Meet the Executive Committee
Meet the Executive Committee of the Hindu Society of South Australia. The Committee, under the guidance of its President and together with its Volunteer community, manage the Shri Ganesha Temple and Community Cultural Centre. They also plan, organise and deliver a huge range of activities and events.
One of their chief tasks is to ensure the viability and sustainability of HSSA into the future. Committee members serve for terms of 2 years or more, and are elected at the AGM.
Meet the Executive Committee
Meet the Executive Committee of the Hindu Society of South Australia. The Committee, under the guidance of its President and together with its Volunteer community, manage the Shri Ganesha Temple and Community Cultural Centre. They also plan, organise and deliver a huge range of activities and events.
One of their chief tasks is to ensure the viability and sustainability of HSSA into the future. Committee members serve for terms of 2 years or more, and are elected at the AGM.
Committee Members
President -Madhava Bhat
Vice President – Prakash Anthonipillai
Secretary & Public Officer – Chitrarasu Pandian
Treasurer – Naveen Kumar
Member – Hima Shailaja
Member – Shailaja Mishra
Member – Bhuwan Gupta
Member – Sashith Janarthan
Member – Santhana Krishnan
Mr Madhava Bhat
President
- 0429 698 198
- president@hindusocietysa.com.au
“It is such a privilege and pleasure for me to work for an organisation that is so committed to preserve and foster the Hindu way of life, philosophy, and practices. Promoting and understanding of Hinduism is truly at the heart of everything we do every day.”
Since he migrated to Adelaide in 1995 with his family, Madhava has been associated with the Hindu Society of SA and the Shri Ganesha Temple. He has served on the HSSA executive committee since 2013. During this period, he has been a member of the executive team and the Secretary. He was elected to the position of President in 2020. In 2016 he oversaw the amendment of HSSA constitution. He is passionate about making changes in HSSA’s governance and practices that results in improved transparency and accountability. He has assisted in organising several functions and charity events.
He held the position of Chairman of the Radiation Oncology Accreditation Panel of the Australasian College of Physical Scientists & Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM) from 2011 to 2015. His research interests across several areas of radiation physics have led to the publication of several research papers in national and international journals. He had trained several physicists to achieve certification in Radiation Oncology Medical Physics.
Madhava, who previously served as the Chief Physicist at GenesisCare, has chosen to dedicate his time to serving the Hindu community in Adelaide after his retirement. He transitioned from a successful career to community service because of his deep commitment to making a positive impact and giving back to society.
Mr Sanjay Madhukar Raje
Executive Committee Member
- 0434 157 459
“I became a committee member of the HSSA Executive Committee in 2021. It is a great pleasure to serve our community on the HSSA Executive Committee. It is nice to help and assist community people in Shri Ganesha Temple.”
Sanjay looks forward to adding value to the work of the Committee. He has worked with different organisations for the last 15 years in Adelaide. He is one of the founder members of Adelaide Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samiti, and was the first Secretary of the ASGS from 2012 to 2015. Now he adds value to ASGS as a Senior Advisor. He was also a Secretary of Adelaide Marathi Mandal and actively involved in the Marathi Community.
Sanjay is a Mechanical Engineer and worked for Larsen & Toubro for 25yrs at Powai Plant, Mumbai. Now he works part time with an engineering company in Adelaide.
Mr Manjunatha Rudrapatna
Executive Committee Member
“I am humbled and feel privileged to be elected as a committee member and be associated with the HSSA. I look forward to working with the executive team contributing in a positive way offering my services in the spirit of our scriptures”.
Manjunatha joined the Executive Committee in November 2022. Being brought up in a traditional family environment, he learned Samskrita at school and also at traditional Samskrita paathashaalaas. He then started learning Veda chanting under his father and other Gurus.
He has been conducting Srimad Bhagavadgeeta chanting classes for the HSSA. Recently he also conducted Sri Vishnu Sahasranaamam chanting, online classes for a wider community.
Manjunatha’s belief that a balanced mix of rituals and the rationale behind those is required for promoting our traditions/culture aligns with the HSSA core value of working to uphold the principles and values of Sanaatana Dharma for next generations.
