Videos
Voices of Hindu Heritage
Browse our collection of webinars featuring distinguished scholars, educators, community leaders, and young voices discussing Hindu Heritage, Sanatan Dharma, Vedic Wisdom, and Indian Civilization.
Webinar 1
Speakers :
- 1. Acharya Rami Sivan
- 2. Shalini Bhasin
- 3. Rajendra Pandey
Acharya Rami Sivan
Acharya Rami Sivan (Sri Rama Ramanuja Achari) is a Sydney-based Hindu Acharya, priest and teacher of Yoga-Vedanta philosophy with over 40 years of experience.
He undertook extensive traditional studies in India through the Gurukula system, studying Yoga-Vedanta, Sanskrit, Logic, Hermeneutics, Astrology, and Vedic & Tantric rituals at renowned centres in Rishikesh, Varanasi, Tirupati and Chennai. He was ordained as an Acharya in the Srivaishnava tradition in 1990, with authority to teach Scripture and philosophy, train students and conduct Hindu rites and ceremonies.
For more than four decades, he has taught Hindu philosophy, Dharma and spiritual practices across Australia, USA, South Africa and Bali. He has also trained Hindu priests, participated in temple consecrations, authored books on Hinduism, and conducted workshops and spiritual education programmes.
A founding member of the Australian Council of Hindu Clergy, Acharya Sivan continues to serve as a respected Dharma teacher, spiritual mentor and community educator.
Shalini Bhasin
Shalini Bhasin is a Brisbane-based businesswoman, entrepreneur and community leader with over two decades of professional experience in Australia.
She has held senior roles in Government Audit and Risk Advisory at both Federal and State levels before pursuing entrepreneurship and establishing a successful Australian family-owned business. Her business also contributed to bushfire relief efforts through supply-chain and logistics support.
A passionate community advocate, Shalini actively contributes to community wellbeing, empowerment and harmony, while supporting grassroots initiatives across Brisbane.
Rajendra Pandey
Rajendra Pandey is an Adelaide-based business and governance professional, community leader and advocate for multiculturalism, with extensive experience across governance, compliance, procurement and strategic operations.
He has held senior roles in Australian Government and education sectors, specialising in risk management, audit, contract management and organisational governance. He is also associated with Good Balance Advisory.
A strong community leader, Rajendra has served as President and National Spokesperson of the Vishva Hindu Parishad of Australia and has actively promoted social cohesion, multiculturalism and community harmony. His contributions were recognised with the 2017 Australia Day Citizen of the Year award.
Webinar 2
Speakers :
- 1. Dr. Jayant Bapat – Melbourne
- 2. Harshitha Reddy – Townsville
- 3. Shuchita Pota – Canberra
Dr. Jayant Bapat – Melbourne
Dr Bapat came to Australia in the 1960s and has had a long academic career, including at Monash University. He holds doctorates in Organic Chemistry and Indology/Social Anthropology and has pursued research into Hinduism, Hindu deities, goddess traditions, rituals and the Indian diaspora. He has also served as an Adjunct Research Fellow at the Monash Asia Institute.
Alongside his academic work, Dr Bapat has been a practising Hindu priest and Hindu and Civil Marriage Celebrant in Australia since the late 1970s. His priestly journey began in Australia when he was called upon to perform Hindu funeral rites for a member of the community, leading him to study and develop his knowledge of Hindu rituals. Over the decades, he has performed and taught Hindu rituals across Australia.
Dr Bapat has also contributed significantly to scholarship on the Hindu diaspora. He was a co-editor of The Indian Diaspora: Hindus and Sikhs in Australia and has co-edited important academic works on Hindu goddesses and Indic religious traditions.
His contribution has extended beyond academia and ritual practice to interfaith engagement, education and community service. He has participated in Australian interfaith initiatives and has represented Hindu perspectives in various public and educational forums.
In recognition of his contribution to the Hindu community and education, Dr Bapat was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (OAM)
Harshitha Reddy – Townsville
Harshitha is currently a second-year Pharmacy student at James Cook University, where she is pursuing her passion for healthcare and community service. Born and raised in India, she moved to Australia at the age of nine and has since embraced the opportunity to grow within both cultures while maintaining a strong connection to her Hindu heritage. Since moving to Australia, Harshitha has been an active participant in Vishva Hindu Parishad’s Bala Samskar Kendra, where she has continued to deepen her understanding of Hindu values, culture, and spirituality. Her involvement has strengthened her appreciation for her roots and inspired a lifelong commitment to learning, preserving, and sharing the traditions that have shaped her identity.
Shuchita Pota – Canberra
Shuchita is currently working as an economist in the resources space for the Australian Public Service living in Naarm/ Melbourne. Shuchita grew up in Canberra and spent many weekends at the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre where she was exposed to many ideas of religion, yoga and meditation. She studied a bachelor of Asia pacific studies and economics with minors in Indian history and Sanskrit, and holds a masters of international and development economics. She is a practising Hindu who tries to understand her heritage while being firmly grounded in life in Australia.