Oz Fest reaches Jaipur

New Delhi, Jan.9 (ANI): Oz Fest, Australia's biggest ever cultural festival ever staged in India, is coming to Jaipur to further strengthen the bonds between Australia and India.

Oz Fest will host two events in Jaipur on 10 January 2013, 'The Argyle Pink Diamond Cup' and 'Pink Diamonds in the Pink City'.

"Oz Fest began in October 2012 and events have now been hosted in over 15 cities across India. Oz Fest is all about bringing Australia's spirit and its sense of adventure, innovation and craftsmanship to India.

On 10 January we will be staging two unique and exciting events in Jaipur. The people of Jaipur will be able to watch Australians display their skill on the polo field, with the violin and through our wonderful rare pink diamonds," said Australia's Deputy High Commissioner to India, Dr Lachlan Strahan.

The Argyle Pink Diamond Cup will see an exciting contest of polo between the Western Australian Polo Team and the Royal Jaipur Polo Team for the inaugural trophy, designed by Indian jewellery retailer Nirav Modi.

This is the first match in a series that will be played between the two sides, the second to be held in the Margaret River region of Western Australia later in 2013.

Maharaj Narendra Singh ji, the captain of the Royal Jaipur Polo Team, said, "I am delighted that Oz Fest is bringing Australia's music, sport and diamonds to my home city. We welcome the Western Australian Polo Team on their first trip to India and look forward to a long- running but friendly rivalry."

Pink Diamonds in the Pink City is an evening for invited guests at the City Palace in Jaipur, featuring one of Australia's finest young classical musicians, violin virtuoso Niki Vasilakis, and an exhibition of Nirav Modi's heirloom jewellery pieces incorporating the rare Argyle pink diamonds from Western Australia.

"Diamonds are sacred to India and Argyle pink diamonds are symbolic to Australia and so we are excited to be able to showcase Australia's finest export in this quintessential Indian setting" said Jean-Marc Lieberherr, Chief Commercial Officer for Rio Tinto Diamonds.

The two events reflect the strong ties between Western Australia's Argyle diamond mine and the Indian diamond industry, Argyle's pink diamonds and jewellery designer Nirav Modi, and Australia's growing partnership with the Jaipur City Palace and the Royal Jaipur Polo Foundation.

The events are presented by Oz Fest, in partnership with the Royal Jaipur Polo Foundation, City Palace Jaipur, Argyle pink diamonds and Indian jewellery designer Nirav Modi.

Oz Fest is about building enduring relationships between Australia and India at all levels of business, sport, science and technology and the arts. It is the biggest Australian cultural festival ever staged in India. The Australian Government is working with 24 government, business, institutional and production partners to present over 100 events in 18 locations across India between October and February 2013.

Oz Fest is the Australia International Cultural Council's focus country program for 2012. For more information about Oz Fest visit: www.ozfestindia.com, www.facebook.com/ozfestinindia or follow us on twitter @OzFestIndia.

The Western Australian Polo Team comprises Greg Johnson, Matt Welsh, Tex Webster and Nick Bowen and the Royal Jaipur Polo Team comprises Maharaj Narendra Singh, Angad Kallan, Major Ravi Rathore and Ranshear Singh.

Argyle pink diamonds are the most highly valued gems in the world known for their unique provenance, intrinsic beauty and extreme rarity. Argyle pink diamonds are mined in Western Australia and distributed around the world.

Nirav Modi is the exclusive distributer in India for Australia's rare Argyle pink diamonds. (ANI)

Matches

MORE TOP STORIES TODAY

Inspired England choke South Africa

Inspired England choke South Africa

Champions Trophy: Hosts thrash South Africa by seven wickets at The Oval. More »

Angelo Mathews has plans for India

Angelo Mathews has plans for India

Sri Lanka and India ready themselves for semifinal. More »

[SPECIAL] Is history repeating itself?

[SPECIAL] Is history repeating itself?

