Meet Hitendra
A local dad. An engineer. A coach. And a neighbour who wants to give something back.
From Pune to Australia
I grew up in Pune, India, and later spent around a decade working in the Gulf before making Australia home.
Migration teaches you a few things.
It teaches you not to take opportunity for granted. It teaches you to adapt. And it teaches you that building a life in a new place takes time, effort and the support of the people around you.
Australia has given my family and me an enormous amount. I want to give something back.
That is one of the reasons the idea of being a Community Independent appeals to me. I believe politics should be about serving the community — not serving a political party.
What engineering taught me about leadership
My professional life, as an Electrical Engineer and dual-MBA holder, has involved complex infrastructure and energy projects. I have worked with people from different disciplines and backgrounds, making decisions in environments where getting things wrong can have significant consequences.
It has taught me that difficult problems rarely have simple answers.
You need to understand the facts. You need to listen to the people affected. You need to understand the trade-offs. You need to ask questions. And when you make a decision, you need to take responsibility for it.
Those are the habits I would bring to Parliament.
I also know that an engineer does not solve every problem alone. You bring together the right people, listen to the expertise around you and work towards the best outcome. I see community representation in much the same way.
“Being your elected representative is a responsibility, not a career path.”
My everyday life
Raising two children with my wife, I have enjoyed an active family, spiritual and community life. I ride both push-bikes and motorbikes. I run regularly, and have a long-standing connection with badminton, both as a player and coach.
These activities have given me the opportunity to build local friendships and connections, allowing me to become part of the everyday fabric of Ashwood. I value the simple things that make a neighbourhood a good place to live.
Community is not something that starts and finishes with an election. It is built through the trust and relationships we develop over time and through being present where we live.
What matters to me
I believe good government starts with integrity and accountability. I believe communities should have a meaningful say in decisions that affect them. I believe we should focus on practical solutions to our challenges, while thinking seriously about the kind of community we want Ashwood to be.
I believe politics works best when people can disagree but work together, without treating each other as enemies. The politics of division does not create a better life for Victorians.
I'd like to hear from you
Tell me what matters to you. Tell me what is working, what isn’t, and what you think we could do better.
Representing a community should start with listening to all of its voices.
Ashwood is our home. Let’s make its future something we can all be proud of.
Your voice matters.