He holds a Masters degree in Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. He has significant work experience and currently employed at an Australian Government organisation as a Quality Manager.
Manjunatha loves walking, music and study of scriptures. He dedicates some time to explore Indian scriptures, in the modern-day context, through attending/listening to discourses of contemporary Achaaryaas, self-study and reflection.
Mr Prakash Anthonipillai
Vice President
- vp@hindusocietysa.com.au
“It is a privilege to serve the Hindu Society of South Australia and contribute towards strengthening our temple, preserving our rich Hindu heritage, and serving the wider community with dedication and integrity.”
Prakash Anthonipillai has been actively associated with the Hindu Society of South Australia (HSSA) and Shri Ganesha Temple since 2010. Over the past fifteen years, he has undertaken a wide range of volunteer responsibilities, contributing his time and expertise to support temple operations, community events, and infrastructure development. His commitment has always been driven by a genuine desire to give back to the Hindu community and to contribute to the continued growth and wellbeing of the temple.
As the current Vice President of HSSA, Prakash is committed to promoting sound governance, transparency, accountability, and sustainable development. He has played a key role in several significant temple initiatives, including facility improvements, operational planning, and projects that enhance the experience of devotees while supporting the long-term vision of HSSA.
Professionally, Prakash has built an extensive career in the telecommunications and construction industries since 2010. He possesses broad expertise in project management, operations, and service delivery, with experience spanning telecommunications infrastructure, network construction, optical fibre deployment, commercial fit-outs, and civil works.
In 2013, Prakash founded E-Link, a successful telecommunications and construction business that continues to operate under his leadership. As Principal Representative, he has successfully delivered numerous commercial and infrastructure projects, overseeing strategic planning, regulatory compliance, financial management, stakeholder engagement, and project execution. His professional experience has equipped him with strong leadership, organisational, financial management, and decision-making skills that directly support his responsibilities on the Executive Committee.
Beyond his professional career, Prakash remains deeply committed to community service through his longstanding volunteer involvement with HSSA. He believes that a strong temple is built on dedicated volunteers, effective governance, and a shared vision that serves both present and future generations.
Prakash looks forward to working collaboratively with fellow Executive Committee members, volunteers, and devotees to strengthen HSSA, preserve Hindu traditions and values, and support the continued growth of Shri Ganesha Temple as a vibrant spiritual and cultural centre for the Hindu community of South Australia.
Mr Rajah Thiyagarajah
Vice-President
- 0417 809 452
- vp@hindusocietysa.com.au
“It gives me great joy and satisfaction to serve in the HSSA Executive Committee and to help meet the spiritual, social and emotional needs of our devotees. I am passionate about ensuring that our community-funded temple is financially well-managed. This would support the upkeep of the Temple and implementation of new initiatives to benefit the community.”
Rajah has been a member of the HSSA Committee since 2015. He started a youth group soon after joining the committee and has been instrumental in developing various financial improvement measures. In December 2020 he was elected as Treasurer and hopes to further contribute his expertise to benefit the temple and the community.
Rajah is an international financial consultant and advises the Asian Development Bank, private sector companies and governments in over 20 countries. He regularly plays tennis and bridge and tutors maths to needy children.
Dr Swapna Kamal Sengupta
Executive Committee Member
- 0403 309 176
“After settling in Adelaide in 1998 we visited the Shri Ganesha Temple and were amazed to find nice groups of devotees fully committed to the welfare of the Temple. Their selfless devotion and sincerity were of a very high order. This stimulated me to join the Hindu Society SA Committee after my retirement as a specialist Histopathologist. Through this forum I promote the essence of our beautiful, most flexible and tolerant religion of the world, HINDUISM, in its right spirit.”
Swapna has helped in the decision-making process of the Committee and volunteered for the smooth running of all major Temple festivals since 2018. He has been instrumental in making our newsletter, Turiya Marga, more attractive with valuable suggestions. He has compiled a document on Brief Facets of Hinduism as an ongoing publication. He plans to progress Siva Selva’s wish for a smaller Gopuram on the west gate in memory of him and for further beautification of the Temple.
