsteps and contribute meaningfully to their societies.
Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Senator Murray Watt commended Mammootty’s initiative, the Family Connect project, aimed at the parents of Indian expatriates in Australia. The event drew around 150 attendees, including Australian senators, Senate members, officials from the High Commissioner’s office, and representatives from major Indian cultural organizations in Australia. Notably, Mammootty was unable to attend the event, with reasons undisclosed.
