SYDNEY: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, announced that the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS has been officially recognized as an Abbott World Marathon Major (AWMM). This distinction places the TCS Sydney Marathon among the world’s most prestigious marathons. With this inclusion, TCS now sponsors five of the seven Abbott World Marathon Majors – a series that includes the iconic marathons of Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York, Tokyo, and now, Sydney—further solidifying TCS’ unprecedented leadership in the global running landscape.

Wayne Larden, CEO of Pont3, Race Director, TCS Sydney Marathon, said, “We set out to create history together and take the TCS Sydney Marathon to the Abbott World Marathon Majors, and now we have achieved this incredible milestone through an incredible amount of work done by the Pont3 team and the collaboration with partners like TCS, the NSW Government, Destination NSW, and ASICS. Joining the Majors will create fundamental positive changes to the event and community. From significantly enhanced participation, visitation from international and interstate runners will turbocharge the economic impact of the event, we will also see significantly enhanced contributions to charities through our increased focus on fundraising.”

The TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS joins the list of races that marathon runners must compete in to achieve coveted recognitions and rewards, offering participants a unique opportunity to join a global network of elite runners.

Abhinav Kumar, Chief Marketing Officer at TCS, said, “This is a historic moment not just for the TCS Sydney marathon, and Australia, but for the global running community at large. This is only the second time that a race has been accorded this status since the founding of the majors in 2006, with Tokyo’s inclusion in 2013. We strongly believed in and supported Sydney’s candidature to become a Major, leading to our decision earlier this year to express this support through our title partnership. We are glad to see this dream become a reality and congratulate all our partners who worked hard on this effort. We are delighted to now be a proud partner to five of the seven most prominent races on our planet.”

TCS’ deep portfolio of marathon sponsorships spans 14 global running events across four continents, engaging over 600,000 participants annually. Through its title sponsorship of the TCS New York City Marathon, TCS London Marathon, TCS Sydney Marathon and partnership roles in Boston and Chicago marathons, TCS continues to transform the runner and spectator experience through technological innovation and community involvement, raising over $130 million in charity annually.

As an Abbott World Marathon Major, the TCS Sydney Marathon will attract top marathon runners from around the world and significantly increase participation and investment, strengthening Sydney’s reputation as a premier destination for world-class sporting events. This achievement continues the legacy of the 2000 Sydney Olympics – the birthplace of the TCS Sydney Marathon and establishes Australia as home to the only major marathon in the Southern Hemisphere.

Vikram Singh, TCS Country Head of Australia & New Zealand, said, “We are proud to have played a role in the race’s elevation to world major status. The elevation of the TCS Sydney Marathon establishes the race as the first Abbott World Major in the southern hemisphere. The recognition parallels TCS’ growth story in Australia, one of its fastest-growing markets. We look forward to partnering on a global scale with the TCS Sydney Marathon to set a new standard in sustainability and in the way, technology can enhance marathons for participants and fans alike.” 

In its inaugural year as title sponsor, TCS has already made significant contributions to the Sydney Marathon. The 2024 event witnessed record-breaking participation with 25,000 participants, making it the largest marathon in Australian history. The TCS Sydney Marathon also made history with record-breaking performances, including the fastest marathon times ever recorded on Australian soil.

Honoring Indigenous heritage, TCS supported the appointment of a 2024 TCS Sydney Marathon Indigenous Running Ambassador, Wiradjuri woman, and Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF) graduate, Hayley Pymont. The marathon also introduced the TCS Sydney Mini Marathon to promote youth engagement in running. TCS also partnered with the marathon organizers, and the NSW Department of Education, to encourage the next generation of runners and STEM students to develop sustainability solutions for the race, as part of the TCS Sydney Marathon goIT challenge. TCS further expanded its innovative Future Athlete Project by recruiting a group of IMF graduates to the program. This initiative is designed to uncover pioneering insights into heart health and athletic performance using digital twin technology.

TCS’ growing stature as a brand and its strong client relationships are evident in Australia. The company has a longstanding commitment of over 35 years in this market and serves as a digital partner to most of the top 10 listed companies on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX). The company has operations in five locations across the country and has also been recognized among LinkedIn’s Top 25 companies to work for and as a top employer in the region by the Top Employers Institute.

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A Star-Studded Evening of Unity and Celebration

The gala was graced by an impressive presence of VIPs, including Hon Consular General of India Dr. S Janakiraman, NSW Treasurer Hon Daniel Mookhey, Minister for Multiculturalism Hon Steve Kamper, Dr. Andrew Charlton MP Special Envoy for Cyber Security and Digital Resilience, Senator Maria Kovacic ( Representing Hon Peter Dutton) Mr. Mark Coure MP Shadow minister for Multiculturalism, Mr. Warren Kirby MP, Mr. Nathan Hagarty MP, Ms. Charishma Kaliyanda, Ms. Donna Davis, MP, Senator Dave Sharma, Ms. Kellie Sloane MP, Ms. Melissa Monteria – CEO CMRC, Mr. Pawan Luthra, Mrs. Rajni Luthra, Mr. Simon Taufel, Mr. Gurman Singh and Mayors / Councillors including Mr. Sameer Pandey, Ms. Usha Dummaraju, Cr Pascale Esber, Mr. Suman Saha.  We also received beautiful video messages from Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib, Deputy Premier of NSW Hon Prue Car, Ms Dai Le MP, Minister Hon Jason Clare – Minister of Education, Mr. Alister Hensken MP, Mr. Joseph La Posta – CEO Multicultural NSW among others. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also honored the occasion with a heartfelt message, underscoring the significance of the Indian community in Australia’s multicultural fabric.

