Twelve years ago, with coffee, chai, and snacks in a suburban home, a small group of concerned colleagues in Victoria gathered to discuss an emerging challenge—the lack of culturally appropriate welfare services for the growing Indian community. From that conversation, IndianCare was born in 2013, with the support of the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC). Since then, IndianCare has grown into a trusted and culturally responsive organisation, addressing the needs of vulnerable Indians and bridging gaps with mainstream services.
On 24 January, IndianCare took a significant step in fostering community collaboration by hosting the ‘Camaraderie Dinner,’ a strong gathering of community leaders from various Indian organisations. The aim of the evening was clear: to encourage collaboration and collective efforts for the greater good of the Indian community in Victoria.
For Jaya Manchikanti, Founder and President of IndianCare, the dinner was a natural progression of the organisation’s vision. “While there is amazing strength and calibre in our community, and we Indians are proud of that, there are—like in any community—welfare-related issues where help is required,” she said. “We must address these issues in a more united and nuanced way, considering cultural and linguistic sensitivities.”
The evening saw a remarkable turnout of community leaders, with about 65 people in attendance, and the energy in the room reflected the enthusiasm for collaboration. The event was an opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences, and identify ways to collaborate for a safer and better Victoria.
Tej Krishan, Head of Chancery at the Indian Consulate, expressed his appreciation for IndianCare’s efforts. “Tonight has been an enriching experience for me,” he said. “I learned about the immense work IndianCare is doing—supporting women facing domestic violence, assisting international students, and caring for the elderly. This kind of work is invaluable in a foreign land, providing relief and support during distressing times.”
Farah Farouque, CEO of the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV), underscored the importance of the Indian community’s role in multicultural affairs. “The Indian community is so important, with one in 12 of Indian heritage in Victoria and one in 9 in Melbourne. It’s crucial for the community to be at the centre of multicultural discussions. As CEO of ECCV, I can’t afford not to be here.”
Krushnadevsinh (Kano) Ravalji, Youth Commissioner at the VMC, highlighted the need to address intergenerational challenges. “As a young man, I see ageism, patriarchy, and misogyny in our community,” he said. “We must work together to tackle these issues. An evening like this allows leaders to learn from each other and share insights about IndianCare’s welfare work. I hope to see more young people involved in these conversations with the support of our elders.”
Over platefuls of delicious food, old connections were rekindled, new relationships were formed, and ideas emerged to host more such gatherings in the future—with different stakeholders taking the lead, along with exploring ways of collaborating with each other.
The Camaraderie Dinner was a resounding success, affirming the power of unity and collaboration in addressing difficult issues.
- If you want to know about IndianCare’s work, visit: https://www.indiancare.org.au/
- If you live in Victoria and would like to volunteer, please visit: https://www.indiancare.org.au/get-involved
- If you would like to donate to IndianCare, please go to: https://www.indiancare.org.au/donate
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🌟#IndianCare hosted its Camaraderie Dinner, encouraging unity among Indian community leaders.🤝 The evening celebrated collab, bridging cultural gaps & addressing welfare issues. How can we work together better?🤔 #TheIndianSun @ethnicvic @kanoravaljihttps://t.co/flilFDq9Gp
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) January 25, 2025
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