Swarms of people took advantage of the brilliant spring weather last weekend to attend the 59th annual Indian Bazaar, held at Riverview in Sydney.

There was barely room to move as fair-goers flocked to the fairgrounds and tombola stalls, and those on a shopping mission headed for stalls selling bric-à-brac, books, plants, handcrafted Cambodian jewellery and the pièce de résistance, champagne and fresh oysters.

But despite the fun and festivities, the people for whom the event is held were not far from the minds of organisers and stallholders.

'When I was cooking, I couldn't help thinking that the rice and the spices for the butter chicken come from Pakistan, a country in a state of desperation due to recent floods and terrorism', said Maria Vaz, one of the organisers of the curry and rice stall. 'I'm sure none of us would shy away from doing an actual food drop if we could. I guess this is a small measure towards helping the Jesuit Mission in providing much needed relief.'

Maria and her team sold 42 kilograms of chicken, 20 kilograms of beef and four big pots of vegetable curry. They made over $4,000 for Jesuit Mission, an increase of $500 on last year's takings.

The sense of connection between organisers and those who will benefit from their efforts was heartening, said Denis Eade, member of the Indian Bazaar Executive Committee.

'For me this is what the Bazaar is all about, in a true Ignatian way of reflecting in the moment of finding God in all things as we go about our normal day. These moments are often lost by us but they are always there.'

The final tally for the event will be announced at the cheque presentation during the Jesuit Mission Thanksgiving Mass later this year.

By Catherine Marshall