Who's Who** Jasvinder Sidhu - Ordinary people become extraordinary through their hardwork (candi

Ekta Sharma
Oct 25, 2015
7 min read

“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” ― John Bunyan

Now this statement comes out to be so true in the case of Jasvinder Sidhu. Apart from his personal accomplishments, he has been involved with such great & selfless projects. We all generally complain about the shortfalls around us but we generally don't have enough time to find a fix for it. But here's a man who is working hard to bring a change.

It's true that we can’t fix anyone’s life. What we can do is share, care, love, hug, listen and support. And we can use our greatest gift on behalf of others, our imagination. Imagination is where all progress begins, it’s the gateway to reality and an awesome force that can be used on behalf of others. In your mind’s eye see them as their happiest self, their successful self. See them as being and having what they would want to be and have. Refuse to accept anything but the best for them. Mediate with the unlimited Universe on their behalf and if they’re not in the state of consciousness to accept the good things you’ve imagined for them, they’ll land right on your doorstep. You’ll receive the reward of your kindness to another.

Jasvinder Sidhu has been working really hard & his dreams have only come true because of the generosity of the Volunteers & Loyal Donors. His vision is making an impact on the vital issues...!!! So here's a brief conversation....with the "Extraordinary Man"....

1. Please share about your life & vision, we all would love to know about it.

I migrated to Australia in 2005. I am a University lecturer with 10 years of teaching experience and three Masters qualifications submitting my PhD in 2016. I am currently teaching at RMIT University. I have taught in five countries including India, China, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia. I have also written a number of academic papers focusing on the interplay of the Indian caste system and social stratification with accounting profession and on intellectual capital performance and reporting especially by the Australian financial sector.

In addition I have presented my research at a number of prestigious conferences and esteemed universities in Germany, Spain, UK, Canada, Australia, India, New Zealand, Sweden and Portugal. I have been involved in community organizations since last 9 years as Executive Committee Member of Australia India Society of Victoria (2010-2013), Social Affairs Secretary of Sikh Community of Western Victoria (2008-2013). Additionally, I have established three large projects till date.

Research profile: https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=ttgn4HEAAAAJ&hl=en

2. Which projects are you working on....

## Founder and Secretary, Australia India Welfare and Cultural Society, Inc. (AIWCS)

In which runs Let’s Feed campaign which is a volunteers driven social movement and campaign. We have more than 100 donors and volunteers. I apply my experience and knowledge learnt as lecturer in costing and pricing efficiencies in social work and have used advanced modelling of Activity Based Management to establish a large virtual organization with $0 admin and running costs.

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/letsfeed.org

Website - http://letsfeed.org/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/LetsFeedProject

Major achievements of Let’s Feed are:

Established breakfast clubs reaching out to more than 700 school children on weekly basis by delivering groceries with online purchases
Provided much-needed equipment at various schools
The breakfast club model developed by Let’s Feed has been adopted by the Victorian State Government, which has implemented a similar program.
Established three mini-food banks, collected and donated nearly five tonnes of food. Our monthly donations at present range from 300-500 kgs of non-perishable food.
Helped violence victims with providing food

## Founder and Secretary, Jagriti: A Social Awakening, Inc.

I have established an organisation Jagriti: A Social Awakening, Inc. three years ago. Jagriti is a network of different agencies and individuals to provide appropriate responses to family violence in the Australian-Indian community. It was formed after a series of murders and deaths took place in 2012 within the Victorian-Indian community including highly published case of Sargun Ragi. Founder Secretary of Jagriti, I along with members assisted Sargun’s parents by sponsoring their airfare and other costs by raising money from community donations.

The network of Jagriti includes Victoria Police, researchers from University of Melbourne, La Trobe and Deakin, agencies such as InTouch, CoHealth, Women’s Health West, various Members of Parliament, Indian faith and community leaders, a number of Indian associations, medical practitioners, legal experts, social workers and a number of former unidentified victims of family violence who now support current victims as volunteers. This network has also assisted CoHealth in developing training programs for Indian faith leaders by providing feedback on content and context, assisted in developing educational flyers for Victoria Police and victims of violence who apply for IVO developed by Womens Health West.