Swapna was born and brought up in an orthodox Hindu family of Kolkata. His tertiary education in a noble profession helped him to view life from a different perspective. He would visit places of worship and attend spiritual discourses, mostly of the Vedanta Society. Gradually he fully embraced Hinduism as the path of spiritual realization.
Mr Dilip Thakur
Public Officer & Volunteer Coordinator
- 0407 976 900
- volunteers@hindusocietysa.com.au
“I feel fortunate to be associated with the Hindu Society of South Australia from its inception some 35 years ago. From its humble beginnings I have been closely connected with its progressive milestones to-date. HSSA has been a conduit for my emotional and spiritual attachment to Shri Ganesha Temple. The Temple has offered me opportunities to meet Hindu Devotees from across the world and develop symbiotic relationships socially and spiritually.”
As a founding life member of HSSA, Dilip has been associated with organising religious events such as Celebration of Maha Ganesha Chaturthi, participate in annual fund-raising activities and in spiritual journeys through group recitals and Bhajans. He believes passionately in building harmonious bonds between people of different cultures, backgrounds, religions and across all layers of the society. He cares deeply about advocating for a multi-cultural Australia and multi-faith communities. He has been a member of the HSSA Executive Committee since 2021 and manages the Volunteers portfolio. He has also been appointed as HSSA’s Public Officer.
Dilip is a retired Occupational Therapist and Rehabilitation Consultant. Adelaide has been his home since 1978. Professionally, he was passionately focused on improving the health outcomes for individuals who have suffered physical and mental injuries. He has served as President of the Indian Australian Association of SA, and as Chairman and Trustee of the Indian Education and Cultural Trust Fund. He is a Justice of the Peace, and provides volunteering services to the University of Adelaide and Burnside City Council.
Ms Rubi Prakash
Executive Committee Member
- 0430 980 145
“It is a great privilege to serve our community in the HSSA Executive committee. We ensure that our culture and religion is sustained into the future of South Australia and help to build a better community environment. Being a part of the committee allows me to meet lots of new people within our community, while taking part in Temple functions and supporting our culture.”
Rubi became a member of the committee in 2021 and is eager to add her thoughts and to move forward in order to make an impact. She is looking forward to being involved in community services and being a reliable member. Overall, she is keen to support the rest of the committee members as well the community as a whole.
Rubi works in the admin department with E- Link Group, a telecom and construction company. She has done a lot of volunteer work at Shri Ganesh Temple and is always looking for an opportunity to help others.
Mr Arasu Pandian
Secretary
- 0403 152 288
- secretary@hindusocietysa.com.au
“I feel blessed to be part of the executive committee and serve the wider Hindu community. I am committed to continuous improvement and looking forward to contributing and adding value to the temple administration”.
Having been born and lived very close to Meenakshi Amman temple in Madurai, Arasu still remembers going to the temple with his mother during the months of ‘Marghazi’ for many years. Those vivid memories of going to Meenakshi temple are recalled whenever he visits Shri Ganesha temple as a devotee and a volunteer.
Arasu has a Mechanical Engineering background and has further studied in many other subjects (Information Systems, Operations & Practice Management). After working for a few years in India, Arasu with his family migrated to New Zealand and lived in Auckland for about 5 years. Since he moved and settled in Adelaide in 2001 he has been going to Shri Ganesha temple. Throughout the working life – spanning 37 years, he has managed and completed many projects resulting in cost saving and process improvements for the different companies he worked for. Currently with CSR Gyprock as their Inventory Specialist.
Likes to play badminton, go for hiking , listen to Carnatic music (sings sometime too) and feels very fortunate and blessed to be part of Adelaide Thiruvasagam Mutrothal group.
Mr Santhana Krishnan
Committee Member
- santhana.krishnan@hindusocietysa.com.au
“Serving the Hindu Society of South Australia is a deeply rewarding experience. I believe Sanatana Dharma is not just a religion but a way of life, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to an organisation that preserves our traditions, values and culture while serving the wider community.”
Santhana Krishnan is a Senior Procurement Advisor with the South Australian Government and has been living in Australia for the past 16 years, including the last 4 years in Adelaide. He strongly believes that Hinduism and Sanathana Dharma are a way of life and has been an active volunteer with the Hindu Society of South Australia.
