In a proud moment for the Indian-Australian community, Year 5 student Aaryaveer “Veer” Tangri has been officially recognised in the NSW Legislative Assembly for his inspiring charity work through Golden Wickets — a grassroots initiative helping underprivileged children access sports equipment in Australia and India.
“I’m lucky to have good sports stuff, and I want other kids to have that too,” Veer said in an interview.
“I want them to be happy and enjoy playing with the right equipment. I also want to build a community where all kids can play and have fun together.”
James Wallace, Member for Hornsby, acknowledged Veer’s efforts in Parliament, praising the young changemaker for his leadership and compassion.
Veer, a student of The King’s School, North Parramatta and talented state-level cricketer, received a copy of his Hansard entry as a token of this formal recognition.
The idea for Golden Wickets was born in 2020, when Veer, during a visit to India, witnessed children his age playing sport barefoot. Deeply moved, he decided to act.
“I learned that spreading kindness is actually pretty easy and even one small act can make a huge difference in someone’s life.”
Since then, with support from The King’s School and the local community, Veer has collected and donated hundreds of items — including football boots, cricket gear and other sporting equipment — to children in need across Sydney and New Delhi.
“Golden Wickets is where sports unite communities and give back to those in need,” Veer said in a statement on his website.
“I believe that every child, no matter where they are born, deserves the chance to dream big and play freely.”
Golden Wickets has actively contributed to a range of community initiatives across Australia and India, promoting access to sport for children in need.
These include a football boots drive for the Indian Youth Soccer Association (18 Sept 2024), a shared birthday and donation event at the Centre of Education and Human Resource Organisation in New Delhi (18 Apr 2024), outreach support with Servants Community Care in Seven Hills (5 Jan 2024), participation in Human Rights Day at the Asylum Seeker Centre in Auburn (8 Dec 2023), and a friendly community cricket match at the Cultural Centre in Auburn (24 Oct 2023).
Veer has collaborated with organisations such as the Asylum Seekers Centre, Salvation Army, and Community Care Inc, among others. He also recently took part in a donation drive with the Centre of Education and Human Resource Organisation in New Delhi, India.
Veer admits it’s sometimes hard to find time to handle all this stuff besides his school work and sports but said in an interview:
“I learned that spreading kindness is actually pretty easy and even one small act can make a huge difference in someone’s life.”
When he’s not running Golden Wickets, Veer enjoys spending time with his baby sister Saisha and pet cavoodle, Bails. A budding mathematician, he’s known among his peers for quick calculations and strategic thinking on the sports field.
Through Golden Wickets, Veer continues to champion the transformative power of play.
“The initiative is inspired by a heartfelt determination to make the world a happier place for cricket loving communities unable to access proper equipment and uniforms.”
Veer is leading another initiative to collect used football boots for underprivileged children associated with the Indian Youth Soccer Association in India. The drive is in full swing, and so far, more than 100 pairs have been generously donated to support young athletes in need.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
