On August 16, 2022, the Anzac Jawan Cenotaph at the Greenway Oval Cherrybrook was visited by the Internationally famed former Indian Cricket Team captain, Kapil Dev.
Kapil Dev laid a wreath at the Cenotaph during the ceremony conducted by Hindu Council NSW.
Anzac Jawan Cenotaph at the Greenway Oval, Cherrybrook was erected by the Hindu Council of Australia in 2018 to celebrate the ANZAC centenary year with the grantb from the Department of Veteran affairs, support from Horsnby Shire Council, RSL Hornsby Subbranch and Julian Leeser, MP for Berowra.
Kapil was greeted by the Hindu Council officials including Bhagwat Chauhan (President Hindu Council NSW), Ashwani Jain (Secretary Hindu Council NSW ), Ashwani Sharma (Director Hindu Council Australia), Sanjeev Bhakri (Advisor HCA), Rajender Jalpota (Treasurer HCA), Vikrant Pahuja (VP HCA NSW), Clr Sreeni Pillamarrri Hornsby Shire Council, Col Virendar Sahniand, Col Sachin Tilekar and others.
Kapil Dev is known as the first Indian Cricket team captain to win the 1983 world cup at Lords against all odds. Kapil Dev was awarded India’s civilian awards ‘Padma Shri’ in 1982 and ‘Padma Bhushan’ in 1991 by the Indian Government for his great contribution to the Indian cricket. Kapil Dev was also awarded Arjuna Award in 1979-80.
Ashwani Sharma and Vijay Rana while speaking on the occasion shared their memories from the school days with Kapil. Clr Sreeni Pillamarri also had some great cricket discussions with Kapil Dev at the event.
Kapil Dev was presented with a framed photograph of the Cenotaph by the Bhagwat Chauhan and Ashwani Jain.
Kapil Dev spoke highly of the sacrifices of the Anzac’s of Indian origin during the WWI and appreciated the efforts of the AICC (Australia India Cenotaph committee) managed by Annu Tandon , Birju Bhatt, Anand Masnickam and Ashwani Jain for commemorating the ANZACs’ and conducting the Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services at the Cenotaph.
The closing remarks were given by Ashwani Jain remembering Dev’s game changing catch of Sir Viv Richards on a delivery from pacer Madan Lal that changed the history of the Indian cricket and stayed etched in the memories of the cricket lover.
After the ceremony, Kapil Dev mingled and talked to the guests and enjoyed some refreshments catered by Ajay of Madison Function Centre.
