First-ever Indian presented Young Victorian award

Despite personal issues, Amit Menghani has strived to help his fellow students and has been justly rewarded for his efforts

BY DEVRAJ BHATTACHARYA

Meet Amit Menghani, a 24-year-old Aerospace Engineering graduate, who like many, came to Australia to study and seek a better life. Amit, who was born in Jaipur in Rajasthan, moved to Australia from Dubai in 2005. He appears to be a humble, downto-earth, hard-working person with a loving partner and a strong, supportive family back home. Despite all this, Amit is fighting quite a few battles of his own, and winning.

On July 1, Victoria Day, Amit was awarded the prestigious “Young Victorian of the Year” award by the Victoria Day Council, making him the first person of Indian origin to win the award in its history. The award is given to recognize those who have made the greatest of contributions towards the interest of the public.

Amit is currently President of the Federation of Indian Students Australia (FISA), an organisation which has an official aim to integrate, represent and empower Indian students living in Australia. The organisation, conceived in 2002 by Gautam Gupta, was initially created to bridge the gap between Indian and Australian cultures, and help migrants coming to Australia to integrate into society.

The spate of attacks on Indian students in the last few years has called for more solidarity within the Indian student community, resulting in Amit and his team working hard to channel these devastating events into something that can help current and future Indian migrants.

FISA is perhaps best known for its 2000-strong collective protest on the steps of Parliament House back in 2009, calling for stronger action against violence, particularly against Indians, which then seemed to be on an unchecked increase. Since that time, violence against Indian students does seem to have reduced significantly, but FISA still maintains an active role in assisting to bridge the gap between what seems to be two very different cultures.

Amit describes the group as “striving for equality among all students” and “helping to integrate Indian students” into Australian society and culture.

Speaking to Indian Link, he said, “We have followed many initiatives: we have tried to bring out issues and have tried to spread awareness of what students are facing. We have gone to the levels of integrating a lot of communities throughout Australia and Victoria, by hosting social events such as encouraging Indians to play AFL, and we have gone through senate enquiry to further put our cause across”.

Amongst other services, the group provides education information, guides to local areas, information about community events, and even emergency short-term accommodation assistance to students in dire need of help.

So what would be his recommendations to new migrants? Amit offers wise words of advice: “Students should keep an open mind and learn how different cultures work, take a step forward in building their careers, and socialize with others. Also, the most important thing for them is to contribute to society”.

FISA has no doubt been a success, and has certainly been thriving, a fact that has made Amit and his family very proud. “When my mother heard of the organisation and its work, she was moved to tears of joy,” he reveals.

In addition to the FISA committee, Amit says that those who have been personally affected by the past violent attacks have been a strong motivation and inspiration to fight for the cause.

Despite Amit’s success with promoting FISA, it has not been easygoing for him or his family. Back in India, they took a $100,000 loan to pay for Amit’s education and living expenses in Australia, despite their own financial difficulties, and they continue to pay it off at present.

Said Amit, “My family has sacrificed so much for me, and without them I would not be here. At one stage they took a large loan despite financial difficulties, God bless them. My parents have struggled, and my sister has been supporting my family whilst I cannot be there.”

A grateful Amit expanded on the sacrifices his family, recounting many episodes like how his mother has never eaten lunch outside home to save the extra dollar here or there, as every bit adds in paying off the heavy loan.

“My mother was literally in tears and did not want people to know of the sacrifices she went through, but I think they must be heard,” he states vehemently.

Amit’s journey has been and continues to be a struggle, but he is persevering. Despite his award and success at FISA, he remains incredibly modest and thankful to everyone who has helped him on his own journey and that with FISA.

He is also grateful to his partner, Swathi, whom he met after coming to Melbourne.

“She has been very supporting, helping me with my career and is responsible for what I’ve done today. She is one of the reasons I have been able to move forward,” he says.

Although Amit received recognition for his involvement within FISA, he is quick to admit that the organisation is definitely not a one-man army. “I would like to thank the entire FISA team: Deven Pravin Tanna,

A grateful Amit expanded on the sacrifices his family, recounting many episodes like how his mother has never eaten lunch outside home to save the extra dollar here or there, as every bit adds in paying off the heavy loan.

Raman Vaid, Gautam Gupta, Anu Bhardwaj, Ajay Unni and Hari Yellina for constantly supporting me and guiding me throughout my time as President. I would also like to thank former Consul General of India for Melbourne Ms. Anita Nayar for her constant guidance,” he says gratefully.

In addition to the FISA committee, Amit says that those who have been personally affected by the past violent attacks have been a strong motivation and inspiration to fight for the cause. “It was due to the blessings of all the victims and their families that I was able to continue doing the work of bring communities together. Due to them, FISA was able to promote peace and harmony and make Victoria safer, and Australia too,” he says in conclusion.

The Federation of Indian Students Australia is open to any Indian students living in Australia, planning to move to Australia, or the wider Indian community. For more information please visit http://www.fisa.org.au