High Commissioner to Launch Programme for Upliftment of Women in Andaman
Port Blair, Nov. 23: The Australian High Commissioner to India The Hon Barry O'Farrell AO and Australian Consul General for South India, Ms Sarah Kirlew led a delegation to Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The delegation will be in Port Blair from 23rd to 25th November to meet range of stakeholders. They are scheduled to meet Hon Governor of ANI Admiral Joshi, Chief Secretary and Secretaries of key departments.
Soon after their arrival, they met business leaders from Andaman & Nicobar Islands on day 1 of their visit and they also plan to meet members of Andaman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, faculty members of Pondicherry University Campus at Port Blair.
In a meeting with the Editor of Andaman Chronicle, The Hon Barry O'Farrell AO expressed that they're launching a program for upliftment of women in Andaman.
He explained that the Direct Aid Program is a flexible small grants program funded by the Australian Government and managed through the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) overseas posts.
The Consulate General in Chennai is supporting the Career Connect program that provides employability skills to rural graduates from marginalised communities. This program would assist the young women to start their careers, allowing them to elevate their economic status and support families. Vibha will address the young women's "job readiness gap" and streamline their job discovery process through online platforms and use digital tools.
About The Hon Barry O'Farrell: Mr O’Farrell served in the Parliament of New South Wales from 1995 to 2015, including as the State’s 43rd Premier between 2011 and 2014. As Premier, Mr O’Farrell initiated and led annual trade missions to India to promote economic, cultural and social links between New South Wales and the states of India. He has also served as NSW’s Special Envoy for India and has made a significant contribution as the Deputy Chair of the Australia India Council Board.
Mr O’Farrell has a Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University, Canberra. Born in Melbourne, Mr O’Farrell grew up in Darwin. He is married to Rosemary and they have two adult sons.