Trustees of the Shri Ram Mandir Trust inspire confidence, commitment and piety, encouraging people to offer their contributions and donations for the most ambitious and expensive project that the charitable organisation has undertaken since its inception. They are people prov en integrity, social service and leadership qualities. The following is a profile of the Trustees.
PRAVIN KUMAR
Pravin Kumar is the Founder and Managing Director of Lotus Group of Companies, which includes Lotus Foreign Ex change Ltd (NZ), Lotus Foreign Ex change Pty Ltd (Australia), Lotus Foreign Exchange Ltd (Fiji), and Lotus Gold Merchants Ltd (NZ). Known for his business acumen and genuine love and desire to make a difference to the lives of the people around him and the community, Mr Kumar brings a high note of credibility as Managing Trustee. The Trust finds in him, a person of unwavering commitment and zeal to achieve its goals. His commitment and passion are inimitable. A Chartered Accountant by profession, Mr Kumar completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of the South Pacific. Following a ten-year tenure at the Westpac Bank in Fiji, he migrated to New Zealand in 1999. He is a Senior Associate member of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia. He has been running his business for the last 14 y ears and has made an admirable progress, serving and helping the community in many ways. Mr Kumar is a community worker and profoundly religious. He was the President of the Waitakere Hindi School, contributing immensely to its growth and progress. He is also known for his services to the Waitakere Indian Association. Married to Kashmin Kumar and they have two children and live in Te Atatu South in Auckland.
SALENDRA KUMAR
Salendra Kumar is a New Zealand qualified Chartered Accountant and a member of the NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants. He has been practicing in the public sector for the past 16 y ears, specialising in Accounting and Taxation. He was also employ ed at Coopers & Ly brand, Chartered Accountant in Fiji and is currently at UHY International, Auckland. Apart from serving corporates, small, medium and large companies and individuals, Mr Kumar assists in preparing business plans, cash flow forecast, and developing Key Performance Indicators (KPI). He is the Principal and Director of Party Planet (NZ) Limited, a business based in West Auckland specialising in party supplies, helium balloons and venue decorations. Mr Kumar came to New Zealand as a high school student in 1988 and after completing his Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Auckland, he worked in Fiji for two y ears before returning to New Zealand. A West Auckland resident for over 15 years, he has been involved with several community and sports groups. He is passionate about helping the community and looks forward with excitement and hope to the challenges of the building a Community Centre and Temple. Mr Kumar is married with two daughters.
SHIU CHARAN
Shiu Charan is the senior-most Trustee. A retired schoolteacher former Member of the Fijian Parliament, he migrated to New Zealand in 2004. He left an indelible mark in Fiji as a teacher and General Secretary and President of Fiji Teachers’ Union, championing the rights of teachers. He was also the Vice-President of the Suva Intellectually Handicapped School, and served as the Vice-President of the Fiji Trades Union Congress, the national body of trade union representing workers in private and public sectors. Mr Charan attended several international conferences, seminars and training sessions, including the Institute of Teacher Organisations Development in Fiji. He was a member of the Public Serv ice Appeals Board and Secretary of Fiji Bus Operators Association. He also served as Assistant Secretary of the Sanatan Dharam Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji for four y ears. Mr Charan is a well-known and respected member of the Indian community in New Zealand. He is very passionate and believes in helping the needy, underprivileged and the poor sectors of the community. He is currently President of the New Zealand Association of Fiji Teachers, a charitable organisation and is actively involved with several Ramay an Mandalis in various capacities. He is married and has three children and six grandchildren.