Special Edition: 2024 NSW Council Elections – A Historic Moment for Our Community
The Hindu Council of Australia is pleased to bring you this special edition newsletter, focusing on the 2024 NSW council elections. This year’s elections have captured the attention of Australian Hindus, with a remarkable increase in political participation from our community. For the first time, politics has sparked the imagination of many Hindu-origin individuals, leading to unprecedented involvement in the local government electoral process.
A key highlight is the presence of a record number of Hindu origin, many of them first-timers, including individuals of Indian, Nepalese, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, and Fijian descent. This surge represents a broad spectrum of the Hindu diaspora and reflects a deepening interest in shaping local governance. We believe this increased representation will bring much-needed balance and empowerment to Australian Hindus, especially as we are one of the fastest-growing communities in the country.
Notably, this includes two very young candidates who are making history with their entry into politics:
Samyuta Pillamarri, aged 19, is contesting from Ward C, Hornsby Council. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in law and business at Macquarie University.
Satvik Sharma, aged 20, a commerce and law student at the University of Sydney, is running from Strathfield Council. Satvik is eager to bring meaningful change to his community.
We had the privilege of speaking with these young candidates, along with several other new entrants, to understand their motivations for joining politics and their plans for the Hindu community in their respective wards and councils. Below are their insights to help you make an informed decision when casting your vote.
Message from the President of the Hindu Council of Australia
“As the Hindu community continues to grow rapidly across Australia, we face unique challenges that require immediate attention. Currently, our community lacks essential facilities such as schools, community halls, and dedicated spaces for teaching music, dance, and languages to the next generation. These cultural and educational needs are critical for preserving our heritage and fostering a sense of belonging for our children.
I wish every candidate the very best in their contest, and we hope to see many Hindu councillors elected to serve and advocate for our community. We strongly urge our future leaders to address these pressing needs and ensure that local councils provide the infrastructure and resources to meet the growing demands of Australian Hindus. Together, we can build a brighter future where our traditions thrive, and our voices are heard.”
– Sai Paravastu, President, Hindu Council of Australia
Below are briefs about some newcomers.
Indu Balachandran – Gordon Ward, Ku-ring-gai Council
Arriving in Sydney in 1988, Indu has had an extensive career across the commercial, NGO, and government sectors. She is running on a platform centred around sustainable housing, cultural facilities, and environmental action, with a focus on respect, diversity, and collaboration. Indu is committed to working with the growing Hindu community in the North Shore to promote arts, support women, and advocate for business engagement.
Samyuta Pillamarri – Ward C, Hornsby Council
Samyuta, aged 19, is passionate about youth engagement and community service. Currently studying law and business at Macquarie University, she has a strong background in business strategy and community outreach. Her focus is on creating opportunities for small businesses, improving infrastructure, and ensuring essential services are accessible to all.
Satvik Sharma – Strathfield Council
Satvik, a 20-year-old law and commerce student at the University of Sydney, is motivated by his belief in individual liberty and free markets. He aims to address the cost-of-living crisis and improve the efficiency of government services. Satvik is also dedicated to fostering stronger engagement between the council and the Hindu community, advocating for cultural events and better representation.
Vivek Goyal – Rhodes Ward, Canada Bay Council
A Rhodes resident for the past 10 years, Vivek is a practising lawyer with a passion for social justice and community engagement. He is running to bring transparency and innovation to council proceedings, with a particular focus on advocating for the Hindu diaspora and ensuring their contributions are recognised.
Nadesapillai Nadeswaran – St Ives Ward, Ku-ring-gai Council
Nadesapillai, a Sri Lankan-born Australian who has lived in Australia for over 30 years, is a strong advocate for cultural diversity and inclusive policies. With a background in business and technology, he aims to promote community events that celebrate Australia’s multicultural identity.
Mayank Gupta – Middle Harbour Ward, Willoughby Council
Mayank, originally from Kanpur, moved to Australia when he was 7. Now a partner at a national law firm, he is committed to promoting cultural events, particularly Hindu festivals. Mayank aims to work with local Hindu community groups to ensure their voices are heard and help build a more connected and inclusive community.
Manu Devana – Greystanes Ward, Cumberland Council
With over 20 years of experience as a Family Relationship Educator, Manu is dedicated to supporting family well-being and community cohesion. Fluent in multiple languages, he plans to advocate for educational programs and initiatives that address the diverse needs of his community.
Rahul Rawal – Ward 1, Blacktown Council
Rahul is an IT professional who has dedicated much of his time to community service, including volunteering with the Hindu Council of Australia and the Riverstone & District Lions Club. He aims to address community concerns at the local government level and ensure that Hindu-origin residents have a strong voice in local governance.
Abha Suri – North Ward, Camden Council
As a councillor, I would support our community by promoting cultural awareness, supporting the celebration of our festivals and traditions, advocating for accessible community spaces, and enhancing safety. I would encourage multicultural dialogue through interfaith events and workshops, ensuring our community’s voice is heard in council decisions. I would work to support local businesses, including those owned by members of the Hindu community, by advocating for fair business practices, opportunities, and resources.
Pallavi Sinha – Cameraygal Ward, North Sydney Council
A small business owner and long-time community leader, Pallavi is committed to offering better representation on the council and bringing fresh ideas to the table. With a strong track record of community service, she aims to promote innovative solutions for the issues facing her local community.
Manjula Vishwanath – Central Ward/The Hills Council
She was born in Chennai and moved to Australia in 2001. She is an Indian classical dancer and teacher Manjula Viswanath is a first-timer politician. She is a CEO at Sydney Community Group and runs her Dance School Rasika Dance Academy. She advocates for youth programs and more schools to cater to the growing community and wants to engage more with the community.
Rahul Nand – Hurstville Ward, Georges River Council
Rahul, a practising lawyer who has lived in Australia since 1987, is dedicated to supporting vulnerable members of the Hindu community. His primary goal is establishing a Hindu Centre in the St George area, providing services such as Hindi classes and yoga sessions, and promoting Hindu values.
Dr Neeraj Duggal – Ward 5, Blacktown Council
Dr. Neeraj Duggal, a healthcare professional and educator, is known for her advocacy for marginalized communities, including migrants, women, children, and people with disabilities. Dedicated to inclusivity and community well-being, Dr. Duggal’s contributions make her a strong advocate for social justice and healthcare access in Blacktown.
This year, many other newcomers will also be there, including Ahalya Rentala, Sanjay Singh, Lakshmi Bhatta, Rajeshwari Swaminathan, and Manish Tripathi.
Alongside these fresh faces, we have several well-known candidates who are re-contesting to continue their journey in their respective councils, such as Sameer Pandey, Moninder Singh, Raj Datta, Sandhya Reddy, Sreeni Pillamarri, Prabir Maitra, Kushpinder Kaur, and Reena Jethi.
We have candidates from Armidale to Wagga Wagga, there are 10 Hindu-origin candidates in Blacktown, 6 in The Hills district, 5 in Parramatta, and many others across Cumberland, Strathfield, Ku-ring-gai, and regional councils.
This is a pivotal moment for Australian Hindus. Now is the time for us to engage actively in politics, support candidates who share our values, and strengthen our collective voice in local governance.
Let’s ensure we vote for those who will advocate for us, uphold our values, and help build a future where our community is well-represented and heard.
