From left: Dr Biju George (Fellow, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering), Mr Manickam Tagore MP, Professor John Webb, Deputy Director, Australia India Institute.

Mr Manickam Tagore, a first time member of the Indian Parliament, represents the southern constituency of Virudhunagar. He was hand-picked by Congress Party General Secretary Rahul Gandhi to contest the seat.  The major industries of Mr Tagore’s constituency are matchstick and fireworks manufacture and handloom textiles. Mr Tagore is visting Australia under the Department of Foreign Affairs Special Visits Program. He is particularly interested in Australian political structures including internal party democracy and training programs for young politicians, elected officials and party volunteers.