Jagriti is also developing a support services manual culturally tailored for Indian victims of domestic violence which is led by Womens Heath West. Jagriti members run education and awareness campaigns, arrange workshops, family harmony days, participate in radio discussions, write articles in Indian papers, spread message against family violence at Indian events by either speaking to the crowd or making short presentations, mobilize support for victims. A number of initiates are directly linked to Indian community in Wyndham, however, Jagriti’s scope extends to the whole State. Wyndham benefits include training of faith and community leaders from local organisations and temples, regular talk shows with radio program based in Werribee.

I have written many articles and conducted talk shows on ethnic radio stations to create awareness among Indian community to recognize family violence as a social problem and seek assistance. I was also a part of a documentary produced by SBS which won a UN Award. On 15 May this year I alos appeared on ABC 7:30 report for creating this community based program to counter family violence in the Indian community.

And many other articles, radio programs such as SBS and an article The Age on 17th October this year have covered Jagriti’s work too.

## Multicultural Seniors Support Program

I had nitially set up this program at Tarneit Sikh Temple six years ago. The aim of program was to assist isolated migrant seniors particularly those who were vulnerable. Seniors who were included in the program were either physically fragile, under stress, were going through recent death of partner and were immobile due to language and age barriers. This need was identified through community consultations and research. Since then the program has benefited more than 150 seniors. Once seniors become self-sufficient then new people are recruited in the program.

a) Two vans pick up 25 seniors every week on Wednesday since six years. Drivers and van costs are paid from community donations and sponsored by the Tarneit Sikh temple. Around 20-30 seniors who now drive or use public transport reach temple themselves. The project cost is in excess of $30,000 per annum.

b) Seniors are encouraged to gain understanding of Australian systems, functioning of various services and to gain functional English language skills.

c) Seniors then create their own sub-groups and with the help of younger seniors who have good knowledge of English and who also drive, these sub-groups then become self-sufficient

d) The self-sufficient groups then create their own programs, apply for grants, do tours and outings etc and work with me.

e) Some seniors who benefited form program have also started small scale businesses.

f) A seniors association was formed out of this program (Multicultural Seniors Association of Victoria, Inc.) and I am their adviser for creating projects and applying for grants.

g) This program has done multiple tours and has run various programs on health and general awareness

h) Within this program seniors who meet at Tarneit Sikh temple cook their lunch. Additionally with this initiative they cook 50 meals per week for homeless children who are served by NOSH Van run by Open Family Australia

Radio station interviews/discussions and articles: I have had numerous media appearances to further my work including on 97.4FM, 3CR ZZZ, 88.9FM, 92.4FM, SBS Hindi and SBS Punjabi discussing a range of community issues including family violence, social isolation among Indian seniors and cultural assimilation issues. I was also part of a documentary, ‘Enemy Within’ which has won many national and international awards including one by the United Nations. I have written more than 40 articles in Indian papers exposing social issues and suggesting strategies to find solutions.

3. Support from Volunteers & Indian community?

We have 150 volunteers and donors. Support is from Indian and non-Indians both. Our youngest Lets Feed volunteer is 16 years old boy from Serbian background and now he is motivated to learn Hindi and Punjabi. Its because he is so overwhelmed with the gestures of Sewa by both Sikh and Hindu communities.

4. Support from Australian Govt?

We have not approached in food projects. But for Jagriti, Govt. always responds promptly whenever we asked.

5. Vision/Mission of Jagriti & Lets Feed?

Jagriti was incorporated with the following key objectives:

# To provide immediate support and counselling

# To provide advocacy support to clients in their dealings with community agencies and services

# To act as a liaison and referral source for clients to appropriate helping agencies

# To create awareness among migrant victims about their rights in Australia

# To create programs for social awareness through events, media and research

Details are available:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/letsfeed.org

FB Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/Letsfeed.org/

Website - http://letsfeed.org/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/LetsFeedProject

6. Do you want to share anything with the Readers.....(any message) I follow two basic principles 'win your mind and you have won the world'. This is given by Guru Nanak ('Man jeete Jag jeet'). And 'Be the change you wish to see in the world. This was given by Mahatma Gandhi. This summarizes all the problems in world and also offers all the solutions....

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