Executive Committee 2019-20

President

Dr Sunita S Dhindsa

Representative – Canberra Punjabi Sports and Cultural Association Inc

Secretary – FINACT (2017-18)

Dr Sunita S Dhindsa is a strong advocate for multiculturalism, cohesiveness, empowerment, and embracing and celebrating diversity.

With a PhD in genetics, Dr Dhindsa also completed a Graduate Diploma in Public Sector Management from Macquarie University, North Ryde. After working in various roles, Dr Dhindsa’s aim is to positively support the Indian diaspora and contribute to the broader Australian society, environment and economy.

Dr Dhindsa is a member, founder member, patron and life member of various community organisations and has held various positions. Dr Dhindsa is ex-Secretary of FINACT and Founder and ex-Coordinator of AusIndia Fair.

Dr Dhindsa’s current objectives are: to continue advocating for a hall with a sitting capacity of over 1000 and more; India Centre; and an ethnic aged care facility.

Dr Dhindsa’s passion is to work for and with people, enable meaningful interactions, and encourage positive empowerment while fostering constructive and harmonious outcomes at all levels. Dr Dhindsa’s vision is to make Canberra and her surrounds more progressive, inclusive and culturally/environmentally vibrant and economically strong.

Vice President

Dr Shanti Swarup Reddy

Representative – ACT Telangana Association

Dr Reddy served as the President of ACT Telangana Association (ACTTA) from 2016 to 2019 and currently adviser to the ACTTA Executive Committee. Member of AusIndia-2019 Organising Committee.

Dr Reddy is a keen gardener, amateur astronomer and senior public servant, who has been a resident of Canberra for more than two decades. He is a passionate advocate of multicultural Australia and has been actively promoting multiculturalism through various community events over the last decade. Prior to moving to Australia, Dr Reddy worked as a scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Secretary

Roshan Menon

Representative – Canberra Malayalees Association

Roshan Menon  is an IT Consultant  by profession. He is a dedicated and committed community worker and is associate with many organisations and multicultural groups.

He is one of the founding members and  and the current Secretary  of Canberra Malayalees Association, which is a one of the biggest associations in Canberra.

He believes in promoting and integrating Indian culture in Australia . He is also associated with many other social and charitable organisations, such as Canberra Ayyappa Samajam and Hindu Swayamsevak  Sangh (HSS, Canberra).

Treasurer

Venkata Rama Vemuri

Representative – Indian Australian Association of Health and Well-being

Vice-President – Telugu Association of Canberra (TAC) (2010-2013)

Manohar originally comes from a Visakhapatnam in southern part of India and moved to Australia in 2001 to pursue Master of Information Technology at University of Canberra (UC).

Manohar has been socially active since university days. During post-graduation studies, Manohar was a student leader at UC, helping new overseas students with integration into the University community. Manohar was presented with Harmony day award by Vice Chancellor for his work as a student leader. Manohar has since continued his involvement as a volunteer with various professional associations and other community associations taking up various responsibilities for the betterment of the society. Manohar promotes and encourages Health and Well-Being through sports and games among HAWAAI members and the wider Canberra community.

Professionally, Manohar is a Canberra based Cyber Security professional working for DXC Technology. Manohar currently manages the National Security Account for DXC Cyber Practice.

Public Officer

Ravi Krish

Representative – Australian Tamil Cultural Society of ACT

Ravi Krishnamurthy is the current Treasurer for Australian Tamil Cultural Society (ATCS) and has held other key positions in the past. Ravi is passionate regarding community work and has volunteered his time towards many causes including Tamil language school, Multicultural festival, Cancer council and Leukaemia foundation.

As a champion for learning Tamil language, he has worked tirelessly towards the development of Chennai Tamil School which now boasts around 90 students. As a volunteer coordinator, he has coordinated activities and supported the work of FINACT, ATCS, ACT CLSA, Hindu Mandir and many others. He is interested in creating good relationships and linkages with other organisations and promoting the great work carried out by the Indians in Australia.

Ravi Krishnamurthy is the current Treasurer for Australian Tamil Cultural Society (ATCS) and has held other key positions in the past. Ravi is passionate regarding community work and has volunteered his time towards many causes including Tamil language school, Multicultural festival, Cancer council and Leukaemia foundation.

As a champion for learning Tamil language, he has worked tirelessly towards the development of Chennai Tamil School which now boasts around 90 students. As a volunteer coordinator, he has coordinated activities and supported the work of FINACT, ATCS, ACT CLSA, Hindu Mandir and many others. He is interested in creating good relationships and linkages with other organisations and promoting the great work carried out by the Indians in Australia.

Entertainment and Cultural Programs

Shahira Shaji

Representative – Mehak Punjab Di

Community Services

Rajavardhan Reddy

Representative – Canberra Hindu Mandir

Mr Rajavardhan Reddy Kothi is an IT professional, employed by the federal government department. He has been a resident of Canberra since 2010.

He served as the Treasurer/ Joint Secretary of ACT Telangana Association (ACTTA) from 2016 to 2019.

He also currently serves as a member of the ACTTA EC since early 2019.

He is an active member of the community promoting sports and cultural activities. He is a passionate cricketer – plays for the Warrior cricket team.

He volunteers his spare time helping friends and families in organising festivals and family gatherings.

AusIndia Fair

Rattesh Gumber

Representative – Bihar Jharkhand Sabha of Australia and New Zealand

Vice President (FINACT) – 2017-18

Rattesh Gumber is an IT Project Manager and entrepreneur by profession. He is a dedicated and committed community worker and a strong believer and supporter of multiculturalism.

He is associated with social and charitable organisations like Bihar Jharkhand Sabha, Vision2020 & Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra. His charitable work delivered while serving these organisations have been commendable.

Some of the charitable projects delivered under his leadership include setting up a charitable eye cataract surgery centre and an infrastructure for making an entire village Open Defecation Free (ODF) initiatives.

Women Representative

Deepali Jain

Representative – Canberra Jain Mandal

President – Canberra Jain Mandal

I was born and brought up in Dehradun and I am a Science graduate from India and have further studied Accounting in Australia.

I immigrated to Australia in 2003 with family and working as a Finance Officer in the Federal Government.

I am a true follower of Jain religion and its principles of non-violence, peace and harmony. I promote these principles by organising Jain events at HTCC temple, participating in the religious discussions and educate Jain religion to the wider community. I am also part of the Women’s Interfaith Network (WIN).

I believe, if one lives life according to Jain principles, they are taking the path of self-enquiry which finally leads to Self-realisation. I trust being religious is right way of living life and it creates harmony among communities.

Senior Citizens Representative – Vacant

Youth Representative

Rahul Ravi

Representative – ANU Indian Students Association (InSA)

Rahul is currently pursuing his studies in Master of Energy Change at Australian National University(ANU). Prior to this degree, he has done his Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from National Institute of Technology-Calicut, Kerala as well as MBA in Energy & Environment from Symbiosis International University, Pune. He has worked for about seven years in the energy space, with focus on energy efficiency and climate change.

At ANU, he is the Acting President at ANU Indian Students Association (InSA). He also works at ANU Post Graduate and Research Students Association (PARSA) in managing a grant programme. He is also associated with a lot of mentoring programmes for new students at ANU. He has volunteered for many organisations back in India as well as in Canberra with focus on community well being.