Every Wednesday at 9 pm, as Victoria winds down, Sury Soni logs on. For one hour, his computer screen becomes a window into a living room for ideas—a digital campfire for the community. This is VICHAR, a simple platform with a profound goal: to get people talking.
Soni’s own story in Victoria began in 2005, when he arrived from India as an international student. He built a career in IT, specialising in data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI). What he didn’t know then was that his journey would also shape him into an active voice for the Indian-Australian community in Victoria.
“I’ve seen how vibrant and talented our community is,” he says. “But I also noticed a gap—there wasn’t a regular platform to share knowledge and learn from each other. Dialogue is the foundation of growth, both individually and collectively.”
In February 2025, he decided to build that platform himself, naming it VICHAR.
The name works on two levels. In Hindi, it means “thought” or “reflection.” It also stands for Victorian Initiative for Community, Harmony, Awareness & Resources. “That dual meaning is intentional,” Soni explains. “It honours heritage while giving the initiative a clear purpose: to build community, promote harmony, raise awareness, and share resources.”
VICHAR’s model is simple: a one-hour webinar every week. The topics are practical and wide-ranging—from adapting to AI in the workplace, to property and law, health, wellbeing, and identity. Speakers are often everyday people who bring unique knowledge and experiences. “There’s so much hidden talent in our community, and VICHAR gives them a safe space to share,” says Soni.
The sessions may be simple and accessible, but their impact runs deep. A mental health webinar encouraged people to open up about struggles. A discussion on AI sparked debate on how to adapt to rapid change. And a 12-year-old’s session on writing an eBook inspired both children and adults to start writing their own stories.
The conversations don’t end when the sessions close. Ideas spill into WhatsApp groups, workplaces, and family dinners, creating a ripple effect that carries the dialogue further. “It’s shaping how people think, act, and engage with each other,” he adds.
Running VICHAR is a one-person operation, and the challenges are very real. Finding a new speaker each week demands constant effort. Soni has embraced technology, using AI to summarise talks and sharing every session on YouTube to ensure no one is left out. The commitment has also inspired others to step up, like Akshat Verma, an international student who now co-hosts.
After nearly two decades of community leadership—serving organisations such as the Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria, the Rajasthani Kutumb of Victoria, Arya Prathinidhi Sabha & Arya Samaj of Melbourne (APSASM), and as a multicultural ambassador for Mental Health Foundation of Australia (MHFA), Soni has a clear vision for VICHAR’s future. He sees it becoming a trusted, welcoming space where knowledge flows freely, where grassroots talent is nurtured, and where even the smallest idea can create ripples far beyond a single conversation.
His ambition is to grow VICHAR into multiple chapters across Victoria, each one guided by the same spirit of dialogue and inclusivity.
By amplifying community voices and building bridges across cultures, Soni is quietly strengthening Victoria’s community bonds—one conversation at a time.
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