Victorian voters go to the polls on November 29 at an election that may mark another turn in the national electoral cycle.
A number of Indian-origin candidates will be in the fray in the coming elections in Victoria. Here is a list of Indians who are going to contest for these upcoming elections:
Gandhi Bevinakoppa – Liberal for Clarinda
Gandhi Bevinakoppa will contest the seat of Clarinda for the Liberal Party at November’s State election. Gandhi lives in locally with his wife Savitri and his three children.
Gandhi has been actively involved in the local community for over 10 years, including serving as an office bearer for the Federation of Indian Association of Victoria, the Rotary Club of Braeside and Basava Samithi of Australasia. I am also the current Chairman of NTTF Alumni Association of Victoria.
Tarun Singh – Liberal for Werribee
Tarun immigrated to Australia more than a decade ago and received his degree at Victoria University. He now lives in Werribee with his wife and works in the IT industry.
Improving education in the Werribee electorate is a priority for Tarun. With more and more families moving to the area every day, he feels passionately about giving students every opportunity to succeed with first class schools, community and recreation facilities.
As a local resident, Tarun knows the pains of being stuck in gridlock traffic on the way into the CBD. That’s why he is committed to seeing the East West Link delivered, which will not only reduce travel times for commuters by creating vital second river crossing, but also create over 6000 jobs for Victorians.
Chandra Ojha – IND – Bentleigh
Chandra Ojha is a proud resident of Bentleigh East, and a first generation migrant who was born in the state of Rajasthan in North West India.
Reflecting his sincere concern for others, Chandra has extensively volunteered his services within the community. And reflecting his sincere desire to “make a difference” his personal passion is to provide equal opportunity and quality of life to all people, regardless what their socio-economic status, ethnic background, age or gender may be.
Dinesh Gourisetty – Liberal for Tarneit
Dinesh Gouiresetty emigrated from India to Melbournes western suburbs nearly 15 years ago after completing his MBA and has since built his own business from the ground up. He now lives locally with his wife Neelima and their three-year-old child.
He supports several local sporting clubs, has previously run for local government and is president of the Telugu Association of Australia, one of Australias largest Indian communities.
Amita Gill – Liberal for Bundoora
Amita Gill emigrated from India to Australia in 2006. A former primary school teacher, Amita established her own business in the same year helping others develop new skills through a successful Registered Training Organisation.
Amita has been actively involved in the local community for five years, including working closely with the local multicultural community to assist those who have recently immigrated settle into their new home in Australia. She also volunteers at Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in India.
Phulvinderjit Grewal – Liberal for Yuroke
A previous assistant professor at an Agricultural University in India, Phulvinderjit immigrated to Australia nearly 20 years ago and started his own taxi business, which still runs successfully today.
Phulvinderjit believes in developing strong communities and volunteers his time with several community organisations. As the past President of the Sikh Temple in Craigieburn and the current President of the Punjab Cultural Centre in Melbourne, he works hard to assist those who are new to the country settle in.
Nihal Samara – Liberal for Altona
Born and raised in Melbourne’s western suburbs, 38 year-old Samara attended Geelong Grammar before completing a Bachelor of Science, Master of Public Health and a Juris Doctor of Laws from Monash University. He is currently the Legal Director of Kaizen Synergy. He has previously been involved in the field of health, working with indigenous health and community organisations. He lives in Altona Meadows and was the Liberal candidate the local seat of Lalor at the 2013 Federal election.
Abdul Mujeeb Syed – Independant from Tarneit
Abdul Mujeeb was born in Hyderabad in India, and is raising his family in Wyndham. He has huge community networks in the West, and is active in many migrant networks. He is President of HAAMI Inc, as association of ex-pats from Hyderabad who have made their home in Melbourne.
Abdul Mujeeb is an accountant, and works in Werribee as finance manager for Waterford College, a registered training organisation. Abdul Mujeeb is an accountant, and works in Werribee as finance manager for Waterford College, a registered training organisation. He is President of a local savings and loans circle, in which member families contribute $50 pcm into a pool which is then made available in no-interest loans to assist members. It is a voluntary self-help circle which builds community and enables members to withstand financial stresses.
Shashi Turner – Independant from Kororoit
Shashi was born in Bangalore, India, married a Scottish Australian, and lives in Caroline Springs. She works at Sunshine Hospital as a registered nurse, with a particular interest in mental health and alcohol/drug addiction.
Shashi is a prodigious networker, and is highly skilled in bringing groups of people together to achieve their goals. She is interested in health and community supports for families and children, and in the development of a harmonious community in the West.
She speaks English, Hindi, Tamil, and Kannada.