It has been almost 22 years since Chanchal Rajnish Kumavat left India—and her hometown of Indore, which she proudly describes as one of the country’s cleanest cities. Kumavat lived in the US and the UK before migrating to Australia in 2011.
What she has carried with her throughout this journey is a deep commitment to community work. “My parents and family were deeply involved in social work. That spirit stayed with me,” says Kumavat.
Today, as founder and president of Saathi MAA (Multicultural Association of Australia), Kumavat supports vulnerable women and migrants by offering guidance, connection, and hope.
As a migrant who once navigated unfamiliar systems alone, she reflects on how difficult it can be to adjust to life in a new country. “It is hard to survive with all the new culture, food, atmosphere, language problems, etc.,” she says.
By the time she moved to Australia in 2011, after having lived in the US and UK, Kumavat was determined to do something meaningful. She began volunteering with organisations such as Vinnies and the Salvos, gradually becoming more involved in her local community.
“We began with small get-togethers of migrants, where we would meet and greet,” says Kumavat. “That’s how it all started—from shared loneliness to shared strength. It was a simple beginning, but it meant a lot.”
Eventually, she discovered larger community groups such as the Rajasthani, Gujarati, and Punjabi associations—diaspora families from India united by a shared heritage and doing things in their own way.
“I was naturally drawn to the Rajasthani Kutumb, being a Rajasthani myself—even though I was raised in Indore. They saw leadership potential in me, and I eventually became the President of the organisation in 2021,” she says.
Around 2020–21, alongside her community involvement, Kumavat also founded the Australia International Women Entrepreneur Association, which grew to over 100 members. In 2023, she merged this initiative into a new venture—Saathi MAA (Multicultural Association of Australia)—to create a broader platform for multicultural collaboration and support.
Why Saathi? Kumavat explains that the inspiration came during the COVID-19 lockdown. “I realised it wasn’t just women who were struggling, but men and children were also facing isolation, anxiety, and uncertainty. That’s when the idea of ‘Saathi’—which means companion—took shape. We needed something inclusive, something that could support everyone in the community.”
She adds, “MAA stands for ‘mother’—and like a mother, we are here for you until your problem is solved.”
To become a member, people simply need to fill out a Google form and pay a one-time lifetime membership fee of $35. “Unlike some associations that focus on donating money or materials, we ask our members to contribute their skills free of cost.”
As a certified massage therapist, Kumavat leads by example. “When we encounter domestic violence survivors or women battling depression, I provide free therapy sessions,” she says.
“We recently helped a 24-year-old domestic violence survivor with two young kids,” she shares. “She was new to the country and had no support. After the police intervened, we connected her with a migration agent from our group to help bring her parents over. In times like this, our network truly matters.”
Saathi MAA also helps women start their own small businesses—like making jewellery or clothes. Every October during Diwali, it organises a big market where these women can sell their products. Importantly, it is in spaces like this that members don’t feel judged as single mothers or single fathers. “When they see others like them, they realise they’re not alone. It gives them confidence.”
“We also reach out to other communities—like the Tamil or Greek groups—so our members, especially single mums, can set up stalls at their events. The charges are minimal, and it gives them a platform to showcase their products and earn some income,” says Kumavat.
Saathi MAA runs small initiatives—whether it’s volunteering or mentoring. The members meet from time to time, and there are regular online sessions on topics like self-love and self-care. “Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s essential,” says Kumavat.
On June 21, Saathi is hosting a free yoga session. There will also be the added bonus of visiting counsellors for fraud victims. “Fraud is one of the biggest issues right now—there are simple solutions, but not everyone knows them. I see myself as a bridge, spreading awareness,” she says.
This April, Kumavat was named the 2025 Casey Woman of the Year at a gala held at Bunjil Place. The annual City of Casey awards, which have celebrated community contributions for over two decades, honour outstanding individuals and groups across eight categories.
Kumavat says the win came as a complete surprise. “My husband had to nudge me—it’s your name, he said, when they announced the winner,” she recalls. “There were five amazing women finalists, and it was a proud moment to stand among them.”
With two boys and a husband, time management is all about switching priorities for Kumavat. She also choreographs and acts in theatre—“You can look me up on YouTube,” she says with a laugh.
For her, the real success of Saathi MAA will be measured not in accolades but in outcomes. “We’ll know we’ve succeeded when there are fewer cases of family violence, depression, and social isolation.”
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