Santhana is currently involved in assisting with the management of the Archana Counter alongside a dedicated team of volunteers. He is passionate about supporting community initiatives and contributing towards preserving and promoting Hindu culture, traditions, and values within the wider community.
Mr Bhuwan Gupta
Committee Member
- bhuwan.gupta@hindusocietysa.com.au
“It is a privilege to serve the Hindu Society of South Australia and give back to a community that has become like family to me. The temple is my second home, and I feel truly blessed to contribute towards preserving and promoting our Hindu culture, values, and traditions.”
Bhuwan Gupta has been associated with the Hindu Society of South Australia (HSSA) since 2020. What started as volunteering soon became a meaningful part of his life. From serving at the Archana Counter and helping manage crowds during busy festivals to supporting various temple activities, he has always enjoyed spending his time serving the community. For Bhuwan, the temple is much more than a place of worship—it is a place of belonging, friendship, and service.
In November 2024, Bhuwan was honoured to join the HSSA Executive Committee. He currently looks after the temple hall and event bookings, helping ensure community functions and religious events run smoothly. Over the years, both as a volunteer and now as an Executive Committee member, he has been grateful for the opportunity to share ideas and practical improvements that contribute to making HSSA an even better place for everyone.
Outside the temple, Bhuwan is an experienced ICT Project Manager with more than 20 years of experience delivering large-scale technology and business transformation programmes across Australia and internationally. His professional background in leadership, project delivery, governance, and stakeholder management allows him to bring structured thinking and a collaborative approach to his work with HSSA.
Bhuwan has always believed that the greatest satisfaction comes from serving others. Whether it is helping during festivals, supporting temple activities, or simply being available when needed, he enjoys giving back to the community that has given so much to him and his family. He feels proud to be part of HSSA and values the friendships and sense of togetherness it has brought into his life.
Looking ahead, Bhuwan is excited to contribute to HSSA’s future initiatives and projects. He remains committed to working alongside fellow volunteers and committee members to help the Society continue to grow while preserving the values and traditions that connect and inspire our community.
Dr. Hima Shailaja
Committee Member
- hima.shailaja@hindusocietysa.com.au
“I am honoured to support HSSA’s mission of fostering spiritual growth, cultural continuity, and community connection. It is a privilege to serve the Hindu Society of South Australia and contribute towards preserving, promoting, and strengthening Hindu culture, values, and traditions for current and future generations.”
Dr Hima Shailaja has been associated with the Hindu Society of South Australia (HSSA) and Shri Ganesha Temple for more than a decade as a devotee, volunteer, and active member of the Hindu community. During this time, she has participated in numerous religious, cultural, and community initiatives that have contributed to the growth and sustainability of the organisation.
As a member of the Executive Committee, Dr Shailaja is committed to supporting strong governance, effective community engagement, and the long-term development of HSSA. She is passionate about fostering greater participation by families and young people, strengthening educational and cultural initiatives, and ensuring that HSSA continues to evolve while preserving the values and traditions of Hindu Dharma.
Professionally, Dr Shailaja is a Consultant in Pain Medicine and Head of the Pain Management Unit at Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide. She is a specialist in Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine and has extensive experience in clinical leadership, healthcare governance, strategic planning, service development, workforce management, quality improvement, and multidisciplinary team leadership.
In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Dr Shailaja is actively involved in professional education, research, conference organisation, and specialist assessment through the Faculty of Pain Medicine. Her broad experience in organisational leadership, policy development, stakeholder engagement, financial oversight, and governance provides valuable expertise in her role on the Executive Committee.
Community service has been a central part of Dr Shailaja’s personal and professional life. Through both her medical career and volunteer activities, she has contributed to mentoring, community education, charitable initiatives, cultural programs, and leadership activities that strengthen community wellbeing and create opportunities for future generations.
Dr Shailaja remains committed to serving the Hindu community with integrity, compassion, and dedication. She looks forward to working collaboratively with fellow Executive Committee members, volunteers, and devotees to support the continued growth of HSSA and Shri Ganesha Temple as vibrant centres of faith, culture, education, and community for generations to come.