Matthew Guy visits Hare Krishna Temple in Albert Park

Offers support for next stage of development

Prachi Panchal

Leader of Victorian Liberal party Hon. Matthew Guy visited the Hare Krishna ISKCON Temple in Albert Park, Melbourne on the evening of Saturday 16 June to interact with devotees, and members of the Victorian Indian community.

As Victoria’s Multicultural Minister, Mr Guy had sanctioned the government funding of half a million dollars in 2014 towards building the new kitchen premises at ISKCON Albert Park. Mr Guy was shown plans for development projects at the temple, which the management wants to undertake to enable it serve the growing number of devotees, to which he responded that Hare Krishna volunteers were doing good work and therefore he was willing to offer support for the next stage of development. Mr Guy also said that he wanted to use Victoria’s multicultural advantage to grow economic and investment ties as well.

The Liberal candidates for the state seats of Albert Park and Prahran, Cr Andrew Bond and Ms Katie Allen, joined Mr Guy at the temple. The visit was arranged by former ministerial adviser Mr Nitin Gupta, ISKCON devotee Mr Darpan Mittal, and Liberal party members Mr Aravind Putta, Mrs Pallavee Joshi and Mr Daya Shetty.

Temple President Shri Anirudha Das Prabhu welcomed the State Opposition leader back to the Temple. Given a very warm welcome by the temple executive and devotees, Mr Guy was given a tour of the temple and new kitchen premises.

Mrs Roshni Sharma was the MC for evening. Temple Vice President Shri Sukhdev Prabhu delivered the formal vote of thanks on behalf of the temple devotees, while Mrs Shilpa Hegde delivered vote of thanks on behalf of the community.

Prominent members of Victorian Indian community such as AIBC Members Chondryma Chakrobortti, Jeyashree Nishtala, Sonal Sharma and Tarun Singh; AFL India ambassadors Sherry Bali, Priyanka Nomula, Nitin Tanwar and Bindiya Bakshi; Fiji Indian author Sadhna Wilson; Karthik Arasu (FIA); Amo Chakravarthy (Deakin University Indian Club); realtor Melvyn Pyster; Niti Mittal (Tax on Taurus); Anchal Agarwal (AIFI); and Frankston socialite Mr Prasad Philip; joined in to welcome Mr Guy during his ISKCON visit.

“It was a matter of pride and honour for all of us to host Mr Guy at ISKCON as the Liberal party has always supported just causes and organisations such as the Hare Krishna Temple,” said Mrs Pallavee Joshi.

Issues affecting the Victorian community such as increasing crime and safety issues; lack of cultural diversity in politics and corporate/political boards; Women in AIBC; Little India cultural precincts; IFFM reforms; and others were raised by the community leaders at the event.

Leading up to the Victorian State elections in November 2018, the state Liberal leader has already announced half a million dollars in funding for the Shree Durga Temple in Rockbanks, and another AUD200,000 dollar funding for the Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Downs.

More announcements seem to be on the way for the community. Follow The Indian Sun for more updates leading up to the state elections.