Their presence, alongside prominent business leaders and community influencers, not only elevated the event’s prestige but also highlighted the vital role that the Indian community plays in enriching the cultural and economic landscape of New South Wales. Their words of encouragement and support were met with enthusiastic applause, setting the tone for an evening filled with pride and celebration.

A Showcase of Cultural Heritage

The evening featured an extraordinary array of performances that captured the essence of Indian culture, from classical dance and music to contemporary performances. Each act was a vivid reminder of the rich cultural heritage that the Indian community brings to Australia, celebrating the diversity that makes both nations stronger. Guests were also treated to an exquisite culinary experience, with a menu that celebrated the diverse flavors of India by Delhi o Delhi, taking them on a gastronomic journey that spanned the length and breadth of the country.

A Milestone for ‘Indians in Sydney’

The success of this gala event marks a significant milestone for ‘Indians in Sydney’, the largest Facebook group of its kind with over 134,000 members and a Facebook reach of over 4 million. Founded by Nadeem Ahmed, ‘Indians in Sydney’ has become a vibrant and supportive community platform that fosters connections, shares valuable information, and promotes inclusivity.

Nadeem Ahmed, a visionary leader, and community advocate, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all who attended and supported the event. “This event was not just a celebration of India’s independence but a celebration of our shared values, our unity, and our commitment to making a positive impact in Australia. We are truly blessed to have such overwhelming support from our leaders, our community, and our supporting partners“

Looking Forward

The success of this event is just the beginning. ‘Indians in Sydney’ is already planning next year’s gala, promising an even grander celebration. The group remains dedicated to bridging cultural gaps, promoting harmony, and contributing positively to the broader Australian society.

The post Celebrate Unity and Heritage: Highlights from the ‘Indians in Sydney’ Gala Event appeared first on NRI News.

Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin said “Vivid Sydney was one of Australia’s best events and a vital economic driver for NSW during the winter months. Vivid Sydney is NSW’s biggest annual event and makes a vital social and economic contribution to our state. From our creative industries to entertainment and hospitality venues, accommodation and retailers, it supports and creates jobs across the NSW economy,” Mr. Franklin. “Last year Vivid Sydney was attended by over 2.5 million people and injected $119 million into the NSW economy. With international borders fully reopening, we’re anticipating this year’s festival to be our biggest and best yet. “Vivid Sydney 2023 promises to be a significant driver for domestic and international visitors to travel to NSW and attend Australia’s brightest event and immerse themselves in our city.”

This year’s creative direction, ‘Vivid Sydney, Naturally,’ has been inspired by our connection to the natural environment and will be brought to life via a kaleidoscope of colorful light projections and activations, plus free and ticketed events.

Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini said this year’s festival would raise the bar even higher than past events with festival-firsts, world-firsts, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. “We are proud to have curated an impressive collection of local and international artists and food creatives to provide Vivid Sydney audiences with new and exciting experiences,” Ms. Minervini said. “We have expanded and evolved the festival further this year and have curated an amazing line-up for 2023. The festival offering includes some significant new and Vivid-first experiences, as well as Vivid Food to deliver world-class culinary talent, events, and activations as part of the program.”

A preview into some of the Vivid Sydney 2023 highlights includes:

The Vivid Sydney Light Walk will return in 2023, with more than 49 light installations and 3D projections along the 8.5km illuminated walk
The internationally acclaimed, multi-sensory experience of light, color and sounds, Lightscape, will transform The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney for the first time at Vivid Sydney
First Nations artist Maree Clarke’s Barerarerungar will be projected at the Museum of Contemporary Art
Internationally renowned Jen Lewin’s The Last Ocean will enthrall audiences following its 2022 debut at Burning Man
Brand new festival pillar Vivid Food will activate across venues in Sydney’s CBD showcasing a variety of creativity, innovation, and culinary experiences, from pop-up restaurants to haute cuisine celebrating the city’s vibrant and diverse food culture.

Vivid Sydney 2023 will illuminate and energize various locations throughout the city, including Circular Quay, The Rocks, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, The Goods Line, Central Station, and Sydney icons such as the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Museum of Contemporary Art and more.

Vivid Sydney is proudly owned, managed, and produced by Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency. The complete program for Vivid Sydney 2023 will be announced in mid-March. For more information, and to keep updated on the program, visit vividsydney.com

100 DAYS OUT: A TASTE OF WHAT’S TO COME FOR VIVID SYDNEY 2023

Lightscape, The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

For the very first time, the internationally acclaimed multi-sensory experience of light, color, and sound, Lightscape is coming to The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, as part of Vivid Sydney 2023. Lightscape is a timed-entry event and sells out across the world.

Tickets are available now: vividsydney.com/lightscape

Barerarerungar, Maree Clarke, Museum of Contemporary Art

Maree Clarke is a Yorta Yorta, Wamba Wamba, Mutti Mutti, Boonwurrung artist, and designer. Barerarerungar means ‘Country’ in Boonwurrung and will be projected at the Museum of Contemporary Art. The impressive, stunning projection will pay tribute to practices in the Country, while also creating a space for communal reflection at the heart of Vivid Sydney.

The Last Ocean, Jen Lewin, Stargazer Lawn, Barangaroo Reserve

This massive, interactive, tessellated ‘ice sheet’ is made of recycled ocean plastic that shifts color and shape beneath your feet. The Last Ocean, which made its debut at Burning Man in 2022, will be the largest-ever installation at Vivid Sydney.

For more information and to keep updated about the program, go to vividsydney.com

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