Trust reveals its plans
Says its objectives are to relieve poverty and to care for the sick, a report by PREETI JABBAL
It was around this time of the year in 2010 when the former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett launched the Australian Indian Benevolent and Charitable Trust (AIBCT). The Trust is administered and managed by a group of renowned members from the Indian community led by former Honorary Consul General of India, Dr T Janardhana Rao. The current trustees are Mrs Jaya Sharma, Dr Virendra Berera, Dr Jayant Bapat and Mr Deepak Sanghvi. The AIBCT recently invited members of media and community organisations to present information on the organisation’s activities and involvement over the past year.
Mr Arun Sharma Public Officer of AIBCT addressed a select group of invitees at the Heritage Indian restaurant in Heidelberg, and answered questions in relation to the Trust. The presentation folder outlined several cases that were referred to AIBCT and their status, it also stated the amounts that were provided to support certain cases, without disclosing any personal details. According to Mr Sharma, the process that AIBCT follows once a case is referred to them, is to allocate a case officer to investigate the background and authenticity of the claim. The Trustees then make a joint decision to provide assistance based on each individual scenario. The well-presented details provided an element of transparency to the Trust’s charitable efforts.
The Trustees of AIBCT bring with them vast knowledge and experience of providing assistance to the community. Dr Janardana Rao and Dr Virendra Berera have been involved with several Indian Associations over the years and have received recognition from their peers and the Australian Government. Mrs Jaya Sharma is an award winning journalist broadcaster who headed the national Hindi programme on SBS radio for many years. Dr Jayant Bapat is a Hindu priest and retired senior lecturer in Organic Chemistry from Monash University who was awarded the Order of Australia medal by the Governor General in the Queen’s birthday honours 2011. Mr Deepak Sanghvi is the branch President of Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Victorian Branch. He is the sole proprietor of four pharmacies and Vice President of the Gujarati Association of Victoria.
According to the AIBCT, their objectives are to use the held funds to relieve poverty and assist persons in need generally, and to care for the sick and needy of the community. They intend to provide scholarship and educational advancement, as well as provide financial assistance in settlement of migrants and refugees in Australia, and to carry out the last rites and funeral ceremonies of the underprivileged and persons in need. They plan to utilize the Trust’s funds for the advancement and celebration of spiritual and religious knowledge, values and events of cultural importance.
In the past year, a majority of the cases referred to AIBCT were to do with domestic violence and resettlement, and the frequency of these issues caused much concern within the community. According to the trustees they are hoping to acquire a short-term accommodation property for people in need soon. “We will be looking at organising fundraising activities in the near future. As we are a newly created Trust we are still trying to gauge what the community needs. Our approach is both a mix of reactive and proactive. While we get many cases referred to us, we also want the community to know that we are here in case they need help,” said Mr Arun Sharma. Mr. Sharma can be contacted through email at ajnr99@gmail.com.
