<p>The unique 'Vindaloo against Violence' campaign proved to be a sell out with more than 17,000 people treating themselves to delicacies like 'naan' and 'tandoori chicken' in 400-Indian restaurants simultaneously across Australia.<br /><br />Many others who could not make it conveyed their solidarity and support to the unique effort through social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. Prominent among them being the country's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.<br /><br />Victorian Premier John Brumby led the diners in Melbourne which has a majority of nearly one lakh Indian students in Australia who have recently been the target of a spate of racial attacks.<br /><br />Brumby joined Indian students and a few leading community members like Primus Telecom chief Ravi Bhatia for lunch at an Indian restaurant 'Desi Dhaba' in the up-market Flinders street.<br /><br />The solidarity sentiment carried on to the Victorian parliament, which changed its dinning hall menu to Indian cuisine in support of the event.<br /><br />The mass dining is part of 'Vindaloo Against Violence' campaign launched as a reaction to a spate of attacks against Indians across the city and the resulting negative coverage around the world. Brumby said the response from Victorians to the initiative demonstrated the community's commitment to unite in solidarity with the Indians and celebrate multiculturalism.<br /><br />"Vindaloo against Violence initiative is a unique opportunity for Victorian to unite and send a message that the actions of an ignorant few will not be allowed to undermine the reputation of Melbourne as a peaceful and friendly city," Brumby said.<br />An official statement said "this great initiative combines the culinary reputation and uses it to send a message that we do not accept violence against any members of our community."<br /><br />State government authorities and Victoria Police also expressed their support by thronging Indian restaurants across the city.Multicultural Liaison officer and leading senior constable Dinesh Nettur said members were keen to get involved and show support for the Indian community.<br /><br />"We believe this is a simple way for Victorians to say no to all violence as well support our vibrant Indian community. Nothing brings a community together like food and Melbourne is home to some of the world's best Indian restaurants," he said.<br />Nettur was joined by Acting Assistant Commissioner (Region 1) Andrew Crisp and a dozen other Melbourne-based police dining in Flinders Street.<br /><br />The brainchild of Melbourne digital media designer Mia Northrop, the grassroots campaign started as a humble event on social networking site Facebook but has exploded to more than 10,000 registered participants.</p>
<p>The unique 'Vindaloo against Violence' campaign proved to be a sell out with more than 17,000 people treating themselves to delicacies like 'naan' and 'tandoori chicken' in 400-Indian restaurants simultaneously across Australia.<br /><br />Many others who could not make it conveyed their solidarity and support to the unique effort through social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. Prominent among them being the country's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.<br /><br />Victorian Premier John Brumby led the diners in Melbourne which has a majority of nearly one lakh Indian students in Australia who have recently been the target of a spate of racial attacks.<br /><br />Brumby joined Indian students and a few leading community members like Primus Telecom chief Ravi Bhatia for lunch at an Indian restaurant 'Desi Dhaba' in the up-market Flinders street.<br /><br />The solidarity sentiment carried on to the Victorian parliament, which changed its dinning hall menu to Indian cuisine in support of the event.<br /><br />The mass dining is part of 'Vindaloo Against Violence' campaign launched as a reaction to a spate of attacks against Indians across the city and the resulting negative coverage around the world. Brumby said the response from Victorians to the initiative demonstrated the community's commitment to unite in solidarity with the Indians and celebrate multiculturalism.<br /><br />"Vindaloo against Violence initiative is a unique opportunity for Victorian to unite and send a message that the actions of an ignorant few will not be allowed to undermine the reputation of Melbourne as a peaceful and friendly city," Brumby said.<br />An official statement said "this great initiative combines the culinary reputation and uses it to send a message that we do not accept violence against any members of our community."<br /><br />State government authorities and Victoria Police also expressed their support by thronging Indian restaurants across the city.Multicultural Liaison officer and leading senior constable Dinesh Nettur said members were keen to get involved and show support for the Indian community.<br /><br />"We believe this is a simple way for Victorians to say no to all violence as well support our vibrant Indian community. Nothing brings a community together like food and Melbourne is home to some of the world's best Indian restaurants," he said.<br />Nettur was joined by Acting Assistant Commissioner (Region 1) Andrew Crisp and a dozen other Melbourne-based police dining in Flinders Street.<br /><br />The brainchild of Melbourne digital media designer Mia Northrop, the grassroots campaign started as a humble event on social networking site Facebook but has exploded to more than 10,000 registered participants.</p>
