Community & Business
11 April, 2025
Cross-continental connection
The Indian flag made its way through Nobby last week, alongside the Australian flag, as an Indian spiritual leader and his followers got to know the local community.
Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji is a spiritual leader, social reformer and philanthropist from the city of Hyderabad in India, which has a population of nearly ten million.
He is the founder of Jeeyar Educational Trust (JET), which has a chapter based in Brisbane.
A few months ago, members of the branch bought a property on Felton Clifton Road with the intention of making it part of the JET initiative.
Swamiji’s visit to Nobby was in part to bless the new property.
Swamiji and JET Brisbane began their visit by taking a look at the Sister Kenny Museum on Tooth Street.
Members of the museum’s committee Tricia and Tony Wallen were at the museum to host the visitors, who were unfamiliar with Sister Kenny’s work.
Swamiji said he was impressed with Sister Kenny and the Museum dedicated to her, as she helped people in need and inspired people towards better health.
Swamiji and his disciples then travelled out to the farm.
Swamiji rode in a minivan, however some of his disciples opted to travel in a horse-drawn carriage.
Also along for the journey were two riders on horseback, one each carrying the Indian and Australian flags.
Once at the farm, there were many opportunities for photos and Swamiji took a tour of the farm before giving a talk at the farmhouse in front of a captive audience.
Although unknown to locals, Swamiji was clearly an icon for his followers and they were enamoured by his presence.
With the new owners of the property living in Brisbane, neighbours Fiona and Alan Heilig (the owners of the Nobby Store) have been looking after the land and ploughing the paddocks.
Although what will happen at the Nobby farm is yet to be formalised, Swamiji said a cultural monument could be there.
In Hyderabad, he is responsible for the construction of the Statue of Equality, said to be
the world’s second-tallest sitting statue, which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister and the President of India.
The Statue of Equality is estimated to have cost A$175 million, largely paid for by donations from devotees.
It depicts Bhagavad Ramanujacharya, one of the foremost Indian philosophers and social reformers who emphasised the equality of all living beings.
Swamiji said he hoped the farm will be a place for people to come, see and learn and show a righteous path for living.
Swamiji is a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in recognition of his contributions to spiritualism and social service.
In India, his extensive humanitarian efforts have included supporting farmers by donating seeds and crops to rural farmers to help sustain their livelihoods.
Swamiji’s trip to Nobby and the purchase of the farm aims to be a mutually beneficial exchange, fostering a two-way relationship where traditional Indian agricultural wisdom and sustainable practices can offer valuable perspectives to Australian farmers, who can share insights from Australia’s advanced farming technology.
Swamiji’s visit to Nobby was brief, as he had a packed calendar on his trip to Australia.
The previous night at the Logan Entertainment Centre, a Rama Pattabhishekam (Coronation) and Ugadi was held with the instruction of Swamiji.
That night he was back in Logan for an interactive lecture, Tulasi Pooja and Holi.
The property at Nobby that Swamiji’s disciples have taken over is one to keep an eye on over the coming years, as it might prove to be an attraction for people from near and far to attend, putting Nobby on the map.