[ODDBALL THEORIES] Startling similarities connect India’s twin ODI triumphs of 1983 and 1985 with their performances in the 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions… More »

India vs Sri Lanka: The road to Champions Trophy semis

How India and Sri Lanka reached the last four to set up a repeat of the 2011 World Cup final.ALSO READ: Resurgent India impress Jayawardene More »

Resurgent India impress Jayawardene

Resurgent India impress Jayawardene

Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene is under no illusions about the scale of the task confronting his side when they face India in a Champions Trophy semi-… More »

Dalmiya or Srini, song remains the same on DRS

Dalmiya or Srini, song remains the same on DRS

After much speculation, the cricket board will decide on Thursday who will represent BCCI at International Cricket Council's annual conference from June… More »

The secret behind Dhoni's massive sixes

The secret behind Dhoni's massive sixes

Watching MS Dhoni hit sixes is a visual delight that touches a chord at a primeval level. It's instinctive, it's visceral. More »

Pakistan court orders interim board chief

Pakistan court orders interim board chief

KARACHI, June 19, 2013 (AFP) - A Pakistani court Wednesday ordered the government to appoint an interim head of the cricket board, after the current chairman… More »

Ahmed, Sandhu in Australia A tour of Africa

Ahmed, Sandhu in Australia A tour of Africa

Pakistan-born leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed was Wednesday named on the Australia A squad for a tour of Africa beginning next month, despite also being in contention… More »

Whatmore eyes WC after Pak flop

Whatmore eyes WC after Pak flop

The former Australian batsman turned coach rejected the suggestion his players lacked in effort. More »

Cummins set for return to action

Cummins set for return to action

Rising Australia fast bowling hope Pat Cummins is to make an unusual return to action from injury by playing for the Northern Ireland Cricket Academy on… More »

Lankans ready for another tough match

Lankans ready for another tough match

Sri Lanka barged into the Champions Trophy semi-finals with a 20-run victory over holders Australia. More »

Hughes and Wade join Aus A side

Hughes and Wade join Aus A side

Australia said on Tuesday that captain Michael Clarke will stay in London as he recovers from a back problem. More »

Don't write off Aussies, says Inverarity

Don't write off Aussies, says Inverarity

Australia's chairman of selectors has told England now is not the time to dismiss his side's chances of regaining the Ashes, despite the controversy currently… More »

I am 'happy to be alive': Harbhajan

I am 'happy to be alive': Harbhajan

Harbhajan Singh, who was amongst the many pilgrims and tourists stranded in the upper reaches of Uttarakhand due to the landslides and heavy rains, on… More »

Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Swinging in the rain

Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Swinging in the rain

Cardiff, June 17 -- Swing bowling is a complex science and not an absolute one. The basics are simple enough.Swing occurs due to the uneven distribution… More »

[RUN MACHINES] Mahela passes Dravid on way to 11,000th run

The Sri Lankan became the eighth man to pass 11,000 runs in one-day internationals. More »

Inverarity: Fawad Ahmed is a lovely lad

Inverarity: Fawad Ahmed is a lovely lad

LONDON, June 17, 2013 (AFP) - John Inverarity, Australia's chairman of selectors, indicated Monday that Pakistan-born leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed could yet… More »

Hesson laments NZ's failure to grab chances

Hesson laments NZ's failure to grab chances

The New Zealand coach rued the Black Caps' exit from the Champions Trophy. More »

Chandila sent to 3-day police custody

Chandila sent to 3-day police custody

Police sought fresh custody of Chandila saying he was required to corroborate evidence collected from other accused after invoking the stringent MCOCA… More »

Abdullah objects to IMG faux pas

Abdullah objects to IMG faux pas

Senior Union Minister Farooq Abdullah on Monday strongly objected to a prominent sports management company unilaterally altering the map of Jammu and Kashmir… More »

The prodigal son

The prodigal son

If Sreesanth did what he is accused of, it is doubtful he realised he was doing something wrong. More »

Who'll watch the administrators?

Who'll watch the administrators?

It's rich to accuse players of being selfish when administrators seem concerned solely with the bottom line. More »

BCCI using fixing video to warn juniors

BCCI using fixing video to warn juniors

With spot-fixing under the scanner in India, the cricket Board is showing video clips of the scandal involving Aamer to educate its under-19 and under-25… More »